BT,
Two days ago, a friend from Cali was out and he wanted to go shooting. We went out to my normal spot, got a late start, and some guys in a truck were already there. Ran up the road further and found a broad valley. Set up the portable shade as it was 93-95 degrees, windy, sunny and dusty. We set up a 100 yd target and checked my zero; 1/4" right in a 6 mph 3'oclock wind. EXBAL said that was on.
We then set my 25" x 15" LV steel siluette gong. Got back to the shade and made ready to shoot. The sun was so bright I had a hard time ranging the steel with my Swaro 8x30 Laserguide. So I settled on a decent sized PJ tree which was closer and to the left about 75 yds. It bounced back 785. We guessed the steel was about 15 yds farther, so 800. I ran the numbers in EXBAL cranked 15.75 MOA and IIRC, 3 MOA wind for a 6 mph from my 9. At the shot, my buddy, looking through the spotting scope said I was just under. I reran EXBAL for 800 yds and 16.5 MOA drop. BAM!!! BAM!!! BAM!!!. A 4.25" group at what we later successfully lazered at 818 yds.
818 yds 3-shot 4.25" group
Dismiss the date on the photo. As I was turning the camera on, I realized it had no batteries and thus the camera reset the date to 20020101. Trust me, I'd not be wearing shorts, light hikers and a polynesian shirt in January at 5024' in Utah.
After that the steady 9 o'clock wind picked up to 20+ mph gusts and kept swinging from 4pm to 8 pm wind. I'd get my wind adjusted and by the time I shot, the wind went the other way. I learned a steady strong directional wind is better than a mild swinging wind.
I wanted to just say for nay sayers, my skinny barrel seems to do just fine. It keeps my rifles weight to 8lb and much of that is my IOR 3-18x42mm at 29 oz and big 35mm rings. Their web site says 22 oz but it is off. I've informed them but still no change. In talking to Dan Lilja, he says as long as the barrel is properly stress relieved, no problems!