Basically, a sight and a shotgun make a fantastic pair of hunting gear when you are engaged in either shooting or tactical hunting activities. The sight is usually mounted onto the firearm whether rifles, handguns or shotguns. They function to improve the accuracy of your shot towards your target.
Apart from that, they are non-magnified as well as illuminated, equipped with a red dot reticle. In other words, the reticle comes with a red dot into the field of view. It is almost similar to a reflex sight, if you ask me.
Compared to the traditional iron sights, the best shotgun red dot sights provides a quicker way to aim at your target, thereby guaranteeing you get an accurate shot. Since you can focus quickly on your target, this sight comes in handy especially if you plan to shoot at moving targets. Shotguns are usually used to shoot your targets at short ranges. Therefore, the red dot sight is designed to instant target acquisition within approximately 100 yards.
Top 5 Rated Shotgun Red Dot Sights Comparison Table
| Name of Product | Weight | Reticle Type | Durability | Precision | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnell Trophy | 3.7 oz | 3 MOA | High | High | $$ |
| Truglo Red-Dot Dual Color Sight | 7.2 oz | 5 MOA | Moderate | High | $$ |
| Aimpoint Micro T-2 Sight | 5 oz | 2 MOA | High | High | $$$ |
| Sightmark Ultra Pro Spec Sight | 9 oz | *varies with 4 reticle type | High | High | $$$ |
| BSA Red Dot Scope with 5 MOA | 11.4 oz | 5 MOA | Moderate | Moderate | $$ |
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Red Dot Sight Riflescope
Update: The trophy red dot sight includes tilted front lens that function to reflect the LED light to produce the red dot whereby the red dot LED light is secured inside the scope using an adhesive. Apart from that, the front lens are equipped with an amber-bright high contrast lens coating.
This red dot sight is equipped with a CR2032 battery and a protective lens cover. The battery has a long shelf life so you can use it for long period of time. The Butler Creek flip-up lens cover on the other hand protects the lens from scratches and damage therefore contributing to its durability.
In addition to that, this optic is of high quality with a stunning HD clarity of your target. It includes a reliable 3 MOA sight with 11 brightness settings. The illuminated red dot reticle allows for shooting under low light conditions. In the aspect of brightness, you are able to adjust it according to your preference depending on your surrounding environment, whether under bright sunlight or dark night.
You can utilize the control knobs and turrets on the product to adjust the settings and brightness level for the best results. The brightness level can be increased for clearer sight picture and aiming reference, however not too much until the image glares or starts to blur.
Weighing 3.7 ounces, this product is 2.4 inches long. It has an unlimited eye relief so you can aim and take a shot at your target with both your eyes open, for your added convenience. That being said, this sight is ideal for quick target acquisition as well as accuracy in low light conditions.
It has multi-coated optics which provides increased light transmissions so you are able to view your sight picture with maximum clarity and brightness. Its amber bright optics comes in handy for distinguishing objects so you can make out the difference between your target and a large rock for instance, during the night.
In terms of finish, it has a realtree camo pattern design that camouflages well with the terrain and leaves in the wilderness, if you plan on hunting in the forest. Not only that, it can be easily mounted on any weaver style or picatinny rail according to your preference.
The housing on the other hand is nitrogen filled to provide a fully waterproof, fogproof and shockproof performance so your lens are always clear without any internal fogging when placed in different atmospheres with varying temperatures. Equipped with a solid construction, this product includes good coating to prevent it from corroding under any weather conditions.
Besides that, it holds zero very well thus improving the accuracy of your shot. There is no need for centering since it comes with a parallax-free design. In other words, the dot follows the movement of your eyes while remaining fixed on the target.
Suitable for :
- 3 MOA sight
- Nitrogen filled housing
- Unlimited eye relief
- Amber bright optics
Best Dual Color Sight :
Truglo Red-Dot Dual Color Sight
First things first, this dual color sight is equipped with a 5 MOA reticle for fast target acquisition. The dual illuminated reticle on the other hand comes in 2 colors which are red and green. The illuminated dot of the reticle is can be used anytime of the day since it is visible under bright sunlight as well as under low light conditions.
The multi-coated lenses ensures that more than 95% of light is transmitted into the sight so you are able to view a clear and bright picture of your target. Not only that, the unlimited eye relief provides you with a full viewing angle with wide field view of your target as well as allowing you to take aim with both eyes open.
