Shooting Setup & Accuracy Results

[Phil3]

I recently went to the range with my AR-15 and the results at 100 yards were disappointing to say the least. Since the gun has shot well before, I am looking at my shooting setup. While I know it is not possible to mentor me as a shooter over a forum, I suspect my discomfort behind the gun and setup is holding me back. If anyone has experience in this area, I'd welcome feedback.

First thing I kept fighting was trying to get a proper sight picture. The crosshairs are moving on target as I shift my head left to right, despite having the scope set for 100 yards (the distance). Proper cheek weld was difficult due to a scope that feels too low. Add in 24X magnification, and it was very hard to get a comfortable, clear, stable, sight picture. I could manage to see everything, but I felt like I was straining to hold everything in position.

I am never sure how to position my body behind the gun. Off to the side, more directly behind it, or...? I am a bit over 6' and it feels like I am scrunching down too much, adding to that strain mentioned above.

I tried the gun on a Cowan rest, but the rough surface of my float tube gripped the rounded varmint bag like Velcro. No sliding there! After each shot, the point of aim was waaaaay off, completely off the target frame. I switched to a Harris bipod, but despite front loading it, my groups really did not improve.

I had some good groups going, but then a flyer. Most often, the groups were going vertical, climbing with each shot.

How much effort do you put into getting comfortable and relaxed behind the gun, what level of importance is it, and what might I do to get relaxed and ready for the shot?

Phil

 

[LHSmith]

if it were me, Leupold LCS 45x with see-thru mounts......you can't hit what you can't see

 

[22BRGUY]

If you want you can go to youtube.com and type in Caylen Wojcik There are some good vids there about rifle shooting that may help.

Best Wishes and I admire your willingness to admit you have problems. I'm sure you'll do fine and hope you keep us posted.

 

[jhord]

1) for an AR you need to get a delrin bag rider setup fore and aft. Otherwise it's almost pointless unless 1 MOA is simply your goal.

2) even tho you have the scope side focus set to 100, doesn't mean it's right. Move your head around and turn the SF on either side of 100 (or whatever yardage) and observe the x-hairs. When you get the SF set right the x-hairs will not move with head movement. You may end up at a setting of 90, 110, doesn't matter.

3) get an adjustable height seat and set it in a lower position to avoid the scrunches.

4) do some basic experimenting to see how the gun likes to be gripped. With an AR you are pretty committed to "some" hold but try different shoulder positions on and off the buttstock, etc. Once you find a grip that the gun likes, burn it to memory and repeat it, every time. For instance my 6 Dasher bench gun is very picky, I have to put my thumb on the rear tang bolt hole and finger on the trigger. It does not like 100% free recoil. No touching anywhere else. If I put my thumb on the rear of the tang, shot impact will vary. If I can feel my cheek's razor stubble on the stock, shot impact will vary. Repeatability is key.

 

[Phil3]

If I am settled in as well as I can be (which isn't the best), I can shoot under 1 MOA at least 75% of the time. This is with a bipod only and no other assists.

I do have the delrin bag rider for the rear and with heavy sand in the rear rabbit ear bag, it was all but impossible to steer the gun. The rear bag was too immovable. So, I just acquired the 3" bag rider for the front as well as a used Shadetree Engineering co-axial front rest top on a Caldwell Rock BR base. The top is equipped with a 3" wide Edgewood bag. This should definitely help with repeatability.

Understood on the crosshairs. They were moving around so much, it was all but impossible to aim, since moving my head changed the point of aim.

Looks like I will need to also buy a drummer's stool or equivalent. I am going to feel like a hoarder of stuff when I arrive at the range...

I have heard that ARs like the front to be supported close to the receiver. I can try that. Understood on repeatability. No question, each shot setup was NOT like the one before. Part of it was having to fuss with the gun because every 5th shot or so failed to feed, forcing me up to rectify. I could not even stay seated the same way. That, along with my own developing skills, and I feel there is a long ways to go.

Thanks for your feedback. I will put those tips to work.

Phil

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Just take your time and don't get upset. Have fun...LOL
The other posters gave good advice. If your not set up where you feel comfortable then you can't get in the same position everytime.
The set up is a big part of shooting.
Have fun...thats what it all about, get too serious and it becomes work and thats not what I wont when I go shoot.


Kermit

 

[chevytruck_83]

Sounds to me like your just trying to think about way to many things at once. Lower your magnification if its adjustable so the scope doesnt appear to shake as much and it should help your head game. Adjustable cheek pieces help a lot with cheek wield. Seems like you may be appling excessive pressure with your cheek. any twisting that your applying to the gun will hurt accuracy. Another thing would be to (weight the bipod) apply a straight downward pressure on the hand guard into the bipod or bag whichever you are using. verticle may be caused by you applying so much pressure on the cheek piece that the barrel wants to jump.

 

[Jet]

"How much effort do you put into getting comfortable and relaxed behind the gun, what level of importance is it, and what might I do to get relaxed and ready for the shot"?

Phil

Before doing any more shooting in this hard to find reloading components environment, recommend you spend a good bit of time setting up and dry firing at your home, in the garage, backyard, etc. To answer your question, getting comfortable and eliminating as much muscle tension is critical to good/consistent accuracy. There are a few sources out there to answer your questions that you can find by searching this forum or the web. Here are a couple things you can work on at home:

- Make sure your bench is solid and that it doesn't wiggle around.

- If you like shooting off a bipod, set the leg length so your magaizine has room underneath (AR 30rd mag) and use a sand sock, squeeze bag, rear rest to control elevation.

- Use a stool that is adjustable and get the height adjusted so you can rest your elbows on the bench where it doesn't feel like you are stretching high or crouching.

- Square your shooting shoulder to the target and place the stock in your shoulder.

- Close your eyes and get a good stock/check weld. The stock should support most of the weight of your head. Once you get a comfortable stock/check weld, open your eyes and see where you eye/head is in relationship to the scope. In reading your post, your are trying to adjust your body to the scope. You need to do the opposite. It is very likely your scope will be to far forward or back and to low or to high. If so, a change in scope mounts will be in order.

- Once you have this, work on loading the bipod (pushing into the rifle with your body) when in position to help stabilize the rifle, absorb recoil and fascilitate faster follow up shots. Also, practice on adjusting minor elevation and windage changes by adding or releasing pressure on the sand sock/squeeze bag.

- Once you get a comfortable/repeatable set up at home. Remember your set up and head back to the range. Duplicate your home set up, and start shooting. Like an earlier poster stated, some rifles like a firm hold and some like a soft touch. I have found ARs shoot better when held firmly (not muscled).

Good Luck.

Jet