With the major Southwest Nationals competition just 3 days away we thought our readers would enjoy a look at a contemporary F-TR competition rifles campaigned by a talented, multi-discipline lady shooter. Texan Tracy Slayton is a gifted action pistol and 3-Gun competitor who now also competes in F-Class, F-TR Division. Under F-Class rules, F-TR shooters are limited to two caliber types: .223 Rem (5.56 NATO) and .308 Win (7.62x51mm).
A while back, on Facebook, Tracy posted a nice training session with her Krieger-barreled .308 Winchester F-TR rifle. Her rifle features a McMillan composite stock with a SEB JoyStick bipod attached up front. The optic is a Kahles SFP 1/8 MOA zoom optic (10-50x50mm we believe). You can watch her shooting video HERE on her Facebook page. She used a battery-powered, Chamber Chiller fan unit to cool the barrel.
On her Facebook page, Tracy posted: “Very, very windy day today but pulled off a 444/450 18X which is a High Master score. My Krieger barrel is the bomb and my Kahles scope allows me to see that target at 600 yards clearly. My Chamber Chiller really cools my barrel down in between matches and my Stiller action is as smooth as butter.”
Click Photo for short video of Tracy’s shooting session, with shots called on audio:
Match-Winning F-TR .308 Win Load INFO
Texan Tracy Slayton (featured above) did not supply her .308 Win load data for this article. However, we’ve got something even better! For our readers who compete in F-TR, we obtained .308 Win F-TR load information from top F-TR shooter, Peter Johns. A U.S. Navy veteran, Peter won the 2020 Berger SW Nationals F-TR title, after finishing second at that same event in 2019. Here is Peter’s load profile, a very good place to start for any .308 Win F-TR shooter…
F-TR .308 Win Match Load and Reloading Methodology
Loading for .308 Win F-TR — Do What Matters
Peter told us: “My loading technique has evolved almost full circle from where I started. I went from the basics to doing every step a person could conceive. Then I decided to start testing all the different steps to see what didn’t matter or made things worse. I am now back to almost no steps in my reloading process.
I don’t clean brass anymore. I just wipe the case off, lube, size, prime, and load. I anneal when I feel the necks getting inconsistent when seating the bullets. I pre-load all my ammo for matches. I tried seating them at the match but I didn’t find it to matter on the score card and it takes my focus away from conditions.
Peter’s 2020 SWN-winning .308 Win load consists of Berger 200.20X bullets, Lapua Palma brass, Federal 205M primers, and Varget powder. Peter revealed: “The Berger 200-grainers are running in the mid-2600 fps range. I have tried them much faster but found the best consistency at this speed.”
Peter measures powder to the kernel and also weighs/sorts other components. He runs Berger 200.20X bullets slightly off the lands in a 0.170 freebore chamber. Notably he tests a variety of powders, ascertaining each barrel’s particular preference: “In the last few years I have tried N140, N150, H4895, and Varget. I think they are all good powders for F-TR and the 200.20X bullet. This year I was using Varget. At the 2018 SWN I placed 4th with H4895, in 2019 SWN I got 2nd with N140. I find what powder my particular barrel likes best. I also test CCI BR4 and Fed 205M to see which my rifle likes best. This year I was using Fed 205M. I have been using Lapua Palma brass and it seems to last forever.” Peter full-length sizes with a Redding bushing FL die. He seats his Berger bullets with a Wilson inline seater.
Berger Bullets on SALE Now at Creedmoor Sports
Right now Creedmoor Sports is running a major Berger bullet sale. You’ll find many .30-cal Berger match bullet types that work great for .308-caliber F-TR rigs like today’s featured rifle. Berger .30-cal match bullets, ranging from 155gr to 220gr in weight, are currently in stock with many types discounted.
In addition to the .30-cal Bergers, Creedmoor Sports has significant supplies of Berger .17, .20, .223, .243 (6mm), .257, .264 (6.5mm), .270, and .284 (7mm) caliber bullets in stock now at good prices. There are a wide variety of bullet types for various discplines. Choose target hybrids, varmint bullets, Elite Hunters or other bullet types for your next match or hunt.
