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April 22nd, 2008
George Gardner of GA Precision has started building custom rifles with a new action designed and crafted by Glen Harrison of Phoenix Machine LLC, in Montana. Harrison, the founder of Nesika Bay, is highly regarded as an action designer and machinist. His new actions are built with state-of-the-art methods, including EDM machining. GA Precision will not be selling the actions separately to customers, but will offer them in rifle upgrades and complete rifle builds.
Gardner notes: “The new GAP ‘Templar’ Short and Long actions will be replacing our GA 7000 action. The specs are generally the same as the former action however the new ‘Templar’ actions feature various upgrades and design improvements”:
● The tang is thicker but radiused so it still fits a Model 700 style stock.
● There is 20% more engagement for camming and unlocking.
● The bolt raceway is EDM-machined rather than broached.
● The recoil lug is double-pinned.
● The bolt stop has been changed to the GAP/Nesika Style.
Later in the year, George says, GA Precision plans to offer a 100% one-piece bolt with the new Templar actions. How do the new Harrison-built actions perform? Glen Seekins of SeekinsPrecision.com reports: “I just built a rifle with one of Glen’s actions (virtually the same as the GA Precision Templar) and they are very, very nice.”
GA Precision offers both custom rifle building services as well as complete rifles. GA Precision has already shipped a few “Crusader” tactical rifles, shown below, built with the new Templar action, with a durable CeraKote finish. The complete rifle costs $3525.00 including Badger rings, scope base, and detachable mag system, but without optics.
April 22nd, 2008
 Many readers have asked where they can find a high-quality, extremely light-weight hunting stock suitable for a “walk-around” varminter. One impressive option is Tom Manners’ Carbon Fiber MCS-UL (UltraLight). Weighing just 1.55 pounds, the Manners’ UltraLight is built to Benchrest standards. Despite its minimal weight, the stock is strong and very rigid–because it is basically a seamless shell. The only cuts in the shell are for the action pillars and bolt handle. Both the 1.75″-wide fore-arm and pistol grip area have a molded-in textured surface for better grip.
The MCS-UL is priced at $495 (before options), and is currently available only with a Rem 700 inlet. This will fit Rem 700 actions or clones such as the Lawton 7000 and Stiller Predator. Available finishes include clear-coat or polyurethane paint in black, gray, or olive. If you want to “show off” that handsome carbon shell, go with the clear-coat. For more details, contact Manners Composite Stocks, (816) 210-8108.
April 22nd, 2008
Through its Shooting Range Program, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) offers supplemental funding to shooting facilities. Approximately $50,000 in competitive grants are expected to be awarded this year (2008), with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Shooting clubs and range operators have until June 30, 2008 to apply for federally-funded grants that can be used to construct, maintain, or expand public shooting-range facilities in Washington state.
The Shooting Range Program, established in 2002, supports development of not-for-profit shooting ranges with proceeds from the federal excise tax on archery equipment and firearms. Designed to help shooting ranges pay for construction or other building expenses, the program is managed on a reimbursement basis. Successful applicants are required to pay for construction and materials and are then reimbursed for up to 75% of the cost. The remaining 25% requires local matching money.
Applicants must complete a detailed application, including information on public range use, an environmental review, program narrative, user fees and charges. Information and applications for the grants are available through the WDFW website, or by contacting the Hunter Education program at (360) 902-8111,or huntered@dfw.wa.gov.
April 21st, 2008
 Leica Sport Optics announces a new improved warranty program for Leica binoculars and spotting scopes. Effective immediately, Leica will offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty for defects in materials or workmanship for all LEICA Ultravid HD, Ultravid BL, Duovid, Trinovid compact, Ultravid Compact binoculars, and the new Televid Spotting Scopes. In addition, owners of these products who register will be eligible for a 3-year “Passport Protection” policy (registration is mandatory for Passport coverage). “Passport Protection” covers functional failures, or any accidental damage to the covered equipment, including breakage, water damage or any accident (but not fire, theft, or loss.) Leica’s representatives claim that the new Leica Limited Lifetime Warranty Program, combined with 3-year Passport Protection, is the strongest warranty from any European manufacturer.
Enhanced Warranty Retroactive to 11/1/2007
It’s nice to know that the warranty provisions will extend backwards in time. This new warranty program is retroactive to all applicable products sold to dealers or purchased by consumers since November 1, 2007. Consumers will continue to be required to register product purchases to gain the advantage of the 3-Year Passport Protection Plan.
Laser RangeFinders and Geovids NOT Included
Warranties on the Leica Geovid products will remain a Limited 5 Year warranty for defects in materials and workmanship and CRF laser rangefinder will continue to have a Limited 2 Year Warranty.
April 20th, 2008
Readers often ask: “What priming tool should I use?” There is no simple, clear-cut answer. Different tools have different advantages and disadvantages. Many short-range benchresters like the Sinclair one-at-a-time priming tool. They believe this unit has the best “feel” for seating primers.
 Others prefer the K&M tool, another “single-loader”, because it can be fitted with a seating depth gauge, for the ultimate in precision. On the other hand, one top shooter with a couple National Championships under his belt favors the modest $19.00 Lee Autoprime tool: “It’s simple, efficient and has served me well for years–I’m not convinced the fancy, expensive tools do a better job.”
This editor has tried all of these tools, and personally I favor the RCBS APS hand priming tool. It has two important advantages. Number one, primers are held in color-coded plastic strips so you never have to touch the primers. If you buy the pre-loaded strips, there is no chance of getting an upside-down primer, and you never have to fool with flipping primers in a tray. Second, the APS tool has a “universal” shell-holder. This employs spring-loaded jaws so it can fit any size cartridge, from a 17 Fireball to large magnums. The unit has a comfortable grip and plenty of leverage. Each time you seat a primer, the strip automatically advances.
