Shotgun scopes have revolutionized the world of deer hunting, allowing hunters to improve their accuracy and precision while in the field. The use of scopes on shotguns offers numerous advantages over traditional iron sights, such as increased sighting range, finer adjustments, and better visibility in low-light conditions.

As deer hunting often takes place during early morning or late evening hours, having a reliable shotgun scope is crucial in helping hunters achieve that perfect shot.

Shotgun scopes are specifically designed to withstand the harsh recoil energy generated by shotguns, ensuring they maintain their accuracy and performance over time. These scopes come in various magnifications, reticle designs, and construction materials, making them versatile for different hunting situations and preferences.

When looking to purchase a shotgun scope for deer hunting, some critical factors to consider are the scope’s durability, lens quality, magnification range, reticle design, and ease of use.

To make the most of your hunting experience, it’s essential to choose a scope that suits your particular shotgun model, hunting style, and conditions in which you’ll be hunting. A well-chosen shotgun scope can improve the overall effectiveness and enjoyment of your deer hunting expeditions.

After extensive research and testing, we have identified the best shotgun scopes for deer hunting that excel in both performance and usability.

Our recommendations are based on real-life experiences, ensuring that you make an informed decision when choosing the perfect scope for your deer hunting needs.

Best Shotgun Scopes for Deer Hunting

We’ve compiled a list of the top shotgun scopes for deer hunting to enhance your experience and increase your accuracy. Check out our carefully selected products below.

Hammers Cantilever Barrel Deer Slug Shotgun Scope 2-7×32

We highly recommend this scope for its impressive features and performance tailored for deer hunting enthusiasts.

Pros

• Extended eye relief for comfortable use
• Fine line circle x reticle for precise accuracy
• Zoom power range 2x-7x and multi-coated optics

Cons

• Eye relief might be insufficient for some users
• Adjustment screws might require frequent resetting
• Limited mounting options

Upon trying the Hammers Cantilever Barrel Deer Slug Shotgun Scope 2-7×32, we were impressed by the extended eye relief which provided the necessary comfort during our deer hunting sessions. Set up on heavy-kicking muzzleloaders and shotguns with a cantilever barrel for slug shooting, this shotgun scope is also a great choice for rifles with heavy recoil.

We appreciate the fine line circle x reticle that enables pinpoint accuracy, combined with the premium quality multi-coated optics that offer clear and sharp vision. The zoom power of 2x to 7x allows us to have a continuous focus on our target, while the quick focus ring at the end of the eyepiece keeps our shots precise.

However, we noticed a drawback in terms of eye relief: for certain users with high-recoil firearms, it might not be sufficient. Additionally, we observed that the windage and elevation screws might require frequent resetting.

This inconvenience may affect the overall user experience, as during our test we also found its mounting options quite limited.

The Hammers Cantilever Barrel Deer Slug Shotgun Scope 2-7×32 delivers satisfying performance with a combination of extended eye relief, accurate reticle, and adjustable zoom power.

Although some users may find the eye relief slightly insufficient or face issues with resetting screws and mounting options, it still stands as an excellent choice for deer hunting enthusiasts.

TRUGLO 4x32MM Compact Tactical Hunting Scope

The TRUGLO 4x32MM Compact Tactical Hunting Scope is an ideal choice for hunters seeking reliable performance and durability.

Pros

• Bright, clear view with 4x32mm
• Quality construction with aircraft-grade aluminum tube
• Compatible with shotguns and Weaver-style Rings

Cons

• No illumination feature
• Limited to 4x magnification
• No holdover marks for extended distances

The TRUGLO 4x32MM Compact Tactical Hunting Scope is an excellent addition to our hunting arsenal. The bright, clear view is provided by the 4x32mm compact riflescope, which comes in handy during harsh conditions in the field.

The aircraft-grade aluminum tube construction ensures that it’ll withstand the test of time, giving us reliable service for many hunting seasons to come.

The diamond reticle is specifically designed for shotgun hunting, making it perfect for both turkey and deer. The fully-coated lenses deliver maximum brightness, clarity, and contrast, which further enhances our shooting performance. The inclusion of Weaver-Style Rings makes mounting this scope to our shotguns a breeze, helping us achieve amazing precision in our aim.

However, there are a few drawbacks that we have noticed. The scope lacks an illumination feature, which can make it slightly challenging to use in low-light conditions.

Additionally, the 4x magnification may not be sufficient for some hunters seeking greater zoom capabilities. Lastly, although the diamond reticle performs well for closer ranges, the absence of hold-over marks for extended distances might pose some limitations to those looking to shoot from farther away.

The TRUGLO 4x32MM Compact Tactical Hunting Scope offers excellent performance and durability that fits the needs of avid shotgun hunters.

Despite a few shortcomings, we believe this scope is a valuable addition to our collection, and we would recommend it to others seeking a reliable scope for deer hunting.

KONUS KonusPro 7249 1.5X-5X32mm Shotgun Scope

The KONUS KonusPro 7249 is an excellent choice for deer hunting with its unbreakable AimPro reticle and wide field of view.

Pros

• Wide field of view and long eye relief
• Unbreakable glass engraved AimPro reticle
• Rangefinder functionality in the reticle

Cons

• Average clarity in optics
• Limited to short and mid-range shots
• Not suitable for heavy caliber rifles

We recently used the KONUS KonusPro 7249 1.5X-5X32mm Shotgun Scope for deer hunting, and we were pleased with its performance. Designed specifically for shotgun, black powder, and slug applications, this scope provides a wide field of view and extended eye relief, ensuring comfortable and accurate aiming.

The unbreakable glass engraved AimPro reticle is an exclusive design that offers an inner diamond for precise aiming and is perfect for shotgun use. Moreover, the reticle doubles as a rangefinder, allowing users to gauge the distances of targets with ease—an invaluable feature when hunting deer.

