Target Shooter 1

The Neo SEB rest • NSRA Disabled Shooting Project • and lots more..

Our first anniversary issue—all the latest information at you fingertips

April 2010 Issue

Black Powder Pistols,

This Smallbore Business

Club Features

Support Your

Local Gunshop

Event reports

Gallery Rifle

F Class and Centerfire Benchrest

News

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New: Victory FL Diavari 4 –16 x 50 T*

Cutting-Edge Long-Range Hunting Optics The new reference class by Carl Zeiss provides demanding hun-ters with the perfect optical base for accurate shooting over long distances. Thanks to the unique FL concept, the Victory FL Diavari rifl escopes offer razor-sharp details and bright images which are free of chromatic aberrations even with high magnifi cations. The innovative ballistic concepts ASV and RAPID-Z® allow for defi ned and accurate aiming via holdover point or indexed hol-dover lines.

Victory FL Diavari 4-16x50 T* – the most compact long-range ri� escope of its class – tailored to demanding stalking at home or abroad.

With FL lens.

Without FL lens.

The Ultimate Visual Experience

12889_ZEI_ANZ_Victory_FL_Diavari_50er_210x297_GB.indd 1 05.02.10 10:45

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Sections

6 ShootingSportNews

8 ShootersCalendar

16 SupportyourLocalGun Shop

30 ShootingBlackPowder PistolbyChrisRisebrook

32 Rimfire&AirRifle BenchrestbyCarlBoswell

57 Handloading‘OldFaithful’ the.308byLaurieHolland

59 UKPSABasicSafety CoursebyJohnGardener 63 CustomRifleBuild-the StockbyAndyDubreuil

71 TheSig522Review byNigelGreenaway

81 ThisSmallboreBusiness byDonBrook

83 TheBritishAirgun Championship2010by HayleyPlatts

87 SpringersforFT byStanleyShaw

91 Shootingthe1500 byGwynRoberts

97 ClubFeature

109 AdvertisersIndex

10 First Year Anniversary byAndyDubreuil

23 SGC SSR15 in 6.8 REM SPC byLaurieHolland

39 LG 110 for FT & HFTbyTimFinley

65 The Neo Seb RestbyVinceBottomley

75 NSRA Disabled Shooting Project byLizWoodall

45 IWA Show Review byVinceBottomley

WelcometotheAprilIssue......................

.......ofTargetShooter

Target Shooter 5

Association Pages98 UKBRA

100 UKBR22

101 F-Class

102 QuigleyAssociation

104 GalleryRifle

105 UKPSA

Editor(s).CarlBoswellandVinceBottomleyAdvertising and Office ManagerAndyDubreuil.email;admin@targetshooter.co.ukContributorsVinceBottomley AndyDubreuil TimFinley LaurieHolland ChrisRisebrookCarlBoswellDonBrook ChrisFarr NigelGreenawayGwynRoberts KenHall LesHolgate HayleyPlatts StanleyShaw LizWoodall

DisclaimerThewebsitewww.targetshooter.co.ukispartofTargetShootermagazinewithallcontentsofbothelectronicmediacopyrighted.Noreproductionispermittedunlesswrittenauthorisationisprovided.Information,pricesanddataisbelievedtobecorrectatthetimeofpostingontheinternetwhichisonoraroundthe1stofeachmonth.AdvertisementsthatarefirearmrelatedarefromcompaniesorindividualsthatTargetShootermagazinebelievesarelicensedtoholdsuchfirearmsandacceptsnoresponsibilityifcompaniesorindividualsarenotsolicensed.LettersandphotographssubmittedbymembersofthepublictoTargetShootermagazinewillbeacceptedonthebasisthatthewriterhasagreedtopublicationunlessotherwisestated.TargetShootermagazinehasnocontroloverthecontentorownershipofphotographssubmitted.Theviewsexpressedinthismagazinearenotnecessarilytheviewsofthepublishersandrelatetospecificcircumstanceswithineacharticle.Thesearetheopinionsandexperiencesofwritersusingspecificequipment,firearms,componentsanddataundercontrolledconditions.Informationcontainedintheonlinemagazineoronthewebsiteisintendedtobeusedasaguideonlyandinspecificcircumstancescautionshouldbeused.TargetShooterMagazinedoesnotexceptanyresponsibilityforindividualsattemptingtorecreatesuchtestingusinganyinformation,dataorothermaterialsinitselectronicpages.PublishersofTargetShootermagazine.

Webitorial - April 2010

Ayearalready!Yes,thisisourfirstanniversaryissueandwehaveitpackedwitharticles.Somuchso,thatwehavehadtoleaveoutacoupleofourregularfeaturestobringwhatwehopeisourbestissueyet.TargetShooterwasbornoutof theneed foraproper targetshootingmagazine in theUK,whichsolelyfocusedonthesesportsandbroughtyouthebestwriters,offeringtheirexpertise,viewsandopinions.Wearefortunatetohaveretainedtheoriginalwritersfromthatfirstissueandaddedafewothersalongthewaysothatwearecoveringjustabouteveryshootingdiscipline.Vince,AndyandIwouldliketoofferoursincerethankstothecontributorswhowerewithusfromourfirststepsaspublishers,forwithoutyouTargetShooterwouldnotexist.Tothosewhohavejoinedusthroughouttheyear,againourthanks–weareindeedfortunatetohaveyou.Oursoftwaretellsusthatwenowaverage10,000readerspermonth,suchistheinterestintargetshootingsportsandthatagoodnumberofyouregularlylookthroughourbackissues.Throughouttheyear,wehavereallyappreciatedreceivingyoure-mails-mostlypositivebuttheoddnegativeonewhichhelpsuslearnwhatyouwantaswetryandbuildthebestshootingmagazineontheinternet.Lastbutnot least,wecometoouradvertisers.Theircontributionsfundthemagazineandwithoutthem,therewouldn’tbeamagazine.Wethinkweofferthemtheverybestvaluefortheiradvertisingbudgetandweneedyou,thereader,tomakesuretheyknowthatwhenrespondingtoadvertisements.PleasehelpustokeepTargetShooteron-lineandfreetoall.Together,wehavecreatedauniquesymbioticrelationshipthathasestablishedTargetShootermagazineasthemostreadshootingmagazineintheUKand,inaddition,wehavereachedouttoshootersinthirtycountriesaroundtheworld.Wearealwaysonthelookoutforcontributions,beitnews,competitionprofilesorequipmentreviews.Allofourcontributorsareactiveshootersfirstandwriterssecond,somaybeyouareabuddingwriter.Thinkaboutyourownclub,yourcompetitionsandyourshootingandletusknowaboutit.Finally,here’s toanotheryearofTargetShooter. The technology– in the formofnotebookcomputersandthenewApple-iscatchingupwithon-linereading,makingTargetShooteramoreconvenientand‘portable’read.Thiswillcontinuetoevolveasmoremagazinesgoon-line.Toallofyou,ourbestwishesandourthanksforyourcontinuedsupport!

Untilnextmonth.Vince,Carl&AndyCarlBoswell-carl@targetshooter.co.ukandVinceBottomley-vinceb@targetshooter.co.ukandAndyDubreuil-admin@targetshooter.co.uk Copyright©TrinityDigitalPublishingLtd

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NEW CONCEPT IN F-TR RIFLES FROM FOX FIREARMSThere has been much debate in F/TR circlesas to the relative benefits of 155 grain and210 grain bullets, in minimising wind drift forlong-rangeshooting.Theexponentsofthe155gprojectiles cite a reduced flight-time for theprojectile to be subjected to cross-winds,whereas the210g fancierspin their faithuponnothingmorethanphysics.Manywhoprefertousethe155gagreethatinwindy conditions, the 210g projectilewill havethe edge. This creates a dilemma for thoseorderinganewrifle,orconsideringre-barrelling- whether to opt for, say a 1 in 14 twist tostabilise the 155g bullet, or a 1 in10 twist tostabilisetheheavierbullet.Baseduponcurrentleanings,theonlyansweristohavetwoF/TRrifles;onewithaslowtwistforuseonstilldays,theotherwithfasttwistforuseininclementweather.However, Fox Firearms, after experimentingwith side-by-side double rifles, which wereabandoned due to weight and bedding

problems,hascomeupwithaningenioussolu-tion,basedongain-twistrifling.

Theyhavetakenagain-twistbarrel,startingat1in14andincreasingto1in10andchamberedit at both ends, with two receivers fitted, andusingasinglecommonbolt.APicatinny rail isfittedtobothreceiversandone‘scopewithQDringscanbeused.Thestockwillaccepteitheractionsimplybyremoving/replacingthebeddingscrews – a process taking but a fewminutesand can be accomplished on the firing-pointimmediatelypriortotheshoot.Intests,the‘muzzle-end’receiverseemstoactas a barrel harmoniser, if anything enhancingaccuracyandeliminatingmuzzle-flip.Leavingnothing tochance,Foxareproducing40” double ended breech safety flags toaccompanytheserifles.We hope to conduct a full test in a later edition of Target Shooter.

Shooting Sport News

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www.thetunnel.co.ukAnexcitingnewfacilityiscurrentlybeingconstructedinWestDorset.Planningapprovalwasgrantedonthe26thofMay2009, the formerA35 road tunneliscurrentlyundergoingatransformationtogivethestructureanewleaseoflife.

The tunnel building project is near completion- into what I hear you say! Dueto open Spring 2010 two newindoor ranges 25m and 50m galleryrifle ranges, with a 100m indoor fullborerangeproposedforconstructionlater this year. The Target SportsCentre will provide training facilities,competitions, corporate events anda wide range of additional outdoorpursuits. Facilities will be availablefor both young and old and offeringvaried disciplines from archery toblack powder. The Target SportsCentre will be open 6 days a weekclosed on Wednesdays. The facilityalso has both a cafe and gun shopopen to both members and non

members,trainingroomsandampleparking.Locatedon theAxminsterRoadamileandahalffromLymeRegisandhalfamile fromCharmouthon thebeautifulJurassicCoast, just150yardsofftheA35

The 25m range has four lanes and the 50mhas five lanes. The facility was designed by theNationalShootingCentreatBisleyandhasbenefitedfromthesupportofbothBASCandBDSalongwithmanymembersof thegeneralpublic.Membershipapplications are now being accepted and areavailable upon request by e-mailing info@thetun-nel.co.uk orwritingtoTargetSportsCentreLtd,TheTunnel, Axminster Road, Charmouth, Dorset DT66BY.

10/22 M1 carbine … … … . a n o t h e r first for North West Custom Parts Here is a sneak preview of the new M1 carbine from NW custom, built around the standard 10/22 carbine. This great looking gun and comes in a couple of versions and colours. The rifle also as a drop in stock unit

for those that want to use there existing guns. These will come with 2 modified mags and there will be original WW11 accesories available to

complete the look for those that want them with the gun.

For details contact www.n w c u s t o m p a r t s . c o m 0161 408 1159/ 07710 102 887

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CalendarofeventsoverthenextfewmonthsIfyourcluborassociationhaseventsyouwanttopubliciseherethenemailus.

17 Apr Ibis Rifle Club Open Meeting (NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley)Short Range (Queens II) in the morning. LongRange(2+10at1000and1100)intheafternoon.DownloadEntryFormfromNRAwebsiteContact(s):BillRowland

11 Apr National200ydFree&EnfieldRifleChampionship,Bisley

10 May to 11 May TheEnglishEightClub,Nation-alRifleClubofScotland&WelshRifleAssociationSpringMeeting(NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley)MatchRifle(F-ClassRiflesmaybeusedifdesiredbut cannot take any of the prizes except for theCashSweep)2+15at1000,1100&1200yardsoneachdayContactEnglishVIIISecretary

22 AprNRAShootingClubDay(NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley)Multi-disciplineNRAShootingClubDay.TargetshavebeenbookedonMelvilleandat100,200,300 and 600 yards. All disciplines welcome. IfyouwouldliketoattendyoumustbookinatleastaweekinadvancebycontactingCharlesPerry.Contact(s):CharlesPerryNRAwebsite

22/23 May CumberlandNewsRifleClub-CarlisleAirGunsOpenChampionship-2x60shotdetailsat:www.cnrc.org.uk/open.htmcontact:DavidErskine:“urkers@aol.com”

15 AprWorldCup,BeijingThecompetitionrunsfrom15thto25thApril.Location:Beijing,CHN

3 Apr to 05 Apr BisleyClubsEasterMeeting(NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley)This year theEasterMeetingwill be run by theCityRifleClubContact(s):PatDrummy

24 AprClubsMiniPalmaMatch(NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley)AMiniPalmaMatchwillbeheldonSaturday24April2010forteamsofeightfromanyclub,schoolorcountyaffiliatedtotheNRA.Duetothehugeinterestlastyearwehavebookedthewhole of Stickledown for the day sowe canaccept25teams.ThePurplesMatchwillbeheldonthefollowingdaywhichwillhopefullygivemanyteamsagreatweekend’sshooting.Ifyourclub,schoolorcountywouldbeinterestedin competing in thismatchplease contactKarenRobertsonviatheNRAwebsite

10 AprHBSANorthernStGeorge’sOpenCharityShoot(NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley)AM300,PM600:classesforVintage(BP),Classic(pre-1919)andVeteran(pre-1946)rifles.Contact(s):MarkHodgins

25 Apr Somerset SBSA – Open Shoot. (Rifle)LongAshtonRanges.Tel.01275836442.Email.julian.withey@btinternet.com

26 Sep Somerset SBSA – Open Shoot. (Rifle)LongAshtonRanges.Tel.01275836442.Email.julian.withey@btinternet.com

25 AprNorthofEnglandMuzzleLoadingChampionships,nr.Skipton,Yorks.

24 May to 25 MayIrishOpenMeeting(Ballykinler(N Ireland))The97th IrishOpenMeetinghostedbyUlsterRifleAssociation.ContactTrevorSteele

3 May NRAOpenDay(NationalShootingCentre (NSC), Bisley) The NSC is hosting, onbehalfoftheNRA,anotherseriesofpreticketedOpenDayevents.Visitorswillbeabletotryshotgun,archery,air rifle, fullbore rifle,sportingrifle, laser clays, precision snap, practical andhistoricalriflestonamebutafew,allwithone-to-onecoaching.ContactLibbyGendallattheNRA

5-6 June WESTMIDLANDSREGIONALTARGETSHOOTINGSQUADWestMidlands10mAirgunChampionships3x60-shotmatches,finals,standardand5targetpistol.WMRTSCWolverhamptonKarenMorrisPhone(Ian):07970166457Email:kazmorris@orange.net

10 May to 11 MayNRA300MetresChampionships(NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley)TheNRAOpenandBritishChampionships.Contact Martin Farnan

23 May to 26 May PhoenixMeeting(GalleryRifle)(NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley)ThisisthehighlightoftheGalleryRifle year (although there aremany events forotherdisciplines!).ContactBrianThomasattheNRA

Target Shooter 9

Welcome to GT Shooting.The premier shooting sports shop in Surrey

Our premises are located at 53 Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2RB

www.gtshooting.co.uk

Tel: 020 8660 6843 Fax: 020 8660 6843

We are conveniently situated near the M23 & M25. Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm

Fullbore & .22LR Black Power

Air Rifles and Pistols Used rifles and Pistols

OpticsAmmunitionReloading equipment and more...

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Wow doesn’t time fly, we’ve been on-line for ayearalready!Aroundthistimelastyear,IgotaphonecallfrommygoodfriendCarlBoswell,askingmeifIwouldbe interested in getting involved in a magazinethatheandVinceBottomleywerelookingtostartup.AsIlistenedtoCarl,Iwasthinking“WhatdoI know about magazines - apart from readingthem”.WhenCarl said thiswould be an on-linemagazine,itcaughtmyattention.WiththesaddemiseofTargetSportsandtheUKfallingintorecessionwiththerestoftheworld,wasthisreallythetimetobethinkingaboutstartinganewbusinessventure?Wetalkedabouthowwe

weregoingtodoit-couldwegetfeaturewriters,dealers,distributerson-boardandlaunchourfirstcopy?IrememberVincesayingtousbothatthetime“Wouldn’titbegreatifwehad10,000readersby the end of our first year”.With the power oftheinternetand‘wordofmouth’fromenthusiasticshooters,wehadover10,000readersinthatfirstmonth!The magazine started out to fill the gap left byTarget Sports, asUK readers found themselveswithout amagazine covering the sport of targetshooting. We were enthusiastically received asshootingclubsaskedusforposterstodisplayattheirclub tohelpspread theword.E-mailswere

Our First Anniversary

Target Shooter 11

flyingaroundandtheinternetforumswereabuzzwiththreadsaboutthemagazine.Thethreeofuswereworkingoffhomecomputersandlaptopsandforme,thee-mailskeptcomingandcomingandlikemostguys,Ifinditdifficulttothrowanythingaway.Lookingbackthroughsomeofthee-mailsfromourveryfirstreaders,wehadcommentslike:“Iwouldbedelightedtoputupaposterinourclub,thanks again for a decent read” (Mike Shields)“Greatwebsite you have, and a very interestingmagazinetoo,welldone,keepupthegoodwork!”(PaulBarker)“I have recommended your magazine to my

shootingfriendsinMalta”(JohnMathews)“I congratulate you a very well done on-linemagazine!”(OswaldMeyer)Itslowlydawnedonusthatwhatwehadstarted-notjustaUKmagazinebutaworldwidemagazine–wehadhitsfromover20countriesfollowingthelaunchofthatfirstissue.Thankstotheexcellent6mmBR.com website, we got a great plug inAmericaandwemaintainasolid25%readershipintheUSA.The three of us have our own distinct roles inproducing the magazine. Vince tends to do theediting work, Carl does the web side of themagazine by putting it all together and I deal

12 Target Shooter

with the advertising. In addition, we allcontribute by way of articles in our ownspecialistfields.For thefirst coupleofmonthswehadnoworking capital and it was down to ourgreat,fantastic,reliablewritersworkingforfree-withnoguaranteethatwecouldeverpay them! Virtually all our regular writersareexTargetSportsmagazineandIwouldlike to say very big thank you to them,becausewithoutthemstandingbyus,themagazinewouldnotbewhatitistoday,sothankyouguysandgirls!Also, we have to thank our advertisers,some who have been with us right fromthe beginning. They took a chance onsomething thatwasverynew-anon-linemagazine-withnoknowledgeofwhatanon-linemagazinewasgoingtodoforthem.Our circulation is massive compared toanypapermagazineandasimple‘click’onanyadvertwill transport thereader to theadvertiser’s website – a paper magazinecanneverofferthat.Theconceptofafreeon-linemagazineisaheadofitstimeinsomerespectsandnotsurprisingly,wedidgetahandfulofe-mailsfrom readers saying that they preferredahard-copymagazinetothe‘onlinethingy’asoneputit.Ibelievethatinyearstocome,

allpapermagazinewillhaveanon-lineversion– some free, some not.Many will maintain theirpaper copy but I predicteventhesewillfadeasmorereader-friendly ‘notebook’and ‘tablet’ computersbecomeavailable.The three of us put TargetShooter together eachmonth for one reason andone reason only - we areall shooters and we arepassionate about shooting.Themagazine is not aboutmaking huge amounts ofmoney – which is a goodjobasweare justbarely inprofit. It’s more about

Above - Carl’s visit to Eley in 2009 - with Martyn Buttery suppling guidance on batch testing

Vince dreaming up another ‘project rifle’ for the magazine and of course for his own use.

Target Shooter 13

promoting target shooting in all its guises andworking with the trade to bring their productsto you, our readers. Obviously, we need ouradvertisersbutIhavehadsomanye-mailssayinghowmuchyou like the fact that themagazine isnotsaturatedwithadverts.We like to try and work with our advertisers byreviewing their products, in the hope that wewillgetanadvert. fromthemwhichreadersmaythen refer to, should they like theproductunderreviewandwish tobuy itorfindoutmoreaboutit.Wetrytomaintainacloserelationshipwithouradvertiserstomake sure thatweget the very latest gunorshooting-gearandreviewit inanhonestwayforourreaders.Wewillnotpraiseunworthyproducts

simplytosolicitadvertising–ourintegritytowardsourreaderscomesaboveeverything.We have had our critics of course but we don’tconcernourselveswith that - it’swhat you thinkofthemagazinethatcountsandthefactthatyoucomebackeachmonthforthelatestissue,speaksvolumes that we are doing something right.Welaunchatmidnighton thefirstdayof themonthandinthatfirst24hoursit’sastonishingtowatchas you log-on to the website in your hundredseveryhour.Wehaveinvestedinnewserversandsoftwaretocaterforthisbutweknowthatsomeofyoudofinditabitslowonthefirstdayortwobutremember,it’sthereforever,sodon’tworry-youwon’t loseout ifyoudon’tmanagetoseeTargetShooteronlaunchday.

One of Lauries first articles for us - cooking up a tube gun

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Ayearhaspassedandhopefullysohastheworstoftherecession.Theguntradeisstartingtofindits feet once again and we are receiving moreequipment for review. Hopefully, the sport, thetrade and Target Shooter will grow strongertogether,tothebenefitofallofus.Our latest venture is the video ad. This issomething a paper magazine can never do, soadvertisersandreaders,pleasetakealookatourAimfieldSportsdrag-bagreviewandourSEBrestvideo.OurSEBrestvideogotover1000viewingsinthefirstthreedays!Advertisers–whatareyouwaitingfor?Finally, a sincere ‘thank-you’ to you our readers

for supporting the magazine, our contributorsfor supplying excellent copy and of course ouradvertisers–withoutwhomTargetShooterwouldnotexist.Here’stothenextyear!

Andy,Carl&Vince

Our new addition to this digital shooting magazine revolution - online video review articles

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Berger Target Bullets

We only make Match Grade rifle bullets for varmint, target and hunting. When we say “Match Grade” we mean that the highest quality copper and lead available is used in a process

focused entirely on consistency rather than speed. The copper is made into the J4 Precision Jacket, which is recognized

around the world as having the best concentricity available.We make all of our J4 Precision Jackets and bullets on one set

of dies to ensure that all of the bullets in each box are as consistent as possible. Consistency is the key to precision and accuracy and no one makes bullets as consistent from lot to lot

and within a given lot as Berger Bullets.

The same match grade tolerances also apply to ourBerger Varmint Bullets Berger Hunting Bullets

Tim HannamPeckfield Lodge

Great North RoadLeeds

LS25 5LJTel 01977 681639

The Reloading Specialists

www.bergerbullets.com

For More information contact

16 Target Shooter

10 Tech Shooting is a new shop in Sussex that’sspecialises in target shooting equipment for alldisciplines,most of our customers aremainly based inSussex, Hampshire, Kent and Surrey though we dosupplytoalloverthecountry.TheshopsownerDavidAylinghasshotmostsmallboretarget shooting disciplines, he explains how thebusinessgotstarted,Formostof2009Ihadabadbackandmypreviousjobasanengineeratmyfathersbusinessbecame virtually impossible, then the opportunity arosetostart10TechShootinganditseemedthelogicalthingto,sowepartitionedpartof the factoryofand turned itintoashowroomandtherestishistory.Iwantedapropershowroomwheremycustomerscouldcomeinandlook,shoppingon the Internet isfinebutsometimesyou justwanttopickitupandseeif thatparticular itemisreallywhatyouneed,plusbeingabletoaskforadviceonhowanitemworksorperhapsotheroptions.I stock equipment that ranges from beginner level allthe way up to the international shooter, I can adviseandtailorpackagestosuitall levelsandmakesurethecustomerleaveswithwhattheyneed,anewshooterdoesn’tnecessarilyneeda£600madetomeasurejacketbutan“ofthepeg”oneisideallysuited.

Thesamegoesforriflesorpistolsweusuallyhaveagoodselectionofnewandsecond-hand instockandwecangiveyouapriceonacompletepackage.We also stock from leading manufacturers such asCentra,MEC,Knobloch,KurtThune,AHGAnschutz,Eley,RWS and many more plus we are starting to broadenourspectrumandhavestarted tosupplyotherareasofshooting such as Field Target and Hunter field target,Reloading equipment, reloading supplies and vermincontrol. If you give 10Tech Shooting a try, youwill bedealingwith someonewho enjoys shooting and sharesyourpassionforthesport.Sowhateveryouwantgive10TechShootingacallorpopbytheshopwe’vegotlotsfreeparkingrightoutsidethedoor.

‘Supportyourlocalgunshop’10TechShooting

Suppliers of quality shooting equipmentfor all disciplines.

“Spring Sale on all new Feinwerkbau and Walther Rifles & Pistols”

Stockist of Centra, Kurt Thune, MEC, Eley, RWS, HPSBrattonsound and many more...

Visit our well stocked showroom with ample free parking, friendly helpful service

For more details click on this advert!

