In the shooting world, speed and accuracy are the pillars of success. Aiming to hit the sweet spot between these two is the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight. Designed for quick target acquisition and offering an unobstructed field of view, this little gadget seems like the perfect companion for shooters of all stripes. The devil is in the details, though. So, does the TRS-25 Red Dot live up to the expectations? I’m going to dig into the details of this sight so that you know for sure if it’s right for you. Let’s get to it!
My First Impressions
The moment the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight landed on my hands, its compactness and solid feel were the first things to strike me. Unboxing it was a breeze, and the sight, with its sleek matte black finish, exhibited a level of craftsmanship that spoke volumes about Bushnell’s reputation in the optics realm. The sight felt robust, and the controls were intuitive enough, promising easy operation even in the heat of the moment.
Mounting it onto my AR-15 was straightforward, thanks to the included cross-bolt rail mount that clamped onto the Picatinny rail snugly. The initial dry fire tests in my backyard had me excited – the red dot was crisp, bright, and seemed to hold zero well. This sight seemed eager to perform, and I was equally keen to put it through its paces in the real world.
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Real-Life Testing: A Day In The Field
The first rays of dawn found me in an open field, the morning mist still lingering in the air. With the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 mounted on my reliable AR-15, I was ready to put this red dot sight through its paces. The day promised a mix of sun and clouds, with a slight breeze for most of the day.
My first drill was a simple target acquisition test. I had set up targets at varying distances to check how quickly I could transition between them. The unlimited eye relief and field of view of the TRS-25 shone through, making target acquisition almost instantaneous. The 3 MOA red dot was crisp and clear, easily drawing my eye like a magnet.
As the sun climbed higher, I cycled through the 11 brightness settings to find the sweet spot against the brightening sky. Even under bright sunlight, the red dot was plainly visible. Next up was a rapid-fire test to check how well the sight would hold zero. The recoil was snappy, but the TRS-25 stayed true, the cross-bolt rail mount keeping it securely in place. I spent the rest of the afternoon engaging targets at different distances and angles.
As dusk approached and the day drew to a close, the red dot was still bright and clear back on a lower illumination setting and ready for more action. Overall, the TRS-25 made me confident in my decision to add it to my gear assortment.
You can also check my guide on the 5 best prism scopes.
Optics Quality
The optics on the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 are multi-coated, a feature that’s almost a standard in the industry. This lens coating treatment provides several layers of protection and functionality, helping optimize light transmission and minimizing reflection and scattering. What you’re left with is a clearer, brighter image, which is a massive boon in low-light shooting situations like dawn and dusk, often the times of the day known for prolific tag-filling by hunters.
The objective lens diameter is 25mm, which provides a reasonably wide field of view for a red dot sight. In the clarity department, the sight performed exceptionally well, with sharp imaging and low chromatic aberration. The quality of the optics is one of the most important factors when it comes to a red dot sight, and Bushnell didn’t skimp on this. The clarity of the red dot itself was commendable, with a distinct, well-defined dot that made aiming a breeze.
Reticle Performance
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight is equipped with a 3 MOA red dot reticle, which is a solid choice for a variety of shooting applications. While not the most precise reticle at long distances, it does represent a good balance between precision aiming and quick target acquisition.
The sight offers 11 brightness settings, allowing you to adjust the intensity of the red dot to best adapt to the ambient conditions. Whether you’re out on a bright sunny day or in the dwindling light of dusk, you can tune the brightness for optimum visibility and clarity. No matter the setting, the dot is crisp and bright, and the adjustment knob provided tactile feedback with each change in setting, which is a nice touch, and makes it easy to count the clicks as you adjust the brightness.
Also, the unlimited eye relief is perfect for hunters and tactical shooters, since it allows much more flexibility with head positioning and facilitates quicker target acquisition and follow-up shots.
