Centerfire Rifle Match(Jan)

[hiawatha]

OK, I went to the range yesterday and duly posted the target. Walked back to the point and looked out. Couldn't see the little circles! So I shouldered my Mini-14 and looked through the 4x scope it came with. Not much help! I fired 5 rounds at a 100-yd bull I put up for sighting in. Walked out to check it. I guess it was one of those self-sealing targets! So I went back to the point and, looking under the scope through the iron sights, scored on the sighting-in target. Then I tried the target for this match. Zero! :banghead: Well, I also had no rest other than my elbow, and it's been over three years since I've shot at 100 yards. Also tried a 1942 K. Kale Mauser. Same results. Keep putting out these challenges; I'll keep trying. Oh, and I'll get a beanbag rest!

 

[9X23WIN]

hiawatha, don't worry...it's all in the fun of trying to poke holes in paper.

 

[hiawatha]

Yep!

 

[Maverick223]

Didn't make it out this month, but I am looking forward to giving the next one a shot!

JD, sent you a PM with respect to next month's match.

 

[JDGray]

Match Winner! KSCCHTrainer 43-7X

Thanks to all the shooters! This was the most challenging match I've personally shot, and would have liked to shot a few more times, but home projects, weather, are keeping me busy. I looked over the targets you all submitted, and #1 shooter goes to Member KSCCHTrainer! Would love to see your rifle!
Would also like to thank non member (name goes here) for showing all us guys how to shoot 9X23WIN, thank that young lady for me! And sign her up, so we can get shooting tips

Winner of the drawing is 1858!

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

Thanks to all the shooters! This was the most challenging match I've personally shot, and would have liked to shot a few more times, but home projects, weather, are keeping me busy. I looked over the targets you all submitted, and #1 shooter goes to Member KSCCHTrainer! Would love to see your rifle!
Would also like to thank non member (name goes here) for showing all us guys how to shoot 9X23WIN, thank that young lady for me! And sign her up, so we can get shooting tips

Winner of the drawing is 1858!

Figured I'd be up in the top ten somewhere, but sure didn't think the old Mosin 91/30 would actually win this thing. Granted I finally had to put a Timney trigger and one of those lace on cheek rests on it. The scope & mount each cost more than I paid for the rifle and the trigger cost just under the rifle's price, but the doggone thing has turned out to be the most accurate centerfire rifle I've ever owned. It's just a run of the mill 1942 Izhevsk 91/30 that I milled a recessed, flat crown on (using a Lee case trimmer as the mill). Cosmetically, I stripped all the old shellac off the stock and gave 'er a few coats of boiled linseed oil and some stock wax. It's been one of those absolutely lucky finds that I wouldn't trade for all the RemChesterBy's in the world. Of course, it took a while to fine tune the ammo to it as well, but I seem to have hit on the right one there as well. Match was shot with handloads - New PrviPartizan (PPU) cases from Graf's, Federal 210M match primers, Sierra .311 diameter 174 grain Match King BTHP bullets and 42.0 grains of Hodgdon Varget powder. This load has consistently grouped under .35" at 100 yards out of this rifle for 3 shot groups with no significant barrel cooling between shots.

Originally I free floated the barrel, but the groups opened up to over an inch so I tried the Finn's trick of putting a couple inch strip of cork in the muzzle end of the stock to apply a bit of upward pressure on the barrel at that point. It did the trick and made it shoot even better than before doing the float job. If you try this, be careful. It doesn't seem to work the same on all rifles due to inconsistencies in the stock wood and steel of the barrels.

JD, I've posted pix of this tent-pole before, but here's a couple for ya. These were taken before the Timney trigger and the cheek pad was installed. If I get a chance later, I'll do another pix of the rifle with the pad.

Jim

 

[MCMXI]

Winner of the drawing is 1858!

I never win anything so thanks very much. I lost $100 in Vegas a couple of weeks ago playing Blackjack (first time gambling), and parted with $180 at Spearmint Rhino!

