To achieve best accuracy with a rifle, you must control bullet seating depth very precisely, so all bullets end up in the same place relative to the entrance of the lands, every time. There may be multiple cartridge OALs which prove accurate. However, with each, you first need to determine a “zero” point — a reliable, and repeatable OAL where the bullet is “just touching” the lands.
There are tools, such as the Hornady (formerly Stoney Point) OAL Gauge, that will help you find a seating OAL just touching the lands. However, the tool requires that you use a special modified case for each cartridge you shoot. And, while we find that the Hornady OAL Gauge is repeatable, it does take some practice to get in right.
Make Your Own Length-to-Lands Gauge with a Dremel
Here’s an inexpensive alternative to the Hornady OAL tool — a slotted case. Forum member Andris Silins explains how to create a slotted case to measure length to the lands in your rifle:
“Here’s what I did to find length to lands for seating my bullets. I made four cuts into the neck of fire-formed brass. Then I pressed the bullet in lightly and chambered the entire gauge. As the cartridge chambers, the bullet slides back into the case to give you length to lands. It took less than five minutes to get it cut and working. A little light oil in the barrel just past the chamber helps ensure the bullet does not get stuck in the lands. It works great and is very accurate.
I made the cuts using a Dremel with a cut-off wheel. You can adjust tension two ways. First, you can make the cuts longer or shorter. Longer cuts = less tension. If you used only three cuts instead of four you would get more tension. The trick is to be gentle when you open and close the bolt. If you ram the bolt closed you may wedge the bullet into the lands. When you open the bolt it helps to keep a finger or two near by to guide the case out straight because the ejector wants to push it sideways.”
FFL-holders take note. The ATF has revised Form 4473 for over-the-counter transactions. As of July 9, 2012, for all transactions requiring a 4473, use of the NEW REVISED FORM is MANDATORY. You need to start using the new form right now. ATF mailed new Form 4473 packets to FFL-holders. If you have not received the new Form 4473, CLICK HERE to Download New Revised Form 4473.
If you are an FFL and have not received a supply from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), contact your local ATF office immediately. To obtain the forms, call the ATF Forms Distribution Center, 301-583-4696, or order online at www.atf.gov.
UPDATE: If you have not received a packet of the revised ATF Form 4473, April 2012 Edition. To ensure that you are utilizing the correct version of the form, you may print the revised ATF Form 4473 at http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf. Please be sure to copy all six pages of the form and staple them together if you elect to use a printed or photocopied version of the form.
The impetus for the revisions resulted from two opinions issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) relating to aliens’ ability to receive and possess firearms. In response to DOJ’s concerns, questions ll.l and 12, and corresponding instructions, have been modified. See "Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees" for a more detailed explanation and a copy of the revised form, along with "notices, instructions and definitions."
Product Preview by Boyd Allen Marsh Industries LLC of Cave Creek, Arizona, has just started production of its new “Saguaro” benchrest action. (Saguaro is the distinctive tall cactus plant found in the Southwest.) If the Saguaro action looks familiar, that’s by design. The idea was to produce a Panda-type action with 1 1/16″ removed from the middle to allow for reduced weight, and importantly, shorter bolt “draw” during cycling. In addition, Marsh Industries wanted smoother function and optimal accuracy. In that quest, Marsh crafted a state-of-the art striker assembly, configured specifically for short cartridges typically used for 100- and 200-yard benchrest matches.
The Saguaro action is like a Stolle Panda with 1 1/16″ removed from the middle.
Design and Testing of New Saguaro Action
After spending some time with “Doc” Marsh, (the owner of Marsh Industries), I must say that I am impressed with his new product. After learning what has gone into the design and production of these actions, and hearing how well Saguaro prototypes shot, this is one action I want to add to my collection.
Beneath the shiny exterior, the heart of any benchrest action is the striker assembly. Its specifications and adherence to tolerance are a formula that ultimately determines the potential of the action. Striker fall, weight, and spring rate, all work together to put the sharpest edge on accuracy, or if they are not right, result in run of the mill (for a benchrest action) accuracy, even if all the other details are perfectly executed. Rather than leave these details to the expertise of one person, several big names in the benchrest community were consulted about this part of the design. Intelligent input was received, and the design was improved from one prototype to the next. The final result is impressive to say the least. When the late prototype Saguaro was tested in a very good tunnel, using a rail-gun, the results were unequivocally outstanding. (Editor: This means the Saguaro action shot small enough groups to be “more than competitive” with any other hardware on the market.)
