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January 7th, 2008
In November, Savage’s Marketing Director told us to look for new rifles that were “right up your alley” in 2008. We’ve now received confirmation that Savage will offer the 6mmBR Norma chambering in at least two rifles in the Savage 2008 product line.
First, Savage will add a 6BR-chambered F-Class rifle, similar to the very popular 6.5-284 F-Class rifle. The 6BR F-Class gun will be in the same heavy laminated stock with 3″ fore-arm and wide flat in the rear. The barrel will be a 30-incher, presumably in 1:8″ twist. The trigger is the 6-oz. target version of Savage’s AccuTrigger. MSRP hasn’t yet been set, but we expect the 6BR F-Classer to sell for about $950.00 (street price), the same as the 6.5-284 version.
While designed for F-Class matches out to 1000 yards, the 6BR F-classer should also prove to be an excellent bench gun for varmint matches (200 to 500m), 300-yard matches, and 600-yard benchrest matches, and it should make an excellent long-range varminting platform.
But for Varminters and hunters looking for a lighter, more conventional stock, Savage will offer a 6BR Chambering in two versions of its Long-Range Precision Varminter (LRPV) Series–RBLP with blind mag, or RBRP with box magazine. This rifle features a stainless action in either Right Bolt, Left Port, or Right Bolt, Right Port configuration with a Detachable Box Magazine–something new for Savage. The LRPV comes with a high-quality H.S. Precision stock with an aluminum bedding block chassis. Like the F-Class rifle, the LRPV will have a target AccuTrigger adjstable from about 6 ounces to 2.5 pounds. The LRPV will have a 26″ barrel, and it is rumored the 6BR will have a 1:12″ twist rate, but that is not certain. The LRPV is also available in .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, and 22-250, along with 6mmBR Norma.
CLICK HERE for 2008 SAVAGE BROCHURE (9 mb .pdf file)
December 30th, 2007
A custom, high-end Benchrest, F-Class, or High Power rifle can cost upwards of $4000.00. Some of the latest scopes (March, Schmidt & Bender) cost $2000-$2800 by themselves. If you’re transporting three or four “ultimate rifles” with premium scopes to the range, you could be hauling $16,000 worth of firearms. Bring along a rangefinder, Co-Axial rest, spotting scope, and chronograph, and that could push the total closer to $20,000.
 How do you safeguard that kind of investment (without driving around in a Brinks armored truck)? One of the best storage systems available is the Truck-Vault, built in Washington state. Truck-vaults are custom-fitted, locking storage cabinets that fit in a Pick-up truck bed, SUV, or station wagon. Various designs are available, including a waterproof “Extreme Series.” Both single-drawer and multi-draw layouts are offered with lengths up to 60″ overall, and top-load capacity of 2000 pounds. A variety of interior configurations are available.
For transporting scoped match rifles, we suggest Truck-Vault’s “Magnum Line”, which has two drawers with 10.5″ of vertical clearance. This offers two primary sliding compartments (on roller casters), plus smaller storage boxes where you can keep valuable gear securely out of sight.
Truck-Vaults carry a big price-tag. SUV models start at $1415, but expect to pay closer to $2000.00 for a unit with all the bells and whistles. That’s serious money, but you have to balance that against the cost of the firearms and accessories you are transporting. If you spend much time on the road with a pricey collection of guns, optics, and accessories, a Truck-Vault may be a wise investment. This editor first saw a Truck-Vault on a Chevy Suburban belonging to an Arizona gunsmith who does a lot of work for the military. It was not unusual for him to haul $50,000 worth of Class III weapons. For him, the Truck-Vault was an essential security feature. For more info, visit TruckVault.com or call (800) 967-8107.
CLICK HERE for Truck-Vault VIDEO DEMO
November 24th, 2007
What’s better than a 6BR? A 6BR that produces a LOT less noise and less than half the recoil of a bare-muzzled gun. Our friend USMA89 has a 6BR “Texas Tackdriver” with a trued Rem 700 action and Robertson Composites F-Class stock. Smithed by GA Precision, it has delivered tiny groups at 200 yards with 107 Sierra MKs. With sound suppressor in place, USMA89 tells us, it’s like shooting a 22 mag rimfire: “Shooting with a suppressor or can is a great experience. In fact, once you start shooting with one, it is hard to go back to normal shooting. The recoil reduction is amazing, cutting perceived recoil by as much as 70%. Think of a suppressor as the ultimate muzzle break that reduces sound to boot.”
The cost of a good suppressor ranges from $600-$1000, and then there is the $200 to Uncle Sam for the tax stamp and the 3-6 month wait. (Currently, 33 states allow citizens to own suppressors in accordance with Federal regulations.) The suppressor on this gun is considered one of the best, a SWR Omega. USMA89 adds: “I also use a SRT suppressor and am very pleased with it as well. The SRT costs about $300-$400 less than the SWR and you get the same amount of sound reduction.” With a quality suppressor you can get from 33 to 36 db worth of sound suppression.
Once you have gone though the hoops the government has put in your way (check your state laws also!), mounting is easy. Get a good gunsmith to thread your barrel (5/8×24 is the normal class 3 thread) and screw it on. In general suppressed guns barrels are cut shorter for balance. USMA89 explains: “I went with a 28″ barrel and with the can it is a little front-heavy, but the stock’s wide fore-end compensates for this. If this were a ‘tactical’ weapon, I would have the barrel cut down to at least 22″, maybe less. Most people that use suppressors will tell you that they shoot better groups with a can than without. This is because there is less recoil, less ‘dirty air’ behind the bullet, and (in many cases) you get improved barrel harmonics.”