As for this match, I thank you JDGray for changing how I practice for F-Class matches and shooting in general. I will tell you, it's easier to score 150-0X at 300 yards (15 shots in 15 minutes) shooting off a bipod (F-TR) than it is to shoot 45-0X at 100 yards (15 shots in 15 minutes) using your target. I shot a 149-4X at 300 yards at the last match but didn't get anywhere close to a good score on this target. Anyone thinking of shooting F-Class, practice at 100 yards with JDGray's target and you'll be in good shape for the 300 yard line at least. The 600 yard line is another story altogether if there's any kind of variable wind.

I wish this match ran every month ... it's that good. Some may get disillusioned given the target shot by 9X23WIN's daughter, so it's important to see the woods for the trees. We all shoot under different conditions such as weather, rate of fire, position, optics, weight of rifle, cartridge, load, quality of rifle, etc., so the important thing is to compete against yourself rather than others. Use this target to figure out what you need to work on. It may be that you need a better scope, a better load, a better trigger, a better barrel or maybe you're the weak link and need to practice more.

I think I'm done shooting groups with my match rifle. This is far more challenging and much better practice for F-Class.

Thanks JDGray.

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

1858 - nothing wrong with your shooting. I don't have anyplace around here to shoot F class matches. Within reasonable driving distance of my house, I'm limited to one 100 yard indoor range. All the outdoor ranges around require you to be a part of the clique or you don't get admitted to membership. Besides the initiation fees are so high that I couldn't afford them even if I did want to become a member. The indoor range is only $25 a year plus an hourly range fee so it's pretty much my only option. In matches of this type it is a bit of an advantage as I don't have to judge the wind, but the lighting of the targets makes it more like shooting at dusk than daylight so that does present more of a challenge to my old tired eyes (69 & diabetic). I also have only 2 positions available to me acceptable to these matches - Offhand, or standing with the rifle rested on a front block of closed cell foam or a sandbag. With a 9 pound battle relic, I don't shoot offhand anymore. I couldn't really shoot bench rest if I wanted to as the shelf at the lane isn't big enough to set up anything more than a front rest with a squeeze bag under the rear, so Wally World Winchester sandbags are the norm.

I promised JD-Gray pix of the old Mosin as set up for the match, so here they are - took them setting on the cleaning vise on a table in my reloading classroom. The lace-on cheek rest is a bit hard to see in the first one, but the nice side safety of the Timney Trigger is clearly visible in the closeup. The round is a dummy with a piece of Nylon in the primer pocket to serve as an action proving snap-cap.

Jim

 

[kis2]

man, I wish I'd had more time to get out for this. congrats to everybody and thanks to JDGray for hosting.

...so...February?

 

[9X23WIN]

Congratulations to the winners of the January match! Is there one for Feb?

 

[JDGray]

Would love to host a Feb match, but I have a few home projects to deal with. Will do something in March for sure Thanks again for all that participated, was a humbling experiance posting a target for me, and I'm sure more than a few didn't bother posting theirs

 

[jerkface11]

Next time can you word it so that we have to shoot outdoors. Allowing indoor ranges gives an unfair advantage.

 

[Maverick223]

Next time can you word it so that we have to shoot outdoors. Allowing indoor ranges gives an unfair advantage.

I disagree. While it may give a slight advantage (and therefore should be stated with the submission of the target), I know that there are some folks (at least one) that hasn't access to an outdoor range, but has an indoor range available to use. Shooting on a calm day at high altitude also gives an advantage, but we can only take an informal match so far. After all the purpose is to promote marksmanship, get others to participate in shooting sports, and have a little fun...right?

 

[R.W.Dale]

A more fair system might be to have a handicap for indoor shooting AS WELL as some form of handicap for those of us who are quite frankly shooting competition level guns.

Perhaps it might be best to split things up between guns with factory barrels and those with aftermarket


If I can run it till April (mods willing) and JD is fine with me using most of his idea I'll volunteer to run a feb/march or "winter 2011 centerfire match"

Tapatalk post via IPhone.

 

[Heavies]

JMHO, If we get into too many rules, handicaps, and other non-needed stuff, it'll take the fun out of the matches that we enjoy here on THR.

These matches are more for a measure of your own shooting, more like you are competing with yourself; to better your self and your shooting skills. Some folks cannot get to outdoor ranges, some folks have very limited ranges, and some folks have very limited rifles.

