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March 9th, 2018

March Releases New Genesis ELR Scope with 400 MOA Elevation

march genesis ELR 400 moa scope optic
CLICK HERE to see full screen version with much larger print. SEE BIG PHOTO.

March Scopes (from DEON in Japan) has unveiled a remarkable new riflescope, the likes of which has never been seen before. The new Genesis ELR Scope has more elevation travel than has ever been packed into a scope before — 400 Minutes of Angle. That’s four or even five times as much as most other optics. This will allow the Genesis to get you on target, with no special external mounts, at three miles with a .416 magnum cartridge*.

CLICK HERE for March Genesis 6-60x56mm Brochure PDF »

For other popular cartridges/calibers, this is the range you can shoot and still have sufficient elevation travel with the Genesis. This is with the built-in elevation alone, no need for adjustable mounts, tilting rails, or prism systems:

.224 Cal to 2450 yards** | .308 Win to 2950 yards | .338 Lapua Magnum to 4000 yards

Take a good look — we bet you’ve never seen anything like this before (Big PHOTO). The new Genesis was unveiled at the IWA trade show in Germany this morning. The video below shows the Genesis being unveiled by Mr. Fumio Shimizu of Deon Optics and UK/Euro Distributor Gary Costello. Thanks to Vince Bottomley of TargetShooter.co.uk for the report from IWA.


NOTE: Click the Speaker Icon to hear audio.

How Much? Global Price for the March Genesis isn’t finalized yet, but March USA just took the first order at $5000.00 USD, without accessories. March expects to start shipping in four (4) months.

Claimed to be effective up to three miles with popular large, magnum ELR cartridges, the New Genesis sets a new benchmark in the Optics field. This won’t be cheap — posting on Facebook, a March representative said the the price is “still to be determined” but will be “approximately $5000 to $6000″. One of our Forum members just placed the first order in North America, and was told the base price (without accessories) was $5000.00 plus $50.00 shipping.

march genesis ELR 400 moa scope optic

The All New March Genesis 6-60x50mm ELR Rifle Scope

The new March Genesis represents a revolution in scope technology/design — the dawn of a new era for ELR (extreme long range) shooting. The Genesis concept began in late 2016 when a group of world-class shooters asked for a scope that could be used effectively at ranges of two miles and beyond…

The chief engineers of DEON Optical Design took on the challenge and produced several prototype designs, tested extensively on three continents. Eventually DEON produced a truly ground-breaking optic — a new beginning in scope design.
 The Genesis ELR rifle scope offers up to 400 MOA of elevation, which will allow the shooter to shoot from 10 yards out to 3 miles*.

The unique design of the Genesis allows the shooter to always see through the central part of the lens, producing clarity, definition, and minimal chromatic aberration. This holds true even on 400 MOA! On other scopes, when the extremes of elevation are used, you won’t get the same performance — you may seen distortion and darkening. Also incorporated into Genesis is the proven DEON ‘High Master’ lens system — super ED lenses with high-refractive glass offering very high resolution and natural colour right to the edge of the image.


March Genesis 6-60x56mm Specifications:

– 400 MOA of total elevation travel with Zero-set feature (300 up, 100 down)
— 6-60X Power First Focal Plane (Highest FFP zoom ratio and magnification sold)
— 150 MOA of total windage travel (75 MOA left and right)
— 50 MOA per turn, 1/4 MOA clicks

— Wide-angle eyepiece with 25 degrees apparent field of view
— Eye relief 67-82mm and exit pupil 3.3mm at 6X to 0.93mm
 at 60X
— Six-step illumination module with on/off clicks
— Integral Picatinny mounting-points on the main frame.
— High Master ED lens system with 56mm objective.

— Side-Focus Parallax from 10 yards to infinity.
— FMA-MT MOA-based Reticle for ELR (MIL-based reticle coming later)
— 
Central gimble system and slider bearings with main frame (worldwide patents pending)

— Weight 1.5 Kg

_________
* March says there is 3 mile range with a “.416 Cheytac”. Well, there is a recognized .416 Barrett cartridge and a .408 Cheytac. March says the .416 Cheytac is a “special wildcat … developed due to licensing needs for Norway.”

** March lists “.224 Cal”. We assume this refers to the .223 Remington cartridge, but it could be something completely different, such as a 22 Nosler, or .224 Valkyrie.

