marklestrange Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 I am New to centerfire I have just tried out a Parker Hale Midland .308I need someone with experience to give me a little advice please (Needy Newbie sorry) It has rams head (horned sheep?) and some (for me ) unapealing design on the plate and part of the trigger guard. It has been cut down a bit (couple of inches?) has a sporter barrel and is threaded with a thread protector. The rifling looks fine at both ends and from what I can see holding it up to the light is good throughout it's length with consistency through the throat and a good (maybe?) crown. The bolt has what I think is a long throw and can be wobbled a lot when at full extension out. The bolt was oily and dirty but the bore looked clean. The length was a bit short but with a recoil pad/extension I think it might fit well.The trigger had a very light pull (under 1.5 pounds I'm guessing) was crisp and had no noticeable overtravel or creep.I shot 10 shots off a bag prone with new shiney Winchester ammo and made a four inch group at 100 meters. I knew when I was spot on and knew when I wasn't so I think the rifle will do better than this, it was just I wasn't used to it. This was my first time shooting a large caliber centerfire (over .223) since I was in the CCF at school. (I'm now 50) What bothered me was the rifle jumped to the left (off the bag) on recoil. It seemed to shoot straight (well as much as I can tell - which is of course extremely limited).The barrel was free floated but sliding a note down between the barrel and the stock it snagged a little about 6 inches up from where it goes into the receiver on the left side.Looking at the stock the gap down the right side of the barrel was larger than the gap on the left, only by a bit but definitely visible.The owner shot it for the first time that day at the range as he just bought it from an auction for £75 + fees and petrol. As I'm after a rifle for both deer and 'fun' (rather than truly competitive) range target shooting (remember I'm new to this.) i asked rather impetuously if he would sell it to me for £100. He said OK but at £110 to cover the rounds I'd fired. Is the stock misalignment a problem? Is this why it jumps left?Is this a problem?I know its a 'cheap' rifle and wasn't that expensive when new I'm guessing (It sure ain't no Sako) but is this a good choice for me considering what I want to use it for?I'm pretty skint too. I like the idea of a rifle I could maybe play with... piller bed? Glass bed, refinish stock or camo paint etc so the price is good, but is the rifle? Now I'm panicking about it jumping to the left off the bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Better off finding an 1100 or 1200 Parker-Hale,much better rifles than the Midland model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklestrange Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Better off finding an 1100 or 1200 Parker-Hale,much better rifles than the Midland model. Thankyou for the help Are they that bad? ... why? (£100 quid and local from the club range officer has a lot of appeal) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklestrange Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 Jumping off the bag to the left? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 May have something to do with the way you hold the gun? If you're hitting the target I'd get some sandpaper at the contact point, play around with some different ammo and see where that gets you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklestrange Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 May have something to do with the way you hold the gun? If you're hitting the target I'd get some sandpaper at the contact point, play around with some different ammo and see where that gets you. That was what I was hoping ... but I'm so keen to get SOMETHING to shoot on the range that I can use with deer that my judgment is in question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 One thing I would say is that perhaps it may not be a great idea to jump on the first rifle you find. A 4" group isn't at all good but then if you haven't shot anything bigger than a .223 for a long time a .308 is a whole different ball game. Are you comfortable shooting the gun? Do you know anyone with more experience who could try to get a group with the gun? I'm wondering whether it;s the gun that is grouping badly, or you? When me and a few mates go to the range we all have a go if a gun isn't playing fair. I'm quite well known for being able to hold a group but even I have off days, and it's not unheard of for one of my friends to put down a cracking group when I'm doubtful about things. Likewise I have clover leafed groups when friends have struggled to get an inch, so a second opinion on this would be helpful for you. What's your budget? I don't mean what do you want to spend as that can often be as little as possible! What can you reasonably afford to lay out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklestrange Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 (edited) £250-300 would be 'doable' Maybe a bit more at a push, if it was worth it. I was offered an immaculate (300 rnd fired) Sako Forester with a Peco-Berlin scope, but that was £850 even though I lusted after it I could in no way justify that to myself ...or to the misses. ...and you are right , I WANT to spend as little as possible. Edited October 6, 2013 by marklestrange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 The 308 Parker Hale I had had issues but once sorted would try and put the first three rounds down the same hole! The bolt is a mauser type and yes will be rattley when open and yes they are quite long for the short 308. They are built around the 30-06 length case hence their length. The quite thin barrel needs lots of clearance from the stock. Mine would not shoot until I gave it 1/8" clearance, then it was mustard! The trigger was a jem when a lighter spring was fitted under the adjuster...maybe some one put to light a one in!! The only time I have ever noticed a gun jumping to a side is when it is shooting a loaded round it does not like! Clearance of the barrel could be a contributing factor and I certainly would go there first then try diferent