If you want to get started with turning case necks, check out our article on Neck Turning Basics, authored by German Salazar. As German explains, one of the keys to achieving a smooth, consistent cut on your case-necks is to use quality lube and lubricate both the inside of the case necks and the neck-turning mandrel. German uses Imperial Die Wax, the old standby. This works very well, as German demonstrates, but we know that many reloaders prefer to use a liquid lube, as they find that it is easier to apply and remove.
Dozens of different liquid neck-turning lubes have been used successfully, including blends of Mobil 1 motor oil and STP, as well as various “secret recipes”. This Editor’s preferred lube for “skim” neck-turning, where only a single light pass is required, is Prolix Xtra-T lube. This is a thick, blue-colored lubricant that contains a bit of paraffin. It is VERY slippery, yet because of the paraffin it stays in place on the mandrel (arbor). It comes in a 1.25 oz. plastic bottle with a handy extended “needle-nose” applicator tip. The long-nosed tip makes it easy to apply lube inside a case neck, or to very precisely add a small drop right ahead of the cutter tip on the neck-turning tool. Xtra-T lube is also a good general purpose lubricant that nicely fills the gap between a grease and a typical oil, and it works well on pistols too. In consistency, Xtra-T lube is similar to molasses. It flows like a thick oil, but it has good adhesion because of the paraffin component in the blend.
I’m not suggesting Xtra-T is the ultimate “miracle” neck-turning lube. There are many other good options. But Xtra-T applies easily, stands up to heat, stays where you put it, and works great as a general-purpose lube as well. You’ll find Prolix Xtra-T lube in many shooting supply stores or you can order directly from www.ProlixLubricant.com. The small bottle with applicator tip costs $6.99.
In the Utah backcountry, a group of avid shooters turned entrepreneurs have created an exciting new shooting sport: Rifle Golf. We kid you not — this is not a late April Fool’s story. Here’s how it works — north of Salt Lake City, at the 8,400-acre Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf facility, 30 realistic wildlife targets have been set up set at distances ranging from 175 to 1,200 yards. Shooters engage targets in numbered sequence as they progress through four covered shooting stations. Hits are scored on each of the 30 full-size metallic animal targets, with bonus points for “bulls-eye” hits to the vital zones. A single session of Rifle Golf (4 stations, 30 targets) costs just $50, with a small fee for ATV rental. The game is challenging yet fun, and it allows hunters to practice their shooting skills at various distances, with both up-angle and down-angle shots. The YouTube video below shows the action at all the shooting stations — definitely watch the video.
ATVs Haul Shooters to Four Different Shooting Stations
Marksmen test their long-range accuracy on multiple targets set up at different angles and slopes along a 6-mile course. ATVs are used to travel to each of the four stations and shooters can choose from the classic course for newcomers or the more challenging masters’ course. Each hole or target is assigned a par value depending on the degree of difficulty. Shooters can cut strokes from their score by hitting the life-size wildlife targets in the vitals area. Successful shooters are rewarded by a “dinging” sound when they hit the steel target fitted to each silhouette.
According to Jeff Petersen, Spirit Ridge guide: “Rifle Golf is an ideal way for hunters to practice their shooting skills. You’ll become a better shooter and identify your limits regarding how far you can accurately and consistently shoot.” We think this kind of multi-target, multi-location shooting experience should be fun for tactical shooters as well as hunters. Offering ranges from 175 to 1200 yards, the Spirit Ridge ‘course’ mimics real-life hunting experiences for riflemen of all abilities. Each station features multiple targets, and the shooters must, at times, make steeply angled shots — just as they would on a real hunt. The reactive targets, complete with ‘vitals’, let you know when your shot is dead-on.
Spirit Ridge — There’s No Other “Shooting Range” Quite Like It
Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf is located in scenic North Central Utah hill country. Groups of four to six shooters are accompanied by a guide who assists with locating targets and scoring. Each shooting station sits on a concrete slab covered by a metal awning. All stations are equipped with shooting benches, a picnic table and chairs for participants, guides, and spectators. The Club House features meeting space, restrooms, showers and other amenities. You’ll find lodging and restaurants in nearby Tremonton, Utah.
