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January 24th, 2008
Forum member Dan W. (1bamashooter) has a sweet-shooting 22LR that proves just how accurate a 40X-based rifle with an original barrel can be, when fitted in a modern BR stock. Dan notes: “This is a Remington 40X with factory heavy barrel, Hoehn tuner, and 2 oz. Jewell BR trigger. It now has a Weaver 36x scope on it. I bought the rifle and stock from Ron Lewis, an active rimfire BR shooter who has introduced me to the world of rimfire benchrest. Smith Mark Stillwell did the work on the rifle.”
The action is fitted to a handsome 2-lb. Shehane Baby Tracker in black/white Obeche wood laminate. Obeche (pronounced OH-BEE-CHEE) is lighter that most laminates, and we think it exhibits excellent vibration-damping. Experts agree that vibration control is a key factor in rimfire accuracy. The Shehane Baby Tracker is obviously working well for Dan. Shown below is a TEN-shot group at 50 yards with another five-shot group in the upper right. Pretty impressive.
Gunsmith Mark Stillwell told us: “Ron’s match gun started life as a CMP 40X. I slugged the barrel to find the tight spot. At that measured length the barrel was cut-off and re-crowned, followed by fitting and pillar-bedding the Shehane stock. After final grain-fill on the stock, followed by hand polishing, the Duce looked great. It’s now a bag-riding machine. As you see from the target samples, the little fellow tends to shoot ‘em where you point it. We’ve invited several custom gunsmiths and action-makers to test Ron’s 40X. All were pleasantly surprised….”
Bill Shehane, designer and builder of the Shehane Tracker stocks, notes that “Trackers aren’t just for centerfire rifles. We can inlet for most of the rimfire precision actions including 40X, CZ, Hall, Turbo, and UltraLight Arms (ULA). The stock in the photo is a Black and White Checkerboard Obeche. This pattern, along with Red and Black Checkerboard Obeche, are available on a special order basis — it takes about four weeks for delivery on the Checkerboards. Other Obeche patterns, that I keep in inventory, are French Walnut, Patriot, Indian Blanket, and Indian Paint. The Baby Tracker in Obeche, inletted, weighs just under two pounds.”
For rimfire sporter shooters, Bill noted that he has an even lighter-weight sporter stock based on a modified Baby Tracker. It weighs about 1.5 pounds inletted. That’s light enough that “you can definitely make the 7.5-lb weight limit with a 6X scope”, according to Bill. The sporter stock (shown above) has a narrower fore-end with a slight radius on the underside so it complies with all ARA, IR 50/50 and RBA sporter-class rules. It is available with either a swept-back grip like the Baby Tracker or a more conventional drop pistol grip. Bill inlets his rimfire sporter Obeche stock for the three favored sporter-class rimfire actions: Hall Aluminum (with magazine), ULA Sporter, and the Anschutz 5418. Shehane Obeche Rimfire Sporter stocks retail for $495. Obeche Baby Trackers are the same price.
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January 24th, 2008
We found this cleaning pad (item AX8A-85517) in the latest Sportsman’s Guide catalog. This will help to protect the finish of your firearms while you’re working at your bench. The 16″x54″ Rifle Cleaning Pad uses a unique Zorb-Tech® fabric to absorb oils and solvents. Waterproof backing prevents chemicals from soaking through to your bench-top. The fabric has a soft, felt-like nap that is gentle on your gun’s finish and won’t scratch precision metal parts.
Made in the USA, these stain-resistant pads can be machine washed and dried. Priced at just $11.97, this pad is a useful addition to any loading bench. (NOTE: The same pad, with blue fabric and white NRA logo, is sold by the NRA Store for $12.50). Sportsman’s Guide also offers a 16″x20″ Handgun Cleaning Pad, item AX8A-85517, for $6.97.
