Optics

[mightywalleyehunter]

Try out the Apex 9.5s. Those worked the best out of mine. Federal tss actually did the worst for me even though the gun is supposedly made for that round. I use the stock choke though. The Apex actually works out to be cheaper per shell because it comes with 10 rounds.

I saw guys saying the apex ninja was getting good results

boss and federal were easier to acquire for me right now

 

[YeOldeRusty]

I saw guys saying the apex ninja was getting good results

boss and federal were easier to acquire for me right now

I've said it before on another thread, but if you haven't already sighted in your red dot, make sure you're using lead birdshot when up close to get a rough sight. Once you're past 20 yards then you can use the good ammo. Stuff's too expensive to be rough sighting with

 

[mightywalleyehunter]

I've said it before on another thread, but if you haven't already sighted in your red dot, make sure you're using lead birdshot when up close to get a rough sight. Once you're past 20 yards then you can use the good ammo. Stuff's too expensive to be rough sighting with

Agreed

 

[Blackduck]

Honest question, and I promise this isn't meant as a negative question in any way whatsoever. Do those of you who use scopes, red dots and various other aftermarket sites do so because you've had difficulty consistently killing birds with a bead?

We do this for fun, so there's really no right or wrong answer.

I never had "trouble", per se. Only birds I ever missed came inside 15 yards on my off side and I rolled to get on them and missed them as they ran. My miss. Clean miss. I have made that shot since numerous times, with a red dot, where I probably wouldn't have even taken the shot with a bead after previous experiences, just not enough time to get into the gun before they were gone. Using one shooting ducks with one hand made me realize how much easier it is to aim if you don't have to be down on the gun.

That said, I hate them in the rain, and still shoot a gun with a bead if I'm hunting in the rain.

Edit* Also, no longer use them for ducks. Too many dogs shaking, decoys splashing, just as bad as the rain.

 

[Native NV Ducker]

There was an episode on one of the MeatEater shows, with the host hunting with an older guy shooting a .410. He missed his first two shots at about 30 yards (I think) and finally connected with a moving shot on the 3rd.
He said his pattern was about the size of a coffee saucer at that range, and he shot high on the first two shots. So, a red dot might have helped him out in that situation.

I've never shot one, but my Dad did, for both turkey and ducks. This was in his last years, and he had lots of physical problems. In my years growing up, Dad was one of the best wing shots I have ever seen. After he dropped off, the Dot helped him start connecting again. This was old technology, over 25 years ago. I shouldered it, and it felt clunky to me. But, worked for him.

 

[bird junkie]

Red dot on the 20. Just put this together last night will see if I can get it dialed in tomorrow. Haven’t shot it in 20yrs but with the bladed sights I have a hard time seeing target and sites.

 

[WOODIE13]

Optics...when you start shooting a shotgun like a rifle, you will have issues, but what do I know



22/250

 

[Squaller]

Leopold 2-7x33 shotgun scope.

View attachment 376563

Why'd it take three shells for two birds if that scope works so well?

 

[SB2MAG]

Why'd it take three shells for two birds if that scope works so well?

Rule number #2: Double tap.

Double tap

About 25-30 turkeys came out of the swamp and walked towards me. With the binoculars, I only saw two Toms. No Jakes. Two Toms and a whole lot of hens. They got to about 35 yards and with the scope I could see clearly that there were no hens in-line with the shot not behind the Tom. One shot and through the scope, I saw that I dropped it dead. Of the remaining turkeys, some ran and some stayed. The other Tom moved ten feet over to its left and was surrounded by hens. It then walked to its left and when I saw through the scope that the second Tom was away from the hens and in the clear, I shot as it was moving. It was a good shot, but it was still moving with its head up so after reaffirming it was clear of the hens with the scope, I double tapped it. A lot easier than getting out of the blind, running over and breaking its neck.

Here is the view from where the first turkey was shot:

The second Turkey was about 15 yards to the left.

Here is the gun’s pattern with those shells at 50 yards:

Here is another turkey I double tapped. I was 99% sure it was definitely dead on the first shot but I did not feel like chasing a Turkey through the woods.

Here is another turkey I shot from the same spot a few days before.

Here is some turkeys my wife and I shot from the same spot:

Note, I double tapped mine. As it didn’t appear 100% dead.

 

[SB2MAG]

Why'd it take three shells for two birds if that scope works so well?

Here’s another one that got double tapped with a 100 year old gun and some old paper shells.

Here’s another one that got double tapped at ten and twelve yards.

I’ve heard of turkeys flying away after being shot at close range. One was after it was tagged by the hunter. I don’t like to take chances.