“We’re a one-of-a-kind shooting facility,” Petersen said. “While there are plenty of places to shoot targets, there’s no other operation like this. Nobody else has a range of this size and variety.” AccurateShooter.com is impressed with what the folks at Spirit Ridge are doing. They have put together a nice facility in a great location. Having been in business since 2005, they have refined and improved the “product”, and customer feedback has been very positive. As the organizers explain: “It’s Golf with a Gun, an ATV, and NO Dress Code.”
We think Spirit Ridge’s $50.00 “single event” fee is very reasonable, and for $175 you can get a four-session “Punch Pass”. To learn more about Spirit Ridge visit www.spiritridgeriflegolf.com. To reserve a “Tee Time”, or request a group booking, call 435-764-6980. For those of you in the Utah region — a day of “Rifle Golf” would make a perfect Father’s Day gift for an active hunter or shooter.
Each year, skilled shooters from many countries come to Camp Perry, Ohio to compete in Pistol, Smallbore Rifle, and High Power Rifle disciplines at the NRA National Matches.
With the National Rifle & Pistol Championships kicking off in month, there’s no better time to check out the 2011 NRA National Matches Program. This official guide to the NRA National Matches is available for FREE online in a digital magazine format. The National Matches Program includes a full schedule of events, an explanation of rules and courses of fire for all disciplines, a sponsor list, and other important information for Camp Perry competitors.
Last week, Savage Arms unveiled some interesting new rifles in a surprise “Mid-Year Product Announcement”. The three new guns include two (2) new long guns chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, plus a new camo-stocked “Law Enforcement Precision Rifle” fitted with a center-feed detachable box magazine (DBM). These three new offerings should please the tactical shooters out there.
Two new models in .338 Lapua Magnum
Long range shooters will be pleased with the two new .338 LM models. These join Savage’s popular Model 110 BA which has been offered in .338 LM as well as .300 Win Magnum. The NEW Model 110 FCP HS Precision is a long range tactical rifle featuring a 5-round detachable box magazine, HS Precision fiberglass stock with aluminum V-block, 26″ heavy fluted barrel, muzzle brake and AccuTrigger. The Model 110 FCP weighs 10.7 pounds and has a suggested retail price of $1,499.
The second new .338 LM offering is the Model 110 Long Range Hunter (LRH). This hunting varient is lighter and easier to field-carry than the 110 FCP HS (above). The new Model 110 LRH features a composite AccuStock with 3D bedding and a Karsten adjustable cheekpiece. The Long Range Hunter also has a 5-round detachable magazine, heavy fluted barrel, muzzle brake and AccuTrigger. It weighs 9.25 pounds and has a suggested retail price of $1,213.
Model 10 FCP-SR — This new law enforcement precision rifle features our new 10-round, single-column, center-feed detachable box magazine. It also has a tan digital camo synthetic AccuStock with 3D bedding, Accutrigger, 24″ heavy fluted barrel,, a matte black metal finish and one-piece scope mount. The muzzle is threaded for a muzzle brake or suppressor with a 5/8 24 thread. A thread protector is installed. Suggested retail is $1,182.
Precision Rifle Offerings — January Intros
In addition to the mid-year product roll-outs, at SHOT Show earlier this year Savage announced numerous new rifle models. Here are some of our Editors’ favorites among the many models introduced in January, 2011 at SHOT Show.
Model 12 Long Range Precision. Savage expands its high-end target and varmint lineup with the Model 12 Long Range Precision (LRP). The impressive Model 12 LRP features a full-profile, fluted heavy barrel, detachable box magazine, blued finish and an HS Precision fiberglass stock. It also features the red target AccuTrigger, which is adjustable all the way down to a superlight 6 ounces. It is chambered in 243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 260 Rem. Suggested Retail: $1,081.
Model 110 Predator Hunter Max 1: Savage expands the Predator Series with a long-action model in 6.5-284 Norma only. This rifle features a synthetic AccuStock in Realtree Advantage Max 1 camo, Matte finish, AccuTrigger, detachable box magazine and a 24″ medium-contour fluted barrel. Suggested Retail: $889.
