collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Diagonal groups shooting coaching?  (Read 1738 times)

Offline Sunbkpk

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 97
  • Location: Bellevue
Diagonal groups shooting coaching?
« on: September 22, 2025, 09:31:31 AM »
I am getting back into shooting rifles after a couple decades and looking for a little coaching for shooting technique. I am getting diagonal groups frequently with higher recoil hunting rifles. I am shooting off a cement bench with a Caldwell dead shot front bag and rear rabbit ear bag. Ditch the rear bag and I got a horizontal group. Grip the rifle really tight and pulled down into the bags gives the best groups so far but goes against most bench technique. In the distant past was makeshift rests of coats, packs, etc. On whatever support was available with better results. I am pretty sure it is technique as I get it in 2 different higher recoil rifles, the worse the recoil the longer the diagonal group. Checked scopes, mounts, bedded actions and retorqued everything. Tried different loads. Still get either a diagonal group or ok group.
I am thinking poor trigger pull, inconsistent grip, or biasing in bags inconsistently. Other thoughts. Sample group attached is 1 of the worst.

Offline Sunbkpk

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 97
  • Location: Bellevue
Re: Diagonal groups shooting coaching?
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2025, 09:43:30 AM »
Horizontal group without rear bag after the diagonal group. Crosshairs moving more Horizontal like this group without rear bag which makes sense. Both bags and I get little crosshair motion.

Offline hookr88

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2009
  • Posts: 1204
  • Location: Issaquah
Re: Diagonal groups shooting coaching?
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2025, 06:39:05 PM »
I’m assuming 100 yds? And enough time between shots to rule out hot barrel? When you’re holding on target, how does your crosshairs move with your breathing, vertical or diagonal? That’s all I got.

Offline MADMAX

  • Trade Count: (+23)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 9891
  • Location: Kitsap/Cle Elum
  • I like big bucks and I can not lie
Re: Diagonal groups shooting coaching?
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2025, 06:56:12 PM »
Perhaps since you mention higher recoil rifles your flinching
Try a limbsaver pad
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Mark Twain


I Ain't Captain Walker.
I'm The Guy Who Carries Mr. Dead In His Pocket


What would life be without the thrill of the hunt ?

Offline Caseknife

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 620
  • Location: Colville
  • Groups: RMEF, NRA, SCI
Re: Diagonal groups shooting coaching?
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2025, 08:21:30 PM »
Is your front sling stud contacting the front bag?  What does the rifle weigh?  Is it a lightweight rifle?  If it is a lighter rifle, 7# or less, have to hold on to them on the bench.  Heavy, low recoil rifles don't have to be held as tight.  How is the sight picture, are you having to pull the crosshairs to the target or is it stable on the bull when you close your eyes and then open them?  How does the butt of the stock fit into your shoulder?  Are you square on the bench or hunched over trying get a good scope view?

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Roosevelt Elk. Please nudge me in the right direction. I feel hopeless. by Falcon
[Today at 04:00:57 PM]


Harlequin in weird places? by WildfireArcher
[Today at 03:52:54 PM]


My Entiat Late tag thread by MADMAX
[Today at 03:43:26 PM]


LINCOLN !! by cryder
[Today at 02:54:21 PM]


As He Lay by str8meat
[Today at 02:40:06 PM]


Afraid of the Wasteways by rainshadow1
[Today at 02:02:34 PM]


Wasted Bethel bull by firepin
[Today at 01:38:50 PM]


Late huckelberry bull by shootnrun
[Today at 11:52:52 AM]


Big old and heavy by GWP
[Today at 10:40:20 AM]


F150 Ecoboost Guys by JohnVH
[Today at 09:28:14 AM]


2025 15th Annual Hunting-Washington Christmas Gift Exchange by pianoman9701
[Today at 08:43:16 AM]


Youth mason tag…. Not going great by millerwheeler
[Today at 06:44:23 AM]


Late rifle season help - new hunter by Rutnbuxnbulls
[Today at 05:16:36 AM]


Any MT deer updates? by HillHound
[Yesterday at 10:59:13 PM]


2025 elk success thread!! by highside74
[Yesterday at 08:23:41 PM]


117 moose Nov. tags! by Carltonhunt
[Yesterday at 07:55:02 PM]


Pearygin Quality by X-Force
[Yesterday at 06:49:45 PM]


Multi season elk by royalbull
[Yesterday at 06:03:09 PM]


2025 deer, let's see em! by Shawn Ryan
[Yesterday at 05:23:07 PM]


Drew Pogue Quality by Pathfinder101
[Yesterday at 04:41:23 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal