There are two target boards at 50 yards, then one each at 75, 100, and 150.
There is also a five stand course, sporting clays, and a 25 yard rimfire / pistol range as well.
I brought 3 guns, my Model 94 in 30-30, Ruger #1 in 45-70, and my Old Model Blackhawk in 357.
First, I wanted to check the zeros of the two rifles, which I did at 50 yards, resting the rifles on sandbags.
The 30-30 required a rear sight adjustment. The first group is the lower one, the second group had a flyer.
The 45-70 looked good, even if a little to the left. Point of aim on both targets was 6 O'Clock on the black bull.
The other holes on the 45-70 target were from the Blackhawk, 38 +p shot over the sand bags at 50 yards also. There are 4 holes, the 5th shot went I don't know where. The other two lower holes were from a different trip.
I had the elevator on the 30-30 maxed out, so I decided to get to my planned exercise.
My plan was to fire one shot at an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper, with no aiming point, at 50,75,100, and 150 yards. I would start off hand at 50, go to a kneeling position for the 75 yard shot, sitting for 100, and prone for 150.
I would try and take as little time as possible for each shot, without just throwing lead down range.
I ended up taking two shots from each rifle at each target, then my time ran out.
here are the targets-
50 yards
75 yards
100 yards
150 yards
45-70
I was holding at the bottom of the paper on the first 3 targets. The one miss at 100 was slightly below the target, and about 1 inch off to the right.
I never got a hit at 150. They were both misses below the paper, one about 6 inches, one about 10. You may be able to see the arrows pointing down on the bottom edge of the target, showing the location of the strikes, from a windage standpoint. With the right hold over, they would have been on paper.
30-30
I was holding more towards the center of the targets, since there wasn't much height above my point of aim.
The miss at 75 was to the right. I need to work on my natural point of aim, in these positions, with these rifles. I did get one hit, on the edge, at 150. Could not tell where the miss was. maybe next time I should put up some larger sheets of paper behind the targets.
I learned a lot, and plan to continue practicing this way for a while. Prone was difficult, as I ended up facing downhill a bit. I had to put my left hand right under the actions of both rifles to get on the target. I found out the week before that the sling on the #1 was no use. I could not put my arm through it, and get into a correct shooting position. I suppose that the swivel positions are too close together. I never had a problem using a sling on the milsurps I used to own.
Also, the white bead on the Ruger pretty much disappeared at the longer ranges, against the target. I need a more visible front sight on that. I need a lower front sight on the 30-30, as the rear sight is maxed out for elevation. Several weeks ago, I couldn't even get close to a zero with some Cowboy loads in that rifle. Not enough elevation on the rear sight.
I think I prefer a good open sight over a peep at this point, which is much different than my earlier preferences. A better front sight on the Ruger will give me a better comparison though.
I feel it was a productive trip, and hope to keep it up.
take care,
Tom
