Keep em out of that black box slowshot. Cant see bullet holes. Thatll help a bunch
I can easily see the bullet holes form with my scope, even in the black. When I first looked at the 100 yard target, I asked Russ Haydon what the box is for. Russ said that is a helpful tool for achieving accuracy. He suggested lining up my crosshairs on any corner of the box and don't worry where the group forms, as long as it is not touching the corner where I line up the crosshairs. The .211" group was shot with the crosshairs lined up to the outside edge of the upper right corner. I had the scope set to make groups near the center of where the crosshairs point.
Before I shot the .220" group, I moved the crosshairs to allow me to still line up using the box, while the actual group forms at the center of the black circle. I find using a corner of the black box as the place to point my crosshairs, while the group forms at the center of the black circle allows greater precision. For one thing, the bullet holes do not obscure the aim point. For another, it gives easy to see horizontal and vertical lines for precise alignment of the crosshairs.
My issues with precise accuracy are a mainly due to my poor wind reading skills and lack of experience. Having started shooting at 60 years of age, I do not have the years of load development and shooting experience, the steady hands or the sharp eyesight that are the mark of the champion shooter. Several championship quality shooters that I have meet over the past few years have said they are getting out of competition, due to failing eyesight and other physical decline issues. These are guys my age or even the age I was when I started shooting.
Don't take this as whining. I really enjoy competing against myself and friends and to shoot more accurately every time I go to the range. I also have been enjoying trying different rifles, scopes and other shooting gear. With an arbor press and Wilson hand dies, I also enjoy load development as it's own hobby. This summer, Russ, Kimberly and I have been doing most of our shooting at gravel pits and such in the Olympic mountains. We set up a canopy, build a fire, burn hot dogs and shoot at biodegradable targets at unmeasured distances. Because I cannot hold up a rifle, I have begun using a Cadwell Dead Shot Field Pod. This allows me to shoot on uneven ground while sitting in a folding chair or kneeling. This is the final tool I needed to complete my shooting gear. I am having more fun than ever.
I believe 222 Remington is the perfect cartridge for a shooter new to BR shooting to use, while learning bench setup and load development. It is inexpensive to load and very accurate. The fact that the BAT action rifle can later be converted to more competitive cartridges, such as 6 PPC by simply replacing the barrel and the bolt also makes it a good choice for the newbie, BR shooter. I have been looking into turning my BAT rifle into a 6 BR. OK, I confess, I already ordered the bolt.
