Pointing vs. Aiming

[fisheral87]

This maybe a stupid question. I shoot an 870 Wingmaster 28'. Last year I really started duck hunting for the first time.

With the bead sight on the 870, I don't look at the bead, I look at the duck, shoulder the gun, point and shoot.

I rarely see the bead like you would an open sight or scope reticle.

Is this a bad habit?

[vandeman17]

I don't see a problem with it but it is all personal preference. I don't really look at the bead but more past it and towards the bird as well. The only time I really use the bead is if I am water swatting a cripple. I have found if I look at the bead that I tend to shoot behind my target. 

[CP]

Looking at the bead is bad form; you will tend to stop the gun if you look back at the bead.   The eyes stay on the target but you will still see the bead, you may not be aware of it but you see it.

[buckfvr]

SO long as you know where the bead is and your mount is consistent, then the bead will be where it needs to be anyways...............focus on the target, leave the rest to the subconscious........

[Moose-head]

See the ball; Hit the ball

[Huntbear]

This maybe a stupid question. I shoot an 870 Wingmaster 28'. Last year I really started duck hunting for the first time.

With the bead sight on the 870, I don't look at the bead, I look at the duck, shoulder the gun, point and shoot.

I rarely see the bead like you would an open sight or scope reticle.

Is this a bad habit?

Not a bad habit at all....

This is how I learned to shoot trap with my 870.  I won quite a bit of money before I quit because of all the BS involved with the old codgers with 3000.00 Kreighoffs, and other assorted over priced guns bitching about me beating them.. I HAD TO BE CHEATING SOMEHOW!!!   

So, if you are hitting what you are shooting at, do not change one bit.  Also, do not let someone try and fix your shooting style... trust me... 

[fisheral87]

"See the ball; Hit the ball"

I'm no good at golf or baseball. Got any others? 

[Johnb317]

With shotguns it's focus on the bird and the barrel in your peripheral vision so to speak.   Check out Matt dryke at sunnydale range in sequim. 

[duckkillerclyde]

shotguns point, rifles aim.

shoot with both eyes on target.  if you're doing it correctly you won't see the bead or feel recoil.  when possible shoot always shoot right to left (if you're shooting right handed, opposite if you're shooting left handed or course)    often the mistake for a right handed shooter is made trying to shoot let to right by shuffling feet when you should pivot, turning 270 degrees to keep the left foot the lead foot.

watch video to understand better

[lokidog]

It's only a Bad Habit if you are missing!     I do much better duck hunting when I have no time to think and just take those quick point and shoot shots.

[Tealer]

In a duck blind am an instinctive shooter, both eyes open and on target, never see the bead or remember the lead. On a trap range with trap gun I aim, always have. You can do it either way. As long as it works for you.

[Mathews Heli m]

I don't see a problem with it but it is all personal preference. I don't really look at the bead but more past it and towards the bird as well. The only time I really use the bead is if I am water swatting a cripple. I have found if I look at the bead that I tend to shoot behind my target. 

exactly what i was thinking, if it works, do it.  that is what i do, it is kind of like shooting instincts with a bow, plus it is faster to just pull up, swing, and pull the trigger, without having to aim as much.

[jackelope]

This maybe a stupid question. I shoot an 870 Wingmaster 28'. Last year I really started duck hunting for the first time.

With the bead sight on the 870, I don't look at the bead, I look at the duck, shoulder the gun, point and shoot.

I rarely see the bead like you would an open sight or scope reticle.

Is this a bad habit?

This is perfect. Shoulder the gun the same way every time, point, shoot, follow through. Don't "aim" a shotgun at moving targets.

With shotguns it's focus on the bird and the barrel in your peripheral vision so to speak.   Check out Matt dryke at sunnydale range in sequim. 

Matt and Chuck will impress you, thats for sure, and you won't find someone better to learn from in this area anyway.

[uplandhunter870]

i shoot a lot of trap and id say no its not a bad habit

when i shoot trap or anything else with a shot gun i only see the beads for a split second to make sure my mount is proper then its all target doesnt matter if im shooting my 870 at upland birds or my $6000 krieghoff (sorry had to throw that in there for huntbear) at clays

you start trying to aim a shotgun or looking back at your beads "bead checking" after youve started to swing youll shoot behind everything

[Blackjaw]

I would definately check out Sunnydell if you are interested in improving your shooting. Chuck passed away, but the last I heard Matt is still giving lessons (and his sister Ellen might be helping out for awhile).

[Sprig58]

Way back when the school of thought with shooters as just to take the bead right off the barrel.  You should be focusing on the target,  not the front of the sight, when shooting a moving target.  If it's working then PLEASE PLEASE dont try changing it and quit thinking about it.  When you think too much you end up missing, then your head really starts messin with ya. 

[Mr56Jeep]

When you think too much you end up missing, then your head really starts messin with ya.

True That!!!   

[wadu1]

I would definately check out Sunnydell if you are interested in improving your shooting. Chuck passed away, but the last I heard Matt is still giving lessons (and his sister Ellen might be helping out for awhile).

Yes Matt is still teaching; shot Sunnydell last Saturday and Sunday and worth the time. Matt is also working with Jaiden Grinell one of our local Olympic hope-fulls for the US Women's Team.   

[Special T]

One thing that really helps pointing instead of aiming is proper fitmet of your gun... My father  is a tall guy with a long neck. In oder for his gun to naturally line up with his head he needed an adjustable recoil pad. It moved the gun up and out... He shoot much better with his old 870 tha his new over under because its customized.

[fisheral87]

He shoot much better with his old 870 tha his new over under because its customized.

I tried to go from an 870 to my buddy's benelli auto. Wasn't pretty.

Sounds like I won't be changing a thing.

[AWS]

Last season I decided to take one of the old girls out for a duck hunt(80+ year old hammer double).  After hiking out to the blind and pulling the gun out of the case the bead was missing.  Went home with a pair each of pintails and teal with five shots.  I quess I point not aim.

[h2ofowlr]

You aim a rifle / pistol and you point a shotgun.  That is why it is a good idea to find a shotgun that fits you and do lots of practice.  If the pattern is not hitting your point of aim, you can adjust the offset with shims.  Many new guns come with the shims so you can set your gun up to fit you instead of retraining yourself to shoot the gun.  The ticket is lots of practice and learning the sweat spot, where the gun likes to shoot and imprint that into your gun.  When you shoot a lot, the bead disappears and you focus on your target and the shots become instinctive.  Your kill ratio goes way up.  Visualize the birds hitting the dirt befor you pull the trigger.  I have put around 2,600 round through my gun since January of this year.  Practice, practice, practice.

[Mr56Jeep]

  I have put around 2,600 round through my gun since January of this year.  Practice, practice, practice.

+1   

I don't keep a good round count but I should.  I'm probably right in the neighborhood.  Maybe just north of 3k rounds?

[jackmaster]

i have always done the same, both eyes open and follow the bird or what ever your shootn at, the big thing is follow through alot of times when you know your lead is good but for some reason your behind it could be as simple as slowing down your swing before the shot, i aggree with others when you over think things thats when they get messed up, instinct, go from the gut, breath normal and follow through, when it comes to rifles though it becomes a differant set of rules, the absolute most important is trigger squezze and breathing right... good luck to ya sir..