What is good rifle shooting?

[For Freedom]

I was at the range today with my 10/22. Usually what I'll do is I'll sling up, go prone, and fire 10 shots in about 30 seconds or so...pretty much as fast as I can get a sight picture. The gun has Tech Sights, a VQ trigger kit, and the sling. Other than that, it's stock and I use bulk ammo.

I'm getting 6-8 moa (1.5-2") groups at 25 yards.

With my M1As I do worse. Like 6-10 moa groups at 25 yards. I think it's because they have more recoil and I get nervous because they're so expensive to shoot.

I measure my groups from the center of each of my furthest shots away in a group.

I feel like I have the fundamentals down well. My only problem is that on about 10 or 15% of my shots with my centerfire rifles I'll close my eyes just after I pull the trigger. I'm not very good at calling my shots. I try to mitigate this by dry firing a lot while I'm at the range in between live fire.

Can someone please tell me how to properly do a "hasty sling?" Today I found that I actually shot worse using a "hasty sling" standing than I did standing unsupported.

I feel like something's missing. Like I can do better. Any thoughts?

Here's a picture (sorry no pictures of targets):

 

[rero360]

I would say you should slow down, take your time, make sure you have your natural point of aim down solid for each shot. for rack grade rifles you should be shooting for 4 MOA or better. those are some nice looking rifles by the way.

 

[For Freedom]

Maybe I should the M1As' legs a little bit. Maybe with a full-power centerfire it takes like 75 or 100 yards for the groups to stabilize. Is this a real phenomenon?

 

[.38 Special]

I cannot give you any advice other than to point out that the "hasty sling" is geometrically unsound and essentially pointless. The sling is only of use when you have something upon which to rest your elbows. It does not matter what is attached to your arms when they -- and any associated paraphernalia -- are floating around in the air.

Doubtless there will shortly be someone to disagree with me. I will let him take it up with Colonel Cooper.

 

[For Freedom]

That sounds about right .38 Special.

 

[Just Jim]

Jeff Cooper said that a "good rifle shot" should be able to hit a tea cup on demand from any position at 100 yards. I am not that good but am working toward the goal.

jj

 

[Floppy_D]

This may sound silly, but what are you aiming at? I mean, what does your front sight have to align to for you to feel inclined to apply pressure to the trigger?

The old adage is "aim small, miss small." If you're shooting at the center of a blue silhouette, then that could be the issue. Try shooting at a square piece of electrical tape (3/4" by 3/4") on a white piece of paper. Really focus on centering that little square on the center top of your front sight.

If not, are you not stable when pulling the trigger? Are you moving?

 

[For Freedom]

This may sound silly, but what are you aiming at? I mean, what does your front sight have to align to for you to feel inclined to apply pressure to the trigger?

Usually I'll just pick a spot on the target, like a bullseye or a number. I have a lot of trouble seeing what I'm shooting at actually. I'm glad you brought this up.

The old adage is "aim small, miss small." If you're shooting at the center of a blue silhouette, then that could be the issue. Try shooting at a square piece of electrical tape (3/4" by 3/4") on a white piece of paper. Really focus on centering that little square on the center top of your front sight.

Good advice thanks.

If not, are you not stable when pulling the trigger? Are you moving?

There's not much of a wobble with my 10/22. With my M1As there is a little bit. Whenever I put down the 10/22 and pick up an M1A my heart starts racing. Unless I'm standing, I don't try to quickly pull the trigger as the wobble moves over the target.

....

 

[yesit'sloaded]

10 shots in 30 seconds is going to heat up the barrel enough to start throwing shots. Maybe not so much at 25 yards with a .22. Try firing groups of 5 from a bench rest with bags shooting about one shot every two minutes. Focus on breathing and make sure you are not flinching. Shooting unsupported doesn't give you much idea as to whether it is you or the rifle because the variables can be limitless.

 

[jpwilly]

Move the targets out to 50yrds for centerfire rifles and shoot at a small target with lots of contrast like a black bull on white background. If your groups stay around 2" than it's just your sight picture. If they open up...well you may want to bench rest the rifles and see what they are capable of. That will tell you if it's you or them.

 

[funfaler]

You will get some good sling use information, as well as some good shooting pointers from this site http://appleseedshoot.blogspot.com/

Both your 10/22 and M1A should be more than capable of sub-4 MOA shooting at 25 meters.

Look over the site and feel free to PM me with any questions.

Good luck

 

[rangerruck]

first off, you are shooting too fast; go slow, until you are good to go, then work on speed. Secondly, most people do not do the hasty sling right. For it to work well offhand, that baby has got to be in Tiiiiigggtyht!!!!! You shove your support arm through the sling, until the sling is resting against the outside of your bicep of your support arm.Then you rap your arm back around the outside of the sling, and are able to grab your stock fore arm for support.
this should be very tight, then, you should really lock that bad boy into your shoulder , as well.

 

[Art Eatman]

I'll go along with the "Slow down" advice.

FWIW, Olympic shooters learn to shoot between heartbeats. Every time the heart pumps, there is a very slight tremor in the body.

Next: The homo sap response time to obey a command from the brain is 0.2 seconds. Doesn't matter if it's a signal to the trigger finger, or to a foot for using the brake pedal on a car. 0.2 seconds, average.

Nobody is a human bench rest. Nobody.

To really nail a target, then, you have to practice enough to become able to anticipate when your sight picture will be perfect: 0.2 seconds in the future. That's when you brain says, "Do it!" By the time your finger actually moves, the sight picture is just where it oughta be.

The slower the pulse rate, the longer time between pumps. So, 60 means a full second available to work out that 0.2 deal.

That's why God invented the .22 rimfire: To cut down the cost of perfection.

Art