Thanks to Savage’s signature barrel nut system, it’s easy for Savage rifle owners to swap barrels without gunsmith assistance. With a pre-fit barrel from Pac-Nor or Shilen you can easily re-barrel your rifle and set the headspace with go/no-go gauges. In addition to a barrel vise, you’ll need a specialized barrel nut wrench to swap Savage barrels. Now through 5/31/2010, MidwayUSA has the Wheeler Engineering Savage Barrel Nut Wrench on sale for just $22.99, marked down from $38.49 (a $15.50 savings — roughly 40%). For comparison, Brownell’s charges $47.90 for the Sharp Shooter Supply Savage barrel nut wrench.
The double-ended Wheeler Savage Barrel Nut Wrench (item #288765) allows easy removal of the barrel nut on Savage model 10, model 110, and model 12 series rifles. Made from 3/16″ steel, the Wheeler tool features two 1/2″ square drive holes for a swing bar or torque wrench.
Oehler Research, Inc. of Austin, Texas has announced that it has resumed production of the vaunted Oehler Model 35P Proof-Channel™ chronograph with printer. Company President Ken Oehler revealed to AccurateShooter.com that his company will produce “at least a couple hundred” model 35P chronographs in a “special run” this year. Production of the Model 43 remains suspended. The first new Model 35P units should ship “in late summer”. Oehler Research is taking orders right now, but Ken said: “we can’t start shipping until all the components are in inventory — end of July at the earliest.”
The latest Model 35P chronographs will employ exactly the same design and components as previous units — no changed features or parts. The Model 35P design has proven both highly accurate and reliable, and Ken explained that his team will make the new units “just the way they were before”. The new model 35Ps will ship in one configuration only, a complete system costing $575.00 (plus $20 UPS shipping). This includes: printer/base unit; three Skyscreen III detectors; four-foot rail; two folding stands; and a Plano (Doskocil) hard case. All the components fit into the hard case for storage and transport (see photo below):
The resumption of Model 35P production represents an effort to “test the waters”, to see if the company should re-enter the consumer shooting market, according to Ken Oehler. In the last few years, Oehler Research has focused on high-end military and industrial products. But Ken has brought in a new engineer, Gary Stafford, who is overseeing the Model 35P program. If all goes well, according to Ken, there may be other consumer products in the future and Stafford may “take over the reins” from Ken, who, at age 73, may shift to a “Senior Chairman” role in the company.
If you want to purchase a new Oehler Model 35P Chronograph, you should contact Oehler Research right away — Oehler has already logged 20+ orders. Order Online at www.Oehler-research.com. You can also email sales[at]oehler-research.com or phone (800) 531-5125, (512) 327-6900. According to Oehler’s sales sheet, you can reserve your unit with a Visa/MC and Oehler won’t bill until the product ships. Or, if you pre-pay via check or Money Order, Oehler will pay the shipping. Shipments will be prioritized according to the date orders are received.
One of the most popular events at the Camp Perry National Matches is the Rimfire Sporter Competition. This fun, affordable, family-oriented event allows competitors of all ages to shoot inexpensive factory rimfire rifles. And the ammo is even free — thanks to Lapua. There are classes for both youths and adults, and open sighted rifles (O-Class) as well as scoped rifles (T-Class). New this year is a third class for Tactical Rimfire rifles. CLICK HERE for National Rimfire Sporter Match Official Program.
Each year Camp Perry’s Rimfire Sporter Match attracts hundreds of competitors, from grade schoolers to grand-dads. It’s not unusual to see three generations of family members participating. Registration for the 2010 National Rimfire Sporter Championship is now open. To register, simply fill out the CMP Online Registration Form. Entry in CMP Rimfire Sporter matches is open to all persons, male or female, any age, regardless of previous competition experience. For Juniors (born after 1990), entries are FREE, while adult entries cost $25.00 for one rifle class or $35.00 for two classes.
Hundreds of Rimfire Sporter Competitors Expected at Camp Perry
The Ninth Annual National Rimfire Sporter Match is expected to expand again in 2010 after eight consecutive years of increased participation. In 2009, 333 individual competitors made 421 event entries. This year the range will feature a full 125 covered firing points that can accommodate 500 event entries in four relays. If there are more than 500 entries, a fifth relay will be added.
New Tactical Rimfire Class
Now that several companies are manufacturing tactical .22LR rimfire rifles (both bolt-action and semi-auto), the CMP will include a new “Tactical Rimfire” class in the 2010 National Rimfire Sporter Championship program. Also new in 2010, if sufficient range capacity is available, competitors may be allowed to make a third event entry at the match. This would allow a shooter to compete in the new Tactical Class, as well as in both O-Class and T-Class (“T” for telescopic sights).
