5 Best Red Dots for Turkey Hunting
Albert Muthumbi
Affiliate Marketing Consultant | SEO Consultant | Outdoor & Optics Enthusiast/Writer
When it comes to turkey hunting, having the right equipment can make all the difference between a successful outing and a missed opportunity. Among the essential gear for turkey hunters, a reliable red dot sight stands out as a crucial tool for quick and accurate target acquisition.
With advancements in technology and design, the market offers a wide array of red dot sights tailored specifically for the needs of turkey hunters. From reticle size and brightness settings to durability and battery life, selecting the best red dot for turkey hunting requires careful consideration of various factors.
In this guide, we'll explore the top factors to consider when choosing a red dot sight for turkey hunting and highlight some of the best options available on the market today.
Whether you're a seasoned turkey hunter or just starting out, finding the perfect red dot sight can greatly enhance your chances of success in the field.
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What is the best size Moa red dot for turkey hunting?
The best size MOA red dot for turkey hunting is generally a 2 MOA dot. This size offers an excellent balance between precision and visibility, allowing hunters to accurately aim at the small vital areas of a turkey's head and neck while still being quick to acquire in the field.
A 2 MOA dot provides a fine aiming point that doesn't obscure the target, making it ideal for the relatively short to medium distances typical in turkey hunting. Additionally, it allows for both precise shots and quick target acquisition, which are crucial for the dynamic and often fast-paced nature of turkey hunting.
Best Red Dots for Turkey Hunting
1) SIG SAUER ROMEO5 1X20mm Red Dot Sight
Specifications
The SIG SAUER ROMEO5 1X20mm Red Dot Sight is the best red dot for turkey hunting, it features a 2 MOA Red-Dot reticle, 10 brightness settings, night vision compatibility, integrated M1913?Picatinny interface, and long battery life.
This is a compact and robust red dot sight designed for both civilians and armed professionals, offering versatility and reliability in any situation.
With a 2 MOA Red Dot reticle, this sight provides precise aiming capability, ensuring that your point-of-aim is always your point-of-impact.
One of the standout features of the ROMEO5 is its ultra-low parallax, which ensures that the red dot remains parallel to the bore of your firearm, regardless of your viewing angle. This feature, combined with unlimited eye relief, allows for quick and intuitive target acquisition, even in dynamic shooting scenarios.
The sight offers 10 illumination settings, including 8 daylight settings and 2 night vision settings, ensuring visibility in all lighting conditions.
The MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) technology automatically powers up the sight when it senses motion and powers down when not in use, maximizing battery life which exceeds 40,000 hours.
Constructed with durability in mind, the ROMEO5 is waterproof rated (IPX-7) for complete water immersion up to 1 meter and fog-proof, ensuring reliable performance in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the integrated M1913 Picatinny interface provides industry-standard mounting options for a wide range of applications.
Included with the ROMEO5 are a M1913 Picatinny low mount riser and a co-witness 1.41” riser mount, offering flexibility in mounting options to suit your preferences.
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2) Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Reflex Sight
Specifications
The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro Reflex Sight is one of the best red dots for turkey hunting,it offers a blend of precision, durability, and advanced features.
With an objective lens diameter ranging from 0.71 to 1.05 inches, this sight provides a clear and bright image, essential for quick target acquisition.
The sight's 8 brightness settings and red illumination ensure visibility in various lighting conditions, while the unlimited eye relief allows for flexible mounting and shooting positions.
One of the standout features of the DeltaPoint Pro is Leupold's Professional-Grade Red Dot Optical System, which delivers unmatched light transmission, industry-leading glare reduction, and exceptional resolution and clarity.
This makes it a reliable choice even in the most challenging lighting conditions. The illuminated reticle is particularly useful in low-light scenarios, helping shooters get on target faster and more accurately.
Incorporating Motion Sensor Technology (MST), the DeltaPoint Pro automatically deactivates the illuminated reticle after five minutes of inactivity to conserve battery life, which lasts up to 300 hours.
The sight reactivates instantly as soon as movement is detected, ensuring it's ready when you are. The tool-less, spring-actuated battery compartment allows for quick and easy battery replacement, minimizing downtime in the field.
