Centerfire Soft Drink Match:

[Maverick223]

Welcome to the Centerfire Match for the month of February! This match is open to any centerfire rifle. This match is meant to be challenging and educational, but most of all FUN. Hopefully it will get you out to the range and shooting your rifle. If you have one handy, make sure an bring a friend too.


->Iron sights and non-magnified optics and red dots. Shot at 50yds.
->Scopes and other magnified sighting devices. Shot at 100yds.

There are Three Rifle Classes in the magnified division (only one for the non-magnified division):
->Unlimited/Benchrest Rifles (highly modified/custom rifles, machine rests, heavy rifles (over 20lbs), very high magnification optics [over 20x] may be used).
->Target Rifles (modified rifles, rests, heavy rifles (over 10lbs), high magnification optics- over 10x [with an upper limit of 20x] may be used).
->Sporting Rifles (Includes All Non-Target Class Autoloaders, Bolt Actions, Single Shots, Pumps, & Lever Rifles). Rests/sandbags/bipods are not permitted in this class, but shooting sticks (either the crossed or walking stick variety) are allowed. Use of a sling is encouraged. Shoots may be taken from any position. Rests/Sandbags/bipods are not permitted in this class.


50 Yd. (Irons) Target: See image in the link below. Scale to 100% on standard 8.5x11in. paper. The objective is to fire one shot at each soft drink (commonly referred to as soda or pop by ya'll Yanks) containment device. Growing up in NC, the chosen brand was a natural choice (they'd run me out of the state for choosing anything other than Cheerwine, Sundrop, or perhaps Royal Crown). Scored as one point for busting each can/bottle (cutting the edge), and two for a shot lying completely within the oval label for a total possible score of 12pts. BTW, you might want to work your way from the top down to prevent toppling the pyramid.

100 Yd. (Optics) Target: Same as above.



When you are satisfied you've done your best post/attach (or shoot me a PM) a photo or scan of your target with as much of the following information as possible: Forum name (or name you want posted in the results), Rifle, make, model, vintage (if known), Sights/Optics (with magnification if applicable), Ammo (or load, if you care to divulge your secret recipe), Position, Distance, Conditions (in/outdoors, wind, temperature...). Multiple submissions are allowed (in same or different class with same or different rifles).

Self-scoring is encouraged and appreciated. We'll give you an extra day (leap/election year) and make all submissions due by 23:59 February 29th this time.

 

[BCRider]

Move along...

I just noticed that there's a rimfire match of this as well.

 

[Maverick223]

Heck yeah, for all that haven't noticed it here's a link.

 

[Maverick223]

.PDF Available:

Just in case anyone has difficulty printing, I have attached a .pdf version of the target below.

 

[CmdrSlander]

I have my rifle zeroed for 75 yards (the max distance at my local range), can I take on the soft drinks at that range and modify my score accordingly? Say 1.50 for label, .75 for bottle buster.

Thanks.

 

[Maverick223]

That's perfectly fine with me; I certainly don't believe that will make any discernible difference when using a centerfire rifle equipped with optics. Just make sure and state that in your submission so I can note it in the final tally.

 

[CmdrSlander]

Alright, I'm heading out to go test my hand at this challenge. Expect results in 3-4 hours.

 

[Maverick223]

Welcome Commander...good luck at the range.

On a related note I actually dreamt about doing quite well on this target using my Whitworth Express .375H&H, with the express sights (don't know why I didn't use the scope). I think I might have to give it a shot when I get a little more time, and while I think it might have the oomph to cut the paper I'm not holding too much hope for an outstanding score.

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

Just got done loading up a bunch of .223 experimental stuff. Got some 69 grain and 75 grain PPU Match grade boat tail hollow point bullets from Graf's. Loaded the 69 grain bullets with 25 grains of Reloader #15 and used a book MAX load of Varget for the 75 grainer's as both are listed in the book as the most accurate load with a 1:9 barrel and that weight of bullet.

If these don't work, I still have about 750 rounds of that Winchester production overrun on the FBI 62 grain "barrier breaching" stuff that shot so well in last month's match.

Range session tomorrow morning.

