Red dot sights are one of the most versatile optics available to gun owners. Their design makes them easy to use and allows for fast, accurate target acquisition with a wide sight picture. These benefits make red dots ideal for a variety of platforms, from self-defense to competitive shooting sports. However, just like a rifle scope, zeroing a red dot is essential to ensure accuracy and effectiveness. A red dot that isn’t properly zeroed won’t hit where you’re aiming, no matter how good your fundamentals are. Let’s go over some key information every shooter should understand first.
What is a Red Dot Sight?
Red dot sights are a type of optic that help a shooter focus on their target. They do so by appearing as a red dot on the target being aimed at. Red dot sights utilize just one focal plane. This allows a shooter to focus on the target without needing to shift their focus. Rounds fired will hit where the dot is positioned. Red dot sights come in different sizes. This makes them ideal for different weapons.
How To Adjust a Red Dot Sight?
Just like a rifle scope, red dot sights can be adjusted to fine tune your point of impact. Depending on the type of red dot sight, these adjustments can be made using either turrets or buttons to adjust the elevation or windage on your red dot sight.
Elevation adjustments move your reticle vertically (up and down), and windage adjustments move your reticle horizontally (left and right). When zeroing a red dot sight, you typically adjust both elevation and windage to achieve an accurate zero.
What is MOA, and why is it important?
Shooters use this measurement to adjust the reticle on their rifle scope or red dot sight, so knowing how to convert inches to MOA is important.
MOA is an acronym that stands for Minute of Angle. A Minute of Angle is an angular measurement which is equal to about 1/60th of a degree, and spreads about 1 inch for every 100 yards. Therefore, 1 MOA would be 2” at 200 yards and 3” at 300 yards.
The benefit of using MOA is that you can make quick calculations and adjustments to your reticle whether you are zeroing at 25 yards or 100 yards using the following formula:
Distance between point of impact and point of aim (inches) / [Distance in yards / 100]
Let’s say you decide to zero your red dot sight at 25 yards. After the first shot, the point of impact is .25” inch below and .5” to the left of the point of aim.
This means that you will need to adjust your reticle. 1 MOA up, and 2 MOA right in order to line up the point of aim with the point of impact. It is important to read the manual that comes with your red dot sight so that you know how many clicks or button pushes will equal 1 MOA.
How To Choose Zeroing Distance
When zeroing a red dot sight, the first thing you must do is choose what distance you will zero at. First, consider the type of firearm and its intended use. When zeroing a pistol-mounted red dot , a 25 yard zero is practical for several applications. When zeroing a rifle mounted red-dot sight, a 50 yard zero is generally more appropriate.
Again, shooters must carefully consider the firearm, its capabilities, and all of its intended used when deciding at which distance to zero their red dot sights.
How To Zero a Red Dot Without Shooting
Begin zeroing your red dot sight by using a laser bore sight, just like you would when zeroing a rifle scope. By using the laser bore sight, you will reduce the amount of ammo needed in order to zero the red dot. It is important to note that although the bore sight will get you close to an accurate zero, you should always confirm your zero by shooting live rounds at a fixed target at a known distance.
How To Zero A Red Dot Sight in 5 Simple Steps
- Place your zeroing target at your desired zeroing distance.
- Choose your point of aim and shoot a grouping at the point of aim.
- Measure the distance in inches between point of aim and point of impact. Convert that measurement to MOA using the formula. Adjust both elevation (up and down) and windage (left and right).
- Use your Step 3 calculations to adjust your red dot sight. align the point of impact with your point of aim.
- Shoot another grouping to confirm that your zero is accurate.
The Bottom Line
Shooters use red dot sights as incredibly useful tools across many shooting applications. Whether for self-defense or shooting sports, an accurate red dot sight is one of the best investments for your firearm.
Ensuring an accurate zero on your red dot sight is crucial for optimal performance and improved shooting accuracy.
Looking for a new red dot sight?
Check out the Mepro RDS Pro V2, It meets Mil-Spec standards and lets you choose between a red or green reticle. To see the full line of Meprolight red dot sights, visit.meprolight.com to find the red dot sight that meets your needs.
