Longrange blog 210: Tall Target Test

[@ddyoder]

another amazing video. Every month I suspect I'll tune in to a video post and see you have 120k subscribers. You are one the best-kept secrets on KZbin -- I wish you continued success this year

[@THLR]

Thanks for that, very kind words. I really hope I don't reach 120.000 subscribers; I would be unable to answer all the comments. A part of the hobby is the dialogue - I've picked up a fair amount of tips (reloading especially) via viewers.

[@toddb930]

looks like fun! I also enjoyed some scenery from your part of the world.

[@THLR]

Thanks for that Todd! It is very scenic, but the summers are far from the best. Temperature 5 Celsius/ 40 Fahrenheit today and a short burst of hail greeted me outside.

[@huntnorth5744]

I thought for a second you were going to shoot that bus sign at the end lol! Great video keeping coming!

[@THLR]

Hunt North No, the locals will take care of the sign-shooting :D

[@robkilcollins310]

Love love love these videos. thank you very much for taking the time to edit and share.

[@THLR]

Thanks for that Rob. We've had a few very good days now, so I've been out capturing a lot of film. Also had a telephone conversation with a professional filmer, and those 15 minutes produced more info and knowledge than hours of my own google-fu. Hopefully it'll reflect in the films this autumn.

[@jochemvandersluijs6208]

Starting to follow your blog a while ago and really liking the style of the video's! Could you make a video explaining how you calculate the trajectory based on two points? (the zero and for example a 500m mark) you mentioned something like that in the 'how to build a long range shooting system' video! Looking forward to the next vid! Greetings from Kristiansand!

[@THLR]

Yes, that will come in the future (which means autumn in this case, the calendar/ plans are full).

[@claudiotenreiro3111]

Thanks for another useful video, and this time you revealed a couple fo things I was wondering, firstly Minox stuff...is expensive also for you, secondly ammo price, also expensive, so double thanks for sharing your experience despite the cost. Getting hot dog with such beautiful scenery must be an experience, cheers !

[@THLR]

I've been hearing a lot that I'm sponsored by Minox. If so, I need an agent because I paid just shy of 10.000 euros for the my scopes/ reticles. The ammo price isn't that much in Norway. If you stick to what DFS (shooting organization) is using, you're looking at 1/2 the cost of most other calibres. Hence 6,5x55 for me, and not any of the other calibres. The 300 Norma Magnum ammunition was supplied by Norma Ammunition. It's not free as I'm taxed for the retail value as a secondary income (appr 40%), it cuts cost to a level where it is possible for me to start shooting the 300 NM. In the long run, this is a rewarding hobby so I might as well do this as sail boats or drive cars.

[@claudiotenreiro3111]

Thanks Thomas for your reply, I was curious about just the cost, and what you say about "rewarding hobby" is the motivation of many of us. Actually my wife believes that we survive mainly on "sales", which unfortunately is not the case, top of the line S&B's are quite prohibitive and, a lot of ammo is also necessary. Now regarding sponsors, even if you don't have ones I believe that some companies should, as minimum, thanks you facilitating some of their stuff, because you are showing good qualities of their products and that, I must say, is a very good marketing (Minox was not in my list before seen your videos, just as an example). I do agree 100% on the comparison of this hobby and others, jeep fun race is another expensive case.

[@THLR]

Oh they do. Blaser, Atec and RPS has expressly said so. Which is fine, but not needed. Norma supplying ammunition was nice for me because it freed up both money and time. That was invested into microphones, new editing software and reading/ practice. Episode 201-218 is a direct result of Norma creating a breather for me (me not needing to spend time reloading) and hopefully that will reflect in more structured episodes and better sound/ colour rendition. That is valuable to me. Just pocketing goods from a supplier has zero value, I would in effect be paying taxes for goods I don't need or want to use - not to mention the work hours that goes into an episode. It would be a very poor situation to put myself in, I am pressed enough for time as it is.

[@claudiotenreiro3111]

Glad to hear that you receive some support saving your time, and looking forward for the next episodes.

[@RondaneLongRangeRLR]

excellent video, do you have the same (yours THLR reticle) in both yours Minox? I really like the MR2 reticle (and of course yours)

[@THLR]

Yes. The THLR reticle version B will now enter commercial production.

[@RondaneLongRangeRLR]

That's really nice, but is the commercial reticle B the same as you have shown on the scoop that says C

[@THLR]

Rondane LongRange Nope.

[@SLG1911]

What is the difference, please?

