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April 19th, 2009
 Yesterday, April 18th, Joel Pendergraft of Durham, NC put 10 shots into 3.048″ to set a new IBS 1000-yard Heavy Gun World record. Competing at Hawks Ridge, NC, Joel set the record with his big, 300 Ackley Improved HG fitted with an unusual water-cooled 12-twist, 4-groove Krieger barrel. Joel shot BIB 187gr flat-based bullets in Norma brass, pushed by a “generous amount” of Alliant Reloder 25 and Federal 210M primers.
This 3.048″ 10-shot group was a remarkable accomplishment, breaking one of the longest standing 1000-yard World Records. Bill Shehane commented: “This tops the NBRSA, IBS, and Original Williamsport Clubs’ all-time 10-shot Heavy Gun group records. Took a long time to do it and I for one know Joel did not back into it — he has worked harder than most the last 10 years to break this record. And just like John Voneida of the Original Williamsport Club who held this most prestigous record for so long, Joel is a super nice guy and a great competitor.”
Pendergraft’s fellow 1K competitors were quick to praise his accomplishment. Dave Tooley observed: “I still remember the day I suggested flat-based bullets to Joel and the laugh I got. Well he was laughing today. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Glad I was there to see it.” Posting on Benchrest Central, “4Mesh” wrote: “Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! That gun showed some serious promise last year at the World Open and anything that cranks off targets like the one you shot there, has what it takes.” Jim Hardy added: “The new record is great but no better than the fine man who shot it. Everyone who knows Joel will say the same thing — he is one of the finest men you will ever meet. He lives the life, and walks the walk and has paid his dues in the 1000-yard BR game to get the record.”
Pendergraft was modest after his notable achievement: “Some of the words spoken are too kind. What makes this so very special is to be able to celebrate the accomplishment with all of my shooting friends[.] A good friend once said that records are shot when preparation and opportunity meet. I feel blessed to have personally had the opportunity. The preparation we can individually work on and acheive but the opportunity only comes to a few. Those of you that compete in longe range competition will know what I mean.”
April 19th, 2009
Competition at the second leg of the 2009 ISSF World Cup Series commenced in Beijing, China on April 18 and will conclude April 23. Sixteen U.S. rifle and pistol shooters will be competing in Beijing, which will be familiar ground for 2008 Olympians Jamie Beyerle (Lebanon, PA), Brian Beaman (Selby, SD), Keith Sanderson (San Antonio, TX) and 2008 bronze medalist Jason Turner (Rochester, NY). These four Olympians competed in the same venue at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing last August.
The U.S. is looking to add to their 2009 World Cup medal tally in Beijing, as Sanderson is coming off a silver medal win in Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol in Changwon, Korea earlier this week. Sanderson was an Olympic finalist and record holder at the 2008 Games in Beijing. For updated news and results during the Beijing ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup, please visit the ISSF website. Daily results (with photos of winning shooters) are found on the ISSF Latest News Page.
April 19th, 2009
BR Armament Technologies (B.R.A.T.) of Saluda, VA is currently producing AR uppers chambered for the 6BR and 6BRX cartridges. Unlike some other previous AR conversions for the 6BR cartridge, the BR15 uppers produced by B.R.A.T. do not merely use a .223-sized bolt opened up to fit the .308-sized rim of the 6BR case. Instead B.R.A.T. employs a different bolt design that is bigger, and significantly stronger in the lug area. Shown below is a .223-sized bolt (left) and a BR15 bolt from B.R.A.T. on the right.
The B.R.A.T. BR15 upper receiver has been specifically designed to use the 6BR family of cartridges. It has a larger bolt, modified bolt carrier, modified upper receiver, larger barrel extension, and most importantly an all-new magazine designed specifically to handle the BR class of cartridges. All other parts are standard AR15. The folks at B.R.A.T. have developed their own magazines. These are 5-round center-feed dual column magazines that work with the 6BR, 6BR-derived cases (like 22 BR), and the 6BRX. Since the round feeds from the center, the mags can also be used for single-feeding.
B.R.A.T. is operated by two long-time competition shooters, both High Power High Masters, both Distinguished Riflemen, and both former captains of the U.S. Air Force Shooting team. President Eric Bellows has placed in the top 10 in the NTI and Presidents matches many times. Eric is former VT State Champion. Bill Walter, Chief Development Engineer, is former FL State Champion, Eliah Root team member, and is current military Palma Match record holder.
