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January 16th, 2014
 Evolution is relentless. It seems that tactical rifles are becoming more accurate ever year. Five years ago tactical competitors might have been satisfied with 0.8 MOA rifles. Now the best tactical rigs approach quarter-MOA accuracy. One reason for the increased precision is the application of benchrest build techniques — with ultra-precise barrel-fitting, chambering, and stock bedding.
That’s nothing new to Kelbly’s, which has been building tack-driving competition rifles for decades. The new Arcas series of Tactical rifles comes with a half-MOA guarantee. And in some particularly accurate chamberings, these rifles can shoot well inside that.
One reason for the great performance of Kelbly’s tactical rifles are the outstanding components. There are no compromises. Kelbly’s tactical rifles feature Atlas actions, Brux barrels, premium bottom metal and a choice of Kelbly’s carbon-reinforced stock, McMillan A5, or GRS Laminated Stock (from Europe). If you haven’t heard of Brux, you should know these cut-rifled barrels are as good as anything out there. Brux barrels have set records and won many matches in recent years. You can learn more about Kelbly’s tactical rifles in the video below. Ian Kelbly explains all the features, the multiple stock choices, as well as the options (such as a butt-hook on the stock),
Kelbly’s Arcas Line of Tactical Rifles at SHOT Show 2014
January 16th, 2014
Tab Gear Pollok Mats shown above with Tab Gear Bag below.
 Here is a cool product we saw at SHOT Show, the TAB Pollok Shooting Mat. This 72″x30″ mat rolls up into a compact package about 8″ long and 4.5″ in diameter. Once rolled, the mat is secured with either Snap Buckles or D-rings (buyer’s choice). The bottom of the mat has a waterproof, urethane coating. You can stuff the mat inside your pack or strap it to webbing. For comfort, there’s a 12″-wide section of closed-cell foam in the area contacted by elbows. Loops are provided so the mat can be staked down in high winds. This is a good product for hunters or varmint shooters who need to take prone shots on the ground. The mat is light and easy to stow in a day-pack. The D-ring version is $65.00, while the buckled version is $72.50. Order through the Tab Gear Webstore. For more information visit TabGear.com.
Size is 72″ x 30″
Rolled up size approximately 4″ x 8″
Made from 1000 Denier Cordura Nylon
Webbing is all 1″ Milspec
Padded Elbow Rest Area
Stake-down loops on each corner
Watch Video Demo with Tab Gear Roll-up Shooting Mat
January 15th, 2014
Our friend Vu Pham found this Star Wars “Imperial Storm Trooper” white-finish 5-25x56mm PM II scope at the Schmidt & Bender booth at SHOT Show 2014 in Las Vegas.
We think it looks kind of classy, but we wonder if Schmidt & Bender plans to provide a full set of matching accessories. You know, white plastic breast-plate, shin-guards, and, of course, an Imperial Storm Trooper helmet. This white-finish scope definitely aspires to be tacti-cool, but we do wonder how many buyers would really want such a thing.
SHOT Show Surprise from S&B: White-Finish 5-25x56mm PM II Scope
Product find by Vu Pham.
January 15th, 2014
Berger’s customers said “Make more bullets!”, and the company listened. Over the next few months Berger will more than double its capacity, by adding SIX new bullet-making machines, up from five at the beginning of 2013. You can do the math: 5 + 6 = 11. That means that Berger will have more than twice as many machines turning out bullets for the yellow and orange boxes. Bringing six new machines online represents a major commitment by Berger to increased production. This has been the “number one priority” for the company according to Berger ballistician Bryan Litz.
Bryan explained that Berger has already increased its output in recent months. In 2013 Berger produced 45% more bullets than in 2012. That’s a big boost. But, Bryan added, even with that 45% greater output, demand was out-stripping supply. So Berger determined the best long-term solution was to increase production capacity… and that meant acquiring new bullet-making machines. So 2014 will mark the “Rise of the Machines” at Berger, and that’s good news for fans of Berger Bullets. Within a few months you should see much greater availability of Berger bullets at gun stores and online vendors.
