There is always up close and personal shooting/practice.
Like I said . . .
What Did You Shoot Today?
- Thread starter 462
- Start date
Like I said . . .
L Ross
Well-Known Member
My spousal unit actually gets annoyed with me when I start complaining about my eyes. Frankly she's right. I do have better vision than anyone has a right to at 68. I know I am spoiled as I used to have fairly outstanding vision and never appreciated it as I should.
In the early stages of the Cast Bullet shoot last month I dragged out a Sante Fe Plains Rifle replica with those buckhorn rear sights that shout be called Pronghorn rear sights. I found I could actually see them well enough to hit a target. Later I found the sights on the FA 97 and my rebuilt SBHawk to be usable. Of course some days are better than others, light conditions, and target colors play a role. Scopes are still just fine. So for the most part, I'll take it happily.
In the early stages of the Cast Bullet shoot last month I dragged out a Sante Fe Plains Rifle replica with those buckhorn rear sights that shout be called Pronghorn rear sights. I found I could actually see them well enough to hit a target. Later I found the sights on the FA 97 and my rebuilt SBHawk to be usable. Of course some days are better than others, light conditions, and target colors play a role. Scopes are still just fine. So for the most part, I'll take it happily.
I've wondered if having had such outstanding eyesight most of my life makes it harder now that it's gone. Or to put another way, if I had average or less eyesight most of my life would what I have now be easier to cope with? No way to know that for sure but again, fond memories.
Snakeoil
Well-Known Member
I realize for hunting that aperture sights can be challenging to use. But a rear peep will help increase the field of depth for your eye focus and put the front sight more into focus. My Dad had a receiver sight on his 99 Savage and would unscrew the eyepiece and just use the threaded portion of the rear sight. That's really all you need to center your eye on the rifle and align with the front sight. If you are shooting off a rest, then globe front sights with the insert of choice and an adjustable rear like a Merit or a Hadley will help greatly in bring your front sight into focus. If we are talking pistols here, then the challenge is a bit more involved. I've known bullseye shooters who have had custom glasses made so they could see the front sight.
Rob doesn't get it. First there would need to be a front sight to bring into focus. Yes, for many years I used the Merit. Had numerous custom lens prescriptions over the years and Champion glasses with about every diopter lens made. Even had an eye doc that had me bring my guns to his office and measured sight distance, barrel length, you name it. If it were as simple as peep sights, I would certainly still be shooting. I have gotten to where with the correct prescription lens I can bring in either the sights OR the target. Never both, pick one.None of this happened last week, struggled with it and worked hard on it for several years. Tried everything there is to try and most combinations of most of them.
I was heavy into long range handgun. 200 meters with iron sights, mostly revolver class, some of the 200 meter targets about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Yep, the good old days.
Snakeoil
Well-Known Member
Rick, I do realize that for some, there is no fixing what mother nature and age have done to their eyesight. My comments were more for those who find they struggle now where they did not before. My suggestions can be helpful for those in that situation. I truly sympathize with folks like you who have lost the ability to see well enough to shoot. I was not trying to minimize your personal vision issues. My apologies if my comments gave that impression. I truly understand that there can be a point of no return.
None of this happened last week, struggled with it and worked hard on it for several years. Tried everything there is to try and most combinations of most of them.
I was heavy into long range handgun. 200 meters with iron sights, mostly revolver class, some of the 200 meter targets about the size of a pack of cigarettes. Yep, the good old days.
Many of the older guys at Wilton went thru serious vision losses. One was an optician. Often, they would pair up together to shoot and spot for each other and the conversation was always entertaining.
"Did I hit it?"
"Think so."
"Where did I hit it?"
"Couldn't see."
"Did you hear anything?"
"Nope"
"I think I hit it."
"I think you did too. I'll score it as a hit".
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
That is another issue many of us suffer the effects of. And, no, hearing aids are far from a perfect solution.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Pressman
Active Member
I use a stick on the lens thingy for serious rifle shooting, for non serious shooting ie: plinking and just having fun I can get by well with plain old eyeballs. Cataract surgery helps too.
Today was just fun popping a few rounds through 11 different 22's in the basement. It was fun and I found a couple need some more TLC to get them functioning 100%.
Ken
Today was just fun popping a few rounds through 11 different 22's in the basement. It was fun and I found a couple need some more TLC to get them functioning 100%.
Ken
Michael
Active Member. Uh/What
Went out with my wife today, she wanted to shoot her .338 Fed. that she bought last fall to get a feel for it and see how it shoots, being she drew a cow tag for this fall. Just threw together a load- 180gr Fed Fusion SP, 45gr AA2495, Starline case, WLR. She shot 6, 3 shot groups, the 3 smaller ones were 1.5" or less at 100yds off the bench, only one was phht at 3.25" it was the first group out of a cold clean barrel. The best thing is that she really likes the rifle and finds it to be very well mannered. The smallest of the lot was her last at just under 1.25" She has girl friend who's go to rifle is a .338 RCM. They tell me "Silly boy, 338's are for girls."
