A device that directs the beam of the aiming mark into the shooter's eye parallel to the beams that form the image of the terrain in the lens of the sight. Therefore, no matter how the shooter moves the eye relative to the lens, the position of the aiming mark will still correspond to the aiming line. This feature significantly speeds up the search for a target through the sight and alignment of the aiming mark with the contour of the target.
When choosing such a high-precision device, red dot sight usually compared with traditional optics. When selecting a sight for the most common type of hunting weapon - 12 gauge smoothbore guns - the collimator has the following important advantages:
- The range of an accurate shot from a smooth-bore weapon is limited to a distance of 100 - 120 m. At such a distance, the possibility of increasing the target is not needed, which means that the characteristics of an optical sight turn out to be clearly redundant. Or, in other words, the scope is sharper than the shotgun itself. And since the characteristics of a complex optical sight are redundant, there is no need to overpay for them. The characteristics of the collimator sight are quite consistent with the capabilities of the weapon itself.
- When hunting with smoothbore weapons, in most cases, shooting is offhand. The time that can be spent on aiming is minimal under such conditions, and delaying aiming will almost certainly end in a miss. The speed of aiming through a collimator is much higher than the speed of aiming with traditional optics, so the choice should be made in favor of a collimator.
- Aiming through the collimator does not deprive the shooter of the opportunity to use both eyes, and the narrow frame of the open collimator sight does not interfere with observing the movement of the target. This allows you to quickly adjust the sight when shooting at a moving target, such as flying game. An optical sight often does not provide such an opportunity.
- Shooting from a 12-gauge gun is usually carried out with shotgun ammunition, which means that for a hit it is not necessary to align the aiming line as accurately as possible. Therefore, aiming through the collimator will be quite effective and fast.
What to look for when choosing a scope?
Today on the shelves of hunting stores you can find a wide selection of collimators. Sights for every taste and budget, built on various schemes and made of different materials, domestic and foreign ... But how to choose the right option for 12 gauge among this variety?
First of all, you should pay attention to the characteristics of your weapon. 12 gauge has a powerful cartridge, and therefore a lot of recoil. Shooting from such weapons is usually carried out offhand, and the weapon itself is quite heavy. Knowing these characteristics, it is clear that when choosing a collimator, you should pay attention to the following:
- Aim type. Best of all for 12 gauge smoothbore weapons, open-type collimators are suitable, with a single lens enclosed in a thin frame. They provide the fastest aiming, are comfortable when tracking a moving target or quickly transferring the device. But closed collimators are best left for other weapons.
- Attachment type. There is a variety here that exceeds the wildest expectations. Many scopes are sold with mounts, while others (for example, ) will have to purchase a landing base separately. Before buying, you should clarify which type of mount is suitable for your weapon. Or bring the gun to the store to be able to try on the scope before buying and make sure it can be installed.
- Aiming mark type. Modern sights can have one label (most often - a dot), or several switchable ones - a dot, a crosshair, a circle, and combinations thereof. The diameter of the reticle dot is expressed in MOA. For a 12-gauge shotgun, scopes with large dots (at least 7 MOA) or a circle mark are best suited.
- Aiming mark brightness. As a general rule, a good scope should have at least 5 levels of reticle brightness. But here it is worth proceeding from a real need: if you plan to hunt at dusk, then such a variety of brightness modes will be really useful. But for hunting during the day, a smaller number of adjustment modes may be enough.
- Scope power supply. Batteries should be sufficiently reliable and not run out at low temperatures. It is believed that batteries - "tablets" are quickly discharged in the cold, so on a winter hunt you can suddenly be left without a sight due to a dead battery. But modern high-quality lithium batteries are devoid of this drawback.
- Price. Usually the price of a high-quality collimator sight is quite high. There are many options for cheap Chinese-made collimators, but the possibility of their effective use on 12 gauge is extremely doubtful. A powerful 12-gauge cartridge creates high recoil, and low-quality cheap sights are very poorly protected from this. Therefore, such a "high-precision element" after each shot, the settings may go astray.
