Thanks all for the suggestions. This article describes how I hold the gun:
http://pneuzoo.weebly.com/hold-sensitivity-by-russ.html The exception being, I use a bag under the fore end, without my left hand being between the bag and stock (my right hand is my trigger hand). I did try it, using my left hand as a cushion, but the results were bad.
I am able to get fairly consistent results, but the results are not as good as I'd like. I tried something different with my left last night, and things improved noticeably. But I don't really know what is a "proper" thing to do with my left hand, as far as how to support the butt end.
Which is what prompted this thread. Should I lay left hand flat and support the stock? Palm up, or down? Or should I make a fist under the stock? Does it matter? I've seen pictures similar to Frank's image above, with the shooter's non-trigger hand tucked in, but exact details of the hand's position and shape are never shown or described. Maybe I'm looking at this with too much detail.
Regarding klentz's post above:
- cleaning does not seem to change things much, but I'll try it again
- I store the gun with all the screws backed off, and tighten them before every session. They do not loosen up during a session. I have posted the fore end, and the larger trigger guard screw, and have shims under the smaller trigger guard screw. This allows the screws to tighten down on something (metal) positively, while still applying some pressure to the wood, without squishing the wood. The action is captured enough that I do not think it is permitted to move around in the stock. I may do a proper bedding at some point.
- I tried using a wash cloth in between my suede-ish bag rest and stock....but the rifle loses its vertical stability when I do this. I'll try again.
- I have tried a ton of pellets over the last year (including the lead frees....but they're not exactly cheap). I have several more on pre-order too. But I have shot large ragged holes with the FTT's (and shot gun patterns too). I think if I could just tighten it up some more, with some technique improvements that get me even more consistency, then I'll go through my inventory again to see if I can shrink it more with different pellets. Just trying to not change too many variables at a time for now.
- Yup. Will try again shortly (today).
- Yes. And additionally, if I see my pulse in the scope (which isn't always), AND I time the shot in between beats, things usually end up really good down range. I need to figure out where my heart beat is transferring to the stock....and eliminate it, or transfer it consistently, so I can time it every time.
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I did try to locate a springer shooting technique book but, I didn't try too hard, and I didn't come up with anything. A lot of stuff for specific powder burners though.