Just wanted to see how every is sighting in their red dots for turkey season. I read on here a lot of guys saying they dont shoot of the sleds to sight in bc the sleds will hit different then shooting off your knee. Is that cause your moving more and are not as steady on your knee? I always thought youd want to be as steady as possible when sighting in so shooting off a sled or even a shooting bag was the best way to do it? For those that say s;ed shooting hits differently is it a huge change? Or is it an inch or two off?
I have done it both ways and have never noticed a difference. It is the same with my deer rifles. Just my experience.
Done both and I haven't noticed a difference
Ok thats what I had thought. I have sighted in dozen of rifles with a sled and never saw an issue. I just got worried when I saw people on here saying otherwise.
I would much rather have my red dot sighted in using a steady reliable base. That way I know that I am responsible for any aiming variations in the field.
FC
Quote from: TooTallOutdoorss on March 10, 2026, 09:57:56 AMJust wanted to see how every is sighting in their red dots for turkey season. I read on here a lot of guys saying they dont shoot of the sleds to sight in bc the sleds will hit different then shooting off your knee. Is that cause your moving more and are not as steady on your knee? I always thought youd want to be as steady as possible when sighting in so shooting off a sled or even a shooting bag was the best way to do it? For those that say s;ed shooting hits differently is it a huge change? Or is it an inch or two off?
I sighted mine in and patterned it with a lead sled and then shot it off my knees and had to re sight it. It changed my point of impact for me. So i would at least shoot it with out it if you do use a lead sled.
Quote from: FullChoke on March 10, 2026, 12:13:15 PMI would much rather have my red dot sighted in using a steady reliable base. That way I know that I am responsible for any aiming variations in the field.
This.
I sight in off sandbags then shoot off my knee sitting in my turkey chair. More often than not I have to do "minor" adjustments. Also, I found out that when I sight in at 16yds with Federal low brass 7/8oz #7.5 shot 1210fps in my 20 gauges my 3" turkey loads hit spot on at 40yds. That's with 21" and 22" barrels.
Quote from: FullChoke on March 10, 2026, 12:13:15 PMI would much rather have my red dot sighted in using a steady reliable base. That way I know that I am responsible for any aiming variations in the field.
FC
Same here. Id rather know the gun is dialed and It was my fault then have a gun not dialed.
Quote from: TMeering on March 10, 2026, 12:50:49 PMQuote from: TooTallOutdoorss on March 10, 2026, 09:57:56 AMJust wanted to see how every is sighting in their red dots for turkey season. I read on here a lot of guys saying they dont shoot of the sleds to sight in bc the sleds will hit different then shooting off your knee. Is that cause your moving more and are not as steady on your knee? I always thought youd want to be as steady as possible when sighting in so shooting off a sled or even a shooting bag was the best way to do it? For those that say s;ed shooting hits differently is it a huge change? Or is it an inch or two off?
I sighted mine in and patterned it with a lead sled and then shot it off my knees and had to re sight it. It changed my point of impact for me. So i would at least shoot it with out it if you do use a lead sled.
Not in any aggressive or demeaning way and just out of curiosity how is that possible? Could it be your moving and not as steady as you think you are and shooting off the knee is exposing it? A sled is as sturdy as can be I cant comprehend how it shoots differently.
Quote from: sswv on March 10, 2026, 02:25:06 PMI sight in off sandbags then shoot off my knee sitting in my turkey chair. More often than not I have to do "minor" adjustments. Also, I found out that when I sight in at 16yds with Federal low brass 7/8oz #7.5 shot 1210fps in my 20 gauges my 3" turkey loads hit spot on at 40yds. That's with 21" and 22" barrels.
Do you know why at all? It seems like your not as stable as you were with the sandbag and that could be it? I always thought a lead sled was designed to keep you still and take out any human error when sighting in a shot?
I've never missed a turkey because of using a sled with sighting my gun - red dot / scope... Now wait, I can NOW blame the sled for my misses.. Great Idea ... everyone ...
It all has to do with how you get your cheek down on the stock . site picture ... IMO
I use a sled to sight in all 4guns in my house every year. 4 different makes and models. 3 different brand sights. Never had an issue.
