I have one would love to have a aimpoint but dont have the cash. How good is a red dot site (effective range) are they really accurate. Thanks all. BTW I have a 30mm redhead red dot.

All red dots work about the same way.  The difference is in how rugged and reliable they are.

I've got cheap BSA's on one of my SKS's and my Walther P22 because they're pretty much just range toys.

My M1A Scout has an Aimpoint because if TSHTF I'm not trusting my life to a BSA!

They're faster than irons but not as precise.

Much faster than irons

I'm hitting 3" spinners at 75 yards "usually" with an el cheapo mounted on a 10/22

so I'd say they are accurate enough :)

Faster than irons. Eotech has a MOA dot within a 60MOA (IIRC) circle which makes it both fast acquisition and suitable for precision work. Don't play with the toys, get Aimpoint or Eotechs.

I have the Aimpoint Comp ML2, and I love it. My groups shrank considerably. Makes the 300 yard torso shots alot easier also. They are especially good for my 40 year old eyes, which have trouble focusing on the front sight as clearly as they used to.

Also, the 4MOA dot funtions as a crude range finder. If the dot is half a head width across, it's about 100 yards. Full head width, 200 yards. If it's as wide as armpit to armpit on a torso target, it's about 300 yards.

Save up and get a high quality one; you won't regret it. An Aimpoint Comp M/ML2 with an ARMS 22M68 mount will set you back about $450ish. Money well spent, in my opinion. Both my ARs have them.

The Eothingies seem to be paticularly popular around here.

Aimpoint are alright.  I love them a lot more than iron sights though.

I'd rather a Trijicon ACOG though.

I love my Eotech.  Very fast target aquisition.

I would suggest the following if you get one:

-Get the Accucam to tighten it down.  It's awesome.
-Get a rear flip sight.  I have a Yankee Hill.
-Carry extra batteries.

If you really want to get a serious optic, get an Acog.  They are expensive, but,
worth it.