Red dot optics have become increasingly popular among rimfire enthusiasts, thanks to their intuitive aiming system, lightweight construction, and wide compatibility. This comprehensive buying guide explores the best rimfire red dots available on the market.
The best rimfire red dot sights strike a perfect balance between accuracy, durability, and affordability, catering specifically to the needs of .22 LR and other rimfire calibers. They also excel in different lighting conditions, simplifying the point of aim and aiding in speedy target acquisition.
What Makes a Great Red Dot Sight for Rimfire?
A great red dot sight for rimfire firearms should have:
1. Lightweight Design – Rimfire firearms are usually lightweight and benefit from optics that don’t add significant weight.
2. Parallax-Free with Unlimited Eye Relief – The red dot sight should be designed to be parallax-free at a certain distance, making target acquisition faster and easier,
3. Multiple Brightness – The best rimfire red dots should also feature multiple brightness levels, including night vision-compatible ones if needed to help in various lighting conditions.
4. Durable Build Quality – Even though recoil is minimal on rimfires, the optic still needs to handle bumps, weather, and occasional rough use.
5. Battery Life and Auto Features – The red dot sight should also feature a long battery life and auto-off or shake-awake features that extend battery life and provide convenience.
Best Rimfire Red Dots
1. HOLOSUN HS503CU Micro Sight
The Holosun HS503CU is the best rimfire red dot. It is designed for rifle and carbine applications and features Holosun’s ultra efficient 650nm Red Super LED with up to 50k hour battery life and 12 reticle intensity settings
The sight is built to last. The housing is made from 6061 aluminum and includes both a lower 1/3 co-witness mount (1.63″) and a low mount (.75″) for low-comb height rifle applications.
Furthermore, the Shake Awake technology extends battery life by deactivating the optic’s LED while not in use. It offers settings from 10 minutes to 12 hours depending on the model and can be deactivated altogether if preferred. The slightest touch of the optic instantly reactivates the LED so your Holosun sight for rifle is ready when needed
Another impressive feature is the multi-reticle system. This system lets you select a fast sight picture for shorter distances with a 65 MOA circle with 2 MOA dot. The large circle allows for a hold-over reference and helps guide your eye to the 2 MOA dot while the large ring can be deactivated leaving just the 2 MOA dot for an uncluttered sight picture and increased precision.
Pros
- Motion-activated illumination
- Compatible with night vision
- Durable and reliable construction
- Long battery life
Cons
- Smaller sighting window
2. Burris FastFire 3 Red Dot Sight
The Burris FastFire 3 Red Dot Sight stands out as a lightweight, versatile optic designed for rapid target acquisition and precision shooting.
Weighing just 1.5 ounces, its compact aluminum housing ensures durability without adding significant weight to your firearm. The sight is also waterproof and shockproof, ensuring reliable performance in various environmental conditions.
Reticle-wise, it offers two reticle options: a 3 MOA dot for precise long-range shots and an 8 MOA dot for quick target acquisition in close-quarters scenarios. The high-grade optical glass, combined with index-matched Hi-Lume multicoating, delivers excellent brightness and clarity, even in low-light conditions.
Furthermore, the FastFire 3 features an automatic brightness sensor that adjusts the reticle’s intensity based on ambient light, along with three manual brightness settings for user preference
Above all, it comes with a top-loading battery compartment that allows for quick battery changes without removing the sight, preserving your zero.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Compatible with a wide range of firearms
- User-friendly features
- Wide field of view
Cons
- Lacks a motion-sensing “shake awake” feature
3. Vortex Venom 1×26.5mm Red Dot Sight
The Vortex Venom 1×26.5mm Red Dot Sight is a standout optic for shooters seeking a balance of performance, versatility, and affordability.
Its compact and rugged design, constructed from durable aluminum, makes it a solid choice for handguns, shotguns, or rifles. Furthermore, it holds zero consistently, even after repeated recoil.
