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November 18th, 2007
You’ll get a kick out of this varminting sampler video from Velocity Films, producers of the popular “Dog Be Gone” videos. Titled the “Prairie Dog Olympics”, this 5-minute video showcases spectacular acrobatics by Prairie Dogs hit by high-velocity varmint rounds. Watch for the “judges” scores after each sequence. Beyond the somewhat hokey humor, you’ll see some pretty good shooting (and excellent camera-work) in this sample, produced on hunts in the varmint fields of the American West.
CLICK HERE to WATCH VIDEO
 The latest video from Velocity Films is “Dog Be Gone and Beyond (Volume 2)”. It features footage from multiple locations, while hunting Ground Squirrels, Rock Chucks, and Prairie Dogs. The video includes field tests of the .17 HMR & .204 Ruger, handgun hunting, plus reviews of the latest varmint hunting gear. This video is offered on DVD only for $17.95. The original “Dog Be Gone (Volume 1)” video is offered on VHS tape for $7.95 or DVD for $14.95. CLICK HERE to order online, or call 800-272-3000 to order by phone from Midsouth Shooters Supply.
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November 18th, 2007
Without question, Germany’s RWS produces some of the finest cartridge brass in the world. RWS cases are drawn in three stages, and after each draw they are annealed, pickled, rinsed and subjected to further quality improvement measures. This achieves specific hardening of the brass cases and increases their resistance to high pressures. Every lot is pressure-tested before release. Excellence doesn’t come cheap however–RWS brass is among the most expensive you can buy. Right now though, Natchez Shooters Supplies is offering big savings on RWS brass. Most calibers are discounted at least 30%. Here are some examples (prices for 20-case box):
RWS 6.5×68, RW2144697, $21.10/20 (reg. $30.01)
RWS .280 Rem, RW2144514, $22.22/20 (reg. $31.59)
RWS 7×57, RW2144484, $17.10/20 (reg. $24.31)
RWS 7mm Rem Mag, RW2144875, $22.22/20 (reg. $31.59)
RWS 30-06, RW2144433, $21.66/20 (reg. $30.79)
RWS 300 Win Mag, RW2144778, $20.52/20 (reg. $29.18)
RWS 375 H&H Mag, RW2145162, $19.38 (reg. $27.57)
Many of the top 1000-yard shooters use RWS brass for their big 30-caliber rifles, starting with a cartridge such as the 8×68, or 375 H&H magnum. Legendary long-range shooter Dave Tooley reports: “As far as brass goes, for my 30 BooBoo, I use the RWS 8×68 brass. Quality is as good as it gets, and it lasts forever.” RWS also offers premium brass for many of the big game and hunting calibers such as the 380 Blaser, 7mm Rem Mag, and 8×57.
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November 17th, 2007
 In the current edition of The First Shot (the CMP’s Online Magazine), Sgt. Walter E. Craig of the USAMU discusses physical conditioning for competitive shooters, particularly Highpower competitors. In the article, Craig advocates: 1) weight training to strengthen the Skeletal Muscle System; 2) exercises to build endurance and stamina; and 3) cardiovascular conditioning programs to allow the shooter to remain relaxed with a controlled heart beat. Sgt. Craig explains: “An individual would not enter a long distance race without first spending many hours conditioning his/her body. One should apply the same conditioning philosophy to the sport of shooting. Physical conditioning to improve shooting skills will result in better shooting performance…. The objective of an individual physical training program is to condition the muscles, heart, and lungs thereby increasing the shooter’s capability of controlling the body and rifle for sustained periods without experiencing fatigue.”
CLICK HERE to READ FULL ARTICLE
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November 16th, 2007
Gunsmith Mike Sosenko and long-time 6mmBR.com supporter John Adams have been using a modified .243 Winchester case with great success in California Varmint Silhouette matches. Officially called the “243 BR-K” (and informally dubbed the “6BR Long”), the wildcat is basically a .243 Winchester with less body taper and a 30-degree shoulder. The design essentially grafts a 6mmBR Norma “top end” to the .243 Winchester case. After fire-forming, Mike and John can reload this case using normal, unmodified 6BR neck-sizing and seater dies.
