Hi everyone, just getting myself into some long range shooting these days. I'm not new to shooting, but i am to the sport. Currently i'm not competitive as i have a lot to learn. So, recently i purchased a .308 Savage Model 10pc, installed a 20 moa base, with Burris Zee rings, and a Vortex 4 x 14 - 44 scope with the target turrets. MOA turrets and MOA reticle. I'm shooting targets (cheap steel stuff right now) at 500 yards. I'm just curious as to which ballistic sites you guys use? and maybe what your MOA adjustments are on your scopes for these distances? I have gotten some good info. from JBM Ballistics website, which is what i've been primarily using. I'm shooting 168 grain Hornady Amax behind H4895 @ 2620fps. So far, i've been able to hit the targets with around 12.5 moa of adjustment on my scope in elevation at 500 yards, but i'm not consistent. So, I'm all ears and appreciate any advice or info. any of you would be able to share. Thanks and cheers.
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Newbie at 500 yards. Need help.
- Thread starter hvychev77
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
Welcome to LRH and enjoy!
Excellent set-up for your current endeavor.
I'm sure you'll expound later and responses will vary accordingly; so for now I say practice, practice, practice
... LR hunting/shooting does not happen overnight.Be patient, guys will be here shortly to lend you a hand. Lots of guys that are always willing and able to help.
Good luck and happy safe shooting/hunting.
Ed
gohring3006
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the site you'll be well informed here, when you say your not consistent did you mean that your scope isn't dialing up consistent? What do you mean? Did you go through the rifle and scope ring screws making sure they are tight, how is your load grouping at 200yrds? How light is your trigger? Are you letting barrel heat influence your groups? There is a lot of variables.....
Marble
Well-Known Member
Yeah, what's inconsistent mean? WE WANT TO HELP!
BlackStreak
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2011
- Messages
- 42
Make sure you adjust the parrallax out of your scope before shooting. You will need to adjust it whe you change distances. As in from 400 yards to 500 yards. Properly install a scope level so you don't cant your rifle.
I would research articles on form and technique here on this forum as well.
I would research articles on form and technique here on this forum as well.
FearNoWind
Well-Known Member
Based on the dope you've listed you should be consistently on target. If you're not consistent, are your misses consistent? (Does the missed shot register off target at or near the same place?) Let's look at some possibilities.
You didn't mention the extreme spread or standard deviation for your muzzle velocities so we can't address those points.
1. The load isn't consistent. Bullet seating depths, OAL (they're related of course) bullet/case runout, primer seating depths, neck tension, powder charge variations ....
2. Your form isn't consistent shot to shot. Are you shooting from a rest or some other type of support? If you're shooting from a bipod, are you loading the bipod (and if so, is the load consistent with each round fired)? Are you canting the rifle? Is your hold on the rifle (including grip, cheek weld, shoulder contact) consistent. Do you have good control of breathing? Are you applying shoulder pressure or are you relying on free recoil?
3. Environmental factors are in play. Where's the wind coming from and what's the wind speed. If the wind is coming directly toward you and there is uneven ground between you and the targe, updrafts can move the bullet impact high.
4. Scope adjustment issues. Parallax adjustment markings on rifle scopes are a guide only. Use those indicators to bring you within range of a proper adjustment but also take some time to view the target/reticle to fine tune for parallax stability.
You didn't mention the extreme spread or standard deviation for your muzzle velocities so we can't address those points.
1. The load isn't consistent. Bullet seating depths, OAL (they're related of course) bullet/case runout, primer seating depths, neck tension, powder charge variations ....
2. Your form isn't consistent shot to shot. Are you shooting from a rest or some other type of support? If you're shooting from a bipod, are you loading the bipod (and if so, is the load consistent with each round fired)? Are you canting the rifle? Is your hold on the rifle (including grip, cheek weld, shoulder contact) consistent. Do you have good control of breathing? Are you applying shoulder pressure or are you relying on free recoil?
3. Environmental factors are in play. Where's the wind coming from and what's the wind speed. If the wind is coming directly toward you and there is uneven ground between you and the targe, updrafts can move the bullet impact high.
4. Scope adjustment issues. Parallax adjustment markings on rifle scopes are a guide only. Use those indicators to bring you within range of a proper adjustment but also take some time to view the target/reticle to fine tune for parallax stability.
