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October 15th, 2008
 Glen Harrison, designer/creator of the original Nesika actions, now has a new Montana-based company, Phoenix Machine Technologies. In time, Harrison plans to produce a full series of high-grade custom actions, using state-of-the-art CNC machining. Currently, Phoenix has been producing CNC-crafted Remington-clone actions. These seem to be working very well and are being used by GA Precision and other top gunsmiths.
Current Phoenix Machine production receivers are Remington 700 derivatives that utilize Remington-style bolts and are being manufactured in long, short and M7 lengths. Teaming up with Dave Kiff of Pacific Tool & Gauge (PT&G), Harrison will offer a selection of custom bolt components made by PT&G. This allows the owner of a Phoenix action to fit out the finished action in many ways. Want a colored bolt shroud? No problem. You can also a choose variety of fluting styles, and pick from a selection of PT&G-crafted bolt handles. There are many action-makers offering Rem-clone style receivers in chrome-moly or stainless steel. With the wide variety of bolt components offered by PT&G, the Phoenix action offers the action-buyer an impressive array of optional features.
For more information about Phoenix Machine Technologies, LLC, call (406) 756-2727 or write 36 Jellison Lane, Suite B, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Email inquiries may be sent to Lisa [at] boltactions.net.
October 14th, 2008
Typical soft cases for scoped rifles are 45-46″ overall. These may lack clearance for large, high-magnification scopes, and the front section may be too tight for rifles with a 3″-wide forearm. Our Assistant Editor Jason Baney recently posed the question, “Who makes a high-quality soft case for large varmint and BR-style rifles with wide forearms and barrels 27″ or longer?”
We’ve done some research and identified some affordable options. While there are dozens of possible choices, the products shown below all offer some nice features and cost less than $45.00. NOTE: The Plano case offers a plastic-reinforced rubberized muzzle protector box. These are found on many Kolpin soft cases as well. We think a rubber/plastic nose guard is very important. This ensures your gun can’t slip out of the case muzzle first. A nose-guard also shields the delicate crown against hard objects and metal zippers. (Sooner or later you WILL drop a rifle, and they usually fall nose-first.) Remember that even the finest soft case is no substitute for a sturdy hard case. Also, hard cases are mandatory for airline transport.
48″ Length
Plano’s model 64860 (Brown) or 64800 (Gray) are nice cases that feature hard nose protectors and high-density foam padding. At 48″ overall, the Plano is 2″ longer than most cases. It boasts interior tie-down straps, two external zippered pockets, and an adjustable, padded shoulder strap. Users report the padding is excellent and the 600 dernier material and zippers are very durable. Price is $25.95 at PyramidAir.com.
49″ Length
The Gamo case (item 6212374) is very inexpensive (just $12.99 at AirGunWarehouse), but owners report it is a “great value for the money”. The 48″ interior length should handle most rifles with a 28″ barrel, and there is ample space for a large scope. The case has one large pocket and a fabric shoulder strap on the reverse side. The interior has a soft, fleece-like lining and there is a rubberized, protective layer on the front, rear, and bottom. However, we warn that, because there is no hard nose box, if you leave a gap in the zippers near the front, the muzzle could exit the case. There are two zipper pull-tabs, front and back. Zip them up so they meet near the middle. Also we suggest putting a small rubber cap on the muzzle so it doesn’t catch on the zipper. The same advice applies to any soft case without a plastic nose guard.
50″ Length
The Allen “Euro” is a quality 50″-long case with enough interior space to handle 29-30″ barrels. This deluxe case features a fatter/taller front section to fit guns with wide forearms or attached bipods. This would be a good choice for a long-barreled varmint rifle. It features very thick foam padding (1.5″ per side) and multiple, velcro-closed external pockets. Midsouth Shooters Supply offers this case in hunter green (item 168-91550) for $35.66. A similar Allen-made case in blue or tan sold as the Remington Yukon. The Yukon is $33.66 at Cheaper than Dirt.
52″ Length
Among the ultra-long soft cases, the Kolpin Deluxe Soft Armor Gun Boot is one of the best you can buy. It has the nose-guard we recommend and is very thickly padded. A molded EVA foam bottom with a rubberized “track” allows the case to stand on its own. What are the negatives? Because Kolpin’s Soft Armor Gun Boot is designed for both scoped rifles and shotguns, the width of the front third of the case is pretty narrow. Also there is less clearance at the top than with some other soft cases. However, unless you have an extremely high scope mount or very long stock, this case should work for those long rifles with 30-32″ barrels. The Soft Armor Gun Boot is typically priced from $40-$55.00. Natchez Shooters Supply lists it for $45.50 but they are currently out of stock.
