We went to the range yesterday to get some practice in before going Caribou hunting in one week. The actual season starts late this year on the 29th, instead of the 10th. We are going down early to hunt predators before the season opens. We took two 30-06s, 25-06, and the .35 Whelen. People kept coming up asking us what we were shooting. Most said the same thing, "Thought they went out of business", or "Did not know they made rifles like their shotguns".
At four hundred yards my son shot a three inch group with my old 30-06 Handi. With the 30-06 Ultra Comp, his groups opened up to 5 and 5 1/2 inches. I am thinking the muzzle blast from the brake might have had something to do with it. We were shooting 165gr Sierria SPBT, in front of 48gr Varget powder with Winchester LR primers.
We then went to the .35 Whelen. 250gr Nosler partitions, in front of IMR 4320, with Fed 210 primers at 200 yards. This heavy bullet with increased recoil, sort of rocked his world. Plus the thumbhole stock is a bit too long for him. His group was not all that good, 6 inches. First shot was dead center, but the rest sort of moved out from there. I was able to hold a three shot group down to three and a quarter inches.
Then we went to the 25-06. At 400 yards I shot a 5 3/8ths inch group. Was getting tired and the wind was picking up. (Hay, the old man has to have an excuss). The young man was able to keep his grouping down to 3 1/4 inches. We were shooting the 110gr Nosler Accubond, in front of 56gr of Retumbo, and Win WLR primers. I really like the Retumbo powder. And with the brake, this gun is so easy to shoot. While I can not see the bullet strike, I am back on target fast enough to see the reaction.
I'll post pictures when we get back from this trip. It's a six hour drive from Fairbanks. Over next to the Canadian border. Place called Chicken, Alaska. Hoping to get some Grizzlies, as well as Caribou. Have seen both Grizzlies and Black Bears in the area. Some wolves there too.