How to shoot tight groups?

[270WSMANIC]

Now that I have everybody's attention. This post title is being posed as a question. Ok so what is a tight group? If a rifle is only capable of 4 inch groups at 100 than 4 in groups @ 100 is darn good shooting. For the sake of this post lets say off the shelf rifle with a good scope, that is capable of 3/4in groups. If the shooter does his part.
Ok here is what has always worked well for me. Arrange the sandbags to hold the rifle so that it will be at the right height for me. At the same time the crosshairs should be on or very near the bulls-eye without me touching the rifle. Now to make the shot put your shoulder against the butt of the stock however firm it takes to keep from getting a bruised shoulder ( a sore shoulder is not conductive to tight groups). If the scope is not wanting to naturally point dead-center bull, shift bags a bit. Get as relaxed as I can without falling asleep and dropping the rifle, put steady pressure on the trigger till the shot breaks. I normally keep the point of impact an inch or so away from the bull unless sighting in to hunt, so as not to destroy my aiming point.
Some allow for cool down between shots I normally fire 3shot groups before cool down, unless having trouble with heat affecting 3 shot groups as I am experiencing now. ( See my post about barrel heat).
This setup has allowed me to shoot sub moa and occasionally sub 1/2 moa with my 700 Rem 270 Win. and a-bolt hunter 270WSM for a lot of years.
Firing each shot with everything done the same is key to good groups too. I once read where someone said its possible to shoot great groups while falling off the stool, if you fall off the same way each time.
Ok lets hear from others what has worked for you, where am I going wrong, etc.

 

[Savage99]

While groups are interesting the primary purpose of my hunting rifles is to hit the game with the first shot!

Thus when I test them at the range I use a rest that's similar to what I might use in the field which may include hand holding the rifle.

So I record where the first shot hits from a cold barrel and keep those records.

 

[tomrkba]

First, get off those sandbags and learn to shoot with the standard positions. At the very least, be proficient in standing, kneeling and prone. I do recommend knowing Rice Paddy Squat and sitting.

1) Gooseneck your head forward so it's in the same position relative to the sights every time.
2) Achieve a consistent and proper cheekweld to the stock.
3) Make sure no part of your trigger finger is touching the stock.
4) Breath properly and use the respiratory pause.
5) Master the natural point of aim. Use your bones to support the rifle; muscling the rifle into position will cause it to move back to its natural point of aim. Act like you're a turret on a tank and move your whole body slightly. Something as small as wiggling a toe can get you on target.
6) Follow through, follow through, follow through!

http://appleseedshoot.blogspot.com/2008/03/six-steps-of-firing-shot.html

 

[HOOfan_1]

There is nothing wrong with trying to reduce group sizes when shooting from a bench rest. That is a perfectly normal and fine way to enjoy the shooting sports.

I think making sure your eye is in the same position every time is key. Make sure you get the same cheek weld on the gun every time

 

[bikemutt]

I find that jerking the trigger is my worst enemy towards tight groups. I will take my two stage triggers to the wall and back off until I'm certain my squeeze is not moving the crosshairs.

 

[jmr40]

First, get off those sandbags and learn to shoot with the standard positions.

Shooting off some type of rest is a standard position. Doing it any other way should be only used as a last resort when shooting at game. I practice with improvised rests such as a pack, or rolled up jacket. I practice with shooting sticks as well as improvised rests such as trees etc. I also shoot off hand and with an improvised sling for those times when nothing else is available.

As far as shooting small groups from a bench it is important to aim small if you want small groups. The scope should be adjusted so that the POI is at least a couple of inches away from the POA. You cannot aim precisely if bullet holes keep destroying the aiming point.

Circles are poor aiming points. I like to shoot at the corner of a square aiming point. I can put the crosshairs on the exact corner and align the horizontal and vertical lines of the scope on the edges of the square aiming point.

 

[guyfromohio]

Sand bags help me decide if the problem is the gun or if it's me. It's me. Always me.

