Newb range report

Iggy

Iggy

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 21, 2010
644
4
Northern California
#1
Yesterday I went out with t0kie to try out my new rifle. It was a beautiful day, perfect for shooting. This was my first time shooting this rifle, shooting 30cal, shooting a rifle of this kind. I have to say that I now have a HUGE appreciation for long range shooting and I am officially addicted. For some reason I get way more satisfaction shooting 10 rounds in 30-45 min than unloading 100rounds in 10min with my AR.

t0kie and I shot 180, 168, and 155 grain bullets and the rifle really liked the 168g Hornady A-Max.

One of the biggest things I learned is take what you read on the internets with a grain of salt, because everything changes when you shoot. Shoot before and after questions and make up your own mind about topics. My biggest challenge was getting accustomed to the recoil. The scope kept hitting my forehead. I purchased an AICS stock that I just got, but the rifle as is shoots way better than me with the SPS Tactical stock. (Disclaimer: I should have saved the money on the AICS for optics and ammo, but I wanted this stock and happened to get it at a good price. It just happens to fit me good too.)

Here was the equipment:
Rem. 700 SPS Varmint 26" barrel
AIM Sports Scope
Houge Stock from SPS Tactical
Shooting bags

Here are the pics:

The Range:
DSCN4715.jpg


Iggy:
DSCN4716.jpg


t0kie:
DSCN4713.jpg


The Group:
This was group at the end of the day. 10 shots at 100yards. (Be easy on me, I'm a total newb and my first time out!)
1stgroup.jpg
 
#3
Re: Newb range report

Very nice!

Something to think about with the group. I've found that if you lean into the rifle just as you fire it will cause the group to stray left a little. It's something pretty common... at least from my experience. Try dry-firing exercises until it becomes second-nature NOT to lean in.

Someone may come along and say I'm full of shit so take it with a grain of salt... and have FUN!!!
 
#4
Re: Newb range report

Nothing to be shameful about groupings like that. Keep shooting. I noticed that you arr shooting manufactured ammo. I am sure you can shrink the gouping down a bit with handloading and cheaper not to mention.
 
#6
Re: Newb range report

I'm still trying to manage the recoil. If I am too relaxed then the scope goes right into my face, if I buck up then I can't keep as steady. I dry fire as much as I can without looking like a ninja assassin in my apartment. For that same reason I can't reload because I don't have room, but someone referred me to LoadX, who can reload my brass for me. Even though it's factory ammo it's match, I don't know if that changes anything, but the rifle loves it.

I have to do a bit more research, but I want to get a better scope. I was looking at the SS line because of the price and I don't mind that it's fixed. Are there any decent scopes that have zero stops?
 
#7
Re: Newb range report

something to consider:

pickup a 22lr rifle and learn fundamentals. you can improve shooting ability while not breaking the bank shooting factory centerfire ammo. plus, no worry about the scope clocking your head!!
 
#8
Re: Newb range report

I have a 10/22 that I just ordered a new hammer for. I couldn't practice to well with it with a 8lb trigger! I'm building that a bit slower, but I defiantly need to practice cheaper.

along those lines I read that training on a 22lr at 200-300 yards is similar to shooting at 800 with the 308. Is there any truth in that?
 
#9
Re: Newb range report

Iggy-
22lr are great trainers. I'm sure somebody around here will be able to put it into perspective in relation to the .308. As far as zero stops are concerned I have had great success with all of my Nightforce optics. Spend the cash and that is a piece of glass that you can have for a long time.
If you have any questions about your form I'm sure a lot of guys would recommend to sign up for the online training here on the hide. There is a wealth of knowledge around here.
You are correct about match ammo. It can make the biggest difference in the world. Groups can go from 2-3 MOA to sub MOA with the same rifle when you make the switch to match grade. Most have had great luck with Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr BTHP when using it with the Remington SPS and experience well under sub MOA accuracy with that round and rifle.
Good luck and keep it up!
 
#11
Re: Newb range report

Looks like you can move that scope forward a bit in the rings. Toss the Hogue trash (read: sell here on the Hide), mount the AICS, its 100x more comfortable to shoot. And try shooting prone as well. Benches suck balls.
 
#14
Re: Newb range report

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Benches suck balls.
</div></div>

+1 Benches work for some people but I HATE them.

Nice group! For the first time out thats great. Slap that AICS on it and I would go for a Super Sniper 3-9x42 Mil/Mil if you have the money. There is also the Vortex Viper PST that is coming out.

Good luck and have FUN!
 
#15
Re: Newb range report

i too found that my 20' sps tac would sometimes come uncomfortably close to my face upon recoil...

what i did, and id recomend you doing is buy yourself a halfway descent bipod, and shoot prone. these 2 things i found will be great help on managing the rifle through recoil.

i had a problem with muzzle flip, due i suspect to the shorter barrel. my fix was to really load up the bipod, as in skoot up into the rifle then settle down with shoulder pressure into the recoil pad whilst prone, and the recoil went from 'pain in ass, to 'hmmmm, that felt like my .223'. if you find the bipod slipping as you lean your weight into it, grab a stick and dig 2 little holes in the dirt for the legs to sit in, then go crazy...proning out also transmits the recoil through your whole body, rather than just your shoulder when shooting from the bench.

like you said though, try it out as it may not work for everyone, and chase it with a good grain of salt.

just remember to breath, get your heart rate under control, control the trigger, and resist the urge to look up after each shot as its a sure way to kill consistant cheek weld.

good luck friend, if you ever get into reloading pm me and i'll hook you up some concotions ive had success with in my sps tac.

cheers and beers, jimi
 
#16
Re: Newb range report

Thanks for the advice and kind words! I will work on it and see what happens after the next time out!

