Muzzle Jump?

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

I've been playing with different types of rests for use with my heavy barreled Savage .22.

Even with a bipod and the heavy barrel, I still get a bit of jump, I would say about 1/4" to 1/2" at 50 yards.

I'd like to eliminate this.

The way I shoot is to let the front support (sandbag, bipod, etc) do the front supporting and use either a sock, fist or nothing in the rear.

Any which way, it jumps a bit.

I'm not a fan of porting or compensating. 

I've thought about piling sandbags onto the front, but am trying to figure out how to do this without touching the barrel.

I could use help from benchrest shooters here.

Thanks,

Josh <><

[gunrac]

Maybe get your target close to the ground and setting your gun bench a little higher. Thus, shootin more downward.

[woodchukhntr]

Why is the jump a problem?  Is the gun innacurate?  What group sizes are you getting?  Are groups consistant?

[Keith L]

I am amazed that you get that kind of jump from a .22.  I have a .222 and a .204 Ruger and both of them let me see the game hit in the scope. 

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

Below is the definition of the problem, better than I could word it.  What I need to figure out is the solution, if there is one...

when not set up with proper NPA even the small recoil of the .22 will make the cross-hairs 'jump' off of the poa.  (for me it is up and to the right)  Adjusting your position and obtaining a good solid npa position eliminates this.
I can even see the cross-hairs jump when dry-firing a centerfire if a solid npa position is not employed. 

THIS!!!!!

Thank you.  This is what I've been trying to get at.

Here's the deal:  I want a cone in which I can be accurate - say 15 degrees on either side.  I have no problem holding at NPoA when set up in controlled conditions - but if a squirrel were to go running and I should need to shift out of NPoA, well, I tend to shoot up and right a bit.  I do not like this at all.

Maybe I'm trying to achieve something that cannot be done.  But I'd like to think that, with work, I can at least improve upon it.

In other words, I need to be able to take a shot from a less-than-optimum body position if I don't have the time or room to move to NPoA.

Thanks!

Josh <><

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Josh <><

[woodchukhntr]

Josh,

Don't take this wrong, but I think that you are being too critical.  The muzzle will jump whatever you do, this is due to recoil, barrel vibration, and even the mechanical vibration set up by the firing mechanism.  I believe that what you are trying is to get into a position where you will have a repeatable natural point of aim, or NPA as you state.  This is possible, most of the time anyway, on a range.  When you get in the field, you do the best you can and accept it or don't take the shot.  If you need a steadier position, use a rest such as a bipod or shooting sticks.  The only way I know of to minimize muzzle jump is to get the heaviest rifle possible, and then you will not eliminate it, only minimize it.  Try a free rifle, not too practical in thefield, but heavy and accurate.

Don't worry about muzzle jump, concern yourself with getting the most secure position you can get into, getting a good NPA if possible, having a consistant grip on the rifle, and having good trigger control, and good follow-through.  Just be as consistant as you can be.  What matters is where the muzzle is pointed at the instant the bullet leaves it!

[DalesCarpentry]

WOW!!!!!!!! You need to to talk to a pro. I think you have a compulsive disorder. Dale

[Joshua M. Smith]

WOW!!!!!!!! You need to to talk to a pro. I think you have a compulsive disorder. Dale

Dale,

While I doubt you're licensed to comment on my mental status, you are correct.  I am a bit OCD when it comes to mechanical things.

This has led to several very fast, perfectly tuned hotrods during my teenage years, a very nice custom home-built 1911 that is a prototype for an even nicer one to be built next year, and several awesome action jobs.

It is nothing for me to sink eight hours into a gun on a day off, so I can get it just right.

I'm a lefty, and have bought just about every ambidextrous 1911 safety out there.  You can do the math on that one.  Learning costs money.

I shoot an average of 100 rimfire rounds per day.

Just my nature that if I'm going to do something, it will be done 100% correct, and I'm always pushing myself to do better.

If that's wrong, so be it.  I rather like self-improvement.

Josh <><