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April 30th, 2009
Here’s a great opportunity to have some fun with your varmint or benchrest rifle. The 2009 Roanoke Egg Shoot will be held Saturday, May 2nd, at the Roanoke (VA) Rifle & Revolver Club. Entry Fee is just $20 per gun, and all types of rifles are welcome. The only restrictions are maximum 30 caliber, maximum 30 lbs. weight, and no rail guns. Custom guns and factory guns will shoot in separate classes, and all classes will shoot from benches. Shooting starts at 9:00 am, but come early for sign-ups.
 Custom rifles will shoot at 425 yards at a dozen 2.4″ clays, with 3 tie-breaker targets. There are unlimited sighter rounds and a 5-minute time limit. Factory guns will shoot at 200 yards at paintball targets with 3 tie-breakers. Again there are unlimited sighters and a 5-minute time limit during record fire. NOTE: Factory guns must be totally stock except trigger job, bedding, and muzzle brake.
The actual Egg Shoot is a separate part of the competition. You pick your best gun regardless of class. After a 5-minute warm-up, each shooter gets two (2) shots at one egg set at 500 yards. You can enter “as many times as your wallet permits — 2 shots for $2.00″. All shooters who hit an egg will go to a shoot-off for the final awards.
The Roanoke Egg Shoot is a great event that draws shooters from throughout Virginia and neighboring states. CLICK HERE to read Mark Schronce’s account of a recent Roanoke Egg Shoot where he and his wife competed head-to-head in a 500-yard shoot-off for top honors. For more information, call (540) 980-1582, or email: varmint [at] psknet.com.
CLICK HERE for INFO PAGE with Rules and Directions to the Roanoke Range.
April 29th, 2009
About 24 miles east of Oceanside, California (near the Camp Pendleton Marine base) is the Pala Reservation. On that Native American land you’ll find an impressive new Casino Resort & Spa, plus an excellent shooting range. The first Sunday of every month, many of Southern California’s top shooters come to Pala to enjoy a challenging Varmint Silhouette Match. Ten targets are set at each of the following distances:
200 meters – Field Mice (also called “pikas”)
300 meters – Crows (with a triangular center cut out, just for a little more challenge)
385 meters – California squirrels
500 meters – Jack Rabbits
600 yards – Prairie Dogs
There’s a North County Shootist Association Varmint Silhouette match this Sunday, May 3rd, and your Editor will be there covering the event. We invite AccurateShooter.com readers to come join the fun. You’ll need a very accurate rifle, and 80-100 rounds of ammo. You can shoot either rested prone (F-Class style), from bipod, or from a wooden bench with front pedestal and rear bag. Any rifle 6.5 caliber or under is allowed, with no weight restrictions. Muzzle brakes are permitted. There’s a one-hour sight-in period starting at 8 am, and the match starts at 9 am sharp. The folks at Pala run a tight ship, cycling multiple relays efficiently, so everybody gets to shoot 50 targets (10 each at five different yardages), and the show is usually completed by 1:00 pm. (Then if you want… head over to the Pala Casino for some gambling fun, or maybe a spa treatment.)
At Pala varmint shoots, max caliber is 6.5mm, to limit target damage. Typically you see a BR-style rifle, with a heavy, 26-30″ barrel, often using a muzzle brake. You need a very accurate chambering, so you’ll see 6BRs, Dashers, 6-284s, 6.5-47s, and a few 6mm Remingtons. (Note, the 6.5s are limited to 109gr max bullet weight to prevent target damage.) When this Editor last shot at Pala, Forum Member John Adams was kind enough to let me shoot his wicked little 22 Dasher. It proved very accurate, and very flat-shooting. I was impressed.
CLICK HERE for Match Info and Range Details
CLICK HERE to read a feature story on the Pala Varmint Silhouette Program
April 24th, 2009
 Two DVDs Now Offered
The latest video from Velocity Films is “Dog Be Gone and Beyond (Volume 2)”. It features footage from multiple locations, while hunting Ground Squirrels, Rock Chucks, and Prairie Dogs. The video includes field tests of the .17 HMR & .204 Ruger, handgun hunting, plus reviews of the latest varmint hunting gear. This video is offered on DVD only for $17.95. The original “Dog Be Gone (Volume 1)” video is offered on VHS tape for $7.95 or DVD for $14.95.
CLICK HERE to order either video online, or call 800-272-3000 to order by phone from Midsouth Shooters Supply.
CLICK HERE for Varmint Hunting Video Clips (Banned on YouTube!)
April 11th, 2009
 Many of the major online vendors are offering special deals over the Easter Weekend (or through the end of April). Here are some of the better promos we found today. Check the home pages of Grafs.com, Midsouth, and MidwayUSA for other current bargains.
Grafs.com 7.62×51 Ammo
Right now supplies of .223 and .308 mil-surp ammo are in high demand. Grafs.com has obtained a large quantity of quality 1982-83 vintage FNM (Portugese) 7.62×51 ammo. This is NON-CORROSIVE, lead-core, Berdan-primed ammo. Graf’s item MSA762X511, the FNM ammo is priced at $12.99 per 20-round box. For those wanting large quantities, there are sealed plastic 200-round (10 box) “battle-packs”. A full 1000-round wooden cases contains five (5) 200-round sealed “battle-packs”. Note: this Berdan-primed ammo is brass-cased, but is NOT reloadable.
