Let’s see what you think

[aslrookie]

I’m curious what you guys have to say about this.

My eyesight is not what used to be, and my groups with a red dot at 50 yards are not as tight as usual. I used to be able to zero a red dot at 100 with paper targets. Now 50 is a struggle before getting eye fatigue. 25 is much easier, but I hate 25yd zeroes.

So do I zero with a 2” group at 50 or with all rounds touching group at 25?

 

[Heretoimproveforhunting]

what rifle what caliber? im assuming we are talking rifle, though some may zero a hunting pistol at 100 . . .

zero at the range you'll shoot. if the groups arent tight enough, think about a different optic.

 

[FisherT&C]

I’m curious what you guys have to say about this.

My eyesight is not what used to be, and my groups with a red dot at 50 yards are not as tight as usual. I used to be able to zero a red dot at 100 with paper targets. Now 50 is a struggle before getting eye fatigue. 25 is much easier, but I hate 25yd zeroes.

So do I zero with a 2” group at 50 or with all rounds touching group at 25?

I would just do 50 yards if this is a self defense rifle, and fun gun. I once had an entry rifle with a reflex sight I zeroed at 15 yards in case I need needed to pop someones grape at room clearing ranges. Tune it to your application.

 

[diggler1833]

No real right/wrong answer here...but do you have the ability to zero at 36 yards?

 

[Lawless]

With a RDS on a defensive 16” carbine a 50/200 zero means you’ll be inside a 4” circle to about 250 yards (MPBR with a 4” target diameter)

On a 10.5“ the same can be achieved with a 43/175 yard zero and be good to about 200.

It sounds that like me your eyesight wont be good to way out yonder with a dot anyway so don’t sweat it. Zero at 50 because you probably won’t ever fire a shot in anger farther than that anyway. If you had to the limiting factor would be your vision, not any error in the zero.

 

[digitalshooter]

Why not get a low power variable optic instead of using a red dot?

 

[aslrookie]

This is on my 11.5 5.56 SBR. The reason why I am using a red dot vs LPVO is for passive aiming under night vision. I thought about adding a magnifier, but I'd rather spend the money on more ammo and shoot more.

I can see what I am aiming at, at 50 yards with the red dot, but I can't consistently put it back in the exact same spot like you can with a magnified optic. So my group would be something like 2 rounds touching on the right side of my intended aiming point and then 2 rounds touching on the left side of my intended aiming point.

I just like to have a solid zero and not a ballpark one. I suppose I could try a bigger/higher contrasting target to see if that helps.

 

[digitalshooter]

So how about something like this:

Primary Arms SLx 1-8x24 FFP Rifle Scope - Illuminated ACSS Raptor Reticle - 5.56 / 5.45 / .308

This Primary Arms rifle scope is part of the SLx optics line.

www.primaryarms.com

It's a 1-8 and is night vision compatible without spending a whole lot of money. It has a fast focus eye piece so you can adjust it to your eyes. It will allow target identification out past 50 or 100 yards and will act more like a red dot at the lower powers. It's a BDC reticle that is supposed to be pretty accurate from everything I've seen on the interwebs. They do have a mil and moa version that is a precision type reticle if that's what you would look for but for night vision compatibility the cost goes up to over a grand. Right now it's out of stock on their website but you might be able to find it somewhere if you're interested.

It's either a LVPO or your best bet would be to get a magnifier and use that. But then who knows how that would work with your eyesite. Believe me, I feel for you because I'm in the same situation. So instead of a red dot I'm going with a LVPO. I just got the platninum version of the optic I linked. I haven't had time to put it on the rifle I'm building yet because the upper isn't finished but so far it looks good. But that is just my very preliminary thoughts on it so far and I do reserve the right to change my mind.

And remember, even an AR with a 11.5" barrel can still get some reach.

 

[acudaowner]

me I cannot see beyond 100 yards anymore even with glasses I cant make out the target threw the blurs let alone little holes . The scope is the only thing that will clear that problem up and it works so far for me . No blur just clear picture and the tiny holes sadly seeing the pulled last shot is so darn clear now still hurts but that's life . Guess that's the trade off you can see whether you want to or not . I am just happy I do not have to walk down so much just to see a good shot group or a bad one I can see them as I shoot em . least till I find a longer range . then shot cams or telescopes my be my only saving grace and shot capture apps.

 

[perttime]

See an optometrist? Perhaps one who has a clue about shooting?

 

[Lawless]

LPVO

 

[The DFC]

I've gone LPVO route as well-I like to shoot tiny groups and take carbine classes.

 

[aslrookie]

Update: I chose a higher contrasting yellow target vs orange or black and was able to see a lot better. I managed to get both my red dot sights zeroed at 50 with good groups, confidence and no eye fatigue.

The yellow target made a huge difference.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Get a high quality 1-6/8...