scope or red dot with magnifier?

[maroonandwhite]

I am trying to decide on an optic for my SBR build and am going back and forth between a 1-4x scope or a red dot with flip over magnifier.  I will be using this for hunting but once I get a suppressor it will also be my home defense gun. As far as hunting goes the 1-4 would suit my needs just fine but I am thinking a red dot would be better suited for HD. What say you?

[mikegideon]

I have a couple of Eotechs, and Aimpoint, and a few other cheapie red dots. Can't beat them for shooting at running zombies. With that said, it limits the accuracy of the gun at longer ranges for me. With a magnifier, that dot is gonna get bigger and cover more of the target. Besides, I don't like hinges on guns.

 

I have been looking hard at this...

 

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-pst-1-4x24-riflescope-with-tmcq-moa-reticle-capped-turrets/reticle

 

I don't think it will replace an Eotech completely, but it sure will make the gun more useful for things other than zombie slaying. There are some really good QD mounts out there. Nothing except the budget says you have to be stuck with one optic.

[maroonandwhite]

Yeah I love me some Vortex. I have eyeballed that one but will probably end up going with the Bushnell version if I choose a scope. I have never been one to spend a whole lot on optics but I don't want to buy junk either.

[btq96r]

With a magnifier, that dot is gonna get bigger and cover more of the target.

 

Yup. 

 

Whel I ordered my EoTech, I took advantage of a Primary Arms promotion that added a maginifer and mount with it at a discount.  Was getting giddy over having it all set up, then I saw how huge the reticle was under a magnifier and lost my chub for it.  I ended up selling the magnifier and mount to a fellow TGO'er.

[maroonandwhite]

As embarrassing as this sounds I'm just afraid that a scope will look funny on the short rifle...... :surrender:

Paying all the extra crap I want it to look cool too! Function over form though is my main goal in the end. I have been debating on going with a slightly longer 10.5" barrel to give me a little more real estate to hold on to but figure if I am doing an SBR I might as well go as short as I can.

[mikegideon]

As embarrassing as this sounds I'm just afraid that a scope will look funny on the short rifle...... :surrender:

Paying all the extra crap I want it to look cool too! Function over form though is my main goal in the end. I have been debating on going with a slightly longer 10.5" barrel to give me a little more real estate to hold on to but figure if I am doing an SBR I might as well go as short as I can.

 

Put a can on it. That would be my main reason for building a short rifle anyway.

Edited April 24, 2015 by mikegideon

[maroonandwhite]

Put a can on it. That would be my main reason for building a short rifle anyway.

Oh it's getting one....eventually haha. As we all know they aren't cheap and I'm doing good to get the wife to let me do the SBR.

[atlas3025]

I run an EOTech G33 Magnifier behind an Aimpoint CompM4.  At 100 yards, the dot covers about a 2 inch circle.  The thing is, without magnification, the dot still covers the same percentage of the target.  The dot doesn't change in relationship to the target, but you can see the target better.  You won't lose accuracy because you use a magnifier, you will gain because you can see the target better.  The Dot looks bigger because the target looks bigger...but they both grow by the same size.

 

It functions the same as a first focal plane scope where the cross-hairs cover the same percentage of the target regardless of which magnification you are using.

[mikegideon]

That elevation turret on the scope can come in handy when you're shooting subsonic ammo.

[Lumber_Jack]

Buy a 1-4 scope. I've used magnified red dot and for hunting I've wanted a small scope every time.

[Lumber_Jack]

Just get a QD mount and have a non magnified red dot for home use.

[MacGyver]

Just get a QD mount and have a non magnified red dot for home use.

This would be my advice exactly.

 

You'll spend less money and have a better setup that you'll be happier with in both circumstances.  Magnifiers are bigger and clunkier than they look.  They perform well, but don't offer as much to the hunter as a dedicated scope would.  Were it me, I'd buy a red-dot with a mount that'll return to zero, and do the same with a decent scope.

[BigK]

I thought I wanted a magnifier with my Vortex red dot too until I tried it.

 

-Without magnification it looks like covering a tennis ball sized target with a tennis ball sized dot. 

-With magnification it looks like covering a volleyball sized target with a volleyball sized dot.

 

On the other hand, I don't like the idea of a scope on a HD rifle. My first choice would be holographic sight. My second choice would be a green laser and BUIS.

[maroonandwhite]

Maybe I can do a scope with offset irons. Never used those before though and they can't be easy to use.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I use a red dot only for home defense. It is in a QD mount and I have magnified optics for the range.

 

If you want to try a set of the offset sight PM me your address and I will send you a set to try. I really like mine and they do make close shots a lot easier. I will say that they do make the gun a bit wider but it is not a problem for most.

[maroonandwhite]

I use a red dot only for home defense. It is in a QD mount and I have magnified optics for the range.

 

If you want to try a set of the offset sight PM me your address and I will send you a set to try. I really like mine and they do make close shots a lot easier. I will say that they do make the gun a bit wider but it is not a problem for most.

Thanks for the offer but I won't hassle you with doing that. Honestly I can probably get an idea of what they will be like just tilting the gun. After looking online at them though I'm not sure I want that much sticking off the side of the gun.

[nightrunner]

Thought about something the size of an Aimpoint T-1 or RMR in an offset mount along with your scope?

[Lumber_Jack]

I have a Burris PEPR mount you could put a small fastfire on top Edited April 24, 2015 by Lumber_Jack

[mikegideon]

[atlas3025]

Is that a Zorg ZF-1?

[Guest tangojuliet]

ide look at primary arms 1-6 acss scope or if your heart is truly set  on 1-4 ide check out leatherwood hi lux i think its cmr  

[jgradyc]

I understand the need for a scope/red dot for hunting, but I'm missing the point of using either on a home defense SBR or any other home defense gun. Why would you need/want a red dot for home defense?

 

The greatest distance I'd ever need to engage a target in my home is 25 feet. Realistically, it would probably be closer. You should be able to hit a plate-sized target at 25' with a rifle just by pointing.  Also, I find using a red dot sight gives me tunnel vision. I'd rather have full peripheral vision in my home. For what it's worth, I have a red laser on my home defense shotgun with a quick and easily accessible on-off switch. It doesn't look bad or good. It's so small, it's not noticeable unless it's turned on. It's not great outdoors in bright sunlight, but my house is indoors.  :rofl:  

[mikegideon]

 Also, I find using a red dot sight gives me tunnel vision.

 

Open that other eye.

[maroonandwhite]

ide look at primary arms 1-6 acss scope or if your heart is truly set  on 1-4 ide check out leatherwood hi lux i think its cmr  

1-6 is a good idea. I didn't realize anyone made a 1-6......

[nightrunner]

Leupold makes a 1.1-8x and Schmidt & Bender make a true 1x-8x. Pricey though.