[Joe Mamma]

I vaguely recall hearing that there is a special way to sight in a shotgun for slug use. I think someone said not to use a rest, or to be sure you hold the foreend firmly even if you do use a rest ,or something like that. So, is there some special technique or can you just rest the foreend on a sandbag and pull the trigger?

Joe Mamma

[Dave McCracken]

Here's what I do, Joe.

If I'm testing loads to see which is most accurate in a given shotgun, I use classic Bench techniques. The forearm's on a sandbag, another sits under the butt and I squeeze it to get elevation right.I strongly recommend a wearable recoil pad and sitting as straight up as possible. Adding weight temporarily is also a good idea. Benchtesting with slugs is rugged stuff.

For zeroing, the pads are gone and the forearm's on my hand,which is on a rest.
All long arms shoot to slightly different zeroes when bench tested vs shot in the field. Holding the shotgun thus minimizes the differences.

Hope that covers it, sing out if I'm not clear....

[Joe Mamma]

Dave, thanks for the response.


Also, you said, "All long arms shoot to slightly different zeroes when bench tested vs shot in the field."

Why is this? Is it because recoil occurs with the bullet/slug still in the barrel and how supported the foreend is affects the movement of the gun from recoil while the bullet/slug is still inthe barrel? If so, then is it correct to assume that the less support you give the gun while bench testing, the more similar the zero will be to firing it in the field?

Joe Mamma

[Dave McCracken]

There's variation, but it's not predictable. Things like forend pressure and barrel harmonics come into play. How our bodies deal with recoil is also a factor. Bench work will get close enough for hunting but practice and checking zero must be done from field positions.

[El Tejon]

Uncle Jeff saith, "the practical shooter eschews the bench." Thus saith no more.

Bench to get on paper; prone to get on target!:)

HTH, good shooting.

[Mannlicher]

I have not used optics on a shotgun, but when I zero a shotgun using rifle sights, or ghost ring sights, I always do it standing, holding the shotgun in my hands, and have the shotgun set up the way it will be when I am in the field. Sling, recoil pad, etc. I have found that holding it different when zeroing the sights than you would hold it when hunting, will often result in a different point of aim.

[45R]

Bring an ice pack and motrin just in case........... Sighting in slugs on a bench is brutal with a capital B!!!

[CRUSHER]

I have also see several people use a cheater bag.
A small sand bag between the butt stock and there shoulder.

[Ron L]

I have also see several people use a cheater bag. A small sand bag between the butt stock and there shoulder.

I've used this method as well, but just to get the thing printing fairly good groups close to zero. Final zero should be done as Dave or Mannlicher described. One issue is that those bags extend the LOP and you lose any check/stock weld. Those bags will absorb a lot of punishment during the tedious process so when you're finally ready for final zero, your shoulder's still pretty fresh.