This comprehensive guide will delve into the best shotgun scope recommendations available on the market, highlighting their unique features and benefits. We’ll explore options from trusted manufacturers renowned for their innovation and quality, providing insights into what makes each scope stand out.
Choosing the best shotgun scope can significantly enhance your shooting accuracy, whether you’re hunting, target shooting, or participating in competitive events. Shotguns, known for their versatility and power, benefit immensely from the precision and clarity that a high-quality scope provides. The right scope can transform your shooting experience, offering improved target acquisition, better performance in low-light conditions, and enhanced confidence in every shot.
Is It Worth Putting a Scope On a Shotgun?
Yes, putting a scope on a shotgun is definitely worth it for many shooters. A high-quality scope can significantly enhance accuracy, particularly for activities like hunting, target shooting, and competitive events. It allows for better target acquisition, improved performance in low-light conditions, and greater overall precision. By offering features such as tailored magnification, durable construction to withstand recoil, and user-friendly adjustments, a scope can transform your shotgun into a more effective and reliable tool.
Best Shotgun Scopes
Now that you know the essence of having a scope on a shotgun, let’s look at the best shotgun scope picks that are superior and will make your shooting experience thrilling.
1)Vortex Diamondback 2-7x35mm Rimfire Riflescope
The Vortex Diamondback 2-7x35mm Rimfire Riflescope is widely regarded as the best shotgun scope, offering a perfect blend of durability, clarity, and precision.
It is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum for superior durability and strength, making it an ideal choice for robust shotgun use. The rugged construction of this scope allows it to endure significant recoil and impact, providing consistent performance under the most demanding circumstances.
It features fully multi-coated lenses to ensure maximum light transmission for bright, clear, and sharp images, even in low-light conditions. The fast focus eyepiece allows for quick and easy reticle focusing, ensuring that you can swiftly acquire and maintain a clear sight picture.
The V-Plex reticle is a versatile, all-purpose reticle ideal for a variety of shooting applications, offering precise aiming points for enhanced accuracy.
The precision glide erector system ensures smooth magnification changes under the harshest conditions, providing a seamless and reliable shooting experience.
This best shotgun scope is argon gas purged and o-ring sealed for all-weather performance. You can confidently and comfortably use in in the harshest weather without worrying about it letting you down.
Features
- 2-7x magnification
- V-Plex reticle
- Argon-purged and O-ring sealed
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Second focal plane
- Hard anodized finish
- One-piece tube
- 35mm objective lens
- 3.1 to 3.5 inches of eye relief
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
Pros
- Easy-to-adjust turrets
- Clear and crisp
- Low weight
- Rugged and long-lasting
Cons
- Eye relief could be better
2)Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33mm Riflescope has a comprehensive-feature set that delivers exceptional performance and versatility, making it a premier choice for shotgun enthusiasts. This scope is engineered to meet the demands of serious shooters, providing versatility and reliability in a lightweight and durable package.
It is equipped with scratch-resistant lenses that guarantee long-lasting optical clarity, protecting against abrasions and ensuring durability in rugged conditions. This riflescope is both waterproof and fogproof, ensuring reliable performance regardless of environmental challenges.
The fast-focus locking eyepiece allows for quick and precise reticle adjustments, ensuring you can rapidly acquire and maintain a clear sight picture.
The ergonomic power selector is designed for easy magnification changes, ensuring smooth and rapid transitions between different zoom levels.
The standard finger click adjustments offer intuitive and precise windage and elevation changes, making it easy to zero in on your target with confidence. The Custom Dial System (CDS) dial allows you to quickly adjust for bullet drop, ensuring accurate long-range shots without the need for holdovers or ballistic calculations.
High-contrast adjustment markings provide clear and easy-to-read indicators, allowing for quick and precise adjustments even in low-light conditions. For those requiring exacting focus, the precision side focus adjustment allows for fine-tuning, enhancing clarity and target acquisition at varying distances.
he push-button FireDot illumination provides a bright, illuminated aiming point, improving visibility and accuracy in low-light situations. Despite its advanced features, the VX-Freedom maintains an ultra-lightweight design, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize mobility and ease of handling.
Features
- Hunt-Plex reticle
- Standard finger click adjustments
- Fast-focus locking eyepiece
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Ergonomic power selector
- Shockproof
- 3.7 to 4.2 inches of eye relief
- 33mm objective lens diameter
- Advanced optical system
- Scratch-resistant lenses
- Shockproof
Pros
- Very well made
- Lightweight
- Crystal-clear
- Positive clicks
Cons
- Lacks illumination
3)Truglo 4x32mm Shotgun Scope
The Truglo 4x32mm Shotgun Scope is another exceptional choice for shotgun hunters, designed to enhance accuracy and reliability in the field. Its features are meticulously tailored to meet the demands of shotgun hunting, making it an ideal option for tracking and targeting game such as turkey and deer.
