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30-Yard Challenge
- Thread starter tcarlson777
- Start date
You are right ThomasT. Learning my guns and how to shoot better is more the goal than the actual score. I sorted another tin of pellets last night (even 1 point is significant when I am this close). I'll probably try another target late today (maybe 2) and if it is still under 200, clean the barrel. I kind of doubt it will help, almost certainly won't initially, but I'm curious what effect it will have. Also need to try the lightest ones from the sorting. I expect them to be worse but the gun doesn't always validate my guesses. Even if I don't get there a 199 for a under 30 inch under $500 bullpup seems respectable. Maybe I'll think of something else to try. I could make a more solid bench, for instance. I think holding perfectly steady is a significant part of the issue for me at the moment. Having the bench not amplify my unsteadiness would probably help.
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Your first sentence captures it all!
Also, There sure are a lot of variables that have to align with the stars to go after these perfect scores. I can’t prove it for certain, but I think unintentional shooting technique mistakes do me in more than wind.
Also, There sure are a lot of variables that have to align with the stars to go after these perfect scores. I can’t prove it for certain, but I think unintentional shooting technique mistakes do me in more than wind.
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My 1st 30 Yd Challenge card that I’ve shot in some time, and it breaks my record with my Dreamline Classic .177.
I submit this 196 13x to replace my previous best 195 12x with the Dreamline on the leaderboard.
I don’t know what happened with the 2nd target on #1, but I’d like to have it back, lol.
-Ed
I submit this 196 13x to replace my previous best 195 12x with the Dreamline on the leaderboard.
I don’t know what happened with the 2nd target on #1, but I’d like to have it back, lol.
-Ed
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This is my 1st 30 Yard Challenge target with my Daystate Wolverine R HP .22.
This Wolverine is a beast - shooting 25.39g JSBs at 897-902fps ! It felt a bit like I was trying to blow the 30 yard target to pieces!!
I acquired this Wolverine from an AGN member, I probably still have not put 200 pellets through it.
As you can see, on Target pairs #1 and #2 I was still getting a feel for how to shoot the rifle. I shot a couple tiny 5 shot groups with it prior to this target, but group shooting doesn’t require the accuracy that the TYC target does. I love this challenge for helping me “learn a rifle”.
Anyway, not a bad first target at 191 8X - but I know both the rifle and I together can do better.
This Wolverine is a beast - shooting 25.39g JSBs at 897-902fps ! It felt a bit like I was trying to blow the 30 yard target to pieces!!
I acquired this Wolverine from an AGN member, I probably still have not put 200 pellets through it.
As you can see, on Target pairs #1 and #2 I was still getting a feel for how to shoot the rifle. I shot a couple tiny 5 shot groups with it prior to this target, but group shooting doesn’t require the accuracy that the TYC target does. I love this challenge for helping me “learn a rifle”.
Anyway, not a bad first target at 191 8X - but I know both the rifle and I together can do better.
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I still figure out where I want to hold sometimes on the first few targets but I try to avoid this by shooting 1/2 a target cut vertically taped to a backer and put in little L brackets on the 4x4 post supporting my pellet trap. I used a target on a political sign but those pellets went into the lake and sometimes skipped a bit. So I shoot into the 4x4 now. My scores still are not so great but I think a little warm up helps. I found I needed to hold just over the 10 ring today and I was holding just under it last time I shot my P35-22. I think the wind direction changed it although there was not much wind either time.
Still can't buy a 200. I have 4 197s, 2 198s, and 1 199. A few lower too but only one 194 in the last few weeks. I'm close but I am not sure I'll get there. I noticed today that my 177 shot better in a wood stock I made for my P35-25, however (only shot half a target in each stock and the plastic score was unusually low). I have another stock, mahogany this time, about ready for finish. I intend it for the 177 but may try it on the 22. Probably shoot it on the 177 first. I'm not sure the stock really helps but I will want to see if there is a change. I plan a cherry stock for the 22 but might shoot it in the 177s mahogany stock if the 177 shoots better in it (until the cherry stock gets made).
Still can't buy a 200. I have 4 197s, 2 198s, and 1 199. A few lower too but only one 194 in the last few weeks. I'm close but I am not sure I'll get there. I noticed today that my 177 shot better in a wood stock I made for my P35-25, however (only shot half a target in each stock and the plastic score was unusually low). I have another stock, mahogany this time, about ready for finish. I intend it for the 177 but may try it on the 22. Probably shoot it on the 177 first. I'm not sure the stock really helps but I will want to see if there is a change. I plan a cherry stock for the 22 but might shoot it in the 177s mahogany stock if the 177 shoots better in it (until the cherry stock gets made).
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Hey Jim,
I have a slightly different view of the 30 Yard Challenge than most.
I’m not overly concerned about a perfect score, if it happens, then great.
Instead, I use the 30 Yard Challenge as a “training tool” - to get to the point with each of my rifles where I can pick it up and shoot 190. To me 190 is a damn fine score, you are right around the bullseye every time if you are shooting 190.
I don’t shoot any sighters once I start a 30 Yard Challenge card - so its 24 straight shots - try to make every shot a bullseye. I shoot right from the tin and don’t reject any pellets.
Shooting the Challenge this way gives me great insight into how well I shoot each gun. Basically, can I pick up the rifle, pick up a tin of pellets that its sighted in with, and hit a 9 or 10 every time. If I can, then I’m happy. If not, then I work on the rifle and/or the way I’m shooting it until I get there.
If I let myself get caught up in the pursuit of perfection, that likely will require weighing and sorting ammo and shooting fewer guns. That would start to take the fun out of it for me. Improving beyond that 95 percentile with anything gets increasingly like work…lol.
