Scored big Springfield M2

[W.R.Buchanan]

When I was 18 years old I bought a Mauser ES340B which I shoot monthly at our Rimfire Silhouette matches. I paid $50 for it in 1968, and it is my most prized possession. At the same time there was a Springfield M2 at the store for $90 and I had the money but my mother refused to let me buy it, since I had just bought the Mauser.

I have seen 3 others in person until yesterday. One showed up at my local Hardware store, and it is a nice one! with a 4 digit SN and a barrel made in 1942. It was probably refurbished in 1942 with a new barrel and then dispersed to the DCM for sale. The gun has a nearly new stock such as would have been installed by the DCM during a refurb. The other three had seriously oil soaked stocks.

I have to contact the SA Museum for a complete history of this gun as soon as I actually get it.(CA BS being what it is, I will get it about Dec 7)

The gun is not a Civilian Sales model as it is not drilled and tapped for scope mounts. It is a Military Marksmanship version.

The gun has a Lyman 17A Globe sight on the front and is the version that dovetails into the standard SA front sight base. It will be replaced by a normal SA blade front sight, as the globe sight is a non standard add on.

Another interesting feature is the Lyman #48 A,B or C (depending on your source)

The bore is perfect, as is the crown. The interior of the gun is a little dirty but it will clean up perfectly, and this gun is definately going to shoot.

The only thing missing is a sling and I know exactly where to get a nice one. Turner's

This is without a doubt the best example of one of these guns I have seen in my lifetime. (since I have seen a total of 4) Apparently they made about 11,172 of these guns. The gun is "nearly" NRA Excellent. It will be nearly perfect after a few minor cosmetic upgrades.

I found one really good article on the history of these guns on the internet and it included a lot of the fine points about them however if anyone has any exclusive first hand knowledge I would appreciate any feedback that you have. Pics are also appreciated.

I will post pics of the gun as soon as it is in my possession .

Only a 45 year gap between wanting the first one, and actually getting this one! not bad huh?

My Mother is gone now and can no longer tell me,,,NO!

Definately a good investment!

[smilie=w:

Randy

[Mk42gunner]

I know I have bought a few guns that I wanted in my younger days and either couldn't afford or couldn't find when I had the money.

Please keep us posted on how it shoots for you.

Robert

[captain-03]

That one is at the very TOP of my very short list to own!! Congrats on your score!!

[W.R.Buchanan]

Got the proper front sight tonite off Ebay for $25. I was surprised at how much stuff there was for these guns on there. One guy had several bolts,,, of all things.

I pick up the gun Friday after next, Dec 6. Should have the sight well before then.

I wanted an extra magazine for the gun so I went on Ebay looking for one and lo and behold there was a guy who had two of them.

What a bargain at $200 each! I think he's a little too proud of them and I will find another one someplace.

Going to call the SA Museum tomorrow and see if I can get the sales history of this gun. It has a four digit SN, hopefully they will have a record of it somewhere.

Randy

[Bent Ramrod]

Congratulations on your find. Those .22 Springfields are classics. I would be especially interested in a pic of the slide on the MOA Lyman 48 sight.

My own rifle has what looks like the standard "long slide"48.

Good luck on your search for an inexpensive extra magazine. I looked for years and finally found one for $90. I guess it's only money, but it's hard to regard that much money as "only.":roll:

[Forrest r]

Nice find!!!!

There's just something about those old world class target 22's. They have a feel/quality/craftsmanship that comes out of them as soon as they are held.

Enjoy, your in for some quality range time.

[Artful]

Congrat's, back in the day Junior Rifle had one to two on loan - then turned them back in for something newer. Sweet guns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpQmVGaDUQk

Found this...