Opening Hours:Monday (by appointment only)Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 5pm

Visit our website www.10techshooting.co.ukemail: info @10techshoting.co.uk

Call us today on 01903 784002 for all you shooting needs

Target Shooter 17

Tel/Fax 01722782432 Email; ags.westlake@virgin.net/ Website; www.westlakeengineering.com

The Taurus ML Revolver is converted from a Taurus .357 Magnum Long Barrelled Revolver. The cylinder is removed and a Yoke extension fitted, this contains the spring loaded plunger that frees the action when the yoke is closed. As this extension cannot be removed, it prevents the re-fitting of the original cylinder. The Barrel is shortened to approximately 5 ¼ inches and the wristbrace is removed. A new cylinder is made which has pockets for shotgun primers at the rear with a small flash hole through into the chamber at the front. The chamber is made to accept .357” leadwadcutter bullets. The conversion of your pistol costs £330.00. Extra Cylinders are £180.00 each. If you do not have a pistol I can order a new pistol from the Importers.

www.FoxFirearmsUK.com Tel: 0161 430 8278 or 07941 958464

PUTTING SHOOTING FIRST

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE THE VERY BEST VALUE CUSTOM PRECISION RIFLES FOR TR, MATCH, F-CLASS, AND BENCH-REST—WE ARE NOW SELLING A FULL RANGE OF HARRELL PRODUCTS

WE STOCK HUNTING RIFLES BY COOPER, KIMBER AND PFEIFER AND COMPETITION-WINNING RIFLES FROM KELBLY AND KEPPELER, AND ARE TRADE AGENTS FOR THE

SUPERB BARNARD ACTIONS, AND RECORD-BREAKING TRUE-FLITE AND BARTLEIN BARRELS

WE ALSO STOCK PROFESSIONAL BORESCOPES (from £533) AND A RANGE OF HIGH-POWER SCOPES FOR COMPETITION AT AMAZING PRICES (eg 8-32X50 WITH 30mm TUBES FROM £100) ALONG WITH

STUNNING BINOCULARS AND SPOTTING SCOPES

SEB LAMBANG BENCH RESTS AND ACCESSORIES ARE THE BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE. WE STOCK HIS FULL RANGE AT LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES, ALONG WITH THE BUDGET

CALDWELL RANGE- BERGER BULLETS TO YOUR DOOR- EXPORT TO EUROPE, NO PROBLEM! SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS AND CURRENT STOCKLIST

EVERYTHING WE IMPORT IS BY FAR THE BEST VALUE IN THE UK

18 Target Shooter

Target Shooter 19

Last month, in my ‘From the Bench’ column, ImentionedanewBritish-maderifleactionwhichwasabouttobe launched.Now,Ihaveoneandwecanlookatthisexcitingnewventureinmoredetail.

Every new custom rifle build startswith the action.I’ve built rifles on Howas, Remingtons, Savages,BATs,Stolles,Barnardsetc.CustomactionsliketheBATwillcosttwoorthreetimesthatofaRemingtonbutusingabudgetactiondoesn’talwaysresult inasignificantsavingontheoverallbuild.Thedifferencebetweena ‘runof themill’ actionanda full customaction will addmaybe 15% to the overall cost, yetwhenyoucometosellyourRemmy-basedrifle, it’sjustanotherRemmyandthatinitialsavingyoumadeontheactionwillbeinstantlylost.

Also, factory actions can be a bit rough – is thereany point building your dream rifle on anything butthebest?Yes, it ispossible to true–orblueprint–theactionbutthisaddsconsiderablytothecost.Tryconvincingabuyerthatyouspent£500havingyourRemingtonblueprinted.Atotalwasteofmoney–buyacustomaction fromtheoff!Startingwithadecentactionisessential-notjustforaccuracyreasonsbutalsofortheinvestment.

Unfortunately, most of the revered custom actionsemanate from theUSA -butwhy? It’snotas if theAmericansarebetterengineersthanweare.Infact,most of the US custom actions aremade by fairlysmall firms and there is no reason why a similarproduct couldn’t be produced over here. After all,theKiwis have done itwith their Barnard.With theadventofCNCmachinery,workingtofinetolerancesiswithinthescopeofhundredsofsmallengineering

firmsandwiththecountryinrecessiontheremustbebagsofsparecapacityandmaybethisiswhywearenowseeinganumberofBritishmadePicatinnyrails,muzzle-brakes,scoperings,moderatorsandthelikecomingontothemarket.

Scottish gunsmith Russ Gall clearly had similarthoughtsand lastyearheproducedhisownaction,whichisnowinproduction.Russisanaccomplishedbenchrest shooter and engineer and designing anaction was well within his scope. Of course, wemustn’tforgetRPA;theyhaveproducedanumberofverysuccessfulactionsformanyyearsnowandofferawide range of rifles built using their own actions.Similarly with Accuracy International, their tacticalrifle is legendary though to be fair, they don’t offeractionsforsaletothegeneralpublic.

So, who is behind the GBR action? What is itspedigree?ThethreecompaniesassociatedwiththeGBRwillbealreadyknowntoBritishshooters–FoxFirearms from Manchester, Staffordshire SyntheticStocks and Rhino Rifles from Cheshire. ThedesignoftheGBRdoesn’tbreakanynewgroundandcloselyfollowsthatofpopulartwo-lugactionsliketheRemington,thoughfitandfinisharetoamuchhigherstandard.On the faceof it, it is theequalofsimilarRemington ‘clones’made by a number aAmericancompanieslikeStiller,Pierce,KelbyandLawton.Thecritical ‘bolt tobody’ fit isexcellentandasgoodasany.

Theactionbodyisofchrome-molysteelandtheboltismadefromstainless-steel.Usingdissimilarmetalsis common to prevent ‘galling’ and the chrome-molybodywillbebluedtoofferacorrosion-resistant

TheGBR–anewBritish-maderifleaction

byVinceBottomley

20 Target Shooter

finish.Asyoucansee from thepictures, thebolt isspiralfluted.Withafitthisclose,anyminuteforeignbody could cause a lock-up and the flutes offer a‘receptacle’foranysuchdebris.

GBRhaveslavishlycopiedRemington’s‘ringofsteel’design,wherethebolt-noseisrecessedintotheendof the barrel. This ‘overlap’ provides an additionalsafe-guardintheunlikelyeventofaseriousblow-up.It’snotsomething Iwouldhave incorporated,asallothermanufacturersseemtogetbywithoutitbutit’shard to criticise safety and I don’t doubt that it hassavedafewRemingtonownersfromseriousinjury.

Thankfully, GBR haven’t copied that Remingtonspringextractor.Yes,itworksandisveryreliablebutitlookscheaptomeandIalwayscarryaspare.TheGBRhasaproperSako-typeclawextractorcoupledwith a conventional bolt-face spring-loaded plungerfor positive extraction/ejection. Thankfully, the bolt-release is handily located on the left side of theaction,ratherthanwithinthetrigger-guardasontheRemington,whichisfiddlytooperatewithcoldfingers

orwhenwearinggloves.Gunsmithswillbepleasedto know that the tenon thread is Imperial at 18tpiand1.0625 inches indiameter. Length is thesameasaRemingtonat0.700inches.Iwouldhavebeentemptedto lengthenthetenontoan inch– itwouldcost nothing and would offer better support to theheavierbarrelstypicallyusedoncustombuilds.

Imuchprefer the recoil-lug tobepartof theactionrather than sandwiched between the barrel andaction,as thismakesswitchingbarrelsa littlemoretedious–andmostofmyrifleshavemorethanonebarrel–butatleastthelugissubstantialandpinnedsoI’llforgiveGBRthatone!

Another‘plus’ofaRemmycloneisthetrigger–therearemore triggers for theRemington thananyotheractionso,it’syourchoice–atopoftherangeJewelorKelblyormaybeaTimneyorRiflebasixorevenastandardRemington but please, if you are buildinga custom rifle, don’t skimp on the trigger. Thebolt-shroud is slightly different from a Remingtonand very nice it looks too, as does the bolt-handle

Theleftside,withtheattractiveGBRlogodeeplyincisedintotheaction

Theflutedboltwithclawextractorandspring-loadedejector

Target Shooter 21

with screw-on bolt-knob - making it easy to fit areplacement knob of your choosingwith littlework.Thismightseemaminorissuebutshootersallhavetheirownpreferencesdependingonapplicationandfittingareplacementbolt-knobtoaRemingtonmightleaveyouwith littlechangefrom£100 if re-proofingisneeded.One of the basic design features of any action tobe used in a custom rifle build for competition useisoverallstiffness.Someactionscanflexalarminglyonfiring,whichalsostresses thescoperesulting inindifferent accuracy. If you are looking for realaccuracy,goforasolid-bottomaction.Unfortunately,if you require a repeater – for a stalking or tacticalrig-alargecut-outwillberequiredintheundersideto accommodate amagazine.Youwill never see abenchrestactionwithamagazinecut-out.GBRwilloffer the action as a solid bottom or with cut-out,dependingonapplication.Stayingwith thestiffness theme, Iwouldhave likedtohaveseenasmallerejection-portaswell.Yes,it’ssmallerthanRemington’syawningorificebutitcouldbeevensmaller,asmuchofthecut-outisobscuredby the scope-rail anyway. The Picatinny rail is adedicated rail also offered by GBR and can beordered with a built-in taper. Don’t try and fit aRemington rail as GBR have wisely resistedflattening-offtherearaction-ringasRemingtoninsistondoingforsomereason.So,wehavea two-lugactionbuilt on the triedand

tested Remington design that most shooters willfeeltotallyathomewith.Ifyouhaveastockalreadyinletted for a Remington then the GBR will dropstraight in. I assume this is the main reason forchoosingtheRemmyfootprintbutformeitisaveryweakone. If youhaveastockbutwish toupgradeto a custom action then surely you would also goto the trouble of a proper bedding job rather thansimply screwing it into the old Remmy stock. Yes,therearemorestocksavailablewiththeRemmyinletthananyotherbutyouwillfindthatmostofthedecentstock-makerswillofferinletsforallthepopularactionsandmost of the obscure ones as well. Really, fewstockscanbeconsidered‘drop-in’unlesstheyareofthetypewithabuilt-inaluminiumbedding-blockand,even then, ifultimateaccuracy isyourgoal IwouldstillmilloutthealuminiumforaproperDevconbed.

In conclusion, this action is a fine effort and I’mconfident that it will form the basis of a greatcustomrifle.InfactIwillgofurther-GBRhavekindlygivenmeanactionfora‘projectrifle’buildforTargetShootermagazineand Iwillbeserialising thebuildoverthenextfewissues.Ihopetoinvolveothersintheproject,whichoncompletionwillbesoldwiththeprofitgoingtoverygoodcause.Morenextmonth.

A GBR website is under construction but initialenquiriesregardingtheGBRactionshouldbemadetoGrahamGloveron01606-79029.

GBRwillalsohavebottom-metalavailable,utilisingtheAImagazine

22 Target Shooter

Target Shooter 23

I’ve long had a soft spot for the ‘BlackRifle’, akatheAR15. Just before semi-autoswerebanned intheUK,IreadaboutRobertBucknell’scustom-built.223flat-topAR15withaheavyfast-twistbarrelthatwas described as the ‘ultimate fox rifle’, but alsowonPracticalRiflematches.That’swhat Iwant, Ithought.Thanks toMichaelRyanandHungerford,Iassumedthiswasanevertobefulfilledambition,butafewyearsaftertheban,Istartedhearingaboutstraight-pullARs.Ididn’treckonmuchonoperationthroughGeneStoner’sT-shapecharginghandleatthebackoftheaction,though.ThenSouthernGunCo. (SGC) started making them with an integralleft-handsidehandle,andnot too longafterwardsproduced itsMk3receiver thatprovidedasecond,

sturdierandmoreergonomicbolt-onhandleontherightside.Mytimehadcome!–IeventuallyboughtanewSGCSSR-15‘Speedmaster’in.223Remin2002.

Single-ShotSince I never run,don’t shootoffhand,andslowlykeeloverandfalldownwhenshootingkneeling,thiswasnevergoingtobeaPracticalRifletool.90%+

of rounds have gonethroughitasasingle-shot riflewith a ‘sled’replacingthemagazinefor easy loading oneat a time. With suchuse, the specificationwas a 26” fluted Liljamatch barrel, Wyldematch chamber, 1-8”rifling twist, and setup with minimumheadspace.A Giesselle matchtrigger was set for1lbpullandwithabig8-32X56 scope uptop, I shot it at everyrange from 100 to1,000yd. And, shootitdid–giveittheright80gn bullet handloadand the SSR wouldput five shots into aquarter-MOA at shortranges. It was even

THE SOUTHERN GUN Co SSR-15 in 6.8mm REM SPC

by Laurie HollandAbove - The SGC SSR-15 straight-pull is a direct descendant of Stoner’s original 1956 AR (ArmaLite Rifle) design. This eight year old example has been rebuilt in 6.8mm Rem SPC

The heart of the rifle is a seven-lug bolt that requires little rotation and locks directly onto the barrel

24 Target Shooter

usedinF-Classintheearlydays,andoneglorioussunny day, the SSR and I embarrassed a smallherdof6.5mmshootersina600ydregional‘Open’competition –you only reckon on seeing such amiracleonceinalifetime!

Multi-LugLet’slookattheAR’skeyfeaturesthatapplywhetherit’sasemi-autogasgunoroneofourstraight-pulls.Theheartofthebeastisaseven-lugboltthatlocks

directlyintothebarrelthrougha‘barrel-extension’,alargenutwiththelockinglugrecessesmachinedin.AllARdesignriflesuseatwo-piecereceiver,usuallyaluminium alloy, the upper half holding the barrel,forendfurniture,boltandcarrier; the lowerhalf themagazine, trigger mechanism and buttstock. Withmanufacturersusingcommondimensions,receiverhalves are normally interchangeable, so one canhaveanAR inseveralsights,barrelconfigurationsorcalibresthroughtheuseofmorethanone‘upper’

Operation is effected by the bolt moving in the carrier which moves a cam-pin along an angled slot to turn the bolt. The pipe stub above is the ‘bolt key’ that marries up with the gas pipe in semi-auto rifles and feeds gas into the carrier. Later versions of the SGC Speedmaster action have eliminated this

feature replacing it with a rectangular guide-block

The lower receiver assembly showing the match trigger, the two captive pins that locate and secure the receiver halves

together, and (above the rear pin) the front of the buffer and recoil spring assembly

inside the buttstock tube

Target Shooter 25

onasingle‘lower’.

Theboltsitsinsideatubular‘carrier’,aheavysteelcylinder,and is turnedto lock/unlock itbyuseofa‘cam-pin’inanangledslotinthecarriertopwall.Asthecarrierispushed(ingasoperation)orpulled(inmanualoperation)back,theboltcannotmovebeinglockedtothebarrel-extension,sothecarriermovesaround a half-inch on its own and turns the boltvia thecam-pin tounlock it.Both thenmovebacktogether,extractandeject thefiredcase,resetthetrigger. Towards the end of the ejection cycle, therearendofthecarriermovesintoatubeinsidethebuttstock and compresses a large coil spring topowertheloading/re-lockingpartofthecycle.Thecarrier/boltassemblymoveforwardsagainatsomespeedstrippinganewcartridgefromthemagazine,chambering it, and re-locking the action. Manualoperation simplifies the design as various bits –gas-sealing rings on the bolt body, a gas-blockassemblyonthebarrelandpiping–arenotneeded.

AgreatARplusisitsmodularconstructionallowingmixingandmatchingofcomponents.Onceyouhaveapairofreceiverhalves,everythingelseisbolted/screwedonor retainedbypins,sobuildinganAR

is assembly rather than traditional gunsmithing,althoughasalwaysthereare‘tricks’ thatallowskilland experience to produce a superior product. Amajor industry producingAR bits has grown up intheUSAsobuyerscanchoosefromalargerangeofreadyto installpre-chamberedbarrels;umpteenmakes / forms of bolt and carrier; lots of triggerassemblies;goodnessknowshowmanybuttstock,forend tube, and pistol-grip designs. One beautyofthisistheabilitytobuildbespokeriflesformanydifferentpurposes.

UpgradeSevenyearsand6,000+ roundson,mySSRstillperformedwelldespiteamucherodedbarrelthroat,but had unsurprisingly lost its ‘edge’, so a rebuildseemed in order. After a lot of thought, I choseconversion to the recently introduced 6.8mmRemington SPC rather than a simple .223 barrelreplacement.As well as a new barrel, conversionrequired a new bolt and magazines. The steeplyraked M16A2 buttstock used on its first iterationwasn’t idealforshootingoffarear-bag,alsorathertooshortforcomfortableproneshooting,soIaskedSGC to replace itwith aMagpulPRS (Precision \Rifle/SniperStock)adjustableassembly.SGCalso

The sturdy optional right-side handle – a must-have

26 Target Shooter

undertooka‘generaloverhaul’replacingwornpartssuch as the bolt assembly cam-pin and appear tohavefittednewpinsthroughout,thereceiverhalvesfittingtightlyagainasonanewrifle.

Six Point What?This is where things get interesting – the newcartridge.Let’slookatthatnamefirst.6.8mm–that’s0.277”dia.bullets,atwo-seventytomostfolks.‘Rem’isofcourseouroldfriendRemingtonwhichsuppliedthe case the 6.8 is based on, the obsolete .30Remington, undertook the development work,and registered the cartridge with SAAMI. ‘SPC’ isSpecial Purpose Cartridge, a reference to the

drivers for itsdevelopment, theUSmilitaryspecialforceswho’ddiscoveredthat the5.56X45NATOisapoorman-stopperatanythingabove thick jungletype ranges in Iraq andAfghanistan, especially inshort-barrelled M4 carbines that lose a couple ofhundredfpsMVcomparedtothestandard20”barrelM16A2.

The 6.8 is an attempt to provide a larger calibre,heavier bulletwith a lotmore terminal energy thatinflictsabiggerwoundtrackandhopefullydisablesTaliban and other fighters rapidly – not very nice,butwhoever saidwar is a nice business?Duringdevelopment, 6.5 and 7mm calibres were

The Magpul PRS adjustable buttstock is one of scores, maybe hundreds, of competing designs available for the AR15. If the bottom cover is removed, a Picatinny accessory rail is

uncovered to allow a butt-spike or support pod to be attached if required

The AR design is completely modular and can be disassembled in seconds

Target Shooter 27

considered,but.270”wasfoundtogivethehighestterminal ballistics values at operational ranges(100-400metres).Therewasacompetitor too, theAlexander Arms 6.5 Grendel, which is the 6PPCneckedupto6.5mmandgivesa123gnbulletratherimpressiveMVsfroma2.25”COALcartridge,plusimpressiveexternalballistics.

In-BetweenThe6.8usesa1.686”longcasewith0.422”rimandlowercasediameter.Thisputs itbetweenthe.223Remington’s 1.760” length and 0.378” case-head,andthe1.528/0.447”equivalentsfor7.62X39mm.The old Soviet cartridge’s diameter is the largest

thatcanbeaccommodatedbytheAR15bolt,andthatseessolittlemetal remaining that bolt-headfatigue failures are notuncommonaftera few thousandroundsfired.AccordingtoQuick-LOAD, the 6.8 has 34gn watercapacity which is is againin-between its rivalswith around10%morethanthe.223R,and4

or5%lessthan7.62X39mm.Pressure-wise,italsofalls between the other two, although it’s now the5.56thathasthehighestallowedMAP.

TheRemingtonspecificationseesa115gnFMJorOTM (OpenTipMatch)given2,625 fpsMVwhichisdownon .223Remwith62or69gnbullets,andsinceBCs are not too far apart, the larger calibrebullettravelsslowerandisabitmorewindaffectedbeyond 300yd. Energy is well up on the smallercalibre cartridge with around 40% more at themuzzle and still up at 400 metres. It seems

Remington ran intotrouble with excessivepressures leading toextractionproblemsandcase-head expansionwithitsoriginalloadings,so had to reducethem markedly. This isprobably why HornadyandSilverStateArmorycasesusethesmallrifleprimer providing moremetalaroundthepocketand strengtheningthe case-head. SinceRemington registeredbarrel and chamberspecifications aroundfive years ago with a

Case-head diameters for the AR15. Left to right: 5.56mm / .223R (0.378”); 6.8 SPC (0.422”); 7.62X39mm (0.447”). The 7.62’s size pushes the AR15 design to the limit leaving barely enough metal

to support the locking lugs

A factory 6.8mm Remington SPC match cartridge is seen on the right with a 115gn FMJBT milspec type bullet alongside the two cartridges that spawned its development in Iraq and Afghanistan – on the left, the 7.62X39mm M43 – a proven battle cartridge; centre, the 5.56X45mm NATO that has been found lacking even when loaded with the 77gn Sierra alongside it.

28 Target Shooter

0.05” freebore and 1-10” rifling twist, 6.8 civilianusers and gunsmiths have come up with alongerfreebore(0.10”)and1-11”twistrate‘SpecII’chamberthatallowssubstantiallyhigher(200fps+)MVstobeproducedwithinallowedpressures.Mostgunsmithbuiltriflesnowusethisspecification,andtherearea lot of 6.8SPCenthusiasts in theUSAhavingriflesbuiltforthecartridge.Thereisalivelywebsiteandforum(www.68forums.com)with11,868members, 7,556 threads and nearly 80,000 postslisted.Since the factory ballistics don’t seem that great,and the cartridge doesn’t apparently do anythingbetterhanheavy-bullet.223Rem,youmightwonderwhy it’s got somany fans.Amajor reason is thatthelargercalibreandMEthatnowrunsat1,765ft/lbs (more with handloads) take theAR15 beyondpest sizedquarry intomediumgame territory.Thecartridgecanbeloadedsuccessfullywiththemany130gnexpandingbulletsavailableforthe.270WCF.Remington has picked up on this hence the rapidintroduction of its .30RemingtonAR cartridge lastyear for itsR15entry in theARsector.But there’smoretoitthanthis–the6.8seemstobeoneofthesecartridgesthatworksbetterthantheballisticstablessuggest,hasanintangibleappealtolotsofpeople,and attracts development attention. We alreadyhavetheSpecIIchamberandbarrelspecifications,andnodoubttherewillbenewbulletsdesignedjustforthiscartridgeiftheenthusiasmcontinues.Sofar,I’veonlyusedRemington115gnandHornady110gnOTM factory ammunition in mine while I wait onsome 115gn SierraMatchKings fromHenry Krankforhandloading,but the6.8 isalreadygrowingonme despite these cartridges’ anaemic loadings.Reasonableaccuracyout300yd,especiallyfromtheHornadyfodder,verylightrecoil,exceptionallysweetextraction(aBIGissuewithmanualARs),allied tosuch clean burning that fired cases look like new.Thisonecouldbeawinner!

6.8mm Rem SPC is one of the few cartridges seen with cases made for small or large

primers depending on maker. Remington (left) and military loads use the large size; Hornady (right) and Silver State Armory brass

use the small version

The Place to Shop at Bisley

The NSRA, Lord Roberts Centre

Now in stock ~ the popular

Morini CM84E ISSF ‘Longarm’ Free Pistol

GEHMANN Shooting Products Main Retail

Stockists.

A wide range of pistols and rifles available, Anschütz, Walther, Morini, BSA, Air Arms,

Webley Limited, Steyr, Feinwerkbau. Accessories from leading manufacturers Centra,

Gehmann, HPS, VFG, Walther; AHG, Knobloch, Champion, Opticron, Hawke, BSA and many more.

Shooting Mats from Evans and HPS. Gun Safes from Bratton Sound.

Ammunition from Eley, RWS, HPS Target Master, SK, Lapua - including Air Gun Ammunition

Optics from Tasco, BSA, Hawke, MTC, AGS. Clothing from Kurt Thune, Realtree, Holme,

Anschütz, Gehmann, AKAH. We stock guns and Accessories for Field Target

and Hunter Field Target Disciplines With many more items too numerous to mention so

come browse and ask if you don’t see what you want. You’ll get a warm welcome, the best

objective advice, the right product at the right price with a comprehensive after sales service. Further information from our website

www.nsra.co.uk Shop Tel: 01483 485511 Shop Fax: 01483 488817 E-mail: sales@nsra.co.uk

Price: ~ £1210.00 FAC Required

Target Shooter 29

30 Target Shooter

Aslight diversion thismonth into the rathermurkyandmisunderstoodworldofpinfires.Theyallusedblackpowder,soalthoughtheyarebreechloading,theyqualify.Oftenseenasananachronismordeadend,thepinfirewas,alongwithsuchotherodditiesas the teat-fire and mule-ear, a stepping stonetowards the rimfire cartridge.Once thepercussioncap had been standardised, everyone wastryingtothinkupwaystouseitinabreechloadingweapon.TheideaofthepinfirewasthebrainchildofCasimir LeFaucheaux (1802-1852) which hepatented in 1833. Initially, it consisted of a rolledpaper case with a metal head and - apart fromthe protruding pin, was almost identical to today’sshotgun cartridges. It was used in a breakbarrel shotgun which was the forerunner of themodern shotgun.Although adapted to pistols andrifles,itwasreallyatitsbestinshotguns.Irecallinthe1980saSussexgunshopwasstillreloadingpinfire

shotguncartridgesforcustomers,andforallIknowmaywellstillbedoingso.Certainly,emptycasesforbothpistol and shotgun are still made, and 16borecartridges of recent manufacture by Fiocchi arefrequently encountered. Some seven years beforeHoullier’s improvement,LePage (copiesofwhosetarget pecussion pistols are extremely popular)introduced a not dissimilar cartridge inwhich boththe copper cap and the anvil protruded from thebase (presumably akin to the Sharps mule-earcartridge).Casimir’ssonEugene(1833-92)patentedanimproveddesignin1854.TheFrenchgovernmentcarried out extensive trials of weapons in theCrimean War and a 12mm revolver was adoptedbytheFrenchNavyin1856andbecametheNavyRevolverModel1858,anexampleofwhichisshowninphoto1.ThiswasaparticularlysuccessfuldesignandwasusedbythearmedforcesofFrance,Spain,Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Although neverproduced in America,both sides usedimportedweapoduringthe Civil Was andGeneral “Stonewall”Jackson carried aLeFaucheaux. Therevolver in photo 1 isin excellent condition,andhasseenlittleuse.The hooked triggerguard, whilst pretty,actually gets in theway, and somerevolvers are foundwith rounded guards.Farmorepopularwerethesmallfoldingtriggerrevolvers, usually of

by Chris Risebrook

Shooting the Black Powder PistolPart 5

Pic 1

Target Shooter 31

Belgian manufacture incalibres from 5mm to12mm.Photo 2 shows a doublebarrel 12mm smoothboreof execrable qualityand probably of Spanishmanufacture. Amazingly,itisinverygoodconditionwiththechromeplatenearlyintact. This lack of wearis probably becauseit was so badly made,no-one plucked upthe courage to fire it.Curiously, the lowerpistolin photo 2 is of muchbetter quality with rifledbarrels and of Belgianmanufacture. This wasfound in Spain in the 1960s. Clearly, it had spentmuchofitslifeinthesea,andisprobablyarelicoftheSpanishCivilWar.Unfortunately, the salt water has done it no goodwhatever, but it may well have had an excitinghistory.The pinfire was quickly superseded by first therimfire, and thenby the centre fire, but it hungoninEuropelongafteritwasobsolete,ratherlikethe

pepperbox in America (perhaps the subject of afuture article). Until quite recently, these weaponswereclassedasfirearmsbecausetheywerebreechloading,but,thankfully,theyarenowclassedasantiquesprovidedtheyarekeptassuch.

