Groups not at the Center of Target?

[TecHunter]

OK, I have been shooting for awhile now and just got my first MZ. Can someone tell me why I see lots of examples of GREAT three shot group cloverleafs pictures on this forum but they are not on the Bull's Eye. I always try to achieve my point of aim at the bull whatever distance I am to the target (I guess since I am primarily a Bow Hunter/Target shooter).

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but I heard a long time ago that no question is a dumb question when you are starting new on a subject.

Thanks for some discussion on this.

[falcon]

Can someone tell me why I see lots of examples of GREAT three shot group cloverleafs pictures on this forum but they are not on the Bull's Eye.

Cloverleaf groups are an indication of good consistency. After a good group is fired one can adjust the sights/scope to put the next group in the center of the bull, if desired.

[cayugad]

The reason you see a lot of groups at different locations in relation to the bull is because people are experimenting with powders, projectiles, and distances to the targets. Change any part of the muzzle loader charge and you can change the POI. So when you finally decide what you like for a load you then adjust the sights to the distance you want dead center for that load.

[Breechplug]

A-lot of guys shoot at the bull to try different loads and sabots and the post are of how they shot and grouped. When one is finally sighted in on a bullet powder combination that they like, then they go for the center bull to make final adjustments.
Say you have sighted in at 40yds and your in the bull, then you may sight in for 100yds. So after your sighted in at 100yds you may go back to 40yds to practice, when you shoot at your 40yd target and your sighted in for 100yds your groups will be a couple inches high of the bull but still tight.
I personally never post a target group untill Im fully sighted in and my groups are tight, 1" or so. They may be high in the Bull, but there still tight and it looks better than a group off to one side or the other or high or low.
Again, most post of groups are to show how a ML shot with a specific load.
(BP)

[Semisane]

I'm just the opposite of Breechplug. I hardly ever worry about getting the group centered on the bull to post a target. I usually have each gun sighted in for the hunting I've developed for that gun, and usually have them set for an inch or so high at 100 yards. So when I'm playing with loads that are different from that gun's hunting load the group is likely to be off of the bull a little. So long as it's on the paper so I can judge group size I'm happy.

Same thing when I'm searching for that hunting load. I don't worry much about where the group is on the target until I've picked the load I want to use. Then I do final sight adjustment.

[builder459]

Originally Posted by Semisane

I'm just the opposite of Breechplug. I hardly ever worry about getting the group centered on the bull to post a target. I usually have each gun sighted in for the hunting load for that gun I've developed for that gun, and usually have them set for an inch or so high at 100 yards. So when I'm playing with loads that are different from that gun's hunting load the group is likely to be off of the bull a little. So long as it's on the paper so I can judge group size I'm happy.

Same thing when I'm searching for that hunting load. I don't worry much about where the group is on the target until I've picked the load I want to use. Then I do final sight adjustment.

X2 on this method..

[bronko22000]

And that's the way it is!!!!!!

[sjsfire]

Here ya go TecHunter, This is from last fall trying out some Speer Gold Dots in 300gr. I sighted in with my Barnes Expander that I hunt with and thought I'd shoot a few of these. All were shot at 100 yards with my little $100 CVA Wolf. Top group is shots 1,3,and 5. Bottom group is shots 2,4, and 6. I swabed after every two shots.

group1109 (2).jpg

[rafsob]

Originally Posted by TecHunter

OK, I have been shooting for awhile now and just got my first MZ. Can someone tell me why I see lots of examples of GREAT three shot group cloverleafs pictures on this forum but they are not on the Bull's Eye. I always try to achieve my point of aim at the bull whatever distance I am to the target (I guess since I am primarily a Bow Hunter/Target shooter).

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but I heard a long time ago that no question is a dumb question when you are starting new on a subject.

Thanks for some discussion on this.

There are never any stupid questions,just stupid answers sometimes. But you have comet o the right place for none of them.

I am suprised at your question because I am sure you understand that our bullets come in different sizes as does your arrow heads and shafts. This would have an impact on the POI for both. But the only difference here is you length of pull and strength/power are fairly consistant, where as our powder charges are variable.

Now if you were shooting a crossbow you would match our situation. You would have a braodhead/shaft weight and your lenght of pull/power level and a fixed sighting system (Scope/Red dot) Once you got a grouping, you would then adjust your sighting system to change the POI to the center of the bull.

I think I got that right, I hope. Cheers!

[rafsob]

Hey sjsfire, how do you do that photo thumbnail? I like the idea of not using so much room on a post reply.