My Failed Attempt at 50 yard Challenge

[a j cave]

Most things already said. You must decide if this is a 50 yd group rifle or an all around fun gun. Shooting tight groups will cost more. 25 rounds all in 1/2 group ( over 5 targets ) is not easy. My name is not on the list yet and I have 6 guns that can do it. Sk standard + works well but mini mags are far better for gophers. For me I have to work on using the same cheek pressure and exact same alignment. You have seen how trigger push makes a different to the group. Work on consistency and practice. Good luck.

 

[FLHTCUI]

I wouldnt say it was a ''Failed Attempt'' I would say it was a learning curve.
Tight Groups,
Rob

 

[S1de8urnz]

I second rob. Dont beat yourself up. I doubt there is an expiration date on the challenge

 

[Gobc]

Get better ammo.

I did an ammo test with my upgraded SR22, and I got some pretty nice results. Your rig is capable of some pretty awesome accuracy, but you need better ammo. Still, I'm sure you had fun.

 

[savagecanuck]

Don't feel bad I had a failed attempt today with my 455 varmint
#$%#$ flyers

 

[wheeler]

Thanks for all the advice, guidance, kind words etc.....

As one mentioned, this really wasn't a failed attempt more so a good learning curve and practice. I really try hard for precision in life, absolutely everything I do, especially rifles.

I understand that higher zoom optics will aid in my feat at this challenge. However, I really like the optics I have now. So if I never make the challenge due to optics, I can live with that.

I also think that bags instead of the plastic rest I now use will possibly help make tighter groups. As will higher end ammo. Which I don't have at the moment....

My friend asked me to go to the range tomorrow, so I'm going to challenge myself again! This time I'll use his bags for rests, and use the ammo which I believe gave me the closest groups. The Winchester 42g.

I strongly believe my rifle is "capable" of 1/2" groups at 50 yards, I really do! I think it boils down to me & ammo in the big picture. But in the end, IF I never make the list.... it's still a super fun gun to shoot, and I enjoyed building it!

So until tomorrow.......

 

[RabidM4U5]

I think this challenge is actually rather easy *once* one has acquired a quality rifle and found the ammo it likes. When I see bad groups I know it's the rifle/ammo combo and not my shooting. I've shot tighter groups at 100 yards with a 9x on my .270 than some of the 50 yard groups my .22 has put out. Should almost rename the thread "I bought a good rifle and finally found the ammo it likes, here's the proof!" challenge.

 

[LarryG]

Overall I'd say that is pretty poor accuracy for such a pricey rig. I have to wonder if putting on a normal heavy barrel would give you a significant improvement. I recall t hose carbon barrels are said to be quite temperamental.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Don't feel bad I had a failed attempt today with my 455 varmint
#$%#$ flyers

Yeah, that is what I am talking about.
Another failed attempt ,LoL !!
Seriously, thats pretty good shooting from a CZ no less !
If you want failure guys, my new CZ 455 American in .17 HMR has not seen daylight now for two months.
The weather has sucked and work keeps getting into my play time.
Top it all off there is a Wind Warning in effect for a few dyas and rain fall warning too.
The creeks will be high and the snow will be falling at the higher elevations and that means rain for where I a am.
Doesnt make for good 50 yrd shooting regardless of the ammo I'll be using.
17 Hornady for the 455 and AE hollow point for the 452 American and I know it will shoot better than I.

I do get the jist of what everyone is trying to do, but beating oneself up over a first attempt ....
Well, it makes the second and third attempts much more challenging.

Keep it up guys, I'll get there yet , thanks for sharing too.

Tight Groups,
Rob

 

[Tom E Gun]

wheeler;
I too have tried and failed this challenge on multiple occasions with my 10/22. Even with a good rifle, steady rest, high power optics and match ammo it is not always easy. I still haven't found the perfect ammo for my particular rifle. With a shaky rest, bulk ammo and low power optics I would find it impossible.

If you are determined to stick with that scope, then it will be a real challenge, but should be possible. I have found that with lower powered optics the choice of target is critical. You need a target that you can maintain a 100% consistent point of aim with. Some experimentation may be in order. As others have said: find the match grade ammo that your rifle likes best. Another key issue, for me anyway, is a light trigger. My CZ has a 9oz trigger, my 10/22 has a Kidd 2 stage that is approx. 3oz/3oz.
Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

 

[AikiNut]

I'm wondering about the stability of the table. I was a member of a club that had a table made with a 3" thick concrete top mounted on 2" pipes which were in concrete footings... Rock solid. Pity it's not easily accessed from here.. Otorohanga New Zealand is a bit of a hike... The bit of plywood on spindly legs in your photo could be a contributor to your group size.

 

[weasel1]

Failed the challenge, succeed at learning.

 

[wheeler]

I would say the stability of the table is pretty darn solid. I went to the range two days ago like I said I was going to. Well I forgot my rest and my buddy forgot his bags.... So all we had were what you see in my picture.

I can honestly say, I need a really good rest! Shooting off the little wooden V was hard! So needless to say, non of my groups were good. But I'll keep practicing and practicing. I love getting out and challenging myself, & against my friend.




Win 42g Power Points




Aguila 40g HV

 

[bsand]

Forget the rest I'd go with a bipod and rear bag. You'll have much more luck.

 

[elimsprint]

Bags/bipods are OK but a couple of us have bought the Caldwell Rock shooting rests from Jerry@ Mystic Precision and find them to be very good for the price. The nice thing about the Rock is you can use different width front bags for different width forestocks which makes for very stable shooting with any gun you own. I have narrow and wide Protektor bags from Jerry and of course the medium Caldwell one that comes with the Rock rest. You could get the Caldwell bags for less but the Protektors are very nice and only slightly more money.

 

[langbanger]

JSA tactical shooting bags have worked really great for me.

 

[wheeler]

I've actually wanted a bipod for a while now. So today I picked one up from Cabelas. I wanted it to use on all my rifles though. I have a Caldwell bag my friend lent me to try as well. At least now I have three different rests to utilize and see which one I shoot the best from.

I'm going to call P&D Monday and see if they have any high end ammo in stock. Then giver another go.

What scope do you have langbanger??

 

[langbanger]

The scope in the pic is a crossfire 4-12x40 I believe. This is the setup I ended up completing the challenge with. I foolishly sold this 10/22, but have some others built to add to the list soon hopefully.

 

[Lionel]

Heart rate and caffine levels will affect groups. Take your time going downrange and take a minute or two to rest before shooting the next group. Also cutting out Timmies or Tea or RedBull will help with the nerves.

Try it next time and I'm sure you'll be surprised at the results. It's worked for me.

 

[savagecanuck]

I also find my shooting is much better when I go to my bush spot by myself so I can concentrate. The range I go too is usually too busy and noisy with sks brass flying all around to get any decent groups.