Are the .44-77 BN and the .44-90 BN viable contenders in modern Creedmoor

[Distant Thunder]

Brian,

Thank you! You bring up the instant feedback of the spotter who knows "exactly" where the last shot hit, the marker is in the hole. At gong matches that I have shot the targets are not repainted over often and there can get to be many hits on the steel. The spotter often has to guess which one was the last one and I'll often get something like, "That was on the left side somewhere in that cluster of hits, not sure exactly where, but somewhere over there.".

It doesn't matter as much because a hit is a hit and keeping them on steel is what counts. In a paper match I'm generally trying to keep them as close to center, the X-ring, as I can. I don't get crazy trying to get or stay in the X-ring, but it is part of the goal of keeping them centered. There are times when you have to take what the target will give, if that's 9s at 2 o'clock with an occasional 10 I'm good with that. I've been where you turn the knobs trying to get Xs and you end up with a lot more 8s instead of 9s and 10s, you just can't get there from here.

I am a knob turner and I am constantly moving the CENTER OF MY GROUP toward the center of the target, but I don't like to correct off a single shot once I'm pretty much centered up unless I know a condition change has put me out of center. I like to shoot a condition when I can and I'll wait for it to return, if I can, but that isn't always the way it is and you have to turn the knobs to stay centered.

I don't make big corrections unless I know what I'm doing. I can shoot pretty darn fast when I have to and I always know where I am in my shot count and how much time I need to finish my string. I spot the same way for someone else as I do for myself and I love a good score whether I'm shooting or spotting. Sometimes the wheels come off and you just have to suck it up and do better on the next relay. It ain't over until it's over and in most matches everybody will have one relay that could have gone better. I do my best every time I come to the line and I always shake the winner's hand! I love this sport!