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December 11th, 2023
 Fire-Form with Foulers
Here’s a tip for guys who shoot the 6 PPC, 6 Dasher, 6 BRA, .284 Shehane, or other wildcat cartridges that require fire-forming. Use your fouler shots to fire-form new cases. That way your fouler shots do “double-duty” and you get your brass fire-formed without putting extra rounds through your expensive barrel.
This procedure is recommended by Joel Kendrick, the 2004 IBS 600-yard Shooter of the Year. After he cleans his barrel, Joel knows it takes two or three shots to foul in the bore before accuracy returns. (YMMV — some barrels may need five or six foulers.) When shooting his PPC, Joel uses those fouler shots to fire-form his new brass. Joel explains: “I like to have relatively new brass always ready. By fire-forming a couple cases after each barrel-cleaning during a match, by the end of the weekend I’ve got a dozen or more freshly fire-formed cases to put into the rotation. If you do this with your fouler shots you get your fire-forming accomplished without using up any extra barrel life.”
This not only saves barrel wear, but it saves you trips to the range for the purpose of fire-forming. We thank Joel for this smart suggestion. For those who do not have a dedicated barrel for fire-forming, this should help keep your round-count down. Note: With this fouler fire-forming routine, you should ALWAYS do the fire-forming with the SAME POWDER you load for your match ammo. Joel currently works as the Supplier Quality Process Engineer for MMI-TruTec, a company that offers barrel surface coatings that can further extend your barrel life.
Share the post "Fire-Form with Foulers — Save Time, Bullets, and Barrel Life"
December 10th, 2023
Kulzer Sets Eight IBS 1000-Yard IBS Benchrest Records with 6 BRA Rifle
Report by Alex Wheeler
In 2021, Glenn Kulzer of Dillon, Montana had a season that will go down in 1000-Yard Benchrest history. Glenn set eight IBS records in 2021 at the Deep Creek range in Missoula, and then was named IBS 1K Shooter of the Year. What makes this so incredible is not just the number of records but the records themselves. Normally when a world record small group is shot that’s a singular event — never accompanied by Aggregate records set by the same shooter. Glenn’s IBS record small group wasn’t a one-time lucky string. Consider this — Glenn nailed that historic small group, but also recorded multiple IBS Aggregate records in 2021. And Glenn set these IBS Heavy Gun records actually using his 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) Light Gun! Mighty impressive.
[Editor: These were impressive records that have stood the test of time. A quick search of the IBS record site shows Glenn Kulzer still holds six of the ten listed IBS 1000-yard Heavy Gun records. Plus, Glenn broke the Light Gun 20-Target Agg group record, but that was later bettered by Tom Mousel.]
1000-yard Benchrest Aggregate records represent a series of targets shot over the course of multiple matches during a season. That really takes any luck out of the equation. You have to keep the rifle shooting at its peak all year long. It’s the ultimate test of accuracy. But the small groups do get the most notice and Glenn also broke the small group record with a remarkable 2.6853″ 10-shot group (photo below).
Eight IBS Records Set by Glenn Kulzer in 2021
| Date: 06/13/2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 10-Shot Group, 2.6853″ |
| Date: 06/13/2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 10-Shot Score 100/2.6853″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 6-Match Group Aggregate, 4.349″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 6-Match Score Aggregate, 99.167/4.679″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 12-Target Group Aggregate, 4.529″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 12-Target Score Aggregate, 98.583/5.058″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 20-Target Score Aggregate, 95.2/6.422″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Light Gun |
Record: 20-Target Group Aggregate, 5.202″ |
NOTE: Two of these records have been broken. The HG 20-Target Score Aggregate record is now 95.55, set by Blake Wilson. And the LG 20-Target Group Agg record is now 4.3825″, set by Tom Mousel.
This IBS record 1000-yard group, and Glenn’s other IBS records, were shot with Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet, Hodgdon H4895 powder, CCI BR4 primers, and Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass. However, Glenn does use Lapua brass for some other 6 BRA rifles.
Glenn’s record-setting rifle is a Light Gun with a common setup used in long range Benchrest. The rig features a Borden BRM drop-port action with a Bix’n Andy trigger. The action is glued and screwed into a industrial wood laminate Deep Creek Tracker stock, a predecessor of the McMillan LRB. The Krieger barrel is a 4-groove, 1:8″-twist Heavy Varmint contour chambered for the 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) cartridge. All of Glenn’s rifles are topped with Vortex Golden Eagle scopes. Glenn notes that his Vortex Golden Eagles have show excellent point-of-aim stability when tested with a scope checker. The front rest was a Sinclair competition with Edgewood front bag, Field & Cave outfitters front rest plate, and speed screw. For rear support Glenn uses an Edgewood LRB rear bag.
Loading Procedures for Record-Setting 1000-Yard Shooting
Glenn’s loading process is pretty simple. He full-length sizes every time, bumping the shoulders back about .003″. Powder is weighed to the kernel, and bullets are seated with a Wilson seater. NOTE: Glenn does does not anneal his brass. He sorts primers by weight but does not otherwise measure them by dimensions. He seats the primers by feel using a relatively inexpensive primer seating tool — nothing fancy.
 Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
Glenn shot Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass all year with the .080″ flash hole. This year he shot Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet set quite deep into the rifling. NOTE: This deep jam has proven to be very stable IF you barrel likes it. Glenn used CCI BR4 primers and Hodgdon H4895 with .005″ of neck tension. His load delivered 3030 fps out of a 28″ barrel. NOTE: This is a “HIGH NODE” that may not be possible in an average barrel with different brass. Many 6 BRA shooters are reaching a 3000+ fps node, but you should always start low and work up. Some 6 BRA barrels will max out at 2950 FPS with 103-108gr bullets.
Glenn Interview Part I — All About the Rifle that Set Eight 1000-yard Records
Glenn Interview Part II — Load Development Process and Loading Methods
Glenn Interview Part III — Barrel Cleaning Discussion
Glenn Kulzer also shot his impressive 6 BRA at the 2021 IBS Nationals at Deep Creek (shown above). This Deep Creek range photo is by Forum member Dave Way.
