Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles where to mount red dot

I recently put a Bushnell red dot sight on my AR.

This is my first red dot sight and Thinking like a scope, I should mount it close to my eye.

Then I got to re-thinking and decided maybe it should be mounted as far forward on the rail as it would go.

Kind of like the scout scope theory. You can see around it and see your target better.

Gotta get it sighted in today and "test" it, but I think "more forward" is going to be better.

Where do y'all mount your dot sights???


Thanks for any feedback!

Virgil B.

Forward - it's not a scope, and most red dots are designed to be used both eyes open.

Exact distance forward is depending on your age (eyes), rail set-up, and size of the optic.

I mount it as far forward on the upper receiver as it will go.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts!

Will get my rifle re-sighted today, and do some testing/shooting.

Reminder to self; Got pick up more Grapefruit!
These make FUN targets when hit with 50 grain Vmax bullets..(GRIN!)

Virgil B.

Got my red dot sight re-sighted.

YES! This works WAY better!

I now have it mounted at the far front end of my rail, and my 64 year old eyes can see it just fine!

It's way quicker to get on targets now.

Thanks again!

Virgil B.

NO!!! Do not mount on the rail, forward of the receiver, like a scout. Furthest forward STABLE mounting position, which is as far forward on the receiver you can go. Beyond that, it is not stable. Keep it on the receiver, as far forward as it fits.

I think he's talking about the picatinny rail on his receiver, not the handguard.

Yes;

I was talking about the picatinny rail, not an actual "scout" type mount, or a mount that is forward of the receiver.

It just "seems" more like a scout type of setup, when you can see around the red dot sight when its mounted on the front end of the picatinny rail, instead of the back.

And YES it is WAY quicker for engaging targets this way.

Virgil B.

There will be a spot that offer the best visualization thru and around the dot, too close and it obscures stuff, too far and it gets wonky, harder to align.