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February 24th, 2008
 Many match directors have told us that, in the past 18 months, match attendance is down, particularly at regional and national events which require long drives. The main reason is fuel cost. With the price of gasoline soaring above $3.00/gallon, many shooters have decided to cut costs by attending fewer matches, or sticking to competitions closer to home.
While not traveling to a distant match will certainly save on gas (not to mention hotel bills etc.), we’d think there’s a compromise solution. We’ve observed that 95% of competitors at matches arrive solo — one to a vehicle. And, typically, most shooters drive big pick-up trucks or SUVs that may get less than 20 mpg on the freeway.
PROPOSAL: Car Pool to your next shooting match, and/or drive a vehicle with better mileage.
Whenever possible, this editor tries to “share my ride” with other shooters attending a match. I also drive an 8-year-old station wagon that gets an honest 29 mpg on the highway. Though it’s cheap to run, my vehicle has plenty of space for all the guns and gear 2 or 3 shooters would ever need.
Here is a chart showing how much you can save by carpooling and by driving a vehicle with better mileage. If you drive 5000 miles a year to shooting matches, a car getting 27 mpg will burn $349 less fuel than a vehicle getting 17 mpg. And even if you stick with your 17 mpg truck or SUV, ride-sharing with one other shooter can save you over $470 per year (if you drive 5000 miles to matches).
| MPG |
Miles Driven |
Fuel Cost
@ $3.20/gallon |
Ride-Share Savings |
| 27 mpg |
3000 |
$355.56 |
$177.79 |
| 22 mpg |
3000 |
$436.36 |
$218.18 |
| 17 mpg |
3000 |
$564.70 |
$282.35 |
| 27 mpg |
5000 |
$592.59 |
$296.30 |
| 22 mpg |
5000 |
$727.27 |
$363.64 |
| 17 mpg |
5000 |
$941.18 |
$470.59 |
Subaru 4WD Outback Wagon — 26 MPG on Highway
If you want to replace an older, gas-guzzling vehicle, check out the Subaru Outback. We’ve tested one and came away very impressed. It’s roomy inside and has good ground clearance outside. It has a 5-Star crash rating and gets 26 MPG on the highway. Base models start at under $22K.
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February 23rd, 2008
Many of our readers have asked “Where can we buy the Russian small rifle primers?” Currently, Wideners.com has the Wolf-brand, Russian-made Small Rifle and Small Rifle Magnum primers on sale for just $18.50/1000 or $87/5000. Test have shown these primers deliver very good accuracy and extremely low ES/SD with certain powders. However, we also note that the cup is harder than most domestic-made primers and a few guys have reported some ignition problems if they run a fairly “soft” firing pin spring in a Benchrest action. We’ve had no problem firing these primers from Remington and Savage actions with a normal firing pin spring.
Wolf recommends the Magnum primers for use in ARs and similar semi-autos because the Magnums have a slightly harder cup: “The Wolf Standard Small Rifle Primers have an all-copper cup, which is a little more sensitive than the brass cup magnum primers. If you are loading for an AR15 or Military-style semi auto rifle, or are loading high pressure cartridges in any other type of rifle, we recommend the Magnum Small Rifle Primers. Both primers use the same amount of compound. The only difference is in the cup hardness.”
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February 23rd, 2008
The current issue of The First Shot, the CMP’s online magazine, features a well-written article on Prone Shooting Technique by SPC Matthew Sigrist of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU). The article covers all the major points of gun hold and body position: hand position, elbow position, stock weld, buttstock placement, and sling position/tension.
SPC Sigrist breaks down the prone position into “fundamentals” and explains how you put each element together to create a stable body position: “The fundamentals are the building blocks of a position. Much like the framework of a house, a correct application of the fundamentals ensures a solid and stable structure. Since each person’s position will depend on their particular body build and shape, there is no ‘perfect position’ that applies to everyone. Experience, practice and knowledge of the correct fundamentals will dictate the best position for you.”
SPC Sigrist also demonstrates the two basic variations of the leg position when shooting prone: open/spread legged, and bent-legged.
For any service rifle, highpower, cross-course, or prone shooter, this helpful article can improve your performance in the prone position.
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February 22nd, 2008
Scott S., aka “Sunbuilder” in our Forum, recently completed an interesting project gun. This is a lightweight, compact “calling rifle” chambered in 6mmBR. The gun features a Stiller Predator Repeater action with Lilja 1:12″ twist, #4 contour barrel. To get the short, fat 6BR rounds to feed from the magazine, Scott did the Mike Bryant Mag Conversion. Scott reports the rifle now “feeds great.” This simple conversion involves blocking the rear of the magazine and shortening the follower.
Scott’s 6BR calling rifle wears a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10×44 scope on top. This is a nice, bright optic with a sensible magnification range for game that is normally on the move. The rifle was built by Neil Jones in Saegertown, Pennsylvania. Along with his 6BR Lilja barrel, Scott has a second barrel chambered in 6.5×47 Lapua Improved, and Scott is “thinking about doing a 20 VarTarg barrel too.” That would give him a range of three calibers, with projectiles ranging from 30 grains to 130+ grains.
