Dot Sizes in Red Dot Sights | Optics Trade Debates

By Polona Kraner Jul 31, 2018

Welcome to Optics Trade debates. In each episode, we talk about a different topic and try to answer the most common questions we receive about it. Today, we are going to talk about the differences between dot sizes and for which purpose they are suitable.

Red dot sizes generally start at 1 MOA. That means that the dot covers 3 cm on 100 m, which is a really fine dot that is suitable for precision shooting even on longer ranges.

The majority of red dots start at 2 MOA and go up to 4, 6, 7 and all the way up to 10 MOA. The size depends on the form factor, the type of red dot, the purpose it is used for … Generally, red dots cover from 3 cm to 30 cm on 100 m.

The finer the dot is the easier it is to shot precisely on longer range. The bigger the dot the easier it is to do rapid target acquisition and to shoot in hectic or tactical situations.

We would recommend 1 MOA to 4 MOA to be used on rifles, 4 MOA to 10 MOA on handguns and 5 MOA or 6 MOA on shotguns.

Most red dot sights have different available dot sizes. Most Noblex (Docter) red dots come in 3.5 MOA and 7 MOA, most Aimpoints come in 2 MOA and 4 MOA. Holosun practically produces everything from 1 to 4 MOA. It’s much easier to produce a small dot in full-size red dot sights but is really hard to make reflex sights that have a dot smaller than 4 MOA. There are some exceptions (Shield Sights) that make reflex sights with dots as small as 1 MOA.

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