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TARGET SHOOTER
MAGAZINE
February 2012 Issue
NOW Read WORLDWIDE BY OVER 10,000 DEDICATED READERS in over
77 countries
Contents
Contents Continued
February 2012 Issue
Premier Reticles is a name synonymous
with scope modification and customisation,
certainly familiar to both Field Target air rifle
and Benchrest shooters who wanted to boost
magnification on a Leupold... BY CHRIS PARKIN
February 2012 Issue
Page 32
Bergara and their new ‘no gunsmithing’barrels... Vince
tries a 6.5x47 Bergara pre-fit barrel and Chris Parkin tries
his hand at re-barrelling his 243 stalking rifle with a 6mm
Bergara. Firstly, a bit of history. I ‘discovered’ the Spanish
Bergara barrels at the IWA Show about five years ago. I got
all excited to find we had another European barrel maker!
After all, there aren’t that many.
Page 6
Page 44
Page 14
Sorting a Savage. PART 2 The Conclusion. by
Laurie Holland. As regular Target Shooter readers
will be aware, Laurie has pioneered the 223 Rem.
as an alternative to the 308Win. in top-level F/TR
competition. When re-barrelled, the rifle was not
quite delivering the performance that Laurie had
come to expect...
Conor McFlynn from Northern Ireland travels to Page 22
Italy for the World Field Target Championship and
comes home with the silverwear! But let’s hear it
from Conor...
Interview with Gary Costello by Target
Shooter Magazine. Three months have
flown by since our last shoot of the 2011
Page 26
season - the Europeans at Bisley. Now it’s
time to start thinking about 2012 and our
opening shoot at Diggle in April. Maybe
you are building a new rifle for this year – or
rebarrelling your existing one? Maybe you
are contemplating entering the League for
the first time – if so, our Training Weekend
at Bisley in February would be a good start –
there are still a few places left.
Page 76
Bi-pods for Tactical & Field use by Richard Utting. We’ve
covered bi-pods for F Class on a number of occasions in
the past but some surprising developments are taking
place with tactical/field bi-pods. If you think your Harris is
the ‘ultimate’, read on. We’re comparing the solid Harris,
the adjustable-tension, panning Versa-pod, the Atlas and
a Finnish version from the military arm of SAK which also
pans.
THE HANDLOADING BENCH 308 Winchester Rides Again. By
Laurie Holland - Part 2. I’ll look
at Lapua’s 308 Win ‘Palma’ match
case this month, exploring its
raison d’être, wondering whether
it’s worth the extra money over the
common or garden large primer
model (£79.73 v £56.96 per 100
recommended retail prices).
Regulars
& more...
LATEST NEWS
Page 64
SMALLBORE BUSINESS
Page 64
Keep up-to date with all
the latest news from the
shooting world...
page 60
UKPSA NEWS
Page 94
FROM THE BENCH
Page 58
LATEST NEWS
Page 90
QUIGLEY ASSOCIATION NEWS
Page 92
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE...
77 countries
Welcome to the new look February 2012 edition of Target Shooter Magazine
March
The highest quality precision range of hunting,
stalking, tactical & target scopes available for
shooters worldwide.
SCOPES
The Choice of
Champions
Tactical Turrets
Webitorial February 2012
NEW
Where were we? Yes, we were late with our internet launch this month. Our
usual ‘first of the month’ boast was thwarted - by an underground cable fault
which took my internet down for six days – at a very critical time. I live in a small
village with its own telephone exchange and it suffered a catastrophic failure.
Precision optical
instruments made
the way they
should be, one at a
time, by craftsman
with 30 plus years
experience using
components of
absolute quality.
We were just back from the Las Vegas Shot Show, with but a few days to get the
mag. together and launch our Shot Show supplement. The US Shot Show was a
great experience for us – we met some great folk and we got to shoot plenty of
pistol and lots of semi-auto stuff and even some full-auto! The supplement will
be on-line very shortly, so keep checking our website.
The Shot Show supplement will be another free download, as is this issue of
Target Shooter which is kindly sponsored this month by the Shooting Show. The
Newark Shooting Show takes place on the 25th & 26th of February and is the
largest European shooting show open to the general public. Please have a look
at their website www.theshootingshow.co.uk but more importantly, please get
yourself over to Newark and support YOUR show!
Zero Set or Free Dial Locking
The 8x ~ 80x.
Side Focus 10 yards ~ Infinity
Push Button Illumination
Available from - marchscopes.co.uk - Call 01293 606901 or [email protected]
Editor - Vince Bottomley [email protected]
Advertising and Office Manager - Yvonne Wilcock. [email protected]
Without our advertisers and sponsors, we couldn’t possibly keep Target Shooter
free to read on-line and we at Target Shooter are really looking forward to
Newark and meeting as many of you as possible. Please come along to our
stand and say hello to the guys and gals who put together your favorite shooting
magazine and feel free to give us your thoughts and ideas.
Compiled, Designed & Web Production by Steve Thornton. www.thorntonconnect.com
Contributors - Vince Bottomley - Laurie Holland - Chris Parkin - Ken Hall - Don Brooke
Alan Whittle - Tony Saunders - Gwyn Roberts - Carl Boswell & Richard Utting
Cover & Back Page Photograph by Steve Thornton
Vince, Yvonne & Steve
Vince Bottomley - [email protected]
Yvonne - [email protected]
Steve - [email protected]
Disclaimer
The website www.targetshooteronline.com is part of Target Shooter magazine with all contents of both electronic media copyrighted. No reproduction
is permitted unless written authorisation is provided. Information, prices and data is believed to be correct at the time of posting on the internet which is
on or around the 1st of each month. Advertisements that are firearm related are from companies or individuals that Target Shooter magazine believes
are licensed to hold such firearms and accepts no responsibility if companies or individuals are not so licensed. Letters and photographs submitted by
members of the public to Target Shooter magazine will be accepted on the basis that the writer has agreed to publication unless otherwise stated. Target
Shooter magazine has no control over the content or ownership of photographs submitted. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily
the views of the publishers and relate to specific circumstances within each article. These are the opinions and experiences of writers using specific
equipment, firearms, components and data under controlled conditions. Information contained in the online magazine or on the website is intended to be
used as a guide only and in specific circumstances caution should be used. Target Shooter Magazine does not except any responsibility for individuals
attempting to recreate such testing using any information, data or other materials in its electronic pages. Publishers of Target Shooter magazine.
4
5
The Premier Reticles Heritage
5-25x56 Tactical Scope
by Chris Parkin
by Chris Parkin
Premier Reticles is a name
synonymous with scope modification
and customisation, certainly familiar
to both Field Target air rifle and
by Chris Parkin
Benchrest shooters who wanted to boost
magnification on a Leupold...
Click values were accurate, the turrets easy to adjust and
read but those gaps underneath may accumulate dust...
6
7
by Chris Parkin
The Premier Reticles Heritage 5-25x56
Tactical Scope by Chris Parkin
Premier Reticles is a name synonymous with
scope modification and customisation,
certainly familiar to both Field
Target air rifle and Benchrest
shooters who wanted to boost
magnification on a Leupold.
Now, they have moved into
their own line of optics
and, when a tactical scope
arrives with a price of
£2429, a performance
promise and a specification
list to match it, the sceptic
in me wants to see if it lives
up to the hype.
No mistaking the prime
target
The first characteristic that
struck me was the visual and
proportional similarity to
what has become the current
benchmark in this field, the
S&B PMII, so Premiers’ prime
target is clear. There are a lot
of specification choices that
can be made - with turrets
and click units, along with
full reticle information
easily accessible online.
However, only two reticles
are offered, both in the
first focal plane. Anyone
buying a scope of this type
will more than likely study
these specifications carefully
and/or certainly has knowledge
of their individual features
before reaching for their
wallet. Premiers’ own website
is keen to point this out! www.
premierreticles.com
situated 0.5 Mrad below `zero`, there is nothing
to indicate you are into the second full rotation.
Confusing 1 Mrad with 16 for example is a BIG miss!
Windage is clearly marked by an identical turret and
runs 6 Mrad left and right of zero. Alternative turrets
are available and can be easily retrofitted by the user
to alter the click values.
The reticle on our scope is a `Gen2 XR` - essentially
a variation on the standard mil-dot with extra hash
marks every half milradian (Mrad). Being set in
the first focal plane (FFP), it exhibited the usual
compromise of staying precisely relative in size to the
target image at the expense of being large or small at
either end of the zoom range. Mil readings, aim-offs,
adjustments and zeroing are virtually impossible
to do incorrectly but, as magnification
bottoms out, the reticule reaches a
fifth of its former size.
by Chris Parkin
The design and build of the scope exudes a stylish and
practical feel without being over the top in anything
but physical size. A Butler Creek pop-up objective
lens-cap, coupled with a custom cap at the back are
included. Strangely, there isn’t a fast-focus eyepiece,
The tactical turrets are
beyond fingertip size
and the ones here were
getting on for fist-sized
grip requirements, so no
problem with gloves on.
Clicks were 0.1 Mrad with
a more solid detent and
heavier click every full Mrad.
This is in line with a competitor
- US Optics patent and allows
corrections that are more
quickly and easily defined,
First Focal plane MIL dot reticules are a popular
MTC simply means `More
choice as mistakes are impossible. Im not sure
Tactile Click`.
they work well with a 5x erector tube though.
15 Mrad are available within
each rotation and the turret
is double turn, the spec shows
28 Mrad are available but,
after zeroing, I was limited
to 18 Mrad although at
approximately 64 Minutes
of Angle (MOA), this is
roughly the same as the
PMII and quite adequate.
The turret rotated
clockwise for ùp` but anticlockwise ones are an option
and as this is a topic that often
divides shooters’ opinion, top
marks there.
First Focal plane MIL dot reticules are a popular
choice as mistakes are impossible. Im not sure
they work well with a 5x erector tube though.
What is missing is a Schmidt
& Bender type rotation
indicator. Although a zero
stop is featured, helpfully
8
Eyepiece focus was not `fast` but functional, a `Butler-Creek` style cap came included and fitted neatly.
Lens caps included
Every external surface on the scope is aluminium - no
rubber or plastics in sight and rotating components
are all machine-knurled for secure grip. The matt
anodised 34mm tube is well finished and the left side
parallax knob also has a telescopic illumination control
within it. Simply draw it out and dial from 1-11 for
reticule illumination. Between the numbers the lights
go out, allowing you to have quick on/off near your
chosen setting, although the turret does not push
back in unless you dial back to zero.
9
instead the older style lock-ring and rotating lens
body to which the special lens cap clips. I don’t have a
problem with this, as when correctly set, I have rarely
if ever had to alter one quickly but it seems unusual
not to have followed recent trends. The diopter
variation is broad and no problem was found in it’s
function at all. 90mm of eye relief kept the scope well
clear of my eye during recoil.
Love or Hate?
The most unusual and questionable feature of this
scope is the small toggle on both elevation and
windage turrets. Instead of zeroing your scope and
by Chris Parkin
by Chris Parkin
then using a small Allen key to remove and re-zero
the turret, all you do is flip up the lever and rotate
the knobs back to zero and then latch them back
down. That sounds simple and it is but, what seems
unnerving is that when you do this, although the
reticule isn’t moving, the turrets still ‘click’ as normal.
It is a little leap of faith to be sure you have used the
lever to correctly disengage the turret. Some will like
it, some will not and, I for one certainly re-checked my
zero after their use and although sceptical, I was not
let down.
Staight onto the plate
With a 34mm main tube, the Premier’s Heritage fitted
easily into a Third Eye tactical Unimount onto my
308 Remmy 700. The benefits of the mil-dot system
coupled with FFP reticules were immediately
obvious with a three-shot zeroing session and
one extra shot - to check those unusual
`clicks`. Then, I went straight into
a head to head steel plate
match at 400 yards with
both turrets dialled
straight into
zero at that
range.
Both the field of view and edge-to-edge clarity were
exemplary. Although this competition was single
aiming point territory, the 0.5 and 1 mil increments
had worked in total harmony with the turrets to
zero or aim off for wind, although below about 10x
magnification, the reticule was getting very small and
harder to gauge. Illumination covered the central tree
but was generally only used on its highest setting as
balanced against any quality of glass - there is no point
seeing a reticle without an image to partner it.
Familiar looks...
Familiar ethos...
Familiar glass...
The click values for such a quick test perfectly
matched my range card using known data on my
bullet and that was enough to tell me these click
values are accurate. I find fast, competitive shooting is
a good test of optics as it forces your eyes to work very
quickly, both acquiring targets and focusing on the
relevant reticle and target images. Poor optics flag up
here with extra ocular effort required and I am pleased
to say, my eyes had no room for complaint.
10
11
I tested the optics alongside a few other top-end
scopes as light faded and I was very impressed with
the extra field of view, clarity and brightness offered,
no light conditions were encountered where any flare
was a problem and colour rendition seemed honest.
This is a very good scope and if you like first focal
plane reticles, it certainly stands equal to competitors
both optically and mechanically. There is more than a
sniff of `German quality’ in the glass.
by Chris Parkin
by Chris Parkin
Likes
Superb glass
Tactile turrets
Wide Field of View
Dislikes
The toggles on the turrets will not suit all
Dust gaps under those big turrets
No second focal plane reticules offered
Overall
I’m personally no fan of second focal plane reticles and the
optics and mechanics shown here are absolutely fantastic American mechanics with European glass, a tough competitor!
Technical Specification
Reticule
Click Values
Clicks Per turn
Full rotation
Body Tube
Parallax
Field of View
Weight
Length
Mil-dot with extra half mil marks
0.1 Milradian
150
2 Turns
34mm
50m to infinity
7.6-1.6m @ 100m (5-25x mag)
39oz (1.1kg)
17 inches (433mm)
Price
Sunshade
Extra turrets (Mrad-MOA)
34mm Rings
£2429
£75.60
£151.20
£176.40
Contact: LGA supplies www.lgasupplies.com
Telephone - 01904 608365
The toggles will divide opinion, some will
find it utter simplicity, others will find
them unsettling.
Illumination control was within the left side parallax dial.
12
13
Sorting a Savage Part 2
THE CONCLUSION By Laurie Holland
Sorting a Savage
PART 2 The Conclusion.
by Laurie Holland
As regular Target Shooter readers will be aware,
Laurie has pioneered the 223 Rem. as an alternative
to the 308Win. in top-level F/TR competition. When
re-barrelled, the rifle was not quite delivering the
performance that Laurie had come to expect...
My initial focus was now on the rifle’s bedding, in
particular optimising rear screw tension. There is a
relatively painless procedure for this, but as it relies on
changes in group size and shape, you need access to
a stable testing set-up and a 100-200 yard range with
conditions such that reliable results can be obtained.
You’ll also need 40 or more rounds of previously
worked-up ammunition that has some chance of
producing decent groups and a small torque-wrench
calibrated in inch-pounds. While the latter is not 100%
essential, it allows you to adjust the tension in small
even steps and equally important, to return to the
optimum setting both during the tuning stage and
also later if you take the action out of the stock for any
reason.
As noted, all Savages other than the PTA competition
rifles (F, F/TR, BR, and Palma models) and single-shot
LRPV (long-range precision varmint) rifles have two
screws whose position is dictated by the magazine
cut-out in the receiver floor. (Although a single-shot
model, the BVSS Varmint rifle uses the twin screw
set-up and its laminated stock has a large redundant
cavity for the non-existant box magazine.
THE CONCLUSION
By Laurie Holland
upright and its buttstock rapped on a hard surface the aforementioned crete floor - a couple of times to
ensure the recoil-lug is in full contact with the stock.
The factory Savage 12 F Class rifle’s laminated stock uses
small bedding pillars in the wood. The two front stock
screws are tightened to 30-35 in/lb tension
Bedding and Tuning
Anyway, we’re now on the range complete with
ammunition, Allen keys and torque wrench. The last
named is a Wheeler FAT Wrench from Norman Clark
Gunsmiths Limited, a modestly priced clutch-type
model wrench adjusted by pulling the end cap back
from the body and turning it. Let’s take the barrelled
action out of the stock and start from scratch. I want
to do this anyway to check there is nothing nasty
hiding underneath that affects bedding efficiency.
If you look at the modern Savage receiver, it’s
obviously CNC-machined out of what starts as a
tube, the rear couple of inches having most of the
metal machined off to leave what looks like a shallow
tang which would be drilled and tapped for the rear
bedding-screw in a conventional Mauser-system
action. However, both types of Savage action have
the rear bedding screw further forward under the
rear end of the tubular section. The ‘tang’ seems to
be there mainly to act as a hanger for the trigger
assembly and to house the sliding shotgun-style
safety button.
To carry out accurate evaluation, adjusting and shooting the rifle on a full benchrest set up like this one is ideal but any
testing arrangement that provides consistent and genuinely comparable results on the target is suitable
To do this with the McRees modular stock, the forend
section has to be removed first to give access to the
front bedding screw – no matter, undo four setscrews
and take care not to drop it onto the concrete
firing point floor, it being a simple lap joint. On a
Savage or other conventional wood, laminated, or
synthetic stock all bedding screw heads are of course
immediately visible – and in this case we now count
four! The rear screw is a short fellow, which just
secures the back end of the trigger guard, so we leave
it alone.
Now that I have the action out and inspected the
bedding surfaces, everything turns out to be fine.
The receiver body has left a straight, constant width
witness mark along the top of each side of the
bedding channel showing complete and apparently
even contact.
Shame! Finding and removing a foreign object would
have provided an obvious solution to the problem and
made things so much easier. Anyway, we now replace
the action in the stock using the front two screws only.
Taking slack out of the rear member of this pair and
with the front one barely tightened, the rifle is held
14
15
The front pair of screws are now done-up alternately
a small amount at a time to ensure even tension.
Using a torque wrench, 30 in/lb is about right for the
factory Savage laminated stock with its small bedding
pillars, although you can go a bit higher. Where the
receiver goes onto a metal bedding block as in the
LRPV models, or an all metal stock like my McRees,
more torque is needed - at least 45 in/lb - with many
authorities, including military and police armourers,
using 60-65 in/lb. (This also applies to similar bedding
jobs in rifles like the Remington PSS, VS, VSSF etc that
use an H-S Precision synthetic stock with moulded in
bedding block.)
Inching Up
Returning to the three-screw Savage, we now insert
the third and rearmost action screw through the front
of the trigger-guard and only just tighten it. Shoot a
group or two to get the bore fouled and then let the
barrel cool for a few minutes before tightening it with
a torque wrench to 5 or 10 in/lb (depending on the
wrench’s minimum setting).
The procedure is: shoot a group, let the barrel cool
and shoot another group after increasing the tension
on the rearmost screw by 5 in/lb. Repeat until the
tension is over 30 in/lb, even go up to 40 if you have
the inclination and the ammunition. What you hope
you’re going to see is the group shrink then open up
again after you move out of the ‘sweet spot’. You
need to keep a record of which group applies to which
torque setting of course!
Finally, slacken the rear screw and return to the
setting that gave the smallest group. If your torque
wrench is calibrated finely enough, you can fine-tune
the setting by shooting another couple of groups
with the setting a couple of inch-pounds either side.
