Happy New Year!

Solly I aint been around- been busy, and shooting, and busy, and gotta cold, then the holidaze, more damn fires, yad yada yada....

The 'cartoon gun' has finally gotta chance to stretch it's legs. And since my pard' just hadda baby, the hog hunt is off.... meh. Shootin' is shootin, and steel piggy's don't need to be dressed! - yeh, I know ya caint eat 'em. Here's a lil write up:


Took 'Boomer' up to Angeles Ranges Friday.
Finally!
I've been dying to get the thing up to a long range since I got it in September. But due to holidays, the flu etc- and fires....

Nice day ,but, windy. Very windy. 20 mph gusty, quartering head-wind.

Since my barrel is over 10" I get to sit in on the high-power rifle line. Nice "T" shaped concrete shooting benches, chairs etc... I likey.

Warmed up with a 50 yard shoot. Then out to 100 yards. Some of the gents were a little 'what the heck is this pistol doing on the rifle line'. But they knew I was OK to be there and we all made friends fast.

The wind was a factor. It was swirling and predominately a quartering head wind and very gusty. The target frames were waiving badly and anything not nailed down was quickly blown to the back fence. Including my rest and shooting pad. So my elbow is nice and bruised now....such is the price for having fun and I got tired of chasing things down.

After a few sessions the wind became steady. The frames were being blown out of their stands and some stands were knocked over if not tethered down. So I and many gave up on the paper and went long at 200 yards (and beyond) for the steel targets.

I thought I was going to be out-ranged but tried a few none the less. I was surprised to see my 100 yard setting coming up just a tad short under the belly of the steel pig I was trying to clang.
My neighbor saw what I was doing and him and his father started spotting for me as I went up on the rear sight one click and shot atta time, hoping I had enough clicks (took 4 in the end). It was really nice having a spotter so all I had to do was fire and adjust the rear sight. I did not adjust for windage as it was too stiff, swirling and gusting. I just shot when it felt lulled.

I didn't know it but others started taking interest in this escapade and gathered behind me and my spotter. More of an exercise in futility really, but I was now on a mission with my little revolver and a tiny steel pig 200 yards away. It was truly tiny, way less than 3/4's the width of my rear sight blade when in the sight-picture.

After two cylinder's I was pretty zeroed elevation-wise at 200 yards. I was painting this thing into a corner and clanged the post it was on, winged the ear and was just missing it. The range master called the 1 minute warning for a session break and I had one shot left in my cylinder. I took my time, got it lined up and waited for the lull. It came, I fired, and after what seemed like forever- *ping!*

I got it.

And just then, I got a big slap on the back from my spotter, and, the folks behind me started cheering and clapping!
It kind of scared the beans out of me, but it was pretty cool once I knew what was going on...funny really as I'd have never made that shot if I knew that many people were watching. My hands shake bad enough as it is!


After the break, my spotter shot my revolver and pinged it first try. He missed the rest but was close as it could be. The Rangermaster even got in some shooting was having some fun as well. Guess the point is the results are duplicatable. Very cool. And from a box-stock revolver with factory ammo. For bench shooting the trigger is a tad heavy. It is coming along and gets better with use as the gun is still fairly new. It's pretty good for off-hand stuff. And a total hoot in the gallery on all sorts of swingers, It's stupid accurate and I spent 50 rounds of full-house in there alone.

It was fun being the only pistol on the high-power line, especially when you walk by and see all the MOA hunting and match shooters with all their goodies and ton's of gear, then get to my bench and there's a box of shells and a revolver on a red towel.

Angeles Ranges is a wonderful place to shoot. I've been going there since I can't remember when. I recommend it, and their re-loading store, very highly!

Here's some unimpressive paper I brought home, they wouldn't let me cut down the steel piggy and take it with me so, oh well.
50yd shots on the left, 100yd shots on the right, then things just got too windy for paper with the target frames flapping around wildly- they are not whimpy by any stretch either.

