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April 20th, 2007
Berger’s 6mm 105gr VLD bullet has set multiple world records, including Terry Brady’s 0.860″ 600-yard IBS 5-shot record group. Berger has recently acquired new dies for the 105 VLD which should make the bullet more dimensionally consistent than ever before. Be aware, however, that since the new 105s are produced on a new die, the diameter is somewhat smaller and you may have to adjust your load. Through April 30th, MidwayUSA has Berger 105 VLDs on sale, for $19.99 per 100, item 195087. Midway isn’t able to pull specific lot numbers, but 105s made on the new die are Berger lot number 559 or higher.
 Eric Stecker of Berger Bullets tells us: “We use certified gauges and indicating micrometers to measure the OD. The new die produces bullets that are .2431 to .2432 at the pressure ring and .2430 at a point half way up the bearing surface. A measurement taken on the bearing surface close to the ogive will be .2429. The taper on these bullets is straight which we believe is good as this taper may line things up nicely in the bore.
Here is the important part: They are two things that happen during this type of change: 1. Due to the EDM and polish process no die maker can make the ogive portion of the die exactly the same. This produces a slight change in where the bullet will touch the rifling based on your seater die setting. The change could go either way (in or out). 2. Since the diameter of the bullet is smaller than what the previous die created the portion of the bullet that engages the rifling is moved back.
To make these bullets shoot well, treat them as an entirely new bullet and work up a load adjusting seating depth and neck tension. The nice thing is that once you get this dialed in you will be set for a while as we are dedicating this particular die to making nothing but 105 gr. These bullets are not undersized based on a .2430 groove diameter however they are smaller than previous lots. Dial them in as you would any new item and you will be happy with the results.”
April 19th, 2007
 RCBS has a new, very affordable Vernier Ball Micrometer. This tool measures accurately to .0001″ and is ideal for determining case neck-wall thickness. Ball diameter is 0.185″. If you turn your case-necks, you’ll need a tool like this to set up your cutter and gauge the consistency of your results. And for those who shoot no-turn brass, a Ball Mic allows you to sort cases by neck-wall thickness. Cabela’s has the best price we’ve found on the RCBS tool–just $41.99. To order, please click on the Cabela’s.com link and type “216307” into the product search field at the top of the page.
April 19th, 2007
We spoke to Amy at Bruno Shooters Supply today. She confirmed Bruno’s has “hundreds of Hart, Krieger, and Shilen barrels in stock,” including “dozens of 8-twist and 8.5-twist long barrels in Light, Medium, Heavy and Palma contours.” Bruno’s also has a large supply of slow-twist short-range BR barrels. If you don’t want to wait two to four months for a new match barrel, give Bruno’s a call. Right now Shilen barrels are priced to move. All Shilen barrels 1.250″ (or smaller) diameter, 28″ in length or shorter, are sale priced at just $236.40. To order, call Amy toll-free at (800) 455-0350.
April 18th, 2007
 Here’s a great deal on a quality Gradient Lens Corp. Borescope.
Sinclair Int’l offers a special $560.00 Limited Edition Hawkeye model, designed for shooters and gunsmiths. This 17″ borescope, Sinclair item #HS17, includes the same light source, mirror adaptor, and cleaning kit as the regular Hawkeye #HS17FE-K. You don’t get a focusing eyepiece with the Limited Edition but focus is pre-set for 22 through 30-caliber barrels, so that’s not a problem. The same model with focusing eyepiece (item HS17FE-K) costs $775.00 ($660.00 after manufacturer’s rebate*). The Limited Edition Hawkeye is shipped in a padded, cardboard case and can be disassembled in seconds with included Allen wrench. Savings are passed on to shooters with the omission of the focusing eyepiece and hardcase. The more expensive model comes with a deluxe, lockable aluminum hardcase.
*Rebate offer: A rebate of $75.00 is available on the Hawkeye 17 Borescope Kit (HS17FE-K ONLY). Mail your Sinclair International Invoice directly to Gradient Lens before July 1, 2007. Rebate valid for United States customers ONLY. NO REBATE on Limited Edition.
