Informal Cold Bore Challenge

[YaakRiver]

Winter has finally settled in up here in Yaak, MT. In an effort to maintain/improve my shooting skills, I resolved to try to shoot as many days in 2026 as I possibly can, including a daily cold bore challenge.

I thought some other fellas would be interested in doing the same and keeping tabs on/encouraging each other. If you decide to participate, just know that there’s nothing to win - I have zero sponsors (owners). It’d be great if you include the rifle, ammo and filming setup, along with environmentals. Here’s a shot of my setup

- Rifle: Factory Tikka action and barrel chambered in .223; cerakoted, cut to 20” and threaded by Corey at Selkirk Mountain Arms. Factory trigger with Unknown Munitions trigger spring.
- Stock: KRG Echo
- Scope: Maven RS1.2 in Unknown Munitions rings
- Ammo: AAC 5.56x45 75 gr BTHP
- Bipod: Spartan Javelin
- Spotter: Kowa TSN-553 with a Wiser Precision Nighthawk on a SLIK 634 PRO CF
- Phone/Adadapter: iPhone with Kapture Gear

I started on Jan 1 so I’m 2 days in. Jan 1 shot was 473 yards, Temp was 20°, 2 mph 4 o’clock wind, 3140’ elevation. Today was 655 yards, Temp 30°, 3 o’clock 1 mph wind

 

[northernalpine]

Good call, I’ll bite.

Placeholder for future posts.

 

[Pilsner]

I should be in - my new rifle should be in hand here next week - its my ability to film that worries me. I can film either the shooting or the target but not both. Private range right outside of my front door goes to ~700 yards so no worries there.

 

[J.B.]

Winter has finally settled in up here in Yaak, MT. In an effort to maintain/improve my shooting skills, I resolved to try to shoot as many days in 2026 as I possibly can, including a daily cold bore challenge.

I thought some other fellas would be interested in doing the same and keeping tabs on/encouraging each other. If you decide to participate, just know that there’s nothing to win - I have zero sponsors (owners). It’d be great if you include the rifle, ammo and filming setup, along with environmentals. Here’s a shot of my setup View attachment 996068

- Rifle: Factory Tikka action and barrel cerakoted, cut to 20” and threaded by Corey at Selkirk Mountain Arms. Factory trigger with Unknown Munitions trigger spring.
- Stock: KRG Echo
- Scope: Maven RS1.2 in Unknown Munitions rings
- Ammo: AAC 75 gr BTHP factory
- Bipod: Spartan Javelin
- Spotter: Kowa TSN-553 with a Wiser Precision Nighthawk on a SLIK 634 PRO CF
- Phone/Adadapter: iPhone with Kapture Gear

I started on Jan 1 so I’m 2 days in. Jan 1 shot was 473 yards, Temp was 20°, 2 mph 4 o’clock wind, 3140’ elevation. Today was 655 yards, Temp 30°, 3 o’clock 1 mph wind

Cartridge?

 

[YaakRiver]

Cartridge?

I’m shooting AAC 5.56x45 75 gr BTHP ammo but all cartridges are welcome.

 

[YaakRiver]

I should be in - my new rifle should be in hand here next week - it’s my ability to film that worries me. I can film either the shooting or the target but not both. Private range right outside of my front door goes to ~700 yards so no worries there.

No need to film both. This is just for practice and fun.

 

[YaakRiver]

First round miss this afternoon. I held left in a swirling wind and to account for a touch of spindrift. Held center on the second and hit. I have a lot to learn about wind.

 

[J.B.]

I’m shooting AAC 5.56x45 75 gr BTHP ammo but all cartridges are welcome.

Did I completely read over that in the op? Lol

 

[YaakRiver]

Did I completely read over that in the op? Lol

No sir. I corrected it thanks to your question! I should’ve mentioned that I’d do that in my response to you. Figured you wouldn’t be the only one to catch that mistake.

 

[YukonCorneliusAurelius]

I’ll join in as well.

Rifle: Factory Tikka action and barrel chambered in .223; cerakoted, cut to 20” and threaded by Corey at Selkirk Mountain Arms. Factory trigger with Unknown Munitions trigger spring.
- Stock: Tikka CTR stock
- Scope: Athlon Ares BTR Gen II 2.5-15x50 ffp ir-mil in Unknown Munitions rings
- Ammo: Hornady 75 gr BTHP hand loads
- Bipod: Spartan Javelin
- Spotter: Kowa TSN-553 with a Wiser Precision Nighthawk on a SLIK 634 PRO CF
- Phone/Adadapter: iPhone with Kapture Gear

Today’s shot was 655 yds. Conditions were rainy with a bit of fog, 29.8°f, 94% humidity, 26.69 hg. Shot from a modified kneeling position.

Impact was center left and low on the plate.

 

[Davyalabama]

I can't video nor post pics ---- but I agree with this thread ----- Too many times people are concerned too much about groups.

1 shot, cold bore, get your heart rate way up, get on the gun and take the shot. Can you hit it? I'm talking the bottom of a soup or tuna can.

Very good post and thread YaakRiver.

 

[YukonCorneliusAurelius]

I can't video nor post pics ---- but I agree with this thread ----- Too many times people are concerned too much about groups.

1 shot, cold bore, get your heart rate way up, get on the gun and take the shot. Can you hit it? I'm talking the bottom of a soup or tuna can.

Very good post and thread YaakRiver.

I don’t hunt tuna cans very often, but my effective range on them from field positions would probably be 150 yds or less.

Also, does anyone have an anatomical drawing that shows the vitals on a tuna can?

 

[Davyalabama]

I don’t hunt tuna cans very often, but my effective range on them from field positions would probably be 150 yds or less.

Also, does anyone have an anatomical drawing that shows the vitals on a tuna can?