Pricesseem tobe rising,particularly for thebetterquality examples, and perhaps they are nowbecoming recognised as an important steppingstoneinfirearmsdevelopmentratherthananoddity.

Pic 2

32 Target Shooter

EachmonthIrambleonaboutrimfireandairriflebenchrest,assumingthatyouallknowaboutit.Ithas gained in popularity over the years and theair riflesideof things is reallymoving,withmorepeople taking this up in the UK and around theworld. The latter, although small in numbers, isshotbyatleasttencountriesatthistime.IthoughtthismonthIwouldgobacktothebasics,providinga brief description of what we do in the postal,nationalandinternationalmatches.

So, what is rimfire and air rifle benchrest? Exactlyasitsounds;shootingfromabenchusingrests,bothfrontandrear,toholdtherifleinastableposition. It isa testofaccuracyandskill; relatedto the rifle, the ammunition, skill of the shooter(particularly with regard to shooting position),shootingtechniqueand,mostimportantly,readingofprevailingconditions–i.ethewind!Rimfire bench rest is shot at 50metres (and 50yardsintheUS)and25yardsintheUK(25metresinEuropeandtherestoftheworld),withasmany

sightingshotstakenasrequiredduringthe30minutematchshootingthetwenty-fiverecordtargetblocks.

Rimfire benchrest is not a new sport as itoriginated in the United States some yearsago. It hasalsobeenaround in somepartsofEuropeforatleastthelasttwodecades.ItisdefinitelyashootingsportthathasagreatdealofpossibilitiesforrimfirecalibreriflesintheUnitedKingdom.

Impressions of rimfire and air rifle benchrest

By Carl Boswell

Shooters from 8 nations at the

European Championship 2007

Those targets look a long way - World Championship 2008

Target Shooter 33

Air riflebenchrestdeveloped in theUKand Italyaround the same time, when mutual ideasdeveloped regarding this sport. It took on thenatureof itsclosecousin,withsimilarmatchandrifleclassification.

The United Kingdom Rimfire Benchrest

Association,orUKBR22,wasestablishedaroundsixyearsago.Westartedsmallwithonlyeightmembers. This has developed into not justtheseasonalpostalmatchesbutnationalandinternationalcompetitionsaswell.Wealwaysrunpostalleaguesat50mandat25yardsasinternationalcompetitions;competingagainsta host of shooters from around the world.OthercompetitionsarenowdevelopingonanationalbasissuchastheC&NandMidlandleague. TheWorld Postal Championship, aoneoffmatch,hasalsotakenholdinsixteencountriesthattakepartiniteachyear.

The bench & restsThebenchisdefinedasarigidlyconstructedtable,ofaheighttoallowashooterofmoreorlessaveragebuildtositcomfortablyonastool,possiblyofadjustableheight, toallowforindividualdifferences.Therestsusedareclearly defined in the United KingdomAssociation of Rimfire Benchrest Shooting(UKBR22) rules, as are all pieces ofequipment relating to bench rest shooting.Generally speaking, the front rest can be asandbag,butismoreusuallyapedestal-typeaffair.Quiteoftenthisincorporatesheightandwindage adjustments, using a sandbag tocushionthefore-endoftherifle.Therearrestisusuallyasandbagmadeofclothorleather,oftenconstructedsothatthebuttoftherifle

Regional match in South Africa

A standard bench design from Cicognani of Italy007Below are the 50m and 25m targets used in

the UK, Europe and for world championships

34 Target Shooter

restsinaV-shapedportionofthebag.Neither the front or rear rest should grip therifle, or in any way restrict the recoil ortwistingactionof theriflewhenfiredandinfact,the riflemustbeable tobeeasily liftedclearoftherests.

The riflesThe riflesused in theUK range from theCZ toAnschutz and Sako in the Sporter and LightVarmintClasswithmainlytheTargetAnschutzinthe Unlimited Class but there are a fewMartiniInternationals and Walthers. Basically, anythingthatmeetstheweightrulescanbeused.Sowhatdoyouhaveinyourguncabinet?

Weareseeingalotmorecustomriflesnowadays,as thecompetitionhotsupRimfirebenchrest isgenerallymade up of three gun classes thoughother associations throughout theworlddo thisslightly differently. As the UKBR22 does runinternational postal competitions, the use of theUKBR22 targethasbeenagreedbyallmembernations who compete in these UKBR22 runmatches.

In the UK, rimfire benchrest rifle classes areseveralSporter,LightVarmint,andHeavyVarmintclasses.Matches in theUKaresetup toshoot forscore,with some ‘fun’ competitions shooting for groupor on a specific target for ‘one off’ competitionsduringtheyear.

Around five years ago we adapted the rimfirebenchrest rules to include the use of air rifles.This was around the same time the 25 yard/metre target was developed. For air rifle, theadaptionhadtoincludethepoweroftheairrifle,whichiscloselymonitoredatcompetitions,aswellasweight.Thesematchesareagainrunallthe-yearroundinpostalleagues.Classesforairriflecompetitionaresimilartothoseofrimfire,butdolookat the latetstsetofall rulesandequipmentspecifications-thiscanbefoundontheUKBR22websiteathttp://www.benchrest22.org/With regard to the types of rifle used for airrifle benchrest, they are mainly based aroundField Target and Hunter Field Target rifles,although target models do make their way intomatches. Although it is something I have onlyshot with since 2007, I would say that air riflebenchrestholdsthesameamountoffun,butthetechnical issues can be very different to rimfireBR.

Standard rest designs - the front rest above and the rear bags7

Below - a coaxial rest - expensive, but for some the best you can get!

The Steyr LG100 customised for benchrest

Target Shooter 35

The GameThere are twoofficialUKBR22 targets (now thesameastheofficialWorldandEuropeantargets);onefor25yrds/metresandonefor50metres.Bothhave25recordbulldiagramsand5sighterbulls.There is a 30minute time limit to shoot the 25record targets - with as many sighter shots asneeded.But,allwithin the30minutes.Aperfecttargetwouldbe250 -25X.All twentyfiveshotswouldhavetobe in the10ringandall touchingorobliteratingthecentredotor‘X’.The‘X’isonly2mmindiameteronthe50metertarget!Shootingrimfireandairriflebenchrest isagoodwaytosharpenyourshootingskillsandwithgoodammoandequipment250scoresarepossible.Iwouldsaythesameaboutairriflebuta250hasalwayseludedmewiththeserifles!

AmmunitionAmmunition must be a lead projectile in 22rimfire. Quality ammunition such as RWS, Eleyand Lapua are the leading brands used in thesport.Themoreyoupaythebetteritshouldshoot…..intheory!

On theair rifleside, Ipersonallygo forJSBbutthatisapreferenceonlybecausethisiswhatwasrecommended by a colleague a few years ago.Therearelotsofotherpelletsandpartofthefunisexperimentingbysizing,lubing,testing,etc.

The organisationsMost organisations in other countries and thereare a few of them, especially in theUSA, havesimilar rules and this can be verified via theirindividual websites. Targets can differ howeverand there will be minor differences for specificcourses of fire or specific organisationcharacteristics.ThevariousassociationwebsitescanbefoundviaaforumcalledBenchrestCentralatwww.benchrest.com.

Within the UK we have a number of existingtargets that do differ from the UKBR22/ Worldtarget(astheUKBR22adoptedtheworldtargetin2009).Thecourseoffireisalsoslightlydifferent.However,theyallservetohonetheskillsneededto compete. For some reason,many people donot shoot the internationalmatches yet theyareperfectly capable of doing so, as their scores inotherleaguesreflectthis.

The futureAs you may have read in the recent issues ofTargetShooter, theUKBR22Associationheld its

Air rifle benchrest - shot at the 2007 European Championship

Customised Anschutz for rimfire

BR

Sporter class is using anything from the shelf that meets weight

Custom Turbo action LV rifle from the USA

Batch testing youe rimfire ammo is very important -

here we are at Eley

36 Target Shooter

lastNationalChampionshipsinAugust2009.Thiswasverysuccessfulandwewanttomakethisanannualoratleastabi-annualevent.Wehaveournormalpostal leaguescontinuingduringsummerandwinterleagues,witha‘oneoff’onedayWorldPostalmatchinAugust.However,thereisnothinglikegoing ‘head tohead’againsteachotherandaBritishTeamwill thereforebegoingtothenextEuropean Championships in 2010, taking placeatPilsenrangesintheCzechRepublic.Theyearafter,in2011,theWorldChampionshipstakeplaceintheUSA.(Asasidenote,theBritishTeamhasgained some sponsorship for these two events,butwearealsolookingforfurtheraidtoboostthestatusoftheseeventsinthefuture).

And finally…IfyouarelookingforfurtherresourcestohelpyouIwouldlookatthefollowingwebsites;UKBR22website-http://www.benchrest22.org/

BenchrestCentralRimfireforum-http://www.ben-chrest.com/RimfireCentralBenchrestForum-http://www.rim-firecentral.com/

Thereareafewbooksthatmayhelpyouinyourquest for better technique and accuracy. TheBenchrest Shooting Primer and Extreme RifleAccuracyfleAccuracyare twoof them, but thereare others. The two mentioned are specificallyaimedatcenterfirebenchrest,butthetechniquesand methodology explained in them are veryusefulforrimfirebenchrest.BothcanbepurchasedviaAmazonatareasonableprice.TheUKBR22,6mmBR.comandBenchrestCentralwebsitesarealsoveryusefultohelpyoustartwithFAQ’saboutthesportandequipment.

There are lots of add ons for some classes like this Harrel tuner and mid barrel tunner - to alter

barrel harmonics

You may need windflags - otherwise how do you know where your bullet is going?These can be self made like these for

very little, or.......

..... you can by a set like these

Using windflags is very important for gaining ultimate accuracy - here we have two flags indicating different speeds at

different angles

Target Shooter 37

As there are lots of alternative matches goingon in these sports, it is interesting to see the

developmentofrimfireandairriflebenchrestintheUK.Theamazing thing isseeinghowbothhavedevelopedonaworld level.Sowatch thisspaceforscoresoverthenextfewyears,asthehuntforextremeaccuracycontinues...........

A line up of some serious kit just before the start of the match

Having a decent scope is vital for 50m - so spend what you can afford. There are bargains out there like this Sightron

A standard Anschutz used at the last european championship - you can go the whole hog but

you can start with what you have

www.FoxFirearmsUK.com Tel: 0161 430 8278 or 07941 958464

PUTTING SHOOTING FIRST For all your F Class, Centerfire and Rimfire Benchrest needs

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE THE VERY BEST VALUE CUSTOM PRECISION RIFLES FOR TR, MATCH, F-CLASS, AND BENCH-REST— http://www.foxfirearmsuk.com/

WE STOCK HUNTING RIFLES BY COOPER, KIMBER AND PFEIFER AND COMPETITION-WINNING RIFLES FROM KELBLY AND KEPPELER, AND ARE TRADE AGENTS FOR THE

SUPERB BARNARD ACTIONS, AND RECORD-BREAKING TRUE-FLITE AND BARTLEIN BARRELS

Cooper TRP-3 Rimfire Benchrest Rifle

SEB Co-axial Custom Rest

Harrel Barrel Tuner for Rimfire Benchrest Rifle

38 Target Shooter

Target Shooter 39

TheSteyrLG110forFTANDHFT

byTimFinleyIstartedshootingaSteyrrifle in theformofaLG-100in2002,Iwastakenbythedesign,andbeinganengineerIsawthatwhoeverdesignedtheSteyrwas

a very cleverman. It was the one-piece extrudedchassis that everything bolts on towhich is at theheartofthesuperbrifle.AtthattimeIhadtohavea10m6ft/lbrifleconvertedto 11.5 foot pounds tomake it viablefor the outdoor sport of Field Targetshooting. The rifle was actuallyselectedbySteyrformeandsentviathe UK distributor Harry Preston. ItturnedouttobetheonlyFTrifleIhaveeverownedwhereIwonamajortitleinthefirstyearofusinganewgun.Ihavewon many Field Target titles with itincluding the 2006 European FTchampionship. In 2005 Steyr alsobegan to produce dedicated FieldTarget version to the UK legal limitbasedupontheir6ft/lb10mmatchrifleontheupgradedversionofthe100that

theycalledtheLG-110version.TheyalsobegantomakeversioncalledtheHighPower,itisa18ft/lb’shunting rifle for theEuropeanmarket,which could

be lowered tounder12ft/lb’scomplywith our gun laws. I was pleased toseeSteyrincorporatingafeaturethatIsuggestedtothembackin2003.TheLG-100’sextrudedaluminiumchassiswas coated in a matt black finish, Isaw this as the rifles only potentialflaw, the black would act as a heatsink in the sun and warm up themetal, this could lead to movementand a shift in the rifles point ofimpact.The110hasasilverchassiswiththewordsSTEYRmachinedoutSteyrkindlysuppliedmewithanewLG-110FTin2006asIhadnospareFTrig,IalsohadanewSchmidtandBenderFTscopeso itwasagoldenopportunitytopairthetwoup.

Currently in 2010 Steyr produce the 110 in a fewversions.The10mmatchversion,theFTwitheither

FT muzzle beforemodifications

FT and HFT guns in 2007

40 Target Shooter

afixedrearbuttsectionor theremovableConnectsystem, the High Power with a simple woodenstockandtheHuntingFAC32ft/lb.22or.20calibreversion.DueforSeptember2010istheBenchRestversionwithashallowflatwideforeendinplaceofthedeepFTwoodworkandspacers.TheConnectFTsystemallowstherifletobestrippedintosmallerpartsfortransportationbyremovingthebutt/cheekpiece,ithasbeenvastlyimprovedonthe110. 100’s and early 110 had a lever on the righthand side of the rifle, lift this and the butt sectioncouldbeslideout.Mineworkeda treatas Inevertook the butt off, but 10m shooters soon found itbecoming loose after a few months. The systemusesanAllenscrewwithintheslidingsection,easilyundonewith theAllen keyprovided,but rock solidin themeantime.The forendwoodworkof the110hasbeenalteredtoalongerslimmershapebutwith

extension pieces to deepen the fore stock sectionoftherifleasrequired.The110Igotwassuppliedwith the older style woodwork as I wanted to beabletoexactlymatchthefeelanddimensionsofmycompetitionwinning100.Thepistolgriponthe110isnowfittedwithacantingdiscwhereitmeetstheaction,toallowtheshootertoanglethegriptothemostcomfortablepositionforthemselves.Thereisanewweightsystemonthe110,thisisboltedtotheinsideof thebutt plate, it consistsof two50gramweights which can be positioned anywhere alongthebar.Itretainsthealuminiumrubberstuddedbuttpad, thishasall theadjustmentsyouneedaswellas a hinged top/bottom section depending uponwhereyoufind itmostcomfortable.Therearstocksection has an adjustable cheek piece, and byadjustableImeanadjustable,notonlyforheight,butforangleinalinerelativetothebarrel.Pitch,atananglerelative to the floor and even position nearer orfurther away from the chassis. The whole rearsectioncanbealteredforpitchviatwoAllenkeysoneithersideof thechassis.Thebuttpad too is fullyadjustableforlengthofpull,heightabovebelowthebarrel lineandanglerelative to thebody.Therearsectionwhichthebuttpadfitsontocanbeangledto90or80degrees.The110bothusesadetachableaircylindersystem,althoughIhadtheminechangedtoaquickfillbyHydrographics, justbecause Iamusetothesystem.Thecylindersareavailable inastrikingblueofnaturalsilverfinish.There isanairpressuregaugeon theendof thecylindermarked

FT air stripper

FT muzzle left and HFT muzzle on the right

Target Shooter 41

inthreesections.Theyellowsectionis0to70bar,green70to200barandred(donotfilltohere)200-300.Itrunsat200barandthefillingadaptorfortheair cylinder supplied is for a 232 bar bottle. If youhavea300barbottlea speciallymadebrass ringwith an “o” ring has to be put inside the 300 barbottlewiththe200baradaptorthenscrewedin.Witha200barfillitgaveme100shotsbeforeitdroppedtotheyellowlineand70barofpressure.Thewholestringof100shotsdidnotvarybymorethan14feetpersecond,withstringsofshotswithintwofeetpersecondofoneanother.ThecurrentUK110’shaveanewtransferporttoensuretheriflecannotexceedtheUK12ft/lblegallimitwithheavyorlightpellets.ThebarrelontheLG-110differsfromtheoldhammerforgedversionon the100.Since the100wasfirstmadethefirmofSteyrSportwaffen,theairweapondivisionofSteyrMannlicher,splitfromMannlicherand51%wasboughtbyAnschutz.Theremaining49%isownedbythefourtopmenwithinSteyrSportwaffen.SincesplittingfromSteyrtheynolongerhadaccesstothehammerforgedbarrelssooptedforAnschutzbarrels,however, theycouldnotget thevolumeoftopquality12ft/lbmatchbarrelsfromAnschutzthattheyneeded.SotheynowfitLotharWalthermatch

barrelswhichtheyfinishandnickelplate.The50m(55yards)testgroupthesuppliedwithmyriflewasoneragged10.1mm(0.40 inches)center tocenterfiveshothole,thiswasshotwithJSBExactExpress7.9 grain pellets. Iwas able to shoot a three shot42mmgroupat100yardswithmy110whenIwassettinguptheS&Bscope.Thetriggerisadjustablefor1ststagetravel1stageweight,2ndstageweightandthebladeitselfcanbepositionedononeoftwo25mmlongbarsset10mmapartonthetriggerblock.Thisgivestheshootertheabilitytoperfectlypositionthebladefortheirhand/finger.Itcanbesetdownto50gramsupto250grams.Thedryfiringsystemworksasthe6ft/lbversionintheory,butSteyrstateitshouldnotbeusedonthe12and18ftpoundversionsasthestrongerspringsused could damage the trigger. One other major

feature retain in the110 is thepatentedstabilizingsystem. This system releases a spring-loadedweightuponfiring theguntocancelout the forcesproducedbyexpellingthepelletoutofthefrontofthebarrel.Newton’sthirdlawofmotioninfulleffecthere,“ to every action where is an equal and oppositereaction“asthepelletgoesforwardtheweightmovesin theoppositedirectionback towards theshooter.

The weight is housed inthe moving breech directlyin line with the bore of thebarrel, in other words theperfect place. Althoughmadefor6 ft/lb10mpowerlevels the spring poweringtheweightcanbeadjustedup to the higher 12 ft/lbpowerlevelsneededforFTandHFT.IwassoimpressedwithmyFT110IboughtaHighPowerrifle to use in HFT events.The basic mechanicalelementsoftheriflesremainthe same but I have theriflessetupforthedifferingsports. I’ll explain the

HFT moderator

I replaced the FT butt pad with an Anshcutz model

Shooting the Showdown with the angled rail

42 Target Shooter

differencesstartingwithmyFTrifle.It has the older woodwork from the 100 asmentioned before, this has been dipped byHydrographic’s towaterproof it, theyalsomodifiedthe fore end with posts to deepen it to make itpossibletoresttherifleontheforwardkneewhenintheclassicFTsittingshootingpositionandget theheight tomake it comfortable to rangefindusingasidewheelscope.Ifittedknurledfingeradjusterstothe clamping screwsof the fore end to beable toquicklyadjustthedepthduringcompetition,anotherquickadjusterisfittedtotheAnschutzbutthook.Thebutt hook is an essential bit of kit for FT shootersandbeingabletomoveitupanddowndependingupontheangletotheintendedtargetisvital.Ontheendoftheplainbarrel IfittedaPCBadjustableairstripper,whether thishelpedwith the42mmgroupat100yards Icanonlyguessat,but I think itdid.I know the 110 ismore accurate thenmy old LG-100,ariflewhich isblisteringlyaccurate. InFTweneedawindindicatorandIhavefittedaPeteDuttonstainless steel rod system,which swings out fromafoldedpositionunderthebarrel.ABSquarelevelisfittedtoscoperailtomakesureIdonotcantthegun.ThescopeyoushouldknowallaboutfromlastmonthsTargetShooter,it’saS&BFTmodelwithafirstfocalplanereticle.MyHFTriflewentthroafewchangesasIfinetunedthe gun. It too has a S&B scope a one off madefor me by them, it’s a 10*42 Klassik model fittedwith aP3Mildot reticle.Togivemea better head

position on the scope (Which is of the utmostimportanceinHFT)IfittedanaddonplasticcheekpiecefromanAK47Choate stock(Obtained fromSouthYorkshire Shooting Supplies). This just attachedwithonescrewandinthestocksnaturalstateevenmatches the surface finish. The standard blackrubber butt pad I removed and fitted a castmetalmodel fromNewZeelandas thepull lengthwasalittlesmall formyampleframe.AswiththeFTgunI had it dippedwhen Iwas happywith the fit in asubtleorangepattern.IfyoulookatthepicturesfromwhenIwonthe“Gathering”withmyHP110Ihavealsonowchangedtheforeenddeepeningsection.ItwasaverysimpleDIYblockofaluminiumwithmorealuminiumflatbarboltedtothebottomofit.Iworkedquite well but I was struggling with the increasingdifficultyof thekneelingshotscreeping intoHFT. IcontactedSteyrandtheywerefantastictosendmetheprototypeforeendtheyweregoingtomakeforthe 110 FT model. It had a machined adjustablerisingsysteminplaceofthemultiplespacersystem

theyeventuallywentfor.WhenIfitteditIknewitwasgoingtoworkbetteranditdid.Thiswasdippedtointhesamepattern.IwontheNorthEastFieldTargetAssociationHunterFieldTargetleaguein2009withthehighestpoints total in it’shistory,winningthreeofthesixrounds.Theplainmuzzlewasfittedwithacustommademoderatorwhichwentdownthebarrelinthestyleofafull-borereflextype.IwantedaquietgunasinHFTifyouhitmetalyougetapoint(Withtwopointsforknockingthetargetover)soitwouldhelpmarshalshearanymetallicsoundsasIshot.ItalsomakesthegunfeelcompletelydifferenttotheFTmodeltoshoot.TheFTrifledoessoundloudwiththeairstripperattachedtoit Ihavetoadmit. Ihadtesteda110fittedwithamoderator forapreviousmagazine article and was smitten by how it shot.BeinganHFTgunitdoesnothavealevelorwindindicatoras therules forbid thembeingused.HFTshootingisverypureandsimpleinthatrespectandshootingmyHFTSteyrdoesgivememorepleasurethentheFTrifle,butnotbymuch!One exciting thing launched at the IWA show in

testing the 110 FT before any modifications

The filling adaptor for the screw out cylinder

The standard air cylinder screws out for filling

Target Shooter 43

Germany this year was the new 110 will now beavailablewitharightorlefthandcockinghandle.Steyr’s continue to be extremely popular for FT,HFT and Bench Rest, that is not tomention 10mshooting.IownthreeSteyrriflesandhavemyeyeonthenewHuntingversiontoreplacemycurrentFACratedairrifle.Youdonothave tochangeastandardoutoftheboxrifleifyoudonotwantto,themodificationsImadearejusttotweakeverybitofanadvantageI can over other competitors, but each smallmodification is based on a long trial and errorprocess toarriveat the ideal solution.That isoneofthereasonswhyIliketheSteyr’ssomuch,theyalready have so many built in adjustments therefor the individual shooter to alter. The full-lengthaccessory rail on the underside of the extrudedchassismakesiteasytoattachdifferentforeendsorotheraccessories in thecaseof thewind indicatorfor my FT rig. The trigger position can be movedabout, you can get different grips and in the caseofmyFT rig I can change thepositionof thebutthookorthedepthoftheforeendbetweenshotsinseconds.Sothe110isprovingtobeaveryversatileperformer,theeditorofthisgreatonlinemagazinealsousesone towinmedalsatBenchRest,whateveryourairrifletargetsportthenthe110hastobeseriouslylookedat.SpecificationManufacturer SteyrSportwaffenGmbHDistributor SteyrUK01904705401Model LG-110Barrel LotharWalthermatchnickel-platedBarrellength173/4“(450mm)Calibre.177(also.22onHPand.22and.20onHuntingversion)Action PrechargedregulatedPneumatic WithstabilizingsystemCocking SideleveractionLoading Manual-directlyintobreechof barrelTriggerMatchtwoorsinglestagewithmultiple\adjustments50to250gOveralllength39.5”(100.4cm)AdjustabletofitWeight 9lb12oz(4.42kg)AdjustableforbalanceSights Scopeonlyviaascoperailor Optional30MOAPicatinnyscoperailStock Multiadjustableforweightand reach.Laminatedwoodgrip, cheekpieceandforestock. RemovablerearstockonFT Connectoption.Fixedbeechstock onHPversionPrice £1700FTrrp £1200HighPowerrrp(Pricesrises aredueon1stofApril2010) Picatinnyscoperail£150rrp

The gun that won the 2009 NEFTA Hunter series

The rifle that won the Gathering 2007

Tim shooting the gathering 2007

Winning a NEFTA Winter league round FT 2009

44 Target Shooter

Target Shooter 45

Makenomistakeaboutit,theAmericanShotShowremainstheworld’slargestshowbutIWAisclosingin! This year, the Shot Show had over 1600exhibitors compared to IWA’s 1141 but remember,these are trade shows – intended to introducevendorsanddealers tonewandexistingproducts.In the USA, around 75% of shooters are hunterswhereasinEurope,it’smorelike50-50.Ifyouhunt,theShotShowhasnoequalbut ifyouareasportshooter then IWAprobablyholdsasmuch interestastheShotShow.

