Me or the load?

[NYDAN]

As some you may recall from my previous posts, I have had to switch to left handed shooting due to a loss of vision in my right eye. I acquired a left handed Rem. 700 in .270 Win in 2013 and have been working on developing a couple of loads for it. I think I am very close with a load with the 150gr. CTBST bullet and RL 22 powder.

However, I am still not comfortable shooting left-handed. It still doesn't feel natural and I really have to think about my shooting technique - not that I had a good right handed technique but at least it felt more natural.

Last Friday I shot the three targets below. The differences in the load was how I prepped the brass. String 7 had once-fired brass resized with a Lee neck sizing collet die. String 8 had new Norma brass. String 9 had once fired partial F/L resized brass.

My first two shots on string 7 were where I expected them to be. The third shot seemed "too far left" to me. The next shot, Shot 1 on string 8, was even further left. It was at this point that I think I realized I was pressing my cheek against the right side of the stock. For the next 5 shots I tried very hard to be sure I had no side cheek pressure on the stock. Those next 5 shots all hit the 1" dia. bulls eye. All together 7 out of 9 shots hit the 1" dia. bulls eye.

My question to more experienced shooters is "would some cheek pressure on the right side of the stock have caused those two "left" shots?" Are those two "stray" bullets from my shooting technique or from real variations in the loads?

A previous target with four different powder charges from 56.0 gr. to 57.5 gr. produced a group size of only .6" C/C.

I am really hoping you guys/gals will say it was probably the shooter. If so, I think I am done with load development for this bullet. Thank you for your thoughts.

Dan

 

[JD338]

Sounds like you found the problem.
Your load looks pretty good. You may want to try seating the bullet deeper in .005" intervals, which is 1/4 turn on the seating plunger, and walk that third shot into the group.

Good work buddy.

JD338

 

[rick smith]

I am right handed and shoot lefty due to a bad right eye. After you have sent enough rounds down range, it will feel natural. I am still shooting right handed rifles. Never could transition to loading/bolting from the left side. Keep working on technique and sending them down range. Rick.

 

[skidmark]

Without a doubt with groups like that you wont
have a problem feeding the family.

 

[DrMike]

You appear to have diagnosed your problem; the load looks very good from up here.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I just wanted to commend the OP for doing something very few shooters ever do...at least very few that you'll see on forums...

And that is look at the nut behind the trigger first when the groups aren't as expected...even the pros have a bad day at the range once in a while.

Many times the rifle and load are just fine...but people chase their tail looking for accuracy that "they" aren't yet capable of, too proud to even consider that it might be them and not the equipment.

Keep at it...I have a friend that had to switch to lefty for the same reason as you (bottle rocket incident)...it took him several days at the range, but he got it figured out and is shooting fine these days.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[sask boy]

I believe you have figured out the problem. The load you are working on seems to be right there. Good luck on your transition it won't be long & you will have the left side mastered.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I just remembered something Mitch did that he said helped him get used to shooting lefty...

Everyday, a few times a day...probably several times a day...while he was home he simply shouldered the rifle and took aim at a doorknob repeatedly...makes sense, building muscle memory and all.

Certified unloaded rifle of course...

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[NYDAN]

Many thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate the feedback.

Unfortunately, I have used up most of my 150 gr. CTBST bullets in load development and am waiting for a backorder to be filled so I can load up a supply of hunting cartridges.

In the meantime, I hope to switch to load development for the 140 gr. AccuBond bullet. If get a good load with that bullet then I will have to decide which one to use on whitetail deer in the fall. That can be a question for another time........ :grin:
Dan

 

[Guy Miner]

While teaching at the state SWAT sniper school I noticed that many of the right handed shooters actually shot tighter groups shooting from the left shoulder, with their left hand in control of the trigger.

As instructors we wondered if this was because the left hand/trigger finger hadn't learned any bad habits. Food for thought at any rate.

I'm firmly convinced that I'm the weak link in the accuracy chain when it comes to my performance on target. The rifle, scope and ammo are all good. I'm the loose nut behind the trigger. How else can I account for good scores and bad scores in matches when using the exact same rifle, sights/scope and load?

I think the shooter got better - but the load is pretty doggone good too!

Regards, Guy

 

[nvbroncrider]

When I installed my Jewell on my 280AI I had a few groups come out like that shifting to the right. I started dry firing the rifle 30-40 times a night until I was comfortable resting my finger on the trigger and pulling it straight back instead on slightly pulling to the right. It should help you become more comfortable with a consistent cheek weld. Muscle memory baby!!

 

[muleman]

While teaching at the state SWAT sniper school I noticed that many of the right handed shooters actually shot tighter groups shooting from the left shoulder, with their left hand in control of the trigger.

As instructors we wondered if this was because the left hand/trigger finger hadn't learned any bad habits. Food for thought at any rate.

I'm firmly convinced that I'm the weak link in the accuracy chain when it comes to my performance on target. The rifle, scope and ammo are all good. I'm the loose nut behind the trigger. How else can I account for good scores and bad scores in matches when using the exact same rifle, sights/scope and load?

I think the shooter got better - but the load is pretty doggone good too!

Regards, Guy

Funny you mention that Guy, I qualify and shoot faster right handed but I'm more accurate and slower with my left. I like to switch sides depending on cover; but for some reason tactical reloads I have trouble with if I try to go left handed. I'm right eye dominant but seem to be able to switch. I think I'm more cognizant of my trigger pull and grip when I shoot lefty.

 

[gerry]

Dan, It certainly looks like you are on your way to a great load, 2900 fps+ with a 150 gr is excellent. Having a second great load with the 140 gr AccuBond sounds like a good plan in these days of hard to get components.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I was gonna say the same thing, shoulder and dry fire everyday to gain muscle memory. Within a month youll definately see the difference.