Here’s an positive report about a major gun industry company giving back to the shooting sports community. Winchester has shown its support for the First Shots training program by donating 40,000 rounds of rimfire ammunition. That .22 LR ammo will help thousands of new shooters hone their skills. “We fully support the mission of the program, and this ammunition donation will allow for new participants to engage and learn”, said Jason Gilbertson, Director of Marketing for Winchester Ammunition.
NSSF’s First Shots is an introductory and refresher program made available through host ranges across the country. By providing educational experiences that are safe and fun, host ranges are attracting first-time shooters and bringing back folks who have not shot in some time. Surveys show that more than 43% of First Shots participants become regular shooting sports participants. CLICK HERE to find a First Shots program near you (state by state searchable directory).
NSSF provides host ranges with program materials and promotional resources to help offset overall event expenses. Shooting range operators and firearm instructors can learn how to get involved with First Shots by visiting the NSSF First Shots webpage, or clicking the graphic below:
“NSSF’s First Shots program is grateful to Winchester for its generous donation of ammunition,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Member Development. “As a result of Winchester’s support of First Shots, many first-time and novice target shooters will gain experience in handling and using firearms safely. Americans in growing numbers are eager to learn about firearm ownership, and First Shots has been designed to assist them by providing education in the classroom and experience on the firing line.”
Birchwood Casey Donates 10,000 Targets to First Shots Program
Along with Winchester providing ammunition, Birchwood Casey has provided 10,000 targets to the First Shots Program. Along with the donated targets, NSSF provides First Shots host ranges with program materials and promotional resources. Participants are provided handbooks, safety literature, plus hearing and eye protection for their time spent on the range.
This video features the Shoot-N-C Handgun Training Target. This target’s labeled impact zones help diagnose hold/sighting/trigger issues. Pistol shooters can improve their skills quickly using such targets. Birchwood Casey also makes excellent rifle targets.
What’s better than a super-accurate 6BR rifle? Well, two super-accurate 6BRs. This week we feature a pair of tack-drivers owned Forum member Mark Schronce. These “Brothers in Arms” share similar stocks, but otherwise the components are different. Mark’s 17-lb gray laminate Light Gun features a Hall action, HV taper barrel, and muzzle brake. The 21-lb Heavy Gun, in “Desert Camo” laminate, boasts a trick dual-port BAT action, and full-contour 30″ barrel without brake. Both guns shoot tiny groups, track like they’re on rails, and give Mark a serious hardware advantage in club competition.
Mark provides this report: “The Light Gun started as my 22-250 AI varmint gun, with a Hall action and McMillan Hunter Benchrest stock. I wanted to build a proper Egg Shoot gun, so I had Richard Franklin (Richard’s Custom Rifles) chamber a Lilja 12-twist in 6mm BR Norma, with a .262″ neck. Using Fowler 80gr FB bullets, the gun shot great right out of the gate. (See my report, Egg Shoots and 600-yard 6 BR). I was curious about the heavier 6mm bullets, so I had Richard chamber and fit a 1:8″ Krieger in 6BR. But this time we went with a .271″ no-turn neck. The Krieger holds quarter-MOA with the heavy bullets, and, to my surprise, it shot the 80s as well as the 12-twist Lilja did. For the 2005 season, I ordered one of Richard’s latest 008 F-Class stocks. This new design is very comfortable to shoot and it’s much more stable in the bags than my old Hunter stock. That added stability will be a big plus for 600- and 1000-yard benchrest matches.
A Heavy Gun for 1000-yard BR and “Belly Benchrest” (F-Class)
I’ve been active in 1000-yard Benchrest for a few years, shooting my 6mm BS and 6mm BR Light gun in both Light and Heavy classes. I wanted to build a rifle for the Heavy Gun Class yet stay within the 22-lb F-Class limit. And I wanted it to have the best hardware I could buy. On a BAT ‘MB’ action (with Jewell trigger) we fitted a 30″ 8-twist 3-groove Lilja, 1.250″ diameter, no muzzle brake. Richard cut the chamber for 6mm BR Lapua Brass, .271″ no-turn neck, throated for Sierra 107gr MKs, matching my current Light Gun. The stock is a pillar-bedded Richard’s 008 1000-yd/F-Class model, with 10 coats of auto clearcoat, all work by Richard. Burris Zee rings hold a Leupold 8.5-25×50 LRT mounted on a BAT one-piece Weaver base. The Heavy Gun weighs in at 21 lbs, much lighter than most Heavy Guns (50 to 100 lbs). But with the 6BR’s light recoil, it’ll do just fine for long range, yet still make weight for F-Class.
Why a 6mm BR Chambering in a Heavy Gun?
I toyed with the idea of going with a 6BR Improved for Heavy Gun, but I’m not convinced the Improveds are worth the extra hassle of fire-forming, not to mention the added cost of custom dies. By way of background, I used to have a Rem-actioned rifle chambered in 6BR BS (Bill Shehane), which is very similar to the 6BR Dasher. I found the 6BR BS was only about 100 fps faster than a standard 6BR. For the shooting I do, that extra 100 fps is not critical. If, in the future, I feel I need more speed, I will go to a .243 AI or a 6.5-284. To be honest, I love the 6BR cartridge. Barrels last forever, and the accuracy can’t be beat. Yes a 6BR is a little light for everyday 1000-yard shooting, but on good days it can set world records. I may move up to a 6.5-284 some day, but for now I will stay with the standard 6mm BR. If I ever do want to go to a bigger caliber, the 8.5-inch BAT Machine MB action gives me this option.
Hall vs. BAT Light vs. Heavy
Comparing the two actions’ bolt lift, lock-up, fit, and finish, I feel they are equally good. However, the BAT can run stout loads with Federal 205 primers — loads that cratered Fed 205s with the Hall. I don’t know if this is a function of the actions’ engineering, or the barrels. I’ve got a Lilja on the BAT, while the Hall wears a Krieger. I do know the BAT has a tight-fitting firing pin, and that might make a difference.
