Choosing the right-diameter bullet can have a big effect on accuracy in match rifles. “Wait a minute”, you might say, “doesn’t one simply choose a 6mm bullet for a 6mm barrel and a 7mm bullet for a 7mm barrel, what’s the big deal?” Well… it’s not that simple. Not all bullets of the same nominal caliber actually have the same true diameter. We’ve seen different-brand 6mm bullets vary by as much as a full thousandth (.001″) in diameter. We have seen undeniable evidence that a poor “fit” of bullet diameter to bore dimensions can result in a poor-shooting gun, even one with a high-grade barrel.
Conversely, if you find the bullet diameter you barrel likes, that may instantly improve your accuracy. The accuracy gain may be more significant than making changes to the bullet seating depth or even powder charge. The importance of bullet diameter is compounded by the fact that 6mm match barrels are available with both .236″ and .237″ land diameters. Some barrels prefer “fat” bullets while other barrels prefer “skinny” bullets.
Last year, Jason Baney measured 12 different sets of 6mm Match Bullets, including a couple different lots of the same bullet design. Interestingly, Jason did measure the “old” Berger 105 VLD, the new-generation Berger 105 VLD (first lot from the new die), and the “new, improved” Berger 105 VLD from the new die, after it was polished. Ten (10) Bullets were measured per type. Each bullet was measured three times (3X) around the largest circumference, normally where a pressure ring would be located (some bullets have a pronounced pressure ring, others do not). NOTE: We provide the numbers from Jason’s tests, but remember that bullets from different production runs may have slightly different dimensions. You should augment our findings with your own measurements from later-produced bullets.
The first two columns of the chart show the smallest and largest bullet diameters measured for each 10-bullet sample. The third column shows the extreme spread over each 10-bullet set. Note, these numbers are NOT averages, but represent the “low” and “high” diameters for each set. (FYI: Jason noted that while the Lapua Scenars were very consistent, an earlier 2005 “JEVDAK” lot had smaller meplats than 2007 and 2008 lots.) A Mitutoyo Micrometer was used, zero-checked for each bullet.
SIG P22X series handguns are justifiably respected for their accuracy, reliability, and build quality.* SIG Sauer has combined the features of its P228 9mm and P229 40sw pistols in a new high-capacity 9mm originally designed for Navy Aviators. SIG’s new M11-A1 is essentially a stainless slide P228 mated to a P229 anodized alloy frame. The wider P229 frame bumps capacity to 15-rounds of 9mm parabellum. The SIG M11 is issued to U.S. Naval Aviation and key units in other branches of the Armed Services. The new M11-A1 variant for civilians has been upgraded with a stainless steel slide, short-reset trigger, and 15-round flush-fit magazines. The M11-A1 features the same phosphate-coated internals, night sights, and MIL-STD UID label of the standard-issue M11. The M11-A1 should be available in gun stores this month. MSRP is $1125.00 while “street price” should settle under $900.00.
*This is not just hype. This Editor owns a German-made P226. It is very accurate and extraordinarily reliable. I’ve also owned some polymer-framed pistols over the years. They are gone now, and not missed. I will never part with my P226. I could tell you the round-count over the years without a single misfeed, FTE or stove-pipe, but you wouldn’t believe it. More reliable than a Glock? My personal P226 has proven to be just that….
If you’re looking for the newest, hot tubegun set-up, check out BAT Machine’s new 3-Lug tubegun action. This new action, created with design input from Gary Eliseo of Competition Shooting Stuff (CSS), is designed to work perfectly in Eliseo’s modular tubegun chassis systems. The new BAT “tubegun special” action features a smooth, short-throw 3-lug bolt along with an integral, large-diameter recoil lug precision-machined as part of the action. The new BAT tubegun action will mate perfectly with an all-new tubegun chassis kit Gary Eliseo has “designed around the action”.
Gary Eliseo is excited about the BAT 3-Lug and he will be offering a new chassis for this “tubegun special” action. The new BAT 3-Lug action is shorter than Remington-style actions and Barnard actions, so it will NOT fit in existing Eliseo tubeguns. Accordingly, to use the new BAT 3-Lug action you will need a new chassis kit. Gary may, at some point in the future, offer a retrofit kit, but for now, you’ll need Gary’s new chassis if you want to run the BAT 3-Lug. Gary hopes to deliver BAT 3-Lug-capable chassis kits in about six (6) months time. That sounds like a long time, but remember that it will take you about six months to get your BAT 3-Lug action once you place an order with BAT Machine. The action is currently SINGLE SHOT only, and fits short-action-length cartridges (e.g. 6BR, .243, .308 Win). Price for the new action is roughly $1200.00. Both right-hand and left-hand versions will be offered in both stainless and chrome-moly. Extra-cost options will include fluted bolts and dual ports (as shown in photos). The new chassis kit will initially be available for standard RB/RP or LB/LP configurations.
