Need Some Advice on Shotgun Red Dot

M

Moosetrot

New member
I just filled a gap in the arsenal with an 870 Special Purpose 12 ga. Magnum. It's an early one with walnut stock but is in new shape. It has a 20" smooth barrel with screw-in chokes and a cantilever mount, but no optics on it. I already have one with rifle sights that is really a shooter. I got a very good deal on this one and I just plain like it.

My eyes just aren't what they used to be though. I plan on using the new one for bear hunting with slugs and shotshells for coyote, and I was concerned about being able to see the open sights on a dark animal in low light conditions.

I am thinking about putting a red dot on the cantilever mount. It's 3/8" but the guy gave me a Picatinny Rail for the mount. I have been looking on the net at red dots and there's too many out there for me to make a choice. I'd rather stay away from the "scopes" as some seem to have a high profile. I have seen some, mostly on AR's that have the rectangular glass and I assume the red dot is projected on that.

I have a price range of $100-150. Would really appreciate and recommendations you may have for a red dot on my gun.

Thanks!

Moosetrot
 
If you can find an old school tasco PP2 or PP3 without tinted glass you'd be happy. I have one on my 10 gauge and have used it for turkey hunting for the last 25 years. I have more on pistols.
 
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For mini red dot sights I would check out the Burris FastFire or Vortex for around $200. For smaller tube dot sights look at the Primary Arms Advanced, Holosun, or Vortex Sparc 2 between $150-200.
 
Also look at a comb riser for the butt stock. Otherwise your cheek/jaw is gonna be floating above or barely on the stock. That sort of inconsistent mount is bad form for accuracy and the stock is likely to slap you in the jaw pretty hard in recoil.
 
Ultra dot has a good reputation over on the cast boolit sight. Seems to be the go to sight for the hand canons
I have a couple of old tascos that are still going they been on a little bit of everything 500 mag and 12 ga turkey gun. I had a couple of cheap bushnell but they bit the dirt.
 
Have used Millet Multidots mounted coaxially on ARs and on Benelli SBE w/good results. Love the fact that dot can not only be adjusted for brightness, size adjustable from 3-10 MOA. The 3 on dim is great for finer rifle sight; larger works well on bright day and for shotgun.

Originally Posted By: GCAlso look at a comb riser for the butt stock. Otherwise your cheek/jaw is gonna be floating above or barely on the stock. That sort of inconsistent mount is bad form for accuracy and the stock is likely to slap you in the jaw pretty hard in recoil.

Good advice. Have not done so, but the 3 1/2" loads do get your attention.



Another (more expensive) sight would be the Fastfire, which I mounted on an M1 Garand. IIRC the dot is 4 MOA on mine (early version) but available in 3 MOA now. For rifle, I would prefer the smaller dot but either should serve well on shotgun.




Regards,
hm
 
Save your money and go with an Aimpoint 9000SC. I have two as well as a Burris FF3. The Aimpoints get unbelievable battery life and are pretty much indestructible. Remember you get what you pay for when it comes to optics.
 
Look at a Holosun, half the price of Aimpoints, same features and very good reviews. Come with two mounts and quick disconnects.
 
I ran an Eotech on my versamax for a couple of years, I liked the dot with the 65moa circle, but the mount seemed to sit a tad high for a shotgun. With the holographic sight it wasn't a performance issue with the mount height, just not a comfortable cheek weld fit. That sight had some reticle fade so I sent it back. I just put on a Sig Romeo5, the height is perfect and so far I am impressed with performance and the price was exceptional.
 
I know this is an old thread, just wondering Zcustom, how you like the Romeo5 after a year or so ?
Good battery life ?
Also, did you get the 2 moa dot or the dot in a circle ?
TIA Bob
 
I PM'd you on this as well but figure I should put my review in public for anyone that may be following.

"I actually have several of them,2moa dot. Have them on some ar's, a lever action 45-70 and my versa max. I have had it on the versa max for over 2 years, battery life is crazy, I actually changed out the battery, not because it was dead, but just couldn't not put a new one in. I drag that shotgun on the back of a snowmobile all winter, sometimes leave it on overnight in the barn. I have nothing bad to say about them. I have a couple of eotech's which are nice but on the shotgun I like the lower profile of the sig.
Hope this helps."
 
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