What should I be seeing right after the shot breaks?

[Crow King]

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.

[buffybuster]

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.

Are you shooting prone off a bipod?
If so, are you loading the bipod?
If a picture is worth a 1000 words, then you've given us the equivalent of a peepshow.

[MajorHeadTrauma]

"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.

[Crow King]

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?

[buffybuster]

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?

There is going to be some movement. It's not going to be machine stable. However you should be able to see your impact and not loose your sight picture. In the prone, you should be able to do this with a heavy barrel without a brake. The brake really helps for rapid follow-ups and during non-traditional positional shooting.

[Crow King]

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?

[buffybuster]

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?

Personal Preference... and whatever is available.

[Crow King]

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