As we reported a few weeks ago, Bryan Litz has written a new book, Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting. We know many readers have pre-ordered Bryan’s latest book. Here’s the good news. Bryan reports that most pre-orders for the new book shipped yesterday, and the rest will go out today.
We asked Bryan to explain the differences between his original Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting resource book and the new Accuracy and Precision book. Here is Bryan’s explanation…
The first book, Applied Ballistics for Long-Range Shooting, covers the elements of long range shooting and explains how all the various mechanisms of external ballistics affect trajectories. It’s also the book that contains detailed drawings, BC and stability data for hundreds of bullets.
The new book, Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting explains the impact of external ballistic effects in terms of “hit percentage”. For example, if you choose to ignore Coriolis Effect in your ballistic solution, how much will your hit percentage be reduced on a 10″ target at 1000 yards? How about a 5″ target at 500 yards? How much would your hit percentage be improved on a 15″ target at 1200 yards if you reduce wind uncertainty from +/-3 mph to +/-2 mph?
There are also numerous performance comparisons between different classes of cartridges. For example: how much higher is hit percentage for a .338 Lapua Magnum than a .308 Winchester for common environments and targets?
The new book identifies accuracy and precision effects and defines their effects separately. Did you ever wonder why it’s so easy to shoot a 10 inch GROUP at 1000 yards, but how difficult it is to HIT A 10″ TARGET at 1000 yards on the first shot? Shooting a 10 inch group is precision, but centering the group is a challenge of accuracy.
It’s quite common for long range shooters to focus 90% of their effort on the precision aspect, and only 10% on accuracy. To actually hit targets, you need a balance of accuracy and precision, with accuracy becoming increasingly more important as range is extended. — Bryan Litz
Some of our readers have questioned how to set up their body dies or full-length sizing dies. Specifically, AFTER sizing, they wonder how much resistance they should feel when closing their bolt.
Forum member Preacher explains:
“A little resistance is a good, when it’s time for a big hammer it’s bad…. Keep your full-length die set up to just bump the shoulder back when they get a little too tight going into the chamber, and you’ll be good to go.”
To quantify what Preacher says, for starters, we suggest setting your body die, or full-length sizing die, to have .0015″ of “bump”. NOTE: This assumes that your die is a good match to your chamber. If your sizing or body die is too big at the base you could push the shoulder back .003″ and still have “sticky case” syndrome. Also, the .0015″ spec is for bolt guns. For AR15s you need to bump the shoulder of your cases .003″ – .005″, for enhanced reliability. For those who have never worked with a body die, bump die, or Full-length sizing die, to increase bump, you loosen lock-ring and screw the die in further (move die down relative to shell-holder). A small amount (just a few degrees) of die rotation can make a difference. To reduce bump you screw the die out (move die up). Re-set lock-ring to match changes in die up/down position.
That .0015″ is a good starting point, but some shooters prefer to refine this by feel. Forum member Chuckhunter notes: “To get a better feel, remove the firing pin from your bolt. This will give you the actual feel of the case without the resistance of the firing pin spring. I always do this when setting up my FL dies by feel. I lock the die in when there is just the very slightest resistance on the bolt and I mean very slight.” Chino69 concurs: “Remove the firing pin to get the proper feel. With no brass in the chamber, the bolt handle should drop down into its recess from the full-open position. Now insert a piece of fire-formed brass with the primer removed. The bolt handle should go to the mid-closed position, requiring an assist to cam home. Do this several times to familiarize yourself with the feel. This is how you want your dies to size your brass, to achieve minimal headspace and a nearly glove-like fit in your chamber.”
We caution that, no matter how well you have developed a “feel” for bolt-closing resistance, once you’ve worked out your die setting, you should always measure the actual amount of shoulder bump to ensure that you are not pushing the shoulder too far back. This is an important safety check. You can measure this using a comparator that attaches to your caliper jaws, or alternatively, use a sized pistol case with the primer removed. See Poor Man’s Headspace Gauge.
Story by NRAHuntersRights.org and NRAblog.com
Shown above is the Belfast Wildlife Area rifle range in Kindards, South Carolina. Belfast was the first public, unmanned shooting range opened and paid for completely with funds raised by NRA Grants and the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program … an act made possible through Pittman-Robertson grants. Several other state Natural Resource Departments have followed suit. Such facilities provide hunters and shooters with a convenient, low cost location to sight in firearms and practice shooting. Now that may be in jeopardy.