A standout feature of the scope is its diamond reticle, specifically engineered for shotgun hunting. This reticle provides precise aiming points that are particularly effective for targeting turkeys and deer, allowing for quick target acquisition and improved shot placement.
The scope includes a rubber eye-guard. to enhance comfort and protection. This feature helps cushion the eye from recoil and provides a secure, comfortable viewing experience during extended periods of use.
The scope’s fully-coated lenses ensure maximum brightness, clarity, and contrast. This enhances visibility in various lighting conditions, providing a clear and sharp sight picture that is essential for accurate shooting.
Built to endure the rigors of hunting, this scope features a durable, scratch-resistant, and non-reflective matte finish. This not only protects the scope from wear and tear but also minimizes reflections that could spook game.
The scope is weatherproof, ensuring consistent performance in rain, snow, and varying temperatures. This reliability is crucial for hunters who venture into challenging environments.
In addition, the fingertip turrets provide easy and precise adjustments for windage and elevation. These turrets allow hunters to make quick modifications in the field without the need for additional tools, ensuring that shots are always accurate.
With its combination of a specialized diamond reticle, fully-coated lenses, and robust construction, the Truglo 4x32mm Shotgun Scope is perfectly suited for shotgun hunting.
Features
- Includes a lens cover and sight rings
- Unique Diamond reticle
- Fingertip turrets
- Lenses are fully coated
- Waterproof and fogproof protection
- Fixed 4x power
- 4 inches of eye relief
- 0.25 MOA adjustment click value
- Second focal plane
- Non-reflective matte finish
- Rubber eyeguard
Pros
- Affordable
- Weatherproof
- Lightweight
Cons
- The fixed power is unsuitable for some shooters
4)Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm Ballistic Plex Shotgun Riflescope
This scope combines advanced optical technology with rugged construction, making it an excellent choice for hunting and shooting in various conditions.
It features high-grade optical glass, which delivers exceptional brightness and clarity. This ensures a clear, sharp sight picture, crucial for accurate target acquisition and shooting precision. The index-matched Hi-Lume multi-coating on the lenses makes things even better as it optimizes light transmission and reduces glare. This provides a brighter and clearer image, even in low-light conditions, enhancing overall shooting performance.
The Burris Fullfield II is designed for maximum durability as it is fashioned from aircraft-grade aluminum. This robust material ensures the scope can withstand rigorous use and harsh environmental conditions.
The scope tube is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, filled with nitrogen gas to prevent internal fogging. This guarantees reliable performance in all weather conditions, from heavy rain to extreme temperatures.
The finger-adjustable turrets are a sweet addition and allow for easy and precise windage and elevation adjustments. This user-friendly feature enables shooters to make quick modifications in the field, ensuring accuracy without the need for additional tools.
Features
- Nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging
- 40mm objective lens
- Waterproof and shockproof
- Finger-adjustable turrets for windage and elevation
- One-inch body tube
- Ballistic Plex E1 reticle
- Second focal plane design
- Hi-Lume multi-coating on the lens
- Matte finish
- High-grade optical glass
- 3-9x magnification range
Pros
- Excellent light gathering
- Crisp adjustments
- Built to last
- Lightweight
Cons
- Blurry crosshairs
5)Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Multi-X Riflescope
The Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Multi-X Riflescope is an excellent choice for shotgun users seeking a high-performance scope that balances quality and affordability.
The scope features Dusk & Dawn Brightness multi-coated optics that provide excellent light transmission, resulting in bright, clear, and high-contrast images. You can comfortably hunt in early morning or late-evening lighting with the assurance of stunning image quality.
It is engineered for durability as it is both waterproof and fogproof. Its robust construction prevents moisture and fogging from compromising the clarity of your view, ensuring reliable performance in all weather conditions.
The quick focusing eyepiece is another nice addition on this best shotgun scope. It allows for rapid and easy reticle focusing, enabling shooters to acquire their targets swiftly and maintain a clear sight picture at all times.
The riflescope features a Multi-X reticle which provides a straightforward and versatile aiming point, ideal for various shooting scenarios. The reticle design enhances accuracy and makes target acquisition intuitive and efficient.
The 1/4 Minute of Angle fingertip windage and elevation adjustments are resettable, allowing for precise and easy modifications. This feature ensures that shooters can make quick and accurate adjustments with this best shotgun scope on the fly, maintaining accuracy without the need for additional tools.
Features
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Dry nitrogen-filled
- One-piece tube
- Dusk & Dawn Brightness multi-coated optics
- 3x to 9x magnification
- Waterproof construction
- Multi-X reticle
- Shockproof
- 1/4 MOA windage and elevation turrets
Pros
- Unmatched eye relief
- It comes at a nice price
- Superb low-light performance
- Rock solid
Cons
- Zooming is not very easy
Considerations When Buying the Best Shotgun Scope
Build Quality
Scopes made from aircraft-grade aluminum or other robust materials offer enhanced durability and can withstand the recoil of a shotgun. These materials also contribute to the scope’s longevity.