The 2025 Southwest Nationals (SWN), one of the major long-range rifle matches of the year, kicks off next week in Arizona. Running from February 12th through 16th, the match commences with the Mid-Range event on Wednesday, February 12th, and concludes with the 2-day 1000-yard match on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th. On Thursday and Friday there are team and individual Palma Matches at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. CLICK HERE for the official 2025 SW Nationals Program PDF.
For this Saturday Showcase, we provide videos from past SWN events, plus informative videos that explain how to prepare for the event and pack your gear for air travel and/or lengthy overland trips.
Tips for New Competitors at the Southwest Nationals
Headed to the SW Nationals for the first time? Never shot at the Ben Avery range before? Then definitely watch this F-Class John video. It provides a series of smart tips for SWN first-timers.
Highlights from 2024 SW Nationals with Past Champ Erik Cortina
This video follows long-range competitors at the 2024 Southwest Nationals. The video shows match preparation and competition. There are interviews with participants and highlights of the challenging conditions. The video concludes with the announcement of class winners. 2024 F-Open winner Jay Christopherson is interviewed starting at 12:18 time-mark.
Analyzing Conditions at 2022 SW Nationals
In this video past SWN Champion Erik Cortina and F-Class John analyze relays from the 2022 match, discussing shot holds for specific wind conditions. You can learn quite a bit from this dialog with two top F-Open shooters. Erik won the F-Open LR SWN event in 2023.
Packing Gear for Air Travel — Tips from F-Class John
It can be very challenging to travel via airline to a major shooting event because of all the gear you’ll need to bring, along with your rifle(s). F-Open shooters must bring a heavy, bulky front rest and rear bag, while F-TR shooters will need a large front tripod and rear bag. Then you’ll need to transport a spotting scope with its adjustable mount, plus a LOT of loaded ammunition. Some shooters will also bring a press and dies to do final seating of their ammo. That’s a lot of gear. In this video, F-Class John shows how to pack rifles, gear, and ammo efficiently so air travel can go safely and smoothly.
Southwest Nationals Video SHORTS
Bird’s Eye Ben Avery — A Look at the Range
If you’ve never visited the Ben Avery Facility north of Phoenix, Arizona, here’s a video that shows the 1000-yard range (including drone footage). The desert range at Ben Avery is something special — check out this “birds-eye view”. This 2016 video also includes an interview with Derek Rodgers, F-TR World Champion, King of 2 Miles, and the only man who who has earned both F-Open AND F-TR USA National titles.
Sling Shooters in Palma Division
For the Palma division, the cartridge of choice is the .308 Winchester (7.62.x51). This versatile cartridge is still capable of extreme accuracy. Never underestimate a skilled sling shooter with a good Palma rifle. Below is multi-time NRA National Long-Range Champion John Whidden in action. John’s rifle features a centerfire action in an aluminum Anschutz small-bore stock.
Ballistics wizard Bryan Litz shoots at the 2015 SW Nationals. Notice how steady he holds his rifle.
Smith & Wesson is releasing its new CSX E-Series optics-ready CCW pistols. This is an update of the CSX model, a micro-compact aluminum pistol first introduced in 2022. The new CSX E-Series has many notable new features, including two barrel length choices, modular grips, interchangeable backstraps, and various magazine options. The ergonomic upgrades are designed for “instinctive control” and “comfortable fit for any shooter right out of the box”.
The new CSX E-Series pistols boast enhanced triggers, improved grip texture coverage, and modular grip adapters with new 15- and 17-round magazines.
These aluminum-framed micro-compact pistols feature significant design upgrades. Consumers can choose a 3.1-inch or 3.6-inch barrel, with models that include 12, 15, and 17-round magazines. There are also two 10-round compliant variants. CSX E-Series pistols are optics-ready with an RMS-C/507K footprint and Smith & Wesson’s ClearSight™ cut, designed to strategically divert gasses away from the optic lens, leaving an unobstructed view.
