Rifle Skills: Tighter shots groupings
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- Why aren’t your shots tighter groupings? You have your rifle set up, know the basics and sorted your body position, here are a few possible reasons why
If you’ve been following the series and trying the techniques we’ve described, you should by now have some shots in your targets. We’ve gone through setting up your rifle for success, zeroing and finding the right ammunition, and the various ways in which you can improve your shooting skills.
So if your shots groupings are still not as tight as you’d like them to be, how can you see what might be affecting them? It can be as simple as having a bad day, but equally there may be a particular aspect of your position, breathing or technique that is causing you a problem.
Shot groups, and how to analyse them
A group is defined by no fewer than two shots fired at the same point of aim - and it is best if you use five shots for your groups, as this will give you a more even average to work with. Of course, we all know that your groups should be as tight as possible. It’s easy to assume from Internet forums that you should be achieving 1in groups at long ranges but while this is possible,
for most rifle users, a 1in group at 100m from the prone position is a good standard to look for. If you are getting 1in groups at 100m, you can expect 2in groups at 200m; 5in groups at 500m and so on.
Vertical String
This is most frequently caused by the shot being released at different points in your breathing cycle. The rifle will inevitably move up and down as you breathe, so try training yourself to release the shot at the same point, at about two-thirds of the exhalation of breath.
Horizontal String
A horizontal string is usually caused by poor natural alignment and body position. This can have two effects - you will be using muscle strength to hold the rifle on the point of aim, resulting in pulled shots. The other effect is that during recoil, the rifle “jumps” to one side to align itself with your body.
Flyers
A flyer is when most of your group is forming nicely, but one shot lands further apart. This can be happening for two reasons. The most common is that you lose concentration and focus, often during the final shot. Don’t try to analyse how you have done until the end of the group, as this causes a loss of concentration. Maintain your focus until you have shot your entire group, then look at the results. It can also simply be a pulled shot - you may have used the tip of your finger, for example.
Split Groups
A split group is when a number of your shots have landed well, close together, but the rest have formed a separate group. This happens when you’ve fired several shots, then shifted your position, even minutely. Either you have done this because the initial position wasn’t comfortable, or you were using too much muscle strength to maintain that position.
A large group
If your groups have a nice formation, but you are having trouble getting them to a neater, tighter size, what should you do? Repeat the zeroing process, so that you are removing yourself from the group size - if a nice, tight group is not achieved, go back to the basics - refine and practise the marksmanship principles, the seven elements and the three.
A few other thoughts from a 65yr old benchrest shooter---vertical stringing can be caused by a barrel getting hot---horizontal string can be caused by a cross wind--- split group can be caused by a loose scope mount--all things to look at . All and all a good basic shooting video. Best Regards!
You repeatedly speak about the 7 elements and the 3 factors.
I would be happy if you would explain them.
From France; very clear, pedagogical and skilled talk. I add it on my list of helpful shooting videos...and quite understandable english for me 😀. thanks a lot.
this is so helpful. I've just got a new rifle and have shot it at 100 yards for the first time in my life and i found my groups were a little bit off which i figured was from lack of fundamentals. this video just spot on diagnosed all my problems from my groups especially the vertical & horizontal discrepancies. Thanks!!
Fantastic tips and much better explained without over explaining things nice one mate.
I’m glad you finally mentioned something about the ammo. Finding the ammo your rifle likes the best is critical to precision shooting. Inconsistent grouping can definitely be caused buy the ammunition.
This video has so much knowledge in it. Thanks.
Very well organized class. Presentation was excellent.
Cracking presentation, thanks and keep them coming
Best explanation ever i have seen so for. subscribed
Thanks for such a clear explanation.
Best shot group analysis video i have see yet
Old US sodier, . . . been away from long range shooting too long, . . . thanks for the reminders.
Thank you for this video.
Great Video on Key Subject !
Im in training with the army tommowe on my shooting this has helped a bit thank you.
Clear and concise. Thank you.
Excellent video. Thanks
everything you mentioned here happened to me today :D.. Thanks~~~will adjust next range time for sure~!
Great tips. Thanks bud
By the way ...THANK YOU for your videos !!! I love your Expert, Professional Lessons !!!
good point about analyzing the target hits while shooting. A lot of new shooters do that, both rifle and pistol.
Excellent video
Thank you!!!
Great video sir , really enjoyed the way you explained the steps . Stay safe .
Brilliant video
Thanks for info
3:33 my man didnt even blink
I've listened to several dozen videos on improving my aim. My goal is to become a very competent sniper or ELR shooter even and I have confidence in my rifle but I lack confidence in myself because I'm at the point where one day I can go out and shoot a fantastic group the next day I go out and I'm all over the page kind of like a golfer who just becomes adequate at golf they've passed the beginner stages and it worked themselves into at least a mildly competent golfer but I still have bad days well that's how it is for my rifle shooting. And I'm trying to take all this information in. You are the first person who came out and said shoot the group then analyze the group I can't wait to try these techniques and try to implement them
Excellent! And a really nice cammi jacket.
very helpful- i have several of these results happen on the range today, I now know why :)
Thanks to my Brit Soldiers who I trained with in the jungles. We appreciate you in the USA. When I drop off my military child at the the airport, I will watch for Brit people in trouble and help them. We are soldiers looking after each other.