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January 23rd, 2008
Forum member Eric Springman has created a nice product for long-range benchrest shooters. He crafts solid-aluminum “Record String” shell blocks for 600- and 1000-yard shooting. These have a wide, stable base, and the top section is angled for easy access. The blocks hold up to 10 record-string rounds and up to 10 sighters, using 10 holes in the base and 10 more in the upper section. The shell blocks are offered with two hole sizes: “Standard” for 6mmBR up to 280 Ackley size cases, and “Magnum” for WSM through 300 WBY/300 Ultra cases. Eric’s shell blocks are CNC-machined and feature a nice brushed finish. The top sections are securely bolted to the base. Price is $65.00 delivered to the 48 states.
To order, or if you have any questions, contact Eric at:
springmanrifles [at] hotmail.com
Springman Rifles
2260 Pike Peak Rd.
Allenwood, PA 17810
Phone: (570) 547-1905
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January 23rd, 2008
 Sgt. 1st Class Grant L. Singley, a service rifle shooter with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), has been selected as the Military Marksmanship Association (MMA) Soldier of the Year for 2007. This is the second such award for SFC Singley. He was also named MMA Soldier of the Year in 1996. In recognition of his 2007 achievement, Singley received a Smith & Wesson .45 acp pistol from retired MMA president Col. Robert I. Hoidahl.
Singley expressed gratitude to the MMA for the award and thanked his teammates and coaches from the USAMU Service Rifle Team and the gunsmiths of the USAMU Custom Firearms Shop. Singley has been with the USAMU Team for nearly two decades. After completing Basic Training and Infantry Training at Fort Benning, he was assigned to the Army Marksmanship Unit in December 1989.
In 2007, SFC Singley was a member of the Winning Interservice Championship 10-Man Team, the winning National Infantry Trophy Team, and the winning National Trophy Team. At the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, in August, he was the individual winner of the Mountain Man, Forces Command, Association of the U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division, Rattlesnake and Porter Trophies. In previous years he has won numerous major matches, including the 2000 National Trophy Individual Rifle Match, where his 497-21x score broke the existing record.
You can learn about the Military Marksmanship Association at MilitaryMarksmanship.org. Visit USAMU.com for more info on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
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January 22nd, 2008
The world’s largest international hunting show, SCI’s Annual Hunter’s Convention, will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC) in Reno, Nevada from Jan. 23-26, 2008. Most of the major bullet, rifle, and optics manufacturers will be exhibiting at the show. If you can’t make it to the SHOT Show in Las Vegas (Feb. 2-5), the SCI convention gives you the opportunity to view many of the new shooting products and hunting accessories to be marketed in 2008.
The SCI show has long been known for its elite gun and trip auctions. This year more high-end rifles and safaris are up for auction. 2008 Convention attendees can bid on fine firearms, hunting trips, and hunting-related artwork throughout the show. Auctions will be held on the show floor and North Fork Pavillion during the day, while evening auctions will be conducted at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino in the Tuscany Ballroom. CLICK HERE for a schedule of all auctions.
If you want to view some spectacular rifles, some valued at over $100,000, download the Firearms Auction Guide. It contains glossy photos of dozens of custom rifles including classic big-bore dangerous game rifles as well as modern ultra-light hunting arms. Here are three examples from the auction catalog.
Piotti Savanah 3 Double-Gun in .470 Nitro Express
Engraving by G.S. Pedretti
Donor Valuation: $112,000
John Rigby & Co. African Express in .416 Rigby
Donor Valuation: $43,5000
Blaser R93 Selous Ltd. Edition
Two-Barrel Set in .416 Rem and .300 WinMag, each with a Swarovski Z6 scope
Donor Valuation: $29,250
We wish we had the big bucks to bid on these one-of-a-kind special edition rifles. On the other hand, there are two dozen gunsmiths listed on this website who can build you a superb hunting rifle that performs as well (or better) than these glamour queens, at a fraction of the cost. But like Rolex watches and fine wines, these rifles are more about conspicuous consumption than bang for the buck.
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January 22nd, 2008
The Chiafullo Group, a New Jersey-based law firm, has launched a new cooperative program to assist firearms retailers and FFL-holders in matters concerning licensing and compliance with ATF Regulations. Entitled “FFLGuard” this program provides qualified legal advice to subscribing gun-related businesses. In effect, the Chiafullo Group, LLP acts as a cooperatively-financed, de facto “general counsel” to participating clients.
