Experienced hunters know how important it is to be able to aim to hit the target. The shot must be adjusted every time the rifle is used, as sudden movements and shocks during transport or when stored can compromise its accuracy. A rifle that does not hit the target properly can be dangerous for the safety of the shooter and those who are close to him. This article explains how to correctly aim with the shotgun in order to spend a peaceful and risk-free day at the shooting range or in the countryside.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Clean the shotgun
Step 1. Check that the rifle is unloaded
Always inspect the weapon twice to make sure it is not loaded, before starting to clean it. Never neglect the safety measures and handling of firearms.
Step 2. Clean the shotgun thoroughly, including the barrel
Shotguns that have been stored for a long time or those that are used frequently can have dust and dirt. A clean shotgun will fire more accurately than a dirty one.
There is no set time to clean the weapon, but it is usually cleaned at the end of a day of use or both before and after using it
Step 3. Tighten all loose screws on the viewfinder attachment
Like dirt, loosened screws can make the shotgun inaccurate in shooting.
Method 2 of 5: Prepare a shotgun rest
Step 1. Choose between dedicated support or sandbags
The decision depends on your budget and which solution you find most convenient. There are professional mounts for sale that will secure your shotgun or you can use sandbags to create a firm footing.
- It is important that the rifle does not move while aiming. Whatever the support solution is, it will be excellent as long as it does not move.
- Depending on the support, you may need to rest the front or rear of the speargun on the sandbags.
Step 2. Identify where to mount the support
Depending on the position you are going to shoot from, you will have different options. Convenience isn't a particularly necessary factor, as you won't be going to shoot from the same position for long.
- If you prefer the shooting range, you could use a bench provided by the facility.
- If you prefer to shoot in the countryside, you can prepare a bench or table yourself or mount the support on the hood of the car.
- If you are willing to lie down, you can arrange the support on the ground, as long as there is enough space to shoot safely.
Step 3. Position the rifle so that it is stable on the support
If you use a vice for locking the weapon as a support, make sure it is firmly fixed. Lock the stock between the sandbags, while the barrel of the shotgun on another. Make sure the shotgun is as stable and safe as possible.
The only thing that will be able to move will have to be the trigger, when you are ready to press it
Method 3 of 5: Calibrate the shotgun
Step 1. Set up the target at a distance of 23 meters (25 yards)
This technique alone will not be sufficient to aim, but it can be useful for your weapon to be more accurate in hitting the target than before.
- You calibrate the rifle first at 23 meters, then at 91. This will give you more accurate aim over long distances.
- A quick way to measure distance in meters is to take a tape measure and check how many steps are 10 meters. Do this a couple of times and average the results. Once you know how many steps are 10 meters, you can calculate the distance of 23 meters.
Step 2. Remove the bolt from the rifle
This operation varies from weapon to weapon, but almost any slide-swivel-bolt shotgun should be able to do it relatively easily.
Make sure you put the shutter in a clean place as you proceed to aim
Step 3. Look through the telescope towards the center of the target
Move the shotgun until the center of the target is aligned with the barrel. If you're not using a slide-swivel bolt-action rifle, you can insert a collimator, which is a useful tool for aiming, into the end of the barrel.
Make absolutely sure to remove the collimator before firing
Step 4. Adjust the viewfinder
Check the viewfinder to see if the crosshair reticle is also aligned with the center of the target. If it isn't, adjust the crosshair in the opposite direction you want it to aim, until the reticle is right in the center of the target. In other words, if you want the reticle to point upwards, you will have to turn the viewfinder adjustment knob downwards.
Step 5. Insert the shutter again
Once you have finished taking aim, return the bolt to its original location.
Method 4 of 5: Aim and shoot
Step 1. Look at the target through the viewfinder
Your target should still be 23 meters away. Place the reticle directly on the center of the target. It shouldn't take a lot of tweaking to adjust your crosshair shot.
Step 2. Check the support again
Once you have the shotgun pointed at the target, make a second check on the support of the shotgun to make sure that it is secure and that the weapon does not move during the fire. Arrange additional sandbags around the stock as needed.
Step 3. Load the shotgun with ammo to fire
Different bullets have different weights, so you risk losing shooting accuracy if you switch ammo types after you've properly calibrated your shotgun. When you set your shotgun shooting, you are essentially preparing it for a specific type of ammunition.
Insert the cartridge gently, so as not to change the position of the rifle
Step 4. Fire the first few shots
Fire a group of 3 rounds towards the center of the target, taking care to always remain in the same position during the fire. Try to fire when there is not much wind. In this way the trajectory of the shot will not be deviated.
Always follow the safety guidelines to the letter when handling a firearm. Never shoot when someone is nearby and never point a loaded gun at another person
Step 5. Locate the center between the shots fired
Measure the distance between the center point of the shots fired and the center of the target. Adjust the reticle vertically and horizontally, using the viewfinder adjustment knob. For example, if you have to move it 8 centimeters upwards, you will have to turn the knob upwards.
Step 6. Shoot again
Fire 3 more shots, adjusting the scope as needed, until you have the precise aim of the target.
Let the rifle cool down between one shot group and the next. You should be able to hold the barrel for 10 seconds without burning yourself before resuming shooting. If the barrel gets too hot, it can warp, miss shots and lack accuracy
Step 7. Place the target 91 meters away
Repeat another group of 3 shots, hitting the target. When you have hit the mark, it means that you have successfully calibrated your shotgun.
Method 5 of 5: Quickly adjust the shot with the double hit method
Step 1. Assemble the shotgun
You will need the shotgun to be completely still while you take aim. You will have to be able to fix it without moving the rifle. This method will adjust the shot approximately 8-10 centimeters above a target placed 91 meters away.
- This is a standard odds for long range shots. At 182 and 273 meters the bullet will fall towards the center of the target.
- This is not a high-precision method, but it will be sufficient for deer-sized lenses.
- You can adjust your shot before practicing this method, which will increase your accuracy and make it easier for you to aim.
Step 2. Place a target 23 meters away
Load a bullet into the shotgun and put the center of the target in the center of the reticle. Fire a single shot without moving the rifle.
- Apply even pressure and continue to exert it after you have fired the shot, to prevent the weapon from jumping from the recoil.
- Always follow safety guidelines to the letter when handling a firearm. Never shoot when someone is nearby and never point a loaded gun at another person.
Step 3. Adjust the viewfinder
It is important that the weapon does not move during this maneuver, otherwise the adjustment will be compromised. Using the front sight knobs, adjust it so that the reticle is right above the bullet hole made from your first shot.
- Most viewfinders move the reticle in the opposite direction of the knob. For example, to move the reticle down, you will need to turn the knob up.
- You can make the bullet hole more visible by placing a brightly colored label over it.
Step 4. Lower the viewfinder slightly
Once the reticle is aligned with the bullet hole, lower the reticle so that it points about 1 centimeter below the hole. This will give you a shot about 1cm above the target positioned 23 meters away.
A shot made about 1 centimeter above a target 23 meters away is equivalent to 8-10 centimeters above a target at 91 meters, right in the center of a target placed at 182 meters and finally 20-25 centimeters above. a target placed 273 meters away. These calculations may vary by size, but are generally reliable
Step 5. Move the target to 91 meters
Aim the right shotgun at the center of the target and, without distracting yourself, fire the shot. The bullet hole should be between 8 and 10 centimeters above the center of the target. This means that the rifle has been correctly calibrated.