Both my actions have a built-in recoil lug — a really nice feature when you are changing barrels, and one of the main reasons I favor custom actions over a Remington. I think anyone would be pleased with either the BAT or the Hall.
There is a big difference in shooting a Light Gun vs. a Heavy Gun, as you might expect. The Heavy Gun is more stable and recoils straight back. However, even at 21 pounds, the Heavy Gun actually recoils harder into your shoulder than the muzzle brake-equipped Light Gun. But if you take the Light Gun’s brake off, and put the action back in the old Hunter bench stock, the gun would jump, torque and roll. It’s much better with the 008 stock now, but still not as rock solid as the Heavy Gun. On recoil the 21-pounder just tracks straight back, no jumping, no yaw, no rolling–very impressive.
Load Development and Accuracy Results
Developed last year, my favorite Light Gun load is 30.5 grains Varget, CCI BR4 primers, and 106gr Clinch River VLDs, running 2825 fps. The Light Gun shoots other bullets very well, but the Clinch Rivers performed best, with groups in the 0.1s to the low 0.2s at 100 yds. I use Lapua brass of course.
I began my load development for the Heavy Gun with components I had from last year: Varget, N140, and N540 powders, plus Fed 205, CCI BR4, and CCI 450 primers. I also had a good selection of bullets: 95gr and 105gr Bergers, 105gr Lapua Scenars, 106gr Clinch Rivers, and 107gr Sierra MKs.
The Heavy Gun liked the Bergers right from the start. During break-in and fire-forming (with 95gr Bergers 0.20” into the lands, 30.0gr Varget and CCI 450s), the rifle shot in the low 0.2s at 100 yds, 0.3s at 200 yds, with a 0.182″ small group at 200 yards (see photo). I then moved up to the heavier bullets and again the Bergers stole the show. Best load for the Berger 105s (seated 0.15″ into the lands) was 30.5 grains Varget and Fed 205s at 2850 fps. At 100 yards, this recipe shot in the 0.1s to the low 0.2s with a small group of 0.089″. (By the way, this same load in my Hall Light Gun would crater the Fed 205 primers. I may have to change to CCI BR4 primers for the hot summer days.) After working with the 105s I wanted to see how the Heavy Gun performed with lighter bullets. I tried my favorite Egg Shoot and 600-yard load–80gr Fowlers pushed by 31.5 grains of Vihtavuori N135 with Fed 205 primers. The results were fantastic. The big BAT produced a 100-yard aggregate (five, 5-shot groups) in the 0.2s with an 0.129″ small group. Overall, at 200 yards, both guns could agg five 5-shot groups in the 0.3s and 0.4s. Eggs Beware!
Big, Strong, and Versatile ‘MB’ Action by BAT Machine
I looked at all the custom actions, and decided on a BAT model ‘MB’, configured Right Bolt, Left Port, Right Eject. The ‘MB’ action has some pretty unique features, including an integral recoil lug on the underside, and a recessed tenon (i.e. the threads start 1″ from the front of the receiver). The action is 8.5″ long, but with a 7.5″ bolt. The extra inch is added to the front. That provides extra bedding surface and room for a third pillar. The 8.5″ action length gives me the option to go up to a 6.5-284, while the dual ports should help give me the speed I need for the 10-round strings in Heavy Class. Also I can load from either side for F-Class.
Why did I choose a BAT? First, BAT quality is second to none. Moreover, BAT will custom-configure your port(s) and bolt for the same price, no added fees. Other action-makers charge extra for anything other than your basic Right Bolt, Right Port. This makes the BAT about the same price as a Stolle or Nesika, if you want a set-up like mine. The right-side ejection port is slightly smaller than the left feed port, but I can still feed 6BR cases from either side if I wish. The MB action is so big, the little BR case runs out of ejector as soon as the case leaves the chamber, so I push the case out to the right as I load the next round from the left. The BAT will eject a loaded 6BR round just fine, but a fired case only ejects sometimes. This action would work great with a longer round, such as a .243 AI or 6.5-284. If you want completely reliable 6BR ejection, you’ll need a smaller BAT action. But then, like my Hall standard action, the port would be too small for a 6.5-284.
Richard’s #008 Stock — How it Handles
The 008 stock is the best design I’ve ever shot off the bench. I like to hold my guns, and the 008’s grip profile gives me the control I like. The trigger is close enough for my short fingers. The underside of the buttstock is flat and completely straight (parallel to the barrel), so the gun tracks straight back. During recoil, the scope stays on target, making for quicker recovery time. In the picture at left, you can see that the underside of the fore-arm is relieved in the middle with raised strips on the left and right. These “rails” make for less surface area contacting the bags, less friction, and more consistent recoil. The high comb on the stock allows better prone shooting. For now, the stock is fine for what prone shooting I do. But if I do get seriously into into F-class I may want to add an adjustable comb or cheekpad. We’ll see.
Plans for Competition — The Lure of Hickory Groundhog Shoot Dollars
Some years ago, after building this pair of accurate 6mmBR rifles, Mark Schronce told us: “I can’t wait to see how this pair perform at long range. I will also take the Light Gun to the big Hickory GroundHog match in April, but I may put the barreled action back in the Hunter stock. This year you have to use bipods or sand bags, no front rest. [Editor: that is no longer the rule.] I don’t know if want to drill into my pretty new 008 stock for a bipod mount. I’ll let you know how it goes, and hopefully I’ll come back with some loot from the Shoot.” NOTE — that year Hickory offered about $8000 worth of prizes.
Talented shooter Mitchell Fitzpatrick of Applied Ballistics topped a field of over 280 competitors to win the 2023 Nightforce Extreme Long Range (ELR) Steel Challenge in Wyoming last week. The prestigious Nightforce ELR match was held June 9-11 in Glenrock, Wyoming, at the Tillard 55 Ranch. During the three-day match competitors shot 20 different stages with targets placed from 725 yards to 2125 yards. Awards were given for both individuals and teams.
