And,as a present to myself,I purchased a second hand winchester model 70 featherweight in 243,a calibre I've actually kinda avoided over the years for some unknown reason. I guess I kinda think of it as sort of being a middle ground calibre.
Anyways,I bought it off a mate for $600 including a scope,100 empties,and a bag,so it was a bargain really. And my only stipulation was I wanted it to be here for my birthday,which,through no ones fault,really wasn't meant to happen. But somehow it arrived on Friday,so I filled in a borrowing permit,bought a couple of boxes of Federal 100gn power shocks, and went out to sight in.....
Well,that went s**t. I was tired from work,getting a lot of mirage,and just plain rushing s**t. 20 rounds later I had groups that looked like shotgun patterns. Not happy.
So I went and bought 2 packets of federal vital shock using 75gn speer hollow points. Went out again and made myself take my time and do stuff properly. And the results were great.
Heck,even the 100gn ones shot nice when I actually took my time and did stuff properly !

Anyway,as I drove out,this fella just sat there looking at me at around 70m,and as theres a destruction permit there,and I've been asked to knock these guys off.....
What amazed me was the fact there was no exit,but I sure expanded his mind !
So,one could say I'm quite pleased with my new rifle. I still the the 243 is a neither here nor there cartridge, but that suits me fine here,where most of my shooting will be foxes,roos,and the odd fallow deer. Can't wait to start reloading !
