[haiku url=”http://accurateshooter.net/Video/samhallmax.mp3″]Click PLAY to hear Sam TALK about SEB MAX coaxial joystick rest.
“It’s a keeper” — that’s what Sam Hall, 4-time IBS 600-yard Shooter of the Year, told us after he test-drove the new SEB MAX coaxial front rest. Over the past two months, Sam has been testing the new SEB MAX with his competition benchrest rifles, with a variety of forearm widths from three inches to eight inches, and weights from 17 to 61 pounds.
Did Sam like the SEB MAX? He did indeed — in fact he was so impressed with the MAX rest that he is selling his current front rest and he will be using the SEB MAX for both LG and HG matches.
In designing the SEB MAX rest, Sebastian (“Seb”) Lambang set out to build a rest that would handle true heavy guns up to 45kg and also adapt to lighter rifles with a variety of forearm widths. This was quite a challenge, but he pulled it off. The SEB MAX quickly adapts to fit narrow, medium, and wide forearms, with a simple adjustment of the side plates on the three-piece front bag. You can change from 3″ to 5″ to 8″ width in seconds. If you prefer a conventional one-piece front sand-bag, SEB offers one-piece bags sized to fit various forearm widths from 2.5″ to 8″.
The SEB MAX also adapts to different rifle weights through the use of a front counter-weight for the heavy big boomers. With a standard 17-lb Light Gun, you can run the MAX with no counterweight. The joystick control movement is very smooth and with the internal springs tuned right, you can shoot with your hand off the joystick. When you want to switch to a true Heavy Gun, simply attach the counterweight arm to the front of the gun. SEB can supply custom counter-weight “donuts” tuned to your specific Heavy Gun. Sam Hall reviews the features of the SEB MAX in the video below.
Watch SEB MAX Video Review (Part 1 — Light Gun)
Does the SEB MAX retain its smooth movement even with a true Heavy Gun on the front bags? Absolutely. Sam reports that “When shooting my 61-pounder, with the counter-weight in place, the joystick movement is smooth and predictable — it feels just like the Light Gun”.
To prove how well the counter-balancer works with a true Heavy Gun, Sam put his 61-lb Maxi-Tracker on the SEB MAX, attached the appropriate counterweight, and then shot a group at 600 yards without touching the joystick during a four-shot string. To Sam’s amazement, the gun produced a 4-shot group under 1.5″. Sam says: “That was in mid-day with some mirage. That’s about the best this gun can do in those conditions. It was impressive to be able to run a string with a 61-pounder and not touch the joystick.” You can see this in the Part 2 Video below.
Watch SEB MAX Video Review (Part 2 — Heavy Gun)
Superior Build Quality, Unique Versatility, and Outstanding Performance
Sam had high praise for the workmanship, fit, and finish of the SEB MAX: “This rest is a work of art. I’m not easily impressed by most products, but this is one fine machine.” Sam added that the SEB MAX is not just pretty — everything functions very well: “The sideplates have quick-release handles so you can change widths quickly. The course elevation control is very smooth and easy to use. With the course elevation locked, there is plenty of vertical travel (elevation) and plenty of side-to-side travel with just the joystick.” Sam was also impressed with how well the 61-pounder tracked on the SEB MAX: “I’ve been playing with it… and the gun seems to track perfect.”
Sam also praised the micro-fiber fabric SEB uses for both the three-piece and conventional one-piece front bags: “This micro-fiber is great. You don’t need to use any silicon or powder or anything to slick it up, yet the forearm slides on it better than anything I’ve ever seen.”
Sam likes the modular construction of the SEB MAX. Sam found that, when he was just shooting a Light Gun, he could remove the rear foot, making the rest easier to move around. Like the SEB NEO rest, the MAX rest breaks down into flat modules so it packs more compactly for shipping.
SEB MAX rests are currently in the final stages of production. Price for the USA market has not yet been set. You can get on the pre-order waiting list by contacting Ernie Bishop in Gillette, Wyoming. Call (307) 257-7431, or email ernieemily [at] yahoo.com. For other markets consult dealer list on www.SebCoax.com.
