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September 20th, 2007
For better accuracy and more consistent tracking, it is important to match your rear sand bag to the profile of your stock. Some stocks are curved on the bottom of the buttstock (also called the “toe”), while others have a flat, ranging from 3/8″ wide to as much as 3″. Additionally, the amount of down-angle or “drop” in a stock can vary considerably. Traditional hunting stocks have a lot of drop, whereas a 1000-yd BR stock may have “zero drop” — meaning they are completely straight from the bottom of the grip to the buttplate.
Stocks with a flat on the bottom rear normally work best in a sandbag that has a slot between the ears. (See photos below, courtesy Forum member Rayjay.) NOTE: Ideally, you do not want the flat resting directly on the stitching–it’s better to have the bottom of the stock contacting the sides of the ears a little bit above the center seam (Read comments). But you still need spacing between the ears to get the right fit–it should not be so tight as to pinch or “grab” the stock unevenly as seen in the second photo. With a more conventional round-bottomed stock, with a radiused toe, you’ll probably get best results from a bag with taller ears, and you should experiment with spacing.
Recently, Forum member Jon complained that his rifle was not tracking well, and needed to be re-positioned after every shot. Jon’s rifle has an HS Precision stock with a radius and quite a bit of drop. He was having the problem because he was using a bag with ears that were too short. See below.
Jon will have better results with a bag with taller ears and more spacing. Rayjay explains why Jon’s rifle wasn’t tracking well: “Everytime you fire the rifle the sand in the ears gets displaced. Then when you slide the rifle forward and work the bolt, etc., the sand moves around some more. Then on the next shot it displaces again… it is not consistent shot to shot.”
Jon also had a sling swivel stud on the rear underside of his stock. Swivel studs, both front and rear, can hang up on sandbags, causing a variety of problems. Ideally, when shooting with sandbags, remove the swivel studs. If that’s not possible, at least adjust your fore-end so the front swivel stud will NOT contact the front bag at all, and adjust the rear bag so that the swivel stud is not dragging between the ears.
September 20th, 2007
Bottom Line: The declining U.S. Dollar will help American action, stock, and barrel-makers export more products. However, key imported components, such as Lapua and Norma brass, will become more expensive in the months ahead.
 Today, the Canadian dollar (known as the “Loonie”) reached virtual 1:1 parity with the U.S. Dollar. This will mark the first time since 1976 that Canadian currency has traded on equal terms with the American Greenback. As of today, one Canadian dollar was worth 0.9985 U.S. Dollars. The steady rise in crude oil prices, combined with the Fed’s recent interest rate cut, contributed to the slump of the U.S. Dollar.
Meanwhile the U.S. Dollar slipped to a record low against the Euro. One Euro now buys 1.4073 U.S. Dollars. The Euro, since it was first adopted, has gained over 50% in value against the U.S. Dollar.
The implication for the shooting sports is both positive and negative. First, U.S.-made goods, such as stocks, actions, and barrels, will be cheaper for Canadians and Europeans to buy. That should be a plus for companies like Krieger (barrels) and BAT Machine (actions). The folks at Kelbly’s and Sinclair Int’l have told us that their export sales have increased dramatically over the last three years, due in large part to the stronger Euro making American goods more of a bargain.
For American shooters, the negative aspect of the sinking U.S. Dollar is that the imported products we love, including Lapua and Norma brass, Zeiss Optics, and Robertson Composites stocks, will probably go up in price in the months ahead. So, if you are thinking of laying in a supply of Lapua brass, now is the time to buy. Experts predict that that U.S. Dollar will continue its slide against the Euro for the next 2-3 years.
September 19th, 2007
 In the 100/200 Benchrest game, perhaps the most prestigious distinction a shooter can earn is entry into the Benchrest Hall of Fame. Now that concept has been extended to all bench disciplines and distances. The NBRSA has announced a new program — the NBRSA ‘Hall of Masters’. It will recognize all NBRSA National and Regional shoots including 100, 200, 300, 600, 1000-yard, Hunter Class and any new disciplines that are added. The program embraces Europe and any venue, worldwide, where NBRSA events are held.
