Odyessy in "F" Open

[Grindl]

Round Two ....I've received confirmation that I am entered in the 2019 Berger Southwest Nationals , February of next year , and will also be shooting in the Arizona State Midrange Championship , October 27th & 28th , 2018 .

My loading practices have improved greatly , as have my trigger skills , over the last year , and I'm hopeful of a better result , both in a few weeks , and next February .

Special thanks go out to CCA ; David Fair , for all of his deliberate consultation and discussion in refining my Mosin Target rifle beyond what it was before , and the R&D to bring the firing pin spring to a Competition level ..We've discovered something regarding the firing pin spring . And after I have the data to back up my theory , I'll post the modification for all to use . And Grimstod ; for the outstanding work he has done on my Bolt and firing pin . Grimstod's bolt work brought my scores up 10-12 points immediately . Keep everyone posted , as the State Match is just a couple weeks away .

[Deathsythe311]

Good luck brother. Keep us posted. We need to go out and shoot together.

[Grindl]

The 2019 Berger Southwest Nationals are complete . As stated ; I competed for the second year in a row with my M-N Target rifle , and I'm pleased to tell all , I did much better .
For those who do not know the scoring system for "F" class , it is very simple . There are three relays , comprised of :
Relay #1 ...5 sighters , 20 shots for record ( score )
Relay #2 ...5 sighters , 20 shots for record
Relay #3 ...5 sighters , 20 shots for record
Each shot for record ,(score) has a point value of ten points . A Match of three relays is 60 shots , equaling 600 points total . The additional scoring marker , or Bullseye , is the X-ring . It carries the same point value as a shot within the Ten ring , but is generally the designator of a Match winner , and placement in the field .
My 2019 Berger F Open Class , Marksman/Sharpshooter Div. scores were :
Relay #1 197 - 9X
Relay #2 197 - 5X
Relay #3 187 - 1X
Total 581 - 15X
Relays #1 & #2 , I managed to shoot #2 in class posting what are generally considered Masters level scores . The rifle performed flawlessly throughout the competition . Relay #3 ; I , along with other shooters dealt with the famous Ben Avery "switchy" winds , that I didn't do a great job of reading , thus the extra points dropped . I did manage to place 4th in Class , and after browsing the score-sheets , I found that my 581-15X , was good enough to beat out a dozen or so Masters , and a couple of High Masters . Our Mosin acquitted herself very well in a world class field of some very skilled shooters , and some very premier hardware .

Several shooters commented on my scores , knowing I was shooting a M-N , and there wasn't a single negative remark made by anyone . A little bit of good natured kidding , but it was with good intentions , and I told them , "Next year , I'm bringing my Dragonov" .

[Deathsythe311]

I lost your number buddy. We need to meet up again and this time shoot.

[Grindl]

Improvement ahead for my "Range Queen" ...I now have a Bartlein MTU 31" , 1-10 twist blank that will be installed on the "Queen" in September when I will make pilgrimage to CCA . This will make her a full 1,000 yard rifle , and it is the same barrel profile being shot by many of the AMU Team in competition .

I'll also be purchasing a full Front Rest , to be on equal footing for the "F-Open" Class .

[Grindl]

Had a really nice visit with David and his lovely wife last month at CCA . The new barrel is on , and has been shot in , following the Kreiger break-in method . The new tube is a Bartlein 1-10 / R5 , MTU profile finished at 30" . After approx. 50 break-in rounds of Sierra 155gr , #2156's , I sent 25 rounds of Berger 185 Hybrids down-range , 5 rounds to a target . All rounds touching , and could be covered with a quarter at 100 yards .

David did another outstanding job on this barrel , and I'm looking forward to doing the full change-over to the Open class . This rifle will be highly competitive , if I hold up my end .

[bearrowland]

That's fantastic results. Great to hear and also see some activity on the Forum!

[Grindl]

Got to shoot her at 600 yrds , finally . Looks promising ...Only had time to sight-in , and shoot one 20 shot string , but I was satisfied , considering the conditions . Shot a 193 - 9x with winds slightly gusty at 8 - 11mph. She'll do her job , if I do mine .

I did get a "Front Rest" , so no more trying to compete from a Bi-pod . The difference is Night and Day . The Rest is a Bald Eagle Triangle 1006 , Cast Iron w/horizontal cable adjustment . The cable was unreliable , so it got modified , (Removed) and replaced with a rotating handle to facilitate moving the rifle horizontally for fine target adjustment . Now I just have to learn to set it up and use it correctly . This rabbit-hole just keeps getting deeper .

[Grimstod Desh]

It never ends.

[Grindl]

I finally got "The Call" , the other day , and I got into the 2020 Southwest Nationals again . Apparently there have been enough cancellations to get some of us late guys in . And the field was full in six minutes . That's the good news for the M-N guys . The bad news is I won't be shooting the Mosin this year . I've been shooting my .308 Kelby in the F-TR class for the last six months , due to the shortage of powder and bullets for awhile , it was my only option . Major shortage of A-4350 , due to some contamination issue and a shortage of some Berger bullets , but there was ample H-4895 . Don't have a Comp load for H-4895 , but I'll have the M-N geared up for next year and time to get it right for the F Open Shark pool . And that pool is really deep . Some 12 or 13 guys shot "clean" in the 1st & 2nd relay last year . Keep ya'll posted .