First spring day at the club's centerfire range.

[Picher]

It was nice being able to drive out to the centerfire range at the club for the first time this year. I had loaded up a bunch of mixed cases with a favorite .223 Rem load of A2230 and had some really nice 1/4"-3/8" groups at 100 yards, but had a few flyers that were out of the groups by about an inch. I expected larger groups with that bunch of ammo, but not the really tight groups with flyers, out by over an inch. Guess I won't be using mixed cases anymore, especially the military ones picked up on the range.

Rifles used included my new-ish Rem 700ADL, Tikka 595, and Rem 700 LV.

 

[Picher]

Didn't bother to take a picture of the factory 700 ADL, but it sports a 3-9x Leupold.

It was nice having the whole range to myself, even though it was a bit windy at times, and some flyers were attributed to the switchy winds.

 

[Reloadron]

Glad you managed an enjoyable range day with some rifles that had to be enjoyable to shoot.

Ron

 

[Mr. Hill]

That’s a good day!

 

[CapnMac]

Congratulations on a great day.

Although, I'm in Texas, and it is May. Spring was last month, it's Summer here now (and highs in the 90s with it).

 

[Demi-human]

Last Frost this morning...

Still a good day to shoot! I am glad you had a great day, @Picher.

Ooo, now I can start planting targets, I mean, the vegetables.

 

[LoonWulf]

Nice rifles there Pitcher!

Sounds like a good day at the range. I'm hoping to get some range time tomorrow, but just to proof my AR build. I gotta find someone to watch the kids if I really want to get shooting time.

 

[Picher]

The 700 LV was difficult to operate and exhibited slight primer cratering, but with otherwise perfect primers, so sent it to Rem Service, which was a gunsmith(?) in the NH area. He said it had "excessive headspace, so was a dangerous rifle." I took it to my master gunsmith and we checked it and a brand new Rem 700ADL and they had identical headspace, which was perfect. So much for Remington "service".

(Anyway, it shot great and I'm happy to keep it. BTW: I got some new Hoppe's gun grease that is a miracle mixture in a hypodermic-type applicator. I also used it on my loading press and it never worked so easily.)

 

[Picher]

Congratulations on a great day.

Although, I'm in Texas, and it is May. Spring was last month, it's Summer here now (and highs in the 90s with it).

Hate shooting when its in the 90's. Sweat like crazy in my muffs. Mild wind is a plus though.

 

[Picher]

Pictures remind me that I should get some lower mounts for the Tikka. The scope sits higher than I like.

 

[Picher]

The Rem Light Varmint has a Timney trigger adjusted to about 2 lbs. and it's a dream to shoot and to carry down the back forty. It's also my keep-loaded rifle for varmints these days. Having a stainless barrel, I don't feel it needs cleaning after dispatching a coyote or woodchuck near the house. Really love the .223 for those shots. It doesn't even much bother the horse across the road.

 

[Mr. Hill]

The Rem Light Varmint has a Timney trigger adjusted to about 2 lbs. and it's a dream to shoot and to carry down the back forty. It's also my keep-loaded rifle for varmints these days. Having a stainless barrel, I don't feel it needs cleaning after dispatching a coyote or woodchuck near the house. Really love the .223 for those shots. It doesn't even much bother the horse across the road.

Yup I’m thinking about a .223 for a hiking and camping gun in the mountains.

 

[Picher]

Yup I’m thinking about a .223 for a hiking and camping gun in the mountains.

If I had to do it over, I'd buy a Tikka T3 Lite in .223 for a hiking/camping rifle, especially in the mountains. Although, my .243 Tikka T3 Lite has a bit more power for larger critters, including deer and black bear, should they be on the game list. I'm very impressed with the power of the .243 Win, especially with todays ammo.

 

[LoonWulf]

Pictures remind me that I should get some lower mounts for the Tikka. The scope sits higher than I like.

I've got a set of what looks like Tikka rings you can have if you want them.

 

[Picher]

Thanks for the offer, but my Tikka 595 has Weaver bases, so I don't need them. I bought it used and it didn't come with Tikka rings, so used some Weaver rings I had. Same with the scope, which was used on another rifle and switched to the Tikka for range use/ammo testing. It's been a very accurate rifle, making several 1/4 min. groups over the past few years, especially with Sierra 50-55 grain bullets.

 

[LoonWulf]

That's funny, I got the rings with a scope I bought used.

I much prefer those older Tikkas. For all their positives, I just can't seem to warm up to the T3s.

 

[Bull Nutria]

The 700 LV was difficult to operate and exhibited slight primer cratering, but with otherwise perfect primers, so sent it to Rem Service, which was a gunsmith(?) in the NH area. He said it had "excessive headspace, so was a dangerous rifle." I took it to my master gunsmith and we checked it and a brand new Rem 700ADL and they had identical headspace, which was perfect. So much for Remington "service".

(Anyway, it shot great and I'm happy to keep it. BTW: I got some new Hoppe's gun grease that is a miracle mixture in a hypodermic-type applicator. I also used it on my loading press and it never worked so easily.)

RE: Rem Warranty repair centers:

I bought a new Rem 572 it had light firing pin strike problem. I sent it to 2 different Rem service centers OK and AL no good could not repair. I then sent the 572 to Ilion, NY it came back repaired--note to self do send firearms to Rem warranty centers send to old gray haired gunsmiths at Ilion,NY!!!

Bull

 

[morcey2]

Hate shooting when its in the 90's. Sweat like crazy in my muffs. Mild wind is a plus though.

Just drill a couple of holes in the muffs to let the air circulate.

 

[Picher]

That's funny, I got the rings with a scope I bought used.

I much prefer those older Tikkas. For all their positives, I just can't seem to warm up to the T3s.

Unlikely that the scope and rings came off my rifle, bought in Maine. Anything's possible, though.

 

[Picher]

It was nice being able to drive out to the centerfire range at the club for the first time this year. I had loaded up a bunch of mixed cases with a favorite .223 Rem load of A2230 and had some really nice 1/4"-3/8" groups at 100 yards, but had a few flyers that were out of the groups by about an inch. I expected larger groups with that bunch of ammo, but not the really tight groups with flyers, out by over an inch. Guess I won't be using mixed cases anymore, especially the military ones picked up on the range.

Rifles used included my new-ish Rem 700ADL, Tikka 595, and Rem 700 LV. View attachment 789044View attachment 789045

Ordered a bunch of Starline .223 brass on line. Hope it comes in this week, but although they said they'd send an e-mail to confirm my purchase, it didn't come.

 

[Picher]

Just got the reply from Starline. It's due to come later this week.

 

[Picher]

Just drill a couple of holes in the muffs to let the air circulate.

Half-inch holes would be enough, but need two in each muff, just to let air circulate. Ha ha.