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April 15th, 2007
 We like to think that AccurateShooter.com provides some of the best information available for precision rifle shooters. We have hundreds of articles (all searchable), thousands of photos, and an active forum. And all that doesn’t cost a dime. Still, sometimes it’s nice to grab a print magazine, sit down in a comfy chair and read about shooting the old-fashioned way. In conjunction with Magazines.com, we have put together some great deals on popular newstand magazines for rifle shooters. You can save up to 79% over the cover price. Magazines.com subscriptions come with free shipping, no sales tax, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Shooting Times: $16.98 for 12 issues, 65% off cover price.
Rifle Shooter: $12.97 for 6 issues, 46% off cover price.
Field & Stream: $10.00 for 12 issues, 79% off cover price.
GunHunter: $12.95 for 6 issues, 46% off cover price.
Shooting Sportsman: $32.00 for 6 issues, 10% off.
April 14th, 2007
There has been much interest in the new Savage Precision Target Action with 6-oz. AccuTrigger. However, this new design has three action screws (rather than two) and the hole spacing is different than before. This means stocks have to be specifically inletted for the new design (or modified).
Sharp Shooter Supply (SSS) has stocks in inventory fully inletted for the new action, including a new laminated thumbhole benchrest design shown above. SSS has a wide variety of colors available including the attractive new “Natural” in three shades of brown. SSS Stocks cost $299.00, 100% inletted, pillar-bedded, and ready to finish.
Bill Shehane of D&B Supply, ScopeUsOut.com also reports: “I’ve been busy making new patterns for the new Savage 3-screw target action. We now have the ST-1000, Tracker II, MBR Tracker, ST-BR (photo below), the Lee Six Thumbhole and the Varmint Benchrest patterns with the drop-in inletting for the 3-screw Savage Action.”
April 14th, 2007
 Winchester Ammunition has pledged $500,000 to permanently endow the NRA’s Marksmanship Qualification Program. The gift allows Winchester to become the exclusive, permanent sponsor of the program, which will now be formally known as the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. The original NRA Marksmanship Qualification program is based on the Winchester Junior Rifle Corps, started by Winchester in 1918. Winchester transferred this program to the NRA in 1926, where it was merged with its existing youth training offerings.
The Marksmanship Qualification Program provides attractive pins, patches, and certificates to participants as they achieve progressively higher shooting standards. More than 200,000 such awards were distributed in 2006 alone, and 1,700 shooters reached the program’s highest level, “Distinguished Expert.” Although originally designed for youngsters, the program has grown to include beginning adult shooters and hunters as well. To learn more about the program, Click HERE to view the program summary, or call the NRA Qualification Coordinator at (703) 267-1505.
April 13th, 2007
In some parts of the country, State Agencies and/or private ranges are imposing “no-lead” restrictions for hunting and match ammunition. This is to avoid on-site lead pollution and to lessen the effects of lead ingestion by protected species such as the California Condor. Nosler has just announced its new E-Tip™ Lead-Free Bullet. Because the E-Tip™ has a polymer tip plus a dual-cavity interior (E² Cavity™), Nosler claims that its new bullet provides better expansion and enhanced weight retention. The new bullet will be available in the fall of 2007 in a 180gr, 30-caliber design. We applaud Nosler’s engineering work on this new bullet and hope that Nosler chooses to produce similar lead-free projectiles in 6.5mm and 6mm.
April 13th, 2007
Competitors should note that there have been quite a few changes to the official rules for 2007. Click HERE to download a handy .pdf file (from ShootingSports USA), with ALL NRA rule changes, complete with detailed info on the new targets. This is a “must-have” update.
Larry Bartholome of the USA F-Class team also notes that specific 2007 F-Class and Highpower rule changes are now posted on the NRA web site:
Highpower changes (F-Class starts on page 6, Section 22):
www.nrahq.org/compete/rules/rul_hpr_07.pdf
Complete Fullbore rules (F-class on page 42, Section 22):
www.nrahq.org/compete/rules/fullbore_07.pdf
2007 Fullbore changes only (F-Class on page 2):
www.nrahq.org/compete/rules/rul_fb_prone_07.pdf
Changes for other NRA shooting disciplines:
www.nrahq.org/compete/rulechanges.asp
CLICK HERE for the Camp Perry Nationals sign-up form.
April 12th, 2007
 Lock, Stock, and Barrel has a great deal right now on Hornady 22 Caliber (.224) 50 grain V-Max bullets: $29.00 per box of 250 bullets, item HRN22616. (That works out to just $11.60 per hundred!) These are regular production bullets, not blems or seconds. Offer limited to five 250-ct boxes per customer and stock on hand. With a short boat-tail and polymer tip, the 50gr V-Max is accurate and very explosive on varmints. You’ll find loads for this bullet in our .223 Rem Cartridge Guide. Contributor Graymist’s favorite .223 Rem load is the 50gr V-Max pushed by Hodgdon H4895. He says “this combo has worked great in every .223 he’s shot.”