I’ve done both shows and although theAmericanversionhasafewmoreexhibitors,thefloorareaistwoorthreetimesgreaterbutthatjustmeansmoreleg-worktogetaround.GiventhefactthatNurnbergisjustaday’sdrive–ora90minuteflightaway–it’ssomuchmoreconvenientandcheapertovisitIWA.

The American contingent at IWA grows year onyearandin2010wehad158standsfromtheUSAwhich naturally included all themajor rifle, scope,bullet and powder manufacturers in attendance.AlthoughIWAisatrade-onlyshow,visitorscanattendproviding theycanshowproofof involvementwiththetrade–usually,avistingcardwillsuffice.TherearesixlargehallsandsomeofthemwilltakeafulldaytogetroundsoyouwillneedthewholefourdaysoftheShowifyouwanttoseeeverything.However,don’t expect to be filling your suitcasewith a hostofgoodies–thisisnotabuyingshowandsellingisstrictlyprohibited.

Ifyouintendavisitnextyear,checkouttheAirBerlinflightsfromStanstedforabargain£80return.Ifyouwanttodrive,it’smotorwayallthewayonceyougetacross the channel but allow a full day. Expect topayupwardsof40Eurospernightforahotel(pricesareunashamedlyincreasedforIWAweek)butpublictransport in the form of the Ubahn (Nurnberg’sunderground railway) is a snip.A nine Euro ticket

willallowunlimitedtravel foraweek–forme, thatrepresented about 16 journeys, so an absolutebargain. The Ubahn will take you to the Messe(exhibition centre) from anywhere in the city – it’sabouta10minuterideandthetrainsruneveryfewminutes.

Nurnberg is a beautiful, historic walled city withplentytodoandseeifyoutakeanon-shooteralong.At night, you will feel safe wandering around thelargely pedestrianised city and eating out is a joywithmanyreasonablypricedrestaurantsofalltypesbutvegetariansarenotwellcateredfor!Theshowbringsinthousandsofvisitorsandit’shardtofindarestaurantwithoutafewshootersalreadyinthere.

ItravelledfromStansteadontheThursdayeveningflightwhichgotme inNurnberg forabout9.30pm.AfifteenminuterideontheUbahnandashortwalkfromthestationandIwasinthehotelfor10.30pm.The press are treated like royalty at IWA and thepressroomprovidesdrinksandsnacksthroughouttheday forhard-workinghacks likeme(!)and theexhibitionhallsare litteredwitheatingplacesofallkinds from a stand-up sausage to a full sit-downmeal.Smokingisnotallowedbutdrinkingis!

ThefirststandIhitwasthemassiveUmarexdisplay.Normally, Idon’tpay toomuchattention toall thatrimfire andairsoft stuff butwithmy recent interestinMini-rifle,therewasplentytosee–includingthe‘official’Heckler&KochrimfireversionoftheirMP5.Following their successful legal stoppage of theGSG-5 rifle,H&Khavenowmade theirownandveryniceitlookstoo.OnceonthestandIgotcaughtupintheairsoftthingandintheprocess,discoveredanother minefield for users and vendors of these

IWA2010

byVinceBottomleyThe opening ceremony is attended by the world’s media – can you imagine this in

Britain?

46 Target Shooter

gunsintheUK.MyoldbuddyfromthenowdefunctTargetSportsmagazine,GeoffHudson, attemptedto bring me up to speed but only added to myconfusion.Please,ifanyoneouttherecanwriteusapieceontheregulationscoveringthesetoyguns,wewillbepleasedtoprintit!Bytheendofdayone,IhadsaidhellotoafewoftheBrit.exhibitors likeJacksonRiflesandcoveredaround200standsbutIwasstilllookingformyIWAscoop–thatnewpieceofequipment,rifleorscopewhichwouldgetmejusta littlebitexcited.Ondaytwo,Istartedinhall4withtheBritishPavilion.Thisis an area where many of the Brit exhibitors areclustered together and some years, it can lookratherempty–andnowonderwithourfirearmslaws!Stands can look boring and so do thosemanningthem! This year however, the Union jacks wereflying,itwasbusyandtherewasalivelyatmosphereandplentytosee.

TheRPAstand isalwaysamustastheygenerallyhavesomethingnew–and theydid–acoupleofhunting rifles which,although not my bagcertainly break newground in this sector.A little further along, Icame across ImpalaRifles. Impala Rifles?Never heard of ‘em?NeitherhadI–butherewas my scoop!AnotherBritishmaderifleaction!Wow – how could I nothaveheard of this?Notonly an action but alsoaUKmadecarbon-fibrestock.Alivelydiscussionfollowed with GavinHaywood who it seemshas been quietly

beavering away on his action and stocks andchose IWA to launch them to the world. Theaction is beautiful – yes, it’s another Remmyclone and will be available in a number ofconfigurations.IhopethatTargetShooterwillgettheopportunitytohaveacloserlookatoneinparttwoofourIWAreportnextmonth.

ThatputanextraspringinmystepandIbouncedontotheGSGstandtolookattheirlatestGSG-5which,following the aforementioned legal interventionfrom H&K is now dubbed the GSG-522. Fromten feet away, you wouldn’t know it from the oldmodelbutthere-vamphaspromptedabetterstockdesignwithraisedcheek-piecetomakeitmore‘scopefriendly’andthestockisavailableseparatelyifyouwanttoupgradeyouroldGSG-5.Sigalsodoarimfireversion of theirmilitary rifle and very nice it lookstoo – I thinkWayne at NorthWest Custom Partsisalreadystocking them.This isagrowingmarketand you can buy aColtAR15, Smith&Wesson’sversion of the AR and Ruger’s attempt to dress

The Chinese dream up some great names for their

companies!

The British sector was vibrant and busy

Target Shooter 47

up their 10/22 as an AR. Many of theserimfires are exact replicas of their fullborecounter-part–somuchsotheycanbeusedasserious training weapons, greatly reducing thecostofammunition.

IfIWAhasafault,it’sthelackofseating.Youareonyour feetall dayand,even for foodbreaks,there is often limited seating but Hall 6 is asaviour. It’s devoted to military, police andsecurity equipment and there weredemonstrations throughout the day – withseating! When I got tired, I headed for Hall 6andwatchedRussianpolicemenbeat the livingdaylights out of each other with riot shields,battons,tasers,truncationsetc.Veryentertainingandrelaxing.

Aswellasguns,IWAhoststheKnifeoftheYearaward.KnivesareOK,indeedsomearebeautifulbutIcan’tgetover-excited.Chooseaknife,buyit and it lasts forever – unless you lose it butbelieveme,anawfullotoffolkmakealivingoutofsellingknives.TheKnifeoftheYearistakenveryseriously and figures in the prestigious IWAopening ceremony. Most exhibits would beillegal to carry in the UK – never mindgiven an award! What a country we live in. Iwas looking at a tiny 22 pistol on one of the

Americanstands.Thisguymakesonly one pistol. It’s aimed atladiesasitissmallenoughtoslipinto a pocket or handbag – nobigger than a Blackberry in fact.Theguyoffersarangeofdifferent‘lady’finishes–chrome,gold-plate,pink, blue – you name it. I wasbusy taking pictures and hethought ImightbeacustomersoIhadtoputhimrightandconfessthat Iwas from theUKwherewearenotallowedtoownsuchthings.“ForGod’ssake,standupandfightthose bastards – take back yourcountry!” I could help thinking hewasdeadright. It’s reallypatheticthat we are just about the onlycountryinthecivilisedworldwherewecan’townpistols.

Talking about other productsbanned in the UK – there is amassive market in self-defencesprays.Whyshouldn’tourladiesbeallowedtocarrythese?Theymerely

A Russian policeman

demonstrates his firepower

Gavin Haywood with his new action and

carbon-fibre stock – more next month

48 Target Shooter

spraypepperintothefaceofadastardlyattacker–theeffects ofwhichare short-lived. I did seeone thatsprayeda coloureddyeandaminor irritantwhichthevendorclaimedwasUKlegal–interesting.Another one shot a large dollop of glue onto theassailantsface–veryeffective.

But, let’s get back to firearms. What did themajor manufacturers have to offer? Savage wereshowingtheirtacticalrifle.Itwasondisplayandonsalelastyear.ItlooksgreatbutIhadtotellthemthatIhadn’tseenasingleoneintheUK.Theywerealsoexhibiting a 338 version which should be farcheaperthananyotherfactory338.Let’shopeourSavageimporterstakenote.The338Barrettisanotherrifle with that aggressivemilitary look and a goodreputationandshouldsellwellintheUK.Therewereseveral minor firms showing rifles chambered forthe338and408Chey-Tac–thereappearstobeagrowing interest in these larger calibres for somereason.

Yes,therewererevampedtacticalsfromBlaser,Sig,Sako,Steyretc.butnothingtooexciting.Whereasa

fewyearsago,greenwasthenewblackfortacticalrifles–nowit’stan!Ofalltheso-calledtacticalrifles,Ihaven’tseenonethatsurpassestheUniqueAlpineintermsofquality,looksandfunctionality.Theyhavesomenewmodelsbut thisrifle isso ‘right’ there islittle that can be done to improve it beyondminortweeks.YorkGunshavesecuredtheexclusiveUKimporterrightsandwehaveonefortest–moreinourMayissue.Remingtonhadnothingnewformebut were still showing their tactical rifle with thatbonkerstriangularbarrel.Again,I’veyettoseeoneintheUK.Rugerhadatacticalversionoftheir10/22andofcoursetheARversionofthe10/22.MostoftheWinchesterstandwasdevotedtoshotguns,solittlefortherifleenthusiast.

Ifyouwanttoseesomethingreallyexcitingyouneedto visit the BCM stand run by my good friend DrVittorio Taveggia. Vittorio is a genius in metal-working-oftheCNCvarietyandhedesigns,buildsand shoots some of the most exciting long-rangeriflesyouwilleversee.Hemakeshisownactions,stocks and a range of accessories – scope rings,railsandthelikeandhehasalsohadtimetodevelopasemi-autopistolformilitaryandpoliceuse.Pleasehavealookathiswebsiteatwww.bcmeuropearms.it

The 338 Savage looks the part should be a bargain

There’s something of interest at every turn – this

guy is engraving a knife blade

Target Shooter 49

Alotofthesiteisstillunderconstructionbutyouwillgetanideaofwhatheproduces.

Wecanusuallyhopefortheoddnewscopeto

appear and, if it’s from one of the major qualitymanufacturers, all the better. Leupold haven’t hadmuch to exciteme for the last few years but theyhadacoupleofgreatnewtacticalscopesondisplay

in an exciting new finish– tan! These scopes aremilitary through and throughwith aHorus reticle on offerand a foolproof ‘lock’ on theelevation turret to preventaccidentaladjustment.

Schmidt & Bender had alsogone for the same ‘desert’finish and they had doneaway with that curious‘lighthouse’ turret whichadornsthe25and50powerPM models. Sightron ofcourse were showing their10-50 power which willundercut the opposition byabout a third and surelybecome ‘the scope’ forserious long-range UKtarget shooters. AimfieldSports are the UK importerand Target Shooter hasthe first one in the UK forevaluation. Full report nextmonth.This month, I have triedto give you a generalimpressionof the IWAshow.Next month, we will havea closer look at at themoreinteresting stuff on display.

If you’ve nothing new to show and you painted your black rifle green last year, then paint it tan for 2010!

Here’s Dr Taveggia from BCM Europe Arms with his

semi-auto pistol. Next month we’ll have a look at his rifles

50 Target Shooter

Phoenix Trade FairPhoenix Trade Fairat the heart of

BisleyServing the competitor, trader and visitor to the

Anno Domini and Phoenix for over 25 years

Bisley Pavilion Trade Fair

28th, 29th and 30th May 2010

Bisley Pavilion Trade FairFREE ENTRY AS ALWAYS

28th, 29th and 30th May 2010Bisley Camp, Queens Road, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NY

Tel: 01483 489270 Fax: 01483 486600HOTEL RESERVATIONS: 01483 488488

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

URGENT PROOFPlease check this proof carefully for errors in style, content and layout.Although every care is exercised in preparing your advert, we cannot holdourselves responsible for any inaccuracies you may overlook.SHOULD YOU REQUIRE ANY ALTERATIONS TO THISPROOF OR IF THIS PROOF IS CORRECT PLEASE TELEPHONEBEFORE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ AND QUOTE ADVERT NO. _ _ _ _

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149 - BISLEY AD 19/3/10 2:29 pm Page 1

Portsmouth Gun Centre Ltd 295 London Road

North End Portsmouth

PO2 9HF Tel 02392 660574 Fax 02392 644666

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We stock a full range of Rifles, Pistols, Air Guns, Shotguns, Ammunition,Reloading Equipment and Accessories. All major brands stocked including BSA, CZ, Air Arms, Marlin, Ruger, Umarex, Uberti, Cometa, Pedersoli, Berreta, Lincoln,Webley, Pedersoli, etc.

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Having identified bullets that are best avoided forlonger range shooting last month, I’ll look at theothers to see what drives their external ballisticsperformance, and the importance or otherwiseof their aerodynamic efficiency in 600ydshooting. This will be the prelude to identifying

‘winners’ and ‘losers’ for very long-range shootingwith the .308 Winchester. But first, let’s go backtobasicsandaskwhatwe’re looking for–optimalaccuracy and external ballistics efficiency.‘Accuracy’?–acombinationof‘precision’(therifle-ammunition’s ability to produce small groups) and

Optimalbulletchoicecanbecrucialinlong-rangematches,especiallyonrangessuchasBlairAthollwhichisnotoriousfordifficulttoreadwindconditions.

HANDLOADING ‘OLD FAITHFUL’THE .308 WINCHESTER (part 6)

By Laurie Holland

Above - One the youngest (and best) international F-Class shooters is teenager Adam Brough taking aim here with his 7mmWSM Open-Class rifle at Blair Atholl. This high-BC, high-MV combination confers a huge advantage over .308W at long ranges in switching

winds.

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the application of rifle handling, aiming and windreading to hit the aiming mark. Good externalballistics performance makes the latter job easierthrough reducing the effects of such factors aswind drift and bullet drop, the benefits conferredincreasingexponentiallywithrange.

What is ‘external ballistics efficiency’ in thiscontext? It is the optimum combination of BC(ballisticcoefficient)andMV,butwithalargechoiceofbulletshapesandaweightrangeof150to240gnfor 0.308” HPBTM designs, how canwe compareso many possible combinations? One problem isthat,allotherthingsbeingequal,BCrisesindirectproportion to bullet weight, but opposing this, MVdrops. Most shooters apparently assume this azero-sum game in which MV reduction negatesany benefit derived from higher BCs, otherwisewhywould they load 155gn bullets for shooting indisciplinesorclubmatcheswherethereisnosuchrequirement?Newcomers invariablychoose155gnbulletstoo,presumablyontheadviceofexperiencedshooters. Much of this is down to our beingconditionedtobeimpressedbyhighvelocities,and‘well over 3,000 fps’ sounds better than ‘around2,500’.

Weight and SpeedThis leads me to the need to look at two things:the mechanism whereby increasing bullet weightincreases BC; how similar bullet designs withdifferent weights behave at comparable MVs.Now here’s a conundrum – how do we ascertaincomparable MVs for very different weight bullets,say 155gn and 210gn? We could look at loadingmanualsoraskothershooters.Eithermayprovideballparkbutnotparticularlyreliablefiguresgiventhevariables involved, not to mention most shooters’incorrigible optimism about their loads’ velocities.However, ifwehaveanaccurateMVforone load,we can estimate what that particular rifle willproducewithotherbulletweights.However,whenIsay“accurate MV”, I mean just that – that spellsCHRONOGRAPHED!Generallyspeaking,ifarifleproduces a certain ME (muzzle energy) with onebullet,itwillalsodosoatsimilarchamberpressureswithothers,even thoughyoumayhave tochangethepowder.Table1 listsMEs fora rangeofbulletweights using 155gn at 3,000 fpsMV (3,098 ft/lb)asthestartingpoint,andweseetheequivalentMVfora210gnbullet is2,577 fps.Thismethod isnotexact,asload-tuningmightseethefinalised210gnloadperformbestatanMV20or30 fps lower,or

Although 0.308” bullets are available from 110gn to 240gn, these bullets represent the usual maximum spread of 155 to 210gn used in the .308W. This sextet represents the most

efficient designs in their respective classes: 155s from Sierra, Lapua, and Berger on the left; 208-210s from Hornady, Berger and Sierra on the right.

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forthatmatterhigher,thantheexactMEequivalenttoanexistingload.Naturally,theriflingtwistratehasto

besuitabletoo.

Right,wehaveachronographed loadand likelyMVsforotherbulletweights,sohowdoesweightaffect BC, again stressing all other things areequal?TofindthisoutweneedtolookattheBC’sconstituent parts, and find it is the ratio of SD(sectional density) to ‘form factor’, that is dividetheformerbythelatterandyougettheBC.Thattells us not a lot, so let’s dig further. SD is theratio of bullet calibre (diameter) and weight,specifically weight (measured in pounds)divided by the square of the diameter ininches.With7,000gnto1lb,a155gnbulletweighs0.022142 lbs and a 210gn example 0.0300 lbs.Both are 0.3080” diameter, square this figureandyouget0.094864.DivideourweightsbythisfigureandwegetSDvaluesof0.233and0.316respectively – note that any such weight thirtycalibre bulletshave theseSDswhethershapedlike ICBMs or a brick-built public conveniences.The aerodynamic efficiency bit of the equation

Left - Berger’s two 0.308” 185s, BT Long-Range on the left with long tangent nose and VLD on the right with a 14.7-calibres radius secant ogive nose on the right. The tangent BT L-R model has the marginally higher G7 BC at 0.283 v 0.281, and is much easier to

‘tune’ in handloads for most rifles.

Left- Identifying ballistically optimum load combinations may seem impossible given the potential combinations of weights, shapes and MVs. This quartet represents four very different options. Left to right: 155gn Lapua Scenar (mild secant ogive); 175gn Sierra MK (traditional form match bullet with 7-calibre radius tangent ogive); 175gn Berger VLD (aggressive secant ogive); 210gn Sierra MK (not only a heavy-weight, but Sierra’s only full-blown VLD design with aggressive secant ogive nose section).

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comes from the bullet’s shape (‘form’) and howwell it copes with atmospheric drag. Ballisticiansdescribeitusinganumerical‘formfactor’,whichisa comparison of the bullet’s performance againstthatofastandardreferenceprojectile’sshape.Thereference bullet is always referred to asG plus afiguretodifferentiatethevariousversionsavailable,and is always given a form-factor or ‘i’ value of1.0.The onewe’re interested in theG7 referencestandard–seeBryanLitz’sarticleonFullborebulletsintheOctoberandNovemberissueswhichincludeadrawingof it.Bryanrangetested175long-rangebulletsineightcalibresandcalculatedi7valuesandG7BCsaveragedover1,000ydflights–I’llusehisdatathroughoutinmakingcomparisons.Fortuitously,Bryan also provides detailed drawings of most ofthe175bulletstoo,lettingmesearchfortwowhoseparts that most affect aerodynamic performanceare similar, that is the nose and boat-tail rear, buthave different full-calibre lengths in-between vary-ingtheweight.IeventuallyfoundtwoBerger0.308”modelsthathavesimilarshapesandanidenticali7value–the155.5gnBTFULLBOREandthe210gnMatch BT Long-Range. Both have the same rearend,an8.9°angleboat-tail0160” longandsimilar

tangent-ogive fronts, the 155.5 using a 9.6-calibre(2.96”)radiusnose;the210a10.19-calibre(3.14”)radiussection,withnoselengthsonly2%differentat0.825”and0.806”respectively.Bryanhascalculatedthei7forbothas0.988,thatistheyproduce98.8%of theG7 reference standard bullet’s drag, so aremarginally more efficient. The difference betweenthem is mid-section length, the 155.5gn bullet’s0.265”, the 210’s 0.481” producing the extra 55gnweight. BC is calculated by dividing the SD by i7valueandsincetheheavier210grainerhasahigherSDitgetsthebetterresultat0.320v0.237.

MetricsWe know these bullets’ BCs thanks to Mr Litz,and we also know thanks to his drawings andcalculations that the sole measurable differencebetweenthemisweight,sowearen’tcomparingablunt pear to a streamlined apple. I can estimatethe 210gn version’s likelyMV inmybarrel as latelast year I tested the 155.5gnBerger loaded overAmerica’sfavouritepropellantforthisbulletweight,HodgdonVarGet.Outoftenfive-roundtestbatcheswith powder charges rising in 0.2gn steps, threeconsecutive loads produced a ‘sweet spot’ or

Six of these seven bullets were evaluated ballistically for 600yd shooting using comparable MVs. Left to right: ‘old’ Sierra 155gn MK, ‘new’ Sierra 155gn, 168gn SMK, 175gn SMK, cartridge loaded

with 185gn Berger BT L-R, 185gn Berger BT L-R, 200gn SMK, 208gn Hornady A-Max.

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accuracy node giving 0.2-0.3” groups, the highestchargeweight of the trio producing 2,952 fpsMV.Calculating that combination’sMEproduces 3,010ft/lbMEandtheequivalentMVwiththe210gnbul-let is 2,540 fps.So, let’s run them throughBergerBullets’G7ballisticsprogram.

But first, out of the various program outputs –terminal velocity, trajectory, retained energy, andwinddrift–whichare the importantones tousastarget shooters? Most people use bullet drop atlongrangefroma100ydzeroconvertedtoMOAastheirkeymetric.Howoftendoyouhearpeoplesaysomething like “This isagreat load! Ionlyneeded28-MOA come-up on my scope for 1,000 yardswhilemyoldoneneeded32”?Itseemslogicalinitssimplicity, as surely themore the bullet drops, theless efficient it is. Not so! Nor should we bother

aboutbulletdropsinceweknowtherange(s)we’reshooting over and can calculate the amount ofmovement needed on the sights. So, if it’s notbulletdrop/sightsetting‘come-up’,whatshouldwelookfor?Ifweshoot6.5-284Normaor7mmWSMinF-Class, it’s one thing only – wind drift, but sincewe’re shooting .308W, we’re interested in twothings – wind drift and terminal velocity. Why thedifference?The 7mmshooter needn’tworry aboutdropping into transonic zone nevermind subsonicspeeds(c.1,475fpsandbelow),butthiscanbearealissueforthelong-range.308competitor.Lookingattheoutputs,the155.5gnnumberretains1,273fps(1.13Mach)andmoves93.7”(justunder9-MOA) in the ‘standard’10mph90°crosswindat1,000yd, but the initially much slower 210 has anextra68fpsvelocity(1,341fpsor1.2Mach)andmovessideways 15½ fewer inches at 78.2”, a reduction

F-Class regulars Chris Hull and Terry Mann mark a .308W F/TR rifle shot on a PSSA 500/600yd ‘Freestyle’ target in a 600yd F-Class competition. On a day with constantly

switching winds, F/TR shooters would have been delighted to stay within the amount of wind-drift seen here, many twos and threes being scored.

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of nearly 1½-MOA at this range. However, it issomewhatsmallerchangesinthewindstrengthanddirection that catch us out and lose points, eitherthrough beingmissed or seen butwrongly ‘called’andallowed for in theshot.A fairly typicalmistakeamountstotheequivalentofa1½mphchangeinaquarteringwind.Inputthiswindspeedfrom4o’clockand the155.5combinationnowmoves12.16”, the210exactly2”lessat10.16”,orjustunder1-MOA.With the 1,000yd F-Class target having half-MOArings, the 155.5gn load scores a ‘three’, the 210just scrapes into the ‘four’ ring assuming the shot

was otherwise perfectly centred. The figures aresummarised in Table 2 with a typical 7mmWSMload’sperformanceshownfordevilment.

As a matter of interest, if we had adopted thecommonlyused‘sightscome-up’metric,howwouldour two bullets compare? The high-BC / Low-MV210gn bullet drops 375.6” or nearly 36-MOA at1,000ydfroma100ydzero, the lower-BC/higher-MV 155.5gn bullet drops 322.5” or 30¾-MOA,thereby shooting a full ‘5¼-MOA flatter’, as mostshooterswouldseeit–potentiallyaverymisleadingresult.

Getting FormTheseresultssurprisedme,forwhileIknowhigh-BCheavy bullets outperform low-BC high-MVcombinations in the wind, I hadn’t expected it toapply here as both bullets have an identical formfactor value, therefore equally efficient incomparisontotheG7referencebulletshape.Movingon, let’s lookattheBC-mixfromtheotherside of the equation using three 175gn 0.308”bullets.TheirSDsareidenticalat0.264,asaretheassumed MV, but what is now different is theirshapes, hence aerodynamic efficiency asrepresentedbyi7values.MV-wiseI’lluse3,000fps

600 yards is often referred to as short-range, but doesn’t look that from just in front of the main Diggle range butts. The firing point is between the right-hand edge of the reservoir

and the range-house half way up the right hillside.

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with155gnbulletsasthebaselinefromnowon,andtheirequivalentMVbasedon3,098ft/lbMEis2,823fps.Thetrioinlowtohighi7value(hencehightolowBC)order isBerger 175gnMatchBTLong-Rangeat 0.999, Berger 175gn VLD at 1.035, and Sierra175gnMatchKingat1.084givingG7BCsof0.264,0.255,and0.243respectively.Thesefiguresmightsurprise ome in that most shooters assume the

VLD form with a long secant-form ogive (15.1calibres radius here) always outperforms tangentogive designs. Berger has recently developed aseriesoflong-nosetangentogivebulletsandtheseturn out to be really ‘slippery’, often producinghigherBCsthanequivalentVLDs.TheBerger175gnLong-Range model has a longer than usual nosewitha9.07calibresradiusform,whichevenifwithasmaller radius than the VLD is a tenth of an inchlonger overall at 0.805” shoulder to tip comparedto0.707”.TheSMKusesSierra’srelativelyblunt7-calibretangentogive,butalsohasa0.7”longnose.This bullet is the darling of long-range unknown-distance sniper competition shooters, and isloaded into the US military’s M118LR snipercartridge, ‘LR’ also short for Long-Range. Table 3gives their comparative performance at 600 and1,000yd. As with the previous example, the mostefficientbullet,theBergerMatchBTL-Rloadseesthebulletmovenoticeablylessat1,000yd,butwithasmallerimprovementhereataround1½-inches–notahugeamount,butevery littlehelps.Terminalvelocity seesagreater difference this time thoughwiththeBergerL-Rat1,325fps(againat1.18Mach)afull100fpsbetterthantheSierraMatchKing.

