Well, it appears that youth and skill CAN triumph over “old age and treachery” — at least in the world of IBS benchrest competition. Here’s a feel-good story that should give us confidence in the upcoming generation of new shooters.
A month ago, Henry Miller won the IBS benchrest match at Dunham’s Bay, New York. Henry shot a .2698 Aggregate to top 21 other shooters. That sounds like a standard headline for most any benchrest event, doesn’t it? In the case, however, it was rather exceptional. You see, Henry, the son of long-time benchrester Scott Miller, is just eleven years old. It was an impressive performance by the young man — conditions for the March 22nd match were difficult. In fact, only two shooters finished under .300 for the 100-yard, five-target average. Scott Miller introduced son Henry recently to the world of benchrest competition. In addition to Dunham’s Bay, young Henry has shot at Pine Tree Rifle Club in Johnstown, New York and at Bell City in Connecticut. By the way, Henry beat the Euber brothers (both Hall of Famers) and other veteran shooters many decades older than he. Well done, young man!
Most competitive long-range shooters weigh powder charges for their handloads. Some even use ultra-precise magnetic force restoration scales to load to single-kernel tolerances. But is weight-based measuring always the best way to fill a case with powder? Another option is volumetric charging. This method fills a precisely-sized cavity with powder and then dumps the charge into the case. A Harrell’s rotary powder measure works this way, as does the sliding powder filler on a Dillon progressive press.
For long-range applications, most people believe that precise weighing of powder charges is the best way to achieve optimal accuracy and low ES/SD. However, those short-range Benchrest guys do pretty darn well with their thrown charges, at least at 100 and 200 yards.
Our friend Dennis Santiago recently observed something that made him scratch his head and wonder about weighing charges. His AR-15 match rifle shot better with volumetric (cavity-measured) charges than with weighed charges dispensed by an RCBS ChargeMaster. Here’s what he reports:
Cavity vs. Dribble (Dennis Santiago Report) I had the chance to compare nominally identical ammunition loaded two ways. These were all .223 Remington match loads using 77gr Sierra Match Kings over 23.4 grains of Hodgdon Varget. Same gun. However I loaded some ammo with charges dispensed with a Lee cavity-style powder measure while other rounds were loaded with powder weighed/dispensed by an RCBS Chargemaster. The cavity-drop ammo (with powder dropped from the Lee unit) was consistently better than the weighed-charge ammo. I have no idea why…
So, ladies and gentlemen — what do you think? Why did Mr. Santiago’s volumetrically-charged ammo shoot better than ammo filled with weighed charges? What’s your theory? Gary Eliseo suspects that Dennis’s Chargemaster might have been drifting. What do you think? Post your theories in the comments area below.
In a revealing podcast, Pete Brownell of Brownells, the largest gun parts vendor in the world, provides some fascinating insights into today’s firearms industry. On Episode 122 of the AR-15 Podcast (see Podcast video below), Pete and Podcast host Reed Snyder talk about the growth of the firearm industry and the widespread popularity of guns in the USA. Looking back at the second half of the 20th Century, Pete speculates that the millions of GIs returning from WWII fueled the growth of competitive shooting and hunting. America’s love affair with guns has continued apace into the 21st Century. Now an estimated 39% of American households own guns according to a Gallup survey, and the NRA says the true figure is closer to 50%. Additionally, Pete and Reed talk about the changing face of gunsmithing. Pete notes that the tighter tolerances permitted by advanced tools have fostered new methodologies and improved precision in gunsmithing.
Here at AccurateShooter.com we tend to focus on highly-accurate (1/2-MOA or better), custom-built bolt-action rifles. But for home defense, deer hunting, or just having fun with the grand-kids, factory-built firearms serve their purpose. With that in mind, we wondered, “Just what are the most popular mass-production firearms these days?” Gunbroker.com, the biggest firearms auction site, has tallied the top-selling new and “previously-owned” firearms in various categories for all of last year. Here are Gunbroker’s “Best Selling Firearms” for 2014.
GunBroker’s Top-Selling New and Used Firearms of 2014
According to a new NSSF Industry Report, the total economic impact of the firearms and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $42.9 billion in 2014, a 125% increase. Industry growth generated more jobs — a lot more jobs. In fact, the total number of “full-time equivalent” jobs rose from 166,000 to more than 263,000, a 58% increase in that period. “We have seen continued dramatic growth in the firearms and ammunition industry that is the direct result of consumer demand for our products since 2008,” said Stephen L. Sanetti, NSSF President and Chief Executive Officer. READ the Firearms and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report.
