If you have a shotgun, it is important to pair it with the best scope to improve your precision and accuracy. In today’s buying guide, we will share the features of the best tactical shotgun scope available on the market today.
Tactical shotguns are very versatile and are ideal for hunting, shooting, and home defense applications. However, it is important to note that you may want a different scope for each shooting application.
This is why it is important to define your requirements first to make the selection process easy for you. For example, if you want a scope for home defense, the reflex sight is an excellent choice for you. This is because it allows you to quickly lock onto your target without losing peripheral vision.
On the other hand, if you are using your tactical shotgun for hunting, you need a scope with a low magnification setting. The scope should allow you to hit targets that are between 70 and 100 yards. High magnification scopes have many advantages, but they do not have good eye relief and you will lose a lot of peripheral vision.
You can also use a quality thermal scope or night vision optic when hunting coyotes and other predators. If you are a turkey hunter, you can use a red dot scope to help you know the exact point of aim.
5 Best Tactical Shotgun Scopes
The best tactical shotgun scope will allow you to hone your precision and accuracy skills. It should feature high-quality glass to provide you with clear images that are color-accurate.
In addition, the scope you choose should have a waterproof design. This is because nature and harsh weather conditions can mess your hunting experience.
If you pair any of the scopes included on this list with a decent slug gun and cutting-edge ammo, you will achieve decent strikes beyond 100 yards.
However, finding the best one for a shotgun is always a challenging task. This is why we create this post to help you out.
Let us look at the best tactical shotgun scopes available on the market today.
1Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Riflescope – Overall Best Tactical Shotgun Scope
If you are on the market for a Leupold scope, the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 Riflescopeis a solid choice for your shotgun. This versatile scope can also be used for muzzleloaders available on the market today.
This scope features durable construction that can withstand powerful recoil and impact. This is why it is one of the best tactical shotgun scopes available in the market today.
The outstanding feature of this scope is the ergonomic power selector. It is used for adjusting the magnification from 3x to 9x. In addition, the reticle positioned on this scope is a second focal plane.
The glass on this scope is coated to provide you with crystal clear images that are color accurate. This aids any avid tactical shooter when hitting any target, even in low light conditions. The coating also protects the lens from debris and scratches.
This scope is made from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum to ensure it lasts for a very long time. It will definitely provide real value for your money. In addition, it comes with several features to improve your shooting for a great price.
Features
- It is very easy to use
- It is constructed from durable materials to ensure longevity
- It offers good eye relief to protect you from recoil
2
Burris Fastfire III with Picatinny Mount 3 MOA Sight (Black)
The Burris Fastfire III is a durable scope that is packed with many features to provide you with the best shooting experience. This scope is very lightweight and performs like a Trijicon. It will not weigh you down when using your rifle
The optics fitted on this scope is very clear compared to other sights. It provides you with an unobstructed field of view, allowing you to hit any target.
This scope is ideal for home defense because it is designed for situations where the speed of target acquisition is vital. It puts an unmistakable red dot at the point of impact within your field of view, ensuring you do not miss any target.
Most shotgun enthusiasts recommend this scope because it is cheaper than other scopes like Aimpoint and Trijicon.
Features
- It features a lightweight construction
- It is very easy to use
- It is affordable compared to other scopes
3
Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Sight
If you are looking for a red dot sight, the Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Sight is a solid choice for your shotgun. This feature-rich scope features a lightweight design and comes with clear glass.
Most enthusiasts recommend this scope because it features a sturdy construction that can last for a long time. This ensures that it can withstand heavy abuse, even when you use it for a long time.
The adjustment dial is very easy to use. It allows you to adjust the brightness easily based on your shooting application. This scope comes with 11 adjustments, which provides you with sharp pictures.
This red dot sight is compatible with most Picatinny rails. This makes it ideal for competitive shooting and hunting as well.
It is worth mentioning that this scope operates using a CR2032 battery. You can also submerge it in water up to 10 feet in depth.
Features
- It provides you with clear glass suitable for different shooting applications
- It is very easy to mount on any rifle
- It features a compact design
4
Vortex Optics Diamondback 1.75-5×32 SFP BDC (MOA) Riflescope
If you are on the market for a Vortex scope, the Vortex Optics Diamondback 1.75-5×32 is the best choice for you. This scope has a very high resolution with a seamless view across the entire visual spectrum.
