I have a Winchester 1300 black shadow I bought used. I've tried 2 different choke tubes and at 25 yards, the pattern is about 12 inches low. I had a Remington 870 that would blow holes at 20 yards and hit where I aimed but it was the 3.5 and I got rid of it for weight reduction as I only shoot 3" loads. I am about to rid myself of this gun if I can't find a fix. I can hold 12 inches high and it hits center. I have tried several sizes and brands of 3" turkeyloads and the pattern is always low. Any help would be greatlyappricated. Don

Get the TurGlo fiber optic sights

Thats what I put on my winchester model 1300
I does real good
Then you can raise or lower the rear sight
That should fix the problem

What ever you do be carefull and remember to use ear plugs

Good Luck

I'd prob get kicked off this forum for what I want to say

You should of kept the 870!!!!!

12" at 25 ydsis alot of distance to make up with sights or a scope at 40 yds your pattern must be off the paper.Sounds to me like ya got a bent barrel.This really isn't that uncommon a problem.A good gunsmith can correct the problem for $100 or less.

Are you sure the gun wasn't fitted to the original owner. You might just have to adjust the stock to fit you better. I'd try shimming it or adjusting the way I shoulder the gun to see if I could get it a better pattern, you could do this with some gun club loads.

My 1300 will out shot my 870 anyday of the week.

Try raising your head a little higher from where you normally rest it.You will be seeing more of the vent rib when you do this. Now sight the same and your shot pattern should come up.

This will happen because as you lift up your head while sighting down the gun barrel, the bead will appear to be going lower. Thus you will pull the gun up to compensate, and your pattern will come up. With a little bit of trial and error to find out where you need to rest your head, you should be able to get teh pattern right on.

Thanks guys, I think I might have a bent barrel. The gun is a plain jane 1300 black shadow with the plastic stock so I don't think it could be fitted to a shooter. I had concidered a fiber optic sight with the adjustable rear sight but I'm not sure I could get the pattern up enough at 40 yards. It doesn't hold a very tight pattern anyway so I think I might get rid of it and go with another 870. I sure did like the light weight but I need a turkey gun more than a walking stick. Thanks to all, Don

geeez...i hope you didnt get rid of the 870!!...what's the old saying??...if it aint broke?...[8D]

DoninVA,

I would get rid of it. I couldn't hunt with a gun that I didn't have total confidence in. If it's a foot low at 25 yards, where does it shoot at 12 yards, 35 yards, 45 yards, etc? A good gunsmith may be able to correct it, but at what cost?

Just my honost opinion, sorry.

Mouthcaller