Michael Tinker Pearce
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2016
- Messages
- 1,575
Going east of the mountains for mule deer next week and was planning on mounting an optic on my Abilene .44 Magnum, but after talking to my hunting partner shots will most likely be in the 100-150 yard range. I need a lot more practice with that .44 to be confident on a 100 yard shot. Hell, 150 yards is stretching things for my 7.35mm Carbine (with iron sights.)
At my usual hapopy hunting grounds I never so much as see a deer past 50 yards or so, so I divested myself of my scoped .30-06 years ago. I expressed my regret about this to my wife, and she said, "So get a scoped rifle." Lord I love this woman!
I examined the options at Pinto's and thought about the terrain we'll be trekking through- called the Scablands if that gives you a clue- and selected a Remington Model 660 in .243 Winchester, which came with a scope and sling mounted. It also has an aluminum replacement for the original plastic trigger-guard. The scope is nothing special, a variable power TruGlo, but it's adequate. $475 for the whole deal, which I reckoned to be pretty good. i also found some .243 reloading dies in their bargain bin and some 100gr. bullets, but for now I bought three boxes of PPU 100gr. soft-points. Today I headed out to Renton Fish and Game to try her out, and the results were decent... and a little weird.
Just for giggles I decided to shoot the first group at 100 yards unsupported. Fired three rounds at the upper left square, looked through the spotting scope and was pleased to see a 2" group. Not bad for off-hand. Next I used a sandbag rest to see what she can really do. Three shots, looked through the scope and saw a 2" group. Huh. Tried it again. 2" group. Ooookay. Got down the Steady Rest, mounted the rifle, got it dialed in and... 2" group.
Not what I was expecting from a rest, but I won't feel bad shooting it at a deer at 100-200 yards. Is this maybe the limit of accuracy from the ammo at that range? If it was just the off-hand group I'd assume I needed more practice, but I got an identical result from the Steady Rest. I am leaving Weds. morning at zero-dark hundred, so I don't really feel like I have time to mess about experimenting with handloads; I have a lot to do between now and then and these will do well enough.
I do love the rifle. Short and light enough for scampering around rough country, excellent trigger and sweet handling. I am pretty sure I will be happily shooting this rifle for pleasure and experimenting with handloads. Likely before next year I'll float the barrel and bed the action, but for this year I am happy.
At my usual hapopy hunting grounds I never so much as see a deer past 50 yards or so, so I divested myself of my scoped .30-06 years ago. I expressed my regret about this to my wife, and she said, "So get a scoped rifle." Lord I love this woman!
I examined the options at Pinto's and thought about the terrain we'll be trekking through- called the Scablands if that gives you a clue- and selected a Remington Model 660 in .243 Winchester, which came with a scope and sling mounted. It also has an aluminum replacement for the original plastic trigger-guard. The scope is nothing special, a variable power TruGlo, but it's adequate. $475 for the whole deal, which I reckoned to be pretty good. i also found some .243 reloading dies in their bargain bin and some 100gr. bullets, but for now I bought three boxes of PPU 100gr. soft-points. Today I headed out to Renton Fish and Game to try her out, and the results were decent... and a little weird.
Just for giggles I decided to shoot the first group at 100 yards unsupported. Fired three rounds at the upper left square, looked through the spotting scope and was pleased to see a 2" group. Not bad for off-hand. Next I used a sandbag rest to see what she can really do. Three shots, looked through the scope and saw a 2" group. Huh. Tried it again. 2" group. Ooookay. Got down the Steady Rest, mounted the rifle, got it dialed in and... 2" group.
Not what I was expecting from a rest, but I won't feel bad shooting it at a deer at 100-200 yards. Is this maybe the limit of accuracy from the ammo at that range? If it was just the off-hand group I'd assume I needed more practice, but I got an identical result from the Steady Rest. I am leaving Weds. morning at zero-dark hundred, so I don't really feel like I have time to mess about experimenting with handloads; I have a lot to do between now and then and these will do well enough.
I do love the rifle. Short and light enough for scampering around rough country, excellent trigger and sweet handling. I am pretty sure I will be happily shooting this rifle for pleasure and experimenting with handloads. Likely before next year I'll float the barrel and bed the action, but for this year I am happy.