Bryan Litz, chief Ballistician for Berger Bullets (and a trained rocket scientist) has authored an impressive new book: Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting. Bryan’s new book is a companion to his successful treatise, Applied Ballistics for Long-Range Shooting. Now in its Second Edition, Litz’s Applied Ballistics book has become the “go-to” Ballistics book for precision shooters worldwide.
While Bryan’s first book covers the science of ballistics and trajectory calculation, his new book examines practical issues involved in long-range accuracy. Bryan explains: “In a nutshell, this book focuses on the uncertainties of practical shooting which affect hit percentage on various size targets. In other words, classic ballistics teaches you how to calculate windage and elevation corrections. This book will help you understand what your chances are of hitting a target under certain conditions, and how to improve those chances through training and design.
Practical Examples
Does a low ES/SD really make a difference at long range? Absolutely. In Chapter 6, you can see that reducing muzzle velocity variation from 20 fps Standard Deviation (SD) to 10 fps SD improves hit percentage on a 5″ circle at 500 yards from 83% to 93%.
Ever wonder how much spin drift, Coriolis affect, or using G1 vs. G7 BC’s affect your chances of hitting a target? In Chapter 10 for example, you’ll learn that ignoring spin drift in ballistic calculations reduces hit percentage on a 10″ target from 21% to 15% at 900 yards for a specified environment and cartridge.
The new book is divided into three main sections. Part 1 focuses on Precision, which explores how hit percentage is related group size. Litz explains the variable that affect group size: muzzle velocity variation, range estimation error, wind estimation error, and inherent rifle precision
Part 2 focuses on Accuracy, which is how well the group is centered around the aim-point. Topics include: leveling your sights, trajectory modeling and secondary effects, calibrating ballistic solutions, and live fire verification.
Part 3 focuses on Weapon Employment Zone (WEZ) analysis. WEZ evaluates firearm effectiveness in terms of hit percentage. The author applies WEZ in the contexts of score shooting, varmint and big game hunting, and tactical shooting. WEZ is also used to compare hit percentage for the 300 Win Mag vs. .338 Lapua Mag.
Book is 300-page, Hard-Cover Format
Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting is a 6″x9″ hardcover book with 300 pages, and retails for $34.95. The book is currently at the printers, and should begin shipping by October 15, 2012. In the mean time, you can pre-order and save $5 off the regular $34.95 retail price.
After more than 60 years as a competitive target shooter and gunsmith, McLane (Mac) Tilton, proprietor of MT GUNS, is passing the baton to his chief gunsmith/machinist, Mark Chesebro. “Mark has acquired the assets of MT GUNS and will be its successor. I’m very pleased that Mark is establishing Chesebro Rifles and that he will continue to provide highest quality competition target rifles in the tradition of MT GUNS,” Tilton announced today.
Tilton expressed his complete confidence in Mark’s ability to provide a seamless transition for MT GUNS customers: “He attended the well-respected gunsmithing course at Yavapai Community College in Prescott, Arizona, followed by four years with Bill Atkinson at H.S. Precision, where he perfected techniques in chambering and rifle smithing. After eight years of general gunsmithing in Everett, Washington and as an aerospace machinist, tool maker and CNC programmer, Mark relocated to Arizona, where he joined the team at Ruger. He came to MT GUNS in 2004 and we were very impressed with his inventive capabilities.”
“In 2006, Mark and his wife, Lisa, answered a call from their church to fulfill a three-year teaching mission in Ecuador. When he returned in 2009, he rejoined our team at MT GUNS and has continued to develop his innovative ideas and techniques, including the development of a press to insure perfect alignment when rebarreling Anschuetz rifles, as well as a centerfire conversion for BSA Martini rifles. He has also developed an entire system for converting the Anschuetz 54 action from a single shot to a magazine-fed repeater. Also, he’s mastered the critical alignment when bedding Vee-blocks for Barnard and Anschuetz actions.”
Chesebro Rifles will continue to build competitive Palma, F-Class, and Benchrest rifles using the Barnard action, as well as the very successful BSA and Anschuetz Rimfire Bench Rifles. Contact for Mark Chesebro at Chesebro Rifles is: info [at] chesebrorifles.com.
McLane Tilton and Bruce Duncan will still be available at MT GUNS for any customers with unfinished business.
