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September 6th, 2007
Results are in from the 2007 IBS 1000-yard Nationals, hosted at Quantico, Virginia. With over 100 competitors in both Light Gun and Heavy Gun classes, the match was a resounding success, producing impressive scores and at least one new world record, Phil Bower’s 3.391″ HG 10-shot group. CLICK HERE for photos from the Nationals by Rich DeSimone.
Dan Frazier, shooting a 300 WSM (in at least one class), was the Two-Gun Overall Champion. Dan had a 46 Rank Aggregate, edging runner-up Eric Springman by 12 points. The next three finishers in the Two-Gun were John Buhay, Shannon Ammerman, and Clay Earhart.
Shannon also won the Light Gun Overall, followed by Clay Earhart and Lori King. Jay Cutright captured the Heavy Gun Overall, ahead of Eric Springman, and Dan Frazier. Regan Green, always a tough competitor, placed first in HG group, with a 5.797″ Agg (3 groups, 10 shots per group). Regan edged out Phil Bower (6.131″), and Matt Dienes (6.212″).
Bower Sets a Record
Phil Bower dazzled the field in his second Heavy Gun stage, nailing a phenomenal 3.391″ 10-shot group. This should be a new IBS Heavy Gun group record, edging Lee Fischer’s one-year-old 3.427″ mark. Congratulations to Phil–that’s mighty impressive shooting.
Small 6mms Hold Their Own
Shooting a 6-6.5×47 smithed by Mark King, Jeffrey Mottern shot consistently small groups to win Light Gun Group with an impressive 4.185″ Agg, based on 4.010″, 5.667″, and 4.767″ 5-shot groups. That proves that this new cartridge has serious potential in the 1K game. In another strong performance for a 6mm, Ray Carly’s little 6BR delivered a 2.691″ five-shot group — the LG small group for the match. Matt Dienes reports: “The 6mms did very well so did the 6.5s, but the Two-Gun was won shooting a 300 WSM. Ray Carley shot a 2.691″ with a 6mm BR and a lot of three-inchers were shot with 6mm Dashers.”
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September 6th, 2007
Real Battlestar? Well, not quite, but you have to admit the metal stock shown below does bear a passing resemblance to the spaceship of TV fame (above). And it’s certainly massive enough to handle some heavy artillery. In truth, this is Butch Keen’s all-aluminum Heavy Gun Benchrest stock, now for sale in our AccurateShooter Classifieds.
Butch notes: “[This stock] comes complete with Barrel Block. Block and channel will accept 1.350″-diameter straight barrel. Inletted for Remington 700 right-hand long action. $700.00 plus shipping in CONUS (Cont’l U.S.).” That’s a great price for a stock of this kind. A custom barrel block by itself, installed, can cost a couple hundred or more. Butch added: “The stock was an earlier model made by Springman Rifles (Eric & Wes Springman). I don’t use the stock anymore due to the fact that I don’t shoot very much 1000-yard Heavy Gun class. The stock is built from a solid piece of aluminum except for: front rails on either side of the foreend, trigger guard, and the barrel block. The stock’s empty weight is 34.5 pounds. The OAL of the stock is 36″, foreend width (with rails) is 6″, and the butt stock width is 2″. The stock, fully loaded with barrel, action, and scope will run at least 50 pounds. This provides a very stable, nice tracking, heavy gun configuration for competition or long range varmint shooting.” If you’re interested, contact Butch via email: keenvisionvideo [at] comcast [dot] net.
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September 6th, 2007
 FaceAway Camo has introduced a new coating that can be applied to guns, binoculars, tripods or scopes. FaceAway claims that ThinSkin™ is a truly breathable camo tape that allows moisture to escape before rust can form, unlike traditional camo tapes. ThinSkin™ is also thinner and more pliable than most other camo tapes. Application is easy, since ThinSkin™ readily conforms to curved surfaces, unlike some other camo applications. For 2007, ThinSkin™ comes in handy packs designed for smaller items such as binoculars, cameras, and scopes. ThinSkin™ Breathable camo tape sheets are available in seven different patterns including popular Hardwoods and Grasslands styles from RealTree and Mossy Oak. For more info on ThinSkin™ breathable camo tape products visit FacewayCamo.com or call (866) 926-2266.
