Going to the 100 yard in-door range tomorrow...

[kmd1984]

... to test my new MTC Viper Pro scope. The main objective is to test the scopes "range tape" feature, but I would like to also try a bunch of different pellets and see which ones my Bobcat Mk2 likes best.

What I have done in the past is, simply setup a target in my backyard, and started shooting, using different pellets. That is exactly what I am planning on doing tomorrow as well. However, maybe is there a "better" way of doing it? Maybe there is a "trick" to it?! Maybe I should make some sort of chart and take that with me?! If so, what should it say?! Or maybe I am just overthinking the whole thing?! : )

Thanks,

Kmd

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

Just take plenty of targets and write on each which pellets you are using so you can compare them.later . I usually make sure I circle any Mulligan shots or just shoot an extra shot to be sure ... Man I'm jealous, I'd love to try a long indoor range like that !!!

 

[broekzwans]

I think I would go twice to the range. I shoot for three hours at a 100 meter indoor range biweekly, the 3 hours are over before you know it. The first time to test which pellet groups the best and the second time to make the range tape. Also shoot 3 targets for each type/brand pellet. I think in the end you're able to make a better comparison between pellets. Also don't just start shooting the next target when changing pellets. First shoot 10/20 pellets just to let the barrel "get used" to your new pellets.

 

[kmd1984]

"JoeWayneRhea"Just take plenty of targets and write on each which pellets you are using so you can compare them.later . I usually make sure I circle any Mulligan shots or just shoot an extra shot to be sure ... Man I'm jealous, I'd love to try a long indoor range like that !!!

Good idea. I was going to make some sort of notes, but I guess there is nothing easier than just writing on the targets themselves, duh?! : )

Tell me about it... I have been wanting to go for awhile now and I cannot wait!

Kmd

 

[kmd1984]

"broekzwans"I think I would go twice to the range. I shoot for three hours at a 100 meter indoor range biweekly, the 3 hours are over before you know it. The first time to test which pellet groups the best and the second time to make the range tape. Also shoot 3 targets for each type/brand pellet. I think in the end you're able to make a better comparison between pellets. Also don't just start shooting the next target when changing pellets. First shoot 10/20 pellets just to let the barrel "get used" to your new pellets.

Good tips... Thanks for that. Question: Is shouting using just a single bullet (no mag) more accurate?!

Thanks,

Kmd

 

[Tominco]

I wish I could find an airgun friendly 100yd indoor range in Colorado.
Have fun! Good luck with your tests!
Tom

 

[fe7565]

If I am still testing my rifle, I try to eliminate as many variables as possible. An indoor 100 range gives you great advantages in testing what the rifle can do without the environmental variables. I hand-load the pellet and use a naked barrel. Weighing pellets also helps if at 100 yards. Take note of your rifle hold (or lack of) and shooting rest used for each group. I found that my hold/setup changes group sizes significantly, albeit I am still trying to figure out what works best. So far what I figured out is that there is no single magical solution...or everyone would be using that.

 

[kmd1984]

"Tominco"I wish I could find an airgun friendly 100yd indoor range in Colorado.
Have fun! Good luck with your tests!
Tom

Thanks, I am lucky that I have one this close.
30 minutes away. $20 per hour though.
I don't mind it, because I am not planning on going all the time, or staying for long. I just need to ZERO my scope (which I could do in the backyard) and mess around with some pellets, in a "No wind" scenario! : )
I am also checking out a local (8 minutes from my house) under ground parking structure. I asked a bunch of people from the business above it and they all told me the same... NO ONE ever is down there after a certain time and NO ONE ever checks it. They towed a car ONCE, after about 8 month, ha ha.

After all, I am using an air rifle. Even if the cops show up, what would they say?!

Kmd

 

[kmd1984]

"fe7565"If I am still testing my rifle, I try to eliminate as many variables as possible. An indoor 100 range gives you great advantages in testing what the rifle can do without the environmental variables. I hand-load the pellet and use a naked barrel. Weighing pellets also helps if at 100 yards. Take note of your rifle hold (or lack of) and shooting rest used for each group. I found that my hold/setup changes group sizes significantly, albeit I am still trying to figure out what works best. So far what I figured out is that there is no single magical solution...or everyone would be using that.

