Was just wondering what others opinions were on sights. I started with the regular old bead, went to fiber op, turkey scope and came full circle back to ol standard bead. As long as I keep my form and face down on the stock, seems to work for me. Old habits die hard!
Burris fastfire
Quote from: Happy trails on May 10, 2020, 04:23:27 PM
I started with the regular old bead, went to fiber op, turkey scope and came full circle back to ol standard bead. As long as I keep my form and face down on the stock, seems to work for me. Old habits die hard!
Same series of events for me. Shot beads initially, then when the first turkey scope craze started, I went with that,...for one hunt. ...Had a gobbler pop up at five yards and start bobbing his head back and forth. In the scope, all I saw was a turkey head appearing for a split second,...and then disappearing. ...I shot when his head was in the "disappearing" mode. Went straight back to camp and removed the scope. It's been sitting in a drawer ever since!
Next, I went through the "red dot" phase,....until the red dot fogged up one rainy hunt right about the time a gobbler showed up. ...Off with the red dot, and back to beads, until....
...the "Fastfire" craze hit. ....Had to try that, too,...until another gobbler came out of the brush at 15 yards, saw something he didn't like, and turned to run. I swung on him, guessing as to whether the Fastfire was on target or not,...and pulled the trigger. Luckily, he went down,...but not before I realized that with my open "bead" sights, it would have been a gimmee for me at that range.
Been back to the beads on the vent rib ever since,...and have no intention of ever trying another one of the gimmick sights.
I put vortex venom on my 2 primary turkey guns. Getting a 3rd set up this summer. Absolutely love them.
I love the Nikon/ Leupold turkey scopes and my Son really likes the FastFires.
After using a scope for over a decade straight I wouldn't go back to beads at least on my primary turkey gun.
When you reach a certain age where you can't even see the end of the barrel, much less the bead on it, sights become a necessity ;D I use the Burris Speed Bead and love it
I've just come to like an adjustable sight, in my case a red dot. No worries with POA/POI.
Nothing but scopes for me most of the time with see under mounts for my beads .. that will cure the problem of a turkey head bobbing and weaving in the scope at close yards .. i can use my shotgun bead ...
Quote from: Happy trails on May 10, 2020, 04:23:27 PM
Was just wondering what others opinions were on sights. I started with the regular old bead, went to fiber op, turkey scope and came full circle back to ol standard bead. As long as I keep my form and face down on the stock, seems to work for me. Old habits die hard!
My 835 is set up with a Nikon Turkey Pro. Took a strutter last Monday with this setup. The next day 3 longbeards came in nervous bobbing and weaving, well I missed. Scopes work well for me but as I get older I find when the action gets hot getting a good sight picture can be a project. Saturday I decided to take my goose set up. A Beretta A350 with fiber optic bead. Worked him 1 1/2 hours before I saw him at 30 yards. He only gobbled 7-8 times. He came in from behind me spitting and drumming and when he presented himself I gave him a load of old federal premium #6. The bead sight got on him quick at 20-25 yards. I was elated to say the least. Tagged out in NY.
I prefer a double bead, just a sight picture I am used to from wing shooting.
One of my turkey guns shoots perfect down the beads, the other I added tru glo adjustable iron sights.
Been considering a vortex venom but it is really just a non needed "cool" thing to buy for me personally.
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Bushnell Trophy Red dot for me. Once you sight them in, it doesn't matter how you hold the gun or lift your head the dot doesn't change POI. I've killed several birds with the gun turned 30 to 45 degrees from vertical.
I've had scopes on all my hunting rifles and pistols including my .22, and on my crossbow. I've had scopes on my turkey scatterguns for most of my turkey hunting career. So I'm used to hunting with scopes. Plus as I've gotten older, my eyes aren't as good as they used to be, so scopes are helpful.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Ultra dot on the 12ga. Bushnell reflex on the 410.
I use one single bead and don't want anything more than that.
