Kulzer Sets Eight IBS 1000-Yard IBS Benchrest Records with 6 BRA Rifle Report by Alex Wheeler
In 2021, Glenn Kulzer of Dillon, Montana had a season that will go down in 1000-Yard Benchrest history. Glenn set eight IBS records in 2021 at the Deep Creek range in Missoula, and then was named IBS 1K Shooter of the Year. What makes this so incredible is not just the number of records but the records themselves. Normally when a world record small group is shot that’s a singular event — never accompanied by Aggregate records set by the same shooter. Glenn’s IBS record small group wasn’t a one-time lucky string. Consider this — Glenn nailed that historic small group, but also recorded multiple IBS Aggregate records in 2021. And Glenn set these IBS Heavy Gun records actually using his 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) Light Gun! Mighty impressive.
[Editor: These were impressive records that have stood the test of time. A quick search of the IBS record site shows Glenn Kulzer still holds six of the ten listed IBS 1000-yard Heavy Gun records. Plus, Glenn broke the Light Gun 20-Target Agg group record, but that was later bettered by Tom Mousel.]
1000-yard Benchrest Aggregate records represent a series of targets shot over the course of multiple matches during a season. That really takes any luck out of the equation. You have to keep the rifle shooting at its peak all year long. It’s the ultimate test of accuracy. But the small groups do get the most notice and Glenn also broke the small group record with a remarkable 2.6853″ 10-shot group (photo below).
Eight IBS Records Set by Glenn Kulzer in 2021
Date: 06/13/2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 10-Shot Group, 2.6853″
Date: 06/13/2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 10-Shot Score 100/2.6853″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 6-Match Group Aggregate, 4.349″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 6-Match Score Aggregate, 99.167/4.679″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 12-Target Group Aggregate, 4.529″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 12-Target Score Aggregate, 98.583/5.058″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 20-Target Score Aggregate, 95.2/6.422″
Date: 2021
Class: Light Gun
Record: 20-Target Group Aggregate, 5.202″
NOTE: Two of these records have been broken. The HG 20-Target Score Aggregate record is now 95.55, set by Blake Wilson. And the LG 20-Target Group Agg record is now 4.3825″, set by Tom Mousel.
This IBS record 1000-yard group, and Glenn’s other IBS records, were shot with Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet, Hodgdon H4895 powder, CCI BR4 primers, and Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass. However, Glenn does use Lapua brass for some other 6 BRA rifles.
Glenn’s record-setting rifle is a Light Gun with a common setup used in long range Benchrest. The rig features a Borden BRM drop-port action with a Bix’n Andy trigger. The action is glued and screwed into a industrial wood laminate Deep Creek Tracker stock, a predecessor of the McMillan LRB. The Krieger barrel is a 4-groove, 1:8″-twist Heavy Varmint contour chambered for the 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) cartridge. All of Glenn’s rifles are topped with Vortex Golden Eagle scopes. Glenn notes that his Vortex Golden Eagles have show excellent point-of-aim stability when tested with a scope checker. The front rest was a Sinclair competition with Edgewood front bag, Field & Cave outfitters front rest plate, and speed screw. For rear support Glenn uses an Edgewood LRB rear bag.
Loading Procedures for Record-Setting 1000-Yard Shooting
Glenn’s loading process is pretty simple. He full-length sizes every time, bumping the shoulders back about .003″. Powder is weighed to the kernel, and bullets are seated with a Wilson seater. NOTE: Glenn does does not anneal his brass. He sorts primers by weight but does not otherwise measure them by dimensions. He seats the primers by feel using a relatively inexpensive primer seating tool — nothing fancy.
Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
Glenn shot Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass all year with the .080″ flash hole. This year he shot Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet set quite deep into the rifling. NOTE: This deep jam has proven to be very stable IF you barrel likes it. Glenn used CCI BR4 primers and Hodgdon H4895 with .005″ of neck tension. His load delivered 3030 fps out of a 28″ barrel. NOTE: This is a “HIGH NODE” that may not be possible in an average barrel with different brass. Many 6 BRA shooters are reaching a 3000+ fps node, but you should always start low and work up. Some 6 BRA barrels will max out at 2950 FPS with 103-108gr bullets.
Glenn Interview Part I — All About the Rifle that Set Eight 1000-yard Records
Glenn Interview Part II — Load Development Process and Loading Methods
Glenn Interview Part III — Barrel Cleaning Discussion
Glenn Kulzer also shot his impressive 6 BRA at the 2021 IBS Nationals at Deep Creek (shown above). This Deep Creek range photo is by Forum member Dave Way.
Setting Records in June 2021 Report by Alex Wheeler
It was a typical match for June, nothing unique about it. Saturday was actually looking to be a really great day. Overall it was good but not great. Sunday had a clear blue sky with bright sun. I looked through a couple of scopes before the match and it was milky. I probably would have shot that relay at 30-35 power. But somehow Glenn Kulzer was able to pull off the best heavy gun group ever shot in 1000-yard IBS competition. With that group Glenn also broke the 6-match Group Aggregate record. The group was no fluke, this rifle also shot great in previous matches with small groups at 1000. To my knowledge this may be the only time a small group record AND an Aggregate record were broken in the same season by the same gun. The ultimate achievement.
On June 13, 2021, Glenn shot a 2.6583″ 10-shot group, all shots in the 10 Ring for a 100 score. This now stands as the current IBS Heavy Gun 1000-Yard 10-shot group record AND score record. It is also part of new Aggregate Records listed above.
