My good friend John called me from Wyoming to say he had a new rifle to add to his collection. It was a new Savage Model 12 long range precision rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, Anyone that's read FIREARMSA2Z knows I think Savage makes some of the best firearms. I don't know much about the the 6.5 Creedmoor other than what I've read, mostly in Rifle Shooter Magazine.
John was telling me that after break in he was hitting prairie rats at 600 yards. John never says too much about his rifles, but he couldn't stop talking about his new Savage. During our talk, I told John I was coming up to the property, his reply, come on lets shoot this Creedmoor. On my way to meet John at his place in Wyoming, I thought about all my Savages and I have a few Model 12 Long Range Precision's, F/TR in 308 and three others, everyone a tack driver with the right ammo. Before I got to Johns place I picked up four boxes of 6.5 Creedmoor, they were all Hornady, 140gr. A-Max B.T., 120gr. match A-Max B.T., Superformance 129gr. SST, and Superformance 120gr Gilding Metal B.T..
After arriving at John's ranch, I exchanged hellos with family and friends and John and I were off to the 200 yard range at the south end of his ranch. We setup paper targets. This Savage Model 12 LRPV has a 26inch fluted chrome Molly Barrel with a 1 in 8 twist and that great target Accutrigger, all set in a fiberglass stock with aluminum bedding block. When John got the rifle he had put a Leupold Mark 4 6.5x20 front focal mil dot scope on.
John was first to shoot using his plain box of hand loads (I thought). He fired three shots at 200 yards, all touching. I said looks like you've been practicing. He then cleaned the barrel and said it was my turn. I wanted to shoot three from each box, then clean. All ammo shot great, but the 140gr. match A-Max B.T. was excellent and was what this Savage liked best.
Later I asked my friend about his hand loads, he laughed and said Hornady 140gr. A-Max B.T. factory just like you used. Looks like another great match up Savage Model 12 and Hornady ammo.
Always be safe
Monday, July 4, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
"SAVAGE AND HORNADY AMMO"
My Savage(purchased April 09) is a model 12LRPV 22-250 with a left port right side bolt and a 1 in 9 twist. On top of this Savage is mounted a Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40mm long range with a Varmint Hunters reticle.
This LRPV and I have put a lot of rounds down range using Remington 50gr Premier Accutip which shot the best of all the 22-250 ammo. Back in my home state of South Dakota and out in Wyoming this Savage and I have taken a lot of prairie rats out to 500 yards (but never past 500) and most taken at 300 to 400 yards, if I do my part and the cross wind is not too bad. This is a stock rifle, made by Savage, perfect.
I did try something different once. I took the laminate stock off my Savage model 12 F/TR in 308 and put it on the model 12 LRPV 22-250 to see if it would shoot the same. Shooting paper targets out to 200 yards the rifle performed the same but my wife said the new F/TR stock looked better.
The last couple months I've been reading about Hornady's new Super Performance Varmint ammo loaded with 50gr V-Max bullet at 4000 fps. There ad reads, increased range, less wind drift, super accuracy and more. Well I had to give this ammo a try. Down at the range, the day was sunny, 48 degrees, wind at 10-15 running left to right. The first six shot group at 100 meters could be covered with a nickel only one of the shots was a flyer(my fault). I had a cup of coffee and ran a couple of patches down the barrel and shot two more three shot groups. Each group could be completely covered with a dime. Hornady, I believe your ad. You made me a super performance fan. Can't wait to get this Savage and Hornady combo out west. Look out prairie rats.
PS. I'll try the Hornady Super Performance on my Savage LRPV 223 next.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
This LRPV and I have put a lot of rounds down range using Remington 50gr Premier Accutip which shot the best of all the 22-250 ammo. Back in my home state of South Dakota and out in Wyoming this Savage and I have taken a lot of prairie rats out to 500 yards (but never past 500) and most taken at 300 to 400 yards, if I do my part and the cross wind is not too bad. This is a stock rifle, made by Savage, perfect.