The CSX E-Series pistols boast a modular grip adapter that allows the user to size down the frame for concealment or size up for better handling and increased capacity. These pistols also have an enhanced trigger with a clean break, improved reset, and straighter pull. Additional features include interchangeable backstraps, ambidextrous controls, standard white-dot sights, and flat-black frame.
CLICK HERE for more INFO on the new S&W CSX E-Series 9mm carry pistols plus full specifications.
The Southwest Nationals (SWN), 2025’s biggest centerfire rifle match west of the Mississippi, is coming up next week in Arizona. The 2025 SWN will be held at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility on February 12-16, 2025. We know that many of our regular readers will be flying to Phoenix to attend the SWN. Here are some travel tips from experts in the industry.
If you’ll be traveling by air in the days ahead, be careful when transporting firearms through airports. It is important that you comply with all Homeland Security, TSA, and Airline policies when transporting guns and ammunition. Following the rules will help ensure you (and your gear) make it to your destination without hassles, delays or (God forbid), confiscations.
Good Advice from an Airport Police Officer
To help our readers comply with rules and regulations for air travel, we offer these guidelines, courtesy “Ron D.”, a member of our Shooters’ Forum. Before he retired, Ron D. served as a Police Officer assigned to Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Here Ron offers some very important advice for shooters traveling with firearms and expensive optics.
First, Ron explains that airport thieves can spot bags containing firearms no matter how they are packaged: “Don’t think you’re safe if your guns are placed in cases designed for golf clubs or trade show items. Baggage is X-Rayed now and cases are tagged with a special bar code if they contain firearms. It doesn’t take long for bad guys to figure out the bar coding for firearms.”
Carry-On Your Scopes and Expensive Items
Ron advises travelers to avoid placing very expensive items in checked baggage: “When traveling by air, carry on your rangefinder, spotting scope, rifle scope, medications, camera, etc. You would be surprised at the amount of people that carry-on jeans and shirts, but put expensive items in checked baggage. Better to loose three pairs of jeans than some expensive glass.”
Mark Bags to Avoid Confusion
Ron notes that carry-on bags are often lost because so many carry-on cases look the same. Ron reports: “People do accidentally remove the wrong bag repeatedly. I frequently heard the comment, ‘But it looks just like my bag’. When de-planing, keep an eye on what comes out of the overhead that your bag is in. It’s easy to get distracted by someone that has been sitting next to you the whole flight. I tie two streamers of red surveyors’ tape on my carry-on bag.” You can also use paint or decals to make your carry-on bag more distinctive.
General Advice for Air Travelers
Ron cautions: “Keep your hands on your items before boarding. One of the most often heard comments from theft victims was, ‘I just put my computer down for a minute while I was on the phone.’ Also, get to the baggage claim area quickly. If your family/friends can meet you there, so can the opportunists. Things do get lost in the claim area. Don’t be a Victim. Forewarned is forearmed.”
Choosing a Rifle Transport Case
Forum member David C., who will compete at the 2020 Berger SWN, offers this advice: “If you plan to fly with your rifle, a 55″-long case such as the Pelican 1770 may be too big and heavy. The 1770 is 36 pounds on its own and is quite unwieldly to move around. I would recommend going with a smaller case such as the Pelican 1720 with 42″-long interior. It weighs 19 pounds and if you separate your stock from the barreled action, everything fits just fine, as you can see below.” Editor: Note that you can also store a full-size spotting scope in the case along with your rifle:
Retired Airport Police Officer Ron D. advises: “Buy the best [rifle case] that you can afford. Don’t cry when your $3,000+ Benchrest rifle has a cracked stock or broken scope. Think about what it would be like to travel across the country and arrive with a damaged rifle. Baggage handling is NOT a fine art. There is no guarantee that your rifle case will be on top of all the other baggage. Then there is shifting of baggage in the belly of the plane. Ponder that for a while. Rifle and pistol cases must be locked. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that a simple pry tool will open most case locks. There is not much that you can do to disguise a rifle case. It is what it is, and opportunists know this. Among thieves, it doesn’t take long for the word to get around about a NEW type of case.”
