Years past what I have noted when the “orange army” gets geared up.
They come to the range geared up for the yearly “test fire”.
First order of business is to set up the 4x4 sheet of cardboard at 100.
Rolled up old dog bed and spare insulated bibs for front an rear rest.
The white plastic bag or bags of new ammo is proudly displayed in a neat pile.
Old’ Betsey is brought out and arranged on the “bags”.
Usually a box, but at times a sock with a knot in it because there is a hole in the toe, with odds and ends of “fouling” ammo is brought out and sorted. This ammo is more times than not questionable to put into service for hunting, but plenty good for “sight’n in”. The “ammo” has come from various places and well meaning individuals. Neighbor down the street got a new truck, partial box of ammo in the glove box, AND he found enough on the dash, ashtray and floor board to make a full box! Along with that there are a few that he found in the bed when he was cleaning it out, he just fishes and doesn’t hunt.
Another neighbor had some ammo from great uncle and grandpa, along with some he found in an old house.
He looks at ole’ betsey, action is closed, action is pointing down range. He opens the bolt and extracts the empty, uncle joe bob gave home that tip on how to store it in the off season.
We are now about ready to shoot. A quick look in the scope and we notice various debris and dust. A little spittle and shirt tail is the remedy.
We start off with the ammo from the bed of the truck. Ya want to shoot this first in case it cause a jam or refuses to exit the muzzle. Darn sure don’t want to shoot it last and have wasted all the fresh ammo in front of it and end up with a stuck bolt or projectile.
All goes well, even though the blue green brass split it still went off. We now proceed to try and shoot up the rest of this “fouling” ammo. We adjust the scope with the partial box with the best looking ammo. I will be darned it shot ten rounds into a palm sized group, almost Sniper quality!
We now open our brand new “fresh” ammo. Three rounds are fired. Now this group is no where near the last AND it is bigger than a pizza pan. Shoot three more, maybe the group will shrink, nope shoot four more still not good.
Must be ammo, we try another brand, similar results.
We retrieve the empty box of gifted ammo that shot the Sniper group. Tear the end flap off the box for the lot number. Will google it and see if we can find more on line.
Last round fired, the empty case is left in ole betsys chamber as always.
Fresh new ammo is dumped loose into the sock, fouling ammo as it didn’t group for crap. Box is placed in trash.
Bench bags are placed in truck, old Spot wags his tail as he sniffs his bed in the back seat.
All ready to go home and another fellow shows up. Discussion ensues, how’d ya shoot blah blah. Maybe your barrel is fouled, nope, cleaned it a while back. Pretty sure barrel is “shot out” have had this rifle since I was 18 and I am 30 now, hunted with it every year!
Yeah gents it’s a bunch’a BS. I will sadly admit I have seen, heard or witnessed all of the above at some time or another AND pretty sure I left something out.
