**Note this is long and from perspective of a new shooter**
I bought an RPR in 308 in the spring but prior to this week I had only been able to get out shooting once so far this year. My experience shooting long range is pretty limited (about a year) but I finally feel like today was a day where I had a couple of those light bulb moments.
The first time out with the RPR I discovered my scope was not mounted level and trying to sight it in was impossible so I only shot about 5 shots. I decided that I need more trigger time for stress management and got out twice this week.
On Tuesday I went out (with a level scope) but found that I was all over the place with the RPR. I was shooting various brands of hunting quality ammo but I just could not get any consistency. To see if it was shooter error I pulled out my 223 and shot a sub moa 3 shot group with hunting ammo) and it was not my best shooting (had to shoot quick because a thunderstorm was coming quick).
Last night I switched scopes from my 223 to my RPR to see if the problem was with the gun (I've read lots of people having problems with accuracy) or the scope. I went out today and it started off bad but came back from the range pretty happy.
The first thing I did was use a laser bore sight to sight in the scope. The scope seemed to need a lot of adjustment which I thought was odd because the scope came off a gun that was shooting lights out (light bulb moment #1). I thought it would need a small adjustment but not to the extent that I had to do to get in line with the laser. I was shooting about 4 feet high at 100 yards. I bore sighted at 25 yards to get on paper and moved back to 100. Lesson: trust your gut, not your laser.
I shot at 100 yards with 150 grain Winchester super x. I know to manage my expectations with hunting ammo but I used to have a Remington 700 sps varmint and I could get around 1 moa with that so I expected to get equal or better results with the RPR. Best I was able to get was a 2" group. Finally I opened my box of federal premium (red box) 165 gr (light bulb moment #2). I shot 2 x 3 shot groups. One was 1 moa (bipod no rear bag) the other was 0.65 moa (bipod with rear bag). The barrel for the last two groups was very hot. I've read a lot about the importance of using match ammo but I had a hard time justifying paying close to $2 per shot. Lesson: bite the bullet and buy match ammo if you want match results.
I am set up to reload but have not started yet because I've never done it before and am afraid to make a mistake. Hopefully I can take the next step and start loading some quality ammo. I'm really looking forward to load development because I love the scientific process.
Light bulb moment: spending time on the range is where you learn to most.
These are all things that I have heard from experienced shooters on CGN but sometimes you have to learn lessons for yourself. I just thought I would share my experience with other new shooters who may be in the same situation as me.
I bought an RPR in 308 in the spring but prior to this week I had only been able to get out shooting once so far this year. My experience shooting long range is pretty limited (about a year) but I finally feel like today was a day where I had a couple of those light bulb moments.
The first time out with the RPR I discovered my scope was not mounted level and trying to sight it in was impossible so I only shot about 5 shots. I decided that I need more trigger time for stress management and got out twice this week.
On Tuesday I went out (with a level scope) but found that I was all over the place with the RPR. I was shooting various brands of hunting quality ammo but I just could not get any consistency. To see if it was shooter error I pulled out my 223 and shot a sub moa 3 shot group with hunting ammo) and it was not my best shooting (had to shoot quick because a thunderstorm was coming quick).
Last night I switched scopes from my 223 to my RPR to see if the problem was with the gun (I've read lots of people having problems with accuracy) or the scope. I went out today and it started off bad but came back from the range pretty happy.
The first thing I did was use a laser bore sight to sight in the scope. The scope seemed to need a lot of adjustment which I thought was odd because the scope came off a gun that was shooting lights out (light bulb moment #1). I thought it would need a small adjustment but not to the extent that I had to do to get in line with the laser. I was shooting about 4 feet high at 100 yards. I bore sighted at 25 yards to get on paper and moved back to 100. Lesson: trust your gut, not your laser.
I shot at 100 yards with 150 grain Winchester super x. I know to manage my expectations with hunting ammo but I used to have a Remington 700 sps varmint and I could get around 1 moa with that so I expected to get equal or better results with the RPR. Best I was able to get was a 2" group. Finally I opened my box of federal premium (red box) 165 gr (light bulb moment #2). I shot 2 x 3 shot groups. One was 1 moa (bipod no rear bag) the other was 0.65 moa (bipod with rear bag). The barrel for the last two groups was very hot. I've read a lot about the importance of using match ammo but I had a hard time justifying paying close to $2 per shot. Lesson: bite the bullet and buy match ammo if you want match results.
I am set up to reload but have not started yet because I've never done it before and am afraid to make a mistake. Hopefully I can take the next step and start loading some quality ammo. I'm really looking forward to load development because I love the scientific process.
Light bulb moment: spending time on the range is where you learn to most.
These are all things that I have heard from experienced shooters on CGN but sometimes you have to learn lessons for yourself. I just thought I would share my experience with other new shooters who may be in the same situation as me.
