My first bolt gun!
My first bolt gun!
I can already hear it..." A 16" 308 is useless, wrong scope on that, waste of money, blah, blah..."
So... I recently decided that I need to learn some new life skills and face new challenges, so I made the decision that I'm going to take up hunting this year. Because shooting, judging distance, comeups, and getting your own food supply are what everyone does when they want a challenge, right?
I went out and got a Ruger Gunsite Scout, because I thought it looked cool, it didn't feel chintzy when I worked the bolt, and it was light (this is the newer, non-laminate version). The trigger felt right, and the rifle called to me, so the decision was made. Oh, and Hornady REALLY did their job marketing their ammo well- I looked around, and was like "Whoa, Deer!" and grabbed a box of Hornady 150gr 308 Whitetail ammo. Boom.
So the only time I can remember zeroing a rifle, he had a laser bore sighter, and we did the process fairly easily. We'll call it idiot proof. This time... not so much. Idiocy was definitely a factor. Even shooting at 25 yards, the first two shots were complete goners. I had no clue where the hell they went. The person next to me must have seen the puzzled look on my face, because he asked what was up. I told him I was trying to zero this new rifle, but couldn't get on paper- even at 25! He asked if I boresighted it, to which I replied I didn't have a laser boresighter. He told me to pull out the bolt, find the target through the barrel, and without moving the rifle AT ALL, look through the scope, and see where the crosshairs are. "Oh.....WAY HIGH."
That was some mystic shit.
Suddenly, things were coming together.
After dialing things down a bit after my first attempt at 50, it looked like I was ready for 100 yards.
And apparently I was. It was windy as hell, and I wasn't sure how much of that was wind drift, but I still went left a minute just to split the difference.
I only had two shots left, so I decided what I can do in a bit more practical setting. I saw a barely shot up ShootNC target, patched it, and put it up at 100. I then held my rifle at the low ready while standing (no sling, no support) , and did a snap shot. Then I did it again. Luckily, right afterwards, someone wanted to go downrange, so I took the long walk to see how I did. Apparently, I can hit the target from that far fairly quickly, although I'm not sure how that equates to the size of a deer's vitals...
All in all, I had a great range trip, learned some stuff, got to make fun of myself, and I have a new gun. This is a great year!
Thanks,
Carlos
So... I recently decided that I need to learn some new life skills and face new challenges, so I made the decision that I'm going to take up hunting this year. Because shooting, judging distance, comeups, and getting your own food supply are what everyone does when they want a challenge, right?
I went out and got a Ruger Gunsite Scout, because I thought it looked cool, it didn't feel chintzy when I worked the bolt, and it was light (this is the newer, non-laminate version). The trigger felt right, and the rifle called to me, so the decision was made. Oh, and Hornady REALLY did their job marketing their ammo well- I looked around, and was like "Whoa, Deer!" and grabbed a box of Hornady 150gr 308 Whitetail ammo. Boom.
So the only time I can remember zeroing a rifle, he had a laser bore sighter, and we did the process fairly easily. We'll call it idiot proof. This time... not so much. Idiocy was definitely a factor. Even shooting at 25 yards, the first two shots were complete goners. I had no clue where the hell they went. The person next to me must have seen the puzzled look on my face, because he asked what was up. I told him I was trying to zero this new rifle, but couldn't get on paper- even at 25! He asked if I boresighted it, to which I replied I didn't have a laser boresighter. He told me to pull out the bolt, find the target through the barrel, and without moving the rifle AT ALL, look through the scope, and see where the crosshairs are. "Oh.....WAY HIGH."
That was some mystic shit.
Suddenly, things were coming together.
After dialing things down a bit after my first attempt at 50, it looked like I was ready for 100 yards.
And apparently I was. It was windy as hell, and I wasn't sure how much of that was wind drift, but I still went left a minute just to split the difference.
I only had two shots left, so I decided what I can do in a bit more practical setting. I saw a barely shot up ShootNC target, patched it, and put it up at 100. I then held my rifle at the low ready while standing (no sling, no support) , and did a snap shot. Then I did it again. Luckily, right afterwards, someone wanted to go downrange, so I took the long walk to see how I did. Apparently, I can hit the target from that far fairly quickly, although I'm not sure how that equates to the size of a deer's vitals...
All in all, I had a great range trip, learned some stuff, got to make fun of myself, and I have a new gun. This is a great year!
