Goals/Challenges/Bucket List

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xphunter

xphunter

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Mar 21, 2005
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912
Location
Gillette, WY
It is probably a given among us to have several different handguns we would like to purchase in 2017.
But what would you like to achieve in your shooting skill set in the next year?
Do you set improvement goals?
Whether it is improving your offihand shooting or tightening your groups from the kneeling position, how do you plan on going about and making those improvements?
Maybe there is some gear that you want to buy in this next year that will help you with those personal challenges ... what accessories do you plan to add in the next year?
We typically see, I'm gonna buy this new handgun or I'm going to go hunting in this location for this game next year.
What do you want to get better at in terms of Handgunning???
Do you have friendly challenges among your buddies, reaching certain goals or meeting certain challenges in terms of handgun in any type?
 
Fun thread.

In 2017, I'm looking to build a 300win mag Remington 700 pistol (have a non-classified action) - might make it into a RUM, but planning to do it on DBM bottom metal.

I'm still working with my 357/44 B&D Redhawk past 200yrds, have a set planned this winter which should give me access to try it out on a doe. I hit a pig with it at 175yrds, 180grn HotCor punched a beautiful hole in its neck through and through.

They aren't handguns, but I'm opening up some field at one of my properties for better drainage, which might change my 1600yrd range to 2200yrds, so my 338L and 300RUM will likely get some extra air time next summer.
 
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Well I'm constantly trying to improve with my carry guns, that's a given. I have more interest right now with handguns than anything else so overall improvement in that field is important to me.

And I'm hoping I can buy my first AR here soon before they're banned. I'm more comfortable and better at shooting rifles but I don't yet own an AR variation.
 
I will complete more parts kit guns than I buy this year (puttin' my foot down, at last). Will also endeavor more frequent range trips than I've been able to do thus far, and get back into reloading as part of that.

TCB
 
I'm trying to put togther a 357Max Encore carbine for deer hunting.

That and getting some trigger jobs done on a 629 and a 625.

I might throw a mini red dot on my 629 while I'm at it.

New sights are in order for my CZ P-07 & 75B SA.

I'd like to work on shooting from field positions with the 629 and Encore as well as my muzzleloader and work on my action shooting with my 625 and CZ P-07 & 75B SA.
 
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Short term, I'm working on load development on a 22x6.8 AR-15. I hope to take it to the prairie dog fields in the summer 2017.

Also, I'm waiting on a stock and barrel for a build based on a Savage Target action. 22 Bench Rest this time. Also for use on prairie dogs.

Finally, I have parts to assemble two M1 Garands, maybe I will finally get around to building them. The hard part might be remembering where I stored them.:)
 
Hi...

Just turned 62, so I am eligible for early retirement.
I am well stocked up on reloading supplies and even have acquired some new firearms to work on load development both for handguns and rifles.

It will be nice to finally have the time to spend as much time at the reloading bench and gun club as I want.
I may even take up bullet casting down the road...I am starting to consider the cost savings inherent in casting my own as opposed to buying cast bullets in bulk.
 
If I can ever answer questions, that you guys have, I would be glad to help.
Shooting from field positions with various handguns and rifles is something I have been working with for some time now.
 
I want to see how my Ruger GP-100 357 Magnum Franken-Ruger will group at 750 yards.
I already know what it is capable of doing at 500 yards.
Curious to see at what distance failure will take place
 
xphunter said:
I want to see how my Ruger GP-100 357 Magnum Franken-Ruger will group at 750 yards.
I already know what it is capable of doing at 500 yards.
Curious to see at what distance failure will take place
Click to expand...

I've been following your exploits with the "Franken-Ruger" with much intrest.

I know you use a pretty large rest to shoot from occasionally. Which is a bit juxtaposed to how I handgun hunt , do you ever use anything a little more "pack-able" something quicker to deploy?

I'll usually cut a walking stick with a Y notch to use, but was wondering what you may use and how you employ it with a handgun. i.e. two handed hold on the gun, or one hand steadying the shooting stick.
 
gotboostvr said:
I've been following your exploits with the "Franken-Ruger" with much intrest.

I know you use a pretty large rest to shoot from occasionally. Which is a bit juxtaposed to how I handgun hunt , do you ever use anything a little more "pack-able" something quicker to deploy?

I'll usually cut a walking stick with a Y notch to use, but was wondering what you may use and how you employ it with a handgun. i.e. two handed hold on the gun, or one hand steadying the shooting stick.
Click to expand...
I've used lightweight shock-corded shooting sticks, mono pods, shooting over my pack, and even putting a mitten over a fallen tree or a big limb. One time I even was laying on my back and had my knees up and I shot between my knees knowing that my legs were going to get pelted from the gas escaping, but I had multi layers on my legs because I was up in the mountains. I look for about anything that I can find to get a more solid field rest. I also use the sergeant sniper rest.
Ask any question that you have.
I can shoot offhand decently, but I'm going to typically do everything in my power to get lower to the ground and more steady.
 
xphunter said:
It is probably a given among us to have several different handguns we would like to purchase in 2017.
But what would you like to achieve in your shooting skill set in the next year?
Do you set improvement goals?
Whether it is improving your offihand shooting or tightening your groups from the kneeling position, how do you plan on going about and making those improvements?
Maybe there is some gear that you want to buy in this next year that will help you with those personal challenges ... what accessories do you plan to add in the next year?
We typically see, I'm gonna buy this new handgun or I'm going to go hunting in this location for this game next year.
What do you want to get better at in terms of Handgunning???
Do you have friendly challenges among your buddies, reaching certain goals or meeting certain challenges in terms of handgun in any type?
Click to expand...
I always set improvement goals. I'm starting to feel as though the past couple years, I've learned more about shooting than I did in the previous 35 years. Yep, I want to pick up more accessories, particularly more custom holsters, complete a supply of firearm parts (springs, sears, pins, sights, stocks, etc.), so I can keep all my guns going for the rest of my life.

