New to 300 yard shooting.

[Strigidae]

Just wanted to share a target from a recent trip to the range. I'm a long time 100 yard or less shooter until a recent precision rifle course where I learned that I CAN shoot at that distance. This was the best of 3 targets with two types of projectiles on similar loads. After reading more on here I definitely have more direction and insight in how to improve. In short thank you for the info.

 

[Aimsmall55]

That's a good start. What's your rifle and what bullet you shooting. ?

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Just wanted to share a target from a recent trip to the range. I'm a long time 100 yard or less shooter until a recent precision rifle course where I learned that I CAN shoot at that distance. This was the best of 3 targets with two types of projectiles on similar loads. After reading more on here I definitely have more direction and insight in how to improve. In short thank you for the info.

I don't like the sort of target you are using as it does not complement shooter/target analysis. In addition, its color and design are distractions to the eye's natural ability to both balance and center objects. My suggestion, buy some 300 yard Military Decimal Target Centers. These scoreable targets will allow for recognition of progress. Also, three hundred yard shooting exposes angular errors which may be masked at less distance. Knowing this, you should recognize when successive bullets do not all go through the hole vacated by your first bullet strike that it has something to do with your relationship between gun and ground not being consistent, less than perfect ammunition, or wind not properly countered. Calling your shots and correlating to strikes will reveal the cause of most of errors. For example, shots on call but not perfect pin wheel X's means the position was not consistent or poor trigger control. Shots off call may mean wind was not correctly countered, sight not adjusted properly, or ammunition inconsistency.

 

[Strigidae]

Thank you for your detailed post! I have never paid much attention to my targets. Some days I've been known to make my own with paper and a sharpie. If thats a major faux pax then it never happened. I will look into getting some of those and report back when I get some range time with them. It is neat to see the exaggeration of inconsistencies at that range. Found out that my gun does not like the 168 g SMKs at that range. The target above was made with 168 g amaxs. Beyond that I have a lot more learning/perfecting my form. Thank you for your time it is appreciated and not wasted.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Thank you for your detailed post! I have never paid much attention to my targets. Some days I've been known to make my own with paper and a sharpie. If thats a major faux pax then it never happened. I will look into getting some of those and report back when I get some range time with them. It is neat to see the exaggeration of inconsistencies at that range. Found out that my gun does not like the 168 g SMKs at that range. The target above was made with 168 g amaxs. Beyond that I have a lot more learning/perfecting my form. Thank you for your time it is appreciated and not wasted.

After you begin to understand this fact: the bullet ALWAYS goes in the direction the barrel is pointed, you will not likely ever conclude "my gun does not like the 168 g SMK's", or any other quality match bullet that's compatable with your rifle's twist. When you accept that the bullet always goes in the direction the barrel is pointed, it will force you to consider that the bullet hit where the rifle was pointed, meaning the source of error originated not in a defective bullet but in your inability to control the rifle consistently as you executed the firing tasks, or your failure to properly adjust the sight for wind and weather conditions.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

If one hole groups were easy, we'd all be doing them. As I see it, that's damfine shooting you did there, better than most of my own 'good' days.

Keep it up, and keep in mind that shooting half as big is usually a lot more than twice as hard.

Greg

 

[Sterling Shooter]

If one hole groups were easy, we'd all be doing them. As I see it, that's damfine shooting you did there, better than most of my own 'good' days.

Keep it up, and keep in mind that shooting half as big is usually a lot more than twice as hard.

Greg

Greg,

What constitutes "good" is usually in context to getting the job done in what is acceptable to involved parties. For me, it's about pursuit of perfectiion. In any event, the facts will be constant.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Hey that's great and a smart way to get started by obtaining some quality instruction. Won't be long and you'll be posting your 800 meter results!

