Years ago (2013) I won a wonderful old target rifle at an estate sale of a WWII vet who had been an avid target shooter. That man's name was James A Norton. The rifle was set up for an old style long tube target scope, but one was not included. It did come with a very nice target sight. Amazingly, I recently saw James Norton's target scope at another online auction. I bid on the scope and won it.

Here is Mr. Norton's obituary.

James Norton Obituary (2013) - Mishawaka, IN - South Bend Tribune

Here's the rifle...





And here is the scope..

That is one beautiful rifle . What are the odds of you ever getting reunited with that scope ? The scope itself is a work of art , any problems with it ? Really need a range report !

I was amazed when I saw the scope on the auction site and immediately recognized the name and hometown as the former owner of my rifle. I resolved to win the scope auction no matter the cost. Luckily, I got the scope for a decent price, although more that the rifle and target sight cost me.

Great purchases on the rifle and scope. As you know, that is a vintage NRA High Power competition match rifle for "across the course" shooting.

You didn't mention the caliber but, my guess is a .30 caliber. The Lyman scope may be a Super Dot and if the rifle is chambered in a magnum caliber, it may be a 1,000 yard rifle.

This type of rifle is generally capable of sub m.o.a. groups. I hope you were able to acquire the score book, if one was available, for the rifle. If so, it should have data regarding the zero information for the iron sights, the scope and loading data for the ammo.

Good luck, good shooting and enjoy!

A friend of mine won the Wimbledon Cup (1000 yards) in 1952 using 30-06 Winchester Model 70 Target action assembled for him at Winchester's custom shop. He used Sierra Gameking 180grain bullets! The next year Sierra came out with the Matchking 180, and gave him 500 Prototype bullets. But the Gamekings were the bullet he always competed with! (If it works, don't fix it!)

He helped me learn about competition case prep and loading, I know everything about his loads, EXCEPT which powder and how much! Some things just go with you to the grave!

Ivan

That's a wonderful story, Calfed. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Thanks, guys!

I won the rifle back in June of 2013, not long after Mr. Norton passed. I was looking back through some old posts and discovered a thread that I started on the Accurate shooters forum, in which I lamented not having a long tube scope for the rifle.

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Here is the recent auction listing for the scope...

Lyman Super Target Spot Scope | Live and Online Auctions on HiBid.com

Thanks, jdlii.

The rifle is chambered in .308.

I haven't shot the rifle much, but when I got it, I found a conventional scope mount for it and mounted a 6-24 Bausch and Lomb scope. It does shoot sub-MOA.



After getting it on paper with some cheap .308 ammo, I switched to 168 FGMM at 100 yards



Moved back to 200 yards and switched to 175 gr FGMM



Moved the target to 300 yards



Finally tried some handloads at 300 yards...the Winchester liked 41.7 grs of 4064 best. (I was going to try a three shot group, but threw the third shot out at about 11 o'clock, so I turned it into a 5 shot group). I noticed that the point of impact shifted to the right when I switched to my reloads.

Thanks, Ivan. I have what I believe is an old Wimbledon Cup "bull rifle" made by Griffin and Howe. It is chambered in 30.06. I sure could use your friends load data

Griffen and Howe 1903 Springfield target rifle

Your Bull rifle looks about the same as his, except you stock has more figure to the wood. Winchester didn't really believe pretty had anything to do with target shooting! He never shared the data, but I would assume it would be a typical 180 grain 4350 load tailored to the rifle.

About 6 to 8 years ago I sold off several of my target 22's. One was a Clackamas Kimber Government Target model that I used a long tube Bushnell 3200 in 20x and another was an Anschutz 54 Prone rifle. I used a Unertl 15x 2" Varmint on. Both of these were great at shooting M&M's at 200-300 yards. There is nothing like a long tube scope on a gun properly set up for them!

Might I suggest a load for your 308: My 1000 yard load is 155 Sierra Palma, Fed 205M, Lapua Match 308 Brass (not Palma brass) and 29.0 grains (Compressed) Varget. COAL Is as long as the magazine allows, in the Savage 10 BAS and touching the lands In my Rem 700 (sold off because the Savage was so much better! I get around 3 to 4 inches at 1000 yards.

This load is from Hodgdon's yearly magazine. I didn't need to try any others!

Ivan

Thanks Ivan! About that load...29.0 grains of Varget sounds light.

The scope arrived yesterday.

Good news: It is in great condition. Bad news: one of the scope mounting blocks is boogered up. I could not mount the scope.

I've already put in a call to Steve Earle for a replacement set.

It is light! So I checked Hodgdon's data, 47.0 Varget (Compressed) My memory slipped up sorry!

Ivan

Thanks, buddy!