For those who prefer to neck-size their brass (rather than full-length-size), the LEE Collet Die is a popular, inexpensive option. It works by having collet tangs or “fingers” press the neck against a central mandrel. The benefit is that you get a very straight neck, which is sized consistently from top to bottom. Canadian shooter Jerry Teo explains: “LEE Collet Dies produce sized cases with very low runout (measured runout is under .001″ using a Sinclair concentricity gauge). You also don’t get the build-up of brass at the base of the neck, as can happen with bushing neck dies. The neck-shoulder junction stays nice and crisp.”
NOTE: For most handloading, we recommend FULL-LENGTH sizing of cases. You should always have a good Full-length sizing die for your brass. But there are some situations where neck-sizing may be useful. This article explains how to neck-size effectively with a LEE Collet Die.
Here’s a good video that explains how to use a Lee Collet Die to Neck-Size .243 Win brass:
TIP ONE — Adjusting Tension
LEE Collet dies don’t have a specific mechanical adjustment for neck tension. But you CAN easily modify the die to provide more or less tension. If you want to adjust the neck tension using a Lee Collet die, you can simply chuck the mandrel in a drill and reduce the diameter with some sand-paper (to increase neck tension) or you can order a mandrel the next caliber larger and turn it to whatever diameter you want (the larger the mandrel diameter, the less the neck tension). You can also order custom mandrels from Lee sized to any diameter you want.
Regarding neck tension, Boyd Allen makes an important point: “The only way to properly get more neck tension with collet dies is to either reduce the diameter of the mandrel, or order a smaller-diameter mandrel from Lee. I remind folks that adjusting the die position to have more toggle at the top of the ram stroke (not the factory recommended method), or leaning on the press handle with more force than recommended will NOT increase neck tension.”
TIP TWO — Polish and Tune for Easy Case Removal
Some users have complained that their Collet Dies grab the case-neck too firmly, making the case hard to remove. There are solutions to this problem. First inspect the collet fingers and smooth the inner surface up a bit with polishing compound or an extra-fine sanding pad. Second, you can open up the fingers a little bit. LEE recommends that if your Collet Die is sticking, take a steel punch and tap the fingers apart a little bit so that the natural “unloaded” position is wider. Lastly, you should lightly lubricate the outside of the collet fingers (see arrows) before you re-assemble the die. This will ensure they slide smoothly. Also, to prevent the collet fingers from closing too tight, never load up the die with your press without putting a case in place first. Without a case neck between the collet fingers and the mandrel, the collet can clamp itself too tight as you raise the ram.
TIP THREE — Always Have a Case Inside When Operating Collet Die
Our friend Boyd Allen tells us that you need to follow directions and NEVER operate the die without a case inside. Boyd explains: “This is because doing so will spring the quadrants of the collet inward so that they interfere with the insertion of a case, and the user will have to figure out how to undo the damage if the die is to operate properly. This advice would not be needed if everyone read the instructions before using the die…. but many times, they don’t. Another thing that I tell new users is to take the die apart so that they will have a better chance of understanding how it works.”
TIP FOUR — Size Twice and Spin Your Case 1/8th Turn
After reaching fully “down” on your press handle, withdraw the case about an inch and manually rotate it about 1/8th (NOT 1/4 or 1/2) turn while still in the shell-holder, then size again. This will place the die’s collet petals on the four “high spots” of the case neck and will result in a rounder, more evenly-sized neck with slightly more bullet tension. This takes only about one second more per case and is well worth the slight extra effort. (We thank reader Stonecreek for this smart tip).
Get CUSTOM Lee Collet Dies for Your Brass
Yes LEE does make custom collet neck-sizing dies! LEE Precision currently offers Custom Collet Neck-Sizing Dies, made from two of your fired cases. LEE offers custom standard-thread (7/8×14) collet dies for $100.00 (plus S/H) and custom large-thread (1¼x12) collet dies for $300.00 (plus S/H). This is a good option if you run wildcats or have unusual chamber dimensions. CLICK HERE to ORDER.
