Slug guns use a heavy projectile designed for hunting big game and other such things. Because of the hunting nature of these guns, you need a good and accurate aim. That is where a scope comes in. These scopes are designed to aim better and faster.
For shotguns that use slugs, there is a considerable amount of recoil, so the scope should be able to handle that. There are many other aspects you should consider when buying one.
This article details all those and reviews the best slug gun scopes available today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Slug Gun Scopes
Comparison Chart of the Best Slug Gun Scopes
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Is Any Scope Suitable For a Slug Gun?
Technically, any scope can be used with a slug gun, but like all things, there are certain products that will suit it better. Because these guns are used for big game hunting, you will probably be shooting from a distance, and finding the right aim at the right time means the scope needs to have decent magnification.
Trijicon RS20 AccuPower 3-9x40
It should also be able to handle heavy recoil and illuminated reticles that can help with night shooting. Anything will work with slug guns, but depending on what you are using it for, the scope can have different features.
Can You Really Find a Quality Scope That’s Affordable?
If you want a scope with fancy features like multiple optical coatings, nighttime assistance, and other such features, then you may want to spend a little extra money. But that does not mean you cannot find a durable, high-quality scope with good magnification that does the job. There are many options available to choose from. You can find everything you need in a $100 to $300 scope easily.
There are some companies, like Nikon, that give pricier scopes, but those come with enhanced performance and durability. Nikon is well known in the optics world for producing high-quality lenses that give sharp and clear images, so their products are probably worth the money.
Why Did These Scopes Make Our List?
Some of the main aspects we looked into while making our best-of list are:
Quality
The quality and manufacturing standards are the most important features in any item. If your scope breaks after a few days of use, then what is the point of having a sharp lens and good aiming reticle? The body of the scope should be sturdy and balanced. The length of the warranty can give a good idea of the material. The manufacturer will have details about the construction material used and other information.
Weather-Proof
Since this scope will always be used outdoors and probably in different weather conditions and climates, it is good to have a scope that can handle it all. Waterproofing and fog-proofing are the two most important things. This will allow you to hunt easily in every weather condition and at any time of the day without worrying about your equipment getting damaged.
Resolution
This is one of the main functions of a scope. You use it to make your target clearer for a better shot. If the resolution is not sharp or low quality, then instead of helping, it will distract you. A scope with a multi-coated lens is the best option as it will increase light transmission and help reduce flaring and ghosting.
Review of the Best Slug Gun Scopes
These are the best scopes that anyone using a slug gun for hunting should consider. With our in-depth reviews of these, it should become easier for you to pick your desired model.
Best Overall:
Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn
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Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
People are amazed at the sharp lens quality that comes at such a low price. There are definitely scopes that have more features and cross the $500 limit, but this one does what it is supposed to. Its sharp image results make it easy to hunt big game.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a medium-range centerfire scope. It has a variable magnification of 3-9x with a 40mm objective lens. This gives a pretty good result for hunting. The optics are sealed inside O-rings and stay dry, even when completely in water. It uses anhydrous argon gas to remove moisture and give fog resistance to the lens. To prevent reflection and flares, it has multi-coatings. This results in sharp and clear images.
Who Will Use This Most
This scope is for medium-range hunting. It provides low-light support so you can use it any time of the day. The crosshair reticle gives excellent aim. This, along with being water and fog-proof, makes it suitable for different conditions.
Bottom Line
This is our top pick because it gives you everything you will need for a good hunt without being unreasonably high priced. It has a good, solid construction that will last you a long while. The simple reticle means no fuss and a clear view of the target.
Runner-up and Best for the Money:
Trijicon RS20 AccuPower 3-9x40
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This scope has great image quality and can perform in low-light conditions, as well. The construction is good and sturdy. For a Trijicon scope, it is considered pretty low-priced. The illuminated reticle helps but can be turned off with a single button push. There are mostly only good reviews for this.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This scope has a multi-coated lens to give a sharp and high-contrast image with little distortion. The brightness can easily be adjusted and even powered off when not needed. At full brightness, its battery lasts for a good 31 hours. It uses aluminum for the body, which is weather-resistant and durable. You can adjust the elevation and windage at 60 MOA.
Who Will Use This Most
This scope has a 3-9X magnification with a 40mm objective lens. It is good for mid-range shooting. The illuminated reticle and weather-protected, aircraft-grade housing make it suitable to be used throughout the day and in rainy conditions, as well.
Bottom Line
Trijicon is well-known for making illuminated scopes, and this one is no different. They also have contracts from the United States military, so one can expect rigorous testing and accurate aim from their products. This scope is one of their budget-friendly options with all the quality features of other products.
