July « 2024 « Daily Bulletin

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July 2nd, 2024

Good Online Guide to Basics of Rifle Cartridge Reloading

The Shooting Sports USA website includes two excellent articles about the basics of metallic cartridge reloading. These two articles provide an excellent summary of the key procedures. If you are new to reloading, we recommend you read both articles:

Introduction to Metallic Cartridge Reloading Part I »

Introduction to Metallic Cartridge Reloading Part II »

Part II is particularly helpful because it explains the entire reloading process step-by-step, with 14 listed steps. The author notes: “In this, the second installment on metallic cartridge reloading, we’ll follow the sequence of steps involved in reloading a rifle cartridge and refining a metallic cartridge load. These steps are based on the use of a single-stage reloading press and a separate priming tool.”

Much important advice is provided as this article runs through the 14 Steps of Reloading. For example, when explaining Step 13, Bullet Seating, the article states:

“Proper seating depth is critical. Too much bullet protrusion and the cartridge may not work through the gun’s magazine, or it may fail to chamber. Too little and the bullet intrudes excessively into the powder chamber, decreasing volume and raising pressure. Neck tension is also important; any bullet that fails to seat with some resistance may be held only loosely by the neck and may be driven back into the case when the round is chambered, especially in semi-automatic arms.”

Important Guide to Detecting Over-Pressure Signs in Brass
As an example of the invaluable advice provided in these two articles, here’s a sample from Part II that explains how to determine if your load is over-pressure. We recommend that EVERY reader read this twice. There are more things to consider than a stiff bolt lift. You need to inspect cartridges very carefully:

Permalink - Articles, Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Reloading No Comments »

July 2nd, 2024

Shoot Like a Champion — How to Drill Tiny Groups at 200 Yards

200 yard benchrest group charles huckeba australia tiny group 6 PPC

This site is for and about accurate shooters. So today we feature the short-range group Benchrest game, where it’s all about shooting tiny groups in the ones and even “zeros”. Seeing the tiny groups 6 PPC aces produce, it’s easy to think the precision is all about the equipment. But there is a lot more involved. A talented human still has to watch the flags, run the gun properly, and tune his loads for the conditions. Here are some tips from one of the world’s best benchresters, Charles Huckeba.

Texan Charles Huckeba was the top individual shooter at the 2013 World Benchrest Championships (WBC) held near Sydney Australia in October 2013. In this video, 2013 WBC Two-Gun Overall winner Charles shoots a 1/8th MOA group at 200 yards — “a little bitty dot” as a fellow Team USA shooter observes. That’s impressive. If you can describe Huckeba’s style in a nutshell it would be “smooth, consistent, and rapid but not hurried”.

Charles also employed some unusual hardware. In the video, take a close look at the joystick on the Farley Coaxial front rest. There’s no knob at the end. In its place is a small, wood ammo caddy. Charles removed the standard knob from the handle of his Farley rest and replaced it with a home-made wood block that holds cartridges for the record target. The 10.5-lb Light Varmint rifle is chambered in 6PPC with a BAT Machine Action and a composite wood and carbon-fiber stock.

Watch Charles Huckeba Shoot 1/8 MOA, 200-yard group at World Benchrest Championships

Here is the actual 200-yard, 5-shot group Charles shot in the video. Photo (by Stuart Elliot) taken through the lens of Huckeba’s 50X March scope (reticle has 1/16th MOA Dot).
200 yard benchrest group charles huckeba australia

Analyzing the Fine Points — What Makes Huckeba So Good

Short-range benchrest shooter Boyd Allen saw some interesting things in Huckeba’s WBC performance, as captured on video. Boyd noticed Huckeba’s smooth gun-handling and efficient loading. But Boyd also spied some interesting equipment, including an innovative joystick “handle-caddy”.

1. Low Friction Bags — When Huckeba slid his rifle, there was very little apparent friction. The front bag features the new 3M material (ScotchLite) on the sliding surfaces. The rear Protektor bag has ears of the same low-friction material.

2. Pause Before Chambering — While he was watching the flags and deciding when to start firing, Charles kept his first round in the action, but out of the barrel’s chamber, probably so as not to heat the cartridge and change the round’s point of impact.

