Sam Salvati
blacksmith
It’s obviously dependent on a lot of factors but what do you zero your red dot or sights at yardage wise for 00 buckshot?
I would think you'd zero for slugs, probably somewhere like 50 yds, then work back from there to see where you need to hold for buckshot loads. Buckshot's typically inside of 25 yards or so, although it can push out a bit further if using federal or hornady's wads. Beyond that, you'd got the changeover to slugs where you're much more likely to need the precision of the red dot. If just using buck with no planned use for slugs ever, then pattern the buckshot load you'll use to see how far out you can get with them all landing comfortably inside a man-size target and use that as your zero distance.
I would think you'd zero for slugs, probably somewhere like 50 yds, then work back from there to see where you need to hold for buckshot loads. Buckshot's typically inside of 25 yards or so, although it can push out a bit further if using federal or hornady's wads. Beyond that, you'd got the changeover to slugs where you're much more likely to need the precision of the red dot. If just using buck with no planned use for slugs ever, then pattern the buckshot load you'll use to see how far out you can get with them all landing comfortably inside a man-size target and use that as your zero distance.
Yup, a red dot or really any adjustable sights on a shotgun ares a point of aim for slugs only IMO. For any shot load, it's a point of reference, and you need to be aware of the pattern at distance. That pattern and it's placement varies quite a bit for different loads , and it's much easier to use the dot as a "bead" to lead or hold over/under a target, especially a moving one. Typically I like to find slugs and shot loads that hit somewhat in the same place, that is usually Federal managed recoil slugs and managed recoil buckshot with the FC wad.
They hit right about the same place to around 35ish yards when the buck starts dropping away from the slug, and the pattern gets to be too big soon after. For birdshot in training, 1oz loads hit close enough to center, maybe a little lower out to 25 yards, so at least out to that distance it can be a decent training load for steel and fixed clay targets. This is pretty much how I set up my 3 gun shotgun, where I might need to be in a few MOA out at a 50-100 yard target with slugs, but just need to be aware where the center of the pattern will be out to 25 yards in relation to that point of aim.
Always tune your shotgun at the distance you intend to shoot.
We shoot targets at 40 yards with 7 1/2 shot. And use a target board with paper-2 shots and look where the most shot hits are. Adjust scope or sights and repeat.
I zero my M4 with a modified choke, using a 1oz slug at 25 yards. That’s the furthest I’ve shot using 00 buck shots. The pattern centers around the point of aim at that distance. Secondary zero is about 115 yards with a slug.
I have an m4 clone with an eotech. I also zero with a slug at 25 yards. The outer circle of the reticle surprisingly matches the buckshot pattern at that distance as well.
The best combat shotgun red dot sight imho is the primary arms acss cqb red dot. It has a circle/ dot reticle that is slightly smaller compared to an eotech. The outer circle perfectly matches the pattern of 00 buck ( Olin / win 00 buck) at 25 yards. The tip of the chevron can be used as a 25 yard aiming point for slugs. Then the BDC point can be used for 100 , 125, 150 yard(1 oz slug, cylinder choke, 18.50” barrel)
The m4 has the ability to use different chokes. I’ve settled with a modified choke . I’m also using 00 military buckshot for HD. And I’m staying with that. The gun, ammo , red dot , choke is a system that matches and compliment each other. In short, if I’m using buckshots , the big circle is pretty much where I’m
Going to pattern at distances around 25 yards. For slugs , the center dot/ chevron works well up to about 125 yards.