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December 11th, 2007
FREE Flash-Based Shooting GameBirchwood Casey Bullseye Challenge
December 7th, 2007
Bullet Test Tube for HuntersSinclair Int’l now carries the Bullet Test Tube. This unique bullet-testing system uses cardboard tubes filled with a reusable plastic-like test medium. Field & Stream named the Bullet Test Tube a “Best of the Best” product in 2006. According to Sinclair, this system is the only bullet-testing medium that lets you measure wound cavity in detail including volume. To reuse the testing medium, simply melt the expansion material in a standard 1.5 gallon crock-pot and pour it into a replacement target mold. If you wish to capture the bullet after it passes through the test medium, add the Xtender accessory which slips on the end. This allows hunters to examine bullet integrity as well as wound cavity. Sinclair Int’l prices the Bullet Test Tube at $61.25, while the Xtender is an additional $57.60.
For more information, read this Test Tube FAQ, or Click the screenshot below to watch a QuickTime Video that demonstrates the whole process.
December 1st, 2007
GunTalk.TV Offers Web VideoThere is a new source for firearms-related videos on the internet, GunTalk.TV. Created by Tom Gresham, the host of the nationally-syndicated “Gun Talk” radio show, GunTalk.TV offers a wide variety of videos that cover gun-handling, self-defense, and the shooting sports. On the competition side, there is a heavy emphasis on handgun comps and shotgunning. GunTalk.TV offers many free videos (but you have to submit your email address), plus a “premium” fee-based archive of longer and more sophisticated clips. Gresham has assembled a team of talented shooters as on-screen co-hosts. Clint Smith, President and Director of Thunder Ranch®, assists with many of the rifle and pistol videos, while Sporting Clays ace Bryan E. Bilinski consults on shotgunning episodes.
GunTalk.TV does intend to cover F-Class and long-range benchrest shooting at some point. In fact, Gresham’s staff contacted yours truly seeking information on those sports and asking for contact info on top shooters. Hopefully GunTalk.TV will follow our suggestions. We’ve reviewed quite a few of the videos in the Free archive. In general we weren’t very impressed. The free segments we watched were simplistic, useful info was minimal, and the “facts” as stated were sometimes wrong. In the lever action segment, Gresham opines that the original lever-action rifle was a Spencer. Sorry, Tom, the Henry pre-dated the Spencer. In the video on Eye and Ear Protection, Gresham babbles on, offering platitudes such as “Guns make noise… Guns are loud.” Gresham does not explain noise-reduction ratings. Likewise he doesn’t explain ANSI impact ratings for eyewear. (He should have told viewers not to spend a penny on shooting glasses that are not ANSI Z87.1-certified). The video was poorly researched, and the host drones on for nearly four minutes. We need more facts and less “good-old-boy” talk from Tom. The 3:39 minute GunTalk.TV video on gun cleaning was also disappointing. Coached by a representative from Brownells, Tom did advocate the use of a one-piece cleaning rod, but no mention was made of a cleaning rod guide. Tom did not address solvent dwell-time or safety issues, and nothing was said about the usefulness of foam bore cleaners. In short, the video had too much superficial jawing and too little useful information.
In GunTalk.TV’s video on Rifle Cartridges, Gresham makes statements that will have Fire Marshals, ATF bureaucrats, and powder manufacturers calling for his head. Gresham states that, unlike black powder, “modern smokeless gunpowder is NOT an explosive. It won’t blow up.” He then picks up a 1-lb bottle of smokeless powder and says: “Now it’ll burn, but it will not blow up. You could throw this can into a fire, and it’ll catch fire, but it’s not going to blow up for you, OK?”. Those are direct quotes. Smokeless powder is not an explosive? When confined it sure as heck is. But Gresham omits that key safety point. It’s true that, when completely unconfined, smokeless powder will normally just burn. But still you don’t want to suggest that people could safely toss a full powder can into a fire. That’s no way to promote safety, Tom. The ATF defines smokeless powder as a “low-order explosive.” And here is what an FBI “White Paper” has to say about smokeless powders: “Smokeless powder is attractive for use in improvised explosive devices, because it is readily available and has the potential for a powerful explosion when the powder is placed in a closed container (National Research Council 1998).” “These [smokeless] powders decompose at rates up to 1,000 meters per second and produce a propelling action that makes them suitable for use in ammunition. However, the slower burning rate of smokeless powder should not be underestimated. The explosive power of smokeless powder is extremely dangerous when confined to a small container. In addition, certain smokeless powders with a high-nitroglycerine concentration can be induced to detonate.” Source: Prof. Bruce R. McCord, Dept. of Chemistry, Ohio Univ., FBI Forensic Science Communications, IV:2 (April 2002), http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/april2002/mccord.htm. Gresham was obviously just talking “off the cuff”. But his statements are not just misinformed, they are potentially dangerous. From this example (and other lesser mistakes), we conclude that GunTalk.TV better bring in more competent technical advisers in a hurry. It’s good to see more coverage of the shooting sports on the web. However GunTalk.TV needs to build a better product if the show is to “catch on” with serious shooters.
