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May 22nd, 2009
Super Shoot Report — First Two Days
Report by Eric Stecker, Berger Bullets
[Editor’s Note: At our request, Eric Stecker, Berger Bullets’ Master Bulletsmith, is sending us late-breaking news from the Super Shoot. Here is Eric’s report, hot off the wire.]
Heavy Varmint Top 20 Match Results CLICK HERE (.pdf file)
5/23 Update: Tony Boyer Won the HV Grand Agg (0.1997) and 200-yard Agg. Tony finished 2nd in 100-yard HV Agg, behind Gene Bukys.
Greetings from (or near) North Lawrence, OH and home of the Firearms Industry Super Shoot. Benchrest shooters from all over the globe are here to participate in this highly anticipated event. The Super Shoot is the largest BR match in the world. Opening Ceremonies started at 8:30 am Wednesday morning. Hall of Fame shooter Allie Euber was on hand to offer words of prayer for the event, shooters, our families and those in BR who we’ve lost over the year. Allie also offered some gracious comments about one of the PPC inventors, Ferris Pindell, who was able to be here and visit all his many friends.
The Super Shoot is ripe with tradition and most things are as they have been for some time. One exception is that long-time Range Master Jim Kelbly has been replaced by his son Ian Kelbly. After Ian called several matches I mentioned to Jim that if he lets Ian keep this up then Jim would be out of a job. He smiled and said “I sure hope so.” Ian is doing a fantastic job running the match.
Hachigan Tops 100-Yard LV Field
Wednesday greeted shooters with 45° temperatures which quickly warmed in Sunny Ohio to the mid 80s. Winds were present and shifty as they tend to be but not too much to be unpleasant but definitely enough to give most shooters fits. The folks listed below handled these winds and their rifle well and are the top five for the Light Varmint 100-yard stage. The record for the Light Varmint 100-yard Agg was set in 1999 by Bill Forrester at .1706. Bill’s record was safe but the 5-shot small group record of .046 set by Mike Walker in 1994 was seriously threatened by Bill Goad with a small group for the day of .048.
1. Lee Hachigan – .2094 agg
2. Dave Coots – .2154 agg
3. Andy Shifflett – .2194 agg
4. Milt Craven – .2264 agg
5. Larry Scharhorst – .2278 agg
Bukys Edges Boyer in HV 100
Conditions on Thursday for the Heavy Varmint 100-yard stage was much the same as Wednesday with a low in the morning of 47° which warmed up to the high 80s. Winds were also similar with tricky gusts and changes but nothing so strong that stuff was blowing off the benches. The top five after the Heavy Varmint 100-yard stage are below. Larry Kopper definitely shot well but finishing the 5th match with a small group for the day of .083 certainly helped push him into the top five. (The HV record is .062 by Hobbie Bonds.)
1. Gene Bukys – .2020 agg
2. Tony Boyer – .2148 agg
3. Greg Reed – .2158 agg
4. Bob Hammond – .2210 agg
5. Larry Kopper – .2282 agg
Many shooters here would say Thursday was a tough day and they are glad that the 100-yard stages are behind them. Friday the 22nd starts with the 200-yard Heavy Varmint where some 300+ shooters will try as best they can to rise to the top of the list for the HV Grand Agg win. More to come….
Photo of Borden Rimrock Benchrest Rifle courtesy Borden Rifles.
May 21st, 2009
Many of our readers have reported difficulty obtaining many of the popular Hodgdon powders such as H4895, H4350, and Varget. Well, here’s some good news. Natchez Shooters’ Supply recently received a large shipment of Hodgdon powder. Unfortunately Varget and H4350 are still out, but Natchez has Benchmark, H4895, Hybrid 100V, and Retumbo in stock. Natchez also has IMR 4198 and IMR 4007ssc. IMR powders are now distributed by Hodgdon.
NOTE: These products are listed in stock as of 8:00 am 5/21/09. They may sell out before you read this.
Hodgdon/IMR Rifle Powders In Stock at Natchez:
HDBM1 – BENCHMARK 1LB: $19.99
HDH3808 – H380 8LB: $124.98
HDH48951 – H4895 1LB: $19.99
HDHY1001 – HYBRID 100V 1LB: $18.49
HDHY1008 – HYBRID 100V 8LB: $128.99
HDRET1 – RETUMBO 1LB: $19.99
DU41981 – IMR 4198 1LB: $19.49
DU4007SSC8 – IMR 4007ssc 8LB: $134.49
Try 4007ssc for H4350 applications
Since H4350 is still hard to find, shooters may also want to consider substituting IMR 4007ssc for H4350. IMR 4007ssc is a very accurate powder in the 22-250, 6-6.5×47, 6XC, and Rem 260. Natchez has 8-lb kegs of IMR 4007ssc in stock and Powder Valley has 1-lb. containers of IMR 4007ssc in stock, as well as 1-lb bottles of H322, and Hybrid 100V.