Constructed with a lightweight aluminum housing and shrouded in rugged spring steel, the DeltaPoint Pro is built to withstand harsh conditions and rough handling.
The locking adjustment system ensures that your settings remain secure, providing reliable performance without the need for constant readjustment. Measuring just 1.82 inches in length and weighing a mere 1.95 ounces, this sight does not add significant weight to your firearm, maintaining balance and ease of use.
Designed, machined, and assembled in the USA, the DeltaPoint Pro is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, backed by Leupold's legendary customer care.
While the battery life is shorter compared to some other red dot sights, the sight's performance, durability, and advanced features justify its premium price point.
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3) Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight
Specifications
The Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight is one of the best red dots for turkey hunting, it features a long battery life (50000hrs), an enclosed emitter, shock resistance, waterproof, fully multi-coated, and a hard-coat anodized finish for low-glare and camouflage.
With a compact length of 2.5 inches and weighing 5.2 ounces, this red dot sight is designed to be a lightweight addition to your AR-15, shotgun, or rimfire, providing an optimal point of aim without any unnecessary frills.
The Crossfire features a 2 MOA red dot reticle, which is quick to acquire in close-quarters scenarios yet precise enough for pinpoint accuracy at extended ranges. The sight's illumination is provided by a RED LED, enclosed within the unit to ensure durability and protection from the elements.
With 11 brightness settings, this optic is adaptable for use in various lighting conditions, from low-light environments to bright daylight, ensuring your aim remains true no matter the situation.
One of the key advantages of the Vortex Crossfire is its parallax-free design, which eliminates the need to worry about small movements obstructing your view. This makes for a seamless shooting experience, allowing for rapid transitions and consistent accuracy. The unlimited eye relief further enhances this by providing flexibility in positioning, making it easier to maintain a clear view of your target.
Durability is next level with the Crossfire Red Dot Sight, featuring a hard-coat anodized finish for low glare and camouflage,O-ring seals to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from penetrating the sight, ensuring reliable waterproof performance in all weather conditions.
The red dot sight is backed by Vortex's unlimited, unconditional, lifetime VIP Warranty, promising to repair or replace the optic if it becomes damaged or defective, offering peace of mind and lasting value.
Included with the Crossfire are low and skeletonized lower 1/3 co-witness mounts, providing versatility and a rock-solid platform for your optic. The skeletonized mount is particularly lightweight, complementing the overall design of the sight.
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4) Burris FastFire III Red Dot Sight
Specifications
The Burris FastFire III Red Dot Sight is a versatile and highly regarded red dot sight, perfect for a range of firearms including rifles, handguns, and tactical shotguns.
With its compact and lightweight design, it offers excellent balance and handling without compromising on performance. Measuring just 1.9 inches in length and weighing a mere 1.5 ounces, this sight is designed to be a low-profile yet highly effective addition to your shooting setup.
The FastFire III features a 21mm objective lens and a red LED illumination, providing a clear and bright aiming point. The sight offers a choice between a 3 MOA dot, ideal for pinpoint accuracy, or an 8 MOA dot, perfect for quick target acquisition in short-range scenarios. This versatility makes it a favorite among shooters with varying needs and preferences.
One of the standout features of the FastFire III is its automatic brightness sensor, which adjusts the reticle brightness to match the environmental conditions. In addition to this automatic mode, the sight also provides three manual brightness settings, allowing shooters to customize the brightness based on their specific requirements.
The unlimited eye relief ensures rapid target acquisition, making it easy to maintain a clear view of your target regardless of your shooting position.
Convenience is a key aspect of the FastFire III’s design. The battery compartment is located on the top of the sight, allowing for quick and easy battery changes without removing the sight from your firearm.
The automatic time-out feature after eight hours helps extend the battery life, ensuring up to five years of operation under typical use. A low battery warning indicator alerts you when it’s time to change the battery, ensuring you’re never caught off guard.
Mounting the FastFire III is straightforward with its Picatinny/Weaver mount compatibility, providing a secure and reliable attachment to your firearm.
