New Rifle! YAY!

[tenderfoot]

Well it seems I am a god awful shot with my new rifle. It kicks like heck and is rather loud, but its all mine. I managed to get the shots all over the paper sighting in (took me 11 shots at 50 yards). :O But, hey, it goes 'bang' and it was fun to shoot things with my dad. Plus he is still a better shot even with his coke bottle glasses (9 shots in a 3/4in group).
The rifle is a weatherby vanguard (and my shotgun, a remmington 870).
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae305/tenderfoot_photos/photo-57.jpg
The vanguard is on the left, and my 870 is on the right. Its fun as heck to shoot, even though this is all I can do at 50 yards (for now):] http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae305/tenderfoot_photos/photo-58.jpg
The four shots closest to the center were my last four after I finished sighting it in. It is actually an 11 shot group (dunno why I went with that, but what the heck, its fun to shoot things). At the moment I have it set so I hold off 1 in left to hit near the center, so it should be fine when their is less wind.

And lessons from today
1. My dad may be blind and old as dirt, but he is a better shot then me.
2. Cold fingers suck when shooting (it was just about 32 farenheit or 0 celcius with a 15 mile an hour cross wind).
3. A 30-06 is loud.
4. Its fun to shoot stuff.
5. I look like a kid in a candy shot when Im shooting. :lol:

EDIT: Its actually a surprise I shot so badly, because another time I was out with a remmington 700 I shot much better. Though I did use a wadded up sweater as a rest today. Either way, it was very fun!

[Grassfuse]

You are so fortunate to be able to own and shoot REAL rifles and handguns!I'm sure there are many ex shooters here in the U.K. who like me will get a lump in their throat, and wish with all their heart. that they too could take their sons and daughters out into the wilds and teach them to shoot and hunt, the way they were taught by their Fathers and Grandfathers.Unfortunately(politics aside) such traditions have been so eroded now it is unlikely that such experiences will ever be viable here again.One of the few pleasures of reaching a 'certain age' is the joy that can be found in passing on skills and insights, often arduously earned over many years,and seeing the 'light in the eyes' shine that shows that skills,'drills' and where possible insights have been understood without the pain and consequences you had to endure to find out the 'hard way!Good luck to you and may you find all the joy that can be had from the freedom and access you have to greatest of outdoors,excellent choice of 'guns and gear' and the guidance of your good old Dad!

[Stephen63]

Nice looking new rifle, i hope that you continue to enjoy shooting it.


Though I did use a wadded up sweater as a rest today.

A decent rest makes a world of difference, have you thought about getting yourself a bipod - at least for wile you'r getting used to the rifle?

I've just got a Remy 700 (.223) and find it a very easy rifle to shoot well.

[Chastiser]

You are so fortunate to be able to own and shoot REAL rifles and handguns!I'm sure there are many ex shooters here in the U.K. who like me will get a lump in their throat, and wish with all their heart. that they too could take their sons and daughters out into the wilds and teach them to shoot and hunt, the way they were taught by their Fathers and Grandfathers.Unfortunately(politics aside) such traditions have been so eroded now it is unlikely that such experiences will ever be viable here again.One of the few pleasures of reaching a 'certain age' is the joy that can be found in passing on skills and insights, often arduously earned over many years,and seeing the 'light in the eyes' shine that shows that skills,'drills' and where possible insights have been understood without the pain and consequences you had to endure to find out the 'hard way!Good luck to you and may you find all the joy that can be had from the freedom and access you have to greatest of outdoors,excellent choice of 'guns and gear' and the guidance of your good old Dad!

i echo the sentiments in the above post. best i have been able to manage is to take my son to the local airgun range (broomhills). things have changed since i used to be a range officer for my club.

to the op, a sandbag rest would give you a better improvement for zeroing in the rifle, without paying out much.

i did write this article some time ago on an american site if it helps?

http://www.helium.com/items/1509222-tips-for-accurising-your-rifle

[tenderfoot]