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on May 10, 2020, 08:56:11 PM
I've had scopes on all my hunting rifles and pistols including my .22, and on my crossbow. I've had scopes on my turkey scatterguns for most of my turkey hunting career. So I'm used to hunting with scopes. Plus as I've gotten older, my eyes aren't as good as they used to be, so scopes are helpful.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
This right here. I started with bead then red dots. I like magnification so every gun I have has a scope on it. I even bought a eotech and put on my 20 gauge. My guns have really tight patterns and you shoot them like rifles. I like precise aiming.
Quote from: chow hound on May 10, 2020, 06:19:24 PM
When you reach a certain age where you can't even see the end of the barrel, much less the bead on it, sights become a necessity ;D I use the Burris Speed Bead and love it
Same here but I'm using a Aimpoint Micro H1 and wish I would have had it 15 years ago now.
I just put a b square saddle on my 870. Topped with an old BSA red dot. The saddle is built to see the bead if needed. Might put a tru glo bead on before next season
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Shot factory beads for 30 plus years , then went to rifle type sights . Eyesight has gotten worse , went to a scope last year with good results , but a hate the way a scope looks and how I have to baby it , from fear of it getting knocked off . Going to a fast fire or something similar next spring .
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on May 10, 2020, 09:43:34 PM
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on May 10, 2020, 08:56:11 PM
I've had scopes on all my hunting rifles and pistols including my .22, and on my crossbow. I've had scopes on my turkey scatterguns for most of my turkey hunting career. So I'm used to hunting with scopes. Plus as I've gotten older, my eyes aren't as good as they used to be, so scopes are helpful.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
This right here. I started with bead then red dots. I like magnification so every gun I have has a scope on it. I even bought a eotech and put on my 20 gauge. My guns have really tight patterns and you shoot them like rifles. I like precise aiming.
:icon_thumright:
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
I have stuck with the bead... Was meaning to switch to some sort of "optics" at one time.
Then I realized, that I have missed a very small percentage of birds.... The bead does not make the birds look closer than they are, it allows me to shoot to a moving target (especially as a wing-shooter), and allows me to mount and shoot quickly as opposed to having to rest my gun on the knee...
Granted, if I can, I will pre-mount, and have the gun on the bird as he comes into range... But I so infrequently predict the direction that the bird will appear, that this is not a factor for me... I have found, that generally, as I pull up or move the gun to shoot a bird, that his head comes up (for an instant), and if I am decisive, I have a good target with a bead... Do NOT make that move to shoot, until you are ready to shoot shoot...
Having fiddled with (but never hunted with) optics, it takes me a lot longer for target acquisition, and this is a huge negative (not to mention the time and money to purchase and mount such optics)... Granted my experimentation was some time ago, and I have no doubt that the optics and technology have improved... But, I have not had an issue shooting a bird over the bead.
Slapped a B-Square on my 870 turkey build and put a Bushnell TRS-25 on it, best thing I ever did. Battery lasts a couple seasons as long as it's not left on all the time. Had to add a cheapo comb riser to the stock to get a proper cheek weld also. Was worried about lens flash spooking birds but so far haven't had a problem. Nice little sight for the money.
Put a scope on (2 Guns) about 25 years ago, never needed to change from it. Has been flawless and works out great for for those I introduce to turkey hunting for POA/Vital Neck Shot.
"Circle of Death"
MK M GOBL
I think we all have looked at this in one way or another. The new technology chokes and loads kinda added light to the need for precise POA on our guns. I have the Nikon Spur a Burris Fastfire, and a Bushnell Scope on my turkey gun fleet. I like them all. They definitely have helped me stay right on target with clean head harvests. I will never go back to the plain bead set up, my eyes need the optics to make me more proficient.
I have used both bead and red dot and prefer the red dot. I currently use an Aimpoint 9000SC and have no reason to change. It has been absolutely flawless and been on my primary turkey gun for 5 years now.
