Maybe someone out there can help me with this. When I go out shooting, I can usually group very well, but every time I muff a shot, it is always the same way - 3/4 to 1 1/4 in. to the left (at 100 yds), elevation still in line. I know I'm not flinching, and when the shot goes off I know if I muffed. For the life of me, I can't figure out why. It must be a technique problem, because the f&ck-ups are so consistent. Help?????
Pointers on technique
- Thread starter Papaclaude
- Start date
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
How do you know you're not flinching?
When I flinch while shooting a group from the bench the shot could go anywhere, but it is pretty common for my bad-groups-due-to-being-a-tired-shooter to be mostly horizontal.
Do you know how to check that your parallax is zero'd?
When I flinch while shooting a group from the bench the shot could go anywhere, but it is pretty common for my bad-groups-due-to-being-a-tired-shooter to be mostly horizontal.
Do you know how to check that your parallax is zero'd?
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I had someone mnetion this to me at the range one time. Messed with stuff at his coaching and was inconsistant.
Care to give a tutorial?
Practices shooting between heart beat's. It's realy hard @ the start to even hear or feel your heart beat but with focus and determination you will pick it up. Also nothing beat's a good prone stance with a proper trigger pull. Everything else is gravy
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
FWIW without intending to shoot between heartbeats, that's what usually ends up happening. Your subconcious basically doesn't let the shot go unless things are "right". A carefully broken shot usually ends up being fired between heartbeats.
Usually you can't see your pulse when using iron sights (though it is there of course). Some people think that your subconcious is aware of it, and makes sure the shot breaks at the right time.
The first time I shot off my elbows with a sling and a 20X scope, it was surprising to notice that my shots tended to break (seemingly by themselves) near the midpoint between heartbeats.
Usually you can't see your pulse when using iron sights (though it is there of course). Some people think that your subconcious is aware of it, and makes sure the shot breaks at the right time.
The first time I shot off my elbows with a sling and a 20X scope, it was surprising to notice that my shots tended to break (seemingly by themselves) near the midpoint between heartbeats.
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
Papaclaude something else that occurs to me. How do you hold the grip with your trigger hand, where is your trigger finger, and how are you pulling the trigger? Are you pulling the trigger "straight back"? If not, see if you can change your hold in such a way as to do this consistently.
General wisdom is that your trigger finger should not touch the stock or the trigger guard.
If the stock and grip shape is such that you can hold your hand so that you "pinch" the trigger between your index finger and thumb, with the grip in between, is a technique that can work well (this is from Nancy Gallagher-Tommpkins' book).
Another thing you might try is to install another scope on your rifle, preferably a known-good one that you or somebody else are able to consistently shoot 1/2" or smaller groups with on another rifle. You can *never* fully trust that a scope is actually working right.....
General wisdom is that your trigger finger should not touch the stock or the trigger guard.
If the stock and grip shape is such that you can hold your hand so that you "pinch" the trigger between your index finger and thumb, with the grip in between, is a technique that can work well (this is from Nancy Gallagher-Tommpkins' book).
Another thing you might try is to install another scope on your rifle, preferably a known-good one that you or somebody else are able to consistently shoot 1/2" or smaller groups with on another rifle. You can *never* fully trust that a scope is actually working right.....