Overview of collimator sights for 12 gauge
- . Very high quality collimator made in Germany. Advantages of the sight - high-quality Zeiss-class optics, automatic adjustment of the brightness of the aiming mark, very compact size and low weight. It is worth considering that Docter scopes do not have brackets for attaching to weapons, so the sighting base will have to be purchased separately. This makes the sight more versatile, but it forces you to spend extra money on the purchase of an aiming base.
- . Inexpensive sight, well adapted for hunting in winter conditions. Even in cold weather, the manufacturer guarantees that there will be no negative effects such as a drop in the brightness of the aiming mark or premature battery discharge. The device weighs little, tolerates recoil or accidental impact well. This makes the scope popular with hunting enthusiasts.
- . Another device from SightMark. Its main advantages are compactness and a wide viewing angle. Due to its small size and compact landing base, this sight will not cling to branches or grass. Its lens is enclosed in a narrow body, which practically does not interfere with the transfer of the sight.
- Affordable wide-angle collimator, very useful for hunting moving game (for example, a hare). The aiming mark can be adjusted in brightness and size. The weight of the sight is small, and the characteristics are quite sufficient for effective hunting. The sight withstands recoil well, so it can be mounted even on 12 gauge.
- The Redring Mark II is a very high quality 12 gauge scope. This device was developed by the coach of the Swedish Shotgun team. The aiming mark is made in the form of a ring, the diameter of which corresponds very well to the diameter of the shot siege at a distance of 100 meters. The sight holds recoil very well, provides greater accuracy of hits on fast-flying game. The only drawback is the high price.
Thus, a properly selected red dot sight will be quite effective when used with a 12 gauge hunting weapon. But when choosing a sight, you should carefully study its characteristics and method of attachment.
Collimator sights for smoothbore weapons in our country are used very actively. The thing is that they have compact dimensions, light weight, bright aiming mark. In this case, parallax is usually absent. So this is the position in our catalog that deserves your attention.
Why should everyone have this device?
A reflex sight for a shotgun is an element of humane hunting. Agree, is it much more correct when the game dies in a matter of seconds, without experiencing prolonged torment? This is possible due to the increased accuracy of shooting. After all, the hunter can aim and follow the game with both eyes at once. Even if it is not in a static position.
Principle of operation
The collimator sight is complemented by a smoothbore gun according to the principle of collimation of light rays. A beam of rays, located in a parallel plane at a far distance, repeats the object of observation. The lens is thus a telephoto lens. It has a dot, called an aiming mark. It glows and allows you to draw the correct conclusions about the location of the object.
Collimator sight mount type
Remember: the best reflex sight for smoothbore weapons is the one that fits you perfectly. Therefore, initially pay attention to the type of bracket. It must match the design of the gun in the arsenal. If you have chosen a model without a bracket, you can easily buy it separately.
For hunters and sports shooting enthusiasts who want to increase the effectiveness of their weapons, improve the accuracy of combat, a collimator is best suited for "tuning". It is the collimator sight for 12 caliber fishing weapons - this is the most rational version of the optical device. Aiming is carried out by simply pointing the target beam at the target, which significantly increases the speed of preparation and the shooting itself. The shooter's eye is at a safe distance from the device, which eliminates injury during recoil. And for novice hunters, you can’t think of a better assistant. Such sights provide comfortable shooting for people with insufficient
Collimator sight for smoothbore weapons
This type of sight is an electronic optical device. Applies to low power devices. For most serial samples, it is equal to one. The brand is projected onto the front lens (output screen) of the device. The label itself can have various shapes: be in the form of a circle, a square or intersecting lines. Each of the options is designed for a certain distance of fire: up to 100 meters, up to 400 and more than 400 meters. The stamp color can be red or green. Ease of use lies in the fact that the device does not block the target, transmits light and transmits a clear image.
Types and types of sights
Depending on the brand of fixture, illumination methods can be active if they use energy or passive. Active ones allow you to accurately shoot at night and in bad weather. weather conditions. Active stereoscopic ones project a mark for only one right eye. Passive ones can only be used during daylight hours, their brand is not bright and does not differ in contrast.
