Musings From A New Long Range Shooter At A 1,000 Yards.
- Thread starter Max Owner
- Start date
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Well...........
Tried again last Thursday. After being foiled by a hunter taking my target pallet, forgetting my ear muffs and a momma bear with two cubs, decided I would re-group for Friday.
Got out Friday and started out O.K with the 308 untill the wind picked up. Switched to the 338 Lapua and had much better luck.
Story here is more horsepower is better. Still need a spotter, though.
Tried again last Thursday. After being foiled by a hunter taking my target pallet, forgetting my ear muffs and a momma bear with two cubs, decided I would re-group for Friday.
Got out Friday and started out O.K with the 308 untill the wind picked up. Switched to the 338 Lapua and had much better luck.
Story here is more horsepower is better. Still need a spotter, though.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Not horsepower - better ballistics.
A 308 is a ballistic pig nowadays. There are so many options that will drift less in the wind starting with the 223, 6BR and everything that F class shooters use nowadays.
The 338 has great potential don't get me wrong, but a 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm can keep up and go past quite easily.
Spotter is always nice. Glad that you are out shooting no matter what the outcome.
Jerry
A 308 is a ballistic pig nowadays. There are so many options that will drift less in the wind starting with the 223, 6BR and everything that F class shooters use nowadays.
The 338 has great potential don't get me wrong, but a 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm can keep up and go past quite easily.
Spotter is always nice. Glad that you are out shooting no matter what the outcome.
Jerry
I use the .338. Decent ballistic qualities and acceptable downrange energy retention.
My objective is to become a proficient long range shooter and harvest game during the open season.
Other calibers would may work well but this is my choice. I like that the .338 smacks with authority at 1000 yards and beyond.
My objective is to become a proficient long range shooter and harvest game during the open season.
Other calibers would may work well but this is my choice. I like that the .338 smacks with authority at 1000 yards and beyond.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
I have no idea what your shooting budget is but practising ALOT with a 338LM is going to be too expensive for most shooters. And a lot of practise is critical to LRH success.
you can duplicate/simulate the LR ballistics of the 338 using a smaller less expensive shooter. Now you are upping your trigger time which is great.
When I was LRH, I would practise about 50rds of smaller stuff vs 1 shot of my boomer. Kept costs reasonable and didn't burn out my boomer before hunting season.
YMMV
Jerry
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'm hoping to order a Sightron 6X24 from Mysticplayer in the next month ish to get my 260 Remington up and running. Will start out with factory ammo for the sake of getting some brass. Then start to reload for it.
Look forward to the 260. Have read good things about it and what it can do.
Look forward to the 260. Have read good things about it and what it can do.
Just think how many .338 Lapua reloads I can launch downrange with all the money I save by choosing not to purchase another rifle and all associated knick knacks.
I have absolutely no concerns about shooting out my barrel. Just ask Rick.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
On a similar factory rifle to which you can swap optics and even stock, maybe a couple of weekends worth of shooting and wear and tear.
I am not saying buy another custom. Just something to get trigger time with.
As I said originally, how one practises is fine. Just go practise and practise often under the conditions likely to be hunting in.
Jerry
I am not saying buy another custom. Just something to get trigger time with.
As I said originally, how one practises is fine. Just go practise and practise often under the conditions likely to be hunting in.
Jerry
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Be strong.
I said that 12 rifles ago....
Jerry
I said that 12 rifles ago....
Jerry
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Was out today at 500 yards.
Only shot my 223. Guess the mistake I made was chasing my misses. Meaning when I saw a puff of dust, I adjusted the windage. Then when the wind dies down, I was having more misses.
Only shot my 223. Guess the mistake I made was chasing my misses. Meaning when I saw a puff of dust, I adjusted the windage. Then when the wind dies down, I was having more misses.
Was chasing my "zero" with mine at a intro to F-class
Should have just left the dial alone, live a learn. Glad I'm not the only one doing this! Trade you time as a spotter anyday Cheers
Newbie question:
Does anyone use aircraft wind socks?
It's limp at 3mph, fully extended at 17mph, and linear inbetween so each band is another 3.5 mph.
i.e.
limp: less than 3.5 mph
a bit up: more than 3.5 mph
red + white stiff, rest limp: 7mph+
red + white + red stiff, rest limp: 10.5mph+
red + white + red + white stiff, rest limp: 13.5mph+
all stiff: 17mph
(note, the first red is often supported by a wire basket)
from: http://www.aerocovers.com/prod11_wind_sock.shtml
(obviously this would be useless for hunting, but a range could have several of them)
Does anyone use aircraft wind socks?
It's limp at 3mph, fully extended at 17mph, and linear inbetween so each band is another 3.5 mph.
i.e.
limp: less than 3.5 mph
a bit up: more than 3.5 mph
red + white stiff, rest limp: 7mph+
red + white + red stiff, rest limp: 10.5mph+
red + white + red + white stiff, rest limp: 13.5mph+
all stiff: 17mph
(note, the first red is often supported by a wire basket)
from: http://www.aerocovers.com/prod11_wind_sock.shtml
(obviously this would be useless for hunting, but a range could have several of them)
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Guess after Rangebob's question I should mention that I was using a surveyors stake with orange ribbon on it. Had one just infront of me to my right so I could see it without moving my head from behind the scope. Earlier I had the same down beside my target at 1,000. Couldn't see the damn thing.
