So, knowing the depth of firearm knowledge we have out there, and knowing that there is nothing new under the sun, I was wondering if anyone out there had ever tried firing slugs just using the bead sights mounted on top of your generic shotgun. I'll probably go try on my own sooner or later, just wondering what other folks may have learned from previous efforts.
Accuracy with beads?
- Thread starter priv8ter
- Start date
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
I actually did a lot of hunting on Ft. Benning using a plain 1100 with only a bead.
Accuracy is fine on a static range, sucks when actually hunting. The problem iss that your eye is the rear sight. If you don't get the same cheek weld or lift your head (my problem) your ability to place an accurate shot is gone.
For very close targets - HD - the bead is OK. The question of slugs for HD is always open to debate.
Accuracy is fine on a static range, sucks when actually hunting. The problem iss that your eye is the rear sight. If you don't get the same cheek weld or lift your head (my problem) your ability to place an accurate shot is gone.
For very close targets - HD - the bead is OK. The question of slugs for HD is always open to debate.
Edward429451
Moderator
I got a police trade in barrel recently for my 870 (18" cyl bore) and just a bead on it and found that I can hit a C-More target (about 6 or 8" round) with slugs consistently out to about 60 yards, offhand, static, no pressure. Just keep practicing!
You betcha'!
You betcha'!
With an 18" barrel 870 police I can keep slugs in a 2-4" group with the bead at 25 yds. Usually concentrating on cycling the gun and reaquiring target as fast as possible, not extreme accuracy. Cheekweld problem sovled by butt-bag/cheekrest on gun, really helps. Fiocchi Aeroslugs, I think I like them better than Brennekes out of a smoothbore, never had a rifled shotgun because,well then it'd be a rifle! 
I've been to a couple of shotgun classes where some students show up with bead-sighted weapons. Once they know where to hold, they can keep it on a torso target all day with slugs.
Not my first choice, but who can guarantee I'll be fighting with my first choice? No one promised me a rose garden either.
Not my first choice, but who can guarantee I'll be fighting with my first choice? No one promised me a rose garden either.
Mannlicher
New member
I killed my first deer around age 10 , with a 20 Ga single barrel Stevens, and a slug. Bead sight. Shot her at about 25 yards. One slug, one doe. Even then, I tried to get as close as possible.
That is my point, by the way. With a bead sight, you need to know, from practice and experience, what your limitations are, and then stay within them. The hunter should tailer his hunt technique to his skill level, and the known limitations of his weapon and ammunition.
That is my point, by the way. With a bead sight, you need to know, from practice and experience, what your limitations are, and then stay within them. The hunter should tailer his hunt technique to his skill level, and the known limitations of his weapon and ammunition.
I've actually done a FAIR amount of slug-shooting with smoothbore barrels and bead sights...my take is that as long as the shooter establishes a CONSISTENT "Cheek Weld" for each and every shot, beads work fine...TWO beads, like on most Trap and Skeet guns, work better...when I was testing my old 1100 and Sportsman 58 prior to a "Shotgun Tactical Match" several years ago, I found I could easily keep ALL my shots in the 25-yd. rapid-fire pistol bull, AT 25-yds...about a five-and-half inch target...that was standing, unsupported and only "Casual" aiming, so....mikey357
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
Never tried a SG with the two beads set-up. As long as you have something to line up, the accuracy's there.
My 1100 would eat gallon milk jugs at 75 yards all day long. My ability to use that accuracy made me limit my shots to maybe half that distance.
I purchased an inexpensive set of bolt on iron sights and never looked back.
The key is having two points to align. When your just using a bead, any shift of your head throws the shot.
My 1100 would eat gallon milk jugs at 75 yards all day long. My ability to use that accuracy made me limit my shots to maybe half that distance.
I purchased an inexpensive set of bolt on iron sights and never looked back.
The key is having two points to align. When your just using a bead, any shift of your head throws the shot.
2 beads
See, mine has two beads along the top, so I think I should be ableto get that 60-70 yard accuracy. I really have no intention of using it for hunting, and am thinking much more of a pro-active home defence situation.
Gizmo99, where did you get these bolt on iron sights? I've never heard of them before.
See, mine has two beads along the top, so I think I should be ableto get that 60-70 yard accuracy. I really have no intention of using it for hunting, and am thinking much more of a pro-active home defence situation.
Gizmo99, where did you get these bolt on iron sights? I've never heard of them before.
Most folks with decent form, reasonable fit, and some experience can keep slugs from a bead sighted repeating shotgun in a 5 or 6" group at 50 yards using hunting positions. Certainly adequate for deer within that range.
Priv8ter, Williams made and may still still make a set that clamp onto the rib. Brownell's should carry them, and maybe Cabella's.
Priv8ter, Williams made and may still still make a set that clamp onto the rib. Brownell's should carry them, and maybe Cabella's.
5ptdeerhunter
New member
Two years ago I was using a Stevens 820 and a doe appeared. 30 yards with the bead and brenneke slugs. Shot it right in the vitals ran about 13 yards.