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Top 7 Best Red Dot For .22lr Rifle in 2024

When it comes to enhancing your shooting accuracy and speed with a .22lr rifle or pistol, few accessories can compete with a reliable red dot sight.

Red dot sights are designed to provide a straightforward, fast, and accurate aiming point for shooters, making them perfect for everything from competitive shooting to casual plinking.

In this comprehensive review, I’ll walk you through some of the top red dot sights suitable for .22lr firearms, sharing my personal experiences as well as feedback gathered from various online forums and customer reviews.

MY CHOICES

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Vortex Strikefire 2⁠

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Bushnell TRS-25⁠

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Primary Arms Micro⁠

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Burris FastFire 3⁠

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Vortex Crossfire⁠

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Sig Sauer Romeo5⁠

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HOLOSUN 403B⁠

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Note: This article reflects my personal opinions. While the products mentioned may not be perfect for everyone, they might be useful for some readers.

1. Best Overall: Vortex Strikefire II

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As a huge fan of plinking with my .22LR rifle, I was always curious about red dot sights. After tons of research, I landed on the Vortex Strikefire II, and let me tell you, it's been a game-changer.

Specs and Features:

Rugged build: This thing is built like a tank. Machined aluminum housing and nitrogen purging mean it can handle bumps and the elements.

1x magnification: Perfect for close-range target acquisition, which is ideal for .22LR shooting.

4 MOA red dot: The dot size is a good balance between precision and quick target pickup.

10 brightness settings: From blazing daylight to low-light conditions, there's a setting for any scenario (including two night vision compatible).

Long battery life: I haven't had to replace the battery yet, and Vortex claims it lasts for thousands of hours.

Why I Love It:

Fast target acquisition: Especially with .22LR's flatter trajectory, the red dot makes getting on target lightning fast. It's amazing how much quicker I pick up those little bullseyes now.

Lightweight and low profile: It doesn't add much bulk to my rifle, keeping it maneuverable.

Vortex Warranty: Vortex's lifetime warranty is legendary. If anything goes wrong, I know they'll take care of it.

Downsides to Consider:

Price: It's not the cheapest red dot on the market, but the quality and warranty justify the cost in my opinion.

Dot size: While the 4 MOA dot is great for quick shooting, some folks might prefer a smaller dot for ultimate precision.

My Experience:

Since mounting the Strikefire II, my accuracy with the .22LR has noticeably improved. It's so much easier to line up the dot with the target compared to using iron sights. Plus, it's just plain fun to use!

What Others Are Saying:

Online reviews are generally positive. People love the durability, clarity of the dot, and the long battery life. Some reviewers mentioned a bit of a learning curve when using a red dot sight for the first time, but everyone agreed it was worth the adjustment period.

Overall, the Vortex Strikefire II has been a fantastic upgrade for my .22LR rifle. It's tough, versatile, and makes plinking even more enjoyable. If you're looking for a quality red dot sight at a reasonable price point, I highly recommend giving it a try.

2. Best Budget: Bushnell TRS-25

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Looking for a red dot sight for your .22LR plinking rifle? Look no further than the Bushnell TRS-25. This little guy has become my go-to for some fun at the range. Here's what I found after putting some rounds downrange:

Specs and Features:

3 MOA red dot reticle - perfect for close-range target acquisition

11 brightness settings - handles everything from bright sun to low-light conditions

Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof - built tough for outdoor use

Mounts easily to picatinny rails

Best Features:

Price: Let's be honest, it's a budget-friendly red dot. Great value for casual shooters like me.

Durability: Haven't babied it, and it's held up perfectly. Raindrops, bumps, you name it - no issues.

Ease of Use: Zeroing was a breeze, and the brightness controls are simple to adjust.

Advantages:

Faster target acquisition: Those iron sights are history! The red dot makes picking up targets on the fly a snap.

Lightweight: Barely adds any weight to your rifle, keeping it handy.

Both-eyes-open shooting: Improves situational awareness, especially for new shooters.

Disadvantages:

3 MOA dot might be a bit large for some: For competition or longer-range shooting, a smaller dot might be preferable.

Battery life isn't amazing: I haven't had it die on me yet, but some folks online mention replacing the battery more often than they'd like.

My Experience:

Slapping the TRS-25 on my .22LR has made plinking sessions so much more enjoyable. Putting rounds on target is faster and more intuitive, and it's just plain fun to use. Sure, it's not the fanciest red dot out there, but for the price, it's hard to beat.