600 YardsIsaidlastmonththat600ydislong-rangeshooting

formanypeople,sohowimportant isbulletchoiceatthisrange?MyexamplesinTables2and3giveidentical 600yd results for the ‘miscalled wind’, a0.4” difference in lateral strike between the bestandworstexamplesineachscenario,althoughthatrisesto0.6”betweenthebestandworstofthefiveloadsiftheresultsareaggregated,thesmallestdriftbeing the 210gn Berger’s 3.2” and the worst the

175gn SMK’s 3.8”. Is half an inch or so worthbotheringabout?Itdependsonthetargetsizeandwindconditions.LookatthephotographofthePSSA(Pennine Shooting Sports Association) 500/600ydF-Class target.We see a bullet strikewith perfectelevationbutblownalmostoutoftheleftsideofthefour-ring.(Ignorethescoremarkings–the‘V’istheinner thin line outside of the circular black aimingmark,theBull-5isthe5½”-dia.ringmarked‘9’,andthe4-ringisthenextout,the10½”-dia.ringmarkedas‘8’.)Thiswasa.308WF/TRshotanditspositionisaround4¾”leftofthetargetcentre,equivalenttoamissed1¾mphgust from4o’clockona155gnSierra with 3,000 fps MV. Let’s consider thistargetusingtheloadcombinationsshowninTable4ranging from the ‘old’ 155gn Sierra Palma MKat 3,000 fps and the 168gn SMK at 2,882 fpsas the poorest performers to the 185gn BergerMatchBTL-Rand208gnA-Maxasbestwith1.2”difference between them in a 1½” 4 o’clock gust.Let’sassume theshooterand rifle-ammunitionarecapableofgroupingintohalftotwothirds-MOA,or3”-4”atthisrange,andallshotsareperfectlyaimed,so somewill strikeup to1½ to2-inchesoneithersideof thetargetcentre.Someshotsat theedgesof the groupwill reinforce thewind effects, otherscounter them, while some land dead centre andtheir effect is therefore neutral. In theworst case,

58 Target Shooter

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UK Gunworks

thegroupspreadpluswinddriftwillamountto6”ormore lateralmovement for the poorest performingbulletswhichwillthenscore‘three’.Theworstcasescenario for the best performing load should justscore ‘four’. Ifwe increase themissedwindcall to2mph,the208gnA-Maxloadmoves4.1”againstthe155gnSMKload’s5.4”makingtheformermarginalfora‘four’,thelatterguaranteeda‘three’andgettingperilouslyclose tobeinga ‘two’.Wecanconcludethatthebenefitsfromusingballisticallyoptimalloadcombinationswillbe relativelysmall inTargetRifleusingthelargeNRAtargetwith1-MOA(6”-dia.) ‘V’

and2-MOA (12”-dia.) ‘Bull’ andmostly confined totheV-count,whilescaleddownprecisionrifletargetswill seepotentially significantscore improvements.Nextmonth,I’llevaluatethemajorityofbullets,lookat performance factors other than pure externalballistics,andexaminemydatasource,amust-buybookforanyseriousmediumtolong-rangeshooter,‘Applied Ballistics for Long-Range Shooting’ byBryanLitz.Bryanhasmostgenerouslyagreedtomereproducingsomeofhisdataandillustrations.

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Ifyou’vefinished,unloadandshowclear.Vanessa’swordstookasecondor twotosink in.Therewerestilla fewtargetsstanding, Istillhadsomeroundsinthebelt(Ihadfiredabouttwentyfive)soIstoodthere,gaspingdesperately togetsomeair intomybursting lungsand lookedatherstupidly.ShehadrealizedthatIwasphysicallyandmentally,becauseofthelackofoxygen;mostdefinitely–finished.It hadall starteda fewmonthsbeforewhen I hadcasually mentioned that I wouldn’t mind having agoatpracticalshooting.Iboughtagunandsentinthe forms.Ofcourse,saidVanessa, ifyouwant toshootcompetitionyou’llhavetodothebasicsafetycourse.Imademyselffamiliarwithmynewgunbyfiringafewroundsthroughit,practicingmyloadingtechniqueandgenerallyhavingabitof fun.WhenIarrivedatCarlisleIfeltalittletrepidation,throughfear of embarrassment and failure I suppose, buteagertoseewhatthecoursehadtooffer.There were three instructors who introducedthemselves and outlined the detail of the course.Therewerenineofusstudentsandwewereleftinnodoubtthattheemphasiswouldbeonsafetyandthatfailurewouldbeinevitableshouldwebedeemedto be the slightest unsafe. There followed aboutthreehoursoffairlyintenseclassroominstructiononpractical shotgun shooting.All aspects of practicalshotgun shooting were covered, and whilst, as ashooterofvariousotherdisciplinesforanumberofyearsIthoughtthatIwasprettywellswitchedon,Ilearnedanawful lot thatmorning. Itwasallabout,notonlybeingsafemyself (weall knowaboutnotpointing a gun at someone don’t we?) but aboutdemonstratingtoallthosearoundmeinaclearandunambiguousmanner thatwhat I’mdoingwithmygunpresentsnodangertothemaswellasmyself.Wewereleftinnodoubtthatfailurewasapossibilityandanearlybathmorethanlikely.Andsototherange.Targetsweresetup,andunderclose supervision we were asked to complete

steadily increasingly difficult exercises.Various shooting positions and techniques weredemonstrated,whichweweretheninvitedtocopy.My instructors were generous with their time and patience but quick to spot error. Their criticismswereconstructiveandpositiveandagreatdealofinformationandknowledgewasimparted.Experimentation was encouraged and helpfulsuggestions as to positioning and technique werepositive and plentiful. The end of day one leftmetired,happyandmuddy.Day two brought more stages, more guidanceand one or two gentle reminders and increasinglylarge grins from the students as we realizedhowmuch fun this could be.Wewere tested andscrutinizedconstantly,notonlywhilstonthelinebutallthetimewhilstontherangeornearit.Takingoffmy safety glasses because they had steamed upproducedamildrebuketogobehindtheshedanddo it; a loud “tut” and stern look reminded me toneverletmyweakhandtrifferninger*wanderawayfromstraightagain.AsIhavesaid,thestagesbecameincreasinglydifficultandweredesigned to testoursafegunhandling,skilllevelandspacialawareness.Different techniques were explained anddemonstratedandasaresult,ourshootingsteadilyincreasedinaccuracyandspeed;butmostofallwewerebeingguideddownthepathofsafeshooting.The last stage consisted of moving from one setofcolouredconestoanother, loadingonthemoveand engaging the targets from different positions,weakshoulderstandingetc.Vanessaurgedmeintogradually increasing speed and I tried to keepgoing.Shecalled“Blue,strongshoulder,standing”I searched the range floor desperately trying tospot the two blue cones, finally my dying brainrealizedthattheywerebetweenmyfeetandthatIwasstanding with the gun in my strong shoulder. Myarms refused to lift the gun, my lungs screamedas they struggled for oxygen and my heart-beat

UKPSA BASIC SAFETY COURSE

by John Gardener

60 Target Shooter Classifieds•C

lassifieds•C

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(probably in the hundreds) was making my headpound. “Ifyou’vefinished,unloadandshowclear.”Followedbya“Welldone.”“Yes”Igasped,“Wellandtrulydone.”Thewash-upwas,aswehadnowcometoexpect,constructive and useful. There followed a fewanxiousmomentswhilewewerecalled,onebyoneinto a separate room for our personal wash-up, Ireceived a hearty handshake frommy instructorsand presented with my Basic Safety CourseCertificateandmycompetitionlicence.Thecoursewas as demanding, as I had expected, instructiveas it should be, andenjoyable. I cannot thankmyinstructors enough for their generosity, my fellowstudents enough for their company and CarlisleRangeenoughfortheirhospitality.AllIcanhopetodoisrecommendthemalltoyoumostheartily,and,formyselfandallofyou.Shootsafe,shootwell.

JohnGardener

• Triffer ninger – that piece of anatomywhich wanders towards the trigger when yourconcentrationgoes.

Soyouwanttogoonacourse.You do not have to be a UKPSA member to beaccepted on a course, or even be an FAC or SC

holder,butifyousuccessfullycompletethecoursetoCompetitionLevelandwantaCompetitionLicence(requiredtotakepartinapprovedmatchesintheUKandelsewhereintheworld)youwillhavetojointheAssociationwithin6monthsofthecourse.The cost is usually around £70 (+ cartridges) forthe twodays.Prior to thecourseyou’llbeemailedwithdetailsofwhat is requiredofyouandwhat toexpect.IfyouwouldliketogetonacourseoryourclubwouldliketohostonepleaseemailJimGibneyatJG384900@aol.comMoredetailsaboutpracticalshootingcanbefoundatwww.ukpsa.co.uk

Coming to the end of the unloading procedure. gun has been called clear by the Range Officer, the flag is inserted and the gun is then carried muzzle down.

Finger outside Trigger Guard

Target Shooter 61Classifieds•C

lassifieds•C

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Those of youwho followmy articles, will alreadyknowthat IamabenchrestshooterandI thoughtitmight be useful to share informationwith otherbenchrestshooters-ormaybethoselookingtogetintobenchrestshooting-howastockismadeforacustomriflebuild.Whensomeshootershear theword ‘custom’ theythinkthatitwilllikelycostloadsofmoney,wellyesitcanbutyoucangetacustombuilddoneforaroundthesamekindofmoneyasanewfactoryrifle- ifyoushoparound.The UK has some great gunsmiths and stockmakersbut, asabreed, they canbehard to findandoftenit’sdoneby‘wordandmouth’.Personally,Iwishthattheseguyswouldcomeoutofdarknessandpromotethemselvesalittle–byadvertisinginTargetShootermaybe!Stephen Parker of Parmoor Stocks started hiscustomstockmakingbusinessabout a year ago.Getting a company going in a climate that is stillrecoveringfromtherecessioncanbehardworkandagamble–asweatTargetShooter knowall too

well.Stephenhasdonehisbesttopromotehimselfby takinghis stocks to shooting clubsand showsto let shooters seewhat he canproduceandgetfeedbackastowhatshooterswouldlike.Heisnowstartingtofindhisfeetandgunsmithsarestartingtousehisstocksforcustomriflebuilds.IspoketoStephenlatelastyearabouthimmaybebuildingmeastockforaprojectthatIhadinmind.HethensentmesomephotographsofthedifferentwoodsandlaminatesheusesbutIwaslookingforsomethingdifferentbothinwoodandshapetomeetmyneeds.The great thing about a custom build is that youstartwitha‘blankcanvas’andworkoutabudgetofhowmuchyouarewillingtospend.Hopefully,youwillnothavetocompromisetoomuchonwhatyouarelookingforwhenyouaddupthecost!AfterstudyingStephen’srangeofwoods,laminatesanddesignsandafteralotofthought,wecameupwith a combination that would do the job. Then ImetStephenattheNewarkShowlastmonthwherehewasshowinga laminate that Ihadneverseen

CustomRifleBuild–TheStock

byAndyDubreuil

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before,norhadanyoneelseforthatmatterandIjustfellinlovewithit–overnight,everythingchanged!Steve calls this laminate ‘ice wood’ and the onlythingIcantellyouaboutitisthatitcomesfromthefareastandStepheniskeepingquietonwherehesources it. Idon’tblamehim, it is justsodifferentandeveryonewhosawitwasimpressed.Ifhehadbroughtadozenstocks,hewouldhavesoldthelot!So,withthewoodanddesignsorted,wecanhavealookathowthestockismadethankstothepicturesprovidedbySteve.The first step is to glue the laminates together tobuild up the required thickness for the stock butit also adds strength and stability to the wood topreventitwarping.Thismustthenbeleftforaweeksothat ithastimetosetunderextremepressure.Once this is done, the laminate is cut to a roughshapesothatitcanbemachinedinthecopier.Asyoucanseefromthefirstpicture,themachinethatStephenusescanturnouttwostocksatatimebyreading a template. As the machine follows thetemplate, the stock begins to take shape. Theair isfilledwithfinewoodfibreswhichshouldnotbe inhaled so attention to health and safety isparamount.Oncethebasicshapeisformedit thenrequiresalarge dollop of ‘elbowgrease’ to give it a smoothfinishreadyforlacquering,oncethemachiningandinlettingfortheactionandbarreliscomplete.Thecontrasting colours of the laminate brings out theinterestingfeaturesofthestockand,ifyoulookatitlongenoughyouwillbegintoseeunusualshapesandevenfacesinthelaminate.Thisiswhatmakesicewood so different, as youwill never have the

samedetailinanotherstockeventhoughit’smadefromthesamelaminate.Thestockisgoingtobeusedforunlimitedrimfirebenchrestshooting,which is justaswellas itwillweigharound6lbs.butitwillmakeforagoodsolidriflewhenthebuildisfinished.MyshootingfriendsinAmericaandAustraliahaveahabitofnamingtheirriflesandIhavefallenfoulofthishabitastheicewoodshapesandcontoursremindmeofthecoatofasnowleopard,sothatiswhatI’mcallingit.Oncetheinlettingisdone,Stephenwillputthefirstcoatoflacqueronthestockjusttosealitsothatitdoesn’tpickupdirtyfingermarks,thenitwillbesentfor pillar-bedding withmy gunsmith. The beddingprocesswilltakearoundeightdaystocompleteandthenthestockwillgobacktoStephenforthefinallacqueringwhichwill takearound28days togivethethathighglossfinishthatitdeserves.Agoodcustombuilddoesn’thappenovernight,soallowforacoupleofmonthsfortheworktobedoneandkeepintouchwithyour ‘smithforprogressofhow the build is going. I am starting to get itchyfingersalreadyasIreallywanttohavetherifle inmyhandsbutImustbepatientasIknowthatitwillbeworththewait.You can contact Stephen of Parmoor Stockseither byphoneon01937842017 or email himatstephen588@btinternet.com for moreinformation. See also the advertisement in themagazine.NexttimeIwillbetalkingabouttheriflepartofthebuildandwillsharewithyouhowthiswasdoneandwhyIchosecertainpartsfortherifle.

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The SEB Neo Co-axial Rest

byVinceBottomley

Have you had a look at the video of the newSEBrestonourhomepagewhichweshotattheNewarkShow lastmonth?FoxFirearmsare theUK importer forSeb’smany products andBrianFoxwaskindenoughtoloanustheNeorestforhalfanhoursothatwecouldshootthevideo.

At theendof theShow, I askedBrian if I couldborrowtherestfora600yardbenchrestshootthefollowingSunday.ThisgavemealotbetterinsightintoSeb’slatestofferingandhowthenewfeatures

actuallyworkinpractice.Machine-type front rests were once thepreserveofseriousbenchrestshootersandeventhen,notmanyofuswereusingtheco-axial–orjoystick–rests.Althoughtheyappearedtoofferanadvantage over the more common tri-pod rest,they were expensive and it was not until the FClassshooterscamealongthatwebegantoseemorejoystickrestsonUKranges.Thereasonforthisissimple–it’sdifficulttoreachthecontrolsofatri-podrestfromthepronepositionwhereasthe

We shoot uphill at Diggle from the 600 yard firing point and, as you can see, I needed most of the SEB’s elevation

Above - new and old - I measured a full 9.5 inches from the top of the base-plate to the bag – much better than the old rest (right) This means we don’t need those long screws

anymore

66 Target Shooter

joy-stick fallsmorereadily tohand- forboth theproneandbenchshooter.

The American Farley co-axial is the standardbywhichothersare judgedas thiswas the firstproduction rest to break through into seriousbenchrestcompetition. It’sagreat rest– thoughexpensive,sowhenSeb’sfirstco-axialrestcamealongofferingasignificantsavingovertheFarley,it was an immediate hit with benchresters and‘effersalike.Itdidhoweverhaveacoupleofshort-comings.

Firstly,‘efferscouldn’tgetenoughheightforsomerangeswhereweshootuphill – likeDiggle–so

we had to adapt and fabricate long adjustablefeet,whichworkedbutaretime-consumingtosetup. Secondly, adjusting the tension on the restinvolved four screws with lock-nuts – againtediousandfiddlytoadjust.Someshootersliketherest‘tight’sothatitwillholdtheweightoftheriflebutthismakesforajerkyoperationofthejoystickwhichmeansittakesawhiletogetthecross-hairsexactlyontheaim-point.Thisisnottoomuchofaproblemforthe‘effer,whohasplentyoftimeforeachshotbut for thebenchrester trying toget5shotsoffinfifteenseconds……………

So,forbenchrest,IliketorunmyMk1SEB‘loose’butthismeansthattherifledropsassoonasIlet

This is one of Seb’s ‘gator bags with the offset ears which providing a rest for the trigger-hand

These two thumb-screws take care of tension adjustment – which is now controlled by spring-tension. A vast improvement over the four socket-head screws on the old rest (right)

which were a bit fiddly

Target Shooter 67

goofthejoysticktochamberanotherround.Thiscanbecorrected tosomeextentby theadditionof a front counter-balance weight. This is mypreferredset-upandI’mveryhappywithit–theactioniscreamy-smoothandtherifledoesn’tdropwhenIletgoofthejoystick.WouldthenewSEBmakemeashappy?

A 600 yard benchrest competition would bemyfirst try-outwith theNeosohowdid it go?Firstoff,noneedtomessaboutwiththelongadjustingscrews–setthebaselevelonthebenchandjustwinduptheelevationuntilyou’reontarget.Comparedtotheoldrest,theremustbetwicetheverticaladjustment.Incidentally,thedualelevationknobsarequitesophisticatedandemployacleverclutch mechanism to stop the top falling downunder its own weight. Two clamp screws arenippedupwhentheheightisfinalised.

Secondsurprise,thereisabitofbuilt-in‘uplift’–alightspring,designedtoholdtheweightoftheriflewithout theadditionof a counterbalanceweight.ThismeansthatIcannowsetthetensionexactlytomyliking–looseifyouremember–withouttherifledroppingbetweenshots.Andtensionisnowsetwithtwothumb-screws–nospannersorAllenkeys-allthankstoaspringsystemwithintherest.

Thirdly, the frontbag isactually threebags.Thetwosidebagscanbeadjustedtoexactlyfityourfore-endandtheside-bagshaveanadditionalfinethumb-screw adjustment. The bag will adjust toincorporate any fore-end width from zero to afull five inches. The fore-end stop is also animprovement–morerobustandquickertoadjust–again,notoolsneeded.Tocompletemyset-up,

IusedoneofSeb’s‘gator’rearbags–socalledbecause it (remotely) resembles the head of analligator.It’sanenormousbagthatjustwon’tshiftwhen it’s filled with Zircon sand. Mine also hasoffsetearssothatthefrontofthebaghangsouttotherightandprovidesausefulrestforthetriggerhand–importantwithatwo-ouncetrigger.

Icanhonestlysaythatmyset-uphasneverbeenbetter, with the rifle returning almost exactly toaim-pointbetweenshots–essentialwhenyouarerunningtherifleveryfasttotryandbeatthewindchanges.Yesfolks,Iwantone!

So, in competition, the Neo lived up toexpectations and Seb has incorporated otherminorbutusefultouches- likeasimplermethodof attaching thehandle. Also, although the restis intended to be riggedwith the odd leg to thefront,itcanbebuiltwiththelegtotherearifyouwish. This could be useful with short-barrelledbenchgunswhichmusthavethemuzzleforwardofthebenchtopbuthavingtheoddlegtothefrontmeansthatyoudon’ttendtolifttherestwhenyouslamtherifleagainstthefore-endstop,aswetendtodowhenrunningtherifleveryfast.

FClassshooterswill really love theextraheightyoucangetwiththeNeoandalso,it’sabitlightersoeasiertolugaroundtherange.Ifyouintendtotravelbyairtoashoot,youwillreallyappreciatethewaythereststripsandstacksintoa‘column’forcompacttransportation.

The rest is still at the pre-production stage andSebhassentout theseexamples forevaluationbefore thedesign isfinalised– that in itself isa

The adjustable front bag will accommodate any width of stock up to five-inches. Note new fore-end stop

68 Target Shooter

Stacked for transportation – it takes a couple of minutes with one Allen key to assemble

Target Shooter 69

testamenttotheman’sintegrity.FoxFirearmsarethe soleUKagent andat thismomentwedon’thaveapricebutIknowthatBrianmakesverylittleontheserestswiththemainsavingcomingfrombulkshippingwhichcanbequitesignificantifyouweretoorderasingleexamplefromIndonesia.ContactFoxviathewebsiteatwww.foxfirearm-suk.comifyouareinterested.IsuspectBrianwillgetaninitialbatchoftenwhichwillgoveryquicklysogetyournameononeifyoudon’twanttobedisappointed.

Comparing the ‘footprint’ of the two rests – the Neo’s odd leg can be positioned to the front (as here) or rear as required.

There is alsoa video reviewof theNeoSEBrest.ClickonthevideosnapshotabovetolinktothevideoontheTargetShooterwebsite.

70 Target Shooter

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GOT SIG ? YES WE HAVE

In another first for North WestCustom Parts we have the

SIG SAUER 522 .22RFsemi autos ~ now in stock

PLUSLots of bolt on goodies ~ optics,spare mags, sights, slings, etc.

TRADE, MILITARY AND POLICE CONTRACTS WELCOME

Tel: 0161 408 1155 or 07710 102887www.nwcustomparts.com

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Target Shooter 71

SomeofyoumayexpresssurprisethatthismonthIamwritingaboutthenewSIG522.22LRSemi-Autocarbine – somewhat removed from Sniping orServiceRiflearticles. I toowasabit surprised toreceive a request from Wayne at North WestCustom Parts to review his latest import. Ithappened during my February visit to the BritishShooting & Countryman Show - I was soonclutchingwhatlookedverymuchlikeatacticalrifle.It had all the look and feel of theClassic SIG556but inanaffordable .22LRcalibre. Arrangementsweremade with a local RFD – BobWightman ofNottingham,whocollected theSIG522anda fewnights laterwewere both shooting the rifle at theindoorrangeatEpperstone–mythankstoRichard

Higgs for givinguspermission tous thisexcellentrange.

Ithasbeena longtimesinceI’veshota.22LRonan indoor range but as a cadet at school it wassomethingIdidforfouryears,threetimesaweek.Perhaps to lend some credibility to writing thisarticle about .22 rifle shooting - all that effortculminated in Bedford school winning theCountryLife Cadet Rifle Shooting Competition in 1981against 92 other schools. Imanaged to shoot a“possible”forthesecondyearrunning–afeatonlyachievedbymyselfandoneothercadetinover100yearsofcompetition.Forme.22shootinggavemeasetofmarksmanshipskillsthathavesetmeupfor

SIG 522 Review

ByNigelGreenaway

The SIG 522 - out of the box and ready to go

72 Target Shooter

life,notleastofwhichwastherapidtargetwithtenshotsinoneminuteusingasingleshotNo.8–thethingthattaughtmemostaboutshootingquicklyandaccurately.IwouldalwaysrecommendthatnovicestoServiceRiflestartwitha.22LRbeforeprogressingtofullbore.ItisgreattoseethegrowthofMiniRiflein recentyearsand the introductionofsomegreat“tactical”lookingrifles–Iwishbothhadbeenaround30yearsago!BacktothepresentwiththeSIG522whichfeaturesSIG556 parts including a Swiss type folding stockandpolymerforendonadurablemetalreceiverwithintegralPiccatinnyrail.Thestockisalsoadjustable

for length. It isaclassicmilitarystyleplatformthatgivesthelook,feelanddependabilityofthefullsizeSIG556.

Dimensionsare:OverallLength 35.1inchesLengthwithstockcollapsed 33.6inchesLengthwithstockfolded 26.1inchesBarrel 16.6inchesRiflingTwist 1in16Weight 6lbs4oz

TheSig522comeswitha25roundmagazineandIwasalsoabletouseBlackDog24roundmags. Ibelieve10 roundmagsarealsoavailableandthatisa50roundmaginthepicture.It comes in a high quality hardguncase.ARedDotsight isanoptional extra but I fitted aGerman 4x24 Hensoldt Scope- more usually seen on G3rifles–itcertainlylookedtheparton the Piccatinny rail. The rifleiscomfortabletousewithaniceforendandenoughweightoveralltomakeyourealisethatthisisn’tatoy–theweighthelpingtosoakuptheminimalrecoilandquicklygetbackonaim

The rifle has an ambidextroussafety lever on each side ofactionabovethepistolgrip.Fixing the scope on to the

The SIG 522 - ready for field testing

Target Shooter 73

Piccatinny rail was a breeze and it probably onlytookabouttenshotstogetzeroed.Themagloadedeasily so it was tempting to blast off 100 roundsto test for functionality. The result –not a single malfunctionorfailuretofeed.Thingswerelookinggoodsonowitwastimetotrysomeserioustriggerworktotestforaccuracyusingawide rangeofdifferentammunition. With .22LRit is always wise to test asmany different brandsas possible – often the results will produce a fewsurprises. Targetry was some old “Tin Hat” smallbore diagrams which were deliberately chosen tosuitthepointerreticuleoftheHensoldtscope–justresttheflatofthepointerontheunderneathoftheblackandsqueeze.

