Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

This has been one of the most difficult decisions for me to make and I would love a little input/advice/or whatever you may want to call it on this decision.

This is where my sitation develops...

Currently I have a Mossburg 835 Ultimag with the standard factory choke, and Tru-Glo open sights that I know I can drive tacksat45 yards or less. Ialso know what my gun is capable of shooting out to 55 yards.
I have read a number of articles that favor using a scope in addition to that I like the idea of having a scope on my gun...
I love the open sights partly because I am old school and believe in simpler is better...
The idea of pulling up on a bird to have the batteries go dead makes me sick just sitting here thinking about it!
So with all this in mind would those hunters who are wiser and more knowledgeable please provide some insight!

Hereare some questions I have been considering!

1. What would the advantages be for me keeping the open sights?
2. What would the advantages be for me putting a scope on my gun?
3. Is there a scope that would allow me to still use my open sights in the event of a mechanical failure?
4. What will the total cost of a scope be to mount and then sight in for my gun?

Thanks in advance!

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

I used a red dot for 1 season. I never had battery issues and could see my bead under the mount. The problem I ran into was it got knocked off zero and caused me to miss a bird. The only thing that hit that turkey was dirt because I shot about 2 feet low. I also didn't like the extra weight.

I understand you are asking about a regular scope, but I think the things I didn't like about the red dot could apply to a scope.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

I find no use for a scope on my turkey gun. For me open sights work great. One advantage of open sights is that it is already on your gun and they are deadly.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

I have not used it this year but I have my brothers EO Tech sight he used on his SWAT Team entry weapon. I am looking forward to taking that first bird with it...We lost him last fall. I will let you know how I like it after I fire it.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

Kpatte

Take a look about 5 threads below this one for comments about sighting systems. I have copied and pasted my post in that thread below.

I went from open sights to a low-power scope on my 835. I usedthe Tru-glo fiber optic sights for one season but got rid of them (personal preference) because I felt they were too big and obscured too much of the target. I also (personal opinion) didn't think much of their construction. They seemed (again, personal opinion) flimsy and cheap. My father had an identical sight and the rear sight broke and came off the third time out (and I know it was mounted correctly because Imountedit).

If I desired to stick with open sights I would use a good set of Williams sights. They are steel, more durable, and mount more securely.

My low power scope is a Bushnell Trophy 1.75 X 4 mounted in a set of Traditions rings and Leupold bases. It is a decent scope, nothing special. It has performed perfectly intwo seasons of use (6 turkeys, several shots to get it sighted in). I added the Butler Creek flip off scope covers. Total cost wasapprox $140.00 - 160.00. The scope was on special at BSP I got the bases and rings off ebay.

I would strongly advice you to avoid "see through" mounts if you go with a scope. These mounts place you head in the wrong position (way too high) off the gun stock. Go with one sighting system and stick with it would be my advice. Personably, I think agoodscope mounted correctly in good mounts is far more durable than cheap open sights, which catch every limb and vine as you walk through the woods. In 30+ years of deer hunting with scoped rifles I've never once had an issue with a scope.

From the other thread:
I eventually went with a low power scope, Bushnell Trophy 1.75 X 4 with the circle X reticle. This isn't an expensive scope but it has held up fine thus far. I would have prefered a Nikon Monarch or Leupold but didn't have the Jack at the time to buy one.

After two complete seasons of use I have really enjoyed the scope. I leave it on 1.75 or 2 X, but it is nice to be able to dial it up to 4X occasionally to look at a turkey if I don't want to drop the gun and grab the binos. One needs to be careful not to underestimate the range even at the lowest settings, as the bird will appear closer than he is. Since I am left eye dominant that isn't a problem for me because I have to shut my left eye anyway to look through the scope. I simply open my left eye and slowly move my head slightly to the left to see the turkey with both eyes and range him.

The scope works in any light during hunting situations. Turkeys are called and shot after it gets plenty bright enough to see and they fly up to roost well before dark.

I don't have to worry about batteries running out of power or electrical gizmo malfunctions.

Using the butler creek snap open scope covers the glass stays dry, clearand free of mud.

A goodscope with quality mounts seems more durable to me than the red dots that I handled. That is a subjective observation on my part.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

Very sorry about the loss of your brother. I'm sure you will think of him everytime you use that sight.

Mouthcaller

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

I use my open sites. I have no use for a scope. I'm kind of old school. I like the challenges of what techno gadgets take away from the sport. It's like fishing with old that technology......I just like to get outdoors and match you wits with wildlife. I find it rewarding.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

I have killed 6 gobblers with open sights with not a single miss. I dont see the point in having a scope but then again I can see very well. I always figured that maybe the reason people put scopes on turkey guns was maybe that they just needed help seeing? Is this the case?

