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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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
October 7th, 2007
A detailed, 13-page event calendar covering all NRA shooting disciplines is available free from the NRA. This includes all sanctioned NRA matches from October 2007 through December 2008. The “Coming Events” document covers High Power Rifle, Silhouette Rifle, Black-Powder Cartridge Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Air Rifle, plus a wide variety of pistol disciplines. This handy resource provides match dates, locations, and contact information well into 2008. You’ll find all the major national events, plus state championships and most regional competitions.
CLICK HERE to download the 13-page (1.5 megabyte) Adobe Acrobat file. You can also find updated info on NRA-sanctioned matches at the Shooting Sports USA website.
October 7th, 2007
Natchez Shooters Supply, is now offering a wide selection of quality Zeiss Conquest scopes at deeply discounted prices. The Zeiss Conquest 6-20×50 scope is one of our favorite 1″-diameter optics for target shooting and varminting. Natchez is now selling the 6.5-20 Conquest with lower (hunting) turrets at $669.99. That’s a great deal–over $200.00 less than most retailers charge. Zeiss Conquests have clear, sharp optics and very positive windage and elevation adjustments. Contact Natchez soon — availability of discounted scopes is limited.
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