BrianK

Eley has a bad rep' lately. When folks discuss Eley today they write wistfully of the old days when it won olympic matches and not todays Eley. It'd be one heck of a gamble that I wouldn't accept. If you spring for it let us know how it works out. I figure that if I get a bad lot of SK I'd put it up for consinment at the LGS and at least get my $ back less the open brick I'd eat. Maybe something like that is an option for you?

The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was what the "problem" is with rimfire. I handload and tailor my loads to what I shoot the loads out of. My handloads are quite a bit better than factory and I can make them do things that the factory just can't or won't do. With rimfire we're at the mercy of what the factory makes and we can't tell a good lot from a bad lot just by looking. The only way to tell is by shooting it, then go back and try to get that lot if it hasn't been sold out yet. Good luck with that and also get a decent price. The retailers who sell affordable ammo get sold out in days. The high priced outfits will have what you want for quite awhile. I'm not made of money so I can't do business with the high priced places. So I gamble. If I get a terrible lot I'll put what remains on consignment at the LGS. But that hasn't happened yet. That latest case of LRM I got for $9.97/50 but it was a gamble. Want to see what the combination of gear, shooter, and ammo will do? According to Hornady, shooting a 30 round group gets to about 97 (or was it 98?) % of what the shooting equation will deliver. That flyer in the above groups? I called it in the 9 round group. But it hit where it hit and surprised the heck out of me. In a 30 round group it would be included. It was ammo. The shot was good. But I can't afford any better than SK as a regular diet for the rifle. I'm on a rimfire forum and I suspect that many people there cherry pick targets ignoring the bad ones. I have no proof of that, but they're using gear that just isn't capable (rifles built down to a price and intended for plinking) and getting fantastic results. Some even use HV ammo and display targets that that ammo just can't produce regularly. It's just not going to consistently happen in the real world. BTDT. I sold those safe queens to make room in the safe. That KIDD sees nothing but SK ammo to keep the barrel seasoned with the same lube. I bought a brick of their Standard+ to test for hunting to save a few bux. I was pleasantly surprised at just how good it was. Nothing you want for precision because there are more fliers, but for hunting it'll be fine for head shots. Next year I'll buy a case of it. Another gamble but Standard+ didn't make the grade to be Rifle Match, and I know that, so it's expected that it won't up to RM standard. But it's better than any off the shelf ammo I can buy, and out to 50 yards flies to the same POA as Rifle Match or LRM. Any difference is insignificant for me at that distance. Beyond? Yeah. that's where i'd expect the difference will be seen. I need to get a machine rest and a better rear bag to better remove myself and my gear from the shooting equation to better evaluate just the ammo and rifle. But for a 10/22 it's pretty good. Puts a smile on my face anyway. Not a pretty rifle but I wanted functional and pretty took a back seat. It had big shoes to fill and it's doing that.

