Been awhile since I posted. So I just traded my Savage 22-250 and a little cash for a pretty much brand new Ruger Mini 14 Target. I have had my eye on Mini 14s for a while now and finally found one I liked. The target model is only chambered in .223 unlike the other mini 14s which also accept 5.56 but that is fine with me, as I really don't care to shoot surplus or super cheap ammo in my nice guns anyway plus there is plenty of quality .223 ammo out there. The rifle has a leupold vx2 4-12x40 AO scope on it. I was out at the range today with it for the first time and tried to sight it in with cheap monarch 55gr fmj that I had on hand that I let my son shoot through his single shot rifle. As I said before I don't like cheap stuff and this performed horribly. 4 inch groups at 100 yds, good enough for government work but not for me. I let the barrel cool, cleaned it, and switched to Federal Gold Match 69gr BTHP. Instant improvement after a little sight adjust I was soon shooting 1 inch groups at 100 yds. I am sure that with a little adjustment of the damper on the barrel and more practice I can pull that in tighter. Just for the fun of it I ran a target out to 300 yds and took a few shots. I used the ballistics on the box as a guide for hold over, said 13.3 inches at 300 yds. Unfortunately I forgot to take into effect the wind, bullets moved right about 4-5inches and actual drop was 15-16 inches. My 5 shot group was 2 inches in diameter at 300 yds so I would say the rifles is accurate. Rounds are traveling a little slower than advertised on box, probably due to rifle having 22 inch barrel and test gun from factory using a 24. I am going to take out my chronograph next time to see actual velocity. I'm betting around 2750, then I can get a better idea using ballistics calculator how much hold over I need.
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