Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Didn't really want the title to sound like another poll, but I'm curious how many of you prefer scopes to open sights on shotguns (or vice versa).

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

depends alot on the type of terrain you hunt the type of gun you use and so on. Im shooting a remington 870 cantilever barrel and sabots. I m not afraid to push it past 150, and in them situitans you need a good scope, versus if you hunting with rifled slugs or tight woods the scope might actually hinder you. I put the new Bushnell banner 2-7*36 scope on my gun, i hate the scope but for thick cover woods it works well, shot a doe at 28 yards this morning in thick stuff and didnt have a problem finding her in the scope

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Scopeis the only way I personally would go...If I am stuck in a situation where one is not available..so be it...but if I have any say in the matter, I would go with a scope every time.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

According to an article in one of the hunting magazines,tests performed by the military have shown that a low powered scope can actuallybe aimed faster than open sights.A scope offers the most advantage in low light situations.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

jcchartboy that looks like a rifle or am i wrong

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

It looks like one of these to me.
http://www.savagearms.com/210f.htm

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

He shoots a Savage 12 gauge bolt slug gun. I shoot a H&R ultra with a scope.

I say it depends on what you are doing with it.

Paul

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

I hunt in north and south minnesota, some yearsin open fields and some in hardwood timber. I never had a problem with open rifle sight. I don't even use a rifle barrel and those expensive sabot slugs. All the deers I shot is within 100yrds and never missed the deer I'm shooting at, ever since I started hunting in "93". Last year I shot one about 158yrds with a regular foster style slug, the deer went about 50 yrds and crash. I neverused a shotgun with scope beforeand wouldn't mind trying butRight now my shotgun is so good and accurate to me that I won't traded for any shotgun out there.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Thanks Paul and Stubble,

Yes, in fact that is my Savage 210 12ga.

It is funny how most people automatically assume that because the gun has a bolt action, it must be a rifle. Obviously, I can see why they think that, it still just surprises me.

Bolt actions, Scopes, and Sabot slugs....
They go together like ice cream and apple pie...lol

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Remington 870 express Magnum. Rifled barrel and my scope. I swear i can't miss.

Scope everytime no questions asked.. unless your in some thick stuff of course

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Sabot slugs and a scope. For me it's the only way to go.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

I shoot sabots with a rifled barrel out of an 870. I've got a b square scope mount with a 2.5-7 scope on it and i love it. If I was shooting foster slugs I probably wouldn't use a scope, but I can reach out past 150 and don't like the idea of open sights for that.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

i use an ithaca 12 guage with open sights and a mossberg 835 with a scope. the moss is heavier and has a longer barrel, ported and rifled. the ithaca is short, light, rifled alsoand tends to kick and climb more than the mossberg. i've never taken a deer over 50 yards. i've only been hunting 3 years so hopefully i'll get to see just how good i am with a slug gun and get a chance to take some distance shot this year. i'm zeroing the guns right know. the mossberg feels good and looks like it may be a tack driver as long as i do everything right. The ithaca may take some practice. i've never been keen on recoil and this baby love to buck being a featherlite. oh well just have to shoot more:)good luck all this year.


THE FOOT

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Same here. Remington 870 Express Mag, Walnut Stock, Rifled Barrel, Nikon Shotgun Scope, Federal Premium Hydra-Shock 3-inch Sabot slugs......HEAVEN.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Just got a Mossberg 835 Ulti-mag Combo with a 24" Rifles Cantilever barrel in June. Topped it with a Bushnell Sportsman 1.5-4.5x32mm, and it's dead on out to 100yds with regular remington slugs, 2 3/4" I dont see a need for expensive sabots, especially when the regular slugs are dead nuts. I'll let you know how they perform Saturday:D

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Here I thought I was the only one left who still shot a bolt action shotgun.


Mossberg M695 (bolt action) w/22" ported rifled barrel topped with a Bushnell Trophy 1.5 - 4 throws the Lightfield sabots and the Brenneke sabots with 1" groups @ 100 yards.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

This is my first year of hunting and It was recomended to me to try open sights the first year. That way I could see better around me and just to keep it more simple. I am going to see how I like it this year and I might or might not get a scope next year. It will depend if I need it or not.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

If you shoot well with open sights they do tend to be quicker and more rugged. Especially for close up type of stuff. However at distances beyond 50 yards I shoot better with a scope. I have met some that shoot really well at longer distances with open sights though.

Paul

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

Im an old fart and cant see up close much anymore so it makes it tuff to focus on a fixed sight or open sight ..so alas I need a scope ..

dd

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

open sights all the way with shotguns. Last 4 deer i've killed during gun season could've been stepped off in feet, not yards, so what's the point. That and my deer gun doubles as my waterfowl gun with the change of a barrel.

I feel confident with open sights at 100 yards. Know your limits.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

DITTO!

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

I shoot an Ithaca M-37, with interchangable 24" ported turkey/rifled deer barrels. I initially topped it with a 3-9x40mm Burris, but actually found I didn't like the scope, mostly because I tend to hunt thick stuff with the longest shot being 75 yards. However, even with 13/20 and 20/20 vision, I can't see twigs at 50 yards, LOL.

I switched to a Bushnell trophy red-dot, which gives me a tighter sight-in, infinite eye relief and improved accuracy to 150 yards. It drives tacks with Winchester Partition gold sabots (385gr), and I can get 150 pellets in the kill zone of a turkey target. Once it was zeroed in, I have not had to re-adjust, even when changing barrels...

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

I have a Elite 3200 3-9x40 on my winchester speedpump 1300 fully rifled shooting winchester partion gold sabots 385grain an can cut holes at 100yds no problem. Hasn't been a problem in cover, running, or close I keep it at 3 but I sure to like to be able to get a close look if I want 2.

RE: Open sights vs scopes on shotguns
 

It definitely depends where you're located. Where I hunt, I shot the buck of my dreams...12 guage w/ a scope. The shot was 85 yrds away, and with open sight, I'm not sure if I would have gotten him. It has changed my life, and I would suggest a scope to anyone!