870 with bead barrel shooting high

[wdlsguy]

... you'll have to experiment to determine where the slug hits the target in relation to your sight picture. For example, a Remington 870 shotgun usually shoots high with slugs. ...

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs31.htm

Took my 870 out to the range last weekend. Slugs are landing about 5.5" above point of aim at 25 yards. Should I expect buckshot to shoot high in a similar fashion?

 

[ArmedBear]

Slugs have a pronounced parabolic trajectory.

5.5" high at 25 is probably dead on at 100.

Buckshot drops even faster.

Pattern it and find out.

Also, where do you see the bead? If it's sitting on top of the receiver, the gun should should about flat. If you see the platform that the bead sits on over the receiver, it'll shoot a bit high.

 

[wdlsguy]

Buckshot drops even faster.

Pattern it and find out.

Hopefully this weekend.

Also, where do you see the bead?

I was using the sight picture described below:

The entire bead should be the only part of the shotgun barrel that's visible beyond the receiver. The shot will hit low if you can only see part of the bead. Conversely, the shot will go high if you can see any portion of the front sight pedestal or barrel.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs31.htm

 

[Fred Fuller]

wdlsguy,

does your barrel have a pedestal or block under the bead, or is the bead installed directly into the barrel?

lpl/nc

 

[wdlsguy]

does your barrel have a pedestal or block under the bead, or is the bead installed directly into the barrel?

It does have a pedestal under the bead. I should have mentioned that it started life as an 18" HD model, but the barrel has been shortened (legally) to 14". I wonder if a taller bead isn't called for?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Before you go swapping beads, determine your buck load and see where they hit. Then decide if you want it on with slugs or buck.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I wonder if a taller bead isn't called for?
=========================

That could well be. A little more experimentation with different loads might be in order, as Dave suggested, before making permanent changes however. As a rule, shortening a shotgun barrel is akin to lowering the front sight, which makes it shoot higher. One option is to try using only 1/2 the bead, or 1/4 the bead as your 'sight picture' while you are experimenting. Hope you get it sorted out,

lpl/nc

 

[confed sailor]

shoots naturally high? hell man you have a gun beggin to go shoot trap