Can a rifle scope be used on a shotgun or visa versa?

Edited by - Bucky10 on 01/30/2003 12:43:12

I have heard that if you use a rifle scope on a shotgun that it will over time make the crossheirs go crooked? Is this true?

Leupold makes a line of shotgun scopes. They're supposed to better suited to stand up to the punishment of a slug shooter's recoil. While you might be able to get away with it for a while, I don't think they'd have developed those shotgun scopes if there wasn't a genuine need.

nobody knows?

Bucky, I have used rifle scopes on slug shotguns for several decades, starting in 1970, before anyone even thought of making a scope just for shotguns. Same goes for muzzleloaders. ANY Leupold scope will stand up to shotgun recoil, as will many of the old, steel-tube made in USA Weavers. Two cautions - get a rugged scope that is guaranteed to handle stiff recoil. Anything you can use on a .458 Winchester or .416 Rigby will work. Also, get one with at least 4", preferably 5", of eye relief, and mount it as far forward as you can, so it won't cut your eyebrow!! The first scope I ever put on a shotgun was a Weaver J2.5, and it was on a 20" tubed Ithaca Deerslayer. This is a light gun that kicks like hell, and the scope never failed!!

Keep yore powder dry!!

Edited by - eldeguello on 01/31/2003 10:25:39

I have a Simmons Riflescope (9 power) it was given to me as a gift and I already have good scopes for my rifles just not for my shotgun. Do you think a Simmons will hold up to a slug gun.

..Give it try Bucky,nice screen name..i say it will....

..JESUS IS COMING BACK BE READY...

I THINK YOU'D BE FINE I PUT A SIMMONS 44 MAG. 3X9 ON MY MOSSBERG.
WHY? I AM IN FARM COUNTRY WISCONSIN WERE I WANTED FINER SCOPE FOR MORE ACCURCY AT THE LONGER SHOTS. THE NORMAL SHOTGUN SCOPE IS PARELLEX FREE AT 50 OR 75 YARDS. THE NEW SLUGS AND RIFLED BARRELS ARE CAPABLE OF MUCH MORE.

I have 3x9x40 mounted on shotguns and muzzle loaders . with no problems ..Bill

Check the eye relief specs on shotgun vs rifle scopes. I believe the reason for the scopes being designated for a shotgun is longer eye relief. The reason is the mounting systems for some shotguns places the scope farther forward than traditional rifle mounts. Also most shotgun scopes are lower power for closer range work. I have a Weaver V3 1-3x scope on my BPS and it works great. The recoil of a shotgun is similar to a large magnum rifle so there's not much difference there. However airguns and crossbows have reverse recoil so there are scopes made especially for them. Hope this helps, Dave