November 28th, 2007
New, Versatile Brass-O-Matic Annealing MachineZephyr Dynamics, the clever folks who brought you Pod Paws for bipods, have crafted an impressive new automated annealing machine. Unlike other mechanical annealers on the market, Zephyr’s $399.00 “Brass-O-Matic” is designed to anneal ALL sizes of rifle brass–from .223 Rem all the way up to 50 BMG. Two arms hold high-output torches (bottles and tips not included in price). You can adjust the height of the jets to place the flames right at the “sweet spot” of any length case. With two burners fixed nearly opposite one another (see photo), the case neck and shoulder are completely enveloped by flame for uniform annealing. The rotational motor has a speed control so you can adjust the dwell time for your particular brass.
How well does it work? To be honest, we can’t say because we haven’t got our hands on a production version yet. Palma and F-Class ace Jerry Tierney has purchased one of the first run and he’s promised a full report as soon as UPS delivers his Brass-O-Matic. To see the machine in action, check out the video below. You’ll find another video, and more information, on the Zephyr Dynamics website.
November 18th, 2007
Prairie Dog Hunting VideoYou’ll get a kick out of this varminting sampler video from Velocity Films, producers of the popular “Dog Be Gone” videos. Titled the “Prairie Dog Olympics”, this 5-minute video showcases spectacular acrobatics by Prairie Dogs hit by high-velocity varmint rounds. Watch for the “judges” scores after each sequence. Beyond the somewhat hokey humor, you’ll see some pretty good shooting (and excellent camera-work) in this sample, produced on hunts in the varmint fields of the American West.
November 12th, 2007
Top Aussie Long-Range ShooterHere’s a video of Forum member Jeff Rogers (“aJR”) shooting a 1000-yard match in Brisbane, Australia. Jeff designed and built this sophisticated Heavy Gun himself. Chambered for the big wildcat “.300 Redneck”, the metal/composite-stocked rifle features a Broughton barrel (in a tension barrel sleeve), Nightforce scope, and custom action all assembled in Townsville, QLD. The action is a one-off custom, RB/LP, with a Drop Port made for up to a 2.850″ long, .550″ wide magnum case. That’s right, this is a Magnum Drop Port! At 500m, the gun set new records and won many matches. At 600 yards, it set records for best 6-match Aggregate, Smallest Group, and High Score. At 1000 yards it’s been just as good, setting new Australian 6-match Group Aggregate, Small Group, and High Score records.”
Below is a photo of Jeff’s big rig. As you can see it has large, metal side flanks on either side of the barrel, and the underside of the buttstock is ultra-wide. The black, rear section of the stock is made from marine plywood sandwiched with layers of 1/4″ sheet aluminum. The “double-decker” cartridge caddy in the foreground is Jeff’s own invention.
October 22nd, 2007
Important Video About UK and Australian Gun LawsWhatever your politics, you owe it to yourself to learn more about the restrictive firearm laws adopted in the United Kingdom and Australia. These have effectively banned hand-gun and semi-auto rifle ownership in the UK. In Australia self-loading rifles and even pump shotguns were banned, and hand-gun ownership was severely restricted. In this 10-minute video, gun owners in the UK and Australia tell their own story. The message is clear–without unified, organized opposition by sportsmen and hunters, gun rights will be taken away. In the UK, even shotguns and 22LR pistols used by Olympic competitors have been banned. Think it can’t happen here? Well already in California, new sales of semi-auto AR15-style service rifles are completely banned. This is a “must-see” video. CLICK HERE, or click on the image below to watch the video, hosted by YouTube. Other NRA-produced videos are available on this webpage.
September 30th, 2007
Viper Drop-Port — Let Gravity Do the WorkMany of you may not have seen how Jerry Stiller’s innovative Drop-Port functions with a 6BR or 6PPC case. Well we can tell you, Stiller Precision has one slick little system. Just retract the bolt and your case exits, nose-first, through a small port, coming to rest right under the gun. It works by gravity alone so you don’t need a conventional ejector, with the case alignment issues an ejector can create. (An ejector pushes on one side of the rim–some folks think this can push the case out of “perfect” alignment.) The drop-port is available both in the aluminum Viper and the Stainless Diamondback action. Case size is limited to PPC, 6BR, and 6BR Improved case length. Our Belgian friend David Bergen was kind enough to create a video showing his Viper Drop-Port in action. NOTE: This large, 7-megabyte file is best for users with high-speed connections. Left-Click the image to stream video. Right-Click and “save as” to download the file.
