Do to political pressure on the traditional board, I have put the traditional sidelocks away for awhile and took the Remington to the rock pit this morning. I actually had a couple of goals that I wanted to get done over a chrono, but besides thats I did make a couple of observations.
I recently switched scopes, went to a Bushnell Elite 3x9, a month or so ago when I first got the scope I took the gun out dialed it in at 25 and 50 yards. Thursday evening i finished dialing it in at a 100, but the most important thing was i was in the pit LATE, like 9:00pm still shooting. My old eyes do not do well in low-light so I was really surprised how well i could see through the scope even on 9 power - it really does gather the available light.
Second observation - I know Randy had issues with the Remington ML 700, but i really like mine (other than cleaning the bolt). I have installed a Canadian 209 conversion kit distributed by Cabelas, and it works great. I do have a Remington conversion also and can see how you might get a lot of blowback from that one. Well anyway, I made a "weather shroud" from a Winchester AA 20 gauge shot gun shell thinking it might last a couple of shots before the blast split it, well it has lasted 27 shots now looks no worse for the wear and not a bit of crud on my scope.
Back on track - I wanted to shoot over a chrono and find out what I might be losing shooting that short 22.5" inch barrel. Or what i was actually shooting, I have never shot it over the chrono before. Second I wanted to shoot some 3f also to see if that made a significant difference in velocity or pattern.
Constants through the entire test:
1. Remington model 700ml ss - 22" barrel - Remington 209-4 Caps
2. Hornady 300 grain - 44 cal XTP's
3. Nosler sabot (ugly green in color the new ones are now a washed out orange or red)
4. 100 grains of T7 - 2f (first group of 3 shots)
5. 90 grains of T7 - 3f (next three shots)
6. 100 grains of T7 - 3f (next group of 3)
7. 100 grains of T7 - 2f (last group) - all loose powder - no pellets
8. Scope target set at 100 yards - laser verified.
9. Digital ProCrono
10. 65 degrees - Constant xwind blowing right to left
Velocity results:
First Shot (cold barrel)
#1 = 1727
#2 = 1687
#3 = 1711
#4 = 1640
#5 = 1650
#6 = 1610
#7 = 1722
#8 = 1707
#9 = 1702
#10 = 1707
#11 = 1718
#12 = 1725
I really thought there would be a significant difference between 2f and 3t velocities but in the 22" barrel I could see no significant difference. The target was not the greatest, I always lose a little concentration on the target when I am shoot over and through the chrono, but ALL shots could be covered by a 3" circle.
The last shot of the day was the best - just sitting there on the bottom of the pit was a 6/8" basalt rock 125 yards away shaped something like a pyramid - as I looked at it through the scope - it was like it had a sign on it that said "bet you can't hit me" - well that is all it took I went back to the truck ran the spit patch - threw a powder charge - pushed the bullet and sabot down - popped in a SG primer - went back and confidently took care of business - I like shooting things that blow up. I figured I just saved the county some time crushing that rock to make gravel.
Great morning in the rock pit