Todd wrote, "OK, what about that scope? I love it but I am not skilled enough to utilize it's advantages."
When I got my first T-36 back in 2004 or 5, I mounted it on my Anschutz 1710 and raced over to the range. This scope deserves the very best, so I opened a cherished box of Lapua Midas after pinning-up a fresh USBR target. 240 or higher, I thought. I didn't even break 220.
I had to learn how to shoot all over with that "microscope." If I have typed this next line on here before, please forgive me. I told a buddy that arrived at the range later, "Dang, I felt like I was throwing meteors at the moon."
I made a range trip today as well.
My friend that was kind enough to take over the Rimfire Match Manager job for me emailed earlier in the week and asked if I could run the match today. His sailing club was kicking off the season today, and I knew that shooting takes a back seat to shooting with him. I said, "Sure. I am going to shoot in the match anyway and will be happy to run it." I had a blast.
March 14, 2015
Moe, Larry, and Curly were all that showed up under dark clouds this morning. The rain stopped just before we arrived and held off for both matches. The three of us had a great time, unlimbering plenty of iron and putting well over 400 rounds downrange. We kept it simple - only setting up two silo racks. The temp was in the low 60s, and there was almost no wind.
25/25 PISTOL SILHOUETTE MATCH
Revolver Class
1st 5X5, Andrew Butler, S&W K22, Eley Sport
2nd 7X7, John Butler, S&W 17-6, Winchester 333
3rd 13X6, Danny Creasy, S&W 617, CCI SV
Andrew (left) and John (right) battle it out with wheel guns in a very close and interesting duel (link to video below):
http://vid47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/sheffieldshootr/IMG_0884_zps68ktlb3h.mp4
The results. Good shooting gentlemen.
Pistol Class
1st 7X6, Danny Creasy, S&W 41, CCI SV
2nd 10X6, Andrew Butler, Browning Buckmark, CCI SV
3rd 19X7, John Butler, Ruger Mk III, Winchester 333
Scoped Handgun Class (any action type)
1st 8X6, Danny Creasy, Ruger Stainless Single Six, Leupold M8 2X, Remington Target
2nd 15X7, John Butler, Taurus 4", AimPoint dot, Winchester 333
3rd 15X7, Andrew Butler, Shot Danny's rig, CCI SV
Andrew is still contemplating what kind of scoped handgun to acquire. I urged him to try my Single Six/Leupold combo:
He braved the slow lock time and afterwards commented, "Well, it sure teaches you the importance of follow through."
RAPIDFIRE RIMFIRE MATCH
Scoped Rifle Class
29.65 seconds, Danny Creasy, CZ 452 American, Simmons Deerfield 4-12X40, Remington Target
A bolt action is very unforgiving when used in the RFRF Match in spite of the handicapping. One must shoot nigh on perfectly to have an overall time in the teens or low twenties. My score sheet from today:
After the last chicken of the top row was down, I ejected the fired case and laughingly showed Andrew and John my empty 10 shot CZ magazine. It could have been worse - a reload is exponentially detrimental to ones time.
56 seconds, Andrew Butler, Ruger 10/22, Bushnell Sportview 3-9, CCI SV
98.80 Seconds, Ruger 10/22, Simmons 8-Point 3-9, Federal American Eagle
Open Sight Class
45 seconds, Danny Creasy, CZ 452 UltraLux, Remington Target - first in a field of one.
Opposite this time - slow start and fast finish:
I always tell first time Rapidfire Rimfire Match shooters, "You can't miss fast enough to win." For descriptions of and rules for of all of our local rimfire matches - link:
http://dwightpilkilton.proboards.com/thread/97/rimfire-run
I wish more of our shooting friends had been there. It was a great morning of shooting followed by lunch at the Pie Factory. We met my family there and they had secured a table for eight.
We sauntered in 30 minutes late, mud splattered, and grinning like possums. They had been waiting for a table anyway and were just being seated. However, a look from my spouse said it all. After 31 years, a couple doesn't really have to speak to communicate. I said, "What? We were finished with the match at 12:45, but John has a new/old rifle. We just had to put a few rounds through it. It is one of those cool ol' Ruger .44 Magnums with a tubular magazine ..." I let my diatribe drift to silence as the wife's, mother-in-law's, sister-in-law's, and daughter's eyes glazed over. My daughter's boyfriend has some guns (he's not a "gun guy" but he has an inquisitive nature and prior to his dad's tragic and disabling accident, they shot together frequently - enough said) and seemed interested, so down at the guys' end of the table, after ordering an Old Faithful pizza and quenching our thirst with sodas and iced-tea, the young man listened attentively as the three of us extolled about the history, feeding, care, virtues, and flaws of Bill Ruger's 1960 masterpiece. "And did I mention, on the lone shot I took with the little brute, I center punched a Mountain Dew can offhand from 35 yards open sighted with one of its 240 grain soft points?"
"Uh, yeah you did, Danny."
"What Sweetie? Y'all ready to go already?" Oh, I looked around our party, the pizzas were devoured or boxed and the handbags and jackets were coming off the back's of chairs. Did you ever have one of those days that should last forever? Man, we were just getting started. Enjoy the rifle, John -