Can you put a scope on a shotgun? Good question!
I would normally think it’s odd to use a scope for a shotgun. After all, video games have taught me that shotguns are limited-range weapons.
However, just like any firearm, optics make hunting easier with accuracy and precision.
So does that mean you can use a scope for a shotgun? Let’s find out!
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Is It Possible to Mount a Rifle Scope on a Shotgun?
The short answer: Yes.
However, I do NOT recommend mounting basic rifle scopes on shotguns.
It may eventually break from the recoil, or you’ll at least get a bruise on your face, just like me. I immediately regretted it afterward.
Don’t fret! You don’t have to switch to rifles; scopes designed for shotguns EXIST.
Shotgun Scope vs. Rifle Scope
Firearm devices and accessories aren’t usually one-size-fits-all. Since hunting rifles differ from shotguns, their differences reflect their scopes.
Field of View and Distance
Hunting rifles are typically for far distances, while a shotgun is more short-range. Rifle magnifications are much HIGHER than a shotgun’s.
With 1x magnification, you can keep your eyes open for a quick, precise shot.
Many optics for shotguns don’t magnify anything but have red dots and give a view clearer than the naked eye.
Powerful Recoil
I remember when I first fired a shotgun; the recoil was so strong I thought I was going to be catapulted to the other side of the earth.
Shotgun loads have recoil energies that compare or exceed huge rifle calibers.
A shotgun’s recoil is sometimes comparable to an elephant gun’s recoil.
The shotgun’s recoil power can destroy any hunting rifle reticle attached to it!
Plus, if you put your eyes near your shotgun, it will hit your face. Hence, a scope designed for shotguns has high eye relief.
There’s no reason to buy a new product that will bring a bruise to your eye. Some even offer UNLIMITED eye relief!
On the other hand, optics for rifles tend to have relatively short eye relief.
Caliber rifles also have recoil, but shooters don’t need to keep their eyes that far from the gun.
So it’s best to avoid rifle optics to keep your face AWAY from the shotgun. The worst scenario is if it hits your face and breaks simultaneously!
Moving Targets
A rifle scope’s short eye relief slows down the aiming process. This usually isn’t much of a problem for hunting rifles.
When a target is far away, it will take a lot of movement to escape your BROAD field of vision.
But when a target is close, its movement will be fast relative to your position. Usually, I use shotguns to hit closer, moving targets – like flying pigeons.
It’s a nightmare to join a skeet shooting competition with a rifle scope mounted on a shotgun!
Types of Shotgun Scopes
There are no official categories for shotgun scopes or optics. But many shotgun-specific scopes are designed to excel for different purposes.
Shotgun Slug Scopes
There are many places where a rifle-barreled shotgun is the only option for hunting big game.
The usual deer hunting scope has an adjustable magnification of 3x-9x or similar. The low level gives a wide field of view to spot.
Once you spot one and want to ensure you’ll bag a mature buck, you can turn up the level to determine whether it’s the animal you wish to hunt.
Red dots are great and easy to use if you’re specifically targeting doe or if you aren’t dealing with antler restrictions.
Since much of the game tends to be out early in the morning and evening, they become difficult to find when the light is low.
The IDEAL slug scope will help reduce glare and gather light to give more visibility.
Shotgun Scopes for Bird Hunting
Wingshooters who consider their sport an art might think, Are you seriously suggesting mounting an optic for wing-shooting?
To them, you shouldn’t aim. They practice and rely on their instincts to take down their targets.
With this philosophy, I find the idea of scopes designed for shotguns is laughable.
But some hunters advocate for mounting a red dot or a holographic sight. They say it makes it easier and more automatic to see flying targets.
If you’re nearsighted or astigmatic, don’t let anyone tell you that scope is useless.
If you suffer from vision problems, reticles can change the game!
But if you’re an experienced wingshooter who never needed optics, there’s no need for that. The change might make wing-shooting more difficult.
What About a Scope For Turkey and Duck?
It’s rare to see a duck hunter who wants to mount an optic, whether a red dot or reflex sight for a shotgun.
And turkeys generally aren’t farther than 60 yards when you hunt them, so a turkey scope might seem excessive.
But I still found myself shooting quickly with a shotgun optic even though I’m used to quick shots without any optics.
A scope can even be helpful at close distances because it forces you to keep your head on the gun.
Lifting your head and looking over the barrel to see the thanksgiving fowl can make you miss it!
This forced position is excellent for beginners who lift their heads.
Red dot sights with fiber optics or any holographic sight can help you center your shot for birds.