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Post by mike on Dec 16, 2015 1:37:32 GMT -5
Hey all,
Here’s the range report I promised.
After a long wait and in the last couple days frantically getting the Hankins SPML-45 scoped, powder charges measured, primer modules primed and bullets sized; I visited the range today to sight the rifle in and adjust the scope for a 100 yard zero. The day was overcast, cold with a high of 37 degrees and an 8 mph ESE wind that just bit through me all day long (should have dressed warmer). Wind was sort of annoying, but I was excited to shoot the new muzzle-loader.
I was a bit apprehensive about the gun’s recoil before firing the first shot, especially off the bench and not being equipped with a muzzle-brake, but it wasn’t bad at all. Certainly more of a wallop than centerfires up to about 30-06 class, but I doubt I will even feel it under hunting conditions. However, I don’t consider myself to be especially sensitive to high recoil, so maybe others may have a different opinion.
I did take my reloading press and adjusted the bullet sizing die twice during the day to obtain for the Match Hunter bullet, after sufficiently fouling the barrel, what I thought is a nice tight fit, but not too tight.
One issue, in retrospect, I wish I would have done is order the rifle with a stock having a higher comb or better yet, an adjustable comb. I just don’t feel like I’m able to get a solid, consistent cheek-weld the way it is set-up.
After shooting 45 rounds, I can tell this rifle is a very precise shooter and I’m very happy with my investment. I was especially impressed with the accuracy at 200 yards considering the minimal experience I have shooting the rifle.
I had a lot of fun today shooting my new baby. Want to thank all the guys who answered my questions and offered a lot of good information for the past four months since I signed on to this board. And a big thanks to Jeff Hankins for building me this fine rifle.
These are all three shot groups at 100 yards using 275 gr. Parker Ballistic Extreme for getting the gun on paper and rough sighting in the scope.
Made final scope adjustment with Match Hunter for 100 yard zero.
Next 3-shot group after 100yard zero adjustment. As close as one can get to a one hole group.
My first 3-shot group @ 200 yards using 275 gr. Parker Match Hunter. My point of aim was dead-on. Scope adjusted for 100 yards zero. POI approximately 3-1/2 inches low.
Second 3-shot group @ 200 yards. POA dead-on. POI 3-1/2” low.
Third 3-shot group @ 200 yards. All three holes overlapping. POA 3 MOA high. POI 3” high.
Ran out of powder vials so only had one final shot. POA 1-1/2 MOA high. POI 1/2” low. So to kill a deer at 200 yards with the gun zeroed at 100 yards, I need to aim 1-1/2 MOA high.
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Post by keith on Dec 16, 2015 6:31:52 GMT -5
Good shooting. The TH stocks do have too low a comb for the optics everyone uses. A new stock is the extreme fix but you could install and adjustable cheek-piece.
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Post by rojo23 on Dec 16, 2015 7:38:36 GMT -5
Mike, order a stock pack for your stock. Not sure how they fit on a TH stock, but if it works it would be a cheap/easy fix. I used the foam insulation that you install between a truck camper shell and the bed to get the correct height (it is about a 1/4" thick). I basically put a piece of foam insulation on the stock, and then installed the stock pack until it fit me perfectly. it took 3-4 tries.
Great shooting
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Post by schunter on Dec 16, 2015 7:56:08 GMT -5
Great first outing. What load were you shooting?
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Post by speedrackin on Dec 16, 2015 8:02:46 GMT -5
Mike , great shootin what u have there is exactly what I eventually want ......what are the specs on your gun ....barrel length etc.
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Post by nyhunter on Dec 16, 2015 8:22:05 GMT -5
Mike,
Fantastic shooting, you came out of the gate flying. !!! The way you’re grouping at 200 its point, shoot and DRT deer.
Good luck.
PS – glad you were able to post the photos.
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4buck
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Post by 4buck on Dec 16, 2015 8:58:59 GMT -5
Great shooting! What loads were you using?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 9:03:50 GMT -5
Way to go Mike ...Congrats on some fine shooting...
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Post by Yankee Bill on Dec 16, 2015 9:09:25 GMT -5
Very nice looking rifle, and a great shooting one too!
Congrats.
YB
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Post by nyhunter on Dec 16, 2015 9:27:27 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 10:56:32 GMT -5
Mighty fine shooting for sure!