I originally purchased one through the DCM back in the 1960's for the princely sum of $19.50! We will not see the kind of workmanship and those rifles exhibit again.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2009/post-61-1261787291.jpg
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2009/post-61-1261787303.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/87/9a/95/879a95f5bd13fa30462859220decf4e3.jpg
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2009/post-61-1261787403.jpg
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2009/post-61-1261787409.jpg
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2009/post-61-1261787451.jpg
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_12_2009/post-61-1261787416.jpg
As I understand it, there are two major types of M2 bolts.
The early type was not adjustable for headspace. These were used on the first 4,300 or so M2's.
Brophy says 3,800 but that is too low. I have an M2 with SN above 4200 and it has the early type bolt that is numbered to the receiver. The early type bolt is very easy to recognize as the locking lug is exactly like the safety lug of a 1903. The second type that went into production about 1935 has the headspace adjustment screw. Brophy pictures some different types of adjustment screw heads and types of set screws or plugs that lock the adjustment screw in place. I have never been very concerned about the different types of set screws as the bolt number matching the receiver number is what is important to me.

[Artful]

Non-issue M2's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzbvSOMcYEs
www.collectorsfirearms.com/springfield-m2-22-lr-caliber-carbine-r10874/#.UpUc0tJDtuI
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5100/7g4m0/products/23771/images/109031/56a786ab37ac40f22ed0916da7f7d112__00510.1349193314 .1280.1280.jpg
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5100/7g4m0/products/23771/images/109034/10da9ba786d9e9b5418d9b7ae9012428__02265.1349193315 .1280.1280.jpg
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5100/7g4m0/products/23771/images/109038/bd58b23eac7692e7664f6599f711ea0f__46872.1349193317 .1280.1280.jpg

[Artful]

http://www.lsbauctions.com/865/us-springfield-armory-1922-m2-wwii-22-lr-training-bolt-action-rifle-mint-cr-ok/


US Springfield Armory 1922 M2 WWII .22 LR Training Bolt Action Rifle Mint, C&R OK

LSB#: 120404JF07

Make: Springfield

Model: 1922 – M2

Serial Number: 10759

Year of Manufacture: 1942

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle, Magazine Fed

Markings: The barrel is marked “S A / Flaming Bomb / 1 – 42”. The frame is marked “U. S. / Springfield / Armory / Cal. .22 M2 / 10759”. The bolt handle is marked “NS / M2”. The bolt is marked “M2”. The barrel band is marked with a “U”. There is an “O” on the underside of the bolt handle. The stock is marked “S. A. / G.”. There is also an “R” on the butt of the pistol grip butt.

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: This rifle is mounted with a hooded blade front sight and a fully adjustable, correct Lyman receiver mounted peep sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is oil finished military wood. The markings are sharp and there is no evidence of a refinish. The surfaces show just a few scattered depressions and areas of discoloration. Overall, the stock rates in about Excellent overall condition. There is one hairline crack behind the upper tang. The LOP is about 13”.

Type of Finish: Military Matte

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no pitting or erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. There is some very scattered thinning on the barrel, these hardly warrant mention. The leading edges of the frame show thinning. The metal shows only slight natural age, no erosion and no rust. The rifle is honest as could be and truly sharp. The Screw heads are sharp, though just a bit worn. The markings are crisp and clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This is an important and valuable U.S. rifle. These rifles were designed to mimic the full size Springfield Model 1903’s, yet were chambered in .22 LR. The goal was to give soldiers trigger time on a Springfield 1903, without the expense of .30 Caliber ammo. Many M2s were used for competition shooting after the war. The Springfield M2 has become a desired collectors piece – much like all training and sniper rifles, bring a premium over the standard models. This one is truly sharp, with cartouched wood, original metal and wood finish and a mirror bore. You would be hard pressed finding a better Springfield M2.
http://www.lsbauctions.com/wp-content/uploads/M2.jpg
Sold For: $1,311
and


If the barrel and receiver are browned, the rifle is one made for sale to the public.
If the barrel and receiver are blue the rifle was an issue rifle, probably sold off later on.
These are fine rifles and quite a few were converted to center fire and 22 Hornet.
In fact, the first 22 Hornet rifle was a M1922 M1. The M1 is the stock design.
This rifle should also have screw holes in the barrel for two scope blocks. This was standard on these rifles.
This is a highly desirable rifle in any condition and this looks good.
and


Built by Springfield Armory prior to WWII I believe as a training target rifle. Action is a reduced 1903 type with a 5 round detachable magazine. Lyman adjustable peep sight and Lyman Globe front sight with inserts. Originally issued as the M1922 M1 with the M2 being the last of the series. A quality rifle in all aspects which would be it's eventual downfall as the government could no longer afford to build this rifle and went to commercial target rifles instead. Those willing to sell one will receive a fine price indeed as these are rare and definitely collector rifles.

