To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

due to all the positive responses i got from my previous "which shotgun post", ive made up my mind and im going with the rem sp-10. now my next question is should i scope it or not? i put a scope on my mossberg 835 only because it shot WAY low with the Tru-Glo fiber optic sight i put on. i had to completly cover the target to have a centered pattern. i like the idea of having a scope just dont know if i NEED one. what brand/power shotgun scopes are you guys using? any input, good and bad, would be appreciated.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I don't like scopes on shotguns, but if I was going to get one, it would probably be a
1X or 2X.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

FIRST WELCOME TO THE BOARD, I DON'T USE A SCOPE WHILE TURKEY HUNTING, SIMPLE REASON BEING ITS EASIER TO SEE THE TURKEY WITH OLD IRON SIGHTS,

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I have a Weaver V3 1-3x on my BPS. This scope does'nt have a diamond or circle reticle, but it seems to be a very good scope. The price is in between the cheap -$100 and more expensive +$200 rigs.

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RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

Well if we are asking the question of NEED then the answer is NO, you dont NEED one. Heck, I didn't NEED a scope on my deer rifle, but when I saw a deer at 275 yards this year my scope helped me knockemstiff<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>! I didn't NEED a scope on my Mossberg 835, but it has a 2X prodiamond on it. Not because I NEEDED it, but because I WANTED it!

Stiff<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I put a Luepold 1 3/4 by 5 on my gun last year. Hunted turkeys my first 11 years with out one,and now that I have one,I wouldn't take it off!

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RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I would go for the scope. Someday you may want to take it slugging. Adjusting iron sights aren't worth the hassle, either. Go for low power adjustable. I would buy Leupold or Burris...you will need something sturdy for a shotgun.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

Personally the need for a scope Turkey hunting seems ridiculous. The idea of this sport to me is get in close. Now I know I probably don't have as many turkey's under my belt as alot of the &quot;pros&quot; on this board.But some nice Tru-glo sights are more than enough. Out of twelve birds my farthest shot was 32 paces. 5 of those were under 20 paces. Get'em close, no need for a scope!

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

once you use one youll never use open sights again if your gun shoots a really tight patern a scope comes in handy

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I put a Simmons Pro Diamond x4 on my 835 last fall and love it. My eyesight isn't what it used to be, and the magnification is nice. At close range with a tight shooting choke I think it is an advantage to have one. Provided that you have done a good job sighting it in. I tried a red-dot before, but had trouble seeing the head and neck during low light conditions. So, is it necessary? No. Is it helpful? Definitely.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I think scopes are ideal for the modern turkey gun. With the new chokes and shotshells, optics are a logical match. I use a Simmons Pro-Diamond 2X on my Remington 870.

PBB

Pick a hair.....or a caruncle!!

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

Go for the scope. I also use an 835 with simmons pro diamond 4x. No complaints as of yet.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I shoot a Rem. SP-10 myself. I have it topped off with a Millet Red Dot Scope and I love it. It is very rugged, and really hepls to get those tight patterns exactly where you want it.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

i was wonderin the same question...and definently considering one on my new gun that my dad sed hes gunna get me...since it will be JUST a turkey gun....and reading all these post...sounds like everyone that had tried em loved em....

mauser06

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

Obviously Mr. Homer hasn't had to contend with a shotgun that doesn't shoot to point of aim. Play this game for any length of time and it's bound to happen. And i don't care how close you call them in if your shotgun isn't shooting where it's pointing you might as well stay home and paint your driveway.

I imagine Mr. Homer would suggest purchasing a nice set of Tru-Glo Mag Gobble Dot with adjustable elevation and windage for $50. Take if from me, you might as well go to your potty, take a Grant out of your wallet, toss it in and send it to the fishes because that is what you will be doing by buying this cheaply made site. Mine lasted approximately 18 days total.

I too looked down upon scoped turkey guns a couple years ago, but one thing the Tru-Glo taught me was the advantage of being able to dial in your pattern for maximum efficiency. This year i put a Simmons Pro Diamond 2x on my Winchester and this will be my set-up for good. Besides, you can pick this scope up at Bass Pro for a little over $70, $20 more than those crap sites. I'll never go to back to open sites for turkeys again.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I also have a 10 gauge BPS and I am thinking of putting a scope on. This weekend while watching the outdoor network a guy had a scope on his. I think I am going to try it out. Thanks for the help indirectly.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

Why not? It looks like everyone that uses a scope is satisfied.
But about what zzvedder said about painting the driveway. It wouldent make sense to have a gun that wouldent shoot to the point of aim...
Id be going down the driveway to get rid of that son of a gun!!!!!!