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Post by 12ptdroptine on Dec 16, 2015 11:28:13 GMT -5
Looking good. All the way around!
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Post by jims on Dec 16, 2015 13:05:40 GMT -5
Nice outing.
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Post by 68hunter on Dec 16, 2015 15:30:14 GMT -5
Nice rig and very nice shooting.
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Post by Kyle on Dec 16, 2015 15:39:32 GMT -5
Mike, Great shooting! I started getting used to my rifle after about 60 shots. Seems that after it was fouled up good it shot better and better. Next agenda is the hair test! Send us pics. Congratulations!
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Post by keith on Dec 16, 2015 21:35:52 GMT -5
Where are you located?
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Post by mike on Dec 16, 2015 21:41:48 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I'm very pleased with the shooting results from yesterday's visit to the range.
Thanks for the suggestion to integrate a stock pack, I'll explore this option as well as a few others. Really need to modify the stock fit to achieve a solid, consistent cheek weld. Not sure I have the nerve or would want to add the Velcro patch, nyhunter, but it is funny!
Pursuant to the questions pertaining to the load I shot, it was the recommended 78 grains of IMR 4198 (weighed) with both the 275 gr BE's and MH's. I want to stay safe and don't have the experience to shoot any other charge than what Jeff Hankins recommends for his SPML rifle.
Regarding the question asking about my rifles specifications, it is as follows:
Remington 700 stainless steel short action, 28" Brux #19 Hunter stainless steel barrel 1-20" twist, all metal parts flat black Cerakote, Remington factory trigger, Remington factory recoil lug, Boyds Longrange Thumbhole stock, 1" recoil pad, ADL bottom metal, Badger Ordnance 20 MOA aluminum picatinny rail, Badger Ordnance Max-50 34mm 1" center height (standard) aluminum rings and Leupold VX-6 4-24x52mm with TMOA reticle (approximately .150" clearance between scope objective bell and barrel). This package certainly has not created a light-weight rifle, but at 13.4 pounds the weight is what tames the recoil to a very manageable level without a muzzle-brake. (sidebar comment: I'll never own another rifle with a muzzle-brake, absolutely incredibly loud for hunting and the muzzle-blast and noise is a huge annoyance to others at the rifle range.)
I've been second guessing not spending the money on a Jewel trigger, but after shooting the gun I feel the factory trigger broke very cleanly and unexpectedly. I'm not the most skilled shooter, but have a decent amount of shooting experience with a number of other rifles fitted with Timmney triggers and I'm not sure I can feel any difference in how the triggers break.
Kyle, I presume the hair test you refer to is shooting a bullet through some game. As a matter of fact, I leave Friday morning for north-central Missouri for the Missouri muzzle-loader opener Saturday morning. This rifle build, scoping and sight-in has come right down to the last minute. Hope to get a crack at a Missouri "holy-sh@t" Whitetail buck. If I get a chance and make a good shot, I'll post a photo along with my story. Curious to learn first-hand how the Match Hunter performs.
Regards, Mike
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 21:45:23 GMT -5
This begs the question: What is the recoil like without a brake??
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Post by mike on Dec 16, 2015 21:48:01 GMT -5
Keith, I live in far north-central Illinois, out on the open dirt prairie.
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Post by mike on Dec 16, 2015 22:10:18 GMT -5
Rambler, recoil, in my opinion, is subjective and variable based on shooting position, individual sensitivity to recoil and finished rifle weight. I don't think my rifle's recoil is at a level that will effect my ability to accurately shoot it. I'm a relatively large man with a good deal of big-bore shooting experience and not very recoil sensitive. The rifle is very heavy at 13.4 pounds. Worst case scenario is shooting from the bench and it wasn't extreme in my opinion.
I have a Browning .338 Winchester Mag that is very tolerable for me to shoot off the bench or in the field. On the other end of the spectrum I have a New Ultra Light Arms model 28 chambered in .300 WSM. This rifle weighs approximately 7-1/2 pounds and you better be ready to shoot it because it will "wake you up" especially off the bench.
Once again, I will never own another rifle equipped with a muzzle-brake. They simply are ridiculously loud, the noise and muzzle-blast is super annoying to anybody adjacent to where it is being shot and I'm not interested in making enemies at the range. However, I do notice that muzzle-brakes are certainly "in vogue" these days. I personally don't enjoy shooting next to someone shooting a brake equipped gun.
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