Today marks the 239th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps. At Tun Tavern in Philadelphia on November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was formed. At a ceremony marking the Marine’s “birthday”, (held at the Marine Corp Air Station in Yuma, AZ), Cpl. Uriel Avendano provided perspective: “The word Marine spans time, places, people, personalities and exploits. The faces of the Marines of the past tell the story of a tough, disciplined and proud people who loved the challenge and gave nothing but their best. Today the uniform has changed, but the motives remain the same… [O]ur duty remains the same. We are ready for anything, at any time and in any place.”
Story by Jaime Hammer, IBS Social Media Manager
Paul Hammer was introduced to benchrest rifle shooting by his friend Bill Adcox at the Greenville Gun Club (in Greenville, SC) about five years ago. He has been an avid skeet shooter for most of his life, but his daughter never fell in love with that sport. The first time he took her to the rifle range with him, she was hooked. She loved the precision of it and that it’s very relaxing. If you haven’t been able to tell by now, I’m his daughter. What began slowly as a fun hobby that we could enjoy together picked up speed a year and a half ago, when we went to our first IBS match, a 100/200 yard match at Piedmont Gun Club. From then on, he spent much of his free time learning about the sport, from techniques to types of guns to how to reload his own ammunition.
Paul Hammer and Daughter Jaime Enjoy Time at the Range Together…
He frequently practices or competes in both group and score matches at 100, 200, and 600 yards at Piedmont Gun Club, Polk County Gun Club, and Greenville Gun Club. This year, he even competed for the first time in the annual Groundhog and Egg Shoot in Hickory, NC hosted by Bull’s Eye Sporting Goods. His smallest group, made while practicing at 100 yards with a 6 PPC, was 0.17 inch. His best score, made at 100 yards at the NC State Championship with a 6 PPC, was 249 with 8 Xs (he commented that he “made a perfect score with 5 Xs on the sighter target!”).
He said, “For me, benchrest rifle shooting is enjoyable because there’s so much to learn, and the people you meet along the way are nice and helpful. It’s fun and challenging.” Although he always tries and wants to shoot well, at the end of the day, he just enjoys the sport, spending time with his daughter, and meeting new people.
Part of his benchrest education has come from helping plan benchrest matches for Polk County Gun Club. Last September, in conjunction with Tony Moss, Paul began organizing monthly 100/300 yard groundhog and egg shoots. In doing so, he has learned more about shooting and what it takes to put together a successful benchrest rifle match. Paul and Tony are currently working with the board of directors to improve Polk County Gun Club’s rifle range and install target backers to get approval to hold IBS matches there.
If you would like to contact Paul to discuss the monthly Polk County Gun Club rifle matches or chat about general benchrest topics, send email to: paulhammer [at] bellsouth.net.
Remington Defense has secured two major defense contracts for sniper rifles and chassis kits. First, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Remington a contract to provide 443 Precision Sniper Rifles (“PSR”) chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum and 446 PSR caliber conversion kits in both .300 Winchester Magnum and .308 Winchester. The order was placed under the competitively awarded PSR Systems contract. The PSR is a sniper rifle system with modular barrel length and caliber conversion capabilities. Remington has commenced full production of the PSR after successful prototype and low rate initial production (LRIP) testing.
Remington PSR Sniper Rifle System
The Remington PSR combines a user-adjustable folding stock, free-float handguard, and the potential to change barrel lengths and calibers within minutes.
Marines Order Modular M40A6 Stocks
The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded Remington Defense a contract to provide up to 2,000 modular stocks, spares, and magazines in support of the Marine’s M40 Sniper Rifle Modular Stock program. The stocks will be used to upgrade the Marines’ current M40A5 rifles. The new rifle system, designated the M40A6, features a folding stock plus full-length rails to hold optics and night vision systems. “We were excited to compete for and win this critical Marine Corps program,” said Greg Baradat, Director of U.S. Military Sales for Remington Defense. “The Marine Corps tested each bidder’s product to high standards, and we are proud to have exceeded their performance criteria.”
“We are proud to deliver the ultimate precision sniper systems on the planet,” said Greg Baradat, Director of U.S. Military Sales for Remington Defense. “The move to full rate production successfully demonstrates the quality, accuracy, and reliability of the system to our valuable Department of Defense customers.”
