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March 21st, 2010
 We’ve been upgrading some pages for the website, including this new layout for the AccurateShooter.com Daily Bulletin. We’ve noticed that some features of this page (and on other websites) may not display optimally with earlier versions of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. If, for example, some of the navigation tools don’t work, a browser upgrade will fix that. If you’re still running IE 6.0 or 7.0, we strongly recommend you upgrade to Internet Explorer 8.0. You can also use another type of browser, such as Firefox or Chrome. But for our readers who prefer IE, we advise upgrading to version 8.0.
Compared to IE 7.0, Internet Explorer 8.0 will display most websites faster (with fewer faults) when running XP or Vista, AND it will definitely provide a better browsing experience with the new Windows 7 operating system. Internet Explorer 8.0 also provides enchanced security for all Windows OS types (XP, XP Home, Vista, Windows 7). Internet Explorer 8.0 can be downloaded and used for FREE.
CLICK HERE to go to the Internet Explorer 8 download page.
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March 20th, 2010
From April 30 – May 2, the Original Pennsylvania 1000 Yard Club will host a multi-day, long-range benchrest school at its Williamsport range. For $250, up to 36 students will enjoy 1 night and 2 days of intensive training under the tutelage of some of the nations’ top 1000-yard shooters. There are still some spots available for the class, which is designed for novice to intermediate shooters. The sign-up deadline is April 25th.
On Friday night (April 30), students will meet their mentors, including school director Frank Grappone. Saturday (May 1), the class moves to the range for a full day of hands-on technical training. Topics will include precision reloading, load development, gun handling, use of chronograph, analysis of shooting results, gun cleaning, and target analysis. The Williamsport Club will provide the rifles and all reloading components. Saturday’s sessions are followed by a steak dinner, included in the $250 seminar price.
On Sunday (May 2), after an early training session covering bench set-up and match strategies, students will participate in a 1000-yard match, spending time both behind the trigger and in the pits. Instructors will explain how to read conditions, and will demonstrate target measuring and analysis after the relays. The program wraps up before 4:00 pm on Sunday.
The 1000-yard Benchrest School is limited to 36 students (with less than 3 students per advisor). Intructors include Gunsmiths Bruce Baer and Mark King, our Asst. Editor Jason Baney, and many Williamsport Hall of Fame shooters. For more info, email School Director Frank Grappone, frankgrappone [at] sbcglobal.net.
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March 19th, 2010
 Yesterday beloved actor Fess Parker, who earned fame in the roles of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, passed away at age 85. Parker died peacefully at his Santa Barbara County, California home on the birthday of his wife of 50 years, Marcella.
For many baby-boomers (including this Editor), Fess Parker (as Davy Crockett) was a childhood hero — our first rifle-toting role model. The first installment of “Davy Crockett,” with Buddy Ebsen as Crockett’s sidekick, debuted in December 1954 as part of the “Disneyland” TV show. A native Texan, Parker was a towering 6’6″ tall, well-suited to playing legendary frontiersmen Crockett and Boone. Fess Elisha Parker Jr. was born August 16, 1924, in Fort Worth, and Parker loved to point out that Davy Crockett’s birthday was August 17.
Fess Parker was far from the Hollywood stereotype. He was a quiet, modest, honorable man — a good husband and father (Parker had two children and 11 grandchildren). But more than that, Parker was a generous soul who gave back to his community. This Editor was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where Fess Parker was an important community leader for the past four decades. After his 22-year Hollywood career, Parker built a popular oceanfront hotel in Santa Barbara and started a successful winery in the nearby Santa Ynez Valley. He gave generously to local charities and lead efforts to create new city parks.