Thanks,
Carlos
- Whootsinator
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Re: My first bolt gun!
Awesome stuff! I don't see anything wrong with the setup. Figure out what ammo it likes, and a 16" barrel won't hinder you unless you get into something serious. Your barrel may have a relatively slow twist rate. You might want to look into that, and avoid super long projectiles if so. If you aren't shooting a .22lr in a hurricane, wind isn't going to be a factor at 100 yards.
"I don't retreat; I kick ass in the other direction."
- PDM
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Re: My first bolt gun!
I always look through the bore. Never used a laser.
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Tench Coxe
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Re: My first bolt gun!
That would have been awesome to know. Yeah, I'm way too spur of the moment.PDM wrote:I always look through the bore. Never used a laser.
And least I'm planning ahead a bit for the hunting part. Other than the "finding a guide and land" part. I see deer from my back window, but I'm in the city so it doesn't help.
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Re: My first bolt gun!
My first bolt gun was a mosin...lol. My first and only good, scoped bolt gun is a Ruger American in .308 and I love it so far...just wish id have got the one with a threaded barrel...lol
Re: My first bolt gun!
Ha! I understand. The action feels great. The part of me that wants to reach out and touch something wants a longer barrel, but I really like this compact package.ssracer wrote:My first bolt gun was a mosin...lol. My first and only good, scoped bolt gun is a Ruger American in .308 and I love it so far...just wish id have got the one with a threaded barrel...lol
I think a few members here are.jmeister wrote:Looks nice
I'm a member at FCSC too.
I had a G shock ready for a picture, then forgot. Staged the shit and everything!Dave1965 wrote:here's a -1 for no watches in the picture
- Frailer
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Re: My first bolt gun!
I picked up a Ruger GSR a few years ago. I keep intending to mount a micro red dot on it, but it shoots so well that irons that I haven't bothered yet.
If I were limited to one centerfire rifle for everything I'd probably pick this one.
If I were limited to one centerfire rifle for everything I'd probably pick this one.
Re: My first bolt gun!
Franklin County Sportsman Club in Frankfortguncrank1 wrote:What club??jmeister wrote:Looks nice
I'm a member at FCSC too.
Great place. Five minutes from work- I can shoot doing lunch.
Re: My first bolt gun!
I can only get away for that long as well.GPtuners wrote:Ha! Next time! Heck, maybe after work some day, when we don't have to run back in under an hour.Dave1965 wrote:and he never invites dave to go with the cool group at lunch ;(
- Whootsinator
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Re: My first bolt gun!
They haven't quite gotten there yet. DD is doing a lot of Aaaaaarrrrmy training this year that is taking up most of his time. I think Rock Castle hosts quality instructors sometimes, possibly John McPhee.
"I don't retreat; I kick ass in the other direction."
- Wyldman
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Re: My first bolt gun!
Why, when I read your post above did I hear Bill Murray in my mind saying his "Aaaarrrrmmmy training, sir!" line from "Stripes"?Whootsinator wrote:They haven't quite gotten there yet. DD is doing a lot of Aaaaaarrrrmy training this year that is taking up most of his time. I think Rock Castle hosts quality instructors sometimes, possibly John McPhee.
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IN GOD WE TRUST
"That boy's paradigm don't always add up to four nickels...."
"That boy's paradigm don't always add up to four nickels...."
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Re: My first bolt gun!
HahahaWyldman wrote:Why, when I read your post above did I hear Bill Murray in my mind saying his "Aaaarrrrmmmy training, sir!" line from "Stripes"?Whootsinator wrote:They haven't quite gotten there yet. DD is doing a lot of Aaaaaarrrrmy training this year that is taking up most of his time. I think Rock Castle hosts quality instructors sometimes, possibly John McPhee.
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- Gunsmokin
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Re: My first bolt gun!
That's exactly what I heard when I read it...Wyldman wrote:Why, when I read your post above did I hear Bill Murray in my mind saying his "Aaaarrrrmmmy training, sir!" line from "Stripes"?Whootsinator wrote:They haven't quite gotten there yet. DD is doing a lot of Aaaaaarrrrmy training this year that is taking up most of his time. I think Rock Castle hosts quality instructors sometimes, possibly John McPhee.
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jackalo626 wrote:Skibble dee dibbledy
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Re: My first bolt gun!
It might be on purpose, and it may or may not get said frequently lol
"I don't retreat; I kick ass in the other direction."