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October 9th, 2007
 We chatted with Wade Hull of Shilen Rifles recently. Wade mentioned “you know we’ve brought out a line of ‘drop-in’ (pre-threaded and chambered) AR-15 barrels in a variety of calibers.” This is great news for high-power, service rifle, and varmint rifle shooters. The pre-fit barrels come in two contours (service rifle or heavy varmint), and a choice of four chamberings: 17 Rem, .204 Ruger, .223 Rem Match, and .223 Wylde. (The .223 Wylde is a long-throat .223 Rem for the VLD bullets).
Wade told us: “Using our pre-threaded blanks each barrel is assigned a bolt assembly and then chambered to the correct headspace for THAT bolt. Gas-block shanks are machined to +- .001 for proper fit. Each barrel is uniquely numbered to match with its corresponding numbered bolt and the barrel extension is installed. (Gas block and gas tube not included.) Customers can provide their bolt assembly for a discount or request that multiple barrels be head-spaced to one bolt assembly.” Drop-in AR-15 Barrels cost $458. Shilen also offers barrel blanks, and AR15 barrels that are pre-threaded but need to be headspaced by a smith.
September 29th, 2007
Some folks feel that they don’t have to worry about rust and corrosion on stainless steel barrels, actions, and other components. That’s not really true. “Stainless” is a bit of a misnomer. First, there are different types of stainless steel alloys, with different degrees of rust resistance. 300 series stainless is more corrosion resistant than the 416 stainless commonly used in barrels. The composition (by percentage weight) of 416 stainless is 0.15% carbon, 12-14% chromium and the rest iron. 416 stainless steel lacks the roughly 10% nickel content that makes the 300 series more corrosion resistant in atmospheric conditions.
Though some grades of stainless are more corrosion-resistent, ALL varieties of stainless steel can rust if they are not handled and stored properly. Forum reader Kells81 observed: “Wanna see some rusted stainless? Go to the big “C” brand store in Ft. Worth. Every stainless gun they have on the used gun rack is rusted.” Tom Easly of TRE Custom explains: “Sweat is very corrosive. Sweat and blood will rust many stainless steels. I hate to handle my guns or drip on them when I sweat. It really helps to just wipe them good with a wet rag, dry and wipe on a light coating of gun oil. I think most stainless barrels are made from type 416 stainless, and it is generally pretty corrosion resistant, but not when exposed to sweat, blood, or chlorates (corrosive priming), and some other electrolytes.”
Forum member Jacob, who is studying materials science at LSU, provides this technical information: “The basic resistance of stainless steel occurs because of its ability to form a protective coating on the metal surface. This coating is a ‘passive’ film which resists further ‘oxidation’ or rusting. The formation of this film is instantaneous in an oxidizing atmosphere such as air, water, or other fluids that contain oxygen. Once the layer has formed, we say that the metal has become ‘passivated’ and the oxidation or ‘rusting’ rate will slow down to less than 0.002″ per year (0.05 mm per year).
Unlike aluminum or silver, this passive film is invisible in stainless steel. It’s created when oxygen combines with the chrome in the stainless to form chrome oxide which is more commonly called ‘ceramic’. This protective oxide or ceramic coating is common to most corrosion resistant materials.
Halogen salts, especially chlorides, easily penetrate this passive film and will allow corrosive attack to occur. The halogens are easy to recognize because they end in the letters ‘ine’. Listed in order of their activity they are: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, astatine.
These are the same chemicals that will penetrate Teflon and cause trouble with Teflon coated or encapsulated o-rings and/ or similar coated materials. Chlorides are one of the most common elements in nature and if that isn’t bad enough, they’re also soluble, active ions. These provide the basis for electrolytes. The presence of electrolytic solutions can accelerate corrosion or chemical attack.”
 CONCLUSION: Stainless steel barrels and components won’t rust nearly as fast as blued steel, but you still have to take precautions — particularly removing sweat and corrosive salts from the barrel. Also, don’t let moisture build up inside or outside of the barrel. We recommend wiping your barrels and actions with Eezox, or Corrosion-X after each use. These are both extremely effective rust-fighters that go on thin, without leaving a greasy residue. (Eezox leaves a clear finish, while Corrosion-X has a slightly waxy finish.) Also store your guns in Bore-Store synthetic bags when the guns go in the safe. Bore-Stores wick away moisture, and the synthetic fleece inner surface is treated with rust-fighting chemicals. To discuss the issue of rust formation on stainless steel, visit this FORUM Thread.
