Using a red dot magnifier on different rifles just for zero?

DMK · October 3, 2017, 11:04 AM

My eyesight is not what it used to be and it never was that great to begin with.

I do however still love using red dots (Aimpoint Comp M2s mostly) for shooting my semi-auto rifles and prefer them to a magnified optic since the red dots have a much wider field of view and are not as sensitive to eye relief or cheek weld inconsistencies.

My problem is getting a decent level of consistency while zeroing or testing ammo at 100yds. I simply can not make out detail of a small target at longer distances anymore. I don't want to zero at close range because that introduces a larger probability or error (though I do start close and work my way out to fine tune my zero). This leads me shooting 3MOA accuracy with a red dot on a rifle that I can get 1.5 MOA when using a magnified optic.

Would there be any drawback to buying a magnifier on a QD mount that I could swap between my different rifles when I'm zeroing? I would then use the rifle without the magnifier.

I guess the biggest question I have is can a magnifier be swapped from one rifle to another without any change in zero?

I can't see how this wouldn't work or how it could change my zero, but maybe I'm missing something.

zukiphile · October 3, 2017, 11:18 AM

Have you tried looking through an A2 iron sight to see the dot and target more clearly?

It works for me and is cheaper than a magnifier.

T. O'Heir · October 3, 2017, 12:27 PM

"...then use the rifle without the magnifier..." That'd be the same thing as removing the sight altogether. Anyway, a 3 MOA dot will cover 3" at 100. Covers the entire black of a sighting in target. You'd be better off with a low magnification scope. I'd be thinking one of the Burris mini scopes.
Semi-auto or not makes no difference at all. If you can't see the target, you can't hit it.

DMK · October 3, 2017, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Have you tried looking through an A2 iron sight to see the dot and target more clearly?

I do that sometimes and it does help a little, but it is not anywhere near the same as magnifying the target.

DMK · October 3, 2017, 01:15 PM

Quote:

"...then use the rifle without the magnifier..." That'd be the same thing as removing the sight altogether.

I mean leave the red dot, but remove the magnifier completely after zeroing the rifle

Quote:

Anyway, a 3 MOA dot will cover 3" at 100. Covers the entire black of a sighting in target.

That's easily solved by not covering the target with the dot. Use the top edge of the dot, like you would a front sight post.

Quote:

You'd be better off with a low magnification scope. I'd be thinking one of the Burris mini scopes.

I have other rifles with scopes. I want a red dot on these, I'm just trying to find a way to zero it more accurately.

Yes, I won't shoot as accurately once the magnifier is removed, but then at least I know that's me and not a bad zero.

zukiphile · October 3, 2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Have you tried looking through an A2 iron sight to see the dot and target more clearly?

I do that sometimes and it does help a little, but it is not anywhere near the same as magnifying the target.

Fair enough.

Of course, the 3moa reed dot will be magnified too.

I used to shoot a 12moa red dot from 50 feet to 50 yards, and it did fine. Like you, I either used the top of the dot or centered the dot on a round target.

I am cool to the idea of RDS and magnifiers, but I hope it works out for you.

Destructo6 · October 4, 2017, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Would there be any drawback to buying a magnifier on a QD mount that I could swap between my different rifles when I'm zeroing? I would then use the rifle without the magnifier.

No, that shouldn't present any problems. I've done it many time with service rifles.

DMK · October 4, 2017, 01:45 PM

Thanks guys. I think I'll pick one up and try it out.

Mobuck · October 4, 2017, 06:08 PM

changing the magnifier shouldn't change anything relating to the red dot's zero

Stats Shooter · October 4, 2017, 07:02 PM

I just got an Aimpoint compM4s and Aimpoint 3x-c magnifier. I have not shot is more than 50 rounds but I was getting around 1" groups with it.

But I still have 20/20 vision and with the right iron sights I can shoot 1" groups with them also.

I have the Larue LT755 swivel mount on the 3xc. I shot a group with and without and found no difference in poi at 100 yards. However, the group with the red dot alone was worse, but that was because the target I was using didn't have a very good point of reference for aiming dead center without some magnification.

DMK · October 5, 2017, 08:45 AM

Thanks for the info Mobuck & Mississippi.

October 3, 2017, 11:04 AM	#1
DMK Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2001 Location: Over the hills and far, far away Posts: 3,206	Using a red dot magnifier on different rifles just for zero? My eyesight is not what it used to be and it never was that great to begin with. I do however still love using red dots (Aimpoint Comp M2s mostly) for shooting my semi-auto rifles and prefer them to a magnified optic since the red dots have a much wider field of view and are not as sensitive to eye relief or cheek weld inconsistencies. My problem is getting a decent level of consistency while zeroing or testing ammo at 100yds. I simply can not make out detail of a small target at longer distances anymore. I don't want to zero at close range because that introduces a larger probability or error (though I do start close and work my way out to fine tune my zero). This leads me shooting 3MOA accuracy with a red dot on a rifle that I can get 1.5 MOA when using a magnified optic. Would there be any drawback to buying a magnifier on a QD mount that I could swap between my different rifles when I'm zeroing? I would then use the rifle without the magnifier. I guess the biggest question I have is can a magnifier be swapped from one rifle to another without any change in zero? I can't see how this wouldn't work or how it could change my zero, but maybe I'm missing something. __________________ - Homeland Security begins at home: Support your Second Amendment - www.gunowners.org - www.saf.org - act.nraila.org - www.grnc.org Last edited by DMK; October 3, 2017 at 01:34 PM.

October 3, 2017, 11:18 AM	#2
zukiphile Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Posts: 4,451	Have you tried looking through an A2 iron sight to see the dot and target more clearly? It works for me and is cheaper than a magnifier. __________________ http://www.npboards.com/index.php

October 3, 2017, 12:27 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...then use the rifle without the magnifier..." That'd be the same thing as removing the sight altogether. Anyway, a 3 MOA dot will cover 3" at 100. Covers the entire black of a sighting in target. You'd be better off with a low magnification scope. I'd be thinking one of the Burris mini scopes. Semi-auto or not makes no difference at all. If you can't see the target, you can't hit it. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 4, 2017, 01:45 PM	#8
DMK Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2001 Location: Over the hills and far, far away Posts: 3,206	Thanks guys. I think I'll pick one up and try it out. __________________ - Homeland Security begins at home: Support your Second Amendment - www.gunowners.org - www.saf.org - act.nraila.org - www.grnc.org

October 5, 2017, 08:45 AM	#11
DMK Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2001 Location: Over the hills and far, far away Posts: 3,206	Thanks for the info Mobuck & Mississippi. __________________ - Homeland Security begins at home: Support your Second Amendment - www.gunowners.org - www.saf.org - act.nraila.org - www.grnc.org

October 4, 2017, 06:08 PM	#9
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	changing the magnifier shouldn't change anything relating to the red dot's zero

October 4, 2017, 07:02 PM	#10
Stats Shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2016 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,636	I just got an Aimpoint compM4s and Aimpoint 3x-c magnifier. I have not shot is more than 50 rounds but I was getting around 1" groups with it. But I still have 20/20 vision and with the right iron sights I can shoot 1" groups with them also. I have the Larue LT755 swivel mount on the 3xc. I shot a group with and without and found no difference in poi at 100 yards. However, the group with the red dot alone was worse, but that was because the target I was using didn't have a very good point of reference for aiming dead center without some magnification.