Gary Eliseo of Competition Shooting Stuff has been busy lately. A month ago, we showcased his new S1TubeGun Kit for Savage actions. Gary’s done it again. He’s just started shipping his latest creation, the new RT-10 TubeGun kit, a long-action, mag-fed design that will hold regular or magnum rounds. Gary explains: “The RT10 was designed from the start as the basis for the ultimate tactical/long range precision rifle. It comes finished in super-tough type III hard coat. Employing a 10-round center feed enclosed box magazine with a maximum C.O.L. of 3.33″, the RT-10 can feed the 300 Win Mag but also feeds the .308 perfectly. The hand-guard has four modular accessory rails and is attached very rigidly specifically for use with a bipod.”
Ace prone shooter German Salazar received one of the first RT-10s and he’s impressed. German told us: “Just finished getting this together this morning. My RT-10 features a Remington 700 LH long action and CG trigger. Gunsmith Clark Fay did the barrel work (30-06), trued the action, and did a few other things which I’ll detail in an upcoming article. The magazines hold 10 rounds and will feed any 30-06 or magnum that’s not longer than a 30-06. I’ll mount some sights on it tonight and start shooting it tomorrow!”
Molded polymer stocks are light and inexpensive. However, they tend to be flexy and hard to bed. Savage has engineered a solution to this. The new Savage “AccuStock” employs an aluminum inner section combining a bedding block with a “spine” in the forearm. According to Savage: “With its integral aluminum spine that runs from the action down the length of the forearm, the AccuStock is the most rigid factory polymer stock in the marketplace. No matter how hot the weather or the barrel, the forend stays rock-solid and the barrel remains free-floating.”
The aluminum cradle surrounding the action is more than a conventional bedding block. The AccuStock uses a wedge bolt to push the recoil lug back into the aluminum spine to prevent any movement forward and aft, while the bedding cradle squeezes the action from the sides when the action screws are tightened. That is something new, and it seems like a promising design. Savage explains: “Pillar-bedded and v-block stocks, as good as they are, only apply bedding pressure on one axis, up and down.” By contrast, the new AccuStock is designed to grip the action from the sides as well as the bottom.
The AccuStock bedding block system will be initially offered in just two Savage models, the Model 10 FCP, and the Model 10 Precision Carbine. The 10 FCP comes in .308 Win and .223 Rem, and features a 24″ fluted, heavy barrel, a detachable Box Magazine (DBM), and a new (for Savage), factory muzzle brake. The Model 10 Precision Carbine will also be chamberd in .308 and .223. It will have a 20″ medium-contour barrel, detachable box magazine, but no muzzle brake.
Forum Member and Univ. of Wyoming college student Adam Teeter (aka “Cowboyarcher”) is building sets of ultra-light shooting sticks for hunters and varminters. The shooting sticks are made from camouflaged arrow shafts and 550 para-cord. Adam can build the sticks to your specs with a variety of para-cord colors: white, black, green, olive drab, tan, and dark brown (chocolate). Custom sticks (your choice of colors) cost $27.00 per pair delivered, and he has a few sets already made for $25.00. Buying a set of sticks would be a good way to help a young man finance his college education. Adam is currently studying Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management.
Adam tell us: “These shooting sticks are custom-built to your specs. Very light, they are great for walking varminters or for big game hunters. I use brand-new arrow shafts and 550 para-cord for the construction. The camouflage sticks are approx. 35” long and the black ones are approx. 32” long. I simply insert the arrows like one would for shooting them and add a field point. I am looking into the possibility of using blunts, or adding a fender washer under the field point for a little floatation. For now, field points will vary some from pair to pair. Since these are custom, I can do any combination of colors you choose, up to two, or cut them to different lengths.” Adam added: “I guarantee these sticks to be of the highest quality and to your satisfaction. If you’re not happy with them, I will make it right. And… I will accept trades. If you’ve got something [interesting], let me know and we’ll see if we can’t work out a trade.”
Colors shown above are: Dark Green/Black, White/Tan, Tan/Black
To order, contact Adam via email: teeteradam [at] gmail.com. Or you can postal-mail your order (with your specs and Postal Money Order) to Adam Teeter, 6011 Southview Rd., Laramie, WY 82070.
Jeff Madison, a Michigan gunsmith, has created a new stock for Anschütz 2000-series actions. This action uses a separate forward barrel block so the entire action floats. The barrel block allows easy barrel indexing (so long as the barrel is fitted with a cone breech.) Interestingly, Madison has fitted his stock with an integral tuner. Jeff wanted to be able to tune his rimfire rifles for improved accuracy. However, he found that the typical large, heavy, rotary tuner at the end of the barrel was not practical for a prone rifle.