Compared to a .243 Winchester, the 243 BR-K’s body length is about .006″ longer, and the shoulder is about .0055″ wider. The main difference is the shoulder angle (30° vs. 20°), and the location of the neck-shoulder junction (“NSJ”). Based on reamer prints, the base to NSJ dimension is 1.718″ on the 6BR Long, compared to 1.804″ for the .243 Winchester. Neck length is a bit shorter because “the neck shrinks a little when the shoulder blows out” according to Sosenko. We’ve provided a mock-up diagram of the 243 BR-K, but you should check with Dave Kiff of Pacific Tool & Gauge for exact dimensions. Dave created the reamers for both the 6mm and 22-caliber versions of this wildcat. Ask for the “22 BR-K” or “243 BR-K” reamer designs.
Wicked Velocity with Stable Brass
The main advantage of the 243 BR-K is serious velocity in a case that is very stable. Mike’s favorite load is the 95gr Berger VLD pushed by Reloader 22. With a stout load of RL22 and Federal 210m Primers, Sosenko is getting 3450 fps with the 95-grainer, with no bullet blow-ups. This is with a 1:8.5″ twist Broughton 5R barrel finished at 28.5″. The cases are holding up very well. Mike has a half-dozen loads on his brass and he hasn’t had to full-length size yet. Mike runs a .262″ tight neck, but there is also a no-turn version of the case (see illustration). Accuracy is excellent. Mike says the round delivers repeatable 1/4 MOA groups at 100 yards in testing. He has also experimented with N160, but, thus far, Reloader 22 has delivered smaller groups with better ES and SD.
VIEW 243 BR-K REAMER PRINT (No-Turn Neck)
John Adams shoots a no-turn (.274″) neck 243 BR-K with 105gr Berger VLDs. He’s getting about 3230 fps using Reloader 22. John says he can push the 105s faster, but 3220-3240 fps “seems to be the sweet spot.” John notes that “after about 5 reloadings on a case, it gets a little tight”. John then full-length sizes with a custom Hornady FL bushing die. “The Hornady custom shop dies work great” according to John. Adams also shoots a version of this wildcat necked down to 22-caliber. It has demonstrated outstanding velocity and good accuracy in initial testing with a 9-twist barrel. Using the 80gr Amax bullets, John is getting 3570+ fps speeds. John feels that his 22 BR-K needs some more development work. “The 243 BR-K is proven. We know what works. With the 22 I want to try different seating depths, experiment with a few different bullets, and fine-tune the velocity.”
243 BR-K in Competition
John Adams and Mike Sosenko developed the 243 BR-K Wildcat for use in monthly varmint silhouette matches at the Pala range in Southern California. Shooting prone with front rest (as in F-Class), participants engage metal targets at multiple distances out to 600 yards. It can get very windy at Pala, so you need a cartridge with great inherent accuracy, plus good wind-bucking ability. With its capacity to drive the .514 BC Berger 95s at 3450 fps, the 243 BR-K has what it takes to win at Pala. Shooting his 243 BR-K wildcat, Mike Sosenko has won many relays at Pala, and he is the only shooter to have shot a perfect 50 score, knocking down every target. Interestingly though, John tells us that “Mike’s five best scores this year, including his perfect 50, were shot using my guns with no-turn necks.”
How good are the ballistics for the 243 BR-K? Consider this… launched at 3450 fps, the 95 Bergers drift just 18.57″ in a 10 mph crosswind at 600 yards. By contrast, a 105gr Scenar shot from a standard 6BR at 2900 fps will drift 22.95″ at the same distance. The 243 BR-K exhibits nearly 20% LESS DRIFT at 600 yards–clearly enough to make the difference between a hit and a miss. (Ballistics calculated with Point Blank software for 70° temp, 1000 feet elevation, using manufacturers’ BCs.)
Click HERE for GIANT SIZE Range Photo.
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November 15th, 2007
As we predicted some months ago in the Daily Bulletin, Remington Arms has released an AR-15 platform rifle. The new gun, called the R-15 VTR™ Modular Repeating Rifle, is based on Bushmaster parts and engineering. Remington Arms and Bushmaster Firearms are both owned by parent Cerberus, a large holding company. We felt it was only a matter of time before Bushmasters were rebranded with the Remington name. Well that time has come.
