shooting diagnosis

[pdowg881]

I picked this rifle up awhile ago, but today was my first time actually shooting at something other than cans with it. I was dissapointed with my shooting and noticed they were grouping left. Not much of a group either. So I thought maybe the scope needed to be sighted, and treacked where my hits landed when I amed a few inches to the right. I am really confused with the groupings, and it looks like I hit everything BUT the center. It was with an old Marlin 80, 4x15 scope offhand with .22 american eagle 40grn 50 yards. Should I be getting better results? I have o idea becuase most of my past .22 shooting was all benchrest.I probably shouldve just kept aiming at the center though becuase some of those holes are from aiming to the right to see what results I got. Excuse the crappy target, I just got home from school finals and had to go somewhere else so only had 30 min to hike into the woods and shoot. lol

 

[Oldnamvet]

First, give the barrel a really good cleaning, not just a couple of patches. Then inspect the muzzle for any dings around the crown. Then use a benchrest and shoot some more targets, using only one aiming point. Then you will be able to tell what is going on. Until then, who knows? Too many variables and unknowns.

 

[hoghunting]

Have you used that ammo from a bench rest to see if it is accurate in your rifle? If you haven't, try using a steady rest and use that ammo and different brands of ammo too. Then pick the ammo that shoots the best.

Have you cleaned the rifle? An older rifle might have a bit of fouling.

 

[dfaugh]

Well, if you were shooting offhand, that's probably OK at 50 yards(better than I can do)....If you were shooting off a steady rest, it sucks.

In short, need more info!

 

[pdowg881]

ok ill go out and shoot it again when i get more time, just tried it real quick and was wondering what you could tell me. As for cleaning, I hadn't put more than 50 rounds through it since this time. I'll try to set up a bench rest this week though. It's just becuase I don't go to a range and I have to lug the crap down into the woods.

 

[pdowg881]

Here is the crown, best shot I could get. Since I'm new to the whole thing I don't know if it's a little worn, or totally messed up. By tomorrow I'll have benchrest results tho.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Crown is fine. Clean try new ammo and use a rest.

 

[pdowg881]

Couldn't get a benchrest, don't know of any ranges around here and wouldnt go myself my first time anyways, but same stuff as before, except kneeling supported. Gave it a good cleaning too. Shot at a paper bag(I'm on a budget, lol) looks like the accuracy is fine. I think its sighted out at a farther distance so the grouping is a little high maybe? Again I don't know jack about this stuff. First time since shooting at boy scout summer camp back in the day. Its been a few years. I must say though, I love the smell of gunpowder and gun oil. lol. Brings back memories. sorry i couldnt get a benchrest though. Too much hassle to go make out way out in the woods. But for the circumstances, it looks like the accuracy is good. But whatever tell me wat u think.

 

[pdowg881]

heloooooo. Anyone there? lol

 

[GeoW]

Try assuming a prone supported position, resting the rifle on a sand bag or something like that. Make one out of a trouser leg cut off, filled with sand or whatever and sew up on the ends. Only then will you realize the true accuracy of both you and your rifle. Probably zeroed at 100 yds. from the looks of the target. I would start the practice at 25 yards and move farther with time.
Regards,
GeoW

 

[pdowg881]

ya i just had a hollow aluminum pole with screws in a Y shape to hold the rifle. It was kinda shaky, but all I could do at the time. Anybody know of any good ranges in southern NH?