Great Deal on Large All-Weather Case at Harbor Freight
If you need a good, sturdy airline-compliant hard case to transport your rifle to the Southwest Nationals, here’s a very good option at a great price. The sturdy APACHE 9800 Weatherproof Protective Rifle Case is currently on sale for $149.99. This 53″-long APACHE case is $190.00 less than an equivalent-size Pelican 1750 case ($339.95 on Amazon). Constructed from durable polypropylene, this quality hard case can protect long guns from from impact, moisture, and dust. The built-in purge valve equalizes pressure so you can open the case after changing elevations. NOTE: Case interior dimensions are 50⅜” by 13⅝”.
Women are arming themselves — millions of females now have carry permits and female gun ownership is up 77% since 2005. What factors should women consider when choosing a handgun for self-defense? What are good choices for a lady’s defensive handgun, suitable for concealed carry? Is a self-loading pistol better than a revolver? In this article we include two videos focusing on handgun options for females. The videos cover six key factors: function, size, weight, ergonomics, reliability, and concealability.
Classic Swiss Precision — the Sig P239
The single-stack Sig P239 is an ultra-reliable, compact pistol with a grip suitable for smaller female hands. Weighing 25 oz. in 9mm, it is slightly heavier than polymer-framed handguns, but that may be a good thing. During my handgun training days, this Editor found most women shot the Sig P239 better than Glocks, with more control over recoil. This is a hammer-fired pistol with decocker but no separate safety. There are many other good handgun options for concealed carry — some smaller, thinner and lighter, but the Sig P239 provides a good benchmark for reliability and accuracy. Shown is the .40 S&W model. We prefer the 9mm Luger version. Photo Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0.
Choosing a Self-Defense Handgun — Ladies Explain the Options
Not Just a Guy Thing — Half of New Gun Buyers Are Women
According to the Wall Street Journal, over the past few years, “Close to half of all new U.S. gun buyers since the beginning of 2019 have been women.” And the percentage of female gun owners overall has increased dramatically. Here’s an interesting statistic — according to an NSSF survey, the percentage of gun owners who are female has increased dramatically. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has documented a 77% rise in female gun ownership since 2005.
And now nearly one-quarter of American gun owners are female. According to statistics from the NRA, around 23% of women in the U.S. own guns presently, when just 13% did in 2005.
The vast majority of first-time female gun buyers acquire a handgun for defensive purposes. However, the statistics also show that many new female gun owners are also getting involved in sport shooting and/or competitive shooting. An interesting TWAW survey shows that 76% of female gun owners are over 45 years of age, and most are married or in a serious relationship.
You don’t hear much about PacNor barrels in long-range competition, but FORUM member Wes J (aka P1ZombieKiller), proved that they can shoot “lights-out” in a rig assembled by a talented gunsmith. A few seasons back, Wes decided to upgrade a 6mmBR for mid-range benchrest and varmint matches. Wes tells us: “Since I restocked my 6BR … I have not had a chance to shoot it much since I have been playing the 100-200 game. I decided to take it out and do some playing at 500 yards. I have to give some serious props to my buddy (and fellow FORUM member) ‘PREACHER’ who did the chambering and barrel work for me. He can certainly make a gun shoot good. The barrel is a PacNor 1:8″ twist. My load was 105gr Berger VLDs pushed by 29.6 grains of Varget.” The five-round, 500-yard group shot by Wes J with his 6BR, measured just 1.240″, as measured by OnTarget software. Now that’s one accurate rig!
