*** am I doing wrong?

[veezer]

This has happened to me on the last two outings with this rifle. I verify zero at 100 and can drive tacks as you can see in the first picture....no problems. I back up to 200 yards, use the exact same setup (prone, off bipod with rear bag) and my group falls to pieces. I end up shooting low and/or to the right, but not a consistent distance right. One shot may be 1/2 right, then the next one is 2" right and then back again. I know the rifle is capable of shooting better, so it has to be something that I am doing wrong. I find that I have a hard time with the rear bag getting it situated just right and wonder if that is the culprit or the straps on the cheek pack may be moving funny under recoil. Below are pics of the 100 yard target, then the 200 yard target (I was aiming at the bottom left square and each square is 1" on each side) and then a pic of my rear bag and finally one of the cheek rest straps.

Can someone give me some advice on what to try to narrow down what I am doing wrong?

 

[406precision]

It's certainly hard to diagnose with out seeing atleast a video, but I would look at your cheek pressure and trigger pull inconsistencies with either and your going to see some issues for sure.

Jordan@406

 

[ShtrRdy]

I've struggled with the same sort of behavior you're having. I'm thinking it has something to do with parallax error and/or not enough magnification to maintain a precise aiming point. This is with a 3-9x Leupold. It has a fixed parallax setting. If I place the rifle in a steady rest and move my head side to side I can see the crosshair move at least an inch.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

+1 for parallax. Try setting it at 300 yds and see what it does.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

+2 for parallax

 

[Pdvdh]

Tell us which make, model, power scope you are using.

If you can shoot at 100yds, you should be able to shoot at 200 also...

 

[Jackal11]

Parallax would be my guess as well. When your groups move left and right in my exp it is due to site picture more than anything. It is tough to see exactly what is happening. I hope it works out for you quickly

 

[bigngreen]

Not saying its the issue but it will benefit you if you remove the center strap on your stock pack so the rifle can recoil smoothly on the rear bag, I definitely could tell the difference when I removed mine.

 

[Mike 338]

Just throwing it out there. Sometimes triggers are set so light that when shooting from field positions, as opposed to off the bench, you end up slapping the trigger rather than a defined press and hold to the rear as you follow through. If it's adjustable, try 2-1/2 lbs. or so and focus on pressing the trigger straight back and and holding it there until recoil is over and your still looking at your target or try to look at your target (follow through). Also what bigngreen said. Sling studs and things snagging on rear bags that make it go bouncy bouncy. Toe (bottom rear point) of the butt stock jammed into the rear bag makes the muzzle do weird things through recoil.

 

[406precision]

At 200 yards parallax is going to be negligible go back to basics and work up from there. A solid foundation is essential .

 

[veezer]

The scope is a Vortex viper 6-20x40. I had set the paralax when I moved back to 200. There was no wind today or the last time this happened. The trigger is set at 3 lbs and I always concentrate on pulling straight back and not slapping.

I think I might try taking the stock pack off and see if that helps or taking some of the padding out so i dont push very hard on the stock to get my eye lined up with the scope. I dont press that hard now, but maybe that has something to do with it. Definitely will try removing that center strap and see if that helps too. I just dont see how it can "ride" the rear bag with the straps when I can see marks from them in the suede material after I shoot. It's like they are sticking to the bag and the actual bag is moving or rotating back, not the stock sliding on the bag.

 

[bigngreen]

If your gun will not ride the bag, meaning it's able to just slide back under recoil, it will induce vertical, the rifle should not move the bag under recoil. A rifle that is moving back smooth across the bag is consistent shot to shot and consistency during the in barrel recoil is critical!

 

[jpw360]

Here are some suggestions that helped me with thesame problem....ever heard of muzzle speed variation? Chrno your speeds and record them. And see and analyze the data...hopefully u r not using a vangard bipod...imstead of backings up...stay there and move ur target out..
And i am assum8ng unhave used different projectiles

 

[AZShooter]

You said you are: "pushing very hard on the stock to get my eye lined up with the scope." You may have stuck upon your issue. You shouldn't have to force your face down to line up with the scope. Why is the pack there if it raises you face so high? Take that stock pack off and try again.