Shotgun slug tips

[ozarksnick]

I'm practicing shooting slugs out of my smoothbore. In the past I got to where I could hit a paper plate at 50 yards very consistently.

But it's been a few years since I've had a chance to shoot my shotgun at all. And when I took it out last weekend to practice I found myself a might rusty.

My shotgun has no sights other than the bead that came on it from the factory.

My biggest problem is finding the proper elevation for a shot. I have my own methods that I used last time to help me learn where to point the gun for different ranges, but I wanted to know what other folks have done. Maybe one of y'all have a method that's easier than mine! ;)

[Mac_Muz]

I just learn the gun.. I begin with the bead dead center blocking the bull, and choose site pics off the top rear of the barrel, and or place the bead at 6 O'Clock on the target, and do the same.

Which ever way stay with that picture.

It might help to know what this action type and maybe the brand of gun it is....

[ozarksnick]

It's an NEF Pardner in 20ga, single shot.

Well since it doesn't seem many folks are responding I'll add a little more.

The last time I became proficient with it I used up a lot of slugs practicing. I was kinda hoping that I wouldn't have to do that this time, since I'm on a tight budget. But oh well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

That'll teach me to go two years without firing my gun.

Last time I just practiced and practiced till I could hit that paper plate every time.

The biggest trick was teaching myself how high to hold my head off the barrel. When I first started for some reason I thought that the best way would be to line my eye up directly along the barrel. Obviously that don't work. I had to aim the barrel so high that way I couldn't see the target at all.

Then it occurred to me, duh, well just lift your head a bit! I ended up using my thumb as a bit of a guide as to how high I had to keep my head.

But in the past two years, my body has forgotten all that apparently. So I'll just have to re-learn.

[jim]

Before you expend all that ammo try this to see how it works for you. Hold (or rest) the gun so the berrel is actually pointing at the target. Without moving the gun, raise your head to the comfortable/prefered position, and see where the sights point in relation to your new position. That will help a lot and save a ton of ammo. I used this in combat shooting all the time 20 years back.

jim

[Mac_Muz]

Get double buck shot to save a buck and time then...

Another way to do what Jim is saying, since you have a mule kicker gun anyway, is find a place to shoot with a good solid tree limb at your size...

Use that as a rest with a target... Site as you normally do, and clamp you off hand down hard, unlock the stock and let it drop away easy, look thru the bore...

You on target? No Site thru the bore and close the action and see where the bead is....

Wiggled? do it again....

I hear ya though... I once had a mule kicker from hell and shot Breneke slugs in 12 ga..

I created a trick shot some 150 yards away and up hill steeply for kicks.. Up on a Mt, I hung a hunk of steel plate on a tree that crossed a crack in the ledge.

From where I sat below you could not see the plate an so had to lob the slug.

I found the sweet spot where I could ring that plate, but the shot took time to get there... Kinda like, Hey Mac show this guy that plate... Sure. sitting down taking carefull aim while the newbie stared up the mt, to claim there was nothing there to see (he was right on that part) BOOM "see there nuthin ther" WAYNNNNG !!!!!

[blackpowderbill]

Hey Nick!

Take a few bird shot shells, set up a cardboard target about 10 feet away. Mark a dot something on teh board.
Sight in and see where your looking at - then line up the dot - then fire a round. See where the hole shows up. You may have to fire 3 shots or so to get your picture correct.

This will tell you if you are high,low,left,right.

For cheap regular foster slugs check out the garage sales and flea markets. Pick em up for 10 cents each.
Just remember most old slugs were sold for under $2.00 per box or 5 up till a few years ago.

Bill