Bryan Litz Explains That Berger is Doubling Production Capacity This Year (SHOT Show Report)
January 15th, 2014
 It’s a rare thing when you can talk with a living legend about the sport he loves. We had just that opportunity yesterday at SHOT Show when we chatted with Carl Bernosky, TEN-TIME National High Power Champion. We covered a lot of ground in the interview, discussing the future of the High Power game and the changes in hardware Carl has seen during his storied career. Carl also offers some “rock solid” advice for younger High Power shooters hoping to improve their skill sets. We also talked about Carl’s plans for 2014 and his epic battle with SSG Brandon Green at the 2013 High Power Championships at Camp Perry. Carl and Brandon battled to the last shot of the last relay of the last day. After four complete days of shooting, the two men remained tied on points and tied on X-count. Apply a tie-breaker rule based on X-count at long-range, Green was named the 2013 Champion, with Carl named runner-up. That 2013 event was a true “Battle of the Titans” between two immensely talented marksmen.
We asked Carl about trends in the High Power game. He said that more and more shooters are moving to the AR15 platform. The accuracy is there, and there are advantages to the self-loading actions particularly during rapid-fire. Carl also felt that it takes more training time to master cycling a bolt while shooting in the standing position. Because he does not have to manipulate a bolt, Carl says his self-feeding AR helps him when standing (Carl is considered one of the best standing shooters ever).
Watch Interview with Carl Bernosky, 10-Time National High Power Champion
Though most readers will recognize Carl from reports of his many National Championships, you may not realize that Carl is also a very skilled stock-maker. Carl produces high quality laminated-wood stocks at his shop in Pennsylvania. He offers a full range of stocks for Prone, Palma, F-TR, F-Open, Long Range Benchrest competition, and he also builds fine tactical stocks and hunting stocks. You can see examples of Carl’s stocks at CarlBernosky.com. Carl recently acquired a CNC machine for inletting. This can create ultra-precise inlets for a wide variety of actions.
January 15th, 2014
Norma makes good stuff. And now, you can save 10% on all Norma products, thanks to Bullets.com. As a special way of saying “thanks” to AccurateShooter.com readers and Forum members, Bullets.com will knock 10% off the price of all Norma brass, ammunition, and other Norma products now through the end of January. To qualify for the discount, use Discount Code 14ACC10JAN (the first character is the digit “1”). FYI, Bullets.com does have Norma .22 LR ammo in stock. (Click here for Norma Tac .22 LR Ammo at $5.95 per box.) You may want to grab some rimfire ammo (as well as centerfire ammo and/or Norma brass) and take advantage of this January Promo.
January 14th, 2014
It’s official. No more “vaporware”. In 2014, Leupold will sell a 7-42x56mm VX-6 scope for approximately $1800.00. This scope will be “coming out this summer”. This is a very impressive optic that will give other premium high-magnification competition scopes a run for their money. The new 7-42 features a 34mm main tube. That large diameter tube helps the scope deliver an estimated 70 minutes of elevation (final specs subject to change). There is a side parallax control, and target turrets with 1/8th-MOA click values and built-in zero stop. We were pleased to see that the scope features a “fast-focus” eyepiece with plus/minus diopter adjustment. Initially the scope will be offered with two (2) reticles, the TMOA and TMOA Plus. These feature MOA-based hash marks, with a small gap in the very center with a target dot at the aiming point.
We did get a chance to test the scope. Jason successful engaged targets at 960 yards using a .308 Win Colt modular rifle fitted with the new 7-42x56mm Leupold. Jason reports that the clicks are tactile and positive. The scope is sharp and bright all the way out to the edges of the viewing circle, even at max 42 power. We liked this optic, and can’t wait to get our hands on a final production version.
