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March 13th, 2008
Currently, Natchez Shooters Supply has the highly regarded Steiner 8×32 Predator binoculars on sale for $199.00, marked down from $249.00. The versatile, rubber-armored Predator 8×30 is small enough to carry easily and fit into a coat pocket, while offering both power and brightness. The Steiner 8x30s provide 20mm of eye relief and a 390-foot-wide field of vision at 1,000 yards. Weight is 18 ounces. The waterproof Predator 8x30s come with Auto-Focus System, wrap-around eye cups that fold down, objective lens covers, binocular case and strap. Steiner offers a 10-year warranty on this model.
This is a very good deal. We did a quick price search on the web. Cabela’s.com has the same 8×30 Steiners for $260.94, while OpticsPlanet.com is charging $249.00.
CLICK HERE to read Steiner Binocular reviews from Cabela’s Customers.
March 4th, 2008
Lou Murdica captured the Two-Gun title at this weekend’s Cactus Classic benchrest match in Phoenix, AZ. Lou’s Two-Gun .2715 Aggregate placed him ahead of runner-up Mike Ratigan (.3177). Lou also won the Heavy Varmint (HV) Grand Agg (with a .2209), and won the HV 200 on Sunday in wicked conditions described as “horrendous” and “a tornado”. In the HV 200, Lou shot an impressive .2209. The next best score was Larry Costa’s .3457. Match Director Gary Ocock called Lou’s HV 200 performance a “Monster Blow Out Win–it was like Lou was shooting on another range.”
Mike Ratigan also did very well in Phoenix. Mike finished second in the Two-Gun, while winning the Light Varmint (LV) Grand with a .3076. Mike also won the LV 200 on Sunday with a .3976. (This was a 4-target Agg because the LV 200 match was cut short by wind and time problems). Larry Costa finished third in Two-Gun with a .3303, and won the HV 100 on Saturday with an impressive .1972 average.
Don Nielson reports: “Lou did not shoot a tuner on either of his guns. He shot a prototype, modified BAT 3-lug action in a Larson wood stock in Light Gun, and a Grizzley in a John Maxon walnut stock in HG.” Both of Lou’s rifles had Bartlein cut-rifled barrels chambered by Don Nielson. One was a 14-twist, while the other had a 1:13.5″ twist. Lou used Bart’s .790 jacket, 65gr boat-tail bullets.
As did most of the top shooters, Lou used March scopes on both his rifles. Lou ran a 40X on the HV, and a 50X on the LV. Both scopes featured a special raised reticle. This has the intersection of the crosshairs well above center. This allows Lou to see more flags in his scope while he’s aiming. Lou noted: “That reticle gives me a quick edge I think. I can see four flags in the scope. When a flag moved, I could pick that up instantly. That really helped me do well on Sunday.”
DaveB, posting on Benchrest Central, noted: “I can’t express how impressed I was with the preformance Lou put on for both Saturday and Sunday. He had time to talk with whomever wanted to ‘chat’ … and still keep his focus to shoot small in every condition imaginable. This was no turkey shoot guys. The best and toughest competitors were there. Lou not only kicked our butt, but made it look easy and was gracious about it.”
Here are Overall Match results, courtesy Gary Ocock:
| HV Grand |
LV Grand |
Two-Gun |
1. Lou Murdica .2209
2. Larry Costa .2715
3. Bart Sauter .3067
4. Herman Hefta .3242
5. Mike Ratigan .3278 |
1. Mike Ratigan .3076
2. Bill Summers .3092
3. Gary Sinclair .3190
4. Lou Murdica .3221
5. Roy Damron .3383 |
1. Lou Murdica .2715
2. Mike Ratigan .3177
3. Larry Costa .3303
4. Bill Summers .3426
5. Gary Sinclair .3431 |
Interestingly, in our Jan. 29th Bulletin, we published Lou Murdica’s advice on Benchrest shooting along with the results of Lou’s testing of turned vs. no-turn necks. Lou certainly demonstrated he’s on top of the game right now. Lou told us:
“Since 1991 when I was on the winning team at the 1st World Shoot in France, I started to experiment and shoot every weird thing I could find or build. I tried more crap, bought and built more guns and while doing this I tried to shoot every shoot I could across the country. I took Tony Boyer’s class three years back, and the first thing he told me was pick a couple of guns out of all of them and shoot 6 PPC and nothing else for the next couple years. He told me to spend my money on barrels for those guns. Well, I did as he suggested and boy, it made a difference in my shooting.
