7 Best Red Dot Sights for Air Rifle Hunting of 2023
Red dot sights are used to provide a faster way of aiming and shooting. They are more reliable and versatile when hunting at night or dawn when visibility is compromised. Anyone who hunts with an air rifle knows the importance of having a quality sight.
With multiple red dot sights available in today’s market, you might find it difficult to choose one that will work well with your air rifle. If you are unsure of what red dot sight to choose, here is a review of the best red dot sights for air rifle hunting. Let’s take a look.
Best Red Dot Sights for Air Rifle Hunting
1) Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
This Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is a great option for anyone looking for a quality and one of the best red dot sights for air rifle hunting. The parallax-free design adjusts to your eyes, allowing rapid target shooting with both eyes open. One unique feature of this product is the ability to adjust the size and illumination of the reticle to three different levels in order to preserve the battery life.
The sight is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed to ensure all-weather reliability. This feature is useful for shooting excursions in the great outdoors. Built to withstand impacts and shocks, you’ll never have to worry about it getting damaged in the rough and tumble terrains. Combining cutting-edge design and great performance, you can trust this red dot sight to enhance the enjoyment of your every outdoor pursuit.
Key Features
- Fully waterproof and fog proof.
- Durable and sturdy construction.
- Shockproof construction
- Picatinny Mounting
- Magnification -1x
- Objective Lens Diameter- 25mm
- Handgun, Shotgun, and Rifle compatible
- 3 MOA Dot reticle with 11 brightness settings.
- Mounts easily on most Picatinny rails.
- Quality red dot sight at an affordable price.
- Parallax elimination from 50 yards to infinity
2) Sig Sauer SOR520001 Romeo 1x20mm 5 Red Dot Sight
Choosing the right sight is imperative for any hunter or marksman and having a high-performance red dot sight such as the Sig Sauer SOR520001 Romeo 5 is essential for being able to accurately hit a target. The sight features a 2MOA Red-Dot reticle with 10 illumination settings to enhance visibility in all light conditions.
The Motion Activation Illumination power provides optimum operational safety and enhances 50,000+hours of continuous battery life. The optic also features unlimited eye relief which not only keeps your eyes safe from heavy recoil rifles but also provides you with a comfortable aiming and viewing position. To ensure all-weather reliability, this red IPX-7 is waterproof rated. Its integrated M1913 Picatinny interface provides industry-standard mounting options for a wide range of applications.
Key Features
- Unlimited eye relief.
- Fully waterproof and fog proof.
- 2 MOA Dot reticle with 10 brightness settings.
- Mounts easily on most Picatinny rails.
- 50,000+ battery life.
- Optimum performance regardless of the light conditions.
- Anti-reflection lens coating enhances superior light transmission.
- Motion sensing technology extends battery life
- Objective Lens Diameter 20mm
- Riser Mount Mounting
3) HOLOSUN HS510C 2 MOA Red Dot Sight
If you are looking for a red dot sight with incredible battery life, HOLOSUN HS510C is your ideal sight. It features new and advanced LED technology which allows up to 50, 000 hours of continuous operation on one CR1632 battery. One great feature found in this sight is the 2MOA red dot size which makes it extremely visible under any lighting environment.
With the lengthy battery life and high-quality lenses, you are assured of bright and vivid target views in any lighting condition. The red dot remains parallax free and the turrets can be easily changed for quick target acquisition. The sight is made from titanium alloy with a multilayer coatings finish which keeps it durable. Another good thing about this sight model is that it is powered by both battery and solar. When the battery fails, the solar failsafe allows the red dot sight to remain visible. The sight also features a QD mount integrated for easy mounting and removal.
Key Features
- Waterproof and fog proof.
- 50,000 hours battery life
- 30mm objective lens diameter
- QD mount integrated for easy mounting and removal. Powered by both battery and solar.
- Convenient tray battery compartment.
- Unlimited eye relief.
- Parallax free.
- Easily adjustable turrets
- Reticles;2 MOA dot, 65 MOA open circle, or a fast acquisition circle-dot reticle.
4) Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sights (3 MOA/6 MOA)
Vortex Optics Venom is a well-built, extremely durable, and study red dot sight, made to offer great features at a reasonably great price. This product features hard-wearing aluminum housing which guarantees that it withstands whatever is thrown at it. It features a 3 or 6 MOA dot which promotes rapid target acquisition and provides a precise aiming point.
With fully multi-coated optics, superior light transmission is enhanced to provide bright and vivid target views regardless of the light conditions. A simple button press makes it easy to adapt the color, shape, and illumination of the reticle and with 10 brightness levels to choose from, you get to conveniently use this sight under any lighting condition. The sight is powered by a CR 1632 battery which is capable of lasting up to 5000 hours at the minimum brightness level. For all-weather reliability, the sight is O-ring sealed to lock out moisture, dust, and debris. The sight fits well on most Picatinny rails and since it is parallax-free, you get to enjoy rapid shooting with both eyes open.
Key Features
- O-ring sealed to lock out dirt, dust, and moisture.
- 10 brightness levels ensure reliable performance in all environments.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Extremely visible red dot.
- Easy to use 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments.
- Ambient light sensor to control dot intensity to the shooter’s preference.
- Durable and rugged aluminum housing.
- Long-lasting CR 1632 battery.
- The parallax-free design ensures rapid shooting with both eyes open
- 10 brightness levels
5) Sightmark Ultra Shot R-Spec Reflex Sight
This Sight Mark Ultra Shot R-Spec Reflex sight is the best option for those looking for high-quality and cost-effective rifle sights. If you are in pursuit of a fast target, the sight features a quick detachable rail mounting system and an internal interlocking system that holds zero extremely well.
The unlimited eye relief keeps you safe from heavy recoil rifles while still providing you with a crisp, robust field of view. The premium wide-angle lens system with scratch resistant and superior lens coating enhances light transmission to provide bright and clear target views regardless of the lighting conditions. The sight is also built to last. It is IP55 weather-resistant, recoil resistant, and shockproof as well. Its rugged aluminum body construction with a protective shield ensures safety against drops and impacts.
Key Features
- Durable aluminum body and metal shield.
- Waterproof, shockproof, and impact resistant.
- Unlimited eye relief.
- Fast target acquisition.
- Scratch-resistant lens coating.
- Superior lens coating provides bright and clear target views.
- Quick detach mount for easy on and off application.
- 4 red/green reticle options with 10 brightness settings
- Picatinny mounting
6) Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight – 6 MOA Dot
Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight is a very versatile sight built to withstand rugged outdoor life for a long period of time. This Picatinny mounted sight has a 6 MOA dot reticle that’s easy to pick up and gets you on target fast. With a fully multi-coated, ultra-clear lens, maximum light transmission takes place to provide you with bright and crisp clear target views regardless of the lighting conditions. Armortek coatings on the lens shield off dirt, oil, and scratches to provide clear target views.
The 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments move the dot to your point of aim while the low glare matte finish camouflages the shooting position. The sight is O-ring sealed to ensure waterproof and fog-proof performance. Finally, you can trust the sight to hold up in multiple environments and situations due to its durable and shockproof construction.
Key Features
- Fully waterproof and fog proof.
- 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments.
- Armortek lens coating shields off dirt, oil, and scratches.
- Picatinny mounted sight.
- Durable and shockproof construction.
- Superior lens coating provides bright and clear target views.
- Quick detach mount for easy on and off application.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Co-witness able with iron sights.
- 6 MOA dot reticle
7) SIG Sauer Romeo MSR Red Dot Sight
Another red dot sight that pairs well with multiple air rifles is the SIG Sauer Romeo MSR. It provides unlimited eye relief and the lenses are coated to minimize reflection and allow quick target acquisition. The high-performance lens coating ensures excellent light transmission which results in bright and vivid target views in any lighting situation.