So, Jeff came up with an innovative “tuner-in-stock” design. Jeff explains: “The tuner is the ‘knob’ just in front of the trigger guard. With the barrel mounted, the action (receiver) is fully floated. The tuner itself is fixed in the stock and attaches to the Anschütz action. The tuner is a harmonic balancer of sorts and can be adjusted to change the vibration characteristics of the rifle. At first glance the tuner appears to simply be a screw that exerts pressure to the receiver. In actuality it is an eight-piece assembly that incorporates a matched pair of elastomers that can be pre-loaded as a means of vibration control. The ‘in-stock’ tuner accomplishes the same thing as a muzzle tuner, but by using the action (receiver) for tuning, this set-up provides better balance for a prone or 3P shooter.”
Developing a New King of Rimfire Tuner
Madison was inspired by the successful muzzle-mounted tuners used by rimfire benchrest shooters. However, Jeff felt a muzzle-mount design was not optimal for a prone or position rifle. Jeff told us:
“The use of a heavy weight on the muzzle didn’t fit with shooting from the prone position. Putting extra weight so far out caused early fatigue and the balance of the rifle was compromised. After several meetings with Mike Ross of Ross Precision, I learned about ‘barrel indexing’, and came to the conclusion that a properly-indexed barrel could be tuned in a barrel-mounted stock from the receiver end.
Mike graciously donated one of his Ross stocks for me to use for tuner testing and development. After a year of testing with different prototypes, I completed a tuner that could successfully control the vibration. I built two rifles with wood stocks converted to barrel-block mounts with tuners and also adapted the tuner to my ‘loaner’ Ross stock. With all three stocks, the tuners worked and enhanced rifle performance using a variety of ammunition.
It was time to design my own prone stock specifically for the Anschütz 2013 barreled action. I used 6061-T6 aluminum to make the new stock stronger than the original, cast Anschütz 2000-series stock. However, my new design still accommodates the butt, grip, cheek-piece and side panel hardware from the original Anschütz stock. Four stocks were created. One is at my shop for continued tested by me. The second was sent to a national-level competitive shooter who has access to lab testing facilities. The third was sent to Mike Ross for his experiments. The fourth is warming the bench.
Tuned Stock Works with a Variety of Ammo and Barrels
In testing the integral ‘in-stock’ tuner’s ability to improve accuracy, I used a variety of mid-grade ammunition from Eley, Lapua, SK, and Wolf. My tests confirmed enhanced accuracy from all brands and lots of ammunition used. This is not to say the tuner will make cheap ammunition shoot like match grade, but it will extract the best potential from all levels. I have also tested the performance of the stock with several barrels: a modified Anschütz barrel, a 17-twist, 2-groove Benchmark, and a Bartlein 1:16.5″ to 1:16″ gain twist barrel (currently mounted). All barrels and ammunition tested by me were able to shoot quarter-inch (or better) groups at 50 yards. The .250″ criteria is very competitive for a prone shooter, and a number of groups fired were in the mid to high ‘Ones’.
Stock Proves Successful in Competition
The stock that is being tested by a competent, national-level shooter (name intentionally withheld) is undefeated in seven matches to date. Seven matches, seven wins. That shooter has also achieved many ‘personal bests’ with the tuned rifle.
What does the future hold? I plan to build a second design specifically for the 1900 series Anschütz action. The target price for the complete stock, ready to accept a barreled action, is $1,500.00. The stock stem only is targeted at $875.00. The details of the butt and cheek piece hardware along the select wood portions will be finalized shortly.”
Jeffrey Madison is the sole proprietor of M. Werks, LLC located in Traverse City, Michigan. M. Werks, LLC manufactures a limited selection of specialized shooting products. Jeff can be contacted by e-mail at jeff [at] mwerksllc.com.
The two-stage CG Universal Match Trigger has proven very popular with High Power and Long-Range Shooters. The CG-Jackson trigger is a Robert Chombart design, like the RPA Quadlock and the Millennium actions. 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. In Europe, the trigger is sold by Jackson Rifles. In the USA, the CG trigger is solf by Tom Myers, through his company X-Treme Shooting Products.
