Those that know me realise that i am from a hunting background, rather than "target", and had never been on a rifle range two and a half years ago, so i still have a strong interest in hunting gear.
I couldnt shoot because of my recent shoulder operation, so was forced to sit it out ..............very difficult thing to do, but we had organised this many months ago, so I didnt want to deprive my guests of their enjoyment.
All of these rifles have proven to be very accurate, and there is no doubt that they would be competetive in any F Class event. The owners have simply chosen to set them up as hunting/tactical style rifles that they arent afraid to get dirty.
From the closest rifle in picture:-
Stuart's 300 Win Mag. Kelbly Atlas long action, AI bottom metal, Jewell trigger, Kelbly stock and March FX 5x-40x * 56mm in Mil-rad and Atlas bi-pod
Annie's 308 win, Kelbly Atlas short action, AI bottom metal, Jewell trigger, McMillian A-5 stock, March F 3x-24x * 52mm prototype in Mil rad, Atlas bi-pod
Vince's 300 WSM, Kelbly Atlas short action, AI bottom metal, Jewell trigger, Kelbly stock, March FX 5x-40x * 56mm MOA, Atlas Bi-pod
Stuart's (Stefans this weekend) 6.5x47mm, Stiller Tac 30 action, Jewell trigger, KMW stock, March FX 5x-40x 8 56mm with MOA. Atlas bi-pod
Phil's 338 WSM, Redback sleeved Rem, AI bottom metal, Shilen trigger, McMillian A-5 stock, March FX 5x-40x 8 56mm with MOA. Atlas bi-pod
One of our friends had got hold of a pretty neat accessory from the USA called a Hog Saddle, which lets you firmly hold a rifle in a special clamp that sits atop a decent trii-pod. It gives quite extraordinary stability and control of your rifle whilst standing, allowing you to shoot over tall grass and still be confident of a virtual benchrest shot. Apparently there are quite a few of these in use in Afghanistan with US forces deployed there. They sell for around USD$330-00 in the US. It takes just seconds to lock in, or unlock the rifle from the "Saddle"
The rifle sitting in the Hog Saddle is a 300Win Mg, Kelbly Atlas long action, AI bottom metal, McMillan A5 stock, March FX5x-40x*56mm with Mil-rad. Atlas bipod
Given the very few shots that are actually taken by hunters from the prone position, this looks like it has some serious potential. It allows great left/right/up/down panning and locks on target when you release the hand hold.
Winds on the day were pretty challenging, and the 300WSM won the group shooting session on paper. A visiting Swedish benchrester won the steel section with a win clinching 3 hits out of 5 at 904 yards on 12' x 12" steel, using a 6.5 x 47 Lapua in really ugly conditions. Closer steel ranges were fairly well split with no one rifle or calibre dominating.
All participants try and spot the fall of shot as each shooter takes their turn, and the day always concludes with a gourmet roast dinner and a lot of good wine.
Somehow it was more genteel than trying to write Rod Davies off at Canberra Queens................which failed badly as a tactical exercise !
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