Jim

 

[CmdrSlander]

Well, I dropped my rifle last week and this was my first range trip since then, used up all my time sighting back in so no targets to post

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

I found the super combo for my 10FLP Tactical in the Choate Stock. It did better with my handloaded 69 grain stuff by a smidgin than the Winchester FBI surplus stuff which technically one-holed 3 and 5 round groups.

My barrel is a 1:9 twist, Shilen stainless steel 20" barrel with a Wylde chamber so it will shoot both 5.56 and .223. The load turns out to be 69 grain PrviPartizan BTHP Match bullet over a max charge of Reloader #15. We got two 100 yard, 5 round, well under MOA groups you could cover with a dime and still get change back. I fired one and one of the range employees fired the other one. I let the range guy keep that set of targets because he had never fired a centerfire rifle before, only rimfire stuff.

Shot two of the match targets, one with the 69 grain load and again with the second load - 75 grain PPU BTHP Match bullet over a MAX charge of Varget. It was listed as the most accurate load for the 75 grain bullet. The 69 grain load is a bit better though. The 75 grainers didn't group quite as well - no change back from the dime and a more jagged hole. Left hand target is the 69 grain and the right one is the 75 grain load.

I'm completely happy with the 69 grain loading combo for my rifle and probably will just load up what's left of the initial hundred 75 grain bullets and shoot 'em at coyotes or prairie dogs. After I get them shot up I'll order a whole bunch of the 69 grain PPU's before Graf's runs out of them -

Jim

 

[Maverick223]

Some fine shooting, KSCCHTrainer. There are times that I think we need a special division just for you...be it using an old Mosin or a new Savage.

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

Thanks Mav,
Forgot to mention -- Unlimited target division, off the bipod with a rear monopod. Really ought to be in a bench rest category. Not quite on a B/R rail, but close and indoors to boot.

Once better weather gets here, my friend and I are going to do a bit of remodeling on the berms at his place and rearrange the fencing so the horses his wife is caring for will have a place more to themselves and won't keep us from using the range he built.

I really like this dang rifle. I'm almost scared to clean the bore after this session for fear I'll screw something up. In my 70 years of living, I've never owned a more capable rifle. Hope I live long enough to wear it out!

Jim

 

[Maverick223]

Forgot to mention -- Unlimited target division, off the bipod with a rear monopod. Really ought to be in a bench rest category. Not quite on a B/R rail, but close and indoors to boot.

I figured that much. I'm just givin' you a hard time, we'll keep it in the regular Target Div. unless you used optics greater than 20x.

Nice shooting Jim. I wish my gun range was closer. I need to break down and figure out how to shoot 100 yards here at home.

Someone once told me that road signs(*) make good target holders.

Note: I'm just kidding...if something sounds like a dumb idea, it usually is. Now telephone poles, on the other hand...

 

[sixgunner455]

that's some nice shooting, Jim. Very impressive.

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

Thanks, but anybody here could have done as well with that rifle and ammo. I think I mentioned that I let one of the range employees shoot it and he had a dime sized group at 100 yards with it. He had never shot a centerfire rifle prior to that and had only been out plinking once with a Ruger 10-22. I had to show him how to load the thing.

The kid's just barely 21, but when it comes to shooting a handgun, especially a 1911 style .45, I won't even try to compete with him. There are one or two old hands that beat him occasionally, but they practice dang near every day too. Heck even with reloading, I can't afford that much ammo

I gave a guy $400 for the rifle and scope, spent another 180 on the Choate stock. Best $580 I ever spent on a rifle, bar NONE. Guy I got it from wanted the money to put on a Browning A-Bolt also in .223. I figure he just never found the right ammo for this one and I just got lucky. I usually start at the low end and work up, but everyone said that the MAX load of Rel-15 was best for that 69 grain bullet so I made up a batch of 50 and carefully weighed each powder charge to make sure I didn't go over the 25.0 grains. Now I've got to get a 5 pound jug of Reloader 15 and hit Graf's for at least 1000 of those PPU 69 grain bullets before they run out of them. I don't think I can come up with a better loading than what I have now, that's for sure.