Saguaro Actions Can Use Barrels And Stocks Now Fitted to Pandas
The truth is that no one can quite put his finger on what makes the difference between a good action and a great action. Designs are created, actions built, they become parts of rifles, and only then is the truth revealed. Whether you believe that it was skill or luck, it would seem that the details that comprise this new action just happen to have the exact right stuff. For many of you, who already know how your barrels shoot on your rifles that have Panda actions, for the first time, a direct comparison is available. This is because Panda barrels fit Saguaro actions. So current Panda owners can remove one of their barrels, place it on a Saguaro-actioned rig, and see if the barrel shoots as good or better. That allows direct testing of one action vs. another.
You can use that closet full of barrels, on your new action, without modification, (and have a couple of more ounces toward that tuner that you have been waiting to try). For that matter, other than having to do a little filling in at the front of the action, you can replace your Panda with a Saguaro, and keep using the same stock. That offers a significant savings on a new build.
Saguaro Actions Start at $1050.00
For serious benchresters, an action that comes out of the box a potential winner is almost priceless. Saguaro actions will cost $1,200.00 polished, or $1,050.00 with a 400 grit finish. That’s reasonable given the build quality and performance. While you could pay a bit less for some other actions, if you are in the game to win, a less-than-competitive action isn’t worth owning (even if it is inexpensive).
Marsh Industries, LLC
7040 E. Lone Mt. Rd. North
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Email: info [at] marshindustriesllc.com
Phone: 480-699-2902 | Fax: 480-699-2397
And so there you have it — Part One of my report on a brand new action. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, I will have a chance to do more than just cycle the bolt (felt good) and actually shoot a rifle built around one. Until then, I will have to content myself with trying out some of Bergers new Column bullets, and doing some more work with the slower but otherwise identical brother to the yet to be released Accurate LT 32 powder, some of that Canadian 2015, as soon as the temperatures get out of the triple digits on a day when the wind is suitable.
Smallbore competitors — mark your calendars for July 13 through July 17. That’s when the 2012 NRA National Metric Smallbore Championships will be held at the Wa-Ke’-De Range in Bristol, Indiana. Practice Relays will be held on the 13th and the afternoon of the 15th. With Position shooting scheduled for July 13-15 and Prone for July 15-17, this event is a great way to tune up your marksmanship skills prior to the Smallbore Championships at Camp Perry which commence July 18, 2012. Due to range capacity, the championships are limited to 200 shooters for both Position and Prone.
The NRA Blog reports that: “Despite being so close to the National Matches, the championship ends just before Camp Perry’s smallbore practice begins on July 18. Bristol is also a short drive from Camp Perry and many shooters compete at both places, using the Metric Championship as some last minute practice before the big show.” The Jameson Inn in Elkhart, Indiana is the host hotel. Mention the National Metric Championships to receive a special rate.
CDNN Investments has just released its new Summer 2012 Catalog. 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 Summer 2012 Catalog online or download a PDF version to your hard drive.
Great Deals on Hunting Rifles and Big-Name Handguns
Heavy-barrel Howa 1500 rifles in .223 Rem, 22-250, or .204 Ruger are priced at just $389.00. And you can get a Ruger American Rifle in .30-06 for just $339.99. That’s a bargain for a modern hunting rifle with many nice features, including side bolt release and rotary magazine. Among the discounted handguns are Sig-Sauer 22X models, the popular HK P30s and USPs, and a wide selection of budget-priced Springfield Armory XD-Series pistols, and the hard-to-find Ruger LC9 for just $329.99. CDNN also acquired a shipment of Doug Turnbull Single-Action Revolvers with exquisite color case-hardening, and partial engraving. There are scores of AR15 type rifles at deep discounts, plus Para-Ordnance AR15 bare lower receivers for just $119.99.
The 2012 NRA National Rifle & Pistol Championships at Camp Perry begin today with the traditional First Shot Ceremony. Following a military band concert, the First Shot Ceremony began at 10:00 AM. Hundreds of shooters, volunteers, employees and spectators were gathered at Camp Perry’s Memorial Monument. This year’s First Shot Speaker, Lieutenant General William E. Ingram Jr., Director Army National Guard, has the honor of firing the First Shot to officially open the 2012 National Matches. Highlights included a color guard, a military band and a National Guard combat maneuver. Dignitaries from the National Rifle Association, CMP, National Guard, all branches of the armed forces and local government representatives were recognized during the ceremony.
Complete day-by-day coverage of the NRA National Championships will be provided by the NRA Blog, which will have a team of reporters on site at Camp Perry throughout the next few weeks. Starting July 10, the NRA Blog will deliver competition updates, with match standings, photos, and video clips.