April 12th, 2007
 The Davidson Star-D tripod is a solid, all-metal rig that is sturdy enough to be used for movie cameras. Star-Ds feature convenient rotary cam (collet) leg height adjustments and all-metal tilt and pan controls that lock solidly. The center post is clamped with a big locking ring that adjusts for tension. The rugged, machined-aluminum Star-D tripods are no longer in production but you can find good “previously-owned” models for sale on eBay. This tripod is ideal for use with a chronograph or spotting scope (for viewing in sitting or standing positions). Right now there are three nice Star-Ds on Ebay, items 170099554007, 230114024777, and 230114022708. If these units sell out, watch for the newer Star-Ds with all-silver heads and cam-locked legs. You can often pick them up for under $25.00. Look for the latest versions, as shown in the picture.
April 11th, 2007
Summer’s approaching and temperatures are starting to heat up. For all-day sessions at the range, it’s a good idea to wear a hat that shades your ears and neck from the sun. At the 2006 F-Class Nationals, we noticed that many of the top competitors, including winner Eric Bair and runner-up Alan Warner, sported wide-brimmed hats. Alan even wore his hat while shooting.
Cabela’s sells excellent brimmed hats that feature 50+ UPF sun protection ratings and moisture-wicking sweatbands. These are similar to boonie hats, but are more comfortable, better ventilated, and have a slightly broader and stiffer brim. The Yellowstone Breezer Hat, our favorite, has a mesh top, and is on sale right now for $19.88, item OG-951124. A DeLuxe Breezer Hat, with fully-vented top, is $29.95.
Cabela’s RiverGuide Series hats, shown below, are also on sale for just $19.88. The San Juan Packable Hat (item OG-951125), available in Sage (green-gray) or Natural tan is soft, well-ventilated, and packable. There is also a canvas version (item OG-951126) with a foam crown insert so it floats–great if you use the hat when boating or fishing. To order any of these summer hats, click this Cabela’s LINK and type in the item number.
April 11th, 2007
You need a strong gun case for valuable rifles. One of our forum members recently shipped a costly match rifle via UPS. When it arrived the fancy stock was broken in half. Replacement cost? $961. We’ve also found that the inexpensive plastic cases with foam padding can put a serious side load on your scope turrets or iron sights that can affect the zero. We’ve seen a Redfield Olympic rear sight actually bend from the side pressure in a cheap plastic rifle case. The best systems for gun transport, in our view, are the expedition cases that store rifles vertically, side-by-side. This puts no bending or lateral pressure on the gun or scope/sight mounts. Also, with this “toaster”-style layout you can place the gun case on the ground with the lid open, and the rifle and optics are still shielded from dust and blowing sand.
 The very best side-by-side gun cases are built by Ziegel Engineering, (562) 596-9481. Featuring heavy-gauge aluminum with welded corners, Ziegel cases are beautifully made, but expensive. Ziegel’s Double Expedition Box with cam locks retails for $639.95. A similar product is offered by Cabela’s for much less money. The “bullet-proof” Safari case, made from .063″ marine-grade aluminum with welded corners, costs $359.99 for a 2-gun version, and $379.99 for a 3-gun version. Click THIS LINK and type in “226585” for the Cabela’s item number. NOTE: The interior slots, from foam edge to foam edge, are 50.75″ long. That should fit rifles up to a 30″ barrel unless you have an extended buttstock or bloop tube.
April 10th, 2007
Superior Shooting Systems has released a new 117 gr DTAC bullet, designed for 1:7.5″ or faster twist barrels. David Tubb advises these 117s require at least .040″ more throat length compared to his 115s. Robert Whitley got some new 117s and he told us they look very impressive: “The 117 gr bullet looks great, but it’s a real Goliath for a 6mm projectile. I checked on how the bullet sits in relation to the throating of various 6mms. I measured them multiple times in three different barrels–two with brand new, unfired chambers. It looks like you need about .050″ – .060″ more freebore than you need with a DTAC 115 to keep the junction of the boat tail and bearing surface in the same place, and about .125″ – .135″ more freebore than you need with a Sierra 107 to keep the junction of the boat tail and bearing surface in the same place. (I have cases with a slit up the neck so I can see where the junction of the bearing surface and boat tail sits in relation to the neck and shoulder of the case.)”
Robert adds: “I will try these in a 6XC (after I throat out one of my barrels a bit) but the bullet looks big for a 6XC case. I am also looking forward to trying these in the 6mm Super X, the 6CM, and the 6mm Remington I have, all of which have a good bit more powder capacity to enable the use of slower powders (H4831SC, H1000, etc.) with such a bullet. If these shoot as well as they look, the 6mms may give a 6.5 x284 some real competition at long range–we’ll see!”
Left to Right: Boron nitride-coated 117 gr bullet (1.376″) ,
Moly 115gr DTAC (1.290″), Moly 107 Sierra MK (1.225″)
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