Bulldog Cases offers a bargain-priced 52″ soft case. If your rifle has a 31-32″ barrel, this Bulldog case should handle the length. The 52″ Bulldog features 2-1/4″ total padding thickness, a zippered slash pocket, and a shoulder strap. The 52″ Bulldog is offered in tan (BD242-52), green (BD241-52), or Mossy Oak camo (BD244-52). This case is available directly from Bulldog for $29.99. It is also sold by other vendors on the web for similar prices. NOTE: This case has no nose guard and has less padding than the cases listed above. It’s a “bare-bones” case, but if you have a super-long barrel, there aren’t many other inexpensive choices.
Battle Lake Predator Case — Plenty Long, but Pricey
Battle Lake Outdoors makes a 52″-long “Predator” rifle case that “has the best protection possible in a semi-soft case” according to one of our Forum members, Ron G. (aka “Radar”). The “Predator” case has an impact resistent .070″ plastic shell topped by high-grade 1000 Dernier Cordura nylon. The linining is soft “Chambrelle” fiber, which wicks away moisture. Overall, it is an impressive product, but it lacks a plastic nose guard and it costs $89.95. That puts it out of our list of “under $45.00″ products, but this case is worth considering if price is not a major factor.
October 13th, 2008
Planning an important fall hunt? Here’s a product that will help you pick the most effective bullet for use on big game. The Bullet Test Tube (BTT), an innovative product from Ballistic Technology, allows hunters to test the terminal performance of hunting bullets. This $69.95 unit contains a re-usable wax-like compound that simulates how a bullet penetrates and expands when shot into a game animal. With the BTT, you can measure the wound channel volume (with water), then split the medium in half to measure the wound channel’s length and width. To re-use the BTT, simply melt the wax-like core material in a standard 1.5 gallon crock-pot or large pan and pour it into a replacement cardboard target mold.
Click the screen below to watch a YouTube Video that demonstrates the whole process. (If you are at work, turn down the audio volume first.)
To learn more about the Bullet Test Tube, read this Product FAQ. The Bullet Test Tube has earned the NRA Publications 2007 Golden Bullseye Award and Field & Stream’s 2006 “Best of the Best” Accessories Award. The product is available through major vendors including Cabelas.com, MidwayUSA.com, and Sinclair International.
If you wish to capture the bullet after it passes through the test medium, add the Xtender accessory which slips on the end. This allows hunters to examine bullet integrity as well as wound cavity. Sinclair Int’l prices the Bullet Test Tube at $61.25, while the Xtender is an additional $57.60.
October 13th, 2008
Forum Member Jeff R. (“aJR”) from Australia has crafted a slick, handsome cartridge holder to use with his heavy Benchrest Gun. This is a simple, elegant design that would be relatively easy to build in a home workshop. Composed of two blocks of wood with parallel metal arms, the unit adjusts for height and block angle. Jeff tells us: “This is my new cartridge dispenser I knocked up in the shed. I wanted to get the record rounds up next to the action and this is adjustable for just about any gun/port configuration, right or left.” The cartridge caddy has ten round holes (for record shots) in the top wood block, stacked in two rows. The base piece has five holes for sighters, with the holes cut at an angle for easy access.
For the blocks, Jeff used “Jarrah” wood, a deep, red hardwood native to West Australia. Jeff says he did not stain the wood–what you see is the natural color, just sprayed with acrylic lacquer. A similar wood available in the USA is Satiné, also known as “Bloodwood”.
By the way, Jeff’s 1000-yard rifle is worth mentioning in its own right. The gun shoots a large 30-cal magnum wildcat cartridge and has set many Australian BR records. The rifle features a tensioned barrel system, custom Magnum drop-port action, and a metal/composite stock. Click HERE for more info. There’s even a YouTube Video showing Jeff shooting his big boomer.
October 12th, 2008
 Conditions were hot and windy at the 2008 NBRSA 100/200 Nationals, held this week at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, AZ. When the dust settled Tony Boyer came out on top, again proving his mastery of the sport in very challenging conditions. (During many matches, winds gusted from 15-25 mph.) Boyer, widely regarded as THE best short-range benchrest shooter in history, won the Four-Gun Overall, the Three-Gun Overall, and the Sporter/LV Two-Gun Overall Championships. Consider Boyer’s class by class Grand Agg rankings:
| UnLtd. |
LV |
HV |
Sporter |
| #1, .2710 |
#1, .2407 |
#3, .2321 |
#4, .2298 |
Tony won all the marbles by showing great consistency with a TOP 10 or better finish in nearly every class and every distance. But it wasn’t easy — Boyer had some very tough competition. Tony’s protegé, Wayne Campbell, finished second in both the Four-Gun and Three-Gun Overall Championship. Mike Ratigan and Harley Baker also shot superbly throughout the match. Mike finished third in the Four-Gun, and second in the Sporter/LV Two-Gun. Larry Costa, Joe Krupa, and Bob Scarbrough were some of the other top performers.
