Ok so due to Tactical Rifle at Pueblo being canceled I opted for a long range match at http://www.crci.org today.
12 targets in 3 sets, three targets at each range 219, 328, 421 and 547 yards. We shot a 4th set that didn't count. (Lot of people eager to get home for Easter Dinner)
One shot per target, you have 15 seconds from the buzzer to load (bolt rifle) and fire.
I didn't take a bipod or a sandbag (silly me) so my first round was dismal. But the match director loaned me a couple spares and I did much better after that.
With no fancy mil-dot optics (Tasco world class pronghorn 3x9x40)and a ballistic chart scotch taped to my stock (plain Jane Savage 116fask in .30-06, hand loaded 165gr Sierra game kings on 56 grains of 3100 in RP brass, WW primers) I got two hits at 547 yards! (Out of nine that counted at that range, last two shots of the match.) That is a FIRST for me. I haven't seen my score but I had a blast.
Now the bad: I shot the #6 instead of the #5 once, and fumbled a load due to a magazine not being seated fully. Might have gotten a penalty on that shot I'm not sure I beat the buzzer. Some of my reloads were STICKY. I've just been neck sizing my brass, and some required quite a whack on the bolt handle. Might be time to fully re-size and deal with the lower case life.
Next time I'll bring my Harris bipod and a bean bag, and make sure my rifle is zeroed. I was shooting low and left consistently today, I haven't fired my hunting rifle in 2 years. Totally a different animal from run and gun style tactical rifle. I looked over the range with my 4x on my AR, cross hairs were so thick I couldn't SEE the 328 yard targets so I opted not to try it in round 4.
Super friendly people running the match, they were very helpful and gentle with the new shooters (like me). There was a small raffle for t-shirts and hats. Aside for some chilly overcast weather (40-45 degrees) the wind was remarkably gentle most of the day.
Have to say I just might do this again!
Thanks to the match organizers and to Chris shooting on my right for helping me get on target to make those long range shots.
12 targets in 3 sets, three targets at each range 219, 328, 421 and 547 yards. We shot a 4th set that didn't count. (Lot of people eager to get home for Easter Dinner)
One shot per target, you have 15 seconds from the buzzer to load (bolt rifle) and fire.
I didn't take a bipod or a sandbag (silly me) so my first round was dismal. But the match director loaned me a couple spares and I did much better after that.
With no fancy mil-dot optics (Tasco world class pronghorn 3x9x40)and a ballistic chart scotch taped to my stock (plain Jane Savage 116fask in .30-06, hand loaded 165gr Sierra game kings on 56 grains of 3100 in RP brass, WW primers) I got two hits at 547 yards! (Out of nine that counted at that range, last two shots of the match.) That is a FIRST for me. I haven't seen my score but I had a blast.
Now the bad: I shot the #6 instead of the #5 once, and fumbled a load due to a magazine not being seated fully. Might have gotten a penalty on that shot I'm not sure I beat the buzzer. Some of my reloads were STICKY. I've just been neck sizing my brass, and some required quite a whack on the bolt handle. Might be time to fully re-size and deal with the lower case life.
Next time I'll bring my Harris bipod and a bean bag, and make sure my rifle is zeroed. I was shooting low and left consistently today, I haven't fired my hunting rifle in 2 years. Totally a different animal from run and gun style tactical rifle. I looked over the range with my 4x on my AR, cross hairs were so thick I couldn't SEE the 328 yard targets so I opted not to try it in round 4.
Super friendly people running the match, they were very helpful and gentle with the new shooters (like me). There was a small raffle for t-shirts and hats. Aside for some chilly overcast weather (40-45 degrees) the wind was remarkably gentle most of the day.
Have to say I just might do this again!
Thanks to the match organizers and to Chris shooting on my right for helping me get on target to make those long range shots.
But like I said I did it twice.
