Can't hit anything with my contender!!!!

[ghostZ]

I went shooting yesterday to get some more rounds thru the .35 and to dial in the red dot on the .22.  I started out with the .22.  I had only taken 2 shots before this with the red dot.  My first shot was right on.  I was shooting at soda cans @ about 25 paces.  Next on to the cans at ~50 paces.  I couldn't hit em!!!  I was using a brace and was right around them(would miss by less than an inch or 2) so I was fairly content since I really came out to shoot the .35.
I then went on to a paper target at ~75 paces for the 35.  I saw the dirt kick up behind the target after my first shot so I thought I was okay.  I went up there to find that the I shot about 2 feet low!!!!  I figured I would take a few shots at the cans @ 50 just to see if I could hit them.  Well I couldn't!  I took ~8 shots at the cans all low.  I was using my truck tailgate as my rest and am pretty sure I was quite secure as far as vertically, and just had to worry about aiming horz.  I gave the sites(I am using irons) a few clicks "UP" and took a few more shots.  All low again!  I moved it up a bit more and still low!
With my "secure" rest I didn't think I could flinch down when shooting.  I shot about 25 rounds and all were low(I did hit a can once but don't know how).  I am guess my next move is to get a vice to really make sure it isn't my shooting.  This is my first center fire rifle and I know you need to worry about stuff like bullet rise and drop but I didn't think a .35 rem would drop @ ~50 yards.
Any advice?

edit A few more details...35 is 12" ported bull.  I used both Win and I think Rem factory ammo both 200gr bullet.

[Graybeard]

You say this is your first centerfire rifle but you also say barrel is 12" so I assume you meant to say centerfire rifle cartridge firing handgun?

Seems to me your firing regime really didn't tell you much other than you weren't hitting soda cans. You need to know more than that before you can begin figuring out what is wrong.

You need to put it on paper. If you are shooting nice tight little groups but they aren't hitting where your sights are looking that's one problem. But if you're shooting huge groups all over the place that's anothelr problem entirely. As it is it could be either or a combination of both.

So I suggest you find a big enough piece of cardboard to catch all those bullets. Then let us know the group size and shot distribution as well as where it is hitting in relation to the sights. Did you use all the UP elevation available? If so maybe you have the wrong rear sight height on it. Very common on used barrels.

GB

[ghostZ]

You say this is your first centerfire rifle but you also say barrel is 12" so I assume you meant to say centerfire rifle cartridge firing handgun?

Seems to me your firing regime really didn't tell you much other than you weren't hitting soda cans. You need to know more than that before you can begin figuring out what is wrong.

You need to put it on paper. If you are shooting nice tight little groups but they aren't hitting where your sights are looking that's one problem. But if you're shooting huge groups all over the place that's anothelr problem entirely. As it is it could be either or a combination of both.

So I suggest you find a big enough piece of cardboard to catch all those bullets. Then let us know the group size and shot distribution as well as where it is hitting in relation to the sights. Did you use all the UP elevation available? If so maybe you have the wrong rear sight height on it. Very common on used barrels.

GB

Thanks for the reply...sorry for the confusion...this is both the first center fire round and first in a handgun.

I didn't use all of my "UP".  I am pretty sure(by looks) it is the same rear site that is on my TC Renagade ML.

I will get a big piece of card board and start at 50 yards then give you the info.  

Again thanks.

[KYODE]

to be really accurate on sight in, you should think about some homemade sandbags. you need 3 bags. one under the grip, and two stacked under the forearm. they can be made from several different materials for next to nothing. i use old jean legs cut to length, and filled with sand, or right now i'm using a soft ground plastic filler. a car tire inner tube cut to length and filled with sand also works well. use a couple old shoestrings to tie off each end, and it also provides a handle for carrying. uhhh, poor people have poor ways, it works for me

a good rest means everything in shooting great groups. it could also be that you just didn't move the rear sight up enough. a good scope will also provide much better sight alignment, and much better accuracy. bottom line, just have fun, don't put too much pressure on yourself. you can upgrade to scopes and such if you like later, or shoot as you are now. just practice, practice, practice, and have fun.

[jhalcott]

the 35 rem kicks a lot compared to "your" normal 22 rim fire. You may be flinching trying to get away from the recoil.This is not unusual. Did the first rounds you shot also go low? Next time try to keep the sun behind you to light the entire front sight. Have some one else load the gun for youwith empty or loaded rounds.Do not watch as the cartridge is loaded Be VERY careful handing off the loaded gun !!!! This will tell you if you are flinching.
  I had no luck with my 35rem barrel, it was very accurate WHEN IT wanted to go bang.I tried all the tricks I knew and sent it back to T/C twice.Finally sent it to JDJ for a rechamber to 358jdj.

[Blackhawk44]

Why not sight in a 25 yards?  Would be a lot easier to spot your hits and move your sights.  After 25 yards is handled, then move back to 50, etc.  With those sandbags at 25 yards, you can test the mechanical ability of the pistol and sights without having to factor the sun, the wind, the moon or pilot error.   A good confidence builder.

[PA-Joe]

If you can't find big paper stick to 15 yds until you consistently hit the paper.

[SingleShotShorty]

I don't know if this is the first big bore centerfire handgun that you have owned or not but it sounds to me like it might be. First of all a pickup tailgate is not a solid rest find a shooting bench and make yourself some homemade sand bags out of old jean legs and sand bage the gun on a good shooting bench. Make absolutely sure that you use the same sight picture and correct front to rear sight alignment and squeeze. The gun should surprise you when it goes off. Myself I would suggest installing at least a 2X scope to this barrel it will help you out allot and start close and then move out as your groups tighten up. The best advise I could give anyone starting out shooting big bore handguns is Practice Practice Practice and then Practice some more until the hangun becomes part of you. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[ghostZ]

Again thanks for the comments...
I know that my tailgate isn't a super bench to shoot from, but at the time it was what I had.  I also know that sighting in at 25 then go up is what to do.  The first day I shot the gun I thought it was pretty close to being on, so that I why I opted for the 75 to start with.  I continued to shoot even tho I was off so I could become more comfy with the gun.  I will admit I got a bit flustered and pretty much gave up trying to sight the gun in after about a dozen shots...the rest were just to shoot for fun and to break me(not the gun) in.  I hope to get to shoot again this weekend to actually sight it in properly.  
KYODE thanks for the idea about home made bags...I plan to make the sandbags before shooting next time.  Before you posted that I was going to either buy some or buy a vice to shoot from.

[KYODE]

it's hard to beat the homemade bags, i think personally. i bought a caldwell handgun rest, but i think i still shoot better from the bags. glad to help

[Alice Cooper]

i had the same problem with my 44 barrel....shooting low , raised the rear sight till i had only a few threads left...i suspect it was the wrong rear sight for this barrel.but i dunno. took the 4x burris off my 22 barrel, now it busts paper plates all day at 100 yards....off the bench!