Linear group: What can tighten this group up?

T

TXAZ

New member
Here is a 5 shot group at 100 yards w/ a 6 mm Creedmoor from this weekend.
Great rifle from Alamo Precision, just looking for any feedback on what I might be doing to get a ~ 1" line down to a 1/2" group.


0a4cFJk.jpg
 
"Aim small, miss small."


Just kidding. Nice shooting. Can't offer any real advice about your OP; from what I've gleaned from your previous posts, you're a much better shooter than I.
 
Thanks RR99.


It seems like I have the vertical / elevation under control.

So the question is what causes the left to right difference?

While 1" at 100 yards is good, that multiplies out 20-100 times the error at 1000-1800 yards, due to other effects that come in to play at distance.
(We were shooting a mile this weekend, and some moderate wind and was slinging 6.5CM up to 300WM +/- 5 feet.

That's where I want to become proficient. So I'd really like to understand what may be causing the linear error.

ANY feedback would be sincerely appreciated.
 
Mobuck, good questions. Atlas bipod and Caldwell bag in the back. Was off a wooden bench which might be a contributor.
 
When you get horizontal dispersion, the first thing to consider is WIND. Without a wind flag you have no idea what the wind is doing between you and the target. Even if you can't feel it, it can be a lot more profound somewhere between you and the target. Terrain, ground structures, etc. all have an effect on wind between you and the target. Don't start messing with your gun if it's not the problem.
 
Here is a 5 shot group at 100 yards w/ a 6 mm Creedmoor from this weekend.
Great rifle from Alamo Precision, just looking for any feedback on what I might be doing to get a ~ 1" line down to a 1/2" group.
Click to expand...

Unless it was gusty wind conditions......you can work on your trigger squeeze.

A horizontal group is indicative of poor trigger manipulation skills.

Proper trigger manipulation consist's of pulling the trigger STRAIGHT back. Pretend you are pushing a needle that runs straight down the weapon and thru your shoulder. It does not matter what part of your finger contacts the trigger, the tip, first knuckle or any other part of your finger so long as your manipulate the trigger straight back.

The second part of good trigger manipulation is reset as part of the follow thru. When the weapon has fired, you release pressure on the trigger until you hear a "click". That eliminates the time it takes to eliminate the trigger slack on the next pull and thereby reduces your chances to introduce shooter error.

Try dime washer drills.

1. Unloaded, cleared, and charged weapon

2. From the shooting position have a friend assisting balance a dime on the barrel near the muzzle.

3. Squeeze the trigger.

4. Proper trigger manipulation will allow the hammer to fall and dime will stay balanced on the barrel.

Hope that helps!!
 
My first thought is to make sure the parallax is adjusted out of your scope at your shooting distance. Don't trust the dial readings, move your head up, down, right & left without touching the rifle.

I shoot off an Eagle omni-adjustable benchrest with front & rear bags. When I get horizontal groups like that I make sure my rifle sits perfectly straight to the target & bags. Although the mechanical front rest can be adjusted in all directions, I make sure my alignment is not introducing right or left pressure by the bag. Same is true with the rear bag ears.

Just a thought & I hope this makes sense.

FWIW
 
My first thought is to make sure the parallax is adjusted out of your scope at your shooting distance.
Click to expand...

I hope he is not even asking this question with optics mounted.

Working on basic shooting skills and optics is a horrible combination.

:rolleyes:

Use iron sights to reduce shooter error and then move to optics.
 
You are most welcome, TXAZ!

One of the fun and challenging things about our shooting hobby is it is a lifelong pursuit of unattainable perfection, LOL.

:p
 
Working on basic shooting skills and optics is a horrible combination.
Click to expand...

I had to laugh, starts my day out right. What about those of us who can't see iron sights worth a hoot?
 
You don't say what type of ammo?

Reloads?

COAL affects the patterns and its an area to play with if you reload.

Just as well could be small scope screws not all being equally tight or the fit of the gun in the stock.

You clearly will know if wind is an issue on a 100 yard range.
 
What about those of us who can't see iron sights worth a hoot?
Click to expand...

What about it? You are handicapped when it comes to shooting and diagnosing shooter induced error.

Having a handicap does not preclude one from shooting, it just means you have a handicap. Awareness of that goes a long way towards mitigating it.

There is a reason why all sniper courses start out on ironsights and shoot ironsights for much of the course because of the fact, ironsights highlight shooter error much better than optics.

I have been a "handicapped" professional shooter for much of my adult life. I happen to be right handed and left eye dominant. I was made aware of it, learned to overcome it, and held to same marksmanship standards as everyone else.
 
Any possibility that you're maybe canting the rifle, from shot to shot? It doesn't take much to create horizontal dispersion.

So I can avoid that, I use targets with the one-inch grid lines, keeping the cross hairs aligned with the grid.
 
http://www.6mmbr.com/Winddrift.html
It doesn't have to be "gusty". Most shooters don't understand winds effects on a bullet path or realize it doesn't have to be hitting you in the face to effect the bullet. You can have wind between you and the target that you can't feel. That's why the top shooters use wind flags and have learned about it. This small amount of drift shown by the OP can be just wind.....even at a 100 yards without being "gusty".
 
"Working on basic shooting skills and optics is a horrible combination.



Use iron sights to reduce shooter error and then move to optics."

HUH??Iron sights incorporate far more variance than a properly adjusted optic.
 
What about it? You are handicapped when it comes to shooting and diagnosing shooter induced error.
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Well lets see, most snipers have 20/20 vision, are young men etc.

Seeing as how I can shoot 1/4 inch groups with some regularity and easily under 5/8, I don't feel the least bit handi capped.

Now the blown disk in my back has some restrictions.

Me thinks you are making an opinion into a fact.
 
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