Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Turkey gun optic

I had a speed bead, and I much prefer a reflex open sight. YMMV

I was somewhat reluctant to add a red dot or reflex so I decided on the economical route for trial.
4 or 5 birds later, the Bushnell TRS-25 still hasn't given up the ghost. If I cared more about turkey hunting, I'd likely upgrade.

Nice bird.
I found that there is no right or wrong answer on this. Find what you like and run with it.

I do think a lot if it depends on how tight of a pattern you have as well. Bigger pattern will let you get by with more. SUPER TIGHT pattern, and you have to start thinking about it more like a rifle as opposed to a shotgun.
Shot distance also inter into it as well.
I do like the birds to be at 25 yards or so when I can get them there. I shoot a really tight pattern and have shot them as close as 10 yards.
Close with a really tight pattern give very little wiggle room

This is why I have run the Burris FF#3 for about 8 years. Replace the battery and never have to rezero or remove the sight....

This⬆️

A lot depends on one’s vision. I need some correction to see even a red dot clearly, and definitely a regular front sight of any sort. Prisms have focusing oculars, so everything is sharp and clear just like a scope. I have a PA Prism on a Mini-14 that has a much larger FOV than the Mini P on my .410, but it cost over two times as much and is a lot heavier. Might try it later.

Another reason for an optic on a shotgun is for shooting slugs or other “alternative” ammo. My .410 put three Brenneke slugs under 2” at 50 yards with that Mini P and a Skeet tube.

I run a Venom

Eotech is hard to beat.

Turkey seem to like me so a long shot would be maybe 25 yards. Bead works fine to me. I don’t even call turkey because I’ve found with the high numbers the toms just ain’t rustling up hens like they used to so the calling process spooks them much of the time. I literally make a gobbling sound that the toms respond to which gives away their position, I think it irritates the heck out of them. I just find a spot on their circuit, sit and wait.

For the most part I don’t turkey hunt because I don’t like all the rules. If I do take one its with a single shot sawed off 12 gauge. There just ain’t much sport in it for me, they really are a dumb bird.

I run a sig sauer Romeo 4h. Assembled in the US at least.....



If you’re going to shoot groups like this with a 20 gauge at 45 yards, a red dot becomes a must......

Way too big and heavy

I prefer the Fast Fire 3 style red dots.

I had terrible results with a couple of Trophy RDs that crapped in no time, but a range buddy happily runs a bunch of the TRS-25s, so I took a chance. So far so good on a S&W Victory. Nice sight, priced right. Still, the FF3 is a sure bet if you ever want a change.

Went fastfire 3. Works great.

How do you guys like the Circle/Dot reticles? This seems like it would be great for turkey hunting.

I have a sight coming with one and will play with it but am happy with the dot

Fastfire 4 just came out.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/tmp/159454.jpg


SwampFox Kingslayer

This business of shooting turkeys has sure gotten complicated. When I got a 24” turkey barrel with fiber optic open sights for my Encore I thought I’d hit the big time. Hell, I still slum around running and gunning in fall season with my 3 1/2” Beretta duck gun (no sights) or one of my 16 gauge sxs’s (no sights.)

I've been using Aimpoint for over 15 years. Can't complain. I have my shotgun setup with a super tight turkey choke and I shoot TSS #6 exclusively. I need the accuracy for the tight pattern and my vision. I have to agree, however, that a reflex sight, speed bead or plain ol' iron bead are really what's needed if you get a runner or need to shoot one flying.