N50 cards with .22 Anschutz 64 MPR

[tommyb]

So today, I had only 3000 psi left in my Great White tank. Not enough air for today. I Had cabin fever and had to get out and get some range time.

I brought my old reliable Annie 64 MPR .22 LR to the local outdoor range. I had two boxes of Lapua Center-X and one box of Eley Match 40g ammo.

The wind was up a bit, so this was good practice for wind reading. Had two flags deployed and shot 3 N50 cards. A 239, 241 and 243. This gun has shot many 245-249 N50 cards before, but that is in light wind.

I shoot and start on the bottom row, right to left. It takes me a sighter or two and sometimes one or two bulls to get the right wind hold to nail a ‘10.’

If you look at the cards, there is a definite pattern trying to find the correct hold. A couple / few 9’s, then a string of 10’s and then a missed wind call and back to square one trying to find the right hold for a wind direction shift.

I have a real respect and true appreciation for all the regular N50 BR match shooters and their ability to read wind and score consistently high.

 

[igolfat8]

Looks like a fun day at the range Tom.

 

[Buckeye68]

2 more months before the season starts for N50, IR 50/50 and ARA. Till it warms up a bit more, I’ll be shooting my AAA Evol in the basement at the club.
Your range sessions is making me want to start now.

 

[ChrisT]

Wind shifts and Lighting shifts, both cost points.

 

[tommyb]

They sure do!

For me, it’s still fascinating to imagine the skill required:

In watching two or more wind flags, and making a decision on your next hold and “when” to shoot
Which flag to trust when they are in opposite directions?
Knowing before you shoot, almost exactly where your bullet/pellet will land based on your hold
Knowing what a 3 mph tail wind does?
Knowing what a 3 mph head wind does?
Knowing when to take a sighter, and when not too?

You get the idea.

It takes an enormous amount of practice I realize and amazingly, none of this even touches all of the shooting techniques and skill that need to be implemented.

 

[Novocon]

Where can you download that n50 card? Looks like a lot of fun!

 

[igolfat8]

At the bottom of the page:

Target / Scoring — National 50

www.national50.net

 

[tommyb]

At the bottom of the page:

Target / Scoring — National 50

www.national50.net

Thank you Tim

 

[Novocon]

Thank you Tim

Awesome! Thank you kindly. I do appreciate it.

 

[ChrisT]

Head and tail winds, do a number on you, knowing the range/terrain your firing on also makes a difference.

 

[thomasair]

Tommy, your post clearly points out the challenge of BR.

You have a quality match Rimfire rifle, match ammo, and a solid rest setup....but even though the wind resistance of the Rimfire gun is 3x better then a pellet gun....the shots don't make 10s without knowing the right place to hold based on your flags.

Very few people understand how difficult it is.

Mike

 

[tommyb]

Tommy, your post clearly points out the challenge of BR.

You have a quality match Rimfire rifle, match ammo, and a solid rest setup....but even though the wind resistance of the Rimfire gun is 3x better then a pellet gun....the shots don't make 10s without knowing the right place to hold based on your flags.

Very few people understand how difficult it is.

Mike

Funny you should mention this Mike.

Several years back JoeF, Lou and you mentioned I should get some wind flags. Joe sent me three or four and I have been steadily using them since then. Many thanks!!

However, the devil is in the detail meaning, you have to know what they are showing you. It’s a challenging and “constant” learning process but that’s what brings us all back to the bench.

Sometimes I get it right, until the inevitable wind shift or direction change.

What I wouldn’t give to be a ‘fly on the wall’ at some of these monthly N50 matches and just ‘watch and learn.’

 

[SierraEd]

What a great day at the range, the wind looks super challenging. You’ve got me motivated, I think I’ll pack my stuff up and punch a few holes in paper this afternoon, but first, I have to drop off a scope in the mail. It’s a good day.