The 3 MOA red dot reticle is crisp and easy to acquire, providing fast target acquisition without obstructing the field of view. To help the reticle serve its function, this red dot sight features fully multi-coated lenses that ensure bright, clear images even in low-light conditions, and a wide lens window for improved situational awareness.
For added convenience, this red dot sight features a top-load battery system, which allows for quick and easy battery replacement without removing the sight and disrupting zero. With a battery life of up to 150 hours on the highest setting and up to 30,000 hours on the lowest, it’s reliable for extended use.
Pros
- Holds zero consistently, even after repeated recoil
- Intuitive controls allow users to easily adjust brightness or switch between auto and manual modes
- Parallax-free design
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Slightly smaller window for competitive use
4. Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight
As one of the best rimfire red dots, the Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight stands out as a top-tier choice for law enforcement, military personnel, and civilian shooters seeking rugged dependability and rapid target acquisition.
Designed with a hard-anodized aluminum alloy housing, the sight is built to withstand extreme conditions and rough handling, making it ideal for high-stress environments.
Its 2 MOA red dot allows for precision at both close and medium ranges, while maintaining fast target acquisition even with both eyes open. The included QRP2 mount ensures quick, repeatable mounting and includes a spacer for co-witnessing with AR-15 style iron sights, enhancing its versatility.
Another impressive feature of the Aimpoint PRO is its battery life. With over 30,000 hours of constant-on use on a single 3V lithium battery, users can depend on it without worrying about frequent replacements. The optic also includes flip-up lens covers, with the front being opaque to allow for covert readiness.
Pros
- Compatible with night vision settings
- Exceptional durability and reliability
- Superior optical clarity
- Ease of use
Cons
- Expensive
5. Vortex Optics Crossfire Gen II Red Dot Sight
The Crossfire Gen II Red Dot Sight is a no-nonsense sight for near any application and those who need a simple point of aim and none of the frills.
With up to a 50,000 hour battery life, the sight will keep working in a variety of conditions. Furthermore, the 2 MOA, red dot is quick to acquire while remaining fine enough to promote pin-point accuracy at extended range. It has 11 illumination settings (9 daylight and 2 NV) for you to change the dot intensity to the situation at hand.
To complement the reticle’s crispness, this red dot sight features multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces that increase light transmission. Moreover, the unlimited eye relief helps with quick transitions.
Above all, the sight is highly durable with a hard-coat anodization that provides a low-glare matte surface. It also features O-ring seals to prevent moisture, dust and debris from penetrating for reliable waterproof performance.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Unlimited eye relief
- Robust build quality
- Crisp reticle
- Compatible with night vision gear
Cons
- The lowest brightness settings are too faint
6. Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Adjustable LED Red Dot Sight
The Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Adjustable LED Red Dot Sight is widely regarded as one of the most durable and reliable miniature reflex sights on the market.
Built from rugged forged aluminum, the RMR Type 2 is designed to withstand harsh recoil and extreme environmental conditions. its upgraded electronics, specifically designed to handle the rigors of mounted pistol recoil ensure reliable performance even after thousands of rounds, with minimal zero shift and consistent dot clarity.
Furthermore, the 3.25 MOA dot offers a balanced size that excels in both precision aiming and rapid target acquisition. Its adjustable LED brightness settings provide excellent versatility for bright daylight and low-light environments, while the intuitive buttons allow users to manually control or lock brightness levels to suit their preferences.
The other standout feature of the RMR Type 2 is the impressive battery life. It is rated up to four years of continuous use on setting 4.
Pros
- Military-grade durability
- Impressive battery life
- Bright and clear reticle
- Holds zero well
Cons
- The sight commands a premium price
7. Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope is one of the best rimfire red dots for budget buyers. It delivers solid performance for close-range shooting applications with cutting-edge features.
Built with a 3 MOA red dot reticle and 11 brightness settings, it offers quick target acquisition and adaptability to various lighting conditions. Its compact design and lightweight build enhance maneuverability, and the unlimited eye relief allows for flexible mounting options on different firearms.
