Load accuracy testing at close range

[beerd]

Morning all,

Probably safe to say that shooter error is one of the biggest problems for accuracy I guess? A little wobble behind the rifle could be an inch or two off target at 100m and so on...

For me shooting that's definitely the case

I have a more experienced mate who shoots a bit over at inch with my rifle while I usually shoot 2.5 inches on the same day. So it's more me, and not the rifle's accuracy.

My question - Is there any reason you wouldn't test a loads accuracy at something very close like 25m so that all the shooter wobble and flinching is reduced greatly?

For all I know I could easily be adding more than an inch to each group I shoot which doesn't make for thorough/accurate testing of course.

[Hardcast]

I'm guessing everyone will say 25mts is too close, except for a .22.
Why do you wobble so much, you need to use front and rear bags to stop the wobble otherwise you won't ever know what your best loads are.
Perhaps get a bipod. At 25 mtrs with any centre fire rifle you should be able to put 5 shots into a single ragged hole consistantly.
Practice your procedure. Good luck.
I'll try to explain a way to hold the rifle at the bench, using just a front bag or bipod.

If you're a right hander,.............

Let the rifle forend sit on the front bag.
Bring your left arm under the Butt/ Stock, and place your hand on your right shoulder. Your elbow should sit on the bench for stability, and
you can hug the stock with your arm. Take a couple of breaths, then hold, and gently squeeze off the round. Some hold their breath to shoot,
some let a bit of air out then hold, I personally breath out then shoot. I think my heart rate goes up when I hold my breath.
Don't wait too long, or the wobbles come. Get on target while you're breathing, then hold, bang.
Hope this helps.

[jays]

It's not going to tell you enough at that range though will it?

I'd imagine everything's pretty accurate at only 25m?

[halberg]

No closer than 50m I would say.

I haven't done test at 25m, though I don't think it would give enough of an idea of what the bullet it will do at distance.

Surely 50m isn't too far to test if you need to shorten the distance?

[Zilla]

You could always pony up $100 for a basic front rest and $40 for a rear bag.

Take yourself out of the equation.

[Baldrick314]

Hey mate, is the shaking on your part due to a medical condition or just poor form? If it's the latter the best cure is more trigger time . At 25 metres I'd doubt you'd get conclusive results. Good luck

[beerd]

Why do you wobble so much, you need to use front and rear bags to stop the wobble otherwise you won't ever know what your best loads are.

Hey mate, is the shaking on your part due to a medical condition or just poor form?

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I don't wobble "sooo" much. No medical condition or anything, I didn't mean to make it sound like I had Parkinson's or anything...

I just meant at a 100m, if shooting groups that are a 3", two or so of those inches are likely due to me, not anything to do with the rifle or hand load.

Winding in the distance was just about minimising my negative effect on the result.

It was just a thought really, I didn't need to be doing anything at 25m specifically. Sound like that's no good anyway, I'll do a few at 50m and 75m just for fun and see what the result is.

More trigger time is definitely needed

[Baldrick314]

Why do you wobble so much, you need to use front and rear bags to stop the wobble otherwise you won't ever know what your best loads are.

Hey mate, is the shaking on your part due to a medical condition or just poor form?

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I don't wobble "sooo" much. No medical condition or anything, I didn't mean to make it sound like I had Parkinson's or anything...

I just meant at a 100m, if shooting groups that are a 3", two or so of those inches are likely due to me, not anything to do with the rifle or hand load.

Winding in the distance was just about minimising my negative effect on the result.

It was just a thought really, I didn't need to be doing anything at 25m specifically. Sound like that's no good anyway, I'll do a few at 50m and 75m just for fun and see what the result is.

More trigger time is definitely needed

Practice makes perfect

[SendIt]

At 25m unless the load is absolutely awful, you'll be shooting cloverleaf anyway and won't learn anything.

50m minimum. This should still be more than enough to reduce shooter error, but there will be enough distance for the bullets to spread and give you an indication of accuracy.

[Warrigul]

You could always pony up $100 for a basic front rest and $40 for a rear bag.

Take yourself out of the equation.

Three 10 kilo cotton bags of rice only cost $30

[Tonit]

Three 10 kilo cotton bags of rice only cost $30

I've been using a small backpack stuffed full with old shirts lately.

Does the trick so far.

[Warrigul]

Three 10 kilo cotton bags of rice only cost $30

I've been using a small backpack stuffed full with old shirts lately.

Does the trick so far.

They all do the job.

[beerd]

I've been doing my load testing at 50m since this topic, and it's working out well

Sad to highlight how much of the error is my fault though

[Hilux2003]

Working with a mate today, he shot 1st high (40mm) 2nd low R at 5o'clock & remainder in the 3/4" black.
(bruno action & barrel, custom stock & Lynx Target 4.5-14x50 scope.
He was blaming, when he changed mags. We tried no mag & single loading & 'a dummy' for the first (& second) shot(s). Even I shot the rifle!

So far it points to = personal technique & approach............................ sorry, the rifle & ammo (within the limits of the ammo) are OK!
Even I managed to stuff up five shot groups!

Could be lack of Tea & caffenneeeee or having to use my reading glasses to see through the scope-target due to "the mates' eye problems" & not wanting to change the settings.
Anyway, we'll be testing again next weekend.

[Vati]

Could be lack of Tea & caffenneeeee...

The coffee machine is broken at work today.

I'm officially on strike and will be on the forum for the next 8 hours instead of working