May 1, 2022, Summer’s almost here! There are hundreds of “fun matches” that take place every summer in local clubs all over the country. Club shoots are a great way to have fun without spending a lot of money on equipment. We’ve seen many club shooters become handicapped by making mistakes with their equipment or not paying attention to details when reloading. These SIX TIPS will help you avoid common mistakes and build better ammo for club matches. Align the Front Rest and Rear Bag
Many shooters have their rear bags angled to the left or right relative with the bore axis. This can happen if you hurry your setup. Even if you are careful with your setup, the rear bag may twist due to the recoil or the way that your arm touches the bag. Make sure you align your rear bag properly after every shot. This is especially important for bag-squeezers who could cause the bag to twist as their arm contacts the bag. I run it from my front stop through a line that crosses my speed screw and into a slot between the ears. I stand by that setup and ensure I see a straight line to the target. I have also attached a piece tape to the golf shaft that shows how far the rear end of the bag should be from the front rest stop. Avoid Contact Interference
Three common types of interference or contact can cause serious accuracy problems. First, make sure that your stock does not have front or rear sling swivels. A sling swivel that digs into the front bag can cause a shot’s pop high or low. To prevent this, move the rifle so that the swivels are not in contact with the bags. You can also remove the swivels from the rifle before you match. Second, be aware of the rear grip area. This should not be resting on the bag while you fire, and it shouldn’t touch the bag during recoil. Problems can arise if the grip contacts the rear bag’s lip or edge. Third, be aware of the arm or stud on the front rest which restricts forward stock travel. Some rests are high enough to touch the barrel. One shooter complained about “vertical flyers,” during a match. His barrel was actually hitting his front stop! You can lower or turn the arm to the right or left so that it doesn’t touch the barrel with most front rests. Weigh your Charges — Each One
Although it may seem obvious, many people still use a powder measure. Although most BR shooters will not weigh their charges, there are still some cases where you should weigh your charges. You might be surprised at how inconsistent the powder measure is. One of our testers recently threw H4198 charges using a mechanical measuring device for his 30BR. The charges were then weighed twice using a Denver Instrument laboratory scale. Our tester discovered that thrown charges could vary by as much as 0.7 grains. This is with a premium measure. After bullet seating, measure your loaded ammo
Even if your brass and bullets have been checked before you begin assembling your ammo. We recommend that you weigh your loaded rounds, and use a comparator to measure them from the base of the case to the bullet ogive. If you find a round that is more than.005 in weight, or heavier than the recommended weight, please report it to us. Set the round aside and use it as a fouler. You may need to disassemble the round and check the powder charge if the weight is off more than 6 or 7. Premium, pre-sorted bullets have been shown to keep 95% of loaded rounds within the range of.002? from the base of the case to the ogive. With a lot of bullets, it’s impossible to keep everything within.002?. However, you should still measure each loaded match rounds to make sure you don’t have any cases that are too short or too long. Make sure you have the right fasteners
Double-check your scope rings and iron sight mounts before you go to a match to make sure everything is in order. You should also check the tension of the bolts and screws that hold the action in its place. Action screws and scope rings can become loose even with a low-recoiling rifle rimfire rifle. Checklist and Pack the Night Before
Have you ever driven 50 miles to a match only to realize you forgot your bolt or the correct ammo? These mistakes happen to everyone. This checklist will help you avoid making mistakes and reduce stress at matches. The night before the match, organize your firearms, range kit and ammo boxes. Be prepared, just like a Boy Scout. If it is cold, bring a jacket or hat. Bring windflags if you have them, even if the rules don’t allow it. It’s a good idea to bring spare batteries and a spare rifle and ammunition. A simple mechanical breakdown, such as a broken firing pin, can endanger your entire weekend.
Similar Posts:Tags: Alignment, Groundhog Match, Rear Bag, Reloading, Shooting Tips, Varmint Silhouette