Permalink - Videos, New Product, News 13 Comments »
March 7th, 2018

New Kahles K525i Scope for PRS and Tactical Comps

Kahles FFP Tactical 5-25 powder scope Vortex Nightforce $4000

PRS guys — check this out. Kahles has just announced a 5-25X First Focal Plane optic that should be a class leader. If you are thinking of upgrading your tactical scope this year, the new Kahles K525i should definitely be on any “short list” of ultra-premium optics. We predict this will be one of the top-performing tactical scopes on the market. Unfortunately, it will also be one of the most expensive. Kahles lists the K525i at €3,300.00 Euros. That’s $4,093.58 at current exchange rates! You can buy a pair of pretty nice tactical rifles for that. Hopefully Kahles will consider dropping the price a bit for the American market. Don’t know how many PRS guys are willing to fork over four grand for a scope.

Thankfully, it looks like the true “street price” in the USA will be a lot lower. EuroOptic.com is now taking pre-orders for the K525i at $3,299.00 USD — that’s a lot different than the €3,300.00 Euro MSRP. Kahles says the scopes should start arriving in summer 2018.

Kahles FFP Tactical 5-25 powder scope Vortex Nightforce $4000

Kahles FFP Tactical 5-25 powder scope Vortex Nightforce $4000This scope is available in both Mil and MOA versions. Click values are 0.1 MIL, or 1/4 MOA. A variety of illuminated, First Focal Plane (FFP) reticles are offered: SKMR3, SKMR, MSR2, Mil4+, MOAK. Notably the parallax control is coaxial with the elevation turret (meaning it is centrally mounted). You adjust parallax by rotating a large-diameter control that runs around the base of the elevation turret. We know that south-paws really like that feature.

Kahles also offers two windage configurations. You can have the windage mounted on either side — on the left side for right-handed shooters or on the right side for left-hand shooters. The windage knob also features a patented “Twist Guard” rotating end cover, which is easy to control while preventing accidental windage rotation.

Manufacturer’s Product Description
K527i features: Maximum optical performance-field of vision, contrast and picture quality, Exceptional repeat accuracy, precise and clearly defined turret mechanism 0.1 MIL or 1⁄4 MOA, side adjustment left or right, Parallax wheel integrated in the elevation turret, patented TWIST GUARD windage, precise illuminated reticles in the first focal plane and large adjustment range.

“The big brother of ultrashort K318i is the new flagship of KAHLES in the field of tactical riflescopes. It combines … maximum optical performance and highest precision with unique handling and ergonomics. The rugged K525i, with its practical magnification range, has been developed for tactical use and long distances.”

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
.: Maximum optical performance — field of vision, contrast, and picture quality
.: Exceptional repeat accuracy
.: Precise and clearly-defined click mechanism 0.1 MIL, MRAD or ¼ MOA
.: Side adjustment left or right
.: Parallax wheel integrated in the elevation turret (patented) for 20m – infinity
.: Innovative, patented TWIST GUARD windage
.: Precise illuminated reticles in first focal plane: SKMR3, SKMR, MSR2, Mil4+, MOAK
.: Large adjustment range with 2.9m (E) and 1.3m (W) at 100m
.: Zero Stop

Permalink New Product, Optics, Tactical 7 Comments »
March 6th, 2018

New High-Quality Portable Press from EVO Engineering

Vince Bottomley EVO reloading compact press review UK England

If you don’t own a good portable press yet, you should get one. A quality portable press lets you load precision ammo at the range, streamlining the load development process. In addition, a small portable press can serve as a second, light-duty press in your main loading room. For example, you might dedicate the compact press to de-capping duties or bullet seating.

There is a new portable press on the market, the EVO, crafted in the UK. Our English friend Vince Bottomley got one of the first EVO presses and he found it impressive. Comparing it to the respected Harrell’s Precision Compact Press, Vince found that the EVO has some advantages. The EVO is definitely beefier and has some upgraded elements, such as a bronze ram bushing and steel linkage arms.

EVO Press Notable Features

1. The EVO press ram column moves in a bronze bushing. By contrast the Harrell’s ram runs through the CNC-machined body of the press.

2. The EVO’s mounting system (where it clamps onto the bench) is an integral part of the press-body, rather than a separate screw-on unit with the Harrells press.

