Optics for Shotgun?

[Dizos]

Hello

My Super X2 Practical has rails for attaching optics but I'm not sure what I would want them for. What are the various functions of devices I can put on the rails?

-- Dizos

 

[TrapperReady]

I'm not a high-speed, low-drag kinda shotgunner... no 3-gun or tricked-out HD rigs for me... yet. However, I can see the benefit of optics in a couple of cases.

For shooting precisely at fairly small target zones (ie. deer or turkey) I can see great utility in having a sighting system you can properly zero for the load or slug you are shooting. I would guess that in some of the 3-gun matches, this would be beneficial for certain COFs.

Then again, there's always the appeal of having more/new/better/different toys... which isn't always bad.

A good friend has a 1x scope mounted on the shotgun he uses for deer hunting. The ONLY reason he uses it is because the crosshairs force him to look at the sight and line up the shot. Before using it, he had a couple misses on good-sized bucks because he was looking at the rack while shooting.

Some "tactical" folks like red-dots for CQB. I don't doubt them, but if it came down to it, I wouldn't ever bet against a guy with a well-worn 870 and a simple bead front sight.

As for me personally... optics are useless for filling my freezer with chicken substitute.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The rails are for attaching opticals like scopes, red dots or NVDs. As to how much these are needed, depends on the mission.Shoot this lots before deciding you want/need a sight change or upgrade.

 

[BillL223]

I use a Tasco PDP5 red dot on my Open Class Benelli. Its useful for shooting 40-60 yard steel plates with slugs, otherwise I doubt it is any faster on birdshot targets. I did shoot 24/25 at the trap range once with it. This got the old guys going (I'm an old guy too). I am considering changing to an Optima or J-Point as they mount closer to the bore .

 

[BerettaNut92]

If I had a rail on my M1, I'd put something like an Aimpoint on it for placing slugs past buckshot range. I seem to have bad rifle karma so am more likely to grab the shotgun when hitting the road.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I have been tooling with the idea of putting some Hi-Vis sights on my 835 but I am kinda partial to the 2 bead sights on it from the factory.

The large white bead on the end and a midway brass bead works really well in my lineup.

After all, it helped me outshoot blades67 on clays last weekend

 

[Bruce626]

I've got a bead-sighted M-500 and can hit man-sized targets with slugs at 100+ yds... but I'm getting older and my eyes are going. So, I mounted a "see-under" rail. On the rail I put a BSA red dot which works really well for my 50 yd to 100 yd shots. But, if the batteries die or the glass goes, I can still see the bead under the rail. For HD purposes, I rely on the bead or simply point shooting.