Weight: The MAX weighs approximately 18.4 kg (40.5 lbs) without the counter-weight, with bags empty. Sam’s rest with full bags and counter-weight is about 45 pounds.
Rest Size: Side to side footprint (center to center of leveling screws) is approximately 13.78″. Dimension from back to front is about 14.17″.
Forum member Tom Sziler is running a holiday sale on his customized, billet-aluminum, CNC-machined loading blocks. Machined from solid 6061 billet aluminum, these blocks are sized 3.5-4 inches wide, one inch thick (top to bottom), and 6.6-8.5 inches long. (Sizes varying slightly with cartridge type.) You’ll find more information on Tom’s website CNCShooter.com. To order, contact Tom by sending email to tom.sziler (at) gmail.com . NOTE: To guarantee delivery by Christmas, order/payment must be received by November 30th. Payment can be made by check, money order, or PayPal (3% extra).
Tom explains: “The blocks hold 50 rounds of ANY caliber you want them made for. Engraving is included on your block at no extra charge, and each block has 4 rubber feet to prevent sliding and damage to the block or work surface. The round typically sits .75″ deep in the block, holding it very securely and with no excessive rattle.”
Tom adds: “These are not ‘universal’ blocks, but rather are precision-milled on CNC machines to a tight tolerance and excellent surface finish. They are heavy, sturdy, and durable. These are by far the highest-quality loading/range blocks on the market today. For those who don’t need engraving, I offer ‘economy’ blocks for a reduced cost. These blocks are exactly the same as the standard blocks, except they do not have engraving and are .75” thick.”
Blocks with Tray, Sorting Blocks, and High-Volume Loading Blocks
Tom offers a variety of other products for reloaders. These include: 25-round blocks with a tray, bullet sorting blocks, full-length accessory trays, 100-round loading blocks, and 169-round high capacity loading blocks. Below is the 25-round block with tray. (This also works as an ammo caddy.)
Quantity Pricing for 2012 Holiday Sale:
1. QTY 1-5 will receive a 10% discount from the normal price.
2. QTY 6+ will receive lowest possible pricing (listed below).
3. QTY 16+ Free shipping in addition to the discounts in chart.
Tom Sziler
5521 W 110th Street, Ste 6
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
tom.sziler[at]gmail.com
Caron Forensics produces a modular, rapid-access gun storage system that can place your defensive arms “at the ready”. Caron’s RAD (“Rapid Access Defense”) storage units are specifically designed for the fast presentation of defensive weapons in both home and office environments. RAD units come in two sizes: a 2-foot-long model, RAD2, and a 4-foot model, RAD4. They are surface-mounted horizontally or vertically, ideally in a concealed location, such as a bedroom closet, or office store-room. RAD lockers can store defensive weapons safely away from both children and thieves, while still providing gun owners with quick access. Download RAD Gun Locker Descriptive Flyer.
Watch RAD Product Demo Video
Weapon mounts clip to the twin rails inside RAD lockers. Accessories designed to hold weapons (such as the magnetic clip) have a protective plastic or foam coating. There are rubber-coated rifle/shotgun hooks, plus specific mounts for handguns, flash-lights, holsters and other items.
RAD cabinets feature a strong key-lock latch to keep unauthorized persons out. A unique gas spring deployment system opens the cabinet with a short pull, enabling the use of both hands to quickly access multiple tactical items.
EDITOR’s Comment: Of course, RAD units are NOT designed to replace a large, heavy-walled gun safe to store a collection of firearms and other valuables. RAD units provide only basic security (and fast access) for one or two defensive arms in a home, garage, or office.
One nice thing about the RAD2 is you could mount it on a wall with a false conduit and a “High Voltage” sticker. A would-be thief would never think it was a gun locker.
Last week we featured a cool video put together by Forum Member Mark Dalzell (aka “MDSlammer”). The video shows Mark and a couple of his shooting buddies engaging a steel target at 2300 yards (1.3 miles). In order to see both hits and misses at that extreme range, Mark assembled a target-cam system that broadcasts multiple video cam feeds wirelessly to a receiver on the firing line. Down-range, Mark positioned a high-gain antenna. This was key — without the antenna the system’s useful range was less than 1000 yards. But with the hi-gain antenna Mark gets very clear signals from 2300 yards.