About Glenn Kulzer — Rising Star in the Long-Range Benchrest Game by Alex Wheeler
Kulzer is a pharmacist in Dillon, Montana. The attention to detail required for his job crosses over to Long-Range Benchrest. He started off a very competitive shooter right from the start. I have said it many times, but benchrest is not an elitist sport. Hard work and dedication will always rise to the top. Glenn took the sport seriously from the beginning. Accordingly, he displayed a rapid learning curve and quickly surpassed some of his mentors in match results. Glenn tunes mostly at 1000 yards using the Deep Creek variation of ladder testing. He will also load and tune at the range to try and nail the best tune for the conditions. Again, it all about the work done by competitors. But Glenn’s success shows that a bright, hard-working shooter can rise to the top of the game in just a few seasons.
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Kulzer Sets Eight New IBS 1000-Yard IBS Benchrest Records with 6 BRA Rifle Report by Alex Wheeler
2021 was a banner year for 1000-yard Benchrest. Glenn Kulzer of Dillon, Montana had a season that will go down in history. Glenn set eight IBS records in 2021 at the Deep Creek range in Missoula, and then was named IBS 1K Shooter of the Year. What makes this so incredible is not just the number of records but the records themselves. Normally when a world record small group is shot that’s a singular event — never accompanied by Aggregate records set by the same shooter. Glenn’s IBS record small group wasn’t a one-time lucky string. Consider this — Glenn nailed that historic small group, but also recorded multiple IBS Aggregate records in 2021. And Glenn set these IBS Heavy Gun records actually using his 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) Light Gun! Mighty impressive.
1000-yard Benchrest Aggregate records represent a series of targets shot over the course of multiple matches during a season. That really takes any luck out of the equation. You have to keep the rifle shooting at its peak all year long. It’s the ultimate test of accuracy. But the small groups do get the most notice and Glenn also broke the small group record with a remarkable 2.6853″ 10-shot group (photo below).
Eight IBS Records Set by Glenn Kulzer in 2021
Date: 06/13/2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 10-Shot Group, 2.6853″
Date: 06/13/2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 10-Shot Score 100/2.6853″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 6-Match Group Aggregate, 4.349″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 6-Match Score Aggregate, 99.167/4.679″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 12-Target Group Aggregate, 4.529″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 12-Target Score Aggregate, 98.583/5.058″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 20-Target Score Aggregate, 95.2/6.422″
Date: 2021
Class: Light Gun
Record: 20-Target Group Aggregate, 5.202″
This IBS record 1000-yard group, and Glenn’s other IBS records, were shot with Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet, Hodgdon H4895 powder, CCI BR4 primers, and Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass. However, Glenn does use Lapua brass for some other 6 BRA rifles.
Glenn’s record-setting rifle is a Light Gun with a common setup used in long range Benchrest. The rig features a Borden BRM drop-port action with a Bix’n Andy trigger. The action is glued and screwed into a industrial wood laminate Deep Creek Tracker stock, a predecessor of the McMillan LRB. The Krieger barrel is a 4-groove, 1:8″-twist Heavy Varmint contour chambered for the 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) cartridge. All of Glenn’s rifles are topped with Vortex Golden Eagle scopes. Glenn notes that his Vortex Golden Eagles have show excellent point-of-aim stability when tested with a scope checker. The front rest was a Sinclair competition with Edgewood front bag, Field & Cave outfitters front rest plate, and speed screw. For rear support Glenn uses an Edgewood LRB rear bag.
Loading Procedures for Record-Setting 1000-Yard Shooting
Glenn’s loading process is pretty simple. He full-length sizes every time, bumping the shoulders back about .003″. Powder is weighed to the kernel, and bullets are seated with a Wilson seater. NOTE: Glenn does does not anneal his brass. He sorts primers by weight but does not otherwise measure them by dimensions. He seats the primers by feel using a relatively inexpensive primer seating tool — nothing fancy.
Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
Glenn shot Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass all year with the .080″ flash hole. This year he shot Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet set quite deep into the rifling. NOTE: This deep jam has proven to be very stable IF you barrel likes it. Glenn used CCI BR4 primers and Hodgdon H4895 with .005″ of neck tension. His load delivered 3030 fps out of a 28″ barrel. NOTE: This is a “HIGH NODE” that may not be possible in an average barrel with different brass. Many 6 BRA shooters are reaching a 3000+ fps node, but you should always start low and work up. Some 6 BRA barrels will max out at 2950 FPS with 103-108gr bullets.
Glenn Interview Part I — All About the Rifle that Set Eight 1000-yard Records
Glenn Interview Part II — Load Development Process and Loading Methods
Glenn Interview Part III — Barrel Cleaning Discussion
Glenn Kulzer also shot his impressive 6 BRA at the 2021 IBS Nationals at Deep Creek (shown above). This Deep Creek range photo is by Forum member Dave Way.
Setting Records in June 2021 Report by Alex Wheeler
It was a typical match for June, nothing unique about it. Saturday was actually looking to be a really great day. Overall it was good but not great. Sunday had a clear blue sky with bright sun. I looked through a couple of scopes before the match and it was milky. I probably would have shot that relay at 30-35 power. But somehow Glenn Kulzer was able to pull off the best heavy gun group ever shot in 1000-yard IBS competition. With that group Glenn also broke the 6-match Group Aggregate record. The group was no fluke, this rifle also shot great in previous matches with small groups at 1000. To my knowledge this may be the only time a small group record AND an Aggregate record were broken in the same season by the same gun. The ultimate achievement.
On June 13, 2021, Glenn shot a 2.6583″ 10-shot group, all shots in the 10 Ring for a 100 score. This now stands as the current IBS Heavy Gun 1000-Yard 10-shot group record AND score record. It is also part of new Aggregate Records listed above.