- Location
- Virden, MB
That is the problem I have with wind flags. If you watch your flag you aren't watching your target and to get back on your target once the flag is where you want it is tough to do before the wind changes again.
Sometimes feeling it on the back of your neck just works better. Wind is tricky. I got hung up with wind problems yesterday. At 667 I was off and then back on paper as I would not give enough wind adjustment, make the adjustment than wind would change again and I would be off on the other side of the paper. I did great at 800 yards for some reason, I dunno what was wrong with me.
Sometimes feeling it on the back of your neck just works better. Wind is tricky. I got hung up with wind problems yesterday. At 667 I was off and then back on paper as I would not give enough wind adjustment, make the adjustment than wind would change again and I would be off on the other side of the paper. I did great at 800 yards for some reason, I dunno what was wrong with me.
Beaufort Wind Scale (Along with a little CyaN1de Humor)
0(calm) 0mph Smoke rises vertically and the see is mirror smooth. Many V-Bulls to be had
1(light air) 1.2-3mph Smoke moves slightly with breeze and shows direction of wind Many possibles still can be had
2(light breeze) 3.7 – 7.5mph You can feel wind on your face and hear the leaves start to rustle Many V-Bulls still Possible but a good chance a 4 will show it's ugly head if you miss a let off
3(gentle breeze) 8 – 12.5mph Smoke will move horizontally and small branches start to sway. Wind extends a light flag V-Bulls still possible but a good chance a 4 (or two) may show up on your scorecard
4(moderate breeze) 13 – 18.6mph Loose dust or sand on the ground will move and larger branches will sway, loose paper blows around, and fairly frequent whitecaps occur V-Bulls getting harder to come by with more 4's in the future and the odd 3 (magpie) thrown in
5(fresh breeze) 19.3 - 25mph Surface waves form on water and small trees sway 4's are a reason for a high five with your shooting partner more magpies and maybe even a 2 (outer)
6(strong breeze) 25.5 - 31mph Trees begin to bend with the force of the wind and causes whistling in telephone wires and some spray on the sea surface A sadistic Match Director will sit back and start snickering at this point, V-Bulls are still possible.........on the next target over if you miss the 31mph let off
7(moderate gale) 32 - 38mph Large trees sway A good Match Director would shut this shoot down due to safety concerns, the sadistic bastard above will be busting a gut as all targets come up with misses (0)
8(fresh gale) 39 - 46mph Twigs break from trees, and long streaks of foam appear on the ocean At this point, since the sadistic match director has not shut it down, Target 2 is now shooting V-Bulls on Target #5 and shooter on target 5 is taking them for score (he will be buying the shooter on target 2 a few beers after the match)
10(whole gale) 56 - 64mph Trees are uprooted, and the sea takes on a white appearance As does the face of the shooter on target 2 as he realizes he just gave the match to shooter on Target 5 by shooting V-Bulls for him.
11(storm) 65 - 74mph Widespread damage This is when the sadistic Match Director had to finally call the match due to the target faces being ripped off and thrown 4km down the range by the wind.
0(calm) 0mph Smoke rises vertically and the see is mirror smooth. Many V-Bulls to be had
1(light air) 1.2-3mph Smoke moves slightly with breeze and shows direction of wind Many possibles still can be had
2(light breeze) 3.7 – 7.5mph You can feel wind on your face and hear the leaves start to rustle Many V-Bulls still Possible but a good chance a 4 will show it's ugly head if you miss a let off
3(gentle breeze) 8 – 12.5mph Smoke will move horizontally and small branches start to sway. Wind extends a light flag V-Bulls still possible but a good chance a 4 (or two) may show up on your scorecard
4(moderate breeze) 13 – 18.6mph Loose dust or sand on the ground will move and larger branches will sway, loose paper blows around, and fairly frequent whitecaps occur V-Bulls getting harder to come by with more 4's in the future and the odd 3 (magpie) thrown in
5(fresh breeze) 19.3 - 25mph Surface waves form on water and small trees sway 4's are a reason for a high five with your shooting partner more magpies and maybe even a 2 (outer)
6(strong breeze) 25.5 - 31mph Trees begin to bend with the force of the wind and causes whistling in telephone wires and some spray on the sea surface A sadistic Match Director will sit back and start snickering at this point, V-Bulls are still possible.........on the next target over if you miss the 31mph let off
7(moderate gale) 32 - 38mph Large trees sway A good Match Director would shut this shoot down due to safety concerns, the sadistic bastard above will be busting a gut as all targets come up with misses (0)
8(fresh gale) 39 - 46mph Twigs break from trees, and long streaks of foam appear on the ocean At this point, since the sadistic match director has not shut it down, Target 2 is now shooting V-Bulls on Target #5 and shooter on target 5 is taking them for score (he will be buying the shooter on target 2 a few beers after the match)
10(whole gale) 56 - 64mph Trees are uprooted, and the sea takes on a white appearance As does the face of the shooter on target 2 as he realizes he just gave the match to shooter on Target 5 by shooting V-Bulls for him.
11(storm) 65 - 74mph Widespread damage This is when the sadistic Match Director had to finally call the match due to the target faces being ripped off and thrown 4km down the range by the wind.
- Location
- Virden, MB
Condition 0 usually sucks due to mirage that makes you nauseous and then violently throw up.
