Started out getting ready for Practical Rifle. Today's match was a team match. I showed up without a partner but wasn't concerned at all cause knew there would be someone to partner up with. Oltmann and JMOP came too and partnered up. I ended up getting partnered with a nice guy who shoots the matches pretty regularly and was content with that. I am there more for fun than to take trophies so wasn't concerned. He also shot an AR but with iron sights so after some discussion decided that even though he had irons, my optics would put is into the optics class. Again, no big deal.

We shot the day, 4 great fast paced stages, one that involved trading weapons, couldn't have went much smoother. We both shot what we felt were respectable times but as the day went on and we watched other teams times we realized we were doin pretty well. Oltmann and JMOP were on fire just cleanin up a couple stages. They shot a couple stages over 20 seconds faster than the second fastest on them. On stages that took about a minute to shoot, that is a large margin of victory.

Anyways, shot all the stages, hung out and BS's with everyone, then scores came out. Oltmann and JMOP took 4th out of 19 teams which was awesome. But then the big surprise to me, my team mate and I took 2nd overall out of the 19 teams. Looking at the scoresheet looks that we just had a much more consistant day without any big miffs. I was stoked. I'm still stoked.

We hung out and BS'd a bit more. JMOP had to get goin so Oltmann and I headed to the 300 yard range to finger my bolt gun some. Right after we got setup Doug (the gentleman who has been helping teach me long range precision stuff) walked in and setup next to us. We ended up talking, he was watching our shooting, helping correct things, and pretty much turned into a full blown private lesson. He even got his tools out, tore my rifle down, and adjusted the trigger down to a nice crisp light pull. I can't believe how much nicer it is now. We shot some more under his eye and instruction and called it a day. Its amazing how much I learn from him is short amounts of time like this. He is doing a class in central Oregon dealing with 700-1200 yard shooting that I am going to try real hard to take.

A busy day of shooting but a great day of shooting with good friends. This is how weekends are supposed to be....

And one of my targets from the 300 yard line after the match. New loads I'm workin on to see if my rifle likes them. Apparently my rifle allows for two cold bore shots low.

Nice write up Jake. That was a good day at the range for sure.

I learned it's fun to hit quick, but not as much fun to miss quick. I like how challenging Practical Rifle is to shoot.

Doug is a wealth of knowledge, really fun to talk to him. I would really like to some of the comps he goes too, that would be a kick in the pants.

I looked up the 6.5x47mm Lapua, nice little cartridge. I like that the BC for the 140 class bullets is the same as the 190s in the .30 cal. I might be building something in a 6.5 someday.

Very nice summary Jake, consistency is the big thing. You guys were very good and consistent while Kev and I did great on a couple stages but terrible on another. It was a great day to be shooting though.

Sounds like you guys had a good time as well at the range. One of these days I need to get a rifle setup for one of Doug's classes. I'm really not too far off on a 308, just need to bite the bullet and get a few things.

Had you reworked your trigger yet Jake or was this the first time it had been adjusted? My factory Remington trigger was like pulling a safe, over gravel, with my finger. I want to get a Jewell trigger but I'm getting one for the BMG so the others will have to wait.

The trigger had been untouched and was still very high from the factory. Doug worked it down to an insanely better pull. I am kind of excited to see if there are any improvements tomorrow night with it.

I've also spent quite a bit of time reading about load development so I am going to start loading for that too. I've got 3 months before the summer sniper match and I want to be ready for it.

I also talked to Doug about this next class he is giving in Madras. Sounds that he is gonna do it the weekend after next and I cleared it today with the chic so that my son is taken care of for the weekend so I can go. I need to get my ass in gear cause I want to come home from that class with a recorded 1000 yard hit.