In the article below, NRAHuntersRights.org Managing Editor J.R. Robbins explains why government funding for Public Shooting Ranges is threatened:
OMB Threatens to Freeze Pittman-Robertson Funds
Sportsmen nationwide should be aware of a recently released report from the White House Office of Management and Budget that itemizes $31 million in Pittman-Robertson funds to be “sequestered” from the U.S. budget. Sequestration sets aside funding–effectively “freezing” it — until a debt is repaid.
The listing of the P-R funding (as well as $34 million of Dingell-Johnson funds that support sport fishing) is part of a huge package of across-the-board government budget reductions planned to take effect January 2, 2013, unless Congress can develop a plan to cut $1.2 trillion over the next decade.
This year is the 75th anniversary of the Pittman-Robertson Act, more formally known as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. As most hunters know, the act put an 11 percent excise tax on rifles, shotguns, ammunition and archery equipment that is distributed to state game and fish agencies for the purposes of habitat acquisition and improvement, reintroduction of declining species, wildlife research, hunter education, shooting range development and other conservation projects. (The tax on handguns is 10 percent.)
It is this funding and these projects that have brought back species such as whitetail deer, turkeys, wood ducks, antelope, bald eagles and Canada geese from dangerously low levels a century ago to the strong, sustainable populations we see today. Hunters’ dollars are directly responsible for these and other conservation milestones.
Since 1937, hunters have contributed nearly $7 billion dollars through the Pittman-Robertson Act for the benefit of wildlife conservation. For any given project, P-R funding pays 75 percent of costs, and states must contribute at least 25 percent–most of which comes from hunting license fees …
Part of the Precision Rifle Series, the GAP Grind is one of the premier precision tactical matches of the year. Top tactical shooters from around the country will compete for glory (and $100,000 worth of prizes) in this year’s GAP Grind, hosted at the K&M Precision Rifle Training Center in Baker, Florida. The GAP Grind is a notoriously challenging, “high tempo” match with minimal “down time” between stages. The course of fire involves multiple stages, with an assortment of steel, reactive, paper and automated moving targets situated from 50 to 1000 yards.
Target sizes will vary in difficulty based on the shooters position, distance and time allotted. To heighten the challenge, most stages will involve time limits and/or movement requirements. Scoring will follow Precision Rifle Series guidelines to reward the most consistent shooters. The cost of the GAP Grind is $275.00 per competitor and shooters must bring at least 175 rounds of ammunition. Rifles are limited to cartridge sizes no larger than .300 Win Magnum. The Course of Fire will be revealed at the start of the competition on Saturday, October 26th.
“Train-Up” Session on Friday, October 26
An 8-hour Train-Up Course will be offered to competitors on Friday, 26 October from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. The course will review basic fundamentals and rapidly transition to range exercises and drills commonly seen in today’s precision rifle competitions. K&M Precision staffers and members from the GA Precision Rifle Shooting Team will provide hands-on instruction. During the Train-Up session, competitors can confirm their come-ups at 100-1000 yards, engage moving targets, and shot at multiple range props and targets. While the Train-Up will be held at the same location as the GAP Grind, but there will be no training that actually duplicate Grind competition stages. The Train-up and Match fee cost is $525 and will limited to maintain a 1 to 5 instructor to student ratio.
Remington has announced that it is recalling four (4) lots of Remington .338 Lapua Magnum ‘Express Rifle’ Ammunition. The recalled lots are: L13SA29L, L13SA29R, L13SB29L, and L13SB29R. The reason for the recall is that the listed lots “may have been improperly loaded. Improper loading may cause malfunctions which may result in damage to the firearm, serious personal injury or death.” CLICK HERE for more information, and to download PDF Recall Notice from Remington.
Gas prices have topped $4.40 a gallon and, in California, premium fuel has reached the five dollar mark at some stations (Ouch). Many match directors have told us that match attendance is down, particularly at regional and national events which require long drives. Many shooters are staying closer to home and not attending distant matches. Shooters are driving less to cut fuel bills, and to reduce wear and tear on their vehicles. With the price of gasoline soaring above $4.40/gallon, many shooters are cutting costs by attending fewer matches, or sticking to competitions near home.
While not traveling to a distant match will certainly save on gas (not to mention hotel bills etc.), we’d think there’s a compromise solution. We’ve observed that 95% of competitors at matches arrive solo — one to a vehicle. And, typically, most shooters drive big pick-up trucks or SUVs that may get less than 20 mpg on the freeway.