Keep a record of your final settings on both sets
of screws in case you have to remove and refit the
action. Logically, if you make a major change to the
load you’re using, such as moving from 155s to 200gn
+ weight bullets in a .308, it would be worthwhile
repeating the exercise to tune the receiver tension to
the optimal harmonics for that load.
Anyway, you can see the results in Figures 1 and 2.
All target grids shown are one-inch incidentally. What
was interesting – if depressing – was the recreation
of both problems I’d suffered from last year. Group
#3 at 15 in/lb tension produced a perfect facsimile of
the 4 + 1 pattern, the ‘+1’ very low and slightly right,
that I’d seen in the 800yd matches at Diggle and Bisley
with both barrels. Group #4 at 20 in/lb produced the
nearly straight vertical line that I’d seen at Bisley in the
THE CONCLUSION
By Laurie Holland
With the barrelled action back in the stock and the
screws very lightly tightened, the butt is tapped on
the floor to ensure the recoil lug is in hard contact
with the stock. The lug is visible here with the stock
fore-end removed.
The Wheeler FAT Wrench from Norman Clark, an easy
to use budget torque wrench
The Savage three-screw PT action. The rear (right-hand) screw is used to
tune the action to the ammunition.
Hopes Raised...
In my case, the first problem that arose in my tuning
session was that the ammunition left over from ‘The
Europeans’ didn’t group at all well. A combination
that had produced 0.4-inch groups during load
development, simply wouldn’t go below the half-inch
mark, in fact I’d have been happy to have got that!
This was the 90gn Berger VLD / VarGet combination,
a reworked version of what had worked very well for
half of 2011 in the rifle’s original 31 inch barrel but
which had inexplicably ‘gone off’ in that tube and
which had struggled from Day One in its identical - if
shorter - replacement. (TS editor Vince Bottomley
has been known to say to all and sundry in the
Diggle Ranges clubhouse on F-Class comp days that
if anybody around knows a good method for reattaching three inches of barrel, would they talk to
Laurie!)
European Championship 900 and 1,000yd matches.
Going above that setting only made things worse, so
in the end I settled on a setting between 10 and 15 in/
lb. Two alternative combinations were now tried with
this screw tension, a first go with the Berger 80.5gn
BT ‘Fullbore’ and Viht N150; a retry of my original,
very successful long range load – the Berger 90gn
VLD with Alliant Reloder 15. The 80.5/N150 pairing
started to look promising at the heaviest charge tried,
so a bit further work will be done here. (The reason
for strange 80.5 gn weight is that the bullet has been
designed to just meet the ICFRA Palma / Fullbore
Rifle regulation that states .223 Remington is eligible
using bullets of ‘less than 81gn weight’ and is the small
calibre partner to the 155.5gn 308 BT Fullbore model.)
The 90/Re15 load took me straight back into small
groups at similar charge weights to those used in 2010
with the original 31 inch barrel but crucially with less
pressure showing on the primers! Only three-round
16
The McRees bedding channel after the action had
been removed. This stock uses a direct metal to
metal bedding system relying on close tolerance
machining of both receiver and stock body alongside
bedding screws done up very tight. Continuous and
even ‘witness’ marks on the Duracoat finish showed
primary bedding was OK.
The rear screw, its head protruding from the trigger
guard, is the last to be tightened, its tension having a
significant effect on groups size and shape.
17
I did say before that I’d pass a little more load data on.
Late last year after a new barrel went on, I decided to
give Viht N150 a try. I’d avoided the powder previously
after hearing from Jerry Tierney over in California
that he’d had some worrying pressure spikes with it,
groups mind you but the four batches covering 24.9
to 25.2gn ran at 0.15” to 0.4” (figure 3). Wow! Cracked
it (again!). All I needed was a long-range match in
reasonable conditions to prove I was back in business.
...and Dashed!
The PSSA competition calendar fixtures allied to long
bouts of stormy weather denied me that opportunity
until the second Saturday of the new year, which saw a
600 yard F-Class match coincide with cold but settled
weather – only 600 yards but enough distance to show
if the ‘verticals’ had gone.
New load or not they hadn’t, or at least not in the
first half of the event. If anything, things were worse
with the corrected elevation graph jumping up and
down the paper between shots to produce a 2.5-MOA
overall spread and more often than not a ‘minute’ of
movement between shots. Then at shot 13 everything
appeared to settle down and things were much
improved to shot 19 - five of the seven hits displaying
really impressive consistency. A glimmer of hope
appeared – if my final shot stayed within a quarter
minute variation, things were maybe on the up. Sadly
not – along with my hopes, the strike went way, way
down again, now at the very bottom of the four-ring,
a drop of around 0.8-MOA on the PSSA 500/600yd ‘F’
target.
So, what is going on? I wish I knew! I feel I’m just on
the edge of getting it back together again. Maybe
checking and re-tuning the cartridge overall lengths,
looking at neck tension, retrying some of the powders
originally rejected, switching from the 90gn VLD
to the 80.5gn and 90gn Berger BT designs will get
it shooting well again. However, national GBFCA
League rounds are approaching fast and getting loads
sorted for my newly rebarrelled .308 Win F/TR rifle
looks a lot less risky at the minute!
Lots of people did warn me when I started out with
long-range .223 Rem that the cartridge is incredibly
finicky with 90gn bullets and often just goes ‘out of
tune’ for no apparent reason. I think the lesson for me
as well as others is just how ‘high-maintenance’ this
combination is. If everything isn’t perfect, it simply
doesn’t work.
THE CONCLUSION
By Laurie Holland
tout this as a 1000 yard load but it shows a great deal
of promise for the shorter-range club shooter, has no
recoil to speak of and will probably give 4,000-5,000
rounds barrel accuracy
life. The 80.5gn Berger
BT at 2800-2900 fps is
gaining a good reputation
too and I’ll try this bullet
later on in the year in
my F/TR rifle as well as
another Savage .223 we’re
working on – a rebarrelled
‘sporter’ designated as ‘an
affordable clubman’s F/TR
rifle’.
Figure 3: With the tension at just under 15 in/lb, a return to the 90gn VLD / Re15
ammunition combination appeared to have got the rifle shooting well again
Figure 1: rear screw tension set at 5 – 20 in/lb
getting a huge rise in MV and pressure signs from a
0.2gn charge weight increase. I’ve always liked this
powder with heavy bullets in the cartridge and decided
to give it a try, albeit acting very warily.
Five batches in well-used Lapua match brass, CCI-450
SR Magnum primer and charges of N150 rising from
23.6 to 24.0gn in 0.1gn steps (weighed on Acculab
high-quality electronic scales to accurately allow such
small differentiations) produced 0.2 to 0.7” groups,
only one exceeding the half-inch. The top load
produced a modest MV of 2,641 fps with a small ES of
9 fps, so there is scope for working it up a bit higher.
Before shooters scoff at such ‘low performance’, run
the 90gn Berger BTLR’s external ballistics on a decent
G7 based program. The 800 yard wind-drift for a 2,640
fps load is 6.7-MOA in the classic 10 mph 90-degree
crosswind which is better than that of the NRA’s RWS
.308W / 155gn SMK ammunition, assuming that the
latter produces a full 3,000 fps MV from a ‘tight-bore’
30 inch barrel.
Figure 2: rear screw tensions above 20 in/lb
made groups considerably larger
Retained velocities and wind-drift values for this load
fall between those of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ 155gn Sierra
‘Palma’ MKs at a full 3,000 fps MV in fact. I wouldn’t
18
19
Figure 4: Graphed
elevations of the 20 shots in the 600yd Diggle F Class
competition corrected to a common elevation setting
on the riflescope. Despite the use of the Re15 load,
the problem has not been solved! 0 = perfect elevation
with a strike on the V-Bull centreline; low shots have
minus values; high shots have plus values. Shots 1319 suggest a solution may be close
Rifles
at
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The Eighth
MLAIC
World
Field Target
Federation
World Field Target Federation
Championships
2011
– Italy – by Conor McFlynn
Long Range
World
Championships
Bisley England by David Minshall
Championships 2011 – Italy by Conor McFlynn
Conor McFlynn from Northern Ireland
travels to Italy for the World Field Target
Championship and comes home with
the silverwear! But let’s hear it from
Conor……
The annual WFTF Championship
was held at a stunningly beautiful,
mountainous location in Felo
d’Astico, near Vicenza, Italy.
Federazione Field Target Italia,
the Italian Regional Governing
Body, took sole responsibility for
the organisation and running of
the four-day event, headed by the
Italian Chairman Nicola Paggiaro.
Registration of names and practice on the zerorange took place on the 1st September, whilst the
competition ran from 2nd- 4th September with three
50 target courses - one per day giving a total of 150
targets. 212 competitors from 26 countries made this
the biggest, most competitive and truly international
event in the organisation’s history. 19 countries
entered the 8-man team event, which demonstrates
the popularity of the sport that has spread rapidly
throughout the world in recent years.
The two large zero-ranges were very spacious and had
plenty of boards with paper targets attached to check
rifle and scope settings. The plinking range however
bore no resemblance to the competition course as it
was located on a flat field - the competition course
was located at the top of a vertical hill on the side of
the mountain.
The three separate courses were colour-coded in
relation to the Italian flag - red, white and green, 50
targets per course, two targets were placed per lane
resulting in 25 lanes per course. Each competitor had
three minutes to shoot their two targets, with timing
commencing when the lane was entered. On each
course there were eight compulsory positional targets,
four standing and four kneeling. The targets were
placed at unknown distances from 7m to 50m, whilst
target hit zones ranged in size from 15mm, 20mm,
25mm, 30mm and 40mm.
Paggiaro. Uncharacteristically, some highly regarded Championships 2011 – Italy – by Conor McFlynn
shooters from the UK and reining World Champion
Jose Redondo from Spain, posted unusually low scores
focused on us and, being honest, in a way, it was both
- perhaps demonstrating the demanding conditions
unnerving and exciting - an experience new to me but
and difficulty of the courses. South African Piet Breedt
one that Osborne was all too familiar with. I had the
clearly didn’t have any problems and finished on a
white course left so I was determined and knew I had
course busting 48 ex 50, two points clear from 2006
to post a big score if I were to finish on the podium. I
World Champ James Osborne on 46 ex 50. I, along
ended the day with my highest score of the weekend
with four others shared joint third on 44 ex 50.
– 48 ex 50 and being honest disappointed with my two
Day two, Saturday 3rd September, was extremely
humid and hot which made concentration levels quite
demanding due to fatigue and dehydration. I made
life difficult for myself by missing my first two targets
on the green course! Simon Ayers pumped in a top
score of the day with 48 ex 50; I managed to only drop
one more target and finish on a very pleasing 47 ex 50.
Breedt from SA didn’t maintain his rich vein of form
from the previous day to post a 42 ex 50. This left
myself, Ayers and Osborne in the lead; a three way tie,
level on 91 points apiece.
Day three, Sunday 4th was the big finale. The air
was very humid and heavy rain and thunderstorms
were forecast for the afternoon. All eyes were firmly
Target placement made full use of the surroundings
with the vast majority of the smaller killzones placed
at extreme angles both uphill and downhill. Flexibility,
adaptability and sheer nerve were required in order
to take many of the positional shots that mainly used
the 25mm killzones. The larger killzone targets were
almost exclusively used at near maximum distance
so it was a truly challenging course designed to make
each shooter think very carefully about each shot.
Add the devilish, interchanging, light winds whisping
almost undetectably through the forest, the extremely
hot, humid conditions and one can almost get a slight
resemblance to the sheer difficulty of each course.
Day one, Friday 2nd September, was a long day as
shooting partners were drawn together after the
safety brief and general instructions. These were
relayed to everyone by the event director Nicola
22
23
misses.
Ayers and Osborne had both only posted 44 ex 50
so Breedt needed a 49 to tie for a shoot-off (which I
was expecting) or a clear course would see him win
outright. To my surprise and disbelief he also finished
on 44 ex 50 which meant the silverware was mine and
going back home to Co.Tyrone (and Ireland) for the
first time. With 11 missed targets during three days of
competition I ended with a total score of 139 ex 150.
The Gala Dinner and awards ceremony that marked
the end of the 2011 World Championships is an
occasion that will live fondly in my memory forever.
One of the large zero ranges with the mountains
in a stunningly beautiful backdrop.
The courses were laid out together, with lanes from Italian colours red, white and green placed consecutively, the
result meant everyone was shooting together at the same time, it also made for very sociable occasion!
Below; my shooting partners for the weekend; far left,
Angelo Ribelli (Italy) and middle, Lukas Richter (South
Africa).
Championships 2011 – Italy – by Conor McFlynn
Even though the achievement I had accomplished had
not fully sunk in, the warm-felt congratulations and
well-wishes from everyone involved just overwhelmed
me with both pride and joy.
Hopefully FT can begin to gain popularity and flourish
in my home country Ireland, where air rifle shooters
in general are few and far between. FT is hugely
popular throughout many European countries and the
world. It truly is the purest form of marksmanship,
highly addictive, enjoyable and is perhaps the most
inexpensive target shooting sport currently available.
My kit included the following:
Rifle – Steyr LG110
Calibre - .177
Velocity – 770fps
Pellets – JSB Exact 8.4grn
Scope – Deon March X 8-80x56 MTR-1 illuminated
reticule.
Mounts – ThirdEye 34mm, base to suit 11mm dovetail.
Right: A reduced size kill zone (20mm) target elevated high up a tree on
the top of a hill made for a very steeply angled shot, some were inclined 50
degrees and then some!.
Below: standing shots were elevated and utilised 25mm kills.
Above: Conor McFlynn holds aloft the WFTF Championship
winning cup, left is Simon Ayers (England) 2nd, and right is
James Osborne (England) 3rd.
25
Modifications:
Jon Harris 4” parallax sidewheel and pointer.
Jon Harris custom scope mounting rail.
Mick Tromans muzzle break and quickfill cylinder.
Custom laminate woodwork
(cheekpiece, forend and grip).
TEC-HRO Fusion butt plate.
TEC-HRO trigger blade.
TEC-HRO front accessory rail balance weight.
An interview with Garry Costello.
Interview - Garry Costello
2011 GB F Class Open League Champion
2011 GB F Class Champion
Interview with Gary Costello by Target
Shooter Magazine
Photograph by Steve Thornton
Three months have flown by since our last shoot of the 2011
season - the Europeans at Bisley. Now it’s time to start
thinking about 2012 and our opening shoot at Diggle in
April.
Maybe you are building a new rifle for this year – or rebarrelling your existing one? Maybe you are contemplating
entering the League for the first time – if so, our Training
Weekend at Bisley in February would be a good start – there
are still a few places left.
Check out the GBFCA website www.gbfclass.co.uk for
more details.
27
Either way, you will be keen to get down to some
serious testing and already, I’ve had a glimpse of a few
new ideas for the coming season concerned. Really,
with a single cartridge (OK Laurie, I know you love
the 223) and a very rigid set of rules, it’s difficult to
come up with something new but our rifles continue to
evolve.
Not only that, bullet development seems to be
directed to the 308 more than any other cartridge.
Of course, let’s not forget that Russell Simmonds
once again won the GBFCA League with his very
conventional rifle but of course, it’s always preferable
to buy something new in an attempt to boost
performance rather than spend more time on the
range learning to shoot what you already have! And
maybe this is part of World Champion Russell’s secret
– his equipment is very modest and similar to what
he started out with five or six years ago but boy, he
knows how to use it!
We did have a new Open Class League Champion in
2011 and that was current World Champion, Gary
Costello. As is the tradition, we caught up with Gary
following the Europeans where he battled all weekend
with eventual winner, Vyacheslav Kovalshii
Interview with 2011 F-Open Class League Winner
TS – Gary, congratulations on winning the 2011
GBFCA League - just beating Simon Rogers in the final
round – but just losing out to Vyacheslav Kovalshii in
the final stage of the ‘Europeans’ to take runner-up
spot.
We always like to start off with a bit of background.
Tell us about your working background and what got
you into shooting?
GC –I currently run two companies mainly involved
in specialist transportation and freight forwarding,
we are approved for weapons, explosives and sect.
5 items. I have always been interested in shooting
from a very early age with air rifles however I started
shooting firearms about 10 years ago, most of this was
informal plinking and fun stuff.
TS – You’ve been shooting with the League more or
less from the start but what did you shoot before that?
GC - I started clay shooting, I got into it in a big way,
a business associate (now a very good friend) used to
shoot rifles and black powder competitively and he
got me into accurate rifles and re-loading. It all went
downhill from there and I got the bug!
TS – Tell us about your current rifle – what cartridge,
action, stock, scope etc are you using?
GC - I have shot several rifles this year, I started with
a 7 SAUM built by Pete Walker, BAT 8.5 inch M action,
Lee Six tracker stock in African Obeche walnut Bartlein
barrel and a March 10x60x52 tactical scope.
TS – Gary, that’s a beautiful rifle – almost too nice to
shoot! Pete’s work is faultless.
GC - I did try the second Bartlein barrel for my WFCC
winning gun - Stolle Panda and heavily modified
Masterclass F Class Thumbhole stock but, after 400
rounds I gave up with it, just not accurate enough.
This barrel was produced at the same time as the
WFCC barrel and chambered with the same reamer
but it just would not work!
I shot my other BAT rifle built by Pete at Blair Atholl
and in the Europeans - this is the same action (8.5
BAT) with 32” Bartliein barrel and McMillan F Class
stock.
TS – Of course, you are the UK importer for the
fabulous March scopes – how are sales going – are
there any new models in the pipeline?
GC - Actually pretty good considering the current
economy and the cost of the scopes. We have a new
Tactical first focal plane scope the 3-24x42 this is a
direct competitor to the Schmidt & Bender PMII - very
similar features (with a lower starting magnification)
but half the weight and smaller. Also a fixed 40X
which has tactical turrets, zero stop and 70MOA
elevation, I am going to try this next season for F
Class.
28
29
TS – I notice that you seem to prefer laminate stocks –
any particular reason?
GC – I do prefer Laminates for purely aesthetic
reasons!
TS – The 7mm is undoubtedly the best Open Class
calibre – preferably in the WSM case but a few are now
moving towards the ‘straight’ 284 – what about you?
GC – I have a 284 and a 284 Shehane; I have not done
much with either yet as I have had no time in between
competitions to do any serious development. I will
have them working for 2012 though and will make
a comparison. I shoot the 7mm Saum at roughly
Shehane velocities and I really like it so I am sure they
will work well.
TS – Tell us your preferred bullet, powder, brass and
primers.
GC - I like the Berger 180 VLD and Hybrid, I do have
some custom 190 grain VLDs I am working on as
well. I use different powders depending on the rifle,
RL25, Vit N165, Hodgdon H4831 and H1000, I use
Winchester brass in the 7/270 WSM and Lapua in
the 284’s. I have found that Fed 210M primers have
worked the best for me this year but I did use 215M
last year.
TS – What twist-rate are you using – and do you have
any preference for barrels – cut or button – do you
favour any particular make?