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February 22nd, 2008
Hornady has released more than a dozen new products for 2008. Of particular interest to precision shooters is the new 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge, while game hunters should check out the new 300/338 RCM cartridges.
Hornady has collected information on all its new products on a 2008 Product Web Page. On that page you can find photos and specifications, along with streaming Videos for each of the new products. If you’re a high power or cross-course shooter, definitely check out the new 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge. The 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to allow any shooter to compete at the highest level with factory-loaded ammunition. Built for match rifles, including the Tubb 2000 and DPMS LR Series, its case is slightly shorter than the 260 Remington, eliminating any “Cartridge Overall Length” issues when using 308 Winchester length magazines. Velocities match or exceed the 6.5×47 Lapua with similar-weight bullets.
CLICK HERE for VIDEO and SPECS for 6.5 Creedmoor.
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February 21st, 2008
Brownells® has launched Gunsmiths.com, a new, free website designed to promote the trade and provide a central resource for gunsmithing info. The site contains “how-to” articles and helpful videos that illustrate many basic gun-smithing tasks. Gunsmiths can boost their business by registering with the site’s gunsmith locator. The site also offers a free employment section. There, you can post your resume, or list a new job offering. The site also has information on schools and vocational training.
Gunsmiths.com features an ever-expanding library of gunsmithing articles and videos featuring the Brownells’ staff of gun techs. The most recent Tech Tips appear at the bottom of the home page while a Gunsmith Glossary provides helpful definitions of technical terms. There’s also info on industry trends and a calendar of events.
For folks with broken guns, gunsmiths.com features a sophisticated gunsmith locator. Visitors can search the site for gunsmiths in their area or specialists all across the country. The locator features a five-star rating system that allows users to rate a shop based on their experiences.
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February 21st, 2008
“March Madness” returns to the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center, in Sloughhouse, CA, next month according to match director Ed Eckhoff. Sac Valley will host three major, long-range matches in three successive weekends. The Shooting Center is located approximately 15 miles Southeast of the city of Sacramento.
On March 4-9, the 17th Annual American-Canadian Long Range Rifle Matches take place at Sacramento. The course of fire is 300 yards (MR-63 target), 500 yards (new 500-yard Target), 600 yards (MR-1 target), and 800/900/1000 yards. This match is primarily for Palma shooters (.308 Win, 155gr bullet), but F-Class competitors are welcome (there will be a F-Target Rifle and F-Open class, provided there are at least four of each). Both team and individual matches will be held. CLICK HERE for firing schedule and general Match INFO. The NRA Long Range Classification system will be used in all matches. Canadian (or other visitors) will compete in the higher of classifications earned at National or Provincial meets. Canadian Masters in the upper half of the Master Class will compete in the High Master Class.
March 12-16, 2008, the Steve Zinsmaster Memorial Highpower Rifle Long Range Regional Championship will be held at Sacramento, under the direction of the Folsom Shooting Club. Wednesday is a squadded practice day, followed by the Folsom Club Match (Palma course of fire) on Thursday. Friday is a 4-man Team Match (Palma Course of Fire). Saturdy and Sunday comprise the two-day Regional Championship with Palma match and 1K match on Saturday and a Palma-format match on Sunday. CLICK HERE for more information and rules.
The following week, from March 19 through 23, the 2008 Folsom 1000-Yard Championship will be held on the Sac Valley Shooting Center 1000-yard Range. This is a 1K prone match open to both iron sights Palma Rifles and “any sights” rifles. F-Class competitors are welcome also. Thursday is a Folsom Club Match, Friday is the 4-man Team Match and the individual championship runs on Saturday and Sunday.
If that’s not enough for you long-range competitors, Following “March Madness”, in April, the Sac Valley Shooting Center will host the NBRSA 600-Yard National Championship. Dates for this 600-yard registered BR match are April 25-27, 2008.
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February 20th, 2008
Consumers who purchase any Sightron scope (excluding S1 models) will receive a free one-year NRA membership. Current NRA members will receive a one-year renewal with purchase. “With 2008 being a critical election year, all of us here at Sightron are concerned about attacks against our right to bear arms. We want to ensure that future generations have the same rights we have enjoyed”, said Sightron’s President, Scott Helmer. “We are proud to do our part ot help the NRA defend our Second Amendment rights.”
To qualify for the FREE NRA membership, a $25.00 value, just purchase a Sightron SIIISS, SII Big Sky or SII Series riflescope before December 31st, 2008. (The impressive, new Sightron SIII 8-32×56, shown above, also qualifies.) Purchaser must submit Sightron Coupon with original sales receipt by March 31st, 2009.
CLICK HERE for More Info and SIGHTRON COUPON
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February 20th, 2008
 Graf & Sons has teamed up with Hornady to provide quality ammunition in previously hard-to-find military surplus calibers. This specialized ammo is all loaded with modern, boxer-primed reloadable brass, using non-corrosive propellants and primers. If you shoot military bolt-action matches, or just enjoy collecting older military-class firearms, the new line of Hornady/Graf’s ammunition is a good choice to feed your surplus military rifles such as the .303 Enfield, 7x57R Mauser, and Schmidt-Rubin K31 Swiss.