I agree. Eliminating as many variables as possible is a good thing. However, I am not going to eliminate variables now at the range, that I then have to eliminate all the time when not at the range. It is not going to do me any good if I sort pellets now, but wont ever sort again in a real life scenario, if you know I mean...

thanks,

Kmd

 

[kmd1984]

So...

I went to the 100 yard indoor range and it was a disaster, ha ha.

1. I should have never gone on a Thursday. It is $20/h, but if there is no one behind you in line, they let you stay for hours and you still only pay $20.
2. I made it there way later that I thought I would, so I only had 90 minutes before I had to leave again. : (
3. I forgot one of my sand bags. The small one for the back. In the front I have a Bi-pod. Did not realize that you can rent those there for few bucks until leaving.
4. My pen wouldn't write for Sh*t.
5. The paper targets I bought there sucked big time. For real! They make a way bigger hole than the pellet really creates. Next time I will take card board with me.
6. MY SCBA tank was running really low! WTF?

That said. I believe I also "wasted" too much time on Zeroing my scope, and trying different pellets. But who knows, maybe I didn't?! You tell me.

I had 4 different pellets to try. Air Arms, Benjamin, JSB Exact Heavy and Exact Heavy Mk2. The target had 5 squares on it. One in the middle, and 4 in each corner. I shot 10(!!!) rounds at each square. I used 10x magnification on the one in the middle, 20 on the top two and 30 on the bottom two squares. All targets were at 30 yards?!

I mostly shoot at 30 yards in the backyard, and that is why I decided to test the pellets at that distance. Should I have tested at 50, or even 100 yards? In my opinion NO. I guess if you shoot "long-distance" all the time, then YES, that would make sense... but not in my case. Please correct me if I am wrong. : )

Anyhow, I could have shot 5 rounds instead of 10, and I am also not sure what the point was on trying 3 different magnifications? I guess I wanted to also test the scope?!

Now, I have attached a link with some pictures. On those pictures are some notes. Most likely no one will be able to tell what those mean, so here you go:

If you see a number like 10, 20 or 30 written next to the square, that means it was the magnification used for that target.
If you see something like 20/30, that means 20x at 30 yards. Even though I shot mostly at 30 yards, I did try 50 and 100 yards. So I don't get confused, I wrote down the mag and the dist. 30/50 is obviously 30 x mag and 50 yards. Not sure if I would do it like that again. At the time it made sense. : )

Enough talking, here are some pictures. Again, the paper target made it look way worse that it really was. I also attached some pictures I took in the summer. Distance was 31 yards, pellets used = forgot and I had no bi-pod at the time, and also shot from a somewhat wobbly table... Still, the groups in the backyards seem to be tighter. I really think it is the card board that made the difference...

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/Soloing2015/library/100%20Yard%20Range

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/Soloing2015/library/Target%20Practice

Thanks,

Kmd

 

[Sheharyar]

100yard indoor range! Man you're lucky.
When I go out target shooting at 100yards I have to make a proper backstop and then shoot.Bystanders come and start asking me "What is this ?Is this .22Rilfe haha xd"
I wish I had an indoor 100yard range.
Good Luck with your tests.

 

[dalejameson]

On the bright side of it all you did come back with a story to tell. It sounds like you had the typical first time experience. Even though it seemed like a royal pain in the butt you have to admit it was still fun! Next time I am sure you will get the most out of it! This reminds me of the first time I went deer bow hunting I drove 1 hour to the spot got out put on all my fancy camo grabbed my bow and then went for the tree stand and imagine my thoughts went it wasn't there!!!!! HAHAHA In all the excitement of prep the night before I put everything in the truck but with my ADD was distracted by who knows what and left the stand in the garage!!! I still gained some valuable experience because I realized that with bow hunting you have to have some sort of call!!! 

 

[rivers]

As an aside to the actual shooting (which is very good, BTW), getting packed up to leave is very important. I'll offer a couple suggestions from my experience in both motorcycle racing (packing at 5AM) and major photo shoots. Here are a couple tips:

1) If you can't load the vehicle the night before (risk of theft, bad weather, etc.), put together a "staging area" where you're going to put EVERYTHING you plan to take on that trip. Do this the evening before, when you're fully awake, not rushed and are thinking clearly. Then in the morning, all you need to do is simply transfer everything from that staging area to the vehicle. Once the area is cleared, you're done. You won't be second-guessing whether you forgot something important or worried about if whether things are properly prepped because you would have checked everything out BEFORE putting it in the staging area. (Example: the air recharging bottle not having an adequate charge.)