The range was 25 yards and initially I startedshooting with Remington Target ammo in two fiveshotgroups.TheverticalstringingillustratesthatIwastakingtimetogetusedtothetrigger.Itwasatwo stage typewith a long springy take up duringthefirststagebeforesettlingonareasonablycrispsecondstageandletoff.Ifoundlaterthatyouonlyhavetoreleasethetriggerashortdistanceinordertotakethenextround–certainlynotthefulldistanceofthefirststage.Usingthistechniquethetraveltogettothesecondstagewasminimalandtherateoffirecouldbespeededupwhilststillmaintaininggoodtriggercontrol.

By the time I finished the second two five roundgroups of CCI Subsonic Hollow Point I had

masteredthetriggerpull.Thenextseriesoftargetsweretenshotgroupsshotinabout11seconds.TheWinchesterSubsonicshota fair¾ inchgroupandtheRemington 22Thunderbolt ammowas similar.Blazerwasn’tbadbutthenthingstightenedupsomemorewiththepopularCCIMiniMagslightlybiggerthan 5/8 inch and CCI Stinger was similar. EleyClubshotaslightlytightergroupbuttheoutstandingperformance was with some ten year old HenryKrankValueammo. I believe this ammo is loadedby Eley but at ½ inch was none too shabby andcertainlyillustratedtheaccuracypotentialofthisrifle.

Conclusions

I can see theSIG522 is going to be very popularwiththeMiniRiflefraternityoranyonewhowantstohavefunina“tactical”format.Throughouttheentiresession of around 200 rounds using nine differentbrands of ammunition from sub-sonic through tohighvelocitytherewasnotasinglemalfunction.Accuracy was better than expected and could beimprovedwithpracticeandtherightbrandofammo.I believe iron sights can be fitted plus amultitudeofdifferentscopesorreddotsightsontheversatilePiccatinnyrail.My thanks toWayneofNorthWestCustom Parts for asking me to test the SIG522.Hiscurrentpriceonthewebsiteis£725-probablynothelpedbythecurrentexchangerates.Visithiswebsite www.nwcustomparts.com or ring him on0161 4081155 for more details on availability andaccessories.

74 Target Shooter

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Target Shooter 75

PrologueWorking in the Membership Department of theNational Small-bore Rifle Association, I saw a sadlitanyofmembers’ records thatweremarked“Givenup – bad back”, “Lapsed due to age”, “No longershooting–eyesight”, and soon. Givingupa sportthathasbeenenjoyedforalifetimeisquiteawrench.Whatcouldbedonetohelpthesepeople?Mullingtheproblemover,andwatchingallthepeoplecomingtoshootattheLordRobertsCentre,brought

the realisation that target-shooting (particularly thesmall-bore disciplines) is an incredibly disabledfriendlysport.Infactsomeresearchshowedthatitisreally themostdisabled-friendlyofALLsports. Thepositions,techniquesandequipmentcanbeadaptedand modified to cater for any type or severity ofdisability. Most important of all, hardly anycompetitions are segregated; disabled andable-bodiedallshootagainsteachother–somethingthatonlytargetsportscanoffer,asfarasIcansee.

You CAN do it! – The NSRA’s Disabled Shooting Project

by Liz Woodall

E Denmark

76 Target Shooter

Acampaignbegantogetaprojectgoing thatwouldhelpnotonlythosepeoplewhofelttheyhadnochoicebut to give up their sport, but also to attract into itdisabledpeoplewhootherwisewouldhavenochancetotakepartinacompetitivesport.Theobviousquidpro quo for the sport would be not only increasedparticipation and membership, but also someeffective protection from the anti-shooting lobby – itisverydifficulttobenastytosomethingthatinvolvesa lot of disabled people. (By the way, this is notexploitingthedisabled–Ihaveasked,andtheyaremore thanhappy to have the sport saved for them,too.)The first step was to find out how many existingmembers had some form of disability, so we did asurvey. Forms were sent to all NSRA-affiliatedorganisations, and eventually around 25% replied,

which is a fantastic response level. The resultswere quite an eye-opener. More than 50% of themembershiphadsomeimpairmentwhichimpingedontheirshooting–thevastmajorityofthemwerethosewithvisiondefectsthatarecorrectedwithglasses,but10%hadotherphysicaldisabilities.Applying these percentages to the total shootingpopulation showed that there are thousands ofpeople out there who could probably do with somehelp.The second step was putting forward a reasonedcase, based on the survey results. The figuresconvincedtherightpeople,whoagreedthatwecouldstart up a project. The Disabled Shooting Project(DSP)wasborn.The beginningA Working Group was set up,chaired by Charlie Blow, an NSRA board member.

Vic Morris

Target Shooter 77

Dave Froggett, the Association’s Coaching andDevelopment Manager, was an obvious and veryenthusiastic recruit. We invited Disability TargetShooting Great Britain (DTSGB) to nominatesomeone, and were delighted to welcome MandyPankhurst,althoughherownshootingcommitmentssubsequently led to her withdrawing in favour ofRikkiSingh,theirchairman. Iwasincludedaschiefkeyboard-hammerer.

As the project has grown, John Lloyd and KeithMorrisshavealsobeendrawninto thegroup. Johnis another NSRA board member who has beendoingmuchtopromotedisabledshootingatBlackburnRifle & Pistol Club. Wheelchair-user Keith recentlyacquiredthedistinctionofbecomingthefirstdisabledcoachevertoachieveanISSFCoachqualification.Nowadaysyouhavetohaveamissionstatement,soweputtogethertheaimsoftheproject.TheDSPistohelpnot just thosewithanobviousdisability, butalso thosewhoare“lessable”butwouldnot regardthemselvesas“disabled”.Ouraimsare:

• to offer existing target shooters the bestpossiblechanceofcontinuingtotakepartinthesportdespiteanyinfirmityordisability;• toofferpeoplewithanydisability thechanceto take part in competitive target shooting on equaltermswithnon-disabled;• toprovideadviceandsupporttoclubswishingtodevelopshootingfordisabled;and• toraisethepublicprofileoftargetshootingasadisabled-friendlysport.

Armed with these noble objectives we began topublicise the project in print and on the NSRA’swebsite. The response was immediate. Clubsbegan to ask for information and advice. Shootersandcoachescontributedideas.Peopleaskedabouttakingupthesport.Itwasworking!

The middleA large part of the DSP’s work now is acting as acommunicationshub forwhathasbeendubbedourInformation Exchange. We realised that there arepeoplescatteredallover thecountrywhoare tryingto invent various wheels – i.e. to solve problemsfor disabled shooters. Unbeknown to them, otherpeople elsewhere have already invented some ofthosewheels.TheInformationExchangeaimstoputthosewhoneedsolutionsintouchwiththosewhocanhelp toprovide them. It isasuperbexampleof the“brotherhood”ofthesport.

TheExchange operates in twoways. Firstly, therearearticlesandbulletinsaboutarangeoftopicsthatmaybehelpfultomanypeople.Thesearedistributedinmagazines,printedbulletins,web-bulletinson theNSRA site, and e-bulletins. The e-bulletins go outeither to all of the clubs and individuals who have

joinedtheproject,orelsetospecial-interestgroupsontopicslikewheelchairs,coaching,equipment,blind/VIshooting,etc.

The othermethod of helping people is dealingwithindividual enquiries as they come in. This mightbe just helping someone find a suitable club orcoach,advisingonoptionsopentoashooterwhoisbecoming lessable,findingsomeonewhocanbuildspecialequipment,andsoon.Themost interestingenquirytodatecamefromtheFalklandIslands;DSPmembers gave advice on helping a stroke victim –andalsoofferedpostalmatchesandothertokensoffriendshiptotheonlycluboutthere.Developing wider options for disabled shooters,and awareness of those options, is another part ofour work. We are promoting the various forms ofbenchrest shooting, which is the most accessibledisciplineofallandencouragingthedevelopmentofnewandbetterequipment.DaveFroggettandKeithMorriss are putting together modules for coachingcourses, to help coaches understand how to workwithdisabledshooters.Workisalsogoingintosettingup some innovative new competitionswhichwill beparticularlysuited forbothdisabledandable-bodiedparticipation.

The FinaleOurplanistohaveaDisabledShootingYearin2011,whichwillbeanexcellentwarm-upact for the2012LondonParalympics.Wehopethiswillincludeaveryhigh-profilelaunchatBisley,alotofregionalevents,tasterdaysaroundthecountry,specialcompetitions,etc. Another high-profile closing event wouldincludeanawardsceremonyforthosewhohavemadesignificant contributions to the cause of disabledshooting.

The endAfter theDisabledShootingYear, ifeverythinggoestoplan,theproject’sworkwillbecompleted.Bythen,systemsshouldbeinplaceatalllevelsofthesporttonurturedisabledshootingandafterahand-overandwindingdownperiod,theWorkingGroupcanretireforawell-earnedrest!

InformationAnyone interested in the DSP can find bulletinson the NSRA’s website, www.nsra.co.uk, and iswelcometoe-mailtheWorkingGroupviathatwebsite,ortelephone01483 485505.Theproject’sYouCANdo it! leaflet is available as a download, or printedcopies will be sent by post to anyone who wantsthemforanevent,ortoplaceinlocalsportscentres,information bureaux, etc. There is also amatchingposter (can include local contact details), and aPowerpoint presentation which we are happy toe-mailout.

78 Target ShooterTarget Shooter Magazine is a publication of Trinity Digital Publishing Ltd

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Target Shooter 79

Using the sling.

Thenextsegmentanew,(andnotsonew)shooterhastoknowaboutisthecorrectuseoftheslingintheproneposition.Just within that opening sentence there is a keyword,“correct”andbelieveme,somuchdependson thissegment,and theactualsling itself.Thereisaplethoraofslingsavailableonthemarketnow,fromanumberofextremelyreliablemanufacturers.Of course, for small bore you are limited to thesinglepointslingbytheISSFrules,andasthisisasmallborecolumn,thesearethetypeIamwritingabout.Thesameappliestothe300mevents.Before I starthowever, letme remindyouall thatthe sling is purely an aid to holding the rifle still,but evenwithin that there are a number of areasthatneedextremeattentiontodetail.(WherehaveIsaidthatbefore?)

The photos you will see in this article depict myownslingwhichisamodified(formyuse)syntheticcompoundslingIboughtfromKurtThunewaybackin1982.Alsoletmestatehereandnow,thatleatherslingswent out with button up boots!We have come alongwaysincethen……IrecommendtheKurtThuneslingspersonallybuttherearealsoquitegoodexamplesfromGehmann,and Anschutz, with some modern improvementsthat work very well. So it does come down topersonalchoiceinmanycases.

I like the Kurt Thune sling pictured because of anumber of factors, not the least of which is theminuteadjustmentsconnectedwith the frequency

ofthebuckleadjustmentholes.Itshouldbenotedthat there are even more minute adjustmentsavailableonotherslings,soitwoulddothereadergoodtoinvestigatethemarketoutthere.MyKT sling ismuchmodified, and primarily thepositionofthebucklewasthefirstpointaddressed.Iremovedthekeeperloopforstartersandresitedthebucklequiteabitclosertotheupperarm,butwell away from thewrist bones. I have seen somany thatputupwithexcruciatingpainwhen thesling buckle bored into thewrist bones! Many atopechelonscorehassufferedbecauseofintrudingpain as the shoot progressed, even to the pointof the left hand (right handed shooter) goingcompletelynumb!

If you are just starting this fascinating sport, orattending to someone that is, it is imperative thatsling comfort is paramount. I have seen newshootersnever turnupagainataclubwhere thisfacetisignored.

If you study the sling in photo “A”, you will seethatthebuckle issituatedalmostdirectlyovertheelbow,andwellawayfromthewristbones.Thisistheveryfirstpointyouaddress,whencustomfittingasling.YouwillalsonotethatmyKTslingisthesinglebuckletype,notthetwobuckleunitwhichisalsoavailable.Youwillalsonotetheslinglooparoundtheupperslinghasbeenremoved,andthatIhaveattachedthebothstrapsoftheslingcompositematerialwitha6mmboltandnut.The reason for this is that I maintain that theupperslingshouldnotconstricttheBiceps/Tricepsmuscles to allow the upper arm some space to

ThisSmallboreBusiness

ByDonBrook

80 Target Shooter

function without coming into contact with thearterythatrunsontheinsideofthemuscles.Thisisextremely important as any contact, or restrictiononthisarteryinducesapulsebeatmovementtothehold. Inapressuresituationsuchas leading thereallybigmatches thiscontactcanutterlydestroyanypossibilityofholdingtheriflestill.ThisiswhyIsayCORRECTuseoftheslingisamatterofdireimportance. Not much point if you have a topclass extremely accurate rifle and ammunitioncombination if you cannot hold the thing in theXringunderpressureisthere?

Ialso like theKTslingbecauseof theupperarmsingleloopshape,whichItookgreatcaretostudywhenIboughttheslingfromKurtwhenIfirstmethiminZurich.I put the sling around the upper arm and wasimpressedatthefit,theextremelystrongmaterial,thenonsliprubbercompoundentailed.Ihaveusedthisslingextensivelyforsmallbore,300mandfullboreshootingsincethen.But,Imustadd,IhaveneverfiredashotwithoutthecustomadjustmentsImentionedabove.HereIamin2010stillusingtheverysamesling!Atributetothemanufactureintermsoflongevity….

Ifyoustudythephotoin“B”whereIhavedetailed

theupperarmpositioning,youwillseethatIhavepositionedtheslingimmediatelyABOVEtheuppermuscleswellofthetricepsmuscleonthebackofthearm,andlockedthisinplacewiththeslingkeeperattachedtomyjacket.Theslingisopenallthewayto thenutandboltattachment,and isnotcomingintocontactwiththeBicepsmuscleface.Ilikethemuscleto“breathe”forwantofabetterword,andthisiswhyIremovedtheslingloopfrombothsidesoftheupperarmconfigurationofthesling.Ifoundthis was an extremely important factor in mytechniques,andfurtherstudiedtheholdmovementswith a 25 power Lyman “Permacentre” telescopicsight.IreallyhadaGOODlookatthisaspect,overanumberofmonths,whichwillbefurtherexplainedlaterinthisarticle.(Mayevenbethenextone!)

The upper arm position with any sling is crucialinmy opinion, and as I said abovewithmy owntechniques was an extremely long study. I mustsay that without the scope up top it may havebeeneven longer! I found thateven theslightestadjustment produced some of the most majoradvantagesforme.Underthetelescopicsight,Iarrivedatphotograph“C”where the sling positioning I found best, wasdirectly over the centre of the left elbowposition.The photo was taken directly from above the

This photo shows the position of the buckle of the single point sling which I consider is excellent. The buckle is away from the bones of the wrist. (See text, photo “A”) Note also the sling strap is almost parallel

to the barrel.

Target Shooter 81

position, and I take a great deal of care inreproducingthispositioningforeverysingleshotIfire,andmoresowhensettingthepositionupforthefirstsightershot.Thisisextremelyimportant…..Withoutthisattentiontodetailonthisaspect,thereisverylittlebenefityoucanachieveevenifyouputthe whole positioning in place exactly as I havedescribedinthepreviousarticlesinthismagazine.Mywork is an ongoing sequence, and so often Ihave stated that attention detail is paramount tosuccess.Myworldrecords (ratified) are testament to this, and thenumberoffirstsightershots thatgosmack in themiddle….also a good indication that everythingworks!

I found that the recoilofeven thesmallbore riflewas an important study, connected with the holdmovements, and let me state that a good smallbore shooter has no problems holding the riflesostill that fromadistance it looksmotionless. Ineededtofindouthowsmallmyholdwasexactly,

whichwaswhyIwenttotheLymanscopetocheckupon theadjustments Imade tomypositionandthe sling work I was studying. I found that afterdevelopment, I could hold a 1/8thminute lee dotreticuleinthelymanscope,insidea.22bulletholeat 50m! This means that 6mm groups are quitepossiblewithasmallborerifleat50m.

Withthatthoughtinmindfolks,Iwenttothescopejusttofindoutwhathappenedtotherifleholdwiththe sling development I was working on, both inposition assembly, hold movement shape andrecoil pattern consistency at shot release. I willenlarge on these aspects nextmonth, and leaveyouwithyetanotherpsychologicalgem.

Excellenceinshootingisnotanact,butbecomesahabit!

Thinkaboutit,Brooksie.

This photo illustrates the open position of the upper arm strap of the sling. I do not recommend that the sling is tightened around the upper arm, but rather has equal pres-sures on both the inside and outside straps. This is the reason why I have taken the arm loop off the sling. The sling illustrated is a modified (for my own use) Kurt Thune single

buckle unit. (See text.)

82 Target Shooter

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Target Shooter 83

Bisley once again hosted the NationalAirgun Championships incorporating the OpenChampionship for the Disabled, and seemedto be pretty busy with shooters competing andrepresentingeverycorneroftheBritishIsles.Thisyear therewasamostunfortunateclashofeventswith the Commonwealth Shooting ChampionshipstakingplaceinNewDelhiIndiawhichwithoutdoubttookoutof theequationmanyofour topshootersespecially from England and Scotland. Howeveras my old shooting friend from Jersey remindedmewhenshe re-iterated thathersmall islandnowboastedBritishChampionsinSeniorMen’sAirRifle(DJTurner)andWomen’sAirPistol(MNorman)thatyouhavetobe‘inittowinit’!

Onceagain therewasacontingentofenthusiasticyoungstersshootingintheStandingSporterAirrifleeventwhichkepttheconverted.22rangeareafullofinterestforspectators.Alsoonthedownstairsrangecompetitionsweregoingonwiththe10metre5targetandstandardairpistoldisciplines,whichofcourseissomethingelseofinterestforshooterstohaveagoatwhilstalreadyatthevenuefortheBritish.InfactitwasaagoodeventforBritishRecordsasPJonesthewinnerequalledtheBritishRecordwithascoreof31,andsilvermedallistKristianCallaghanscored28whichisanewBritishJuniorRecord.

Another score to raise a few eyebrows and amasterclassofconcentrationcamefromMissNKPorrillfromCenturionclubwhowonclassXwithherscoresof595andthena600whichobviouslyblew

all theothercompetitorsoutof thewater,andwastoomuchforherclosestablebodiedrivalintheformofLouiseMinett.TheAggregatecompetitionsweresettledasfollows:-

AIRRIFLE

CLASSX1. NKPorrill 595 600 (1,195)2. LCMinett 592 579 (1,171)3. AJFountain 580 589 (1,169)

CLASSA1. KJButler 580 577 (1,157)2. LSBrough 578 577 (1,155)3. DRFarmer 577 571 (1,148)

CLASSB1. PCThornton 578 563 (1.141)2. RWShears 571 568 (1,139)3. LTFlack 574 565 (1,139)

CLASSC1. LSykes 562 557 (1,119)2. WPHammond555 560 (1,115)3. NManskova 548 554 (1,102)

CLASSD1. DEBlinco 539 552 (1,091)2. VHilbourne 527 539 (1,066)3. CRBrown 528 537 (1,065)

BRITISHAIRGUNCHAMPIONSHIPSFebruary2010

ByHayleyPlatts

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84 Target Shooter

AIRPISTOL

CLASSX1. SLos 581 579 (1,160)2. AARitchie 569 570 (1,139)3. PSFriend 569 566 (1,135)

CLASSA1. MMNorman 560 552 (1,112)2. APBunclark 561 543 (1,104)3. CAuden 550 554 (1,104)

CLASSB1. MHoff 539 559 (1,098)2. LGunter 548 548 (1,096)3. THammond 548 540 (1,088)

CLASSC1. SBamsey 541 542 (1,083)2. JOLloyd 526 539 (1,065)3. ALHolmes 535 528 (1,063)

CLASSD1. TPond 534 531 (1,065)2. MJNBagot 514 520 (1,034)3. RCMargetts 508 522 (1,030)

Despitesomeoftheabsentshootingtalent,insomeareasscoresremainedhighbutunfortunatelyitwasnot the case across the board especially whereChampionshiptitleswerebeingdecided.Ididfeelthat the senior mens air rifle final represented adepressinglylowstandardwhenyoucomparesomeofthescorestoregionalcompetitorsinalotofthe

strong European shooting countries. I’m not onlysingling this one out and do congratulate all ourwinners for their hardwork andwill to win on theday, but, feel the wider picture of talent needs tobesomuchbetter ifweare toproduceagroupofsuccessfulinternationalshooters.

IwasdelightedtobumpintoPaulLeatherdaleattheChampionships. Paul has recently come back topistol shooting following a break of several years,which came after an illustrious national andinternationalshootingcareer.WhilstPaulisnotbacktohisbestyet,hisscoresof556and559gavehimaplacingof12thinClassXaswellasgrabbingaspotintheSeniormensFinal,andemergingin8thplace.This justdemonstratesmypointaboutourneedtofind and develop many more highly competentshooters.

Thesoutherncountieswerethesuccessfulonesintheteamevents,withSurreytakingtheAirPistoltitleandHampshiretheAirRifle.

CHAMPIONSHIPRESULTS

MEN’SAIRRIFLE1. DTurner 579 98.8 677.82. DDas 576 97.8 673.83. TPoon 576 97.5 673.5

WOMEN’SAIRRIFLE1. LMinett 387 100.2 487.22. LBrough 385 95.3 480.33. PThornton 377 96.8 473.8

Michael - Haig Trophy Forres 2009

Target Shooter 85

JUNIORMEN’SAIRRIFLE1. DRivers 574 101.5 675.52. LFlack 574 99.0 673.03. MBamsey 567 100.6 667.6

JUNIORWOMEN’SAIRRIFLE1. CWhitaker 384 96.6 480.62. MFlowers 383 96.9 479.93. HPugsley 383 95.4 478.4

MEN’SAIRPISTOL1. SLos 571 99.5 670.52. ARitchie 570 99.1 669.13. FWyatt 570 96.2 666.2

WOMEN’SAIRPISTOL1. MNorman 375 92.7 467.72. VTripney 366 91.8 457.83. CBrownlie 365 92.6 457.6

JUNIORMEN’SAIRPISTOL1. MHoff 549 96.6 645.62. KCallaghan 550 92.8 642.83. CAuden 544 92.7 636.7

JUNIORWOMEN’SAIRPISTOL1. VMullin 372 93.4 465.4

2. AHolmes 356 97.2 453.23. CMcGregor 355 94.7 449.7

DISABLEDSH1CATEGORY1. NLSMilgate 693.52. DCoates 684.53. MJSSkelhon671.9

DISABLEDSH2CATEGORY1. NKPorrill 704.72. JBevis 697.03. AJFountain 690.3

AIRPISTOLTEAM1. England(Syms,Newsome,Graver) 16882. Scotland(Ritchie,Gray,Brownlie) 16753. Wales(Harris,Gravell,Morris) 1639

WOMEN’SAIRPISTOLTEAM1. Wales(Gravell,Kennerley,Morris) 10702. Scotland(Brownlie,McGregor,Hogben) 10683. England(Mullin,Holmes,Sinfield) 1062

JUNIORAIRPISTOLTEAM1. England(Callaghan,Hoff,Kennedy)16252. Wales(Auden,Kennerley,Bamsey) 1623

Michael Shooting the British 50m championship 2009 (targets are up-hill from prone)

86 Target ShooterClassifieds•C

lassifieds•

AIRRIFLETEAM1. England(Minett,Flowers,Farmer) 1,7212. Wales(Lewis,Wright,Bamsey) 1,6853. Scotland(Law,Cheetham,Ross) 1,683

AIRRIFLEJUNIORTEAM1. England(Flowers,Pugsley,Whitaker)1,7242. Wales(Bamsey,Court,Williams) 1,658

On the air pistol front Sylvestor Los once againprovedheisaclassactwithhisworstshootbeinga571andhisbest581.IknowheisverydedicatedtohisshootingandthesesortofscoresprovewhyhismovetotheUKwasagreatloss(nopunintented!)tohisnativePoland.TheFinalhadthepotentialtobeanexcitingprospectwith2nd,3rdand4thplacesall sharing the score of 570 but in actual fact 2ndplacedARitchiehadbyfarthebestFinaltoensureheretainedhissilvermedal.

TheJuniorWomen’sAirRifleFinalwasanothercloseone.CharlotteWhitaker,amemberoftheEnglandAcademy ledwithascoreof384,closely followedbyMelanie Flowers andHannah Pugsley on 383.Tension was very evident and placings switchedduring the 10 shot final as well as becoming soclose it could have gone to Charlotte, Melanie orHannah.IntheenditbeganasitstartedandaveryvaluablelessonforCharlottethatshecanwithstandthe

pressureandshereallydidwanttohangontothattitlewhichshecouldalmosttouchwhenshefoundshewas leading into theFinal. The5Finalistsairrifle’sweremadeupof2Steyr’s,2Feinwerkbau’sand1Anschutz.

Ihadobserved thatseveralof the femaleAirRifleshootersseemtobeadoptingawiderstance thanin recent years but certainly with the advent oftrainingcampssuchastheEnglandAcademy,alotofattention isgiven todietandfitnessandobviouslysome of the impact on physique will necessitatesomeadjustmentinstance.

The JuniorMen and theirAir Rifles also set up atight Final. L Flack shared a 574 scorewithDanRivers but Master Flack could not live with Dan’s101.5scoreoverthe10shotstoclaimthemainprize,andslipped to2nd. RossShears tookhischanceandmovedup from4th to3rd toejectMBamseyfromthelastremainingmedalposition.

This year the full results are posted online viathe NSRA website which is convenient andcomprehensive for thoseof uswho likeme,enjoymullingoverthefullpictureofwhodidwhat.

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Target Shooter 87

Youhaveinvestedyourhardearnedcashinanairrifleandyouarenowenjoyinghoursofshootingwithyourclub friends.Maybeyouare looking tobeef-upyourgeartoobtainitsmaximumcapabilitiesandenhanceyourscoresinFieldTargetcompetition.Inthisarticlewelookatthewaystotransformyour‘outofthebox’airrifleintoaprecisionFieldTargetairrifle.

