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September 22nd, 2008
The World Military Shooting Championship recently concluded in Boden, Sweden. American shooters did well, capturing the “Best Nation” title with the top aggregate points total. Rajmond Debevec of Slovenia was the top overall male rifle marksman, while Norway’s Gyda E. Olssen finished as top female rifle shooter. A Captain in the Norwegian military and an Olympic competitor, Olssen is surely one of the prettiest soldiers ever to shoot in CISM competition.
Captain Olssen — photo courtesy Norges Skytterforbund
CLICK HERE to download complete Match Results from Boden, Sweden
Team USA Wins Three Medals and Best Nation Title
American shooters from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, (and one USNR member), won three medals and the coveted title of Best Nation at the CISM World Military Shooting Championship. “We were down by as many as 40 points,” said USAMU Commander Lt. Col. Frank Muggeo, USA CISM Team chief of mission. Ultimately we pulled it out by 10 points and have won the title of Best Nation. We have not won this event in eight years. Our soldiers were shooting in events that are only shot at CISM and they are not events that we practice throughout the year. This just goes to show how important the fundamentals of marksmanship are.”
US Women Win Gold at 50m
The first CISM Gold Medal was awarded to USA’s Women’s Rifle Team in the Women’s 50-Meter Sport Rifle Prone Team Match. Winning gold were: Sgt. Kelly A. Dove, Spc. Nicole M. Cooper of the USAMU, and Army Reservist Lt. Col. Rhonda L. Bright, formerly of the USAMU. In this match, the women fired 60 shots in 1.5 hours at a target with a bullseye smaller than a dime. Germany took the Silver Medal and Norway the Bronze.
China Wins Most Medals
The World Military Shooting Championship involves both pistol and rifle disciplines. By dominating the pistol matches, China finished with the highest medal count. China took home eleven medals from the championships, six of them gold, two silver and three bronze. Norway came second in the medal count with eight medals, followed by Belarus with five.
Norway’s Men and Women Both Win Gold in Team Rifle Events
The Team Rifle competition yielded double Gold Medals for Norway. In the 300m three-position military rapid fire rifle team match, Norway’s men smashed the world record to win gold. The new record is 1,724 points — 31 points better than the previous record. In the women’s 3×20 team rifle match, Norway’s lady shooters grabbed the gold, finishing two points ahead of runner-up Sweden. The Norwegian gold-medal winning team consisted of Kristina Vestveit, Gyda E. Olssen and Hanne Skarpodde. “We really hadn’t expected this, we did have our sights on a medal, but we never thought we’d shoot better than Germany’s team,” said an overjoyed Stale Larsen, team leader for the Norwegian women’s team.
Norway’s Army Capt. Gyda E. Olssen, hugs Norway team leader Stale Larsen
Photographer: Mats Engfors, PIC WMSC 2008.
September 21st, 2008
Earlier this summer, Marine Corps instructors tutored 146 junior shooters at the Annual Camp Perry USMC Junior High Power Clinic. Retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Ken Roxburgh and his cadre of Marine and Team Bushmaster shooting instructors held forth in proper Marine fashion. As the clinic began, Gunny Roxburg barked: “You will not disrespect your instructors or your classmates by closing your eyes during this clinic.”
The clinic ran Friday, 25 July, through Sunday, 27 July, and focused on the key elements of range safety and etiquette, shooting position, aiming, sling skills, trigger control, zeroing, effects of weather and proper use of the data book. Roxburgh emphasized the science of shooting, spending considerable time explaining the physiology of sight and the physical requirements of successful marksmanship. At one point Roxburg chided: “If a shooter is having difficulty acquiring proper eye relief, perhaps he spent a little too much time with his good friend Jose Cuervo the night before.” Days two and three were spent shooting on the range firing at 200, 300 and 600 yards.