About Glenn Kulzer — Rising Star in the Long-Range Benchrest Game by Alex Wheeler
Kulzer is a pharmacist in Dillon, Montana. The attention to detail required for his job crosses over to Long-Range Benchrest. He started off a very competitive shooter right from the start. I have said it many times, but benchrest is not an elitist sport. Hard work and dedication will always rise to the top. Glenn took the sport seriously from the beginning. Accordingly, he displayed a rapid learning curve and quickly surpassed some of his mentors in match results. Glenn tunes mostly at 1000 yards using the Deep Creek variation of ladder testing. He will also load and tune at the range to try and nail the best tune for the conditions. Again, it all about the work done by competitors. But Glenn’s success shows that a bright, hard-working shooter can rise to the top of the game in just a few seasons.
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The bar is raised yet again — the standards for long-range accuracy keep improving. Two talented Montana shooters have both gone sub-four inches for a 1K 10-Match Aggregate. What that means is that over TEN matches, these guys have averaged under 0.4 MOA at 1000 yards. Think about that. Most shooters will be happy with half-MOA at ONE HUNDRED yards. These guys are beating that by a significant margin at ONE THOUSAND yards, and they have done it for a whole season.
1000 Yard Multi-Match IBS Records Fall at Deep Creek
David Torgerson and Tom Mousel both broke the 10-match Light Gun Group Aggregate (Agg) record. Tom also broke the 6-Match Light Gun Group Agg record. Prior to these brilliant performances, the existing IBS 10-Match Agg record was 4.3155″. David crushed that with a 3.7946″, as did Tom with a 3.8734″. The existing IBS 6-Match Agg Record was 3.072″ and Tom shot a 2.954″, which will be a new record.
This is the first time in history that anyone has Agg’d in the threes for the 10-Match and in the twos for the 6-Match! For those not familiar with 1000-yard IBS matches, the Season Aggregate is based on ten matches. All ten are averaged for the 10-match Agg and the best six are averaged for the 6-Match Agg.
Shooters Established New Records with Multiple Guns and Multiple Barrels
David shot the majority of his targets with a Bat B action and Broughton 5C barrel. But he also shot his BAT SV and Borden BRM with Krieger and Lilja barrels. David’s 1K rifles feature Deep Creek Tracker stocks and March scopes. He shot Vapor Trail 103gr bullets in the all the rigs, and all his barrels are chambered in 6BRA — a 40° wildcat based on the 6mmBR Norma. The 6BRA retains the long neck of the parent case, but has more case capacity. Some people say the 6BRA is a bit easier to tune than the 6mm Dasher, but it still achieves that ultra-accurate 2920-2960 FPS velocity node.
Tom Mousel shot his 6- and 10-match Aggs with two rifles, splitting time between his BAT Neuvo LR and Borden BRM. Both are chambered in 6BRA and he shot multiple Krieger barrels. Tom told us: “Thanks everyone. David was pretty steady all year, while I took more of an up-and-down route. At one point early on I thought there’s no way this would be salvaged.”
The Neuvo-actioned gun (shown below) features a McMillan/Wheeler LRB stock, with a March scope on top. In that rifle, Tom shot 103gr Vapor Trails. Mousel’s Borden BRM gun features a Deep Creek Tracker stock and Sightron scope. In that 6BRA rifle he shot 103gr Roy Hunter bullets.
Tom Mousel Rifle with BAT Neuvo LR action. This action is a Left-loading Drop Port — cartridges eject out the bottom of the action.
COMMENT by Alex Wheeler
If this doesn’t make you give up the idea you need that one hummer barrel to win I don’t know what will. Yes, you need the best equipment, but you also need the best tune and knowledge to stay on top of it. These two guys are some of the most dedicated tuners and testers I know. Well done! And well deserved!
It IS noteworthy that multiple rigs were used. Posting on Facebook, Alex H. said: “Holy ****! Tom did it not only with multiple barrels, but with two rifles AND multiple barrels? That is some outstanding performance! And Glenn K observed: “It was an awesome season to watch unfold. Congrats guys!”
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“The blue plastic barrels that we have to shoot through are the idea of the local police — to ensure that we keep our rifles pointing at the targets!” — David Sharp
Here’s a great story from the other side of the pond — the United Kingdom. Shooting a .308 Win factory Savage rifle, a novice benchrest shooter set two new 1000-Yard UK Factory Sporter Class records with a group barely over three inches plus a 6.756″ four-group Aggregate. The Savage had been upgraded with an inexpensive aftermarket stock and Timney trigger, but was otherwise “as manufactured” — with factory barrel.
At Ingleston, competitors shoot for group size only — so there are no scoring-rings on the targets.
On October 14, 2018 David Sharp had a memorable performance at the Ingleston Range in Scotland. David Agg’d 6.756 inches for all four 5-shot groups, a new UK 1000-Yard record for the Factory Sporter Class. His smallest group measured 3.090 inches, which is also a new UK Factory Sporter record. Great Shooting David — congrats!
Sharp Sets Two New UK Factory Sporter Class 1000-Yard Records
Report by Vince Bottomley
In the UK, long-range benchrest is far more popular than short-range. The UKBRA (United Kingdom Benchrest Association) holds shoots at three venues: Diggle (100, 600 & 1000 yards), Bisley (100 yards only) and Ingleston in Dumfries, Scotland (1000 yards).
The Scottish venue is the UK’s latest 1000-yard facility. It was established just three years ago yet it is already holding well-attended monthly shoots. It is operated by the Galloway Small Arms Club and, as you may imagine, it is situated in the beautiful wild Scottish countryside.