Shooting USA will broadcast a fun episode today, October 19, 2022. Today’s show covers Hornady’s Zombies in the Heartland multi-gun match. This popular event, hosted in Nebraska, is one of the biggest three-gun shoots in the nation. Held this past June, the Zombie Match attracted hundreds of shooters from throughout the nation. One nice thing about the match is that it’s not just for top-tier multi-gun shooters. There are also divisions for novices — first time shooters with pistol, rifle, and shotgun are welcome.
SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
The 10-stage 3-gun match was fun and challenging. A wide variety of reactive zombie targets kept shooters engaged and entertained. In years past one stage had a parked pickup truck where shooters were required to turn the steering wheel to see targets.
Zombies in the Heartland on Shooting USA TV
Pandemic: Zombies in the Heartland
Every year Hornady hosts the very popular Zombies in the Heartland event. This “Pandemic” 3-Gun fun match, one of the biggest three-gun shoots in the nation, took place June 3-5, 2022 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. Traditionally this Zombies in the Heartland match features a rich prize table worth over $150,000. Prizes include pistols, rifles, shotguns, scopes, AR uppers, gun parts, and gear of all kinds.
The Pandemic is a veritable theme park for shootists, with many fun stages and innovative targets. Many unique, reactive zombie targets have been developed specifically for this match. The use of paper targets has been minimized — so it’s mostly “bang and clang”.
There were ten multi-gun stages this past year. Rifles, pistols and shotguns are used on most stages. There were also fun side-matches. We highly recommend you watch the video below to see highlights from a past Pandemic.
Zombies in the Heartland Highlights Video. Guys, this well-made video is WORTH WATCHING! This video offers Shooter’s POV views of many stages including full auto:
The National Rifle Association has distributed one million dollars to fund range development and improvement projects in 2022. Both public and private ranges have receive grants for a variety of projects including: construction of berms, range covers, lighting systems, and pavilions. Funds have also been provided for the purchase of trap machines. The funding was distributed via the NRA and NRA Foundation.
“To ensure a robust future for recreational target shooting and the shooting sports, gun owners need a place to learn, train, and compete,” said Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr., executive director of NRA General Operations. “Thanks to the generosity of NRA members, NRA Foundation donors, and those who attend local Friends of NRA events, NRA is able to provide the resources sought after by clubs and public agencies to build, expand, and improve ranges in their communities.”
How Your Club or Facility Can Apply for NRA Grants
Range funds are available for request in a variety of ways. First, through the Range Development Committee, NRA-Affiliated Range Funding is offered to 100% NRA membership-affiliated clubs for the acquisition, development, and improvement of shooting facilities. Second, funding is made available through the NRA Public Range Grant Funding program to city, county, state, and federal units of government to improve, enhance, and build public ranges. Third, there is the NRA Foundation State Fund Capital Improvement Grants program, which offers funding to government agencies and non-profit entities.
NRA Range Services offers an online course to prospective and current range owners and operators detailing best practices in range development, safety, and environmental concerns. To complement the course, NRA has authored The NRA Range Source Book, a premier technical source book for planning, construction, design, and maintenance of shooting range facilities. On the public policy side, the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) has been instrumental in protecting access to shooting ranges by promoting and supporting Range Protection laws throughout the country, prohibiting anti-gun units of government from forcing the closure of shooting ranges through onerous regulations.
Links for More Information and Grant Applications
To learn more about NRA’s support for public and private ranges, please visit Rangeservices.NRA.org. Information about the NRA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and its grant application process can be found at NRAfoundation.org/grants.
Rainy September Days in Vermont
The Civilian Marksmanship Program’s New England Games Matches, held September 18-25, 2022, at the Camp Ethan Allen National Guard Training Site in Vermont, can be described in one word: WET.
Though suffering one of the toughest weather weeks in the event’s history through cold temperatures and steady rainfall, Pistol and Rifle competitors still managed to give outstanding performances on the firing line, with some new record scores being set.
The New England Games event features CMP’s full lineup of vintage and modern military rifle and pistol competitions. These matches are suitable for those just beginning in the sport of marksmanship while offering significant challenges for more experienced marksmen and markswomen.