The new R-15 VTR™ is available in two calibers, .223 Rem and .204 Ruger. Three models will be offered, all flat-tops. There is a 22″-barrel rifle, plus two shorter-barreled carbines, one with collapsible stock. It appears that the carbines have 18″ barrels, but specs won’t be released until December 1st. Perhaps to avoid the “politically incorrect” black rifle image, all three models come draped in Advantage MAX-1 HD camouflage. From a technical standpoint, the R-15 VTR™ is hardly innovative, though these “RemMaster” AR-clones feature a new trigger assembly engineered by Remington. Remington’s R-15s ship with a 5-round magazine, but all AR15 mags, including 20- and 30-rounders, will fit the new rifles. MSRP is $999 for the 22″ R-15, and we expect the first units to ship before the end of January.
CLICK HERE for LARGE PHOTO
CLICK HERE for Remington’s R-15 VTR™ SNEAK PREVIEW
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November 15th, 2007
We’ve used this Lyman gauge, and believe that it is the best product of its kind on the market currently. It is accurate and repeatable, and easy to use (with a bit of practice). Using modern electronic strain gauge technology, the Lyman tool measures pull weights from 0 to 12 pounds, with accuracy of ± 0.10 ounces (one-tenth of an ounce.). The battery-powered gauge is equipped with a large, easy-to-read LCD display and is push-button operated for zero, clear, and averaging functions. We’ve tested this gauge back to back with conventional coil spring trigger scales made by other manufacturers. The Lyman electronic gauge is faster, and in our opinion, significantly more repeatable. Some of the metal spring gauges tend to “stick” in a position, which requires multiple attempts to avoid a reading that is slightly high or low. The Lyman is more fool-proof to operate by contrast.
Now through the end of November, MidwayUSA has the Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge on sale for $41.99, item 220725, Lyman product #7832248. This includes a vinyl storage case, but you have to purchase the required 9-volt battery separately.
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November 15th, 2007
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) was presented with the “Firearms Manufacturer of the Year” award by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers. This award, presented at the Association’s Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada on November 7, recognizes Ruger’s efforts to provide innovative products, quality customer service, and profitability for distributors of Ruger products. In presenting the award, Mike Brown, Chairman of the NASGW Board of Directors, praised Ruger for its business ethics and “promoting an American-made culture in our market.”
Ruger’s Wall Street Woes
This is a welcome achievement for Ruger which otherwise has stumbled recently. In recent weeks, Ruger’s stock price has been soundly hammered, with the company losing over half of its book value. On Wall Street, optimism about Ruger’s future has been replaced by pessimism. We understand why…
In one firearms product area after another, Ruger has “missed the boat” giving up market share to competitors. Unlike Savage Arms, Ruger has done nothing noteworthy to supply the growing market for precision target and varmint rifles. In the thriving cowboy action market, Ruger is still the dominant pistol maker, but it failed to develop lever actions and suitable shotguns, giving up the lever action market to Uberti and Marlin, and the cowboy shotgun market to Stoeger, a Beretta company. Ruger failed to recognize the popularity of AR-platform rifles and has nothing to offer in that segment, despite the fact that ARs and AR accessories are “driving the rifle market” at present. Ruger recently launched a new 9mm pistol, the SR9, but it may be a case of “too little, too late”, in its effort to compete with Glock and Smith & Wesson. S&W’s new M&P pistols have been very successful, winning major law enforcement contracts.
 Hopefully, Ruger’s executives have “seen the writing on the wall” and the company will listen to shooters, enhance the quality and durability of its products, and roll out improved rifles and shotguns that better match the current preferences of hunters, target shooters, and shotgunners. Thankfully, at least not ALL Ruger execs have their heads in the sand: Chris Killoy, VP of Sales and Marketing for Ruger, states: “There are many changes taking place at Ruger — changes that will allow us to do business more efficiently and will benefit the many independent distributors that help bring our products to market. These changes reflect the desires and needs of our customers.”
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November 14th, 2007
The question is often asked “what’s the best cartridge for 1000-yard Benchrest”. This immediately stirs a debate between fans of the “Big Thirties”, 6.5mm and 7mm advocates, and a few staunch 6mm defenders. In truth, a wide variety of cartridges, from the 6mmBR all the way up to .338 Lapua magnum, can do well at 1000 yards. However, there is clear statistical evidence that magnum-class 30s are still the top dogs in the 1000-yard game.