The UKBRA operates under IBS/NBRSA rules for the Light and Heavy Gun Classes but, many of the Scottish members are also deer stalkers and came to the benches with their hunting rifles, so we also run a Factory Sporter Class. Factory Sporter rifles must be the original manufacturer’s barreled-action but a more benchrest-compatible stock may be used or ‘bag-rider’ attachments may be fitted to the butt and fore-end. The barreled-action must however be totally as it left the factory — no re-chambering or throating, though the crown may be re-cut. To discourage potentially dangerous trigger modifications, an after-market trigger may be fitted.
The Factory Sporter Class is very popular and Savage rifles, chambered for the 6mmBR, 6.5-284, and .308 Win are the favored factory-classers. These have produced some remarkable performances over the years, often out-performing custom rifles!
David Sharp is a True Sharp-Shooter
David Sharp is a relatively new benchrest shooter, though he has decades of firearms experience. David started his shooting days wild-fowling and rough shooting with a shotgun over 50 years ago. After retiring, he moved to Dumfriesshire and began shooting again — clay pigeon, wildfowling on the Solway, driven pheasant and deer stalking. As a stalker, David keeps his eye in by shooting targets on a local range using his .308 Mannlicher.
Eventually, the pains of old age began taking their toll and stomping up hills was becoming more difficult. Fortunately, David heard about the Ingleston 1000-yard range and joined the Galloway Small Arms Club in 2016. As a complete novice to benchrest shooting, David relied on the guidance and advice from his fellow Club members and eventually purchased a Savage Model 12 F-TR rifle in .308 Winchester to compete in the Factory Class.
Here’s the view looking downrange. What a beautiful place to shoot…
.308 Win Factory Savage with Choate Stock and Vortex Scope
David’s rifle has some upgrades, as permitted for Factory Sporter Class. The Savage trigger was replaced with a Timney. The Savage F-TR stock was replaced with a Choate Varmint stock fitted with a Sinclair front bag-rider. The Choate’s butt was home-modified to better ride the Edgewood bag. The rifle is fitted with a Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60 scope mounted on a 20 MOA Ken Farrell rail via Vortex rings. Dave shoots off a SEB Mini front rest. As the Mini is lighter to lug around than the SEB NEO (and less expensive), the Mini is becoming popular with UK shooters.
David reports: “My rounds are nothing special — I’m using Sierra 2155 155 grain bullets over Vihtavuori N140 powder and CCI 200 primers. I use Lapua brass (large primer) full-length sized in a Redding S bushing die to give 0.002″ neck-tension.”
Although the Ingleston Range is a beautiful place to shoot, as you can imagine conditions can vary dramatically and it is not known for mild days! However, at 9:00 am on the day of David’s record shoot, it was clear and quite still with the flags barely lifting. The temperature was already 15 deg C (59 deg F). What more could any benchrest shooter ask for?
In the photo of David above, you can just see the four 1000-yard targets in the extreme top right of the picture — up near the tree-line. Note, at Ingleston, competitors shoot for group size only. Hence there are no scoring-rings on the target. However, Vince Bottomley says score shooting may begin at some UK ranges: “This year we have purchased a set of electronic targets. The IBS target face can be inputted so we will now start to shoot for score as scores are registered instantly. Previously, it just took too long to score the targets as well as measure the groups.”
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200-22X — That’s a stunning score, at any distance, but to do that at 1000 yards, at the most important match of the year, in a notoriously tricky venue, is a remarkable achievement. This 200-22X, a pending new F-Class Open Division National Record, was shot by Norm Harrold of Team McMillan at the 2018 F-Class Nationals, running this week at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM. Norm’s brilliant 200-22X beat the existing F-Open record by five Xs.
Gun and Load: Norm’s F-Open rig features a McMillan stock and Bartlein barrel chambered for the .284 Shehane. Norm loaded Berger 184gr 7mm bullets in Lapua brass. Erik Cortina joked — “the minute this video goes live, the 184s will be hard to find”. Norm says “Stock up guys — they shoot good!”
Keep Shooting — Don’t Stop!
How can you have more than twenty Xs in a 20-shot string? Here’s how it works — when you shoot all Xs for the entire string of fire, you are allowed to keep shooting. After his 20th shot, Norm recalled, “I said ‘I’m done, give me my target’, but … my shooting partner said ‘No! Keep shooting!'” So Norm did, drilling two more Xs to set the new National Record.
A 200-17X was shot (twice) by David Gosnell in 2015 to set the previous F-0pen 1000-yard record, which was later tied in 2017, first by Keith Glasscock, and then by Pat Scully. But right now Norm Harrold’s 200-22X is the best ever. To beat the previous record by five Xs, and to do that at Raton, during the Nationals, is a great achievement. And to top it off, this new record was shot in the rain!
200-16X New F-TR 1000-Yard National Record
Ray Gross and Mike Plunkett Both Shoot 200-16X to Share New Record
In the F-TR class, two men, Ray Gross (Team McMillan) and Mike Plunkett, both set a new pending 1000-yard record with a 200-16X score. That’s a perfect 10 points for all twenty (20) shots, with 16 of them in the smaller X-Ring. This F-TR division is limited to two cartridge types, .223 Remington (5.56×45) and .308 Win (7.62×51), and F-TR rifles must be shot with a bipod (no front rest). F-TR Weight limit, including bipod, is 8.25 kgs (approximately 18.18 pounds).
Ray, along with the vast majority of other F-TR competitors, was shooting a .308 Win. His load included Berger 220X bullets, in Lapua brass, with Vihtavuori N140 powder and CCI 450 bullet. Ray’s rifle features a 28″ Bartlein Heavy Palma barrel, mated to a Kelbly Panda action in McMillan stock. Up front was a Phoenix bipod with lowering bracket. The scope was a Nightforce NXS 8-32x56mm.
Ray Gross Scorecard — 200-16X is mighty impressive, given Raton’s notorious conditions.