2) In the day(s) before the trip, make a list. Write down EVERYTHING that you want to bring. Pre-run in your head every stage of what you're going to be doing. Example: Setting up to shoot. You need your benchrest stand, sand bags, lens cloths (for the scope), note pad, working pens, targets, Sharpies, pellets, measuring tools, chronograph, batteries!!!, air bottle WITH hose and fittings, camera setup, seat or chair (if not built into the benchrest at the range), etc. Be thorough and make sure whatever you put on that list is in good working condition.

I've found that by using these two methods that I don't forget, well, anything I'd need in a typical day, plus I'm better able to anticipate extraordinary situations that need slightly different preparation. Overall, less stress, quicker packing up and a more productive day. I hope this helps.

 

[kmd1984]

"Sheharyar"100yard indoor range! Man you're lucky.
When I go out target shooting at 100yards I have to make a proper backstop and then shoot.Bystanders come and start asking me "What is this ?Is this .22Rilfe haha xd"
I wish I had an indoor 100yard range.
Good Luck with your tests.

When it comes to stuff like this, I have always been lucky. : )

Thanks,

Kmd

 

[kmd1984]

"dalejameson"On the bright side of it all you did come back with a story to tell. It sounds like you had the typical first time experience. Even though it seemed like a royal pain in the butt you have to admit it was still fun! Next time I am sure you will get the most out of it! This reminds me of the first time I went deer bow hunting I drove 1 hour to the spot got out put on all my fancy camo grabbed my bow and then went for the tree stand and imagine my thoughts went it wasn't there!!!!! HAHAHA In all the excitement of prep the night before I put everything in the truck but with my ADD was distracted by who knows what and left the stand in the garage!!! I still gained some valuable experience because I realized that with bow hunting you have to have some sort of call!!!

LOL... been there, done that. (going to the 100 yard indoor range is one of them, ha ha).

I agree though. Lesson learned. : )

 

[kmd1984]

"rivers"As an aside to the actual shooting (which is very good, BTW), getting packed up to leave is very important. I'll offer a couple suggestions from my experience in both motorcycle racing (packing at 5AM) and major photo shoots. Here are a couple tips:

1) If you can't load the vehicle the night before (risk of theft, bad weather, etc.), put together a "staging area" where you're going to put EVERYTHING you plan to take on that trip. Do this the evening before, when you're fully awake, not rushed and are thinking clearly. Then in the morning, all you need to do is simply transfer everything from that staging area to the vehicle. Once the area is cleared, you're done. You won't be second-guessing whether you forgot something important or worried about if whether things are properly prepped because you would have checked everything out BEFORE putting it in the staging area. (Example: the air recharging bottle not having an adequate charge.)

2) In the day(s) before the trip, make a list. Write down EVERYTHING that you want to bring. Pre-run in your head every stage of what you're going to be doing. Example: Setting up to shoot. You need your benchrest stand, sand bags, lens cloths (for the scope), note pad, working pens, targets, Sharpies, pellets, measuring tools, chronograph, batteries!!!, air bottle WITH hose and fittings, camera setup, seat or chair (if not built into the benchrest at the range), etc. Be thorough and make sure whatever you put on that list is in good working condition.

I've found that by using these two methods that I don't forget, well, anything I'd need in a typical day, plus I'm better able to anticipate extraordinary situations that need slightly different preparation. Overall, less stress, quicker packing up and a more productive day. I hope this helps.

Appreciate the comment on the shooting! : )

Tip 1: Excellent tip. I actually "did" that, but obviously not good enough, ha ha. The problem was that I was soooo excited, that I was not clearly thinking. Not even on the night before. LOL.

Tip 2: That is what I needed to do, and WILL do! Going over it in your head is just not good enough. That is there are check lists and what not. Even the most experienced pilots forget things. Looking at a piece of paper though... everyone can do that! 

Great tips. Thanks for sharing!

Kmd