Was fortunate to have my high school ROTC rifle team issued these rifles which we used to compete against the likes of Winchester model 52s and Remington model 37s. If I had one of these it would have to be torn from my cold, dead hands.

Reference book to have
The Springfield 1903 Rifles: The Illustrated, Documented Story of the Design ...
By William S. Brophy

And
http://johno.myiglou.com/images/springfield2.jpg


Built by the Springfield Armory in the 20's and 30's for training purposes. It simulated the weight of the 30 caliber rifle, while consuming the much cheaper .22 ammunition. To keep the weight in line, Springfield used a 30 caliber barrel, underbored to .22, and in the process accidentally created an extremely accurate rifle.

I got this one partially out of sentimental attachment. I was shooting my father's M2 at the age of 13 - when I was younger, I couldn't hold it up. M2's have become quite expensive in the last few years, with pristine examples bringing upwards of $1,000 these days. I got this one much cheaper ($500) because the stock had been refinished. Or so I thought... read on. Was offered $700 for it before I could get out the door of the gun show, but I bought it to shoot, not to make money on.

This is a later M2, with the small peep sight on the rear. I'd love to find the larger peep sight, as this one doesn't really blank out the background. But, it shoots well, even if the clip doesn't feed correctly.

Update - I have been able to trace the serial number on this particular M2, and it's origins explain the shiny stock which I had previously attributed to an ill advised refinish. This particular rifle began its service life at the US Coast Guard Academy, which tends to explain the shiny finish - put on for the cadets to agonize over.

[Artful]

Other Links
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/2010/09/23/featured_rifles_rs_m2springfield_201002/

http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/wwIItms/TM9_280_1944.pdf
- if you want to buy a reprint http://www.amherst-depot.com/weapons-manuals.htm

http://www.worldcat.org/title/us-rifle-caliber-22-m1922-m1922mi-and-m2/oclc/430964747

https://sites.google.com/site/alliswd45/springfield1922-m2

http://www.sarcoinc.com/springfields.html#3

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Search.htm?s=Springfield+1922&cat=SPRINGFIELD+1922M2

triple K replacement magazine @ $48 each!
http://www.triplek.com/Products/id/38/grp/412/prd/1190/

22 hornet conversion info
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=334476&page=1

[W.R.Buchanan]

Art: thanks for the links, I already had the article from Rifleshootermag.com but the TM9-280 was a good shot and I bought one from an outfit in FL for $20 from the link you provided.

I also bought Brophy's book off Amazon tonight.

All of your help on research is much appreciated. :awesome: I told you that you're better at it than I am.

Will be calling Sarco tomorrow to see if they actually have a M2 magazine. They are famous for not updating their website. I can still hope.

Today was a busy day and I managed to get in touch with the curator at the SA Museum and he told me my gun was made in 1936.

I then got ahold of Phil at the CMP armory and he was very informative and directed me to a guy in Bamalama named Lynn Meridith who told me all sorts of interesting tidbits about these guns and then directed me to a guy in Arkansas who is considered by many to be the foremost authority on these guns. Herschel Garner. I emailed him with a request for any and all info on my particular gun along with some pics of the pertinent parts. He is purported to have a serious collection of M2's. Hoping he will cut loose with a magazine.

As best I can surmise at this time my gun was made in 1936, and refurbished with a new barrel and stock in 1942. The telltales are mismatched numbers on the bolt, a new barrel from 6-42 and a stock that has no cartouches and looks like new. The gun is a military gun not for sale to civilians (no holes for scope mounts) And appears to be in 95%+ condition.

I will have to some minor cosmetic work to the bolt handle which has some dings on he knob, and clean and re-blue the Lyman #48C.