I prefer my cans not have any vitals, I've already eaten the vitals (vittles) out of them.

 

[longrangelead]

I don’t hunt tuna cans very often, but my effective range on them from field positions would probably be 150 yds or less.

Also, does anyone have an anatomical drawing that shows the vitals on a tuna can?

from my limited experience as a kid, they're like bears, shoot center/center.

 

[YukonCorneliusAurelius]

I did the challenge today as well. Just haven’t uploaded the videos to YouTube yet.

Today’s cold bore shot was 476 yds. Weather was rainy, 33°f, 96% humidity, 26.9 hg, with a 3-5 mph R—L wind. Impact was on the left edge of the plate. Held center plate.

Rifle: Factory Tikka action and barrel chambered in .223; cerakoted, cut to 20” and threaded by Corey at Selkirk Mountain Arms. Factory trigger with Unknown Munitions trigger spring.

- Stock: Tikka CTR stock

- Scope: Athlon Ares BTR Gen II 2.5-15x50 ffp ir-mil in Unknown Munitions rings

- Ammo: Hornady 75 gr BTHP hand loads at 2760 fps

- Bipod: Spartan Javelin

-Bino: Maven B1.2 10x42 on a Sirui t-024sk tripod with a Sirui VA-5 head

-Phone/Adapter: iPhone with Magview adapter ring

Edit: video’s up!!

 

[YaakRiver]

- Rifle: Factory Tikka action and barrel chambered in .223; cerakoted, cut to 20” and threaded by Corey at Selkirk Mountain Arms. Factory trigger with Unknown Munitions trigger spring.
- Stock: KRG Echo
- Scope: Maven RS1.2 in Unknown Munitions rings
- Ammo: AAC 5.56x45 75 gr BTHP
- Bipod: Spartan Javelin
- Spotter: Kowa TSN-553 with a Wiser Precision Nighthawk on a SLIK 634 PRO CF
- Phone/Adadapter: iPhone with Kapture Gear

476 yards, 8” gong Temp was 36°, 1 mph 5 o’clock wind, 3140’ elevation.

 

[YaakRiver]

TODAY WAS ROUGH!! The wind was anywhere from 5 to 21 mph and kept shifting from N or NE to S or SE. I missed the first shot as I held for 13 mph wind that dropped to 4 mph. My brother, Sam @Yukon Cornelius didnt record the miss but he did record the second shot which was a hit. Just like the miss I had on Saturday, Sam was able to learn from my mistake and hasn’t missed yet!

- Rifle: Factory Tikka action and barrel chambered in .223; cerakoted, cut to 20” and threaded by Corey at Selkirk Mountain Arms. Factory trigger with Unknown Munitions trigger spring.
- Stock: KRG Echo
- Scope: Maven RS1.2 in Unknown Munitions rings
- Ammo: AAC 5.56x45 75 gr BTHP
- Bipod: Spartan Javelin
- Spotter: Kowa TSN-553 with a Wiser Precision Nighthawk on a SLIK 634 PRO CF
- Phone/Adadapter: iPhone with Kapture Gear

384 yards, 8” gong Temp was 38°, wind was anywhere from 5 to 21 mph and kept shifting from N or NE to S or SE, 3140’ elevation

 

[YukonCorneliusAurelius]

Rifle: Factory Tikka t3x lite action and barrel chambered in .223; cerakoted, cut to 20” and threaded by Corey at Selkirk Mountain Arms. Factory trigger with Unknown Munitions trigger spring.
- Stock: Tikka CTR stock
- Scope: Athlon Ares BTR Gen II 2.5-15x50 ffp ir-mil in Unknown Munitions rings
- Ammo: Hornady 75 gr BTHP hand loads at 2760 fps
- Bipod: Spartan Javelin
- Spotter: Kowa TSN-553 with a Wiser Precision Nighthawk on a SLIK 634 PRO CF
- Phone/Adapter: iPhone with Kapture Gear

Today’s conditions were 38.7°f, 71% humidity, 26.59 hg, wind 5 mph R-L with gusts as high as 15 mph and switching directions. Fun conditions!

First shot was 384 yds. Held 0.5 mils right. Second shot was 476 yds. Held 0.6 mils right. Both impacts.

 

[YukonCorneliusAurelius]

TODAY WAS ROUGH!! The wind was anywhere from 5 to 21 mph and kept shifting from N or NE to S or SE. I missed the first shot as I held for 13 mph wind that dropped to 4 mph. My brother, Sam @Yukon Cornelius didnt record the miss but he did record the second shot which was a hit. Just like the miss I had on Saturday, Sam was able to learn from my mistake and hasn’t missed yet!

- Rifle: Factory Tikka action and barrel chambered in .223; cerakoted, cut to 20” and threaded by Corey at Selkirk Mountain Arms. Factory trigger with Unknown Munitions trigger spring.
- Stock: KRG Echo
- Scope: Maven RS1.2 in Unknown Munitions rings
- Ammo: AAC 5.56x45 75 gr BTHP
- Bipod: Spartan Javelin
- Spotter: Kowa TSN-553 with a Wiser Precision Nighthawk on a SLIK 634 PRO CF
- Phone/Adadapter: iPhone with Kapture Gear

384 yards, 8” gong Temp was 38°, wind was anywhere from 5 to 21 mph and kept shifting from N or NE to S or SE, 3140’ elevation

I wonder if YaakRiver will ever figure out that the purpose of screen names is to maintain some sort of anonymity or at least the thin veil of it. There are very few oversized ginger garden gnomes running around the woods.

 

[YaakRiver]

I wonder if YaakRiver will ever figure out that the purpose of screen names is to maintain some sort of anonymity or at least the thin veil of it. There are very few oversized ginger garden gnomes running around the woods.

probably not.