 

[270WSMANIC]

I see I left out a few details in my post. Cheek weld, breathing ( I take a breath or two let out half and make the shot). I usually shoot both eyes open.
And yes I agree with not doing all shooting from sand bags. Bench resting tests the rifle, scope, ammo etc. Shooting from field positions test the shooter.
Sometimes when hunting its necessary to shoot fast. I like to practice getting the best rest available quickly, and get an accurate shot off as soon as possible. I like to call it taking my good ole time while hurrying the hell up.

 

[Ankeny]

I shoot off of a bench quite frequently, especially when working up loads and confirming ballistics dope. Right now I am arm wrestling with a .204 Ruger that refuses to shoot much under an inch. For my needs, a varmint rifle that won't shoot under .5 MOA is pretty much worthless. For big game, I wouldn't even own a rifle that doesn't shoot sub-moa.

 

[270WSMANIC]

Ankeny, I could accept moa in a deer rifle but I wouldn't like it.

 

[270WSMANIC]

Yea guyfromohio, but never admit it.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

I take a breath or two let out half and make the shot.

Try letting out a full, natural breath. Personally, my lungs don't have a gauge so judging half a breath is difficult and can lead to shot-to-shot inconsistency. If you just breathe naturally and simply pause at the bottom of your breath, that is a more natural and repeatable pause.

 

[bikemutt]

Bench resting tests the rifle, scope, ammo etc. Shooting from field positions test the shooter.

I guess I'll quibble a bit with that.

My thought is every shot tests the rifle, scope, ammo etc.

Successful tight group shooting from a benchrest may seem easy, and it certainly is easier that shooting from a field position while hoping to bag a buck, but it is not easy to do with a great deal of consistency. At least, it's not for me. It's a lot of work, especially with expensive ammo, work schedules, crowded ranges, the list goes on. And it's different for each shooter. I find it requires a great deal of focus, a commodity often in short supply in today's world.

 

[splattergun]

Seems the common theme in this thread is 'consistency'. I concur.

When letting out my breath, I simply exhale to a neutral point, where I don't feel the need to let any more out, nor to breathe back in. I stop breathing for the few seconds it takes to settle the sights and squeeze off. I do not hold my breath, I simply stop breathing for a few seconds.

 

[Welding Rod]

Just get the shot to break at the instant the sights are on target, every time.

 

[69Precision]

Deleted

 

[69Precision]

Shooting off some type of rest is a standard position. Doing it any other way should be only used as a last resort when shooting at game. I practice with improvised rests such as a pack, or rolled up jacket. I practice with shooting sticks as well as improvised rests such as trees etc. I also shoot off hand and with an improvised sling for those times when nothing else is available.

This!

 

[henschman]

How to shoot small groups?

When you're shooting a group, point the rifle at the same place for every shot.

No sweat, right?

 

[Paul7]

The average game animal is shot at 90 yards, if you can shoot 2" groups you aren't going to miss any.

 

[270WSMANIC]

paul7, Pretty much true but I think there are a lot of us out there that would like to be able to shoot a deer in the left eye if that is the shot offered, and know you are going to hit it in the left eye. ( Not that I recommend that kind if shot).

 

[Onewolf]

3 or 5 shot groups?

 

[jmorris]

Have the gun so stable it does not move (at all) while you aim it to the exact same spot. Then pull the trigger so slowly, while it is on said spot, you don't know when it is going to fire.

 

[Welding Rod]

Jmorris, I find that is an interesting method as it is completely opposite of mine which is about trigger control and causing the break at the specific instant you want it to happen as the sights are crossing the target.

 

[Damon555]

The easiest way to shoot good groups is to get lucky once in a while then post a picture online of a single good group while not showing the rest of the groups.....

.....lol...Sorry I couldn't help it.

 

[jmorris]

I don't think we are too far apart Welding Rod, both of us are putting our sight on target. The method I suggested just don't have the sights crossing the target but sitting still on it.

Then all you have to do is pull the trigger without moving the rifle any and the "suprise break" is a good method for that.

Something like this video firing an air rifle I have at a can at 100 yds, rifle is sitting on the bench not even shouldered and then just pull the trigger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpAdZN3K22o