Questions about my group

[teampete]

Hey everyone,

I went and shot from 600 and 800 yards today with my 300 win mag! My dope chart from the Vortex website was basically dead nuts out to 800. Big props to the program. My question is why did some of my shots fly anywhere from 4 to 8 inches left at times? The elevation was pretty consistent but my windage was off. Is that something that has to do with my form and mounting the gun at different spots on my cheek?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[WildRose]

Hey everyone,

I went and shot from 600 and 800 yards today with my 300 win mag! My dope chart from the Vortex website was basically dead nuts out to 800. Big props to the program. My question is why did some of my shots fly anywhere from 4 to 8 inches left at times? The elevation was pretty consistent but my windage was off. Is that something that has to do with my form and mounting the gun at different spots on my cheek?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Dennis

Key word here is "fliers".

In all likelihood it's shooter related or perhaps some inconsistencies in the loading of the ammo.

Remember at those ranges the slightest twitch can throw you off 1 MOA or even more.

I spent some time this evening just watching a nice little bunch of deer out in a field at around 700yds. As is the norm I practiced (with the safety on of course).

I could easily see 1-3 MOA windage variations and 1 MOA variation just from heart beats, breathing, and hold.

See my thread on Trigger control.

 

[Bravo 4]

Wind...

 

[Sully2]

Hey everyone,

I went and shot from 600 and 800 yards today with my 300 win mag! My dope chart from the Vortex website was basically dead nuts out to 800. Big props to the program. My question is why did some of my shots fly anywhere from 4 to 8 inches left at times? The elevation was pretty consistent but my windage was off. Is that something that has to do with my form and mounting the gun at different spots on my cheek?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Dennis

At 100 yds can you put ALL of your shots into the same hole???
Stop and think how small of a deviation it takes to move 4" at 600 yds......800 yds.. It dont take much!

 

[teampete]

Sully,

You make a great point. At 100 yards I put 4 shots in about one hole and the other floew half inch low. That was my best group ever (im getting better). I know I dont have perferct form and I am just trying to verify that the variaton of my shots flying a bit left is me and not actaully my scope. I just want to make sure it isnt my equipment. I do believe it is me but it will take me some time to become a better shooter. Atleast I can hold MOA out to 800. I really would like to get it down to half MOA.l

 

[WildRose]

Sully,

You make a great point. At 100 yards I put 4 shots in about one hole and the other floew half inch low. That was my best group ever (im getting better). I know I dont have perferct form and I am just trying to verify that the variaton of my shots flying a bit left is me and not actaully my scope. I just want to make sure it isnt my equipment. I do believe it is me but it will take me some time to become a better shooter. Atleast I can hold MOA out to 800. I really would like to get it down to half MOA.l

Go to a public range sometime and see just how rare it is to find anyone shooting sub MOA even at 100yds.

Unless there's a competition going on that day odds are you'll find no more than 5-10 out of a hundred shooters doing that well.

Move it out to 400, and again, odds are you'll find about the same 5-10/100 shooters.

Move it out to 800, and you won't find 3 out of 100 rigs capable of shooting sub MOA and even fewer shooters capable of of it with the best equipment.

You're doing really, really well already so don't get frustrated.

You now know your equipment is up to the task so just relax, take your time, don't force or push shots, just let them happen when it's right.

Once you have enough rounds down range you'll know the split second the round is fired if it's a hit and if not you'll lave a very good idea just how far off and where it will hit.

It doesn't matter how much time and money people sink into the best rifles, ammo, scopes, and technology in the end it is going to take a lot of practicing to really become proficient at long range.

You're off to a really great start so just relax and have some fun and the rest will come together for you over time.

 

[teampete]

Wildrose,

Thanks for the motivation! I feel a lot more confident about my shooting. My buddy (champion shooter) who was scoring the targets for me said at 600 yards I was holding about 3 inch groups so I was real happy with that. Going that extra 200 yards really takes more consistent shooting form. I have an elk hunt next week and the shot will most likely be a long range shot so I definetly feel my equipment can do the job and I personally have the confidence to make an 800 yard shot. I just loaded some more rounds for my hunt and was weighing every charge to a single granule!

You are totally right that you dont have to have a 5000 dollar rifle to get the job done. Dont get me wrong it helps but I managed to set up a rifle with all new pieces for under 1k and it shoots pretty. Its a savage LRH with Vortex 6.5-20x50 with egw rail and burris tact rings. I purchased everything because of recomendation from everyone on this site.

One question : Should I carry a few accubonds with me on the hunt incase I have a 200 yard or closer shot? I hear that the berger VLDs will blow threw an animal at short distances and only leave pin sized hole in the animal? Any recomendations?

 

[WildRose]

Wildrose,

Thanks for the motivation! I feel a lot more confident about my shooting. My buddy (champion shooter) who was scoring the targets for me said at 600 yards I was holding about 3 inch groups so I was real happy with that. Going that extra 200 yards really takes more consistent shooting form. I have an elk hunt next week and the shot will most likely be a long range shot so I definetly feel my equipment can do the job and I personally have the confidence to make an 800 yard shot. I just loaded some more rounds for my hunt and was weighing every charge to a single granule!

You are totally right that you dont have to have a 5000 dollar rifle to get the job done. Dont get me wrong it helps but I managed to set up a rifle with all new pieces for under 1k and it shoots pretty. Its a savage LRH with Vortex 6.5-20x50 with egw rail and burris tact rings. I purchased everything because of recomendation from everyone on this site.

One question : Should I carry a few accubonds with me on the hunt incase I have a 200 yard or closer shot? I hear that the berger VLDs will blow threw an animal at short distances and only leave pin sized hole in the animal? Any recomendations?

I'd be a lot more concerned about the VLD's blowing up at short range than penciling through.

The accubond is a great bullet but I see no reason to be switching in the field. Your POI is going to probably shirt a good bit between the two anyhow.

Go with what you have the most confidence in and then put it in the right spot and you'll be fine. Personally at under 1000yds I'd go with the accubond over the VLD's but that's just me. I simply don't trust match bullets on game. I haven't seen or heard enough about the Hunting VLD's to be any more confindent in them than I am the match VLD's.

What caliber and bullet weight are you shooting? Velocity on impact is going to dictate bullet performance on impact.

 

[teampete]

I am shooting a 300 win mag with 210 gr hunting vlds. My average chrono reading is 2853. Thats the number i used on my drop chart and it was literally dead on at 800 yards so my muzzle velocity is obviously right there. At 100 yards I will have over 1400 flbs of energy which ive read will be enough for an elk.

 

[WildRose]

I am shooting a 300 win mag with 210 gr hunting vlds. My average chrono reading is 2853. Thats the number i used on my drop chart and it was literally dead on at 800 yards so my muzzle velocity is obviously right there. At 100 yards I will have over 1400 flbs of energy which ive read will be enough for an elk.

Either bullet should suffice. Just put it in the right spot and at worst you are looking at a 100-200yds track.

I would avoid trying for a through the shoulder shot with the vlds though and go for the heart/lungs.