Midsouth Shooters Supply Turkey Load Rebate
Here’s a great deal for spring turkey hunters. Midsouth has teamed with Hevi-Shot to offer a cash rebate if you purchase Hevi-13 Turkey Shotshells. Max rebate is $15.00. Fill in the downloadable rebate form to receive $5.00 OFF per 5-round box of Hevi-13 Turkey Shotshells (Up to 3 boxes per household), or $7.50 OFF per 10-round box of Hevi-13 Turkey Shotshells (Up to 2 boxes per household).
CLICK HERE to download HEVI-SHOT Rebate Form (.pdf file).
MidwayUSA Barnes Varmint Bullets
MidwayUSA is running a sale right now on its entire inventory of lead-free Barnes Varmint Grenade Bullets, in .204, .224, and .243 calibers. Varmint Grenade bullets feature a frangible copper/tin composite core. They are accurate bullets that can be driven at very high velocities without coming apart, yet they fragment explosively upon impact. Varmint Grenades range in size from a 26gr .204-caliber all the way up to a 62gr 6mm.
March 9th, 2009
Here’s a pretty cool offer. If you purchase two (2) boxes of CCI rimfire ammo, CCI will send you a FREE T-shirt (well, almost free… you do have to pay $3.95 for shipping). The T-Shirt is a handsome dark green color. On the back is the white outline of a dead prairie dog. Over the outline runs a broad yellow stripe, like the tape that police use to cordon off a crime scene. It’s a clever concept and the graphics are nicely done.
CLICK HERE to Download T-Shirt Offer COUPON.
How to Get Your T-Shirt
You must purchase at least two (2) boxes of CCI rimfire ammunition between April 1 and June 30, 2009. Then you need to fill out a coupon, and send it in, along with your original purchase receipt, and the UPC (universal product code) from the ammo boxes. The coupon, receipts, UPCs, AND $3.95 for shipping must be received by CCI no later than July 31, 2009. Mail everything to the address below. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Mail Coupon, Ammo Sale Receipts, UPCs and $3.95 to:
CCI T-Shirt Offer
Dept. 6135
P.O. Box 5009
Stacy, MN 55078-5009
November 8th, 2008
Some months ago, AccurateShooter.com and Robert Whitley teamed up to build a new 20-caliber AR15-based rifle. Our project goal was to create the “ultimate” semi-automatic prairie dog rifle. We wanted a low-recoiling, flat-shooting AR that worked great with a front rest and rear sandbag on a transportable field bench (such as the Coyote Jakes bench). We knew the basic AR15 design needed some “upgrades”, so Robert developed Delrin bag-riders for the forearm and buttstock. But we wanted the bag-riding components to be removable so the gun could be easily returned to standard configuration for shooting with sling or bipod. Robert worked with EGW to develop machined Delrin bag-riding units front and rear. The 3″-wide front “sled” attaches to the threaded anchor for the sling swivel stud, while the rear bag-rider mounts in place of the standard rear sling loop.
 
Our Ultimate Prairie Dog Rifle (PDR) features a 24″ Bartlein 11-twist cut-rifled barrel, DPMS side-charging upper, and a Jewell trigger. It is chambered in “20 Practical”, a cartridge popularized by Warren “Fireball” Brookman. This is simply the .223 Remington necked down to .204. You can use your existing .223 brass — no special case-forming required! The 20 Practical is accurate, flat-shooting, and has almost no recoil. The advantage over the standard .223 Remington is that, grain for grain, the bullets have a higher BC and travel at a higher velocity for more dramatic effect on a small varmint. The ultra-low recoil allows you to easily see your hits, even without a muzzle brake. The 20 Practical, launching 40-grainers at about 3750 fps, shoots flatter than a .223 Rem with 55gr hollowpoints.
Robert has lots of experience building AR15 uppers and he has developed advanced features that make the gun much more ergonomic and easier to shoot from a prone position or from the bench. First, Robert offers a side charging handle. This lets you keep your head in shooting position while charging the gun or retracting the bolt. Second, he has fitted a GG&G extended scope rail. This permits the scope to be mounted far enough forward to allow proper eye relief while using a high-magnification scope. Without an extended scope rail you typically have to move way back on the gun to get enough eye relief and then you can’t seat the buttpad properly on your shoulder.
 In the video above, Robert shoots the Ultimate PDR with Berger 40gr BTHP bullets. Robert is using the Caldwell Fire Control front rest and rear sandbag. The Fire Control Rest is an affordable, joystick-style mechanical rest that allows you to easily adjust windage and elevation with a single movement of the joystick. The rest is solid and sturdy; Robert says it worked well.
