Lessons learned at the match Saturday

[PhillipM]

I shot an S stocked 1903 for the first time at a match and learned a few things at the school of hard knocks.

The conditions of the 200 yard event on SR targets were very bright sun at 11:00, targets in the shade, winds gusting from several directions up to 25mph. I'd loaded 155 grain nosler custom competition with 46.5 grains IMR 4895 with Winchester cases and primers.

1) Forgot sight black- - major glare


2) New Ray-vin sight mike - - Awesome tool! Trying to mess with elevation with a dial caliper in a match is too much hassle. I was able to dial in the x ring with my sighters.

3) Load too slow - - Had to elevate to 500 yard setting and glare shown above and below the peep. Concentrated through the glare at the front sight and shot 97-2x! Later I found I shot the spotter three shots in a row so the rifle can hold a 3" circle at 200, good to know!

4) Rapid fire I couldn't see. Eye fatigue and the glare combined to produce in my mind a golden ring of glare where the the rear aperture should be. I let the position take over and shot a 33. Good group, natural point of aim off! In hindsight had I realized the peep was set on 500 yards I may have done better just to fold down the leaf and use the battle sight.

5) Don't quit - - After my dismal score I blew off standing and shot a 77. I was tired of the glare and the wind blowing me and the rifle around and had a miss in the string.

I wound up with a 207 which really looks bad compared to the winning 270 score I shot with my Garand earlier that day!

I'm going to soot up my sights like a charcoal briquet before the next match and see what that does with the glare, I hate ranges that face the South. If that doesn't work I'll try a Bill Bentz Marine rear aperture and maybe front sight.

[chuckindenver]

sounds like a fun day

[Allen Humphrey]

Phillip,
The wind is tough to deal with no matter what. The longer, bigger milsurp rifles are like trying to hold a snow shovel at arms length in a hurricane. I don't know that there is much you can do except hope that you are just down wind of the fattest guy on the line and cozy up to his position.

The gap under the sight is a problem. When I shoot XTC with the 03 i'll put a piece of tape over the gap (the 1903 is a "match" rifle anyway for NRA). If your really like the light load and it shoots well, get another front sight assembly with a shorter blade. Maybe that will bring the rear down enough to close the gap.

[dkmatthews]

What are these matches you speak of and where would I find one? I'm near Charlotte NC, if it matters.

[Bob S]

In hindsight had I realized the peep was set on 500 yards I may have done better just to fold down the leaf and use the battle sight.

That's the way it had to be done Back in The Day ... battle sight for all RF, except at 500 yards (yes, there was a 500 yard RF string). With M1 Ball, or the Match ammunition of the 1930's, you had to hold on the bottom of the frame with the battle sight. If you have a good load that zeros at about 500 yds on the sight (and it certainly sounds like you do), try it ... you might like it.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[PhillipM]

What are these matches you speak of and where would I find one? I'm near Charlotte NC, if it matters.

These are CMP John C Garand (JCG) and Vintage Bolt matches. Fun Fun Fun!!!

Look here: http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=889

[dkmatthews]

these are cmp john c garand (jcg) and vintage bolt matches. Fun fun fun!!!

Look here: http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=889

thank you!

[PhillipM]

That's the way it had to be done Back in The Day ... battle sight for all RF, except at 500 yards (yes, there was a 500 yard RF string). With M1 Ball, or the Match ammunition of the 1930's, you had to hold on the bottom of the frame with the battle sight. If you have a good load that zeros at about 500 yds on the sight (and it certainly sounds like you do), try it ... you might like it.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

I shot up the rest of that ammo today off the bench at a steel gong at 225 yards that's the size of the aiming black of an SR target and nailed it with the battle sight! I've never actually used it before, it was fun and I also was able to use it to smack the same size gong at 300. I may have to try it one match.