range report with some observations

[FLINT]

About a month ago, I finally made it to the gun range to make sure I was all sighted in for deer season. I took any of the leverguns that I thought I might use this year, as well as my muzzleloader.

Last Christmas, my wife got me one of those Garmin chronographs, so I took that along to try as well. Here are some observations from the trip

First, that Garmin chronograph is freaking awesome. So much better and easier to use in every possible way than my old Chrony. Just set it on the bench and it works. every time. I highly recommend it to anyone. A little pricey, but worth it for sure.

I'm not sure if anyone is interested in the velocities I got out of some factory ammo in 30-30, 35 rem, or 300 savage, but if so, I can list them. Was a little interesting.

Recoil. Of those three calibers, I can verify that at least in the rifles I was using that the 35 rem had significantly more recoil than either the 30-30 or the 300 sav. Obviously rifle weight is a contributing factor. My Sav. 99 is probably heavier than my marlin 336s, but the 300 savage seemed to have the least recoil, or maybe on par with my marlin 30-30. The sav 99 is a REALLY sweet shooting rifle. really sweet. It sports an old K2.5 scope with the post reticle. Why did the post reticle go out of style? I don't understand. I prefer it to the crosshairs. Very fast sight acquisition. Everyone these days seems obsessed with crazy magnification and giant scopes. I think this 2.5x post reticle scope is all I'd ever need deer hunting in appalachia.

I wasn't really shooting groups, just checking zeros at 50 and 100 yards, but all of the guns shot true and were a joy to shoot. My shoulder was getting sore though after several of those 35 rem brutes.

I wish I could shoot more, so if you are someone who has easy access to a shooting range, or who has property you can shoot on, please consider yourself blessed!

[samsi]

I like the post reticle and fixed power scopes myself. Just mounted and zeroed an old 6x M8 on my '06 last week. It seems that a variable is always set to less than optimum magnification when you need it.

Interested in the chrono numbers when you get a chance.

[piller]

Sounds as if you had a good day.

[Oldncrusty]

Lucky you on all fronts. Wish I could find a scope w post.. I been eyeballin a 99/ .300 for a while. If it hadnt gotten into the ugly wood line, it would already be here.