Sights are produced in two types: in the form of a tube resembling appearance optics, or in the form of a frame with a front lens. The tube consists of an LED emitter and two or more lenses. Such a device is more compact and lighter than classical optics, but slightly larger than an open type device. The advantage is good visibility of the tag in bright sunlight. All elements are reliably protected by a durable case from shaking when shooting. The 12 gauge closed red dot sight is not very convenient, as this type of weapon is most often used when shooting from an unstable position.
Open devices have the best view when shooting and significantly less weight. However, it is difficult to use them even during light rainfall. A variation is the halogen sight, although some experts classify it as a separate type of equipment. Outwardly, it looks like a frame of an open fixture. However, the brand image is projected onto the output screen by a laser beam. Depending on the hunting conditions, the screen-plate can be quickly replaced. It can be used in any weather and in fog.
Features of use
Application practice shows that the aiming device is best installed on a quick-detachable console. If necessary, the equipment can be quickly dismantled and the pursuit of game can be continued. The device allows you to fire from a moving vehicle, as well as hit fast-moving objects. On automatic weapons, it is usually mounted on the side of the receiver. Collimator sights are very sensitive to low temperatures. In severe frost, the battery may fail, and the entire device will fail.
Real Japanese quality
One of the most common are the Hakko BED red dot sights. They are manufactured by the Japanese company Tokyo Scope Co., LTD. This means a lot, given that almost all goods are made in China. Brands of almost all industries have their own production facilities in China. Hakko collimator sights are assembled in Japan to the last screw. Products differ in high optical characteristics and durability of a design. Available in both closed and open versions. Both of them provide for the choice of one of four labels. In closed fixtures, 11 light levels can be used.
Owners who use these devices confirm that the devices are truly waterproof and shockproof, and the gas filling of the interior prevents fogging. The Hakko collimator sight is highly reliable and is able to withstand the recoil of 12-gauge guns. The device provides for mounting on the Weaver mounting base. Although any Hakko BED reflex sight is not critical to the distance from the shooter's eye: the most acceptable distance of the pupil from the exit screen is at least 100 mm.
Ultimate Holographic Scope
Many experts and professional shooters recognize the American EOTech holographic red dot sight as the best example. This is a direct descendant of a military product. The difference between these open-type devices and their counterparts is that they have a laser optical device (the label is recorded in the form of a hologram and is illuminated by a laser), which provides considerable advantages. Firstly, the brightness of the label can be adjusted in a wide range - the variator assumes 21 levels. This makes it possible to shoot in all weather conditions. Some samples are equipped with thermal imager and night vision functions. And secondly, the EOTech collimator sight has practically no. This was achieved thanks to the complex brand projection system. It is visible even in rain, snow and heavy pollution. The device remains operational in case of mechanical damage.
Long runtime is achieved by automatic shutdown. The device can be programmed for 4 or 8 hours. An important advantage is the small size and curb weight. The device is very convenient when used on 12-gauge shotguns. Many devices provide for the use of standard batteries: AA batteries. Batteries can be found in any store. Their replacement occurs by simple manipulation and takes no more than a minute. When changing batteries, sighting of the collimator sight is not required. Overseas products are very expensive. Top models cost over 60 thousand rubles.
Another American product
The Sightmark red dot sight is significantly cheaper, but that doesn't mean it's low quality. Sightmark is a subsidiary of the Yukon holding, which manufactures products for law enforcement and the Ministry of Defense. Products are mostly open type, have up to 7 levels of brightness settings and are designed for installation on smoothbore weapons up to 12 gauge. Dovetail mount, bar 11 mm wide. Some samples are mounted on a Weaver/Picatini base. The sights are lightweight and highly reliable. A significant part of the products is produced in China.
Domestic is not worse
In 2009, the Kobra collimator sight appeared on the market in the EKP-8-21 version. This is the first and so far the only digital optical device for civil use. The open-type device is intended primarily for installation on semi-automatic weapons of the Bekas series. The Russian sight is mounted on a dovetail mount. The electronic circuit allows you to select four types of labels, 16 brightness options, as well as memorize information about the type of label and the brightness of the glow. The maximum range of ballistic corrections is up to 600 meters. Collimator sight "Cobra" is highly reliable. The owners note that after several dozen shots, the settings are saved and the seat is not deformed. Moreover, aiming in poor light conditions improves over time. Some owners complain that the device has a significant weight and height. The device can be used with the strap of the MP-251, IZH-18, IZH-27, IZH-94, Taiga shotguns. You can aim with one or two eyes.
