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May 5th, 2008
The Ben Avery Shooting Facility Main Range, archery ranges, and Clay Target Center will switch to summer hours of operation for the public beginning Monday, May 12. The new hours will be:
* Monday – CLOSED
* Tuesday – CLOSED
* Wednesday – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
* Thursday – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
* Friday – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
* Saturday – 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
* Sunday – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The summer hours are designed for the facility to be open during the coolest parts of the day during hot summer months, yet still provide the preferred shooting times on weekends. For more info, visit the Ben Avery Shooting Facility website, or call (623) 582-8313.
CLICK HERE for large BEN AVERY MAP.
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May 4th, 2008
Recently one of our Forum members complained that he wasn’t able to set his primers flush to the rim. He tried a variety of primer tools, yet no matter what he used, the primers still didn’t seat deep enough. He measured his primers, and they were the right thickness, but it seemed like his primer pockets just weren’t deep enough. He was mystified as to the cause of the problem.
Well, our friend Boyd Allen diagnosed the problem. It was the decapping rod. If the rod is adjusted too low, the base of the full-diameter rod shaft (just above the pin) will contact the inside of the case. That shaft is steel whereas your case is brass, a softer, weaker metal. So, when you run the case up into the die, the shaft can actually stretch the base of the primer pocket outward. Most presses have enough leverage to do this. If you bell the base of the primer pocket outwards, you’ve essentially ruined your case, and there is no way a primer can seat correctly.
The fix is simple. Just make sure to adjust the decapping rod so that the base of the rod shaft does not bottom out on the inside of the case. The pin only needs to extend through the flash hole far enough to knock the primer out. The photo shows a Lyman Universal decapping die. But the same thing can happen with any die used for decapping.
Whenever you use a die with a decapping pin for the first time, OR when you move the die to a different press, make sure to check the decapping rod length. And it’s a good idea, with full-length sizing dies, to always re-check the height setting when changing presses.
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May 4th, 2008
Smart shooters know they need a quality pair of ANSI-certified, impact-resistant shooting glasses, the kind we list in our comprehensive Guide to Shooting Eyewear.
But active shooters need MORE than a pair of shooting glasses. Think about a typical out-of-town two-day shooting match–you drive for hours, then spend most of the day standing around in the sun. The actual amount of time you’re shooting the rifle or on the firing line is probably only one or two hours a day, max.
So consider the numbers–you need shooting glasses for maybe 4-5 hours total over the weekend. But you need regular sunglasses for another 20+ hours.
Accordingly, we recommend shooters have a clear or lightly-tinted pair of ANSI safety glasses for shooting, PLUS a second, darker pair of sunglasses for general outdoor use and driving–these should be quality sunglasses, not $7.00/pair junk from a convenience store.
Consider this–If you have a QUALITY pair of driving glasses you will arrive at your shooting match with less eye fatigue. That means you will be able to see better, with less strain, through that $1000+ scope.
There are many quality brands of sunglasses, but we prefer Serengetis with the “Drivers Lens”. Most Serengetis have extremely high-grade, optically-correct lenses. The rose-brown Drivers Lens filters 95% of blue wavelengths. That reduces eye fatigue and increases sharpness — and that’s no BS. Because blue light focuses at a different point than other wavelengths, by filtering it out, far-away objects will appear more sharply focused.
Serengetis typically sell for $100 or more. We’ve found a source, Sunglasses Giant, that sells Serengetis (with Drivers Lens) for just $68.94. We like the Serengeti Summits because they have strong frames, photochromatic (light-adjusting) lenses, and decent side coverage. The Bromos are similar, but with a tortoise-style frame. Optics Planet also has the Summits with Drivers Lens for $71.95. Summits retail for $120.00 elsewhere. NOTE: Summits and Bromos are also available with a rose “Sedona” lens. Avoid that. Intended for snow skiing and mountaineering, the Sedona lens is too dark and too pink.
This editor has tried many of the other name brand sunglasses such as Bolle, Hobie, Maui Jim, Oakley, Smith Optics, and Vaurnet. I’ve owned them all. Serengetis offer a better, sharper lens than any of them. And nothing beats the Serengeti for driving. For fishing, snow-skiing, or boating, polarized SR-91 Kaenons are great–but that’s not what you want for general driving use. Polarization blocks 50-80% of visible light.
If you order the Serengeti Summits or Bromos, remember that these are NOT safety glasses. You need separate ANSI-certified safety eyewear for the relatively short amount of time you’re actually shooting or situated near the firing line.
FYI, Serengeti is a division of Bushnell Outdoor Products, a company that supports the shooting sports.
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May 3rd, 2008
 Janet Tomsyn Raab, a Distinguished prone and position shooter and ISSF Class ‘A’ coach, has been named National Manager of the NRA’s High Power Rifle Programs.
