Ammo Testing set up

[Donkey]

Hi Guys

I am testing ammo looking at MV and accuracy for 300 500 600 800 900 1000 yard target shooting off the elbows.

This is my setup.

Scope: Leopold 12x fixed
Front rest: Sand bag
Back rest: Sock with mung beens in it
Target: Fluro diamond
Range: 250 yards
Bench rest: 3ft high wooden structure. Solid and damp with no high frequency resonances, seat remote from bench rest structure.
Chronograph: Need some suggestions here.

Technique: Pulled hard into sholder, squeezing bag for elevation, eye relief mid range full view, head supported by cheek rest.

Intended improvments: Flat fore stock attachment to reduce torque. A rear bag set up that dosen't change the elevation as the rifle recoils on its angled butt base.

Can anyone sugest improvements for gear or otherwise?


Many thanks
Jason

 

[jonbearman]

I would get a rigid front rest,and learn about free recoil.The next thing would be a higher power scope to verify how much you can actually see.You can get teflon tape for your stock from sinclairs which will allow the gun to smoothly move in the bags. You can get an accuracy asset to bolt to your front sling swivel stud to turn your current stock into a flat bottom from sinclairs.Use a sandbag on the rear. Etc. I hope this helps. Let us know what kind of gun and whether it is factory or custom.

 

[HillbillySniper]

I would get a rigid front rest,and learn about free recoil.The next thing would be a higher power scope to verify how much you can actually see.You can get teflon tape for your stock from sinclairs which will allow the gun to smoothly move in the bags. You can get an accuracy asset to bolt to your front sling swivel stud to turn your current stock into a flat bottom from sinclairs.Use a sandbag on the rear. Etc. I hope this helps. Let us know what kind of gun and whether it is factory or custom.

+1 Jon!


Hillbilly

 

[fdshuster]

Amen to what jon said, but you did not say what cartridge? If you intend to go out to 1000 yds., the rounds available that will reach out to those distances will not work with free recoil. Fine with the "little" 6ppc, 6BR with slow twists & lightweight bullets, etc. I've tried some of the bolt-on front adapters and for the most part they will be an improvement (almost anything will be better than a factory stock), but an aftermarket benchrest designed stock with a 2 1/4" minimum to 3" wide forend is the ultimate solution. You certainly need more magnification than a 12x. I have to limit my 12x's to around 300 yards for any type of precision work, scoring 10 rings that are 1" in diameter. For anything further the 12-42x Nightforces get the assignment. A bunny eared rear bag might be a better choice over a flat bag. Wind flags and their readings are very important. There are several publications on the market dealing with 1000 yard's plus, so they may also be a good reference. I can't speak with any knowledge about 1000 yd: never had the opportunity to go beyond 600, just know what works for me up to that distance.

 

[Donkey]

Cheers for all the info and direction guys.

I'm shooting 308 target rifle off the elbows. Hence not using free recoil for ammo testing. I'm trying to keep the barrel harmonics as close to a prone hold as possible.

Any suggestions on the best scope / reticle, target type, Chrony?

 

[msnations]

then why not strap a scope to it and shoot it prone??'

-Mark

 

[BoydAllen]

Unless a rifle is stocked, balanced for it, and is shot off of bags and rest that are designed for it, trying to shoot free recoil is a really bad idea. I say this from the perspective of someone who has the proper setup to do so. If you want to learn something about accuracy, load at the range, and shoot over some sort of flags. Sticks with surveyor's tape will do for a start. I wish I had a nickel for every guy I see at the range that seems to think that he should try to shoot free recoil with a rifle and rest setup that are not suitable.... I would refer you to an interview by James Mock of Lester Bruno, in which Lester points out that he competed for two years,without winning, until he tried holding his rifle like a heavily recoiling hunting rifle. I believe that he is fourth in the Benchrest Hall of Fame. Yes, some top shooting is done free recoil, but the whole system has to be built for that style. The reason that I brought up the interview is that so many think that you can't shoot at the highest level holding the rifle. This is simply not true.