What I’m trying to say to all the guys that have been shooting benchrest for a while and are starting to travel to the bigger matches is, stick with proven goods that have dominated for years, like the 6 PPC, with turned necks. You can try the weird stuff in practice.”
February 28th, 2008
Quite a few of our hunter friends have praised the DedNutz scope mounting system. This is a unitized one-piece base AND ring system. Because the rings are integral with the scope base, you won’t encounter any potential misalignment between the front and rear base. You also eliminate the need to keep the rings torqued securely to a separate base. The rigid DedNutz design has no moveable parts between the firearm and the scope.
Made of milled, anodized aluminum, the one-piece DedNutz scope mounting system is one-third the weight of most other one-piece base and ring mounts and it can’t rust. For target rifles with a Weaver or Picatinny-style base, we still advocate the use of Burris Signature Zee rings. However, if you are looking for a sturdy, more rugged scope-mounting set-up, the DedNutz system fits the bill. It would be a good choice for a walk-around varminter or a deer rifle. Because the front and rear rings are precision CNC-machined, DedNutz says that it’s not necessary to lap the rings. We still recommend you inspect the ring edges and lightly debur as necessary. If you choose to lap the rings, do it gently as the inside should be very concentric already and you don’t want to grind through the anodizing.
One DedNutz user, writing on huntingnet.com, comments: “I bought a pair of DedNutz for a Browning A-Bolt and a pair of Talley Lightweights for the same gun. I have to tell you that I think these DedNutz rings are some of the most rugged rings I have seen and yet are very lightweight. If you saw the length of the cap screws and the size of the base screw heads you would be amazed. The [DedNutz] have a superior finish to the talley lightweights … and they are better machined. I put a lapping bar on both and the talleys needed it but not the DNs.”
DedNutz scope mounts are available to fit dozens of different hunting rifles. They are offered in 1″ and 30mm sizes, in matte silver, matte black, or Realtree Camo finishes. DedNutz scope mounts start at about $50.00 and can be purchased from MidwayUSA.com, or direct from DedNutz.com.
CLICK HERE to watch VIDEO
February 19th, 2008
German optics-maker Schmidt & Bender has recently released comprehensive information on the new 12.5-60×56 PMII scope. The spec sheets are found on S&B’s German-language website. (The USA website has not been updated yet.) We’ve handled this new scope at SHOT Show and it is very impressive to say the least. While our auto-translation from the German isn’t perfect, (and some of the published info appears to be incorrect), here are key specs we’ve discerned:
Weight: 21.52 ounces (610 grams) HOWEVER 1100 grams may be more accurate*
Overall Length: 16.38″ (416.5 mm)
Main Tube: 34mm
Click Value: 1 cm per click OR 1/4 MOA (two versions)
Reticle: P3 (Others may be available later)
CLICK HERE for Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50 Scope INFO
Note: S&B also lists an exit pupil size range of 13.3 to 3.3 mm. The smaller number doesn’t seem right, unless S&B has achieved a major breakthrough in optics design. At max 50X power, with a 56mm front objective, we calculate the minimum exit pupil as 1.12 mm.
*We also question the stated weight of 610 grams. The 12.5-50X56 S&B Field Target Scope, which is similar in size and features, is listed at 1150 grams or 40.56 ounces.
The scope description states: “The sight is alternatively available with foreseeing in the 1st plane or 2nd plane.” By this we think it means BOTH first-focal-plane reticle and second-focal-plane reticle versions will be offered. On a variable power scope, a first-focal-plane reticle increases or decreases with the power setting, so the reticle always appears the same size relative to the target. When the reticle is in the second focal plane, the reticle stays a constant size as the image increases or decreases in size with the power setting.
We still have no concrete information on scope price or availability in the USA. We’ve heard the figures $2700-2900 tossed around, but S&B representatives won’t give out hard numbers. Keep in mind that the 12.5-50 is NOT illuminated so it could actually be a little cheaper than the 5-25×56 PMII with illuminated reticle.
February 16th, 2008
The March 40X target scope has already made a big splash in benchrest competition. Many of the top shooters have replaced their Leupold Competition scopes with the March. This editor has shot with a March 40X and I can affirm it is brighter than the Leupold Comp 40X, and the March is sharp and bright all the way out to the edges. There are none of the side-focus parallax lash problems sometimes encountered with the Leupold. In competition so far, the March scopes have shown superior tracking and repeatability.