GC - I use 9 twist normally, the rifle I shot in the
Europeans is a 8.5 twist, I cannot really see any
difference to be honest. I always shoot cut-rifled
barrels and I do like Bartlein.
TS – Obviously, you weigh all your powder charges –
what scales are you using and for that matter, whose
dies do you use?
GC – For the initial charge I use a RCBS Chargemaster
which I set 0.2 grains under the required charge, I then
weight the charge on my Denver Instruments AP 203
lab scale which is accurate to 100th of a grain, I keep
this on all the time and it is plugged into a anti-serge
filter and plug.
TS – Like many of us, you have done your share of
travelling this year to shoot F Class but what is your
favourite UK range?
I use Alan Warner’s sizing dies exclusively, they are
the Rolls Royce of dies, the die body accepts calibre
sleeves, I send 3 fired cases and he makes a custom
honed sleeve that inserts into the die body, the
tolerances are incredibly tight which gives great
results, minimal case-sizing for longevity of brass and
also zero run-out. They are expensive but you only
need one or two and they are for life.
GC - I love Blair Atholl, purely for the scenery and ease
of use, however it’s a very hard range to master due to
the usual ‘Blair effect’ conditions. I was pretty lucky
there this year with two 3rd places. I also like Bisley,
it’s sort of my home range but I very rarely get chance
to practice there much.
I have also started using custom Newlon seating
dies (made by Peter Walker) these have a Mitutoyo
micrometer head and are very nice, however I have
still got my Redding Micrometer seaters for some
other calibres.
TS – Is there anything you would like to see changed
in the F Class rules – for example, some say rifles are
too heavy at 22 lbs?
GC – I disagree, I think the weight is OK for the type
of shooting we do, any lighter and we will see some
lower scores due to the recoil etc.
TS – Set-up is critical in F Class, can you tell us your
preference for a front rest?
GC – I use both the Farley and the Seb Neo, I like both.
I do sell the odd Farley and I Like the Gen II model with
the space base (lightweight base good for Diggle or
ranges that you have to walk to the firing point and
of course air travel). I am currently using the Seb
Neo with some modifications to the base and handle,
(I didn’t like the way the original handle twisted in
operation) so we had a long straight handle made
which has stopped the torque/twist.
TS – Obviously the rifle has worked well for you this
year but is there any room for improvement?
GC – Always room for improvement! I think we all
forget sometimes about correct preparation, bagalignment and good technique. I do find occasionally
that I have an ‘odd’ shot, more often or not it is
because I have changed my grip or position slightly.
TS – Finally, although it’s 18 months off the World
Championships at Raton in 2013, you are obviously
one of the favourites for the GB Team. Are you looking
forward to it? Any reservations with the elevation and
heat?
GC - I have not really had much time to think about
the next Worlds, however after David Kent’s talk after
the Europeans I do have my concerns at the length
of time required to shoot it! Three weeks is an awful
long time away from your business and also there is a
considerable amount of shooting in the run-up.
I am of the opinion that less is more, I do not practice,
I think that it is ‘on the day’ you either get the
conditions quickly and identify with the flags or you do
not. We will need to acclimatise to the range and heat
and do some load development but I think a week
prior would be fine, this is no disrespect to David’s
itinerary, it is purely my personal opinion.
TS – Will you continue with the same kit next
year? Have you anything new in the pipeline? A
new cartridge perhaps or is the ‘seven’ king for the
foreseeable future?
GC – I do have the Shehane and another 7mm Wildcat
that I will be working on during the winter. I think
7mm is the only way to go in F Class Open as the recoil
of a big 30 is just too much. The new Berger heavy
Hybrids look very interesting with very good BCs but
I do not really fancy 60 shots in a day with a 215-230
grain bullet and the recoil and torque that goes with it.
30
The heat does concern me but I think the amount of
shooting beforehand concerns me more, we do need
to be fresh at the start of the World Championship.
TS – Gary, many thanks for taking the trouble to do
this interview and for sharing your information with us
all. Good luck for 2012.
31
Garry Costello “bagging up” the
winnings at the 2011 European
Championships at Bisley...
I got even more excited when I found that Ed Shilen –
one of the most famous barrel makers on the planet
– had played a large part in setting up the Bergara
barrel-manufacturing process. And it shows! Have a
look inside a Bergara with a borescope and you’ll see
what I mean. The finish is second to none. Yes, I know,
there’s more to making an accurate barrel than the
internal finish but, experience has borne out my initial
enthusiasm and, the Bergaras I’ve fitted have shot
exceedingly well.
Bergara & their new...
No Gunsmithing Barrels...
Bergara and
their new ‘no
gunsmithing’
barrels...
Unfortunately, Bergara don’t currently offer a really
heavy profile that would suit a competitive benchgun
or F Class rifle but, if they ever do, I’ll be the first to
try one. However, a wide choice of profiles, lengths,
twists and calibres are offered to suit most other
applications and they are very competitively priced
and available – Fox Firearms always have a good
selection.
Job done – in not much longer than it took you to read
this article! Well OK, we still need to proof it...
Vince tries a 6.5x47
A choice of 416 stainless-steel or 4140 chrome-moly,
fluted, bead-blasted etc. is available plus ‘specials’
for the AR carbines etc. and now, Bergara are the first
manufacturer to offer a ‘no-gunsmithing’ replacement
barrel for the Remington 700 series.
Bergara pre-fit barrel
and Chris Parkin tries
his hand at re-barrelling
his 243 stalking rifle
The Bergara system is similar to the Savage system
and in fact Bergara also offer Savage barrels using the
same principle. Several manufacturers offer pre-fit
barrels but most require final head-spacing in the lathe
– a skilled job. With Bergara, instead of the gunsmith
‘fitting’ the barrel using a lathe to headspace, Bergara
use a lock-nut – like the Savage – so all we need now is
a ‘go’ gauge and a barrel-vice.
The existing Remington c/w 308 barrel, our new 6.5x47
Bergara, the barrel lock-nut and two gauges – ‘go’ and
‘no go’
with a 6mm Bergara.
OK – don’t get too excited. I can already see one or
two drawbacks for the DIY shooter who thinks he can
save a bob or two here. Firstly, proofing. The Bergara
barrel comes ready proofed and your Remington
action will also be proofed but, when you screw the
two together, is further proofing required? Certainly,
if you eventually sell on the rifle, it should really be
proofed and, for your own safety and peace of mind,
proofing is, in my opinion, a good idea.
Firstly, a bit of history. I
‘discovered’ the Spanish Bergara
barrels at the IWA Show about
five years ago. I got all excited
to find we had another European
barrel maker! After all, there
Job done – in not much longer than it took you to read
this article! Well OK, we still need to proof it...
Secondly, although most shooters who are capable of
handloading should have the skill and common sense
to do the work, removing a Remington factory barrel
is no easy task and a proper barrel-vice and wrench
are required. Even then, you could struggle! Then,
aren’t that many.
32
33
you need to screw-on the replacement Bergara to the
required torque and headspace it. Again, not really a
job for the novice.
A decent barrel-vice (this one was supplied by Fox
Firearms) is essential – even then we may have to
resort to more drastic measures to get the factory
barrel off
It may be better therefore to get your favourite
gunsmith to do the job, for which he will of course
make a small charge, plus the cost of proof but, well
worth it for peace of mind alone. However, it should
almost be a ‘while you wait’ job – no excuse for being
without your rifle for six months!
With that out of the way, let’s get on with the job of
replacing our shot-out 308 Remmy barrel with a new
Bergara in 6.5x47 Lapua.
My 6.5x47 Bergara is a stainless-steel un-fluted
example with a heavy-ish profile very similar to the
factory barrel on the Remmy. Overall length is 24
inches, tapering from 1.25 inches at the breech to
0.875 inches at the muzzle - which is already threaded
for a moderator/muzzle-brake.
Removing the Remmy barrel was a bit of a pain but
eventually - by using a technique well known to most
gunsmiths - it freed-off. Warning – be sure to make
a small ‘witness’ mark on the action and recoil-lug so
that you can position the lug in exactly the right place
when we come to fit the new barrel.
There were traces of rust and glue on the Remington
barrel-tenon – and therefore in the action-threads,
so the first job is a good clean up. This is a tedious
process but needs to be done – with a dental pick or
similar. When we are happy that all the threads are
clean, make sure there are no burrs where the scopemount screw-holes are drilled through the front
action-ring. A small burr could cause our new barrelthreads to gall or even seize when we are screwing it
into the action – maybe with catastrophic results!
Now we must apply grease to the action and barrelthreads. This joint is of course subjected to quite high
temperatures so make sure you use a suitable grease.
Don’t overdo it with the grease or it will accumulate
inside the action near the lugs – it’s a pain to remove.
Now, slide the recoil-lug onto the tenon-thread
(noting the witness mark) and carefully screw on the
action. STOP – if any sign of binding occurs – remove
the action and clean the action threads again.
With the barrel ‘snugged up’, you can clamp the barrel
in your barrel-vice. Now, insert the ‘go’ gauge into
the chamber – as you would a cartridge – and gently
close the bolt. (The bolt should be free of the spring,
firing-pin and bolt-face ejector pin) If it won’t close,
back off the barrel a little until it will close. If the bolt
closes, screw in the barrel a little more until you can
feel it up against the ‘go’ gauge. If we were to lockup the barrel-nut at this point, we would have zero
headspace. We therefore need to back off slightly.
Now, with recoil-lug and action witness mark aligned,
fit your action-wrench to the front-ring of the action,
carefully locating the recoil-lug in the recess in the
action wrench.
Remove the ‘go’ gauge and apply a ‘strap wrench’ to
the barrel-nut and nip up the barrel. Nip up? A bit
vague that I admit but it’s one of those things that
comes from practice and experience. I’d like to be able
to quote torque figures but would it really help?
Now, insert the ‘go’ gauge. If the bolt closes, eject it
and slip in the ‘no go’ gauge. If the bolt won’t close,
we are pretty well spot on for our headspace. If it
closes on the ‘no go’ gauge, then we need to screw
in the barrel a little more. It’s ‘trial & error’ really - as
the headspace changes as you do up the barrel-nut
but, not too difficult and after a few attempts, I had
the nut tightened and the gauges indicating correct
headspace. Before you remove the wrenches and
congratulate yourself, a final check that the witness
marks are exactly aligned.
The whole job has taken me about
an hour and there we have it – a
new stainless-steel barrel fitted for
under £400!
A lot to learn
I had never even seen a barrel being chambered and
fitted before, never mind done the work myself. I’m
a materials engineer, competent tweaker, stock
twiddler and mechanic but, not having had access to
a lathe since school, never a machinist. I was warned
what clothing to wear on THE DAY as cutting-oil may
well be erupting generously upon chambering!
The Bergara came with a pre-threaded muzzle – a useful
saving.
Having done it the easy way, now we’ll
The first task to be handled was a few measurements
of stock and barrel to decide if we were to shorten
the blank at all to make sure the minimum amount of
stock inletting was needed, although this stock was
already profiled to accept a similar barrel. I was going
to stick at 26 inches as you can normally shorten later
but as this blank was fluted, there were only a couple
of inches spare at the muzzle to trim off. We needed
to plan in advance if anything was to be taken off at
the chamber end but I decided to stay at 26 inches.
Weight would not be an issue but velocity at long
range is never to be ignored.
do it the hard way! Target Shooter writer
Chris Parkin was talking to me recently
about re-barrelling his 243 Remington
stalking rifle with a new fluted Bergara.
He was asking that many questions that
I finally said “Why not come and do it
yourself?” Now Chris didn’t need asking
twice and a week or so later we were in the
workshop with Chris’s new barrel spinning
Next step was to remove the existing barrel – they
don’t shift easily but eventually it came off and was
consigned to the scrap-bin!
in the lathe but I’ll let Chris take up the
story...
Originally, it was a stalking and foxing rifle but I think
when this project is done, the role of this gun will
change slightly. I bought a 6mm/243 Bergara barrel
from Fox Firearms and chose to re-define the build of
this rifle somewhat. It had served well for three years
and had only cost me £250 so owed me very little but,
the factory barrel was now shot out. It was a sporter
barrelled Remington 700 CDL with a detachable
magazine but it was going to morph into something a
little more competition - or at least long range vermin
- orientated.
Up to now, a McMillan stock had been sourced and
that, plus a Jewel trigger, Accuracy International
compatible bottom metal/magazine system, fully
bedded, was going to support the Remington varmint
profile 26 inch Bergara barrel. Chambered in 243 Win.
again but this time with an 8 inch twist rate, it stood to
be more suitable for the 105-107gr match bullets. It is
often interesting to see if deliberately fast twist rates
34
We only have a couple of millimetres to stop the
lathe before the threading tool crashes into the barrel
shoulder!
are still able to handle the lighter vermin loads without
premature failure of the lighter expanding bullets - I
find it can indicate the internal finishing quality of the
barrel. The gun was no longer to be a stalker but a true
varmint/target rifle and would hopefully be accurate, I
certainly hoped for better than the `factory` format.
35
As most gunsmiths agree, the initial `clocking` of
the barrel blank when inserted through the lathe
headstock is of paramount importance. At both ends
of the headstock, dial test indicators (DTI’s) are used
to centralise the bore - not the external profile of the
barrel - to ensure absolute concentricity to within
one-tenth of a thou. Bores are never concentric to the
outside profile and neither is the bore itself completely
true or straight. Therefore, this operation can be quick
or slow depending on each particular barrel but I was
assured by Vince, who was patiently adjusting the
spider chuck in 0.0001 inch increments, that mine was
pretty good.
This is an economy project!
At this point we should perhaps break to explain the
economics of re-barrelling a rifle. Vince has all this
gear and does it purely for fun - but only on his own
guns and his ‘projects’ for the magazine and, as he has
oodles of time to spare, has no worries about doing
this job in ‘slow motion’, taking the ultimate care
and attention to detail in all machining stages, never
needing to ‘cut corners’ to match the time/money
criteria laid down by professional gunsmiths.
He explained to me how the time and hence fee
charged by various gunsmiths often varies widely,
purely down to some of this balance and one other
quite surprising facts – including the action being
re-barrelled. Much as he tried to avoid the issue (I
know Vince loves Remingtons for the way they are the
access route for many, including me, into this sport
of ours) but, as the consummate precision shooter,
engineer and machinist, he winces at the thought of
working with one. Had it been a BAT or Stolle, I’m
sure his eyes would have glazed over and I now know
partly why. I LOVE Remington 700s, at 50 years old
this year they are the granddaddy of nearly all modern
precision rifles with their footprints and design
ethos but, they are as individual as women – in that
no two are exactly the same - and in the same way,
individually unique and challenging if a precision job is
to result.
A love/hate relationship
If you are working on a £1000 BAT action or
something similar, the significant measurements, to
within one ten thousandth of an inch, are all carefully
laid down in the technical specification of the action
- consistent from one action to its brother three
years from now. The action-face is square to the
bolt raceway which is central to the barrel-threads –
exactly as it should be! When working with a factory
rifle, such as the common old Remington 700 used
here, all the measurements to do with the thread on
the barrel tenon, bolt nose clearance and headspacing
of the cartridge must be done after taking careful
measurements off the actual action being used –
some are good and some are not so good! With the
threading/chambering job on the BAT or Stolle - you
don’t even need to have the action in the room.
With a Remmy (much as I adore them) the action is
continually measured and offered up to its barrelthread to check fit and tolerances at all stages. I know
any factory-made mechanical component has a plus or
minus tolerance on it but these are all unique. I have
renewed respect and understanding for those who do
this job day in and day out and, if the same machining
care and attention is given to both actions during a rebarrel job, the Remington WILL take longer, if done to
the same standard.
Anyway, from back in September, the precise numbers
of threads per inch and tenon diameter evade me
but the barrel tenon (the section that screws into
the action) is threaded and has a shoulder cut into it
that will meet the face of the closed bolt with a few
thousands of an inch to spare.
Under Vince’s guidance, I took it very slowly and
eventually I was able to ‘feel’ how the reamer was
cutting. During machining, the swarf produced is a
good sign to the machinist of machining quality, if
he can speed up or slow down the feedrates and is
also a good indicator of the barrel steel quality and
consistency.
Checking headspace with the ‘go’ gauge
Being a Remington, the face of the barrel, before
chambering, needs to incorporate a bolt nose recess
(part of the iconic `three rings of steel`) and allowance
must also be made for the thickness of the recoil lug,
in this case a precision ground custom stainless-steel
one from Brownells.
Machining techniques and styles are often
personalised with experience but, there are certain
unbreakable rules associated with thread pitches,
angles and feed-rates for standards as near as perfect
to be achieved. Vince had a few well thumbed,
beautifully oil and fingerprint stained `bibles`
of equipment settings and records of previously
worked-on actions to ensure correct specifications for
subsequent barrels. He has the time to be confident
in his exclusion of all considered variables and if this
means slowing down the work rate, so be it.
So, we now have a threaded barrel that fits the action
and mates to the bolt with the correct bolt-nose
clearance - the next stage is to cut the chamber. This
is where real patience comes in, as we were not using
a roughing-reamer to rip out 95% the chamber but a
finishing reamer that must be driven more carefully
to maintain the finish and of course, not destroy this
precision tool.
As most of Vince’s reamers are tight-neck or wildcats
of some description, we had to borrow our standard
243 reamer from Osprey Rifles. The reamer is
attached to the tailstock of the lathe via a floating
reamer-holder that allows the tail of the tool to
position itself precisely to the last ‘n’th degree whilst
it is guided from its tip by a ‘pilot’ - carefully selected
36
Job done – the recess is peculiar to Remington – their
‘third ring of steel’
from a set that will closely and snugly slide into the
rifling. This guides the reamer accurately along the
bore centreline and hopefully, we end up with a
chamber with negligible ‘run-out’.
At this point we also fitted the muzzle-flush nozzle
to the muzzle end of the barrel (not yet finished or
crowned). This will drive a pressurised stream of
cutting fluid back towards the reamer and ensure that
cutting was well lubricated and all swarf flushed back
along the flutes of the reamer to exit the barrel at the
breech end. This prevents any swarf accumulating in
the reamer flutes and scoring of the chamber.
About to feed in the reamer. Once cutting starts we
will increase the flushing oil pressure
The reamer is driven into the bore extremely slowly
and smoothly and regularly withdrawn completely
to inspect it and the chamber and ensure the flutes
were clean with no build-up of metal on the cutting
edge. Now, during this withdrawal and re-insertion of
the reamer, the cutting fluid pump must be turned off
and on - with careful timing – otherwise it can have a
tendency to spray everywhere...!
37
STOP!
Coming to the end of the chamber reaming process,
we need to start checking where we need to STOP,
i.e. set our headspace or in simplistic terms, the size
of the chamber, relative to the shoulder and bolt-face.
To do this we use `go` and `no-go` gauges, which are
specific to our cartridge.
Basically, we want to continue cutting until when
the barrel, recoil-lug and action are screwed tightly
together, the bolt will close on the `go` gauge but not
with the `no-go`. It sounds simple but you have to
anticipate the amount that the barrel will nip up into
the action when fully tightened so how many `thou`
to leave spare to take this into account as there is
only a few thou. difference in the two gauges. Again,
when working with a custom action, the ‘nip up’
will be negligible but with a factory action it can be
significant.
