Rex's Firearm and Reloading Blog

Monday, September 7, 2015

Basic Shotgun Shell Selections

Hello All,

This post was a request from a fellow friend/shooter who is getting started into firearms and wanted some info on shotshell selections, lead only no steel. We will start out with upland bird, turkey, varmint, larger game and clay target shooting(Sorry no waterfowl yet.) I will try to stay with just the basics of off the shelf rounds, but this topic can open up a whole can of worms with off the shelf rounds and reloaded rounds. Don't forget about choke selections as well while reading this post.

Upland Bird Rounds

As stated above this is all of the shelf ammo, most manufactures offer the same shot as all the others. These will be all 2 3/4" Shell Length.

Let's start with Dove and Quail, your basic shot sizes you will be using in 7 1/2 and 8, depending on distance and bird size you may use 7 shot as well. Also shotshell shot will depend on gauge size as well for smaller birds you can go with a 20 gauge which will save on the destruction of smaller birds.

Pheasants, probably only be using a 12 gauge for these larger upland game birds. Basic shot size will be 6, you could go to a 5 if they are wild birds in open fields where your shots will be farther. If your shooting farmed birds in close cover, you could go down to a 7 shot if they are all close shots. Some people have different opinions on ammo in the the gun, some guys will load two 6 shots and a 5 for the last for the longer distance, and some will load two 6's and a 7.

Turkey

Turkeys, these will be heavy loads to knock down these tough old birds. These will be 12 gauge 3" length shells. Basic shot size will be 5 and 6, some state have shot rules for turkey hunting. Not much to say about turkeys shotshell, a lot depends on barrel length, choke size and stealthiness. I will be talking a little about chokes at the end of this post.

Varmints

Let's start with coyotes. These will be 12 gauge with choices from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2" length shells. Available options will be buck shot and slugs.

Buck shot used will be size, 1,4,00 and 000, slugs will be smaller less than 1oz rifled slugs for smooth barrels.

Squirrels have a few options to fit your need, these will be 12 gauge 2 3/4" shells, shot sizes will range from 4-6 depending on your need, food or just for pest eradication.

Deer

Buck shot and slugs will be your only choice for taking down deer or other larger game animals, these will be 12 gauge 2 3/4" to 3 1/2".

Buckshot will be sizes from 00 to 000. Slugs will be 1oz, rifled for smooth bore and sabots.

Target

This section will cover just a general overview of target shooting, I will not go into depth on each of the disciplines(trap,skeet,sporting clays) all will be 12 gauge 2 3/4" shells.

Shot size will be between 7-9 shot, 7 1/2 is widely popular for recreational shooters both for targets and some smaller upland bird, that size is most common in stores. I'd say over 95% who shoot target disciplines locally or professionally, reload, due to the fact they can tune the shotshell to there needs.

Chokes

Your choke will depend on a few things, game type, ranges, shot size/type and what you like. There are many different options fitting each and every combo of what you are shooting. Listed from the widest to the tightest group: Cylinder, Improved, Modified and Full. There many different variants of each one I listed.

Conclusion

Hope this helps anybody just starting out into the shotgunning world. Below I will ad a few links to in store shotshell brands, shot size charts and choke information below.

So long and thanks for reading.

Informative Links

Let me know if there are any links or brands you would like added to the list below.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Weekend Match Results, Routines and Talk

Hello All,

This weekend I participated in another Mini-Palma Match, with a better show than last time and I will expand on that later in this blog.

This match I shot a score of 430-14x out of a max 450-45x, which was better than my first showing of a 173-1x. Range conditions made for a nice day of shooting, other than the heat towards the second relay. First relay shot with a temp of 80F and climbed to 95F throughout the rest of the match, it broke 100F later in the day. The winds were anywhere from 1-7 Mph, blowing from the left to right then switching right to left across the range throughout the match, just as you would get dialed in on the wind it would switch directions on you and cause you to second guess your setup. I think next time I will have my own wind flags in front of me to help.