You are so fortunate to be able to own and shoot REAL rifles and handguns!I'm sure there are many ex shooters here in the U.K. who like me will get a lump in their throat, and wish with all their heart. that they too could take their sons and daughters out into the wilds and teach them to shoot and hunt, the way they were taught by their Fathers and Grandfathers.Unfortunately(politics aside) such traditions have been so eroded now it is unlikely that such experiences will ever be viable here again.One of the few pleasures of reaching a 'certain age' is the joy that can be found in passing on skills and insights, often arduously earned over many years,and seeing the 'light in the eyes' shine that shows that skills,'drills' and where possible insights have been understood without the pain and consequences you had to endure to find out the 'hard way!Good luck to you and may you find all the joy that can be had from the freedom and access you have to greatest of outdoors,excellent choice of 'guns and gear' and the guidance of your good old Dad!
It is loads of fun. Really expensive (possible worse then knife making). I can't say Im learning anything though my dad has a great picture of me with a massive grin. :D Though oddly it was my mom who got me into shooting. For christmas she just decided to get me that shotgun. :lol:

Nice looking new rifle, i hope that you continue to enjoy shooting it.



A decent rest makes a world of difference, have you thought about getting yourself a bipod - at least for wile you'r getting used to the rifle?

I've just got a Remy 700 (.223) and find it a very easy rifle to shoot well.
As soon as I have the money Im getting a bipod. The rifle is very accurate in practiced hands, so it seems to justify the expense.

i echo the sentiments in the above post. best i have been able to manage is to take my son to the local airgun range (broomhills). things have changed since i used to be a range officer for my club.

to the op, a sandbag rest would give you a better improvement for zeroing in the rifle, without paying out much.

i did write this article some time ago on an american site if it helps?

http://www.helium.com/items/1509222-tips-for-accurising-your-rifle
Thanks for the link. It looks pretty handy. Now to get a bipod, sandbag, and better scope. Looks like Im going to end up putting $1000 in a $400 rifle. :lol:

[jaywalker]

It sounds like you are scared of it already, which isnt going to help your accuracy.
May I suggest that you get a 22lr and a couple bricks of ammo and practice, then once youve shot them up, go and by some more, then a smaller caliber rifle like a 22 centre fire or a 243 then once you get used to the "bang" and recoil then you may be-able to shot the 06 straight, without fear of the bang or getting a flinch, which by the sound of it youve got already.

[Jerry Cornelius]

Not quite sure where you read that he has a flinch? First few shots with a new rifle, no surprise its quite literally, hit and miss. If he is used to a remmy 870 already going down to .22lr to learn about recoil seems a LITTLE bit over cautious, no?

FWIW tenderfoot, I've been shooting for years, and cold weather does my trigger finger no good either. Enjoy yourself and shoot safe.

[Chastiser]

Not quite sure where you read that he has a flinch? First few shots with a new rifle, no surprise its quite literally, hit and miss. If he is used to a remmy 870 already going down to .22lr to learn about recoil seems a LITTLE bit over cautious, no?

FWIW tenderfoot, I've been shooting for years, and cold weather does my trigger finger no good either. Enjoy yourself and shoot safe.

i agree. a new rifle means a new learning curve, no matter the caliber. moving to .22 would do no good at all, not for someone used to any kind of shooting. it is just a matter of getting used to the weapon, which means plenty of rounds down range once the sights have been set up.

[tenderfoot]

It sounds like you are scared of it already, which isnt going to help your accuracy.
May I suggest that you get a 22lr and a couple bricks of ammo and practice, then once youve shot them up, go and by some more, then a smaller caliber rifle like a 22 centre fire or a 243 then once you get used to the "bang" and recoil then you may be-able to shot the 06 straight, without fear of the bang or getting a flinch, which by the sound of it youve got already.
No, Im just a really bad shot. :lol: My dad tried it out today after we sighted it in and he got a 3/4in group. I shot between 2 and 3 inches but somehow managed to do one group around 1 1/2 in. The recoil doesn't bother me till after I've put 50 rounds down range. It kicks so much less then my shotgun I really enjoy shooting it. The shotgun is only fun with target loads. Slugs and buckshot just hurt after 20 or 25 shots. Surprisingly it is quieter then my shotgun too.

