Skip to content
More
Share
Explore
Top 5 Best Red Dot for Ruger No 1 of 2025
Best Red Dot for Ruger No 1 — that’s the exact question I started with when I fitted a handful of modern micro-red dots to a Ruger No. 1 single-shot rifle.
The No. 1 is a beautiful piece of kit but it wasn’t designed around Picatinny rails or mini reflex sights, so choosing a red-dot that performs well and can be mounted securely means balancing size, sight window, parallax behavior, and—crucially—mounting options.
In this guide I walk through my top picks, the real mounting reality for the No. 1, what I actually experienced on the bench and in the field, and the exact things you’ll want to check before you buy or fit a sight.
Top Product List
Top 5 Best Red Dot for Ruger No 1 of 2025
Aimpoint Micro T-2
The Aimpoint Micro T-2 is a compact, rugged tube-style red dot famous for outstanding battery life, proven durability, and a clean 2 MOA dot that stays on point under recoil. It’s a favorite where reliability is non-negotiable.
Product Specs (key highlights)
My personal experience with the product
On a rifle platform the Micro T-2 feels like the gold standard for “set it and forget it.” I mounted one using a compact low-profile adapter (more on mounting below) and zeroed quickly at 50–100 yds. The sight’s dot is crisp in daylight and usable at low brightness settings in shade; I appreciated how the brightness dial is forgiving when the sun angle changes. Over multiple follow-up sessions the T-2 held zero and needed no re-adjustment beyond normal checks. Ergonomically, the tube form factor rides a bit higher than some open-reflex sights, which can actually be beneficial on a hunting rifle where you want a bit more natural cheek contact.
Online customer comments/discussions
Users consistently praise Aimpoint’s longevity and serviceability. Threads in shooter forums emphasize the Micro series’ ruggedness and long battery life; pros in those threads warn only about the cost and suggest planning for a proper mount for older lever/hinge receivers.
Mounting method (Ruger No. 1)
Requires adapter/plate. The Ruger No. 1 does not come with an integrated Picatinny rail; to fit the Micro T-2 you’ll generally use a low-profile Picatinny adapter or a Ruger-specific base that attaches to the receiver with action screws. That adapter gives you the solid platform Aimpoint needs for repeatable zero.
Trijicon MRO
The Trijicon MRO is a wide-aperture miniature reflex sight designed for fast target acquisition and a large field of view. It’s robustly built and favored by shooters who want a quick, natural sight picture without a heavy tube.
Product Specs (key highlights)
My personal experience with the product
The MRO’s big viewing window makes shooting from odd positions and quick follow-ups effortless. Mounted on a retrofitted base, the MRO gave me a broad sight picture that reduced the “tunnel vision” some tube sights produce. Zeroing was straightforward; with normal cheek weld the dot lined up intuitively. On longer shots the 2 MOA dot still allowed precise placement—especially after dialing a bit of holdover compensation at distance. The MRO’s controls are simple and the hooding helps keep glare down on bright days in open country.
Online customer comments/discussions
Feedback from rifle and AR users praises the MRO for its sight picture and durability. A common forum theme: the MRO is a great tradeoff between big-window reflexes and compact footprint, though some users prefer Aimpoint-style tube sights for absolute weather-proofing.
Mounting method (Ruger No. 1)
Requires adapter/plate. Fit the MRO to the Ruger No. 1 by installing a receiver base or a dedicated dovetail-to-Picatinny adapter (depending on your receiver configuration). Make sure the adapter uses the correct action screws for your No. 1 model.
Leupold DeltaPoint Micro
Leupold’s DeltaPoint Micro (DPM) is a small open-reflex with a super-crisp dot and an exceptionally slim profile — an excellent choice when you want minimal obstruction of the rifle’s sightline plus proven optical quality.
Product Specs (key highlights)
My personal experience with the product
For a light hunting rifle setup the DeltaPoint Micro felt very natural. Its low height helped me maintain a comfortable cheek weld on the No. 1 stock while still giving a bright, usable dot at dawn and dusk. The DPM is lighter than most tube sights and the dot contrast is excellent against brush backgrounds. I liked how the shielded emitter reduced stray reflections when the sun was at low angles.
Online customer comments/discussions
Many users recommend the DPM for hunters and lightweight builds. Common discussion points: excellent clarity, easy battery access, and great mounting compatibility with pistol/red dot plates adapted for rifles.
Mounting method (Ruger No. 1)
Requires adapter/plate. Most No. 1 owners will use a small footprint base or an adapter plate (RMR/DeltaPoint footprint adapters are common) secured to the receiver. If you prefer a more permanent installation, have a gunsmith fit the base to ensure proper screw torque and alignment.
Vortex Venom
The Vortex Venom is an affordable, compact reflex sight with a clean 3 MOA dot option and Vortex’s solid warranty and customer support. It’s a popular choice when budget and performance must meet.
Product Specs (key highlights)
My personal experience with the product
If you’re on a budget but still want real performance, the Venom is hard to beat. I used it on a hunting session and found target acquisition quick and intuitive. The dot is slightly larger than the 2 MOA options which can be a positive for speed but slightly less ideal for pin-point shots at longer ranges. For the No. 1, the Venom’s low mass and small footprint made mounting easier and it didn’t upset the rifle’s balance.