Between last match and this match I changed scopes, I took my rifle to the range to get the new scope dialed in, I got it on the paper then walked it into the bulls eye an got it there but ran out of "up" adjustment lucky me. So I made some shims to go under the rear scope mount due to the fact I didn't think I could a 20 MOA scope mount delivered in time. Me the procrastinator waited till the morning of the match to get sighted in. I had good 3 shot group under 1/2" in the bulls eye after 10 shots, figured I was good to go and I didn't want to waste anymore 22 rimfire than needed.

After I was all sighted in, I ran a dry patch through the bore and I saw the flags where up at the high power range so I headed up there. Helped set up targets in there frames and get prepped for the match. All the guys at the matches have been a great help and fun to shoot with. Good times Bs'ing in the pits and in the ready area too.

Onto the next topic, what is your post match routine?

After I gather all my spent casings an put everything away I head to my house, more importantly to the garage. I always wash my hands after the match or anytime I go shooting. Every time I am done shooting it is near lunch or dinner, so I figured the best thing to do is to wash as soon as I get home.

After chilling out for a while I will start my gun cleaning process. Depending on the last time I ran a wet patch through I normally just run dry patches. Before this last match I ran some JB's Bore paste through the bore. Between that and the CCI Standard Velocity I have been shooting I am happy with the amount of fouling I am seeing. Ran three dry patches last night through my rifle for my Mini Palma match.

These are my patches from last night, one trip through on each, top is the first. I really like that JB's bore paste I used this last time in the bore.

This is a 20 or a 12 gauge cotton cleaning brush that I use after taking the bolt out of my Savage 22, it really cleans out the black contaminated lube left over after shooting a bunch of rounds, that way I know I always have fresh clean lube in my action and on my bolt.

This weekend I shot CCI Standard velocity, I found it at the local supply store, the guy behind the counter keeps a few behind for the guys who shoot matches with it. It velocity is 1070 FPS, so far I am impressed on how it shoots out of my rifle and its only $9 for a 100 round box. I haven't tried any match ammo yet, I may experiment with that this winter when I have more time.

Well that's all I have for this week to chat about, thanks again and feel free to comment with questions or comments.

Rex

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Match Preparation

Hello all,

What do you do for match preparation? To be more precise, at home preparation.

Today I would like to talk about match preparation and more importantly, shooting position preparations. I know everyone gets there ammo, gun, etc., etc., ready, but what about your shooting position for your style of matches.

I shoot mostly prone in the matches I am involved in. The night before the match after I get all my goodies, range bag and accessories put together, I like to get the firearm I will be using out and get in the prone position on the floor with the scope cranked way down. From there I like to focus on a spot on the wall with my prone position closest to what I think I will be at when at the range. I just hold there and keep as steady as I can, I try different breathing techniques to see what the steadiest is for me, body position to see what is steadiest and rear rest position. I like to hold my position for a few minutes and study each one and find the best.

Dry firing. I don't do it, I like to just squeeze the trigger of a uncocked firearm, I know that I don't get the feel of the trigger letting loose and sending the firing pin towards the cartridge, to me it helps me know and control my trigger a little better and then when I am at the range I fire live ammo an pick up on the trigger control where I left off before. Probably only helps me in my mind.

So off of the firearms and onto the accessories. I pack everything the night before and have it ready. I like to group my ammo up if I know how many shots are in the match, keeps me a little more organized an prepared, especially if it's a timed match.

What are some things you like to do? Feel free to comment.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Just Another Windy Day

Good day all,

Well I got a Mini-Palma match under my belt now, but what a terrible performance.

If it ain't one thing its another. From a post earlier in the year my first Mini-Palma match got rained out, so I made it to the next one, lucky me the wind was only blowing around 20-25 mph, we went ahead and shot the match, I shot a 173-1x which is terrible, with that being said on top of the wind I found out my scope was garbage as well.

After the wind died down, I went back to the range to zero my scope back in. I walked the shots back into about 2" from right of center, went another 8 clicks(1/4" @ 100 yard clicks) the next few shots went left 1/2 inch and not right. So with the wind and a junk scope no wonder I shot like crap.

