A slug gun is a good option for hunting now and then. Specifically when you want powerful and accurate shots at the 100 yards range. If your aim is good, you can even push it as far as 150-200 yards.
Shooting at a distance of 100 yards might be difficult with the naked eye. But with good optics, shooting that far is a piece of cake. So we reviewed the best slug gun scopes that will enhance your accuracy and help you score big.
Slug guns can be a good choice when you are hunting in the bushes. It is doubtful that a target hit with a slug gun will not fall. But other than that, we are talking about power here. Striking a target 100 yards away in the bushes might not be easy, especially without the help of good optics to support your accuracy. Even if slugs shot from a slug can brush aside bushes, it is not helpful if your aim is not good.
Having a good scope can be the fundamental difference between a missed shot and scoring a big game. Next time you are going on a hunt with your slug rifle, get one of these best slug gun scopes. You will have a much better time hunting at the range, and your shots will be more accurate.
Why Do You Need a Scope on a Slug Gun?
Despite the range at which a slug becomes ineffective after being shot, a slug gun can still shoot pretty far. It is so far that a person with the naked eye cannot aim precisely at their target. The distance at which you can shoot mostly depends on the guns and the slugs you are using. If the slugs are reasonable, you can hit a target at 150 yards and expect to kill your target. With an excellent slug gun and slugs, you can stretch that to 200 yards at most.
After that, though, the slug becomes pretty inaccurate. But even at the 150-yard distance, it is pretty hard to aim at your target accurately and hit a bullseye. But if you have optics set on your slug gun, you will be able to nail a target even further away. So why would you need a scope on your slug gun when you head out to hunt? For accurate shots at your target, which might be at a distance.
These optics have coatings that transmit light much better, helping you aim in darker light settings. And the kind of magnification these scopes provide, your prey won’t escape your sights even if it hides in a bush.
How to Choose a Slug Gun Scope – a Buyer’s Guide:
You will be surprised at the range of optics offered by a variety of brands out there. But you need only one for your slug gun, so you need to know how to choose it. There are a few factors that will ultimately decide which slug gun scope is best for you. Some of these factors, however, purely depend on your personal preference.
1. Lens
When choosing optics for any firearm, the first and foremost thing to consider is the quality of the lens. The quality of the lens determines a lot in a scope. When appropriately coated, it can prevent glaring. Also, it allows you to see better in low light settings as well. Sound transmission of light is only possible in optics with good lenses. There are some excellent optics for slug guns, and you can also find ones from the leading lens makers in the world, like Nikon.
2. Durability
Durability is an essential factor when purchasing optics for your slug gun. A slug gun is mighty when shot. The weapon has a considerable amount of recoil due to the slugs. Now, 20 gauge slugs offer less recoil than 12 gauge, but it is still a lot to handle for a scope attached on top of the slug gun. The only reason why the scope can take all the abuse is related to its durability.
These days most scopes are milled out of a single aluminum tube. Aluminum is one of the most versatile metals out there, with uses far exceeding what we can imagine. You can find aluminum in smartphones, laptops, and even aircrafts made out of it. That is because not only is it durable but also very light.
A slug gun is already pretty hefty in weight, so adding a heavier scope will only make it harder to carry it around during the hunt. But durability is essential because you do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on scopes now and then. You would like something that lasts. In that regard, aluminum scopes are the standard these days for being durable and light.
3. Accuracy
Even if a lens helps you see things better from further away, that does not mean it will help you shoot accurately. The reticle might be off, or the scope does not zero in—accuracy matters in that regard. A good scope will be accurate and ensure that your aim is true whether you are at a range or hunting.
4. Advanced Technology
With technology advancing, you can expect scopes to adopt a few. Whether it is a multi-coated lens or some form of a reticle, you can see some excellent features in scopes these days. Choosing a scope with the most parts will serve you well. It is only if it is accurate, if the scope is durable, and if the lens is excellent.
