For all you guys with scopes - do you mostly hunt in the timber or in open areas?
I've killed a few birds with a scope but it messes with my depth perception
in the woods.
Quote from: Jimspur on March 04, 2021, 08:11:09 AM
For all you guys with scopes - do you mostly hunt in the timber or in open areas?
I've killed a few birds with a scope but it messes with my depth perception
in the woods.
I hunt both scopes and red dots. I hunt big woods (timber), but in late season it turns to thicker cover. The scope works well in both, especially in the heavy cover. You can pick out the Gobbler easy in my opinion. I love scopes, been using them for years. Hope this helps..
I'm a red dot guy, Jim. I hunt both timber and fields. I personally like the dot because I don't have to focus on crosshairs. I focus on red (red dot) and red (redhead / waddles) and my job is done. Line them up and Boom!
I've used a 1.75x 4 on one of my guns for the last season or 2. I keep it on the lowest power and it is like using a red dot or open sights at that setting. Shooting with both eyes open i don't think i would have any issues shooting a running or flying turkey should i need a follow up. Red dots are better than a scope if you have to take a shot from a twisted or contorted position, and you don't have to worry about getting bonked with the eyepiece when shooting from a less than optimum position.
I hunt both timber and fields with a scope, no issues. I have killed birds on the wing as well, in the timber during late seasons as it gets thick a "powered" scope has helped me pick out birds amongst the leafs.
MK M GOBL
Thanks guys - I have a cantilever barrel for my 11-87 with a Leupold
Vari-X II 1-4x. Thinking about using it more this year.
Didn't really want to spend money on a red dot but may eventually go
that route.
I've tried to use my scope with both eyes open but I can't do it.
The view through the scope takes over and it's like my vision in my
left eye gets blurred out.
Quote from: Jimspur on March 04, 2021, 08:56:52 AM
I've tried to use my scope with both eyes open but I can't do it.
The view through the scope takes over and it's like my vision in my
left eye gets blurred out.
Some people have a hard time with it. Are you possibly cross-eye dominant? I had to teach myself to do it, i grew up closing one eye and it was tough training myself to do it, but it is really a better way to shoot, as it gives you better depth perception. I still find myself closing one eye occasionally though. Old habits are hard to break lol!
Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 04, 2021, 08:51:21 AM
I hunt both timber and fields with a scope, no issues. I have killed birds on the wing as well, in the timber during late seasons as it gets thick a "powered" scope has helped me pick out birds amongst the leafs.
MK M GOBL
X2, same here.....
Quote from: Jimspur on March 04, 2021, 08:53:31 AM
Thanks guys - I have a cantilever barrel for my 11-87 with a Leupold
Vari-X II 1-4x. Thinking about using it more this year.
Didn't really want to spend money on a red dot but may eventually go
that route.
You will love it, great scope....like stated above, keep it on the low power. I keep my 1x4 on 2 power, great Field of view. Be safe, good luck...
Quote from: the Ward on March 04, 2021, 09:05:20 AM
Quote from: Jimspur on March 04, 2021, 08:56:52 AM
I've tried to use my scope with both eyes open but I can't do it.
The view through the scope takes over and it's like my vision in my
left eye gets blurred out.
Some people have a hard time with it. Are you possibly cross-eye dominant? I had to teach myself to do it, i grew up closing one eye and it was tough training myself to do it, but it is really a better way to shoot, as it gives you better depth perception. I still find myself closing one eye occasionally though. Old habits are hard to break lol!
I'm right eye dominant. I'll just keep it on 1x and keep aiming it and
trying to get used to both eyes open.
Thanks to all, Jim
Quote from: the Ward on March 04, 2021, 08:49:56 AM
Red dots are better than a scope if you have to take a shot from a twisted or contorted position, and you don't have to worry about getting bonked with the eyepiece when shooting from a less than optimum position.