I have stayed in Parker’s hotel, visited his winery, and as a young man practicing law, I even met Fess and worked on one of his business projects. I can say Mr. Parker was a true gentleman — as honest and forthright as the characters he popularized on television and in the movies. Though he was not a vocal gun rights advocate like fellow actor Charlton Heston, Parker, as a true Texan, enjoyed hunting and shooting. Parker certainly helped spur interest in historic rifles and shooting through his acting roles. Many may not know that Parker’s first movie appearance was alongside Gary Cooper in Springfield Rifle in 1952. So Fess Parker will always be an iconic American Rifleman, a hero to all those who believe in the frontier spirit. Rest in peace Mr. Parker — you gave us all many great memories.
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March 19th, 2010
 Smith & Wesson has launched promotions for the M&P 15 Rifle, M&P Pistol, S&W Sigma pistol, and the Walther PPS pistol. Under the Spring Load-Up offer, M&P Rifle purchasers will get five (5) free magazines from Smith & Wesson. M&P Pistol buyers will receive a $50 rebate OR two free magazines from Smith & Wesson. Likewise Sigma pistol purchasers will receive a $50 rebate OR two free magazines directly from Smith & Wesson. Finally, when a consumer purchases any new Walther PPS pistol chambered in 9mm or .40 S&W, they will receive one (1) free Walther magazine. NOTE: In states where restrictions apply 10-round magazines will be available.
Each promotion has time limits. CLICK HERE for more details. To take advantage of the mail-in rebate offers consumers must complete the rebate coupon (downloadable online) including serial number, enclose a copy of the dated sales receipt with store name and have their redemption coupon postmarked by date indicated on the coupon.
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March 19th, 2010
 The NRA Competitive Shooting Division has issued its updated Rules for 2010, complete with a quite a few notable changes. Download updated Rules by clicking the link below.
CLICK HERE to Download 2010 High Power Rule Changes (8 page PDF file; changes only).
Competitors should download and read the changes. There are some interesting changes. For example, the eligibility rules have been changed so that foreigners can win NRA matches: “2.1.1 Non-US Citizens — Non-US citizens may compete and are eligible to win any NRA Sanctioned tournament, unless further restrictions are imposed by conditions stated in the program.”
There are also a series of small changes to the Service Rifle (3.1), Any Rifle (3.2), and NRA Match Rifle (3.3) Rules. For Service Rifles, rifle descriptions have changed from separate numbers to Rule 3.1 alpha-subsections, (i.e. 3.1 (a), (b), (c), (d)). Notably, the new 7.62mm M-110 Service Rifle, first approved in 2009 under (then) Rule 3.1.6, is now incorporated under the general service rifle definition as new section 3.1 (d). For Palma competitors, the 2010 Rules have further codified the rifle eligibility standards: “3.3.1 U.S. Palma Rifle — (a) A rifle with metallic sights chambered for the unmodified .308/7.62 or .223/5.56 NATO cartridge case; (b) Any service rifle with metallic sights chambered for the unmodified .308/7.62 NATO or .223/5.56 NATO cartridge case.” There are no 2010 changes for the “Any Sight Match Rifle/Tactical Rifle”, adopted in 2009 under Rule 3.3.4.
If you have questions about any of the rule changes, contact Jan Raab at jraab@nrahq.org. CLICK HERE to sign up for the FREE monthly Competitive Shooting E-Newsletter. The hard-copy High Power Rule book (without 2010 revisions) can be purchased on the NRA Website.
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March 18th, 2010
Experienced marksmen know they should keep their rifles level when shooting. But they may not understand exactly what happens if they allow their rifle to be canted (tilted left or right), even a few degrees. While the physics are complicated to explain, here’s what you need to know: if you cant your rifle to the left, your shots will impact to the left, and lower, than your point of aim. Likewise, if you cant your rifle to the right, your bullets will impact low and right.
Effects of Rifle Canting
The effects of rifle canting are explained in great detail on the Long Shot Products Ltd. website. There, you’ll find a technical discussion of the Physics of Rifle Canting, plus a page with Sample Targets shot with canted rifles.