3. The EVO press features sturdy, steel connecting arms. The Harrell’s compact press has aluminum linkage arms. That said, the aluminum is more than adequate — Vince notes his Harrell’s press has served him well for over 20 years.

We recommend you read the full review on TargetShooter.co.uk. Vince provides many more photos which show the EVO press components in detail. See Bushing Photo.

READ Full EVO Compact Press Review on TargetShooter.co.uk »

EVO Press Handles Wide Range of Cartridge Types
When viewed from the side, you can see that the new EVO is beefier than the Harrell’s press throughout the press “body” and lever arm base. The EVO is bigger and stronger. On the other hand, the Harrell’s press is lighter and easier to pack, and the clamping system can be detached.

Vince Bottomley EVO reloading compact press review UK England

Vince tells us: “The EVO is a ‘one size fits all’ press that will do a .308 Win or larger case (that’s a .284 in the photo)”. Vince concludes the EVO may be more versatile than the Harrell’s press. The Harrell’s Compact Reloading Press comes in three different sizes: “a really small one (left above) specifically for the benchresters’ 6PPC cartridge, a medium one for .308-sized cases, and a larger version which will take a 2.9 inch Magnum case”.

Though it has the capacity to run larger cases, Vince cautions: “please, don’t think of using your little benchrest press for all your re-sizing — stick to a Rock Chucker or what have you for your general reloading and keep the EVO for on-range reloading or as a secondary bench press.” The EVO press is available from Fox Firearms for just under £200 (about $280 USD). You can contact Fox Firearms via email: irvingfox1234 [at] aol.com.

Vince Bottomley EVO reloading compact press review UK England
The Harrell’s Compact Press is smaller and less expensive than the $280.00 EVO. It can also be purchased in three different sizes.

Permalink Gear Review, New Product, Reloading No Comments »
March 1st, 2018

Capture Video Through Your Scope with Skoped Vision Adapter

Rifle scope riflescope smartphone video mount attachment phone holder through lens

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could record what you see through your riflescope, without interfering with the normal view through the eyepiece (ocular)? That is now possible with a new, scope-mounted accessory from Phone Skope. The new Skoped Vision Adapter ($149.95 MSRP) holds your smart-phone on the right side of the riflescope. The “shooter’s eye view” through the scope ocular is NOT obstructed. This way you can video a hunt, or a target shooting session. Watch this video to see how it works.

Rifle scope riflescope smartphone video mount attachment phone holder through lens

Ed Mobley of 65Guys.com checked out the new Skoped Vision riflescope adapter at SHOT Show. In this 6.5 Guys video, the Skoped Vision product feature starts at the 1:50 time-mark:

Ed asked the Phone Skope Sales Rep about recoil and G-forces. No one wants to harm an expensive smart-phone. The Sale Rep said that today’s smart-phones are pretty tough, so no problems have been encountered: “We have tested on 7mm, .300 Win Mag. We haven’t had any issues with recoil or damage to the phone. So it looks very promising.”

The Skoped Vision riflescope adapter should be available by early summer 2018. Phone Skope says the adapter will sell for $149.95. The Skoped Vision adapter mates with a regular Phone Skope smart-phone holder which costs about $50.00. So your total price will be roughly $200.00.

Rifle scope riflescope smartphone video mount attachment phone holder through lens

Rifle scope riflescope smartphone video mount attachment phone holder through lens

Permalink - Videos, New Product, Optics 1 Comment »
February 28th, 2018

Creedmoor Sports Seeks Ideas for New Products

Creedmoor Sports Product customer plan invention

Do you have a smart idea for a new shooting-related product? Or have you figured out how to improve/enhance a popular item already on the market? If so, Creedmoor Sports wants your product ideas. Creedmoor Sports invites its customers to conceive the next great Creedmoor Sports product. Many of Creedmoor’s most creative ideas come from shooters who are out using products every day and know how to make them better. That’s why Creedmoor Sports wants to hear from you. You can email your ideas to: shoot [at] creedmoorsports.com.

Dennis DeMille, Creedmoor’s V.P. of Operations, tells us: “We love it when a customer calls or emails us with an idea. If the idea has merit we will immediately try to put it into play. If a soft-good (such as clothing) we try to take it from idea to sample within a couple days. The idea is walked back to our designer, it’s cut and sewn on the spot in our Anniston, Alabama facility and we start testing. If a hard-good (such as a metal product), we start designing the product on our mill and lathe and see what it would take to bring to market.”