Charles Huckeba PPC World Benchrest joystick handle 3. Ammo Caddy on Joystick Arm – Charles shoots a Right Bolt/Left Port action, so he pulls his rounds with his left hand. Note that Huckeba’s record rounds rest in a small, wood ammo caddy attached to the end of the joystick shaft. Look carefully, you’ll see the wood ammo block in place of the normal black ball at the end of the joystick. That allows Charles to pull shots with the absolute minimum of hand movement. Ingenious! Huckeba is very fast, with a great economy of motion. I believe that because his ammo was literally at hand, Charles was better able to keep his focus on aiming and the flags.

4. Smooth-Cycling BAT Action — Note how smoothly Huckeba’s action operates. When Charles lifts the bolt handle (to extract a round and cock the firing pin), this does not disturb the rifle. Likewise, as he closes the bolt, the gun doesn’t wobble. The smooth action allows Charles to hold point of aim even when shooting relatively quickly. Huckeba’s BAT action is chrome-moly steel. Some shooters believe this metal makes for a smoother action than stainless steel or aluminum.

5. Long-Wheelbase Stock — The wood and carbon fiber stock is light, long, and stiff. Yet, importantly, the stock is also well-damped. The longer-than-average stock length (with extended forearm) seems to help the gun track well without jumping or rocking. The longer forearm allows a longer “wheelbase”, effectively shifting the weight distribution rearward (less weight on the front, more weight on the rear). This places a greater share of the gun’s weight on the rear bag, as compared to a more conventional benchrest stock. Huckeba’s stock, built by Bob Scoville, is at the cutting edge of short-range benchrest design. Its light-weight balsa wood and carbon fiber construction provides a combination of stiffness and vibration damping that allows its relatively long fore-end to be fully utilized to increase the weight on the rear bag (always an issue with 10.5-pound rifles).

To learn more about this benchrest stock design, read the comments by stock-builder Bob Scoville in our PPC with Pedigree story in our Gun of the Week Archives. Bob observed:

“There is a lot more to the structure of the stocks than meets the eye. The carbon fiber skin with which I cover the stocks creates a light, tough exterior surface. However, this contributes very little to the overall performance of the stocks. The real strength and stiffness is the result of an internal beam utilizing balsa core/carbon fiber technology.

This type construction can be found in aircraft, race cars, powerboats, and sailboats. It is interesting to note, balsa has the highest strength to weight ratio of all woods and carbon fiber is one of the lowest stretch (modulus of elasticity) relative to weight of all materials. The marriage of these two materials is common in the high-performance world. Additionally, balsa is used commercially for vibration dampening and sound reduction.”

Video find by Boyd Allen. Video by Stuart Elliot of BRT Shooters Supply, Brisbane, Australia.

Permalink - Videos, Competition, Shooting Skills, Tech Tip No Comments »

July 1st, 2024

BargainFinder 458: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.

1. Brownells — 15% Off Sale July 1-7 with Code JULY15

⏺ Great savings on large variety of products at Brownells

Starting today, 7/1/24, Brownells is running a major 4th of July Sale site-wide through July 7, 2024. With Code JULY15 you can get 15% off a wide range of products, plus there are special deals on firearms — rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Shown above are featured product deals plus some of the hundreds of rifles on sale with big savings.

2. EuroOptic — 12% Off Most Vortex Optics with Code VTX12

⏺ Use 12% discount code for big savings on Vortex optics

For a limited time, save 12% on most Vortex Optics products when you use promo code VTX12 during check-out. This special discount applies to the full selection of Vortex products including riflescopes, spotting scopes, laser rangefinders, and binoculars.

3. CMP — Crosman 2021 PCP Challenger Air Rifle, $650.00

⏺ Accurate, match-proven, excellent starter competition air rifle

Airguns are inexpensive to shoot, can be used indoors, and can be purchased directly — no FFL required. If you want an affordable, competition-grade air rifle, consider the Crosman Challenger 2021 PCP. This Sporter Class air rifle has an adjustable stock, 2-stage trigger, and competition sights. With good components and ergonomics, this Challenge rifle can compete with much more expensive rigs. This Crosman air rifle has earned 100% 5-star reviews from buyers. Here are recent buyer reviews on CreedmoorSports.com:

— “Outstanding price. Well made, easy to adjust. Once sighted in, drives tacks.”
— “Feels super comfortable to hold and shoot. Trigger is nice and crisp. First 5 shots off a bag in the prone position all went through the same hole… at 10meters.”
— “I [scored] Gold in [10m 3P] competition vs. other higher-priced rifles like Feinwerkbau and Anschutz.”
— “Very accurate, fun, 10m air rifle that sips air at such a low rate you wonder if the gage is broken.”

