Light sporting rifle stringing for young shooter

[bsekf]

It is a Savage 11 package 308. I have checked all the obvious, bedding, screws tight and etc.. At 200 yards young shooter is shooting 4-5 inch high by 1 in wide groups. I sat down and shot a nice 1.5 inch 3 shot group, moved the rifle around and the next 2 were 2 inches lower. I believe the rifle is very susceptible to placement on the bags and firmness of holding it.

Any other brilliant ideas?

 

[savagedasher]

First thing I would do it put a different scope on it. Larry

 

[CJ6]

Diopter setting (focus for shooter), Trigger control, Hold (cheek weld, grip), recoil sensitivity, lots of little things like these can affect the difference between shooters.

 

[Jaybo]

I'm with Larry on that think you should change your scope .

 

[expiper]

give the shooter more experience,,,Roger

 

[K22]

I assume this is a hunting rifle.

Light weight rifles, especially 30 caliber, shot off the bench in free recoil mode can jump around and string vertically usually due to inconsistent hold and cheek weld and /or varying the position of the rifle on the bags.

Try shooting holding the forearm with the front bag moved back to accommodate your hand comfortably holding the forearm. In addition to reducing the affects of free recoil, this position is more representative of the way you'll hold the rifle and shoot in the field and will give you a truer sight in for field applications.

This is the way I check my 308 before deer season. Worked for me for 40+ years as many of white tails in deer heaven can attest to.

 

[savagedasher]

The scope on package deal is far from known to be good. Remember what it shoot like for you means nothing. Adjust the scope down if it hits where he is aiming. Larry

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Package scopes are always low grade junk. Let me guess...max power is 9X?

Shooting good groups at 200 yards without a high magnification scope is very difficult for inexperienced shooters. Heck, its hard for any shooter. Just cant tell exactly how much the reticle is really moving. So i will reiterate what others have said. Get a good quality scope, Something at with at least 4-16X, and have the boy practice, practice, practice.

I also assume that since there was no mention of a load recipe you are using factory ammo? If so, foot the bill and pick up some Federal Premium ammo. It will usually shoot at least 1 MOA or even much better in most rifles provided there are not any other issues effecting the accuracy.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Those stocks are flimsy so they are very sensitive to pressures of rests

 

[bsekf]

Thanks for the replies. I believe the young man needs more trigger time. The scope is a Nikon 3-9x and the adjustments are accurate and it seems to repeat properly. At this point I do not think it is the scope. I am going to take the front rest away from him and use sandbags under his hand holding the forend to see if he can get a more consistent rest. The group I shot was with my handloads and that is what he will be using today. I just never saw groups string that much.

Thanks again!

 

[rain164845]

Possibly a difference in eye relief due to the length of pull being incorrect?
Perhaps parallax due to inconsistent head position?
Anticipation of recoil?