Shooting USA will broadcast a great episode today, August 1, 2018. There are three segments worth watching. First the TV show spotlights the popular GAP Grind, a Pro-Am PRS event at the K&M Precision complex in Tennessee. Then this episode covers the CMP Western Games at Ben Avery in Phoenix. Finally John Scoutten reviews two new 6.5 Creedmoor Savage rifles.
This Shooting USA Episode airs August 1, 2018 (Wednesday) at 9:00 Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 Central.
Part One: GAP Grind Pro-Am PRS Match
Lots of Action, with 20+ Stages
The GAP Grind, the biggest PRS match in the country, is a notoriously challenging, “high tempo” match with minimal down-time between stages. Over the course of 20+ stages, competitors will fire 200+ shots at a variety of steel, paper, moving, and reactive targets out to 1,200 yards. Targets vary in size/difficulty based on the shooter’s position, distance, and time allotted. Most stages include “stressors” — i.e. time limits or required movement(s).
The GAP Grind attracts over 300 competitors — half experienced shooters and the other half newcomers to the sport. The key to growing the shooting sports is attracting new shooters. The best way to bring in “new blood” seems to be the Pro-Am type format. At the GAP Grind, experienced shooters guide the new shooters through the competition and hopefully keep them coming back.
Here is Shooting USA Host John Scoutten (in Blue/White shirt)
John Scoutten is paired with new shooter Kevin Nassery who says he thinks the biggest advantage is not necessarily the course of fire, or the targets, it’s the spotting. “Pros don’t get any support to know where they hit or missed. They have to see everything themselves. I think that’s the biggest difference between the courses of fire”.
Part Two: CMP Western Games
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) was established by act of Congress in 1903, with the purpose of teaching shooting skills to American citizens. The Western Games at the Ben Avery Facility North of Phoenix draws enthusiasts from many Western states for competition with Service Rifles, vintage military rifles, M1 Carbines, and Rimfire Sporter rifles. Along with numerous matches (including the Vintage Sniper Team match), the Western Games features Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) shooting clinics.
“Our mission is to teach marksmanship and give the citizens of the United States the opportunity to learn marksmanship, with an emphasis on youth”, states Mark Johnson, CMP Chief Operating Officer.
Vintage Sniper Rifle Match competitors try to keep cool
A Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) is conducted each year.
Checking out the line-up of M1 Garands at the CMP Sales tent.
The CMP’s rifle and ammo sales programs fund the CMP activities. The M1 Garand has been the CMP’s most popular centerfire rifle over the years. Mark Johnson calls it “the ’57 Chevy of firearms. If you like firearms, you have to have an M1 Garand.”
Part Three: Savage 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles Review
In this review segment of today’s Shooting USA episode, John Scoutten reviews two new 6.5 Creedmoor rifles from Savage Arms. The Model 10 BA Stealth is a short action bolt gun priced at $1,207 MSRP. The MSR 10 Long Range is am AR-platform semi-auto priced at $2,284 MSRP. Both rifles showed good accuracy with factory ammunition. For this test both Savage rifles were topped with Bushnell Elite LRTS optics.
When we first ran this story a few seasons back, it proved immensely popular with our readers. In case you missed it the first time around, check out what can be done with a factory Savage 110 BA at extreme long range — 1760 yards (one mile). Shooter Mark Dalzell did a great job with the video, which features multiple camera views so you can see the shooter and the target at the same time. Enjoy!
This video by Mark Dalzell demonstrates the long-range capabilities of the Savage 110 BA chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. Mark took his “BadAss” rig out to the southwest Nevada desert just north of Jean Dry Lakes. He placed a 2’x3′ target way, way out there — a full mile (1760 yards) away. At that range, flight time to target was 3.75 seconds! Sighting with a Nightforce 5-22x50mm NXS scope, Mark needed a few shots to get on target, but eventually made multiple hits, using 67 MOA of elevation and 2.25 MOA left windage. You can view the hits starting at 1:56 time-mark on the video. (Mark had a second camera set up closer to the target — this displays frame in frame in the video, and if you watch carefully you can see the strikes.) The ammo was HSM 250gr HPBT match with a 3.600″ COAL. The shooting was done at 8:13 in the morning, with clear conditions, very light winds. Temp was 57°, humidity 24.5, Density Altitude 3666. Video soundtrack is La Grange by ZZ Top.
PLAY BUTTON
LISTEN TO MARK TALK about One Mile Shooting:
CLICK Play Button to hear Mark Dalzell TALK about his .338 LM Savage 110 BA and how he scored hits at 1760 yards.
