EBB

I want to put a scope on my Rem 870 for deer but I don't want to have to take it off when I swap the barrel off for turkey. Since I don't need much range for deer (nor can I get it in my woods with the shotgun anyway) would a red dot or something like that be the way to go?

stalkingbear

A red dot type optical sight is excellent for turkey but if used on deer,you'll need the precision ofthe smaller dot models so choose accordingly. One thing to remember is the center of your pattern (aiming point),MAY NOT coincide with your slug barrel's sight in point of impact. Another thing to remember is anytime you change barrels,ALWAYS check to ensure it's still sighted in as they can change point of impact due to tolerences (slop or play) between the barrel and action. Having said that,go with a 4-5 moa dot and you should be fine.

johnnybravoo77

I ended up with a 2x Truglo red dot on my 870 and I like it a lot. stalkingbear is correct, some of the red dots have a huge dot, now this may work for turkeys, but not as well for deer. I believe mine is a 5 moa, it shoots slugs quite well out 75 yds, with a smooth slug barrel and cheap Win. slugs. Heres a pic of the doe I shot earlier this year.

EBB

Nice shot.
So if typically if I shot open sights for turkey anyway, the small dot sight for deer wouldn't be a problem on turkey. It would be a step up from the open sights, but not your first choice for bird. Anyway, I'm not a maniac turkey hunter, pretty recreational on that - if they're around, I'll try to pop one.

If I sighted in my dot for 35-45 yards for deer then would it be useless on the long barrel with full choke? I'd obviously be shooting half that distance for turkey and just using the dot as a rough guide?

I just really would hate to have it blocking my aperture, or getting in the way or anything. But yes, understood I'd regularly sight in at the top of the season for each. I don't want to take it on & off.

stalkingbear

If you sight it in for your slug barrel,I'm almost positive it would be fairly close to center of your turkey pattern. You would have to try it to be sure tho. I'm positive the small dot wouldn't hinder you aiming at a turkey.

Hurricanespg

Determine what load you are going to be using for deer and turkey. Sight in with each making small reference marks on the scope dials to see where each shoots. That way when you switch from your turkey ammo to deer ammo all you have to do is adjust the scope to the spot previously marked and then fire a shot to check accuracy.
You should have no problems either way with a smaller dot.
As a side note you should be able to take a turkey at 35-45 yards with the correct loads if that is what you wish to do.

EBB

45 yards for turkey? I had NO idea...
I just never even tried, assuming the pattern would be way too open at that point.
Maybe I should try some target shooting at longer ranges.
Anyway, that's a lot to ask of the woods I'm shooting in, they're pretty dense.
THANKS.

BigTiny

Oh, yes. My dad has an old JC Higgins pump with an adjustable choke/comp on it. It can shoot a pattern under 24 inches out to past 60 yards with a turkey load. I haven't tried patterning it with buckshot yet. I'm fairly certain newer shotguns could do this as well if that old one can do it.