I don't understand the science behind this but as Ward said once the gun is initially setup you can raise your head up off the stock and twist and cant the gun in any direction and the gun and dot are ONE. I've had to twist the gun 45 degrees in my shoulder and move my head to get around trees and saplings and it adjusts for those movements.
I like this thread. I tried a scope, not my thing. I tried a red dot, it's ok. But I went back to a dead ringer fiber optic. It works best for me. It's all preference and what works for you. Al Baker
Scope with saddle mount, i can still use my bead if i prefer, that's how i roll in the turkey woods and fields. Just like everyone said, keep it on the low power. I use Nikon, Simmons, Tasco and Bushnell all do fine job.
Quote from: zelmo1 on March 04, 2021, 09:56:56 AM
I like this thread. I tried a scope, not my thing. I tried a red dot, it's ok. But I went back to a dead ringer fiber optic. It works best for me. It's all preference and what works for you. Al Baker
I looked through my friends Benelli with Fastfire 3 and it was okay.
Didn't jump out to me as night and day better than my ventilated rib
with bead. Maybe peoples eyes are different and that's why people prefer
different setups.
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 04, 2021, 10:03:57 AM
Scope with saddle mount, i can still use my bead if i prefer, that's how i roll in the turkey woods and fields. Just like everyone said, keep it on the low power. I use Nikon, Simmons, Tasco and Bushnell all do fine job.
That's a good setup. I already have the cantilever barrel so I really didn't want to spend more money.
Quote from: zelmo1 on March 04, 2021, 09:56:56 AM
I like this thread. I tried a scope, not my thing. I tried a red dot, it's ok. But I went back to a dead ringer fiber optic. It works best for me. It's all preference and what works for you. Al Baker
I love the fiber optic sights too, but my eyes don't anymore lol!
My favorite is a old Simmons Pro Diamond. I couldn't afford a Leupold scope. I have a TruGlo scope on my other shotgun, the diamond is way smaller.
I hunt mostly woods, some open, some thicker, and the swamp once in a while. I have no issues so far.
Good luck.
I have a bushnell 1.5x4.5 with the circle dot. I tried it many years ago and after 2 gobblers(1 in timber and 1 in open, I decided it really wasn't for me. I guess I don't remember exactly why I didn't like it. It's been in the safe ever since. I did get a kingslayer the other day. The kingslayer has potential, but I'm fairly KISS so it is going to be hard for me to "give up the bead". My biggest fear is the sight becoming "knocked off".
Quote from: ShootingABN! on March 04, 2021, 11:54:14 AM
My favorite is a old Simmons Pro Diamond. I couldn't afford a Leupold scope. I have a TruGlo scope on my other shotgun, the diamond is way smaller.
I hunt mostly woods, some open, some thicker, and the swamp once in a while. I have no issues so far.
Good luck.
Sounds like we hunt some of the same type of terrain.
Do you use yours with both eyes open?
Quote from: btomlin on March 04, 2021, 12:29:29 PM
I have a bushnell 1.5x4.5 with the circle dot. I tried it many years ago and after 2 gobblers(1 in timber and 1 in open, I decided it really wasn't for me. I guess I don't remember exactly why I didn't like it. It's been in the safe ever since. I did get a kingslayer the other day. The kingslayer has potential, but I'm fairly KISS so it is going to be hard for me to "give up the bead". My biggest fear is the sight becoming "knocked off".
I'm almost the same as you. I bought my setup years ago and killed a few birds with it but went back to the bead.
It's been collecting dust since then but the eyes aren't getting any younger.
I've used everything. Fiber optics, bead, red dot and scope. While I prefer a scope, they've all served me well. The biggest draw to the scope vs red dot is that it doesn't require a battery. No fear of the thing dying on me mid hunt if I forget to turn it off. But, having used them all, I'm not scared or turned off by any.
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Been using scopes for years. Would not change for nothing. Works great.
I think I just need to use it more and get comfortable with it.
