Thinking about adding a scope of some kind to my 870 for this season. Any advice?
Thanks

Nikon Turkey Pro - or similar flavor. I have this one, it makes patterning at hunting ranges pretty predictable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037CLB7E?tag=nanwp-20

I spent a few days checking the pattern on my load, and the reticle circles helped me visualize when the pattern was going out to about 40 yards.

Never used a scope, only open or red dot sights. I like the Burris Fast Fires.

I do understand the value of the Nikon as explained by AH. Makes perfect sense and would be a great help with patterning and in the field. There have been times in tight cover where improved vision of a scope would have been helpful.

I have put BSA and Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5 variables on shotguns for deer and turkey hunting over the years. My results have been good. My only failure was a mid-90's Bushnell Banner that just did not have enough eye relief for the stock length of my Mossberg 500. A newer one, purchased last year, did not have that problem. In general, as long as the scope is sturdy enough to take the shock and affords minimal magnification, you'll be fine. I set mine to about 2.5 power.

One word of warning regarding scopes: Be careful about your range. If you get a turkey in your scope, it is very hard to judge range. The gobbler can wander away, and if your head stays down, you may not be able to detect it, especially if it's on open pasture with no visual cues. I had this happen last year, and it's happened once before. I was so busy trying to stay still and so busy angling for a good shot, I lost track of how far the gobbler wandered.

See:
Last Tag Filled Amid Mortal Combat

Bottom line: I shot the bird at 60 yards with a gun that was set up for a 40-yard shot. He died, but it took rolling around on the ground with him before he succumbed.

I have always used the open bead site. I recently picked up a breech mount weaver style rail for my 870.
I like the concept of the Nikon turkey pro. I've been looking at the red dot holographic types too. I figured this would be a good place to draw from others experience. Thanks for the input.

You may also consider a small reflex sight such as this.

I've never used one on a shotgun, but really like them on an AR or handgun. The units are very robust and would stand-up to the rigors of hunting.

The Leupold reflex is similar, but much more expensive than the Burris FF III. I like both and use the FF III on most of my turkey guns.

I've had three try go gobble dots and each one has been balls tough and reliable.


they are my go to on a turkey gun

I have an EO Tech on my Remington 11-87 turkey gun, I like it a lot. Expensive but good.

I've tried about every kind of sight on the market...fiber optic open sights, red dot, reflex, scope. There are 4 shotguns in my safe that are set up for turkey hunting....A Benelli SBE2 with a reflex sight, a Winchester 1300 12 guage with fiber optic sights, a Remington 11-87 Youth 20 with red dot, and a Remington 870 Youth 20 with a Weaver Shotgun scope. I hardly ever use a 12 guage anymore, and have started shooting 20 gauges for turkey, and prefer a scope over the other types. But, I will say this, the Winchester 1300 is the best turkey gun I've ever shot, as far as the way it patterns, and the fiber optic sights on it are very easy to use. I just prefer a scope because 66 year old eyes aren't the greatest.

I don't ever see me using an optic on a turkey shotgun, but if I did it would be a Burris Fast Fire.

I think I could manage hitting a bird on the wing with one of those, maybe.

Aimpoint 9000sc. Tough as nails, years long battery life, not hard to hit moving/flying targets with if need be.

I inherited an old steel weaver K1 that is a thick taper post with a horizontal cross hair reticle.
Also have a 2.75x redfield Cub (? cant remember name)with the same reticle.

Anyone try one of these reticle types?
Will the old scopes stand up to shotgun recoil?

I am putting a Burris FF3 on my daughters 870 youth 20.

I have been using a FF on my Benelli for many years. I got a speed bead mount for it and use it for waterfowl too. The BIGGEST advantage is the ability to sight in your pattern for the highest density of shot and put it where you want it.

I have one on my duck gun...works great

You'd think they'd make one of their speed feed mounts for a 20 gauge 870.

Yeah that would be sweet! I really like that mount because it is out of the way and makes carrying the gun with a hand around the receiver easy.

Old thread - revived for the current optics question.

I really wish they would!

How? Last I checked they didn't mount on an 870 20ga.

If I was guessing he is getting it D&T'd and adding a Marlin 336 or SumToy optics base to mount the FastFire on.

Here is a FFII on my 20ga:



I mounted a FF3 on my 28ga using a B-square removable mount. I can take a picture and post it if you want.

The speed bead don't really excite me so I opted for a egw mount for my Vortex venom.

Got a vortex 1x scope for $59 from cameraland. I'm liking it more than my Leupold 2x7 turkey scope