Are you having a hard time seeing bead sights?
Have you shot over the turkey’s head one too many times?
Between the fast reticle and target acquisition of red dot sights and the magnification of low power scopes, there’s no debate that an optic is an invaluable tool in the gobbler hunt.
I have hand-tested many of the best red dots and scopes for turkey hunting that are recommended across the board.
I have compared cost, reticle/dot sizes, illumination, durability, and more to come up with my hand-selected list of optics for your Spring tom hunt!
Why Trust Us?
After hundreds of hours of hand-testing scopes and red dot sights in the field and at the range, and thousands more hours researching and writing about them, we feel we earn the title of experts when it comes to optics!
We purchase as many of the optics for our tests as possible, and run them through their paces to make sure they will perform at the range and in the field.
Our combined decades of experience from hunting small game, varmints, and turkeys has been integral in putting together this round-up of the best red dots and scopes for turkey hunting.
Get the inside scoop on how we test optics here.
The Best Red Dots & Scopes for Turkey Hunting in 2024
1. Burris FastFire III – Best Overall
The Burris FastFire 3 pistol red dot sight has a fantastic reputation as a red dot sight for turkey hunting. With its small and compact design and a huge 8 MOA dot, it’s right at home on top on your turkey gun.
Pros:
- Pistol sight
- 8 MOA dot
- Auto & manual brightness
- Compact
- Rail mount included
Cons:
- Battery compartment cap
The only warning I have about the battery compartment cap is to make sure you have threaded it in correctly and that it’s secure in its position. If it’s not, it will pop off during recoil. You could lose the cap this way or have it hit you in the face like it did me. To say the least, I’m extra cautious when securing that cap from now on.
Other than that hiccup, I really like the huge 8 MOA dot. It’s big, extremely visible, and fantastic for putting it on a turkey up to about 30 yards I reckon.
The dynamic brightness (auto brightness) is actually very good. Though I like my manual settings, the auto brightness made a good impression on me with how well it performed.
Though this is a micro pistol red dot sight at heart, it can be mounted to a shot gun and AR-15. It comes with a rail mount in the box that should make mounting easier.
The Burris FF3 is waterproof, dustproof, and it also comes with a see-through cover that could remain on the sight during use if you really wanted to. As a micro sight, it’s compact, lightweight, and it really doesn’t get smaller than this. Though tiny, the dot is huge and very easy to see.
2. Aimpoint Micro S-1 – Best for Mounting Without a Rail
One of the major problems you might have with mounting a red dot to a shotgun is that it’s not optic ready, meaning, the receiver isn’t drilled and tapped for a mount. Enter here the Aimpoint Micro S-1 that solves this problem.
Pros:
- Rib mounting
- 6 MOA dot
- 12 brightness settings
- Extremely tough
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Cost
If you do have a rail on your shotgun, then you might prefer the Aimpoint Micro H-1 that’s ready to mount to a Picatinny or Weaver base. However, that’s not always the case with every turkey gun. The S-1 model is ready to mount anywhere along the sight rib. It comes with interchangeable base plates to pretty much fit any rib size. With the low optical axis, you shouldn’t have to change your cheekweld at all.
The Micro S-1 has a 6 MOA dot with 12 brightness settings. Since it’s Aimpoint, it also has “1 extra intense” setting for bright conditions which I assume is supposed to be their daylight bright setting without actually saying ‘daylight bright.’
I really like that it takes a CR2032 battery, and best of all, it competes with Holosun red dots providing around 50,000 hours of runtime. This is an industry best battery runtime for red dot sights that riflescopes just can’t compete with.
You won’t have any issues with the build integrity because it’s super rugged. It’s submersible to 15 feet, operates in -20 to 140-degree F temperatures, and it’s made from carbon fiber reinforced polymer – well, the mount is.
For a red dot sight that could be the game changer to your turkey hunt, it’s expensive. But if your shotgun can’t take an optic, if you’ve had your fair share of misses, and I reckon turkeys are intrinsically paranoid making them a good hunting challenge, the cost for an Aimpoint Micro S-1 is worth it.
