Perplexing, inexplicable misses

There's a possum just 25 metres away. You have a steady hold, so you place the cross hairs for a head shot. You squeeze off. You don't hear the usual 'plop' and the possum accelerates into the darkness.

Why, dangnabit?

This sort of thing has happened to me more than once. I seldom get buck fever, and I've done a heap of shooting. It can erode my confidence. I've experienced this mostly with .22 rimfire.

With a high-mounted scope like a thermal, one has to be aware of the trajectory. At 10 metres when using a thermal rig, for instance, the point of impact relative to the crosshairs might be 3cm low. Also, with a high mount, holding the rifle with a tilt ('cant'), can make quite a difference to impact compared to when the rifle is held with the centre of the scope exactly above the centre of the bore in relation to gravity.

I know that a loose suppressor can cause flyers. I have a heavy suppressor on my .223 which, when loose, might change the point of impact by 20cm at 100 metres. I have to check that the suppressor is screwed tight often.

Sometimes subsonic .22 ammo seems to go supersonic, and I'd expect to see an impact change when that happens.... but I'd expect the variation to be vertical. But what about sideways flyers when the suppressor is tight and the ammo sounds normal?

I recently fired three shots at around 26 metres from my accurate Norinco .22 rimfire. I was sitting at a table and was very comfortable. Two bullets touched in the middle of the target, but one flew about 3cm to the right despite my careful hold and squeeze. The ammo was CCI standard velocity which normally is one of the best 'groupers' in my rifle, and all the shots sounded normal.

The picture below shows the group. The target is much bigger than I might normally use at close range, but it was all I had at the time.

Attachment 280011

Hey Coote.

I've had this several times over the years hunting jackal and warthog. Upon studying possible reasons I stambled accross two answers.

1. The projectile did hit, but for some reason did not expand, it basically pencilled right through and the animals runs of, only to expire a long way off or in some cases only to be shot and killed many months later.

2. The sinner.... Me. Knowing that I cant miss at that range I sometimes neglected to ensure that I do the right things to ensure that the shot lands where it should. Or I would rush the shot on the animal up close because I'm hoping to kill the other too, and end up starting to move before the shot breaks.

.22lr ammunition isn't what it used to be. Double check suppressor hasn't had a baffle strike perhaps??? The norincos are pretty honest so I would be looking elsewhere. Scope mounts,scope BASES .stock screws.

Was the rifle rested, if so, on what?

Yep Jaco, I'm sure a lot of my misses over the years are my fault. However there are times when I am really aware... and careful... and still don't hit the precise point.

I checked that suppressor Micky.... and nothing seems to be loose and there is plenty of clearance.

Gimp... the rifle was rested. I was sitting on a plastic stool and was resting on a packed duffel bag that was lying on a portable table. You've got me thinking though... was I gripping the foreshock as I'd normally shoot, Or was the rifle sitting on the duffel bag with my left hand sitting under the butt? Good point. But two shots went where they should, and one didn't. But that is good food for thought. It seems that my Bergara BA13 .357 magnum is particularly sensitive to how it is held and I've probably been disappointed in some of my hand loaded cartridges when really it was my inconsistent hold that was causing the slight, but annoying, variation. I've never considered this a problem with the Norinco .22.... but maybe I should experiment. Thanks.

If that was my shooting , everyone would tell me its because Im a shit shot .

Which I am quite often.....

If your begera is like the old BLR and some other rifles I've used,hand on action rather than forestock can help. If the latching system allows for it,a bit of clearance between wood n metal can help too with these break open types.

check scope mounts and hold.

They are normally pretty accurate for a cheaper rifle

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Originally Posted by tac a1

check scope mounts and hold.

They are normally pretty accurate for a cheaper rifle

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Everything seems to be secure and steady. The mounts are relatively high because the bolt handle has to lift so much. I think the Norinco rimfires are good value for money. The only niggle I have about mine is that the safety catch is really stiff.... but it seems to be getting better with time.

The safety catch on mine has never been used lol.

This is normally my mates excuse to get a brand new rifle :D

Personally I find it difficult to use a standard trigger, I like a light crisp trigger. The trigger on my BRNO .22 was so bad I dont know how I ever learned to shot with it, I replaced it with a Timney trigger and its easy to group now,

I would check all the screws for tightness, check the can for clearance then put it in a solid rest (I use a caldwell fire control) and put some more rounds downrange to eliminate the possibility of user input. Then you have an excuse to get a brand new rifle.

Heh. thanks for the comments.

While it is tempting to get a new rifle, I'm doing my best to resist. The more I have, the more ammo I use with checking and refining. It would be hard to exist with less than three... an accurate centre fire with a scope, an accurate .22 rimfire with a scope.... and a .22 with open sights because they are rugged and handy, I grew up with them, and I love them.

Personally for me i find im utterly useless with a shotgun of all things. The amount of possums ive missed when i felt i was at a pretty close range, but when i do get a solid kill shot at close range, there is nothing left of the possum.
OTOH, ive managed to pop off possums at 50m or more with the .22 while standing and not even resting the rifle steady on anything.

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Originally Posted by Old_School

Personally for me i find im utterly useless with a shotgun of all things. The amount of possums ive missed when i felt i was at a pretty close range, but when i do get a solid kill shot at close range, there is nothing left of the possum.
OTOH, ive managed to pop off possums at 50m or more with the .22 while standing and not even resting the rifle steady on anything.

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I've come across the shotgun problem before. I recall reading an old book on shotgun shooting where it was implied that some people would rather not take a close shot at an animal that is sitting.

I've owned and used shotguns, but I don't have any now. They can be useful, but I don't hunt birds and they make a heck of a bang.

shotguns - theres something about taking a good side by side for a walk on rabbits and for spot lighting coons my favorite weapon a 12 gauge loaded with no 2 they are dynamite on coons out to ohh 30 metre and a satisfying puff of fur luverly stuff indeed