Greets fm CO
I have a .309 that I've owned for several years but have never learned to shoot well, shoot about 8 in gps at 100 yds fm benchrest. My son in law can shoot it much better so I accept blame for p/o the problem. The reason I say p/o the problem is that I can shoot my .22 Contender barrel with match chamber at 100 yd (with no wind)
and consistently get 2 in gps. My .309 barrel is magna ported, I wish I had the actual brake but JD Jones says they would have to cut off the magna ported portion of the barrel to install a brake and I would lose a lot of velocity in the process. What velocities do you get in your .309 hunting loads? Incidentially, I have a 45/70 barrel with a brake and it kicks less than the .309. Any recommendations as to shooting style/techniques that would help me?? Thanks Ray

Ray alias OldFart, or is it vice versa??

i guess practice would be the best thing. if the recoil is the problem maybe you need something between the 22 and the 309 and kinda work up.ive got a 45/70 for the encore with no brake and a 50ak with a brake thats scared and hurt people. ive got a 257 jdj and it shoots greatis it 2 or 4 ports to magna port maybe it could have more added to. jason

I have to agree that practice would probably do the most good for the accuracy problem. Be sure to look at the way you are resting the gun on the bench. My understanding is that the 309 JDJ is ballisticlly almost equivilant to the 308 Win so those are the velocities I would expect. My 308 definitely quicks harder than my friends .45-70. I think the 45-70 is a pusher and the 308 is a kicker. Plus the 308 actually hurts me, but I am no fan of extra large handguns anyway. I have to consiously think about my grip everytime I pull the trigger. Hope this helps. Slim

Greets fm CO
I try to not grip the Contender too hard, letting the gun recoil as it will, shooting one or two hand seems to make no difference tho I've learned not to simply put my left hand over my right hand but put it a finger down, otherwise I get flesh taken out of left hand. I have a Pacmayr(sp)grip and forearm installed and use a shooting glove. As long as I grip it right, the gun does not hurt me, it's really not even uncomfortable, I enjoy shooting it, it's just that I can't shoot it accurately. I don't feel that I am scared of it. If I am flinching, why aren't I flinching from the .22??
I just feel that the recoil is moving the barrel before the bullet leaves it. Thanks Ray

Make sure the butt of the grip does not touch anything.
My .309JDJ shoots VERY well, but I have to remember not to rest the butt on the rear bag.

George

My 45-70 is my biggest kicker. I had to get a Past recoil glove so I could stand to shoot it. Try reduced loads to get used to shootin it accurately and then work up gradually stopping before the recoil starts to affect your accuracy. And, don't shoot too much at one sitting, if you stop before it starts hurting you your mind will have a much easier time not flinching.

Good Shootin, LK

Get something smaller.... a "little" smaller, set it up the same way (same scope and barrel length) and shoot, shoot , shoot.

cas: I couldn't agree with you more!!! I have a super 14" 22 barrel set-up with a Burris 1X scope that I shoot all of the time. It feels just like all of my big calibers that I hunt with. I have a metal swinging chicken target that I shoot at offhand and with a shooing stick all of the time. It helps alot. Practice is cheap!!!!!