With the new scope wraps, I was now ready for anything. The European F-Class competition at Bisley (more on that later) was fast approaching so it was time to give the upgraded scope a try.
Old Sergeants Mess had a 1,000 yard target available, which was the perfect opportunity to try the new easy-read turrets.
(click photo to enlarge)
Sights set, first shot downrange – for a clear target! Not good. Check the wind, double check the elevation, another shot – another clear target.
What is going on? Two more shots – still no luck. A sinking feeling sets in, knowing the competition starts the following week. Off to the Zero Range, which at Bisley is a short (71′ 7″) range target for checking the zero on rifles. Why 71′ 7″? That is worth a post of its own.
Once at the Zero Range there I notice that the windage turret is loose. Who knows what adjustments I had actually been making, if any? And yes, that should have been one of the first things I checked.
A couple of shots to adjust the windage (it was 2 minutes off, not enough to explain the problem) and a few more to check the elevation. Then back to a 1,000 yards to get in some shots during the last hour. Still no contact, but some splashes on the sand. At this point, I think of those times I missed 10 clays in a row. Best thing to do sometimes is to stop shooting.
What was going wrong? Me, the scope, the rifle?
By the time I got home I was not feeling all that positive to say the least. I cleaned the rifle (like chicken soup, it can’t hurt!) collimated the scope (no problems), checked the rings (all tight). Then read this post on dealing with bad days. OK, the link is a golfing story, but the issues are the same.
The first day of the Europeans comes around. 800 yards to start. Elevation set, good feeling on the wind. First shot – a V-bull. Second shot was a 5. It does not get better than that (at least for me it doesn’t).
So what went wrong at 1,000 yards? I have no idea. Yes, I know that makes this post a bit less useful. And why did it come good in the end? Faith in the rifle goes a long way. And knowing you can make the shot, even if you don’t all the time, helps as well.
I confess that I do wish I knew why I missed those shots at 1,000 yards. But every day on the range is a new experience, and you learn something from every shot, even if it is just when to pack it in for the day!
PS Photo safety check – yes, the bolt is down, but the rifle is on the firing point, pointed downrange into the sand. If the bolt is up you cannot see the turrets.
