I fully agree that 5+ (10 better) shots are required to prove accuracy.
I was a coward.
My first attempt with a new (to me) McMillan stocked Sig 3000 at 300 yards gave me a group of four shots that through the (high-power) scope looked pretty great.
Sigh, I didn't want to spoil it. Stopped shooting. The range went safe and I got the target, and had to leave.
Next time it will be at least 10 shots. I think I just got lucky; the shooting gods were in a good mood.
Nice work! You can do ten man, give it a go next time
Here are a few things that have really helped me to improve my shooting, hopefully some of it helps others (I only shoot prone though).
-Place your rifle on the ground in front of you, point it directly at the target and place your mag(s) and rear bag right next to it.
-Take a few steps back, then fall in directly behind your rifle, legs straight and out to the sides, feet flat, arms out in front of you.
-Slide forward and place the rifle butt into your shoulder, pushing forward with your toes, load the bipod.
-The rifle should be parallel to your spine, directing recoil straight down your body.
- The rifle should now be held in position by just your shoulder and the bipod, trapping it there. Elbows are on the ground, forearms straight out.
- Now bring your head down and rest it on the cheekpiece.
- Shift your entire body left or right until the crosshairs line up on the target, do not move the rifle.
-With your left hand, pick up the rear bag and place it under the rear of the butt, keeping a grip on it with your support hand.
- Let your cheek sink down onto the cheekrest, pushing the rifle down onto the rear bag, placing the crosshairs on the target.
-With your magazine still out of the rifle and moving nothing but your right arm, run the bolt so you can do a dry fire.
-Once lined up, close your eyes, then begin squeezing the trigger. *Click*. When you open your eyes again, the crosshairs should still be on target.
-If the crosshairs have moved, shift your entire body left or right to get back on target, do not move the rifle.
- Run the bolt again and go through another dry fire or two until you are comfortable, not straining or forcing your body into position in any way and confident nothing is moving.
- Now that you are lined up perfectly, the only part of you that moves is your right arm to insert the mag and cycle the bolt and your toes to apply light but steady forward pressure against the bipod.
-Slowly insert the magazine and close the bolt.
-When ready, begin firing, paying attention to not move anything but your right arm to run the bolt, breathing, focusing on the target and squeezing the trigger, round after round. Pretend your cheek is glued to that stock.
-Be cognizant of any canting after each shot, make sure the reticle is straight (this really applies to me with that bloody AI bipod).
-If you have to change mags, do it slowly, right arm only, your eyes looking through your scope, nothing else moves (feel for the fresh mag, you will find it).
Cheers,
J.