Referring to the above illustration, the Long Shot Products article explains: “Notice how the trajectory of the vertical hold stays within the vertical plane, so when the projectile drops, it drops into the line of sight and down to the center of the target. The trajectory of the cant hold does not achieve the same height as the trajectory of the vertical hold and the projectile diverges from the line of sight, thereby missing the target.”
The Long-Shot article makes two other important points. First, cant error increases with distance, and second, cant-induced windage errors are worsened by mounting your scope high above the bore axis:
“This component of cant error becomes more significant at more distant targets due to the increased original included angle between the line of sight axis and the bore axis (more elevation compensation) at the vertical hold.”
“Use of large-diameter objective scopes, mounted high off the barrel, exacerbates the cant error problem. To keep the scope elevation knobs centered for maximum adjustment, precision shooters sometimes use elevation-compensated scope mounting rings or bases. Although this solves the adjustment problem, it greatly exaggerates cant error because the distance between the bore axis and the line of sight axis increases and the included angle between the sight axis and the bore is larger, producing more windage error when canting.”
Test Targets Reveal Cant Errors
The Long Shot Products Ltd. website also displays actual Test Targets showing the effects of canting error. These targets were shot with air rifles and rimfire rifles, but the same effects can and will occur with centerfire rifles. Shown below is a target shot at 50 yards with a Feinwerkbau .22LR match rifle using RWS Match ammo (1012 fps MV). As you can see, canting the rifle 20 degrees to the left produced a huge movement of the point of impact. The shots from the canted rifle impacted 1.81″ Left, and 0.6″ below the point of aim.
CLICK HERE to view more Canted Rifle TARGETS.
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March 18th, 2010
 Sinclair International has released its latest print catalog, the 2010-A edition. The new catalog has grown to 204 pages with more than 11,000 products. The new catalog features hundreds of new products from Sinclair, Redding, Hornady, Barnes, Redfield, Leupold, Nosler, Lyman, Lapua and more.
Trained Tech Staffers Provide Reloading Help
Sinclair Int’l President Bill Gravatt revealed that: “Our tech staff are all certified, NRA Metallic Reloading Instructors who can help answer questions regarding reloading and shooting accuracy”. In addition to live assistance (via telephone), Sinclair offers many useful reloading tips via its Reloading Press Blog.
With the product shortages and rising prices of ammo following the 2008 elections, more gun owners than ever are reloading their ammo. Sinclair Int’l has expanded its inventory to better serve both first-time reloaders as well as “expert” hand-loaders. Serious shooters know that Sinclair Int’l is one of the best sources for high-end precision reloading gear. Gravatt agrees that “[Sinclair] has … the more specialized tools for more advanced reloading tasks.”
To order Sinclair’s new catalog, you can call 800-717-8211 or submit a catalog request online. CLICK HERE to request a catalog. NOTE: You can also download a digital version of the latest catalog for FREE.
CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD Sinclair International 2010-A Catalog (204 page PDF file)
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March 17th, 2010
The Shooting USA TV show on the Outdoor Channel presents its Annual SHOT Show Special today. The one-hour broadcast airs three times on Wednesday, March 17, starting at 4:00 pm Eastern Time. SHOT Show is the shooting industry’s largest annual event, attracting thousands of exhibitors and over 25,000 dealers and media attendees. Shooting USA interviews representatives of many leading companies, including Barrett, DPMS, Les Baer, Smith & Wesson, STI, and U.S. Optics.
For the 4-day event, held in Las Vegas from Jan. 18-22, Shooting USA brought its entire reporting team: Jim Scotten, John Scoutten, Mike Irvine, Brian Speciale, and videographer Greg Simmons. To preview the new products covered in the SHOT Show Special broadcast, visit the Shooting USA website.
