Just got a new shotgun for bird hunting (Dove & Ducks mostly) I was wondering if putting a sight like a EOTECH (or similar) will better help with a distant shot. I know how good those sights are for CQB. Just curious for opinions and information. Thanks

That is going to be a personal preference and personal practice kind of decision.

Good shotgun shooters will tell you that you should not "aim" in the traditional sense anyway. Your eyes should be on the target, and your shotgun should fit you so well that it naturally points where you are looking when you are on the gun in good form.

Nevertheless, a lot of people still "aim" a shotgun like a rifle. If you were going to practice practice practice practice practice (yes I meant to put all those practices in there), then you might be able to make the red dot style sight work for you. Most shooters who have never shot a shotgun with that style of sight would probably feel like fish out of water.

A lot of guys shoot them in three gun. They help a lot for slugs.

Dove hunt with slugs...priceless

Sights on a shotgun? Seriously, take the sights and beads off, then hit the range and learn to shoot.

No sight is going to make you shoot better at long ranges with a shotgun. Don't take this the wrong way, but if you think sights will make you better at longer shots you should really limit yourself to 30yd shots and closer. In good hands a shotguns range isn't much further than that.

Stop skybusting birds!

I use a green fiber optic tube as my front sight. It helps me pick up the bead a little bit better. I think I paid $9 for it at Academy and it came with several fiber tube colors. It has a small bracket that just sticks on the rib.

I take the bead off...no way would I even consider putting a dot sight on a shotgun, unless for slugs or turkey hunting. On a bird in the air you point a shotgun you don't aim it. Practice practice practice.

Sights on a shotgun for wing shooting is a complete joke. If you can't figure out how to hit a moving target, spend that money on some lessons out at the local sporting clays course.

No sights on any shotgun for me. Try to take a skeet shooting class. They will teach you where to aim for the speed and distance of the bird.

I doubt that a red dot type sight would help, I believe it would hinder your field of vision. However, proper sights ARE important and I would recommend adding a center bead if one is not there. Proper sights help you keep your head down (stacking the beads) as well as help you make sure you are lined up properly.

P_102

I disagree, beads are not important for shotgunning. Double beads are simply a way to tell if the stock dimensions are adequate for you. If you are focusing on them while in the act of shooting moving game you have already caused yourself problems.

That could be, TDK, and I'm not saying you have to have them...there are many accomplished shotgunners that shoot fine without them. However, for most shooters those beads are helpful in checking their alignment, etc.. You are correct that you should not focus on them but I would argue that you should use them to check occasionally.

P_102

When you're looking at that dot, you're not looking at your target. If you're not looking at your target, you're not likely to hit it.

I think everyone here is in agreement that you should not be looking at the bead(s)while shooting...they are, however, helpful in other ways.

P_102

Who said anything about dove hunting with slugs?

Well, the OP commented that he just got a shotgun for bird hunting and asked about using a red dot on it, and you responded that they are great for slugs...