How to mount?
An important issue that overshadows the choice of the device itself is the method of attachment to the weapon. Most samples of smoothbore weapons do not provide for any regular fixtures or consoles for installing additional devices. The exceptions are the domestic "Saiga", "Bekas", pump-action shotguns and some samples designed for self-defense. The hunter should independently look for a technical solution. The choice is not rich: “dovetail” and bases (they are also called slats) Weaver and Picatini. The mounting of the red dot sight in the vast majority of samples provides for placement on Weaver rails using integrated seats. Only sights equipped with special mounting rings can be mounted on a dovetail fixture. Some models are attached directly to the aiming bar of the gun. As a rule, such electronic optics has small dimensions and weight. These include the well-known compact Docter sights. The light mark of this device is clearly visible in the snow, and even against the sky. However, their cost may exceed the price of the weapon itself.
Not very reliable
Domestic craftsmen mount a seat under the Weaver and on the dovetail. For this, special adapters are made. When choosing adapters, each sample requires an individual approach. So, the Vologda Optical and Mechanical Plant manufactures a product of the same name (VOMZ). The steel console is designed to accommodate an additional sighting device of any type of mounts on it. But, for example, 16-gauge can only be placed on a ventilated rib up to 7 mm wide. Such a design leads to a significant weighting of the weapon and a violation of its centering. The weight of one adapter alone is more than 100 grams. According to user reviews, such a mount is not durable and begins to loosen after a dozen shots. Alternatively, a not too heavy optical device should be installed. Based on this, the same collimator sight on the IZH-27 should weigh no more than 90 grams. What can we say about more powerful weapons and the corresponding technical means?
Expensive stone - a worthy frame
If an expensive optical device is purchased, it makes no sense to save money on its installation. The bar and bolted connections must have a sufficient margin of safety in order not only to fix a relatively heavy sighting device, but also to withstand recoil loads over a long period of operation. The 12 gauge red dot sight must only be mounted using specially designed stock mounting hardware. Dovetail and Weaver/Picatini slats in a large assortment are available for free sale and in online stores.
It is necessary to choose a product that follows the contour of the receiver. Also, the thickness of the body of the box itself should allow drilling a hole and cutting at least three turns of thread. It is best to cut the thread on professional equipment. You should also take into account the distance from the eye at which the collimator sight will be located. Feedback from experienced owners indicates the need for additional sealant treatment of the threads and the surface of the junction of the console itself to the plane of the receiver. All other installation methods are money thrown to the wind.
Zeroing optics
Like any other optical device, after mounting on a gun, the sight requires zeroing. The shooter must have a clear idea of where the bullet or shot will hit at a distance of 35-50 meters. Most devices are equipped with regulators. In this case, fine tuning is carried out by adjusting in two planes using two rotary knobs-drums. For a certain distance, you should remember the position of the regulators. Many people think that the so-called cold sighting is enough. In this case, the ammunition used with the red dot sight may not give the desired result. This is due to the fact that sometimes in hunting weapons there is a mismatch between the axes of the barrel and the chamber. Cold alignment can turn into chamber zeroing. It is necessary to take into account the correction when shooting from hand, as well as tangible recoil, because a 12-gauge collimator sight is most often mounted.
Another way to adjust the optics is by fixing the barrel in a special machine or vise. The barrel is aimed at a fixed point, and then the sight is adjusted. Cold zeroing can be replaced by a procedure of several dozen trial shots. Any optics requires painstaking adjustment, including a red dot sight. Reviews that experts post on thematic forums often contain advice to fire several series of four single shots. According to the results of hits on the target of a particular series, the average point of the hit and its deviation from the center of the target are recorded. The sight is adjusted and after that - the next series of shots. And so on until a satisfactory result is obtained.
In bullet shooting, adjustment is carried out using the same type of cartridges and at the same distance that will be used in real conditions. However, in practice this is not possible. It is best to zero the device for use at several likely ranges of fire, and mark the results of hits on the object with notes in a notebook. In this case, corrections of angular indicators proportional to the firing distance are fixed.
