M
Montana Pete
Guest
Folks--
I think that our mood when leaving the firing range depends on the expectations we had when we were shooting. What in your "guessing" or imagination was that rifle SUPPOSED to do? Did the rifle do it? Did YOU do your part?
This is important here on a benchrest forum, because we are talking the most accurate rifles in the world. The newbie can be crushed if he comes running with his 3/4 inch group and discovers it is not even "on the map."
On the other hand, if some of these beautifully crafted benchrest rifles do not put 5 shots into 0.2 inches, the shooter may feel disappointed.
Other rifles that show up here are varminters, which often fall into the 10-12 lb. weight class. Some are stock, some are rebarreled, some are custom jobs. Expectations have a right to change as the guy spends more money or develops more knowledge.
I sometimes take sporter hunting rifles to the range, and if the rifle keeps them in 1-1/4 in. at 100, I am not too disappointed. Rarely, I will shoot a 3/4 in. group with one of these at 100. Such rifles were never designed for that.
I have an off-the-shelf varminter-- one of the Savage Model 12 variants -- and have mixed results. It is about a 12-lb rifle in 22-250. The other day it was dead calm and I shot two groups back to back at 100 yds. that were about 0.2 inch. I was sky high with enthusiasm. This is unusual for me. I don't shoot wind very well, and I may not have the best "bench manners" -- since no one ever showed me anything or taught me anything. And like most of us, I have my bad days.
I see people posting here who claim to shoot quarter inch or smaller groups time after time after time. They never mention wind. Either they always have dead calm conditions when they go to the range or they have really mastered the reading of wind. If we are shooting .224 rifles, the wind really pushes those little bullets around.
With the guys who like to talk about one-hole groups all day long -- maybe they are telling fibs too. Ever consider that possibility?
Anyway-- the key word is "expectations." What do you have a right to expect? How good do you have to shoot to go home happy?
A lot of the challenge for me has been working up loads. Almost always when I have a good day at the range I am shooting a good load. Some experimental loads are just not much good, and even a fine rifle can blow out groups if she doesn't like the loads. Why your rifle likes one load and not another -- one of the great mysteries on the planet. And different rifles seem to have different "tastes."
A big step for me recently was to learn to use an A.O.L. guage with a caliper and "bullet comparator" to nail down the seating depth in a more scientific manner. These kind of learning experiences help us pursue our "expectations."
Equipment helps too. I finally have a professional quality front rest and rear sandbag. It is hard to shoot well without the best equipment.
What are your expectations? Any comments welcome--
I think that our mood when leaving the firing range depends on the expectations we had when we were shooting. What in your "guessing" or imagination was that rifle SUPPOSED to do? Did the rifle do it? Did YOU do your part?
This is important here on a benchrest forum, because we are talking the most accurate rifles in the world. The newbie can be crushed if he comes running with his 3/4 inch group and discovers it is not even "on the map."
On the other hand, if some of these beautifully crafted benchrest rifles do not put 5 shots into 0.2 inches, the shooter may feel disappointed.
Other rifles that show up here are varminters, which often fall into the 10-12 lb. weight class. Some are stock, some are rebarreled, some are custom jobs. Expectations have a right to change as the guy spends more money or develops more knowledge.
I sometimes take sporter hunting rifles to the range, and if the rifle keeps them in 1-1/4 in. at 100, I am not too disappointed. Rarely, I will shoot a 3/4 in. group with one of these at 100. Such rifles were never designed for that.
I have an off-the-shelf varminter-- one of the Savage Model 12 variants -- and have mixed results. It is about a 12-lb rifle in 22-250. The other day it was dead calm and I shot two groups back to back at 100 yds. that were about 0.2 inch. I was sky high with enthusiasm. This is unusual for me. I don't shoot wind very well, and I may not have the best "bench manners" -- since no one ever showed me anything or taught me anything. And like most of us, I have my bad days.
I see people posting here who claim to shoot quarter inch or smaller groups time after time after time. They never mention wind. Either they always have dead calm conditions when they go to the range or they have really mastered the reading of wind. If we are shooting .224 rifles, the wind really pushes those little bullets around.
With the guys who like to talk about one-hole groups all day long -- maybe they are telling fibs too. Ever consider that possibility?
Anyway-- the key word is "expectations." What do you have a right to expect? How good do you have to shoot to go home happy?
A lot of the challenge for me has been working up loads. Almost always when I have a good day at the range I am shooting a good load. Some experimental loads are just not much good, and even a fine rifle can blow out groups if she doesn't like the loads. Why your rifle likes one load and not another -- one of the great mysteries on the planet. And different rifles seem to have different "tastes."
A big step for me recently was to learn to use an A.O.L. guage with a caliper and "bullet comparator" to nail down the seating depth in a more scientific manner. These kind of learning experiences help us pursue our "expectations."
Equipment helps too. I finally have a professional quality front rest and rear sandbag. It is hard to shoot well without the best equipment.
What are your expectations? Any comments welcome--
