24 March 2023...2nd Garand Picture of the Day

Ok, I wasn't shooting a Garand, but my friend brought his along. Hopefully the statue qualifies this thread for this forum, and Mark can forgive me for jumping in ;)
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I flew to Huntsville, AL for work all last week...which was exhausting to say the least. But, a couple weeks in advance I carefully and quietly blocked off my calendar for Friday so no one could interfere. I got up early to drive the 2.5 hours out to the John C. Garand Range at CMP's Talladega Marksmanship Park to get there when they opened at 9am.

I brought along my 1903a4 that I had restored last year from a broken and neglected sporter in order to put it through it's paces at the 600yd line (there is a thready following every step of my restoration in the 1903 forum).

For new arrivals, the range officers make you start at 100yd line on range 2 to prove you can shoot a group before moving on to range 1. I put my first round from a cold barrel at the bottom edge of the X-ring, then the next 2 shots in the same hole at the top of the X-ring. I then politely asked the RO to punch my card so I could head over to Range 1 (the JCG range).

The RO's at range 1 make you zero again at 200, then 300 yd lines before allowing you to shoot at 600. Having carefully made my drop card for the pet loads I brought with me ahead of time, I shot 3x in a row at 200. Next round was X on the 300 target, then a flyer I'll blame on the wind - which I'll talk about later. I waited 10 minutes for the gusting to cease, and printed 2 more Xs right on top of the first. Saying I'm very pleased with this rifle is an understatement. It still had it's original A4 bolt, and original USGI scope mount and rings, but now had a NOS A3 barrel carefully finish chambered by yours truly, with lugs lapped and a NOS field replacement scant fitted with all the care I could muster.
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On to 600. The wind picked up late morning, reaching a consistant 20-30mph. However it boxed the compass every 30 seconds. Often times all 6 range flags pointed different directions, and the combination changed to the complete opposite every 30 seconds. Some hard gusts lasted several minutes, and twice my ammo container blew over. The RO's chuckled as they told me how normal this was. We did all right though, considering how rare I get to shoot outdoors at distance anymore. The wood table, mostly stable, vibrated in the wind. I think we would have done better had I been prone, but I traveled light and wasn't about to put my elbows on the cement. My wind calls swung upwards of 11 clicks between shots, producing some good 10's and then peppering the black on either side as conditions changed with each shot. All my other 10 shot series looked more the same.
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So what did we learn?....First, I'm spoiled rotten with my 100yd indoor range just up the road from my home. I need to make an effort this year to get out more, beyond 100yds and work on the wind. Indoors is great for testing my builds, working up handholds, and eliminating uncontrollable factors when practicing my off hand. Second...this rifle shoots much better than I can, or likely ever will. To end the day, my friend put out 5 rounds of HXP ball be brought for his garand "just to see how good the old surplus ammo is". I guessed a couple clicks difference from what I brought, put it on the scope, and 3rd shot was a 9 and all others 10's, all scattered around the target.

On the way home, I stopped by the South store. I saw about a dozen each M1D and M1C's. The also had 6 or so really nice 03a3s out. I mailed home a rack grade to use for parts in my next project - 3.4mil serial with a shot out barrel dated 1960, and bought some CMP hats for the kiddos who always expect me to bring something home for them when I travel.