See you at the British Shooting Show in February

February 2011 Issue

Sanders Joystick Review Turbo Action build New Products and lots more..

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one The BIG EuropesGUNMAKERS HALLSMassive 150,000 sq ft indoor and weatherproof arena with 1000s of guns on show and for sale

ma

ssi All JUM ve th B ha em O H lls ed A - S ar LL ee ea CO we s n N bs ow CE ite in PT for tw de o tai ls. ..

NE W

THE SHOW THAT EVERYONES TALKING ABOUT...

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rd Fantastic Year

Largest Retail Shooting & Gun Show

UK TARGET SHOOTING Check out all target disciplines on the special information stand...

Sporting & competition shotguns, field, target & tactical rifles, optics, ammunition & reloading, accessories and much, much more... A real shooting MEGASTORE!

Special

Even more to do, more to see and more to buy!Look out for the stands which display the Rifle Focus 2011 logo ARMS HERITAGE SHOW and youll be sure not to miss anything of interest. Hunting & Stalking Pest control & lamping Safaris Sporting GAMEKEEPING HALL & Tactical rifles Ammunition & reloading UK Target Shooting CLAY SHOOTING LINE info area Scopes & optics Clubs & associations etc etc...

The BIG airgun experience...PRESTIGE AIRGUNS

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ADVANCED TICKETS - SAVE MONEY and get priority parking with all advance ticket purchases. Buy online or phone

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Top brand manufacturers Major national retailers A huge range of optics and accessories 10 & 50 meter air rifle range Manufacturers try before you buy ranges ATEO airgun tuition Save s on show 2 only offers Clubs, associations & much, more... Target Shooter

Pay on the day prices (Under 8yrs - Free) One day tickets; Adult - 15.00. 8 to 15yrs - 7.00 Two day tickets; Adult - 25.00. 8 to 15yrs - 10.00 SHOW TIME Now 8.30 to 4.30 Both daysMain show sponsor.

NEWARK SHOWGROUND - NEWARK - NOTTS - NG24 2NYOfficially supported by the

26th & 27th FEBRUARY 2011

www.theshootingshow.co.uk

Email - info@shownews.co.uk Tel +44 (0) 1472 241439

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WelcometotheFebruaryIssue................TargetShooter20 Tactical Rimfire byMartinlaichrt

Sections6 12

ShootingSportNews BlingBling-CRT Reloading ShootersCalendar ShootingBlackPowder PistolbyChrisRisebrook TheJewellTriggerby Chris Parkin AirRifleBenchrestbyCarl Boswell RimfireBenchrest- AustraliaReportby RichardLighfoot ThisSmallboreBusiness byDonBrook TrainingAloneVerses TrainingwithOthers byHayleyPlatts

27 Turbo Rimfire uildbyVinceBottomley

15 16 31 35 44 75 94

39 Saunder JoystickRest byVince Bottomley

47 Gallery Rifle and

Pistol 2011 byGwyn Roberts

Association Pages 53 Building the82 83 87 89 UKBRA UKBR22 F-Class GalleryRifle UKPSA

Ultimate F/TR Rifle Part 2 byVince Bottomley

Bench byLaurie Holland

61 Handloading

91

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Maincovershotofthe Editor(s). CzechCompetitionby CarlBoswellandVinceBottomley Martinlaichrt Advertising and Office Manager email;admin@targetshooter.co.uk Contributors VinceBottomley TonySaunders Martinlaichrt LaurieHolland ChrisRisebrookCarlBoswell DonBrook AlanWhittle GwynRoberts LesHolgate ChrisParkin HatleyPlatts RichardLighfoot

