So I've been off and on burning through the Sniper's Hide online training videos/courses. A SF buddy recommended I read The Ultimate Sniper book, as well. And I just got the Magpul precision rifle DVD series. And I've been spending most of my time dry firing. To the point that I only have 195 total rounds through my R700.
I'm no pro, but I've been shooting nearly all my life. So the 3-4MOA groups @ 100 yds with 150gr ball or soft tip ammo wasn't fun.
I finally invested in a few upgrades.
1) Vector FFP scope ~ $900. A great deal on a FFP scope with decent enough glass for my less discerning eye.
2) Jewell Trigger - $225. Makes a huge difference to me to have a light, clean and crisp trigger pull/break.
3) Accuracy International AX chassis - $1,300. Okay, yeah, I spent more on the chassis than the glass. But I will upgrade the glass eventually but don't really need a better chassis for ... forever? The chassis has gone a long way to getting a proper cheek weld and allowing me to be totally relaxed behind the rifle. With the factory Remington stock, I had to strain way too much to get the proper sight picture. Yes, you can fix that by putting a cheek pad on it. But that won't give you a free-floating barrel
4) MATCH AMMO!! More on that in a sec.
So the results. Prior to the upgrades, my 150gr performance @ 100 was 3-4MOA. And by prior to the upgrades, I mean like 2 weeks ago.
Today at my farm in 42 degree weather freezing with my shooting mat forming my body into wet horse pasture, my 150gr soft point groups were 2.5 for the first 10 rounds and 2.8 in the second group.
I then opened a box of 168gr BTHP match ammo someone gave me. First shot was 3MOA low. Dialed up and hit dead center bull. My group size ended up being 1.18 MOA on the first and 1.06MOA on the second, unless I'm allowed to not count the shot where I pulled a little left. In which case it would be .7MOA.
Even better than just paper performance, I'm better diagnosing what my problems are. I know when I fire the rounds when I'm not breaking properly in my breathing cycle. That plays out on paper as such:
<span style="font-weight: bold">Group 1 (1.18MOA)</span>
Horizontal Dispersion: .38 MOA
Vertical Dispersion: 1.12 MOA
<span style="font-weight: bold">Group 2 (0.70MOA)</span>
Horizontal Dispersion: 0.2MOA
Vertical Dispersion: 0.64MOA
One issue I'm still having is BIPOD HOP!! I'm relatively able to come back down and see the target, but there's no way it will be something where I can see bullet impact in dirt or steel (my LaRue fixed target comes in tomorrow!).
So I'll have to figure that out next. But my overall confidence has gone way up, and I think my IQ and application on the fundamentals is in a great spot.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">
<span style="font-weight: bold">Bottom Line</span></span>
A) I'm in love this Valentine's day, and it's not with a woman ... unless bolt actions with female names count
B) I really enjoy the discipline of implementing perfect practice.
C) Thank you Sniper's Hide for a great community that helps grow both interest in the sport as well as appreciation for the people who do this for a living in the hellholes overseas!
I'm no pro, but I've been shooting nearly all my life. So the 3-4MOA groups @ 100 yds with 150gr ball or soft tip ammo wasn't fun.
I finally invested in a few upgrades.
1) Vector FFP scope ~ $900. A great deal on a FFP scope with decent enough glass for my less discerning eye.
2) Jewell Trigger - $225. Makes a huge difference to me to have a light, clean and crisp trigger pull/break.
3) Accuracy International AX chassis - $1,300. Okay, yeah, I spent more on the chassis than the glass. But I will upgrade the glass eventually but don't really need a better chassis for ... forever? The chassis has gone a long way to getting a proper cheek weld and allowing me to be totally relaxed behind the rifle. With the factory Remington stock, I had to strain way too much to get the proper sight picture. Yes, you can fix that by putting a cheek pad on it. But that won't give you a free-floating barrel
4) MATCH AMMO!! More on that in a sec.
So the results. Prior to the upgrades, my 150gr performance @ 100 was 3-4MOA. And by prior to the upgrades, I mean like 2 weeks ago.
Today at my farm in 42 degree weather freezing with my shooting mat forming my body into wet horse pasture, my 150gr soft point groups were 2.5 for the first 10 rounds and 2.8 in the second group.
I then opened a box of 168gr BTHP match ammo someone gave me. First shot was 3MOA low. Dialed up and hit dead center bull. My group size ended up being 1.18 MOA on the first and 1.06MOA on the second, unless I'm allowed to not count the shot where I pulled a little left. In which case it would be .7MOA.
Even better than just paper performance, I'm better diagnosing what my problems are. I know when I fire the rounds when I'm not breaking properly in my breathing cycle. That plays out on paper as such:
<span style="font-weight: bold">Group 1 (1.18MOA)</span>
Horizontal Dispersion: .38 MOA
Vertical Dispersion: 1.12 MOA
<span style="font-weight: bold">Group 2 (0.70MOA)</span>
Horizontal Dispersion: 0.2MOA
Vertical Dispersion: 0.64MOA
One issue I'm still having is BIPOD HOP!! I'm relatively able to come back down and see the target, but there's no way it will be something where I can see bullet impact in dirt or steel (my LaRue fixed target comes in tomorrow!).
So I'll have to figure that out next. But my overall confidence has gone way up, and I think my IQ and application on the fundamentals is in a great spot.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">
<span style="font-weight: bold">Bottom Line</span></span>
A) I'm in love this Valentine's day, and it's not with a woman ... unless bolt actions with female names count
B) I really enjoy the discipline of implementing perfect practice.
C) Thank you Sniper's Hide for a great community that helps grow both interest in the sport as well as appreciation for the people who do this for a living in the hellholes overseas!
