Will a Rifle Scope Work on a Shotgun? Expert Insights

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By Dennis Howard •  8 min read

Shotguns are the utility weapon of the shooting world. With the proper barrel configuration, shotguns are the choice to hunt game birds or take down a full-sized deer. Many states mandate that only shotguns with slugs are legal to hunt deer. These restrictions lead many hunters to wonder if a rifle scope will work on their slug-barreled shotgun.

In general, scopes designed for high-power rifles are not suitable for mounting on a shotgun. Shotgun recoil, the limited range of slug-barreled shotguns, and the short eye-relief of most hunting riflescopes make them unsuitable for mounting on a shotgun. However, many scope manufacturers now offer shotgun optics suitable for both slugs and bird-hunting.

Rifles and shotguns are two entirely different kinds of hunting firearms. Scopes have their place on each. However, it is important to understand the differences in designs and uses of rifle and shotgun scopes.

The Big Three – Why Riflescopes are Unsuitable for Shotguns

Shotguns and rifles differ in several ways. Most of these are obvious, but some are slightly more subtle and may go unappreciated when choosing a scope. The big three differences between a shotgun and a hunting rifle are the most relevant factors that make riflescopes unsuitable for mounting on a shotgun.

Recoil Makes a Difference

Shotgun shooters are always respectful of the recoil of their favorite firearm. Studies have shown that many shotguns loads develop recoil energies that compare or exceed the biggest rifle calibers imaginable. For example:

Shotgun Gauge and LoadRecoil energyRifle Caliber and LoadRecoil energy
12 gauge, 2.75” 1-1/2 oz.45 ft. lbs.375 Wby Mag 300 gr47.3 ft. lbs.
12 gauge, 3”, 1-5/8 oz.52 ft. lbs.375 Ultra Mag, 300 gr53.2 ft. lbs.
12 gauge, 3”, 1-7/8 oz.54 ft. lbs.458 Win Mag, 500 gr62.3 ft. lbs.

Chuck Hawks, https://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_rifle_shotgun_recoil.html

You can quickly see that some standard shotgun loads deliver recoil energy that equals what most people consider elephant guns. Delivering this kind of energy repeatedly to a traditional rifle scope is a recipe for scope failure. You will eventually damage or destroy a standard rifle scope on a shotgun.

The Eye Relief Issue

Most riflescopes intended for large caliber rifles have a relatively short eye relief. Often this eye relief is about 3.2 to 3.6 inches. This distance is adequate, even at higher calibers, for the recoil from high-power rifles. Even then, some unwary shooters unfamiliar with the recoil of these hunting rifles suffer facial injuries when the eyepiece of the scope impacts their face after a shot.

We know that many shotguns deliver the same or more powerful recoil than large-caliber hunting rifles. Imagine the problems of putting your face within that 3.5 inches of the scope mounted on a shotgun. Scopes designed for mounting on shotguns typically feature much longer eye relief to prevent potential injuries and accidents.

Consider the Ranges You Hunt with a Shotgun

Typically, hunters who consider mounting a riflescope on a shotgun are shooting slugs and hunting larger game animals. Before mounting that riflescope on your slug gun, consider the differences in effective ranges and how your scope functions.

Effective range is the distance that you can expect your firearm to perform accurately with enough takedown power to stop the game animal you are hunting. For most rifles used in the US for upland game, the effective distances range from 175 yards to well over 1000 yards.

At best, a slug shotgun fitted with a rifled slug barrel has an effective range of about 75 yards. There are combinations of barrels and loads that allow you to shoot further than 75 yards confidently. However, in most cases where hunters use shotguns and slugs, the effective ranges are between 75 and 100 yards.

A riflescope that is effective on a rifle that shoots easily to 300 yards is probably not suitable for use on a shotgun shooting slugs for several reasons.

These issues with mounting a riflescope on a shotgun don’t consider trying to track and shoot a moving target or using a shotgun for wing shooting at game birds. These shooting situations present an entirely different set of problems if you mount a riflescope on your shotgun.


The Solution – opt for a Shotgun Scope

Most scope manufacturers now offer shotgun-specific scopes that match the type of hunting most shotgun shooters perform. These shotgun scopes cope well with the higher recoil energies, offer longer eye-relief, and have reticles that work well with slugs, buckshot, or birdshot.

Shotgun Slug Scopes

In many places, a shotgun and slugs are the only options for hunting larger game animals such as deer. It is not unusual for hunters in these areas to use shotguns with rifled slug barrels and shotgun scopes regularly. 

If you consider a rifled-barrel shotgun and slugs for hunting, there are some factors to consider when choosing a scope for your shotgun.

Selecting a scope for your slug shotgun can be challenging, but you can find the perfect match for your needs and your budget with a bit of diligence. 

Shotgun Scopes for Bird Hunting

A great debate rages on whether optical sights are useful on a shotgun to hunt game birds. There are compelling arguments on both sides. In our opinion, it boils down to a matter of personal preference and experience.

Our suggestion is to try it both ways. If you are already a successful wing shooter who makes consistent shots, adding a red dot or holographic sight may not bring you any advantages. However, like many of us who are older and suffering from vision problems, a red dot sight on a shotgun can make a world of difference. 


Making the Decision 

In the end, it is your decision on whether to mount your riflescope on your shotgun. No one is going to stop you in the field and tell you that you have the wrong scope on your shotgun. On the other hand, mounting your expensive riflescope on your shotgun may end with some bad results.

You risk damaging your scope from the more intense recoil of a shotgun. You may injure yourself trying to find the proper eye-relief to use the scope without adjusting for the recoil. The riflescope may not be suitable at the ranges you will be shooting.

You may find it much more suitable to mount a scope meant for shotguns. In the long run, it may be cheaper and will certainly give your better results and make your hunts more enjoyable and successful.

Dennis Howard

A life long hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, after surviving a devastating tornado in his home town, he saw the effects on people's lives as they struggled to cope. He built his first bugout bag a few weeks later and has been a dedicated prepper/survivalist since that time. After a career as a fireman, Dennis opened a retail store (FFL approved) catering to the military, law enforcement, and like-minded individuals. The store built their own AR platforms. Furthermore, Dennis was also an NRA instructor in both long gun and handgun as well as a certified range safety officer. Read his full interview here.