Best 12ga Shotgun Scope around $100?

[XACEX]

I am planning to buy a fully rifled barrel with a cantilever scope mount for my 870 so I can increase my range and use sabot slugs for shotgun hunting. However, I have never bought a scope for a shotgun before. I want a non-illuminated reticle that will hold zero under 3" magnum slugs. Slugs drop around 8" at 100 yards and since I want this to be useful out to 200 yards, a reticle with some sort of drop compensator or mil dots would be nice. Im thinking something adjustable in the 0-10 power range would be good (your input is welcome), and of course, it has to be shock/water/fog proof. Ive got about $100 for this scope (less would be better).

Any suggestions?

[Sharkey]

I did just what you are doing and had a Busnell Banner 1.5-4x laying around ........ after about 500 rds and 11 years of out in the weather hunting it's still there ... about 75 bucks

[Sharkey]

Also you are gonna need a cheek pad or what I used is a high comb syntec stock

[XACEX]

I like the 1.5X power low end but do you think 4X power is enough for 200 yard hunting?

[dk99358]

Easily.

I run a 6X on a 270 and have shot deer at 350 yds with it. The second deer I ever killed (way back in '77) was with that 270 and a 4X scope, it was about 275 yds away. In fact, the couple of times I took my shotgun to NY for deer, it was wearing a 4X Bushnell Scopechief. One of these days, I'm going to get a muzzleloader for under that scope.

I also have a 4X on a 358 Win and I set my 3-9 variables at 4 or 5x and LEAVE them there while hunting.

Dale

[Sharkey]

I like the 1.5X power low end but do you think 4X power is enough for 200 yard hunting?

OK go with a 3x9/40 Busnell Banner ........ you want to stay under 100 ..

[XACEX]

this one?


http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunti...3Bcat104535180

[27hand]

When Allegheny Co. became a SG only county, I bought an Ithaca Deerslayer and, not having much cash, put a Simmons 3X9 scope on with the intention of eventually putting better glass on it.

The Simmons is still on it.

I started using BRI sabots, Winchester bought them out. My buddy gave me a box of Rem copper solids. I also bought some Lightfields.

I found that my 20" rifled bbl grouped better with the 2 3/4" sabots as opposed to the 3".

The furthest shot I EVER made on the 40+ deer ( rifle or SG) was 95 paces.
That was with my SG. I got a doe this past season at 70. One and down.

This yr.



Couple years ago.
Lightfields on left, copper solids on right at 100.
Kind of surprised me as they are different weights

[XACEX]

im just worried that 3X is too much for the low end magnification, and 4X is too little for the high end magnification. id really like a 1-9X power scope in a perfect world (if there are any?)

im used to bow hunting or shotgun hunting with a bead sight so most of my kills are in the 20 yard range, but ive seen heaps of deer that i could have killed at 100-200 yards if i had a good scope. therefore i want something that i can use very close range but that i can crank up the magnification on for longer shots.

what scope can i get from 1X-highest possibleX around $100? is 4X the highest i can get if the low end magnification is 1X?

[27hand]

I don't know if there is anything available in that range.

You might be limited to a 2X7 ( <$100 ? )

I tried googling sight pictures thru scopes but didn't find anything usable for you showing both close range 3X and distance 7 or 9X sight pictures.

FWIW, I have shot deer with my 3X9 as close as 25 yds and as far as 95/100 without a problem.

There are some newer design slugs out which I haven't researched.

The 1oz. Rem copper solids drop 9.4 " at 100 out of a 30" test bbl.
The 1 1/4 oz Lightfields (when sighted at 25 and 100 hit low 4 +" at 125.
I found 8 boxes of copper solids at a gun show for $7 a box. They are quite a bit more at most stores. That's why I only shoot groups of 2 for yearly sight in.

200 yds seems a stretch. Mid range trajectory elevation might be a problem if time to compensate isn't taken (shooting over a deer at 50 or 75) or knowing exact range beyond 125.

Good luck with your search.