3. Trijicon MRO – Best for Long Range
Probably right up there with the Aimpoint Micro S-1 is the Trijicon MRO red dot sight. MRO stands for Miniature Rifle Optic. Though it’s not going on a rifle, it is also well suited to the shotgun. The MRO, like many of Trijicon’s optics, is expensive, so the pros must be weighed against the cons.
Pros:
- 1x25 RDS
- 2 MOA dot
- Long battery life
- 8 illumination settings
- Extremely rugged
Cons:
- Cost
The MRO is another popular turkey gun sight. You’d think the cost would put buyers off, but its performance well outweighs the high price. Keep in mind that models will vary in price with the mount you choose. Ideally, you’ll want the low-profile mount so that you’re not dealing with combs on the stock.
With a 2 MOA dot, you have an extremely precise aiming system. Even though you have shotgun patterns, you still require accuracy to nail your turkey without destroying it. The small size of the dot will also help you to take turkeys at 70 yards.
Other good features of the Trijicon MRO include its 8 illumination settings and 2 night vision compatible settings. It also has a long battery runtime of up to 50,000 hours – that’s 5 years of continuous-on performance (at setting 5).
As is competitive with the best red dot sights out there, the MRO is extremely durable and tough. It’s submersible to 100 feet! Needless to say, you can be sure it’s waterproof.
Though pricey, the Trijicon MRO is a mass-approved red dot sight for turkey guns. The clear and sharp optics are needed. After all, turkeys have excellent eyesight, so you may as well level the field and get ‘eyes’ on your Tom before he sees you.
4. EOTech EXPS3 – Best Holographic Sight for Turkey Hunting
As one of the more expensive sights that you could consider for turkey hunting, the EOTech EXPS3 is a top contender on the shortlist. With the famous Donut of Death reticle, holographic technology, and a body that’s built like a tank, it can easily be your turkey slayer every season.
Pros:
- Holographic sight
- Reticle
- Multiple brightness
- Extremely durable
- Huge FOV
Cons:
- Price
The EXPS3 has an extremely wide FOV that’s perfect for turkey hunting. With no magnification, it’s incredibly fast to use and it feels very natural using it with two eyes open. One thing I can think of that might change up your weld is its height. It’s setup for a lower 1/3 co-witness, so your cheekweld will come up off the stock a bit. You can add a cheek rest of some sort if absolutely needed.
What makes it exceptionally easy to use is the reticle. The center dot is 1 MOA in size, so it’s very precise but the 68 MOA ring immediately draws your eye to it. A convenient feature of the huge ring is that it practically shows you what your shotgun pattern will be. Put the ring on the turkey and you have it.
There are several daylight illumination settings to mess with, 20 settings to be exact, so you’ll always have the perfect reticle brightness for the conditions.
When it comes to its build integrity, it’s tough and waterproof. I’ve field-tested it on multiple rifles, the mount is solid, and it’s air and watertight. Come on, I put this thing in a washing machine and let it sit submerged. It’s definitely waterproof for the hunt.
Some people might not like the hologram of the reticle as it can look a bit fuzzy. But if you’re focusing on the target, the reticle sharpens up. I highly recommend the EXPS3 for gobblers, but you’ve got to have the budget for it.
5. Vortex Venom – Best Micro Red Dot Sight
Another very popular pistol sight for the turkey gun is the Vortex Venom. Though there is a 3 MOA version, I’ve field-tested the Venom with the 6 MOA dot. The 3 MOA would be great especially for longer reach, but the 6 MOA dot can get you there too.
Pros:
- Pistol sight
- 6 MOA dot
- Auto & manual brightness
- Auto off
Thin frame
Cons:
- Finicky battery compartment
There’s a trick to properly securing the battery compartment cap on the Vortex Venom red dot sight. Reverse thread, hear the click, and then thread clockwise to secure. That’s it. If you can remember to do that, you won’t have any issues with the cap!