Setting Records in June 2021
Report by Alex Wheeler
It was a typical match for June, nothing unique about it. Saturday was actually looking to be a really great day. Overall it was good but not great. Sunday had a clear blue sky with bright sun. I looked through a couple of scopes before the match and it was milky. I probably would have shot that relay at 30-35 power. But somehow Glenn Kulzer was able to pull off the best heavy gun group ever shot in 1000-yard IBS competition. With that group Glenn also broke the 6-match Group Aggregate record. The group was no fluke, this rifle also shot great in previous matches with small groups at 1000. To my knowledge this may be the only time a small group record AND an Aggregate record were broken in the same season by the same gun. The ultimate achievement.
On June 13, 2021, Glenn shot a 2.6583″ 10-shot group, all shots in the 10 Ring for a 100 score. This now stands as the current IBS Heavy Gun 1000-Yard 10-shot group record AND score record. It is also part of new Aggregate Records listed above.
About Glenn Kulzer — Rising Star in the Long-Range Benchrest Game
by Alex Wheeler
Kulzer is a pharmacist in Dillon, Montana. The attention to detail required for his job crosses over to Long-Range Benchrest. He started off a very competitive shooter right from the start. I have said it many times, but benchrest is not an elitist sport. Hard work and dedication will always rise to the top. Glenn took the sport seriously from the beginning. Accordingly, he displayed a rapid learning curve and quickly surpassed some of his mentors in match results. Glenn tunes mostly at 1000 yards using the Deep Creek variation of ladder testing. He will also load and tune at the range to try and nail the best tune for the conditions. Again, it all about the work done by competitors. But Glenn’s success shows that a bright, hard-working shooter can rise to the top of the game in just a few seasons.
Share the post "Sunday GunDay: Amazing Record-Setting 6 BRA 1000-Yard Rifle"
August 10th, 2023
Fire-Form with Foulers
Here’s a tip for guys who shoot the 6 PPC, 6 Dasher, 6 BRA, .284 Shehane, or other wildcat cartridges that require fire-forming. Use your fouler shots to fire-form new cases. That way your fouler shots do “double-duty” and you get your brass fire-formed without putting extra rounds through your expensive barrel.
This procedure is recommended by Joel Kendrick, the 2004 IBS 600-yard Shooter of the Year. After he cleans his barrel, Joel knows it takes two or three shots to foul in the bore before accuracy returns. When shooting his PPC, Joel uses those fouler shots to fire-form his new brass. Joel explains: “I like to have relatively new brass always ready. By fire-forming a couple cases after each barrel-cleaning during a match, by the end of the weekend I’ve got a dozen or more freshly fire-formed cases to put into the rotation. If you do this with your fouler shots you get your fire-forming accomplished without using up any extra barrel life.”
This not only saves barrel wear, but it saves you trips to the range for the purpose of fire-forming. We thank Joel for this smart suggestion. For those who do not have a dedicated barrel for fire-forming, this should help keep your round-count down. Note: With this fouler fire-forming routine, you should ALWAYS do the fire-forming with the SAME POWDER you load for your match ammo. Joel currently works as the Supplier Quality Process Engineer for MMI-TruTec, a company that offers barrel surface coatings that can further extend your barrel life.
Share the post "Fire-Form with Fouler Shots — Save Time, Bullets, and Barrel Life"
June 27th, 2023
Can you form a wildcat cartridge such as the 6 Dasher without expending primer, powders, and bullets? Absolutely. Using the hydro-forming method you can form improved cases in your workshop with no firing whatsoever, so there is no wear on your precious barrel. Watch this video to see how it’s done:
6 Dasher Case Hydro-Forming Demonstration:
Forum member Wes J. (aka P1ZombieKiller) has produced a helpful video showing how to form Dasher cases use the Hornady Hydraulic forming die kit. This includes a two-part die (body and piston), and a special shell holder. To form the case, you insert a primer in your virgin brass, top the case off with with a fluid (water or alcohol), then run the case up into the Hydro-forming die. A few stout whacks with a hammer and your case is 95% formed.
This same procedure can be accomplished with a Whidden Gunworks 6mm Dasher hydraulic form die. We like the Whidden hydro-forming die for its production quality and consistent results. This Whidden system works great according to our Forum members.
 Hydro-Forming Procedure Step-by-Step:
1. Insert spent primer in new 6mmBR brass case.
2. Fill with water or alcohol (Wes prefers alcohol).
3. Wipe excess fluid off case.
4. Place case in special Hornady shell-holder (no primer hole).
5. Run case up into Hydraulic forming die.
6. Smack top piston of forming die 3-4 times with rubber mallet or dead-blow hammer.
7. Inspect case, re-fill and repeat if necessary.
8. Drain alcohol (or water) into container.
9. Remove primer (and save for re-use).
10. Blow-dry formed case. Inspect and measure formed case.
Wes achieves very uniform cartridge OALs with this method. He measured ten (10) hydro-formed 6 Dasher cases and got these results: two @ 1.536″; 2 @ 1.537″; and 6 @ 1.538″.
Three or Four Whacks Produces a 95%-Formed Case
With a Whidden or Hornady hydro-forming die, hydraulic pressure does the job of blowing out the shoulders of your improved case. The process is relatively simple. Place a spent primer in the bottom of a new piece of brass. Fill the case with water, and then slip it into a special Hornady shell-holder with no hole in the middle. Then you run the case up into the forming die. Now comes the fun part. You gently insert a plunger (hydraulic ram) from the top, and give it three or four stiff whacks with a mallet (or better yet, a dead-blow hammer). Remove the plunger and you have a 95% formed case, ready to load.
