Last updated on April 26th, 2026
Lets checkout the Burris RT-1 red dot sight and how it handled conditions in outback Australia.
Quick Take
The important thing with the Burris RT-1 Red Dot is not just the spec sheet. For an optic, the real value comes down to glass quality, reticle usefulness, tracking or control feel, mounting setup, and whether it suits the rifle you actually plan to use it on.
- Check the role first: hunting, range work, competition and general-purpose rifles all reward different scope features.
- Do not buy on magnification alone: useful reticle design, eye box and repeatability matter just as much.
- Mounting still matters: good rings and correct height can make or break the setup.
Red Dot’s
The red dot sight is designed for use in close range shooting. The illuminated dot stays in alignment with the weapon regardless of what position your eye is in. This almost completely eliminates the parallax effect and issues with eye relief. Red dot sights are common sights for hunting, police, military and target shooters as they provide fast target acquisition. Quickly getting on target and keeping both eyes open when shooting drew me to this being the perfect fit for hunting in the bush here in Queensland.
Burris
Burris has a long history being founded in 1971 in the US and continues to produce innovative products for the shooting and hunting community. The company also provides a forever warranty where all products will be replaced or repaired and is transferred to future owners. The forever warranty however doesn’t cover their thermal scope range.
Burris RT-1
The RT-1 is primarily designed for the tactical shooter, the large red dot and 1 x magnification are targeted towards shooters engaging in close range. These features translate perfectly for pig hunting applications here in Australia where a 12 gauge shotgun or 30-30 rifle are the preferred tools for the job. Mounting the Burris RT-1 to the lever action 12 gauge was an upgrade long in the making.
Construction
Not all red dot sights are created equally and I held off for a long time finding the right red dot for the job. I was happy to see that the Burris RT-1 was built for hard work. The shockproof exterior of the RT-1 is rated to be used up to a .50 BMG. Its comforting to know that the optic is built to take the recoil of 12-gauge buckshot and slugs.
The optic is also waterproof and fog proof so it can stand up to any weather in the field. The rugged construction surprisingly doesn’t come at a cost to weight, with the sight weighing in at 4.8 ounces (136grams).
RT-1 Reticle
The red dot has a 2 MOA reticle, meaning that the dot covers 2 inches (5cm) at 100 yards (91meters).
Adjusting the illumination is simple with a higher and lower setting on top of the optic. Using the optic at midday in the outback Queensland sun wasn’t a problem and the dot remained bright under extremely sunny conditions. The dot itself became slightly blurry at maximum illumination, however it’s unlikely you would need to run the optic on that setting as the optimum brightness of around 70% is great for day to day use.
Mounting the Burris RT-1
It comes with both a high and low base mount which are easy to change over with an Alan key. The optic fits Weaver style/Picatinny rails. If your rifle or shotgun doesn’t have this rail system, adaptors are easily available.
Function and Adjustments
When adjusting the reticle, the click value is 0.5 MOA. The total windage and elevation adjustment capability is 45 MOA. The initial adjustments to get the optic zeroed were easy, and a few shots of buckshot on paper and a couple of clicks put the dot where it needed to be.
The optic takes a CR2032 battery and the battery life is listed at around 1,000 hours depending on the intensity of the brightness used.
Related Reading on PrecisionRifle
If you are comparing options, also read our best rifle scope guide, best scope rings guide, best scope under $1000 guide.
FAQ
Is the Burris RT-1 Red Dot worth it?
The Burris RT-1 Red Dot is worth considering if its magnification, reticle, glass quality and adjustment system match how you actually shoot. For value-focused builds, the biggest question is whether it gives you a clearer aiming solution than the optic you would otherwise buy.
Who is the Burris RT-1 Red Dot best suited to?
It suits shooters who want an optic for value-focused builds and are willing to choose based on real features rather than brand name alone. Check the reticle, turret layout, weight and warranty before deciding.
What should I compare with the Burris RT-1 Red Dot?
Compare it against optics in the same role and price bracket. Look closely at glass clarity, turret tracking, reticle usability, low-light performance, weight and how easy it is to get support or accessories locally.
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