Readers' Views on Shooting Sports Issues

For the past week, we’ve featured a Readers’ Poll on the Home Page. The purpose of the poll is to allow our readers to “speak out” on the most important issues facing the shooting sports in North America. We wanted your views on “hot topics” such as gun legislation and military-style rifles. We also wanted your views on how the sport can continue to grow. (If you haven’t voted yet, Click HERE to participate.) The results are very interesting. We asked readers to select the three most serious challenges facing the shooting sports.

The #1 response was “Anti-gun political activity and regulations”, (19% of all votes).

Interestingly, the second highest response was “Equipment is too expensive” (12%). We have certainly seen this trend–with custom actions approaching $1400.00 delivered, and high-end optics now costing over $2000.00. The cost of reloading components was also a concern. (7% of votes).

Readers were also very concerned about range closures. 11% of responses indicated this was a serious problem. We can certainly concur. Here in Southern California, we have witnessed the closure of many ranges in the past few years. The trend is continuuing, as anti-gun politicians team up with developers who want to convert gun ranges to strip malls or housing complexes.

Readers noted that getting new shooters and juniors involved is a signficant challenge. 8% of responses agree that there are not enough junior shooters. Another 8% say that young shooters are “not interested in marksmanship”. 6% of voters agreed that “we need more programs for new shooters”, while 2% say more female shooters are needed. If you put these together, 24% of all responses are concerned with bringing new shooters and junior shooters into the sport.

While the media spotlights handguns and “evil-looking” military-style rifles (such as the AR15), most of our readers did not think that public concern with these kinds of arms represents a serious challenge to the shooting sports. Only 1% of responses indicated that there was “too much focus on handguns” and only 2% of responses agreed that there was “too much focus on military-style rifles”.

Kelbly and Jewell Triggers Compared

We chatted with German Salazar of Shooters Journal at a rimfire match this weekend (which he won). German reminded us that he had done a comparison review of the Jewell and Kelbly. Here is German’s report:

“I received one of Kelbly’s new triggers and installed it on my 6BR Remington 40X. Installation was normal for any Rem-pattern trigger and it fit perfectly. However, the stock (previously inletted for a Jewell trigger), required a slight amount of material removal at the front of the trigger slot as the Kelbly trigger is a bit longer than a Jewell.

Construction of the Kelbly is very robust. It appears to be machined from a solid bar of steel rather than being two end plates screwed together. Perhaps the trigger’s best feature, however, is very wide range of pull-weight available with no changing of springs or other parts. As delivered it was set for approximately 1.5 oz. and broke very cleanly at that weight. Since my application is 300 Meter prone shooting, I raised it to 6 oz. This required moving a pin under the sear bar to the second of four holes and slightly tweaking the weight of pull screw. Compared to other triggers, it was a joy to work with this arrangement and took just a couple of minutes. All adjustments (weight of pull, over-travel, and sear engagement) are made with set screws and their effect on the internal parts can be seen through windows cut into the trigger body. This makes trigger tuning more precise.

On the downside, the barreled action must be removed from the stock to perform the adjustments (unless you use a trigger hanger), but that’s a small price to pay for the overall quality and ease of adjustment. At my current setting of 6 oz. and no over-travel, the trigger breaks like ice. I couldn’t ask for more. Kudos to the good folks at Kelbly’s–they have another winner here.”

High Power Silhouette On ShootingUSA TV

This week, ShootingUSA (hosted by Jim Scoutten) features the 2006 NRA High Power Silhouette Nationals, filmed at the Ridgway Rifle Club in Pennsylvannia. High Power Silhouette is one of the most challenging (yet rewarding) of centerfire disciplines. While standing, silhouette shooters try to hit lunch-box-sized metallic Rams, Turkeys, Pigs and Chickens at distances up to 500 meters. Scoring is simple–the target either falls or it doesn’t. Most competitors use 20- to 36-power scopes. Big scopes make it easier to see the targets, to be sure, but only if you can maintain a super-steady hold. If you think it’s easy… just try holding on a 12″ bullseye at 100 meters with a 30-power scope from a standing position. Chances are your scope picture will be dancing all over the target–and that’s only at 100 meters, not 500.

In High Power Silhouette, competitors alternate shooting and spotting for each other. The spotter calls wind and mirage, while keeping tracking of time during each 2.5-minute, 5-shot relay. Choice of calibers–you need a round with enough energy-on-target to knock down the big rams at 500 meters. At the same time you want to maximize accuracy and minimize recoil. Right now the “sweet spot” seems to be a 130-160 grain bullet moving at least 2650 fps. Favored chamberings include .260 Remington, 7mm-08 and 7mmBR. (A few guys have tried 6BRs, but 100gr 6mm bullets won’t reliably take down the 500m rams).

