How to keep my shots consistent?

[eric.cartman]

I'm thinking about a sniper rifle.
To be more specific, a Tikka T3 Tactical in .308 Win.
But first I need to get my lovely Colt Anaconda Then, Tikka.

Anyways...

How do I keep my shots consistent as far as the ammo is concerned?
Do I scope the rifle, and always shoot the same kind of ammo?
Grain? Powder charge? Etc?
I assume if I use diferent ammo power, grain, whatever, the shots will be off, right?

 

[JWarren]

Your absolute best bet for consistency in terms of ammunition would be to load your own and use quality bullets.


That said, I have had good consistency using high quality commercial ammunition and shooting it exclusively when shooting for accuracy.

-- John

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Yep.
Precision shooting is very scientific. It's not so much that you don't want to shoot different ammo, it's stabilizing the potential for variables as you shoot so that YOU are the only variable.

So, you should shoot a variety of loads when you get your Tikka in hands and shouldered up so that you can see what it likes.
Then, shoot that load. You'll get used to it and can work on your shooting form, breathing, pulsation, etc.
As John suggested, reload your own rounds. Precision shooting is as close as you can get to being one with your weapon.
I miss that.

 

[30Cal]

If you keep some basic data, it shouldn't be all that much of an issue.

 

[JWarren]

as wheelgunslinger said, its all about controlling variables.

While quality commercial ammunition has done good for me in the past, I am absolutely certain that there will be less variance in powder loads, etc. if a knowledgable handloader does it.

To those that crave accuracy, they will take the extra time and care to be almost perfect from round to round.


-- John

 

[eric.cartman]

So, you should shoot a variety of loads when you get your Tikka in hands and shouldered up so that you can see what it likes.

How do I know which one she likes???
Is that judged by the groups I'm getting with different kinds of ammo?

Can you recomend a GOOD comercial ammo.
Honestly, I rather not reload my own... I'm lazy
But I don't mind paying top $$$ for top notch ammo.

Federal? Remington? Winchester?

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Try a bunch of different brands and see what it likes best. Sometimes identical models will like different ammo. Look for the one that has the smallest most consistent groups once you and the rifle are both dialed in and doing your part.

 

[pbrktrt]

for 308 federal gold match is tough to beat. black hills, hornady, cor-bon & any of the premium ammo should treat you right. like others have said, every rifle seems to prefer something different.

 

[strat81]

How do I know which one she likes???

Try them out. Whether it's factory loads or hand loads, you'll need to run them through your rifle.

And if you haven't been there yet:
http://demigodllc.com/articles.php
http://demigodllc.com/articles/practical-long-range-rifle-shooting-equipment/

 

[Bitswap]

+1 on fpm and black hills. +2 on a lesson or two and a good front rest / technique. +3 on hand loads.

 

[Swampy]

As to ammo variables.....

During 'nam the Marine snipers would take the rifle they were issued out to their "sight in" range off the edge of the base with several different lots of ammo and start shooting. When they found the lot that their rifle liked... that's all they shot in it from that point on.... unless and until that lot of ammo was all used up or no longer available, then they repeated the regimen to find a new "sweet" lot.

As was related in Carlos Hathcock's bio there were three numbers a Marine sniper NEVER forgot.....

1) His own service serial number
2) The serial number of the rifle he had been issued
3) The lot number of the ammo that his rifle shot best.

regards,
Swampy

Garands forever