By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
I made a return trip to Canton Lake last weekend to see if I can remedy my problem with bullet drop at the 200 yard band. The thread about the last time I went to Canton lake is here.
At that time, I suspected that lifting the sighting leaf on the AK-74 another 100 meters (to 300 meters) would help, and it did, albeit with the shots landing about four inches above bulls eye. Adjusting my aim lower, the shots hit at the center. I did not take my time, and my attention was mainly forcused on getting the shots to hit at the right elevation. I guessed, but without actually measuring (I had no scale or tape measure), that the bullet drop for the Silver Bear 5.45x39mm 60 Gr. was between 12 and 18 inches. The Russian standard issue 5.45x39mm 53 grain round at that range is only supposed to be 4.5 inches (114mm). I plan to go shooting again next month at Canton Lake to further refine my aim at that range, and this time get some kind of idea of just how much the bullet drop is.
The goal is to set the rifle where I can engage any target out to 400 meters without adjusting the sights.
While there I met (but I did not get their names) two young men, who were apparently local. One had a 7mm Remington Magnum bolt action rifle and the other had an AR. The bolt action was loud because it had no barrel attachment, and probably also because of the round, which I have heard is very loud. Going from memory, I would say it is as loud as a 7.62x51 NATO round.
The two gentlemen did not know that Canton Lake had the only 200 yard range in the state. They just went there because it was close and free. (It requires only a hunting license.)
The shooting conditions were nearly perfect. 41 F, clear, calm winds and dry as can be. The only element to make it better would be 31 F. I love to shoot in the cold.
Loads
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Prices for pistol ammunition were mostly steady while prices for rifle ammunition were mixed.
Prices for used pistols and used rifles were mixed.
New Lows:
California: 9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) $200
Virginia: Winchester Model 54 $250
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (10 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Quality Made Cartridges, Store Brand, RNL, Reloads, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Blok Tactical, Store Brand, TMJ, Reloads, .25 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 grain, Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 250 rounds: Ammo Mart, Legendary Ammo, FMJ, Brass, Reloads; .21 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bud's Gun Shop, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Cased, .17 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammo Clearance, Leadhead brand, FMJ, Brass, Reloads, .16 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2015))
.357 Magnum, 158 grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each After Unchanged (2Q, 2015)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Surplus Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .26 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Lucky Gunner, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .30 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: BigHat Tactical, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .38 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, Steel Cased, FMJ, .36 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Wolf WPA, steel case, FMJ, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Wolf WPA, steel case, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q 2015))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 After Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Selway Armory, International Raptor, RNL .09 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds (1 Box Limit): Cabela's, Remington, RNL, .07 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $511 Last Week Avg: $509 (+) ($616 (32 Weeks), $476 (8 Weeks))
California (232, 235): Delton Sport: $480 ($650 (42 Weeks), $400 (11 Weeks))
Texas (280, 288): Bushmaster: $525 ($700 (37 Weeks), $350 (32 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (162, 163): Mixed Build: $450 ($700 (31 Weeks), $300 (19 Weeks))
Virginia (169, 178): Palmetto State Armory: $600 ($750 (37 Weeks), $500 (41 Weeks))
Florida (365, 382): DPMS: $500 ($650 (21 Weeks), $380 (33 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $900 Last Week Avg: $1,170 (-) ($1,359 (31 Weeks), $820 (7 Weeks))
California (48, 44): DPMS LR-308: $1,100 ($1,700 (46 Weeks), $850 (16 Weeks))
Texas (46, 47): Bushmaster BR .308: $1,000 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $800 (15 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (29, 29): Armalite AR-10 A4: $1,100 ($1,500 (37 Weeks), $700 (8 Weeks))
Virginia (59, 56): Mixed Build: $800 ($1,650 (20 Weeks), $800 (2 Weeks))
Florida (81, 78): Rock River LAR8 .308 Operator: $500 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $500 (7 Weeks))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $525 Last Week Avg: $520 (+) ($626 (33 Weeks), $450 (20 Weeks))
California (44, 47): CAI: $550 ($700 (36 Weeks), $320 (47 Weeks))
Texas (63, 69): VZ2008: $550 ($750 (35 Weeks), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (47, 49): CAI 1975 GP: $525 ($750 (42 Weeks), $375 (27 Weeks))
Virginia (42, 54): CAI WASR 10: $550 ($625 (38 Weeks), $350 (40 Weeks))
Florida (111, 124): WASR 10/63: $450 ($650 (31 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $354 Last Week Avg: $385 (-) ($489 (39 Weeks), $296 (21 Weeks))
California (9, 6): Marlin: $425 ($500 (14 Weeks), $180 (21 Weeks))
Texas (19, 18): Mossberg: $300 ($550 (40 Weeks), $300 (45 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (17, 19): Marlin 30AS: $400 ($450 (41 Weeks), $250 (46 Weeks))
Virginia (10, 11): Winchester Model 54: $250 ($450 (24 Weeks), $250 (CA: $350 (42 Weeks)) )
Florida (21, 19): Marlin 336A: $395 ($500 (37 Weeks), $250 (23 Weeks))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $372 Last Week Avg: $347 (+) ($450 (37 Weeks), $350 (10 Weeks))
California (153, 152): Kimber 1911 Custom II : $300 ($600 (39 Weeks), $300 (17 Weeks))
Texas (233, 242): Norinco: $400 ($600 (4Q, 2015), $325 (13 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (138, 139): Tisas 1911: $400 ($550 (29 Weeks), $300 (23 Weeks))
Virginia (129, 123): Armscor 1911: $380 ($550 (31 Weeks), $250 (48 Weeks))
Florida (311, 325): Girsan MC1911: $380 ($475 (42 Weeks), $250 (36 Weeks))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $278 Last Week Avg: $301 (-) ($336 (34 Weeks), $268 (12 Weeks))
California (170, 170): Sig Sauer: $200 ($450 (38 Weeks), $200 (CA: $250 (43 Weeks)))
Texas (251, 250): Smith & Wesson SD9VE Sigma 9: $300 ($355 (38 Weeks), $200 (11 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (224, 227): Ruger P-95: $290 ($350 (4Q 2014), $200 (18 Weeks))
Virginia (162, 136): Diamondback FS9: $300 ($400 (32 Weeks), $250 (18 Weeks))
Florida (451, 438): Smith & Wesson Model 915: $300 ($375 (48 Weeks), $220 (11 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $320 Last Week Avg: $320 (=) ($368 (28 Weeks), $300 (3Q, 2014))
California (90, 87): Ruger P94: $350 ($425 (13 Weeks)), $250 (45 Weeks))
Texas (111, 109): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $300 ($425 (49 Weeks), $275 (31 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (79, 83): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $350 ($350 (20 Weeks), $250 (40 Weeks))
Virginia (66, 71): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $300 ($450 (28 Weeks), $275 (44 Weeks))
Florida (158, 156): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $300 ($400 (39 Weeks), $200 (12 Weeks))
Used Gun of the Week: (Michigan)
Remington 700 Chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum
Chris Covert writes for Rantburg.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com and on Twitter