Suppressor-Ready Models: Savage has enhanced several models with threaded muzzles that make it a snap to add an aftermarket suppressor or brake. These models are the Model 10 FP-SR, Model 64 TR-SR, Mark II FV-SR, Mark II TRR-SR (shown), and Model 93R17 TRR-SR. These feature a threaded muzzle with twist-off thread protector installed. 308 caliber rifles have a 5/8 24 thread, while the 223 Rem. and rimfire models have a ½ 28 thread.
This video has highlights and interviews from the 2011 Tactical Bolt Rifle Challenge (TBRC) in Northern California. Some 66 shooters competed in a multi-stage event held May 27-29, 2011 by the Nor Cal Practical Precision Rifle Club (NCPPRC). You’ll see the latest tactical hardware and shooting techniques in this lengthy (35 minute) video.
The video shows bolt guns being shot from a variety of positions: prone, kneeling, sitting, standing, and off barricades. Match Director Vu Pham explains some of the more interesting courses of fire in the match. There are also interviews with many of the competitors. If you The last 10 minutes or so of the video covers the awards ceremony at the end of the match. If your time is limited, you may want to skip that section.
If you often shoot at multiple distances, it’s smart to keep a come-up table (ballistics chart) with your gun. Some guys have a laminated card, while others print out a ballistics chart and tape that to their buttstock. That works, but it’s not a very stylish solution.
Leupold sells a cool, compact Retractable Ballistics Chart that holds your ballistics data on a retractable tape in a plastic housing. Write your come-ups on the tape with a permanent marker pen, such as a fine-point Sharpie. Access the data just like using a measuring tape — pull out to read and then the tape rolls back into the housing. This black plastic, scope-mounted device retails for about $35.00. There are two different versions — part #54804 for 1″-diameter scope tubes and part #54778 for 30mm scopes.
Here are some user reviews:
“Much better solution than taping your drop chart to the stock. Just need to be careful of what type of pen you use to write in your data, some felt-tips smear. Has held up fine so far, no complaints.” — R.C., West Virginia
“It serves it’s purpose but $34 is a little pricey. I used masking tape cut down the middle to fit the size of the chart and wrote my come-up values in MOA on the masking tape. That way it is easily changeable without making permanent marks on the chart. Tape pulls out to about 9 inches.” – D.H., Indiana
“I like to shoot long range and the retractable ballistic chart is much nicer than printing it on tape on the side of my rifle. I use a tactical scope so now I can pull out my ballistic information and set my range without my eye leaving the target. The only problem is pencil smudges, and felt tip will not come off. They need a replaceable print area on the tape.” — B.H., North Dakota
Quite a few of our hunter friends have praised the DNZ Products (aka DedNutz) “Game Reaper” scope mounting system. This is a unitized one-piece base AND ring system. Because the rings are integral with the scope base, there’s no potential misalignment between the front and rear base. You also eliminate the need to keep separate rings torqued securely on an action-top rail. The rigid DNZ design has no moveable parts between the firearm and the scope.
Made of milled, anodized aluminum, the one-piece DNZ scope mounting system is one-third the weight of most other one-piece base and ring mounts and it can’t rust. For rifles with a Weaver or Picatinny-style base, we still advocate the use of Burris Signature Zee rings. However, if you are looking for a sturdy, low-profile set-up that attaches directly to the receiver, the DNZ system fits the bill. It would be a good choice for a walk-around varminter or a deer rifle. Because DNZ “Game Reaper” front and rear rings are precision CNC-machined, DNZ claims that it’s not necessary to lap the rings. We still recommend you inspect the ring edges and lightly debur as necessary. If you choose to lap the rings, do it gently as the inside should be very concentric already and you don’t want to grind through the anodizing.
One DNZ scope mount user, writing on huntingnet.com, comments: “I bought a pair of DedNutz for a Browning A-Bolt and a pair of Talley Lightweights for the same gun. I have to tell you that I think these DedNutz rings are some of the most rugged rings I have seen and yet are very lightweight. The [DedNutz] have a superior finish to the Talley lightweights … and they are better machined. I put a lapping bar on both and the Talleys needed it but not the DNs.” DedNutz scope mounts are are offered in 1″ and 30mm sizes, in matte silver, matte black, or Realtree Camo finishes.
