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September 13th, 2008
 The NBRSA 100-yard and 200-yard Nationals will be held Oct. 6-11 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Match organizer Gary Ocock states that there are plenty of entry spots left for the match and registrations are still welcome. Four classes will be contested at the NBRSA Nationals: Light Varmint (LV), Heavy Varmint (HV), Sporter, and Unlimited (Rail guns). 4-Gun Fee is $220, 3-gun Fee is $160. Pre-Registration is required. NBRSA requires a $40 late registration fee after September 6, 2008. Match Directors anticipate three (3) relays. Shooters requesting the same bench rotation, sharing equipment must request this in writing. Camping at the range is $10/day. Click the links below to view/download registration forms in MS Word and Acrobat (.pdf) format.
| NBRSA Nat’ls Registration Form (Word Doc)
| NBRSA Nat’ls Registration Form (.pdf)
Write checks payable to AZ Benchrest. Mail checks and registration forms to Arizona Benchrest Shooters, 15231 West Gelding Drive, Surprise, AZ 85379. If you plan to attend but won’t be able to mail in your registration in time, email Gary Ocock at onehole149 [at] aol.com. For NBRSA membership information and application form, visit NBRSA.org.
September 12th, 2008
The 43rd Annual World Military Shooting Championships will be held in Boden, Sweden from September 14-21. Over 550 shooters from 45 countries are slated to attend. From the U.S.A., 14 armed services shooters will compete in Sweden, including three-time Olympian Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker, and four-time Olympian Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Callahan.
 The Military Shooting Championship are conducted under the auspices of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM). Male and female shooters will compete in separate divisions, shooting both pistols and rifles. Events will include: 25-meter .22-caliber pistol, 25-meter .32-caliber centerfire pistol, 50-meter Sport Rifle (both prone and 3-position), and 300-meter Standard Rifle (both prone and 3-Position). In addition, there will also be 300-Meter Rapid Fire Military Rifle Matches. The 300m competition is still dominated by the 6mmBR Norma cartridge, though some teams will be shooting 6XC ammo from Norma.
The competitions are to be held at Rödberget Shooting Centre, about four kilometres southwest of Boden town centre. Two new shooting ranges have been built and two ranges have been overhauled. The new facilities were set up in 2007, when Boden hosted the Nordic Military Shooting Championships.
One of the three women on the Swedish 50-meter team is Christina Bengtsson, an officer at the Armed Forces Technical School in Halmstad. Christina, who won gold in the World Military Shooting Championships in Switzerland in 2005, observed that Boden offers first-rate facilities. Christina comments: “[Boden has] excellent shooting ranges. I can safely say this is one of the very best facilities in Sweden, and I hope it will be put to good use in civilian competitions.” For more information about the CISM World Military Championship, visit the Swedish Armed Forces web site: www.mil.se/wmsc08. Starting Sept. 15, that site will offer weblinks with updated event news and match results.
September 12th, 2008
Looking for a cool extended bolt knob to provide extra leverage and more secure grip while working the action of your rifle? Bolt Knobs by Bill offers a wide array of styles and colors, all hand-crafted with great precision. Bill Hawk’s products range in price from $20 to $30. The O-Ring style provides excellent comfort and grip. The Tactical style knob is slightly longer and has no o-rings. It is available with or without knurling. Bill also offers a conventional oversized ball in plastic or metal. Click images below to see LARGE PHOTOS.
 
 
Custom bolt knobs are made from aluminum stock that has been machined, media blasted, and powder coated for a durable and uniform finish. Choose from dozens of powder-coat colors. Knobs are drilled and tapped to fit 5/16 x 24 threaded bolt handles. A round ball style is available in aluminum, steel, or phenolic (hard plastic with threaded brass insert). This configuration still provides plenty of gripping surface but keeps the overall length of the bolt handle shorter compared to the tactical model.