The FFLGuard program is designed to provide participating Federal Firearms Licensees cost-efficient access to trained firearms lawyers and other qualified legal personnel who can respond quickly to protect the client’s business and its Federal License(s). Under this program, the majority of the client’s retainer for participation in the FFLGuard program is held in trust with other participant’s retainer fees. This provides “strength in numbers” so no individual business is saddled with overwhelming legal expenses in the event of a lawsuit or dispute with the ATF. FFLGuard is endorsed by AcuSport, a leading firearms wholesaler.
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January 21st, 2008
Here’s a remarkable video clip demonstrating state-of-the art CNC production of precision gun parts. In the video, created by STAMA America, an HK pistol gun breech is crafted from bar stock through a totally automated drilling/milling procedure. The breech is made by STAMA’s Model MC 726 MT, a unique five-axis, CNC milling/turning center. The five-axis machine is designed for continuous production of complex parts from bar stock and multiple different parts, including weapon components.
The process shown in the 5-minute video actually takes 50 minutes to craft the breech, starting with a 60mm diameter section of 42 CrMo 4 steel. Amazingly, the 5-axis machine employs 25 separate tools in the operation!
STAMA states that its milling/turning machines “can produce even short runs of complex weapon parts in one operation with superior quality, finish and cost efficiencies. Typically, Model MC 726 MT can result in up to 70% reductions in part processing time, according to current customers.”
CLICK HERE to PLAY 5-minute YouTube VIDEO
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January 20th, 2008
We chatted with Richard Franklin of Richard’s Custom Rifles yesterday, and he mentioned that one of his favorite varmint rifles is a 14-twist, 22BR built on his model 11 stock in laminated Black Walnut and fiddleback maple. Richard says the rifle is versatile and deadly accurate out to 400 yards. Richard uses a Leupold 8.5-25×50 with varmint reticle.
“This is my light walking varminter. It’s built on a blueprinted SS Remington 700 short action and chambered as a no-turn 22 BR for Lapua brass. The bolt handle is a Dave Kiff replacement and I’ve fitted a Jewel BR trigger with bottom safety. Barrel is a Lilja, 1:14″ # 6 contour with a muzzle diameter of .750″. I shoot the 40gr V-Max in the rifle at 4000 FPS. Its tough on hogs if you don’t try them too far. 400 yards is about the max with it. Accuracy is outstanding and with Roy, Mike, my grandson and myself shooting this rifle I don’t believe it has missed more than 3 hogs out of over 100 shot at this summer. This rifle is carried in a ceiling rack in the truck where its handy and is used by the first person that grabs it when a hog is sighted if we are moving between setups. The Varmint reticle on the Leupold is nice for quick hold-overs as you change distances.”
Detail of Model 11 Stock (Different Rifle in Birdseye Maple)
22BR Rivals 22-250 Performance
With bullets in the 40gr to 60gr weight range, the 22BR gives up very little in velocity to a 22-250, despite burning quite a bit less powder (30-32 grains for the 22BR vs. 35-38 grains for the 22-250). With a match-quality chamber, the 22BR will probably have an edge in accuracy over a 22-250, and you should experience longer barrel life. Here are some recommended 22BR loads for 40-60gr bullets:
For more info on the 22BR for varminting, read our 22BR Cartridge Guide
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January 19th, 2008
Blaser, maker of the innovative R93 straight-pull rifles, has created a new DVD, “Hunting in Motion — Shooting at Moving Game”, that will interest all game hunters. It provides helpful hints on aiming (showing how to “lead” your prey), with strategies for various species, including deer and wild boar. There’s good close-up footage showing the fast Blaser bolt in action on Driven Hunts. The DVD also includes important safety tips. In the sample video, Blaser demonstrates the hazards of ricochets and shows what happens to your bullet if it strikes a branch or obstruction between muzzle and target.
CLICK HERE (or on image) to watch INTRO VIDEO.
