First time at Quigley

[JKR]

Many of my shooting friends have been after me to go for the last three years. I decided not to put it off any longer. It was a great vacation for my wife and I, camping in state parks and sight seeing.
In spite of all the horror story’s I’ve heard about Quigley weather, the conditions were great. We got a little sample at the end of the awards ceremony when the wind came up like we never see here in Northern Wisconsin.
The shooting was great fun. We arrived on Tuesday afternoon so had plenty of time for practice. After getting elevation settings for the odd distances, I tried to pick times when it was particularly windy in order to get a handle on the windage needed for conditions I hardly ever see. One afternoon I even got to use up all my windage and hold into the wind in order to make hits on the buffalo!
I ended up winning the top first time shooter award with 33 hits but was a little disappointed that I didn’t score better. I had 5 hits offhand which set me up pretty well, but then proceeded to do some dumb stuff that cost me points. Lessons were learned!
My thanks to the Lee’s, Forsyth Rod and Gun, and all others for their great effort in putting on this incredible event!
JKR

[Kurt]

Jim,

A 33 for the first time at the Q is very respectable. That usually will keep you close to the top 25 or at least the 50's barring tie breakers and pout of 600 competitors that aint bad for the first time on that range learning the winds that play with you there.
I havent seen any scores listed yet.

[JKR]

Kurt,
The winner had 41 which, I’m told, is rather low. Possibly the conditions were tougher than other years. Having no previous experience, I couldn’t say.
Jim

[Randy Bohannon]

JKR,

Care to give your rifle and load details ?
I ask as it’s an event I wish to attend and get my feet wet with a new 1877 Shiloh .

[Kurt]

Jim.

A 41 or a couple higher has won the match several several times. I cant remember the highest record shot at the Q.
I started in 05 but I missed a couple because of medical issues and I think the lowest I shot was a 27 and that was I think in 21 where after day one during the match I tore my retina in my right eye and on Sunday I had a problem picking out the targets. The best I ever ended with was a 41 but there were 4 that shot more off hand than I did and that knocked me out of the top 10.
Your 33 is a good finish and that first time shooter place is something to pin on the wall and look at with a good feeling.

[JKR]

Randy,
My rifle was a Shiloh #3 in 45-70. I chose it over my heavy LR rifle because I can handle it reasonably well offhand. It has a 30”, half round, standard weight barrel and weighs a tad less than ten pounds.
It used an MVA Soule LR rear sight. At one point during practice, I could’ve made use of the buffalo Soule sight that I have on my LR rifle. When I bought that sight, I never thought I’d see a need for that much windage. My opinion on that has now changed and it will be on the rifle that goes to the Q next year!
I chose to use a heavy post in my front sight for the entire match This may have cost me a few points in elevation misses.
My load was 70 grains of 1 1/2 Swiss and .060” P wad under a 510 BACO Creedmoor Bullet. Winchester case, Federal 210M primer. This is a grease groove bullet with a reduced front band. This load has shot has shot well for me out to 600 yards but had not been tested beyond. I went 8 straight on the 805 yard buffalo one day in practice, so I guess it’s pretty good. The nice thing about shooting gongs and silhouettes is, all you have to do is hit ‘em!
I was told the shooting moved along quickly, so I chose the grease groove bullet over my paper patch load in order to load and shoot quickly. Actually, plenty of time was given.
Jim

[Randy Bohannon]

Thank you JKR,
I’m pretty close to what you are doing , that Creedmoor bullet is as good today as it ever was. Have you measured your fired brass for diameter ? I’ve done both of my Shiloh’s in 45-70 and both .460” . I stumbled onto a Steve Brooks .460” Pointy bullet mould @510 grs with reduced bands. It shoots amazingly well but not a 1000 yard bullet. The late Jim Kluskin suggested the rifle liked the bullet because of the .460” diameter fitting the groove better. Steve Brooks is making me a Postell mould with reduced bands and I have high hopes for this mould.
Congrats on a good performance at the Q. And thanks again for giving your spec’s.

Randy

[bpcrshooter]

Jim,
Some really good shooting! It was a pleasure to see you an your better half. I have always used a PP bullet there and you certainly have enough time if you so choose to. I too shot a 33, had a fantastic time at a fantastic place!!

matt

[JKR]

You all should know that Matt was shooting his 38-55 with the PP bullet that Arnie designed. He had 7 hits on the 800 yard target which was better that morning than many of us shooting 45’s.
Matt, it was great to see you and your Dad out there. Congratulate him for me on that straight eight pin!
Jim

[Kurt]

Matt, Jim,

It's good to see the results. Matt you and your Dad did a fine job and also you Jim did well also.
Matt that little brother of the .38-50 held pretty well for you. I wanted in the worst way to use my .38 but it was not to happen this year but you can bet I will try again next year.
What was the issue you feel that might have caused some problems?
I shot close to 300 rounds with my .38-50 especially at the 800 and 600 with out making windage changes to monitor the effects of the wind switches and I'm very confident that this little caliber will hold as well as my other rifles from what Carolyn marked on the silhouette board from the hits she was able to see. I hit a bunch straight with out a miss but the hits where not seen because of the splattered Buff and stop sign.
But the .38-50 shell held 61 and some at 60 and 62 grains of 1.5 Swiss that is quite a bitt more than your .38-55 will hold.
If I'm able to shoot the Lodi match this fall I will use the .38 for it and let the final outcome be as it will be.
I just wish that I would have had a .38-50 build years back instead having the larger is better mentality

Good work guys.

Kurt