Scope recomendations

[ADT knights]

I'm in the market for a new scope for my deer gun (12ga Remington 870 express shurshot). I have some reasonable preferences but what do you use and how well do you like it? Pros/cons? Thanks for your input.

My Preferences:
-3-9x40
-traditional "+" reticle
-NO BDC
-works well in low light situations
-fog resistant & ect.
-around $150 for price range +/-

 

[JimH]

I would personally skip the 3x9 part and try to find a used Leupold 4x.The great thing about the Leupold,especially on a 12 ga,is the extra eye relief they have over many others.

 

[HeadlessRoland]

In before Leupold versus Vortex...

too late.

 

[42769vette]

In before Leupold versus Vortex...

too late.

x2

 

[Mark-DuCo]

I second the 4x over the 3x9. 4x is plenty for a slug gun. I have a simmons on my shotgun and one my muzzle loader, both work great.

 

[bdybdall]

I've got a Leupold 2-7x shotgun scope on my H&R Ultra Slug Hunter. I couldn't use anything better.

 

[Hookeye]

I like a 1 or 1.5x on the low end of a variable for movers.
2-7X a fair compromise.
Have used 4X but shoot both eyes open.
Have even run 3-9X.
1.5X or close to it, makes movers much easier up close.

 

[Vamptepes]

Bushnell Banner Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 Multi-X Reticle Scope - Dick's Sporting Goods
Have it on my dedicated slug gun. Really like it. No problems at all with it either.
Got it and rings plus mounted and boresighted for around 120-130.. I just took it with me so i can make them do it and i don't have to But they do it for free if you buy it there.

 

[clfergus]

I have both Bushnell Banners 1.75-4 black powder scope on one 870 and a simmons pro diamond turkey scope on the other. In the woods I like the lower power as well as the extra eye relief each has. Bushnell has around 6 inches. I only had a 80 budget when I bought mine. If I had 150 I would look at the Nikon scopes. They are really clear.

 

[rkesar]

I think it would depend on if you are using a rifled or smooth bore barrel. If its rifled you can take a lot farther of a shot than a smooth bore

 

[42769vette]

I think it would depend on if you are using a rifled or smooth bore barrel. If its rifled you can take a lot farther of a shot than a smooth bore

Exactly, we dont have enough info to make a proper recommendation of what the op actually needs. All we have to go on is his preference's. Im always getting people who complain that I only recommend 1 brand (not true, but I do only recommend about 3 or 4 brands) but MR Hookeye is the only one thus far who hasn't recommended a brand, and your the first to try and find out what the op does with his deer gun.

A fixed power scope is never as versatile as a variable, and with hunting versatility is never a bad thing, and its a free thing in today's market. When I did hunt with a slug gun (fully rifled) I had dope out to 300 yds. I would not want to shoot 300yds with a fixed 4x scope.

 

[rkesar]

With todays sabot slugs and fully rifled barrels you could make shots out to 200 yards so you would want a scope for that, but if you're using a smoothbore barrel and rifled slugs your range is 100 yards and less. If you can give more info on the setup you plan to use I could give you a better answer

 

[Vamptepes]

I know for me i have a 870 wingmaster smoothbore with an old Simmon 4x pro diamond sighted at 50yards. And my Banner is on my mossberg 500. Cantilever rifled barrel sighted at 75yards. 4 power is enough like everyone has said. But with my 500 i have an adjustable because of the lack of a bead. My wingmaster i can still bead a target if need be and i've had to many times do to the 4power being a pain in the butt to get a shot at close range. Like rkesar said it depends on the setup, Also depends on where you hunt. (field, brush, heavy growth, mature woods, young woods etc.)

 

[Hookeye]

Higher mag might make study of the target a bit easier, to determine if it's indeed the deer you wish to take.
But landing shots on target doesn't require much magnification.
Slug gun deer hunting.............could be open field stuff out to 200 or so, or working drives with things fast and dang near at spitting distance.
In that range of hunting scenerios, a 1-5X should be fine.
2-7X doable as well.
Hell, I've shot deer well past 100 with no dang scope.
Proper stock fit, a good trigger, and a low power variable.....................helps when you screw up and have the scope max'd and the deer busts out close.
Sooner or later it'll happen. Just hope it isn't a bruiser and you're packin a 3-9X or more.

 

[Hookeye]

I've hammered moving deer with low end variables at 1 or 1.5X and made multiple good hits on them.
Love doing that
When I set up an old Ruger Auto .44 it'll have a 1-5X.
Current rig wears a 2-7X and is a single shot. In the woods, it's at 2X.

In the past my Mossberg smoothbores shot well to 150 yards and I popped a few deer at that range.

 

[ADT knights]

With todays sabot slugs and fully rifled barrels you could make shots out to 200 yards so you would want a scope for that, but if you're using a smoothbore barrel and rifled slugs your range is 100 yards and less. If you can give more info on the setup you plan to use I could give you a better answer

This is my gun.

http://www.remington.com/en/product...70-express-shurshot-synthetic-cantilever.aspx

I shoot 2 3/4" SST's and hunt from a climber style tree stand. Last year I shot my buck at about 70 yards but have the ability to take longer and obviouisly closer shots.

 

[buckhunterbb]

If you want a nice 3-9x40mm matte scope look at the Nikon Omega I have listed in the classifies. Constant 5" eye relief. New in sealed box,not refurbished. Lifetime Nikon warranty.