This postal match is a fun and very lenient match in which many shooters of any skill level can attempt. In the few matches that I have attempted here, I have never been able to place very well, but I do not ever feel cheated ever. Why?? because I have already won! I have found a weakness in my shooting, and now I can work on that area to better my self and my shooting. Even at real world matches that I attend I don't try and be the winner, I try to do my best with what I have, and try to boost my skill level every time I go out.

Thanks JD and Mav for the chance to get out and shoot, Have fun all! Don't worry so much.

 

[Maverick223]

Perhaps it might be best to split things up between guns with factory barrels and those with aftermarket

I agree, a target and sporting class would help even things up without over-complicating things.

I look forward to the next match, no matter who decides to start it!

On a different but related note, what say ye about a new thread that allows folks to share ideas for new targets and post and/or link free printable targets (non-copyrighted or with the permission of the owner)? The intention would be to have a long running thread (rather than a monthly one) to build a vast compilation of work that we could extract targets from for use in the matches (this one as well as the rimfire one) as well as general range use.

 

[9X23WIN]

JMHO, If we get into too many rules, handicaps, and other non-needed stuff, it'll take the fun out of the matches that we enjoy here on THR.

These matches are more for a measure of your own shooting, more like you are competing with yourself; to better your self and your shooting skills. Some folks cannot get to outdoor ranges, some folks have very limited ranges, and some folks have very limited rifles.

I agree with HEAVIES comments. This match helps me be a better shooter by giving me an OPPORTUNITY to hone in on my skills. Winning or losing is not important as I'm competing against myself anyway. This type of match gives all members of the THR, the opportunity to challenge themselves, regardless of type of equipment, experience and skill level. Otherwise, they might not have the incentive to head out to the range to shoot.

 

[9X23WIN]

If I can run it till April (mods willing) and JD is fine with me using most of his idea I'll volunteer to run a feb/march or "winter 2011 centerfire match

I say go for it!

 

[JDGray]

R.W.Dale,
Your welcome to run the match, and any rules you want to change is fine by me. I'll get out and shoot anyones match, just don't have the time to host it personally. We just had a minor blizzard here, so getting to the range is another thing

 

[R.W.Dale]

R.W.Dale,
Your welcome to run the match, and any rules you want to change is fine by me. I'll get out and shoot anyones match, just don't have the time to host it personally. We just had a minor blizzard here, so getting to the range is another thing

I think I'll take you up on that. Are you OK with me using your text almost verbatim?

Probably the only change I'll institute is a divide into two classes, Factory and aftermarket barrels.

Unless anyone else would like to make suggestions for any rule modifications.

 

[JDGray]

I think I'll take you up on that. Are you OK with me using your text almost verbatim?

Probably the only change I'll institute is a divide into two classes, Factory and aftermarket barrels.

Unless anyone else would like to make suggestions for any rule modifications.

No problem, sounds like a fair change with the two classes

 

[R.W.Dale]

before this gets stickied and my edit function wears off would you guys take a peek at this and see if it meets with everyone satisfaction?

I took the liberty to make the unlimited class target a bit harder and a little less large caliber dependent, perfect bulls will be a bit harder to make and "x"es will be almost impossible

EDIT: the target for unlimited won't work as it's too tall to fit on a STD sheet of paper, looking for a replacment

Edit Edit decided to keep the unlimited on the same target as previously

I made the factory rifle target a bit easier and more friendly to lower magnification optics

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=572614

 

[Maverick223]

Thank you for editing the leaderboard on the rimfire match!

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

Next time can you word it so that we have to shoot outdoors. Allowing indoor ranges gives an unfair advantage.

Well Jerkface11, since you have decided that those of us who are limited to indoor ranges (the only range I have available to me within an hour and a half drive is the 100 yard indoor range located here in Wichita), have an unfair advantage in an informal Postal Match, I will forego any further matches in the Centerfire category! I don't want to be a burden on anyone.

KSCCHtrainer

 

[9X23WIN]

KSCCHtrainer, you are not a burden to any of us and hope you will reconsider. And since you are shooting an old surplus rifle, I think you're at a big disadvantage!