September 26th, 2007
Would you like a custom Stiller Precision Predator or Tactical action for $600-$625? That’s $100.00 off normal retail. Then hook up with a group of SnipersHide Forum regulars who have organized a group purchase. Jerry Stiller explains: “For a group buy, the action price will be $625 for the Predator and $650 for the TAC. If we get to 25 actions the price will be $600 and $625, respectively.” CLICK HERE to read the notice on SnipersHide.com. AccurateShooter Forum member Coleridge reports: “I signed up yesterday. That’s a great price. Cheaper than blueprinting a Rem 700, and it’s much better action.”
Orders are being handled by Randy Cain of R&D Precision. You need to contact Randy and send in a deposit before October 15. Randy says there are over 25 orders already. Randy writes: “Here is the deal. Send me an email with your request to stillergroupbuy [@] roadrunner.com. I will keep a running total of orders. You need to follow up your email with a note with your address, screen name, and phone number and what you want. Be specific as to short action, long action .223 .308 boltface and the options you want. NOTE, a $200 deposit is required. Send your deposit to the address on my website. I will take checks or Money Orders only. Once I receive your deposit I will email you an invoice. Make funds payable to ‘Randy Cain’. You will not get on the list until I have your deposit.” Randy also requests that, if you have not done so already, you register as a member of the SnipersHide Forum. This will assist in communication.
Here is technical info, plus available options with pricing. Note these actions all have magazine cut-outs:
PREDATOR Action:
0.130 extended magazine cut-out, 6-48 screws, matte finish stainless steel, armoloy bolt, sako extractor, curved handle with screw on knob, “Predator” on side, right or left handed, .185″ lug pinned, ground and hard. |
OPTIONS:
Long or Short, No Charge
223, 308 or mag boltface, No Charge
.3″ thick lug, +$10 extra charge
Std picatinney rail, +$35 extra charge
20 moa picatinney rail, +$50 extra charge
Timney internal coated trigger, $100 charge
Bottom metal, 7075 aluminum, Wyatt box, spring, follower and screws, $170 |
TAC30 and TAC300 Actions:
Standard magazine cut-out, 8-40 screws, black oxide finish stainless steel, armoloy bolt, sako extractor, curved handle with screw on tactical knob, TAC30 or TAC300 name on side, right or left handed, .185 lug pinned, ground and hard. |
OPTIONS:
Long or Short action length, No Charge
223, 308 or mag boltface, No Charge
.3 thick lug, +$10 extra charge
Std picatinney rail, +$35 extra charge
20 moa picatinney rail, +$50 extra charge
Timney internal coated trigger, $100 charge
Bottom metal, 7075 aluminum hard anodized black, Remington box, spring, follower and screws, $170 |
September 24th, 2007
Richard Franklin (Richard’s Custom Rifles) has pioneered the use of lightweight (110-130 grain) 30-caliber bullets in a new generation of hyper-velocity varmint rifles. Richard’s new trademark cartridge is the “300 Varminter”. Using 30″ barrels with the 300 WSM case, Richard’s “maxi” varminter delivers incredible levels of energy at both short and long range. Traveling at 4000+ FPS, the lightweight, plastic-tipped bullets literally explode when they hit. This can lift a groundhog up to 10 feet in the air–and Richard has VIDEO to prove it.
Richard tells us that demand is high for the 300 Varminter: “I have built 25 of these rifles just this year, and orders are increasing. I’m building them for coyote hunters out west, and well as Eastern groundhog shooters.” Richard adds: “This cartridge is fast AND accurate. My 300 Varminter is now my favorite rifle, and it may be the most accurate long-range varmint rifle I own. Accuracy is really outstanding–I’ve shot groups under 1.5″ at 500 yards with this. And the effect of these bullets at 500+ yards on a ‘Hog has to be seen to be believed.” Richard uses VV 550 and Norma 300 WSM brass: “Norma is the only way to go–the Win and Rem brass is nowhere near as good”.
