With turkey season fast approaching, I find myself pondering which firearm I want to carry this year. Like many hunters and gun enthusiasts, I have several options but find myself always going for that one gun. For many hunters, it's either that firearm that is handed down from generation to generation or that one shotgun that you just can’t seem to miss with. For me, it’s my 12-gauge Winchester Super X3. I purchased this gun from an elderly gentleman who won it in a local gun drawing and already had a cabinet full of shotguns. Finally, being in the right place at the right time, I made a purchase I’ll never regret. Through the years, I have used it in sporting clays and recreational shooting and have harvested many animals. But it always felt like it was missing something. This year at the Great American Outdoor Show, I found that exact item. Let me introduce you to the Meadow Creek Mount. This product is a game-changer for the shotgunner needing a red dot. Designed to fit snugly and securely along the rib, the mounting system eliminates the need for drilling or gunsmithing. It hugs the barrel low enough to maintain a natural cheek weld while aligning your eye perfectly with the reflex sight. On the Meadow Creek Mount website, there is a selection chart with a variety of optics, makes, and models. To determine what model of sight mount to order, you should first have an idea of the sight you want to use. Multiple optics share the same footprint; the most common optics are listed within the table. With an MSRP of around $49.99, it's a smaller investment than gunsmithing fees. The installation process is a breeze. The package contains six different-sized rib adapters to match just about every shotgun rib. It includes a top mounting plate, a bottom mounting plate, mounting hardware, and an Allen wrench. Once the correct rib adapter and desired mounting location are determined on the rib, tighten down the included hardware, and you're ready for your optic. The Meadow Creek Mount website offers some great information to help with the mounting process, including a video.
While doing my research on the Meadow Creek selection chart, I found the reflex sight that I wanted to use. With previous experience and as the proud owner of several Sightmark products, I chose the Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec M1 FMS reflex sight. With an MSRP of $240, it's a small price for a great optic.
Durability and Construction
With my previous experiences with Sightmark products, I knew this reflex sight was built to withstand harsh conditions. It boasts an IP67 waterproof rating, is built from rugged 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, and the addition of the steel protective shield adds an extra layer of durability, safeguarding the optic against impacts.
The sight features a 3 MOA red dot reticle, providing a balance between quick target acquisition and precision. With 10 brightness settings, I found that I could adjust the reticle intensity to match ambient lighting conditions, ensuring visibility from low-light environments to bright daylight. The advanced parallax-free lens design and scratch-resistant AR red lens coating contribute to a clear and unobstructed field of view.
Battery Life and Power Management
One of the standout features of the M-Spec M1 FMS is its impressive battery life. Powered by a single CR1632 battery, it offers a runtime of up to 30,000 hours, depending on the brightness setting. The 12-hour auto-shutoff feature conserves battery life by turning off the sight after a period of inactivity—a practical addition for users who may forget to power down their optics. When the battery dies, you can replace it without dismounting the unit by using the provided tool, thus preserving your zero.
Additional Mounting Options and Compatibility
However, in my situation with a ribbed shotgun, I didn’t use the supplied mounting options. The sight comes with both a low-profile mount suitable for pistols and shotguns and a riser mount designed for AR-pattern firearms.
Range Day – Putting It to the Test
After arriving and unpacking, the first test was to center up our sight for 25 yards. We used birdshot for this. The day I chose started as overcast, then became sunny and bright. The ability to change the brightness of the dot made for easier sight acquisition. Once zeroed, I turned to my turkey loads for final adjustments. With the built-in windage and elevation adjustments of 1 MOA, the audible clicks make the Mini Shot very easy to adjust. This year, I chose Windy Hill Precision Ammunition for my turkey loads. Packing a 3” shell with 2.25 oz of #9 TSS, I set my sights on my turkey target and squeezed the trigger, producing one of the best patterns this gun has ever seen. In disbelief, I took a target to 40 yds. Again, these shells produced a pattern that was sure to secure a harvest if I did my part.
Real-World Performance in the Turkey Woods
Tiptoeing into position before first light, only gentle calling was needed to get the turkeys to gobble. After hitting the ground, they continued their conversation before going dead silent. Fearing they would go another direction or be bumped by an adjacent property owner, I stayed ready and proceeded to softly call. Only minutes later, I spotted a decent tom coming out on a logging road, possibly making his way out of gun range. After a quick check with the rangefinder and setting my red dot on the bird, the Windy Hill Precision ammo didn’t let me down, collapsing the bird at 52 yds.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you're hunting tight creek bottoms or wide-open fields, this setup shines. The low profile of the Meadow Creek mount keeps your line of sight close to the bore, reducing the need to "hunt" for the dot when shouldering your shotgun. With Sightmark’s generous field of view and adjustable brightness, you’ll be tracking that gobbler without losing situational awareness. So next time you head into the spring woods, consider upgrading your gear. The Meadow Creek Low Profile Rib Mount, the Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec M1, and Windy Hill Precision ammunition might just be the edge you need to fill your tag.
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