Five by Five — 5-Shot Group at 500 Yards, 1.240″, 0.237 MOA
This Editor knows something about the potential of a PacNor barrel. I have a 3-groove stainless PacNor SuperMatch on a Savage-actioned 6BR. This barrel shoots honest quarter-MOA in calm conditions, and it cleans up super-easy. The interior finish is so good, I’ve never had to brush the bore or use abrasives, and after 750 rounds it shoots as well as ever. I attribute the easy cleaning to the fact the lands in a PacNor 3-groove are wide and flat, so they are gentle on bullet jackets. I think accuracy is helped by the fact that my PacNor runs on the tight side (0.236 land dimension) with a good amount of choke. That works well with the 105gr Lapua Scenars and 103gr Spencers I like to shoot. You can read more about my rifle, nick-named the “Poor Man’s Hammer”, in this Feature Article from our archives. On one particularly calm day, in the hands of my friend (and ace trigger-puller) Joe Friedrich, the Poor Mans’ Hammer put 3 shots in under 0.200″ (measured center to center) at TWO Hundred yards. If you get a good one, PacNor three-grooves can definitely shoot.
Target Measurement with OnTarget Software
We used OnTarget software to measure the 5-shot group in the target above. This easy-to-use software is very repeatable, once you get a feel for plotting the shots. The latest On Target v2.25 Precision Calculator is FREE for a 15-day evaluation period. If you like it (and you will, trust us) there’s a modest $11.99 registration fee to activate the program. In addition to group size (in inches), OnTarget plots distance to aiming point, and the software automatically calculates the group’s vertical height, horizontal dispersion, average to center (ATC), and group size in MOA.
You can run a measurement on a scanned target or a photo of a target. You’ll need some known reference to set the scale correctly. The target above had a one-inch grid so it was easy to set the scale. Once you’ve set the scale and selected bullet diameter and target distance, you simply position the small circles over each bullet hole and the OnTarget software calculates everything automatically, displaying the data in a data box superimposed over the target image. To learn more about OnTarget Software, read AccurateShooter.com’s OnTarget Product Review. This article covers all the basics as well as some advanced “power user” tips. NOTE: Since the review was written, On Target has updated the software, and the free version now has a time limit.
Here is Ernie Bishop’s pride and joy, a specialty pistol nicknamed “Batman” because the black carbon-fiber stock looks like the Batmobile. This is one sophisticated handgun. Complete with scope, the Batman pistol weighs under 7.5 pounds, thanks to the ultra-light stock. The carbon stock is 6 inches wide at the fore-end, yet weighs just one pound. Ernie tells us: “This gun shoots amazing and is easy to shoot especially with my SEB MAX Rest.” After these photos were taken, Ernie added a “field-usable rear-grip stock so [he could] shoot it prone from a bipod as well.”
The Batman pistol is chambered for the 6mm “Long Dasher”, a 6mm 40°-shouldered variant of the 6.5×47 Lapua. Ernie loads Berger 105gr Hybrid bullets pushed by Hodgdon H4350 powder.
Gun Specifications The gun, crafted by Eric Wallance of Nawaka Firearms, features an XP-100 action, Jewell trigger, and 15″-long, Brux 1:8″-twist barrel with aluminum muzzle brake. Interestingly, this gun does not have a traditional recoil lug. Instead, gunsmith Wallace milled out a lug from the bottom of the XP-100 action to save weight. On top of the action, the rig carries a Sightron Inc S-III 6-24X56mm scope in Kelbly rings on a custom +20 MOA rail.
Long Dasher Wildcat
Shown at right is a “Long Dasher” 40° wildcat created by Forum member Sunbuilder. This is very similar to Ernie Bishop’s chambering, though there may be small variations related to reamer design (such as freebore). Sunbuilder’s 6-6.5×47 Improved (aka “Long Dasher”) reamer was made by Dave Kiff of Pacific, Tool & Gauge. This wildcat cartridge adds about 2.0 grains capacity to the 6.5×47 necked down to 6mm. The case certainly is impressive with that 40° shoulder. We’re just waiting for the tactical guys to starting run this improved cartridge with its original 6.5mm bore.