September 24th, 2007
Franklin's 4000 FPS 30-Cal Varminter Is a Hit with HuntersRichard Franklin (Richard’s Custom Rifles) has pioneered the use of lightweight (110-130 grain) 30-caliber bullets in a new generation of hyper-velocity varmint rifles. Richard’s new trademark cartridge is the “300 Varminter”. Using 30″ barrels with the 300 WSM case, Richard’s “maxi” varminter delivers incredible levels of energy at both short and long range. Traveling at 4000+ FPS, the lightweight, plastic-tipped bullets literally explode when they hit. This can lift a groundhog up to 10 feet in the air–and Richard has VIDEO to prove it. Richard tells us that demand is high for the 300 Varminter: “I have built 25 of these rifles just this year, and orders are increasing. I’m building them for coyote hunters out west, and well as Eastern groundhog shooters.” Richard adds: “This cartridge is fast AND accurate. My 300 Varminter is now my favorite rifle, and it may be the most accurate long-range varmint rifle I own. Accuracy is really outstanding–I’ve shot groups under 1.5″ at 500 yards with this. And the effect of these bullets at 500+ yards on a ‘Hog has to be seen to be believed.” Richard uses VV 550 and Norma 300 WSM brass: “Norma is the only way to go–the Win and Rem brass is nowhere near as good”. Richard explains: “The 300 Varminter is built around the 300 WSM case. In good custom actions such as the BAT or Nesika this round will deliver 4000+ FPS with the 125gr Nosler Ballistic tips and a bit more with the 110gr Hornady V-Max. Remington-action rifles will handle velocities up to around 3800 to 3900 FPS with these bullets. We use Norma brass in a tight-neck chamber with zero freebore and slow-twist 30″ barrels to obtain these velocities. Accuracy is excellent with either of these bullets. If you want air time and red mist on large varmints then this is the caliber for you.”
Above is Richard’s personal “300 Varminter” in its distinctive South American Bloodwood stock. That is the true color of the wood–not a stain. Note the deeply recessed crown. Richard says this helps keep noise and blast away from the shooter. Richard’s “Big Red” features a BAT Machine 1.600″ diameter ‘B’ action, Bat 20 MOA rail, Burris Signature Zee rings, Jewel 1.5 oz. trigger, and a Bartlein 1.250″ X 30″, 1:15″ twist barrel. Total weight is 24 lbs. which includes about 4 lbs of lead added to the buttstock. Richard tells us “The Bartleins have been outstanding, with consistent quality and accuracy I can count on.” Richard uses a Nightforce NSX 8-32 X scope with MLR reticle.
How good can one of Richard’s 300 WSM Varminters shoot? Below is a 100-yard target. The fouling shot went a little low, but then the next six (6) shots went into 0.162″. That is amazing for factory varmint bullets. CLICK HERE to view a video of what the 300 Varminter will do (warning–very LOUD and GRAPHIC–turn down your audio before playback).
September 21st, 2007
Jerry Miculek Wins Fifth National Title
“This year’s match had a little bit of everything,” said Jerry, “The courses of fire were some of the toughest I have ever seen and the changing weather conditions were a constant factor throughout the match. I am very pleased…when you consider the talented field of competitors. The USPSA staff did an outstanding job of setting up the courses of fire that were both fair and well balanced.” CLICK HERE for a Video (hosted on YouTube), showing Jerry’s blazing speed. In the video, filmed a couple years ago, Jerry puts 8 rounds on 4 targets in 1.06 seconds. Then he does 6 shots, a reload and 6 more shots in 2.99 seconds. If you haven’t seen Miculek on camera before, we guarantee you’ll be amazed.
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The latest video from Velocity Films is “Dog Be Gone and Beyond (Volume 2)”. It features footage from multiple locations, while hunting Ground Squirrels, Rock Chucks, and Prairie Dogs. The video includes field tests of the .17 HMR & .204 Ruger, handgun hunting, plus reviews of the latest varmint hunting gear. This video is offered on DVD only for $17.95. The original “Dog Be Gone (Volume 1)” video is offered on VHS tape for $7.95 or DVD for $14.95. 
They don’t call Jerry Miculek a “living legend” for nothing. Competing at the United States Practical Shooting Assn. (USPSA) Nationals held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, earlier this month, Miculek captured his Fifth National Revolver Championship. Jerry also holds numerous wheelgun speed-shooting records. This year’s USPSA match featured 18 stages of fire, with a variety of steel and paper targets. Miculek, competing with a Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 627 8-shot revolver, faced tough competition throughout the 3-day match.
