Which do you use and why? I haven't ever used a scope or a red dot on a shot gun and was wanting to get a feel for why hunters use them. What are there advantages / disadvantages? Thanks.
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Remington Model 11-87 Premier 12 Gauge
Remington Model 870 SPS-T Camo Thumbhole 12 Gauge
Ruger M77 Mark II .270 w/ Nikon 3-9x40 Buckmasters
I myself use open sights. Thats all I need. I pattern my Mossberg 500 and I know my shooting distances. The closer the shot the better. I dont need a scope or red dot to lay the smack down. Just my thoughts...
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Im a turkey hunting addict
Bow Oneida Eagle Tomcat
Easton Arrows
And the most reliable release Fingers
Gun Mossberg 500 & T/C Hawken
Fire and Iced custom calls Field pro staff
i use open sights tru glo, i have a buddy that had a red dot hard to see through in low light and rainy conditions also i think you had to turn it on. H e went to the tru glo
I use a scope, for one because thats what i shoot on every other gun i own. For two, because if im holding out for a trophy bird, with a scope I can get a really good look at the spurs before i go shooting the turkey.
Red dot.. yes you have to turn on, battery life is extremely long, unless you buy a really cheap one, they work fine in low light and foggy conditions, not that you ever have shots at turkeys in very low light conditions.Burris speed dot is a very very good red dot scope, and it weighs about half as much as your normal shotgun scope.
Due to my old eyes, I can no longer focus well on open sights, so this fall after 40 years of turkey hunting I made the decision to go to an optical sight...
Although scopes have many proponents, I was worried that due to my sometimes " awkward" shooting positions that using a scope with magnum turkey loads might invite a bad case of "scope eye"...I wanted the unlimited eye relief feature of a red dot or holographic type sight...
After much discussion with friends and on the forums, I settled on the new style Bushnell holosight...It has a long battery life and is reasonablylow profileand quite user friendly, although it's still higher than I would like... I'm considering raising the comb of my stock...It worked fine for my fall turkey this year, but since I've only hunted with it for a short time, the jury is still out..
I use a scope Pygmy for the same reason - wounded a trophy - yes the gun was sighted in - and I do know I kept my head down - but I can not see the back ramp with clarity anymnore - but with my age my eyes are getting worse. So about 2 years ago I went to a Nikon Monarch Turkey Pro scope - and have not missed since.
And my average yardage is still at 21 paces from where I sit outa 35 birds. Yes I do call 'em up close! Tis the way it shold be done!
JW
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Turkey Hunting! ~ One Turkey Calling Another!
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Remington Model 11-87 Premier 12 Gauge
Remington Model 870 SPS-T Camo Thumbhole 12 Gauge
Ruger M77 Mark II .270 w/ Nikon 3-9x40 Buckmasters
Another reason I went with a scope, besides getting a better sight picture, and allowing you to see clearer in the early morning light, was thatmy gunnever shot to the point of aim. No matter what shell I put throughit, it always patterned "high Left". So by scoping it, I just dialed the retical right to the very center of the pattern, hence making it a much better turkey slayer. I never tried a "red Dot" sight, so I can't comment on their use.
Like Maytom I went with a scope not only to gather light but to be more accurate.
I found the fiber optic sights blocked my target when aiming down the barrel and I didn't want to worry about turning on a red dot or forgetting to turn it off and having a dead battery and no sight. I have a Bushnell turkey scope on my Mossberg and will never look to change. It's a great combo.
scopes vs red dot vs open sights