Bill Hawks tells us that all his products can be customized: “I started selling bolt knobs a few years ago when I began to combine my passion for metal working and my passion for shooting. Of course, there were other manufacturers who already made bolt knobs, but I wanted to offer something a little different by allowing the shooter to tell me what they wanted and do my best to produce it. Hence the ‘custom’ part. Most people are happy with the tactical and o-ring knobs that are featured on my website, but I also make them to customer spec. Length, profile, thread size, and material can all be adjusted at no extra charge in most cases. My emphasis is primarily on offering a service to my fellow shooters.” There is a secure shoping cart on Bill’s Website, so it’s easy to order. Direct questions to info [at] boltknobsbybill [dot] com, or call (319) 321-0827.
September 11th, 2008
 Every long-range precision shooter can benefit from an accurate, full-featured portable wind and weather monitor. Right now the relatively new Kestrel 4500 is the best hand-held weather station on the market. Introduced at the 2007 SHOT Show, The Kestrel 4500 Pocket Weather Tracker is a complete weather instrument, offering instant and accurate measurement of wind speed, wind direction (including crosswind and headwind/tailwind), temperature, humidity, density altitude, barometric pressure and numerous other derived functions. The Kestrel 4500 has a built-in digital compass, a feature not found on other Kestrels. This allows you to track and log wind direction as well as wind speed. Wind direction is displayed in degrees and cardinal compass points.
 Weekend shooters and military snipers alike have been calling for a Kestrel Meter with crosswind calculation for years — and the Kestrel 4500 now offers that capability. By means of its built-in digital compass, the Kestrel 4500 provides Wind Direction and velocity, Crosswind direction and velocity, and Headwind/Trailwind direction and velocity. In addition to these wind functions, the Kestrel 4500 will also display: Max Wind Gust, Average Wind Speed, Temperature, Wind Chill, Relative Humidity, Heat Stress Index, Dewpoint Temp, Wet Bulb Temp, Barometric Pressure, Altitude, and Density Altitude. These features are illustrated in a handy flash-based “Virtual Tour” that shows all the Kestrel 4500’s product features.
CLICK HERE for Kestrel 4500 Virtual Tour with Feature Demos.
The bright yellow Kestrel 4500 is available for $289.00 from Kestrelmeters.com. An olive drab version with Night Vision-friendly backlighting is offered for $309.00 from the same vendor.
Full Review of Kestrel 4500 by SniperWorkx.com
A very detailed field-test of the Kestrel 4500 was conducted by Sal Palma for SniperWorx.com. In his write-up, Sal Palma explains why a precision shooter needs a tool such as the Kestrel 4500: “Altitude, temperature, barometric pressure, and relative humidity are critical pieces of data. As is wind speed and direction. What used to be a good 300-yard zero may now be a full minute or more off. At a range of 300 yards, a one minute error makes a 3″ difference in the point of impact. The [Kestrel 4500] has some major and significant new features not found in any of their other models. To start with, the 4500 offers a built in electronic compass, the compass can be configured to indicate true bearings as well as magnetic. In addition to the basic wind functions the [Kestrel 4500] also provides crosswind, headwind and tailwind data.”
CLICK HERE to download SniperWorkx.com KESTREL 4500 Review in .pdf format.
Kestrel Sponsors U.S. Teams in Spirit of America Match
Nielsen-Kellerman, maker of Kestrel Weather trackers, is sponsoring the U.S. Long Range Rifle Teams in the Spirit of America Match (SOA) running this week at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM. The SOA features one of shooting’s most prestigious international matches, the America Trophy Match. This September, the Match will be held for the first time since 2005. The national teams from Great Britain and Australia will compete against the U.S. National Team shooting at distances from 300 to 1,000 yards. The U.S. Long Range Rifle Teams consist of the National Team (who include former members of the Palma® team), the Veterans’ team, and the USA Young Eagles Under 21 / Under 25 team.
