Well, i was determined to shoot today no matter what the temp... Took the 45 DISC Extreme and headed to Little Boulder Rock Pit.
The 'mission' - I really want to shoot the 200 grain Lehigh vs the 185's from this gun accurately. I had already tried 120 grains of T7-2f and really was less than impressed. Then a few weeks ago I shot 100 grains of T7-2f in the 45 cal DISC Elite and they stacked in very well at 75 yards. So today I decided to try 110 grains T7-2f and 100 yards.
I placed a scope target on the 100 yard target board and I placed 10 clay pigeons on the rock wall behind and above the target. Probably ended up shooting 25 shots today, and yes I really did try to wait to give the barrel a chance to cool. As i went through Deary the temp was posted as 87 on a sign so it was probably easily 90 in the rock pit.
Really do not have much to show for my trip other than my personal satisfaction that I believe I have a viable hunting load and bullet for this fall, well at least at a 100 yards.
My first two shots were into the target to confirm where the gun might be shooting. 2" right/2" high... I was determined not to adjust the scope in that kind of heat but I did, adjust the scope POI left. The two shots were really close to 1" group. That was close enough for me for right now and I was bored shooting paper. Turned my attention to the pigeons.
7 shots - 7 broken birds, but I did notice two of them tumble to their broke pieces. I really believe I was shooting just a tad high and adjusted my hold to where the cross-hairs were right on the bottom of the bird.... no tumbles after that... Finally decided to take a picture as I was having fun and also it would allow more time for the barrel to cool.
If you look over the target board on the left you can see the three remaining birds. Got them with the next three shots.
After completing the ten birds I probably wasted another 10 Lehighs shooting chips of broken birds that I could find through the scope on the rock wall.
I am pretty much satisfied that I will be in the field with the 45 DExtreme and a 200 grain Lehigh this fall looking for Mr. Big Buck (whitetail)