Good Shooting Mark. That’s darn good for a factory rifle. You also had the elevation dialed in real close before the firing started! That shows a good knowledge of your ammo’s long-range ballistics. We also noticed how effective that muzzle brake was. Recoil looked about the same as an un-braked .308 Win.
If you thought Mark’s 1760-yard shooting was impressive, Mark has produced another video that shows a session at even greater distances — out to 2300 yards. Watch Mark Dalzell Shoot at 2300 Yards.
Next week, on August 2, 2017, the nation’s top Service Rifle Teams will compete in National Trophy Infantry Team (NTIT) Match at Camp Perry, Ohio. In this match, known informally as the “Rattle Battle”, six-member teams shoot at 200, 300, 500 and 600 yards with time limits — 384 rounds total. To win this match, the six shooters must work like a finely-tuned machine. This is a popular match with spectators as there is plenty of action in a short time span. SEE Camp Perry 2018 NM Schedule.
This video shows the winning 2011 NTIT team at Camp Perry. Six USAMU shooters started with a combined load of 384 rounds to be fired at 8 targets from 600 and 500 yards prone, then 300 yards seated, and finally 200 yards standing.
Last year, the USAMU-Barnhart Team won the title with a score of 1439, with the USMC Team seconed as 1406. The record for this match is 1466, set by the USAMU-Remily Team in 1996. 2017 Team Barnhart members included: SFC Shane Barnhart (coach), SFC Evan Hess (captain), SFC Brandon Green, SFC William Pace, SSG Cody Shields, SGT Joseph Peterson, SPC Lane Ichord, and PVT Forrest Greenwood. (U.S. Army photos by Michelle Lunato/released).
The National Trophy Infantry Team Match (NTIT) was first fired in 1922 and is part of the the CMP’s annual National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry. The NTIT is called the “Rattle Battle” because it emphasizes extremely fast, accurate fire.
Our friend Grant U., who runs the Precision Shooting Journal on Facebook, says the NTIT is a special match, a real “crowd-pleaser: “The National Trophy Infantry Team Match (Rattle Battle)… was always one of my favorite team events. It takes a hell of a lot more planning, practice, and precision than one might expect. You get one shot at it and the entire team had better be running on all cylinders because there are no alibis. Each team of six shooters is allocated 384 rounds and when the teams fire at 600 and 500 yards, it sounds like a war.”
SFC Brandon Green, one of the nation’s finest marksmen, won the 2018 NRA High Power Rifle Championship at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
PHOTOS courtesy U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. See more on USAMU Facebook Page.
Assembly Diagram: Here are all the components of the target frame. The overall maximum assembled dimensions are roughly 26″ wide, 41″ deep, and 66″ tall (the cardboard is 2 x 3 feet).
One of the easiest ways to build a portable target stand is to use PVC pipe and connectors. Utah .308 Shooter “Cheese” has created a simple yet sturdy target frame, and he’s shared his design so you can build a similar frame easily and at low cost. The components are wood furring strips, 2″-diameter PVC pipes (and connections), and a 2’x3′ sheet of cardboard. The PVC base can be glued together, or, for easier transport and storage, you can leave some or all of the connections free. “Cheese” tells us: “I didn’t glue any of it together so I could disassemble it, shove it in a bag and take it anywhere.”
“All the parts are just pushed together and not glued. That way I can break it down and carry it all in a bag. Also, if a buddy (not me!) happens to shoot the stand, I can easily replace just the damaged piece. The last 6 inches of the furring strips are wittled-down a bit so they can be pushed into the upright pipes with a little friction. The cardboard is 2 x 3 feet, and I use a staple gun to attach it to the furring strips. Then I just staple the target onto the cardboard and go at it.
Of course you can modify the dimensions as desired. I chose the black ABS pipe over white PVC simply for cost — black ABS is a little cheaper. You can also glue some or all of the parts together, it’ll just be larger for transporting. In windy conditions, the thing likes to come apart. Duct tape might work well.
For weight, I thought about filling the two end pipes with sand and gluing test caps on each of their ends. The test caps still allow the pipes to slip into the elbows.”
Add Anchors or Internal Weight for Stability
On a very windy day, a PVC stand can shake or even topple over. There are a couple solutions to this. Some people fill the PVC pipe sections with sand to add weight, or you can put short sections of Re-BAR inside the long legs. One GlockTalk forum member noted: “I built [a frame] almost identical to this. I also take four pieces of wire coathanger bent into an inverted “U” shape to anchor the frame to the ground. It is so light that wind will knock the stand over [without anchors].”