To learn more about silenced weapons, read this article on Firearm Sound Suppressors by Mark White.
November 23rd, 2007
As part of its “Christmas Flyer” Promotion, Midsouth Shooters Supply has cut the price on 1″ Burris Signature and 1″ Signature Zee (Weaver style) rings. We recommend these ring sets because Signature Rings have plastic inserts to hold your scope. The inserts prevent binding or misalignment so you don’t have to lap your rings. They also keep expensive scopes looking like new since the inserts leave no marks on the scope body. You can also order offset inserts that let you “pre-load” elevation and windage in the rings.
The Signature models are just $21.88, while the Signature Zees are marked down to $24.84. CLICK HERE to download Midsouth’s 16-page 2007 Christmas Flyer in .PDF format.
November 15th, 2007
We’ve used this Lyman gauge, and believe that it is the best product of its kind on the market currently. It is accurate and repeatable, and easy to use (with a bit of practice). Using modern electronic strain gauge technology, the Lyman tool measures pull weights from 0 to 12 pounds, with accuracy of ± 0.10 ounces (one-tenth of an ounce.). The battery-powered gauge is equipped with a large, easy-to-read LCD display and is push-button operated for zero, clear, and averaging functions. We’ve tested this gauge back to back with conventional coil spring trigger scales made by other manufacturers. The Lyman electronic gauge is faster, and in our opinion, significantly more repeatable. Some of the metal spring gauges tend to “stick” in a position, which requires multiple attempts to avoid a reading that is slightly high or low. The Lyman is more fool-proof to operate by contrast.
Now through the end of November, MidwayUSA has the Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge on sale for $41.99, item 220725, Lyman product #7832248. This includes a vinyl storage case, but you have to purchase the required 9-volt battery separately.
November 13th, 2007
There was a lot of interest in Jeff Rogers’ Heavy Gun, featured in yesterday’s Daily Bulletin. Jeff is a race-car mechanic and engine builder in Australia, and you’ll find many innovative mechanical features on this rifle.
1. Drop Port for Magnum Case
Jeff reports: “The action is home-made. My shooting buddy Tony Z was the magician here–without his extensive machining experience, the action would still be on the drawing board. As you can see it is a Right Bolt, Left (loading) Port design. What makes it unique is the big gravity port, perhaps the only Drop Port ever made for a case of this size. The port will work will cases up to 2.850″ in length, with a .550″ max rim diameter.” The action is constructed from Swedish 709m chrome-moly steel measuring 2.00″ diameter x 10″ in length. It has roller-assist extraction to help with the high pressure loads Jeff runs. The action is both conventionally bedded and glued into the stock.
2. Removeable Aluminum Side Pods
The two alloy “side pods” were milled from 6061 T6 billet. Given airline weight limit of 32 kg per piece, Jeff made the pods modular (they are through-bolted), so the gun can be air-transported in two sections. Concerning the dual side-pod design, Jeff observed: “[This] is unconventional… but I wanted was something that was true [when bolted together]. Milling the thing up on every surface insured this and the pods are installed with dail indicators on assembly.”
3. Tension Barrel System
The Broughton barrel sits inside a threaded barrel sleeve that holds the barrel in tension. Tensioned barrels have been used on Heavy Guns before, but few have been as successful in competition as Jeff’s rig. Jeff tells us: “The 30-cal barrel is a 1.500″-diameter, 1:13 twist, 32″ Broughton. It is straight for 6″ then tapers to 1.250″ at 32″. The tension tube is 6061 T6 alloy 2.0″ outside diameter with a .187″ wall thickness. At the chamber end, a 431 stainless adaptor is fitted to the barrel, about 1.5″ long, stepped to a slip fit inside the tube for another 1.5 inches. This allows the main heat area of the chamber to sink into the tube. The tension tube is all jointed with a CAT high-temp anti-seize. On the muzzle end is a left hand 1.250x16tpi thread to take the tension nut. We have tried various tensions and found torque settings do not matter to the groups as long as the nut does not come loose. Because I can really rattle down those 10-shot groups with the Drop Port action, remember that the barrel grows in length before it gets a chance to transfer heat to the outer tube. If you shot the gun at pedestrian pace, then only 50 ft/lbs of tension is needed.”
November 9th, 2007
Timney Triggers now offers a true drop-in trigger for the AR10 rifle platform, similar to Timney’s successful drop-in trigger for the AR15. The new AR-10 trigger is a self-contained, 100% drop-in unit that can be easily owner-installed (no professional gunsmithing required). The new trigger is a single-stage design with pull weight factory-set at 4 pounds. The trigger module installs using your rifle’s original hammer and trigger cross-pins. The MSRP is $234.95, but we expect the trigger to be available for $210 or so from other vendors.
The new trigger is solidly built and precision-machined. The housing is lightweight, 6061 T6 aluminum alloy, anodized for durability. The hammer is EDM-machined from S7 tool steel for superior hardness and impact resistence, and the hammer is Teflon + Nickel coated to provide greater lubricity and a smooth pull. Other components are EDM-cut from A2 tool steel, then heat treated to Rc 56-60 for longer service life. For more information on Timney Triggers, call (866) 484-6639, or visit TimneyTriggers.com.
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