2025 Cold Bore Challenge Q&A Thread

[tak]

Got mine all done and posted. Humble pie for me, 2 misses.

I did shoot more after I was done today, and the next 3 were solid hits including seated with tripod. That first shot is tougher for sure!

Just to make me feel better, here's my target once I did finally hit it...

 

[Nine Banger]

Have the organizers given consideration to a youth division at closer or any range?

Youth love prizes and validation.

Sponsors might be more enthusiastic to donate prizes for kids over adults.

Parents/Adult Partners could film the youth shooting from an angle that doesn't show their faces if proof that they were doing it unassisted is a concern.

 

[TX_Diver]

0/2 this year with another bad wind call and a silly attempt to get double entries

Will post the video when I’ve for better service later

 

[Justin Crossley]

I posted my second day impact info. My phone stopped recording before I shot. Should I re shoot, continue on, or ? Thanks to everyone putting this on. Post #50

As long as you posted the video up until the recording stopped, I think we'll accept it assuming your MER is under 600.

If you're going for longer, we would accept a redo of your second shot.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Took My 2nd shot today. Miss? Hit?
View attachment 895688

Im shooting at a 9 inch plate so need a judges ruling
View attachment 895689
View attachment 895690

Im 100% good with whatever the consensus is. I freely admit im an idiot for using a smaller target.

I would call that a hit since you can draw a 10" circle on the cardboard and it would be in.

But, you should be disqualified for thinking your "plate" was bigger than it is......

 

[northernalpine]

Closed out my shooting today, 4/4, with the final two shots at 738 yards. Post #59 - Link here.

Final Thoughts:
The CBC is an awesome thing, period. It was a good affirmation that my gear is doing what it is supposed to and I'm doing most of the things right, but also a validation that my wind calls are borderline effective and need improvement. This year I feel a little bit like Greg Maddux (the king of painting the corners) and while I hit all targets, they were from ideal shooting positions and pretty good conditions. Plenty to work on this summer before fall arrives.

Thank you to @Justin Crossley and the RS team for putting this on, I was hooked after last year and appreciate you pulling everything together.

 

[doverpack12]

Thanks for the challenge again this year. I completed today with 2 misses at 600. Wind was tough today. Off to continue improving and getting better. Next year 760 is the goal seated with tripod front support and pack rear support. I found the spot today

 

[dster3]

PAIN!!!!

rigged up these target holders this week getting ready for this. Thought I should grind the corners to get them flush with the target. What are the chances? I'll leave it.

Zigged when I should have zagged

I was high regardless, just confused me why I saw the target move. Back out tomorrow morning.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Second shot in the books. Relieved to see and hear impact! The wind effects these .223's so much, I'm learning a ton about reading wind with it (purposefully present tense). I think the challenge would have been easier with the 6.5 CM but I only have one box of ammo left before it becomes a 6CM next month. And I told a buddy it was his birthday present haha.

Going to get a 3rd shot in the weekend of the Fourth. Planning to push my MER to at least 600 next year, hopefully further.

Post in thread '2025 Cold Bore Challenge'

Jun 15, 2025

MER: 500 Yards

• Tikka T3X .223 REM
• Factory barrel, 18" threaded 1/2-28 with Downrange Products thread adapter
• AB A-10 7.62 with LS Wild cover
• Maven RS 1.2 in UM Lows, Tenebraex caps
• Vertical grip on factory stock, factory trigger spring adjusted, stock barrel channel widened out
• UM tikka bolt handle and knob
• Spartan bipod up front, jellyfish bag in the back
• Black Hills 77 TMK in 5.56, 2735 FPS AVG, 25.4 SD, 147 ES over 65 tracked shots since getting the Garmin
• Ballistics from the new to me Revic BR4. Second day with it. Trued it with data from Shooter...

• SteveAndTheCrigBoys

• 

 

[tak]

Since I missed both of my shots, I went before church this morning for some redemption with a single cold bore shot at 510. This time with 6.5CM (I used 7prc for CBC). Snuck an edge hit, so I'll take it as a win, even though I feel like I should drill the center of the target from that distance and a prone position.

But... that's why this challenge is so good. It's the first cold shot that really counts. We always remember our best shots after a range day, but seem to forget our worst shots. It's getting ingrained that the first cold shot is very likely to be that edge hit or even could be your "worst shot of the day."

Side note: I record my shots using slo-mo, but the slo-mo doesn't show on YouTube. Can anyone confirm or deny that it's just the way it is with YouTube, or is there a setting I need to change?

 

[pathnz]

Has anyone run any stats on the results from these in the past? It's a cool open-source data set

 

[Bluumoon]

Has anyone run any stats on the results from these in the past? It's a cool open-source data set

I did some paper napkin stats the first year. They are prob in the 2023 CB q and a

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Has anyone run any stats on the results from these in the past? It's a cool open-source data set

Keep in mind, while this data is “interesting”, there is nothing in it to simulate an actual hunting shot other than maybe a touch of adrenaline since you only get once shot and the fact that it’s cold bore/cold shooter. And basic general shooting fundamentals/wind calling.

What I mean is…. It’s a static target that sticks out like a sore thumb in the terrain, with no time limit, in places folks are familiar/comfortable shooting in, and with most folks shooting from the most stable positions possible.

None of the above mentioned factors are the case when it’s time to shoot an animal. So whatever “data” is driven from hits/misses, even if it still favors “misses”, will be more greatly skewed towards “hits” than real life hunting.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Has anyone run any stats on the results from these in the past? It's a cool open-source data set

Post in thread '2025 Cold Bore Challenge Q&A Thread'

Jun 17, 2025

I'm logging and planning to process all the data just like last year. So far I have 60 shooters, 59/93 shots for a 63% hit rate at an average range of 565yds.

