Together with a couple mates I recently headed down to a local range to test my latest purchase for the first time.
All of the ammo I used was the Hornady 400gr RNSN factory load at 2050fps and the Ruger has been set up in the factory with this specifically in mind.
Now, to properly fulfil the requirements of shooting such a rifle I had to dress accordingly......
My mate calls this pic "Defending The Outpost" - sort of a combination of the timber gates behind me, the khaki kit and the pith helmet.
Perhaps the gloves seem excessive but I wanted to ensure I had a good grip of the rifle just in case it turned out to be more lively than expected and the field vest is, well, good for holding ammo and puts a little extra padding on the old shoulder.
I shot the first 2 rounds at 25yds and they turned out OK so we moved the target back to 50yds and put 2 more on it......
The 1st and 2nd shots @25yds were in the centre by the 9 and at the bottom right in the 7 ring respectively.
The 3rd and 4th @50yds are to the right about an inch apart higher up on the 9 and 7 rings respectively.
Now, I must add that none of these were snap shots even though they were offhand and open sights.
But my mates had a shot of the Ruger and I'm quietly proud that my shots were more accurate than theirs, especially since they've both owned BRNO 602s in 375 H&H and claimed the 450/400 was lighter in the shoulder.
One of them already has a Ruger No1 450/400 on order and the other having shot the Ruger is severely tempted to purchase one too and make it 3 450/400s in the local area.
I've also taken some video footage and will post this on YouTube with some links so you can check it out.
Incidentally, in the spirit of the afternoon, one of the other guys also brought his Brazillian 1935 Obendorf M98 in 7x57.
It is a superb rifle and gave the afternoon an African flavour.
He was also impressed with my pith helmet and has ordered one for himself.
Here's a pic of me shooting the Mauser......
Needless to say the entire afternoon was serious fun.
Here's a couple of vids to tickle your fancy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYIHXHAce8MBTW....this shot was was taken at
25yds NOT 250!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl4scR9MMxgAnd another vid of all 6 shots I fired that afternoon:
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh79/kombi76/Range%20Testing%20and%20Groups/?action=view¤t=AndrewW.flvThe vids have turned out to be useful actually.
They revealed that the LoP is a little short for me.
I intend to put a better pad on it anyway but some spacers as well should make it better to sight with and kinder on the shoulder.
This also pointed to the fact that the LoP on my T3 Lite Stainless in 9.3x62 is also probably too short and is the reason I'm constantly at risk of getting tagged by the scope.
It already has a LimbSaver but will get some spacers too.
Does anyone know of a good bolt-on pad for the Ruger No1s?
One final sorta trivial note: I discovered why pith helmets are constructed the way they are.
The sort of visor at the front sits low so it perfectly frames the sights and keeps the sun out.