 Steve Shelp, who shoots with the Hawks Ridge Gun Club in North Carolina, has amassed statistics from years 2000 through 2006, recording all the calibers and chamberings used in the matches of the North Carolina 1000-yard Shooters Association. The data is further sorted by Light Gun (LG) and Heavy Gun (HG) classes. Steve has even been able to filter the data to include Relay Winners and Shootoff Participants. Steve has also created tables that show the Top 30 Groups and Scores in both LG and HG classes.
Below is a table showing the Top 15 Chamberings among shootoff participants, for combined LG and HG Classes from 2000-2006. We have totaled the Big 30s in this group of 15, and the large 30 Calibers (red dots) represent 66% of the total. There are 2064 entries in this set of Top 15, and 1355 are 30 Calibers.
The next chart includes ALL LG and HG Relay Winners from years 2000-2006. Steve has sorted the data by bore diameter. The two dominant calibers among Relay Winners are: 30 Caliber (.308) at 60%, and 6.5mm (.264) at 27%. Presumably most of the 6.5mms are 6.5-284s, but there are some larger 6.5mm wildcats as well. NOTE: When you look at Light Gun Relay Winners only, the percentage of 6.5mms rises while the percentage of 30 Cals falls. Overall however, the big bore 30-Caliber rifles are still “King of the Hill” in 1000-yard competition.
Steve Shelp’s data is contained in three Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Click the links below to download the collected 2000-2006 data.
Top 30 IBS Scores and Groups
1000yd Chambering Statistics (LG, HG, and combined)
1000yd Participants by Bore Size (Includes Relay Winners)
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November 14th, 2007
 Our friend Boyd Allen recently tested the new Carb-Out™ product from SharpShoot-R Precision Products on a rifle that had stubborn carbon fouling. Boyd had previously applied conventional solvents which did a good job of removing copper and conventional powder fouling. However, when examining the barrel with a borescope, Boyd saw heavy “burned-in” deposits of carbon. In this situation, Boyd observed, scrubbing with an abrasive such as Iosso or JB would normally be required. But Boyd had recently received a sample of Carb-Out™ from Terry Paul, owner of SharpShoot-R. Boyd decided to give it a try: “After working with a nylon brush and patches, getting all that I could out, I was able to see heavy carbon next to the lands, extending forward. This I removed by wetting the bore with the nylon brush, letting it soak for 20 minutes, and brushing with a bronze brush. I did this twice. Previously I would have expected to have done a lot of strokes with an abrasive to get the same result, since this was a worst case situation. Being able to to remove hard carbon without the use of abrasives is a ‘great leap forward’ to steal a phrase”.
Using this regimen, Boyd was able to remove the stubborn carbon. “Carb-Out™ really works”, Boyd told us. “This was that baked-on black stuff that normal solvents won’t touch. After a good soak, the Carb-Out™ on a wet brush knocked it out.” Boyd observed, “Others may differ, but after using this stuff, I think abrasives may be a thing of the past.” Boyd also observed that a very prominent Hall of Fame Benchrest shooter recently retired his Iosso Paste and bought a carton of Carb-Out (which he uses with a brush): “If this guy, who has been at the top of the BR heap for years, believes in the stuff… that’s significant.”
While Boyd used Carb-Out™ with a bronze brush, Terry Paul says the product is designed to work well without brushing. For the typical type of carbon fouling seen in barrels, Terry says: “You simply put it on a patch or a mop and swab it thru the barrel. Carb-Out also leaves behind a protective coating that prevents future carbon adherance. This coating is less than 100th of a micron in thickness, so it will not affect first shot accuracy.” For more info, visit SharpShootR.com, or call (785) 883-4444.
