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March 19th, 2007
We’re excited about the release of the NEW Nikon 6-24×50 Monarch later this spring (Release date early June). Initial reports from Shot Show 2007 were very positive. It has a 1″ tube, limiting its range of elevation compared to the Leupold 8.5-25×50 LRT, but otherwise this Nikon could be a real rival to the Leupold. Priced at $629.95 from The Optic Zone (Nikoplex Reticle), the new Monarch is over $200.00 less expensive than Leupold’s 8.5-25 LRT. (Target Dot, Fine CrossHair, and Bullet Drop Compensating reticles add $20.00 to the price.) We think this could prove a great scope for long-range varminters and F-Class shooters on a budget. Just use an angled scope rail or Burris Signature Rings with inserts to add extra elevation as needed.
March 18th, 2007
A service of the NSSF (Nat’l Shooting Sports Foundation), WhereToShoot.org offers a Searchable Database of pistol, rifle, and shotgun ranges around the country. You can search by state, or select a particular distance from any zip code. The database is very complete. We searched for ranges within 60 miles of our zip code, and a comprehensive list of ranges was returned instantly, with links for detailed, range-specific info. The individual range pages also include web addresses, phone numbers, and, in many cases, a MapQuest link.
March 17th, 2007
 It’s St. Patrick’s Day, so we bring you something green at a very lucky price. For just $139.99, MidwayUSA is offering its Caldwell Rock BR Competition front rest (item 348661), complete with fitted hard case for transport. That’s a heck of a deal.
We’ve used these 15.5-lb rests and they are solid and functional, though many owners eventually upgrade the rather thin 3-lobe front sandbag (3″ width standard). Caldwell BR rests adjust windage by rotation of the rest top rather than linear tracking. Also available is a heavier (24-lb) “1000-yard” Rock front rest for $169.99 (item 627414). For a limited time, both units now come with a free “Rest Nest” case ($39 value) shown below. Be sure to use promo code BRNEST when ordering to get your free case. Offer expires 3/31/07.
March 17th, 2007
 BAT Machine actions are top of the line, and you can expect to wait up to 6 months if you custom order one. But why wait? Bruno Shooters Supply has a variety of BAT actions in stock, starting at $965.00 for the SV Model. Bruno’s gets new BAT actions weekly, in all three bolt configurations: PPC, .308 and Magnum. Bruno’s offers both two-lug and the hot new three-lug actions. The action shown below is a BAT 3-Lug, .308 stainless RB/LP. BAT actions sell quickly, so call Bruno’s for availability, (623) 587-7641, and tell them AccurateShooter.com sent you.
March 16th, 2007
 Here it is folks, the new Tooley offset stock. This radical new rig employs an offset design to counter the torque associated with large-caliber benchrest guns. Dave tells us, “the wide, flat fore-end and offset design really tames the big 30s.” The stock is 4″ wide along the fore-end with the barreled action offset 1.5″ from center. From the trigger guard rearward the stock is pretty much the same as a Tooley MBR, with a bottom flat and slight drop from grip to buttplate. In American walnut laminate or maple laminate the stock weighs 3 lbs., 12 oz., the same as a fiberglass Tooley MBR from McMillan. There is also a lighter “Butternut” wood version that weighs 2 lbs., 12 ounces. So making weight in Light Gun Class should not be an issue.
The stock is legal for NBRSA and IBS 600- and 1000-yard benchrest competition, but it is not legal at 4″ for Willliamsport Light Gun Class. Dave notes that you can simply saw 1″ off the left side (looking from the breech foreward), to make the stock 3″ and legal for Williamsport LG and F-Class. Dave tells us “the stock still works really well at 3″, it just doesn’t cancel as much torque as it does in a 4″ configuration.” Tests have shown that the 4″-wide stock will effectively soak up 45 inch-pounds of torque, enough to cancel the twisting effect of a 30-caliber rifle shooting 240-grainers at 3100 fps. Scott Fletcher, who is currently shooting a prototype version with a 338 Lapua Improved says the new stock “works fantastic. It’s like night and day with a heavy recoiling caliber. It makes a 30-caliber feel like a 6.5. And with a 6.5-284, you can easily shoot the gun free recoil.”