This is a critical stage as, if you go too deep, there is
only one cure, that is to re-cut the barrel shoulder and
trim a bit off the tenon which means adjusting the
bolt-nose clearance and is undesirable in terms of both
time and physically, metal that has been removed
cannot be glued back on. I doubt you will ever find
a gunsmith who wants to be disturbed to any extent
during these processes, all critical to 0.001 inches,
never mind explaining it and teaching it along the way
and, bless Vince’s patience, I buggered it up!
Vince is a true gent and basically returned back to the
start to tweak a few details but eventually everything
was perfect, a job we were both technically happy
with - concentric chamber, perfect headspace and
thus complete at the action/chamber end of the
barrel. To finish the job, we removed the blank and
turned it all round so that after once more re-clocking
at both ends of the headstock, the muzzle thread
could be cut for a moderator or muzzle brake and
finally crowned. I went for a recessed crown due to
this being a predominantly sporting rifle.
What the Proof House does in engineering terms is
to dance a very fine line between `non-destructive`
and `destructive` testing. Well my gun never got this
far as it was returned un-proofed after the trigger
blade (thankfully I fitted a scrap bin item for this trip)
was ‘mysteriously’ snapped-off somewhere along
its otherwise comfortably undamaged journey to
Birmingham and back. It was fitted with another
trigger and sent back to proof and two months after
its construction, it returned, this time also needing
re-crowning as ‘someone’ had now managed to ding
the crown…… but at least it was stamped with proof
marks. A quick trip through the milling machine to
relieve the stock’s barrel-channel and make room for
the larger recoil-lug and then a full bedding job with
pillars and Devcon finally had it ready to shoot.
Shooting Results
As a test bench, this rifle is always being altered and
fiddled about with and I certainly don’t have the
experience and patience that fellow writer Laurie
Holland does to exhaustively test my own handloads
once they are `good enough` for me - certainly in this
case with field use intended. Covered in mud and
dust, reliability is more important than sub ¼ MOA
accuracy!
Every barrel will have it’s own personal diet and this
one was no different. I started out using Lapua brass
with CCI BR primers with Hodgdon H4350 powder
driving 87gr Hornady V-max bullets. I thought this
choice a perfect start for its longer-range varminting
role and H4350 is a bit of a favourite of mine. I had
acceptable accuracy at sub 1 MOA at 100 yards but
felt this gun should be capable of more and went
through 70 and 75gr V-max along with their 105
A-max cousins.
fouling and very easy cleaning, so much so it has been
a good indicator of which powders are burning cleanly
and efficiently within its 26 inch finished length. The
8 inch twist certainly had no problems stabilising the
107s and I might even be tempted to push my luck
with some 115gr DTACs.
Powders both faster and slower were tried, Viht N140,
N150 and N160 showed no gain. Frustration aside,
a change of tack to Sierra bullets paid dividends,
the 70gr Blitzkings, 100gr soft points and most
importantly, the 107gr Matchkings were now dipping
consistently below the half-inch mark, the 70s
preferring H4350 and the 107’s fairly characteristically
liking H4831sc.
For a bit of McQueen’s or tactical shooting, of which
I am a fan, the 107s deserved further tweaking and
seating depth alterations although not critical, did
pay dividends. At five thou. off the rifling, I was
comfortably into the sub half-inch zone consistently
with forays well below ¼ MOA. Remember, this is
not a heavy target competition gun with a custom or
even blueprinted action, it is a plain Jane Remmy and,
even with make up, still not terribly attractive but very
serviceable and inexpensive.
After running in the barrel, I have found the honed
internal finish promised by Bergara has led to little
A very economical barrel, bringing a
shot out gun back to life.
38
Testament to its clean buttoned bore, the 55gr
Blitzkings, which I do find a little tougher than
the 58gr V-max, were holding together well in
excess of 3900fps with no blow ups or close range
fragmentation. The twist rate also perhaps led to
slightly higher than expected velocities although this
is possibly attributable to a large number of other
factors but was not accompanied by any unwanted
pressure signs.
Certainly with the 100-107gr bullets, I was 2 grains
below accepted charge weights and still exceeding
the expected velocities by over 50fps. For the odd
deerstalking trip, this gun may get used on Roe,
though I’m not sure I can be bothered to reload as the
Prvi Partisan (PPU) 100gr soft point ammunition was
consistently ¾ MOA capable.
It’s a dog, but it’s MY dog!
I’m very pleased with the Bergara - as you can see
from the photos, the looks of a rifle are of little
importance to me when function is paramount and it
is only going to get knocked around in the field. It is
so far untested in competition but has performed well
at ranges beyond 400 yards in field-testing and has
since been again butchered - this time to add the AICS
bottom metal and magazine.
Shame my 260 Rem. is so bloody good, otherwise this
`Light Tactical` gun as it has been christened, would
show well as it can be either braked or moderated to
minimise shot to shot movement during McQueen’s
and those 107s at 3000fps are capable wind cheaters.
I can’t take full credit for the fitting of the barrel but
this gun will always be a gun I helped build, even if I
only yanked on a lever 1/16” before the cutter crashed
into the chuck, I don’t think I concentrated that hard
on exams in the past!
39
Thanks to: Vince, Fox Firearms www.foxfirearmsuk.
com for the Bergara barrel and proofing assistance,
0161-4308274. Stuart Anselm of Osprey Rifles www.
ospreyrifles.com 0161-408-3555 for the loan of the
243 reamer and the second proofing ‘adventure’.
Henry Krank for Sierra bullets and PPU ammunition,
0113-256-9163. Hannams Reloading for CCI, Lapua,
Hornady and Vihtavouri products, 01977-681639.
The third option...
But what if you don’t have a Remington or a Savage
– can we still do a pre-fit? Yes we can – providing you
have a New Zealand Barnard action – either the ‘P’
or ‘S’ versions – the ‘S’ being the smaller ‘Remington
footprint’ version.
This is all thanks to the New Zealand based barrel
maker Trueflite. Trueflite work closely with Barnard
and, because the Barnards – like BATs and Stolles
- are made to such tight tolerances, it’s possible to
thread and chamber a barrel to the correct headspace
without having the action to work with.
What’s more, I’ve found the Trueflite barrels to be
the equal of any out there and if you currently have
a Barnard and want a new barrel in the same – or a
different – chambering, a Trueflite pre-fit could be the
way forward.
Fox Firearms www.foxfirearmsuk.com always carry
an impressive inventory of pre-fit Trueflites and you
can expect to pay around £100 on top of the price of a
new match barrel for the pre-fit threading/chambering
work – so let’s say ‘from £350’. This is an absolute
bargain and, provided that Fox have the barrel you
want in stock, you are looking at a very quick turnround for the new barrel.
Currently, Fox are listing 6PPC, 6.5x47, 284,
338 and a vast stock of 308 in every conceivable
length and profile.
Rimfire Benchrest by Carl Boswell.
Old materials - new ideas!
The world of rimfire and air
rifle benchrest continues to
change. As we leave 2011
behind and head into 2012
we are looking at tuning
barrels by sensor rapping
the barrel to help adjust
tuners for the perfect shot;
we are looking at computer
enhanced air rifles; we are
looking at combining new
technologies and materials
to enhance equipment and
rifles, we are looking at a
number of new rifle designs.
In other words, we are looking at a
lot of developing ideas. Some of this
Moving outside of shooting
sports for a moment, there
was a recent demonstration of
an amazing bit of technology
where we will be moving
machines and controlling
computer software by our
thoughts in the next five years.
Staggering! If this develops
into a real product anything
could happen! As 3D printers
are also being developed as toys
for children, we could even see
complex designs produced in
our own homes. Were we allow
technology, or some types of
technology, to grasp our sport is
something we need to consider
seriously. Technology always
moves forwards and we cannot
predict how it could affect
shooting sports.
will either find a niche in the sport,
An Idea
some may be forced upon us purely to
With this in mind lets get back to some basic and
lateral thinking and consider using some simple
technology and materials. I aim this article potentially
at those starting out in the sport but certainly ideas
suggested here could be used by those who have been
shooting the sport for years - as some of the design
is innovative. The first time I heard about this idea
was from the man behind it, friend and colleague Jens
Lagas from Finland. In his words he “had another
wacky idea that he would like me to look at”. Being
from Finland, with wood in abundance, he wanted to
build a front rest out of ....... well wood!
remain competitive, while some will
be left behind. Shooters will go with
what they think will work, looking for
that best piece of equipment they can
afford to give them the edge. Where all
this takes the sport is anyone’s guess.
40
Now your reaction may be something similar to mine
– skeptical, astonished but interested. However, I
ask you to bear with me a little and consider the idea
as I did and see if we can answer a few questions that
might be circulating your brain at this point. After
looking at the first prototype Jens made, I became
even more enamored by the idea.
Knowing Jens for quite a while, I have faith in his
skills as a designer, having spent time at university
focusing on CNC machining, AutoCAD design and
then progressing in his early adult life as a professional
carpenter with his own business. With his background
in centerfire benchrest, I knew he would come up with
an interesting concept if nothing else!!
Interesting Premise
My first choice would be thermowood. It´s good looking
and heat-treated near to death but this can´t always
be found in the nearest store, plus it´s not the cheapest
material.
The premise behind Jens idea is simple, in his words:
‘To provide everyone with a cheap pathway to
participate in the sport, that could be self built with
minimal tools’.
The aim is a good one, enabling the a rifleman to
make a usable and cheap rest, where the blood
sweat and tears comes from you - as this is aimed at
you making the rest with readily available parts and
materials. (I don’t think Jens is offering to build these
en masse - basically as he has too many other things
to do, such as being a teacher, sea captain, etc - yes he
is something of a Renaissance man).
At the point of writing - we are now entering 2012
- Jens started developing these ideas around last
October - for me this is a brilliant way of finishing
the year. Even more brilliant is the obvious need for
something Iike this, especially in Jens’s own country
with shooters not presently participating in the sport
but showing great interest.
Breeding interest in the sport is the starting point but
accessing it is another matter. The equipment we
need to start in this sport costs quite a bit of cash and
this can put people off. If you are setting yourself up
from scratch, having nothing but a rifle, a simple but
effective rest will cost anything from £250 - £650. This
wooden rest will cost a great deal less at around £50 to
41
These are the basic tools I used
£100 depending on choices of material. Standard pine
or birch would probably be the cheapest but it´s not
my first choice - saving too much doesn’t always end
up well. So, source and choose materials wisely!
Materials
Jens comments here on his selection of materials;
Wood is a living material and humidity changes, as well
as temperature, will affect the material. This doesn´t
need to have negative effects on our front rest design.
As long as we can handle the movements in the right
direction it has nothing to do with scores and impacts
on the target. We must always remember that we are
using two sandbags that move and flex ten times more
than a piece of wood!
A few early prototypes
My second choice would be water resistant plywood.
It´s glued together under high pressure and not
affected much by humidity. You can find it in different
colours and with different surface patterns. It´s easy to
drill and saw and you can remove your pencil marks if
you need to do corrections on your design. If it’s good
for rifle stocks then equally it will be good for a rest!
And yes, there are many other good woods, very
special ones but they don´t fit in with my prime
purpose, cheap and simple.
Different Prototypes - a
3-Dimensional Mind Map
sawing it I painted the sides to prevent moisture
getting in.
Much of the product development was a matter of
trial and error. One could say that I have been heating
my house so far this winter, with prototypes that
didn´t meet my expections. It´s difficult to stop for a
minute and do some thinking when you enjoy working
with your hands. Rushing into solutions often means
that you are going to ruin an otherwise a good piece
of work. I promise you I have done just that, lots of
times. The next day I would start from scratch but
maybe a little bit wiser!
Conclusion
The upper plate, blue coloured, is standard plywood and
can be painted with all colours and is easy to design.
The blue ‘front pedestal’ under the bag-holder is waterresistant plywood. I used this because it leaves a good
surface on the walls after drilling holes and you can also
use a reamer to polish the holes to right dimensions.
This ‘pedestal’ is moving up and down, supported by two
pillars made of delrin or aluminium.
Pictures in this article show some of the different
designs and ideas that have occurred during his tour.
Actually you can create a front rest in almost endless
designs and using hundreds of different technical
solutions, they are all equally good if it wasn´t for the
one thing - MONEY.
Many times I lost track, I forgot what my aims were cheap and simple but functional. This experiment is
probably a never-ending story, right now it looks like
the final design in this article, next summer it might
look totally different. I need to shoot with it a lot more
to dare to say how good it is, therefore I will send a
couple of them around the world so some ‘big name’
shooters can
give some feedback.
The wedge lifting the gun when pushed forwards, is
pure wood, it´s covered with Teflon tape to get a smooth
and slippery surface. The white ‘mushroom’ is a special
plastic (delrin). It is the heart of the rest, pushing it
to the left moves the aiming point to the left and vice
versa. Turning the hat gives fine tuning of height,
enough to hold off a bull-size if needed.
The Final Design
As you can see the final design has quite a large
footprint on the bench, creating a stable platform
suitable for both rimfire and air rifle benchrest.
(Whether it would be suitable for centerfire would
need further testing - as Jens shoots all three sports it
could be something for the future?)
This is a fast rest, five centimeters of movement
covers the whole rimfire benchrest target. You can
adjust the speed by drilling the holes between the
pivot and the crossline of the sandbag axis into
different center to center lengths but this is something
that will occur from the drawings and its not a issue,
just a fact of trigonometry.
I thank Jens for sharing this with us.
Innovative? Absolutely!
The final model is actually a combination of different
materials. The bottom plate is made of a 30mm
thick plate already covered by a very hard synthetic
melamine surface. These are sold mainly to be used
in kitchens and places where cleaning with wet towel
is necessary. It´s stiff enough and pretty heavy. After
My latest idea – in the rough
42
At the moment Jens is still developing
his ideas, possibly for a more complex
model, beyond the basic and cheaper
starter idea you see here. There
are others that are considering DIY
products along the same lines, reading
some threads on benchrest forums.
Where the research goes can only
be positive, as it is just thinking in
a different way. Again, as long as it
works, let’s use ‘wacky’ ideas like this,
even for a basic need like allowing
easier and cheaper access to the sport.
Until next time, shoot straight - using
your new wooden front rest!
If you would like a plan and details of
how to manufacture this rest please
email Jens at - [email protected]
In this way he can monitor interest in
the design and the idea generally.
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Bi-pods for Tactical & Field use
By Richard Utting
Bi-pods for
Tactical &
Field use
by Richard Utting
We’ve covered bi-pods
for F Class on a number
of occasions in the past
but some surprising
developments are taking
place with tactical/
field bi-pods. If you
think your Harris is the
‘ultimate’, read on.
We’re comparing the solid
Harris, the adjustable-tension,
panning Versa-pod, the Atlas
and a Finnish version from the
military arm of SAK which also
pans.
How do we choose our bi-pod? It’s all about how you
want recoil to come back at you. It’s very personal
- some like to really load-up the bipod and use the
preloaded legs to ‘manage’ the recoil whilst others
prefer a much softer approach. These bipods offer
various takes on this.
The Harris is obviously very well known and the
market-leader, I’m sure. When I first bought a Harris I
had no idea there were even other choices. The Harris
is a firm bi-pod. There is no adjustable leg tension;
you simply fold them down and that’s your lot. The
legs are stiff and they hold the rifle steady.
The way the legs extend down is important to me:
with the cheaper Harris models you have to lean
forward from your firing position, unscrew the thumb
screw, extend the leg to where you want it and then
do-up the lock screw - for both legs.
The legs are sprung UP into the shorter position. Now,
on the more expensive models, they have notches
and are sprung DOWN, longer – a great improvement
– this is the model I will concentrate on – S BRM 6-9”
(Typical retail price £93).
44
On the Versa-pod, the legs are sprung DOWN, longer.
So from your firing position, you simply unweight
the rifle slightly, press the release catch and the leg
springs down longer - an inch at a time.
You do not need to
undo, or redo, any
thumbscrews and
the bi-pod helps
you get higher. A
bi-pod design that is
sprung shorter is not
needed - to do that,
one could simply use
the weight of the rifle. What seems to make a whole
lot more sense to me is some help making the bipod
higher.... Anyway, in the field I personally find it very,
very much easier to use.
The most significant difference between the Harris
and the others is that the Harris has no facility for
panning. This means that when one twists the rifle,
even a few degrees to one side, there is then torsion
in the legs and this is bad news for clean recoil. This is
why you often see shooters rocking their rifles from
bipod leg to leg, unweighting one at a time to take the
torsion out of the legs.
This is not a problem on the range at all. In the field,
for me, it is a no-can-do situation. All the other bipods
here on test offer a proper range of panning. From
my point of view, as
an ultra long-range
varminter, the need
to pan quickly and
smoothly without
imparting torsion
to the system is a
must-have. The
Versa-pod enables
this in that you can
relax a ball-joint so
that side to side play
is available (tilting
is independent of this, with its own tension adjuster
knob).
This also proportionally enables up and down
movement too... but also reduces the tension in the
legs.
45
By Richard Utting
This means that you cannot have a free range
of movement and keep totally stiff, firm, upright
legs. This is fairly
unpopular in my
experience. I,
however, have
always loved this
option for looser,
free-recoiling
support.
The MIL SAK enables free movement but not at all at
the expense of leg stiffness. This is extremely classy
in that you get to have your cake and eat it: range of
movement but not at the expense of solid legs and
stability.
The Harris flat out does not offer it; the Versa-pod and
Atlas offer free movement but as you loosen off the
tension to allow this, you also create less leg stiffness
– lots less with the Versa-pod and slightly less with the
Atlas. I love this and the Atlas is most popular here in
that it is firmer in its range of adjustments than the
Versa-pod. The Versa-pod goes quickly from tight to
quite loose and it can be tricky to find the sweet spot.
The Atlas has
quite a steady,
progressive range of
adjustment and this
is better although
I personally found
the adjustment to
be globally too firm.
The Versa-pod does have that separate adjuster knob
for cant tension,
though.
Top adjuster is
cant alone. Bottom
adjuster is all other
tensions ie. panning,
tilting and leg
stiffness
By Richard Utting
So again the Harris is short on features and the Versapod and Atlas offer much more but in the case of the
Atlas, at some significant extra expense.
Alternative feet are available for the Versa-pods and
the Atlas, making them more suitable for various
surfaces.
The Harris and Versa-pod come as standard ready to
clip on to QD studs. The Harris takes a few seconds
to undo and clip on or off. The Versa-pod has an
excellent system here, using a spike that the bipod can
be slipped on and off instantly. This QD stud to spike
adapter comes with the bipod and costs no extra.
The MIL SAK and the Atlas have roughly inch-spaced
leg notches that are very easy to clip into without any
faffing about with thumbscrews.
There are little grub screws on the MIL SAK that
enable you to take out any play in the leg sliders and
also the sprung clamp that catches into the leg height
notches. This is a very neat touch.
