newbie first group

dvp

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Minuteman
Mar 16, 2014
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I am very excited as i shot my first 100 yd target that resembles a group after hundreds of rounds of frustration. Does anyone know why their all in a string like that? also thinking of changing the stock out to mcmillian htg. Would that be a good match for this rifle? yea I know its a crummy group but gotta start some place.
 

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you are getting there. Strung like that is probably cheek weld/breathing. You might also check the pivot points on the legs and make sure they are as tight as can be and still function.
 
When I first started shooting my .308 I was getting strung groups like that because of my prone position. My body wasn't properly placed behind the gun and it would start walking sideways like that. Worked on technique, position, and breathing and it tightened them right up.
 
I was always taught horizontal groups are a result of a muscled NPOA or trigger control and vertical lines were inconsistent breathing. Is that not correct?

That's correct as far as I know, I suppose if your NPOA was off vertically and you were muscling it it could cause a verticle pattern

OP are you getting a good NPOA(natural point of aim) before every shot?
 
Yeah I should have added avoid steering your rifle to your POA. The NPOA the others have mentioned is try to get the shot set up as close as you can where the gun is on without touching it.
 
I am very excited as i shot my first 100 yd target that resembles a group after hundreds of rounds of frustration. Does anyone know why their all in a string like that? also thinking of changing the stock out to mcmillian htg. Would that be a good match for this rifle? yea I know its a crummy group but gotta start some place.

That group is nothing to be ashamed of. That is a good group. You just have to work at it more. Most shooters are here have 1,000's of rounds down the barrel, so you will improve with time. I would recommend watching the Sniper's Hide videos presenting by Frank Galli. They will help you immensely.

Great shooting by the way and good to see courage is asking for help. You are the right path sir.

you are getting there. Strung like that is probably cheek weld/breathing. You might also check the pivot points on the legs and make sure they are as tight as can be and still function.

Yes, I agree. The cheek weld is imperfect, causing the site picture to vary from shot to shot, side to side.

I would recommend a better stock, one with a cheek rise, to improve consistent cheek weld.

Position could also come into play, but Frank's videos will address those.
 
I wouldn't buy a darn thing for the rifle right now. Just focus purely on the fundamentals of precision shooting and most importantly, put rounds down range. It also doesn't hurt at all to spend 30mins everyday at home just dry firing the rifle and getting used to how everything feels and get you more comfortable to using the rifle.
 
Way to go! I also agree with the above posters that horizontal stringing can be caused by muscling or steering your rifle over to your target. Natural point of aim (NPOA) is essential to precision shooting.

If I could make a couple suggestions that may save you quite a bit of time, money, and frustration. Pay the $10 for the online training on this website. The fundamentals of marksmanship videos contain invaluable information from shooters that have had an awful lot of professional training. Also, these links contain some great information about the fundamentals.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...rksmanship/460-fundamentals-marksmanship.html

Primal Rights ? Primal Rights -- Precision Rifle Marksmanship - Zero Force Firing Position

https://www.riflesonly.com/pro-shop...ly-precision-rifle-volume-1-fundamentals.html

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In regards to your question about the McMillan HTG stock…McMillan makes great stocks. Having shot quite a few stocks of that style including HS Precision, B&C M40, and a Bobby Hart LRT, I can positively say that the McMillan A5 and the A3-5 were much better stocks, at least for me.

I found the A series stocks to just feel better and allowed a perfect cheek weld and length of pull as they are adjustable. If I were to do it all over again, I would have saved my money and just purchased the best to begin with.

Manners seems to be just as popular, if not slightly more popular. I haven't tried any of their stocks, but their style is very similar to McMillan's and think they would also fit and feel great.
 
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Before you dump a bunch on a stock go buy some felt insoles and duct tape. Build up your cheekrest until you can get a solid purchase behind your scope. It's cheap and it wont hurt that stock at all.
 
thanks everyone for the input,advice and encouragement

think the npoa might be part of the problem (new term for me), as i dont have a rear bag so i improvised a rolled up towel, and was getting close but lifting up to the target. cheek weld im inconsistent. trigger pull inconsistent.

I watched some of the video trailers on training and will take that advice as i can see i am in need of training . i know absolutely nothing.

not sure if i should buy a new stock right now, or hold off for a minute and just keep shooting,until i know more. Nevada ziel miester, would you recommend adjustable cheek rest, or fixed just higher? Brands? Chassis? Opinions seem to be junk the stock on these rifles. I already know i want a dbm so I can share aics mags with my gsr.

thanks also for the dry firing advice.

Slim chance thanks for the invite, im in the high desert so cal so 2000 miles away.


ammo was 165grain federal power shock deer thugs.


I have to say so far i have been blown away by the friendliness and helpfulness of the shooting community both on here and in person. also this is a great site, alot of info on here
this is fun!
 
Try 168gr or 175gr federal gold medal match once you start getting more consistent. Not sure what kind of consistency they load hunting ammo to but you can bet match ammo like fgmm can help.

Also always remember to load your bipod each shot.

If you like mcmillan check out the a5 with adjustable cheek rest. Very popular here and I love mine. If you want more of a chassis type I also have an aics which is a nice drop in with adjustable rest. Most chassis are going to have a ton of adjustments available to help fit the rifle to your body and make thing more consistent.

Now I know people say to not buy a stock right away but I say why not if you have the coin?
It certainly is not going to hurt you and I am sure by now you know if you are going to like long range shooting.
Nothing wrong with having better equipment to train on.
 
update...

Well i got a new stock from a member on here and had it bedded and pillars installed. First target is my gunsmith second is mine at 100 yrds, so i know this rifle can shoot, if I can. next target is 500 yrds and last is 600. 600 yrds was interesting as the wind came up to 15 mph+ so i was trying holdovers. Mainly putting this on here because none of my friends understand what im doing. Went to my first rifle match and having alot of fun none the less, and making new friends who understand my new hobby. thanks for looking
 

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OP-it can be a tough journey.
What was taught to me 35 years ago has to be unlearned and a new foundation built up.
The info linked above as well as the online vids here have really helped me from minute of deer to actually hitting stuff a kilometer away and seeing it hit plus shooting groups to be proud of.
 
The bipod is walking out from under you (at least in the first set of pics). Can you see the reticle stay on/very close to the target through the optic when you fire? If not, its because the rifle is moving under recoil and your bipod with it. So then you do a quick reset and fire the 2nd round, only to now have an ever so slight different hold/cheek weld for that shot.

You need to straighten out behind the rifle, even shoulders, no added forward pressure from your firing shoulder on the stock other than dead weight.