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July 16th, 2010
Tom Mousel of Kalispell, Montana, has set two new multi-match Aggregate 1000-yard World Records. Shooting at the Deep Creek Range in Missoula, Montana, Mousel set a new 10-Match Light Gun World Record with a 5.8954″ Aggregate. That’s an average group under 6 inches for 10 matches! Mousel also set a new Light Gun 6-Match World Record with a 4.8813″ Aggregate. That 4.8813″ Agg bettered the existing 5.251″ Light Gun 6-Match Record Agg set by Mousel himself last season (2009). Congratulations to Tom for a lot of hard work and some real fine shooting! Tom set these Aggregate records over the course of the 2010 season of the Montana NW 1000-yard Benchrest Club, which is affiliated with the Original Pennsylvania 1000 Yard Benchrest Club (Williamsport).
Tom’s record-breaking Light Gun is chambered as a 6mm Dasher (see photo above), which is an “improved” version of the 6mmBR Norma case. Tom uses a Stiller drop-port (bottom-eject) Viper action, set up in a Shehane laminated Tracker stock. Duane Capehart, who competes with Tom at the Deep Creek range, says that bottom-eject action helps Tom “shoot like a house on fire. Tom can get all ten shots off in under 25 seconds. He’s speedy, that’s for sure.” The barrel is a Krieger 1:8″ twist, 4 groove with about 1200 rounds through it so far. Tom has at least 12 firings on his Lapua cases, which he anneals every 3-4 firings with a Bench-Source annealing machine. He currently shoots Berger 105gr VLDs, pushed by a stout load of H4895, with CCI 400 primers. Over the course of the season he has chased the lands to maintain a seating depth about .003-.009 off the lands. Tom explains: “Seating depth is very critical with the VLDs. A few thousandths can make the difference between a fat ugly group, and something to brag about.”
Noted stock-maker and past 1000-yard Shooter of the Year Bill Shehane observed: “If I am not mistaken, [Mousel’s 10-match Agg] is better than the existing Heavy Gun 10-shot Aggregate group records. I don’t think you or I will live long enough to see either of Tom’s records broken. Think about it — 10 matches over 10 different days in extremely different conditions. That’s 100 shots in under six inches. That’s remarkable for any gun — much less a Light Gun. A 6-match or 10-match Agg is never a fluke. This is an Aggregate record we may never see the likes of again. Tom’s a modest guy and someone needs to give him some credit. I’ve been at this game a long time and know the effort one has to make to accomplish something like this.”
Annual 1000-Yard Championship In August
 If you want to compete with Tom Mousel and the whole Deep Creek gang, head up to Missoula in August. The Montana NW 1000-yard Benchrest Club will host its 1000-yard Championship Shoot on August 13, 14 and 15. The Montana Club’s current rules allow IBS and NBRSA guns in the 17-lb and Heavy Gun Classes. In addition there is an 11-lb Sporter class. All guns shoot 10-shot groups at 1000 yards.
Entry fees are $30 per gun, per day. Camping is available at the Deep Creek range, and there will be a Catfish Fry on Friday and a Steak Dinner on Sunday after the last match. Tom says: “Come to Montana and shoot with us. We have over $16,000 worth of prizes this year.” For more info, or to request entry forms, contact Tom Mousel at 406-450-0917, or Pat Capehart at 406-821-3737.
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July 16th, 2010
 Last month, we ran a story explaining how surplus aluminum Stinger missile transport boxes can be modified to hold two long-barreled match rifles side-by-side. We have received many emails concerning the Stinger missile box conversions. People wanted to know where they could purchase the Stinger boxes commercially. Folks also asked about shipping costs and weights.
On the outside, the Stinger missile transport boxes measure roughly 66″ x 12″ x 13″. Usable inside length is just under 62″. That’s nearly a foot longer than a typical long-range benchrest rifle with 30″ barrel — so you have plenty of clearance. As received from Uncle Sam, with hard foam internal cradles, the boxes weigh about 53 pounds. The boxes are watertight and are fitted with air relief valves, but they do not have key-locks. However, it is pretty easy to retrofit a hasp lock for security.
Stinger Missile Boxes $199.97 at SportsmansGuide.com
The Sportsman’s Guide is now selling the Stinger boxes for $199.97 plus shipping. These durable containers weigh a hefty 53 pounds shipped so there is a $5.00 “heavy product” surcharge in addition to regular shipping and handling fees. If you are a member of Sportsmans’ Guide’s “Buyers Club”, you can save money. Buyer’s Club price is listed at $179.97 plus shipping. If you’re doing a search on the Sportsman’s Guide website, these boxes are listed as “U.S. Military Aluminum Container”, item number WX2-157199.
Forum Member Stinger Box Offer
Paul Scott, one of our Shooters’ Forum members, acquired many of these Stinger cases a while back. He still has a half-dozen or so for sale at $175.00 plus shipping. These are the same type U.S. Army surplus missile boxes that Sportsman’s Guide is selling. The dimensions and features are identical, they’re just a bit cheaper. Paul charges actual UPS shipping, which should run from $30-$50 depending on far you are from Paul’s Texas home. To order, email pscott [at] pegasustexas.com.
It is very easy to add wheels to a Stinger Box. Start by sliding a solid axle through the horizontal “bumper” on one end. Add spacers, wheels, cotter pins and … Voilà, you have a wheeled double-gun transporter. Shown below is Paul Scott’s wheeled Stinger box: “The wife found a old hand truck dolly with 10″ no-flat wheels. Put the axle through the aft bottom bumper and secured it with 1/2″ pipe clamps. The spacer is 1/2″ irrigation pipe cut to fit and adapted for cotter pins. The 10″ wheels are perfect to fit in the box.”
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July 16th, 2010
 Now through July 25, 2010, GunMats.com is running a 50% off sale on printed mats used for gun cleaning and servicing. These mats are made from wetsuit-like neoprene sandwiched between fabric layers. One side of each mat is printed with an exploded diagram of a particular firearm. You can choose from a variety of designs, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Handgun mats are 11″x17″ and cost $6.50 (on sale) while the rifle mats measure 12″x36″ and cost $12.00 (on sale).
Handgun mats are offered for 8 handguns, including 1911, Browning High Power, Colt Python, Sig 220, Sig P225, Glock, HK USP, and Springfield XDM. Long gun mats include: AK47, AR15, Ruger 10/22, Rem 700, SKS, Winchester ’94, plus Mossberg and Rem 870 scatterguns.
Inexpensive Work Mat from Brownells.com
If you just need a durable work-mat and don’t care about the printed diagrams, Brownells.com offers an 8.75″ x 16.5″ plain black neoprene work mat for just $7.99. The Brownell’s mat is item 084-000-228, found on page 292 of Brownell’s catalog.
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