allaroundhunter
Member
So, spent a couple hours at the range yesterday and managed to learn a few things. These are 5 shot groups, and were not shot extremely fast, about 1-3 minutes between shots. First, I will post a picture of my final target so that when I allude to it, you aren't having to try to imagine what I am talking about 
My first target was the center diamond, and my cold bore shot actually took out the top tip of the bullseye. I was hoping that it was going to be the start of a really great day! I don't handload, so it wasn't a load development day or anything, just a day to relax and put some rounds downrange before heading back to college this weekend. Anyways, my second shot impacted just low right of my first and then 3, 4, and 5 followed about a half inch below that to round the group out at around 1.5".... not what I was hoping for, and I know the rifle was capable of better.
Anyways, after my final 3 shots of my first group impacted about a minute low of my POA, I corrected for a minute of elevation before firing my second group (lower left diamond). I also let the rifle cool for about 15 minutes. After the cool down period, I fired my first shot; perfect bullseye. Again, feeling pretty good. Second shot; touching the first. After my second shot however, a R to L wind picked up, and I did take notice, however, I did not know how much it would affect the trajectory, so I did not try to account for it for this group. Shots 3, 4, and 5 impacted about a minute left, but with good elevation so I was happy overall.
The wind did not let up for the rest of the trip, but I also did not want to adjust my scope to account for it. I wanted to shoot, and have a target so that I could see how much the wind (that I estimated to be staying around 10-15 mph) affected POI when my POA stayed constant. After the trip, all of these targets were copied into my data book, and I think that overall it was a much better learning experience than if I were to go out and shoot 5 sub-MOA groups. I also think that it was interesting to see that even though the barrel was fouled prior to going to the range, after my initial "cold bore" shot and shot immediately following, my 1 minute elevation change stayed constant. Does anyone have any other reason as to why that may be? Was it just due to the barrel temp? Or the additional fouling possibly? Or even both?
ETA: I forgot to add, the shot to the bottom left of the group shot at the top right diamond was a called flier on my part. Measured as part of the group, but not a mess up induced by the gun, ammunition, or environment. That one was definitely on me. There were several shots that I didn't feel great about after pulling the trigger, but that was probably one of the worst; even before checking where it impacted.
My first target was the center diamond, and my cold bore shot actually took out the top tip of the bullseye. I was hoping that it was going to be the start of a really great day! I don't handload, so it wasn't a load development day or anything, just a day to relax and put some rounds downrange before heading back to college this weekend. Anyways, my second shot impacted just low right of my first and then 3, 4, and 5 followed about a half inch below that to round the group out at around 1.5".... not what I was hoping for, and I know the rifle was capable of better.
Anyways, after my final 3 shots of my first group impacted about a minute low of my POA, I corrected for a minute of elevation before firing my second group (lower left diamond). I also let the rifle cool for about 15 minutes. After the cool down period, I fired my first shot; perfect bullseye. Again, feeling pretty good. Second shot; touching the first. After my second shot however, a R to L wind picked up, and I did take notice, however, I did not know how much it would affect the trajectory, so I did not try to account for it for this group. Shots 3, 4, and 5 impacted about a minute left, but with good elevation so I was happy overall.
The wind did not let up for the rest of the trip, but I also did not want to adjust my scope to account for it. I wanted to shoot, and have a target so that I could see how much the wind (that I estimated to be staying around 10-15 mph) affected POI when my POA stayed constant. After the trip, all of these targets were copied into my data book, and I think that overall it was a much better learning experience than if I were to go out and shoot 5 sub-MOA groups. I also think that it was interesting to see that even though the barrel was fouled prior to going to the range, after my initial "cold bore" shot and shot immediately following, my 1 minute elevation change stayed constant. Does anyone have any other reason as to why that may be? Was it just due to the barrel temp? Or the additional fouling possibly? Or even both?
ETA: I forgot to add, the shot to the bottom left of the group shot at the top right diamond was a called flier on my part. Measured as part of the group, but not a mess up induced by the gun, ammunition, or environment. That one was definitely on me. There were several shots that I didn't feel great about after pulling the trigger, but that was probably one of the worst; even before checking where it impacted.
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