proper technique for shooting Encore

[Myerslake2005]

I'm having some trouble patterning my Encore.  I believe it is my technique not the gun.  What is the proper technique for shooting?  I'm shooting a 14" 7-08 with a Burris 1.5-5 scope that has already had a trigger job done and I have some stainless washers under the forearm screw.

thanks

[MePlat]

Patterning is something that you do with a shotgun.  Grouping is something you do with a rifle or handgun.  If you are shooting patterns then you need assistance from a shooting coach that is there with you watching you do the actual shooting.
Kinda like asking a doctor to diagnose a bad illness over the phone then prescribing a treatment that you can buy at the local 7-11.
Find a shooting coach to help with your patterning problems. It will be more satisfying and maybe quicker in the long run maybe cheaper too.

[Reloder28]

Some Encore shooting basics:

Never allow the butt to be interfered with in recoil, this will string the shots vertically.

Do use sandbags on the bench under the forearm. What always works for me is to press the trigger guard forward into the bags (pressure by the shooting hand) during firing. This steadies the crosshairs and tends to stop the side to side wiggle. Works in field shooting too.

Use two hands while firing. Try to make a symmetrical grip angle with elbows pointed outward and on the bench. This steadies the butt. 

Put pads underneath your elbows. This prevents the recoil from driving them into the bench.

Don't try to arrest the recoil with your grip. Don't try to death grip the gun. Grip it firmly and allow it to "roll up" on recoil. This was the single greatest improvement while developing my handgun skills.


I have a 35-06 JDJ that pushes 225 gr slugs at 2670 fps from a 15" barrel. It shoots 1/4" groups all day. I can only stand about 20 rounds per session. I have been through 264's, 270's, 284's, 308's & 358's; all in handgun barrels. They all shot one hole groups and I loved shooting them. I just didn't care to hunt with them, except the 35-06.

[barnabus]

Great post Reloader28!
Thats the answer the guy was looking for.... not some ying yang.For crying out loud the guy was asking for help.That same advice almost word for word that helped me tremedously and I didnt need a coach.Imagine that.

[MePlat]

BARNABUS:  Sorry my reply irked you.  The last time I tried to help someone with a shooting problem I got chastised because I didn't know the yahoo had an eye sight problem that he conviently failed to mention in his post.
This posted also failed to mention what his shooting ability is like with the 7mm-08.  Is he just getting an ocassional flyer?  Is he really pattering like a shotgun or what?  Is he flinching?  Naw, couldn't be as no man ever flinches right?  Only a woman or child flinches right?  What kind of shooting technique is he using now?  Does anyone know?  His post didn't give any pertinent info on anything did it?  Could his mounts be loose?  Factory ammo or some slop that someone reloaded? 

What?  Where is the info?  I sure didn't see any. 

[barnabus]

MelPat,
Your last post would have helped this fellow more than your first one.The questioned you stated in the second post were right on and could have added to fixing the problem and helping this fellow shooter out.I still think folks knew what he was asking since he plainly said he felt like it was not the gun but him.Reloader28 picked up on that and offered some solid advice that would help. Your second post along with Reloader28's would have gave him many things to consider.I find it hard to believe that you didnt know what he meant about the "pattern" dont assume everyone is an idiot because they use a little different lingo.Wouldnt it be something if he did follow your advice and find a coach..spend 100 bucks only to find out a scope mount was loose.What a waste of money that would have been.

I have read alot of your post and sometimes you come accross as condesending.I wouldnt want to think you would do that on purpose.Maybe you dont know.I do believe you have alot experience in handguns..I dont doubt that.Your technical knowlege is good and appreciated , If you could consider your delivery on your post you could no doubt add alot more. Just consider what Ive said...and ask yourself is it possible?

[jpsmith1]

I must say that MePlat's advice helped me to improve my shooting with my contender.  I know that this is specifically about the encore, but both guns share the same difficulties in shooting.  He does come across as a bit gruff and short, and at first, put me off, but he obviously knows his stuff and his advice is worth heeding.