Finishing third overall was Team Vihtavuori member Francis Colon who stated: “Not all challenges are created equal — in this case it was a last minute need for some extra help to run the Applied Ballistics LLC Mobile Lab at the Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge in Wyoming. Normally, I have months of advance notice to prep a rifle, barrels, and ammo for matches. However, in this case, I had less than a week and half to get a new rifle built, broken in, and begin learning to shoot a Barrett MRAD in .300 Norma Magnum[.] ”
Colon explained: “With an average target distance of 1200+ yards and 10-25 mph winds, I was definitely out of my element. But the AB solver on my Kestrel 5700 continued to help me make solid solutions at all ranges. The resulting success — finishing 3rd of more than 280 shooters — [with] my friend Mitchell Fitzpatrick (below) taking first place overall, is truly incredible and humbling.”
Colon observed: “The nerve-racking uncertainty of maintaining first round impacts on 1.5-2MOA targets at distances from 800 to 2200+ yards cannot be captured in words. It was exhilarating and gratifying. Thank you to Nightforce Optics, Barrett… and thank you to SIG SAUER for the Sig Kilo 10K with Applied Ballistics Rangefinding Binos!”
Following the match, Colon commented, “I had less than a week and half to get a new rifle, break it in, and learn to shoot the heavy-recoiling .300 Norma Magnum. I used Lapua .300 NM brass and Berger .30 Cal 215gr Hybrids powered byVihtavuori N565 to create a consistent, high-performance load and it worked exactly as expected. With an average target distance of 1200+ yards and 10-25 mph winds, it was imperative that my powder and projectile be as consistent as possible to make wind calls more successful.”
“This was my first ELR match and the first time shooting this rifle beyond 100 yards. To achieve that level of performance with those hurdles to overcome is testament to the quality of the Vihtavuori, Lapua, and Berger products working together to create an incredible system,” stated Colon, who is a top ranked Precision Rifle Series (PRS) shooter.
Rimfire Varmint Adventure
Can you shoot prairie dogs with a .22 LR Rifle? The answer is yes, if you have an accurate rifle, know your drops, and keep your targets within a reasonable distance (inside 240 yards). While the .17 HMR and .17 WSM are much more potent, flat-shooting, and effective P-dog slayers, a talented marksman CAN get good results with a .22 LR rimfire rifle, as ace PRS shooter and gunsmith Jim See recently proved.
Posting on his Facebook Page on 7/9/2020, Jim wrote: “Took out the .22 LR for some LR prairie poodles, there were not many in this town, but it gave me a chance to get some impressive hits. Norma TAC-22 ammo put the smack down on a first-round hit, called head shots at 189 yards. The body-shot dog was a first-round kill at 240 yards. I had one more head shot with a second round hit at 163. The nice part about using the .22 Long Rifle ammo is the [critters] don’t spook too bad, so a follow-up shot with a correction is usually available to get a better wind hold.” Even unsuppressed, a .22 LR rimfire shot makes much less noise than a centerfire round.
NOTE: The Norma TAC-22 .22 LR ammo used by Jim See offers great bang for the buck. It is quite affordable — a 50rd box is just $4.99 at MidwayUSA. Some lots have show outstanding accuracy. These target photos (below) come from Champion Shooters Supply which may have gotten an exceptional lot. This vendor tells us: “We have found this to run very well in Ruger rifles, handguns, and target pistols. These are 5-shot groups at 50 yards with an Anschutz 1913 rifle. This is an incredible value.” Jim says the TAC-22 ammo delivers 1″ groups at 100 yards in his rifle.
Sierra Bullets has introduced a new line of loaded centerfire varmint ammunition, the Prairie Enemy series of cartridges. Sierra currently offers Prairie Enemy ammo for six cartridge types: .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, .224 Valkyrie, .22-250 Rem, .243 Win, and 6.5 Creedmoor. To celebrate this new ammo line, Sierra created a colorful Prairie Enemy P-Dog target. Click the image below to download the PDF target.
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. Midsouth — Primers in stock $80-$100 per thousand
⏺ Finally primer prices are dropping — Aguila primers are 8 cents each
Quality primers are remain in short supply, and some vendors are still charging crazy-high prices. Thankfully, Midsouth has primers in stock at attractive prices. For example, the Aguila Small Pistol Primers are $79.99/1000 while CCI #400 Small Rifle Primers are $94.99/1000.
2. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Father’s Day Sale through 6/18/23
⏺ Sale through June 18 — deal on guns, optics, gear
The Sportsman’s Warehouse Father’s Day Sale continues through June 18, 2023. Save on all your hunting and target shooting needs over at Sportsman’s Warehouse during the Father’s Day sale. With big discounts on optics, rifles, pistols, ammo, gun safes, and shooting gear, you’ll find plenty of bargains for both yourself and your father. And here’s an amazing deal — with the purchase of a large Liberty safe you can get a free rifle or shotgun!
3. Grafs.com — Frankford Arsenal F-1 Press, $122.99
⏺ Versatile press, good primer exit, plus built-in light
Here’s a handy, single-stage press with some cool features. The new Frankford Arsenal F-1 press has an open front for easy case placement, plus a built-in LED lamp at the top (great for inspecting cases). And after decapping, spent primers go straight down a tube into a handy, clear, twist-off catch cylinder (as on a Forster Co-Ax). We think this would be an excellent secondary press used for decapping or bullet seating. This intro price — just $122.99 at Graf & Sons — is a great deal. NOTE: This press does NOT have priming capability — you must prime cases with a separate tool. Also, the power cord for the LED light is NOT included. For more details see Frankford Arsenal F-1 Press Review. NOTE: If this sells out, the F-1 Press is available from Midsouth for $128.99.
