Red dot sight on a .22?

[Plinkin' Logs]

Well I just went out today and picked up a Marlin 795 to keep my Marlin Model 60 company. I went the scope route with the vintage 22" 18rd Model 60, and got an AO adjustable 3-12x40. Definitely WAY overkill but it works as at the range, and I can thread a needle with it.

For my 795 I wanted to build something that wasn't so heavy and great for plinking offhand as opposed to benched. I was thinking RDS Any ideas of what would be doable for an RDS on a .22, or do you think I should skip it and just go for a simple rimfire 4x32 or lower magnification scope? Is there any decent 3/8 dovetail RDS or do I need to get a picatinny/weaver adapter?

Unrelated question: I had a old timer tell me that he put electric tape on the vice of his dovetail scope rings because he said it helps prevent scope slipping when tightened down like a makeshift friction tape. Any idea if this is true

 

[Inebriated]

You could use a 30mm tube red dot like a Strike Fire or Aimpoint M2/3/PRO clones with a simple 30mm dovetail ring. I used a Strike Fire like that on my 795 for a long time. Bulky, but worked fine.

 

[Snyper]

You'll probably find the dot sights won't be as precise as a scope, but will be slightly faster to get on target.

I have an Aimpoint on a 10/22 that I keep handy for critters that get after my chickens, since I don't need the same accuracy level I want on a Squirrel rifle, and it's better in low-light conditions when predators are most active

The tape on the dovetail might help if you have a loose fit, but I've never needed to use any

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A Burris Fast Fire III 3MOA gets my vote.

Yes, electrical tape inside scope rings works great to keep a scope from shifting and prevents ring marks.

 

[Cee Zee]

I use the irons on my 795. It would seem like a total mismatch to add the weight of a scope to that rifle. The best part about it is how light it is. I use it as a fairly close range (40 yards or so) varmint gun. It's plenty accurate just using the irons. If you can get a really good red dot it would be great but it would probably cost a lot more than the rifle did. Again that seems like a mismatch to me. But YMMV as always.

 

[Skylerbone]

Plinking, have a look at Primary Arms for your RDS needs. I've swapped my Vortex SPARC around from the AR to a 10/22 and it currently resides on a Beretta .22 a small, lightweight RDS would IMO make a great addition to your rifle.

 

[VThillman]

Plinking, have a look at Primary Arms for your RDS needs. I've swapped my Vortex SPARC around from the AR to a 10/22 and it currently resides on a Beretta .22 a small, lightweight RDS would IMO make a great addition to your rifle.

Yeah, I think Primary Arms has a 2MOA red dot sight.

 

[Inebriated]

Problem with micro dots is no one I know of makes one with a dovetail mount, so you have to get a 1913 adapter, which seems convoluted when, at the minimal expense of weight, you could get a 30mm dot and a dovetail ring. I've never had good luck with the 3/8-1913 adapters.

Otherwise, I'd much prefer a micro.

 

[rodregier]

Scope rings

Liquid electrical splice insulator is one option.

Rosin (music supply) is another.

I've used both.

 

[Plinkin' Logs]

The primary arms look like they would serve pretty well on a rimfire.

Problem with micro dots is no one I know of makes one with a dovetail mount, so you have to get a 1913 adapter, which seems convoluted when, at the minimal expense of weight, you could get a 30mm dot and a dovetail ring. I've never had good luck with the 3/8-1913 adapters.

That's a very good point, I've had issues with the quality of some of those adapters. Anyone know anything about Sightmark? They have an open RDS with a 3 MOA dot and a dovetail mount. I have someone who would be willing to sell me one of those cheap still in the box . Its a Sightmark Sure Shot. Good enough for a .22?

 

[Gravedigger56]

I have one of these on my 15/22 AR. A nice red dot with good reviews and was a real bargain for around $100. Mine didn't come with the riser at the time so I had to add one to get it to co-witness.

http://www.bushnell.com/all-products/rifle-scopes/ar-optics/trs-25-hirise

 

[toivo]

A Burris Fast Fire III 3MOA gets my vote.

+1. I use one on my .22 target pistol. It's a great sight -- easy to install, easy to adjust, easy to use.

 

[tuj]

I use an Ultradot tube-style RDS on my AR-22 conversion, and well...a lot of others:

 

[ColtPythonElite]

My buddy bought a new Primary Arms reflex a few weeks ago. It would not hold zero. I don't care for the tiny set screws you have to loosen and tighten during adjustment. Primary Arms doesn't recommend their sight for slide mounts.....I guess because they know it won't hold up to the recoil....On the other hand a a Burris Fast Fire has no trouble standing up to the recoil.

 

[Plinkin' Logs]

I also saw a Hawke's Optic 30mm 4 MOA red dot. I hear that Hawke is supposed to be pretty decent. Anyone else hear of them?

 

[Skylerbone]

I own a Hawke rifle scope, passable quality but I'd take a pass.

If you're looking for an adaptor for a Marlin, Diversified Innovative Products (DIP) makes excellent rails.

 

[M-Cameron]

Unrelated question: I had a old timer tell me that he put electric tape on the vice of his dovetail scope rings because he said it helps prevent scope slipping when tightened down like a makeshift friction tape. Any idea if this is true

i dont know if it helps....but i do this on my match guns, except i actually use hockey tape and i put it on the actual rail, not the rings......just a little added piece of mind.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

I've had good luck with this dovetail adapter:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leapers-utg-low-profile-dovetail-to-picatinny-rail-mount-adapter.html


Two to a package, lightweight, low profile.

Mark H.

 

[Walkalong]

The primary arms look like they would serve pretty well on a rimfire.

I agree.

 

[Walkalong]

I've had good luck with this dovetail adapter:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/leapers-utg-low-profile-dovetail-to-picatinny-rail-mount-adapter.html


Two to a package, lightweight, low profile.

Mark H.

Pretty neat. I haven't seen that one.

 

[GarySTL]

I have Millett tube type red dots on my two Henry 22 rifles. 4 dot sizes and adjustable brightness as well. They use 30mm rings. The Multi dot units have the adjustable dot size.


http://www.millettsights.com/scopes/sp-series-red-dot/

 

[chicharrones]

I have the tube type red dot with multi reticles on my daughter's rimfire. It works very well, but does seem over sized for small rifles.

View attachment 723012

What I like better is the Bushnell TRS-25. It is much smaller, much lighter, and no less accurate. I like the looks of that adapter that OpticsPlanet shows. I'll have to try it in the future.

View attachment 723013

 

[Gravedigger56]

I agree chicharrones that the Bushnell TRS25 makes a great red dot for .22 rifles. I replaced the TRS25 on my AR15 to go to a magnified scope so I will be putting the Bushnell on my M&P 15-22 for some first rate plinking.

 

[LRShooting]

I like red dot personally for some applications, target or hunting. If I am rabbit hunting or chasing squirrels with a group, or just plinking, then my el cheapo red dot from Wally World is great. Scopes are just too slow at 10 feet when your trying to trail a running rabbit or squirrel at 10-20 yards. Imagine if I had a EOTech! Good quality optics always intrigue the poor man.

As far as tape...I dont know. I use alot of that stuff on the farm and it turns into a slick mess (the adhesive) over time. Maybe thats just where its damp?

I like using some kind of water resistent fiber if i have slip problems if anything. A small, thin piece of fiberglass works wonders with my spring powered airgun. Those things put a beating on a scope and turned a 200$ scope into a rattle can. So Im sure itll work with a 22 or any other small caliber round.