Why am I shooting first shot to the left?

[Dave in WI]

Working up a load in 6BR with 87 VMax with Varget and 29.8 to 31.3 grains in 5 shot groups. Shot a 300 yds. Made a windage correction after top left and elevation correction after top right. Groups 3,4 and 5 had the first shot far left. I was letting barrel cool down between groups, 5-10 mins only. Last group was followed up right after 5th group.
Did the usual, checked action scope screws, etc. Just poor form on my part?

 

[CharlieNC]

I'm guessing with that cool down time between groups that you must reposition yourself and perhaps the rifle to a degree? Perhaps evaluate that process, it could be causing the first shot drift until things are resettled.

 

[jelenko]

Also, it's important to have a load that will shoot small so you can tell when it's you.

When I get off call shots, I go back to 'fundamentals' - as Charlie mentioned, check everything in my position/set up is where I want it to be and, absolutely ensure I'm watching the front sight/recticle at the release - i.e., calling my shots.

If any parts of my body are contacting the rifle, are they contacting in exactly the same place with the same pressure? When I dry fire 10 times, do I get any movement in the sights as the trigger is released?

 

[Dave in WI]

Agreed, I am assuming it’s me. Probably a good time for me to have a good dry fire session on the bench.

 

[D-4297]

Might suggest you check your scope "Shadow" , Is it "Centered" ? Up Down , Side-ways ? I was having a issue with groups "moving" to the right , at 600 , and it was Me , not being "Centered" behind the scope . Had to make a slight adjustment on the Cheek-riser , and the problem went away . Now ; If I could just improve those wind-calls .

 

[Dimner]

I 2nd the notion that you are settling into a shooting position between your first and 2nd shot. Perhaps try 2 dry fire drills where you mimic your setup, follow through, cycle and reload. Do that twice before you take that 1st shot and see if it tightens up that 1st shot.

If it doesn't work, I would think it has something to do with the cooling. Normally that 1st shot on a mildly warm barrel wouldn't matter. So I would look at bedding and barrel float. Perhaps your shots 2-5 warm up the barrel enough to have some interference with stock or something. It's a wild guess, but it might be worth checking out.

 

[jackieschmidt]

When you say you corrected for windage, how many flags are you shooting over.?

It’s amazing how much bullets can get kicked around by the wind at 300 yards.

Another thing. Just how accurate do you expect those A Max’s to shoot. They are at best a semi custom bullet.