My shooting is terrrible - what gives?

[TK]

OK, first off - thanks for the help with the SS10X in the other thread.

I have placed the scope on a 10-22 just to get a feel for it, sight it in, do some shooting using trajectory charts for the load, etc - same thing I would do with a larger caliber. Mainly just try to have some fun and learn.

I swear that I can shoot a tighter group at 50 yards with open sights than with the setup. My groups will go from a quarter on up to a silver dollar. What is going on here? The single biggest thing I can find is cheek weld, since with iron sights my cheek is down on the stock but with the scope it is elevated. Shots are to the right and low most of the time (yes, I do adjust it)

The 10-22 is all factory, expect for the scope and bipod. Everything on the scope is Locktite Blue secured. Ammo is Remington golden bullet (.22) for purposes of getting it all "locked down", so to speak. Position is prone on ground, using bipod.

Are there basic rules that I am breaking here? Need help getting the culprit identified so I can get on with it all. Kind of get the feeling that I am changing elevation and windage for nothing, since the groups are telling me that isn't the problem.

I think I am FAR more relaxed after shooting open sights than with a scope...in fact I know I am so far. What WAS therapeutic is now a pain, and that aint good.

Frustrated,
TK

[Doug Roberts]

and we'll both feel better. :D Actually, what you probably need to do is try some different ammo. Maybe take 2-3 different types next time you shoot. Rimfires can be picky about their diet. You also need to bear in mind that a factory 10/22 is not likely to be the most accurate gun you'll ever own. Take a trip over to rimfirecentral.com. It is a 10/22 owner's # 1 source of info. :)

[bcp]

Is the bipod on the barrel or stock?

How does it shoot from a padded benchrest?

Are you putting face/jaw/chin pressure on the stock?

Is it a known good scope, with tight mounts?

How is your follow-through after the shot?

Where is your left hand (if you are right handed)?

Been drinking much coffee lately?

Bruce

[jnyork]

You have two main problems: A stock 10-22 and Remington Golden bullets. Go get some other types of ammo, try different brands of Federal such as American Eagle, both the 36 and 40 grainers, Champion, etc. Also try some MiniMags. 10-22's tend to be pretty sensitive to ammo, and the Remington is universally reviled by most .22 shooters. Also, try shooting from a good rest instead of the bipod, and you might want to swap out the scope with a known performer just to be sure.

For tons and tons of information on the 10-22 and its many variations and modifications, go over to Rimfirecentral.com, days and days of reading. :D

[T.Zimm]

Are you comfortable in that position? Is your crosshair falling on your natural point of aim, or are you reefing the rifle to the target? Be very concious of every nuance and try to do it exactly the same every time. Be aware of your breathing. When you can "call" your shots and you know YOU did everything right then you can play with ammo. Otherwise; Was it YOU? or was it the Ammo?? Toughy huh? But it is an excuse to get out and shoot. That is never a bad thing. It is supposed to be fun, not a chore. Dont get frustrated. I used to Hurry up to shoot and I missed a lot. Now I slow way down and really dig in deep and concentrate. You shouldnt be able to hear anything around you but your heartbeat.....Hope this wasnt long or obnoxious. Just some things I have learned by being mentored by the best...:)

[TK]

I noticed late today that there is some movement off after the shot - the bipod digs into the ground (sand). So yep, I can see where the bench would be in order. (Bipod is on the stock)

My left hand is under the back of the stock, supporting it.

My habit is to shoot on the pause (bottom of the exhale), let the trigger reurn once I the shot is complete (i.e, no recoil left - I am not rush here, I will hear and feel the spring reset). 10 shots takes a little while, and after that I am done - my eye has to rest.

I am hoping the coffee question was a joke - my shooting would be awful if I ever stopped....when I go the the doc wihtout coffee in my system by bllod pressure is up - after two or three cups, it is perfect. Just as God intended...


T.Zimm - dont worry about long or obnoxious - I want to figure this out, so any directly worded advice beats me guessing what the hell it is you said.

JnYork - I thought I could use the Rems to get it on paper - no dice, huh? Thanks for that info. I will go to rimfire central with this, but I am very concerned with what I need to do with ME to fix this.

Thanks guys - lots of good info.

TK

[bcp]

am hoping the coffee question was a joke - my shooting would be awful if I ever stopped....when I go the the doc wihtout coffee in my system by bllod pressure is up - after two or three cups, it is perfect. Just as God intended...
Fifty+ years ago, when I was doing competitive 4 position shooting, we were not supposed to drink any caffeine the day of the match. I don't know if modern medical knowledge has changed that recommendation. I notice I get a bit more shaky now if I have more than about 1 cup per 2 hours.

Bruce

[c.r.]

i'm not familiar with the particular scope your using. if however it has the adjustable objective for parallax, i'd check there first to be sure the parallax is adjusted correctly (i guess that's the correct way to say it). Also a lot of time the markings on the objective aren't dead on for a distance.

most rifle scopes with a fixed objective have the parallax set for 100 yards. parallax will be an issue when shooting one of these scopes at 50 yrds.


I'm not sure if you're familiar with parallax. One way you can see when the parallax isn't adjusted correctly for a given distance while shooting, is to place the rifle in a steady rest and move the rifle around till you have the crosshairs of the scope on some point on the target. now without toching the rifle, rest, or table look through the scope and move your head side to side and up and down and see if the crosshairs appear to move off the spot you picked on the target. That's my Reader's Digest version. there are tricks that you can do to minimize the parallax on a fixed objective scope. one trick is to get a clear lens cap (use it on the eye piece end of the scope) and either drill a hole in the center or take one of those little sticky things used to put around paper holes (you know that fit around the hole in notebook paper, these little sticky things go around the hole and prevent it the paper from being torn from a three ring binder). any way whether you drill the hole or use the ring protector, use it kind of as a "ghost ring" and adjust your head/hold until the crosshairs appear in the center of the "ghost ring". this way it insures your head is consistently in the same place and will minimize parallax.

[sritz05]

Lock the little gun in a vise and let it fly this is the only way any of use truly will ever no if the gun, ammo or ourselves are the fault. AZ IMO

[Godsdog]

is take it out of the stock and torque the barrel lug bolts to the same setting. (I have seen them nearly loose) I also glass bed my actions and free-float the barrel. Remember, you are holding that whole receiver in the stock with only one bolt. I also drill a 1/4" hole through the back of the receiver in perfect alignment with the barrel so I can clean the barrel from the receiver end when I take it apart to clean it. You'll need a good quality scope on it to get the best accuracy. I like a fixed 6X or a 3x9 for most shooting. Also, I don't like Remington ammo! It's dirty and waxey and gums the actions up. I've tried a lot of ammo and I like Federal American Eagles the best followed by Regular Federal Ammo. Burns clean and is accurate. CCI's come in second for choice and Winchester is about a toss-up.

[TXNinVA]

My 10/22 will cycle CCi Minimag 36 gr HP all day wihtout ever cleaning, and doesn't exceed a nickel sized group at 50 yards until I near round 200(I do not do this often, twice to be exact, just see what would happen).

Anyway, everyone else gave other good advise on the rest. Try the minimag HP's, there worth the extra $.50. :D