Dead Ringer Duck Buster Universal Front and Rear Sight
Dr. David Vaught 08.10.12
I suppose we all want to shoot better, it is a hunter’s dream to make that perfect shotgun shot. But assuming a few equals like a gun that fits, good technique and of course practice, we still seem to want more. Dead Ringer offers a lineup of very simple and easy to install front and rear sights for shotguns. I took the leap of faith and bought the Duck Buster version to install on my Stoeger 3500. I, like everyone else, want to shoot better, but I do practice, hold an ATA instructor certification, and teach shotgun shooting each fall. So I just had to know if the Dead Ringer would work for me.
Installation
Installation is easy. The front sight bead on your gun will have to be removed, so do a little checking first to be sure your bead is threaded. If not, I suggest you seek out the help of a gunsmith to remove your original bead and tap the thread for the new sight. My kit included 6-48, 5-40, 3-56, M3 x .5 and M2.6 x .45 threaded screws for attaching the front sight.
Indeed it is a universal kit and these threads should match just about every shotgun. The Duck Buster kit also included a green and orange front sight with one spare green light pipe. These are wonderful and gather light well. Dead Ringer also carries a lineup of extreme beads that are longer and more visible.
You will want to apply a little removable thread locker to secure the front bead. The rear sight will fit under the rib and a variety of rib mounts are provided. These include a 1/4, 3/8 and 5/16″ mounts. The rear sight is attached with two threaded plates tightened with an Allen wrench provided. Square the sight before you tighten and use thread locker again. This is a slight exercise in dexterity as you need to align the holes and steady the sight at the same time. How far back you mount the rear sight may become a matter of preference since all barrels vary in length. My Stoeger uses a 28″ barrel.
At the range
I couldn’t wait to do some shooting with the new sight so I immediately headed to the range. I shoot a lot of skeet, so I thought this would be a good place to give the Dead Ringer Duck Buster a try. Of course I had shouldered the gun and sight and fully understood the value of alignment. Like many others, I suffer from that involuntary movement of the head away from the stock and above the rib. Yes I raise my head.
The alignment provided by the Dead Ringer is designed to help shooters keep their heads down. But I also shoot with both eyes open and I immediately found myself trying to look around the rear sight to find the bird coming from above out of the high and below coming from the low house. Many shots I took were more instinctive than sighted. I continued the round concentrating on the sight and keeping my head down. I found myself trying to keep on the birds as I sighted through the rear sight but just could not keep up. I typically capture the bird and allow for my lead, swing and pull the trigger. With the Dead Ringer Duck Buster, I felt like I was needing to add another element that seemed to confuse my senses: I needed to keep my head down and look through the rear sight. In hindsight, I think I would have been better off using the Dead Ringer Drop Box at the shooting range.
I also suggest you pattern you gun after installing the Dead Ringer to be sure your pattern is correct, and to perhaps consider exactly where you want the sight on your barrel. Again, my Stoeger has a 28″ barrel so a short length barrel might make a huge difference in how you shoot and sight your gun.
I believe the value of the Dead Ringer is user defined. I can absolutely see the benefit of the sight for me on still or slower moving targets: ducks, geese and turkey. I know for a fact when that duck has its wings set and is dropping into the decoys, that is the moment I tend to lift my head and look around. Perhaps it is the length of time I have to aim. I can see the Dead Ringer Duck Buster being deadly over the decoys because as you acquire a duck or goose that is moving towards you and has slowed a bit, all you have to do is place the bird inside the rear sight and your shooting success is improved. The size of the sight is designed to indicate that when the bird wings are from one side of the sight to the other, you are about 30-35 yards from the target. At this range the lead-in was minimized. I understand the purpose, but think many that use this system will need to both learn and practice using the sight on faster moving targets. I did not shoot trap, but will do so soon.
Conclusion
So will the Dead Ringer be your answer to your shooting woes? I think for $25 you should give it a try. I hope to have a chance to shoot the Drop Box as I think that might be a better tool for evaluating faster wing shooting. But I do think for certain shooting situations and styles the Duck Buster could be an asset to your shooting with practice. Stay tuned for more on Dead Ringer products.
