Accuracy and age?????

[msinc]

Maybe it's me, but it sure seems like something has changed for the worst with my shooting...in 1991 I built two rifles and both were very accurate. I still own one of them. About 4 or 5 years ago I put together an AR that was a tack driver. Now, back then I didn't have anywhere near the shooting accessories and was not producing benchrest ammo, yet I shot some very good groups.
Today, I cant get no where near the groups out of some of my rifles and I have twice the ammo quality or better {in regards to what I can control}, do a lot more QC to my reloads and have way more professional level gear to shoot with than I ever had.
My question is, did something change??? Primers, powder, bullets, me...what??? Seems like lighter bullets are all that wants to try to shoot and they better be Bergers. Two rifles in particular I still have. Years ago these rifles were tack drivers, sub 1/2" groups pretty easily and they are not worn out. Today, I might get 1" out of them using the same loads. Only thing different is the time and me. My health is good, I am 54 and don't feel like I am shooting any worse or even different. I have a borescope and I know how to clean the barrel. My chronograph numbers are not off if they are off at all.
I have a pre 64 Model 70 with a Krieger AMU barrel in 30-06 AI. It has the same Mark 4 10x scope, the same everything. I could easily shoot well under 1" all day long with it. Total rounds, maybe 400. Lucky to see a 1 1/2"-2" group now. Same powder, charge, bullet, etc. Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[aussiepowderburner]

Brass age?
Differential neck tension?

My first query would have been carbon build up in front of chamber but you say you have a borescope.

 

[dedogs]

There are so many factors that can affect accuracy that it's tough to list them all. Having said that, since you state that everything seems to be the same as it has been, I would first suspect vision and next would suspect scope. dedogs

 

[Ned Ludd]

Have another capable shooter try one or more of them out. Then you'll have a better idea of it's you or the gun. If it turns out to be you, a visit to the eye doctor for a checkup/evaluation might not be bad idea. In that event you might also have the same capable shooter evaluate your position and shooting mechanics. It may also be that a bad habit or two has crept in unnoticed over the years, which an impartial observer may be able to spot.

 

[RDavies]

I'm just wondering, how old are you? Some of the best shooters out there are in their 70s.

 

[Toolbreaker]

It may also be that a bad habit or two has crept in unnoticed over the years, which an impartial observer may be able to spot.

+1 on having someone observe your shooting form. This one has bit me more than once, and I'm just 42 years young. As a side note, how often do you get out to shoot?

 

[Cold Bore]

...I built two rifles and both were very accurate. I still own one of them....

About 4 or 5 years ago I put together an AR that was a tack driver.

Two rifles in particular I still have. Years ago these rifles were tack drivers,...

I have a pre 64 Model 70.... same Mark 4 10x scope, the same everything. I could easily shoot well under 1" all day long with it.

Only thing different is the time and me.

Since it seems like ALL of your rifles have mysteriously lost their accuracy, all at the same time, I guess that the one common denominator.... you.... has nothing to do with it.

Face it, we're all getting older. 54 isn't exactly old, but eyes, muscles, reflexes, steadiness, heartbeat, breathing, and just about everything else associated with accurate shooting aren't like fine wine.

When my eyes started to go, it was less than a year from being able to see my fingerprints in front of my face, to my arms weren't long enough. Things start changing quickly in that 50-ish age range.

 

[jimcasey01]

The things that can degrade present day accuracy with that obtained in the past are numerous, as some are listed. One possibly over looked, and in no way an inferring anything toward you, is memory. According to my memory, I was a far superior marksman years ago than I am presently. My present day equipment and ammunition is superior in every way to that I used in the past

 

[jonbearman]

I am 58 and my shooting has gone downhill because of smoking. I have tried to quit several different ways and cant right now. What I do to overcome nervousness so to speak is to eat light before going out so the blood supply is centered in digestion which makes you sort of sleepy and calm. It works and don't drink caffeine before going out as your heartbeats per minute rise which absolutely doesn't help your shooting.. With regards to your eyes I can testify that mine have changed dramatically in the last 6 years which has made it necessary to readjust the focus on many of the scopes I use depending on when I bought them due to blurred vision over these last several years, I would definitely have a decent shooter shoot your rifles to make sure it isn't you along with really checking for the carbon ring.Even a small ring can cause havoc with accuracy especially if it scratches the bullet upon entering the chamber.

 

[Shynloco]

I'm just wondering, how old are you? Some of the best shooters out there are in their 70s.

What cr500 says is true...HOWEVER, not all of us are blessed with the same eyesight that we once had. And I'm willing to bet and am convinced, those 70's year old expert shots aren't using the same scopes today that they used when they were say 25 - 30 years old. I know when I was 29 years old, I could easily use a Leupold 3 X 10 VariX II and could put together some impressive groups at varying distances. Today (at 69 yrs young) I have 35X or stronger scopes to get CLOSE to those groups of the past. Sure our reloading materials have gotten better, our barrels are better. But you simply can't hit what you can't see. Optometrists or Ophthalmologists can only do so much for a person. Beyond that, many of us pay a price for aging and that price is called "accuracy". Ah yes, aging is such a wonderful thing. But as long as we just keep coming back for more and try our best, can't really ask for more. Except perhaps a few more toys.