With over 20,000 hours of run time on the CR 1632 battery, you are assured of continuous hours of shooting without the need to worry about the power going off. The sight features an aircraft-grade aluminum housing and mount which is not only durable but also lightweight. This red dot sight also features ultra-compact size and weight with the parallax-free operation. For all-weather reliability, the scope is fully waterproof and fog proof.
Key Features
- High-performance lens coating.
- Completely waterproof and fog proof.
- The lightweight rider mounts for absolute co-witness.
- Long-life CR1632 battery.
- Aircraft-grade aluminum housing and mount.
- Durable and rugged construction.
- Unlimited eye relief.
- Ultra-compact size and lightweight.
- Red dot sight with a parallax-free operation
- 10 daytime and 2 NV settings
- 2 MOA Dot
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Red Dot Sights for Air Rifle Hunting
With the market offering many red dot sights to choose from, here are some of the important features you need to pay keen attention to in order to get one that perfectly suits your air rifle hunting needs.
Size and weight
Size plays a critical role when it comes to compatibility between red dot sight and the air rifle intended to be used. The appropriate red dot sight is one that’s compatible with your air rifle. For hunting purposes, the red dot sight you choose should be lightweight and portable. This way, you will have an easy time traversing through thick woods and plains. The weight of the sight also matters because it contributes to the overall weight of the gun.
Battery life
Most Red Dot Sights for Air Rifle Hunting are battery-powered. Illuminated reticles in a rifle scope will appear black without the illumination, however, nothing is visible in a red dot sight without power. Red dot sights tend to have longer battery life but cold weather drains up the battery faster. When hunting in cold weather conditions, backup batteries at hand are highly recommended. Furthermore, many red dot sights have a battery life of about 10,000 hours, which is approximately 5 years. This means that you don’t have to worry about the battery is dead, but you should always replace them after one year or two.
Style
Red dot sights are available in two basic styles; open or tube style. The open window design is a square-shaped window that is often more compact and low profile compared with the tube-style counterpart. It offers a wider field of view for shooters and by using two eye aiming method, there is less interference with your vision. Another good thing about open-style red dot sights is that they are lightweight and portable.
On the other hand, tube-styled red dot sights are often heavier, but more durable and protected. The good thing about them is that they are capable of withstanding more abuse and are more waterproof.
Durable construction
To ensure great performance and great value for money as well, the red dot sight that you choose should be capable of withstanding multiple bumps and falls along the way without getting destroyed. The body should be built from durable and sturdy materials. The sight should also be built of materials that are completely waterproof and fog proof, to ensure all-weather reliability. To ensure accurate target acquisition, the sight should also be resistant to recoil.
Type of reticle
With red dot sight, reticles don’t appear defined and sharp like in riflescopes. Instead, they look different from eye to eye as well as from one person to the other. No red dot will offer a crisp outline, therefore don’t worry about finding the perfect reticle when looking for a red dot sight.
Red Dot Sights for Air Rifle Hunting FAQs
Which is the ideal distance to shoot with a red dot sight?
Red dot optics are best sighted for 100 yards. At this range, you will clearly see the target and get that accurate shot. Accuracy after 100 yards will depend on the size of the target as well as the design of the optics.
Are red dot sights good at hunting at night?
Yes. Some red dot sights have different illumination settings that make them ideal for use at night, Red dot sights even have a slight advantage over the night sights because they work better with a focus on the target rather than focus on the sights.
Red Dot Sights for Air Rifle Hunting Benefits
- Fast target acquisition. Red dot sights provide greater accuracy when shooting moving targets.
- Greater field of view.
- Generous eye relief. With red dot sights, the eye relief is unlimited. This feature allows fast target acquisition.
- Easy to aim in the dark. With red dot sights, the crosshairs remain visible even in the darkest environments.
Conclusion
A red dot sight with the right features will take your hunting skills to a whole new level. Spending a lot of money on a red dot sight doesn’t always guarantee better quality than the less expensive models. Make sure that you go through the important features which make up a good red dot sight, then go through different customers reviews regarding the sight that you choose. Also, make sure that the sight is compatible with your air rifle.