Quote from: TooTallOutdoorss on March 10, 2026, 03:02:28 PMQuote from: TMeering on March 10, 2026, 12:50:49 PMQuote from: TooTallOutdoorss on March 10, 2026, 09:57:56 AMJust wanted to see how every is sighting in their red dots for turkey season. I read on here a lot of guys saying they dont shoot of the sleds to sight in bc the sleds will hit different then shooting off your knee. Is that cause your moving more and are not as steady on your knee? I always thought youd want to be as steady as possible when sighting in so shooting off a sled or even a shooting bag was the best way to do it? For those that say s;ed shooting hits differently is it a huge change? Or is it an inch or two off?
I sighted mine in and patterned it with a lead sled and then shot it off my knees and had to re sight it. It changed my point of impact for me. So i would at least shoot it with out it if you do use a lead sled.
Not in any aggressive or demeaning way and just out of curiosity how is that possible? Could it be your moving and not as steady as you think you are and shooting off the knee is exposing it? A sled is as sturdy as can be I cant comprehend how it shoots differently.
I'm not sure but it did. Could it be the way i shoot? Trigger pull, cheek to stock, the way the red dot aligns with my eye? Sure. With a lead sled it puts the sled between your shoulder and the butt if your gun enlarging your length of pull. It changed the way my cheek fit the stock and how close the red dot to my eye. I use the sled to get on the bullseye and then adjust to the way i shoot with out it which is what matters to me and im dead on everytime.
That's just not how Red Dots work.
You definitely toyed with the gun (Like cleaned it when the dot is on the stock) or made a bad correction on the dot.
Quote from: TooTallOutdoorss on March 10, 2026, 03:03:43 PMQuote from: sswv on March 10, 2026, 02:25:06 PMI sight in off sandbags then shoot off my knee sitting in my turkey chair. More often than not I have to do "minor" adjustments. Also, I found out that when I sight in at 16yds with Federal low brass 7/8oz #7.5 shot 1210fps in my 20 gauges my 3" turkey loads hit spot on at 40yds. That's with 21" and 22" barrels.
Do you know why at all? It seems like your not as stable as you were with the sandbag and that could be it? I always thought a lead sled was designed to keep you still and take out any human error when sighting in a shot?
only thing I can think of is I must hold the gun a little different? I shoot at turkeys sitting flat on my butt most often off my knee not off the bench with sandbags. however, if I do make any adjustments it is always very minimal. been working for me so far so I'm gonna keep doing it the way that has always worked.
I dont think a red dot such as a Fast Fire 3 cares how the cheek weld is. Some one can straighten me out on that if Im wrong. Ive used a sled for a long time and with good results.
Today I used my bags instead . Let me say my shoulder is not happy with that decision.
Quote from: ruination on March 10, 2026, 03:54:13 PMThat's just not how Red Dots work.
You definitely toyed with the gun (Like cleaned it when the dot is on the stock) or made a bad correction on the dot.
gun was brand new with a fast fire 3...i don't care what gun it is or what sight it is if you hold it differently than the way you shoot it with a sled it will have a different point of impact... not looking to argue. This is my experience. Never understood how someone can ask for peoples experiences with a certain topic and have someone else tell you your wrong as if they've shot their gun or are that person.
I shoot mine out of a BOG tripod now, but used to use regular front and rear bags. I have never cared for a lead-sled when shooting anything. I want the gun to be against my shoulder as it will be when I'm hunting. That's my preference but to each his own.
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 10, 2026, 03:22:18 PMI've never missed a turkey because of using a sled with sighting my gun
Now wait, I can NOW blame the sled for my misses.. Great Idea ... everyone ...
:TooFunny:
I use bags always. 1st a field load. Then a good shell I've been doing it for a good bit like that now. I'm pretty good missing on my own now. I usually blame the sun in my eyes. I can't believe it'd be a sled or bags that would create a big difference..
:funnyturkey:
Quote from: TrackeySauresRex on March 10, 2026, 04:27:14 PMQuote from: Greg Massey on March 10, 2026, 03:22:18 PMI've never missed a turkey because of using a sled with sighting my gun
Now wait, I can NOW blame the sled for my misses.. Great Idea ... everyone ...
:TooFunny:
I use bags always. 1st a field load. Then a good shell I've been doing it for a good bit like that now. I'm pretty good missing on my own now. I usually blame the sun in my eyes. I can't believe it'd be a sled or bags that would create a big difference..
:funnyturkey:
:TooFunny:
I definitely do not see a difference between shooting off of a bench or seated or prone for that matter when using a rifle or shotgun. i don't understand why there would be a difference.
My understanding is that the more paralax free the red dot is, the less difference in gun mount. Even one that is very good will have minor differences, especially at very close or very far ranges. If you tend to cant your gun (which is common with shotgun shooters) you should definitely shoot it not on a sled. I am no expert, just going by what I have been told by some that are experts.
