Finally got the chance to take it out and stretch it’s legs this Saturday. I used it in the light weight class of a local monthly match where you shoot at 5 distances from 560 yards out to 1,100.
I had the rest of my Ventura Munitions 140 grain BTHP factory reloads, and I also bought a box of Hornady American Gunner 140 grain BTHP rounds before I went.
It was roughly 48 degrees and started with barely a breeze, but halfway through the match the wind picked up and stayed at about 8-10 miles per hour from our side the rest of the match.
As decent as the Ventura ammo was at 100 yards sighting it in, at long distance it just didn’t seem to consistent. The targets are all 1 MOA at their distance, so essentially a 5.5” plate at 560 yards, 7.5” plate at 760, 11” plate at 1,100 etc. At 880 yards I got my elevation set, but only went 2 for 5 shots on the plate. My shooting buddy suggested I ditch the Ventura ammo and try the Hornady American Gunner. I noticed right away that my cycling was much harder. On the 5th round of my series at 960 yards, my bolt wouldn’t close. It was totally locked and I couldn’t get it to budge back open or closed. I was finally able to yank it back open, dropped the empty mag, and slammed a fresh mag in. Bolt barely closed but I got it. Fired off a round and missed. Ended up 2 for 5 at 960 as well.
Moved the next round to 1,100 yards and every time I tried to load a round I couldn't close the bolt. With my time constraints I tossed the Hornady ammo aside and went back to the Ventura. I went 0 for 5 at 1,100, but it was also at the peak of the 10mph wind. I tried and failed to load the 5 Hornady rounds afterword. After ejecting them, I noticed the marks on the bullets. It’s like they are seated to far out and hitting the lands to soon.
All 5 rounds had these marks after trying to load them. Two shooting buddies tried cycling them in their guns and had zero issues. Does the MPR have a very tight chamber?
After my ammo fiasco I moved the next round back up to 560 yards and my buddy gave me 5 rounds of his Hornady 147 grain ELD match ammo. This ammo was totally smooth loading with zero tightness. And I went 4 for 5 shoots on the small 5.5” plate.
Needless to say, I think I need to use better ammo. Or as my buddy told me “it’s like you drive a Ferrari but you put 85 octane in it”.