Relex Sights

MacD · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:23 pm Post subject: Relex Sights

Now that I have my new combo gun it is time to look at adding some sights. I have been researching reflex sights such as those made by Sightmark. Anyone have experience with them? I need one that fits a standard .22 dovetale. The rifle is a 22 WMR so I am not shooting beyond 150 yards at most and usually much less. The smallest dot recticle is 3 MOA if I am reading the specs correctly.

Elvis · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

I think Suz has one on her new ar build.
personally I would stick to your open sights so you dont stuff it for shotgunning.

Suzanne · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

Yeah I have one on my new rifle that I haven't been able to shoot yet. But I also have one on my Ruger single six and I love it. My pistol has a Bushnell trophy model and the specs on it don't indicate the dot size but I'd say 3 MOA at 100yds. This is on a pistol so actually at 50yds max it seems pretty small and useful.

The one on the rifle is a Sight Mark sure shot and has 4 reticles to choose from, a dot, a dot within a circle, cross hair and cross hair within a circle. The dots are prob. 3 MOA but the cross hair gives you a very small reticle not unlike a regular scope cross hair. The cross hair could very easily be used at distance. It's not on a 22 sized dove tail and the mount is not convertible, might be some way to do it though.

Personally I think it'd be great on the shotgun too, as long as you know where it's going to be hitting. What's nice is you learn to use both eyes open and it's a more relaxed way of finding your target.

Hope that helps!
Suz

MacD · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

Thanks Suz. The one I am considering is a dovetail model.

www.sightmark.com/prod...sm13005-dt

slimjim · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

Red-dots on .22s when shooting outside 25 yards don't work too well for me. Most targets for my .22s are small and I need magnification to engage effectively. Since a .22 WRM has a longer range than a .22LR, this would be even more important for me. I've used several of red-dot/reflex sights on .22s, slug-guns, and rifles. They worked ok on deer-size targets out to 100 yards plus. On my .22 pistol inside of 25 yards I call it the death dot. I like being able to shoot 2-eyes open. The biggest issue I had has been parallax. Only the very expensive units are parallax free. Most others have their parallax 20 to 40 yards inherent in their optical design. I remember one listed at 60 yards but most don't seem to list parallax. I had a ProPoint III that I measured at 15 yards and I finally had to get rid of it because I couldn't consistently hit outside of 25 yards. (you can measure parallax by putting the dot or reticle on an object, keeping the rifle steady, and move your head/eye around. If the aimpoint moves off the target, switch to a target closer or farther and repeat. When you can move your head around and the aimpoint stays on the target, that is the parallax = zero distance. 15 yards was just too close in.

slimjim · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

that looks like a very high sight-radius.

MacD · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:35 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

Slim:
I understand conceptually what a longer and shorter sight radius is with respect to iron sights but not optical. Are you referring to sight height above bore? I am not sure what the parallax correction distance is but the manual suggests zeroing at 50-100 yards. I expect it has a similar correction distance to that of a standard .22 scope but can't find any additional information in their literature.

Elvis:
I have real problems with open iron sights on rifles. I have never been able to focus well enough to line them up consistently. If I could put a good peep sight on this gun/rifle then I would be much happier but alas that would require a competent gunsmith and none exist in my neck of the woods. Can't see using a regular rifle scope hence my looking at reflex ones which would allow me to shoot both the rifle and the shotgun with both eyes open. I am also a bit of a "Gadget" addict Laughing

slimjim · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:38 am Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

MacD wrote:

sight radius .... Are you referring to sight height above bore?

Yes. If the stock on a gun is set-up for iron sights, a red-dot that high would require you raise your head up off the stock to use it. This is the same issue if you add a scope with a large sight radius. Adding a pad to the stock is the usual solution. Some sight manufactures build their optics with a 1.5" sight radius because it fits directly on an AR rail without adaptors. This might be the condition for this unit. Sight radius was not listed in the specification.

MacD wrote:

I am not sure what the parallax correction distance is but the manual suggests zeroing at 50-100 yards.

I've found most manufactures don't list parallax for red-dots. Typically they are 40 yards or less. You would have to test one as described above to figure it out. .22 scopes are usually 50 yards and rifle scopes are usually 100 yards unless they have manual adjustment. If your eye is precisely in-line with the axis of the sight, then parrallax has no affect on your point of aim (POA) and your point of impact (POI). If your eye was a 1/2 inch off axis and parallax was set for 50 yards, then our POA would be biased 1/2 inch from your POI at 100 yards. Not a big deal. If however, your parallax was 15 yards, you can see how the errors can build up. I think this is how the error build up works. The POI shift on my red-dot with 15 yard parallax was very noticable even at 30 yards.

MacD · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:54 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

Thanks Slim. Gives me some things to consider. Of course that is part of the fun of getting something different in a firearm.

The rear sight is a standard (metric) dovetailed v-notch and the front a screw in post on a fixed ramp. Perhaps I can find another solution. If anyone has any ideas I would welcome the input.

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

I have a burris fastfire II on my AR it has a 4 moa dot it does well out to 75yds or so..

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:08 am Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

Mac, I'm not fond of the dovetail set-up for shotgun use !!!

I know of a couple Tikka's that the scopes would constantly move around on.
Both were 12ga and were eventually drilled and tapped to fix the problem.

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:25 am Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

Just something to keep in mind !!!

Red dots, reflex and holographic sights were primarily designed as quick acquisition sighting systems.
Their design isn't intended for precise aiming or distant shooting. They work best up close on large targets.

MacD · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 12:11 pm Post subject: Re: Relex Sights

Thanks all for the input. I knew I had a compromise to make so I finally went for a Bushnell 1x28 Red Dot. I hear what you say chambered with respect to dovetails and shotguns. I will be using a DT-Weaver adapter as the scope tube on the Bushnell is 30 mm. Once I do the fitting, I may use epoxy to permanently mount the adapter. This may help avoid future looseness. Once it is all together, some work at the range should help me establish maximums for the rifle. I picked up a box of 30 grain Hornady V-Max for the .22 WMR. A bit small for coyotes perhaps but ideal for snowshoe hares and beheading grouse and ptarmigan. I chose game load 6 shot for the 20 gauge as they have a bit more oomph for wing shots on the same birds but less recoil than the 3 inch shells.