[Trikky74]

I posted this on another forum I creep on, but I really should have posted it here to begin with.

Hi,
So today was my first day, ever, shooting a bolt action .308.

Previously I have used assorted handguns and carbines, this however was a big change from what I was used to. I am attaching some images of today along with what was happening, any advice you all could throw my way would be appreciated.

I bought a Remington 700 sitting in a Bell and Carlson medalist stock w/magazine. It has a Harris bi-pod and a VIPER HS 2.5-10X44 scope and a Timney trigger.

I shot today from prone at an outdoor range and I was having issues from the very beginning. I was having a problem getting a good position on the rifle without losing the sight picture. I'm pretty sure I was booger hooking the **** out of the trigger as well, my groups were absolutely atrocious.

On the plus side, I am pretty happy all 15 rounds I sent downrange hit the target at all lol! The target was only set at 100 yards.

 

[Trikky74]

Thanks,

I will try to take all that into account when I hit the range tomorrow. I need to start finding some reasonable "plinking" ammo or learn 2 reload lol!

 

[Trikky74]

So I went to the range today and tried to work on some of the advice I was receiving and I think I made some progress and identified areas that need work.

By using a bag under the butt when I was shooting I was able to get rid of the "sway" that was causing my shots to drift but I was having a real issue with recoil control. I couldn't get the bi-pod to "load" on the concrete, it was too damn slick.

I was having real issues with the scope, the further I dialed up the magnification the harder it was to hold any sort of sight picture, in fact I folded myself around the gun so much today I am pretty sure I popped my spine out of alignment lol!

The scope was either never dialed in and zeroed at 100 yards or the last owner wasn't very competent; my tightest groups came when I held over the target and tried to wing it. I am assuming i need to loosen the scope mounts and get behind it and torque it back down when I get a comfortable sight picture.

I am contemplating taking the whole rig to a local gunsmith and having them tear it down and put it back together printed rather than trying to diagnose every issue I run in to that isn't tied directly to my lack of experience with bolt guns, any thoughts on that?

This picture represent a rather pathetic group I got by aiming about 2 feet above where I wanted to splash.

This picture represents how little recoil management and scope control I have with this rifle, I'm starting to get strangely depressed lol.

 

[Trikky74]

Thanks, I am taking the time to read it this afternoon while taking breaks at work. I appreciate the info.

 

[Trikky74]

I got a cheap door mat from home Depot when I'm shooting off a bench I lay it on it that helps the bipod to grip. Also a lot of shooting mats have straps or flaps that hold the feet of your bipod.

Stopping by tonight!

 

[Trikky74]

LOL,
I just ordered those bags from Amazon, they had them for a really nice price for the set.

 

[Trikky74]

Martino1,
I am hoping to get into some PRS events down the road, they look like a lot of fun. I got the .308 because all indications were it was "the" round to learn long distance on and so far it's been a lot of fun. Since I am kind of a masochist I am contemplating getting my next rifle in .223 and playing with that. Hand loads are capable of reaching out and touching 1000 yards and the effort it would take to hit those ranges with that particular round perks my interest.

All that being said I miss my 7mmM and the flatness of that round, it's got me thinking about 6.5CM now lol.

 

[Trikky74]

When I was going over the rifle this last week 2 of the scope rings had loose bolts, I tightened them down and had the most horrible results possible. I was unable to get any rounds on paper from 100 yards away. I moved my target back to 50 yards and started walking rounds in, shooting off of 2 bags that offered a lot more in the way of stability. The rounds were hitting around 9 inches low and 17-18 inches to the right. I was able to get a zero, sort of, from 50 yards but the groups were just horrible.

I don't have a vise to put the rifle in when I mount the scope, any advice on how to get the scope mounted without one would be appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

[Trikky74]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies!

I used a fatwrench to torque everything down according to Vortex specs, and I used 2 small levels on the rifle/scope to try and keep it as level as possible. I am using cheap .308 ammo, match grade ammo is on the way.

The rings are the Vortex tactical rings, not my first choice for a precision bolt gun but meh.

I am considering bringing it to a local gunsmith to have it gone over. I have been able to check the barrel and it is free of any contact with the stock, so that's not it.

It is driving me nuts lol.

I just ordered a Ruger Precision Rifle in .223 so this might go on the for sale with gremlins page lol.

 

[Trikky74]

The op said he had trouble getting a good sight picture, take the rig to a gunsmith and have him watch you get in a shooting position. You may need to cut stock or add to get your length of pull right, an adjustable butt would help also an ajusrable cheek piece. A natural point of aim is crucial, you should be able to close your eyes take a few deep breaths open your eyes and your crosshairs should still be on target. With a good natural point of aim, after you send the shot you should still be on target or very close to it after recoil.

The problem with attaining a good sight picture only occurs when I dial up the magnification. I've not run into this issue before but I believe 100% that the problem is the shooter currently sitting behind the rig lol!

I think at this point, I need to take it to someone that knows what they are doing so they can un-fix my idea of how I fixed it lol.

Thanks for all the great tips and advice from everyone.

 

[Trikky74]

The stock must fit you. If you need to move your head backward or forward or up or down or side to side to get a sight picture you're just wasting ammo. All the match ammo in the world won't help of you're not practicing the fundamentals and to do that properly the gun must fit you. It will help you get your head aligned properly with the scope consistently. Cranking the magnification up only magnifies mistakes in your sight picture.

Since I have purchased the rifle I have tried to tinker with it in little ways; I've added a pad to the stock in order to allow me to get a more effective cheek weld. I really have a hard time getting my head set up on this rig.

When I shoot prone I put the rifle on bags and settle in behind it without disturbing the NPOA of the gun itself. I make sure that I have a good pocket for the stock and set myself up like I have on other platforms. I also have a hard time managing the recoil on this rifle, I really think the problem, aside from my lack of skill, is that I just don't fit the stock.

I was only half joking when I was talking about getting a Ruger Precision Rifle, the modular stock allows me to manipulate it to fit me rather than having to try and manipulate my body to fit the gun.

I am going to try to get with one of the local Arizona guys that shoots and have him critique the rifle and my forms, I think that might offer me more help than just trying to figure it out on my own.

Thanks!

 

[Trikky74]

Depending on the scope...cranking the magnification up changes the eye relief. This is true with the vast majority of low to mid range scopes and even some high end scopes.

I am currently using Vortex Optics - Viper HS 2.5-10x44 Dead-Hold BDC which isn't the best optic by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm not sure that it's more responsible for my lack of success than I am to be honest.

Thanks!