so as i under stand it your hitting the doves flying in one direction and missing them flying in the other?... i really doubt the three inches makes much difference. so now that weve found out you and me are perfectionists ill tell you how to make the gun work perfectly.. find the load you want to shoot, that is one that patterns the shot correctly, and is of adequate power etc.. remember pattern is much more important than a little extra velocity or power.. then put a brass bead on the front of your shot gun and get it working properly.. next step take a 3/4 inch long tube of masking tape about 1/8 inch in diameter, and put it about 1/4 to 1/2 down the barrel from the front bead so it sticks on the rib.. put it up, back larger and smaller until its sighted in perfect for you..most trap shooters prefer the snowman look to the two beads. then take an awl and scratch the center just in front of the tape or behind where you want it and measure the diameter of the tube. then have a smith put in another brass bead in this place, i go larger and file it to be dead on.. im german and have the same problem you do.. that is if it is not exact im not happy.. when you get the bead right then start a log showing the height relationshipof the two beads with different loads and hunting ie steel, lead, bismuth, black powder , or the diffeent distances of yardagees at the trap club.. then you should modify the stock of the gun so that when you put firm pressure on the stock with your cheek it lines up with the beads correctly left to right andup and down..this can easily be done with tape , cardboard and cover all with camo tape from wallmarts archery dept.. then youll be ready to learn the leads for shooting doves at the different ranges.. now since were getting real tecknical and down to inches "what is the differences in pattern placement from shooting on the level and strait up where there is no drop?",.. its nice to have everything exact, but logically the pattern should cover the little inconsistencies. good luck dave..
