Auzie, Cade and I made our yearly pilgrimage to see Nictra at the rifle range in Liberty Hill Texas North of Austin. It's actually called Best of The West Shooting Sports and is located right next to the Larue range in Liberty. Great place to shoot with 50 yard benches all the way out to 1000 yards.
This trip we brought a few rifles to sight in with the main intent being DMR action at 500 and 750 yards. Nictra brought his brand new RPK74M which shoots like a dream, I had my trusty NDM86, Cade had his FPK with PKS07 optic and Auzie his M76 in 8mm. We also worked in some AK105 and AK74M action along with some AR's and Cade's new Tavor bullpup. Weather was about 65-70, light winds from the north and about as pleasant a day as you can get anywhere in Texas.
The rifles:
And the range:
I was particularly pleased with my NDM86 at 750 yards, I scored about 40-50% hits using only hold overs with the second chevron on the PSO-1 and some left offset for the wind. At 500 yards the NDM is merciless and scoring hits is an easy 80-90% against a half man size steel plate even when I wasn't I wasn't concentrating as well as I could. Once again the PSO made me smile because after two years and numerous on and off's it's still zeroed within one click windage and elevation. The scope never ceases to impress me.
Nictra letting loose with the SVD
Also had a good time with my SGL31 and 2.8x magnification 1P78 Kashtan at 500 yards. It's really very easy to hit steel at that distance with this combo.
Nictra tore it up with his RPK74M and we discovered that my 1P78 Kashtan (which is zeroed to my SGL31) was nearly dead on for the RPK as well. Probably a coincidence but very cool anyway. I have to say I am thrilled with the RPK74M. TurboThis did a fantastic job squaring the Vepr 5.45 receiver and getting the 74M folder installed. He's a really classy guy and his work is top notch. I am officially jealous of Nictra and his RPK...this thing is pure hotness
I had a fun time with irons at 250 but there was a bit too much grass at 500 that prevented the spotters from getting a good idea of where the round went. It was impossible to hear the 5.45 against steel at 500 due to the number of other shooters on the line.
The Tavor is a very interesting rifle. I am not a fan of bullpups and probably never will be but this is a good one. The trigger is reasonable and the ergo's are pretty good though I had a difficult time figuring out what to do with my left hand. I usually have a mag hold but the Tavor isn't friendly to that hand position obviously. There is plenty of room on the forestock for a normal grip but I personally don't hold my AK hand guards so this was a weird one for me. Shot great though and I liked the recoil impulse. It feels like a very forgiving rifle even if I'm not used to bull pups.
Cade on the Tavor
Cade on the FPK and Auzie on the M76. Both did very well at 500 yards.
AK105 with 1P63 Obzor. I found to my surprise that the Obzor which has never been zeroed to any rifle, was almost exactly dead on for the 105. I did reasonably well at 500 yards and tore it up at 250. Great optic and depending on the color of the target you can actually see it through the Obzor triangle. I haven't used the optic past 100 yards and was pleasantly surprised overall, though it was much harder at 250 and 500 yards to shoot with both eyes open. For me my left eye became dominant and the reticule disappeared which doesn't happen to me at 100 yards.
To my surprise Nictra scored a few hits at 750 yards with his AR
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