The popularity of the “Donut of Death” highlights an important reality about shooting: speed and precision are not always competing goals. By taking advantage of how the human eye and brain naturally process visual information, the large circular reticle allows shooters to acquire targets quickly while still providing enough precision for accurate shot placement. Rather than focusing solely on the smallest possible aiming point, the design recognizes that in many real-world situations, the ability to get on target rapidly can be just as important as ultimate precision. Of course, your mileage may vary, as sighting systems are often a matter of individual preference and what works best for one shooter may not work as well for another.
I have to admit that when I first heard someone say “donut of death” in reference to using a circle-only aiming reticle on a pistol-mounted optic, I was unsure what to think. My kneejerk reaction was that it was a speed thing for close quarters shooting.
It wasn’t until a couple of years later that someone explained to me the thought process behind using the circle only reticle option, not just for close-up, but for all handgun distances. During my review of the new EOTECH EFLX CE optic, I touched on the DoD briefly, now it is time for a much deeper dive.
Donut of Death
According to Louis Caras of LCAR Concepts Training, “The term ‘Donut of Death’ was coined late at night in the Tactical Response Team Room, approximately five years ago. In hindsight, it’s perhaps not the greatest name for an aiming method when teaching in a defensive context, but it stuck. Shortly after it began gaining popularity in my circles, I shortened the term I use to ‘donut.’ However, the term ‘Donut of Death’ has been hijacked without understanding, and used by others in the training/influencer industry to mean a host of different things.”
Louis continued, “By donut of death, or just donut, we mean a genuine circle only, not a circle with a dot in it or a chevron or crosshairs or anything else.”
By Paul Markel