Alex

 

[wbm]

I am 58 and my shooting has gone downhill because of smoking. I have tried to quit several different ways and cant right now.

Sent you a PM Jon.

 

[dragman]

I think some people get complacent and take the human factor for granted. Then when they struggle it causes them to get mad and then it just gets worse. I think a lot of us would benifit from going back to the fundamentals. We can't replace those fundamentals and trigger time with better equipment.

 

[magic mike]

I finally gave up trying to figure out why I can't shoot and bought a new gun safe made out of crystal and shaped like a pyramid. Now all my guns shoot sub .2 at any range. Life is good!

 

[jr600yd]

Yup, I know how you feel. Look, you got good gear. Rifles are in good shape and not shot out. Your reloading equipment is top notch and today's components are a lot better than those of 20 yrs ago. Most of all your in good health.

The problems in your head! You think your shooting worse so you do shoot worse. Its a down hill spiral. Time to start over from the beginning and check everything. Not just the reloading segment but how you mount the rifle, sight alinement trigger squeeze, everything. It's mental man.

 

[savagedasher]

What aged does this happen at ?
I will turn 77 in two weeks. Every Gun own shoots better then it ever did. The only guns that haven't improved is my true customs . I haven made them shoot better the the junk Savage . Larry

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Age is a big contributor to less accurate shooting.. It's just how it is.. Doesn't matter if it's shooting, or whatever, your body and mind change.. My eyes are not what they used to be.. I need a high magnification scope to shoot any more.. That and the fact that if I don't keep my eyebrows cut I grow a hedge up there that hangs in my eyes. What's up with that? I am bald as billiard ball but my eyebrows run wild.. I also have developed what the doc calls floaters on my eye lens.. I can still shoot some good groups but I really have to pay attention to the basics, like cheek weld and keeping the butt in my shoulder tight.. I could go on and on about my failing body, but you guys know..

Oh and 68 here

 

[Changeling]

Whenever someone comes o me about a shooting problem that has come up for them I go through the regular stuff about reloading verbally to get a feel for their knowledge and the ammo they are using.
Then I go directly to the scope, if the screws are all correctly tightened down and it looks OK, I take it OFF and put on another scope known to be good. Set it up with him doing the looking and shooting to see how it/he groups.
Sometimes it is the person, sometimes the ammo are the rifle and a fair amount of times something has happened to the scope.

You just have to use a logical plan of what to check then take things in an orderly way till you find the problem, works for me.
As some have said, don't forget about yourself (most won't admit to that for some reason), have a buddy who can shoot help.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

This applies whether you are shooting in competition or varmint hunting or plinking or going through your daily life: you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of "With Winning In Mind" by Lanny Bassham. Lanny was or is a competition shooter and he talks about the mental aspect of the game. It applies to everything starting with putting your socks on in the morning. Okay, that's a bit of a stretch but I learned a lot from the book. If your equipment was in good shape the last time you shot it, there's no reason to believe it still isn't working barring major events such as dropping it, rust setting in, or whatever. The same holds true with your body. So analyze what has changed. My Dad used to say to start with the cheapest fix which you can see in the mirror every morning.

 

[M-61]

Have another capable shooter try one or more of them out. Then you'll have a better idea of it's you or the gun. If it turns out to be you, a visit to the eye doctor for a checkup/evaluation might not be bad idea. In that event you might also have the same capable shooter evaluate your position and shooting mechanics. It may also be that a bad habit or two has crept in unnoticed over the years, which an impartial observer may be able to spot.

+1.....I am fortunate to have a buddy and he and I shoot the same. Some days you can take a group target shot with the same one rifle and put one on top of the other and they are as close to each other in group size and position as two targets can be. If one day he or I are 'allover the map' the other fires and sure enough it's a great group. All that changed was the shooter. The advantage is obvious BUT we are not hesitant in telling each other what they might have done. I have found I can not (nor ever could) shoot great every day. Some days it's not my day. Long way around saying let someone you know see how the rifles shoot for them. Bad habits unfortunately just creep up and you need some one to watch and shoot to see what's going on.
Assuming your eyes are fine there is no real reason for this to happen to you with different rifles other than a bad habit.
In the early 70's I shot at the Super Shoot in Wapwallopen Pa. Didn't do well but the real marksmen were all OLD MEN! I found that I shoot better (short range BR) now at over 70 than I ever have. Sure my stuff is better (maybe....I still have a Ferguson made, sleeved Rem action, 222 Hart barreled BR rifle SHBF that does better than ever.) The rifle didn't improve, I'm sure my eyes didn't either, but I believe my mental attitude is responsible. That's why all those OLD Men pounded me into the ground. If my reasoning is sound if I make 80 i'll be a world beater!
Have someone else give those rifles a try that you know can shoot well.

 

[pahoghunter]

Do everything "gstaylorg" recommended then put the 30-06 back in the cabinet and get out a 222 or 223 and get in some trigger time and practice your shooting techniques. I'm 72 last year I shot over 3000 rds it really helps and don't forget most of the top shooters do a lot of dry firing. Good luck,