Thoughts on grouping?

[338weatherby]

I don't know if this has really been asked before. Has anyone had groups tighten up instead of open up when say shooting a 5 shot group? I shot these two 5 shot groups at 200Y. I know for certain that one of the higher shots was a pull by me. The last three shots for both groups were all touching. I feel like maybe it's just me settling in? I know that 200 yards isn't long range but I don't have a lot of options where I'm at. I am by no means a great long range shooter and I personally haven't shot groups as tight as the last three in each pic. I just am a little concerned that my first two for each weren't tighter. These are off a bi-pod on a bench with rear bag. 7saum with 175 elite hunters averaging 2975. I would love to hear any thoughts or possibly pointers.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I'm still a work in progress, but it could be your rear bag firming up over the first two shots.

Excellent shooting!!

 

[Joefrazell]

What's the rifle? Is it a build?

 

[archangel485]

@Joefrazell question is very important as if it's a factory rifle I'd say that's the type of precision to expect regularly, if it's a match grade barrel with a true action that's a very different story. I've seen it work out the way it did for you and I've also seen the opposite way (first 3 shots are great then they go haywire after that). Just because those last 3 grouped well doesn't necessarily mean you did anything better than the first 2 shots, could just be how your barrel threw them. If you convince yourself you shot the rifle better on those 3 shots you'll be disappointed on another trip when you do everything the same way and right and they don't group that well, lol, I've done that many times. You can shoot the same ammo through the same rifle and if you shot 5, 5-shot groups in a row you'd be surprised how different the results are, especially with a factory action/barrel and factory ammo.

 

[338weatherby]

Lane Precision. Lone Peak Ti with 26" Proof 1-8 twist Manners EH1. I feel it's something I'm doing wrong. Dallas dialed it in for me and I'm using his load data. Maybe more time with it and settling down? Just seems opposite of what usually happens to me. I'm used to my groups opening with the last shot or two.

 

[archangel485]

Interesting, maybe you are on the right track with what you're thinking the issue is. How's your trigger? Fairly light pull and no creep? How about your barrel, those first two shots aren't on a clean barrel by chance? Maybe try shooting a 10 shot group. See if first 2 fly and last 8 all group consistently. If you got those first 2 down with the last 3 that would be a super impressive group at 200y. It's not bad even with them, 3/4-1MOA isn't the end of the world. I bet with your setup you could do better though.

 

[338weatherby]

Interesting, maybe you are on the right track with what you're thinking the issue is. How's your trigger? Fairly light pull and no creep? How about your barrel, those first two shots aren't on a clean barrel by chance? Maybe try shooting a 10 shot group. See if first 2 fly and last 8 all group consistently. If you got those first 2 down with the last 3 that would be a super impressive group at 200y. It's not bad even with them, 3/4-1MOA isn't the end of the world. I bet with your setup you could do better though.

I purposely shot these with a dirty barrel. Trigger is set at 1.5lb I believe with no creep. It's like glass and I really like it. I might be able to chalk one of the "off" shots to the trigger as it surprised me once ! I really am liking this build as it's nothing like my other customs I've had done. This one is a shooter and is just plain fun. I'm going to try the 10 shot group and see. I think that makes a lot of sense. Dallas' proof cards were under 1/2MOA. I think I need to settle in more and get consistent. Thanks for all your input.

 

[sea2summit]

I would shoot five 1 round groups at the same target and see how it looks (just get up from the gun, step back 3-5 feet, then get back on the gun) if the group doesn't tighten up like before you know your initial body/rifle/support isn't "settled" and you need to work on consistently.

Next I would shoot seven rounds, maybe two at one target and five at a second target. Those groups might tell you things.

You can also try a five shot group cold bore to see if you're having temperature sensitive powder issues but it doesn't look like that with these photos.

That's just how I'd approach it. I'm huge one one shot "groups" for hunting applications, because that first shot is the freezer filler.

 

[7070yshot]

What ShtrRdy said about the bag is a great no point.

to really verify if it's the rifle or the shooter, it needs to shot from a sturdy bench and heavy sled that allows you to lock the gun in place so there is no human factor other than touching the trigger. No other contact.
this will prove out the gun/ammo.
Let us know what the results are of the 5shot group.

get an Edgewood Bag.

I wouldn't do more than that with a proof barrel.

On another note and probably not relevant since this is a custom and trued gun. I've "fixed" a lot of proof barrels that in 3-5 shot groups look like yours. Takes time but they can be tightened up to shoot almost any ammo better.

 

[Big Guy]

Howdy, I just saw a post on U tube about counterfeit Leupold scopes from China, they look perfect. They said the only way to tell is to call Leupold with the serial number.. you have no warranty, and no performance , just aChina screw job..look in too it.

 

[338weatherby]

Howdy, I just saw a post on U tube about counterfeit Leupold scopes from China, they look perfect. They said the only way to tell is to call Leupold with the serial number.. you have no warranty, and no performance , just aChina screw job..look in too it.

It's wearing a Nightforce NX8 4-32. Scope is good.

 

[asd9055]

Howdy, I just saw a post on U tube about counterfeit Leupold scopes from China, they look perfect. They said the only way to tell is to call Leupold with the serial number.. you have no warranty, and no performance , just aChina screw job..look in too it.

You can tell they are fake. They come in all major brands. Leupold, Zeiss, Swarovski, etc. But when you look at them close, if you are familiar with the brand you will tell they are fake. One giveaway usually, they will offer something not found on that particular model of that brand, such as red/green lighted

 

[jvr]

If you want to see if you can hit the same point of aim (I am assuming you are not shooting benchrest competition). Quit shooting groups. Place 5, moa sized dots (Size will vary at distance) a few inches apart. If possible replicate what your shooting position will be in real situation. Shoot one dot. Get up walk around and then settle down and shoot another dot. Repeat until you have shot all 5. If all shots are in the same respective place on each dot...your consistently getting behind the gun and properly adjusting the parallax. This will serve you better if you have a moa capable zeroed rifle (which is already assumed).

 

[CTK]

I am guessing that it has something to do with the barrel heating up.