DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,582
- 6,746
I went to the range today to introduce a new shooter to the game. He was breaking in a Tikka Lite 300WSM topped with a Leupold VX2 3.5-10X50. I'm worse than a DI when it comes to break-in, but the fellow was pretty stoked. We're going out again later this week. In between working with him, I managed to shoot a few of my rifles. I put a few rounds through my 30-06, just to use them up. It is time for a new load work-up on that rifle. The groups aren't as great as I wanted. This is my 30-06.
In the interim, I'd put a new scope on my 7WSM. It is now topped with a Leica 2.5-10X42 ER. The scope is very clear and quite nice. When I get a chance to work at last light, I'll give a write-up on it. Here is the rifle.
Today was sight-in with the load I've used for hunting, built around 160 grain AB. The rifle has accounted for multiple whitetail and mule deer since I've owned it. It was one of the last production models to leave the New Haven factory, and from the first shot very well. It hasn't lost anything, though I'll probably revisit the load this summer.
I also shot my old 7RM. This was one of the first Winchesters I ever purchased some years ago, having owned other brands before that. I haven't shot this rifle at game for some years. I had some hunting rounds squirreled away, and thought I'd take the old girl out to the dance. Maybe she deserves at least one more whirl. According to my records, she has more than enough rounds that accuracy should be seriously degraded. This is what she looks like ready for the dance.
She is topped with an older Zeiss 3-9X36 Diavari, which is still amazingly bright. When I pulled the trigger, she still managed to please me. With 160 grain Partitions, she was good enough to take to the dance, though she wasn't able to do what she once did with that load.
However, when I popped in the load I first made up more years ago than I care to remember, it was like she was new all over.
The 175 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws are getting someone rarer today, but those I have still would work wonders on an invitation for any moose (or elk, or black bear) to come home so they could join me for dinner.
In the interim, I'd put a new scope on my 7WSM. It is now topped with a Leica 2.5-10X42 ER. The scope is very clear and quite nice. When I get a chance to work at last light, I'll give a write-up on it. Here is the rifle.
Today was sight-in with the load I've used for hunting, built around 160 grain AB. The rifle has accounted for multiple whitetail and mule deer since I've owned it. It was one of the last production models to leave the New Haven factory, and from the first shot very well. It hasn't lost anything, though I'll probably revisit the load this summer.
I also shot my old 7RM. This was one of the first Winchesters I ever purchased some years ago, having owned other brands before that. I haven't shot this rifle at game for some years. I had some hunting rounds squirreled away, and thought I'd take the old girl out to the dance. Maybe she deserves at least one more whirl. According to my records, she has more than enough rounds that accuracy should be seriously degraded. This is what she looks like ready for the dance.
She is topped with an older Zeiss 3-9X36 Diavari, which is still amazingly bright. When I pulled the trigger, she still managed to please me. With 160 grain Partitions, she was good enough to take to the dance, though she wasn't able to do what she once did with that load.
However, when I popped in the load I first made up more years ago than I care to remember, it was like she was new all over.
The 175 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claws are getting someone rarer today, but those I have still would work wonders on an invitation for any moose (or elk, or black bear) to come home so they could join me for dinner.