I tried a scope but after two coyotes came in super fast attacking my decoy I struggled getting on them
I did get one but with a red dot believe I could have gotten both. Missed an opportunity on a Tom with scope. My three guns have red dots.
Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 04, 2021, 12:38:16 PM
I've used everything. Fiber optics, bead, red dot and scope. While I prefer a scope, they've all served me well. The biggest draw to the scope vs red dot is that it doesn't require a battery. No fear of the thing dying on me mid hunt if I forget to turn it off. But, having used them all, I'm not scared or turned off by any.
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We had a thread on here a couple of years ago about this. Leupold states that the battery life of their red dot is 1000 hours at 4 to 8 illumination level. If this is fact, you could leave the battery on 24 hours a day for 41 straight days. As for me, I start out the season with a new battery every spring and toss it when the season is over to make sure I don't have a problem with leakage when not in use. I normally only use a setting of 1 or 2 for my red dot so I should never have a problem. So WAY OVERKILL on my part.
Quote from: the Ward on March 04, 2021, 09:05:20 AM
Quote from: Jimspur on March 04, 2021, 08:56:52 AM
I've tried to use my scope with both eyes open but I can't do it.
The view through the scope takes over and it's like my vision in my
left eye gets blurred out.
Some people have a hard time with it. Are you possibly cross-eye dominant? I had to teach myself to do it, i grew up closing one eye and it was tough training myself to do it, but it is really a better way to shoot, as it gives you better depth perception. I still find myself closing one eye occasionally though. Old habits are hard to break lol!
I have been trying to use my red dot with both eyes open for years now. I do pretty good when it's a target but in the heat of the moment when its a gobbler I instinctively close my left eye. Old habits are hard to break.
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 04, 2021, 10:03:57 AM
Scope with saddle mount, i can still use my bead if i prefer, that's how i roll in the turkey woods and fields. Just like everyone said, keep it on the low power. I use Nikon, Simmons, Tasco and Bushnell all do fine job.
X10 here, my old eyes enjoy the little magnification. Add the ability to center your Point of Impact (POI) with these tight turkey loads makes them almost a necessity unless your shotgun POI lines up with the factory beads/sights.
Quote from: Jimspur on March 04, 2021, 12:32:14 PM
Quote from: ShootingABN! on March 04, 2021, 11:54:14 AM
My favorite is a old Simmons Pro Diamond. I couldn't afford a Leupold scope. I have a TruGlo scope on my other shotgun, the diamond is way smaller.
I hunt mostly woods, some open, some thicker, and the swamp once in a while. I have no issues so far.
Good luck.
Sounds like we hunt some of the same type of terrain.
Do you use yours with both eyes open?
I have both eyes open to get him in the scope. Then I close one and go through my shot sequence. BOOM!
Quote from: ShootingABN! on March 04, 2021, 06:45:42 PM
Quote from: Jimspur on March 04, 2021, 12:32:14 PM
Quote from: ShootingABN! on March 04, 2021, 11:54:14 AM
My favorite is a old Simmons Pro Diamond. I couldn't afford a Leupold scope. I have a TruGlo scope on my other shotgun, the diamond is way smaller.
I hunt mostly woods, some open, some thicker, and the swamp once in a while. I have no issues so far.
Good luck.
Sounds like we hunt some of the same type of terrain.
Do you use yours with both eyes open?
I have both eyes open to get him in the scope. Then I close one and go through my shot sequence. BOOM!
That makes sense to me. Thanks
Quote from: bbcoach on March 04, 2021, 03:09:07 PM
Quote from: wvmntnhick on March 04, 2021, 12:38:16 PM
I've used everything. Fiber optics, bead, red dot and scope. While I prefer a scope, they've all served me well. The biggest draw to the scope vs red dot is that it doesn't require a battery. No fear of the thing dying on me mid hunt if I forget to turn it off. But, having used them all, I'm not scared or turned off by any.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We had a thread on here a couple of years ago about this. Leupold states that the battery life of their red dot is 1000 hours at 4 to 8 illumination level. If this is fact, you could leave the battery on 24 hours a day for 41 straight days. As for me, I start out the season with a new battery every spring and toss it when the season is over to make sure I don't have a problem with leakage when not in use. I normally only use a setting of 1 or 2 for my red dot so I should never have a problem. So WAY OVERKILL on my part.