 Special Shell-Holder
Hornady supplies a shell holder made specifically for the hydro die; there’s no hole in the bottom of it. Just insert a spent primer into the primer pocket and you’re ready to go. The spent primer, combined with the solid shell holder, keeps the water from seeping out of the primer pocket. The primer pushes out a little bit during this process, but it’s impossible for it to come out because of the way the shell holder is designed. The shell holder has a grove which allows the case to slide out of the shell holder even when the primer protrudes a bit.
Share the post "How to Hydro-Form Cartridge Brass — Save Money and Barrel Life"
February 13th, 2022
Kulzer Sets Eight New IBS 1000-Yard IBS Benchrest Records with 6 BRA Rifle
Report by Alex Wheeler
2021 was a banner year for 1000-yard Benchrest. Glenn Kulzer of Dillon, Montana had a season that will go down in history. Glenn set eight IBS records in 2021 at the Deep Creek range in Missoula, and then was named IBS 1K Shooter of the Year. What makes this so incredible is not just the number of records but the records themselves. Normally when a world record small group is shot that’s a singular event — never accompanied by Aggregate records set by the same shooter. Glenn’s IBS record small group wasn’t a one-time lucky string. Consider this — Glenn nailed that historic small group, but also recorded multiple IBS Aggregate records in 2021. And Glenn set these IBS Heavy Gun records actually using his 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) Light Gun! Mighty impressive.
1000-yard Benchrest Aggregate records represent a series of targets shot over the course of multiple matches during a season. That really takes any luck out of the equation. You have to keep the rifle shooting at its peak all year long. It’s the ultimate test of accuracy. But the small groups do get the most notice and Glenn also broke the small group record with a remarkable 2.6853″ 10-shot group (photo below).
Eight IBS Records Set by Glenn Kulzer in 2021
| Date: 06/13/2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 10-Shot Group, 2.6853″ |
| Date: 06/13/2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 10-Shot Score 100/2.6853″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 6-Match Group Aggregate, 4.349″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 6-Match Score Aggregate, 99.167/4.679″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 12-Target Group Aggregate, 4.529″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 12-Target Score Aggregate, 98.583/5.058″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Heavy Gun |
Record: 20-Target Score Aggregate, 95.2/6.422″ |
| Date: 2021 |
Class: Light Gun |
Record: 20-Target Group Aggregate, 5.202″ |
This IBS record 1000-yard group, and Glenn’s other IBS records, were shot with Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet, Hodgdon H4895 powder, CCI BR4 primers, and Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass. However, Glenn does use Lapua brass for some other 6 BRA rifles.
Glenn’s record-setting rifle is a Light Gun with a common setup used in long range Benchrest. The rig features a Borden BRM drop-port action with a Bix’n Andy trigger. The action is glued and screwed into a industrial wood laminate Deep Creek Tracker stock, a predecessor of the McMillan LRB. The Krieger barrel is a 4-groove, 1:8″-twist Heavy Varmint contour chambered for the 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) cartridge. All of Glenn’s rifles are topped with Vortex Golden Eagle scopes. Glenn notes that his Vortex Golden Eagles have show excellent point-of-aim stability when tested with a scope checker. The front rest was a Sinclair competition with Edgewood front bag, Field & Cave outfitters front rest plate, and speed screw. For rear support Glenn uses an Edgewood LRB rear bag.
Loading Procedures for Record-Setting 1000-Yard Shooting
Glenn’s loading process is pretty simple. He full-length sizes every time, bumping the shoulders back about .003″. Powder is weighed to the kernel, and bullets are seated with a Wilson seater. NOTE: Glenn does does not anneal his brass. He sorts primers by weight but does not otherwise measure them by dimensions. He seats the primers by feel using a relatively inexpensive primer seating tool — nothing fancy.
Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
Glenn shot Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass all year with the .080″ flash hole. This year he shot Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet set quite deep into the rifling. NOTE: This deep jam has proven to be very stable IF you barrel likes it. Glenn used CCI BR4 primers and Hodgdon H4895 with .005″ of neck tension. His load delivered 3030 fps out of a 28″ barrel. NOTE: This is a “HIGH NODE” that may not be possible in an average barrel with different brass. Many 6 BRA shooters are reaching a 3000+ fps node, but you should always start low and work up. Some 6 BRA barrels will max out at 2950 FPS with 103-108gr bullets.
Glenn Interview Part I — All About the Rifle that Set Eight 1000-yard Records
Glenn Interview Part II — Load Development Process and Loading Methods
Glenn Interview Part III — Barrel Cleaning Discussion
Glenn Kulzer also shot his impressive 6 BRA at the 2021 IBS Nationals at Deep Creek (shown above). This Deep Creek range photo is by Forum member Dave Way.
Setting Records in June 2021
Report by Alex Wheeler
It was a typical match for June, nothing unique about it. Saturday was actually looking to be a really great day. Overall it was good but not great. Sunday had a clear blue sky with bright sun. I looked through a couple of scopes before the match and it was milky. I probably would have shot that relay at 30-35 power. But somehow Glenn Kulzer was able to pull off the best heavy gun group ever shot in 1000-yard IBS competition. With that group Glenn also broke the 6-match Group Aggregate record. The group was no fluke, this rifle also shot great in previous matches with small groups at 1000. To my knowledge this may be the only time a small group record AND an Aggregate record were broken in the same season by the same gun. The ultimate achievement.
On June 13, 2021, Glenn shot a 2.6583″ 10-shot group, all shots in the 10 Ring for a 100 score. This now stands as the current IBS Heavy Gun 1000-Yard 10-shot group record AND score record. It is also part of new Aggregate Records listed above.
About Glenn Kulzer — Rising Star in the Long-Range Benchrest Game
by Alex Wheeler
Kulzer is a pharmacist in Dillon, Montana. The attention to detail required for his job crosses over to Long-Range Benchrest. He started off a very competitive shooter right from the start. I have said it many times, but benchrest is not an elitist sport. Hard work and dedication will always rise to the top. Glenn took the sport seriously from the beginning. Accordingly, he displayed a rapid learning curve and quickly surpassed some of his mentors in match results. Glenn tunes mostly at 1000 yards using the Deep Creek variation of ladder testing. He will also load and tune at the range to try and nail the best tune for the conditions. Again, it all about the work done by competitors. But Glenn’s success shows that a bright, hard-working shooter can rise to the top of the game in just a few seasons.
