Last year I purchased a Ruger American chambered in 22-250. This rifle was very accurate right out of the box. I was shooting Federal 55gr ammo. After acquiring enough brass I have begun to handload for it. About a month back I had the opportunity to start to stretch her legs a bit out to 400 yards. Keep in mind I have NEVER shot beyond 175 yards before that day. It was definitely a learning curve for me that I keep learning about. I noticed at that range I wasn't able to see my bullet hit due to the muzzle rise. I started tossing around the idea of threading the barrel and putting a brake on. I took the rifle to a local gunsmith. This rifle had been there for a month getting the work done. My obsession with this caliber grew more and more each day while waiting for it to return. I finally got around to working up 53 and 55gr Hornady Vmax handloads using various charges of Varget powder. While she was away I ordered a Mueller Eraticator 8.5-25x50 scope, and Caldwell XLA pivoting bipod. Yesterday I got the call that my rifle was done. As soon as it got home I mounted the scope and boresighted it in. I adjusted the trigger down to 3 lbs but plan on either modifying the spring or putting a 1.5 Timney in it. Today I was able to take it out and start zeroing it in at 100yds. I was able to get it on paper and hold a 1" group using factory loads. Due to time restraints of other plans I had for the day I wasn't able to see how well my handloads preformed. One problem I did have is I have never shot a rifle with a brake on it before. Mind you there is no recoil to a 22-250 to begin with and even less with a brake on it. But let me tell you this thing is LOUD!!!! I couldn't help but blink when I squeezed the trigger. That is something I will without a doubt have to work on. Once I finally got done for the day I attached my bipod and decided it was time for that plain plastic stock to get a fresh coat of paint.
I have never painted a gun before and have to admit I was a bit nervous going into this project. I began to strip down every last bit of oil on the outside of the rifle. I taped up every nook and cranny that wasn't supposed to be painted. The scope adjustments and lenses were covered in automotive tape along with the other parts not to be painted. I removed the scope rings and hung the scope up to get an even coat on the underside and on top of the receiver using my lightest coat. Once that was done I reattached the scope to the rifle and gave it a nice coat together, using a hairdryer to speed up the process of drying a bit. Out in my backyard I found some tall grass and a small branch from a pine tree with the needles still attached. I'd cover the rifle with some blades of grass or the branch and spray my second lightest coating followed immediately by the darker and final color. All in all I am very pleased with the outcome of the paint. Now I can't wait to get back out on the range either tomorrow or next weekend and start dialing in my handloads.
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I have never painted a gun before and have to admit I was a bit nervous going into this project. I began to strip down every last bit of oil on the outside of the rifle. I taped up every nook and cranny that wasn't supposed to be painted. The scope adjustments and lenses were covered in automotive tape along with the other parts not to be painted. I removed the scope rings and hung the scope up to get an even coat on the underside and on top of the receiver using my lightest coat. Once that was done I reattached the scope to the rifle and gave it a nice coat together, using a hairdryer to speed up the process of drying a bit. Out in my backyard I found some tall grass and a small branch from a pine tree with the needles still attached. I'd cover the rifle with some blades of grass or the branch and spray my second lightest coating followed immediately by the darker and final color. All in all I am very pleased with the outcome of the paint. Now I can't wait to get back out on the range either tomorrow or next weekend and start dialing in my handloads.