I am not certain that this thread is in the correct forum but here goes;
The other day I had an opportunity to visit the range for a private target session. I had the OMARK M44B Target Rifle in .308" Winchester; 10 loads with the RCBS 308 silohuette projectile. The rifle is fitted with a Central brand target rear sight and a Parker Hale Tunnel fore sight.
With the rifle set up over the Caldwell Rest on one of the concrete benches with a Shooters rest rear bag.
This was one of those days when you think nothing out of the ordinary will happen so you leave the camera at home to save weight.
After setting up and aligning everything; I commenced shooting, slowly taking my time to place the shots. On shot number four, I saw something strange happen through the sights a moment after I fired the shot.
When I looked up from the stock, I saw a couple of 'things' fluttering to the ground between me and my target. As I try not to use a spotting scope when I am attempting to test a loading for accuracy, this was not set up on the bench but on the tripod behind. In the past, I have found that if I check on the progress of a grouping during the set of shots, the group will always grow in size from that shot on.
I checked the target and one shot looked out of place so I removed the bolt and checked the barrel; nothing. As any possible grouping was now out of the question, I walked down towards the target to investigate the materials I had seen fluttering towards the ground.
About half way between the bench and the target I discovered the cause of the disruption in my shooting practice; the grisly remains of what would have to be the "Unluckiest English Sparrow in all of Australia" . What I had seened fluttering to the ground were the last of his feathers.
Now before you get on my back about; if you shoot it, you must be prepared to eat it; let me say "There was not anything big enough of him left to salvage."
Well, that finished my session for the day and I came home to load some more rounds for a retest session. The fox that cleans the range will appreciate the few morsels left on the ground.
These birds are not that big; about 5" beak to tail, 3" beak to .... 2" body length. They are introduced from England and considered a pest but one the no one bothers doing anything about.
Now, I don't think the applies for posting in the CB Hunting 'cause I wasn't hunting; but it might apply for a Darwin award as he has been removed from the gene pool.
John