The Venom is a red dot sight that I think is decent for the money. It’s waterproof, very easy to use with two eyes open, and the 6 MOA dot stands out ready for use. At 50 yards, that dot has 3” subtension with 1.5” at 25 yards and 0.6” at 10 yards. This is excellent for accurate and one-kill shots with your turkey gun without ruining what will inevitably be dinner.
The FOV is very easy and natural on the eyes, and I think it comes down to its wide viewing window. This would be a notable difference between the Venom and the Burris Fastfire. The FF3 is slightly taller with an 8 MOA dot while the Venom is slightly wider. Personal preference will come into play here.
Unlike the Burris FF3 that did dynamic brightness (auto mode) well, I ended up preferring the manual illumination on the Venom. I like that it has two buttons to navigate brightness and manual on/off. If you’re in auto mode, the Vortex Venom will automatically shut down after 14 hours – battery conservation ya know? With up to 3000 hours at most, the Venom needs this feature.
The Vortex Venom red dot sight also comes with a rail mount in the box. It shouldn’t be hard to get it on your turkey gun if it already has a rail. For the money and field-tested performance, it’s a good option for turkey season.
6. Holosun HS510C – Best for the Money
I really like the Holosun HS510C red dot sight. It’s still a go-to and favorite red dot of mine. Though it’s not one of the cheapest red dot sights in this list, it’s worthy of consideration for multiple reasons including Shake Awake, multiple reticles, and a long battery runtime.
Pros:
- Shake Awake
- Multiple reticles
- Long battery life
- QD mount
- Solar panel
Cons:
- Mounting height
On a shotgun, the absolute co-witness height of the mount will change your cheekweld so that your weld is up off the stock somewhat. If you can accommodate for this, the Holosun red dot will be a workhorse for turkey hunters.
Much like the EOTech EXPS3, but not an EOTech, the HS510C red dot sight has a 2 MOA dot with a 65 MOA ring reticle. Once again, we’re seeing a precision aiming point and a large ring to give you an idea of your pattern – ideal for the head.
If you want to change things up, you can have just a 2 MOA dot or just a 65 MOA ring as the aiming point.
Now the concern around red dot sights is that they can fail, primarily, the battery failing, and you being left with no aiming system. The HS510C is an exception because it has a Solar FailSafe panel to provide illumination as a back-up power source.
It also has Shake Awake to conserve battery life so that you don’t have to remember to manually power it off. It’ll shut down by itself, and when it detects motion, it’ll reactivate.
You can change the battery on the side too – no more removing the sight to access a battery compartment on the bottom like red dot sights of old.
If you can’t pull the trigger on the EOTech EXPS3, the Holosun HS510C is a fantastic compromise that comes with a few bells and whistles too.
7. Vortex Strikefire II – Best Budget Red Dot
Though the Vortex Strikefire II red dot sight looks huge, it’s worth it to have on your turkey gun. It’s a simple red dot sight with a 4 MOA dot. It’s easy to see, easy to use, and easy to execute on gobblers.
Pros:
- 4 MOA dot
- Dual illumination
- 10 brightness settings
- Night vision compatible
- Durable
Cons:
- CR2 battery
This is more of a personal rant… the Strikefire II takes a CR2 battery to operate. I don’t really have a bunch of those lying around, and to be fair, over years of ownership, I’ve only had to change out the battery once or twice. Each time I’ve had to buy new CR2 batteries because I just don’t have them. Most red dots these days take a CR2032, and I have a ton of those, so it would be nice to see a battery change just to fulfill my own personal demands.
Other than that, I love the 4 MOA dot. It’s a great in-between size between 2 MOA and 6 MOA that is absolutely appropriate for turkeys and close-range hits.
This model has dual illumination, so red and green. It’s nice to be able to switch between the two, but I recommend picking one, zeroing with that color, and sticking with it in the hunt.
Battery life isn’t comparable to that of a Holosun, but you’ll still get several thousand hours out of it, and I reckon it should be enough for a season.
Putting that 4 MOA dot on a turkey’s head is all it will take to convince you that you made the right move to a red dot sight for your turkey gun.
8. Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 – Best Cheap LPVO
The Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x has an established reputation for being an affordable scope that gets you into the LPVO market. With 1-4x magnification, it’s well within the acceptable range that you’d need for identifying turkeys and taking them down fast and ethically.
Pros:
- Price
- 1-4x magnification
- Highly visible reticle
- Can be better for astigmatism
- Durable
Cons:
- Poor illumination
There are things I like about the Crossfire II LPVO and things I don’t like. The V-Brite reticle is brilliant, easy to see, and uncomplicated. It will be perfect for the effective ranges in a turkey hunt.
However, the illumination is essentially useless in daylight conditions even in scrub and timber. It’s a good thing that the crosshairs are highly visible even without illumination. This is a legitimate argument for a scope over red dot sights - you don’t need to worry about battery failure.
Additionally, if you don’t see red dots as an actual dot, you could have astigmatism. Between the physical crosshairs of a scope and an adjustable eyepiece, your eyes will see a reticle better than the reflected image of a dot in a reflex sight.
Benefits of the Crossfire II include the 1-4x magnification which will be especially convenient to zoom in to identify and see beards. I would recommend purchasing a throw lever for it because the magnification ring is stiff and takes forever to get to 4x.
I water-tested the Vortex scope, more like drowned it, and it proved to be completely waterproof. Though heavy at 14.8 oz, it might be overkill for your setup. But if a scope is needed for your eyes, the Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x is a budget LPVO that could be up to the job.
A Guide to Choosing Red Dots & Scopes for Turkey Hunting
Cost
Red dots and scopes greatly vary in price. The cheapest optics will be in the red dot sight market. As red dots offer more advanced features and better durability and performance, the price goes up. This is also true of scopes.
The most expensive red dots to consider are between $500-$800. The most expensive LPVO scopes can cost over $1000.
| Product | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Burris FastFire III | Best Overall | Under $250 |
| Aimpoint Micro S-1 | Best for Mounting without a Rail | Under $600 |
| Trijicon MRO | Best for Long Range | Under $450 |
| EOTech EPXS3 | Best Holographic Sight | Under $700 |
| Vortex Venom | Best Micro Red Dot Sight | Under $250 |
| Holosun HS510C | Best for the Money | Under $350 |
| Vortex Strikefire II | Best Budget | Under $200 |
| Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x | Best Cheap LPVO | Under $200 |
Red Dot Sight VS Scope for Turkey Hunting
The appeal of a red dot sight for turkey hunting is that it’s incredibly fast and easy to use. Put the dot on the target and fire away. Additionally, the effective range of a red dot sight is well suited to the effective range of a turkey gun.
Whether a Tom is at 10 yards or 40, a red dot sight is still a versatile and accurate optic to pair with a 20-gauge shotgun.
However, not everyone finds that a red dot sight is the answer to their turkey mishaps or vision problems. If you have astigmatism or if you find yourself needing some magnification, an LPVO could be a good alternative to consider.
With a 1x setting and low magnification, you can still maintain that wide field of view but have the benefit of zooming in for identification or simply for better visuals on your gobbler.
For more comparisons between red dots and scopes, check out our LPVO VS Red Dot Sights comparison guide.
Specs
Unfortunately, just picking any red dot sight because it’s a red dot sight can still lead to dissatisfaction with your choice. Though red dots are famously known for unlimited eye relief and essentially an unlimited FOV, there are still dot sizes, dimensions, and type of red dot sights to consider.
