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Red Dot on a 10/22?

16K views 76 replies 36 participants last post by  Nedsled  
#1 ·
Thinking about a red dot sight for my 10-22. It’s a Ruger receiver with a Kidd lightweight barrel, Kidd single stage trigger, aftermarket bolt and thumb hole Primary Arms stock. It’s a lightweight setup and only gets used for taming those pesky steel plates.
It has had a Mueller scope on it now that I always have set at the lowest magnification.
What would be a reasonably priced red dot that would give decent results out to 50yds?
I know that “reasonably priced” is very subjective so let’s say “a couple hundred”!
 
#13 ·
I put my Sig Romeo 5 on my 1970 10/22 carbine with the low mount too. I took it off and put on a 2x7 Vortex. Now it’s open sights. Out of the three the Sig Romeo was the most fun to shoot. It is by far the most fun to plink with a red dot. I’m probably going to put the Romeo 5 back on the carbine.

My 3 MOA Venom sits on my 22/45 MKiv target barrel. That is a great inexpensive dot and a blast to shoot on the Mkiv.
 
#8 · (Edited)
The Feyachi RDS 22 from Amazon is the same as the Bushnell TRS25 for half the price.
Cowichan saved me typing that many characters. +1 to what he wrote.

I ran that Feyachi red dot on Dearth {I'll dig up a photo and post by edit} after I decided I wanted a step up (to some form of scope) after using Tech Sights originally, mainly for 25 yards and in while I got to know the rifle (and before any of the ongoing set of upgrades for the last year ... Magpul X22 Hunter stock and Bushnell Rimfire 3-9x40mm; a Kidd trigger kit is next).

It was a HUGE (and expected) improvement over the irons at 25 yards and in, but since I'm shooting for 1" groups (minute of squirrel head) instead of plates, it did not allow me to be as accurate as I wanted/needed, especially for >25 yards. So I upgraded (eventually) to the Bushnell 3-9x (via a Vortex 2-7x32mm).

But I really liked the Feyachi for what it was. That was my first (ever) red dot, and I loved the concept. If you want fast, red dot is so easy; just put that dot on the target and pull trigger. No back/front alignment needed. Even with my astigmatism, the dot was quite crisp. (Brightness at 3 - 4 was usually just about right for me.)

And I agree about remembering to turn off the sight (I used some fingernail polish to add a couple of parallel lines to the outside of the brightness switch dial to remind me visually: vertical parallel = off.)

For what the OP is looking to do, I second (or third) the recommendation for Feyachi.

Of course, the Bushnell that it mimics is at least just as good, and based on my experience with Bushnell, I suspect better. (I'm betting better glass.) But I wouldn't feel under red dotted with either one on a 10/22.
_

Added by edit: Dearth with the Feyachi red dot, in the early days of glass sights. It was still wearing the Hogue stock then. I sold the Feyachi to a friend across the river who also owns a 10/22.

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#11 ·
Holosun HS403R.

 
#12 ·
If the OP has $200 to spend why recommend a cheap red dot? I’ve used a TRS-25 and similar sights on several rifles and find the thick tube and knobs distracting even with both eyes open, and they block much of the target. An open frame reflex sight suits my needs much better being invisible in use, lighter and less bulky. My favorite is the Vortex Venom 2, but that’s outside the OP’s budget. The Viper is less costly and works well, although it’s smaller. There are other options, IMO the OP should look at reflex sights within in his budget too, like in post #6.


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#19 ·
I found that the green Holosun 407K 6moa didn’t compliment my colorblindness and astigmatism. I bought the Holosun 507 Comp in red and it was almost perfectly clear. I’m 100% convinced everyone’s eye prefers different colors/sizes.

BTW I love my 3 MOA Vortex Venom. I set the Vortex to the lowest visible setting and have gotten 10 shot groups like these @ 25 yards prone. CCI mini mags Ruger 22/45 MKIV target barrel ($15 Volquartsen takeoff😎)
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#17 ·
Swampfox has a new one that does green or red in the same device.

I also like c-more slide rides and railways. They are old now but huge window and dot options. They are way less power efficient and physically huge as downsides. I think the plastic ones are actually better then the alum.

For speed shooting large dots are popular and I use even up to 16moa however if you are paper punching 50yards or even more consider smaller. Like 2-4moa.