-Ed
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Good perspective Ed, and as we all know, the bullseye and ‘X’ ring are pretty small. So, hitting all 9’s and 10’s from 30 yards to the bench, reflects on a good showing for our rifles.
It is a training tool for me as well. Candidly, every time I shoot a few cards, I self analyze to see what worked and what did not. There are times, when I take out my Chrono or adjust my HST to experiment with pellet weights and velocity tweaks.
This is a good reminder that it’s not just about perfection.
I can’t wait to get out there and shoot a 200!
It is a training tool for me as well. Candidly, every time I shoot a few cards, I self analyze to see what worked and what did not. There are times, when I take out my Chrono or adjust my HST to experiment with pellet weights and velocity tweaks.
This is a good reminder that it’s not just about perfection.
I can’t wait to get out there and shoot a 200!
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Hi OldSpook,
I tried to become the 1st person on this 30 Yard Challenge to score 190+ using Crosman pellets.
I hit 189 officially a couple times. Then I gave up for now.
I know that it can be done because I hit 196 on a practice card with Crosman 14.3g Ultra Domes. I started shooting a target that already had the 1st 4 targets shot - from a previous session with a different rifle. I was shooting so well that I shot the rest of that card and then 4 more on a new card. When I tallied the score it was a 196 - it taught me NEVER shoot a “practice” card, lol - heck its all “practice” anyway.
I was using my HW110 .22 when I was shooting the Crosmans. Both of my Weihrauchs shoot Crosman pellets well. Crosmans typically throw a lot of flyers in my non-HW rifles.
Wish you luck shooting the 30 Yard Challenge with your .177 HW110… I’m gonna have to start shooting my HW110 with Crosmans again…. gotta beat you to 190+, lol
-Ed
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I can’t wait to get out there and shoot a 200!
Hey TommyB,
200 ain’t tough… you want a “challenge”…
… join OldSpook and I as we try to shoot 190 or better with Crosman pellets…
… the flyers will break your heart and your will, lol
I’m going to my brother’s - gonna be shooting 100 yards all day.
I’m still pissed that I set up my Prophets incorrectly for the Northeast Airgun Challenge in April. I had basically no experience at 100 yards and showed up tuned for pellets that were way to light for the winds present on a wide open range. I watched my pellets getting blown the complete width of the target and more through my 45x Sightron scope - it was disheartening - I couldn’t get bench time to retune for heavier pellets and perhaps different velocity.
Today I’m gonna try a bunch of different weights, velocities and calibers with my two RTI PP v1s. (I have both.22 and .25 LR barrels- so I may crank up the velocities)
-Ed
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My impressions only on 100 yard BR: I know this is off topic, but since it is bench rest related…
Re. Your first 100y Benchrest event - As we have been watching these events over the last several years, it appears many of the competition shooters have migrated to either .25 or .30 caliber heavy pellet air guns. There are still some that do very well with high end HP .22 tuned rifles shooting 25.39 RDs, but not that many. Those that can truly read their flags and the wind; along with knowing when to wait or pause and when to shoot, do pretty well. Also, knowing when to stop and take a sighter with a wind shift, is also an acquired skill.
As I am observing in other threads, If you have a gun that is capable of minimizing vertical dispersion, then the L-R and R-L winds and estimating correct holds become a big challenge. The JSB 33g, 44g and 50g pellets are usually in this mix.
Don’t be too hard on yourself as it is a long journey; especially with pellets vs. slugs at 100 yards outdoors.
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Hi Beefthief (thankfully you are not a “bourbonthief),
Its a precision laboratory lift from AliExpress. For the price (will cost about $80 with shipping) the quality will blow your mind. It fits perfect with the flat stock of an RTI Prophet (like it was made for the Prophet), but I’ve found it to work well with any stock. I put a dashboard sunglass mat on top to prevent scratches and also use one underneath as the mats are “tacky” and prevent slipping. The mats also absorb vibration, so they may actually help accuracy.
Because I use the tripod clamp on the front, the rifle does not tip side-to-side, so by eliminating the rear bag, it eliminates putting forces on the sides of the stock - in my mind, the fewer touch points on the rifle, the better.
US $52.80 45％ Off | High Precise Manual Lift Z-axis Scissor Manual Lab Jack Elevator Optical Sliding Lift lifting platform Linear Stage 120x80x122mm
STANLEY S4006 4.5" x 6.5" Extra-Strong Anti-Slip Grip Dashboard Gel Pad for Cell-Phone, Tablet, GPS, Keys or Sunglasses https://a.co/d/ja7onOl
-Ed
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beerthief comes from the college days frat party's as sometimes i picked up the wrong cup . Now i only sip Bourbon .
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My first target, shot at 27.5 yards. All I can go until the rains quit. Shot with my spring gun, TX200 with a 5x20x30 Sightron. Air Arms 10.33 grain 4.52 pellets lubed with T9. Gun was tuned new by John Thomas of Pa. I have since replaced 2 springs. With the current pellets it's at 800fps. With 8.44 pellets it's at 900 fps. 800 fps is the accuracy node. I started with a bad zero, not smart.
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OK, I am selling all my PCPs. Great shooting with a break barrel. Phenomenal !!
Might have to resurrect my Diana 340 N-TEC .22!
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My bad, I knew that and had forgotten it was an under lever. I seriously considered the TX-200 a while back. It has a cult-like following.
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Jeff,
That is damn fine shooting with a springer. You are motivating me to try my Weihrauch HW97 .177 on the 30 Yard Challenge!
-Ed
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