Gary believes the new BAT 3-Lug action, when fitted to his new chassis, will be ideal for Palma, Long-Range Prone, and F-TR Shooters. Gary says: “This new action is stiff and smooth, with a fast 60° bolt lift. It offers many of the best features of a Barnard action, in a more compact, American-made design, available in stainless steel as well as chrome-moly.” (Barnards are chrome-moly only.) BAT Machine is currently accepting orders for the 3-Lug Tubegun action and you can order the new Eliseo Chassis designed around this action from CompetitionShootingStuff.com.
Here’s an interesting factoid from Hodgdon Powder’s new Facebook Page:
The story of Hodgdon Powders begins with one number: 4895. Founder Bruce Hodgdon, a handloader and U.S. Navy veteran, knew that after WWI tons of surplus powder were dumped at sea. After WWII, rather than let it all go to waste, Bruce borrowed against his life insurance and bought 25 tons of 4895 from the U.S. Government. It was the perfect powder for the flood of surplus M1903 Springfield rifles chambered in .30-06. The rest is reloading history.
Shown below is the life insurance loan contract that funded Bruce Hodgdon’s Purchase of 25 Tons of 4895 Surplus Powder:
Meopta USA now offers additional versions of its award-winning MeoPix® iScoping Adapter to fit Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss spotting scopes and binoculars, as well as most popular mid-level optics brands. With this iScoping Adapter, you can use your iPhone to record still images or video of the view through your spotting scope. This is great for capturing views of your target, or to record mirage conditions and flag positions for later study.
Available in several eyecup diameters, the MeoPix® iScoping adapter correctly positions an iPhone® 4/4S to a spotting scope or binocular eyepiece. Proprietary technology provides a secure fit to the iPhone and precise alignment to the spotting scope or binocular eyepiece. Priced at $59.99, the iScoping Adapter is sold by Cabelas.com and major optics dealers. “The overwhelming responses and feedback about the MeoPix iScoping Adapter convinced us to make versions to fit most popular brands of optics” said Meopta USA GM Reinhard Seipp.
Vitaly Kuzmin is the creator of a popular military Blog in Russia. Vitaly recently reported on a Russian precision shooting competition held in conjunction with Russia’s Armourers’ Day.
Many interesting rifles were on display at this Sniper Match, including Russian designed-and-built ORSIS T-5000 rifles. A T-5000 chambered in 7mm RSAUM won the Armourers’ Day Match. This alloy-chassis ORSIS design has displayed outstanding accuracy shooting a wide range of chamberings from the .308 Win up to the .338 Lapua Magnum. In .308, the T-5000 looks like it would work well in F-TR competition and tactical matches. Read more on ORSIS Website (English language).
Vitaly writes: “Last year, The President of Russia signed a decree about the establishment of Armourers Day on 19th September. This Saturday on September 15th I visited Sniping competition devoted to the Armourers Day celebration. The event was organized by TSNIITOCHMASH, Promtechnologies Group (ORSIS trade mark), Club of Precision Shooting and National Federation of Precision Shooting.
The event was open for public and without fees for participation, and as a result the competition was more like a meeting of old friends. Participants and spectators created a wonderful atmosphere, and the organizers made excellent conditions for competition.
Although the event was purely civil, it was attended by the officers from several special units. So I decided to focus mainly on the sniper rifles they used. And, of course, ORSIS rifles. The overall winner shot an ORSIS T-5000 chambered in 7 RSAUM. The second place shooter fielded a Sako TRG-42 in .338LM, while the third-place shooter used a Russian SV-98 in 7.62x54R.”
15 WEEKS AWAY . . . Registration for the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s 2013 SHOT Show is now open for all attendees at www.shotshow.org. Believe it or not, the show — Jan. 15-18 in Las Vegas — is just 15 weeks away. While registering, attendees can order State of the Industry Dinner tickets, enroll in SHOT Show University, and sign up for other educational offerings. Media registration is also now open.
CDNN Investments has just released its new Fall 2012 Catalog (issue 2012-4). As usual, the Catalog contains impressive deals on handguns, rifles, shotguns, scopes, magazines, gun parts, and shooting accessories. CDNN acquires, at low prices, overstock and discontinued items from major manufacturers such as HK, Ruger, Sig-Sauer, and Smith & Wesson. CDNN then can sell this merchandise for well below typical retail prices. You can either view the CDNN Fall 2012 Catalog online or download a PDF version to your hard drive.