One of my favourite
features offered is the
Atlas leg extensions:
you can make the
bipod longer in a
few seconds simply
by slotting-in leg
extensions. They
fit in like the height
adjuster on NHS
crutches – press a little
detente ball in with a bullet tip or pen, and snap in the
extensions – genius.
At £40 you are practically saving yourself the need for
another longer bipod.
If you buy another
adapter (about £26),
you can use the same
bipod on multiple rifles.
Due to the quick-release
nature of this system, removal for storage and use
from vehicles etc. are a cinch.
This is a classy feature
and a big selling point
of the Versa-pods.
Obviously, different
mounts are available
for all the bipods here,
Accuracy International,
various rail mounts et al.
The Atlas now offers a very similar quick-release
system too but it bumps the price up significantly. The
Atlas’s default fitment is the Picatinny rail. To use a
QD stud, the stud to Picatinny rail adapter must be
purchased for £20. (This is being offered for free to
UK Varmint forum members by Tac-Fire/rifle-cases.
co.uk, the UK suppliers of Atlas kit and UK Varmint
supporters). Again, buy several of these and the bipod
ships from rifle to rifle easily.
I’m not entirely blown away by the new quick release
clamp on the Atlas. I found it a little fussy to operate
quickly and there are a couple of tiny springs in it that
I rate to last about three
uses before I drop them
out - and the thing is
hellish expensive. All in
all, I was grumpy about
the thing compared to the Versa-pod system.
46
A feature that only the Atlas has is the 45 degree leg
position: you can use the Atlas with the legs forward
or behind vertical, at a diagonal.
This is preloaded in
exactly the same manner
as the vertical position.
The MIL SAK, at £120
offers some nice features
but isn’t as feature-rich
as the much more expensive Atlas. You have with
this bipod a unique feature though: it has a very wide,
stable saddle.
It stands out an inch on
each side of the fore end
and the difference in
stability is remarkable.
No chance of the rifle
falling over when
unattended! Yet it is not unduly bulky as I had feared
before delivery.
It also offers a very neat quick-release system – at no
extra cost - that releases
the bipod at the push of a
button.
Again, buying multiple
QRs means that you can
simply clip one bipod on
to multiple rifles.
The QR mount is £25,
about the same as the
Versa-pod’s mounts.
The bipod offers lots of
pan, not preloaded or
adjustable (although
it can all be done up
to remove any wear). This is the only bipod here,
however, that has totally independent pan; it pans
without any effect on leg stiffness at all.
47
By Richard Utting
The legs are very stiff
and solid and adjust by
pushing a button on the
legs then sliding the leg
down or up to a inchspaced notch.
It has really excellent
height adjustment
range, almost replacing
two Versa-pods. It raised
my rifle from 17-25cm.
The shorter Versa-pod
(051) goes from 1621cm, and the longer
(052) goes from 18.524.5cm. The MIL SAK
looks to be brilliant value
if you compare it to the price of TWO Versa-pods.... I
also really like the stiffness and wide saddle, the quickrelease, the independent panning.
On the Atlas I like
the adjustable feel,
multi-leg positions, leg
extensions. The build
quality is beautiful.
Height adjustment
range on my rifle was
very impressive: 17 24cm rifle height. With
the legs it is very high:
22.5 – 29.5cm.
On the Versa-pods I
like: the legs sprung longer, hugely (if a little roughly)
adjustable feel from locked-up to very free and the
quick-release spike.
On the Harris, compared in this company, I personally
favour nothing about it except the price. Yet many
people like their stiffness and quick fold-up. It
will certainly hold your rifle steady and is not too
expensive.
By Richard Utting
You are nowadays able to buy a bi-pod that offers
a range of tensions in the legs, panning and tilting,
quick-release, different feet and other advanced
features. Whilst the Harris will keep you on target,
there are other and better options. I think it comes
down to price and how you like to manage your recoil.
For me, the big step up is from Harris to Versa-pod
051(short) and 052 (longer) at £123. You’re then
into panning, adjustable tension for cant, adjustable
tension for panning and quick release.
Also in the £120 range is the excellent MIL SAK,
offering over the Harris: free panning without any
effect on leg tension, wide saddle stability, quickrelease and the anti-play/wear grub screws. It has
the greatest range of height adjustment and this is
a significant reason to purchase one over the Versapods.
The step to the Atlas is diminishing returns though.
It is a superlative piece of kit but at a price. The unit
without the quick-release is £180. With the QR it is
£240. I think the best value way to purchase it is to
buy the £180 unit with the brilliant leg extensions for
£40. You’ve now spent £220 and got a short and a
long bipod. I’d rather have the leg extensions than the
QR. The normal non-QR
clamp isn’t terribly slow
to undo and if money
were a factor I could
certainly live with that.
Wind reading & plotting courses
Myself, I must admit that it was still a good shade
too firm for me even at its loosest and I struggled to
get used to that. I experimented extensively at the
range and found to shoot a quarter moa I had to load
it more than I would normally like. I could do it but
it required too great a change in my shooting and no
major benefit. This is primarily down to my being used
to a Versa-pod and something that is not the fault of
the bipod, merely a characteristic of it. The range
of height adjustment is certainly superior, especially
as the leg extension kit is so well thought out. It is in
many ways a better thought-out bipod but it equates
to double the price.
The surprise was the previously unknown MIL SAK
which was very popular with my testing group.
My own personal preference was that everything
here was too firm apart from the Versa-pods; only
with them could I get my recoil absolutely straight
on rough ground. They don’t have the best range of
height adjustment and they are too sloppy by far at
their loosest, easily letting the rifle fall over sideways
(MOST unpopular with shooters!) Yet they offer a
massive range of adjustment and fluidity and, I can
ALWAYS get them set up so that the recoil does as I
tell it. The notched and sprung-longer legs are by far
the easiest to adjust. The QR system is superb.
with world champion F Class shooter
Russell Simmonds
Russell has been the European Champion three times and is
the current British Champion winning it three times in the
last four years he has also helped to coach the GB Team to
Gold in last years European
championships.
Learn to plot your shots and
make a perfect record of what
the wind is really doing!
These one day courses are held at Bisley UK and will include; Wind and
it’s effects on the bullets - Wind flags and how to use them - Topography
of the range and its effects - Mirage and how to make use of it - Plotting
sheets and how to use them correctly and more... All clients will have to
have their own firearm plus 90 rounds and be a member of the NRA.
For more information and booking availability
please visit www.precisionreloadingservices.co.uk
I think most people prefer a much firmer set up than
me and will think the MIL SAK to be wonderful value
for money and the Atlas to simply be the Holy Grail of
bipods.
The Group - Learn to read
the wind, spot the changes
and you may achieve groups
like this!
March
SCOPES
Learn to read, adjust and
understand mirage effects!
Russell reading the wind at
the European Championships
enabling the GB Team to
achieve Gold medals...
The highest quality precision range of hunting,
stalking, tactical & target scopes available for
shooters worldwide.
The Choice of
Champions
Tactical Turrets
Thanks to all the suppliers who helped with kit for this
unbiased review.
NEW
The Atlas has sublime
build quality to it,
offering over the others the diagonal leg position and
a beautifully controlled range of tension adjustment,
and the excellent clunk-click leg height extensions.
The Harris and Versa-pods are available from;
www.midwayuk.com
In the field, I found the Atlas to feel basically like the
Versa-pod in that it is free-moving type of bipod and
the MIL SAK to be like the Harris in that it is super firm.
What is much smarter on the Atlas than the Versapod, is the more nicely controlled range of tension
adjustment and the extra leg angles.
The MIL SAK bipod is available from Fox Firearms
www.foxfirearmsuk.com
The Atlas range, plus all manner of accessories, is
available from TacFire www.rifle-cases.co.uk
48
Precision optical
instruments made
the way they
should be, one at a
time, by craftsman
with 30 plus years
experience using
components of
absolute quality.
49
Zero Set or Free Dial Locking
The 8x ~ 80x.
Side Focus 10 yards ~ Infinity
Push Button Illumination
Available from - marchscopes.co.uk - Call 01293 606901 or [email protected]
NEW - THE DOLPHIN MODULAR RIFLE SYSTEM
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Choice of Long F/TR, Short or Open front forend
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Choice of colours available
Barnard SM or RPA Quadlite
Timney Trigger (Jewel £40 extra)
17 or 25 moa scope rail
Bartlein, Lilja or Krieger barrel
(Choice of twist & profile)
Choice of calibre available
5 Round AICS magazine
£2460 including VAT
of magazines and
Dolphin Single Shot F/TR Rifles
Dolphin Single Shot Rifles. (Two above).
Dolphin Stock in Hard Anodise
Choice of Long F/TR, Short or Open front forend
With Morgan recoil pad
Choice of colours available
Barnard S or RPA Quadlite
Timney Trigger (Jewel £40 extra)
17 or 25 moa scope rail
Bartlein, Lilja or Krieger barrel
Choice of twist & profile
Choice of .223 Rem or .308 Win or any other
calibre suitable for a 308 bolt.
WEIGHT 6.5Kg (with med Palma Barrel)
£2360 including VAT
LATEST NEWS
Stocks now available individually
inlet for Remington 700, Barnard S & SM
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Folding modular stock version coming soon.
Keep visiting our website for latest products...
[email protected]
Options Available
Options - (Only when ordered with Rifle)
Spiral Flute Barrel
£160
Straight Flute Barrel
£120
Interrupted Flute Barrel
£160
Duracoat Barrel
£60
Water Transfer Print stock
£180
Dolphin Trakker Rest(long)
£150
Dolphin Trakker Rest(short)
£140
Dolphin Muzzle brake
£100
Long F/TR additional forend
£100
Short additional forend
£80
Open/Bench rest Style forend
£140
VAIS style Muzzle Brake
£120
Thread for Moderator;
£60
Including fitting , proof and invisible end cap.
Holland Style Muzzle brake;
£120
Including fitting & proof .
All prices inc VAT
Dolphin Gun Company - Southwold - Donington on Bain - Lincolnshire - LN11 9TR - England
Telephone +44 (0) 1507 343898 or +44 (0) 774 7771962. www.dolphinguncompany.co.uk - [email protected]
ELEY official sponsors
of GB Shooting
Website : www.ospreyrifles.com
e-mail: stuart@ospreyrifles.com
Tel : 0161 408 3555
Mob: 07861 399066
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52
53
TO BUILD AN EYE-CATCHING &
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a
Wind reading & plotting courses
with world champion F Class shooter
Russell Simmonds
Russell has been the European Champion three times and is
the current British Champion winning it three times in the
last four years he has also helped to coach the GB Team to
Gold in last years European
championships.
The Group - Learn to read
the wind, spot the changes
and you may achieve groups
like this!
Learn to plot your shots and
make a perfect record of what
the wind is really doing!
These one day courses are held at Bisley UK and will include; Wind and
it’s effects on the bullets - Wind flags and how to use them - Topography
of the range and its effects - Mirage and how to make use of it - Plotting
sheets and how to use them correctly and more... All clients will have to
have their own firearm plus 90 rounds and be a member of the NRA.
For more information and booking availability
please visit www.precisionreloadingservices.co.uk
Learn to read, adjust and
understand mirage effects!
Russell reading the wind at
the European Championships
enabling the GB Team to
achieve Gold medals...
54
55
Browning Buckmark Long Pistol
Hannam’s Reloading Ltd
Tel 01977 681639
The Reloading Specialists
Fax 01977 684272
Peckfield Lodge, Great North Road, Leeds, LS25 5LJ
email: [email protected] www.hannamsreloading.com
New Hybrid Target Bullets Now In
Hybrid Bullet Design
The Hybrid design blends the best of both worlds by incorporating two different shapes within the nose. As
the bearing surface ends, a tangent ogive begins. This tangent section of the ogive results in the bullet being much less sensitive to seating depth. As you move forward along the tangent
portion, the shape changes into a secant ogive (the shape used on the VLD bullets). This shape is very efficient in the wind and is why the VLD became so popular. The key to all this is not just the combining of
these two shapes but also the partnership between the ballistician and the bullet maker. Berger’s Chief Ba llistician, Bryan Litz uses his expertise to combine the appropriate shapes for optimum performance.
Buckmark Long Pistol with Lightweight Barrel £714.00 and Fox Red Dot sight £40.00.
Available from Westlake Engineering
Tel. 01722 782432
[email protected]
Available in:
.284 180 gr Match Hybrid Target
2840
.308 155 gr Match Hybrid Target 3042
.308 168 gr Match Hybrid Target 30425 . 308 185 gr Match Hybrid Target 30424
.308 200 gr Match Hybrid Target 30427. 308 215 gr Match Hybrid Target 30423
.308 230 gr Match Hybrid Target 30428
www.bergerbullets.com
New from Lapua
The ScenarL Bullet
This new generation of match bullets has been dubbed the ScenarL, and is a fitting successor to the
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Available in:
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www.lapua.com
Lapua Cases
Cases ‘Lapua cases are the best in the world.’ All the cases are strong and uniformly precise, all Lapua cases are
manufactured to be reloaded, again and again. Unlike other brands, flash holes are drilled to ensure no sprue interferes with ignition. Available in :
222 Rem Match,
.223 Rem Match
22-250 Rem
6 mm B.R. Norma
.220 Russian
.243 Win
.260 Rem
6,5 x 55 SE
6.5 x 47
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6,5-284
.30-06 Springfield
7,62 x 39
7,62 x 53R (7,62 x 54 Russian)
308 Win (7,62 x 51)
308 Win Palma
.338 Lapua Magnum
9,3 x 62
.32 S&W Long
9 mm Luger (9 x 19)
From the Bench
FROM THE BENCH
With Vince Bottomly
New carbon-fibre stocks
VINCE’S REGULAR COLUMN WHEREBY ACCURACY NUTS CAN KEEP UP TO
Who hasn’t lusted after one of Bob Scoville’s beautiful carbon-fibre stocks? Yes, they are expensive and of course
ordering one from the States is more tricky than ever - I’m not sure Bob will even ship outside the US now. But,
look at these pictures below...
DATE WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UKBRA
AND ACCURACY RELATED ITEMS
Competitions
Round three of our 600 yard benchrest winter series took place
on January 21st in not only freezing conditions but it was also
blowing and absolute gale – there would be no small groups
today….. In fact, the best we could hope to do was stay on paper
and avoid a penalty for shots off the target. Many fell victim
to penalties, which add six-inches to the group size for every
lost shot. It would be one of those days where many Light Gun
competitors were again humiliated by the Factory Sporter guys
but at least Bruce Lenton won Light Gun Class with a Light Gun
but second and third places were taken by Factory Sporter
shooters.
Results: Light Gun:
1st Bruce Lenton TGP 6BR Winchester
2nd Alan Seagrave 308 Sako TRG
3rd Darrel Evans 6.5x47 Accuracy Intl.
Small group: Sean Broxham
8.963 in. (av. of four 5-shot groups)
9.637
9.925
3.886 inches
Factory Sporter:
1st Alan Seagrave 308 Sako TRG
2nd Darrel Evans 6.5x47 Accuracy Intl.
3rd Sean Broxham6.5-284 Savage
9.637 in.
9.925
10.271
New stuff
At Diggle, we are always shooting slightly up-hill and the standard front-rest levelling-screws are never long
enough to get on target. We see some elaborate contraptions to overcome this problem from lumps of wood to
purpose- made extensions. Yes, we (including the F Class shooters) would all like some longer screws (unless you
have a SEB NEO rest that is) but who sells ‘em?
Well, Spud sells ‘em. Spud’s legs are made from best quality stainless steel shafts with aluminium tops. Various
thread types are available to suit any rest and are all made to order. The legs are six-inches in length allowing for
plenty of height options, they are pointed with two types of point available - sharp or rounded. For knocking into
a concrete bench top, go for pointed. Don’t forget to tell Spud which you want – if you don’t the soft point will be
sent. (Above photograph)
The legs cost a very reasonable £35-00 per set posted to any UK mainland address.
E-mail Spud at [email protected] or visit Spud’s new website at http://www.1967spud.com
These beautiful carbon-fibre stocks are made in Italy by Attilio Serrone and, at the moment I have few details
other than the pictures. Hopefully Attilio will keep us informed.
If you want to e-mail Attilio it’s [email protected]
58
59
This
SMALLBORE
Business
This
SMALLBORE
Business
This Smallbore Business
I trained hard and continuously, teaching myself to
shoot well and I often wondered just what was this
going to take. (For the fullbore prone shooters out
there, try standing up with a 300m free rifle and see
what I mean!) Yet, even a high prone standard is full
of the intricacies that produce high scores, though
far less, (FAR less) than what it takes to shoot well
standing.
by Don Brooke
Practice makes perfect?
NO, PERFECT
PRACTICE
MAKES
PERFECT!!
Last month, I referred to this
statement a couple of times and
rarely has a truer word been said.
This is exampled in all precision
sports and one of the best example
My 13 year old daughter Megan is a really good figure
skater, progressing through the required levels at an
enormous rate. The amount of training that is needed
makes rifle shooting look silly, with the continuous
repetition of the elements and a huge physical
involvement to get things correct.
The parallel for shooting, particularly for 3-position
shooting, lies in the ability to get things right and
remain absolutely still with the only movement being
a miniscule muscular response with the trigger finger.
This too is a challenge!
The comparison factor here is probably an overkill
but, the skater and the shooter have a great deal of
similarity with the exception that the shooter is still,
whilst the skater is belting along at around 60 plus km/
hour then throwing in a really complicated manoeuvre
such as a double-axel jump, or a really rapid spin such
as a flying camel!
of other sports lies in Figure Skating.
A difficult skating manoeuvre...
Have I lost you lot reading this?..... Probably, so
forgive the comparison and let’s revert to the heading
of Practice makes perfect and never have I seen a
better example to write about!
So many shooters fall into the trap of expending huge
amounts of ammunition to gain even that elusive
single point, particularly in position shooting as I
mentioned above. Say for instance we are shooting
standing smallbore and chasing a personal best,
(irrespective of what that level is) and suddenly
find that this is a daunting
prospect.
Yet again we are
comparing...
The heading of this article needs an understanding
- please note the BOLD typed clarification really is
entering the realm of ‘Mind Stuff’ I often write about
and the attitude that encompasses this.
You see, perfected training really is a matter of
attitude and awareness that, even though you are
elbows deep in fired cases, the progress is just not
happening. (See photo #2 and me with tongue in
cheek…)
Lots of shooting is not the answer...
I know what it took for my
own standing shooting to
break into a level exceeding
350 points and even then,
there was a long history
behind the standard as I
chased score levels above
320… then 330 points. (I hate
even thinking about that as I
write this!)
I sat in total awe of these blokes who shot scores in
the high 370s continuously, and often came home
dejected at yet another 348! (The amount of these I
shot in my early years was astounding and, this was
largely due to that at the time, my standard was
as good as anything in Australia and was stuck on
figuring it all out on my own.)
60
61
Can you give me an idea - if you are suddenly
confronted with a similar situation that this
photograph depicts - of what are you working on
here? (Please note, this is a prone photograph as
well!) Just what did you achieve apart from wearing
This
SMALLBORE
Business
out a perfectly good barrel in the
process? Can you indicate even
the slightest improvement? DO
NOT tell me your endurance
is improved either! Where is
the proof of that if you are still
shooting loose groups, or even
happy with a 50.5 at 600 yards
when there is no score out there
that a 50.10 (fullbore obviously)
would not feel better?
