Open sights or optics?

MrFox · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:16 PM

I just purchased my first shotgun and wonder if I should learn to shoot it with factory-installed open sights (V-shaped), or would I need to spend some extra-money to install optics.

I plan to hunt deer with the rifled barrel and deer is quite a big target. And thinking abou toptics, that's a lot of hassle and pretty big extra-expense. But everybody I hear suggest to install it. Does anybody hunt with open sights these days?

wmi · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:22 PM

I'm an optics guy. Getting older now and being able to get a zoomed in veiw of my target only insures a good clean kill. Well worth the extra $$$ in my book.

Hunting Man · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 04:46 PM

I totally agree with wmi, even a red dot as minimum, but a 4X scope would be better. The modern shotguns allow you to shoot far greater than most with good eyes can acheive. When you can aford it go with a scope.

MrFox · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 05:00 PM

Well, it's not so necessarily about money as about how inconvenient it is to have a scoped shotgun vs. how inconvenient it is to have a shotgun without scope.

I bought the shotgun for its versatility, i.e. to be able to hunt deer, rabbit, maybe some birds down the road. I believe that a scope on a smoothbore when rabbit hunting might be a nuisance (at best), an obstacle or safety hazard (I heard lots of stories about getting a black eye from the scope and don't want to experience it).

I don't intend to shoot a deer at distances greater than 100 yrds or so (or I would purchase a rifle for deer hunting and then I would install a scope). Hopefully, I shall be sufficiently good at that distance for a lung area.

However, if there's a scope which can be mounted and useful for quick target aquisition (to do rabbit/birds shooting) and safe, I'd probably strongly consider such option... My eyes aren't perfect even with contacts.

#5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 05:33 PM

you said you would be hunting deer with the rifled barrel. you won't be using a rifled barrel for rabbits and birds. scope it.

MrFox · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 05:43 PM

I own both smoothbore and rifled barrels and I plan to change the barrels often (only deer needs a rifled barrel, after the season is over, I would change it back to smoothbore). So, if I get scope installed professionally (with lock tight), it stays there for both barrels.

tbighunter · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 06:28 PM

So I guess what you are saying,is that your scope would have to mount to the receiver of your shotgun,and not to the barrel?My slug barrel has a cantilever scope mount and mine stays attached to the barrel.If I had to go to that trouble,maybe they make a quick detach scope base that would still allow you to use your bead on your smooth bore barrel.I that would not work,then I don't think I would mount a scope.It's too expensive to keep sighting in.

#8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbighunter

So I guess what you are saying,is that your scope would have to mount to the receiver of your shotgun,and not to the barrel?My slug barrel has a cantilever scope mount and mine stays attached to the barrel.If I had to go to that trouble,maybe they make a quick detach scope base that would still allow you to use your bead on your smooth bore barrel.I that would not work,then I don't think I would mount a scope.It's too expensive to keep sighting in.

what he said

hunt NH · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 07:52 PM

how about a red dot scope? big opening to look through, not as sencitive about eye releafe distance. quicker sooting than a standerd scope, and more acurate than open sites.

BruceBruce1959 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunt NH

how about a red dot scope? big opening to look through, not as sencitive about eye releafe distance. quicker sooting than a standerd scope, and more acurate than open sites.

I'd suggest the Red dot also.