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March 28th, 2008
Larry Crow of Competitive Edge Gunworks in Missouri has created a new, patented, full-floating action sleeve for benchrest and tactical rifles. This is an innovative, new design unlike previous action sleeves or barrel-block systems. The barrel is attached conventionally to the receiver and does not touch the stock or sleeve. The sleeve wraps around the action and mates with the stock. This design allows the entire barreled action to float free above the stock. The system greatly simplifies stock inletting and bedding.
Initial bench testing with a 6.5-284 Light Gun and a .338 Lapua tactical rifle have been extremely promising, showing that the new system is capable of exceptional accuracy. The 6.5-284, fitted with a Broughton 1:8″ twist barrel, produced multiple 5-shot groups, at 100 yards, under 0.20″ in size (Note: this is not a competition aggregate; some groups were larger, but the typical group, in good conditions, was well under 1/4 MOA.). That is remarkable for a fast-twist barrel shooting long, boat-tail bullets. At longer ranges, the 6.5-284 displayed extremely low vertical spreads. A 12-twist .308 Win rifle fitted with the floating action sleeve was recently tested by U.S. Army shooters using factory ammo. Larry Crow reports that his Army testers said the gun “was the most accurate rifle they’ve ever tested using factory loads”. The Army also tested a .338 Lapua with the sleeve system, and it shot a 4″ group at 1000 yards. Larry also notes that a respected 1000-yard shooter is building a rifle with the new action-mounting system to use in IBS registered competition this season. It will be interesting to see how it performs against more conventional designs.
Tim North of Broughton Barrels was very impressed with how the .338 Lapua performed with the new action sleeve design. “Those who have tried the .338 Lapuas at 1000 yards have traditionally had trouble keeping vertical under control. The bullets have great BC so your horizontal is good, but the vertical would get you. I think Larry Crow is really on to something here. His .338s are showing greater consistency with much reduced vertical spreads for full 10-shot strings. His invention may be a major step forward for the big calibers.”
For more information, contact Larry Crow at Competitive Edge Gunworks, (660) 731-5124.
March 15th, 2008
Recently in our Forum, French shooter Aurelien posted some spectacular 400m groups shot with a “6×47″ built by Christian Salva. (We believe that is the 6mm based on the 6.5×47 Lapua cases, and not the RUAG 6×47, a separate cartridge.) If you want to see some cool-looking precision rifles (and target pistols) built with a continental flair, check out Christian’s website. Christian has built some wild-looking silhouette pistols, and we are intrigued by his barrel-block F-Class rifle, and thumbhole Varmint rifle.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
March 10th, 2008
On Friday and Saturday, April 11-12th, Brownells will host its Second Annual Gunsmith Job Fair at the Iowa Speedway. If you are looking for work as a professional smith, you can meet dozens of prospective “big name” employers at the Job Fair. If you run a company seeking qualified new personnel, the Job Fair gives you a chance to interview multiple candidates in one spot. In addition, Job Fair seminars on firearms regulation, legislation, and other important business issues will be offered.
 “Our commitment to the trade extends well beyond our products,” said Pete Brownell, president of Brownells. “Our goal with the job fair is to help quality gunsmiths connect with the many outstanding employers in the industry and to provide quality educational seminars to help our attendees get started on the right foot.” Space is filling up quickly. Industry members interested in this opportunity to recruit new talent are encouraged to visit Gunsmithjobfair.com to learn more and to register.
Employers and Manufacturers Expected to Attend include:
American Pistolsmith Guild
Army Marksmanship Unit
Ahlman’s
Les Baer Custom
E. Arthur Brown Co., Inc.
Ed Brown Products
Brownells
Caspian Arms
Cylinder and Slide
DPMS
Forster Products
Gander Mountain |
HS Precision
Nowlin Manufacturing
Power Custom
Remington
Sinclair Int’l
Springfield Armory
STI International
Taurus
Turnbull Restoration
Volquartsen Custom
Wichita Arms
Wilson Combat |
CLICK HERE for Job Fair Reservation FORM
March 3rd, 2008
 One of our Forum readers asked “How can I get a custom in-line seater for my new rifle?”. First, we would say that, if you are not shooting an unusual Wildcat, check first to see if L.E. Wilson makes a stainless Micrometer Seater Die for your rifle. These dies are a joy to use, and we’ve found the fit to be exceptionally good with many calibers. Wilson stainless micrometer-top seaters are available for the following calibers: 20 Tactical, 204 Ruger, 20BR, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22 PPC, 22BR, 22-250, 223 WSSM, 6 PPC, 6BR, 243 Win, 243 WSSM, 25 WSSM, 6.5-284, 270 WSM, 30BR, 30 IHMSA, 30×47 (not Lapua), 308 Win. The Wilson stainless micrometer seaters are priced $79.50 at Sinclair Int’l, item 50-1X.