⏺ Excellent powder scale/dispenser with advanced features — $100 savings
The latest-generation RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme is one of the best powder scale/dispensers you can buy. This unit has good accuracy and can use an external battery pack for loading at the range. This new-model ChargeMaster Supreme works with the FREE RCBS Reloading APP and has 50 memory tags for your favorite loads. Save $100 now with RCBS Instant Savings.
5. KYGUNCO — Father’s Day Sports Afield SAFE Sale, Save 47%
⏺ HUGE Savings on large capacity safes
All serious shooters should have a full-sized sturdy gun safe that can hold a collection of long guns and handguns. If you need a new gun safe, KYGUNCO is running a great Father’s day sale on Sports Afield Gun Safes. You can save $617 on the big 40″-wide 64-gun safe, or save $566 on the 35″-wide 56-gun safe. These are great prices on good fire-rated safes.
6. MidwayUSA — AR-Stoner Uppers — $99-$299
⏺ Get a complete AR Upper for the price of a good barrel
Have an AR project? Right now MidwayUSA is offering great deals on AR-Stoner Uppers. There are over a dozen options, with both stainless and nitride-coated barrels, and either conventional or side-charging models. Along with .223 Remington (Wylde) there are 6.5 Grendel and 450 Bushmaster options. Our first choice would be the .223 Rem side-charging model with 18″ stainless barrel, now on sale for just $249.99, a $100.00 discount. All barrels are fitted with muzzle brakes. If you already have an AR barrel, check out the stripped billet Upper with 15″ M-LOK Handguard for just $99.99, a 41% savings.
7. Midsouth — Primed Brass (Hornady) from $45/100
⏺ Save money by buying brass already primed
Tired of paying too much for primers? Well Midsouth is running a sale on primed brass. Available cartridge types are: .220 Swift, .250 Savage, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.8 SPC, .280 Ackley, 30-40 Krag, .303 British, .35 Whelen, and .357 Magnum. NOTE: Based on the photos, all this primed brass comes from Hornady. There are some very good deals. For example, the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.8 SPC primed brass (Hornady) are botg just $69.99 per hundred (70 cents each). And the .347 Mag primed pistol brass (also Hornady) is just $44.99 per hundred (45 cents each).
8. Amazon — Caldwell The Rock BR Rest, $132.99
⏺ Good basic rest for varmint work and sighting-in rifles
Right now the green-framed Caldwell Rests are deeply discounted on Amazon. If you’re looking for something you could use in competition as well as varminting, check out the Caldwell Rock BR at $132.99. The Rock BR model is stable and works well for varmint shooting. If you want something lighter and more basic, the Rock Deluxe at $88.19 is an decent value.
9. Amazon — Neiko Digital Calipers, $25.89
⏺ Very popular calipers — good for numerous reloading tasks
Even if you have a good set of calipers, you may want to get one of these Neiko 01407A Digital Calipers. A top-selling digital caliper on Amazon for many years, this Neiko tool features a large LCD Screen and measures up to 6.0 inches. With over 20,000 customer reviews, this product has earned an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. It’s hard to go wrong for $25.89, even if you just use these as a spare set for measuring group sizes and case trim lengths.
Today’s Sunday GunDay Story is a unique and beautiful F-Class rifle from France. This handsome rifle was first featured in our Gun of the Week Archives. This rifle was a gift from husband to wife. Because this is such a unique rifle, with a great back-story, we are reprising this “French Connection” rifle once again.
Europe has a number of capable custom arms makers, and in this article we feature one of them, Christian Salva of Toulouse, France. Here we spotlight an ultra-accurate and handsome 6-6.5×47 Lapua F-Class rifle. Built for a lady, the rifle exhibits flawless craftmanship to match its superior performance.
Alie Gets Her Gun — Thanks to Husband Aurélien
Photos and text by LONASSAC, translation by T.J.E., NRA UK
Aliénore, a charming young French lady, shares her passion for short- and long-range shooting with her husband, Aurélien. Aurélien already owns a 6mmBR PGM Ultima Ratio rifle and decided to have a rifle built for his wife so that they could shoot together. They therefore turned for help to the Christian Salva workshop, located in Toulouse in the south of France, close to their home.
SALVA Walnut Stock–Gorgeous Wood, and Great Ergonomics
Aliénore chose a superb, perfectly-grained French walnut blank for the stock. The stock is a single, solid piece of walnut, with a waxed finish to show off its fine figuring. The stock design is optimized for F-Class, prone and Bench Rest shooting. The fore-end is flat and 3.35″ (85mm) wide, slightly wider than the common 3″ used on most benchrest rifles. On the underside of the forearm is a rail to take a Parker-Hall or a Versa Pod-type bipod. The trigger guard is a custom, light alloy SALVA design. The butt plate is Anschütz-type. It adjusts vertically and can be rotated on its horizontal axis. The cheek piece is adjustable for height only — all that is needed.
Aliénore selected the F-Class Target Rifle from Christian Salva’s range of rifles, which is the one best suited to the type of shooting she wanted to do. Their club’s rifle range, near their home, goes out to 600 meters (See photos above). Unfortunately, as is usual in France, the range does not have a target pit. Members shoot prone using front benchrest-style rests, as in F-Class. The problem is that, without a proper target trench, it’s not possible have individual shots spotted and marked (as would be done in American High Power matches). However, with a good scope, in good light, shot-holes can be seen at 400m, and sometimes even at 600m — but this is rare.
When this rifle was crafted, Christian Salva was one of the few gunsmiths in France who manufactures complete rifles from front sight to butt-plate. With the sole exception of the barrel, he constructs the whole rifle, including action, bolt, trigger and stock. He also does all the bedding and chambering himself. Everything is done to his customer’s specification which, of course, can only be achieved in a small and highly specialized business.
