Experimental sights/experimental ammunition and gongs

[Eric Johanen]

I am going to shoot my first gong match this weekend. 200 to 600 yards and I've decided to test sights and ammo just for fun. I will be using the semi-buckhorn rear and blade front with a BACO .458/500 grain RN Government bullet. 70.0 grains of KIK 2fg. Neck sized brass and bullet seated with the 1'st grease groove exposed. I cut a v in the bottom of the U on the sight ladder and it zeros exactly above the front blade at 200 yards. I could hold a 5 inch group at 200 benched, right in the bottom of the black using a 6 O'clock hold. A bit more front sight and the impact is middle of the 10 ring to just kissing the X ring. Between the sight base ears I get about 4 inches left and 4 inches right windage. I do want to see how close the marked yardages on the staff work with this load. It will be fun to see how well the Shiloh Sharps, barrel sights and this ammo shoots at yardage. Hope for good light on the sights and will bring my carbide smoker in case I get too much glare off the german silver front blade.