AccurateShooter.com thinks Raab is a great choice. Not only is Raab an accomplished shooter with victories in both national and international competition, but she shoots a 6BR in 300m matches for the USA women’s team. We think Raab will bring a fresh new perspective to her position and do a great job promoting competitive shooting among women and juniors. Rabb founded Center Shot Sports in Centreville, VA and coaches junior athletes in the area.
Raab achieved her Distinguished Badge in High Power Service Rifle in 1986 and her International Distinguished Shooter Badge in 2006. One of only three Class “A” International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) coaches in the United States, Raab is the only woman High Power Rifle competitor to win the coveted Nathan Hale Trophy as High Civilian in the National Trophy Individual match at Camp Perry. Janet was also on the USA 300m Women’ Prone Team that won the ISSF World Championship in Croatia.
Raab’s responsibilities include managing the Competitive Shooting Department’s High Power Rifle competitions and programs. She works with State Associations and local clubs to enhance current programs while developing new ones. Raab can be reached at NRA Headquarters at (703) 267-1479.
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May 2nd, 2008
The Williamsport Club kicks off its long-range benchrest season this weekend. Light Guns will shoot on Saturday, May 3, while Heavy Guns compete on Sunday, May 4. Cold, windy conditions are predicted–but serious shooters won’t miss this chance to dust off their bench guns after the long winter. Assistant Editor Jason Baney will be shooting his 6BR, and his gunsmith, Mark King, may try out a radically long-throated, short-barreled 6BR burning H4895. This season, it should be interesting to see how the small “sixes” fare against the big 30s at 1000 yards.
Williamsport, aka “The Original Pennsylvannia 1000 Yard Benchrest Club”, will also host 600-yard matches this year, starting with a “Fun Shoot” on May 17th following the scheduled 1K Light Gun Match.
CLICK HERE for the full 2008 Williamsport Match Schedule (600 yard BR, 1000 yard BR, Prone League, and Keystone High Power).
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May 1st, 2008
On April 30th, the gun industry scored a huge win in Federal Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit tossed out New York City’s long-standing lawsuit against firearms manufacturers. That suit sought to hold gun makers responsible for the criminal misuse of firearms.
CLICK HERE to READ FULL COURT OPINION
Judge Robert J. Miner, writing for the U.S. Court of Appeals, held the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, enacted in 2005, is constitutional and that Brooklyn, NY, federal court judge Jack B. Weinstein misinterpreted the law by not dismissing the case.
“We think Congress clearly intended to protect from vicarious liability members of the firearms industry who engage in the ‘lawful design, manufacture, marketing, distribution, importation, or sale’ of firearms,” said Judge Miner. In dismissing the city’s claim that its suit fit within an exception to the Arms Act, the court wrote that the statute was “intended to shield the firearms industry from the vicarious liability for harm caused by firearms that were lawfully distributed[.]”
The Appellate Court ruling is seen by many as a major setback for gun-control groups, principally the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which funded many of the municipal lawsuits, including this New York City case, against the firearms industry.
The city’s lawsuit against the nation’s firearms manufacturers was originally filed by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in June 2000 and was continued by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Mayor Bloomberg is also suing out-of-state firearms retailers. That case will go to trial later this month before Judge Weinstein.
This report is provided by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
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May 1st, 2008
Now through May 31, 2008, MidwayUSA has the Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuffs on sale for $49.99, $10.00 off the regular price. That’s a heck of a deal. These electronic muffs (item 671923) perform as well as some other noise-cancelling muffs that cost two or three times the price.
Because the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs only carry a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 22 db, we recommend you use these OVER foam ear plugs. When you do that, the electronic noise circuit still allows you to hear range commands. Forum member Danny Reever has a pair of the Leight Impacts. He reports: “Off the firing line, while others are shooting, you can easily carry on a conversation while the electronics cancel out the gunfire. Amplification is crisp and clear even at the highest setting. On the firing line, the slim profile of the muffs does not interfere with cheek weld and are comfortable.
The 22-decibel noise reduction rating (NRR) is a bit low for my liking, but I have found using 29-db plugs coupled with a slight gain in the electronics allows me to get maximum protection and still hear range commands. In fact, by increasing the volume further I could still hear conversations up and down the firing line.”
Assistant Editor Jason Baney also has a pair of the Howard Leight electronic muffs. He says: “They are comfortable and work great if you wear plugs underneath. You can even plug an iPod into them.”
Both Cabela’s buyers and MidwayUSA customers have praised these units:
“I am a firearms instructor/SWAT instructor, active on two SWAT teams. [I] have burned through too many pairs of Peltors due to their poor battery set up. These are cheaper price-wise, but [have] better controls and battery storage. Amazing sound quality. In reality to beat the performance you need to spend four to five times the money. If I could give ten stars I would…” ZM, Cabelas customer.
“I have a set of Peltors that I paid triple the price for and they aren’t half as good. These [Leights] have nice smooth attenuation unlike the Peltor that snap on and off in a very annoying fashion. These fit tight, have good noise reduction and good sound quality. The low profile works well with rifles and shotguns. Don’t bother spending more, these are great!” Paul D., MidwayUSA Customer.
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