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:
Sierra Bullets has introduced a new .308-caliber MatchKing bullet, the model #2156, 155-grain HPBT Palma. This is an entirely new bullet created for Palma and other long-range shooters. Compared to the older #2155 MatchKing bullet (which will still be available), the new #2156 Palma bullet has a longer, more streamlined 9-caliber ogive, slightly longer OAL, and a pointed meplat. This is the first Sierra bullet to have the meplats “pointed up” at the factory. Sierra points the tips using a special extra die as the last stage in the production process.
Sierra’s new 155-grainer will be offered in boxes of 100 bullets (stock #2156, $38.89 MSRP), 500 bullets (stock #2156C, $180.46 MSRP), or 500 moly-coated bullets (stock # 2156M ,$203.81 MSRP). For more info, contact Sierra at 1-800-223-8799 or email sierra [at] sierrabullets.com.
Tierney Tests NEW 155gr Palma MatchKing
Jerry Tierney, Palma shooter and 2008 NBRSA 600-yard Champion, has done extensive testing of Sierra bullet prototypes, including the new #2156. Jerry reports: “The old 2155 is 1.119″ long while the new 2156 is 1.219″ long with the point closed much tighter on the new bullet. The difference in base to ogive length is 0.004″ between the two bullets. In my test rifle, the new 2156 Sierra MatchKing Palma bullet can be shot with the same load and chamber as the old Sierra 155. However, in the interest of safety you may want to reduce your load slightly and then work up.”
Jerry has been testing various Sierra bullet designs for the USA Palma Team. As part of his research, he shot the new 155gr #2156 bullet in an NBRSA 1000-yard match in Sacramento this past summer. Here is Jerry’s field report:
“I loaded the old Sierra 155s, the new pointed Sierra 155s, and the Berger 155.5-grain bullets to shoot one each in the three targets of five- and ten-shot groups. All were loaded with 47.0 grains of Varget (2007 lot), the bullets were loaded to jump 0.018” for the Sierra 155, 0.010″ for the new Sierra 155s, and 0.021″ for the Berger 155.5s in Lapua cases. The MV is in the 3030 fps range.
I shot the bullets in this order: Sierra 155s, new Sierra 155s, and the Berger 155.5s in each of the three matches of light and heavy guns. The total round fired was 45 for score and 37 sighters for a total of 82 rounds. NO ILL effects were seen between the different bullets with no cleaning of the barrel. Temperature range was 73 to 80 degrees under our covered 1000-yard firing points.
Here are the results for the three 5-shot targets:
Old Sierra 155s
Group = 19 ¼”
Vertical = 9 ¼”
Score = 39-0X
New Sierra 155s
Group = 16 ½”
Vertical = 6 ¼”
Score = 43-0X
Berger 155.5
Group = 9 ¼”
Vertical = 8 7/8″
Score = 44-0X
The wind changes were such that you could not compare the bullet wind drift, but the vertical showed the new Sierras were very good. The best vertical shot today was with my test rifle. I was first in the Light Gun three-target aggregate for score and third in single Light Gun score and the six-target aggregate score.
The elevation for BOTH the new Sierra bullet and the Berger 155.5 was exactly 3.00 minutes less than old Sierra 155 (#2155) at 1000 yards.”
John Loh is widely respected for the ultra-high-quality front rests he creates for JJ Industries. These rests exhibit some of the finest machining you’ll find anywhere. John has recently turned his attention to a new product — stainless supports for windflags.
These are not the typical collapsing tripod stands. Rather, they are designed with a strong pointed tip that you drive into the ground. The Loh windflag supports have telescoping segments of stainless rod, with locking collars. This allows you to easily adjust the height of your wind flags, while the telescoping design permits compact storage. You can easily fit three supports under the foam in a hard rifle case (between the foam and case wall) and still have room for your rifle. Built of aircraft-grade stainless steel with TIG-welded joints, these wind-flag supports are extremely rigid and sturdy, despite being relatively compact and easy to store.
John Loh recently introduced his stainless windflag stanchions at Benchrest matches out west. Used by Gary Sinclair, the stands have proven very popular and John sold out his first production run. But he has tooled up to make more, priced at $50.00 each. Contact JJ Industries, (562) 602-5553, info [at] jj-industries.com, for more information or to order. Note, these supports will work well on most terrain, but for some ranges that have very hard or rocky soil, a conventional tripod stand may work better.