Mark’s video was very popular with our readers. Quite a few guys asked for technical details so they could start assembling a similar system. To explain the components and set-up of his 2300-yard target cam system, Mark has made a 10-minute video that shows the equipment and explains how all the gear is hooked up. Mark system uses a KW7305 2.4 Ghz, 8-channel A/V transmitter/receiver kit ($269.00), powered by Li-Ion batteries ($125.00 with charger) that offer about 3 hours of run-time. The video camera was a Panasonic HDC SD-60 with 35X zoom ($350.00). The antenna is a 2.4 Ghz 24 DBI Grid unit (model # HG2424EG-NG), that cost just $45.00 plus another $29.00 for cabling. To see how this all functions at long range, watch the video below.
Watch This 10-Minute Video to See Components of 2300-yard Target-Cam System
While Mark positioned his hi-gain antenna downrange near the target, you can, alternatively, set the hi-gain antenna at the firing line and point it downrange at the transmitter. Mark says that either configuration will work, as long as the hi-gain antenna is aimed carefully. You also need to elevate both Transmitter and Receiver antennas. Mark mounted his receiver on top of a 10-foot-tall Century C-Stand near the shooting station. From there he could watch bullet impacts on his 7″ Marshall color monitor placed on a portable bench.
Mark tells us the whole system was affordable (under $1100.00 for everything including monitor and antenna), and it was easy to set up. Mark encourages readers who’ve been thinking about building a similar system for their long range shooting sessions: “The hardware is not difficult to configure… if I can do it, anyone certainly can.”
There are few master craftsmen who can create a truly “bespoke” wood stock customized for the owner. Ireland’s Enda Walsh is one such talent. Through Gun Stocks Ireland, Enda creates high-quality stocks for hunters, prone shooters, and F-class competitors. Enda first started building stocks in 2001 for himself and friends, and grew the business over a decade. Enda explains: “Demand gradually increased until in 2009 the decision was taken to make it my full-time occupation. In 2010 I obtained my RFD licence and haven’t looked back. My goal with Guns Stocks Ireland is to manufacture precise custom rifle stocks to the highest standard, tailored in every detail to best serve the shooters requirements.” Enda adds: “I started Gun Stocks Ireland to produce custom, individually-tailored gunstocks. I build from hand casts so your gun is genuinely an extension of your arm.”
Walsh offers many stock designs, including a wide variety of thumb-hole and vertical grip stocks. Many of these feature hand-relieved grip areas customized for each guns’ owner. The hand-grip section literally fits the shooter “like a glove”. How does Enda create an ergonomically perfect grip for each customer? He actually makes a casting of the customer’s hand: “I send customers a hand cast kit so the shooter can make a plaster cast with his hand in shooting position. Done correctly there will be no tension in the shooter’s hand no matter how tight a hold is employed.” Enda’s stocks aren’t cheap, but they are a good value considering the amount of expert labor involved. Typical price for a fitted, bedded, and finished fully-adjustable F-Class stock is 1500 Euros.
Enda’s stocks, as you can see from the photos, are labors of love. Each stock may require up to 80 hours of work from start to finish. That includes fitting of special features, such as adjustable buttplate, adjustable cheek-piece, and a unique bag-rider that adjusts up and down for elevation control and rifle balance. We think the adjustable bag-rider is a great idea that American stock-makers should emulate.
Vertically Adjustable Bag Rider Permits Easy Elevation Adjustment
“For F-Open shooters the benefit of the [adjustable] bag runner is it allows precise elevation adjustments shot to shot without having to reach forward to adjust the front rest, taking the shooter out of his natural position. For ‘bag squeezers’ it eliminates the variable settlement during a shot causing vertical variances. The adjustable bag runner allows elevation changes to be dialed in easily and precisely with one hand.” — Enda Walsh
This is a .308 Win Savage in a fully adjustable F-TR stock. This rifle always performs well at the LRRAI shoots in Castlemaine Rifle & Pistol Range.