I am hoping to find out when and how it was de-mil'd and if it was sold thru the DCM or CMP. If I can find out the path of ownership on this gun it will increase it's value tremendously, as will boxing it.. Having the gun and extra mag, and all of the documentation in one place will definitely be a coup!

Mind you I don't intend to sell this one for a while, but when I do it will go out the door for $. I am going to win my class for Rimfire Silhouette this year shooting my Mauser ES340B with the open sights. Next year it will be with the M2 and Peep sights.

Here's some pics I took of the gun today while it is still at the Hardware Store living thru CA BS. Note the figure in the buttstock. The other side is better , unfortunately my pics don't do the gun justice.

This is a nice one and a definite treasure.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

Of course Sarco didn't have anything, and since they never update their website you have to find out by calling them. I asked the girl why they never update the website,, she said "I don't know!"

Oh well,,, it's not like I expected to be able to find one of these easily. Maybe I'll get lucky elsewhere. Hope it doesn't take 45 years like the rifle did.

Randy

Update: Got a magazine from the collector in Arkansas who also provided some more info on the gun. The gun was probably in the ROTC program until 1957 when they were all recalled and sold by the DCM. This person has a gun that is within 80#'s of mine, so it is reasonable to think they came from the same general area.

[savagetactical]

The M2 is a squirrel killing machine .

[W.R.Buchanan]

Well picked the gun up yesterday and immediately brought it home and took it apart. The insides still had Grease from 194? in it, and it was generally filthy inside. It now has Frog Lube in it everywhere. Diesel fuel is the only thing that would cut the grease.

All of the internal parts of the bolt were in perfect shape, as is the bore and crown.

I managed to polish all the dings out of the bolt knob, and the stock is getting a couple of coats of Tru-Oil to seal it up.

The one thing I hadn't seen earlier was that the rear sight top section was bent down. Obviously it has been dropped or toonced somewhere along the line. I will be fixing this along with some refinishing on the sight today and putting the gun back together. I also have to install my NOS front sight I got off Ebay, and buy a Turner Sling for it.

If any of you have been following the thread in "Special Projects' called the "Gunbox Project." You will have seen what is in store for this guns "storage" in the future. A solid "chest" made of nice birch plywood that will cradle the gun and have places for all the extra stuff that goes with certain types of "Military Style" guns. Cleaning kits, Manuals, extra clips or magazines etc.

Got to draw up something maybe this weekend.

I put up pics as soon as the gun is back together.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

Got the gun back together after rubbing a final coat of MiniWax into the wood. I didn't want to go to far with the stock finish as a gloss finish wouldn't be appropriate for this gun.

I ended up spending the majority of the afternoon working on the rear sight. The top bridge of the sight was a mess. It was both bent out of shape and beat to ship with many dings.

Started by bending the top fork back into it's position at 90 degrees. it was bent I found out later so it was horizontal to the axis of the gun.. This was due to the fact that the Base of the sight wasn't even close to fitting the receiver's curvature. It looked like the curve in the sights rear face had been filed in with a pretty coarse file as it was really rough and the radius was no where close to the radius of the receiver. After I reinstalled the whole sight I saw that the top bridge was not square and I realized why it had been bent in the first place.

I corrected this problem by putting a piece of .030 plastic shim stock under the lower edge of the base block and then torqued it down.. It is now square to the gun.

It took me 3 hours to over haul this sight and get it decent looking again. In the process I managed to loose the microscopic spring under the detent plunger for the elevation clicker. I tried in vain to get it out of its hole before I hit the slide on the felt wheel to resurface it, but I couldn't get it to come out. Obviously it went winging at some point during the work. I had to buy a micro spring kit from Brownell's to replace it,,, as there is exactly no chance of finding it.

I elected to retain the Lyman 17A front sight for the time being, but still have the NOS sight I got off EBay waiting in the wings.

Got a sling from Brownell's as well as some other doodads ordered today but won't see them until next week. The project is now in the safe until I get the spring for the sight.

Randy

[Forrest r]

I use a 17a on mine also, makes a good sight picture & numerous inserts can easily be found.