General Rifle Specifications
The rifle was built on a SALVA hexagonal long range action with a flat base, which is set in a highly-figured French walnut stock using a bedding block. The gun is 49″ (125 cm) overall, and weighs 9 kg (about 20 lbs.), including scope. The barrel is 29″ (74cm) long, and a straight 1.22″ (31mm) in diameter. Given the weight and size of the barrel, the decision was made to secure the barreled action into the stock with a bedding block. On top of the action is an angled Picatinny rail with 20-MOA built-in to allow long-range shooting without using up the scope’s internal elevation. The rifle is currently fitted with a Nightforce 12-42x56mm BR scope held in alloy rings.
Details of SALVA Action
The rifle features a light Dural alloy right bolt, right port, single-shot action treated and coated with a champagne-color surface hardener. The action is hexagonal in shape (normal for a French action), with a flat base for improved bedding. On this particular gun, however, the action is floated, with the barreled action secured by the long barrel block. Take a good look at the photo below. Yes, the action on is fully-floated — the barrel block secures the barreled action into the wood stock. This is similar to some Benchreast heavy guns.
Christian Salva produces his actions from scratch, employing high-tech machinery, including CNC multi-axis mills. The advanced design allows the action to be very strong as well as light. The SALVA action is very thick and sturdy, in spite of its weight being reduced to a minimum. It can chamber cartridges from the 6mmBR size up to magnum calibers such as the 300 Win Mag. A treated steel insert is screwed into the front of the action. This is threaded to receive the barrel and machined to receive the locking lugs of the bolt. The threaded section is especially long (36mm with a 1.5mm thread) so as to ensure proper rigidity for the unit. Where the bolt lever closes, a steel insert, screwed into place with a BTR screw, prevents the steel bolt lever from wearing the softer Dural alloy of the action.
Tri-Lug Bolt with Extractor and Ejector in Lugs
The cylindrical all-steel bolt has a diameter of 0.906″ (23mm) and three (3) front locking lugs. The bolt design has BOTH extractor and ejector placed in locking lugs. Salva’s goal, in engineering the position and operation of both extractor and ejector, was to reduce side pressure on the cartridge. The extractor is designed to hold a cartridge case in place with minimal lateral displacement. The ejector is also built into one of the three lugs. [Editor’s Note: Many modern benchrest actions, such as the Stolle Panda, Stiller Viper, and some BATs employ an extractor in the lug. This is also a feature on Savage bolts and push-feed Model 70 Winchesters. However, these bolts do not have the ejector in a lug as well.]
Remarkably, the ejector has no spring, unlike most bolt designs. It should be noted that this springless ejector is designed to eliminate side pressure when chambering a round, thus keeping the round concentric in the chamber. The ejector is mechanical and will eject the case if the shooter pulls the bolt all the way back. If the shooter prefers to extract the case by hand, one simply pulls the bolt part way back. The 1.5″ (38mm) bolt lever is fairly short, but it has an oversize 30mm polymer knob to facilitate the opening and closing of the bolt.
French Gun, German Barrel — a 29″ Lothar Walther
On Aliénore’s rifle, the barrel is the only component not manufactured by SALVA in Toulouse. For the barrel, Christian Salva chose a stainless Lothar Walther, 6-groove barrel, with a 1:8″-twist for handling 105gr bullets. The muzzle is milled with an 11º slope so as to handle boat-tail VLD bullets. This German-made Walther tube has a 1.22″ (31mm) straight contour and is 29″ (74mm) in length. This long, non-tapered barrel is heavy enough that Salva decided to mount it with an alloy bedding block, about 8″ long (20 cm). Ten Allen-head screws clamp the block to the barrel, while the lower section of the bedding block is secured to the wood stock with eight screws and bedding compound.
Proprietary SALVA Trigger
The trigger is also manufactured by SALVA in its entirety, from Christian’s own design. Overall trigger pull weight adjusts from 50-250 grams (1.8 oz. – 8.8 oz.). The SALVA trigger can also adjust for: Longitudinal trigger position (Length of Pull); Over-travel; Main travel; Second-stage pressure; and Sear engagement.
Cartridge and Load Info
The rifle is chambered in 6-6.5×47 Lapua. Aurélien starts with Lapua 6.5×47 cases. These are then necked-down to 6mm and neck-sized with a .265″ bushing. The necks are turned very slightly, to ensure neckwall uniformity, and achieve a consistent grip on the bullet. Aurélien loads Berger 105gr VLD bullets, pushed by Vihtavuori N160 powder and small magnum primers. His preferred load is 38.2 grains of N160 with a cartridge overall length (COAL) of 2.732″ (69.40 mm). With this load, muzzle velocity is 2854 fps (870 meters per second) chronographed one meter from the muzzle. [Editor’s note–this is a very mild load. The 6-6.5×47 can drive 105-grainers over 3100 fps.]
How the Rifle Shoots
Smooth Function + Great Accuracy
When firing using a front rest, the recoil of a 9 kg, 6-6.5×47 Lapua rifle is minimal and ideal for a lady. The operation of the rifle is trouble-free, even if a few rounds were initially a bit stiff on loading for the first time. Thereafter everything sorted itself out very nicely. The action of the bolt is solid and one can feel that everything is very snug and that the tolerances are properly tight.
The versatile trigger rivals the best benchrest triggers, with the additional bonus of a single- or two-stage operation. That said, with a minimum pull-weight of 50 grams (1.8 oz.) perhaps the term “two-stage” is not the best description, since it is difficult to detect a let-off point at that weight. The trigger can be set to be a very light, single-stage let-off.
The rifle is fitted with a Nightforce 12-42x56mm BR model scope. This high-magnification optic enables the shooter to see his/her bullet holes at 400 meters in good light. This is very useful when it comes to adjusting for wind. The stock’s adjustability and ergonomics allow the shooter to feel comfortable using this rifle. The Anschütz butt-plate and easily-adjustable height of the cheek piece help in that regard.