Enda Walsh Shoots What He Builds
Enda Walsh is a very talented shooter as well as a master stock-maker. He recently won a Silver Medal at 1000 yards at the 2012 European F-Class Championships at Bisley. He also shared a team Gold Medal at 1000 yards, shooting with an Irish F-TR team, and making wind calls as well.
Enda says: “I was very happy to take a silver at Bisley this year. This was my first trip to Bisley and first Euro Championships. The experience gave me some ideas on how to improve things for next year….”
Gun Stocks Ireland
Contact: Enda Walsh
Currabaha – Dungarvan
County Waterford
Ireland
E-mail: info [at] gunstocksireland.com
Phone in Ireland: 011-353-[0]87-661-1993
Hornady has announced new products for 2013. These include a number of new bullets, along with new loaded rifle, pistol, and shotgun ammunition. Perhaps most interesting for precision reloaders is Hornady’s new jumbo Ultrasonic Cleaning machine (MSRP $658.33). Featuring a 9-liter capacity, the new Hornady Hot Tub™ is long enough to accommodate and clean a 16-inch AR-15 upper. Along with its large capacity, the Hot Tub has many advanced features.
New Large-Size Ultra-Sonic Cleaning Machine — the Hot Tub™
For 2013, Hornady will be offering a new, jumbo-sized ultra-sonic cleaning machine that can handle big parts and accessories. In addition to having four (4) transducers, there is also a heating element that enhances cleaning action. Hornady says that “the microjet action of the Hornady® Hot Tub™ removes carbon residue and other debris from cartridge cases, gun parts and other metal equipment.” We know that ultra-sonic cleaning works well on cartridge cases, provided you have a good machine, a suitable solution, and run the machine for an appropriate time.
The new Hot Tub is well-equipped out of the box. One 1.7 quart inner tank comes with the unit and can be used in the main tank for cleaning multiple smaller batches or to use separate solutions at the same time. Additional inner tanks can be purchased separately. Hanging cords have been integrated into the design to allow large objects to take full advantage of the ultrasonic energy. Additionally, the Hot Tub® features integrated drain pans in the lids, a small parts basket, a degas function and five (5) temperature settings from 100-140°F.
Watch Video to See Hornady Hot Tub Ultra-Sonic Cleaning Machine in Action
Did you know that Shilen Rifles Inc. offers barreled actions and complete rifles? And that Shilen offers a Savage-style, barrel-nut system for its Rem-clone actions? Starting in 2010, after a hiatus of nearly twenty years, Shilen returned to the rifle manufacturing market. After several years of development, Shilen now offers custom actions ($950.00), barreled custom actions with triggers ($1500.00), and complete rifles ($3200.00 and up).
The new Shilen custom actions are CNC-milled from high-grade stainless steel. Two types are offered — the multi-shot DGR (Repeater) or the single-shot DGV (Varminter) action. Both actions will be offered in most common bolt faces and both right-hand and left-hand actions are immediately available. The DGR and DGV actions have a 1.350″ diameter with 8-40 scope base mounting screw holes, and an 0.300″ pinned recoil lug. The spiral-fluted bolts feature a floating bolt head with an interchangeable bolt handle knob. These actions feature a footprint similar to the Remington Model 700. Both DGR and DGV actions will accept many aftermarket components crafted for Rem-700 style actions, including triggers and bottom metal.
Barreled Actions with Barrel-Nut System for Easy Barrel Exchanges
Along with the stand-alone DGR and DGV actions, Shilen is offering barreled action assemblies, chambered and ready to drop into Rem 700-inletted stocks. The actions are fitted with Shilen match-grade barrels and Shilen triggers. The barrels feature a 1-1/16″x20 barrel thread and are attached to the action by a barrel nut. This Savage-style barrel nut system simplifies headspacing, allowing easy swapping from one barrel to another. With the simple barrel-exchange procedure, you can shoot multiple chamberings with a single action/rifle. For example, shooters can change from a .223 Remington to a .204 Ruger or a .22-250 to a 6mm BR in a matter of minutes.