Editor’s NOTE: Since this product is so new, we are not able to verify FaceAway’s claim that rust won’t form on metal items coated with ThinSkin™, but the product is promising. We recommend you test the coating on an inexpensive piece of steel before you use it on expensive guns or scopes.
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September 5th, 2007
Pennsylvanian Carl R. Bernosky won top honors at the 2007 National Rifle Association High Power Rifle Championship Matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio, from August 6-10, at the Centennial Camp Perry Matches. A shooter with over 30 years of experience on the firing line at Camp Perry, Bernosky has previously won this prestigious award seven times.
To take first place and win the title of High Power Rifle champion, Bernosky posted a score of 1787 points and 89 tie-breaking hits called Xs. He was awarded the prestigious Mumma Trophy for his achievement. Second place went to David Tubb of Canadian, Texas, with a score of 1779-86X. Tubb also won second place in the National Match Rifle Championship. Third place went to Ronald L. Zerr of El Paso, Texas, who posted a score of 1776-75X. Zerr also took third-place honors in the National Match Rifle Championship.
Bernosky, in addition to winning the overall high power rifle championship, took titles this year as NRA Match Rifle Champion and Civilian Champion for his score of 1787-89X. Bernosky also took top honors in the following categories: Vandenburg Cup Match (798-47X); Nevada Trophy Match (598-28X); McCann Trophy Match (600-38X); Member’s Trophy Match (199-11X); Scott Trophy Match (200-17X); Erdman Trophy Match (588-23X); and Marine Gunner D. I. Boyd II Memorial Trophy Match (1187-51X). Bernosky was shooting a semi-auto AR15-platform rifle with a Smith & Wesson M&P lower, John Holliger match upper chambered in 6mm Hagar*, 26″ Krieger barrel (+ 6″ bloop tube), with a Geissele two-stage trigger. We are told this is the first time in Camp Perry history that the High Power Championship was won with an AR15 style semi-auto.
In discussing his wins, Bernosky said “I’ve been shooting over 30 years and I’ve shot this high power championship match 13 times. I have now won it eight times during those years”. When asked about the rainy weather-canceling matches, he remarked, “You can’t do anything about the weather, and the officials did a good job of getting in as many matches as they did. Everyone had to shoot in the same conditions, but maybe the sun did shine on me a little bit better.”
David Tubb was back at Perry after being absent last year, and in addition to his second-place finishes in both the National High Power Rifle and National Match Rifle Championships, David won numerous other contests, including the following: Clarke Trophy Match (393-17X); Crescent Cup Match (193-3X); Centenary Trophy Match (600-40X); Air Force Cup Match (200-14X); and the Rochester National Defense Contingent (RNDC) Trophy Team Match as both captain and individual team member with a team score of 1981-103X and an individual score of 495-27X.
Mark A. Del Cotto, a name familiar to competitive riflemen, won the Crowell Trophy Match. The Lexington, Kentucky, native shot a 200-20X to take home the title.
Another familiar name at this year’s competition was Gunnery Sergeant Julia L. Watson of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Watson took the Woman Champion and Service Champion titles in the National High Power Championships with her score of 1762-55X. She also won second place and took the High Woman, High Reserve, and High Marine titles in the National Service Rifle Championship. In addition, she won the Navy Cup Match with her score of 200-7X.
*The 6mm Hagar resembles a 6.8 SPC with a .100″ longer body, 30-degree shoulder, and greater case capacity. It has a .420 rim diameter, and is formed from .30 Remington brass.
Story and large photo © 2007 National Rifle Association, used by permission.
