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Red dots in general?

JAY B

JAY B

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Guess I will rephrase my previous question! Does any have any experience with any red dots in general?
 
Not much, but I did try one.

Bottom line, I prefer a "regular" optical scope.
My main turkey gun is topped with a Nikon Monarch 1.5-4.5 x 20mm scope.

Main thing I don't like about the red dots is their "footprint" on my reciever --- and they don't seems as "rugged" or durable as a regular scope, nor do they seem as "clear" as that Nikon Monarch.

If I weren't using a "regular" scope, I'd be using a Burris Fastfire instead of a "red dot" scope.
 
I have always used fiber optic open sights but I found a red dot @ Dicks yesterday on clearance for $19 and am going to try it at the range and see if I like it. Kinda makes me nervous having to look through a scope of any kind when turkey hunting but a lot of people use em. I have been using open sights for 20 years.
 
big B said:
Don't understand the need for a scope when turkey hunting?
Click to expand...
Of course, it is not a necessity, and most of the turkeys I've killed were long before I considered a scope.

I once didn't understand the need for any sights on a bow (certainly not a necessity), but they seem to be an advantage for most who've gone to them. I can remember when most bowhunters didn't use sights, and you can still get by without them.

For me, the main advantage to a scope (for turkey hunting) is so I can CLEARLY see BOTH my sight's aiming point (crosshairs in this case) AND my target (turkey's neck). As my eyes got older, either my shotgun's front bead was clear (and not the target), or the target was clear (and not the bead). The scope totally solved this problem for me, and then greatly exceeded my expectations in terms of what a real advantage it is over non-optical sights.

Another advantage is you can simply see your target better with a scope (nothing to do with my or anyone's eyes). This has also been a big help in not accidently shooting the wrong bird when several were "trading places" about the time I was to shoot. It's amazing how just 1.5x magnification is so superior to even 20/20 naked eyes.

Another advantage is being able to precisely "sight in" the pattern center to match the crosshairs, as on a "turkey" gun you may have a tight pattern more akin to a rifle bullet's hole than a shotgun's pattern.

Last but not least, you greatly reduce the chance of shooting high (when too excited and/or having to make a quick shot) due to poor shooting form (front sight too high above receiver).

So I guess I prefer a scope on my turkey gun for many of the same reasons I prefer a scope on my deer gun. Just a lot better for me.
 
I like one with no magnification. That way its easy to find the turkey in the scope. Also, it eliminates one thing to have to line up. Instead of having to get the front sight, rear sight, and turkey all in line. Just put the dot on the turkey and bang.
 
I have a Tasco Propoint and it's the ticket I resisted for a while till I saw a guy shoot a turkey one handed when the bird popped out of the bushes right beside him. He just put the reddot on his head and boom. No eye relief issues like a scope. Never going back to the plain bead. You can turn the intensity down for lowlight situations and I've left it on all night and it doesn't burn through the batteries
 
I like the simplicity of my double beads on my old Mossberg 835. I dont have to worry about the sights getting knocked off. I tried a red dot scope on it. Shot it about 5 times and took it off and sold it. When I get to where I cant see the beads, I'll go to a scope with just plain cross-hairs on it.
 
I've had a Burris Speed dot on my setup for quite a long time. No matter the use, I get 2 seasons out of the battery. It's never cost me a turkey, but probably has taken some I wouldn't have bagged with open sights.

You WILL NOT get the accuracy out of open sights that you can with a scope, period. Having said that, the majority of turkeys I kill are very well within "open sight" range.

I hear fellas all the time talking about how a scope can cost you a bird at some point, but to be honest, if the scope was the reason for the miss, that same person would more then likely screw up a shot with open sights as well.

Bottom line, I spend a LOT of time in the turkey woods, and I've killed more birds then I care to count.....my red dot has never handicapped me in anyway. And unless it gives up the ghost for no reason during a hunt, it never will.
 

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