All, I've got a Winchester sxp 20guage that shoots 6-8 inches to the left. What do I do aside from aiming 6-8 inches to the right. lol
Calling winchester will happen but what other kinda option's do you all recommend?
A little more info:
1) Are you using the stock flush chokes, or aftermaket chokes?
2) If the latter, is it an extended choke?
3) What loads are you shooting?
4) At what distance is it 6-8 inches to the left?
5) Are you shooting off a rest or free-hand?
Off the bat, I'd suggest shooting off a rest, looking straight down the rib like you were sighting in a rifle, and make sure your sight picture and trigger squeeze is consistent from shot to shot. If it's still shooting to the side then...
I'd then try different ammo.
I'd try different choke tubes.
If nothing helps, I'd send it to Winchester.
Do they make stock shims for that model?
Not being a smart ass here, just asking- everything ok with your eyes? Cross eye dominant, etc...
First things first.
1 - Check that the barrel shoots where it should mechanically. This has nothing to do with gun fit, but whether the pattern centers on the aimpoint. Aim the gun, using a rest and moving your head until you look down the rib that is flat; you should see no rib at all, nor be below it. Centered up - down - left - right. Do not focus on the aimpoint but the bead. I like to use the tightest choke available, and like 25 yards. Shoot several at different sheets. If it does not, use a different choke tube and see if it repeats. In a double gun, do the same with the other barrel. Technically, patterns should perfectly overlap at 40 yards, but I find it too difficult to be precise at 40 yards because of pattern dispersion.
If the gun isn’t within a couple inches at 25 yards, the barrel or choke or both are defective. Send the gun back.
2 - The next big thing is gun fit, and many of the items mentioned above may apply - eye dominance, gun mount and technique. I am a huge unbeliever in patterning for fit as everyone aims the gun subconsciously and spoils the test. This is where a competent instructor is a huge help.
I do an “eyeball” check of a client after getting the mount right (I like to see the eye slightly above the rib such that the rib appears to be cutting into the bottom of the iris slightly). Then we shoot and I read the breaks (when the shooter makes a good move) with the client staying “in the gun” and focusing hard on the target. I also do a careful assessment of eye dominance at about this point (that is a whole other topic I won’t cover here). After a good bit of shooting, usually on more than one session, I have a firm idea of what adjustment to the stock is required.
The process of gun fit is iterative, not prescriptive. Shooting and adjusting are important and the only path to a really good fit. And this can only happen when basic technique and gun mount are solid.
Now, to your problem of shooting 6-8” off, I’d suggest proceeding as I’ve outlined here. Don’t fool around with the gun fit piece until you know the gun is shooting where it looks as in 1 above.
Back in the old days we would have found a tree with a good fork in it.
Last century, Bill Maple adjusted the point of impact on a friends Winchester M12 trap. He gave Bill the gun but said he didn't want to watch the process. It worked.
Using stock flush chokes and all 3 shot left. I had a rest on a bench shooting target at 35yards. Using several Winchester loads, several different loads and shot in win and federal. Same results with Kent, Migra, fioccchi.. Migra shot the best prolly 4"left. I'm prolly gonna have a buddy shoot to see if it gets any better or worse.
non concentric chokes or the choke threads were bored off centerline. change bbl.
First thing I would do is make sure the barrel is seated tight and flush.
At 16 yards 1/16 of head movement moves the pattern 1 inch. At your 35 yards it is compounded. Move your POI tests closer and use tight chokes. Consistency makes a difference.
Different shells should make little difference.
I would have someone else shoot it first, see if they get the same results. It's a process of elimination.
Take the barrel off and then put it back on. Snug the cap, try a round, tighten the cap some more, try again. Putting the barrel on and off, can/will change things. Check the stock too, that it's on correctly. Good luck!
What is the gun for.....turkey, dove, etc. If a turkey gun, I would put a red dot sight on it, problem solved. If wing shooting, have someone else shoot it and see if same results. What 10Clocks says above, if all else fails send it back to Winchester.
Lay a good straight edge along both sides of the barrel. Take appropriate measures if both sides don't match.
Does the stock fit OK for your face?
figure out which way the barrel needs to bend stick in the fork of a tree and be gentle and give it a tug...
Last century, Bill Maple adjusted the point of impact on a friends Winchester M12 trap. He gave Bill the gun but said he didn't want to watch the process. It worked.
Saw a gunsmith take a big hogging rasp to the comb of a Beretta once at the US Nationals. GORGEOUS wood, wasn't an off the shelf Cabela's Beretta. Got it where he needed, stuck a piece of packing tape over the top and told the shooter to send it to him when the tournament was done and he'd finish it properly.
The sound of those first 4 strokes made everyone wince at once. Just HARD to watch lol. Gunsmith said it takes about 100 times doing that to feel comfortable you're not messing up a 5 figure priced stock.
Sounds like a Jim Jamison gun fitting...."Run Forest Run!!!!"
Sounds like a Jim Jamison gun fitting...."Run Forest Run!!!!"
Naw - he ended up redoing/cutting the checkering on dad's K80 along with all the annuals. Good dude and the comb needed to come down for this guy - just, man....shiver thinking of it. Like buying a new truck and cutting holes in the bumper for a grill guard. You know it will be all right but still in no hurry to break out the saw.
figure out which way the barrel needs to bend stick in the fork of a tree and be gentle and give it a tug...
Years ago guys would stack a couple bags of shot on a sturdy table & whack the center of the barrel over them. It does work as I've put mild bends in thin wall conduit using the method.
Jamison got me in a moment of idiocy. My only excuse was the game and I were both new.
Pheasant. I took barrel off and will put it back on and shoot it along with letting my oldest son shoot. Been way to busy working.