The bolt gun is completed !

Sun May 13 22:13:15 EDT 2001

The bolt gun (bolt action rifle) is completed !

As I said I would, I went to the range Saturday (5/12/01) because I couldn't wait a whole week to try out my new rifle. Picked my scope up on the way there.

I've gotten quite a few compliments on my selection: Remington 700P in .308, with a Leupold VariX III 4.5-14x40mm Tactical scope, and Leupold QRW mounts.

I really appreciate that the Archery and Gun Outfitters (674 rt 309 montgomeryville, pa 18936 / 215-368-3600) mounted and bore-sighted my scope for me for free. And the only things I've bought from them so far are a couple boxes of ammo, and my scope lens caps.

The guy who mounted and bore-sighted my scope for me was one of the ones that complimented my selection. We were discussing colors (the gun is all matte black, not by accident), and Doug said something like "So you're saying you wouldn't buy that silver scope?" and I confirmed, and the guy mounting the scope said he wouldn't be willing to mount that scope on my rifle... not worthy of my rifle :)

The Leupold (scope) directions say that a scope should be mounted as low as possible, to be closer to the bullet trajectory. This also increases comfort. Mine is so low that the guy who mounted it at first commented that the rings might be too low to fit - there's about 1/8" between my scope & barrel. (Leupold has a cool thing on their website that tells you what mounts you need for what rifle/scope)

I mentioned I picked up lense caps for my scope. They're Butler Creek flip open caps. Absolutely necessary - much fun, and they look cool - just push a button & they flip open :)

I fired 5 rounds at a 8.5"x11" target at 300 yards. 4 of the 5 hit the bottom of the paper, in about a 3.5" group. I'm guessing the 5th dropped just below the paper. I'm okay with a group 3.5" wide, my first time shooting 3 times the length of a football field. I was shooting from a bench, with the front of the rifle supported by a rolled up pad.

The range we went to was:

Water & Wings
9173 Janes Ln
East Greenville, PA 18041
(215) 679-6633

I believe it used to be called "Twin S". Costs $15 per person per day (memberships are available). They have a short range where you can set up targets any where up to and including, I believe 50 yards. This is where I began sighting in. They have another range where we spent most of our time where you can set up targets every 100 yards up to 500 or 600 (not sure). Doug and Barry brought a bunch of water filled plastic bottles. I mostly shot at paper targets, trying to perfect my scope adjustments. The worst part about the range is the backstops - they have some rather beat up palates that you can attach targets to (with dirt mounds behind them). The best part was that the benches have a roof over them. It rained pretty substantially for a short time while we were there. We and our guns stayed completely dry and continued shooting. It may have occurred to you that 500 yards is really long - there's a stone covered road you're allowed to drive down to set up your targets, which is.. quite thoughtful.

They also have a very nice skeet shooting set up with at least 4 very substantial pigeon launchers, which I must try sometime. Don't know what is required to use it.
next:The Dess rant has been deemed necessary.2001-05-14
previous:gun show/range/scope mess2001-05-11

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