Thread: Accuracy expectations

Reviving an old thread….

Turns out that the groups above were a bit of a ‘flash in the pan’ and I’ve still struggled to get consistent results.

So during lockdown, I set about proving a theory I had. That theory was that there is nothing wrong with the hardware, it was the software that was causing problems. In other words, I can’t shoot for sh*t! So I set about building a purpose built benchrest stock for the wee BSA, in order to remove my influence as much as possible. I had a hunch that the narrow light standard stock was feeling the influence of any change in hand pressure, torque through the pistol grip, and the steep rise from toe to grip cap was partial to creating vertical groups under recoil. I wanted a stock that would recoil straight back, have a wide flat forend to ride the sandbags better and a more vertical pistol grip with palm swell.

So a couple of months later, this is what I produced. Built the old school way with chisels, gouges, scrapers and some inletting black.







Was my theory correct? Well, I think it was. I found the rifle a lot ‘nicer’ to shoot, recoiling straight back creating a much more satisfactory follow through from the shot. I tested 4 different projectiles with the following results:

80gr Speer SP 26.5gr 2206h average 18mm
70gr Ballistic Tip 26.3gr BM8208 average 25mm
100gr Core Lokt 24gr 2206H average 22mm
85gr HPBT 26.1gr BM8208 average 22mm

Best of all, there was no large variance across groups like I had been finding in the sporter stock. Do you sum it all up, I’ve proven that shooting a svelte, light walkabout hunting rifle isn’t that easy. Technique is everything, and now I know that the rifle is ok, I’ve got a lot of work yo do sorting out my shooting technique.