The DVD is available from select Blaser dealers, or contact:
Blaser USA
220-G Log Canoe Circle
Stevensville, MD 21666
Phone: (410) 604-1495
Email: info (at) blaser-usa.com
We noted one serious flaw in the Blaser Video. Many of the shooters in the video are not wearing eye protection. Big mistake. Shooters should ALWAYS use safety glasses, even when hunting.
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January 19th, 2008
 Grafs.com has new .223 Remington brass made at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant and marketed by Federal (item FDU223). Price is just $19.99 per hundred, or $94.95 per 500.
In our comparison measurements of .223 Rem Brass, various lots of Lake City brass have shown good weight uniformity, with an average case to case Standard Deviation of just .61 grains, compared to 0.85 for Remington, and 1.36 for PMC. Lake City ’06 Brass also has more case capacity than other brands–but to be fair, we haven’t measured the capacity of the brass currently on sale at Grafs. Traditionally, Lake City Brass has higher-than-average capacity.
| .223 Rem Case Weight vs. Capacity |
| Case Manufacturer |
Case Weight* |
H20 Capacity** |
| Lake City 06 |
92.0 |
30.6 |
| WCC99 |
95.5 |
30.5 |
| Sellier & Belloit |
92.3 |
30.5 |
| Remington |
92.3 |
30.4 |
| PMC |
93.5 |
30.4 |
| Hirtenberger |
93.7 |
30.4 |
| Lake City 04 |
93.0 |
30.4 |
| Federal |
96.3 |
30.2 |
| Hornady |
93.9 |
30.1 |
| IMG (Guatemalan) |
95.4 |
30.1 |
| Lapua (new lot) |
93.4 |
30.1 |
| Winchester |
93.9 |
30.1 |
| Olympic |
97.4 |
30.0 |
| Radway Arsenal |
96.1 |
30.0 |
| PMP |
104.5 |
29.9 |
| FNM 93-1 |
97.3 |
29.8 |
| Lapua (old lot) |
104.0 |
28.0 |
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For more info on .223 Rem brass and reloading, see our 223 Rem Cartridge Guide.
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January 18th, 2008
Butch Lambert of ShadeTree Engineering just sent us these “Spy Photos” of his latest creation, a 6.5-lb, low-profile front rest designed for F-Class competition. The rest features wide, stable legs, large, easy-to-adjust screw knobs, and Butch’s JoyStick Rest top that adjusts windage and elevation with a single control.
Butch tells us: “This is my latest rest assembly, a new product designed for F-Class. It weighs 6.5 pounds with the Edgewood bag and heavy sand. It has a needle thrust-bearing under the mariner wheel. Please note, the photos do NOT show the finished leg screws. On the bottom of each leg, the leg screws will ride on a 2″-diameter discs with tungsten armor-piercing bullets on the tips.”
For more info, visit the ShadeTree website, or call Butch at (972) 524-2247, from 9am to 5pm Central Time.
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January 18th, 2008
On Jan. 25 to Feb. 3, 2008, Cabela’s celebrates the Grand Opening of its new large-format superstore in Post Falls, Idaho. The Grand Opening feature celebrities and hunting and fishing experts sharing stories and advice. The Post Falls store is located just east of Spokane, Washingon, at Exit 2 off I-90 near the Washington/Idaho State line. The 125,000-square-foot showroom is an educational attraction, featuring museum-quality animal displays, aquarium and trophy animals interacting in realistic re-creations of their natural habitats.
Many special bargains are offered during the Post Falls Grand Opening. CLICK HERE for the Grand Opening Sales Circular (Adobe .pdf file). Shown below are two great deals on rifles. We know the Savage 17 HMR to be extremely accurate. At $499.99, the complete Remington 700 VFS rifle costs not much more than a bare Remington 700 stainless action. (Sale Prices good at Post Falls, ID store ONLY.)
Grand Opening giveaways and special prices on clothing and merchandise will also be offered. Customers can enter drawings to win an African safari; a New Zealand Red Stag hunt; a Texas Whitetail Management hunt; an Alaska fishing trip; and a trip to Crocodile Bay Resort in Costa Rica.
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