What can be affecting my shot group location?

[Mark Davidson]

Hi guys,

Have a pressing question that has been bothering me for quite some time now. Recently shot a 300m target with 10 shots each time. Shot 300m a few times with my m16 and it seems to me that every 10 shots the location of the grouping moves. They all had tight groupings and the only thing that changed was the location of the grouping. The few times I shot at 300m, the location changed from the center of the target to the left of the target then to the right of the target. It changes randomly and I cannot figure out what I am actually doing wrong. Was in the prone unsupported position and I didn't click my windage or elevation between each 10 shot grouping. Anyone who has experienced this problem can share what might be wrong? Thanks to anyone in advance

 

[Cold Bore]

Shot 300m a few times with my m16 and it seems to me that every 10 shots the location of the grouping moves.

...the location changed from the center of the target to the left of the target then to the right of the target.

Was in the prone unsupported position...

By "unsupported", I'm assuming no bags, but with a sling?

I'm guessing different sling tension each time, along with a change in Natural-Point-Of-Aim.

 

[chkunz]

Any change, position of head on the stock, sling tension, natural point of aim, sight alignment, sight picture, etc. will cause an impact change. Sight alignment (alignment of the front and rear sight) is a first order consideration. You did not say how much change you are getting.

 

[mike a]

Greetings Mark, welcome to this site. You know you can break two shots with your sights dead center and have one hit center and the other way off. It's about how you hold the rifle, your position. It's amazing how a small change in your position can push that bullet way off. I took my rifle back to the bench several times trying to figure out why my groups were moving. Surprise they didn't move at the bench. I'm not experienced enough to tell you how to hold your rifle, where to put your hands, or how tight to hold on. I can tell you I practice having the exact same position/hold every shot. I cannot stress to you enough that the smallest change makes a big difference, even if the reticle is dead center when the rifle goes off. There are some great articles on this site about prone shooting or google prone shooting. Read as much as you can but practice is the only way to get there. 10 shot groups isn't nessesary. Try one shot groups. Lay down and record in your mind how you are holding the rifle, take the shot, stand up and repeat. Just repeat exactly the same way. You'll save some ammo also. Good luck. Mike a

 

[Corey Schwanz]

Sounds like a positional difference, sling tension, facial pressure, check weld type thing. One of the joys of shooting Keep practicing and the variation of those groups should tighten as you continue to build better positioning over time. Same thing can happen to a pistol shooter with improper grip or off a bench with different setups in bags/rests/body.

 

[chkunz]

Smallbore prone is a great way to train and improve your prone performance. A lot of High Power Competitors do this in the off season to improve their scores.

 

[mike a]

Mark, go to the Accurate Shooter Site. Click Shooting Skills, click Bugholes from a bipod. Prone unsupported or not this guy knows how it's done.