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April 17th, 2008
This past weekend, Mike Davis set a new 600-yard, IBS score record of 50-2X (0.941″), shooting a 6 BRX that he built himself. Mike nailed the record at the Piedmont Gun Club using Danzac-coated Berger 105gr VLD bullets pushed by 33.5 grains of Varget and CCI 450s. His rifle had a 26″, 1:8.4″-twist Brux barrel, chambered for a no-turn 6 BRX, and a BAT RB/LP/RE action. Congrats to Mike on some great shooting. If you want to see how it was done, here’s a video of Mike shooting 5 rounds at “match pace” with his 6 BRX.
CLICK HERE to WATCH VIDEO (5 Shots in 18 Seconds)
A previous IBS score record was set by Larry Isenhour, also at Piedmont. In August 2007, Isenhour shot a beautiful 50-3X target but it was just slightly larger in group size — 0.944″ as certified. Because group size, not X-count, is the tie-breaker among equal “perfect” 50 scores, Mike Davis just grabbed the record by a few thousandths of an inch.
Mike offers this report: “Saturday, April 12, 2008, was Piedmont Gun Club’s second match of the year. Conditions looked grim. There was lightning in the distance and we were surrounded by black clouds. When the first shot went down range the wind was blowing pretty good. As the day progressed the wind worsened, and was switching terribly. I could tell by the end of the Heavy Gun class that the faster I could get all shots down range the better. I really concentrated on my aiming point, and trying to remain smooth and fast for Light Gun. The first target I shot in Light Gun class was the record target, 50-2X with a .941″ group. The two “X” shots were right on top of each other (see target). I had also cleaned the gun prior to this group. The second target had four shots under 1″ and the fifth shot went straight right approximately 3.5″, making this group a 4″ — I knew I had gotten caught in one of the switching wind conditions. I repeated the same steps for the remaining two targets, and it paid off. I won the Light Gun class for group with a 3″ Aggregate in wind that toppled over the wind flags and blew away our Easy-Up tent.”
Gun Specifications
6BRX no turn neck .112″ free bore
BAT Model B RB/LP/RE 7.5″ round action, Jewell trigger
HV BRUX barrel 1 in 8.4″ twist at 26″ in length
Stock work and bedding by Mike Isenhour (cedar/curly maple/carbon fiber with weight system)
Leupold 45x Competition w/a 3x Gene Davis optical booster mounted with BAT rings
Farley front rest and a Protektor rear bag |
April 16th, 2008
Michael Bane’s Shooting Gallery broadcasts highlights from the 2007 Steel Challenge today on the Outdoor Channel. The Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Championships were founded in 1981 with 70 shooters competing for $20,000 in cash and prizes that first year. In the 26 years since, the match has grown to become one of the crown jewels of the shooting circuit and the premier professional pistol competition with more than 220 of the world’s fastest shooters competing for over $390,000 in cash and prizes in 2007. The 2007 event featured the Outdoor Channel/Sig Sauer 80-Second Challenge. The first shooter to break 80 seconds overall time on the 8-stage Steel Challenge course, the equivalent of the 4-minute mile, could take home a check for $30,000. The show airs April 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm Eastern time on the Outdoor Channel.
European Steel Challenge May 2-4 in Netherlands
In related news, the 2008 European Steel Challenge will be held May 2-4 at Winterswik, the Netherlands. Over 150 of Europe’s best competition pistol shooters will compete for the European Speed Shooting Championships and €25,000 Euros in prizes. Championships will be determined in the Women’s, Senior, Super Senior divisions and in several categories including Rimfire, Stock and Open class Pistol/Revolver — the Formula 1 category of the shooting sports. For more info, visit www.EuropeanSteelChallenge.nl, or contact Hans Wigger, firearms [at] firearms.nl .