I did try something different once. I took the laminate stock off my Savage model 12 F/TR in 308 and put it on the model 12 LRPV 22-250 to see if it would shoot the same. Shooting paper targets out to 200 yards the rifle performed the same but my wife said the new F/TR stock looked better.
The last couple months I've been reading about Hornady's new Super Performance Varmint ammo loaded with 50gr V-Max bullet at 4000 fps. There ad reads, increased range, less wind drift, super accuracy and more. Well I had to give this ammo a try. Down at the range, the day was sunny, 48 degrees, wind at 10-15 running left to right. The first six shot group at 100 meters could be covered with a nickel only one of the shots was a flyer(my fault). I had a cup of coffee and ran a couple of patches down the barrel and shot two more three shot groups. Each group could be completely covered with a dime. Hornady, I believe your ad. You made me a super performance fan. Can't wait to get this Savage and Hornady combo out west. Look out prairie rats.
PS. I'll try the Hornady Super Performance on my Savage LRPV 223 next.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
"WALTHER PPKS 380"
A week ago I had a chance to break in a new Walther PPKS 380. The PPKS is stainless with a 3.3 inch barrel, 6.1 inch long, 4.3 inch in height and less than an inch wide. The sights are fixed, magazine capacity is seven rounds and it has da/sa trigger with a heavy pull. The PPKS has a longer grip than the PPK. I believe it was 2002 when Smith & Wesson began manufacturing the PPK/PPKS which also included a few upgrades. The PPKS I was breaking in had a set of Crimson Trace laser grips which I really like on a personal defense weapon.
Now its down to the range. I have three boxes of different 380 ammo, Hornaby Critical Defense 90 gr flex tip, Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 95 gr FMJ, and Federal 95 gr FMJ. I fired three full magazines of the Federal ammo with one failure to feed. I cleaned the PPKS again. Now with a target at 25 feet, I shot the Fiocchi ammo slow fire. Even with the small sights the Fiocchi shot very good. After fifty more rounds I cleaned it again. Now with a clean gun I turned on the laser grips. Setting a target at fifteen feet I fired seven rounds with only a small adjustment, to move the laser right which put my shots in the ten ring. My target was a Midway USA pistol target which has a 2 inch ten ring. I then ran a couple of patches down the barrel. I now moved my target to twenty five feet and loaded the magazines with the Hornaby ammo. The PPKS liked Hornaby the best, all shots were slow fire and in the ten ring. I decided to experiment with a target at fifty feet. I shot fifty rounds at fifty feet and even though the shots opened up, there were no malfunctions. I thought this was great for a small personal defense gun. The Walther PPKS is a very well built, fit, finish and reliability are great which makes for a good backup gun or when you can't carry your Wilson 1911.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
More to come.
Now its down to the range. I have three boxes of different 380 ammo, Hornaby Critical Defense 90 gr flex tip, Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 95 gr FMJ, and Federal 95 gr FMJ. I fired three full magazines of the Federal ammo with one failure to feed. I cleaned the PPKS again. Now with a target at 25 feet, I shot the Fiocchi ammo slow fire. Even with the small sights the Fiocchi shot very good. After fifty more rounds I cleaned it again. Now with a clean gun I turned on the laser grips. Setting a target at fifteen feet I fired seven rounds with only a small adjustment, to move the laser right which put my shots in the ten ring. My target was a Midway USA pistol target which has a 2 inch ten ring. I then ran a couple of patches down the barrel. I now moved my target to twenty five feet and loaded the magazines with the Hornaby ammo. The PPKS liked Hornaby the best, all shots were slow fire and in the ten ring. I decided to experiment with a target at fifty feet. I shot fifty rounds at fifty feet and even though the shots opened up, there were no malfunctions. I thought this was great for a small personal defense gun. The Walther PPKS is a very well built, fit, finish and reliability are great which makes for a good backup gun or when you can't carry your Wilson 1911.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
More to come.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
"RUGER MARK III 22 LONG RIFLE"
I am the proud owner of many Ruger 22's both rifle and pistol, but now we're going to talk about three of my favorite Ruger Mark III 22 pistols. The oldest is a stainless competition model with 6.88 inch slabside bull barrel with checkered Cocobolo thumb rest grips. The other two are both stainless hunter models, one has a 4.5 inch fluted bull barrel and came with Crimson Trace laser-grips and the other has a 6.88 bull barrel and a set of Hogue soft rubber grips with finger grip grooves, a right hand thumb rest and on top is mounted a Tru-Glo open red dot sight with a 4 moa dot. There is one other stainless Ruger single six convertible in 22Lr and 22mag (my wife's favorite) but more about that at another time.
