In response to increased customer demand and regional lead-free regulation, Winchester introduces new SUPER-X 55gr .223 Rem lead-free ammunition using a patented tin core technology. The new .223 Rem lead-free ammo features a 55gr tin-core bullet loaded to 3050 fps. The new product, item X223RT, will be available in Spring 2009.
“Shooters and hunters require lead-free ammunition in various regions of the U.S., and it is our goal to make sure they have a legal, high-performance product,” said Glen Weeks, Centerfire Product Manager for Winchester Ammunition. “Our goal with this new .223 Rem product… is to make sure that shooters have a wide range of Winchester lead-free products available.”
Winchester offers a diverse line of lead-free ammunition in shotshell, centerfire handgun, centerfire rifle (including E-Tip™ ammo for .308 Win, 30-06, 300 WSM, and 300 WM), and new .22 LR and .22 Win Magnum offerings.
New Ultra-Fast 22LR Rimfire Ammo
Winchester has also just announced its new 1,640 FPS 22LR round, called the Xpediter™. The Xpediter, part of the Supreme line, is Winchester’s fastest 22 Long Rifle varmint and small game round. Xpediter ammo features a copper-plated 32gr lead hollow point bullet and nickel-plated shell casing. At 1,640 FPS the Expediter is harder-hitting and flatter shooting than nearly all other 22 LR rimfire rounds. A deep hollow point in the bullet tip allows for maximum terminal effect.
“This ultra-fast bullet is going to be a favorite among rimfire enthusiasts,” said Brad Criner, Winchester Ammunition’s Shotshell and Rimfire Product Manager.
For more information about Winchester Ammunition and its complete line of products, visit www.winchester.com. Recognizing, in part, Winchester’s leadership in providing lead-free ammo, Winchester was named the Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) at the recent NASGW Annual Expo in Atlanta.
Right out of the box, the SEB Coaxial Rest is already one of the slickest pieces of hardware in the shooting game. The SEB joystick rest functions smoothly and is beautifully machined.
But Americans always like to “hot-rod” their gear, and this SEB rest enjoyed some very special customization by Grizzly Industrial’s Shiraz Balolia. Shiraz, who the Vice Captain of the USA F-Class Open Team, teamed up with Bob Pastor of Viper Rests to create what may be the “Ultimate” SEB rest. This candy-apple-red beauty features a new CNC-machined base with integral carry handle. The base was finished mirror-smooth then treated to a stunning bake-on red finish. The base started as a solid block of aluminum which was milled out on the underside to save a bit of weight. The rest now also boasts large-diameter custom footpads fabricated by Bob Pastor. These aluminum pads feature wide conical “spikes” in the bottom. “US F-Class Team” is engraved in the top of each pad.
The base required many hours of expert machine work by Shiraz to complete. Sorry, for now, the base is a one-of-a-kind, so you can’t buy one. Shiraz says “It would be way too expensive to produce these one at a time.” But, you can get the large-diameter footpads from Bob Pastor. Call Bob at (269) 521-3671 for specs and prices.
This ain’t your grandpa’s Savage… that’s for sure. Gary Eliseo, innovative designer/builder of the B1, R1, R5, and RT10 tubegun kits, has been working on a top-secret, single-shot prone rifle based on the Savage Target Action. The prototype has been finished and tested. Eliseo tells us: “Here’s the S1 prototype stock for the new Savage LR Target action I’m now currently testing. It’s chambered in 6BRX, so far it’s performing very well.”
The new Eliseo S1 features a drop-in Savage Target Action that bolts to a milled aluminum sub-chassis. The prototype retains the factory Savage Accutrigger, and Savage bolt handle. There is a +20 MOA extended scope rail fitted to the top of the receiver, while a fully adjustable CSS (Competition Shooting Stuff) stock with cheekpiece is attached at the rear. Because the mounting socket for the buttstock is part of the chassis, the S1 will allow very short length of pull, so this rifle would be ideal for juniors as well as adults. The S1 prototype uses a conventional barrel with a shoulder, but Gary says the kit will work with a barrel nut system. This means S1 owners can install “pre-fit” barrels using a barrel nut.
