Anybody put a red dot on there waterfowl gun?

[buglin4bulls]

Just curious if anybody has tried or uses a red dot on there shotgun for waterfowl. I have a problem with pulling the gun to my shoulder in different spots and looking at the bead different, which is causing me to be inaccurate i believe.  I was curious to as if any of you fellow waterfowlers shoot something like this. http://www.burrisoptics.com/speedbead.html  I watched the commercial and it looks like it could improve accuracy dramatically.

[wrangler]

If you're looking at the bead in anyway shape or form your already off on the wrong foot. shouldering and pointing (not aiming) a shotgun is more about proper technique and muscle memory then anything. you should be able to hit your target with the position of your head, left arm and shoulder without even having the shotgun in your hands. there are a lot of really good articles about proper fit and pointing online. if you spend some time learning how to properly shoulder a shotgun and busting clays over and over, it will help you far far more than any fancy sight out there. good luck!

[AWS]

I have a duck gun that doesn't have a bead and I shoot it quite well.  That said I have a scope on my O/U combo gun that I use for coyote hunting and use the scope and shotgun barrel for close in coyotes and have shot a couple ducks on the wing with it set on 1x.  Am going to take it to the trap range and shoot a round or two with.  I believe Elmer Kieth did an article on lowpower scopes on shotguns

[hdshot]

I'm always interested in products but never saw this as a good product for the blind.  I concluded snow, rain, and mud could foul the sights easy.

When shooting shotgun always keep both eyes open to keep your depth perception.  Then you will learn to shoot any gun/bow with both eyes open and not strain the muscles in your face helping you keep your concentration. 

[h2ofowlr]

Just curious if anybody has tried or uses a red dot on there shotgun for waterfowl. I have a problem with pulling the gun to my shoulder in different spots and looking at the bead different, which is causing me to be inaccurate i believe.  I was curious to as if any of you fellow waterfowlers shoot something like this. http://www.burrisoptics.com/speedbead.html  I watched the commercial and it looks like it could improve accuracy dramatically.

I would get out and practice!  If you need a speed bead, red dot, etc., than your doing something wrong!  These are crutches for poor form.  Practice, practice, practice and you will be fine!

[preacherman]

I used to do ALOT of trap and skeet and was once pretty good at it. Here is how I say it a mathematician can shoot a rifle well the very first time, but shotgunning is an art. You have to feel it. There is technique and theory to shotgunning, but honestly the best way to be good with the ol' scattergun is to shoot it and shoot it often. Don't over think it, if you do your opportunity will fade, and you will rush your shot and probably miss.

An old timer gave me this advice once "boy your good, just shoot when you see the clay." My scores got alot better after that. I suppose there are some people that can read and strategize and do alright, but to excel shoot until you can feel it.

[Kola16]

I put a red sight on mine because the other one fell off  It gives me a reason to miss 

[BiggLuke]

Myself being 6' 10"....
And havy such long arms, this has always been an issue for me.
I've found that having a gun with 2 beads help eleviate the problem.
You can buy these true glue beads for shotguns that just clip onto the rib of your gun.
I have a green one about 1/2 way down my barrel, and a red/orange one at the muzzle.
If for some reason I pull up wierd on the gun, And I see red, i know its not mounted right.

Try this.
It's way cheaper, maybe $20.

And no, I think the reddot things are crap. lol....       

[Kola16]

Myself being 6' 10"....
And havy such long arms, this has always been an issue for me.
I've found that having a gun with 2 beads help eleviate the problem.
You can buy these true glue beads for shotguns that just clip onto the rib of your gun.
I have a green one about 1/2 way down my barrel, and a red/orange one at the muzzle.
If for some reason I pull up wierd on the gun, And I see red, i know its not mounted right.

Try this.
It's way cheaper, maybe $20.

And no, I think the reddot things are crap. lol....       

My friend got those at Walmart for $5

[L-ofalab]

I saw a show where Tom Knapp was using one, so I figured if a guy like him thought they were good then I should try using one. I put one on my gun and it looked pretty good, was easy to install, and I was impressed in my livingroom. When I went shooting skeet I found that I never saw it! So for me a waste of money. I will give you the one I bought and removed.

[h2ofowlr]

Tom Knapp could put a scope on his shotgun and close his eyes and still hit the clays.  He is an instinctive shooter.  Very good.  Unfortunately he makes money by marketing products and through endorsement deals.  If you don't get out and practice, it doesn't matter what you use on your gun you still will be mediocre.  Practice also help teach you your effective shooting range "distance".  Which a sight will not.  Also practice help build your knowledge of lead adjustments.  Again, support your local ranges and practice.

[BiggLuke]

My friend got those at Walmart for $5

ahh...  jealous!

lol

[dkecoleman]

From my experiences, making sure your gun fits you can be one of the most overlooked parts of it all, When I first started shotgunning, I couldn't hit squat, After I got a gun that fit me, I did pretty well. Then again I'm pretty short and most people dont have my problem.  It's all about where you cheek lands on the stock.

http://www.azgfd.net/hunting/shooting-sports/fitting-a-shotgun/2007/09/27/

[Kola16]

Good point. I shoot my dad's Tri-Star Viper G-2 very, very well compared to my 870.

[wadu1]

From my experiences, making sure your gun fits you can be one of the most overlooked parts of it all, When I first started shotgunning, I couldn't hit squat, After I got a gun that fit me, I did pretty well. Then again I'm pretty short and most people dont have my problem.  It's all about where you cheek lands on the stock.

http://www.azgfd.net/hunting/shooting-sports/fitting-a-shotgun/2007/09/27/

I'm short as well; get a gun that fits that is a must. I put about 4K rounds a year through my shotguns. I shoot a Beretta AL391 for sporting clays and Beretta Extrema for waterfowl almost the same gun only one shoots 3 1/2's when I need them.
 

[aaronoto]

If it improves your shooting I'd say go for it...  On my AR-15 I've got a red dot site and one thing I've noticed being left eye dominant and shooting right handed is that a red dot sight allows me to keep both eyes open while shooting, just something about the glowing red dot that can keep my right eye fixated on it.  I'm assuming the same would hold true if I were to put something like that on my shotgun.

[EJ4118]

I Personally have found that a good True Glow sight on the end of my gun has aided in my accuracy. Obviously there are a lot of critics out here but if it works, it works. Also, I have found that a green dot is usually easier to find and glows brighter than orange. As for Aiming, take your time, dont shoot just cause you "see the target". You gotta see it... inline with your barrel.

[buglin4bulls]

THANKS for all the input and tips. I have looked up a ton of info on the web and am going to put it to the test this weekend. 

[WALLEYEGUY]

Shotgunning as stated is an art, but the right fit is key. Spend some time at the local ranges and try a lot of different guns (people are usually very willing to help out) but also go to the gun and shoulder guns with equal bulk of your hunting clothes, you should be able to find one that points where you are looking if it was made for you.  This is the gun you want versus trying to train your self to shoot a gun that does not fit. 
 After 40 years of shotgunning I still play stupid at new ranges because I am always looking for good advise, some is bad but you can usually ID theose that know shotgunning quickly.

[Atroxus]

From my experiences, making sure your gun fits you can be one of the most overlooked parts of it all, When I first started shotgunning, I couldn't hit squat, After I got a gun that fit me, I did pretty well. Then again I'm pretty short and most people dont have my problem.  It's all about where you cheek lands on the stock.

http://www.azgfd.net/hunting/shooting-sports/fitting-a-shotgun/2007/09/27/

Tagging this so I can find it again from home. Thanks for posting that link.