Over the last couple of days I have been field checking my range cards for my 300 WM and 7MM magnums. I had not shot the 300 in over a year and the 7mm load was developed in a couple of weeks between two hunts last fall. Yesterday at 300 yards the 300 Managed two sub three inch groups although slightly to the left. The 7 hovered around the 3.5 inch size also to the left, a scope correction on the 7, moved the impact point 4 inches to the right of center so I quit. for the day. Today at 425 the 300 started with a sub 4 inch group and with a small adjustment put the next three dead center at 2, 7, and 11 oclock, at 4.25 inches. The 7 managed a 4.5 inch group still slightly to the right. The wind was behind me and increasing. I was worried that the sidehill the target was on, was receiving some vortex winds so I again shut down for the day. I will retest the 7 again the next time the weather permits, then move both out to 625. I was shooting off a pad with a bipod, about 50 feet from the house. Not great groups but an elk would have not walked away from anyone of the shots.
Range day
- Thread starter Elkman
- Start date
Sounds like a good time Bill. I didn't get to go this morning but will tomorrow morning. I have to do some short range testing with the 6.5x47L the wife's going to shoot and the 168's I got from you in my 7-300wm. After that I'll stretch the legs on my 300wsm. I'll probably shoot 5-600yd steel. I have to finish my other target stand for 700+yd steel but I'll do that next week.
jimbires
Handloader
- Aug 16, 2011
- 3,151
- 1,855
sounds like you're about ready , and the seaon will be here before to long . I feel if you can keep the groups about 1 MOA your doing great for hunting . I've been getting ready for hunting too . walking almost daily , hitting the range some , and also hunting some groundhogs .I shoot from field positions . they are good practice , range finding , dialing the scope and waiting for the shot . I wish I could find a area with a better population .
joelkdouglas
Handloader
- Jun 5, 2011
- 1,310
- 3
How's the shoulder feel shooting the 300?
OU812
Handloader
- Apr 18, 2006
- 2,099
- 2
Those groups sound just fine in my book. Kill with confidence with those groups.
- Thread starter
- #6
I did fine with the 300, I bought a PAST pad last year and used it yesterday for both rifles. I feel that I won't have any problems in the field with recoil. I have shot numerous times at that range and expected groups around 3+ inches. But I have the same feeling that if every shot had been placed properly, they would have made a clean kill. I shouldn't fuss over an inch. They both will get the job done.
OU812
Handloader
- Apr 18, 2006
- 2,099
- 2
Nothing wrong with moa groups and it sounds like both rifle are right there Bill. When I hit moa or slightly less I'm done messing with load development and it's time to practice shooting at ranges I feel comfortable.
