How am I doing and do you have any advice?

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pavmentsurfer

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This is a bit of a different topic than the one I started about technique. Im wondering how much tighter I should expect to group my shots with my current setup. Maybe this is as good as can be expected or maybe others have better experience and I need to keep practicing (which ill do anyway). I was just hoping to get some opinions with actual pictures to go off of.

My setup is a Savage 10 PC .223, Minox ZA5 6-20X50 and im shooting Hornady 55g Vmax. Same ammo for every shot. I know the first thing everyone will say is "you need to reload". Im looking into it with a friend so we can split the cost of the press... but for now, ill be shooting the hornady ammo.

So, here are some shots of my groups from a few days ago. There was a mild cross wind, im always shooting down hill maybe 25 degrees at 200 yards (using a rangefinder). I try to give myself at least 30-45 seconds between shots. Most of the time its more and I never shoot from a hot barrel, only warm.

Group 1: The group to look at in this shot is the 3 in the middle (touching) and the one just to the left and the bottom right. Those were my 5 shots in a row. The rest were from sighting in before hand.
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Group 2:
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Group 3:
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These were obviously my best of the day. I shot 40 rounds and used up 10 getting the scope sighted in as perfectly as I could, zeroed at 200 yards.

The next few groups are from a few days later. Little to no wind at all. Everything else stayed the same. Even the temps were similar.
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Again I shot 40 rounds total... I used 5 to verify my settings then the rest I fired 5 at each target. All squares on all targets are 1inch X 1inch

If some of you guys who know what your talking about could look at these and give me an idea of how im doing id really appreciate it. There is no range near me and no one else to shoot with so im on my own.
Thanks
 
Any thoughts on this. I dont want this to be a "look at my shooting". Im really just wondering how im doing. I just saw the thread about the mentorship program... im going to look at that for sure.
 
You didn't mention what you're shooting off from. Bipod? Bags? A rest? Off a bench? Prone? Your shooting position and support will make a big difference in peoples responses.

I'd say from my limited experience - for using factory ammo you're not doing bad. You've got some flyers that break the group apart and you should figure out why those are happening. Are you pulling your last shot from fatigue or a bad wind call? Try experimenting with different positions and find out what works and what makes things worse.

With my own shooting I've found that my shot-to-shot consistency is good, but my session-to-session consistency is bad. I'm not getting into the same position behind the rifle every time. This causes a lot of inconsistency if the point of impact and my comfort behind the rifle.

When shooting groups waiting too long between shots can also cause them to open up due to the changing conditions. Once you've got your fundamentals down and you've got a steady scope picture at your natural point of aim - take the shot. Wind changes quickly. Take the shot as soon as you have confidence and don't second guess your call. You're practicing - you can evaluate the results of the shot after taking it and apply what you learned on the next one.
 
Once your groups start to get reasonably tight, start looking at the overall shape. Generally speaking, a vertically oriented group can indicate inconsistent velocity – something you won’t be able to control until you start handloading. Horizontal groups can show where your technique needs work. I.e. inconsistent trigger press, follow-thru, grip pressure, body position etc.
 
Thanks for the responses... and yes, your right. I did forget probably some of the more important info.

These shots were taken prone, off a bipod with a rear bag in a fairly rough setting (not flat... just on the ground where I have a clear, 200 yard view). I will be using a front bag from now on as it seems to be the most accepted front support. The flyers frustrate me. But im quite sure its technique. If I can put 3 through nearly the same hole and get 2 really far off its more likely me than my setup. Sounds like a front bag might help. I also didnt know your supposed to stay inline with the gun when your shooting. I often find myself angled to the side (almost in an L shape with the gun). Is that called "cant"?

Thanks again for the responses. Its good to get a progress report every now and again.
 
Regarding being straight behind the gun or canted:

If your shooting a caliber that doesnt have significant recoil to be absorbed you can get away with laying off to a side. It is a good habit when possible shooting prone, to lay directly behind the gun. Then, when you shoot larger caliber guns, you arent trying to relearn a new position.

When manipulating your bolt, are you maintaining your cheek weld and not disturbing your firing position? Some of that horizontal stringing could be due to shifting position between shots. Also check your trigger manipulation. Dryfire and watch your sights when you pull the trigger, are you pushing or pulling the trigger due to finger placement? (this would be a great way for you to see if your horizontal distance is being caused by your trigger work)

Vertical stringing can be inconsistent ammo, but I would also double check how you are breathing when you shoot. There is no right or wrong way, but are you consistent when you squeeze the trigger?

Its hard to do a lot without seeing your position and watching your shot release and follow through. But those are things you can consider/check on your own and try out next time you hit the range.

Good luck.
 
Excellent tips. I actually took my .17hmr out today to try some of the stuff you guys suggested (on a smaller scale of course) and the results were amazing. i was shooting 1-3 inch groups at 100 yards and with simply adding a front bag, keeping the gun steady and maintaining my POA when loading another round and changing my trigger manipulation to be far less aggressive I got the groups down to a consistent 1 inch with a few 1/2 inch groups as well today. Im looking forward to applying these changes to shooting my .223 to see how it effects things. I think a higher quality sight on the .17 would help even more...
 
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