What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

[deadnbrkn84]

So I went out yesterday and shot some 175 SMK's at 200 yards and got a group I'm happy with. If you -.308" it's a 1.0895" group. However there is a very obvious "S" pattern on the target. I wanted to know what some of the causes could be for this? Improper bipod loading? etc. Thanks for the help.

 

[glock24]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

I can't guarantee we have the same problem, but when I saw this in a series of my targets, I was told it was a form of stringing, simply caused by the bullet leaving the muzzle while the barrel was still swinging from a vibration.

I was advised to simply try seating my bullets slightly deeper until the stringing went away.

It worked for me

 

[Schleifalot]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target


Hi folks,

my groups mostly have horizontal stringing. Unfortunately with different rifles.

So, what could be the cause for this? My shoulder too soft?

Next time at the 300m range I will try a new load, .308 Lapua lock base 170 grs with 41grs VV N140 powder (standarload), new is the neck sized brass (lee collet) and COL 72,5mm instead of standard 71mm.
Maybe my Tikka will like it...
Anyway, it is gentler on the brass than the RCBS standard die.

 

[joemusso]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

what was your starting coal and what is it now.
what length barrel are you using. is it a .308.

could you give your load data
bullet
powder
grains of powder
brass

thank you
joe


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: glock24</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can't guarantee we have the same problem, but when I saw this in a series of my targets, I was told it was a form of stringing, simply caused by the bullet leaving the muzzle while the barrel was still swinging from a vibration.

I was advised to simply try seating my bullets slightly deeper until the stringing went away.

It worked for me

</div></div>

 

[glock24]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joemusso</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what was your starting coal and what is it now.
what length barrel are you using. is it a .308.

could you give your load data
bullet
powder
grains of powder
brass

thank you
joe
</div></div>

http://practicalrifler.6.forumer.com/vie...asc&start=0

 

[glock24]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Schleifalot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Hi folks,

my groups mostly have horizontal stringing. Unfortunately with different rifles.

So, what could be the cause for this? My shoulder too soft?

Next time at the 300m range I will try a new load, .308 Lapua lock base 170 grs with 41grs VV N140 powder (standarload), new is the neck sized brass (lee collet) and COL 72,5mm instead of standard 71mm.
Maybe my Tikka will like it...
Anyway, it is gentler on the brass than the RCBS standard die. </div></div>

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2649454

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

Well they are .040" off the lands now and I cant really seat them any longer and still have them feed in a mag (and this is with Alpha Type II's and a notched feed ramp.. COAL is 2.369" as they are.

 

[Killer Spade 13]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

"What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target"

Shooting . . .

I've found that it's pretty difficult to put them all in the same hole.

 

[Schleifalot]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

Thanks for the link, exactly what I was looking for.

Just one question. What does the acronym NPA mean?

I was not able to find it, sorry.

 

[glock24]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

NPA =Natural Point of Aim

 

[gbird001]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

Supposing that one to the far left was a flier or a flinch or your cold bore, that isn't so much an s as it is a circle around the bullseye. If those shots are in order (first shot at one end, last shot at the other) I might speculate that you are focusing your eye on the bullseye and not on the reticle. When people do this they tend to draw a circle around their point of aim.

It may be worth (if possible) having someone else reel off a group and see if the same pattern shows up with a different operator, plus that could rule out quirks with the rifle its self.

Every time I start drawing a circle my shooting buddy reminds me to focus on the reticle and my groups start looking right again (it is a habit I have yet to completely break.)

At close ranges it is very very tempting to focus on your target and if you find yourself tempted to focus on the bullseye you may want to try adjusting your parallax in such a way that puts the target slightly out of focus and only the reticle is in focus (the center of a fuzzy target is the same as a sharply focused target.) If you have a variable power scope try dialing it down to the lowest power magnification, and it may also be heplful to use a target that is monochrome and has a large blank space at the center instead of a small bright red dot that will draw your eye. (like this http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/2PIA14-1.html or just a blank paper plate.)

I hope this helps.

 

[skeetlee]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

This is very simple actually. your rifle isnt in tune. if your .040 off the lands then thats probably it. i understand the magazine situation so the question is if your ok with this kind of grouping. Sounds like you are. I can just about guarantee your groups will shrink if you seat the bullets .010 back from push back or full value jam. Load them one at a time like this and shoot some groups. Also try different powders. Working up a load is part of the fun. Dont sell yourself short. see what your rifle is capable of!! I bet you will smile from ear to ear once you find that tune!! Lee

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

Yeah, I'm not really "ok" with the groupings but for a competition rifle I'm going to be limited by magazine length. I do need them to feed....

I could try different powders and all that but I think this is going to have to do, considering I'm going to a .260 in a month or two...

 

[SGT TickleFight]

Re: What am I doing to cause this? "S" pattern target

I don't understand what you are trying to figure out. Bullets don't always group in a circular pattern. Human's aren't machines and even the most consistent trigger control isn't perfect. That is a very good group at .200 yards.

Shoot ten groups like that on two different days and you may want to mess with your loads - there are too many variables involved but the biggest one is you. Whenever i notice something interesting or off about my shooting i blame myself first and upon further investigation it almost always is something i am doing to influence the shots.