Target Placement 5,6,7,800M 21NOV2008

I placed the targets at 500, 600, 700, and 800 meters. See below video. This took much time as I could trek out with only one target at a time. These metal plates weigh 65-85 pounds each. I did add a waist belt to my load carrying "A" frame which helps to distribute some of the load to my hips. I had done some preliminary ranging from the shooting site and had picked out landmarks for each distance. I started with the 800 meter target, and on the way back from setting it I went to the 700 meter landmark, ranged back to the shooting site, and marked the spot so I knew right where to go when I came back with the heavy target on my back. I repeated this for each target location. For the most part I am pleased with the target positions. This range location allows me to double the distance I was able to shoot at on the other side of the valley. The targets at 700 and 800 meters on the north slope are in the shadows after noon making seeing the bullet hit marks a bit difficult, but sighting on the target is no problem. The sun is close to its lowest path in the southern sky. Those targets will stay in shadow longer through the next month up to winter solstice, but illumination will gradually improve as the sun moves higher in the sky and will be best through the spring and summer months.

After all the labor of setting the targets, I couldn't wait to get on them. I sure didn't feel like fooling around with the video camera, and it took all my will power just to take the time to film the target locations. I wanted some pure, uninterrupted, long range target shooting, and I got it. I had the 1953 Hungarian M52 with Chinese code 833 PU scope and a 1944 Izhevsk M91/30 PU sniper rifle with SVT scope and laminate stock and planned going back and forth between them at each target distance. This worked well because I could translate windage settings from one to the other. I shot 10 to 15 rounds with one then switched to the other, giving a chance for the rifles to cool off. Both rifles performed great, with shots following hold changes and scope windage and elevation adjustments.

Temperature was 68F under clear, sunny skies. Wind conditions were variable with an average of 7mph gusting to 12mph with ebbs going as low as 4mph blowing full value left to right (opposite direction of last session). These wind readings were taken with a handheld meter at the shooting location. I settled on making my initial windage corrections for 7mph full value.


Safe Shooting, John