[@Drummer425]

I remember hearing about someone who asked Minox about a tall target test, and the reply from the Minox engineer was that the ZP5 probably won't do well on a tall target test at 100m, due to the fact that it has some optical error correction built into it. That is to say, the representation of the point of aim when the parallax is set for 100m vs at 1000m will be different due to the optical complexity of most scopes, and the Minox is designed to track perfectly when dialed AND parallaxed at any given distance. It's designed to compensate for the error/optical warp at those distances, but not, for instance, dialing elevation for 1500m, and setting parallax at 100m, if that makes sense. I'm by no means an optical engineer so I have no idea whether this is in fact the case, but it sounds interesting.

[@THLR]

Yes I have spent a night with Minox engineers and was explained a lot of interesting scope facts. But I also had one whisky too many, so a somewhat hazy recollection of the details.

[@Drummer425]

THLR.NO sometimes those are the best "business meetings." The trick is to never have them when you're half-way through SHOT Show.... don't ask me how I know.

[@THLR]

Alex Cothran :D

[@cratxn1]

Alex that is a very insightful comment. You have pushed the door open wider, allowing more light into my dimly lit cognizance...thank you sir.

[@juanjoseermakimix1728]

Perfect Thomas,as allways! 👏👏👏👏your r8 is painted¿...¿. What about your r93¿....¿..¿.¿.. Ah¡ thomas i have my blaser r93 (7mmRm) standard and it has WOOD. So do you think it is posible to install a bipod(harris) like you have in your r93. Remember that wood no has the same thread. May be possible to install?

[@THLR]

Yes I painted my R8 with some Cerakote leftovers from my 6,5 Grendel project. I have sold my R93, too big difference in trigger pulls (R93 450 grams Bix'n Andy vs R8 800 gram Blaser). As I have limited feel and can't properly feel the trigger, it was suddenly dangerous chance of accidental discharge (I shoot by muscle memory so to speak). Sorry, I have no experience with the wooden R93s and have no idea. If you use Fb, there is a Blaser owner group which has a lot of competent members, I'm pretty sure someone there can give a precise answer.

[@juanjoseermakimix1728]

THLR.NO sorry thomas. What is fb?

[@THLR]

Juan jose Ermakimix Facebook.

[@18mrdel]

Hi Thomas another great vid. Just wondering have you still got the r93 and what caliber.

[@THLR]

No I sold the R93. I have reduced sensitivity in my shooting hand, so having to different triggers didn't feel well at all.

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

Hello and Merry Christmas if you celebrate. I was curious about what you were actually aiming at when tracking. Were you trying to shoot for the string to see if the bullet tracks straight up it or were you aiming for the black X-rings? I understand all shots were taken aiming at the bottom I’m just unsure if you were deliberately aiming for the string or the X-ring. I ask mainly because it appeared there was a very slight and increasing deflection to the right as you dialed up and was curious why. Thank you.

[@THLR]

Not sure, the film is three years old. I have changed the way I test tracking now kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYXOqYaIgbCMqtE

[@v8bunga]

Hey Thomas what is the handle underneath your bipod ? did you attach it your self ? it looks like a Podlok l had on one of my Harris bipods ..nice mod.

[@THLR]

It is an industrial "handscrew" which has been shortened and simply adds friction to the bipod pin. I did not make this modification, RPS did it for me. I am trying to convince them to make their own handscrew purpose-built. ( I would prefer a slimmer handle).

[@v8bunga]

Oh ok sweet does it work ok ? I might do the same mod to my RPS Bipod .

[@THLR]

Yes! I have not fully digested/ perfected the technique but with a better screwhandle (one that is smaller and which cannot rotate 360) I suspect it'll be a good hybrid between the loose spigot (great for tracking game etc) and tightening up to a stiffer, target style bipod. I like the speed which I can change between the two features. I have my fingers crossed for future modifications.

[@v8bunga]

Sounds great,thanks for replying to my questions. Keep the awesome videos coming .

[@THLR]

Willdo.

[@emeryemond7904]

EXCELLENT, another great video. Your effort is highly appreciated. Question, how far do you travel to the facility to shoot your rifles ? Is it a private club or on public land ? THANKS AGAIN !

[@THLR]

Thanks! I need to drive 40 minutes to get there.

[@philippefrater2000]

A good one as usual, how is your hand? Do the sensations comes back or is it still to soon to have an idea? Regards, Philippe.🇫🇷🎯🇫🇷

[@THLR]

The sensation will never recover, but it is functioning sufficiently.

[@nemir2550]

@@THLR what's happened to your hand?

[@THLR]

@@nemir2550 Cut to pieces

[@srs4767]

Thomas, Just wondering what height of Bipod you prefer on your rifles? are you running 6-9 inch or closer to 9-13 inch height?

[@THLR]

S Hardison The 6-9 is definitely too short for me, I reckon about 9-10 inches and up is what I use.

