consistent aiming help

[seronian]

don't know how to title this but can a high scope magnification cause or make it difficult to keep crosshair steady?

rifles

R700 with SS 20X50 with bipod I do ok at 100 yards 1/2 MOA keeps the crosshair steady 60%

noveske 16 inch barrel with 3x8 nikon using sand bag consistent cloverleaf at 50 yards 1 inch groups at 100

Fal 16 inch barrel with SS 16X42 using sand bag 2 to 5 inch groups at 100 yards. 1 to 4 inch groups at 50 yards.

experiment.

fitted FAL with 3x8 nikon 1 to 2 groups at 100 yards. cloverleaf at 50 yards.

FAL on irons 1/2 to 1 inch groups at 50 yards 1 to 3 inch groups at 100 yards.

i noticed on the FAL while using the high mag scope the crosshair was moving alot, when i switched to a low mag scope and irons i was pretty steady.

does any one know why?

[EvolutionGSR]

I don't really have an answer but some more information so other may be able to help you, are you standing, benchresting on bags, or bipods, kneeling, prone?

[Pthfndr]

The high magnification is not making you less steady, it's just letting you see every little bit of movement your body produces. You then try to hold steady, but that can make things worse because now your muscles are not relaxed.

That's one reason why experienced hunters do not use any more magnification than required to aquire their target.

When shooting from a well supported position, such as a mechanical rest or sandbags, the shooters movement is removed from the equation.

[seronian]

I don't really have an answer but some more information so other may be able to help you, are you standing, benchresting on bags, or bipods, kneeling, prone?

ops...on bench on caldwell bag, sitting....

[brl0301]

My thinking is that with lower magnification you cant see the little movements of the crosshairs and therefore you dont overthink about when to fire the weapon. You just let it go off on its own, like you are supposed to. Now when you are using a higher magnified scope, you can actually see the little movements of the crosshairs on the target and you try to time when the rifle fires. When you do this you end up being less accurate and having to work harder. It seems to be that some new shooters make the mistake of using too much scope and it tends to hurt thier shooting.

[seronian]

The high magnification is not making you less steady, it's just letting you see every little bit of movement your body produces. You then try to hold steady, but that can make things worse because now your muscles are not relaxed.

That's one reason why experienced hunters do not use any more magnification than required to aquire their target.

When shooting from a well supported position, such as a mechanical rest or sandbags, the shooters movement is removed from the equation.

this makes so much sence...thank you....

[seronian]

My thinking is that with lower magnification you cant see the little movements of the crosshairs and therefore you dont overthink about when to fire the weapon. You just let it go off on its own, like you are supposed to. Now when you are using a higher magnified scope, you can actually see the little movements of the crosshairs on the target and you try to time when the rifle fires. When you do this you end up being less accurate and having to work harder. It seems to be that some new shooters make the mistake of using too much scope and it tends to hurt thier shooting.

i was thinking about the same thing thats why i did my little experiment....now with a high Mag scope and a target beyond 100 yards can i say the High Mag scope will make me react as if i was using a low Mag scope under 100 yards.

[G-forceJunkie]

Paralax issue perhaps?

[seronian]

Paralax issue perhaps?

not sure on this but i made sure my focal plain was right i made sure i had a full circle before pulling the trigger. checked my eye relief and i was on it. unless im missing something.

[EvolutionGSR]

Since you are benching, assuming you are right handed, where are you placing your left hand? or if you are left handed, where do you place your right hand?

[seronian]

left hand tucked in, place on pocket palm facing body index and thumb cradles buttstock since i dont use a rear bag. triangle left and right elbow and head.

[EvolutionGSR]

When i had a rem 700 and a howa .308, i would use my left hand in a fist on the bench, curled fingers lightly against the chest. and use my thumb and fore finger for a stock cradle, adjustments and aiming. Its very stable.

[seronian]

When i had a rem 700 and a howa .308, i would use my left hand in a fist on the bench, curled fingers lightly against the chest. and use my thumb and fore finger for a stock cradle, adjustments and aiming. Its very stable.

pretty close to what im doing except for the left hand fist and finger curl.