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has completely overhauled its website. The new site boasts over 300 pages of content covering 40+ CMP programs. In addition, it is easier than ever to purchase items through the CMP E-Store. Check out the changes at: www.thecmp.org.
With a more modern, tablet-friendly design, the site is easier to navigate, with the most frequently used CMP services placed “front and center”. The site is divided into seven main categories: Safety, Sales & Services, Competitions, Clubs, Air Gun, Training & Tech, and Communications. Click on any of these categories, and additional content displays. The Sales page now links items to the CMP E-Store, simplifying the online ordering process.
Competition Tracking
The CMP’s Competition and Club Tracker is now integrated into the CMP website. Users can now easily access a list of upcoming matches or a list of clubs. You no longer have to bounce out to a different website with a different interface. This represents a pretty big change that should benefit site users.
First Shot Online Magazine
The First Shot, the CMP’s popular webzine, is now an integral part of the CMP website, allowing articles to be located through keywords in the Search feature. This should help users access the scores of useful articles in The First Shot’s archive.
Not Ready for Prime Time?
Editor’s Comment: The new CMP website is live, but there are some issues. Sometimes it takes two or three tries to launch the site, some features are very slow, and we are still observing some database errors. We expect the programmers are working hard to speed up and optimize the site over the next few weeks. Hopefully the new CMP site will soon become more responsive. Generally, the design changes have been positive, making the site more user-friendly. However, it appears that some glitches still need to be resolved.
Ok, here’s the deal. Get yourself to the Austin, Texas area this weekend, and you can shoot a bunch of new guns from numerous major manufacturers. At the first annual Texas International Firearms Festival, avid shooters can try and buy the latest guns and gear. With more than 30 dedicated gun bays and dozens of ammo and accessory retailers, the Texas International Firearms Festival proves the old adage that everything is bigger and better in Texas.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill gunshow where you can only look at a bunch of guns indoors. At the Texas Firearms Festival this weekend you can actually “test drive” dozens of new firearms. Here are some of the big-name gun-makers offering firearms at the Festival: Barrett, Beretta, Cabot Guns, FN Herstal, Henry Repeating Arms, Sig Sauer, Tracking Point, Walther, Winchester.
The Festival isn’t free — but the price is more than reasonable considering the hours of fun you can have. A one-day pass, which includes the cost of ammo, is $59.00. A weekend pass for two full days of shooting is just $95.00 (ammo included). Purchase tickets at TexasGunFest.com.
Festival Location and Directions
The Festival will be held at the Best of the West Shooting Range in Liberty Hill, Texas. The address is 19500 W. SH 29, Liberty Hill, TX 78642. For driving directions, use this interactive Google map:
Our friend (and ace sharp-shooter) Kirsten Weiss will be at the Festival this weekend acting as a spokesperson. Maybe you can meet Kirsten and learn how she makes those amazing trick shots featured on her popular YouTube Channel.
The folks from Nightforce Optics attended the 2014 F-Class National Championships in Phoenix last week. Sean Murphy and his Nightforce colleagues snapped a ton of photos of F-TR and F-Open shooters in action. You can see over 300 images from the Nationals on the Nightforce Facebook Page. Below are some of our favorite shots, with captions. Facebook users can access the full F-Class Nationals Gallery.
Click any image to see large-size version
Here’s winning 2014 F-TR National Champion James Crofts, with his PR&T-built rig.
Young female shooter uses SEB JoyPod, a coaxial, joystick-actuated bipod. Yes it is F-TR legal.
Yes, you CAN shoot F-Open with a Tube-gun. This modular chassis sports a Delrin bag-rider.
With the rising popularity of F-TR compeition, shooters are adapting Benchrest-style stocks to use a bipod. Here’s a McMillan Bench stock fitted with a bipod.
It was hot in Phoenix. Notice that the shooter covered his ammo as well as his head.
“See, Focus, Trust” — One competitor wrote his mantra on his ammo box lid.
Here ballistics Guru Bryan Litz shoots a John Pierce-built F-TR rig. This uses a low-profile, Benchrest-style carbon composite stock.
Shiraz Balolia had a very patriotic rig and a blinged-out tripod front rest.