5. Affordability
This one depends upon you and your budget for buying a scope. Most slug gun scopes are relatively affordable. But the expensive ones are pretty up there. But when you go lower, you can expect some features to be missing in the optics.
The Best Slug Gun Scopes Reviewed
1. Vortex Optics Diamondback 3-9×40
Now anyone in the firearm industry knows that Vortex sells premium optics. Vortex Optics scopes are top of the line, and they have a great quality product line. The Diamondback series has a few different ranges of scopes available. But we recommend the 3-9X40 for your slug gun. The Vortex Optics Diamondback 3-9X40 scope gives you everything you want from your slug gun optics.
First and foremost, the reticle on this scope is a dead-hold BDC. The bullet drop compensator gives you a good idea of how high to aim to reach a certain distance. So assessing your target while aiming at it is comparatively easier on your slug gun with this.
The scope is argon purged, so it does not fog up during cold weather. And since the barrel is constructed out of a single piece of aluminum, it is pretty sturdy. Not only is it sturdy, though, but it is also resistant to the elements as well. The lens is tightly sealed so no water can enter inside, meaning you can carry on hunting during the rainy season. And because it is made out of aluminum, it does not rust.
It has a zoom of 3X to 9X, and there are higher magnification scopes in the Diamondback series. But the higher magnification scopes have a smaller eye box. This makes them uncomfortable to use. Also, at a higher magnification range, it gets cloudy around the edges. So there is that problem as well.
But with the 3-9X44 Diamondback by Vortex Optics, you will sit pretty comfortably. The scope is a premium product, but you are also getting premium quality for the said price. And you get a Vortex Optics warranty, in case anything is wrong with the product you receive.
Pros
- Dead-hold BDC Reticle for Accurate Shots Over Distances
- Argon Purged
- Durable Construction
- Anodized Finish
- Multi-Coated Lens
- Easy Zero Reset
Cons
- Gets Blurry Around Corners at Magnifications Higher Than 9X
- Smaller Eye Box at Higher Magnifications Than 9X
2. Nikon Prostaff P3 Shotgun BDC 200 Riflescope
Anyone who does not know who Nikon is must be either living under a rock or is not familiar with technology at all. It is one of the leading brands when it comes to cameras and their lenses. Being a specialist in making lenses for high-quality and high-end cameras, they also have some of the best gun scopes. They used their specialty for making lenses and applied it to the manufacturing of gun scopes. The Prostaff P3 Shotgun BDC 200 Riflescope is a prime example of their fine engineering.
This 3-9X40 Prostaff P3 By Nikon is another premium product in the market for slug gun hunting enthusiasts. The scope is made with aircraft-grade aluminum that stands testament to its durability. It is rainproof and gives nitrogen purged, so the lenses don’t fog up during cold weather. So no matter the weather, if it is hunting season, you can prepare your slug gun for a few rounds.
Not only that, it comes with spring-loaded instant-zero reset turrets that allow you to calibrate for distances with ease. Also, you get a good amount of eye relief for comfort in sighting. If we were to point out any cons in this scope, it has to be the fact it does not come with dust covers. So you have to keep meticulous maintenance of this scope and clean it up properly before the season.
Despite the Prostaff having a BDC (Bullet drop compensation) reticle, which is perfect for shooting at long distances, it can be a little washed out at low light conditions. This drawback, along with not including lens covers, can be a game killer for some people.
Pros
- Multi-Coated Lens
- Durable Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Construction
- Nitrogen Purged
- Water-proof and Rust-proof
- BDC Reticle for Accuracy Over Distances
- Spring-loaded Instant-zero Reset Turrets for Quick Adjustment
Cons
- Washed Out Reticle in Low Light Settings
- No Lens Covers
3. TRUGLO 4x32mm Compact Rimfire and Shotgun Scope Series
If you require something on a reasonable budget and quality, Truglo is the scope to look for. Truglo designs budget scopes for most firearms that are pretty reliable. The 4X32mm by Truglo is one of the best scopes for slug guns in the market right now. The multi-coated lens gives you perfect sight even in low-light setups. So whether it is dark or light, you get an excellent shot at your target, thanks to the exceptional light transmission from the lens.
