Shooting for a sense of innate accuracy.

[senorlechero]

Are you trying to see what the gun is capable of, or to improve your accuracy?

If you're testing the gun, shoot it off a rest, or see if you can borrow a ransom rest.

If you're trying to improve you own accuracy, there are a bunch of ways to go about it, so I'll stick to what I know.

I shot on the MC pistol team and we started by firing on a blank target to hold 8 ring sized groups. Once you shot two of those in a row, you moved on to shooting at the B8 .
Once you had 2 in a row that kept all of them inside the black, you started shooting for 10s. Two in a row all 10s at 25 yds and you moved back to 50 and started over again.

I found that going for consistent results, as opposed to trying to achieve a certain score, made for better results.

[GJM]

I think TLG has mentioned that a great way to test accuracy is to use a laser, and shoot off bags on a bench, as you can get the pistol very solid while placing the red dot on the target -- effectively taking your reading of the sights out of the equation.

[orionz06]

I think TLG has mentioned that a great way to test accuracy is to use a laser, and shoot off bags on a bench, as you can get the pistol very solid while placing the red dot on the target -- effectively taking your reading of the sights out of the equation.

I have done this. I used a target that was bright enough to show the laser and then a small aiming point that was black and did not show the laser. A black paster works. The wife was a spotter and we both confirmed it was on target prior to firing. It works for some but I have been able to replicate the best laser groups with irons only.


I have the laser sitting around collecting dust if someone wants to borrow it. I'll even trade it for a Clinch Pick. :evil grin:

[SouthNarc]

Are you trying to see what the gun is capable of, or to improve your accuracy?

Just see what the gun is capable of. I know how to bench rest at 25 I just wondered what everyone's standard "group" round count was.

I like the idea of 5 rounds five times on five different small targets.

[TCinVA]

That's a good one. More than 5 rounds in a string tends to give me eye fatigue when I'm shooting for maximum accuracy.

A good laser helps considerably.

[CCT125US]

Problem with the laser is the movement produced by all the interfacing parts. Put enough distance on it and the problem just magnifies. Frame flex, slide to frame fit, laser mount movement all adds up and can affect consistency. Now if that is less movement than what the shooters eye and irons are capable of, then great. I just know not all lasers and mounts are created equal. And this from a guy who uses a TLR2 several hours a week.

[psalms144.1]

SouthNarc - I've always used the 5 groups of 5 standard - mostly because I KNOW I'm lazy and undisciplined. Shooting groups at 25 yards is like watching paint dry to me (and I blame my wife for the kids' ADHD ) - so I know I'm going to rush if I try to shoot more than five in a string...

Regards,

Kevin

[1slow]

SouthNarc

I also like 5 shot groups repeated 5-10 times, sometimes on multiple days. Have consistent light conditions.

Ross Seyfried did an article on a British target idea.
An upside down T was used, sized such that at the range shot the vertical stem appeared to be the same width as your front sight. This give you a good windage index.
The bottom cross bar of the inverted T gives you a good index of elevation. I have had good results with this.

I have also found lasers as well as red dot optics (Aimpoint T1) to be helpful. I have used X400s and CT grips. All the previous tolerance stack issues should be considered.
YMMV.

[JHC]

SouthNarc

I also like 5 shot groups repeated 5-10 times, sometimes on multiple days. Have consistent light conditions.

Ross Seyfried did an article on a British target idea.
An upside down T was used, sized such that at the range shot the vertical stem appeared to be the same width as your front sight. This give you a good windage index.
The bottom cross bar of the inverted T gives you a good index of elevation. I have had good results with this.

I have also found lasers as well as red dot optics (Aimpoint T1) to be helpful. I have used X400s and CT grips. All the previous tolerance stack issues should be considered.
YMMV.

A rifleman friend showed me that inverted T some years ago. That is an outstanding target for the reasons you mentioned.

[Edwin]

Sorry for resurrecting this long dead thread but I have a few questions that the answers were alluded to in this thread. I am looking for help on this because I need to make the decision on whether or not to get a KKM or Bar-Sto match grade barrel fitted for my Hi Power when I send it in to Novak for sights installation next week.

Is there a guide someone can point me to for finding out the mechanical accuracy for my pistol? If I understood the previous posts correctly, to do this you would bench rest a 5-shot group to a target at 25 yards. I don't have access to a random rest and can't afford to buy one, so how do you bench rest shoot a pistol? I'm looking for a step-by-step guide on how to do this.

How do you test with a laser? I don't have a rail so I assume you're using Crimson Trace grips or something else?