I took the 1941 Long Branch to the range today. I slapped on a steel "no gun smithing" scope mount from Fulton's (it was $200, but it is the best you can get) and a cheap 3-9 Tasco scope (I ran out of money buying the scope mount - sheesh!), and used Sierra 174gr HPBT .311 with Prvi brass, CCI primers and 38.3gr of Varget. Weather was sunny, no wind, about 60 degrees F when I startd (6:30am) and 85 degrees F when I finished up (8:45am). I was shooting from seated with a front sandbag. I will post a pic later, but I got a 1" 4 round group at 100 yards. I also shot at a small water container at 100 yards and nailed it every time. I will see if using the Hornady .312 rounds will shrink the group at all. Not bad for a 70 year old rifle. Hey, when are we having Long Branch Day??
I am also beginning to realise that I am better at shooting at objects than targets. I was shooting my Mosin Nagant 91/30 and putting rounds all over the target, but then I was hitting small water containers every time - go figure.