Sure was a fun shoot, I'd never hunt at that range with this, but it is fun reaching out and touching something in adverse conditions with a naked revolver. I'ma little bummed I used up all the rest of my vintage S&W 240gr factory stuff. But now I got 300rds of brass, a fresh batch of Nosler 240gr HP and a Tub of H-110 to keep me busy this week.

One pistol, a tiny steel pig and 200 yards. Darn good day at the Range.



*

Also- got me a lil' brother fer 'Boomer'. This here is 'Junior'. Nice indoor range nuisance. Got some +P 180gr loads that launch flame from the front like you would not belive. It WILL catch a paper target in the next lane to you on fire if it's too close. I don't shoot them light-bullet loads anymore though. Just too much too-much.
This lil' thing is deadly at 30'......and beyond as well! A cylinder fulla Grizzly Punch bronze-nuggits should bring about anything down around here that gets to close fer my liking. This is the first target I shot at, at 10yd....yeh, I jerked it a bunch. But each one was a kill. This lil hunny is a blast to shoot- literally. I freakin' LOVE it. And it has a Simply Rugged Pancake coming soon... the buckle is a 1983 commemorative, 1500/2000 in solid pewter and is so deeply relived you would not believe it! It was a gift from my Pop many moons ago, and now, has a home holding up the snubby.



*

I've also been experimenting with a Merit optical decive- it makes a HUGE difference and no more of those weak "reader's"! Now I gots Bomber's shooting glasses and man, are they nice, polarized and CHEAP.
Lyman also makes a non-adjustable device for 20$. Gettum at Champion Shooters/Hebard's



Hope ya'll's freezers if full and yer belly's is fat and happy...

All this flappin's made me thirsty- where's Vince's cooler!

-kevin.

Good to see ya back Looks like ya had a great day at the range nice shootin.
Joe

Thanks Big Joe.

Might do some 'yote pickins soon on private land... keep ya posted on them outings.

Prolly gonna slug these pistols and start casting too...seeing as how the new administration (rumored) has nothing better to do than tax ammo and reloading supplies instead of actually doing something about the Perps etc etc etc.
Gotta bag 'o wheel-weights and stuff ready to go in the pot so we can roll yer own!

Gidday Kevin...mate, you have certainly earned a beer or three...but with all the fun you've had, you probably should be shoutin' us mate.

Great to hear you had a good day at the range. I've shot a lot of steel in my day...out to 200 metres and a little beyond. There is something very satisfying to hearing that strong CLANG when you score a good hit. It's absolutely brilliant. I had a bit of a reputation on our IMHSA range for a little while...it took me a little while to get on target with the rams and all I seemed to do was hit them in the pizzle and that is the smallest part of the target.

You should shoot steel every opportunity you get mate...it will practice you in all of the skills you need to be a good shooter...sight picture, trigger control, sequence of firing a shot and rule of aim...as well as follow through after your shot...all good and necessary habits/skills.

Like the "little brother". Do you intend it as a CCW firearm or just as a hunting backup for the "cartoon" gun?

Cheers, Vince

Hey Vinny!

I really like shooting steels. I'm also impressed you made the show on the IMSA, that's a tough crowd! I wish my tagrets had bigger pizzles, I'd score more hits!

I think you are right, about the practical end of it. It just feels different than paper and more motivating, to me anyways. Maybe it's because of the 'clang' when you getta good hit.

I also never knew how bad I was pulling the the gun with my trigger finger at the indoor range. (see 50y target)
I took some time to 'marry' the trigger dry-firing between sessions. It seems better now, but, I personally still need work. Gotta seperate my hand from my trigger finger. A tip to Dennis' (deersniper) shop might not be a bad idea if it does not come around....

'Juinor' is a back-up, camp-carry etc, and indoor range fun (irritating) gun. We can't carry here in L.A. Too many crooks get upset when they can't rob you then whine to Al Sharpton about it. Remember- they have all the rights, the GP does not and must pay for Their mistakes. But just once I would like to see the look on one's face when I go to produce my wallet at knife point, and instead, bring out the 'flare gun'. "Say hello to my lil freind!" I love this lil thing. It shoots a treat and like said before, with some stout ammo like the G.Punch? Not much, if anything, will walk away from that.

