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Best Scope for Bolt-action Slug Gun

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Graceman10 View Drop Down
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    Posted: June/28/2006 at 23:44

Folks,

 

  New to the forum.  Already have learned a great deal by reviewing some of the FAQ section.  I'm hoping that some of you can help an optics neophyte.

 

  I am purchasing a top of the line custom slug-gun, which will almost exclusively be used for whitetail deer in timber and agricultural fields.  Assuming optics or the shooter (me!) are not limiting factors, the maximum effective range for this gun will be 175yds.  Given the terrain, most of my shots will be 40-100yds, with a few pushing the maximum range.  The ability to shoot in low light will be critical.

 

  If $$$ was not an option, which of the available high-quality scopes would you recommend?   Here are my criteria:

 

- Able to survive years of serious recoil from 3" sabots through a 12-ga slug gun

- Very good low-light performance

- Sufficient eye relief (at least 3.5")

- Good reticle option for 40-100yd shots in timber

 

  I am a bit overwhelmed by the options (what is the best variable range, are the high-end products worth the extra $$$, etc.), and would love to get some feedback.  After spending well over $2k on the custom slug, we would like the right scope to match it for a lifetime.

 

Thanx in advance,

 

Graceman10

 

"Every man dies.  Not every man truly lives."

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Headshot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/29/2006 at 10:46

Graceman10,

 

I had spoke to the fine people at Tar Hunt about this very subject. I needed a scope that would hold up on my "Beast", an H&R Ultra Slug Gun using Remington copper Solids. They told me that to get the most out of my slug gun, which they admitted was almost as accurate as their bolt gun, I needed to use one of 2 scopes. I could get a Schmidt Bender or a Bushnell Trophy. I decided that to put a $1400 optic on my $199 slug gun wasn't a fiscally wise move....so I put the Trophy in 1.75x4.75 with the turkey reticle on utilizing steel rings. Many a 3" copper solid went downrange. This gun shoots 1.25MOA all day long at 100 yds, but I have yet to take a shot over 60-70 yds with it. And I have yet to have anything that this gun has shot, whether meat hog, trophy hog(meaning 300+lbs), deer, doesn't matter, nothing has gone 1 step after being hit.

 

You are going to love the world of rifled barrel slug hunting.....but scope choices are few that will take the beating. My Bushnell Trophy is still going strong almost 1000 rds later....I only wish I had gotten the 3x9 instead, but I don't want to change the scope on this gun, as I would hate to mess with its voodoo juju....

 

Frank

 

"Character is doing the right thing even when no one is looking."
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Graceman10 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Graceman10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/29/2006 at 18:20
Headshot,

  Thank you for the response.  The gun in question is indeed a Tarhunt RSG.

  I have been looking at the Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40, so your comment on the Trophy is encouraging.  I have had no experience with Schmidt & Bender.  Any reason they recommended it over Swarovski or Zeiss?

Graceman10

 

"Every man dies.  Not every man truly lives."


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Headshot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/29/2006 at 21:56

they said it would hold up to the recoil that the H&R dishes out.....nothing else would.....now, that was a few years ago. Maybe now they would make other recomendations

 

Frank

"Character is doing the right thing even when no one is looking."
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JPinSC View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JPinSC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/01/2006 at 20:22
I have had an H & R Ultra in 12 ga since they first came out.  I put a Weaver V3 on it in the beginning and it has held up to the recoil with no problems ever since.  It is a very clear scope for the price ($140 if you watch the sales).
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gabby1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gabby1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/14/2006 at 18:45

I have two 3x9x40 zeiss conquests on rifles and they are great if i could afford one more thats what i would have on my slug gun,great eye relief,and the glass is awesome,even at dark thirty.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2006 at 02:16


Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd

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martin3175 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/12/2006 at 21:12

 I also use a slug gun for some of my deer hunting. I 've tried VX-III 2.5x8's ( not bad but overpriced), Pentax 2-5 Whitetail Unlimited ( limited by 20mm lens but I like the bold reticle), S&W 1.5-6 ( junk), Elite 3200"s 2-7 ( good value), and Nikon Monarch 2-7 ( basically died after 3rd round and Nikon was horrible to deal with for warranty work).  However, overall the best has been a 4200 Elite 1.5-6. The rainguard really works , the magnification range is ideal, and it's been bulletproof using Hornady SST's , Remington Ultra loads and Winchester 3" sabots.

As an aside, both the Hornady SST's and the Remington outshot Winchester fodder in all 5 of my slug guns, and the SST's are less expensive too.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Littlebuddie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/17/2006 at 05:46
I have a Remington 11-87 with a Burris Short Mag 3x9 32 BP. I use the SST's martin3175 mentioned and I can manage 4 inch groups at 200 yards. My 1100 with the a Hastings barrel does the same but I have a Burris Signature series 1.5X6 32. Both Scopes are excellent at low light with plenty of eye relief.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Split Toe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2007 at 20:17
Don't you just love those SST's.  They really fill the freezer!
Hit'em Hard, Cut'em Deep
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