Trigger time after long wait

[Guest]

Joel,
It would appear you have a solid rest and the trigger seems just right to me at the present setting.
Time to let the barrel cool depends on how hot the barrel actually gets and the ambient temperature of the day. Everyone does it somewhat different. Starting with a clean barrel I usually shoot two foul shots, let it get cold. Shoot two consecutive shots at the target, check the barrel, give it time to get cool, not cold, then shoot 1-2 more for grouping purposes. That has always worked for me. I cannot remember everything spoken on this thread but be sure you do have a clean barrel, as copper fouling can drive you crazy attempting good groups.

FWIW, I shoot from a Caldwell Dual Frame set up, it's rock solid, eliminates me messing up unless the bench or area I'm shooting from is not so stable.

I agree with Catskillcrawler, your 58.5 group looks good to me, your grouping is there just the left and right thing would appear how you squeeze the trigger or maybe how you hold the forearm of the rifle in your set-up. I got away from holding the forearm as it improved my grouping.

Don

 

[SJB358]

Joel, I shoot about like Don. On rounds that really heat the barrel up, i shoot a fouling shot or two. Let the rifle cool down to ambient temp. Then I dry fire the rifle for two minutes between shots. Really helps me master the trigger and what the crosshairs is doing when the trigger breaks. Then after two or three good sight pictures, take your next shot, dry fire for two minutes. Again, three shots is about all I can get out before I think my barrels are getting warm. Sometimes if I know I pulled a shot, I will put a 4th in there, again after a two minute period of dry firing. Really gets me in tune with the rifle and perfects my body position on the gun. Work to be the same every shot. Stock weld and trigger finger placement. Also, just laying your thumb parallel on the pistol grip instead of wrapping it around seems to reduce torque on the gun.

Just my way, probably not right, but it's a method.

 

[Guest]

Joel,
+1 on Scottys reply. Shooting form is a learned thing, pressure on the pistol grip etc. must be consistent. Sometimes the little things can make a big difference.

Don

 

[joelkdouglas]

Thanks for both suggestions. I will try the dry firing thing also--I used to do that and for some reason kind of got away from it.

Since I'm still active duty I've had the pleasure of shooting at ranges in Wyoming, Iowa, Nevada, and Louisiana now, and I've also noticed different levels of comfort at each. The Nevada range (Clark County Shooting Park, in north Las Vegas) definitely had the best setup and the most comfortable benches. But that particular range is often quite windy.

My current range, Long Range Alley south of Shreveport (Barksdale AFB), is okay. The benches aren't as solid as the ones in Vegas, but it's not as windy.

No excuses, though. I need to focus more and find a comfortable position, relax and squeeze the trigger.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Last night I also loaded up some more rounds, violating my common practice of only planning to shoot 20 rounds per sitting.

All told now I've got the Partitions ready, at 0.08 off lands. I picked that setting because they would happen to fit in both my rifle and my grandpa's old 30-06, at least until it gets rebarreled into 257 Roberts. If they don't shoot there I'll be happy to move them closer to the lands.

4 each of 58.0, 58.3, 58.5, 58.8, 59.0 with Ramshot Hunter and the 180 Partitions.

Last night's loading is

4 each of 58.0, 58.5, 59.0 with 180 Accubonds 0.03 off lands
4 each of 58.0, 59.0 with 180 Ballistic Tips 0.03 off lands

Mommy and the kids are at a birthday party Saturday morning, so if I get up, eat breakfast and leave the house I should have plenty of time.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Sounds like your ready for phase two!