Howdy, Just trying to start a thread on shooting in the PNW. Seems like a lot of us over here on the west side of the Cascades have to explain ourselves twice when asking advice, since we don't have the same sprawling territory to shoot over.
I just recently shifted my gunning from plinking to precision shooting. Right now I'm running a Primary Arms 4-14 ACSS HUD on my 223 Carbine and soon I'll be acquiring a Model 700 .308 Magpul and running a SWFA SS (Either 6x or 10x haven't decided)
Anyone have any logistical advice ? Shooting Spots? Rain mitigation techniques? Best practices or useful drills?
I used to shoot there but moved a bit ago. If I remember correctly there was a long range facility south of Tacoma (thought it was up to 1k) and one towards the mountains from Bellingham. There is public lands that had some areas in the few hundred yard ranges over on the east side of the mountains before walla walla to the north. Sorry been too long to remember exact names. To get to extreme ranges you are going to have to drive a long way...like Montana
Thanks for the tip on the range by Tacoma! I'm up in Skagit, so that's a bit of a drive, but it might be worth it to start going down there occasionally.
I've checked out the range by Bellingham (I think parks and rec runs it?) And that's a pretty good spot to sight in. Not too bad with the range fees either.
Anyone have an idea where a guy could find a 250-300yd pit between Snohomish and the border?
Custer sportsman had like 250 yard but member only....though they had nice things like reactive steel ranges etc. Sorry the south of Tacoma was csf in ravendale and is 600 now that I looked.
Good tip on the Custer range. I'll have to look into that. Nothing like shooting other people's steel! Just double checked and the Plantation range in Bellingham has 300 yds also.
As long as the wind isn't blowing directly in your face, I'd suggest leaving the sunshade on your scope. Keeps the rain and snow off your objective lens, which on a scope with good coatings isn't going to hurt it any, but it will be less distracting without drops of water running through your sight picture.
I'm still goofing around trying to find the right loads for my rifle, but this article is from a guy who used to compete in NRA and CMP matches. I tried the drill once-cheated by staying prone-and it is not easy. http://adaptivedefenseconcepts.com/scoped-rifle-diagnostics/
Hello sir. Were sort of neighbors. I'm down in the south sound vicinity Tacoma. The Upper Nisqually Gun Club in Eatonville has a range where you can regularly get out to 550. Their benchrest competition goes to 600. As I recall on special occasions they had a 1000 yard range available but that was a long time ago. There is the Rock Lake shooting complex? Southwest of Spokane that goes out to a Mile. I have found some areas in the area south of Mt Rainier in the Gifford Pinchot Natl Forest where I could get out past 1000 meters. There used to be a place east of the town of Rainier. (south of Yelm) where you could shoot parallel to power lines and there was nearly no limit to your possible target range but that place got trashed and I no longer go there anymore. Also if you take I90 over Snoqualmie Pass and take I believe it is Cayuse pass you can reach out very far as well. I know nothing up in your exact neck of the woods.
Edit....Stampede pass not Cayuse pass.
If you can't always make it into the hills to shoot long range, or if the hills are just too cluttered with people (as they can be in western Washington State), knowing someone with legitimate access to a private air strip can be pretty handy. ( I stress legitimate - NO TRESPASSING )
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask me. The magnification for the scope you are looking for when dealing with a fixed power, you may want to considered your max distances. If your ranges or spots or hunting etc; are about 700 and in, then a 6 power might be the way to go. A 10x with get you on a 10" target at about 1050y for sure. Rain proofing your rifle...like the actual action will probably be the biggest concern I'd have. Rust can start developing around where the action sits inside the stock, and around the barrel in the barrel recessing of the stock. Since those are the least cleaned and oiled areas that would be pain to take out the action screws...take out the actions to wipe and oil it all down and reset everything at the risk of changing your POI. There are some greases that might help for certain areas of the gun, electrical tape to water proof the bore works pretty good, and regular chap stick around around the screws of your scope and action will help. During transportation on foot in theses condition there are waterproofing bags for rifles...or for on a budget and not as easy to get in position right away Curran wrap works.