RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Have you tried the "out of focus" spotting scope trick yet?
What Did You Shoot Today?
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Snakeoil
Well-Known Member
I have done it in the past, and actually took a look today while my partner was setting up. But the .22 hits are so hard to see at times, that I prefer a sharp focus on the scope. But your point is well taken. We probably should conscript a few guys who are not shooting and put them behind a scope to spot while myself and a few others do the out of focus trick to see if we can read more of the mirage than we can see thru a sharp focus.
We did have subtle light changes today that sorta snuck up on you. The sky had these hazy clouds that really were not clouds. Depending on their density, the could slowly turn the light up or down and unless you were watching, you might not notice the change because it was very subtle.
Range was bone dry and a lot of it is sand. No dust clouds or dust devils like last weekend. There were times last weekend when the rams at 500 and the turkeys at 400 would completely disappear in a cloud of dust.
I forgot to mention that after the match, a few of us hung around to shoot the breeze and a member brought out his 9mm H&K VP70. This was the first pistol made with a polymer frame. It's a striker fired blowback action. He struggled to even come near to a bowling pin set at 50 yds with a 2-hand hold. Of course the rest of us were being total arseholes, harrassing him after every shot. When he got done he asked if I wanted to try it. I said sure. He said it is a 2 stage trigger. I'll say. I thought the safety was on a first. I've never shot a striker fired, trigger cocking pistol before. I've shot double action autos like my PPK/S. But they are like a double action revolver. This thing has to have about a 25 lb trigger pull for the first stage. 2nd stage break at about a crisp 4 or 5 lbs. But the force required to get to that 2nd stage and to hold it there while you get a sight picture on the target is challenging at best. If you ever get a chance to fire a VP70, don't say no. You will appreciate all your handguns all that much more after firing that beast. Oh, and the front sight is this wide ramp polished silver with a blackened slot in the middle. Standing under cover, you cannot see the slot. So when I shot it the front sight was about 1/4" wide. I sat down the second time and still with a two-hand offhand hold, I did shoot a decent group on or around the pin. A bowling pin it what, 5" wide and maybe a little over a foot tall. Given that trigger I can live with that at 50 yds offhand.
I have to say that I've shot many pistols and revolvers over the years. I've never shot one that I can say was simply not fun. Even big bore derringers and snubbies that recoil badly still had redeeming qualities in the fun department. The trigger on that H&K made that gun just plain unfun to shoot. I have some arthritis in my hands that I really don't notice. After shooting that pistol, my trigger finger was throbbing. And another member who is ex-US Secret Service and at one time a very serious pistol shooter complained of the same pain after he shot it.
The owner said this gun was originally designed for the special German anti-terrorist teams. The ended up putting a stock on the pistol and when you pulled the trigger, it would fire 3-round bursts. I imagine nobody is using that thing these days. Hard to believe H&K would produce something that foul to shoot.
I may bring my 586 next week and let them try that. Might put the Python in the case as well. I'm too lazy to bring one of my 1911's and have to police the damn brass.
Another member brought out his new Labradar chrongraph. He was all giddy like a kid on Christmas morning. He was struggling with figure out how to use it and even when he got beyond that, it was not picking up his .22 rounds. I've been thinking about getting one. But my ProChrono that talks to my phone is pretty slick and handy.
We did have subtle light changes today that sorta snuck up on you. The sky had these hazy clouds that really were not clouds. Depending on their density, the could slowly turn the light up or down and unless you were watching, you might not notice the change because it was very subtle.
Range was bone dry and a lot of it is sand. No dust clouds or dust devils like last weekend. There were times last weekend when the rams at 500 and the turkeys at 400 would completely disappear in a cloud of dust.