And @mxgsfmdpx is a freak going 4/4 with difficult positions, winds, and the longest shot of the challenge by far. Kudos!

• solarshooter

• 

Post in thread '2024 Cold Bore Challenge Q&A Thread'

Jul 22, 2024

After getting some mixed feedback on previous plots, I took another crack at them. First of all, to recap:

• 75 entrants, 175 shots logged
• Overall hit rate was 106/175 (61%)
• At ranges <=600yds, hit rate was 81/124 (65%)
• At ranges >600yds, hit rate was 25/51 (49%)
• Overall, 36/75 (48%) were successful on their first 2 shots
• 45 claimed an MER <=600yds, of those:
  • 30 (66%) were successful on their first shot
  • 21 (47%) were successful on both shots
• 30 claimed an MER >600yds, of those:
  • 15 (50%) were successful on their first 2 shots
  • 6 (20%) were...

• solarshooter

• 

 

[pathnz]

Keep in mind, while this data is “interesting”, there is nothing in it to simulate an actual hunting shot other than maybe a touch of adrenaline since you only get once shot and the fact that it’s cold bore/cold shooter. And basic general shooting fundamentals/wind calling.

What I mean is…. It’s a static target that sticks out like a sore thumb in the terrain, with no time limit, in places folks are familiar/comfortable shooting in, and with most folks shooting from the most stable positions possible.

None of the above mentioned factors are the case when it’s time to shoot an animal. So whatever “data” is driven from hits/misses, even if it still favors “misses”, will be more greatly skewed towards “hits” than real life hunting.

Yeah so far it's sitting at about 60% hits this year. I suspect this is an over achievement compared to real world hunting.

 

[Slick8]

Looks like I'm headed out on Wednesday as long as it's not raining... (too hard). It's been wet lately so it will be a walk in rubber boots and 95 deg heat to hang targets.

I swapped out the stock and scope on this rifle from last year. I'm now running a XLR and 5-25 Trig.

I went out last weekend to zero and validate at 300. I'll use this data set for shot 1 at 600.

In this config last fall I took a cow elk with 1 shot at 620 in the last minutes of evening light.

 

[Harvey_NW]

Yeah so far it's sitting at about 60% hits this year. I suspect this is an over achievement compared to real world hunting.

Maybe, maybe not since participants are "pushing themselves" for the sake of the challenge. My first technical miss at 804 yards is not a shot I would have taken at an animal in the conditions that morning, but for the sake of the challenge and the fact that it's a 64 mile round trip to my shooting spot, I guessed and sent it.

 

[wind gypsy]

It's a bit of a PITA for me to get somewhere with any significant distance lately and the only times i've shot over 200 yards this year has been at matches. So I went to the range yesterday intending to shoot CBC type shot first but also shoot my PRS and NRL rifles after and thus likely not be eligible per the CBC rules even if not shooting my hunting rifle from the CBC between shots.

Wind was a blowin and switchy from the back making it tough to make a good call. Shot was 500 yards and with these wind conditions and a clear mind its beyond what I'd consider MER. Held just inside left edge of plate and missed just off the right. Piss. Went to stop the recording and realized it wasn't recording anyway. So I suck x2. So I decided to shoot more and fully skip the CBC - next shot holding just off left edge hit right where I was holding (missing off left edge). 5 or so more shots with straight up or less than 0.2 mil holds all hit the mark. I think i broke a good trigger on shot one and it was just wind.

Anyways, was a good reflection on what i've long thought - Easy to remember pounding plates with ease at the range and forget that first shot miss.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Maybe, maybe not since participants are "pushing themselves" for the sake of the challenge. My first technical miss at 804 yards is not a shot I would have taken at an animal in the conditions that morning, but for the sake of the challenge and the fact that it's a 64 mile round trip to my shooting spot, I guessed and sent it.

I think if folks were truly “pushing themselves” the yardage doesn’t necessarily “matter” to an extent. Obviously the further back you go the more the wind/bullet/shooter variables have potential to change outcomes, but in general “long range” is not necessarily what makes us “miss”.

You take the average or even “skilled rifleman” type of hunter out and get them off their “range” or flat prairie/farm field, and put up targets at various yardages that blend into terrain like an animal; and give them time, say 2 minutes “before the animal moves off” to simulate some adrenaline…

It is truly shocking (to the point where nearly all folks call BS until they see it/shoot it) how much someone’s actual kill shot “MER” and first round impact rates drop off dramatically. Or the amount of folks who simply do not get a shot off in the allotted time at all. It’s not to say that “all hunting shots” are rushed or should be, but it’s a great way to simulate “let’s get this animal killed” and put some pressure on the shooter to simulate felt conditions when killing. THEN you bring in factors like distance/wind/guns that aren’t zeroed/forgot to dial, the list goes on, all compounding to work against the shooter being effective.

If I had to put an honest “yardage number” for the average “avid” shooter/hunter going into unknown terrain with elevation change/wind conditions; in seeing what I have with hundreds of shooters between guiding, instructing, etc. for the last couple decades, 200 yards and in is a “realistic” first round kill shot distance.

In saying that, in the dozens of Rokslide members I’ve met in person and shot with, this is a group of folks that is generally well above average. There is zero replacement for getting in shooting reps in hunting type terrain and it’s clear that this site has a high concentration of what I would consider “very good to elite” hunting shot shooters. Not that it really even matters “what I consider” anyway just a personal observation.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

I could be convinced to do timed, field position shots next year on a target that isn't neon orange. Maybe have a buddy place it too so it's a find it, range it, shoot it sorta thing.