Share the post "Sunday Gunday: Glenn Kulzer Sets 8 1000-Yard Records in 2021"
December 28th, 2021
Fire-Form with Foulers
Here’s a tip for guys who shoot the 6 PPC, 6 Dasher, 6 BRA, .284 Shehane, or other wildcat cartridges that require fire-forming. Use your fouler shots to fire-form new cases. That way your fouler shots do “double-duty” and you get your brass fire-formed without putting extra rounds through your expensive barrel.
This procedure is recommended by Joel Kendrick, the 2004 IBS 600-yard Shooter of the Year. After he cleans his barrel, Joel knows it takes two or three shots to foul in the bore before accuracy returns. When shooting his PPC, Joel uses those fouler shots to fire-form his new brass. Joel explains: “I like to have relatively new brass always ready. By fire-forming a couple cases after each barrel-cleaning during a match, by the end of the weekend I’ve got a dozen or more freshly fire-formed cases to put into the rotation. If you do this with your fouler shots you get your fire-forming accomplished without using up any extra barrel life.”
This not only saves barrel wear, but it saves you trips to the range for the purpose of fire-forming. We thank Joel for this smart suggestion. For those who do not have a dedicated barrel for fire-forming, this should help keep your round-count down. Note: With this fouler fire-forming routine, you should ALWAYS do the fire-forming with the SAME POWDER you load for your match ammo. Joel currently works as the Supplier Quality Process Engineer for MMI-TruTec, a company that offers barrel surface coatings that can further extend your barrel life.
Share the post "Save Time and Bullets — Fire-Form with your Fouler Shots"
August 31st, 2021
Can you form a wildcat cartridge such as the 6 Dasher without expending primer, powders, and bullets? Absolutely. Using the hydro-forming method you can form improved cases in your workshop with no firing whatsoever, so there is no wear on your precious barrel. Watch this video to see how it’s done:
6 Dasher Case Hydro-Forming Demonstration:
Forum member Wes J. (aka P1ZombieKiller) has produced a helpful video showing how to form Dasher cases use the Hornady Hydraulic forming die kit. This includes a two-part die (body and piston), and a special shell holder. To form the case, you insert a primer in your virgin brass, top the case off with with a fluid (water or alcohol), then run the case up into the Hydro-forming die. A few stout whacks with a hammer and your case is 95% formed.
This same procedure can be accomplished with a Whidden Gunworks 6mm Dasher hydraulic form die. We like the Whidden hydro-forming die for its production quality and consistent results. This Whidden system works great according to our Forum members.
 Hydro-Forming Procedure Step-by-Step:
1. Insert spent primer in new 6mmBR brass case.
2. Fill with water or alcohol (Wes prefers alcohol).
3. Wipe excess fluid off case.
4. Place case in special Hornady shell-holder (no primer hole).
5. Run case up into Hydraulic forming die.
6. Smack top piston of forming die 3-4 times with rubber mallet or dead-blow hammer.
7. Inspect case, re-fill and repeat if necessary.
8. Drain alcohol (or water) into container.
9. Remove primer (and save for re-use).
10. Blow-dry formed case. Inspect and measure formed case.
Wes achieves very uniform cartridge OALs with this method. He measured ten (10) hydro-formed 6 Dasher cases and got these results: two @ 1.536″; 2 @ 1.537″; and 6 @ 1.538″.
Three or Four Whacks Produces a 95%-Formed Case
With a Whidden or Hornady hydro-forming die, hydraulic pressure does the job of blowing out the shoulders of your improved case. The process is relatively simple. Place a spent primer in the bottom of a new piece of brass. Fill the case with water, and then slip it into a special Hornady shell-holder with no hole in the middle. Then you run the case up into the forming die. Now comes the fun part. You gently insert a plunger (hydraulic ram) from the top, and give it three or four stiff whacks with a mallet (or better yet, a dead-blow hammer). Remove the plunger and you have a 95% formed case, ready to load.
 Special Shell-Holder
Hornady supplies a shell holder made specifically for the hydro die; there’s no hole in the bottom of it. Just insert a spent primer into the primer pocket and you’re ready to go. The spent primer, combined with the solid shell holder, keeps the water from seeping out of the primer pocket. The primer pushes out a little bit during this process, but it’s impossible for it to come out because of the way the shell holder is designed. The shell holder has a grove which allows the case to slide out of the shell holder even when the primer protrudes a bit.
Share the post "Hydro-Form 6mm Dasher Brass — Save Money & Barrel Life"
April 25th, 2021
Look and be amazed. What you are seeing is the smallest 5-Shot group ever shot in 1000-yard competition. And it is also perfectly centered for a 50-5X max score, yes ALL Xs. Brilliant! This amazing group was shot by Mike Wilson in July of 2018 with his 17-lb Light Gun, chambered for a 6mmBR wildcat he calls the 6 BRAW (BR Ackley Improved Wilson). This spectacular feat of accuracy demonstrates the potential of the 6BR family of cartridges even at 1000 yards. For his record group, Mike shot Vapor Trail 103-grain bullets in Lapua 6mmBR fire-formed brass. He loaded Hodgdon H4895 powder with CCI 450 primers. The action was a BAT, the barrel a Brux.
The Best 5-Shot 1000-Yard Group in History
Story based on report by Sam Hall
Look at that target by Mike Wilson. This is one of the most remarkable displays of accuracy (and precision) in the history of long range shooting. This past weekend, Mike (aka “GA. Dawg” in our Forum) drilled a truly spectacular 1.087-inch, 5-shot group at 1000 yards, all centered up in the X-Ring. Yes, you read that right, a group barely over an inch at 1000, shot in competition at an official IBS benchrest match on July 21, 2018. Note, the group was measured at the range at an even smaller 1.068″ (see target). However, as certified by the IBS as a IBS Light Gun World Record, the group is listed as 1.087″.