New Youth-Adult Partner Match
The 2010 National Rimfire Sporter Match will feature a new Youth-Adult Partner Match which combines an adult or older junior with a younger junior in a two-person team event. This will be a fun match to encourage multi-generation family participation and to get more adult shooters to mentor new and younger shooters. The CMP is considering special rules for this match that will give bonus points to teams that have both male and female members as well as to teams that have greater age differences between the two team members .
Lapua Provides Ammo to Competitors; Savage Awards Rifles
Lapua, a world-renowned ammunition manufacturer with plants in Finland and Germany, is once again the official ammunition supplier for the match and will provide 100 rounds of rimfire ammo for each competitor. Savage Arms is also sponsoring the Rimfire Sporter Match. Savage will present a Mark I or Mark II FVT rifle to the top O-Class and T-Class Juniors.
Berger Bullets has just released its new .338-caliber “hybrid” bullet, Berger’s first-ever projectile larger than .30 caliber. The new bullet has a very high ballistic coefficient (BC): 0.891 under the G1 model, and 0.455 under the newer G7 standard for boat-tail bullets. That high BC should translate into exceptional long-range performance. According to Berger, the BC of the new Berger .338 bullet BC is roughly 14% better than the BCs of other .338-caliber 300gr offerings from Sierra and Lapua. This claim is supported by testing done on all three bullets and published in a detailed Bullet Comparison Report (PDF). The new .338 Hybrid bullets will be sold in 50-count and 250-count boxes. To order, call Berger’s Tech-Line, (714) 447-5458.
The key design feature of the new .338 bullet is its hybrid ogive, i.e. a shape that combines both tangent and secant geometry. A tangent ogive meets the bearing surface very smoothly, whereas a secant ogive has an abrupt juncture with the bearing surface. The figure below shows the geometric differences between a tangent and a secant ogive, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Practical Considerations — Load Length and Twist Rate
The superior ballistic performance of the 300gr Hybrid .338 is primarily due to the very long ogive and boat tail. However, that super-long bullet length can create some issues. Berger’s new .338 Hybrid bullets are so long that loaded rounds may not fit some magazines comfortably, unless you deep-seat the bullets, which cuts down on usable case capacity. If your loaded rounds with the new .338s are too long for your magazine, single-feeding is recommended. In addition, and this is IMPORTANT, to get optimal performance with the new bullets, you may want to extend the throat in your chamber. This can be done relatively easily by a competent gunsmith using a throating reamer. We caution, however, once the throat is pushed out, you can’t go back to a shorter throat without setting back the entire barrel.
The new .338 Hybrid bullets should stabilize well with a 1:10″ twist at the velocities achievable with popular .338 magnum cartridges. However, according to Bryan Litz, Berger’s Ballistician, at extreme long ranges (beyond one mile), as the .388 bullet goes trans-sonic, it may need more spin. As the bullet slows down into the trans-sonic range, extra stability is required — something you get by spinning the bullet faster. So, for those guys planning to shoot at one mile or beyond, Berger recommends a faster twist-rate. The faster twist provides more spin-stabilization at very long ranges. But for 1000-yard shooting, you don’t need to be concerned about trans-sonic stability. As Bryan explains: “So as long as you keep your shots under 1 mile, the 1:10″ twist is plenty adequate.”
Berger Bullets Video Update (Eric Stecker talks about the new .338 Hybrid and other matters.)
If you want to see some of the very best smallbore and air gun shooters in the world, including many multi-time Olympians, head down to Fort Benning, GA later this month. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, in conjunction with USA Shooting, will host the ISSF 2010 World Cup USA May 22-31.
This major event is the third of four World Cups being held this year by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). So far, more than 400 of the world’s top-level shooters from 49 countries have committed to the event. There will be many Olympians (including medal winners) in the competition. CLICK HERE for Entry List by Nation.
Shooters will compete for medals and world records in the Olympic disciplines of Air Pistol, Air Rifle, Smallbore Pistol, and Smallbore Rifle. The ranges are located on the military installation at Fort Benning, Georgia, approximately 150 km (90) miles south of the Atlanta Int’l Airport. Fort Benning has some of the most advanced target systems in the United States. Sius Ascor electronic targets will be used for all elimination, qualification, and finals competitions. Seventy-two (72) targets are available for both 50 meters and 10 meters, while there are 40 targets for 25-meter events.
Bookmark ISSF World-Cup Website
USAShooting has created a full-featured website dedicated to the 2010 World Cup. There you can find travel and lodging info, match schedules, registration info, and much more. Once the competition starts, the USAShooting World Cup website will provide photos and videos, and updated match results. Visit the official match website at www.usashooting.sports.officelive.com.
