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Friday, December 18th, 2009
fearsclave
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11:37p
Well, that was a success...
After physiotherapy we popped over to South Nation Archery Supply this evening for a spot of bow tuning and had them install a set of Cobra Boomslangs on my bow (a Pearson Apache 300 which ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) mieszko kindly gave me when he decided to hunt exclusively with stickbows). The bow didn't need much tuning; he moved the nock down a grand total of 1/16" and that was that. We then proceeded to the archery range in back of the shop to zero the sights.
I have yet to find my socks. I went from shooting minute of barn at ten meters without sights to minute of Bambi at twenty with the sights in about fifteen minutes, adjustments and coaching included (it's only a twenty-meter range, so once I get a little more mobile I'll have to take it out to the Vankleek Hill range and set the thirty and forty meter pins). This was incredibly gratifying, both because archery is fun and because it means bowhunting next fall for sure (barring my back not getting any better in the interim); If I get some regular practice in, and get to the point where I can bag carp with confidence this summer, I figure that I'll be capable to shooting the bow accurately enough to be ethically comfortable with taking it out after deer in the fall.
It's going to be fun to see how the Xmas Bow Project bows shoot in comparison...
Speaking of carp, I also picked up a Muzzy quick-release carp arrowhead and a better bowfishing reel. The head should actually work in terms of actually having carp-penetrating capability (unlike the one I started with last summer) and the reel should create less line drag.
My back hurts, but wow, was it ever worth it.
And it looks like ice fishing season may be upon us soon...
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olegvolk
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6:38p
Comparison photos.
5.7x28, 40 grain
22WMR, 40 and 45 grain
5.7x28 27-grain lead-free load penetrated only about 7" and the bullet showed no deformation at all. It did deflect nearly 3" to the side, so a properly aimed shot would always miss the intended target.
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(comment on this) Thursday, December 17th, 2009
olegvolk
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10:04p
PS90
Today, we shot FN57 pistol and PS90 carbine into gelatin and at other targets to check performance. I'll post gelatin photos later. From pistol, 5.7x28 had more cavitation and 22WMR had more penetration. From carbine, 5.7 performed much better than from pistol, with some deformation and greater cavitation.
We also discovered that a can of beer can literally stop bullets. 27-grain lead-free load from PS90 at 10m failed to penetrate both sides of full Pabst Blue Ribbon can. The bullet tip made a slight indentation on the back wall of the can but did not penetrate! The can set 6" behind the first was completely unharmed. 40-grain ballistic tip penetrated both, though in fragments. Fired through a 2-3cm piece of bark, both loads fragmented explosively and made very little impression on the gelatin with their fragments. This is where rounds like 30WMR and 30 carbine outperform 5.7 and .223 -- their projectiles suffer less from intermediate barriers.
PS90 ergonomics are a whole other topic. It is commendably ambidextrous. The room for the forward hand is insufficient for many users. Backup iron sights are crude and placed high above the bore line. The integral sight sits even higher and is absolutely worthless. It's reticle is barely visible in daylight. Moreover, as it draws light from above and behind the gun, standing under a roof or wearing a brimmed hat or a cap is enough to cut off the light and the entire reticle disappears. It has to be the worst optic I've ever seen on a gun. The lack of bold lock-back or any way to distinguish an empty magazine from a misfire from a misfeed is not helpful.
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olegvolk
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9:42p
PMR30 in use.
PMR30 is not a target pistol. However, I can reliably hit silhouette target with it at 20ft.
By "silhouette" I mean the little icon at the top left of the larger target. The groups ends up about 1.5" across.
John from Brassfetcher.com takes his turn.
22WMR doesn't expand from pistol. On the plus side, low-powered Dynapoint penetrates 15" in gelatin and higher-powered Maxi Mags penetrate about 20" and yaw twice en route. As you can see, muzzle rise is negligible.
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fearsclave
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7:56p
I married well...
Carolyn took learning the reason why boar spears have crossguards with relative equanimity and I am still allowed to go.
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fearsclave
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4:05p
Things I did today...
1) Lie around reading a collection of Winston Churchill's despatches from the Northwest Frontier, the Sudan, and South Africa.
2) Kick myself in the ass for having overdone it yesterday.
3) Feed the fire.
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(6 comments | comment on this) Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
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olegvolk
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9:28p
Range trip results
Kel-tec PMR30 is awesome. CCI Maxi Mag HP is the bullet to use for blood -- no expansion but more penetration than other brands, with nice inital yaw. Remington SP is weak, Winchester Dynapoint is weaker. 5.7x28 27gr lead-free training ammo is unimpressive from pistol, much better from 16" PS90. 40gr varmint ammo is better but doesn't penetrate deeply enough. PS90 stock white reticle optical sight is worthless. I used the backup iron sights and the offset made close range shots difficult. John (Brassfetcher.com) is a great guy. I love working with him. Excellent ratio of competencies to modesty. He is a very effective teacher. 127gr Winchester Ranger +P+ (a present from Peter) is well worth the extra recoil and cost over Winchester "white box" or S&B hollow points. Expanded bullet looks nasty and penetration and cavitation were both impressive. More on 223 and 308 rifle rounds later...
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fearsclave
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9:58p
Things I did today.
1) Christmas shopping.
2) Got a massage.
3) Went to physiotherapy.
4) Came home.
5) Lit a fire.
6) Was fed dinner by Carolyn.
7) Discussed the Xmas bow project with my brother.
8) Got the tracking number for the boar spear.
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