Success Stories of Customer-Inspired Products
Creedmoor Sports products based on customer “bright ideas” have included the handy Scope Kennel. Made with a top strap for easy rifle carry, it serves to protect a rifle scope.

Creedmoor Sports Product customer plan invention

Another customer-suggested product is Creedmoor’s Quad-Fold Shooting Mat. This thickly-padded mat provides a comfortable, stable base for elbows and knees. When folded, it measures just 2.5″ x 19″ x 29″. The new Bench and Field Shooting Mat is another customer-inspired product. This unique mat is designed to work both on the ground and on a shooting bench. Check it out HERE.

NEW! First-Ever Reloading Catalog from Creedmoor Sports (Print and Digital)
Just this week, Creedmoor Sports released its first-ever Reloading Catalog. Equipment lines include Redding, Forster, L.E. Wilson, Hornady, RCBS and many more. Many additional component suppliers have been either added or enhanced including Berger, Lapua, Sierra, Hornady, and Nosler.

Creedmoor Sports Product customer plan invention

“We get calls and emails every day asking us to carry more reloading supplies. We decided it was time to make the investment into adding equipment that our customers demand. We didn’t want to jump into the reloading game without extensive research on what brands and philosophy that would set us apart from larger suppliers. We feel our mix of equipment, components and technical will satisfy everyone from the beginner to the expert.” Says Greg Kantorovich, President, Creedmoor Sports.

About Creedmoor Sports
Creedmoor Sports has been serving the competition/precision rifle shooting community since 1979 — nearly four decades. Creedmoor Sport’s key mission has been to supply great products that help shooters win at every level of competition. For more information, visit CreedmoorSports.com and the Creedmoor Sports Facebook page. Also check out the Creedmoor INFOZone for helpful Video Tips on shooting and reloading.

Permalink Gear Review, New Product No Comments »
February 27th, 2018

Lyman Borecam Video Review by UltimateReloader.com

Lyman Borecam Video UltimateReloader.com Shilen Match Barrel

Our friend Gavin of UltimateReloader.com has a new tool — the second generation Lyman Borecam. This upgraded version features higher-resolution 300K output so you can better see details inside your barrel. This digital borescope can also be used to inspect the interior of dies and other tools. Illumination, via LED, is adjustable. Record still images with the push of a button. The screen resolution for the latest Lyman Borecam is now 640×480, roughly 300,000 pixels (300K).

CLICK HERE for Full UltimateReloader Lyman Borecam Review »

Gavin created a very thorough 15-minute video putting the Lyman Borecam through its paces. He uses it to scope a number of firearm barrels as well as some reloading dies. If you are considering buying a Borecam or other borescoping device, you should definitely watch this video. We have included time references to make it easier to “fast forward” to the subjects you want to see:

Lyman Borecam Video Timeline
1. 1:15 — Lyman Borecam Unboxing (All Components)
2. 4:00 — Shilen Match Barrel Blank Inspection (Brand New Barrel)
3. 6:16 — Thompson Center Compass .223 Rem Barrel Inspection (Used Barrel)
4. 9:08 — Smith & Wesson 686 .357 Mag Barrel Inspection (Used Barrel)
5. 10:30 — Glock 20 Polygonal Rifling Barrel Inspectino (Used Barrel)
6. 11:45 — M1911 Barrel Inspection (Defective Barrel with Bulge in Chamber)
7. 13:12 — Sizing Die Internal Inspections (Lee .223 Rem, Redding 300 BLK)

Lyman Borecam Video UltimateReloader.com Shilen Match Barrel

The Lyman Borecam comes complete with everything you need. Shown in photo are:

1. Borecam Wand (includes handle, rod, mirror, and digital lens/camera) with length indication scale. An inch scale runs the full length of the rod. That tells you where the lens is positioned inside the bore. Note the wand scale marks when recording screen captures.
2. Borecam Digital Display. The 600×480 display can record stills with included 128MB SD Card. A USB SD Card adapter is included.
3. Borecam Mirror Protector and cleaning kit.
4. AC Power Adapter (not shown, international plug adapters included).

