string question

H

Hman1956

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I need some help in trying to understand just what I'm doing to get a string the gives me 5 shots straight across the target. I have attached 6 photos most make sense to me but the one I don't get is the 3rd string. what I'm I doing the would give me a line of 5 shots in a line like that? the set of 6 pictures are shot in order. I start with 2 cold bore shots off target to get the barrel "up to temp" then shoot each set of 5 rounds with 20-30 sec. between each shot. I wait 3-4 min. between each set. The gun is a stock Rem 700 VLS with a Jewell trigger. all are @ 200 yards. 38gr. aa2495 with a SMK 175gr. bullet, turned Laupa brass with .002 neck tension, .025 from the lands. Match primers.

Bill Hodkinson
 

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Flags at 50-100-200, but I'm still learning how to read them and shoot at the same time. that said wind was light today. the gun seems to "like " light loads, I have shot my way up and down VV 140, imr 3031 Varget and 2495 all shot better with a lighter load. I'm have Pac-Nor putting a new barrel on over the winter so I will be working on load dev. next spring, not that I think any of this is the barrel........like you said more then likely operator error for sure. I don't think it's low charge because I dbl. check all weights down to the hundredth of a gr. +/- .03.

thanks for you input

Bill Hodkinson
 
That is a sure sign of wind. We call that a weather report. With such a light load the wind is having an even greater effect on your target. Try to do your load development at 100yds and have at least 4 windflags. The pause between your shots lets the wind change even more. Find an exact wind condition that holds and shoot 3 shot groups as fast as you can. No need in wasting ammo til you find a load. Then shoot fast 5 shot groups and youll see those groups shrink dramatically.
 
I just finished going through Boyer's book chapter on the effects of wind direction on vertical. I've been guilty of holding off in just the horizontal plane. Man, there's a lot of good info in that book if you take the time to read it and digest it.
 
How fast can you shoot?

Shoot two shots at the time - really fast. When you get a load that groups the two shots...say...most of the time, you've got your load. I suspect that the group you're talking about would have been a good one if the wind had played well. The others indicate something else is at play.

By "really fast" I'm talking two shots in 5 seconds or so - quicker maybe - while watching whatever flags you have.

When the flags make sense you have your load. In time, you'll be able to use the flags to your advantage but only if your rifle shoots where the flags say it will go. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that flags are useless to a rifle that won't shoot.

Your rifle shoots pretty good!
 
For a factory 700 VLS, I agree with Wilbur, it is shooting darn good. If you are shooting at a range on Long Island you are probably in some wind all the time and any wind for 200 yards will move bullets significantly.
 
+1 for what Wilbur said. That is how I test. If a load looks bad when tested that way, and I am sure of my technique and the flags, more shots will not fix the group. On your flags, IMO you need to reposition them. If you go to a benchrest match, you will never see a flag at the distance that the target is at. If you are using three, I would have the first one at 15 yards or less, the second at 75, and the last one at 125 or so.
 
And the mystery caliber is?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
JerrySharrett said:
For a factory 700 VLS, I agree with Wilbur, it is shooting darn good. If you are shooting at a range on Long Island you are probably in some wind all the time and any wind for 200 yards will move bullets significantly.
Click to expand...
the wind does get bad sometimes, what makes it hard is that the first 100yds are wide open, then the 2nd 100yds are in a "tube like" canyon with 30' sides that the wind seems to blow around in. the flags show what is going on in the 1st 100 is far different from the 2nd 100.

Bill Hodkinson
 
Why dont you try your load development at 100yds. If it shoots a big one at 100 its not gonna get any smaller at 200 and you can control the situation a tad bit better at 100
 
so it's back to 100,:confused::confused: I do have a new question. I have been reading on the comp. forum that how full the load fill the case is important. can someone tell me why.

Bill Hodkinson
 
Thats of no concern to your caliber. It is best to find a powder thats of the perfect speed that your best load is a full case such as 133 or lt32 in a ppc or 130 in a 30br but thats just for efficiency. In your case it dont matter as long as its reasonably full- at least to the bottom of the neck or close with your perfect load.
 
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