As I will be goind on a pig hunt that requires the use of slug guns, I tested my old Mossberg bolt action 12 gauge with slugs.

To my great disappointment the point of impact was 21 inches low at 50 yards!

How much would I have to file the rear sight down to correct this problem? The distance between sights is 24 3/4 inches.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Herb

First, you will have to either elevate/build up your rear sight or file down the front sight (and not the other way around...). In both cases, the correction is .287", quite a lot to be practical...

------------------
Andr�

Herb..Have you tried different brands/types of slugs yet? If your gun has a Poly-Choke, is it open? Check your site picture, the stock might not fit you. If none of this helps, take it to a smith and have him bend the barrel or add a rear sight.

Your post indicates that your shotgun has a rear sight, can it be adjusted UP?

Let us know how it goes,

Crash

the formula that will work that out for you is in the Brownells catalog...

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Hello Herb

Your best options are to get a higher rear sight, a lower front sight, or a scope with lots of adjustment. I put a Williams sight on my Mossberg for the rear sight to get enough elevation ( and a peep sight, as I've never been good with a notch ). I guess the red-dot type would also work...

Tom

Andre', you're absolutely correct. The rear sight needs to be built up. How dumb of me!

Crash, the choke was open and the rear sight is simply a groove in the barrel ring and thus not adjustable. I thought about changing brand of slugs but that wouldn't be enough to bring it up by 20 inches.

I guess there's no easy way out. As Tom said, I'll either have to add a scope or a rear sight.

Thanks again,
Herb

Well Herb, the easy way would be to build up a rear sight out of JB Weld, just make it into a small block then when it has hardened file your notch into it. It will shoot your pigs for you. Use white vinegar and Q-Tips to clean up before the smears have a chance to harden.

I'm only recommending this because it sounds like you don't want to do a lot of work here or speand some bucks on something that is only going to be used once or twice!

Mark,
You are a mind reader!

I was entertaining the very same idea that you proposed. One difference - I was "chicken" to mention it for fear of getting booed right off the forum.

I figured that if it patched a crack in a VW block it certainly should stick to a gun.

You're also correct in that I don't want to spend good money on a $75.00 gun with questionable results. If I should ever get serious about "slug hunting" I would probably go for a rifled shotgun.

Now where did that JB Weld go . . .

Herb

Herb, just bend the barrel. Put it between a pair of vee blocks under a press, and go a little at a time, checking by shooting as you go. I had a friend come into my shop with a Remington model 58 Sportsman, 16 gauge, that shot slugs 2 1/2 feet to the right. We bent the barrel to the left a little at a time, shooting between bends, and after 3 tries, we got it spot on at 50 yds. It was interesting to see the different points of impact on the target, as the bending progressed. And don't worry about noticing a large bend in the barrel.....it don't take much bending to move the point of impact a lot at longer ranges. Grant.

Hello Herb

I noticed you're from Etna. I lived there with my parents as a teenager for a couple of years and liked it very much. I was back there once about 20 years ago, wanted to stay but had to work instead.

Tom

Tom,

We just moved to Etna from Petaluma via Orland. Yes it's a nice little town to retire in. We've had a cabin "over the hill" from here, in Sawyers Bar, for over forty years. That's where I have done my summertime gold mining and the majority of my Calif. deer hunting.

Etna hasn't changed much since you left. One business building burned. The old gas stations are closed. One new station, a new church, and a new cafe were built.

Next time you're up here stop by.

Herb