I find the muzzle blast of .357 Mag snubbies pretty unpleasant, can't imagine standing near Junior when it goes off!

Right you are!

I've found the lighter bullets are not well suited for this short tube. There's just too much blast due to the unburnt propellent. I've got some 180gr full-house stuff that is unruly indoors. This HG is not meant for light porjectiles anyways so. It's a brick-launcher.

240gr and up slugs do a good job of keeping the flash do-able. Aint had no cast or GC yet so... well see how those do taming the flaiming.

I got my eyes closed when Junior goes off so it don't much matter. Hey- eyes closed = no flinch!

Gidday Stovepipe.

Yep...I loved shooting Silhouette. Used my 10" BBL 30.30 TC Contender...150gn bullets loaded with 23gn of an aussie powder AR2206, say goodnight to the Ram.

I shot AAA Production with a personal best of 38.

You are totally correct about it being more motivating...CLANG...instant return on your effort. Loved it.

Cheers, Vince

I've shot TC's. So nice to shoot! 'Cept the 30-06 chambering( I think it was? Long time ago), that thing was brutal! I passed on a repeat. Felt like I swatted a concrete post with a frozen bat.

Took the snubbie to my local indoor range last night. My grip is improving and this thing is deadly. At 30', pre-stroking the trigger post-recoil a little then braking post lock-up as soon as the sight picture was full, 95% of 70 shots were in the black. Knocked the orange bull clean out too. I also tried raipd-fire too and still most were on the black with very few fliers.

It's not a double-tapper, but, with full-house 240/300gr JHP/SWC, it don't need to be. Just one will stop or or slow something enough to get a follow up in it. What a killer little camp-carry. I am impressed and in love. Only bummer is I go through ammo pretty fast now. Glad I'm reloading tonight.

I need to trim my trigger-finger nail though. Opened up a nice hole in my support hand thumb and made a bloody mess before I noticed it.
Oh well- when yer having fun and in the groove, you tend to miss little 'details' like that.
My range-master now stocks nail clippers, band-aids and a mop, just for me.

We're getting some good rains this year, grains and grasses should be popping up soon, so will the varmints shortly after. Can't wait. Rabbit and Coyote jerky anyone?

Cheers lads!

Sounds like you had lots of fun with the guns .I've never shot anything bigger than a .357 but even that ''wimp'' has authority !

I'ma a sucker for wheelguns. I'm also a small person, not big by any stretch, and the .44 mag has always suited me. Some think they punish. I don't, they just do what they do and do it well IMO. Never saw the attraction for the Casull, at least for my needs. Cost prohibitive and brutal recoil. The .44 mag will serve one well with the propper load and BULLET (key word) and allow follow up's. X-frame's are just silly and if I need more than what I got strapped on I'll grab the carbine.

Been going back and forth over a freinds 1911 and a .357 of late. Will be getting both but can't decide on which one first...decisions, decisions.

Everybody needs at least one 1911 in 45 ACP.

JMHO

Yepper...

Aint much into DA auto-loaders. 1911/45ACP definitley gets the nod for that type.

Hey Stoves.....45 or .357, which one first....sit down and have a real good think mate...I feel pretty certain that you can justify putting both on lay away at the same time mate.



Try shooting the stubby "instinctive" mate. Out of the holster, push it straight out at about mid chest height and wack off a couple of shots. You might get a surprise just how accurate you can get doing that. Best part is it becomes as the name implies...instinctive...no sight picture to worry about and you watch the target the whole time for fall of shot. You would be surprised just how many scenarios instinctive shooting can deal with in the most lethal way.

Cheers, Vince

Cheers, Vince

Copy that, Vince.

That's the next step- 'point shooting' from holstered. Looking forward to that bit of training on my cop buddy's police combat course. Should work a treat with 'suprises'.

Was up late last night de-capping, resizing, trimming cases. I am the Queen of single-stage handloading.