This rifle has demonstrated some impressive accuracy. Below is a group shot by Aurélien at 400 meters (437.4 yards) on C200 targets. Using OnTarget group measuring software, we calculated this 5-shot group at 0.555″ or 0.121 MOA. That’s remarkable for a gun shooting long, VLD-style bullets. At 100 meters the rifle has yielded “one-ragged hole” groups.
In this .308 Win test, 70° F ammo shot 96 FPS slower than ammo heated to 130.5° F. And the 130.5° ammunition was 145 fps faster than ammo taken right out of the freezer (at 25.5° F). That’s a huge difference…
Summer Solstice is just two weeks away, so most parts of the country will soon be encountering peak summer heat. Some ranges in the Western states have already recorded temperatures well over 100 degrees F during matches. When dealing with extreme summer heat, you should make a serious effort to keep your ammo at reasonable temperatures. When possible, keep ammo in a cooler in the shade.
Never leave boxes of ammo out in the hot sun. Even with powders advertised as “temp stable” you can see significant velocity increases when ambient temps reach 90 degrees and above. This article explains how temperature extremes (both hot and cold) can alter bullet velocities. The velocity differences between very cold ammo and very hot ammo can be very large, as this article explains.
EDITOR’s NOTE: The Sierra tester does not reveal the brand of powder tested here. Some powders are much more temp sensitive than others. Accordingly, you cannot extrapolate test results from one propellant to another. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see the actual recorded velocity shift with ammo temperature variations in a .308 Win.
Written by Sierra Chief Ballistician Tommy Todd This story originally appeared in theSierra Bullets Blog
A few weeks ago I was attending the Missouri State F-Class Match. This was a two-day event during the summer and temperatures were hot one day and hotter the next. I shot next to a gentleman who was relatively new to the sport. He was shooting a basically factory rifle and was enjoying himself with the exception that his scores were not as good as he hoped they would be and he was experiencing pressure issues with his ammunition. I noticed that he was having to force the bolt open on a couple of rounds. During a break, I visited with him and offered a couple of suggestions which helped his situation somewhat and he was able to finish the match without major issues.
He was shooting factory ammunition, which is normally loaded to upper levels of allowable pressures. While this ammunition showed no problems during “normal” testing, it was definitely showing issues during a 20-round string of fire in the temperatures we were competing in. My first suggestion was that he keep his ammunition out of the direct sun and shade it as much as possible. My second suggestion was to not close the bolt on a cartridge until he was ready to fire. He had his ammo in the direct sunlight and was chambering a round while waiting on the target to be pulled and scored which can take from a few seconds to almost a minute sometimes.
This time frame allowed the bullet and powder to absorb chamber [heat] and build pressure/velocity above normal conditions. Making my recommended changes lowered the pressures enough for the rifle and cartridge to function normally.
Testing Effects of Ammunition Temperature on Velocity and POI
After thinking about this situation, I decided to perform a test in the Sierra Bullets underground range to see what temperature changes will do to a rifle/cartridge combination. I acquired thirty consecutive .30 caliber 175 grain MatchKing bullets #2275 right off one of our bullet assembly presses and loaded them into .308 Winchester ammunition. I utilized an unnamed powder manufacturer’s product that is appropriate for the .308 Winchester cartridge. This load is not at the maximum for this cartridge, but it gives consistent velocities and accuracy for testing.
I took ten of the cartridges and placed them in a freezer to condition.
I set ten of them on my loading bench, and since it was cool and cloudy the day I performed this test I utilized a floodlight and stand to simulate ammunition being heated in the sun.
I kept track of the temperatures of the three ammunition samples with a non-contact laser thermometer.
The rifle was fired at room temperature (70 degrees) with all three sets of ammunition. I fired this test at 200 yards out of a return-to-battery machine rest. The aiming point was a leveled line drawn on a sheet of paper. I fired one group with the scope aimed at the line and then moved the aiming point across the paper from left to right for the subsequent groups.
NOTE that the velocity increased as the temperature of the ammunition did.
The ammunition from the freezer shot at 2451 fps.
The room temperature ammunition shot at 2500 fps.
The heated ammunition shot at 2596 fps.
The tune window of the particular rifle is fairly wide as is shown by the accuracy of the three pressure/velocity levels and good accuracy was achieved across the board. However, notice the point of impact shift with the third group? There is enough shift at 200 yards to cause a miss if you were shooting a target or animal at longer ranges. While the pressure and velocities changed this load was far enough from maximum that perceived over pressure issues such as flattened primer, ejector marks on the case head, or sticky extraction did not appear. If you load to maximum and then subject your ammunition to this test your results will probably be magnified in comparison.
This test showed that pressures, velocities, and point-of-impact can be affected by temperatures of your ammunition at the time of firing. It’s really not a bad idea to test in the conditions that you plan on utilizing the ammo/firearm in if at all possible. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to also test to see what condition changes do to your particular gun and ammunition combination so that you can make allowances as needed. Any personal testing along these lines should be done with caution as some powder and cartridge combination could become unsafe with relatively small changes in conditions.
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. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Father’s Day Sale
⏺ Sale through June 18 — deal on guns, optics, gear
Save on all your hunting and target shooting needs over at Sportsman’s Warehouse during their Father’s Day sale. With big discounts on optics, rifles, pistols, ammo, gun safes, and shooting gear, you’ll find plenty of bargains for both yourself and your father.
2. EuroOptic — Trijicon Tenmile Scope SALE with Huge Savings
⏺ Precise powder scale/dispenser with advanced features
Trijicon makes some great scopes for a variety of applications. Grab a high-quality Trijicon Tenmile scope with a massive discount (up to 51%) during the Trijicon Riflescope Closeout SALE at EuroOptic.com. Choose from Tenmile scopes with 6X magnification ranges 3-18X, 4-24X, or 4.5-30X — all well suited for both varmint work and competition. Don’t delay, with these prices, these Trijicon Tenmile 6x zoom range optics should sell out quickly.