‘Hall of Masters’ point accumulation will include NBRSA match performances from the past. The program will retroactive as far back as the NBRSA can obtain valid match reports. In other words, if you won an NBRSA match last year, or even ten years ago, you’ve earned ‘Hall of Masters’ points already. The point system will be similar to the existing short-range Hall of Fame except all yardages and aggregates at NBRSA nationals will be counted. You can also accumulate a maximum of three (3) points at any Regional match. Only NBRSA points will be used. (By contrast, both IBS AND NBRSA Nat’l Comp points count for the 100/200 BR Hall of Fame.)
September 19th, 2007
Ever wanted to hunt Red Deer in New Zealand, Gemsbuck in Africa, or Dall Sheep in Alaska? Well here’s your chance to win the “hunt of a lifetime”. Go to Weatherby’s “Dream Hunt” website, WeatherbyDreamHunt.com, and describe your ultimate hunting trip. Be sure to include the species you would hunt, who you hunt with, where the hunt would be, and why it’s your dream hunt. Bird hunting, big game hunting, varmint hunting—whatever stuff your dreams are made of is good stuff for this contest.
The grand-prize winner will receive the hunt described in his or her entry as well as a Weatherby Mark V® Accumark® or Ultra Lightweight rifle in the caliber of choice, a soft side case, riflescope with mounts and a hunting journal. Runner-up prizes include:
· First Prize: Mark V Accumark or Ultra Lightweight
· Second Prizes: (3) Orion® D’Italia II Over/Under Shotguns
· Third Prizes: (5) Mark XXII® Rifles
· Fourth Prizes: (7) Vanguard® Deluxe or SUB-MOA Rifles
· Fifth Prizes: (10) Weatherby Soft Side Gun Cases
· Sixth Prizes: (100) Hunting Journals with Weatherby Logo
To be eligible, you must be at least 21 years of age and a legal resident of the United States. The contest begins September 15 and ends December 31, 2007.
September 18th, 2007
The F-Class National Championship (FCNC) was a very tightly-fought competition, with the final placings going down to the wire in both F-Open and F-TR (Target Rifle) classes. Robert Bock shot superbly in very switchy conditions at 1000 yards to win the Open Title, followed by Jim Kramer in second, and Jeff Cochran (2005 Open-Class Champ) in third. John Brewer, who won the event in 2004, told us: “Robert Bock was sharing my bunkhouse at the match. Rob’s a talented shooter and deserved the win. We had some tough conditions–to give you an idea, only three or four shooters in F-Open were able to shoot at the NRA ‘Master’ level based on their scores. And the switchy winds played havoc with the leaderboard. Only a few points separated first through 8th place.” In F-Open team comps, Team Berger took the 600-yard title, while Team Sierra Spindle Shooters prevailed in the 1000-yard match.
In F-TR, Brad Sauve came from behind on the last day to earn his third F-TR National Championship (2004, 2006, 2007). In second was Forum member Monte Milanuk (Congrats Monte!), followed by Darrell Buell. Brad has now captured three out of the four U.S. F-TR championships, grabbing back-to-back titles in 2006/2007. Brad also anchored the Sinclair International 4-man squad that captured the both of the F-TR team events this year, edging runner-up Team Savage. Brad provided AccurateShooter.com with this report: “My teammates on Team Sinclair this year were Paul Phillips, Warren Dean, and Derek Rodgers. This was the first FCNC for both Warren and Derek and they shot superbly on the team. We couldn’t have won without them. Paul Phillips coached our team this year. Paul was also a member of our winning team in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, when we also won, Paul unfortunately was not able to attend, but I had the good fortune that year to shoot with Shawn McKenna, Dale Carpenter (2005 FCNC FTR National Champion) and Lane Buxton (2007 US Palma team member). This year, Sinclair International graciously allowed us to use their name for our team. Three of the four team members also used Sinclair bipods during the team events.”