Leupold 7-42x56mm VX-6 ($1800.00 MSRP, mid-2014 release)
- Magnification Range: 7X to 42X
- Front Objective: 56mm
- Elevation Range: 70 MOA (estimated) with Zero Stop
- Main Tube Diameter: 34mm
- Warranty: Full lifetime Leupold Gold Ring Warranty
Watch Video Showing Features of Leupold 7-42x56mm VX-6 Riflescope
January 14th, 2014
There were many big tactical rifles on display at Media Day, none bigger than the .50 BMG Barrett m107a1. This beast also sported the largest suppressor we’ve ever seen, a “can” the size of a motorcycle exhaust. Called the “QDL” for “Quick Detach Large”, this suppressor fits over the regular muzzle brake. It is capable of reducing the m107a1’s report from 175 db to 158 db. We learned that the m107a1 has been made “leaner and meaner” for 2014, with a six-pound weight savings. That’s important to soldiers charged with carrying the big rig in the field. Watch the last half of the video below to learn about the upgraded m107a1 and the big new QDL suppressor.
Along with the m107a1, Barrett showed us the new MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design), a modular rifle that can shoot .308 Win (7.62×51), .300 Win Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. The MRAD’s design allows the operator to swap barrels and change bolt-heads quickly and easily with simple tools. In fact, you can even remove the trigger group in less than a minute, just by flipping up the MRAD’s hinged upper and pushing out the safety cross-pin (3:00 minute mark in video). The MRAD dis-assembly procedure is shown in the video below. The MRAD is a very well-thought-out design, and it shot very well when Jason tested it. At least in .308 Win configuration, the braked MRAD has good manners on bipod. It doesn’t hop or roll, but recoils straight back, making it very easy to get back on target.
January 13th, 2014
 More and more people are reading books on tablet computers and eReader devices such as the Kindle and Nook. Recognizing the demand for digital resource works, Applied Ballistics has just releases of its first eBook — a digital version of Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting. This work (which has sold 5000 hard copy versions), is now available in electronic format for both Kindle and Nook eReaders. iPad users can use the Kindle app to access the eBook.
This book discusses how to evaluate multiple variables to improve your hit percentage. It explains how to correct the trajectories for drop, wind deflection, etc. through the use of Weapon Employment Zone (WEZ) analysis. WEZ is applied throughout the book, showing readers how to get more rounds on targets, more reliably. Case studies (with live fire verification for many scenarios) show what things affect your hit probability at long range.
All formats of the eBook are sold for $27.99 (hardcopy is $34.99). The Kindle book is available directly from Amazon.com, while the Nook version can be purchased from BarnesandNoble.com.
Free eReader Content on Applied Ballistics Website
If you have a Kindle, Nook, or iPad, you should visit the Ballistics website. You’ll find many free technical articles you can download as PDF files or in Kindle format or Nook format. To access these FREE articles, select the “Recreational” or “Professional” tabs on the top of the Applied Ballistics home page, then choose the “Articles” link from the pull-down menu. Bryan Litz tells us: “We recently updated our website and we’ve included a number of free articles about bullet design, long-range ballistics, and aspects of WEZ analysis. You don’t need an eReader for these — just download the PDF versions.”
January 13th, 2014
A while back, Werner Mehl of Kurzzeit.com produced a 10-minute video for the 2010 SHOT Show. On the eve of another SHOT Show, we thought you’d like another view of a stunning video that became a huge hit on YouTube. This video has has been watched over 8.2 million times, making it one of the most popular shooting-related videos in history. Employing cameras recording at up to 1,000,000 (one million) frames per second, Mehl’s bullet flight video has been called “astounding”, “mesmerizing”, and a “work of art.” If you haven’t seen it yet, sit back and enjoy!
LINK: Kurzzeit.com Video System and PVM-21 Chronograph
Click the link above to learn more about Werner Mehl and his super-sophisticated camera systems that can record at 1,000,000 frames per second. On the same linked page you can learn about the advanced PVM-21 chronograph (now sold as the PVM-2008 or PVM-08) designed by Werner. Operating “all-infrared, all the time”, the PVM-21 is the best optical chronograph we have tested for very low light conditions, or very tricky light conditions.
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