Red dot sight for 12 gauge smoothbore weapons - an overview of models and tips for choosing

The effectiveness of shooting depends not only on the practical skills of a hunter or sportsman. You can train for years, but never achieve the desired accuracy of the battle. There are several types of devices that become indispensable assistants for novice shooters and visually impaired people in the process of fishing (or on the stand). One of them is a collimator sight, which is a kind of optical device.

Not everyone understands why a reflex sight is preferable to a traditional optic for a 12-gauge shotgun, and this should be explained for those who do not have enough experience in hunting with a “smoothbore”.

Firstly , any shotgun has a range limit. The maximum is up to 120 m, and this is subject to an increased charge, which is rarely practiced. It is unlikely that at such distances a multiple increase is required. Therefore, the acquisition of expensive optics is not justified in any way.

Secondly , fishing with smooth-bore weapons is most often carried out under way. Therefore, shooting is predominantly offhand. The slightest delay, and a miss. Therefore, in such situations, a traditional optical sight is a poor helper.

The collimator is a device, in fact, universal. In it, the mark (dot) replaces both the rear sight and the front sight of a smoothbore weapon. When hunting at close range, a red dot sight is much more effective than any expensive optics and cheap frame devices that are installed on the cut of the trunks. Therefore, it is considered an intermediate option, and for a 12-gauge shotgun, it is the best choice.

Another argument in favor of installing a collimator on a 12-gauge smoothbore weapon. Firstly , shooting is carried out, as a rule, with shot. And its expansion is such that maximum alignment of the aiming line is not required to hit the target. Secondly , 12 gauge is the largest. Consequently, the area covered by the “shot sediment” (at equal distances) is larger than that of other guns. The main thing is to correctly choose the best option for a collimator sight for a particular type of hunting.

Rating of the best collimator sights for a 12 gauge smoothbore gun

On sale there are several series of optical devices of the same brand. All their advantages are noted on the basis of feedback from athletes and hunters, which are easy to find on forums and websites of relevant topics.

Prices are indicative, for the Moscow region, in Russian rubles.

SIGHTMARK

Model SM1

Series 3005. This red dot sight is perfectly suited for fishing in low temperatures. At values ​​up to -25 ºС, the brightness of the glow does not change. The small weight of the device, protection from mechanical damage, falls from a height make it attractive for lovers of sea hunting. Price - 9 000.

Series 3003B (BOX 1x33). open collimator. Advantages - an excellent panoramic view, the presence of several types (up to 4) of aiming marks, which ensures the accuracy of a shot both with a bullet and a shot charge. Price - 6 290.

Series 3001. It attracts, first of all, with its small dimensions. This device belongs to the category of mini-sights, so it is perfect for those hunters who prefer to fish in places with dense vegetation (forest belts and so on). The specifics of the lens device provides a view in a large sector without shifting the barrel of your 12 gauge weapon. Price - 8 190.

Model SM2

The collimator sight of the 6003 series stands out here. Such models are called ultra-compact (weight - 60 g). Type is open. The battery capacity allows you to provide continuous illumination (when fully charged) for 8 - 9 days. Hunters note the ease of use during preemptive shooting, that is, at a moving object (a hare, ducks taking off, etc.). Price - 8 430.

LEAPERS

SCP Model

Series RD40RGW-A. The type of collimator is closed. The main advantage is a quick installation on a smooth-bore weapon. This allows you to carry the device in a special case in the process of moving to the place where the hunt began. Another plus is that 2 colors are provided for the aiming mark: red is clearly visible against the background of foliage, grass; green - for autumn and winter fishing. Price - 2 680.

DS3028W series. Another closed-type collimator sight. Advantages - good protection against impacts, ease of installation on a smooth-bore weapon, a sufficient viewing angle (at a distance of 100 m it is ± 160). Price - 3 890.

Aimpoint Micro

This reflex sight model is considered one of the best for 12 caliber smoothbore weapons. It optimally combines the advantages of open (ease of use, low weight) and closed (reliability, inertness to recoil) types of optical devices. The battery is designed for 48,000 hours of operation, and the quality of the backlight does not decrease even at extremely low temperatures.

This collimator is not afraid of water (permissible immersion is 5 m) and can be installed not only on a 12 gauge smoothbore gun, but also on other types of weapons equipped with a ventilated strap. Price - from 32 990.

DOCTER Sight (Model III 3.5)

The type of collimator sight is open. The main "highlight" is the ability of the optics to independently adjust the brightness of the backlight depending on the lighting conditions. This creates convenience during winter hunting - you do not need to cling to the cold butt for a long time and aim. Mount branded, universal. Price - from 18 190.

The collimator sights given as an example are not the only ones of high quality. On sale there are models from other manufacturers, to which there are no special complaints - "Hakko BED" (Japan), "EOTech" (USA). But this is due not only to their high reliability, but also to low demand - they are much more expensive, and therefore are purchased by owners of smooth-bore weapons less often. Accordingly, there are not so many reviews.

In fairness, it should be noted that all devices under these brands entering our market are manufactured in China.

A lot of positive feedback about the Russian development of optics for smoothbore weapons. For 12 gauge, the Cobra collimator (EKP-8-21 series) is excellent. The price is much lower than many foreign analogues - 12,780, and in terms of quality it is not inferior to them.

Recommendations for choosing a red dot sight

For smoothbore weapons, including 12 gauge , it is advisable to focus on open-type devices. They are more compact and provide a good overview. If the sight is closed, then it should be a holographic collimator, and not an old-style model, when when aiming it was necessary to close one eye in order to connect 2 points.

Mount type

It should immediately be clarified whether it is suitable for a particular 12 gauge weapon. On sale there are collimator sights with a universal locking mechanism. They are preferred for two reasons. Firstly, you don’t have to do “fitting” right in the store (and for this you need to come to it with your gun). Secondly, if instead of the old model it is planned to purchase a more advanced weapon, then the collimator will not need to be changed.

Label type

There are several options, depending on the manufacturer of the collimator - a single point, it is in a circle; intersecting lines; triangle. It is advisable to try out the convenience of aiming from different models of the device. Here, third-party recommendations are superfluous - only your own feelings. The only thing that needs to be clarified is at what distance this sight is most effective.

Dimming limits

A good collimator is considered to have at least 5 interchangeable marks. But these are active types of sights, which involve their use in the dark. They cost more, so you should think about whether this optical device is really needed for hunting during the day. But for a sit-down - an excellent choice.

Power supply

Here it is short - the battery is preferable. The fact is that all battery-type elements, colloquially called "pills", are sensitive to sub-zero temperatures. In winter hunting, this will directly affect the quality of the functioning of the collimator sight.

Price

One of the main points when choosing a fixture. High-quality optics, by definition, cannot be cheap. An example is branded binoculars, glasses, microscopes. There are various models of reflex sights made in China . In many respects, they are characterized quite well, but there is a significant drawback that completely eliminates all the existing advantages - they are sensitive to recoil. Since we are talking about 12 caliber smoothbore weapons, it is quite significant.

How the device will behave after the first shot, especially if it is made with a Magnum cartridge, no professional will undertake to predict. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and spend money on a more reliable red dot sight from a well-known manufacturer.