The tool-less windage and elevation adjustments make sighting in fast and easy, allowing for precise tuning without the need for additional tools.
The Burris FastFire III Red Dot Sight combines lightweight durability, versatile red dot options, and convenient features, making it a top choice for turky hunting.
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5) Aimpoint Micro T-2 2 MOA Red Dot Sight
Specifications
The Aimpoint Micro T-2 2 MOA Red Dot Sight is one of the best red dots for turkey hunting, they are designed for versatility, durability, and exceptional performance across a range of firearms, including rifles, carbines, shotguns, submachine guns, and handguns.
With its compact length of 2.7 inches and a lightweight build of 3.3 ounces, the Micro T-2 is engineered to provide high functionality without adding significant bulk to your firearm.
Featuring a precise 2 MOA dot reticle illuminated by an LED, the Micro T-2 offers outstanding accuracy and quick target acquisition. The red illumination is adjustable through 12 brightness settings, ensuring optimal visibility in varying light conditions.
Whether you're in broad daylight or low-light environments, this sight has you covered. Additionally, it is compatible with night vision devices (NVD), making it an excellent choice for tactical operations.
One of the standout features of the Aimpoint Micro T-2 is its remarkable battery life, ranging from 7,300 to an impressive 50,000 hours, depending on the brightness setting.
This long-lasting performance ensures that the sight is ready whenever you need it, with minimal maintenance required. The sight is powered by a single battery, which is easy to replace, adding to the convenience and reliability of the optic.
The Micro T-2 is built to withstand the rigors of harsh environments. It features an anodized high-strength aluminum housing with a semi-matte black finish, providing robust protection and a sleek appearance.
The reinforced protection of the turrets adds to the sight’s ruggedness, ensuring it can handle rough handling and severe conditions without losing zero.
For enhanced usability, the sight comes with integral Picatinny-style base, allowing for easy and secure attachment to any rail system. The flip-up lens covers are a particularly useful addition; the front cover is solid to protect the lens, while the rear cover is transparent, allowing the user to shoot with both eyes open even with the covers closed in an emergency situation.
The Aimpoint Micro T-2 can be used as a standalone sight or piggybacked on larger magnifying, thermal, or night vision optics, providing versatility for various shooting scenarios. This adaptability makes it an excellent choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike who require a reliable and multifunctional red dot sight.
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Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Red Dots for Turkey Hunting
When selecting the best red dot sight for turkey hunting, several factors need to be considered to ensure optimal performance and a successful hunting experience. Here are the crucial factors to consider, each explained in detail:
Reticle Size and Type
The size and type of the reticle are crucial for turkey hunting. A 2 MOA dot is commonly preferred because it offers a good balance between quick target acquisition and precision.
Smaller dots, like 2 MOA, are fine enough for pinpoint accuracy at typical turkey hunting distances but still large enough to be easily visible. The reticle should be clear and easy to see in various lighting conditions, ensuring you can acquire your target swiftly and accurately.
Brightness Settings
Versatility in brightness settings is essential to accommodate different lighting conditions encountered in the field. A red dot sight with multiple brightness settings, including those suitable for low-light and bright daylight conditions, ensures that the reticle remains visible regardless of the environment.
This adaptability is particularly useful during early morning or late evening hunts when light conditions can change rapidly.
Battery Life
Long battery life is vital for a red dot sight used in hunting. A sight that offers thousands of hours of battery life, such as 50,000 hours, reduces the risk of the sight failing during a critical moment.
Look for sights with efficient power management features, such as motion-sensing technology that conserves battery when the sight is not in use. This ensures that the sight will be reliable over extended periods without frequent battery changes.
Durability and Build Quality
The ruggedness of the red dot sight is a key consideration. Hunting environments can be harsh, with exposure to rain, dirt, and physical impacts. A sight with a robust construction, such as an anodized aluminum housing, will withstand these challenges.
Additionally, features like waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof capabilities ensure that the sight will continue to function reliably in adverse conditions, providing peace of mind during hunts.
Weight and Size
Lightweight and compact red dot sights are preferable for turkey hunting, as they add minimal weight to the firearm and do not hinder maneuverability. A sight that is easy to mount and does not affect the balance of the gun will enhance your ability to track and shoot moving targets.
