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October 14th, 2007
 Lock, Stock, and Barrel has a great deal right now on 8-lb jugs of Accurate 2230 and RamShot X-Terminator — you can buy 8 lbs. of either powder for just $99.45. That’s $20-$25 off regular prices. And, get this — if you buy 16 or more pounds of powder, Lock, Stock and Barrel will pay the hazmat charge (typically $20.00).
Acccurate 2230 is a double-base (high-energy), ball powder originally designed for use in the .223 Remington, it performs well with light bullets in a variety of small-caliber cartridges, including the .223 Rem, 22BR and 20 PPC. It it Dan Dowling’s favorite powder for use in the 6BR with 58gr V-Max. A 6BR using 2230 powder can push the littl3 58s close to 3700 fps.
RamShot X-Terminator is also a double-base, spherical (ball) powder. On burn rate charts, it is ranked as slightly slower than Benchmark and very close to H322, Accurate 2230, and Winchester 748 powders. Ramshot says X-Terminator is designed for the high volume, .223 varmint hunter who demands a “clean-burning powder that meters smoothly.”
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October 13th, 2007
There are a wide variety of reloading tools designed to cut a slight chamfer in case necks and deburr the edge of the case mouth. You don’t need to spend a lot of money for an effective tool. A basic “rocket-style” 45° chamfering tool, such as the Forster, actually does a pretty good job taking the sharp edge off case mouths, particularly if you use a little scotch-pad to smooth the edge of the cut. The $13.00 Forster is a nicely made product, with sharper cutting blades than you’ll find on most other 45° chamferers.
Many folks feel they can get smoother bullet seating by using a tool that cuts at a steeper angle. We like the 22° cutter sold by Lyman. It has a comfortable handle, and costs under $9.00 at MidwayUSA.com. The Lyman tool is an excellent value, though we’ve seen examples that needed sharpening even when new. Blade-sharpening is easily done, however.
Darrell Holland has offered a nice 28° chamfering tool for quite some time and we think it works very well. Sinclair recently introduced a 28° chamferer similar to the Holland tool, with some additional features. The $26.50 Sinclair Chamfering Tool (14 degrees per side) will chamfer cases from .14 through .45 caliber. The cutter head/shaft segment, with a .250″ diameter shank, can be purchased by itself for $16.95. This can be chucked in a drill or, with an adapter, it can be used with a power screwdriver when prepping large volumes of cases.
K&M makes a depth-adjustable “VLD” chamferer (“case mouth reamer”) which has very sharp blades and can be adjusted for cutting depth. It makes a very “steep” cut into the inside of the case neck. The latest version ($24.00 at PrecisionReloading.com), features a central pin that indexes via the flash hole to keep the cutter centered. However if you are not very careful, it is easy to over-cut, slicing away too much brass and basically ruining your neck. We think that most reloaders will get better results using a more conventional chamfer tool, such as the Forster or Lyman.
One last thing to note–tools like the K&M and the Holland chamferer are often described as VLD chamferers–that is really a misnomer, as bullets with long boat-tails actually seat easily with very minimal chamfering. In reality, these high-angle chamferers may be most valuable when preparing brass for flat-base bullets and bullets with pressure rings. Using a 22° or 28° chamferer can reduce the risk of cutting a jacket when using VLD bullets though–so long as you make a smooth cut.
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October 13th, 2007
Sinclair Int’l, a leading vendor for precision shooting products, is now running a “Mix and Match” solvent special. If you order any two 16-ounce solvents from the list below, you receive a free three-pack of plastic solvent bottles (item 01-280). CLICK HERE for details. Choose from the following products:
The products listed are all very effective at removing copper fouling as well as powder and carbon fouling. No one product is necessarily the best at removing both carbon and copper. We’ve had good luck with Montana XTreme, Butch’s Bore Shine, and TM Solution. We have seen some issues concerning Bore Tech Eliminator. If you use Eliminator, make sure to remove ALL residues from your bolt, action and stock, then wipe the bolt and action with a protective oil or rust preventative such as Eezox.
