Pointing vs. Aiming

[bowfin]

Many people use "point" a shotgun instead of aim in order to de-emphasize relying on the bead or beads on the barrel over proper head positioning and cheek weld, as well as swing.

This guy has a superiority complex just like all those old fart gun shop employees and owners who look down their noses at you the second you walk in their store. Theyre just waiting for the oppurtunity to cut someone down.

Might be akin to "which came first, the chicken or the egg" when one analyzes how much attitude might lead to sudden onsets of superiority complexes or vice versa. One often begets the other, and many "old farts" bring out superiority complexes not so much to "cut someone down" as they do to "cut someone down TO SIZE".

Not saying this is it in your case...just that I have seen it before...

[randy]

When making 100 yard slug shots today I was aiming.

[ar15barrels]

When making 100 yard slug shots today I was aiming.

Aiming about 6" to 8" higher than your typical 40yd zero?

[Mikeb]

Ok, so I got yelled at by a range worker at my local outdoor skeet/trap range. I used the word "aim" when describing my complete lack of ability to hit a pigeon, and he quickly scolded me saying "Ya don't aim a shotgun, son, you POINT a shotgun". Out of pure curiosity, does anyone else actually make that distinction?

Sometimes it is worth it to listen to people that take the time to try to teach you something. Shotguns are pointed not aimed. Often shotgunning is almost reflexive. So having a gun that fits well and points naturaly is important.
take care
Mike

[randy]

At that distance I shoot at the top edge of the target and let it drop in to where ever.

[bowfin]

Yes, one "aims" a shotgun when turkey hunting, or when mimicking a rifle by using a slug or single projectile. I do "aim" when turkey hunting or using my scoped Marlin slug gun.

However, in the context of the original post, "pointing" is the preferred and accepted term when talking about more conventional shotgun usage at the trap, skeet, or sporting clays range and wingshooting.

[ar15barrels]

At that distance I shoot at the top edge of the target and let it drop in to where ever.

Same thing I do.
That's about 6" to 8" depending on the size of the target.

[forynot]

What it comes down to is what works for you. Try everything and practice a lot if you want to get better. The experts in the game say to point the shotgun and shoot with both eyes open if you want better scores. Well I found what works for me ( I aim the shotgun & shoot with one eye open and still shoot AA-27 with our club record of 300 straight) not that this will work for you but it works for me.

[sprintcar]

I start with both eyes open until I see the bird. I then close one eye and shoot. At this time both my eyes are very close to the same ( no one dominant eye) I am sure this will change in time.

[ysr_racer]

Some days I think I'd be better off with both eyes closed

[ar15barrels]

Some days I think I'd be better off with both eyes closed

I raced R/C cars when I was a kid.
There used to be this little indoor carpet track in Riverside.
It occupied what used to be a basketball court to give you an idea of size.

One day, about 2/3 through a 4 minute race, the power goes out.
Now running around the track is very rhythmic.
You roll on the throttle coming out of a corner and blip off the throttle going in to shift the weight and make it turn.
You can hear when the car winds up and know when to turn and when to roll off/on the throttle.

When the lights went out, everyone pulled their cars to the outside of the track.
I kept going just to see if I could drive by sound only.
Everybody was cheering when my car kept going lap after lap in total darkness.
I made it 5 or 6 laps in total darkness until my batteries faded just a little bit and the car turned in too soon because it did not have the same speed going into turn 3.

Too bad the clay pigeons don't make any noise.

[JollyTar]

Great thread, info, etc. Thx.

Have any of you tried the Burris Speed Bead? I'm looking for a sight that can be used for multiple purposes, i.e., <100 yd target, clays, etc. I'm keeping the "pointing discussion" in mind when thinking of a sight.

If not, what sight -- if any -- would you guys recommend?

http://www.burrisoptics.com/speedbead.html

[mocos]

everybody that has contributed in this thread is an experienced point shooter...without front or rear sights...both eyes opened ...proper lead on moving targets... naturally adjusting for prevailing condition.. every time ya take a leak.......that's point shooting......and you don"t always hit the mark.

[scr83jp]

Well, considering the dictionary definition of aim is:

1: to direct a course ; specifically : to point a weapon at an object

I'd have to say the guy is a dooshbag with a superiority complex. Just my two cents though...

The guy is right I've been shooting shotguns for over 50 years you point a shotgun and aim a rifle or handgun.I fire with both eyes open but I've had firearms training in the military & in LE with shotguns, rifles & handguns .I reload ammo to hunt & shoot rifles,shotguns & handguns.

[tacticalcity]

I was trained to aim and close my support side eye and focus on the front sight or bead...at Front Sight. I don't walk around with my support side eye closed all day long, just for the split second when I take aim and fire....which by the way is when my finger first touches the trigger. Proper stance, trigger control, breathing, keeping the finger off the trigger and high on the receiver until ready to fire are all equally important as are a ton of other things. Train the right way and when the time comes to use it muscle memory takes care of the rest. Plenty of people have other ideas about this...but this works for me. If you can swing it, I strongly recommend a 4 day course at front sight. Not only will you leave a bad ***, you will have a great time. Other schools like Blackwater and Gun Cite are great too, or so I hear.