Not a long range shooter..... Question about shooting groups

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hfx123

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Forgive me if this is a dumb as ##### question but I need to ask.

I see lots of photos of targets and proof of sub moa guns for example. I shoot a lot of pistol and evil black things so I get that putting bullet holes in a piece of paper and making them touch is a special skill. One that escapes me sometimes and at much closer distance

My question... The shots are rarely on bullseye or centre of target. Just curious how this all works because I am currently shopping for something to shoot a bit further

My take on it is use the same point of aim or as best you can so that the group is as tight as possible... Is the scope then zeroed to centre if say you shoot an amazing group but an inch left of centre? Is this grouping just done to prove accuracy the all the tinkering begins? When guys talk of load development and making a rifle more accurate do they make up a sample of a bunch of different loads and go shoot groups?

Is bullseye shooting a totally separate 'discipline' if that's the correct word?

I'm not a long range shooter by any means. I have scoped rifles but small ones. I zero scope at 50 then try to hit the red circle most of the time at further distances. Other experience is mostly with open sights

I guess what I'm asking is the correct method to get started in all of this..... That's a novel I know but trying to develop a better understanding
 
When shooting at 100 yards testing loads, I set my scope a bit off centre so I don’t shoot out my precise aim point. If I am setting my zero I obviously aim for centre and am not super concerned with getting the smallest group.
 
I try for small groups and therefore do not use a bulls-eye target.
I need a precise aiming point.
And of course I never sight to shoot at point of aim as it would obliterate the aiming point.
I am talking rifles here, not handguns.
 
njlondon said:
I try for small groups and therefore do not use a bulls-eye target.
I need a precise aiming point.
And of course I never sight to shoot at point of aim as it would obliterate the aiming point.
I am talking rifles here, not handguns.
Click to expand...

OK so you are saying you purposely don't want bullet hitting at crosshairs because you are trying to shoot small group? Essentially hit wherever but group small and away from where you are aiming to preserve your aiming point in target itself? Not questioning the technique just simply questions


Take away is shooting groups preserve aiming point and hit somewhere else in a group

Bullseye is just that but will never be as tight bc you are essentially destroying what you are aiming at with each shot
 
njlondon said:
Yes. And always above the aiming point, for me.
Click to expand...

Gotcha thanks for tips. I've always just taken out a 22 and dialed it in until I was hitting the Bullseye then just tried to keep them tight. With larger more expensive calibres I just want to know that I am getting it set up efficiently, attempting and practicing to shoot good groups and not blowing money on doing stupid things lol
 
I’ll answer as best I can with my couple years of long range shooting.

1. Typically group size is what most people aim for, is different “disciplines” that goal may change but that’s the general idea, repeatable accuracy is precision, while accuracy is hitting your target. If you shoot a one hole group but it’s 1/4 off centre, in my experience “we” rarely adjust the scope for that.


2. When you start handloadong you generally make a bunch of loads with the same powder, bullet case etc. The only changing variable is the amount of powder. Typically 3 shots of each and see which shoots best, then the real tinkering with that load beings.

3. Yes it is. I don’t recall the actual name though. There PRS, F -Class, and tons I’m forgetting.

4. Starting with a .22 at 50 and working your way out is great practise and a awesome way to get into long range shooting. A .22 at 200yds is not much different than a .223 at 500yds or .308 at 800yds. “Long range” depends on the gun and your skill lvl.

Hopefully that helps!
 
I shoot for group size, and don't deliberately sight in for a point of impact off centre, but if it happens to be off centre, that can easily be adjusted for.
 
By now you probably get the general idea. Work up your loads first to get the smallest group(s) and don't worry about the point of impact. After you're happy with load that gives you the smallest group then adjust your point of impact to coincide with your point of aim using the loads you're happy with.
 
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