Accuracy issues - who or what is to blame?

[Veteran]

On big magnums better get a muzzle brake and maybe a led sled too.

You can shoot less tha 30 cal rifles all day long without it, but big magnums above .30 cal. will cause you to shoot 1 Moa plus, if you shoot more than 2 or 3 shots.

 

[GSPRunner]

On big magnums better get a muzzle brake and maybe a led sled too.

You can shoot less tha 30 cal rifles all day long without it, but big magnums above .30 cal. will cause you to shoot 1 Moa plus, if you shoot more than 2 or 3 shots.

I read somewhere that flinching from muzzle brakes is just as common as recoil. Two of my rifles have brakes and I won't pull the trigger unless I have hearing protection in. I have a buddy that I suspect suffers from muzzle brake flinch because he sucks at shooting lol. I don't know if that is a real thing tho.

 

[Veteran]

Just wear ear protection, use a muzzle brake, lots of sand bags,
maybe a lead sled if you like.

It will all help you shoot better groups.

 

[Godly70]

I think they just need to blame their equipment to feel better !

 

[Muddyboots]

I know its not me so its got to be:
Barrel
Barrel too clean
Barrel too dirty
Scope
Rings
Bases
Level out of whack
Bullet out of round
Crummy brass
Necks not turned
Should have turned necks
JUMP wrong on COAL CBTO
Inconsistent powder
Inconsistent primer
Stock not stiff enough
Stock too stiff
Stock torque wrong

See I told you its not me!

 

[30BR]

I found most of it is ammo. I can hold stupid small on target with my BR rigs, and the guns are good, but neck tension and other variables in the ammo will open groups up. For ME, at 600 yards , a half MOA (3" groups) is ok, but I WANT 1.5" groups. I am happy with 2.5" groups strung horizontally, because that tells me everything works except my wind reading (which I must be a functional illiterate in).

 

[jessej]

What ever you do, DONT start checking you reloads for concentricity with a run out measuring device. It'll give you a good excuse for every rifle you own to shoot like crap.

 

[Deviant]

I have been reading a lot of threads about guys chasing 1/4-1/2 MOA accuracy with their rifles. I know there are some legit marksman on here, but what are the chances that some of these folks just aren't 1/4-1/2 moa shooters and start blaming their equipment?

Probably a good chance but its really not that hard to shoot bugholes from a bench at 100 yards with a capable rifle.

 

[2Ldude]

Wouldn't scope quality (cross hair) play a part in this also? I have a 45-70 that I shoot strictly to 100 yards. When I put together loads for it using a not so high quality scope the groups were 1" - 1 1/2" I shoot enough (practice right, shoot right) that that kind of accuracy even with a 45-70 at 100 yards wasn't acceptable. Put one of my higher end vortex's on it and groups shrank to 3/4". I determined that the original scope cross hairs with 2x4 sized lines couldn't begin to hold a minute of angle even at 100 yards. Left better scope on the rifle. A respected gun builder that used to shoot long range told me even if the driver had premium skills with a lot of shooting time most scopes wouldn't begin to hold a minute of angle at longer distances so how could load development and practice be put together precisely. I learned a ton from him and have been changing all my scopes to really fine cross hairs. After that it's what MuddyBoots stated above Couldn't possibly be me !!!! Nowadays I shoot to hold bullets in a kill zone sized area out to 600 and I'm more than happy.

 

[baldhunter]

I have rifles that will consistently shoot around 1/2".In reality if I'm consistently getting groups under an inch I'm happy with that rifle.Everything needs to be right with the rifle if you want to find a good load.A good trigger can make a big difference.I recently put a couple of Trigger Tech triggers on some rifles I have that I thought had very good factory triggers adjusted down.Man I could really tell the difference in the way the trigger breaks.I don't see the crosshairs moving off target as the trigger breaks like I did with the factory trigger.Proper bedding is extremely important in rifle accuracy as well as a good scope.Get those issues under control and you will have better luck working up a good accurate load.If any of the above are an issue,the rifle will never perform up to it's potential.Of course then it's the shooter.If you can't shoot,then................practice,practice practice.

 

[Taylorbok]

Probably a good chance but its really not that hard to shoot bugholes from a bench at 100 yards with a capable rifle.

I agree but I also know guys who cant shoot 2 moa off a bipod and a bag. some people just need more practice

 

[John Klingenberg]

Just wear ear protection, use a muzzle brake, lots of sand bags,
maybe a lead sled if you like.

It will all help you shoot better groups.

They do but man they get heavy on the elk hills.

 

[skipglo]

GSP, I've often wondered this myself. I've been around a lot of shooters in my nearly 50 years. I could count on one hand the number of guys that had the equipment and talent to shoot a multi-shot 1/4" group (excluding guys at actual benchrest competitions). However, when I get on internet forums, it seems nearly everyone routinely shoots this well.

Actually even better......gophers at 835 yards in 30 mph winds and game at distances that would appear to be 1" tall with even 80 power spotting scopes using 18 power rifle scopes! I know when I grow up.....I'm going to be able to do both! ( And that better be soon...I just turned 65)

 

[Muddyboots]

I am not so fortunate as some and have to really work hard to shoot decent groups even at 300 yards. Shooting well requires skillset that for me requires lots of trigger time. Setting up rifle, good cheek weld, good scope set to eyeballs, shoulder set, trigger work let alone reloads is not an easy skillset to master for me anyway. I know when I don't shoot for a while, it takes a few more rounds to get that "feel" that we all experience of being locked in.