Best Shotgun Red Dot Sight: 7 Better than You Have Ever Imagined Sights

Do you own a shotgun and need a sight that matches and that works great for night use? That means you’re after the best shotgun red dot sight. So make sure you don’t choose a sight that could work only on a rifle or on a pistol, you need to make sure you get a device that’s perfectly matched to your shotgun.

This sort of sight will offer you increased precision, a reticle that can work with your exact targets, as well as a perfect mount. But more than that, it’s great in terms of construction, weight and size for your shotgun.

We’ll discuss a few factors that influence your purchase decision, but none of them is more important than your purpose. Afterward, we’ll tell you which sights we like most. And after you finish reading this article, come back and look at the table below so you can compare, contrast, and make a solid decision.

Our Top Picks

Things to Consider Before Buying

A good shotgun reflex sight should, first of all, fit your needs. Otherwise, you’ll think it’s bad, no matter how good it is. That’s why you should take into account the following factors:

Reticle

Reflex sights are also called red dot sights, but that doesn’t mean they only have a red dot reticle. Even if this color and pattern are great for most tactical and hunting purposes that require speed, you might also crave some more accuracy.

That’s when you should consider getting a reticle that also supports a green light or other patterns. For instance, a crosshair reticle offers increased reliability with fast shots. But you should also make sure your reticle brightness can be adjusted, so you’re sure to use it in different circumstances.

Mount

A good mount for a shotgun is a Weaver or a Picatinny style. Picatinny rails are more versatile though, they can also fit pistols. Regardless, you can focus on a one-piece mount if you’re looking for something more solid, or consider mounting rings if you need a lighter weight.

As such, the first case fits when you’re not a beginner and aren’t concerned about a sight that destabilizes your rifle. Your primary purpose here is recoil resistance if you have a high-caliber weapon. Otherwise, you can choose a ring-based mounting system.

Parallax

This is important if you want a sight that locks on a certain target. So there’s a difference between parallax-corrected sights and parallax-free ones.

The first type of sights helps the reticle stay fixed on the target, no matter where your head is. But parallax-free sights are even better, they lock on to the target completely. That means the parallax corrected sights will have at the very least a minimal amount of parallax, while the other ones will have none.

Weight and Dimensions

This might be important if you can’t handle a heavy sight to destabilize your weapon, or if you need more space on your rail for other things, like maybe a magnifier. However, if you’re sure you can have a good grip of your shotgun, weight isn’t a main concern. A bulky sight will also obstruct your vision, making it difficult to get a precise and fast target acquisition. So we recommend getting a light, more compact sight, even if you can handle a bigger one.

Construction

In terms of materials and craftsmanship, we like high-quality devices. And that doesn’t necessarily make them expensive. A durable, resistant sight should be resistant to inclement weather, water-resistant and shockproof. This last particular characteristic is especially important with high-caliber weapons with a bigger recoil.

Otherwise, multi-coated lenses are a plus for image brightness. You should also look for tilted lenses or anti-reflection interiors if your top priority is having a clear image. That might happen for target practice, or for hunting in low light conditions.

With that said, take a look at the products below, we’re sure you’ll find something to suit your needs.

Best Products on Today’s Market

These products are all amazing, and it’s not just because we chose them. They all have their pluses and minuses, which we’ve listed here for maximum objectivity, but the truth is they work. That’s why we encourage you to browse through them, at least so you can get an idea of how the factors we’ve discussed above work in real life.

GERO Tactical Green and Red Dot Sight

Price: Approx. $25

Weight: 6.4 ounces

Dimensions: 3.8 x 4.8 x 2 inches

Specific features: Red/ green dot, star, cross and bullseye reticles, long eye relief, shockproof, water-resistant, adjustable brightness, works with Picatinny and Weaver

Best use: Paintball

The GERO Tactical Green and Red Dot Sight is an affordable sight that has plenty of qualities. For instance, it holds the zero for quite some time, though you still need to re-zero it often. It is also a sturdy device, which can withstand paintball hits without damaging.

The eye relief is comfortable, it’s water-resistant so it can be used in different weather and terrain conditions, but it’s also shockproof for high caliber rifles. We love the four types of reticle patterns offered, dot, star, cross and bullseye, all either on red or green. That means you can use this sight for versatile purposes and in different light settings.

The brightness level can be adjusted, and you get an included 22 mm rail mount, that works with both Weaver or Picatinny rails. However, this sight works only for the short range, at about 50 – 75 yards, and you can’t use it for varmint or small game.

Related: You will need a 22 mm rail base to go with the incorporated mount, if you choose this sight. That’s why we recommend the Ruger 10/22 Picatinny Rail Mount, which is strong and versatile.

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Vortex Optics SF-BR-503 Strikefire II Sight

Price: Approx. $180

Weight: 9.6 ounces

Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.2 x 3.2 inches

Specific features: Polymer, multicoated lenses with anti-reflective coating, no parallax, 4 MOA red/ green dot reticle, unlimited eye relief, 30 mm tube, 1/2 MOA click adjustments, works with Picatinny and Weaver

Best use: Medium-range hunting

The Vortex SF-BR-503 Strikefire II Sight has a number of characteristics that recommend it as a good shotgun reflex sight. For instance, it’s resistant to scratches and tough field conditions, since it’s manufactured from a polymer.