Here are three FIVE-shot groups at 500 yards, shot by Ernie’s Batman pistol. The first 5-shot group is marked with pink dots, the second with green dots, and the third is measured with the calipers:
Hunters normally prefer relatively lightweight rifles. When trekking into the backcountry in pursuit of deer and elk, every pound counts. Along with the rifle, the hunter will be carrying a pack with binoculars, food, emergency gear, and tools for harvesting the meat. With all this extra mass to carry, today’s hunters want to keep their rifle’s weight to a minimum without sacrificing accuracy and durability. That was the design objective for Savage’s new Model 110 Ultralite Elite hunter — to “achieve lighter weights for higher altitude hunts and longer treks for big game.” At $3299.00 MSRP, the model 110 Ultralite Elite is the highest-priced Savage rifle on the market. But it offers impressive features and performance for that price.
This video shows key features of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite — good graphics, worth watching!
The modern 110 Ultralite Elite boasts a Proof Research carbon fiber-wrapped stainless barrel and advanced MDT HNT26 folding carbon fiber stock. With these components the 110 Ultralite Elite offers very impressive performance with a remarkably light weight. With its carbon components, and the shorter barrel option, the Savage 110 Ultralite Hunter weighs around 5.5 pounds without scope and rings — a good 3 to 4 pounds lighter than a typical wood-stocked hunting rifle. Seven chamberings are currently offered: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 7mm BC, .308 Winchester, .300 WSM, and .300 Winchester Magnum. The internal magazine holds three rounds, and barrel lengths vary from 18″ to 22″. The shorter 18″ barrel is offered for 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm BC, and .308 Win.
SAVAGE 110 Ultralite FEATURES:
MDT HNT26 Chassis with carbon fiber fore-end, pistol grip, and foam-filled carbon fiber buttstock
Adjustable stock LOP and comb height with four LOP spacers
Proof Research Carbon Fiber-Wrapped Stainless Steel Barrel
Barrel has 5/8×24 threaded muzzle & Omniport muzzle brake
Lightweight Stainless Steel Receiver with Cerakote finish
Savage’s product page states: “Savage is taking innovation and accuracy to new heights at faster speeds with the 110 Ultralite Elite. With its exclusive Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped stainless steel barrel and MDT HNT26 folding carbon fiber stock, the 110 Ultralite Elite can achieve lighter weights for higher altitude hunts and longer treks for big game. Savage teamed up with PROOF Research to craft a barrel specific for a purpose driven firearm. At under 5.8 pounds, the 110 Ultralite is designed to combat elevation and elements while maintaining the performance of a factory blueprinted Savage 110 action.”
22 Plinkster Video with Steel Target Testing and Scope Camera
If you are potentially interested in purchasing a Savage 110 Ultralite Elite, you should definitely watch this review by popular YouTuber 22plinkster. He explains the features of the rifle, shows off the high-tech carbon components, and then bench-tests the rifle for accuracy on steel targets from 200 out to 1000 yards. The test rifle had a 20″ barrel chambered for the 6.5 PRC. The ammunition was 130gr Federal Terminal Ascent. Starting at 4:12 time-mark you can see 22Plinkster engaging the steel targets. The video provides a shooter’s POV via a TriggerCam Scope Camera.
HuntStand Quick Review of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite
Here is the HuntStand Channel video review from last year when the 110 Ultralite Elite was first released. The HuntStand’s Josh Dahlke was impressed with the rifle’s build quality and light weight. This has a five-minute dialog with a Savage representative. The video has some useful close-ups and it shows how the folding stock works. However, there is no field testing on targets.
TFB-TV Showtime Video Review of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite
This video was produced by The Firearm Blog (TFB-TV) last spring. TFB-TV states: “Savage Arms is typically associated with high quality but economically priced hunting rifles but at IWA 2024, they are unveiling a high end collaborative ultra-lightweight rifle with participation from Proof Research and MDT. The rifle will use an MDT chassis with carbon fiber elements and a folding stock, a Proof Research carbon fiber-wrapped barrel, and Savage’s excellent trigger. It’s hard to believe that Savage is getting on board with high end players like MDT and Proof, but it’s a welcome surprise, to be sure.”
