Hunting for turkey can be troublesome because of how agile they are. A turkey shotgun does wonders in that situation. Since they are a tiny target, the shell pattern and spread of a shotgun are effective against them. But you won’t be able to snipe with a shotgun. So a red dot scope is much better in that regard. If you plan to purchase one, check this list of the best red dot scopes for turkey shotgun.
Turkey hunting is pretty fun, and it has a different feeling than hunting a deer or elk. Chasing a big game requires a lot of patience. You have to be incredibly accurate. You need a rifle for that too, and some powerful rounds, like the 308 or 300 Win Mag. These cartridges have a colossal recoil, specifically a 300 Win Mag.
A turkey shotgun does the job for a minor score like pheasant and turkey. And since it does not have a vast range, optics with magnification are not necessary. A red dot scope is accurate, shoots true, and perfect for close-range applications like these. They are straightforward, just a tiny red dot reticle that is illuminated. You shoot at the center, and it should hit the target splendidly.
Why Buy a Red Dot Scope For a Turkey Shotgun?
People often hunt for turkey during the season. It is a good game and much easier to hunt for as well. But since it is so tiny, precision is required to get a perfect shot. Even with a shotgun, if your aim is not valid, you are bound to miss. Although, a gun has buckshot and birdshot slugs that it shoots. Which can make hunting for the more minor games much more manageable. Accuracy is still essential either way, so optics are indispensable in that regard.
Magnified optics are useless for a turkey shotgun. You are not shooting 100 yards away with one. The most you are looking at is the 25-yard range. And a red dot scope is going to give you the best results for that.
But what are some of the things you should be careful about when choosing a red dot scope for your turkey shotgun? We will talk about that in a small buyer’s guide in the next section.
How to Choose a Red Dot Scope for Your Turkey Shotgun
As a general rule, a few things are always considered regardless of the type of scope you purchase. But some aspects are always closely associated with the kind of scope you are planning to buy. Like when it comes to red dot scopes, these scopes require battery power to operate. The reticle is only visible when a battery powers it. Otherwise, it does not show up.
We have reviewed the best red dot scopes for turkey shotguns in the market. But in case you want to buy one that is not on the list, here is a short buyer’s guide to help you out.
1. Material
A shotgun that uses 12 gauge has an incredible amount of recoil. So if you plan on using a scope with your shotgun, you better have a durable scope mounted over it. The material out of which the scope is made will determine how stable it can be. The industry-standard these days for scope is aluminum. If the scope you are buying is made out of aluminum, then it is safe to say it will be sturdy.
Aluminum and magnesium are both very light but durable materials. That is why most scope manufacturers produce their optics using these metals. They are also rust-proof and waterproof as well, making them incredibly useful in rainy weather conditions.
2. Brightness
For you to be able to see a red dot scope’s reticle during the day, it has to be sufficiently bright. If the reticle is not illuminated enough, it will not show up during the daytime. Most red dot scopes have brightness settings that allow you to adjust the brightness of the red dot reticle. With adjustability, you can lower the brightness during the night when the red dot can be easily visible. During the day, you can crank up the brightness to show it even when used in daylight.
3. Design
There are various designs available in red dot scopes. There are some with a square window pane, but others are in the shape of a tube. But that should not matter because the design of the red dot scope will not affect its performance. This is purely your personal preference, whether you want one design or the other.
But what should matter is the clarity of the lens because that will help you focus on your target. The design is secondary and should be treated as such.
4. Budget
Red dot scopes can be a tad bit expensive, so it should be worth your money when you buy one. So before purchasing any optic for your firearm, thoroughly read reviews from trusted sources. Watch YouTube videos to find out how well the red dot scope performs. There are red dot scopes in different budgets available, but the lower-end ones might have a feature or two missing in them. Or it might not be as sturdy as the others. Checking out reviews can save you from wasting money on a substandard red dot scope.
5. Battery Life
Most red dot scopes are optimized to sustain battery life for a long time. People turn on their red dot and forget to turn it off a lot of times. A good scope will support the battery life even if you keep it turned on and forget to close it. Ensure that the scope you purchase is energy efficient and that the battery life lasts a long time.
Best Red Dot Scope for Turkey Shotgun Reviewed
1. Holosun HS510C 2 Red Dot Sight
The Holosun HS510C 2 Red Dot Sight is an advanced scope that is energy efficient and accurate. It has two power sources, so when one fails, the other kicks in and keeps the red dot sight active. One is a battery power source. Thanks to the energy-efficient design, the battery lasts more than 50,000 hours.
If you ever forget to turn off your red dot scope, don’t worry. Holosun does it for you. It has a motion sensor that senses motion and powers on. If there isn’t any motion, the scope turns the red dot off automatically. Hence, preserving battery life.
But even if your battery dies, there is a solar panel on top of the scope. So during daylight, the scope uses solar energy to keep the reticle visible. Other features include three different reticles, a red dot, a red circle, and a red dot inside a red circle. You can switch between these options whenever you want.
The installation of the Holosun Red Dot Sight is effortless too. You can easily adjust windage and elevation with the included Allen key, just that we would have liked tool-free adjustment knobs for those.