Every year from the first Sunday in January till the end of March I shoot big bore small bore competition at our local gun range. Its a lot of fun and great practice. We shoot strong hand, weak hand and two hands in seating, kneeling, and standing positions. We also shoot around doors using your strong and weak hand. When I shoot the small bore part, I use my Ruger competition model or the long barrel hunter model and always have a good score. All my Ruger Mark III like Skjagd 40 gr pistol match ammo. I still have two bricks left of the Federal Super match 22Lr that had the dimple in it that shoots best of all, but I use it sparingly.
Out on the farm we've used all these Rugers for varmint control and our family shooting matches. With all the rounds fired through these Rugers fit, finish, reliability and accuracy are like day one. In my book Ruger Mark III are number one and are built to last a lifetime.
If you are a new shooter or know someone who wants to start shooting, get a Ruger 22Lr. There is no recoil or big muzzle blast. It's the best way to learn trigger control, get the best sight picture and most of all learn safety. Remember you can't call a bullet back.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
More to come.
Every year from the first Sunday in January till the end of March I shoot big bore small bore competition at our local gun range. Its a lot of fun and great practice. We shoot strong hand, weak hand and two hands in seating, kneeling, and standing positions. We also shoot around doors using your strong and weak hand. When I shoot the small bore part, I use my Ruger competition model or the long barrel hunter model and always have a good score. All my Ruger Mark III like Skjagd 40 gr pistol match ammo. I still have two bricks left of the Federal Super match 22Lr that had the dimple in it that shoots best of all, but I use it sparingly.
Out on the farm we've used all these Rugers for varmint control and our family shooting matches. With all the rounds fired through these Rugers fit, finish, reliability and accuracy are like day one. In my book Ruger Mark III are number one and are built to last a lifetime.
If you are a new shooter or know someone who wants to start shooting, get a Ruger 22Lr. There is no recoil or big muzzle blast. It's the best way to learn trigger control, get the best sight picture and most of all learn safety. Remember you can't call a bullet back.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
More to come.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
"WILSON COMBAT"
Back in February 2008, I wrote about my new 1911 Wilson Combat Tactical Elite Model # CJTE-A-A. Wilson has an accuracy guarantee of 1 inch at 25 yards. Well three years have passed and not any malfunction. Fit, finish, function and reliability are perfect like the day I got it. This 1911 has always liked Fiocchi 230 gr fmj and 200 gr jnp. If I do my part, 1 inch groups at 25 yards will happen. Now Fiocchi has a newer 45 ammo called Extrema line with a Hornday Xtp Jnp in 200 gr and 230 gr bullet which performs even better in my Tactical Elite.
What I like to do is set five bowling pins at 50 yards, then sit at a bench, rest my forearms on a Dog-gone-good rest and knockdown pins with my glasses on and a little luck. The other thing we like to do is put a B27 police target at 50 feet and shoot two full magazines rapid fire. If my wife and I do our part all shots will be inside the nine ring.
