Shooting advice.

[Freedom]

So, I need some advice. A few months ago I started shooting a USP .40 fullsize at the local range (it was a rental, and was refurb ammo). After much practice, I was able to get really good groupings at 7 yards (about 2". Good enough for me). So I really liked the USP so much, and after much research, I bought one. Except I bought a 9mm instead of .40.

But after shooting my own USP, I can never get good groupings. I tried the same trigger control, breath control, different eyes, etc... With no luck. I use factory new Federal 124gr FMJ (bought from ammoman.com. $149 for 1,000 shipped). And I already shot aboug 600 rounds, but no tight groupings. So I don't think it's the ammo, I think it's me. And I'm pretty sure I should be able to get 1-2" groupings at 7 yards. Maybe I need to break in the gun more?

Can someone shed some light as to what I'm possibly doing wrong?

[LOW2000]

Are your shots all over the place or are they always going to the same direction?

What kind of a stance are you using?

Has anyone else shot your gun and had the same problem? I'm sure that an employee at the range would help you out if you were to ask them and fire a magazine or 2 and see if they get the same results.

[Gnote]

Try checking the trigger. The rental trigger may be better because it has been used so many times.

[Freedom]

More information.

My stance is pretty solid, with one foot behind the other for more stablity.

I had a friend of mine shoot my USP, but he's an amateur like me, so thats not a good way to tell. Perhaps I'll ask a range officer to fire a few rounds and see how the accuracy is.

Maybe it's the trigger, too. I've always read a gun needs to be broken in before the magic starts happening. So I'll keep practicing and if in a few months it's not hitting the mark, I'll contact H&K.

Thanks for the help...

[Gnote]

You can also get snap caps and dry fire your gun. This helps to break in the trigger and also helps you with trigger pull. With the snap cap in, aim at a spot and try to have a consistent pull. You probably do know this already but do not jerk the trigger.

[Freedom]

Will do

Thanks for all the advice. I will try the dry firing, but does that have any negetive effects on the gun?

I can try other ammo, so we'll see how that goes...

But most likely, as much as I'm afraid to admit it, its probably a pilot error (Usually is)

[Ratters]

Bring something to rest the gun on and concentrate on a good trigger pull. A rest should give you a good idea of the guns accuracy. Try different types of ammo too.

Best thing you can do as a new shooter though is to dry fire. Try to do it for about 15 minutes a night. Won't hurt your gun, even without snap caps. Try to hold a consistent sight picture throughout the trigger pull and the hammer fall until the release.

Sometimes it can just be the ergonomics of the particular gun. I bought a Witness and a USP both in .45 on the same day. At the first range trip, and even since then, the Witness has had far superior accuracy than the USP even though it was half the price. It just fits my hand better and shoots more comfortably.

Good luck.

[TMC]

Shoot the gun off a rest or sandbags, this takes most of "you" out the equasion and check groups.

If it still won't group take it to a good smith to check the barrel for damage. I nick/dent in the crown can destroy accuracy.

[Freedom]

What?

What exactly is a crown? And how can I see if I have a dent? My gun was purchased brand-new, and I clean it after every shooting.

And I'll try your idea. We're going shooting ourdoors in a few weeks so I can try!

[TMC]

The crown is the muzzle end of the barrel. Look carefully at muzzle for any burrs or irregularities (gun unloaded of course). Gun compaines make mistakes too.

Over cleaning the bore can cause damage also. Most competition shooters who shoot thousands of rounds a month never clean the bore. My SV Open gun has over 20,000 rounds and has never had a bore brush or solvent in the bore. It will still shoot one ragged hole at 25 yards. I clean the slide inside and out, the outside of the barrel and were any parts move against each other but I never clean the bore. Its not necessary if your shooting jacketed bullets.

You should also check to see if there is any barrel movement with the slide closed. I not fimiliar with that system but its a machine and if it doesn't fit together right it won't shoot in the same place twice.

Good luck!

[Freedom]

So...

So how do you recomend removing the fouling inside the barrel??

[xenophobe]

It very well could be the trigger requring a thorough break in. With the Walther P99, it needs 500-1000 rounds before the trigger starts feeling how it should...

[Gnote]

At 21 feet, I would say that it is you or the gun that is the issue not ammo. As someone else mention, let the range master shoot a few.

In regard to dry firing, if you put a snap cap in then you don't need to worry about damaging the gun. Please remember check the gun to make sure there is a snap cap (not a live round) in the gun before each session.

[TMC]

So how do you recomend removing the fouling inside the barrel??

Why would you think there's fouling to the point it needs cleaning? If shoots fine why would I start scrubbing and scraping the thing that makes it accurate?

Here the sonopsis of a long article by Wil Schueman the barrel maker.

http://www.schuemann.com/

"My Personal Practice has become to never clean the bore of my barrels. I do use a brass rod to scrape the deposits out of the chamber. But, I've learned to leave the bore alone and it very slowly becomes shinier and cleaner all by itself. Years ago I occasionally scrubbed the bore with a brass bore brush. But, doing so always seemed to cause the bore to revert to a dirtier look with more shooting, so I eventually stopped ever putting anything down the bore except bullets...

Good luck,


Wil"

[Freedom]

Great advice

Thanks for the great advice. I am going to get some caps and practice dry firing. And due to the feedback here, I will not cleaning the bore anymore.

I shall practice more, and will let a range officer try shooting my USP, and give his opinion. I am confident at some point I will plug 1" grouping at 7 yards, and eventually graduate to longer distances.

Cheers