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October 12th, 2007
We’ve received inquiries from readers who are looking for a gunsafe that is big and strong but can be broken down and transported more easily that a typical 800 to 1200-lb safe. There IS one product that fits the bill–the Zanotti safe. It arrives in sections, none weighing more than 170 pounds. It is assembled in place, then can be dis-assembled when you need to move. The Zanotti is also well-suited for a gun-owner who lives in an apartment up many flights of stairs.
Zanotti Armor offers safes that are ideal for gun owners who need to move frequently or who live in a location where it is difficult, if not impossible, to position a conventional safe. Zanotti safes arrive in three or four discrete shipping boxes. The safe is assembled by the owner, on site, in six steps. The heaviest component is the door, weighing 110 pounds in the 16-gun ZAI safe, and 175 pounds in the largest 52-gun ZAIII model. Five safe models are offered, ranging from 350 to 925 pounds assembled weight, without interior. Zanotti safes are very popular with police, military personnel, and others whose jobs force them to re-locate often. The safe can be assembled in under 30 minutes with no tools other than a hammer, and all you need is a hand dolly to move any component.
 Guns Magazine reports: “The panels are interlocked by 3/8 inch, nickel-plated steel “L” shaped pins that slip into steel tubing sections welded to the interior surfaces of the panels. The slip fit is held to a tolerance of .003 inch, and the safes are completely assembled and hand fitted at the factory to insure the panels will align properly. The body is made from 1/8 inch and 3/16 inch steel; the door from 3/16 inch steel; the locking bolts are 3/4 inch steel.” This is heavier gauge steel than you’ll find on most conventional gun safes.
Zanotti offers many deluxe interiors including a system of roll-out sliding drawers in the bottom of the safe. We think the sliding drawers are ideal for storing handguns and expensive items such as cameras and binoculars that you want to keep out of plain view. Mark Zanotti, the innovative creator of these modular safes, can also customize any interior to suit the customer’s particular needs.
Editor’s Note: For most applications, a conventional safe is still the best choice. Bolted in place, a conventional safe with welded walls will provide the best security and a conventional safe can provide increased fire protection. Zanotti safes do not employ a separate layer of sheet-rock or ceramic fire lining. The Zanotti is a special product for gun-owners with special needs. The units are well-made and Zanotti offers many nice custom interior features that you won’t find even on much more expensive conventional safes.
To learn more about gunsafe features and fire-proofing, read our Gunsafe Buyers’ Guide.
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October 11th, 2007
One of our favorite forms of competition is varmint silhouette at 400 to 600 yards. It’s difficult to see hits on paper at these distances, so we like to use a reactive target during practice sessions. Gongs are good but they’re a bit oversized for this kind of work. A smaller-sized, self-resetting “popper” target is ideal. LV Steel Targets LLC. offers a full range high-quality, durable, and reasonably-priced steel targets, including the spring-loaded “poppers” we prefer. Designed for hard use from centerfire rifles, LV Steel’s targets are made from rugged 3/8″ or 1/2″ thick Armorcoat 500 steel plate. Spring tension is adjustable and the targets break down for storage and transport. With a fresh coat of white or orange paint, you can see your hits several hundred yards away.
LV Steel’s owner, Kurt Stone, tells us: “We have shot thousands of rounds at our targets and never had one break. They have been tested with .300 Win Mags at 200 yards and did fine.” In 3/8″ thickness, Target #1 is $165.00, #2 is $155.00, #3 is $145.00, and #4 is $220 (shipping extra). Our friend DesertFrog reports: “I’ve had a #2 target for the last 4 months and it has become the only target I take with me in the desert. On my 6.5×20 I could easily see the hits up to 747 yards. It’s easy to take with you and install. A definite MUST if you go shooting outside a range. The quality is awesome.”
LV Steel Targets also offers swinger targets (photo below) and stationary targets on steel posts. You can preview all the targets at LVSteeltargets.com. If you have questions, or need a custom target design, contact Kurt Stone, (702) 258-7597 or info [at] lvsteeltargets.com.