3. CDNN Sports — HK VP9 Father’s Day $200 Gear Credit Promo
⏺ Get $200 credit for mags and accessories with HKVP9 Special
Heckler & Koch (HK) makes outstanding defensive pistols. This Editor has owned four HK pistols in three calibers and they were all exceptionally accurate and ultra-reliable. Right now you’ll earn a $200 gear credit with the purchase of an HK VP9 pistol from CDNN Sports. Various color and sight options are available. With this Father’s Day Loadout Special you’ll get a $200 credit for the HK webshop. That $200 credit can be used for magazines and a variety of accessories.
⏺ Precise powder scale/dispenser with advanced features
This combo kit features four top-tier reloading tools. The Powder Measuring Pro-Combo Special includes the superb Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 Precision Scale, TRX-925 Scale Caddy, Redding Competition Model BR-30 Powder Measure, and Redding Model No. 5 Powder Trickler. The TRX-925 is a class-leading precision scale that reads in grains. To do better you’d have to spent more than twice as much for a Force Restoration scale. And right now you SAVE $200 with this Creedmoor Sports Pro-Combo Special.
5. Palmetto SA — Norma ECO Speed .22 LR Ammo, $3.49/50rd
⏺ Unique, ultra-fast .22 LR ammo with lead-free bullets
Here’s unique, extremely fast .22 LR ammo for varminting and target shooing. This Norma ECO Speed ammo features a lead-free 25gr bullet running at a blistering 1706 FPS. That rivals the 17 Mach 2, but you can shoot this from any .22 LR rifle. This high-velocity Norma ECO Speed .22 LR ammo, is now just $3.49 on sale (50rd Box). Norma’s lead-free ECO Speed ammo boast a muzzle velocity exceeding all other .22 LR on the market. The cartridge is 100% lead-free, including the primer, making it quite unique. NOTE: This ammo works best in bolt-action rifles.
6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Precision Case Trimmer, $79.99
⏺ Versatile kit allows you to trim nearly any neck diameter shouldered brass
The Frankford Arsenal Universal Precision Trimmer is a versatile tool that can work with most popular cartridge types. This case-trimming system indexes on case shoulders for precise trimming. The adjustable collet system works with shouldered cases from .17 Remington to .460 Weatherby and fits most power drills. The built-in depth micrometer allows for micro-adjustments and the brass shaving ejection port ensures a clean trim. NOTE, this tool is NOT compatible with straight-wall cartridges.
7. Midsouth — Winchester 9mm Luger Ammo, 500rds $144.99
⏺ Very low price on quality USA-made 9mm ammo plus free shipping
Here’s a great deal on quality USA-made 9x19mm (9mm Luger) ammo. Midsouth is offering a 500-round case of Winchester Service Grade 9mm 115gr ammo for just $144.99 with FREE SHIPPING. This FMJ ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in reloadable brass. Winchester Service Grade is an excellent choice for competitive and recreational shooting applications.
8. Amazon — PROHEAR Earmuffs 2-Pack, $33.95
⏺ Muffs Duo with very good 26dB Noise Reduction Rating
All shooters should use quality hearing protection whenever at the range. This 2-Pack of PROHEAR earmuffs, provides excellent 26 dB NRR (SNR 31dB) protection for yourself and a shooting buddy. These PROHEAR muffs, just $33.95 for the pair, offer quality foam combined with a sound-dampening composite housing. That provides a very good 26 dB Noise Reduction Rating, better than most muffs in this price range.
Available in black or olive green colors, these PROHEAR muffs have a reduced width at the bottom to provide less interference when shouldering a rifle or shotgun. The 2-packs are offered in Black & Green (see above), Black & Brown, Black & Black, Brown & Green, or Black and Hi-Viz Pink — a cool set for a guy and his wife.
9. Midsouth — Varmint X-Treme .22 Cal 55gr, $39.99/250
⏺ Amazing deal on varmint bullets — just $0.16 each in 250 pack
Planning a varmint safari this summer? If you shoot a .22-caliber rifle, check out this hot deal on Varmint Nightmare X-Treme FBHP bullets. Get 250 bullets for $39.99 — just $16 per hundred! Crafted by a major bullet-maker, these .22 Caliber, 55 grain projectiles feature a quality jacket, and a 0.218 BC. With their hollow point design, these Varmint Nightmare bullets have an explosive effect on P-dogs and Groundhogs.
10. Amazon — Reloading Data Book, $5.99
⏺ Handy low cost 120-page book keep vital reloading data at hand
All handloaders should keep detailed reloading notes with all essential load data. The Reloading Data Book provides a handy hard copy of your load data in an organized format. This 8.5″ x 11″ book Data Book has 120 log pages with printed entry boxes for date, cartridge, powder, grains, bullet type, bullet weight, and many more variables. At just $5.99, this a great resource to keep in your loading room.
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 to Readers: Monday, May 29, 2023 is Memorial Day. Many vendors may be running special SALES today, or over the next few days. Check with vendors Brownells, EuroOptic, Creedmoor Sports, Bruno’s, Graf & Sons, Midsouth, Precision Reloading, Bullet Central, Powder Valley, and MidwayUSA to see all the products they have on sale. For example, MidwayUSA offers free shipping on orders over $75 with code FREESHIP052723. You can find other promos and sales with web searches.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Precision Reloading — Memorial Day Sale 10% Off Orders $75+
⏺ Save 10% on virtually all items in stock — Act soon
Save 10% sitewide this Memorial Day weekend on nearly all Precision Reloading orders over $75. Important — you can get 10% savings even for most items otherwise listed with discounts or “on sale”. To save 10% on your order, use coupon code MEM23 at checkout. Don’t delay folks — this deal expires at 11:59 pm CST on Monday, 5/29/2023.