Cactus and morning balloon ascents before the wind starts. Yes, this is Ben Avery…
All photos copyright Nightforce Optics 2014, used with permission.
Here’s a reminder that today is Election Day across the nation. This morning your Editor took the time to hop in the car and go cast my vote. You should too. We live in a democracy — it’s important that all concerned, voting-age citizens participate in the process. Remember that you have no right to complain about politicians (or their policies) if you haven’t exercised your right to vote.
Around the nation, Tuesday, November 4 is Election Day. There are dozens of key Congressional seats up for grabs this year. In addition, important gun issues are on the ballot in many states. Remember, every vote counts — you can’t complain about local, state, and federal policies if you don’t bother to vote. We hope all our readers take the time to visit their local polling places tomorrow.
If you want to learn more about the upcoming election, and research the positions of candidates on gun rights issues, visit the NSSF’s GUNVOTE website. This resource highlights key U.S. Senate and House of Representatives races. The NSSF Election Guide allows you to browse state-by-state. There’s also a handy page with links to directories of local polling places for every state. So — do your homework and cast your vote tomorrow!
State Elections — Time of Reckoning for Hickenlooper?
In addition, the GUNVOTE site covers important Gubernatorial contests around the country. Here is a video about the Colorado Governor’s race. In 2013, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed tough anti-gun measures into law and has been trying to explain himself ever since. On Election Day, Colorado voters will decide whether Gov. Hickenlooper deserves another term in office.
There have been some remarkable team performances at the 2014 F-Class Nationals. With good conditions, talented shooters, and ultra-accurate rifles, three teams have “raised the bar” with record-breaking performances this week in Phoenix.
Team Long Shots Breaks Records with 800-42X Score at 1000 Yards
Congratulations to the Long Shots rifle team for breaking the 80-shot, 1000-yard, F-Open Civilian and Open Team Match National Records with a score of 800-42X. That is amazing shooting! Give credit to Michelle Gallagher, David Bailey, Ken Dickerman, David Gosnell, and Mark Walker.
Michelle Gallagher (as Snow White) on Halloween with her four team-mates.
Team Grizzly — F-Open National Champions
Shiraz Balolia reports: “Team Grizzly just won the F-Open National Team Championship. This is the third major match that Trudie Fay has coached four shooters into winning. She was also our coach when she coached us to a win at the last National Championship in Raton, and then again in February this year (2014) when we set a new National record in the Palma course in Phoenix at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. Trudie is a heck of a wind reader!” Shooters are: Kenny Adams, Shiraz Balolia (Captain), Emil Kovan, and John Myers.
Team Sinclair — Six-Time National F-TR Champions
Ray Gross Posted: “I just got home after the Team Sinclair victory dinner… teammate Derek Rodgers set a new 1000-yard national record Wednesday, then beat it for a new, higher, record Thursday. Then we won the team National Championship today and set a new National Record doing it! We are ‘stone cold’, 6-time National Champions. I’m proud to be a part.”
UPDATE: On October 29th, at the Nationals, Derek Rodgers beat his own new record, with a 200-12X!
Congratulations to Derek Rodgers for setting a new 1000-yard National Record with a score of 200-11X at the Arizona Long Range Regional in Phoenix. A past national F-Class Champion, Derek is a member of Team Sinclair and the U.S. National F-TR team. Derek’s rifle is built on a Kelbly action, using a Bartlein barrel and a McMillan stock. It is topped with a Nightforce Optics scope. His ammo was made using Berger bullets, Lapua brass and Hodgdon Powder.
F-Class competition continues this week at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix Arizona this week. The 2014 F-Class National Championhip runs October 28 through November 2, 2014. The F-Class National Championship is a multi-day match comprising of all shots at 1000 yards. There will be a mix of individual and four person team matches. The competition consists of two different Divisions: F-Open and F-TR (Target Rifle). Each Division is made up of five different Categories: High Master, Master, Expert, Sharpshooter and Marksman.
“We are proud to deliver the ultimate precision sniper systems on the planet,” said Greg Baradat, Director of U.S. Military Sales for Remington Defense. “The move to full rate production successfully demonstrates the quality, accuracy, and reliability of the system to our valuable Department of Defense customers.”
