Learn Me: red dot sites

Looking into getting an ACOG for a AR style rifle I'm building that will have a Picatinny rail. Aimpoint and Trijicon are the major players, and there seem to be a huge number of options.

I'm looking for something that will work for hunting with 100 meters probably being the longest shot. I'm not looking for professional grade optics (at that range I can put meat on the table with iron sights) I just want something that is going to ease the sight picture and work with some target shooting.

Learn me and offer opinions, please. I'm going to take the salient points I get here and do some deep diving research on some shooting forums.

(edit: forgot to add I'm leaning towards some sort of fiber optic illumination in the unit for daytime use)

I have a 4x32 ACOG & LaRue QD mount on a Bravo Company midlength AR. It's a pretty sweet setup. I chose the red chevron reticle, and of course it's got the dual fiber optic day/tritium night illumination. It's got more than enough magnification for the range & use you describe. The only odd thing about the ACOG compared to other scopes is that it has a very short eye relief--you've gotta put your eye right on top of the tube to get the full field of view. If you wear glasses, as I do, the scope may even lightly tap your glasses on recoil.

The ballistic drop compensator system is cool--there are multiple crosshairs for 200-800 yards, which is farther than I'd ever try 5.56 out of a 16-inch barrel. I've only shot out mine out to 400 yards, and it would certainly, as you say, put meat on the table at that range with the right ammo.

But with all that said, it's more of a tactical scope. You can probably get a better hunting scope for less, as the ACOG is very pricey. I did a lot of shopping around and still paid over $1k for mine, not including the mount.

Edit: here's a pic of my setup.

You can blow some serious money on those things. More than the rest of the rifle, easy. Are you sure that's what you want? If so, then get the Trijicon and be done with it (for 10 years, then the radioactive stuff is gone, from what I've read). Otherwise, I don't see the problem with iron sights out to 100. You can whack a deer at 100 with iron sights if you're half blind.

I have a Chinese Trijicon copy that is actually a red dot. It looks super-cool, but cost thirty bucks. For serious social work, I use iron sights, but I did just get a laser/flashlight thingie.

Seems like a whole lotta coin for what you have in mind. The milspec optics seem to me like overkill for civilian applications unless you're planning on knocking down trees or doors with your rifle before plugging Bambi... Surely there are illuminated reticle optics available that'll do the job for a bunch less money, unless you're trying to get away from batteries. That's a whole 'nuther military/civilian hardware discussion.

I have an Aimpoint on my Bushmaster and I wouldnt trade it for a clone...ever.

ACOGs are the epitome of 'you get what you pay for'. ACOGs are expensive but built to take serious punishment. For hunting I would have to say it's a bit of overkill.

This is the one that I saw used most in the Army.

http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product3.php?pid=TA11F

For shots under a 100m though, why not stick to irons like Dr. Hess suggested? Or maybe go with an Accupoint from Trijicon. It's a little less expensive and variable power.

http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product3.php?pid=TR24-3

I prefer iron sights over an ACOG at anything under 100m. I'd actually being going for a CCO at that range, if I had to have something other than iron sights.

I see the mistake I made.

I was thinking "ACOG" and "Red Dot" were interchangable terms, and they aren't. I can't edit the subject, but can we spin the discussion in that direction?

I saw one at a gun show to day that was pretty neat: battery operated, water resistant, 4 different "dots" to choose from and zero magnification for about $150.

It might be a moot point, though, because there is somebody trying to sell an M1A with a good scope. I might just buy that.

In reply to Brett_Murphy:

The two biggest brands of red dot sights are Aimpoints and Eotechs. Both are quality parts, but will cost 2-3 times more than the one you saw. I have an Eotech and like it quite a bit.

The M1A is a nice piece, too. I've got one of those as well and I enjoy it.

I talked to the M1A guy and told him I wanted to meet up with him tomorrow and give the rifle a more thorough looking at, but if my thoughts are correct is is a 1970s manufacture rifle.

If it passes muster tomorrow I'll ask him if he objects to have a neutral third party inspect it, since it is going to be spendy. If that results in a clean bill of health, I'm buying it.

This M1A has bumped the Foxbody Mustang I was looking at for a potendial rallycross car off of the radar for the moment.

I'm too stingy to buy a trijicon and have been happy with my Eotechs.

Woo, somebody edited the subject for me. Thanks, GRM wizards!

Also, just so I know I'm following along properly: CCO - Close Combat Optics, right?

That's pretty much what I'm after, if so. Red dot, zero magnification, etc.

If you want to combine a red dot with an M1A, you might find that using traditional scope mounts put the optic way too high, especially if the stock doesn't have a cheek piece. If that's the case, I'd recommend getting a Scout-type optic rail like this one.

Here's a pic of my M1A. 14x Nikon scope, ARMS mount. Notice the height of the optic--anything other than an ARMS mount will put the optic even higher.

Brett_Murphy wrote: Woo, somebody edited the subject for me. Thanks, GRM wizards! Also, just so I know I'm following along properly: CCO - Close Combat Optics, right? That's pretty much what I'm after, if so. Red dot, zero magnification, etc.

Ah, yeah that's a horse of a different color.

On the more affordable side of the house there's Primary Arms and Vortex Arms.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/red_dots

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_s/586.htm

Both companies have made a good name for themselves by selling well made optics at a good price. The Primary Arms Micro Dot has gotten a lot of love as has the Vortex SPARC. You really can't go wrong with either of these companies.

However if you wanted to step a little bit more there are the big dogs Aimpoint and EOtech. The best deal on the market right now is the Aimpoint PRO (at least in my opinion).

http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/AIM12841.aspx $409, and you get an a red dot that's very similar to what the Army uses without crap you don't need. No Night VIsion capability, fewer settings, still well made, and a 3 year running life (that's constantly on by the way). The only downside is the PRO uses 3V lithium batteries, but it's a pretty small downside as you'll only be changing that battery every other blue moon.

For EOTech, there is the tried and true 512. It's one of the older EOtech optics, but it's still very solid. Uses AA batteries, it's a little bulky, but it's tough and will last. You can pick them up for not much (or even less if you hunt around AR15.com or M4c.net)

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/EoTech-Model-512-Holographic-Weapon-Sight/3194110/product.html?cid=123620

Unless you're planning on getting into some serious shooting (round counts in the thousands per week type deal) get the Vortex or Primary Arms. Either will suit you just fine, and won't break the bank. If you want something more serious I cannot recommend the PRO enough.

Played with a Trijicon Reflex yesterday. Nice lil sight. Buddy of mine picked it up off amazon for $350 with mount and polarized dust cover.