In this session, Robert shot three five-shot groups. Each group could be covered by a dime, which measures 0.705″ in diameter. Subtract the 0.204″ bullet diameter, and you can see this rifle easily shoots under half-MOA, even rapid fire (groups 1 & 2). For the third (and last group), Robert slowed down the pace, aimed more precisely, and put five shots in 0.257″. Not bad for shooting off a wooden bench without wind flags! Like what you see? As soon as accuracy testing is complete, this rifle will be auctioned off to benefit this website. EGW will be offering the front and rear Delrin bag-riders. They will cost $40 each or both front and rear for $75.00 total. Robert will also be offering 20 Practical uppers for your AR15. Email rcw3 [at] erols.com or visit 6mmAR.com for upper specs, options, and prices.
October 4th, 2008
Cooper Firearms and the 20 VarTarg cartridge are featured in Varmint Hunter Magazine, a publication of the Varmint Hunters Association (VHA). Author Thomas Tabor recounts the fascinating history of Dan Cooper’s successful Montana-based company. Tabor then field-tests a Cooper Model 21 Montana Varminter chambered in 20 VarTarg.
CLICK HERE to Download Cooper Firearms 20 VarTarg Story (.PDF File)
The 20 VarTarg is based on the 221 Fireball case necked-down to 20 caliber. Invented in 1995 by Todd Kindler (of Small Caliber News), the VarTarg is an accurate and ultra-efficient cartridge. With just 18-19 grains of powder the VarTarg can drive a 32gr bullet at 3750 fps.
Tabor explains the simple procedure for forming 20 VarTarg cases and compares the VarTarg to other popular 20 caliber cartridges. He notes that “the popularity of the 20 VarTarg is growing dramatically, particularly with both varmint hunters and [small caliber] target shooters. While the .204 Ruger offers about 200 fps higher velocity, Tabor argues that: “the 20 VarTarg is a superior cartridge in some ways to the 204 Ruger… based on the fact that the VarTarg is considerably more efficient.”
 Tabor visited the varmint fields to give the 20 VarTarg Cooper a real-world test: “As was expected, the 20 VarTarg was an exceptional performer on ground squirrels. Out to 250 yards both the cartridge and rifle were deadly accurate.” Tabor was impressed by the little VarTarg. He found that the VarTarg rivaled the larger .204 Ruger, while being kinder to barrels since the VarTarg burns much less powder.
Overall, this article is a “must-read” for all Cooper Firearms fans. There are many interesting anecdotes about the early years of the company, and the author provides a wealth of useful info for anyone thinking about buying or building a 20-caliber varmint rifle.
Photos © 2008 VHA, All Rights Reserved
December 11th, 2007
 Here is an interesting product, currently on sale as a $19.99 “December Special” at Midsouth Shooters Supply. The Shooters Ridge Varminter Shooting Bag is a roomy gear bag fitted with a built-in rifle rest that retracts into the front pocket. The bag is built of rugged 1200-denier nylon, PVC-coated for rain resistance. It is big enough to hold ammo, muffs, binoculars, compact spotting scope and more. The bag also includes a padded shoulder strap.
While the integral rest is hardly a substitute for a good pedestal rest, this Varminter bag could be useful for the walk-around varminter or a shooter who might otherwise use a rucksack as a handy rest. At just $19.99, this product is a very good deal for a roomy range bag even without the integral rest feature. This bag regularly retails for $39.00 to $46.00 at other vendors including a lightweight shooting mat. (The $19.99 Bag sold by Midsouth, item 097-40484, does NOT include a mat). Here is a report from a Cabela’s customer: “There is plenty of room for gadgets and ammo, not to mention the fact that I have one less thing to carry when zeroing at 100 yards. I’m not sure that I would use this for any long range shooting or hunting but when sighting in my 243 WSSM it gave me the stability to produce consistent satisfactory 1/2″ groups with factory loads.”
To further sweeten the deal, Shooter’s Ridge is currently offering a FREE $24.99 Multi-tool, if you purchase $30.00 or more of Shooter’s Ridge Products.
CLICK HERE for MULTI-TOOL COUPON
November 18th, 2007
You’ll get a kick out of this varminting sampler video from Velocity Films, producers of the popular “Dog Be Gone” videos. Titled the “Prairie Dog Olympics”, this 5-minute video showcases spectacular acrobatics by Prairie Dogs hit by high-velocity varmint rounds. Watch for the “judges” scores after each sequence. Beyond the somewhat hokey humor, you’ll see some pretty good shooting (and excellent camera-work) in this sample, produced on hunts in the varmint fields of the American West.
CLICK HERE to WATCH VIDEO
The latest video from Velocity Films is “Dog Be Gone and Beyond (Volume 2)”. It features footage from multiple locations, while hunting Ground Squirrels, Rock Chucks, and Prairie Dogs. The video includes field tests of the .17 HMR & .204 Ruger, handgun hunting, plus reviews of the latest varmint hunting gear. This video is offered on DVD only for $17.95. The original “Dog Be Gone (Volume 1)” video is offered on VHS tape for $7.95 or DVD for $14.95. CLICK HERE to order online, or call 800-272-3000 to order by phone from Midsouth Shooters Supply.
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