muley said:
Same result high left then dead on center after the first round. I just have not had a rifle shoot that different on a cold bore shot. Tried fouling then no clean wait until following weekend then shoot it again the same result. shot off of bags then all in one rest. Shoots the same. I borescoped after fouling it appears to be of a normal fouling pattern. Carbon just after the chamber not much copper fouling. I do not have a large amount of experience lookin down different bores.
First, let's acknowledge that the 7mm WSM isn't the most comfortable rifle to shoot without a good supply of mom's biscuit dough between the rifle butt and your shoulder.
If that's the case (three consecutive targets at the same range, each with three shot groups printing one high left and two tightly grouped and a consistent barrel temperature) the issue isn't the rifle, it's the shooter.
Things to check:
Make sure the rifle is not canted to either side.
Practice good breath control and trigger discipline (finger position, straight back squeeze)
Don't let your thumb extend over the top of the pistol grip. Let the thumb extend along side of the pistol grip and keep it relaxed. Use only the fingers of your hand to apply a slight compressive pressure against your shoulder.
If using a rest, use your left hand only to stabilize the rifle. Don't let the left hand put lateral pressure against the side of the stock or otherwise interfere with recoil.
Maintain adequate cheek weld on the comb but don't allow the cheek weld to put pressure on the comb.
Check to make sure nothing on the forearm of the rifle (e.g. sling mounting studs) contact the bags or other support devices during set up or recoil.
Whatever you do, even if it's not text book perfect, do it the same every time you line up and fire. Doing it the same way every time may not put you in the X ring but it will establish a group from which you can make further adjustments if necessary.
Best of luck ...........