Breaking News:We’re informed that Forum Member James Crofts (aka “VA Jim”) has won the F-TR division of the F-Class Nationals, shooting a .308 Win rifle with Precision Rifle & Tool stock. Read more about Jim Crofts HERE.
The F-Class Nationals are underway right now at the Whittington Range in Raton, NM. Conditions have been fairly challenging. On Day 1 of the individual championship, forum member Steven B (aka “Sleepygator”) reports that: “The winds later in the day were a little tougher. The tailwind caused some vertical to those unfortunate enough to shoot the third match at the little end.” F-TR shooter James Crofts shot amazing well on Day 1, recording 446-17X. Crofts outscored not only all other F-TR shooters, but he beat all but one of the F-Open “hot rod” shooters, Mark Walker (who posted a 446-19X). When an F-TR outshoots nearly the entire F-Open field, that’s newsworthy. Well-done James. Forum member Mark H. (aka “Hunsucker”) observed: “I personally know for a fact how much Jim [Crofts] practices and how hard he works.”
On Day 2, conditions became trickier at the end according to Forum member Greg Taylor: “Day 2 started out very like Day 1, except a bit warmer. Winds were relatively forgiving, especially for Raton. That is until the third match. The last match of the day, winds were absolutely wicked, ranging from 1-2 mph, up to 10-11 mph, from SE/S. Scores for many dropped predictably.”
Close Competition in F-Open
F-Open leaders after Day 2 are: F-Open Leaders after Day 2: Bob Sebold with 886-39X, David Bailey with 885-44X, and Mark Walker with 885-37X. This is a tight battle — the top ten places in F-Open are separated by 6 points.
Team Sinclair Secures F-TR Team Win
In F-Class Team competition earlier this week, Team Sinclair secured a victory in the F-TR division with a combined score of 1561-48X. The team is coached by Raymond Gross, and shooters are Paul Phillips, Derek Rodgers (Captain/shooter), Jeff Rorer and Brad Sauve. Phillips declared: “Ray did a great job coaching for both spirit of America and nationals. Brads rifle shot half the national record and jeff and mine were the other half. Great work from the whole team. Very tough competition. FTR is getting very very competitive now.”
Fiocchi of America is recalling various lots of 22-250 Remington and .243 Winchester centerfire rifle ammunition. There is a serious safety issue affecting certain lots of Fiocchi ammo types: 22250B, 22250HVD, 243SPB, 243HSB, and 243SPD. The problem involves the loading of multiple bullets in a single cartridge. If you have any Fiocchi ammo from the affected product lots listed below you should return it immediately. The following ammunition products are affected by this recall:
Text of Fiocchi’s Recall Notice:
Through extensive evaluation Fiocchi has determined that the above lots of 22-250 and 243 may have been loaded with multiple bullets that can cause excessive pressure. This ammunition with multiple bullets may cause firearm damage rendering the firearm inoperable, and subject the shooter or bystanders to a risk of personal injury when fired. DO NOT USE THE ABOVE LISTED FIOCCHI 22-250 REM. OR 243 WIN. AMMUNITION OF SPECIFIED LOT NUMBERS. The ammunition lot number is black ink stamped inside one of the box end tuck flaps that you would open to remove the 20-round carrier.
To determine if your ammunition is subject to this notice, review the ITEM and LOT NUMBER. If the item number AND last three digits of the lot number match the above listed products, please return the ammunition to FIOCCHI of America via United Parcel Service (UPS) or FedEx Ground. Securely pack the ammo in a strong fiberboard box with packing materials to make it “snug” in the box. You will need an “LQ” label to ship the ammunition. To get the “LQ” label, [CLICK this LINK] or you can call the factory customer service directly at 417-449-1039 or email service@fiocchiusa.com prior to shipping. Affix the “LQ” label to the package with packing tape ensuring that all sides are adhered to the carton and ship to:
FIOCCHI OF AMERICA, INC., ATTN. Recall, 6930 N. FREMONT RD., OZARK, MO 65721
Fiocchi will provide replacement product upon receipt of your return. Please include your name, street address, phone number (required for return shipping), and email address with your return. Ammunition cannot be shipped to post office boxes.
This notice only applies to above listed Fiocchi 22-250 Rem. and 243 Win ammunition with the above lot numbers. If you have questions concerning this ammunition recall, please call customer service directly at 417-449-1039, write to the above address, email service@fiocchiusa.com, or visit our website, www.fiocchiusa.com.
