Back to Basics at the Range

 I wasn't happy with how my Browning A-bolt was shooting.  I asked friends for advice and I did some investigating.  My gun has a muzzle brake system called a BOSS.  It allows you to tune the harmonics of the barrel to whatever load that you are shooting.  Back in 2011, I went thru all settings to find the best arrangement for the Hornady Superformance 180gr load that I planned to use for elk hunting.  2011 Test Shoot  I have been speculating about hot barrel, loose Boss, or something else that has changed.

 I watched a YouTube video on the Browning site and it said that you have to back the lock lug back to the zero position and then rotate the scale on the lug to zero.  Focus isn't good on the photo but there is a ring with zero to 10 graduations on the lug and also zero to 10 on the barrel.  I found that my zero was way off on the lug ring.  I returned it to zero.

 I went back to the 100 yard bench and shot off bags.  The results were very surprising.  I have been using the 6.5 setting that I determined in 2011.

 Now, at 6.5, I was shooting a 3"+ group.  I tried harder to keep the barrel cool and clean during this experiment.  And I routinely checked to be sure that the Boss was tight.  It is a nice feature for tuning to different loads but it can also be a source of variability.  I got it to pretty decent groups at a setting of 5.5 or 5.6.  Then it started to rain.  I have one weekend left before the next elk hunt - hopefully I can dial it in more.  That is a difference of 1.0 setting from optimal previously and is about the limit that can be explained with the lug calibration.

 It's hard to find the pumpkins in the weeds.

 They are out there somewhere.

 Some are ripe and some are still growing.  Many vines have died.

I harvested the ripe ones.

There are more jack-o-lantern pumpkins than I expected.  Lots of specialty ones too.  Small to medium regular pumpkins are lacking this year.

 I've been having some chigger issues so I took defense to the next level this week.  It worked.

A visitor on the porch.

 I had more to haul than I had room this week.

 Starting to build the finished inventory at home.

 Brassica in the main field with storm clouds rolling in.

 Turkey evidence at the pond.

 I had another good hour of fishing at the pond.

 This size bass on the fly rod is fun.

 The old, beat-up popper on the left. A new one on the right.  Both worked this week.

 Not quite every cast but close.

 The house at the head of the driveway has a dumpster and appears to be getting gutted.  Apparently the neighbor across the street bought it from the bank.  I think that is a good thing.

I haven't organized to pack for the trip yet.  Nor have I done much bow shooting for archery season - opening soon.  So little time.