Notable 2022 New England Games Results and New Records
In CMP Games rifle events, Brian Williams, 48, who is a current New England Games record holder in several events, set yet another record with a 383-6X in the Carbine Match. This topped the previous score he had set himself in 2016. Williams was also only two points away from setting a new record in the Modern Military event — he holds the current record in the match from his 2018 performance.
Maisey Loucks, 28, showed great talent in the Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match, finishing with 579-26X, just three points from the current TU class record. Earlier this year, at the Camp Perry National Matches in July, Maisey earned the High Woman title in the National Carbine Match, setting a record in the process.
Reaching a new New England Games record in the Vintage Sniper Match was Hard Leg #2 (James Horton, Jack Chomko), who beat the previous record set in 2018 by one x-shot, with a score of 397-16X.
Setting a New England Games record in the Vintage Sniper Match was team Hard Leg #2 (James Horton, Jack Chomko), who beat the previous record set in 2018 by one X, with a score of 397-16X.
Bettering a record in the EIC Match by X-Count was SSG Verne Conant, 26, who accumulated a score of 497-26X in his impressive win. Top competitors of the match earned EIC (Excellence-In-Competition) points toward a Distinguished Badge, including two junior athletes: Jack Marshall, 20, and Shannon Moriarty, 14. Marshall finished the match fourth overall while Shannon Moriarty took fifth.
Outside of the recreational Games Matches, the CMP hosted a series of High Power matches that included a team event, three days of 800 Aggregate shooting, and a culminating 2400 Aggregate. Individuals were recognized for their Service or Match Rifle use, scores at each position and Civilian or Military status.
Along with the matches, a Rifle Marksmanship 101 clinic was held at Camp Ethan Allen.
Protect Your Hearing — Wear Protection Whenever You Shoot
Noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus are two of the most common afflictions for recreational shooters and hunters. Everyone knows that gunfire is loud, but very few people understand the repercussions that shooting can have on their hearing until it’s too late.
The better quality suppressors can reduce the noise of a gunshot by 20 to 35 decibels (dB). Good muffs or plugs will reduce sound by 23 to 33 dB. By decreasing the overall sound signature, suppressors help to preserve the hearing of recreational shooters and hunters. Even the most effective suppressors, on the smallest and quietest calibers (.22 LR) reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to between 110 to 120 dB. To put that in perspective, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that is as loud as a jackhammer (110 dB) or an ambulance siren (120 dB). For normal caliber handguns and rifles, suppressed sound levels routinely exceed 130 dB, just shy of OSHA’s “hearing safe” threshold of 140 dB.
According to Dr. William W. Clark, the current Director of the Washington Univ. School of Medicine’s Audiology/Communication Sciences Program, a “serious threat to hearing comes from recreational hunting or target shooting”. This is in large part due to the fact that many people choose not to use traditional hearing protection devices like earplugs and earmuffs because they want to be able to hear their surroundings. Multiple studies have found that between 70 to 80% of hunters never wear earplugs or earmuffs, and nearly half of all target shooters don’t consistently wear traditional hearing protection. Thus, it should come as no surprise that for every five years of hunting, hunters become seven percent more likely to experience high frequency hearing loss.
This article is based on information from the American Suppressor Association (ASA). Since the ASA’s formation in 2011, three additional states have legalized suppressor ownership and 18 states have legalized suppressor hunting. For more information, visit www.AmericanSuppressorAssociation.com.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. MidwayUSA — Lyman Products on Sale at Major Discounts
⏺ Major savings on Lyman products — Presses, Tools, Dies and more
Lyman crafts a huge variety of reloading gear — everything from dies to 8-station turret presses and even bullet-casting furnaces. Right now get HUGE savings on Lyman products at MidwayUSA. Save 15-20% on presses, 27% on trigger pull gauge, 25% on Lyman electronic powder dispenser, and up to 53% on dies. This major MidwayUSA sale includes most popular Lyman presses, case trimming tools, scales, tumblers, dies, and much more.
2. Amazon — RCBS Summit Press, $150.35
⏺ Unique compact design, also great for range loading
Do you need a press that can be mounted on a bench with no overhang? The perfect solution is the RCBS Summit Press. With the ability to mount anywhere due to it’s top-down operation this press is compact and versatile. Better yet, it will accommodate 1″ dies which is a rare ability for presses. The Summit’s unique design allows it so be mounted with an extremely small footprint on your bench.