UltimateReloader offers three key tips for the Lyman Borecam:

— First, before you start, make sure the mirror is clear and free of dirt, lint, or solvents.
— Use the Up and Down Arrows to adjust the illumination to suit your barrel.
— Experiment with how close you hold the mirror to the wall of the bore. This affects both brightness and focus.

YouTube Viewer Comments on UltimateReloader Lyman Borecam Video:

“Great review, Gavin. Your video capture of the display looks better than what they show in Lyman’s own product video.”

“Price is getting low enough to think I need one on the short ‘To Buy’ list. Have some milsurp rifles with horrid bores that should be very interesting to view. Don’t waste $$ on those $20 things on Amazon, I did and thoroughly wasted my money.”

NEW and IMPROVED — Lyman Higher Rez Borecam

Lyman Borecam Video UltimateReloader.com Shilen Match Barrel

Permalink - Videos, Gear Review, New Product, Optics 6 Comments »
February 17th, 2018

Howa 1500-Series Rifles for National Rifle League

Howa 1500 Factory Rifle sponsor

Here’s important news for tactical shooters. There’s a rival to the Precision Rifle Series (PRS), the National Rifle League (NRL). And now the NRL has a major rifle sponsor — Howa. This Japanese rifle-maker will support the NRL’s 2018 season as Official Factory Rifle Sponsor. Good choice. We’ve shot Howa 1500-series rifles, and we know they offer excellent performance for the price. You can buy a complete Howa tactical rig, such as the KRG Bravo, or get a barreled action and put it into a variety of third-party modular stocks. Plus Criterion Barrels now offers Pre-Fit barrels in a variety of chamberings for Howa 1500 actions.

Howa 1500 Factory Rifle sponsor

For 2018, the NRL will host 15 Precision Rifle matches, and the NRL 2018 Championships will be on October 19th – 21st in Idaho. There Howa will provide valuable prizes for top competitors. CLICK HERE for more information on the NRL 2018 match schedule.

Howa 1500 hact 2-stage triggerNational Rifle League Upcoming Spring Matches

Absolute Zero Sniper Match
North Carolina, February 23-25, 2018

Bighorn Steel Classic
Nebraska, March 2-4, 2018

Monster Lake Mayhem
Wyoming, April 6-8, 2018

Owen’s Armory Battle Royale
Arizona, April 27-29, 2018

JC Steel Target Challenge
Washington, May 4-6, 2018

Silent Night by Butch’s
Oklahoma, May 25-26, 2018

Howa 1500 Factory Rifle sponsor

Howa 1500 Rifles and Actions — Good Stuff
Howa Machinery has been exporting sporting rifles for more than four decades since its first unit shipped in 1967. The Howa Model 1500 boast a smooth-running action and a fine two-stage HACT trigger (that’s a lot better than the standard trigger in most other factory rifles). For 2018, Howa is moving into the tactical/practical Precision market with a full line of competition ready rifles.

Howa 1500 Factory Rifle sponsor

“We are very excited to be a part of the National Rifle League for 2018. We had the opportunity to be a part of a few matches in 2017 and the response was amazing. We view the NRL as an opportunity to connect with precision rifle shooters all around the country and share our passion for bolt-action rifles and the competition camaraderie.” Stated Mathew Hornback of Howa USA.

Howa 1500 Factory Rifle sponsor

Travis Ishida, NRL President, noted “how capable these Howa rifles are for our style of shooting. The new Howa competition-ready rifles offer a sub-MOA guarantee out of the box[.] I am truly excited to have Howa supporting the NRL and to see them perform this year.”

Permalink New Product, Tactical 3 Comments »
February 3rd, 2018

2018 Product Lines — Savage, Bergara, Legacy Sports Int’l

6.5 Guys Shot show 2018 savage, bergara, howa

Our friends Ed and Steve, aka the 6.5 Guys seemed to be everywhere at SHOT Show. With tripods and cameras slung over their shoulders, Ed and Steve worked marathon hours, recording no less than 43 SHOT Show videos. They found all sorts of new and interesting products. They visited notable optics makers including March, Nightforce, Nikon, and Vortex. They interviewed major players in the PRS/Tactical Game including George Gardner of G.A. Precision, Tom Manners of Manners Composite Stocks, and Frank Galli, founder of Sniper’s Hide. And the 6.5 Guys also covered mainstream, large-volume rifle makers. That will be our focus here today, as we present the 6.5 Guys’ coverage of three key, long-arms builders or importers — Bergara, Legacy International, and Savage Arms.