Many shooters simply upgrade to other rifles thatare intentionallymade forFieldTarget.Manysimplyupgradetopre-chargedpneumaticsystemssuchastheAirArmsEV2or theSteyerLG110FTairguns.Withoutdoubt,both theseair riflesaretop-notchFTgunsready‘outofthebox’forFTcompetition.However, the intention of this article is to show thereader who has invested in a good spring air riflecapable of FT competition how to fine tune hisequipment and maximize its capabilities. In myopinion, the two spring guns which have the rightcharacter for Field Target are the Air Arms TX200 and the Wiehrauch 97K. Both these guns areaccurateenoughoutof thebox,however theyneedtheextraeffortifyouintendtobringthemtotheedgeofcompetitive shooting. I own both but I decided tobeef-uptheTX200sinceit’sa0.177caliberairrifle.TheWiehrauch97Kisa0.22andIwilllaterdedicateitforHFT.

As everyone knows, a spring gun gives unwantedrecoil and ‘twang’. Recoil can be mastered butsometimes it scares off shooters and makes themchooseaPCP.Twangissomethingnoonewishestohaveand itcanbecompletelyeliminated-providedthatyouarereadytomakethesteptofinetuningyourequipment. My personal experience also showedme the bestway to learn to shoot an air rifle is bybreaking-in your shooting experience with a springairgun.IstartedwithaPCP,Ineverwantedtoshootspringersbut,asmyfriendscanconfirm,sinceIgotmy second-handTX200MK2andbeefed it up to acompetitiongun,myPCPairriflesaresleepinginthelockeraccumulatingdustandIonlyuseaPCPforairriflebenchrest.Don’tgivemeaPCPforFTorHFT-IsimplylovemyTX200andhaveplansforthe97.

Thefirststepistoworkontheinternalsofyouspringairrifle.CosmeticsalonedonotmakeanFTclassairrifle.Thefinishandtolerances insideyourspringairriflemechanicals determinehowsmoothor rough itshoots intermsofrecoil, twangandtheconsistencyofyourshots.Keepingtheinternalpartsattheheartof your rifle in optimumcondition is essential for itsperformance. The plunger spring and guideassembly are crucial. Recoil can be reduced,smoothedandtamedbutnevercompletelyeliminated

inaspringairrifle.Onceyoutamethebeastyoustarttoloveitsfeelinyourshooting.

Thequickestwaytoachievethisistogetspecializedkitsforyourspecificairrifle’s internals. V-MAC has plungerseals, springguidesandsprings thatwillreadilyfityourairrifleandsmoothit downconsiderably. If youwant theextraedge, installaV-Glidekitwhichconsistofaplungerseal,springguide,spring and a plunger with specialdelrin inserts to have the mostfrictionlessmovementintoyourairrifle

SettingupyourspringairrifleforFieldTargetcompetitionPart-1

byStanleyShaw

88 Target Shooter

mechanics. It is quite easy to obtain your air rifleinternals and many links on internet will show youhow. Ifyou feelyouarenotup to this task, then letagunsmithdothejobforyou.Thesekitswillchangethesoulofyourairrifle;youwillnoticethedifferenceat once. Polishing the internal housing and otheritems suchas the plunger, internally and externally,with fine compounds like Autosol or Metalsol andfine1800gritpaper tohighlypolished innersurfacealsohelpsingettingmoreoutofyourkitperformancebut this needs special care. Always chrono yourpowerandadjustthepreloadaccordinglybyaddingorreducing the supplied preload washers in your kitto keep itwithin the legal limit and according toFTregulations - thus below 12 ftlbs. Then shoot atleastoneortwotinsofpelletsthroughitbeforefinaladjustment-thiswillbreakintheinternalparts.

The next step is to work on the trigger. Sometriggers are already good out of the box and onecansetasmoothshortorlongfirststageandacrispsecondstage.Acrisptriggerisessentialforthecorrecttimingofyourshot.Apoor‘creepy’triggercanputyouoffyour timingorcauseyou topullyourshotat thelastmoment. Fitting an adjustable trigger bladewillalso help the ergonomics of how you position yourtriggerfingerforyourbestpossiblefit.WhenIgotmyTX200thetriggerwasacompletemess.Thefirststagewasalmost non-existant and the second stagewaslaggingandjerking.Settingupaccordingthemanualdidnothelp.Thetriggerneededsomework.Ifollowedforumsandlearnedofothershooters’experiences.

The triggerwas totallydisassembledandallmatingsurfaces were mirror polished slowly, without anyextra force, with fine grit paper and Metalsol. Bepatient,whenyouthinkitsenough,assemble,setupand try. If you still don’t feel confident ,disassembleand polish more. I polished the parts until I couldnot see any machining marks caused during themanufacturing process. Once the trigger assemblywasputbacktogether,Icouldnotbelieveitwasthesametrigger.

SetupwaseasynowandofcourseIset itupaccording tomypreference,which isaverylightbutlongfirststagethenastronger,short and crisp second stage whichrequired just a slight pull to release thesearandfire. Ialsoensured that it issafeenough so that even if the gun is loadedandthegunreceivesanimpact,thesearwillnotbereleased.Tocompletethetriggerunit,Ireplacedthetriggerbladewithafullyadjustable blade from Rowan Engineeringand set it according to my finger positionandstockergonomicsatalaterstage.

This set up was already feeling good. Itemporally mounted a scope and after Ipassedthrougharoundtwotinsofpellets,I

cleanedthebarrelandthentesteddifferentpelletstosee thebestgroupingachieved fromdifferentpelletbrandsandweights.TheriflelikedJSBDiabloExacts5.52and8.3grainpelletswithagroupingof around20mmcentertocenterat50mshotfromabenchrestcradle.Inmyopinionthatisquitegoodperformanceout of a spring air rifle for Field Target. The bestresultwasachievedwithJSBexacts8.4grainandanaveragespeedof785ft/secwithavariationof+/-5ft/sec.The5shotgroupsmeasuredasshownbelowforthefollowingranges:

@10meters–GroupsizeC-C=<0.5mm@15meters–GroupsizeC-C=5mm@20meters–GroupsizeC-C=7mm@25meters–GroupsizeC-C=10mm@30meters–GroupsizeC-C=12mm@35meters–GroupsizeC-C=13mm@40meters–GroupsizeC-C=16mm@45meters–GroupsizeC-C=20mm@50meters–GroupsizeC-C=20mm

Thenextstepwastofindtherightstock.TheoriginalstockcanstillbeusedormodifiedbutIwantedaFieldTargetstockwithsomefore-enddepthandadditionaladjustmentsforthecheek-pieceandrecoil-pad.Ialsowantedaheavystocktoabsorbtheremainingrecoilandathumbholepistolgripwhich isbettersuitedtomypalm.ThereareanumberofstockmakersmakingcustomFTstocksforairrifles.IdecidedtogoforaCS1000fromCustomstockUKformyTX200andIdon’tregretit.TotellyouthetruthIwasnotreallyinterestedinhownicethewoodlooksbut,itlookedgood.Iwasmoreinterestedingettingtherightshapeandweight.The CS1000 has an adjustable cheek-piece andan adjustable butt-platewhich is ideal for your ownpersonal customisation tomake it fit like a glove toyourbodyandlengthofpull.Thisstockcomeswithathumbholeandathumbrestforamorestablegripandadecentstockdepthtoaidyouinthosesittingshots.Itisimportantthatyourriflefitssnuglyintothestock.Makesure itdoes, lock itandmakesure it remains

Target Shooter 89

lockedatall timesandcheck iteverynowand thenthatitisstilllocked.Aloosestocktoactioncandriveyoucrazy!

To complete the project you needed a good scope.Of course, there are a lot of scopes out there anda lot of prices.Decidingwhich scope to go forwasa difficult decision. For FieldTarget there are someparticular specifications you need for a scope. Themagnificationmust bemore than32X to beable torangefindyour targetsaccurately,Youneedacrispandbrightimage,hencethetubediameterof30mmand an objective lens of 50 or 60mm is the bestcombination.Parallaxadjustmentbysidewheel isamustforFieldTargetandyouneedcapableturretstodialintoyourtargetsat1/8”at100yardsifpossible.

Of course, there are scopes that satisfy theserequirements but come at a price. Personally Icouldnotaffordtoinstalla€700scopeonmyFieldTargetrigandI’mnotsureiftherecoil,eveniftamed,would still ‘eatup’ thescope.After longsearchandtrials, I replaced the original scope with a NikkoStirlingPlatinumNiteEater 10-50X60AG IR 30mmwithanFTreticle.Thisscopemeetsthespecificationand has good characteristics and comes ataround €280 or £252 at todays exchangerate. Of course it has some flaws but I amgetting used to that.At 50X in low light the imageis not that crisp but it’s good enough for rangingaccuratelyandI’vefoundittobespoton.Imanagedtoset rangingat1meter intervalsall theway from10metersto50meterswiththisscope.Turretaccuracyis fineand fornow Iamhappywith it. If this scopefails,thenIhavenooptiontogoforitsbiggerbrother,theNikkoDiamond.With regards to mounting, I initially used aSportsmatch Dampa mount on my previous scopebutIhadabadexperiencewithit.ThemountrubberbushescamelooseandthescopevibratedandlostitszeroandbrokewhenIwanteditmostduringthe2009Field Target Worlds in SouthAfrica. There I talkedwith other experienced shooters who use springers

directlyonsolidmounts.NowmyNikkoismountedthatwaysofingerscrossed.Thescopeneedsadditionalcustomisationalso.

Youdefinitelyneedalongsun-shadeandthiswill help to eliminate glare especiallywith large diameter optics. One of thescope’s main functions in Field Targetis range-finding using the side parallaxwheel. Most scopes either incorporatea side wheel or this can be purchasedseparately. The maker’s wheels arenormally between 100 and 110mm indiameter and most of them are pre-graduated in meters, feet or yards. Howaccurate theyare is, inmyopinion,abigquestion mark. Field Target shooters

want to calibrate the scope according to theireye-sight and focusing capabilities at known fixeddistances.Awheelof110mmisbigbut itmightnotbebigenoughtomarkonemeterincrementsforyourranging. It’s possible to find custom wheels with abigger diameter that allows you to have a visibleseparation mark between your ranging distances.Otherschoose to customize their ownsidewheel. Idecidedtocustomizemine.

Thiswas done by tracing the outline on cardboard.ThenIdrawtwotangents(atmirrorimage)andusedaplatetocreateanarcfurtheroutofthemainwheeldiameter.OnceIgot therequiredsize, Icutout thistemplateandtraceditonto5mmthickPerspex.Thenewso-called‘sharkfin’wheelwasthencutoutandtheedgesfinishedwithafile.Thewheelwasthenfixedby drilling holes through it and through the originalwheelspokes.Theholeswere tappedandstainlessAllenscrewscompletedthejob.Irequiredapointerto make reference to the wheel. The pointer wasmachinedfromaluminumasaslitringandatoneendadowelpinwasgluedforareference.Theringwastheninstalledonthefixedpartoftheeye-piecetubeataspecificlocationandmarkedsothatifitmovesbyaccidentIwillnoticeit.Forthemainelevationturretafriendmachinedaturretcapwithalargerdiameteroutofaluminumandthiswasfittedandlockedontopoftheoriginalturret.

Oncetheseitemsareinstalleditstimetoheaddownthe rangeand calibrate your scopeand turret to allthe possible target ranges in Field Target. We willtacklethisinmynextarticle.AFieldTargetairriflecanweighupto10kgsocarryingitaroundduringamatchcanbe laborious. I did notwant to drill and tap thewoodenstock(personalopinion)soIinstalledaFABarms tacticalsling. I justuse this tocarry the rifle, Idon’tuseitforstandingshotsbecauseIdon’tliketheuse of slings or other accessories used in OlympictargetshootingappliedinFieldTargetshooting(againapersonalopinion).

90 Target ShooterTarget Shooter Magazine is a publication of Trinity Digital Publishing Ltd

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Target Shooter 91

Carryingonfromlastmonthherearetheremainingtwomatchesthatareshotina1500competition,alongwithsomepointersonhowtoscorethematchontheday.

Match 425m – 35sec (including reload)Stage 1 12 shots Standing unsupported, including reloadStage 2 12 shots Standing unsupported, including reloadLBR Double action only

Mostshootersdon’tusetheirtimersforthisparticularmatchbutifyouthinkitwillhelpyoubyusingone,then Isuggestattaching it toyourwristor forearmas reaching down to place it on top of a shootingboxoronthefloorwillwastevaluableshootingtime.

It’snottoobadifyouareshootingwitha.22rifleor

LBR/LBPasthereloadscanbedoneprettyquickly,butitdoestakequiteafewpeopleatleast10secondsor more to reload their underlevers which doesn’tleaveyouthatmuchtimetoshootin.Again,gettingthetimingrightfirsttimeforthismatchisprettyhardto do to start with but generally you shouldn’t betoo faroff themarkby racking theaction fast, butmakingsureyoureleaseeachshotoffinacontrolledmanner. Shooting 5 shots and then changingmagazines to shoot a further 7 shots if using a10/22 or LBPwill help save you a bit of time, butmake sure that you count your rounds to startwith or you’ll end up in a lot of trouble! Makesure that you place your spare ammunition toreloadwithinapositionwhereitcanbequicklyandeasilyreached,asitisveryimportanttohaveaquickreload in this match. As with the other individual1500matches,theactionsoftheothershootersonthe linewill give youan indicationof howyouare

By Gwyn Roberts

92 Target Shooter

doing for time so try to make sure that you startshootingwheneveryoneelsedoesafterthereload.

The whole of Match 5 is basically a repeat ofmatches1–4butwithtwoslightchangesforatotalof60roundstobefired.

Match 5Stage 1 - 10m 12 shots Standing unsupportedGRCF 30sec - All others 20sec (including reloads)

Stage 2 - 25m, 90sec (including reloads)6 shots Kneeling6 shots Left shoulder (or hand)GRCF & GRSB standing unsupportedLBP standing using barricade for supportLBR standing using barricade for support, double action only6 shots Right shoulder (or hand)GRCF & GRSB standing unsupportedLBP standing using barricade for supportLBR standing using barricade for support, D/A only

Stage 3 – 50m, 165sec (including reloads)GRCF & GRSB6 shots Kneeling

6 shots Sitting6 shots Left shoulder 6 shots Right shoulder

LBR & LBP 6 shots Sitting (note different order from rifles)6 shots Kneeling using barricade for support (or Prone, depending on range restrictions)6 shots Left hand standing using b/cade for support 6 shots Right hand standing using b/cade for supportLBR may be fired single or double action

Stage 4 – 25m, 12sec6 shots Standing unsupportedLBR double action only

This last stage allows you very little time for anyproblems such as jams or light strikes and youshouldalwaysmakesurethatyoucarrysomespareammunition with you to at least give you asportingchanceofreloading.Ihavecertainlyhadtodo it a few timesover theyearswithanumberofdifferentfirearmsbuthavestillmanagedtoshoottherequirednumberofroundsbecauseIwaspreparedforit.Havingallofyourspareroundsinyourbagatthebackoftherangewillcertainlynothelpyouifthissituationeverarises!

Movingontoscoringthematch, thefirst thingthatyou should do is print your name and competitor(GRID)numberclearlyontoyourscorecardtohelpavoid any confusion later on. It is important thatyoumarkalloftheentriesasyouprogressthroughthematchontothelefthandsideofthescorecardmarkedCompetitorsCopyuntil thewholematch isfinished.ThiswillhelpensurethatanymistakesorcrossingsoutwillnotappearontheStatscopyasitisessentialthatthecardhandedinisperfectlylegible.The Stats Crew’s job is hard enough as it iswithout having to try and decipher hundreds of

Despite no lead being apparent on the line the gauge shows the shot counting as the next highest value!

Target Shooter 93

little scribbles or bits ofshorthandalldaysopleasebeawareofthispointontheday!

Ideally, you should always tryanduseagauge toscorewithas they take away a lot of the“humanerror”sideofthings.OnmanyoccasionsIhavegaugedshots for people who wereresigned to having lost a pointbecause they couldn’t see any“lead” on the scoring line, onlytohavethemsmileagainwhenshown that the gauge actuallyshowed the shot as being “in.”Youshouldbeawarethatbulletsdonotalwaysmakeaperfectlyroundholeinthetargetandthemost accurate way to use the

gauge is toplace themarking ringaroundtheedgeoftheleadcircleleftbythebullet.InGalleryRifle,thehighervalueisalwaysgivenifthegaugetouchesthescoringline.Itdoesnothavetobreakit,orbeinsideittocount!

Asafailsafe,thenumberofhitsthatshouldbe accounted for on the target during aspecific match are indicated on the righthand side of the Competitors Copy andyoumustmakesurethatthesefigurestallybefore you move on to shoot the nextmatch.InthecaseofMatch1itis24roundsandasthetarget isshotatamuchcloserdistance, youmaywell find that therewillbe justasingle raggedhole in themiddleofitwithpartofthescoringringshotawayto score. In cases like this, putting a newtarget centre underneath the shot targetwill helpyou identifywhere the linewouldbeinorderforyoutoscoretheshots.Thissampletargetwasshotusinga.44calibrerifle.

When a group like this is shot it makesit very hard to identify every individualbullethole,soonlythoseshotswhichcanbeclearly identified in the lowerscoringzoneonthetargetarescoredasthelowervalue.

In this case only the 3 upper shots arescoredas10’sasthelowestshotisgaugedasanXasitistouchingtheline.Whateverthe standard of shooter you are shootingwith you should always ask if theymanagedtofirealloftheirshotsoffontothetarget.Askingsomeoneiftheysimplyshotall of their rounds off is different because

S e p a r a t i n g your ammo into groups of six will make it easier when reloading!

94 Target Shooter

althoughtheymaywellhavedone,itmaynothavebeen while the target was actually facing them,if you know what I mean! Likewise, in theinterestof fairnessyoushouldalwaysnotifyyourscoringpartnerifyouhavehadanylateshotsorroundsthatyouhavenotmanagedtoputdownrangeasyousimplyranoutoftime,sothatthetargetcanbescoredaccordingly.

1500 rim fire targets are always individualitems whilst the centre fire ones usereplaceable centres and it is important thatyoupatchoveranyshotsthat falloutsideofthe scoring rings, whether they are on thetarget “paper” or backing board, so that allshotscanbeaccountedforateverydistance.Thisismoreimportantwhenshootingonthe50mstagesasitisquiteeasytomissthetargetcompletely, especially when shooting at themuchsmallerrimfiretargets.Clearlyseeinganew“miss”outsideofthescoringringsmakesit much easier to identify rather than tryingtofinda “double” thatdoesn’tactuallyexist.

You will usually find it easier scoring atarget by scoring each scoring ring in turnand recording the hits as you see them onthe Competitors Copy side. I always startfrom the 12 o’clock position of the 7 ringandworkmyway roundclockwise,markingtheedgeofeachholewithmypensothat I

donotcount thesameshot twice.I then do the samewith the 8, 9,10andthenXringbeforetotallingup the number of shots that havebeen accounted for, against thenumberofshotsthatareindicatedonthescorecard.Ifanyshotsaremissingona target thatobviouslyhasaraggedholeinthemiddleofthe target then it is usually fair tosay that any “missing” shots willprobably be in this scoring zoneandscoreitaccordingly.Ifhoweveryou are confronted with a targetthat has individual holes all overit with no discernable “groups”showing then it would probablybefairtosaythatanyoutstandingshots havemissed the target andshould be recorded as 0’s in thecorrectcolumn.

There generally two types ofscoringgaugethatareusedinGR

competitionsandtheyareasfollows:

Now the line can clearly be seen to help accurate scoring

Target Shooter 95

The top one is a “normal” gauge whilst the loweroneisreferredtoasan“overlay”onewhichisusedforany“skidders” thatyoumaycomeacross.Thistermhasnothing todowithprematchnerves,butisusedwhereabullethashitthetargetatanangleasit’sbeenturningawayfromtheshooterscausinganelongatedholeorripinthetarget.Therulesstatethatanythingoveroneandahalftimesthediameterofthebulletwill be scored as a miss andthisiswheretheoverlaygaugeisused.Todothisyouneedtoplacethecirclearoundtheouteredge of the lead around theholeinthetarget.Iftheholeoropposite leaded edge remainsinside the half circle then theshotwillbecountedasahit,butiftheendisoutsideofthisareathenitwillbecountedasazero.

Thereisnoneedfromthe“Stats”sideof things foryou torecordthe total numberof hits, pointsandX’setcontheCompetitors

Copy side of the scorecard as this is only for yourown individual information,should you want to keep it.If at any stageof thematchyouandyourscoringpartnercannotagreeonanoutcomeor simply cannot accuratelyscore a target then don’t beafraidtoaskanyoftheR.O’sforhelpas that iswhat theyare there for. If they cannotresolve an issue or problemthen they will remove thetargetandgiveittotheC.R.Oto have it adjudicated on.

When the match has finallyfinished and you are happythat every shot has beenaccounted for then you willneed to transfer the scoresoverontotheStatsCopysideofthescorecard.Pleasemakesure that the figures are asclearaspossibleanddoublecheck again that everynumberofhitsoneachMatchlinetotalsthenumberofhitsthat are indicated on theCompetitors “max shot”columnoryoucouldpossiblyend up losing valuable hardearnedpointsontheday!

AsI’ve justboughtasecondhandBuckmarkLongBarrelledPistol I’ll takea looknextmonthatsomeof the things that you can do to, or have done totheminordertomakethemabitmoresuitableforthe typeofshooting thatwewant todowith them.

96 Target Shooter

Rude Fat DogRFD 621 Devon & Cornwall

Section 5

www.rudefatdog.comTel: +44(0)1271 865865 Fax: +44(0)1271 865830

We are the dedicated company who can supply the products andtechnical expertise to help you become more competitive in your

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Record breaking match grade 10/22 style riflesBrowning Buckmark conversions with RFD target barrelsMarlin underlevers modified for smoother and easier cyclingAccessories and advice to give you the leading edge in your competitionsReloading equipment, hard cast bullets and brass

Club Feature

Section5PistolsreturntotheOldWindsorRifle&PistolClub!

In April 2008, Old Windsor Rifle & Pistol Clubwas contacted by television production companyImpossiblePictures,whowerelookingforasuitablelocation to film scenes for the popular ITV sci-fiseriesPrimeval.Thescenes revolvedaround twopolicemen at a pistol range, and OWRPC’s fullysoundproofed 25m indoor range was selectedaftertheproductioncompanyvisitedourwebsiteat

http://www.owrpc.co.uk/.TheOWRPCclubhouseandrangearesituatedinarecreationground.OnthenightofMay13th2008asecurityguardarrivedatthecarpark.Earlynextmorning, the regular dog walkers were surprisedto find the car park closed. A short time later acavalcadeofvehiclesarrived;cars,vansandlorriescontaining the film crew, recording equipment,

Target Shooter 97

actors and props (including theall-important Section 5 pistols andblankrounds).Over thenextfivehours,andunderconditionsofstrictsecrecy,theteamfilmedtwoscenesfromEpisodeTwoof Primeval Series 3. Fortunatelyfor the residentsofOldWindsor,noanomaliesopenedduringfilmingandno deadly creatures escaped! Afterediting, the scenes lasted a total ofjust90secondswhentheprogrammewasbroadcastinMay2009.TheOldWindsorRifle&Pistol clubwas founded in 1977, and providesexcellent facilities for a wide rangeof target shooting disciplines. Theindoor range is open to membersevery weekday evening. The clubwelcomesnewmembersofallageswith a genuine interest in target shooting. Forfurtherdetailspleasecontactuson01635827730.

Danny Quinn was played by actor Jason Flemyng, and the pictures are reproduced by

kind permission of ITV.

Detective Danny Quinn practices hismarksmanship

That’s it boss, I quit

98 Target Shooter

CompetitionsAfter twomonthsof cancelledcompetitionsdue tothe severeweather, our 600 yard shoot onMarch7th was held in glorious conditions – clear bluesky, bright sun, very little wind but still sub. zerotemperatures!With shooters getting withdrawal symptoms fromlack of trigger-pulling, I wasn’t surprised to see afullentry–a thirdofwhomwereshootingFactory

Sporters. I also had the new SEBNeo rest to tryafter picking up the prototype from importer BrianFox at the Newark show. If you didn’t get to theshow,youcanseeourvideooftherestonourHomepageandreadthereviewelsewhereinthisissueofTargetShooter.

PhilGibbondominatedtheFactorySporterclasslastseasonwithhis‘outofthebox’6.5-284Savageandheopened todaywitha three-inchgroup, followedbyasuperbgroupmeasuringjust2.2inches!Remember, this is 600 yardswith a factory rifle –phenomenal! That group not only broke the exist-ing Factory Sporter record set by Darrel Evans acoupleofmonthsagobut itwasalso thesmallestgroupoftheday,beatingallthecustomLightGuns–somethingIcan’teverrememberhappening.TheseSavagesreallyarefantasticrifles,whetheryouwanttoshootbenchrestat600and1000yardsorFClass.

Phil’swinningagg.forhisfour,five-shotgroupswas4.238inches–owningtoanunexplainedseven-inchgroupinMatch3,soheonlyjustpippedanon-formToniYoungshootingher308factoryRemington.Tonifinishedon4.3 inches,withabest groupof 2.755inches, which comfortably eclipsed partnerAdrianEvan’sperformancewithhisbrand-newLightGun!

LightGunwas also tight at the top,with Jeanette

WhitneyjustbeatingSteveDunnbyawhiskerandsettinganotherUK record in theprocess.Myownperformance,using thenewSEB restwas lookingquitepromisingwithaclusterofrespectablegroups–untilI‘lost’ashot.Fiveroundsfiredbutonlyfourreached the target. I can’t explain it – just one ofthosefreakincidentsthatwehavetoputdowntoaduffbullet.