I forgot to mention that after the match, a few of us hung around to shoot the breeze and a member brought out his 9mm H&K VP70. This was the first pistol made with a polymer frame. It's a striker fired blowback action. He struggled to even come near to a bowling pin set at 50 yds with a 2-hand hold. Of course the rest of us were being total arseholes, harrassing him after every shot. When he got done he asked if I wanted to try it. I said sure. He said it is a 2 stage trigger. I'll say. I thought the safety was on a first. I've never shot a striker fired, trigger cocking pistol before. I've shot double action autos like my PPK/S. But they are like a double action revolver. This thing has to have about a 25 lb trigger pull for the first stage. 2nd stage break at about a crisp 4 or 5 lbs. But the force required to get to that 2nd stage and to hold it there while you get a sight picture on the target is challenging at best. If you ever get a chance to fire a VP70, don't say no. You will appreciate all your handguns all that much more after firing that beast. Oh, and the front sight is this wide ramp polished silver with a blackened slot in the middle. Standing under cover, you cannot see the slot. So when I shot it the front sight was about 1/4" wide. I sat down the second time and still with a two-hand offhand hold, I did shoot a decent group on or around the pin. A bowling pin it what, 5" wide and maybe a little over a foot tall. Given that trigger I can live with that at 50 yds offhand.
I have to say that I've shot many pistols and revolvers over the years. I've never shot one that I can say was simply not fun. Even big bore derringers and snubbies that recoil badly still had redeeming qualities in the fun department. The trigger on that H&K made that gun just plain unfun to shoot. I have some arthritis in my hands that I really don't notice. After shooting that pistol, my trigger finger was throbbing. And another member who is ex-US Secret Service and at one time a very serious pistol shooter complained of the same pain after he shot it.
The owner said this gun was originally designed for the special German anti-terrorist teams. The ended up putting a stock on the pistol and when you pulled the trigger, it would fire 3-round bursts. I imagine nobody is using that thing these days. Hard to believe H&K would produce something that foul to shoot.
I may bring my 586 next week and let them try that. Might put the Python in the case as well. I'm too lazy to bring one of my 1911's and have to police the damn brass.
Another member brought out his new Labradar chrongraph. He was all giddy like a kid on Christmas morning. He was struggling with figure out how to use it and even when he got beyond that, it was not picking up his .22 rounds. I've been thinking about getting one. But my ProChrono that talks to my phone is pretty slick and handy.
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RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
These have always been my bane. My range is in the high desert so it it either sunny or cloudy, no clouds blowing through. But when I went to the Mid-West or Ohio or the coast, I never watched the clouds. Shooting iron sights, there is a lot of difference with the light on the target/sights.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
What I sorta hate about .22 ammo is the lack of control we have. The darned primitive priming system and the velocity variations in all but extremely expensive ammo cause elevation issues from 200 on out. Run almost a perfect string of rams and have one slip through the belly hole just missing his donacker, or slipping over the back so close you can't see it on the white painted backer. A ram is fairly forgiving windage wise and I rarely miss one left or right. All my misses are elevation related.
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Other than the possibility of a higher powered scope, the Ruger 10/22's upgrading project is complete. Internally, all the springs have been replaced with Wolff's, and Volquartsen's target hammer and ejector replaced the originals. The stock is a Magpul, the 18" target barrel is an E. R. Shaw, and the scope in a Bushnell 4-12X40.
Now, the next project will be to find its most accurate ammunition. Yesterday's session included Winchester Wildcat, Norma 22 TAC, Eley Target, CCI Standard Velocity, and 38 and 40-grain Aguila Super Extra. The Eley Target was, by far, the day's winner, with the 40-grain Aguila coming in second, while the Norma TAC 22 still does not live up to its much touted reputation. I still have to test Eley Club, Winchester Ten-X, and my local friend and occasional shooting pard is making up a selection of his stash.
I really like the Magpul's ergonomics and the very tight receiver fit, am super impressed with the Shaw's vast increase in accuracy, even with the notoriously inaccurate Remington Thunderbolt. It's not as if the .22 LR has much recoil, but now that the rifle weighs 8.5 pounds, rather than its factory five, recoil is almost imperceptible.
