Question about sighting in 870

S

S.F.S

New member
Im gonna be doing some deer hunting next month and just picked up a used 20" I.C. smooth bore barrel w/R.S. for my 870.
I bought 3 different brands of rifled slugs to try in it but my problem is that I only have access to a 25yd. indoor range and would like to be able to take shots out to 50yds. or so.
If I am a little high (about 2") at 25yds would that mean I would be right on a 50yds.?

P.S. If it matters the slugs I bought were Winchester Super X, Remington Sluggers and Federal Classic's all are 2.75" 1oz. slugs

Scott
 
The idea of benching slugs at an indoor range gives me a headache just from thinking about it, Scott. But if you must...

Use great hearing protection, form, a wearable recoil pad and maybe take your anti-inflammatory of choice in advance.

Sight in dead on with whatever slug groups tightest. At 50 yards you should still be within a couple inches of that zero. Take shots within that limit only. That last shouldn't be hard, Md and Del hunting on the Shore tends to run close.

HTH and good luck...
 
Thanks Dave,
For some reason anytime Ive pattened a shotgun or tested one out indoors it always seem to have a bit more kick.
 
Scott, part of "Kick" is blast. A long bbled shotgun SEEMS to kick less than a shortbbled one. Wearing good hearing protection does also.

I recall doing some barnburner 357s in a Colt Lawman in a Guard Armory. They were pretty loud, but paled in comparison to an AR. That was felt as much as heard.

HTH....
 
A couple questions..

Dave,
What is the average group size I should expect to get out of this 870 set up?

Also should I go for 3 shot groups?

And finally, after I sight it in should I check my point of impact standing?

Thanks,
Scott
 
How high is up, Scott?

Up to a few years ago, I was perfectly happy with 3 shot groups of 3-4" edge to edge at 50 yards, Since most of my hunting involves shot opps of less than 50 yards, this was quite sufficient.

Last set of groups for my Deer 870 ran about 4-4.5" edge to edge at 100 yards. Better slug matchup.

3 shot groups are de rigeur. One shot cannot tell enough.

After sighting in at the bench, we need to practice standing, sitting, kneeling etc.

As for practice, up until recently my best guess was I'd shoot 10 slugs in practice for each one used in hunting.Doesn't apply these days,I'm so overtrained that the other shooting I do laps over.YMMV...

Try plinking at cans, or the old ML target of a cross, anything that'll get you to concentrate on a very small target.

For example, don't shoot at the deer's shoulder, try to cut a particular hair about 6" up from the bootom of the shoulder crease. Aim Small....

HTH....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top