Overall, this was a very successful match with 130+ shooters, including most of the big names in the sport. There were Hall of Famers up and down the line. Match Director (and railgun world-record holder) Gary Ocock ran a smooth match.
For complete NBRSA Nationals results, with the scores of all 130+ competitors, visit the NBRSA Nationals Thread on Benchrest.com. Woody from Colorado has posted .pdf and text files with all the Grand Agg details, multi-gun results, plus most of the individual events (e.g. LV 100, HV100, Sporter 200 etc.). Below are highlights, with the top 15 shooters in the 4-Gun, and 3-Gun Grand Agg.
Four-Gun Overall Champion Ranking
Rank Name U10-100 U10-200 HV5-100 HV5-200 LV5-100 LV5-200 SP5-100 SP5-200 GrandAgg
1. BOYER, TONY 0.2198 0.3217 0.2076 0.2566 0.2038 0.2775 0.2022 0.2574 0.2433
2. CAMPBELL, WAYNE 0.2386 0.3401 0.2766 0.2457 0.2802 0.2474 0.2646 0.2183 0.2639
3. RATIGAN, MIKE 0.2764 0.3057 0.2660 0.3919 0.2792 0.2499 0.1720 0.2685 0.2762
4. COSTA, LARRY 0.2755 0.4436 0.2136 0.3157 0.3238 0.3114 0.2078 0.2359 0.2909
5. SCARBROUGH, BOB JR 0.3480 0.4123 0.2428 0.2863 0.2360 0.3036 0.2132 0.2914 0.2917
6. HUCKEBA, CHARLES 0.2928 0.2598 0.2498 0.3419 0.2622 0.3654 0.2444 0.3288 0.2931
7. HARRIS, CHRIS 0.2750 0.4120 0.2274 0.3232 0.2336 0.3538 0.2910 0.2418 0.2947
8. BAKER, HARLEY 0.3446 0.4868 0.1472 0.3131 0.2720 0.3203 0.2448 0.2556 0.2981
9. SAUTER, BART 0.2899 0.3715 0.3022 0.3594 0.2912 0.3023 0.2398 0.2889 0.3056
10. CONRY, MIKE 0.2329 0.3634 0.2824 0.3727 0.2306 0.3769 0.2786 0.3198 0.3072
11. KRUPA, JOE JR 0.3158 0.5200 0.1652 0.3856 0.2986 0.3003 0.1908 0.2866 0.3079
12. BRUNO, LESTER 0.2490 0.3716 0.2306 0.5405 0.2520 0.3229 0.2530 0.3025 0.3153
13. ADAMS, ED 0.2761 0.4694 0.2820 0.2907 0.2716 0.2959 0.2916 0.3596 0.3171
14. CREACH, DON 0.3106 0.3371 0.3916 0.3704 0.3444 0.2843 0.1968 0.3365 0.3215
15. BUKYS, GENE 0.2881 0.5199 0.2518 0.2942 0.2260 0.3874 0.2868 0.3187 0.3216
Three-Gun Overall Champion Ranking
Rank Name HV5-100 HV5-200 LV5-100 LV5-200 SP5-100 SP5-200 GrandAgg
1. BOYER, TONY 0.2076 0.2566 0.2038 0.2775 0.2022 0.2574 0.2342
2. CAMPBELL, WAYNE 0.2766 0.2457 0.2802 0.2474 0.2646 0.2183 0.2555
3. BAKER, HARLEY 0.1472 0.3131 0.2720 0.3203 0.2448 0.2556 0.2588
4. SCARBROUGH, BOB 0.2428 0.2863 0.2360 0.3036 0.2132 0.2914 0.2622
5. COSTA, LARRY 0.2136 0.3157 0.3238 0.3114 0.2078 0.2359 0.2680
6. BROWN, Rodney0.2740 0.3778 0.2564 0.2662 0.2070 0.2429 0.2707
7. KRUPA, JOE JR 0.1652 0.3856 0.2986 0.3003 0.1908 0.2866 0.2712
8. RATIGAN, MIKE 0.2660 0.3919 0.2792 0.2499 0.1720 0.2685 0.2713
9. HARRIS, CHRIS 0.2274 0.3232 0.2336 0.3538 0.2910 0.2418 0.2785
10. MEYER, TERRY 0.2226 0.2317 0.2858 0.2897 0.3294 0.3725 0.2886
11. KELBLY, GEORGE SR 0.2832 0.3326 0.2826 0.3353 0.2234 0.2837 0.2901
12. BURBY, BERNIE 0.2296 0.2935 0.2710 0.3726 0.2806 0.3022 0.2916
13. BUKYS, GENE 0.2518 0.2942 0.2260 0.3874 0.2868 0.3187 0.2942
14. SAUTER, BART 0.3022 0.3594 0.2912 0.3023 0.2398 0.2889 0.2973
15. ADAMS, ED 0.2820 0.2907 0.2716 0.2959 0.2916 0.3596 0.2986
Special Thanks to Match Director Gary Ocock (above) and to Jeff Welker for his match photos.