Load was 69 grain BTHP bullet by Prvi Partizan (PPU) from Serbia, 25.0 grains of Alliant Reloader #15, mixed headstamp, once fired, untrimmed brass, Wolf primers and all loaded on a Lee turret press operated single stage. Primers were seated with an RCBS universal hand priming tool. The load is listed in the Lee book as the "NEVER EXCEED" load, so you are on your own if you try it and I admonish you to MAKE SURE YOUR SCALE IS ACCURATE and weigh every charge. DO NOT RELY ON A POWDER MEASURE, WEIGH THE POWDER EVERY TIME!!!! If you aren't an experienced reloader, as the MythBusters say, DON"T TRY THIS AT HOME FOLKS.

Jim

 

[Maverick223]

DO NOT RELY ON A POWDER MEASURE, WEIGH THE POWDER EVERY TIME!!!!

Modern rifles have a generous factor of safety, however I think it would still be best to work up from no greater than the median charge and work your way to max with a few more loadings (3-4 min.), just to be certain that the rifle is equipped to handle it. That said, weighing each charge is always the best course of action for the utmost in accuracy.

[...] as the MythBusters say, DON"T TRY THIS AT HOME FOLKS.

The same folks that shot a cannonball through someone's home?

 

[leadaddict]

A Cold Day

I finally got a new .308 die after going several months without one. This .308 drought was caused by an unfortunate incident involving a stuck case and a hammer. (I've since learner that there are better methods and more ways to avoid this in the future.) Anyway... I loaded up some rounds this week and was itching to get out and shoot some. I didn't let the zero degree wind chill slow me down, in fact I think it sped me up! I didn't want to hold still to long and freeze.

Burrrrrrr!!!!!


All in all the results below aren't bad for me. I know I can be more consistent, but always end up with some fliers. (drat) I was having trouble feeling the trigger at all and knew I pulled a few of those as soon as the shot broke. I'll blame the others on the wind. I will have to try this again soon. A fun target!



I count them both as 7's.

I shoot a Savage 10fp (2003 pre-accutrigger) in .308 with a 10X scope. The first target was shot prone and second was from the bench. Both with a bipod so I think I'll fall in the scoped target catagory.

 

[Maverick223]

Gregaw, that's not too shabby for a day when your freezin' your behind off in the wind. We've been fortunate and have had a very mild winter this year (today, with a temp. of about 29F has been one of the colder days thus far), so I have nothing to complain about.

 

[courtgreene]

As much as I love the premise and want to participate, I will NOT shoot at even a picture of a glass bottled cheerwine. if a glass bottle of cheerwine came to life and attacked my house, we would all just have to die. Sorry, but some things should never be done.

Thanks for the contest though. And I'm sure cheerwine thanks you for their advertising.

 

[Maverick223]

As much as I love the premise and want to participate, I will NOT shoot at even a picture of a glass bottled cheerwine. if a glass bottle of cheerwine came to life and attacked my house, we would all just have to die. Sorry, but some things should never be done.

Don't worry, it's really Dr. Pepper disguised as the original (as it often does)...which is why we have to put 'em down!

Yep, the glass bottles sure do taste better. IIRC they use real cane sugar in those...and you can certainly tell a difference.

 

[Orlando]

Ya no glass or bottles allowed at the range I shoot at

 

[Maverick223]

Ya no glass or bottles allowed at the range I shoot at

Eh, just pick a day that isn't particularly busy and make sure to pick up all the glass shards afterwards.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

Hello everybody. Long-time lurker in your match threads, first time participant.

CLASS: Center-fire iron sights / non-magnified optics

RIFLE: Rock River LAR-15 lower w/ 16" Palmetto State Armory carbine upper

CAL: 5.56mm

AMMO: Prvi Partizan M193 5.56mm

POSITION: Prone

SIGHTS: EOTech 512, no magnification

RANGE: 50yds.

I shot right-to-left, bottom-to-top. As you can see, shots one through three were right on the money. Shot four, at the right-middle can, went a bit low and right. I have no idea what happened then. Shots five and six, at left-middle and the bottle, went about 2" right.

Total, I see four hits, for a total of four points. I don't see anybody else that has shot the iron sights / non-magnified optics center-fire class, though, so that means I'm in the #1 spot so far!

 

[Maverick223]

Welcome, Sergeant Sabre; glad you decided to join in this month. I believe you're dead on, the No. 1 spot is yours.