This morning there was no wind. Left home before dawn. It was 9 degrees at 4700'. Set out the target, and shot from 100 and 200 yard. Scope djustments were made. Adjustments were mostly necessary, because the load was changed. The last shoot seemed to reveal the bullets hitting low at 300 yard. It didn't seem like the cds dial, and the bullet flight agreed, so the powder load was increased. After adjustments, there still was no breeze.
A move was made to 4900', so a target could be set out to 300 yard. There was no breeze. Temperature by now was 15 degrees. The middle target was the aim. First three shots hit some high. Scope adjustments were made. Next three shots were good.
The load was 300g Deep Curl, 120g BH209, crush rib sabot, and W209 primer. The powder loads were dropped into tubes at home using a Redding 3-BR measure. Equipment was the Knight Mountaineer Rifle and a 1.5-5 Leupold. The taped holes were made at 100 and 200 yard. The range finder was read several times, and it say 301, 300, 299, 298 yard. Seemed the range was near exactly 300 yard. It was a beautiful morning with a bright blue sky, and zero breeze. Since it was so cold, shots were taken, and the rifle reloaded immediately, and the next shot taken etc. After the target was punched at 300 yard a move back to 4700' was made and the target shot again at 100 yard. The bottom target was the aim. The cds dial was turned back to 1, which is nearly a full revolution of the dial. Three quick shots were taken. There was some air moving, but virtually still no breeze. Temperature had climbed to 23 degrees.
The breech plug was removed for cleaning upon returning home. The rifle has been shot 63 times. The face of the bolt looks brand new. There is zero blow by. The flash hole now measures 0.034". The rifle shoots straight.
When next season rolls around, i imagine i will be packing either an X7, or the Dream Season whilst hunting timber, or swamp. Perhaps the Mountaineer will get a chance to hunt the early prairie doe season.
Target @ 300 Yard