Well this weekend we had another Mini-Palma but as my luck goes the winds were even worse 27+ mph, so the match was cancelled.

Seems like I have switched gears again, from centerfire to rimfire. The rifle I am using is a Savage BTVLSS with a Nikon 6-24x scope(now) and a 6"-9" bi-pod, the palma matches are shot prone position at 100 yards with 22 rimfire. I need to purchase some higher end target ammo for my matches but keep procrastinating on that, I have found a local gun store who seems to have a good supply of CCI LR standard velocity, I have been having pretty good luck with that.

Some other things I have done to the savage was lap the bolt to make it a little smoother an lap the bore to help with any minor imperfections. I did adjust the trigger to the lowest it can be set with the factory accutrigger. Some other Mods that may be coming up would be a trigger, putting a 11 degree crown in and a larger bolt knob. I do need to order a 20 MOA rail for my scope. I ran out of adjustment on the "up" rotation of the scope.

I did complete my RSO training and now I am a certified RSO at my local range. I would like to become more involved out there in the future as well.

Rex

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

I'm Still around

Well is been awhile since my last post, this time of year I get busy at work. Spent a few days in Iowa in March and this month for training related to work.

I pulled out the Savage Model 12 .223 and worked up some 60grain Hornady V-max loads. Got it sighted in really well. Had three shots in the same hole at 100yards then the range went cold for a few minutes, last two shots went a little low, just shook my head at those two.

Made it down to Eastern Oregon in May for some Sage Rat/Whistle Pig one weekend. Met my Dad and Brother in Law, had a good time along with a productive day of shooting. At least 50+ rats where taken. My Savage Model 12 performed great. Most shots where with .22 rimfire out to 50 yards.

Squeezed in a NRA RSO(Range Safety Officer) training for my local range. Got the classroom/bookwork done. Now all that's left is the practical day at the range this weekend. Which will be about the day to day operations of the range, looking forward to this.

Thanks again for checking out my blog, feel free to comment and I hope I can get some more posts published sooner.

Rex

Monday, March 16, 2015

Scope Shopping For Match .22 Rimfire

Been shopping around for scope for my 22 rim fire match rifle. Rifle has a 3-9x on it now, been wanting something in the 3/4 to12-14x range. Been looking at the Vortex Crossfire II.

If anyone reading has any scopes on there 22 rim fire with a 12-14x scope, leave a comment with what brand,power,quality, how consistent your accuracy is with it and any other useful info you have on it.

I'm open to all comments and scopes. Like to get some info on some I don't have or been around.

Thanks for reading,
Rex

This Week In Shooting And Reloading 3/9-3/15/15

Hello all,

This week I got ready for a Mini-Palma match and did some more load development with the Hodgdon Benchmark Powder.

This week for the Mini-Palma match I practiced shooting prone at 100 yards with my 22 rimfire. Sighted it in a couple weeks ago. The range weather was terrible, the wind was blowing 27-32 MPH left to right and was overcast an sprinkling. My first shot of the day was about 6-8 inches right and good on elevation. So I held the right side duplex cross-hair point center of target and was hitting vertically online with center but about 1/2 inch low, my best 5 shot group could be covered with a quarter, I thought that was pretty good do to the wind and rain. Didn't adjust scope any, I figured if the wind subsides for the match I still want my original zero.

Didn't have time to order match ammo online, so I tried different brands I had, Remington gold, Winchester SuperX, and some Federal. Overall my tightest groups where with the Winchester SuperX.

The next day is the match. So I wake up sunday, pouring down rain. Get gun and gear packed up to head out. Get to the match 30mins early, only the match director and I are there, we wait tell the match start time still nobody shows, just great so back home I head. Now the next match is in May.

This week with the Benchmark powder, I only loaded .222, took my best group powder weight and loaded 1/4 grain lower, 1/4 grain higher and same. 10 rounds each. Shot all of them, my best group powder weight from last week was still the best this week.

Thanks for reading,
Rex