Todays trigger time with eye candy

[mwilkins]

Pics are posted in order to how they were shot. First grouping is a cold bore grouping and best of the session. Second pic you can see where I pulled my shot. Third group better and fourth is a little scattered again. You will also notice that the groupings change position in relation to target placement. Spot N See dots are 1" in diameter.

All shots are at 100 yds, Hornady 123 gr Amax. 89 degrees with a 5 mph cross wind. Four shot groups as my AA mags are four rounders.

Trying to figure out why my groups would open up as much as they did. Didn't rush any shots and definitely took my time. Any suggestions on what to work on is appreciated.

[mwilkins]

Here is my Grendel that was doing the work and the full target. First group was the lower group them moved to the top row, left to right.

[VASCAR2]

Very NICE! Fun isn't it.

[mwilkins]

Fun and frustrating at the same time. Trying to figure out and improve on the inconsistancies make me scratch my head..... lol

[LRRPF52]

Your first group looks like a .5 MOA group. 2nd group would have been maybe .6 without the flier. 3rd group looks to be under .75 MOA, as does the 4th. What barrel do you have? If you were shooting off the bipod, that could explain the ever-so-slight deviation in your POI, but I think it's fair to say your barrel is trash. Just send it to me and I'll quietly dispose of it without any more public displays of these horrible groups...

[txgunner00]

damn spammers...

Nice rifle. I intend to ceracote mine that color soon. Those targets look familiar. Eagle Peak or Garland?

I'm with LRRPF53. Look at how the rifle was supported. Also the stability of the bench is a factor. I don't like shooting for groups at Eagle Peak because their benches are not very stable.

[mwilkins]

Garland...... Target is a dead give away. Normally I take a silhouette, turn it backwards and place my dots on the back side. No need for grid lines once a weapon is sighted in.

The rifle is set up with a Harris on the front and was bagging the back. Looking through NF glass pulling on a Timney 3 lb trigger. I have been working on my pull but what has come to the surface here lately, as evidence in the pics is the shot placement moving around and the fliers. As stated, I am taking time between shots, concentrating on my breathing and trying to be consistent with the trigger.

I have a .223 setup that shoots on the same level as my Grendel but I don't get the movement of my groups like I have with this one. Both rifles are almost identical in components with the exception of a mono-pod on the .223, glass and caliber.

The first excuse that I tried to give my self was the wind. It was blowing directly across the range and gusting at times but at a 100 yds, i wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference. Could be wrong for thinking that far into it. lol......

Don't get me wrong, I am very pleased with how the Grendel is shooting. It's just my skill level that is beating me up knowing what the rifle is capable of and that I am the limiting factor. Time behind the trigger is always a good solution but at the same time, I feel there is some guideance in direction that is missing to help improve my consistency.

[ss355]

mwilkins, those groups look pretty darned good to me. What barrel is that? Have you tried using bags/rest instead of the bipod? How many rounds do you have down the tube? Can you consistently shoot smaller groups than that with another, proven target gun? I can't do any better than that on a consistent basis, so I'b be pleased with those groups.

txgunner, I saw that target and immediately thought Eagle Peak or Garland, too. However, I find the benches at Eagle Peak quite sturdy. Some of the stools have rounded surfaces where the legs contact the ground and for that reason tend to wobble, so that's problematic, but the benches seem solid to me. Now Red's on the other hand... sheesh.

[biggdawg]

nice shooting i would be ecstatic if my gun would shoot like that.

[mwilkins]

mwilkins, those groups look pretty darned good to me. What barrel is that? Have you tried using bags/rest instead of the bipod? How many rounds do you have down the tube? Can you consistently shoot smaller groups than that with another, proven target gun? I can't do any better than that on a consistent basis, so I'b be pleased with those groups.

Barrel is a LW and have just under 100 rds down the tube. Groups from my other rifle are on par with this one but they don't seem to move around as much. I went to the bi-pods from bags due to constantly having to readjust bags after a few rounds. Bags at Garland are not the greatest though. I am pleased with the groups, just trying to figure out why they are moving on me now.

[fkleinbu]

Nice groups mwilkins.. You sure said the word; and that was consistancy.. With a good rifle, 1/2" groups should be easy.. Taking to to the next level can be damn hard.. You will want that rifle to be as consistanly placed as possible.. You definately will want sand bags on the rear, and it would be best for the rifle to be shot on a rest insteat of the bi-pod..

Bi-pods are great in the field, but for real accuracy work, you want that rifle to be able to recoil smoothly..

From your targets, it would seem the wind was blowing from the left side to the right..

Do you have a chrono?? It would intersting to chart the MV of each round.. Some of my worst groups were due to a large velocity spread.. All of my load work is done over a chrono.. It's the only way to know for sure.. flk k

[mwilkins]

Made it out to Top Gun in Leonard, TX today. They have ranges out to 500 yards and this was the first time I got the chance to stretch the legs on my Grendel. To shoot beyond each level at Top Gun you must maintain 1 MOA groupings. I was able to qualify out to 400 yards today before I ran out of time. No pics to show this time but the range officer doing my qualifications reported back to me with 1.5" groups on my 300 yard target. Next time out at Top Gun I will request to get my targets for photo shoots.

Think I am going to enjoy stretching rounds out a bit and fully believe that the Hornady 123's will have no problem at 500 yards.

[ericv]

Sweet rifle. Is that color Cerakote's Burnt Bronze?

[mwilkins]

Thanks. The color is actualy Flat Dark Earth. It just doesn't look that dark in the pics.