Thoughts on group size?

[cundiff5535]

Hey gang, I have been a member here for a little bit, but just enjoy reading and learning vs posting just to post! I am NOT a very experienced BR shooter, but I had quite a few shooters at my state range look in awe at one of the targets I shot last week (not sure what level they were on as far as shooters). I have also had a few relatives who have told me the group I shot is something to be proud of. I want to get thoughts from you all on if its a decent group or a true rare feat.

I took my BSA Martini MKII out to the range for the first time on Friday... This is the best 5 shot group I made... I misspoke on the tag as it was 100 meters (not yards).

7/24/2015
5 Shot group using Eley Target at 100 meters
Shot from my BSA Martini MKII





Thoughts feedback?!

Thanks,
B

 

[Fotheringill]

If you can do that consistently at that distance with less than target grade ammo, you are at or near the top of the heap.

 

[cundiff5535]

Thank you for that thought... Can I ask what other ammo you all recommend or improvements you would suggest? Would like to see if I can improve on my shooting!!

 

[cznut]

That's a good group at that distance with that ammo shoot 5 groups and that will give you a better idea of what tha rifle will do

 

[NorCalMikie]

Nice target and rifle. You're on a roll. 8)

 

[Fotheringill]

Try one or two steps up to

Lapua Midas +

RWS50

Eley Match

They run about $16/box +/-

There is a level above that for $.40-.45/round, but try the above first.

 

[seymour fish]

Buy at least a couple cases of that Lot Number ammo. Immediately.

 

[watercam]

I asked before but will again, have you found a way to tune the rifle to the ammunition at hand? For bolt guns it is playing with action screw torque, on a Martini I have no experience. Seems there might be some adjustment screw in the forearm contacting the barrel? Barrel tuners are popular but I never liked that process as much as shooting matches.
I shoot R50 and R100 (at NRA 200 yd. targets) and each lot needs a 'tweak' to get it to shoot it's best. One lot of ammo will not last forever!

 

[cundiff5535]

I asked before but will again, have you found a way to tune the rifle to the ammunition at hand? For bolt guns it is playing with action screw torque, on a Martini I have no experience. Seems there might be some adjustment screw in the forearm contacting the barrel? Barrel tuners are popular but I never liked that process as much as shooting matches.
I shoot R50 and R100 (at NRA 200 yd. targets) and each lot needs a 'tweak' to get it to shoot it's best. One lot of ammo will not last forever!

Sorry for the late reply, I am out of town traveling for work with limited access to the web. I have not found a way to tune the rifle... I shot eley sport as well as eley target while i was out. It was the first time I had ever shot the rifle so... I just grabbed two of the boxes of ammo I had laying on my shelf. I have 5K o the Target on the shelf so that is nice (same lot etc). The sport didnt shoot as well.

In saying that, I only shot four 5 round groups that day. Two with the sport and two with the Target. The target shot much better... the two I shot with the Target were similar in size... with the one posted a bit better

 

[boltfluter]

Great shooting and a beautiful rifle. Looking forward to the next range report. 8)

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[Fotheringill]

Re: Tuning

Is the rifle pillared and bedded?

Do you want a barrel tuner (or not yet)?

There are several things that can be done to improve the accuracy of the rifle itself.

 

[akajun]

Do not go futzing around with that BSA, they are a prize winning rifle and are as good as they get right out of the box. I had a mk3 international that I really regret selling as it shot just as good as yours with tenx ( the old stuff) and pretty good with Wolf and Eley Practice. I was always worried about breaking the ejector as at the time, finding new ones were impossible. It is the only rifle my inflexable body could load and operate without leaving the shoulder. I sold it to buy some anshutz's which shoot good as well.
There is no bedding on those guns, the barrel is i believe press fitted and set screwed in place into the reciever and it is a two piece stock , like a lee enfield. I cant remember if th mk2 had a ff forestock but my mk3 did. These guns and chambers were designed to shoot Eley ammo.
The Mk 4 and 5 were good rifles as well, but they had other issues which allowed the anschutz to overtake them in international competition. I personally believe that if they would have stayed with the mk3 design and improved on it, that BSA would still be at camp perry and the olympics today.
Rimfire central has a pretty good bsa Martini sub forum , check it out.

 

[cundiff5535]

^^ For sure! I was going to reply, I don't plan on doing any other "mods" to this rifle... It's right were it needs to be!!

As far as the MKII v MKIII, the MKII does not have a FF barrel. It's actually turned on vs the MKIII pressed in and held with two large set screws. I own 2 MKII's and 1 MKIII... But think this light pattern pictured shoots best of the group (right now).

To add to the other points, the stocks are two pieces and not bedded...

I am also a member of RFC... And am known well enough in the Martini sub group.

Thanks for the thoughts and reply!