When it comes to enhancing the accuracy and versatility of a 20-gauge shotgun, choosing the best scope for 20 Gauge Shotgun is a decision that can significantly transform your shooting experience
The 20 gauge shotgun is a smooth-bore shotgun that fires a smaller shell in caliber. It is also referred to as a 20-bore.
This shotgun takes 20 lead balls of the diameter of a 20 gauge shotgun bore similar to one pound. The 20 gauge shotgun is ideal for hunting game birds like turkey, quail, and geese.
It is an effective deer-hunting gun as it can also be used to shoot slugs and buckshot. It is an excellent gun for shooters who want to experience less recoil for a lengthened shooting period. In addition, it is also ideal for shooters who may be having a hard time firing a larger shotgun as it has less recoil.
Owning the best 20 gauge shotgun scope is the best thing you can do. It helps to increase your performance exponentially in hunting.
Getting the best one also means choosing quality, durability, impressive features, and outstanding performance. You need a scope that suits your needs, preferences, and budget.
In this guide, we will delve deeper into the world of scopes designed for 20-gauge shotguns, exploring their features, benefits, and considerations, to help you choose the perfect optic for your shotgun and take your shooting endeavors to the next level.
Best Scopes for 20 Gauge Shotgun
1) Burris Fullfield 3-9×40 E1 Ballistic Plex Shotgun Rifle Scope
The Burris Fullfield 3-9×40 E1 is a top-quality rifle scope with a low-parallax shotgun reticle. This is why it is the best option for a 20 Gauge Shotgun.
The exceptional feature of this scope is its magnification range, which allows for precise shots at close and long distances. Whether targeting nearby game or distant targets, this scope enables you to dial in the ideal magnification for optimal accuracy.
This scope is constructed with ruggedness in mind to ensure it can withstand the rigors of the field. Its solid construction and the utilization of Burris’ Fullfield line-up of lenses ensure exceptional clarity, brightness, and lasting durability.
The Fullfield 3-9×40 E1 features a 40mm objective lens to ensure a clear and detailed sight picture. In addition, it is designed to cater to enthusiasts who prioritize supreme accuracy.
The finger-adjustable windage and elevation turrets contribute to its sleek profile. They ensure precise and reliable adjustments for consistent points of impact.
We recommend this scope because the index-matched, Hi-Lume multicoating enhances low-light performance. It also eliminates glare to increase your chances of success in challenging lighting conditions.
Pros
- Versatile magnification range
- Built to withstand shock, recoil, and vibrations
- Provides excellent brightness, clarity, and durability
- Index-matched, Hi-Lume multicoating
- Finger-adjustable windage and elevation turrets
- Offers trajectory-compensating technology
- Illuminated reticle option
- Separated power ring and eyepiece design
Cons
- Lacks a parallax adjustment feature
2) TruGlo 4x32mm Shotgun Scope
When it comes to enhancing your shooting accuracy and taking your hunting experience to the next level, the TruGlo Shotgun Scope is an exceptional choice. With its excellent optics, rugged construction, and tailored features for shotgun hunting, this scope is a true game-changer.
The most outstanding feature of this scope is the fully-coated lenses, which deliver unparalleled brightness, clarity, and contrast. This will help to improve your accuracy skills.
The scratch-resistant, non-reflective matte finish ensures it can withstand rugged outdoor environments. It also keeps your position discreet.
In addition, the rubber eye guard adds a layer of protection and comfort. This enables you to maintain focus and accuracy during extended hunting sessions.
The TG8504BD model offers a fixed 4x magnification, which strikes the perfect balance between target clarity and field of view. With a 32mm objective lens diameter, this scope lets in ample light while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
We recommend this scope because of its Diamond Ballistic reticle, specially designed for shotgun hunting.
Pros
- Excellent brightness, clarity, and contrast
- Scratch-resistant and non-reflective matte finish
- Diamond Ballistic reticle
- Compact and lightweight design
- Quick and easy installation
- Precise and accurate adjustments
- Generous 4-inch eye relief
Cons
- Fixed 4x magnification
3) Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm Scope
The Vortex Diamondback Rimfire 2-7x35mm Scope is designed for close-range precision. It offers exceptional image quality, durability, and user-friendly features.
This reliable scope has fully multi-coated lenses, delivering crystal-clear and bright images from dawn to dusk. This optical clarity allows you to acquire your target quickly and with remarkable precision.
Most enthusiasts recommend it because it features a V-Plex reticle for all-purpose hunting. In addition, it is crafted with a solid one-piece tube and a hard anodized finish.
The precision glide erector system guarantees accurate tracking and repeatability, ensuring consistent shot placement. It is also purged with argon gas and sealed with O-rings to provide a fog-proof and waterproof performance.
We recommend this scope because of its fast-focus eyepiece. This feature allows swift and easy reticle focusing, enabling you to adapt to rapidly changing shooting scenarios. In addition, the scope offers a generous eye relief of 3.1 to 3.5 inches.