NOTE: We have not used or tested a B.R.A.T. upper or magazine. We are just passing on this information at the request of readers. You will find more product specs, and comparitive ballistics, on the B.R.A.T. website. Currently BRAT-15 uppers retail for $1390 with a Douglas barrel or $1550 with a Krieger barrel, chambered either as 6BR or as 6BRX. For another $100, B.R.A.T. offers uppers chambered in 22 BR, 6.5 BR, or 7mm BR. For more info, email 6BRrifles [at] bratrifles.com, or call (804) 824-7248.
B.R.A.T. 6BRX Upper Receiver with 28″ barrel and RPA Tall Boy sight
April 18th, 2009
Forum member Robert E. of North Dakota recently finished a winter project, profiled in our “Pride & Joy” Forum thread. The stunning McMillan A2-style stock was produced in Curly Maple by Joel Russo. The gun features a Savage RB/LP target action with a 30″ McGowen 1:8″-twist barrel chambered in 6.5x55AI. Robert installed the pillars, bedded the action, and finished the stock himself. Nice job Rob! The handsome gun sports a Sighton 6-24×50 scope held with Farrell 20moa base and rings.
The stock shape is classic McMillan “tactical”, but the gun is just too handsome to be called a tactical rifle. Maybe Robert has created a whole new category of rifle: “Glam Tac”. In any event, Robert has selected a great chambering for long-range hunting or target shooting and we expect this gun will be a shooter. (It’s still a virgin. Robert hasn’t put one round through it yet.)
For more info on custom wood rifle stocks, visit RussoRifleStocks.com or contact Joel Russo at (717) 805-0940, or jkrussos [at] comcast.net . This Editor spoke to Joel today on the phone … he was out at his secret range shooting his mighty .338-408 Big Baer at 2000 yards. When I called the maple-stocked 6.5x55AI gun a “Glam Tactical” rig, Joel laughed and agreed “Yep, that would be a good description.”
April 18th, 2009
 NRA-approved gunsmithing courses are conducted at four locations across the country. There is still time to sign up for most of the 2008 courses, which run in May through August. Classes offered at Lassen Community College in Susanville, CA include Law Enforcement Armorers’ School Classes for AR15s and Precision Rifles, an M1/M1A Accurizing Seminar, plus courses in Single-Action Revolver Tuning, Knifemaking, Engraving, and Metallic Cartridge Reloading. Trinidad State College in Colorado classes include Metal Finishing/Blueing, Blue-Printing Bolt Actions, Stockmaking, Accurizing AR15s, tuning 10/22 ‘Raceguns’, plus smithing for Airguns. Montgomery Community College in Troy, NC offers classes in Bolt Action Accurizing, AR15 Accurizing, Engraving, Stock Checkering, and Welding for Gunsmiths. Among the many classes at Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK, are Basic Lathe Operation, M1/M1A Accurizing, Rifle Re-barreling, Shotgun Repair, and Air Rifle Accurizing. For more info, log on to the NRA Gunsmithing School site. College information offices and current summer schedules can be found at MidwayUSA’s Gunsmithing School page. We know two people who completed Armorers’ classes at Lassen CC. They reported the program was excellent. Photo courtesy MidwayUSA.com.
Lassen C.C. | Trinidad St. | Murray St. | Montgomery C.C.
April 18th, 2009
MTM Case-Gard, makers of ammo boxes, range boxes, gun cases, and plastic shooting rests, has come up with a handy new product for hunters and tactical shooters. MTM’s new Spot & Shoot Tripod Adapter combines a front rifle rest with a secure attachment for a spotting scope. Made of polypropylene, MTM’s Spot & Shoot adaptor adds the convenience of a “quick release” scope or camera mount plus a non-marring shooting pad to a typical tripod. Just spot your target, and use the pad to steady your rifle. The Spot & Shoot tripod adaptor costs just $14.92 at Midsouth Shooters Supply.
 Adaptor Fits a Variety of Optics
The Spot & Shoot can be used with still cameras, video cameras, and laser-rangefinders as well as spotting scopes — so long as the mounted gear’s base has a standard threaded mounting socket. The Spot & Shoot will adapt to most tripod heads, but unless you have a beefy, pro-grade tripod head, we would not advise using the Spot & Shoot with very large, heavy spotting scopes or video cameras with long telephoto lenses that hang way out in the front. This MTM product works best with compact optics.