3. KYGUNCO — Benelli Nova Pump Shotgun, $399.99
⏺ Great price on quality pump shotgun with good sights
If you in the market for a well built home defense pump shotgun check out the Benelli Nova. With it’s 18.5″ barrel, easy to use ghost ring sights and it’s ability to cycle everything up to 3-1/2″ shells the Nova is a great shotgun and even better deal for under $400.
4. Creedmoor Sports — Deluxe Padded Shooting Mats on SALE
⏺ Some of the best, most comfortable shooting mats, now on sale
If you shoot prone then you need a good mat to keep you comfortable and stable. You can find a large selection of Shooting Mats at Creedmoor Sports. You’ll find roll-up or 4-part folding mats on sale now. Most of these are customizable with colors and accessories.
5. Bruno’s Shooters Supply — BAT Actions IN STOCK
⏺ Avoid the wait with superb BAT actions in stock now
It’s never taken longer to build a custom rifle than it does in today’s world. Shorten that time a little bit by picking up one of these in stock BAT Actions from Bruno Shooters Supply. Right now Bruno’s has a very large selection of BAT actions, and the best thing is they are ready to ship today.
6. Sportsman’s WHSE — Vortex HD 20-60x85mm Spotter, $799.99
⏺ Very good spotter for the price with outstanding warranty
Vortex has updated its top-of-the-line Razor HD spotting scope, changing from a small-knob focus system to a single large focus ring. Now get the previous model Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scope at a huge discount. The $799.99 sale price is $800 less than the current 27-60x85mm Razor HD ($1599.00 on Amazon) — that’s HALF the price! This two-tone $799.99 spotter features premium High Definition (HD) glass for excellent sharpness/resolution with minimal chromatic aberration (color fringing). Verified purchaser reviews have been very positive: “Great spotting scope at a great price”.
7. Amazon — WildShot Cleaning Kit, $34.95
⏺ Cool “Big Cartridge” kit that is also very functional and versatile
Are you looking for a fun gift or maybe a conversation piece for your gun room? Check out this unique WildShot 51-piece Cleaning Kit. This kit features 3 brass cleaning rods, plastic handle, 10 brass wire brushes, 5 mops, 2 brass adaptors, 2 plastic slotted patch holders, 25 cleaning patches, 1 double ended nylon brush, 1 double ended cleaning pick, 1 oil bottle & case. All these cleaning tools are housed in a durable plastic container that looks just like a giant cartridge case.
8. Palmetto SA — Rifle Case, Earmuffs, Shooting Glasses $49.99
⏺ Great bundle deal with Walker Muffs, Glasses, and Carry Case
Here’s a great combo deal for NRL22 competitors and black rifle shooters. Right now, for just $49.99 you can get a “bundle” with PSA 36″ rifle case, Walker’s NRR 27 Slim Muffs, and shooting glasses. The rifle case includes three pockets on the front side plus nice, adjustable shoulder straps on the opposite side. Grab this PSA Case, Muffs, Glasses Bundle while you can! You basically get the muffs and shooting glasses for FREE since the PSA 36″ rifle case by itself costs $49.99!
⏺ Protect gun collection in your safe with advanced dehumidifier
Gun owners need to control the humidity levels in their gun safes and storage vaults. One efficient, modern tool for this task is the Hornady Rechargeable Dehumidifier, now $22.99 on Amazon. This electrical unit helps control humidity to help prevent rust and mildew. Simply charge the unit and place in your safe to draw unwanted moisture away from your valuables. When the moisture-control crystals change color, then recharge the unit with a 110v outlet. Hornady says this is effective in spaces up to 333 cubic feet.
10. EuroOptic — Sitka Clothing Closeout Sale, Save 43%
⏺ Sitka makes superb camo gear — now get major discounts
Whether hunting or shooting, being in the cold is no fun when you have the wrong clothes. Stay warm with Sitka Gear and grab some during the EuroOptic Sitka closeout sale. They make some of the best cold weather gear combining wind-resistance and warmth using modern, lightweight yet durable materials.