Agreed. But I don't carry a spare battery and tend to forget such things until it's necessary. So while it's not a fault of the red dot sight itself, it's just one less thing I have to worry about. Plus, I'll not have to ever wonder if I've turned it on or not.
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Like a few others, I've tried just about everything. I had an older Leupold 1-4 shotgun scope on one of my 20s years ago... removed it for the weight & balance, it was moved to a different rig. Due to an increase in bifocal prescription, it may be going back on soon.
I've debated pulling my Vortex Venom and replacing it with a Leupold shotgun scope I was using on a crossbow. I like the red dot, but it sometimes gets blurry with dew or rain. Plus I worry about things like the battery dying or forgetting to turn it on.
I have two turkey guns with shotgun scopes installed. One is a Knight TK 2000 12 ga. Muzzleloader with a Simmons (NWTF Series) Pro Diamond 2 x 32.
The other is a full camo Benelli 24" barrel Nova 20 ga. with a Leupold VX I 1 x 4. I hunt primarily woods and timber and have never encountered any problems with scopes on my turkey guns.
Quote from: WildTigerTrout on March 04, 2021, 09:29:58 PM
I have two turkey guns with shotgun scopes installed. One is a Knight TK 2000 12 ga. Muzzleloader with a Simmons (NWTF Series) Pro Diamond 2 x 32.
The other is a full camo Benelli 24" barrel Nova 20 ga. with a Leupold VX I 1 x 4. I hunt primarily woods and timber and have never encountered any problems with scopes on my turkey guns.
You guys are giving me the confidence to give it a good try again.
The eyes aren't getting any younger. Thanks
I use a Bushnell TRS-25 with a saddle mount for several years now. Never a problem and would not go back to a scope.
Quote from: ShootingABN! on March 04, 2021, 11:54:14 AM
My favorite is a old Simmons Pro Diamond. I couldn't afford a Leupold scope. I have a TruGlo scope on my other shotgun, the diamond is way smaller.
I hunt mostly woods, some open, some thicker, and the swamp once in a while. I have no issues so far.
Good luck.
Not much field of view on mine. Its 4x32 . How is yours ?
Quote from: owlhoot on March 04, 2021, 10:21:13 PM
Quote from: ShootingABN! on March 04, 2021, 11:54:14 AM
My favorite is a old Simmons Pro Diamond. I couldn't afford a Leupold scope. I have a TruGlo scope on my other shotgun, the diamond is way smaller.
I hunt mostly woods, some open, some thicker, and the swamp once in a while. I have no issues so far.
Good luck.
Not much field of view on mine. Its 4x32 . How is yours ?
You are right, not much field of view. However I have both eyes open until I get the bird in the scope. Then I'm tracking the bird it's not an issue. I love the fact if he comes out of strut and his head and neck fit in top to bottom of diamond I know he is 40 or in Simmons. Deadly with my Nitro 4x5x7. The TruGlo has a smaller diamond I wish is was bigger like the Simmons.
Good luck.
I use my range finder to pick out the distances I can shoot in. If a bird gobbles close, and I don't have time to range find, then I just rely on the ole eagle eye. Only misjudged distance a couple of times, and those were on field birds standing out in the open.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
I use the vx-1 1-4x20mm with turkey plex reticle. I'm about 80% field hunting, but no problems running in the woods. I keep mine on 1-2x.
Been using a Nikon for years. I keep it on low power. Hunt fields, swamps, hardwoods does not matter. For a change up last year a used a bead sight and took one of my biggest birds. But I have cataracts and really do prefer glass. good luck on your choice.