CZ Shadow degrading precision

mamma

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Is it normal to have groupings significantly open up (6" -> 12"@25 yards) after 50-60 rounds? It is not fatigue because I did shoot with a friend and we took turns after 10 rounds each. Barrel gets dirty is the reason? Ammo used - S&B FMJ
 
Nope.
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As far as I know it's a decent practice ammo.
 
Lack of focus, your attention is drifting. If you aren't focusing hard on the front sight, while maintaining grip and trigger control, and you don't have good follow through you get 12 inches instead of 3. I know someone who shoots a shadow in PPC and IPSC, he's been shooting it for years - if it didn't work, it would be gone and he's got a few more down the pipe than you.
 
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Bring a rod/brush/& patches to the range next time. Clean it after 50, then see if it immediately tightens up after cleaning.

:popCorn:

Bingo!

But really I suspect you and your buddy were losing focus or simply getting tired. Since you found that it did this during a single range session that's the likely reason. You both may THINK you're fit and ready but it takes very little change to go from 6 to 12 inches at 25 yards. Anything less than total focus and fitness will mess you up.

If the gun magically works better next time out I'd say you have your reason.
 
I've shot a fair amount of that ammo, and find it quite accurate. Some good points mentioned here for you to ponder.
 
Lack of focus, your attention is drifting. If you aren't focusing hard on the front sight, while maintaining grip and trigger control, and you don't have good follow through you get 12 inches instead of 3. I know someone who shoots a shadow in PPC and IPSC, he's been shooting it for years - if it didn't work, it would be gone and he's got a few more down the pipe than you.


I agree with this one. Sometimes you get frustrated because of the groupings you get and this tends to make your shooting to deteriorate further. Relax, breathe normally, pull the trigger lightly. And don't forget the follow-through. This happened when I got my 85C last year. It was shooting tight. One time, it opened up to 6" ++ @ 20 yards. I tried adjusting the sight (elevation only). It got worst. The following week, I brought in a rest, adjusted the sight back. Bingo! It was my shooting, not the pistol. Also, try a minor load and clean the pistol before you go shooting again. This will eliminate some of your concerns.
 
I agree with this one. Sometimes you get frustrated because of the groupings you get and this tends to make your shooting to deteriorate further. Relax, breathe normally, pull the trigger lightly. And don't forget the follow-through. This happened when I got my 85C last year. It was shooting tight. One time, it opened up to 6" ++ @ 20 yards. I tried adjusting the sight (elevation only). It got worst. The following week, I brought in a rest, adjusted the sight back. Bingo! It was my shooting, not the pistol. Also, try a minor load and clean the pistol before you go shooting again. This will eliminate some of your concerns.

All great advise. I would add that whenever it looks like your groups are opening up to stop the live fire and try dry fire for at least a few shots, it will show you what mistakes you are making.
 
Thank you all for your great advice! I will experiment when I am back to the range.

One straight question though: from your experience - how much ammo you need to shoot so it does noticeably affect precision due to accumulated fouling in the barrel?
 
Thousands I'd say, unless you're shooting a bad fitting cast lead bullet. But you'd need to be a better bullseye shooter than I am to notice, and likely stand further back (like 50 yards).
 
MFS won't "eat" your barrel - people forget that there are differing strengths and ductilities (sp?) of steel. If your barrel is soft enough that mild steel bullet jackets will cause it to wear in less than 3 lifetimes, there's something wrong with your barrel steel.
 
Thank you all for your great advice! I will experiment when I am back to the range.

One straight question though: from your experience - how much ammo you need to shoot so it does noticeably affect precision due to accumulated fouling in the barrel?

Like Skyhawk said. Thousands.

And even then the jacketed bullets are pushing the fouling out as it shoots. So the barrel is more or less self cleaning.

Wait until you get out for the next range session before you blame the gun. We've all had off days and get tired and then our accuracy plummets like a rock.
 
When in doubt

I brought in a rest, adjusted the sight back. Bingo! It was my shooting, not the pistol. Also, try a minor load and clean the pistol before you go shooting again. This will eliminate some of your concerns.

Totally agree
Any concern can be quickly addressed with a rest. Take the human factor out and that eliminates the biggest of all variables.
 
Even when I clean my gun I seldom clean the barrel. My typical range outing is 500-1000 rounds in a go. I'll lube the gun a couple times, if it's lucky during that outing, but often not. I might clean my gun every 5000 rounds, if I am motivated to do so. Which I am usually not. Lube at the start of a session is common, if the gun is dry feeling. And then every now and then a bore snake with oil on it down the bore a few times.

Thank you all for your great advice! I will experiment when I am back to the range.

One straight question though: from your experience - how much ammo you need to shoot so it does noticeably affect precision due to accumulated fouling in the barrel?
 
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