Based on the successful 40X format, March has introduced two new fixed-power target scopes, a 50X and a 60X. (In addition, there is a new 10-60X zoom–but that will be the subject of a later report.) Lou Murdica has been using the 50X in recent matches and he reports “it is outstanding. Even at 50X it is plenty bright. Visually you won’t notice the difference between the 40 and the 50 except you get more power, of course.”
The new 50X and 60X are the same size and weight as the March 40X. All three versions are 14.29 inches long, and weigh 599 grams (21.04 ounces). That’s about 12 ounces lighter than a Nightforce 12×42 BR. Front objectives are 52mm and the main tube is 30mm. All three fixed-power March scopes feature 72 MOA of total elevation and 50mm of windage. Clicks are 1/8th-MOA for 40X, 50X, and 60X.
The primary optical difference (other than magnification), is the size of the exit pupil. (A scope’s exit pupil is the actual diameter of the tiny cone of light that your eye perceives. A large exit pupil is more “user friendly”. With a very small exit pupil, it becomes more difficult to pick up the white circle of light–the position of your head becomes ultra-critical.) In optics there is no “free lunch”. Holding the front objective diameter constant, if you increase magnification, the exit size will get smaller. The March 40X has a 1.3mm exit pupil, the 50x measures 1.04mm, and the 60X has a 0.87mm exit pupil. We think the very small exit pupil on the 60X may undercut the practical utility of the higher magnification.
In the USA, March Scopes are sold exclusively by Kelbly’s. Call Hobie Bond at Kelby’s for current pricing and availability. We expect the 50X and 60X to run about $2200.00.
CLICK HERE for MARCH 50X and 60X SPEC SHEET
February 10th, 2008
 If you’ve ever used a borescope to inspect a rifle barrel, you know how valuable these tools can be. No other device lets you see the true condition of your barrel’s lands and grooves, from the throat all the way to the crown. For many of us the question isn’t whether we want and need a borescope, but whether we can afford one. Luckily, MidwayUSA has made it easier to acquire a quality Hawkeye borescope. Currently, MidwayUSA is offering a special 17″ Hawkeye Borescope “Limited Edition Kit” for just $639.99. That’s about $110.00 less than the regular price for the Deluxe Kit. The more expensive model comes with a fitted aluminum case while the Limited Edition Kit ships in a cardboard box.
Standard features of the economical Limited Edition are a 17″ precision stainless steel optical tube with advanced fiber optics, 25x magnification, high intensity (H.I.) light source with batteries, and 90-degree mirror tube, which provides a full 360-degree view of the bore’s interior. This borescope accommodates 17 caliber and larger with the standard mirror tube, and 22 caliber and larger with the 90-degree mirror tube. Optional accessories are a 90-degree eyepiece, and a rechargeable Nova light source which is 8 times brighter than the standard H.I. light source. NOTE: the Limited Edition Kit does have a 90-degree mirror, but not the 90-degree viewing eyepiece. You don’t want to confuse these two components.
 MidwayUSA has the Deluxe Hawkeye Borescope Kit on sale for $719.99 through the end of February. This is $30.00 off the normal $749.99 price. The components are similar to the Limited Edition Kit, but the Deluxe Kit includes a high-quality, lockable aluminum hard-case. The 90-degree angled eyepiece, Midway item 181455, costs an additional $274.95, and fits both Deluxe and Limited Edition models.
February 5th, 2008
We’ve been working the floor of SHOT Show to bring you the latest info and precision shooting products from action, barrel, bullet, optics, and rifle-makers. On a separate page, our daily Shot Shot Reports feature many large photos and video clips with knowledgeable smiths and technicians. Topic Highlights of the SHOT reports will be posted here in the Bulletin.
Click HERE for Part Two of our SHOT Show reports. Here are the highlights from our second installment:
Hornady’s Senior Ballistician discusses new 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge.
Sightron unveils impressive new 8-32x56mm SIII Target Scope.
Glen Harrison, founder of Nesika Bay, reveals production plans (and tech features) of his new line of custom action.
Schmidt & Bender showcases much-anticipated 12.5-50 Target scope–and it’s amazing.
SKB’s new line of roto-molded heavy-duty rifle transport cases.
Chris Hodgdon summarizes new 2008 powder offerings, including Hybrid 100V and Win 780 Supreme.
February 1st, 2008
The new Bushnell 6500 series of riflescopes has been much anticipated. Today, Bushnell announced that its new 6500s, with 6.5x zoom range, will start shipping to vendors in March 2008. Bushnell claims the 6500 series delivers the highest resolution and widest field of view in its lineup of rifle scopes.
