Why do I always shoot high

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Dano4734

New member
Off the bench dead center always off hand forever I always shoot high any suggestions am I holding too tight or loose or just a bad shot. Loaded up some 06 ammo 200 yards bam right there off the bench. Off hand standing like I was hunting bam high as always
 
Vertical grouping is generally breathing. How are your fundamentals? If that is not the issue then are you keeping your stock weld/relief the same?
 
Hmm stock relief didn’t think of that I control the breathing well but you could be on to it my friend thank you
 
does it happen with every gun you shoot? Or just certain ones??

When you shoot a rifle from the bench, how are you holding it?? Is the rifle supported by bags or a rest, or are you holding it in your hands, and supporting yourself on the bench?

Are you using a sling? are you not using a sling on the bench and taking a "tight sling" hold when you shoot offhand?

These things (and others) can make a difference.
 
Using a redfield 3-9 scope on the bench my hand is under the rifle on the sand bag so I don’t rest directly on it. And yup seems like I always shoot a bit high freehand standing with all my rifles. It is me doing it but as of yet can’t figure what I do wrong. Not useing a sling. Even at 100 yards always a little high as opposed to dead on at the bench. Maybe my stance perhaps. I use to go left a bit then figured I was not taking enough trigger which fixed that. High got me stumped
 
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I'm not quite sure...

But when you shoot offhand --- Do you accept the wobble of the rifle around the bullseye? If not, you might be trying to snatch the shot when the wobble crosses the bullseye. With enough offhand practice...the wobble size will decrease in time.

Accept the wobble of the rifle when shooting offhand.
 
My brother lifts his head and sort of backs away from the rifle in anticipation of recoil, which make him shoot high. He even does it with .22s, from habit.
The fact that it makes the recoil worse has not caught up with his unconscious mind yet.

I used to know a guy who shot (minute of deer) accurately but had a self-cancelling double habit... he dropped the muzzle just before firing and flinched in anticipation of recoil, which raised the muzzle.
 
How many lbs of trigger pull do you have? I know for me when I shoot a heavy trigger I dont do near as well as with a light 1...of course, do you practice dry firing off hand at home? Is your rifle balanced very well, barrel heavy or light? Personally I shoot my model 7 offhand much better than my weatherby S2 due to the weight..
 
If you can't solve your dilemma, get a coach. If you know someone who is a good shot, with good shooting form/habits, and would go with you to watch you while you shoot, that might be a good start to help you with your issue. Just might be something simple that a coach's eye might be able to catch right away. Good luck.
 
If you want to shoot better off hand, practice it more. A lot more. Shooting off hand is an acquired skill. Very few shooters can do it very well. None can do it well without a lot of practice. I'm an accomplished handgun shooter and I always thought the rifle would be easier to master for competition shooting. I was wrong. It took a lot of time, effort, and ammunition to become what I'd call "good" with the rifle shooting off hand at distance and shooting at small targets. It can be done, but it takes some commitment.
 
If not already ---May I suggest keeping the scope on low power.

If you can't solve the problem with hi-power --- Go back to shooting an approx. 10 pound 22rf offhand till you work it out.
 
Yup need a coach and more practice I guess. Trigger is no issue it’s a well tuned Weatherby 06. I maybe wrist placement is off thank you for the valuable advice to work on
 
I would caution against extensive practice unless the issue is identified as nothing more than lack thereof.
If there is some mechanical issue causing your problem then practicing it will just make you really good at doing the wrong thing.
Practice makes HABIT. Only “perfect practice” makes “perfect”.
 
May I also suggest shooting at a steel silhouette or some other kind of reactive target; because you'll know instantly on whether you made a bad shot or not, and still remember in you're mind how you performed the last shot.

Also: Calling your shot helps.
 
Good point Brian, I need a coach I just want to be better. I hit what I aim at hunting but I want to be better at longer shooting in case I do get a chance to hunt Alaska goats
 
When you are on the bench, your gun pushes straight back into your shoulder and your energy dissipation tends to be back not up (watch someone shoot a 50 caliber that really is an exaggerated example)

When you are standing, the recoil goes both up and back.

Combine that with the hold on the shoulder from tight to soft, what cloths you have on and you wind up with quite a bit of difference in the barrel position as the bullet departs down range.

Bench rest shooting accurately;y depends greatly on having the same exactly pressure and if possible zero influence on the rifle (free recoil).

With my Sako Finnbear (pretty light gun in the day) , any powder change and velocity is dramatic. With the Bull barrel target rifles, much less so (the heavy barrel tends to stay down no matter what the load)

Snipers try not to shoot free hand.

Most (one exception) of the game I shot was braced.

You can simply sight in a bit low and confirm you hit a bit high. Or average it if you can or do used braced positions.

Keep in mind your hand position and your trigger work can change (almost certainly do) standing.

A sling can be used to help control that if its an issue (really not unless target shooting)
 
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