Roxburgh’s style of instruction combines education, discipline, humor, and mutual respect –- all key elements needed to communicate with young adults. Roxburg notes: “What we really try to teach is safe weapons handling as it relates to fundamental marksmanship and match participation. We have to have a great measure of self-discipline and the ability to follow appropriate orders and regulations given by the people that run these matches.” Roxburgh has been a lead instructor in the USMC HP Junior Clinic many different years. A member of the USMC rifle and pistol teams, Roxburg retired from active duty in 2005 after 30 years of service to the Corps — most notably as a sniper instructor.
You can learn more about the USMC Junior Clinic at Camp Perry, and read comments from students, in the The First Shot, the CMP’s Online Newletter.
Photos copyright ODCMP.com, used with permission.
September 21st, 2008
 In some areas of the country, for environmental reasons, shooters and hunters are not allowed to use solid lead or lead-cored bullets. One of the options available for these shooters is the new E-Tip® bullet from Nosler. The E-Tip features a plastic tip, an expansion cavity, and a patent-pending alloy construction that Nosler claims provides less fouling, and better bullet-weight retention than traditional pure copper designs. Nosler claims that the E-Tip’s Expansion Cavity allows for immediate and uniform expansion yet retains 95%+ weight for improved penetration.
As a “September Special”, Midsouth Shooters Supply, is offering E-Tip bullets at discounted prices. Four bullet weights are offered in three calibers. The prices shown below are for 50-count boxes.
| Caliber |
Bullet |
Midsouth Product ID |
Price for 50 |
| .270 Win (.277) |
130gr Spitzer |
115-59298 |
$28.29 |
| 7mm (.284) |
150gr Spitzer |
115-59426 |
$29.73 |
| 30 Cal (.308) |
150gr Spitzer |
115-59378 |
$29.73 |
| 30 Cal (.308) |
180gr Spitzer |
115-59180 |
$31.80 |
September 20th, 2008
The Presidential election is shaping up as a very close contest. Depending on which poll you read, McCain or Obama has a slight lead in the popular vote. What many voters (and most newscasters) forget is that we have an electoral college system. Each state delivers a certain number of electoral votes (usually, but not always, “winner take all”).
According to Electoral-vote.com, if the election were held today, Obama would capture 273 Electoral votes, compared to 265 for McCain. 270 votes are needed to win. The charts display predicted electoral vote outcomes in all 50 states.
But the race see-saws — just yesterday, McCain had the edge in electoral votes, 265 to 252. The difference was Pennsylvania. Interestly, Pennsylvania (21 Electoral votes), just yesterday was listed as “exactly even”, meaning it could swing Democratic OR Republican.
In the latest poll Pennsylvania is “Barely Democratic”. As goes Pennsylvania, so could go the Electoral College. Ohio is another key state. In recent Presidential elections, the result in Ohio nearly always predicted the eventual winner. Ohio is “Barely Republican” right now.
Message to Voters in Key ‘Swing’ States (Pennsylvania This Means You!)
Important states like Pennsylvania and Ohio could swing on a few thousand votes. Pennsylvania has a large population of shooters and hunters. If the hunters and sportsmen come out and vote in large numbers, this could determine Pennsylvania, and that, in turn could put McCain in the White House rather than Obama.
Other key states where the votes of hunters and outdoor sportsmen could shift the balance are: Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire. These states are now listed as “Barely Democratic” with a 3% margin of error in the polls. Quite literally, if hunters and shooters go to the polls in strength, a few thousand more Republican (red) votes could change the election. And consider this, if the tiny state of New Hampshire (whose motto is “Live Free or Die”) swings from “Barely Democratic” into the Republican camp, the loss of those four (4) electoral votes would drop Obama from 273 to 269 votes — below the 270 required to win.
LESSON: In the key states, hunters, shooters, and supporters of gun rights CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. If just one “Barely Democratic” state swings the other way, that could determine the outcome of the election.
The differences between the two Presidential candidates are great. The path this nation takes in the next four (or even eight) years will be very different depending on who sits in the Oval office. Will that be John McCain or Barack Obama? Pennsylvania shooters — it may be you who answer that question!