Complete Rifles with McMillan Stocks
With Shilen’s complete rifles, buyers can choose their chambering, and select barrel and stock configuration. Shooters can choose between a sporter weight wood stock or a variety of McMillan fiberglass stocks. With all complete rifles, the entire package is delivered in a quality gun case and Shilen even includes table mat, cleaning rod, bore guide, jag, bore brush, and cleaning patches.
There has been a strong demand for Shilen’s barreled actions and complete rifles. Accordingly, the waiting period is two to four months for complete rifles, a bit less for barreled actions. But some chamberings can be had much more quickly (if Shilen has a pre-chambered barrel in current inventory). If you’re interested, call (972) 875-5318 or email comments@shilen.com for more info.
At the recent Int’l Sniper Competition Awards Ceremony at Ft. Benning, GA, Ashbury Precision Ordnance (APO) unveiled a modular rifle chassis customized for the Army Sniper Association (ASA). These specially-engraved APO SABER-FORSST Chassis Systems will be sold exclusively through the Army Sniper Association. Proceeds from chassis sales will help benefit Sniper Association activities. Bob Mahar, President of the Army Sniper Association, explains: “The [Association’s] partnership with Ashbury will help us grow the Sniper Association, contribute to the Silent Warrior Memorial construction and commit additional funding to the SSG. Eric Caban Fallen Sniper Fund.” Ashbury Precision also recently raffled off two SABER Enhanced Factory Rifles to raise money for the Fallen Sniper fund.
Ashbury Precision Ordnance Chassis System (Turn Audio volume down at work.)
The customized SABER modular rifle chassis designed for the Army Sniper Association is based on APO’s very popular MOD-0 chassis platform with the addition of important features:
Hand-Tool Adjustable (HTA) Folding Stock with Limbsaver Recoil Pad.
ERGO Hand Grip with adjustable Grip to Trigger Distance.
DBM with Ambidextrous Magazine Release.
SuperSport Tactical Alloy Fore-End with Bipod Stud.
12″ Picatinny Side Accessory Rails and 8 Sling Swivel Attachment Points.
“We have configured the Army Sniper Association’s Modular Rifle Chassis around the two most popular rifles around”, says Morris Peterson, President of Ashbury Int’l Group. These are “the Remington short action and long action[.] Now shooters can make their existing or new Remington bolt-action rifles functionally modular and more comfortable to shoot accurately.” For those shooters with an M24-styled rifle based on a Rem M700 long action, but chambered for the .308 Win cartridge, APO has just introduced the RLA-A3 option offering a 5-round or 10-round detachable magazine. A wide range of SABER modular rifle chassis accessories are available from Ashbury Precision Ordnance.
The Smith & Wesson Model 41 is an American classic — one of the great, iconic .22LR target pistols. Accurate, well-balanced and built-to-last, model 41s have been in production for over 50 years. The Model 41 remains one of the most accurate pistols ever produced by Smith & Wesson. Now the Model 41 has been updated for the 21st Century, with the introduction of a new Performance Center “optics-ready” version. The new Model 41 PC has an integral Picatinny Rail mount for optics, plus adjustable target sights, with a distinctive skeletonized and removable front blade sight.
This full-size, 10-shot .22LR pistol features a carbon steel frame and slide along with a 5.5-inch barrel. Measuring 10.5 inches in overall length, the Model 41 PC has an unloaded weight of 41 ounces.
Across the top of the slide, the Performance Center Model 41 sports an integral Picatinny-style equipment rail for easy installation of optics. Other standard features include an external thumb safety on the left side of the frame, custom wood target grips, and a blued finish. The Performance Center Model 41 is covered by Smith & Wesson’s lifetime service policy. To learn more about the optics-ready Model 41 PC and other new Performance Center guns, visit www.smith-wesson.com
Our friend Sebastian Lambang, creator of the SEB Coaxial rests and the new SEB Joystick Bipod, recently visited Great Britain to participate in the European F-Class Championships. While in the UK, Seb visited the famous (infamous?) Diggle Range, as well as London Towne. Seb was hosted by Brit shooters Brian Fox and our buddy Vince Bottomley (who writes for the TargetShooter Magazine).
