Printable View
Quote:
Originally Posted by gimp
I should point out that while it's framed frequently as "scopes don't hold zero just from being driven around in a car", it's more correct to add the qualifier that this is "after being thrown on the ground a bunch of times", which is perhaps to be considered more of a "torture test" than a "how does it perform in real use" test
A couple of meat units for the 6mm at 420m or thereabouts. 50kg pack down the hill wasn't a lot of fun
Attachment 277663
Attachment 277664
Amazing how the stock blends with the gravel. Especially in the bottom pic.
This weekend just past I shot the Atec Alpine Showdown PRS match with this rifle - the first proper 2 day match I've shot.
I had a bit of a rushed week of prep cos I had to travel to Welly on short notice for Weds night and Thurs, and then my flight back to Hoki on Friday got cancelled and I had to drive Chch - Hoki then turn around and drive back to Fairlie.... so my plan for prep got a bit stuffed, but I managed to get some ammo loaded (200rd) on Monday night and nipped out Weds afternoon to foul barrel, confirm zero and velocity, and data - after switching back to ELDMs - I shot the SSANZ Sparrowhawk hunter match with 108 Bergers and placed 2nd, but at $1.70ea, Bergers are too expensive although much more consistent than the ELDs.
10rd centred up at 650m gave me confidence that zero and data were all good.
Attachment 282361
The match was 172 round possible, over 16 stages. Most stages 105 second par time, with a couple of 120s. Quite complex target sequences in some stages, with most stages requiring movement between several different positions. Targets were generally around the 0.3-0.6 MIL (1-2MOA) size range, 370 out to 932 metres. A lot of supported positional shooting with no prone and only a couple stages with a modified prone position.
Shooting a match like this using an 8lb hunting rifle, I absolutely should not expect to do well. The standard rigs are 20-25lb, 26-28" straight contour barrels, brakes, chassis, most in smaller 6mm/.25 cases e.g. BRA, dasher, gt, etc. The goal of shooting these matches is to test my preparation, process and proficiency with what I consider "practical" gear, rather than to play the game. at the moment.
Attachment 282362
The match was good fun, got squadded with a good group and the weather played the game so I didn't have to stress about wind calls too much as well as my positions... was good to meet some folks.
Attachment 282363
I came 2nd last - 45% of the winner's score. I had intended to go into it aiming to make good shots and not worry about the timer, but that went out the window a bit on the first stages on day 1. Day 1 I shot 82 rounds for 36 hits, out of a possible 108 rounds. 43% hit rate from shots fired.
Day 2 I put it together a bit more and focussed on "doing everything right" rather than worrying about the time and managed another 36 hits but from 50 rounds (of a possible 64) - 72% hit rate and generally kept up with the lower-mid pack of guys running comp guns on most stages. Overall hit rate from shots fired for the match was 54%.
I had no zero or data issues through the match, although I didn't check zero or validate on site - I have to trust that my gear and data will work for practical uses. Zero and data was good out to the longest shots I took - 300mm plate at 830 metres. No issues with velocity changing or fouling.
Had one malfunction, where I jammed 11 rounds into my 10rd AICS mag and couldn't get the bolt forward for rd1 on position 1 of the skills stage, that took 30 seconds to resolve and I only got a 3 on that stage, where I was expecting to do quite a lot better -but lesson learned, functions check top round in the mag as part of pre-stage process before indicating shooter ready. Scope cap on the ocular of the March is quite close to the bolt and has a sharp edge which took a chunk off my thumb every time I cycled the bolt carelessly, this meant I ended up manipulating the bolt poorly towards the end, that cap will be coming off for matches.
My arts & crafts strips of masking tape on the scope as cheap turret tapes worked fine, and the bit of masking tape on my watch band to record stage plans worked well.
There are a few more matches popping up in the calendar that I will try to get to - PRS Finale end Sept, Alpine match at Rakaia gorge start of Nov, rumours of an NRL-style match Mid-Nov down South, then the individual match at Sparrowhawk in Dec - it'll be a bit hectic but if I can get to those matches and shoot this rifle and see how I go, I might end up thinking about a chassis and a thicker barrel for next year to actually play the game properly - I might have reached the limits of the usefulness of this exercise with a hunting spec rifle
Nice write up @gimp, a good positive result from a great weekend. I think you did bloody well for a straight up hunting rifle, was impressed.
Welcome to the rabbit hole, enjoy the ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by gimp
Great report and pretty good shooting cos PRS is quite "complex shooting" I reckon, not only do you require the precision equipment, but also the problem solving skills to "get the stage done" and being a bit athletic also helps with stage movements.
Don't beat yourself up about your performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by gimp
Centrefire matches are now tough for even seasoned competitors, you used to be able to be competitive with a hunting rifle but not anymore.
It's a shame there aren't many rimfire matches in the SI, they are a lot cheaper and easier to get into for new competitors.
Nah don't get me wrong I'm happy with my performance. I reckon 72% hits on shots taken (day 2) is great from those positions, targets and time limits with a hunting rifle and would put me comfortably away from last place in any match if I can do it both days... let's see how next time goes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beetroot
watch me get absolutely stomped at the finale with overconfidence haha. at some point the "hunting rifle" excuse won't work anymore
You shot very well considering the rifle you were running. It’s always great to see new competitors turn up and give it a crack.
On day 2 you did look a lot better. More controlled would be how it looked to me.
I didn't mean to make fun of your tape arts and crafts! Practical solution to a problem :thumbsup:
Was good to catch up with you at Sparrowhawk @gimp. It's been a while that's for sure. Bloody good effort with your setup as it was. Hopefully we'll see you at the finale, and again for the Hunter match we have in the plans for November. I'm also thinking of doing a few 22 and centrefire one day matches for some practice over the summer, so will keep you posted on that as well.
If you want to borrow a chassis or Manners T2A-GAP for the finale also sing out. Happy to help where I can
Sent from my SM-F966B using Tapatalk
Cheers... Manners is tempting... but I'll stick with my goal of shooting a few matches with this rifle first !Quote:
Originally Posted by The Claw
When do you expect to announce the hunter match dates?
It's often the case - you start with the idea of using a hunting rifle "To see how it goes..." and suddenly a heavier rifle, better stock..... I went there when F class started in NZ, and quit when I decided I neeeeeeded a dedicated rifle rather than the original plan of seeing how well I could do with my 6.5/06.
Good on you for sticking to the format you started with, and well done on the results.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
@Beetroot "It's a shame there aren't many rimfire matches in the SI, they are a lot cheaper and easier to get into for new competitors."
How many should there be?