Besides that, it comes with a special anti-reflective interior that functions to prevent any stray light from entering inside the sight. The windage and elevation adjustments on the other hand can be simply adjusted with a click. That being said, it is rather easy to operate in order to get an accurate shot.
This product has an adjustable rheostat where you are able to adjust and control the brightness of the sight, according to your preference. Just keep in mind, don’t leave it at the highest brightness at all times just to ensure a clear sight picture, because misusing the brightness level will just lead to blurry pictures and glare.
Furthermore, it is shock resistant up to 1000g, fogproof and waterproof so your lens are clear instead of being fogged up. In terms of mounting style, it utilizes an integrated weaver-style mounting system. That being said, this sight is ideal to be used for handguns, rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows as well as paintballs.
A 3V CR2032 battery is included upon the purchase of the product. It has a lifetime warranty hence why I think it is very well worth your investment. That being said, you can keep in touch with customer service if the product has any damage.
Its integrated lanyard system on the other hand prevents the screws from getting missing down the turret caps. Apart from that, its lens cover are see-through however it is quite easy to come off, so be careful when removing them. Also, it is rather easy to sight in as well as holds zero well.
Suitable for :
- 5 MOA reticle
- Dual illuminated reticle
- Adjustable rheostat for brightness
- See-through lens cover
Best Night Vision Sight :
Aimpoint Micro T-2 Sight
This product is rather unique because it is equipped with a front flip-up lens cover as well as a transparent rear flip-up cover. This feature comes in handy to protect the sight itself from any weather conditions, thereby contributing to its durability.
Moreover, it is compatible with all generation of night vision devices. That being said, it has an off position, 8 daylight settings, 4 compatible night vision settings as well as one extra bright settings. This extra bright settings is used together with laser protection glasses or in a bright desert sunlight.
The red dot sight weighs around 3.7 ounces including its standard mount. It is rather versatile as it is ideal to accommodate rifles, shotguns, carbines, submachine guns as well as handguns. Also, it can be utilized as a standalone sight or even piggybacked on a thermal, magnifying or night vision optic.
It features the ACET technology which provides 50,000 hours (approximately 5 years) of constant operation with only using one battery. In other words, it has an excellent battery shelf life and can last for a long period of time, for your added convenience. Its 2 MOA red dot reticle on the other hand is completely efficient, thus producing the highest possible dot brightness for a vivid sight picture.
Besides that, it has a hard anodized and non-reflective finish which contributes to the sturdiness and strength of this product. Also, it is submersible up to 80 feet. Its integral picatinny- style base ensures that it can be easily attached to any rail, according to your preference.
The optical lenses are rather advanced and complex for better light transmission in the sight, therefore providing you with a high clarity picture of your target when aiming. It also includes reinforced protection for turrets. The turrets are utilized for making windage and elevation as well as illumination adjustments with positive clicks.
Suitable for :
- Reinforced turret protection
- 2 MOA reticle
- ACET technology
- Advanced lens covers
- Compatible with night vision devices
Sightmark Ultra Pro Spec Sight
The Sightmark sight is equipped with night vision mode so you can view your target under low light conditions. With this feature, limitation of light during the night won’t be an excuse anymore to go hunting. However, the feature is only applicable if used with a separate night vision scope or magnifier.
Furthermore, it comes with double pane glass lens that comes in handy to prevent parallax so you can properly aim at your target and most likely land an accurate shot. Not only that, it includes 4 varying reticle patterns for maximum precision accuracy as well as customization so you can choose from one of the 4 reticles according to your preference.
The interlock feature of this product consists of an internal locking system that holds the zero well, even after multiple rounds. This comes in handy so you can properly aim at your target using the red dot as the reference. Also, it includes a CR1632 battery, the sight itself, rubber lens cap and adjustments tools upon the purchase of the product.
That being said, the battery life ranges from 25 to 180 hours depending on the usage and the brightness level you frequently use. The brighter you adjust it, it is to consume more battery so don’t forget to turn it off when not in use and not overuse the brightness settings. The control knobs on the other hand are simple to operate for reticle selection.
Speaking of brightness settings, it has brightness level of 1 to 5 and an off button. Refrain from overusing the brightness because too much brightness will just cause glare and your sight picture to be blurry. All in all, this product is designed for triple duty which includes hunting, competition and tactical needs.
