Small game pistol hunters

I went through a few red dots with little success on my Mark II's, my Buckmarks and my Contenders. All with the same results.

First I got a cheap Simmons that the red dot was anything but a dot...looked more like a comma. Kinda hard to aim straight with a slash as a guide. That went back to Simmons and after a few tries to resolve the issue I just got a rifle scope as a replacement instead.

Next I spent the bux on a good Burris Gilmore....much better but the dot was too big and at 50 yards it covered half a squirrel.

Sooo....got a new Aimpoint....again dot too big so bought another one with the smaller dot...much better but same issue with the size.

Finally got one of the LARGE Aimpoints that I really liked for target shooting but not in the woods.

I now have an Eo-Tech that resides on a tactical shotgun and also have a couple Trijicon ACOG scopes on a couple tactical rifles.

All I can say is that in all my expense and efforts all I can say is that a real good peep sight or a good quality scope seriously outperform a red dot on small game at any range over 30-40 yards. Leave the red dots to the larger targets that may require fast acquisition.

I have a 2x weaver but I prefer a 3x Burris on my 17 HMR for squirrels. And it is quite effective out to 100 yards.

I also have a 5x Burris if I am going to hunt at longer distances with the 17 cal.

Here is a pic from a couple years ago - got both of these at about 70-80 yards out of a deer stand.



And try this kind of accuracy with a red dot at that range....not happening when you can't see what part you are aiming at. This is the exit wound on one of the squirrels in the upper pic.