Savage Arms — New Options for Precision Shooters

Savage Accufit 2018 products

We own a couple Savage rifles, so we know Savage centerfire rifles can deliver surprisingly good accuracy for the price. It is not unusual for Savage rifles in some chamberings to shoot 0.7 MOA right out of the box. And the barrel nut system allows you to easily swap in an aftermarket custom barrel to get even more accuracy. Here the 6.5 Guys look at Savage’s new-for-2018 offerings, including the Stealth Evolution and the long-action Model 110 BA with GRS stock. A new chambering has been added — the 6.5 PRC.

Bergara — Becoming a Player in the American Market

Bergara match rifle PRS, internal chassis

We have been impressed with Bergara’s development as a brand in the last few years. Bergara, a Spanish company, is serious about becoming a player in the American market. The company has listened to American shooters, building hunting and tactical rifles with key features valued by American customers. Bergara rifles offer a nice combination of comfortable ergonomics with some advanced engineering, such as the B14’s internal metal chassis. In this video, the 6.5 Guys look at the latest rifle offerings from Bergara.

Legacy Sports International — Howa and Lithgow Arms

Bergara match rifle PRS, internal chassis

Legacy Sports Int’l is the importer/distributor for a number of rifle manufacturers, including Howa, Lithgow Arms, and Citadel. In this video, Ed looks at the Howa KRG Bravo chambered in 6mm Creedmoor. This features the smooth-running Howa 1500 action with 2-Stage HACT Trigger, set in a Kinetic Research Group modular chassis. Priced at $1279.00 MSRP with sub-MOA guarantee, it is definitely a serious contender in the PRS Factory Class. Anyone looking at a Ruger Precision Rifle should also consider this Howa.

Permalink New Product, Tactical No Comments »
February 2nd, 2018

F-TR TIP — Make a More Stable, Lower-Friction Front Bipod Pad

F-Class F-TR bipod front support pad platform

The Berger Southwest Nationals (SWN) is coming up next week at Ben Avery in Phoenix. Many of the nation’s top F-Class shooters will be there. Here are some tips that can help F-TR shooters competing at the SWN. These suggestions will also benefit any F-TR shooter who is looking for a more stable set-up under his bipod, and easier adjustment of the vertical when using a Phoenix-style (non-joystick) bipod.

How to Set up a Stable Front Pad for Your F-TR Bipod

To get peak performance from your F-TR rig, you need good support under the bipod. You want the base to be firm, but you also want a smooth, low-friction surface so the bipod feet can slide properly. Some guys just shoot off a carpet or a slab of wood with some rubber on top. There is a better way.

Forum member PBike shows how a three-element front set-up offers the best of both worlds — a firm platform with low-friction top. PBike’s set-up has three elements. Layer 1 is a thick rubber mat. Layer 2 is a steel plate with thin neoprene glued top and bottom. Layer 3, on which the bipod feet rest, is a thin neoprene door-mat with a low-friction surface, like the top of a MousePad. The video below shows how the three layers are arranged.

Pbike explains that, under F-TR rules, “You can use any series of pads or plates, so long as they are flat and do not include [tracking channels/slots] for the bipod feet”. The plate can be 12″ fore and aft, and the overall width may not extend more than 2″ beyond the bipod feet on either side.

F-Class F-TR bipod front support pad platform

F-Class F-TR bipod front support pad platform

F-TR Bipod Support Components (Bottom to Top)
LAYER ONE (bottom): Thick Rubber Pad, such as a heavy doormat
LAYER TWO (middle) Steel Plate, approximately 12″ x 24″, with attached neoprene
LAYER THREE (top): Neoprene Upper pad (slick upper surface like a MousePad)

NOTE, if the surface is not level, you can use wood shims to level the surface both left to right and front to back. The shims slide under the lowest pad. With a small saw, these can be trimmed so they don’t extend past the pad’s dimensions, maintaining compliance with F-Class rules.

The Phoenix bipod is an excellent product, but some folks like to run their rifles lower for better tracking and less hop. This can be accomplished with the PBike Aetkinz Engineering Lowering Kit. That Kit lowers the entire assembly 1.7 inches. For more information contact Pbike257 [at] gmail.com.