Quote from: g8rvet on March 10, 2026, 05:39:53 PMMy understanding is that the more paralax free the red dot is, the less difference in gun mount. Even one that is very good will have minor differences, especially at very close or very far ranges. If you tend to cant your gun (which is common with shotgun shooters) you should definitely shoot it not on a sled. I am no expert, just going by what I have been told by some that are experts.
Thats about what im thinking... Greg cant shoot anyway. so its good he has some new excuses.. :emoticon-animal-005:
Quote from: strum on March 10, 2026, 06:27:43 PMQuote from: g8rvet on March 10, 2026, 05:39:53 PMMy understanding is that the more paralax free the red dot is, the less difference in gun mount. Even one that is very good will have minor differences, especially at very close or very far ranges. If you tend to cant your gun (which is common with shotgun shooters) you should definitely shoot it not on a sled. I am no expert, just going by what I have been told by some that are experts.
Thats about what im thinking... Greg cant shoot anyway. so its good he has some new excuses.. :emoticon-animal-005:
Amen
I have never seen a difference and always use a Lead sled.
I use sandbags. I've never missed a turkey... because my gun wasn't sighted in properly.
I wish I could write that without the second part of that sentence! :toothy9:
I thought the whole point of reflex type sight was it didn't matter how you shouldered the gun or had your head in awkward circumstances, if the gun is sighted in and the dot is on him it's all the same. Didn't matter if dot was in the top corner of the glass, or in the dead center of the glass, due to head alignment. If i'm wrong please educate me.
As for me I use bags. But I just think it prevents some of the recall going back into the gun after the shot, due to the heavy less forgiving sled. As much shock as I can keep out of that sight, the happier I am.
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Quote from: strum on March 10, 2026, 04:12:08 PMI dont think a red dot such as a Fast Fire 3 cares how the cheek weld is. Some one can straighten me out on that if Im wrong. Ive used a sled for a long time and with good results.
Today I used my bags instead . Let me say my shoulder is not happy with that decision.
Thats what I always thought as well. When sighting in with a red dot that dot is floating in theory and is parallax free meaning wherever that red do is pointing its going to hit there. So I dont understand how it can shoot differently from a sled to free hand unless it is human error which can be not being as steaqdy and the red dot floating around more.
Quote from: Upfold99 on March 10, 2026, 08:33:29 PMI thought the whole point of reflex type sight was it didn't matter how you shouldered the gun or had your head in awkward circumstances, if the gun is sighted in and the dot is on him it's all the same. Didn't matter if dot was in the top corner of the glass, or in the dead center of the glass, due to head alignment. If i'm wrong please educate me.
As for me I use bags. But I just think it prevents some of the recall going back into the gun after the shot, due to the heavy less forgiving sled. As much shock as I can keep out of that sight, the happier I am.
Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk
This is exactly what I always thought was told. If your red dot is parallax free then you should not have to worry about the direction or where on the glass the red dot is. You could hit a bullseye with the red dot in the middle of the screen or off to one of the corners as long as that dot is on where you want to hit. For those shooting iron sights I can maybe see why if your not covering the bead the same way from the sled and while sitting against a tree which is possible being a sled can get bulky and make you grab it in a funky way. But a parallax free red dot should always hit where its pointing once dialed in.
Been shooting them for years and always sight in with a sled. If the dot is on the target it doesn't matter where your cheek, face, or eye is
Quote from: golfernash on Today at 09:28:23 AMBeen shooting them for years and always sight in with a sled. If the dot is on the target it doesn't matter where your cheek, face, or eye is
I utilized a lead sled for initial sight at 12-13 yards with dove loads. Dial it in dead on then back up to 40 and shoot your turkey load to check. Adjust as needed and Go Hunt! As Nash said, once the red dot is sighted in where the dot is, is where the shot will go. Cheek, face, eye or cant of the gun doesn't affect the target dot.
I did some reading about this and there are some exceptions. What everyone has said is mostly true. There is no such thing as truly parallax free, there is just very little parallax. Curved lens red dots are worse for parallax. The real advertisement should be "very minor parallax". The closer or further you are from 50-100 yards, the more the parallax, even in "parallax free" red dots is accentuated. Luckily, we are shooting shotguns and this effect is minor.
this video helps if you understand that really neither of the red dots in the video exist - truly parallax free and full parallax. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in8qj4Xvb3Q