I was able to get my new XT-17V out to the range this weekend. Well, not an actual range, but I was able to walk out a 50 yard lane at my mom's house. At the moment, I have a Leopold VX-2 3-9x40 mounted on it, but will eventually put a higher power scope on. For this first trip, I tested 3 different loads: Hornaday 17gr VMax, Hornaday 20gr XTP, and CCI 20gr Gamepoint. I was shooting prone off a rest of cat food bags at roughly 50 yards, give or take.
After 6 3 round groups of each, I figured that the XTP just wasn't for this gun as I was averaging about 8/10". After getting comfortable shooting from the prone position, I was getting the VMax and Gamepoints at .5" and under. My best group with the VMax was 9/32" and with the Gamepoints 7/32". Ended up shooting 81 rounds total.
VMax
Gamepoint
Since the XTP and Gamepoints are essentially the same load (same bullet weight and advertised muzzle speed) but the CCI preformed superior to the Hornaday, I believe I will try the CCI 17gr VMax offering next and see if those best their Hornaday counterparts as well.
All in all, this rifle is a boatload of fun to shoot, and it can shoot far better than I can at the moment.
After 6 3 round groups of each, I figured that the XTP just wasn't for this gun as I was averaging about 8/10". After getting comfortable shooting from the prone position, I was getting the VMax and Gamepoints at .5" and under. My best group with the VMax was 9/32" and with the Gamepoints 7/32". Ended up shooting 81 rounds total.
VMax
Gamepoint
Since the XTP and Gamepoints are essentially the same load (same bullet weight and advertised muzzle speed) but the CCI preformed superior to the Hornaday, I believe I will try the CCI 17gr VMax offering next and see if those best their Hornaday counterparts as well.
All in all, this rifle is a boatload of fun to shoot, and it can shoot far better than I can at the moment.