If you do want a custom seater die, the process is relatively simple. Purchase a die blank from Wilson and have your gunsmith run the chambering reamer in. Forum member Gunamonth explains: “I start with a Wilson seating die blank. They’re available from Sinclair and other vendors. Just run the reamer in. For some of my rifles, where I wanted the stainless die with the micrometer adjustment, I bought a smaller die and had the smith ream it with the chamber reamer. That’s how I had my 6 Dasher and 6mm AI seaters made. With the Dasher I stared with a 6mmBR Micrometer die.” Sinclair Int’l sells Wilson die blanks, item WBLAX, for $37.50.
Micrometer Top Add-on
We really like micrometer tops on a seating die. But what if Wilson doesn’t make a micrometer top seater for your chambering? Don’t despair, Sinclair Int’l sells a micrometer top that can be added to any Wilson standard seater or to a custom seater die made from a Wilson die blank.
 The Sinclair Micrometer Attachment For Wilson Seaters, item WSM, costs $38.50. You can use the Sinclair Micrometer top with a new custom die, or Wilson’s standard inline seater dies. Wilson makes the standard (non-stainless) chamber-style bullet seaters for dozens of calibers for which the stainless micrometer seaters are not offered. Standard Wilson inline seaters (non-micrometer) retail for about $39.00. They are made from 12L14 mild steel. This 12L14 steel WILL rust, so you should keep a light layer of rust preventative (such as Eezox or Corrosion-X) on the die.
February 21st, 2008
Brownells® has launched Gunsmiths.com, a new, free website designed to promote the trade and provide a central resource for gunsmithing info. The site contains “how-to” articles and helpful videos that illustrate many basic gun-smithing tasks. Gunsmiths can boost their business by registering with the site’s gunsmith locator. The site also offers a free employment section. There, you can post your resume, or list a new job offering. The site also has information on schools and vocational training.
Gunsmiths.com features an ever-expanding library of gunsmithing articles and videos featuring the Brownells’ staff of gun techs. The most recent Tech Tips appear at the bottom of the home page while a Gunsmith Glossary provides helpful definitions of technical terms. There’s also info on industry trends and a calendar of events.
For folks with broken guns, gunsmiths.com features a sophisticated gunsmith locator. Visitors can search the site for gunsmiths in their area or specialists all across the country. The locator features a five-star rating system that allows users to rate a shop based on their experiences.
February 18th, 2008
Brownell’s recently launched a financial and insurance services package designed expressly for gunsmiths, gunshops, and small-to-medium-sized firearms businesses. The new program, “Brownells Business Advantage” (BBA), offers reduced-rate credit card processing, property/liability insurance, and discounted UPS shipping. With card processing rates as low as 1.38%, the BBA program could save a gunsmith hundreds of dollars a year. For example, we’ve found that most other credit card processsing services charge 2.2-2.5% per transaction. A 1% card processing fee reduction will save you $10 on every $1000.00 of customer spending.
Brownell’s business partner for credit card processing and Visa business cards is the First National Bank of Omaha. The Joseph Chiarello Company and AIG will provide property & liability insurance created specifically for companies in firearms-related businesses.
Membership in the Brownells Business Advantage has a $100 annual fee, but is being waived as a Shot Show Special until March 2nd, 2008.
CLICK HERE for VIDEO Explaining BBA Benefits
February 16th, 2008
Benchmark Barrels of Arlington, Washington has earned a stellar reputation for its rimfire barrels. Many of the most accurate rimfire BR rigs in the country sport Benchmark barrels. Benchmark pioneered the 2-groove barrel, and its reverse-taper blanks, in 2-groove, 3-groove, and 6-groove, are in high demand. Benchmark is known for the quality of its lapping work and its ability to craft a precise progressive taper (or “choke”) along the full length of the barrel. Typically, Benchmark’s rimfire barrels are hand-lapped with .0006-.0007″ of internal bore taper. This is an even, slight reduction of bore diameter–not just a choke at the end.
Centerfire Barrel Production
Benchmark offers a full range of centerfire calibers now, from .22 all the way up to .50 caliber. The three-groove, standard land, 8-twist 6mm barrel has been shooting exceptionally well, and Benchmark recently acquired new buttons so it can deliver 1:7″ and 1:9″ twists too. The 6.5mm barrels and 30 caliber barrels have been shooting very well also according to match reports. Benchmark can deliver both canted-land and conventional land versions of its centerfire barrels. Which shoots best? According to barrel-maker Ron Sinnema, “the 6mm 3-grooves with standard lands are working great. Bruce Baer tried one recently and said is was exceptionally accurate.” And for customers who prefer cut-rifled barrels, Benchmark now offers cut rifling in most bore sizes, from .22LR all the way up to rifled shotgun bores.