Charts syndicated via electoral-vote.com. Visit Electoral-Vote.com for daily updates.
September 20th, 2008
Bad things can happen if your barrel gets too hot. First, with some barrels, the point of impact (POI) will shift or “walk” as the barrel heats up excessively. Second, even if the POI doesn’t change, the groups can open up dramatically when the barrel gets too hot. Third, if the barrel is very hot, the chamber will transfer heat to your loaded cartridge, which can lead to pressure issues. Finally, hot barrels wear out faster. This is a very real concern, particularly for varmint shooters who may shoot hundreds of rounds in a day. For this reason, many varminters switch among various guns, never letting a particular barrel get too hot.
How do you monitor your barrel temperature other than guessing by “feel”? Neconos.com offers Bar-L Benchrest strips that visually display heat readings from 86 to 140 degrees. Think of these strips as compact, unbreakable thermometers. With adhesive backing, they can also be used to monitor barrel heating. Put a strip on the side of the barrel and the barrel’s temp will be indicated by a stripe that changes from black to green. There is also a “general purpose” strip that reads to 196 degrees (bottom row). The Benchrest strip (86F to 140F) is in the middle. Bar-L temp strips cost $9.00, or $25.00 for a 3-pack.
Value-Priced Temp Strip 10-packs
If you have many rifles, McMaster.com (a large industrial supply house) offers the same reversible, 7 temperature, 86F to 140F strip (item 59535K13) for $11.86 per pack of ten (10) strips. That’s an excellent value. Thanks to reader Josh B. for this tip!
Controlling Ammo Temperature is Important Too
Keeping your loaded cases at a controlled temperature is vital for maintaining good ES and case life. At a late summer varmint match we observed pressure signs with cases that had been sitting in direct sunlight for about 15 minutes. As we were running a “moderate” RL15 load, the pressure indications were surprising. Testing over a chronograph, cases that had been sitting in direct sunlight showed velocities up to 70 fps higher than those that had been kept in the shade. Using QuickLoad’s temperature function, we calculated from the rise in velocities that case pressures had increased by over 4,000 psi–just from 15-20 minutes in direct sunlight!
September 19th, 2008
Which chronograph do you prefer? That’s the subject of a current thread in our Shooters’ Forum. Forum member Dennis (aka “Flatlander”) had praise for his CED Millenium unit. Dennis explained: “I bought an Oehler M33 back in 1985 and worked around its shortcomings for 20yrs. before buying a CED Millenium. Initially, I set both chronos up and fired some standard velocity 22 LR rimfire ammo over both sets of skyscreens to compare velocities. They were within less than 10fps of each other, and that’s the last time I’ve set the M33 up and used it.
CED Chronograph with Carry Case (sold separately)
While I feel I got good data out of the M33 (most of the time), its skyscreens were pretty sensitive to the lighting, and I got tired of having to check all six D cells before leaving for the range. If even one of the six had dropped below about 1.495 volts, I’d often get really weird readings (like 4200 fps with a 85BTHP out of a 243 Win), and/or a lot of missed shots – that’s kind of a PITA when you’ve loaded only five rounds of a new load you’re testing. The small LED display is also hard to read in direct sunlight.
The CED seldom misses a shot — when the light gets low enough to give problems, I’ve been able to remove the diffusers and get another 20 minutes or so of shooting. The original 9 volt battery is still working just fine after three years of regular use, and I can read the large LCD display without my bifocals.”
I’d like to have one of the newer M2 CEDs, but have gotten used to transcribing data by hand (if nothing else, it gives a rifle barrel a little extra time to cool between strings), and really don’t know what the other improvements CED has made to the M2 would do for me. Meanwhile, I’d like to use the M33 & CED together to get muzzle & downrange data to compute actual BCs of some of the bullets I shoot to compare to the maker’s claims.