As part of its Memorial Day Sale, CDNN Sports has slashed prices on German-made Sauer 100 rifles, both short-action and long-action, in a wide variety of chamberings and stock types. Now you can save $300 on an excellent hunting rifle with a 3-lug bolt, 60-degree bolt lift, and accurate hammer-forged German barrel. The Sauer 100 trigger adjusts from 2.2 to 4.2 pounds.
3. Academy Sports — Sports Afield 64-Gun Safe, $799.99
⏺ Excellent deal on big, 40″-wide safe with six looking bolts
Here’s an excellent, large gunsafe with good user reviews, priced at $799.99. That’s 33% OFF the regular $1199.99 price, a great deal. Rated for 64 guns, this Sports Afield safe measures 55″ high x 40″ wide and comes with a door organizer with 6 handgun pockets and long gun holder. Weighing 374 pounds, this safe rivals other safes costing $1400 or more. It is waterproof and has a 30-minute fire resistance rating.
4. KYGUNCO — Savage 64 Precision Rimfire Rifle, $249.99
⏺ Great deal on good starter rifle for NRL22
Here’s a bargain-priced .22 LR rifle in a nice, modern chassis. The semi-auto Savage 64 Precision houses a semi-automatic action in a chassis with M-LOK slots and an ergonomic pistol grip. The heavy barrel has a threaded muzzle for easy attachment of brake, tuner, or suppressor. This is a good starting rifle for NRL22 — the semi-auto action allows fast follow-up shots. Get this rifle on sale now for $249.99.
5. Midsouth — Memorial Weekend, FREE Shipping or FREE Hazmat
⏺ Save with FREE Shipping or FREE HazMat on $99+ Orders
Midsouth is offering a very attractive promotion for Memorial Day weekend. Now through 11:59 pm on Monday, 5/29/2023 you can get FREE shipping on orders over $99.00 with code MDSHIP23. Alternatively, with code MDHAZ23 you can choose FREE Hazmat for an order with powder and/or primers that exceeds $99.00. Act soon, this deal expires at the end of the day on Monday, 5/29/2023.
6. Primary Arms Memorial Day Sale
⏺ Significant discounts on hundreds of products
Primary Arms is running a big Memorial Day Sale with hundreds of products with big discounts. Save on AR parts, AR receivers, Optics, Slings, Shooting Mats, Carry packs, magazines and more. You can save $30 on a shooting mat, $70 on a trigger, $27 on premium electronic muffs, $26 on a rifle case — just as a few examples. There are also special Bonus Bucks credits on Vortex rifle scopes.
7. Powder Valley — Winchester #41 Small Rifle Primers, $79.99
⏺ Very high quality Winchester primers at best price we’ve seen
Top-quality primers are still pricey and in very high demand. Thankfully, Powder Valley obtained a large supply of Winchester #41 small rifle primers. These mil-spec primers work great in ARs as well as bolt-action rifles. Grab these for just $79.99 per thousand while supplies last — these could sell out quickly.
8. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Memorial Day Optics Sale
⏺ Big savings on rifle scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, and LRFs
⏺ Good deals on rifle and pistol ammunition plus primers
KYGUNCO is running a Memorial Day weekend sale with attractive pricing on ammunition. For you varminters, we found good deals on Hornady .223 Rem Ammo with V-Max bullets. In addition, hard-to-find CCI BR-4 Small Rifle primers are in stock at $119.99/1000. Many pistols are discounted also this weekend.
11. Amazon — GuardTech Plus Gun Cleaning Kit, $48.95
⏺ Excellent full-featured cleaning kit for all types of guns
This big GuardTech Plus Cleaning Kit will work for rifles, pistols, and even shotguns. You get a big selection of brushes, jags, and mops that fit calibers .17 to .50. In addition, there are picks and tooth-brush-style brushes for cleaning your action, plus a pull-through cleaning rope. You get all this, in a nice fitted hard case, for just $48.95 on Amazon. Choose green case (as shown), or black case.
⏺ Essential leveling accessory for 1″ and 30mm scopes — real bargain
Avoid bad rifle canting by using a bubble level fitted to rail or scope. One very affordable option is the Jialitte Scope Bubble Level. This features a 30mm diameter ring, plus an inner insert ring so it will also fit 1″-diameter main tubes. The Jialitte unit, just $10.99 on Amazon, is nicely radiused with a low profile. User reviews have been very positive. You could easily pay $35.00 or more for a 30mm scope level.
Brownells is running a big Memorial Day Weekend Sale, which runs now (Friday 5/26/23) through the end of the three-day weekend. Over 100 items are featured in this sale, including tools, optics, and AR equipment, along with ammo and primers.
To add to the savings, you can get 15% off $200+ purchases with coupon code MDAY15. Now through May 28, 2023 use MDAY15 during checkout to save 15%. Then, on Monday, May 29th, you can use code MDAY20 to save 20% off purchases of $200 or more. NOTE: CODE MDAY20 will work on May 29th (Monday) only. Until then use code MDAY15.
Good Memorial Day Weekend DEALS at Brownells.com
Here are eight (8) of the 103 Memorial Day Weekend Deals on the Brownells website currently. Along with AR uppers and lowers and magazines, you’ll find centerfire and rimfire ammunition on sale. And handloaders should definitely check on the discounts on CCI 400 Small Rifle Primers and CCI Pistol Primers.
Hall vs. BAT
Load Development and Accuracy Results
Big, Strong, and Versatile 
Rimfire Varmint Adventure
Details of SALVA Action
Proprietary SALVA Trigger
Summer Solstice is just two weeks away, so most parts of the country will soon be encountering peak summer heat. Some ranges in the Western states have already recorded temperatures well over 100 degrees F during matches. When dealing with extreme summer heat, you should make a serious effort to keep your ammo at reasonable temperatures. When possible, keep ammo in a cooler in the shade.
