The weather improved today with a light wind and mostly sunny. I hung out with Inspector and with the Black Powder Gang. I got the last open table at 9 am and was mostly full until I left at 1 pm. I shot someone’s 1942 Enfield. I was speculating that this rifle could have been pointing east from Holland during WW2 and my 1942 Mosin Nagant could have been pointing west from Russia.
I next shot "a real man's rifle", the 45/70 Sharps. It was loaded with 110 gn black powder and could be loaded up to 140 gn. I couldn’t hit the gong but have no clue where the round went. The owner (sorry, I'm terrible with names) was telling us about the time they demonstrated an antique gun in the back of the range to a studio making a documentary about the type of guns available when King Kamehameha invaded Oahu. The blast from the rifle knocked everyone backwards.
MN 91/30: First shot the 38.0 gn IMR4895 with the 150 gn Hornady SP at the middle target. Out of 25, 17 hit the red with an average 1.873 MOA and 5 hit the 8” gong. So far, this is my go to load. The flyer on top was from the 300BLK.
Next shot the 36.6 to 37.4 gn RL15 with the 180 gn Speer RN. The 36.6 on the left were awful but was still able to hit the gong. In fact, I was able to hit the gong with all ten loads. Very proud. The 37.2 gn seemed to group the best on the right. I ran out of time with the last three rounds and had to move the target to the 100 yard line for the AR-15. This crowded the metal targets too close to the BPS gong so was only able to shoot the 6” gong. I bought a new box of 180 gn Speers. Not sure what I’ll load next, but I think I'm tired of RL15 with this bullet. The target got a bit of splash damage from the neighbor and a few holes from trying to zero the AR-15.
AR-15: I've been experimenting with different color backgrounds to see how it effects my aging eyes. I was wondering if the white board is too bright in the sun. So far, I'm not sure if the color actually makes a difference in my ability to focus on the target. I added 1/2" riser to the scope to keep my head straighter on the stock. Overall, I think its better after zeroing the scope again. I made about 75 rounds of 22 gn CFE223 with the remaining regular primers. I used these to warm up the rifle, zero the scope, and smack around the gongs.
I ran a patch through and shot the 20 to 22 gn TAC with the 62 gn Hornady FMJBT and Federal Match Primers. The 21.5 gn shot the best with an average 0.520" MOA. It looks like the TAC shot better than the ARcomp from last time. I don't have more of the 62 gn bullets but do have the 77 gn Nosler.
300BLK: I mailed the Barska scope back to the manufacturer and tried my old AIM reddot with the remainder of the A1680 and the new LilGun. It sorta worked until the reddot window fell out. Doh!
I put that upper away and switched back to the 5.56 to try the new 77 gn Nosler bullets with 22 to 24 gn RL15. I loaded the round to the full 2.260" OAL which barely fit in my Magpul clip. I shot most of the rounds until I ran out of time and my wife was ready to be picked up. She teaches First-aid/CPR at the Red Cross. These are scary accurate bullets, albeit 50 yards. The best part about them is that they were cheap. I can’t wait to try them again, probably 22.2 to 23.0 gn RL15.
I’ve never shot RL15 in the 5.56 before. They sure make for dirty cases.
1911-22: This orange gopher is a warrior, Frank. I have tried to kill her, but she will not die. I have a great respect for that.