 

[tommyb]

Actually Ed, the wind varied from 2-7 mph, and I tried to be patient & shoot at the lowest wind speeds. I thought I could out muscle the wind shooting my 40g RF at 1065 fps ( on the Garmin Xero) using good ammo, but Mike is right. Even the RF bullets move a lot at 50 yards in light to moderate wind for N50 scoring purposes.

Go sling some lead down range.

 

[SierraEd]

That MPR it’s a very accurate platform. I think they’re highly sought after at the moment. I have a CZ that shoots pretty well, but I’m trying to figure out the best platform and whether that’s going to be a bipod or an adjustable front rest. Just looking for a little magic

 

[tommyb]

The Anschutz 64 MPR ( 64 Action ) with the long bull barrel is a solid rifle. I purchased from Anschutz North America in 2018/2019. At the time, I paid about $1400-1500 for the rifle. Excellent 2-stage trigger and hardly ever needs cleaning. Favorite ammo is Lapua Center -X, but shoots Eley and Midas Plus well. For a .22 RF, it’s surprisingly not ammo fussy.

There is a lot of information on front mechanical rests on the Internet, but also some good info on AGN on the pros and cons of one and two piece mechanical rests.

Depending on your goals, I would try a good Bipod first, or just jump in the deep end of the pool and get a good used front mechanical rest.

This same advice applies to shooting 50-100y Benchrest with capable air rifles.

 

[SierraEd]

The Anschutz 64 MPR ( 64 Action ) with the long bull barrel is a solid rifle. I purchased from Anschutz North America in 2018/2019. At the time, I paid about $1400-1500 for the rifle. Excellent 2-stage trigger and hardly ever needs cleaning. Favorite ammo is Lapua Center -X, but shoots Eley and Midas Plus well. For a .22 RF, it’s surprisingly not ammo fussy.

There is a lot of information on front mechanical rests on the Internet, but also some good info on AGN on the pros and cons of one and two piece mechanical rests.

Depending on your goals, I would try a good Bipod first, or just jump in the deep end of the pool and get a good used front mechanical rest.

This same advice applies to shooting 50-100y Benchrest with capable air rifles.

That is solid advice Tom, much appreciated. One of the things I enjoy so much about this sport, people are so generous and willing to help you. Good for you on trying different rimfire ammunition in your MPR, I just wish it was easier to source CenterX and R50. I don’t seem to have very much luck with Eley in my gun. Oh yes, and then being in California, we have the sheer joy of paying a 10% luxury tax on any gun or ammunition related purchase.

 

[tommyb]

That is solid advice Tom, much appreciated. One of the things I enjoy so much about this sport, people are so generous and willing to help you. Good for you on trying different rimfire ammunition in your MPR, I just wish it was easier to source CenterX and R50. I don’t seem to have very much luck with Eley in my gun. Oh yes, and then being in California, we have the sheer joy of paying a 10% luxury tax on any gun or ammunition related purchase.

Ouch!

Center-X is hard to find. Make sure you try the Lapua Long Range and Super Long Range also.

 

[igolfat8]

Tom, This will make you cry ... My Bergara loves Norma Tac 22, which is a mere $3.99 / box. I shot three 2500's last year in ARA matches with it. Guys at our club shooting Ten X, Midas Plus, Center X, R50 and others were just floored.

 

[tommyb]

Nirvana! Wow, I need to try these.

The Center-X, Midas Plus, Eley Tenex, RWS 50 and 100, etc all are around $18-24 per box of 50 rounds. You lucked out Tim.

I will say that Anschutz North America does most/all of their testing using ‘expensive’ ammo for their guns. I did some unofficial testing for them with the RWS100 ammo, and it ain’t cheap. Unfortunately for me, both Annie’s like Champagne. . The 1907 - 54 Action match rifle and barrel were tested with RWS50 and the Custom Shop told me to use this ( and also RWS 100) for optimum accuracy.

But, I don’t want to buy a brick of ‘untried’ ammo if I find out accuracy goes to hell. Then I’m stuck with 10 boxes of crappy ammo. Not sure if any of the .22 LR online dealers offer sample pacs.

Anyway, point taken. I may do some experimenting. Thanks.