Guys, Yesterday I did something I've wanted to try for a very long time. I finally got to put my equipment and reloading skills to the test beyond 400 yards. After months on a waiting list, I was accepted at a range with 1,000 yard steel. I had to qualify with my 3 rifles at 100 yards and provide drop and windage calculations for each one, chrono them in the presence of the RSO and shoot each of them into a minute (5 shots) to gain 1k range certification. Sounds easy but with ARs going off next to me, an unfamiliar range environment and other distractions, it was a tedious affair to say the least and it took me a few groups to settle down. Anyway, I pulled it off and was sent back to the range house to have my targets and paperwork reviewed by the lead RSO, who after some minor scrutiny said signed off on my paperwork. The process took about 2.5 hrs.
Off I went, up the mountain to the 1k range. I had qualified with my 6.5L, 6.5-284, and my 308. The RSO up there greeted me and I looked at him like it was my first day in kindergarten. "Where are the target racks?" I asked. There out there, he said and I squinted down range, barely able to make out the Steel silhouettes, fox and unicorn gongs hanging on the railroad tie frames. Don't you have any closer targets? I asked. "Nope" he replied.
So, prepared to thoroughly embarrass myself, I uncased the little Lapua, set up my shooting bags, and got behind the rifle. The kind RSO offered to spot for me - Who was I to refuse, so I checked my Strelok program, dialed up 29.75 MOA and sent one at the 18"X24" Silhouette. "Where did it go?" I asked. "Give me a minute and a half up" he replied and told me to send another. I did, and saw the 143 ELD-X splash in the dirt to the right of the silhouette. We did have a little wind, so he says, give me 3/4 minute left windage and send another one - I did. "IMPACT!!" he announced. I was in Utter disbelief! A second after he said that, I heard the "Ding" which was probably one of the most satisfying sounds I've ever heard in my life. I had 22 rounds left and I gave that silhouette the business for the next 1/2 hour, connecting 17 times. I even hit the fox and unicorn One time each.
This was a fantastic experience and really put things into perspective for me. How things that seem so minor at 300 can become so major at distance, A real appreciation for the help I've had from LRH with my reloading skills and how much I have to learn (and To buy!!). But I do feel like I might be doing something right!
I also shot the .308 and the 6.5-284 at the 1k range and almost connected with the later but only had 3 rounds left after the qualification process, so I'll save that one for another day. The .308 got a little wonky out there with the 20" barrel, so I think I'll qualify the 24" barrel .308 next trip. I'm busy at the bench getting ready, that's for sure!!
Off I went, up the mountain to the 1k range. I had qualified with my 6.5L, 6.5-284, and my 308. The RSO up there greeted me and I looked at him like it was my first day in kindergarten. "Where are the target racks?" I asked. There out there, he said and I squinted down range, barely able to make out the Steel silhouettes, fox and unicorn gongs hanging on the railroad tie frames. Don't you have any closer targets? I asked. "Nope" he replied.
So, prepared to thoroughly embarrass myself, I uncased the little Lapua, set up my shooting bags, and got behind the rifle. The kind RSO offered to spot for me - Who was I to refuse, so I checked my Strelok program, dialed up 29.75 MOA and sent one at the 18"X24" Silhouette. "Where did it go?" I asked. "Give me a minute and a half up" he replied and told me to send another. I did, and saw the 143 ELD-X splash in the dirt to the right of the silhouette. We did have a little wind, so he says, give me 3/4 minute left windage and send another one - I did. "IMPACT!!" he announced. I was in Utter disbelief! A second after he said that, I heard the "Ding" which was probably one of the most satisfying sounds I've ever heard in my life. I had 22 rounds left and I gave that silhouette the business for the next 1/2 hour, connecting 17 times. I even hit the fox and unicorn One time each.
This was a fantastic experience and really put things into perspective for me. How things that seem so minor at 300 can become so major at distance, A real appreciation for the help I've had from LRH with my reloading skills and how much I have to learn (and To buy!!). But I do feel like I might be doing something right!
I also shot the .308 and the 6.5-284 at the 1k range and almost connected with the later but only had 3 rounds left after the qualification process, so I'll save that one for another day. The .308 got a little wonky out there with the 20" barrel, so I think I'll qualify the 24" barrel .308 next trip. I'm busy at the bench getting ready, that's for sure!!