Vertical Where to start?

[Mulligan]

Went out shooting yesterday to work on load development. I was testing bullet seating depths in both a dasher and 300 WSM. Same rifle, rests, etc, just changed barrels and bolts.

Every group I shot printed vertical stringing. Of all the things I have read and experienced that can cause this vertical stringing issue, in what order would you start looking?



Seb NEO
Gator
Panda F-class
Krieger
Deep Creek Tracker stock

It was cool (38*F) yesterday, and I was wearing a down vest. Otherwise everything was pretty normal. Winds were actually very calm, mostly overcast, zero mirage.
CW

Edit
Groups shot at 600 yards
CW

 

[Terry]

What is the measurement on the vertical?

Changes in velocity?

The terrain at our local range can cause this on most days. If you are shooting over flat ground I would look at the bags. Is the rifle moving vertically during shooting? A hard front bag can cause this. A shoulder against the but can do this.

 

[dmoran]

..... A shoulder against the but can do this.

A shoulder not against the butt can also do it.

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@Mulligan - check things over, it could be mechanically induced (like a loose base, action screw, etc...)

 

[JFrank]

Went out shooting yesterday to work on load development. I was testing bullet seating depths in both a dasher and 300 WSM. Same rifle, rests, etc, just changed barrels and bolts.

Every group I shot printed vertical stringing. Of all the things I have read and experienced that can cause this vertical stringing issue, in what order would you start looking?

View attachment 1147051 View attachment 1147052

Seb NEO
Gator
Panda F-class
Krieger
Deep Creek Tracker stock

It was cool (38*F) yesterday, and I was wearing a down vest. Otherwise everything was pretty normal. Winds were actually very calm, mostly overcast, zero mirage.
CW

Edit
Groups shot at 600 yards
CW

I’experienced the same thing a week ago, at first glance I’m saying a 5:00 wind you didn’t detect coupled with a slightly hotter load for the cold.
Just a hunch mind you, no scientific proof or long winded spreadsheets etc.
Jim

 

[SSeal]

If you are shouldering your gun it could be inconsistent shoulder pressure.

 

[Joe Salt]

Joe, I think you just Ruined My Christmas! My God all these years I figured it was just me. LOL Boy do I have to start paying attention.

Joe Salt

 

[ballisticxlr]

Is speedy a native Russian speaker by chance? There's a glaring omission of the article "the" from many of his sentences which I gather is a very native Russian speaker thing to do. Back to your normal programming.

 

[JFrank]

Holy cow,
If I had all that goin on I think I’d shoot myself .
Thanks Joe

 

[Mulligan]

What is the measurement on the vertical?

Changes in velocity?

The terrain at our local range can cause this on most days. If you are shooting over flat ground I would look at the bags. Is the rifle moving vertically during shooting? A hard front bag can cause this. A shoulder against the but can do this.

The vertical is about 3”
No velocity changes that would make an appreciable difference.
Lots of berms at our range, however, it is the same range I have done the rest of the load development on.
CW

 

[North Fork]

How about seating depth

 

[Mulligan]

How about seating depth

The dasher groups are 4 different seating depths.
CW

Edit

The 300 is a seating depth test shot round-robin.
CW

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

So same scope/stock, changing barrels and bolts and test loads all with vertical movements. Have to suspect scope, will save you time and components.

 

[lawman29]

For Dasher try jumping them; 5, 15 & 25?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id look at your sandbags and the sand they contain. If its heavy sand thatll be an easy fix

 

[Mulligan]

Id look at your sandbags and the sand they contain. If its heavy sand thatll be an easy fix

Talk to me Dusty.
CW

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Talk to me Dusty.
CW

I thought it was in the speedy article above. Basically use a sand that wont pack and dont let your bags get too hard. Heavy sand is notorious for causing vertical

 

[JFrank]

I thought it was in the speedy article above. Basically use a sand that wont pack and dont let your bags get too hard. Heavy sand is notorious for causing vertical

Notorious in the rear bag also ??

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Notorious in the rear bag also ??

In the ears for sure

 

[BenPerfected]

How about shooting into a strong headwind at longer distance.
Ben

 

[velocette]

Vertical stringing is quite simple. You are using a rear bag with a stock that is tapered from buttplate to wrist.
You are pressing slightly down on the stock when you fire the round. The rifle's butt moves back and down slightly in recoil before the bullet leaves the barrel. Thus you get vertical stringing.
Try making CERTAIN that you have NO downward pressure on your butt when you let that bullet free to the target.