Fiber optic shot gun sight ?

S

South Edisto Man

New member
I'm new to the night hunting scene and have a question about shotgun sights at night. My plan is to use my turkey gun (3 1/2" 11-87) at night for coyotes. South Carolina has us limited to open sights that "don't emit their own light" I would think a tritium bead or glow in the dark paint would be awesome, but also technically illegal. I asked the chief of law enforcement at the DNR about fiber optic sights and got the ok as they only gather ambient light. Well, here is my problem, my turkey gun has green fiber optic sights on it now. They shine like a beacon when sighting with a white light, but when I pop the red lens on my head lamp, it's lights out. I assume that there just isn't enough green light in the red to make them glow. Will a red fiber optic sight fare any better? I don't have one on hand to test. I really don't want to have to change the sights around from say a white bead, to fiber optic, if there is something that will work for both daytime turkey and night time coyote.
 
I use the Nikon turkey scope with the TBR. I use a xlr250 under my barrel and defining the crosshairs or circle, I should say is not a problem. Also they give you a range function on turkeys and if you adjust your power you can range coyotes as well. The outer circle is like 10-12 inches at 40yds so basically chest to back in the outer circle is a dead dog. They are on sale for 149 @ cabelas right now (100 off). I know they are not illuminated but it does work well. I have it on a Bsquare mount on my 870.
 
Thanks for the replies, I have looked at both of those options pretty seriously for use during turkey season with this gun. Unfortunately both are a no-go for night hunting in SC. The speed bead is illuminated, and unfortunately, we are limited to open sights only at night on the coyotes. For rifles we are also restricted to rimfire, open sighted as well. The law specifically eliminates night vision as well. We can use any calibre centerfire handgun, as long as it's unilluminated open sights. I guess I now have a reason to go get a .500 S&W.
thumbup.gif
 
Yea, or move. Though that would be slightly less cost effective than buying a red fiber optic if it will shine under a red light. I simply don't have anything with a red light tube on it too try.
 
I use a plain white bead. The red light lights it up pretty good. I had the same problem with the fiber optics. I usually use a headlamp when using a shotgun but I've been playing around with mounting a light about an inch behind the bead to the left or right of the barrel. By doing this the light just barely hits the white bead and makes it appear like its glowing.
 
Back
Top