Tube styles are good for durability, rain brightness shading and smaller dot visibility. Reflex are awesome for weight size speed and versatility.

Reddots are largely overpriced IMHO. The good news on 22 especially rifles they seem to survive ok

At the price point I'd be partial to a c-more to experiment with dot sizes for 30$-40$ if the initial one is a bummer.

You can find cmore sometimes on clearance at various dor sizes and colors. Just be cautious of cheap black ones with accessories like a sun hood and no battery. Those are counterfeits for sure.
 
#18 ·
In the process of setting my Sporter up with a red dot for 25yds at my indoor range. I got the bug after shooting my friends 10/22 that has a SightMark dot equiped with 4 reticle settings. I was amazed at the clairity and sharpness. I found out that particular dot was no longer available under that brand but was picked up by NcStar which I found on Fleabay for around $50. It showed up this week. Now waiting for the pic rail to be delivered. As mentioned above, C-More rails would be a very good choice.
 
#20 ·
The Bushnell was fine 10-15yrs ago but today you have better choices. Especially with $200 to spend. The technology has improved with push buttons, "shake awake" and long battery life. You'll tired tired of the knob on the Bushnell. The SIG red dots are excellent and I probably have close to a dozen of them. The Gen II Romeo5 is a great sight for around $150 or less. It has push buttons, shake awake and very long battery life.
 
#29 ·
@CraigC

What is your track record with the Sig Romeo 5 Gen 2?

Any failures with the 12 you own?

Im looking to add another and love the Sig Romeo5 just curious as you have a decent statistical sample size😉
I haven't tried the Gen II yet, I think they just came out. Almost ordered one but not yet. The Gen I is excellent and the Gen II has added features that are really appealing. Most of mine are Romeo4's and 6's, plus one 5 and an MSR. I've had zero failures. By contrast, I've had two Vortex Strikefire II's give up. The Primary Arms stuff is good too and I agree on the recommendation of their micro prisms. Here's the 1x on one of my AR's.

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#23 ·
What I'm about to write does not pertain to folks with color blindness.

The human eye is most sensitive in the yellow/green section of the light spectrum. Less sensitive in red and blue. That's why getting ready for or during a night op' one only uses red light, but blue would also be OK.

But I suggest, when someone is setting up for home defense, a MRDS (micro red dot sight) and a green laser as a second sight system. Why? Because the red dot sight is sighted in and if it's mounted correctly and sighted in it'll hold that zero. Too, if on a PCC the dot will be "right there". The green laser is zeroed to the sight. Since they are different colors it's easy to see which is which. And the green dot is very easily picked up since that's where are eyes are most sensitive. If they are the same colors good luck zeroing it to the MRDS.

Yeah, I know more than anyone wanted. Maybe it'll help someone.
 
#25 ·
Lots of good ones out there but do you have astigmatism? I do and am getting away from red dots where I can. I favor Holosun especially with the circle dot. More money but take a look at Primary Arms 1X prism scopes. The SLX mount can be lowered for use on a 10-22. Very few prisms can do that. I have one mounted on my wife's 15-22 and she likes it a lot better than the red dot. It has shake awake and very good battery life. I have a 3X on an AR15.
 
#26 ·
I've got loads of different red/green dots on my firearms, the latest 10/22 build I opted for the new Holosun 507 Comp in red as one option (I've got a nice Leupold scope setup for it too.) Haven't had a chance to take it out yet, but I'm sure It'll work just fine. If you want a good deal on Holosun products, go with Midwest Optics. I've bought several from them.

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#27 ·
Holosun is also my go to for red dots. I have a mess of 'em. But are they in his price range? It's been awhile since I bought one so I don't know.

I have 2 10/22s left and one has and always will have a scope of some sort on it. The other is a fast handling SBR that's accurate enough for a scope but wears a Holosun all the time.
 
#32 ·
Looks like you went with quality. :cool:

I looked longingly at that one before looking at Bushnell (then ultimately a Feyachi clone), but it wasn't in my budget. (And speaking only for myself, I'm glad I stayed with cheap because the red dot concept just wasn't what I needed for my project. It wasn't the scope; it's that I needed something other than a red dot. I strongly suspect it'll be different for you.)

Oh, and good choice on the 2MOA dot. It'll allow more precision with your aiming. And with two sets of mounts ... seems a great choice.

Please keep us updated about how you like it, and how well it works for you.