Webitorial - February 2011ItsShowtime!Yes,theNewarkShowhasfinallyarrivedoratleastitwilldoontheweekendof February26th&27th. TargetShooterwillofcourseberepresentedsopleasecomealong,haveachat,telluswhatyou thinkaboutthemagazineandhowwecanmakeitbetter.Hopefullywewillhaveafewoftherifles thathavefeaturedinthemagazineandwellalsohaveLaurieHollandonthestand,soitwillbea greatopportunitytoquizLaurieaboutallyourreloadingandballisticsqueries. Please,tryandmaketheefforttoattendtheShow.LastyearwasmyfirstvisitandIhadareally fullday,notjustlookingroundthestandsbutbumpingintooldfriendsandstockinguponallthose goodiesyoudontnormallyfindinyourlocalgunshop.LetsmakethisShowgrowyearonyear Britishshootersdeserveit! Onamoreseriousnote,wearenowbeginningtopickuponjusthowtheCumbriashootingmay affectoursport.AlonglistofrecommendationsisbeforeParliamentandsomeofthemaresure tobecomelaw.Forcertain,itwillbeanopportunitytoaskshooterstopaymoreforourFirearm Certificatesandallshotgunsmaybere-classifiedasSection1firearms.Althoughthiswillnotbe popularwithshotgunners,ifyouarealsoanFACholderitwillsurelysimplifymatters.Thelower agelimitforholdingaCertificateandowningafirearmarelikelytobeaddressedbuthopefullyair weapons will escape further un-necessary legislation. The suggestion of involving the medical professionseemslesslikelytogoahead,whichisarelief,consideringtheregularitywithwhichthe NHSlosepatientsrecords. But,letsputasidethedoomandgloomforawhileandenjoytheShow. Vince,Carl&Yvonne

CarlBoswell-carl@targetshooter.co.ukandVinceBottomley-vinceb@targetshooter.co.ukand Yvonne-admin@targetshooter.co.uk CopyrightTrinityDigitalPublishingLtdDisclaimerThewebsitewww.targetshooter.co.ukispartofTargetShootermagazinewithallcontentsofbothelectronicmediacopyrighted.Noreproductionispermittedunless writtenauthorisationisprovided. Information,pricesanddataisbelievedtobecorrectatthetimeofpostingontheinternetwhichisonoraroundthe1stofeachmonth.Advertisementsthatarefirearm relatedarefromcompaniesorindividualsthatTargetShootermagazinebelievesarelicensedtoholdsuchfirearmsandacceptsnoresponsibilityifcompaniesor individualsarenotsolicensed. LettersandphotographssubmittedbymembersofthepublictoTargetShootermagazinewillbeacceptedonthebasisthatthewriterhasagreedtopublicationunless otherwisestated.TargetShootermagazinehasnocontroloverthecontentorownershipofphotographssubmitted. Theviewsexpressedinthismagazinearenotnecessarilytheviewsofthepublishersandrelatetospecificcircumstanceswithineacharticle.Thesearetheopinions andexperiencesofwritersusingspecificequipment,firearms,componentsanddataundercontrolledconditions.Informationcontainedintheonlinemagazineoronthe websiteisintendedtobeusedasaguideonlyandinspecificcircumstancescautionshouldbeused.TargetShooterMagazinedoesnotexceptanyresponsibilityfor individualsattemptingtorecreatesuchtestingusinganyinformation,dataorothermaterialsinitselectronicpages.PublishersofTargetShootermagazine.

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Shooting Sport NewsRWS come and have a go daySaturday 8th January RUAG held one of theirfreecomeandhaveagodays,where anyonecancomeandtryRWSammunition completelyfree!IttookplaceattheTargets Sports Centre a brand new shooting complex at The Tunnel in Charmouth. Dave Cooper and Mark Swift from RUAG were there to answer any questions and saidthatitwasabusyandsuccessfulday. Any further clubs wishing to hold a FREE come and have a go day can contact RUAG on: enquiries@ruag.co.uk

D

YER HBC 155gn 308 Bullets from 155gn Lapua Scenar and just a smidgeon behind the class leading Berger 155.5gn Target BT (See Down-Under

