Consistency

[alana]

So I'm pretty new to the throwing lead at paper game. More used to the breaking inoffensive pieces of pottery pastime.

I bought a decent rifle.
Borrowed a buddy's scope that'll let me see the holes at 200 yards.

I have perhaps 400 rounds into this thing. I thought I was doing ok - last time out I managed 35/40 shots inside a 4" circle at said 200 yards. Today I couldn't hit a barn door. I kept it all inside a foot circle. Just. But the holes were all over the place.

Conditions were similar - with perhaps a touch more wind today.

I'm finding it hard to get a consistent position on the stock. If it's not the cheek weld, it's the position in the shoulder. Or something else.

Is there a knack I'm missing, am I over thinking, looking for an excuse, or should I be off to take lessons?

Oh and this is both addictive and buggering up my shotgunning - I keep trying to spot shoot the clays.

 

[browningguy]

As you have noted the key to shooting accuratly is getting set up the same way every time. If you are just using andbags for a front rest it will be very difficult. Try getting even an inexpensive front rest (or bipod) and a rear sandbag, that will at least get you closer to setting up consistantly for bench shooting. Then you can really work on technique.

Also I suggest going to http://www.accurateshooter.com and browsing the articles there, many world record holders have posted hints and tips for long range shooting and even 100/200 Benchrest.

 

[alana]

It's on a harris bipod with a rear sandbag. It also has a cheek pad.

Everything about last time and this was the same - except the diameter of the ultimate hole circle, and my level of comfort.

 

[mmitch]

Coffee drinker?

Mike

 

[WNTFW]

To really get some specific help you need to provide more info on what you are doing. Standing, prone etc. and what rifle/sight/ammo are you using.

NPA = Natural Point of Aim. If you have NPA and can call your shots you can benefit from dryfiring. So much of rifle shooting is position. Dry firing is cheap.

Also shooting a lot of .22lr is the best way to practice for me.

 

[Redlg155]

Try using a smaller target. One of the key factors in missing big game animals is looking at the entire animal instead of.picking one small spot. You would be surprised at how easy it is to miss an elk.
I would also try a small strip of tape on the stock. That way you have a indicator that you can feel against your cheek for repeatability. Archers have done this for years by using a "kisser' button.

Don't forget to check to see if your mount screws have worked loose.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Try using a smaller target.

+1

Ideally, your bullseye won't be much wider than the crosshair at the range you intend to shoot. Trying to estimate center of a large target is nearly impossible at range, especially with parallax and mirage factored in.

 

[jmr40]

200 yards is a long way for a beginning shooter. Buy a 22 and become proficient at 25-50 yards before you move up to a centerfire and 200 yard shooting.

 

[murf]

clean the copper fouling out of the barrel. use sweets 7.62, or something similar.

your shotgun swing will come back in time. don't worry.

murf

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Get to an Appleseed shoot! They will teach you the basics of Rifle Marksmanship like the Army used to and I am told the Marines still do. Firing 5-600 rounds over the course of a weekend (buy a .22 - it will pay for itself in ammo) will get you that trigger time to build the consistency you are looking for. 200yd might not be a good place to start with no instruction, but once you learn the basics, it's cake to hit at 200 and beyond.

 

[sage5907]

alana, throw the Harris bipod in the dumpster. If you're shooting over a sandbag at the rear of the rifle put sandbads under the forearm (not the barrel). This is elementary but if you're right handed close the left eye. Make sure when you look through the scope that you're seeing a full round picture. If part of the picture looks black you're not looking through the center of the scope. Put pressure on the trigger and when the reticle is centered on the target finish the squeeze. If you head feels like a bobblehead your scope may be mounted too high. BW

 

[jmr40]

if you're right handed close the left eye.

Let's no be teaching bad habits that will need to be broken later. Much better to keep both eyes open. Lots of guys find this out too late and have a hard time breaking the habit later. Learn to do it right the first time.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Let's no be teaching bad habits that will need to be broken later. Much better to keep both eyes open.