I think Wilson company makes the best 1911's you can buy. I do own other 1911's which are great, but nothing like my Wilson.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
What I like to do is set five bowling pins at 50 yards, then sit at a bench, rest my forearms on a Dog-gone-good rest and knockdown pins with my glasses on and a little luck. The other thing we like to do is put a B27 police target at 50 feet and shoot two full magazines rapid fire. If my wife and I do our part all shots will be inside the nine ring.
I think Wilson company makes the best 1911's you can buy. I do own other 1911's which are great, but nothing like my Wilson.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
"FUN OUT WEST"
Just back from the great state of South Dakota our second home, seventeen miles from the Wyoming state line. Charlie and I made the drive in a day and a half, stopping in Mitchell S.D. for a great nights sleep. The next night we were dining in Deadwood at our favorite steakhouse Gems in the downtown area.
The next day I was to meet my friend John in Wyoming. He told me he had built a new game caller. When I got to his place there were a few hellos, then off to the barn to see his new invention. What I saw was something that looked like a pile of earth with a rabbit on its side on top of the pile. The rabbit was gutted and cleaned, then filled with something similar to bubble wrap. Also inside the rabbit was a small battery powered motor (from one of Johns grandson toys) which made it look like it was still breathing. Under this pile of earth was the remote game caller. All this only weighed about seven pounds, which made it easy to transport in a truck bed.
Before we left for the north forty we smoked up as my grandpa would call it. Just so you don't get the wrong idea, smoked up (a fire with pine,oak, etc) is the old fashion way to prepare before hunting to avoid your scent being detected. You smoke your rifle, clothes and boots. No need for scent spray. I must add though that your wife won't be thrilled when you return home, you'll probably have to leave your clothes in the barn.
We headed to the north forty to setup between the treeline and our hideout. We ranged the treeline at 100 yards. I had brought two rifles with me, a Clark Custom 77/22 and a Marlin 1894 CCS in 357mg both of which I have written about in earlier posts. Today I had the Marlin loaded with 130gr Federal personal defense hydra shok. About twenty minutes after John started his new caller, we had a coyote coming in. John told me to take him at what I thought was 60 yards. I held dead on and squeezed, he never took a step, just fell over. The Marlin with the Federal 130gr are a great short range combo. We stayed another two hours and John got two more. The next four days my wife and I used the Clark Custom. We took a lot of pictures (my wife's favorite past time) enjoyed friends and ate at Gems a lot.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
More to come.
The next day I was to meet my friend John in Wyoming. He told me he had built a new game caller. When I got to his place there were a few hellos, then off to the barn to see his new invention. What I saw was something that looked like a pile of earth with a rabbit on its side on top of the pile. The rabbit was gutted and cleaned, then filled with something similar to bubble wrap. Also inside the rabbit was a small battery powered motor (from one of Johns grandson toys) which made it look like it was still breathing. Under this pile of earth was the remote game caller. All this only weighed about seven pounds, which made it easy to transport in a truck bed.
Before we left for the north forty we smoked up as my grandpa would call it. Just so you don't get the wrong idea, smoked up (a fire with pine,oak, etc) is the old fashion way to prepare before hunting to avoid your scent being detected. You smoke your rifle, clothes and boots. No need for scent spray. I must add though that your wife won't be thrilled when you return home, you'll probably have to leave your clothes in the barn.
We headed to the north forty to setup between the treeline and our hideout. We ranged the treeline at 100 yards. I had brought two rifles with me, a Clark Custom 77/22 and a Marlin 1894 CCS in 357mg both of which I have written about in earlier posts. Today I had the Marlin loaded with 130gr Federal personal defense hydra shok. About twenty minutes after John started his new caller, we had a coyote coming in. John told me to take him at what I thought was 60 yards. I held dead on and squeezed, he never took a step, just fell over. The Marlin with the Federal 130gr are a great short range combo. We stayed another two hours and John got two more. The next four days my wife and I used the Clark Custom. We took a lot of pictures (my wife's favorite past time) enjoyed friends and ate at Gems a lot.
Always be safe and know whats behind your target.
More to come.
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