The diamond reticle is perfect for shooting with a shotgun. You also have the choice to choose between a diamond reticle and a duplex one. And both reticle scopes come in either a weaver style configuration for mounting or with 3/8 scope mounting rings.
It is made out of aircraft-grade aluminum even though it is a budget scope, making it as durable as some of the high-end scopes in the market. Also, the scope is nitrogen purged, making it fog-proof so you can hunt all year round. It also has a generous eye relief, which makes it ideal for shotgun use.
The windage and elevation adjustment is easy and can be done by hand, without tools. But the scope has parallax error at 50 yards, so mounting this on your gun can be a bit difficult. It will require a professional’s assistance. So unless you have the tools and know gunsmithing, it is highly advised to approach a professional for mounting the scope.
Pros
- Affordable
- Generous Eye Relief
- Fog-proof
- Durable Aluminum Construction
- Easy Adjustable Windage and Elevation
Cons
- Difficult Installation for Beginners
4. Simmons Prodiamond Shotgun Prohunter Riflescope
Simmons Prodiamond is the go-to shotgun scope for many because it is comparatively more manageable to set up than most brands out there. It is multi-coated for clarity and incredible light transmission, which you would not find in other scopes in the market. So whether it is dusk or dawn, you can see your target as clearly as possible.
Other than that, this scope has a fixed magnification of 4x, keeping things pretty simple. So when you need to hunt turkey or deer, just set your sights on it and shoot away. These optics are rated for shotguns, so they are pretty durable, keeping in mind that shotguns have a powerful recoil.
It is also lightweight and compact, making it an ideal accessory for a heavy shotgun. It is nitrogen purged and is resistant to fog and water. The scope is decent and pretty affordable as well. But the quality of the lens is not any less than that of any high-end optics.
Pros
- Affordable Pricing
- Great Light Transmission
- Clear Optics
- Fog and Waterproof
- Compact and Lightweight
Cons
- Fixed 4X Zoom
5. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Circle-X Reticle Riflescope
When it comes to clarity, 3-9X40mm Bushnell Banner Dusk and Dawn Circle-X Reticle Riflescope are some of the best in the line. Regardless of how much you zoom, the image stays crystal clear and sharp. This is why this scope is such a treat for shotgun enthusiasts. The light transmission on the optics is just excellent—preferred scope for many people out there who hunt in the forest.
It also has adjustable windage and elevation on your fingertips without the help of any tools whatsoever. And it is pretty durable, durable enough to withstand shocks and recoils from a shotgun. The Bushnell Banner Riflescope is also nitrogen purged, making it fog and waterproof.
On top of having all these fantastic features, we are also talking about a low price tag. This makes it incredibly attractive for someone looking for a scope at a lower budget. But with all these set features and a low price tag comes its own set of downsides. There have been some quality control issues with this scope in the past, which are said to have been resolved, but we don’t know yet.
Also, the images can get a bit blurry or dark at the corners of the scope. If you can overlook that, though, you got yourself a pretty solid deal on shotgun optics in the form of this scope.
Pros
- Low Price Tag
- Fog-proof and Water-proof
- HD Clarity on all Zoom Levels
- Amazing Light Transmission
- Adjustable Windage and Elevation
Cons
- Quality Control Concerns
- Blurry and Dark Corners
Conclusion
With any of these best slug gun scopes, you are sure to improve your aim and accuracy drastically. With a little bit of practice and adjustments to the optics, you can shoot as far as a 100-yard range without any problems. These scopes are all durable and are in different price ranges for people who want a variety. And best of all, all of these are made to withstand the shocks of a shotgun shot’s recoil.
But the scope is as good as you are with a gun, and good optics does not always mean great precision. Because you are handling the gun, keep that in mind while purchasing any of these slug gun scopes. Buy one that suits your needs.
