How to Mount a Scope on a Shotgun

Any professional gun lover will tell you that a scope increases one’s ability to take accurate shots especially when using a shotgun. Most of them do not have one because they are designed to fire multiple projectiles at the same time without little or no concern over accuracy.
When in a wing competition or when busting clays with friends, having a scope on your shotgun is not necessary since it will force you to aim when you should be putting all your effort and concentration to following through. However, if you are shooting on a stationary object, a scope will come in handy.

Here are 7 steps on how to mount a scope on a shotgun.

Step 1: Mount the Bases

It is recommendable to mount the scope as low on the shotgun as you can but make sure that the bell does not touch barrel. Leave enough clearance at the eye piece to facilitate a free operation of the bolt. Most of the rings and bases I have worked with are attached using screws using steel socket heads.

Step 2: Tighten the Up

To avoid accidents when firing, it is recommended to put a drop of thread freezing compound. The screws should be evenly tightened so take time to work on each of them using the steel socket head. If you are using rights that attach around the rotating socket system front base, use a wooden dowel instead of the scope as a lever to ensure the right gets in the right position.

Step 3: Alight the Reticle

The first thing that you need to check is that half of the rings are in the right place. Next, position the scope on your shotgun and tighten the top halves of the rings. Don’t overdo it, ideally, the scope should be able to move back and forth with as well as rotate in both directions.
Hold the shotgun at a level position and rotate the scope until you see the reticle is in the recommended horizontal and vertical position.

Step 4: Set the Eye Release Space

You definitely don’t want to hurt your eye when firing shots due to recoil. So, make sure that the distance between your eye and the scope is enough. From experience, you should always ensure that the scope is at least one inch further away from where you envision it should be.

Step 5: Tighten all the Screws

With the reticle and eye release space set correctly, run through the ring screws to be sure that they are evenly tightened. As you do this, check to confirm that the scope is in the right position. This step will ensure that there is enough and equal space between the ring halves.

Step 6: Insert the Bore Sight

Using the recommended insertion pin for the shotgun caliber that you are using, insert the bore sight. To achieve your desired aim point, adjust the both the horizontal and vertical axis.

Why Does My Shotgun Keeps Missing the Target?

This is one of the most common questions that I get from novice and even experienced hunters. One of the most plausible reasons is that your shotgun is not correctly calibrated. Improper sight adjustment is also a possible reason why you are missing shots at the range.
If the scope is also not properly adjusted, your bullet will not hit the target. In this case, you will either miss completely or botch the shot. For these three reasons, most professional game hunting guides start every hunting expedition with a sight-checking session right at the shooting bench.
By watching the hunter use the shotgun, the guide is able to gauge his or her experience or rather the degree of marksmanship. This is also an opportunity for the guide to know if the scope is correctly mounted on the shotgun.
Be sure to purchase the scope from an accredited store that has a good reputation to get value for money. If possible, avoid second-hand scopes as most of them are usually faulty.

Conclusion

It’s our sincere hope that the advice and additional tips we have provided will help you become a better shotgun shooter at the range and outdoors when you go hunting.