[@jamesvejr1942]

Nothing wrong with perceived quality! :) I also think you've come up with a nickname for your 300NM...what's that hammer called again?

[@THLR]

Mjølnir, the hammer of norse god Thor. There is a swede that already baptized my rifle, it was called "havermø" or something like that. It translated "something you feel that you must have, but cannot rationally argue for". I'm going to double-check the expression/ spelling and have that engraved on my 300 Norma. :D

[@cratxn1]

Don't waste the euros...first time you get in a hurry establishing a shooting position while hunting in fading light...the "havermo" will engraved it on your forehead. I too like Mjolnir / The Hammer...the 300 kills at both ends.

[@LastCaress7]

6.5x55 is one of my all time favorite cartridges. I load for it. I shoot my swedish mauser from time to time.

[@THLR]

I've gone back to 6,5x55 as my no 2 barrel now. It is simply very easy to work with. Low recoil, high precision, big punch in game.

[@ProSoom]

Are you planning to shoot same bullet as in the x284?

[@THLR]

LastCaress7 Yes and no. I will shoot my stockpile of Amax and then change to 130gr ELD.

[@LastCaress7]

THLR.NO Thomas have you tried Berger Hybrids?

[@THLR]

LastCaress7 Yes and the first shot failed in the deer, so I will never use that for hunting again.

[@JimmyGunXD556]

Nice video. I always run a ladder (tracking) test on my scopes when purchased as well as every 200 rounds just to make sure I am still tracking. (cheap scope) I find it strange that people do not realize you do not have to fire a shot. Shooter error plus a bad tracking scope could be costly and a viscous circle.

[@THLR]

"Viscous circle" was a god description. Tracking tests are not bad, one just needs to be aware of what potential errors you put into it. I find it somewhat funny that people claim a 0,2 % error in their scopes based on a shooting test they did. How is is possibly to measure that accurately with all the inaccuracies?

[@againstmywill23]

Nicely done Sir.

[@THLR]

Thanks!

[@JohnSmith-mw7de]

Thomas, thank you for your videos. I have learned an incredible amount of marksmanship and long range shooting from you. One question about the tall target test. Before you performed this test, did you level the scope only using the triangular metal tool provided by Sphur and then mount the Sphur? Was this the only thing you did to make sure there was no cant to the scope? Thank you again. John.

[@THLR]

Thanks for that John, really glad it has been useful. Spuhr made a very good table showing the effect of mounting a scope aligned with rifle and canting it to gravity, vs scope canted on rifle and holding it straight to gravity, vs scope straight rifle & gravity, vs scope canted & canted. Short version is as long as scope is in line with gravity, you're fine. I mount my scope like you describe, but I would prefer to mount it canted to the right. Eventually I'll make a custom triangular tool so I can effect that mount with ease. It's just so convient and easy to use the Spuhr tools that I don't bother doing it in a different way.

[@magmyk]

if you are not sponsored by minox, how much did you pay for custom reticle?

[@THLR]

Right around eur 10K including scopes. S&B made same offer at around 7k plus scope

[@MrSweetwater2]

Another great Video!

[@THLR]

Thanks for that, glad you liked it!

[@johnlathrop123]

Ha ha...I liked your first conclusion.

[@THLR]

Hot dogs will solve a lot!

[@AZIAZAZZELO]

Barrel 6.5 55 standard? why?

[@THLR]

It is one of the cheapest calibres to shoot in Norway. I have no need or desire to carry a heavy barrel.

[@thejoakim99]

Har du en militær karriere bak deg, i såfall hva slags? :-)

[@THLR]

Nei ingen karriere.

[@jamesvejr1942]

I got an entire gun safe full of "havermøs". ;) Big gathering and steel shoot for me 4Jun. Cant wait.

[@THLR]

Have fun!

[@pd5156]

R8? I remember you writed you would use r93 for end of life. Thast good. Only a cow does not change it's mind.

[@THLR]

Don Parmezano Good expression! :D

[@AZIAZAZZELO]

perfectly!

[@THLR]

Thanks!

[@Josefselvadek]

The only thing I've understood was that you're allowed to own the Thor's hammer ! ;-) (y)

[@THLR]

The message was not to read too much of the internet. "Tall target test" is heralded as a "must do" test by a lot of forum participants. I don't agree as a shooting test tells you little about the scope due all the inaccuracies in the setup. It's like eyeballing the dimensions on a NASA shuttle.

[@THLR]

Allowed hammers? It's more like required. I live in troll country...

[@cratxn1]

yes... measure it with a 2x4 board, mark it with a grease pencil and cut it with an axe

[@wolverinekut]

🌶🌶👍

[@THLR]

Thanks!