[Ringer]

Posted this on different forum with no response as of yet. Planning on going to the range again this weekend, any ideas or suggesstions?

Thanks very much.

I bought an 870 a few weeks ago and have been to the range with it a couple of times. It's a Rem 870 Express 28" Vent Rib barrel. I shoot at the DNR ranges in my area where they only allow slugs on the rifle range. I'm new to shotguns and not ready to try trap or anything so I figured the rifle range was the best place to start. Here is my problem/question. No matter what I seem to do my shots are consistently off to the left about 6" at 25 yards. I've used both Federal and Winchester slugs with pretty much the same result. I can get the elevation right but I am always off to the left. I have tried adjusting my position, leaning in, changing the way my cheek rests on the stock etc... It sure seems like I am looking straight down the rib. The shots are not grouped badly (not for me anyway) just off to the left. Unfortunately I don't really have any shotgunner friends to rely on for assistance on the range and most of the people there are shooting rifles. Don't really feel right buggin them to try shooting my gun to see what result they get. The Range Master suggested I get another bead installed at the "chamber" end of the barrel. It doesn't seem that should be necessary at 25 yards. I'm assuming I am doing something wrong but not sure what. Or maybe it's the nature of shooting slugs through this barrel. I'm using an IC choke. I have not been able to find a place nearby where I can do patterning with shot shells to see how they react.

In the meantime, does this make any sense? Do you have any suggestions/ideas? I realise it's hard to say without watching me shoot or trying the gun yourself. How unlikely is it that the Rib is not on straight or somethng else is not right on the gun as opposed to something in my shooting style? I guess I'm assuming the latter is the more likely cause.

[KelBench400]

I'll give this a shot even though I am new to shotguns too.

6" at 25 yards seems like an aweful lot to be off considering you are looking straight down the barrel. My guess is that you are flinching and pulling the shot to the left.

My solution, don't shoot slugs yet. Get some light bird shot shells and try some trap or skeet. I did that for the first time this past weekend, and while I didn't set any records, I had fun. When shooting the clays I wasn't thinking about the shooting at all, just the target. That makes it much harder to develop a flinch.

Hope that helps some....at least it'll get this post back to the top!

-Kel

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

They have rifle sights that will screw/clamp on the vent rib of a shotgun barrel---I would give that a try before I thought there were any big problems.

Right now---you are trying for rifle accuracy with a shotgun bead sight that is meant for moving targets.

Slugs aren't known for their accuracy---but you shouldn't be doing that bad at 25yds-----get yourself some proper sights for the job at hand.

[Ringer]

Thanks for the replies.

I found a range that has some patterning boards not far from me. I'm going to give that a try with some light loads and see how that goes. Trap sounds fun I just don't have anyone to go with right now. After some practice with the gun I'll probably be up to giving it a try on my own.


Thanks again.

[SDC]

Just a thought; you might be cross-eye dominant. That is, you mount the shotgun to your right shoulder, but aim with your left eye; I see this happen sometimes with handgunners, and this would explain why your POI is so far off your POA. One solution would be to (as suggested) mount a secondary bead at the mid-point, and that way, if your beads are stacked, then you'll be on line. HTH.

[Dave McCracken]

Close your left eye and retry. It seems like cross dominance to me. Betcha the problem stops rat thar.

Let us know,OK? Thanks...

[sm]

-Check eye dominance as suggested.
-See the float at the top of page Dave did about pattern testing
-Get assistance with gun fit ( reading the PB gives insight)
-I personally like the mid-bead on a shotgun, I started using so long ago on clay targets, it's just what I'm comfortable with. Granted a shotty is pointed not aimed, one may be surprised as to how accurate with slugs a shotty with a 'known ' POA/POI can be. Mid bead is suggested to keep from 'canting'.

FWIW about beads and sights. One thing I have tried myself and used to teach new shooteris Bristers' trick of using a BB gun without sights.Using colored ping pong balls. We have transitioned to a shotgun without a bead (s), onto stationary clays, then actual targets from trap. And like Brister I have lost a bead during a tourney...I did fine , pointed not aimed. Guns gotta fit tho'

[Ringer]

Thanks for the replies.

Doesn't look like I will make it back to the range this weekend like I wanted, but I'll let you know how things go after my next trip.