The late Bill Myers was recognized as one of greatest rimfire smiths who ever lived. Myers crafted many match-winning, record-setting rimfire benchrest rigs. Here we feature one of Bill’s most interesting creations — a clamping action that allows a rimfire barrel to be indexed (rotated) around the bore axis.
Bill was a creative thinker, and his own exhaustive testing has convinced him that barrel indexing can enhance accuracy in rimfire benchrest guns. Myers did acknowledge that, particularly with a very good barrel, the advantages of indexing may be subtle, and extensive testing may be required. Nonetheless, Myers believed that indexing could improve rimfire accuracy.
Indexing with the Myers’ Clamping Action
To index the barrel, Myers simply loosens the three clamping-bolts and rotates the barrel in the action. Because there is no thread to pull the barrel in or out, the headspace stays the same no matter how much the barrel is rotated. In other words you can rotate the barrel to any position on the clockface and the headspace remains unchanged.
The Challenge of Barrel Indexing With a conventional barrel installation, employing a shoulder with a threaded tenon, it is difficult to index the barrel. Even with a cone breech (photo right) that eliminates the problem of extractor cuts, you’d have to use shims to alter the barrel index position, or otherwise re-set the shoulder each time you screwed the barrel in further.
Clamping Action Allows Barrel to Be Rotated to Any Position
Bill has come up with a masterful solution to barrel indexing. He designed and built his own prototype custom action that clamps the barrel rather than holding it with threads. The front section of the action is sliced lengthways, and then clamped down with three bolts. A special bushing (the gold-color piece in photos) fits between the barrel and the action. By using bushings of different inside diameters, Bill can fit any barrel up to an inch or so diameter, so long as it has a straight contour at the breech end. To mount the barrel, Bill simply places the fitted bushing over the barrel end-shank, then slips the “sleeved” barrel into the front end of the action. Tighten three bolts, and the barrel is secure.
Want to learn the basics of position shooting? Then you should check out an article by Gary Anderson, DCM Emeritus, in On the Mark digital magazine (Summer 2014, pp. 6-13). This article covers all the key elements: body position (prone, sitting, standing), sling use/adjustment, sight picture, aiming process, and trigger control. While this 8-page article was specifically written for Rimfire Sporter shooters, the techniques described by Anderson apply to all types of position shooting, whether you shoot air rifles, smallbore rifles, or centerfire rifles.
Here’s what Anderson says about aiming — how to keep your sights steady and get them centered on the middle of the target:
Trigger Contact and Center As soon as aiming at the target begins, the index finger must move from the trigger-guard to contact the trigger. It is important to get initial pressure on the trigger as soon as aiming begins. Then the shooter must focus on the sight picture and centering the sight picture movements over the aiming point. No one, not even champion shooters, can hold the aligned sights perfectly still. The sights are going to move a little bit or a lot, depending on the shooter’s skill level. The secret is to center those sight picture movements over the aiming point on the target (see trace illustration) before pulling the trigger.
When the sight picture movements on the target are centered, the last step in firing the shot is to add… smooth pressure on the trigger until the shot breaks.
Anderson also discusses the 5 Basics of Shot Technique:
Rimfire is hot now. Across the nation, .22 LR rimfire disciplines are now the fastest growing types of rifle competition. And with today’s featured rig, the Competition Machine (Eliseo) Universal Match Rimfire Rifle (UMRR), you can shoot a variety of matches — NRA rimfire, NRL22, NRL22X, PRS Rimfire, local silhouette-style steel matches, even local rimfire benchrest matches (with a bag-rider fitted up front).
Compared to shooting centerfire, rimfire shooting is much less costly. You can get pretty good match ammo for under $8.00 per box. That works out to just 16 cents per round. Compare that to $1.20 or more per round for handloaded centerfire ammunition. And you don’t have to deal with the persistent shortages of powder and primers, or spend hours hand-loading. With rimfire, just open your .22 LR ammo box, load your magazine, and shoot.
