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Red dot for turkeys?

hickslawns

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I've only ever used open sights on shotguns. Only exception is my Savage 220 scoped for deer hunting. My Mossturd has the sights which fall off about every other hunt. Mossturd has sent replacements more than once. I won't complain about that, but it is frustrating they keep falling off. I feel it is just a bad design. It is closing in on turkey season and I figure I better do something if I want to use this gun. It appears to be drilled and tapped for a scope. I was thinking of adding a rail to it and putting a red dot on there. Has anyone done this for a turkey gun? Are they easy to get dialed in if you are spraying pellets versus setting a scope up for a slug? I know how to set up a scope but as mentioned, red dots will be new territory for me. I'm not sure if this is something people would even do just to shoot a stupid bird with a brain the size of a pea. . . which seem to outsmart me all the time.
 

aholdren

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I put a red dot on Austins 870 20ga and it was simple to dial in and shoots well, but what happens if you have to put a second shot on one that jumps up and takes off when your on your way to retrieve it? I think it will be a hassle to find the dot rather than the bead on the end of the barrel.
 

Fletch

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When you say the sights keep falling off, exactly what do you mean? Are the sights similar to that on a slug gun with front and rear? I've found that all that is needed is the bead at the end of the barrel for turkeys...
 

hickslawns

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I put a red dot on Austins 870 20ga and it was simple to dial in and shoots well, but what happens if you have to put a second shot on one that jumps up and takes off when your on your way to retrieve it? I think it will be a hassle to find the dot rather than the bead on the end of the barrel.

Then I'll need to make it count on the first shot. Lol
 

Carpn

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I'm not a fan of red dots or any scope on a turkey gun. Just a bead is fine for me . 2 beads is better but my gun only has one. If you really need a front and rear those slugger style sights that clamp on to the ribs with a set screw are a good option .

With a red dot there will be a time you don't turn it off and it's dead when you wanna go.
 

jagermeister

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I have a red dot on my turkey gun and actually prefer it to open sights. I wouldn't place myself in the diehard turkey hunter category though either, so take it for what it's worth.

Sighting in is a piece of cake. Shoot the cheap 2 3/4" lead 7.5s or 8s to dial it in, then shoot a turkey load or two to verify your zero. Start at like 15 yards so that your pattern is about the size of a baseball... Easier to zero in that way.


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I also use a red dot on my turkey gun. Jagermeister is right on for set up. They are very effective for a bird coming in. But as pointed out follow up shots or shots at a spooked bird are very difficult. I have never left my on but batteries last thousands of hours and I always put a fresh set in at the start of every season


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hickslawns

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I'm not a fan of red dots or any scope on a turkey gun. Just a bead is fine for me . 2 beads is better but my gun only has one. If you really need a front and rear those slugger style sights that clamp on to the ribs with a set screw are a good option .

With a red dot there will be a time you don't turn it off and it's dead when you wanna go.

I believe this is what mine has. No set screws though. I'll have to google them. Yep. That is exactly what I need. Pretty sad Mossturd continues to send me their garbage that falls off in less than one season. Considering I only turkey hunt a few times a year (at best), this is pathetic. I'll never buy another Mossturd. Thanks for the recommendation Jake. Plenty for my needs and cheaper than a red dot. Outside of turkey season, the only use I have for this gun is fully loaded with 4 OT buckshot for home defense. Hope I never need to use it for this.

Like Jager, I'm not diehard. Far from it. If I never went turkey hunting again in my life I'd be okay.
 

Carpn

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I honestly think I could give up deer before turkey if it was a choice . Turkey hunting is just more fun. Deer hunting isn't much fun at all .
That said , my favorite place is standing in the woods in the spring waiting to hear that first gobble of the day . I love just taking a walk with my gun and my vest trying to find a gobbling bird . I don't care to hunt turkey with a bow just cause I find it boring . Although it can be done without a blind generally it involves sitting in a blind over decoys which isn't to fun at all .
I'd rather just sit at the base of a tree and kill em with a gun. Turkey hunting is just as fun and exciting when your buddy pulls the trigger . I just enjoy it .
 

Isaacorps

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Columbus
I honestly think I could give up deer before turkey if it was a choice . Turkey hunting is just more fun. Deer hunting isn't much fun at all .
That said , my favorite place is standing in the woods in the spring waiting to hear that first gobble of the day . I love just taking a walk with my gun and my vest trying to find a gobbling bird . I don't care to hunt turkey with a bow just cause I find it boring . Although it can be done without a blind generally it involves sitting in a blind over decoys which isn't to fun at all .
I'd rather just sit at the base of a tree and kill em with a gun. Turkey hunting is just as fun and exciting when your buddy pulls the trigger . I just enjoy it .

This. Turkey hunting is an absolute blast. No need to worry about scent or moving around. Run and gun and follow the birds. I am, by no means, an expert. I killed my first bird last year and I’m hooked. Typically better weather TOO lol. I love deer hunting but it would be a tough choice between the 2. Thank God we’re blessed to be able to pursue both!
 

hickslawns

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Only until you are on the bird..... (find him)
Drrrr. Yeah. I knew what you meant. Lol. Ok. No I didn't. I didn't pick up on it.

Jake- I just cannot get too wrapped up in turkeys. Never know if I'll be able to hunt them. Dependent upon how spring rolls in which effects my work schedule. Maybe I have mentally held myself from enjoying it because I never know how much time I can commit to it. Why get jacked up to hunt them and then not be able to go? Sort of like blue balls for turkey hunting. 😀
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
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A lot of time money and effort for very little meat. I get a little more into it every year, but I don’t see it every getting rated higher then deer hunting. At this point, I’d rather go hunt squirrels.
 

hickslawns

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@giles I couldn't agree more. That is part of it. Lot of time for one meal. I still think it is mainly because I don't want to get my hopes up if I may not be able to hunt. Then again, it is quite a rush when they are gobbling and working towards you. Ahuge unexpected gobble up close is like a coyote response up close when you don't expect it. Big adrenaline rush.