Good day shooting today

[Pulp]

I took my Marlin out today to try some different loads. I learned it seems to prefer 69 grain over 55 grain bullets. 5 shot groups:

69 grain Sierra Matchking:
25.1 grains CFE=.77", three inside .33"
25.1 grains Varget=1.03", three inside .5"

55 grain Sierra HPBT
27.1 grains CFE=1.5", 4 were inside .4"
27.1 grains Varget=1.3", 3 inside .5"

All were once fired Winchester brass, neck sized only, trimmed to minimum length, CCI BR-4 primers. Now I have to play with powder charges and seating depth.

I believe the flyers were my fault, not the gun or load. I just can't get real steady in the rest anymore, but I was a bit better today. Plus allergies have my eyes a bit blurry. If I don't get a shot off real quick, everything starts to blur. Then I have to blink it away, and start over.

Anyway, beautiful morning for shooting. By noon the temp was up to 90, but my bench is in the shade and there was a nice light breeze.

More good news, non-rifle related, but my S&W .22A shot three full magazines without a misfire. I was using CCI MiniMags, instead of bulk Federals.

 

[swampratt]

Good day for sure Pulp sounds like you got some in..I did not..I trimmed hackberry trees.

When i was getting fliers i had to figure out the issues.
I would measure all the brass after firing it. I found some the neck OD was larger after firing than some other necks.
hardness issue or did it begin before the bullet was seated.

I started measuring neck ID(inside diameter) and OD of formed and ready to load cases.

I found some with .306"ID some with .307" ID and some rare .305 and .3075" id.

I started separating my cases , not by weight but by neck ID and OD.
Eliminated some of those pesky fliers.

That is after all else is well ..good shooting bags and good eyes.

Best of luck to you on the next trip out..And Thanks for sharing the info with us.

 

[dennishoddy]

Sounds like you had a good day at the range and that's what counts.

 

[aviator41]

Sounds like a good day pulp. I took the kids out shooting today. Didn't get any valuable information other than a reaffirmation that the kids love shooting. It truly was an excellent day to shoot.

Weather north of Edmond got up to 105 at one point (at least thats what the truck said) but the breeze made it bearable, and the smile on the kids faces was priceless.

 

[Pulp]

, and the smile on the kids faces was priceless.

That's what it's all about!

Good info Swamp, when I get my brass ready I'll check neck ID and OD.

 

[tRidiot]

I took my Marlin out today to try some different loads. I learned it seems to prefer 69 grain over 55 grain bullets. 5 shot groups:

69 grain Sierra Matchking:
25.1 grains CFE=.77", three inside .33"
25.1 grains Varget=1.03", three inside .5"

55 grain Sierra HPBT
27.1 grains CFE=1.5", 4 were inside .4"
27.1 grains Varget=1.3", 3 inside .5"

All were once fired Winchester brass, neck sized only, trimmed to minimum length, CCI BR-4 primers. Now I have to play with powder charges and seating depth.

I believe the flyers were my fault, not the gun or load. I just can't get real steady in the rest anymore, but I was a bit better today. Plus allergies have my eyes a bit blurry. If I don't get a shot off real quick, everything starts to blur. Then I have to blink it away, and start over.

Anyway, beautiful morning for shooting. By noon the temp was up to 90, but my bench is in the shade and there was a nice light breeze.

More good news, non-rifle related, but my S&W .22A shot three full magazines without a misfire. I was using CCI MiniMags, instead of bulk Federals.

Sounds like a good day... I got to shoot my first IDPA club match at Oil Capital and loved it!

How far were you shootin' these?

 

[tRidiot]

Weather north of Edmond got up to 105 at one point (at least thats what the truck said) but the breeze made it bearable, and the smile on the kids faces was priceless.

That's what it's all about!

Indeed...

 

[Pulp]

Sounds like a good day... I got to shoot my first IDPA club match at Oil Capital and loved it!

How far were you shootin' these?

Just focusing on 100 yards right now. I'll take it out further sooner or later. I've got target boards at 200 and 250 for later.