This Shooting USA episode on the Outdoor Channel features many of the nation’s top centerfire silhouette marksmen. It’s a rare treat to see this kind of precision rifle shooting on television. Broadcast times for Wednesday, 7/11/2007 are: Eastern Time – 5:00 PM, 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM; Central Time – 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight; Mountain Time – 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM; Pacific Time – 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM. (Check local listings for repeat showings.)

New "Short Dasher": The 6mm BRG

There has been considerable interest in an “improved” 6BR case that retains a longer neck than the Dasher. David Stripling has his 6BR-DX (shown below), with a 40° shoulder and about 2 grains extra capacity. Another wildcat in this mode is the new “6mm BRG”. On Benchrest.com, Plugger posted: “I am now shooting a 6mm BRG. This round was developed by three long range shooters and is based on the 6BR case as is the Dasher. It gives you more capacity than the straight 6BR but a longer neck than the Dasher which should give better barrel life. It is an extremely accurate round that I shoot in 600 and 1000 comp. If you have any interest in this cartridge then talk to Billy Dale of BDR Custom Rifles, (804) 314-6787. Billy was one of the developers of this round and is an excellent gunsmith to boot.”

The 6 BR-DX (0.283 Neck)
The 6BR-DX is an improved version of the 6mm BR Norma cartridge, with a 40° shoulder and a bit less body taper than a Dasher. The shoulder is .462″ (just a couple thousandths bigger than a standard case) and the diameter at the web is .470″. 6BR-DX water capacity is about 39.5 grains. That’s about 1.5-2.0 grains more than a standard 6BR case, depending on your chamber. With the extra boiler room provided by the BRDX, David Stripling can stuff 34+ grains of RL15 into the 6BR-DX, even though the neck, at 0.283″, is just .039″ shorter than a standard BR. With the added capacity, David can launch Berger 88s at nearly 3300 fps, or Berger 95s at 3200 fps.

On July 4th, Remember the Minutemen

On this nation’s Independence Day, we should remember the “shot heard ’round the world”. It is quite possible that there would be no United States of America (in the form we now know it), but for the courage of a small band of ordinary citizens, armed with hunting rifles. The militias of Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts were the first colonists to provide organized, armed opposition to British rule in the Americas. It is their fighting spirit that we celebrate today.

The Battles of Lexington and Concord
Having learned about arms stockpiled in Concord, on April 19, 1775, British General Gage ordered an estimated 700-800 regulars to march to Concord to seize arms, gunpowder, and cannons. (Gage also wanted to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams, reported to be in Lexington.) Learning of the planned British action, Paul Revere rode to Lexington to alert the militia. Hancock and Adams went into hiding and the Lexington militia (120 or so men) formed up under Captain John Parker. When the British reached Lexington, they arrayed in battle formation on the Lexington Green. Parker told his men: “Stand your ground! Don’t fire unless fired upon! But if they want to have a war, let it begin here!” The British then advanced. A shot was heard, and the British regulars charged and attacked Parker’s force. When the smoke had cleared, the British suffered only one man wounded. However, eight Minutemen died, including Captain Parker’s cousin, Jonus, killed by bayonet.

The British then continued to the Concord arsenal. After securing the roads leading into Concord, the British troops proceeded to destroy powder and weapons. In the process the Concord courthouse was accidentally set on fire. The Minutemen, formed up on the hills outside Concord, saw smoke and thought the British were burning the town. The Concord Minutemen then attacked the British at Concord’s North Bridge. By most reports the Militia fire was much more accurate than the British volleys. Two Redcoat officers were killed, along with many enlisted men. Surprised by this, the British broke ranks and retreated. The Minutemen chased after them and captured the North Bridge. The British then abandoned Concord and marched back to Boston. The Minutemen hounded the Redcoats in retreat, peppering the Brits with sniper fire all the way back into Boston. John Parker lead his Lexington Militia in one ambush of the retreating British, known as “Parker’s Revenge”. Concord/Lexington Battle Map.

Who Were the Minutemen?
As early as 1645 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, some men were selected from the general ranks of town-based “training bands” for rapid deployment. Men so selected were designated as Minutemen. The Minutemen were often 25 years old or younger, and they were chosen for their enthusiasm, political reliability, and strength. They were the first armed militia to arrive or await a battle. Officers, as in the rest of the militia, were elected by popular vote.