LARGE Sauve PHOTO | LARGE Team PHOTO
Brad added: “2007 played out exactly like 2004 and 2006 for me in the individual events. Once again I had to come back from behind on the last day. Assignment to the last relay on both Day 1 and Day 2 made it more difficult to keep up with the first match scores of some of the F-TR shooters who were placed in earlier relays when the winds were lighter, but a majority of the F-TR shooters were in the same predicament as I was. Fortunately, efforts were taken by match officials to place F-TR shooters in the same relay during Day 3. I know that in those last two days of shooting, I kept rubbing a fireman medallion that a past teammate gave me for luck many many times.”
Brad’s equipment was a key factor: “I used another BAT-actioned, MasterClass-stocked rifle this year and shot 155gr Sierra MatchKings again. The only difference really between the two rifles is the color of the stock. I was so happy with the rifle that won the 2006 FCNC that I ordered another in 2007. BAT Machine and Alex Sitman of MasterClass Stocks have to be given alot of credit for producing two fine rifles.”
September 18th, 2007
We recently spoke to Norma’s Anders Brolund. He confirmed that Norma is now producing 6XC loaded ammo for general distribution. This is loaded with Norma 203B powder (similar to Reloder 15) and a moly-coated Berger 105gr bullet. Velocity is 3026 fps from a 26″ barrel. Ultra-accurate, this ammo is already proven in competition. Using factory-loaded 6XC Diamond-line ammo, Anders Brolund, Michael Larsson, and Stefan Ahlesved of “Team Sweden” captured the 300m Prone event at European Championships. This week, Norma’s shooters will campaign the 6XC ammo in the European Cup, a prestigious individual event with 12,000 Euros of prize money up for grabs. The CIP max pressure rating for the 6XC cartridge is 63,844 psi (4400). However, we believe the factory ammo is loaded to a lower pressure level for greater brass longevity.
Anders told us: “The 6XC ammo is really good and the Europeans are buying all we can produce right now. But we hope to increase production so that you North Americans can get some before the end of the year.”
Norma has also enhanced its website with many great new features including cartridge profiles (with diagrams), load data, and an interactive Java-based ballistics calculator. Definitely visit Norma’s new home on the web, www.Norma.cc.
September 18th, 2007
Folks email us regularly saying: “Hey, there was an interesting item in the Daily Bulletin, but I can’t find it now.” Take heart. Every Bulletin story is saved in our archive. You can always navigate to all previous posts using the “Older Posts” link at the bottom of this page.
The fastest and easiest method to find older posts is simply to search by keyword, or click one of the topic headings. If you want to see a video, for example, just click on “Videos”. If you’re looking for all stories about scopes, click “Optics”. To find a particular item, such as the story on Barnard actions, just type “Barnard” in the search field and click “Search”. Our search works very fast! Try it, you’ll like it.
September 17th, 2007
Recently, Richard Schatz, the “Duke of Dashers”, set a new IBS 600-yard Light Gun World Record, an amazing .888″ five-shot group. We had a chance to chat with Richard after his record-setting performance at the Nationals where he won the LG division Overall and LG Score title along with posting the new single-group record.
Richard attributes much of his success to his choice of bullets and some recent equipment upgrades: “I recently ordered three Kriegers and had Dan Dowling chamber them. These are all 4-grooves with a .236 land dimension. My gun’s been on fire ever since I put on that new Krieger. I’ve been doing really well at matches and this gun has delivered great accuracy AND consistency. And I can’t say enough about the bullets–the new Sierra 107s. The combination of a new Krieger and the Sierra 107s has been amazing.
In late 2006, Rich Machholz at Sierra gave me a call and said I should try the latest batch of 107s. He said they were some of the best they’ve ever made. I was a little skeptical as I had been using another brand. But I bought 500 of the new 107s and tested them against three bullet types. When I tested them head to head with the other bullets I had, the Sierras were just awesome. Flyers just didn’t happen. I consider this batch of Sierra 107s better than great–the equivalent of a ‘hummer’ barrel. They measure exactly .24300 in diameter and seem ideally suited for the Krieger.”