Apart from that, it utilizes the weaver mount type. That being said, it is rather simple to attach this unit to a rail. It has unlimited eye relief so you can aim at your target with both eyes open for quick target acquisition. Also, it is waterproof up to the rating of IPX4.
Suitable for :
- 4 reticle patterns
- Night vision mode included
- Interlock feature
- Unlimited eye relief
Best Sight for the Money :
BSA Red Dot Scope with 5 MOA
Upon the purchase of this product, you are entitled to receive a standard lithium 3V battery to operate the sight and a lens cover. The lens cover is important to protect your lens from scratches and damage in the long run. This product on the other hand is rather light and mainly used for close quarter as well as medium range targets.
In addition to that, it has a great eye relief that provides you with the full viewing angle of the target, not forgetting protecting your face from the impact of the shotgun. To adjust the eye relief, you just need to move it back and forth until the correct eye relief distance is achieved according to your preference.
It includes a 5 MOA red dot reticle with no magnification power (one of the characteristic of a sight). The red dot is rather clear and easy on the eyes even under low light conditions. Apart from that, it has 11 brightness levels in which you are able to control using the rheostat provided, whether you want it dim or bright, for your added convenience.
Equipped with a one year limited warranty, its base can be mounted on either a weaver or picatinny rail. That being said, it is rather simple and quick to mount it on. You can either mount it on a 5/8 inch or 3/8 inch rail which can be adjusted. For best performance, you might need to apply a little Loctite to secure it in place.
Moreover, this product is more inclined as a home defense gun due to its simple construction and light weight. The adjustable mounting system is rather versatile as it is able to accommodate rifles, pistols, shotguns, crossbows and bows. All in all, it is easy to zero in and mount this product. You are able to make windage and elevation or even brightness level adjustments using the control knob and turrets provided.
Suitable for :
- 5 MOA reticle
- Adjustable mounting system
- Great eye relief
- Lightweight
Key Considerations when purchasing a Shotgun Sight
Weight/Size
The weight and size depends on your personal preference, actually. It shouldn’t be too heavy since it will be mounted onto the shotgun. So a lighter weight will compensate for the heavier weight of the shotgun therefore balancing out each other to make it bearable to carry when hunting in the wilderness (don’t forget to get a hunting backpack!), for instance.
Not forgetting, the size of the sight should be appropriate for the gun. In other words, the shotgun is supposed to handle the weight of it to ensure maximum accuracy of your shot.
Ease of Use
The sight should be easy to sight in and holds zero well after multiple rounds, so you get to aim properly and most likely land an accurate shot. The adjustments you need to make to your sight is basically the brightness level and the windage and elevation.
They usually come with turrets and control knobs so you are able to adjust them according to your preferred level. You need not worry about magnification since all red dot sights are without any magnification. They have unlimited eye relief so you can aim with both eyes open for better viewing angle of your target.
Mount Type
Basically, the sight will be mounted onto your shotgun. It can be mounted either using the weaver or picatinny style. That solely depends on the specifications of the product itself. Some products comes with adjustable mounting system such as the BSA product below. Its adjustable mount ensures that it is highly versatile as it can be mounted on either 3/8 inch or 5/8 inch rails.
You need to ensure that the sight is properly mounted so you can properly aim at your target. That being said, take your time to mount and properly adjust your sight so it is aligned properly. With the proper alignment, the accuracy of your shot at the target is highly guaranteed.
Cost
You should go for a high quality sight, no matter the price. Sights usually ranges from around 100 $ to 1000 $. However, do not let the price fool you. There are affordable ones that are good enough in terms of performance and effectiveness. If not, don’t fret about spending a little extra bucks to get yourself the best red dot sight that will last a lifetime.
To find the top rated products and make the choice according to your personal preference, it is best you look through customer reviews and product-based reviews for better insight and honest remarks about the certain product you plan to buy.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the red dot sight comes in handy for quick target acquisition as well as contributes to the accuracy of your shot. In my opinion, it is a must have to be paired with your shotgun, especially to tackle moving targets with maximum ease. I hope my review assists you in making the right choice well-suited to you. Happy hunting and don’t forget to get your very own hunting tree stand!
Check out the top rated laser bore sights too.