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July 15th, 2011
 Bryan Litz, Ballistician for Berger Bullets and author of Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting, has tested the latest version of the Shooter Ballistics Calculator for Android™ OS Smartphones and portable devices. This is a very sophisticated, full featured App that incorporates the latest bullet databases with Litz G7 BCs as well as a wealth of other information. It provides extremely reliable ballistics solutions at all ranges, and in all atmospheric conditions.
 Bryan tells us: “The Shooter App has been improving steadily since it was first released and there are many new capabilities now. One of the cool new features is a wireless Bluetooth link to Kestrel Weather Trackers. This can automatically provide the exact atmospherics at your location.”
Bryan used the Shooter App on a trip to Wyoming: “I shot a Sako TRG42 in .338 Lapua Mag to 2400 yards with Berger’s new 300gr hybrids. The dope from the Shooter App was spot on up to 103 MOA of drop using the G7 BC of .419 for that bullet! At 2400 yards, even at 6,000 ft+ elevation, the bullet is subsonic but remained stable and tracked perfectly with the predicted trajectory from Shooter. I don’t know if the same bullet would be stable at sea level when fired at that range or not but it worked well at 6,500 feet.”
Litz Says Shooter App Offers Very Sophisticated Ballistics Solutions
Bryan thinks the Shooter App is extremely accurate: “I consulted on the solver development for Shooter so I can personally vouch for the accuracy of this program. You can set up profiles for rifles and ammo types including calibration factors for scope adjustments, temperature affects on powder burn rate / muzzle velocity, and of course G1 and G7 referenced BCs (you can define a ‘stepped’ BC for both as well). You can set preferences for units, atmospherics, station pressure or altitude, and more. It can calculate spin drift and Coriolis effect, or those features can be disabled. If your smartphone has GPS, the program can automatically populate the latitude for Coriolis calculations.”
Shooter App is just $9.99 — A Bargain Given Its Capabilities
The full-featured Shooter App sells for $9.99 in the Android Apps Marketplace. Visit the Shooter App Website to preview the program’s functions and see how the entry screens work. The App is easy to install and run. There is a also a ‘Lite’ version of SHOOTER that you can download for free.
CLICK HERE for SHOOTER Android OS Ballistics Program.
CLICK HERE for SHOOTER LITE Android OS Ballistics Program.
July 5th, 2011
A SEB MAX front rest, with the ability to handle wider rifles, was unveiled today by Forum member Ernie Bishop (aka xphunter). This is a prototype, and production versions will hopefully be offered in 2012. Weighing roughly 35 lbs. (16 kg), The new SEB MAX rest fits forearms up to 8″ wide. Without side plate assembly and special front bag, the SEB MAX can accept a 9″-wide stock. The Center-to-Center distance between the posts is 300mm (just a bit less than 12″). This makes the SEB MAX 100 mm wider than the SEB NEO, allowing for 275mm clearance between posts. The bottom plate of the top is 265 mm long (almost 10 1/2″). The side plates assembly with side bag is about 1.25″ thick. Net space is approx 8″ . Posts and height are the same as the SEB NEO, which already has a huge amount of elevation travel. For more info, visit www.SEBCoax.com, email Ernie Bishop at ernieemily[at]yahoo.com or call Ernie at (307) 257-7431. Ernie is the U.S.A. distributor for SEB products.
Ernie Bishop reports: “The new SB MAX is very smooth! I have used it out to 1000 yards so far and am very pleased. I do not know the price yet.” For more information, read this FORUM thread. As set up in the photos below, the SEB MAX is set for the 6″ forearm on Ernie’s 7mm WSM specialty benchrest pistol.