Pistol Shooters Lead the Way Pistoleros take the stage for the first phase of the National Championships. After today’s Pistol Small Arms Firing School and SFAS M9 Pistol EIC Match, the NRA National Pistol Championships commence tomorrow, July 10, and run through July 14 (with National Trophy Matches on the 15th). The Pistol Championships should be hotly contested this year. Legendary handgunner (and Top Shot Season 2 Runner-Up) Brian ‘Gunny’ Zins (USMC retired) returns to Perry with the goal of securing his his eleventh pistol title. Standing in his way will be 2011 Pistol Champion Philip Hemphill along with of James Henderson, John Zurek and others.
2012 CMP National Trophy Matches
9 July: First Shot Ceremony
9 July: Pistol Small Arms Firing School
9 July-4 August: NM Air Gun Events
10 July: Warm-up Pistol Match
15 July: National Trophy Pistol Matches
22 July: National Rimfire Sporter Match
27-29 July: Rifle Small Arms Firing School
2012 NRA Rifle and Pistol Championships
10-14 July: NRA National Pistol Championship
18-26 July: NRA Nat’l Smallbore Rifle Championships
5-15 August: NRA Nat’l High Power Rifle Championships
Colt Manufacturing Company (“Colt”) has finally released T&E versions of the long-promised Colt 901 “Modular Carbine” first revealed in 2011. This rifle shoots both .223 Rem and .308 Win cartridges using the SAME LOWER with different uppers. The Colt accomplishes this task by using a unique magwell insert, along with different mags and buffer assemblies. The 901 is very different than other AR variants which squeeze a short .30-caliber cartridge, such as the .300 AAC BLK, into a .223-length AR magazine. The Colt 901 shoots regular .308 Winchester cartridges, from .308-Win sized magazines. The key is the proprietary magwell insert, which allows standard 5.56×45 (.223 Rem) AR mags to fit inside the lower. To move from .308 to .223, once the insert is in place, you simply switch the buffer spring and buffer, and then attach your .223 Rem upper.
GunsAmerica Review
You’ll find a detailed review and field test of the Colt 901 in the latest GunsAmerica Blog. The testers say the Colt 901 caliber-changing system works as advertised: “It can be adapted from .308/7.62, using standard P-Mags, to .223/5.56, using standard AR mags, and back again, in literally seconds. The design uses one proprietary part, and you have to swap out the recoil system. It is that simple, and it works fantastic…. What [Colt] did was to design a very simple part that adapts both the lug and the magazine size from one size upper to the other. The part itself is made from aluminum, and weighs exactly 3 ounces, including the captured steel push pin. It is simply an adapter, and its genius is in its simplicity.”
The GunsAmerica Review of the Colt 901 is worth reading if you’re interested in a dual-caliber AR. The review offers plenty of photos (zoomable to large size), with close-ups of the magwell insert and the buffer systems. In addition, the reviewers field-tested the Colt 901 with both .223 Rem and .308 Win uppers. Accuracy at 100 yards was not impressive (1.5″ group with the .308, about 2″ for the .223 version), but the reviewers believe the rifle could have shot better with a trigger upgrade.
Here’s your chance to get your hands on quality, major-brandname brass for half price or better. Powder Valley Inc. (PVI) now has once-fired brass from factory ammo shot on police ranges. Bryan at Powder Valley reports: “We have obtained a good amount of rifle brass for a fantastic price. This brass came straight off a police rifle range. We believe the brass to be 95% one-time fired as most all of the ammunition used was new production. It is one steal of a deal about half the price of new. We have sorted it according to headstamp. At these prices it won’t last long.” Cartridge types available are .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, 30-30 Win, and .30-06. Choose from Federal, Remington, or Winchester head-stamps. Or, save a couple bucks with a “mixed headstamp” order. To Order, go to the PVI website and click on the “Specials” Tab at the top left. Prices range from $18.00/100 for the 30-30 brass to $26.50/100 for .30-06 brass:
Report from Jason Baney, Asst. Editor
The Original Pennsylvania 1000 Yard Benchrest Club will host its annual 1000-Yard World Open July 14 and 15, 2012. It will be held at the club’s range about 15 miles north of Williamsport, PA and will draw shooters from all over the country. It is likely the largest gathering of 1000-yard benchrest shooters anywhere. This year, the combined prize value exceeds $40,000! Frank Grappone, Williamsport Club President, says: “Come shoot against the best!! Our prize table is legendary and we pay down many places in the final standings. Applications and info can be found at our website at www.pa1000yard.com. Hope to see you all there.” At this time, match fees are: $100.00 Per Class, $175.00 for both classes. (Saturday Night dinner is included in the Entry Fees.)