Pretty much don't NEED any more guns -- but I'm sure I'll find some I just have to buy.

Want to hunt some places I've never hunted before. Hunted most of the MidWest and the West Coast states, want to hit up Wyoming, Montana, etc.

Feel mostly like I've topped out on shooting skills and tactical stuff, but still love the informal competitions among buddies and teammates.
 
xphunter said:
I've used lightweight shock-corded shooting sticks, mono pods, shooting over my pack, and even putting a mitten over a fallen tree or a big limb. One time I even was laying on my back and had my knees up and I shot between my knees knowing that my legs were going to get pelted from the gas escaping, but I had multi layers on my legs because I was up in the mountains. I look for about anything that I can find to get a more solid field rest. I also use the sergeant sniper rest.
Ask any question that you have.
I can shoot offhand decently, but I'm going to typically do everything in my power to get lower to the ground and more steady.
Click to expand...

Do you rest the barrel on your rest/pack/mono pod or use it to support your forearm/s?

I know it's a no-no to put your rifle barrel on your rest, is it as critical with a pistol?
 
Just ordered the dies for my 5th caliber (.30-30), seems like, while supposedly relatively simple, it affords enough difference to have a learning curve.

Also am hoping to get as proficient with my XD-S .40 as I am with my SR1911 Commander. A guy can dream, can't he?
 
gotboostvr said:
Do you rest the barrel on your rest/pack/mono pod or use it to support your forearm/s?

I know it's a no-no to put your rifle barrel on your rest, is it as critical with a pistol?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't do it.
Maybe at the short distances many people use a revolver at, it may not be an issue to show up or they are not accurate enough at those distances to realize it's changing their POI.
This is why I love the Franken-Ruger.
I have no worries about POI regardless of the rest set-up I am using.
I would encourage folks to actually test it themselves.
At 100, 150, and 200 yards and document what you get
 
Personal shooting goals for 2017:
Grouping the 357 Magnum Franken-Ruger from 750 to possibly 1000 yards.
Testing the Cold Shot MOAB mount past a mile on a rifle and a specialty pistol.
Group several SP's beyond 2K out to 2500 yards.
Get into better field shooting shape before June. I had some rust on my shooting skills this past summer.
Shoot some 600 yard F-Class matches.
See how far I can make connections on 10" Steel with my MOA, FA, THOR, and DOMINATOR SP's from field positions.
Increase my speed and accuracy on 6" squares at various distances with my SD/CC handguns while moving.
Practice with SD handguns out to 50 yards
Clean and organize my reloading room lol.gif
 
I want to get consistent 3" or less groups at 10 yards with handguns. I can do it, but not reliably. There's always a #%%$!! flyer. Once I feel confident with a 1911, I'll move to a snubnose. That should keep me busy until I die, because I am not good with a snubnose.

I have a Colt Compact I'd like to upgrade some-- unbreakable recoil plug, replace plastic trigger and mainspring housing with metal, better sights. Also have a bare 1911 frame (Springfield) I'd like to do a build with.

More reloading supplies! Bullets sure seem to evaporate somehow. And a second progressive press for small primer loads so I don't have to convert the current one back and forth.
 
This year I was able to check off owning my an AR.

I keep a running bucket list of firearms I want to purchase. Every few months it gets riddled with cross outs or I need more room to write so it gets redone. Some things never get taken off that list, like the AR I wanted to build had been sitting on the list for 8 years. I still want to build a custom .308 bolt rifle. I still want a duty size firearm with similar operation in the big 3 calibers (9mm, 40, 45).

As far as goals/challenges, they are always the same. Get better with my accuracy and precision of anything that happens to adorn my safe.
 
My wife and I would like to get our ccw's.

On an unrelated note I'd like to build a Colt M4 sopmod block 1 repro. I like the block 1 more than 2.
 
Keep myself from buying more guns than I need or can possibly use! I'm going to try to hold myself to one per quarter next year. And shoot some of the unfired guns in my collection.
 
I have a CHL but I rarely carry. I hope to get the proper holster & accessories worked out & practice the draw & shoot with some efficiency. For me at least, this is a tall order!
 
Oh jeeze, some goals I've got:
Finally build that upper I've got a couple parts for
Upgrade the trigger in my AR
Develop some nice loads for my AR and M1
Get an ambi safety for my 9mm Range Officer (waiting in SA to start accepting custom shop work)
Accumulate some more reloading supplies
Kill a deer with my Garand
Get back into IDPA
 
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