If you’re curious about Ernie’s 7mm WSM handgun, here are the details. Eric Wallace smithed this specialty handgun, as well as the stock. It is a 7mm WSM built on a BAT action fitted with 1:8″ test Bartlein barrel, with Wallace muzzle brake. The rig uses a Sightron S-III, 8-32 scope, and Jewel trigger. The gun was set up to shoot in the Heavy Pistol Class at the annual Long-range Handgun shoot run by the MOA Corporation. Ernie Bishop tells us: “When I have the time, it will also be used for light gun rifle matches at 600 and 1000 yards. I also have a McRee handgun chassis stock so I can use it for more huntng or field shooting.” Ernie does not have the load “fully tweaked yet”, but he’s currently running H1000 behind 180gr JLKs in prepped Winchester 7mm WSM brass, with Federal 210M primers.
July 1st, 2011
Readers in the Rockies region should head to the Colorado Rifle Club (CRC) range tomorrow July 2, 2011, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. There you can try out a variety of Savage rifles, and the ammo is FREE! Can’t beat that. This July 2 “rifle test-ride” at CRC is part of Savage’s innovative Arms Club Program, which provides sample rifles to clubs around the country. There, potential rifle buyers can try out target rifles, hunting rifles, both centerfire and rimfire at no cost.
Savage Arms provides the rifles, Nikon supplies the optics, and Hornady provides free ammo for testing. Caliber options include .17 HMR, .223 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, and .300 Win Mag. If you have not shot Savage’s F-T/R or Law Enforcement Series rifles, now is your chance. We also recommend Savage’s 93 R17, a .17 HMR rimfire with the look and feel of full-size centerfire rifle. The 93 R17 we tested last year was very accurate and we liked the look and feel of the matte-black tactical-style stock.
Directions: The Colorado Rifle Club range is located at 76099 East 96th Ave., Byers, CO 80103. Byers is 40 miles east of Denver on l-70 at exit 316. To get to the range, travel 8 miles east of Byers on U.S. 36, then about 9 miles north on Leader Road (52N), then one mile west on 96th Ave. to the range gate, then one mile north to the ranges. CLICK HERE for map to CRC range.
Latitude and Longitude: 39° 52′ 12.58″N, 104° 05′ 39.47″W
Editor’s Comment: Savage deserves praise for its new Arms Club Program. Bringing rifles to popular ranges is a great way to introduce new shooters to the sport. Letting range visitors sample an accurate target rifle (something they may not have tried before) can also help convert pistol shooters and shotgunners into avid rifleman.
June 28th, 2011
Well folks, the new Redding Micrometer Seating Stems for standard Redding seating dies are finally shipping. Robin Sharpless, Redding’s Executive VP, confirmed that “these Seating Stems started shipping this month, by the hundreds. MidwayUSA, Grafs, Midsouth — all the major vendors are getting inventory.” We confirmed that MidwayUSA now has, in stock, the Micrometer Seating Stems for .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, 22 PPC, 22-250 Rem, .243 Win, .308 Win, .284 Win, .30-06, and .338 Lapua Magnum, plus many other calibers. (One model Seating Stem can often work for multiple cartridge types of the same caliber.) MidwayUSA is charging $42.99 for both the regular and VLD-style seater stems.
Micrometer Seating Stems Retro-Fit to Redding’s Standard Seating Dies
The big advantage of these new Seating Stems is that you can get the additional control and precision of a micrometer top by simply upgrading your existing dies at about half the cost of a new, complete Competition Seater Die. NOTE: the Seating Stem assemblies are a component of the bullet seating die. These are not the dies themselves. It is the top portion of the die that contains the plunger, which pushes the bullet into the case. The micrometer is graduated in increments of 0.001″ to assure precise seating depth control. The Seating Stems feature a dead stop on the threads allowing full repeatability even if changed from one die to another. NOTE: These Micrometer seating stems are direct replacements for the original stems. To comfirm die compatibility,the stem numbers match the numbers stamped on the tops of the original seat plug which was shipped with your standard seating dies.
The new Redding Micro Precision Seating Stems are available for both standard bullet shapes as well as VLD Bullets. These allow the user to accurately seat the longer-nosed VLD-style projectiles.