Note: For this $650 price, sales are restricted to members of CMP affiliated clubs only.

4. Midsouth — Lee Challenger Press with BONUS Die Set, $79.99

⏺ Good LEE Press on Sale with FREE DIES

The LEE Challenger is the world’s best-selling single station press. The lastest Gen III Challenger features an ergonomic lever plus a convenient tube for spent primers. Right now, to mark its 40th Anniversary, LEE is offering a FREE die set with the purchase of the LEE Gen III Challenger Press. Chose one of four cartridge types: .223 Rem, 9mm Luger, .38 SPL/.357 Mag, and .45 ACP (.44 SPL/.44 Mag is also listed but is out of stock). Another good feature of the LEE Press is the Breech Lock Quick Change Die System — change dies instantly with a twist of the wrist.

5. EuroOptic — Burris XTR Extreme Tactical Scopes Close-Outs

⏺ Massive savings up to $750 on quality PRS/NRL tactical scopes

EuroOptic is a top-flight vendor, with fast shipping and great customer service. Right now EuroOptic is running major sale on Burris Extreme Tactical II & III Tactical scopes, which work great for PRS/NRL competition. With the current Burris XTR Scope Sale, you can save up to $750.00 on a rugged, reliable FFP scope with various zoom magnification options (e.g. 3.3-18x50mm, 5-25x50mm, 5.5-30x56mm), with both 0.1 Milrad and 1/4 MOA click options.

6. Powder Valley — 2500 RUAG Small Rifle Primers, $169.99

⏺ Great price on high-quality primers

If you shoot benchrest rigs, varmint rifles, or ARs, you need small rifle (SR) primers. Now you can get high-quality German-made RUAG SR Primers for $169.99 for 2500. That’s the equivalent of $68 per thousand. These RUAG #4033 primers have earned positive user reviews: “Excellent quality… they performed very well… would recommend these to anyone”. NOTE: These are mil-spec primers with a fairly hard cup.

7. Creedmoor Sports or Graf & Sons
— Garmin Xero C1 Pro Radar Chronograph, $599.99

⏺ Superb game-changing compact radar chrono in stock

The Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph works great and is ultra-compact. This popular radar chrono boasts an easy-to-use interface, great performance, and an excellent App for your smartphone. As of 7/1/2024 both Creedmoor Sports and Graf & Sons have the Garmin Xero C1 in stock for $599.99.

8. MidwayUSA — BOG Tripod + Electronic Muffs Combo, $139.99

⏺ Save $70 on outstanding tripod and electronic muffs combo

Here’s a great combo for PRS/NRL shooters and/or hunters. You get the excellent BOG Deathgrip Tripod AND Caldwell E-Max Electronic Muffs for just $139.99 total. Plus you get free shipping this week from MidwayUSA. The BOG DeathGrip Tripod has rugged aluminum legs and a patented hands-free clamp. The bipod head pans 360 degrees with cant adjustment. The 3-position leg angle lock allows bipod use in standing, kneeling, and prone positions. The comfortable, low-profile E-Max Pro electronic muffs have a 23dB noise reduction rating (NRR).

9. Palmetto SA, Blackhawk Shooting Mat/Rifle Case, $49.99

⏺ Multi-Function Shooting Mat/Rifle Case now $100 Off

Here’s a great deal on a multi-function Mat/carry case. The Blackhawk Stalker Drag Mat Carry Case is a nice padded shooting mat that ALSO serves as a rifle carry case and drag bag. Length is 50.5″ and width (in rifle case mode) is 9″. This mat/case is made from durable 1000 denier nylon and closed-cell foam. It has carry straps plus a shoulder strap.

10. Amazon — Real Avid Handgun Cleaning Kit, $19.99

⏺ Good, handy pistol cleaning kit in zipped carry case

To keep your pistols clean and safe, it’s wise to have a compact but well-equipped cleaning kit. We recommend the Real Avid Handgun Cleaning Kit (#ad). This kit includes a 2-part gun cleaning rod with T-handle, bore brush set, bore patch jag set, two small & large slotted bore patch tips and gun cleaning patches. All tools are stored in a handy, zip-closure carry case.