I haven't done much the last 2 years not due toa lack of desire but because I needed to get myself into the body shop and after getting the body worked on I was living to heal. But the other day the last of the sutures were removed for all scheduled surgeries. Unforeseen body work? We'll see what happens with that. But even though I was largely out of commission I was still thinking positively and planning ahead. I ordered a case of SK Rifle Match and Long Range Match but couldn't test it. Same goes for Standard +. I also ordered an ULW barrel for the KIDD SG and hadn't fully tested it, or the closeout 4-16x Viridian scope I ordered for the field rifle conversion for the KIDD. Things were backing up. I set things up, I was capable of doing at least that much. The I saw a sale on ammo that's far out of what I can buy by the case, it's just to expensive. But I could afford 100 each of 2 loads, fingers crossed that those lots selected wouldn't be garbage. I have yet to test that ammo. with the target version of the SuperGrade. So the other day was comfortable and the sun was muted, temp' was good and humidity low with, when there was one, a gentle breeze, but shooting could happen between breezes. There was plenty of time between air movement. I set up at my home 50 yard range. This is the >12# target rifle. All shooting was done with a Banish 22 can on the muzzle. First the lot from 3+ years ago. It tested that it was good and I wanted to refresh my memory as to what it would do and gauge the new case against it. Pay no attention to the text. I print targets on scratch paper and this sheet was stacked incorrectly. The flier is included in the group measurement. Next up was the new ammo. Targets are NOT cherry picked they are presented as shot. 50 yards. I called the new ammo good based on that. Good thing I have a case of each, and the gamble of a case purchase paid off. Next up was the 16" ULW barrel, not as it would be set up for the field, but the same basic target set up to give best precision to test the barrel and not as it would be in the field. The scope is the 4-16x Veridian (discontinued) because the goal was also to get the scope on paper to make future zeroing a piece of cake. The scope will be removed for now, and put back on in 2 months. For targets the trigger is KIDDs 2 stage 8/8. That's too light for the field, so the field conversion , seen far below, has a KIDD 2 stage 16/16 (aka a 1/1, but mine is more like 13/13). Yes, all of my optics are mounted high. I have a trick neck and I've had chronic pain for decades. I couldn't "scoonch" down for a proper cheek weld. But a jaw weld? That I could do. No more chronic pain and I don't want it again. I still keep the high optics. Same ammo, ULW barrel. The goal was zeroing the optic so I didn't dial in an offset to "keep" the aimpoint. I call it good. The rifle as set up for the field. One difference... the scope is a Nikon ProStaff that is parallax adjusted for 100 yards. That might be OK out west, but for Maine the shots are much closer. The Viridian that is now on it in the pic' up above is side adjustable from infinity to <10 yards. I wanted a 1" tube to save weight but the scope still weighs 2# with bases. I guesstimate the entire rifle should be near 7# but I haven't weighed it yet. It should "hold" nicely for hunting. In use I have a tall bipod that can be used standing or anything lower, except prone, which is a useless position in the Maine forest anyway, and my neck won't allow it anyway. Next up is to test the more expensive loads I got on sale to see what the barrels will really do (fingers crossed that the ammo isn't garbage), then the rifle can be converted to it's field version at my leisure and remain that way until spring.

I didn't watch the entire video once I knew where it was going. (or thought I knew) At least one person in Maine knows how to actually BBQ. Many others think BBQ is done over a propane grill and would get offended when I would correct their misuse of the trem "BBQ". Ignoramusses. Whatever. Some actually checked me out and never came back to tell me I was wrong but I could see that they sooo wanted to. In Maine the markets sell extremely thin steaks and put labels such as "For BBQ" or "For grilling" on the package. WRONG! you want a thicker cut. 1" thick or more is good. I won't even look at the thin cuts. Yes a roast can be low and slowed, then seared, even with Sous Vide (see below). I've been doing reverse sear for decades. Couple of ways to do it. One is low and slow over coals, yes, coals. There can be low controlled heat over coals and wood for smoke. I use an electronic draft control to tightly control the heat. Then remove the meat and build the intense fire, then sear. I've been known to put the meat directly on the wood charcoal burning with a blue flame (not briquets). Another way is with Sous Vide which uses a different source of heat for the low and slow. Then gets finished with a butane torch. Why butane? If you aren't sensitive to the rotten egges smell/taste added to propane use that. But to dodge that entirely use butane. Play the intense flame over the meat to sear it. To gild the lily make a solution of Dextrose and Sodium Bicarb' and either brush it on or for a steak I just put it in a tray and bathe the steaks in it for a second on each side. I make a saturated solution to ensure I have it as strong as possible. One bath per side is enough. The dextrose combines with the protein producing more of the grilled flavor we all love (Maillard reaction). And the Sodium Bicarb' helps the browning by lowing the Ph. The result is the very outer layer of seared meat with the "grilled" taste and the rest of the steak or roast perfectly Med' Rare or whatever internal temp desired as controlled by the Sous Vide bath. Could one sear in a frying pan? Sure. I don't see why not as long as the pan is screamin' hot. But I don't know how the solution would work. Maybe sprinkle the the meat with the dry Dextrose and Sodium Bicarb. Never did it with a pan. Of those techniques I prefer over coals. But at -20* the indoor method is preferred by the cook (me). Either way, guests love it when they're invited over. Results? Yes, better then the steak house. We never go out for a steak dinner any more and haven't in decades. Can it be done in an oven? No. The heat isn't controlled enough for reliable results. Ovens swing 50* one way or another. Up and down, up and down won't work. Never tried it and I won't try it.

