My first entries for this year's contest. This was my second time shooting the M1917 Eddystone I acquired from MajSpud. Beautiful day for shooting and the first time in a long time I had the range to myself.
The temperature was above freezing, but there was still snow, albeit very little of it, at the range:
But, I realized when I got to the range I had forgotten the spotting scope. Thankfully I was the only one there today so I was able to use my patented "take a few shots, run down, inspect, run back, repeat" method. All told I logged 3/4 a mile jogging.
The first time out I shot the FN 57 surplus I picked up almost two years ago and wrote about
here. At 100 yards, it was actually quite low, for whatever reason.
This time I shot reloads using 168gr BT with Accurate 2495 which, unlike the Accurate 2520 that gave me problems with 8mm Mauser loads as chronicled in the Reloading subforum, is an extruded powder. I have to say it burned very cleanly and I was pretty pleased with it. I'm glad I got three lbs of this and not the 2520.
On the first target, I started a bit high and left before settling down.
I don't think I've ever had so many "edge" hits but they were in my favor this time, just barely.
Finished with a 91-1x.
On the second target I was starting to run out of time.
For whatever reason it looks a little better to my eyes but the two low shots resulted in an identical 91-1x score.
Did I mention how much I like 30-06?
I am enjoying the rifle a lot. It is very pleasant to shoot and the sights work better for my eyes than the tangent and post variety.
I still have under 100 rounds through it, so I will shoot it some more before deciding if I want to adjust the sights at all.
I purchased a Hornady 30cal neck sizer so whenever I can figure it out, I've separated the 1917 brass from my other 30-06 brass to see if I get any improved accuracy.
Nice to get my first two match targets under my belt, I have 7.62x54R rounds done up, probably for Friday. But with highs projected in the 40s, the last specks of snow might be gone.