Red dot here and I keep both eyes open to help with target acquisition. Not as ideal as a bead on a quick moving/spooked bird, but when that's the case, even with a bead, that scenario lends itself to an instinctive/reactive type shot than a carefully aimed shot.
I've always used the bead. Scopes or any other add on makes the gun top heavy and then there's the fogging, breaking batteries running out etc. I'd also think that if you can't see a Gobbler at 40 yards you may need to get your eyes checked.
Each sight style has its pros and cons. When you buy a shotgun , choke and ammo a bead may or may not be ideal. Find one you are comfortable and accurate with and bust a few birds.
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Quote from: adamg on May 11, 2020, 04:28:00 AM
Slapped a B-Square on my 870 turkey build and put a Bushnell TRS-25 on it, best thing I ever did. Battery lasts a couple seasons as long as it's not left on all the time. Had to add a cheapo comb riser to the stock to get a proper cheek weld also. Was worried about lens flash spooking birds but so far haven't had a problem. Nice little sight for the money.
Where did you get the comb riser from. I need to add one to help a bit
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This company makes a few styles.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200511/8c41fbcf46ff1296ad7911844319d288.jpg)
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I always shot just a bead but finally went high tech and put on a red dot,
thats a red fiber optic mid bead (rear sight).
now I put the front green dot on the mid red dot, fast, accurate and simple.
After a stretch with way too many misses in 2010 or 2011, I switched to a Burris Fastfire 2 and have never looked back. I've had to wipe mud and water off the lens before but it didn't kept me from shooting a turkey. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but it fits my very well.
I shoot either the TruGlo Mag Gobble Dots or Williams Fire Sights. Both are topnotch.
Quote from: roberthyman14 on May 11, 2020, 06:40:30 PM
Quote from: adamg on May 11, 2020, 04:28:00 AM
Slapped a B-Square on my 870 turkey build and put a Bushnell TRS-25 on it, best thing I ever did. Battery lasts a couple seasons as long as it's not left on all the time. Had to add a cheapo comb riser to the stock to get a proper cheek weld also. Was worried about lens flash spooking birds but so far haven't had a problem. Nice little sight for the money.
Where did you get the comb riser from. I need to add one to help a bit
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Look at the ACCU-Riser too. I have one on my SX3 and its perfect
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49728362761_52675ba5db_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iLjRJR)
Great looking gun. Looks like you got the Burris Tactical rings? I finally found them, wow they are solid. They handle the recoil real well.
I have a FF2 on my main gun but actually prefer the " Dead Ringer" sights. Dead ringers on my other guns.
Quote from: Tom007 on May 12, 2020, 06:21:35 AM
Great looking gun. Looks like you got the Burris Tactical rings? I finally found them, wow they are solid. They handle the recoil real well.
I believe these are the Weaver tactical rings and they are very secure. I bought and used these over the ones that came with the Aimpoint scope. Hasn't moved under lots of heavy turkey loads.
They look very beefy like the Burris. 6 screws for each ring, that's tough. Great set up.
Quote from: Tom007 on May 12, 2020, 02:46:26 PM
They look very beefy like the Burris. 6 screws for each ring, that's tough. Great set up.
Thanks! It's by far my favorite set up for turkey.
A red dot helps my old eyes. Change the battery before each season and verify sight in and go hunting!
EOTech circle dots on both my turkey guns, my old eyes don't focus as good as they once did.
I had the same 'old eyes" problems and was using the magnetic clip on tru-glow style bead sights. I could see pretty well with them, but they were just high enough off the barrel to throw my pattern low into the body at times. Decided back in December and January to have cataract surgery and now have 20/15 vision in both eyes. Back to shooting bead only and shoot like a teenager again. Now I can't read a phone text without my reading glasses but I keep cheap readers around for that cure. Good luck with your shooting!