Interested? Better tell Santa soon. Eliseo says he expects to have the first S1 production models ready for delivery “by Christmas time”. The full S1 kit, with CSS buttstock, will cost $925.00 not including action, barrel, or scope. To place an order, call (714) 630-5734, or email order.info [at] competitionshootingstuff.com .
Powered case prep centers are nothing new. RCBS has offered a little AC-powered unit for years with whirling brushes and chamfering tips. But Hornady has beefed up the concept, adding a drill-press type vertical case trimmer. (Unlike a drill press, however, the case is held in place and the cutter spins below it.)
The new Hornady Lock-N-Load™ Power Case Prep Center is a substantial unit, roughly 2 feet high and 10″ wide at the base. With four (4) attachment bolts, it should be very stable on the bench. There are six (6) power take-offs that extend horizontally from the bottom half of the unit. These all spin at the same time so you can quickly switch from one tool to another. Hornady provides the following tools that operate with the horizontal power take-offs: inside neck chamfer, outside neck chamfer, large flash-hole cleaner, small flash-hole cleaner, and a neck brush. An optional primer pocket reamer and an optional flash-hole deburrer can be purchased separately.
At the middle level of the Hornday unit a case trimming tool is centered in a black plastic tray to catch shavings. The vertical position of the cutter is fixed. You lower the case down on the spinning cutter to trim cases to length. A pivoting handle controls vertical movement of the case which is held by its rim in a shellholder mounted in a chuck. The rotary handle you see in the picture is NOT for power. It is used to adjust the starting height of the chuck/shell-holder assembly. By turning the crank you can move this whole sub-assembly up and down to suit different length cases.
The new Hornady Case Prep Center, product No. 050012, is slated for a 2009 release. MSRP is $431.67, with expected “street price” around $300.00. You should definitely watch the Hornady Video linked below, as it shows the case trimmer in action. If our written description of the inline vertical trimmer left you confused, it will quickly become clear once you watch the video.
Editor’s Comment: If you have hundreds of cases that regularly need trimming, the Hornady Case Prep Center could be a real time-saver, provided that: 1) the cut length can be adjusted with sufficient precision; and, 2) cases can be moved in and out of the holder quickly and efficiently. As for powered case-neck chamfering… we’re a little less enthusiastic about that. It is very easy to ruin cases by over-chamfering. If Hornady really wanted to do this right, it would have the chamfer tool run on the top half of the machine. Then the chamfer depth could be controlled very precisely, with a positive stop, so you couldn’t over-chamfer.
While Hornady’s Case Prep Center can certainly speed up trimming chores, you still have to trim and chamfer in separate steps. Consider that the Gracey Case Trimmer trims-to-length and chamfers (inside and out) all in one operation, processing up to 20 cases per minute. That’s impressive. We do like the powered neck brush on the Hornady unit, however. This could definitely help you prep a large quantity of brass more efficiently.
Now through Jan. 11th, 2009, Sinclair International is offering a set of stainless-steel-framed digital calipers (item code MIC-14) for just $27.95. The folks at Sinclair tells us this item is extemely popular. These digital calipers feature an easy-to-read large LCD (display) and a one-touch zero function. With the push of a button, the calipers can switch from inches to millimeters on the fly.
Digital Neckwall Thickness Gauge for $49.95
Another slick new product in high demand is the InSize Digital Thickness Gauge. Sinclair reports this product is selling very well and customer feedback has been very positive. Designed for easy, one-handed use, this is a great tool for measuring neck wall thickness. You can make multiple thickness measurements around a case neck in just a few seconds, or easily calculate a needed neck bushing size without having a loaded round. The tool works with a spring-loaded sliding anvil to maintain consistent anvil pressure when taking multiple measurements. The ball anvil for case necks or tubing can be moved down to allow the gauge to measure flat stock up to 1” thick. The claimed accuracy on the digital display is 0.0005″ (half a thousandth), with controls for on/off, zero and inch/millimeter. The new InSize Gauge (item 52-9900) comes complete with a fitted plastic case and SR44/357 batteries.
