A midbead is used to check for a consistant gun mount. It should not be used during the actual shooting process. Some people have difficulty making that transition, so they advocate not having one. It is just a tool. Use it correctly, and it will help you. Use it incorrectly, and it will be a hindrance.

 

Mark summed it up pretty well.
I have shot for the last 20 years without a mid bead.

Its all Good.

 

I always thought I needed it until I didn't have it...if the gun fits right you'll never miss it unless it's a mental part of your routine.

 

The mid-bead was an ingenious way makers duped new gun buyers into buying one merely because they could make the proverbial "figger-8" even if that gun fit in no other way!! Even with a somewhat close to fitting stock, the insurance in the mind and a slight adjustment of mount made it a perfect figure 8?

A stock, fit to the shooter is the more important part of any shotgun whether it be clay targets or a hunting shotgun. You'll mount a fit stock much more the same way time after time which is mighty important to shooting consistency.

Consider this; with a fit to you stock regardless of kind of shotgun, how many targets could one break and not miss till it was the fault of the GUN alone? No rechecking to see if the mid-bead was in the perfect position does away with that (need)! An unnecessary mind distractor when your mind and eyes should be on something else at that crucial time. JMHO

HAP

 

The mid-bead was an ingenious way makers duped new gun buyers into buying one merely because they could make the proverbial "figger-8" even if that gun fit in no other way!! Even with a somewhat close to fitting stock, the insurance in the mind and a slight adjustment of mount made it a perfect figure 8?

A stock, fit to the shooter is the more important part of any shotgun whether it be clay targets or a hunting shotgun. You'll mount a fit stock much more the same way time after time which is mighty important to shooting consistency.

Consider this; with a fit to you stock regardless of kind of shotgun, how many targets could one break and not miss till it was the fault of the GUN alone? No rechecking to see if the mid-bead was in the perfect position does away with that (need)! An unnecessary mind distractor when your mind and eyes should be on something else at that crucial time. JMHO

HAP

Spot On

 

Thanks for the answers! These lead to my next question about fitting that I was going to post in a new thread. Some people told me not to worry about fitting for now since I just started (shot only 3 times, 2-3 rounds each) until know learn about other things (swinging, pointing).

I understand that consistent mounting and good fit is essential for Trap. Currently, I could mount a gun (with my eyes close), then see good alignment of "mid-bead" to front sight (using a piece of a toothpick). I felt that the stock is a bit long for me by the distance between my nose and my thumb (~3" now). I tried a Browning BT99 Golden Clay at Cabela's and it fits me well (shorter distance between thumb and nose when mounted). I do not want to invested in a new gun now, and debating if I should shorten the stock Teknys. Any suggestions?

Thanks
james

 

Btw, this is one comment about thumb to nose distance

 

Can't recall seeing any big dawgs shoot without one.

 

So if some of the big dawgs started tapeing a dog t==d on their gun would you start looking for one also ? (smile)

 

I disagree about not getting the gun fitted. But I don't think that you should spend a lot of money getting your first gun fitted.

If the shorter stocked BT-99 felt better by all means shorten the stock. Double check your gun by removing the recoil pad and mounting the gun. If the shorter length feels better then shorten the stock. It is a wood stock and not plastic right? I am not sure if you can shorten a plastic stock. You could put a thinner recoil pad.

Once you get the length of pull to your liking or at least acceptable. Fire couple of shots at 13 yards free hand with your Full choke. Focus on the aim point and slap/pull the trigger like you are shooting clays. Hopefully both shots impact at about the same place vertically aligned with the aim point. Rough estimate is if you are 1" high equates to about 60/40, 2" = 70/30 etc. If your gun does not have an adjustable comb use the shims to bring it as close to 1 to 2" high.

Next step get a trap to yourself and have it locked to throw straight away from post 3. With the Full choke find tune the comb to smoke the targets. If you do not have an adjustable comb, learn the sight picture that gives you smoke balls. Hopefully you can keep your focus on the target, yet be aware of the bead/barrel coming up to it.