Shoot Target Rifle or F/TR division F-Class down-under and theres a good chance youll load locally produced BJD HBC 155s in your .308 Winchester cartridges. BJD stands for Bob and Jan Dyer, proprietors of R&J Sports Goods of Pinelands, near Darwin in Australias Northern Territory who manufacture them,whileHBCisanabbreviationofHigh-BC.And high BC these bullets are with a long streamlined noseandoptimal7angleboat-tailrearend.Withan experimentallyobtainedG7BCof0.236(G1:0.462) BryanLitzrankedthedesignsecondequalwiththe

TargetShooterOctoberandNovember2009issues available free from theArchive section for Bryans detailed review of this and other 155gn 0.308s.) With most Australian state TR and Palma teams using ammunition loaded with these bullets, not to mention the national team which came second to Great Britain in last years Imperial at Bisley, they obviously shoot well too. ThisismorethanacademictoourUKbasedfullbore shooting readers as that well-known Northern accuracy entrepreneur Brian Fox has a large shipment en-route to his Diggle base, which he expects to be with him by the time you read this.

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Its always nice to have more choice in such products but, there is a nice icing-layer on top of this particular gilding metal covered cake price. Brian hasnt been able to finalise prices at the time of writing but can say that they will be very competitive against the two 155gn Sierra Palma MKsandsignificantlycheaperthanLapuaScenar andBergermodels.Samplesforreviewandtesting

havebeenpromisedtoourhandloadingman,Laurie Holland,andwellpublishhisfindingslaterthisyear. Fox Firearms UK telephone 0161 430 8278 for furtherinformationandprices.

The HBC is third from the left

K

estrel 4500NV Weather Tracker with Toenablein-depthanalysisofdataatalatertime,the KestrelwithATragballisticscanbesetuptologdata integrated automatically,ormanually.Thestoreddatacanalso Horus ATrag Ballistics SoftwareThe much awaited Kestrel Pocket Weather Meter with Horus VisionATrag Ballistics Software is now finallyavailableintheUK. Developed specifically for precision shooting, it calculates precise aiming solutions based on real time atmospheric conditions, ballistics and target data.Ithelpslimittheamountofequipmentneeded inthefield. Withallthequalitiesusershavecometoexpect from Kestrel, this instrument combines critical environmentaldatawithanintegratedtargeting software solution using HorusATrag advanced proprietaryalgorithms. Users can load and customise multiple guns androundsfromtheextensiveHorusdatabase. Once these customised parameters are set, the Kestrel takes over. It tracks the real time environmental data and automatically updates thefiringsolution.Theoutputseventakecoriolis andspindriftintoaccount.Withitsbuilt-indigital compass the Kestrel is able to account for the winds direction and speed, along with the targetsbearing. Simple,intuitivescreensallowtheusertomonitor uptosixtargets.Eachtargetiscustomisedfor location, distance, direction, declination and winds. Individual functions can be displayed in three different formats: current, minimum/ maximum/averageandchart. be uploaded wirelessly using integrated Bluetooth technology,orviaanadditionalPCinterface. RTP:Standardunit552.18 RTP:WithBluetooth654.43 Fordetailsemailsales@r-p-r.co.uk,orcall(01590) 679755 www.r-p-r.co.uk

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Fermoy Rifle ClubBallyhooly, Co. Cork, Ireland www.fermoyrifleclub.com InassociationwiththeNationalBenchrestAssociationofIreland(NBAI) (AffiliatedtoWRABFandERABSF)

