Proper shotgun aiming utilizes two small reference points along the top of the barrel called beads. The front bead, typically a small spherical or cylindrical post, serves as the primary aiming point. The mid-bead, located closer to the receiver, acts as a reference to ensure consistent gun mount and alignment. When the shotgun is properly mounted, the mid-bead should appear slightly below the front bead, forming a figure-eight pattern. This sighting arrangement allows for quick target acquisition and accurate shot placement.
Correct alignment of these beads is fundamental for accurate shotgunning. A consistent relationship between the shooter’s eye, the beads, and the target creates a predictable point of impact, critical for hitting moving targets in sports like clay shooting and hunting. This technique reduces the reliance on traditional sight alignment found in rifles, allowing for faster target acquisition and engagement, especially crucial in dynamic shooting scenarios. Historically, bead sights have offered a simple and robust aiming solution for shotguns, proving effective across diverse shooting disciplines.