Piggyback Red Dot Mount Option

This guide provides a comparison piggyback red dot mount options for rifles.

While there are numerous pros to configuring rifles in this manner, this guide also addresses some cons.

Piggyback Red Dot Mount

The Piggyback red dot sight is positioned just above your primary sight, and the line of sight is slightly higher than the bore. This alignment ensures that the aiming point and the point of impact are more closely aligned, especially for long-distance shots.

Practicing with the setup and possibly adjusting the rifle's stock or cheek rest can help mitigate this issue.

Advantages

• Minimized lateral profile
• In line with bore
• Tall mount works for cross-eye dominant shooters

Disadvantages

Mounting a red dot atop a primary optic elevates the sightline considerably above the bore axis. This increased HOB (height over bore) necessitates shooters to adjust their point of aim to account for the offset, particularly when engaging targets at close distances.

For instance, aiming at small targets up close may require holding the red dot higher to ensure the point of impact aligns with the point of aim.

Some set up can add weight and bulk to the firearm. This additional mass, positioned high on the rifle, can alter its balance and handling characteristics.

• Lack cheek weld consistency
• Add neck strain when shooting prone
• High bore offset

Angled Offset VS Piggyback Red Dot 

Angled offset mount is my favorite because it sits low. All you have to do is tilt the rifle and engage the target as you would with your primary optic.

There is no significant offset you need to compensate for. However, when aiming canted with the primary optic, there will be point of impact shifts if the barrel doesn't align with the optic's mounting position.

Advantages

• Offset red dot clears night vision gear on the head
• Flexible prone shooting and other positions as well
• Better recoil management when canted
• Shooting around covers
  
• Clears gas mask
• Works with center axis relock technique
• Much more natural transition

Disadvantages

• Might not align with bore on some rifles
• Zeroing at an angle creates POI offset

It's advisable to steer clear of offset scope ring adapters since they frequently lead to misalignment problems.

These issues can result in difficulties with zeroing and holdover, and they also tend to increase the vertical profile of the setup.