Nightforce Optics has just released a new first focal plane (FFP) scope, the 3.5-15x50mm F1. This scope, developed with input from the U.S. Military, should be ideal for tactical applications. The scope is available with Zero-Stop windage and elevation knobs calibrated in 0.10 Mil-Radian increments. When combined with Mildot or MLR reticles in the first focal plane, the Milrad knobs permit easy and precise ranging and holdovers. (Turrets with 1/4-MOA clicks are also available.)
The big news is the first focal plane engineering — something new for Nightforce. The advantage of the first focal plane design (also called “front focal plane”) is that the reticle size remains constant relative to the target’s dimensions at ALL magnifications. With a first-focal-plane reticle, the ranging marks, such as mildots, stay in synch with the target image at any zoom level. This allows the shooter to range targets and judge hold-offs at any magnification. As Zak Smith explains: “In variable power scopes, a first focal plane (FFP) reticle configuration means that the angular measure of the reticle features stays constant. No matter what magnification [the scope] is set at, 1 MOA will be 1 MOA and 1 MIL will demarcate 1 MIL.”
This scope is made in the USA. It is in short supply right now but Mike at CSGunworks.com has two units in stock, priced at $2290.00 including MLR reticle, Milrad turrets, and Nightforce UltraLite Rings. Those two scopes will sell quickly but Mike should have more inventory before Christmas. Call Mike at (916) 670-1103 for availability (price subject to change).
Ken from Nightforce Optics has announced that supplies of the new 3.5-15×50 F1 will be very limited for the next 4 to 6 months because Nightforce is fulfilling U.S. Army contracts. Ken notes that: “this new model riflescope, in the Mil-Spec version, is currently in use by several U.S. Army Special Forces groups.” Ken provided these details about the new Nightforce F1:
Product Information for the NXS 3.5-15x50mm F1
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is $2,410.00
Standard Features Include:
1) ZeroStop
2) Illuminated reticle
3) Side parallax adjustment
4) Set of Nightforce Ultralite 30mm medium rings, (limited time only)
Reticle Options:
1) Two mil-radian reticles are currently available: The Mil-Dot and MLR
a. Thin-line subtended measurement equals .250 MOA
2) Proprietary MOA type reticles will be available in the future. (Within the next four to six months)
Adjustment Options:
1) .250 MOA elevation and windage adjustments, ZeroStop
2) 1.0 MOA elevation and 1/2 MOA windage adjustments, ZeroStop
3) .10 Mil-Radian elevation and windage adjustments, ZeroStop
Ken adds: “Considering the fact that we will only offer the Mil-Dot and MLR reticle options in the short term, we believe the Mil-Radian adjustment option will be the most popular of the models listed above for the short term.”
First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane Optics
If first focal plane design is better for ranging, one might ask “why aren’t all scopes made this way?” Well, there are tradeoffs. When shooting at known distances, if you’re trying to aim with extreme precision on a tiny X-Ring, you don’t want the cross-hairs to appear thicker as you turn up the magnification. With first focal plane reticle configuration, the reticle increases in thickness, as viewed by the shooter, as magnification increases. This means that, at higher powers, the reticle lines and mildots/hashmarks may obscure very small targets at long range. For a more complete discussion of the pros and cons of first focal plane vs. second focal plane designs, read Optics for Practical Long Range Rifle Shooting by Zak Smith.
Here’s an cool new product from Jack Snyder, maker of Edgewood Shooting Bags. The new Grab-Handle Rear Bag (available in both “original” and Mini-Gator sizes from Sinclair Int’l), is unique — the super-thick leather base of the sandbag is extended, forming a grab handle. This has two big benefits. First, of course, the bag is easier to carry. Second the extended leather bottom also helps the bag stay in place. Edgewood first made a few of these grab-handle bags at the request of F-Class shooters. The smart design works well — the handle makes the bag easier to carry to the firing line, and the larger footprint makes the bag more stable when shooting off the ground. These would be excellent bags for varmint hunters who move to new firing points frequently. Sinclair Int’l prices Grab-Handle Bags at $119.95 for standard, and $145.00 for the larger, Mini-Gator size.