How small is that in angular measurement? Well 1 MOA at 1000 yards is 10.47 inches, so Mike’s 50-5X masterpiece is 0.1038 MOA! Yes that is an IBS group size AND score World Record. And it is also smaller than the current NBRSA 1000-yard 5-shot LG world record, 1.473″ by Bill Schrader in 2002. This best-ever 1K group* was shot at an IBS registered 1000-yard match at Hawks Ridge Gun Club in North Carolina. Other records have been shot at Hawks Ridge in the past, but this is the most jaw-dropping.
Sam Hall (left, green shirt) holds record target by Mike Wilson (right, white shirt).
Sam Hall, past IBS National Champion and IBS 600-Yard Shooter of the Year, was stunned by Wilson’s accomplishment: “This is a truely awesome marksmanship feat — one of the best in history. I think I would trade all 14 of my 600-yard records for that one!”. Mike’s amazing target will be submitted for approval as new Group Size and Score IBS World Records. Official approval is pretty much a certainty. The previous 5-shot, 1000-yard IBS record is 1.397″ (50 score) by Tom Sarver in 2007. (The NBRSA 1000-Yard 5-shot LG record is 1.473″ by Bill Schrader in 2002.)
Posting on our Shooters’ Forum, Mike wrote: “Thanks everyone for the kind words. As humbling as this game is, when it comes together makes it all worthwhile! A very special THANK YOU to my traveling buddy, my son, Blake, and my wife Debra for allowing me to enjoy this crazy game.” Mike also wanted to thank his smiths and component suppliers.
Mike Wilson IBS 1000-Yard Light Gun Specifications
Action: BAT ‘B’ 1.550 Melonited Action with Jewell Trigger
Barrel: Brux HV 28″ Finished Length, 1:8″ Twist Rate
Chambering: 6 BRAW (6mmBR Ackley Improved Wilson), Chambered by Darrell Jones
Chamber Specs: 0.272″ No-turn Neck with 0.135″ Freebore
Stock: Shehane ST 1000 Fiberglass Stock (with stock work by Larry “Bullet” Archer)
Optics: Nightforce 12-42x56mm Benchrest NP-2 DD
LOAD Specs: Lapua 6mmBR brass (formed to 40° Ackley Improved), Vapor Trail 103gr bullets, Hodgdon H4895 powder, CCI 450 primers.
Leonard Baity front rest with Protektor Bag. Italian Lenzi bag in rear.
World Record-Setting Cartridge and Load
Mike was shooting a 40-degree Improved version of the 6mmBR Norma cartridge. Long popular with Benchrest and 300M shooters, the 6mmBR was the original inspiration for this website. Yep, we started as www.6mmBR.com. The Improved version has extra capacity, allowing about 100 FPS more velocity when chambered with a long throat. For his record group, Mike shot Vapor Trail 103-grain bullets in Lapua brass. He loaded Hodgdon H4895 powder with CCI 450 (small rifle magnum) primers.
Praise from Fellow Competitors
Here are some reactions to Mike’s amazing group by our Forum members:
“Amazing target Mike Wilson! Your group might last forever as ‘the goal’ of 1000-yard Benchrest! Heck that’s a great target even at 600 yards.” — Mike J.
“Think about this for a second. That group was barely larger than the size of your index finger’s first digit and he printed it at 1000 Yards.” — Carlos
“Unbelievable!! Doing that under chosen prime conditions is an amazing feat but to do that in competition and to have everything to come together is just unbelievable. Amazing how far skill, precision, knowledge, and the products of this sport have come. Never thought we would see a group this small and well placed especially in the hills of North Carolina where the wind always blows. Congratulations. A true lifetime achievement.” — Yote Hunter
“I think that one will stand for a while. Hard work does pay off, but it don’t hurt to be one of the givers in the sport. Mike, you are ‘The Man’!” — Bill Shehane
“Awesome, awesome. Now the goal is to shoot UNDER an inch!” — Alex Wheeler
For more comments, read this AccurateShooter Forum Thread.
The 6mmBR Ackley Improved
Mike Wilson shot his spectacular group with a 40° Improved version of the 6mmBR cartridge with less body taper than a standard 6BR — the design is 0.463 at the body/shoulder junction (vs. 0.460 for standard 6BR). Mike calls his version of the 6BR Ackley a 6BRAW (“W” for Wilson). Sam Hall explained: “The 6BRAW is pretty much the same as a 6BRA or 6BR-AI (Ackley Improved). I sold the reamer to Mike last year. This has a 0.272 ‘No-Turn’ chamber with a 0.135 Freebore”.
This photo shows a 40° 6mmBR Ackley Improved (6BRA), as used by Tom Mousel in Deep Creek, Montana. Mike Wilson’s 6BRAW may be very slightly different. For Mousel’s 6BRA with 28″ Krieger barrel, the accuracy node is about 2980-2990 fps, so this gives up only 30-50 fps compared to typical Dasher velocities. Mike Wilson’s load runs about 2980 fps also.
In the past couple of years, the 6BR Ackley-type cartridges have been hugely successful in 600-yard and 1000-yard Benchrest. Sam Hall notes: “This year the little 6BR-AI has shot the smallest groups ever fired in 600-yard and 1000-yard competition. Back in April 2018, bullet-maker Bart Sauter, using a 6BRA, shot a 0.311″ 50-score 5-Shot group at 600 yards.” (Read Sauter Story). Bart’s stunning 0.05 MOA group is now the 600-yard IBS HG World Record.(Note: Bart’s target was originally measured at 0.282″ but was later IBS-certified at 0.311″.)
Mike used an Italian Lenzi rear bag. Mike says the super-slick nylon on the ears of this high quality rear bag make for better tracking. The ears provide support but don’t “grab” the stock, reports Mike.