April 18th, 2007
 Need a custom full-length sizing die? Want something very special that will be gentle on your brass, reduce sizing effort, not rust, and never wear out? Tool-maker CH Tool & Die, CH4D.com, offers custom sizing dies, with optional Titanitum Nitride (TiN) coatings inside and out. Internal die dimensions can be set from fired brass you supply, a chamber cast, or specifications you provide (which could be based on a reamer print, with the dimensions tightened up slightly). Cost for a custom sizer die is $73-$110, depending on chambering (common calibers cost less). TiN coating is $36.50 for the die body, $10.80 for the expander ball. CH4D custom FL dies are conventional full-length sizers without bushings. If you need to vary the neck tension, have the die spec’d for “normal” tension and then use a separate bushing neck-sizer when you need more tension. Normal turn-around time for a CH4D custom die is 10-12 weeks; TiN coating can add 2-3 weeks to that.
CH4D’s Dave Davison explains: “Titanium Nitride coatings have been used in industry for many years, primarily to extend the life of carbide tools. It has not been useful in reloading until recent advances in technology permitted TiN coating a die without softening the steel of the die itself. A TiN coated sizer in 308 Win showed no measurable wear after sizing 50,000 rounds. Although Titanium Nitride is harder than carbide and has a lower coefficient of friction it does not eliminate the need for lubricant when full-length sizing cases. It does reduce sizing effort considerably and minimizes the lubricant required. TiN-coated dies will live longer and require less force to operate than any die available. If you ever manage to wear out your TiN coated die, we will replace it at no charge. All we ask is that you tell us how many rounds you’ve loaded with it.”
CH4D can coat other manufacturers’ dies with Titanium Nitride. However, CH4D cautions: “TiN coating other manufacturers’ dies can be done, and is usually successful. However we have no control over the material or heat treatment of these dies and cannot guarantee the results.”
April 17th, 2007
Since April 15 fell on a Sunday this year, and April 16 was Emancipation Day (a holiday in DC), April 17 is the last day to file your IRS tax returns for 2006. If you’re falling way behind and simply can’t make the deadline–don’t despair. Click HERE to download IRS Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time. This gives you an extra 6 months (4 if you are out of the country) to file your Federal Return. NOTE However, you MUST pay ALL your taxes today, with the Form 4868, or you will be subject to interest and penalties. Normally filing a Form 4968 extends your filing date for State income taxes, but check with a tax professional.
If you need some Mental TAX RELIEF after the grim duties of filing taxes, we offer this nice photo taken by gunsmith Richard Franklin in Bedford County, Virginia. Maybe that will put things in perspective. Remember we don’t live to work and pay taxes, we work and pay taxes to be able to enjoy life, including the chance to spend a nice day in the country with our rifles. View Larger Photo.
April 17th, 2007
 Launi Meili, Olympic Gold Medalist (Barcelona 1992), and 7-time National Champion in three-position rifle, has been named head rifle coach at the Air Force Academy. Meili comes to the academy from the University of Nebraska, where she led the Cornhuskers to a No. 2 national ranking this season and earned “Coach of the Year” honors in 2006. “Coach Meili brings a wealth of experience as not only a proven NCAA Division I head coach, but a world-class competitor as well,” said Col. Billy Walker, the Air Force Academy’s Assoc. Athletics Director. “I’m quite certain Coach Meili will develop us into one of the elite programs in the country.”
As a shooting competitor, Meili shot with the U.S. Shooting team for 10 years. In that time, Meili participated in two Olympic Games, two Pan American games and a World Championship. During her career, she produced three world records, three Olympic records, a world team championship and the Olympic Gold medal in Barcelona in 1992, becoming the only American woman to ever win gold in smallbore. She has written the Advanced Coaches Certification Program in use by the US Shooting Team and the NRA to certify coaches at the highest level. She has also created the “mental training workshop” taught to athletes, coaches and business personnel in the US and Japan.
April 17th, 2007
Eley Tenex Ultimate EPS is, in the opinion of many, the best 22LR ammo ever made. Red-label Ultimate EPS is the 22LR ammo with which Joe Friedrich recently shot a perfect 2500 and set a pending ARA 4-target record of 9700. This editor personally saw Joe shoot a 5-shot group at 50 yards that was one elongated hole about 0.300″ edge to edge. Lapua, RWS and Wolf also produce outstanding rimfire ammo, but if you’re looking for the pinnacle of rimfire accuracy, you owe it to yourself to try a couple boxes of Ultimate EPS. Through the end of April, MidwayUSA has Tenex Ultimate EPS on sale for $12.99 per box, item 126879.
