Ok guys, I've been shooting for 50+ years and while I'm nowhere near an "expert" with a rifle, I do have a fair amount of experience, spend a lot of time at the range and hunting and I'm always open to learning more.
So, I'm at the rifle range today shooting my Browning X bolt, 223 Rem., a superbly accurate rifle with a fair trigger. The wind is fairly stiff, 10/20 mph swirling. I'm no Daniel Boone but my first three shots off my cross sticks go off to the right about 2" and high at 100 yards. This way off my norm, even for an old fart with diminishing skills. The curious part is the group is nice and tight. But tight groups off the desire point of impact are of no value to me. My ground hog buddies, and predator friends don't care about tight groups off the mark!!
The wind? Bad day? Old fart syndrome? Probably one or more, yet I wonder. The next two shots are closer to the desired point of impact but still way beyond my acceptable norm. That's it, I pack up and go home. At home I have a double Maker's Mark, a nice anecdote to a bad range session. As I enjoy this very smooth sipping whiskey, my mind begins to process the bad range session. At my age, bad range sessions are always a possibility but like most shooters, I'm always looking for a "scape goat."
Now, let me say this, I've never had an issue with a stock or scope screw loosening in all the years that I've been shooting, which is a lot. So, this is the last "scape goat" I would suspect.
With the Maker's Mark inducing another level of higher consciousness
, I decided to check the screws. The rear stock screw is very loose, about 2 turns to firm tightness. Was this the cause? I don't know but it can't be good. So, I apply Loctite and retighten and will venture out to the range this week to see.
Regardless, there is always the unexpected!!!! Just because it's never happened, doesn't mean it can't!!!
PS: Stranger things!!! This year I had my first incipient case head separation and now this, a loose stock screw. What's next??? An albino ground hog this spring??? A saber tooth ground hog? I guess I shouldn't post when I've been into my cup.
So, I'm at the rifle range today shooting my Browning X bolt, 223 Rem., a superbly accurate rifle with a fair trigger. The wind is fairly stiff, 10/20 mph swirling. I'm no Daniel Boone but my first three shots off my cross sticks go off to the right about 2" and high at 100 yards. This way off my norm, even for an old fart with diminishing skills. The curious part is the group is nice and tight. But tight groups off the desire point of impact are of no value to me. My ground hog buddies, and predator friends don't care about tight groups off the mark!!
The wind? Bad day? Old fart syndrome? Probably one or more, yet I wonder. The next two shots are closer to the desired point of impact but still way beyond my acceptable norm. That's it, I pack up and go home. At home I have a double Maker's Mark, a nice anecdote to a bad range session. As I enjoy this very smooth sipping whiskey, my mind begins to process the bad range session. At my age, bad range sessions are always a possibility but like most shooters, I'm always looking for a "scape goat."
Now, let me say this, I've never had an issue with a stock or scope screw loosening in all the years that I've been shooting, which is a lot. So, this is the last "scape goat" I would suspect.
With the Maker's Mark inducing another level of higher consciousness
, I decided to check the screws. The rear stock screw is very loose, about 2 turns to firm tightness. Was this the cause? I don't know but it can't be good. So, I apply Loctite and retighten and will venture out to the range this week to see.Regardless, there is always the unexpected!!!! Just because it's never happened, doesn't mean it can't!!!
PS: Stranger things!!! This year I had my first incipient case head separation and now this, a loose stock screw. What's next??? An albino ground hog this spring??? A saber tooth ground hog? I guess I shouldn't post when I've been into my cup.