Dry fire is the key and so much less expensive that
wearing out a barrel with a fullbore rifle as depicted in
the photograph.
I vividly remember the World
Championships for smallbore in
Suhl DDR in 1986 where FIVE
small bore shooters shot full
600 point scores in the English
Match prone. Well wait on this
a bit and consider there were
two shooters who shot 600
points and did not win a medal!!!
(How is them little apples?)
An Illustration that I often use in my coaching seminars (#3) – is the
That is also one of the principle
‘Evolution
Cycle’ - an interesting illustration.Evolution cycle – read in a
examples of why the ISSF
clockwise direction.
had to change the targets for
50m small bore. That plus yet
another who did not make the final with a 598!
The ‘new’ standard is set and the shooters accelerate
to high levels generally. The ISSF in their wisdom make
an obvious decision to reduce the target dimensions
to split the competitors, which once again results in a
clockwise movement of the cycle. (To circle #3)
This then allows more research into accuracy factors,
where sometimes huge advances come in equipment,
gear, ammunition factors and mental techniques
to develop the standard now required to go the full
revolution of the cycle and so start the never ending
quest for perfection, yet again.
So, here we are again, at the very heading of this
article and, please forgive me for waxing lyrical
Viewed with the title on the top, (see diagram above)
so much but, in my defence, the examples were
we see the number one circle where the positions
warranted this time.
development and mental performance techniques
In dry fire, each single aspect of the reproduction of
the method is systematically put together to bring
about the same routine. Every thing you do can be
repeated and the dry fire method is the best way to
reduce the expense but ensure that the process can be
isolated and repeated.
So how do you gain perfection without a result?
Hmmmmmm... I see the point!
Right - the answer to this is once again with your
ability to reproduce the method and within this is
the example of my figure skater above and, the word
‘reproduction’.
So when the standard
reaches perfection,
why then does it not
convey the fact that
the practice needs to
be perfect as well?
starts a clockwise motion. We arrive a #2 circle where
new world records and skills levels are a result. ( An
example of the World’s in Suhl DDR, outlined above, is
a dramatic example!)
This
SMALLBORE
Business
For the sake of brevity here, my examples will be for
prone shooting and once more I ask of you -how much
dry fire do you partake in?
I now ask the question, do you have the attitude to put
perfection in place? Do you have the mental strength
to do this, or even recognise the difference?
62
There is a huge advantage in dry fire for small bore
because the recoil of the 22 is hardly going to affect
you, is it?
As you climb the ladder to perfection, you will find
that even minimal recoil becomes a factor that now
needs watching. This will become the training time
when the rifle must be fired.
This is also the time when a champion figure skater
must resort to assembling the method without being
on the ice. This is called ‘the off-ice routines’ and a
figure skater knows this to be extremely important,
particularly when trying to place some of the very high
level jumps within reach.
In my own experience, I always (yes 100% always!) did
not fail to watch the recoil of my rifle after the shot
was released. There are two extremely important
reasons for this.
1. The recoil of the rifle, it’s behaviour, shape and
resettle is the final indication that the shot just fired
was correct.
2. The second and extremely important factor, is that
you were watching the sights!
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How many times have I written in this excellent online magazine, if your mind was anywhere else at shot
release, you are not watching the rifle sights.
I know that if the shot I just fired has a recoil
factor that resulted in very little movement, BUT
RETURNED TO EXACT AIM... then that shot was
correctly fired. This applies to all rifle sports and
disciplines.
On my fullbore hobby horse again, this is the one
factor that I have continually found to be at fault in
90% of full bore shooters. (NB) Only prone shooters!
Even working with the Australian Palma Team, the
number of top level shooters who cannot follow a shot
through is astounding.
So right is my question, have you ever wondered
why 90% of the matches are won by 10% of the
shooters?
Learning to dry fire is just the same challenge as
learning to shoot. There are many details in the sport,
even for prone shooting which is the simplest form.
The details of your dry fire method need to be quietly
disassembled into each and every single facet, and
then made to develop into an overall picture. I have
found that when I opened my mind and learned how
to write down details, THIS was when I achieved!
I also found that dry fire, while being the easiest to
find time to do, resulted in the method I developed
that was so successful, all over the world of small bore.
You see shooting is a mind sport and one of the most
difficult questions I have ever had to answer is…….
Just how do you grow a brain?
The answer is in the method.
Brooksie...
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The British
Shooting Show.
Newark. UK.
Feb 25th & 26th 2012
Now Even Bigger and even more
comprehensive.
Although we must be positive at the start of any New
Year, there is little to look forward to, target-shooting
wise, with several months of cold, wet weather to
contend with.
However, it’s Show Time folks! We have the January
Shot Show in Las Vegas and the European version
– IWA in Germany, in March. Although these shows
are fabulous, they are ‘trade only’, and hardly on
the doorstep. But, it’s not all bad – British shooters
can look forward to the
Target Shooter stand at the show.
Come and visit us...
British Shooting Show at Newark Showground and it’s
certainly not ‘trade only’ – in fact it’s now the largest
“Public” Shooting & Gun Show in Europe!
Now in its fourth year, the Show has really established
itself, thanks to the tireless work of organiser John
Bertrand, who really has done his homework to bring
us a Show that shooters can be proud of.
LATEST
NEWS...
Scopes & Optics
Target Shooter has its own huge stand at the
show – Hope to see you there!
Last year, the Target Shooter stand was situated in
the “Rifle Focus Hall”, one of the six massive halls
that make up the show. The stand will be manned by
enthusiasts from a wide range of different shooting
associations and clubs so you can catch up with what’s
new and what’s happening during the coming year.
Last year we were surrounded by some of the best
in accurate British rifles – Riflecraft, Brock & Norris,
Wentworth Sporting, Desert Tactical Arms, Accuracy
International, Osprey Rifles, Fox Firearms etc, etc, and
they’ll all be back for the next show. To be honest, I’ve
never seen such an array of tasty kit all together under
one roof at any shooting show! There’s even more for
this year with The Dolphin Gun Company & HPS Rifles
joining the throng. Plus The Tunnel, Low Mill Ranges,
Simon West, Allwoods, Suffolk Rifle, Global Rifle, Aim
Field Sports, Bold Action and March Scopes will also
have stands in the special “Rifle Focus” Hall.
Save £££’s; check out all the
special “Show Only” offers
Many clubs also had stands as did a host of firearms
retailers and it was a great place to shop for a new
or second-hand rifle with an enormous array to
choose from – even bought myself a rifle. Plus of
course, a great opportunity to pick up some supplies
and reloading kit at bargain prices. A new company,
as far as the UK market is concerned is Reloading
International, which are coming all the way from
the USA. The company specialises in direct, low cost
supply of major brand reloading consumables and look
like they’ll be well worth checking out. Throughout
the rest of the show you’ll find a huge selection of the
UK’s major gun distributors and specialist suppliers
including, Edgar Brothers, Browning & Winchester,
Viking Arms, Highland Outdoors, Norman Clark,
Open Season with Mauser, Blaser and PGW, Extreme
Performance and an impressive selection of retailers.
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The show has one of the largest selection of scopes
that can be found anywhere; Nightforce, Sightron,
March, Leupold, Minox, Carl Zeiss, Swarovski, Leaper,
Newpro Vortex, Kahles etc. A great opportunity to
catch up on new innovations and technical updates.
Information on shooting opportunities with the
BASC
For 2012, there will be an international flavour with
stand-holders from Europe, the USA, Pakistan and
Columbia and the BASC will have a huge pavilion
with plenty of information and help for new and
experienced shooters alike.
Free prize draw; Win a fantastic Ruger Hawkeye
Predator rifle package worth a whopping £1848 Ruger Hawkeye Predator rifle, Plus Brugger & Thomet
moderator, Plus rifle scope, Plus Vanguard rifle sling.
See this magnificent prize on the Viking Arms stand and
fill in a FREE entry coupon – it’s as easy as that!
From a logistics point of view, Newark is centrally
located, parking and access good and has a great
avenue of food vendors offering good grub at fair
prices. I had freshly cooked fish and chips and it was
as good as any I’ve tasted. There is also a proper ‘sitdown’ restaurant offering meals all day, again at very
fair prices.
If you went last year, I know you will be going again
this year. If you missed it last year make sure you
come along and say ‘hello’ this time.
Advance ticket sales from;
www.theshootingshow.co.uk
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Obituary
Frank Cook MP
1936 - 2012
e-petition
Reclassify .22 pistols as Section 1
Responsible department: Home Office
The Home Office should reclassify .22 calibre pistols as Section 1 firearms. This would permit legitimate
sportsmen & sportswomen to practice competitive target shooting sports as require by many disciplines,
including Olympic qualification, in this country. There would be no risk to the public, sporting firearms are not
linked to criminal activity.
Number of signatures: - 9,675
Created by - David Charles Derrick
Closing - 08/08/2012
CLICK THIS BUTTON TO
SIGN THIS PETITION
Calling all Target Shooter readers – this petition has been around for some time
now and I can’t believe it only has 9000 signatures. 57,000 of us lost - no, make that
‘had them confiscated unjustly’ – our legally-owned pistols so please log onto the site
by clicking Sign this petition and let’s show some strength!
British shooters have few friends in Parliament and I am saddened to report the death of one of them
- Frank Cook, who died on Wednesday 11th January 2012 after suffering from lung cancer.
Frank was a staunch supporter of the Sportsman’s Association and spoke at our rallies in Trafalgar
Square. His views on the handgun ban ruined his political career, nevertheless Frank tried to change
the mind of the Labour Government.
Let’s see your 1911!
A man of principal and a friend of Richard Malbon and Albie Fox, I invited him on two occasions to
the BSSC annual luncheon, alas, on both occasions Frank was out of the Country.
Frank always insisted that he was a simple left-winger, as strong on defence as he was against
nuclear war, there was nothing predictable about this veteran maverick. During the 27 years that he
represented Stockton North on Teesside, his views on his specialist subject were well defined, but also
changeable.
Our sympathy goes out to his family & friends
NASRPC Irish International Open – Invitation
The National Association of Sporting Rifle & Pistol Clubs represents the vast majority of target
shooting clubs and target shooters in Ireland and is a member of the International Gallery Rifle
Federation.
In July 2012 we will host the Irish leg of the IGRF series as part of the NASRPC Irish International
Open and wish to invite all international gallery rifle competitors to take part.
Best regards,
Mark Maguire
Hon. Treasurer - National Association of Sporting Rifle & Pistol Clubs
Tel 00353 87 2404769 Email - [email protected] Website - ww.nasrpc.ie
In response to my “Let’s see your 1911” in December’s issue, Andrew Brice sent us this pic. Love the grips –
have a look at Valmont Firearms www.valmontfirarms.co.uk for a great selection of 1911 goodies in the UK.
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SPORTSMANS ASSOCIATION NEWS
LATEST
NEWS...
Ray Ward Introduces Leica Binoculars
and Range Finders
Ray Ward, purveyor
of shotguns, rifles and
shooting accessories, is
delighted to announce
the arrival of top-of-the
range binoculars and
rangefinders from Leica,
now in-store. The recent
(Left – Right: Ultravid HD 8x42, The Rangemaster CRF 1600)
addition of the Leica
range completes Ray Ward’s offering as the go to British luxury brand
for shooting equipment, clothing and accessories
SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH FRENCH SHOOTERS
Mike Yardley of the Sportsman’s Association and Shooting Sports Trust is putting together a British contingent to attend the pro-shooting and hunting demonstration in Paris on the 25th February. Albie Fox,
Savvas Toufexis and Alan Westlake were architects of the original Shooters’s rallies and marches in the UK
which led to so much. We must stand together, here, and in Europe to defend the sports we love.
Ray Ward, 12A Cadogan Place, London, SW1X 9PU www.rayward.co.uk)
Ray Ward, one of only two London stockists of Leica products, now boasts an unrivalled range of premium
performance observation equipment. All the products combine legendary optical performance with unsurpassed
mechanical reliability and are ideal for hunting, shooting and observation.
The Leica products at Ray Ward include;
MOBILISATION DU 25 FEVRIER POUR LA DEFENSE DE LA CHASSE
Check out our NEW app for the iPad - iPhone or iPod Touch...
Apps and things!
Have you had chance to have a look at Target Shooter via our
new Apple app? If you already have an iPad, iPhone or iPad
Touch, please give it a go. The app itself is free to download
from the iTunes website . The app has lots of great features
which make Target Shooter far more pleasant to read than from
your computer screen and everything tends to work better and
quicker. It’s easy to jump to any page and a ‘click’ brings up an
advertisers website in an instance and we are hoping that this
will be a real attraction for our advertisers.
The Geovid HD series: Designed to eliminate the need to carry separate binoculars and a rangefinder,
legendary optics and laser technology combine in this ʻtwo in oneʼ tool. Measuring target distances up to 1400
yards and watertight to 5 meters the Geovid HD series is the ultimate accessory for the modern stalker.
The Rangemaster CRF series: A must-have aid to the long-range target shooter. The laser rangefinders measure
distances to target with pinpoint accuracy. The lenses have a 7x magnification and easy to read LED display that
automatically adjusts to brightness.
The Ultravid HD 42 series: The ultimate in observation technology perfect for spotting and wildlife
observation, the durable and ultra light weight design make the Ultravid HD 42 model a must have for any
nature lover. New fluorite lenses with watershedding Aquadura coating ensure ultra-smooth focusing while the
nitrogen filled 42mm front lens guarantees crystal clear vision even in low light.
Yes, you will always be able to read Target Shooter on-line but
we feel that the iPad is the way forward for magazines and
newspapers and, in a very short time, I predict that this will
become the acceptable way to read a magazine or book.
The Ultravid Compact: The popular Ultravid compact model combines ruggedness and performance in pocket
sized dimensions. With a large focusing wheel the binoculars are a luxurious accessory whether it is for a shoot or
at the races.
Now a recognised luxury brand in its own right, Ray Ward is just one of the super-luxury brands within the JMH
Lifestyle Group. www.rayward.co.uk
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New for 2012 - The innovative PSE Composites
E-Tac... Continued
Perfect fitting inlet moulding. Inlet area is reinforced via
roving winding technique and roving cross-members. This
includes the recoil lug area that is connected to the stock
shell via several carbon roving bundles ensuring recoil is
transferred with minimum flex directly into the stock.
New for 2012 - The innovative PSE Composites E-Tac
Adjustable cheek is made completely from carbon
fibre sandwich materials. If needed the top section
can be filled with weight to reduce felt recoil. 1/2lb
of weight can be added. This weight would be
very close to the line of recoil. Clamp screw can be
swapped to either side.
Innovative Composite Construction
Integral carbon fibre I-beam construction along the complete length results in a stock that is ultra-stiff on both a
lateral and torsional axis.
Flat sides on forend
can be used to mount
Picatinny rails. Flats are in
line with the bore.
35mm (1.38”) wide no
taper barrel channel.
Will take the heaviest of
barrels.
The light weight of the E-tac will reduce mass below the bore line and help reduce initial muzzle flip and increase
accuracy. In some cases depending on the weight of the scope or mag system, one can achieve the centre of gravity
at “zero” or on centre bore line.
The rounded pentagon
shaped grip of the E-Tac is
another innovation of PSEComposites. The rifleman
can develop a feel for his
rifle through practice and
will develop a subconscious
coordination and orientation
with this shape. (Right)
Ambidextrous extra long
and vertical pistol grip with a
slight palm swell.
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PSE-Composites
Marina House
Lower O’Connell Str.
Kinsale
Co. Cork
Ireland
www.pse-composites.com
[email protected]
Tel: 00353 (0) 872363263
E-Tac: standard inlet is drop in fit for Remington 700 SA BDL or
similar actions. Although not always needed, we recommend to
epoxy bed the action. Metal pillars are not needed as carbon fibre
pillars are integrated.
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FCSA (UK) members Scott Wylie
& Steve Milne competed in the
50 cal World Championship 1000
yd shoot at the Whittington
Centre, Raton, New Mexico, in
USA. This several days shoot
(30-06-11 to 03-07-11) includes
- Heavy Gun, Light Gun, Hunter
Class, Unlimited, Practical & “Iron
Man” etc.
Scott came 2nd in the International, 4th
in Hunter & 6th in unlimited. (Using the
Swiss AMSD Rifle)
Steve took 2nd in the practical
class. (Using a provided EDM Arms
Windrunner & Ammo)
Congratulations to both being in order.
A more detailed account of their
activities can be found on Web Sites;
www.fcsa.co.uk
www.offasrifleclub.com
including photo’s and an “in depth”
article on how it all happens. See us on
the Target Shooter stand at The British
Shooting Show later this month...
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GALLERY RIFLE
& PISTOL NEWS
Jackets from £99 - £650
70% of all .22 World Cup and European
Championship medals were won
with ELEY Ammunition
More 2012 Olympic quota places won with
ELEY Ammunition than any other brand
ISSF World Cup 1 - SYDNEY
ISSF World Cup 2 - CHANGWON
Gloves from £23 - £55
All budgets catered for - from
beginner to professional...
Full range of target
shooting equipment & accessories
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ISSF World Cup 3 - FORT BENNING
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50m Rifle 3 x20
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25m Sport Pistol
25m Sport Pistol
50m Free Pistol
50m Free Pistol
50m Free Pistol
50m Rifle Prone
50m Rifle Prone
50m Rifle Prone
25m Rapid-Fire Pistol
ISSF World Cup 4 - MUNICH
Trousers from £149 - £500
ISSF European Championships 2011
50m 3 x 40
50m Men’s Prone
50m Rifle 3 x20
50m Women’s 3 x 20 Rifle
25m Sport Pistol
50m Men’s 3 x 40 Rifle
50m Free Pistol
50m Free Pistol Men
50m Rifle Prone
50m Pistol Women
25m Rapid-Fire Men’s Pistol
Champions shoot Tenex
Raymond DEBEVEC (SLO)
Won his 7th Olympic quota place with ELEY Tenex
To introduce ourselves we are the United Kingdom
Association of Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Shooting. By
that we mean "True Benchrest Shooting". The Association
is recognised by rimfire shooters across in the UK, with
partners across Europe and the rest of the world, as the
presentative body that promotes rimfire and air rifle
benchrest across this country and with other partners in
European and World events.
Visit our website for news about national and international
competitions that all can ‘have a go at’. From novice to
champion shooter, everyone is welcome
www.benchrest22.org
75
THE HANDLOADING BENCH
308 Winchester Rides Again Part 2
Creedmoor Range on Long Island, New York in
September 1876. These days, the international Palma
match is held in a different country every four years,
the most recent being Brisbane, Australia last October
and was won by Great Britain for the third time in a
row. The discipline is restricted to 308 Win/223 Rem
rifles with bullet weight limits of ‘less
By Laurie Holland
308 Winchester Rides Again
By Laurie Holland - Part 2
I’ll look at Lapua’s 308 Win ‘Palma’
match case this month, exploring
its raison d’être, wondering whether
it’s worth the extra money over the
common or garden large primer
model (£79.73 v £56.96 per 100
recommended retail prices).