The lenses are multicoated, which means your image will be very bright. But the multiple layers of anti-reflective coating also reduce refraction and make this sight easy to use when moving from light to shade and the other way around. On the other hand, the end caps are a bit flimsy.

The design is free of any parallax, and the red dot reticle can be adjusted in terms of brightness so you can use this sight in different lights. The unlimited eye relief is another plus in terms of quality, with a generous tube size of 30 mm. However, the 1/2 MOA click adjustments might seem unpleasant for people who prefer automatic windage and elevation adjustments.

Related: This sight has a 1x, and you might need a bigger magnification for varmint hunting or for target practice. That’s why we recommend the Vortex VMX-3T Magnifier with Flip Mount. It fits the Strikefire II really well, it’s resistant and has a user-friendly flip mount.

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Sightmark SM26008 Ultra Shot Plus Sights

Price: Approx. $100

Weight: 5.6 ounces

Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 3 inches

Specific features: 4 red/ green reticle patterns, digital switch controls, Weaver mount, auto shut-off, manual windage and elevation, parallax-corrected, cast aluminum alloy with protective shield, weatherproof, shockproof

Best use: Versatile shooting

The Sightmark SM26008 Ultra Shot Plus Sights also comes with the four different reticle patterns available, in either the red or green colors. That way, you can use the dot and donut shapes for hunting varmint, the cross for fast target acquisition, and the bullseye for better results at target practice. The red and green colors are also great for different light conditions.

We love the digital switch controls for easy use, as well as the adjustable and removable Weaver mount. On the other hand, the automatic shut off feature isn’t something we’re crazy about. The sight turns off by itself after one hour, but we prefer sights that the user can choose when to shut down. It also has click adjustments for elevation and windage, and that’s not amazing either.

This sight is parallax corrected so you can get a precise target acquisition. We love the cast aluminum alloy manufacturing, especially because it has a protective shield that renders this sight weatherproof. More than that, it’s also shockproof so it can withstand bigger calibers and recoils.

Related: We recommend the Vortex Tactical 30mm Riflescope Ring that fits 30mm tube sights and can go on a Picatinny rail. You might need this solid ring if you want to position your sight at a medium height on your rifle, meaning 0.83 inches from the base.

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Truglo APG 30mm Red-Dot Sight

Price: Approx. $60

Weight: 7 ounces

Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 2 inches

Specific features: 5 MOA reticle, unlimited eye relief, flip-up lens caps; brightness control, multicoated, anti-reflective interior, click windage and elevation, Weaver style mounting system, shock-resistant to 1000G, waterproof

Best use: Medium or big targets

The Truglo APG 30mm Red-Dot Sight is a good sight for long-range hunting, seeing as it has a rather big, 5 MOA reticle. That also means it might not work for smaller targets, that require a smaller reticle which doesn’t obscure them. However, we’re in love with the unlimited eye relief.

There’s a brightness control feature, so you can use this sight in a bright or dim light. It’s also a great thing to have for shade/ light transitions. The multicoated lens and the anti-reflective interior work together to render bright images since they reduce light reflection.

This is also a resistant and durable sight, since it’s waterproof and fog proof, as well as shock resistant to 1000 G. The Weaver style mounting system works well with most shotguns, and you get an included CR2032 3V battery.

The click windage and elevation is a downside for situations that require fast precision, though. And this sight doesn’t work very well for the long or medium distance ranges. The flip-up lenses seem great, but they can’t withstand the shock of high recoils.

Related: If you want to fit this sight on a Picatinny rail, then why not get the Mossberg 500/590 Series Shotgun Picatinny Rail Mount? It’s a sturdy mount, it’s inexpensive, and it works great with this sight.

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Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Sight

Price:  Approx. $70

Weight: 3.7 ounces

Dimensions: 2.4 inches length

Specific features: 1×25 mm, 3 MOA red dot, 11 brightness settings, unlimited eye relief, amber lens coating, TILTED front lens, CR2032 battery and protective cover included

Best use: Fast target acquisition

The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 Sight is the device you need when speed is your top priority. That’s because it has unlimited eye relief for easy target acquisition and a big 25 mm lens screen. It also works really well in dim light, so you can count on it during your hunting trips.

The 3 MOA red dot is small enough so it can work on a smaller game, but it’s also visible enough so you can shoot up far. The 11 brightness levels work wonders in different light settings, and the included CR2032 battery and protective cover show real interest in the user experience.

The amber lens coating is great for bright images, so you can see your target flawlessly. And the front lens is positioned at an angle inside the tube, so it minimizes light refraction. This reflects the powerful LED light, and that’s how the red dot is created.

On the other hand, this red dot might sometimes appear blurry. The manufacturer says it happens when you pick a brightness level that’s too high for the ambient light, but it’s been known to happen in other conditions too. Plus, the field of view is partially blocked because the LED is fixed with adhesive inside the tube.