Richard explained his load development process: “First I shoot multiple groups with different bullets to get a sense which has the best potential. I pick the most promising bullet, then experiment with seating depth. Using a Stoney Point tool, I get a baseline OAL with the bullet at the zero position, just touching the lands. Then I’ll seat them long and start testing .020″ into the lands. (I prefer starting in the lands because I don’t want to soot up the throat first–something that can happen when you’re jumping the bullets.) So, starting at .020″ in the lands, I work backwards in .005″ increments, doing .015, .010, .005 and so on. Then I will try the jumping the bullets, going from .005″ to .020″ out. With the Sierra 107s, I found they shot best .005″ into the lands–a bit less jam than I run with Bergers or Lapua Scenars.”
As to powder, Richard remains a fan of Alliant Reloader 15: “I shoot a load of 32.5 to 33.0 grains of RL15 with the 107s, CCI 450s, and Lapua brass. This runs 3015 fps in a 26″ barrel and 3020-3030 fps in my 27″ barrels. I’ve tried other powders and RL15 still seems to provide the best combination of accuracy and velocity in my Dashers.”
Richard’s record-setting 6mm Dasher was smithed by Dan Dowling, and features a .272″ neck with 0.104″ freebore. Here are the components:
Action: Nesika K, RBLP, right micro-port eject, Jewell trigger
Stock: Shehane Baby Tracker Stock, Sierra color scheme
Barrel: 27″ Krieger HV taper 8-twist, 4-groove with .236″ land
Optics: Nightforce NXS 12×42 NPDD, Burris Sig Zee 30mm rings, Nesika 20 moa base
Rest: Sinclair front pedestal with Farley mini-joystick control, Sinclair top, Protektor rear bag
September 17th, 2007
New Zealand action-maker Barnard has created a new Across-the-Course and “Tactical” rifle using the Barnard small repeater action (with three-lug bolt) and HS Precision detachable box magazine (DBM). Similar in appearance to a Tubb 2000, the new rifle, dubbed the Barnard ’07’, should prove very competitive in both Highpower matches and tactical applications. As a complete rifle, the gun is currently offered only in .308 Winchester, but it should be able to handle .243 Win, .260 Rem, and 6.5×47 with merely a barrel swap and rechambering.
Information on the new rifle is found on the Barnard website. The rifle’s designers report: “After much interest in the production of a tactical style rifle that utilizes the best of modern materials and finishes, coupled with the reliablity of the magazine-fed Barnard Model SM action, we are proud to introduce the Barnard ’07’ Rifle. This prototype is chambered as .308 and features a True-Flite 26″ 1/12 barrel, and HS Precision 10-shot magazine.” Price for the new rifle hasn’t been set yet, but you can contact USA distributor MTGuns or Canadian Agent Robertson Composites. For now, address technical questions to Barnard in Auckland, New Zealand, 011 +64 (0)9 828 4819, email: bmbarn [at] ihug [dot] co.nz.
September 16th, 2007
There’s a new high-magnification zoom scope in development that will offer precision shooters “more power” than ever before. Lou Murdica, who has been working directly with Deon Optical/Koto Precision in Japan, makers of the March 40x BR scope, is getting a new prototype variable-power March that tops out at 60-power. That’s some serious magnification ladies and gentleman.
In addition to the 60X magnification, the new March promises best-in-class resolution and, importantly, ultra-reliable tracking. We’re pleased to see that the zoom March offers 60 MOA of elevation–good enough for 1000 yards. The scope has a 52mm objective, 30mm main tube, 40 MOA of windage, and weighs 24.8 ounces (704 grams). It has a side-focus parallax control, 1/8-MOA clicks, and focuses from 50 yards to infinity. Currently, the only reticle choice is a 1/16-MOA dot, but that could change with production models.
Lou hopes to use the March 10-60×52 at 200 yards next week in the NBRSA Nationals hosted at the Kelbly’s Range (Ohio). Here are the remaining specs for Lou’s new scope:
March 10-60×52 Zoom Riflescope
| Feature |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Magnification |
10x |
60x |
| Exit Pupil |
0.86mm |
3.06mm |
| Eye Relief |
88-99mm 10x |
96-101mm 60x |
| Focus Range |
50 yards |
Infinity |
| Elevation Range |
– |
60 MOA |
| Windage Range |
– |
40 MOA |
| Length |
– |
418mm (16.46″) |
| Weight |
– |
24.8 ounces |
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