If you need a particular batch of Eley ammo, Bob Collins of C&S Accuracy sells Eley products by specific lot number. If you’re curious about how lot differences can affect rimfire accuracy, read this ELEY AMMO ARTICLE by Bob Collins. Here’s a sample: “Eley uses a system where the first three letters are for grade, year, and crimp. For example, with UFW prefix, U is Ultimate, F is 2001, and W is the crimp machine. The next four numbers are for loading machine and Lot number. Thus, for ammo marked UFW4375, 4 is the four machine and the 375 is the Lot number. The fps is printed underneath, e.g. 1055 fps. This fps on the label is an average of 50 shots from one of the six test guns at the Eley factory; these guns have 26 inch barrels with the chronograph three feet in front of the barrel. There are 4 different machines that load Eley Ultimate and Match EPS. I have found that these machines are very specific to which gunsmith chambers and fine-tunes your rifle. Depending on barrel twist, length, and the gunsmith who put the gun together, you will find at least three Lots of ammo that will shoot under different conditions without turning the tuner. Each machine has subtle differences, so that different machine lots of Ultimate can chamber and give the best accuracy.” If you have questions, call Bob at (478) 472-7176. He truly has a wealth of information to share.
April 16th, 2007
 The NBRSA 600-yard Nationals will be held this week, April 19-22, at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center Range in Sloughhouse, California. Weigh-in and Sight-in Sessions will be held Thursday the 19th, with the Match commencing Friday the 20th at 8:00 am. Ed Eckhoff notes: “The new smaller 600-yard target will be used. The Firing line will be covered for the Sloughhouse 600. Just be sure no one does ANYTHING to PO the range gods and we’ll have good conditions. On-site overnight parking available for RVs at $10/night. If you have questions, contact me at (530) 661-6018.” There will be practice sessions throughout this week. The Schedule is:
Mon April 16: Normal BR and F-Class Practice day 600
Tues April 17: Palma and F-Class Practice day 800, 900, 1000
Wed April 18: Range normally closed BUT can be available 600 yd.
Thurs April 19: 600 Nat’ls day for sign-in/weigh-in/sight-in
Fri, Sat, Sun, April 20-22: Sloughhouse NBRSA 600 Nationals
Sat April 21: Catered BBQ immediately after the match
Click HERE to download the NBRSA Rules. For weather reports, go to Weatherunderground.com. In the search box at the top, enter Zip Code 95683. That provides an extended forecast for the whole week. Under each day of the week click on the blue “Detail” link for more wind and humidity info. Click HERE for Map and Directions to the range.
April 15th, 2007
Gary Eliseo, builder of outstanding Tubegun kits for Cross the Course, Prone, and Highpower shooting, has generously donated an R5 Repeater Kit to help support this website. We will auction off this kit, with the high bidder to be announced the first week of May, 2007. The Competition Shooting Stuff R5 kit is set up to shoot the 6mmBR cartridge or similar family (22BR, 6 Dasher etc.). The kit comes complete with everything you need to build a gun except sights (or scope), trigger, barrel and action. The current retail price on this R5 Kit is $925.00. There is a long waiting list and the next production run won’t be available until August 2007, so this is a chance to get an R5 before the end of the summer. Click HERE for our illustrated feature article on the R5 Repeater. Click the video window below to watch Gary put an R5 through its paces in rapid fire:
The kit to be auctioned has a handsome silver finish, which Gary tells us is the most popular color. There is a minimum bid for the R5 Kit of $500.00. Submit your bids by email to mailbox@6mmBR.com. You MUST include your name, address, and phone number so we can confirm your bid. Note: Because this kit does NOT include an action, no FFL is required. You will, however, need a capable smith to chamber and fit the barrel.
The R5 kit comes complete with everything you need except front and rear sights, Rem 700 action, barrel, and trigger. Click Here for large photo. The kit is much more than a painted housing for action and barrel. For $875.00, Gary delivers the following components:
• Complete Stock in gray powder-coat color.
• Advanced 4-way adjustable Buttstock/buttplate Assembly.
• Extended Picatinny (Weaver-style) top rail.
• Adjustable Handstop with quick disconnect socket.
• Recoil Disc to replace factory recoil lug.
• Bolt-handle Extension Knob.
• Two 5-round CNC Magazines optimized for the 6mmBR cartridge.
• SLED for single-round loading.
• All screws, washers and other fasteners.
Because of export restrictions, the R5 kit will only be shipped within the 50 U.S. States. The winning bidder must comply with all applicable laws.
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