Best Slug Gun Scopes
A Comprehensive Guide
As a hunter, you probably know that you can do so much more with your slug gun if a quality scope is attached to it. A good scope can exponentially improve your precision and accuracy over long distances, which will invariably translate to greater success on the hunt. The best slug gun scopes will make a much more profound impact on you and your trip. This article is designed to help you approach the market from a position of strength so that you can locate the best slug gun scope for you in next to no time.
Burris Ballistic Plex Hunting Riflescope, 2.75X-20mm, Black
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- Features Ballistic Plex , the most simple, elegant, and effective trajectory-compensating reticle available to hunters Variable power for versatility and improved accuracy at longer distances
- Provides a generous 9.2 to 12 in. of eye relief
- Forward mounting design allows mounting in front of the ejection port, for extended eye relief and both-eyes-open shooting; beneficial for fast target acquisition and increased situational awareness
- Compact and lightweight at only 9.7 in. and 13 oz.; makes it easy to hold and carry your gun in the field
- Finger-adjustable, low-profile turrets create a sleek profile
- Fog, water and shockproof
- Ultra-fast target acquisition with both eyes open
- Multi-coated lenses
However, you don’t need a scope that only provides a crisp image of the target. Your gun scope should also be tough enough to handle the rough and tumble nature of elite hunting while being solid enough to hold its own under pressure. Ideally, your scope should also stay put even when your gun recoils wildly.
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry to purchase the best slug gun scopes, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Best Slug Gun Scopes
$54.66
$0
0 new
from 53.99
in stock
$248.41
$269.99
269.99 new
from 248.41
in stock
$430.09
$0
0 new
from 428.59
in stock
These little things, rather than any lack of skill, are usually the difference between a successful hunt and a fruitless misadventure. If you neglect the need to equip your slug gun with the right accessories, you’re invariably setting the stage for an empty-handed return. If you are skeptical about getting a scope for your slug gun, or you don’t have an idea on what to look out for while purchasing one, this article is a good place to start. We’ve highlighted the best qualities of the best slug gun scopes, and included tips on what to look out for before purchasing one. We’ve also delved deep into the market and brought you a list of the five best slug gun scopes available, just to guide your decision-making.
Importance of Slug Gun Scopes
Ideally, some hunters and people who shoot on target have not always made use of scopes – scopes are used for optical purposes, and to get a better view of targets. But there are good reasons why you should invest a few cents in a good scope for your slug gun. Some of these reasons are as follows:
Aids in Targeting Longer Ranges
Scopes will help you with good optics whenever you need them while hunting in the woods because for your hunting trip to be successful, you will need to possess a good machine that can help you get to targets from a far range. Even though some slug guns can shoot from a far distance, the problem still lies in you hitting the target even when the distance is wide apart. So, to get a good shot from a far distance, you will need to equip your gun with a scope, to help bring the image of your target a bit closer. How closer and nearer that your target appears in the scope is dependent on the size of the scope’s magnification, or how you set it.
It Gives You Self Assurance
Even though people have always attached so much importance to shooting without a scope with the belief that it boosts ego, having a good scope on your slug gun can as well boost your ego because it will help you to hit your targets more often. So when you want to hit the woods or the forests again, always get a scope for yourself. It will do you and your ego a lot of good.
It Improves Your Overall Safety
A good scope will improve your safety and also the safety of other hunters in the forest, because it helps you to easily notice the difference between an animal and a human being while hunting, against the mistakes you might make when in use of your naked eyes. Scopes will also help you to focus the light on your target, and reduce the interference from the glares of light on some sunny days, which might obstruct your vision and subsequently make you miss your target while shooting.
