How To Improve

[longrange1]

hj_S14 haa a good suggestion.

my question is did you shoot that target as it is in the picture? or was it shot with the numbers oriented correctly....it matters because of how your groups are stringing...part of the stringing could be something mechanical but id say most is either you laying(hard downward cheek weld)on the rifle causing vertical and trigger pull,butt not seated in your shoulder and cheek weld(or a combo of)causing horizontal.

thats a lot of stringing to just be something mechanical with the rifle that you would not notice.

[pennstater]

Mind you, I'm not excluding myself as part of the problem

Good point and you're honest about it. I would ditch the bipod and use sand bags up front and a good "eared" rear bag that is not overly filled and feels stiff. Learn how to hold or work the rear bag so that your crosshairs are STEADY. Watch your breathing. This should help quite a bit.
Handloading will also help, but, first things first.

[jrpowell3]

hj_S14 haa a good suggestion.

my question is did you shoot that target as it is in the picture? or was it shot with the numbers oriented correctly....it matters because of how your groups are stringing...part of the stringing could be something mechanical but id say most is either you laying(hard downward cheek weld)on the rifle causing vertical and trigger pull,butt not seated in your shoulder and cheek weld(or a combo of)causing horizontal.

thats a lot of stringing to just be something mechanical with the rifle that you would not notice.

It was shot with the numbers oriented correctly. Bottom right group was first, top left second, center third

[jrpowell3]

Good point and you're honest about it. I would ditch the bipod and use sand bags up front and a good "eared" rear bag that is not overly filled and feels stiff. Learn how to hold or work the rear bag so that your crosshairs are STEADY. Watch your breathing. This should help quite a bit.
Handloading will also help, but, first things first.

That is something to try, I was using the bipod on the second to lowest setting, with my off hand making a fist underneath the stock for elevation adjustment.

[jrpowell3]

OP, Since you mentioned this is your first time trying to shoot "precision" with the rifle, this is my suggestion.

If you can borrow or have someone let you shoot their precision rifle (of course, it has to be sub MOA and was shot/verified by the current owner/shooter) and shoot it. If you have the same grouping result like how you have with your own rifle; the issue can be the shooter. Maybe more practice, get some experience shooter to help, or take one of those precision class.

If the grouping of the loan rifle turns out to be better than the grouping from your rifle,.. then you know it's the rifle and maybe have a gunsmith to take a look at it. I would say AR15barrel is the best gunsmith in LA are that can help you improve that rifle. (again, in my opinion)

That is a good suggestion, I just do know anyone with a known sub moa rifle

[jrpowell3]

I came to shooting from the land of devil dogs and leathernecks, so my experience is on M16/M4 where shooting 3 or 4moa is still good and you would probably still get expert on the rifle range.

Now with precision shooting, I know that the fundamentals are the same. But I know the technique is different, which is why I'd probably lean towards more me being the problem than the gun. USMC rifle qual is eerily similar to NRA high power. Eventually, I'd like to try my hand at F-class, but I know my rifle is not competion worthy and I know for a fact I am definitely not competition worthy.

[hj_S14]

Sent you a pm. Potential meet at some range in LA and you can use some of mine .

That is a good suggestion, I just do know anyone with a known sub moa rifle

[Gunsrruss]

Shooting on a bench

I read that if you take your rear car mat out and use it under your Bi-pod it will help your accuracy. It can improve shots by as much as .5 MOA. That's what I use. Mine is a carpet Mat. It dampens the vibration.

[Gunsrruss]

Compitition

I came to shooting from the land of devil dogs and leathernecks, so my experience is on M16/M4 where shooting 3 or 4moa is still good and you would probably still get expert on the rifle range.

Now with precision shooting, I know that the fundamentals are the same. But I know the technique is different, which is why I'd probably lean towards more me being the problem than the gun. USMC rifle qual is eerily similar to NRA high power. Eventually, I'd like to try my hand at F-class, but I know my rifle is not competion worthy and I know for a fact I am definitely not competition worthy.

Powell, it takes time and practice. It doesn't happen overnight. Don't get discouraged. Remember after a while your going to be poor like the rest of us ,and a damn fine shooter

[pennstater]

Hmm, the floor mat idea seems like that would help. Anything to dampen the vibration on that bipod. Sand bags and rear bag are your friend.

[jrpowell3]

Hmm, the floor mat idea seems like that would help. Anything to dampen the vibration on that bipod. Sand bags and rear bag are your friend.

What's a good rear bag to use? The badger ordnance bone bag? I realize my fist is probably not the best support for the buttstock.

[jrpowell3]

Powell, it takes time and practice. It doesn't happen overnight. Don't get discouraged. Remember after a while your going to be poor like the rest of us ,and a damn fine shooter

You don't gotta worry about the determination part. I'm just trying to figure out how to transfer and further hone skills from one discipline to another.

[RNE228]

Agree to a point as a long time reloader. I tailored 308 loads towards antelope hunting. Siera Gameking 165bthp over some 4064 in Federal match cases shoots sub moa all day long easily(older Rem700V 308).

But I would be hesitant to tell someone to start reloading till they get their rifle and shooting skills down. Otherwise how do you develop handloads for accuracy? If they are not accurate, is it the shooter, the rifle/gear, or the handloads.

It is hard to dial in the shooter and the rifle/gear, if the handloads really arent up to snuff. Even harder to dial the handloads in if the shooter and the gear need work too.

Short term - shoot some factory load and get the shooter and rifle dialed in.
Long term - start working up some reloads.

If you don't already, start reloading. When you go searching for "the load" you'll get more trigger time, these two things will improve your groups.

I know a great stock guy in Venice Beach that can bed it for you, PM me if you want his contact info..

Good luck,
Mac

[pennstater]

What's a good rear bag to use? The badger ordnance bone bag? I realize my fist is probably not the best support for the buttstock.

Caldwell, Protektor, there are a number of them out there. Caldwell is a pretty good one. Inexpensive and easily found.
Filled my bags with kitty litter. Saves weight and no dust. NEW kitty litter.

[jrpowell3]

Agree to a point as a long time reloader. I tailored 308 loads towards antelope hunting. Siera Gameking 165bthp over some 4064 in Federal match cases shoots sub moa all day long easily(older Rem700V 308).

But I would be hesitant to tell someone to start reloading till they get their rifle and shooting skills down. Otherwise how do you develop handloads for accuracy? If they are not accurate, is it the shooter, the rifle/gear, or the handloads.

It is hard to dial in the shooter and the rifle/gear, if the handloads really arent up to snuff. Even harder to dial the handloads in if the shooter and the gear need work too.

Short term - shoot some factory load and get the shooter and rifle dialed in.
Long term - start working up some reloads.

I wanna start reloading anyway, and before I develop a load, I'd probably mimic a factory match load. I'd think I'd at least get better consistency that way.