Hello,

Just purchase the 11 Savage Trophy Hunter XP 308 Rifle and Scope and some ammo (Federal .308 Win 150 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip 20 Round Box) I plan to hunt with.

Today I use sandbags to remove my human error, but results not as good trying to zero at 100 yards. Maybe because of first time rifle shooting mistakes. I need more practice. I made sure to let the rifle cool down after shooting groups of 4.

What equipment do you use to zero the rifle to remove human error? Do I need Bipod?
Thank you






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Bipod on front, bag on back - start with 10 dry fires and don't count it if you didn't hold the reticle centered through the trigger pull.

Then start shooting. I take the cold bore shot on a separate dot and then start my first group on another dot. I'll usually shoot 3 before adjusting the scope unless I know the ammo/rifle is good and my shot was good, then I'll adjust after 1 shot or 2. But if you don't know for sure about all of that, shoot a group and then adjust. Chasing zero after each shot with a questionable rifle, ammo, or shooter is a colossal waste of time.

First, congrats on the rifle purchase.

Second, might try another ammo, just to see. But I’m going to defer to the ammo gods on here as I have been drinking tonight.

Your groups don’t look terrible for a new shooter and new rifle.

One quick thing I noticed from the pic is that the bag under the front half of your rifle stock has more material bunched up on the left side. Try shifting the sand around so that your rifle sits in a little valley with equal pressure (or lack therof) on both sides. Also, Pay attention from shot to shot to how hard your shoulder is pushing into the butt of the rifle. You want to be consistent.

Thank you patriot07,



I will look for Bipod to buy tomorrow.



Yes, I certainly do not want this. I probably just pay some expert shooter at the range to zero at 100 yards for me the ammo I want. Atleast I know for sure I am not the problem. Once this is done, I can continue to practice. I will proceed this direction for now.

Thank you 7six2,

I never paid attention to the front bag positioning. Thanks.

I always get confused on firm the butt of the rifle should be on my shoulder.

One thing I was told that seems to work well is apply a lot of pressure through your thumb at the top of of the stock before and during the trigger pull. Helps keep from jerking and gives a consistent trigger pull.

Do not slap that trigger. Squeeze it

Next time you're at the range, try some dry fire practice. Keep your eyes open while squeezing the trigger and watch the reticle against your target. When you squeeze properly and the firing pin falls, the reticle should not move. Practice that and you will improve.

Also, do not fight that rear rest. Position it so that you can easily get and stay on target. If you have to apply lateral pressure with your body, you will get lateral stringing.

Thank you rugger,

.mmSome good advice above. Not bad really for a new shooter with new rifle.

Practice those dry fire drill above. When the sear breaks the crosshair should remain on the target, if it doesn't you will not hit where you want. With bags from a bench I have shot my best groups but find a sight in there might be a little different on field positions so pnce you are sighted in and comfortable with your rifle start practice from other positions.

If right handed move the sand bags and rifle to the right so you can get more of the body stable with the bench, always helps my shooting.

Don't pay an "expert" because there's a good chance you're not getting one.

Their are plenty of reasons why you may not instantly be achieving the best results. I have the exact same setup on 243 and it does noticeably better, the only difference is that I bought one piece Talley rings. Not saying it's necessarily your setup, but I'm also saying it may not necessarily be shooter error.

I live near american shooting center. If you need some help, let me know. I'm by far not a "great" shooter but I do have a torque wrench and a decent trigger finger.

Thank you RiverRider,

Few questions

1. When I squeeze the trigger, I should be seeing full clear reticle, no darkness around edges of the reticle, right?

2. What is a good rear rest you recommend? The sand bag are a bit stiff and hard to adjust at times.

3. What do you mean by lateral pressure ? And lateral stringing?. I only apply butt stock against my shoulder when pulling the trigger.

Thanks

You're looking good for a first time rifle shooter. I like the Harris bipod. A little more coin but worth the extra. Get the swivel model. That bipod with a couple sand bags you are good to go. I recommend sighting in at 50 yards. You will be a couple inches high at 100 which is fine. After getting centered on target start working on tight 3 shot groups.

I don't think you need bipod. It may even hurt if the stock isn't stiff enough and flexes.

I would stick to sandbags and practice. Below is a video to check out.

Front sand bags or solid bull bag up front is best to start with. I would not recommend a bipod yet, as it can easily cause point of impact shifts on an un-bedded rifle. The idea is to minimize outside influences when testing. A rear sand bag, or whatever type bag you want, is what I use for testing.

+1.

This set is $26.99 at Academy, not a bad starting point.

The Caldwell Tack Driver front bag works well. It is similar to the one above, but more of a cradle to hold more of the rifle.

Put the front bag close to the receiver, not near the tip of the stock, so the downward force of recoil is better supported.

Then also use a rear bag near the toe of the stock.

https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Tack-Driver-Shooting-Rest/dp/B000BY9G5K

May not be effecting you but I noticed you have a drink at bench. Coffee, Caffeine, High energy drink really pump up you heart beat and cause minute shifts during firing.

Another thing that helped me is to sit back and really relax you body and mind during shooting. Get comfortable. Give your self plenty of time for range work and don't hurry. To get it sighted in I use a sand bag as a cushion between my shoulder and butt plate. Like suggested try different ammo. What your trigger pull and is their any slack or creep?
GL

That's why I like some "Liquid Group Tightener". A few beers, and I'll calm down and shoot some tiny groups!

Thank you very much and good video.

I will stick to sand bags for the front of stock, but I need to find that rear leather bag he was squeezing. The sand bags in the back are not that good.

Thank you Chad

I will stick to sand bags and a small bug bag on top of sand bags for now

Thand jeh7mmagg,

What does trigger pull, slack and creep mean? I am not sure how to measure this. I have accuatrigger.