What's the general idea for the SWFA SS 10x42? Is that a good enough scope until I save enough for a NF? I was looking at this scope because it's cheap, I can mount it on the AR or 10/22 when I get the NF, and I have read good things.
 
#17
Re: Newb range report

I don't know if this would work for you at all, however when I shoot from a bench I tend to get quite square to the rifle, much like you would if you were shooting from the prone. Get straight behind the rifle, seems that the recoil on my rifle tends to be more controllable for me. I have a lot of eye relief on my Leup, which also prevents it from recoiling back to give me a kiss.

Others have made really good suggestions of things to try. As for your group, that's not bad, it's actually pretty good for a first timer of .30 cal shooting. You may have to break the rifle in a little more and those groups will tighten up.

And when it comes to reloading, lack of space isn't really a excuse. I started reloading when I was in the army in my barracks room, which was more like a walk-in closet. I used c-clamps to hold the press to a wall-locker "desk". Reloading stuff doesn't take a lot of space when you are storing it away, I did the same thing in my 1 bedroom apartment while I was in college. Improvise, and overcome, there's a solution to every problem, you have a problem, and you have to find the solution yourself, we can't do that for you, unless there was a hide member living with you or something.

Keep up the good shooting, keep track of your round count, and maintenance habits/schedule, you'll thank me later.

Branden
 
#18
Re: Newb range report

Here is how she sits now. I slapped on the AICS and the gun feels good. The only thing that I didn't like was how low the scope was sitting so I put some higher rings I had. I can't wait to go out again!

AICS-flat.JPG


AICS-bipod.JPG


AICS-bipod2.JPG
 
#20
Re: Newb range report

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Forest12</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the new stock.
The rings seem a little high </div></div>
+1 you want your scope to sit as close to the barrel as possible. If your scope is to high it will cause you to have an improper cheek weld which will lead to inconsistent sight pictures which will lead to misses, also if your head is "free floating" this may be why your rifle is beating your face in
 
#21
Re: Newb range report

I don't know if I have a big head or something, but with the low rings it felt like my head had to be laid almost flat across the stock. to see through the scope. My head isn't free floating.

It's easy to drop the scope if it's really to high. Another thing to note the scope elevation turret is almost maxed out in terms of it going up, so wouldn't this bring the cross hairs down more?
 
#22
Re: Newb range report

Just a thought, you have PLENTY of room to reload, from what I saw in the pics. DO IT!!! lol

Great looking stick. Learn to shoot it well. You are already on your way. Good job.

yeah, I'm jealous of the range. I miss greenery.

Hasta,
Jeff
 
#24
Re: Newb range report

There is a pretty quick way to check out your scope height. Get into position behind the rifle(I would suggest prone) without looking through the scope. With your eyes close build up your shooting position with your cheek stuck to the stock, rest all the weight of your head on the stock and try to relax. Once that feels 'right', open your eyes and see where the scope is.

You want the scope to be where your eye is looking from a good position. So either adjust the cheek rest or the scope height to match.
 
#25
Re: Newb range report

That rifle is REALLY looking good!

I noticed something though... Your Scope/rings/base set up has absolutely NO room for moving the scope forward or back to find your optimum Eye-Relief. Might I suggest a one-piece picatinny base. Something that looks like this:
15dvw55.jpg
Just a thought...
 
#27
Re: Newb range report

Good call "oneshot onekill", you should definitely invest in a one piece base for that stick. It looks like you need to push the scope forward a bit, that might help a bit with getting wacked. As for your "newb groups", I think that was some damn fine shooting for your first time out. Get some reloading equipment and a one piece base and have fun.
 
#31
Re: Newb range report

The first place I would start is Right Here on the Hide! Do a little research on the forums and then go to the "post exchange" section and don't just look in the "optics and accessories" section. Check "Group buys" and "commercial sales" too.
 
#33
Re: Newb range report

There's also great info on reloading here too! Some of these guys have decades of reloading experience. I took a quick look at the link you sent and there was at least one thing that I thought could mess you up so I'd get a book on reloading and read, read, read. (The one thing was failing to mention when you lube a case don't over-do it. Depending on what case-lube you use you should be pretty light on the lube or you will crinkle the shoulders of your shells or get the shell stuck in the press). Also, I prefer to measure case length with calipers...It's just more accurate... and... I have never seen a re-sized case that didn't need trimming. Not that it doesn't happen, But count on trimming and de-burring.
 
#36
Re: Newb range report

iggy, first off nice shooting, it took me a few years to unlearn bad habits before i got my groups to tighten up.
i'm not sure were you are in nor cal butyou should come to sacramento and attend a ncpprc match you'll learn more in a weekend shooting with these guys there than a year here on the hide it's a great group of guys ncpprc.com and a suggestion on a place to get rings is mike cecil at cstactical.com he's here in sacramento and he can set you up with anything you'll need. plus he's a stand up guy who does right by his customers.
 
#38
Re: Newb range report

yes it's on the 18th. I attended last year and for 60 bucks you can't beat it we had probably an hour or so of tips and instruction from some of the top shooters in the country.
and then when your shooting there's a coach for every two to three people so you get lots of help out of 50 people only 1 or 2 didn't get any hits at a 1000 and that was inadequate ammo.
if your interested sign up asap it fills fast.
 
#40
Re: Newb range report

no trick just send it soon as you can after reg. opens.
last year i didn't find out about it till a couple weeks after registration opened and i called in and got the second to last spot. just tryin to give a brother fair warning lol
 
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