shotgun scopes

H

hammie

New member
The title notwithstanding, this thread is really about rifles. I know the question is dumb and the answer is probably obvious, but I don't recall it ever being asked and answered. Besides, there is that tricky exception for air rifle scopes.

I've been reviewing, and then replacing/upgrading scopes on my rifles. For the rifles which will be used at short distances or in brush, I've been looking for a scope with low power (1-4 or 1-5X) and heavy cross hairs or a post. A scope which met that criteria was the leupold hog hunter, but there was not much else. I did buy the leupold and it's great, and I can always buy more. There were also some 30 mm tubed, tactical scopes for the AR crowd, but that's not what I'm looking for.

A few minutes ago at some on-line retailers, I tried sorting scope selection by "shotgun scopes", and BANG...suddenly there were quite a few other choices which met my criteria. So here's the simple question:

Is there any reason why a shotgun scope won't work on a centerfire rifle?
 
I use shotgun scopes on my ARs. I think they work very well.

Modest magnification leaves them short, light and bright and useful away from the bench. The price is nice too.

A shotgun scope will not double as a spotting scope from the bench, but for that one can always just use a spotting scope.
 
Sure !!!

Is there any reason why a shotgun scope won't work on a centerfire rifle?
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None at all as long as you can accept the eye-relief and parallax, as well as any special reticle. ;)

Be Safe !!!
 
@pahoo: I knew there was a reason I asked this question. I totally forgot about eye relief. I re-checked specifications, and some of the shotgun scopes have longer eye relief and others have normal eye relief. So I still have options. Thanks for pointing that out.

A shorter parallax is no problem either, and might even be better. The rifles (.35 rem, 30-30, & .44 mag) would typically be used at less than 100 yards and never more than 150 yards.

Of course this begs the question: If the scope says "shotgun" on the objective bell, will I have to cover it with black electrical tape to avoid derision and criticism from fellow shooters. I mean...there's always one in every crowd.
 
The only difference is that most shotgun scopes have parallax set at 50-75 yards vs 100 yards for scopes designed for rifles.

Longer eye relief is never a bad thing. A big part of the reason I prefer Leupold is because they typically have about 1" more eye relief and as much as 2" more than the competition.

I use them on my AR's and some on 22's. They are darn near perfect for a 30-30 or any other gun meant for close range shooting.
 
Your money; your call !!!

Of course this begs the question: If the scope says "shotgun" on the objective bell, will I have to cover it with black electrical tape to avoid derision and criticism from fellow shooters. I mean...there's always one in every crowd.
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You will be lucky if it's only one. First off, don't ask them for their opinion unless you are ready for an opinionated answer. Whenever they volunteer one, just cut to the chase and ask them whose gun is it ??. Currently, I've got a Pro-Diamond low power shotgun/M/L scope, on one of my 10/22's. I also have a have a 4x32 illuminated reticle rifle scope on a pistol. ..... ;)


Be Safe !!!
 
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@pahoo: It's nice that we still have choices on accessories and what to shoot...at least for now, anyway.

And yes, I know what they say about cowboy hats and hemorrhoids. I don't think that applies to shooters in general and certainly not to firing line forum members. I've been lucky enough to be involved with the shooting sports for decades and I've never found a group of people who were so uniformly honest, honorable, and gracious. (regardless of what the broadcast media says, but that's another thread)
 
Good folks to share with !!!

If the scope says "shotgun" on the objective bell, will I have to cover it with black electrical tape to avoid derision and criticism from fellow shooters.
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I don't think that applies to shooters in general and certainly not to firing line forum members.
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That's right and I was referring to folks that you often run into, at the range. Granted, few and far between. I happen to have a lot of respect for our truly informed forum members and consider some, my friends although we have never burned powder, together ..... :cool:

Be Safe !!!
 
No, no reason. Except the parallax-free setting. That's the issue. On a shotgun scope, it's probably set at 50 or 75 yards. On a "rifle scope", it's set at 100 or 150 yards usually.
 
I've got/had a couple shotgun scopes on a couple of my rifles. What I liked the most was the circle or diamond reticles. They made snap shots on yotes very quick and easy. Basically, if you get the circle or diamond on the critter- you can get him down for a finish-off shot.

Where I really screwed up was in getting a Simmons SG scope for a Marlin Camp 9. Something came unhinged in its guts and the reticle started rotating until I had a neat but confusing 'X'. I ran out of happies very quickly. Other than that- I've been very happy with the one's I've had.
 
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