Myerslake2005, are your problems off of the bench or from 'field' positions?  Have you tried a shooting stick to help steady the gun?  Piles of sandbags help me to shoot tiny little holes off the bench. 

[Myerslake2005]

Problem is on the bench.  I find that at one time I can shoot a 2" group at 50 yards then when I move out to 100 yards the next time a 5-6 inch group and the groups will move around the paper.  Right now I'm using a factory load.  I attempted to load up some hand loads but found it futal because I couldn't tell what was an accurate group.  I don't believe it is from flinching because I see the gun recoil when it goes off and I don't but a death grip on it.  I'm going to start with Reloader 28's information because I don't believe I have been doing all of his recommendations.  Another thing I think I'm going to do is sell the 1.5-5 scope and purchase a 2-7 so I can see the bulls eye a little better at 100 yards.  I wonder if I'm putting the cross hairs a little off each time secondary movement which would go back to Reloader 28's information as well.


Thanks

[BobT]

Reloader 28 gave you good advice, actually a 5-6" group at 100 yards is theoretically pretty close to a 2" group at 50. If you are getting nice round groups then it is probably just a matter of practice and good technique or maybe a load change. If you are getting an occasional flier that is opening groups then you may have a problem with the gun, a higher powered scope will be a great advantage as you can't hit it if you can't see it, I often use a 6.5-20  Leupold rifle scope to test reloads for accuracy, as long as I remember to back off the scope after I get my sight picture established the scope stays away from my noggin.

[Messer]

You've gotten some good advice already - here is yet another thing to check. How is the parallax of your scope?

To test this, set your gun up in sand bags solidly so it will not move easily.  With the crosshairs on the bullseye, move your head up/down & side to side a little - do the crosshairs move off target? If so, you have a parallax problem - and because you might put your head in a slightly different spot for each shot, you will move your impact spot around the target.

Take care,
Bob S.

[longwinters]

Maybe I missed it, but have you considered your trigger?  A lighter trigger than what comes from the factory could make a big difference on your consistency.  A heavy trigger which for me would be over 3 #s can cause you to torque the pistol.  Just a thought.

Long

[quickdtoo]

I'm having some trouble patterning my Encore.  I believe it is my technique not the gun.  What is the proper technique for shooting?  I'm shooting a 14" 7-08 with a Burris 1.5-5 scope that has already had a trigger job done and I have some stainless washers under the forearm screw.

thanks

He already had a trigger job done. I'm following this thread cuz I just bought a 15" 7mm-08 PH barrel for mine, trigger is 2lb-12oz after a trigger job. It'll be a while before I get a chance to shoot it, so this thread is very enlightening.

Thx

Tim

[encore3006]

 

[Tom W.]

And did your index finger on your left hand not notice a strange sensation if you held it a bit too relaxed?  I know mine did. My Encore is also a 30-06 pistol, with the walnut stocks. I was used to shooting full power loads from  my .44 mag, .45 Colt Blackhawk, and my SRH .480. I wasn't quite ready for that off hand rap. I had to change my grip a bit, but now have no problem with it.

[xphunter]

I guess another possibility is that your barrel hates that factory load.
Do you know someone who is a experienced handgun shooter (even better if they are used to break-opens) that could shoot it?
Is the gun recoiling the same way each time?

[ourway77]

Just my 2 cents, if your groups are good at 50 yards, then if your groups open up at 100, it may be because you can not hold the same as with the longer distance. I try to sight in the smallest target that I can see at 100. If you are shooting at a large target and it is black there is no way of knowing if you are remaining constant. Try putting a dot on a blank piece of paper, the size of a dime then go from there, if you can see it with your scope fine, if not go to a Quarter size dot. This has helped me as being 70 the old eyes ain't what they use to be. If my groups are VG at 50 and not so good at 100, I never blame the gun or the load I blame myself. Lou