WORLD INTER-CLUB CHALLENGE 2011

April 16th and 17th 2011

Cyber Shoot

1. 50mBenchrest(outdoorrange)in.22rimfireLV(10.5lblimit)andHV(15lblimit) 2. Competitionsmaybecompletedateachparticipatingteamshomecluborsome clubsmaywishtocometogetherfortheevent 3. Allmatchestobecompletedonthesameday.Teamsmustnominateinadvanceto shooton16thor17th 4. LVandHVeventsareseparatecompetitionsi.e.noaggregate 5. Clubteameventonlyteamsof3,withallteammembersfromthesameshooting club 6. AShootermaybeonaLVteamandalsoonaHVteamifsoselectedbytheirclub 7. Anynumberofteamsmaybeenteredbyaclubbuteachshootercanonlybeonone teamforeachevent(i.e.on1LVteamand/oron1HVteam) 8. Teamsmustbepre-enteredwithteamnameandmembersnames 9. 2consecutivecardstobecompletedbyeachshooterforeachevent 10. esultsscoredattheplaceofcompetitionandemailedsamedaytothecontrol R centreinFermoy 11. ompetitionrules,includingscoring,accordingtoWRABFrules C 12. oentryfeerequired.FermoyRifleClubwillawardmedallionstothefirst3teamsin N eachevent 13. achparticipatingshootingrangemustnominateacompetitiondirectorinadvance. E ThedirectorwillberesponsiblefortheemailingofresultstoFermoyonthedayof competition.

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J

themostfamousnameinbiggameriflesand leaderinrifleaccuracyformorethan100years; Introduce their new, Tactical, Target and Varmint Bipod. Designedinco-operationwithsomeofthecountrys most dedicated target shooters and pest control specialiststheRigbyBipodisfarstrongerandmore stable than anything available elsewhere in the market.Itfeaturesalowcentreofgravitydesignwith thebarrelcentrelinecarriedbelowthelegpivot.The RigbyBipodissuitableforanyapplicationincluding .50CalLongRangeRifles. Its universal design allows easy fitment on the popular ranges of attachments. There are three basicmodelsthesebeing:- #1Malespigot(Tacticalrifle,AIType) #2PicatinnyRailassembly #3Slingswivelassembly TheBipodhasamodulardesign.Inexpensivegun adaptorskitsforSlingSwivel,Picatinny,AIType,& Anschutz rails can be left on your favourite rifles. WhenyouwishtouseaparticularRifleagain,simply sliptheadaptorsintotheBipodYoketightenasingle knobandawayyougo. This arrangement of simple conversion Kits allows you a truly versatile unit. You no longer need

ohnRigby&Co(Gunmakers)Ltd,London,

purchaseaBipodforeachRifleinyourcabinet. The Bipod is designed with lockable Cant & Traverse and when you are happy with your sight picture,youmaylocktheBipodbyturningthefront lever and bottom knob through less than turn, or simply leave it free running for movable target tacticalmatchesorlongrangevermincontrol. Afullrangeofuniversalaccessorykitsincludes: clawfeetforrougherterrain/slipperyconditions Legextensions 30degreeforwardplatekits KDRSwivelfitting,forquickdetachablesling ScrewandPintoolservicekit ReplacementRubberfeet Utilisingtheaccessorykitsonemaycustomisethe RigbyBipodtosuityourexactrequirements. The Bipod, like all John Rigby & Co (Gunmakers) Ltd., London products is as goodasitispossibletomake. TheBipodthereforecarriesour normal lifetime warrantee for Fairusage.Ifanycomponent of you Rigby Bipod (with the exclusion of springs) fails for any reason, including wear, in normal usage, John Rigby & Co (Gunmakers)Ltd., London will replace that component freeofcharge. JohnRigby&Co(Gunmakers) Ltd are pleased to announce that our official UK distributor will be RUAG Ammotec UK Ltd BipodSRP330 Accessories & spares SRP startat25

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JUNIOR SHOOTS RECORD

NATIONAL

himselfintherecordbooks.Hewaswithinone centreofshootingaperfect250with25centres onlygaugedoutbyaharesbreath. Whatwasheusing?Atrusty Walther, with a reverse tapered Lilja Farley stand and Federal Gold Medal Ultra Mach ammunition. GreateffortHussey! It is great to see young shootersgivenachanceand particularly if they can get a loan of good equipment, they are able to gain some indication of their potential. Thisbeingasteppingstone togreatersuccess.

