Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Red Dot versus illuminated reticle scope

I live in a rural area (no neighbors in sight) and have a AR 15 I keep as a home defense weapon. Trying to decide whether to mount a red dot sight or a low power illuminated reticle rifle scope on it. Any advise would be appreciated.

Check out the Primary Arms 1-8x24 ACSS 5.56 illuminated reticle scope at $389.

Not telling you to buy it. Just check it out. i have the 1-6 7.62/300 BO on one of my AK's and like it.

I believe the 5.56 1-8 version does not have the ranging ladder on the right of the reticle, also. A better reticle, IMO.

Quality red dot sights typically have longer battery life and may seem faster at close ranges. Low power variables extend your range and ability to descriminate targets. They are going to add weight though.

Red dots are fine for close range I hit about 4 inches with a red dot at 100 yards and a rest using cheap ball ammo. They are not fine at night unless you have a good light, but then neither is a 1-4 variable scope. I have 4 red dots, Eotech, 2 aimpoint T1's and a Sig Romeo 4. The Romeo is not on anything now but its not a half bad red dot for the money on a plinker. I am getting to appreciate 1-4 scopes a whole lot better these days, I have 1 Leupold 1-6, 1 SWFA 1-4, 1 Trijicon 1-8 and trying to buy a Trijicon 1-4 accupower. I don't line the accupoints as they wash out shooting from dark to light. The SWFA 1-4 is "ok" but I don;t like the external turrets and the reticle is a bit busy for my eyes.

If red dots and low powered illuminated scopes don't work at night then I guess there is no point in changing what's on the rifle now. I am currently running a Leupold VX 1 2-7 variable w/ duplex reticle.

nothing works at night except night vision or a good weaponlight.

You need to look at the SWFA 1-6HD. It's expensive, but seems to be worth it.

Look on the optics forum at cameralands 1.5x6, 32 mm, IR ballistic reticle with 30mm tube, rail mount and flip up lens caps for 149.99$

Mine’s going on an AR.

I'm pretty happy with my Steiner P4xi 1-4 scope.

Forgot to add, it's a Bushnell Gold series.

I think the Leupold 1.5-4x Mark AR with the illuminated SPR reticle would be really good for what you describe, if you want the capability of a little more precision than just a red dot. That reticle (and the TMR on the 3-9x version) has an illuminated green center dot, and a motion sensor so it shuts off after 5 minutes of no movement, and turns on instantly when you move the gun. The glass in those is very good for low light, even though they're not a real expensive scope. It's not much of a long distance scope, but it doesn't sound like you're looking for that anyway.

Hope that helps!

I have the 3-9x40 and really like it,with the adjustable light brightness it works really well in bright sunlight as well.Green dot is great.
I am going to get the 1.5-4x to put on a 6.8 Pistol with 10.5 inch barrel

Red Dots have the nice features. I use a Holosun HS503GU. Auto on/off, battery lasts forever, 2 reticles, 2 MOA dot, variable brightness. I mount it forward of the ejection port and shoot both eyes open - very fast target acquisition. Around $200.
Plus the HS503GU is about 3oz - most scopes are quite a bit heavier.

I'm good on head-size targets to 200yds. The vast majority of my shooting is less than 100yds.

I would use a scope only for shooting groups.

TLR-1 HPL and a decent scope with an illuminated reticle. I have this light on a DD pencil barreled gun along with a Leupold VX-6 1-6 x 24 with firedot reticle. For shooting stuff at night at 50-100 yards this does OK. If your primary mission is predators look at a green or red light. I have a wicked light and a VRL varmint light. If you want to spend $5-6K you can get a thermal sight

I'd attach a light to the forend of your rifle. I can light up the area around my house for at least 100 yards and easily see the crosshairs of the 1-4X scopes on my AR's with a cheaper light. I think I paid about $30 for it. I don't like red dots at all. A low powered conventional scope with a lighted reticle can still be used with a dead battery. Wtih either one all the dot or lighted reticle does is make it easier to see the crosshairs in low light. They don't help see the target at all, in fact they make it harder to see the target. In no light they are useless.

The Vortex Viper PST 1-4x. It's the best of both worlds IMO.