My first shots at 200m

[Europe]

Today I had a chance to shoot at 200m for the first time. I was shooting prone and it was quite uncomfortable for me. My neck muscles still hurt. I have to figure out a comfortable way to shoot prone, so far it's like torture.
I was shooting Hornady factory ammo 120gr ELDM and my handloaded ammo- 130 gr Hornady ELDM, Lapua Brass, VVN555 powder. The first target is the factory ammo.

[Joe L]

Europe--what are you using to support the front end of the rifle?  Bipod or bag?  Maybe it is too high? 

I started shooting rifles from a prone position and had lots of experimentation getting a comfortable rifle elevation and cheek weld.   I was more comfortable with the rifle lower than higher.  If your neck hurts because you can't get your eye centered behind the scope comfortably, perhaps try a change in elevation or a cheek weld adjustment. 

Those targets look super to me, by the way.  I'm going to have to try that now myself.  Maybe even prone.  Haven't done that in a while.  I'm a pistol shooter.   

Joe

[coffeecoloredcatfish]

Heck for a first time at 200m, there's nothing wrong with those groupings. Great work.

[Europe]

You are right Joe, I have my front bag pretty high. I actually put the front bag on a book ( a huge and thick photo album of Russian iconography)- if I don't do that when I look through the scope I cannot maneuver the rifle to acquire the target- even if I lower the buttstock to the ground my ritcle is about 5-10 inches below the target. I am considering switching to bipod, although my front bag gives me more stability.