Shooting advice? (Pics of target)

[KeepItCal]

Hey guys,

This is my second time shooting a rifle so I know I have a lot to work on... just not sure exactly what to work on...

Rifle: Savage 111 .30-06 lefthanded

Tried to adjusts the sights at 50M. Got it to the last 3 in the box. Then went to 100M. Every shot I try to get a very clear and solid sight picture on the scope, big inhale and in the middle of my exhale, hold breath, and take the shot. Very slow shots. Keep the trigger pulled back to help manage recoil.


This is what is looked like after 20 something rounds within a single shooting window. The couple in the middle were all from the first few shots. The rest went up and to the right. Any tips? From my reading a rightward group might mean not pulling trigger straight back? Would a hotter barrel walk the round so much? trying to find issues that might explain the groups.


Any advice?

[SMarquez]

Practice, practice,practice. Give it time. There are a lot of variables. You haven't told us what ammo you use, wind conditions, type of rest and on and on. As far as your rifle, is it bedded? What is the trigger pull, action screws torqued properly? And yes, a hot barrel can string shots.
If you are concerned about your trigger pull, practice dry firing. You won't hurt anything doing it.
Welcome to a new rifle shooter. If we were perfect at it it wouldn't be a hobby.

[russ69]

The group has a good shape, you just need to shoot a little more and get comfortable. I've seen worse groups from new shooters, yours looks respectable.

[KeepItCal]

Practice, practice,practice. Give it time. There are a lot of variables. You haven't told us what ammo you use, wind conditions, type of rest and on and on. As far as your rifle, is it bedded? What is the trigger pull, action screws torqued properly? And yes, a hot barrel can string shots.
If you are concerned about your trigger pull, practice dry firing. You won't hurt anything doing it.
Welcome to a new rifle shooter. If we were perfect at it it wouldn't be a hobby.

Thanks SM!

-Ammo: I bought these on sale, Golden Bear 145gr FMJ .30-06
-Not bedded, is that DIY-possible?
-Wind was actually going right to left but it wasn't too strong. Haven't the slightest clue on MPH
-Trigger is adjustable accu-trigger. Haven't adjusted it
-Haven't noticed any loose bolts on scope or action

What am I looking for when practicing trigger pulls? Simply no flinching and relaxed even pull?

[rm1911]

Try different target. There are targets designed for grouping. They have grid lines to line up scope. I like the round bullseye targets for shooting my garand and AR since I use 6oclock hold and the big round bull is useful with irons.

[KeepItCal]

I can lighten the pull too. What is accomplished when making the pull lighter? I'm assuming it reduces the window of sights deviating from target?

@russ thank you! I'll take respectable all day!

[KeepItCal]

Try different target. There are targets designed for grouping. They have grid lines to line up scope. I like the round bullseye targets for shooting my garand and AR since I use 6oclock hold and the big round bull is useful with irons.

Noted. I'll look for those next time I'm at my LGS/range. Thanks rm!

[Fate]

If you are using a scope, make sure there's no shadow on one side of your sight vision. Improper alignment can cause your shots to go off target. Look at the bottom set of diagrams (whoever did the graphic, reversed the section titles).

[Pthfndr]

....big inhale and in the middle of my exhale, hold breath, and take the shot.

Any advice?

Breath normally. Take shot at the end of the inhale, or end of the exhale (easier as it's a very normal relaxed pause in your natural breathing rhythm). Not in the middle, and don't hold your breath.

[CobraRed]

I teach a lot of new shooters who are new to rifles or bolt-action precision shooting - and you're not far off from the norm.
I'd say with your ammo you might even be better than the norm, as I would never have a new shooter shoot for groups with Russian anything or anything FMJ for that matter.

As others have said, PRACTICE.
My groups are decent, but they are 10's of thousands of slow fired rounds in. Your groups might be better than mine when you're at my point - who knows.

[NorCalFocus]

Noted. I'll look for those next time I'm at my LGS/range. Thanks rm!

No need. Here's a link to a bunch of PDF targets that you can print out at home. I use the medium range with the round orange bulls mostly.

http://www.6mmbr.com/targets.html

[shooterbill]

Try some brass cased ammo. The steel cased ammo isn't that good for bolt rifle's usually. You had several pairs close to touching. Make sure your rest and hold are solid. Fire at the end of your exhalation. Don't give up. It will get easier.

[NorCalFocus]

Breath normally. Take shot at the end of the inhale, or end of the exhale (easier as it's a very normal relaxed pause in your natural breathing rhythm). Not in the middle, and don't hold your breath.

I also agree with this. Don't shoot in the middle of a breath. Your shot should fire at the bottom of your breath. Also learn not to muscle the gun. You shouldn't have to force the gun to stay on target.


Get some snap caps or dumby rounds. Dry fire practice inside you home. Put a tack on the wall, lay down on the floor, and just dry fire at the tack. Do that for 20 minutes a day and your shooting will improve.

[KeepItCal]

I'm so glad I came here asking for help. Really appreciate all the advice you guys have given me.

@norcalfocus appreciate the link! Thanks! That makes things so much easier

Will fix the breathing right away too. Didn't mention I was using a bipod for the forend support and my arm coiled under the stock for the backend support.

I teach a lot of new shooters who are new to rifles or bolt-action precision shooting - and you're not far off from the norm.
I'd say with your ammo you might even be better than the norm, as I would never have a new shooter shoot for groups with Russian anything or anything FMJ for that matter.

As others have said, PRACTICE.
My groups are decent, but they are 10's of thousands of slow fired rounds in. Your groups might be better than mine when you're at my point - who knows.

That's awesome, thank you. On the ammo, I'll make sure to save the rest of the Russian stuff for friends/family that would be interested in giving it a go. Time to step up and buy more appropriate ammo. What would you recommend? What should I be looking for regarding companies, types of rounds, and grain combinations? Keeping in mind ultimately building up my abilities for hunting if that changes anything.

[NorCalFocus]

Hunting...then a 180 ish grain premium hunting round.