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Range Report Rookie Inaugural Trip to Range Upcoming - Need a Battle Plan

H

HawgShot

Private
Minuteman
Dec 2, 2018
10
3
#1
I'm new to long range shooting and have been lurking, researching, reading, watching videos ad nauseum for last few months while buying gear. I'm finally ready to head to range for first time with this new gear:
- Seekins SP10 6.5 CM
- Vortex Razor HD Gen II
- Magnetospeed chronograph
- Dead Air Sandman S suppressor
- Hornady 140 gr ELD Match
- Hornady 147 gr ELD Match

I'll admit I'm on information overload so trying to get a battle plan established before I get to the range to avoid just blowing through a bunch of ammo without any tangible results. This range is limited to 450 yds. My initial thoughts are to:

1. Establish 100 yd zero with the Vortex and 140 gr ELD Match while unsuppressed
2. Shoot above configuration suppressed to data log the suppressor offset
3. Shoot above configuration with 147 gr ELD Match to data log variances relative to 140 gr
4. Data log muzzle velocities of 140 gr and 147 gr
5. Test ballistic calculator results out to 450 yds and log results

Is this a reasonable inaugural outing and approach for a new rifle and new shooter? Any recommendation on changing the plan or additional steps I should incorporate? Anything else I should intentionally measure/log? Thanks for any input... been enjoying the research but ready to start application.
 
#2
if you haven't already done so, you can boresight it at home to save time at the range. pull the bolt (in your case with a semi, separate the upper and lower first), look thru your barrel and get a soda can or something centered in it 25-100yds away. adjust your scope crosshairs to the same 'target.' just double check it is still visible thru your barrel.

rather than logging offsets between your two ammo varieties i'd prob first shoot both of them and see which shoots better for you and make that your primary load. then if you still wanted to shoot the other ammo, you could log its offset and actual drops etc at various distances.
 
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#3
and along the same lines, if you will be mostly shooting suppressed, get that zeroed with your more accurate load and then your unsuppressed and/or less accurate load you can calc your offset in the more remote chance you don't shoot your more accurate and suppressed load.
 
#4
My .02 cents is to just take a deep breath and slow down. I did my undergrad in hard science and the way I see it what you are about ready to embark on is a grand experiment. An experiment that you are introducing a shitload of new variables into because it’s all new stuff and you kind of are in position where you need to figure them all out at once. The more unknown variables the harder it will be to isolate what you actually need to tweak and could result in you chasing a red herring. I’d pick a thing or two and work on that and then analyze. I know if I went to the range with a dozen things to try to accomplish I’d get my wires crossed, make a mess of my data and worst of all forget to enjoy myself.

Good luck
 
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#5
If you are a really good shooter then what you have listed could work. If your rifle shooting ability is unknown or inconsistent then you should probably first try shooting those two types of ammo for groups and then pick one. If neither one of those ammo choices doesn't consistently group less than an inch at 100 yds then you're going to have to buy some other brand/type of ammo to try.
 
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#6
ShtrRdy said:
If you are a really good shooter then what you have listed could work. If your rifle shooting ability is unknown or inconsistent then you should probably first try shooting those two types of ammo for groups and then pick one. If neither one of those ammo choices doesn't consistently group less than an inch at 100 yds then you're going to have to buy some other brand/type of ammo to try.
Click to expand...

Will the MagnetoSpeed affect my groupings? Wondering if muzzle velocity testing needs to be separate from group testing...
 
#7
Well the last podcast went over this type of thinking... Back up plans...

Your plan seems like an 8 hour ordeal.

If I was to attempt that, it would devolve quickly... Kittens would be kicked.

I would make it easy thusly:

0. Just put the suppressor on and leave it on. No one wants to hear your shit at a competition.

1. Start with the chrono. If you can't get that done, go home, it's not your day. Pick the best load. Enter your MV into that calculator Gizmo and set aside.

2. 100 yard zero with the factory load with better BC and velocity SD combo. Forget about the other one unless your gun can't shoot the chosen one somehow.

3. Now you can use the calculator (or some easy guesses) to click your way out to 450 on El Scoperino.

4. Drinks and self-respect
 
#9
Pappakap said:
My .02 cents is to just rake a deep breath and slow down.
...
I know if I went to the range with a dozen things to try to accomplish I’d get my wires crossed, make a mess of my data and worst of all forget to enjoy myself.
Click to expand...

This is good advice. New rifle, new shooter, first range trip... Go out and establish a solid zero, then have fun, enjoy yourself. Get to know the rifle, work on the fundamentals of shooting, and I'll say this again, enjoy yourself. If you have time and you really want to start gathering some data, knock yourself out. But personally, for a first range trip, I think you have too much planned.
 
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#11
Kraze said:
This is good advice. New rifle, new shooter, first range trip... Go out and establish a solid zero, then have fun, enjoy yourself. Get to know the rifle, work on the fundamentals of shooting, and I'll say this again, enjoy yourself. If you have time and you really want to start gathering some data, knock yourself out. But personally, for a first range trip, I think you have too much planned.
Click to expand...

understood... been waiting for months for first trip with this setup - may be too ambitious.
 
#12
HawgShot said:
how many rounds recommended for accurate MV SD? 5? 10?
Click to expand...

Well for me I am doing ten of each factory load so I can have a number to use for MV in case I have to use factory ammo for real. Then thirty to try to make groups and get dope and see what the gun likes. But really that's because I have two boxes of all the different ammo so it's 40 rounds divided however ...

Five seems ok for the load development crowd but that's a different beast.
 
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#13
I’d try getting a solid 100 yard zero with my new scope trying both types of ammo. Challenge yourself and see if you can hold 1MOA, 1/2 MOA, etc but don’t obsess over it just enjoy it. Once you have that I’d play around with trying to stretch it in 100 yard increments. Log your adjustments on your scope and try and see if you can build a little bit of a dope card. It’s fun to pick a distance and test your ability to dial it in. If you wanted to chrono some of your shots to get some averages go for it. A lot of that though is more valuable when you are fine tuning loads or trying to work on one aspect of your shooting. If you are new to a long range gun get out there and just try it and have fun.
 
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#14
If this is your first range trip leave the chrono at home. There is no need for that info right now. Goal is to make sure to follow all safety rules to the T, learn the basics of the rifle, and get the rifle zeroed.
1. Bore Sight the rifle as precisely as you can.
2. Take the rifle, suppressor, ammo, and targets.
3. Put the suppressor on the rifle and shoot the target, you will be on paper easily if you bore sighted correctly.
4. Measure how far away from center you are with your reticle and adjust the turrets.
5. Turn the turrets the correct direction.
6. Shoot again, wonder where the hell that went......THEN turn the turrets in the right direction lol.
7. Once you are zeroed shoot some groups and have fun getting to know the trigger and rifle.


EDIT, insert before #1- go to PrecisionUndergroundRifleGear.com and buy a sweet insulator for the suppressor. It will ensure that you look cool even if it's your first trip to the range (y):sneaky:
 
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