Accuracy and technique

[Ben10]

Something I have noticed is that when I'm shooting my bobcat off the bench @ 50y if I shoot without my shoulder into the butt pad, just my finger on the trigger like many benchrest shooters do, I can get sub 0.5" groups all day long. 

However, if I shoot with any shoulder contact at all then the groups open up a bit, maybe even double, certainly with more "flyers". Would you say this is error in my technique or is it normal to see this happen? Particularly with the bobcat being short and maybe more jumpy than a rifle?? 

I get that benchrest shooters have no body contact and get the best accuracy this way but it's not ideal for a hunter to shoot this way. Is it just a case of practicing correct technique and the groups will close up? Or is it a trait of bullpups?? 

 

[30cal]

Bench rest is for getting maximum accuracy. I get my best accuracy with only my shooting hand on the gun. My off hand is manipulating the rear support bag for aiming, sholder not touching. Obviously you don't have the same kind of support and comfortable position while hunting so you can't expect the same level of accuracy. There's bench accuracy and then there is hunting accuracy. Though with practice you can get close sometimes. The same basic techniques apply to bull pups as long guns. Just have to adjust for your individual guns needs.

By the way sub moa is excellent shooting! Very respectable.

 

[Ben10]

Thanks for the response and the compliment. just for clarification, when having my shoulder in the butt pad, I still have a rear bag in place and my non trigger hand squeezing the bag. I just notice a lot of difference in my accuracy when shooting like this compared with having no shoulder contact. I guess seeing videos from Ted and the likes when testing guns they seem to have the butt pad into their shoulder coupled with a rear bag and manage to achieve the kind of accuracy I'm getting from having no shoulder contact.

makes me think it must be my technique but I don't know what exactly I need to practice to correct it. 

 

[30cal]

My sholder is right there close to the butt pad just not pressed against it. It would look like its touching in a video even though its not. That's probably the case with Ted also. Maybe he will chime in and let you know. To me the bottom line is going with what works. It sounds like that is working good for you. I would be satisfied with the results you are getting. :-D

 

[billydjann]

Ben10 ----- I find tha I shoot better just the way you described....

 

[Ben10]

"30cal"My sholder is right there close to the butt pad just not pressed against it. It would look like its touching in a video even though its not. That's probably the case with Ted also. Maybe he will chime in and let you know. To me the bottom line is going with what works. It sounds like that is working good for you. I would be satisfied with the results you are getting. :-D

Thanks, I actually re watched his Daystate huntsman video earlier today and wondered the same thing. Hopefully he will chime in and confirm this. 

 

[Ben10]

"billydjann"Ben10 ----- I find tha I shoot better just the way you described....

Do you mean you shoot better with your shoulder against the butt pad or not touching it?

Thanks

 

[manabeknives]

The slight variation you see while shooting with your shoulder to the pad is due to breathing techniques and holding the rifle inconsistently. If you breath or exhale while taking the shoot, you either raising or lowering your poi...maybe the reason for your flyers.
Try wearing a thick sweatshirt to use as padding so your heart beat doesn't bounce the gun when shouldering.
Also, If your trigger pull is substantially strong, you might be pulling the rifle off target when you're squeezing the trigger.
HTH
Mike

 

[Ben10]

Thanks Mike. The flyers are more erratic than just being high or low on the POA. One thing I was wondering is if my shoulder contact is causing it to "recoil" (the slight bit it does) inconsistently??

i.e. Creating an inconsistent fulcrum with my shoudler?