shoulda had a card for the Postal Match

[Coltrane]

:evil:

I went out to the range today with the new (to me) H&R M258 I got from Offhand35 finally. It has .22 Hornet and .357 Magnum barrels with two Bushnell scopes (4-12x40 and 4x40, respectively).

I had put the scopes on and boresighted them before I left. I set up my target at 50 yds and set the rifle on 3 sandbags (2 side by side with the 3rd laying across it), being careful to position the receiver at the end of the sandbag. I fired 5 shots of Winchester 45 gr sp at the center bullseye.

The group measures 1.14" from center to center of the 2 furthest holes.
Being short on time, I switched to some older Winchester (it's the same stuff just about 30 or so years older)

I shot three 5 shot groups with this stuff.

No. 1 opened to 1.30".  No.2 opened further to 1.662".  No. 3 closed to a
staggering .840"!!!

I finally got a feel for the trigger around group 3. That and I fixed the adjustments to the scope during each string.

I switched to the .357 barrel and 4x scope. I used Winchester Silvertip 145gr HP exclusively and 5 shot groups at the same distance. Rifle stayed in the same spot for all shots.

The 1st group shot 5 inches low and grouped in the black left of center line
at 2.300". There was a 3 shot clover leaf measuring a measly .206"!!! :shock:

I was so excited I forgot which way to turn the elevation screw and went all the way down to the bottom of the target. Group 2 closed up to 1.465"
with a 2nd clover leaf and a 4th shot measuring .633"! AAUUGHH!! :eek:

I had to settle down and relax, so I began walking my shots to correct the elevation. I finally figured out which way to turn the dial and fired a final
3 shot group to check out the scope's placement. It measures a scant .469"!  SCHWING!! :grin:

I then switched over to the Marlin .35 Remington. Before you get excited,
or think "Here he goes again!", I found out after a box of shells that the rifle prefers to cool off and rest between shots. By the time I figured that out, it was closing time at the range and I had to pack up and leave. :cry:

I did manage to thoroughly enjoy myself in the process and got some much needed R&R from my wife!

See ya'll around,

Coltrane

[MSP Ret]

Coltrane, Great shooting!!! I'll bet your looking forward to getting back there now!!!. I can see another postal match contender is rising. I someday have to try it myself, it sure sounds like fun, shooting "Postal"....<><.... :grin:

[Wlscott]

Coltrane, don't tell anyone I told you this, but if you were to send that 357 target in, I probably wouldn't disqualify you :grin:


The 22Hornet needs to be shot at 100 yards though.

[Coltrane]

Yeah, I remember that the .22 Hornet qualified for the 100 yards only after I made the post.

But I forgot the .357 was for 50 yards.... HEE HEE HEE!!!

Hell, I plan on going again as soon as I can. That was just too much fun.
It's been a long time since I got to go shooting, I almost forgot how fun it really is.

When is the next match and who do I send the cards to for scoring?

Coltrane

[Wlscott]

Check the "Postal Match" sticky at the top of this page.

[offhand35]

Coltrane, I knew that rifle was good! I just did not have the time it deserved between this and that.....

And I'm very glad to hear that that rifle is treating you well!

David

[Coltrane]

David,

I am having a ball with this rifle combo! I still have not been able to get back to the range or get some handloads worked up. But I am anxious to get on back.

The main thing for me to do is to remember to bring a dang pack of index cards! That and play around with some handloads for the Hornet. The ammo is too expensive to buy a variety of loads for and I have a couple of recipes to try out.

I have a Swift 6-18x50 scope laying around. I might take Jeff223's advice and try it on the .357!

Thanks again David!!

Jeff Coltrane Davis