Shotgun Question

[bbslayr]

I posted this question on Archery talk and I was directed here... ( thanks VA)  

Any way my question is I just bought a brand new rem 870. with 23" fully rifled barrel and cantelever weaver rail.  Im going to be hunting SO.IL. shotgun season and wanted to put a red dot sight on it.. not a scope.  Anyone know of a decent one that will withstand a 12 guage  abuse?  And also my budget is about $150 all said and done...

Also anyone have any experience with a red dot/shotgun slug combo?  thanks in advance

[redarrow]

Check out "Turkey Gun Sights And Optics" on this site.

[Reloader]

The Burris Fast Fire is a good sight for shotgun.  I have 3 for turkey guns and have thought of putting one on one of my slug guns, but prefer scopes for them at this point.


You may be able to find an original FF for your price range, but the newer FF2 usually runs a bit more.  You can buy the FF with an included weaver mount and mount it to your rail.


Many here seem to have good luck with the Bushnell red dot sights if you want to go with a less expensive unit.

I have a 870 with 23" rifled bbl as well, but haven't had a chance to try it.  I have used an 1187 with FR bbl for years and it likes the 2-3/4" Win Partition Golds or 3" Rem Copper solids.  Slug guns differ in their pet loads from one to the next, yours may like something different than the next guys.  I intend to try Rem Accutips, Hdy SST, Win PG, and Fed barnes expanders in the 870 before my IA trip this year.  If I had to just pick a couple I think will work, it would be the Rem ATs and Win PGs. 

You can order the slugs from Midway for reasonable prices, but they are all high.

If all you want is a rig for shooting out to 100yds, I'd just go with some cheaper sabots such as the grey box wins or Rem Buckhammers.  The BHs have a terrible trajectory, but they pack a punch.  You could sight them in at 75yds, be a couple inches high at 50 and a couple inches low at 100.

Good Luck

Reloader

[allaboutshooting]

I posted this question on Archery talk and I was directed here... ( thanks VA)  

Any way my question is I just bought a brand new rem 870. with 23" fully rifled barrel and cantelever weaver rail.  Im going to be hunting SO.IL. shotgun season and wanted to put a red dot sight on it.. not a scope.  Anyone know of a decent one that will withstand a 12 guage  abuse?  And also my budget is about $150 all said and done...

Also anyone have any experience with a red dot/shotgun slug combo?  thanks in advance

First of all, welcome to OG.

I live and hunt in Southern Illinois. Most of our shots are at less than 100 yards and most at 50 or less. I use the Brenneke 2.75" K.O. slugs. They work exceptionally well in smooth or rifled barrels and can get you sub-2" groups at 100 yards easily.

Most of the newer "dot" sights will hold up to a slug gun. I shoot hundreds (conservatively) of 3" full power turkey loads each year and can't tear one of the newer ones up. I used to be able to do that but not any more.

I take a look at the Truglo "open" dot sights. They all work and have excellent warranties as well.

Thanks,
Clark

P.S.  What county will you hunt?

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I agree with Clark.  I'm sure the Burris Fast Fire II is a great sight.  It should be for the price.  Guys like them I know that.  But I have a TruGlo tru-brite open dot sight and love it.  It holds it zero from what I have seen so far using the heavy 3.5" magnum turkey loads which kick harder than any load out there for 12GA.  It has a lifetime warranty.  And you can get it for less than $80 shipped to your door.  And it only weighs 5.3oz.

http://www.nativeoutdoors.com/riflescopes.html

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,8316.0.html

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Here's a picture of my 835 with the TruGlo Tru-Brite open dot sight.  

[new2turkey]

Here's a picture of my 835 with the TruGlo Tru-Brite open dot sight.  

Nice lookin rig!


Anyone know how Ray's mueller stood up to the spring time hunt? If it did well, might be worth considering as well.

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Hey thanks.  I have heard some good things about the Mueller.  But they don't have a lifetime warranty like the TruGlo.  Neither does the Burris.  I have no do doubt that the Burris is a awesome sight judging on what folks say about it.  I myself would like to own one, but $200 is what has kept me form buying one.