Trials sniper range day

[smle addict]

Had beautiful weather today, so I headed over to my local range. I took a couple of SMLE's just to try out some new handloads. Nothing spectacular as far as grouping.

It was time for the Trials No4 (T). Shot 10 rounds at 100 to confirm zero, and it was printing excellent. But I forgot to save that target

Took it out to 200 yards and printed a decent 4" X 1.85" group. I wish I could have just settled down a bit more, and perhaps I wouldn't have pulled those three shots vertically out of the X ring. Still, 10 shots in the 10 ring makes me pretty happy with this handload!

Pics of rifle and target.

Information

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[Ovidio]

I noticed Saturday, that the reload can be paramount with my No. 4. Three years ago, I installed an optic and shot it a bit, but was absolutely unsatisfied. So I took off the optic and put the gun away. I still had 10 rounds of a reload I didn’t even try. Well, I did Saturday. Wanted to get rid of the last ammo and make the rifle a safe queen. Apart from the first 4 rounds shot to find again a POA (one of which I pulled and got a bullseye), the last six went in a circle of roughly 22x27 mm at 100 metres.
I could not believe it.
Now I have to rethink my relation with the No. 4…
But I’m so glad about it!!!

[smle addict]

Very nice! That is an excellent shooting rifle! I'll bet that was a nice surprise when that rifle put down that group.

[Ovidio]

Definitely! I saw yours and thought that now I'm a believer too.
I doubted too long. Now I'll reload again a few rounds with that recipe. If it really works, I'll work on the sights and bring them to the bullseye.
Excuse me for partially hijacking your thread...

[ssgross]

Now I'll reload again a few rounds with that recipe.

what is the load?

[tonyd]

Nice trials T you have there! If you dont mind me asking what's the original scope number stamped into the wrist? I can only see 3 digits partly obscured by the bolt. Its Not 6009 by any chance?

[Riter]

I remember shooting one with surplus N-D-N ammunition and getting a 8-10" group. Then I shot some commerical .303 and that group shrunk down to around 2". Good rifles.

[smle addict]

ssgross- sorry for the delayed response. Been super busy at work recently, and haven't been checking this forum. The handload, pulled from the current Sierra manual:

Sierra 174gr HPBTM
IMR-4064, 38.1 grains
BR-2 primers
Remington brass
Cart. overall length, 3.075

TonyD- man, I wish! Scope number on the wrist is 6003. Current scope is 6843. Close, but I don't get that lucky.