Related: The UTG Super Slim 3 Slots Picatinny Riser Mount is a great riser that fits this sight awesomely. It can also go with all your weapons and sights that require a Picatinny mount, so it’s really a very wise and versatile investment.

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UTG 4.2″ ITA Riser Adaptor

Price: Approx. $50

Weight: 7 ounces

Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 1 inches

Specific features: 4 MOA red/ green dot sight, multiple brightness levels, Emerald coating, co-witness, optimal height, unlimited eye relief, smart adapter plus detachable tactical Picatinny mount

Best use: Varmint hunting

The UTG 4.2″ ITA Riser Adaptor is great for hunting varmint thanks to the 4 MOA red/ green dot reticle. This reticle has multiple brightness settings, so you can see your target very well, regardless of dim or very bright surrounding light.

The lens provides a high level of visibility thanks to their Emerald coating, but the unlimited eye relief also helps with a good focus. We love that this sight has a great height for shotguns, and the co-witness is a definite asset in terms of accuracy.

This versatile device also comes with a detachable tactical Picatinny mount for your shotgun, and you can use the smart adapter to adjust it. On the other hand, the QD mount can easily be hit by the back dust cap in certain positions. Plus, there’s just one mount, without the riser, which has to be bought separately.

Related: If you want a riser for this sight, we strongly recommend the UTG Hi-Profile Compact Riser Mount. It’s a high-profile riser, that will lift your sight about 1 inch from the base, and it fits the UTG scope really well.

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HOLOSUN HS403B Micro Red Dot Sight

Price: Approx. $170

Weight: 11.2 ounces

Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 4 inches

Specific features: 2 MOA red dot reticle, 50,000 hours battery life, automatic shutoff, automatic awake, parallax-free, aluminum build with MAO finish, tilted lens

Best use: Versatile hunting

The HOLOSUN HS403B Micro Red Dot Sight is a great sight for versatile hunting, even target practice. That’s courtesy of the 2 MOA red dot reticle that can be used on different-sized targets and at convenient distances.

We love the 50,000 hours battery life which supports the very velar and bright red dot. There’s an automatic shut off feature associated with this device, which means that it will turn off on its own after 8 hours of use. We’re not crazy about it being on non-stop for 8 hours, even with the huge battery life.

There’s also an auto awake feature, which makes it turn on with each vibration, and then stay on for 8 hours. Again, that’s not exactly our cup of tea, since this sight turns on even when you don’t want it to. However, those are small complaints.

The real advantage is that you’ll get a parallax-free sight, with tilted lenses that minimize any light reflection. Plus, the aluminum build with MAO finish is great in terms of resistance to damage and durability.

Related: Those 50,000 hours of battery life will still get by really fast if this device turns on with every vibration. So, you need to stack up on batteries. We recommend you start with the Energizer 2032BP-4 3 Volt Lithium Coin Battery, which come in a pack of four, they’re inexpensive and have a long shelf life.

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Pinty Holographic Red Dot Sight

Price: Approx. $20

Weight: 0.68 pounds

Dimensions: 3.2 x 2.6 inches

Specific features: 4 red/ green reticle patterns, 650nm LED, unlimited eye-relief, corrected parallax, aircraft grade aluminum alloy, tubeless, 33 mm reflex lens, manual windage and elevation, waterproof, fog proof, shock proof

Best use: Short distance hunting

The Pinty Holographic Red Dot Sight is another one of our most affordable sights, though it works great in different weather and environments. With an aircraft grade aluminum alloy construction, you get a waterproof, fog proof and shock proof sight. That said, it might still be a bit heavy for some users, not to mention bulky.

We love the wide field of view courtesy of a tubeless construction and a large lens aperture of 33 mm. That’s great for short range hunting, as well as fast moving targets. The included Picatinny mount is great for shotguns, but it also fits rifles.

The two reticle colors, red and green are great for different light and different color targets. You also get four reticle patterns: cross, star, dot and bullseye, each for a specific purpose. You can go after a smaller game with the dot reticle, or you can choose the start reticle when you’re interested in speed too.

The LED is powerful enough at 650 nm, the eye relief is comfortable and helps you focus the image fast, and with the corrected parallax you’ll get bright images. Regardless, this sight needs some serious fiddling with regarding both the windage and elevation settings, as well as the zeroing.

Related: We recommend the ELENKER CAL 223 5.56mm Rem Gauge Laser Bore Sighter to go with this sight. That’s because this sight is pretty difficult to re-zero, and you don’t want to do that each time you put it on your rifle or shotgun.

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Wrap Up

We’ve discussed sights that are great for paintball, like the GERO Tactical Sight, some for medium animals, like the Truglo Red-Dot Sight, while others, like the Sightmark SM26008 Ultra Shot Plus, are more versatile.

But you can count on the quality of each of the sights above. Choose one that fits your needs, and you’ll be sure you’ve made the right choice. But we’re curious to know what you’ve settled on. What do you need a shotgun sight for? Have you tried one of our products before? Leave us a comment below.