Which reflex sight to choose for a 12 gauge smoothbore weapon? Fans of 12-gauge smoothbore rifles sooner or later face the choice of a high-quality and reliable sight.
It makes no sense to install a large and bulky optical sight on a smoothbore and is useless for several reasons.
Firstly, the firing range of a hunting rifle is small, a fast-moving target is clearly visible through conventional optics, and even better with the naked eye.
And the second point is the mass, with its weight it introduces an imbalance to the weapon. Therefore, the choice of amateurs and professionals stops at collimators.
It is light in weight, ideal for close range targets and quite comfortable to use, unlike a mechanical one.
It's important to know: basic models of collimators withstand 3800 J, with a muzzle power of Magnum 4500 J and smoothbore weapons 12 gauge 4200 J.
Advantages
The main advantages include:
- Aiming speed. Compared to an open shot, where three marks must be aligned for an accurate shot, the rear sight and front sight are already aligned in collimators, so the time to aim is reduced and it is easier for the eyes to focus.
- Misrepresentation error. The lenses on red dot sights are simply concave to reflect light, so distortion is minimal. Almost all models on the market do not have a magnification effect.
- Wide view. When aiming, there is no need to cover the second eye, which is undoubtedly very convenient.
- Due to its low weight it is very easy to use.
Kinds
All collimators can be divided according to the following indicators:
- on energy consumption;
- by type of hull;
- by projection;
- by type of fastening on the bar;
- by functionality.
Now let's look at each classification in more detail.
By energy consumption
The most common type of device is battery powered. Many have the ability to remove the battery without removing the sight itself, without losing the target, which is very convenient.
Self-powered devices are much higher in price and are not intended for hunting, but rather for the army. They have a built-in battery with a large margin for several years of use. Many devices are designed for use in difficult climatic conditions.
From the type of body
Closed models are installed on large and medium caliber, have several lenses.
They look like a shortened version of standard optics, they work in any weather.
Good in their own way, but quite bulky, weigh more than their open counterparts.
Open type collimator. In everyday life they are called "single-lens" because of the number of built-in optical elements.
The size allows not to cover the sight with the body, they are light in weight. A very common type of device, due to its budget and functionality.
By projection
- Diopter. Thanks to the simplified alignment of the front sight and aperture, the holes have an increased aiming speed. The large aiming line guarantees the accuracy of the shot.
- Holographic. Used in the open type. It is characterized by the presence of a hologram with an applied reticle, which is visualized by a laser beam. Reticles are always visible and do not depend on lighting. They have a high price range.
- Collimator. The simplest type of device and in its own way reliable.
By type of fastening on the bar
According to the method of mounting on the bar, collimators are:
- weaver;
- "Dovetail";
- ventilated bar.
By functionality
According to the functional purpose, there are:
- tactical (with magnification);
- with the ability to change aiming marks;
- 3With the presence of laser pointers.
Expert Tip: powerful recoil also plays an important role in the life of the collimator. Based on this, the purchase of a sight should be approached more consciously so that the chosen model will last a long time.
Any type of collimator sight is suitable for a smoothbore, not necessarily good optics will cost a lot of money.
The market of optical sights is presented in a wide range.
Among the proven brands, you can find inexpensive models of Russian or Chinese production, inexpensive models of Russian or Chinese production, which will adequately show themselves in the “battle”. Basically, sights are produced with a bracket for mounting on the aiming bar. Watch an overview video about the HAKKO BED5 collimator on IZH-27 and IZH-58 guns:
On trunks (horizontally).
The installation of a collimator sight on smoothbore guns is gaining momentum. The three main types of guns and the installation of collimators on them are described in the first part of the article. This short part is about horizontal mounts, there are not so many options to choose from, but still they are.
The design of the gun dictates the conditions and, alas, you have to take them into account. The first shotguns with soldered barrels (double-barreled shotguns) made for hunting were horizontal barrels. On such guns, the aiming bar is not ventilated, there are no slots or hooks, and it is not possible to install a collimator mount on the bar.
