The Best Red Dots for Shotguns of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Simply as pink dot sights have turn into ubiquitous on the earth of handgunning, extra shotgun shooters are operating pink dots, too. With that, the very best pink dots for shotguns are available all method of kinds and designs.

You’ll see them on tactical and defensive shotguns, turkey searching weapons, and even some wingshooting weapons. 

So for the previous few years, the opposite OL editors and I’ve been taking pictures each pink dot we may get our arms on. A choose few of them have proved to be completely appropriate with shotguns, and people are the sights I’ll spotlight right here.

Honorable Mentions

Greatest Pink Dots for Shotguns; Opinions & Suggestions

Greatest Total: Vortex Viper Shotgun Enclosed Micro Dot 

See It

Execs

• Simply mounts on to receiver
• Suitable with hottest shotguns
• Low profile permits for pure gun mount

---

Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, closed emitter

• 
  Mounting Mounts on to drilled/tapped receiver, two to 3 screws

• 
  Window Dimension .87 inches (W) X .69 inches (H)

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment Flat bit screws

• 
  Brightness +/- toggle buttons (prime of sight)

• 
  Evening-Imaginative and prescient Suitable? Sure

• 
  Battery CR2032

Vortex’s Viper red dot is an enclosed emitter sight that’s cleverly built-in  with a common receiver mount. The design is so clear that it makes you marvel why no one considered it sooner. The Viper is constructed from a single piece of 6061 aluminum and it affixes on to the receiver of most shotguns (discover the record of compatible shotguns here). As a result of no rail or adapter is required, the pink dot sits near the bore, which permits for a extra pure gun mount and a stable cheek weld. 

There are two Viper variations: one with a single 3-MOA dot and one with seven reticle choices (it prices $50 extra). 

The Viper was designed for turkey hunters, however it additionally matches properly on tactical shotguns and carbines which have drilled and tapped receivers (our taking pictures editor John B. Snow mounted one on a Henry Lever Motion Supreme). 

The one concern I had with the Viper design was if it might keep mounted to the receiver and maintain zero, particularly after getting rocked by heavy turkey masses. So I mounted one to a tactical shotgun and ran via just a few containers of magnum shells. Fortunately, the sight held zero. (You possibly can learn my full assessment of the Viper enclosed red dot right here).

I’ve additionally mounted Viper pink dots on a handful of turkey shotguns, together with my Mossberg 500 .410 and a 12-gauge 870 Fieldmaster. In each circumstances the low profile housing made for a smooth little setup that was useful within the woods. I’ve killed turkeys with each rigs this spring and since each have held up properly, I plan to shoot many extra with them within the close to future. 

Greatest Open Emitter Sight: Trijicon SRO

See It

Execs

• Massive window, quick goal acquisition
• Number of dot brightness choices
• Number of dot dimension choices

Cons

• Expensive
• No shake-wake characteristic

---

Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, open emitter

• 
  Mounting RMR footprint

• 
  Window Dimension 1.0 inches (spherical)

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment Flat bit screws

• 
  Brightness: +/- toggle buttons (left and proper facet of sight)

• 
  Evening-Imaginative and prescient Suitable? Sure

• 
  Battery CR2032

I’ll admit that the Trijicon SRO (Specialised Reflex Optic) is a little bit of an unconventional choose for the very best open emitter to throw on a shotgun. A number of people would go together with the long-lasting RMR Type 2 or possibly the Burris Fastfire 4, each of that are nice pink dots. 

However in my head-to-head testing, I used to be enamored with how clear the sight image was via the SRO. I discovered it to be quickest for goal acquisition and for transitioning to a different goal.

And that is sensible because the SRO was designed particularly for competitors pistol shooters who want to select up targets rapidly whereas taking pictures each quick and precisely. It has a big window and a skinny housing so the sight doesn’t hinder your area of view. Additionally, the SRO has a taller, round window, which I discovered to be advantageous.

I gave the sight to editor Dac Collins to make use of through the Indiana turkey season and he put a beating on it, crawling round river bottoms and muddy fields within the rain. After a number of days of exhausting searching, the SRO nonetheless ran like a champ, and I’m assured it can proceed to take action for a lot of seasons to come back. 

The SRO has eight brightness settings, together with an auto brightness possibility. You make brightness picks with giant buttons on the left and proper of the sight which might be straightforward to seek out and manipulate in a searching situation. 

The one draw back to this dot is that it doesn’t have a shake-wake characteristic, so you want to bear in mind to show it off — or change the batter each couple years. Total, I feel it’s a superb possibility for a defensive shotgun, a devoted turkey gun, or a crossover of the 2.

Greatest for the Cash (Open Emitter): Burris FastFire 4

Execs

• Extensive window is ideal for turkey searching
• Consists of climate defend
• Comparatively low profile
• Auto on-off

Cons

• Brightness changes will be complicated
• Halo round pink dot in shiny situations

---

Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, open emitter

• 
  Mounting Physician footprint

• 
  Window Dimension 1.10 inches (W) X .75 inches (T), measured

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment Flat bit screws

• 
  Brightness: one button (left facet)

• 
  Evening-Imaginative and prescient Suitable? No

• 
  Battery CR1632

At $350, this isn’t an affordable pink dot. However in all honesty, I don’t really feel nice about recommending any open-emitter pink dot that prices lower than two payments. On a turkey gun, the sight goes to take a critical beating. When mounted on a defensive shotgun, your life may rely upon the dot’s reliability. So that you would possibly as effectively spend a bit of bit extra for a dependable sight that can final. And you are able to do that with out throwing down $500 or extra for a top-end mannequin. 

