Greetings,
With all the development of "flier" data, I was wondering if many track just where the flier was positioned in the shot string such as first, last, or some wheres in between. I will leave flier definition to the shooter as some will consider a flier out of the main group by less than a tenth of an inch and others out over an inch or two at 50, 100, or more yards. Part of the wondering on this is based on my M1 shooting. I bought an M1 through the CMP with new Citrion barrel, .308 caliber, and virtually have yet to get an 8-round group without a flier. When I had my M1A I had a tack driver load using Speer 130 grain hollow points, not the same with this rifle.
Thinking the clips might be the cause, I have shot groups checking after each shot, and no consistency where I thought maybe the last round with ejecting the clip may be the reason. Nope, the string location in the groups varied. Thinking the clips may still be the culprit, I have shot groups without the clip. Same basic results. I have shot groups tracking which clips were used, and using the same clip for groups; shooting on and off sand bags, changing sand bag configuration, same results. All these were shot with jacketed bullets, various powders, bullets and charges. A friend bedded the barrel, better groups, still those pesky outliers (still heart of caribou, not bunny rabbit).
Now, with cast bullets, I find the worst shot in a group does not come at the same location in the order of shots fired. I have started watching that, and may start recording for most groups with other data. I also usually fire a fouling shot before group shooting. Grip pressure, sand bags configuration, where the forearm is gripped and how, I know all of these makes a difference. Heat, heat waves, eye focus with or without scope, attention to sight picture especially with iron sites. I know for me fatigue and eye strain play a part in flier shots as I don't stay aggressive in sight picture after a while and need to remind myself to not get lazy.
Anyway, something I think about time to time especially when trying to find "the load" for my particular M1. I searched the forum and did not find this particular tracking so thought I would create a discussion just in case anyone else is interested.
Have a Happy New Year all.
TK