Re: Analyze This
Quite a thread we got here, I agree with most of the others on here that this was a question asked with the bare minimum of needed information given. Under very controlled circumstances including shooter and conditions then maybe a single answer can be given for that one shot being off but I would like to see more shots before forming an opinion on what to do to correct it.
First thing needed was abilities of the shooter, next could be proven accuracy of firearm being shot, then loads proven accurate at the distances needed. How about the distance that target was being shot at and weather conditions affecting bullet flight to the target at that moment.
There are so many variables that affect a shot it could fill pages and still not be sure what caused that one lone shot being slightly off from where it was supposed to go. I also base my calls and corrections on known ability of the shooter. A midlevel shooter that is wandering around the target but getting hits will get a called hit but not get too exact and have them make an adjustment on a non perfect shot. Keep holding where you did and do it again. One of my friends that can lay them on top of one another and is slightly off center I'll tell him exactly where they are and let him make the call as to a slight tweaking or not.
The range we shoot at our close target (234 yards) is across at least one valley, fields and rows or trees. The farther out the targets get the more valleys, fields and tree rows there are in between us. Some distances (900/1000 yards) have four valleys, a stream, fields and lots of woods. We also shoot above most of these so there isn't a reference as to what is going on in between us and the target. We shoot all 4 directions so the wind is always changing as it blows thru the hills/valleys and tree lines. There are no sighters so each of your 3 shot strings is all you get and they all count for points.
Video clip of our targets viewed from bench and out to target.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwE70ihOYIk
There are days we have three or more wind directions between us and the target. It changes direction/speed so often and swirls that you can have 3 absolutely perfect shots and go from 1 1/2 mil right to 3/4 mil left and then back again in your 3 shot string. Other days it'll be constant and you can drill an 8" circle at 1000 yards 3 times in a row. The flag may be straight out at 900 to the right but you'll get your hits holding a mill to the right. It sure don't look right but it's what it takes to get the hit based on wind we can't see across those valleys.
All of this ranting probably isn't what you're hunting but based on the distance you're shooting and all the other factors everyone else has mentioned shows me that there are so many variables and given the question you asked there is no definite answer. I'm sure you earned your credentials being an excellent shooter but at least the places we shoot and the conditions it'd be impossible to satisfy you with an absolute answer.
If everything is perfect, weather, loads, gun, shooter and whatever else you need to make multiple shots then I can see you being able to isolate that missed call. I don't know where you are located and what types of facilities you shoot at but if you are in the Ohio area we'd gladly invite you to stop in at Rayners for a match/practice day and see if everything you're saying still holds true.
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