Saturday was a very pleasant day for an IHMSA match, even with the wind blowing hard enough to require clamping the 55 lb. 200 m steel Rams. First entry was with the 7mm TCU XP-100. Missed one 150m Turkey, so no shoot-off on the 1/2 scale Rams. But given all the dramas that cast bullets have given me from revolvers, accuracy-wise, it's been an awesome change for the better out of the bolt gun pistol! To date, only the one Turkey and one 1/2 scale Ram have escaped, so 79/80 fullsize and 9/10 halfscale scored shots have been on! Wow.
Helped Kdiver58 continue to dial in his Unlimited pistol. Still fighting to find the right glasses for iron sight use. But the load development is looking better.
Then, I decided that the last 51 rounds of the last batch of .44 Mag "Small Throat" loads didn't need to go home, so time to break out the "High Rise" 629. Did shoot a few rounds at the February practice match to get numbers for the new scope, but didn't shoot it at this year's first Big Bore match. And after the poor showing in Field Pistol this month, there was more than a little trepidation approaching the line. Especially since the cylinder was getting a bit balky rotating. (It's been probably two years since it was last cleaned at a guess!) But Kdiver58 had a handy oil bottle, so a few drops went between the cylinder and yoke- without appearing to get in the throats!
Eh, might as well see if the operator can still shoot on his hind legs. Might be spoiled by all that freestyle Creedmoor luxury!
Besides, the wind is mostly blowing (quite hard off and on) downrange, so hopefully not too much shooter buffeting.
Evil 50m Chickens first: Four of 5 down the first bank, nice. Then all five on the second bank! Whoo hoo!
Operator error resulted in two misses on the ten 100m Pigs. Really ought to learn to stop pulling the trigger when the crosshairs wander off target. And they DO wander!
Moved over to the Turkey position. Wind seemed to be dying down a bit, thank goodness. Whilst getting ready to shoot and gabbing with my spotter, Kdiver58, I noticed movement to the rear. Several cows foraging probably 100 yards or so behind the firing line. No worries. Loaded, got into position and noticed I have picked up a minor wobble, mostly sideways, but the FIRE command was given, so no time to compensate much with minor body shifts. Just have to deal with it. And managed four of five 150m Turkeys! Looking like an excellent day.
But just as the LOAD command was given for the second bank, a bull decided the grasses were greener downrange. "OY! Cease Fire!" And then commenced the Keystone Cops chase to get the bull out of harm's way. Funny to watch. But fumbled the phone, so no video, sorry!
When the comedy routine was over, it was time for the Second bank of Turkeys. But apparently I had plumb forgotten anything I knew about shooting. Zero for five. Ugga!
But Rams are big, right? Maybe not so much. Lets just say it was not good. 3 for 10. ????? Wot happened?
Wish I knew! Missed 4 of the first 25 critters. Hit 3 of the next 15. Can't much blame the bull....
Time to load a pile of .44s and get ready for what comes next!
Got a few phone photos. Anybody else?
Interested to find out what sw282 thinks of his 686 Competitor!
Bull! 5/8's of an Outstanding US Big Bore Match
Congrats!
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