Improving horizontal bench technique

[370bc]

My verticals have been good lately, but I can see through my scope that my horizontal is moving more than I would like it to. I have a protektor front rest & bag w/protektor rear bag. Front rest is about 2'' from front sling stud. My off hand is below the chamber, and I make sure my rear stud is not in contact w/bag recoil. shooting 9 & 10 lbs. rifles w/muzzle brakes.
Any ideas what I can do to improve my horizontal? Groups are 3/8'' -1/2'' high x 2 1/4''- 2 3/4'' wide @ 200 yards. Thx in advance.

 

[VaRandy]

My verticals have been good lately, but I can see through my scope that my horizontal is moving more than I would like it to. I have a protektor front rest & bag w/protektor rear bag. Front rest is about 2'' from front sling stud. My off hand is below the chamber, and I make sure my rear stud is not in contact w/bag recoil. shooting 9 & 10 lbs. rifles w/muzzle brakes.
Any ideas what I can do to improve my horizontal? Groups are 3/8'' -1/2'' high x 2 1/4''- 2 3/4'' wide @ 200 yards. Thx in advance.

Need more info. Type of stock, BR, Tactical or Hunting. Front stud ahead or behind the rest top? Weight of weapon, Caliber? Why do you need to touch anything besides the trigger? Tracking problems?

 

[BoydAllen]

If your front bag fits your stock properly, and the bench is not moving, you should not be seeing any horizontal movement in your scope. Is your bench moving? What type of stock are you using?

 

[370bc]

Front rest infront of stud, keeping far enough back not to contact rest after recoil. Factory Tikka T3x 270 win. w/ modular stock w/new recoil pad and modular forward pistol grip & beavertail forearm. The other is a factory kimber Montana in 243 win.
Is there Anything I can do to my rear bag to make it fit the stock better? I have been shooting in T-shirt instead of shooting jacket (heat).

 

[BoydAllen]

You should not be able to move the rifle side to side within in either bag. Your front bag is probably too far forward. Pictures would probably help diagnose this. I have bag setups that give absolutely zero movement of reticles on target, no matter what stock is used. Describe your bench.

 

[VaRandy]

Front rest infront of stud, keeping far enough back not to contact rest after recoil. Factory Tikka T3x 270 win. w/ modular stock w/new recoil pad and modular forward pistol grip & beavertail forearm. The other is a factory kimber Montana in 243 win.
Is there Anything I can do to my rear bag to make it fit the stock better? I have been shooting in T-shirt instead of shooting jacket (heat).

Sounds like your bags serve little purpose but to keep the rifle off the bench. The front rest needs to be snug with the stock with some side pressure from each side. If yours doesn't do it, either buy or borrow one for your testing. The rear bag is not quite as important but needs to help out the front bag so that movement before shooting is a track that is repeatable time after time, If you do it and you are not back on the target, you do not have a track and are wasting your time and money even if just working up a load.

 

[wedgy]

Assuming you aren't having any scope parallax issues ?
These are hunting rifles right, hence the swivels, I have converted a few of mine to the "flush cup" style so they can ride in bags better. they make a 1 1/4" model as well

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/9...n-quick-detach-sling-swivel-set-1-steel-black

 

[T-shooter]

Holding the stock against your shoulder too firmly can cause horizontal movement.

 

[savagedasher]

Gun control bags and trigger pull normally is the problem . Along with wind. Larry

 

[Uthink Uknow]

Savagedasher is more then likely right. Taking it one step farther, are you shooting over windflags? If you are seeing this movement while merely looking through the scope, is it possible your target frame is moving? Has all parallax been adjusted out?
More information is needed.

 

[Brians356]

How heavy is your trigger?
When you dry fire, do you see any movement (especially horizontal) of the reticle on the target?
What are the wind conditions?
Are you using wind flags?

I am confused. You said "Front rest in front of stud, keeping far enough back not to contact rest after recoil" but that is ambiguous and somewhat contradictory. If the rest is in front of the stud, how could the stud ever contact the rest after recoil?
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[VaRandy]

How heavy is your trigger?
When you dry fire, do you see any movement (especially horizontal) of the reticle on the target?
What are the wind conditions?
Are you using wind flags?

I am confused. You said "Front rest in front of stud, keeping far enough back not to contact rest after recoil" but that is ambiguous and somewhat contradictory. If the rest is in front of the stud, how could the stud ever contact the rest after recoil?
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whoops! did not visualize. thanx

 

[Brians356]

whoops! did not visualize. thanx

??? I was quoting the OP about the stud vs rest.
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[500Stroker]

My verticals have been good lately, but I can see through my scope that my horizontal is moving more than I would like it to. I have a protektor front rest & bag w/protektor rear bag. Front rest is about 2'' from front sling stud. My off hand is below the chamber, and I make sure my rear stud is not in contact w/bag recoil. shooting 9 & 10 lbs. rifles w/muzzle brakes.
Any ideas what I can do to improve my horizontal? Groups are 3/8'' -1/2'' high x 2 1/4''- 2 3/4'' wide @ 200 yards. Thx in advance.

Take your free hand off the rifle and place it on the front of your rear bag, use your free hand to squeeze the rear bag to adjust your vertical. The less points of contact on the rifle the better.

 

[seymour fish]

Front rest infront of stud, keeping far enough back not to contact rest after recoil. Factory Tikka T3x 270 win. w/ modular stock w/new recoil pad and modular forward pistol grip & beavertail forearm. The other is a factory kimber Montana in 243 win.
Is there Anything I can do to my rear bag to make it fit the stock better? I have been shooting in T-shirt instead of shooting jacket (heat).

1) remove the sling swivel studs 2) experiment with placement of forend on front rest. Agree with Boyd your placement is too far forward. When the gun is placed properly you may notice that thumping on the barrel gives a rather dead sound rather than a ringing 3) hold the gun exactly as if you are hunting. Place your forward hand on the front rest, then lay the forend into that open palm. Hold firmly. Hold the pistol grip firmly. Pull the rifle firmly into shoulder. Equalize these pressures. Do Not Push your Shoulder Into the Gun ! 4) get comfortable 5) let your head relax down on the cheek piece with your eyes closed. Open them. Your eye should be perfectly aligned with centerline of scope. If it isn't, fix that 6) once you have achieved all the above, move the entire System onto target Without Losing your Comfortable Solid Hold. 7) fire away