Turkey hunting like any other hunting demands precision, patience, and the right equipment. One of the most essential tools is an optic that fine-tunes precision, and this guide sheds light on the best red dots for shotgun turkey hunting.
Unlike traditional bead sights or iron sights, red dots are superior in precision, dependability, and ease of use. These optics offer unparalleled accuracy, speed, and versatility, making them a game changer. Additionally, red dot sights maintain an uncluttered view of the target while increasing situational awareness.
Why Choose a Red Dot Sight for Turkey Hunting?
Whether you’re navigating through dense woods, aiming at a wary gobbler, or setting up in open fields, a red dot sight will enhance your targeting capabilities and make your hunting expedition more successful. Other benefits of using a red dot for this type of hunting include:
- Low Light Visibility. These optics excel in low-light conditions—such as dawn or dusk, prime turkey hunting hours—when traditional sights may falter.
- Wide, Uncluttered Field of View. Red dot sight’s ability to maintain an uncluttered view of your target allows for rapid target acquisition and ensures you’re always ready for that perfect shot.
- Solid Construction. Furthermore, the best red dots for shotgun turkey hunting are well-made to last long. Additionally, their adaptability to withstand rugged terrains and changing weather conditions makes them an invaluable companion in the hunting fields.
- Reduced Eye Strain. Red dot sights are parallax-free so you don’t need perfect alignment between your eye, the sight, and the target. This allows for quicker and less stressful aiming.
Best Red Dots for Shotgun Turkey Hunting
1) HOLOSUN HE507C-GR X2 Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: Green 2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle
- Battery Life (Hours): 50000
- Brightness Setting: 10 DL & 2 NV Compatible
- Window Size: 0.63×0.91
- Housing Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
- Adjustment per Click: 1 MOA
- W&E Travel Range: ±50 MOA
The HOLOSUN HE507C-GR X2 is the best red dot dot for shotgun turkey hunting. It is a premium red dot sight that combines advanced features with rugged durability, making it a standout choice in all hunting environments.
The stand-out feature of this optic is its multi-reticle system. It features a green reticle with a 2 MOA dot and 32 MOA circle that offer exceptional clarity and versatility while catering to both precision and rapid target acquisition. Additionally, the reticle’s crispness is impressive in various lighting conditions, thanks to the 12 brightness settings—10 for daylight and 2 compatible with night vision.
The large window size of 0.63 x 0.91 inches strikes a balance between providing a broad field of view and maintaining a compact design. This contributes to its practical usability in different hunting fields.
Moreover, the sight is constructed with 7075 T6 aluminum, which it incredibly durable and lightweight, ensuring it withstands harsh conditions without adding unnecessary bulk to your firearm. Over and above that, the 50,000-hour battery life provides peace of mind for extended use, while the adjustment per click of 1 MOA and a ±50 MOA travel range for windage and elevation allow for precise zeroing.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Large sighting window
- Durable aluminum construction
- Lightweight and easy to install
- Compatible with night vision gear
Cons
- The green reticle may be less visible for some users in dim conditions compared to red.
2) Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Adjustable LED Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 3.25 MOA
- Battery Life (Hours): 2 years standby use
- Window Size: 0.83 x 0.63 in
- Housing Material: Forged Aluminum
- Adjustment per Click: 1 MOA
- Length: 1.8in
- Weight: 1.2 oz
The RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Adjustable LED Red Dot Sight is a high-quality optic that lives up to Trijicon’s reputation of reliable and rugged red dot sights. It is built with ease of use in mind to accommodate hunters of all levels.
Designed for versatility, the 3.25 MOA dot is the perfect balance of precision and speed. The adjustable brightness settings make the reticle visible in all lighting conditions for precision aiming.
