Issue noted while Dry firing

jnr2233

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Minuteman
May 1, 2017
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I’ve recently started dry firing in an attempt to improve my marksmanship. I’ve noticed that sometimes when I pull the trigger while dry firing, the crosshairs jump to the left approximately 1/2-1 Moa. I’m using a Caldwell sandbag rest in the front and in the rear. The rifle is a .308 AR with a timney drop in trigger. I feel like my position is pretty solid and I’m concentrating on my follow through. Also, I have noticed that this issue does not happen while dry firing the AR-15s, it only happens with the .308 AR. I feel like this must be a result of a weakness in my position or form, however, I can’t figure out how to fix it. Any ideas?
 
Only time I have ever experienced that problem was with a trigger that was too heavy. But with something like a Calvin Elite sitting around 10-12oz, can't even feel the break, just hear the click.
 
Only time I have ever experienced that problem was with a trigger that was too heavy. But with something like a Calvin Elite sitting around 10-12oz, can't even feel the break, just hear the click.
Hmmm - the trigger is a timney 2-stage - I think it’s 2/2. I guess I could try swapping triggers with the AR-15 that I don’t have this issue with
 
Try to discern whether or not you are applying any lateral force on the trigger during the pull. I have had to spend some time correcting this "jump" problem while shooting handguns. You left or right handed?
 
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It's a bit trigger, it's also NPA, Natural Point of Aim.

When you set up your Natural Point of Aim, you go through the test:

Put the reticle on target, close your eyes, go through a couple of breathing cycles and open your eyes, see where the reticle is.

That is the gross adjustment of NPA, the fine tune adjustment is the dry fire. Given time and opportunity, you always want to dry fire. That movement in the reticle is telling you that your NPA is not 100%

The movement of the firing pin is enough the brain will react. Part of it is a bit subconscious which is why we set the shots up perfect.
 
Try to discern whether or not you are applying any lateral force on the trigger during the pull. I have had to spend some time correcting this "jump" problem while shooting handguns. You left or right handed?
I’m right handed - and the jump is to the left - so I’ll focus on trying not to apply any lateral force - I think it’s odd that I’m not having this same issue with ar-15s though
 
It's a bit trigger, it's also NPA, Natural Point of Aim.

When you set up your Natural Point of Aim, you go through the test:

Put the reticle on target, close your eyes, go through a couple of breathing cycles and open your eyes, see where the reticle is.

That is the gross adjustment of NPA, the fine tune adjustment is the dry fire. Given time and opportunity, you always want to dry fire. That movement in the reticle is telling you that your NPA is not 100%

The movement of the firing pin is enough the brain will react. Part of it is a bit subconscious which is why we set the shots up perfect.
I’m shooting off of a bench - I always work to get a solid npa when I’m shooting prone but I think maybe I cut some corners when I’m shooting from from the bench - I’ll try focusing on establishing a solid npa and see what happens
 
I’ve recently started dry firing in an attempt to improve my marksmanship. I’ve noticed that sometimes when I pull the trigger while dry firing, the crosshairs jump to the left approximately 1/2-1 Moa. I’m using a Caldwell sandbag rest in the front and in the rear. The rifle is a .308 AR with a timney drop in trigger. I feel like my position is pretty solid and I’m concentrating on my follow through. Also, I have noticed that this issue does not happen while dry firing the AR-15s, it only happens with the .308 AR. I feel like this must be a result of a weakness in my position or form, however, I can’t figure out how to fix it. Any ideas?

When my right hand thumb lies over or even around the grip I've found myself pressing with the thumb while I squeeze the trigger. This results in a slight jump to the left since I'm pressing the thumb down and slightly to the right. Maybe the same is happening because you're trying to stabilize a .308 rifle with a more recoil compared to the other? (I'm a newbie, so this maybe totally unhelpful).
 
If dry firing on an empty chamber (center or rim fire) bothers you, then keep a spent empty brass case, with the spent primer in place, in the chamber.