Eley Target, five shots, 50-yards. Didn't shoot 10, because I didn't want to press my luck.
Outside-to-outside measurements are: North/South .5025" East/West .310".
Aguila 40-grain Super Extra, 10 shots, 50-yards. No measurements taken.
Norma TAC 22, 10 shots, 50-yards, no measurements taken.
Now, the next project will be to find its most accurate ammunition. Yesterday's session included Winchester Wildcat, Norma 22 TAC, Eley Target, CCI Standard Velocity, and 38 and 40-grain Aguila Super Extra. The Eley Target was, by far, the day's winner, with the 40-grain Aguila coming in second, while the Norma TAC 22 still does not live up to its much touted reputation. I still have to test Eley Club, Winchester Ten-X, and my local friend and occasional shooting pard is making up a selection of his stash.
I really like the Magpul's ergonomics and the very tight receiver fit, am super impressed with the Shaw's vast increase in accuracy, even with the notoriously inaccurate Remington Thunderbolt. It's not as if the .22 LR has much recoil, but now that the rifle weighs 8.5 pounds, rather than its factory five, recoil is almost imperceptible.
Eley Target, five shots, 50-yards. Didn't shoot 10, because I didn't want to press my luck.
Outside-to-outside measurements are: North/South .5025" East/West .310".
Aguila 40-grain Super Extra, 10 shots, 50-yards. No measurements taken.
Norma TAC 22, 10 shots, 50-yards, no measurements taken.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Today's shooting plan is to put a new to me 1931 vintage Marlin Model 39 on paper. I would have done it yesterday after the flower bed work with Sue but somebody, (not me), managed to hit the lower socket of a metal portable target frame with a large caliber handgun. It punched through one side leaving a funnel shaped hole and destroyed the wooden upright placed therein. Well, ya know how that goes, a 15 minute repair turns into a 3 hour rebuilding project involving half the tools on the place.
A few years ago I spent hours building a wheeled target frame out of 2x4's, with a chicken wire center I could clothes pin targets onto. My buddy, the Irishman, wanted to sight in an 03A3 with cast. So does he start at 25 yards and get centered up, oh hell no, he starts at 80, and puts 3 rounds down range he cannot find with a spotting scope. I walk down and find all three, perfect elevation, but about 16" right in a tight little 3 shot cluster that has all but sawed off my brand new 2x4 right hand upright.
When I test fired the Marlin prior to purchasing it at the .22 shoot a couple weeks ago I had to hold low to hit the 80 yard dogs. I see the rear sight is a Marbles replacement I think. I am going to look for a correct vintage Lyman tang sight for this little gem. I promise a photo soon and someone requested a pic of my Winchester Special Sporting Rifle and I have not forgotten.
I gotta tell my Mom about the Marlin .22. Both she and the Marlin were born in 1931.
A few years ago I spent hours building a wheeled target frame out of 2x4's, with a chicken wire center I could clothes pin targets onto. My buddy, the Irishman, wanted to sight in an 03A3 with cast. So does he start at 25 yards and get centered up, oh hell no, he starts at 80, and puts 3 rounds down range he cannot find with a spotting scope. I walk down and find all three, perfect elevation, but about 16" right in a tight little 3 shot cluster that has all but sawed off my brand new 2x4 right hand upright.
When I test fired the Marlin prior to purchasing it at the .22 shoot a couple weeks ago I had to hold low to hit the 80 yard dogs. I see the rear sight is a Marbles replacement I think. I am going to look for a correct vintage Lyman tang sight for this little gem. I promise a photo soon and someone requested a pic of my Winchester Special Sporting Rifle and I have not forgotten.