Backfire Multi-Rifle Review Highlighting Savage 110 Ultralite Elite
In this video, the Backfire Channel host reviews a number of rifles. Starting at the 12:20 time-mark he spotlights the Savage 110 Ultralite Elite, calling it his “Dream Rifle”. He highlights the noteworthy features of the Ultralite Elite, and then shows how it can be mounted on a tripod using the integral ARCA rail.
Want to get more info on the Savage 110 Ultralite Elite? Here are three more web resources:
Today’s video showcase covers bore-sighting methods and technology. Bore-sighting the old-fashioned way — by looking down the bore of a rifle at a target — is not difficult. With a conventional bolt-action rifle, visual bore-sighting can be done quickly and easily. Rest your gun securely on bags, remove your bolt and set up a 50-yard target with a large bright orange or black center circle. Look through the back of the action and you should be able to sight down the bore with your own eyes just fine. There’s no need for expensive hardware. In fact it may be easier to bore-sight the “old-fashioned way” rather than try to see a laser in bright sunlight at 50 yards (or even 25).
However, with lever guns and semi-auto rifles, including the popular AR15, M1 Garand, and M1A, the design of the receiver may make it virtually impossible to sight down the bore with the naked eye. That’s where a modern laser bore-sighting device comes in handy. For those situations where a bore-sighting tool is needed, we recommend a laser bore-sighter that fits inside your chamber. An in-chamber laser device, as shown below, is handy and has less safety risk than a tool which fits in the end of the barrel.
How to Bore-Sight Your Rifle in Five Minutes
This video from Australia shows the basics of the bore-sighting process. First set up a target 50 yards (or closer) from your shooting station. Make sure the rifle is well-supported and stable. When the target is ideally centered in the BORE of the barrel, then adjust the reticle on your scope to center the crosshairs on the middle of the target. Then, after checking down-range, take a few test shots. Finally, move the target out to 100 yards and confirm your zero, as explained at the close of today’s article.
Vortex Shows How to Bore-Sight Rifles
This well-made, informative video from Vortex covers the basics of bore-sighting. Bore sighting your rifle is a simple way to establish an initial zero to get you on target faster and save you ammo at the range. Thankfully, it doesn’t take a ton of gear or ammunition to bore-sight a rifle effectively. Video host Jimmy from Vortex provides a handy, step-by-step guide in this 10-minute video.
Bore-Sighting Using a Barrel-Mounted Laser Bore-Sighter
If you wondered why a barrel-mounted laser bore-sighter was off-center? Or if you want to learn how to use one properly, this video shows how to safely and properly zero a scope using a barrel-mounted laser bore sight device. Another option is a small cartridge-sized laser that fits inside the chamber. These sell for under $25.00 and are convenient. There are safety advantages to in-chamber lasers.
Initial Bore-Sighting at Home (Before You Head to the Range)
This useful video shows how to bore-sight a rifle at home. This can save time (and money for ammo) when you do get to the range to confirm your scope’s zero. This home procedure works best if the target is well-illuminated while the rifle is in a shadowed area, creating the best contrast. Also make sure the rifle is on a steady support — such as a portable gun vise or sandbags front and rear.
Bore-Sighting with a Red Dot (Reflex) Sight
As with conventional scopes, if you have a red dot sight or reflex optic, you’ll need to bore-sight your rifle, then zero the optic. [Reflex sights use a reflex lens to project a dot or reticle onto the target, whereas red dot sights use a flat, reflective surface to display a red dot reticle.] In this video, retired Navy SEAL Mark Cochiolo demonstrates how to bore-sight then adjust a red dot. Bore sighting allows you to zero your red dot so that your shots hit near your intended point of impact.