It Gives You a Better Shooting Accuracy
Just think of a football player who always shoots the ball into the goalpost without missing targets after dribbling past the goalkeeper. What comes to your mind? A good player who never misses a shot right? Now, relate it to your skill as a hunter. Nothing can boost the confidence and image of a hunter like always hitting his targets as many times as possible whenever he’s on a hunt in the woods. And for a hunter to achieve these good shots successfully, he needs a good scope on his slug gun. With your scope on top of your slug gun projecting your target’s image very closer to you, and indirectly making your aim clearer, you will have a better chance of hitting the target even when you take multiple shots.
It Helps to Save Your Resources
I know that you do not want to be wasting money unnecessarily while on your hunting games, and you will want to apply a good level of efficiency while on it. That is why it is always preferable to use scopes to hit your targets just with a shot because scopes can help you get your targets with one shooting instead of trying multiple shots. As you already know, just using a few shots to get your targets will mean saving more bullets that you can still use in the future, and it also means saving more money that would have been spent on buying more bullets.
Qualities of a Good Scope
It is worthy of note that you will reap huge benefits from scopes on your slug gun in the long run in your hunting games because of its economic advantages and overall good usage, but that doesn’t mean that you should just purchase any scope that you see in the accessories store. Before you go on to make a purchase, I want to point out a few factors that can affect types of scopes, and also what you need to check when buying a scope for your slug gun. So before you enter that accessory store to buy a scope, you should take note of the following:
(1) Check the nature of your slug gun because adding a scope to your gun will give it extra weight that can make your shots to be off-mark. Light scopes are good for slug guns that produce low recoil and are good for shooting within a short range.
(2) Observe your shooting environment i.e. observe the woods or forests where you go for your hunting games. For you to use some of the features that are on the slug gun, you need to be conversant with your shooting environment.
(3) Consider the range from which you make your shootings as well. If you are a hunter that prefers to shoot from a long distance, then you might have to purchase a scope that has a higher cost. But if you prefer to shoot from a short or close range, then you can decide to buy one at a low cost.
If you are neither of these two i.e. you shoot from an average distance, then you might also think of purchasing a scope that has a lesser price than a scope for long-range slug guns, or one that has a higher price than a scope for short-range slug guns. Now, you have taken note of the few things that can affect your choice of scope. It is also important that you take note of what you should check in a slug gun scope to ascertain if it is the right one for your slug gun, and also what it will do for you.
Objective Lens
The objective lens is the part of the scope that has to do with the focusing of light and making the magnified image clearer. It is located at the end of the scope, and the bigger it is, the clearer the image gets. As much as a big objective lens gives a clear image, you don’t need to buy a scope that has the biggest objective lens because it will add more weight to your slug gun. I am sure that you do not want your target to run because of the reflection of sunlight that a bigger objective lens produces on them, so always buy a scope that fits the needs of your gun.
If you are a hunter that shoots within a short range i.e. your slug gun has low recoil, an objective lens of 28mm will serve you well. If you are a hunter that shoots within a long range i.e. your slug gun can use a scope that has an objective lens with the 50mm and above size. Also, if you shoot in ranges that are in between long and short, you can buy scopes of 30mm and 45mm sizes of the objective lens.
Eye Relief
Gun scopes have eye relief and their main duty is to cushion the effects of slug gun recoils and protect your eyes from getting bruised. The distance between the back lens and your eye through which you view the magnified image is called eye relief. So, before you buy a scope, check this important feature and get one with a minimum of 3.5″ and a maximum of 4″. A 4” eye relief is safe for your eye.
Magnification
Magnification is simply the enlargement of an image to make it look closer. In this context, the image that is being brought close is your target. It is usually far away than they appear in the lens when you view them through a scope. This magnification depending on the type of scope helps to make your view to be narrow, and it increases the size of the image to one that will help you hit your target. If you are a hunter that hunts in various locations with distinct ranges, you will need a scope with variable magnification power that is supple and can work in all ranges.
While purchasing a scope with magnification in mind for your slug gun as a hunter that shoots within a short-range and target, choose one that has between 1 and 4x magnification. But if you shoot at a long range, then a scope with at least 9x magnification will be suitable for your needs. Then if you shoot within the average range, you can choose scopes that have 5 and 8x magnification. When you walk into the accessories store with the purchase of scope in mind, always check the body as the magnification of the scopes is written on it. Then choose the one that solves your hunting needs.
