MtnMan wrote:I have noticed that a few times now that my LA101 .22lr will sometimes shoot 2-3" low at 50m for the first shot after having not shot it for a while. It did it the other day when shooting a group to confirm sighting. It has done it a couple of times with assorted ammo and I put it down to a squib round but it is happening too often for it to be a squib round on the first shot all the time. I think it did it today again when I missed a gimme shot on a pest bird. missed it low.
Almost feel like you need to shoot a round through it before going hunting.
Anyone experienced anything like this?
MtnMan wrote:Barrel has been cleaned between times that I've noticed it. Did it a few times while testing various ammos after I bought the gun. Barrel was not freshly cleaned when this happened. Action screws have not been tinkered with. Have noticed with different ammo sometimes.
MtnMan wrote:went to check the zero at 50m. First shot is the low shot. the next 4 shots grouped just nicely. subsequent groups in that session were spot on with no flyers with 2 types of ammo.
As I say it has happened often enough that it has come to my attention and surely the chances of squib rounds happening most often on the 1st shot is remote.
This was with weight sorted SK Pistol match special. Being weight sorted it's even more unlikely to be a squib.
Larry wrote:Its common when using a larger caliber like a 308 at a distance of say 500 yrds and after cleaning the bore perhaps a inch low. First shot is usually about 60ft/s slower, hence a low shot. I have never seen such a large variance in a 22 at a short distance even after cleaning the bore.
MtnMan wrote:went to check the zero at 50m. First shot is the low shot. the next 4 shots grouped just nicely. subsequent groups in that session were spot on with no flyers with 2 types of ammo.
As I say it has happened often enough that it has come to my attention and surely the chances of squib rounds happening most often on the 1st shot is remote.
This was with weight sorted SK Pistol match special. Being weight sorted it's even more unlikely to be a squib.
Bugman wrote:Most of the people I know who shoot competition, actually weigh each round, then those of the desired consistency are put into their ammo box, ready for competition. Appears to work. Just a thought, regarding ammo.
straightshooter wrote:MtnMan wrote:went to check the zero at 50m. First shot is the low shot. the next 4 shots grouped just nicely. subsequent groups in that session were spot on with no flyers with 2 types of ammo.
As I say it has happened often enough that it has come to my attention and surely the chances of squib rounds happening most often on the 1st shot is remote.
This was with weight sorted SK Pistol match special. Being weight sorted it's even more unlikely to be a squib.
MtnMan
Much of the commentary is simply uncontemplated regurgitation of various anecdotes explaining why the first shot may be "out of the group".
Your picture tells a different story.
In your case the first shot is so far out of the group that some other mechanical explanations need to be explored.
I have no experience with a Lithgow 101 whatsoever so please excuse any ignorance that may be displayed, all I know is it is a modern design with all the kitsch must-haves sought by modern shooters.
First examine the scope mounting arrangement for any sign of looseness.
There can be some compatibility issues with weaver rings used on a picatinny rail or picatinny rings used on a weaver rail if things are not sufficiently tight. This can be minimised by pushing the front ring hard forward and tightening, pushing the rear ring hard backward and tightening and only then tightening the upper ring halves onto the scope.
There can be a problem with the scope.
Less likely is a bedding issue where the barrelled action sometimes can move forward of it's true recoil stop and on the first shot recoil pushes it back into position.
If none of the above solve the problem then shooter, ammunition and ignition may need to be looked at.
Bugman wrote:Most of the people I know who shoot competition, actually weigh each round, then those of the desired consistency are put into their ammo box, ready for competition. Appears to work. Just a thought, regarding ammo.
in2anity wrote:Bugman wrote:Most of the people I know who shoot competition, actually weigh each round, then those of the desired consistency are put into their ammo box, ready for competition. Appears to work. Just a thought, regarding ammo.
F-class do. Most TR guys don’t, except perhaps the top of A grade. You can still get 50.* with unbatched (quality) pills.
Larry wrote:As I said as a club and with other we tried to get to the bottom of it. The best we could measure was a velocity diff but not a fix other than shooting a shot down range.