BUCKSHOTīuckshot is good for deer at close range. They are more expensive than birdshot but they may be what you need for turkey hunting. These shells are designed to give a reliable shot for something the size of a turkey head out to about 45 or 50 yards. TURKEY LOADSĪ lot of companies make specialized turkey loads. You can shoot all day long and not feel like you are wasting a lot of money. There’s just so many things you can do with it. Although they are meant for clay birds, many hunters have used birdshot for feathered birds too.įor some shotgun owners, this may be the only type of shot they use. Every shotgun owner need to have multiple boxes of this around. There is a wide range of ammo for your shotgun that you can use for hunting birds, hunting deer, and defending yourself. It’s amazing how many things you can do with it. If you can’t find a camo scope, or don’t want one, make sure the scope you get is a matte finish.Ī simple 12 gauge shotgun is a versatile gun. You don’t want to head out on your hunting trip camouflaged from head to toe and realize your shiny scope reflects the sun and catches the attention of the wildlife. Remember that shiny scopes can be easily spotted. Unless you think a certain feature is a must have, you can probably do without it. Keep in mind that every gadget and feature is one more thing that can break and make your scope useless. LESS IS MOREĪs you are shopping around for a shotgun scope, you may see all these different, tempting, features. Unless you make your living from hunting, a simple scope that gets the job done is probably good enough. PRICE: EXPENSIVE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN BETTERĪs long as the scope fulfills these other requirements listed, you really don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on a scope for your shotgun. You don’t need magnification as powerful as a rifle since you won’t be shooting as long of a distance. Slight magnification is enough for a shotgun scope. You want the scope to have a sharp view of whatever you point it at so your eyes get the relief necessary. Having a clear view doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive scope on the market. CLARITYĪnother very important feature to look at is the scope’s clarity. When you are out in the woods you will need a durable scope that lasts for the long haul. The most important thing that you need from your shotgun scope is it needs to be worth the money. There are many scopes to choose from so here are a few things to look for as you are choosing the right scope for your shotgun. When you are shopping for a scope for your shotgun, there are some things to keep in mind. For the cost of a small amount of weight added to your shotgun, you will be able to see your targets much more clearly. It can’t hurt to have your target magnified. Crosshairs allow you to pinpoint your target at all times. With a scope you will not be tempted to raise your head and look to see if that bird, or other animal, is moving. With a scope you will be less frustrated and have more time to get more kills. It’s much easier to do with your readers on. Yes, you can shoot your game with iron sights but using a scope is like reading the fine print. Larger game calls for even greater accuracy than turkey hunting. It’s not like you are going to snipe that turkey from a long distance.Īdding a scope to your shotgun will actually improve your chances of getting that turkey with a clean shot. Turkey hunting doesn’t seem like there would be a need for a scope. Some even wonder why you would use a scope on your shotgun. Is there a difference between a shotgun scope and a rifle scope? Are they interchangeable? I have heard some people say they use a rifle scope on their shotgun and I have also heard stories about how it didn’t work out so well for them.