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January 25th, 2009
Barry O. (aka “TheBlueEyedBear”) of Montana is a long-term Forum member and “friend of the site”. Barry owns some pretty spectacular rifles, all built with premium components. His latest ‘Pride and Joy’ is a mighty impressive piece of field artillery. This is one serious “big boomer” chambered in the 338 Snipe-Tac® cartridge (based on 408 CheyTac®). The rifle was built by Dave Viers of Black Diamond Rifles (Viersco.com). Viers tell us: “The 338 Snipe-Tac® was developed in 2001 for extreme long-range hunting and target applications. The parent case is the 408 CheyTac® necked down and shoulder improved to 35 degrees. H2O capacity is a whopping 165 grains! For velocity, 140 grains of Hodgdon BMG-50 powder propels a 300gr Sierra MatchKing bullet to a average speed of 3300fps. Accuracy is half-MOA or less.”
Barry successfully took elk with this rifle this season. The .338 Snipe-Tac certainly offers more than enough “knock-down power” for any North Americcan game. Barry explains: “Success must have come from the gun — it could not have been the ‘Nut behind the trigger’. My elk load this season was a Henson 265gr aluminum-tipped bullet pushed by 140+ grains of US-869 powder. Muzzle Velocity was 3496 fps (recorded by my PVM-21). Muzzle Energy approached the ‘Mack Truck’ mark. The bullet impact at 424 yards destroyed the off shoulder of my elk.”
Gun Specifications:
Action: Lawton 8000 Action with Jewell HVRST trigger.
Barrel: 32″ Lawton chrome-moly, 1:11″ barrel with Viersco Muzzle Brake.
Stock: Manners carbon Tactical Stock with custom camo paint by Dave Viers.
For more info, contact David Viers, Viersco Mfg., 58896 – 866 Road, Allen, NE 68710, phone: 402-635-2333 or 712-266-5083 (cell).
January 25th, 2009
Jim Scoutten, host of the popular Shooting USA television show, has recorded a series of video interviews for the Outdoor Channel. During these six segments, Jim talks about trends in the shooting industry, including the current surge in gun sales, particularly for semi-automatic, military-style rifles. Jim talks about the effect of Obama’s election. Jim also offers his predictions as to what we can expect in the months ahead… both from gun manufacturers and from the politicians in Washington. It’s an interesting series of interviews, available via streaming video on the Outdoor Channel Website.
CLICK HERE to watch Jim Scoutten interviews (SIX Segments).
January 24th, 2009
 After SHOT Show ended on Jan. 18th, many exhibitors had little time to rest. They immediately packed up their displays and headed west to attend the 2009 Safari Club International (SCI) Convention in Reno, Nevada. The SCI convention kicked off Wednesday the 21st, and concludes today, Jan. 24th. The SCI show, dubbed the “Ultimate Hunters’ Market”, attracted 20,000+ attendees, drawn by product displays from firearm and gear-makers, plus a series of informative seminars, covering everything from venison recipes to internet marketing.
The SCI show is also famous for its fund-raising auctions. SCI’s auctions offer exotic custom firearms, once-in-a-lifetime hunts, plus fine art and collectibles. Net proceeds from the auctions are used by SCI to promote conservation and game management efforts worldwide. To learn more about the auctions, visit the SCI Convention’s Auction Preview Page on the web. There you can download e-brochures showing guns, trips, and art up for auction. CLICK HERE to download the Firearms Auction Section as a .pdf file.
As just a small sample of the exotic arms that went up for bid in Reno this week, check out these impressive firearms from the 2009 SCI Auction Catalog:
Krieghoff .470 Nitro Double Rifle — Valuation $84,000
Krieghoff’s ‘Legends of the Hunt’ double rifle, chambered in .470 Nitro Express, is custom engraved by master engravers Michael Oke and Andreas Scholz. The stock is exhibition-grade Turkish walnut with ebony pistol grip and forend tip. There are gold barrel bands and gold accents on the express sight blades and double triggers. For more info, visit www.Krieghoff.com.
Dakota .270 Win Model 10 Falling Block — Valuation $17,500
Dakota Arms LLC has donated an extraordinary Model 10 falling block rifle in .270 Winchester. Features include a French grey receiver, quarter rib, hooded front sight and full-coverage scroll engraving with gold wire accents. The stock is special select Bastogne walnut with a right-hand shadowline cheekpiece, tear drops, schnabel forend and hand-cut fleur-de-lis and ribbon checkering.
