With my 308 the cross hair always jumps up and to the left.

I don't know if that is normal, or if it indicates I am doing something wrong.
I am right-handed BTW.

_________________
In the face of a crisis, a failure to act is the first act of failure.
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people asking questions.
Sweat saves blood, blood saves lives, but brains saves both.

"What should I be seeing right after the shot breaks?"

The zombie drop!

Sorry, I had to say it.

If you have a muzzle brake and you are loading the bipod and the rifle is sitting in the shoulder pocket, you will see the bullet punch the paper or splash the steel.

If you lack the above, the muzzle will jump.

Yes, I am prone. I apologize for not making that clear

I know about loading the bipod and I believe I am doing it but
perhaps with not as much pressure as I should.


Assuming prone with bipod position and a 308 with brake, if you are doing everything right would
you expect no muzzle jump at all and recoil just coming straight back?

_________________
In the face of a crisis, a failure to act is the first act of failure.
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people asking questions.
Sweat saves blood, blood saves lives, but brains saves both.

Thanks for your reply. That is very helpful.

I have another similar question. In shooting from a position where a bipod
is not used, standing at a barricade for example, and it is possible to either jam the rifle
forward into something, or pull it back tight into your shoulder, which way
would be better?

_________________
In the face of a crisis, a failure to act is the first act of failure.
There are no stupid questions, just stupid people asking questions.
Sweat saves blood, blood saves lives, but brains saves both.

Thanks for answering my question. I understand now exactly what I was doing wrong and the problem went away.