Benchrest Shooting

[movekid]

Best results are typically with a “two” part rest system (separate front and rear). Make sure the front rest is absolutely solid and does not rock fwd/back or l/r. Try to get the “saddle” of the front rest to fit (same shape) as the bottom/underside of the forestock that it contacts. As much as possible, you want the rifle to be somewhat resistant to the tendency to roll when discharged. Use some tape to mark the forestock so it can be reset to the exact same spot shot to shot. Make sure the rifle can recoil at least a half inch in the front bag.
Use a bunny ear rear bag with ears of moderate height. I also find that practicing fundamentals with a SHOOTING-SOFT LLC virtual shooting simulator can help reinforce consistency. Use as little shoulder contact as necessary to avoid eye or scope contact under recoil, and make sure the “cup” contact at the shoulder is consistent every time, both in position and in contact force.
When you can just push the rifle back into position and find the reticle comes back on to the target, things are going in the right direction.
Use the “pad” part of your finger to contact the trigger and insure your “pull” is straight back (not pushing to the side).
I keep my forward hand off the forestock and use as little “grip” on the trigger hand as possible. Don’t worry about muzzle jump unless it is problematic as in jumping out of the bag.

I’d stick with the solid table if your goal is to evaluate your groups. The floppy table is just adding another variable, especially when you’re already seeing inconsistent results. I’d keep the basics as consistent as possible from one session to the next: same rifle setup, same stock pressure, same cheek weld, natural point of aim, and a smooth trigger press. I wouldn’t get too caught up in exactly where your finger sits or how far you lean as long as you find a comfortable position you can reproduce every time. Since you’ve been shooting and reloading for years, I’d also avoid changing several things at once. Shoot a few careful groups from the solid bench and keep notes on conditions. You may find that your fundamentals are fine and you’re just dealing with normal day to day variation.

 

[srk]

I can summarize small groups with one sentence.
“If you don’t use flags and know how to read them, you will never shoot small groups “

 

[Shovel]

Interesting. So thats bench rest shooting. Im getting setup to zero some scopes. Got something similar to a lead sled. Thats not allowed in bench rest competitions from a quick google. But this fellows setup is. That rifle looks impractical for normal shooting. Nice range

 

[jethunter]

I’m not sure if I should post this here but I did anyways. I’ve noticed this year that my shooting is on and off. Some range days are fantastic, some suck. Some days at my buddies house on his plastic floppy table I shoot awesome. Others I shoot like crap. Some days at my house i on my solid table i shoot great, some days not as good. I think I’m done shooting off the plastic floppy table as I feel like I’m wasting ammo.

You guys have any rules you follow when trying to shoot groups? I have been playing with my trigger position on my finger this year and I think that has something to do with it. Where do you put your front test, how much do you lean in, etc.

I’ve been reloading for 10 years and shooting for much longer. My reloads are very capable I’m just in a funk right now.

Oh shooting 100 yards mostly and out to 300 when I’m on.

If you have proved the rifle isn't at fault then that only leaves you.

Everyone has good days and bad days to some extent. It's up to you to determine why this is happening, but check your trigger and breathing habits first because they can have the greatest effect and are easiest to mess up.

Make sure your shooting stance or position is solid and the same technique used every session. More or less grip on the stock can change poi. Everything should be repeatable every session. Notice the wind. Even a light breeze has impact.