A record number of shooters attended this year’s Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) at Camp Perry July 27-28. The school involves class-room-style instruction by the U. S. Army Marksmanship Unit, on-the-range coaching by military service rifle shooters and 200-yard practice firing. Classroom instruction and practice firing was held on Saturday, 27 July. Students then competed in the Excellence in Competition (EIC) match fired Sunday Morning, 28 July. By competing in the EIC match, students could earn points toward a Distinguished Rifle Badge. (There is also a SAFS Pistol program and match.) See highlights from the SAFS (and EIC match) in the short video below.
Birchwood Casey’s new splattering Pregame™ Targets offer shooters three new games for shooting alone or for some friendly competition with other shooters. New technology now creates reactive zones within each target, making it easy to see scoring hits. Shots inside the reactive zones show a white halo. Shots outside of the main aiming points display without a halo effect.
The new Pregame Targets include the Trick Shot™ pool game, Star Burst™ (three rows of red, green and blue stars), and the Checkered Flag™ race game. Shooters can make up their own rules and shoot against a competitor or time themselves and shoot against the clock. Watch the Video to see how the new targets’ reactive zones function. The 12″ x 18″ (30cm x 45cm) targets offer dozens of different possibilities. Pregame Targets come in packs of eight and sell for $12.60. For more information visit www.birchwoodcasey.com.
We thought the USA enjoyed the coolest shooting stuff. But the Brits may have one-upped us this time. Now available in the United Kingdom (but not the USA) are Firebird exploding, reactive targets. These affordable, pyrotecnic targets are offered in four different models: Hi-velocity rifle (rimfire and centerfire), Air Rifle, Shotgun, and Archery. Unlike the binary explosive kits available in the USA, Firebird targets are ready-to go right out of the box. You just take the adhesive-backed target disc out of the box, and place it on the target frame. (The air rifle version requires a small retaining cup behind the target disc.) For the shotgun Firebird targets, you simply stick the Firebird disc on the back of a clay pigeon. Peel and stick — simple as that.
Here’s a video showing Firebird targets in use. (See more videos on the Firebird website). Looks like good fun to us — the targets go bang with a puff of smoke when hit. Simple to use. No messy chemicals. No mixing required. Just stick ‘em on the target backer and shoot. Kudos to the Brits for bringing this to market in the UK. Hopefully we will see Firebird targets on this side of the Atlantic sometime soon.
Sniperfire Exploding Targets
The Firebird SniperFire 40mm and 65mm are designed specifically for use with any high velocity firearm, rimfire or centerfire. Backed with double-sided tape, SniperFire targets can be affixed to any clean, dray and uniform surface such as plywood, fluted plastic, or stiff cardboard. Now being used by military and police units in many countries, the Firebird SniperFire is a practical training tool that gives shooters “instant gratification” when hitting the target. SniperFire targets cost £18.95 ($28.92) for twenty 40mm discs, or £19.95 ($30.45) for twenty 65mm discs.
Airflash Standard Air Rifle Exploding Targets
Specifically designed for use with air rifles, Firebird Airflash Targets come in 40mm or 65mm sizes. Once hit with an air rifle pellet, the target ignites with “a significant pyrotechnic reaction and loud report” as the Brits say. In other words, it goes “bang” with big cloud of smoke. The £24.95 Airflash Starter Kit includes twenty 40mm reactive targets and an Airflash Magplate (sort of like a small-cupholder). Airflash 40mm refills (with 20 targets) cost £18.45. The 65mm refills are £19.95.
Looking to purchase a rimfire firearm for training? A new DVD covers the many options available among .22 LR handguns and rifles. This Training with a 22 DVD, hosted by Michael Bane and Tom Yost, covers rimfire guns, gear, targets, and shooting tips.
Training with a .22 is a great way to practice your shooting skills while saving money and having fun doing it. (Of course we wish rimfire ammo was cheaper and easier to find these days.) Michael and Tom talk about selecting the right handgun and rifle, accessories, backstops and targets, competitive shooting, using a .22 for self-defense, training with a .22, drills, and more. This video covers a lot of ground. You’ll see a wide variety of fun, reactive targets. We like the fact that the video features a large arsenal of semi-auto pistols AND revolvers, plus bolt-action, lever-action, and self-loading long guns. (Check out the sweet 1911-style Kimber Rimfire Target pistol in the trailer below). Price of the video is $44.99, or $35.99 for Panteo Productions Club Members.
Watch Trailer for DVD (many firearm types shown)
Michael Bane has been active in competitive shooting and training for decades and he hosts many popular TV shows on the Outdoor Channel including Shooting Gallery, Gun Stories, and The Best Defense. Tom Yost has been involved in the shooting industry for over 30 years as a competitor, consultant, and instructor.
While viewing Panteo’s Training with a 22 DVD, we noticed a sweet-looking, silver-tone m1911-style rimfire pistol in the hands of host Michael Bane. At first, we thought this might be a new stainless version of Sig Sauer’s popular 1911-22. But, in actuality, Bane was shooting a Kimber Rimfire Target pistol. Michael’s aluminum-framed Kimber performed great in rapid-fire drills.
Kimber’s line-up of rimfire pistols includes matte black and silver-tone Rimfire Target models ($871 MSRP), plus a deluxe, two-tone Rimfire Super model ($1220 MSRP) with Rosewood grips, front strap checkering, and KimPro II finish. The rather pricey Rimfire Super model is guaranteed to put five shots in 1.5″ or less at 25 yards. Both standard and deluxe models feature aluminum frame and slide, steel barrel, and adjustable match-type sights.
Watch Slow-Motion Video of Kimber Rimfire Target (Black Version)
Bryan Litz, author of two leading books on practical rifle ballistics, has produced a 3-disc multi-media DVD: Putting Rounds on Target. We’ve previewed this new DVD set from Applied Ballistics. The DVDs are very thorough and very well-made. This is an important product release — there is nothing like it on the market. If you are a serious long-range shooter, put this DVD set on your wish list. Even if you own one or both of Bryan’s books, we know you can benefit from this product. The DVD format provides many graphic aids and video clips that illustrate key principles being covered. The three DVDs deliver as much information as a weekend shooting seminar… at a fraction of the cost.
The 3-disc DVD set costs just $39.95. That’s a bargain. Many shooting-related DVDs, with much less information, cost as much (or more) for a single disc. Putting Rounds on Target includes THREE discs, with a total run-time of 3 hours and 37 minutes. Plus, in addition, Bryan is tossing in a fourth, BONUS disc with 40 minutes of match coverage from the Berger SW Nationals. This documentary-style DVD highlights individual and team competition in Sling, F-Open and F-TR classes.
Watch Video Preview of Applied Ballistics 3-DVD Set
Interested? Pre-orders for Applied Ballistics’ new 3-disc instructional DVD set are now being accepted on the Applied Ballistics website for an expected ship date of August 15, 2013. CLICK HERE to Pre-Order.
Bryan tell us that his new DVD set was designed to give shooters the technical knowledge that will improve their scores on the target: “We explain the science involved in putting rounds on target at long range. After a classroom-type presentation (on video), we demonstrate the principles in live fire at the range with three different rifles (.308 Win, .284 Win, and .338 LM). In the end, DVD viewers will have the information and techniques required to master this technical subject matter. Follow along as the science is applied on the range to hit targets from 100 yards to a mile (1760 yards) with different rifles and ballistic solutions.”
Disc 1
Accuracy & Precision
Tall Target Test
Chronographs & Statistics
Ballistic Coefficient
Trajectory Terms
Run Time: 1 hour, 4 min
Disc 2
Primary Elevation Influences Wind
Secondary Effects
Using Ballistics Solvers
Short & Long Range Equipment
Run Time: 1 hour, 11 min
Disc 3
On The Range: .308 Win
On The Range: .284 Win
On The Range: .338 LM
Extended Range Shooting
Equipment for Extended Range Shooting
One Mile Shooting
Run Time: 1 hour, 22 min
FREE BONUS DISC
The Applied Ballistics instructional DVD set also includes a fourth BONUS disc: Long Range Competition: It’s Worth It. Filmed at the 2013 Berger SW Long Range Nationals, this 40-minute video DVD shows NRA long-range target shooting in Sling, F-TR, and F-Open divisions. Both individual and team competition are featured. If you like competitive shooting, you’ll enjoy this bonus disc.
About Bryan Litz
Champion shooter and Ballistician Bryan Litz explains and demonstrates the science of external ballistics for use in long range shooting. Bryan Litz is a well-known expert in the field of external ballistics. His books, Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting and Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting are considered “required reading” for serious long range shooters — both recreational and professional.
The 2013 World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation (WRABF) European and World Cup Championships will take place August 3-16 at the Plzen International Shooting Range in the Czech Republic. Top smallbore and air rifle benchresters from 19 countries will compete, along with junior squads from six nations. With over 130 registered competitors, this should be the biggest WRABF Championship event ever held.
The Championships run for 13 days in August, starting with two official practice days on August 3-4. Then Air Rifle benchrest matches will be held August 5-7. Rimfire 25m matches are slated for August 8-11, followed by 50m matches August 12-15. Awards presentations will be made on August 16th, then all the shooters head for home.
