Consistency with: loads, shooting method/style, atmospheric. Good equipment. Practice. Refine. Study the art.
5 keys to 600 yard Benchrest
- Thread starter Scarab
- Start date
A huge difference, I've never had a tune at 100yds work for me at long range but I've always had a tune at 600yds work good at 600 and 1000.
That extra 400yds makes a big difference, that's a lot more time for things to go wrong in the bullets flight. If you work up a load at 200, you don't know what it'll do at 600 but if you work up a load at 600 you already know how it's going to shoot good or bad. I've gotten bullets to shoot great at 100yds but when I shoot them at distance they shoot really bad. I like knowing how it's going to shoot before I go to a match.
It is not all about the bullet being stabilized. It has some to do with harmonics and vertical dispersion. I have seen loads shoot in the zeros at 100 with extreme spreads of 2 to 3 and they wouldn't shoot under 13 inches at 1000. The same gun with ES of 12 to 15 would shoot 4 inch 10 shot groups at 1000. You can get lucky and have it work but I wouldn't count on it because most times it doesn't work that way. The groups they shoot at big matches at 600 and 1000 are really good. Matt
I do preliminary evaluation @ 100. Mainly because it's easier (I have a 100 yd range out my back door). My thinking being if it won't shoot @ 100 it won't shoot @ 600. If I find something I like I move to 600. Echoing what others have said here, it's interesting what shoots @ 100 but won't at 600.
A lot of times it is the opposite. I believe the best long range loads are not the best 100 yard loads. Just like the best ES is usually not the best at 600 or 1000. A lot of my best 1000 yard rigs will only shoot 3/4 MOA at 100. Some of them will shoot smaller at 100 with a different load, but shoot really big with that load at 1000. I know this seems hard to believe but I have seen so many guns do this. Matt
dragman
Site $$ Sponsor
I see this sometimes too.
I usually start at 100 and get something that looks good with ES and is showing me good shape in the groups not always in the zero's sometimes it's .200's or .400's what have you. then I take it out to 1000 and pick really good condition and tune it from that point. sometimes I end up moving it a whole grain. I have then taken the new "Long range" load and went back too 100 and saw 1/2 or even 3/4" groups.
Although I would prefer to tune at longer range, I don't have the availability to shoot 600 yards except on match day. I tune at 100 yards at my home range with extra attention to SD and pure accuracy. So far it has worked for me. Good shooting....James
I have to say that the mentor is a very important part of learning how to make it happen. One of my mentors is Larry T. I worked with him while using the RAS tuners. He explained to me how to set the tuner while using the 2 shot method. I not only seen the results on paper at 100 yards but have done well while shooting 600 and 1000 gongs, and even seen great results at IBS matches at the Manatee. I have seen Larry shoot 15 out of 15 5" gongs consecutively at 600 yards. He has done it 3 times I know of. There are only a few that have ever acomplished hitting all 15 out of 15 gongs at our gong matches. I do not know of anyone else that has done this 3 times. You really have to know what you are doing to accomplish this. Larry has proven to us that he knows how to make it happen. I have used the 2 shot method at 100 yards with 3 barrels and all 3 have done well at 600 and 1000. I will be the first to say that this 2 shot method will not work with every rifle all the time, but is with a try. Especially if you can't shoot farther then 100 yards on your range. Three other mentors are Steve Krauss, Tom Anderson and Larry Malinosky, to name a few. Mentors can bring you up the ladder to winning matches much quicker then learning it the hard way. My flame suit is on. Doug Bell
Ok, I went ahead and joined Big Piney since it seems the majority say you should test/tune at 600. I've read about 7 papers written about bullet dispersion, spin drift etc... a very good one published by the Army. Here's my top 10 I extrapolated here:
#1- Gunsmith/equipment- nothing works if the equipment is junk
#2- Bench manners- wasting time and money with bad manners
#3- Reading conditions- difficult to tune if you don't/can't read conditions
#4- consistency
#5- lay out 5 shots for score- I can foresee that this could turn into an issue!
#6- never panic- this adds to more panic
#7- get a second job to make mortgage payment
#8- practice
#9- practice
#10- practice
#1- Gunsmith/equipment- nothing works if the equipment is junk
#2- Bench manners- wasting time and money with bad manners
#3- Reading conditions- difficult to tune if you don't/can't read conditions
#4- consistency
#5- lay out 5 shots for score- I can foresee that this could turn into an issue!
#6- never panic- this adds to more panic
#7- get a second job to make mortgage payment
#8- practice
#9- practice
#10- practice
Tom E
Gold $$ Contributor
Looks like you are going down the right path.
1. Remember to listen and observe, you can learn things from the best shooters but you can also pick up things from the guys just starting out.
2. Attitude is everything, believe in your equipment when you show up at a match, if you dont it will show up on paper.
3. Remember you started this for enjoyment!
Keep it fun!
4. The path your starting down can be very rewarding and challenging.
I wish ya the best of luck.
Hopefully our paths will cross
Tome
The last couple years I've learned a bunch about what to do....now I'm starting my education on what not to do. There is a difference. 
Ga. Dawg
Silver $$ Contributor
Well, after some studying, some good advice and attention to detail I shot my first 3 matches at Big Piney. The crowd that was there were phenomenal shooters and a great bunch of guys. Looking forward to a lot more of this 600 yard game! Thanks to all for the excellent advice and thanks to Jeff Conover for not putting me on the I suck team!
Attachments
....also the worst!!!
In not as many words I made a very similar comment in a different thread and promptly got my ass handed to me by some forum members that knew better. I feel better now
. Thanks
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