Such junior competitions should be encouraged as these younger members aretheflagbearersofourfuturecompetitions. During the recent Rimfire Benchrest Australia Whenever benchrest competitions are held, National held at Melbourne International Clubs are encouraged to provide opportunities Shooting Club (MISC) in Victoria, November forjuniorsandencouragethemintheirshooting. 2010, Junior Hussein Ozaksoy shot a perfect 750outof750with67centrals.Hughesyashe isknowntohismates,hasonlybeenshooting offandonforaperiodof12months.Hetook theopportunitytocompeteandindoingsolisted

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We can usually count on the LasVegasShot Show to throw up a few new and exciting productsforthe target shooter. Internet site, 6 m m B R . c o m doagreatjobkeepingusupdatedbutthisyear, Iveseenlittletogetmyjuicesflowing. Surgeon, Remington and GA Precision had new tactical rigs on display but perhaps the most realistic one for UK shooters is the new chassis-systemfromAccuracyInternationala non-thumbholedesignwithafoldingoption. Perhaps most interesting offering is the new 10 Target Shooter

Nightforce high-speed turret which doubles the elevation per revolution bringing these scopes closer to the two-turn Schmidt & Bender.Inaddition,newBDCreticlesarealso offeredthoughIdoubtthateitherareretrofit. A couple of years ago, Hornady introduced a newcaseprep.centre.Itwasamassofwhirling sharp tools which looked a little frightening. The device is now streamlined into a more user-friendly piece very similar to the one alreadyofferedbySinclair. Sightron scopes announced their new reticles and turrets before the show and so did Sierra withtheirnew7mm180gnbulletbutjustwhen areHornadyandLapuagoingtorecognisethe popularityofthe7mm? Maybe the German IWA Show in March will havesomethingreallyexcitingforus!

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Bling bling! CRT reloading tools from AmericaEver seen a top sportsman with scruffy kit? No! Be it Formula One, golf, football or even shooting, the top sportsmen are always well turnedoutwithimmaculatekit. When I showed the CRT (Custom Reloading Tools) kit to shooters, their reaction was interestingWow,Iwantoneofthose!orIll stickwithmyplasticone,thanks. But,mostofuslikenicegear,evenifthatgear doesntnecessarilymakeusshootbetter.Good gearisapleasuretouseandmakestheshooting experiencemoreenjoyableandwhatswrong

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withthat? CRTproprietorBradwww.customreloadingtools. commakesasmallselectionofreloadingtools: Loadingtray If, like me, you love beautiful things machined from billet aluminium, then you will love these reloadingtrays.ThankstothemiracleofCNC, thesereloadingtrayslookabsolutelygorgeous. True,theywillnotmakeyouloadmoreaccurate roundsthanaplasticonebutyouwilljustlove gazing at this tray on your reloading bench. WhenIpasseditroundtheguysattheclub,I could have sold a dozen straight off. Another thoughtthesewouldmakegreatawardsfora shootingprize,withplentyofspacetoengravea name.Availableinpopularcalibres.

bestinapower-toolandhasaVLDprofileby theway. Powder funnel Yes, I swear by my little red Lee one size fits allplasticpowderfunnelaswell!Theyaredirt cheapandlastforever(unlessyoustandonit!) sohowcanitbeimproved?Itcantbebutyou canmakeitmoreblingy!Thisturnedfromsolid funnelisreallybeautifulanditworksaswellas itlooks.Itcomeswithacalibre-specificendcap and currently it is only available in .17, 20 or .224buttherangewillbeextendedsoonsoask forthesizeyouneed. Annealing tool kit NowIconfess,Idontannealmybrass,although I do admit that it is a great way to extend the lifeofyourbrassandwithsomecasesrunning atalmosta1.00each,maybeIneedtostart. Annealing is perhaps something we should look at for a future article. The great problem with annealing is applying the heat, controlling the temperature, holding the case and finally quenching it in water. I can apply the heat OK butcontrollingthetemperature,holdingthecase soyoudontgetyourfingersburnedandthen releasingit,areyettobemastered.

