Help analyzing my tall target test/scope

[Kramerica]

I've posted here before with questions about a scope tracking checker. I understand it is more accurate then doing a tall target test but I currently don't have the extra coin to pick one up yet. So in the mean time I decided to work with what I had. Got a Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56 F1 MilR on a RPR 6.5Creedmoor (go ahead pile on) factory barrel, Pic rail level. Shooting off a bipod and rear bag in the prone. Handloads: Nosler 1x fired brass, Berger 140VLD, H4350 with39.0 grains, COL 2.780, neck tension .003. On a good day i can shoot below 1/2" moa bad day right at an inch. Most of the time im hovering right around 3/4moa. Bottom colored in black dot was the aimpoint, fired at 100 yards. Goes left and right 10-3/4" vertical was 18.0" and 36.0". Used a level to hang the target and confirmed it was still level at the very end. Shot 4 shot groups with a about a minute gap inbetween each round. The took a 10 minute break marked the target and continued on. Barrel never got hot, luke warm at most just by feel. I probably went a bit out of order with some of the shot. With all that said can any conclusions be drawn about my scopes tracking or are my groups just not tight enough to get a realistic idea?

 

[JFrank]

It's pretty tough to do a test like this off a bi pod

 

[CharlieNC]

Looks like the scope is doing its job correctly, within your 1/2 to 3/4 MOA grouping norm. No indication to me that the adjustments you are dialing are not accurate. I assume this is directed towards long range shooting; what is your experience dialing for this?

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Looks as good as you're probably gonna get for the setup you described. Appears to be tracking correctly or at least very close from what I can decipher.

Definitely keep saving up for that scope checker. Wont need to fire any live rounds to check tracking.

 

[Bart B.]

Hard mount the scope aimed at graph paper or yardsticks at 50 yards. Then see if it tracks good on the straight lines and their spacing.

None of us have the skills and gear to shoot hand held shouldered rifles precise enough to qualify scope adjustment mechanisms. Unless our biggest groups are constantly less than 1/16th MOA centered at one place.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

Hard mount the scope aimed at graph paper or yardsticks at 50 yards. Then see if it tracks good on the straight lines and their spacing.

None of us have the skills and gear to shoot hand held shouldered rifles precise enough to qualify scope adjustment mechanisms. Unless our biggest groups are constantly less than 1/16th MOA.

Aren't all our groups 1/16 inch or less?

 

[Delfuego]

NF Atacr is a good scope. They track. I am sceptical the scope isn't tracking.

What type of rings/mount? How did the rifle shoot before? Have you tried a simple box test? You might just buy a few tall targets instead of trying to make your own. A pre-printed version will work better and give you a better point of aim.

I know the there is a lot of talk about testing the tracking on scopes, but I don't. Good scopes track. If they act strange, test then later. I never test my scopes. I buy highend scopes, zero and shoot them. If I think they are wandering, then I will test them.

And yes, you can test scope tracking from a bipod.

 

[Kramerica]

Looks like the scope is doing its job correctly, within your 1/2 to 3/4 MOA grouping norm. No indication to me that the adjustments you are dialing are not accurate. I assume this is directed towards long range shooting; what is your experience dialing for this?

Yes sir geared towards long range. Experience wise still relatively new to shooting past 300.

 

[Bart B.]

Aren't all our groups 1/16 inch or less?

Yes; for the first fathom or two past the muzzle.

 

[Kramerica]

NF Atacr is a good scope. They track. I am sceptical the scope isn't tracking.

What type of rings/mount? How did the rifle shoot before? Have you tried a simple box test? You might just buy a few tall targets instead of trying to make your own. A pre-printed version will work better and give you a better point of aim.

I know the there is a lot of talk about testing the tracking on scopes, but I don't. Good scopes track. If they act strange, test then later. I never test my scopes. I buy highend scopes, zero and shoot them. If I think they are wandering, then I will test them.

And yes, you can test scope tracking from a bipod.

Seekins precision rings. Rifle is probably more accurate then me to be honest, like I said my average day is 3/4 moa but I’ve had the occasional 1/4” group. No problems with it but I haven’t brought it out past 600 yards yet.

 

[Kramerica]

Hard mount the scope aimed at graph paper or yardsticks at 50 yards. Then see if it tracks good on the straight lines and their spacing.

None of us have the skills and gear to shoot hand held shouldered rifles precise enough to qualify scope adjustment mechanisms. Unless our biggest groups are constantly less than 1/16th MOA centered at one place.

Fair enough I’ll give it a try

 

[CharlieNC]

Yes sir geared towards long range. Experience wise still relatively new to shooting past 300.

Based on your description I expect you will be using a ballistic app for shooting multiple distances and environmental conditions. A number of apps allow you to enter the actual value of a scope click, but it does not appear you need to do this. Calibrate the velocity in the app after shooting distances on a few different days, and you should be set. Have fun!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

See if you can find a br shooter around your area that has a railgun. You can do all the testing you want if its a decent railgun. Bring along a 44mag to fire next to it since they dont recoil enough to shift the recticle