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October 11th, 2007
 The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is running a “Step Outside” sweepstakes to promote outdoor actitivities, rewarding those who act as “mentors” for new hunters, shooters, and anglers. Five $1,000 gift certificates to Bass Pro Shops will be awarded. The NSSF notes that “Research shows that 48 million men and women would accept an invitation to go shooting if invited. The mission of ‘Step Outside’ is to increase participation in and support of shooting, hunting, fishing and archery. To accomplish this goal, ‘Step Outside’ encourages individual outdoor enthusiasts to mentor newcomers by inviting them to participate in these traditional outdoor activities.”
To enter the “Step Outside” sweepstakes, you must have participated as a mentor in at least one “Step Outside” activity — shooting sports, hunting, archery and fishing — between April 30, 2006 and December 15, 2007. You also need to go to the NSSF Website and fill out an online questionaire describing your mentoring activities. Winners will be selected at a random drawing on January 4, 2008.
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October 10th, 2007
Past NBRSA 1000-yard Champion Jerry Tierney has been experimenting with a “super-sized” mirage shield. Like other shooters, Jerry noticed that mirage produced by barrel heat was creating optical distortions, causing groups to open up on the target. He had fitted a conventional, narrow, venetian-blind style mirage band to his barrel using velcro fasteners. This had the expected beneficial effect, until Jerry’s round count rose to the point that the barrel heat was overcoming the narrow band’s shielding effect.
Jerry figured “if a narrow band is good, maybe a wide mirage band is even better”. Jerry experimented with materials and sizes, eventually settling on a 4-inch wide section of cardboard running from the scope foreward. He wrapped the cardboard with plastic strapping tape to add stiffness, and then, during his experiments, zip-tied the cardboard to the barrel. The venetian blind band was then placed on top of the cardboard. This gives him a two-tier mirage shield.
To Jerry’s surprise, with the jumbo mirage shield in place, the barrel remained accurate for a much longer round count. Jerry told us: “I thought the barrel was ‘going off’ as it heated up. But what I found, by using the big shield, was that the barrel stayed accurate even when it was hot. The barrel actually continued to shoot very well when hot–once I started using the bigger mirage shield. Mirage was causing the accuracy problems. With the big shield in place, I can put more rounds through the tube without seeing negative effects on the target. I concluded that this gun can shoot well with a hot barrel, so long as I kept the mirage under control. I know the cardboard shield looks funky, but it works. I can shoot longer strings without losing accuracy.”
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October 10th, 2007
 Now celebrating its 100th year in business, optics-maker Leupold & Stevens has introduced some interesting new products in 2007, including new Silhouette scopes and new varmint reticles. Many of these new Leupold offerings will be covered on this week’s edition of Guns & Ammo TV, broadcast Wednesday night on the Outdoor Channel. Next week’s show (Episode 3), will feature “tactical” bolt-action rifles. These will be put through their paces both at the range and on the field. Showtimes for Guns & Ammo TV are 5:30pm and 9:30pm Eastern Time every Wednesday night. Check your local listings for other regions.
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October 9th, 2007
Thompson/Center (a subsidiary of Smith & Wesson) has commenced shipping ICON rifles, the company’s first bolt-action centerfire product. The ICON incorporates several innovative features including a metal bedding block, three-lug (60° lift) bolt with interchangeable bolt handle, and a 24″ barrel with 5R rifling and 60° chamfered crown. The first models of the ICON are chambered in .22-250, .243, .308 and the new .30 TC (Thompson/Center) cartridge. Rifles are delivered with a classic-style American walnut stock with 20 lines-to-the-inch cut checkering and a 3-round, single-stack detachable magazine.
The ICON rifles are distinctive for the use of a metal Interlock™ bedding system which mates with three integral recoil lugs on the bottom of the action. ICON actions are CNC-machined from solid bar stock and finished with with integral Weaver-style rails. Triggers are externally-adjustable for pull weight, sear engagement, and overtravel. Pre-set from the factory at about 3 lbs., T/C spokesmen tell us the triggers can go down to about 2 pounds. The nice three-lug bolt features a polished steel cocking indicator, “T-Slot” style extractor, and a bolt lock that integrates with the two-position safety. The bolt can be easily disassembled in the field using a supplied tool.