October 11th, 2008
Right now the NBRSA 100-Yard/200-Yard Nationals is wrapping up. Tony Boyer and other legends will be hauling away trophies, but some newcomers also did very well in very challenging (and windy) conditions. If you’re interested in learning more about the most accurate form of shooting, Benchrest Hall of Famer Speedy Gonzalez has prepared a comprehensive Guide to Benchrest Competition. It covers all aspects of the game: gear selection (hardware), reloading methods and tools, plus shooting skills and strategies. All of this is available on the web for free, thanks to Speedy and the Swedish Benchrest Shooters Assn. (SWBSA). CLICK HERE to read Speedy’s very complete BR Guide.
Speedy’s article is a gold-mine of info on shooting components and specialized reloading tools. It is also richly illustrated with high-quality photos showing gun components and reloading gear. Many of the photos show tools that have been sectioned so you can view the internals.
Speedy also discusses bullet design, and load tuning. There is a very informative section on Time Management and Target Management that will benefit all competitive shooters, no matter what their discipline.
October 11th, 2008
Now through October 31st, the MidwayUSA Competition Range Bag is on sale for $39.99, marked down from $59.99. This is a BIG bag, almost the size of an airline carry-on. Padded full-length pouches line each side and offer plenty of room for handguns. A drawstring bag for spent brass is also included. The main bag has multiple accessory pockets, two padded pistol rugs, and a water bottle pouch with drain grommet. The MidwayUSA Competition Range Bag is actually two bags in one. Inside the main compartment is a removable open-top bag with wrap-around web handles. It contains 6 magazine pouches and 2 hook and loop internal dividers.
Here are reports from actual owners, as posted on GlockTalk.com, which has no affiliation with MidwayUSA:
“Yes, the bag is huge. I’ve been using the bag for the last two years and really like it. I carry lots of stuff to the range, including several handguns.”
“Own it, Love it! It is a great deal if you ask me. I have plenty of room for weapons, targets, ammo, eye and ear protection and it even has a drink holder. It also comes with a brass bag!”
“The MidwayUSA range bag is money well spent! I bought one when they were 50% off, and it’s an awesome bag. Plenty of room for pistols and ammo, front and side pockets, drink holder, brass bag, shotgun shell bag, and two pistol sleeves. It’s great!”
“I got it and I love it. It’s well made and you can’t beat the price. Best 40 dollars I ever spent. And if they would sell it for 60 or 70 dollars, it would still be a bargain.”
Over 160 other user reviews are available on MidwayUSA’s website — just click the “Review” tab on the Product Page. The most recent review was posted yesterday by Brian in Kent, WA: “I cannot say enough good things about this bag. I looked at a few range bags that were double or even triple the price of the Midway USA Competition Range Bag, and none of them stacked up. Everything about this bag is high quality — the stitching, zippers, shoulder strap, fabric — and every time I open this bag I find another pocket or pouch. You will not find another bag of this quality with these features for under $60. Trust me I have looked.”
October 10th, 2008
 Here’s good news for fans of the “Triple Deuce”, the .222 Remington. Lapua plans to start making premium .222 Rem brass again. The .222 Rem once ruled the roost in benchrest competition. Prior to the introduction of the PPC family of cases, the .222 Rem was considered the most accurate cartridge on the planet. Some benchresters, such as George Kelbly Sr., still shoot the cartridge in BR competition, and it remains very popular with varmint shooters.
The Triple Deuce has a much longer neck than the .223 Remington. This long neck is considered a plus by many .222 shooters — they believe it reduces throat erosion (compared to a .223 Rem), while improving accuracy. Certainly, since the .222 Rem burns less powder than a .223 Rem, the .222 could yield longer barrel life than a .223, with charges of equal pressure.