Customer Chatter:

Online reviews seem to echo my experience. Many folks praise the TRS-25 for its affordability and durability. Some competitive shooters do mention wanting a smaller dot size, but for recreational use, it gets a thumbs up from most.

Overall, the Bushnell TRS-25 is a great choice for anyone looking for a no-frills red dot sight for their .22LR rifle. It's reliable, easy to use, and won't break the bank. If you're looking to upgrade your plinking experience, this little red dot might just be your perfect match.

3. Best for Long-Range: Primary Arms SLx MD-25

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As a huge fan of plinking with my .22LR rifle, I was always left wanting a bit more precision. Enter the Primary Arms SLx MD-25 red dot sight. Let me tell you, this little guy has become my go-to for putting lead on those tiny targets at 50 yards and beyond.

Specs and Features:

Weighing in at a feathery 6.5 ounces, it keeps my rifle nimble.

The 2 MOA dot is perfect for precise aiming at .22LR distances.

Battery life? Crazy. Up to 12,000 hours on a single CR2032!

The ACSS CQB reticle (optional) with its chevron and BDC dots is a game-changer for quick holdovers.

Multiple brightness settings handle everything from bright sun to low-light shooting.

Why It Works for My .22LR:

Pinpoint Accuracy: The red dot makes focusing on the target a breeze, leading to tighter shot groups.

Lightweight Champion: No more feeling weighed down after a long day at the range.

Holdover Helper: With the ACSS reticle, guessing bullet drop at extended distances becomes a thing of the past.

Quick on the Draw: The wide field of view lets me acquire targets fast, perfect for those rapid-fire drills.

A Few Downsides:

While the build quality is great, it doesn't quite scream "military-grade" like some higher-priced options.

The rotary knob controls are easy to use, but some folks might prefer push-button adjustments.

Real World Results:

Since slapping this red dot on my .22LR, I've seen a noticeable improvement in my accuracy. Hitting those pesky little spinners at 50 yards is way more consistent, and even pushing things out to 75 yards isn't an issue anymore. Plus, the battery life is insane. I haven't had to change it yet, and that's after months of use!

What Others Are Saying:

Online reviews rave about the SLx MD-25's clarity, durability, and value. A common complaint is that some users would prefer a larger field of view, but for a .22LR plinker, it's more than enough.

Overall:

If you're looking for a red dot sight to elevate your .22LR game, the Primary Arms SLx MD-25 is a fantastic choice. It's accurate, lightweight, and offers features that shooters of all experience levels will appreciate. For the price, you simply can't beat it.

4. Best Compact: Burris FastFire III

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Let me tell you, the Burris FastFire III red dot sight has been a game-changer for plinking with my .22LR rifle. Here's the breakdown on why I love it:

Specs and Features:

Lightweight and compact, perfect for the .22LR's nimble profile.

Chooses between a 3 MOA or 8 MOA dot size, depending on your target and preference. I went with the 3 MOA for the extra precision at the range.

Automatic brightness adjustment keeps the red dot crisp in any lighting, or you can set it manually with three settings.

Battery life is insane - Burris claims up to 5 years thanks to the auto-timeout feature. I haven't changed it yet after hundreds of rounds.

Burris' "Forever Warranty" is unbeatable. Lifetime coverage, no questions asked? Sign me up.

Advantages on the Range:

Sight acquisition is lightning fast. No more messing around with iron sights, especially on smaller targets.

My accuracy has noticeably improved. The red dot makes focusing on that perfect sight picture a breeze.

Both-eyes-open shooting is a natural instinct with a red dot, which keeps your situational awareness sharp.

A Couple Nitpicks:

The viewing window isn't the biggest on the market. It hasn't been a huge issue, but some folks might prefer a wider field of view.

The price might be a tad higher than some other red dot options. However, the Burris warranty and overall quality definitely justify it in my book.

Real World Use:

Out at the range, the FastFire III has turned plinking with my .22LR into a whole new level of fun. I'm ringing steel targets with more consistency and confidence than ever before. It's also a great way to introduce new shooters to the sport - the red dot makes it so much easier to get a feel for proper sight alignment.

