Shotgun scope for turkeys... Opinions?

[Miles]

Don't complicate things...  Shotguns are made to point and shoot.

Agreed..... At least for shooting flying birds and clays, but when you are shooting at a turkey head/neck that is only a few inches wide, why not have something that lets you aim more accurately?

If you are comfortable with your shotgun and it fits you correctly... Both eyes open, point (aim/focus), base of the neck, bang.....dead bird.    I've never personally had the desire to put a scope on a shotgun??  It's a close range firearm with multiple projectiles. 

I have had several  toms that surprised me coming in quiet and I prefer to have the "open" view that a shotgun provides when taking quick shots.  I'm sure some of the uppity ups here on huntwa will chime in, but If a turkey turns and runs I will take the shot every day of the week.  Adding a scope only makes those shots harder. 

[bearpaw]

Totally agree bearpaw. I haven't done that extensive of patterning, but I did 25, 40, and 50 yards. I guess I think of adding a scope as a way to take one more variable out of the hunt. Anyone have any negative experiences with a scoped shotgun while turkey hunting?

When there is plenty of time I see no real disadvantage for almost any hunter to use a scope and a scope might be an advantage for some hunters when they have lots of time to aim.

I have seen situations where the hunter was not quick at aiming their scoped shotgun and they might have missed out on a good shot opportunity that they might have capitalized on with an open sight shotgun. If you are fast at putting the scoped gun up and acquiring the target that wouldn't be an issue. On the other hand there are plenty of guys who are good with open sights and regularly shoot right on so a scope probably wouldn't benefit them.

I think it's more a matter of preference and getting to know the shotgun you are shooting. Get to know your gun well, whether it has a scope or not you will do well. 

[Limhangerslayer]

Have you thought of a holosight?  I'm getting my gun drilled and tapped this week to put one on. 1x magnification best of both worlds in my opinion.  Should prevent shooting high, which is how most turkeys are missed.

[RadSav]

Have you thought of a holosight?  I'm getting my gun drilled and tapped this week to put one on. 1x magnification best of both worlds in my opinion.  Should prevent shooting high, which is how most turkeys are missed.

   I have not hunted turkey with that type of sight, but I have hunted dogs that way.  It's pretty fantastic!

[PA BEN]

My kids 20ga has a 0x red dot site. Up close w/a ultra-full choke no misses with a tight pattern. Once sighted in all you have to do is put the red dot where you want to hit them. You don't have to have your head right on the gun and line up your pin. Makes for those awkward shots more do-a-bull. One of my daughters dumped a nice tom at 50yds w/#5's. I use one on my 12ga works real good. For those of you who have not used one you shouldn't be criticizing them. I left it on my gun and tried it on ducks this year, worked real well.

[MtnMuley]

I'm going to put a red dot sight on my gun this year just for fun and to kill one a different way. Do I think it will be more effective, no. In fact I think it's going to be more of a challenge.  Use the bow for the other tag, ad that's always a lot of fun. If it were all about killing, I'd never leave home with anything other than an a shotty with beads. Can't be beat for versibility.

[jackelope]

I'm of the opinion that some sort of rear sight will help turkey hunters greatly. Comb height with just a front bead site can affect your pattern high or low. With a rear site, be it a v notch, a ghost ring, whatever will eliminate that problem. A scope or red dot would only help further. I have a tru glo gobble stopper red dot on my turkey gun and it allowed me to really dial in my pattern better than anything else I've ever tried. Maybe it's overkill but different strokes for different folks.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I'm thinking about adding a red dot as well, more worried about the close in shots where the pattern is too tight.  PA Ben, what red dot is that?  I'm trying to find a cheap red dot that would hold up to the 3.5" turkey loads.  I'd even be happy with an adjustable v notch open sight, but those even seem harder to find.

[zike]

I have a set of rifle sights that clamp on the rib. The rear sight is adjustable, they work great. I don't know where i found them or if there still made. I left them on for duck season one year and was chasing a greenhead. The bird was close when I shot, the headless body and the bill were floating, the rest was gone. I had no trouble shooting over them. I'd recommend for turkey hunting.

[turkeydancer]

When diabetes started changing my eyesight, I found that the "Tru-Glo" type sights would either have the front or back open sight blurring ... and on a moving turkey made taking a clean shot getting harder and harder.
 
 I picked up a Sightmark Holographic sight for about $50 which has 4 reticle and 7 different light settings to chose from ... after sighting in, all I have to do is put the single bead on where I want to hit and it's quick and lethal ... no lining up the front and back sights with where I want to hit.  For my money at least, it' a godsend.
 

[jasnt]

I've tried the red dots.   I prefer my ghost ring sights.  Shot with a holographic sight on a friends gun this weekend. Strong 2nd place

[andersonjk4]

I've used a ghost ring on a muzzleloader in the past and liked it.  And I've been considering it for my shotgun.  But I do like the idea of having a sight/scope mounted a little higher so you can be in a more natural shooting position as Jackelope said.  And that gobble stopper red-dot looks like a nice set-up. 

[Yelper Guy]

After seeing my brother miss 2 different gobblers, over a couple years time, he decided to get the red dot.
He hasn't missed since. As my eyes get older I may be getting one myself

[mossy8352]

I have a Mueller on mine and have used it for the last five years in rain, snow and sunshine with out any issues. Lost a lot of vision in my right eye and shoot right handed only so getting the left eye in the right position is out of the question. I did and do go out to the pattern board and practice each season as Bear Paw suggested.

[jasnt]

I've used a ghost ring on a muzzleloader in the past and liked it.  And I've been considering it for my shotgun.  But I do like the idea of having a sight/scope mounted a little higher so you can be in a more natural shooting position as Jackelope said.  And that gobble stopper red-dot looks like a nice set-up. 

I like a taller sight my self. One of the reasons I went with this setup