Affordable Red-dot Scope?

[Steve-in-Kville]

I need a red dot. I haven't bought one in 15 years. I have a 2260 rifle that my boys shoot (out of service pending a seal job) plus I will be taking delivery of my 1377 and 2240 this week. I hope to pick up a set of the 459MT scope mounts somewhere along the way as well. This scope may serve time on any of these guns.

I need a red dot that is affordable for plinking guns. If I build anything for strict target shooting I will look at the higher end stuff. For now I need something I am not afraid to send my boys off to the garden to shoot starlings with. 

I was told that the BSA line was a good option, but I would like to get more opinions first. My budget is $100 or less. I am also looking at refurbs on ebay. I welcome any suggestions.

[breakfastchef]

For $100 you can get a very nice red dot. My favorite, most accurate red dot is a Millett SP-1 (@$50). I think it wold be very good on a rifle/carbine.

[blake.l]

+1 on the Millett SP-1... I just picked one up on eBay new for $53.00 very well built and looks real nice....

[chongman]

I need a red dot. I haven't bought one in 15 years. I have a 2260 rifle that my boys shoot (out of service pending a seal job) plus I will be taking delivery of my 1377 and 2240 this week. I hope to pick up a set of the 459MT scope mounts somewhere along the way as well. This scope may serve time on any of these guns.

I need a red dot that is affordable for plinking guns. If I build anything for strict target shooting I will look at the higher end stuff. For now I need something I am not afraid to send my boys off to the garden to shoot starlings with. 

I was told that the BSA line was a good option, but I would like to get more opinions first. My budget is $100 or less. I am also looking at refurbs on ebay. I welcome any suggestions.

I would not buy refurb optics on ebay. There's that whole return if it don't work right thing.  You can get a really nice red dot from http://www.pyramydair.com/ Their return/replacement policy is outstanding if for no other reason than you just don't like it.
Plus, with every purchase you earn bonus points 

From the main page of the forum type red dot in the search block in the upper right corner. Lot's of reviews and recommendations on here.

[Crosshairs]

Here are two i own and both are very good.
                           Mike
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/Walther_Multi_Reticle_Sight_MRS_7_Brightness_Levels_4_Reticles_Weaver_Mount/1902
http://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/BSA_30mm_Red_Dot_Sight_3_8_and_Weaver_Mount/2944

[Mark5043]

For a cheap one I like the Barska 30mm..
Obviously not top of the line by any means,but for under $40.00,it's a good deal,and works well...

[Fronzdan]

For a hundred or less its wide open for red dots.  You can get good ones in the $30-$50 range.  Any of the ones linked are great.  I personally like the style like the Walther one.  I have about 5 of them myself.  Most are made by NCStar. Not sure if they are all made in the same place and just labelled differently. I tend to think yes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001COQOZI/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

Note that many of the red dots have weaver mounts, not dovetails.

Can I make another suggestion?  Spend $50 or less on the dot and get a steel breech with the money you "saved".  It'll give you a rock solid gun with a built-in dovetail. I've never been a fan of the 459 mounts with the plastic breech.  The sight will wobble a bit.

[AgentWD40_FL]

Spend $50 or less on the dot and get a steel breech with the money you "saved".  It'll give you a rock solid gun with a built-in dovetail. I've never been a fan of the 459 mounts with the plastic breech.  The sight will wobble a bit.

+1 on this.  Read reviews on that 459 barrel mount.  Just about everyone recommends the lil extra cash for the steel breech.  I almost went the 459 way .... happy I didnt.  The steel breech is sweet, and solid.

[mackelby]

Never used one a red dot, but in my mind I would think a 5 moa dot would be way to big for 5 meter comp, maybe too big for 10 meter. Please correct me if my mind is playing tricks on me

[Tater]

Never used one a red dot, but in my mind I would think a 5 moa dot would be way to big for 5 meter comp, maybe too big for 10 meter. Please correct me if my mind is playing tricks on me

I have the BSA linked by Crosshairs and I do like it. However if I could do it over, I'd definitely get one that's 2x and a smaller MOA. My eyes are pretty bad but your right, a 5 MOA is tough to use for a 10m comp (for me anyways). The dot just covers too much.
Your mileage may vary.

[Steve-in-Kville]

Thanks for the replies. I will check out Pyramyd Air.

[BDS]

I need a red dot. I haven't bought one in 15 years. I have a 2260 rifle that my boys shoot (out of service pending a seal job) plus I will be taking delivery of my 1377 and 2240 this week. I hope to pick up a set of the 459MT scope mounts somewhere along the way as well. This scope may serve time on any of these guns.

I need a red dot that is affordable for plinking guns. If I build anything for strict target shooting I will look at the higher end stuff. For now I need something I am not afraid to send my boys off to the garden to shoot starlings with. 

I was told that the BSA line was a good option, but I would like to get more opinions first. My budget is $100 or less. I am also looking at refurbs on ebay. I welcome any suggestions.

+1 to the BSA sights for knock-around plinkers    ...and a BIG thumbs-down  on any re-furbs, of anything gun related, it's all garbage IMO and mostly abused product thrashed by those who couldn't find a proper screw driver for adjustments if it was glued to their a$$   

[Steve-in-Kville]

The more I read about the 459 mount the more I see the wisdom in going with the steel breech. Are there steel breeches that take Weaver mounts? Or will I need to use an adapter?

[BDS]

That's whats great about most BSA red dots, the integral mounts can be used as 11mm dovetail (like a 2240 steel breech) or flipped over and used as a Weaver style mount. The cross mounted screws come completley loosen you just flip the little rails over on the mounts, pic below...

[1377x]

forget the 459 mounts and get a steel breech.relly not worth the $10 they cost
as for a red dot i have a millet sp-1 and its very good and the price isnt much either
budget
$60 millet sp-1
$40 crosman steel breech
$10 1" 3/8" dovetail rings
$110 over budget $10 
its worth it to spend the extra $10