You can find photos of a similar home-made PVC target stand (with a slightly different rear section) on the Box of Truth website. This also employs a PVC tubing base with wood uprights. We’ve also seen all-PVC target stands, but we’ve found that it is easier to attach the cardboard to wood strips than to PVC pipe. Also, if the upper section is wood, you can fit different height targets, while using the same base.
Looking for your first black rifle, i.e. an AR-platform semi-auto? Now is a great time to buy. Gunmakers stepped up AR production dramatically in 2015-2016, to satisfy high demand by citizens who feared that a Democratic Presidential victory would result in bans on semi-auto rifles. Well Hillary Clinton lost, so the panic buying ended. That means there is an over-supply of ARs at this time. So AR manufacturers are cutting prices and offering significant money-back rebates.
Perhaps the most attractive AR offers right now are the Bushmaster and DPMS Mid-Year Rebates. You can save $125.00 on the most popular Bushmaster and DPMS models. Bushmaster QRC rifles are $75 off, while the DPMS Oracle models (both .223 and .308) are $50 off.
You will want to act soon to qualify for these Mid-Year promotions. You have two more weeks to buy — Both Bushmaster and DPMS Rebate programs end July 31, 2018.
DPMS/Panther Arms makes a wide variety of rifles, including AR10-type rifles that handle the .308-Win family of cartridges. DPMS’s GII Series is an AR10 evolution with lighter weight and more AR15 parts interchangeability. DPMS claims the GII is “the lightest, most reliable, technically advanced .308 MSR”.
Gunwerks is hosting its first Precision Rifle Series Match, the Monster Steel Challenge, in Cody, Wyoming, July 28-29, 2018. This will be a major match with very different experiences on Day One vs. Day Two. For your hefty $250 fee, you’ll get lots of action with 10 stages on Day One, followed by a “walk in the woods” in the Wyoming back-country on Day Two
The first match day, held at Cody Shooting Complex, will include 10 stages in a fast-paced, square, range-style set-up. Day Two, at Monster Lake Ranch, will provide competitors with a 270-degree fire fan allowing for some incredible vistas and challenging shots. For the practical competitor who enjoys the backcountry — this is as good as it gets.
Watch Monster Steel Challenge Match Preview:
“Gunwerks is very proud and excited to be hosting our first-ever Precision Rifle Series right here in our backyard,” Aaron Davidson, Gunwerks founder and CEO, said. “The courses will be challenging and the vistas that Wyoming will be offering the competitors will be outstanding.”
Match Restrictions on Gun Calibers and Ammo Velocity
As with most other PRS matches, the allowed span of calibers is .224 through .308 inclusive. No .338s and .375s gents. Velocities are limited to 3200 FPS for ALL calibers/chamberings. NOTE: If a competitor’s ammo speed is in question, he must shoot through a LabRadar to verify velocity. If the ammo exceeds 3200 FPS, the competitor will be automatically DQ’d (disqualified), with NO REFUNDS. Competitors will require 200 rounds for both days, plus extra for sight-ins or confirmation shots.
Slots for competitors are limited. Registration is available for a $250 non-refundable fee. For more info, contact Gunwerks (307-298-1313 or team@gunwerks.com), or visit www.gunwerks.com.
The rich prize table will include a complete rifle built by Gunwerks. Nice.
Cody, Wyoming is a beautiful Western locale, suitable for quality vacation time before or after the Monster Steel Challenge match. Photo courtesy City of Cody.
At the SAKO/Tikka booth at SHOT Show, we saw some tactical shooters admiring the smooth Tikka T3 action and crisp trigger. They liked the action but they told us they wished they could get the T3 action in a configuration similar to the Ruger Precision Rifle. Well folks, there is a way to build a Tikka T3-based tactical/practical rig.
Gary Eliseo of Competition Machine offers a tubegun chassis for Tikka T3 actions in both Target and Tactical versions. The T3 kit is set up for AICS short action magazines. This is a “no gunsmithing” installation — no modifications to the action are required and the chassis kit works with the factory T3 trigger and safety. Along with the new Target and Tactical versions, a lower-cost Light-Weight Hunter T3 Chassis is also offered which accepts most AR-type buttstock assemblies.
Tikka’s T3 action is a very nice unit that works well as the centerpiece of a precision rifle. The T3 action is rigid and robust. It cycles smoothly and has a short 75° bolt lift. The T3 features a Sako-style extractor, with angled-leading-edge bolt lugs for smooth lock-up.
