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Turkey Guns & Shooting => Turkey Guns => Topic started by: John donovan on December 09, 2014, 11:21:01 AM

Title: Aiming with a bead
Post by: John donovan on December 09, 2014, 11:21:01 AM
I've never shot with a bird barrel before so I'm a little unsure on how I line up the bead on whatever I'm aiming at. Do I line up to the top of the bead or bottom?
Title: Re: Aiming with a bead
Post by: dirt road ninja on December 09, 2014, 12:36:22 PM
The only way to know is to go pattern your gun. The more I shoot, the less I trust beads. You will more than likely need to go with aftermarket sights to correct any poa/poi problems.
Title: Re: Aiming with a bead
Post by: KYStalker on December 09, 2014, 01:05:55 PM
Beads are no good.  Both my Mossbergs shoot high and needed adjustable sights to correct it.  I can't remember to aim low for this gun and aim high for that gun like some other hunters, so I make all my guns shoot right where I'm aiming.
Title: Re: Aiming with a bead
Post by: Twowithone on December 09, 2014, 02:40:39 PM
Beads are a pain in the butt. Do what I did I put a scope on my turkey shotgun and its great haven't looked back yet.
Title: Re: Aiming with a bead
Post by: davisd9 on December 09, 2014, 02:46:35 PM
Polish your barrel and it will usually true up the bead, but need to shoot to make sure.  Need to have good eyes to use a bead in a low light situation.  If shoot bead I would shoot at neck in between the waddles and head.  I would add a fiber optic as bead rather than just use the factory bead.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Aiming with a bead
Post by: R AJ on December 09, 2014, 02:55:01 PM
Every one I own is a bead front sight only. You do need to shoot from about 30-40 yards using a modified , full choke or your turkey choke at a 4" or so spot on paper and see if it requires a full bead picture or a finer bead to center the target with your pattern. Going from one choke to the next can give different points of impact both in the X and Y axis. This also occurs with different loads / mfgrs. You just want the densest part of the pattern to cover the target. Remember that this is a shotgun and not a rifle and the object is to sufficiently cover the target with a pattern dense enough for that animal.

The length of pull and comb drop can make a difference.

Many guns are designed to shoot about 65% above target and 35% below. If you are not able to get the pattern you are satisfied with then you can decide between iron sights or glass optics. You can also have a competent gunsmith to straighten your barrel so that it shoots to your  point of aim.

Good luck on your quest to find out what works for you.
Title: Re: Aiming with a bead
Post by: John donovan on December 09, 2014, 03:16:05 PM
I should clarify that my 870 is used as my deer gun as well. I have a cantilevered barrel with a scope for slugs and the factory 26 inch vent ribbed barrel with a bead.
Title: Aiming with a bead
Post by: davisd9 on December 09, 2014, 03:26:18 PM
Personally I would add some rifle sights to the barrel if you are going to use that barrel for just turkeys. Put them one and tighten the cap, mark the cap so that you tighten it to the same spot every time. TruGlo Magnum Dot sights are some good ones that are reasonably priced!


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Title: Re: Aiming with a bead
Post by: John donovan on December 09, 2014, 05:04:31 PM
Quote from: davisd9 on December 09, 2014, 03:26:18 PM
Personally I would add some rifle sights to the barrel if you are going to use that barrel for just turkeys. Put them one and tighten the cap, mark the cap so that you tighten it to the same spot every time. TruGlo Magnum Dot sights are some good ones that are reasonably priced!


Sent from the Strut Zone

Thanks. I'll look into those
Title: Aiming with a bead
Post by: davisd9 on December 09, 2014, 07:06:19 PM
Believe the Remington is TG944A.

http://m.basspro.com/TruGlo-Pro-Series-Magnum-Gobble-Dot-Sights/product/22022/?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided




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