The previous F-TR 1000-yard record was 200-14X shot by Derek Rodgers of Team McMillan. That record by Derek was also recorded at Raton, back in September, 2016.
We like “outside of the box” thinking. And in the world of competitive shooting, it doesn’t get more unconventional than this. But this radical liquid-cooled benchrest rig wasn’t just a crazy experiment — it actually delivered the goods. This IBS Heavy Gun, built by Joel Pendergraft, produced a superb 10-shot, 3.044″ group that stood as an International Benchrest Shooters (IBS) 1000-Yard Heavy Gun record for seven years, not being broken until 2016*.
Using this water-cooled 300 Ackley Improved, Joel shot the record-breaking group in April 2009 at Hawks Ridge, NC. This monster features a 12-twist, 4-groove Krieger barrel inside a water-filled sleeve (like on a liquid-cooled machine gun). Joel shot BIB 187gr flat-based bullets in Norma brass, pushed by a “generous amount” of Alliant Reloder 25 and Federal 210M primers.
This 3.044″ 10-shot group was a remarkable accomplishment, breaking one of the longest-standing, 1000-yard World Records.
Pendergraft was modest after his notable achievement: “What makes this so very special is to be able to celebrate the accomplishment with all of my shooting friends[.] A good friend once said that records are shot when preparation and opportunity meet. I feel blessed to have personally had the opportunity. The preparation we can individually work on and achieve but the opportunity only comes to a few. Those of you that compete in long range competition will know what I mean.”
*On July 24, 2016, Michael Gaizauskas shot a 2.871″ ten-shot group that bettered Pendergraft’s record by 0.171″ (less than a quarter inch). Michael’s group was also all in the 10 ring, for a perfect 100 score. CLICK HERE for IBS Long-Range Records
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Yes, there are ten (10) shots. In the lower left (7 o’clock) of the group, two shots overlap!
Stunning 1000-Yard 10-Shot Group You’re looking at a stunning feat of rifle accuracy. That’s a sub-3″, ten-shot group shot at 1000 yards, all 10s or Xs. Measured at 2.856 inches, this group by shooter Mike Gaizauskas works out to 0.2727 MOA. Nearly quarter-MOA for ten shots at 1K! And the vertical for 7 of 10 shots is under an inch. Now that’s impressive. This was done with an IBS Heavy Class Benchrest gun, chambered for the 6.5×47 Lapua, a mid-sized cartridge originally designed for 300m competition.
Gun Specs: 6.5×47 Lapua chambering, Krieger 30″, 1:8″-twist barrel, Lapua 139 grain Scenars, Hodgdon H4350, CCI BR4 primers, Nightforce NSX scope. Smithed by Mark King, stock by Mike Gaizaukaus.
This amazing group, which establishes new IBS world records, was shot at the Harry Jones Memorial 1000-Yard Gun Club range in Fairview, West Virginia. Set in wooded, rolling hills, this range is shielded on all sides by thick stands of trees. It’s a beautiful facility, and you can see why, when conditions are right, the Harry Jones range can be about as close to shooting in a “tunnel” as you’ll ever get at 1000 yards. The Harry Jones Club in WV hosted the 2014 IBS Long-Range Nationals.
Mike’s remarkable 10-shot performance may be a Score Record as well as a group record, because all ten shots were in the 10-Ring and, under IBS rules, group size is the tie-breaker, rather than X-Count. Mike’s target was scored 100-3X, with two of the three Xs just clipping the outside of the X-Ring. Match directors reported: “On 7/24/2016, two new pending IBS 1000-yard world records were shot by Mike Gaizauskas with a 6.5X47 Lapua: 1) Heavy Gun Group (2.856″) and 2) Heavy Gun Score (100-3X). Congratulations Mike!” Here are the listed IBS records that will be broken, when this target is certified:
► Current IBS 1000-Yard Heavy Gun 10-Shot Single Group Record: 3.044″, Joel Pendergraft, 4/18/2009.
► Current IBS 1000-Yard Heavy Gun 10-Shot Single Group Score Record: 100 points, with 3.353″ group size tie-breaker, Gary Nicholson, 7/27/13.
Best 1000-Yard 10-Shot Groups Ever
This jaw-dropping 2.856″ group by Mike Gaizauskas also handily breaks the current NBRSA 1000-Yard, ten-shot Heavy Gun Record, which was 3.9912″ set by Bill Johnston on November 17, 2015. FYI: IBS and NBRSA Light Guns only shoot five-shot groups, so there is no equivalent IBS or NBRSA Light Gun 1K ten-shot record.
Only one other 10-shot, 100-score 1000-yard group was better than this in the history of rifle competition on this planet. Back in 2010, at a Williamsport match, Matt Kline shot a 2.815″ 100-4X. Depending on how Mike’s 2016 2.856″ group is finally measured, it could end up smaller than Matt’s. The difference (before final IBS verification) is only 0.041″, a mere four hundredths of an inch.
In 2014, Jim Richards fired a 10-shot Light Gun group at 1000 yards initially measured at 2.6872″. Shot under Williamsport Rules at the Deep Creek Range in Montana, that 10-shot group may be the smallest ever at 1K. However, the whole group was out in the 8 Ring, for a score of 80, not 100.
About the 6.5×57 Lapua Cartridge
To learn more about the record-setting 6.5×47 Lapua cartridge, including bullet and powder options and reloading tips, visit our comprehensive 6.5×47 Lapua Cartridge Guide.