The T3 action can be installed in Gary’s Chassis Kit with either a recoil disc (and bolts) or glue-in action mounting. Price for the Tactical model is $1050.00, with a rugged Cerakote finish. Price for the Target version is $950.00 with a powdercoat finish or $1025.00 with a Cerakote finish. The Light-Weight Hunter chassis (that accepts owner-installed AR-type buttstocks) starts at $685.00. (Check for current pricing.) Tikka T3 action and AICS 5-round or 10-round magazines sold separately. For more info, visit GotXRing.com, call 928-649-0742, or send email to: spraynandprayn [at] gmail.com . CLICK HERE for order page.
A while back, Cal Zant at PrecisionRifleBlog.com did a big muzzle brake comparison test. Along with measuring recoil reduction, Cal’s team recorded sound levels in PRB’s exhaustive muzzle brake field test. In the PRB archives you’ll find comprehensive muzzle brake sound test results, with hard data on 20 different muzzle brakes.
Sound can be a tricky subject, but Cal Zant, the editor of PrecisionRifleBlog.com, presents everything an informed shooter should know about muzzle brake noise in a straightforward and practical way. Most sound tests are measured from the side of the muzzle, in accordance with mil-spec standards, and Cal did that. But he also measured the sound level of each brake from behind the rifle, closer to the shooter’s position. This provides a more accurate indicator of the actual sound levels firearms operators will encounter while shooting.
Muzzle brakes ARE really loud — that’s something most active shooters have observed. But this study finally gives us some hard data and makes objective comparisons. The difference between brakes was quite significant. Some brakes were ear-splitting — more than twice as loud as other brakes tested.
As a bonus, Cal also provides data on how the new Ultra series suppressors from Thunder Beast Arms Corp (TBAC) compare in terms of sound level behind the rifle.
The Precision Rifle Series (PRS) keeps growing in popularity — attracting more shooters and spinning off sub-disciplines such as Gas Gun division and Tactical Rimfire. Along with the PRS, the National Rifle League (NRL) has developed in parallel, sponsoring successful tactical centerfire and rimfire matches. With this exploding interest in PRS-style shooting, now the Precision Rifle world has its own annual “gathering of the faithful” — the Precision Rifle Expo.
The First Annual Precision Rifle Expo will be held September 15-16, 2018 at the Arena Training Facility in Blakely, Georgia. The event is specifically designed to connect precision rifle enthusiasts with top manufacturers, precision rifle instructors, and ace competitors. The goal is to promote this fast-growing shooting sport and advance the skill set of attendees. To register for the event ($25 fee), or learn more about the Arena Training facility visit PrecisionRifleExpo.com. Get Expo updates on the Precision Rifle Expo Facebook Page.
Arena Training Facility — 2300 Acres
The 2300-acre Arena Training Facility is a premier shooting facility with multiple shooting ranges from 50m to 2100m. Arena’s 1000-yard covered Known Distance range offers multiple benches, steel and paper targets out to 1000 yards. On Arena’s UKD (unknown distance) range shooters can engage steel out to 2300 yards. This 2100m UKD range boasts a 3-Story Shooting Tower, Air-Conditioned Shoot House, and multiple Positional Challenges. Situated two hours from the Atlanta airport, the Arena complex offers multiple climate-controlled classrooms, a main building, and a clubhouse, along with the impressive range facilities.
Precision Rifle Expo attendees will be able to meet industry experts, get hands-on product experience, and attend a variety of shooting seminars — all for a modest $25 entry fee. Seminars will include: Precision Hand-loading, Wind Reading, Position Building, Competition Preparedness, Long Range Precision Shooting Intro, and the Fundamentals of Marksmanship. Live-fire skills training and product demos will include shooting with suppressors, precision rimfire shooting, 1000-yard shooting, and even a one-mile target challenge.
All Types of Products Will Be on Display
Exhibitors will showcase optics, actions, barrels, stocks/chassis systems, complete rifles, suppressors, and the latest in electronics. In addition, targets, ear and eye protection, bags and support equipment, and other accessories will be on display.
Along with exhibitors, the first-ever Precision Rifle Expo will attract leading Gun Media members. Sniper’s Hide founder Frank Galli will be there, serving as one of the long distance precision instructors. AccurateShooter.com will have a correspondent. The Precision Rifle Blog will cover the Expo and highlight new products. Recoil Magazine will spotlight the Expo on the web and in print.
The Arena Training Facility is two hours from the Atlanta Airport:
REGISTER Now to Secure Your Place
Interested in attending? Act soon. The inaugural Precision Rifle Expo is expected to sell out early. CLICK HERE to Register. It costs just $25.00 to attend. For more information, visit PrecisionRifleExpo.com. You can also contact Ryan Castle at 912-344-1607, Phil Cashin at 770-401-3572, Brandon Zielinksi at 920-664-3098, or Mark Kuczka at 770-364-7607.
