The Trouble with Accuracy at the Range

My first shots out of my rifles, are at the 540 yard plate. That's the farthest at my closest range.
The funny thing is, my oldest rifles, that I've shot hundreds of times, 30-06, and 243, I usually get the firs round hit. I attribute that to just knowing those rifles. I get hits with my other rifles as well. But not as many first round hits.
I worry more about cold bore than groups anymore.

We all tend to blame poor hits on something. Eliminating poor hits should be the goal of everyone. No doubt, the first cold bore shot is the most important of all the hits for a hunter and also for a target shooter to establish the quality or general location of the Zero.

Testing at the range allows you to learn many things about you loads accuracy and your rifles consistency. Both are very important to know
before you evaluate your ability and understand the areas you need to work on and practice.

So In my opinion, It is all part of the process of becoming a better shooter. First comes a good rifle, then comes a good consistent load for the use, and finally comes evaluating your self (Honestly) and trying to improve your ability.

A rifle that places the first shot on target is very important to a hunter, but if it doesn't repeat with some degree of consistency, It is of little use if follow up shots are needed. In the time it takes for a bullet to reach game at long distances, the perfect hold and shot placement can become a bad hit with just one step by the game. We all like to think we will never need a follow up shot, But it does happen. Wind can be fickle'd and change in the bullet flight time.

So in my opinion, one thing is no less important than another. Having good components in your rifle, good consistent loads to feed it, good performing bullets for the job when the reach the target, good velocities for the range to be used, and plenty of practice so we can take advantage of all the attributes of out complete package and the understanding of dealing with outside forces that are constantly changing.

Blaming or recognizing one thing or another can be a positive thing if we learn from it, other wise it is just an excuse for not working hard enough on all of the aspects of our sport.

Just my opinion.

J E CUSTOM

bigedp51 said:

I have a accuracy secret, I go to the range when no one else is there.

That way when I leave I know I was the best shot at the range that day.

Accuracy is also governed by how much coffee you drank that day and if you managed to pull the trigger between heart beats. I drink too much coffee and have Afib and a dyslexic trigger finger. And a paper shredder at home for bad days and large groups at the range.

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I agree 100%, I rarely shoot for score with coffee in my system, especially pistol.

This is a very informative thread, Thanks!

looks like I've got some rethinking to do!

HARPERC said:

.......I'm trying to work my way back to a precision mindset. I shoot with mostly youngsters, they do most of the shooting and I RO.

......I try to define accuracy of a particular rifle in terms of aggregate, but for a mindset hold those best groups as what can be achieved.

.....The challenge for me is trying separate what is on me, and what is variables in the rifle system.

.....I beat myself senseless with my first rifle. I thought I completely sucked, and it remains the worst rifle I've ever owned. It worked it's way into a full blown custom, replacing every component before I had shooting experiences that could be built on.

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Thinking in terms of aggregates is a good tip for me. Last night I looked all the info I have for a load I've been testing (variations of powder charge and seating depth) while racking my brain on the load to settle on. Over three days at the range, including the last one which felt like a letdown, the true average for the load I thought I was settling on with two 5-shot groups and one 4-shot group, is 1.06 inches at 200 yards. That certainly feels better than my third day out when nothing was a good as the two prior days.

I'll shoot a few more loads next time out and force myself to pick one and live with it. At least until I decide if I want to keep testing a different bullet that shows a bit more promise.

C1Pro said:

I agree 100%, I rarely shoot for score with coffee in my system, especially pistol.

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Or being tired and many other things can really affect shooting

Canhunter35 said:

Or being tired and many other things can really affect shooting

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It may sound funny to some, But most position shooters have learned
not to eat or drink anything before a match because it slows the heart down and limits the oxygen to the eyes affecting your Eyes/site.

Eating before a match also adds mass to your waistline and it is harder to get a good solid position prone. (Especially those with big bellies)

J E CUSTOM

[SIZE=14px said:

Eating before a match also adds mass to your waistline and it is harder to get a good solid position prone. (Especially those with big bellies)[/SIZE]

J E CUSTOM

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Dosent make any diff if I eat or not belly wise! I just dig a hole in the dirt.

J E Custom said:

It may sound funny to some, But most position shooters have learned
not to eat or drink anything before a match because it slows the heart down and limits the oxygen to the eyes affecting your Eyes/site.

Eating before a match also adds mass to your waistline and it is harder to get a good solid position prone. (Especially those with big bellies)

J E CUSTOM

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When I wrote being tired or other things, I actually wrote being tired or hungover can really affect shooting then changed the hungover part lol

Good advice from all. Days at the range are like diamonds & rocks, one or the other. That's why we shoot. To collect those diamonds. My little Ruger 77-17 is very accurate. Ammunition plays a huge part in 3/8"-1/2" groups on a good day an 1" groups on another. I found the Federal Premium 17HMR is most consistent. Out to 200 yards max, and at that distance the environment comes in play in a big way. Just enjoy those learning experiences.

I have lately been blaming myself for erratic shooting at the range when I have a feeling I have been getting my barrel way too hot. My barrel is .65 with lots of flutes and it dosent feel as hot. My problem is love to shoot and hate to wait for the cool down between shots. I might start squirting water down my barrel. I hear that works better than anything. I'm not joking. Met some prairie doggers who had been doing that for years to their custom builds and they shoot alot like 25k rounds a year.

Tesoro said:

I have lately been blaming myself for erratic shooting at the range when I have a feeling I have been getting my barrel way too hot. My barrel is .65 with lots of flutes and it dosent feel as hot. My problem is love to shoot and hate to wait for the cool down between shots. I might start squirting water down my barrel. I hear that works better than anything. I'm not joking. Met some prairie doggers who had been doing that for years to their custom builds and they shoot alot like 25k rounds a year.

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I usually bring 2 or even 3 rifles. Usually working with 1 or 2 seriously. I rotate to let them cool and use the 3rd to keep my trigger finger warm.

Also have a battery powdered air mattress pump that I have a long plastic tube for. I stick the tube in the barrel and let the pump blow air thru.

If I can I set up cooling barrels leaning so the butt is on the ground with the action open. This allows the chimney effect to help a little.

Now Guess I'll have to start bringing a squirt bottle!

Those pd guys told the water works 10x faster. Use on ss barrels only.
8-12oz water bottle with rubber hose.
When done swab out chamber n pass 3-4 patches through with a flat head jag.
I have a hand held laser thermo going to bring as part of kit.
And a 22lr to plink when taking a break