Results Benchrest is perplexing

Welcome Mike. Since pellets are affected MOST by a full value wind (90* from muzzle to target) that is where the wind probe is placed to indicate that wind current direction. Probes are useless 12 to 6 or 6 to 12 but that is fine because in those conditions and in quartering winds the pellet is affected less by the wind.

Jerry, any status update? Have you contacted Martin to get his thoughts?

I have had very good success several times with sending him a detailed email describing my issue, then talking through some ideas by phone.

Also, pick ONE pellet (I.e., either JSB 44g, 50.1g or AEA 45g) and repeat your testing again from the bench (not buckets this time) on a light wind day to establish a baseline from shooting 5-shot groups. Testing early AM or at dusk will usually have light winds. As the guys have mentioned, the flags are essential for scoring but until/if you obtain some, you can improvise and make something with light surveyor tape.

Give us an update when you get a chance.

Jerry,

it is great to hear you are kicking around some of the ideas! I hope you will continue to drive the road

When testing different pellets like you are, which is great! I would like to suggest one more thing to watch as you go back and forth and possibly learn from my mistakes?

As you know, all barrels are different in their own unique way, and I mean all! So be a little cautious ( if you haven’t already) with seasoning after cleaning, I have really discounted several barrel and pellet combo’s because I was not patient enough. I have a couple of barrels currently that need at least 50 if not more pellets down the tube to really get into their own? I have even made the mistake of giving several barrels away that were not up to my standards, only to find out that the next owner Put them through their full paces and they were above and beyond what I thought they were capable of? One of my current best bench Air Guns that I’ve ever had is over 1000 shots without being cleaned and it seems to just get better? That is unlike anything I have ever experienced before, but I was always cleaning after every card or match so I don’t think I ever truly knew the potential of a lot of different set ups? I actually started looking at this a lot harder because in looking at some of my competition cards, I noticed that I was shooting much better toward the end and assumed that was just me settling in and making better wind calls, I don’t think that was the case for the most part, I think the barrel was actually still seasoning in and in testing have found that to be mostly the case.
So just another possible tip or tool to put in your toolbox when you were testing. Good luck and keep us in the loop.

glr59 said:

Health has gotten in the way, but I've been to the range a couple times. My groups have gotten a little smaller since I've upped the speed to about 895-900 fps. The JTS 45gr and JSB 44 gr seem to be working the best right now. I've started to use only 1 pellet at a time in my sessions like it was suggested. I clean the barrel when I get home so it's ready for the next session and different pelllet.
I have noticed the range I go to is not probably ideal for shooting groups. It sits in a gully surrounded by trees on 3 sides. I've noticed when walking my targets out that there is a breeze swirling in all directions. I don't think there is anything wrong with the gun, it's environmental and me. I am getting closer to FT accuracy. I think the extra recoil has something to do with it as well. I'm use to my very smooth TM1000 .177 cal at 20ftlbs. Practicing and testing to continue.
Jerry

Click to expand...

Yep,

If you are used to virtually no recoil on your TM1000 .177, I can see why “maybe” some of the groups are not what you expected. Jerry, between the swirling winds and managing a bit of recoil on the .30 RAW, it might explain some of the initial disappointment from your original post and groups.

Here is a good example. I converted my FX Boss from a .25 caliber to a .30 caliber because I wanted to shoot my paper targets more accurately. I had one range session ( posted here on AGN) where I had 75 shots average 1.25” at my outdoor range. However, The Boss has a pretty significant muzzle flip and recoil, and I never did learn how to manage the recoil. In fact Mike N even mentioned to me in a recent thread, he observed the same recoil shooting a friend’s .30 boss, and it gave him some challenges .

Don’t get me wrong, it was pretty accurate at both 50 and 100, but I think my technique was not correct. Sometimes, I would have a bit firmer hold into my shoulder and that seemed to work. The trigger, regulator, ES values were all good. I even converted from a good Accu-Tac Bipod to a solid Manfretto Tri Pod, and that did help also. It’s a lot of trial and error.

All of those things can adversely affect accuracy, especially since you are also learning to shoot from a bench vs. buckets and sticks. The good news is the groups are getting better, so keep at it. Also, the 895 FPS is what I think is also helping tighten up your groups.

BR is a marathon and not a sprint. I never tried FT, but I can imagine an exponential greater level of difficulty coming from a max of 55y to an EFT course of 100 + yards. Give yourself a break here while you continue to get better and hoping health keeps improving.

Reach out anytime.