Waterproof and fogproof construction is crucial for reliable performance in various environmental conditions. Nitrogen or argon gas purging prevents internal fogging, while sealed housing keeps out moisture.
Ensure the scope is built to withstand the heavy recoil of a shotgun. A stress-free, one-piece outer tube construction can provide additional durability and stability.
Optical Quality
Secondly, consider the optical quality before determining the best shotgun scope. Look for scopes with fully multi-coated or multi-coated lenses, as these coatings enhance light transmission, reduce glare, and improve brightness and clarity. This is particularly important for low-light conditions common in hunting scenarios.
High-grade optical glass ensures clear and sharp images. Superior glass quality minimizes distortion and enhances overall viewing experience.
Size and Weight
The next consideration when buying the best shotgun scope is the size and weight. A lightweight and compact scope is easier to handle and does not significantly affect the balance of the shotgun. This is particularly important for hunters who carry their firearms over long distances.
Reticle Type
Choose a reticle that suits your shooting needs. For hunting, reticles like the diamond reticle (for turkeys and deer) or the Multi-X reticle offer clear and precise aiming points. The V-Plex reticle is another versatile option.
Some scopes come with illuminated reticles, such as the FireDot illumination, which are beneficial for low-light conditions and provide better visibility of the aiming point.
Adjustment and Focus
Finger adjustable turrets for windage and elevation allow for quick and precise adjustments without the need for tools. The best shotgun scope should have resettable turrets for easy zeroing.
Variable magnification scopes e.g., 2-7x or 3-9x offer flexibility for different shooting distances and scenarios. Fixed magnification scopes can be simpler and more rugged but offer less versatility..
In addition, a quick focusing eyepiece allows for rapid reticle focusing, which is crucial for quick target acquisition.
Read: 4 Best Vortex Scopes for Slug Gun
Best Shotgun Scope FAQs
What is Acceptable Eye Relief on a Shotgun Scope?
You will want a standard scope with at least 3.5 inches of eye relief if you use a shotgun for hunting more than fowl. Scopes equipped for recoil that comes with high-powered rifles will also do the trick.
What Is the Best Range for a Shotgun?
The best range for a shotgun depends on several factors, including the type of shotgun, the ammunition used, and the intended target. Shotguns are versatile firearms capable of engaging targets at various distances. Generally, shotguns are most effective at shorter ranges, typically within 40 yards (approximately 36 meters). This range is commonly associated with hunting applications such as bird hunting, where shotguns excel at hitting fast-moving targets like birds or small game.
However, shotguns can also be effective at longer ranges, especially when using slugs or specialized ammunition designed for increased accuracy and range. With rifled barrels and proper sighting systems, shotguns firing slugs can effectively engage targets out to 100 yards (approximately 91 meters) or more. This extended range makes shotguns suitable for hunting larger game such as deer or for certain tactical and defensive applications.
Which is Better, a Shotgun or a Handgun?
The superiority of a shotgun versus a handgun depends on the intended use and the specific requirements of the situation. Shotguns excel in scenarios where short to medium-range firepower and wide target coverage are advantageous, making them highly effective for hunting, home defense, and certain tactical applications. With the ability to fire a spread of pellets or slugs, shotguns offer formidable stopping power and can incapacitate targets with a single shot.
Handguns, on the other hand, are more compact and portable, making them ideal for concealed carry and close-quarters engagements. They offer quick target acquisition and are suitable for self-defense situations where maneuverability and rapid deployment are critical. Ultimately, the choice between a shotgun and a handgun depends on factors such as intended use, personal preference, and the specific requirements of the scenario at hand.
Why Is Clarity Vital When Choosing the Best Shotgun Scope?
Clarity is paramount when choosing a shotgun scope as it directly impacts the shooter’s ability to acquire and accurately engage targets. In shotgun shooting, particularly in hunting scenarios where fast-moving targets are common, clear and sharp optics are essential for quickly identifying and tracking game.
Optics with superior clarity, such as those featuring high-grade optical glass and multi-coated lenses, provide a clear sight picture with minimal distortion, ensuring that the target is accurately sighted and enabling precise shot placement. Additionally, clear optics enhance visibility in low-light conditions, a common occurrence during dawn or dusk hunts. Therefore, prioritizing clarity when selecting a shotgun scope is crucial for maximizing accuracy, confidence, and success in shooting endeavors.
Conclusion
The best shotgun scope enhances accuracy, reliability, and overall shooting experience. By evaluating the key aspects here and choosing a scope that aligns with individual needs and preferences, shooters can maximize their effectiveness and confidence in a wide range of shooting applications.