Federal Premium is offering a rebate on three types of Federal Premium Rifle Ammunition as well as shotgun slugs. With this Big Bucks rebate offer, you can get up to $20.00 off Federal Premium Vital-Shok, Power-Shok, and Fusion rifle ammo, or Vital-Shok Slugs. Purchases must be made before December 31, 2012, and you need to return a Rebate Coupon along with box UPCs and original sales receipt. The max rebate is $40.00, with rebates of $2.50 or $5.00 per box, depending on ammo type.
Promo Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Congrats to the U.S.A. F-Class Team which triumphed in the 2012 Stars & Stripes Challenge Match held September 16 at Raton, New Mexico. The showcase event in the Stars & Stripes Match is a team competition with 8-man national teams. Team USA finished first with a 3443-107X combined score. In second place was the South Africa Protea Team with 3428-88X. Team Australia came in thirds with 3398-81X, and Team Canada scored 3364-63X to secure fourth place. In the photo below, Team USA members celebrate their victory. Shown (left to right) are: Charles Ballard, Larry Taite, Laura Perry, John Weil, Trudie Fay, Shiraz Balolia (Captain), Bob Mead, Rick Hunt, Jeff Rorer, Darrell Buell, Jim Murphy and Larry Bartholome.
Along with the signature National Team Event, the Stars & Stripes event featured 4-person team matches for both F-Open and F-TR divisions. Winner of the F-Open 4-person event, with a 1757-65X score, was Team Long Shots, captained by Mark Walker and coached by Michelle Gallagher. Team shooters were: David Baily, David Gosnell, Ken Dickerman, and Mark Walker. Finishing first in the 4-person F-TR team event was Team Misfits, coached and captained by Lige Harris. Lige also shot on the team, along with Leslie Jones, Tom Jones, and John Kills. Team Misfits scored 1710-34X to secure a 16-point victory over F-TR runner-up U.S. Development Team #4.
Do you help conserve wildlands for future generations? Well, if you have ever purchased ammunition or a firearm, you do support conservation directly. This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife Restoration Act. On September 2, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, now called the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which provides funding for wildlife conservation efforts. Since 1937, hunters and shooters have paid for conservation through Federal Excise taxes. Over $4.2 Billion Dollars have been raised for wildlife conservation and habitat restoration through the 10% excise on handgun purchases and 11% excise tax on Long-gun and Ammo purchases.
Funds from excise taxes on arms and ammunition (plus bows and arrows) are apportioned to States by the Dept. of the Interior to pay up to 75% of the cost of approved projects. Project activities include acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat, introduction of wildlife into suitable habitat, wildlife surveys, hunter education programs, and construction and operation of public target ranges.
The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act has been the “single-most effective wildlife conservation funding mechanism in U.S. history”. Through their excise tax contributions, hunters and shooters have done more to protect wildlife, dollar for dollar, than have the members of private conservation groups. Nobody likes to pay taxes, but hunters and shooters can be rightfully proud of their role in preserving wildlife habitats and wildlife populations in the United States, over the past 75 years. To learn more about the conservation programs supported by gun excise taxes, visit WSFR75.com.
Wolf Match Target and Wolf Match Extra ammunition is justifiably popular with competitive 22 LR shooters. Wolf Match Target, at $4.90-$6.20 per box, shoots as well as many types of 22 LR ammo costing much more. (Price varies with quantity purchased.) We recently chronographed Wolf Match Extra ammo (using multiple chronographs), and it showed lower ES and SD than some lots of much more expensive Eley ammo. But Wolf rimfire ammo is often in short supply.
