they the scope manufactures say there is a difference between shotgun, muzzleloader, and rifle scopes. I for one have a 3-9x40 Leupold scope on my Remington 11-87 12ga., a Nikon 3-9x40 on my muzzleloader, 2 other shotguns have Bushnell rifle scopes, my friends also have rifle scopes on there shotguns, and muzzleloaders. We see no difference, nor any problems.