CMP Western Games/Creedmoor Cup 5-13 Nov

[MrTenX]

Anybody going to participate in the CMP Western Games/Creedmoor Cup (http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/WesternGames.htm) matches 5-13 Nov. at Camp Pendleton?
I'll be shooting in the Vintage Military Rifle Match on Sunday 6 Nov.

[ocabj]

What did you shoot and how did you shoot?

I shot the Garand on Sunday for 275-1x and the Swede M96 on Monday for 261-2x.

And I even picked out a nice 03A3 for myself on Sunday.

[MrTenX]

I shot my M38 Swede with handloads for a 274-6x.
Well, between you and me it looks like Swedes placed 2nd and 3rd.
I had a great time and looking forward to next year.

[ocabj]

I shot my M38 Swede with handloads for a 274-6x.
Well, between you and me it looks like Swedes placed 2nd and 3rd.
I had a great time and looking forward to next year.

Sweet! Awesome score. The Swede rifles definitely own.

I didn't expect to do well with my Swede because I had recently switched the front sight post with a taller front sight. I didn't have time to file down the sight for a proper zero with a 6 o'clock hold on the SR target so I pretty much had to find my hold under with the 5 sighting shots. So on the 500 yard notch, I was too low and the 550 yard notch I was too high. I couldn't use the 500 yard notch and go center hold because it was still too low, so I bit the bullet and went with the 550 setting and tried to find the right amount of white to hold under to get me in the 10 ring. It took me about 5 shots during slow fire prone, but I found it. It really hurt me in the offhand though, since it's difficult to use such a hold under while in that position. Plus the wind during 4th relay on Monday wasn't helping my natural point of aim in the offhand position, either.

I definitely plan on shooting in Vintage again next year. I know I can clean that target during the prone stages. Once I fine tune that front sight post for my 142gr Sierra MK load, it'll be on.

When I shot on the 4th relay on Monday, the guy on my right was also shooting with a Swede M96. I'm pretty sure I saw at least 3 other Swedes and a few K31s. The guy who shot on my right on Monday during the 3rd relay had a K31 and used GP11 ammo. He also used separate magazines during the rapid fire prone stage, as opposed to the cardboard Swiss chargers. I heard that a couple other guys were shooting 8mm Mauser, but I didn't see the rifles.

I ended up picking out an 03A3. I'd like to shoot it at the next Western Games, but I want to take another crack at it with the Swede and get gold.

[MrTenX]

You are quite right about the wind. I was on Wilcox range Saturday for the Highpower clinic and the wind was pretty bad all day. However, Sunday was perfect, with very little wind. An old timer advised me to get on either the first or second relay to avoid the wind. I lucked out and managed to get on the second relay.

I'd been practicing at the Angeles Shooting Range and the shooting conditions that day at Pendleton were just like Angeles with very little wind and the sun at my back so my sights were right on the money. Only took 3 sighters before going for record. Almost cleaned the prone slow (99-4x), and on the prone rapid I believe I short stroked the bolt (I'm left handed) causing a jam which I had to clear but, still managed to get all my shots off with a pretty decent score.
Gotta work more on the standing position though.:rolleyes:

My Swede M38 (CG 1902) seems to prefer IMR 4895 and Sierra 140gr MK's. I also have an M96 (Husky 1943) but, haven't got it to shoot as well as my M38. I've tried lots of different powder and bullet combinations without much success. However, currently, a load of IMR 4831 and Sierra 120's looks promising.

Good luck with your Springfield. Hopefully it will be a shooter.
I was on the same firing point with Bob Noonan who placed 1st in the Springfield match.

Hope to meet you there next year.

[ocabj]

I'm using 37.5gr Hodgdon Varget with the 142gr Sierra Match Kings. This averages right around 2600fps in the M96.

[MrTenX]

Thanks for the info.
Varget and H4895 are two powders I've been meaning to try in my Swedes. They are on my list to get at the next Costa Mesa show later this month.

[ocabj]

Thanks for the info.
Varget and H4895 are two powders I've been meaning to try in my Swedes. They are on my list to get at the next Costa Mesa show later this month.

I haven't tried H4895 in 6.5 Swede.

The powder I first started out with in 6.5x55 was H4350 and found 41.0gr was pretty accurate, at least in my rifle. It was fairly mild at 2500 fps or so. But, after I ran out of H4350, I played with Varget since I can get that at the Costa Mesa show for a good price ($17 per lb, if I remember right) and I already use Varget in .308 so I had quite a few cans in storage.

Speaking of Costa, I think I need to go to that show this month, too. I'm running low on large rifle and pistol primers and I could use more Varget and IMR 4064.

[MrTenX]

Here (http://www.odcmp.org/1105/default.asp?page=WGAMES) is a great article on the 2005 CMP Western Games.
Follow the link at the bottom of the story if you want to view lots of pictures.

Next CMP Western Games/Creedmoor Cup Matches are scheduled for 4-12 Nov. 2006 at Camp Pendleton.