SK Ammo — Made by the Folks Who Make Wolf
What to do? Here’s a tip — if you like Wolf Match, try the SK match ammo. SK Jagd Munitions actually manufactures Wolf Match ammo. The gold-box, SK-brand ammo is made in the same German plant as Wolf , and testing shows SK can deliver the same accuracy and reliability as Wolf. The SK Standard Plus is the equivalent of Wolf Match Target, while the SK Rifle Match is the equivalent of Wolf Match Extra. SK offers a wide range of rimfire match ammo at affordable prices. Here are current offerings at Champion Shooters Supply:
SK Rifle Match: $7.90 (50-rd box)
SK Pistol Match: $6.00 (50-rd box)
SK Standard Plus: $5.00 (50-rd box)
SK HiVelocity: $6.50 (50-rd box)
SK HiVelocity SPC: $6.50 (50-rd box)
SK Subsonic: $6.50 (50-rd box)
SK Rifle Match:
“I’ve tried over 20 different brands of match .22LR in my Anschutz 1907 including the various Wolf, RWS, Aquila, Lapua, and Eley loadings and the SK Match was one of the best. It was VERY consistent. 10 shot groups of 0.25″ to 0.3″ are the norm at 50 yards. Unlike most of the other less expensive ‘match’ ammo, the SK has yet to throw a bad flyer in 500 rounds. The Eley Tenex Ultimate EPS and Match EPS gave similar results. I consider the SK Match to be the best value for my rifle.” — D. Fletcher, TN
SK Standard Plus::
“I bought this because the Wolf MT is getting hard to find. This is the same ammo as the Wolf. I tried it in all my rifles and get about the same groups as the Wolf. Had no problems with this ammo and recommend it highly.” — H. Disharoon, VA
“Oh No — The secret’s out! For an exceptional price, this is absolutely the best .22 target ammo. I use it mainly in my Custom Ruger 10/22. CZ 452s just love this stuff. A majority of the silhouette shooters at my club use ‘SK Std Plus’ during matches and practice. I have shot cases of this stuff and can only count very few fliers.” — J. Batterton, AR
Berger Bullets has announced a new series of “Classic Hunter” Hybrid bullets designed to fit and feed in magazines and perform well in barrels with SAAMI standard chambers. Berger’s Eric Stecker explains: “For the first time in Berger’s history we’ve purposefully designed Hybrid-shaped hunting bullets that comply with the restrictive dimensional standards set by SAAMI. We did this so that hunters can shoot ammo loaded with Berger Hunting bullets in their factory rifles while feeding through a magazine.”
Berger came up with a new hunting bullet design because SAAMI standard dimensions significantly limit the length of the nose (negatively affecting external ballistics performance) in two ways. First, the length from the end of the neck to the tip of the bullet of SAAMI standard ammo is typically so short that to make an ogive that will allow bearing surface to be forward of the neck it must be blunt and therefore have a low BC. The other way SAAMI limits nose length is by specifying longer throat lengths than are optimal. Stecker notes: “When you have a long throat, the nose can’t be too long or the jump to the rifling is considerable. This is typically bad for precision and accuracy. So what you end up with is stubby nose bullets with low BC and poor external ballistics performance.”
To overcome SAAMI-imposed design contraints, Berger’s Bryan Litz designed Hybrid hunting bullets with noses short enough to conform to SAAMI dimensional standards. These bullets should be popular among those who hunt with factory rifles and feed their ammo through a magazine. The bullets use a dual-curve ogive design. As you move forward along the bearing surface, the ogive curve starts as a tangent tangent curve (which is forgiving of seating depth). As you continue forward on the nose the tangent curve transitions into a secant curve. Secant ogives are known to be more efficient in the wind (VLD bullets are pure secant ogives).
When you combine these two shapes you get the best of both worlds (less sensitivity to seating depth differences and improved external ballistics performance). Since these new Berger Classic Hunter bullets must have a nose length that is short enough to comply with SAAMI standards we get the most external ballistics performance possible by making the nose with Bryan’s Hybrid design.
Eric Stecker is enthusiastic about the new Hybrid Hunting Bullets: “We know that this bullet design works [well] because we tested it not only in media but also on game. I took these bullets with me to New Zealand to test them on several animals of various sizes and at various ranges. I know from firsthand experience that hunters who try this bullet in the field will be happy that they did.”
Product Tip by EdLongrange. Product Photos by Robert Whitley, 6mmAR.com.
McMillan regularly offers a selection of inletted “Specials” stocks. You should check McMillan’s Specials Page regularly to set if there’s a stock that suits your next build. Not only can you save months of wait time, but you save on the cost of the stock. Many of the Specials stocks are priced $100.00 or more below normal retail. From the list on the Stock Specials Page, choose your action and find a great deal on a McMillan stock.
Shown below are inletted “Specials” currently displayed on the McMillan website. This is only a partial list — there are many more stocks available. If you’ve got the appropriate action, you can save big bucks (and avoid wait periods), by ordering from McMillan’s “Specials” list.