Case-mouth chamfer tool In complete contrast to the blingy loading-tray, thistoolisbuiltforapurpose.Anessentialpartof case-preparationinvolvesmakingatinychamfer ontheinsideofthenecktoeasetheseatingof thebullet.Ifyoudontdothis,thesharpcasemouthcouldtakeasmallshavingofcopperoff thebulletwithdisastrousresults.Remember, ourbulletsspinataroundaquarterofamillion revolutions per minute and any dynamic in-balancewillupsetthebulletsflight. Mostofthereloadingtoolmanufacturersoffera chamferingtool(top)buttrustme,noneworkas Well, heres where CRTs next tool comes wellasthisspiral-flutedone.Bradsaysitworks in.A pair of holders you can chuck-up in your Target Shooter 13

cordlessdrill.Theyholdthecaseviatheprimer pocket and a shake will release them to drop intothequenchingbath.Smallandlargeprimer toolsarecontainedinthekit. Billet Aluminium range trays These are similar to the reloading trays but insteadof50holes,thetrayisdividedintotwo sectionsonehalfwith25holesforyourloaded roundsandtheotherhalfatrayforyourspent

cases.Benchrestershaveusedtheseforyears butmachinedfromplastic.Theplasticoneswork just as well but the aluminium ones certainly attractattentiononthefiring-point! Custom Reloading Tools are imported into the UK by Fox Firearms (www.foxfirearmsuk.com) If you like the look of any of these tools, give Brian Fox a ring on 0161 430 8278 or e-mail irvingfox1234@aol.com as he is currently puttingtogetheranorder.

www.FoxFirearmsUK.comTel: 0161 430 8278 or 07941 958464 PUTTING SHOOTING FIRSTVISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE THE VERY BEST VALUE CUSTOM PRECISION RIFLES FOR TR, MATCH, F-CLASS, AND BENCH-RESTWE 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 14 Target Shooter WE IMPORT IS BY FAR THE BEST VALUE IN THE UK

Calendarofeventsoverthenextfewmonths13 Feb NRA Shooting Club Day (National ShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley) Multi-discipline NRA Shooting Club Day. Targets have been booked on Melville and at 100, 200, 600and1000yards.Alldisciplineswelcome. Open to all full members of the NRA who have completed and returned the registration form whichisavailablebyclickingonthelinkbelow. ContactCharlesPerryattheNRA 19 Feb Target Shotgun Festival (National ShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley) The Target Shotgun Festival has unique and challenging competition stages that are engagedwithsolidslug,SG/buckshotandbirdshot ammunition.These targets are arranged to test anycompetitorskillsinafriendlyandsafemanner. ContactBrianThomas 19 Feb to 20 Feb GBFClassTrainingWeekend (NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley) ContactMikMaksimovic

Ifyourcluborassociationhaseventsyouwanttopubliciseherethenemailus.24 FebNRAShootingClubDay(NationalShootingCentre(NSC),Bisley) Multi-disciplineNRAShootingClubDay.Targets havebeenbookedonMelvilleandat100,200, 600and1000yards.Alldisciplineswelcome. Open to all full members of the NRA who have completedandreturnedtheregistrationform. If you would like to attend you must book in at least a week in advance by contacting Charles Perry. 26 to 27 Feb-British Shooting Show OrganisedbyVantageEventsManagement Limited. Telephone+44(0)1472241439 Facsimlie+44(0)1472251399 Email-info@shownews.co.uk IfyouwouldliketoexhibitatTheBritishShooting showeithertelephonetheaboveorvisitthe websiteherewww.shootingshow.co.uk/for furtherinformation. 30 July to 7th August 2011 - The World Rimfire &Air Rifle Benchrest Federation - 2nd WorldChampionshipsinPalmettoUSA.

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

Fullbore & .22LR Black Power Air Rifles and Pistols Used rifles and PistolsOur premises are located at

Optics Ammunition Reloading equipment and more...