April 17th, 2009
Should you sight-in your rifle and practice shooting before you head off into the woods on your deer-hunting trip? Yes, indeed. In the video below we don’t know whether the unlucky hunter’s scope wasn’t adjusted correctly, or maybe he was just a miserable marksman. Many of you may have seen this video before, but it’s still pretty amazing. NOTE: If you are at work, you may want to turn down your volume before launching the video.
April 17th, 2009
Forum member Jacob spotted this simple, but effective set of scope ring inserts on the Brownells’ Website. With these inserts, you can use a scope with 1″-diameter main tube in 30mm rings. Non-marring, matte black Delrin sleeves surround the scope tube so it can fit larger-diameter rings. Each sleeve comes in two parts for easy installation around your scope tube. This way you can use the same 30mm rings for all your scopes. Ring Reducers are sold as front/rear kits. Cost is just $19.99 for the 1″ to 30mm converters, item 084-000-091. There are also sets that reduce 30mm rings to 25mm, and 1″ rings to 3/4″ or 7/8″.
Note: These Brownells units simply function as plastic bushings. Unlike Burris Signature Ring inserts, they do not allow you to “pre-load” windage or elevation. If your rings are misaligned, the Brownells Ring Reducers won’t correct that problem.
April 16th, 2009
Well-known competitive shooter Eric Kennard has come up with a great new product: “Snap Cap”-type dummy practice cases — for the cartridges that match shooters really use. Eric explains: “I was surprised when I started the long range game that Snap Caps were not available in the most used target rifle calibers. How does one dry-fire a target action without risking a fracture of the firing pin? I have seen this happen several times now. Usually in the middle of a match!”
Eric decided to do something about the problem of fractured firing pins. Eric has created a new line of aluminum-bodied Snap Caps for target rifle chamberings. These are made from red-anodized solid aluminum and have a spring-loaded brass plunger to absorb the firing pin shock. Now you can dry-fire to your heart’s content.
Eric sells the Target Rifle Snap Caps for $12.95 per pair, plus shipping. Currently, the aluminum Target Rifle Snap Caps are available for six (6) chamberings: .223 Rem, 6mmBR, 6XC, 6-6.5 x 47 Lapua, 6.5 x 47 Lapua, and .308 Win. (More calibers are coming soon.) If you have a tight-necked chamber, Kennard is able to turn down the necks of the dummy cases if you give him the dimensions (extra costs may apply). If you’re curious, the 6mmBR Snap Caps come with a .266 neck while the .223 has a .250 neck. To order Eric’s aluminum Snap Cap practice cartridges, send email to ericskennard [at] msn.com.
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Snap Cap Chamberings
.308 Win
6XC
6-6.5 x 47 Lapua
(not shown)
6.5 x 47 Lapua
6mmBR
.223 Rem
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More Calibers Coming Soon
Eric reports these dummy cartridge work great for High Power practice: “One of my evaluators has found them perfect for dry firing in rapid fire with a reload. Yes I know, it is an across the course High Power thing!” Eric plans to add more chamberings: “I have decided to add a couple of calibers due to all the interest. I am adding 6.5-284, .260 Rem, .300 Win Mag, and .338 Lapua. They should be available soon.”
April 16th, 2009
Have you seen those motivational posters on the walls of corporate offices? Well here’s a free web tool that lets you make your own motivational artwork. Simply upload a photo from your computer, type in a title and message line, and the automatic poster-maker from Bighugelabs.com does the rest. You can customize borders and fonts if you wish.
CLICK HERE to make your own Motivational Poster.
The poster above features the late Jef Fowler’s remarkable world-record 0.1500″, 5-target (25-shot), 100-yard LV Aggregate. (That’s right, the official measurement was exactly 0.1500″.) Using his own custom bullets, Jef shot this Agg with a 6PPC at Roanoke, Virginia in June, 1994. These five targets established a new NBRSA 100-yard Light Varmint World Record that still stands today, 15 years later. Sadly, Jef has passed away, but Fowler Bullets are now produced by Scheider Accuracy in Beaufort, SC, (843) 522-3651.
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