Author Topic: Ted Williams model 21, 20 gauge shoots high  (Read 940 times)

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Offline Rayzor

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Ted Williams model 21, 20 gauge shoots high
« on: May 03, 2012, 04:48:56 PM »
So I just got a model 21 pump Ted Williams with a adjustable choke. Over all its in decent shooter shape and I want to use it for grouse. I bought a box of Federal game load 2 3/4  #6 shot to give it a run. At 15 yards it is shooting a solid 6-8 inchs high and toward the left a few inches. Could this be the ammo or something wrong with the gun? I only tried the choke on full.

Offline spruce

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Re: Ted Williams model 21, 20 gauge shoots high
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2012, 02:13:28 PM »
It's not at all unusual for shotguns to have a point-of-aim/point-of-impact that doesn't quite coincide.
In fact, I'd guess a sizeable majority of them vary from a few inches to much more than that at the range you tried yours.  For whatever reason most people don't take the time to pattern their shotguns so they never know their gun doesn't shoot where they point it.
 
Some of the causes can be stock fit, a crooked/bent barrel, the choke not mounted perfectly straight. and yes different loads.
To me, yours doesn't sound that bad if it's for grouse hunting as a large percentage of your shots will be at rising birds (talking Ruffed Grouse here) and a gun that shoots slightly high is not a bad thing at all.
I'd try it with some of the more open choke settings and maybe a couple different loads and see how it looks.  Then go shoot some clays and see how it performs for you.

Offline chefjeff

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Re: Ted Williams model 21, 20 gauge shoots high
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2012, 03:01:12 PM »
Try raising the comb with a stick on pad.

Offline Rayzor

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Re: Ted Williams model 21, 20 gauge shoots high
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2012, 02:37:15 PM »
Try raising the comb with a stick on pad.

   Can you explain this a bit to me Thanks
 

Offline chefjeff

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Re: Ted Williams model 21, 20 gauge shoots high
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2012, 07:36:45 AM »
Where your cheek meets the stock is the "comb". The position of your sighting plane down the barrel (how you hold your head down to the stock) and the "drop" of the stock greatly influence where your center mass of shot will go. Some new shotguns come with shim kits that adjust drop. A shotgun that "fits", you will be more accurate.I know you can buy economical pads to raise and cushion your cheek,had to buy a strap on leather one for a T/C .50 that I scoped.Also I had a similar shotgun at one time,didn't really like the bulging polychoke and small bead.Some shotguns also have a "midbead' halfway down the barrel to help you line up.Maybe some more knowledgeable readers can explain better.Good luck.

Offline darkgael

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Re: Ted Williams model 21, 20 gauge shoots high
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2012, 04:31:53 AM »
Six to eight inches high and a few inches to the left, you say.
As Chefjeff pointed out, that is not too unusual. When you see patterns recorded in shotgun tests in American Rifleman, the center is rarely, if ever, the POA.
Most probably it is the fit of the gun to your body. Raise the comb as suggested. Also...check your mount and your head position. Seven to eight inches is the difference between your head being forward on the stock and keeping the head upright.
Pete