what can i do to get my cold barrel shot to group with the rest of my shots. My cold barrel shot is 4 inches right of the point of aim at 200 yds. The next 4 rounds are a nice little group right at point of aim. I am shooting a savage 110 fcp lapua, berger 300gr hybrids, lapua brass and 85 grains of h1000. i really use this rifle for hunting so the first shot is important.
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cold barrel shot vs group
- Thread starter craiger40
- Start date
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If this gun is used for hunting and you really have that big of a problem with your 1st clean, cold barrel shot, then I would do a test to see how your first clean cold barrel shot groups. I would shoot the first shot and clean the gun. Let the gun cool down all the way and then shoot again. Do this about 5 times to see what kind of group you get. If it groups good and consistent over time, I would just sight your gun in for that first clean, cold barrel shot when you hunt.
bigngreen
Well-Known Member
Is it just cold bore or is it a cold and clean bore? A 4in difference is unacceptable at long range let a lone at 200 yards!!
FAL Shot
Well-Known Member
If the first shot from a clean barrel is off, then you just shoot a round then go hunting. If you know where the first shot consistently groups from subsequent shots, then you hold over that amount when you shoot the first shot. Either method will work.
Most people use powder that is temperature sensitive, and at long range the cold weather vs. warm weather difference will swamp out any difference between a first and subsequent shot. IMR 3031, which is a common .30-30 Winchester powder, is extremely sensitive to temperature changes.
You don't hunt at long range with a clean barrel anyway, if you have any sense at all. You foul your bore to a consistent result and then go hunting. People who are successful long range hunters have been doing this for a lot longer than I have been around.
Most people use powder that is temperature sensitive, and at long range the cold weather vs. warm weather difference will swamp out any difference between a first and subsequent shot. IMR 3031, which is a common .30-30 Winchester powder, is extremely sensitive to temperature changes.
You don't hunt at long range with a clean barrel anyway, if you have any sense at all. You foul your bore to a consistent result and then go hunting. People who are successful long range hunters have been doing this for a lot longer than I have been around.
Yeah..that is pretty crazy. If you sighted it in for the first round, it would suck if you had to do a follow up shot.
ICANHITHIMMAN
Well-Known Member
NAILED IT!lightbulb
Now to the OP, your way of thinking is messed up! Its a hunting rifle, you said it yourself, therefore fallow the above advice wait 10 min between shots and that's your group, that's your zero.
rick523
Well-Known Member
"You don't hunt at long range with a clean barrel anyway, if you have any sense at all. You foul your bore to a consistent result and then go hunting. People who are successful long range hunters have been doing this for a lot longer than I have been around."
This is not an accurate statement for everyone, or every rifle, just an assumption. I took a mule deer buck this year first shoot, clean cold bore at 803 yds. I worked my *** off to get my rifle to do this. I do agree though if your rifle won't put the first shot where the rest go on a cold bore then zero it with a cold bore.
This is not an accurate statement for everyone, or every rifle, just an assumption. I took a mule deer buck this year first shoot, clean cold bore at 803 yds. I worked my *** off to get my rifle to do this. I do agree though if your rifle won't put the first shot where the rest go on a cold bore then zero it with a cold bore.
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
My .338 WinMag is totally backwards as yours... First cold bore shot is dead on, then 2-5 gradually spans out bigger and bigger and grouping all over the board.
Which is why it's barrel is getting removed ASAP.
Which is why it's barrel is getting removed ASAP.
BrentM
Well-Known Member
Couple of good points. My LR rifle shoots dead on verticaly but 4" left on clean bore cold bore. After that fouler it is good to go every time, cold or not. I think every rifle has its own personality. Mine also seems to be fine shot dirty, 50 plus, or cleaner less than 5....it's just that first round that does it.
....is it consistent? Here is my thought. If I shoot 1 round and it is dead on at 500 yards but the rest are not then I have a 1 round rifle. Such as Mudrunner, which he is changing. That means no follow up shot or multiple target shots. Seems no good to me either. So I don't personally care about a clean bore, I care if the bullet goes to the same spot consistently. When I go out shooting rocks my first round to my 20th need to be hitting the POA.
One thing I like about a rifle that works dirty is that you can be out hunting and still practicing. A couple of weeks ago I let the boys shoot at 1220 yards after we spotted several deer at that range. It was a perfect opportunity to bring practical knowledge to the table. We shot a rock and discussed the reason we didn't shoot at the deer. What I know is that after those 5 rounds my next 5 will still be dead on. Plus with a couple of 16 yr old boys they want to shoot things and goof off too. Works for me : )
....is it consistent? Here is my thought. If I shoot 1 round and it is dead on at 500 yards but the rest are not then I have a 1 round rifle. Such as Mudrunner, which he is changing. That means no follow up shot or multiple target shots. Seems no good to me either. So I don't personally care about a clean bore, I care if the bullet goes to the same spot consistently. When I go out shooting rocks my first round to my 20th need to be hitting the POA.
One thing I like about a rifle that works dirty is that you can be out hunting and still practicing. A couple of weeks ago I let the boys shoot at 1220 yards after we spotted several deer at that range. It was a perfect opportunity to bring practical knowledge to the table. We shot a rock and discussed the reason we didn't shoot at the deer. What I know is that after those 5 rounds my next 5 will still be dead on. Plus with a couple of 16 yr old boys they want to shoot things and goof off too. Works for me : )
Mikecr
Well-Known Member
But There is plenty more than a gun that sucks about missing first shots.
