As a lot of you have heard, I recently picked up a stainless Sako A7 in 7mm-08. I bought it via gunbroker.com, puchased from a company named woodbury. If you haven't had a chance to look at it yet (i'm sure most of you have) gunbroker is a great site with a lot of weapons to browse. I had an excellent expereince with them and an even better one with Woodbury. They answered my calls and questions promptly and delivered on every promise they made. I also believe I received excellent value by picking up the gun, 30mm rings (Burris) and a 3x9 Burris Fullfield scope for $765 shipped. No additional charge for using my credit card. I went to adventure sports in Lynnwood and paid $50 bucks to get the transfer going on the other end. A week later I received by new favorite "toy".
Act:1 The first trip to the Kenmore Gun range
On the first trip to the range I noticed 2 things; The ammo was more expensive then I was hoping for (even with my 15 percent member discount) and the selection was limited to federal premium in 150gr. I bought 2 boxes anyways and was underway. The first mistake of the day, was forgetting to grab my gun cleaning kit from home. The second mistake, was not cleaning the gun until after I had fired 7 rounds. After the 7th bullet left the gun I realized what I had done and proceeded to pick the rangemasters brain. He was extremely helpful and came out to have a look at my gun. He said he doubted I did any damage as the barrel was not to warm. I purchased a new cleaning kit at this point and proceeded to clean the gun after every shot for the next 15 shots fired. After the first 7 shots the gun seemed less and less accurate especially when compared to the first 2 grouping shots of 3 (about 3/4 of an inch). Now I was still sighting in the gun so the shots were off center but very close together (I consider this a good thing). After about 5 hours I decide to meet a friend for lunch. It is at this point that I discover that my scope had become loose at some time during my session. The rangemaster laughed at me and said something un-intelligable about "you all do that" and "lock tight". I came back later to shoot my bow but retired the rifle for the afternoon.
Act: 2 Second day at the Kenmore Gun range
This time I was properly packing enough rounds, cleaning supplies and Jalapeno deer jerky for the entire day. That morning I had picked up some lock tight and covered the tapped area of the rings as well as the screws that hold it on tightly. The box said 15 minutes and I had plently of time as I got to the range at around 8.30 (it doesn't open until 9 on Saturday). I started shooting groups of 2 and then three before cleaning the rifle. I kept getting better and better groupings out of the rifle and it seemed to even be getting a much better first shot off. At box number 4 I checked with the rangemaster and he agreed that 5 bullets between cleanings should be sufficient. It was at this point when I took the picture you will see below. The shot marked 2b was off due to my error.
I can't seem to move the pictures around as I would like them to be
. I have to say, I am VERY satisfied with my purchase. The gun is significantly more accurate then its new owner and I feel like I will be more accurate over longer distances then I was previously with my 30.06.