As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Hot Deals, Optics No Comments »

July 1st, 2024

Monitor Barrel Heat in Summertime with Stick-On Temp Strips

Barrel Heat Temp Temperature gauge strip McMaster Carr

Summer is coming soon, and temperatures are starting to heat up. We are already seeing unseasonably hot conditions in many areas of the country. You never want your barrels to get too hot, which can happen more quickly in summertime. Accuracy suffers when barrels over-heat, and excessive heat is not good for barrel life. So how do you monitor your barrel’s temperature? You can check if the barrel is “warm to the touch” — but that method is not particularly precise. There is a better way — using temperature-sensitive strips. McMaster.com (an industrial supply house) offers stick-on temp strips with values from 86° F to 140° F. A pack of ten (10) of these horizontal strips (item 59535K13) costs $14.49. That’s a mere $1.40 per barrel for strips — cheap insurance for your precious barrels. For best barrel life, you should try to keep your barrels under 120 degrees F.

Barrel Heat Temp Temperature gauge strip McMaster Carr

NOTE: On the McMaster.com website, you’ll need to scroll down to the multi-use “Temperature Indicating Labels”. Then click on the horizontal label and select item 59535K13, as shown below.

Barrel Heat Temp Temperature gauge strip McMaster Carr

Forum member Nomad47 says: “I have temperature strips (bought at McMaster-Carr) on all my barrels. I try not to shoot when the barrel gets to 122 degrees or higher[.]” Here are photos of the McMaster-Carr temp strips on Nomad47’s customized Savage.

Barrel Heat Temp Temperature gauge strip McMaster Carr

Creedmoor Sports now offers handy Temp Strips, with 3-packs for $12.95. These have colored temp range markers so you can quickly see if your barrel is getting too hot. Creedmoor Sports notes: “The temperature range of 30-160° spaced in 10° increments fit most … shooting situations. The 1″-wide 6″-long LCD strip will provide many years of service. In general, we recommend that if a barrel begins to reach 140°, it is too hot and continuing to shoot at these temperatures accelerates barrel wear These barrel temperature strips use a 3M® adhesive and will stick to blued, parkerized and stainless barrels.”

Bad things can happen if your barrel gets too hot. First, with some barrels, the point of impact (POI) will shift or “walk” as the barrel heats up excessively. Second, even if the POI doesn’t change, the groups can open up dramatically when the barrel gets too hot. Third, if the barrel is very hot, the chamber will transfer heat to your loaded cartridge, which can lead to pressure issues. Finally, there’s considerable evidence that hot barrels wear out faster. This is a very real concern, particularly for varmint shooters who may shoot hundreds of rounds in a day. For this reason, many varminters switch among various guns, never letting a particular barrel get too hot.

Neconos.com offers BAR-L Temp Strips that visually display heat readings from 86 to 140 degrees. Think of these strips as compact, unbreakable thermometers that monitor barrel heating.

Put a strip on the side of the barrel and the barrel’s temp will be indicated by a stripe that changes from black to green. There is also a “general purpose” strip that reads to 196 degrees (see bottom row). The Benchrest model strip (86°F to 140°F) is in the middle. These Bar-L temp strips cost $9.00 each, or $25.00 for a 3-pack.

NOTE: These strips can be permanently fixed to the barrel with the heavy-duty clear plastic tape strip provided with the BAR-L Temp strip.

Permalink Gear Review, Tech Tip No Comments »

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Good Online Guide to Basics of Rifle Cartridge Reloading

Introduction to Metallic Cartridge Reloading Part I »

Introduction to Metallic Cartridge Reloading Part II »

Shoot Like a Champion — How to Drill Tiny Groups at 200 Yards

Analyzing the Fine Points — What Makes Huckeba So Good

BargainFinder 458: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

1. Brownells — 15% Off Sale July 1-7 with Code JULY15

2. EuroOptic — 12% Off Most Vortex Optics with Code VTX12

3. CMP — Crosman 2021 PCP Challenger Air Rifle, $650.00

4. Midsouth — Lee Challenger Press with BONUS Die Set, $79.99

5. EuroOptic — Burris XTR Extreme Tactical Scopes Close-Outs

6. Powder Valley — 2500 RUAG Small Rifle Primers, $169.99

7. Creedmoor Sports or Graf & Sons
— Garmin Xero C1 Pro Radar Chronograph, $599.99

8. MidwayUSA — BOG Tripod + Electronic Muffs Combo, $139.99

9. Palmetto SA, Blackhawk Shooting Mat/Rifle Case, $49.99

10. Amazon — Real Avid Handgun Cleaning Kit, $19.99