[Note: Flatlander uses the First Generation CED Millenium. CED now sells the upgraded “M2″ model. The new M2 has more memory and can clock a wider range of bullet speeds -– from 50 fps all the way to 7000 fps. The upgraded M2 will record velocities at much lower light levels than the previous Millennium chronograph. The M2 also features improved software, and an USB interface. That offers simple “plug and play” compatibility with laptops and home PCs.]
CLICK HERE for more information on CED’s latest M2 Chronograph.
The CED M2 Chronograph is distributed by Competitive Edge Dynamics, (610) 366-9752. It is also sold by major vendors including Brownells, Dillon Precision, and MidwayUSA.
September 18th, 2008
Shooters Ridge®, a subsidiary of ATK, has introduced a new bipod (MSRP: $145.49) with some interesting features. With aluminum legs and a quick-release mount, the new Shooters Ridge Deluxe Bipod is lighter and easier to deploy than some competitive products.
Light Weight Plus Swivel/Cant Capability
The twist-lock bipod legs are crafted from aluminum for a 30% weight savings over conventional bipods. The twist-lock adjustment allows the legs to be set at any height the shooter prefers. The new bipod features dual thrust bearings. These allow the shooter to adjust the tilt of the rifle to keep the scope reticle level on uneven ground. Shooters Ridge claims the bearings also help hunters follow moving game, presumably by allowing some traverse.
Quick Attachment Feature
The Shooters Ridge Deluxe bipod features a rapid-mounting system. Affix the cam assembly on the forward swivel and the bipod slips on and off in seconds. Internal click locks keep the bipod snugly on the firearm while the push button release lets you remove the bipod quickly and quietly. This new bipod can be used with or without a sling and is available in both 9” – 13” (40455) and 13” – 21” (40457) models. For more info, visit ShootersRidge.com, and click on “New Products”.
NOTE: This product info was supplied by Shooter’s Ridge. We haven’t field-tested one yet. “Street Price” is $105-$129.00. At that price, it is more expensive than the Harris Swivel models which can be purchased for about $85-$90 at discount vendors.
September 17th, 2008
 Well, yes, that headline is a come-on. But there’s truth in the promise. The “miracle device” to which we refer is a simple wind indicator.
Remarkably, many shooters who spend $3000.00 or more on a precision rifle don’t bother to set up windflags when they shoot. Whether you’re a competitive shooter, a varminter, or someone who just likes the satisfaction of drilling small groups, a set of windflags is something you should take to the range every time. And yes, if you pay attention to your windflags, you can easily cut your group sizes in half. Here’s proof…
Miss a 5 mph Shift and Double Your Group Size
In the following table we show the effect of a 5 mph crosswind at 100, 200, and 300 yards. You may say to yourself, “well, I’d never miss a 5 mph let-off.” Consider this — if a gentle 2.5 mph breeze switches from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock, you’ve just missed a 5 mph net change. What will that do to your group? Look at the table below to find out.
Values from Point Blank Ballistics software for 500′ elevation and 70° temperature.
Imagine you have a 6mm rifle that shoots half-MOA consistently in no-wind conditions. What happens if you miss a 5 mph shift (the equivalent of a full reversal of a 2.5 mph crosswind)? Well, if you’re shooting a 68gr flatbase bullet, your shot is going to move about 0.49″, nearly doubling your group size. With a 105gr VLD, the bullet moves 0.28″ … not as much to be sure, but still enough to ruin a nice small group. What about an AR15, shooting 55-grainers at 3300 fps? Well, if you miss that same 5 mph shift, your low-BC bullet moves 0.68″. That pushes a half-inch group well past an inch. If you had a half-MOA capable AR, now it’s shooting worse than 1 MOA.
If you’ve already invested in an accurate rifle with a good barrel, you are “throwing away” accuracy if you shoot without wind flags. You can spend a ton of money on fancy shooting accessories (such as expensive front rests and spotting scopes) but, dollar for dollar, nothing will potentially improve your shooting as much as a good set of windflags, used religiously.
Which Windflag to buy? Click here to view many windflag designs.