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September 5th, 2007
Brownells just released its first-ever “All AR” catalog, featuring parts and accessories offered for ARs in .223, .308 and other calibers. Customers can receive a free Brownells AR-15/M16 Catalog #1 by calling 1-800-741-0015 or visiting http://www.brownells.com.
As with other Brownell’s catalogs introduced this year, the new AR-15 catalog includes “dream guns” — images of customized ARs with various accessories and aftermarket products. The full-color catalog offers more than 2000 products including barrels, optics, buttstocks, magazines, tools, triggers, flash suppressors and more. New products featured in the catalog include Brownell’s Tac Mags, Pentagon Lights, 9mm uppers and conversions from Rock Rivers Arms.
“From varmint hunters to law enforcement professionals, to competition and home defense, the popularity of AR-15/M16 rifles continues to increase,” said Frank Brownell, company president. “The AR platform grows in popularity every day. Our gun techs receive calls every day from customers asking how to best customize a black rifle for their specific needs.”
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September 4th, 2007
 In the case of Parker v. the District of Columbia, the plaintiffs, including a retired police officer, sued to overturn the District of Columbia law that prohibits residents from owning handguns, even if the guns’ use is confined to one’s domicile. The plaintiffs argued that D.C.’s ultra-restrictive gun laws violated plaintiffs’ rights to “keep and bear arms” under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The D.C. statute bars residents from keeping handguns in their homes and also prohibits the carrying of a gun without a license.
In March 2007, the Federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down the District of Columbia law on constitutional grounds. This was a signficant ruling that shocked the mainstream media. The Appellate Court ruling also created the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court would be asked to rule on the case. In its ruling, the Federal Court of Appeals declared:
“…[W]e conclude that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms. That right existed prior to the formation of the new government under the Constitution and was premised on the private use of arms for activities such as hunting and self-defense, the latter being understood as resistance to either private lawlessness or the depredations of a tyrannical government….”
Parker vs. District of Columbia–Full Case History | News Story on Appellate Court Ruling
On September 4th, the District of Columbia asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the decision of the Federal Court of Appeals. If the Supreme Court takes the case, it could lead to the high court’s first direct ruling on the Second Amendment since 1939. The court would be asked to interpret the Second Amendment, and squarely determine whether the Second Amendment protects citizens as individuals or whether the right to “keep and bear arms” is “collective”, meaning it applies only to a militia or National Guard.
There remains the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court will refuse to hear the appeal, in which case the decision of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals would be final.
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September 4th, 2007
 Sinclair Int’l has just released a new catalog chock-full of great stuff for precision shooters. The latest catalog includes old favorites and 100+ new items. Below are some of the more interesting additions to Sinclair’s product line-up. We’re pleased to see that Sinclair will be selling the CED M2 Chronograph, previously reviewed in the Daily Bulletin.
 CED M2 Chronograph: At $189.00, the new CED M2 Chronograph offers the best performance you can get in a Chronograph for under $400.00 (now that the Oehler 33/35 are no longer offered). It is more repeatable than lesser-priced brands in “less-than-ideal” light conditions, and the control unit is much easier to use than the “folding box” variety. Representing a significant upgrade over the previous CED “Millenium” model, the new M2 has more memory and can clock a wider range of bullet speeds–from 50 fps all the way to 7000 fps. The upgraded M2 will record velocities at much lower light levels than the previous Millennium chronograph. Included with the CED M2 are chronograph, sensors, cables, screen mounting bracket, USB computer interface cable and the new CED Data Collector Software program. NOTE: This item is currently back-ordered but units should arrive very soon.
Flexible Chamber Swab Tool: This new gadget works great with lever guns and semi-autos because you can insert it through the rifles’ ejection port without disassembling the rifle. The flexible wand (made of aircraft cable) can be bent or angled to fit the action ports as necessary. Equipped with a comfortable plastic handle, the 10″-long chamber tool is excellent for cleaning an AR15 upper. This new tool accepts all 8-32 male threaded cleaning accessories including Iosso AR brushes, chamber brushes and swabs, and all Dewey brushes, bore mops and chamber swabs.
