Kurt wrote:DT I used to think the 1000 yard target was best for accuracy testing also but I don't think it is as good as 200 or 300 yards. There are just to many variables between the muzzle and the 1000 yard line that can push a bullet all over the place. If a load is unstable at 200 or 300 yards it will show up.
Kurt,
I don't think 1000 yards is a good place to test the accuracy of your load/bullet but rather that it is a good place to test your skill as a shooter or spotter as well as a good place to test bullet performance in various conditions. I agree 100% that accuracy testing at 200 or 300 yards is probably best.
It would be great to be able to save a record of ones own best target/group at various distances and I do have pictures of some very good target I've over the years. I shot that 98-4X on relay one and headed to the pit. It was a fresh target so the only holes were my sighters and record shots and I remember looking at it at arms length and it was a pretty big group up close, but it never even crossed my mind to pull out my phone and snap a picture of it. It was well a centered group. I seen some pretty impressive groups fired at 800, 900, or 1000 yards that could have been high scores if they had been centered, but you know how that is. A half minute adjustment could be nothing or 2 minutes on the target. At 1000 yards I'm not much in favor of turning on the knobs even when I'm shooting 9s! I've been there when you can't get to the center. At 1000 yards during the Regional match in June I was hitting at 1 o'clock in the 9 ring and catching an occasional 10. Brent was spotting and had me just drop the sight a 1/2 minute I think it was. Boom, a 7 at 5 o'clock. Up a ¼ minute. Boom, a 9 at 1. Down a 1/4 minute. Boom! a 8 at 5. I turned and looked at him. He said, "I'm trying to get you into the X-ring.". I told him I'd rather shoot 9s & 10s than 7s & 8s! Sometimes you have to accept what the conditions will give you.
Kurt--Thanks for posting that picture. I have several more pictures of different groups well under four inches on that gong at that distance. Mostly with a 45-70, but one with a 40-65. It takes good light to do it, but it shows what these guns are capable of with the right conditions when you figure out how to load for them and shoot them. Shoot straight, rdnck.
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Caddo Lake Chapter
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Distant Thunder, I think you and JK2 ought to come to Harris in 2 weeks to see if you can repeat those scores off your home turf. It should be a good match with two divisions. Muzzleloaders and cartridge shooters. Quite a few Muzzleloader Shooters are showing up to check out our range. Why don't you bring some of those other Wisconsin guys with you? Bob
Bob is this a two day shoot? I will shoot at Alma MI the 11th and 12th A trip over the bridge and through the UP and northern WIs. would top it off.
Kurt
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
Don't know if I could even hit a target on that side of the Mississippi!
JK2 is getting married September 2nd so he won't be going anywhere much any more. I've got a match this weekend and another next weekend a 3rd weekend in a row would be a hard sell at home.
I would like to get over there someday, but sadly it never seems to happen. How far are you guys shooting over there these days? Is it paper or steel targets. I don't hear much about it over here.
It might be a little scary shooting at a different range! Does the earth rotate the same direction on that side of the river? How far are you guys from the edge of the world?
All kidding aside I should make an effort to get over on your side next year. Make sure I get some dates early next year and I'll put one on my calendar.
Kurt, you should get your tail up here. It's a two-day match with four relays. 15 shots per relay from a thousand yards. Two divisions, muzzleloader and cartridge. Ray Hansen & Dave Gullo and a bunch of the other International Muzzleloader Shooters are coming up. I'm not sure why? Maybe Ray will chime in but I think it's to check out the range for the upcoming 2020 International match here in the US and if you don't think muzzleloaders can shoot?
Jim, they're paper, just like in Lodi but a different direction. Makes them easier to hit.
Well I will have to gibe Bill a call and see if I can borrow his .45-70 and left over loads
DT if you shoot on the other side of the big muddy you can take some of the powder out because the bullet wont hit as many skeeters as there are in Mich and Wis.
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
