How to Set Up Your Red Dot Sight for Pistol Competition

How to Calibrate a red Dot Sight

Red dot sights are more and more popular in shooting sports competitions. Sight pictures are simplified, and it allows you to stay “target focused” as you move across each target for faster target acquisition. Whether you’re a competitive shooter or a casual enthusiast, mastering the art of accurately calibrating your pistol's red dot sight is essential to enhance your shooting performance. This step-by-step guide is designed to demystify the adjustment process, providing you with clear instructions and practical tips to ensure your sight is aligned for optimal accuracy.

Understanding the Dot Height Offset

Any sighting system's accuracy must support the intersection of the sights and the barrel to the target. One big difference between a red dot and an iron sight system is the height distance from the sight (or dot) to the barrel’s bore axis. Most iron sights sit low to the bore axis, making them more consistent across near-to-far distances. Red dots sit higher off the bore axis, so understanding how that influences the sights at different distances is essential. 

Red Dot Sight Adjustments

Point of aim (POA) is where the red dot appears on the target as you aim the pistol. Point of impact (POI) is where the bullet impacts the target using a consistent aiming point. Sighting in a red dot, or “zeroing,” makes the Point of Aim (POA) align with the Point of Impact (POI) at a given distance.

A Quick MOA Refresher

Red dots use a consistent measurement called “minutes of angle” (MOA) to align your Point of Aim (POA) to the Point of Impact (POI). An MOA represents 1.047 inches at 100 yards. We will round 1.047 inches to 1.0 inch for our pistol example shown below.

How the Math Works

If your red dot’s Point of Aim (POA) is on the bullseye at 100 yards and your bullet impacts approximately three inches to the right of where you aimed, you will adjust the dot three MOA to the left. This would align the point of aim with the point of impact. (Refer to your red dot sight manual for details on how MOA increments are measured for your sight adjustments.)

You should not sight-in your pistol at 100 yards. The average target distance for USPSA and SCSA is less than thirty-five yards. It is recommended that you start at ten yards so you can see the target, keep the math simple, and then confirm and adjust your settings at further distances. Note: Your final preferred zero will probably be somewhere between fifteen and twenty-five yards.

• 100 yards = 1-inch adjustment = 1 MOA  

• 10 yards = 1-inch adjustment = 10 MOAs 

• 10 yards = ½-inch adjustment = 5 MOAs

How to Zero a Red Dot for Competition in Five Steps 

We have created a set of FREE Red Dot Alignment Targets with all the steps to make it simple. - DOWNLOAD HERE

Step 1: Initial Setup at 10 Yards 

Start at ten yards and adjust your red dot to its smallest size so you can refine your aiming point. You will be shooting three to five rounds for each test. You want your shots to group as much as possible. It is recommended that you use targets with a clear one-inch center point for aiming. Targets with lines that are one- to half-inch apart will help you adjust the zero quicker. Use the same ammunition you will compete with for consistent results.

Why it Matters: Easy to see shot placement and control variables.

You will be adjusting your final distance later, but you will want to visually confirm your initial settings at ten yards.

Tip: make consistent shots, taking as much time as you need. Practice good trigger control, aiming for consistent, accurate shots. Start at ten yards and sight your pistol’s dot on the center of your target; take three to five shots, then inspect your group and adjust your sights’ horizontal and vertical MOAs as needed.

Step 2: Fine-tune Horizontal at 15-25 Yards 

Test settings at fifteen, twenty, and twenty-five yards and adjust the horizontal Point of Impact as needed. Only adjust the horizontal at this stage. If you drew a line from the top of the target to the bottom, your shots should track to that line at each distance. You will start to notice differences in Point of Impact (POI) elevation as you shoot the targets at each distance. The farther the distance, the higher the Point of Impact (POI). This difference is normal.

Why it matters: Builds consistency across realistic competition ranges.

Step 3: Dial Vertical at a Match-Distance Sweet Spot

Test and adjust the vertical Point of Aim & Point of Impact using an average target distance. Choose an average distance for targets you will be shooting the most in your type of competition. Pick a distance between 15 and 25 yards (e.g. 17 yards), and set up your target. At this point, the horizontal settings should be accurate, and you will only be focused on the vertical elevation adjustment.

Why it matters: Sets your zero in the range where you’ll shoot the most.

Tip: To quickly measure vertical settings at different distances, I like to place a line of blue painters’ tape on a target and fire several shots at the tape. You can quickly measure how high or low the Point of Impact (POI) is from the original line of tape.

Step 4: Confirm Across Distances

Review and confirm Point of Aim & Point of Impact settings at 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 yards. The closer target’s Point of Impact (POI) will be a little low, and the farthest targets will be a little higher than your zeroed distance. You want to know how your pistol performs at each distance so you won’t be second-guessing where the Point of Impact (POI) is during a match.

