New Guy question

[Greyfox]

Now you know why the PRS guys are shooting 6mms.

Also, those same rifles have muzzle brakes/suppressors, and weigh 18+ pounds.
IMO, spotting shots under 400 yards with a 308 shooting Mil-spec grade ammo, no brake, and any weight under 12 pounds is difficult. Even then, the scope would have to set at a lower power. When shooting steel, or game, while you may not see the impact, you will see the reaction from the target which will be milliseconds after impact. I do a lot of PRS and while my heavy weight, braked, 6.5x47L enables me to spot shots, I still need the scope set at a lower power for spotting the closer shots. It much easier to spot hits at 500+ yards because of the longer bullet flight time where it's more important should a wind correction be required, or the target is too far away to hear the hit or move the target.

 

[338 dude]

The best thing you can do is thread the barrel and put an aggressive brake on there, I'd recommend a Terminator T2 or T3.
You'll be able to spot hits no problem.
I run a T3 on my 7.5 lb 338 NM and can spot hits every time if I'm loaded on the bipod.

Now you're talking!

 

[LRH361]

GuroChris,
Another fan of the Witt brake. I have 4 of the clamp on styles (Browing 300 wm, Winchester 30-06, 6.5-300 Weatherby, and recently received one for my 50 cal ml hoping for smoke diversion). The reduction in recoil is pretty amazing and it did tighten up my groups due to less recoil and I would guess the psychological advantage. I have a trashed rotator cuff and was looking for an inexpensive alternative for reduced recoil and tracking my shot. I found it.

 

[dfrahm]

So it looks like the targets are painted and you can get to them to examine them. I've heard some ranges are so busy nobody goes downrange? Fresh paint and then notes on where the paint isn't after each shot should help. And best is a spotter. Is there someone close who could spot? I got a brake on my 6.5 CM and it made the difference, especially shooting in the field where there is no paint, like prairie dogs. The noise is now double - but a $57 pair of electronic Walker headphones and I don't hear hardly anything. And I'm able to spot the hits nearly every time. Hang an egg out there in front of a plate (stick and string needed) for some fun. You will know when you hit it

 

[Dr. Richard Gray]

I've been reading the forums here for years. I've finally decided to ask a question that I don't remember seeing previously.

I've been having a hard time spotting shots from my .308win. Its a varmint profile factory barrel and mounted in a B&C stock with the aluminum block bedding. Its topped with a Vortex Razor HD Gen 2, 3-18x50. I have printed some really good groups with military Mk316 Mod 0 ammo. I have access to a big range in eastern NC and shoot to 800 whenever I get a chance.

My problem is spotting my shots. I know I have pressure on the bipods. I check NPA, inhale, close eyes, exhale, open eyes still on target. I believe I'm square behind the rifle but obviously I can't see myself to confirm.

My question is: Is it possible to overload the bipod? Could I be putting too much pressure on it causing it to slip under recoil? Shooting surfaces vary, sometimes its gravel, sometimes grass some times rooftops.( like I said its a big facility), today was in my pasture with real tall grass.

My accuracy seems fine. I was shooting a 4" steel plate today at 350m. I could see the target swinging after the hit but can never seem to watch the impact.

Let it rip fellas, I got thick skin, and thanks.

The answer is YES! I don't put any pressure on the bipod other than the weight of the rifle itself. Unless you have some way of actually measuring the pressure it will likely be inconsistent. At 600-800 yds. it doesn't take much variation.

 

[Dr. Richard Gray]

The best spotter I ever invested in is the Bullseye camera system. I have the 1 mile system and use it for 200+ yds. With the scopes I have on the long range rifles, I can spot 100 yds with them. However, I will use it on 100 yds to sight a cope in. These systems are amazing. The newer ones are a little more compact than mine. The 1 mile range runs in the neighborhood of $450 but they make ones that don't go out that far for about half that cost. Get on their website and see what fits your needs. MidwayUSA is where I got mine. I assume they still handle them.

 

[beto]

I have been thinking about a brake. That's how I got here. I figured this was my last stop before buying a brake. I've been looking into a Witt's clamp on brake. I'm just not sure I want the extra decibels. I'm already half deaf, sorta...

I usually shoot with the zoom set between 6 and 10 power depending on range to the target. I try to keep is so that I have just enough zoom to clearly see the target, but keep enough field of view to see the surrounding area. You know in keeping with cardinal rule number 4.

I thought of using a strap from a belt loop to the bipod like some guys favor for shooting off of tripods. Maybe I'll try that.