Not quite sure where you read that he has a flinch? First few shots with a new rifle, no surprise its quite literally, hit and miss. If he is used to a remmy 870 already going down to .22lr to learn about recoil seems a LITTLE bit over cautious, no?

FWIW tenderfoot, I've been shooting for years, and cold weather does my trigger finger no good either. Enjoy yourself and shoot safe.
Oh yeah. Today it was way warmer and I shot better. At 50 yards my 5 shots were almost touching, so I took it out to 100. The trigger has no creep but really can't be squeezed easily (but that could be my gloves) so I really need to pull it (it is probably around 4 or 4 1/2 lbs of pull) and a tad gritty. So probably good for a hunting rifle, but not great for my accuracy. I keep pulling about an inch and a half right at 100 yards. Some of that is probably a cross wind, but mostly it is me not knowing what Im doing. :lol: But, for now just getting to shoot things is lots of fun. We will probably end up getting a 22 just to practice for a lower cost. 6 cents a shot vs. 45 cents (if we reload) is rather attractive IMO.

I tried shooting 150 grain bullets and they were more accurate then the 180 grain bullets I used yesterday (or was it the other way around? Ill have to check my log).

[jaywalker]

[QUOTE. It kicks like heck and is rather loud, but its all mine. I managed to get the shots all over the paper sighting in (took me 11 shots at 50 yards)., even though this is all I can do at 50 yards (for now):

That there tells me he`s getting a flinch.

The basic`s of rifle shooting are to start small and work up so your not scared of the bang or the recoil and he says in his quote thats the case.

[jaywalker]

[QUOTE=Jerry Cornelius;1597450]Not quite sure where you read that he has a flinch? First few shots with a new rifle, no surprise its quite literally, hit and miss. If he is used to a remmy 870 already going down to .22lr to learn about recoil seems a LITTLE bit over cautious, no?

What has shotgun shooting got to do with shooting a rifle? you point a shotgun but you aim a rifle, and if your shooting animals the more rifle time you have the better and you get more rifle time by shooting 22lr or is that being over cautious?

[tenderfoot]

[QUOTE. It kicks like heck and is rather loud, but its all mine. I managed to get the shots all over the paper sighting in (took me 11 shots at 50 yards)., even though this is all I can do at 50 yards (for now):

That there tells me he`s getting a flinch.

The basic`s of rifle shooting are to start small and work up so your not scared of the bang or the recoil and he says in his quote thats the case.

Why are you so convinced you know everything that goes on when Im shooting? The first time I have ever picked up a center fire rifle and shooting of an improvised rest IMO thats not too bad considering Im sighting it in. And did you read my next post? Im shooting groups half that size now at twice the distance.

[jaywalker]

Tenderfoot
My reply wasnt aimed at you. But seeing as you commented.
Im not convinced I know everything about your shooting, what I know is what you told us, if you had a little more trigger time you would realise and understand that Im trying to help.

[tenderfoot]

Tenderfoot
My reply wasnt aimed at you. But seeing as you commented.
Im not convinced I know everything about your shooting, what I know is what you told us, if you had a little more trigger time you would realise and understand that Im trying to help.
Oh belive me, I do understand I know very little and 99% of this forum has good intentions. It just seemed to me you were skipping over facts and sticking to your conclusion. Its the way Im reading it your posts seem to say "Im right, your wrong and Im sticking to my conclusions even though Im not there".

I enjoy the noise and kick of a rifle. Dunno why but Im weird that way.

[jaywalker]

OK, you win

[tenderfoot]

OK, you win
Since when was this a fight? I was under the impression this was two people sharing different views on a simple situation.