April 15th, 2008
 From May 9-11, the Original Pennsylvania 1000 Yard club will host the nation’s first multi-day long-range benchrest school at its Williamsport range. For $200, up to 24 “students” will enjoy one night and two days of intensive training under the tutelage of some of the nations’ top 1000-yard shooters. On Friday night, May 9th, students will meet their mentors, including school director Frank Grappone, and will work on informal “homework” assignments.
Saturday morning, the class moves to the range for a full day of hands-on technical training. Topics will include precision reloading, load development, gun handling, use of chronograph, analysis of shooting results, gun cleaning, and target analysis. The Williamsport Club will provide the rifles, plus all reloading components–powder, primers, and bullets. Saturday’s training sessions are followed by a steak dinner, including in the $200 seminar price.
On Sunday, after an early training session covering bench set-up and match strategies, students will participate in a 1000-yard match, spending time both behind the trigger and in the pits. Instructors will explain how to read conditions, and will demonstrate target measuring and analysis after the relays. The program will wrap up before 4:00 pm on Sunday.
The 1000-yard Benchrest School is limited to 24 students. Gunsmiths Bruce Baer and Mark King, and many Williamsport Hall of Fame shooters will provide instruction. There should be no more than three students per advisor. Over the course of the weekend, trainees will receive 14-16 hours of quality “hands-on” instruction, plus actual match shooting time. This program is design for novice to intermediate shooters. For more information, contact School Director Frank Grappone, (517) 796-9622, frankgrappone [@] sbcglobal.net. Act soon, if you’re interested. Only a dozen or so slots are still available, and the sign-up deadline is May 1st.
April 9th, 2008
600-yard World-Record-holder Terry Brady gave us a call this morning and reported: “You may not believe it, but a factory Savage won it all this year at the Hickory Groundhog Shoot.” Terry said it was raining through much of the event, and many of the custom rifle shooters had tight groups but were not centered up on the target. This is a score event, with concentric scoring rings on cardboard groundhog silhouette targets at 100, 300 and 500 yards. The overall match winner shot a Savage factory.223 Rem varminter, according to Terry. “A couple of them Savage guys had their groups nicely centered up on the targets, and that’s what it took to win.”
In related news, the Savage factory 6mmBR rifles will start shipping this week. The 6mmBR chambering is now offered in three versions: F-Class, Varmint single-shot, and Varmint repeater (with box magazine). The 6BR F-Class model is a right bolt, right port single-shot weighing 13.3 lbs without optics. It features an 8-twist 30″ barrel and a heavy, laminated wood stock with a flat buttstock toe that runs parallel to the underside of 3″-wide forearm. The Long-Range Precision Varminter (LRPV) has a 12-twist, 26″ barrel, and a synthetic, H-S Precision stock with alloy bedding system. The LRPV is offered as BOTH a right bolt, left port single-shot, AND as a right bolt, right port repeater.
April 4th, 2008
 The 2008 Eastern CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches will be held from May 3rd through May 11th at Camp Butner in Stem, NC. The CMP Games for Garands, Springfields and vintage military rifles run from 3-6 May. Following that, Service Rifle and Highpower shooters will compete in the Creedmoor Cup Matches from May 7th through 11th. Creedmoor Cup events include an advanced clinic, followed by a Practice Match, a Long Range Match, the 80-shot Creedmoor Cup Match and a team match.
Both events feature special hospitality events and prize awards. All interested shooters, whether new shooters or experienced competitors, recreation-oriented shooters or national championship contenders, are invited to participate in these unique, national-level competitions. For more info, contact Laurie Mandell, (419) 635-2141 x1107.
CLICK HERE for CMP Games/Creedmoor Cup INFO Page.
April 2nd, 2008
Our own 1000-yard Editor, Jason Baney, runs a popular “postal match” called “Smack the Smiley”. Four times a year (Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter) you can shoot an official target at your own range, and then submit it for judging. Over $2000.00 in prizes will be awarded for each 2008 seasonal match. You can compete with shooters from across the continent.