What Others Are Saying:

Users online rave about the FastFire III's durability and reliability. Some folks have mentioned the battery compartment cover popping off under heavy recoil on larger calibers, but that hasn't been an issue with my .22LR. A few reviewers wished for a wider field of view, but overall, the positive experiences far outweigh the minor drawbacks.

If you're looking to upgrade your .22LR experience with a high-quality, user-friendly red dot sight, the Burris FastFire III is definitely worth checking out. It's put a smile on my face at the range, and I think it could do the same for you.

5. Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II

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Specifications:

Dot Size: 2 MOA

Battery Life: Up to 50,000 hours

Weight: 5.2 ounces

Mount Type: Multi-height

Best Features:

Battery Life: Extremely long-lasting, perfect for extended use without replacement worries.

Brightness Settings: 11 levels of brightness to adapt to any lighting condition.

Pros:

High durability and shockproof design.

Water and fog proof, making it suitable for all weather conditions.

Very light, adding minimal weight to your firearm.

Cons:

Some users might find the 2 MOA dot too small for very close-range targets.

Experience:

Using the Vortex Optics Crossfire on my Ruger 10/22, I found the sight incredibly easy to install and zero. The clarity of the dot was impressive, even in bright sunlight, thanks to the multiple brightness settings. The adjustment dials are tactile and easy to use, making fine-tuning a breeze.

Customer Comments:

“I love how rugged this sight is. Dropped my rifle once, and it held zero perfectly.” - Forum User on RifleEnthusiast.com

6. Holosun HS403B

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Specifications:

Dot Size: 2 MOA

Battery Life: Up to 50,000 hours

Weight: 4.3 ounces

Housing Material: Aluminum

Best Features:

Solar Failsafe: Integrated solar panel that extends battery life.

Shake Awake Technology: Automatically turns on the sight when motion is detected.

Pros:

Extremely lightweight and compact.

Both battery and solar powered for reliability.

Cons:

Smaller field of view compared to other models.

Experience:

The Holosun HS403B has been a game-changer on my Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact. The solar power functionality works flawlessly, providing extra peace of mind about battery life. The auto-on feature is particularly handy; it's ready to go as soon as I pick up my firearm.

Customer Comments:

“Super reliable and the solar feature is amazing for long days at the range.” - Review on OpticsPlanet

7. Sig Sauer ROMEO5 Compact Red Dot Sight

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Specifications:

Dot Size: 2 MOA

Battery Life: Up to 40,000 hours

Weight: 5.1 ounces

Best Features:

MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination): Energy-saving system that powers down when not in use.

Multiple Reticles: Choice of dot or circle-dot reticle.

Pros:

Robust build quality.

Crisp, clear dot with no perceptible bloom.

Cons:

Battery compartment can be tight, making battery changes slightly cumbersome.

Experience:

The ROMEO5 has been mounted on my Henry AR-7, and it has performed exceptionally well. The MOTAC feature is excellent for preserving battery life, and the sight always activates the moment I need it. The clarity and precision of the dot make it easy to achieve accurate shots rapidly.

Customer Comments:

“Perfect balance of price and performance. It’s built like a tank and never skips a beat.” - Post on AR15.com

How to Choose the Right Red Dot Sight for Your .22lr?

Selecting the right red dot sight for your .22lr involves considering several factors:

Compatibility: Ensure the sight fits your firearm’s mounting system.

Dot Size: Larger dots are faster to acquire but less precise. Choose based on your typical shooting range.

Battery Life: Look for models with extended battery life to avoid frequent replacements.

Durability: Opt for a sight that can withstand the wear and tear of your shooting activities.

FAQs

Q: Are red dot sights worth it for .22lr firearms?

A: Absolutely. They enhance accuracy and target acquisition speed, making them invaluable for training and recreational shooting.

Q: Can a red dot sight be used in competitive shooting?

A: Yes, many competitive shooters use red dot sights for their speed and reliability.

Q: How do I maintain my red dot sight?

A: Regularly check and replace batteries if necessary, clean the lens with appropriate materials, and ensure the sight remains securely mounted.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a newcomer to the .22lr platform, adding a red dot sight can significantly improve your shooting experience.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire, Holosun HS403B, and Sig Sauer ROMEO5 reviewed above represent just a sampling of the excellent options available on the market.

Each has its strengths and minor weaknesses, but all are capable of enhancing your accuracy and enjoyment. Remember to consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing a red dot sight, and you'll find your marksmanship improving in no time.

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