Shooting USA SHOT Show Special Broadcast times
* Eastern Time: 4:00 PM, 8:00PM, 12:00 Midnight
* Central Time: 3:00 PM, 7:00PM, 11:00 PM
* Mountain Time: 2:00 PM, 6:00PM, 10:00 PM
* Pacific Time: 1:00 PM, 5:00PM, 9:00 PM
SHOT DAILY Digital Editions Available
You can still download digital (PDF) editions of the SHOT Daily print magazines distributed to SHOT Show attendees. Each of the four (4) issues contains a major product review, and many other shorter features. The Day 1 Daily features new Rifles for 2010, while the Day 2 Daily features new Optics and Ammo. In addition, you’ll find many other items of interest to rifle shooters.
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March 16th, 2010
 The governor’s signature is the only hurdle remaining for a holiday memorializing firearms inventor John Moses Browning. The Utah House voted 64-0 to commemorate the Utah-born inventor on Jan. 24, 2011, the opening day of next year’s legislative session. It will come 100 years after Browning invented the Model 1911 pistol, which became the official sidearm for the U.S. military. Even today, variants of the 1911 pistol are among the most popular handguns sold worldwide, and the 1911 is THE platform of choice for custom raceguns and self-defense pistols.
You have to love Utah’s legislators for voting to recognize J. M. Browning. At a time where states such as California are curtailing the rights of guns owners and demonizing the shooting sports, Utah is doing just the opposite. With this proposed holiday, Utah recognizes the important role Browning and his inventions have played in the history of this nation and the defense of democracy worldwide. We tip our hat to Utah and hope that Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signs the legislation creating John M. Browning Day.
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March 16th, 2010
MidwayUSA has cut the price on its Frankford Arsenal 6″ Electronic Calipers from $21.99 to just $12.99. This stainless steel caliper features a high-contrast LCD readout, and it comes with a fitted plastic case and 1.55 volt battery. With the touch of a button the tool switches from inch units to Metric units and back again. Claimed measuring accuracy (resolution) is +/- .001″.
We’ve used Frankford Arsenal calipers before. Though they won’t compare to a Mitutoyo, they are adequate for many basic reloading tasks. You can use these as a backup tool carried in your range bag or vehicle glovebox. The $12.99 price (good through March 31, 2010) is the lowest we’ve seen from MidwayUSA in a long time. Unlike some of the no-name electronic calipers sold on eBay or at Harbor Freight, the $12.99 Frankford Arsenal caliper are CE Certified and carry a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
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March 16th, 2010
Here’s a good deal from AirGunsDaily.com if you’re looking for an inexpensive air rifle for your kids, or just a “fun gun” for plinking. Today only, AirgunsDaily.com is offering the RWS 34P (Panther) .22 Cal (pellet) Air Rifle with 4X32mm Scope and a 2-piece C-mount for just $227.99. Shipping is just $7.00.
The RWS 34 Panther is the most popular air rifle sold by RWS. It has an injection-molded synthetic stock and adjustable fiber optic sights. It is a break-barrel design with a 2-stage adjustable trigger, and 33-lb cocking weight. RWS has a good warranty and this rifle has earned excellent reviews from Pyramid Air customers, one of whom wrote: “Appearance and finish out of the box were flawless. It cocks smoothly and has a very well-balanced feel. From the very first shot I was surprised how accurate it is.”
If you miss today’s AirGunsDaily.com offer, Pyramid Air sells the RWS 34P, in either .177 (1000 fps) or .22 (800 fps) calibers, with NO scope, for $216.85. Pyramid also offers a package deal: $220.09 for the .177 version with a tin of .177 pellets and FREE Shipping.
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March 15th, 2010
We have a “Palma/Tactical” project gun in the works built with an Eliseo chassis, Borden action, and one of Krieger’s very first 5R barrels. Initial load testing with Hodgdon Varget showed excellent accuracy potential, but we weren’t achieving the velocity we hoped to get from the 30″ medium-Palma-contour barrel. With Lapua brass and Varget we ran short of case capacity when seating bullets to mag-length, and the best accuracy came at about 2860 fps, well under competitive Palma velocities.
