Bench vs off-hand

[snaketail2]

I tuned my loads, I found the right sight settings I was ready for the match. But, I did all my prep work from sandbags on a bench. When I shoot off-hand my point of impact is lower and to the left… very much different from my bench results.

I understand that holding the rifle will alter its performance, but the difference is quite extreme. What was dead on at 50 yards from the bench is a complete miss from the off-hand position. I’m an AA shooter and don’t shoot perfect scores, mid-20s is normal for me – until I pick up this rifle.

Is this normal? And how should I correct for it?

Michael

[AMB]

I load develop off bench or check the rifles accuracy off the bench, but shoot offhand for sight settings. I shoot simulated matches on freshly painted targets then plot the hits. Also plot when shooting matches. To get the settings. My sightsetings haven't changed since I established them about ten years ago. I may tweak them a little due to conditions but not much. But that's me.

[Innocent]

snaketail, yes it is normal for the bench vs offhand to be different. Different shoulder placement, different cheek placement, different view through the scope are all possible individually or combined.
Bench to check for grouping, getting typical adjustments for the different distances (such as 1 to 2 minutes up from chickens to pigs -usually) and to get a starting point for chickens, then check with standing position to fit for you.

Mary

[boats]

Make up a set of stencils. Shoot a Long run group on spray painted cardboard targets. Use a framing square to box in the majority of hits with a pencil. Then connect the corners to find center of impact from offhand. Throw out any flyers. You are looking for center no sense factoring in off shots.

This one is 75 yards on a 3/8 IMSA ram for a club match on swingers, but you get the idea nice and centered up. Off shots ignored.



Here is one 1/2 size regulation CLA fired at match distance 100 meters, you can see the sights need to come up and right for center . 10 hits but two could have been misses easy, few minutes more elevation makes the hit more likely.



I can't remember the last time I shot a rifle from a bench.

Boats

[boats]

Thought I ought to explain sizes,

Full size is High power and CLA Rifle Silhouette
Half size is CLA Rim fire and Pistol Caliber Silhouette
3/8 Size Is IMSA Pistol Silhouette, or I think it is, our club has a lot of old IMSA targets we use for swinger matches
1/5 Size is Small Bore rifle Silhouette

My stencils are full match size exactly like the target used in sanctioned or club rules matches.

It's not a bad plan to run down the critters when zeroing so you get the effect of changing NPA. Lot of trouble because of the size and probably not needed for Lever Silhouette. Pretty important for Small Bore Rifles





Boats

[jnyork]

From my bench zero, I have to come up 2 minutes when I go to offhand. Doesn't seem to matter iron sights or scopes, same thing.

[High Speed]

Thought I ought to explain sizes,

Full size is High power and CLA Rifle Silhouette
Half size is CLA Rim fire and Pistol Caliber Silhouette
3/8 Size Is IMSA Pistol Silhouette, or I think it is, our club has a lot of old IMSA targets we use for swinger matches
1/5 Size is Small Bore rifle Silhouette

My stencils are full match size exactly like the target used in sanctioned or club rules matches.

It's not a bad plan to run down the critters when zeroing so you get the effect of changing NPA. Lot of trouble because of the size and probably not needed for Lever Silhouette. Pretty important for Small Bore Rifles





Boats

I see some nice old tools. How much for the drill

[boats]

You mean the hand cranked post drill ? Not for sale but they are not expensive to buy. No limits to what it will do. Bolt it to 8x8 make the reach far as you need. have through holed more than one large lamp post with it. Stock through bolts are a breeze.

Boats

[chuckjordan2]

Boats,

I'm thinking you're using the slingshot for that pattern

Great pattern above, showed last month.

Chuck