- Joined
- Jun 1, 2024
- Messages
- 4,885
I get that this is RokSlide and many of us would love to shoot Paraceratherium (aka the Beast of Baluchistan for those who grew up with old-fashioned paleontology books) with a .204 Ruger using 68-grain TMKs, but I know there are plenty of folks who shoot magnums. Some folks around here are self-proclaimed manly men who shoot manly cartridges better than puling wretches like me shoot our .223s. I'd like to see some 10-shot groups (or larger!) from them.
As we get ready for hunting season, which will be starting in about three weeks for some folks, I bet people will be getting out to check zero anyway. In that spirit, I announce Q's Inaugural Magnum Rifle Challenge.
First Place: I'll send a free Limbsaver pad to the person with the best overall group (as measured by largest caliber, highest number of shots, smallest group, and style).
Second place: an OEM Tikka synthetic stock (chosen due to its well-known ability to magnify felt recoil).
Multiple entries are allowed (and encouraged).
I am the sole judge and there is no appeal except public mockery if you think I am unfair. Bonus points for style, longer range, and for exceeding the minimums. Any group shot between July 1, 2026 and September 1, 2026 is eligible for entry. Competition closes on September 1, 2026.
Minimum range: 100 yards
Minimum number of shots: 10
Minimum caliber: .284 (7mm)*
Minimum cartridge: must be commonly regarded as a magnum (e.g. 7mm Remington Magnum), or medium-bore (e.g. .35 Whelen), or large bore (e.g. .45-70).** You must provide the load data, velocity, etc. Attempting to game the game by loading your magnum down to wimpy levels will result in public mockery and derision.
Style: particularly fine-looking or classic rifles (must post pictures to get style points for looking good!). All other things being equal, a pre-64 Winchester model will get slightly more points than a Tikka T3X in an OEM stock. On the other hand, this is not about rewarding those who spend the most money, extreme budget setups will also get bonus points.
* - Minor negative points for magnums with less than .284 caliber. If you want to shoot dimes with your 6UM, you can, but you will suffer a minor point penalty for being a pussy.
** - It is entirely at the judge's discretion to allow for exceptions. If your biggest rifle is a .30-06 shooting 220-grain Partitions, then I would probably allow it, but you may suffer a minor point penalty.
The exact scoring formula is still a work-in-progress. For now, however, a 30-shot group measuring 1 MOA at 1000-yards shot with a 600 Nitro Express double rifle with open sights is worth 10,000 points (300 for 30 shots, 300 for 1 MOA at 1000 yards, 300 for largest caliber, over 9000 for style).
I'll kick it off with my not-great group from my Tikka 9.3x62. Ammunition used was random 286-grain handloads sold to me as Hornady factory seconds. I have no desire to see if I can do better than this with that particular rifle and ammo combination.
As we get ready for hunting season, which will be starting in about three weeks for some folks, I bet people will be getting out to check zero anyway. In that spirit, I announce Q's Inaugural Magnum Rifle Challenge.
First Place: I'll send a free Limbsaver pad to the person with the best overall group (as measured by largest caliber, highest number of shots, smallest group, and style).
Second place: an OEM Tikka synthetic stock (chosen due to its well-known ability to magnify felt recoil).
Multiple entries are allowed (and encouraged).
I am the sole judge and there is no appeal except public mockery if you think I am unfair. Bonus points for style, longer range, and for exceeding the minimums. Any group shot between July 1, 2026 and September 1, 2026 is eligible for entry. Competition closes on September 1, 2026.
Minimum range: 100 yards
Minimum number of shots: 10
Minimum caliber: .284 (7mm)*
Minimum cartridge: must be commonly regarded as a magnum (e.g. 7mm Remington Magnum), or medium-bore (e.g. .35 Whelen), or large bore (e.g. .45-70).** You must provide the load data, velocity, etc. Attempting to game the game by loading your magnum down to wimpy levels will result in public mockery and derision.
Style: particularly fine-looking or classic rifles (must post pictures to get style points for looking good!). All other things being equal, a pre-64 Winchester model will get slightly more points than a Tikka T3X in an OEM stock. On the other hand, this is not about rewarding those who spend the most money, extreme budget setups will also get bonus points.
* - Minor negative points for magnums with less than .284 caliber. If you want to shoot dimes with your 6UM, you can, but you will suffer a minor point penalty for being a pussy.
** - It is entirely at the judge's discretion to allow for exceptions. If your biggest rifle is a .30-06 shooting 220-grain Partitions, then I would probably allow it, but you may suffer a minor point penalty.
The exact scoring formula is still a work-in-progress. For now, however, a 30-shot group measuring 1 MOA at 1000-yards shot with a 600 Nitro Express double rifle with open sights is worth 10,000 points (300 for 30 shots, 300 for 1 MOA at 1000 yards, 300 for largest caliber, over 9000 for style).
I'll kick it off with my not-great group from my Tikka 9.3x62. Ammunition used was random 286-grain handloads sold to me as Hornady factory seconds. I have no desire to see if I can do better than this with that particular rifle and ammo combination.
I think I only own 1 rifle that qualifies and only just bought it. A tikka t3x 300 wsm. My 6.5 prc has a mag bolt face, but a 135 berger @ 2750 is hardly a magnum. Im not with the 223 for all of north America crowd, but a 25-06 or 243 is sure a great start. 
