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The missus has to work today so I headed to the range. Took the #4mk2 'Irish contract' and my CMP 03.
I've posted about this before, but it is amazing the accuracy potential in the peacetime #4s that haven't had the snot shot out of them over the past 70 years or so. I've had two of the in-the-wrap #4mk2 rifles and both shoot amazingly well. The barrel throats are not eroded from cordite and the muzzles aren't worn from vigorous pull through cleaning.
I have an 8/53 backsight attachment for the rifle which gives precise windage adjustments and a nice peep. It really helps accuracy.
I shot handloads using Sierra 174gr HPBT and 4320 powder, Sierra 180gr flat base spire points, as well as 1980s Yugo Mk8Z ball. The target shows 5 rounds of the 174 gr BT bullets. the hole at 11 o'clock has 2 bullets through it. This was from a rest at 100 yds.
The 180gr loads shot ok about 2" groups and the Yugo ball was about 3" groups. I was disappointed in those cartridges. Fortunately I don't have more than 3-4 boxes of those on hand.
The 03 was a major disappointment but it was all on me. The last time I shot it was in 2016 and it was a tack driver then. Now in 2020 I absolutely cannot see a clear image of the front sight and the target at 100 yds. I guess my age has caught up with my eyes. It was pretty hopeless and I gave up after about 20 rounds.
The rifle itself is nice, a 1931 or 32 receiver with a SA42 barrel and all milled hardware. It may have been one of the 03s that Springfield put together for the war from receivers made in the 30s but never assembled.
I guess this was the 03s last outing, there is no point in wasting ammunition when I can't use the sights. Fortunately the other iron sights on military rifles in my collection can still be puzzled out by my eyes. I think the Swede rifles will be the next to become unshootable for me since the rear sight notch is so shallow.
I've posted about this before, but it is amazing the accuracy potential in the peacetime #4s that haven't had the snot shot out of them over the past 70 years or so. I've had two of the in-the-wrap #4mk2 rifles and both shoot amazingly well. The barrel throats are not eroded from cordite and the muzzles aren't worn from vigorous pull through cleaning.
I have an 8/53 backsight attachment for the rifle which gives precise windage adjustments and a nice peep. It really helps accuracy.
I shot handloads using Sierra 174gr HPBT and 4320 powder, Sierra 180gr flat base spire points, as well as 1980s Yugo Mk8Z ball. The target shows 5 rounds of the 174 gr BT bullets. the hole at 11 o'clock has 2 bullets through it. This was from a rest at 100 yds.
The 180gr loads shot ok about 2" groups and the Yugo ball was about 3" groups. I was disappointed in those cartridges. Fortunately I don't have more than 3-4 boxes of those on hand.
The 03 was a major disappointment but it was all on me. The last time I shot it was in 2016 and it was a tack driver then. Now in 2020 I absolutely cannot see a clear image of the front sight and the target at 100 yds. I guess my age has caught up with my eyes. It was pretty hopeless and I gave up after about 20 rounds.
The rifle itself is nice, a 1931 or 32 receiver with a SA42 barrel and all milled hardware. It may have been one of the 03s that Springfield put together for the war from receivers made in the 30s but never assembled.
I guess this was the 03s last outing, there is no point in wasting ammunition when I can't use the sights. Fortunately the other iron sights on military rifles in my collection can still be puzzled out by my eyes. I think the Swede rifles will be the next to become unshootable for me since the rear sight notch is so shallow.
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