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March 3rd, 2008
 One of our Forum readers asked “How can I get a custom in-line seater for my new rifle?”. First, we would say that, if you are not shooting an unusual Wildcat, check first to see if L.E. Wilson makes a stainless Micrometer Seater Die for your rifle. These dies are a joy to use, and we’ve found the fit to be exceptionally good with many calibers. Wilson stainless micrometer-top seaters are available for the following calibers: 20 Tactical, 204 Ruger, 20BR, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22 PPC, 22BR, 22-250, 223 WSSM, 6 PPC, 6BR, 243 Win, 243 WSSM, 25 WSSM, 6.5-284, 270 WSM, 30BR, 30 IHMSA, 30×47 (not Lapua), 308 Win. The Wilson stainless micrometer seaters are priced $79.50 at Sinclair Int’l, item 50-1X.
If you do want a custom seater die, the process is relatively simple. Purchase a die blank from Wilson and have your gunsmith run the chambering reamer in. Forum member Gunamonth explains: “I start with a Wilson seating die blank. They’re available from Sinclair and other vendors. Just run the reamer in. For some of my rifles, where I wanted the stainless die with the micrometer adjustment, I bought a smaller die and had the smith ream it with the chamber reamer. That’s how I had my 6 Dasher and 6mm AI seaters made. With the Dasher I stared with a 6mmBR Micrometer die.” Sinclair Int’l sells Wilson die blanks, item WBLAX, for $37.50.
Micrometer Top Add-on
We really like micrometer tops on a seating die. But what if Wilson doesn’t make a micrometer top seater for your chambering? Don’t despair, Sinclair Int’l sells a micrometer top that can be added to any Wilson standard seater or to a custom seater die made from a Wilson die blank.
 The Sinclair Micrometer Attachment For Wilson Seaters, item WSM, costs $38.50. You can use the Sinclair Micrometer top with a new custom die, or Wilson’s standard inline seater dies. Wilson makes the standard (non-stainless) chamber-style bullet seaters for dozens of calibers for which the stainless micrometer seaters are not offered. Standard Wilson inline seaters (non-micrometer) retail for about $39.00. They are made from 12L14 mild steel. This 12L14 steel WILL rust, so you should keep a light layer of rust preventative (such as Eezox or Corrosion-X) on the die.
March 3rd, 2008
American Rifleman Television features Barnes Bullets this week. Managing Editor Chad Adams went to visit the Barnes operation in Utah. The broadcast shows how the Brooks family transformed a basement operation into one of the most advanced bullet-making operations in the world. Among the many Barnes bullets of interest to precision shooters and varminters are the Barnes Varmint Grenade, and the just-released MPG bullet. Lead-free MPG bullets feature a frangible, powdered-metal copper-tin core inside a guilding metal jacket. “MPG” stands for “Multi-Purpose Green”. “Green” is military shorthand for “lead-free”—a requirement in military and LE practice environments. California also recently passed legislation banning lead-core bullets in thousands of acres of hunting lands. Barnes’ MPGs may be just what California hunters need.
Also in this week’s American Rifleman TV episode, Editor-In-Chief Mark A. Keefe, reviews the Blaser F3, a high-end over-under shotgun built to exacting European standards. Part of MidwayUSA and Outdoor Channel’s “Wednesday Night On The Range” lineup, “American Rifleman Television” airs each Wednesday at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The show repeats on various days and times throughout the week.
 FREE Barnes DVD
Barnes offers a FREE DVD, called “Bullet Myths Busted”. This video tackles popular misconceptions about bullet performance and unmasks false claims. The DVD shows the explosive effects of the Varmint Grenade bullet and exclusive high-speed video compares hunting bullet expansion and penetration.
March 2nd, 2008
We received an interesting email recently from Daniel R. He was involved, some three decades ago, in the pioneering development of the 30 BR cartridge. In our 30BR Cartridge Guide, we explained how the 30 BR really started to take off ten years ago, when score shooters, such as Joe Entrekin, started using it with immediate success. But, according to Daniel, the 30 BR was really “invented” some 30 years ago. Daniel explains:
“I was interested to read that the 30BR has taken off finally in the benchrest world. I do however have a few tidbits to add to the true history of the 30BR cartridge. I believe that Keith Francis (JGS Precision) make the first chamber reamer for the 30BR in 1978 for me. I chambered my Hart 4A Heavy Benchrest bag gun and went off to an IBS early season 100-yard match held at Englishtown, NJ. Naturally I was the brunt of many jokes and sneers of my fellow benchrest shooters. I was shooting 140gr bullets that I made on short Sierra jackets in Homer Culver dies. The 10-shot aggregate was something in the low 3s (respectable heavy bench bag gun agg in those days). After that match I lent the reamer to a notable Pennsylvania gunsmith and many of the IBS hunter class guys had 30BRs within the next few weeks[.]”