The Tooley offset stock has been around since mid-2007, but custom gun-builders may not know it’s available. This radical rig employs an offset design to counter the torque associated with large-caliber benchrest guns. Dave Tooley tells us, “the wide, flat fore-end and offset design really tames the big 30s.” The stock is 4″ wide along the fore-end with the barreled action offset 1.5″ from center. From the trigger guard rearward the stock is pretty much the same as a Tooley MBR, with a bottom flat and slight drop from grip to buttplate. In American walnut laminate or maple laminate the stock weighs 3 lbs., 12 oz., the same as a fiberglass Tooley MBR from McMillan. There is also a lighter “Butternut” wood version that weighs 2 lbs., 12 ounces. So making weight in Light Gun Class should not be an issue.
The stock is legal for NBRSA and IBS 600- and 1000-yard benchrest competition. Dave has shipped many offset stocks to Australia, where they are very popular for the big calibers used in “Fly Shoots” and long-range competitions. For clubs (or disciplines) that may limit fore-end width to 3″, Dave notes that you can simply saw 1″ off the left side (looking from the breech foreward), to make the stock 3″ wide and legal. Dave tells us “the stock still works really well at 3″, it just doesn’t cancel as much torque as it does in a 4″ configuration.” Tests have shown that the 4″-wide stock will effectively soak up 45 inch-pounds of torque, enough to cancel the twisting effect of a 30-caliber rifle shooting 240-grainers at 3100 fps. Dave tells us: “With the offset stock, in competition, you can shoot a 30-caliber the same way you shoot a 6.5-284.” Scott Fletcher, who shot the prototype version with a 338 Lapua Improved, reports the stock “works fantastic. It’s like night and day with a heavy recoiling caliber. It makes a 30-caliber feel like a 6.5. And with a 6.5-284, you can easily shoot the gun free recoil.”
The Tooley offset stock, un-inletted but ready to finish, costs about $350 in walnut or “butternut” laminate. In maple, the un-inletted price starts at $400 and goes up for highly figured wood. Dave notes: “there is no conventional barrel channel so inletting is very easy.” For roughly $800.00 Dave will deliver the stock fully inletted and pillar-bedded for your action, complete with recoil pad. Dave currently has about a half-dozen offset stocks in inventory. Once they sell out, Dave can normally deliver walnut laminates in 2-3 weeks plus shipping time. Upgraded wood stocks will take 3-4 weeks plus shipping time. For more info, email Tooleyrifles[at]carolina.rr.com or call Dave at (704) 864-7525.
It’s twelve days ’til Christmas, there’s snow on the ground and your rifles are packed away for the winter. How do you maintain that competitive edge through the slow winter months? The LaserPower training kit from Anschütz could be the answer. This is a complete system with a Laser-equiped rifle and a 5-target biathlon-style remote target station. “Shoot” the rifle, and if you aim correctly, green lights appear on the target station one by one after each shot. This is a set-up that both adult competitors and juniors can enjoy. If you’re looking for the “ultimate” Christmas gift for your kids, this might be it. The LaserPower rifle kit retails for $763.00 from NealJGuns.com. According to Anschütz, the LaserPower unit is not restricted by any firearms law so it can be used with kids as young as six years old. No FFL is required for purchase.
The unit features a 4.8-lb, laser-equipped rifle, with adjustable iron sights, an ambidextrous (right-hand or left-hand) hardwood stock, and a two-stage model 5066 trigger. In weight and dimensions, the LaserPower rifle is ideal for junior shooters, though it has been used successfully by adult biathletes for training. Below are two videos. The first video shows how the LaserPower system is assembled and operated. The second video shows the LaserPower in use at a European Biathlon training tournament.
Serious marksmen know the benefits of shooting hats, shooting coats, and shooting glasses, but less thought seems to be given to the rest of the wardrobe — pants. Jeans are OK for bench shooting, but they are less than ideal for prone work or tactical matches. Typical jeans provide little room for anything but loose change, car keys and a thin wallet. They tend to be restrictive in the wrong places, and heavy denim can be too hot in summer weather.
By contrast, cargo pants or “tactical trousers” offer many advantages for the shooter. Many designs feature a small pocket that’s ideal for a cell phone or Kestrel wind meter. The large lower “bellows” pockets can hold a medium-sized log-book, empty chamber indicator (ECI), digital timer, a small camera, or ammo magazines. The upper slash pockets make it easy to access earplugs, come-up cards, or other small items. Some of the better cargo pants have double knees. This can provide a little more comfort and protection while shooting prone. Overall the cargo pant design is more practical, and in my opinion, more comfortable, than a pair of denim jeans.
