Aiming Problems...

Z

ZipTieNinja

Joined
Mar 17, 2001
Messages
83
I recently purchased a new Beretta 96 Brigadier, and can't hit what I want. I have a reusable target, its about 11 or 12 inches in diameter, siting on a 2" wide post. I can hit this 4 of 5 times at 100 yards with my Ruger Mk II (.22 rimfire) So what could be wrong with the Beretta, or my style of shooting. It hits low every time.... I shot at that target twice at 50 yards, and hit the post below the target both times, so I'm not real sure its me. :confused: And with a paper target it hits low too.. Any advise? Anyone out there use any Beretta FS? The 96 fires a .40 S&W BTW.... ;) This is my first handgun thats not rimfire, is there something I don't know? Is there a break in period or something....
Oh yea, it hit nearly 2 foot low at 50 yards, but dead on as far as windage goes. Weird...
 
The weapon and the 40 S&W round are designed for combat distances.
I would bet that the weapon is dead on at twenty yards and under and
probably 2 to 3 inches low at twenty five yards. It will also be proportionatly low at 50 and 100. If you intend to use it exclusively for 50 to 100 yard shooting, you'll need to change sights;
either a higher rear or lower front. If you can live without the three dot sights you can black them out and file down the front sight. My suggestion, however, would be to leave it alone and hold over when shooting at longer ranges.
 
You might be anticipating the recoil, and dropping the shot. It would be a good idea to shoot at 3, 7, 15, and 25 yards. Work your way up gradually to distances until you can put them where you want at given ranges.
I will say that hitting targets at 50 yards is pretty challenging with a handgun, but it can be done. You just have to work up to it, and if you have not had the (6 for very long, you probably just need more trigger time.
 
I'll ditto Phillip and say that you're probably anticipating the recoil.

On the other hand though, you might be surprised at how much the .40 drops at 100 yards. The trajectory is like a rainbow at that distance and unless you have something other than standard fixed sights on there, the hold over is going to be "significant."

I'd also say you're asking more than the gun is able to deliver.
I have a few .45s that are "headshot" accurate at 75 yards, but they're not "standard" guns by any means. I'd say 50 yard 4-5 inch groups will be the max you could ever hope get out of a stock Beretta.
 
Thanks for the heads up. I don't think I am anticipating the recoil, but this is my first ceterfire handgun, so I would say that it is a real posibility though. I shoot shotguns and cetefire rifles every so often, and hit what I want, usually.... I have only sent about 50-55 rounds through the gun, so trigger time is needed.
The recoil is greater than a 38 special with standard ammo!

As for it being stock, not quite. The Brigadier has a heavier slide than the standard 96 and 92. It also has some very agressive finger groves in the wrap around grip. So it might be capable of half inch to an inch tighter groups at 50 yards. Other than that, it is pretty much stock. I can get a compensated barrel that is an inch longer, and also changes caliber to a 357 Sig. $135 with shiping, would it be worth it for that price? How much does 357 Sig ammo cost anyway. Never heard of untill now...

"The trajectory is like a rainbow at that distance".
I will check into that. Sounds about right though. My groups are 3 inches wide, and foot and a half tall right now! :D

Thanks for the help, I'm going to check into all of it and let ya know what I find.
By The Way, if you have not seen this yet, check it out, it is real, and possibly the future of firearms... http://www.metalstorm.com/ What a shame huh... EMP = No Gun....
 
ZipTie,
FYI, the .357 Sig is essentially a .40 S&W case necked down to accept a .357 caliber bullet. In effect, it's a bottlenecked pistol cartridge. The ballistics of the .357 Sig are meant to mimic some of the .357 Magnum loads. Because the base of the case remains unchanged, no modifications need to be made to the breech face, extractor or ejector of your pistol. Just drop in the new barrel and you're ready to roll.
 
The key to your aiming problems is solved very easily
1]Give the gun to a bullseye shooter and you will know the truth
2]Shoot it off a VERY firm rest..........
3]Do BOTH.......for your own piece of mind.
I have friends who are some of the top shooters in this state and when they get/build a new bullseye gun the FIRST thing they do is Randsom rest it.....move the sights to point of impact.......THEN they start shooting. You need to be SURE where the thing shoots before you can figure out what you are doing wrong.....there are some GOOD places on the net that have a bunch of invaluable info about correct stance, why the bullet goes left, right, up down, etc.... take a look......go to the NRA site first. good luck and dont ever stop practicing cause thats the only way you will ever get good at ANYTHING!! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top