By Ralph Eichner

December 21, 2023

Yesterday I had my "aha-experience"; actually almost the same story as Ron's here.

I was using my self-loading Dragunov / SVD "TIGR 05" with a hard-chromed barrel 25" at 100 m (109 yd). The scope was the pancratic Russian "Speznas" 3-9x42 (mil. "1P21") with its hyperfine reticle, magnification only set to 3. Started with Chinese Surplus FMJ ammunition (base stamp "71/75") 148gr. and FMJ BARNAUL 174gr. Made with 5-shot groups at approx. 2.5 - 3 MOA; like Ron, I was already used to that... Well - I don't have the SST 7.62x54R 150gr. at the moment, but I already have the BTHP 174gr. And I thought I'd do the 4-shot acceptance test with it, just like the former National People's Army of the GDR did. Condition: "The weapon has passed if all 4 hits are within the control circle of 8 cm (2.75 MOA)". At that time, the Russian "7N1" was used.

Like Ron, I was shocked, thank you !!! HORNADY: 1.4 MOA the outer 2 hits and in between the 2 inner ones with 0.7 ...

Ok guys, now I understand why HORNADY "marbles" are a bit more expensive than everything else.