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
Farmer Sharps 45-120!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a HOOT! Buddy bought it/helping set up to load/will get some quality range time with it! Excited!
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
Recoil was less than a 30-30. And the 45-70 with TDish loads had a lot more recoil. The 120 really was a cream puff.
Snakeoil
Well-Known Member
I know Dave Hicks. He set several BPCR long range records and may still hold a few. His shooting partner and rifle maker was Don Hamilton. Donny was a master machinist/gunsmith. Dave shot a High Wall in .45-70 but throated out so that it was more like a .45-120. I have seen Dave's rounds and about the only thing in the case is the first driving band. Dave competed out to 1500 yds and shot on the US Team.
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
After a three-week closure, the range reopened, so took the .38 Special Uberti 1866 and the .223 Ruger American.
Haven't found an 1866 cast bullet accuracy load, yet, but SR 7625 has made the smallest patterns.
Had an off day with the Ruger's 55-grain accuracy load of Hornady's FMJ and 21.0-grains of IMR 4198. Also, the newly installed Mueller scope needs a forward adjustment.
Today, the guy to the left was shooting a .300 Win. Mag. and its blast was moving my head about. The guy to the right had an M4-type and its muzzle brake was spitting hot stuff on me.
Haven't found an 1866 cast bullet accuracy load, yet, but SR 7625 has made the smallest patterns.
Had an off day with the Ruger's 55-grain accuracy load of Hornady's FMJ and 21.0-grains of IMR 4198. Also, the newly installed Mueller scope needs a forward adjustment.
Today, the guy to the left was shooting a .300 Win. Mag. and its blast was moving my head about. The guy to the right had an M4-type and its muzzle brake was spitting hot stuff on me.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Oh the horrors of shooting ranges you do not control. My last shoot a former Army Ranger had his tricked out M-4 type AR with one of those wretched brakes on it. I put muff over my plugs and stood back. Of course it was fun to shoot. Put the red dot on the 10" swinger at 160 yards and pew pew pew, ding ding ding.
Pressman
Active Member
It's been a three week dry spell of no shooting outdoors. Life gets in the way too often.
Thursday I took the M-14 back to the range to try and get it at least on paper. Starting at 50 yards I finally figured out it was shooting 14 inches left and 14 inches high. I got it close to the point of aim before I ran out of ammo. I can't say that it was shooting groups either, mostly patterns.
However, just for fun I took the South African FN along. It has a cheap, $69 1.5x4 scope on it. I could barely see the aiming point. Without trying it put 10 rounds into a 1 inch circle at 50yds.
I shoot it with the gas port closed, if not I have to drive down to Albert Lea to find where it tossed the brass. Using 178 Hornady match bullets, I am now thinking I need one of them big tactically cool scope for this rifle.
The jury is still out on the M-14. And it has a big tacti cool scope.
It's raining today so I need to be downstairs in the man cave reloading.
Thursday I took the M-14 back to the range to try and get it at least on paper. Starting at 50 yards I finally figured out it was shooting 14 inches left and 14 inches high. I got it close to the point of aim before I ran out of ammo. I can't say that it was shooting groups either, mostly patterns.
However, just for fun I took the South African FN along. It has a cheap, $69 1.5x4 scope on it. I could barely see the aiming point. Without trying it put 10 rounds into a 1 inch circle at 50yds.
I shoot it with the gas port closed, if not I have to drive down to Albert Lea to find where it tossed the brass. Using 178 Hornady match bullets, I am now thinking I need one of them big tactically cool scope for this rifle.
The jury is still out on the M-14. And it has a big tacti cool scope.
It's raining today so I need to be downstairs in the man cave reloading.
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
This morning it was the 5 1/2" .357 New Vaquero and the .45 ACP Randall. Shot the Vaquero first, and man I didn't realize it points so naturally till I switched to the Colt clone Randall.
The big discovery was, I can no longer hold steady enough for the accurate 25-yard off-hand shooting I used to do. Not medically related, but due solely to that rascally calendar.
Gave a range regular a baggie of sized and lubed Lyman 457193 405-grainers.
The big discovery was, I can no longer hold steady enough for the accurate 25-yard off-hand shooting I used to do. Not medically related, but due solely to that rascally calendar.
Gave a range regular a baggie of sized and lubed Lyman 457193 405-grainers.
I have trouble with rifle off-hand anymore. Shoulder probably needs work. I have a 5# weight I use to strengthen it. Hold in forearm position for a while. Can't throw overhand baseball with the other one. GKs laughed at me. 'you throw like a girl'. My body isn't that stable standing anymore either. Oh well.