But first, for those of you unsure of what Palma
brass is, here’s a description and potted history.
Dimensionally, the Palma case is identical to the
company’s standard version. By that, I mean both not
only conform to CIP/SAAMI dimensions but have near
identical wall and neck thickness values and will have
the same internal capacities after fire-forming in any
given rifle chamber.
By Laurie Holland
The starting point was Lapua’s high quality and very
consistent .308 Winchester brass. All bar a handful of
these standard LRP examples fell within a 1.0gn weight
range.
Why change the tried and trusted 308Win format, one
that has given excellent service for six decades? The
objective is not enhanced accuracy (‘precision’) per se
as in the smaller cased numbers such as the PPC and
BRs with their 28-32gn charges, rather to reduce the
spread of muzzle velocities by reducing primer energy
close to the minimum level that reliably ignites 42-49
grain weight powder charges when the cartridge is
used in ‘reasonable’ ambient temperatures.
In the past, dedicated long-range 308 competitors
assiduously sought out particularly ‘mild’ batches of
favoured LR primer brands, usually RWS and more
recently the Russian manufactured PMC/Wolf/Tula
models.
MV variations start to become important when any
cartridge is used in long-range precision shooting but
can affect some 308W loads particularly badly as the
cartridge is pushed to its ballistic limits at 1000 yards
and beyond. To be precise, such variations can induce
‘poor elevations’ on the target.
Any differences here are only what you might find
between production lots. This suggests both cases
start with the same materials and are drawn and
formed in the same dies on Lapua’s production line.
The differences are found in the ignition department,
the standard model using the Large Rifle primer (LRP)
and 2mm (0.080”) diameter flash-hole; the Palma
version given a smaller diameter pocket for the Small
Rifle primer (SRP) allied to a 1.5mm (0.059”) flashhole. This combination puts the case into an elite
group comprising the .220 Russian/PPCs, BRs and
6.5X47mm Lapua, other SRP users such as .223 Rem
having the standard 2mm dia. aperture.
‘Palma’ Connection
The 308W ‘Palma’ case is a specialist target shooting
item, its makers advising it should not be used for
loading ‘hunting’ rounds – I’ll come to the reason for
that later.
‘Palma’ refers both to a legendary shooting trophy
and a long-range prone discipline using iron-sighted
fullbore Target Rifles. The former was inaugurated
in a five-nation team match shot on the long-gone
Also, if the bullets’ terminal velocities are close to a
ballistics boundary of any sort, dropping through or
sometimes even approaching the sound barrier being
the most important, a large MV spread causes all sorts
of unpredictable behaviours in some bullets. Wind
changes can have disproportionate effects in such
situations for instance. This may be one cause of the
oft-heard complaint from long-range tyros that their
rifles and ammunition group really well to 800 yards,
but shoot all over the target at longer ranges.
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than 156gn and 81gn’ respectively. The international
match is for 16-shooter teams and the course of fire is
two convertible ‘sighters’ and 15 score shots each at
800, 900, and 1000 yards.
The ‘Palma’ name and eagle emblem, the latter
based on the trophy, are registered service marks
owned by the NRA of America, which controls their
use as carefully as any commercially valuable global
brand. As a result, you’ll find them applied to precious
few products - Sierra’s pair of 155gn thirty-calibre
MatchKing bullets and the new Lapua brass are the
only examples I can recall off the top.
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This gives a clue to the case’s genesis. During late
2007, US Palma Team officials approached the Finnish
company and asked if it would be willing to produce
an SRP version of its high quality 308W case. After
technical evaluations, Lapua agreed and 1000 samples
were provided with a few members of the US Palma
teams (there are west and east sub-teams for shooter
selection, development and training) quietly trying
them out during the 2009 season.
I believe that it was Tom Whitaker V.C. of the West US
Palma Team who started this ball rolling having been
a user of Remington UBBR SRP brass for many years.
He undertook a series of tests with the Lapua version
By Laurie Holland
while the company simultaneously carried out its
own performance evaluations. With both parties very
happy with the results, Lapua Nammo Oy launched
its new SRP case branded and headstamped with the
‘Palma’ name with the US NRA’s approval in early
2010, supplies reaching our UK importers, Hannams
Reloading Limited, that autumn.
Remington 308 UBBR (Unformed Basic Bench Rest)
case which also employed the small primer/small dia.
flash-hole combination.
By Laurie Holland
It was alleged all sorts of problems would be
generated including variable performance, sensitivity
to temperature variations, even hang-fires. A
common refrain was: ‘Been there, done that, gave it
up as a bad idea!’ The critics were, probably still are,
generally of the view that the small rifle primer (SRP)
is only marginally adequate for this size of cartridge
and weight of powder charges,
that marginal status tipping
over the line into inadequacy
under certain conditions to give
unpredictable and unsatisfactory
performance.
On this issue of 308 UBBR brass
versus the Lapua Palma Match
version, one must consider
that while the ‘UBBR’ was
manufactured with 308 Win
external dimensions, it was
in some respects a different
animal. It was drawn with
Canny long-range .308W users look for ‘mild’ LR primers that perform
exceptionally thin walls as its
consistently. Some batches of the Russian Tula manufactured PMC / Wolf brand
purpose wasn’t to be shot as
LRPs are highly prized.
.308W but to be a ‘basic case’
for reforming into the smaller BR Remington design
and various wildcats. The ultra-light construction
Controversial
gave it significantly greater internal capacity than
standard 308W brass and ideally required a tighter
Not everybody welcomed this variant with open arms.
than ‘minimum-SAAMI’ chamber as well as the use of
A number of shooters questioned whether it was
a custom or neck-bushing sizer die. The UBBR cases
‘legal’ under the Palma, Fullbore/Target Rifle and F/TR
date from a quarter century ago too, as does much
governing body’s (ICFRA) rules. Here is the relevant
of the critics’ experience with them and propellant/
section:
primer technology has certainly not stood still over
T2.19.1. Cartridge Dimensions: With the exception of
that period.
overall loaded length, cartridges must comply with
Here’s what the project’s instigator, Tom Whitaker had
the SAAMI or CIP cartridge specifications for .308
to say in 2010 in response to sustained criticism on the
Winchester or .223 Remington respectively.
US Rifle Teams’ Long-Range Shooting Forum:
The US SAAMI standards body, which has technical
”After 25+ years of using the Remington BR cases in
responsibility for this cartridge, advised that the
308 and 6.5 calibers I have some experience using the
primer type is not prescribed in its specifications and
small primer case. We should all agree there are many
large or small is immaterial to conformity decisions.
factors that contribute to loading accurate ammunition.
Other equally serious but even more numerous
It is a well known fact that primers are one of the most
criticisms came from shooters who had knowledge,
either personally or second-hand, of the old
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The Palma Match shield is topped by a stylised eagle and wreath emblem as reproduced on the Sierra ‘Palma’
MatchKing bullet carton. This is one of the very few products allowed to use the name and image.
important of these factors as they start the whole
process going. What I found over the years is that there
is a large variance in ignition using large rifle primers.
Not just from brand to brand but from lot to lot within
the same brand. No big revelation here, I’m sure we all
have experienced this. Using small rifle primers I have
found very little to no variance between lot to lot within
a brand and minor variance from brand to brand. This
equates to a much easier time developing a precision
load and sustaining that load over a long period of
time. Other factors affected by this are the reduced
need to stock up on a certain component (primers can
deteriorate over time) and less barrel wear wasted in
testing.
...So, what’s the point? It is not 3-5 fps better ES
(although I have found it to be better than that), nor is
it that this case will produce ammo more accurate than
the best LRP case loads (a great load is a great load
no matter what you use). The big gain, in my opinion,
is that it is much easier to find that great long range
load with these SRP cases than it is with LRP cases.
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Everyone has access to this case now use it if you want
or not, the choice is up to you.”
The US Palma team reported that the SRP brass
reduced velocity spreads (ES) by around 30%,
sometimes more, with its standard load of the 155gn
Sierra ‘Palma’ MK over Hodgdon VarGet. 15-round
strings recorded ES values of 12-18 fps and SDs of 4-5
fps. The sole downside was a reduction in the MV but
this could be rectified by adjusting the charge weight.
Four SRP brands were tried, purchased over the
counter in ordinary gunshops and all performed
well with little lot to lot variation. Low temperature
questions were faced head on by placing SRP
ammunition in a freezer overnight and test firing it
over a chronograph immediately afterwards which
was done without any serious or safety related
problems such as hang-fires, although a reduction in
the average MV was (unsurprisingly) recorded.
By Laurie Holland
Issues
Before we get onto my experience with ‘Palma’ cases,
there are one or two issues to address. One is primer
type and cup strength. Unlike LRPs which all have
0.027” thick cups, SRPs vary by type and sometimes
by make. Standard SR versions vary from 0.019” to
0.021” by make, but Magnum / BR models use thicker
brass sheet for a stronger cup. Federal 205M cups are
0.0225” thick, CCI-450, CCI-BR4, and Remington 7½
The other issue to bear in mind is the mechanical
ramifications from the use of the small diameter flashhole. I covered this in my introduction to the 6BR
some issues back but will repeat the salient points.
While the ‘Palma’ case’s flash-hole is 1.5mm (0.059”)
in diameter, the standard decapping pin used in sizer
or dedicated decap dies is 0.0625”, so use of same
in these cases will likely see the pin stick in the flashhole, break, or if rigid enough to survive will do so by
swaging the case.
By Laurie Holland
small flash-hole cases a little deeper than on other
standard SRP users such as 222 and 223 Rem., so a
standard tool won’t do much good anyway. Sinclair
International sells a small primer uniforming cutter
dimensioned specifically for PPC/BR cases and which
should also be used on the .308W ‘Palma’. If you
prefer to uniform flash-holes from the case-mouth end
and de-burr the flash-hole mouth/cut a small venturi
in it, K&M do a conventional reamer/de-burr tool with
the correct dimensions.
You must get a suitably dimensioned pin if your 308W
die set doesn’t come with the smaller type, as most
Lapua’s .308 Winchester brass seen on the left is one of
several recent introductions by the Finnish company. Another
is its superbly consistent .22-250 Rem brass (front right).
Spot the difference! There is none visible between ‘Palma’
SRP and standard Lapua LRP cases from this angle.
new brass, standard diameter decap pins should now
fit, but only just! As it indexes off the primer pocket
and is inserted from that end, what about de-burring
the other (exit) end of the flash-hole? Many people
(including me) are of the view that Lapua brass is so
well made and consistent that you can simply ignore
this issue, likewise don’t spend time and effort on
‘uniforming’ primer pockets. Just ensure you have a
good supply of 0.057” diameter decapping pins.
/ 7½BR 0.025”. I haven’t seen figures for the PMC/
Wolf (Russian Tula manufactured) SR and SRM but
my experience is that the former is one of the most
fragile types on the market, while the ‘Magnum’ is
exceptionally ‘tough’, resisting cratering and blanking
slightly better than the notoriously strong CCI-450/
BR4 models in my Savage 223 F/TR rifle.
Why is this an issue? For some reason, small primer
cartridges are far more susceptible to problems
caused by over-large diameter firing pin tips / slack
pin to bolt-face fit than LRP equipped cartridges
operating at similar pressures. This can be an issue
if your F/TR rifle is based on a stock Remington 700
action, to a lesser extent the Savage PTA but won’t
worry you if you’re using a Barnard or RPA model, or
any of the specialist single-shot match actions from
BAT, Stolle, RG Rifles etc.
won’t, moreover make sure to have spares especially
as small-diameter pins are only 0.057”, a mere 0.002”
smaller than the nominal hole diameter on Lapua
brass and easily broken. If you deprime cases as a
separate step using a dedicated die you must obtain
a correctly sized rod/pin, the fixed-pin Redding model
needing the optional .17/.20 calibre rod, Sinclair’s
decap die also using a different stem plus detachable
Hornady small diameter pins.
Sinclair International makes a special BR/PPC flashhole uniforming reamer (#07-3000) that is inserted
from the rear of the case and indexes off the primer
pocket which works in this case and the PPC / BR /
6.5X47L. It increases the flash-hole diameter a little
to 0.063”, as Lapua’s production tolerances are 1.51.6mm (0.059-0.063”). If you use this tool on your
Incidentally, if you feel that you must uniform the
primer pocket, Lapua cuts those on its small primer/
I left the flash-holes and primer pockets untouched in
my tests, and used the CCI-BR4 primer throughout. In
my experience with 223 Rem and 90gn bullets I found
this to be the ‘hottest’ of the SRPs I tried producing
higher velocities and I’d also had excellent results from
this model in 6BR and 6.5X47 Lapua with their 3040gn charges. It’s also very ‘tough’ and, even though I
used my Barnard Model ‘P’ based tubegun, I wouldn’t
want to use a ‘soft’ thin-cup standard SRP in this case,
especially as I expected to run up serious pressures
with some combinations and would need to ignite
heavy (up to 49gn) charges of slow burning powders
reliably.
Seasons
A leit-motif amongst those unconvinced by the SRP
308 Win case is alleged cold-weather unreliability.
This appears to be supported by Lapua itself, or at
any rate its US importer, with advice that these cases
should not be used for loading ‘hunting ammunition’.
We in the British Isles rarely think about ambient
They’re not the same at the rear end. The ‘Palma’ version (on left) not only uses the Small Rifle primer, but has a
reduced diameter (1.5mm) flash-hole. The standard model uses the Large Rifle primer and has a 2mm flash-hole.
80
81
By Laurie Holland
By Laurie Holland
Sizer and decapping dies must use the correct size of
decap pin on ‘Palma’ and similar cases. (The bottom
left pair have the small diameter pin, the others have
the standard size.)
82
83
By Laurie Holland
temperature effects on our match ammo – although
I increasingly believe we need to become much more
aware of them – but this is a major preoccupation in
the USA covering both ends of the temperature scales.
With most medium and large game shooting taking
place during the winter, seriously low temperatures
may be encountered especially in the inland regions
of continental North America and northern Europe.
Ignition (un)reliability and reduced MVs become
issues when temperatures fall below zero and some
propellants are more affected than others – why some
handloading manuals recommend that magnum
primers should be routinely used in ammunition
loaded with ball powders.
An American gun writer described in print some years
back how he missed an apparently certain shot with
his 44 Magnum revolver at a coyote that was openly
stalking livestock in a ranch farmyard one bitterly cold
winter’s day, the predator made incautious by extreme
hunger during a spell of exceptionally cold weather.
Drawing the revolver that he’d carried holstered while
working outdoors for some hours and taking careful
aim with it rested on a fencepost, he was astonished
to do nothing more than scare the animal away, the
report being ‘wrong’ too. Subsequent testing with a
distant rock as a target showed that MVs had dropped
to such an extent that bullets hit the ground 20 or 30
yards in front of the muzzle. The cause was the use
of standard primers with his usual heavy compressed
charge of H110 ball powder allied to the temperature,
a load that had always given excellent results before.
SR Magnum and BR primers are best suited to this application.
By Laurie Holland
by side comparison and also see what sort of 100yd
groups could be obtained. The 185gn Berger/N550
combination compared 15 rounds of existing LRP
ammunition left over from the 2010 F Class season
against three freshly loaded batches of five rounds
with rising charge weights in SRP ‘Palma’ brass. CCIBR4 primers were used in the ‘Palma’ loads, Federal
210M match primers in the three LRP control groups.
Cratering and piercing SRPs at high but not excessive
pressures is an endemic problem in some rifle actions.
These examples are from .223 Rem cartridges fired in an
AR-15 type rifle.
Since we got our first ‘Palma’ cases as winter
approached, I was keen to try them out in cold
weather ... well, cold by UK standards. My initial
efforts with the new brass employed three Vihtavuori
based combinations that I knew worked well in
all seasons with LRP cases: the near standard TR
clubman’s load of 155gn Lapua Scenar over a stiff
charge of N140; 175gn Sierra MK over a mild load
of stable and easily ignited N150; my then favourite
long-range F/TR combination of the 185gn Berger
BTLR and N550.
As I expected pressures and MVs to be a bit lower than
normal due to the SRP effect on its own, a range of
charge weights was used in each of the trio. The N140
and N150 combinations were also loaded in standard
Lapua LRP brass, the two lots shot fully supported
off a bench rest in a single session to allow a side
84
85
The two 175gn SMK/Viht N150 variants were the first
to be tried in my initial range session held on 18th
November 2010. My notes describe the conditions
as cold (3-4°C) with a moderate crosswind from
the right. Five by 5-round batches whose charge
weights rose from 42.0-44.0gn in 0.5gn steps had
been loaded the day before in the two types of Lapua
case. The 10 groups ranged from 0.4 to 0.7” centre
to centre averaging around the half-inch mark with
no difference at all attributable to case type. MVs
and MV spreads were very much as expected, the
‘Palma’ versions losing some velocity, but sometimes
producing reduced ES values. So far so good,
especially as N150 usually produces small velocity
spreads in LRP form. In fact, I’d normally expect better
results than I got here with high single figure values up
The Barnard Model ‘P’ bolt and striker assembly. The
small diameter firing pin is a close fit in its bolt-face
aperture and won’t see any problem with high pressure
loads using SR Magnum or BR primers.
By Laurie Holland
By Laurie Holland
LAPUA ‘PALMA’ v STANDARD BRASS: 155gn Lapua Scenar / Viht N140
to the mid teens, and I’ll put the deterioration down to the relatively low ambient temperature.
Here is how the MVs and spreads look:
LAPUA ‘PALMA’ v STANDARD BRASS: 175gn Sierra MK / Viht N150
Muzzle Velocities
Velocity Spreads
Palma
Standard LRP
Difference
Palma
Standard LRP Difference
42.0gn
2,590
2,631
- 41 fps
11
26
- 15
42.5gn
2,633
2,655
- 22 21
26
-5
43.0gn
2,649
2,680
- 31
21
21
Nil
43.5gn
2,674
2,696
- 22
21
11
+ 10
44.0gn
2,701
2,726
- 25
17
17
Nil
Test number 2 comparing the 155gn Lapua Scenar over Viht N140 loads didn’t work out in the SRP Palma cases’
favour at all. Taking groups first, the SRP range was 0.6 to 1.3” averaging 0.92”; the LRP ‘control’ loads ran at 0.5 to
0.8” averaging 0.59”. Not exactly startling, but the 30” Broughton barrel then in use had never liked this combination.
MVs were down again with the ‘Palma’ cases by a similar amount, but the spreads were considerably larger with one
exception where the Federal 210M load had produced an abnormally big value.
Winter ammunition testing at Diggle with the Barnard / Eliseo tubegun.