Scope Reticles
Reticles are of three types, and they are:
● Duplex
● Mil-Dot
● BDC
They are also known as ‘crosshairs’, and are those vertical and horizontal lines that help in aiming while using scopes. Whether they have lines or they have dots, they are still usable and important in various situations. Duplex scope reticles have both the vertical and horizontal lines and they are best for you as a hunter because it’s best applied in hunting and target shooting. Mil-Dots reticles combine both lines and dots for aiming. The dots are used to estimate the distance of the target, and the lines are mainly meant for getting the target. Lastly, BDC is more applicable for long-range shootings.
Windage and Elevation Turrets
Turrets are those knobs that you can see on the scope and by its side. They are mostly used for the correction of the vertical and horizontal positional errors of the scope. So when you want to buy a scope, it is preferable to purchase the ones that normally make a loud click-like noise when they fit into the right position on top of your slug gun.
5 Best Slug Gun Scopes (Ranked And Reviewed)
$430.09
$0
26 09 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
21 new
from $428.59
Specifications
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Dimensions:
12 x 3 x 3 Inches
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Weight:
368.54 Grams
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Material:
Aluminum
The Burris Ballistic Plex scope features a ballistic plex reticle that is very effective. The reticle has good designs with markings that make sure that there will be no need for any guess work while using the scope, thereby making your games simpler. It is also fog and waterproof which makes it viable for hunting under rainy conditions. Also, to get the pinpoint accuracy of the turret, there’s an indication that always reflects a change in the point of contact.
The quality lenses are larger for better light transmission, and the Hi-Lume multi-coating enhances low-light performance and eliminates glare. The scope is also double-spring tensioned, and has a remarkable recoil resistance which can hold zero no matter the extent of kickback that occurs on the slug gun. The scope has a lightweight and a good looking finishing, with the Burris warranty.
Positive
- Perfect for targets within mid-range
- Works under rainy conditions
- Turret indications aids in getting the pinpoint accuracy
- Has a good light transmission
- It is shockproof
Negatives
- Requires larger eye relief
2. Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescope
$248.41
$269.99
26 09 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
23 new
from $248.41
Specifications
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Dimensions:
14.5 x 2 x 1.73 Inches
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Weight:
1.3 Pounds
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Material:
Aluminum
The Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescope is fog and weatherproof, with fully multi-coated optics that produce sharp images in the crosshairs. You have the option of choosing either the Dead-Hold BDC reticle or the V-Plex reticle when using this scope. The V-Plex type is for hunters who have simple tastes, but if you hate to guess, the Dead-Hold BDC reticle should be your pick. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle helps to remove any guesswork on windage corrections, and maintains the same size across the magnification range when in use. The fast-focus eyepiece saves you sometimes because it gives way for an easy and quick focusing on the reticle.
It also possesses a solid one-piece tube that is shockproof and as well helps in camouflaging the position of the shooter. This scope has windage and elevation turrets that gives you that click that will satisfy you. They can be reset to zero, and they are also capped. It has a Precision-Glide Erector System that is topnotch, and the parallax is set to 100yards which is perfect, considering the magnification. The eye relief is exactly 3.5 inches at its position. It is constructed with an aircraft-grade aluminum which makes it very durable, and it also comes with a Vortex warranty.