Happened over time... much time. I have a KIDD Supergrade rimfire. It converts from one rifle to another and anything in between in minutes. Right now it's between the bench and field versions 'cause I want to test the ULW barrel extensively for precision and that's easier to do with the chassis in target mode with target scope. The extremes are a 12# summer bench rifle and a 6# field rifle. Both versions are very precise and accurate in extensive testing for the bench rifle and initial testing with the ULW barrel. I'm the weak link and that's what I want from all my firearms. First scope for the field rifle was a Nikon. It was parallax adjusted to 100 yards. I didn't know and didn't research it deep enough. It was a rimfire scope and I have my ideas on what a rimfire scope should be. Nikon had different ideas. It was totally useless, but nice glass. The next scope was a Burris adjusted to 50 yards. Better but still not right. The next scope was objective parallax adjustable 6-25x but It's really a target scope. I didn't pay much for it 'cause it was discontinued. I thought it would be junk, but it had good reviews. I paid $63 for it shipped with tax. It's not worth the effort to sell it. It's a Veridian EOS. The quality punches way over it's weight class. I was really surprised at how good the glass was. Based on that and not wanting to spend alot, Ebay to the rescue again, and I found a Veridian 4-16x with side adjusting parallax that goes down to 10 yards with good reviews. YES! I don't need the 16x high end (that I know of but it'll be there if needed) but it's more in line with what I need. It'll do. It too punches way over it's weight class in the cost/quality ratio. I took it from FedExs hands the other day. Since it won't be needed until autumn I have plenty of time to get the mounts figured out. I have rings for it (parts box) but I need to figure out how high to get it (trick neck) and still make it easily convertible. Right now it's in 1" high rings and that's not high enough for my neck.

Maine weather changes in a minute. Maybe that's an exaggeration. Yesterday hot, humid and rainy with T-storms. Then around dusk different air came in and that all changed to clear dry air. Today it's in the 70s and very low humidity. Windoews are open to allow the wonderful breeze in. What a beautiful day!

Yeah, I saw that. I guess the locomotive doesn't have a reverse? When in the middle of a fire stay there and bake. Unh huh! Makes no sense to me. Whatever. Yesterday and today temps in the 70s and low humidity. Windows open and life is good and comfy. There's a day of humidity coming then back to this. This is why we moved to Maine. Wayyyy off subject, but did anyone notice the Maine democrat "debates" to find someone to replace the nipple nazi (aka Platner)? Democrat comedy show... It would have been funny if people from away weren't seeing that and getting the wrong impression of Maine. Ashley whoever (the "it" candidate), "I write songs and books...". Yeah, I need that to represent me and make laws. A comedy show put on the national stage, like Maine needs that! I had people calling me to ask me what's up? Looney Tunes! Whatever. Just another sign of the times.

OH WOW! 112*! Not here thank God! I'm guessing it's in the 70s, feels like it. It's trying to clear out from last nights rain. But we could get showers.

Cloudy all day, in the 70s. More rain on the way for tonight.

Yesterday the weather changed to T'storms and rain for most of the day. Right now it's nice but the forecast is for more rain in a bit. Over 2.5" of rain in the last few days. We entered the year in a drought condition, we might be out of that at this point. If not we're really close to being out of it.

It never did rain yesterday but It looked like it was going to open up all day. Today in the mid 60s and white skies. Variable heavy breezes.

Low 70s, Variably cloudy with dark clouds. Rain could happen at any time. Breezy. Other than the possible downpour it's a pretty nice day.

Low 50s and rain today. T'storms in a few hours.

Another nice day. A little warmer than yesterday but very tolerable. Slightly more fair weather clouds. Variable gentle breezes.

Beautiful day today, low 70s and low humidity. Fair weather clouds but mostly blue skies, and a gentle variable breezes.