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

I had a low power scope on my 870 for 2 reasons. One, I like a scope on my slug gun and used the same receiver with a different barrel for turkey, and the vrb only had a front bead. It worked well for me, but my last bird I took with it was at a wierd angle and I ended up with scope eye. My 835 had tru glo sites on it when I picked it up, and it shot a full 9" high with no more room for adjustment. I took 2 birds with it last season, remembering to hold low, and I kinda liked the open sites. I picked up some pro series magnum gobble dots so I'd have more room for adjustment instead of getting a scope for it. I haven't sighted in yet, but I figure if I got scope eye from an 870 with a 28" barrel, I'll be walking around with an eye patch if I put a scope on my 835 with a 20" barrel, especially since I shoot 3.5" loads.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

if you want a scope look for the tru glo rutt&strut its 69.99 and it comes with rings

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

I use a Mueller 2-7 "Multi Shot" on my 870 Supermag for a couple of reasons.........one it's shooting 3.5" Hevi #6's with an Indian creek BDS tube and is capable of honest 60 yard killing patterns.
That sort of range on a hung up bird in a field demands precise aiming. Don't know if I'll ever use it for that but it's there and certainly capable.

It also shoots such tight groups at 10-20 yards that it's almost like shooting a rifle, with open sights it's easier to get your head off the stock and not line those sights up exactly right in the heat of the moment.
With the circle/crosshair reticle if the birds neck is centered in the circle that's all I need to know.

Also here in PA we need to have a visible beard to make a legal tom even if he's a million years old with foot long spurs. ;) LOL It's nice being able to slide the power up to 7X to evaluate an approaching tom (or toms) without having to reach for your binos. I'd never use it to look at an unidentified object (potentially another hunter) but it is nice when you have a bird in sight.

The exact model scope that I picked has a red dot center reticle with crosshairs and circle.
That's a nice feature because I don't rely on batteries.......if they die no big deal they were a luxury anyway and I still have the normal crosshairs.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

WHOA!!! that sux about the scope eye. I can see why if you can only get it sighted in 9 inches high with open sights. Did you try different load/choke combos. I bought a jelly head choke and different brands of ammo. I had good luck with the remington nitros. They are only 6 or 7 bucks per box and I plastered a big ol tom at 53 steps last year. i'm pretty long legged so that should be really close to 53 yards.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

No

With modern chokes, improvements in shotshells and the introduction of "heavier than lead" shot the pattern sizes have gotten tighter and tighter. My 20 yard core pattern is about the size of an orange orgrapefruit. I chose to use a scope to improve my aim. I can see just fine.

Bead sights were just fine for the first 27 years I turkey hunted. Now I'm fearful of missing at closer ranges with the loads and chokes I'm using.

Bead sights are not adjustable either. When your pattern tightens and you practice enough, you begin to realize that each choke/load combination patterns to a different POI.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

thanks, mouthcaller. that helps me understand. its kind of like that patternmaster choke i shoot ducks with. i cant hit a freaking thing upclose with it because it patterns so tight. one more question. do the low power turkey scopes require a battery? i read on some of the previous posts that the poster was worried about his battery dying on him. i have never had a scope that required a battery.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

No battery unless it has a illuminated reticle. Red dots and holographic sights require batteries. The low power scope I'm referring to is just a plain 'ol riflescope. Just glass, no batteries.

Below is a link to the one I have (except mine is black - I'm not into camo guns). It's isn't the best by any means but has served me well thus far.

http://www.bushnell.com/general/riflescopes_trophy_73-1422ap.cfm

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

Hey mouthcaller thank you for the kind words..He actually bought the shotgun too..and my sons (Long story) I will more than likely cry like a little school girl when I take that first bird, after that I will always feel a connection with him when I take a bird. I look forward to the spring. Thanks again!

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

Krabbie- The scope eye was from my 870, the 9" high pattern is from my 835. The 835 kicks way more than the 870 so I really would have to watch eye relief if I put a scope on it. The new sights I got for my 835 should fix the problem tho, and I got a deal on them for $15 off ebay. Those sights are normally about $50. I'm using a jelly head with Hevi-13's and my patterns are okay, just have to dial the gun in so I don't have to remember to aim low.

RE: Using a Scope VS Open Sites
 

firelt72

I know how you feel. I lost my turkey hunting mentor and great friend in 1998. He was only 38 and we still don't really know what happened, they just found him dead at home one day. He and I spent many nights in a muddy tent somewhere in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri chasing turkeys. He was a bigger than life person - elk guide in the fall in Colorado, made the NWTF Grand National finals calling contest several times. He was with me when I killed my firstturkey in Greene County, Alabama, in 1983. I will never forget that day.

I took a feather from the fan of that turkey and put it in his casket before they shut it up and lowered it into the ground.

Every turkey I kill now I thank God for and dedicate it to my friend Al. I know he's up there with a grin on his faceand enjoying the moment with each one. Actually a part of him is still with me. When I'm working a bird I sometimes ask Al what he would do now. I'll never fully get over his early departure from this earth, but I owe much of my love for this great sport to our friendship and the time we spent together turkey hunting.

When you take the first bird with that sight go ahead and let the emotion out - it's OK. That connection you feel with your brother will never go away, and that ultimately is a good thing.

Best wishes

Mouthcaller