Among the very attractive deals in the latest CDNN Catalog are:
Howa 1500 Varmint Hunter in .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, or 22-250, just $389.99
Smith & Wesson iBolt Hunting Rifle in .30-06, just $349.99
Walther SP22 .22LR Target Pistol (6″ bbl) just $219.99
Sig SP2022 for just $389.99 (originally $613.00)
Bifocal Rx Shooting Glasses for Just $6.99
We saw something pretty interesting in this Fall Catalog — Prescription BiFocal Shooting Glasses for just $6.99. These Radians bifocals would be great for shooters who don’t want to spend $100.00 or more for prescription bifocal safety glasses. The magnification diopter is molded directly into the ANSI Z87.1-standard polycarbonate lens. Prescription ratings offered are 1.0X, 1.5X, 2.0X, 2.5X, 3.0X These shooting glasses can also be used when working with tools in the shop. The magnification would be handy when working with small parts. CDNN offers a wide selection of name-brand, non-magnifying protective eyewear as well.
Americans love their outlaws, and, apparently, collectors love outlaw guns even more. Handguns belonging to Bonnie & Clyde (the “first couple of crime”) and western legend Butch Cassidy recently sold at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars. The .38 Special Colt Detective Special recovered from Bonnie Parker’s bullet-ridden body fetched $264,000 at the RR Auction in New Hampshire this weekend. A Colt model 1911 .45 ACP handgun belonging to Clyde Barrow sold for $240,000. The auction house said this infamous 1911 was recovered from Barrow’s body by Frame Hamer, the lawman who organized the ambush that ended Bonnie and Clyde’s crime spree. The 1911 was found by Hamer tucked in Clyde’s waistband, while Bonnie’s snub-nosed Colt was taped to her thigh. According to RR Auction, “In those days, no gentleman officer would search a woman where [Bonnie] had it taped and there were very few women police officers.”
Watch Video Telling History of Bonnie and Clyde Guns
The winning bids for both guns significantly exceeded predictions, proving that, even in a down economy, collectors are willing to pay large sums for historically significant firearms. The guns were sold from estate of Robert Davis, who had acquired both Colts for roughly $100,000 in 1986. An un-named Texas collector was the winning bidder for both handguns. Read Related NBCNews story
Butch Cassidy’s ‘Amnesty Colt’ Sells for $175,000
In another auction this weekend, Butch Cassidy’s famous “Amnesty Colt” Revolver sold to a foreign museum for $175,000. The handgun was offered as part of a collection of Western guns and memorabilia auctioned in Casitas Springs, California. Accompanying the gun was a black holster and extensive documentation showing the revolver’s authenticity. Read Related Ventura Star story.
The “Amnesty Colt” has a fascinating history. This Colt Single Action revolver was surrendered by Butch Cassidy to Sheriff Parley Christison in 1899. Cassidy, whose real name was George LeRoy Parker, sought amnesty for the string of hold-ups and train robberies he committed with his gang. According to auctioneer John Eubanks: “The sheriff was a friend of a friend of Cassidy’s. Cassidy turned in his [Colt Revolver] and his Winchester rifle and the sheriff arranged a meeting with the governor [of Utah]. The governor said, ‘Look, we can give you amnesty, as long as you haven’t murdered anyone. And Butch replied, ‘I’ve never murdered a man.'” As it turns out, Cassidy never received amnesty, because his exploits were simply too notorious.
The provenance for the “Amnesty Colt” is exceptionally solid (unlike many other famous guns from the Wild West). The revolver has been authenticated by many experts, and the gun itself, along with Cassidy’s Winchester Rifle, were logged in surviving official archives from Juah County, Utah. Sadly, however, the Winchester was lost years ago.
Accuracy International (AI) announced that its widely-respected AW 338 rifles will be “phased out” and replaced by AI’s more modern line of AX 338 rifles. AI explains that the AW-338 (chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum) will go out of production because “the new AX 338 model of rifle has far more versatility and modularity.” However, please note the AW 308 chambered for .308 Winchester will continue to be produced, and it is still available to order.
News tip by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
SIG P22X series handguns are justifiably respected for their accuracy, reliability, and build quality.* 
Vitaly Kuzmin is the creator of a popular military Blog in Russia. Vitaly recently reported on a Russian precision shooting competition held in conjunction with Russia’s Armourers’ Day.
