Scoped turkey gun

[chadly]

I started this post a while ago about the pro's and cons of using an actual scope as opposed to a red dot. 
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,110990.0.html
The set up is a leupold 1x4 on a berretta 390.
I took the gun to a gun smith and he said that the metal was too thin but he could put on saddle style mount by drilling and taping six holes.  I told him to go ahead do it.  It took longer to get done than planned.  The first three seasons had come and gone and I never got time to sight it in. Finally Tuesday night I was able to shoot the gun at a friends house.  It patterned extremely well with Winchester long bear #5 3 inch. My shoulder did not like the shooting.  After shooting my buddy said If I were you I would go over to my brothers house and shoot one tomorrow before work.  We called his brother who I've know for 20 years. He said he has 127 acres of timber that are plump full turkeys that have never been hunted.  I was in early the next morning and sitting right were he told me to go.  By chance I set up under a lone tom that I watched strut and gobble on the roost.  He pitched down towards me and I was done before sunrise.  Giant bird 27.2lbs.  He had everything you want in a turkey.  Long spurs, thick beard, and huge.  The heaviest bird I have ever taken.   
Yesterday I had a chance to go out again.  I went to some state ground that I have deer hunted for years but never turkey hunted.  I had birds gobbling and answering but not coming my way.  They eventually went silent for an hour at one point.  I kept at it repositioning and calling here and there.  Finally two birds answered. I moved about four times over the next hour only moving about 100 yards.  They were close but I could not see them.  They would answer but not move an inch.  When I finally laid eyes on them it was three toms and two hens.  They were about 60 yards.  They were fighting and strutting.  Eventually one of them hit the 40 yard mark and I was not going to wait to see if he was going to come closer. 23lbs and a limb hanger.
My over all opinion is this: First bird was before sunrise.  The scope seems to gather light and make things clear.  A dot scope needs to be adjusted for brightness frequently.  Especially in the early morning as it is getting brighter.  So this was a bonus for the scope.  The second bird I had in the sights for some time.  With a red dot at 40 yards at least the two I have the dot would be almost as thick as the turkey's neck.  With the cross airs I could see his snood and eyes.  Its like you can pick the exact spot where you want to shoot.  Both birds were standing still.  I can see a moving target would be tougher with the scope.  If nothing else I got another gun set up.  This will be nice when the kids are bigger and we all go our own ways. It will be my first pick going forward next year. 

[Greg Massey]

Congrats on your gobblers. I like the scope myself ....

[eddie234]

Congratulations


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[worth612000]

Looks like the scope works for you, Congrats on your fine bird.

[b wilt]

Very Nice!!!

[arrow1]

I been using a Simmons Pro Diamond scope on my 11-87 since day one. It hasn't failed me. This past weekend I lent it to a buddy I hunted with. I called in and he killed his first gobbler. He commented how confident he was to make the shot because of the scope. I've hunted with several guys who use no optics and are successful and others who miss every now and again.  Bottom line you make the decision based upon what brings you the most cinfidence when its time to take the shot and make a one shot kill. Misses equal potentially wounded birds not accounted for IMO.

[Farmboy27]

Over the past 30 years of hunting turkeys I've pretty much run the gauntlet on shotgun sights. From bead to open sights to scope to red dot to reflex!  These days I kind of simplify things and lean towards a regular bead. But I can already tell that my eyes aren't what they used to be and when need be I'll probably go back to a scope. No battery needed, no remembering to turn it on or off.

[chadly]

For me I have a pair of cheater glasses in every car, tackle box, work back pack, and in front of the computer.  I really like the clarity of the scope.  It helps me see better.  Each to his own.  I just wanted to share my experience. 

[Mabren2]

I agree with the post above, confidence is key.  This was my first year doing extensive patterning, and I put a Trijicon red dot on my new Browning Cynergy. For my entire turkey hunting career (20ish years) I had used a single bead with the factory full choke. I can say without a doubt that after patterning with different chokes/loads, and getting my dot zeroed, my confidence on the shot was better than ever before. I'm glad I made the decision I made. Bottom line, hunting isn't a one size fits all. That's why there are so many gauges, chokes, loads, optics, etc. to choose from. Pick what you like best and what gives you the most confidence.  Congratulations on your two birds, and nice rig!

[Gooserbat]

I scoped my SX4 this year.  Used one of the new Hawk 1-4 turkey scopes.  I like it.  I just leave it at 2X. 

[slider]

Trying to make that decision now, red dot or scope, missed a couple the last few years from older eyes, seem to be picking my head up off the stock a touch, I'm guessing the older eyes are causing that

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[Old Gobbler]

I was against scopes years and years ago but as my vision deteriorated over the years I had to eat my words .

The close shots are the hard ones ,a full sight picture is so advantageous ...you can see that whole neck instead of it being hidden behind the barrel/rib/bead

I've been using a Burris m-tac on my gun for about a decade ...my vision isn't the best , but I have to say I've yet to miss a shot with it on

Red dots , and scopes have become more practical because of the usage of ultra tight  choke/shell combos

[Greg Massey]

Hawke Vantage IR -4 x 20 has a new turkey scope that is worth checking out ... It has either a red / green illuminated half circle dot and 2 moa ....

[dan]

I've had a scope on my 870 for close to ten years. This year was the first time I tried to shoot one that was running away and I smoked him. I always thought the scope would make it impossible to use on a moving target but to me it's not much different than a red dot as long as you keep the magnification close to 2x or less.

I also have a red dot on a single shot that I rarely use. The last time I used it I had to mess with the brightness while waiting on bird

The scope adds more weight than a red dot, and to me that's the bigger drawback.  My 870 is in the 10lbs range with scope.


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