Separately, we can say about double-barreled and triple-barreled guns and fittings, such guns have rifled barrels (for different calibers), or combined ones (a combination of rifled and smoothbore). On such guns, an aiming bar with a base for mounting for optics is used. Such mounts have a different shape and appearance, but this is a topic of a different nature, about brackets for rifled weapons and fittings. Smoothbore does not have this, so the possibilities are limited only by installation on trunks.
The choice of mounting location is limited. The bracket consists of two parts (upper and lower), and is mounted on the barrel near the forearm, since it is impossible to put the gun closer to the fracture. Mounts of this type close the aiming bar and it is not possible to aim without a collimator.
These mounts include most on our market, the weaver base is on the top, and on the bottom there is also a base for installing an underbarrel flashlight or a laser designator. Mounts are made mainly from light alloys, since the area of contact with the trunks is large, but there is no stopper; instead, gaskets made of special non-slip materials or rubber are used. But some fasteners have a locking screw, what does that mean? This means that you need a hole for this screw, and you will have to drill an aiming bar for it ... and if the gun is expensive, then this a priori disappears immediately. Even if you bought not an expensive horizontal, and you don’t feel sorry for it ... then here is the drill in your hands! The main thing is not to miss.
But there are craftsmen who screw the weaver bases directly to the reticle.
"Mount IZH-43" from the company EST Prime Tula.
It consists of two similar parts, on which there is a weaver base. On the top there is a cutout for the aiming bar of the gun, and a collimator is installed on it, on the bottom base you can install an underbarrel flashlight or a laser designator. The mount is made of aluminum alloy and is quite strong and light, weighing about 100 grams. The length of the weaver base, as well as the very base of the mount, is 7 cm. It is installed close to the forearm on the trunks and clamped with 6 screws. The mount is quite high and the installed collimator should be low-slung.
There is a modification of this mount "IZH-43N".
The difference is the absence of the lower base of the weaver, the mount is clamped with two dies from below on the same 6 screws. Mount is lighter. But there is the possibility of installation closer to the fracture of the trunks, if the gun has a narrow forearm, such as on the old guns of Russia and Europe. Usually, people who have such guns do not put any sights on them, still a classic, and they are very expensive to experiment with.
Mount "IZH-43" EST Tula and IZH-58
Mount "IZH-43" EST Tula and "PKM" and IZH-58
There were fasteners from the Tochpribor company, which, unfortunately, cannot be found during the day with fire, since they were discontinued. Full coverage fasteners. It consisted of a clamping part, a clamp that completely seized the gun, and a weaver base screwed to this clamp. The principle that the mount was installed under the forearm made its hitch rigid, but at the same time it was necessary to undermine something somewhere (forearm), and this is problematic. Therefore, this principle has died out.
There is one mount, which is produced at the Krasnogorsk plant (KMZ named after Zverev), especially for their PKM collimators. PKM collimator sights for the army are suitable, but for civilian weapons too bulky, although the quality of optics and electronics is good, well, or put such a collimator on army-type carbines, such as Vepr, Tiger or Saiga.
So, the engineers and turners of the plant make many types of bases for their invention, and one base is suitable for light open collimators with one locking screw, since the weaver base has one slot (one slot) on the mount. This is perhaps the lowest mount, in terms of landing on the trunks, the thickness of the metal is thinner and the cutout for the aiming bar is larger. It consists of an aluminum alloy mount and is clamped with 4 screws. Attachment length 7 cm, mounted near the forearm. The mount is not universal, and has a difference in calibers, be careful, choose for your caliber (20, 16 or 12). It is called the weaver base for PCM
The next horizontal mount from Belarusian designers. For some reason, manufacturers do not have enough imagination and all domestic and Belarusian fasteners do not have separate names or articles (like the Germans or Americans), but they have MVZHI with some kind of "cosmic" number, which is why this fastener is without a name. Bracket 43-58 weaver. The mount is a weaver base screwed with 2 screws to the barrel guide, if you can call it that. This bracket is hammered onto the barrels and screwed to the aiming plate with a locking screw, but for this purpose, a hole for the screw must be made in the aiming plate, i.e. take a drill .... and .... The base is closer to the fracture, this will be the closest location of the collimator to the eyes, but you need to drill.
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