The 6.5x47mm Lapua was developed in 2005 as a precision cartridge for 300m CISM rifle matches. Lapua (of Finland) and Swiss rifle-maker Grünig & Elmiger created this new cartridge to match the “pure accuracy” of the 6mmBR, but with even better ballistics. Following its debut as a 300m match cartridge, the 6.5×47 has proven to be a popular “jack of all trades”. Shooters have adopted this efficient, mid-sized cartridge because it offers excellent accuracy, mild recoil, good ballistics, and ample barrel life (plus it feeds well from a magazine). The 6.5×47 Lapua has won two NBRSA 600-yard Nationals. Now that this modern, mid-sized cartridge has set an all-time record for grouping precision at 1000 yards, we expect more shooters to experiment with this cartridge in the mid- and long-range benchrest disciplines.
Story Tip by Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions
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Derek Rodgers, the only shooter to win both the F-Open and F-TR National Championships, has done it again. While shooting the Santa Fe Trail LR Regional match in Raton, New Mexico, it looks like Derek set a new 1000-yard record. Derek nailed his 1000-yard target, recording a 200-14X score — that’s twenty (20) shots for record, all tens with 14 in the X-Ring. Derek told us: “Yesterday at Raton New Mexico’s Whittington Center, I shot a 200-14X, which should be a new pending F-TR National Record at 1000 yards.” Derek took special pride in this accomplishment, as he held the F-TR record before: “I’m happy to have the record back. I have had three of the last four records”. Well done Derek!
Derek Rodgers .308 Win F-TR Rifle Equipment List:
McMillan Xit stock, Kelbly Panda LBLP action, Bartlein .308 Win barrel (32″, 1:11.25″ twist), Nightforce NXS 8-32x56mm scope. Note that Derek shoots right-handed, but with a LEFT BOLT. This allows him to stay in position better while cycling the bolt with his LEFT hand.
This impressive performance by Derek shows that the best F-TR rifles can rival the big F-Open rigs for pure accuracy, even though the favored F-Open chamberings, such as .284 Win and .300 WSM, are still ballistically superior to the venerable .308 Winchester used by nearly all F-TR competitors. For his record-breaking load, Derek used Berger 200gr Hybrid Target bullets in Lapua .308 Win (small primer pocket) brass, pushed by Hodgdon Varget powder.
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Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before — a liquid-cooled benchrest rifle. No, this is not just a crazy experiment. This gun, built by Joel Pendergraft, produced a 10-shot, 3.044″ group that is still listed as the International Benchrest Shooters (IBS) 1000-Yard Heavy Gun record. Using this water-cooled 300 Ackley Improved, Joel shot the record group in April 2009 at Hawks Ridge, NC. This monster features a 12-twist, 4-groove Krieger barrel. Joel shot BIB 187gr flat-based bullets in Norma brass, pushed by a “generous amount” of Alliant Reloder 25 and Federal 210M primers.
This 3.044″ 10-shot group was a remarkable accomplishment, breaking one of the longest-standing, 1000-yard World Records.
Pendergraft was modest after his notable achievement: “What makes this so very special is to be able to celebrate the accomplishment with all of my shooting friends[.] A good friend once said that records are shot when preparation and opportunity meet. I feel blessed to have personally had the opportunity. The preparation we can individually work on and achieve but the opportunity only comes to a few. Those of you that compete in long range competition will know what I mean.”
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UPDATE: On October 29th, at the Nationals, Derek Rodgers beat his own new record, with a 200-12X!
Congratulations to Derek Rodgers for setting a new 1000-yard National Record with a score of 200-11X at the Arizona Long Range Regional in Phoenix. A past national F-Class Champion, Derek is a member of Team Sinclair and the U.S. National F-TR team. Derek’s rifle is built on a Kelbly action, using a Bartlein barrel and a McMillan stock. It is topped with a Nightforce Optics scope. His ammo was made using Berger bullets, Lapua brass and Hodgdon Powder.
F-Class competition continues this week at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix Arizona this week. The 2014 F-Class National Championhip runs October 28 through November 2, 2014. The F-Class National Championship is a multi-day match comprising of all shots at 1000 yards. There will be a mix of individual and four person team matches. The competition consists of two different Divisions: F-Open and F-TR (Target Rifle). Each Division is made up of five different Categories: High Master, Master, Expert, Sharpshooter and Marksman.
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1000-yard Benchrest competitor James O’Hara set four (4) new IBS Records in 2013. These multi-match Light Gun Agg records were secured with O’Hara’s solid performance at the 2013 Virginia 1000-yard Benchrest State Championship. Here are the new records set by O’Hara in 2013:
During the VA state championships, O’Hara was on fire. All four groups were centered for 50s, with three groups under 3″ and the fourth a 3.715″. That’s consistency.
Target 1- Group 2.996” Score 50.2
Target 2- Group 2.433″, Score 50.1
Target 3- Group 3.715″, Score 50.4
Target 4- Group 2.188″, Score 50.1
Group Average 2.833″, Score Average 50.2
On 1000-yard benchrest targets, the 10-ring is just seven inches in diameter, while the X-Ring is a mere 3 inches in diameter. At the Virginia 1K Championships, James managed to keep all his shots within the seven-inch 10 Ring with eight of the shots inside the 3 inch X-Ring. That is amazing accuracy and consistency. David Goodridge says: “This is truly a remarkable example of superb marksmanship, rifle design, assembly, load development and equipment maintenance.” (O’Hara had previously set a 10-match Aggregate Light Gun World record of 4.5389″ in 2012).
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James O’Hara Talks About Record-Setting Rifles and Ultra-Accurate Long-Range Loads
James generously agreed to share his knowledge and experiences on the many facets of IBS 1000-yard benchrest preparation, reloading and shooting techniques in an intereview with Australian David Goodridge. This feature originally appeared in Australian Target Rifle Magazine. A few of O’Hara’s responses have been updated, based on a conversation with James on April 8, 2014.