Once you get the gun and/or you tuned in; move to post 2 then 4, 1 then 5. We are now getting into serious practice. Have the trap set to throw hard lefts. Start on post 5 and work your way to post 1. No cheating with your hold points because you know were the target is going. Then lock the trap to throw hard rights. Start at post 1 and work your way to post 5.

Finally, get back to the patterning board or a card board box. Use a rest and actually aim and squeeze the trigger. Fire couple of shots. The shots should impact at the same place. This documents where your gun shoots. If you were to put a mid bead on, now is the time to find the place to get a fig 8.

When you get your new gun you should make it shoot to the same POI as a starting point.

Jason

 

The purpose of the mid bead is to fill the little hole in the rib.
Bud

 

To drive you slowly insane

 

I spent money to have them installed when I was new to shotguns. now I can't remember why. looking down a rib is like looking down the highway, can you stay on the road without a painted line? Jack

 

So it sounds like it is good for beginners - as long as one does not get too use to it. I found one the beretta 391 from midwest gun work!

 

My mid bead just shows me I have the gun canted a little, just cannot get that figure 8 right, and I agree, never see either bead after I call for target.

 

What kind of dog t==d, and how far away from the middle of the rib? Do the t==ds stack? Would that be called a snow t==d?

 

Always useful and easy to get rid of it

 

The bead was put there because...

 

Then again I believe Karla mentioned that Leo Harrison III would check his beads before every shot!!! I try to do the same. After I call pull, I never look at them again, as I'm looking down range in a soft focus looking for the target I called for, and continue to watch it until it breaks!!! Its easy to get fatigued and get sloppy gun mounts toward the end of any 100 target event. Even--- More so in the hotter months.

How many pistol shooters on here remove the rear V sight from there pistol's when they bull's eye shoot??? That's what your doing when shooting a shotgun without a mid-bead!!! Its just that a shotgun is a little more forgiving than a single projectile firearm!!!

The mid bead helps a shooter (especially a newer shooter) properly align his/her eye (left, right,and up) before they call pull. Think 3 dimensional here, not just left and right!!! I do catch myself getting sloppy from time to time and realign my eye before I call pull. Sometimes I forget to check and get too sloppy and don't notice it until I hear the word LOST. Guess I'm just not perfect, just human. Now go out there and shoot whatever way make's ya Happy!!! and break em all Jeff

 

I like having a mid bead. I shoot many different shotguns, have a mid bead on all of them. It helps me know I have the shotgun shouldered correctly and my head is in the right spot. Like most others here, once I call for the target I do not see the beads. If I shot the same shotgun all the time I may find I no longer need the center bead. Regards, Bob

 

I never used a mid bead for anything...I know trap shooting is a game of precise pointing;or even AIMING for some people. There have been thousands of opinions on aiming vs pointing. I can't even imagine checking whether my beads are stacked when a grouse or quail flushes up in front of me and I miss VERY few birds...

 

I went from a A singles shooter to a AA singles shooter without a bead one on my gun. If your gun is shooting where you are looking why do you need them. The only thing I have ever found them good for is to make sure your gun is not canted when mounted and there is some folks that think that canting means nothing either so I guess it doesn't matter if you have them or not.

 

Interesting diverse comments from many experienced shooters. For me as a new shooter, I found mid bead helps me occasionally check my mount. I guess it is not inconsistent with what being discussed here. I also found that the mid bead alignment alone is not sufficient. Stock fitting and property mounting trump in priority. I shoot better (and felt more confidence of hitting) after the stock adjustment to ensure property POI.

 

Mid bead function..............None.

GS

 

I attended a Leo Harrison clinic, his answer about bead check was, IF he was to eliminate anything on his preshot routine it would be just that.
I am shooting a custom fitted Phil Simms Prosoft and rarely look at beads, put my effort into getting the stock into the "pocket"
DaveB Ohio