Windage & Elevation Adjustments
One of the aspects I appreciate about the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is its straightforward windage and elevation adjustments. These adjustments are crucial for accurately dialing in the sight to ensure your rounds hit the target at your point of aim.
Each click on the adjustment dials gives an adjustment in 1/2 MOA increments, giving you a fine-tuning adjustment resolution of roughly ½-inch at 100 yards. The turrets also feature tactile and audible feedback so you can easily keep track of your adjustments while getting dialed in.
The dials have protective caps that keep them covered and safe from accidental adjustment, as well as from dirt and debris. Underneath the caps, the dials themselves are easy to turn with a coin or the edge of a cartridge, yet they hold their setting firmly once you have them set.
Despite heavy recoil and some bumps and shocks, the sight held zero admirably. This shows that the overall design is robust and can withstand substantial use and abuse without losing its zero. For anyone who occasionally puts their sights through some challenging situations, this is good news and means fewer adjustments in the field and fewer missed shots overall.
Build Quality
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is a sturdily built red dot sight that’s designed to withstand just about anything you can throw at it. The sight itself is encased in a metal housing that protects the internal components from shocks and impacts, and it has a solid feel.
The housing is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, and is O-ring sealed to ensure resistance to immersion in water, mud, snow, and more. The housing has been nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging due to humidity or rapid temperature changes. This means you can use the TRS-25 in all weather conditions with confidence that you’ll maintain clear visibility during critical moments.
The sight comes with a cross-bolt rail mount, which allows for easy attachment to Picatinny rails or Weaver-type bases on shotguns, handguns, or carbines. The mounting system is robust, and you won’t have to worry about shifting or loss of zero during recoil or vigorous movement.
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 has an impressive build quality, resulting in a reliable sight with considerable longevity, that will be able to easily withstand the demands of tactical or high-performance hunting situations. There’s no doubt that if I add this site to my gear, that I’ll be able to count on it when I need to.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast Target Acquisition: The unlimited eye relief and wide field of view make spotting and transitioning between targets remarkably quick and easy.
- Brightness Settings: With 11 brightness settings, this red dot sight is adaptable to varying light conditions, ensuring a clear sight picture from dawn till dusk.
- Ease of Mounting: The cross-bolt rail mount makes mounting the sight on a variety of firearms straightforward and secure.
Cons
- Battery Life: While the sight performs excellently, more efficient battery usage could improve its operational longevity.
- Size of Dot: Some users might find the 3 MOA red dot slightly large for precision shooting at longer distances.
Who Should Buy This Scope?
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight is a versatile, easy-to-use, and durable choice for hunters, sport shooters, and tactical operators alike. It’s particularly suited for those who need rapid target acquisition in varying light conditions without breaking the bank. Its rugged construction makes it a reliable choice for the rough-and-tumble environment of the field.
Additionally, since it can be mounted across a wide range of firearms, such as shotguns, handguns, or rifles, it’s built to perform in countless use cases. Whether you’re gearing up for a big game hunt, a day at the range, or a tactical mission the TRS-25 is a solid choice.
The Final Word
The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight proves that you don’t need to empty your wallet to get a reliable, sturdy, and functional red dot sight. Its brightness settings and clear optics make target acquisition a breeze in various light conditions. While it may lack some of the high-end features of more expensive models, like night vision compatibility, it more than holds its own with its durable construction and ease of use. All in all, the TRS-25 is a solid choice for anyone in need of a reliable red dot sight without the hefty price tag.
For other reviews, check the Vortex Sparc 2 and the Vortex Crossfire red dot reviews.
Mike Fellon is an experienced firearms enthusiast and optics expert. He delivers unbiased and detailed rifle scope reviews. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He inherited his hunting passions after his father John – he was fascinated by his stories, hearing how much attention, focus, dedication and patience he invested in shooting every animal. When he was old enough, his father first allowed him to shoot some cans and bottles with his shotgun, and then took him hunting – it was love at first sight. Mike has never stopped shooting ever since.