Furthermore, the optic is built to last. It features an aluminum housing forged for superior durability. This ensures it can withstand harsh conditions and heavy shotgun recoil. Additionally, the sight is waterproof, so adverse weather or accidental submersion won’t compromise performance
At only 1.2 ounces and 1.8 inches in length, it’s compact and lightweight, ensuring it won’t add unnecessary bulk to your firearm. The lens window, measuring 0.83 x 0.63 inches, provides a clear and wide field of view, enabling quick target acquisition while maintaining situational awareness. Moreover, the 1 MOA adjustment per click allows for precise zeroing, a feature that marks this sight as highly user-friendly.
Pros
- Intuitive and user-friendly controls
- Robust build
- Multi-platform friendly
- Bright and clear reticle and optics
Cons
- No Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) andBindon Aiming Concept (BAC)
3) Holosun HS510C Multi-Reticle Open Reflex Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: Red 2 MOA Dot & 65 MOA Circle
- Battery Life (Hours): 50000
- Brightness Setting: 10 DL & 2 NV Compatible
- Window Size: 0.91×1.26
- Housing Material: Aluminum & Titanium Hood
- Adjustment per Click: 0.5 MOA
- W&E Travel Range: ±50 MOA
As one of the best red dot dots for shotgun turkey hunting, the Holosun HS510C Open Reflex Sight offers the ultimate balance of accuracy and versatility. It is designed and made to meet the needs of hunters and shooters across various scenarios.
Featuring a 2 MOA red dot surrounded by a 65 MOA circle, the reticle provides quick target acquisition while offering precision for more distant shots. With a window size of 0.91×1.26 inches, the sight provides a generous field of view, enabling fast transitions between targets and enhancing situational awareness.
Furthermore, the sight is constructed with a durable aluminum body and titanium hood that offers excellent resilience against rough handling. The waterproof design also ensures reliable performance in adverse weather conditions, further solidifying its reputation as a durable and dependable reflex sight.
Another standout feature is its 50,000-hour battery life, which ensures that the sight is always ready when needed. With 10 daylight brightness settings and 2 night-vision-compatible settings, the HS510C adapts seamlessly to various lighting conditions, providing clear visibility.
Above all. the 0.5 MOA adjustment per click ensures precise zeroing, and the ±50 MOA windage and elevation travel range accommodates a wide range of calibers and shooting distances.
Pros
- Dual reticle for versatile shooting applications
- Exceptional 50,000-hour battery life with solar fail-safe backup
- 10 daylight and 2 night vision-compatible brightness settings
- Rugged construction with aluminum housing and titanium hood
- Wide windage/elevation adjustment range
- Easy to use and install
Cons
- None
4) Vortex Venom 1×26.5mm Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 6 MOA
- Battery Life (Hours): 150 – 30000 hours
- Lens Size: 26.5 mm
- Housing Material: Aluminum Alloy Chassis
- Adjustment per Click: 1 MOA
- Brightness Settings: 10
- Length: 1.9in
- Weight: 1.1 oz
The Vortex Venom 1×26.5mm Red Dot Sight is an impressive piece of optics equipment, ideal for both novice and experienced shooters. It comes at a reasonably affordable price to meet the needs of budget-conscious buyers.
Built with a large 26.5mm lens, this optic provides a crisp and clear field of view, ensuring quick target acquisition in various lighting conditions. The 6 MOA reticle strikes an excellent balance, being large enough for fast aiming yet precise enough for accuracy at moderate ranges.
Regarding construction, the sight is made with an aluminum alloy chassis that is lightweight yet robust, weighing only 1.1 ounces. The lightweight construction makes it suitable for extended use without adding unnecessary weight to your firearm. Additionally, its compact design (1.9 inches in length) ensures it fits seamlessly into shotguns.
With 10 brightness settings, the Venom is versatile and reliable for both daytime and low-light scenarios. Its waterproof construction adds to its durability, allowing it to perform well in challenging environments.
The other essential features included are 1 MOA adjustment per click that offers precise control for zeroing and a top-load battery compartment that enables users to change the battery without removing the sight and losing zero.