This brings us to the Burris FastFire 4. The broad window and skinny housing on this dot present a superb sight image. For goal acquisition within the woods, I’ve not examined a sight that’s as quick and clear (aside from the Trijicon SRO). 

The model that I obtained had a picatinny rail mount included so attaching it to my Retay Gordion 20 gauge turkey gun was so simple as tightening a single bolt. Whereas searching with the Fastfire 4, I appreciated the way it sat low on the rail. In comparison with different large-window dots in the marketplace, the Burris has a low profile, which helps with pure aiming.  I used it to shoot a protracted beard on the opening day of turkey season right here in Minnesota. One in all my buddies, who’s a brand-new turkey hunter, additionally used my rig to shoot his first chicken ever. The truth that he may use the sight successfully proper out of the gate earned the Fastfire 4 some bonus factors. 

The Fastfire 4 has 4 reticle choices, which you toggle via by hitting the button on the fitting facet of the sight (although I want the only pink dot for searching).

I’ve solely two quibbles with the sight. The primary is that whereas sighting in and taking pictures I seen there was a halo across the pink dot (like a remnant of the opposite reticle choices). The opposite critique is that biking the pink dot brightness will be barely complicated. There are three handbook brightness modes and one auto brightness possibility. The issue was deciphering if I used to be in a handbook setting or auto mode. Not the largest downside, however for turkey searching I prefer to be in handbook mode. 

Greatest for the Cash (Enclosed Emitter): Vortex Crossfire

See It

Execs

• Inexpensive
• Compact
• Excessive and low mounting choices

Cons

• Should scroll via all brightness settings when turning optic on

---

Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, enclosed emitter

• 
  Mounting Excessive and low Picatinny mounts

• 
  Window Dimension 22mm (spherical)

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment Flat-bit screws

• 
  Brightness 13 settings, adjustment wheel

• 
  Evening-Imaginative and prescient Suitable? Sure

• 
  Battery CR2032

In case you merely want an inexpensive pink dot to throw in your turkey gun, the Vortex Crossfire is a good place to begin. Priced at $150, it’s loads inexpensive and it comes with Vortex’s VIP warranty which ought to offer you some peace of thoughts. The Crossfire is a compact tubular reflex sight that runs off a single CR2032 battery. The Crossfire pink dot’s brightness adjustment is through a knurled dial on the fitting facet, which begins at zero (off), N1, N2, and one via eleven. Turning the knob clockwise will increase the depth of the dot. The battery is housed on this knob beneath a cap that’s detachable with a coin. Senior employees author Tyler Freel reviewed the Crossfire and his solely criticism was that the brightness knob is fairly stiff, and there aren’t alternating “off” positions between settings. If you wish to flip the optic off or on, it’s a must to rotate via all of the settings again to or up from zero.

The Crossfire comes with two totally different Picatinny rail mounts. The tall mount is great for AR-type carbines with low-sitting rails, however shotgun shooters will need to use the low mount. 

Greatest for Wingshooting: Aimpoint Acro S-2

See It

Execs

• Mounts on to shotgun rib (matches all standard shotguns)
• Massive dot is straightforward to see rapidly
• Promotes constant gun mounting

Cons

• Sight housing obscures area of view
• Restricted versatility

---

Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, enclosed emitter

• 
  Mounting Mounts on to shotgun rib

• 
  Window Dimension .75 inches (W) X .75 inches (H), measured

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment T10 Torx screws

• 
  Brightness +/- toggle buttons (on left facet of the sight)

• 
  Evening-Imaginative and prescient Suitable? Sure

• 
  Battery CR2032

This pink dot takes a bit extra explaining. Not like the opposite sights on this assessment, it’s designed particularly for clays and wingshooting. It mounts on to the shotgun’s rib, and it has a 9-MOA dot (which could be very giant). 

I put an S-2 on my Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 and the mounting course of was extremely easy. You measure the width and thickness of your rib (I used digital calipers) after which select the proper mounting brackets, that are included . Then you definately sight in identical to you’d with some other pink dot. Or, for the reason that S-2 sits in your rib, you may also take the barrel off and bore sight rapidly, to get began. It took me about 5 minutes to get my level of goal and level of influence lined up on a patterning board.

Nonetheless, getting snug taking pictures the S-2 took me a bit extra time. I grew up taking pictures birds on the wing, so I’m used to specializing in the goal, mounting the gun, and taking pictures — with out ever actually wanting on the bead. Theoretically, you’re speculated to do the identical factor with the pink dot within the Acro. 

However as a result of the sight is a bit of blocky, I discovered myself selecting up targets extra slowly than I’d with out the dot. I may see this being particularly difficult with lengthy crossing photographs, which want extra lead. 