Jason started the Smiley matches in 2004. Since 2005, a share of monies collected from entry fees have been donated to American military marksmen via AmericanSnipers.org. These donations have totaled over $3000.00.
Entries are now open for the current Spring Match. Order your targets no later than May 5, 2008. Your finished Spring targets must be returned (postmarked) by May 27, 2008. Targets will be scored and ranked on shooting forums including SnipersHide.com, West Coast Tactical, SnipersParadise, and the main contest site, SmackTheSmiley.com
Prizes for Smack the Smiley Shooters
Prizes donated by manufacturers are raffled off, lottery-style, after each match. This means that every participant has a chance at wining. The prizelist totals over $2000.00 in value this year. You’re smart to shoot all four seasonal matches (Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter). A four-match Aggregate will be tallied this year with a possible prize for the Agg winner.
CLICK HERE for Smack The Smiley 4-Season Match Calendar
Smack The Smiley Postal Match Rules
● There are two classes, rimfire and centerfire, with no other rifle restrictions. Rimfire guns shoot at 50 yards, while centerfire rifles shoot at 100 yards.
● All rifles must be shot from the ground, either sitting or prone position, with NO tripod rests allowed. Only bipods or other field expedient rests are allowed.
● You must shoot official targets only, ordered from SmackTheSmiley.com. These cost $3.50 each with a max of 4 targets per class. One dollar ($1) from each target goes to Americansnipers.org.
March 31st, 2008
The NBRSA 600-Yard Nationals (Sloughhouse 600) will be held April 25 – 27, 2008 at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center. This 3-day Match is hosted by the Folsom Shooting Club, at the Sacramento Valley Shooting Center in Sloughhouse, CA, a few minutes East of Sacramento. This event grows more popular every year as more and more top shooters are drawn to the relatively new 600-yard benchrest discipline. Last year, Don Nielson (shown in VIDEO below) dominated the field, shooting a 6.5×47 and a 6-6.5×47.
Match information, plus range maps are available at www.sacvalley.org in the “coming events” section, or click the links below:
NBRSA 600 Nationals Match INFO
NBRSA 600 Nationals REGISTRATION FORM
Match fees are $60.00 per class (light gun and heavy gun), if you sign up today. Fees are $65.00 per class after March 31, 2008. If you have further questions, or need forms mailed to you, contact match Director Ed Eckhoff via email: eckran [at] yahoo.com.
March 30th, 2008
Our friend “DesertFrog” enjoys shooting “tactical/practical” rifle matches in Southern California. To maintain his skills, he tries to get quality “trigger time” every week. This helps him work on his body position, rifle handling, and breath control.
Recently DesertFrog acquired a Savage Mark II-BTVS in 22 LR. These retail for about $330.00. The ergonomics of the Savage BTVS rifle were similar to his thumbhole-stock .308 tactical rifle. He decided that having a .22LR practice gun would allow him to maintain his monthly round count at a significantly reduced cost.
He reports: “I used to shoot an average of 200 rounds of .308 Match ammo a month for training (50 per weekend). In the last two months, I’ve shot maybe an average of 50 rounds of .308 per month and probably around 600 rounds of 22 LR. In the last two local tactical precision matches in Saugus, I still finished in the top three. That’s pretty good considering the quality of shooters in SoCal those days. So using mainly the 22LR for practice did NOT hurt my standings in actual competitions. I shot my .308 just as well in matches, but saved the cost of hundreds of rounds of 308. If I didn’t reload and was still buying boxes of Federal Gold Match .308, this would be a savings of more than $380 (minus $120 for the rimfire ammo) in two months. In three months, one can save enough to essentially pay for the price of the Savage Mark II. Even compared to the cost of reloading .308, I probably saved $140.00 in two months. Not bad!”
