I finally got to the range this morning with my two newest Handis.
First up was the .30-30 Hunter with pallet-wood stocks. Finding a load for this rifle has been problematic, but I had some reloads set up for a ladder test. Remington Brass, CCI primers, RL15 powder and Hornady 155 A-Max bullets. The ladder test went fairly well, with the loads from 34.8 to 35.4 grains showing promise. I'll have to continue my research in that range. I suspect the scope is causing me some problems on that rifle. It's an old Tasco 4-12 and I'm not convinced that it's holding a zero. Still, the rifle shot better today than it has in the past. It's simoly a matter of finding the load.
I had brought out some old .30-30 cat-sneeze loads that feature a 115 grain lead bullet (for .32-20) and 0.7 cc of Blue Dot. The range had some falling plates set up at 25 yards and I started knocking down plates with those lead bullets. Lots of fun and easy shooting.
After I finished playing with the cat-sneeze loads, I put the .30-30 away and got out the .223 Ultra. I don't reload for that caliber yet, so I brought factory Remington 55 grain and a Federal 55 grain bulk pack. After I aligned the scope and settled down on the bags with a 100 yard target posted, I began with the Federal bulk pack. I could get the first two shots almost touching, then the 3rd and 4th shot opened the group to about 3 inches. I let the barrel cool then went to the Remington ammo. Same pattern. The first two shots would be very close, the 3rd and 4th would open the group. If my experience is any indication, the .223 is a "cold-barrel" gun. Once the barrel heats up the group starts wandering.
Interesting day at the range. I learned a lot about the little rifles and burned some powder.
My son came along and shot his Savage 7mm Magnum at varying ranges. He's in his early 30s and he can shoot that rifle. He shot a couple of groups at 300 yards that you could cover with your fist. It was a lot of fun watching him shoot and spending time with him.
