Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Williamsport 1000 yard club - I had a blast

My first time shooting at Williamsport was yesterday. In a nut shell, I had a "Blast".
<br>
<br>Dave7mm and Myself drove over Friday night and stayed in Lock Haven. Boyd met us friday evening for dinner, thanks Boyd. We met Boyd's wife (a very pleasant young lady} and his children.
<br>
<br>Saturday morning we got up with the chickens. I had one eye barely open. We followed Boyd to the club where we met with Darryl and many other characters. It was interesting to meet a lot of new people and we had a pleasant time talking guns, among other things. Boyd & Darryl gave me the "ins and outs" of what was to take place, aside from my poor shooting, lol. We went to the "pits" for 2 relays just to observe and we then worked two relays. I had a lot of fun in the "pits", everyone was very friendly and helpfull. It was a really enjoyable learning experience.
<br>
<br>It was determined that I would shoot in relay number 9 - bench 10. It was a very nice balmy 96 degrees out and the wind was switching directions. Perfect conditions to shoot (yeah right, lol). I was amazed at how easy it was to see the target even though they are 1022 yards away. Dave and myself determined my elevation adjustment before we left and I adjusted the vertical before we left on Friday. We pegged it as I never had to adjust the elevation during the "sight in" portion of the shoot. I made an adjustment for windage - the wrong way. I'll blame it on nerves, thats as good of an excuse as any, lol. Dave and Boyd where spotting for me and they told me your hitting right. I made another windage adjustment (in the wrong direction, lol) and shot again. Again, they both told me, your further right. Just then the announced came over the PA system and said: "Shooter on 10 your way right, go the other way". I was luaghing so hard at that point I couldn't do much. After composing myself I did adjust in the proper direction. I then went to paper and my first shot, on paper, was at 1 O'clock and slightly to the right. For my purpose I figured it was good enough. I was there to have fun, and I was having fun. My next shot was at 5 O'clock and again slightly right. I figured that was good enough and I then waited till they announced to shoot for score. Being that it was ONLY 96 degrees and my rifle is just a plain jane Rem bdl with a slightly heavier then stock barrel I knew my barrel was going to get HOT during the shooting for score (10 rounds). When they announced to shoot for score I proceeded to do so, slowly but at least I was throwing lead, lol. My first 3 shots where pretty good, one even hit the bull (even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in awhile). I pulled #4 way right, not good,
<br>#5,6,7 all looked pretty good. By this time the barrel was obviously getting pretty hot as I could see the heat waves in the scope. There was a cerain amount of mirage as well but not really enough to bother me. Number 8 went right as well. I adjusted to the left and #9 was back closer to the bull. Then came number 10, lol. I pushed it WAY right and Boyd and Dave both told me, it was off the paper. I had one goal and that was to get all 10 on paper. I was somewhwat dissapointed that I hadn't done so.
<br>
<br>Once the targets all arrived back at the clubhouse and where scored Dave got ahold of mine. I was putting my gear away when he brought the target out for me to see. I did get all 10 on paper. What was determined was that the bullet must of hit the frame and deflected way right. Sorry guys, I didn't mean to hit the frame on purpose.
<br>
<br>My group was an extremely tight group - had I been shooting at 3000 yards, lol. I won't bore anybody with my score, lol. I counted how many people did not get 10 shots on paper. There were 24 and I was supprised. I shot a round forend rifle with hunting bullets - 300 win mag and 180gr ballistic tips. The bullets held up really well at 1022 yards. At one point, while I was shooting for score I heard somebody behind me yelling to Dave "thats a deer ridle", I laughed to myself and Dave resonded, yes it is, and laughed. At the weigh-in my rifle weighs 11.8lbs. Most of the rifles used weighed between 16 and 16.5lbs plus I didn't see any "regular deer rifles". IF and I know there are always "IFS" I hadn't pushed 3 shots way right I would of had a pattern around 17", but it ended up about double that. I was happy with my vertical spread of 9" which tells me that my loads must be pretty consistant for velocity.
<br>
<br>Now the wheels started turning,
<br>If I got a flat forend type stock I wouldn't have to concern myself with both getting on the bull as well as making sure my crosshair is level. It took me the longest to shoot because everytime I located the "bull" again I had to then make sure my crosshair was level. A flat forend would make it easier.
<br>
<br>In summary. I had a GREAT time and a Special thank you to Boyd for having us down, showing us around and explaining everything to us. I would also like to thank Darryl for his sharing of knowledge and just being who is he - a very pleasant person to talk to.
<br>
<br>All the people at the Williamsport Gun Club where very nice people. We truly enjoyed ourselves and we will be back again. Next time lets have a nice cool 65 and no wind,
<br>
<br>Thanks guys,
<br>
<br>Don

Next Time we go im dragging my 300 over there.Its just to much fun
<br>dave

Sounds like fun. Thanks for the info.

Don, What's it take to be a entry level shooter at Williamsport ? I have been reloading for about 10 years and have developed some awsome loads for my assorted rifles. I am looking for advise on caliber, barrel maker, scope and stock. I do know this type shooting is like anything else, "How much do you want to spend"? Again I am speaking of entry level.
I live in Pa and have a Hunting Camp nearby in Canton area. Trying to get an idea on start up costs. My gunsmith would probably give me a deal to take one up with his name on it. Also, do you have a contact for getting rules and specifications ? Any info would be appreciated.
Regards,
Tacksmacker

Tacksmacker.Send me an e-mail and I will send you some info... Wanna try your luck????? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> boyd996@yahoo.com