Community
Guns Like firearms themselves, there's a wide variety of opinions on what's the best gun.

12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

Thread Tools
 
Old 08-02-2008 | 06:18 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Fork Horn
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Default 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

I shot in my 12 gauge mossberg 500 with a rifled barrell and it does not seem to make sense to me. I am using 2 3/4 lightfield sabots. At 50 yards I am+5, 100 yards +5, 125+0 and 150 -6. Does it seem strange thatI am hitting the same at 50 and 100 yards?? Could it shoot that flat from 0 to 100?? How about dropping so much at 125?? Any information would be great. Thank you!!!!
Huntingtherut is offline  
Reply
Old 08-02-2008 | 07:11 AM
  #2  
oldsmellhound's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

It seems strange that your 50 & 100 yard impacts are exactly the same. They should be fairly close, but if your 100 yard is +5, I would expect your 50 yard would be more like +3 or +4 inches. I would try sighting it in so you are +2 or +3 at 100 yards. As for your trajectory dropping that fast past 100 yards, that sounds normal to me - 12 gauge slugs usually drop like a rock past 100 yards. Without a rangefinder, your max range is going to be 125 yards or so anyways. There are some other slugs that shoot a little flatter than Lightfields, but if the Lightfields shoot good in your gun, I'd keep them. My buddy uses them and they have proved to be very deadly on deer.
oldsmellhound is offline  
Reply
Old 08-02-2008 | 07:59 AM
  #3  
RugerM77.270's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 0
From: Southeast Alabama
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

The question is what are you shooting at 75 yards? You may be shooting 7 or 8 high at 75 yards and at 100 you are catching the downward arc that would also explain why you are drop 5 inches between 100 and 125 the arc gets more severe as it goes down.
RugerM77.270 is offline  
Reply
Old 08-02-2008 | 08:14 AM
  #4  
bigbulls's Avatar
Boone & Crockett
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
Likes: 0
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

The question is what are you shooting at 75 yards? You may be shooting 7 or 8 high at 75 yards and at 100 you are catching the downward arc that would also explain why you are drop 5 inches between 100 and 125 the arc gets more severe as it goes down.
Exactly.
bigbulls is offline  
Reply
Old 08-02-2008 | 08:11 PM
  #5  
Thread Starter
Fork Horn
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

Thanks guys!!! I think your all right and I bettere start over. Im using a rest and seem to be pretty steady, but I am not comfortable with what I am seeing.It stinks because those lightfields are so expensive, but I would rather spend the money and be confident in the woods.I guess I just dont know where to put it at 50 yards. If I go by the trajectory on the box, it looks like I should put it about 3 inches high at 50 and it should shoot respectable out to about 125. Anyways, thanks for the info and if you have any more insight,I would love to hear it. Good luck to all andhave a great season!!!!
Huntingtherut is offline  
Reply
Old 08-02-2008 | 10:17 PM
  #6  
bigbulls's Avatar
Boone & Crockett
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
Likes: 0
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

Since you are already "on paper" at 100 yardsadjust the scopeso that you are dead zeroat 100 yards and then back it up to 50 yards and shoot it there and see what it does. You should only be a couple of inches lowat 125 yards.

I would not want that slug to be any more than three inches above my cross hairs at the highest point in its trajectory. Then I will compensate beyond where it becomes more than three inches low.
bigbulls is offline  
Reply
Old 08-03-2008 | 10:14 PM
  #7  
salukipv1's Avatar
Giant Nontypical
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,574
Likes: 0
From: IL
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

not odd at all, believe most trajectories that are published, or if you calculate.....peak around 75yds....so ya if you were aiming 0 at 100yds, at 50yds you're about hte same impact, 75yds high, 100, dead on, 125 low, 150 low...

its just physics my friend, but certainly good to know, don't want to be aiming high or low when you should be doing the exact opposite.
salukipv1 is offline  
Reply
Old 08-04-2008 | 11:26 AM
  #8  
Thread Starter
Fork Horn
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

Well, I just got back from the range and you guys were right. I shot at 75 yards and I was about 7 inches high.The bulletmust have been peaked at 75 and coming back down at 100 yards. So, I sighted it in for 100 yards and wasdrilling bulls. I moved up to 50 and shot +2, 75 +3 and back at 125 I was -5. Im leaving it there. I know 0 - 110 I can aim right on. If I have to shoot 125, I will adjust by splitting the difference between the kill zone and the spine. In my oppinion, anything past 125 is to far with a slug anyway. Thanks again for all of your input!!!
Huntingtherut is offline  
Reply
Old 08-04-2008 | 03:59 PM
  #9  
Bulzeye's Avatar
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 0
From: Too close to Chicago
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

I would rather spend the money and be confident in the woods.
You've got a good attitude, Huntingtherut.
You set a good example bymaking the effortto thoroughly understand how your setup works.
Kudos to you.

Right on with the advice guys. Unless your purpose is to shoot at targets at known ranges, I have to agree that it's a good idea to zero at whatever range keeps your maximum '+' high impact within 2" or 3"of your line of sight. It makes close shots into 'gimmes', and still gives you adequate ability to compensate for drop out past your zero, without ever having to touch your elevation turret.
Bulzeye is offline  
Reply
Old 08-04-2008 | 05:38 PM
  #10  
Nontypical Buck
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,901
Likes: 0
From: Warren County NJ USA
Default RE: 12 gauge trajectory, anyone???

slugs need to be sub-sonic when sighting in, the sub-sonic mark is 50 yards, so sight in at 50 yards and be 2.5" high, this should put you dead center at 100 yards
BOWHUNTERCOP is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dead on
Reloading
14
06-12-2009 02:11 PM
elkstalkr
Hunting Gear
0
02-03-2009 12:51 PM
statjunk
Guns
12
11-22-2005 03:41 PM
redsox3624
Guns
4
01-05-2005 02:40 PM
Bionicrooster
Guns
7
11-20-2002 05:28 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.