200yd prone match ???
I was thinking of trying out my first match. There is a 200yd prone any rifle any setup match coming up soon. Was going to use my new 308 but I don't know if I'll have it set up in time. So I would need to use my ar varmint gun. Question I had was what u guys recommend on best way to single load an ar? I don't like the idea of putting one in the chamber and slamming the bolt in. I've heard of accidental discharges from that. Just thought I'd ask thanks for your time
This is all for .223, I don't have a .308 yet...
When I single load for off hand and prone, I lay the round in the port, tilt the gun slightly to the left, and press the bolt release. The reason that I tilt slightly is that the bullet can get caught on the locking lugs if it is at an angle. I have seen a lot of guys that push the round up into the chamber and then hit the bolt release. It is a bit more effort to get your finger in the port, but it always drives in straight. I am planning on buying the bobsled magazine for my single fire stages. It lets the bullet rest in the center of the mag, lined up with the chamber, so that you can just lay it in and hit the release. Haven't seen any rounds go off from using the bolt release, yet. If the primer is seated deep enough, I wouldn't worry too much about it. One thing that you want to be careful of is riding the bolt forward. If you try to hold the charging handle and slowly let the bolt go forward, the bullet may not sit fully in the chamber and the bolt may not go full into battery. This is asking for problems.
As long as the gun is pointed downrange at the berm, dropping the bolt is fine.
Sounds good thanks for the advice!
Originally Posted By grabagear:
Sounds good thanks for the advice!
Sir, most service rifle competitors feed the cartridge into the rifle chamber and use the bolt release to close the bolt. Some competitors, including myself use a single round magazine follower and others use a standard magazine and insert the cartridge into the chamber fully before releasing the bolt. While I've done this thousands of times and seen hundreds of competitors do the same over the course of many years in service rifle competition it is true there is the possibility of the firing pin striking the primer sufficiently hard to ignite the primer and the rifle will fire. The key comment here is that as long as the rifle is pointed in a safe direction, ie: the target berm, that's OK. HTH, 7zero1.
Originally Posted By 7zero1:
Originally Posted By grabagear:
Sounds good thanks for the advice!
Sir, most service rifle competitors feed the cartridge into the rifle chamber and use the bolt release to close the bolt. Some competitors, including myself use a single round magazine follower and others use a standard magazine and insert the cartridge into the chamber fully before releasing the bolt. While I've done this thousands of times and seen hundreds of competitors do the same over the course of many years in service rifle competition it is true there is the possibility of the firing pin striking the primer sufficiently hard to ignite the primer and the rifle will fire. The key comment here is that as long as the rifle is pointed in a safe direction, ie: the target berm, that's OK. HTH, 7zero1.
7zero1, I am interested in your opinion on some subtle parts of these techniques. First, have you noticed a difference between using the single round follower vs a standard mag? Is one better than the other, or just easier? I would like to know what your thoughts are since I am looking to buy the bob sled. Second, I have been told to wait to close the bolt until the target is in the air and I am ready to shoot. The idea was that the round will heat up slightly, which will cause the powder to burn a little faster. Have you found this to be true? Is it the same result if I push the round into the chamber? Would you elaborate a little more on your method? Thanks.
Another quick question. Wondering what a decent group size would be for starting out? Example would be the 200yd prone match that I wanted to try out. I mean to say, if I can't shoot at least a ___" group then don't even bother showing up!
Originally Posted By grabagear:
Another quick question. Wondering what a decent group size would be for starting out? Example would be the 200yd prone match that I wanted to try out. I mean to say, if I can't shoot at least a ___" group then don't even bother showing up!
If you can keep them all on the paper target, you are doing fine for starting out. The next time, try to beat your last score. Keep that up and you will be shooting perfect scores and beating everyone in the country.
It's not what you do in the match, it's how much you work at improving your own performance.
Go shoot. Ask questions. Enjoy the challenge.
Originally Posted By grabagear:
Another quick question. Wondering what a decent group size would be for starting out? Example would be the 200yd prone match that I wanted to try out. I mean to say, if I can't shoot at least a ___" group then don't even bother showing up!
I agree with ArmyOrdGuy. Just jump into the game and see if you like it.
To make sure you are not wasting time, you can get an experienced prone shooter to shoot your rig for a group, or you can place a bag rest down and strap on a scope to see what the rig is capable of in terms of group potential.
If the rig won't hold ten or better, don't panic, just don't get frustrated either. See if you like the sport and then you can worry about equipment upgrades when you learn shoot to the capability of the rig and need a better one in order to improve.
You will learn much more by just getting started than worrying about having a perfect gun before you start.
When you get into shooting high power, you will shoot off-hand and sitting at 200, then shoot prone at 300 and 600yds. With this in mind, don't worry about what you are grouping or scoring in the prone 200 match. It you have a 308 and a varmint gun, I assume you have shot rifles enough to have some basics. You should do just fine at the 200yd prone. As the other guys said, this is a place for you to develop your technique and get better at the basics. My experience has been that high power shooters are some of the nicest and most helpful people you will meet. The guys next to you on the line should be able to offer tips and advice to shrink your groups over time. Good luck.
Originally Posted By ajroyer:
Originally Posted By 7zero1:
Originally Posted By grabagear:
Sounds good thanks for the advice!
Sir, most service rifle competitors feed the cartridge into the rifle chamber and use the bolt release to close the bolt. Some competitors, including myself use a single round magazine follower and others use a standard magazine and insert the cartridge into the chamber fully before releasing the bolt. While I've done this thousands of times and seen hundreds of competitors do the same over the course of many years in service rifle competition it is true there is the possibility of the firing pin striking the primer sufficiently hard to ignite the primer and the rifle will fire. The key comment here is that as long as the rifle is pointed in a safe direction, ie: the target berm, that's OK. HTH, 7zero1.
7zero1, I am interested in your opinion on some subtle parts of these techniques. First, have you noticed a difference between using the single round follower vs a standard mag? Is one better than the other, or just easier? I would like to know what your thoughts are since I am looking to buy the bob sled. Second, I have been told to wait to close the bolt until the target is in the air and I am ready to shoot. The idea was that the round will heat up slightly, which will cause the powder to burn a little faster. Have you found this to be true? Is it the same result if I push the round into the chamber? Would you elaborate a little more on your method? Thanks.
Sir, I've been off line and out of town for a few days. I'll respond in greater detail when I have time later today. 7zero1 out.
