Range Report

DocCoyote

DocCoyote

New member
I finally got a chance to put my new DTech AR through the ringer today. I've put some factory Remington ammo through it with less than spectacular results - 1-1.5". But...I just finished reloading my own with 77gr Berger BTs and 60gr V-max's and results were much better. Pics and descriptions to follow.

I also tested my new bench that I just finished building. I got the plans from the internet and added a few modifications of my own and am pleased to say that it a very good rest for being portable. Here are some pics:

Guns013.jpg


The bench top is made from two layers of 3/4" inch particle board and topped with a layer of 3/4" birch veneer finish plywood. Each layer was laminated together with Gorilla glue and trimmed with 1"X3" birch.
Guns017.jpg


The legs are made from 1" black iron pipe with caps on the ends to keep the leg from digging into the dirt.
Guns003.jpg

Guns002-1.jpg


The front rest isn't ideal (obviously) but it works and with the bags I can get a very steady rest.

My gun is a DTech Oly Ultramatch 24" .223 Rem with a 1:8 twist barrel and topped with a Sightron SII 4.5-14X42mm Illuminated Mildot scope.

Guns001.jpg


The target was placed 112 long steps away stapled to a palate. Here's my best group:
Guns014.jpg


I'm still in the early phases of developing a load. So far I've had the best results with 23.5gr and 24.5gr of Varget topped with the 77gr Berger bullets. My best group today was .672" measured with the calipers and all were under 1".
 
Quote:
How much does the bench weigh?



I'm guessing it weighs about 75lbs. The legs can unscrew from the mounts so it can be transported easily.

By the way, I'm just curious, am I out of touch to think I can tighten those groups up more? I think right now, I'm the limiting factor. What do you think? Any tips?
 
Very nice rifle!! Obviously a .67" group will kill coyotes very nicely, BUT.. yeah you can probably tighten them up some if you want. It would not be unusual at all for one of Mike's guns to consistently shoot .25" groups under perfect conditions with the right loads.

I like to know what my guns are capable of. That way I know any deviation from that is due to me.

Start with load development. Dan Newberry has a variation on the "ladder method" that works pretty well here: http://www.clik.to/optimalchargeweight

Do it for each bullet/powder type you want to shoot. You may very well find that the most consistently accurate load for any given bullet is not at max velocity. At that point you need to decide whether you want all the velocity you can get, or the best accuracy (my choice).

After figuring out what powder/bullet combo seems to work best, you can play with other "accuracy tweaks" like distance off the lands, concentricity, etc., etc., if you want to.

Next you need a REALLY stable shooting platform. Your bench looks pretty sweet for actual use, but for testing purposes you'll probably want to shoot off of concrete.

Then I like to use a rest that the gun will sit in, stable, ready to fire, all by itself. Remember you are testing the gun/ammo, and the only way to effectively do that is to eliminate yourself from the equation. I still let the gun recoil into my shoulder, especially with heavier recoiling guns, but with no pressure from me anywhere on the gun except the trigger (and guard). In other words, I'm basically not touching the gun and letting it "free recoil".

Aim the gun precisely before each shot, but for best results, you should be able to step away and come back later and still have it precisely aimed.

The thing that's sometimes the hardest to do, you'll want to pick a time when there is NO wind at all. You're testing the rifle/ammo, not your wind doping skills.

You'll probably come up with groups that will amaze you (take pics). Any other time you shoot (using "normal" techniques/conditions), you'll know that whatever differences in group size between the "test" groups and any others are entirely due to your skill level.

It can sometimes be a little depressing and frustrating to know a gun will consistently shoot .25" groups without you being a factor, and the best you can do using "normal" shooting technique is .75", but it can also encourage you to improve your abilities.
 
I agree witn NMLeon about taking the human factor out of the bench shooting as much as possible. When initaily looking for the best accuracy, I use a Caldwell Lead Sled as it has a 'pocket' for the rifle butt and then after getting the best group I can that way, I will switch to shooting without it to allow me to adjust scope, etc. to meet any oddities that I may be introducing into the accuracy factor while hunting.
 
Thanks nmelon and OldTurtle! Great advice. I read the page about the ocw, not sure if I understand it. I'll read it one more time and maybe ask some questions then.
 


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