Rich Coyle
Well-Known Member
Yesterday I asked a guy who has a spotting scope to go to the range with me to watch the bullet impact locations. This is the first time to stretch this rifle with a witness. When you realize the farthest I have killed a deer is 222 yards you get the idea I was really shooting long range. The rifle, with its Harris bi-pod, is sighted in for 300 yards.
I dialed up to 500 yards and got into prone, laying straight back, like I was instructed here the other day. I tried to find a rock about one minute in size. The cold bore shot hit. I fired another and missed by maybe an inch at 12 o'clock. I returned the turret to its 300 yard setting. While the rifle cooled I fired two .454's to chronograph the difference in a stock 7 1/2" barrel and a majorly ported by KEEPER 10" barrel.
Next I twisted the scope to 600 yard setting and again got behind the rifle in the straight back prone position. Again I tried to find a rock about one minute in size. Two hits! I returned the turret to its 300 yard setting and set it aside to cool.
The guy with spotting scope pulled out a .223 black rifle and proceeded to fire at a gong about 600 yards out. Since I wear glasses I could hardly see in the spotting scope, but did call a hit and then a miss and then a hit for him. (I have tried about half a dozen spotting scopes. None have enough eye relief.)
Back behind my rifle with it set on 400 I fired. A hit. Fired again and got another hit. Again I returned the setting to 300 yards. When the rifle cooled I tried to hit a 300 yard gong off hand. I didn't expect to hit because I have been practicing alone and just don't do well. I called a close miss at 10:30. The spotter agreed.
I declare this rifle and load ready for hunting season: Deer, elk, caribou and sheep on this year's agenda.
I dialed up to 500 yards and got into prone, laying straight back, like I was instructed here the other day. I tried to find a rock about one minute in size. The cold bore shot hit. I fired another and missed by maybe an inch at 12 o'clock. I returned the turret to its 300 yard setting. While the rifle cooled I fired two .454's to chronograph the difference in a stock 7 1/2" barrel and a majorly ported by KEEPER 10" barrel.
Next I twisted the scope to 600 yard setting and again got behind the rifle in the straight back prone position. Again I tried to find a rock about one minute in size. Two hits! I returned the turret to its 300 yard setting and set it aside to cool.
The guy with spotting scope pulled out a .223 black rifle and proceeded to fire at a gong about 600 yards out. Since I wear glasses I could hardly see in the spotting scope, but did call a hit and then a miss and then a hit for him. (I have tried about half a dozen spotting scopes. None have enough eye relief.)
Back behind my rifle with it set on 400 I fired. A hit. Fired again and got another hit. Again I returned the setting to 300 yards. When the rifle cooled I tried to hit a 300 yard gong off hand. I didn't expect to hit because I have been practicing alone and just don't do well. I called a close miss at 10:30. The spotter agreed.
I declare this rifle and load ready for hunting season: Deer, elk, caribou and sheep on this year's agenda.