Noted tactical gunsmith George Gardner of GA Precision has worked with T/C on the development of the ICON action, and he thinks the new three-lug action will work very well in tactical style rifles once a larger 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine (DBM) is developed.
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October 9th, 2007
 We chatted with Wade Hull of Shilen Rifles recently. Wade mentioned “you know we’ve brought out a line of ‘drop-in’ (pre-threaded and chambered) AR-15 barrels in a variety of calibers.” This is great news for high-power, service rifle, and varmint rifle shooters. The pre-fit barrels come in two contours (service rifle or heavy varmint), and a choice of four chamberings: 17 Rem, .204 Ruger, .223 Rem Match, and .223 Wylde. (The .223 Wylde is a long-throat .223 Rem for the VLD bullets).
Wade told us: “Using our pre-threaded blanks each barrel is assigned a bolt assembly and then chambered to the correct headspace for THAT bolt. Gas-block shanks are machined to +- .001 for proper fit. Each barrel is uniquely numbered to match with its corresponding numbered bolt and the barrel extension is installed. (Gas block and gas tube not included.) Customers can provide their bolt assembly for a discount or request that multiple barrels be head-spaced to one bolt assembly.” Drop-in AR-15 Barrels cost $458. Shilen also offers barrel blanks, and AR15 barrels that are pre-threaded but need to be headspaced by a smith.
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October 8th, 2007
The CMP webzine, The First Shot, currently features an excellent article for any rifleman (hunter or competitor) who employs the standing position. Authored by USAMU Team member Sgt. Brandon Green, the story covers rifle hold, body positioning, and trigger control. Sgt. Green writes: “We’ve all been there—on the two hundred yard line and in our three-minute prep period. As you stand there looking through your sights, you just can’t seem to make them stay in the center of your target or even close for that matter. You know that your three minutes are running out quickly, so what are you going to do? This is the time when a lot of shooters start to come unraveled….We all know how to stand up, but it’s the standing still part that gives us trouble most of the time.”
Sgt. Green continues: “We will start our position rebuild at the feet. You normally want your feet about shoulder width apart and perpendicular to the target. Some shooters like to keep their weight evenly distributed between the heels and balls of their feet, but this may not be the best position for you. I normally try to find a place on the firing line where my toes are just slightly higher than my heels, maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 inch higher. With my toes slightly higher, I feel a little more of the pressure on the balls of my feet. This usually helps me eliminate some of the back and forth movement in my position by inducing a little tension in my calf muscles.
At this point I will check for excess tension in other parts of my legs. I notice that excess tension in my upper legs can also cause me to sway back and forth more than usual. By rotating each foot in or out, I can usually find a position that will eliminate this excess tension and help my legs feel more relaxed. I then check the tension in my knees. I don’t shoot with my knees locked, but they aren’t exactly bent either. I find where they are comfortable and stick with it. Now that my legs are at a good starting point, I move up to my hips and waist. I normally shoot with my hips perpendicular to the target and twist at the waist slightly. This is more of an international style rifle position than a traditional highpower position, but it is very comfortable and relaxed for me. With my waist only slightly twisted, I can rest my forward arm almost directly on my hip bone instead of bringing it around and resting it on my ribs.” [Continued…].
READ COMPLETE ARTICLE.
Photos and text ©2007 CMP and USAMU, used by permission.
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October 8th, 2007
 The Western CMP Games, hosted at the Ben Avery range in Phoenix, Arizona, begin with a clinic on Saturday, 20 October, followed by two days of Garand, Springfield and Vintage Military Rifle Matches and conclude with an “as-issued” M1 Garand EIC Match on 23 October.
The Creedmoor Cup Matches begin on Wednesday, 24 October, with an advanced clinic. The Creedmoor Cup Matches include a Practice Match, an EIC Match, the 80-shot Creedmoor Cup Match and a team match. Both events feature special hospitality events and prize awards. To download the Match Program for the Western CMP Games-Creedmoor Cup Matches: CLICK HERE.
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