Mark LaFevers with .308 Win Eliseo Tubegun on SEB NEO front coaxial rest. Mark made the wood front bag-rider.
Chris Hodgdon kindly shipped us some H4895 and some of the new IMR 8208 XBR powder, lot #1022510-4798. In beautiful 70° conditions yesterday, we did a quick pressure work-up with both powders to determine “practical max” loads with the Berger 155.5gr Fullbore bullets (#30416). The 155.5s were loaded in once-fired Lapua brass with CCI BR2 primers, to a COAL of 2.860″, which is about .010″ short of land contact.
Varget-beating Speeds from Both IMR 8208 XBR and H4895
We loaded up two rounds at each charge weight, starting with the Hodgdon’s recommended starter load for a 155gr Sierra HPBT, as found in Hodgdon’s online Reloading Data Center. (There was no load listed for the 155.5gr Berger). It’s good that we started low because we saw immediately that both the 8208 XBR and the H4895 were yielding much more velocity, grain for grain, than Varget. Though we were not shooting for groups, the 8208 XBR also seemed to have a very large accuracy load window. Moreover, the velocity spreads for each two-round 8208 charge (above 43.0 grains) were remarkably low — none were more than 6 fps, and the velocities on our two 44.0-grain shots were exactly the same — 2992 fps. (This was NOT an error — the chron registered both shots #7 and #8.)
Of course, you can’t conclude much about ES/SD from just two shots, but the speed consistency in the 8208 was notable as you can see from the chart above. By contrast, each pair of H4895 shots varied in speed much more. For example, the two-shot ES for 43.0 grains of H4895 was 14 fps, while the two-shot 8208 XBR spread (for 43.0 grains) was 4 fps. It will be interesting to see if further testing confirms the low ES/SD potential of IMR 8208 XBR in the .308 Winchester.
We dispensed charges with an RCBS ChargeMaster calibrated and leveled on a granite bed. The 8208 XBR has smaller kernels than either Varget or H4895 and, as we expected, 8208 XBR dispensed very easily. The H4895, with longer kernels, dispensed fine in the ChargeMaster, but it took the machine more time to trickle the H4895.
As noted, we didn’t shoot for groups, but the IMR 8208 looked like it would shoot really well at anywhere from 43.0 to 44.0 grains. The H4895 proved accurate as well, at least in the high pressure ranges. We need to do 5-shot testing, over flags, before drawing any real conclusions. But right now we can say that, if you’re shooting a .308 with 150-155 grain bullets, you should definitely try the IMR 8208 XBR. It looks like a near-perfect match for the Palma-class bullets. The velocity is great, it appears the ES will be very low, and 8208 XBR packs more densely than Varget so you won’t have to run compressed loads.
Our most important discovery was that both 8208 XBR and H4895 offered significant velocity gains over Varget, at least in this rifle. It looks like 8208 XBR can run 2990 fps in this gun without pressure issues, while H4895 may top 3000 fps. Varget struggled to get much past 2900 fps.
IMPORTANT WARNING: The stated max load for IMR 8208 XBR with a Sierra 155gr HPBT was 45.3 grains, while the stated max load for H4895 (same bullet) was 46.0 grains. Note that, in this rifle, which has a tight 0.298″ Palma bore, we hit pressure limits well before reaching Hodgdon’s “book max.” Read that again carefully folks. Our 44.0 grain “practical max” for 8208 XBR was a FULL GRAIN less than the stated max load with a Sierra 155-grainer. Likewise we started getting stiff bolt lift at 44.3 grains of H4895 — a long way from the 46.0 grain stated max. So, the combination of a different bullet, and a tighter-than-normal bore made a significant difference in pressures. This is why, if you change ANY component in a load recipe you MUST start low for safety. And never assume that a factory “Max Load” is safe or “conservative”.
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