You can have the eyes of an eagle, but if the gun doesn't shoot point of aim with the bead then what? I have had too many guns that wouldn't shoot poi with the bead, and a really tight turkey choke only makes it harder to accurately place shot on target. Especially at close range.I have used the bead, then went to fiber optic sights, then to red dots, and now a scope. I prefer red dots, but i like the scope as i can focus the lens so i do not have to have my cheaters on to focus on sights. And the scope is for the close shots, not long range shooting. The pattern width is very small at close range and sights be it f.o. red dot or scope helps placing the shot with precision. At longer range a bead works ok as the shot has spread enough to compensate for an imprecise aiming device.Of course chokes and ammo selections play a big part also, Today's choke and ammo combinations can shoot very tight patterns, if the terrain one hunts dictates all the shots will be close, then a more open choke and bead can be viable and possibly optimal choice. Hunting a mix of woods and open fields, a good sighting device and tight choke can be very versatile. Just my opinion, and it has worked well for me.
X2. I have red dots, and a Scope on my SBE. I like both the red dots and scope. Patterns the gun dead center.....
Quote from: the Ward on May 14, 2020, 10:59:26 AM
You can have the eyes of an eagle, but if the gun doesn't shoot point of aim with the bead then what? I have had too many guns that wouldn't shoot poi with the bead, and a really tight turkey choke only makes it harder to accurately place shot on target. Especially at close range.I have used the bead, then went to fiber optic sights, then to red dots, and now a scope. I prefer red dots, but i like the scope as i can focus the lens so i do not have to have my cheaters on to focus on sights. And the scope is for the close shots, not long range shooting. The pattern width is very small at close range and sights be it f.o. red dot or scope helps placing the shot with precision. At longer range a bead works ok as the shot has spread enough to compensate for an imprecise aiming device.Of course chokes and ammo selections play a big part also, Today's choke and ammo combinations can shoot very tight patterns, if the terrain one hunts dictates all the shots will be close, then a more open choke and bead can be viable and possibly optimal choice. Hunting a mix of woods and open fields, a good sighting device and tight choke can be very versatile. Just my opinion, and it has worked well for me.
How far off is the gun shooting and why? Is it off vertically or horizontally?
Many (if not most) shotguns are made to shoot slightly high... For instance, if shooting at a target, 60% (60/40) of the pattern will be over the target, and 40% of the pattern will be below the target with a 30 pattern; a 50/50 pattern would be 50% of the pattern higher, and 50% of the pattern lower than the target... With a 10 inch pattern, a far higher percentage should be over the target with a standard 60/40 pattern.
This is due to the fact that many wing and clay shooters favor "floating the target," meaning that the sight is just below the target so that the barrel does not block the target when shooting.
Many guns also come with shims to adjust for drop and cast... I put in a shim to shoot a 50/50 pattern, with cast-off for a right-handed shooter.
If you are left-handed with a cast-on shim, I believe the gun would shoot to the right, if you are right-handed with a cast-on shim, I believe the gun would shoot to the left (but don't quote me on that).
If you are right-handed and the gun shoots to the right with the cast-off, I would take out the cast shim...
I have several Turkey guns set up with optics but prefer simple bead. Just bought a new Benelli that's dead on with factory bead.
I've got a extrema 2 that patterns bad to the left. I've messed with shims and stuff and still can't get it like I'd want. It's fine for duck hunting but as far as shooting a turkey. I don't feel confident with it. Nothing worse than a gun that doesn't shoot straight lol. IMO
I've only missed one turkey, in 27 years, with open sights.That was a flying bird.There is no reason to use a scope imo.
Quote from: drake799 on May 14, 2020, 10:48:31 PM
I've got a extrema 2 that patterns bad to the left. I've messed with shims and stuff and still can't get it like I'd want. It's fine for duck hunting but as far as shooting a turkey. I don't feel confident with it. Nothing worse than a gun that doesn't shoot straight lol. IMO
My A350 shoots POA. Have you had it addressed? Or is Beretta ignoring you? I have heard of this problem with them.
I'm a factory bead and factory full choke guy. My gun is only colored in ninja camo as well. ;D