“The effects of wind and weather play a huge role in our sport. Not only does the wind affect the flight of the bullet, but differences in altitude, pressure, and temperature can also change the bullet’s impact,” said Dennis Flaharty, Team Captain of the National / Palma® Team. “Tools like the Kestrel Pocket Weather Tracker can often mean the difference between being a winning team, or being at the weather’s mercy.”
September 11th, 2008
The 4th Annual Shilen Swap Meet will be held on Saturday, October 18th. The Swap Meet runs from 8am to 3pm in Shilen’s parking lot at 205 Metro Park Blvd., Ennis, Texas. All buyers and sellers are invited — and you’re welcome to just come and mingle or take a tour of the factory. Anyone can set up a table or just drop your tailgate. There are no fees and the Swap Meet will go forward rain or shine (Shilen rents a tent). Shilen provides complementary chili, frito pie and soft drinks. Shilen’s organizers noted: “Please call (972) 875-5318 if you plan on attending so we can have a rough head count. If you want to put up a table please call, fax or email us and let us know. We will add you to the list of vendors.”
Butch Lambert tells us: “Bring all your guns and gun-related stuff. No charge for anything. They will have regular tours of the shop. They are planning on a few shooting seminars also. Dr. Oltersdorf has said he will be there with his weedwacker blender serving up a few toddies, and Shilen will serve Chupacabra chili and drinks. ”
For more info, or to reserve space, call (972) 875-5318 or email jennifer.hull [at] shilen.com.
September 10th, 2008
We’ve all heard the old adage: “Keep your powder dry.” Well, tests by Norma have demonstrated that even normal environmental differences in humidity can affect the way powders burn, at least over the long term. In the July issue of Precision Shooting Magazine, Fred Barker reviews the current Norma and Vihtavuori reloading manuals. Fred notes that, in the Norma manual, Sven-Eric Johansson, head of ballistics at Nexplo/Bofors, presents a very important discussion of water vapor absorption by powder. Johansson shows, with supporting test data, that the same powder will burn at different rates depending on its water content.
Powders Leave the Factory with 0.5 to 1.0% Water Content
Johansson explains that, as manufactured, most powders contain 0.5 to 1% of water by weight. (The relative humidity is “equilibrated” at 40-50% during the manufacturing process to maintain this 0.5-1% moisture content). Importantly, Johansson notes that powder exposed to moist air for a long time will absorb water, causing it to burn at a slower rate. On the other hand, long-term storage in a very dry environment reduces powder moisture content, so the powder burns at a faster rate. In addition, Johansson found that single-base powders are MORE sensitive to relative humidity than are double-base powders (which contain nitroglycerine).
 Tests Show Burn Rates Vary with Water Content
Reviewer Fred Barker notes: “Johansson gives twelve (eye-opening) plots of the velocities and pressures obtained on firing several popular cartridges with dehydrated, normal and hydrated Norma powders (from #200 to MRP). He also gives results on loaded .30-06 and .38 Special cartridges stored for 663 to 683 days in relative humidities of 20 and 86%. So Johansson’s advice is to keep powders tightly capped in their factory containers, and to minimize their exposure to dry or humid air.” Confirming Johansson’s findings that storage conditions can alter burn rates, Barker observes: “I have about 10 pounds of WWII 4831 powder that has been stored in dry (about 20% RH) Colorado air for more than 60 years. It now burns about like IMR3031.”
What does this teach us? First, all powders start out with a small, but chemically important, amount of water content. Second, a powder’s water content can change over time, depending on where and how the powder is stored. Third, the water content of your powder DOES make a difference in how it burns, particularly for single-base powders. For example, over a period of time, a powder used (and then recapped) in the hot, dry Southwest will probably behave differently than the same powder used in the humid Southeast.
