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Big Chief
Senior MemberPosts: 32,995 Senior Member
Range Report: A steamy visit to the range yesterday.
Big Chief
Senior MemberPosts: 32,995 Senior Member
It was humid on Fort Hood and getting hot, as usual. I went out about 0800 to beat the heat best I could. The range is covered overhead where the shooting benches are. Helps not being in the direct sun.
Took out the following:
Marlin model 60 ammo: .22 LR Winchester 555 bulk
Marlin Model 883 .22 Magnum CCI 40 FMJ
Rem 700 .223 ammo: Hornady 52 grain BTHP over 24.5 grains of "Data Powder" A 2230
Mosin Nagant Hex receiver (1926) "Izzy Dragoon" 7.62X54R :ammo 174 grain BTHP .311 diameter reloads 41.5 grains Varget
Yugo 24/47 8mm Mauser 175 grain PSP privi partizan bullets 42 grains of H-4895 powder
As you can see, I don't load these old war horses (Mauser and MN) to the Max, but in the middle or low-end of the scale. Easier on me and the guns.
For some odd reason the Marlin and others were shooting left. The scope was tight and the only change was the ammo, from Remington to Winchester? I can't remember. It wasn't very windy, at all from what I've had out there before. I was shooting @ 50 yards and only had to change the targets, not the board/stand.
Biggest problem was my glasses keep fogging up, especially as I got behind the scoped rifles. I haven't had this kind of problem since I left Fort Stewart where it is very humid. I keep having to remove my glasses and wipe them on my shirt. I have to remember to get some anti-fog glass wipes. Some shots were so blurred I had to hurry before my Mr Magoo's got completely fogged over again.
Everything did OK, but the surprise was how well the .223 loads performed. I had been loading some .223 using 55 grain FMJs for my Ruger Ranch Rifle and left the powder drop the same on my Dillon RL550B. Again, a little left and to the bottom of the bulls-eye. 50 yards ain't no great shakes for a Model 700, I know, but was a compromise range I decided on for all the rifles.
That's that MTM crappy rest I bought that Dan Johnson said was worse than no rest at all on the old forum and they took off their jackets in winter to use to zero their rifles, rather than use it before a hunt.:rotflmao::rotflmao::rotflmao: It's better than nothing or leaking sandbags, but works great as a stand to clean rifles! :roll2::roll2::roll2:
The model 60, as you can see, was shooting left (top-left of target), then I adjusted/over-adjusted/re-adjusted?????
Maybe a slight crosswind????
New Blackberry, so I ain't figured all the camera functions out yet. I have better pics of those rifles someplace.
Oh, that's about 25 shots with the Rem 700 .223. Dang, it shot left too? I did a couple right clicks on the scope on it, it just ob- longed the one hole. I stopped before it opened it up more.
Took out the following:
Marlin model 60 ammo: .22 LR Winchester 555 bulk
Marlin Model 883 .22 Magnum CCI 40 FMJ
Rem 700 .223 ammo: Hornady 52 grain BTHP over 24.5 grains of "Data Powder" A 2230
Mosin Nagant Hex receiver (1926) "Izzy Dragoon" 7.62X54R :ammo 174 grain BTHP .311 diameter reloads 41.5 grains Varget
Yugo 24/47 8mm Mauser 175 grain PSP privi partizan bullets 42 grains of H-4895 powder
As you can see, I don't load these old war horses (Mauser and MN) to the Max, but in the middle or low-end of the scale. Easier on me and the guns.
For some odd reason the Marlin and others were shooting left. The scope was tight and the only change was the ammo, from Remington to Winchester? I can't remember. It wasn't very windy, at all from what I've had out there before. I was shooting @ 50 yards and only had to change the targets, not the board/stand.
Biggest problem was my glasses keep fogging up, especially as I got behind the scoped rifles. I haven't had this kind of problem since I left Fort Stewart where it is very humid. I keep having to remove my glasses and wipe them on my shirt. I have to remember to get some anti-fog glass wipes. Some shots were so blurred I had to hurry before my Mr Magoo's got completely fogged over again.
Everything did OK, but the surprise was how well the .223 loads performed. I had been loading some .223 using 55 grain FMJs for my Ruger Ranch Rifle and left the powder drop the same on my Dillon RL550B. Again, a little left and to the bottom of the bulls-eye. 50 yards ain't no great shakes for a Model 700, I know, but was a compromise range I decided on for all the rifles.
That's that MTM crappy rest I bought that Dan Johnson said was worse than no rest at all on the old forum and they took off their jackets in winter to use to zero their rifles, rather than use it before a hunt.:rotflmao::rotflmao::rotflmao: It's better than nothing or leaking sandbags, but works great as a stand to clean rifles! :roll2::roll2::roll2:
The model 60, as you can see, was shooting left (top-left of target), then I adjusted/over-adjusted/re-adjusted?????
Maybe a slight crosswind????
New Blackberry, so I ain't figured all the camera functions out yet. I have better pics of those rifles someplace.
Oh, that's about 25 shots with the Rem 700 .223. Dang, it shot left too? I did a couple right clicks on the scope on it, it just ob- longed the one hole. I stopped before it opened it up more.
It's only true if it's on this forum where opinions are facts and facts are opinions
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Replies
It sure does.:agree:
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
What powder was used with the 223, cann't read what on the target.
