Need advice on where to go from here. Groups

dgc940 · February 11, 2007, 04:52 PM

I have a load that I can consistently get 1/2 moa or a little smaller.
I have narrowed down the charge and found the best I think col and several groups hit perfectly horizontal like a strait line and touching. should this be telling me something? Today it did it again five shots side by side measuring
.508 I want to get it in the 4's. It just seems odd that they are landing like this and it should be telling me to do something because most groups In my time of reloading just hit in circular random.

[url]http://i15

**Unclenick** · February 11, 2007, 05:06 PM

You apparently have a horizontal vibration component. These are usually caused by assymetrical recoil on the horizontal axis. Try changing the stock posiiton on your shoulder to see whether it increases or decreases?

Another possibility is that you have unfortunate timing in the compression wave that travels the barrel after firing. This can cause stringing along an unexpected axis. I would suggest you read through Dan Newberry's Optimal Charge Weight concept and try firing his round robin of targets described at that link, centered at your current charge weight. (Also, click on his home page to get more on the concept.) See if you find a group where the horizontal tightens up without losing vertical grouping? Or, at least, shrink the horizontal and grow the vertical until the two are just equal.

Nick

dgc940 · February 11, 2007, 05:14 PM

I have read that before and found it interesting!
On the stringing if I change the charge or the COL the stringing will go away for good its not a problem per say. I just thought it may be a indicater as what to do next?

Bullet94 · February 11, 2007, 05:39 PM

Could it be because of wind?

Trapper L · February 11, 2007, 06:48 PM

There are several things that cause horizontal shot strings. How is the trigger pull? If it is hard or not consistent you can have strings like this. Were you shooting from bags? Not using bags correctly is probably the most common cause of horizontal shot strings. Make sure the rifle is level with every shot and that the bags are holding the rifle, not you. Another cause is bedding. Check the barrel/stock clearance. When the barrel is hot, does the stock push on the barrel? I noticed that you are using Varget. I assume that this is for a 22-250 by the load data. You may want to try a change of primers. Sometimes with these overbore cases primers can cause this type of stringing. And then there is the parallax that can be of the horizontal type only. Bag the rifle up real good and have it on target, without touching the rifle, run your eye back and forth horizontally looking thru the scope. Does the crosshair move on the target? If so, you have parallax in the scope. If it has an adjustable objective, move the ring until the crosshair stays on the target and isn't moving. Stringing of any kind can make a guy bald. Be patient and work with it. From the targets it looks like you have a good shooter, just needs some dialing in.

amamnn · February 12, 2007, 12:31 AM

I'd eliminate every possible shooter error before looking any further. 9 of 10 times that's the problem in cases like yours.

hoghunting · February 12, 2007, 12:37 AM

I would also check the barrel channel for any pressure on the left or right side of the barrel.

February 11, 2007, 04:52 PM	#1
dgc940 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Graham Texas Posts: 258	Need advice on where to go from here. Groups I have a load that I can consistently get 1/2 moa or a little smaller. I have narrowed down the charge and found the best I think col and several groups hit perfectly horizontal like a strait line and touching. should this be telling me something? Today it did it again five shots side by side measuring .508 I want to get it in the 4's. It just seems odd that they are landing like this and it should be telling me to do something because most groups In my time of reloading just hit in circular random. [url]http://i15 __________________ Some people say what they think! Some say what they know! Then there's those that think they know what they are saying! Last edited by dgc940; February 11, 2007 at 05:12 PM. Reason: add

February 11, 2007, 05:06 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	You apparently have a horizontal vibration component. These are usually caused by assymetrical recoil on the horizontal axis. Try changing the stock posiiton on your shoulder to see whether it increases or decreases? Another possibility is that you have unfortunate timing in the compression wave that travels the barrel after firing. This can cause stringing along an unexpected axis. I would suggest you read through Dan Newberry's Optimal Charge Weight concept and try firing his round robin of targets described at that link, centered at your current charge weight. (Also, click on his home page to get more on the concept.) See if you find a group where the horizontal tightens up without losing vertical grouping? Or, at least, shrink the horizontal and grow the vertical until the two are just equal. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 11, 2007, 05:14 PM	#3
dgc940 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Graham Texas Posts: 258	I have read that before and found it interesting! On the stringing if I change the charge or the COL the stringing will go away for good its not a problem per say. I just thought it may be a indicater as what to do next? __________________ Some people say what they think! Some say what they know! Then there's those that think they know what they are saying!

February 11, 2007, 05:39 PM	#4
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	Could it be because of wind? __________________ PRO-SECOND AMENDMENT - Live Free or Die

February 12, 2007, 12:31 AM	#6
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I'd eliminate every possible shooter error before looking any further. 9 of 10 times that's the problem in cases like yours. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 11, 2007, 06:48 PM	#5
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	There are several things that cause horizontal shot strings. How is the trigger pull? If it is hard or not consistent you can have strings like this. Were you shooting from bags? Not using bags correctly is probably the most common cause of horizontal shot strings. Make sure the rifle is level with every shot and that the bags are holding the rifle, not you. Another cause is bedding. Check the barrel/stock clearance. When the barrel is hot, does the stock push on the barrel? I noticed that you are using Varget. I assume that this is for a 22-250 by the load data. You may want to try a change of primers. Sometimes with these overbore cases primers can cause this type of stringing. And then there is the parallax that can be of the horizontal type only. Bag the rifle up real good and have it on target, without touching the rifle, run your eye back and forth horizontally looking thru the scope. Does the crosshair move on the target? If so, you have parallax in the scope. If it has an adjustable objective, move the ring until the crosshair stays on the target and isn't moving. Stringing of any kind can make a guy bald. Be patient and work with it. From the targets it looks like you have a good shooter, just needs some dialing in.

February 12, 2007, 12:37 AM	#7
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	I would also check the barrel channel for any pressure on the left or right side of the barrel.

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