Red dots and what they are used for.
When thinking about red dots, it's important to use the correct one for the type of shooting you are doing.
How to chose your red dot - Click HERE
In terms of shooting types, there are a few in which you could use a red dot.
For example, for PRS competition, 3 gun matches, IPSC, Close range hunting, Plinking with rifles, airsoft, and even on spotting scopes.
This is not an exhaustive list of competitions as there are over 50 distinct type of shooting and you could use a red dot for significant portion of these.
PRS competitions
Red dots have become popular in PRS competitions as a way to search for the target without having to adjust the scope, this can save time and increase your score.
How this is done, is that the shooter will have a pic rail mounted above or offset from his rifle but in line with the optic sight and will use the red dot to aim the rifle in the correct area quickly and then move to his scope to make the shot. The shooter will do this as PRS competitions targets are generally separated by large distances both in terms of distance and lateral angle from the shooter. For example, you've just shot a white steel plate at 200m and now the next target is a white steel plate at 600m up a hill. Rather than zooming out, searching for the target and adjusting the parallax, the magnification again, the elevation and windage turret in to take your shot, you would pop your head up, use the red dot to search for your target, once found then back down onto the scope, adjust the magnification (for the first time), parallax, elevation, windage and take the shot. The way this works quicker is the scope has a limited field of view depending on the magnification whereas the red dot has a much larger field of view and the little dot allows for a quick reference point without sacrificing time fiddling with that extra step for the magnification. I know this doesn't seem like a lot but in the higher grades of shooters, every second counts.
3 Gun Matches
If you ever watched John Wick and thought, I could do that, then you've thought about a 3 gun match.
Basic premise is you have a walkable course to move through with targets dotted along them around obstacles and using a semi automatic rifle then a semi automatic shotgun and then a pistol, hitting the designated targets with the designated weapon for that target.
Where red dots and holographic sights come into it is that most of the time, the targets are very close and a quick and accurate shot must be fired. Red dots are able to do this because they have no parallax so distance doesn't matter for these optics, just put the dot onto the target and fire away. With the sheer amount of red dots now, it is very easy to choose the correct type for your rifle (generally an AR15 style for these matches), shotgun and pistol.
IPSC
IPSC Action Air is a UK legal type of practical shooting event which allows for the use of red dots in the "optical/electronic sights" category.
This sport is growing in popularity and so too, the use of red dots.
Very similar to 3 Gun Matches, IPSC requires quick and accurate shots taken at generally closer distances and the red dots allow this as iron sights on a pistol can take longer than red dots to aim. This is simply because you have to line the rear sight, up with the front sight then onto the target wheras, a red dot is just placing the red dot on the target and firing.
Close Range Hunting
With the nature of close range hunting, you will need to be quick and accurate in order to be both effective and humane. Ratting inside buildings where distances are short and the shadows make it harder to see a crosshair, a red dot will be beneficial as the illuminated display will allow you to see where you are aiming while keeping a field of view for the next target. Same goes for grey squirrels in trees, the wide field of View can be beneficial to keep an eye on our surroundings while you can keep the target in focus. Red dots for hunting have been used with great success with larger species such as wild boar and deer when accuracy and effectiveness is required at close range.
Plinking
Plinking can be one of the most fun forms of shooting as it is a low stress and with little steel popper targets, one of the most rewarding.
It can be used as good practise for younger shooters as well because it is a close range and low intensity exercise for them to practise their skill.
Red dots can also be used here as good practise for the other types of shooting previously mentioned as it will let you train without the time constraints or pressure.
Airsoft
In airsoft, red dot sights are extremely popular due to the fast paced dynamic environment of the sport. They make it easier to quickly line up your shot and hit your target, especially when things are moving fast. Because you just have to put the red dot on the target, they’re great for players who want to improve their accuracy without worrying about looking through regular sights. And let's be honest, re-creating the guns from the call of duty & battlefield games and running around with them with your friends on an airsoft field, that's a lot of fun.
Spotting scopes
Red dot sights, also known as reflex sights, are often used in conjunction with spotting scopes to aid in target aquisition and tracking. They provide an illuminated red dot that overlays the image seen through the scope, making it easier to locate and track a target, even at high magnification. This can be particularly helpful for birdwatching, where quick and accurate target acquisition is essential. The red dot sight eliminates the need to zoom in and out to find a target, making it a more efficient way to use a spotting scope.
Summary
The aforementioned ways to use a red dot are only some of the key ways to do so. You can use a red dot in almost every form of shooting. If you would like to know if you can use a red dot with your shooting, Please don't hesitate to contact the team at Optics Warehouse.