This afternoon I'd put aside some time to take out the rifle for a zero check before going out stalking this weekend. However, in this part of Oxfordshire it's been blowing 25mph and I just didn't see the point of going out to make guesses about the quality of my zero. I'll take it out tomorrow morning instead.
At a loose end, I got the neglected old CZ 452 .22 out of the back of the cupboard, grabbed a couple of boxes of ammo, magazine and bolt and headed out into the field behind the house.
Now recently, with less free time and next to know rabbits on my permissions thanks to Mixy, my shooting time has been predominately spent stalking or on the pheasants & pigeons. I had completely forgotten the fun that could be had and the lessons that can be learnt by using a .22lr.
Range judging is absolutely vital with the .22, I'd forgotten how crucial it is whilst shooting a .243 at sub 120 yards. It was great to get back into doing that over the shorter distances, I'm shocking at it. Secondly, I was able to practise shooting out of position, sitting, kneeling, prone, standing etc all for 1/30th of the price of factory .243 stuff. I rattled off 90 odd rounds at a cost of £8-9 as opposed to £135ish with the .243 and I'm sure my centrefire shooting will be better for it.
I don't normally bother with new years resolutions but this year, mine will be to get the .22 out at least once a month for an hour or so to practice those awkward shots, judging range and just generally enjoying getting some useful, cheap practice in.
Maybe I'll have to go out after those squirrels hammering the pheasant feeder 30 yards from that highseat...
Happy New Year all!
At a loose end, I got the neglected old CZ 452 .22 out of the back of the cupboard, grabbed a couple of boxes of ammo, magazine and bolt and headed out into the field behind the house.
Now recently, with less free time and next to know rabbits on my permissions thanks to Mixy, my shooting time has been predominately spent stalking or on the pheasants & pigeons. I had completely forgotten the fun that could be had and the lessons that can be learnt by using a .22lr.
Range judging is absolutely vital with the .22, I'd forgotten how crucial it is whilst shooting a .243 at sub 120 yards. It was great to get back into doing that over the shorter distances, I'm shocking at it. Secondly, I was able to practise shooting out of position, sitting, kneeling, prone, standing etc all for 1/30th of the price of factory .243 stuff. I rattled off 90 odd rounds at a cost of £8-9 as opposed to £135ish with the .243 and I'm sure my centrefire shooting will be better for it.
I don't normally bother with new years resolutions but this year, mine will be to get the .22 out at least once a month for an hour or so to practice those awkward shots, judging range and just generally enjoying getting some useful, cheap practice in.
Maybe I'll have to go out after those squirrels hammering the pheasant feeder 30 yards from that highseat...
Happy New Year all!