Another range day

[bandit1250]

I spent 5 hrs. at the range a little over a week ago. Took 5 guns with me that day including my new to me 1982 Contender Super 14" 223 and my new unfired Tikka Forest 222 Remington. A pair of Savage 220 Swift single shots a very accurate CZ Trainer 22. The Tikka 222 Remington was a real eye opener that day but I always see good targets when a 222 Remington is involved. So yesterday I got to go again. Took the Swift that is my most recent purchased one to try other loads different from the first outing. Also took the 700 Classic in 223 Rem. and my Ruger Predator 7.62X39 and my CZ Lux 22. I have set my lever guns aside for a while to play with my bolt rifles. Soon found out the Ruger is a terrible copper fouler with the Russian ammo. May have some lapping to do on this one. Another reason I am no Ruger fan. I had some very nice groups with the Swift with the 40 and 50 grain bullets I loaded up to try. Pennies at a 100 yds. are an easy target for this rifle and the light bullets. The 700 Classic is a 1/2" to 5/8" performer at a 100 which I can be happy with and very little load work tried on this rifle. It is my wifes 223 and she loves the way it shoots. Last summer I saw her go 5 for 5 on 45 ACP aluminum cased empties at 100 yds. shooting at the shell head placed in holes in a card board box with the shell head facing out. She still has those empty casings. Then I shot the Lux at 50 yds. and some groups at 65 yds. 10 shot groups at 50 were right at 1/2" to 9/16". At 65 yds. the ammo most accurate at 50 was still the best at 65 yds. Standard velocity Geco was the best at 3/4 " and less. The higher velocity rounds were right at 1" with some really cheap ammo slightly over the 1" mark. The 2-7 scope could have a little more power for target shooting. I had fun when I could keep the bugs from getting in my eyes or ears or even a few up my nose. My golly what we will put up with to go out and shoot.

[Henry88]

Great report Banndit; would be even better if you popped a few pics with your phone during the day

[PT7]

Ditto on Henry88...and that's a great way to get rid of those almost useless pennies!
Glad you had fun, Bandit.

[North Country Gal]

How did the Contender work out for you? Been shooting various Contender rigs, myself, this week. When I setup Contenders as rifles, they will run right with my best CZs for accuracy.

What ammo were you shooting in the 7.62x39? The CZs I've had in 7.62x39 actually did best with better grades of steel case ammo, less so with brass ammo. The CZ, though, is specifically made for steel case. Highly recommend the CZ if you like the 7.62x39.

[BigAl52]

I have one of those CZ 762x39 with a 2x7 Burris scope on it. It loves Brown Bear 123 gr bullets. I get under 1 inch groups at 100 yards easy with it.

[bandit1250]

How did the Contender work out for you? Been shooting various Contender rigs, myself, this week. When I setup Contenders as rifles, they will run right with my best CZs for accuracy.

What ammo were you shooting in the 7.62x39? The CZs I've had in 7.62x39 actually did best with better grades of steel case ammo, less so with brass ammo. The CZ, though, is specifically made for steel case. Highly recommend the CZ if you like the 7.62x39.

The Contender shot well. I didn't have the right size targets to shoot at a 100 so I shot at 50 yds. Most 5 shot groups were ragged holes or slightly bigger with the preferred loads. It liked the 52 gr. Speer hollow point and the 45 gr. Sierra spitzer with 4198 powder. I had for got how loud the 14" barrel 223 can be until I touched off the first round under the range roof even with ear plugs. Had quite a fire ball with the more maxed loads. It is a fun gun and plan to keep it and not let it go like my first one. Could use a lighter trigger pull. I have my eye out for another one. I had no problem hitting walnut size sand stone rocks on the bank behind the 100 yd. target board with it after sighting it in. I plan on shooting it again this week if I can find time. I also want to shoot the rifles again with different loads.
The 7.62X39 I used Wolf 123 FMJ and the 124 HPT. The FMJ shot a little better than the HPT. I have other stuff to try in it. Mine is the Ruger Predator but I will find a CZ in the future. I just can't get to like most Ruger rifles for their accuracy. This one is a copper fouler and may need some lapping done to the barrel or a trip back to Ruger. It is a pain to get clean and the accuracy opens up at less than 20 rounds.I bought this for a winter walk around gun because it is so light and short with the 16 1/4" barrel and has a lot more punch than my Ruger Predator in 22 Magnum for coyote size critters. I kept it light with the aluminum rings and factory aluminum Ruger base and I put a 1-4X20 Leupold on it. I going to give it my best shot to get it from being such a fouler and as a last resort fire lap it or send it back.

[BigAl52]

Just bought one of those Rugers myself Bandit. Mine is in 300 BO. I will take a look at mine and see how it looks barrel wise. I shot Speer TNT 125 grain HP through mine for sighting in and testing purposes and it shot really well at 50 yards. I dont remember how may rounds I ran through it but I know it was more than 20. I have a 300 BO in a Ruger Mini 14 but I wanted one in a bolt gun. When Ruger came out with it using the AR magazine instead of there plastic rotary magazine I jumped on one. Good friend has one with the rotary magazine and its not a very good magazine. I was curious so I went to the basement and looked at mine. Mine is the Ranch rifle. I dont see any kind of copper fouling in mine at all. I think I would be making a phone call to Ruger. Al

[North Country Gal]

If you need help tuning the Contender trigger, let me know. As for the 7.62x39, I think you'd love the CZ 527 Carbine in that cartridge. Great little carry gun.

[Sir Henry]

Pennies at 100 yards is fantastic!

[North Country Gal]

Pennies at 100 yards is fantastic!

Amen to that. Awesome shooting.