Skychief said:
I didn't have a spotting scope, and walked up to see where shots hit quite randomly, so, I can't say if any pattern exist of which of the 5 shots were "fliers". Next time I will make note of each shots placement.
Good, because that may help identify a problem, especially if the flyer is often the same or similar order in the number of the shots fired.
Skychief said:
Do you have any hypothesis, if perhaps it's a certain shot within the string?
I appreciate your questions and input. :hatsoff:
Best regards, Skychief
Having shot a lot off benches over the years to test guns I built, I have probably made most every mistake humanly possible. :redface:
A first round flier is almost always because you are not properly "settled in" when you begin shooting a group OR because you are holding the gun to get it to shoot where you want, rather than resting it where it naturally will align the sights on the part of the target you want.
To combat this and before I take a shot, I get settled in and when everything feels "right," I close my eyes and then open them to see where the sights are on the target. If they are not where I want them to be and they are off for elevation, I mechanically adjust my screw adjustable front rest and or move the sandbag under the butt of the gun, or some part of my body, or some of any or all of the above. If the sights are off for windage, I move the gun and or my body (and chair as necessary). Then I once again get comfortably settled on the gun, close my eyes and open them again to see where the sights are now. Once the sights line up "naturally," then and only then do I begin shooting. This is sort of a bench rest version of getting your "natural point of aim" in the offhand. Since we almost always have to take a ML gun off the bench to reload it, it is necessary to do this before every shot in a group and will also help with flyers in the middle or end the string of shots. I can guarantee you that this technique WILL make your groups tighter.
Often a last round flyer is the result of getting a bit excited about a good group and rushing or jerking the shot. If anything when you have a good four shots, SLOW DOWN and concentrate a little more for the last shot and be extra cautious that you don't rush the last shot. You can take that to an extreme, though, and don't want to take TOO much time or lack of oxygen from holding your breath may cause a flyer or cause you to look like you had a heart attack from having to suck so much air after the shot is fired. I've got a great personal story on the latter, but it involves tying an all time record with a modern rifle.
Also, it would be GREAT if you could have someone watch you while you shoot the string of 5 shots. Sometimes we do something we don't even realize we are doing, but it can be noticed by an observer. I can't tell you how many times I diagnosed accuracy and function problems by closely watching people shoot over the years.
Gus