Versatile, Accurate, Affordable — Universal Match Rimfire Rifle
If you’re a Palma shooter and want to shoot rimfire with a rifle with identical ergonomics and “feel” as your centerfire tubegun, Gary Eliseo’s new Universal Match Rimfire Rifle (UMRR) is your logical choice. Or if you are looking for a high-quality bolt-action chassis rifle for NRL22 (rimfire tactical) competition, this is a great option. Running a smooth Tikka T1x action, the UMRR offers match-grade performance at an attractive price — $1750.00 for the Sport-Target model with 20″ Tikka factory barrel.*
The Tikka T1x action is a smooth, short-throw action that cycles quickly and easily:
Gary Eliseo, head honcho of Competition Machine in Arizona, explained the features of the UMRR: “Our Universal Match Rimfire Rifle system has all the features of its big brother the Universal Match Rifle System (UMRS) and will accept all the same accessories and attachments. The rimfire UMRR is identical in size to the centerfire version so it’s possible to have your centerfire and rimfire rifles set up exactly alike.” That’s ideal for guys who compete in both centerfire and smallbore matches, and likewise it is ideal for cross-training using lower-cost rimfire ammo.
The UMRR is built around the excellent Tikka T1x platform. Gary notes: “We have accurized and tuned the T1x to give the best possible performance from factory barrel and trigger. The UMRR can also be customized with a high-end match barrel and trigger. By just changing the attachments, the UMRR can be used in multiple shooting disciplines like NRL22 and NRA rimfire competitions.” Gary also noted that Tikka recently updated the T1x bolt and magazine for improved feeding and extraction. See video below.
Sport-Target UMRR Shows Excellent Accuracy with Factory Barrel
Eliseo confirms that the Sport-Target UMRR with factory Tikka barrel and trigger is easily capable of sub-MOA precision. Check out those five-shot groups shot at 50 yards. The smallest group (.210″) works out to 0.40 MOA, while the largest group (0.39″) is 0.74 MOA. Remember this is with Tikka factory barrel!
The Sport-Target UMRR with factory Tikka barrel and trigger is capable of sub-MOA precision.
The Sport-Target version uses the factory 20″ Tikka barrel with threaded muzzle that has been set back and re-chambered so the bullet will engrave the rifling, which increases the precision of the rifle significantly. The excellent Tikka trigger is tuned to a pull weight of one pound. Overall the UMRR is a great choice as an XTC/LR prone trainer or NRL competition rifle at very reasonable cost.
Superb Accuracy from UMRR Match-Target Model
The Match-Target version comes with a top of the line Benchmark match barrel and Eley match chamber with the muzzle configured for your application to accept a front sight, tuner, or threaded, there are several aftermarket single-stage or two-stage match triggers available. Current Eliseo Rifles price for the UMRR Match-Target is $2400.00.*
The Match Target with Benchmark match barrel is capable of competing at the highest level. Shown above are 50-meter sling targets and Lapua 50-meter test center results. The bottom box shows 20 shots with a superb 10.52 average score.
Updates from Tikka Improve the T1x Action and Magazine
Gary noted that Tikka recently made an update to the Tikka bolt and magazine to improve feeding and extraction. Tikka replaced a wire-type system with a solid ejector element in the magazine. Gary says that improves the reliability of both feeding and extraction. Watch the video to see how this works.
Centerfire Accesories Will Work on UMRR
Gary notes that all the centerfire UMRS attachments will fit the UMRR, including handstop, rear balance weights, Picatinny scope rail, ARCA accessory rail, rear bag-rider, bipod mount, and front bag riding attachments. This easy adaptability makes the UMRR a true multi-discipline system for smallbore matches, NRL22/PRS rimfire competition, and cross-training.
Adapt the UMRR Easily to Multiple Shooting Disciplines
The UMRR can be easily configured for NRL, PRS, or NRA rimfire competitions by just changing the attachments. The UMRR is built on the excellent Tikka T1x barreled action that’s been accurized and bonded into the UMRR chassis system. Gary says the UMRR feeds .22 LR rounds flawlessly from the Tikka 10-round magazine, especially with the new, improved magazines. The UMRR is currently available in two basic configurations, both of which can be customized to your specifications.