June 25th, 2011
Our friends Pat and Matt at PMA tools sent us this recent “summer update”. Since it contains product news and special offers, we decided to share it with our Daily Bulletin Readers:
NEWS from PMA Tools
From Pat & Matt — We’d like to update you on a few new items that have been or will be added to our line up of tools. We also have one item that is available while supplies last. We’ll start there.
 Blem Neck-Turners only $79.95
We have six (yep, only 6) blemished Model A Neck Turning Tools available while they last. These tools are completely functional, but boy are they ugly. For one reason or another the anodizing just didn’t take on these six tools. We wouldn’t feel right charging full price for them, so we’ve discounted them to $79.95. They can be found on our PMA home page under SPECIALs (lower left) or in the “New” section (lower center).
New 35° Cutter Option
We have added a third option of cutter angle to our neck turning tool offerings. We are now manufacturing a 35-degree cutter for use with WSM cartridges and cartridges based on the 284. We are expecting this cutter to eventually replace the 40° option. Not that there is anything wrong with using a 40° cutter for these cases, after all like Fred used to say “clearance is clearance”. The should actually make set-up easier, particularly when adjusting the turner for a “clean up” cut. The 35° carbide cutter (for Model A tools) costs $12.95
Pre-Set Neck Turners Coming Soon
Our new pre-set neck turning tool (tentatively called the Model B Tool) will be available in a matter of weeks. These neck turners will be available with your choice of cutter angle (30, 35 or 40), your choice of stainless steel mandrel (22, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm or 30cal) and preset to your choice of cut thickness. We will guarantee the thickness to .001”. The price of this tool is $45.95 complete (mandrel installed), all you have to do is adjust the mandrel location. This tool is a great, economical choice for shooters who like to have 2, 3, or even 4 tools set to different depths to get the thickness down to size. It’s also a great choice for any one who wants uniform case necks for a factory or non-tight neck custom chamber. This neck turning tool comes pre-set, but can be adjusted if need be — it’s just not nearly as easy to adjust as our Model A.
Taking Orders Now for Carbide Mandrels
We have an update on our carbide neck turning mandrel situation. They will be available before summer’s end in our standard sizes (22, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm and 30cal) and will be priced at $45.95. If you would like, you can pre-order carbide mandrels by emailing us (support@pmatool.com) and letting us know which size you need. We will place you on the list and you will receive an email as soon as they are available. Last, but not least, we are expanding our stainless steel mandrel offerings to include 17, 20 and 338 calibers as standard options. |
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
June 25th, 2011
 This Monday, June 27, at 9:00 pm, Barrett Firearms Mfg. will be featured on a National Geographic special entitled Snipers, Inc.. The hour-long show tells the story of Ronnie Barrett, his innovative large-caliber sniper rifle designs, and how he built a multi-million dollar business. Barrett Firearms introduced the semi-automatic .50-Cal M82 in 1982 but did not make any significant sales until 1989. Soon afterward, the M82 was purchased by the United States armed forces, and it was deployed in the Gulf War. Today the company has contracts with dozens of countries to supply sniper rifles. The success of the M82A1 has spawned several other models of .50 BMG rifles, including the M95, M99, and M99-1. These are lighter, lower-cost bolt-action rifles. One of the most recent offerings from Barret is the M107A1, unveiled in January 2011. M107A1 enhancements include a 4-lb weight reduction, increased accuracy, and a quick attachment for a Barrett suppressor.
The Nat Geo promo states: “Selling guns to snipers is all in a day’s work for one small-town Tennessee family. Ronnie, the designer and businessman at the helm of Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, and his two children, are responsible for creating the M107 sniper rifle. The M107’s power and precision allow snipers to destroy multiple targets from more than 20 football fields away. NGC goes inside this family of firearm ‘rock stars’.” In the video below, Ronnie Barrett talks about the M107A1 and the new multi-caliber MRAD rifle system. (It’s an interesting Nat Geo video, well worth watching.)
