New Jersey Hunters banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Turkey sights vs. scope

Jump to Latest
1 - 19 of 19 Posts

358WINMAN

· Registered
Joined
·
433 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
OK guys...I need some opinions on those who've had experience with the usual turkey sights on a gobbler gun and made the transition to either a scope or some kind of reticle device.

My vision ain't quite what she used to be. I'm wearing glasses to read and for distance to about 8 feet now. My distance vision is still quite good. This year when I look down the barrel and try to eye up my turkey sights AND center them on a turkey target I'm noticing some difficulty in obtaining a good visual to clearly know that my bead is exactly on the spot I want it to be. Went into my gun safe tonight and found a Trijicon Accupoint TR21 1.25X4X24 scope with one inch rings on it. I figured if I mount this scope to my turkey gun which is a Remington 870 Express with a Carlson Longbeard choke I may just have much better placement of my shots.

Do any of you use a scope or have used a scope on a turkey gun? If so, does it make the job of seeing and shooting easier, better? Before I go forward with such a task, I wanted to hear from you turkey hunters who use a scope or red dot type of system. Thanks so much
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#2 ·
I use a scope on all my shotguns for slugs, buckshot, and turkey loads. Some have scopes with a lighted crosshairs and others have a red dot. For turkey, anything 1-4 power is plenty. Your objective need not be larger than 32mm, either. There are plenty options out there but if you're on a budget, Truglo and Barska offer cheap red dots. If you have a little more money, Leupold makes a few nice turkey scopes.
 
#3 ·
My dad was having issues seeing the fiber optic turkey sights on his gun so he switched to a scope and has been very happy with it. If you have a gun dedicated to turkey hunting, I wouldn't hesitate to put a quality scope on it. You won't be disappointed.
 
#4 ·
I use a scope for the same reason. Eyes aren't what they used to be. Helps better ID the features of the turkey in lower light. Leave it at about 2x and only zoom when he's far away or you may miss close. Scope covers mandatory on way in via wet dew grass and woods. The disadvantage is fast moving turkey or change of position you'll be a bit slower to sight your target. My first turkey I shot was with a simple bead. Whatever you can see and shoot best is what you should use.
 
#5 ·
I am going to scope my shotgun for next year. I have come to the realization that my eyes are not what they use to be but also many turkey hunters I know recommend a scope for many reasons. Also, I am putting a scope on my daughters shotgun as she will be going out for the first time next year. Like Shaky Jake stated leupold makes a great turkey scope as well as weaver. Hope this helps.
Here is the weaver KASPA on the weaver site.
Weaver - Optics & Scope News
Here is a video of the weaver scope.

SS!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Thanks guys...I think I'm going that route and mounting that Trijicon on my 870. Seeing better means shooting better!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Seems like I'm not alone here with this aging vision issue. Would you fellas recommend drilling and tapping the receiver of the 870 to mount a rail for the scope or is the B Square saddle mount bracket solid enough to rely on with 3" turkey loads? I would have to send the gun out for the job since I have no tools or set up to do the job myself. I checked on YouTube and saw the B Square bracket mounting. Very easy with the two pin removal and replace with the ones provided. Opinions?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#10 ·
I have a Bushnell shotgun scope on my Spring turkey gun, see-through mounts. I like the fact that I can look through the scope and determine if the bird has a full beard, without having to worry about binoculars, no regrets other than a bump on the noggin once or twice. My fall gun doesn't have a scope, since it's a lot more walking and occasionally you will get a flying shot.
 
#11 ·
The biggest advantage I would see to using a scope is it forces you to get your head down on the stock. I had trouble doing that and would be shooting over the birds head because I wasn't getting my head down. A scope won't let you see the bird unless you're in proper position
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Makes good sense BH... funny thing is, when ducks and geese are flying, my eyes just go down the barrel and swing through the bird. It's when I sit and try to focus on sights and a target at a distance; that's when I have the blurry focusing issue. I know my head is down 'cause I usually have a red cheek bone after a few shots. I lock my head down pretty tight...habit from long distance rifle shooting. Honest fact is, I'm getting older and the eyes aren't what they used to be. I need to bite the bullet and assist my eyes with a scope for turkeys greater than 25 yards. My thinking is I owe it to the bird and myself to be dead on and not have any uncertainty about is my bead exactly on the right spot etc... I'll sight the 870 in at 20 yards and work my way out to 45 yards. That should pretty much wrap up any situation a gobbler presents me. I'm also putting on a 1/4" cheek pad on the comb of the stock to raise me up to be in line with the scope.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#13 ·
I started out using a plain bead, went to a 3 dot fiber optic open sights, then mounted both a strait 4 and 1x4 scope when using Hevi-Shot. The reason I mounted the optics wasn't to allow longer shots, but to insure hits at close range where the Hevi-Shots tight pattern could result in a miss. I switched back to open fiber optics when I started using plated lead shot, but I had good results with both scopes when I was using them.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #14 ·
I hear ya loud and clear. I'm having the gun drilled and tapped this weekend. Scope and base mounted. I'll resight the gun in and be ready for fall gobblers!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #15 ·
I decided after a bit of research to also add a Choate Mark 5 pistol grip stock to my 870. Seems the ergonomics of that design make it easier to keep the gun up for longer periods of time and to alleviate the recoil while sitting a bit by how the pistol grip and shoulder stock perform. Add some camo paint job by yours truly and the dedicated turkey gun is complete. I've never had an actual shotgun just set up for gobblers. Always flip flopped back and forth with chokes and barrels depending on the animal I was hunting. I have two dedicated waterfowl guns and figured why not, just take the old 870 and convert it to a gobbler getter gun.
Hopefully after the receiver is drilled and tapped, the addition of 1.5 X4 scope and pistol grip stock added, the easier it'll be for me to shoot those farther shots with ease. Damn it sucks getting older!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Well deergetter... wing shooting is still no problem for me, but these older eyes are not what they were. It's getting harder to line up front and rear fiber optic sights and the turkey's head and see and maintain a clear picture. Now, with todays extremely tight chokes and the patterns my gun shoots, if I'm off by a bit, I'm going to miss or worse, wound a bird.
This year while calling for my son, I put up his shotgun on a jake at about 30 yards. Fuzzy, fuzzy, fuzzy...could I have taken a shot; yeah but the precise viewing of my target and sights were only so so at best. Not good enough for me.

Waterfowling is way different...see the duck, swing the tip of the barrel through the duck, get just past his beak and hit the trigger...whammo, dead bird. Different type of shooting, different load and choke. I'll scope my turkey gun for the fall and see what happens. I can always remove it if it proves to be a burden.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
About this Discussion
18 Replies
12 Participants
Last post:
deergetter
New Jersey Hunters
posts
3M
members
61K
Since
2005
A forum community dedicated to New Jersey’s hunters and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, gear, troubleshooting, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Hunting Discussions Member Classifieds Fishing Field Testing and Evaluation NJ Firearms ID Card & Gun Permits