Some needed relief

I managed to get out and do some shooting this past Saturday. I got a nice call from Rowdy while I was setting up at the range with Gary but I didn’t tell Rowdy what I was doing because he was looking out the window at 2″ of snow and I was enjoying a clear 72 degree day!

Rowdy was telling me about his test results with the .22s I sent him. I really appreciate the effort he has gone to for this test and it will impact what we do with this mold in a big way. Since I brought it up, the short story is that the slugs have some potential but we need to figure out how to make them better and some of them will have to be shot as wadcutters to get good accuracy. I have a production change in mind that might work and I’ll get more slugs to Rowdy for test ASAP and then I have to figure out if my new process is consistent and repeatable.

Anyhow: I was out shooting this Saturday and found myself with mostly the wrong slugs for the guns I had with me. I brought my Barnes Prairie 3 bench gun and my Barnes Woodsman .62 (with the .32 insert installed). Despite the great day (except for the wind which was 10-15 all day) I couldn’t get anything to print with the Prairie. This was disappointing to say the least as I usually get 1/2 to 1 MOA groups at 100 yards with this gun. I knew I didn’t have the best slugs with me but it was still a downer. Finally, I put the Prairie away and pulled out the Woodsman for a go. I had to shoot some paper as I had the chance to shoot at 100 yards and I couldn’t remember where I was sighted in on this gun! Well, despite not having the best slugs, the Woodsman bailed me out again and made it look like I can aim. I shot some paper and got some nice groups confirming the 100 yard zero and one great 3 shot group (not my best but awesome considering the wind) of 1/2 MOA.

Here’s the group:

Here’s the gun:

After checking the sight-in, I spent the rest of the day shooting reactive targets from 100 to 170 yards with the Woodsman. I really need to get a mildot scope for this gun. The Bushnell is a great scope but I can only dial it on at 100 with the lightest slugs and it has a simple duplex cross hair. I really need a Zeiss with that Z-plex 1000 reticle for this gun. Maybe if I had a sugar mommy… (since I spent all my money on silly airguns)….

Anyhow, I hope you guys get some good weather and the chance to shoot too!