CLICK on video to start playback
June 17th, 2011
Ruger has introduced a 10-shot version of its popular single-action rimfire revolver. The new “Single-Ten” will augment the venerable Single-Six, one of Ruger’s best sellers over the years. The Single-Ten features a ten-shot cylinder (chambered for .22LR) and is constructed from satin-finished stainless steel. The Single Ten comes with a 5.5″-long, 6-groove, 1:14″-twist barrel and is fitted with Williams™ adjustable hi-viz fiber optic sights. Single-Ten™ models feature smooth, walnut “Gunfighter”-style grips. The gun weighs 38 ounces, and is 11.00 inches overall. MSRP is $619.00.
Editor’s Commentary: I like the idea of Ruger’s Single Ten. I personally think every shooter should have a quality rimfire revolver for training, plinking, and general outdoor use. I’ve put hundreds of rounds through a six-shot S&W m63 “Kit Gun”, and I currently own a Smith & Wesson Model 617 10-shot rimfire revolver. Rimfire revolvers are great — they are simple, accurate, and inexpensive to shoot. Based on my experience with the S&W Kit Gun and m617, I can say that ten shots really do beat six. You spend less time loading/unloading and more time shooting. Most 50-round factory ammo packs have five-round rows, so it’s logical to load 10 rounds in a cylinder. And, being able to shoot 10 rounds between reloads is a definite advantage in some gun games. So, overall, I think it’s great that Ruger now offers 10-round capacity in its single-action revolver.
Ruger Should Offer a Modern Grip Option
I’m disappointed that Ruger is not offering a Bisley-style grip or a normal full-length target grip as an option for the new Single Ten. The short “Gunfighter-style” grips were developed for heavy-recoiling big-bore revolvers, shot one-handed. The short length is designed to allow the gun to rotate backwards on recoil (with your little finger UNDER the base of the grip). The rotation assists with cocking the hammer for the next round. Well, rimfire revolvers don’t work that way. Except for children and women with small hands, the Gunfighter grip is basically too short to allow a comfortable grip with all fingers on the gun. And the grip is likewise poorly shaped for a two-handed hold. We understand Ruger wanted the Single-10 to look like a vintage Colt SAA. However, for target work, it would be much better to have a longer grip that permits shooters to: 1) hold the gun comfortably with ALL the fingers of one hand; and, 2) use the gun with a modern, two-handed hold.
June 13th, 2011
Last week, Savage Arms unveiled some interesting new rifles in a surprise “Mid-Year Product Announcement”. The three new guns include two (2) new long guns chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, plus a new camo-stocked “Law Enforcement Precision Rifle” fitted with a center-feed detachable box magazine (DBM). These three new offerings should please the tactical shooters out there.
Two new models in .338 Lapua Magnum
Long range shooters will be pleased with the two new .338 LM models. These join Savage’s popular Model 110 BA which has been offered in .338 LM as well as .300 Win Magnum. The NEW Model 110 FCP HS Precision is a long range tactical rifle featuring a 5-round detachable box magazine, HS Precision fiberglass stock with aluminum V-block, 26″ heavy fluted barrel, muzzle brake and AccuTrigger. The Model 110 FCP weighs 10.7 pounds and has a suggested retail price of $1,499.
The second new .338 LM offering is the Model 110 Long Range Hunter (LRH). This hunting varient is lighter and easier to field-carry than the 110 FCP HS (above). The new Model 110 LRH features a composite AccuStock with 3D bedding and a Karsten adjustable cheekpiece. The Long Range Hunter also has a 5-round detachable magazine, heavy fluted barrel, muzzle brake and AccuTrigger. It weighs 9.25 pounds and has a suggested retail price of $1,213.
Model 10 FCP-SR — This new law enforcement precision rifle features our new 10-round, single-column, center-feed detachable box magazine. It also has a tan digital camo synthetic AccuStock with 3D bedding, Accutrigger, 24″ heavy fluted barrel,, a matte black metal finish and one-piece scope mount. The muzzle is threaded for a muzzle brake or suppressor with a 5/8 24 thread. A thread protector is installed. Suggested retail is $1,182.