The strong construction of this scope makes it an ideal choice for shotguns and muzzleloaders. This is because it can handle powerful recoil and impact.
We recommend this scope if anticipating the hold-over is a top concern during your tactical shooting applications. This is because it has a customized design that reduces any guesswork. The reticle included is a Dead-Hold BDC type, which allows you to manage hold-over and windage.
It is worth mentioning that this scope is designed to withstand harsh weather. This is because the single tube is hard and anodized. This means that it can survive minor bumps.
In addition, the O-ring seals make this scope fog proof and waterproof. This allows you to use it effectively in varying weather conditions.
It is important to note that this scope is fitted with a second focal plane reticle. This means that the image remains constant once you focus the scope across all the magnification levels.
Features
- It features multicoated lenses to provide you with the best vision
- It is fitted with a second focal plane reticle
- It is durable and can withstand powerful recoil and impact
5
EOTech EXPS2 Holographic
The EOTech EXPS2 is a holographic sight that is very easy to use and features a lightweight design. This scope will provide you with a wide field of view, allowing you to use your shotgun effectively.
It is worth mentioning that this scope has a single 1 MOA or double red dot 1 MOA aiming point. This is one of the smallest dots, compared to other scopes.
The exceptional feature of this scope is that you can make windage and elevation adjustments when hitting targets. This eliminates any guesswork and ensures that you hit all your targets.
This scope features a waterproof construction meaning that you can submerge this scope 10 feet underwater. This allows you to use your rifle effectively in almost any climatic condition.
In addition, you can operate this scope in varying temperatures as well.
Features
- It offers 1/2 MOA adjustments
- It is water-resistant
- It features a lightweight design
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Tactical Shotgun Scope
As you have seen, there are many tactical shotgun scopes available in the market. In this section, we will discuss the important factors you need to consider when finding the best shotgun scope.
The main aim of this section is to help beginners understand the important features they need to look out for when shopping for a tactical shotgun scope.
Here are some of the factors:
- Extended eye relief – It is worth mentioning that you need to buy a scope with an extended eye relief across all the magnification levels. This ensures that your eyes are protected from the recoil of the tactical shotgun. In addition, extended eye relief can help to avoid straining your eyes during long hours on the field.
- Magnification – You must ensure the riflescope you purchase provides you with ample magnification. This allows you to use your shotgun effectively. However, it is important to note that you do not need a high magnification scope.
- Large Objective Lens – If the scope features a large objective lens, you will get clear images with the best color fidelity.
- Fully Multi-Coated Lens – It is important to buy a fully multi-coated lens that offers better clarity for maximum accuracy.
- Durability – The scope you buy should be constructed from durable materials to ensure its longevity. This ensures that they last for a very long time. In addition, durable scopes can withstand powerful recoil and impact, even after continuous use.
- Price – When shopping for high recoil scopes, price is one of the important factors you need to consider. There are many options to choose from, but we have shared the best scopes that are compatible with multiple rifles available on the market today. However, it is important to note that the price should not be an issue if you are looking for a high-end scope.
- Warranty – It is important to buy a scope with a great warranty or customer service. This can help you solve queries you may encounter when using the scope. This is because some high recoil scopes are very expensive.
- Reticle – We recommend checking the reticle of the scope you purchase. Large reticles are great for low-light shooting applications. On the other hand, thinner reticles allow you to be more precise but are difficult to use in low-light conditions.
- Versatility – We highly recommend purchasing a versatile scope that is ideal for both hunting and tactical shooting applications.
- Weatherproofing – It is important to buy a scope that is weatherproof and can resist fog, water, and shock damage. This allows you to use your rifle effectively in any weather condition.
Conclusion
In today’s buying guide, we have shared some of the best tactical shotguns available on the market today. These scopes will provide you with clear images across the entire visual spectrum.
It is worth mentioning that we have considered customer reviews and recommendations when compiling this list. This ensures that you get the best options available for your shotgun.
If you are still not sure, we recommend buying the Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7×33. It has both the tact and ability to withstand the stress that comes from firing a tactical shotgun.
We hope that this buying guide helped you to make a well-informed purchase.