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How To Sight In a Red Dot?

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How to zero a red dot or sight your target
How to zero a red dot or sight your target. Stock image.
How to zero a red dot or sight your target
How to zero a red dot or sight your target. Stock image.

How to zero a red dot or sight your target is the notion of calibrating and shifting the bullets point of impact. Figuring out the process of mounting and getting on target is tricky and takes finesse & the right equipment. 

Red dots continue to remain popular. Every gun owner owns a red dot, be it for a handgun, shotgun or lever-action rifles. While using them helps a gun owner fine tune their target, mounting and zeroing them can be a challenge.

In general, the red dot sight is used as a quick reference sight on close, moving targets and is the process of shifting the bullets point of impact. Red dots are standard in the military and can be used with pistols, rifles, or shotguns. They’re a popular choice for AR-15s and other MSRs and are even used with crossbow and longbow weapons.

While price is a sticking point and figuring out the best cheap red dot in the marketplace can be lot of legwork, what every gun owner ought to be aiming for is a red dot that offers optical clarity and durability.

Providing a clear picture is the most basic function of a red dot sight. Which is also means look for sights with multicoated lenses. Lens coatings help with light transmission, contrast, along with helping make sure your red dot is shock proof, especially if you plan on using it with a large or magnum caliber round.

Beyond durability and optical clarity, the other factors, such as dot size (and general reticle style) and mounting system, are largely up to your personal needs and preferences.

Mounting and Getting on Target 

Once the red dot is mounted, you’ll need to determine at what distance you want it zeroed. This comes down to personal preference. Some people like a 50 yard zero since it also zeros at 200 yards (think arc of the bullet – the round is still going up at 50 yards but comes back down across your zero at 200 yards), or 25 yards to help eliminate mechanical offset (if you’re zeroed at a longer distance, the closer you get to your target, the bigger the spread is between your aiming point and impact point). But whatever your choice is, the zeroing method is the same.

Zeroing a Red Dot on a Handgun/Pistol

The advantage of modern handguns is that they are already equipped with mounting features.

In case your pistol doesn’t have this feature you’ve got 2 options:

Either try mounting the sight using the rear iron dovetail slot. Or simply a certified gunsmith can add a mounting platform for the optic.

Once the red dot is mounted, you’ll need to determine at what distance you want it zeroed. This comes down to personal preference. Some people like a 50 yard zero since it also zeros at 200 yards or 25 yards to help eliminate mechanical offset.

Once you’ve selected your  desired distance, shoot 3-4 rounds to figure out the point of impact. Most likely your elevation adjustment will need to be moved. Adjust the sight accordingly and shoot 3-4 more times to confirm that your point of impact is synchronized.

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