Three models are offered: 2.5-16x42mm, 2.5-16x50mm and 4.5-30x50mm. All three models feature side parallax adjustment, 30mm main tubes, and multi-coated optics with RainGuard®. The 2.5x models can be adjusted from 10 yards to infinity while the 4.5x model adjusts from 25 yards to infinity. Suggested retail prices are: 2.5-16x42mm – $699; 2.5-16x50mm – $779; and 4.5-30x50mm – $899. Expect “street prices” to be about $75 – $100 less for each model, once sufficent supplies reach the marketplace.
Our readers will probably be most interested in the 4.5-30X version. It has a 30mm main tube, 50mm objective, and weighs 21 ounces. The 4.5-30x offers 80-MOA of elevation and windage with 1/4-MOA clicks. Only two reticles are currently offered, a “Multi-X” fine-plex and a mil-dot.
The new 6500 Elite 4.5-30x50mm competes head to head with Sightron’s new 6-30x56mm SIII scope. At SHOT Show we’ll get a look at both new optics and then post our impressions. For target shooters, the Sightron appears to have the edge–as it offers a larger front objective, and target turrets standard.
CLICK HERE for more info on Bushnell 6500 Scopes.
January 9th, 2008
Sightron has provided AccurateShooter.com with these exclusive new photos of the “next generation” Sightron SIII scopes to be released very soon. Four new 30mm scopes join the Sightron line-up for 2008. There will be two new 3.5-10X scopes, one with a 44mm front objective and Mil-Dot reticle, the other with a large, 56mm objective and IR4A reticle for enhanced low-light performance. Both 3.5-10X scopes feature 1/4 MOA clicks plus 120 MOA of windage AND elevation. The 56mm version boasts constant 3.6-inch eye relief–a nice feature for hunters.
Next in the line-up is the new 6-24×50 SIII. This is an all-new 30mm scope that rivals the Leupold 8-25 LRT in design and performance. Available in target dot or mil-dot reticle, the 6-24x50mm offers a full 100 MOA of windage and elevation in a relatively compact (14.96″) scope weighing 21.90 ounces. Clicks are 1/4 MOA and eye relief is near-constant, varying from 3.6-3.8 inches throughout the magnification range.
NEW 8-32x56mm with 70 MOA of Windage + Elevation
For long-range shooters, the most exciting new offering from Sightron is the SIII 8-32x56mm. This scope has more magnification and a larger front objective than the Leupold 8-25×50 LRT, but with an $825.00 estimated “street price”, the Sightron costs less. Importantly, the Sightron 8-32X offers 70 MOA of both windage AND elevation. This outclasses other domestic 8-32 power zoom scopes. With a weight of 24.70 oz., the new Sightron 8-32×56 is 2.7 oz. heavier than a Leupold 8-25 LRT, but the Sightron is nearly 3/4 of a pound lighter than the Nightforce 8-32×56 BR model. That’s a big difference, considering that the Sightron matches the Nightforce’s 56mm front objective size.
Initially, the Sightron 8-32×56 will be offered with 1/4 MOA clicks, and just one reticle, a target dot. Sightron has indicated that other reticles might be offered in the future. No word on 1/8 MOA click values though. Overall, we’re impressed with the specs on the new 8-32 Sightron. It offers much more elevation than the Burris, Bushnell or Nightforce BR 8-32s, yet weighs little more than an 8-25 Leupold. We just wish Sightron offered a 1/8 MOA click option.
Sightron SIII 30mm Side-Focus Scopes for 2008
| Scope |
Objective |
Clicks |
Eye Relief |
OAL |
Weight |
Street Price |
| 6-24X |
50mm |
1/4 MOA |
3.6-3.8″ |
14.96″ |
21.9 oz. |
$785 |
| 8-32X |
56mm |
1/4 MOA |
3.6-4.0″ |
15.35″ |
24.7 oz. |
$825 |
CLICK HERE for Scope SPEC SHEET (MS Excel File)
January 6th, 2008
Here’s a great deal for you “Factory Class” Shooters needing a 10-power competition scope. Natchez Shooters Supply currently has matte black Weaver T-10 scopes on sale for just $229.99, marked WAY down. The T-10 (item SN849811) features a 40mm front objective, front parallax adjustment, and target turrets. The reticle is a Fine-Crosshair with 1/8th-MOA Target Dot. As with other Weaver T-series scopes, the T10 ships with a screw-in sunshade plus screw-in metal lens caps. If you need a 10X target scope, you may want to jump on this deal. Other web vendors are selling new T-10s for as much as $375.00. (Note: For Hunter BR competition you are limited to 6-power optics).
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