Which Reflex Optic Red Dot Size/MOA for Turkey Shotgun?

Crusader

WKR
Joined
Sep 16, 2016
Messages
548
Location
St. Louis
Hey guys. I'm getting older (aren't we all, LOL!) and despite having uncorrected, good distance vision, decided I'd probably be well served by getting a red dot (reflex optic) for my turkey hunting shotgun. I've not decided which brand/model to get; want to stay under $300. I saw a thread from December where a guy was asking for input on which brand. What I'd like to know is, what size dot do you guys experienced with these optics prefer? Besides the 3 and 8 MOA Burris offerings, I think Holosun has 2 and 6 MOA units. Not sure about Vortex. My hunting buddy had the Burris FF3 in 3 MOA but hated it and he got the 8 MOA and likes it way better. He's a way better turkey hunter than me so I value his opinion a lot (I can't test out his unit as he lives hours away from me). I'm wondering if maybe Cabela's or the likes has shotguns in stock with optics on them, maybe that would be a good way to check into this.

Anyway, in the meantime, what are your thoughts on this? Oh and I saw someone in the December thread mention astigmatism; I don't think I have that but am not sure.....what does the red dot look like if you have this problem and what's a good way to overcome it?

Thanks in advance.
 

Scottf270

WKR
Joined
Sep 26, 2017
Messages
649
Location
Missouri
Astigmatism causes the red dot to not be round. It starbursts or flares. As far as dot size, I prefer around 3 moa. I'm sure the others are fine, I just like a smaller dot.
 

Fowl Play

WKR
Joined
Oct 1, 2016
Messages
522
I prefer a smaller dot as well, but I also have good eyes. A good compromise could be to do one of the Holosun’s a with the Multi Reticle System. If the 2 MOA dot is hard to find you can select the reticle with the 32MOA circle around it to help locate it at distance or against bad backgrounds.
 
Joined
Mar 5, 2021
Messages
92
3moa has been great for me, although that’s on a duty pistol. I personally wouldn’t want any larger on a shotgun.
 

Arcola

FNG
Joined
Jan 20, 2024
Messages
59
I usually prefer a smaller dot but with a shotgun, I don’t think you’ll regret a larger dot if that’s what your eyes need. I’ve found that varying the intensity helps me find that sweet spot more so than the dot size.
 

Tahoe1305

WKR
Joined
Jun 9, 2019
Messages
2,258
Location
CO
I’ve become a pretty big holosun fan. I got the 507 comp that has about 8 reticle choices. My thought was I could choose a circle that is close to the pattern at xx yards. Not sure it will work but the sight is sweet regardless
 

Indewoods

FNG
Joined
Feb 8, 2024
Messages
20
Dot size is a personal preference. Your best bet is to go to a store and look at each one in person. Your eye is going to see the dot differently from how someone else might.

Make sure to adjust the dot to the minimum brightness level necessary for the environment you are going to be using it in. If you turn your dot on inside your lit house early in the morning, you are going blind yourself when you look though it at a gobbler at first light. Brightness level also plays a factor in how crisp the dot appears to your eye. Too bright and you’ll get a starburst. Too dim and you won’t be able to pick it up quickly.

As far as brands go, I would vouch for Vortex. Good quality at a reasonable price, and, as with anything electronic, at some point, electronics get old and fail. Batteries leak. Dot windows get cracked banging though brush. Vortex will cover all of these events, no matter what.
 

JakeT

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
120
I prefer the 3 moa in the burris fast fire. Get a sumtoy mount if your gun is drilled and tapped and your good to go.
 

BCD

WKR
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
795
Location
Hudson, WI
I have a Holosun and a Burris FF3. I also have an astigmatism and at times the dot isn't round. It's a starburst but it's still clear enough to know where the center is.
 
Joined
Feb 6, 2020
Messages
96
I have the 3 moa in the Burris fast fire and I like it well enough. I have not used, but I don't think I would like an 8 moa dot as the 3 pretty much covers a turkey head and neck at 40+ yards. I'm sure Vortex or Holosun similar would work just as well.

The most important part is that you replace your batteries every season....... ask me how I know......
 
Joined
Jun 18, 2019
Messages
1,749
Spend a little extra and get an Aimpoint. I like the 9000SC on my turkey gun. Its not a reflex type like the fast fire but its tougher than all get out and the batteries don’t die.
 

Reddish

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 1, 2023
Messages
272
Enclosed emitter is a good idea for field use. I’ve been testing some of the Viridian products, as I really like the green dot.

The RFX44 would be good, or if an open emitter is ok the RFX15…I like the slightly smaller size for tramping through the woods. I’ve beat the crap out of both of them and they are holding up well.
 
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
469
Almost all of these red dot sights have bright red or orange chrome lenses. Turkeys are super dialed into colors and I honestly I can't bring myself to strap what looks like half an oakley sunglasses on to my shotgun. Anyone know of any muted or non colored red dot lenses?
 

Xycod

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 3, 2020
Messages
276
I’ve become a pretty big holosun fan. I got the 507 comp that has about 8 reticle choices. My thought was I could choose a circle that is close to the pattern at xx yards. Not sure it will work but the sight is sweet regardless
Yeah that’s one of my favorites, works well on long guns or pistols imo.
 
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