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November 13th, 2007
Here’s a new stocking option for Savage rifle owners. Sharp Shooter Supply’s new laminated “Dog Tracker” stock was specifically designed for long range benchrest and F-class shooting. It resembles a Tooley MBR, but features a special offset, low-profile fore-end. This design has a 3/4″ offset forearm to counteract the torque from fast twist barrels. The fore-end is 3″ wide, and the underside has been “railroaded” for less drag and better tracking on the bag. (This means the center is hollowed out leaving a tracking “rail” on either side). There is a 1/2″ flat on the toe of the buttstock to aid stability and tracking. A 1/2″ Pachmayr recoil pad is standard.
The stock costs $299.00, fully inletted, with pillars installed. It is available in a wide choice of Rutland Laminate colors, finish sanded (400 grit), and ready to apply a finish. For more information on stock features and color options, visit the SharpShooter Supply Stocks Page.
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November 13th, 2007
There was a lot of interest in Jeff Rogers’ Heavy Gun, featured in yesterday’s Daily Bulletin. Jeff is a race-car mechanic and engine builder in Australia, and you’ll find many innovative mechanical features on this rifle.
1. Drop Port for Magnum Case
Jeff reports: “The action is home-made. My shooting buddy Tony Z was the magician here–without his extensive machining experience, the action would still be on the drawing board. As you can see it is a Right Bolt, Left (loading) Port design. What makes it unique is the big gravity port, perhaps the only Drop Port ever made for a case of this size. The port will work will cases up to 2.850″ in length, with a .550″ max rim diameter.” The action is constructed from Swedish 709m chrome-moly steel measuring 2.00″ diameter x 10″ in length. It has roller-assist extraction to help with the high pressure loads Jeff runs. The action is both conventionally bedded and glued into the stock.
2. Removeable Aluminum Side Pods
The two alloy “side pods” were milled from 6061 T6 billet. Given airline weight limit of 32 kg per piece, Jeff made the pods modular (they are through-bolted), so the gun can be air-transported in two sections. Concerning the dual side-pod design, Jeff observed: “[This] is unconventional… but I wanted was something that was true [when bolted together]. Milling the thing up on every surface insured this and the pods are installed with dail indicators on assembly.”
3. Tension Barrel System
The Broughton barrel sits inside a threaded barrel sleeve that holds the barrel in tension. Tensioned barrels have been used on Heavy Guns before, but few have been as successful in competition as Jeff’s rig. Jeff tells us: “The 30-cal barrel is a 1.500″-diameter, 1:13 twist, 32″ Broughton. It is straight for 6″ then tapers to 1.250″ at 32″. The tension tube is 6061 T6 alloy 2.0″ outside diameter with a .187″ wall thickness. At the chamber end, a 431 stainless adaptor is fitted to the barrel, about 1.5″ long, stepped to a slip fit inside the tube for another 1.5 inches. This allows the main heat area of the chamber to sink into the tube. The tension tube is all jointed with a CAT high-temp anti-seize. On the muzzle end is a left hand 1.250x16tpi thread to take the tension nut. We have tried various tensions and found torque settings do not matter to the groups as long as the nut does not come loose. Because I can really rattle down those 10-shot groups with the Drop Port action, remember that the barrel grows in length before it gets a chance to transfer heat to the outer tube. If you shot the gun at pedestrian pace, then only 50 ft/lbs of tension is needed.”
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November 12th, 2007
Here’s a video of Forum member Jeff Rogers (“aJR”) shooting a 1000-yard match in Brisbane, Australia. Jeff designed and built this sophisticated Heavy Gun himself. Chambered for the big wildcat “.300 Redneck”, the metal/composite-stocked rifle features a Broughton barrel (in a tension barrel sleeve), Nightforce scope, and custom action all assembled in Townsville, QLD. The action is a one-off custom, RB/LP, with a Drop Port made for up to a 2.850″ long, .550″ wide magnum case. That’s right, this is a Magnum Drop Port! At 500m, the gun set new records and won many matches. At 600 yards, it set records for best 6-match Aggregate, Smallest Group, and High Score. At 1000 yards it’s been just as good, setting new Australian 6-match Group Aggregate, Small Group, and High Score records.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO
Below is a photo of Jeff’s big rig. As you can see it has large, metal side flanks on either side of the barrel, and the underside of the buttstock is ultra-wide. The black, rear section of the stock is made from marine plywood sandwiched with layers of 1/4″ sheet aluminum. The “double-decker” cartridge caddy in the foreground is Jeff’s own invention.
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