non-scoped shotgun vs. scoped shotgun

[Hognutz]

If your gun shoots 10'' low and 5'' right, a bead is not much help. And some do shoot that far off. I own one. Also, when you put the red dot on a turkeys head, it is all over. Every time, without fail. It takes the too much bead/not enough bead, out of the equation, especially at long ranges, when the barrel and the bead cover the whole bird. Try it, you'll like it..Mike

[WVhuntEER]

I will never hunt turkeys again without some sort of scope.  I love having a little manification to bring the target in closer.   The only disadvantage might be shooting one getting ready to fly but I really don't like to do that unless I have to anyway.

[guesswho]

The only reason I use one is because all I shoot is three year old or older birds and the scope helps me evaluate the spurs before I decide to kill him if he don't gobble first.

Actually my eye's arean't as good as they used to be so the scope helps correct that.

[3chunter]

Unless you are very old and can't see....a scope is. For preference only.  A reddot maybe different but a true scope...I don't see the advantage. 

[Hognutz]

Some day you wil..

[new2turkey]

 

[knightrider]

Unless you are very old and can't see....a scope is. For preference only.  A reddot maybe different but a true scope...I don't see the advantage.  

im 33 and cant see does that make me VERY OLD 

[jakesdad]

While I dont use a scope I can see where it would help people with poor eyesight.I do think any sight is better than just a bead,and i used just a bead for a long time and killed lots of birds.But I installed a williams rifle type sight on my 20 and it helps greatly,and i dont really even shoot super tight patterns.I think the biggest advantage with any sight on a shotgun,scope or otherwise,at least for me,is helping you keep your head down and eye lined up.i think more guys look over the bead of a shotgun than they realize.just my .02

[drum817]

I am 42 years old and wear glasses.  I shoot adjustable open sights on both my turkey guns.  I practice a fair amount before the season gets here at 40 yards....so far I've had no problems but if that ever changes I will not hessitate to start using optics.

[pittboss]

I shoot a reddot scope for a good reason. I an left eye dominant and right handed so looking down the barrel to shoot with my right eye can be a problem.............. my point of aim is off to the left. The scope keeps me from having to worry about making adjustments in the field. I already have enough to worry about

pittboss

[Hognutz]

Just a little heads up. As you get older and your eyesight gets a little ''challenged'', you lose the ability to focus on the rear sight/front sight/target, all at once. You see the rear sight, or the front sight and the target, not all three at once. It becomes difficult. Looking through a scope, (red dot in my case), you see one dot and the target. Very simple, very easy, and very deadly..Mike

[knightrider]

Just a little heads up. As you get older and your eyesight gets a little ''challenged'', you lose the ability to focus on the rear sight/front sight/target, all at once. You see the rear sight, or the front sight and the target, not all three at once. It becomes difficult. Looking through a scope, (red dot in my case), you see one dot and the target. Very simple, very easy, and very deadly..Mike

thanks for the wonderfull news i already cant see and now its gonna get worse, geez thanks

[WyoHunter]

With the chokes we use today our guns shoot more like rifles. Using a scope lets me adjust the POI to my tighest part of the pattern. It also makes you keep your head in the right position. I use a 4 power scope and there is no guessing when the cross hairs are on a gobblers noggin.

Well Put IMO!

[hobbes]

I get the poor eyesight reasons, I could very likely need one for that reason at some point in the future, but I have got to give someone a hard time about the others.

Lets walk through this slowly.......I know some of you are old.  LOL

First......if I ask about range the overwhelming distance is still 40 yards and in with most saying I like em "close".

Second.......even though you like em close........you need to ratchet that shotgun down until you can kill one at 75 yards comfortably, and darn near shoot a single projectile out to 30 yards.  Although rifles are straight from the hands of Satan. (I may have crossed the line with that comment)

And finally.......when asked why you use a scope..............."I gotta have it or I can't hit up close because I'm shooting such a tight pattern"


So...............I'm still slow enough here aren't I?......You've created a need for a scope at ranges that you prefer to kill birds because you've spent $500 perfecting load and choke combinations to the point that your gun isn't effective at your preferred range........Hmmmm!......I believe your logic is a little flawed.  Maybe that is turkey hunter logic.

I have to add.  The most recent HS video I watched raves about the scopes on their guns.  Yet, the video has the worst bunch of shooting in it I've ever seen.  I don't believe there was a turkey one in that production that had a feather left on its back.

[HogBiologist]

I get the poor eyesight reasons, I could very likely need one for that reason at some point in the future, but I have got to give someone a hard time about the others.

Lets walk through this slowly.......I know some of you are old.  LOL

First......if I ask about range the overwhelming distance is still 40 yards and in with most saying I like em "close".

Second.......even though you like em close........you need to ratchet that shotgun down until you can kill one at 75 yards comfortably, and darn near shoot a single projectile out to 30 yards.  Although rifles are straight from the hands of Satan. (I may have crossed the line with that comment)

And finally.......when asked why you use a scope..............."I gotta have it or I can't hit up close because I'm shooting such a tight pattern"


So...............I'm still slow enough here aren't I?......You've created a need for a scope at ranges that you prefer to kill birds because you've spent $500 perfecting load and choke combinations to the point that your gun isn't effective at your preferred range........Hmmmm!......I believe your logic is a little flawed.  Maybe that is turkey hunter logic.

I have to add.  The most recent HS video I watched raves about the scopes on their guns.  Yet, the video has the worst bunch of shooting in it I've ever seen.  I don't believe there was a turkey one in that production that had a feather left on its back.

Hobbes, here is my take on why "I" have a scope.  I was turkey hunting with my brother.  Gobbler comes in to 30 yards.  I was using rifle style clip on sights that were fiber optic.  At 30 yards I did not see a small limb infront of the bird.  I shot and he went the other way.  When i got down there i saw the small limb (actually it was a tiny beech sprout).  Next year I put a scope on my gun.  Same ridge, had a bird come 30 yards from me.  I saw him step into the open, i thought.  when i looked through my scope I saw a limb in the way.  I waited till he cleared then fired.  Dead turkey.  Had I not had a scope i would not have seen that limb.  I do not have poor sight.  I am 20/20 with great eyes.  I like to have the 2x magnification to see obsticles in the way.  My scope is 1.5x-4x by 32.  My logic is not flawed (not a stab at your comment) it is true.  I have a scope for a reason.  That reason is to help see and I can also use the circle around the + to determine range.  Basically at X range  Y amount of the turkey should fit in my reticle.  For me at 2 X  the turkeys head down to his beard should fit in my O.  if his head/Neck is in the O, he should be dead.  At 40 yards my front bead completely covers the 10" circle on my targets. And yes I draw a circle after to check pattern, but I also have one on there to check POA/POI.  For me a scope is a no brainer even at normal ranges.  I do not have a 45+ yard setup.  I still prefer a scope.  ANd the weight issue is not an issue.  I dont notice it.