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March 20th, 2007
Do you want the cleanest brass on the block? Hate tumbling cases for hours on end? Then you should try ultrasonic cleaning. Jason Baney, our 1000-yard Editor, spent many hours testing various solvents and methods, and came up with a system that really works. Ultrasonic cleaning removes built-up carbon residues that can alter case capacity. Jason’s methodology has been followed by reloaders around the country with great success. All you need is a small ultrasonic machine (under $75 on Ebay), some beakers, and inexpensive solvents. The results, as you can see below, can be spectacular. CLICK HERE for the full story.
March 20th, 2007
While researching our upcoming .223 Rem Cartridge Guide, we tested and measured various brands of brass. Recent Lake City brass shoots very well and offers the greatest case capacity (30.6 grains) of commonly available brass. MidwayUSA now offers Federal Lake City brass (item 197849) at $81.99 per 500. That works out to just $16.40 per hundred. Shooters report this brass is “very uniform” and shoots exceptionally well. Note, this is a discontinued item–so returns can only be made to Federal, not Midway.
 Wideners.com now has new IMG brass for the amazing price of $46/500 or $89/1000, item 556GUPB. IMG brass is quality stuff. This editor has personally put thousands of rounds of IMG ammo through ARs without no failures. IMG brass is made on American (Olin) machinery that was transported to Guatemala to provide ammunition for the military. This is a great choice for varminters who need large quantities of uniform, low-cost brass. The case mouths are even chamfered. Average case capacity of IMG brass is 30.1 grains, the same as Hornady and Winchester commercial. The IMG brass is brand new 5.56 NATO-spec brass (not seconds). However, please note the flash holes are slightly smaller than domestic brass. You should have no issues with ignition (since the flash hole is still larger than 220 Russian or 6BR brass), but you may have to adjust your load slightly.
March 19th, 2007
Most shooters have some understanding of basic ballistics principles. But you may be surprised by how much more there is to learn. Bryan Litz, a missile design engineer for the U.S. Air Force, explores some of the more fascinating (and esoteric) issues of bullet ballistics on his Long Range Shooting web page. Topics include Bullet Design, Ballistic Coefficient Testing, Gyroscopic and Coreolis Drift, and the effects of Meplat Trimming. We hope to collaborate with Bryan on future articles concerning bullet design and ballistics. It’s not often, after all, that a dedicated shooter is also a bonafied rocket scientist. You’ll enjoy Bryan’s site–we suggest the article on Meplat Trimming for starters.
March 19th, 2007
We’re excited about the release of the NEW Nikon 6-24×50 Monarch later this spring (Release date early June). Initial reports from Shot Show 2007 were very positive. It has a 1″ tube, limiting its range of elevation compared to the Leupold 8.5-25×50 LRT, but otherwise this Nikon could be a real rival to the Leupold. Priced at $629.95 from The Optic Zone (Nikoplex Reticle), the new Monarch is over $200.00 less expensive than Leupold’s 8.5-25 LRT. (Target Dot, Fine CrossHair, and Bullet Drop Compensating reticles add $20.00 to the price.) We think this could prove a great scope for long-range varminters and F-Class shooters on a budget. Just use an angled scope rail or Burris Signature Rings with inserts to add extra elevation as needed.
March 18th, 2007
A service of the NSSF (Nat’l Shooting Sports Foundation), WhereToShoot.org offers a Searchable Database of pistol, rifle, and shotgun ranges around the country. You can search by state, or select a particular distance from any zip code. The database is very complete. We searched for ranges within 60 miles of our zip code, and a comprehensive list of ranges was returned instantly, with links for detailed, range-specific info. The individual range pages also include web addresses, phone numbers, and, in many cases, a MapQuest link.
March 17th, 2007
 It’s St. Patrick’s Day, so we bring you something green at a very lucky price. For just $139.99, MidwayUSA is offering its Caldwell Rock BR Competition front rest (item 348661), complete with fitted hard case for transport. That’s a heck of a deal.
We’ve used these 15.5-lb rests and they are solid and functional, though many owners eventually upgrade the rather thin 3-lobe front sandbag (3″ width standard). Caldwell BR rests adjust windage by rotation of the rest top rather than linear tracking. Also available is a heavier (24-lb) “1000-yard” Rock front rest for $169.99 (item 627414). For a limited time, both units now come with a free “Rest Nest” case ($39 value) shown below. Be sure to use promo code BRNEST when ordering to get your free case. Offer expires 3/31/07.