Precision Rifle Offerings — January Intros
In addition to the mid-year product roll-outs, at SHOT Show earlier this year Savage announced numerous new rifle models. Here are some of our Editors’ favorites among the many models introduced in January, 2011 at SHOT Show.
Model 12 Long Range Precision. Savage expands its high-end target and varmint lineup with the Model 12 Long Range Precision (LRP). The impressive Model 12 LRP features a full-profile, fluted heavy barrel, detachable box magazine, blued finish and an HS Precision fiberglass stock. It also features the red target AccuTrigger, which is adjustable all the way down to a superlight 6 ounces. It is chambered in 243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 260 Rem. Suggested Retail: $1,081.
Model 110 Predator Hunter Max 1: Savage expands the Predator Series with a long-action model in 6.5-284 Norma only. This rifle features a synthetic AccuStock in Realtree Advantage Max 1 camo, Matte finish, AccuTrigger, detachable box magazine and a 24″ medium-contour fluted barrel. Suggested Retail: $889.
Suppressor-Ready Models: Savage has enhanced several models with threaded muzzles that make it a snap to add an aftermarket suppressor or brake. These models are the Model 10 FP-SR, Model 64 TR-SR, Mark II FV-SR, Mark II TRR-SR (shown), and Model 93R17 TRR-SR. These feature a threaded muzzle with twist-off thread protector installed. 308 caliber rifles have a 5/8 24 thread, while the 223 Rem. and rimfire models have a ½ 28 thread.
June 13th, 2011
 If you often shoot at multiple distances, it’s smart to keep a come-up table (ballistics chart) with your gun. Some guys have a laminated card, while others print out a ballistics chart and tape that to their buttstock. That works, but it’s not a very stylish solution.
Leupold sells a cool, compact Retractable Ballistics Chart that holds your ballistics data on a retractable tape in a plastic housing. Write your come-ups on the tape with a permanent marker pen, such as a fine-point Sharpie. Access the data just like using a measuring tape — pull out to read and then the tape rolls back into the housing. This black plastic, scope-mounted device retails for about $35.00. There are two different versions — part #54804 for 1″-diameter scope tubes and part #54778 for 30mm scopes.
Here are some user reviews:
“Much better solution than taping your drop chart to the stock. Just need to be careful of what type of pen you use to write in your data, some felt-tips smear. Has held up fine so far, no complaints.” — R.C., West Virginia
“It serves it’s purpose but $34 is a little pricey. I used masking tape cut down the middle to fit the size of the chart and wrote my come-up values in MOA on the masking tape. That way it is easily changeable without making permanent marks on the chart. Tape pulls out to about 9 inches.”
– D.H., Indiana
“I like to shoot long range and the retractable ballistic chart is much nicer than printing it on tape on the side of my rifle. I use a tactical scope so now I can pull out my ballistic information and set my range without my eye leaving the target. The only problem is pencil smudges, and felt tip will not come off. They need a replaceable print area on the tape.” — B.H., North Dakota
June 8th, 2011
Here’s your chance to see a wide selection of interesting new products from SHOT Show 2011. Today, Wednesday June 8th, ShootingUSA re-broadcasts its hour-long SHOT Show Special, originally filmed on-site at the Sands Convention Center in January. This 60-minute telecast features nearly 50 new products, including Colt Centennial 1911s, Smith & Wesson 1911s and Performance Center Hunting Revolvers, new Die Sets from RCBS, Les Baer Monolith AR10s, Mossberg Tactical Shotguns, Ruger Mark III Pistols, Hogue stocks for Savages, new Wood LaserGrips from Crimson Trace, and Thompson Center’s new Venture hunting rifles.
 Shooting USA’s hour-long SHOT Show Special airs on the Outdoor Channel on June 8, 2011 at the following times:
Eastern Time: 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 12:00 Midnight
Central Time: 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 11:00 PM
Mountain Time: 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 10:00 PM
Pacific Time: 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 9:00 PM
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