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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 On Wall Street, optimism about Ruger’s future has been replaced by pessimism.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.”
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)
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.
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.
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.”
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.
November 12th, 2007
We’ve looked through many different types of spotting scopes. Initially we thought angled was the only way to go. This lets a shooter mount the spotting scope at his side and easily glance through the lens with the scope body rotated 90°. However, at matches where you spot for a partner, the straight scopes seem to work better. You don’t have to bend your neck down or remove your hat and your “free” eye can scan downrange for wind changes. When spotting for your partner (while seated or standing), a tripod-mounted straight scope was definitely the most “user-friendly” set-up.
Straight (in-line) Spotting Scope
Danny Reever, author of our Spotting Scope Review, tell us: “Straight vs. angled? Man, that’s a tough call! Having used both personally for over a year I’d have to say this: I feel the straight gives you a clearer, sharper image. One less mirror to contend with. If you have a dealer that can give you a side-by-side look at a couple of hundred yards the difference is apparent. That’s one reason Chip Allen chose the straight Zeiss over the angled. On the other hand the angled gives you more options in the way of setup which can be a bonus between cramped benches, when you’re spotting for yourself. I don’t shoot prone, but I think the angled would be the way to go for a solo prone shooter, again more setup options. Another benefit of the angled is that you can keep the tripod lower, a plus on a windy day. The 100MM scopes like the Pentax and Optolyth do not offer an angled body option–maybe there are some engineering issues, or perhaps that’s just to control costs.”
Angled Spotting Scope
November 11th, 2007
This falls in the “industry rumor” category, but we have it on good authority that Alliant Powder plans to introduce a new powder in the Reloader Series early next year, Reloder 17. That’s right, Seventeen. This powder should work well with many of the high-accuracy cartridges used in competition.
 As expected from its product title, the new propellant will be a mid-range, high-energy powder that is a bit slower than Varget or Reloder 15, but slightly faster than H4350 or Reloder 19. The new Reloder 17 could be ideal for the new mid-size match cartridges such as the 6-6.5×47, 6XC, 6.5×47, and 6.5 Creedmoor. (FYI, Hornady plans to load the 6.5 Creedmoor with H4350.) We expect the new powder to be a double-base formulation for high velocities.
Reloader 15 is currently very, very similar to Norma 203B, produced by Dynamit Nobel in Europe. If Alliant is getting the new Reloder 17 from the same source, we predict RL17 may be similar to the new Norma URP (Universal Rifle Powder) released earlier this year in the USA. We have tested URP in a 6-6.5×47, and it is indeed slightly faster than Reloder 19, performing similarly to fast lots of H4350. Price at $19.00 per pound, Norma URP can be ordered through Powder Valley, (800) 227-4299.
Illustration is an “artist’s concept”. Actual packaging may differ.
November 11th, 2007
This Sunday, Veterans Day, we honor the veterans, living and dead, who have given so much to protect our country. Formerly known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day (November 11) is celibrated on the same day as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world. (On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, World War I formally came to an end with the German signing of the Armistice.) This is a day we honor all those who have served in the military, from 1776 to the present, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
“They fought together as brothers-in-arms
They died together and now they sleep side by side
To them we have a solemn obligation.”
— Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Joseph Ambrose, a World War I veteran, attends the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982, holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, who had been killed in the Korean War. Ambrose, now deceased, was 86 years old in 1982 when this photo was taken. There are now just three surviving American WWI Veterans. Related STORY.
November 11th, 2007
The Ace Skeleton stock for AR15s is a quality product that is popular with 3-Gun and USPSA competitors. MidwayUSA has the stock on sale for $69.99 now through the end of November. That’s a $15.00 savings off normal pricing. The sturdy, light-weight ACE stock offers three (3) sling positions: right and left behind the receiver and at the toe of the butt. The closed-cell foam overtube provides a comfortable cheek weld and insulates the shooter’s face from temperature extremes. Midway purchaser J. McDaniel reports: “Excellent product–the foam tube gives a comfy cheek weld and the multiple sling stud attachment points come in handy when using a 3-point sling. The foam doesn’t hold up very well to rough handling, but replacements are very inexpensive.”
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