Red Dot Sight or a LPVO Hunting Scope?

Quick Target Acquisition

The discussion about shooting with a red dot sight or LPVO mainly arises due to the upcoming driven hunt season, which in most parts of the Czech Republic starts with the harvesting of agricultural crops. One must be prepared, monitor the shot impact area, and as soon as the target appears, aim quickly and accurately. Any misalignment affects not only the first shot but also the subsequent follow up shots. The key factors are the weapon setup and muscle memory training. The ability to quickly align the sight is very similar to shooting in shotgun sports, where the gun is brought to the same position and the shooter uses hip rotation to follow a moving target.

The Red dot sights and LPVOs offer two solutions to the same problem, but it’s good to think about how to leverage benefits of your equipment. Both methods start the same – you see the target, rotate your body to the starting position, align the muzzle with the target, and set the stock into your shoulder. The height of the leading hand doesn’t change during aiming and determines the dynamics of the movement. You align with the sight, follow a routine for proper aiming, and shoot.

With a red dot sight, however, you don’t "aim" in the traditional sense. You don’t worry about aligning with the crosshairs or whether they are sharp or if there are black "crescents" around the image. If everything is set up correctly, you don’t change the focus of the image; you follow the target with both eyes and simply place the aiming dot into the field of view.

Here’s where the colorful discussions usually begin, claiming that this can be done with an LPVO as well, and even better if it is a red dot equipped. However, the "box" of tolerance for eye relief behind the scope is much smaller compared to red dot. Plus, this principle can only be effectively used with 1x magnification on LPVO; otherwise, you inevitably change focus between the reticle and the target.

Theory in Practice

Regardless of the aiming method, the main indicators are accuracy and time. You need to aim and shoot quickly and accurately. To minimize variables that would make the task incomparable, I took a red dot sight, an LPVO scope, and a shooting timer to the range. I set myself three tasks. First, I had to hit the center of the target as quickly as possible after a random sound signal. The second task was to shoot two consecutive shots after the signal. The third task was to aim and accurately hit the center within 1.5 seconds of the signal. I tried shooting with both the red dot sight and the LPVO with a red dot turned on at 1x magnification.

All three tasks included a "stress" factor – the use of a shooting timer. Not knowing exactly when the signal would sound and the effort to complete the task as quickly as possible introduce new errors. Safety is paramount, and to get the most out of such an activity (with or without a timer), take a shooting instructor with you. They can handle the timer for you and help eliminate marksman mistakes.

The setup

I ran the test with my Blaser R8 Ultimate straight-pull rifle in .308 Win. It was equipped with a suppressor, a Leica Tempus red-dot sight, a Leica Magnus LPVO, a Sauenhammer sling, and NORMA Jaktmatch ammo. Using the Jaktmatch series was beneficial because it performs similarly to the NORMA Bondstrike that I use for regular hunting. This meant I didn't need to sight in my optics and could start testing immediately without the hassle of verifying the point of impact and re-sighting back with Bondstrike after the tests.

NORMA offers a variety of ammunition options for both range training and precision shooting. For general range use, FMJ bullets are ideal, particularly for semi-auto rifles. These high-quality bullets ensure consistent performance, making them perfect for regular training sessions. For those focused on precision shooting, NORMA provides the Diamond Line and Golden Target ammunition. The Diamond Line features top-class moly-coated precision bullets, designed to deliver exceptional accuracy. Meanwhile, the Golden Target ammo is tailored for precision rifles, ensuring that shooters can achieve the best possible results. I often see them used at the International Hunting Federation competitions.

My selected ammo, as mentioned before, was NORMA Jaktmatch. This FMJ ammunition is available in most popular calibers and is renowned for its excellent accuracy and similar point of impact to regular hunting rounds. NORMA Jaktmatch's superior precision and high-quality components make it ideal not only for training but also for long-distance capercaillie or black grouse hunting in winter conditions. Additionally, the fired cases are perfect for reloading.

Test Results

All three tests aimed for accurate and quick aiming and shooting. Time was the ruthless judge. While repetition continuously improved results, nothing could change the fact that target acquisition was faster with a red dot sight. Times for the first shot were about a second slower with the LPVO. This difference was even more noticeable in the third task – hitting the target within 1.5 seconds of the beep. I emphasize hitting – not just shooting. In the final test, I shot at an international target with rings 50 cm wide and 20 cm hit zone from a distance of 25 meters, and under time pressure, hits were often outside the center. Accurate shooting required more than instinctive "pointing" but aligning with the hit zone before pulling the trigger. In terms of speed, the red dot sight was the winner. I genuinely hoped the LPVO would win because of my conviction during the lively discussion with friends, but the timer and the overal average was indisputable.

Should I Get a Red Dot Sight or an LPVO?

My test did not provide a clear answer because I only tested shooting speed under specific conditions – at short distances. The further the target, the more a red dot sight will struggle until it’s no longer sufficient. The decision depends on what you expect and the environment you hunt in. For driven hunts, the red dot sight with its significantly lower weight is better, as it offers an advantage for short distances or in complex terrain at close range. On the other hand, if you hunt at varying distances, you won’t see the necessary details through a red dot sight for a 100% identification of the target and will be limited in accurately aiming at a small target at a distance. Here, optical magnification is invaluable. With six times magnification, you can responsibly hunt even at distances over 100 meters. What’s the takeaway? For me, it’s the need to have both a red dot sight and an LPVO. During the driven hunt season, I attend many hunting events, and the small red dot fits easily in my backpack. If I’m in the beat or at a shooting stand needing shots within about 50 meters, I switch from the LPVO to the red dot sight. The red dot sight is faster, more accurate, and much more comfortable in this scenario. In other cases, I use the LPVO.

When choosing your tools, remember that training is essential for hunting success. NORMA offers a variety of training ammo suitable for every setup. Jaktmatch serves me well for tests and traing while avoiding the hassle of re-sighting my scope and red-dot when switching back to the Bondstrike I use for hunting. Happy hunting!

Martin Brozek

Norma Ambassador Czech Republic

Photo taken by: Michal Prouza