The attached pic is 3 shots on a 12 inch steel plate at 400yd. This is fairly typical of the accuracy I'm getting. Just can't spot as they hit. Maybe its much ado about nothing but if I were to hunt out west I sure would feel better about being able to spot the hits.

That's a

 

[beto]

I have been thinking about a brake. That's how I got here. I figured this was my last stop before buying a brake. I've been looking into a Witt's clamp on brake. I'm just not sure I want the extra decibels. I'm already half deaf, sorta...

I usually shoot with the zoom set between 6 and 10 power depending on range to the target. I try to keep is so that I have just enough zoom to clearly see the target, but keep enough field of view to see the surrounding area. You know in keeping with cardinal rule number 4.

I thought of using a strap from a belt loop to the bipod like some guys favor for shooting off of tripods. Maybe I'll try that.

The attached pic is 3 shots on a 12 inch steel plate at 400yd. This is fairly typical of the accuracy I'm getting. Just can't spot as they hit. Maybe its much ado about nothing but if I were to hunt out west I sure would feel better about being able to spot the hits.

That's a pretty nice group .

 

[Savage16Hunter]

A brake can help.
Zooming out the scope some can help too. Don't use more zoom that needed to make the shot. Get a bigger field of view.
Use a strap on the rifle attached to the bipod. Pull straight down on it a bit with the left hand during the shot.

I have a Kahntrol clamp on muzzle brake and use a Ching sling along with the bipod on my 6.5 Creedmoor. No problem seeing hits - but then recoil is less than with a .308 to begin with.

 

[Dr. Richard Gray]

I also print my own targets. I have a 13 x 19 inch printer and use the back side of old military calendars. I use Microsoft Publisher and designed my own template. I have a 1" grid set up with a 1" red center. If your shooting a 4" plate at 350 yds an letter size target should be sufficient. As for my shooting range, We have 850 acres and I have my own range so finding a range to accommodate these things is no problem.

 

[barred48]

I've been reading the forums here for years. I've finally decided to ask a question that I don't remember seeing previously.

I've been having a hard time spotting shots from my .308win. Its a varmint profile factory barrel and mounted in a B&C stock with the aluminum block bedding. Its topped with a Vortex Razor HD Gen 2, 3-18x50. I have printed some really good groups with military Mk316 Mod 0 ammo. I have access to a big range in eastern NC and shoot to 800 whenever I get a chance.

My problem is spotting my shots. I know I have pressure on the bipods. I check NPA, inhale, close eyes, exhale, open eyes still on target. I believe I'm square behind the rifle but obviously I can't see myself to confirm.

My question is: Is it possible to overload the bipod? Could I be putting too much pressure on it causing it to slip under recoil? Shooting surfaces vary, sometimes its gravel, sometimes grass some times rooftops.( like I said its a big facility), today was in my pasture with real tall grass.

My accuracy seems fine. I was shooting a 4" steel plate today at 350m. I could see the target swinging after the hit but can never seem to watch the impact.

Let it rip fellas, I got thick skin, and thanks.

 

[barred48]

My opinion is that you cannot expect to see your impact through a scope unless it is over about 500 yds and you are looking for dirt to kick up. If you spot one you are lucky at short range. I was taught by a guide in South Dakota when shooting prairie dogs you shoot at about 10-12 magnification out to 700-800yds. With practice you will see your impact because you will have time to get back on your scope before the bullet gets there. Alignment and bipod loading are super important so you stay lined up with your target. You cannot reliably range a prairie dog at those distances. You have to make your best guess use low magnification and see your impact. You then walk into the target by adjusting the scope. I use the retical for windage but dial in elevation. Want a challenging day? Go shooting prairie dogs at distance when the fields are wet enough that you really struggle to see your impacts. You won't get many long distance dogs on those days. I bought a 25 power scope and rarely go over 12 unless at the range and not trying to see impact. My longest impact on a dog is 805yds haven't had the opportunity to shoot at any farther out than that.

 

[Lee Goodwin]

The only time I ever spotted a shot thru the scope was when a primer blew out and the scope didn't jump enough to lose sight of the target. Messed my ejector up though.

 

[blitzfike]

I know this won't work at most ranges, but for long range visual verification of hits, we use plastic snuff containers (About the size of a hockey puck) filled with binary target mix. You can readily see the puff of white smoke with a hit and painting them international orange makes it easy to see in the scope. My home range doesn't allow exploding targets so this is limited to field use or private ranges.