DNZ scope mounts start at about $54.00 and can be purchased from MidwayUSA.com, or direct from DNZProducts.com. (You’ll probably find MidwayUSA’s prices to be considerably lower.)
The BLADE Show (and Int’l Cutlery Fair), the world’s largest combined trade show/exposition of handmade, factory and Antique knives, runs this weekend, June 10-12, at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, Georgia. The show is open to the general public. A one-day ticket is $15 (kids under 12 get in free with a paid adult). Visitors will get a bonus this year — the 2011 Tactical Gear Expo will be co-located with the BLADE Show at the Galleria. All attendees will have access to both shows with one admission.
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the BLADE Show, which showcases knives of all varieties at over 750 exhibitor tables and manufacturers’ booths. Exhibiting their wares will be famous custom knife-makers and major blade manufacturers, plus there will be many impressive knife collections on display, with some rare items valued in excess of $25,000!
Exciting demonstrations and informative seminars will be held over the weekend. Saturday morning there will be a knife and Tomahawk throwing exhibition, followed by a live, blade-forging demo at 12:30 pm. At 4:15 pm visitors can see jaw-dropping action at the 9th Annual BLADE Show World Championship Cutting Competition. Sunday will be busy as well, with a team of experts showing historical sword-fighting techniques in the morning, followed by afternoon blade-making seminars.
Guns, Knives, and All Things Tactical at Expo
The 2011 Tactical Gear Expo runs under the same roof as the BLADE Show, and entry is FREE with a BLADE Show ticket. The Tactical Gear Expo features manufacturers and suppliers of tactical firearms, tactical knives, self-defense gear for civilians, and all manner of law enforcement and military hardware. On display will be tactical firearms and accessories, duty gear, body armor, books/DVDs, flashlights, lasers, eyewear, edged weapons and more.
$10,000 Custom Knife Giveaway
Each BLADE Show attendee is eligible to win a special, engraved, 30th BLADE Show Anniversary knife crafted by the William Henry Studio. To enter, just fill out a form at the BLADE Show. The drawing will be held Saturday afternoon at the William Henry booth.
Here’s a good deal for magnum shooters on a tight budget. If you need a quality, slow burn-rate powder suitable for large-capacity cartridges, check out Winchester WXR powder. Production of WXR has been discontinued, but quantities are still available. PrecisionReloading.com has 8-lb jugs of Winchester WXR for $104.49, which works out to just $13.06 per pound. Grafs.com has 1-lb containers of Winchester WXR for $13.99, on “close-out” pricing (limited quantities, no back-orders). Winchester WXR is a Swedish-made, double-base, slow-burning extruded propellant used in larger-size cartridges. WXR is an excellent choice for the .25-06, .270 Win, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag, 7mm WSM and 300 WSM cartridges. Some industry observers have suggested that Winchester WXR is virtually the same as Alliant Reloder 22. We can’t confirm that, but the load recipes are similar. Keep in mind that, at $13.06 per pound, WXR is nearly six bucks per pound cheaper than Reloder 22 (in 5-lb containers).
The Reload Bench’s Burn Rate Comparison Chart shows WXR having a burn rate very close to Vihtavuori N165 and IMR 7828. In tests with a .25-06, WXR delivered velocities 30 to 60 fps higher than Reloder 22, with equal loads grain for grain (see WXR vs. RL22 report). In the .25-06, the WXR was slightly more energetic than Reloder 22, so a max load with WXR proved to be about 1.0 grain lower than a RL22 max load. Another WXR user writes: “I’ve been using it for the last three years in my 7 STW, 7mm Mag, 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag, .30-06 and .270 Win. It chronographs nearly identical to Reloder 22, so keep that in mind when working up loads with it. From what I’ve researched about it, the company in Sweden who makes powder for Norma, also makes Reloder 22 and made Win WXR. Remember powder can vary slightly from lot to lot, so start low and work your way up.”
