Holding the (water)line.

[Turbulent Turtle]

We have been getting new shooters at our matches throughout the year and I am happy to welcome them and help them in their quest for glory.

One of the concepts that I try to inculcate in them is to hold the waterline. I try to explain to them that shooting targets, while being two dimensional, needs to be reduced to one dimension. Losing points to elevation is not the way to increase scores. For the last year or so, I have been working very hard to hold the waterline. At some point in the process of acquiring marksmanship skills, one comes to the realization that two things are crucial in holding the waterline; the 10 pound melon on your shoulders and the handloading technique.

I should also point out that there are many other factors that will cause bullets to go up or down during a match, but the above two factors must be controlled at all times.

So, yesterday at the end of our monthly 1000 yard match, I asked for permission to fire the last 11 cartridges in the box so I could process the brass. I asked that the target be left standing, no shot-to-shot scoring. I fired my 11 rounds holding right on the line, three lines to the right, firing as quickly as accurately possible. I asked that the target be left on the bench so I could retrieve it at final pit change.

The 11 shots were on the target, strewn horizontally. I did have a nice 4 round cluster measuring about an inch or so, but the other hits were quite far apart. When I got home, I broke out the measuring tools and discovered that for the 11 rounds, the total elevation spread was 5.8 inches. If I ignored two low rounds, the elevation spread of the 9 others was 4 inches. I think 0.57 MOA for a .308 on a bipod is not too shabby but I have taken further steps in handloading to see if I can get to that .40 MOA.

The quest for the waterline continues.

 

[roninfl.]

Do you allow that 10 pound melon to rest on the stock or just a light cheek weld. I would be more than pleased with x-ring ele. or dang close. Would you like to share what your working on in the reloading department.
Thanks
Ron

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I use a light cheekweld. It's much easier to have a constant light cheekweld as opposed to resting your head with any type of consistency.

As for the handloaing adjustment, I will wait for measurable results before discussing it.

Also, I forgot to mention that the wind was a little tricky yesterday and in the space of 11 shots, fired very rapidly at the exact same spot, I had rounds from a 9 (almost 10) at 3 o'clock to an 8 at 9 o'clock. I believe that was a 3 MOA horizontal spread in just 2 minutes or so.

 

[ARIZONA_F_CLASS]

I have a hot load that should be great at 1000 yards. I have gotten 1/2 vertical @500 yards with a 5 shot group. and 3/6 3 shots and 3/8 4 shot groups. The problem is I hold the rifle so hard. That I have to use a mouth Piece now, because the last 2 times I have shot it. My jaw has hurt for a week. If my jaw hurts, I know my teeth are getting slammed.

I hold the rifle with my shoulder pocket, my cheek and my left hand pressed against the rest, basically wrapping my self around the stock. Like you would with a full grip on a pistol.

Good Luck finding out what works for you.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

If that works for you, that's great. I find that a little too extreme for me, especially for multi-day competitions. I love shooting, I don't like or want pain from it.