Tooley MBR Stocks for Various Actions
#2924 MBR 70% WHITE 30% BLACK MARBLE, LBRP STILLER PYTHON, SINGLE SHOT, REM ADL T/G, NO FR SCREW HOLE, 1.375″ STRAIGHT B/C, 1″ DEC PAD, 13.5″ LOP. $375.00.
#3000 MBR LT BLUE, GRAPE, PURPLE FLAME PATTERN, SOLID GLASS FILL (7LBS), RH L700, SINGLE SHOT, REM ADL T/G, 1.250″ STRAIGHT TAPER, 1″ DEC PAD, 13.5″ LOP. $425.00.
#3001 MBR 70% TURQOUISE 30% BLACK MARBLE, RBLP, LAWTON 7500 LA, 1.36″ DIA, SINGLE SHOT, REM ADL T/G, KRIEG HV B/C WITH 4″ CYL, 1″ DEC PAD, 13.5″ LOP, ALUM. PILLARS. $450.00.
Edge Benchrest Stocks for BAT Actions
#2909 EDGE HV PURPLE TO TURQUOISE FLAME, BASIC INLET FOR BAT SV, STOCK WEIGHS 2 LBS 2 OZ. $225.00.
#2910 EDGE HV BLUE, DK BLUE, PURPLE @ BUTT FLAME PATTERN, RIGHT BOLT LEFT PORT, EJECTION PORT IS 3″ LONG, BAT MB round 1.530″ x 8.5″, SINGLE SHOT, FAC BAT T/G. $300.00.
Stocks for Stiller Actions
#2923 HTG/P 34% BLK 33% DK GRAY 33% LT GRAY MARBLE, MAG FILL, RH TAC 338, BDL F/P, CUSTOM BBL 1.450″ taper to 1.250″ @ 10″, 1″ DEC PAD, 13.5″ LOP, 3 SS STUDS. $400.50.
#2971 LH REM HUNTER 75% BLACK 25% LT GRAY MARBLE, LH PREDATOR LONG ACTION, BADGER M5 DBM, 9/16″ SCREW HOLES, REM VAR B/C, 1″ DEC PAD, 13.5″ LOP. $375.00. 5/15/12 – 3 in stock.
Stocks for Various Remington Actions
#2911 REM VARMINT PAINTED BLACK, RH S700, SURGEON DBM, REM MAG B/C, 13.5″ LOP, 1″ DEC PAD, 3 STUDS, FLUSH CUPS ON LH SIDE, ALUMINUM PILLARS INSTALLED. $450.50.
#2997 MCMILLAN HUNTER PAINTED OLIVE, RH S700, REM DBM, FAC SPORTER B/C, 1″ DEC PAD, 13.5″ LOP, 2 STAINLESS STUDS. $425.00.
Bryan Litz, chief Ballistician for Berger Bullets (and a trained rocket scientist) has authored an impressive new book: Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting. Bryan’s new book is a companion to his successful treatise, Applied Ballistics for Long-Range Shooting. Now in its Second Edition, Litz’s Applied Ballistics book has become the “go-to” Ballistics book for precision shooters worldwide.
Fiocchi of America is recalling various lots of 22-250 Remington and .243 Winchester centerfire rifle ammunition. There is a serious safety issue affecting certain lots of Fiocchi ammo types: 22250B, 22250HVD, 243SPB, 243HSB, and 243SPD. The problem involves the loading of multiple bullets in a single cartridge. If you have any Fiocchi ammo from the affected product lots listed below you should return it immediately. The following ammunition products are affected by this recall:
Do you help conserve wildlands for future generations? Well, if you have ever purchased ammunition or a firearm, you do support conservation directly. This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife Restoration Act. On September 2, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, now called the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which provides funding for wildlife conservation efforts. Since 1937, hunters and shooters have paid for conservation through Federal Excise taxes. Over $4.2 Billion Dollars have been raised for wildlife conservation and habitat restoration through the 10% excise on handgun purchases and 11% excise tax on Long-gun and Ammo purchases.
SK Ammo — Made by the Folks Who Make Wolf
When you combine these two shapes you get the best of both worlds (less sensitivity to seating depth differences and improved external ballistics performance). Since these new Berger Classic Hunter bullets must have a nose length that is short enough to comply with SAAMI standards we get the most external ballistics performance possible by making the nose with Bryan’s Hybrid design.
