Near Woodsworth, LA on Robinson Bridge Road, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries owns and operates a public shooting range. Archery, pistol and rifle ranges, along with a shotgun range. Use of the range is perfectly free, except they charge a modest amount at the shotgun range to defray the cost of clay targets. The ranges are open Thursday-Sunday from 8-5.
I went out this morning and took the Ruger 10/22 that I bought last year. I had never shot it and decided to get a little trigger time The Ruger 10/22 is the Barbie-doll of rimfire rifles. It is easily customized, with aftermarket support everywhere.
I was concerned because I have been diagnosed with macular degeneration and have lost the center focus in both eyes. I have not fired a scoped rifle in over five years, and I didn't know how rusty I might be. Turns out, fairly rusty. The Burris scope I have mounted has 1/4 minute clicks and that translates into a lot of clicks to move the reticule an inch at 25 yards. Sixteen to be exact., so I snuck up on the bull, clicking and shooting, clicking and shooting. I finally got it zeroed at 25 yards, after about 30 shots, firing 5 shot groups. It grouped fairly well, about 1/2 inch at 25 which is probably more an indictment of my eyesight than an indictment of the barrel.
Two immediate thoughts come to mind. First, I need a cheek riser. I had trouble getting aligned with the scope. Second, that rifle needs a better trigger. Luckily, stocks and triggers are readily available for that rifle. Right now, it is minute-of-possum. If I get a varmint in the back yard, it is in trouble.
Getting older is a pita. If your rifle is intended for closer ranges, consider a red dot / green dot / gold optic. I put a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot sight on my Savage 24 30-30 over 12 gauge combination and am impressed. Meant for feral hog hunting, the red dot works well for me.
ReplyDeleteSecond the red dot recommendation for rifles for close up work. I have a tiny little Docter sight on my B25 express in 7*65R, and it is the bee's knees for shooting running game at short to moderate distances (20 to 80 yards).
ReplyDeleteLucky previous poster to have found a Savage Model 24 in the .30-30 & 12ga configuration. I would love to have one of those. I have a couple of the .22Mag & 20ga ones, which are great, but a more authoritative rifle calibre would be nice to have.
Re: "..minute of possum." Don't shoot possums! They eat ticks! Although, guineas do too, and they are, I suspect, a bit tastier.
ReplyDelete-JLM
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my eyesight the most. But I can still shoot minute of dead with iron sights at a hundred yards on a standard silhouette target.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about a moving target. Maybe minute of make them damn uncomfortable with their victim selection matrix...