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Started By
Message
How do you fix a shotgun that shoots high?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:13 pm
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:13 pm
I bought a 3-1/2" 870 two years ago. I've owned several Remington 870's over the years. I didn't really pattern it before, thinking all 870's with the same length barrel are alike. I found I kept missing squirrels, which is extremely perplexing for me, since I'd never miss more than a handful of squirrels all season, now I'm missing 2-3 a hunt. I had trouble shooting ducks, though I only duck hunted a few times the last few years. The icing on the cake was when I missed a turkey opening day last year. I patterned my gun shortly after and found that it was shooting high. My dad said that 870 must be "European Style" which is made for wing shooting so you can see the whole target. Maybe so, but I've shot my whole life with "American" style shotguns, and aiming below a squirrel or turkey is not something my mind is trained to do. I tried that this year, and I'm hitting a better average on squirrels, but still shooting high when not able to take my time and think about it. How do you fix that? Is it fixable with shims or different sights? Do I just need to trade this MFer in?
This post was edited on 3/27/17 at 3:14 pm
14
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:17 pm to lowhound
Have you patterned the gun?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:18 pm to lowhound
aim low
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:20 pm to lowhound
Bury half the bead and get used to shooting that way, or get rid of it.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:20 pm to lowhound
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:26 pm to lowhound
quote:
highhound
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:30 pm to lowhound
quote:
Is it fixable with shims or different sights?
yes
quote:
Do I just need to trade this MFer in?
What do you want for it?
How high is it shooting? Are we talking about the entire pattern misses a pie plate at 30 yds?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:35 pm to lowhound
I think Wick's picture shows you what your problem is. The shotgun doesn't fit you and your head is too high on the stock. I had a newer 870 at one time and I remember I had to purposely get the stock into my check to see down the rib properly.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:36 pm to lowhound
Go to the nearest truck with a ball and just bend it up.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:41 pm to tenfoe
quote:
What do you want for it?
How high is it shooting? Are we talking about the entire pattern misses a pie plate at 30 yds?
I patterned at 40yds with my turkey choke and it was a pie plate high. I would have missed a turkey clean if I had aimed just under the head. I aimed at the base of the neck and killed one, but it's brutal with squirrels when you're not remembering to aim under the limb instead of right at the squirrel. Maybe it's just the way it fits me, but my brother shot it and he hit dead on and told me I'm crazy. If I would have aimed any lower I wouldn't have seen the bead down the sight rail. I heard all Benelli's come European Style and they send a pack of shims just for that fix.
It's shadow grass 3-1/2" 870 express pump. I'll take an equal trade 870 that's at least 3" magnum. I don't shoot geese or turkey's enough to justify the 3-1/2", 3" will kill em.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:42 pm to lowhound
How tall are you?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:44 pm to lowhound
quote:
all Benelli's come European Style
Link?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:48 pm to wickowick
quote:
How tall are you?
I'm 5'-6", and I'm sure the stock could need trimming, but does that really affect how you aim the gun? You still look down the top of the rib to the bead and line it all up no matter how lond the stock is. I've never trimmed the stock off of a shotgun before, any brand shotgun, and I've shot good all my life. I'm thinking if I had a taller bead that may solve my problem, but somebody told me about possibly needing shims. Anybody know a good gunsmith in BR?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:52 pm to lowhound
quote:
but does that really affect how you aim the gun?
You should not be aiming a shotgun, the gun should fit you and shoot where you look. How old are you, are you still growing?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:56 pm to DownSouthDave
quote:
Link?
True story, both my dad and brother bought matching Benelli's about 10 years ago. They both were setup European Style, but none the paperwork that came with the gun said this. After discussions with Benelli USA, all of their guns were European Style. They both got rid of them because of the sights.
A coworker of mine bought a Benelli recently and said that a pack of shims came in the box with the gun to fix this issue if you want.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 3:59 pm to wickowick
quote:
How old are you, are you still growing
Ha, only growing out. Sorry, my dad taught me to shoot right handed when I was a kid, but I'm left eye dominant. I can shoot pretty good, but only if I close my left eye. It's been that way for 30 years now, so don't start preaching about proper shooting mechanics and keeping both eyes open. I made a pretty good wing shot out of myself despite this issue or learning how to shoot left handed like my brother did. I don't care what you say, I still aim at a turkey or squirrel, maybe not flying objects.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 4:01 pm to lowhound
You need a Burris speed bead son. Or since it's an 870, bend it till it shoot poa.
I've never heard of a shotgun that's not supposed to shoot where you're pointing it - yourapeein's could frick up a one-car funeral.
I've never heard of a shotgun that's not supposed to shoot where you're pointing it - yourapeein's could frick up a one-car funeral.
This post was edited on 3/27/17 at 4:03 pm
Posted on 3/27/17 at 4:04 pm to lowhound
quote:
After discussions with Benelli USA, all of their guns were European Style.
That's interesting. I've never heard of European style.
I thought the shims were to adjust for different size shooters. I didn't know they needed them for the way Americans shoot. Lean something new every day.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 4:08 pm to lowhound
quote:
only growing out
Would it be accurate to say that your brother weights less than you?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 4:12 pm to DownSouthDave
European shooters have a higher percentage of shooters that understand proper shotgun fitting. One of the reasons why higher end guns are expensive is because the have custom stock dimensions. Mass produced guns are made to fit the averaged sized American, if you are close to average air then the guns more than likely will fit you and shoot where you look, if you are not then you will have issues and probably if you have learned to shoot well, then you have naturally adjuster your shooting to compensate for the gun not fitting
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