Great, then bad day at the range.

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Trey Veston

Trey Veston

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May 30, 2017
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2,702
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Idaho/Washington border
Took out my new Ruger Predator build to the gravel pit range to see how my latest loads performed. Best group last session was 7/8", and I knew the rifle could do better.

And I was right. Got this 1/2" group at 100 yards using Hornady 150 grain BTSP bullets and 40 grains of 4895 loaded to 2.775" OAL. Other loads got between 1.5" and 1".

IMG_20210614_153638319_HDR.jpg

IMG_20210614_152932706.jpg

Beautiful day with finally winds under 10 mph and about 85 degrees.

IMG_20210614_152226550_HDR.jpg

Then tragedy struck. Right after I took the above photo, I walked back to my vehicle to put my phone in the shade when I turned to watch my rifle tip to the right and tumble off of the bench and onto the rocks.

Some scratches on the bolt handle and stock, but seemed to be OK. Then I shot it. POI had changed about 7", then would not respond to corrections, then I noticed debris inside the scope...

gDOLnsbQRqau8ZHDZ5qVDw.jpeg

Nikon 3x9 P-Tactical. Hard to find and getting expensive. Can't fault the scope at all. It fell nearly 4' onto rock and landed one of the turrets. Completely toast.

Now to try and find another one...
 
I was able to find one that was new old stock back east for $229, which I thought was reasonable since the scope performed well. Was going to order a Vortex Diamondback Tactical but they don't make them in 3x9, and the 4x12 is 2" longer and a few ounces heavier than my Nikon, which is the exact opposite of what I wanted.

Can't wait to get it back in action. There were a few more loads I wanted to evaluate. Hoping to find a heavier hunting load that will do 1/2", though the 150 recipe will work fine for deer. And probably elk, but I prefer something heavier and tougher for elk.
 
Trey Veston said:
Took out my new Ruger Predator build to the gravel pit range to see how my latest loads performed. Best group last session was 7/8", and I knew the rifle could do better.

And I was right. Got this 1/2" group at 100 yards using Hornady 150 grain BTSP bullets and 40 grains of 4895 loaded to 2.775" OAL. Other loads got between 1.5" and 1".

View attachment 1004970

View attachment 1004971

Beautiful day with finally winds under 10 mph and about 85 degrees.

View attachment 1004967

Then tragedy struck. Right after I took the above photo, I walked back to my vehicle to put my phone in the shade when I turned to watch my rifle tip to the right and tumble off of the bench and onto the rocks.

Some scratches on the bolt handle and stock, but seemed to be OK. Then I shot it. POI had changed about 7", then would not respond to corrections, then I noticed debris inside the scope...

View attachment 1004969

Nikon 3x9 P-Tactical. Hard to find and getting expensive. Can't fault the scope at all. It fell nearly 4' onto rock and landed one of the turrets. Completely toast.

Now to try and find another one...
Click to expand...
Yikes!
 
Serious bummer! Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you can get the rifle back in action soon and without too much expense.
 
One more reason I am trying to avoid optics for all but my deer rifle. (Of course age is catching up with my eyes so who knows how long I can hold out.)
For this exact reason I've often wondered why more emphasis isn't put on shooting with irons.
Sorry to hear about your scope though. I was going to mention the Diamondback but you already thought of that.
 
ontarget said:
For this exact reason I've often wondered why more emphasis isn't put on shooting with irons.
Click to expand...

Out in the West, our shooting distances can be from 50 yards, to 500 yards. Scopes are a necessity out here. We don't have the deer you have, and don't have the luxury of passing on a far shot, or trying to stalk one to get closer.

Michigan has approximately 30 deer per square mile. Idaho has 2.4. We have to work hard for our deer. I've hunted in the Midwest, and it was like hunting in a zoo.
 
Trey Veston said:
Michigan has approximately 30 deer per square mile. Idaho has 2.4. We have to work hard for our deer. I've hunted in the Midwest, and it was like hunting in a zoo.
Click to expand...

Coincidentally, driving in Michigan is also like driving in a zoo.:)

I just bought a new truck, of course the very first week I white-knuckle drag race a sizable buck, even for June, constantly hoping he gives up and doesn’t leap to his death, thereby ruining the nicest vehicle I’ve ever had.
The next day I ran over and killed two chickadees in two separate attempts.:eek:
How on earth two tiny birds can get run over in mid-flight I have no answer for. Attracted to the awesome headlights?:confused:


Trey Veston said:
Then I shot it.
Click to expand...
My condolences.:(
But, it’s better than letting the poor thing suffer…:D


At least you know the rifle will shoot when a new scope arrives.:thumbup:
 
Trey Veston said:
Took out my new Ruger Predator build to the gravel pit range to see how my latest loads performed. Best group last session was 7/8", and I knew the rifle could do better.

And I was right. Got this 1/2" group at 100 yards using Hornady 150 grain BTSP bullets and 40 grains of 4895 loaded to 2.775" OAL. Other loads got between 1.5" and 1".

