Yesterday, I was in a hurry to get to our local club range because I hadn't shot for a while and was getting a bit antsy. My grandson has been using my pickup often, while his old one has been in the shop for a couple of months, but yesterday, it was mine to use!!!
I read that the wind would be pretty favorable, about 7mph, but at a reasonable direction, so quickly gathered three rifles and my gear and headed out.
I normally keep a bunch of targets in the truck, but had cleaned it out a while back, so grandson could take it to the body shop for an estimate/appointment to fix the fender, due to his wayward backing incident. So, without adequate planning, I was off to the range, about 10 miles away.
When I arrived, there was only one person using the rifle range and he allowed me to set up my targets. OOOPS, NO TARGETS!!! NO TARGET HOLDER! Someone had left a few wire target frames up with old shot-up targets and I managed to find some 3" stick-on target-dots in my bag, so put them up in areas void of holes.
Fortunately, things went better with regard to other gear, so I set up on one of the 20 or so unused concrete benches and commenced firing my new .223, 55 grain Sierra, Varget-powered reloads, using my Rem 700 SS, Fluted, Light-Varmint. The new Starline brass was well-prepared, but unfired, so I didn't expect miracles and didn't get them, but managed to keep most shots inside of 0.4" at 100 yards. Wind was variable, but from the opposite, more exposed direction, than what the weatherman said it would be, so I had no expectations of glorious groups.
The Remington managed the best groups of the day, which had two groups of three out of 4 rounds at 0.4" at 100 yards. The Tikka 595 wasn't quite as good, making 5/8" groups. The worst of the bunch was my Tikka .17 HMR, which grouped about an inch, but had other shots wind-blown Left of center.
All in all, it was great to get out to shoot! Not my best, not my worst, but that didn't matter!!! It's the first time out in a while, and unfortunately, my old shooting buddy is not doing especially well these days, so I was alone. (That happens at my age, having lost too many shooting buddies.)
I read that the wind would be pretty favorable, about 7mph, but at a reasonable direction, so quickly gathered three rifles and my gear and headed out.
I normally keep a bunch of targets in the truck, but had cleaned it out a while back, so grandson could take it to the body shop for an estimate/appointment to fix the fender, due to his wayward backing incident. So, without adequate planning, I was off to the range, about 10 miles away.
When I arrived, there was only one person using the rifle range and he allowed me to set up my targets. OOOPS, NO TARGETS!!! NO TARGET HOLDER! Someone had left a few wire target frames up with old shot-up targets and I managed to find some 3" stick-on target-dots in my bag, so put them up in areas void of holes.
Fortunately, things went better with regard to other gear, so I set up on one of the 20 or so unused concrete benches and commenced firing my new .223, 55 grain Sierra, Varget-powered reloads, using my Rem 700 SS, Fluted, Light-Varmint. The new Starline brass was well-prepared, but unfired, so I didn't expect miracles and didn't get them, but managed to keep most shots inside of 0.4" at 100 yards. Wind was variable, but from the opposite, more exposed direction, than what the weatherman said it would be, so I had no expectations of glorious groups.
The Remington managed the best groups of the day, which had two groups of three out of 4 rounds at 0.4" at 100 yards. The Tikka 595 wasn't quite as good, making 5/8" groups. The worst of the bunch was my Tikka .17 HMR, which grouped about an inch, but had other shots wind-blown Left of center.
All in all, it was great to get out to shoot! Not my best, not my worst, but that didn't matter!!! It's the first time out in a while, and unfortunately, my old shooting buddy is not doing especially well these days, so I was alone. (That happens at my age, having lost too many shooting buddies.)
