Bushy, I want to buy a Driz-A-Bone…but they are bloody expensive, so I figure while I save I’ll keep reminding myself that skin is waterproof.

Driz-A-Bone long jacket. Designed for horse riders, heavy but magnificent.

tikkat3 wrote:

Update required Vince The range closed over an hour ago

Fair enough mate, although, with traffic, it took me almost that long to drive home.

I bought myself a Wheeler Torque Wrench in inch lbs, looked up torque settings for the Stevens 200, tightened the action screws as appropriate (40 “ lbs) and did the set all scope screws at factory suggested torque.

I arrived at the Range about 9am, was #3 on the “wait for a bench” list…waited about an hour, then got a bench. Set everything up, got ammo and rifle out, went for the most important part…couldn’t find it…it wasn’t in its hidey hole in my gun box!!! Scratched my head thinking where it might be, then remembered, I was disturbed whilst getting everything out and ready…it was overlooked. I’ll give ya three guesses what the missing item was Bushy.

Started cursing, swearing, jumping up and down whilst packing everything away again so someone else could use the bench. Told the RO what the problem was (he already knew as it was an almost regular problem) and that I was heading home to collect the missing item/s. About a one and a half hour round trip and I was back at the Range…they were shut for lunch until 1pm.

Didn’t whinge…my fault…so I sat down and waited. Come 1pm, I spoke with the RO who said, “no problems, you’ve already paid, oh, and here’s new targets”…a damn fine nice guy, saved me $20. It won’t be forgotten, I owe him one. We sat down and yarned for a little bit, and one thing we both agreed on is these bloody ridiculous Firearms Laws we have over here…rifles locked in a gun safe with an empty chamber flag in the breech, bolts locked away separately, ammo locked away, again separately. I have to go to five separate locked containers to take two rifles to the range!!! He said he keeps his bolts in his rifles in the gun safe. You get at least a days warning for a security check, so time is not an issue…and they don’t get left behind.

Anyway…put targets out and set up the bench…again…then waited for the word the range was open to shoot. The rain was holding off (and didn’t start until I’d packed up and was heading for the car).

I re-zeroed my .22 KRICO (not shooting high right now), tried several different brands of ammo, and it looks like I might just change my ammo brand from Winchester PowerPoint to Winchester Rabbit Ammo. Not a lot of difference, about 1/4” in group size at 50 yds and about 3/4” at 100 yds. I have an around a thousand or so of each, so I’ll be right for bunny hunting ammo.

Now for the Stevens 200 in 308 Win. Quite a bit off zero as expected, so into it. I had only about 20 rounds to achieve zero, so it should be right. Started out, made adjustments, .63” above the POA. Hang on, that’s doesn’t seem right, checked my dope sheet again…it’s .63” LOW at 25 yds. Damn…still have ammo left, so a bold adjustment on the scope and back into it. Finally got the rifle shooting .63” low, but I wasn’t happy with the group size…it was far too big for 25 yds. I rechecked zero at 50 yds, and damn…windage was ok, but it was about two inches right. I’m starting to think maybe the scope is suspect. I’d been using PPU 150 gr factory ammo to zero, and I had some handloads I wanted to try, so I thought I might as well at least see how they group at 100 yds. Damned if I could get the target into focus. It was the same as at 25 yds and 50 yds…double images of what were straight lines on the target. By now I was angry. I fired my handloads more to see how they grouped than anything. Predictably they were about two inches low and all between two and four inches right.

No more 308 ammo so I thought…check zero on my KRICO .22 and then I’m going home. Swapped rifles, grabbed .22 rimfire ammo and started. Damned if I was getting double images again through a scope I knew was good. Now I’m suspecting either my glasses or eyes. I did my best to zero my KRICO, a bit like fighting when drunk…see two guys, hit the one on the right. I sort of got the .22 zeroed, but it was hard work. Only upside was the group size at 100 yds of the aforementioned Rabbit Ammo… a spot over 1.5” group, 1.25” low and .7” right. I took pics, but they aren’t real flash.

I’m going to have my eyes checked by the Optometrist very soon to see if there is a problem with them or my “eye crutches” (glasses). Upside was the Rabbit Ammo - a 1/2” group at 25 yds 1” at 50 yds and a fraction over 1.5” at 100 yds but I think that was sheer luck and ars3.

So all in all, I didn’t have a good day, but plenty of recoil therapy was had, even if the results on the target weren’t as good as I had hoped. Once I’ve had my eyes and glasses checked, I plan on putting more handloads together. Might even do a Ladder Test at 100 yds for the 308. If group sizes are still crappy, I’ll remove the plastic Tupperware stock from the Stevens 200 and try to find a Savage 10 wooden stock, maybe a synthetic stock, although I’ll most likely have to save up.

Thanks for the update Vince
Thats a lot of travel for some ordinary results
Should have stayed in bed

Its a busy place sounds like you met a good RO
Any time shooting is good for you

I'm almost afraid to ask what the hand gun laws are.

Deb said you can move in with us again.

tikkat3 wrote:

Thanks for the update Vince Thats a lot of travel for some ordinary results Should have stayed in bed Its a busy place sounds like you met a good RO Any time shooting is good for you

Methinks you are right mate…stacking Z’s would have achieved more.

I’ve found all of the RO’s at Ripley are good, although some of the attitudes of SSAA QLD and SSAA Belmont are creeping in, albeit slowly, but more in the case of Rules and Regulations.