 Norma 203B Available from Grafs.com — Replaces Varget or RL15
For those folks desperate to find Hodgdon Varget or Alliant Reloder 15, we suggest you try Norma 203B. This is a very accurate powder very close in performance to Reloder 15 (it is produced by the same manufacturer, Bofors). It should give slightly more velocity than Varget, but it is somewhat more temperature sensitive.
In a 6mmBR or .308 Win, start with your Varget load with 203B. You may, then, be able to increase the load slightly, unless you’ll be shooting in very hot weather. Grafs.com has plenty of 1-lb cans of Norma 203B in stock, Item Number: NP203B1, $24.99 per pound.
May 19th, 2009
FMG Publications teamed up with P2K Shooting Range in San Diego, CA last week to host the first-ever “First Shots for Media”. FMG (which publishes GUNS Magazine and American Handgunner) invited members of the local press to the range to learn about firearm safety and shooting. Many of the media attendees admitted they held a fearful and/or negative attitude toward firearms when they arrived. However, after participating in the program, many of these same reporters and editors explained that their attitudes had changed dramatically. They learned that shooting could be safe and fun.
FMG’s Russ Thurman and NSSF President Steve Sanetti were on hand to provide the media with information on the industry’s efforts to promote firearm safety and responsible firearms ownership. Said one local columnist who had never tried shooting before, “It was not as ominous as I expected. . . . It’s less negative to me. This was fun, and it’s exciting, and it’s not people going crazy about their guns. It’s a sport, and I can see that now.” NSSF President Sanetti observed: “You change attitudes one person at a time.” Click on the frame below to watch a video that shows the successful “First Shots for Media” program.
May 16th, 2009
The NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits continue today and tomorrow (May 16-17). Despite 103° heat in Phoenix, attendance is very high. NRA registrars said the turn-out was “way higher than expected”. Our friend Glen R. attended the American Values Forum (he said it was excellent), while your Editor worked the floors of the Exhibition Hall. Among shooting companies, there was a very impressive showing — all the big names (Glock, Remington, S&W, Winchester etc.) had large displays. Indeed, the Exhibits Hall looked like SHOT Show. However, as you might expect, some of the more interesting new products were found at the booths of small and medium-sized companies.
Below are some of the highlights from Friday’s show. Tomorrow tune into the Bulletin for interviews with barrel-makers and bullet-makers, and more product spotlights.
May 16th, 2009
One of the most commonly-asked questions on our Shooters Forum is “what diameter bushing should I use with my neck-sizing die?” While we recommend that users obtain at least two bushings, you still have to know where to start. For hunting ammo and gas guns, we still recommend choosing a bushing that is 2 or 3 thousandths smaller than the neck diameter of a loaded round. However, in a bolt-action benchrest gun, you may well get superior accuracy with less neck tension. Larry Isenhour recently set a spectacular 50-5X 600-yard IBS record using very light tension — Larry employed a .268″ bushing for a .2695″ loaded round. At the NRA Annual meeting we discussed neck bushings during our visit to the Redding Reloading booth. It turns out that Redding has changed its recommendations for benchrest neck sizing, and now recommends that you chose a bushing that yields less tension. In the video below Patrick Ryan of Redding explains how to measure your cartridge brass and select the proper bushing diameter. Patrick also reviews some new Redding products for 2009.
May 16th, 2009
We had a chance to check out the SPEC-REST from Lone Star Field Products at the NRA Meeting in Phoenix. This is one solid, well-built piece of kit, we can assure you. The SPEC-REST is finely engineered, and very smooth in operation (both elevating and traversing). To be honest, the spec-rest makes some other stamped metal portable shooting platforms look like kids’ toys. The main beam is solid metal and all the adjustment controls are well-placed and sturdy. A SPEC-REST is not going to bend or break under hard use. This rig was designed from the ground up to work with even the heaviest-recoiling calibers, such as 338 Lapua Magnum and 50 BMG. The unique design of the SPEC-REST even helps it dissipate recoil when shooting the “big boomers”.
