A question for benchrest shooters.

j_valdez

j_valdez

New member
I have been into reloading for years and have done it to get more accrate ammo. I have noticed from my trips to the range with different rifles/calibers (243,22-250,270) that when shooting my groups tend to tighten up after a few shots.

I will sit down and shoot a group usually over an inch and all over the paper. Now I have noticed that when shooting and recoil is done my crosshairs have either moved right or left. I tend to try and hold rifle but not to tight.

Now after a few groups that are anything but small I just decide to shoot whats left and pull rifle in tight and JUST SHOOT. The groups tighten up to under .750, quite a few times one hole groups. (5 shot group).

Am I not holding the rifle tight enough to keep it on target? Is this just part of every other sport and the shooter just needs to warm up? If the rifle after recoil has moved to one side or the other does that tell me something?
 
Try dry-firing 15 or 20 times before you shoot a group. sounds like you need to warm up a little, its all about muscle memory
 
Last edited:
I'm not a competition benchrest shooter but I do spend a lot of time on our rifle ranges. I for one need a warm up. I don't really settle down until about the 3rd group. I will try the dry firing technique. Thanks for the tip. Dave
 
I did shoot a lot of centerfire benchrest during the 1970's.
If your groups are tightening up because the barrel needs fouling before it shoots well, then you'll have to live with that, or do what's needed to correct the barrel issue.
If your equipment is right, and it takes shooting some groups before they get better, then the shooter needs training; or, the shooter needs warm up shots to get in the groove.
On the target I shot below, I took a tricked out Ruger 10-22 to the range and shot six, five shot groups with it at 50 yards to get in the groove. I then shot the target shown at 100 yards, a 3 shot group.
When I shot the target below, I was flat in the groove in my bench technique, and nailed a great group.
I liken it to basketball teams that practice shots before the game starts, so when the ball leaves their fingertips, the guys KNOW it's in for 3.

This is a 60 year old Remington 722 in 300 Savage, with nothing done to the rifle to tweak it in any way. I just adjusted the trigger to a 2 1/2 pound pull, nothing more as it is a collector's quality rifle.

The group:
DSCF0201.jpg


The rifle:
DSCF0200-1.jpg
 
I went out to the Whittington Center today to get some practice in with my 357 sig. I pulled out the 22-250 and placed the target from the previous day out at 100. I held the rifle snug checked my breathing and pressed the trigger. The shot went right into the center of the .750 5 shot group I had shot previously. So I didnt wanna waste any ammo and realized it was the way I was holding the rifle. The last 3 shots out of the rife were 1/4 inch. I am done wasting ammo now.....thanks
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top