The Greatest Pink Dots for Shotguns of 2025, Examined and Reviewed

Simply as pink dot sights have change into ubiquitous on the planet of handgunning, extra shotgun shooters are operating pink dots, too. With that, the perfect pink dots for shotguns are available in 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 couple of years, the opposite OL editors and I’ve been taking pictures each pink dot we might get our palms on. A choose few of them have proved to be completely suitable with shotguns, and people are the sights I’ll spotlight right here.

Honorable Mentions

Greatest Pink Dots for Shotguns; Critiques & Suggestions

Greatest Total: Vortex Viper Shotgun Enclosed Micro Dot 

Vortex’s Viper pink 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 surprise 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 listing of suitable shotguns right 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, nevertheless 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 could keep fixed to the receiver and maintain zero, particularly after getting rocked by heavy turkey hundreds. So I mounted one to a tactical shotgun and ran by a couple of bins of magnum shells. Fortunately, the sight held zero. (You possibly can learn my full overview of the Viper enclosed pink 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

Professionals

• Giant window, quick goal acquisition
• Number of dot brightness choices
• Number of dot measurement choices

Cons

• Expensive
• No shake-wake characteristic

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Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, open emitter

• 
  Mounting RMR footprint

• 
  Window Measurement 1.0 inches (spherical)

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment Flat bit screws

• 
  Brightness: +/- toggle buttons (left and proper aspect 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 decide for the perfect open emitter to throw on a shotgun. Numerous people would go together with the long-lasting RMR Sort 2 or perhaps 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 by the SRO. I discovered it to be quickest for goal acquisition and for transitioning to a different goal.

And that is smart 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 discipline 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 in the course of 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’ll proceed to take action for a lot of seasons to return. 

The SRO has eight brightness settings, together with an auto brightness choice. You make brightness picks with giant buttons on the left and proper of the sight which are 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 believe it’s a superb choice for a defensive shotgun, a devoted turkey gun, or a crossover of the 2.

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

Professionals

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

Cons

• Brightness changes will be complicated
• Halo round pink dot in brilliant circumstances

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Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, open emitter

• 
  Mounting Physician footprint

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

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment Flat bit screws

• 
  Brightness: one button (left aspect)

• 
  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 might rely on the dot’s reliability. So that you would possibly as properly spend a bit bit extra for a dependable sight that may 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 vast 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 available on the market, the Burris has a low profile, which helps with pure aiming.  I used it to shoot an extended beard on the opening day of turkey season right here in Minnesota. One in every of my buddies, who’s a brand-new turkey hunter, additionally used my rig to shoot his first chicken ever. The truth that he might 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 by by hitting the button on the best aspect of the sight (although I want the one pink dot for searching).

I’ve solely two quibbles with the sight. The primary is that whereas sighting in and taking pictures I observed 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 guide brightness modes and one auto brightness choice. The issue was deciphering if I used to be in a guide setting or auto mode. Not the largest downside, however for turkey searching I prefer to be in guide mode. 

Greatest for the Cash (Enclosed Emitter): Vortex Crossfire

See It

Professionals

• Inexpensive
• Compact
• Excessive and low mounting choices

Cons

• Should scroll by all brightness settings when turning optic on

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Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, enclosed emitter

• 
  Mounting Excessive and low Picatinny mounts

• 
  Window Measurement 22mm (spherical)

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment Flat-bit screws

• 
  Brightness 13 settings, adjustment wheel

• 
  Evening-Imaginative and prescient Suitable? Sure

• 
  Battery CR2032

Should you merely want an reasonably priced pink dot to throw in your turkey gun, the Vortex Crossfire is a good place to start out. Priced at $150, it’s a lot reasonably priced and it comes with Vortex’s VIP guarantee 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 best aspect, which begins at zero (off), N1, N2, and one by eleven. Turning the knob clockwise will increase the depth of the dot. The battery is housed on this knob underneath a cap that’s detachable with a coin. Senior employees author Tyler Freel reviewed the Crossfire and his solely grievance 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, you need to rotate by all of the settings again to or up from zero.

The Crossfire comes with two completely 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

Professionals

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

Cons

• Sight housing obscures discipline of view
• Restricted versatility

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Key Options

• 
  Model Reflex, enclosed emitter

• 
  Mounting Mounts on to shotgun rib

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

• 
  Windage and Elevation Adjustment T10 Torx screws

• 
  Brightness +/- toggle buttons (on left aspect 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 overview, 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 Tremendous 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 similar to you’ll 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 purpose and level of affect 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 trying on the bead. Theoretically, you’re imagined to do the identical factor with the pink dot within the Acro. 

However as a result of the sight is a bit blocky, I discovered myself choosing up targets extra slowly than I’d with out the dot. I might 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 device for brand spanking new shooters. Since you need to have your head on the gun to see by it, it helps train a correct and constant gun mount and cheek weld. I might additionally see it being completely lethal on targets flying immediately. 

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

Greatest Holographic: EOTECH XPS2

Professionals

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

Cons

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

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Key Options

• 
  Model Holographic

• 
  Mounting Picatinny rail mount

• 
  Window Measurement: 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 supplies a big sight window with no blue/inexperienced tint or glare (which is widespread among the many different sights on this overview). If a large, clear sight image issues most to you, you need to take into account 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 circumstances. The draw back is that it’s an even bigger unit to mount in your shotgun. The XPS2 is the shortest and lightest (9 ounces) sight that EOTECH affords. That is the non-night imaginative and prescient model, (since evening imaginative and prescient isn’t wanted for many searching or house protection functions anyway). However in the event 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 in the course of the 2024 season and located it to be tremendous straightforward to put in, sight in, and use. I beloved the view by the sight and appreciated the fundamental and optimistic performance of the brightness settings and adjustment dials. I hauled this sight by the woods and dragged it by 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 return.

The one different draw back with this sight is that it has comparatively shorter battery life than common pink dots. EOTECH says it’ll 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 reasonably priced open-emitter that gives top-end options.

Trijicon RMR Sort 2: An all-around wonderful open-emitter that has a confirmed observe document.

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

Leupold Deltapoint Professional: A traditional and versatile open-emitter with a large window. 

Sig Romeo5 Gen II: An reasonably priced enclosed-emitter that may get you within the pink dot turkey searching sport. 

How I Picked the Greatest Pink Dots for Shotguns

During the last a number of turkey searching seasons I’ve hunted with a couple of dozen completely different pink dots on a wide range of shotguns. Throughout our overview of the perfect shotguns for house protection, we ran a handful of prime pink dots by primary 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 just lately reviewed a complete arsenal of the finest pink 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 Selecting the Greatest Pink Dot for a Shotgun

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

Since we dwell in an imperfect world, you’ve obtained to decide on the qualities which are most necessary 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 circumstances 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 searching for a pink dot (or any optic). 

Last Ideas on the Greatest Pink Dot for Shotguns

Shotgun taking pictures, by its very nature, is an imprecise pursuit. Nonetheless selecting the correct pink dot to pair along with your shotgun may also help with higher aiming, quicker 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.