 Kestrel 4500 Portable Vane Mount: This $46.80 system is a “must-have” for any Kestrel wind gauge owner. It provides a steady platform that allows the Kestrel to work on its own while you’re in shooting position. This new mounting system works with all Kestrel 4000 Series Weather Trackers. The lightweight Vane Mount assembles easily and enables the 4500 Weather Tracker to monitor headwind, tailwind and crosswind direction and speed. A high-quality bearing in the tripod allows the device to respond to small changes in wind direction. The kit, Sinclair Product 24-825, includes a handy Cordura carrying case. NOTE: Check the rules for your shooting discipline to determine whether one is permitted to use this unit during record fire.
Boyt Extra-Long Gun Case: Most soft gun cases are too short to handle match and varmint rifles with long barrels. Quite a few also lack clearance for big scopes–you can slide your gun in the case but may not be able to zip it up with the scope attached. Those problems are solved with the new 50″ Boyt Signature case. Priced at $90.95, the 50″ case is long enough for BR and Varmint rifles with up to a 29″ barrel and has room for most scopes. Boyt’s Signature Series cases are constructed of high-quality canvas, with a leather spine, and heavy-duty brass zippers. The Signature case comes with a large accessory pocket (all soft cases should have one) and a quality leather sling. The $90.95 Signature case also comes in a 46″ length for guns with sporter-length barrels.
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September 3rd, 2007
Sophisticated electronic scoring systems with acoustic targets are used in Olympic and ISSF competition. Many such advanced systems have been installed at shooting ranges in Europe. The U.S. Army has also installed a full set of acoustic targets at Ft. Benning, Georgia, but that range is restricted to military use except for a few special matches.
VIDEO Explaining How Electronic Targets Work:
DOWNLOAD 18mb Video | STREAM Video
 Where can a civilian try out this new electronic target technology in the United States? Right now there’s just one facility with a full electronic target system that offers regular access to civilians, 12 months a year: AREA 52. In West Central Texas, southwest of Abilene, Spindler Arms LLC operates the modern AREA 52 Long Range Shooting facility. AREA 52 offers high-tech acoustic targets at four distances: 300m, 600m, 800m, and 1000 meters. Every shooter has his/her own target monitor for scoring. All target bays are on separate lines of sight, and shooters are spaced on a single line, so there is no conflict between 300m shooters and those shooting the longer distances.
Along with training and recreational shooting, AREA 52 hosts regular competitions. On September 29, 2007, AREA 52 will host a multi-distance Long Range Competition using electronic targets. The Course of Fire consists of 3 sighters and 15 record shots at each of the four metric distances (300m, 600m, 800m, 1000m). The 9/29 Match is limited to 50 participants on first-come, first-serve basis. Max caliber is .338 Lapua Magnum.
AREA 52 has also pioneered a new kind of high-tech international postal match — the Trans Oceanic Shooting Sports Competition (TOSS). In cooperation with European clubs that possess similar acoustic targets and remote monitors, AREA 52’s American squad (The Thunderbird Competition Team), competes against teams in Europe. The matches take place on the same day, with results exchanged via digital data transfer over the internet. The most recent “trans-oceanic” match was held on September 1st, 2007, with the Thunderbird (AREA 52) Team competing against three teams from Sweden (Shedhill Team, Veterans Team, and Long Range Team). The Swedes have even created a website, http://toss.svensktskytte.se/, where you can view results and even see actual data feeds from the Sept. 1st match (target photos below).
To learn more about Area 52 and the upcoming (Sept. 29) Long-Range Match, visit SpindlerArms.com, or contact Wilhelm Spindler, AREA 52, Robert Lee, TX 76945, phone: (325) 453-9166, email: info [at] spindlerarms.com. Below is a map to the facility.