Reloaders are advised to keep these things in mind. If you want to maintain your powders’ “as manufactured” burn rate, it is wise to head Johannson’s recommendation to keep your powders tightly capped when you’re not actually dispensing charges and avoid exposing your powder to very dry or very humid conditions. The Norma Reloading Manual is available from a variety of sources, including MidwayUSA.com.
| Real-World Example — “Dry” H4831sc Runs Hotter
Robert Whitley agrees that the burn rate of the powder varies with the humidity it absorbs. Robert writes: “I had an 8-lb. jug of H4831SC I kept in my detached garage (it can be humid there). 43.5-44.0 gr of this was superbly accurate with the 115 Bergers out of my 6mm Super X. I got tired of bringing it in and out of the garage to my house for reloading so I brought and kept the jug in my reloading room (a dehumidified room in my house) and after a few weeks I loaded up 43.5 gr, went to a match and it shot awful. I could not figure out what was going on until I put that load back over the chronograph and figured out it was going a good bit faster than before and the load was out of the “sweet spot” (42.5 – 43.0 gr was the max I could load and keep it accurate when it was stored in less humid air). I put the jug back in the garage for a few weeks and I now am back to loading 43.5 – 44.0 gr and it shoots great again. I have seen this with other powders too.
If you have two jugs of the same powder, one kept in a room in your house and one somewhere else where it is drier or more humid, don’t expect the two jugs of the same lot of powder to chrono the same with the same charge weights unless and until they are both stored long enough in the same place to equalize again. Been there … done that!” |
Do Your Own Test with Sun-Dried Propellants
Johansson studied the effects of humidity variances during long-term storage. Keep in mind that a powder’s water content can change in a much shorter period of time if it is exposed to extreme heat, or if it is used in a very humid environment. You can do your own simple test to show how heat can de-hydrate powder. Throw 100 grains of powder and weigh it. Then put it out in direct sunlight for a full day (shielded from the wind so you don’t lose any kernels). Re-weigh the sun-dried powder. You’ll find it has lost a bit of weight from the water baking out.
September 10th, 2008
Kelbly’s will conduct a Benchrest School at its range in North Lawrence, Ohio, September 20-21st. Past BR school sessions have earned high marks from participants. Jim Kelbly and Greg Walley will be teaching this year. Greg reports: “We still have room for a few more students at the Autumn 2008 benchrest school. (Class size is limited to twelve students.) This class is recommended for the beginner interested in benchrest competition, or the varmint-target shooter looking to optimize his rifles and loading techniques for maximum accuracy. History shows that the weather is usually good at this time of year (rare in these parts!), so we should all have a good time. No need to bring a rifle if you don’t have one, since we will be supplying benchrest rifles, ammunition, rests, wind flags, etc. The cost of the weekend class will be $250. Lunch will be provided each day.”
 Two-Day Program
The sessions will run eight hours each day, and will be geared for the beginning benchrest shooter who wants to compete in NBRSA or IBS registered group-shooting matches. Saturday’s class will be in a classroom-style setting with Q&A sessions and a slide/video presentation covering many topics:
• Use and maintenance of benchrest target rifles
• Preparation and loading of benchrest grade ammunition using custom loading tools and techniques
• The application of ballistics and load development for optimum accuracy
The Sunday session will cover hands-on shooting, benchrest technique, range condition reading, and range etiquette. Rifles, rests, wind flags, ammunition and rifle cleaning equipment will be provided for the students. Participants can bring their own rifles if desired.
For more info or to register, visit Kelby’s Benchrest School webpage, email greg [at] kelbly.com, or call (330) 683-4674.
September 9th, 2008
UPDATE: ALL SOLD OUT as of noon, 9/9/2008
Right now Bruno Shooters Supply has special edition 100-Year Anniversary 30-06 brass on sale for just $49.00 per hundred cases (item 4HH7067). This is first-quality Lapua brass, produced as a special run for Dakota Arms in 2006. To some, this relatively rare brass is worth buying for collector purposes. For others, it’s just a heck of a deal. Bruno’s regular price on standard Lapua 30-06 brass (item 4PH7068) is $67.00 per hundred cases, and you’ll see the same Lapua-headstamp brass sold for up to $100.99 per hundred elsewhere (MidwayUSA price).