Elbow Pad and Brick Bag
In addition to the Grab Handle rear bags, Sinclair has added two useful, leather bench accessories from Edgewood: an Elbow Pad and a 7.5″x5″ Hand rest. The $49.70 Edgewood Elbow Pad (item 04-7550) features a sand-filled, U-shaped outer leather collar, non-skid bottom, and stitched nylon center insert. These pads not only cushion your elbow on rough concrete benches, but they help you maintain the same exact body position for each shot. That, in turn, helps you shoot more accurately.
Edgewood’s hand rest (also called a brick bag) is excellent for resting your hand or wrist. It can also work as an elbow bag. The hand rest ($46.95, item 04-7590) is made from high-quality grained leather with a stiff, double-layer bottom so it sits flat. It has the new bottom-pocket tabbed fill tube. This bag is 7.5″ long, 5” wide, and 2.75” tall — but you can adjust height by the amount of sand fill. If you use it as an elbow pad, you may want to try it about 70% full so it “form-fits” to your elbow.
Tom Manners of Manners Composite Stocks has a new F-Class stock that’s long, low, and very stiff. The first three examples get their “trial by fire” this week at the F-Class Nationals in Lodi, Wisconsin. The stock is derivative of some other familiar designs, particularly in the grip area, but the underside of the stock is radically new, and the stock promises to be very rigid in all planes, without the fore-arm lift or flex found in some other F-Class stocks.
Tom says: “The shell is 100% carbon fiber with a molded-in action and barrel area. This design features a very long, stiff fore-end. From the back of the action to the tip of the fore-end the stock measures 27″ long which is around 7 1/2″ longer than our T4 stock.” The idea is to provide a “longer wheelbase” to better balance the long, 30-32″ barrels favored by many F-Class competitors.
The front half of the fore-end is very thin (from top to bottom) to achieve a low profile on the bags. The McMillan F-Class stock uses such a design, and a thin fore-end can definitely lower the center of gravity. However, some other thin-forearm designs have suffered from a springboard effect. This should not be the case with the new Manners stock. Much thought has gone into controlling fore-end flex. Manners’ design achieves greater vertical rigidity (less deflection under load) through an innovative “fish belly” design. The rounded undersection, like a canoe hull, strengthens the fore-end considerably. Carbon fiber construction also adds stiffness.
Another nice feature of the fore-end are the molded-in “rails”. On the underside of the forearm, an area is relieved for a few inches in the center. This allows the stock to contact the front bag on the two outer edges or rails. The relieved center area can ride above the “hump” typically found in the middle of the front sand-bag. Other stock designs have proven the merits of this “twin rail” feature. It works. Eliminating contact with the “hump” reduces rock and wobble, and the twin rails allow smooth tracking.
Overall, we like the stock design very much except for one thing. The stock has a pronounced corner or knuckle at the top rear of the pistol grip. This creates a sharp transition from the tang to the area relieved for your thumb. A similar (though less extreme) knuckle is found on the McMillan A-series designs. Our testers have shot stocks with grips like this and the reaction was mixed. IF you have big hands and can wrap your thumb all the way around the grip, this design can work well with a hard hold. The vertical section right below the knuckle can help distribute some of the recoil into the web of the hand. However, for people with smaller hands, your thumb is forced into an awkward position. Additionally, many shooters use a lighter hold, or prefer to place the thumb parallel to the bore axis, resting on the stock, just behind the tang. This allows you to apply some down-pressure, WITHOUT side force (a shooting style that some rifles prefer). You can do this easily with a Tooley MBR-style stock, or a Franklin low-rider. With a hard knuckle like you find on the Manners stock, resting your thumb behind the tang doesn’t work well at all. Looking at the photos, we also think the pistol grip is quite fat, further causing problems with shooters with small to medium hands. That said, we know many shooters, particularly “tactical” competitors, who like this kind of grip. Tom Manners wants to “get feedback” on the new stock at the Nationals. It will be interesting to learn if some shooters ask for a different style grip.