53 Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2RB www.gtshooting.co.uk Tel: 020 8660 6843 Fax: 020 8660 6843We are conveniently situated near the M23 & M25.Shooter Target Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm15

Shooting the Black Powder Pistol

by Chris RisebrookThe trouble with researching old guns is that just when you think you have a handle on it, along comes some new information which lters your entire perspective but then, that is thefascination. transpires, that, like the Colt New Line, it also fired .41 Long, which is a completely different animal..41Shortpropelsa130grainbulletat425 fpsforamuzzleenergyof52..41Longmovesa 163grbulletalongat700fpsforanm/eof180 - about .38 Special ballistics. Guaranteed to Back in Article 14, I described a .41 get your undivided attention! Firing it must Forehand&Wadsworth(Photo1-justtojogthe have been an experience; like most of these memory). I was too embarrassed at the time revolvers, the tiny birds-head grips leave your to mention the legend on the top strap which pinky grasping thin air, so hanging on to it readsSwampAngel. withjusttwofingersmusthavebeenquiteajob. IhadassumedthiswasaSaturdaynightspecial onsteroidsbutwherethosegunsjustboretheir lurid names - such as Gut Buster, Tramps Terror,PugUglyandBangUp(yes,really!),this oneshowsthemakersnameandaddressandits patentdates,sothisisclearlyadifferentanimal altogether. It is often stated that Saturday night specials or Suicide Specials were unsafe but, in view of the plethora of names and the numbers in which they were made, I wonder if this is so. I cannot imagine the public continuing to buy a product which was inherently unsafe and, despite the myriad names under which they were marketed, their basic form and The legend on the barrel reads Forehand & construction was the same - namely five or WadsworthWorcesterMassU.S.patentedSept six-shot single-action with a sheath trigger and 24Oct22/61-Jan27-71Veryfewmanufacturers justaremoveableejectorpin,ifanyatall. of Saturday night specials owned up to making them.Indeed,itnowtranspiresthattheSwamp Mostly, they were chambered for .32 rimfire Angelwasofsuperiorqualityandpresumablywas using a small charge of black powder. intended to compete with the up-market Colt Obviously unsafe with todays nitro powders, NewLine.41revolver. theywereprobablyquitesafefiringtheiroriginal cartridges,ifindeedtheywereeverfiredatall. Ihadassumed-wrongly-thatitwaschambered for.41short,thecartridgeusedinderringersbutit Photo 2 shows the Swamp Angel in

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companywithacontemporaryRemingtonderrin- Charleston. Beauregarde must have been a ger,andPhoto3withaColtderringer.Allthree gentleman, because he somehow managed are.41rimfire. to resist the temptation of sending a reply - and presumably a raised single digit would not The name Swamp Angel is not pure fancy; it havebeenseeatthatrange! is actually named after a Civil War cannon! Robert Parker Parrott , after graduating from Intheabsenceofareply,Gillmoretheninstalled West Point left the army and became the a single gun at the Morris Island battery and it superintendent of West Point Foundry in New waspromptlychristenedSwampAngel.Mostof Yorkwherehepatentedhisriflein1861. the Parrott rifles were 2.9 or 3inch calibre, but His guns were made from a mixture of cast this monster had an 8inch bore, an eleven foot and wrought iron. This was not a new idea, barrelandfireda200poundcharge7900yards nor was it a good one - they usually blew up - using17poundsofpowder-pershot! but his invention of effectively sweating the wrought iron band over the breach meant It fired 36 rounds in all, hit nothing of they still blew up - but a bit later! Not really a consequence - and blew up!. The collective better mousetrap but, of course a raspberry blown by the citizens of Charleston cheaperoneandbothsidesusedthesegunsin was probably clearly audible. Apparently, by theCivilWar. usingincendiaryshells,itdidstartsomefires. The gun was sold for scrap to the citizens of Fast forward to 1863 and Fort Sumpter is still Trenton New Jersey who for some reason protecting Charleston from the Union army. mounted it in a city park. Scrap sounds like Union General Quincy Gillmore, having built a better idea in view of its history; who wants a battery on Morris Island, sends a message to be proud of a failure? Herman Melville even to General Beauregarde demanding he wroteapoemaboutitbutitstilldoesnotexplain vacate Fort Sumpter to enable him to bombard whytheParrottriflewascalledSwampAngelin

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thefirstplace.

