People who know me know that my taste in firearms runs to the traditional (read that old). I have more single-shot rifles than makes any sense and I'll take a Mauser 98 Sporter over the latest whiz-bang "tactical" rifle any day. If I am at the range, odds are I am shooting something old and slow rather than new and fast.
So, this being my last day of vacation and all, I decided to head out to the range one last time before going back to work on Monday (fortunately, I am among the lucky few who love their jobs but I still enjoy time off and try to make the most of it). I lugged along a 30-40 Krag I restocked, a .45/70 Trapdoor Carbine repro by H&R, and a Rossi pump .22 (I think a copy of the Winchester 1906?).
The Krag is frustrating. It puts two so close together they nearly touch and the 3rd shot goes wide. Every group looks like this, and the best I could do was 2 shots 1/4" apart with the 3rd opening it up to 3". I don't know what's up with that 3rd shot. I was using 147 grain milsurp bullets and maybe the rate of twist on the barrel is off sor this lighter bullet? The original Krag load used a 220 grain slug so I assume the rate of twist was designed for this bullet. But would that cause the effect I am seeing? Two good ones and a rotten one every time?
The Trapdoor is fun but it kicks. I mean... it kicks hard. I think this gun only weighs about 7.5 lbs and the recoil is unpleasant. I'll have to try some plinking loads using 250 grain .45 Colt bullets loaded to about 1,100 FPS. These work well in my Martini and are nothing in the recoil department.
I didn't expect much from the Rossi .22 rifle. A pump is hardly a match rifle and this is a take-down model making the barrel even more unstable. But I did manage one group that measured 1.5" at 50 yards and that's not too bad for open sights and 50 year old eyes.
It was fun but the heat took its toll on me as I walked back and forth changing targets. Now I need a nap.
So, this being my last day of vacation and all, I decided to head out to the range one last time before going back to work on Monday (fortunately, I am among the lucky few who love their jobs but I still enjoy time off and try to make the most of it). I lugged along a 30-40 Krag I restocked, a .45/70 Trapdoor Carbine repro by H&R, and a Rossi pump .22 (I think a copy of the Winchester 1906?).
The Krag is frustrating. It puts two so close together they nearly touch and the 3rd shot goes wide. Every group looks like this, and the best I could do was 2 shots 1/4" apart with the 3rd opening it up to 3". I don't know what's up with that 3rd shot. I was using 147 grain milsurp bullets and maybe the rate of twist on the barrel is off sor this lighter bullet? The original Krag load used a 220 grain slug so I assume the rate of twist was designed for this bullet. But would that cause the effect I am seeing? Two good ones and a rotten one every time?
The Trapdoor is fun but it kicks. I mean... it kicks hard. I think this gun only weighs about 7.5 lbs and the recoil is unpleasant. I'll have to try some plinking loads using 250 grain .45 Colt bullets loaded to about 1,100 FPS. These work well in my Martini and are nothing in the recoil department.
I didn't expect much from the Rossi .22 rifle. A pump is hardly a match rifle and this is a take-down model making the barrel even more unstable. But I did manage one group that measured 1.5" at 50 yards and that's not too bad for open sights and 50 year old eyes.
It was fun but the heat took its toll on me as I walked back and forth changing targets. Now I need a nap.
