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Still struggling to hold steady
#6154429
01/25/16 11:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,436
TFF Caribou
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I know the #1 answer is more practice.
So I went to sight in the new shorty rifle this afternoon at the farm. At 35 yards I had no issue. Boresighted and had it dead center in 3 shots (mil/mil made that easier than its ever been. I've seen the light!) And no problem at that range holding steady (12x fixed power SWFA scope).
Head on down to 100, and the unsteadiness starts to really show. I tried multiple positions, rests, and holds, and couldn't get rock solid. It's something I have struggled with for a while. If I have a front and rear bag, I can get really steady, but using anything else, including my Caldwell dead shot pod thing, I'm just shaky.
I was able to get my rifle properly sighted in, but it took me around 12 rounds. With 7 or 8 of those shots being shots I instantly knew I pulled, or wasn't on target.
Anybody have any tips?
Last edited by Tff caribou; 01/25/16 11:58 PM.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154459
01/26/16 12:09 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 788
hermano W
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Watch a few u-tube videos to study proper shooting positions, and trigger control. Then practice dry-firing every day for a while, and I believe you will see some improvement.
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154471
01/26/16 12:11 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,436
TFF Caribou
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Too elaborate, it not so bad that I get off target, its just that I'm shooting a 3-4" group from improvised rests, when I am able to shoot better, if I have bags, and a bench. I built this rifle with the idea that I would like to be able to shoot 1-2 moa eventually out to 500 or so.
So I'm looking for tips on how y'all hold steady using any available rest. Specifically what yalls shooting form usually is.
Last edited by Tff caribou; 01/26/16 12:12 AM.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154473
01/26/16 12:12 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,436
TFF Caribou
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That's a good idea hermano. I'll do that.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154476
01/26/16 12:13 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946
Buzzsaw
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Golf???
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154513
01/26/16 12:23 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,436
TFF Caribou
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The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154522
01/26/16 12:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,252
Texas Dan
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Some would argue, but you can steady a rifle easier by turning the magnification down rather than up. The principle is much like that of steering a vehicle where you can stay between the lines more easily if you focus farther down the road rather than right in front of the vehicle. When you aim from a wider field of view, the muscles are not continually trying to compensate for visible movement.
I can shoot groups that just as tight with a 0X, red dot sight at 100 yards, than I can can with a 9X scope at the same distance.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154534
01/26/16 12:27 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,436
TFF Caribou
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I get that, and I've done that before. Thats why I listed its a 12x fixed power scope.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154548
01/26/16 12:33 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,164
J.G.
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800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154556
01/26/16 12:35 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,436
TFF Caribou
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I know, I know... I just can't spend the money on the class. Unless you want to trade a class for food, or a wedding cake lol.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154563
01/26/16 12:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,164
J.G.
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Well, when the time comes let me know.
If it were steel or a big load of gravel I'd be all over trading.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154576
01/26/16 12:46 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,252
Texas Dan
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I know, I know... I just can't spend the money on the class. Unless you want to trade a class for food, or a wedding cake lol. You obviously recognize what many hunters don't, that the value in magnification is not to give close up views, but to recognize the target at much greater distances. Many a German fell during WWII to bullets fired by G.I. snipers using fixed, 4X and 2X scopes. I can only estimate that the "sweet spot" range of a 12X scope would be somewhere beyond several hundred yards. On the lighter side, should you ever need to see the craters on the moon..
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154584
01/26/16 12:49 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9,952
LFD2037
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R.I.P. CPO Matt Mills-(DEVGRU)- You will NEVER be forgotten! 10-25-75 / 8-6-11 *K.I.A.*
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154664
01/26/16 01:38 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,118
Brother in-law
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Don't shoot a 12x scope is the answer
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154683
01/26/16 01:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
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When I first started reloading and was working up different loads I also had an issue holding on a "bulls eye" or dot consistantly. I started printing a target off of the computer with one horizontal and one vertical line around .125 thick with a 1 inch circle on the apex. It was easier for me to hold on the "cross hairs" on my scope to match the X on the paper. It is just something that worked for me.
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6154760
01/26/16 02:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,164
J.G.
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Don't shoot a 12x scope is the answer Sort of... Zeroed on 20X Sunday, and 21X today. Going unsupported, I drop down to 12X, but that was after having practiced at 8X, then 10X for a couple of years.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6154778
01/26/16 02:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,436
TFF Caribou
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Don't shoot a 12x scope is the answer Yes, true. But I didn't buy the scope to shoot groups at 100 yards from an improvised rest. But that's where I needed to sight it in. But I want to get better at it anyways.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6154814
01/26/16 03:07 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,124
postoak
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You should sight in from a solid rest such as bags on a bench. Once sighted in then you start practicing off-hand and from sticks. If you can shoot 3"-4" groups at 100 yards from sticks that's pretty good.
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6155075
01/26/16 11:50 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,518
RiverRider
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Dry firing can help develop technique.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6155134
01/26/16 01:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
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Stop smoking and drinking coffee.
I disagree with the turn the scope down crowd. I'm no expert but the better I can see the target the easier it is to hit it.
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: scalebuster]
#6155190
01/26/16 01:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,275
jeepercreeper
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I disagree with the turn the scope down crowd. I'm no expert but the better I can see the target the easier it is to hit it.
You can still see the target perfectly fine with lower magnification. Have you ever used a laser sight on a pistol while trying to hold steady? Same concept. I can hold a pistol pretty steady but the second I see the laser I notice my slight tremors. Then slight tremors turn into larger tremors. Turn off the laser and then I'm back to normal.
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: scalebuster]
#6155235
01/26/16 02:20 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,164
J.G.
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I disagree with the turn the scope down crowd. I'm no expert but the better I can see the target the easier it is to hit it.
High magnification causes over correction. I call it fighting the wobble. The more unsteady you are (heavy rifle offhand) the least magnification you should use. As your steadiness improves, your magnification can increase.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6155249
01/26/16 02:29 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,118
Brother in-law
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I shoot at 100 yards at about 8x. It works
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6155338
01/26/16 03:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
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One of my favorite Jack O'Connor stories was when he was out trying for some kind of varmints at medium range with a rifle that had a 6X scope on it. He posted himself at a high place - but the varmints were not cooperating that day.
So he decided to head back to camp, and started walking down the hill - when a big bobcat popped out of the brush, not far ahead of him on the trail. He described the frustration that followed when it was impossible to get a clear sight picture at close range with the 6X scope.
Jack was all set up for varmint shooting - but then when an actual hunting opportunity popped up, he was SOL.
I like 12x or better at the range, but when in the field I set my scope at 4x unless a situation calls for more, or less power.
If I were going to buy a single power rifle scope for hunting, it would be 4x.
Last edited by charlesb; 01/26/16 03:14 PM.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: Still struggling to hold steady
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6155339
01/26/16 03:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,814
Bigfoot
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I have the same problem. I have noticed that it is slowly going away for me. Im not sure why or what I am doing other than practicing a lot. 2-3 trips a month to the range has kept me from shaking so much I think. I still shake a bit but it has decreased by 50% or more and I think it is from practice and better breathing techniques.
GO TRUMP!
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