In this photo, on left, you see a 30BR case after expansion. Note the ridge at the base of the neck. This needs to be removed via neck-turning.
Birth of the 22BR
Daniel was also an “early adopter” of the 22 BR cartridge, and he believes it can hold its own vs. the now-dominent 6 PPC case. Daniel writes:
“I believe that I was among the first dozen of benchrest shooters (other than Jim Stekl) to compete with the 22 BR. Jim and I had met at the IBS shoots in Johnstown, NY in 1975. I had Keith make me a custom tight neck (0.240″) reamer with a throat suitable to handle the Remington Match 52-grain bullets in 1977 and shot three 5-shot groups working up initial loads with Norma 202 that were 0.043″, 0.068″ & 0.017″! Like so many I finally let Doc and Ferris talk me in to shooting the PPC, but I came back to the little 22BR in 1989 and placed second in the NBRSA Championships LV 100-yard aggregate held at George Kelbly’s place against a sea of 6PPCs.”
22 BR Cartridge Diagram
Daniel reminds us: “This family of cartridges has come a long way from the days when you had to have a 4-die set to size and shape your hand selected 308 cases to get a working BR case. I can remember taking three weeks one winter to form and size the brass to campaign on the IBS and NBRSA circuits the following summer. Now we can buy them. I no longer shoot competitively, but I still have a few 22, 6 and 30 BR barrels for guns that I own. Keep in mind that there would not be any BR at all without the hard work and perseverance of one Mr. Jim Stekl (Mike Walker’s successor at Remington). If Jim had not fought so hard to keep this little cartridge alive it would not be here today.”
March 2nd, 2008
While the focus of this site is precision rifles, this deal was so attractive we had to let you guys know. CDNN is offering nearly-new Remington 870 Wingmaster shotguns for just $189.99. From what we were told, most of these were demos that didn’t sell because of the short 18.5″ barrel combined with the blaze orange stock. The hunters wanted a longer barrel and the “home defense” buyers preferred black.
Well, for someone looking for a home defense shotgun, or a truck gun, this would work great. Heck it even comes with the handy SpeedFeed stock. There’s no rule after all that a defensive shotgun has to be black. If you think about it, when you’re grabbing for a shotgun in the middle of the night and its dark, maybe it’s not a bad thing that the stock is easy to see. And if you really, really need the matte-black tactical look, just get a can of Krylon and paint the furniture.
The Remington 870 is an extremely reliable shotgun with a legendary history. You can easily (and inexpensively) add a longer barrel and use this gun for duck hunting or trap shooting. This editor’s brother shot a Rem 870 Wingmaster for years at a local trap club and regularly outscored shooters with much more expensive shotguns.
NOTE: You won’t find this special sale item on CDNN’s webstore. You need to download the latest CDNN catalog in .pdf format. Or simply call CDNN at 800-588-9500.
March 1st, 2008
At SHOT Show, Martin (Marty) Bordson of Badger Ordnance, previewed the new Badger M2008 Tactical action. A slab-sided, flat-bottomed, “fat bolt” action, the new Badger action resembles an Accuracy International receiver externally, but it shares some Remington features internally. The M2008 will initially be available for .308 bolt face calibers, and it is designed to work with any Remington detachable-style magazine.
The new action features TWO (2) integral recoil lugs in the front, plus two raised “abutments” for the action screws. This should provide a very rigid, solid action. We’re not sure why two recoil lugs are necessary, but perhaps this reflects Badger’s “extra heavy duty” design bias. The purpose of the abutments is to provide more thread contact for the action screws. The new action also features a Picatinny rail on top. The rail is attached with four screws and two pins. Badger considered making the rail integral with the action, but having it separate allows the customer to change from a flat rail to an angled rail with built-in elevation. This way if you change your scopes and need more elevation you can swap in a different rail. The M2008 fits standard Remington triggers and will fit all stocks that can be inletted for a Remington.