Compact designs are also less likely to snag on vegetation or gear, making them more practical for field use.
Mounting Options
Versatile mounting options allow the red dot sight to be used on different firearms. A sight with a Picatinny or Weaver mount is compatible with a wide range of shotguns and rifles, providing flexibility in how you use it.
Additionally, some sights come with multiple mounting options or riser mounts, enabling you to achieve the optimal eye alignment and shooting position for improved accuracy and comfort.
Parallax-Free Design
A parallax-free red dot sight ensures that the point of aim remains consistent regardless of the viewing angle. This feature is critical for turkey hunting, where quick shots may be necessary from awkward positions.
With a parallax-free sight, you can be confident that your shot will hit the target where the dot is placed, improving your chances of a successful hunt.
Ease of Adjustment
Simple and tool-less windage and elevation adjustments make it easy to sight in your red dot and make quick corrections in the field. Adjustments with positive clicks, such as 1 MOA per click, provide precise control over the reticle’s position.
This ease of use ensures that you can quickly adapt to changing conditions or zero your sight efficiently, keeping you focused on the hunt.
Automatic Features
Features like automatic brightness adjustment and motion activation enhance the usability of the red dot sight. An automatic brightness sensor adjusts the reticle's intensity based on the ambient light, ensuring optimal visibility without manual adjustments.
Motion-activated illumination conserves battery life by powering down the sight when not in use and instantly reactivating it when motion is detected, ensuring the sight is always ready when needed.
Warranty and Customer Support
A comprehensive warranty and reliable customer support are important considerations. A red dot sight backed by a strong warranty reflects the manufacturer's confidence in their product and provides assurance that any defects or issues will be addressed.
Excellent customer support can also assist with any questions or concerns, ensuring a positive experience with the product over its lifetime. Manufacturers that offer lifetime warranties, like Vortex's VIP Warranty, demonstrate a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
How far to sight in red dot for turkey?
When sighting in a red dot for turkey hunting, it's generally recommended to zero your sight at 20 to 30 yards. This range is typical for turkey hunting, as most shots at turkeys are taken within this distance.
Setting your zero at this range ensures that you can accurately target the vital areas of the turkey, typically the head and neck, where a precise shot is crucial for a clean and ethical kill.
Additionally, zeroing at 20 to 30 yards allows for some flexibility, as it provides a flat enough trajectory for the slight variations in distance that you may encounter in the field.
Is a green dot or red dot better for turkey hunting?
Choosing between a green dot and a red dot for turkey hunting depends on personal preference and the specific conditions in which you hunt.
Red Dot:
Green Dot:
Ultimately, both green and red dots have their advantages. If you often hunt in varying light conditions or prioritize battery life, a red dot might be more suitable.
Conversely, if you hunt in bright daylight or dense foliage, a green dot could provide better visibility. Personal preference plays a significant role, so it might be beneficial to try both and see which one works best for you in the field.
How close to shoot a turkey?
The ideal distance to shoot a turkey depends on various factors, including your shooting proficiency, the firearm and ammunition used, and the terrain. However, the typical recommended distance for turkey hunting is within 20 to 40 yards.
This range allows for a clean and ethical kill while maximizing the chances of hitting the vital areas of the turkey, such as the head and neck, which are smaller targets. Shots taken within this range increase the likelihood of a quick and humane kill while minimizing the risk of injuring the bird without bringing it down.
Additionally, hunting within this range ensures that the shot pattern remains dense and effective, delivering sufficient energy to incapacitate the turkey swiftly. It's essential to practice shooting at various distances to become proficient and confident in making ethical shots on turkeys within this range.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, selecting the best red dot sight for turkey hunting involves assessing a range of factors, including reticle size, brightness settings, durability, and battery life.
Whether you opt for a 2 MOA or 3 MOA dot, prioritize durability with an anodized aluminum housing, or seek versatile mounting options, the right red dot sight can enhance your hunting experience and increase your confidence when taking that critical shot.
I hope this review has been helpful! Let me know in the comments!