Furthermore, the sight is built with durability in mind, boasting waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof construction. This make it suitable for use in diverse environments. It also holds zero reliably even after extended use on rifles with significant recoil.
Pros
- Affordable
- Spacious sighting window
- Durable construction
- Ease of use
Cons
- Short battery life
8. HOLOSUN HS407K X2 Open Reflex Optical Sight
Last but not least, we have the HOLOSUN HS407K X2 Red 6 MOA Dot Open Reflex Optical Sight. This is a compact, high-quality optic optimized for versatility.
One of its standout features is the crisp 6 MOA red dot. It offers fast target acquisition and is highly visible in a variety of lighting conditions. Furthermore, the optical clarity is excellent and the open reflex design keeps the field of view unobstructed, which is particularly helpful in high-stress defensive situations.
Regarding construction, the sight is constructed from durable 7075-T6 aluminum that gives it an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. The anodized finish further enhances durability ensuring corrosion resistance and wear protection.
Other noteworthy features include a side-loading battery tray, Shake Awake technology, and an ultra-low deck height that allows co-witnessing with standard-height iron sights.
Pros
- Durable 7075 T6 aluminum construction
- Lock Mode to prevent accidental setting changes
- Side-mounted battery tray for easy replacement
- Compact and lightweight design
- IP67 rated for water and dust resistance
Cons
-
Limited brightness settings for night vision compatibility
Criteria for Choosing the Best Rimfire Red Dots
When selecting the best rimfire red dot sight for your firearm, there are several important factors to keep in mind to ensure optimal performance and value.
Durability
First, durability is crucial, even for rimfire calibers, which have less recoil than centerfire rounds. The sight should be made from sturdy materials like aircraft-grade aluminum and be resistant to shock, water, and fog to withstand varied weather conditions.
Dot Size
Second, consider the dot size. A smaller dot around 2 and 3 MOA offers more precision for target shooting, while larger dots of 4-6 MOA are better suited for quick target acquisition during plinking or small game hunting. The choice depends on how you intend to use the sight.
Battery Life
Next, battery life plays a major role, especially if you use your firearm regularly. The best rimfire red dots should have long battery life and convenient battery compartments that allow for quick changes without removing the optic.
Mounting Compatibility
Mounting compatibility is another key factor. Ensure the red dot is compatible with your rimfire firearm’s mounting system, whether it uses a Picatinny, Weaver, or dovetail rail. Some sights come with multiple mounting options, increasing their versatility.
Size and Weight
Also important is size and weight. Rimfire firearms are often lightweight, so a compact, low-profile red dot sight is preferable to maintain balance and maneuverability without adding unnecessary bulk.
Brightness Settings and Clarity
Furthermore, brightness setting and optical should not be overlooked. The best rimfire red dots offer multiple brightness levels for different lighting conditions, along with a clear, distortion-free lens to ensure accurate aiming.
Price and Warranty
Lastly, price and warranty are practical considerations. While rimfire red dots are generally more affordable than those made for centerfire guns, balance your budget with quality. Additionally, opt for reputable brands that offer good customer support and a solid warranty in case issues arise.
Best Rimfire Red Dots FAQs
- Are rimfire red dot sights different from centerfire ones?
Yes. Rimfire red dots are often lighter and compact because they don’t need to withstand the heavier recoil of centerfire calibers. Some models are specifically designed for rimfire rail systems.
- What is a good dot size for a rimfire red dot sight?
A 2– 4 MOA (Minute of Angle) dot is ideal. Smaller dots offer more precision, while larger dots are faster to acquire but can obscure small targets.
- Do rimfire red dots require zeroing?
Yes. Like any sight, rimfire red dot sights require zeroing at your preferred distance, often 25 or 50 yards, to ensure accuracy.
Final Words
To wrap it up, choosing the best red dot sight for your rimfire firearm comes down to balancing quality, performance, and your specific shooting needs. Whether you’re plinking, hunting small game, or competing in rimfire matches, the right optic will greatly enhance your accuracy and shooting experience.