Nonetheless, I do see the worth of the S-2 as a coaching software for brand new shooters. Since you have to have your head on the gun to see via it, it helps educate a correct and constant gun mount and cheek weld. I may additionally see it being completely lethal on targets flying immediately. 

I undoubtedly must shoot with the sight extra earlier than passing closing judgement. However I’ll give full credit score to Aimpoint for making a intelligent, stout little wingshooting pink dot for individuals who need one. 

Greatest Holographic: EOTECH XPS2

Execs

• Wonderful sight image and readability
• Rugged and sturdy
• Extensive number of brightness settings
• Easy mounting and sight in
• Made within the USA

Cons

• Not evening imaginative and prescient appropriate
• Comparatively cumbersome in comparison with different pink dots
• Shorter battery life

---

Key Options

• 
  Model Holographic

• 
  Mounting Picatinny rail mount

• 
  Window Dimension: 1.3 inches (W) X 1 inch (T)

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment Flat bit screws

• 
  Brightness: two buttons (20 settings)

• 
  Evening-Imaginative and prescient Suitable? No

• 
  Battery CR123 battery

The good thing about an EOTECH holographic sight is that it offers a big sight window with no blue/inexperienced tint or glare (which is frequent among the many different sights on this assessment). If a large, clear sight image issues most to you, it is best to contemplate a holographic sight.

It’s additionally a bombproof optic, particularly in comparison with these little open emitter pink dot sights which will be compromised by nasty climate situations. The draw back is that it’s a much bigger unit to mount in your shotgun. The XPS2 is the shortest and lightest (9 ounces) sight that EOTECH presents. That is the non-night imaginative and prescient model, (since evening imaginative and prescient isn’t wanted for many searching or residence protection functions anyway). However in case you want evening imaginative and prescient compatibility, you may go for the costlier Eotech EXPS3 HWS.

I ran the XPS2 on my turkey searching shotgun through the 2024 season and located it to be tremendous straightforward to put in, sight in, and use. I beloved the view via the sight and appreciated the essential and optimistic performance of the brightness settings and adjustment dials. I hauled this sight via the woods and dragged it via the mud and it by no means faltered. The protecting aluminum hood gave me confidence that the optic will maintain up for a very long time. Whereas it’s not precisely a smooth sight, I did get used to it on my shotgun and will certainly be searching with it in seasons to come back.

The one different draw back with this sight is that it has comparatively shorter battery life than basic pink dots. EOTECH says it can run for about 1,000 hours “at nominal setting 12 at room temperature.” That’s about 42 days, in comparison with 3-plus years for many pink dots. The purpose: simply bear in mind to show it off. 

Extra Pink Dot Sights for Shotguns

There are a ton of different nice pink dot sights for shotguns, and some deserve consideration right here.  

Holosun 507 Comp: A big open-emitter sight with a bunch of reticle decisions. 

Bushnell RXM 300: An inexpensive open-emitter that gives top-end options.

Trijicon RMR Type 2: An all-around glorious open-emitter that has a confirmed observe file.

Trijicon MRO: A heavy-duty enclosed emitter that gives a ton of reliability.

Leupold Deltapoint Pro: A basic and versatile open-emitter with a large window. 

Sig Romeo5 Gen II: An inexpensive enclosed-emitter that can get you within the pink dot turkey searching recreation. 

How I Picked the Greatest Pink Dots for Shotguns

Over the past a number of turkey searching seasons I’ve hunted with a couple of dozen totally different pink dots on quite a lot of shotguns. Throughout our assessment of the very best shotguns for residence protection, we ran a handful of prime pink dots via fundamental shotgun drills on a flat vary. 

And this spring, I threw dots on tactical shotguns and practiced mounting and taking pictures rapidly (IPSC targets at about 10 yards).  

Plus, senior employees author Tyler Freel lately reviewed an entire arsenal of the best red dot sights on handguns and carbines. I took all of those experiences into consideration when making my picks right here.

In all circumstances, I evaluated dots on their ease of use, mounting choices, optical readability and sight image, and perceived sturdiness.

What to Contemplate When Choosing the Greatest Pink Dot for a Shotgun

The right pink dot sight for a shotgun would sit low on the receiver, it might have a big and clear window, it might have minimal housing to not impede your view, it might be infinitely sturdy, and it might be simply inexpensive. 

Since we reside in an imperfect world, you’ve acquired to decide on the qualities which might be most essential to you.

Usually talking, open-emitter sights have smaller profiles and sit decrease on the gun. Enclosed-emitter sights are inclined to fare higher in rugged situations and inclement climate.

In all circumstances, you get what you pay for. In different phrases, it makes good sense to purchase as soon as, cry as soon as when purchasing for a pink dot (or any optic). 

Remaining Ideas on the Greatest Pink Dot for Shotguns

Shotgun taking pictures, by its very nature, is an imprecise pursuit. Nonetheless choosing the right pink dot to pair together with your shotgun may also help with higher aiming, sooner goal acquisition, and extra correct taking pictures. And when you begin taking pictures and searching with a pink dot, you’ll by no means need to return.