Best Methadology for Bench Shooting.

[LR1955]

I recently found a 100yrd indoor range and conducted my first load ladder test. I felt like my own shooting abilities affected the groups more than I would've liked. I was using a Caldwell Rock Jr front rest and a small squeeze bag rear rest. I kept everything as low to the bench as I could, found and used my natural point of aim, kept my feet flat on the ground, focused on breathing, trigger control, consistency, etc but I still felt like I was influencing the groups a little more than I would've liked. I'm currently seeking a lighter trigger and possibly a more vertical grip with a palm rest to aid in having as little influence as possible.

My question is this - Aside from a high dollar mechanical rest, what is the best way to test your reloads? If it's "cheating" for shooting groups I don't care - I am shooting for the sole purpose of seeing which of the loads in my ladder is best so that I can load up the most accurate rounds. Once I'm confident in my reloads using the ideal rest set up, I'll go back to the fundamentals and really hone my shooting skills with full confidence in the ammo and no question that larger group sizes are due to my shooting and not my ammo.

Thanks all for your help!

Chris

Chris:

Sounds to me like you were focusing on everything except for shooting clean shots.

How about finding a bench position where you are the most comfortable and that allows you to have a absolutely solid hold on the rifle so it doesn't move much out of position when you shoot; allows you to look through your optic without any stress on your head, shoulders, eyes; and allows you a grip where you have a strong and confident trigger pull.

There is no reason to have a low position if a higher one gives you a better hold and more confidence in your shots. I too have heard guy say to have both feet flat on the ground. Fine, as long as it too assists you in a strong, powerful, position.

If you even have to think about your feet, your breathing, your trigger finger, or 'consistency', you are not focusing on pulling a trigger when your eyes see a good sight picture. I also bet you are taking way too long to shoot five shots. I figure 15 seconds with a gas gun is adequate and 20 seconds for five shots is max.

You can do one thing at one time perfectly, two things at one time probably OK but once you get over two things that take your attention, you will fail.

So, once you build a bench position that you are confident will keep that rifle secured to your body while you blast, you no longer need to concern yourself with said position. So you can use a very limited attention ability to focus on what needs to be done for good shots. To maintain a solid sight picture through the entire shot. No need to think about a shot you just took, only the shot you are taking. Called 'living in the moment'.

Get some blasting ammo and use it until you are comfortable with this method of shooting and have tested out a more solid and confident position. May take you five or so strings of five but once you see that you can do it and that your groups are better than you expected, go to the good stuff.

LR55