Post by hoover on Nov 18, 2013 13:52:03 GMT -5
Holy hell! Where did the time go?! I'm leaving for the beautiful state of WVa. this coming Sunday, and I haven't fired a rifle shot all Summer. The two rifles in question, and up for the task are my tried and true stainless synthetic Ruger MkII in .30-06, and a newer Ruger Hawkeye MKII in the rib busting .358 Winchester.
My .30-06 is boringly accurate and seems to never change point of impact with its favored load of 180 gr.Nosler Ballistic Tips over a stout charge of Accurate 4350 and sparked by a WLRP held together in Remington brass. It is an honest 3 shot 1" at 100 yes gun. Groups will shrink to 1/2" when the barrel hits its sweet spot, and gradually open up the more as it is shot. The rifle is straight from the box and topped by a Weaver fixed 6X . It is a trusted companion and my go to rifle when something needs killing.
The .358 Winchester has always been a favorite of mine. I just like .35 cal. bullets. This started with .35 Remington Marlin lever guns, and progressed to the .35 Whelen. Throw in a Marlin .356 Winchester to round out the obsession. Todays loads consisted of Speer 220 gr hot core flat nose bullets. Even the name of that bullet sounds mean and nasty. These bullets were stoked by a healthy dose of Winchester 748 and ignited by WLRP. The rifle is topped with a Weaver 2X-7X variable, and also holds its point of aim. The brushed finish is great for combating sun glare.
These rifles are both stainless synthetics and hold a beauty of their own as utilitarian, no nonsense, all business rifles. As I stated, they hold their zero well. The synthetic stock is strong and durable, and doesn't mind knocks in the rocks of the rugged mountains of WVa. Rain and snow are no match for the stainless steel. A simple wipe down at night will keep the rust at bay.
OK, I'm at the range and hoping this will be a 6 shot day, 3 shots for each rifle. First up is the .30-06. Three shots are quickly fired. A couple of sandbags are used. Once the crosshairs settle, I fire. I don't use a sllooowwww squeeze for sight ins. I try to shoot the way I would in the field. When the reticle settles, bang! The .358 is fired the same way.
The .06 group looks pretty good. The first shot was lower than the next two, but it is still an honest 1" group. Shots 2 and 3 are 1/2" apart. The .358 was 1 1/2" total, with the 2nd and 3rd groups 3/4" apart. The first could have been me, or from a non fouled barrel. Either way, I'm happy. Quick and clean sight in.
Here's my redneck scope cover made from an old inner tube.
I will also be carrying a sixgun on the hunt. Hopefully something will be within range of a home cast slug, but if not, and I need to stretch things a bit, I'll be ready.
My .30-06 is boringly accurate and seems to never change point of impact with its favored load of 180 gr.Nosler Ballistic Tips over a stout charge of Accurate 4350 and sparked by a WLRP held together in Remington brass. It is an honest 3 shot 1" at 100 yes gun. Groups will shrink to 1/2" when the barrel hits its sweet spot, and gradually open up the more as it is shot. The rifle is straight from the box and topped by a Weaver fixed 6X . It is a trusted companion and my go to rifle when something needs killing.
The .358 Winchester has always been a favorite of mine. I just like .35 cal. bullets. This started with .35 Remington Marlin lever guns, and progressed to the .35 Whelen. Throw in a Marlin .356 Winchester to round out the obsession. Todays loads consisted of Speer 220 gr hot core flat nose bullets. Even the name of that bullet sounds mean and nasty. These bullets were stoked by a healthy dose of Winchester 748 and ignited by WLRP. The rifle is topped with a Weaver 2X-7X variable, and also holds its point of aim. The brushed finish is great for combating sun glare.
These rifles are both stainless synthetics and hold a beauty of their own as utilitarian, no nonsense, all business rifles. As I stated, they hold their zero well. The synthetic stock is strong and durable, and doesn't mind knocks in the rocks of the rugged mountains of WVa. Rain and snow are no match for the stainless steel. A simple wipe down at night will keep the rust at bay.
OK, I'm at the range and hoping this will be a 6 shot day, 3 shots for each rifle. First up is the .30-06. Three shots are quickly fired. A couple of sandbags are used. Once the crosshairs settle, I fire. I don't use a sllooowwww squeeze for sight ins. I try to shoot the way I would in the field. When the reticle settles, bang! The .358 is fired the same way.
The .06 group looks pretty good. The first shot was lower than the next two, but it is still an honest 1" group. Shots 2 and 3 are 1/2" apart. The .358 was 1 1/2" total, with the 2nd and 3rd groups 3/4" apart. The first could have been me, or from a non fouled barrel. Either way, I'm happy. Quick and clean sight in.
Here's my redneck scope cover made from an old inner tube.
I will also be carrying a sixgun on the hunt. Hopefully something will be within range of a home cast slug, but if not, and I need to stretch things a bit, I'll be ready.