PROPOSAL: Car Pool to your next rifle match, sharing the ride with fellow shooters.
Whenever possible, this editor tries to “share my ride” with other shooters when going to the range or a match. I also drive an 10-year-old station wagon that gets an honest 29 mpg on the highway. Though it’s cheap to run, my vehicle has plenty of space for all the guns and gear 2 or 3 shooters would ever need. Another benefit of ride-sharing is that you can use car pool lanes on major highways, avoiding the nightmare of bumper to bumper traffic jams.
Here is a chart showing how much you can save by carpooling and by driving a vehicle with better mileage. If you drive 5000 miles a year to shooting matches, a car getting 27 mpg will save $479 in fuel costs compared to a vehicle getting 17 mpg. And even if you stick with your 17 mpg truck or SUV, ride-sharing with one other shooter can save you nearly $650.00 per year (if you drive 5000 miles to matches).
MPG
Miles Driven
Fuel Cost
@ $4.40/gallon
Ride-Share Savings
27 mpg
3000
$488.88
$244.44
22 mpg
3000
$600.00
$300.00
17 mpg
3000
$776.47
$338.24
27 mpg
5000
$814.81
$407.41
22 mpg
5000
$1000.00
$500.00
17 mpg
5000
$1294.12
$647.06
Of course, as with any activity, exercise moderation when driving together to matches. Don’t try to stuff too many guys and too much gear in any single vehicle….
Hunters are generous people. More than 11 million meals were provided to the less fortunate through hunters’ donations of game meat in 2010. Nearly 2.8 million pounds of game meat made its way to shelters, food banks and church kitchens and onto the plates of those in need. As a reminder to all hunters to consider sharing their harvest this autumn with those in need, NSSF has developed a new webpage to helpe hunters make venison donations to food banks and other charitable meal providers. Learn more at the Hunters Feed website.
This week, the “Sons of Guns” TV show features a grudge match between Brownells and Hornady. On tonight’s episode of the popular Discovery Channel TV series, the sons (and fathers) of two legendary, firearms-industry families square off in a 3-gun match, with “bragging rights” at stake for Brownells and Hornady. The “Corporate Shootout” episode airs Wednesday, October 17, at 9:00 pm (EST).
Long-time friends Pete Brownell of Brownells, and Jason Hornady of Hornady Mfg., both executives at their third-generation family-owned companies, team up with Red Jacket Firearms to do something special for their famous fathers. In the process, they’ll settle a generations-old grudge match over which family shoots better. “I only have to outshoot Pete Brownell,” said Jason. “He’s a long-time friend, but there are no friends when it comes to competitive shooting.”
Pete, pairing up with Frank Brownell, Chairman of Brownells, and Jason, joining Steve Hornady, President of Hornady Mfg., will engage in a friendly Brownell vs. Hornady 3-gun competition using 1911 pistols, AR-15 rifles, and Saiga shotguns built by Red Jacket Firearms.
Echoing Hornady’s sentiments, Brownell jokingly responded, “Jason’s a great guy, but he’s always known that I’m the better shot. In all seriousness, we had a great time competing with our fathers. I want to thank the Hornadys, as well as the crew at Red Jacket Firearms for an incredible experience. The show settles the bragging rights question once and for all.”
TV Guns Featured on Brownells Website
The AR-15s used by the Brownell, Hornady and Red Jacket teams for the filming of “Sons of Guns,” along with a list of products used for their builds, will be displayed in the Dream Guns section of the Brownells website following the show.
Weatherby has issued an important safety recall of a series of stainless-barreled Vanguard hunting rifles. If you have one of the affected Vanguards, you should stop using your rifle immediately. The problem centers on the barrel nut used to secure the barrel. According to Weatherby: “On some Stainless Steel Vanguard Rifles the barrel nut is not tightened to required torque specifications. The use of the rifle with an improperly torqued barrel nut may lead to failure in a discharge situation which could result in a personal injury.” For additional information, contact the Weatherby Registration Center by calling (888) 770-7138 or sending email to: regcen@realtimeresults.net .
Recall tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is now taking applications for its $1,000 annual college scholarship program, available to graduating high school seniors who participate in rifle or pistol marksmanship competitions. The scholarship program provides a non-renewable, one year scholarship. One half of the total allocation is set aside specifically for graduating JROTC seniors who qualified to compete at the CMP JROTC Service Championships. Last year the CMP awarded 59 scholarships to non-JROTC students. It was the first year of the CMP’s expanded scholarship outreach program. (The CMP Scholarship Program no longer requires a relationship with an ROTC or JROTC program.)
