First day in over a week that we don't have gale force winds, rain, ice, snow or the range covered in ice making access to the target backers hazardous for an old fart like me. After watching reruns of Gunsmoke for the 5th time and preparing cases until I ran out I was in dire need of some trigger time so I headed to the range for some practice.
I took my newest rifle, a Weatherby Vanguard, 223 Rem. Just love this rifle - it's like the rifles of old, 7.5 lb weight, 24" barrel, good trigger, three position safety, stiff stock w/ excellent fit and a superior extractor design. Developed an effective load for it: 55 Nolser BT's, H4895, and Federal 205M primers. Shoots about .5 to .7 off the bench.
I began my usual drill, a 12 round course of fire, 6 at 100 and 6 at 200 yards shooting off cross sticks. My red zone is a 3" vertical - 5" horizontal rectangle which I consider the minimum area for successful broad side shot on a varmint or predator. I've shot some nice practice scores with this rifle so I'm expecting a good day.
The first shot goes great, clean barrel shot top of center exactly where it should be. The next five shots not great but in the red zone. Move the target to 200 yards. First shot in the red zone, slightly high but centered. Second shot a complete miss - a bad miss. Third shot to the far right but in the red zone. Shots 4, 5 and 6 all misses - far right. I can't remember the last time I missed that many.
Has to be the rifle / scope - can't be me. Wind about 5-10 mph - no big deal.
I didn't bring my bench shooting stuff but I have a sand bag in the truck. I build a make shift support and shoot a three shots from the bench at 100yards, no back rest - only front support. Measured the group, .366" center to center!
Go figure.
The culprit is me! Bad day at the range. Soothed my damaged pride with an adult beverage before dinner - Maker's Mark.
I took my newest rifle, a Weatherby Vanguard, 223 Rem. Just love this rifle - it's like the rifles of old, 7.5 lb weight, 24" barrel, good trigger, three position safety, stiff stock w/ excellent fit and a superior extractor design. Developed an effective load for it: 55 Nolser BT's, H4895, and Federal 205M primers. Shoots about .5 to .7 off the bench.
I began my usual drill, a 12 round course of fire, 6 at 100 and 6 at 200 yards shooting off cross sticks. My red zone is a 3" vertical - 5" horizontal rectangle which I consider the minimum area for successful broad side shot on a varmint or predator. I've shot some nice practice scores with this rifle so I'm expecting a good day.
The first shot goes great, clean barrel shot top of center exactly where it should be. The next five shots not great but in the red zone. Move the target to 200 yards. First shot in the red zone, slightly high but centered. Second shot a complete miss - a bad miss. Third shot to the far right but in the red zone. Shots 4, 5 and 6 all misses - far right. I can't remember the last time I missed that many.
Has to be the rifle / scope - can't be me. Wind about 5-10 mph - no big deal.I didn't bring my bench shooting stuff but I have a sand bag in the truck. I build a make shift support and shoot a three shots from the bench at 100yards, no back rest - only front support. Measured the group, .366" center to center!
Go figure.The culprit is me! Bad day at the range. Soothed my damaged pride with an adult beverage before dinner - Maker's Mark.
