What works for improving accuracy "Do Your Part"

[USNAVYCHIEF(Ret)]

This is a cut/paste of a recent Facebook post I did on my daughter.  Attached is the picture of her 600 yard target during a recent match up at Reade Range in PA.

I have never shot 10X's at 600 before, I have had pretty high scores, but never with 10X's.  For those unaware, the X ring is like the V ring in Appleseed, only used to break ties.

So....I learn a LOT working with my daughter.  As of late, I have learned that you don't need a $2000 scope with 1/4 Minute clicks.  What you need is a better hold/position developed thru lots of positon work and dry fire.  Watching her hold SUB-MOA (within the X ring, or....within 6 inches at 600 yards) with her 1/2 MOA 4X Vortex yesterday proved that. 

You don't need to spend a lot of time on ammo load development either.  For previous XTC matches I had given her my test loads (set at .010/.020/.030/.040) that I had discarded from other barrels I had tested.  She still shot well with that stuff.  For this match I gave her 22 80 AMAX's that were set .040" off, and they worked.  Maybe that was luck, as we never did any load development, but I think it has more to do with her hold. 

The NRA MR Target 10/X ring combined is 2 MOA.  You don't need a pricey leather coat either, LOL....she is doing fine with her Creedmoor basics canvas coat.  In 4 barrels I have had, our 100/200/300 yard ammo is all capable of holding the X ring, if we do our part. 

Our Part:  That is a LOT of dry fire and position work.  I'm not where I want to be score wise yet, But.....I do know what it takes to get "there".  Equipment wise, best purchase I ever made was the SCATT system, and that Kowa spotting scope.  Knowing where to spend the time (dry fire/position work versus load development), and the money (good wind reading device AKA Kowa Scope) and a decent reputable sighting device (Vortex Scope) is priceless. 

Figured I'd share...cause I have spent a LOT of time and money on "Stuff", that is nice to have, but not at all required to shoot High Master scores.  Yes....all of the above was "told" to me by people (Masters and High Masters) at matches....but....seeing it first hand with my daughter as the experiment is priceless. 

So...my advice to the beginners in the sport, save that $$ your considering spending on that high dollar Night Force or leather coat and use it for ammo/reloading components.  Save that time you may spend working up that sub-moa load, and go with what the known loads are (and are ready available). 

If a 10 year old girl can hold SUB-MOA with a 1/2 MOA scope, and no load development, so can you ("and I" of course).

What held her score back was she does not know how to read the wind yet.  So the wide shots were when the wind caught her.  she also lost a few points to elevation, and that is stock placement in the shoulder, and trigger squeeze/follow thru.

From her first Appleseed event last August when she earned her Rifleman, to shooting SUB MOA in less than a year is pretty awesome!

R/
Chris

[HammBone]

Chris,

Thanks for this post, congratulations to your daughter on her excellent progress, and thanks very much for your Navy service. I guess a congrats on the retirement are also in order.

I had never heard of the SCATT system until this post and after a little googling it is still semi-mysterious with only two vendors in the USA and both with worse than average websites. Would you consider doing an equipment review on SCATT geared to HP rifle shooting?

I would also be interested in the Kowa scope you use and a review on that.

BR,

Mitch

[USNAVYCHIEF(Ret)]

Mitch,

SCATT is an excellent tool, we have the WS-1, however there are other versions available (more expensive), I would advise against the SCATT Basic if you can afford it the WS-1 is more than sufficient.

SCATTUSA.COM is the place to buy.  It was a system developed by the Russians for their Bi-Athalon olympic shooters back in the late 80s/early 90s and is pretty much the standard that all other electronic trainers measure themselves against.

It will show you your natural point of aim on the target (of which is immense value immediately), 1/2 second before the shot it will show you where you were on the target, it will show you the trigger squeeze and also the follow thru after the shot.

I have no place to practice Live Fire and SCATT is all I use, SCATT and live fire at actual matches.  SCATT has taken me to shooting a perfect 250 in Appleseed and to the Master level in across the course competition.  I routinely place High Master scores in the prone position, however the 200 yard line is my nemesis (and many others), that is where SCATT really helps....if you use it.

Think of SCATT like a treadmill....it can be a great at home training aid, or a coat rack if one does not use it.

If you (or anyone else) is serious about improving their marksmanship skills....SCATT will get you there.  Ginny Thrasher (Olympic Gold Medalist/WVU Alumni) uses it as well, and gives it high praise.

Scopes....

Many out there, I advise buy once cry once here.  The KOWA TSN-82SV with a 27X fixed power long eye relief eyepiece is pretty much what the successful high power shooters are using.  The spotting scope serves 2 purposes...
1.  Scorekeeping, you need to be able to see the target when scoring.
2.  Wind Reading, this is the REAL value in a good spotting scope.  We focus in on the target or the number board in front of the target, then back the focus off 1/4-1/2 turn.  This will allow you to see the mirage.  The waves will tell you the wind direction and when the mirage changes, the shooter needs to decide to wait it out...or make an adjustment.  It is a tool that you MUST have to really be competitive these days at 300 and 600 yards.  The flags can be used as well, wind flags are fine....but they are also HIGH....and what the flag is doing often times does not reflect what the mirage (true wind) is doing.

Creedmoor Sports, or Jim Owens website for the Kowa scopes.

Hope that helps.  When I get time, I'll post more more detailed info on both SCATT and wind reading.

R/
Chris

[Tennessee Beast]

With regards to the Kowa scope, I am having trouble finding a 27x version.  I found a 25x version.  Is that what you meant?

[USNAVYCHIEF(Ret)]

Tennesee Beast,

I am likely incorrect with the 27X, I think it is actually 25, sometimes I type 24 and am wrong on that as well.

I think you have it correct.....either way it is the LONG Eye relief one that Creedmoor sells, and it is fixed power. 

It is a good scope.  Think there are newer models out now as well.

When Shannon took the sport up, my credit cards cringed! LOL....

Many gave me advice to buy a cheaper Celestron or Konus.  I am glad we got her the KOWA.

Here is why...

Were I to get her a Konus/Celestron or one of the other cheaper models and she did not enjoy the sport, I would never be able to sell them, or get a decent resale value out of them.  With the Kowa, I knew for certain I could easily sell that and get most of the investment back.

One is really paying for "Clarity" here, and the main purpose is to see the mirage.

Fringe benefits of "Clarity", are that I can often see my bullet holes of my first two seated shots at 200 yards.  At Camp Perry where there is no berm, I can see sunlight (sometimes) thru the .223 bullet holes at 300 yards.

That is not going to be possible with a cheaper scope.

R/
Chris

[HammBone]

You can buy the scope and eyepiece separately. The eyepiece you mention looks to be the Kowa TSE-17HD 25X Long. Pricey stuff for sure!

[USNAVYCHIEF(Ret)]

Yes...it was a big sticker shock to me at first.

The scope body is one BIG price, and then you need to choose an eyepiece.

There are many options for the eyepiece and magnification levels one can get.

The fixed 25?  is the one that works the best for the sport, or at least the one that those that are "Winning" are using for the most part. 

You should see the Army Marksmanship Units team scopes!  Huge KOWA binoculars, that the team coach looks thru when doping the wind for the people shooting.  I haven't even considered pricing those!

[HammBone]

Looks like Creedmoor is running a special on the combo currently. Much better price than Amazon.

[Super Trooper]

Don't be afraid of  second hand.  I got the Kowa eyepiece that was an open box store display for $150 shipped last spring.  If you get a used gen one Konus 80 there is a guy that sells an adapter to use the two together.  I've got $240 invested and couldn't be happier for the performance.