I gotta tell my Mom about the Marlin .22. Both she and the Marlin were born in 1931.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Tested Federal Auto Match, Aguila Super Extra, CCI Blazer, and Remington Hi-Vel Golden Bullets shorts at 25 yards and I shot the 80 yard P Dogs when I changed ammo before putting it on paper. I am quite pleased with the grouping using barrel mount iron sights and considering the difficulty I am having seeing said sights. Certainly minute of squirrel brain, but a little high with the rear sight all the way down. Auto Match hit the lowest at 2 1/2" above the tip of the front bead 3" for Blazer, and 3 1/2" high for the Aguila. The shorts were higher yet but a much larger "group."
I am going to start to search for a Lyman 2A tang sight and I think it requires a letter H base. More research required.
I am going to start to search for a Lyman 2A tang sight and I think it requires a letter H base. More research required.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Back in 2007 I saw the future president on TV and a cold shiver went up my spine. I ended up at my favorite reloading supply store to pick up primers and our way out of the store we were walking past a pallet, a whole durned pallet, of CCI Blazers, and my enabling bride turned to me and asked, "How much .22 ammo do you have?" I mumbled a vague response and in return Sue asked, "Is it going to get any cheaper?" The sign on the pallet said, $16.88 per 500, or $168.00 per case. So I bought a case. If I'd had really had any brains I'd have hit my savings account and bought the entire pallet.
Anyway, I still haven't cracked open that 2007 case as there are a few random boxes of Blazer sitting here and there on shelves. But it is nice to know the Marlin shoots it well and I am set for life.
Too humid here to shoot for very long, so I shot a six shot group on a range cube bag(horrible target material) with my 30-40 Krag at 60 yards.
Lee C309200R over IMR 4227 was the load with the final seating done as I leaned on the bolt handle.
They all went in 2” using the Mules steering wheel for a rest.
Lee C309200R over IMR 4227 was the load with the final seating done as I leaned on the bolt handle.
They all went in 2” using the Mules steering wheel for a rest.
smokeywolf
Well-Known Member
I have a good stash of cci blazer,,for the money,that stuff is hard to beat!!
Federal 510 is very good as well.
Everytime i ever tried win,or rem,cheap stuff,i was sorely disappointed!!
richhodg66
Well-Known Member
I shot 50 rounds through that Commaron repro High Wall in .30-40 Krag. Load was the 311466 and ten grains of Unique. Only shot at 50 yards but that is a pleasant rifle and load to just enjoy shooting.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
One round of W-W .22 long rifle hollow point.
Got home from another 400+ mile round trip and I was brining some salmon and steelhead fillets when Sue called out to me that there was an injured skunk in the road by our driveway. Sure enough, there was a skunk crawling down the road pulling itself with its front legs, back broken, probably hit by a car. I grabbed a Nylon 66 I keep loaded and ran out to the mailbox, hoping to get there before the skunk dragged itself into the tall grass and the ditch. I tried my very best to end its misery from about 20 yards and was successful, a quick death. It did not spray or leak, and I thought perhaps because of its broken back. I just hate thinking of all the car hit animals that crawl off to die a lingering death. Then there are all of the young left to die when their mothers get killed or maimed. Personally, I try not to hit anything if I can help it.
Got home from another 400+ mile round trip and I was brining some salmon and steelhead fillets when Sue called out to me that there was an injured skunk in the road by our driveway. Sure enough, there was a skunk crawling down the road pulling itself with its front legs, back broken, probably hit by a car. I grabbed a Nylon 66 I keep loaded and ran out to the mailbox, hoping to get there before the skunk dragged itself into the tall grass and the ditch. I tried my very best to end its misery from about 20 yards and was successful, a quick death. It did not spray or leak, and I thought perhaps because of its broken back. I just hate thinking of all the car hit animals that crawl off to die a lingering death. Then there are all of the young left to die when their mothers get killed or maimed. Personally, I try not to hit anything if I can help it.
richhodg66
Well-Known Member
The past several years, I have grown slower and slower to kill anything, and along with that, I have started to really be bothered by seeing animals killed in the road. Such an unnatural way fir anything to have to die.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Seems like a natural progression for many folks.