 

[Strigidae]

After you begin to understand this fact: the bullet ALWAYS goes in the direction the barrel is pointed, you will not likely ever conclude "my gun does not like the 168 g SMK's", or any other quality match bullet that's compatable with your rifle's twist. When you accept that the bullet always goes in the direction the barrel is pointed, it will force you to consider that the bullet hit where the rifle was pointed, meaning the source of error originated not in a defective bullet but in your inability to control the rifle consistently as you executed the firing tasks, or your failure to properly adjust the sight for wind and weather conditions.

Yes sir. I understand.

 

[Strigidae]

If one hole groups were easy, we'd all be doing them. As I see it, that's damfine shooting you did there, better than most of my own 'good' days.

Keep it up, and keep in mind that shooting half as big is usually a lot more than twice as hard.

Greg

Hey that's great and a smart way to get started by obtaining some quality instruction. Won't be long and you'll be posting your 800 meter results!

Thank you gentlemen!

 

[RJN]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, is get off the bench, if indeed that's where you're doing your work. Shoot and learn in the prone position while you and your rig are evolving into shooters. I learned this the hard way and wasted many years on a bench when I should have perfected position shooting, supported prone (bipod or pack), unsupported prone, sitting, standing and kneeling.
Just one mans opinion and we all have them.

 

[DanSavage]

Strigidae, Keep doing what your doing that looks like a 1/2 MOA grouip. I don't think were benchrest shooting here and if a guy could hold 1/2 MOA groups consistently he would be a top of the list match shooter. Obviously you could have adjusted scope to hit more center on your target, but that's not a concern when your practicing.

I think it's a myth that a rifle will stack round after round in the exact same hole all day long unless the operator screws up the shot somehow.
How do I know? because when I pull the trigger, and the round doesn't hit what I wanted,, it's the rifles fault.LOL
Good shooting,
Dan

 

[Strigidae]

That's a good start. What's your rifle and what bullet you shooting. ?

I'm not sure how I missed this. My rifle is a bedded Remington 700 VLS in .308. I've made my own cheek riser out of popsicle sticks, duct tape, paracord and a sheet of leather. The scope I'm a bit fuzzy on as it was second hand but its a Leupold 6.5-14 (VX3?). I'm using 168 grain bullets wither AMAX or SMK. They usually sit on trimmed mil cases with whatever primer I can find nowadays and filled with W748.

On a side note I reviewed my SMK cartridges and they are all over the board on the seating depths. This could account for why I'm having some difficulty with consistency?

 

[Strigidae]

My suggestion, for what it's worth, is get off the bench, if indeed that's where you're doing your work. Shoot and learn in the prone position while you and your rig are evolving into shooters. I learned this the hard way and wasted many years on a bench when I should have perfected position shooting, supported prone (bipod or pack), unsupported prone, sitting, standing and kneeling.
Just one mans opinion and we all have them.

This is a great idea and I agree. I have been doing all bench but have recently seen a post that recommends shooting at 50 yards in all positions. This is my new goal. I do use a bipod and a sand bag rear rest (until last range visit when the bag sprang a leak).

 

[Strigidae]

I don't like the sort of target you are using as it does not complement shooter/target analysis. In addition, its color and design are distractions to the eye's natural ability to both balance and center objects. My suggestion, buy some 300 yard Military Decimal Target Centers. These scoreable targets will allow for recognition of progress. Also, three hundred yard shooting exposes angular errors which may be masked at less distance. Knowing this, you should recognize when successive bullets do not all go through the hole vacated by your first bullet strike that it has something to do with your relationship between gun and ground not being consistent, less than perfect ammunition, or wind not properly countered. Calling your shots and correlating to strikes will reveal the cause of most of errors. For example, shots on call but not perfect pin wheel X's means the position was not consistent or poor trigger control. Shots off call may mean wind was not correctly countered, sight not adjusted properly, or ammunition inconsistency.

I've found those targets and as soon as I get my goals set for the 50 yard line in all positions I will be buying a stack to practice with. I like your no excuses approach and appreciate your input.