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Top 4 Best Red Dot Sights for 500 Yards of 2025

Looking to extend your effective range with a red dot sight?

While not traditional for extreme long-range shooting, red dots can be a great option for reaching out to 500 yards with the right features.

Here’s a breakdown of the top 4 best red dot sights for 500 yards in 2025 that excel at mid-range precision, combining holdover techniques with a clear and accurate red dot reticle.

Top choices:

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Trijicon RMR Type 2⁠

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Aimpoint Micro H-2⁠

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Leupold Deltapoint Pro⁠

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Burris FastFire 3⁠

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Top 4 Best Red Dot Sights for 500 Yards of 2025

Trijicon RMR Type 2

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The RMR excels in close-quarters combat situations. Its compact size and 3.25 MOA dot are perfect for quick target acquisition and precise aiming at pistol distances. However, at 500 yards, that 3.25 MOA dot would cover a significant portion of your target, making accurate shot placement much more challenging.

Best Features:

Bombproof Durability: Trijicon sights are legendary for their toughness. The RMR Type 2 can handle drops, bumps, and the recoil of even the hottest handgun calibers.

Dual Illumination: Tritium provides a constant sight picture in low-light without batteries, while the fiber optic automatically adjusts the dot’s brightness in daylight conditions. No need to worry about batteries dying at a critical moment.

Clear Glass and Wide Field of View: The RMR offers a clean sight picture with minimal fisheye effect, and the window is large enough to maintain situational awareness while aiming.

Pros:

Unmatched durability

Always-on functionality with tritium

Excellent field of view for quick target acquisition

Cons (for 500 yards):

3.25 MOA dot is too large for precise long-range shooting

Reticle options are limited compared to dedicated rifle scopes

My Experience:

I love my RMR Type 2 on my EDC pistol. It’s confidence-inspiring and lightning fast for defensive shooting. However, when I’m reaching out to longer distances, I switch to a magnified optic with a finer reticle.

Online forums are filled with praise for the RMR’s ruggedness and clarity. However, some long-range shooters mention its limitations for precise aiming at extended distances and recommend it for closer-range applications.

For 500 yards, I’d recommend looking into a dedicated rifle scope with a magnified optic and a mil-dot or MOA reticle for precise holdovers. The Trijicon RMR Type 2, however, is a phenomenal choice for handguns and close-quarters shooting.

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Aimpoint Micro H-2

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I gotta say, I was skeptical about the Aimpoint Micro H-2 for long-range shooting. Here’s this miniature red dot sight, and I’m thinking about putting it on a rifle for 500-yard targets? Color me surprised.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not perfect for half-a-kilometer precision work. But hear me out. The 2 MOA dot might seem a bit big for pinpoint accuracy at that distance. However, the sight itself is a marvel of simplicity and ruggedness. It’s built like a tank, shrugs off rain and bumps, and the battery lasts for ages. Plus, the red dot is crisp and clear, with adjustable brightness for any lighting condition.

Here’s the real beauty: the speed of target acquisition is phenomenal. Both-eyes-open aiming makes lining up on targets incredibly fast, which is a game-changer at extended distances. It’s not about pinpoint accuracy at 500 yards, it’s about getting you on target quickly and allowing you to make those precise adjustments with the iron sights or a magnified optic piggybacked on top.

Pros:

Super lightweight and compact

Bombproof construction

Insanely long battery life

Clear, adjustable red dot

Blazing-fast target acquisition

Cons:

2 MOA dot can cover larger targets at distance

No magnification (might require a piggybacked optic for true long-range)

My Experience:

I’ve been using the Micro H-2 on my AR-platform rifle, and it’s become my go-to for practical shooting situations. It’s fantastic for quick shots at intermediate distances and excels in low-light conditions. While I wouldn’t use it for long-range competition, it’s definitely a contender for practical applications where rapid target acquisition is key. Plus, it pairs beautifully with a magnified scope for true long-range versatility.

One thing I love about the Micro H-2 is the online community. Forums and reviews are filled with praise for its durability, clarity, and lightning-fast targeting. Some users even swear by it for long-range applications with proper technique and bullet drop compensation.

Overall, the Micro H-2 might be a little guy, but it packs a punch. It’s a fantastic red dot sight for practical shooting, excels in low light, and can even be a contender for long-range use with the right approach. If you’re looking for a fast, reliable red dot that won’t weigh you down, the Micro H-2 is definitely worth checking out.

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Leupold DeltaPoint Pro

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Let’s be clear: the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro is a fantastic red dot sight. It’s rugged, holds a zero like a champ, and the 7.5 MOA dot is perfect for quick acquisition on close targets. But for reaching out to 500 yards? I’m hesitant. Here’s why.