This event is meant to bring together shooters from each 1000-Yard (IBS and NBRSA) organization, and the current rules reflect this. The World Open includes two classes, Light Gun and Heavy Gun. At Williamsport, 10-shot groups are fired by BOTH classes, not just Heavy Guns. Light Guns (LG) must be 17.00 lbs or under and the Heavy Gun (HG) class has no major restrictions (see rules on the Williamsport website for further detail). One 10-shot group will be fired each day in each class. Scoring will be accomplished by an aggregate list of the groups and scores fired.
This Williamsport 1K match video shows 10 shots in 26 seconds — done with a 90-lb Heavy Gun.
The Schedule of Events will be:
Saturday Morning – Light Gun Match One
Saturday Afternoon – Heavy Gun Match One
Sunday Morning – Heavy Gun Match Two
Sunday Afternoon – Light Gun Match Two
Prizes will be given out to the Two-Gun Overall Champion, LG Champion, and HG Champion among others including the top dozen or more in the top of each LG and HG group and score categories. The $40,000+ prize table at this year’s World Open is quite large, probably the biggest ever for a 1K benchrest match. Prizes will be chosen by the shooter in the order of their ranking, not handed out. In addition to the regular prizes, The Original Pennsylvania 1000-Yard Club will give $1000.00 CASH to the competitor who shoots the smallest group for the weekend AND breaks the current Light Class or Heavy Class Ten Shot Benchrest World Record during this event. (One winner only per class).
This match should be one of the largest yet, and hopefully shooters are not discouraged by the high gas prices. Camping and campers can be parked for free, but will have to provide their own power. Concessions will be available as will an evening meal. The more shooters we can gather, the better the competition. We hope to see you there.
WEB Link: www.pa1000yard.com | Range Location: N41° 26.7511′, W076° 52.4212′
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:SWHC) on Thursday reported record fourth-quarter and full-year financial results. Fourth-quarter sales were up 28 percent compared to the same period last year. Full fiscal year sales were up 20 percent compared to the previous year. Said James Debney, president and CEO, “Our objective in fiscal 2012 was to streamline the company and focus on our position as a leading, pure-play firearm company. We are very pleased with our results, which include record annual and fourth quarter net sales and profits.” On Friday, July 6th, Smith & Wesson (SWHC) traded at $8.80 per share, up from a 52-week low of $2.29. That $6.51 per share increase represents a whopping 284% net gain in one year! If you had invested in either S&W a year ago, you’d be sitting pretty right now.
FFL-holders take note. The ATF has revised Form 4473 for over-the-counter transactions. As of July 9, 2012, for all transactions requiring a 4473, use of the NEW REVISED FORM is MANDATORY. You need to start using the new form right now. ATF mailed new Form 4473 packets to FFL-holders. If you have not received the new Form 4473, 
The 2012 NRA National Rifle & Pistol Championships at Camp Perry begin today with the traditional First Shot Ceremony. Following a military band concert, the First Shot Ceremony began at 10:00 AM. Hundreds of shooters, volunteers, employees and spectators were gathered at Camp Perry’s Memorial Monument. This year’s First Shot Speaker, Lieutenant General William E. Ingram Jr., Director Army National Guard, has the honor of firing the First Shot to officially open the 2012 National Matches. Highlights included a color guard, a military band and a National Guard combat maneuver. Dignitaries from the National Rifle Association, CMP, National Guard, all branches of the armed forces and local government representatives were recognized during the ceremony.
Pistoleros take the stage for the first phase of the National Championships. After today’s Pistol Small Arms Firing School and SFAS M9 Pistol EIC Match, the NRA National Pistol Championships commence tomorrow, July 10, and run through July 14 (with National Trophy Matches on the 15th). The Pistol Championships should be hotly contested this year. Legendary handgunner (and Top Shot Season 2 Runner-Up) Brian ‘Gunny’ Zins (USMC retired) returns to Perry with the goal of securing his his eleventh pistol title. Standing in his way will be 2011 Pistol Champion Philip Hemphill along with of James Henderson, John Zurek and others.
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:SWHC) on Thursday reported record fourth-quarter and full-year financial results. Fourth-quarter sales were up 28 percent compared to the same period last year. Full fiscal year sales were up 20 percent compared to the previous year. Said James Debney, president and CEO, “Our objective in fiscal 2012 was to streamline the company and focus on our position as a leading, pure-play firearm company. We are very pleased with our results, which include record annual and fourth quarter net sales and profits.” On Friday, July 6th, Smith & Wesson (SWHC) traded at $8.80 per share, up from a 52-week low of $2.29. That $6.51 per share increase represents a whopping 284% net gain in one year! If you had invested in either S&W a year ago, you’d be sitting pretty right now. 