EuroOptic.com has a couple Zeiss 3-12x56mm Diarange units for sale at $2000.00 each — half off the normal $3999.00 price! The Victory Diarange is a quality riflescope with an integrated, through-the-lens laser rangefinder. The Zeiss Diarange was a breakthrough innovation when first released and it remains the most sophisticated combo scope/rangefinder you can buy. You have a choice of two reticles with the special $2000.000 sale items from EuroOptic.com. One unit has the illuminated #70 reticle, a illuminated red dot in the center of a medium plex. The other sale unit has the #77 reticle, an illuminated cross in a medium plex. When the illumination is switched on, the combined scope and display brightness can be adjusted with the plus and minus buttons. Reticle and display are powered by a conventional battery that provides at least 100 hours of scope illumination and 5000 laser range measurements.
Zeiss Diarange Scope/Rangefinder Features:
Riflescope with integrated laser rangefinder (eye safe, laser Class 1).
Large measuring range from 10 yds to 999 yds.
High measuring accuracy: 1 yard up to 600 yards and 0.5% of reading at 600+ yards.
Very short measuring time = 0.5 sec.
Simple, fast operation.
Outstanding performance and high low-light capability.
High mechanical sturdiness as well as recoil-proof, water tight and nitrogen-filled.
Lowest subtension resulting from reticle in the 2nd image plane.
Mounting achieved through rail type system.
This story tip from Edlongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
If you want to get started with turning case necks, check out our article on Neck Turning Basics, authored by German Salazar. As German explains, one of the keys to achieving a smooth, consistent cut on your case-necks is to use quality lube and lubricate both the inside of the case necks and the neck-turning mandrel. German uses Imperial Die Wax, the old standby. This works very well, as German demonstrates, but we know that many reloaders prefer to use a liquid lube, as they find that it is easier to apply and remove.
In the Utah backcountry, a group of avid shooters turned entrepreneurs have created an exciting new shooting sport: Rifle Golf. We kid you not — this is not a late April Fool’s story. Here’s how it works — north of Salt Lake City, at the 8,400-acre 
According to Jeff Petersen, Spirit Ridge guide: “Rifle Golf is an ideal way for hunters to practice their shooting skills. You’ll become a better shooter and identify your limits regarding how far you can accurately and consistently shoot.” We think this kind of multi-target, multi-location shooting experience should be fun for tactical shooters as well as hunters. Offering ranges from 175 to 1200 yards, the Spirit Ridge ‘course’ mimics real-life hunting experiences for riflemen of all abilities. Each station features multiple targets, and the shooters must, at times, make steeply angled shots — just as they would on a real hunt. The reactive targets, complete with ‘vitals’, let you know when your shot is dead-on.
This video has highlights and interviews from the 2011 
If you often shoot at multiple distances, it’s smart to keep a come-up table (ballistics chart) with your gun. Some guys have a laminated card, while others print out a ballistics chart and tape that to their buttstock. That works, but it’s not a very stylish solution.
Made of milled, anodized aluminum, the one-piece DNZ scope mounting system is one-third the weight of most other one-piece base and ring mounts and it can’t rust. For rifles with a Weaver or Picatinny-style base, we still advocate the use of Burris Signature Zee rings. However, if you are looking for a sturdy, low-profile set-up that attaches directly to the receiver, the DNZ system fits the bill. It would be a good choice for a walk-around varminter or a deer rifle. Because DNZ “Game Reaper” front and rear rings are precision CNC-machined, DNZ claims that it’s not necessary to lap the rings. We still recommend you inspect the ring edges and lightly debur as necessary. If you choose to lap the rings, do it gently as the inside should be very concentric already and you don’t want to grind through the anodizing.
One DNZ scope mount user, writing on huntingnet.com, comments: “I bought a pair of DedNutz for a Browning A-Bolt and a pair of Talley Lightweights for the same gun. I have to tell you that I think these DedNutz rings are some of the most rugged rings I have seen and yet are very lightweight. The [DedNutz] have a superior finish to the Talley lightweights … and they are better machined. I put a lapping bar on both and the Talleys needed it but not the DNs.” DedNutz scope mounts are are offered in 1″ and 30mm sizes, in matte silver, matte black, or Realtree Camo finishes.
Guns, Knives, and All Things Tactical at Expo
