Range Report Vertical vs. Horizontal Dispersion?

[KOPFJÄGER13]

So we as reloaders look at vertical dispersion as a sign of a consistant & reliable (along with velocity) load for a given cartridge..... so what would a 1½" vertical with a 4" horizontal spread in a 350y group tell you?..... shooter error, bad load, gun issue, etc. ?...... thoughts anyone?

 

[Steel head]

My first guess is horizontal stringing.
Funky trigger pull/ position.
Bladed shooting position.

 

[LawnMM]

I'll be disagreed with but I don't think your load really affects horizontal unless the bullet is exiting as the muzzle whips and it's just a shit load all around.

Horizontal to me says wind, trigger press, follow through, etc.

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

I'll be disagreed with but I don't think your load really affects horizontal unless the bullet is exiting as the muzzle whips and it's just a shit load all around.

Horizontal to me says wind, trigger press, follow through, etc.

This I 100% agree with, of course if we take wind out, I think it's a reflection of shooter error...

 

[KOPFJÄGER13]

My first guess is horizontal stringing.
Funky trigger pull/ position.
Bladed shooting position.

"Bladed shooting position".... what is this?

 

[Diver160651]

I'll be disagreed with but I don't think your load really affects horizontal unless the bullet is exiting as the muzzle whips and it's just a shit load all around.

Horizontal to me says wind, trigger press, follow through, etc.

agrreed, If not wind -Trigger is usually L-R even if jerked..

If not at longer ranges, Vertical stringing is usually a sign of inconstant recoil management. Loading hard with a solid rear bag will have a lower shot than if the load is suddenly way less or the rear bag way less stiff. In other words if you are loading inconstantly or supporting the butt stock inconstantly as the rifle begins to move back at the very first impulse, the butt of the rifle can also move down.

It is pretty easy to duplicate

 

[pbatesaz]

I think it means not straight behind the rifle.... more like the “little green army man toy soldier” position so that recoil tends to exaggerate horizontal movement.

 

[Diver160651]

fyi the green army man position (needed if you shoot unsupported), is less about group size, than being able to self-spot and see your trace.

 

[Steel head]

I'll be disagreed with but I don't think your load really affects horizontal unless the bullet is exiting as the muzzle whips and it's just a shit load all around.

Horizontal to me says wind, trigger press, follow through, etc.

I agree with you.

I think it means not straight behind the rifle.... more like the “little green army man toy soldier” position so that recoil tends to exaggerate horizontal movement.

Yep

fyi the green army man position (needed if you shoot unsupported), is less about group size, than being able to self-spot and see your trace.

I think you get more from a squared position than just the ability to self spot.

 

[Diver160651]

I agree with you.

Yep
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I think you get more from a squared position than just the ability to self spot.

It is easier it manage recoil when straight behind the gun.

Being sideways in itself, is not a sign of bad groups. A lot of F-class guys get consistency by shooting nearly free recoil. Many of them blade running 200-15x+ on 1/2 minute targets. The key is consistency.

I personal am not a fan of that type of shooting. However, understanding why a field shooter might want to be square is bigger than the littlest possible groups.

Weather you are bladed, straight or at a 90, it you manage every shots recoil exactly the same it will not very, that’s how a lot of weird fundamentals still produce good results. The shooter has learned to repeat the same bad moves every shot.

Again, I am not a fan of anything less than staying as straight as you can, or the terrain or match director allows....

 

[Milo 2.5]

What do your groups look like at 100 where wind wont be that big of a factor? If they mirror the 350 yard groups, I'd play with my seat depth, every bullet has a seat depth that will tighten your groups.