Hey guys, new to this thread. Thanks for any input. I've always hunted iron/bead sights in the past with my 870 (posting from Ohio, no rifle-state) but there have been a few scenarios in which the setup has left me hanging. I recently purchased a Benelli Supernova and both the field and rifled slug barrel with the intentions of it being my gun for both seasons. I'd really like to put a decent amount of money into an optic but the budget isn't unlimited. Here's my question:

If I can only invest in one optic to use for BOTH seasons should I go red-dot/holographic (i.e. - EOTech, Aimpoint, TruGlo, etc.) or invest in a low power scope?

Sound off>>>

Get a decent low power scope for it. There are plenty on the market at whatever price you feel comfortable paying and welcome to the site!!!

Thanks, TopGun. In your experience, any struggles keeping up with a bird @ magnification?

I've never used a red dot with slugs but would suggest it. I didn't like the scope for turkey cause I had to lift my head to see the bird coming in. With the red dot I could shoot with both eyes open.

Scope I have used since 2004 is a Nikon Monarch Turkey Pro 1.5x4
think the magnification is set between 2 or 3 and I just leave it there. Rarely do I screw with it.
As I said before the diamond reticle is also a range finder. A tom's head fills the diamond at 40 yards. I find that handy.

I have gotten so use to seeing the diamond crosshair reticle I prefer that even with my rifle scopes if I can find it.




My reticle


To answer your question - can I keep up with the bird?
Yes my scope has not cost me one bird. Even on a wounded bird I was tracking for a fellow hunter. I took a running single shot , placed the cross hairs on the back of the head and the bird was down.

It's the same even with open sights. You have the gun pointed in the direction of the gobble. Your gun is set to as close to being up in the direction as close as possible if not completely holding it dead on. That is the only way you are going to get a shot unless you are in a blind. You can move but do so at a risk. However in a blind that changes everything and all the above is a mute point.

Have I lost sight of field with a scope? aka lost the bird?
Nope simply open both eyes so you see what's all around you.

One thing I had to add to my shotgun was a Monte Carlo pad. It is not there for recoil at all. It is there so once brought to shoulder my eye is level thru the center of the scope. it just made that gun fit me better.

I'd do the same if I had a red dot on the gun and I found my head was held to high. It is part of the "gun fit".


Hope I helped and did not loose you.

oh one other thing. I went to a scope due to age. I could no longer see the back ramp in combination with a front bead. I had used Tru Glo for yrs but when it went blurry I went to a scope.


And edited to add - this is my back up slug gun for deer. The cantilever barrel came with a rifled choke tube. I would have no problem taking a 100 yard shot. I have not tried it out to 200 - I should but where I hunt getting a 100 yard shot is a push. Just too much woods.




and one more pic of the gun


My daughter has used it to harvest 2 birds too.



JW

That looks like a very nice setup JW!

This is up To you and your experience level using a scope, years ago I could kill turkey's flying with a rifle and a 2x7 scope, my main turkey gun sports a 2.5x8 leupold, I spent most of the first half of my life looking through a scope.
RR

Wow. All great input so far, very appreciative. I've been leaning scope as the land I whitetail hunt has presented some 100+ yard shots for me at times but have been worried it'd pin me down this spring with a turkey running in. Again, thanks for the feedback.

JW- I'm going to look into that reticle with Nikon, looks like a great setup.