Video from Carbon River Windflags
Aussie Windflag photo courtesy BenchRestTraining.com (Stuart and Annie Elliot).
September 16th, 2008
High-School senior Paul Wagner set two potential IBS 600-yard Light Gun records this past weekend at the Piedmont Gun Club in Rutherfordton, NC. Paul started off with a .711″ 5-shot group for his first target in LG class. He ended up with a spectacular 1.6288″ 4-target Aggregate. In order, his four targets were: 0.711″, 1.848″, 2.191″, and 1.765″. We are told that both the 0.711″ group and the Agg are potential IBS records for the new 600-yard target. In the process of setting the records, Paul won LG class (group), beating some pretty good trigger pullers, including 2008 Nationals Winner Samuel Hall. Paul also out-shot his own dad, Rodney Wagner (aka “Eggman” on our Shooters Forum). Rodney reports: “My son Paul is pretty humble about his trigger-pulling abilities. As a Dad, I’m probably more excited than he is!”
Rodney Wagner tells us: “Paul started going to IBS 600-yard matches last year and actually shot his first match the end of 2006 season using a custom Savage model 12 with a SharpShooter Supply 20BR barrel. This year, when I built Paul a rifle he could call his own, he really started winning. Some even thought he had a chance of winning the IBS 600 Nationals at Oak Ridge this year. Several old timers have commented on his good ‘table manners’. I think his secret is he just doesn’t get excited, and takes everything in stride. He has been known to nap between relays with his IPod and earplugs in a folding chair. Paul shoots free recoil using a Protektor bag with medium high ears and a Bald Eagle front rest on a plate.”
Record-Setting Rifle Specs
The rifle features a Stiller drop-port Diamondback action, Jewell trigger, and a 28″, 8-twist Krieger barrel (heavy varmint contour). It was chambered as a “no-turn” 6 BRX by Mike Davis using his 6 BRX reamer. The stock is a Shehane Obeche Tracker II bedded and finished by Mike Isenhour who added his own weight system. On top is a Nightforce 12-42x BR scope mounted with Burris Signature ZEE rings. The load is just basic 6 BRX: 33.6 grains Varget, 105gr Berger VLD, CCI 450 primers, Lapua brass on the 7th firing. Rodney Wagner reports: “I sometimes sort bullets by bearing length but have not done that in a while as I have been getting really good bullets right out of the box from Berger.”
September 16th, 2008
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reports that, less than a decade after entering the ammunition market, Minneapolis-based Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) has become the nation’s largest ammo manufacturer. The company said it is on track to deliver 1.4 billion rounds of ammunition in fiscal year 2009. Yep, that’s BILLION with a ‘B’. ATK-made ammunition now generates more revenue than all other commercial ammo brands, including Winchester and Remington. While military sales make up almost 70 percent of revenues for ATK’s $1.6 billion Armament Systems Division, ATK is aggressively working to increase its sales to target shooters and hunters, according to Business Week:
“[ATK] pushed its way into small-caliber ammunition in 2000 with an aggressive bid to run the U.S. Army’s Lake City Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo., that made it the military’s biggest ammo supplier. It has since moved swiftly into the civilian sphere, wooing hunters and police officers with creative marketing and bold promises of better performance. Military sales make up almost 70% of revenues for ATK’s $1.6 billion Armament Systems Div., one of ATK’s fastest-growing units. On Aug. 7 the unit reported a 32% increase in sales for the last quarter, to $442 million, while profits jumped 53%, to $44 million.”
ATK’s strategies are paying off, not only in the military sector, but in the civilian sport and hunting markets as well. As a result, ATK’s stock value has more than doubled in the last 5 years, showing robust growth when many companies’ stock prices are being hammered.
ATK Expands Lake City Production Facililty
ATK announced it has received an additional $104.3 million in military small-caliber ammunition orders from the U.S. Army. Work on the contracts will be performed by ATK at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Missouri. Working in partnership with the Army, ATK has expanded manufacturing capacity at the plant.
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