How long between shots?

XxMerlinxX

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 3, 2007
357
0
Columbia, S.C.
When shooting for your best groups, how long do you normally take between shots? Do you shoot a few warm up shots first upon first loading up? I've got some vertical stringing and I'm wondering if it might have something to do with my timing.
 
Re: How long between shots?

When I shoot groups I usually fire five rounds with about 15 or so seconds in between each shot. After each set of five I'll wait for three or four minutes before I shoot the next five. Before I start I'll take a few warm up shots just to confirm zero and all that. That's what works for me.

I don't know if shot timing in itself would have much of an effect on vertical stringing. I could see fatigue playing a part if you are taking a very long time between shots, or some spread occurring if you rush your shots. Hopefully some more experienced people can jump in here and share their knowledge. My advice would be play around with how much time you take between shots and see if you notice any changes. It's possible that something else entirely could be causing the vertical spread. What range are you shooting at and how much is the spread?
 
Re: How long between shots?

I like to shoot ten shot groups from prone starting from standing behind the rifle in under 60 seconds. Or five shot groups prone with a 15-25 yard jog between shots in 1:00-1:30.

But I'm not a bench group shooter......
 
Re: How long between shots?

I prefer a dry fire warm-up vs. a firing warm-up, focusing on the feel of the trigger. I also focus on each shot as if it is the only shot. When group shooting, each and every shot gets its own natural point of aim check.

The vertical stringing could be from shooting too fast because you're not applying proper breath control, or your natural point of aim is being shifted by the recoil and you're not taking the time to rectify this between shots. These are just a couple possibilities of what could be causing the shifting, but not the only ones.

If you feel you're shooting too fast, then you're probably onto something there.
 
Re: How long between shots?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nachtadler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What range are you shooting at and how much is the spread? </div></div>
Shooting at 100yrds off of a pack with a rear bag. Seems like my 4th or 5th shot always ends up dropping off, blowing what would be a .5" group into a 1.5" group.
 
Re: How long between shots?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ckirkc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">See - Refrigerator Theory. </div></div>

Yup.
 
Re: How long between shots?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ckirkc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">See - Refrigerator Theory. </div></div>

Yup. </div></div>

when your head is wraped around the axel........
 
Re: How long between shots?

I'll answer, or at least list what works for me.

My best shooting is in Sitting Rapid Fire. I shoot too fast, but if I slow down, I loose it. I started shooting HP when the Sitting Rapid Fire was 50 seconds, going from Standing to Setting. My average time is about 35 seconds, which includes a mag. change, and a quick look through the scope to see if any corrections are needed and make those corrections (I change sights I dont favor). So that would be less then 3.5 seconds per shot when you deduct the time it takes to get into position, and change mags.

Sometimes you get a warm up of two sighters and sometimes you don't (i.e. EIC and Team Matches). I haven't noticed the differance in my groups if I take the sighters.
 
Re: How long between shots?

Most slow fire competitive courses of fire will allow 1 minute per shot (LR comp may up that to 1.5 minutes per shot). In practical terms, most shooters do not take the full available time, or maybe, some will shoot more frequenty during a particularly favorable wind condition, then try to wait it out when the winds shift.

My advice would be to shoot your practice/testing groups at a timing/cadence that most closely simulates your competitive technique. Ideal groups may be nice for the refrigerator, but shooting practice (and load development) should be structured to support the type of shooting you're doing for your specific applications.

Greg
 
Re: How long between shots?

If you are shooting from a bench, i would say you dont have to have much time at all between shots, I've seen bench rest comp shooters shoot as fast as they could and shoot tight groups. as for off hand, timing is everything. vertical strings could be caused by not pulling the trigger at the same time during breathing. even the pulse of your heart can cause about a 1/4 MOA difference in a group.

Try focusing on a routine down to the finest detail. Make every shot the exact same as the last one.
 
Re: How long between shots?

SB silhouette rifle is 5 target in 2.5 minutes with a 15 prep period. offhand
smile.gif
very fun