In terms of riflescopes, you don’t want to overcomplicate it. Simple reticles and low power are all you need though illumination would be a fantastic feature. Unlike red dots, you must consider the eye relief and FOV specs of a scope. Knowing these numbers could help to narrow down potential scopes for turkey hunting.
| Product | Type | Magnification | Objective Lens/Viewing Window Size | Dot Size/Reticle | Dimensions | Weight | Eye Relief | FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burris FastFire III | Pistol/Micro Reflex RDS | 1x | 21 x 15 mm | 8 MOA dot | 1.8 x 1.25 x 1” | 1.5 oz | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Aimpoint Micro S-1 | Enclosed Micro Reflex RDS | 1x | 18 mm | 6 MOA dot | 2.5 x 1.7 x 1.6” | 3.5 oz | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Trijicon MRO | Enclosed Micro Reflex RDS | 1x | 25 mm | 2 MOA dot | 2.6 x 1.7 x 2” | 4.1 oz | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| EOTech EPXS3 | Holographic sight | 1x | 1.2 x 0.85” | 1 MOA dot/68 MOA ring | 3.8 x 2.3 x 2.9” | 11.2 oz | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Vortex Venom | Pistol/Micro Reflex RDS | 1x | 1.11 x 0.5” | 6 MOA dot | 1 x 1 x 1.9” | 1.1 oz | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Holosun HS510C | Open (HUD) Reflex RDS | 1x | 0.9 x 1.2” | 2 MOA dot/65 MOA ring | 3.3 x 2.3 x 1.8” | 5 oz | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Vortex Strikefire II | Enclosed Full-size Reflex RDS | 1x | 30 mm | 4 MOA dot | 5.6” (L) | 7.2 oz | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x | LPVO scope | 1-4x | 24 mm | V-Brite (1.5 MOA dot/crosshairs) SFP | 9.61” (L) | 14.8 oz | 4” | 96.1-24.1 ft/100 yds |
Illumination & Battery
In general, each red dot sight and scope will offer different brightness intensities. One optic may have three settings while another has 12, and it may not be comparable. Typically, red dot sights have far greater illumination performance than scopes.
Red dot sights also have longer lasting battery runtimes than scopes. Many modern optics take a CR2032 battery, but there are still some that will take something different. Consider the battery type and runtime before you buy.
As far as the illumination settings go, think realistically… are you going to mess with illumination often or are you okay with a few settings that get it done? Maybe consider red dots with auto brightness that changes as the conditions change.
| Product | Illumination | Battery Type | Battery Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burris FastFire III | Auto & manual (3 settings) modes | CR2032 | 5000 hours |
| Aimpoint Micro S-1 | 12 daylight settings + 1 extra intense setting | CR2032 | 50,000 hours |
| Trijicon MRO | 8 daylight settings | CR2032 | 50,000 hours |
| EOTech EPXS3 | 20 daylight/10 NV compatible settings | CR123A | 1000 hours |
| Vortex Venom | Auto & manual (10 settings) modes | CR2032 | 150-3000 hours |
| Holosun HS510C | 10 daylight/2 NV compatible settings | CR2032 | 20,000-50,000 hours |
| Vortex Strikefire II | 10 daylight settings & dimmest 2 are NV compatible | CR2 | Up to 80,000 hours (red only), 300-500 hours (dual illumination) |
| Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x | 11 settings | CR2032 | 300-600 hours* |
*Estimation
Mounting
Both red dots and scopes require a mounting system to get it on a turkey gun. This can be the trickiest part of choosing the right optic. While the mounting base is vital, you must also consider the optical axis height of the optic as it could change your cheekweld.
Low profile mounts are recommended as they keep the optical axis low to maintain your natural position. For scopes, get more info with our How to Measure Scope Ring Height guide.
Many turkey guns these days are sporting ‘optic ready’ rails for fast mounting. This means that you can put a scope or a red dot sight on the base and get to sighting in right away.
However, even I have a couple shotguns that are not drilled and tapped to take a base, and I’m not going to fork over the expense for it either. A rib mount can be an excellent solution. These mounts offer Picatinny/Weaver mounting or footprint patterns to fit micro pistol red dots.
