What scope should I use for a slug gun? Today we will show you the best slug gun scopes to pair with your shotgun. From home defense to breaking clay birds, the slug gun scope will provide a reliable shooting solution.
Shotgun Slugs are a perfect alternative for many hunters in populated regions where the use of modern rifle bullets is restricted. The slug gun is very versatile and capable of handling several roles.
When hunting or target shooting with a slug gun, a scope is important for you. Although, you can hunt with a slug gun without mounting a scope on it, attaching a scope to your shotgun gives you the upper hand. Read on to learn more about the best slug gun scopes.
What Makes a Great Slug Gun Scope?
The best slug gun scope is one that complements your shotgun and satisfies your needs. The scope for hunting deer will be different from the one needed for competition shooting. In short, the best slug gun scope should be designed to excel in your intended role. More so, it should have features you are comfortable using.
Another facet that defines a good slug gun scope is quality construction. If you mount a flimsy scope on your shotgun, you will end up being disappointed as the increased recoil will wreck the scope making it inaccurate. A well-constructed scope can maintain accuracy despite the recoil.
5 Best Scopes for Slug Guns
With so many options on the market, picking a specific unit for your needs can be a difficult task. To help you find the best slug gun scope for your shotgun, we have done the homework for you and compiled top picks for you to choose from. Let’s dive in!
#1) Vortex Optics Diamondback 3.5-10×50 SFP Riflescope
The Diamondback 3.5-10×50 riflescope is loaded with features making it one of the most versatile slug gun scopes in the market. It performs exemplary well in different shooting environments and conditions.
With fully multi-coated lenses, you don’t have to worry about surrounding light impeding your vision. The lenses facilitate optimal light transmission for bright and crisp images.
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle is the hallmark of this riflescope. This reticle is highly adaptable and gives hunters the flexibility to shoot at varying ranges. Adjustments when shooting at varying distances are further made easier by the fast focus eyepiece that supports swift and speedy reticle focusing.
Vortex Optics Diamondback 3.5-10×50 Riflescope has no match when you talk about the best slug gun scopes. Its outstanding performance and solid construction make it hard to beat. Whether it is taking down a target in the bush or one in motion, you are bound to have a great time in the field with this scope.
The tube is made of aircraft-grade aluminum making it tough, strong and lightweight at the same time. This scope is weatherproof and rugged to tolerate recoil and impacts.
Key Features
- Fully multi-coated optics for enhanced light transmission
- Dead-Hold BDC Reticle for shooting at varying ranges
- Air-craft grade aluminum construction for strength and durability
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Hard anodized finish camouflages the shooter’s position
- Capped reset turrets allow quick re-indexing after sighting the target
- Fast focus eyepiece for effortless and quick reticle focusing
#2) Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 Circle-X Reticle Riflescope
The Banner 3-9×40 scope is one of the best slug gun scopes for early morning and late-evening hunting. Its fully multi-coated optics enhance light transmission resulting in crisp and clear images.
Even in low-light conditions, you get sharp images. The Circle-X reticle allows quick and effortless target acquisition making the scope perfect for hunting moving targets.
Another impressive feature of the Banner 3-9×40 scope is its waterproof construction. It’s 100% waterproof and fog proof to deliver reliable performance over a wide range of temperatures. The tube is also purged with dry nitrogen to prevent internal fogging.
When hunting at varying ranges, internal adjustments make the difference between hitting the target or missing it. The resettable windage and elevation adjustments alongside the fast-focus eyepiece help the shooter focus the reticle properly. This allows accurate slug placement.
Key Features
- One-piece tube for optimal visual performance
- Multi-coated lenses for increased light transmission
- Completely waterproof and fogproof
- Fast-focus eyepiece for quick reticle focusing
- Resettable windage and elevation adjustment
- Dusk and dawn brightness lenses for low-light conditions
#3) Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 SFP Riflescope
Boasting outstanding performance at an unbeatable price, the Crossfire II 3-9×40 makes its way into the best slug gun scopes list. From the optical facets to the quality construction, the scope is built to surpass the performance standards of similarly-priced riflescopes.
The lenses are fully multi-coated to increase light transmission resulting in sharp images across all magnification levels. Combining the excellent light-gathering ability and the Dead-Hold BDC reticle your shotgun shooting prowess is about to get better.
This reticle excels when shooting at varying ranges as it has a tailored hashmark design that eliminates speculations on holdover and wind drift adjustments. For effortless and quick reticle focusing, the riflescope has a fast-focus eyepiece.
The optics of this riflescope has been housed on a single-piece tube to boost visual performance and improve accuracy. This tube is made of aircraft-grade aluminum for rigidity and durability.
The O-ring seals keep out moisture and other elements that may hinder performance. Nitrogen gas purging ensures fog-proof performance. The tube is also shockproof and has a hard-anodized finish for durability and camouflaging the position of the shooter.
Key Features
- Fully multi-coated optics for optimal light transmission
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction for strength and durability
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Capped reset turrets
- A fast-focus eyepiece allows seamless and effortless reticle focusing
#4) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Riflescope
Make shooting with your shotgun a breeze with VX-Freedom 3-9×40 riflescope. This riflescope incorporates the best-in-class components to make hunting with a slug gun as exciting as possible.