Learn More about Bore-Sighting with Tools
To learn more about bore-sighting, you can view a detailed article on the Warne Scope Mounts website. This features through-the-barrel images and discussion of tools that fit in the chamber or barrel to project a laser beam down-range. Shown below are cartridge-sized projecting lasers that fit in a rifle’s chamber. These are available for a wide variety of cartridge/chamber sizes.
WARNING: If you use an in-barrel laser be sure to remove it BEFORE chambering a round. ANY obstruction in the barrel can cause serious injury or even death if you fire a round.
Bore Sight Grid Tool with Arbors
The Bushnell Bore Sight with Arbors is a bore-sighting tool that many gun stores and gunsmiths use. This device uses arbors but does not transmit a laser.
You attach the tool to the end of the barrel and align it with your scope. A grid is visible inside the bore-sighter. Look at that grid and then and align your scope’s reticle with the grid. This Bushnell unit ships with three expandable arbors in 22-270 caliber, 7mm-35 caliber, and 35-45 caliber.
How to Zero a Hunting Rifle Efficiently
Once you have bore-sighted your rifle to get “on target” successfully, then you want to zero your optic so that the shot falls exactly where you want it at your target distance, typically 100 yards. This Vortex video shows you how to quickly and efficiently sight-in and zero a hunting rifle before heading out into the field. This video explains a simple procedure that lets you get a solid zero in just three shots. Of course you probably want to fire a few more rounds to confirm your zero before you head off to your hunting grounds, but this will let you get on-target with a minimum amount of time and ammo expended. This helpful video now has 3.2 million views on YouTube!
Fouling Shots and Cold Bore Condition
If you recently cleaned your rifle, you may want to fire two or three fouling shots before you start this procedure. But keep in mind that you want to duplicate the typical cold bore conditions that you’ll experience during the hunt. If you set your zero after three fouling shots, then make sure the bore is in a similar condition when you actually go out hunting.
GunGoddess.com features a variety of products and shooting accessories especially chosen for lady shooters. You’ll find colorful apparel, carry purses, holsters, and even jewelry crafted from bullet castings.
GunGoddess.com was started by Athena Means, an active IDPA and USPSA pistol shooter. Athena, whose husband Mike served 20 years in the military, was inspired to create the site after searching in vain for shooting apparel and accessories in colors other than black, green, and tan. Athena wanted something with more appeal to the feminine eye: “I set out to find fabulous products that women shooters would love, and bring them all together here. Ladies who love to shoot will find all the traditional gear they need, but in neon pink and leopard print instead of traditional black!”
GunGoddess.com Has Gift Items for All Members of the Family
Though it specializes in products for women, GunGoddess.com also offers gift selections that will work for gun guys as well. If you’re looking for a gift for a guy, you’ll find unisex holsters, range bags (for pistols), compact gun safes, ear muffs, shooting glasses, indoor concealment furniture, and more. There are many unique items on the GunGoddess webstore that will make great holiday gifts.
Right now Creedmoor Sports is running a major Berger bullet sale. You’ll find many .30-cal Berger match bullet types that work great for .308-caliber F-TR rigs like today’s featured rifle. Berger .30-cal match bullets, ranging from 155gr to 220gr in weight, are currently in stock with many types discounted.
First, Ron explains that airport thieves can spot bags containing firearms no matter how they are packaged: “Don’t think you’re safe if your guns are placed in cases designed for golf clubs or trade show items. Baggage is X-Rayed now and cases are tagged with a special bar code if they contain firearms. It doesn’t take long for bad guys to figure out the bar coding for firearms.”
Target Measurement with OnTarget Software
The gun, crafted by Eric Wallance of Nawaka Firearms, features an XP-100 action, Jewell trigger, and 15″-long, Brux 1:8″-twist barrel with aluminum muzzle brake. Interestingly, this gun does not have a traditional recoil lug. Instead, gunsmith Wallace milled out a lug from the bottom of the XP-100 action to save weight. On top of the action, the rig carries a Sightron Inc S-III 6-24X56mm scope in Kelbly rings on a custom +20 MOA rail.