Phoenix Bipod “Rear Drive” and Steering Kit

F-TR rifle stock fore-ends are getting longer, allowing competitors to mount their bipods further forward. This longer “wheelbase” can deliver more stability, less hop, and better tracking. There’s a problem, however — if the bipod is attached way out front, it can be difficult to reach the bipod’s elevation controls. Some shooters grab the back end of the ski foot to adjust the rifle’s lateral position, but that doesn’t help with vertical.

F-Class F-TR bipod front support pad platform

PBike has developed a new accessory that lets you adjust the Bipod’s Mariner wheel easily and precisely. Basically this is a rotating, anodized aluminum tube that extends rearward. It has a 90° gear drive that replaces the Mariner wheel, allowing vertical adjustment by rotating the tube clockwise or counter-clockwise. See how it works in this video, starting at 1:40:

Pbike explains: “This is a really comfortable way to shoot. With this handle I can adjust for elevation and I can also steer the rifle fore and aft, left/right — anywhere I need to. I can make minute adjustments up and down, as needed, with the knurled handle.”

Video Suggestion by Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions
Permalink - Videos, Competition, Gear Review, New Product 3 Comments »
February 2nd, 2018

No More M4 — USMC Adopts H&K M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle

USMC Marine Corps M27 IAR heckler koch
Photo by USMC, public domain.

The U.S. Marine Corps will be adopting a new rifle to replace the M4 select-fire carbine. Designated the M27 IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle), the new rifle is based on Heckler & Koch’s HK416, which looks like an AR, but runs with an internal gas piston system. The HK416 has been used by the German Army and some USA Special Operations units. This change-over has been in the works for some time, but the “protest period” has concluded, so now it is official.

The adoption of the M27 was announced at SHOT Show 2018. GunsAmerica reports: “H&K has officially received the contract for the USMC to replace the M4 carbines. The H&K model selected is the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, a derivative of the famous H&K 416″. The U.S. Marine Corps initially planned to purchase 6,500 M27s to replace a portion of the M249 light machine guns employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions. In December 2017, the Marine Corps revealed a decision to equip every Marine in an infantry squad with the M27, so this is a major change. (Source: Wikipedia.com.)

According to Wikipedia: “The M27 is a lightweight, magazine-fed 5.56mm, select-fire weapon based on the Heckler & Koch HK416. It features a gas-operated, short-stroke piston action with a rotating bolt and a free-floating barrel. The handguard has four MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails for use with accessories and optics. The simpler gas-piston rifle system reduces the amount of time it takes to resolve malfunctions on the IAR compared with the M249 light machine gun.”

USMC Marine Corps M27 IAR heckler koch
CLICK HERE for full-screen M27 Photo by Heckler & Koch.

As deployed, early versions of the IAR have done well in combat: “The IAR was initially fielded in December 2010. 1st Battalion 3rd Marines were deployed to Afghanistan in April 2011 with 84 IARs. Former SAW gunners initially did not like the M27, but appreciated it as time went on. It weighed 9 lb. loaded, compared to 22 lb. for an M249 — a significant difference when on 5-hour long missions. It also blended in with standard M16-style service rifles, making it difficult for enemy forces to identify the machine gunner. Marines issued with the M27 [report] it is friendlier to troops [than the M249] due to its cleaner, lightweight system having fewer moving parts and jams. IAR gunners consider the rifle-grade accuracy to be a huge improvement over the SAW, despite the loss of sustained firing.” (Source: Wikipedia.com.)

Heckler & Koch Expands American Production Center in Georgia
Heckler & Koch operates a production center in the state of Georgia, not far from Fort Benning. A $28.5 million expansion, started in 2017, is adding a new 50,000-square-foot factory in the Corporate Ridge Business Park. “HK’s new U.S. factory will make use of advanced manufacturing technologies and will be staffed by German and American engineers and technicians,” said Francisco Hidalgo, CEO of HK USA. GunsAmerica notes: “H&K USA will be designing and building guns directly for the U.S. market in the USA now. Now, we can look forward to weapons built specific to the U.S. market. [We] can’t wait to see the first one stamped ‘Made in Georgia’.” It is unknown when H&K will start delivering American-made M27s to the USMC.

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