Top 7 Best Shotgun Scopes

Accessories designed for shotguns are a relatively small market. However, more hunters are starting to see the advantages of equipping their shotgun with a scope, and more brands are now offering scopes designed for these firearms. Here is what you need to know about shotgun scopes.

Comparison Table

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How We Chose Our Ratings

We looked for the best optics accessories made for shotguns and assigned ratings according to these different criteria:

  • Optics quality: We looked at the quality of the glass, the sharpness of the image, and at the lens coating to assess optics quality.
  • Brand: We selected scopes from well-known brands that make sturdy scopes with quality optics and comprehensive warranties.
  • Versatility: We think a versatile scope is a better value. We looked at the magnification range and other features to determine which scopes are the best value.
  • Other features: We looked at other features that will impact your experience when using a scope, such as brightness, controls, or the reticle.

Top Seven Best Shotgun Scopes

These are the seven shotgun scopes we recommend.

​Tasco World Class Bantam
Shotgun Scope 1.5-4.5x32mm 
Pro-Shot Reticle Matte

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We recommend this scope because of the affordable price range. This is a $ shotgun scope with a sturdy design and a lifetime warranty.

The scope is an excellent investment since you can use it on any shotgun thanks to the 4” eye relief. You can also use the scope on a rifle. This is a resistant product designed to handle shocks and recoil.

The 1.4 MOA adjustments should give you all the precision you need for a shotgun, and the lens coating delivers excellent image quality for the price range.

The 1.5 to 4.5x magnification is ideal for most hunting scenarios. The Pro-Shot reticle should also be mentioned. The reticle is located in the second focal plane and features a circle and a fine crosshair. The field of view ranges from 58 to 17’ at 100 yards.

The only downside of this scope is that there are no zero stops on the turrets.


Nikon ProStaff Shotgun Hunter 2-7x32 Matte
BDC 200

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Nikon is one of the best manufacturers for firearms optics. This shotgun scope is no exception.

This is a more expensive shotgun scope, but the additional features make this scope an excellent choice if you are looking for image quality and precision.

The optical system is designed to improve light transmission and brightness, even in low-light settings. The turrets feature ¼ MOA adjustments as well as a zero reset feature.

The reticle is one of the most interesting features of this scope since it is designed to correct the trajectory of your shot. There are different ballistic circles on the reticle to give you different aiming points to choose from. This reticle will make a real difference if you are shooting from a distance.

This scope also features a parallax adjustment control and a quick focus eyepiece. The 2-7x magnification range makes this scope extremely versatile.

Truglo 4x32mm
Compact Rimfire
And Shotgun Scope

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This affordable scope is an excellent choice if you are looking for a fixed shotgun scope. You can choose between two different reticles. We recommend the Diamond reticle for turkey and deer hunting.

The lenses are designed to improve contrast, which can give an advantage for brush hunting.

The design is very sturdy, and the windage and elevation controls are protected by caps. This scope doesn’t have as many features as other products but is an excellent choice if you are looking for a rugged scope with few controls and don’t need magnification adjustments.

Konus 7249 Shotgun Black
Powder Riflescope 1.5-5x32mm

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We like this shotgun scope because of its Aim-Pro reticle that is etched on glass. This is a feature you would typically find in a tactical scope. The glass-etched reticle also works as a rangefinder.

The light transmission and image quality are excellent for the price since this scope costs under $. We also like the controls of this scope. The low turrets are more convenient and help keep the weight and bulk of the scope down. The ¼ MOA controls are very easy to adjust.

The 1.5 to 5x magnification range is ideal for hunting turkey and small game. The only downside of this scope is the somewhat limited field of view that ranges from 60 to 20’ at 100 yards.

Bushnell Trophy
Shotgun Scope 1.75-4x32mm
Circle-X Shotgun
Slug Reticle

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This is one of the best shotgun scopes we found when it comes to optics performance. This scope is more expensive than the other products we selected, but it is an excellent value if you are looking for image quality.

The 91 percent light transmission makes this scope ideal for shooting at dusk and in other low-light settings. The Circle-X reticle will help you get a precise shot.

We also liked the fast focus eyepiece. This feature can make a difference when you need to quickly lock on a target.

This scope is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. The ¼ MOA adjustments give you all the precision you need. We like the low capped turrets but wish this scope had a zero stop feature. The 3.5” eye relief means you won’t be able to use this scope on a firearm with significant recoil.

Simmons ProDiamond Shotgun
Scope 1.5-5x32mm ProDiamond
Reticle Matte

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We like this shotgun scope because of the easy controls. If you are looking for a scope that you can adjust quickly, this is the right product for you.