Results: Light Gun

1st JeanetteWhitney6.5x47TGPBAT3.12inches(newrecordforfour5-shotgroups)2nd SteveDunn 22BRDunnBAT 3.1973rd SimonRogers 6.5-284RPA 3.929

Smallgroup: PhilGibbon6.5-284Savage2.218

VINCE’S REGULAR COLUMN WHEREBY ACCURACY NUTS CAN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UKBRA

Jeanette Whitney set a new Light Gun record using the latest SEB rest

Target Shooter 99

FactorySporter:

1st PhilGibbon 6.5-284Savage4.238inches2nd ToniYoung 308Remington 4.33rd DarrelEvans 6.5x47AccuracyIntl4.888

Smallgroup: PhilGibbon 2.218inches

New StuffTheSEBNeorestisthehotnewsforBRshootersbe it rimfireor 1000 yards.Wehavea full featureelsewhereinTargetShooter.

I also managed to pick up the only 10-50 power

Sightronscope in theUKatNewarkandIhopetouseitatEasterinour600and1000yardbenchrestcompetitionssoa full reviewwillhave towaituntilourMayissue.

Here’sapicofanicelittlegadget.It’ssimilartotheStoneyPointCOALgaugebutit’smuchbettermadeandTonyDonnachie, theguywhomakesthemforFoxFirearms,willdrillandtapyourownfire-formedcartridge case so that you get an exact fit in thechamber,thusensuringanerror-freemeasurement.Thisone’s formyown6PPCandgavemeaveryaccurateresult.ContactFoxviawww.foxfirearmsuk.

com

Forthcoming EventsWe have an Easter festivalof benchrest shooting atDiggleonApril4th,5thand6th. . Saturday, is our 100yard season opener, 1000yard on the Sunday and600yardonEasterMonday.Youarewelcometoturnupon the day for any event –e-mail me for more detailsvinceb@6ppc.fsnet.co.uk

TointroduceourselveswearetheUnitedKingdomAssociationofRimfireandAirRifleBenchrestShooting.Bythatwemean"TrueBenchrestShooting".TheAssociationisrecognisedbyrimfire

shootersacrossintheUK,withpartnersacrossEuropeandtherestoftheworld,asthepresentativebodythatpromotesrimfireandairriflebenchrestacrossthiscountryandwithotherpartnersinEuropeanand

Worldevents.Visitourwebsitefornewsaboutnationalandinternational

competitionsthatallcan‘haveagoat’.Fromnovicetochampionshooter,everyoneiswelcome

www.benchrest22.org

100 Target Shooter

Inassociationwith

GrahamFreemanshoots25mbench restwith twoguns oneS400 carbine (the bertieBassett) and anewS400MPR.Bothgunswerebuiltwiththehelpfrom Air Arms andMFC supplies inHailsham.Graham Freemanhas been shootingsince getting his firstairgun at the age of10yearsold.He finally joinedBuxted rifle clubapproximately threeyears ago and wasshootingwithaS400straight out the box.He was then askedif he would like tojoin the UKBR22(shooting associa-tion)and takepart inthe 25m bench restshooting hunter and

unlimitedwherehelearnedmoreaboutgunsandaccuracy.Hethenwentontowintrophiesandmedalsinhunterandunlimitedshootingandin2009shot at the UK nationals at Portishead andbecame1of3 in theUK-ATeam,whowonworldgoldbeatingallotherteamsworldwide.When we asked him what makes a goodtargetshooterhereplied“Taketimeto learnyourgun,don’trushthings,seehowitshootsincertainconditionsandmostofallpractice,practice,practice.This year (2010) in July hewill be going tothe European Championship to be held atPlzenintheCzechRepublictoshootfortheUKandwillalsobeshootingtheNationalsinHuddersfieldinAugust.FinallyattheWorldChampionshipin2011.ThiswillbeheldintheUSAbetweentheendof July and the beginning of August at thePalmetto Gun Club, Charleston, SouthCarolina.Where he will again shoot for theUKandstandsagoodchanceofamedal

Below - Graham Freeman and Good friend Garry Kingaby

Target Shooter 101

Our twoTeamGBFClassCaptainshavenowbeenappointed by the GB F Class Association and theappointments have been ratified by theNRA.Theseappointments could have been the subject of anelectionifanumberofcandidateshadputthemselvesforwardbut,intheend,wehadjustoneeach–fortheOpenandF/TRTeams.

It is important that the Captains also receive theapproval and support of theirTeammembers and in

thecaseofDavidKent(Open)andStuartAnselm(F/TR)theyarebothpopular,competentandcommittedshootersandIknowallFClassshooterswillapplaudtheir appointment and give them full support. Somemay question the significance of these roles butremember,theGBFClassOpenTeamwonthe2009WorldChampionshipand theywill carry this title intothenextWorldsinthreeyearstimewhentheshootwillbe held at theRatonRange inNewMexico. It’s notjustaquestionofdoingwell,DavidwillwanthisTeamtoretainthetitleandStuart’sF/TRteam,whowontheSilvermedalat theWorlds,willbestriving togoonebetter.

To achieve this goal will require some effort andplanning. We are not just talking about the logisticsofactually transportinga team,equipment, riflesandammunitionacrosstheAtlantictoNewMexicobutthistime,wearenotonhometurf,sowewillbeataseveredisadvantage unless some reliable data on the

expected range/wind conditions can be obtained.Really, this can only be had by actually shooting atRaton at the same time of the year as theChampionshipswillbeheld.

Wecannowstarttoappreciatetheenormityofthetaskfacing theTeams and in particular, theCaptains, forat thisstagewedonotknowwhowill bepartof theTeam.ThatinformationwillonlycometolightoverthenextthreeseasonsofFClasscompetitionintheUK.Also, because this is an overseas event, the cost ofcompetingwillbemuchgreaterthanasimilarshootonhome-soil.AlthoughtheCaptainswillattempttoraisefunds,theindividualmemberswillberequiredtoputupasignificantsumoftheirownmoneyandthismaywellshapetheTeams.Equipmentwillbeanotherconsideration.Withahomeshoot,obtainingareplacementtrigger,scopeorevena whole rifle would not be too difficult. In Americahowever,equipmentfailureswillbeadifferentmatter-it’snottoodifficulttopackasparetriggerorscope,buttherewon’tbemanyspareriflesaround.WhoownstwotopclassFClassrifles?Whatarethelogisticsoftakingtworifles?It’sbadenoughtravellingwithonefirearm,letalonetwo.Yes,itmaybepossibletoborrowanotherTeammember’s riflebut ‘may’ isnotgoodenough–suchanoversightcouldruinthewholeTeam’seffort.

ThesearejustsomeoftheproblemsthatourCaptainswillbeponderingoverinthecomingmonths.ItisnotaresponsibilitytobetakenlightlyandI’mnotsurprisedthatthereweren’tmorevolunteers.OurtwoCaptainshavebravelysteppedup to theplateandyes,Ratonisa fewyearsawaybutwecannotstart toosoon tothinkaboutthetaskfacingourTeamsandgetbehindDavidandStuartandassistthemineverywaywecan,whateverthefinalTeamselection.

WinningtheFClassWorldChampionshipwasoneofthefinestachievementsinmodernGBshootingandallBritishshootersshouldfeelproudoftheirsuccess.VictorywaswelldeservedbutcertainlyunexpectedintheUS.ItwasamajorupsetandyoucanbettheAmer-icanswilldoeverythingpossibletopreventarepeat–especiallyonhome-soil.

The Long View News from the GB F-Class Association By by Les Holgate

David Kent – GB F Class Open Captain

Stuart Anselm – GB F Class F/TR Captain

102 Target Shooter

AregularcolumnwherebyKenHallkeepsusuptodatewithblackpowdercartridgerifleshootingintheUK.

400 YD MINI QUIGLEY SHOOT – 13th MARCH

Gallery rifles at 400yards, anyone? The PennineShooting Sports Associationat Diggle ranges has built up asolidfraternityofunderleverrifleenthusiasts who hold regularmonthly competitions at rangesup to 100 yds. The QuigleyShooting Association shoots atabuckettargetat400ydsandabuffaloat600ydswithlong-rangeblack powder rifles. The Mini-Quigley competition uses thesametargetry,butisrestrictedtopistolcalibreunderleverrifles.

After a 10 minutesighting-inperiodthecompetitionconsistedoftwostages,stage1beingtwosightersandtenroundsto count at the bucket target, each shot being

indicatedTargetRiflestyle,andstage2beingthesame practice at the buffalo target, both stagesat400yds.Traditionalcrossed-sticks,bagsorkitrollswerepermittedasarest,ironsightsonlywere

allowedinthespiritoftheoriginal,althoughspottingscopes were required toseetheindicatorsandtorecordscores.

Already this yearanumberofcompetitionshavehadtobecancelledduetopoorvisibility,andit looked as if today’scomp would suffer thesamefate!Ahorriblemistcovered the backstop,causing a delayed start,

Dave Coleman in serious mode

Did anybody see where that went??

Target Shooter 103

and,asiscustomary,theinfamousDiggle“breeze”thenappeared causingmuchdifficulty,withonly“Kentucky”windageavailabletomostshooters.

However, as the Diggle boys are veryexperiencedwiththistypeoffirearm,thewinddidnotstopmostshootersfromscoringonceitsinitialeffect had been calculated. For some firers thiswasahalftarget’swidthormore,intothewind.

After the competition it becameapparent that, while all lever action rifles areaccurateenoughtoperformwellatrangesbelow300yds, some amount of after marketimprovement is necessary in order toshootwellpastthisrange.Thefollowingpointswere noted, but the list is by nomeanscomplete.

1.Sights. A couple of firershad difficulty with elevation, a laddertype sight mounted on the barrel, ora tang-mounted peep sight is to berecommended.

2.Calibre. Not reallyconclusiveasonlyonepersoncompetedwith a calibre smaller than .44.(But hedidplacesecond)!

3.Ammunition. Loads weregenerally the same as those normallyusedat100ydsandnoparticulardifficultywasexperiencedintheroundsreachingthetarget.

4.Bullets. It is interesting tonotethateveryoneusedstandardroundnosedflatprofiledbullets.Perhapssomeother profile could be more successfulwhenloadedsingly,andnotinthetubular

magazine for obvious safety reasons.AsQSArulesrequireleadonlybullets,they need to be very hard cast andwould probably benefit froma tumblein alox lube to reduce leading, whichseemedtocauseproblemstoacoupleoffirers.

5.Barrellength. Firers usingcarbines with barrel lengths of only18in achieved respectable scores, sowhilst 24in barrels might seem moreaccurate, the truth is it matters lessthanyouwouldthink.

6.Rifle. Winchester, Rossi,MarlinandUbertiwereallrepresentedand all performed admirably, choiceof sight andammunitionwasofmoreimportance.

Results

1. GregHoskin Marlin.44Mag2. PaulSeymourRossi.357Mag3. DaveBownassUberti.454= DaveColemanWinchester.44Mag4= IanHullMarlin.44MagI will certainly run this event again next

yearandanyoneouttherewhoownsoneofthesefineriflesiswelcometocomealongandjoinus.

khall6548@aol.com.

Steve Hodge spots for Ken Tyrell

Winner Greg Hoskin and Runner-up Paul Seymour

104 Target Shooter

In theNovember issue Imentioned theadvantagesto club members and to us all if more clubs arewilling to organise open meetings. The only realmovementsincethenisadiscussionIhadwithonecluborganiserwhoisseriouslyconsideringdroppinganopenmeetingfromthecalendar.Hefindsithardtomotivateclubmemberstoturnouttorunitwhenthereisonlyasmallamounttobemadefortheclub.Profitisnottheonlymotiveforholdinganopenmeetingbutmostclubswould liketoseeareasonablereturnontheinvestmentoftimeandresources,especiallyasallthemembersaregivingupadayortwooftheirrangetimetoo.

There are some clubs with excellent facilities fordifferent events who are only able to hold openmeetingswiththehelpoforganisersandrangecrewfrom other clubs. At least theymake their facilitiesavailable and they are to be thanked for that butoncetheyhaveseenhowtodoitwhynothaveagothemselves?

Most of the work is done in the back office beforeandafterandthatisnoteveryone’sfavouritewaytospendtheirfreetimebutitonlytakesacoupleofclubmemberswiththedesiretomakeitsucceedandyouhaveameeting. Rangeofficers andassistance onthedayisusuallyalittleeasiertofindevenifitmeansgoingouttootherlocalclubsforhelp.

The most important thing to understand is thatcompetitors are generally happy that someone isputtingona shoot at all and the fact that therearea few rough edges can be forgiven. Just get thesquaddingandthestatsrightandtheywillbehappy.Thebenefits of a local circuit of openmeetingsareobvious. You don’t have to travel too far, you willknowa lot of the competitors andbeginners gain alotofexperiencequicklyinawelcomingenvironment.ThefuturegrowthofGR&Plargelydependsonclubsencouragingbeginnersandoneway todo this is toshowwhatwedoandwhat fun it isbyhavingabigday of open competition. By attracting competitorsfrom other local clubs and further afield the bar isgraduallyraisedandthedesiretoimprovegrows.

TheNRAGalleryRifle&Pistolcommitteewillshortlybe producing an article on running an open event.Please have a look at it and think seriously about

puttingoneoninyourarea.Practicalhelpisavailable–justcontactgallery@nra.org.uk.Finally, here is the latest calendar for 2010. Entryformsfor thePhoenixMeetingareoutnowandyoucanenteronline.ChecktheNSCwebsiteandyouremails.

DATESFOR2010April24-25 Basildon1500BasildonApril25 SteelChallengeBudleigh FarmDevonMay2 MatterseyTenMatterseyMay8 FromeWesternWinnerBristolMay9 ShieldPracticalGR&PDorsetMay28-30 ThePhoenixMeetingNSC BisleyJune5 OpenWCSAGalleryRifle WarminsterWiltsJune26-27 Derby1500DerbyJuly10-11 FermoyInternationalGR IrelandJuly10-24 TheImperialMeetingNSC BisleyJuly18 MatterseySteelShoot MatterseyJuly24-25 FromeThreeGunShield DorsetAugust28-29 GalleryRifleNational ChampionshipsNSCBisleySeptember19 MatterseyBianchiMatterseyOctober17 ShieldSteelChallengeGR&P DorsetOctober23-24 TheTrafalgarMeetingNSC BisleyOctober30-30 AutumnActionWeekendNSC BisleyNovember12-14 LeitmarInternationalGR GermanyDecember30 ShieldChristmasShoot Dorset (Eithercontacttheorganisersdirectorgotowww.gal-leryrifle.comforentryforms.)

GR&P = Gallery Rifle Centre Fire (GRCF), GalleryRifleSmallBore(GRSB),LongBarrelledPistol(LBP)andLongBarrelledRevolver(LBR)

PleasegototheGalleryRiflewebsitewww.galleryri-fle.comformorenewsandinformation.

GalleryRifle&PistolNews

Target Shooter 105

2010 :: The Hardy PSG Shoot.The 2010 Practical Shotgun (PSG) Level IIIcompetition circuit got off to a great start over theweekend of the 6th and 7th March, with fifty ninecompetitorsattendingthechallengingtwo-dayshoot.

Whatmade itall themorememorable thisyearwasthatthevenuewasatShieldShootingCentre,agemof a range complex hidden deep in the undulatingcoastal fields of sunny Dorset (well, sunny for themajority of the Northern contingent, some of whomstillhavetheremnantsofsnowdriftsinthehedgerowsfromthisyear’sexceptionalsnowfall!)Shield Shooting Centre is owned and run by StevePike, an experienced, friendly and knowledgeableex-pistol shooter who has a reputation amongstPSG shotgunners for designing some of the mostchallengingandoriginalcoursesoffire(CoF),notleastof which as hosts of several previous British Openchampionshipcompetitions.However,ithastobesaidthatperhapstheotherreasonpeopleattendistotakeadvantageofBiddy’sfamousbreakfastcobs,alwaysdeliveredwithawarmsmile.Shootersareaboveallelseloversofsausagesandbacon!The Hardy shoot as this is traditionally known, isnamedforthegreatnovelistThomasHardywhocameintotheworldatStinsfordinDorsetandwhowentontowritesuchgreatworksasTessoftheD’Urbervillesand Far from the Madding Crowd, and Shield hasalwaysbeenitsspiritualhome.Themainshooting range reflects thepistol shooting

heritagewithaseriesofadjacentbaysseparatedbyhightyrewallsandallsetwithinalongdisusedquarry.Bays range insizeandshape lendingvariety to thestage designs and providing course designers withtheflexibilitytocaterforthefullrangeofammunitiontypes,birdshot,buckshotandsolidslug.

Steveisanardentbelieverthatamatchshouldaboveallelsetestacompetitor’sabilitytoshoottheirgunina true practical sense, and his stages tend to havesubtle features that look on the surface to be easy,but in fact provide elements that necessitate anawkwardstanceperhaps,orweak-shouldershootingaroundanobstacleedge.He’llput intightno-shootsthatrequireyoutoknowyourshotgunpattern,maybethroughalow-apertureandwiththeoccasionalheavyplatenearthebackofthestage–allofwhichserve

to separate the men from theboys and illustrate the need topracticethoseareaswealltendto neglect. Very few shootersgo to a practice range andspend time swapping the gunfrom strong to weak shoulderor spend any time at all on apatterningplate. Likekidswhoprefer to skip the sandwichesand go straight for the cake,we all would rather reinforcethose skillsweare comfortablewith than put effort into thosewhich often draw a face whenencountered at the range. Forthose who do practice theseareas,it’sasafebetthey’llcomeoutinthetop5%scoresonthatstageandasatisfiedgrin.Itmaynotwinyouthematch,butitcancertainlyloseitinahardfought

Barry Sullivan shooting buckshot

Mixed steels and clay targets

106 Target Shooter

competition.Thisyearsaw12stageswitha roundcountof159,comprising 123 birdshot, 12 SG (buckshot) and 24solid slug. Four divisions were sanctioned for thismatch: Standard (semi-auto), Standard Manual(Pump),ModifiedandOpen.Currently,thetwobiggest(most popular) divisions areStandard andStandardManualintheUK,withOpenprovingleastpopular.Few ranges offer the chance to shoot slug and it’susually a welcome change from birdshot. Standard

IPSC cardboard targets were used andrequired two hits per target. For theuninitiated, the IPSC target has beenthroughsomedesignchangesinitshistorybut thepresentUKacceptedversion isacardboardrectanglewiththecornerscutoffto formaflat-sideddiamond.Thescoringzones are creased into the cardboardwhichmeansyoureallycan’tactuallyseethescoringareasatallbeyondaboutfivemetres so you have to know where toshoot.PSGammunitionispowerfulenoughto be classed asmajor power factor andtherefore the three concentric scoringzones are (A)lpha (worth five points),(C)harlie (worth four points) and (D)elta(worth two points). General consensus isthatyouarebettertogoalittleslowerandensureyouhitAlphas(A)thanblazeawayand hit a few Charlies and Deltas which

considerablyloweryourscore.Incaseyouarewonderingwhathappenedtothe(B)eta–thetargetusedtohaveanextraareaatthetopthathassincebeendiscontinued.

Shooting slug from a smooth-bore shotgun isactually more accurate and predictable than manypeoplethink,exceptingthosewhotakepartinTargetShotgunatBisley,whoareamongthefewwhodon’t

SET 1 of 3 Stage 9 Martin Davies shooting weak shoulder but adopting a stable kneeling stance

SET 2 of 3 Stage 9 shooting around the barricade weak shoulder

Target Shooter 107

quailatthethoughtofhittingasaucer-sizedtargetat50m.Most shoot 30g or 32g slug, predominantly ofthe Brennekke style skirted and fluted round (Eley,Sellier&Bellot,Remington),orthesimplerbell-shapedFoster round used in the Magtech cartridges. Slugshooting isn’t cheap, with ammunition now costinganywherefromaround50pforthecheaperbrandstoalmosta£1perroundfortheRemingtoncartridges.Itdoesrequirethoughthatyouknowwhichchokeworksbestwithyourbrandofslugandwherethesluggoesatvaryingdifferences.

AtShield, the targetsweremuchcloser than50m–thefurthestbeingnomorethanaround10mfromthefiring points.A 12 target stage, the competitors hadtomovefromthestartboxtothefirstof threedoorsthatexposedfourpapertargetsthrougheach.StartingwithafullguninOption1(8roundsinthemagazine,one in thechamber)andshootingeach target twicemeantthatthecompetitorshadtoloadaminimumof15roundsmovingbetweenthedoors.Inreality,asthemajorityof theshootersnowuseabelt systemwithcartridgestrippersholdingfourroundseach,itmeantgrabbingtwolotsoffourbetweendooroneandtwo,and two more grabs between door two and three,andreliablyloadingtheseintotheloadinggateoftheshotgunwhilstmoving.

The stage designs were straightforward if cunningin design, but perhaps with less freestyle elements

than a non-sanctioned match. Foot fault lines werevery evident this year to ensure that competitorsdidn’t shoot targets less than theminimum5m limit.Theseareusually(butnotconclusively)woodenstripsapproximately one inch high by around 1.5 inchwideandpaintedred,andatfloorlevel.Competitorsmay place a foot over these lines for purposes ofbalanceorevenbyaccident,butifashotistakenwhilsttouching the ground on the wrong side of the line,procedural penalties will occur for each shot fired -somethingtoavoidatallcostsbecauseitwillresultinaverypoorscoreonthestageirrespectiveofhowwellthestagewasshot.

Stage9wasa birdshot stageandproved to be thedownfall of most competitors for the reasons givenearlier in this article.Shooting positionwas inside anarrow space behind a solid obstacle.Targetswerearrayed at ground level on both sides, partiallyoccludedbylargetyres.Itwasimpossibletobeabletobendfarenougharoundtheobstacleandkeeptheguninthestrongshoulderonbothsides.Thegunhadtobeintherightshouldertoshootthetargetsontheright, and switched to the left shoulder to shoot thelefthandtargets.Muchcursingandbruisedshoulderslatersawthemajorityoftheshooterswithpoorstagescores–takingwellovertwiceaslongasthefastestshooter.Mostpeoplewereleftwithafeelingthattheyreallyshouldpracticemore.Howoftenhaveweheardthat...!

Stage11wasalargebirdshotstageof24targetsandcomprised many sectioned off shooting areas thatpresented a challenge of moving, loading andshootingaswellasneedingtoshoottargetsthroughsmallaperturesandavoidingcloseno-shoot targets.Thekey to successon this stagewasplanningandensuringthatyourloadingstrategywassolid.Loadingashotgunwhenstandingstill isone thing, loading itwhilstmovingbetweentargetsisquiteanother.

Stage 12was a very pleasant stage that presentedshooters with a similar experience to stage 11 withplentyofmovementbutasmaller targetcountof16steelplatesandfourno-shootplates.Alltargetstobeshotwith birdshot.Thedilemmaherewas the initialfew targets.Thecompetitorwas facingdowna longshooting corridor with an assortment of targets andno-shootsat varyingdistancesout toperhaps10or12metres. On the start signal, thesewere the firsttargetstoshootandwerethecauseofmuchdebateoverwhatchoketousetoensurethatthetargetswerehitbutnotthenearbyno-shoots.Manypeoplechangedtofullchoke,otherslefttheirmodifiedchokesinandstillshotfastandaccurately.Thelessonlearnedhereformanywastheneedtoknowyourgunpatternforyourchosenchokesize.Tomakeitmoretricky,Steveoftenputsindoubleweightplatesthatneedgoodshotplacementtoensureaknockdown...he’snothingifnotsneakyisMrPike!

SET 3 of 3 Stage 9 view of the targets hidden behind the tyres

108 Target Shooter

Two days saw the competitors complete the matchwiththeweatherholdingouttoowhichwasabonus.Wellearnedtopscoresineachdivisionareasfollows:

Modified Division:JamesHarris 1stPlacewith100%IanRichards 2ndPlacewith91.39%LesBailey 3rdplacewith87.48%

OpenDivision:NicholasHockley 1stPlacewith100%GrahamMason 2ndPlacewith86.95%IainCorrigan 3rdPlacewith83.37%

Standard Division:Standardwasverycloselyfoughtandseesawelcomereturn to Standard division for former BritishChampion Neil Smith with his Benelli M2. Neildefected toStandardManual for the last two years,winningtheChampionshipin2008.MikeDarby 1stPlacewith100%BarrySullivan 2ndPlacewith97.07%NeilSmith 3rdPlacewith96.03%

Standard Manual:MartinDavies 1stPlacewith100%IainGuy 2ndPlacewith98.60%JonHolloway 3rdPlacewith90.07%

ThiswasthefirstofsixLevelIIIgradedmatchesthisyear.Thenextfivewillbe:

MidlandChampsatHarlowon21/22ndMaySouthernAreaChampsatShieldon21/22/23rdJuneBritishOpenChampsatCarlisleon3/4thJulyWelshChampsatBorderGunson4/5thSeptemberHomeCountriesChampsatHarlowon8/9thOctober

Competitorsneedtoshootfiveoutofthesixmatches.Thesewillbeaveragedouttocalculatetheshootersgradefor2010.

Thismatchsawseveralnewcomers taking their firststeps in a level III match.Among them were DaveMatthews who shot a very respectable match inStandardwithhisBrowningsemi-auto,andRichardAliwhohadaveryenjoyabledayshootinghispump.Newcomers too were three fresh Range Officers(RO’s) following the successful completion of theirtrainingcourseattheendofFebruaryatCarlisle.MickFlatley,NeilEvansand IainCorriganwereall undersupervisionaspartof theirongoingassessmentandperformedexceptionallywell under thewatchful eyeoftheveteranRO’s.

Finally, It was an excellent two days shooting andthanks from all the competitors goes to Steve andBiddyandofcourse, theexcellentShieldTeamwhospentmanyhoursbuildingthestagestotheusualimpeccablestandards.

Article and pictures by Tony Saunders

Stage 2 IPSC Targets Slug Stage through door 2

Target Shooter 109

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110 Target Shooter

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