Muzzle Velocities
Velocity Spreads
Palma
Standard LRP
Difference
Palma
Standard LRP
Difference
45.5gn2,897
2,913
- 16 fps
38
12
+ 26
45.8gn2,925
2,947
- 22 25
13
+ 12
46.1gn2,947
2,964
- 17
26
13
+ 13
46.3gn2,948
2,974
- 26
20
40
- 20
46.5gn2,968
2,990
- 22
53
14
+ 39
The Berger 185gn BTLR/Viht N550 tests were carried out on a different day, 6th January 2011 and my notes
record the conditions as cold (now 2°C) with virtually no wind. Three groups were shot with the leftover match
ammo and averaged 0.5”; 2,766 fps MV; 40 fps ES; 12 fps SD. That wasn’t a great result and there were two
possible causes. These rounds had been loaded six months before and sitting that long rarely does much for
performance. Also, I reckon the low temperature had an effect, at the very least the average MV was some 35 fps
down on what it had been the previous summer, and this could also have affected the other results adversely.
A key question with the Palma brass and SRPs was how it would perform on winter days such as this one at Diggle.
Frost still rimes the valley floor on a cold January morning as a morning relay of TR and F Class competitors finish.
86
87
By Laurie Holland
By Laurie Holland
SRP based ignition wouldn’t have posed any problems on this
Anyway, onto the three freshly loaded batches in the ‘Palma’ brass, also starting at 46.3gn but now rising in
0.2gn steps to 46.7gn. Incidentally, I made sure the powder was from the same production lot as that loaded
in the LRP control rounds.
warm, sultry day in late June 2009 when the tubegun was used in
the annual Yorkshire RA ‘Spring Open’ meeting at Strensall.
46.3gn:
0.8” group
2,711 fps MV 33 fps ES
46.5gn:
0.5” group
46.7gn:
0.8” group
So, a charge weight around 47gn would have been needed to match the LRP/Fed210M 46.3gn load’s MV,
two out of three spreads were better if not brilliant, but one batch of five gave a very poor result indeed.
Hmmm... taking the three sets of ammo, not a great result for the ‘Palma’ brass and SRP! But, was the
mediocre to poor performance down to inherent inefficiency in these combinations, or was it temperature
induced? Right, fast forward to 9th June 2011 on Diggle’s ‘A’ Range, nice and warm now in early summer.
Er ... not exactly! 10°C and gusty crosswinds say my range notes. 10 degrees (50F) in June – that really says
something about Diggle Ranges and the English summer of 2011! Anyway, the ‘Palma’ case, CCI-BR4 primer,
155gn Lapua Scenar and 45.5 to 46.5gn N140 (same production lot) combination was rerun as follows:
88
89
By Laurie Holland
LAPUA ‘PALMA’ / CCI-BR4 / 155gn Lapua Scenar / Viht N140 Re-Run
Group
Av. MV (fps) ES (fps)
MV Change from 11/10
ES Change from 11/10
45.5gn
0.8”
2,955
6 + 58 fps
- 32 fps
45.8gn
0.4”
2,955
15
+ 30 fps
- 10 fps
46.1gn
0.3”
2,967
8
+ 20 fps
- 18 fps
46.3gn
0.6”
2,967
29
+ 19 fps
+ 9 fps
46.5gn
0.3”
2,970
29
+ 2 fps
- 24 fps
Much more like it! But, what a difference caused
by a six or seven degrees C ambient temperature
change, rising from ~4° to ~10°! Note however,
that MVs barely increased after 46.1gn and 46.5gn
only provided another 2 fps over the cold weather
performance. Extreme spread values also jumped
dramatically after 46.1gn saying to me that this was
the maximum charge weight of that powder that the
CCI-BR4 / small flash-hole could cope with in those
conditions. With hindsight, I wish I’d run the three top
loads again on a rather warmer summer’s day to see
if that result was repeated or if MVs increased and ES
values decreased at or above the standard ballistics
temperatures of 14-15 deg C / 59 deg F.
The maximum charge weight used of 46.5gn had
produced 2,990 fps in the LRP brass, another 20 fps,
even in the cold weather so would likely just exceed
3,000 fps in warmer conditions. Maybe N140 seems to
be limited by the small primer case in this respect, or
maybe it’s even more limited by temperature factors
than seemed likely at first. Nevertheless, I was very
impressed to get 0.3” groups from the combination as
I’d never had much luck with it with standard brass in
that barrel.
How about the 185gn Berger BTLR/N550 load in
warmer weather? The re-run took place on 28th
July 2011 in something more like summer, 21-22°C,
with light winds. Four batches were loaded and fired
rising from 46.5gn to 47.1gn in 0.2gn steps, again
using powder from the same lot. Groups ranged from
0.5” to 1.4” and ES values from 14 to 46 fps, still not
brilliant compared to my normal LRP brass load with
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Here’s how it compared to the same combination
shot in January at 2-degrees C:
(- 0.2”)
MV:
2,806 fps (+ 61 fps)
ES:
14 fps (- 47 fps)
SD:
6 fps
(- 20 fps)
Wow! That is a big change to the internal ballistics.
My conclusions and advice, for what they’re worth?
Be very wary of using this brass with some powders in
cold weather, ‘cold’ defined as ambient temperatures
significantly below 10°C / 50°F. Also, be aware that
loads worked up over the winter may perform rather
differently during the main competition season in
higher temperatures.
Next month, I’ll give summer temperature SRP brass
results with another mid-weight bullet, the Berger
175gn BT Long-Range with two powders, Hodgdon
VarGet and H414 (ball powder), again comparing
them against results from standard LRP Lapua cases.
I’ll also move onto heavy (200-210gn) bullets in both
types of case using slow burning powders seeking to
maximise velocities. Could that be where the ‘Palma’
brass offers significant advantages when used in such
high pressure long-range F/TR loads?
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F210M primers. The best combination of the four
appeared to be 46.7gn providing a 0.6” group – too big
for top level F/TR competition – and now achieving the
MV I would expect at 2,806 fps.
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91
QUIGLEY SHOOTING
ASSOCIATION NEWS
bowl to vary the volume. English and American made
tools are usually graduated in drams for powder and
ounces for shot, whilst continental ones are usually in
decigrammes for powder and grammes for shot.
LOADING THE
BLACKPOWDER SHOTSHELL
Part 2 by Ken Hall
In the previous chapter on this subject, I hopefully
whetted your appetite enough to encourage you
to try handloading the black powder shotshell
yourselves. Traditionally, shotshell cartridges were
made of paper or card tube, with a brass base
containing a thick base wad with a hole for the large
shotgun primer. This design has hardly changed
except the outer tube is now made of plastic and
the brass base has been replaced with a brass plated
ferrous metal to keep production costs down. This
means that reloading tools designed in the 19th
century to reload the paper shotshell will work just as
well in the 21st century with today’s cases.
Let’s look at the way I reload the 12 gauge black
powder shotshell but first, as usual, I want to say
that what has proven to be safe in my own turn of
the century hammer gun may not prove to be so in
other vintage guns so, if you intend to use the load
in anything other than a modern nitro proofed gun,
please have it checked by a competent gunsmith to
determine its’ serviceability.
What simplifies things is that once you have adjusted
the measure for the weight of shot, it is customary
to use the same volume setting for powder. Using
my English measure, I have settled on a load of 1oz
Even though modern nitro game and target cartridges
are still relatively cheap to purchase, the tools and
components required to manufacture ammunition at
home are still being made and are readily available
from several retailers, of note are Henry Krank & Co at
will need to be resized to standard dimensions in order
to freely enter the chamber. Simple hand tools exist
for this purpose but I cheat and use the resizing die
with my Lee ‘Load-All’ machine as it is much quicker
to use. (If new bought cases are preferred then this
process is not necessary).
Next, the spent primer needs to be removed, I use
an antique de-priming and re-priming tool for this
purpose but it could be simply knocked out with a
nail punch. As I sometimes use reclaimed (salvaged)
cases which are of different overall lengths, I then take
the unprimed case and trim it to the required length
using another vintage tool which was illustrated in the
last instalment. If you don’t have this tool then this
process can be completed later using a simple home
made tool. The new primer is then seated using the
previously mentioned re-priming tool; once again
this can also be achieved simply by placing the primer
on a flat surface and pressing the case over it using a
suitably sized dowel inside the case.
I tend to use once-fired cases for reloading; this
means that if the case has been fired in a different
gun than the shell is intended for, then the brass base
Section of a vintage Eley Grand Prix cartridge
Home made trimming gauge
QUIGLEY SHOOTING
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Shotshell component parts
shot, this approximates to 28grams. At this setting
the measure indicates a powder weight of 2½ drams,
(74grains in common reloading parlance). This load
should be more than adequate for CAS steel plate
shooting.
So, using a cartridge filler tube, I take my primed case,
pour in a measure of 2½drams of Swiss No 4, I then
take a 3mm thick over-powder card wad and push this
onto the powder, next comes a 13mm fibre cushioning
wad, then a 3mm felt wad to prevent the shot
embedding in the fibre. Next, using the same measure
setting, I pour in 1oz of shot, (anything from No7s to
No5s is good for knocking over steel plates) followed
by a thin over-shot card wad. All that is left to do is to
form the crimp to hold the components together. If, as
I mentioned earlier, the case has not been previously
cut to length, then that will be necessary before the
crimping stage.
Typical hand tools
www.henrykrank.com and Clay & Game Reloaders at
www.claygame.co.uk . Also of interest is the extract
from the Parker Hale catalogue showing vintage tools
still available at least as late as 1958.
Comments and questions please to;
[email protected]
I made a simple gauge out of a piece of aluminium
rod as pictured, which allows for an overlap of 3mm
for crimping. The whole is now placed in the vintage
cartridge closer and the roll crimp applied. I generally
now mark the cartridge with an indelible pen to show
it is charged with black powder.
Next comes the powder, I prefer Swiss No 4 1½ ffg
but other brands of fg or ffg grade are suitable. When
it comes to measuring the powder and shot, I use a
vintage hand tool called a powder/shot dipper. These
are very common and always appearing at trade fairs
and internet auctions. The tools have an adjustable
Parker Hale cat 58
92
93
2012 Long Barrelled Matches
United Kingdom Practical Shooting
Association News by Tony Saunders
2012 L3 IPSC Shotgun Matches
The UKPSA AGM was held early in January in Leicester
as part of a 2-day series of meetings and seminars.
Some confirmed dates for your diaries. These matches
will make up the UK championship matches. Best four
out of five to count.
After a friendly LBF match on Sunday morning at
Leicester Shooting Centre, the AGM was held early
afternoon. The first order of the day was the stepping
down and election of UKPSA council positions.
Spring Shotgun Festival Bisley on 02/18/2012
15 April L2 Basildon 9 stages, 140 rounds. £30.
MD Gary Dyer
British Shooting Show - Newark on 02/25/26/2012
1st July L2 Reiver Challenge CSAC Carlisle. 8 stages
130 rounds £25. MD Vanessa Duffy
UKPSA AGM 2012
Saturday saw Range Officers, Match Directors and
UKPSA Instructors attending a number of seminars
and refresher courses to cover the new IPSC rule
changes. There have been some significant changes,
particularly in IPSC Shotgun that will impact
competitors shooting sanctioned Level 2 and above
matches, including the new ‘Muzzle Up’ directive that
has been met with some initial objection. However,
in order to bring us in line with the majority of IPSC
regions, it was felt necessary to adopt muzzle up and
it was trialled last year at the L3 IPSC shotgun match
at Harlow in Essex with little apparent fuss apart from
some gentle reminders occasionally by the ROs.
31st March L2 Southern Championships Blue Team
Little Chalfont Championship round. 10 stages, 130
rounds. £25. MD (TBC) contact Vanessa Duffy
30th June L2 Scottish Championships CSAC
Crocketford. Championhip Round. 10 Stages 144
rounds. £25. MD Vanessa Duffy
UKPSA Section - by Tony Saunders
6th & 7th April Hadrian CSAC Hallbankgate
12 Stages, 157 rounds of Birdshot. £35
MD Vanessa Duffy
22nd July L2 Northern Championships Tall Trees Tall
Trees. Championship round. 10 stages 140 rounds.
£25. MD Roye West
12th August L2 Birmingham LSC Birmingham. 10
stages, 135 rounds. £25. MD Ian Chamberlain
14th October L2 Home Countries Championships
Bedford. Championship round.10 stages, 120 rounds.
£25. MD Nick Weber
25th & 26th May Ken Brown Memorial & HTRPC
Harlow British Club Championships. 10 stages, 135
rounds of birdshot. £35
MD Geoff Smith
25th Nov L2 British Championships LSC Leicester
Championship round. 10 stages, 135 rounds. £25.
MD Ian Chamberlain
15th & 16th June Scottish Championships CSAC
Crocketford. 12 Stages, 144 rounds - 87 birdshot, 17
buckshot and 42 Slug. £35.
MD Vanessa Duffy
The five Championships matches in bold will make up
the UKPSA LBF British Championships for 2012. Best
four scores from five matches to score. The remaining
matches, along with the Championship matches will
make up member’s grades for 2012.
7th & 8th July British Championships Borders
Border Guns, Shropshire. 12 stages. 130 rounds - 120
birdshot, 10 buckshot. £35.
MD Martin Davies
Council Position
Previous Incumbent
Elected Member
Regional Director
Vanessa Duffy
Vanessa Duffy
Chairman
Rob Adam
Rob Adam
Council has agreed that any club hosting a L2 LBF
match may run a parallel L1 match which will be
limited to the members of the host clubs. Please
contact Vanessa Duffy for conditions and more details
via the UKPSA website or Forum :
Secretary
Alan Phillips
Alan Phillips
Matches and Events in January
Treasurer
Public Relations Officer
Adrian Wander
Mike Darby
Adrian Wander
Ken Trail
The council thanked Mike Darby for his work over the
last twelve months, and welcomed Ken Trail to the
position of PRO. Thanks also go to Leicester Shooting
Centre for hosting the pre-AGM match.
February is currently boasting a number of Level 1
matches at various clubs, plus the Spring Shotgun
Festival at Bisley.
26th & 27th October Home Countries
Championships HTRPC Harlow. 10 stages 135 rounds
of birdshot. £35.
MD Geoff Smith
94
UKPSA
NEWS
Thurnscoe L1 PSG Match on 02/05/2012
Borderguns Level 1 on 02/11/2012
Carlisle L1 PSG Match on 02/12/2012
95
PSG Squad Training at Wedgenock on 02/19/2012
See UKPSA Forum for more details: http://ukpsa.
invisionzone.com/
The UKPSA is hosting a stand at this years Shooting
Show at the Newark Showground, Nottingham, NG24
2NY, UK
Come along and chat to us to find out more about
IPSC shooting.
Show Info: http://www.shootingshow.co.uk/
UKPSA Handgun Commission
Inaugural Competition at Kells
Rifle and Pistol Club
As the first UKPSA competition does
not take place until April, in order
for an opportunity for people to
get together we organised a New
Year fun shoot competition. A small
Level 1 three stage event took place
on 14th January. The competitors shot
an 11 round short course, an 18 round medium
course and a 29 round long course. Once they had
competed in one IPSC Division they could re-enter in
another Division. So we had competitors swapping
between Production, Revolver and Standard Divisions.
Over 30 competitors turned up for the event and
the good news was that we got a lot of people who
are new to IPSC taking part. Luckily we had a calm
still day weather wise. This year Northern Ireland is
experiencing one of its mildest winters on record. Like
the rest of the UK last year was one of our worst and
this time last year the range was under several feet of
snow!
The results can be viewed at www.ukpsa.co.uk/
handgunniresults.html
The UKPSA Handgun Commission’s inaugural
competition was held at Kells Rifle and Pistol Club
in County Antrim. Kells RPC is where several Level
2 matches and the International Level 3 United
UKPSA
NEWS
Kingdom Open Competition were held in 2007 and
2008. Kells club is still equipped with both experienced
members and the facilities to host future matches. You
can see more by looking at the clubs web site www.
kellsrpc.com
In the practical pistol section of the menu bar you
can read match reports from previous graded IPSC
matches held at Kells in 2007 and 2008, including the
report and photographs on the UKPSA 2008 UK Open.
Further UKPSA events will take place at Kells RPC in
2012.
UKPSA Membership Application
For those people who were previously members of
the UKPSA or who have never been members of the
UKPSA, you can now join the Association as follows.
As from now you can join the UKPSA and your
membership will run from the current date until the
end of March 2013. The membership fee will still be
£42.00. So you will get 15 months membership for the
same price as 12 months membership.
You can find the membership application form on the
UKPSA web site www.ukpsa.org which you can fill
in and post to the membership secretary. Go to Join
/ Renew on the menu bar on the home page for the
relevant forms. If you have any questions you can
contact me at [email protected]
enjoy properly organised IPSC handgun and shotgun
competition within the United Kingdom IPSC Region.
The Handgun Commission has its own section on
the UKPSA web site, were you can find out more
information.
E mail - [email protected]
Web Site - http://www.ukpsa.co.uk/handgunni.html
World Class Athletes
World Class Ammunition
World Class Results
United Kingdom Handgun
Championship
Three Level 2 Graded IPSC competitions will also
take place in 2012. The results of these three
competitions will be combined to form a UK Handgun
Championship. The dates for these three competitions
are the 12th May, 21st July and 18th August. At the
conclusion of the third competition we will be able to
announce UKPSA Handgun Champions in the IPSC
Handgun Divisions of Classic, Open, Production,
Revolver and Standard Divisions.
The first UKPSA Handgun Commission Handgun
Competition for 2012 will be a Level 1 Match on 21st
April. The graded events that have been organised so
far for 2012 are as follows.
Stage 1 had the competitors running along
a zig-zaging track
Champions shoot Tenex
While shooting through this obstacle some competitors
shot it kneeling, while others went into
the prone position
Northern Ireland UKPSA 2012 Handgun
Commission Competitions
Don’t settle
for less
12th May - The Jubilee Shoot, USASC, Kilkeel.
21st July - Mourne Mountain Challenge , USASC
Kilkeel. 18th August - Summer Sizzler Shoot, USASC
Kilkeel.
Competitors in Northern Ireland use the same types
of handguns that are commonly found in IPSC
competitions, such as Glock, STI, SVI, S&W and the CZ
Tactical Sport shown here
IPSC (Practical Shotgun) Safety
Course
Over 30 different
Gunsafes in our
standard range
- we have
models to suit
all requirements
Competitively
priced with
unrivalled quality
3 year on-site
warranty*
Free Napier VP90
corrosion inhibitor
Due to a demand from UKPSA members in Northern
Ireland an IPSC shotgun safety course will take place
later this year. Anyone who is interested in taking part
can send an e mail to [email protected] expressing
an interest. The UKPSA Handgun Commission will
organise a trip to a Practical Shotgun Competition in
GB in the autumn of 2012.
The UKPSA Handgun Commission initiative has
one goal; to train UKPSA members, Range Officers
and Officials and to ensure that UKPSA members
and members of other IPSC Regions can shoot and
British made
since 1982
Call 020 8254 6812
for brochures and
your local stockist
Email [email protected]
www.brattonsound.co.uk
Competitors shot the three stages in one Division and then
re-shot the stages in another Division
As in other IPSC Regions, in Northern Ireland Production
is also a very popular Division as well
*Terms and conditions apply - see
website for details.
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Thanks to David Thompson for pictures & article.
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