Anyone shoot a shotgun with no bead?
- Thread starter Cletus
- Start date
It is a pleasant coincidence that this thread should be resurrected. Just last week I was doing some instruction for a group of new shooters one of whom had a borrowed a semi-auto.
While going through a round of sporting clays I saw his gun didn't have a front bead. I kept my mouth shut until the round was over.
When I mentioned the lack of a front bead he was surprised. He hadn't noticed it was missing. I stress a focus on the target when instructing and congratulated the young man for keeping his eyes on the bird. He did very well for a new shooter and I think another clay target addict was born.
While going through a round of sporting clays I saw his gun didn't have a front bead. I kept my mouth shut until the round was over.
When I mentioned the lack of a front bead he was surprised. He hadn't noticed it was missing. I stress a focus on the target when instructing and congratulated the young man for keeping his eyes on the bird. He did very well for a new shooter and I think another clay target addict was born.
Last edited:
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Agree that a bead isn't generally neccessary.
I've noticed when shooting Sporting Clays in particular, that in very
low light conditions, in mottled shade and against difficult backgrounds,
a bead that you can see is often beneficial in establishing the barrel to target relationship, however. ( Black rabbit targets over bare earth in shade is one example that comes to mind ) In such cases, one of the magnetic "Truglos" that simply go on over the rib IS handy, and WILL help your scores. Have used one at first light and last light when waterfowling .... it does help.
In open sky/normal daylight, a bead is just decoration. Focus on the target. With proper gun fit and good mounting technique, the gun should be shooting where you are looking .... at the target !
I've noticed when shooting Sporting Clays in particular, that in very
low light conditions, in mottled shade and against difficult backgrounds,
a bead that you can see is often beneficial in establishing the barrel to target relationship, however. ( Black rabbit targets over bare earth in shade is one example that comes to mind ) In such cases, one of the magnetic "Truglos" that simply go on over the rib IS handy, and WILL help your scores. Have used one at first light and last light when waterfowling .... it does help.
In open sky/normal daylight, a bead is just decoration. Focus on the target. With proper gun fit and good mounting technique, the gun should be shooting where you are looking .... at the target !
Mine was a 16 ga. Cooey with no bead. I mounted a fancy "sight" on 'er - a frame affair that was supposed to make it easy to hit birds simply by keeping them inside the frame. Horsepucks!! I couldn't hit a slow moving barm with that POS. I got rid of it and shot without a bead for years (until I could afford "better" guns).
I learned two valuable lessons in those years - 1) shotguns used for wingshooting don't need any kind of sight or rib, 2) take your first shot as if it were your last, and it will be.
I consistently came home with more ducks than every one of my friends with repeaters. Don't misunderdstand - I love double guns, autos, and pumps. But I wonder if shooters wouldn't all benefit from a few years using a single with no bead.
SS
