IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y24/old86/April3-2.jpg[/IMG]This is my six shot 50yd group. The low one was an offhand, standing, fast shot to see how quickly I could engage a target. I removed the target disc and used the sight like a ghost ring, something that is preferred for hunting. The Winchester is capable of tight groups, it's my eyes that aren't.
I had another couple of reasons for going down there this morning. Besides shooting, I wanted to check out the newest grape plantings and also try to retrieve a Colt magazine that was dropped in the slough last year. We had removed some older zinfandel vines that were replaced by cabernet and pinot varieties. The old vines are now part of the huge burn pile that awaits the torch.
These pics, taken from the levee top, show the vineyards stretching out in the distance. The ubiquitous blackberrys in the foreground grow everywhere that isn't planted. They help to hold the levee soil in place and are home to all sorts of critters. Keeps the cottonbunnies and quail safe from guys like me, too.
Long about July, it's berry pickin' time for some folks.
Like I said earlier, retrieving my old magazine was something I wanted to try. It dropped into the slough when I was changing mags between the dock and the zodiac. I tried to drop it into my hand, but down it went, into 15' of water. I took a length of bamboo and taped a magnet to it, shoved it down to the bottom and kind of dragged it around. It only took a couple of minutes and there it was. Not too rusty, full of mud, and no bluing remaining. A soaking in oil should make it serviceable again.