Most Colonial militia units were provided neither arms nor uniforms and had to equip themselves. Many simply wore their own farmers’ or workmans’ clothes, while others had buckskin hunting outfits. Some added Indian-style touches to intimidate the enemy, even including war-paint. Most used hunting rifles, which did not have bayonets but were accurate at long range. The rifled musket used by most Minutemen was also well suited to this role. The rifling gave it a much greater range than the smoothbore musket, although it took longer to load. When performing as skirmishers, the Minutemen could fire and fall back behind cover before the British could get into range. There is a popular notion that most Minutemen were “crack shots”. In reality, some (with hunting experience) were fine marksmen, while others were poorly trained. (Source: Wikipedia.org.)

Use Quilted Cryo-Paks in Ammo Boxes

Ammunition that heats up well beyond its normal operating can display over-pressure signs. This is true even of powders that are marketed as being temperature “insensitive”. We strongly recommend that ammo be kept under 90° F, and cooler is better–if you can keep things in the 60-80° range, you’ll find your velocities will stay more consistent with nearly all powder choice. We’ve found a versatile, inexpensive new product that helps keep your ammo cool in hot summer conditions. Kryo-Paks are only about 1/4″ thick and come in pleated grids you can cut to fit your ammo box. We keep one in the bottom of a MTM-100 ammo holder and one on the underside of the box-lid. The 8″x8″ CryoPak “Ice Blanket” costs less than $2 at outlet stores like K-Mart and Walmart. Just keep these in the freezer until needed, then put a layer in the base of your ammo box. It’s also not a bad idea to keep your spare ammo in an insulated cooler, out of the sun.

Virtual Varminting Game from CCI

CCI offers a fun interactive “shooting gallery” game that lets you plink at varmints. CLICK HERE to load the game (requires Flash-enabled browser). It starts off easy, but then you need good reflexes (and a fast mouse-finger) to tag all the critters as they pop out of tin cans. Among the various Flash shooting games, this is one of the best. Note: it’s not necessary to enter a user-name or password–that’s only if you want your score recorded. WARNING–This game can be addictive. Also there’s some realistic sound effects so you may want to turn down your speakers if you’re at work. Have fun!

Williamsport 1000-Yard World Open July 14-15

If you want to test your long-range shooting skills against some of the best shooters in the country (including our own Jason Baney), head to Pennsylvania in two weeks for the Williamsport World Open. Shooters will compete in Light Gun and Heavy Gun classes for a host of prizes including scopes, actions, and barrels. Sponsors include Nightforce Scopes, BAT Machine, and Bartlein, Hart, and Krieger barrel-makers, among many others. In addition, the Original Pennsylvania 1000 Yard Club will give $1000.00 CASH to anyone breaking the 3.151″ Ten (10) Shot Heavy Benchrest Class World Record during this event. Also for 2007, this will apply as well to anyone breaking the 3.835″ Light Gun group record.

Last year Jason won the Heavy Gun championship shooting his 16-lb 6BR with Reloader 15 and Clinch River 106s. That was an amazing accomplishment considering he was competing against 60- and 70-pound guns driving ultra-high BC bullets with “big boomer” cartridges. The schedule of events will be: Saturday Morning – Light Gun Match One; Saturday Afternoon – Heavy Gun Match One; Sunday Morning – Heavy Gun Match Two; Sunday Afternoon – Light Gun Match Two. Complete Event info, including Course of Fire, Rules, and a list of nearby motels, is found on the World Open Webpage, or contact Matt Dienes, 724-479-0790.

Shop Vise Now at Huge Savings

This deal is almost too good to be true. MidwayUSA is currently offering its Wheeler Engineering Rotating Shop Vise (item 666-974) for just thirty bucks even ($30.00). That’s $39.99 off the regular $69.99. This unit has a rotating head that can turn 360°, then lock in place with a built-in clamp. It mirrors the design of the $249.97 “Multi-Vise” sold by Brownells.com. Note, with this design the head only rotates. It does not tilt or swivel. But it’s still way more vesatile than a conventional shop vise and it does pretty much anything the green $250 Multi-vise (photo right) will do at less than 1/8th the price. If you need a swiveling vise for your loading bench, here’s your opportunity. The cast iron Wheeler vise weighs 18 pounds and has 3-1/2″ jaws that open to 4-3/4″.