Two Versions — Sport-Target and Match-Target
The Sport-Target version of the UMRR uses the factory 20″ Tikka barrel with threaded muzzle. Gary can tune the excellent Tikka T1x trigger down to a pull weight of around one pound, though for tactical work he says you may want to leave it stock. Gary tells us the Sport-Target is a great choice as an XTC/LR prone trainer or NRL22 competition rifle.
Match Target UMRR with Benchmark Custom Barrel
The Match-Target version comes with a top-of-the-line Benchmark match barrel and Eley match chamber with the muzzle configured for your application to accept a front sight, tuner, or suppressor. There are several aftermarket single-stage or two-stage match triggers available.
Tikka T1x — Quality Rimfire Technology from Finland
Gary Eliseo’s impressive UMRR is based on the smooth, reliable Tikka T1x rimfire action shown below. Note the nice craftsmanship of action, bolt, mag system, and trigger group. There is an extensive review of the T1x (.17 HMR version) on Britain’s GunMart.net website.
Gary Eliseo of Competition Machine. Here is UMRR designer Gary Eliseo at the 2017 Berger SW Nationals. Gary is a talented rifle marksman who competes in both smallbore and high power disciplines.
* Price is subject to change. Price may be increased based on increased costs of actions, barrels, and components. Contact Eliseo Rifles for current pricing.
Rimfire plinking with reactive targets is FUN and affordable. We always like to include REACTIVE TARGETS during a trip to the range with our .22s. Decent .22 LR rimfire ammo is not expensive, and a wide variety of affordable steel targets are available. Rimfire-class steel is much less costly than the heavy AR500 steel plates used for centerfire rounds. In fact, Birchwood Casey makes a wide variety of reactive steel rimfire targets that retail for under $50.00. These offer great “Bang for the Buck”.
A fast-cycling, semi-auto .22 LR rifle like the Savage A22 is great for shooting reactive targets.
GunsAmerica Digest has reviewed a variety of reactive rimfire target systems from Birchwood Casey. We recommend you read this detailed article Little Targets, Big Fun, by Jordan Michaels. He acquired four different steel target systems and tested them at his Texas range. Michales was impressed: “At $30-$55 a pop, Birchwood-Casey’s targets are small enough to be challenging and cheap enough to buy four or five for the price of one centerfire-rated target. They’re also light, portable, reactive, and easy to set up.”
B/C Gallery
B/C Back Drop
B/C Qualifier Spinner
B/C King of Diamonds
Check out how these Birchwood Casey steel targets perform. These animated GIFs show actual shooting sessions with .22 LR rifles and pistols. The targets hold up well, though the black paint comes off. The reviewer notes: “You shouldn’t worry about durability as long as you stick to .22 LR. I shot the heck out of these targets with rifles and handguns using both standard and high-velocity cartridges, and I didn’t notice any denting or cracking. If the targets are going to be kept outside, however, keep an eye out for rust – the black paint comes off immediately.”
Safety Considerations with Steel Reactive Targets
The tester said the targets worked best with a .22 LR ammo with at least 1000 fps MV at the targets. He tested with .22 LR pistols as close as 7 yards, and .22 LR rifles out to 100 yards. Be advised — when shooting steel targets at relatively close ranges ALWAYS wear full-coverage eye protection because ricochets and splash-backs are definite risks. Also comply with all range rules.
TIP ONE — Adjusting Tension
TIP TWO — Polish and Tune for Easy Case Removal
TIP FOUR — Size Twice and Spin Your Case 1/8th Turn
Pandemic: Zombies in the Heartland
With a conventional barrel installation, employing a shoulder with a threaded tenon, it is difficult to index the barrel. Even with a cone breech (photo right) that eliminates the problem of extractor cuts, you’d have to use shims to alter the barrel index position, or otherwise re-set the shoulder each time you screwed the barrel in further.
As soon as aiming at the target begins, the index finger must move from the trigger-guard to contact the trigger. It is important to get initial pressure on the trigger as soon as aiming begins. Then the shooter must focus on the sight picture and centering the sight picture movements over the aiming point. No one, not even champion shooters, can hold the aligned sights perfectly still. The sights are going to move a little bit or a lot, depending on the shooter’s skill level. The secret is to center those sight picture movements over the aiming point on the target (see trace illustration) before pulling the trigger.