The CMP offers up to 150 $1,000 scholarships to qualified graduating seniors active in marksmanship programs. In the 2012-13 school year, CMP awarded 138 scholarships, totaling $150,000. Members of high school shooting programs, JROTC, 4-H shooting programs, American Legion, Boy Scouts, and CMP-affiliated club competitors are invited to apply.
To learn more about the program, visit the CMP’s Scholarship Application Webpage. Click the links below to download application forms in printable PDF format. The deadline to apply for the CMP scholarship program is March 5, 2013.
Eligibility requirementsfor CMP scholarships:
• Be a U.S. Citizen.
• Be of good moral character.
• Have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Be a graduating high school senior
• Demonstrate acceptance to a university, college, or trade school leading to a diploma or trade certification.
• Qualified for CMP JROTC Service Championships; OR
• Demonstrate rifle or pistol marksmanship competition experience.
SEND APPLICATIONS to:
Civilian Marksmanship Program
Attn: Scholarship Program
P. O. Box 576
Port Clinton, OH 43452
The new book, Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting explains the impact of external ballistic effects in terms of “hit percentage”. For example, if you choose to ignore Coriolis Effect in your ballistic solution, how much will your hit percentage be reduced on a 10″ target at 1000 yards? How about a 5″ target at 500 yards? How much would your hit percentage be improved on a 15″ target at 1200 yards if you reduce wind uncertainty from +/-3 mph to +/-2 mph?
To quantify what Preacher says, for starters, we suggest setting your body die, or full-length sizing die, to have .0015″ of “bump”. NOTE: This assumes that your die is a good match to your chamber. If your sizing or body die is too big at the base you could push the shoulder back .003″ and still have “sticky case” syndrome. Also, the .0015″ spec is for bolt guns. For AR15s you need to bump the shoulder of your cases .003″ – .005″, for enhanced reliability. For those who have never worked with a body die, bump die, or Full-length sizing die, to increase bump, you loosen lock-ring and screw the die in further (move die down relative to shell-holder). A small amount (just a few degrees) of die rotation can make a difference. To reduce bump you screw the die out (move die up). Re-set lock-ring to match changes in die up/down position.
The listing of the P-R funding (as well as $34 million of Dingell-Johnson funds that support sport fishing) is part of a huge package of across-the-board government budget reductions planned to take effect January 2, 2013, unless Congress can develop a plan to cut $1.2 trillion over the next decade.
Gas prices have topped $4.40 a gallon and, in California, premium fuel has reached the five dollar mark at some stations (Ouch). Many match directors have told us that match attendance is down, particularly at regional and national events which require long drives. Many shooters are staying closer to home and not attending distant matches. Shooters are driving less to cut fuel bills, and to reduce wear and tear on their vehicles. With the price of gasoline soaring above $4.40/gallon, many shooters are cutting costs by attending fewer matches, or sticking to competitions near home.
Whenever possible, this editor tries to “share my ride” with other shooters when going to the range or a match. I also drive an 10-year-old station wagon that gets an honest 29 mpg on the highway. Though it’s cheap to run, my vehicle has plenty of space for all the guns and gear 2 or 3 shooters would ever need. Another benefit of ride-sharing is that you can use car pool lanes on major highways, avoiding the nightmare of bumper to bumper traffic jams.
Long-time friends Pete Brownell of Brownells, and Jason Hornady of Hornady Mfg., both executives at their third-generation family-owned companies, team up with Red Jacket Firearms to do something special for their famous fathers. In the process, they’ll settle a generations-old grudge match over which family shoots better. “I only have to outshoot Pete Brownell,” said Jason. “He’s a long-time friend, but there are no friends when it comes to competitive shooting.”
Weatherby has issued an important 
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is now taking applications for its $1,000 annual college scholarship program, available to graduating high school seniors who participate in rifle or pistol marksmanship competitions. The scholarship program provides a non-renewable, one year scholarship. One half of the total allocation is set aside specifically for graduating JROTC seniors who qualified to compete at the CMP JROTC Service Championships. Last year the CMP awarded 59 scholarships to non-JROTC students. It was the first year of the CMP’s expanded scholarship outreach program. (The CMP Scholarship Program no longer requires a relationship with an ROTC or JROTC program.)