Shooting in the UK Report by Sebastian Lambang
After flying from Surabaya to Manchester airport, Brian Fox picked up my wife Lily and me on Oct. 26 morning. We then went straight to Diggle Hotel. Saturday I shot the 800-yard match at Diggle Range and Sunday I shot the 300m ‘Tactical’ Match.
Monday to Wednesday morning Lily and I did sight-seeing in London. Then we went to Bisley by train. I got a little practice time on Thursday then shot the individual match on Friday and Saturday. The team match was on Sunday but I didn’t shoot it since a friend took us to his house.
Bisley Was Cold and Conditions Were Hard to Read
I think I didn’t do very well in the Europeans. Probably because this was my first-ever F-class match, and the temps were too low for me. I was told also that Bisley is hard to shoot, the wind flags pointing ‘everywhere’, and I wasn’t sure what I should I watch to judge the conditions. I can’t trust the wind-flags, I couldn’t see mirage most of the time to help to determine the hold off. However I really liked the Championship event and enjoyed the shooting. Congrats to Lee Tomlinson (F-Open Winner, 459.30), Tim Stewart (F-TR Winner, 439.23) and Great Britain’s victorious F-Open and F-TR teams.
Vince Bottomley supplied a rifle for me to use at the Championships. Vince is a great guy indeed, he helped me with the rifle, the loads etc., and most of all he spent three full days with me while I was shooting the match. I can’t thank him enough.
Testing the New SEB Joystick Bipod
AccurateShooter: How did the new Joystick Bipod Work?
Seb: Unfortunately I didn’t have much time to try the bipod myself. But Thursday afternoon several Spanish shooters tried the bipod on their gun and they said that the bipod works fine and their shots went into the spot they want. I tried a few rounds with their gun but the impacts were not as expected … probably because I shot their F-TR .308 gun free recoil. [Editor: Even with ski-type bipod feet, you will usually benefit by having a pretty firm grip on the gun — not a death hold — but contact with the gun at multiple points.]
AccurateShooter: When will the bipod go on sale? Is the design finalized?
Seb: I still need to perfect the legs of the bipod, I think. I will probably make two models, one with compactness in mind and one other with the lightest legs possible. The MAX rest is in production currently, and then I’ll make another 200 NEO rests for the people on the waiting list. After that we could probably start bipod production. I do hope that the bipod can be ready for sale sometime in mid-2013. The first batch would be 100 units. If my prediction is correct, all 100 units will be sold or spoken for.
AccurateShooter: How much will the production version of the Joystick Bipod cost?
Seb: Still not sure, but it should be around $350-$400 in the USA. The most expensive part is the coaxial unit. According to Brian Fox, the bipod attracted a lot of attention/interest during the match and if I had a dozen units with me, we might have sold them all at the match.
Great Visit to the UK
I really enjoyed my visit to the UK, especially visiting with Brian Fox (he is a great guy and genuine indeed!) and meeting fellow shooters from other European countries. I learned a bit from the F-class shoot and I think the bug has bitten me. It’s also nice to see a sea of SEB rests at the Bisley range in the F-Open Class.
I send my thanks to all the people I met during my visit. It is great to make new friends, and I’m happy to be a part of this great group of shooters.
Tom explains: “The blocks hold 50 rounds of ANY caliber you want them made for. Engraving is included on your block at no extra charge, and each block has 4 rubber feet to prevent sliding and damage to the block or work surface. The round typically sits .75″ deep in the block, holding it very securely and with no excessive rattle.”
1. QTY 1-5 will receive a 10% discount from the normal price.
There are few master craftsmen who can create a truly “bespoke” wood stock customized for the owner. Ireland’s Enda Walsh is one such talent. Through 
Enda Walsh Shoots What He Builds
Our friend Sebastian Lambang, creator of the 
Seb: I still need to perfect the legs of the bipod, I think. I will probably make two models, one with compactness in mind and one other with the lightest legs possible. The MAX rest is in production currently, and then I’ll make another 200 NEO rests for the people on the waiting list. After that we could probably start bipod production. I do hope that the bipod can be ready for sale sometime in mid-2013. The first batch would be 100 units. If my prediction is correct, all 100 units will be sold or spoken for.
Great Visit to the UK