| Product | Mount Type | Mount Included | Mount Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burris FastFire III | Docter/Noblex footprint, Low-profile rail mount (Picatinny/Weaver) | Yes | Ready to install to rail base w/low-profile mount, has the Docter/Noblex footprint if considering a rib mount adapter |
| Aimpoint Micro S-1 | Rib mount | Yes | Interchangeable plates for 6-12mm ribs, ultra-low optical axis |
| Trijicon MRO | Rail mount (Picatinny/Weaver) | No (mount & RDS options available) | Mount purchased in a bundle & ready to install to rail base |
| EOTech EPXS3 | Rail mount (Picatinny/Weaver) | Yes | Integrated, quick-detach mount, lower 1/3 co-witness height |
| Vortex Venom | Docter/Noblex footprint, Low-profile rail mount (Picatinny/Weaver) | Yes | Ready to install to rail base w/low-profile mount, has the Docter/Noblex footprint if considering a rib mount adapter |
| Holosun HS510C | Rail mount (Picatinny/Weaver) | Yes | Integrated, quick detach mount, absolute co-witness height |
| Vortex Strikefire II | Single ring cantilever rail mount (Picatinny/Weaver) | Yes | 30mm ring, removable, lower 1/3 co-witness height |
| Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x | N/A | No | N/A |
Warranty
A warranty protects your investment. When something goes wrong, the manufacturer may repair or replace the optic with no charge to you. Many warranties are competitive with unconditional terms, but some are still limited, and conditions apply.
| Product | Warranty | Warranty Features |
|---|---|---|
| Burris FastFire III | Forever Warranty | No questions asked, lifetime, only valid when purchased from authorized seller/internet site |
| Aimpoint Micro S-1 | Limited Warranty | 2 years for professional/competition applications, 10 years for personal use, non-transferable, receipt required |
| Trijicon MRO | Limited Lifetime Warranty | Lifetime warranty on housing, 5-year coverage on electronics, non-transferable, warranty registration required |
| EOTech EPXS3 | Prestige Warranty | 10-year warranty with 5-year age stipulations, transferable within warranty period, includes coverage on electronics |
| Vortex Venom | VIP Warranty | Unconditional, unlimited, fully transferable, no receipt required |
| Holosun HS510C | Limited Lifetime Warranty | Lifetime warranty on housing, 10 years on electronics, registration required |
| Vortex Strikefire II | VIP Warranty | Unconditional, unlimited, fully transferable, no receipt required |
| Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x | VIP Warranty | Unconditional, unlimited, fully transferable, no receipt required |
FAQ's
In general, red dot sights are excellent tools for turkey hunting. Though beads and iron sights still serve many hunters well, a red dot sight improves target acquisition speed and maintains focus on the target. Acquiring the sight picture is a lot faster than irons, and it can improve accuracy.
On average, a 3 MOA or 6 MOA dot would be a suitable dot size for turkey hunting for common shotgun ranges between 20-40 yards. At these distances, even the 6 MOA dot isn’t going to cover up too much of the turkey’s head or neck and the shotgun pattern will take care of the rest.
A red dot is ideal for close to mid-range turkey hunting for the benefits of rapid target acquisition, practically instant dot acquisition, intuitive to use, and the POA remains the same even if you’re canted or in a less than ideal position. Scopes, namely, LPVO scopes also have a place in the turkey hunt.
Riflescopes provide extra magnification, can improve precision, and are phenomenal for those long shots even up to 60-70 yards. Sitting at 1x magnification, you can use it with two eyes open and acquire red-dot-like benefits.
Though iron/bead sights are cheaper than optics, there are significant benefits of using an optic over irons for turkey hunting. However, red dots require a battery and sometimes reflections and tinting is seen on the lens. Scopes are heavier, you lose FOV, and they can be costly.
Scope or Red Dot for Scatter Gun: Which is Best for You?
Overall, a red dot sight is the leading optic on a scatter gun for turkey hunting. Acquiring the sight picture is fast, it’s intuitive to use, and it’s ideal for common turkey ranges. They’re also excellent for minimal parallax when there’s that one Tom coming in on the offside.
However, there are inarguable benefits of using a scope that a red dot can’t provide such as low magnification, it’s better for astigmatic eyes, and you can improve your precision for longer ranges.
There are pros and cons to both types of optics, but it’s universally agreed that optics will help to make each shot worth it.
Further Reading