Pros
- Power Efficient
- Backup Solar Power Source
- 3 Reticle Option
- Easy Installation
- Windage and Elevation Adjustability
Cons
- Requires Allen Key to Adjust Windage and Elevation
2. Feyachi Reflex Sight
When it comes to a cheap red dot scope, Feyachi is your ticket. The Feyachi Reflex Sight has some pretty nifty features, considering how affordable it is. It is incredibly light, and the battery life is also decent. The windage and elevation are adjustable with the included Allen wrench.
Four reticles to choose from include: dot, bullseye, cross, and starburst. And the best part, you can change the reticle color. So you get four reticle types with two different colors. You can also adjust the brightness, and there are five adjustable brightness levels to choose from.
Feyachi Reflex Sight is Parallax-free, and the installation is effortless. Even an amateur will be able to shoot accurately with this scope. It is sturdy as well, making it ideal for mounting over a turkey shotgun.
The lens is also multicoated, which ensures extra light transmission. All in all, for the price, this is an excellent red dot scope for the turkey shotgun. There are quality control issues with the brand itself. However, they do offer solutions if anything is out of place.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- 4 Reticle Patterns and 2 Different Colors
- Adjustable Windage and Elevation
- Multicoated Lens for Enhanced Light Transmission
Cons
- Quality Control Issues
- Not Completely Parallax Free Like Advertised
3. Burris Fastfire III
The Burris brand is one of the more renowned names in the markets. They make excellent scopes and are sometimes said to be on par with Vortex or better. The Burris Fastfire III is the third generation of their red dot scopes. It is light and durable, constructed out of aluminum for a sturdy body.
The reticles come in the form of a 3 MOA dot and an 8 MOA dot that you can choose. A light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the scope accordingly. But you still get to choose between 3 brightness settings manually.
They also give you a limited lifetime warranty, so you can send them the scope back if anything is off.
This gun can be mounted using both Picatinny and Weaver-style mounts, allowing for a wider variety of options. The battery life is not so great in the Burris Fastfire III. There are also issues of quality control with their products, but other with their warranty, that is a minor issue.
Pros
- Automatic Brightness Adjustment Through Sensor
- Light and Sturdy Construction
- Two Reticle Options Between 3 and 8 MOA Red Dots
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Quality Control Issues
4. Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sights
Vortex Optics provides premium quality products at reasonable prices. The company consistently delivers quality products, so they are one of the top gun optics manufacturers. They are US-based and have markets throughout the world. Professionals prefer the Venom Red Dot Sight for their close-range firearms.
The lens is high quality and multicoated for optimal light transmission, even during darker lighting. The buttons can adjust the red dot brightness on the side. You have ten brightness levels to choose from, too, so you can see the reticle, whether it is night or daylight.
Vortex makes most of its scopes using aircraft-grade aluminum, and the Venom is no exception. The construction is solid and durable, which is required when mounted over something that produces a recoil of a 12-gauge round.
The reticle is spot on, the scope is parallax-free, so where the dot is, the rounds will travel in that direction. Windage and elevation can be adjusted as well, allowing you to quickly zero in your scope. Lastly, Vortex Optics gives a good warranty on their products, and their customer service is top-notch.
Pros
- Durable Aluminum Construction
- O Sealed for Moisture and Debris Protection
- Multicoated Lens and 10 Brightness Settings to Choose from
- Windage and Elevation Adjustability
- Excellent Warranty and Customer Service
Cons
- People Complaining About Reticle Issues
5. AT3 Tactical RD-50 PRO Red Dot Sight
If you want something cheap and great-looking, the AT3 Tactical RD-50 PRO is the way to go. The scope comes with its armor that protects it and gives it resilience to shock and other elements. The armor also comes with an integrated lens cap that keeps the lens covered when the scope is not used.
Besides that, there are 11 brightness settings to choose from in this scope. Brightness won’t be an issue for anyone on this red dot optics. It also has two mounting options and comes with a riser mount included in the package. This allows you to use your iron sights as well.
Windage and Elevation adjustment is tool-free. The knobs are big enough that you can handle them by hand. This cheap scope offers a lot more than what most companies do for its price. The red dot is 2 MOA, the housing is O sealed and is waterproof.
The scope is constructed with aluminum for durability and comes with a lifetime warranty from the brand. What else would you want from a scope this cheap? Lastly, the scope can be a bit on the heavy side, but that is because of the added armor on top of it. Otherwise, it is pretty lightweight.
Pros
- Cheap
- 11 Brightness Settings for Visually clear Red Dot
- Tool-Free Windage and Elevation Adjustment
- Riser Mount Included
- Lens Cover Integrated on Armor
Cons
- Bulky
Conclusion
All of these red dot scopes are good and will serve you well on your turkey hunting expeditions. They are durable, and durability is a requirement when you shoot 12-gauge rounds. Most of these also have a good warranty, and in case of any trouble, you can send them back to get a replacement piece or get the issue fixed. Hopefully, after mounting one of these, you can quickly get the thrill of turkey hunting.