Currently, only CCI primers can be purchased pre-loaded into strips. But there is an inexpensive tool that allows you to load Federal, Winchester, or Wolf primers into the strips. The strips come in a variety of colors (Red, White, Blue, Orange, Yellow, and Black), so you can sort your primers by color.
The RCBS APS hand primer is ideal when doing primer comparison testing. You can slide one strip of 25 primers in the tool, seat 5 or 10, then easily remove the strip with the remaining primers, and slide in a second strip with another primer type. You can slip the first strip back in a storage box and the primers remain ready to use.
As contained in the strips, primers can also be used in an RCBS 2000 progressive press, a bench-mounted priming unit, and a special device that fits into the top of a Rockchucker or similar press. I have loaded over 20,000 pistol rounds with an RCBS progressive press and I have had not a single flipped primer. Not one. The strip-priming system also makes it easy to switch from small to large primers on the progressive–this can literally be done in under 20 seconds.
The bench-mounted unit is ideal for priming large quantities of cases. The long handle provides plenty of leverage, and you can work fast, as the primers automatically feed through the system. When I load large quantities of varmint rounds, I use the bench-mounted APS system.
April 20th, 2008
 Howard Leight Max® Foam Earplugs offer the highest noise reduction of any shooters’ earplug you can buy–33 decibels. The NRR 33 rating makes the MAX the highest rated disposable earplug in the US. We prefer the corded variety as you’re less likely to lose them and the cord keeps the plugs comfortably draped around your neck when not in use. You can get big savings by buying in bulk. DiscountSafetyGear.com sells 100 pairs for just $25.99. That’s a heck of a lot better than the typical range price of $1.50 a pair (or more). Go in with a buddy on a 100-pack and you’ll have enough pairs for years of safe shooting, with plenty of spares to give to friends and shooting companions.
April 19th, 2008
Do you have a Wilson case trimmer but can’t afford the $84.00 to add the handy Micrometer upgrade (Sinclair Int’l item 05-4500)? Well Boyd Allen has come up with a clever use of a standard set of calipers that lets you set the cut length precisely within .001″. Just open the jaws of your caliper and put one jaw on the outboard end of the ring (with set screw) that holds the threaded length-adjusting rod. Set the other caliper jaw on the flat face at the end of the threaded rod that contacts the case rim. If you have a sample case set to the correct cut length, use that to set the position of the threaded rod. Then use your calipers to measure that length. This way you can repeat the cut length each time, or adjust the trimmed case precisely in .001″ increments.
If you change from one cartridge to another, just use your calipers to re-set the desired cut length. Alternatively, ReedG notes you can use the inside caliper jaws and measure directly from the end of the threaded rod to the cutter face. That’s a bit trickier, but it measures actual trim length.
April 19th, 2008
 The much-anticipated Nosler Reloading Guide Number Six is now on sale for $19.95 at Powder Valley. The Nosler Guide has long been considered one of the better reloading guides in print, with good coverage of basic reloading techniques. The greatly expanded 6th edition features 848 pages of information, covering 117 cartridges. You’ll find freshly-fired data for the entire line of Nosler bullets, as well as data for many of the popular, new factory cartridges. Load data for each cartridge is presented in a graphic format, with starting, intermediate and maximum loads for each powder (and bullet weight) listed. Nosler’s system uses a simple, easy-to-read bar graphs to show velocity variation between powders.
Nosler introduces each cartridge section with personal commentaries and tips from some of the world’s best-known hunters, shooters and writers. This knowledgeable advice supplements the “raw data”, helping you select the right bullet and powder for your particular application. Nosler also offers “Comments From the Lab” for many cartridges. These Lab Comments, written by the Nosler ballistics team, assist in working up accurate, effective loads.
April 18th, 2008
In addition to the events listed in AccurateShooter.com’s Event Calendar, the NRA maintains an online calendar of important matches and tournaments around the county. Click here to access the NRA Calendar and download registration forms for major events. The NRA Calendar includes National championships, State Championships, NRA Sectionals, and NRA Regionals. Disciplines covered include High Power Rifle, High Power Long Range, Smallbore Rifle, Black Powder Target Rifle, Air Rifle and Air Pistol, and Silhouette events for High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Black Powder Cartridge, Lever Action, and Air Rifle and Air Pistol.
April 18th, 2008
 Both .221 Fireball and 17 Fireball brass have been in short supply for quite some time. Remington is the only producer of Fireball brass, and with the popularity of the new 17 Fireball cartridge, most of the recent brass production went into Remington loaded ammo. Wildcatters have also created additional demand for Fireball brass to make into 20 Vartarg cases. The 20 Vartarg is an extremely efficient cartridge that can drive the accurate 32gr BlitzKing or 32gr V-Max at 3700+ FPS with just 18 to 20 grains of powder. You can form Vartarg cases either by necking-down .221 Fireball brass, or necking up the 17 Fireball cases.
17 Fireball Brass at LockStock.com
As of 4/18/08, Lock, Stock & Barrel has 9800 pieces of 17 Fireball brass in stock, sale-priced at $38.90 per 100 cases. FYI, Grafs.com and MidwayUSA are both currently “out of stock” on 17 Fireball brass.
.221 Fireball Brass at MidwayUSA
MidwayUSA recently received a large supply of .221 Fireball brass. MidwayUSA now has .221 Fireball cases in all lot sizes: 20, 100, 500, and 1000-count lots. A 100-piece box (item 413527) is priced at $32.99, while a 500-piece box (item 145641) costs $151.99.
If you’re looking for large quantities of 17 or .221 Fireball brass, you may want to get your orders in quickly. Vendors are reporting very high demand for the brass.
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