Pros
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- V-Plex reticle is designed for all-purpose hunting
- Maintains a consistent size for a reliable aiming point
- Hard anodized finish
- Durable scope that can withstand tough conditions
- Metal-on-metal precision turrets
- Precision glide erector system
Cons
- Non-Illuminated
4) Vortex Viper 1x24mm 6 MOA Red Dot Sight
If you are searching for a red dot sight for your 20 gauge shotgun, we recommend checking out the 20 Gauge Shotgun. This red dot sight will enhance your shooting experience with its low-profile design and impressive features.
The Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight is designed explicitly for handguns with cutout slides, making it an excellent fit for your 20 gauge shotgun. Its low height allows for co-witnessing with iron sights, ensuring quick target acquisition.
The 6 MOA dot is bright and easy to pick up, enabling you to get on target rapidly. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a novice, this red dot sight provides simplicity and speed without compromising performance.
The unique feature of this red dot sight is its fully multi-coated, ultra-clear lens. It offers a wide and unobstructed field of view, providing excellent situational awareness.
Adjusting the Viper Red Dot Sight is a breeze. The left-side up/down power and illumination controls are conveniently located and easily manipulated. The recessed 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments are clean and protected, allowing precise aiming adjustments without accidental movement.
Pros
- Super low-profile design
- 6 MOA dot provides quick and easy target acquisition
- Fully multi-coated ultra-clear lens
- Unobstructed field of view
- Armortek coatings protect the lens
- Waterproof and shockproof construction
- Convenient left-side up/down power and illumination controls
- Long battery life of up to 150 hours
Cons
- Water resistance to 1m only
5) Vortex Venom 1×26.5mm Red Dot Sight
The Vortex Venom 1×26.5mm is another excellent red dot sight for your shotgun. This unique sight stands out with its large, bright red dot reticle. This ensures clear targeting in various light conditions and against different background colors.
The outstanding feature of this red dot is the user-friendly power and illumination controls conveniently located on the left side. This design lets you quickly adjust quickly without compromising your sighting position.
In addition, the battery loading from the top and changing batteries is a breeze. This eliminates the need to remove the sight from your firearm.
The Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight offers a non-critical eye relief design, enabling rapid target acquisition. You can confidently aim and shoot without worrying about precise eye placement.
We recommend this red dot because it comes with a VIP warranty.
Pros
- Large, bright red dot reticle
- Ten brightness settings
- Power and illumination controls are easy to adjust
- Top-loading battery design
- Built to withstand recoil
- Suitable for shotguns, rifles, and handguns
- Multi-layer anti-reflective coatings
Cons
- Limited Magnification
6) Burris FastFire III Reflex Red Dot Sight
The other optic on our list today is the Burris FastFire III Reflex Red Dot Sight. With a parallax-free 1x magnification and a 4-MOA sight, you can expect reliable accuracy and a clear sight picture. The adjustable windage and elevation further enhance the ease of use, making fine-tuning a breeze.
The FastFire III won’t disrupt your firearm’s balance or handling, thanks to its lightweight and compact design. Its metal construction ensures durability and strength.
In addition, the precision-ground and polished lenses provide a crisp and clear sight picture. The sight is also waterproof to ensure you always have a clear view.
Mounting the FastFire III is a hassle-free process, thanks to the Secure Burris Mounting Systems. This universal sight can be securely mounted on almost any firearm, allowing you to use it across different platforms.
We recommend this sight because of its automatic brightness sensor. This sensor adjusts the brightness of the sight to match the lighting conditions of your environment.
Pros
- Bright-red dot enables faster target acquisition
- Versatile mounting
- Precision-ground and polished lenses
- Automatic brightness sensor
- Durable construction
- Compact and lightweight design
Cons
- None
7) Burris FastFire II with Picatinny Mount
The Burris FastFire III ensures improved accuracy and faster acquisition of targets when mounted on handguns, shotguns, hunting, or tactile rifles. It has a compact design that is lightweight so that it doesn’t disrupt your balance or handling of your handgun.
It is parallax-free and offers 1x magnification that lets both eyes open when shooting. The lenses of the sight are made of metal and hence are strong and durable.
They ensure clear and crisp images of the target as they are polished to exacting geometries.
Nonetheless, the windage and elevation adjustments of the scope make it easy to fine-tune. Three brightness settings are adjustable to suit the lighting condition. The scope has a waterproof roof to keep the glass clean.
Pros
- 8 MOA Dot Reticle
- Power button is convenient
- Indicates when the battery is low
- Measures 6x 4.5x 1.7 inches
- Top-of-sight battery access
- Windage and elevation adjustments are tool-less
- Lightweight and durable design
- Waterproof
- Precision-ground and polished lenses for bright and clear images
- Easy to handle and mount
- Three different brightness settings
Cons
- None
8) Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight
This scope is one of the best red dot sights. The scope is made to deliver outstanding performance in extreme conditions.
The 2 MOA red dot enables enhanced speed on target and increases the probability of hitting the first shot. The rear lens cap is transparent, and the front ones are solid black, allowing the sight to be used with the covers closed and both eyes open.
The battery has a life of up to 30,000 hours, meaning you can use it for three years without losing power. The scope has 4-night vision-compatible settings and 6 daylight settings. It is parallax free.
