Interpretation of your group on target

[338x]

Last week-end I shot new hunting loads for my 300 WSM. I used Nosler brass, Federal magnum match primers, Berger 168 VLD Hunting, 65.5 gr of H4350, COAL 0f 2.945". Berger says the VLD's must be in the rifling for best performance which is true after the different COAL I used. At 0.010" more COAL, the bullet stays stuck in the barrel when unloading so my 2.945" was pretty much in the rifling.

I shot a few groups and were still pretty good at 200 meters with 1.1" to 1.75" spreads (so .5 to .8 MOA). Wind was blowing parallel to the range so I would say minimal wind effect on bullet. The velocity was measured for all shots and very small spread; 3119, 3117, 3120, 3123 FPS,.... All groups line up on the same horizontal line with always 2 shots in the same hole or almost and always one hole 1" to 1.5" away. So my question is: if all the shots being on the same horizontal line (within 1/4"), does that mean strictly the shooter?

 

[Alpheus]

What's your setup? Bipod? Rear bag, front rest?

Horizontal stringing could be a bedding issue IIRC.

 

[Ganderite]

The group is so good for a hunting rifle (not a heavy match quality barrel, I assume), that it may not be appropriate to be looking for the source of the "problem".

A hunting weight barrel may shift a bit as it heats up. It could be bedding, especially if the rifle is not bedded, and it could be a variable cheek pressure.

I don't shave the day of a shoot. I let my whiskers touch the stock, not my cheek. One less variable.

 

[ultimate_monkey]

Are the consistently off to the same side ? As in does the group always open to the left or right ? If it's consistent I'd start with how your finger is positioned on the trigger , to far on to your finger or to close to the tip will cause shots to go left/right .. Your finger tip should be 90* to the trigger shoe and the pad of your finger should be where the shoe is sitting

 

[sunray]

"...strictly the shooter..." Yep. Your heart beat can and will cause it. However, so can very tiny differences in the bullet and the powder charge. Mostly the the shooter though.

 

[pzkw108]

these are very good groups for a hunthing rifle, like Ganterite said " that it may not be appropriate to be looking for the source of the "problem" "

just one thing, make sure you mark your "cold barrel shot" on your target it will help a lot for hunthing purpose

Seb

 

[338x]

What's your setup? Bipod? Rear bag, front rest?

Horizontal stringing could be a bedding issue IIRC.

Harris bench rest bipod, rear sand bag. The rifle is a Model 10 Precision Carbine with the Accustock, so an aluminum full length bedding. The barrel is from a model 16 and it has a muzzle break.

 

[338x]

Are the consistently off to the same side ? As in does the group always open to the left or right ? If it's consistent I'd start with how your finger is positioned on the trigger , to far on to your finger or to close to the tip will cause shots to go left/right .. Your finger tip should be 90* to the trigger shoe and the pad of your finger should be where the shoe is sitting

It's hard to say on which side it starts, like say the first shot always on the left. I shoot at 200 meters and depending on the conditions, I cannot always see my shots as they land on the target. I do use "hi visibility" target (change to orange). For trigger control, I do not "grasp" the pistol grip of the rifle stock to not to pull the rifle on one side and my finger is usually square, like 90 degree.

 

[338x]

these are very good groups for a hunthing rifle, like Ganterite said " that it may not be appropriate to be looking for the source of the "problem" "

just one thing, make sure you mark your "cold barrel shot" on your target it will help a lot for hunthing purpose

Seb

I guess I may asking too much for perfection for hunting purpose!! I did have this idea of bringing this rifle a few more times at the range and not changing anything and see where the first shot always lands and see the 2 following shots within 1 minute or 2.