Goodridge: James on behalf of the Australian LRBR community I would like to congratulate you on your achievements in 1000-yard Benchrest and thank you for [doing this] interview. To begin, could you provide an outline on your background and the reasons or factors that led you to becoming involved in 1000-yard BR at the Virginia Club.
O’Hara: I started short-range Benchrest in 1996 for a brief time and won my first 100-yard IBS match and I was hooked. Loss of eye-sight in one eye put a damper on it and I quit shooting for while, and I started shooting trap to try to switch over to left-handed. It worked and I started to pick up a gun left-handed so I went back to the rifle and built a tube gun.
I tried the local groundhog matches but the rules changed every match. I then found the Reade Range and 1000-yard matches. I restocked my gun with a long-range stock and started 1000-yard Benchrest. Finding I enjoyed the challenges associated with long range benchrest, I began 1000-yard Benchrest competition at Harry Jones Range and White Horse Range, two IBS ranges in West Virginia. I basically started after the year was under way in 2011 and I must say it was a very humbling experience. I soon learned that my previous short range [techniques] were not working.
New scales, a K&M arbor press with a force indicator, led to improvements. Then designing and obtaining reamers to my own specifications led to further substantial improvements, with the end result being that the same loads now seem to work from barrel to barrel.
James O’Hara Equipment Details
Gunsmithing: I do all the work myself, except barrel chambering/fitting is done by Dave Bruno.
Favored Caliber: I use a 6mm Dasher with a .266 neck and a .135 free bore. My load is a 103gr Spencer bullet trimmed and pointed with Hoover tools. Load is Alliant Reloder 15, 33.0+ grains weighed on a GD503 scale, with a CCI 450 primer. Right now I’m jumping the bullet about .006″. Previously, I shot them about .010” into the rifling but it was pulling the bullets or pushing them back.
Actions: For the IBS record groups I used a Bat 1.350” Bat B action in a Roy Hunter Stock. Other actions in use include a 1.530” Bat B and a Kelby F-Class Panda. Barrels: The record barrel was a Brux Heavy Varmint, 1:7.83″ twist, finished at 28″, and fitted with a Harrell’s brake. Stocks: I have two Roy hunter stocks and a PR&T and all track very well. They are balanced at two inches ahead of the receiver. All three stocks are glued with liquid Devcon and are pillared, so they are “glued and screwed”. I think this is the best system. Scopes: The PR&T-stocked rifle has a March 10-60X and the two Hunter-stocked guns have Nightforce 12-42x56mm NXS scopes. Rests: My front rest is a Sinclair Competition model that I modified with a cartridge holder that holds cartridges up by the port. I use the new super slick bag by Protektor and a rear Doctor Bag with leather ears. Scope Mounts: Rings are Burris Signature Extra High (the ones with inserts).
Case Preparation and Reloading Techniques:
My cases are three years old, with close to 100 firings. They are all from the same lot. I anneal the cases dirty to save some work and I anneal every time to have consistent neck tension. I punch the primers out and clean the pockets and run the flash hole uniformer in to make sure there is no carbon build-up. You can use the same tool as you use to prep the new cases. Flash holes are uniformed to .0625″. (Flash holes, “out of the box”, are less consistent than you may think.)
I turn necks to .0102″ with a K&M tool. Some competitors don’t turn necks, but without uniform neck tension you will have vertical. I use a K&M VLD chamfering tool and a Wilson case trimmer for new cases and when I trim fired cases. I use a nylon brush for inside the necks and clean the cases outside with 0000 steel wool using a small power station or a drill to spin them. The cases are sized on a Forster Coax press with a Harrell’s full length bushing die. Priming is done by hand using a K&M priming tool. I throw a “close” charge with Harrell’s bench rest powder measure. That charge goes in the pan of my Sartorius GD503 scale and then I trickle up to weight with an Omega powder trickler.
For bullet seating, I now use the 21st Century Hydraulic arbor press with seating force indiciation. I previously used the K&M arbor press with force indicator — it was good, but the 21st Century unit is more sophisticated, more precise, and easier to read. I have a loading block that is color-coded in the pounds of force needed to seat the bullet. I try to keep rounds in sets of 3-lb seating force settings. Each loaded round is put in the appropriate column (based on measured seating force). All loaded rounds are color-coded to avoid mixing. Leftovers from matches are used at a later date.
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I have now made a tool from an old bearing surface comparator. It will contact the ogive of the loaded round and it will check the seating depth while it is sitting on a granite block. Relying completely on the force and feel of the dial indicator allows seating depths to be held to .0005″ (i.e. one-half-thousandth). Compared to others means, this seems a more accurate way to check seating depth.
Bullets are spun on a Juenke machine after they are trimmed on a Hoover trimmer and pointed on the Hoover tool. For the next step, a Tubb Bearing Surface Comparator is used to sort bullets to plus/minus .0005″. I don’t discard any bullets — if I have some small lots of bullets that have a shorter or longer measurement they are used for testing. With the Spencer and BIB bullets there are not many that are not within plus/minus .001”. I quit weighing cases because of the outside variations. I only do what makes a difference [on target] and I only test and do load development at 100 yards, where I can control the conditions.
Barrel Freezing (Cryogenic treatment)
For the 2013 season, I cut barrels back to 28″ and had them “frozen” (cryo-treated) at Cryo Plus. I think that both barrels are average in the wind, but the first shot from a clean barrel is in the group. I shot around seven 100s with my other Light Gun. In Heavy Gun, I even won the group Aggregate at the Virginia State shoot. I have cryo-treated all of my barrels and I believe I have proof that it does produce benefits. I talked to George Kelbly about this before I did it. My results agreed with what George had indicated: fire cracking was less, chambering was easier and the major benefit was that the groups did not ‘walk’ as the barrels became heated.