This evening (Wednesday, April 15th), Shooting USA television spotlights the National Matches and CMP events at Camp Perry, Ohio. This is a “must-watch” episode for anyone interested in High Power shooting. The National Matches at Camp Perry are the World Series of American shooting sports, attracting the nation’s top pistol and rifle marksmen. There are individual competitions, such as the Vintage Sniper Match, or the M1 Garand Match featuring legendary firearms. Then there’s the National Trophy Infantry Team Match, known as the Rattle Battle among competitors, simulating an assault by an Infantry Squad. Catch this episode of Shooting USA on the Outdoor Channel. Vintage military rifle fans take note — this week’s show also features an American classic, the m1903 Springfield.
Eastern Time – 3:30 PM, 9:00 PM, 12:30 AM (Thursday)
Central Time – 2:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 11:30 PM
Mountain Time – 1:30 PM, 7:00 PM, 10:00 PM
Pacific Time – 12:00 Noon, 6:00 PM, 9:30 PM
The 1903 Springfield on Tonight’s Show
The U.S. Rifle, Model of 1903, better known as the 03 Springfield, continues to attract praise today. While its design was initially borrowed, its accuracy, quality and service record proved to be a fine military bolt-action rifle in the trenches of WW I and on into World War II. “It was a beautifully made gun, extremely, extremely well balanced,” says Firearms Historian Garry James.
History of the National Matches and Camp Perry
In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt’s vision of skilled marksmen among American citizens came to life as the National Matches; civilians on the firing line with the service weapon of the day, preparing for training in case of a time of war. T.R.’s vision is now a tradition, attracting thousands of people for five weeks of shooting competitions each year at Camp Perry in Ohio.
The National Matches have been held at Camp Perry since 1907. The range is located along the shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio near Port Clinton. The site was first acquired in 1906, in response to the need for a larger facility for military training and the NRA’s shooting programs. In 1906 Gen. Ammon B. Crichfield, Adjutant General of Ohio, ordered construction of a new shooting facility on the shores of Lake Erie, 45 miles east of Toledo, Ohio. The original land for Camp Perry was purchased in 1906, and the reservation was named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the American naval commander who won the Battle of Put-in-Bay during the War of 1812.
On August 19, 1907, Cpl. L. B. Jarrett fired the first shot at the new Camp Perry Training Site. And that year, 1907, Camp Perry held its first National Pistol and Rifle Championship events. This location has hosted the annual NRA National Matches ever since. Today, over 4,000 competitors attend the National Matches each year, making it the most popular shooting competition in the western hemisphere.
Allan D. Cors of Naples, Florida was elected by the National Rifle Association Board of Directors as President of the 144-year-old Association. The election took place in Nashville, Tennessee following the 144th Annual Meeting of the NRA. A lifelong hunter and competitive shooter with a passion for collecting World War II military vehicles, Cors has served as president of the NRA Foundation and is a member of the NRA’s Executive Committee. He was a principal advocate for the establishment of the NRA’s Political Action Committee. Cors served as a counsel with the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as the director of government affairs and senior vice president at Corning for 34 years.
“I am humbled by the support of my fellow 5 million-plus NRA members and 75 board members. At a time when our country is disillusioned with government and its leaders, the public’s faith in the NRA has never been stronger,” said Cors. “This trust is a result of the NRA’s steadfast loyalty to upholding the Second Amendment and it is a testament to the diligence and prescience of Wayne LaPierre – a man who has dedicated his life to the NRA.”
Wayne LaPierre Retains Executive VP Post
The board of directors also re-elected Wayne LaPierre as NRA’s executive vice president. LaPierre has served in this leadership role since 1991 and has spearheaded NRA’s efforts to restore the relevance and sanctity of the Second Amendment. Upon his re-election, LaPierre reappointed Kyle Weaver to the position of executive director of NRA General Operations and Chris W. Cox to the position of executive director of NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
Pete Brownell Elected First VP, and Richard Childress Elected Second VP
Pete Brownell was elected NRA First Vice President. Brownell, who previously served as NRA Second VP, is also the current chairman of the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), an active member of the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff Foundation Board, and vice chair of the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board. NASCAR legend Richard Childress of North Carolina was elected NRA Second Vice President, filling the spot formerly held by Pete Brownell.
Want to win fifty thousand bucks? That’s possible if you sign up for the 2015 Trijicon Shooting Challenge. Registration just opened for this multi-gun mega-event, one of the richest shooting matches in American history. We’re talking serious money here… shooters will be competing for over $100,000 in match cash, and over $200,000 in prize table awards. The first prize is $50,000. And get this — you don’t even have to bring ammo. The match sponsors provide all the guns and ammunition for the event.