Here is an interesting tool that lets shooters re-shape and uniform the tips of their .22 rimfire lead bullets. Paco Kelly’s Acu’Rzr comes in two basic versions, the “Phase III Nasti-Nose” and the “Phase IV Baby Scorp’n”. The Phase III tool produces a deep-dished hollowpoint (like an ash-tray) that opens quickly and efficiently. There is also a Phase III insert that creates a flatter, open dish HP for target shooting. The Phase IV Scorpion tool creates a deep hollow point with a central post. The internal post in the middle helps achieve deeper penetration in game. The designer claims that ammo modified with either tool is more accurate because the bullet diameter “comes out the same every time”. In addition to the Phase III & IV tools, which reform one round at a time, Paco offers a Maxi series for bulk production. These let you process either three rounds at once (Maxi 3) or four rounds at once (Maxi 4).
Why re-shape lead rimfire bullets? The first reason is accuracy. The tool’s designer, Paco Kelly, claims you can improve the accuracy of budget-priced ammo by using the dish nose rod with the Phase III tool: “The dish nose forming rod is for accuracy and paper targets. It makes very sharp and clean cut holes in paper. And the consistency of the [re-shaped] bullet diameter pulls the group together.”
The main reason to use Paco Acu’Rzr tools is to improve perfomance on small game such as squirrels, prairie dogs, and jack-rabbits. Kelly says: “Unlike most commercial 22 rimfire ammo with small holes and negligible HP expansion, the Nasti-Nose will open even with standard velocity ammo. Yet it will NOT explode on contact like the hyper-velocity ammo. For small eating game, such as squirrels, the Hyper ammo is too much and the medium-velocity, hollow-pointed commercial ammo often fails to open. But not so with the Nasti-Nose.” The idea, Kelly suggests, is that you get reliable expansion with medium-velocity ammo, without destroying the game the way hyper-velocity ammo does.
The Phase III tool costs $65.00, while the Phase IV tool costs $75.00. The Maxi 3 which does three (3) rounds at once, costs $100.00, and the four-round Maxi 4 is $128.00. All tools can be customized for target rifles or European chambers. To order, contact Paco Kelly, P.O. Box 1170, Cortaro, AZ 85652 or use this ORDER FORM.
EDITOR’s NOTE: Do NOT use this tool with premium-grade rimfire target ammo. It won’t help. Use it with the cheaper bulk-pack ammo. Also, we have not tested the reformed ammo on live targets, so you have to draw your own conclusions as to its benefits on small critters.
Graf & Sons has launched its redesigned, updated website. Grafs.com is now much easier to navigate, and the search is faster. Also product photos are bigger and better. To simplify shopping, products are grouped into nine primary categories: Ammo, Shotshell Reloading, Metallic Reloading, Powders & Primers, Bullet Casting, Optics, Muzzleloading, Accessories, and Tactical.
Just click on “Ammo”, select “Rifle” and you get a complete list of all calibers. Then choose the ammo you need. Likewise, click on “Metallic Reloading”, select “Rifle Brass” from the expanded menu, then choose the cartridge type you need from the full list that appears. It’s very intuitive and easy. You can also use the left menu to quickly find powders, primers, dies and other tools. Once you become familiar with the expanding menu structure, we think you’ll find it easy to locate what you need very quickly.
Of course, you can still search search by keyword or product number. Once you run a search, you can then filter the search results by manufacturer, or you can alpha-sort the products, or even rank them by price, rating, or availability. On the new website, the search engine is much faster than before.
Ground Shipping is Pre-Paid on Most Items
As before, most of the stated prices on the Grafs.com website INCLUDE ground shipping to the lower 48 states. For some products, Graf’s listed price might initially seem a bit higher than with another vendor, but when you factor in shipping costs, you’ll often find that Graf’s pricing is more than competitive. With heavy, bulky items, it nearly always pays to check with Grafs. Note, however, that there are separate hazmat fees on powder and primers. Also each internet order (no matter now many items) has a single non-refundable $4.95 handling/insurance charge ($6.95 for phone/fax/mail orders).
Are you looking to boost membership at your local shooting range? Then check this out. To help public and private shooting facilities jump-start their recruitment and retention efforts, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) will award up to $500,000 in grants this year to ranges around the country. This is the third year that the NSSF has distributed funding to qualifying ranges through its Range Partnership Grant Program.
“These grants will help shooting range managers create new strategies to drive traffic to their facilities”, said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president. The projects funded by the grants will also serve as pilot programs, which, if successful, can be used by other facilities. “The best way to increase participation is to enhance and promote shooting opportunities at the local level,” said Melissa Schilling, NSSF recruitment and retention manager. “We’re looking for unique proposals that move the needle on recruiting new shooters, attracting lapsed shooters back to the range and increasing opportunities for active shooters.”