Team Italy created a handsome banner especially for the WRABG Championships:
Report based on story by Kyle Jillson forNRABlog
Late last night at Camp Perry, Ohio’s Hough Theater, Brian ‘Gunny’ Zins stepped atop the podium and raised the coveted Harrison Trophy above his head to the cheers of the crowd. He had just won his 12th NRA National Pistol Championship, twice as many as any other shooter in National Match history.
Photo by GOnraMedia
At the dawn of the championship’s second day it looked like Zins might have to wait a year to reach the even dozen. During the first day’s matches he had made the mistake of only firing four shots in a five shot string. And, exactly ten points behind the then-leader, he was kicking himself. “Having a saved round in the .22 Caliber Championship was a rookie mistake that will hopefully never happen again — knock on wood,” Zins laughed.
He’s able to laugh about it now because of his brilliant comeback. During the championship’s last two days Zins became a man possessed. Firing an 880 out of 900 and 885 out of 900 in the national championships’ two final events, Centerfire Pistol and .45 Caliber Pistol, he not only stormed back but finished with a 16-point lead. “But being able to pull it together, keep my head in the game and come back to win Centerfire and .45 was just huge for me,” Zins explained. “At age 44 I have twice as many national championships as anybody else and I’m not done yet. I think I have a few more left in me.”
If history is any indication, it’s certainly possible. But it’s no guarantee. Camp Perry attracts the country’s top shooters and Zins’ titles aren’t all consecutive. Since his first championship in 1996, competitors other than Zins received gold in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2009 and 2011.
Zins Shoots a Cabot Guns .45 ACP Pistol
“Something people might not know is the gun I shot for the Centerfire and .45 championships was a straight, out of the box, Cabot production gun,” Zins said. “There was no fitting in the barrel, no bushing, the only thing we did was a trigger job. Everything Cabot Guns builds is that quality and now they’ve got a bullseye edition of their guns that can win national championships.” With a little practice, of course. [Editor: Cabot 1911s are no ordinary “production guns”. The lowest priced Cabot, the GI/Classic, costs $4750.00]
Cabot Guns Video from 2012 National Pistol Championships (Zins won in 2012 also)
If you missed Top Shot All-Stars last night on the History Channel, don’t fret — you can watch the latest full episode online HERE. This week competitors faced the ultimate long-range challenge — shooting a 40″ exploding target at ONE MILE — the longest distance ever attempted on Top Shot. The rifle was a Barrett MRAD chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum. Whoever hit the target the quickest (and with the least number of shots) won a prize (an Oculus rifle scope). The top seven shooters were “safe” from the elimination round. The four who faltered faced possible elimination. This wasn’t easy. At one mile (1760 yards) a 10 mph wind shift can move the bullet nearly twenty FEET laterally. And a lot can happen in the 3+ seconds it takes the bullet to hit the target. (Ballistics based on a 250gr Lapua Scenar launched at 2900 fps, with full value wind vector. Lapua factory .338 LM ammo was used during this episode.)
CLICK to watch Mile Shot Full Episode on History.com
Some competitors did remarkably well — hitting the one-mile target with ease. However, challenging winds sent others to elimination, where they faced off using a prehistoric weapon, the Atlatl. To see who did well and who was eliminated, visit the Top Shot All Stars Video Archive.
With a B-25 fly-over, music from the 122nd U.S. Army Band, a Flag ceremony, and the roar of a replica 1812-era cannon, the 2013 NRA National Rifle and Pistol Matches got underway at Camp Perry (Port Clinton, OH) on July 8th. Over 2000 competitors will participate in the matches in July and August.
Ohio’s Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, speaking to a crowd of over 400 attendees, noted that the National Match venue has been significantly upgraded. Over $2.9 million has been spent to improve infrastructure, fix sidewalks, and upgrade the lodging available for shooters at Camp Perry. Master of Ceremonies Judy Legerski stated that: “The matches at Camp Perry have given us some of the finest competitors and friends we will ever know.”
Shouldering a match-grade M1 Carbine, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John S. Crosby fired the first shot downrange, officially opening this year’s event. The National Matches are hosted jointly each year by the NRA, CMP, and Ohio National Guard. The five-week event is a major operation. A combined legion of 6,000 civilian and military competitors, volunteers, spectators, vendors, and family members come to the Camp Perry Joint Training Center (CPJTC) each summer.
Sniperfire Exploding Targets
Airflash Standard Air Rifle Exploding Targets
Looking to purchase a rimfire firearm for training? A new DVD covers the many options available among .22 LR handguns and rifles. This 
While viewing Panteo’s 
The 2013 
Zins Shoots a Cabot Guns .45 ACP Pistol