Ferlach 12ga + 9.3x72R Drilling — Valuation $6,500
Here is a side-by-side shotgun/rifle drilling by Ferlach of Austria. This magnificent boxlock features an engraved, scalloped and case-colored receiver, 27 1/2″ barrels with a fixed front sight and two folding rear sights. Other features include sideclips, cocking indicators, extractors, double triggers, and a manual Greener-style side safety.
January 24th, 2009
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 Matt Sigrist of the USAMU 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.
January 23rd, 2009
We recently talked with Dave Kiff of Pacific Tool & Gauge (PT&G). Dave told us he has a number of new time-saving tools for gunsmiths, plus new bottom metal and bolt components for owners of Remington rifles..
Specialized Gunsmithing Tools in Stock
At the show, dave noted that PT&G currently has a variety of specialized cutting tools in inventory. Dave says the big new is is “Gen 2 Reamer”. This unique $287.00 tool will true the receiver face AND the internal lug recesses simultaneously. That will save a gunsmith time and effort. Dave offers other specialized cutters including:
– Threaded Receiver Mandrel for external engraving, outside truing etc. — $189.00
– Oversize Thread Reamer — $189.00
– Diamond-coated tap for Rem 700 – $189.00
 New Rem 700 Upgrades
Dave Kiff has collaborated with parts designer Kevin Wyatt to introduce some exciting new hardware for precision tactical, match, and hunting rifles. The new PT&G/Wyatt products will include custom bottom metal for the Rem 700, and a Win m70 claw-extractor modification for the Remington 700.
Initially, the Rem 700 bottom metal will be crafted from aluminum (steel versions will be offered soon). The bottom metal will use Wyatt’s detachable box magazines. The bottom metal fits a standard Remington footprint (though minor modifications may have to be made to the receiver). Both aluminum and solid steel versions should be available by late spring for $205.00 with one magazine, and extra mags are $54.00.
The Claw Extractor mod for the Rem 700 is a robust design that avoids some of the problems associated with a SAKO-style extractor in a Rem bolt. The Claw Extractor allows a “normal” ejection angle so you won’t bounce your brass off the windage knob of the scope. No receiver alterations are required, and Wyatt is working to provide controlled feeding in the final production version. The new Claw Extractor product, according to Dave Kiff, should be available by the end of 2009. Installation will require a gunsmith — this is not a do-it-yourself mod.
January 23rd, 2009
The Classifieds Section in our Shooters’ Forum seems to get more popular every week. In our Classifieds you’ll find some great bargains on reloading tools, barrels, stocks, and complete rifles. A couple rifles for sale caught our eye because they were built by top smiths and good values.
Franklin-built 6BR Undertaker
The first is a handsome 6BR smithed by Richard Franklin. It features a laminated walnut, low-profile “Undertaker” thumbhole stock. The action is a blueprinted stainless Rem 700 fitted with a Jewell trigger (with safety). The gun is in “like new” condition and the Krieger barrel has only 135 rounds though it. Weight, without scope, is 13 lbs., 1 once. We bet this would be a great shooter for club varmint matches. Asking price is $1950.00 but you’d have to pay more (and wait a long time) to get Franklin to build you something similar.
• Richard’s Undertaker laminated Walnut stock with clear coat finish
• Blueprinted Remington 700 Stainless SA Receiver, Holland SS lug
• Action pillar bedded with polished SS front and steel rear pillars
• BAT polished aluminum trigger guard
• Krieger SS Match 1:8” twist LV taper 28” barrel -– polished
• SAAMI Min 0.272” no neck turn chamber with 0.080” freebore
• Callahan Firing Pin Assembly
• Mounting Solutions Picitinny 6” Scope Base
• Ken Farrell 30MM Scope Rings
• Rifle weighs 13 pounds 1 oz. without scope (scope NOT included in sale)
Stevens-Built 6PPC with .308 Boltface
The second gun is a good value for someone looking to get started in short-range Benchrest. This Stolle Grizzly 6PPC features a .308 bolt-face so it could also be converted to a 30 BR for score shooting, or a 6BR/Dasher for 600-yard shooting. The gun is built by Col. Billy Stevens, a very highly respected smith. The asking price is $1600.00 (plus actual shipping and insurance.) You may want to ask how many rounds are through the barrel. Call S. Crawford at (931) 619-8175.
“RB/LP Stolle Grizzly 6ppc Light Varmint with .308 Boltface. Kelby Flat Bottom BR Stock Molded in color Green, Jewell Trigger and Davidson Bases. Hart Barrel 1-14 Twist. Built by Billy Stevens. This gun is a shooter. Scope not included. Must ship to FFL.”
January 23rd, 2009
4/1/2009 UPDATE: READ THIS FIRST!! Bruno’s is currently sold out of most primers. Call for availability.