You can buy the stock right now. Dave has three stocks “on the shelf” and four more will be delivered next week. The stock, un-inletted but ready to finish, costs $350.00, or $425.00 in Tigerstripe maple. Dave notes: “there is no conventional barrel channel so inletting is very easy.” For $800.00 Dave will deliver the stock fully inletted and pillar bedded for your action, complete with recoil pad. For more info, email Tooleyrifles[at]carolina.rr.com or call Dave at (704) 864-7525. CLICK HERE to view more photos.
March 15th, 2007
Dave Dohrmann has a clever new product for Benchrest and F-Class competitors. His “Match Superfeet” consist of stainless disks with neoprene (wetsuit material) on the bottom. The disks are spring-loaded, so they self-adjust to uneven surfaces. Superfeet are legal for IR 50/50, NBRSA, and IBS BR Competition, as well as NRA F-Class. These provide solid grip on wood and concrete benches, and eliminate problems with cratered benchtops. Superfeet easily attach to all popular front rests; no modification is required to height adjustment screws. The Standard Set (2 Superfeet w/spring retainers and 1 without) costs $27.95, while the 3 Spring Set (3 Superfeet w/spring retainers) costs $29.95. To order, call Dave at (864) 884-0155 or send email to dbugholes[at]aol.com.
March 15th, 2007
 The first rifle/pistol International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup of the season will be hosted by USA Shooting March 31 – April 8, 2007, in Ft. Benning, Georgia. To date, 505 athletes from 62 nations have registered for 834 competition entries, to mark the largest shooting World Cup ever to be held on U.S. soil. World Cup USA will feature Olympic medalists, international record holders and the top seeded shooters from each participating nation.
“This is the largest turnout we have ever experienced for the World Cup USA,” noted Wanda Jewell, Director of Operations for USA Shooting and 1984 Olympic bronze medalist in rifle. Various international shooting events, including World Cup USA, permit nations to qualify for the Olympic Games by earning Olympic “quota” slots through outstanding performances. To date, the USA has earned 17 of a possible 28 Olympic quota slots. For more info, contact Najasila Campbell, USA Shooting, at (719) 866-4896 or go to USAShooting.org.
March 14th, 2007
Savage Arms plans to release a factory-built F-Class rifle later this year. The initial stock design was controversial to say the least. However, the new design looks excellent. It features a 3″-wide fore-end, with venting slots cut on the sides AND the bottom. The rear of the buttstock runs straight back from the grip area and features a bottom flat that looks to be at least 1″ wide. The complete rifle will feature a right bolt, left port action (and possibly a right/right), with a 6-ounce Accutrigger. There is a discussion of the new stock on Long-Range.com. For a larger photo, CLICK HERE. Thanks to Vanessa Warner for these photos.
March 14th, 2007
The long barrels and big scopes used on F-Class and long-range BR Rifles make it difficult to find a hard case long enough to fit the entire rifle. Our readers have asked “Where can we find a good, rigid, metal case (under $75.00) with built-in locks that will hold a rifle with 31″ barrel?” The BD505W model from Bulldog Cases fits the bill. 53″ long and 13″ wide, it will hold a rifle up to 52″ in overall length. While designed to hold two normal hunting rifles, if you have a big Nightforce on top consider this a one-gun case. But you can afford one for each of your long-barreled rifles. The BD505W costs just $59.39 from MidSouth Shooters’ Supply (item 208-BD505W).
March 13th, 2007
 Ace long-range shooter John Whidden has introduced a new bullet-pointing system that promises to improve the B.C. of match bullets significantly. John tells us that “tests have shown these bullets to have a typical B.C. increase of about 35 to 40 points as compared to bullets right out of the box,” and at 1000 yards, “we usually see them impact about 1-1.5 MOA higher. We have reports of .224 80-grainers shooting 2.5 MOA higher just by pointing.” The proof is in the shooting. Our own Jason Baney has experimented with Clinch Rivers that had the tips pointed up (not by John though). Jason reports: “Shot round-robin, with my 6BR, 5-shot group centers were 18″+ apart vertically. In other words, the pointed bullets flew 1.75MOA flatter to 1025 yards. This number has been repeated in matches at Williamsport.”
What about trimming meplats instead? Well, that does make bullet to bullet B.C. more consistent, but, unfortunately, it reduces the B.C. somewhat at the same time. Pointing the bullet tips with a special pointing die raises the effective B.C. and makes the B.C. more consistent by taking the ragged edges off the meplats. For more info, call John Whidden at (229) 686-1911 or visit WhiddenGunWorks.net.
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