Pros
- Large, clear 26.5mm lens for excellent visibility
- Durable aluminum alloy chassis, lightweight and compact
- 10 adjustable brightness settings for various lighting conditions
- Easy-to-access top-load battery compartment
- Precise 1 MOA adjustments for fine-tuning
- Waterproof design for added reliability in adverse weather
Cons
- Short battery life
5) Burris Optics FastFire 3 Red Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 3 MOA
- Lens Size: 21×15 mm
- Fabric/Material: Aluminum
- Adjustment per Click: 1 MOA
- Brightness Settings: 3
- Length: 1.9in
- Weight: 1.5 oz
Crafted with the avid hunter in mind, this Burris Optics Hunting Lightweight Versatile FastFire 3 Red Dot Sight is a compact and efficient sighting solution that can take your turkey hunting a notch higher. It is easy to use and install with no special tools required.
This optic features a crisp 3 MOA reticle perfect for accurate target acquisition, providing a crisp, bright dot that performs well in various lighting conditions. The 21×15 mm lens offers a clear and wide field of view, enabling quick tracking of moving targets. Furthermore, the three adjustable brightness settings ensure visibility in diverse environments, while the 1 MOA adjustment per click allows precise zeroing.
Solid construction is another feature that makes it one of the best red dots for shotgun turkey hunting. It is constructed from durable aluminum that is rigid enough to handle abuse and recoil. Additionally, its waterproof design enhances reliability, ensuring optimal performance even in wet or challenging weather conditions.
Pros
- Lightweight and tough design
- Long battery life and convenient access
- Affordable
- Tool-less windage and elevation adjustments
Cons
- Lacks a fully automatic brightness mode
6) Swampfox Kingslayer Micro Reflex Dot Sight
Specifications
- Reticle: 3 MOA
- Lens Diameter: 22mm
- Fabric/Material: Aircraft grade aluminum
- Battery Life: 1,500 Hours
- Windage/Elevation Movement Range (MOA): 45 MOA/ Total 90 MOA Range
- Brightness Settings: 10
- Length: 1.8in
- Weight: 1 oz
Next, we have the Swampfox Kingslayer Pistol Cut RMR Footprint 1×22 Micro Reflex Dot Sight. It offers an impressive combination of performance and durability for pistol enthusiasts and tactical shooters.
Featuring a 3 MOA reticle, the sight provides a precise point of aim, which is perfect for fast target acquisition in a variety of shooting scenarios. Its 22mm lens diameter ensures a wide field of view, while the compact and lightweight design ensures it doesn’t add unnecessary bulk to your shotgun.
The 10 brightness settings provide versatility in different lighting conditions, ensuring a clear dot in both bright daylight and low-light environments. Additionally, this optic has windage and elevation adjustment ranges of 45 MOA, with a total range of 90 MOA, make it easy to dial in for different shooting distances or situations.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- 3 MOA reticle ideal for fast target acquisition
- 10 brightness settings for various lighting conditions
- Waterproof design for reliable performance in harsh environments
- Wide windage/elevation adjustment range (90 MOA total)
Cons
- The battery compartment needs to be properly sealed to maintain waterproofing
- What size dot is best for turkey hunting?
Small 1, 2, and 3 MOA dots are typically ideal for turkey hunting because they provides a precise aiming point without being too large or obstructing the target. A smaller dot is great for shooting at long distances, while a slightly larger dot might be better in close-range situations.
- Is a red dot sight good for beginners in turkey hunting?
Yes, red dot sights are great for beginners. They simplify aiming by eliminating the need to align iron sights, which can be more challenging for new hunters. The red dot provides an easy-to-see aiming point.
Final Words
Red dots allow you to quickly focus on the target, which is essential for the fast-paced action of turkey hunting. Keep in mind that your hunting style will determine which red dot sight you choose. Hopefully, the information in this buying guide has steered you in the right direction.