Competitors need to be versatile. This is a multi-gun event with pistol, rifle, shotgun, and combined arm segments. There will be divisions for ladies and men, juniors and adults. The entry fees are substantial, $395.00 for adults, $195.00 for juniors, but remember the ammo is free. The match will be held October 21-24, 2015 at the Rockcastle Shooting Center in Kentucky. Click HERE to REGISTER.
R. Lee Ermey, aka the “Gunny”, has a new Television Show on the Outdoor Channel. We’ll be tuning in to GunnyTime with R. Lee Ermey when it debuts April 15, 2015 (yep, Tax Day). Ermey has an impressive resume — An 11-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and active High Power competitor, the Gunny has appeared in numerous feature films and has also starred in critically-acclaimed TV series on HBO, TNT, Showtime and History Channel.
The all-new, half-hour series produced features weapons and weapons technology – past, present, and future. While consulting with top experts, Ermey will demonstrate both historic weapons and modern high-tech firearms and military gadgets. The Gunny also test-drives a variety of weaponized vehicles, such as a Tomcar TM5 with an M249 S.A.W. mounted on it.
Watch Show Preview Trailer
In the show Ermey will be assisted by knowledgeable experts including Craig “Sawman” Sawyer, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Grady Powell, retired U.S. Army Special Forces Sergeant, and our friend Kirsten Joy Weiss, ace rifle shooter and host of the popular Sharp Shots YouTube Channel.
In a major victory for firearms and ammunition retailers, a Federal District Court in Colorado has thrown out a Brady Center-backed lawsuit arising out of the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting. The Federal Court ruled that: “The federal and state immunity statutes prohibit the claims of liability for the sales of ammunition in this case.” If you are involved in sales of guns or ammunition, whether as a distributor or retailer, we strongly recommend you read the entire U.S. District Court decision by Richard P. Matsch, Senior District Judge. The Judge’s memorandum cites many important principles of law. CLICK HERE for Dismissal Order.
The case, Phillips v. Lucky Gunner, was brought by the parents of an Aurora shooting victim against several web-based businesses from whom the shooter, James Holmes, purchased materials. The plaintiffs sued two web-based ammo vendors, Lucky Gunner LLC and The Sportsman’s Guide, as well as suppliers of various tactical gear.
Brady Center lawyers representing the family members alleged that the Internet business practices of the FFLs did not include “reasonable safeguards” to prevent persons such as Holmes from purchasing their respective products.
The court found that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) as well as a Colorado preemption statute required dismissal of the Brady Center’s lawsuit. In dismissing this action, the court followed legal precedents that have consistently found the PLCAA to be constitutional.
Highlights of Court Decision:
The ammunition sellers are also protected by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7901 et seq. (“PLCAA”). Enacted in 2005, the PLCAA generally prohibits claims against firearms and ammunition manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and importers for damages and injunctive relief arising from the criminal or unlawful misuse of firearms and ammunition, unless the suit falls within one of six enumerated exceptions. 15 U.S.C. §§ 7901–7903.
The Colorado legislature specifically limited suits against ammunition sellers to those where the plaintiff requests “damages” for relief, except in a product liability action which includes “any remedy.” Section 13-21-504.5(1). Subsection (2) precludes liability of the ammunition sellers for the actions of Holmes in any type of action. The plaintiffs’ claims of negligence, negligent entrustment and public nuisance based on the sales of ammunition to Holmes are barred and “shall” be dismissed. C.R.S. § 13-21-504.5(3).
Most competitive long-range shooters weigh powder charges for their handloads. Some even use ultra-precise magnetic force restoration scales to load to single-kernel tolerances. But is weight-based measuring always the best way to fill a case with powder? Another option is volumetric charging. This method fills a precisely-sized cavity with powder and then dumps the charge into the case. A Harrell’s rotary powder measure works this way, as does the sliding powder filler on a Dillon progressive press.
The 1903 Springfield on Tonight’s Show
Allan D. Cors of Naples, Florida was elected by the National Rifle Association Board of Directors as President of the 144-year-old Association. The election took place in Nashville, Tennessee following the 144th Annual Meeting of the NRA. A lifelong hunter and competitive shooter with a passion for collecting World War II military vehicles, Cors has served as president of the NRA Foundation and is a member of the NRA’s Executive Committee. He was a principal advocate for the establishment of the NRA’s Political Action Committee. Cors served as a counsel with the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served as the director of government affairs and senior vice president at Corning for 34 years.
