My first rifle build -- A long range precision 260 rem

[Onewolf]

That makes sense. I wish we had a longer range here .. just as well I suppose , other wise my annual budget would get used buying a long range rifle ..and walking 1000 yrds to set a target would play havoc with my pacemaker ....

We drive vehicles down to the target berms. And when I said "pasture" I meant it. It's literally a cow pasture with.... cows roaming around. Amongst all the other important things I've learned about (long range) shooting in the last year is cow herding/wrangling with my Excursion. The cows occasionally wander in front of the target berms so we go 'cold' and send 1 or 2 vehicles to "round 'em up and send them on their way". One time there were several horses out in the pasture. The horses were a much bigger problem because: #1) Horses spook. The cows never bat an eyelid even when firing large caliber rounds 50 yds away from them. #2) The horses have been known to gallop across the target berm, whereas the cows never go anywhere in a hurry.

[paperkite]

Too much Onewolf !! I had a cow chase me one time at my uncles place in southern Idaho... seems she was mad at me for parking his '62 ford pu in her pasture ( I was tossing hay ) and took it out on me first chasing me off then she backed up to the drivers door handle and let fly a runny pie ... I still laugh about that ...

[Onewolf]

I did a powder load test yesterday afternoon at 300 meters. Because of the conditions (5-14mph variable wind and lots of heat mirage) I probably should have done the test at 100y instead of 300m, but in the past I have usually found more conclusive results at 300m than 100y (when conditions support 300m grouping).

I don't see a really conclusive node, but if the 42.8 group had been under 2" than I might say that there is a node around 42.5.

• 41.6 = 2.088"
• 41.9 = 2.416"
• 42.2 = 1.983"
• 42.5 = 1.189"
• 42.8 = 2.670"
• 43.1 = 3.118"
• 43.4 = 5.152"

[paperkite]

The 42.5 looks promising. now to try other powders to see if that flyer can be moved in closer. One of our Range Masters said the Nosler reloading manual does a good job of testing all powders to find the most accurate place to start as it tests over a range of bullets etc . I am going to check in to that as I am in the process of finding the best combination for a varmit hunt this fall in Montana and want to load for two calibers 22 Hornet and 223 for 200 to 300 yard shots.