Our Assistant Editor, Jason Baney, currently has a SPEC-REST plus low-profile Lone Star Quad base for testing and evaluation. The photo above shows the SPEC-REST on the Quad base which can be adjusted low enough to allow use on a bench. To view Lone-Star’s SPEC-REST in action, watch the video below. Lone Star President Robert Black puts a tripod-mounted SPEC-REST through its paces. I think you’ll be impressed… this Editor was.
May 15th, 2009
 Barrett Rifles, of 50 BMG fame has released a new, high-strength non-ammonia bore cleaner that really works. We know what you’re saying… that the last thing we need is yet another “miracle” bore cleaner. However, we’ve received reliable reports from fellow shooters that Barrett’s new Heavy Bore Cleaner does an amazing job on copper. One shooter told us he had cleaned his barrel with Sweets and then followed with Barrett’s new product and a lot more fouling and copper came out. Another told us that he had to switch to a nickel-plated jag because the Barrett solvent was so effective on copper.
We don’t know the Barrett chemistry, but it does NOT contain petroleum distillates or ammonia. It IS biodegradable and non-flammable. Barrett claims: “In a two-step process, our bore cleaner first dissolves copper, then chemically binds it to the solution to remove it from the bore. It also works to remove carbon and residue and even neutralizes corrosive salts.”
We’re always skeptical when we hear about new cleaning compounds. But the reports on this product, so far, have been uniformly excellent. If you have a rifle that copper-fouls badly, you may want to check out the new Barrett Heavy Bore Cleaner. Currently it is available only in a large 16-ounce bottle that costs $24.95. Purchase from the Barrett Store or other online vendors.
May 13th, 2009
 Creedmoor Sports has announced its support of the M1 for Vets program, which provides financial and logistical support to wounded U.S. Veterans, allowing them to compete at Camp Perry and other major rifle matches. M1 for Vets has also donated refurbished M1 Garand rifles to more than 160 wounded war heroes.
Supporting these efforts, for a limited time, Creedmoor Sports will donate to M1 for Vets $5 from every internet order over $100. When you order from Creedmoor Sports’ website (and spend over $100.00), Creedmoor “kicks-in” $5.00 to support this worthy program.
About M1 for Vets
M1 for Vets is a non-profit organization dedicated to financial and logistical support of returning Combat Wounded Veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and the Global War on Terror (GWT), for the purpose of helping them compete in national shooting sports. The goal is to give transitioning combat wounded veterans an opportunity to get back on the rifle range to participate in shooting competition. These are tough young men and women who quickly adapt and are able to overcome difficulties. In the video below, M1 for Vets recipients are interviewed at the 2008 Camp Perry National Matches.
May 13th, 2009
 Dennis DeMille of Creedmoor Sports reported that the 2009 Eastern CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup was a rousing success, setting new attendance records. Over 184 shooters competed in the individual Creedmoor Cup on Saturday, May 10th. Complete Results are posted on the CMP website.
Sherri Gallagher-Hurd was the overall match winner (and match rifle class winner), firing a score of 790-34x. SFC Grant Singley of the US Army Marksmanship Unit was the high service rifle shooter with a score of 788-38x. High Senior was Doug Morrison, a former US Army Reserve service rifle shooter, who has made the transition to match rifle. Doug fired a fine score of 785-31X. CWO3 Peter Burns won the M1 Garand Match and the Vintage Military Rifle Match. The USAMU Praslick Squad won the 4-man Service Rifle Team event. William Flagg, Jr. won the Rimfire Sporter event, shooting an excellent 590-33X.
The shooter who traveled the furthest to compete in this match was William Ellis, from England. William was able to bring his rifle to shoot in the matches, but had to buy ammunition in the US upon his arrival.
Match Report courtesy the NRA Blog. Hurd file photo from NRA Media Relations
May 11th, 2009
The NRA’s Annual Meeting & Exhibits will be held May 14-17 at the Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Over 200 exhibitor companies, including Berger Bullets, Hornady, Remington, and Savage Arms, will have their wares on display. In addition, the NRA will host many informative seminars, including a Clubs/Associations workshop, and a Firearms Law Seminar. The meeting will also feature a benefit auction and the NRA Foundation Banquet. There will even be an air rifle range inside the Convention Center. General Admission is free for NRA members, but tickets are required for the Banquet and some seminars. NRA Meeting Hours are listed below:
Thursday, May 14 6:00pm (Foundation Banquet)
Friday, May 15 10:00am-6:00pm (Convention)
Saturday, May 16 9:00am-6:00pm (Convention)
Sunday, May 17 10:00am-5:00pm (Convention)
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