Online customer comments/discussions
Owners often praise Vortex’s customer service and the Venom’s value proposition. Typical forum posts note excellent clarity for the price and occasional comments about requiring a solid mount to avoid wobble on heavier recoiling platforms.
Mounting method (Ruger No. 1)
Requires adapter/plate. The Venom uses a small footprint plate; to mount it reliably on a No. 1 you’ll typically choose a dovetail or receiver base adapter that takes a mini-footprint reflex plate. Tighten to manufacturer torque specs and re-check zero after a few shots.
Burris FastFire 3
The Burris FastFire 3 is an ultra-compact reflex sight with low weight, crisp dot options, and very simple controls. It’s a go-to for those who want minimal bulk on a hunting rig.
Product Specs (key highlights)
My personal experience with the product
On a classic wood stock like the No. 1 the FastFire 3 looked almost custom-made: tiny, unobtrusive, and fast on target. The 3 MOA dot is a sweet spot for general hunting and quick shots; I had no trouble getting hits inside a few inches at 100 yd with consistent cheek weld. The small size minimizes changes to sling position and handling. Downsides are the smaller viewing window (compared to MRO) and a slightly less beefy housing than some premium reflexes — so protect it during rough handling.
Online customer comments/discussions
Many hunters and varminters love the FastFire series for its low profile and quick acquisition. Some threads caution that on heavy recoil platforms you should double-check mount stability and use a dedicated adapter plate where possible.
Mounting method (Ruger No. 1)
Requires adapter/plate. The FastFire 3 is typically mounted to an RMR/mini reflex plate or a purpose-made receiver base adapter. Because it’s light and compact, it’s particularly forgiving on the No. 1 as long as the adapter is solid and screws are torqued correctly.
Why You Should Trust My Review
I’ve fitted and shot each of these optics on bolt-action and single-shot hunting rifles, including multiple sessions on the Ruger No. 1 platform. I approach testing as a working hunter/shooter: I evaluate zero retention, ergonomics with a full cheek weld, sight picture clarity across common field distances (10–300 yd), and real mounting practicality for receivers that don’t have factory rails. I also cross-checked owner reports across several shooting communities and compared repeated user feedback on mounting solutions. This isn’t just spec-reading—these are optics I’ve had on the bench and behind the rifle, verified under realistic conditions.
How I Tested These Sights
My testing protocol combines bench and field steps to simulate real use:
I repeated the above on multiple rifles to differentiate optic behavior from rifle quirks.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Best Red Dot for Ruger No 1?
A1: The right pick depends on your priorities: if you want rugged, long-term reliability choose the Aimpoint Micro T-2; for a large, fast window choose the Trijicon MRO; for a minimal, low-profile install the Leupold DeltaPoint Micro or Burris FastFire 3. All of my top picks above will work well, provided you use a proper receiver base or adapter to mount them securely.
Q2: Can I mount a red dot directly to my Ruger No. 1 without a gunsmith?
A2: Most No. 1 rifles don’t have a factory Picatinny rail; many owners fit a receiver-specific base or a dovetail adapter. If you’re comfortable with hand tools and the adapter is a simple screw-on base that matches your receiver’s screw pattern, you can do it at home. For permanent or cut-and-fit bases, a gunsmith is recommended.
Q3: Will a 2 MOA dot work for hunting with a Ruger No. 1?
A3: Yes. A 2 MOA dot is a good compromise—small enough for precise hits at 100+ yards, yet quick for close shots. If you expect very close shots only, a 3 or 4 MOA dot speeds target acquisition; for long, precise shots, consider pairing the dot with known holdovers or a magnifier.
Q4: Do I need to worry about recoil on the No. 1 with these micro-dots?
A4: As long as the mount is solid and torqued correctly, modern micro-dots (Aimpoint, Trijicon, Leupold, Burris, Vortex) handle typical hunting-rifle recoil without issue. The weak link is usually the adapter or improperly seated screws, not the optic itself.
Q5: Which footprint should I choose for a Ruger No. 1 adapter plate?
A5: Choose a plate that accommodates the footprint of your chosen optic (RMR, DeltaPoint, Aimpoint Micro, or universal Picatinny). Many aftermarket bases are made specifically to accept Aimpoint-style micro rails or RMR/DPM footprints. Match the plate to the optic to minimize adapters and stacking tolerances.
Conclusion
Choosing the Best Red Dot for Ruger No 1 comes down to matching a sight’s physical footprint and performance to the No. 1’s receiver and intended use. If you want rock-solid reliability and minimal fuss, Aimpoint Micro T-2 is an outstanding—but pricier—option. If speed and a wide field are your priority, the Trijicon MRO shines. For minimal weight and a slim profile the Leupold DeltaPoint Micro and Burris FastFire 3 are smart, lighter choices, while the Vortex Venom gives great value for money. Whichever route you take, plan for a proper adapter or receiver base, verify your screw pattern, torque everything to spec, and confirm zero after a small follow-up string of shots—those steps are the difference between a red dot that works and one that merely looks good on the rifle.
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.