This Editor was recently looking to replace a much-used pair of cargo pants that had finally worn out after two years. The cheap “no-name” cargo pants didn’t fit well and the stitching was poor. I looked at the military-style BDUs. They are durable, but I didn’t like the pocket options or the feel of the ripstop-type fabric. In addition, I wanted something “neutral” rather than camo. As I often wear field pants in business settings, such as banks and the post office, I didn’t need Tiger-stripes screaming “urban commando wannabee”.
I checked out various styles ranging from $15.00 to $65.00 and settled on the Propper F5220, 9-pocket “Tactical Pants”. Priced at $29.99, these have a myriad of features I really like. The elasticized waist band eases movement when you’re shooting from a prone or kneeling position. The double knees are great when you’re shooting a tactical match off bare ground. The front “cellphone pocket” is big enough to hold a Kestrel securely. The seat area is double thickness (nice when sitting on wet grass). There’s a clever double-level rear pocket that lets you position your wallet high for easy access or a low for extra security.
I also ride a motorcycle and I found the Propper tactical pants work well on a two-wheeler. Again the stretch waistband is a big plus. The front slash pockets are not cut so low that I have to worry about stuff falling out when riding. The large side cargo pockets allow me to carry checkbook, PDA, and digital camera securely on the sides of my legs. My cellphone is easily accessible and I like the extra D-ring for holding keys on a carabiner while off the machine.
Propper F5220 “Tactical” trousers are made from a durable 65% polyester / 35% cotton canvas blend. They are shrink-resitant and a DuPont Teflon coating makes them stain-resistant. For my purposes, the F5220 pants are every bit as good as Royal Robbins’ 5.11 pants (maybe better), and they cost at least ten bucks (25%) less. Propper F5220s are available in Khaki (tan), Black, Olive and Navy Blue from BDU.com or USPatriotstore.com.
Never heard of Propper? Propper International is a 37-year-old manufacturing company that produces uniforms for the U.S. Armed Services and police agencies. Propper has been ISO 9001-certified since 1996 and operates factories in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Gary Eliseo of Competition Shooting Stuff has been busy lately. A month ago, we showcased his new S1TubeGun Kit for Savage actions. Gary’s done it again. He’s just started shipping his latest creation, the new RT-10 TubeGun kit, a long-action, mag-fed design that will hold regular or magnum rounds. Gary explains: “The RT10 was designed from the start as the basis for the ultimate tactical/long range precision rifle. It comes finished in super-tough type III hard coat. Employing a 10-round center feed enclosed box magazine with a maximum C.O.L. of 3.33″, the RT-10 can feed the 300 Win Mag but also feeds the .308 perfectly. The hand-guard has four modular accessory rails and is attached very rigidly specifically for use with a bipod.”
Jeff Madison, a Michigan gunsmith, has created a new stock for Anschütz 2000-series actions. This action uses a separate forward barrel block so the entire action floats. The barrel block allows easy barrel indexing (so long as the barrel is fitted with a cone breech.) Interestingly, Madison has fitted his stock with an integral tuner. Jeff wanted to be able to tune his rimfire rifles for improved accuracy. However, he found that the typical large, heavy, rotary tuner at the end of the barrel was not practical for a prone rifle.
Tierney Tests NEW 155gr Palma MatchKing
John Loh is widely respected for the ultra-high-quality front rests he creates for 
The Tooley offset stock has been around since mid-2007, but custom gun-builders may not know it’s available. This radical rig employs an offset design to counter the torque associated with large-caliber benchrest guns. Dave Tooley tells us, “the wide, flat fore-end and offset design really tames the big 30s.” The stock is 4″ wide along the fore-end with the barreled action offset 1.5″ from center. From the trigger guard rearward the stock is pretty much the same as a Tooley MBR, with a bottom flat and slight drop from grip to buttplate. In American walnut laminate or maple laminate the stock weighs 3 lbs., 12 oz., the same as a fiberglass Tooley MBR from McMillan. There is also a lighter “Butternut” wood version that weighs 2 lbs., 12 ounces. So making weight in Light Gun Class should not be an issue.
By contrast, cargo pants or “tactical trousers” offer many advantages for the shooter. Many designs feature a small pocket that’s ideal for a cell phone or Kestrel wind meter. The large lower “bellows” pockets can hold a medium-sized log-book, empty chamber indicator (ECI), digital timer, a small camera, or ammo magazines. The upper slash pockets make it easy to access earplugs, come-up cards, or other small items. Some of the better cargo pants have double knees. This can provide a little more comfort and protection while shooting prone. Overall the cargo pant design is more practical, and in my opinion, more comfortable, than a pair of denim jeans.