I don't know if you took the bolt apart to clean/de-grease the insides. If you did you might consider replacing the striker spring, the original has been in there compressed for decades. I used a centerfire spring (03a3) on mine. Pulled the old one & put the new spring next to it & cut it 1/2" longer than the old compressed 1. You'll end up with faster lock time & harder hitting consistent ignition which is better for accuracy.

I take my m1922 & es340b to the range, on any given day one will out do the other.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Forrest: I did completely disassemble the bolt and cleaned and polished everything, as well as soaking all pieces with Frog Lube. It is very slick now.

AS far as the spring being compressed, there is a common misconception that springs loose their strength after being compressed or just plain sitting. Whereas this is true to some extent, the percentage of loss in most cases is minimal, and is more contingent on the material the spring is made from than anything else.

Springs loose most of their strength from being cycled, and even that is minimal. An example of this is the Valve Springs in your cars engine which are not only compressed but are cycled @120,000 times on average
for every hour of driving, and they seem to have a pretty long service life.

The ones in my MBZ 300SD have about 285,000 miles,,,, or 732,780,000 cycles over the last 30 years and they still work fine. I think spring wear is highly over rated.

Another example is the springs in my Airguns. The HW35 is 40 years old and the Velocity is the same 670 fps it has always been.

The striker travel on these guns is about 3/8" and the spring is preloaded to the point where there is very little travel left before it is coil bound. I did buff it and it is perfectly clean now and lubed with Frog Lube as is every other part of the gun.

Now the one spring I am concerned with is that GD little one I lost yesterday! It is going to be a PITA to replace.

Randy

[Forrest r]

It's not the use of the spring it's the length of time it has been compressed, 80 years. I simply replaced mine when I took the bolt apart for a good cleaning, figured a $3 part was worth the return I gained from that new part.

Ya know I always wondered about the spring replacement thing being over rated. For some odd reason the guys that spend 1000's of $$$$$ on those custom rigs to shoot flies wings off @ 50yds with $20 a box ammo replace their striker springs every year. You'd think for all the money they spend of that stuff they would get a spring that lasts 80 years. They just don't build them like they used to!!!

I'm sure you know best, enjoy your rifle.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I over estimated the striker travel on that gun, I was just playing with it and it's more like 1/4"!

My Mauser was made in 1929 and it has the original spring in it as well, I personally don't place much weight on what the guys at the top of the game are doing for their peace of mind, mainly since I will never be there.

I think when you get into a game like that and get that serious about it, you will spend anything to get that last little % out of your equipment. I can see it if there was a serious payday attached, it would be worth shooting for. However none of these guys has ever won any serious money shooting .22's in Bench Rest comps simply because there isn't any serious money to win. I personally think they would be better off paying a Shaman to dope the wind for them.

I got more satisfaction hitting a 75meter Turkey with my pellet gun with 10 people watching.

Now shooting Trap,,,, Well, there's serious money lots of places to win there. 1st prize at the Grand American last year and this year was $100K. Last year a 15 year old kid won and beat all of the best MEN in the world doing it. Springs in those gun usually go 100,000 plus rounds, but those guys shoot 100K worth of ammo in a year. The kid didn't even make the semi's this year. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good?

I also got to go to a Live Pigeon shoot once in my younger days, and watched my friends father who took us, win $25K in one afternoon. They were shooting for $1000 per bird! He had pretty serious nerves, but he also had the money to back them up.

Still waiting for some decent light to take some after pics. The gun looks good all cleaned up.

Randy

Update: Got good light!

[OuchHot!]

Jeepers! That is nice. pure class

[Artful]

beautiful - and nice work

[W.R.Buchanan]

908429084390844


Well I finally got my sling and missing spring for the rear sight. All that is left is sighting it in. Also installed the normal Springfield Blade Front Sight.

Randy

[TenTea]

Owned an M2 w/adjustable headspace for about a decade. Magazines were still available at gunshows then. The M2 is the only gun I've ever bought at a live auction. I had time to go home and research with Brophy's book prior to bidding. Mine was *as sold* by the DCM and still packed end to end with cosmoline as the previous owner never cleaned it up or fired it. The last of the arsenal made .22's and one of the finest! Mine was a joy and very accurate at the range. I still see them every so often in the flesh. Congrats and thanks for posting!