There are less than 1500 pieces available at this price, so act quickly. Call Bruno’s at (623) 587-7641 and ask Amy or Lester for the special “100 Years” Lapua brass. Kudos go to German Salazar for spotting this great deal on unique Lapua brass.
September 9th, 2008
Varminters — here’s a corporate acquisition that could affect you. Kansas-based Coyote Jakes, Inc. has been acquired by Sellmark Corp., a Texas company with a diverse line of consumer, military, and law enforcement products. Sellmark will take over manufacturing and distribution of Coyote Jakes products, including the popular swiveling shooting benches. Sellmark Corp. will continue to offer (and honor) a lifetime warranty on Coyote Jakes shooting benches.
CLICK HERE to watch Shooting Bench VIDEO
Coyote Jakes shooting stands are made of Grade 1 Steel or high-grade aluminum. With their stable, ground-hugging 3-legged platforms, Coyote Jakes’ benches provide 360° rotation and support up to 350 pounds. The steel shooting stand weighs under 65 pounds complete, while the aluminum version weighs just 45 pounds. The shooting platforms break down into seven (7) parts for easy transport.
Coyote Jakes’ founder David Krien states that: “Sellmark’s ability to market and build brands will bring our product to more consumers.” James Sellers, CEO of Sellmark, said, “Coyote Jakes has always been known for the highest quality gun rests and shooting tables in the industry. The addition of the Coyote Jakes line [gives us a] leadership position in these product categories.” In addition to the Coyote Jakes product line, Sellmark Corp. currently manufactures shooting chairs, tree stands, trail cameras, rifle scopes, night vision equipment, boresights, red-dot sights, and military sights.
September 9th, 2008
An electronic powder dispenser and digital scale can be very useful tools for load development. However, you’ll need a power supply if your range doesn’t offer AC outlets. Many folks have asked us “How can I use a laptop, chronograph, or electronic powder dispenser that requires 110/120 volt power when I’m at the range?” Sure you can take power from your car’s 12 volt cigarette lighter jack, but you’ll still need a very long cable and a 12 volt to 120 volt step-up transformer. If you run a cable from the parking lot to the bench or shooting bay you’ll have to leave a window open in your vehicle and fellow shooters can trip over the long cord.
A better solution is to get a portable 12 volt/120 volt power station. These are offered by many manufacturers, starting at about $40. Most have a large lead-acid battery inside a plastic enclosure with built-in 12 volt and 110/120 volt outlets. Some units also include air compressors and jumper cables so you can inflate a flat tire or jump-start your vehicle.
Among the available units, we like the Black & Decker VEC026BD Electromate 400 AC/DC Portable Power Station. The B&D Electromate (also sold under the Vector label) offers 400 watts of 120-volt AC power, plus 12.5-volt DC output. There are two three-prong AC outlets and two cigarette-jack style 12v DC outlets on the front of the unit. The Electromate 400 also features an air compressor and permanently attached jumper cables stowed in the rear of the unit. This Black & Decker power unit is currently on sale at Tyler Tool for $99.95. If you don’t need the full 400 watts and air compressor, Black & Decker offers the VEC1026BD Electromate 250 ($61.99 at Amazon.com). This has jumper cables, but no compressor and just one 120 volt outlet and one 12 volt outlet.
Sportsman’s Guide offers a similar product, the Guide Gear™ Power Station. This versatile, 5-in-1 product includes Jumpstarter, Air Compressor, 12V Power Inverter, 12V outlet, 110/120 volt outlet, and Worklight. Priced at $89.97, the Guide Gear™ Power Station offers 400 watts of power and can be recharged from either home or vehicle (both AC and DC cords included). Jumpstarter cables stow neatly in the ends and the unit features heavy rubber protective edges.
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