More Comments by Fellow Shooters:
“Truly an amazing feat. The 5X was the icing on the cake! Many shooters would be very happy with that group size at 200 yards.” — Mr. Zero
“Words cannot adequately express how many of us feel about your magnificent accomplishment at 1000 yards. Congratulations — that is terrific!” — Gene Beggs
“Truly amazing … well done on a great achievement… RESPECT!” — Elardus
“Bravo Mike pour ce tir incroyable. Ton exploit est sur le forum de tir longue distance en France bonne continuation.” — Frederic Riso
* There are two North American sanctioning bodies for 1000-Yard Benchrest, the IBS and the NBRSA. The previous 5-shot, 1000-yard IBS record is 1.397″ (50 score) by Tom Sarver in 2007. The existing NBRSA 1000-Yard 5-shot Light Gun record is 1.473″, shot by Bill Schrader in 2002.
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February 21st, 2021
Spring is coming soon, and that means it’s time to get ready for early varmint season. Here are eight great rifles from our Shooters’ Forum Favorite Varmint Rifles Thread. You’ll see a variety of action types and stock designs, both custom and factory. And we’ve featured a wide range of chamberings, from 17 Fireball up to a .243 Super Rock Chucker (aka 6mm-06). The common factor is serious accuracy. All these rigs are great shooters that have brought smiles to their owners while bringing doom to varmints.
1. Rem 700 in 20-222 — with Birthday Gift Barrel from Dad
This is proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great varmint rig. Forum member JDS Holler posted: “Here’s my baby, ‘Plain Jane’. I took a $500 birthday check that my Dad gave me, and ordered a great barrel from PacNor, chambered in 20-222. I got busted up in a fall, and had four months down time to accumulate the components to add to my old .222 Rem 700 donor action. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. That old Bushnell has been replaced by a Vortex Viper, and this rifle just flat shoots.”
2. 6 BRA with Krieger Barrel from Alex Wheeler
Alex Wheeler of Wheeler Accuracy knows a thing or two about accurate rifles, having built many match-winning benchrest rifles. For varmint work he likes the 6 BRA (BR Ackley) wildcat cartridge: “My favorite varmint setup is this 6mm rifle with BAT SV action in a Nesika bay varmint stock with a 1:8″-twist Krieger HV contour barrel chambered for 6 BRA. I like the 6mmBR and variants (Dasher, BRX, 6BRA) with zero freebores.” He gets great results with 55-60 grain Sierras and Noslers with H322 powder: “I shot 55 Sierra Blitzking, 55 Nosler Ballistic Tip, and 60gr Sierra Varminter HP. H322 was the best powder. Jam ‘em 10 thou in the rifling — and of them — and man they were like magic.” Alex also feels the 6mm rifles are easier to tune than 22-caliber varmint rigs and the 6mm barrel throats last longer. He often puts an older 6mm match barrel on a varmint gun and it still holds quarter-MOA.
Alex recommends sticking with a 1:8″-twist even when shooting light 6mm bullets. The extra RPM makes the bullets MUCH more explosive on critters: “I’ve done one 1:13.5″-twist and I’ll never do that again. I’m not kidding, with the 8-twist it’s twice as energetic. It can lift those ground squirrels 20 feet in the air. With the 13.5-twist it’s not half that.”
About the Suppressor — The rifle is wearing a “can” in the photo. However, Alex tells us that he now avoids suppressors for most varmint work: “I didn’t like the suppressor — it put off so much heat that the mirage was terrible. With the heat mirage, after 5-10 shots you couldn’t see. I learned my lesson. I pulled that sucker off after the first time I shot it.”
3. 6mm Dasher in Convertible Laminated Stock
The 6mm Dasher has won many benchest matches, and it’s also an ultra-accurate varminting cartridge. This Dasher belong to Forum member MTLager who posted: “Here’s my baby — 6 Dasher with BAT SV action. First one built. Serial number PT1.” This impressive rig features a tack-driving, 1:8″-twist Brux Heavy Varmint contour barrel. This rig is “Smokin the 75gr V-Maxs” reports MTLager. The stock is very interesting. MTLager explains: “This is a Richard Franklin laminated blank made into a stock by J.T. Barber. It has a 3″-wide fore-end for varmint shooting. But I can change the front to 4″-width and a rear section can be removed.” The angled rear “toe” of the buttstock can be taken off, allowing a flat, straight bottom for benchrest competition.
4. Slick 17 Fireball with BAT Action and Stunning Stock
This rifle is almost too pretty to carry out into the varmint fields. Look at that wood! This handsome small-caliber varminter belongs to Forum member “20 TAC”. Chambered for the 17 Fireball wildcat (.221 Fireball necked down), this rig features a BAT Action, Jewell Trigger, and a custom exhibition-grade walnut stock sporting a true ebony fore-end cap. The checkering is exceptional. Owner 20 Tac report this rig “shoots 20 grain V-Max bullets with H4198 very well.” That’s a Nightforce scope on top.
5. 6mmBR in McMillan Stock with Krieger Barrel
This website stated 17 years ago as 6mmBR.com, so we had to include a classic 6mmBR Norma in today’s varmint rifle line-up. Forum member Powderbrake posted: “Here is my favorite varmint rifle — [a 6BR with] Stiller Predator V RBLP action, bedded in a McMillan stock.” This accurate varminter features a 1:8″-twist 6mm Krieger barrel and Jewell trigger. Up top is a Nightforce NXS 8-32x56mm scope. Below are the owner’s key gear items: Leica Laser-Rangefinding Binoculars, Smartphone with Applied Ballistics software, and Kestrel Weather Meter. Powderbrake told us he recently upgraded to a Model 5700 Kestrel with ballistics software and LiNK. (Editor: The $399.00 Kestrel 5700 has ballistics software, but if you want the full Applied Ballistics suite, order the $699.00 Kestrel 5700 Elite).
