Age and infirmity has left me with bifocals, and now the doctors tell me I've got cataracts. That's fixable, they say, but they won;t fix them until they get worse. $%^&* HMOs, anyways.
So, it has become harder and harder to use open sights, even my peep sights are giving me trouble. So, until they fix my cataracts, and correct my myopia, I'll have to go to a scope sight on a slug gun. And maybe afterwards also.
I do not want to scope my deer 870,it's an excellent WIHTF tool as is, and my eyes will work well enough for that if I need to.
Here's the best options available....
First, buying another shotgun(Whoopee!!). First choice is one of the NEF Slug Hunter single shots. A friend has one and has done well with it. He's overscoped,IMO, with a 3X9.
The problem here is the triggers on these are definitely too heavy for the best work,and that action is not easily opened by the amateur.
Buying one of these AND a decent scope of appropriate power will not bust the bank account,and it will fulfill the mission of getting the freezer meat in.
Second, getting one of the cantilever bbls for either the bird 870 or the 20 ga Youth Express 870 I got for the kids.
Upside, already have the shotgun and these have decent triggers. Downside, it ties a gun up. I'd lose versatility, and I dislike mounting and dismounting bbls, since zero is a cruel joke afterwards.
Third, even cheaper. Use a saddle mount on the bird 870 and get a decent low power scope, like a 1.5X-5X. Probably a Leopold, I've never had a problem with them, unlike a few other brands I could name. I do have an extended rifled tube that fits the bbl here(not Remchoke),so this could be an answer.
Does anyone have any tips on using saddle mounts? I've an old Simmons here that will not stay zeroed for long.
BTW, the gun season here starts on Saturday,and I'll use my deer 870 for now. As long as the shots are close, no problem and I kill most of my deer at less than 35 yards.
Thanks....
So, it has become harder and harder to use open sights, even my peep sights are giving me trouble. So, until they fix my cataracts, and correct my myopia, I'll have to go to a scope sight on a slug gun. And maybe afterwards also.
I do not want to scope my deer 870,it's an excellent WIHTF tool as is, and my eyes will work well enough for that if I need to.
Here's the best options available....
First, buying another shotgun(Whoopee!!). First choice is one of the NEF Slug Hunter single shots. A friend has one and has done well with it. He's overscoped,IMO, with a 3X9.
The problem here is the triggers on these are definitely too heavy for the best work,and that action is not easily opened by the amateur.
Buying one of these AND a decent scope of appropriate power will not bust the bank account,and it will fulfill the mission of getting the freezer meat in.
Second, getting one of the cantilever bbls for either the bird 870 or the 20 ga Youth Express 870 I got for the kids.
Upside, already have the shotgun and these have decent triggers. Downside, it ties a gun up. I'd lose versatility, and I dislike mounting and dismounting bbls, since zero is a cruel joke afterwards.
Third, even cheaper. Use a saddle mount on the bird 870 and get a decent low power scope, like a 1.5X-5X. Probably a Leopold, I've never had a problem with them, unlike a few other brands I could name. I do have an extended rifled tube that fits the bbl here(not Remchoke),so this could be an answer.
Does anyone have any tips on using saddle mounts? I've an old Simmons here that will not stay zeroed for long.
BTW, the gun season here starts on Saturday,and I'll use my deer 870 for now. As long as the shots are close, no problem and I kill most of my deer at less than 35 yards.
Thanks....