Bead sight

[Dee]

I had a red dot that busted on a moss 500 so I tried to practice a little with just the bead sight which I have not done in a long time. Shot a few slugs using the bead sight to try and figure out the POA of the bead. I aimed the bead in the middle of the target- a 1 gallon jug at about 10 yards and the shot went over the jug, I aimed a little lower and then it blew the top off the jug, then I aimed the bead at about 6 o clock and it hit towards the middle. The next jug I shot at I hit again aiming the top of the bead just below the target. That was about all the practice I could get in that day per the neigbors buzzing around and didn't want to get them all worked up about the loud SG blasts.

So I am hoping to get a little guidance on POA/ POI using the bead sight at various distances with slugs from 10 yards out to about 50 yards. Thanks

 

[oneounceload]

If you are seeing ANY barrel/rib when sighting, you will be shooting high

 

[Dee]

Thanks for the reply. Does that apply for any distance out to 50 yards?

 

[Fred Fuller]

POA/POI will differ with different shotguns, shooters and loads. Experimenting on fixed targets (paper or cardboard is probably better) is the only way to know.

Default start position/sight picture for a bead sight (without a vent rib barrel) is with the bead perched on the top of the receiver, in the middle of the grooves down the top of the receiver, with no barrel visible - just the bead. For some reason I can't find that illustrated ANYWHERE. Odd.

I wouldn't shoot slugs sitting from a bench, like a rifle. Standing up with a rest is better as far as recoil control is concerned... of course, you don't put the shotgun against a hard surface when shooting. Pad the post with a wrapped towel or your hand.

 

[Dee]

Thanks Fred, great advice hope to get to a range soon. Does the same technique apply for buckshot as well?

 

[Fred Fuller]

Pretty much, yes. I tend to 'snap shoot' shotguns with bead sights, even with buckshot and slugs, and it has always worked for me. Aiming in the conventional sense is easier is easier for everybody when using rifle sights or GRs, but can be done with a bead as well. Just takes a little experimentation.

 

[Dee]

Thanks again, I was wondering what you mean by 'snap shooting', yea I agree aiming is easier with other sights . I may end up getting some GR sights or a high quality RDS at some point but wanted to get more familiar with the basic bead sight first. The red dot I had, as junky as it was made shooting slugs fast and easy when it worked, I'm coming around to keeping it simple though.

 

[wolfe]

Isn't there some serious variation in non rifled slugs from shot to shot? I've reloaded foster slugs that there was between 2&5 inches of difference when holding same Aimpoint


Does your mossberg have a center bead or just front? You can also check basic Aimpoint by shooting birdshot at a grease board or better yet a piece of cardboard.

 

[Pete D.]

Bead

Since the question was asked and some reference was made to how rifle sights are easier to use, remember that when using a bead sight as a reference, the eye itself becomes the rear sight, infinitely adjustable for windage and elevation. The eye needs to be in exactly the same place relative to the bead for every shot. Without a traditional rear sight, it is difficult to do that unless the shotgun "fits" the shooter .
Pete