I did the Red Dot episode when Wisconsin did not allow scopes with magnification. I was very disappointed with them. They work great light permitting. But when shadows come around, exactly when you would think the scope would be of a benefit, they fail. The Red Dots I own are Bushnell Trophy Red Dots. Not overly expensive, but still.. Anyway, I had one on a Wolverine LK-II. I was in a tree stand overlooking a small field. It was almost closing time of the day and out walks a relatively nice buck. Nothing great, but hey.. I fill freezers not walls. Put the red dot on the small dot, took aim and because of the poor light gathering capabilities of the RED DOT... the deer disappeared almost completely in the Dot. Sure the red dot was there, but when you can't place it on the animal, you can't shoot. Also the dot, grew a half moon. I had learned from range practice to ignore the half moon and just concentrate on the dot. But instead.. I did not shoot.
After that, I went to the 1x scopes. Problem solved. Set the cross hair.. boom.. venison. Now that they allow magnification I use a lot of 2-7x32 Nikon Pro Staff scopes. One of my favorite. Also on some of the rifles I use a simple 4x32mm scope. My shooting like yours, is all very close. In fact 50 yards would be a long shot in my woods. 30 and under is the norm.
So I would definately forgo the RED DOT. Get a nice scope. The Nikon Pro Staff in 2-7x32 gathers LOTS of light for those last minute shots, is tough as nails and has a life time guarantee. Also I like the Nikon Omega 3-9x40mm. And on my tree rifles I use just a cheap Simmon 4x32mm and nothing better come within 100 yards of me with those rifles.
My RED DOTS... one is now on a .44mag Ruger RedHawk and the other is on a tactical rifle made for combat quick point shooting... but they will never go back on a muzzleloader. Also those 1x scopes.. I have two of them left. They work good if you don't want magnification. I am thinking of mounting one on my Knight TK2000 Turkey Shotgun, but the recoil in that kind of worries me.