Calibers available include: 6.5×52 Carcano, 6.5×50 Japanese, 7×64 Brenneke, 7x57R Mauser, .303 British, 7.5×55 Swiss, 7.65×53 Argentine, 7.7×58 Japanese, 7.92×33 Kurz, and 8×56 Hungarian.
When you shop at Grafs.com remember that Graf’s “pays the freight” for most orders. Here is Graf’s shipping policy:
“At Graf & Sons, we keep it simple. We pay the freight to the first 48 states. All you pay is the price you see plus a minimal $4.50 handling and insurance charge per order. This might make our pricing seem a bit high in some cases but with an ‘average’ order, our pricing meets or beats most of our competitors.”
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February 19th, 2008
German optics-maker Schmidt & Bender has recently released comprehensive information on the new 12.5-60×56 PMII scope. The spec sheets are found on S&B’s German-language website. (The USA website has not been updated yet.) We’ve handled this new scope at SHOT Show and it is very impressive to say the least. While our auto-translation from the German isn’t perfect, (and some of the published info appears to be incorrect), here are key specs we’ve discerned:
Weight: 21.52 ounces (610 grams) HOWEVER 1100 grams may be more accurate*
Overall Length: 16.38″ (416.5 mm)
Main Tube: 34mm
Click Value: 1 cm per click OR 1/4 MOA (two versions)
Reticle: P3 (Others may be available later)
CLICK HERE for Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50 Scope INFO
Note: S&B also lists an exit pupil size range of 13.3 to 3.3 mm. The smaller number doesn’t seem right, unless S&B has achieved a major breakthrough in optics design. At max 50X power, with a 56mm front objective, we calculate the minimum exit pupil as 1.12 mm.
*We also question the stated weight of 610 grams. The 12.5-50X56 S&B Field Target Scope, which is similar in size and features, is listed at 1150 grams or 40.56 ounces.
The scope description states: “The sight is alternatively available with foreseeing in the 1st plane or 2nd plane.” By this we think it means BOTH first-focal-plane reticle and second-focal-plane reticle versions will be offered. On a variable power scope, a first-focal-plane reticle increases or decreases with the power setting, so the reticle always appears the same size relative to the target. When the reticle is in the second focal plane, the reticle stays a constant size as the image increases or decreases in size with the power setting.
We still have no concrete information on scope price or availability in the USA. We’ve heard the figures $2700-2900 tossed around, but S&B representatives won’t give out hard numbers. Keep in mind that the 12.5-50 is NOT illuminated so it could actually be a little cheaper than the 5-25×56 PMII with illuminated reticle.
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February 19th, 2008
 The National Shooting Sports Federation reports that Grits Gresham, one of America’s best-known outdoorsmen and a longtime friend to NSSF, died yesterday (2/18/2008) in his hometown of Natchitoches, La., at age 85. Gresham enjoyed an extraordinary career that included serving as field host and producer for the “The American Sportsman” TV series on ABC and as a magazine writer and editor, book author, conservationist and television personality. At one time, Gresham was the outdoor industry’s most visible champion thanks to his role in a series of commercials for Miller Lite beer. Back in the early 1980s, when cable television and outdoor programming were gaining a national audience, NSSF began to explore how to best use this new outreach for its hunting and shooting sports promotional messages. “What we really needed,” said NSSF President Doug Painter, “was a great spokesman, and who better than the former co-host of ‘The American Sportsman’ series, Grits Gresham. We began in 1984 with a series of ‘Where to Hunt’ and ‘Where to Shoot’ specials on ESPN hosted by Grits. These specials were followed by broadcasts of the first ‘made-for-TV’ shooting event, the ‘Sportsman’s Team Challenge,’ and continued with our ‘Shooting Sports America’ series on prime-time ESPN through the mid-1990s. Grits was a terrific host and a wonderful ambassador for our sports.”
Text COPYRIGHT © 2008 by National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc.
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February 18th, 2008
Long-time friend of the site David Apple let us know that he has decided to part with his “masterpiece” Terry Leonard-stocked 30BR. This gun represents the ultimate in the art of benchrest gunsmithing and it shoots as good as it looks.
2/21 UPDATE — The Rifle is sold to a well-known shooter with a prominent small-caliber website.
The rifle features a Leonard redwood and carbon fiber stock with fancy wood top-layer shell. The action is a Farley Right Bolt, Left Port, Right Eject with 30mm Farley rings. Sid Goodling smithed the rifle, chambering the Rock Creek 17-twist barrel in 30BR. David tells us the barrel only has 110 rounds through it, and “it’s a shooter”. Asking price for the rifle by itself is $3,225.00. A new NightForce scope is also available at extra cost.
Here’s your chance to start the shooting season with a spectacular new Benchrest for Score Rifle. (Scope and arbor press are not included in price.) If you’re interested, email Mailbox@6mmBR.com. We’ll forward your message to David.
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