6. Efficient 20 Vartarg for Prairie Dog Adventures
The .20 Vartarg is based on the .221 Fireball case, necked down to .204 and slightly modified for extra capacity. This very efficient cartridge offers low recoil and great accuracy. It’s one of our first choices for ground squirrels and P-dogs out to 300 yards. 20 Vartarg here belongs to Forum Member DogBuster, an avid varminter based in Utah. He posted: “If I recall, I had a hot spot in this location — probably kilt 150+ prairie dogs that morning. The hay wagon helped too, offering added elevation.”
7. Long-barrel SAKO Action Varminter in .243 Super Rock Chucker
Here is another .243 wildcat, chambered for the .243 “Super Rock Chucker”. This long-barreled rig belongs to Forum member MikeGaiz. The rifle features a SAKO action fitted with a 30″ Kreiger barrel chambered for the .243 Super Rock Chucker. From what we have read, the .243 Super Rock Chucker is a .25-06 cartridge necked down to .243 (6mm). Yes this is a barrel burner, but it can definitely “reach out and touch” varmints at VERY long range. Owner Mike reports hits at 1275 yards on prairie dogs in South Dakota. This cartridge drives Sierra 6mm 85gr HPBTs at 3440 FPS. That’s serious speed for an 85-grainer.
8. AR-10 Custom in .243 Winchester
Forum Member Urban Rifleman calls this .243 AR10-platform rifle the “Goblin Killer”. This Gen 2 DPMS rifle features a Craddock Precision Bartlein 1:8″-twist 5R barrel chambered in .243 Winchester with a Tubb assymmetrical muzzle brake. Up front is the unique Tubb Bipod which reduces hop. The buttstock is a Magpul PRS Gen 2. The scope is a Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm FFP TMR. We’re told this rig “will easily shoot 1/2 MOA, sometimes much smaller”.
Urban Rifleman produces a variety of great gun accessories sold through TheUrbanRiflemanStore.com. That green grip is his Urban Rifleman/Tubb ergonomic grip.
Parting Shot from Groundhog Country, SW Pennsylvania
This nice tripod with rifle mount (and Rem 40XB 22-250 on top) belongs to Forum Member Snert.
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July 5th, 2020
One of the most popular items in our Shooters’ Forum is the ongoing “Pride and Joy” thread. Since 2009, Forum members have posted photos and descriptions of their most prized firearms. Here are some of the most recent “Pride and Joy” rifles showcased in our Forum. Do you have a gun you’d like to see featured there? Register for the Forum and you can add your favorite gun to the list.
For this week’s Sunday GunDay we’ve selected five fan favorites from the Pride and Joy Archives. First up is a beautiful .284 Winchester with a one-of-a-kind Claro Walnut stock crafted by the owner.
.284 Winchester in Owner-Crafted Claro Walnut Stock
Here is a unique Claro Walnut tactical/practical rig. Notably, the rifle’s owner, Forum member CStuck, built the handsome stock himself: “I crafted the stock, installed the Remage barrel, pillar-bedded the rig, and put all the pieces together.” Key components for this wood-stocked beauty include a Defiance Tenacity RH Long Action mated to a McGowen 28″ Heavy Palma 1:9″-twist barrel chambered for the .284 Win GAP. The scope is a Burris XTR II 5-25x50mm in an MPA BA Mount. The trigger is a Timney HIT. The rifle feeds from a Hawkins DB magazine.
6BRA with BAT Action, Brux Barrel — The Blue Beauty
Next is a blue 6BRA beauty from Forum Member RiflePainter: “This is my brand new 6BRA Light Gun built by Jason Danley at Danley Precision! Jason did all of the work including paint. Brass was done by Darrel Jones at DJ’s brass service.” This features a Johnny Byers stock painted in HOK Custom Oriental Blue Candy mix. The action is a BAT DS Left-load, Right-eject, Right bolt fitted to a 1.5 oz. Jewell trigger. The barrel is a 28″ Brux HV 1:8″-twist chambered for the 6BRA (6mmBR Ackley) and fitted with a Harrell’s radial muzzle brake. On top is a Sightron SIII 10-50x60mm optic riding in BAT 1-piece scope rings.
Eye-Catching 30 PPC — 13-YO Grandson’s First Competition Rifle
We like this project because it connects a grandfather with his grandson. These family connections are very important. Forum member 20PPC posted: “Here is my 13-year-old grandson Remy’s first competition rifle. We just finished it up.” The rifle is chambered for a 30 PPC with a 1:17″-twist Lilja HV barrel fitted with an Ezell tuner up front. The action is a Stolle Panda RBLP, Right Eject fitted with a Kelbly trigger. The stock is a Robertson JTR model wearing a very snazzy finish, which looks like many coats of clear over an orange/gold hydro-dip (we think). On top is a 45X Sightron fixed-power scope. This eye-catching grandson’s rig will definitely get noticed at the range.
Click image for full-screen view.
Twin Grendels with Handsome Wood, One with Home-made Tuner
Here are a pair of 6.5 Grendel bolt-action rigs. Forum member Ramblerman posted: “The Twin Grendels are finished! My buddy Tom did the wood and I did the metal — more testing this weekend. Mine now sports a tuner I made (see bottom photo).”
6BRA in Green Wheeler Stock with Krieger Barrel
Last but not least, here is a serious IBS/NBRSA Light Gun for 600/1000-yard competition, owned by Forum member “6.5×47″. Chambered for the ultra-accurate 6BR Improved (aka 6BRA), this rifle features a polished BAT ‘B’ action with roller upgrade. The action is mated to a 28″ Krieger 1:7.5″-twist HV barrel. The 6mm Krieger is chambered for .272″ case-neck, with .115″ freebore. The BAT action is glued and screwed in an Alex Wheeler stock with green candy paint. Note the wide fore-end with side plates and the adjustable stock keel in the rear. Another advanced feature is a slick removable weight system in the butt stock. A Jewell benchrest trigger resides inside a BAT trigger guard.