Great Value: $250.00 for a Premium Centerfire Barrel
Benchmark barrels are attractively priced. A centerfire blank with 27.5″ finished length costs just $250.00. Sinnema noted: “That’s our highest quality — we only sell one grade”. A variety of contours are available and (at added cost) Benchmark can provide fluting or an octagon barrel profile.
Rimfire barrels cost $325.00. They are more expensive because of the extra hand labor required. Ron explains: “The taper lapping is very time-consuming on the rimfire — but that’s one secret to their accuracy.”
Benchmark has a website “under construction”. For more info, contact Benchmark by phone, fax, or email:
Benchmark Barrels
Ron Sinnema, Barry Graber
1105 Pioneer Hwy East
Arlington, WA 98223
phone: (360) 652-2594
email: benchmarkbarrels [at] yahoo.com
February 14th, 2008
A new, two-stage CG Universal Match Trigger is in production. It will be available from Jackson Rifles in Europe and Tom Myers in the USA. The trigger’s final stage pull-weight adjusts from 10 ounces to over 63 ounces, and both a curved or straight trigger finger is offered. Notably, this new design works with a very wide range of actions, both custom and factory. In addition to a Remington 700 version, for example, there are versions for Barnard, Mauser, RPA, SAKO, Tikka, and Winchester Model 70 actions. That makes this CG Trigger one of the most versatile match triggers ever offered.
German Salazar of ShootersJournal.com has one of the new CG Triggers, and he plans to field test and review the product for us very soon.
The CG Universal Trigger uses a variety of upper frames to fit each specific rifle action. The upper frame contains the final lever(s) of the trigger. A universal main housing is attached to this upper frame. This ensures similar function, settings and “feel”, whatever action the trigger is fitted to. The CG Universal is a true two-stage trigger, so that (unlike modified direct-pull triggers fitted to some “tactical” rifles), the sear engagement reduces and fully recovers with the first-pull movement of the trigger finger. The CG Universal trigger system was designed by Robert Chombart, who also designed the CG MILLENNIUM, CG INCH and other target rifle actions.
The CG Universal Trigger System works with numerous rifle actions including:
ANSCHUTZ
BARNARD
CG INCH
CG MILLENNIUM
MAUSER 98
MUSGRAVE
PARAMOUNT
PARKER-HALE M85, L81A2
REMINGTON 700
RPA 2000
RPA QUADLITE
RPA QUADLOCK |
SAKO 75
SAKO FINNFIRE
SAKO TRG
SPRINGFIELD
SWING
TIKKA 5xx/6xx
TIKKA T3*
US 1917 – P14
WEATHERBY MK V
WINCHESTER M70 |
February 11th, 2008
At SHOT Show, Jerry Stiller of Stiller Precision Firearms noted that his business grew rapidly in 2007, driven by the success of his Predator and Tac actions. These offer a Rem 700 style design, with improved tolerances and component quality. Jerry has doubled the square footage of his shop and added new machines and personnel to meet increased demand.
CLICK HERE to VIEW STILLER INTERVIEW
Jerry announced his plans to develop new actions in the months ahead. The first will be a specialized, single-shot, varmint action similar to the Predator, but “a little tighter” according to Jerry. It will be a Right-Bolt, Left-Port with a cone breach. Price should be comparable with the Predator action. “Hoped-for” release date will be mid-summer 2008. Later in 2008, Stiller Precision will introduce an all-new rimfire action similar to a Remington 40X. This will be followed by a Black Powder action.
Viper and Cobra Special–$50.00 off
If you call (972) 429-5000, and mention 6mmBR.com, Jerry has promised to offer $50.00 off existing Right-Bolt, Left-Port, Drop-Port, PPC-boltface Viper or Cobra actions. This discount is limited to the first TEN (10) Viper or Cobra orders. The discount is for this EXACT configuration only: PPC, Drop-Port, RBLP Viper or Cobra. The discounted price will be $900.00 including rings and trigger guard.
February 7th, 2008
Space-age carbon fiber allows a rifle stock to be extremely light-weight, yet stiff and strong. Some of the best carbon fiber long-range, tactical, and hunting stocks on the market are crafted by Manners Composite Stocks. Manners stocks exhibit excellent fit and finish (without the bubbles and flaws found on some lesser-grade products), and the geometry is correct for good tracking in the bags. We were very impressed by the samples we saw at SHOT show, in particular the quality of the inletting and the carbon lamination work. Tom Manners gave us the run-down on his long-range MCS-L50 stock, his model “T” hunting stock, and his model “T-4″ tactical stock.
CLICK HERE to WATCH VIDEO
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