Scope suggestions for new rifled 870

[col_temp]

Hi all,

have some thoughts but thought I would see what the community would suggest.
Picked up the other day a closeout Remington 870 with 23" rifled barrel.
I drew a second deer tag this year for an area near me that is firearm restricted, as well as heavily vegetation.

I plan to shoot no more than 50 yards for the most part but might be nice if necessary to reach out to 100.

The 870 has a pop-up rail so it is scope ready. No Iron sights.
Anyone have a suggestion for a best scope type to mount? Should I just drop a cheap 3-9 and be done, or might I be better off with a tactical rifle 3x or 4x scope. Or Something else.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

It should be a shotgun scope as they come with a longer eye relief which keeps you from getting a black eye from recoil. For the short range you are shooting about any shotgun scope will do but keep in mind the higher quality optics let in more light and add to your hunting time both in the morning and evening. Nikon has several respectable offerings that are priced right.

 

[col_temp]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look, was thinking that was the case My other slug gun is a 20ga bolt action with Iron sites. Wanted to make sure.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[nettlle]

I have a 12 ga Mossberg 935 and a 12 ga Ithaca Deerslayer ll with a Leupold 3 x 9 compacts mounted on both. I shoot 3 1/2" Federal turkey loads out of the 935 and have never been scope bit.

 

[PabloJ]

A guy that posts at AccurateReloading and puts together bolt guns for dangerous game suggested Nikon 'African' 1-4x20. With glued in lenses it will survive the hardest kickers and can be mounted on guns for dangerous game, shotguns or AR for personal defense. It is very good shotgun scope offering #4 reticle enough magnification and fov of >90ft @1x. Good news it is still available in Monarch 1-4x rendition w/o the 'African' label.

 

[jmr40]

Any of the 1-4X20 or 1-3X20 scopes are near perfect. I like the Leupold VX-1 with a heavy reticle.

 

[nettlle]

3X-4X is plenty for hunting. I never set my 3x9 higher than 4X for hunting. 9X for me is for preseason target practice.

 

[col_temp]

Thanks for the suggestions. Got me looking in the right place now.

 

[Mr. T]

On the slug barrel (detached), that is a Nikon Pro Staff. It will cover you out to 100 yards and perform flawlessly at 50. They also have a lifetime warranty on them. Very good glass and seemingly holds up well through a lot of use.

 

[Bristol Mt.Man]

Put a Leupold 1.5-5 on my 11-87 and love it.

 

[22250Rem]

I've seen too many rifled barrel shotguns that I call "overscoped" . Bristol Mt. Man's Leupold 1.5-5x is about as much magnification as I, or the OP would need on something like that. If the OP wants a variable scope for that 870 then that 1.5-5x Leupold would be just the ticket. My fully rifled 870 has been running a fixed 2.5x Leupold which has been on there since 1989 when it still had a 12 ga. smoothbore slug barrel back before sabots and rifled barrels became commonplace. Based on the OP's hunting distances ( no more than 50 yds. for the most part but might be nice to reach out to 100 yds.) I wouldn't use anything beyond 2.5x because I feel that it's just not needed. I can see my target perfectly at 100 yds. with 2.5x and also maintain a good field of view; which really comes in handy in the thick stuff when shots may come along at very close range, ( the higher the magnification the less the field of view). On a hunting gun that may see some rough use I also lean toward a fixed power that theoretically would be able to shrug off a few hard knocks better than a variable. Like the time the 870 and I both fell out of a tree on a big hillside and the scope never lost zero but the gun and I both got a few scratches. I zero it at 100 yds. which puts me about 4" high at 50 and It's good to go. If the OP feels that 2.5 power may not be enough at 100 yds. all I can say is, look through 2.5x optics at something 100 yds away and you'll see what I speak of.

 

[cdb1]

If it were me I'd get a VX-1 1-4 or 2-7 shotgun scope. The Nikon shotgun scopes have a good reputation but I see better through Leupold. My best friend sees better through Nikon so if asked that is what I'd recommend to him. The Nikon Monarch African would be a great choice and it has my favorite reticle - German #4. In fact even though I see better through Leupold as a rule I'd be tempted to get an African.

 

[entropy]

That Leupold 1.5-5 would be my choice, if I had the $$. I have an old Bushnell Banner 2.75x on my Hastings 20" It's never failed me yet.

 

[RPRNY]

Simmons ProHunter shotgun scope. You don't need German glass for 100 yard shooting! Cheap, effective, and they hold up well to recoil.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/7...ptics+-+Scopes+-+Under+12X-_-Simmons-_-789884