red dots scope

[jay83196]

I am interested in getting a red dot scope for my 12ga slug gun and would appreciate any recommendations or suggestions..also any recomendations on slugs to use (its a Remington and has 25" rifled barrel)

Thanks

jayson

[mamohr686]

I wouldn't recommend a red dot scope for several reasons. They offer very little or no magnification, most have poor low light capabilities, you need to carry spare batteries, and the large dot makes them innaccurate for shots past 50 yrds. The only exception would be a co-witness setup where you can see the dot on top of your iron sights (you still can make the shot if your battery goes dead).

With a rifled slug barrel and decent optics, you can make 100yrd shots if the hunting area will allow it. I've had great sucess with hornady SST slugs out of a hastings rifled slug barrel with cantilever scope mount. I've had 2" groups at 100 yrds with a 3-9X variable powered scope. You will have to try several different slugs to see what works best out of your barrel. For most of my hunting I have the scope set on 3X, but when I shoot paper targets 9X is really nice to get it dialed in. A red dot at 100 yrds will cover and entire target, so you will never be able see the capabilites of what the right slug and rifled barrel can do. I would look at a leopold vari-XII 4X fixed scope if you don't want to spend a lot.

[PerchJerker]

I agree with a lot of what mamohr686 said. I have a red dot on a handgun and used one for a few years on a slug gun, and have shot a buddy's .22 rifle with a red dot. They are great for getting on target quick and for close range shots --- much quicker than a scope especially at close ranges.

The downside to a red dot is definately on longer range shots --- like he said, the target dot will be so large it completely covers the target area so you don't get a precise aiming point. And with longer shots the magnification of a low power scope will give you a much more precise aim.

[buddha]

I have about the same set up as jay83196 and bought the scope more on a whim when the first came out. I like it but the two comments above are accurate. At some point I may make a change as my deer hunting does allow for 100 yd still shots and I use Barnes Expander slugs and have them dialed in. The dot does make it harder to see at long distance so that is a big disadvantage. There are a lot off good options out there, let us know what you would choose. I wouldn't say the dot is a terrible choice and it may fit your style of hunting just fine but it does have limitations.

[Tom7227]

There's no way that anyone can predict what slugs will work in a particular gun. Get a variety and go to a range. Get set up with sandbags at the 25 yard range and shoot up what you have and keep track of the results. It'll cost you some money and some time but you'll know what works and what doesn't for your setup.

Red dot scopes are mainly for relatively short distance shooting and are popular with the pistol crowd. The light gathering capabilities of a good scope would prove very useful during a deer hunt in my experience.

[Jae]

i have a H&R slug gun with a 4.5x scope works fine for me but tried many different slugs, ie weight and velosity and have found that the federal 2 3/4" w/barnes slug works best with a 1480fps (cant rember exact) faster slugs seemed to go al over the place @ 100+yds but i feel that my most effective range is between 25-75 yds for a nice clean kill