Richard explains: “The 300 Varminter is built around the 300 WSM case. In good custom actions such as the BAT or Nesika this round will deliver 4000+ FPS with the 125gr Nosler Ballistic tips and a bit more with the 110gr Hornady V-Max. Remington-action rifles will handle velocities up to around 3800 to 3900 FPS with these bullets. We use Norma brass in a tight-neck chamber with zero freebore and slow-twist 30″ barrels to obtain these velocities. Accuracy is excellent with either of these bullets. If you want air time and red mist on large varmints then this is the caliber for you.”
Above is Richard’s personal “300 Varminter” in its distinctive South American Bloodwood stock. That is the true color of the wood–not a stain. Note the deeply recessed crown. Richard says this helps keep noise and blast away from the shooter. Richard’s “Big Red” features a BAT Machine 1.600″ diameter ‘B’ action, Bat 20 MOA rail, Burris Signature Zee rings, Jewel 1.5 oz. trigger, and a Bartlein 1.250″ X 30″, 1:15″ twist barrel. Total weight is 24 lbs. which includes about 4 lbs of lead added to the buttstock. Richard tells us “The Bartleins have been outstanding, with consistent quality and accuracy I can count on.” Richard uses a Nightforce NSX 8-32 X scope with MLR reticle.
How good can one of Richard’s 300 WSM Varminters shoot? Below is a 100-yard target. The fouling shot went a little low, but then the next six (6) shots went into 0.162″. That is amazing for factory varmint bullets. CLICK HERE to view a video of what the 300 Varminter will do (warning–very LOUD and GRAPHIC–turn down your audio before playback).
September 12th, 2007
MidwayUSA has a supply of Remington 700 actions suitable for use in a custom rifle build. These include a standard Rem trigger and bolt, but NO trigger guard or floorplate. The trigger is the standard 700 trigger, not the X-Mark Pro. This is a normal NON-ISS bolt — it does NOT have an internal locking switch. These are factory actions. They have not been “trued” by a gunsmith or otherwise modified. Midway has three action configurations available:
Item 110410: Short Action 223 Rem Bolt Face, Blue Steel, $399.99
Item 877614: Long Action Magnum Bolt Face, Blue Steel, $439.99
Item 122950: Long Action Magnum Bolt Face, Stainless Steel, $449.99
NOTE: An FFL is required to purchase these actions. Have your FFL of choice send MidwayUSA a signed copy of his current FFL license.
August 4th, 2007
Want to build your own heavy-barrel accurized AR15 Upper? MidwayUSA offers a complete, step-by-step guide to upper assembly on its recently updated website. The 30-page AR15 Upper Assembly Guide (.pdf format) features excellent photos, clear instructions, and a full list of all the parts required–down to the smallest pins and fasteners.
We found it very easy to follow the step-by-step guidelines. Some how-to guides omit important steps, or assume a relatively high degree of gunsmithing experience. That’s not the case here. MidwayUSA’s guide shows you how to select and adjust your tools, and provides expert advice on important tasks that are often glossed over, such as setting the barrel torque: “Seat the Threads (recommended in the U.S. Marine Corps Technical Manual). If you are not using Loctite, make sure you hold onto the Outer Receiver Nut so the gas holes stay in alignment. Torque to 35 ft-lbs. Loosen. Torque to 35 ft-lbs. Loosen. Torque past 35 ft-lbs until gas holes are in alignment, making sure not to exceed 80 lbs.”
The AR15 Assembly Guide is part of the NEW “MidwayUSA Knowledge Center”. The online Knowledge Center combines the Gun-Tec Glossary, How-To Videos, Gunsmith Directory, and indices of Firearm Schematics and Product Information Sheets. There’s a ton of useful information offered in the Knowledge Center, and it’s all for free.
