Scope crosshairs wobble

[tpc13]

Rem 700 SPS 26" is the rifle. I notice that when I'm shooting that my heart beat moves the reticle. I try and show it down and control my breathing. It shoot great, but I want better. I am using a Bell and Carlson stock free float and a Harris Bipod. Are u guys just using a rear sand bag or are u using some type of Mono Pod. Has anyone made one? What will work to stop the reticle wobble? I know were talking perfection shooting and was wondering who actually notices what I'm talking about. How have you perfected this? Experts welcome....

[dskit]

Shoot between heartbeats...

[desert dog]

Sounds like a parallax issue. With bad parallax, any slight movement will make the reticle move.

[NytWolf]

Your thread title makes it sound like you have a defective scope.

Take a deep breath, slowly release until you feel the tension in your chest stop, then hold for the rest of the shot.

[bsumoba]

^ +1 on all the posts above.

Parallax can/will affect accuracy and your groups because as your eye shifts or moves off the scope even the tiniest bit, the POA shifts as well, enough to turn a 1/4-1/2" potential group a much larger group.

Breathing between heartbeats is another thing to factor in. Like other posters said, deep breath, exhale and when you get to the bottom of your breath, hold and when you feel the sight stop shifting because you are in between heartbeats and you have a good sight picture, break off the shot.

As far as bipods/monopods goes, if you are resting your rifle on bipod or front rest like a bag, most people will use a rear bag to get the potential out of their rifle. Some people prefer a monopod so they dont have to lug around a rear bag. I personally use a rear bag.

I dont use what the typical benchrest guy uses, but I would like to think that if the benchrest guys are using sleds or more elaborate rifle fixturing setups and you want maximum accuracy in a controlled environment like that, then do as the benchrest guys do.

There are other factors as well. If your rifle is not bedded, that might help, getting the rifle blueprinted or true'd will/can help if you notice that you hit a wall as far as accuracy. You can upgrade to more quality components like better barrels, etc.

One thing I noticed that helped me is a really good trigger. I have a Jewell that is set in "oz" and that can improve accuracy. there's another thread here that talks about "best" triggers and what people use.

And...last but not least, your ammunition. Use quality ammunition that shoots well in your rifle or handload and develop a load that is tuned to your rifle.

[Iloveguns]

There could be so many variables going on here. How are your fundamentals?

[ElvenSoul]

Info on scope would help.

[tpc13]

Sorry its a cheap scope with adjustable objective. 6x24x50. It has mill dots with 1/4" click adjustment. I know its a cheap scope, but its a starter scope. I can already hit 1" groups at 200 yards. My fundamentals, trigger control, grip ect. are good. Been shooting for 30 + yrs. I was hoping either a sand bag or a mono pod with lock her down so my heart beat wouldn't move the rifle.

[Whiterabbit]

it's not the gun, and it's not uncommon.

https://www.google.com/search?q=shoot+between+heartbeats&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&ie=&oe=

practice. Like not jerking the trigger, breathing control, etc etc etc etc. Heartbeat is just another variable to deal with. Plenty of reading material on the subject.

[ElvenSoul]

Do note that most cheap scopes in the market place can not handle any more than .22lr.

Every gun site is full of disappointed buyers remorse stories.

[Iloveguns]

Sorry its a cheap scope with adjustable objective. 6x24x50. It has mill dots with 1/4" click adjustment. I know its a cheap scope, but its a starter scope. I can already hit 1" groups at 200 yards. My fundamentals, trigger control, grip ect. are good. Been shooting for 30 + yrs. I was hoping either a sand bag or a mono pod with lock her down so my heart beat wouldn't move the rifle.

Are you using a rear bag now?

[only10x]

i suggest you bench the gun best if on a sturdy solid bench and do as the benchrest guys do... if not with a rest then with lots of sandbags and test and make sure the scope can handle the recoil first.

[JMP]

Sorry its a cheap scope with adjustable objective. 6x24x50. It has mill dots with 1/4" click adjustment. I know its a cheap scope, but its a starter scope. I can already hit 1" groups at 200 yards. My fundamentals, trigger control, grip ect. are good. Been shooting for 30 + yrs. I was hoping either a sand bag or a mono pod with lock her down so my heart beat wouldn't move the rifle.

1" at 200 yards doesn't sound bad at all if you aren't using a rear rest. Get one, and it will improve your accuracy. Sub 0.5 MOA at at 200 yards may already be quite good depending on your caliber, ammo, and other factors from an SPS as you describe. It doesn't sound like a scope issue.

[Bastard]

sand bag should work, just be sure to squeeze the bag not the stock.

[russ69]

I'm not sure where a rifle on a bipod will pick up your pulse? Your contact points should be your cheek, your pistol grip and support hand under the stock or grasping onto the bipod. It sounds like you are squeezing something too hard? Where is the pulse getting picked up?