When I went to Army basic, they taught us to shoot with the tip of the trigger finger. After years, shot like that before I started HP. Listened to more experienced shooters and some vids from the AMU and they stressed natural trigger finger placement stressing the importance of a straight wrist.
Back to the range after a few months of not dry firing and back to my old habits. Had lateral groups and took note of body placement and visualizing head to toe what I should be relaxing. Straightened out my shooting side wrist and placed the 3rd pad on trigger. BAM, groups shrank and no longer a lateral string.

I guess your rifle didn't like you using "just the tip" 

Tried various placement of my trigger finger as well.  For me, the "sweet spot" (or maybe G spot for Geissele  ) is just beyond the swirl of my index finger and where it allows a 90 degree bend between the middle and proximal phalanx.

Now I’m really gonna be thinking about this shi+.
I generally shoot rifle with the trigger just inside the line of the second pad.
Pistol,I shoot with the first pad.
Don’t know why it’s different.
Now I’m gonna be playing around just to experiment.
(Tip being the first pad)

This was with an AR grip so your length of pull may be different from mine. The key is to make sure your wrist is in a natural relaxed (straight) position. If its crooked and not natural you are using muscle on the grip and may sway the grip to one side. If I had just used the tip of my finger my wrist would be crooked and not natural, so when I straightened out, my 3rd finger pad ended up resting on the trigger. This was in the prone and again grip might change from position to position. In the standing position I'm more aggressive with the trigger and my shooting arm is in a different position than prone and sitting. You may find a similar experience.

Never really thought about the wrist.
Good advice to consider.

Now I’m really gonna be thinking about this shi+.
I generally shoot rifle with the trigger just inside the line of the second pad.
Pistol,I shoot with the first pad.
Don’t know why it’s different.
Now I’m gonna be playing around just to experiment.
(Tip being the first pad)

Like ren said, depends on the grip (or stock) of the gun.  Also need to consider the context or style of shooting.  You mentioned rifle and pistol.  Have to remember that there are different shooting interests for the folks on this board.  Personally, my interest is primarily defensive training and USPSA style matches, but I also am interested in more precision shooting.  There are also many here where the context is more rifle match shooting, hunting, or others.  Ultimately good trigger control is key for all aspects of shooting, but IMO context is key.

Maybe it's because lack of experience, but I place my finger where it feels comfortable naturally.  I wouldn't say I'm a super accurate, but not shitty either.  I can hold my own.  I can gauge my accuracy and speed when I take HDF pistol skill builders.  I'm able to compare myself to other shooters.  Pre CV, we had a pistol qualification, that I was the only one to do it without a red dot that day.  The other 2 guys who qualified had RDS. Everyone else about 6 others failed.

Maybe it's because lack of experience, but I place my finger where it feels comfortable naturally.  I wouldn't say I'm a super accurate, but not shitty either.  I can hold my own.  I can gauge my accuracy and speed when I take HDF pistol skill builders.  I'm able to compare myself to other shooters.  Pre CV, we had a pistol qualification, that I was the only one to do it without a red dot that day.  The other 2 guys who qualified had RDS. Everyone else about 6 others failed.

Sounds like you are Awesome!  With a capital A! 

You should come out for a handgun match soon!  Really get to compare yourself to other shooters, beyond your comfort zone of what you know.  Just sayin'. . .

Like ren said, depends on the grip (or stock) of the gun.  Also need to consider the context or style of shooting.  You mentioned rifle and pistol.  Have to remember that there are different shooting interests for the folks on this board.  Personally, my interest is primarily defensive training and USPSA style matches, but I also am interested in more precision shooting.  There are also many here where the context is more rifle match shooting, hunting, or others.  Ultimately good trigger control is key for all aspects of shooting, but IMO context is key.

I've heard  that not pistol gripping your stock when precision bench shooting helps.
Instead of thumb over grip, keep in line parallel with barrel and your pull is less affected.

I've heard  that not pistol gripping your stock when precision bench shooting helps.
Instead of thumb over grip, keep in line parallel with barrel and your pull is less affected.

You grip your "stock" any which was that "pleases" you. . . you do you. . .

I've heard  that not pistol gripping your stock when precision bench shooting helps.
Instead of thumb over grip, keep in line parallel with barrel and your pull is less affected.

I've noticed this.  My 22 has a pistol grip on it.  So I leave the thumb out.  I do the same when zeroing my AR.  I noticed a huge diff when going for precision shooting with thumb in or wrapped around.  I also replaced my A2 grip to a magpul one and noticed a comfort increase big time.  And the magpul 1 was only $20, so cheap compared to other upgrades.

But when I bench press, I also don't wrap my thumb due to a shoulder injury. 

Sounds like you are Awesome!  With a capital A! 

You should come out for a handgun match soon!  Really get to compare yourself to other shooters, beyond your comfort zone of what you know.  Just sayin'. . .

1 day.  I'll hit u up and the other guy when I do.

I recently changed the grip on my S&W 629 from the stock rubber/polymer grip to a hogue monogrip
the monogrip is slightly thinner and shorter front to back, and I can reach the trigger a little better than with the stock grip
I have more of a medium size hand so the N frame is a little on the large side for me, and it was a reach to pull the trigger in DA and felt very heavy
now with the thinner hogue monogrip i can get a good purchase on the trigger with middle pad of my trigger finger, or right at the distal interphalageal joint.  it feels way better and the trigger pull feels a lot lighter.
still haven't shot it with the new grip bc of corona, but i can tell it will be better than before

You grip your "stock" any which was that "pleases" you. . . you do you. . .

    If I shot precision rifle,
it would give me pleasure
to keep the thickest digit of my shooting hand
from overlaying upon the upper tang of the rifles buttstock
and have it pointed in a frontward bearing
in conjunction with the receiver
aligned with the barrel.   

I guess your rifle didn't like you using "just the tip" 

Tried various placement of my trigger finger as well.  For me, the "sweet spot" (or maybe G spot for Geissele  ) is just beyond the swirl of my index finger and where it allows a 90 degree bend between the middle and proximal phalanx.

Once the tip is in I am shooting! 

Just made classic quotes with that one Inspector.

Just remember...don’t jerk it. 

Just made classic quotes with that one Inspector.

Just remember...don’t jerk it. 

First time for me in the classic quotes I think?

Now I am forever immortalized!!! 

Once the tip is in I am shooting! 

Sounds like a personal problem my friend. . . 

Sounds like a personal problem my friend. . . 

It’s only a problem for you my friend cuz you ain’t shooting! 

It’s only a problem for you my friend cuz you ain’t shooting! 

Took a 'lil break, but I'm back shootin' 

Had a bit of "ammo" built up, so good to fire off some rounds. . .