March 17th, 2007
 BAT Machine actions are top of the line, and you can expect to wait up to 6 months if you custom order one. But why wait? Bruno Shooters Supply has a variety of BAT actions in stock, starting at $965.00 for the SV Model. Bruno’s gets new BAT actions weekly, in all three bolt configurations: PPC, .308 and Magnum. Bruno’s offers both two-lug and the hot new three-lug actions. The action shown below is a BAT 3-Lug, .308 stainless RB/LP. BAT actions sell quickly, so call Bruno’s for availability, (623) 587-7641, and tell them AccurateShooter.com sent you.
March 16th, 2007
 Here it is folks, the new Tooley offset stock. This radical new rig employs an offset design to counter the torque associated with large-caliber benchrest guns. Dave tells us, “the wide, flat fore-end and offset design really tames the big 30s.” The stock is 4″ wide along the fore-end with the barreled action offset 1.5″ from center. From the trigger guard rearward the stock is pretty much the same as a Tooley MBR, with a bottom flat and slight drop from grip to buttplate. In American walnut laminate or maple laminate the stock weighs 3 lbs., 12 oz., the same as a fiberglass Tooley MBR from McMillan. There is also a lighter “Butternut” wood version that weighs 2 lbs., 12 ounces. So making weight in Light Gun Class should not be an issue.
The stock is legal for NBRSA and IBS 600- and 1000-yard benchrest competition, but it is not legal at 4″ for Willliamsport Light Gun Class. Dave notes that you can simply saw 1″ off the left side (looking from the breech foreward), to make the stock 3″ and legal for Williamsport LG and F-Class. Dave tells us “the stock still works really well at 3″, it just doesn’t cancel as much torque as it does in a 4″ configuration.” Tests have shown that the 4″-wide stock will effectively soak up 45 inch-pounds of torque, enough to cancel the twisting effect of a 30-caliber rifle shooting 240-grainers at 3100 fps. Scott Fletcher, who is currently shooting a prototype version with a 338 Lapua Improved says the new stock “works fantastic. It’s like night and day with a heavy recoiling caliber. It makes a 30-caliber feel like a 6.5. And with a 6.5-284, you can easily shoot the gun free recoil.”
You can buy the stock right now. Dave has three stocks “on the shelf” and four more will be delivered next week. The stock, un-inletted but ready to finish, costs $350.00, or $425.00 in Tigerstripe maple. Dave notes: “there is no conventional barrel channel so inletting is very easy.” For $800.00 Dave will deliver the stock fully inletted and pillar bedded for your action, complete with recoil pad. For more info, email Tooleyrifles[at]carolina.rr.com or call Dave at (704) 864-7525. CLICK HERE to view more photos.
March 15th, 2007
Dave Dohrmann has a clever new product for Benchrest and F-Class competitors. His “Match Superfeet” consist of stainless disks with neoprene (wetsuit material) on the bottom. The disks are spring-loaded, so they self-adjust to uneven surfaces. Superfeet are legal for IR 50/50, NBRSA, and IBS BR Competition, as well as NRA F-Class. These provide solid grip on wood and concrete benches, and eliminate problems with cratered benchtops. Superfeet easily attach to all popular front rests; no modification is required to height adjustment screws. The Standard Set (2 Superfeet w/spring retainers and 1 without) costs $27.95, while the 3 Spring Set (3 Superfeet w/spring retainers) costs $29.95. To order, call Dave at (864) 884-0155 or send email to dbugholes[at]aol.com.
March 15th, 2007
 The first rifle/pistol International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup of the season will be hosted by USA Shooting March 31 – April 8, 2007, in Ft. Benning, Georgia. To date, 505 athletes from 62 nations have registered for 834 competition entries, to mark the largest shooting World Cup ever to be held on U.S. soil. World Cup USA will feature Olympic medalists, international record holders and the top seeded shooters from each participating nation.
“This is the largest turnout we have ever experienced for the World Cup USA,” noted Wanda Jewell, Director of Operations for USA Shooting and 1984 Olympic bronze medalist in rifle. Various international shooting events, including World Cup USA, permit nations to qualify for the Olympic Games by earning Olympic “quota” slots through outstanding performances. To date, the USA has earned 17 of a possible 28 Olympic quota slots. For more info, contact Najasila Campbell, USA Shooting, at (719) 866-4896 or go to USAShooting.org.
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