This past Christmas, my bride surprised me with the gift of two training days at NTRP. I had previously created a thread ( Link ) which showed my initial experienced at NTRP, so I wanted to pass on some of my thoughts from my second trip. This post contains elements of training, equipment, optics, etc., so I decided to consolodate it here instead of making multiple threads in the different sections.
After my initial training session, I started looking to put together a rig that would get me out passed my limits with the .308. I took a Remington 700 SPS chambered in .300 wsm and placed it in a McRees MP-MODSS chassis. I tried a couple scopes and eventually found a USO SN-3 that was similar to the one on my .308 Rem 700P. I worked to find an acceptible LR load, trying many of the usual suspects (Amax, SMK, VLD). Finally, I found a promising load using the combination of the Hornady 208 gr Amax and R-19.
I was now in the position that many of us find ourselves in, where we have the need, but not the availability of a range that offers the space to practice. All of the stars alligned for me and I made friends with a land owner who gave me access to many acres of land about 30 minutes from my house. For about 7 months, I was able to shoot out to 1,000+ yards when my off days allowed it. I used these days to refine the load and practice the fundamentals I had been taught during PR-1 and PR-2 at NTRP.
After Christmas, I contacted CKA and arranged the training days on a March weekend. The weather factor played a large part in my abbreviated visit this past weekend, but I was able to make the most when the rain died down (unfortunately my photography was also limited by the weather). Upon my arrival, I was impressed with the improvements that had been made at the NTRP range since my last visit. Most noteably, there were now permanent shooting towers added at 1350 and 1780 yds. The range also now featured about four times the amount of steel targets as I had engaged last year. I was really impressed with the continual evolution of the facility and the added challenges for a returning client. He also had added reactive steel targets, dualing trees for pistol training and even a car to practice shooting from and around.
This is a shot of me at the 1350 tower with my McRees rig. That's CKA's GAP-10 6mm Creedmoor in the foreground (Yes, 6mm Creedmoor, not 6.5mm).
My McRees rig is almost stock, all I have added are a DD Ross bolt handle, Tubb Speed Lock, Jewel Trigger and FTE muzzle brake. The fact that I was shooting an unbedded, untrued action, factory Remington 700 SPS rifle with the precision I experienced out to 1,350 yards is a testament to the inherent accuracy afforded by the McRees chassis. The BO FTE break really tamed the recoil of the wsm loads and the USO SN-3 was more than enough optic to get me consistently on at 1350 yards. This was shot through my GAP Reticle SN-3 from the 1780 tower illustrating my poor macro iphone skills:
The large white square to the left of the 5 mil hash is the target for the 1780 tower. It is a piece of 3' x 3' steel which is still very clear and visible with my 17 power USO SN-3. I did make an attempt at the mile plus shot, with no success. I had already experienced a 1 mil variance in my 1350 dope from down here in the swamp to up in the hills of north Texas. Despite my best efforts, the ground was just too wet to see any splash from my shots, so no adjustments for wind calls or dope could be made. CKA even broke out his big spotter (Hubble jr), with no success. It does give me a challenge to work towards for my next visit.
We shooters tend to recommend what we have had success with and have justifiably developed a brand loyalty towards. I should say that I'm not sponsored by Hornady, USO or McRees. I am just impressed with the performance I have experienced from using these products and I will continue to use the gear and support the companies.
Many times on here, guys ask about this stock or that scope. I always respond with finding what fits you the best. I don't know it they will work for you, but I feel that I've found the right combination of gun, stock, scope and ammo for my needs.
After my initial training session, I started looking to put together a rig that would get me out passed my limits with the .308. I took a Remington 700 SPS chambered in .300 wsm and placed it in a McRees MP-MODSS chassis. I tried a couple scopes and eventually found a USO SN-3 that was similar to the one on my .308 Rem 700P. I worked to find an acceptible LR load, trying many of the usual suspects (Amax, SMK, VLD). Finally, I found a promising load using the combination of the Hornady 208 gr Amax and R-19.
I was now in the position that many of us find ourselves in, where we have the need, but not the availability of a range that offers the space to practice. All of the stars alligned for me and I made friends with a land owner who gave me access to many acres of land about 30 minutes from my house. For about 7 months, I was able to shoot out to 1,000+ yards when my off days allowed it. I used these days to refine the load and practice the fundamentals I had been taught during PR-1 and PR-2 at NTRP.
After Christmas, I contacted CKA and arranged the training days on a March weekend. The weather factor played a large part in my abbreviated visit this past weekend, but I was able to make the most when the rain died down (unfortunately my photography was also limited by the weather). Upon my arrival, I was impressed with the improvements that had been made at the NTRP range since my last visit. Most noteably, there were now permanent shooting towers added at 1350 and 1780 yds. The range also now featured about four times the amount of steel targets as I had engaged last year. I was really impressed with the continual evolution of the facility and the added challenges for a returning client. He also had added reactive steel targets, dualing trees for pistol training and even a car to practice shooting from and around.
This is a shot of me at the 1350 tower with my McRees rig. That's CKA's GAP-10 6mm Creedmoor in the foreground (Yes, 6mm Creedmoor, not 6.5mm).
My McRees rig is almost stock, all I have added are a DD Ross bolt handle, Tubb Speed Lock, Jewel Trigger and FTE muzzle brake. The fact that I was shooting an unbedded, untrued action, factory Remington 700 SPS rifle with the precision I experienced out to 1,350 yards is a testament to the inherent accuracy afforded by the McRees chassis. The BO FTE break really tamed the recoil of the wsm loads and the USO SN-3 was more than enough optic to get me consistently on at 1350 yards. This was shot through my GAP Reticle SN-3 from the 1780 tower illustrating my poor macro iphone skills:
The large white square to the left of the 5 mil hash is the target for the 1780 tower. It is a piece of 3' x 3' steel which is still very clear and visible with my 17 power USO SN-3. I did make an attempt at the mile plus shot, with no success. I had already experienced a 1 mil variance in my 1350 dope from down here in the swamp to up in the hills of north Texas. Despite my best efforts, the ground was just too wet to see any splash from my shots, so no adjustments for wind calls or dope could be made. CKA even broke out his big spotter (Hubble jr), with no success. It does give me a challenge to work towards for my next visit.
We shooters tend to recommend what we have had success with and have justifiably developed a brand loyalty towards. I should say that I'm not sponsored by Hornady, USO or McRees. I am just impressed with the performance I have experienced from using these products and I will continue to use the gear and support the companies.
Many times on here, guys ask about this stock or that scope. I always respond with finding what fits you the best. I don't know it they will work for you, but I feel that I've found the right combination of gun, stock, scope and ammo for my needs.