Pros
- The front lens opening is threaded
- Parallax free
- 4-night vision settings and 6 daylight settings
- Can be submersed to 150 feet
- Measures 6.7x 4.5x 3.4 inches
- Compatible with all NVD generations
- Battery life of over 30,000 hours
- Outstanding performance even in the harshest conditions
Cons
- None
See Also
- Best Rimfire Scope for 200 Yards
- 8 Best Low Light Rifle Scopes for Deer Hunting
- 6 Best Budget LPVO Scopes
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Scope for 20 Gauge Shotgun
Magnification
This is a very important consideration to put in mind. Using a shotgun for shooting doesn’t require high magnification. Magnification from 4x to 12x is enough. There will be less reconnaissance, so having a scope with high magnification will be a waste. Higher magnification would also make the scope way more expensive.
Ease of use
So many models are available today, and they differ when using them. Some are easy to use, while others are difficult to use. Look at the review of the model that you intend to buy. Do not spend money on a scope that is not user-friendly. Also, keep things simple. Pick a simple but functional model so that you have an easy time when using it.
Sharpness
A great 20 gauge shotgun scope should provide crisp and clear images. It doesn’t require a high resolution as your targets are often near. You are good to go if it differentiates the target from the environment.
Eye relief
The scope you choose should have a long eye relief to avoid injuries, as shotguns usually have a strong recoil. A long eye relief enables quick and easy target acquisition, especially when hunting moving targets.
Weight
A heavy scope may throw the rifle out of balance. Choose a lightweight scope to prevent limiting the movement speed and for easy handling. A good 12-gauge scope should be lightweight.
Durability
It is pointless and a waste of money to have a scope made from materials of poor quality. A good 20 gauge shotgun scope should withstand various weather conditions and scenarios. Shotguns are a popular firearm often used to hunt animals like rabbits, deer, and turkeys. Besides that, shotguns have pretty strong recoils that scopes should be able to withstand.
Cost
You do not have to break the bank to own a shotgun scope. You must go through the various scopes available as they differ in price and get one that suits your budget. However, do not compromise on quality.
See Also
- 7 Best Thermal Scopes For Coyote Hunting
- Best Nightforce Scope for 308
- 7 Best Bushnell Scopes for Deer Hunting
Pros of Best Scope for 20 Gauge Shotgun
Durable
These scopes are made of top quality materials such as aircraft quality aluminum that make them long-lasting and fit to use on shotguns as shotguns tend to have a pretty strong recoil.
Great finish
Most of these scopes have a matte finish which is a perfect choice as hunting in the wilderness calls for camouflage. This makes them a better choice than shiny scopes attracting attention and scaring prey away.
High-quality optics
Superior optics are a must to achieve crisp and clear images. With these scopes, you get exactly that.
Reliable performance
These scopes usually have a waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof performance that makes them reliable and hence ideal to use in all weather conditions, whether wet or rainy.
Improves accuracy
Having a 12 gauge scope helps you get a better and sharper view so that you take a precise and accurate shot.
Cons of 20 Gauge Shotgun Scopes
Battery powered
The fact that batteries power these scopes makes them susceptible to battery failure. As much as these batteries are long-lasting and this is almost a non-issue, sometimes the batteries fail.
FAQs on the Best Scope for 20-Gauge Shotgun
1) What does eye relief mean?
Eye relief in a scope is the distance your eyeball has to be to the scope to get the maximum field of view. When you pull the trigger, you don’t want your eye to close to the scope, or the recoil will pop into your head.
2) Can a scope be used in dim light?
Shotgun scopes work by projecting maximum light into your eyes so that you can spot your target. The scope performs worse if there is less light available on it. You need a shotgun scope that works well in dim conditions if you intend to use it in the early morning or late evening. Focus on what your scope can do to get the one that suits your needs best.
3) What are some benefits of using a 20 gauge shotgun scope?
Using a 20 gauge shotgun scope makes it easier for you to compensate while aiming. Many shooters struggle with adjusting to a moving target found at a different elevation from where they are standing. A scope for your 20 gauge shotgun can help get rid of these problems. It also magnifies your target, which also helps to improve your aim.
4) What is the difference between a rifle and shotgun scope?
Shot guns generally provide accuracy up to 100 yards while rifle scopes provide accuracy beyond 300 yards. Rifle scopes are designed to provide higher levels of magnification as they are perfect for long range shooting.
5) What is the effective range of a 20 gauge shotgun?
A general rule of thumb is a 20 gauge with a full choke barrel shooting shot charges can be effective to a maximum of 40 to 50 yards. For a slug fired from a 20 gauge may be effective to around 100 yards.
6) Does a shotgun need a special scope?
No, a shotgun does not require a special scope; nonetheless, certain attributes help a scope function better on a shotgun when present. Scopes with longer eye relief and sturdy enough to endure recoil are best suited for a shotgun.
Conclusion
So many scopes on the market come in differing prices, styles, magnifications, and reticles. Because of this, choosing the best one for you can be difficult. The scopes above are meant to make it easy and ensure you get the best. You deserve to get a scope that is of top quality and one that will meet your needs. Choosing any of the above is all you need to do as it is worth your money.
See Also