Other scopes will be more accurate with their ¼ MOA adjustments, but the ½ MOA controls will help you save time. The medium turrets make the controls more accessible without making the scope too heavy.

We like the precision of the Diamond reticle and the rugged design of this scope. This is the perfect scope for turkey hunting or a slug gun if you don’t need ¼ MOA controls.

Mueller Multi-Shot Shotgun Scope 2-7x32mm Illuminated Circle Dot Reticle Matte

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This is a more versatile shotgun scope that you can use for turkey as well as big game hunting. The illuminated dot makes a difference when shooting at a longer range.

The magnification power of this scope ranges from 2 to 7x, which makes the scope more versatile. Mueller is known for making high-quality optics. The image quality delivered by this scope stands out.

If you are looking for precision, contrast, and brightness, this is the right scope for you. This scope features ¼ MOA capped turrets with a low profile.

The main downside is the dot reticle. This design is ideal for big game hunting when combined with the illumination feature, but you might prefer a circle reticle.

Buyer’s Guide

Even though shotgun accessories tend to be more affordable than rifle scopes, you should still do some research to find the best scope for your needs. Here is everything you need to know about shotgun scopes.

Look For A Durable Design

The most important thing to look at when choosing a scope for a shotgun or a slug gun is the sturdiness of the design. Shotguns have more recoil than other firearms, and a poorly designed scope won’t last long.

You need to use a one-piece tube scope. You should make sure the scope is properly sealed to keep humidity and dirt out. The lenses should be coated with multiple layers to repel humidity and dirt.

The scope you choose should also be designed to perform well in foggy and overcast settings since this is an accessory you will probably use during hunting trips.

The quality of the mount is also important. Choose a scope that is compatible with standards mounts so you can easily find a sturdy accessory that won’t cause any sighting issues.

Optics Quality

The image quality and sharpness are very important when choosing a shotgun scope. You typically get what you pay for when it comes to firearms optics.

If possible, test different scopes to get a better idea of the kind of quality you can expect in different price ranges. Scopes designed for shotguns tend to be more affordable than riflescopes, but there is a difference in optics quality between a $ scope and a $ accessory.

There is no need to spend several hundreds of dollars to invest in a high-end shotgun scope, but don’t hesitate to spend a little more to get good image quality and color contrast.

Remember that you will probably use the scope to spot an animal against a brown or green background. You might also have to lock on a target that is moving. Image sharpness and color contrast can make a difference.

Illumination and light transmission are other important things to look at if you often hunt in low-light settings. These features aren't as important as they would be on a riflescope since you won’t use high magnification on a shotgun, but they can still improve your experience.

Optics quality is also important because a sharp image means you will get more eye relief. The amount of eye relief you need depends on the firearm you are using, but you should try to find a scope with at least 4” of eye relief just to be safe.

The ideal magnification power depends on what you use your shotgun for. A scope with a magnification range of 1 to 4x is perfect for brush hunting. This low magnification power keeps the price and weight of the scope down and provides you with the optics performance you need for brush hunting.

A scope with a magnification range of 3 to 9x is best for big game hunting. Pay attention to the quality of the reticle if you want to shop for a high magnification shotgun scope since the size, design, and markings of the reticle can have a real impact on your experience and accuracy.

There is no need to spend more to get a scope with high magnification power if you won’t use it. A fixed scope can be a great way to save money if you only need a 4x magnification setting.

Other Features To Look At

rifle scope

Image Source: Unsplash

There are a few other features you should look at when comparing scopes. The importance of these feature varies in function of how you use your firearm.

The weight and size of the scope can be important if your firearm is already heavy or if you need to carry it over long distances. A scope with higher magnification power and more moving parts will typically be heavier and bulkier.

Brightness and illumination settings are going to be important if you often hunt in low-light settings. Any scope with quality optics will provide sufficient light transmission in broad daylight. Brightness and illumination aren’t as important as they would be with a scope that features high magnification power.

We talked about eye relief earlier. This feature is very important if you use a 10 to 16 gauge shotgun. You will need at least 4” eye relief to be safe. If you use a firearm with a smaller gauge, eye relief won’t be a crucial feature.

You should also look for a scope with a matte finish. This will prevent light from being reflected and catching the eye of an animal.

If you aren’t sure which scope is right for you, look for a durable and versatile product. You will get more use out of a scope that you can use in a wide range of settings.

You should have a better idea of which scope is right for you. The seven products we recommended are a good fit for most hunters, but you should take a look at other scopes in case there are specific features that would improve your hunting experience.