Input needed for 100 round max distance challenge
- By SSG82
- Bolt Action Rifles
- 5 Replies
BLUF: New to long range, want to see how far I can shoot within 100 rounds from initial sight in to last shot taken. Need input on how to maximize the use of each round.
Long version: I'm a pretty decent shot, have reloaded for years, etc. Long range is something I've wanted to get into for years, and I dabbled in it as a teen with what was considered "long range" at the time and took a few elk at 400+ and one at over 500. Those feats are kind of trivial with all that we have at our disposal nowadays.
I guess I kind of wanted to get back to modern long range roots concerning the hardware with this self-imposed challenge. Obviously that statement is really subjective, but I identified it the last iteration of equipment that gave way to what we are using today, so right before super slippery bullets, optimized cartridge designs, and Christmas tree reticles became commonplace.
With that in mind I'm using the following hardware:
FN SPR A5M
SWFA SS HD 10x42
175gr SMK
I will be using modern software like a Garmin Xero, Ballistic-X, etc.
I already spent 10 of my shots getting a zero and confirming it with a 5 shot group (I did go through one box of 168gr GMM getting on paper and centered). Here are those 10 shots at 100 yards.
In hindsight I may have wasted shots 6-10. I really wanted to see what the gun was capable of with this load so I took my time, but I had already sighted in two other rifles and my eyes were having problems really resolving the orange in the middle of the green. Regardless, this is how that group panned out.
What it did provide me with is an OK pool of shots to pull velocity data.
I plugged that in to get a starting point on my trajectory.
Obviously I could just cheat and set a target way out there and take 90 pot shots and probably make a hit, so I'm thinking maybe my "max" range will be the furthest distance I make 2 consecutive hits? 3? I need to decide on target size as well, but I like the idea of a full size IPSC silhouette.
I'd like input on where to go from here, I think the hardware combo is working well enough together, and I have exactly 90 rounds of the Sig left, all from the same lot. Would confirming drop at 300 be a logical next step? Does it need to be further? Thanks in advance!
Long version: I'm a pretty decent shot, have reloaded for years, etc. Long range is something I've wanted to get into for years, and I dabbled in it as a teen with what was considered "long range" at the time and took a few elk at 400+ and one at over 500. Those feats are kind of trivial with all that we have at our disposal nowadays.
I guess I kind of wanted to get back to modern long range roots concerning the hardware with this self-imposed challenge. Obviously that statement is really subjective, but I identified it the last iteration of equipment that gave way to what we are using today, so right before super slippery bullets, optimized cartridge designs, and Christmas tree reticles became commonplace.
With that in mind I'm using the following hardware:
FN SPR A5M
SWFA SS HD 10x42
175gr SMK
I will be using modern software like a Garmin Xero, Ballistic-X, etc.
I already spent 10 of my shots getting a zero and confirming it with a 5 shot group (I did go through one box of 168gr GMM getting on paper and centered). Here are those 10 shots at 100 yards.
In hindsight I may have wasted shots 6-10. I really wanted to see what the gun was capable of with this load so I took my time, but I had already sighted in two other rifles and my eyes were having problems really resolving the orange in the middle of the green. Regardless, this is how that group panned out.
What it did provide me with is an OK pool of shots to pull velocity data.
I plugged that in to get a starting point on my trajectory.
Obviously I could just cheat and set a target way out there and take 90 pot shots and probably make a hit, so I'm thinking maybe my "max" range will be the furthest distance I make 2 consecutive hits? 3? I need to decide on target size as well, but I like the idea of a full size IPSC silhouette.
I'd like input on where to go from here, I think the hardware combo is working well enough together, and I have exactly 90 rounds of the Sig left, all from the same lot. Would confirming drop at 300 be a logical next step? Does it need to be further? Thanks in advance!