In a helpful NSSF video, Ryan Cleckner explains why you normally should avoid canting your rifle — rotating it clockwise or counter-clockwise. Cleckner explains that canting the rifle in one direction or another will change the point of impact: “When you rotate the rifle, not only does the [POI move] in the direction that you’re rotated, [but] it also loses some of its elevation as it rolls down.” This, Cleckner explains, can make you miss on one side or the other:
Cant to the Left — You’re going to miss low and left.
Cant to the Right — You’re going to miss low and right.
In this video, starting at the one-minute mark, Cleckner shows the effect of rifle canting when engaging a 600-yard target. A few degrees of cant (either to the left or to the right), moves the shot POI completely off the steel silhouette target. The POI change occurs mainly because you are lowering (and laterally shifting) the scope sight-line relative to the bore axis, effectively changing your zero.
David Tubb has explained: “Every 1 degree you are off on a cant, is about six inches of difference laterally at 1000 yards”.
Position Shooting with Sling — Rifle Cant Considerations
Cleckner’s discussion assumes that the scope or sights are set to hit center with the rifle level and plumb. That works for most situations when shooting prone off bipod, front mechanical rest, or front sandbag. However, many sling shooters, including David Tubb and John Whidden, do tilt or cant their rifles slightly inward because this allows a more comfortable hold with sling, or allows better eye-to-sight alignment. Holding the rifle at an angle can work — but the angle of cant must be consistent for every shot. Canting the rifle is not a sin by itself. However, after you confirm your zero on your target, the degree of cant must be the same for EVERY shot. You must maintain that exact same degree of rotation on each shot or you will experience the shot POI movement Cleckner illustrates. Consistency is the key.
John Whidden, 5-time Nat’l Long Range Champion, holds a Palma rifle. John now shoots a match rifle with an Anschutz stock which he holds more upright, but still with some counter-clockwise cant. John also installed his iron sights at an angle so that the adjustments are correct (and plumb) even with his canted hold: “While it may not be obvious in the picture, the sights on my rifle are set up so that they’re straight vertical and horizontal while I hold the rifle canted. Making sure your adjustments (scope or sights) are vertical and horizontal is a critical piece of the pie.”
Inexpensive Dual-Diameter Scope-Mounted Bubble Level
The best way to avoid inconsistent rifle canting is to use a bubble level fitted to rail or scope. One very affordable and versatile product is the Jialitte Scope Bubble Level. This features a 30mm milled inside diameter, plus an inner insert ring so it will also fit 1″-diameter main tubes. The Jialitte unit is nicely radiused, and has a low profile in the middle. User reviews have been very positive. You could easily pay $35.00 or more for a 30mm scope level. This costs just $10.99 on Amazon.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) was established by act of Congress in 1903, with the purpose of teaching shooting skills to American citizens. The Western Games at the Ben Avery Facility North of Phoenix draws enthusiasts from many Western states for competition with Service Rifles, vintage military rifles, M1 Carbines, and Rimfire Sporter rifles. Along with numerous matches (including the Vintage Sniper Team match), the Western Games features Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) shooting clinics.
In this review segment of today’s Shooting USA episode, John Scoutten reviews two new 6.5 Creedmoor rifles from Savage Arms. The Model 10 BA Stealth is a short action bolt gun priced at $1,207 MSRP. The MSR 10 Long Range is am AR-platform semi-auto priced at $2,284 MSRP. Both rifles showed good accuracy with factory ammunition. For this test both Savage rifles were topped with Bushnell Elite LRTS optics.
One of the easiest ways to build a portable target stand is to use PVC pipe and connectors. Utah .308 Shooter “Cheese” has created a simple yet sturdy target frame, and he’s shared his design so you can build a similar frame easily and at low cost. The components are wood furring strips, 2″-diameter PVC pipes (and connections), and a 2’x3′ sheet of cardboard. The PVC base can be glued together, or, for easier transport and storage, you can leave some or all of the connections free. “Cheese” tells us: “I didn’t glue any of it together so I could disassemble it, shove it in a bag and take it anywhere.”
Tikka’s T3 action is a very nice unit that works well as the centerpiece of a precision rifle. The T3 action is rigid and robust. It cycles smoothly and has a short 75° bolt lift. The T3 features a Sako-style extractor, with angled-leading-edge bolt lugs for smooth lock-up.