View attachment 1004970

View attachment 1004971

Beautiful day with finally winds under 10 mph and about 85 degrees.

View attachment 1004967

Then tragedy struck. Right after I took the above photo, I walked back to my vehicle to put my phone in the shade when I turned to watch my rifle tip to the right and tumble off of the bench and onto the rocks.

Some scratches on the bolt handle and stock, but seemed to be OK. Then I shot it. POI had changed about 7", then would not respond to corrections, then I noticed debris inside the scope...

View attachment 1004969

Nikon 3x9 P-Tactical. Hard to find and getting expensive. Can't fault the scope at all. It fell nearly 4' onto rock and landed one of the turrets. Completely toast.

Now to try and find another one...
Click to expand...
I liked the op only because I want to thank you for the post. Sometimes bad things happen to good people!!!

Good luck in repairing or replacing the scope.
 
Trey Veston said:
Out in the West, our shooting distances can be from 50 yards, to 500 yards. Scopes are a necessity out here. We don't have the deer you have, and don't have the luxury of passing on a far shot, or trying to stalk one to get closer.
Michigan has approximately 30 deer per square mile. Idaho has 2.4. We have to work hard for our deer. I've hunted in the Midwest, and it was like hunting in a zoo.
Click to expand...

I completely understand. My comment was not meant to be negative or sarcastic.
Its getting harder and harder to find an iron sighted rifle, even here in MI.
I fear that shooting with irons is becoming a lost skill.

As for deer populations. Yes we have many her but very few ever grow to real maturity.
Sure you can shoot immature bucks or does until you get bored with it in some areas. Others not so much. I wish someone would revamp our game laws to change that.
 
Last edited:
Yowch! I had a wind gust lift my open hard gun case and send two brand new Henry .22’s into the gravel a couple years ago. No scopes. so just a couple of scratches on them but still no fun at all :(.

That was great shooting, I hope you’re able to find a replacement and get back at it soon :thumbup:.

Stay safe.
 
ontarget said:
I completely understand. My comment was not meant to be negative or sarcastic.
Its getting harder and harder to find an iron sighted rifle, even here in MI.
I fear that shooting with irons is becoming a lost skill.
Click to expand...

And I hope my reply didn't sound snotty or snippy, either.

It's common to have folks from different regions not understand the hunting environments and ecosystems from different parts of the country. Having lived in the Midwest and hunted out there (with a muzzleloader), I was amazed at the number of deer and how close you could get to them. But, the biggest challenge out there was getting permission to hunt on private farms since there was so little state owned land.

I've never been to Michigan, but I suspect Southern Michigan is closer to Iowa in hunting while the UP is much more challenging and closer to what we have up here. And the UP has wolves. That's something we've only been dealing with for about 15 years here, and they are ruining hunting.
 
Trey Veston said:
And I hope my reply didn't sound snotty or snippy, either.

It's common to have folks from different regions not understand the hunting environments and ecosystems from different parts of the country. Having lived in the Midwest and hunted out there (with a muzzleloader), I was amazed at the number of deer and how close you could get to them. But, the biggest challenge out there was getting permission to hunt on private farms since there was so little state owned land.

I've never been to Michigan, but I suspect Southern Michigan is closer to Iowa in hunting while the UP is much more challenging and closer to what we have up here. And the UP has wolves. That's something we've only been dealing with for about 15 years here, and they are ruining hunting.
Click to expand...

You got that right. I just lost a 250 acre hunting property due to it being sold. There is a slight possibility the new owner might still let my family hunt it but not sure. That only leaves public land. MI has tons of State and Fed land open to hunting. Unfortunately we also have tons of hunters that utilize it.
Even finding a decent lease is hard when you have to compete with the doctors and lawyers with deep pockets.
Wolves? Yeah we got a few of those.
I'm not sure who the genius was that decided to reintroduce them here, but WTH was that guy thinking?
Anyway, hope you find suitable glass for your gun, and have a great upcoming season.
 
You may also want to take a look at the burris fullfield e1s, and Droptines. They offer many of the same features, but lack the turrets of the P-series.
Another good options if you can give up both the turrets and the BDC are the Sig Whiskey3s.
 
Dang
Sorry to hear of that
Some years back, I was shooting my daddy's
old Marlin with the old steel Weaver on top,
and I had a pain and had to make a trip to
the latrine. When I came back, a couple of
guys were standing behind my station and
told me about the guy that was sitting next
to me had accidentally knocked my rifle off
onto the concrete, and jumped up and
left his targets and gathered his stuff and
hauled out. Didn't stick around to apologize
or anything. The scope was dented bad
and bent enough that it wouldn't adjust
back correctly. I just had to replace it
move on.
 
I feel your pain. I had a rifle slide out of my buddies suburban and land on one of the scope turrets. Nothing to do but replace it.

Out of curiosity is there a scope that would survive such a fall as yours?
 
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