However, I agree, time what’s not spent shooting, hunting or fishing, is time wasted.

Bushmaster wrote:

I'm almost afraid to ask what the hand gun laws are. Deb said you can move in with us again.

Mate, I’d love to move to the US…either your area or Long Island NY. Not possible though because I have a family here in Oz that I couldn’t leave, plus at my age employment is non-existent and I’d lose at least half of my income to my family.

Hand gun laws are similar, except for additional calibre restrictions (max calibre .38 without Police approval, with acceptable justification), and Police checks of Club/Range records that show attendance by each individual member. Yep, you must attend a set number of shoots each year to maintain licensing (Gelan would be able to provide exact details). Oh, and no CCW or open carry, in fact NO carry of any kind, everything must be locked away. Also, don’t threaten, show or use your firearm (of any type) for self defence…highly illegal…CLANG, watch your fingers, as the Cell Door shuts.

I can’t wait to hear of the funeral of the ex PM John Howard, AKA The Toxic Turd, AKA Jack Boot Johnny, AKA Weasel Guts …who is responsible for these draconian Laws. I have a bottle of Scotch Whisky to pour over his grave..right after I strain it through my kidneys!!!

Holy Sh*t! If I can't carry I don't go there. If I'm out and about my property without my handgun (Firestar .40 S&W) I feel naked.

I guess the good old "SSS" would work there.

Bushmaster wrote:

Holy Sh*t! If I can't carry I don't go there. If I'm out and about my property without my handgun (Firestar .40 S&W) I feel naked. I guess the good old "SSS" would work there.

Nope, even that is out of the question mate…Police here don’t give up in their investigations. It’s surprising some of the crimes that they have investigated, uncovered and charged miscreants. With my luck I’d be done 5 minutes after the “event”.

As an aside…it doesn’t look like my bedding job on the Stevens plastic stock has achieved much, if anything. I have my eye on a second hand Savage 10 stock at one of the local Gun Shops. It could be a good replacement for my factory “Tupperware” Stevens stock if it is in good condition…and not plastic. They are asking $250 for it, so I want to check it out and see if I can extend funds to that much…if SWMBO agrees. If it “ticks all the boxes”, and I have the $$$, I will then have to remove the Stevens plastic monstrosity (might have to get the angle grinder out) and replace it with the Savage offering.

What?!? You aren't allowed to "Sh*t, Shower and Shave" either?

Bushmaster wrote:

What?!? You aren't allowed to "Sh*t, Shower and Shave" either?

yeah, we can do that without any problems mate…but if it involves shooting and a shovel, it’s out of the question.

I checked out the Savage 10 stock mentioned above in my last post. It is exactly the same plastic Tupperware stock I have on my Stevens 200, only it’s been painted. I have a strong recommendation to fit a MDT Field Stock to the Stevens, but at AUD$395 it’s out of reach financially (I hate being a pensioner).

The MDT offerings look amazing, but boy are they expensive. I’ve looked at other stocks, some as high as AUD$2,000 but most of them are tacticool “mall commando” type stocks..not for me. Oh well, I’ll keep looking and see what’s out there and maybe I’ll happen onto a bargain. In the mean time, I’ll persevere with the Tupperware special.

You just can't beat walnut stocks.

I have one maple stock on a Marlin pre serial number .22 that I refinished blonde. It really came out quite nice.

Bushmaster wrote:

You just can't beat walnut stocks. I have one maple stock on a Marlin pre serial number .22 that I refinished blonde. It really came out quite nice.

The same as my KRICO .22…I refurbished the timber stock on that (not sure of the type of timber), and it came up light colour. I also chequered it on the forend and around the pistol grip, more for looks than anything, and it came up a treat.

I’d like to source a walnut stock for the Stevens, but they are like rocking horse sh1te, pretty much impossible to get.

I’m currently doing some handloading for my next Range outing with the 308 Stevens. My shooting buddy looked at my ‘messy’ groups and declared them to be totally acceptable for a hunting rifle. He said groups of 2 - 4 MOA at 100m are more than good enough for hunting. I suppose realistically, 2 - 4 MOA fits nicely into the heart/lung kill zone on a deer sized critter. I think I’ve set my expectations too high…my mate reminded me, the Stevens is a hunting rifle, not a Bench Rest shooter.

The loads I’m putting together are using Hornady 150gr Interlock SP and 165gr Speer SP HOT COR bullets. I’m trying two different powders, both ADI, AR2206H (H4895) and AR2208 (Varget). Both powders have a good track record with the 308 Win, so I should be able to develop a decent load, but time will tell.

All my 308 loads are Varget.

Don't ask why. Picked it out years ago and never bought another powder to try just more of the same.

I still say...You might want to try 45 gr of H380 under those 150 gr Hornady Interlock softpoints. Both my AR and Browning BLR work best with that combination.

Bushmaster wrote:

I still say...You might want to try 45 gr of H380 under those 150 gr Hornady Interlock softpoints. Both my AR and Browning BLR work best with that combination.

H380 is just a Poofteenth slower than 2208 (Varget) mate…almost the same as 2209 (another great powder). I’m sorta restricted with the different powder types out here, and as I have a couple of pounds of 2206H and 2208, I decided to use them. But to be honest, I haven’t looked at the availability of H380.