Out on the range???
 

I had to be nuts I told myself, but I could not look at that rifle sitting there and not being shot. So I bundled up and went to the range anyway. It was cold out there. In my hurry I grabbed the wrong spray bottle for swabbing. I grabbed some window cleaner instead of my 50/50 mix. Now how cold was it?? In fact it was so cold, the bottle of window spray after fifteen minutes, the sprayer froze shut and could not work.So I hauled that back to the house and brought out a bottle of straight isopropyl alcohol. I figured that would not freeze. Even though my fingers and toes were trying to.

I took out some .452 300 grain XTP's and some 300 grain Shockwaves. I also took out three different kinds of sabots. Some harvester short petal and some long petal, and then some crushed rib in case it loaded hard. Shot #1 in the A group was on a clean barrel. I was a little surprised as I was holding on the blue X and figured it would have hit the plate. So I swabbed and shot the other three, swabbing between shots. (this is where the window sprayer froze).

I then swabbed extra good and shot group B. I was surprised that they shot a little higher with the Pyrodex P. I did not really expect them to do that, to be real honest...

I swabbed again and this time loaded 120 grains of Pyrodex P and a shockwave and shot the first shot. It too was somewhat with the group B. So to test my theory, I aimed the second time for the top of the white paper plate and shot the second shot.

I thought about taking my gloves off and adjusting the sights, but my nose was running like a cheapWal Mart faucet, my fingers were a little cold, and my big toe was just plain numb. I decided I had enough for the day. I was only out about an hour or maybe a little longer. Maybe when it warms up I can play some more. It was -23 below last night and is supposed to get colder tonight. So we will see what tomorrow brings.

RE: Out on the range???
 

good shooting there. bet you can't wait until it gets warmer to get in a range session that does not require setting in front of the fire for half hour (not a problem in my mind)

ever thought about an heated shooting shed ;)

RE: Out on the range???
 

Dang Cayugad! When you want to shoot, you shoot. That's all I can say -DANG!

RE: Out on the range???
 

When I extend my garage maybe this spring, I am going to make a heated shooting station on the back end of it. Also a place to clean my rifles in the wood working shop so I do not have to bring them into the house for that. I want to bring the two buildings together to form an L shape building and then I will have more room in my wood working shop for more tools that I never use. You all know what I mean.

RE: Out on the range???
 

NOW yer talkin!! :D

RE: Out on the range???
 

Nice shooting. I never could have done that with open sights and shaking from the cold, but then again I'm a southern boy. We hope its under 65 or so in november so the deer will move a little bit.

RE: Out on the range???
 

Hey Dave, so what do ya think of the gun. were ya happy withit and do ya think it will be a shooter? Was -31 over last night. Man I hope it isnt colder tonite. Kerry

RE: Out on the range???
 

:DI like that cheap wal mart faucet remark but I have worse luck with the [:@]Delta stuff.
Any way ya proved it can shot thru the hoar frost for sure.

:)

RE: Out on the range???
 

They are talking -25 tonight so we will see. This weather has to break pretty soon I hope.


I think this rifle is going to be a good one. I was not real impressed with the groups today, but for the first time out and playing with one kind of bullet basically. I did not expect much. AZlthough I was surprised the group opened as much as it did. I was more concerned with ignition, and ease of loading, etc. The red primer discs loaded perfect, even with gloves on I could load and unload it with no tool. That will be a big plus when muzzleloader hunting in December around here.

I think once I find the right powder charge and bullet this rifle will be a good one. I also think this rifle likes a powerful powder charge. But there is little to no recoil with this rifle. Even with 120 grains of Pyrodex P which I would consider a magnum load, I can not say it was uncomfortable to shoot at all.

Time will tell. I have a lot of things to try and am really looking forward to seeing what others find accurate in their rifles...

RE: Out on the range???
 

That's what it's really all about. I find load development and experimentationinteresting and fun.Of course, with the number of guns you have you need a data base to keep track of loads.