The Good Stuff:

Built Like a Tank: This thing is tough. I’ve dropped it, banged it around in the rain, and it keeps on ticking. Leupold’s lifetime guarantee gives you peace of mind too.

Battery Life Champ: I swear this red dot runs forever on a single battery. No more scrambling to replace one before a big match.

Fast and Easy Sighting: Zeroing the DeltaPoint Pro is a breeze. The MOA adjustments are precise, and it held that zero perfectly over hundreds of rounds.

The Not-So-Great Stuff:

Limited Holdovers: The 7.5 MOA dot is great for close quarters, but at 500 yards, it covers a significant portion of the target. Precise shot placement becomes tricky. You might be better off with a smaller MOA dot or a red dot sight with built-in ballistic holdover options.

Field of View: While not terrible, the DeltaPoint Pro’s field of view feels a bit limited compared to some other red dots on the market. This isn’t a huge deal at close range, but it can be noticeable at distance.

Real World Use:

For close quarters and even intermediate distances, the DeltaPoint Pro shines. It’s fast, accurate, and confidence-inspiring. But when I’m reaching out past 300 yards, I find myself wanting a little more precision and a wider field of view.

Online reviews are generally positive. People love the DeltaPoint Pro’s durability and battery life. However, some shooters, like myself, mention the 7.5 MOA dot being a bit large for long-range work.

The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro is an excellent red dot sight, but for 500 yards, I’d recommend considering a different option with a smaller MOA dot or ballistic holdover features. However, if close-quarters speed and rugged reliability are your priorities, the DeltaPoint Pro is definitely a top contender.

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Burris FastFire III

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The Burris FastFire III red dot sight is a solid little red dot, but let’s be honest, at 500 yards you’re better off with a magnified optic. The FastFire III shines at close to medium range, where quick target acquisition and a wide field of view are king. Here’s what I found after putting some rounds downrange with it.

Best Features:

Lightweight: This thing barely registers on the scale, making it perfect for keeping your AR nimble.

Rugged: It’s taken a few bumps and knocks without complaint, and the sight picture remains clear.

Easy to Use: Zeroing takes minutes, and the brightness adjustment knob is simple and effective.

Pros:

Fast target acquisition: The wide window and clear 4 MOA dot make getting on target a breeze.

Great for practical shooting: This sight is ideal for drills, competition, and home defense situations where close-quarters speed is essential.

Battery life: I haven’t had to replace the battery yet, and it’s been on countless range trips.

Cons:

Limited range: The 4 MOA dot covers a significant portion of the target at distance, making precise shot placement difficult at 500 yards.

No magnification: Forget about zooming in for those long-range plinking sessions. This is a close-up sight.

My Experience:

I love this sight for blasting steel at the range and running drills. The dot is crisp and easy to pick up, and the sight itself is built like a tank. However, I wouldn’t trust it for anything past 100 yards or so. For reaching out to farther targets, I’d definitely switch to a magnified optic.

Online reviews seem to echo my experience. People love the FastFire III for its lightweight design, durability, and ease of use. However, there are some comments about the dot size being a bit large for long-range precision shooting.

Overall, the Burris FastFire III is a great red dot sight for close to medium range applications. If you’re looking for a quick-acquisition sight for drills or home defense, this is a solid option. Just keep in mind that it’s not going to replace your long-range scope.

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How to Choose the Right Red Dot Sights for 500 Yards?

Red dot sights are generally not ideal for 500 yards due to lack of magnification. They excel at close to medium range where quick target acquisition is important. However, if you’re set on a red dot for long range shooting here are some things to consider:

Dot Size: Smaller dots (2 MOA or less) offer more precision but can be difficult to see at distance, especially in low light. Larger dots (6 MOA or more) are faster to pick up but can obscure targets at 500 yards.

Holdovers: With a red dot, you’ll need to rely on memorizing holdovers (aiming high to compensate for bullet drop) which can be complex at long range.

Consider a Prism Sight: These offer magnification (typically 1x to 9x) with a red dot reticle, providing better visibility for aiming at 500 yards.

Conclusion

While red dot sights can be excellent tools for acquiring targets quickly and improving accuracy, their effectiveness at 500 yards diminishes.

For long-range shooting, a magnified optic like a riflescope is better suited for precise shot placement.

However, if your primary focus is on closer-range engagements and rapid target acquisition, a high-quality red dot can still be a great option, even if you plan on occasional longer-distance shooting. Remember, the best red dot for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. C

onsider factors like durability, reticle size, battery life, and night vision compatibility before making your final decision.

Top 4 Best Red Dot Sights for 500 Yards of 2025

Trijicon RMR Type 2

Aimpoint Micro H-2

Leupold DeltaPoint Pro

Burris FastFire III

How to Choose the Right Red Dot Sights for 500 Yards?

Conclusion

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