Author Topic: Remington in the Rock Pit (Read 1207 times)

sabotloader · « **on:** July 10, 2004, 09:58:48 AM »

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

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2004, 10:12:30 AM »

Sounds like a good time. I like to go to the range a blow stuff up also. I shot oranges, apples, watermelon, eggs and what ever I could find in the house. But the wife put an end to that. Now I have to pick it up on the way to the range.

sabotloader · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2004, 10:21:45 AM »

Ya! i know what you mean - I use to shoot Terry's lemons - I'd take a couple with me each trip - I don't like em and didn't think it was that big of a deal but she wasn't happy...

sabotloader · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2004, 05:55:58 AM »

I got some question about the homemade weather shrouds - so I thought i would tack them on this string...

No it is not a youth model - If you count the threaded portion of the barrel into the receiver it is 24" but from the receiver to the end of the barrel is a bit over 22" - And again you are right my book says 24" barrel.

I actually have fashioned two different shrouds on for the Remington and one for the A&H's that I have. My first attemp on the A&H was also with a 20 gauge SG shell, but it was a failure - first shot from the A&H it split - there is much more blowback from the A&H than there is from the Remington.

With the picture you can see the shroud starts life either as a AA 20 gauge hull, I then cut it down to match the length of the original Remington shroud (2 from each hull) and drill a 3/16ths" hole in the proper location - this a little larger than the factory hull. I will them slip right over the projected bolt portion. If it is to loose one wrap of teflon tape takes care of that. NOTE: This works great on the Cabelas conversion I am not sure of the Remington conversion kit - it offers much more blowback. Roaddog also makes one from 5/8" copper tubing that would solve the Remington conversion problem.

The second shroud I make for the A&H is a little more difficult - not much though - it starts out as a 1/2" copper tubing coupler. I put it over a 1/2" wood dowel put in in the drill press and turn it down with a flat file until it slips snuggly inside the A&H bolt. But if you look at the pic you will still see I get a small amount of soot up on the scope - hence the scope tube cover.

Hope you are able to reach the picture. I am not sure which address will get you there form here. I'll post this then come back and try it. Thanks for your questions?

I have not conquered the dirty bolt thing yet... But, I would recommend if you are still using the original Remington firing pin spring - get a new one - in fact go to Brownells and order a heavier spring, not the standard M 700 bolt spring.

Mike

http://www.hunt101.com/img/198696.JPG

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2004, 06:06:42 AM »

SL, TC makes a waterproof wrap for doing exactly what you want. It covers the entire open area of the action, uses velcro for a fastener so it's easy on or off. Don't know if it will fit the Rem, but it would be worth a try. The wrap is ~8" long. I think I'd make one myself to custom fit it if it the TC doesn't fit right. I've used mine in rainy wet and snowy conditions and it works great here in the Pacific NW. hth, Tim

http://www.tcarms.com/mlaccessories/miscellaneous/no7337.jpg

sabotloader · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2004, 09:11:49 AM »

Naw tell me it ain't so! it never rains in Washington State during hunting season.... it all waits til it gets over here to north Idaho then dumps on me.

Thanks for the heads up - I took a look at it but I'm thinking it would be to small for the Remington or the A&H. What I have been doing with the in-lines and the side hammer is putting a couple of wraps of plastic film around the the gun. Ya know that plastic film you get at the lumber yard or on boxes that they wrap to hold everthing together - it clings to itself and anything else it touches.

I mainly use the shrouds to deflect the back-blast away from the scope - they certainly do not keep the weather out.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2004, 09:39:01 AM »

Duct tape works better! But it's not legal here to cover the cap, it has to be left "exposed to the elements." But the TC cover comes off in a heart beat or in my case where I can't legally use a scope, I just slide it forward to cap/decap or reload. It would be real easy to custom make one with some naugahide from a fabric store and some velcro and a little use from your wife's sewing machine, heck, she might even make em for ya! Tim