Following suggestions from better shooters

[jsof]

I wanted to thank Orkan and Lee and all the others whose posts I have read and tried to follow the suggestions therein. What a great learning resource these forum threads can be from technique to equipment choices.
What prompted me to post my gratitude specifically was Orkan's video suggestion to experiment with technique which got me to thinking about Lee's reduced weight tuner, Gnergy's far less expensive high quality F class bipod, and heck even wherever the heck it was that got me into my Vudoo. As to Orkan, I finally found the beginnings of my remedy for my maddening inconsistency. Turns out my rifle loves a light touch where I'm just holding it enough to keep it on target. By the way, these are five shots at 50 yards off a bipod and rear bag, and yes, I know I'm not the best, but I think I've got my starting point now.
So, anyone else out there with similar experiences?

 

[orkan]

I'm very glad to provide help where I can, and thank you for the kind words. You may want to read a few articles I've written on the subject of precision rifle fundamentals before you firmly declare what the rifle prefers. The vertical dispersion in a couple of your groups from the "tight hold" column are tell-tale of a shooter that's having trouble with breathing, trouble with bipod pre-load, as well as inconsistent grip. I've been instructing shooters for a long time and usually tight little knots in one group, and long vertical in the next, tends to be control related. Granted I can only tell so much from a target without seeing you shoot, but it may be something for you to look into none the less.

The problem with a "light touch" is that the rifle can get a bit wild if the support system doesn't allow it to track perfectly from shot to shot, group to group. Much easier to control things with proper form, if the rifle allows it.

Have a look here. Specifically at the articles on grip technique, zero-force firing position, and breathing. There are a couple more advanced bodies of work as well.
http://www.primalrights.com/library/articles

Another thing I should point out: Rifles of mine which truly exhibit finicky behavior get sold quite quickly. The exception to this is classic rifles from a bygone era which can't be easily replaced. All new finicky rifles that can just be replaced with something better, get out of here quick if they can't be "fixed."

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

I wanted to thank Orkan and Lee and all the others whose posts I have read and tried to follow the suggestions therein. What a great learning resource these forum threads can be from technique to equipment choices.
What prompted me to post my gratitude specifically was Orkan's video suggestion to experiment with technique which got me to thinking about Lee's reduced weight tuner, Gnergy's far less expensive high quality F class bipod, and heck even wherever the heck it was that got me into my Vudoo. As to Orkan, I finally found the beginnings of my remedy for my maddening inconsistency. Turns out my rifle loves a light touch where I'm just holding it enough to keep it on target. By the way, these are five shots at 50 yards off a bipod and rear bag, and yes, I know I'm not the best, but I think I've got my starting point now.
So, anyone else out there with similar experiences?

View attachment 1173970

I like that CX group with the light hold. but as I said in my email it needs to do that for 5 consecutive groups. then I would say the setting is correct. also remember a lot of the results are going be skewed by the shooter(you) since this off a pod and rear bag.
this is where knowing the rifle really comes into play. this setup is a first for me as it comes to tuning.
way different then from a bench setup.

Lee

 

[linebaugh]

Not to steal a thread but does anybody want to delve into how to make consistency/accuracy better WITH different holds. In other words if I go from prone on a bippd to off of a tank trap to a bag on a gate what all can be done to get the rifle to shoot the same across all holds and positions.

I assume a shorter stiffer barrel because it should shorten dwell time and lower the harmonics BUT it seems many of you are far ahead of my skill set with rimfires so I would also like to learn.

 

[orkan]

NPA. It ALL has to do with NPA. The rifle must be tracking, without significant input from you. The articles I linked above will spell it all out.

Everything I do on the ground in the prone off bipod and bag, I take to other positions. (as much as can be)

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Not to steal a thread but does anybody want to delve into how to make consistency/accuracy better WITH different holds. In other words if I go from prone on a bippd to off of a tank trap to a bag on a gate what all can be done to get the rifle to shoot the same across all holds and positions.

I assume a shorter stiffer barrel because it should shorten dwell time and lower the harmonics BUT it seems many of you are far ahead of my skill set with rimfires so I would also like to learn.

jsof, Is currently trying a tuner on his .870 20" barrel. to help improve consistency on how the rifle in general will shoot. as everyone knows a rifle shooting up and down will be in itself a challenge to shoot well.

as far as different holds, I would think this is a learned skill set whereas practice is the only means to find out how your rifle likes to be shot.

Lee

 

[jsof]

To correct a misconception, only the upper left corner target was shot with firmer heavier hold. I had previously shot 20 targets with the heavier hold getting some good, some bad while trying to find the sweet spot on the tuner. I then went to lighter the rest of this whole page because I was trying to see if different ammunition shot the same with the light hold. So the second row is both MIdas+ and third is both SK Rifle Match and fourth is both Center X. As Lee has schooled me many times, I was looking to see if the consistency was there. Definitely have to get more trigger time this way and build good habits so I'm not running mental check lists every shot.
Thanks for the link.

 

[Dryfly24]

About the only thing I would suggest to you in addition to everything you’ve already gotten is this: don’t get caught up in trying to force a certain method that isn’t working for you because you read somewhere or someone told you it’s the “right way” to do it.

Sometimes certain things that are supposedly correct just don’t work for everyone across the board. You’ll find after a while that you’ll develop your own individual technique that just happens to work for you.

None of the above should be skewed as saying that I am advocating throwing out good marksmanship principles. That’s not what I’m saying at all. What I am saying is that once you’ve progressed to the point where those basic principles become second nature, you’ll find yourself tweaking them to suit your own individual style and needs.

Sometimes that technique may look wrong to someone else but if it works for you, it works for you. Don’t get hung up on the fact that it’s not exactly what someone else does and start questioning yourself because someone else says you should be doing it differently.

This isn’t an exact science. There’s a lot of art to it also...