Score shooting tactics

adamsgt

adamsgt

Jerry Adams
During the short time (2 1/2 yrs) that I've been shooting benchrest I've only shot a couple of score matches and those at Denton where score and group were shot on the same day. When thinking about going to Tomball the question of taking my reloading gear arose. Is there any reason to reload at the range if you have a decent load and enough pre-loaded ammunition to make it through the match? My first thought was that if you see that you're not getting the bullet where you want you would just adjust your scope or hold off. Wrong? :confused:
 
adamsgt said:
My first thought was that if you see that you're not getting the bullet where you want you would just adjust your scope or hold off. Wrong? :confused:
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Unfortunately, in my limited experience is doen't work quite like that. When your out of tune you can't predict where the next shot is going to go so you don't know whether to hold high or low.

Ryan
 
Jerry ...

adamsgt said:
When thinking about going to Tomball the question of taking my reloading gear arose. Is there any reason to reload at the range if you have a decent load and enough preloaded ammunition to make it through the match?
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Should You Bench Load ???

The majority of top 6PPC competitors load ammo on match day, playing with load weights to suit the charge to temperature and humidity. While this allows you to get peak velocity on a cool day, and avoid over-charges in very hot conditions, "bench loading is a huge distraction", and isn't essential.

Hall of Famer Jim Borden: "I have my ammunition already loaded for [major matches]. It's working, both rifles are Agging in the 'low Ones', with a load of about 29.0gr N133, running about 3300 fps."

"Loading to conditions on match day can kill you. All you can do is go by memory and guess-timates. If your rifle has good vibration control, you'll typically have an accuracy window of 100-125 fps."

"I set preloads for velocity in the middle of the accuracy window which lets me shoot in any conditions. Studies by Jack Jackson convinced me we could let ammo sit for as long as a year and accuracy will hold."

Source: accurateshooter.com

Preloading can prevent primers from being seated backwards, when you're distracted at a match. :D
 
Jerry,

Nader said it correctly. If you don't have it with you - you can't use it. Just because you bring it - doesn't mean you have to use it.

I'm not saying coming preloaded is bad - I come preloaded. However, if #@$ happens I will have my stuff with me to be able to change whatever needs to be changed to get back on track.

A lot of shooters travel many hours to get to a match/tournament. I would hate to travel that far and invest in all the $ that goes into being competitive - then leave "things" up to chance and hope I don't need something.

Stanley
 
Thanks guys. Upon reflection, I'll have to agree with at least bringing the gear. Unfortunately I'm still a neophyte in tuning the load. When you're shooting group you have more direct evidence of dispersion but when shooting score it seems to me that you'd have to shoot groups on the sighter to have the evidence? As I sit here writing this post I'm trying to visualize the steps I would take if a shot didn't hit the dot I was aiming at. The first thing that's evident is that I haven't thought this through enough so I'd better just shut up and ponder this for a while. :confused:
 
How is this for a strategy

Try to wipe out the X every time. Anything you have convinced yourself will help you do this, take it............jackie
 
Whether you shoot score or group, you need a load that will agg. and most score shooters shoot lots of groups. What I have sensed from some shooters is that they have a load that worked on the day they developed the load but that the load doesn't work very well many other times and they aren't sure when it will or won't. There are some very sound (logical) ways to arrive at the appropriate load which over time will provide the most consistent groups beyond the single day of developing the load. You have some excellent people resources in your area to consult, such as Jackie, who would most likely share their method of developing loads. Finding a mentor to ask questions and clarification goes a long way. Randy J.
 
SGJennings said:
So, I take it you're shooting a 6PPC in the score event?
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YEP, got three BR rifles and they're all 6PPC. Got a couple of .308 Palma rifles but they've got match sights. That would be interesting for score shooting. :D
Your comment implies that I should be shooting some other caliber like 30BR? I've actually got 500 Lapua 6BR brass when I split a case with Shelly. The three BR rifles I have are one Grizzly and two BAT actions, none of which have bolt faces that will accommodate the 6BR brass.
 
adamsgt said:
YEP, got three BR rifles and they're all 6PPC. Got a couple of .308 Palma rifles but they've got match sights. That would be interesting for score shooting. :D
Your comment implies that I should be shooting some other caliber like 30BR? I've actually got 500 Lapua 6BR brass when I split a case with Shelly. The three BR rifles I have are one Grizzly and two BAT actions, none of which have bolt faces that will accommodate the 6BR brass.
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The 30BR has the reputation of being more forgiving in the tune department. I'd think that 30 hole on the target helps ;) .

Let me see:

You could check into having the bolt face opened and/or buying a 473-faced bolt.

You can rebate the rims on the cases that you already have 500 of...

You could use a PPC-faced cartridge. 30PPC, 30-6.5 Grendel.

The last is what I did. Easy to neck up that 6.5. Don't know first hand how forgiving of tune it is. One of the guys with the experience would have to chime in. Mike E, Mike W or can't-remember-his-name with the modified version.

BTW: I have a Grizzly too. Really like it.
 
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