2014-11-12
2200-2300
20F
10 mph NW
Goal: Acclimation check zero on .308WIN with PS-22 amd .45acp with CT ir-laser. Zero ir-laser on rifle.
Environment: I think it actually warmed up a little tonight ... certainly the wind is down a bit. Low clouds, no stars, moon rising towards end of session.
Equipment: .308WIN with 13-27 inch harris bipod set at 22 inches with 168gr AMAX. .45acp. Wore teeshirt, light jacket and carhart coat. This is one less layer than last time, but carhart is worth 1.5 layers. I could wear another layer under it and that would be #1 in terms of pure cold defeating, but the carhart is bulkly then the "A" option which is same layers under the wet suit top. The wet suit top outer layer is very warm and less bulky. And the bulky aspect is important when wearing a lot of gear and trying to balance ability to move, with ability to stay warm.
Also had pinnacle on left eye with ballistic helmet and balaklava. And wore "snow pants" which are too warm unless you are laying in the snow.
Had one glove on left hand with right hand glove in right pocket. Rifle had 3.5-10x TMR scope (Ill Ret) with ir-laser on the front of the rail. Also kit included, 1 quart canteen, lrf and 3x 14 magnifier on belt pouches, 3 mag pouch with 5 mags of 4 rds each of 7.62 168gr AMAX (5 more rds on the check pad). Pack with food and water and 12 lb weight.
Activity: On trip out I could see fine with the one 14, even though it had the 720nm filter. There was some scintillation, but I could see well enough to move at 80% day speed with no hestitation. Set up target, fired one round of .308WIN at 25yds checked target, low center in 9 ring. I aimed low, so I hit low. Why did I aim low? Not thinking. Maybe I think the round will go where I think I want it to, regardless of where I aim!!?? Second round, aimed for center of black circle, hit x ring. This was with 3.5-10x TMR scope and PS-22. To aim in this position I got down in my seated position and extended the bipod to the indicated 22 inches and then squirmed around until I felt like I had minimized the "strain" on the position, getting to a point where I could mostly relax and still be pointed (body and rifle) at the target. I took some time to do this for both shoots. What I did wrong the first time, was just not aim at the bull.
Fired 2 rounds of .45acp, had to open carhart to pull pistol as I had the pistol strapped on the middle layer light jacket. I don't want to have to adjust the pistol for the carhart, that's part of the reason the carhart is "B" because it is bulkier and would require changing the belt (and the changing it back later). Got 8 and 9 ring with pistol, which is acceptable. The CT ir-laser on the pistol does not bloom like the laser-max ir-laser I have on the rifle.
On the way back the pinnacle did fog up, I uncovered my nose and the fog disappated.
Results: I forgot the ir-laser adjusting tool, because I switched pants. So I couldn't adjust the laser. But I did confirm zero on rifle and pistol. And I got some more acclimation which is the important aspect.