WOW!! Thanks for all the replies!! Well, i'll try and lay out a few things to clear some up some of my confusion from the original post. So, here goes.........
Scope base, rings, all snug as a bug. I typically mount all my scope base, rings and such with a dab of medium grade loctite and have never had an issue, even on my 300 win mag. i'm using an egw 20 moa base with burris zee rings.
my misses are consistent, they're just a bit short, maybe a touch to the right of the target. The wind this particular day was kind of hit and miss. I do not have an accurate way of measuring wind yet. I need to look into some atmospheric measuring tools for the future for sure. I have hit this target previously, but do not have alot of trigger time on the gun yet.
I'm zeroed at 100 yards, and the scope tracks properly. I am positive this gun shoots sub MOA. I am cutting bullet holes on paper at 100 yards. I'm pretty sure that an inconsistent load would be observed there, wouldn't ya think? I weigh each charge (H4895 - 41 grains), and measure each completed round at 2.803 col. I feel confident that round for round they are very consistent.
I am shooting from a Harris Bi-pod up front, and sandbag on the butt of the rifle and shooting prone on the ground. The trigger on the gun feels good for now, however, i have plans to switch it out.
I have played with the parallax some on this scope, i think i have a pretty good feel for it but definitely need more time.
I think that covers most of the questions, and I greatly appreciate the speedy replies and offers to help. I've definitely found a good place!! Thanks again and keep the feedback coming!
hvychev77
Scope base, rings, all snug as a bug. I typically mount all my scope base, rings and such with a dab of medium grade loctite and have never had an issue, even on my 300 win mag. i'm using an egw 20 moa base with burris zee rings.
my misses are consistent, they're just a bit short, maybe a touch to the right of the target. The wind this particular day was kind of hit and miss. I do not have an accurate way of measuring wind yet. I need to look into some atmospheric measuring tools for the future for sure. I have hit this target previously, but do not have alot of trigger time on the gun yet.
I'm zeroed at 100 yards, and the scope tracks properly. I am positive this gun shoots sub MOA. I am cutting bullet holes on paper at 100 yards. I'm pretty sure that an inconsistent load would be observed there, wouldn't ya think? I weigh each charge (H4895 - 41 grains), and measure each completed round at 2.803 col. I feel confident that round for round they are very consistent.
I am shooting from a Harris Bi-pod up front, and sandbag on the butt of the rifle and shooting prone on the ground. The trigger on the gun feels good for now, however, i have plans to switch it out.
I have played with the parallax some on this scope, i think i have a pretty good feel for it but definitely need more time.
I think that covers most of the questions, and I greatly appreciate the speedy replies and offers to help. I've definitely found a good place!! Thanks again and keep the feedback coming!
hvychev77
gohring3006
Well-Known Member
more trigger time never hurts, getting to know parralax with that new scope will help. Wind is also a factor, I would walk that load out to 500yrds. 100,200,300yrds etc. Adjusting parralax each time to see if it is the "load" sometimes they fall apart at extended range. If it does fall apart I would start with seating depth. If that don't work I would try different things like powder weight,primers etc.
I think i'll bring it back in to 300 yards and start from there. I need to start collecting some data and getting more trigger time anyways. Maybe i was a little too confident!! haha.....
So, about the loading essentially dying off, what is the normal "go to" powder for .308? I am currently using H4895 but also have some Varget on hand. Any recommendations as far as one or the other?
Thanks,
hvychev77
So, about the loading essentially dying off, what is the normal "go to" powder for .308? I am currently using H4895 but also have some Varget on hand. Any recommendations as far as one or the other?
Thanks,
hvychev77
gohring3006
Well-Known Member
I don't think its dying off in a velocity stand point it sounds like you have a good load just it not quite the perfect load both powders you speak of are good ones, I would do what you said and back off to 300 and see what its doing there. Also don't over look your equipment especially your crown I had a rifle shoot cloverleafs at 100 and got to crap after that and it was a bad crown...
Well, I will see what I can do this weekend. Being fathers day and all, maybe the wife and kids will let me slip out for some daddy fun this weekend!! I appreciate all the replies and will post back with some feedback. Thanks again everyone.
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