Who May Apply? Only project proposals submitted by and in the name of public shooting facilities, private facilities that offer the public shooting opportunities, or educational institutions with either public shooting facilities of their own or hunting and shooting sports curriculums shall be eligible for funding under the Grant Program. Separate proposals must be submitted for each project to be funded. A group of ranges may band together and submit one proposal. IMPORTANT — This grant program is NOT intended for land purchases, for building or improving structures (such as club-houses), or for acquisition of range equipment and supplies.
How to Apply: Download the Grant Application Form (PDF) and submit according to guidelines.
Deadline: Grant applications must be received by NSSF no later than 5:00 pm (ET) on June 17, 2010.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: In a subsequent BBC Interview, Harrison reported it took about NINE shots for he and his spotter to initially range the target successfully. Then, he reported, his first shot “on target” was a killing shot. That makes the story more plausible.
In a stunning display of marksmanship, and the ultra-long-range capability of the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge, a British sniper killed two Taliban machine-gunners at a confirmed range of 1.54 miles. The distance to the target was GPS-ranged at 8,120 feet or 2,706.6 yards — well over a mile and a half. According to Britain’s Times Online, this successful engagement was the longest ever: “The previous record for a sniper kill is 7,972 feet, set by a Canadian soldier [in Afghanistan] in March 2002.” (Canadian Cpl. Rob Furlong used a McMillan Tac 50 in his 2002 engagement.)
The amazing shots were made by Corporal Craig Harrison of the Household Cavalry using an Accuracy International L115A3 rifle, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. L115A3 rifles, part of the British Army’s Sniper System Improvement Programme (SSIP), were first deployed to Afghanistan in May 2008. Corporal Harrison, with the assistance of his spotter, Trooper Cliff O’Farrell, dropped two Taliban machine-gunners with successive shots while providing covering fire for an Afghan national army patrol south of Musa Qala last November. Harrison told the Times that: “We saw two insurgents running through [a] courtyard, one in a black dishdasha, one in green. They came forward carrying a PKM machine-gun, set it up and opened fire on the commander’s wagon. I rested the bipod of my weapon on a compound wall and aimed for the gunner firing the machine-gun.” Harrison fired three rounds, the first killing one machine-gunner, the second killing the other (who had taken over the weapon), and a third to disable the enemy gun.
A shot at this ultra-long-range requires a superbly accurate rifle, a highly-skilled marksman, and favorable conditions. Harrison said: “Conditions were perfect, no wind, mild weather, clear visibility.”
Corporal Harrison is a brave soldier. During an ambush later in his Afghan tour of duty, a bullet pierced his helmet but failed to penetrate his skull. Some weeks after that, he broke both arms when a road-side bomb exploded under his vehicle. After recovering from his wounds, Harrison volunteered to return to Afghan duty.
Sinclair International has just released its completely new Competition Shooting Rest BR. It’s a beefy unit, weighing over 30 pounds… and yes, it’s fully approved for both IBS and NBRSA benchrest competition at all distances. The new rest should start shipping in mid-May, 2010. The price is $599.00 including top bracket, but not the front sand-bag (both Edgewood and Protektor bags will fit).
Key features are: 1) Very low center of gravity for stability; 2) Smooth, precise windage control built in to the base-plate; 3) Ambi-dextrous design; and 4) Built-in carry handle on the front (target) side. The windage control, which employs twin tapered roller bearings for smoothness, is a clever design that provides nearly 48″ of windage movement at 100 yards. The oversized windage control knob is positioned near the rear (vertical) speed screw so you can easily and quickly control both the vertical and horizontal with the same hand. And you Southpaws, don’t worry… the post, center column, controls and windage adjustment disassemble and reassemble on the opposite side, for left-hand use.
The Sinclair Competition Rest’s components are “super-sized” compared to older Sinclair front pedestal designs. The new rest’s center column diameter is upsized to 1.95″ from 1.375″, the threaded post is increased to 1″ diameter from 3/4″, and the leg screws are now .5″ (up from .375″). The rear fluted speed screw is also oversized. The new Competition Rest also includes mounting holes for attachment of raised ammo caddies or a timer-holder. In addition, the Sinclair Competition Rest features a new, lockable fore-end stop assembly that adjusts for length, height, and cant (angle).
New Tactical Rimfire Class
If you want to see some of the very best smallbore and air gun shooters in the world, including many multi-time Olympians, head down to Fort Benning, GA later this month. The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, in conjunction with 
Are you looking to boost membership at your local shooting range? Then check this out. To help public and private shooting facilities jump-start their recruitment and retention efforts, the 
IMPORTANT UPDATE: In a subsequent BBC Interview, Harrison reported it took about NINE shots for he and his spotter to initially range the target successfully. Then, he reported, his first shot “on target” was a killing shot. That makes the story more plausible.