Firstly, the riflescope has an advanced optical system that allows maximum light transmission resulting in the sharpest images. No matter the ambient lighting conditions, the resolution and clarity of this scope are out of this world.
Flexibility and simplicity are the other attributes that make VX-Freedom 3-9×40 a top contender among the best slug gun scopes. The 3:1 zoom ratio gives you the power to take down prey at mid-range distances and long ranges with utmost precision.
Reliable performance is the other positive attribute of this scope. It is 100% weatherproof and shockproof. Internally it is purged with gases and completely sealed to perform superbly over wide temperature changes. To ensure accurate slug placement, the riflescope integrates the custom dial system that lets you customize the turret to match environmental conditions.
Its lenses are covered with a hardened surface coating that keeps them scratch-free for life. Any hunter using slugs will fall in love with the performance of this scope when mounted to a shotgun.
Key Features
- A versatile 3:1 zoom ratio
- Superior optical system with best-in-class glass
- Lenses protected by hardened surface coatings
- Completely waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- CDS helps in turret customization
- Aluminum construction for strength and durability
#5) Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm CDS Riflescope
Are you looking for a slug gun scope that will help you excel in mid to long-range shooting? Look no further than the VX-Freedom 4-12×40 riflescope. The scope’s performance is hard to beat and will get the job done.
Built to deliver Leupold’s performance and dependability, the scope scores highly as one of the best slug gun scopes. The scope incorporates an advanced optical system that increases light transmission giving shooters the brightest images.
The elements used in the lenses reduce glare in bright light to maintain image sharpness in harsh light. Combining the unbeatable light transmission and the high-degree resolution gives every shooter the needed clarity to ensure accurate slug placement.
In terms of construction, the tube is made of aluminum making it rigid, strong, and lightweight. The rugged construction is supported by dry gas purging and sealing methods that keep out any element to deliver reliable performance all the time. This scope stays moisture-free and crystal clear for life. The lenses are protected by hardened surface coatings.
Key Features
- Side focus for parallax adjustments
- Variable power for handle shooting at varying ranges
- Premium optical system increases light transmission
- Anti-glare reduction for optimal performance in bright light
- Incorporates Leupold’s CDS for a tailored performance
- Scratch and abrasion-resistant lenses
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
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Choosing the Best Slug Gun Scopes
When searching for the best scope for a slug gun, there are important considerations you need to reflect on before settling for a particular model. Here are some of the crucial ones:
Durability
When shopping for a scope, like any other investment you look for what will give you value for your money. A durable scope will last you for many years and so you reap the benefits of your investment. Shotguns have increased recoil and it is, therefore, important to look for scopes with exceptional build quality.
The recoil emanating from the shotgun can wreck poorly constructed scopes or interfere with the internal components of the scope. However, if a scope is rigid and shockproof, it can shrug off the recoil and maintain its performance for a longer period.
Budget
It is important to set a budget before starting shopping. If you know the amount you are ready to spend on an optic, you can narrow down your search to your price range and find the best slug gun scope for your shotgun.
Fortunately, there are plenty of scopes that fall under different price ranges meaning there is a scope for every budget. Don’t go for an inexpensive model if it’s not satisfactory. Conduct thorough research when buying scope and you will surely find a slug gun scope that is exactly what you are looking for.
Additional Features
Technological advancements in the field of optics have helped introduce features that improve the functionality of scopes. From illuminated reticle designs to other innovative features that help shooters/hunters enjoy optimum performance.
Traditional scopes have limited functions and won’t be as efficient as the newer models. The best slug gun scopes should integrate innovative features that give hunters competitive edges, allow quick target acquisition, and maintain accuracy in all hunting conditions.
Magnification
This is the cornerstone of any scope. Any hunter will want to invest in scope because of magnification power. Although, you can hunt with a slug gun with a scope, mounting a scope helps improve your hunting. A scope brings to the table accuracy, precision, quick target acquisition, and the ability to see beyond where eyes can.
The magnification power in scope will be highly influenced by the intended purpose of the scope. Most standard scopes have a magnification of 3-9x which is ideal for close-range, mid-range, and even long-range applications. Choose the power that meets your needs.
Intended Use of the Scope
Shotguns have several applications but the main two uses are hunting and home defense. Each of these disciplines requires a different kind of scope. For home defense, you need an optic with quick target acquisition, and a reflex sight is a perfect choice.
Not only does the red dot sights allow quick target acquisition but have generous eye relief and other advantages in home defense situations.
If you are planning on hunting with slugs, you will need an optic that can sight in targets at varying ranges. For hunting applications, a gun scope is a preferred choice. With the right scope, you will be able to shoot targets 100 yards out.
What about other applications? If you are an avid sport shooter looking for an upgrade for your shotgun, the type of sport you participate in will influence the choice of the optic.
Skeet shooting requires great aim and speedy target acquisition while target shooting has some allowance when narrowing down the target. Stick to a similar design from your previous model as you have perfected your skills with it and understood your sport
Conclusion
Slug guns are important weapons for home defense, hunting, and sport shooting. To excel in any of the fields, proper sighting in of the target is key and mounting a scope to a slug gun is imperative.
The choice of scope will rely on the intended use of the gun. We hope, this article was helpful and you found what you were looking for. Choosing any scope from the above best slug gun scopes will make a better and more useful shotgun.