crazyhorse,
Great pictures, and thanks for posting them ....but, (don't you just hate it when someone throws in a but?), and please don't take this as any kind of criticism as there is none intended and I'm simply trying to offer a word or two (or three) of advice. In fact, the only reason I'm even mentioning this is because of the picture you posted of looking at the target through a scope. I don't know if this was your gun, or someone elses, but that doesn't matter as things just simply don't line up, and I think you, and I'm addressing all shooters, will find it helpful if you first make sure that everything is as close to being level as possible, especially when shooting from the bench.
Over the years one of the main topics of discussion throughout all of shooting has been about the effects of canting on the accuracy of a gun. If you look at pictures of the top FT shooters as well as any other type of off-hand shooting regardless of discipline, you will find that they usually have some sort of leveling device attached to their scopes, or on their front sight if using iron sights, so that they can be absolutely sure their gun is being held as level as possible just before pulling the trigger. And the same holds true for us, but we have an advantage.
First, when we are setting up our benches we can use a level to make sure our guns will have an absolutely level surface to sit upon. I set my level across the sides of the top of my rest as that way I will know my gun will be sitting level ever time I pull the trigger, match after match.
Secondly, when hanging our targets, use a level to make sure that it is hung level on the backer (no matter whether the backer is level or not as that is of little consequence).
By doing these two things it will not only make mounting a scope easier as you will know you have something absolutely level to look at, but you will also know that your gun is sitting level and there is no canting going on once the scope has been tightened in place.
It's funny how the minds eye works if your sight picture isn't square. If it's not, while you are trying to relax, instead you will be unconsciously fighting to square everything up. Plus, while trying to align everything you will be applying uneven pressures on your gun causing your pellets, or bullets, to fly all over the place making it seem like there is definitely something wrong with either your pellets or gun, when in deed that may not be the case at all.
Good luck, and I hope some of this makes sense, and maybe even helps.
Dave Shattuck