loads. For that money and knowing what it is like to be skint you may just be sitting on a jem! U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklestrange Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 (edited) I would like a 1st large caliber rifle I could 'play' with and not be too worried if it got a scratch.The Sako was as I said immaculate, the case the owner kept it in was worth a few hundred (not inc.)Underdog is giving me more confidence in it. INJC - probably me but hard to tell..... the but was like a brick and I have skinny boney shoulders. I'd just fired the SAKO and the recoil didn't bother me a bit...but it had a pad on the end, the Midland 'bit' me quite hard [me= big girls blouse] So I well may not have held it right. Edited October 6, 2013 by marklestrange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 They do kick they do. Shooting from the bench or prone is the worst position for those light guns. Take a newspaper next time and stuff it in you coat by your shoulder, or shoot it sitting more upright by lifting the bench up or packing it up. Shooting it off hand will be most pleasant. Might have some Parker Hale mounts for it somewhere! U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklestrange Posted October 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 That's very kind Underdog, but it had mounts on it [Off to bed now got 16-19 yr olds to teach all day tomorrow] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklestrange Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 (edited) Morning ....My ears are not just ringing they are actually hurting and I had some blood come out of my nose in the shower. My new 'active' Caldwell headset/ears were totally inadequate by themselves with the large bore centerfires even though they are very effective with shotgun. You live and learn I guess, but I wont be doing that again without plugs in too. I think it was shooters each side of me more than the rifles I shot. I now understand comments I read on forums about shooters next to you using large calibers with muzzle brakes. Hope I haven't done too much damage as there is ****** all I can do about it now. Edited October 7, 2013 by marklestrange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmerben Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I'm quite a slight guy and found a .308 to be much more fun with a moderator on it. Sure it's great to make some noise but you don't want to develop a flinch or other bad habits, it will also reduce that 'jumping' which i assume would be caused by the muzzle blast. Perhaps you can't use them at the range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Another thing to try before the stock is wittled is to fit a prssure point between stock tip and barrel so pressure from the stock supports the barrel firmly. You may be pleasantly surprised! U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 If you are shooting without hearing protection you are most likely flinching. Get someone more experienced to shoot it and see how they get on. No point in getting rid if the gun if the gun isn't the problem in other words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 A rifle should track straight back during recoil for good accurate shooting! Gun issues are possible though the least likely, my guess is shoulder contact is too firm and you are not square enough - hence the gun is slipping off your shoulder (my guess is your right handed?). something that needs to be actually seen sorry cant take it any further than that, heck it could even be your sight alignment or wind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe soapy Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 It will be a torque reaction most likely. when you fire, the bullet has to be spun up to speed. there will be an equal and opposite reaction. watch an old car with an inline engine, rev it and see the car move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry931 Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Yeah normally the twist is clockwise so the gun wants to go anticlockwise. I find if it's on a bipod it goes up and left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 (edited) What you describe ,sound like a novice shooting a .308 for the first time . Theres no big deal shooting a tighter group with the .308 . Try and let a more experienced shooter have a go . Could be the ammo or the way you are holding the rifle . You should be able to shoot at least a two inch group with the rifle at 100 hundred yards ,and with the right ammo and the right stance should be able to shoot MOA AT 100 yards . Its a cheap gun and maybe you should give it a chance . Most errors in rifle shooting are indeed pilot error . Any how ,a four inch group at 100 yards is enough accuracy to shoot deer out to 150 yards . Harnser. Edited October 7, 2013 by Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklestrange Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 (edited) Thanks guys ...REALLY useful. Torque reaction + badly shouldered might well explain it.The stock was too short for me and it has no recoil pad of any sorts ...so that is easily fixed.The Sako I had just fired recoiled straight but that had a pad and so was the right length for me.It also felt no worse than a shotgun with slugs, the Midland has bruised my shoulder (sobs into post teaching wine - straight from bottle.) I haven't handed any money over yet, but have shaken hands. In my world that means I'm committed, but that's fine.I have to wait 3 months to get passed 'probationary member' and then get the plod to issue me a slot for target with a 308[i have 2x.22 1x17hmr and shotgun atm] There should not be an issue with that, and the seller is a club range officer so he said he will wait.The club is shut (outdoors only) until April anyways. I do need to see if it feeds from the magazine though D'oh In the meantime I've got a 'Trained Hunter' course (fancy name for game hygiene I think) at Dutchy College the first Fri of half term so am on my my first steps to Deer Stalking. Re: Mods - its threaded already and I have worked with Carbon Fiber tubing before ...I think I feel a project coming on. Edited October 7, 2013 by marklestrange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.