For Us New to Long Range Percision Shooting

[rkittine]

I traveled 309 miles today arriving at Trout Run, Pennsylvania before noon. For those that do not recognize Trout Run, it is usually referred to as the Williamsport, PA 1,000 Yard Bench Rest Club.

Although the formal school starts tomorrow, there were plenty of members on hand as well as a number of the 24 students (of which I am one) that will participating over the weekend. With 12 instructors, the 1 instructor per two students is a great ratio.

After spending the afternoon and early evening there, three things happened:
1. - I met a great bunch of like minded firearms owners that were more than happy to share their pointers, experience and help. As well as their equipment.
2. - Learned a lot more of the How To than I have learned from reading a number of long range / bench rest shooting books.
3. - Was able to deprive a number of Clay Pigeon's another day on the planet. May they rest in peace.

If you are new to the game like I am, I would recommend this course and group to everyone.

I am looking forward to learning a lot more in the next two days as well as making more new friends.

Bob

 

[boltfluter]

Beautiful range. Looks like you have a great weekend ahead. Enjoy, and keep us posted on your progress.

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[6MMsteve]

Bodines then hit all the little Mom & Pop Beer & pool houses on the way up

 

[6MMsteve]

they changed some rules for new shooters as far as gettin on paper during a match, always shoot on Friday before the match to be sure of zero I made the mistake of not doing that lololololol

 

[rkittine]

One of the reason for the course as I understand it, is to learn the rules, which is why they only accept membership applications in person. So, my plan is to join at the end of the weekend.

Bob

 

[chevytruck_83]

I took the black hat sniper training course at Mifflin county pa. If your wallet and schedule allow you to participate in classes like these in your discipline I highly recommend it. You will save a ton of money and time reloading and get better much faster. Not to mention possibly make contacts with good people within the shooting community

 

[rkittine]

Today we had a half day of lecture on range rules, brass prep, loading and equipment demonstration and then loaded 25 rounds of 6.5x47 Lapua with Berger 130 VLDs. Other than the clay pigeons I broke yesterday, this was my first time on a 1,000 yard range with a regular target and since we were shooting mid-afternoon, there was a lot of wind and mirage. Learned a new way for me to work with "sighters" and Shocked myself that I got 5 shots grouped under 8 1/2", which I know is not so good, but three of them were nice and tight and I plan on getting a lot of trigger time. The day was topped off by a nice lunch and then a steak dinner at the end of the day. A credit card size piece of plastic was the closest to a gauge when I went to the pits to pull the target.

Bob

 

[Tommie]

Keep the posts coming. Very interesting!

 

[wvlongshot]

He's hooked now.......

 

[Joe Salt]

Bob I would like to thank you for the kind words. I think I need a couple days to get get my energy back. I kept my two guys up last night reloading till 10.00 pm. And they even gave me a hug today and said they learned a lot in three days. Now I hope a lot of you will come back to shoot with us. My guys, Brian and Bruce shot very well. I should have taken a picture of Bruce's target that he shot saturday night. He shot 5 shots in six inches with a 50 score. You should have seen the 4 shots in the bottom of the ten ring. they were in 7/8". You guys had some wind today, but I think just about everyone shot well.

Thanks again
Joe Salt

 

[Lapua40X]

... I got 5 shots grouped under 8 1/2", which I know is not so good...
BobView attachment 983970

I shoot off a bipod. If I could shoot 8.5 moa at 1K I'd call it good.
In fact, given the wind and mirage issues you dealt with - I'd be happy with that off a bench rest.
Congrats Bob, stay with it. You can only get better.

 

[6MMsteve]

One of the reason for the course as I understand it, is to learn the rules, which is why they only accept membership applications in person. So, my plan is to join at the end of the weekend.

Bob

When I joined it was by mail in 1987, 750 miles would be far to drive but I guess you join and shoot the same day now. I read the rules a few months ago but they slipped my memorex. Was a long drive for 10 shots back in the day unless you won your relay.

 

[6MMsteve]

Today we had a half day of lecture on range rules, brass prep, loading and equipment demonstration and then loaded 25 rounds of 6.5x47 Lapua with Berger 130 VLDs. Other than the clay pigeons I broke yesterday, this was my first time on a 1,000 yard range with a regular target and since we were shooting mid-afternoon, there was a lot of wind and mirage. Learned a new way for me to work with "sighters" and Shocked myself that I got 5 shots grouped under 8 1/2", which I know is not so good, but three of them were nice and tight and I plan on getting a lot of trigger time. The day was topped off by a nice lunch and then a steak dinner at the end of the day. A credit card size piece of plastic was the closest to a gauge when I went to the pits to pull the target.

BobView attachment 983970

Funner than Fun I say

 

[rkittine]

I did fill out the application and pay my dues yesterday, so I am now a member and look forward to getting in a lot more shooting. Yep, I am hooked.

One of the things I wanted to accomplish is to shoot my new Borden/Anglin 6.5x47L so that I could send fired cases to Whidden to have custom dies made. Eric, my instructor brought back his loading set up and after firing some factory 123 Scenar L Lapua rounds, he helped me reload them a few times and reshoot. No load work up just 41 grains of H4350 with 130 Berger VLDs. There wasn't any fancy targets for the 100 yard range, but here is the three shots I fired with the last set of these reloads. The fired cases and reamer print will be on its way to Whidden tomorrow and this months pay check will be on its way to K&M and Sinclair to cover the list of Must Buy items I developed during the course.

Bob