bench rest shooting techniques--help needed pls

[wooltie]

I've been shooting rifles casually for a few years, but this year I began to focus on technique in an effort to improve groups and group consistently.

I cannot get the rifle to recoil straight back and stay on target.  Typically, the rifle torques counterclockwise during recoil and sends the shots 1-4" high at 100 yards.  I have shot 1 MOA groups before at 100 and 200 yards but they occur inconsistently.

Can someone give me some advice?

The rifle is a Model 70 in 30-06 w/BC stock and Leupold scope, light trigger.  All components are torqued to specs.  I use a caldwell front rest and leather rear bag.  I shoot 150g and 180g factory interlocks, accubonds, SST.

I've tried different setups: shoulders almost square to target; pulling the stock into the pocket; letting the rifle free recoil; I've shouldered the rifle at the bench, aimed at the target, then lowered the rifle onto the rests to establish my body position relative to target; my head is always relaxed and tips forward to rest my cheek onto the stock.

So I dunno.

[Magnum_Willys]

Are you holding the forend ?

[wooltie]

No, the rifle rests on front and rear rests.

I have had shots where the rifle barely recoils back and stays on target.

The rifle sits fairly level in the rests but I haven't verified that.

I don't know if the issue is how the gun sits in the rests or where the pad rests against my shoulder pocket.

The recoil doesn't bother me so I don't think the issue is flinching.

[Alchase]

I never liked using a rear rest, and I hold the fore end at the contact point with the front rest pad unless using a bipod. Set your shoulder, and find your cheek weld.

1-4" at 100 yards is a pretty big variation from a bench.
Is the rifle sighted in?
Try holding the fore end.
If so sounds more like a loose scope or rings.
Ammo could be another reason.
And if you still can't get it in, bedding could be the issue.

[wooltie]

I know where the bullet impacts based upon where the gun recoils. If I see the sight move up and right of the bullseye then I know that's there the bullet impacted. Of course I verify impact through the scope after but the fact that where the point of aim changes during recoil tells me it's a technique thing, I think.

When the gun recoils straight back and never really leaves the original point of aim, the bullet impacts the bullseye, right on target.

I dunno I read that rounds with more kick require you to pull the rifle into the shoulder pocket more so than letting the rifle ride the rests back.

[Magnum_Willys]

Is that a sporter stock?  Thats good. Stocks with much drop at the pad tend to not stay on the front rest without holding the forend.

Light rifles I find hard to shoot without holding forend in general unless they have a brake though stocks with high pad and shooting not uphill is less of issue.

[Jolten]

Are you resting the rifle exactly the same way on the front bag? Sounds like your rifle sling is on the bag and causing the forend to bounce up.

[wooltie]

Yeah it's bell and Carlson sporter. Barrel is floated. Rifle is on the light side at 7-7.5 lbs.  I used a torque wrench to torque the action screws and rings to spec.

The right slides back on the rests during recoil but never comes off.

I keep playing with my setup re pad position and how square my shoulders are to target.

180g is about as much recoil as i like. I've shot 180g out of a 300 shot mag and that was too much.

Yes, I rest the forend 2-3" behind the sling mount.

I definitely feel more relaxed and natural when I can sit up more at the bench as opposed to leaning over. So I always sit on a stool or low chair as opposed to a taller chair.

[huntnfmly]

It sounds like you may have your trigger finger wrapped around trigger pulling to one side instead of just the pad of your finger and pulling straight back

[wooltie]

Could be. I'll watch for that.

I'm pretty relaxed at bench meaning my upper body and shoulders are relaxed and not tense.

They aren't exactly braced for the recoil whereas your entire body weight absorbs recoil when shooting prone.

Maybe I need to find a more braced position at bench.

[Bill W]

If you were over in the Moses Lake area I'd give you some bench rest shooting tips.

[Magnum_Willys]

I would try holding forend and rest of rifle in a very firm grip.  Have crosshairs on target then tighten grip dont force it over. Take 5 shots thats your baseline. I expect it will be better then now.  Now experiment  to better that.

[Alchase]

Please do not take offense,

If 30-06 shooting 180 and 150, everything tight, floated barrel.
And both are throwing flyers 1-4 inches, try different ammo type.

30-06 is not what I would call a hard kicking caliber even with 180s.
Have someone watch you shoot, I suspect if it is not ammo, that you are flinching anticipating the recoil.

If you take all the mechanical variations and ammo out of the picture , it leaves only the shooter.

[biggfish]

Just a thought maybe it's a barrel resonance problem do you have de-resonater to try.

Sent from my LG-K425 using Tapatalk

[wooltie]

Thanks for all the tips. I'll experiment with a firmer grip, or holding the Forend to see if that helps.

Not looking for crazy groups just 1 moa consistently is fine by me.

I suspect I just need to manage the recoil better using a more firm pull of the stock onto the pocket.

I had a 308 once, heavier rifle by about 1 lb, and shot 150g factory ammo 1 moa all day. Less felt recoil with that rifle and round so I used a light grip and very little pull into the pocket.