March 29th, 2008
As shooters seek less expensive ways to shoot, rimfire competition of all types is becoming more popular. Silhouette shooting is fun because you get to knock down small steel targets, just like in a shooting gallery at a County Fair. But don’t let anyone suggest Silhouette is easy. All shots are taken from the standing position. If you haven’t tried that recently, you’ll find that your crosshairs will be dancing all around the target.
At an official match, you’ll shoot at least 40 shots, ten each at four sets of 1/5th size standard High Power Rifle Silhouette targets. The smallest targets, the chickens, are set at 40 yards, Pigs are at 60 yards, Turkeys are at 77 yards, and Rams are at 100 yards. (Alternatively, metric distances are used.) Though the rams are the largest targets, hitting them is far from easy, given the ballistics of 22 rimfire ammo. At 100 yards, a little bit of wind will blow you off the target.
Two classes of rifles are used in Rimfire Silhouette: Standard and Hunter Class. Standard rifles can weigh up to 10 pounds, 2 oz. (with sights) and have no restriction on trigger pull weight. The fore-end shall not exceed 2 1/4″ wide, and 2 1/4″ deep measured from the centerline of the bore. Bull barrels are common, and the gun of choice is the Anschutz 54.18 MS (Metallic Silhouette) or 1808 (thumbhole version of the 54.18). A 54.18, if you can find one, will set you back $1200.00 – $1700 depending on condition. The 54:18 is in limited production and even good used models are hard to find.
Hunter Class rifles must have a more conventional “sporter-style” stock, typically with a narrow fore-end. A high comb is used to provide a good cheek weld. Hunter Class Rifles are limited to 8.5 pounds (with scope), and the trigger pull weight shall not be less than 2 pounds. No bull barrels are allowed — you must use a conventional tapered hunting barrel. Among production rifles, the Anschutz 1712 is the rifle to beat. These guns are very accurate out of the box, and come with an outstanding two-stage trigger that breaks cleanly right at two pounds. Kimber and CZ also make factory silhouette rifles for the Hunter Class. Though not on a par with the Anschutz 1712, the Kimber and CZ are viable options for novices or shooters on a tight budget.
Many top silhouette shooters like Mark Pharr will shoot the lighter Hunter rifle in both classes. Pharr and others have found that accurized Hunter Class guns can be competitive even against the heavier guns. While a stock Anschutz 1712 Hunter is impressive, many competitors will hot-rod their gun, putting a 1710 or 1712 action in a Mark Pharr-designed stock. They will then add a match barrel from Lilja, Shilen or other top barrel maker. Shown below is an Anschutz 1712 action in Pharr stock.
If you want to learn more about rimfire silhouette, visit SteelChickens.com. To order a Mark Pharr stock (built by Robertson Composites), contact Chickens Shooting Supply.
CLICK HERE for Summary of Rimfire Silhouette Rifle Rules.
March 24th, 2008
The Hickory Shoot, the nation’s most popular groundhog shooting competition, is slated for April 5th this year. Now in its 28th year, this is the biggest Varmint competition on the East Coast, with over $4000.00 worth of prizes awarded each year, including $1000.00 in cash. Compete individually or as part of three-man teams. The entry fee is $25 per person, plus (optional) $10 extra per team. The match will be held in Vale, North Carolina. For MapQuest or Google maps, use this address: 8216 Will Hudson Road, Lawndale, NC 28090.
This year, there will be three targets, set at 100, 300 and 500 yards. (No unknown distance). In the past, 6BRs, 6BR Improveds and the mid-size 6mms have been the calibers to beat. To see what it takes to win, read this article about Harold Seagroves’ Spencer-built 6BR, which has won the Hickory Shoot multiple times.
The range will be open Monday-Friday preceding the match for practice. The match will start 8 o’clock sharp Saturday morning the 5th. If you have any questions call Larry Willis, Bulls Eye Sporting Goods, (704) 462-1948. This year the targets will be at known distances, 100, 300, and 500 yards. That should be a cake walk for you 1000-yard shooters.
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