July 26th, 2007
Dave Kiff’s Pacific Tool & Gauge is the “featured brand” this week at MidwayUSA.com. You’ll find excellent prices on everything from “Go” gauges to ultra-durable, fast-cutting carbide chamber reamers. PT&G sells both fixed-end and piloted (floating tip) reamers. The piloted reamers have a definite advantage when you chamber barrels from different manufacturers that may vary slightly in internal bore dimensions. The pilots are interchangeable so you can select a pilot diameter that best fits your particular barrel.
 In addition to reamers, gauges, and miscellaneous cutting tools, MidwayUSA carries Dave Kiff’s Gunsmith’s Book of Chamber Prints. This 425-page, spiral bound resource contains a huge collection of chamber prints for many of the reamers that PTG makes (circa 2002). Complete mechanical schematics are well drawn and all required measurements are provided. This reamer book is a great place to start if you are choosing a special caliber for your next rifle, or considering building your own wildcat cartridge. Dave Kiff will send out reamer prints on request, but the book offers them all in one place for a reasonable price: $47.99 (Midway item # 347655).
July 14th, 2007
At the recent All-American Smallbore Rifle Championships in Los Angeles, shooter Nick Van Egmond showed off his unique Rydell long-range match rifle in 30 Gibbs (30-06 Improved). Click the video frame to watch Nick describe his Rydell rifle.
This 70s-vintage rifle was one of a handful of guns built in Southern California with the hand-made Rydell Falling Block action. While E.A. Brown and Ruger make falling block hunting rifles, a modern match rifle with a falling block action is very rare. Nick’s gun features a custom “fish-belly” stock for long-range prone shooting. The workmanship on the stainless action is amazing. Though tolerances are very precise, it opens and closes very smoothly, and all the external action surfaces have been expertly radiused and fitted. The Rydell action is a shining example of craftsmanship that harkens back to the great 19th century falling block Schuetzen rifles.
If you’re interested in modern falling block actions, Click Here to read about the Ed Yost Schuetzen Action.
July 11th, 2007
Shooters who convert factory actions to run 6BRs or 6PPCs should consider having the firing pin bushed. These small-cased cartridges like to run at high pressures. When running stout loads, you can get cratering caused by primer flow around the firing pin hole in the bolt face. The reason is a little complicated, but basically the larger the hole, the less hydraulic pressure is required to crater the primer. A limited amount of cratering is normally not a big issue, but you can reduce the problem significantly by having a smith fit a bushing in the firing pin hole. In addition to reduced cratering, bushing the firing pin often produces more consistent ignition.
This is a highly recommended procedure that our editors have had done to their own rifles. Greg Tannel (Gre-Tan Rifles) is an expert at this procedure, and his turnaround time is fast–usually 1-3 days (shop time). Current price for a bushing job, which includes turning the firing pin to .062″, is $60 including return shipping.
If you have a factory rifle, a bushed firing pin is the way to go if you are shooting the high-pressure cartridges such as 6PPC, 6BR, and 6.5×47. This is one of the most cost-effective and beneficial upgrades you can do to your factory rifle.
June 28th, 2007
In order to get exact dimensions for custom dies, and to monitor changes in the throat of your rifle, you may want to make a chamber cast. With such casts you can determine the exact dimensions of your chamber, throat, and bore (including land/groove diameters). Most chamber casts are made with Cerrosafe, a very unique compound that is ideal for the job. To cast a chamber, Cerrosafe is poured into the chamber and the first part of the throat. As it hardens it actually shrinks, allowing you to remove the cast from your barreled action. But, then what good is an undersized cast? Well, that is the magic of Cerrosafe. As it goes into its final hardening process, it “grows” back to the true bore/chamber dimensions. Brownell’s explains: “Cerrosafe shrinks during the first 30 minutes of cooling and then at the end of an hour, is EXACTLY chamber size. Cerrosafe melts between 158°-190° F.” To learn more about chamber casting with Cerrosafe, Click here for Gun collector Mark Trope’s illustrated guide to chamber casting, found on SurplusRifle.com.
MidwayUSA has 1/2-pound bars of Cerrosafe Casting Alloy on sale for just $9.99, through the end of July. That’s $8.00 off the normal $17.99 price–quite a deal. As long as you keep the alloy free of contaminents the Cerrosafe can be re-used many times, though we advise you keep your chamber cast as a reference as long as you own the rifle.
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