Casual varmint rifle shoot at the Hamilton Rifle Club
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 2:47 pm
It has gradually become apparent that not only are quite a few of us at the place I work keen shooeters, but that one of my workmates is involved in the Hamilton Rifle Club. A few of us hatched a cunning plan to have a casual shoot at the range yesterday (Saturday) morning before a formal shoot in the afternoon. A few other non-work guys also joined us on the day, including Dad who my brother strongly encouraged to come along.
Most of us had not shot at a range before, so it was all about taking along whatever we had to just put some holes in paper, and get a feel for what is involved. The shooting was done prone over mounds, startingat 100 yards then backing off to 300 yards.
There was an interesting collection of rifles. AV member and workmate Crackers17 brought along his Howa .204 with custom thumbhole stock, my cousin had his Rm VSSF .204, my brother had his matched pair of HB Tikka T3s in .30-06 and .204, there was also a very nice clancy custom Sako A1 .204, a Sako 85 in .22-250, a Neilson 6.5x47, a beautiful sporterised Mauser 8x57JS, a beat up olf SMLE .303, and my Sako A1 .222 and Rem .22-250.
Everyone had a ball, and I would think that its likley to happen again some time soon. Some nice groups were shot. The Sako 85 shot suprisingly good groups with bog-standard Win Super-X factory loads, some of the loads being tested in the .204s howed some promise, and the 8mm mauser showed it can shoot quite straight if about a foot too high. After not firing a rifle for more than 8 years Dad was quietly chuffed at cutting holes with the .222, and landing 3 shots within the black at 300 yards with the open sighted .303. He reckons he has still got it!
Marcus
Most of us had not shot at a range before, so it was all about taking along whatever we had to just put some holes in paper, and get a feel for what is involved. The shooting was done prone over mounds, startingat 100 yards then backing off to 300 yards.
There was an interesting collection of rifles. AV member and workmate Crackers17 brought along his Howa .204 with custom thumbhole stock, my cousin had his Rm VSSF .204, my brother had his matched pair of HB Tikka T3s in .30-06 and .204, there was also a very nice clancy custom Sako A1 .204, a Sako 85 in .22-250, a Neilson 6.5x47, a beautiful sporterised Mauser 8x57JS, a beat up olf SMLE .303, and my Sako A1 .222 and Rem .22-250.
Everyone had a ball, and I would think that its likley to happen again some time soon. Some nice groups were shot. The Sako 85 shot suprisingly good groups with bog-standard Win Super-X factory loads, some of the loads being tested in the .204s howed some promise, and the 8mm mauser showed it can shoot quite straight if about a foot too high. After not firing a rifle for more than 8 years Dad was quietly chuffed at cutting holes with the .222, and landing 3 shots within the black at 300 yards with the open sighted .303. He reckons he has still got it!
Marcus