[W.R.Buchanan]

908429084390844

Well, I finally got my sling and missing spring for the rear sight. All that is left is sighting it in. Also installed the normal Springfield Blade Front Sight.

Still have some minor issues with the rear sight to work out, but overall the gun is ready for next season's Rimfire Silhouette game.

Now to contact Duke Nukem to see if I can get him to make me some rifle chests.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

I got the final piece of the puzzle yesterday. The Merit #3LS Sight Disc finally came from Brownell's.

I like that Brownell's doesn't charge you shipping on a backordered item when it arrives.

This item makes it so you can adjust the size of the aperture easily with just a twist of the eyepiece. I have two of these and they are money well spent as they allow you to adjust the aperture size to the light conditions you are experiencing.

This changes constantly.

Randy

[Char-Gar]

I am struggling to keep the envy in check. Say, where do you live and when won't you be home?

[W.R.Buchanan]

Charles: Beware,,, you would have to deal with Feeps,,, our Watch Cat!

In the first pic he is watching cats on the computer, the second pic he is watching me take his picture.

I don't know if you're ready for that much scrutiny.

Randy

[Char-Gar]

Feeps...The cat with the 1,000 yard stare!

[762 shooter]

Nice rifle and work.

The cat scares me.

762

[Jack Stanley]

I had a cat that looked like that just before the claws , teeth and hyper-speed appeared .

Nice rifle by the way .

Jack

[W.R.Buchanan]

Feeps is a pretty good cat. He loves Mom most, but I'm a close second because I rough house with him.

When playing with him you do have to be careful because when he gets amped up the claws do come out and he is VERY FAST!

At 13 years old he is still really fast outside. He demands a lot of attention, but that's OK cuz we don't have any kids.

Here is a pic of "full attack mode." Claws flying! This is a stop motion pic. The mouse didn't suffer.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK back to the gun,,,,

We got the replacement for our dead postal scale in today and so I was able to weigh the gun in it's final form.

9lbs 9 oz.

I thought this gun was a little heavier than the Mauser and it is. And it hangs so nice off the barrel I can already see my scores improving.

Randy

[StrawHat]

Were the M2s purpose built as 22s or were they converted from the 03s?

[W.R.Buchanan]

Straw Hat: no they were purpose built as .22's They have no parts in common with 03A3's other than front sights and maybe the butt plates.

The actions are completely different and made specifically for that purpose.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

Well today I shot the first Rimfire Silhouette Match at the Ojai Valley Gun Club with the M2.

I scored 25/40 and 23/40.

The gun shot well except for numerous misfires where re-cocking the bolt produced a shot the second time. I missed virtually every follow up shot like that.

I can't see how the striker spring can cause this since I cannot cock this gun by pulling the striker back with my fingers on the cocking piece. The striker only falls about 1/4" and it has a very fast lock time.

The problem could also be the Federal American Eagle ammo I am using.

I know that up until the last few years I could count on one hand the number of misfires I have had with .22's on one hand, and that's over 40+ years!

Now it is fairly common and today it was one of out of every ten shots easily. The spent cases all have solid hits on them too.

Other than that small issue the gun performed nicely and is pretty much a joy to shoot. It hangs on the barrel well and doesn't flop around on target at all.

Overall it was a good day.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK,,, Today 2/15/14 I shot My second Rimfire Silhouette match at my club with the Springfield M2.

My first round sucked outright at 18/40.

I did manage to absorb the successful sight pictures for the different targets however.

I slowed way down took my time with every shot and my second round was 30/40, which is only two below my personal best for last year.

It was 3 8's for Chickens, Pigs, and Turkeys, and 6 for the Rams that yielded the 30/40 score.

I was pissed that I only got two out of the first five Rams and then hit 4 in a row only to let the last one get away.

We shoot two relays of 5 targets each for each distance.

