Optics/Sights for Browning Gold 12GA Canti Slug Gun

[Slughunter]

Hi All,

I'm working on getting a good sight/scope for hunting deer in northern Ontario with my Browning Gold 12GA with cantilevered rifled barrel. So far I've tried the Bushnell Banner Dusk/Dawn 1.75-4x32 and a Nikon Slughunter 3-9x42.

What I've come to learn is:
-they both have enough eye relief for a slug gun
-the Bushnell was about the right power for the deer hunting I do
-the Bushnell FOV wasn't very good for my application.
-the Nikon has too much power at 3x for drive hunts. The cover is too heavy and the deer move too quickly
-the Nikon was great at the range for +50yrds bench shooting
-the Objective OD on both presents minor fitment problems mounting on the cantilever rail and keeping the scope low enough for a decent cheek weld. You can only bring the ocular lens so far back on the rail.

So I haven't found the sweet spot yet and I'm probably going to sell both of them.

What I'm looking at right now is the Leupold VX-I 1-4x20

Reasons for the Leupold VX-I 1-4x20
-Ideal magnification for the type of hunting I do.
-Ideal magnification for length/accuracy of the gun ~200yds max
-1x for the really heavy cover spots and fast moving targets
-Much nicer FOV compared to the Bushnell.
-I think the straight tube will allow me to get the lowest rings possible since the objective OD won't bump the rail.

I'm also intrigued by a reflex site like the Deltapoint from Leupold or the FastFire from Burris. Reasons being:
-I like to use both eyes when shooting
-Lowest possible mounting
-Absolutely no eye relief to worry about
-Marketed as faster at target acquisition

Does anybody have any experience shooting a slug gun with reflex sites like those listed? What do you think is the range an average-better shooter could take deer with a reflex site?

If you had the money for either one, which would you pick for this gun? IMO the 1-4x20 seems like it could bring out all the gun/barrel has to offer for less money while the reflex could be interesting but maybe only for very short distances in heavy cover.

I seem to have answered my own question by writing this down but I'm still interested in hearing about experiences and opinions.

Thanks all.

 

[Slughunter]

I ended up getting the leupold VX-I 1-4x20. Fitment is great. It's on Luepold QRW Low Rings. At lowest magnification I can see the end of the barrel. I haven't sighted in yet.

The only weirdness is seeing the barrel at 1x. The parallax when looking at the barrel through the scope is obvious but I don't think it should affect the ability to hunt effectively since the crosshairs should be fine on the target.