Good shit mate.
very usefull, thank you
Thanks ❤
Vertical group assessment shows good trigger control and poor elevation. Some of the possible causes of vertical grouping are:
1. Poor follow through
2. Changing sight picture
3. A very low position
4. Changing sight alignment
5. Failure to maintain proper eye sight alignment
6. Changing distance from eye to front sight
7. Varying rifle butt position in shoulder
8. Position of left elbow wrong (rifle fired from right shoulder)
9. Not enough head pressure
Horizontal group assessment shows good elevation and poor trigger control. Some of the possible causes of horizontal grouping are:
1. High right shoulder
2. High vertical position
3. Jerking the trigger
4. Varying head pressure
5. Movement of the right elbow
6. No stability of position
7. Change in sight picture
8. Failure to maintain proper sight alignment
I would love to pick your brain on some of these things and learn more. What is head pressure? What do you mean exactly by a high right shoulder? also position of left elbow? Thanks for the input.
@@lespotter8293Rying head pressure is about the stockweld whereby the full weight of the head should be resting upon the comb of the stock. Inconsistency means recoil resistance is inconsistent too which alters impact. BTW, reasons given here are not my own notions. They’re from the USAMU SDM Training Program.
Good stuff
Nice tips
Vertical string can also indicate fps variance in your ammo.
The first day of Army Sniper School they told us one thing to always remember............BRASS. Breathe, Release (half), Acquire, SQUEEZE (not pull), Shoot. Practice this over and over and over.
thank you. I leave a sub.
thank you for the great advice. i will take them on board. cannot get my groups as tight as I would like and I'm 100 percent sure it is me. keep getting 2 close and a flyer like you say and I just realized that I do move my position slightly between reloading
Love that Scottish accent Laddie.
Hi there just watched your video , great stuff . i have a blaser 6.5x284 home loaded bullets ajusting seating depth for best group problem is any thing reasonable groups well . what seems to happen i get 3 shots touching and then one flyer . this is at 115 meter range . also moving seating just 10,000 closer to lands lifted the group 2" any ideas me or bullet . many thanks David
Bothy Ballad song - The Hash O'Bennagoak. That's where the accent comes from. Check it out.
Will you do a grouping video from shooting off Quad sticks?
Thank you comment section. I had no idea what he was saying. Shift yah hips!
What kind of scope are you using?
I cannot see my grid at 200 yards and there is no more adjustment left. That's why I asked....
Split group, yepp I can do that... (And do)
Why should you shift your head left to right? That sounds like parallax error to me, same with the split group... I use a scope with an adjustable parallax (Optisan EVX 3-12x44 - unbeatable for its price imho) on a .22 Walther MaximaThor FAC airgun and used to have it on a Rem 40x .308 with Federal 168 gr BTHPs and had no problem with my groupings so I´m just curious.
A flyer can also by caused by a different powder charge or a bad center of gravity of the bullet - not that common, though.
But... just to be said - one should also be able to change the shooting position and keep hitting the mark.
May I ask you... why did you choose a Swarovski? They are way too high priced for what they can do in my opinion and I somehow love the mildot system for ranging purposes.
hips, not head, basicly trying to make your spine at a natural angle to the rifle
Cause the swarowsky is the perfect pair with a Blaser. Just read a bit more about it...
In the old days, we use to have our bodies at a 45 degree angle. Is the straight alignment position just better?
45 angle is usually used when you need to support the fore end with your other hand, but in heavy recoil rifles it can cause a difference in resistance and cause the gun to start walking off target. If more of your body is behind, say, the left side of the gun, it will try to slip back and right under recoil, pointing the barrel left and messing up your alignment with the target.
My man is wearing CENS hear protection. Anybody who can afford $1200 US hearing protection has probably spent a loooooong time behind the sights LOL
What rifle is that?
i'm from USA. What brand of rifle is this. I have seen this recently in 3 different videos of you and others and I have never seen it before....?
Thank You
Blaser R8 Professional Success www.blaser.de/en/products/firearms/bolt-action-rifle-r8/r8-models-with-synthetic-stock/r8-professional-success/
I thought it might be the new version of the Ross straight pull. Lol
A blaser rifle
Dunno if it's the R8 or another model
What kind of rifle is that, it looks like you got a straight bolt action like a Swiss k31??
Minh Vu That's a 4000 € straight pull Blazer 93 riffle.
No it's a Blaser R8
M95 Same thing, different conception year... Same quality. By the way that's Blazer. I'm on the Browning side of the game... And i get same group sizes. 222/243,. The next coming will be 308 or 300Wing mag, still Browning.
Philippe FRATER There are some major differences!
Philippe FRATER Blazer? It's called Blaser just so you know. They are overpaid and I don't like them. I once shot one but I wasn't that impressed.
You don’t need to learn all of this if you are a natural like a lot of us are 👍
Did anybody else think it was Dr. Phil in the thumbnail?
Shaft yer heps ya feckin coo !
Sit feckin rainin too.
Yasee aboot dat...
I don’t agree with your reason for the flyer, this is often down to the ammunition load being on the edge of an accuracy node. The shooting would need to be a poor shot to create a flyer 1 inch plus from the main POI.
Heavy magnum hunting rifles will throw that 3rd shot in fast follow up shots such as on big brown bears. My Winchester model 70 in 338 win mag did this.
@6:17 not inline with the gun
Trigger control
Great vid. Nothing against them but the yanks make a mess of videos like this.
Sorry but If I put a suppressor on My rifle I would be looking at loosing my license to own a fire arm forever, and looking at time in prison.
Joe, what country?
Massachusetts.
Then don't put a suppressor on your rifle. Not that difficult is it
You can't defeat filipino sniper.... They don't use scope they still hit the target ,from Philippines.
What rifle is that ?