Trip to the range.

[Calfed]

Went to Sac Valley Shooting Center a few weeks back to check zero on my rifles and to try out some handloads for the vintage military silhouette match next week.

I usually shoot either a Persian or an '09 Argentine Mauser that were d&t'd by the previous owners. I ended up putting Bushnell 10x40 3200 scopes on them.



Both rifles did well. I used the 300 yard range and started at 220 yards (200 meters), to get a good zero for the chickens.

After a few scope corrections, the Argentine did pretty well with handloads @ 200 meters...



The Persian wasn't quite as good as the Argentine at 200 meters



But made up for it by shooting a smaller group at 300 yards than it did at 220...



I also took my son's K31 to shoot some handloads in it. It doesn't have a scope, and the stock is a little beaten up, but it shoots well.



200 yard military match target @200 meters

[jon_norstog]

That's pretty decent shooting, there. It always surprises shooters that these old milsurps are often more accurate than their high dollar RemWinBy. I do think that the 8x57 likes a somewhat fast-burning powder - I use 4895 in mine. It's also interesting when you think about all the fuss that has been made over free-floating barrels and how that is the only way to build an accurate rifle.

jn

[PhillipM]

That's pretty decent shooting, there. It always surprises shooters that these old milsurps are often more accurate than their high dollar RemWinBy. I do think that the 8x57 likes a somewhat fast-burning powder - I use 4895 in mine. It's also interesting when you think about all the fuss that has been made over free-floating barrels and how that is the only way to build an accurate rifle.

jn

I think a lot of the reason the old milsurps do better is because the RemWinBy guy all want a featherweight barrel, preferably fluted.

[Calfed]

That's pretty decent shooting, there. It always surprises shooters that these old milsurps are often more accurate than their high dollar RemWinBy. I do think that the 8x57 likes a somewhat fast-burning powder - I use 4895 in mine. It's also interesting when you think about all the fuss that has been made over free-floating barrels and how that is the only way to build an accurate rifle.

jn

Thanks, jon

I agree about the faster burning powders...I use IMR 4064 in my 8x57's and have been pleased with the results.

I think a lot of the reason the old milsurps do better is because the RemWinBy guy all want a featherweight barrel, preferably fluted.

There is truth in that, but the old military barrels are fairly narrow profiles also.

[Major Tom]

My old WW2 German infantry rifle in 8mmx57 kicks like a mule. Love it tho.

[usmc69]

My old WW2 German infantry rifle in 8mmx57 kicks like a mule. Love it tho.

I had a 98K that someone had bubba'd the stock in attempt to sporterize it. It kick also like a mule. However, I had an old shotgun recoil pad laying around and since the stock was already cut down.........I put that recoil pad on it. Tamed that rifle right down. Using surplus 8 MM ammo, I used it as a plinker. Shoot a 100 or so rounds out of it in a day was a normal days plinking at an old trash pit where we used to shoot many moons ago. Wish I had never sold it. If I find another may try to recreate it.

[bruce]

Re: K-98 kick. Yep! That thing does rear up a bit! With 8mm heavy ball, it is impressive on both ends! Behind the buttplate recoil can be grim after about 100 rounds have been fired. One the other end I can say by experience that if you are firing standard ball at a target nailed to a large pine... say 30-32 inches in diameter, you will soon punch a hole all the way through said tree... and that if you happen to be standing around later drinking a Coke, you may get to watch it fall down. Who'd of thought it?!!! Sincerely. bruce.

[Calfed]

My sons and I shoot in the monthly vintage military silhouette match at Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. My reloads consist of a 200 gr Nosler Custom Competition and a fairly stiff load of IMR 4064. The recoil is stout, but I appreciate the knock down power at 550 yards on those 60 lb Rams. I haven't "rang" a ram yet with it.

Here is a pic of the range...

[PhillipM]

That looks like a great range!!

[Calfed]

That looks like a great range!!

Sacramento Valley Shooting Center is one of the best in California...everything from 25 yard pistol to 1000 yard rifle ranges...and most things in between.

Aerial view:

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=38.44031290637764~-121.0633072846057&lvl=15&dir=0&sty=h&form=LMLTCC

[jon_norstog]

'"
"'I think a lot of the reason the old milsurps do better is because the RemWinBy guy all want a featherweight barrel, preferably fluted.

There is truth in that, but the old military barrels are fairly narrow profiles also.

I used to think that until I had a Douglas #3 "medium sporter" barrel put on a Mexican Mauser. That is what they used to call a semi-bull barrel. When I fitted a nice Swede stock to that gun the barrel was loose in the channel, way more so than a standard step barrel.

I've noticed on a lot of those old long rifles, once you get them good and hot they will just put one shot after another into practically the same hole. Too bad that's such a great way to shoot out those old mild steel barrels!

jn