Cheek Weld

[ekp]

This is not really a bench rest question. I have seen from all my shooting my rifles from the bench that my shots seem to always to throw right. I am wondering if it is my cheek weld that causes the problem. I have to compensate with windage when sighting in. Is this normal?

 

[John Kielly]

I read that you're saying that your rifle groups to the right of your field shooting zero when you shoot from a bench.

That being the case, then I wouldn't see it as unusual as a rifle is liable to recoil away from resistance. When you're seated over the gun, you are pushing forward to some degree & that might resist the rifle recoiling straight back as much as it would in a standing or most other field position. Likewise, your position fixes your head more firmly which might lead to the shot going to the right.

All else being equal that is.......

John

 

[ekp]

I read that you're saying that your rifle groups to the right of your field shooting zero when you shoot from a bench.

That being the case, then I wouldn't see it as unusual as a rifle is liable to recoil away from resistance. When you're seated over the gun, you are pushing forward to some degree & that might resist the rifle recoiling straight back as much as it would in a standing or most other field position. Likewise, your position fixes your head more firmly which might lead to the shot going to the right.

All else being equal that is.......

John

My question would be then how should I adjust the windage for field vs. bench

 

[Centerfire]

Just a question

What caliber, style of rifle, distance your wanting to shoot, etc
Could you expand the information?
Centerfire

 

[ekp]

What caliber, style of rifle, distance your wanting to shoot, etc
Could you expand the information?
Centerfire

The rifle in question is a 99 Savage in 300 Savage. Shooting with tang mounted peep sight@50 yds. As I said before I have always had the same experience with other rifles that are scoped but dialing them in did not bother me. Seeing on my sight how much from center does. That is what got my attention to begin with.

 

[kansasvet]

A lot of years ago I shot high power competition and was not doing well. I found a wonderful coaching book, cannot remember the name nor find the book in my collection,
that addressed the problem you are having. With the help of that book, I found I had my sights mounted too low. I would shoot well from the bench but shoot high and to
the left when shooting prone. They called it hazing the stock, my cheek weld was so tight I would push the stock down and to the right when I let off a shoot.
Perhaps the height of your sighting equipment, scope or iron sights has something to do with it?
By the way, I shoot right handed.

 

[glp]

Are you

Palming the pistol grip? Unknowingly pushing the stock to the left as you squeeze off the shot. That will make shots go right for a right hand shooter.

 

[ekp]

Palming the pistol grip? Unknowingly pushing the stock to the left as you squeeze off the shot. That will make shots go right for a right hand shooter.

I think my next trip to the range I will strap down my rifle to a sled and try to input minimal disturbance to the shot. Would you agree then that the rifle should be zeroed to itself (for lack of a better term) and not the shooter?

Just for anyone interested I have attached a photo of my 99. Built in 1950 it is two years older than me and I have wanted one since I was a boy.

 

[ekp]

It just occurred to me that the stool I sit on may be too high requiring me to lean down on the rifle. Could this be the root of the problem?

 

[Wilbur]

Do the sights have any sort of adjustment. If they do then it seems that's the answer. Adjust the sights to compensate for the given style (given day) and then move them back. Frankly, you don't have to move them back as long as the first shot hits the paper.....but just sayin'.

Seems a lot easier than changing other items. I don't believe I ever shot a rifle that I didn't have to adjust the sights....the same rifle, different day. I'm talking scoped rifle but it's the same difference.

If the sights can't be easily moved then please disregard this message.....

 

[ekp]

Do the sights have any sort of adjustment. If they do then it seems that's the answer. Adjust the sights to compensate for the given style (given day) and then move them back. Frankly, you don't have to move them back as long as the first shot hits the paper.....but just sayin'.

Seems a lot easier than changing other items. I don't believe I ever shot a rifle that I didn't have to adjust the sights....the same rifle, different day. I'm talking scoped rifle but it's the same difference.

If the sights can't be easily moved then please disregard this message.....

Adjusting the sight is easy. What concerns me is that the POI from the bench would not be same in the field.

 

[Pappy42]

EKP,
Have you considered zeroing your rifle from a " field" rest? From a standing position, rest your forward hand (not any part of the rifle) on a padded rest at a comfortable height, and carefully fire your shots.

I think that you will find that your field and rest zeros are the same.

If you just want to see what she will do off a bench; then why care where she groups?

 

[ekp]

Thanks for everyone's input. I do have a tendency to over analyze things. I went to the range today zeroed the rifle and called it a day.

 

[Wilbur]

Adjusting the sight is easy. What concerns me is that the POI from the bench would not be same in the field.

That's what I'm saying...if the same thing happens every time you simply click it here and click it there - problem solved. Alternatively, you don't need to actually hit what you're aiming at from the bench so just leave it alone.