Why it matters: Predictability under speed.

Step 5: Practice with a Mini-Stage Setup

Test your settings in several practice sessions to determine what works best for you. Set up a sample stage with targets at varying distances and check your performance. You can quickly change your POA/POI using different distances to zero because you only need to change the vertical setting at the new distance.

Why it matters: Real experience and validation before a match.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to accurately adjust your red dot sight and achieve optimal shooting performance. Remember that practice and consistency are key to mastering the accuracy of your adjustments over time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Adjusting a red dot sight can be a straightforward process, but there are several common mistakes that competitors should avoid to ensure accurate results. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you achieve better accuracy and avoid frustration.

One common mistake is making large adjustments to quickly. When adjusting your red dot sight, it’s important to make small, incremental changes rather than large movements. Large adjustments can cause you to overshoot the desired alignment, leading to a back-and-forth adjustment process that wastes time and ammunition. Instead, make small adjustments and fire groups of shots to track the changes in the point of impact.

Another mistake is failing to properly support your pistol during the adjustment process. A stable shooting platform is essential for making accurate adjustments, as any movement can affect the alignment of the red dot sight. Ensure that your pistol is securely supported by a solid grip and stance or on a shooting rest or sandbags. This stability will help you achieve more precise adjustments and improve the overall accuracy of your shots. Take your time as you place each shot for consistency.

Lastly, neglecting to verify the accuracy of your adjustments at different distances can lead to suboptimal performance. While it’s common to zero a red dot sight at a specific distance, it’s important to test the sight at various distances to ensure that it works across a range of scenarios. Failing to do so can result in lower-scoring hits when engaging targets at different ranges. By verifying your adjustments at multiple distances, you will know what to expect, and you can ensure that your red dot sight is versatile and reliable in any shooting situation.

Download the FREE Targets and Guide to set up your Red Dot Sight

Summary

1. Initial Setup at 10 Yards
   Test and adjust the initial Point of Aim & Point of Impact at ten yards.

2. Fine-tune Horizontal at 15-25 Yards
   Test settings at 15, 20, and 25 yards and adjust horizontal Point of Impact (POI) as needed.

3. Dial Vertical at a Match-Distance Sweet Spot
   Test and adjust vertical Point of Aim & Point of Impact using an average target distance (e.g., 17 yards).

4. Confirm Across Distances
   Review and confirm Point of Aim & Point of Impact settings at 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 yards.

5. Practice with a Mini-Stage Setup
   Test your settings over several practice sessions to determine if your selected average target distance is working for you.

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Red Dot - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How does MOA translate at various distances?

  • 100 yards = 1-inch adjustment = 1 MOA  

  • 10 yards = 1-inch adjustment = 10 MOAs 

  • 10 yards = ½-inch adjustment = 5 MOAs

• Is there a difference between red dot sights and iron sights I should consider?

  Yes—red dots sit higher above the bore axis than iron sights. This height-offset affects POI across different distances and must be accounted for during zeroing. 

• What dot size (MOA) is best?

  Smaller dots (like 2 MOA) offer precision without obscuring the target, while larger dots (4–6 MOA) are great for fast target acquisition, especially in action shooting scenarios.

• Should I always keep both eyes open when using a red dot?

  You absolutely can. Keeping both eyes open maintains situational awareness and helps the dot naturally align on the target. This is a foundational technique encouraged by top competitors.

• What distance should I sight my pistol red dot?

  For most action shooting sports many competitors start their zero at 10 yards to make initial adjustments quick and easy. This allows you to get on paper fast and fine-tune without chasing shots at longer ranges. Once you have a tight group at 10 yards, confirm and finalize / adjust your zero between 15–25 yards (e.g. 17 yards) — a common mid engagement distance in USPSA, Steel Challenge, and similar competitions.

• Where can I find Red Dot Zero Targets?

  This Step-by-Step guide is designed to demystify the adjustment process, providing you with clear instructions and practical tips to ensure your sight is aligned for optimal accuracy.

  Download the Red Dot Sighting Targets and Guide

• Will removing and remounting my red dot change the zero?

  In most cases, yes — even small changes in how the optic sits on the slide or mount can shift your point of impact. You should expect to re-confirm your zero any time the optic is removed and reinstalled.

  Best practices to minimize zero shift:

  • Always torque mounting screws to the manufacturer’s specs using a quality torque driver.

  • Keep mounting surfaces clean and free of oil or debris.

  • If you must remove the optic, try to reinstall it in exactly the same position and recheck zero at your preferred distance before competition.