.308 at the range today

[cbmax]

Hi,

Took my custom AICS to the range today to get it re-sighted after moving the scope a bit more forward. The rifle wears a Nightforce Benchrest 12-42X-56 scope with the NP-2DD reticle.

I am not doing too badly off the bench, but I am having a very difficult time shooting groups from a prone position. I am trying to get a good sight picture shooting prone, but I am afraid I am not quite set up with the correct eye relief. I am too embarraed to post my prone shots.

If anyone wants to offer me some prone shooting techniques, I am all ears!

Here are a couple of targets fired off the bench at 300 yards. The one with the blue siloutte was shot at about 20X. The black taget was shot at about 30X. Looks like the zero changed on me with the higher magnification.

CB

 

[dakotasin]

if you are shooting w/ the bipod off the bench top, that would explain why you aren't having the time of your life.

when shooting from a bipod, you need to not be shooting from a surface that will promote bounce (a concrete or wood bench). you also need to be consistent in your hold, however is comfy to you. i like to get the gun settled in, and then pull the gun into me, effectively pre-loading the bipod a little. other guys will push into the bipod. whatever you like, just do it consistently.

 

[kis2]

nice work! I have the reverse problem, I don't shoot great from bench. Going to try throwing my gear bag under the front instead of using the bipod.

I do get some nice groups from prone though. Two things that helped me a lot: 1. get behind the gun. when breathing in and out, the crosshairs should move vertically only, otherwise you aren't right behind it. 2. put tension on the bipod legs, much like dakotasin said above. I scoot the rifle back a bit, and then get all the way in prone and I end up pushing into it. Those are just some things I noticed helped me, might not be for everyone

Again, good work. Let's see a few more pics of the rifle!

 

[cbmax]

Dakota,

Can you explain more? The good groups were fired off of a wood bench with a bipod.

When I shoot prone, I put down a wooden board because the shooting surface is gravel. If I don't use the board, I find my bipod settles into the gravel making it harder for me to see through the scope. The rifle gets too low. With the board on the gravel I also create a small lip against a railroad post. I do push my rifle and bipod against this to help stablize things. Still seems harder to get a full picture through the scope while prone as opposed to off the bench!

I am a fairly young guy and still pretty flexible. Any more suggestions are welcome.

CB

 

[LRS_Ranger]

The trick for me is to make sure that the rifle is at a natural point of aim. If you totally relax while in your position the crosshairs should come to rest roughly on the target. If they aren't, adjust yourself to get that way. I guess that's why I hate shooting off a bench. I feel a lot better in the prone. I assume that you are using a sand sock for support?

 

[cbmax]

Kis,

Okay, next time out I will make a more conscious effort to make sure I am behind the rifle. I understand what you are saying. Here is another pic of the rifle from today's session.

By the way, I am shooting my hand loads using Lapua brass, Federal primers, 43.0 grains of Varget and 168 grain Sierra Match Kings. OAL is 2.81 inches.

CB

 

[cbmax]

LRS,

I am using the leather bag which you can see in my last post. I have to admit, when prone I have a hard time getting the elevation correct.

I need to practice prone as my range does a tactical competition which is fired at 300 yards prone. You shoot at a series of 3 inch paper targets. You are given a "mission". To be more descript, you are given two shooting lanes with about 25 geometrical shapes on each board. In front of you, you have your "mission sheet" which dictates the 20 specific targets you must hit. There is also a cold bore shot fired during a "sighter period"which gives you extra match points. You have 8 minutes to complete your "mission" consisting of the 20 shots. To make this even more interesting, you are NOT allowed to use a rear rest. Only your hand. I am practicing with a rear rest now just to try and get a reliable zero. The match is scored, but I won't bore you with those details.

I have done this match once before, and I was only able to get off 17 of 20 shots. I found it very tough acquiring the targets quickly enough. You only
have 24 seconds per shot!

CB

 

[taliv]

cbmax, nice gun! I have that exact same scope/reticle combo and love it for shooting NRA Long range.

my advice would be to start out by eliminating as many variables as possible. first, get rid of that bipod and replace it with actual sand bags (assuming you don't want to invest in some $300 front "rest"...) when shooting both bench and prone.

second, get your eye-relief set properly. loosen the scope rings. get into a good prone position that you can lay comfortably and keep your face in the same spot for at least 30 minutes without getting any sort of fatigue (because most F-class/prone match strings are about 30 min). now have a friend scoot the scope back and forth to put it in the right spot. verify on both high and low magnification. then try sitting/kneeling/standing positions.

next, get a rear bag that you can squeeze to adjust the elevation up and down, or one of the accushot monopods. your existing bag might be ok. if you can't squeeze it, try taking some sand out. they shouldn't be stuffed full. i personally hate the ears on rear bags. maybe i just don't know proper technique for using them, but they've never done anything but get in the way.

btw, sierra listed the accuracy load as 42g last i checked. no need to push max load if you're just shooting 300 yrds. dialing it down a bit might tighten it up. who knows? just a guess