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September 2nd, 2007
In addition to the dozens of FREE downloadable targets you’ll find on this website’s TARGET PAGE, we’ve located some interesting fun targets from other sites. Click the links above each set of targets to download your favorites.
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September 2nd, 2007
Do you suffer from “Camo Envy” when you see those slick, realistic camo finishes offered on factory Benellis and Brownings? Well, stock-maker Bell & Carlson (B&C) has a solution for you. B&C will apply a factory quality, thin-film camo-coat to your existing firearm.
Available options include Mossy Oak® Breakup®, Trebark® Superflauge®, Realtree Hardwoods®, and NaturalGear™. Cost is $185 for whole gun (not including scope/rings, bolt handle, floorplate or trigger guard), or $65 for stock alone. B&C can also do the rings and ring mounts for $15 each. Shown below are two NaturalGear™ patterns, both well-suited for a Western summer/fall varmint rifle.
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September 1st, 2007
Is it time to develop a true one-design class for Benchrest competition? The idea would be to have a single, affordable design that could shoot a variety of matches in its own class. Rifle specs would be tightly controlled so that shooters would not have to constantly upgrade equipment, or purchase $2000 scopes to remain competitive. Chamber/barrel dimensions would be clearly defined so that any competent gunsmith could set up the rifle.
Imagine being able to shoot one rifle that would be class-competitive at all Benchrest distances: 100, 200, 300, 600, and 1000 yards. And you could shoot the same rifle in Club and Varmint matches at other distances such as 300m, 400 yards, 500 yards, 500m. If enough shooters got involved, economies of scale would drive down the cost of components (actions, stocks, triggers etc.). In Europe, for example, over 100,000 shooters shoot in target rifle matches with essentially identical, one-design equipment. Parts are very affordable.
Illustration only. One-Design Rifle would have different components.
We’ve discussed the concept of a one-design Benchrest Rifle, i.e. NASCAR for benchrest, in our Shooters’ Forum. READ this FORUM Thread. There are strong opinions on both sides of the issue. Many people see the potential and favor the idea because it would encourage new shooters and keep things affordable. With one gun certified for multiple distances, shooters could get more “bang for their buck.” Many readers from overseas liked the idea of a gun costing under $1500.00 complete (less scope), that would be universally approved for matches at any distance–yards or meters, 100-1000.
Other folks think “NASCAR for Benchrest” is a bad concept. They remark that we already have enough classes in the shooting sports, and that one-design shooting is already offered in Service Rifle and Garand Matches. Some readers feel that Americans are too enamored with customization–nobody wants a rifle that is exactly like the one on the next bench. Many active short-range BR shooters were concerned that adopting a new class would “pollute their matches” with unskilled shooters and lessen the glory associated with garnering Hall of Fame points.
CLICK GRAPHIC to view actual poll:
What are YOUR views on the subject?
You can let us know two ways.
First, go to the home page, and vote on our current Readers’ Poll. (Right now the voting is pretty even–58% support the one-design concept, while 42% are opposed.) Second, you can post a comment on the subject by clicking on “Comments”, right below this paragraph.
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September 1st, 2007
If you are thinking about building a .338 Lapua Magnum ultra-long range rifle, consider this special opportunity. OK Weber has two (2), very special RPA Engineering Quadlock single-shot actions designed expressly for the .338 Lapua Magnum. As far as we know these are the only two such actions available in North America. The massive 10.5″-long, 4.5-pound actions are built of hardened chrome-moly, with a black matte finish. They feature a short-throw 4-lug bolt, integrated recoil lug, and Belleville washer stack (instead of coil spring) for super-short lock time. The actions are similar in appearance to the $2500 RPA 50 BMG action shown below, though smaller in scale.
Otto Weber has priced the 338 magnum Quadlocks at $1200.00 including RPA trigger, but NO trigger guard. You can either order an RPA guard or use after-market bottom metal. These super-stiff actions would be ideal starting point for a .338 Lapua Magnum custom project. There are only two left. Call Otto Weber right away at (541) 747-0458 to order.
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