Winter 2011 centerfire rifle match

[9X23WIN]

After a week of heavy rain and wind, it was nice to get out today. I tried again, this time with two open/unlimited class rifles. Started off the morning shooting my teenage daughter's 243 Ackley. The rifle loves the Sierra's 107gr and it performed today! The score was 45-6x.

The 243 Ackley performance was going to be a tough act for the second gun (6.5-284) to follow especially when I was using a newly untested load. But I was pretty much satisfied with the results. Score was 33-4x.

Conditions today were the nicest in a while with only a slight easterly wind. Usually the winds howl from the opposite direction. So no wind excuse today!

The two rifles are twins except for stock color and chamberings. Both uses a sleeved 700 action and have tight necks and they require cases to be turned. Barrels are K&P, Dierks brakes, Manner's 1000yd NBRSA stocks, Jewell 2oz triggers. Both rifles weigh in at almost 17lbs each.

 

[9X23WIN]

Greg, nice setup you have there. What's wrapped around the scope?

 

[9X23WIN]

Here is a picture of the two guns. It's the first time the two been together out at this range.

 

[JDGray]

9X23WIN,
Nice shooting, and nice equipment! You sure have some nice rifles!! That one looks like your Daughters, but thought hers was a 22cal?

I'm now on generator power, and shouldn't be on the computer....Michigan Sucks! (Today, that is, and only during ice storms)

 

[9X23WIN]

JD, the reddish one is my daughter's and is the same one she shot in the January's match. It's a 243 Ackley Improve.

 

[gregj]

9X23WIN, awesome rigs you have there!!! Very nice shooting as well. Some day ....

That's my high dollar, very exclusive, brass catcher!! Grabbed an old cap from the hat rack, slipped it over the scope, and it does a fantastic job of catching the brass. Either they stay in the cap, or fall onto the bench beneath the rifle. Makes it a LOT easier than chasing brass around.

 

[Heavies]

Why are you having ejection problems? Is the port too small? The problem is probably slowing you down when you're trying to send a flurry of lead downrange quickly!

The 6br case is short so the ejector and extractor has a hard time holding on to the case long enough for it to spit them out. The design of the savage bolt extractor is part of the problem. Oh well, just something to think about, if you do a 6br on a savage action. And yep, slow as heck!

I gotta get around to calling Savage up and asking for a remedy. They have factory rifles in that caliber, so there must be some way to make it work!

 

[Whiskey11]

Whiskey, at your rate, it will be time for a new barrel soon. Maybe a heavier barrel in the future?

That is certainly the goal!!! I'll be gaining experience on the way too! It will be a Krieger in 24 in, 1:10 twist still probably, 5 flute, in the heaviest profile barrel they will put out Still debating on getting it threaded for a suppressor for when money becomes more available. I'll be sending the action in to have them true it and all that jive. Should put me in quite a ways on the money, but it should be worth it to have a rifle that consistently shoots sub half MOA @ 100 yards Then I'll have an excuse to bed the action and replace the trigger Then I can compete in the "Unlimited class!"

 

[Heavies]

9x23,
Outstanding shooting!

 

[9X23WIN]

HEAVIES, have you posted your problem on the Savage forum? Someone there may have answers.
http://savageshooters.com/SavageForum/index.php?PHPSESSID=8l9rser4q448ubbibbnouu6ue0&

GREG, I just learned a new trick from you!

WHISKEY, your rifle shoots well enough now to compete in the open class!

 

[Heavies]

9x23WIN,
Yes, I have gone over there, and many other places. I read up and tried all of the 'tricks' to get it to work. Only thing I haven't tried yet is calling Savage. I'm gonna try that today.
Thank you

 

[R.W.Dale]

I hope my absence and lack of an update isn't causing an issue. This past week I've been busier than a 1 legged man at an a** kicking contest. I'll try to rectify the situation later


As to extraction-ejection of short cartridges in savage action for me the easiest most productive solution was to remove the ejector altogether.

 

[Heavies]

As to extraction-ejection of short cartridges in savage action for me the easiest most productive solution was to remove the ejector altogether.

Roger that! I gonna try one more thing, Im going to try and fashion my own ejector a little longer than the factory one. If that dont work then I guess I'll just do that.
Still gonna be teed though. Because I would have just gone with the single port; I could have saved a little money, and had a little more stiffness in the action. Oh well.

 

[gregj]

I'm very new to this sort of competition, so forgive me if this is an obvious or dumb question. But can someone elaborate on what sort of benchrest is allowed, or is not allowed? I'm a little confused. I have a Caldwell I would like to use, but havent because I didnt think it was allowed. I'd rather use a bag rest than my bipod, but I'm still trying to find a bag rest locally that will work with an AR.

 

[Heavies]

Stop me if I'm wrong, but I think the rests you are speaking of is fine for this.
I am thinking the rules are talking about full on benchrest (connected front and rear), leadsleads, and rail gun type setups as not allowed.

 

[gregj]

Thanks Heavies. My son gave me one like this for Chrismas, so I would like to use it if I can. So if I disconnected the rear rest and used a bag, it would be ok?

 

[9X23WIN]

Greg, your Caldwell rest is okay for the match. I've use a front rest and a bipod, but at times, found it easier just to shoot with the latter. For me, a round and narrow forend has a tendency to cant, causing my group sizes to increase. That's why I rather use a non swivel Harris bipod for certain rifles like my Rem 700 PSS/hunting type stocks.

 

[gregj]

Thanks 9X23Win. I'll try it on my next attempt.

 

[P51D]

I did get the chance to get out one more time with the factory Savage 12 FV in .243. Hornady 58 gr V-Max, IMR 3031 handloads. Leupold 3-9 scope, sandbags from a bench, 100 yds. Temp 45 degrees, wind from 4 o'clock at 5 - 10 mph. Sunny day, good conditions.

I'm (now) gonna' call this a 43, 7X.

P51D

 

[JDGray]

P51D,
Great shooting! That second row 1pt could go for 3, but it may not look like 3 in person. Your call

 

[9X23WIN]

Excellent shooting P51! I also agree that the target on the second row is a 3. A mighty fine 43-7x should be your score.

 

[Heavies]

I tend to agree. 43 Very nice shooting!

 

[P51D]

Thanks, all. I had indeed originally scored it as a 43, but then got to thinking "Man, that is soooooo close", and didn't know if it would show up well once the picture was posted, etc. Looking at it again in person, it is about as close as it can get, but that "1" is indeed a "3".

Thanks for being so "High Road" on this.

P51D

 

[kis2]

Nice work P51!

Today was going to be my shooting day, but I think it's become my reloading day. Not that I only go out on perfectly calm days or don't enjoy a challenge, but right now the winds are over 30mph and a guys got his limits

Next month! Good luck all!

 

[P51D]

Thank you, KIS2. Yes, 30 mph winds would certainly be above my threshold (and that's exactly why I didn't shoot on Friday). That would certainly make things "interesting" . Good to see how the wind plays with the bullet, but not so good for scores even in a friendly competition.

P51D