In mid-2008, Sinclair Int’l released an all-new, super-wide bipod system for F-Class, Tactical, and Varmint shooters. Initially priced at $165.00, the Sinclair F-Class bipod was (then) a steal. The price is now up to $199.95, still a good deal in our opinion. And now you can get the bipod in either a silver (aluminum color) or matte black finish. On a tactical rifle, the low-gloss black looks great.
New Wider, More Versatile Design
Sinclair’s previous F-Class bipod was popular but shooters wanted a wider “wheelbase” and the ability to work with 3″-wide forearms. Sinclair’s new unit offers these features and much more. The new bipod is lower, lighter (36 oz.), and easier to mount than the previous model. The new unit attaches via a captured pin system that works fast and can’t get lost. After engaging the pin, two adjusting knobs then clamp the fore-arm onto a felt-lined bracket for a secure fit. The bipod will accomodate up to 3″-wide fore-ends (and even 3 3/8″ without canting adjustment).
Adjusts for Height and Cant Angle
The new Sinclair bipod features a large rotating lever that allows you to adjust rifle cant angle easily. Vertical height adjusts from 5.5″ to 10.25″, and the leg heights are independently adjustable — an important feature when shooting on uneven ground.
The folks at Sinclair did their homework. This is a completely redesigned system that offers an easily-adjustable, highly stable platform in the field. The unit is well-built, with all the adjustments you want and need. Given the quality of the design and materials, we think it reamains a good value, though the price has gone up since this “second generation” Sinclair F-Class bipod was introduced last year.
The new Sinclair Bipod appears to be a serious rival to the Canadian “Ski” Bipod (shown below), at roughly half the price.
In response to increased customer demand and regional lead-free regulation, Winchester introduces new SUPER-X 55gr .223 Rem lead-free ammunition using a patented tin core technology. The new .223 Rem lead-free ammo features a 55gr tin-core bullet loaded to 3050 fps. The new product, item X223RT, will be available in Spring 2009.
Right out of the box, the 
The new Eliseo S1 features a drop-in Savage Target Action that bolts to a milled aluminum sub-chassis. The prototype retains the factory Savage Accutrigger, and Savage bolt handle. There is a +20 MOA extended scope rail fitted to the top of the receiver, while a fully adjustable CSS (
Powered case prep centers are nothing new. RCBS has offered a little AC-powered unit for years with whirling brushes and chamfering tips. But Hornady has beefed up the concept, adding a drill-press type vertical case trimmer. (Unlike a drill press, however, the case is held in place and the cutter spins below it.)
At the middle level of the Hornday unit a case trimming tool is centered in a black plastic tray to catch shavings. The vertical position of the cutter is fixed. You lower the case down on the spinning cutter to trim cases to length. A pivoting handle controls vertical movement of the case which is held by its rim in a shellholder mounted in a chuck. The rotary handle you see in the picture is NOT for power. It is used to adjust the starting height of the chuck/shell-holder assembly. By turning the crank you can move this whole sub-assembly up and down to suit different length cases.
Overall, we like the stock design very much except for one thing. The stock has a pronounced corner or knuckle at the top rear of the pistol grip. This creates a sharp transition from the tang to the area relieved for your thumb. A similar (though less extreme) knuckle is found on the McMillan A-series designs. Our testers have shot stocks with grips like this and the reaction was mixed. IF you have big hands and can wrap your thumb all the way around the grip, this design can work well with a hard hold. The vertical section right below the knuckle can help distribute some of the recoil into the web of the hand. However, for people with smaller hands, your thumb is forced into an awkward position. Additionally, many shooters use a lighter hold, or prefer to place the thumb parallel to the bore axis, resting on the stock, just behind the tang. This allows you to apply some down-pressure, WITHOUT side force (a shooting style that some rifles prefer). You can do this easily with a Tooley MBR-style stock, or a Franklin low-rider. With a hard knuckle like you find on the Manners stock, resting your thumb behind the tang doesn’t work well at all. Looking at the photos, we also think the pistol grip is quite fat, further causing problems with shooters with small to medium hands. That said, we know many shooters, particularly “tactical” competitors, who like this kind of grip. Tom Manners wants to “get feedback” on the new stock at the Nationals. It will be interesting to learn if some shooters ask for a different style grip.
