When you’re on the hunt for a new optic, the many options on the market can be a bit overwhelming. I’m making a concerted effort to grab onto a huge number of optics to review individually, before writing up a few comparative articles as well to see how they compare.
Bushnell was keen to enter the fray to showcase two of their newer optics, the previously reviewed TRS-125, and the RXM-300 (which already made a bit of a debut in the Ghost Gunner 3-S Optics Cut Library 2.0 article). Let’s see how the RXM-300 stacks up on paper, then how it performs at the range.
Tech Specs
| Form Factor | Open Reflex |
|---|---|
| Adjustment Range | 100 MOA. Both Windage & Elevation |
| Click Value | MOA |
| Dot Color | Red |
| Magnification x Objective Lens | 1x28x24 |
| Min Parallax Distance | Parallax free design. Optimized at 50 Yards. |
| Brightness Settings | 12 |
| Reticle | 4 MOA Dot |
| WaterProofing | IPX7 |
| Weight | 1.95 ounces, sight only |
| MOA Per Rev | 28 |
| Mount | Direct mount to RMR™ Footprint, or Weaver with included base and riser. |
| Battery Life | Up to 35,000 hours. |
| Auto Shutoff | Yes, defeatable with Shake-Awake |
So we’re looking at a small form-factor red dot optic. Although clearly designed for handgun slides (RMR footprint), the included Weaver base and riser means this optic could just as easily be at home on a rifle or shotgun.
Weighing under two ounces means the RXM-300 is hardly noticeable on a handgun, and even less so on a rifle. Its 12 brightness settings run the full range and won’t wash on extremely bright summer days.
While I was a slow adopter of “shake awake” technology, I’m certainly coming around to it. It really makes sense on a home defense gun that might sit untouched for quite a while before being needed right now.
The rubberized buttons for adjusting brightness are pretty small, and require a deliberate attempt to adjust. Maybe a little too deliberate for my liking, but once the brightness is set I don’t expect to be adjusting it often.
As shown in the previously mentioned Ghost Gunner 3-S article, I mounted the RXM-300 on a GLOCK 17 slide that I milled myself. Using the popular RMR footprint means the RXM-300 is ready to go on a wide variety of slides that are factory milled.
The top-loading battery housing design makes me happy. Bottom-loading makes no sense and side loading is frequently a pain in the ass. Thanks, Bushnell.
Range Days
The first time I drew a handgun with a red dot mounted was at SHOT Show 2020. I learned quickly that my mind fought my grip and eyes, and nothing lined up quickly. It took some time to retrain myself to draw a ‘dotted’ handgun effectively.
I’m still a ways behind my draw times on drawing with irons. It takes time to overcome decades of muscle memory, but I recognize wholeheartedly that adding an optic to a handgun can unlock a level of speed and precision that’s much harder to achieve with most iron sights, so I’m putting in the reps to get there.
As much as I love 1 MOA dots on my rifles, the 4 MOA dot on the RXM-300 is just what a handgun needs. We’re still only talking about a dot that’s roughly the size of a clay pigeon at 100 yards, but it’s big enough to grab your eye quickly. Most importantly, it’s bright enough to handle daylight duties as well.
Jackhammering some G9 Defense +P rounds through my GLOCK 17 yielded nice groups, and also the stiffest recoil test I can give this specific gun. Any loss of zero would be considered a failure. Thankfully, zero has been held through this range day, the one that preceded it, and the few that followed it.
So the Bushnell RXM-300 functions in all the ways you need an RDO to work. But does it make me better? After all that’s one of the promises of affixing an optic to a handgun, right?
In low light, yes. My eyes pick the dot even when I’m groggy. (Thanks to my neighbors for not complaining about the 4:00am range day). In a home defense scenario, it’s a big step up from iron sights for me.
In regards to shooting precisely, also yes. If I want to hit small targets at ranges farther than I’d normally be able, the RXM-300 definitely helps me in that regard. I was picking apart broken shards of clay pigeons at 25 yards, not something I can normally do with my XS Big Dot night sights. Even pinging my mini E-type steel plate at 100 yards is doable with the RXM-300.
As for shooting quickly…kind of. My first shot on a draw is still a little slower than with iron sights, but the gap is closing quickly with each range day. As I mentioned earlier, it takes some work to surpass decades of doing things one way. My subsequent shots, especially when transitioning between targets, are definitely faster. With a little bit more work, I’ll be ready to fully jump into the 21st century with both feet.
Bottom Line
The Bushnell RXM-300 works, and works well. IPX7 ingress rating and MIL-STD-810H drop test certified means it’s a rugged unit. The window is big, the dot is bright, and the tech behind it all lends to an excellent battery life. MSRP from Bushnell is $299, and street price elsewhere is the same at the time of publishing is the same. If you’re in the market, this one’s worth checking out.
Check out more articles from Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer or visit him on Instagram @Rexnanorum.