I picked up a SB1-S35 Handi-Rifle (.357 Mag 22" barrel) at Bradis recently. This is the first time I took it out to the range. What felt like an OK trigger pull, I now realize is a bit too heavy. The sharp edges of the trigger also bite into the finger after a few dozen shots.
I had read about it taking a hundred rounds or so to smooth everything out before the accuracy gets good, so I picked up some cheap Blazer.
I decided to mount a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32mm Shotgun Hunter on it. For hunting, I'm not into too high of magnification. It seems plenty large enough when shooting with good eye relief and fits on the rifle without having to grind down the hammer. I shot until about 30 minutes after sunset and the light gathered was better than I thought. Nikon has always had efficient optics, in my experience.
I shot 20 rounds or so to get a feel for the rifle and get the scope dialed in. All were Blazer Aluminum 158 gr JHP. My first group for accuracy was about 1.5". I was using a box of ammo and a rag for the front support on the bench, so not the best benchrest technique.
My next group, I shot 10 rounds and pulled two of them. Looking at the target, I saw the two pulled shots and threw them out. Group wound up 0.673" at 65 yds. That was surprising to me with my crappy benchrest technique and Blazer ammo. I'm sure that I am the largest part of the group size.
Here we were about 20 minutes after legal sunset, so I decided to finish up with single shots at the 2" orange diamonds. The results from this were better than I expected as well.
I think I'm in love with this rifle. I can't wait to ream out to .357 Maximum and work up some loads. I'll also need to do a little trigger work on it (lightening and rounding of the actual trigger). I'll need to get some decent sand bags for shooting groups from the bench. I felt like a newborn deer trying to stand for the first time, while shooting this thing. Might be better to go Appleseed and sling up.
I had read about it taking a hundred rounds or so to smooth everything out before the accuracy gets good, so I picked up some cheap Blazer.
I decided to mount a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32mm Shotgun Hunter on it. For hunting, I'm not into too high of magnification. It seems plenty large enough when shooting with good eye relief and fits on the rifle without having to grind down the hammer. I shot until about 30 minutes after sunset and the light gathered was better than I thought. Nikon has always had efficient optics, in my experience.
I shot 20 rounds or so to get a feel for the rifle and get the scope dialed in. All were Blazer Aluminum 158 gr JHP. My first group for accuracy was about 1.5". I was using a box of ammo and a rag for the front support on the bench, so not the best benchrest technique.
My next group, I shot 10 rounds and pulled two of them. Looking at the target, I saw the two pulled shots and threw them out. Group wound up 0.673" at 65 yds. That was surprising to me with my crappy benchrest technique and Blazer ammo. I'm sure that I am the largest part of the group size.
Here we were about 20 minutes after legal sunset, so I decided to finish up with single shots at the 2" orange diamonds. The results from this were better than I expected as well.
I think I'm in love with this rifle. I can't wait to ream out to .357 Maximum and work up some loads. I'll also need to do a little trigger work on it (lightening and rounding of the actual trigger). I'll need to get some decent sand bags for shooting groups from the bench. I felt like a newborn deer trying to stand for the first time, while shooting this thing. Might be better to go Appleseed and sling up.