A frustrating day at the range

[vintage hunter]

Took the '44 BSA No. T out for a spin today, first time since last December when I shot the doe in the 1st photo. I currently have it zeroed for HXP and wanted to see if any of the hunting loads I had on hand would shoot to the same POA, or at least reasonably close.
I took along some factory Winchester 180gr PP, PRVI 180gr BTSP, hand loads with 180gr Sierra Pro Hunters, Hornady 174gr RNFB, Hornady 174gr HPBT Match bullets and a few rounds of HXP.
Don't know if I'm that rusty or was just having an off day because I couldn't shoot a descent group to save my arse, even with ammo the rifle's shown a preference for in the past, like the HXP. It will normally do close to 1m.o.a. with the HXP's and 1 or less with the BTHP match loads @ 100yds.
Anywho, as it turned out the Winchester's and the Sierra hand loads shot to same POA at 100yds as the HXP's although the groups were a bit larger that I like for hunting. Speaking of which, deer season opens bright and early this coming Saturday morning so I hope I get back into it with the T by then and get the group size down to where I like it.
The 1st target with the one aiming point is a bit of a conundrum with the color coded groups, maybe yall can figure it out.

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[browningautorifle]

Did you use a sandbag? The sling? I'd try a different aiming point as well...maybe a diamond...? That round bull won't be very defined at 100, for me anywayzzz.

[vintage hunter]

The conundrum target was shot using a Caldwell rest, the second with the 4 bulls was off sand bags. I rarely use a sling for shooting, I tend to duplicate the way I shoot while hunting as closely as possible.
The 2.5'' bull I used today was easy enough to define but that may have been the problem, I wasn't concentrating hard enough on where the tip of the post was. I normally use one about an inch when zeroing scopes with aiming posts.
The Caldwell is fairly new to me, bought it a couple years ago to replace worn out leaking sand bags and also to reduce the number of things I had to load up for a range trip.
Not sure I like it all that well. For some reason I have yet to figure out it causes the POI to shift and/or the groups to open up with a few of my rifles. The MN 91/30 PU is the one most effected, it shoots like a pig unless I put my off hand under the fore end.

[browningautorifle]

I understand all that and wish I'd been beside you to watch. That way I'd be some actual help here. I use a sand bag for serious work because there's no substitute except for a machine rest. I have small bags and keep them in shape. I too have my hand under the forend as that's what we taught the troops. The wrist actually goes to the bag and the hand is on top. The rifle doesn't touch the bag. A sling for ironing out accuracy and perfect zeroing and then the practice off hand and other positions after. Then you know the rifle's zeroed. The fine point of aim we both spoke of to make sure you come back to the same spot each time so there's no scattered group. A downward point or diamond does that for me. My eyes aren't what they used to be and even with a scope(I only have a couple now)I like a defined POA.

[vintage hunter]

This is mo like it. Had a bit of trouble focusing in on the teeny tiny dot to start off with but got it pretty much sorted for the second group. Even the PRVI grouped better today. Nothing spectacular but would be useable at moderate ranges in a pinch.
Had 9 rounds of the Sierra hand loads left so two 4 shot groups it was. I air mailed the last one out to 300. Think I'll go purchase a lottery ticket now.

[browningautorifle]

So, what'd it end up being? Factors within the firer's control...concentration? Focus? A bit of everything?

[vintage hunter]

A bit of everything directly related to the much smaller bulls. At 100yds through a 3x scope they look like a period atop the aiming post.

[browningautorifle]

Less room for error.

[Calfed]

Good shooting VH.