Best Scope for 12-Gauge Slug Gun:
Burris Droptine Riflescope
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This is a good scope for low hunting, the focus range supports that. The image quality is sharp and clear. The price is not too high and it has good construction that is dependable. The aim is accurate, as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It has high-grade optical glass that gives brightness and clarity to the image. The large lens is able to capture maximum light. It uses multi-coating to help with low-light use and glare reduction. It is completely waterproof and uses nitrogen to prevent fogging. You can also adjust for elevation and windage at 50 MOA. The outer body can handle shocks and vibrations of heavy recoil and is made of durable material.
Who Will Use This Most
The 50-yard model of this scope is calibrated for .22LR ammo. This is more suitable for low-range shooting and medium-game hunting. The fog, water, and shock-proofing make it suitable to be used in different conditions. It does not have an illuminated reticle, but the lens is supposedly larger to accommodate low-light use.
Bottom Line
Twelve-gauge slug guns are used mostly for medium game at short ranges, and for that, a scope with 9x magnification does the job well. Its focus is also set at a nearer point, but you can opt for the 100-yard scope of the same model. Other than that, it has many of the features you look for in a slug gun scope.
Best Nikon Slug Gun Scope:
Nikon Buckmasters II 4-12x40mm
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This Nikon quality lens at a low price is definitely a worthy buy. The glass is clear and has an overall sturdy construction. It gives clear images and accurate focusing at 60 yards, as well. This range is great for all kinds of hunting. The money is what convinces people to buy it mostly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It uses Nikon’s BDC reticle that lets you aim at longer distances with ease. It has see-through ballistic circles for long ranges and normal sight picture for short ranges. The lens is completely anti-reflective and gives bright clear pictures. It is O-ring sealed and nitrogen-filled to prevent damage from fog and water.
Who Will Use This Most
This is great for big game hunting at long ranges. The magnification and reticle can handle all that comes with those conditions. The eye-relief is pretty generous, and the settings don’t change, even after heavy recoil. It captures maximum light to give good aim in low light, as well. And like most scopes, the fog, water, and shock-proofing make it usable in different conditions.
Bottom Line
Nikon makes some of the highest quality scopes, but that comes with a price. This scope though, has a budget-friendly design. The optics use a multi-coating to give vivid images, and the reticle is simple and easy to use. You can make precise hand-turn adjustments that are quick and accurate.
Best Leupold Slug Gun Scope:
Leupold VX-Freedom Muzzleloader 3-9x40mm
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
People buy this scope because of the name, Leupold. It has great optics and can handle big game shooting. The focusing adjustments are quick and easy. It has great value for money. The aim is accurate after adjusting for elevation and windage.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Leupold is one of the major producers of telescope sights, binoculars, and other such things. Their lenses always give sharp, vivid results with no glare and distortion. This scope has good eye relief and is water and fog-proof. It is lightweight and easy to handle. It goes through many testing situations, including pressure changes, water testing, recoil handling, and extreme temperatures of -40 to 160°F.
Who Will Use This Most
This scope can be used for big game hunting like deer at mid ranges. It is mostly used for deer. It does have illumination, but the lens can capture maximum light to give a clear image when light is a little low.
Bottom Line
For a slug gun, this is a good scope. The magnification is what you would expect for a shotgun. It has precise ¼ MOA finger click adjustments to achieve a better aim. It has a Twilight Light Management System to give sharp images and reduce glare. It is lightweight at 10 ounces and has good construction.
Best Vortex Slug Gun Scope:
Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical 6-24x50
No products found.
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This scope has a solid construction and gives clear images. The price is low compared to others. It has an easy adjustment system. The lifetime guarantee is a bonus that everyone appreciates. People find it to be one of the cheapest scopes with excellent optics.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This scope has a higher range than other slug gun scopes. The focusing is precise and fast. It uses a precision-glider to give a smooth magnification change. The tactical turrets are exposed, and it has a parallax knob needed for long-range aiming. It is completely shock and waterproof. It uses nitrogen for fog proofing.
Who Will Use This Most
Because of its good magnification and large objective lens, it can be used for long-range shooting. The weatherproofing makes it suitable for rugged conditions. Getting the right focus and aim are easy with the adjustable turret, elevation, windage, and parallax.
Bottom Line
For a Vortex scope, this is the best one for slug guns. The optics are crisp and vivid with the extra-low dispersion and multi-coated lens. You get a good resolution throughout the magnification range. It is not too heavy or large to get in the way. The price is very good for the optics it gives.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, a good slug gun scope has durability, accurate focusing, adjustable windage and elevation, and is weather-resistant. Many people choose to buy high priced scopes, but these products prove that you can get a clear image and excellent resolution at all price ranges if you choose the right company.
People Also Ask
If you have more questions regarding slug guns and their scopes, you can read the following frequently asked questions.
How Accurate is a Slug Shotgun?
Slug shotguns are accurate, have better range, and better wounding potential than buckshot.
How Far Will a Slug Gun Shoot?
A slug shotgun has an accuracy of about 50 to 100 yards. For more than that, you will need a dedicated rifled slug barrel.