Interesting...reloading...or lack of ability for close up work? *it was me*

[pdogsbeware]

No real point to this, just a strange finding from today at the range and just looking for comments. Now obviously, this is too small of a sample group to really be of any help, I know that. But still interesting, and looking for thoughts, comments, etc...

So of course, I'm a procrastinator and after re-barreling, just started my reloading for an upcoming prairie dog trip this year (in 2 weeks). I kept getting conflicting groups with my "best load. Sometimes it would be 1/2 in, other times it'd be 1in, and still others it would look like the below group (at 100 yards)

Now I can notice two distinct 5 shot groups with quite a bit of vertical stringing, which is strange because they were shot randomly in 2s and 3s (same shitty groups though even if I stayed behind the rifle through 5 shot strings).

Anyways, the interesting thing is when I moved back to 325 yards...which I found, with the North Dakota winds, is where I usually limit my shots too. I was seeing if it was my shooting abilities, or reloading shortcomings that were affecting my less than desirable results. That's when this little guy showed up...

The highest one was just to get on target, then adjusted for elevation and shot two, 3 shot groups. Soo...what the sam hill batman!?

Now I don't believe that whole thing about bullets shooting better at range...just the physics about it don't make sense. I am, however, a firm believer that shooter makes a difference, especially after seeing/doing this. Even while shooting I was more confident and relaxed at the 325yard mark, probably because I wasn't worried about every little thing trying to make the smallest hole possible. Who knows, could be anything.

Feel free to chime in, as It's just my thought that it was my shooting, and I'm curious as to if there are any other causes. Same load, same bullets, same shooting table, same everything.

Because I know someone will ask;
22-250
Win brass
35.2 gr Varget
53gr V-max
3.500 COAL

 

[TheSnake]

Re: Interesting...reloading...or lack of ability for close up work?

Why does the top target look like you took the picture from the back side with the paper pushed out? I see the dot you were shooting at. If you are shooting good groups with other rifles, I would way something is going terribly wrong with this rifle or scope and it's not you that much. What scope are you using?

 

[tunered]

Re: Interesting...reloading...or lack of ability for close up work?

3.500 COAL

You are kidding right??????

 

[Dgd6mm]

Re: Interesting...reloading...or lack of ability for close up work?


3.500 is obviously a misprint. :

 

[pdogsbeware]

Yup, typo! 2.350!

Scope is a NF NXS 5.5-22, and while yes, it's possible it's a scope issue, it's at the bottom of my list. And since this is the only scoped rifle I have (I'm a fan of Lyman aperture sights) I can't really use that elimination option either.

But, just came back from the range, and I'm fairly confident the origional poor results was my shooting. From 300 to 425 yards with a gusting wind from the 11 o' clock, groups on the steel were acceptable. Not GREAT...but ok. I painted a little outline of a prairie dog on the steel and I was putting 4 out of 5 shots inside it, so I'm satisfied my trip won't be a total bust.