Pegasus, can't remember and been meaning to ask. Do you run your tubing through ice water before it blows into the action/barrel? Just curious.
― Douglas Adams
― Douglas Adams
Battery powdered fans are de rigueur on those days.
Just curious about the ice water bath for the tubing. Never seen one of your type matches so didn't know if it was doable. I see benchresters do that on hot days, though. They seem to carry everything including the kitchen sink nowadays.
Those battery powered fans are kinda neat. :up:
― Douglas Adams
Who do ya thunk I am....................cpj :jester:
Then again, shooting and guns is kinda sexy
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
It's a Data Powder from Accurate Arms, 2230-C. I think they used it in development of their AA-2230 line of powder or a Military surplus contract powder. I think the "C" stands for Contract. It is very close, almost the same as their regular 2230 is now. I inherited an 8 lb jug of it and another kind of AA from one of my brothers. I've have pretty good luck with it. It's supposedly slightly slower than 2230.
They say use the load data for AA 2460.
There is some load data right on the jugs label for 55 grain FMJ, so I ain't guessing, shootin in the dark so to speak. One of our forum members (from AZ) sent me some data on it or a link to data, as well.
" 2230 – Fast-burning, double-base, spherical rifle propellant. This versatile powder was designed around the .223 Remington, but can be used in many small and medium caliber cartridges. 2230 also works well in big straight-wall cartridges. Ideal for progressive loading."
A few months ago one forum said Natchez had it on sale for $60 for 8 lbs and another place for $90. Now that I've found it works good, they probably won't offer it anymore.:bang:
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Pegasus, I am curious, what this all about? Thanks!
Ya got that right beartracker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The heat has been bad here in the NM southwest this summer, also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:up:
Funny I was asked the same question privately. Rather than retype the whole thing let me just paste my answer.
The Walmart bubble machine is in fact a portable bait aerator. It's a little box with a battery powered pump with about a two foot hose that one would use to oxygenate a bucket of minnows. It's got a porous stone at the end of the tube that you drop in the bucket of water with the minnows. I simply remove that stone and I tape the tube into rod bore guide which I then stick in my rifle at the end of a match (22 rounds.) I turn on the little machine and the rifle in a rifle rack now has an air current going up its bore, acting like a chimney. It cools the bore much faster in my opinion.
What another member was talking about was having the air hose in a bucket of ice water to chill the air as it's going through the hose, but that would require a longer hose (any aquarium store would have that), a bucket and ice water. That last part is kind difficult, lest I bring a cooler just for that. I have not reached that point yet.
Walmart sells all manners of battery powered fans and that just helps to cool me down, but you can also use them to cool down the action externally. You can find the bubble machine at Walmart in the fishing section, mine is a little white one about 6-8 inches high and 3-4 inches wide. It runs on 2 D cells and it cost me less than $10.
On another note, the rifle rest doesn't look like something that would help much. But it's not as bad as your range bag, plainly visible in the last photo!! LOL!! Still, I know it takes some guts to carry that bag to the range. LOL!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
That sticky extraction is the exact reason I choose to use Varget in my match rifles; temperature insensitivity.
It wuz voted the cutest range bag they have seen in a while:hand::rotflmao: Now I need to get a shirt made to match so I can look like a Kansas City er....... gay person. Think Blazing Saddles when Slim rides up on them singing Camp Town Ladies:jester:
It's one of Mrs Chief's tote bags I had to clear off the table to make room for gun pics and cleaning.:guns:
Then again, my range bags do get heavy, I need some smaller ones. Bullsi had to help me carry one at the TX shoot.
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
Thanks Pegasus!!!!!!!!!!!!! for 10.00 dollars or so,,,,,,, and to rig something that will cool the chamber and barrel on my rifles in this heat, at the range,,, I will check into that!!!
I have noticed that my very heavy barreled match rifles seem to cool down faster than my fellow competitors' rifles that do not get the same bubble treatment. This is terribly unscientific but I'm happy with my process, and it's not difficult to set up.
I do know of people who throw wet towels on barrels to cool them down, and I'm sure that works too, but I would be hesitant to pour water in the chamber and bore. I like the gentler appraoch to cooling.
Also, my Mosin (Which btw I haven't shot yet) and my Yugo Mausers, I am not afraid to push a little. They are both very strong actions. Now an SMLE, an older design Mauser, or maybe something like an Italian Carcano or some other weak design, I would be way more cautious with. But the Yugo and the Mosin have massive locking lugs and are made of good steel and both have a safety lug on the bolt (The Mosin's bolt handle acts that part). The .280 mentioned above is made on a really old 98 action and it's strong as Fort Knox and as you can see by what I wrote, I don't baby it. Just my opinion. However I won't argue with your judgment on this because it's always better to stay on the safe side.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
I have to agree with ya Pegasus,, I don't really like that idea either,, cold towels might work for me in addition to the air pump. I do use the "hot water" method on my BP guns.
I am begining to feel that way too Snake I used to love the summer, and hate the cold winter, but as I am getting older and older,,,,,^^^^^^ is perfect.. Its been hotter here in southern NM and Texas than in Hawaii this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess we might have to start labeling our reloads "For summer use" and " For winter use"
Note to self, bring extra batteries for the bubble machine and the portable fan. I may even bring a popup shelter.