This gun is easier to hit with. It hangs off the barrel better (more forward barrel weight) and is noticeably steadier than the Mauser, plus there is the Lyman receiver sight which is easier to shoot with.

I see great things coming this year.

Randy

[StrawHat]

Sounds like you did alright. I know follow through is important with 22s and long barrels. (Practicing with flintlocks can help!) Looking forward to additional range reports, and good luck.

[Artful]

Hi, glad it's shooting so good for ya! Did you try multiple different ammo tests for accuracy with it?
I find that rimfires can be picky little dears, but once you find the feed they like its great fun.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yeah right Art! I was lucky to get some Federal American Eagle .22 LR's, so for now they have to be it. I am not willing to pay ridiculous prices for .22 LR ammo. The stuff I bought was .12 a round and that was my ridiculous limit.

I've got 3 more months worth before I have to forage again.

The gun shoots superbly, and I see vastly better scores with it. IF I'm at 30/40 for my second trip to the range with the gun I think Mid to high 30's is very doable.

Randy

[Artful]

$60 a brick - ouch - I gather you didn't have a reasonable stash when the latest Obamapanic set in.
Hopefully you'll have a better selection and cheaper too in the near future.

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK: my Club finally saw fit to get one of the Officers to man the .22 Rimfire Silhouette shoot again so tomorrow is the first match since Feb.

I am ready! I'll report back tomorrow. Hopefully there will be improvement from last time. [smilie=w:


This is my favorite shoot right now,,,, mainly cuz I won the championship last year!
Randy

[StrawHat]

Good luck at the match. Looking forward to hearing about it.

I am curious about the disc you have on the rear sight.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I sucked.. the match was kind of a cluster F&^% We had to reset our own targets and I shot 13/40.

Better Luck next time.

Hopefully there will be a target setter next month.

I did have fun shooting my S&W 696 after the shoot. I love my new popper!

Randy

[Artful]

Sorry to hear you had a problem - did you figure out what was going wrong?

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yes, I was completely frustrated with the set up. Having to reset your own targets is not conducive of great scores. Also laying off for 3 months doesn't help either.

I'll do better next time, and hopefully we will be having a youngster resetting targets for us. It should be better.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

Well we didn't have a youngster setting targets again this time and the match was only slightly better than last time. The individual running it has her own ideas about what needs to happen.

I shot 22/40 this time and didn't stay for a second round due to having to walk out in the hot sun to reset targets.

I am really hoping that someone steps up and takes this event over and runs it like the last guy did. At that time we had both Rimfire and Cowboy Silhouette running simultaneously.

I had hoped to advance to the Cowboy Shoot next year but they dropped it from the program so I have nowhere to shoot that sport. I find it to be the most like real hunting and to not have it available is disappointing.

Maybe it will get better but I'm glad I won last year cuz this year looks to be a bust.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

I shot again yesterday 25/40 only one round. Gun worked really well and all the misses were very close.

There is talk about hiring some people to reset targets on both the Rimfire, and Short Range courses. I have no problem with that and am more than willing to pay a little extra to get the service that we had come to expect.

On the long Range course we hire a kid to reset and everyone pitches in $5 and usually the kid walks away with $50-80 for the mornings work.

I wish someone had paid me $50 for a mornings work when I was a kid. I was lucky to get .50 cents for mowing the lawn.

Randy

[W.R.Buchanan]

Well an update is due here. We started the Cowboy Silhouette again finally this year so the .22's are in the safe. But what did happen is that I found out I actually won last years Small Bore Iron Sight Competition.

I personally thought I sucked last year but apparently everyone else sucked more.

Anyway I was awarded this really Cool Mug with my accomplishment inscribed on it for all to see.

Randy

[Artful]

Nice, looks like it holds more than 12 oz too.

As the old saying goes about the campers about to be attacked by the rabid bear.

You just have to do better than the other guy.

[StrawHat]

Congrats!

Kevin

[W.R.Buchanan]

Thanks guys! It's good to win stuff.

Randy

[Char-Gar]

Now that is the way to do it! I have won and I have lost, but winning is much better than losing.