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Originally Posted by
mdoerner
OK, I was using my recently re-barreled Garand in .308 w/ Federal Hi-power boxed rounds from CMP, w/ 180 Grain SMK's.
While you're more than likely correct it's not the ammo a 180gr is about the normal limit for bullet weight in an M1. Federal Gold Medal Match with a 168MK or a handload of 41.5gr IMR4895 or 42.5 IMR4064 with the 168 is the "industry standard" .308 M1/M14 match load. The same powder charge and a Speer 125TNT makes a nice, low recoil, accurate enough load for 100-200yd that won't beat you up and induce a flinch.
Mentioning getting beat up, besides its help in obtaining a repeatable head position, another reason to try for a good solid spot weld on your thumb is it keeps that thumb from getting a running start on smacking you. You and the rifle recoil as a unit.
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New CMP stock, no slop in the front hand guard. The rear hand guard may slide around possibly, as I had to relieve it to get it on the rifle, but I will have to investigate further.
For a Service Grade rifle you *want* some slop in both handguards to allow for barrel expansion. The Front Handguard Ferrule should not touch the Gas Cylinder; the Rear Handguard should float on the Rear Handguard Clip and Lower Band. Otherwise expect your shots to climb up as the barrel heats.
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This rifle has a NM front post, but service rear sights. I do have some MINOR slop in the front sight/gas cylinder, and I will get around to peening the splines,
I don't like the NM post but that's just personal preference. It's too skinny for me; not enough to look at.
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I do not shoot w/ my right leg bent (used to do that, now I don't). I wasn't able to get a good angle relative to the target with my shooting mat, as I had shooters to both sides of me. I was turned only about 5-10 degrees rather than the 25-35 I've seen in the films.
You may want to re-think the bent leg position.
Bringing your right leg up gets you off your gut and on your side. That makes breathing easier and reduces the up-down movement. It makes stretching your left arm out and getting it under the rifle easier too. You get a slightly higher position which may help get a more upright level head position. You can make minor elevation corrections by moving your thigh forwards and backwards; minor windage by moving your leg left or right. Curling your lower body around gets you more mass behind the rifle.
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I've also adjusted the sling catch on my shooting coat upwards to about as high as it can go
Sling hooks are not allowed for Service Rifle or Games (CMP Rule 6.9.4 and NRA Rule 3.13(b)). Many SR shooters put the sling above the pulse pad where it works almost as good as a sling hook but stays within the rules.
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The only issue with this is I have to drop my right shoulder a little to get the correct elevation. I'm not certain my shoulders are level with the ground when I do this, but then again, I wasn't sure if they were level before anyways.
Again the bent leg may help here. I don't know how important level shoulders are (if at all)?
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I think I also need to tilt my head backwards a little, as I am certain I'm not looking through the optical center of my glasses, causing other sighting issues. Although this is slightly uncomfortable, I think that may be better than putting earplugs under the bridge of my glasses, as they will certainly come unglued under recoil. As long as I can lock my noggin in that position, the consistent sight picture should eliminate the wandering groups I'm seeing.
You might try some masking tape to hold the plugs in place. Or rolling up more cheek skin/fat to get a higher, more upright head position. But *IF* you can get a comfortable, relaxed *REPEATABLE* head position without them that's OK too.
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I will also try to see where the front sights are after recoil, as there may be other issues with my positioning.
The front sight should be back at your NPA. If it's someplace else note if it's the same someplace shot-to-shot. Also note where the shot lands relative to where the sights landed (eg, when the sights were high left the shots were low left or whatever). Different places can mean different things. It can help isolate problems and whether it's the same problem each time.
If it's at all possible at your next match, grab one of those guys with a DR or P100 pin on his hat and ask him to coach you. He'll see things that you don't even know you're doing. You can't fix it if you don't know about it :icon_wink:
Maury