Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Red dot recommendations for youth rifle

My crappy Trophy has bounced around on my Mule for some fifteen years atop a Contender carbine .223. Recoil did not get it and neither did running over it at least once.

It is the older red only (new ones offer a green or red choice) with two size dots, a circle dot, and a crosshair. The crosshair is not in sync with the three dot variations, has been my only gripe so far.

I would likely choose the TRS25 or better for another. I like the red dots.

Best, Jack

FWIW, all RD sights I've messed with, have some serious dot parallax inside 100yards....except some of the top tier stuff. No big issue, IF the shooter is aware and has consistent cheek weld. If not, 3-4" of wander on shot placement at 50yards, can frustrate younger shooters. Just be aware of the possibility. Probably the cheapest fix: shooting glasses with a piece of scotch tape over the off/dominant eye.

For $200 the Ultradot red dots are excellent, and they're very tough. I've used them on 44 Magnum and 480 Ruger handguns with hot loads and they've held up perfectly. The Ultradot also can be mounted on a short action rifle using standard 30mm rings.

Primary Arms make good economy red dots. There are a number of models but I've used the micro dots (look like an Aimpoint H1/T1). The base model is $89 and the advanced model with a advertised battery life of 50K hours is $169. They're pretty nice for the money and have held up well on my guns.