Over-Under Barrel Choice?

[WCTaxidermy]

Hi all, I am trying to get used to shooting my new over-under.  I have never hunted with one, nor have I ever shot one until now.  I went grouse hunting yesterday and I seem to be shooting over them which forced me to have store bought chicken instead of Grouse for dinner last night. 

I never have that problem with my pumps and auto loaders I own.  I am shooting improved cylinder chokes out of both barrels. 

I was wondering what barrel all of you like to shoot first, the upper or lower?  Thanks in advance for you comments.  P.S. I'm going back out hunting with it tonight and if I don't have grouse to eat for dinner, There will be a good deal on an over-under shotgun.  

John     

[jackelope]

i shoot the bottom barrel 1st. not sure why...i guess thats what i watch the guys shooting that shoot a heck of a lot more than i do, so thats what i go with. not sure it really makes too much difference though.

[Curly]

My wife's Beretta O/U shoots high for me if I don't concentrate on getting my cheek all the way down.  It fits different than my 870 or 1100 that I've shot my whole life.  I found it hard to train myself to really get down on the stock.  I'm not sure if that could be a similar problem to what you're experiencing, but it may be worth thinking about.   

[jackelope]

shooting shotguns is kinda like shooting a bow sort of. you have to have the same sight picture all the time. what curly said might be your problem. you should take the gun and shoot it at a patterning board aiming it at something to see if it just naturally shoots high. the barrel choice is not your problem. if your face is too low on the stock it will make you shoot high. you can buy little pads that fit in under a neoprene sleeve to lift your face up as needed.

[Buckmark]

Bottom barrel first also for me, but i dont think it makes enough if any difference in hitting your target, i have shot my first bird bottom barrel and then had one get up right in my face a drop it with the upper barrel no problems, grouse, pheasant, huns etc, shot doves crossing both ways with either barrel.
I think the guns not fitting you properly, or your not swinging it correctly, your pumps and autos probably have a little longer barrel and may be a bit different in length of pull or drop at comb..
How good of a deal if you go 0-fer again..

[WCTaxidermy]

Buckmark you may be on to something there.  The gun came with 3 different barrels.  A 20 guage barrel, and two 12 guage barrel's, one is 28 inches in length and the other is an upland bird barrel that is 26 inches in length.  I have never shot a 26 inch length barrel before and that is what I have been using on it since i'm hunting grouse.  I have always shot a 28 inch to a 30 inch which is on my Remington 1187.

I have been shooting the top barrel first.  Maybe tonight I will switch it to the bottom just for the heck of it and see what happens  

Buckmark, if I miss again tonight, I'll probably give the gun to you, because it probably won't be worth looking at after I beat it against a rock a few times.   I guess what really got me last night was after my 5th miss (which very rarely happens to me) my Yellow Lab looks back at me with a disgusted look on his face and just layed down and looked the other way.   I guess they can even take so much.  I'll let you know how it goes tonight.  John
 

[WCTaxidermy]

Well, I went out last night and started walking down my favorite skidder road near a creek.  My lab decided apparently he would give me another chance as well because he came with me.  I wasn't more than 5 minutes away from the truck and I spot a Blue sitting in a tree about 70 yards away.  I sneak up to about 30 yards when he flushed out of the tree.  One shot one dead grouse.  About a half hour later, same scenario, except these were on the ground.  I flushed them and got a double. 

I use a magnet type front sight add on that comes in different colors that fits on the ventilated rib near the front sight.  It helps you get a quicker sight picture on the bird.  I have them on all my waterfowl guns and have used them for years.

I thought what the heck, I'll put one on my over-under and try it.  It seemed to have solved the problem I was having.  Those add-on's have always worked great for me.  Thought I would update everyone.  Grouse for dinner tonight, YUMMY :)Talk with you soon.  John

[Curly]

Cool.  That's good news.

At least your lab probably has respect for you again.

[jackelope]

is the hi-viz sight taller that your original sight?

i am wondering if you changed your p.o.i. with that sight.

[WDFW-SUX]

always the bottom barrel first. O/U take some getting used to if you have been shooting an auto or pump gun for a long time. Just give it some time and you will figure it out.

[WCTaxidermy]

Jackelope, It is slightly higher than the front sight.  I might add that it is about two inches long, so that puts the new bead 2 inches closer to the eye.  I'm not sure if that is what did it for me, but I think I will continue to shoot it for upland game.  It is a fun gun to shoot.

Has anyone else out there used the hi-viz sights before?  I have been sold on them for years.  My favorite color is fluorescent green.  I even use them when I shoot trap.  Talk with you all soon.  John

[Buckmark]

Jackelope, It is slightly higher than the front sight.  I might add that it is about two inches long, so that puts the new bead 2 inches closer to the eye.  I'm not sure if that is what did it for me, but I think I will continue to shoot it for upland game.  It is a fun gun to shoot.

Has anyone else out there used the hi-viz sights before?  I have been sold on them for years.  My favorite color is fluorescent green.  I even use them when I shoot trap.  Talk with you all soon.  John

Dang i was hoping to be adding a gun to my collection, jackelope is right about the hivis height changing your p.o.i., No to play devils advocate, your not suppose to aim your shotgun, point an shoot. Front sight -bead should not be a factor if your following proper form..

[jackelope]

further solidifying my statement of having the right site picture. if you do it right, you don't need any bead at all as long as your eyes line up down the barrel correctly. shoot a patterning board to see how this works.

[Buckmark]

further solidifying my statement of having the right site picture. if you do it right, you don't need any bead at all as long as your eyes line up down the barrel correctly. shoot a patterning board to see how this works.

[WDFW-SUX]

I dont use a bead on my gun.. just point and shoot

[jackelope]

takes trust in yourself and consistency to do this right...it's not easy.

[WDFW-SUX]

 

[Bigshooter]

I had a browning citori that hit high for me.  I put a taller front bead on it and never had anymore problems with it.

[C-Money]

Are you sure that it dose not have a trap stock?? If so, you will need to shoot under the target so you can "see" the target. Also, some shotguns just dont work out for everyone. Keep at it, and hope for the best!

[WCTaxidermy]

Hi all, thanks for all the responses.  I went out and shot some trap with it this afternoon.  The hi-viz site did help me with sight alignment.  I was dead on with the trap shoot.  To top off the evening, I went out grouse hunting with my wife and Lab for an hour tonight and killed two for two.  I'm glad I stuck with the gun because it really is a fun gun to shoot . 

I think it will be my number one upland game gun from here on.  Thanks again guy's for all the help.  John  P.S. By the way I had it set on the bottom barrel first