Positive
- Usable under foggy and rainy weather conditions
- Helps in hunting within varying ranges
- Gives very bright images
- Versatile
Negatives
- Higher magnification affects the eye relief
3. TRUGLO Compact Rimfire and Shotgun Scope Series
$42.99
$0
26 09 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new
from $
$54.66
$0
26 09 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
24 new
from $53.99
Specifications
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Dimensions:
1 x 1 x 1 Inches
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Weight:
1 Pound
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Material:
Blend
The TRUGLO Compact Rimfire and Shotgun Scope Series come with a fully-coated lens that gives you maximum brightness, contrast, and clarity, and also a rubber eye guard. The product also has a lightweight, and a non-reflective matte finish which is durable and scratch-resistant. It has a Diamond reticle which is slightly different from the traditional Duplex reticle. This reticle forms a diamond around your aiming point which appears due to the connection of the points where the crosshairs thin out. The scope has a comfortable eye relief, and the windage and elevation turrets can be adjusted with your fingers. It is weather and shockproof, and can withstand heavy recoils on your slug gun.
Positive
- Fully-coated lens
- Scratch-resistant
- Rubber eye-guard
Negatives
- Doesn’t fit well at zero
- Has parallax
4. Bushnell 613944 Banner Riflescope
$74.95
$0
26 09 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
6 new
from $74.95
$101.25
$0
26 09 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new
from $
Specifications
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Dimensions:
16.4 x 3.1 x 2.4 Inches
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Weight:
1.45 Pounds
The Bushnell Banner Riflescope works excellently well in the low-light hours, especially in the early mornings and late evenings, because the lenses have dusk and dawn (DDB) multiple coating that gives a very bright and clear image regardless of the time of the day. It has an effective Circle X reticle, and the crosshair that comes with the reticles makes the aiming clear even in the dusk. It also comes with a fast-focus eyepiece that helps in the acquisition of your targets easily. The windage and elevation turrets are easy to adjust, and mounting the scope onto your slug gun is an easy task which makes it easy to use and also a reliable scope. The scope is tough and strong which means that it can definitely withstand some harsh recoil.
Positive
- Can be used under different light conditions
- Easier to use under rainy weather
Negatives
- Thick crosshairs
5. Sightmark Core SX 4 x 32 .22LR Rimfire Riflescope
$0
$0
26 09 2023
×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
new
from $
Specifications
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Dimensions:
9.5 x 2 x 2 Inches
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Weight:
1.1 Pounds
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Material:
Aluminum
The Sightmark Core SX 4 x 32 .22LR Rimfire Riflescope is weatherproof, shockproof, dustproof, and fog proof. It comes with resettable, capped turrets with aircraft-grade aluminum that doesn’t weigh down the firearm. It also has a hard-anodized finishing that protects the body from harsh elements. The aluminum body also protects it against heavy recoil resistance and corrosion. The anti-reflective coatings help to enhance contrast, resolution, and light transmission. It also reduces reflections, light scattering, and glare. The scope comes with a BDC reticle that has markings which are meant for slug guns which can help you target accurately from up to 200 yards. It also has a good eye relief, and the parallax is set at 100 yards.
Positive
- Adapts to all weather
- Strong resettable and capped turrets
- Hard anodized finishing
- Anti-reflective coatings
Negatives
- Low magnification
- Lacks versatility
FAQs
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Yes, you can use a rifle scope on a slug gun. But I will recommend that you make use of a better scope because slug guns kick hard and might damage your scope if it’s not a strong one.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The best choice for a shotgun scope will depend on the purpose of purchase. Even with that in mind, the best fit for a shotgun is the Vortex Strike Eagle 1 – 8 x 24.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The best choice of scope for a slug gun depends on the aim of the purchase. Nevertheless, the best fit for a slug gun is the Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescope.
Conclusion
Slug guns are ideal for hunting turkeys, deer, etc., and with the kind of noise that hunting guns make, you will want to hit your target in one shooting even from a far distance and that is where scopes come in. Scopes will give you a distinct view of your target which will indirectly make you shoot better. Nonetheless, to choose the best-fitted scope for your slug gun, you need to understand how your gun works, and the range in which it works best. Perusing through the points I stated above, you will see that I have made it easier for you to make a selection the next time you walk into that accessories store to make a purchase. Take a decision now and make your hunting games yield maximum results.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.
- Sights2022.07.30Best Red Dot Sights