On the downside, we noticed that the optics’ clarity is average at best, which may be a concern for some hunters. Additionally, the scope’s effective range is limited to short and mid-range distances, making it unsuitable for long-range shots or heavy-caliber rifles.

Despite these drawbacks, the KONUS KonusPro 7249 scope is nitrogen-purged, ensuring it is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. Its sturdy construction is paired with multi-coated optics that enhance light transmission, and finger-adjustable turrets make it easy to dial in adjustments—even with gloved hands.

The KONUS KonusPro 7249 1.5X-5X32mm Shotgun Scope is a reliable and affordable option for deer hunters in need of a durable scope with a wide field of view, rangefinder functionality, and long eye relief.

While its clarity and range may not be perfect, the scope’s robust construction and AimPro reticle design make it a worthy consideration for deer hunting enthusiasts.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 V-Brite Illuminated Riflescope

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is a reliable choice for deer hunting, offering impressive performance with some limitations.

Pros

• Quick target acquisition with great eye relief
• Clear and bright views from multi-coated lenses
• Durable and rugged construction for all-weather performance

Cons

• The v-Brite reticle may not be suitable for all preferences
• Capped reset turrets require more attention
• Slightly heavier than similar scopes

We recently had the opportunity to try out the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 V-Brite Illuminated Riflescope during a deer hunting trip and were quite impressed. The long eye relief and ultra-forgiving eye box made it easy for us to quickly acquire targets and focus on our prey.

The anti-reflective, fully multi-coated lenses provided clear and bright views, which proved to be especially helpful during early morning and late evening hunts.

The aircraft-grade aluminum tube construction ensured strength and shockproof performance, while the scope’s waterproof and fog proof capabilities allowed us to hunt in various weather conditions without any issues.

However, the V-Brite illuminated reticle might not be everyone’s cup of tea, as some hunters may prefer a different reticle design. Additionally, the capped reset turrets require some getting used to, as they are finger-adjustable with MOA clicks that need to be reset to zero after sighting in. Lastly, weighing in at 15 ounces, this scope is slightly heavier than other scopes in its class, which might be a minor drawback for some users.

Overall, we highly recommend the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 3-9×40 V-Brite Illuminated Riflescope for deer hunting enthusiasts looking for a high-performance scope with solid construction and remarkable clarity.

Just be prepared to spend some time mastering the reset turrets and adapting to the V-Brite reticle if it’s new to you.

Sig Sauer BUCKMASTERS Scope- 3-9x40MM BDC

Get your hands on the Sig Sauer BUCKMASTERS Scope for an enhanced deer hunting experience with excellent performance at its price point.

Pros

• Crystal-clear image quality
• Easy to adjust and operates smoothly
• Durable and withstands harsh weather conditions

Cons

• Might be a bit bulky for some preferences
• Limited magnification range
• No night vision compatibility

We recently took the Sig Sauer BUCKMASTERS Scope out for a test run during a deer hunting trip, and we were impressed with its performance. The fully multi-coated optical system delivered clear and crisp images, making it easier to spot our targets accurately. The 3-9x40MM BDC reticle allowed us to make precise shots even without getting too close to our prey.

The generous and consistent eye relief provided a comfortable shooting experience, as we didn’t have to squint or strain our eyes while aiming.

Adjusting the scope was a breeze, thanks to the 0.25 MOA adjustments that were smooth and responsive. We also appreciated that this scope was designed to be waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof, which made it reliable even in unpredictable weather conditions.

One downside we noticed was its size and weight which might feel a bit bulky for some hunters. Additionally, the scope’s magnification range is relatively limited compared to other high-end scopes but was adequate for our deer hunting needs. Also, the lack of night vision compatibility might be a deal-breaker for some hunters who require this feature.

In conclusion, the Sig Sauer BUCKMASTERS Scope is an excellent choice for deer hunting enthusiasts who require a reliable and clear optical system without breaking the bank. Although it doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles of higher-end scopes, its performance, clarity, and durability in real-world situations make it well worth considering.

Buying Guide

When it comes to choosing the best shotgun scope for deer hunting, there are several factors we need to consider to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience. In this brief buying guide, we’ll discuss some key features and aspects to keep in mind while making your decision.

Magnification

The right magnification is crucial for accurate shot placement. For deer hunting with a shotgun, we generally recommend a lower-powered scope (1-4x or 1-6x). This provides a wider field of view, faster target acquisition, and enough magnification for ethical and accurate shots at typical shotgun hunting distances.

Reticle

A good reticle is essential for quick target acquisition and accurate shot placement. There are numerous reticle designs available, but for deer hunting with a shotgun, we suggest a simple design like a duplex, BDC (bullet drop compensator), or illuminated reticle. These designs allow for quick, precise shots without distractions, particularly in low-light conditions.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Deer hunting often takes place in harsh weather conditions, so your shotgun scope must be built to withstand the elements. Look for a scope with features such as waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof construction to ensure optimal performance and longevity in various hunting scenarios.

Eye Relief

Shotguns can have significant recoil, making generous eye relief crucial for comfortable and safe shooting. We recommend at least 3 inches of eye relief to avoid scope-related injuries and to provide a clear, unobstructed view of your target.

Price

While it’s important to invest in a quality scope for deer hunting, it’s not necessary to break the bank. There are many affordable yet high-quality options available. Determine your budget and prioritize the features most important to you when selecting the right shotgun scope for your needs.

By keeping these factors in mind during your search, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect shotgun scope for deer hunting. Remember, the goal is to find a scope that enhances your overall experience and contributes positively to your success in the field. Happy hunting!