With a magnified optic? Who does that?

 

[TurtlePhish]

Much better to keep both eyes open.

That only really works with red dots/ACOGs or target-style peeps with a piece of foam or cardboard sticking off the side.

 

[nipprdog]

I bought a decent rifle.

Info?

Borrowed a buddy's scope that'll let me see the holes at 200 yards.

Info?

 

[alana]

It's a savage flcp-k in 308.
The scope I was referring to was a spotting scope - a kowa.
The scope on the rifle is a weaver. I know how to look down one, and it's on a one piece base with the bolts all torqued correctly.

I'm shooting off a bench and using those 4" shoot n c targets as aiming points. The center dot isn't particularly large, and it's red so I have something to aim at. If I do it right I can hit the red dot in the middle with a rear bag and bipod. I'm a bit less precise off shoulder with just the bipod, but again if I do it right I find the results acceptable.

Sadly I can't do it often enough to make me feel like its not random or a fluke. Last time out I couldn't even seem to get comfortable on the gun and that is whats driving me nuts.

I'll try the tape trick. I might try a different cheek riser. One of my problems is that I don't feel like I'm able to get the stock in the right spot on my shoulder and still have a decent view down the scope.

I don't have the same problem with the Eotech on the AR or the O/U so it's this gun that's problematic.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Try "chicken-winging" your arm a little and pull the butt into the pocket that forms between your shoulder and collarbone. It's pretty comfortable and easily repeatable.

 

[sage5907]

"One of my problems is that I don't feel like I'm able to get the stock in the right spot on my shoulder and still have a decent view down the scope."

Alana, to me that indicates the length of pull on the stock is too long or the scope is mounted too far forward. Try sliding the scope rearward in the mounts and see if that helps. BW

 

[TonyAngel]

Yeah, as was mentioned above, check for copper fouling in the bore. Many over the counter "hunting" rifles foul pretty quickly. If you were shooting well the first time around, copper fouling may be the problem.

On the other hand, there could have been environmental factors involved on your second trip that weren't present during your first. The problem could also be in your head. Did anything change between your first and second session? Like the ammo? Are you sure that you are suffering a parallax error in your scope?

Was all of your shooting done off of the bipod? If so, you might want to try using a sandbag or better yet, a benchrest. I'm a fan of using bipods, but they do require some extra attention to technique to employ them successfully.

 

[jmr40]

Let's no be teaching bad habits that will need to be broken later. Much better to keep both eyes open.

With a magnified optic? Who does that?

People who know how to shoot properly.

Much better to keep both eyes open.

That only really works with red dots/ACOGs or target-style peeps with a piece of foam or cardboard sticking off the side.

I have never closed either eye when shooting any type of sight. Red dots, scopes or irons, leaving both eyes open is the correct and best way. It is better to learn how to do it correctly the first time rather than have to break bad habits later.

Why in the world would anyone want to close an eye and limit their field of view and peripheral vision. Anyone can shoot faster and more accurately with both eyes open even when using scopes that magnify. If you can't do it you really need to practice and learn how. I promise you will become a better shooter.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Why in the world would anyone want to close an eye and limit their field of view and peripheral vision.

For just paper punching, field of view and peripheral vision aren't really that important. Hunting, sure, but a paper target isn't going anywhere.

Anyone can shoot faster and more accurately with both eyes open even when using scopes that magnify.

I wouldn't say "anyone". Especially not people with changing eye-dominance. I personally find trying to use magnified scopes with both eyes open annoying and not all that effective.

If you can't do it you really need to practice and learn how. I promise you will become a better shooter.

Why do I need to learn how? I find myself pretty capable as is. If I have any problems with eye fatigue from keeping one eye closed for too long, I just stick a piece of paper under the left lens of my glasses and it works fine for me. I prefer to only see my target when I'm at the range, not everything downrange.

 

[allaroundhunter]

deleted....it's been covered enough