#349 | Red Dot Sights for Turkey Guns with Greg Maher

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson sits down with Greg Maher of Meadow Creek Mounts for a conversation about the practical shift from traditional beads to optics in the turkey woods. They dig into the engineering behind rib-mounted sights, the "equalizer" effect of a red dot on gun fit, and why seeing more of the bird is a significant advantage when the shot counts.

Greg Maher is an engineer and a lifer in the turkey woods with over 20 years of experience. After identifying a need for better optic placement on shotguns that weren't originally drilled and tapped, he launched Meadow Creek Mounts in 2020. Based in South Carolina, Greg is a dedicated public land hunter who has pursued turkeys in over 20 states, bringing a perspective focused on gear reliability and the "why" behind every piece of equipment in his vest.

Expect to Learn:

• Why a red dot acts as an "equalizer" for head position and consistency in the field.

• The technical differences between open and enclosed reflex sights and how they handle the elements.

• Why mounting an optic on the rib provides a superior field of view compared to receiver mounts.

• A practical "one-shot" method for zeroing your optic to save on expensive TSS ammunition.

• How to use a bore laser and a reference sheet to ensure your zero hasn't shifted during travel.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:02:46] – Greg Maher and Meadow Creek Mounts in a Nutshell

• [00:07:02] – From Beads to Red Dots: The "Aha" Moment in the Woods

• [00:15:39] – The Engineering of Rib Mounts vs. Receiver Mounts

• [00:21:47] – Understanding Reflex Sights, Astigmatism, and Reticle Options

• [00:31:32] – Battery Life, "Shake Awake," and Avoiding "Amazon Specials"

• [00:40:55] – Step-by-Step: Zeroing and Patterning for Precision

• [00:50:07] – Greg’s Personal Setup: The Mossberg SA-20 and Hand-Loaded TSS

• [00:56:41] – Red Dots for Wingshooting?

• [01:00:27] – Perspective on "Slams" and Returning to the Spring Woods

• [01:04:36] – Where to Find Greg and Closing Thoughts

Follow The Guest, Greg Maher:

• Website: https://meadowcreekmounts.com/

• Email: Greg@MeadowCreekMounts.com

Follow the Host, Nick:

• Instagram: @birdshot.podcast

• Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com

Listening Links:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkIF3w6P9rkuciwX-jEMG3g

SUPPORT

• Use Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app

• Use Promo Code | BSP10 to save 10% on https://meadowcreekmounts.com/

• Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% on https://trulockchokes.com/

The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: https://www.onxmaps.com/

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