 Amy Bruno reports that Bruno’s Shooters Supply has “ample quantities” of some hard-to-find reloading components:
PRIMERS
– 207,000 Federal 210 Large Rifle STANDARD primers in stock at $30.05 per 1000.
– 107,000 Federal 150 Large Pistol Match primers in stock at $36.95 per 1000.
– 60,000 Federal 100 Small Pistol Match primers in stock at $35.79 per 1000.
POWDER
– Reloder 17 in 1-lb bottle, $21.08; Reloder 17 in 5-lb. jug, $95.00
– Hodgdon H322 in 8-lb. jug, $136.66
– Hodgdon BenchMark in 8-lb. jug, $136.66
– Vihtavuori N-133 in 8-lb. jug, $168.71
Note: For powder and primer orders, add $22.50 haz mat fee and shipping charges.
January 22nd, 2009
We’ve been covering the hot, new products at SHOT Show continuously since last Wednesday. But this page can only display a couple days’ worth of items. Fear not… ALL our SHOT Show 2009 content is available here. You just need to click some buttons.
We know many readers may be new to our Daily Bulletin so you may not know how to access older articles. It’s quite simple really. First, after you’ve read the last article on this page (at the bottom), just click the “OLDER POSTS” link. That will give you the previous day’s articles.
Use Calendar to Navigate Day By Day
A really easy way to access SHOT Show Reports from the past five (5) days is to use our Navigation calendar. Look over to the right column, on this page. You’ll see a small calendar. Just click on a date in January and you’ll be taken to the posts for that day. Start with January 15th to get all our SHOT Show coverage, including Media Day.
January 22nd, 2009
 The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s SHOT Show wrapped up Sunday in Orlando with strong attendance and a cautiously optimistic outlook for the coming business year. Though many trade shows have seen a decline in attendance, SHOT Show attendance increased 3% when compared to its last visit to Orlando in 2007, and was down just 6% when compared to last year’s record-breaking show in Las Vegas. According to preliminary figures, this year’s show attracted 25,384 attendees, 22,098 exhibiting personnel and a record 1,425 members of the media for a total attendance of 48,907.
Many manufacturers’ representatives confirmed that the show was very good from a business standpoint. Despite the troubled economy, orders were being taken and demand seemed strong for a wide variety of products. High-tech rifles and handguns, in particular, have seen a jump in sales heading into 2009.
Steve Hornady, president of Hornady Manufacturing Co.:
“Response to our new products has been good. Some of this, of course, is in anticipation of a problem down the road. This year will be determined primarily by what happens in Washington, and is for the most part out of our control. We hope that common sense will prevail, and the fact that further regulation of our industry is not the solution.”
Scott Grange of Browning:
“It’s been a good show. With all of the interest in high-tech arms, it good to see that the interest in our over/under shotguns was also up. The SHOT Show specials we laid out for retailers were very well received. The success here has helped position us for the expected upturn in the economy.”
Al Russo of Remington Arms Co.:
“Our meeting rooms were booked, and the quality of the buyers at the show was very good. We saw good volume in our law enforcement booths, and we’re very pleased with the media turnout.” |
SHOT Daily Available Online
All four issues of SHOT Daily, the magazine printed each day of the SHOT Show, are available online in PDF format at www.shotshow.org. SHOT Daily is printed for NSSF by Bonnier Corp., publishers of Outdoor Life, Field & Stream and SHOT Business magazines.
January 15 | January 16 | January 17 | January 18
Story and photo © 2009 by NSSF, used with permission
January 22nd, 2009
 In our SHOT Show reports, we’ve provided in-depth coverage of notable new optics from March (DEON), Leica, Nightforce, Schmidt & Bender, and Zeiss. To learn more about new riflescopes, spotting scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars from other manufacturers, you can download the January 16th (Friday) edition of the SHOT Daily.
Just posted online, this NSSF e-zine dedicates five pages to new products from all the well-known optics manufacturers, including Bushnell, Burris, Leupold, Nikon, Pentax, and Swarovski. Plus, on page 64 of the Jan. 16th SHOT Daily, there is an in-depth feature on Nikon’s new hunting scopes, including the Predator Hunter with BDC reticle, and the low-magnification (1.1-4×24) 30mm African Series scopes, designed for dangerous game. The Predator Hunter bullet-drop-compensating (BDC) reticle has a center circle that subtends a coyote’s vital area at 100 yards, for quick sighting and target acquisition. Nikon’s new scopes, “are an example of an increase in specificity of hunting and shooting products,” according to SHOT Daily.
CLICK HERE to Download 1/16 SHOT Daily with OPTICS REPORT (.pdf file).
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