High Left

[Dougie308]

I am consistantly putting my groups high left. Almost always by about the same distance. For example they end up about 1 inch high left from the X at 100. The groups themselves are all MOA or under (under 300 anyway). Logic would dictate that most of my set up is good but that I have reinforced one bad habit somewhere along the line.

Any ideas?

 

[netranger6]

Re: High Left

Are you 100% sure you've zeroed your scope? Not trying to sound smart, but you have adjusted it to center POA correct? IF so, then I'd say you're trigger pull and recoil management.

 

[Dougie308]

Re: High Left

I am reasonably sure that the scope is zeroed correctly as I recheck zero after making the same dumb mistake. (Easier to blame the equipment than me.) My gut feel is that trigger pull is the culprit (pushing). But other opinions may help me nail it down.

 

[Wade]

Re: High Left

If it is trigger pull some dry fire will let you know. Just watch the crosshairs through the shot.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: High Left

POI shifts that come and go can be a cheek weld/cheek pressure/parallax issue. Be sure they are correct and consistent.

Another issue can be 'dragging wood' where finger contact alongside the stock during trigger pull can affect/shift the POI.

Try and make sure that the finger only contacts the rifle at and behind the knuckle, and that the trigger is riding centered on the first finger pad, with no contact against any part of the rifle between trigger and knuckle.

The web of the thumb should be consistently centered in the hand grip area.

Butt positon in the shoulder should be identical and shoulder pressure must be consistent.

There can be a slight chance that the scope's axis is not centered above to the bore line, or that the reticle is not properly levelled; and horizontal POI shifts at different distances can be symptoms of such conditions. This is an expected issue with side-offset scopes, like the side-shifted scope on Garand Sniper models.

It may not seem realistic that some of these things can be significant, but they are.

Greg

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: High Left

In Marine Corps Boot Camp when I went through in early 1966, if a shooter was consistently shooting to a different POI at a primary distance (300m was considered basic battle sight distance); their zero was adjusted to bring the POI onto target center.

There is a certain degree of practicality to that. The main idea involved being able to hit the target under hasty conditions with the minimum (or no...) extra/conscious effort. You train the way you fight/compete, and matters like zero adjustments reflect this.

Greg

 

[jimdvt]

Re: High Left

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The web of the thumb should be consistently centered in the hand grip area.
</div></div>
This is not necessarily so, depending on the size of your hand and the style of your stock. Build your grip from the trigger back, letting that dictate the rest of your hand position so you can get a consistent straight back trigger pull. Think about joining the online training here, the segment on trigger control alone is worth the price of admission.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: High Left

Agreed, but in doing so, a consistent grip position is established and maintained. It can then be altered experimentally to find improvement.

I also agree with the online training recommendation. My reason for not joining is simple. I have to do all my shooting-related activities on a very limited budget.

Greg

 

[Scottmilk9]

Re: High Left

Just another quick pointer, just in case; follow through, sometimes this is more important than the great advice you have already gotten from the folks above. keep your head down, trigger pulled to the rear until you come back on target after recoil. Give it a try, maybe even exagerate it next time you're at the range.

 

[Dougie308]

Re: High Left

Thanks for all of the help fellas. I appreciate your sage advice.

 

[J.Boyette]

Re: High Left

Improper sight picture. + more. but not trigger control.

What kind of a rifle and optic are you running?

John

 

[Dougie308]

Re: High Left

I think the follow through is good advice. I was dry firing last night and caught myself several times lifting my head. But I also think I may be screwing up the trigger pull a little as well.

It's not like I'm an operator or anything. And a deer isn't going to notice the 1" difference in where the hole is in his chest. It's just annoying as hell when you know you can do it, have done it, and get out of a habit.

I'll see what I can do budget wise about the on line training. I'm pretty new here and didn't even realize it was available. Nice touch.

Once again, thanks for all of the help.