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

&quot;It wouldent make sense to have a gun that wouldent shoot to the point of aim...&quot;

Well i don't want to make any assumptions, but you must not have dealt with many guns in your life. With todays manufacturing processes it is actually common for a shotgun with a extra tight turkey choke not to shoot to point of aim. I have had a Remington 1187 that shot high and right, and i had a Benelli M1 Super 90 that was the same way. However, i did have a Remington 870 Super Mag that was dead nutz so go figure.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

First of all , I think HomerJ is confused in the way he is thinking about scopes. The scope on a Turkey gun is to only adjust your pattern to a &quot;Point of aim&quot; I believe as zzvedder has said here. They don't make the gun shoot any farther. I topped a scope on my turkey gun back in /90 and it was the best thing I did. You never heard much back then about scoped turkey guns , but they have caught on now over the years. I think the issue is still personal and every hunter to him self, but I know I won't go back to open sights....BT

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I just ordered the Simmons 30 mm Red Dot scope on sale for 49.00. Do you think that was a good purchase?

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

Don't need one. Especially with the 835. That's what I have, and with the fiber sights it's not necessary.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I was worried about getting &quot;scope-eye&quot;,from my 1187 using mag loads,after putting on a simmons 4x32 pro diamond & first shooting from 10yds. with inexpenive 2-3/4 in. dove loads to get the scope zeroed, then I moved the target back to 35 yds. And using the 3&quot; mag that I would be hunting with-I had to lower the elevation about 2&quot;.I did'nt get hit in the the eye as I'd feared & I saved myself some soreness/$$ too. Putting a scope on the shotgun-GO FOR IT !!!

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

Its great to see all those that put an honest effort in maximizing the performance of their guns.I'm not a scope user myself cause I cant fix something that aint broke and am more than comfortable with results that I get not only on paper but in the field too.If you feel a scope would improve your point of aim than as so many others have posted buy one.I appreciate BT's comment on understanding a scope on your turkey gun doesn't make it shoot further it improves your point of aim.Zvedder I saw a reply you made on another forum the other day that 40 yards seems to be the standard that everyone uses nowadays to determine the success of the pattern of there gun.I remember when it was 30 and 35 too.To all those novice turkey hunters out there dont be fooled by tighter chokes,heavier faster loads,and scopes mean you can take longer shots.There meant to improve the overall performance of your gun at ranges that are ethical to harvesting your bird. It may look good on paper but put yourself in a real hunting situation where limbs,weeds,fiolage and other obstacles may be in your way and its alot tougher.Its not all about how far your gun can shoot its about callin em in close. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

bobgobble2,

BRAVO, BRAVO !!! very well spoken. that is by far the most sensible post ive read in some time. i think ive decided to go with the bushnell sportsman 1.5 x 4.5 nice scope for $60.00

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

Well said BG2,There is no right or wrong answer here.Whatever makes a person comfortable and confident is the way to go.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

i am with BG2 all the way! hey, its whatever you fell good with. although i have had good success with tru-glo sights if a scope is what you like go for it. i would add something to improve just a &quot;bead&quot;, man we are really choking down these shots now and if one pops up on you at 10 steps you better be holding it on him right....

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

my dad uses a scope & I have shot his a few times & it is nice. I'm not a big fan of scopes myself but he really likes it & it works for him really nice since he can't see like he used too!

either way should be fine.

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I'm a little nearsighted and find it useful to use a scope, especially if the bird is in the shadows. I mounted a Simmons 1.5-5x32 Pro-Diamond and it worked well. This year, I've purchased a new Leupold 2.5x fixed scope with their Turkey Ranger reticle. I wanted to go with a more compact and lighter weight scope than the Simmons, and found that I always used the variable at about 2 or 3 power anyway so didn't need the variable capability. Be careful that you set things up properly when sighting in your gun. When shooting off a bench, I was leaned over too far into the stock and ended up with a couple of nasty scope bites when firing the heavy 3 1/2&quot; turkey loads in my 870 Super Mag. This season I'm going to sit on the ground and shoot as I would in the field. (I have one of those shotgun rests that fits on your knee.)When shooting this way, my body had some 'give' and scope bite wasn't a problem. The Simmons goes for about $100. The Leupold for a little over $200. Either should work well. - - - Pointshoot

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I'm a little nearsighted and find it useful to use a scope, especially if the bird is in the shadows. I mounted a Simmons 1.5-5x32 Pro-Diamond and it worked well. This year, I've purchased a new Leupold 2.5x fixed scope with their Turkey Ranger reticle. I wanted to go with a more compact and lighter weight scope than the Simmons, and found that I always used the variable at about 2 or 3 power anyway so didn't need the variable capability. Be careful that you set things up properly when sighting in your gun. When shooting off a bench, I was leaned over too far into the stock and ended up with a couple of nasty scope bites when firing the heavy 3 1/2&quot; turkey loads in my 870 Super Mag. This season I'm going to sit on the ground and shoot as I would in the field. (I have one of those shotgun rests that fits on your knee.)When shooting this way, my body had some 'give' and scope bite wasn't a problem. The Simmons goes for about $100. The Leupold for a little over $200. Either should work well. - - - Pointshoot

RE: To scope, or not to scope, that is the question!
 

I dont plan on using one for turkey hunting cause I move alot and quickly through the woods and would probley bump it and then be up the creek. Within 40 yards I dont see the need.