scope vs. open sites
 

I was just wondering what are the pro/cons of having a scope when turkey hunting vs. having open sites. I've thought about putting a scope on my turkey gun but it rains alot where i turkey hunt in the spring and am worried about having poor visibility from the lens getting water all over it.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

i too have mixed feelingson it...you can check them out better and get a better shot with a scope...but turkeys move alot.....youd need a low magnification with a good FOV...and fall alot of times i have them running...that would make hard shooting for a scope...possible...but easier to point and shoot...although im shooting hevishot and have a nice pattern...190pellets at 30yds on a target...its dead center on the bead on my gun...so i think ill keep it how it is......and i dont like taking long hailmarys......rather have them withing 40....like em 30 or less......nothin like a longbeard goin nuts in your face!!

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

Never used a scope on a turkey gun. Don't like dekes or 50 yd shots either. I like to keep it basic.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

Both sides have there place here.Scopes can center a pattern that quite commonly in shotguns can be a little off!A fella that has a little eye trouble can also benifit from the clear view of a scope!For myself I like the open view of open sites!And as the fellas talked about stay within my lethal limits!I will say this though agood set of fibre opticsis a must imho!Low light conditions can present unclear shots and fibre optics can help greatly in this regard,I knowthey've saved me on several occasions!!;)

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

I have been shooting with a scope on my gun for a number of years now. I "had" to go to a scope because my gun never shot to the point of aim. So by mounting a scope, I just dialed in the crosshairs right into the center of the pattern. (With todays supertight chokes and powerful turkey loads, you almost need a scope for improved shooting.) I now have a turkey gun that shoots where you point. I agree, that using some sort of a fiber optic sight like Hi-Viz or Tru-Glo would be nice, but I have been hearing that they aren't very sturdy and seem prone to damage very easily. I guess after shooting with a scoped gun all this time, I'm spoiled, and I like using one a lot. Personal choice all the way.;)

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

Always have shot them within 20-30yds and sometimes closer. Never had a need for scopeson turkeys.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

I REALLY likethe 2X scope on my turkey gun. It centers the pattern and helps you see small obstructions (small sapplings, etc.) that you may have missed. I hunted in the rain last year and was concerened about visibility problems. I had no problems.

My only drawback is the inability to take a quick and acurate second shot if ever neccessary. I have not had to do it yet though.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

im the same way as hawglips

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

i use a scoped 12 gauge stoeger and love it.u can get a little longer shootingtoo.i have used open and scope shootguns equally,and i'd have to say my choice is scoped.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

I am a scoped shooter through-and-through. I have a Mossberg 500 with a Burris compact 1-4x on it. Maybe it is me, but I have NEVER had a turkey come in so quick I wouldn't be able to scope him. I find that most of the time that I have minutes to watch a Jake/Tom come up to my Decoys. I also use the scope kind of as a spotting scope.

I find the scope most necessary in Fall season when I don't use decoys and can take Hens. I have had to take as long as 40+ yard shots and have dropped them dead with my scope. Something I am not sure I am capable of with open sights.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

I have the Bushnell Red Dot scope on my Ithaca Turkeyslayer and absolutely love it! It is a 1x30 power so it real is just an aiming aid and have not missed a bird since putting it on 2 years ago.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

I have a Mossberg 500 with a simmons mounted on it. It helped mecenteron my pattern better than open sights. Cheap setup, but it gets the job done. I like the scope because I am able to see the bird better thru heavy foilage. I shot one a couple years back that I could barely make out in the scope due to leaves, if I had open sights, I would have never seen him. Only drawback is a quick follow up shot. personally I think it' personal preferance, and it doesn't matter what one prefers, just call them in close, and then there is no need for a quick follow up shot. Try one, if you don't like it, take it off and sell it. I'm sure someone on here would end up buying it from you. Good luck.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

One reason for getting a scope and one that i didn't see in this post is for close shots, the reason i put mine on. With the ultra tight shooting guns now it's really easy to miss a close bird. When i got my 835 dialed in i was afraid i'd miss anything that got inside of 20 yards so i added a scope.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

Open sights. It just seems too funny to put a red dot or a scope on a shotgun.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

I put a scope on my SX-2 after last season. I jumped on the Nitro train and it shoots real tight @ 30 yds, the scope takes all the guess work out of the shot.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

I have been kicking this around all off season. Just when I make up my mind one way, I change my mind again. If you would have asked me 2 days ago I would have said I'm going with a scope this year, but now I think I'm gonna go with fiber optic sights again. Thats what I've always use in the past and they have been working great for me. Someday I would like to try a scope though, just to see how I'd like it.

RE: scope vs. open sites
 

I shoot open sights and have no problem out to 40+ yards hitting where I want to hit.

If you can't make a solid decision andif your gun allows it, I would go with a B-Square scope mount. It mounts on the receiver via the trigger plate pins and is raised up a little so you can use your open sights if you need/want to.