Head-Shots with Red-Dots








For this ballistic exercise, I did a brief comparison of the level of accuracy that was attainable when aiming with four different “red-dot” sights.  The following four optics were tested:


>  Aimpoint CompML2 with a 4 MOA dot

>  Aimpoint T1 with an advertised 4 MOA dot

>  Aimpoint CompM4S with a 2 MOA dot

>  EoTech 551 with the 65 MOA ring/1 MOA dot





All shooting for this ballistic exercise was conducted from the bench at a distance of 50 yards using my Lothar-Walther barreled AR-15 and match-grade, hand-loaded ammunition.  The head-targets used for this exercise were reduced in scale to simulate aiming at distances beyond 50 yards.  

The testing was conducted at 50 yards in order to mitigate the variable of wind-drift that would have been significant if testing had been conducted at actual distances and to remove the vertical variation of the points of impact that would have occurred due to bullet drop at actual distances.  The objective here was to determine what the limitation on accuracy was, due to aiming with the various red-dot sights, not how well I could dope the wind and distance.  Each optic was zeroed for POA=POI at 50 yards prior to testing using 10-shot groups.  All aiming was conducted with the entire dot of each optic placed over the head-target.  (No aiming was done using just the bottom or top of the dot or holding the entire dot above or below the head-target.)


The targets used for this exercise are copies of the head portion of the Front Sight Official Training and Qualification Target.  The Front Sight target is an “accurate representation of human dimensions taken from medical cadaver studies and 3000 x-ray studies.”  

Only the head portion of the target was used so that no visual cues could be obtained from the larger body portion of the target.  The full-sized head-target is approximately 6” wide by 9” high.  The targets were sequentially reduced in scale to simulate the full-sized head targets from 75 yards to 600 yards (at 50 yards), in 25 yard increments.  (Again, all shooting was actually conducted at 50 yards.)




















The simple test procedure for this exercise was as follows: one shot and one shot only was fired at the head-targets in increasing simulated distance (smaller and smaller targets.)  Testing for each optic ended when I missed a target on the first shot.  The entire exercise was conducted twice, with the same results each time.

To establish a control base-line of accuracy, I tested a NightForce NXS 1-4X with the NP-1 reticle prior to testing the red-dot sights.   Using the NightForce scope (set at 4X magnification) I was able to make first-round hits on the simulated 600 yard head-target (the farthest simulated distance that I used for this exercise.)














Aimpoint CompML2






Using the Aimpoint CompML2 with the 4 MOA dot I was able to obtain first round hits on the simulated 225 yard head-target.








Aimpoint T1






Using the Aimpoint T1 with the advertised 4 MOA dot I was able to obtain first round hits on the simulated 250 yard head-target.









Aimpoint CompM4S






Using the Aimpoint CompM4S with the 2 MOA dot I was able to obtain first round hits on the simulated 400 yard head-target.









EoTech 551






Using the EoTech 551 with the 65 MOA ring/1 MOA dot reticle (and aiming with the 1 MOA dot) I was able to obtain first round hits on the simulated 375 yard head-target.















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Very cool as always, Molon.

When can we expect the single shot torso version with the same optics?

Well done.

I understand magnifiers for those who are getting older and eyes getting worse but I think a lot of people don't realize what kind of range a person can achieve with a simple red dot.

I'd suggest target identification is more difficult than the shot itself.

@ 300 m, I can't see the pop-up half the time, let alone hit it.  I want a good magnifier.  I'd be in the market for one, but the Supply SGT issued me an ACOG.

Yup I totally get it. But when you get eyes on I'll bet you can ring it :)

I saw a vid where Travis Haley was ringing a man sized target with a T1 at 750 yards. I think LAV went out pretty far with one too.

Of course it's probably not efficient for battle where quickly identifying foes is necessary.

good show old man...good show!

Thanks for adding more quality test data to the board, Molon.

Exactly. I have always felt very comfortable with a Aimpoint out to 300meters. I just now tried out a 1x4 variable, and at 1x its just a 2MOA dot. So best of both worlds.

Aim small.. miss small...

But whos holding a 400 yard zero with a 2 MOA red dot? At extended ranges, one of the benefits of red dots are that the holdover doesn't obscure the target.

50 yard zero, hold dot to chest, to face, and then on the hat for ranges 0-200, 300, 400 yards. These will all drop into the torso where wind has less of a chance of moving off target vs the head.

But sure enough, the 2 MOA dot is more precise than the A2 front post of a rifle length platform. Iirc so is a 4 MOA dot vs the flat plane of the top of the front A2 post.

The standard Colt A2 front sight post is approximately 12 MOA (or more depending upon sight radius).

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Thanks for the post!

Very cool.

Subbed.

nicely done!!!! thanks

How wide, in inches, is the torso on that target?

Amazing shooting.

Amazing shooting.

Thank you for posting this.

Added below . . .

Great post and info....and nice shooting.

15 inches.


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Very cool, I was surprised you were able to get first hits at 600 with 4x. Pretty impressive

** Just realized I missed all shooting was done at 50, wind and holdover would no doubt make this extremely difficult**

Those are some fun little sights.







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Thank you for the information, it's nice to know how that compares to the standard torso width.

Da nada.



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De rien.



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Pop quiz:  

What is the most commonly missed target on the US Army 300 meter pop-up qualification?

a.  50 meters
b. 150 meters
c. 300 meters
e. all of the above


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Bueller?  Bueller?


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B. 150 meters.

Correct!  100 Internet points to you!


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Now try one that you can turn the dot off and just use the fine cross-hair if you want . . .








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How is the FOV on that expensive sucker? I bought a Vortex Razor 1-6 on Friday for $1k. FOV is amazing and the dot is only .5 MOA unless you crank the illumination up.

Per S&B:


Field of View at 100 Meters:

36@ 1.1x
9.2@ 4x