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May 23rd, 2020
Can you form a wildcat cartridge such as the 6 Dasher without expending primer, powders, and bullets? Absolutely. Using the hydro-forming method you can form improved cases in your workshop with no firing whatsoever, so there is no wear on your precious barrel. Watch this video to see how it’s done:
6 Dasher Case Hydro-Forming Demonstration:
Forum member Wes J. (aka P1ZombieKiller) has produced a helpful video showing how to form Dasher cases use the Hornady Hydraulic forming die kit. This includes a two-part die (body and piston), and a special shell holder. To form the case, you insert a primer in your virgin brass, top the case off with with a fluid (water or alcohol), then run the case up into the Hydro-forming die. A few stout whacks with a hammer and your case is 95% formed.
Hydro-Forming Procedure Step-by-Step:
1. Insert spent primer in new 6mmBR brass case.
2. Fill with water or alcohol (Wes prefers alcohol).
3. Wipe excess fluid off case.
4. Place case in special Hornady shell-holder (no primer hole).
5. Run case up into Hydraulic forming die.
6. Smack top piston of forming die 3-4 times with rubber mallet or dead-blow hammer.
7. Inspect case, re-fill and repeat if necessary.
8. Drain alcohol (or water) into container.
9. Remove primer (and save for re-use).
10. Blow-dry formed case. Inspect and measure formed case.
Wes achieves very uniform cartridge OALs with this method. He measured ten (10) hydro-formed 6 Dasher cases and got these results: two @ 1.536″; 2 @ 1.537″; and 6 @ 1.538″.
Three or Four Whacks Produces a 95%-Formed Case
With a Hornady hydro-forming die, hydraulic pressure does the job of blowing out the shoulders of your improved case. The process is relatively simple. Place a spent primer in the bottom of a new piece of brass. Fill the case with water, and then slip it into a special Hornady shell-holder with no hole in the middle. Then you run the case up into the forming die. Now comes the fun part. You gently insert a plunger (hydraulic ram) from the top, and give it three or four stiff whacks with a mallet (or better yet, a dead-blow hammer). Remove the plunger and you have a 95% formed case, ready to load.
Special Shell-Holder
Hornady supplies a shell holder made specifically for the hydro die; there’s no hole in the bottom of it. Just insert a spent primer into the primer pocket and you’re ready to go. The spent primer, combined with the solid shell holder, keeps the water from seeping out of the primer pocket. The primer pushes out a little bit during this process, but it’s impossible for it to come out because of the way the shell holder is designed. The shell holder has a grove which allows the case to slide out of the shell holder even when the primer protrudes a bit.
Story tip from Body Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
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July 17th, 2019
The bar is raised yet again — the standards for long-range accuracy keep improving. Two talented Montana shooters have both gone sub-four inches for a 1K 10-Match Aggregate. What that means is that over TEN matches, these guys have averaged under 0.4 MOA at 1000 yards. Think about that. Most shooters will be happy with half-MOA at ONE HUNDRED yards. These guys are beating that by a significant margin at ONE THOUSAND yards, and they have done it for a whole season.
1000 Yard Multi-Match IBS Records Fall at Deep Creek
David Torgerson and Tom Mousel both broke the 10-match Light Gun Group Aggregate (Agg) record. Tom also broke the 6-Match Light Gun Group Agg record. Prior to these brilliant performances, the existing IBS 10-Match Agg record was 4.3155″. David crushed that with a 3.7946″, as did Tom with a 3.8734″. The existing IBS 6-Match Agg Record was 3.072″ and Tom shot a 2.954″, which will be a new record.
This is the first time in history that anyone has Agg’d in the threes for the 10-Match and in the twos for the 6-Match! For those not familiar with 1000-yard IBS matches, the Season Aggregate is based on ten matches. All ten are averaged for the 10-match Agg and the best six are averaged for the 6-Match Agg.
Shooters Established New Records with Multiple Guns and Multiple Barrels
David shot the majority of his targets with a Bat B action and Broughton 5C barrel. But he also shot his BAT SV and Borden BRM with Krieger and Lilja barrels. David’s 1K rifles feature Deep Creek Tracker stocks and March scopes. He shot Vapor Trail 103gr bullets in the all the rigs, and all his barrels are chambered in 6BRA — a 40° wildcat based on the 6mmBR Norma. The 6BRA retains the long neck of the parent case, but has more case capacity. Some people say the 6BRA is a bit easier to tune than the 6mm Dasher, but it still achieves that ultra-accurate 2920-2960 FPS velocity node.
Tom Mousel shot his 6- and 10-match Aggs with two rifles, splitting time between his BAT Neuvo LR and Borden BRM. Both are chambered in 6BRA and he shot multiple Krieger barrels. Tom told us: “Thanks everyone. David was pretty steady all year, while I took more of an up-and-down route. At one point early on I thought there’s no way this would be salvaged.”
The Neuvo-actioned gun (shown below) features a McMillan/Wheeler LRB stock, with a March scope on top. In that rifle, Tom shot 103gr Vapor Trails. Mousel’s Borden BRM gun features a Deep Creek Tracker stock and Sightron scope. In that 6BRA rifle he shot 103gr Roy Hunter bullets.
Tom Mousel Rifle with BAT Neuvo LR action. This action is a Left-loading Drop Port — cartridges eject out the bottom of the action.
COMMENT by Alex Wheeler
If this doesn’t make you give up the idea you need that one hummer barrel to win I don’t know what will. Yes, you need the best equipment, but you also need the best tune and knowledge to stay on top of it. These two guys are some of the most dedicated tuners and testers I know. Well done! And well deserved!
It IS noteworthy that multiple rigs were used. Posting on Facebook, Alex H. said: “Holy ****! Tom did it not only with multiple barrels, but with two rifles AND multiple barrels? That is some outstanding performance! And Glenn K observed: “It was an awesome season to watch unfold. Congrats guys!”
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