Experimental sights/experimental ammunition and gongs

[Eric Johanen]

The match was a lot of fun. Great conditions with light and the wind from 6 O'clock slightly shifting left and right. Started at the 300 yard line. Using that traditional 500 grain RN bullet with the KIK 2fg, believe the load shot well. My mistake was not breaking out the carbide smoker from the get go as I got glare off the front blade and the sight picture sucked. 3 progressively smaller targets and I managed 2 hits on the larger one. Very close impacts on the middle and smallest target. Based on a few sighter's I ended up using a 1/16th inch above the 300 yard mark on the staff. If not for the light washing out the front sight I feel I could have done better. 220 and 600 were shot from the 600 yard line and I smoked the sights. Really gave it a go from 600 hundred but could not get any hits. Need some serious time and a place where I could walk up the sight and impact points. 220 prone I managed 5 hits (again 3 progressively smaller targets) 4 hits on the larger. A free shot/fouler after a range delay 2 hits on the middle, only the 2'nd shot for score. Followed by 2 very close misses. No hits on the third target, a small disc that did not appear much wider than the blade when looking over the sights. Offhand, on the larger 220 yard target, 1 sighter, a hit followed by two more hits. Last 2 shots just off the target at 2 and 3 O'clock. Impact difference between 200 and 220 yards made no difference on the targets. On the 220 prone I tried a few rounds loaded with OE 1&1/5 and these shot down the middle but just a bit higher just off the top edge of the target at 12 and 2 O'clock. I used the blow tube and wiped the barrel between stages. Fouling was light and moist and had no leading with a nice lube star at the muzzle. Am starting to like KIK 2fg powder. I had fun at this gong match and feel I learned a bit about using the barrel sights and front blade. With a bit of practice I think some really good work could be done and 200 to 300 yards. Longer rang will take some work.