Adam Braverman, U.S. representative for Nammo-Lapua, just returned from a visit to Lapua’s production facility in Finland. Adam was pleased to report that Lapua plans to resume production of .222 Remington brass. This will be produced “in-house”, and will carry a Lapua headstamp. Lapua plans to start production late in 2008, and the new .222 Rem brass should be available in early spring of 2009 in North America. No price has been announced, but we can expect the .222 brass to be priced comparably to Lapua .223 Rem brass, which runs $44.79/100 at Grafs.com.
October 10th, 2008
Grafs.com has Eley 17 Mach 2 ammo on sale for just $4.49 per box (item EL17HM2). This ammo, based on a 22 Stinger case necked down to 17 caliber, shoots a 17gr jacketed V-Max bullet at about 2050 fps. We’ve shot all the brands of 17 Mach 2 ammo, and the Eley is as good as anything out there. What you’ll typically get with a 5-shot group in a good rifle is 3 or 4 shots in a tight cluster and then one out. This is caused by a lot of factors (run-out, crimp problems, OAL variations etc.), and is true of all the 17 Mach 2 brands. Still, the round is fun to shoot and the 17 Mach 2 can deliver sub-MOA groups at 100 yards even with the “flyers”.
We recently tested the Eley, CCI, and Hornady 17 Mach 2 in a Hall-actioned BR rifle with a tight chamber. Shooting the Eley at 50 yards, we managed a couple 5-shot groups in the low ones — basically one-holers. That was exciting… but not repeatable. After a great group, the next group would typically be a 3/8″ or larger, with an unexplained flyer high or low. Still the average group size of the Eley was substantially smaller than either the CCI and Hornady ammo. Both CCI and Hornady 17 Mach 2 ammo are produced in the same plant. However, the particular sample of CCI we had did shoot better than the Hornady. The Hornady ammo also showed the biggest variance in cartridge length (from 0.961″ to 0.996″ COAL), while the Eley was the most consistent in length, with 3/4 of the 50 rounds in the box measuring between 0.990″-1.000″. All the brands performed best in a freshly-cleaned barrel. Groups opened up noticeably after 35-40 rounds had been shot without cleaning.
Bang for the Buck
When you consider that most brands of 17 HMR ammo now cost about $12.00 a box, the Eley 17 Mach 2 is an excellent value. The Mach 2 delivers the same 17gr V-Max bullet as the 17 HMR, but the Mach 2 just runs a little slower — 2050 fps vs. 2500 for the 17 HMR. For many shooters, it makes sense to use the 17 Mach 2 rather than a 17 HMR. With Eley just $4.50 a box, you can buy 133 rounds of 17 Mach 2 for the price of 50 rounds of 17 HMR.
October 9th, 2008
We often receive emails from shooters who are just getting started in hand-loading for precision rifles. These readers may have experience reloading for pistols or shotguns, but the fine points of producing precision rifle ammo are unfamiliar to them. Many readers seek advice on controlling neck tension, determining optimum bullet seating depth, and tuning loads. These are all key factors in rifle accuracy. Likewise we get many questions about using Wilson hand dies and arbor presses.
Sinclair International is now offering a new DVD entitled, “Advanced Handloading — Beyond The Basics”. This 45-minute DVD is hosted by John Barsness, contributing editor of Handloader Magazine and editor of Successful Hunter Magazine. Topics covered include correct case sizing, neck sizing, bushing selection, cartridge O.A.L. and many more. The tools and procedures needed to accomplish these tasks and measure the results are discussed in detail. This DVD was produced as a cooperative effort by Redding Reloading, Sierra Bullets, and Wolfe Publishing. Price is $19.95, Sinclair item 15-05978.
Gunsmith Richard Franklin, whose article on the 30-338 Wildcat is featured this week on our site, has also prepared a very useful instructional DVD. Richard’s two-hour-long Precision Reloading for Accuracy DVD explains many of the fine points of loading popular match and varmint cartridges. Richard demonstrates how to prep cases for best accuracy, how to neck-up or neck-down cartridges, how to turn case necks, and how to bump case shoulders properly. Richard’s DVD is a great resource if you need help with Wilson-type inline seating and sizing dies. Richard shows how to set up and use Wilson benchrest dies and to choose the right neck bushing for Wilson neck dies. Richard’s Precision Reloading DVD costs $24.00. Call 540-890-8649 to order, or email customrifles [at] hughes.net. For varminters, Richard also offers excellent DVDs on GroundHog hunting. A sequel to Richard’s popular “Death in the Green Grass” varminting DVD is scheduled for release very soon.
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