Levergun Accuracy and Shooter Posture

[cnjarvis]

In my endeavors to find a load(s) my Win. 94, 30-30 likes and more rounds than I care to admit, it seems to me that my rifle is sensitive to my body position at the bench. I tried several different things during range sessions including verifying the location of the front rest on the forearm, supporting the forearm with my hand between it and the rest, padding it with a fleece jacket, pulling the butt tight vs. letting it rest against my shoulder and recoil freely etc. Nothing seemed to give consistent results from the "bench". about 3 weeks ago I went out to the farm to do a bit of load testing and since I don't have a proper bench, I put my front and rear rests on the hood of my pickup and proceeded to shoot a few groups. I shot better that day than I had in quite a while with that rifle. The next week, I had to go to a local range to shoot where the bench tops are lower in relation to my shoulders and I wound up leaning into the rifle quite a bit more than I had the previous session. The groups I shot that day were garbage. As I drove home that evening, I pondered the difference between the two range sessions and the only material difference I could think of was that my torso was significantly more upright when shooting across my truck than it was when shooting from the bench. Last weekend I went back to the range with the rifle and my muzzleloader and tried shooting from a more upright position with the 30-30. It seems to have done the trick. With the more erect posture and the rifle pulled firmly into my shoulder I got this at 100 yds:

DSC07260.JPG

This was one of three or four 3-shot groups that turned out this way. Have any of you had similar results?

[AJMD429]

Fascinating post. I have noticed the same kinds of things, but never done a 'controlled study' to see what's what.

It would be interesting to shoot a well-sighted-in and accurate rifle from a variety of positions and see what differences you got in point of impact.

[Hillbilly]

Levers are capable of fine group shooting.... but as we know they are the epitomy of "practical" firearms.

If I was a handloader... I'd be looking at velocity over a chrono for consistancy than bench groups. The forearm and mag tube make levers tricky with the pressure and harmonics... but I have never seen one that would not shoot minute of dinner plate at over 100 yards (save the shot out barrel variety)

That 1 5/8 aint shabby...good shooting

[Modoc ED]

Very good observations about your shooting bench experiences. Good info for bench shooting.

However, not too many of us if any hunt from a bench. I usually only shoot from a bench to get a general idea as to POI and then get off the bench and shoot offhand for my final sight settings. Yes, I do shoot for fun from a bench but only that.

Anyway, interesting post.

[J Miller]

Have any of you had similar results?

Yep, the straighter I can sit, the better groups I get. Not just from lever guns either. I've never analyzed it, but it seems to work that way.

Most ranges use benches that are really way to low. That can be a pain if you don't have something tall enough to support your rifle.

joe

[deerwhacker444]

Nah,...I ain't buying it,..you just Suck...!



Good luck this weekend, shoot a good'en

[cnjarvis]

Nah,...I ain't buying it,..you just Suck...!



Good luck this weekend, shoot a good'en

I'll take that as a compliment coming from you Andy.

Best of luck to you too.

[Old No7]

"Most ranges use benches that are really way to low..."

And that's why many of us have short stools!

(Uh, don't take that wrong......)

Old No7

[Pete44ru]

1) Leverguns aren't target rifles - they are hunting rifles. One shot group sizes will suffice.

2) Hunting rifle are usually shot at game from either an erect/standing position or (lately, with the advent of treestands) from an erect sitting position - unless the hunter is caught unawares.

ergo -

3) Leverguns were designed to be shot as above.

Lose the bench, AND the bullseye targets - and shoot at 18" brown cardboard ovals, cut from the side of a box and set out at various unknown distances.

If a hunter can consistantly place that one quick shot into the center of the oval(s), they're generally good to go IMHO.
.

[uncowboy]

This is true for all guns. Including Contenders. Different front rest will change groop size. This could be from Hammer time -forearm width-and hammer strike itself moving the gun.
TRUE they are for hunting but all shooters should know what there guns are capable of. When confrunted with eratic results on the bench I pull the gun into my sholder extra hard and position my left hand between the front rest and the action with downward pressure on the gun. Yesterday I was shooting a Savage Mako in 17HMR and was getting flyers in the groops. I was sure the gun was capable of better groops. I pulled it into my sholder and aplied downawrd pressure with the stock with my left hand and the groop size cut in half where I was now cutting holes instead of shooting 1 1/2" groops. With lever guns I shoot Silohuettes and I pull the rifle into my sholder like I am shooting a 500 Nitro express Thant is when I get the good scores. J.Michael

[madman4570]

Good Report! Interesting Stuff!

[Don McDowell]

Alot depends on the stock fit to the shooter. Also the shooters physical stature contributes quite a bit.
Most likely whats going on is that in the more erect positions you're getting a better and more consistant cheek weld with the stock, the positioning of the butt to your shoulder is more consistant, and your eye is on a better plane with the sights.
Change the drop on the butt, type of sights, or length of pull and the best position can change quite a bit.