Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Red/green dots

Hello all!
I’ve never used a “Dot” sight before. I’m not really an AR kind of guy but thinking of putting one on an AR for Coyote hunting. Will I be able to acquire the target as quickly as with a low powered scope? I like a 1x4 for woods hunting. Which would be your preference? Scope or Red/Green dot?
Thanks for input,
Rick

Faster
I've never had green so can't comment on color. I like the reticles that have halos for fast acquisition

Green is supposed to be quicker for the eye to pick up, red does just fine. I would say stick with what works for you. Dot sights are not as exact as a scope. Dots excel on speed for getting on target but are limited for distance shooting in my opinion.

I have a red one and a green one. I prefer a green front on my levers with an aperture rear. Wasn’t sure which color would work best for me so I’ll try both. Mine do have the circle with a dot.
Thanks!
Rick

It’s not just your opinion, I’d call it a fact.

I’ll be shooting at woods ranges, probably under 70 or 80 yards. If I can shoot a 2” or so group with it at 100 I should be good. I’m wanting something quick to get on target and handle that occasional double or more.
Rick

Green dots work a little better if you have astigmatism.

Depends on if your color blind like me. I'm red / green color blind yet I see red slightly better than green. Why, I have no idea, one of the many great things I deal with on a daily basis. Ha.

It depends on the hunting situation. I found red to be the best all round because I’ve had my greens all but vanish in new spring bright green leaves and growth.


Generally the red is still distinguishable in fall red scrub and brush leaves and spots because its a different color.

I would recommend Aimpoint or Trijicon then.

IMO a 1-4X scope on 1X is every bit as fast as a dot or iron sights plus you have the advantage of 4X for longer shots. They work well enough in low light, MUCH better than irons and equal to a dot sight. You reach a point with dots where you can see the dot but can't see the target so I don't really see them as better in low light.


Over the years I've experimented with a few dot sights in the $200 price range and didn't find one that I liked. I tried the Holosun a few months ago and I like it quite a bit. I have one on an AR and another on a 9mm PCC. I like green better too. You can get the Holosun in red for about $310, green is $340, but it is worth the $30 to me.

They use a small dot inside a circle. The circle makes it easy to pick up quickly and the with the small dot I can keep groups around 2-3" at 100 yards. I haven't tried it farther.

The advantage of the dot sight is that it keeps the rifle/sight package smaller and lighter. IMO I think I'd prefer a low powered scope for hunting and give the dot sight a slight edge for defensive use.

I agree JMR40,

The 1-4 is hands down better in most hunting scenarios all around. I have switched almost all of my red dots back to ghost rings because the Ghost are just faster.