Bench Set-up and Shooting Procedures
I use a spotting scope to help see the flags and the mirage. The mount is a Sinclair for the bench. This really helps because I can’t see the flags far out. I think the most important part of the set up is getting the gun to track, it has to come back in the box every time and shooting under the same condition every shot. I know everybody likes to run them — I do if the condition holds — but if it doesn’t you must pick them one at a time. This is where the direction and the speed of the wind come into play; you must shoot in the same condition you zero in.
When I set up to shoot, I line up the gun on my target and I move it back and forth till I can get it coming back in the ten ring and then I set my scope. I load my record rounds in my holder and I use my sighters out of the box. I now am watching and timing the conditions and I now make the decision of the one I will use and this is the only one I sight-in with. If I have some big guns beside me with brakes, I will wait till they are done or try to get in between their shots (this doesn’t always work).
Trigger control is a must and you have to be consistent. I will give up a perfect sight picture for a perfect trigger pull. I use free recoil and only my finger is on the trigger. After the rifle recoils back, I hold the fore-arm and open the bolt — you have to be careful not to upset the gun in the bags. After loading the next round, I close the bolt and push the gun forward with my right hand on the fore-arm. I am guiding [the stock] forward in between the bags. This gives me less chance to make a mistake, and maybe half of the shots need no or very little adjustment. I know it’s hard to get accustomed to, but try not to take your eye out of the scope so you are watching the mirage and not to get caught in a change. For the best part, I shoot free recoil and do all my testing at 100 yards in my backyard range. I zero dead on at 100 and come up 24 minutes for 1000 yards.
Bore Cleaning Procedures
I never try to get the gun super clean at a match, I like to see a little gray on a clean patch. I don’t want the barrel to be squeaky clean — I like to see a little haze on a patch. When it’s like that, after one fouling shot, the next shot usually goes right where it’s supposed to. When it’s squeaky clean, it may take five shots to foul in.
I used a product called WartHog 1134, and it has served me well for a long time but now that the Hazmat stopped the shipment of it, so I went to over-the-counter products and all are equally bad compared to what I had used but they do the job, it just takes longer. I never pull a patch or brush back through (across the crown), I go one way only (outward) out and then unscrew the brush or take the patch off at the muzzle. I use a 50/50 mix of Hoppies and Kroil after I clean. Just before I shoot I run a smaller patch down the bore to leave a very thing film of oil in the bore. I never want to shoot over a dry bore. If you shoot over a squeaky clean, dry bore, you’ll get copper every time.
What the Future Holds for O’Hara
My goal last season was to set the Agg records. Now I only have one more goal — that is the single target group, so I will back off shooting the Heavy Gun. I have three excellent Light Guns and a bunch of barrels to do it… so maybe! I think the greatest enjoyment is the people you shoot with, the common interest is the bond I guess but I wouldn’t change it for anything. — James O’Hara
Goodridge: James, on behalf of all Australian IBS 1000-yard BR competitors, I would like to thank you for your great patience and cooperation in preparation of this article, and for the valuable and interesting insight that you have provided into what is required to achieve success at the highest levels of 1000-yard BR competition. Not that you need it, but good luck for the 2014 shooting season.
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Amazing. Spectacular. Stunning. Awe-inspiring. You choose the superlatives — but this is one team shooting performance that will long be celebrated. Competing in the Herrick Trophy 1000-yard Team Match at the Long Range National Championships, the USAMU Praslick 4-member squad turned in a performance for the ages, posting a record-breaking 800-57X score. That means that every one of the four soldiers shot a perfect 200 at 1000 yards. And the X-count was impressive as well. Recently-crowned 2013 National High Power Champion SSG Brandon Green nailed 15 Xs, as did his USAMU team-mate SGT Amanda Elsenboss. Nearly as good, SSG Ty Cooper had 14 Xs to go with his 200 score, while SSG Shane Barnhart notched 13 Xs.
The team’s combined 800-57X score is a new National Record. We commend all four shooters and their wind coach SFC Emil Praslick III. Well-done Lady and Gentlemen. This was a truly superior display of long-range marksmanship! As one fellow shooter observed at Camp Perry: “This is one record that will likely stand for a long, long time.”
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Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
You’re looking at a stunning feat of rifle accuracy. That’s a sub-3″, ten-shot group shot at 1000 yards, all 10s or Xs. Measured at 2.856 inches, this group by shooter Mike Gaizauskas works out to 0.2727 MOA. Nearly quarter-MOA for ten shots at 1K! And the vertical for 7 of 10 shots is under an inch. Now that’s impressive. This was done with an IBS Heavy Class Benchrest gun, chambered for the 6.5×47 Lapua, a mid-sized cartridge originally designed for 300m competition.
1000-yard Benchrest competitor James O’Hara set four (4) new IBS Records in 2013. These multi-match Light Gun Agg records were secured with O’Hara’s solid performance at the 2013 Virginia 1000-yard Benchrest State Championship. Here are the new records set by O’Hara in 2013:
Barrel Freezing (Cryogenic treatment)
Amazing. Spectacular. Stunning. Awe-inspiring. You choose the superlatives — but this is one team shooting performance that will long be celebrated. Competing in the Herrick Trophy 1000-yard Team Match at the Long Range National Championships, the USAMU Praslick 4-member squad turned in a performance for the ages, posting a record-breaking 800-57X score. That means that every one of the four soldiers shot a perfect 200 at 1000 yards. And the X-count was impressive as well. Recently-crowned 2013 National High Power Champion SSG Brandon Green nailed 15 Xs, as did his USAMU team-mate SGT Amanda Elsenboss. Nearly as good, SSG Ty Cooper had 14 Xs to go with his 200 score, while SSG Shane Barnhart notched 13 Xs.
