Are red dot scopes made for shooting paper targets or more for objects like cans or squirrels?
They can be used for either. The problem is that with some of the cheaper red dots the dot itself becomes quite large at greater distances and when you are shooting targets the dot can completely cover the bull. If you are going to shoot beyond 25 yards I would go with a scope.
Carl
i second that, however there are some a little more expenise ones you may want to look at, i have a centre point red dot (do n ot confuse with the leapers brand one, they look identical) but it has the finest dot i have ever shot with any red dot sight. small on low setting inddors tiny outdoors. but even at that. if i was shooting beyond 25 yds i would go with a scope anyway because i just like magnification better
Powderburners, that is.
Since most of them have no magnification, there's no such thing as a required eye relief. They're not considered cheating in many places, since there's no magnification, but they're easier to line up. One only has to put the dot on the target.
But they also cost as much as scopes, if they have a small enough dot to be useful for airguns, so I don't buy them. The 2x20 BSA pistol scope at amazon has made red dots obsolete for my airgun uses. At $50 ea. they're only slightly more expensive than a cheap red dot, and a lot more precise. No batteries and associated hassles either.
I agree with Carl,red dots ok for quick target acquisition and up to 25yards range.