The journey I'm referring to is my journey to this year's Tack Driver match in SC. Intrigued by the format, I rushed to sign up. I like 300 meters, and I used to be a passable BR shooter (45 to 50 years ago, mind you). I also mentioned to Jim Cline that I would shoot a 308 Winchester, and I plan to stick to that.
I figured my first step should be to attend a modern BR match. I chose to drive up to the Rosebud range, near Calgary, Alberta, for my first outing. I had initially planned to take one of the rifles which may get the nod to go to TD but I was short of time. Besides, I just wanted to see how far behind the curve I was. The answer to that is, quite a bit!
I didn't have a 10 1/2 pound rifle ready. On the day before the match I set back an old barrel and fitted it to my old Wichita Mini. I chambered it for the original 6BR (1.520 long, .266 neck) and turned some necks. The Mini is a PPC bolt so I rebated the rims on 50 cases. I mounted a 36x Weaver scope on it and that was that. Just in case, I decided to take along the last BR rifle I had shot (about 25 years ago). This is a 40X, also a 6BR, glued into a Lee six stock. It got a 24x Leupold which I had bought in 1978 and given to my Dad. I got it back when he passed away. I had it mounted on a prone rifle, so I just took it off the Model 70 and mounted it on the 40X, in the same rings. I should have paid closer attention to what I was doing, but I was pressed for time.
I dug around and found my old Wichita pedestal, onto which I had, at some point, glued a sausage style front bag. I had a new cordura and suede rear bag. It was filled with plastic beads, so I re-filled it with sand, to add some weight to it and that was the extent of my gear. I threw everything in the truck, hooked up the Arctic Fox, and left home at about 6 PM for the 5 hour drive to the range. I would load at the range.
There are many people in this world who are well organized and are always well prepared. Sadly, I may not be one of them. I had two rifles, neither was sighted in. In fact, the last time I had pulled the trigger on the Wichita was in 1981. The 40x had been shot in 2000. My loading set up is best described as rudimentary. The worst thing though, and apropos when speaking of a lack of preparation, was that I left my powder sitting on the bench. Luckily there was some powder for sale at the match, so I was covered. It wasn't what I had planned to use, but that hardly mattered.
By now, you're probably wondering how it is that an old guy like this is allowed to venture out on his own. I can see your point. It may be more painful to watch than it is to live it! I'll tell a little more about the match (talking about my problems may be therapeutic!) and the facility (awesome range!) later. Right now, I have to go try and put my shop back in order. WH
I figured my first step should be to attend a modern BR match. I chose to drive up to the Rosebud range, near Calgary, Alberta, for my first outing. I had initially planned to take one of the rifles which may get the nod to go to TD but I was short of time. Besides, I just wanted to see how far behind the curve I was. The answer to that is, quite a bit!
I didn't have a 10 1/2 pound rifle ready. On the day before the match I set back an old barrel and fitted it to my old Wichita Mini. I chambered it for the original 6BR (1.520 long, .266 neck) and turned some necks. The Mini is a PPC bolt so I rebated the rims on 50 cases. I mounted a 36x Weaver scope on it and that was that. Just in case, I decided to take along the last BR rifle I had shot (about 25 years ago). This is a 40X, also a 6BR, glued into a Lee six stock. It got a 24x Leupold which I had bought in 1978 and given to my Dad. I got it back when he passed away. I had it mounted on a prone rifle, so I just took it off the Model 70 and mounted it on the 40X, in the same rings. I should have paid closer attention to what I was doing, but I was pressed for time.
I dug around and found my old Wichita pedestal, onto which I had, at some point, glued a sausage style front bag. I had a new cordura and suede rear bag. It was filled with plastic beads, so I re-filled it with sand, to add some weight to it and that was the extent of my gear. I threw everything in the truck, hooked up the Arctic Fox, and left home at about 6 PM for the 5 hour drive to the range. I would load at the range.
There are many people in this world who are well organized and are always well prepared. Sadly, I may not be one of them. I had two rifles, neither was sighted in. In fact, the last time I had pulled the trigger on the Wichita was in 1981. The 40x had been shot in 2000. My loading set up is best described as rudimentary. The worst thing though, and apropos when speaking of a lack of preparation, was that I left my powder sitting on the bench. Luckily there was some powder for sale at the match, so I was covered. It wasn't what I had planned to use, but that hardly mattered.
By now, you're probably wondering how it is that an old guy like this is allowed to venture out on his own. I can see your point. It may be more painful to watch than it is to live it! I'll tell a little more about the match (talking about my problems may be therapeutic!) and the facility (awesome range!) later. Right now, I have to go try and put my shop back in order. WH