CLICK HERE to WATCH PRODUCT VIDEO
CLICK HERE for Video showing firing of prototype M2008 action in an Accuracy Int’l Chassis.
Marty said the new action should be available in summer 2008 and the current “projected price” is “under $1000.00″ including rail. FYI, Badger Ordnance, which marked its 25th year in business in 2007, recently moved to a new facility. Here’s the latest contact info:
Badger Ordnance
BadgerOrdnance.com
1141 Swift Street
N. Kansas City, MO 64116
phone: (816) 421-4956
e-mail: info [at] badgerordnance.com
March 1st, 2008
In January we announced that Graf & Sons was offering Federal Brand Lake City .223 Brass. This is quality brass and the feedback has been very positive. In fact, the .223 brass was so popular, we heard that supplies ran short. Now Graf’s is showing plenty of Lake City .223 brass in inventory. The price is just $19.99 per hundred or $94.95 for 500.
Remember that these prices INCLUDE freight. Graf’s does charge retail customers a single $4.50 handling charge per order. Prepaid shipping is offered to the 48 states via ground only, excluding target loads. Customers pay actual freight for express shipping and/or for Alaska or Hawaii orders.
For more info on .223 Rem brass and reloading, see our 223 Rem Cartridge Guide.
February 29th, 2008
Now through March 31, 2008, MidwayUSA has Eley 17 Mach 2 ammo on sale for just $3.99 per box (item 134258). This ammo, based on a 22 Stinger case necked down to 17 caliber, shoots a 17gr jacketed V-Max bullet at about 2050 fps. We’ve shot all the various brands of 17 Mach 2 ammo in a Hall-actioned BR rifle, and the Eley is as good as anything out there. What you’ll typically get with a 5-shot group in a good rifle is 3 or 4 shots in a tight cluster and then one out. This is caused by a lot of factors (run-out, crimp problems, OAL variations etc.), and is true of all the 17 Mach 2 brands you try. Still, the round is fun to shoot and the 17 Mach 2 will deliver sub-MOA groups at 100 yards even with the “flyers”.
Bang for the Buck
When you consider that most brands of the 2500 fps 17 HMR ammo now cost about $12.00 a box, the Eley 17 Mach 2 is an excellent value. The Mach 2 delivers the same 17gr V-Max bullet as the 17 HMR, but the Mach 2 just runs a little slower — 2050 fps vs. 2500 for the 17 HMR. For many shooters, it makes sense to use the 17 Mach 2 rather than a 17 HMR. With the sale-priced Eley just $3.99 a box, you can buy 150 rounds of 17 Mach 2 for the price of 50 rounds of 17 HMR.
Here’s what one shooter posted on RimfireCentral.com: “My brother has a 17 HMR, and I have the 17 Mach 2. I found Remington 17 M2 at Natchez for $3.59 a box by the brick, and Eley 17 M2 at [Midway] for $4.00 a box. The best buy I found on 17 HMR was $10.50 a box. Do the math: $3.59 X 3 = $10.77 When you can get 17 Mach 2 ammo at 1/3 the cost of 17 HMR which one kills paper better? My vote is for the one I can shoot for 1/3 the cost. The 17 Mach 2 is also quieter.”
February 29th, 2008
The folks at Target.workz.us have created a nice do-it-yourself project. To create a sturdy, self-supporting target frame, all you need are some 2x4s, 1x2x48 furring strips, plus fasteners. The target holder, which supports an 18×24 inch cardboard target backer, separates from the base for easy transport.
Note: There is no cross-piece shown in the plan, but we do recommend putting wood crosspieces at the top of the target stand and about 18″ up from the bottom. This will make the frame more rigid, and will allow the frame to work even if the cardboard is badly “shot up”. Use a T-square to set the crosspieces before attaching them with screws.
CLICK HERE to download TARGET FRAME PLANS
If you like these plans, you also find a variety of fun shooting targets, plus shooting tips, at Target.workz.us.
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 28th, 2008
 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 Trinidad State College in Colorado include Metal Finishing/Blueing, Stock Carving, and Handloading & Ballistics. Lassen Community College in Susanville, CA offers Law Enforcement Armorers’ School Classes for AR15s, Long Guns, and Sniper Rifles, an M1/M1A Accurizing Seminar, plus courses in Knifemaking, Engraving, and Metallic Cartridge Reloading. Montgomery Community College in Troy, NC offers August classes in Welding for Gunsmiths, Knifemaking, plus High-Grade European and American Rifles. 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.
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