What / when to log book

[Overhung]

I just got a scope. 1x6 and most of my shooting will be between 0 - 300 yards. I am learning the (very) basics of riflery and have turned to the internet for advice and instruction. The videos on Recoil Management here have already pointed out about 453 mistakes I have committed over the past three range sessions with the scope. I don't mind being clueless, but Ido mind staying clueless.

Going to more of a precision shooting discipline from a double tap threee targets, move while reload, reengage is a different mindset. Most here advocate a log. Data, data, data.

With me being new, I don;t know if the log makes sense yet as I cannot group well past 100 yards, and I really don't know if my rifle is really zeroed or if my lack of knowledge and form puts holes in one place one day, and other holes elsewhere somewhere else.

If I were to log, what data am I recording and do I just leave the scope adjustments alone now and shoot until I can group- or if I am 6 inches high one day and 8 inches low right the next, should I just accept that I suck right now, and leave it alone.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

What you need now is an orientation to marksmanship. Having tools and aids to marksmanship does not mean you can properly use them. Even with a data book at hand, you may not get much from it. I'd suggest you sign up for an M1 Garand Clinic coming to your neighborhood. Contact the CMP for a listing.

If you are expecting to be taught how to use a data/log/score book from this forum, that's to say, what to put into it and how to interpret or correlate your annotations to cause and effect, the poster giving such instruction would have a pretty wordy post. I have an M4 Marksmanship Manual with a section on proper use of the Score Book which I can email you if you'd like. Just PM your email address.

 

[proneshooter]

+1 to what SS said.

You really should spend $ on instruction on precision rifle shooting fundamentals and then the time and $ necessary to hone those fundamentals. Then you will start to understand what you should/shouldn't log and when to.

Bad data is worse than no data at all.

 

[ballistic1]

Welcome to the Sniper's Hide, and to shooting.

I would focus on finding someone who is an avid, good shooter who
utilizies proper technique to have them show you the ropes.
That being said,
Not every rifle is as capable of shooting tight groups either. Nor is all
ammo.

So having someone who is an accomplished shooter shoot your rig to
verify that it is indeed capable of producing tighter groups would be
necessary. Once your rig is proven to be set up correctly and shooting
well, then you can work on your fundamentals, form, and practice.

Remember, lots of things can cause a poor group shooting.
The list is virtually endless, ...

So take your time, get some advice from another
accomplished shooter, have them verify your gun is indeed capable, and then
get proper instruction & have them critique your form as you shoot.
With proper instruction & practice, your shooting will improve.

 

[bogeybrown]

What Sterling Shooter said.

The absolute briefest Cliff's Notes on a data book, and you don't even need a true data book for this to start out with:

Have a sheet of paper with a bunch of representations of your target, whether it be circles, silhouettes, diamonds, whatever. When the shot breaks mark down on the target where you think the shot went based on the last place you saw your sights/crosshairs when the shot broke. Then look at the target to see where it actually went and plot that on the relevant target so on each target on your data page you have a "call" and an "impact". Do this for every shot.

What you are hoping to do is build a proper follow-through and focus on your sights all the way through the shot breaking and recoil which is a huge portion of marksmanship, since obviously what your sights are doing at the time of ignition is crucial.

What this also allows you to do is look back over a string of fire and evaluate where you called a shot and where it actually went. At your stage of the game you may not glean a ton of info from that yet, but there's no way I can attempt the hit/miss corollary discussion.

Broad strokes: If you call it right edge and it is indeed right edge then you're on the right track and are following through. If you continually call shots right edge and they're consistently in the same (other) place then you probably need a sight adjustment. If you have no idea where the shot went then you're not following through.

That's insanely simplified but it's the briefest possible overview I can give you.

Accept the generous offer of the book from Sterling. If I were home and could put my hands on them I'd try to send you the school manuals from the Primary Marksmanship Instructor Course (USMC) but I won't be able to find them again until I'm in the States and moving out of my house, and even then it'll be a challenge.

 

[Darkside-Six]

Some really good advice in this thread.

Here is a good video from the manufacturer of some of the best data books out. it's a basic start to working with a data book but it also gives a really good demonstration of plots and calls.

 

[Cubed333]

Hey buddy, I know the feeling.
Being fairly new to shooting (5yrs) I've been on the same path as you with some breaks in between.
If you are dedicated enough you can find all the information you need, I've spent a lot of time searching and watching and looking.

I'd start with the fundamentals, number one being rifle setup. It's simple but this guy's videos are simple and easy enough to get a good setup.
Set up Your Scope for Success - Long-Range Rifle Shooting Technique - YouTube

Once setup you can then zero in your rifle, again they do a simple yet effective procedure.
Rifle Sight-in Process - Long Range Shooting Technique - YouTube

From there it's up to you, practice practice practice or get good habits from the start from proper training and practice from there.
Living on a tiny island almost as far south as you go on the planet means I have no physical access to proper training without flying somewhere and spending lots of money in the process. So I downloaded some videos and watched some of the SH training stuff and started from there.

As far as how to use a data book Impact Data do a great video and I can attest to how much it improves yours shooting. It gives you something to focus on, ie proper follow through so you can call your shot in the book, or see where you missed. Plus it's a bit fancy pulling out a data book down at the range haha
Impact Data Books: How to use a data book - YouTube

Having said that old mate makes some great points about data books here
http://youtu.be/CJlVEsXZfPg

Hope that helps and good luck with the journey!

 

[390fe]

^^^ Great post! ^^^