Massachussetts company would name their product after a regiment of Confederate Perhaps because of the swampy ground round marksmen. Morris Island? On the other hand, it appears that the Swamp Angels were one of the most In Noble County, Indiana there is a complex successful (?) waterfront gangs in New York of uplands, wetlands and bogs called Swamp in the mid nineteenth century, raiding the East Angel, and in the Everglades of Florida, River dockyards and using the sewers as swamp angel used to be the local name for a thoroughfares-hencepresumablyhowtheygot particularly voracious mosquito. There is also theirname.EventuallytheymergedwiththeWhite a town on Pottawatomie County, Kansas Hand Gang at the end of the century. called Swamp Angel. Nowadays, there is But, its a long way from Charleston to the evenapopgroupcalledtheSwampAngelsfor gangs of New York. Were some of the Union heavenssake! troops from New York, and familiar with the notorious gang? Probably not, but then again, So now I am up to my ears in swamp you never know. Trouble is, it is very easy to angels. Did you ever wish you hadnt started red-herring yourself and you can easily lose something?Inthemeantime,myposherthanI track of what you were looking for in the first thoughtitwasSwamp ngeliswormingitswayinto A place. my affections, particularly when I discover they are fetching anything up to $1000 dollars in For example, there was a highly successful theStates! battalion - later a regiment - of Southern infantry called the Swamp Angels because of their ability to fight and survive in the marshes along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. However, it seems unlikely that a

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Portsmouth Gun Centre Ltd 295 London Road North End Portsmouth PO2 9HFOpening Times Mon 9.30 - 5.30 Tues Closed Wed Closed Thur 9.30 - 5.30 Fri 9.30 - 5.30 Sat 9.30 - 5.30

Tel 02392 660574 Fax 02392 644666 E-mail sales@portsmouthguncentre.com Website www.portsmouthguncentre.com

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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Introducing Kelblys Tactical Rifles. bringing benchrest precision to the tactical market. With loads of options to choose from, and pricing that shatters the competitors.

Introducing the first hunting and tactical scopes with 10 times power ratio on a variable scope. March 1x-10x-24mm and 2.5x-25x-42mm. 1/4 clicks and 25 MOA per revolution. All lenses in scopes are cemented in place, and do not rely on O rings to hold point of aim. Argon gas purged.

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Tactical Rimfire.

.. a new direction for rimfire shooting in Czech Republicat shorter distances, usually owing to range constructionbutmostly,theorganisersarejust notpreparedtoorganiseapropercompetition. Therearelongerrangesavailable,upto300m buttooexpensivetorent-rimfireshootersare notwillingtospendsomuchmoney! These competitions are presented as sniper simulation shooting but really it has nothing in common with sniping - except the name. Competitionsareheldatonlyonedistance(50m) andthetargetsaredefinedatthebeginningof shootingseasonandtheyarenotchangeduntil nextyear. These targets require benchrest accuracy and

by Martin laichrtToday, there are only a few club rimfire competitions in the Czech Republic. It means that many club shooters are excluded from havingfunwiththeirrimfires.Benchrestisnot alwaystheircupoftea-theyneedmoreaction - not only the youngsters, there are many experienced shooters who were involved in seriousrimfirecompetitionbutnow,theywould liketoshootagain.Rimfireshootingisbyfarthe cheapestwaytoshootascopedrifle. A typical example of rimfire competition in Czechisa50mshootingrangewithcompetitors shooting only at this distance. Sometimes the range regulations do not permit shooting

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Target Shooter

often,theyaresosmallthatitreallychallenges onlysimilaritywithasniperisariflethatlooks rifle accuracy. Matches tend to vary due to like sniper rifle. Matches lack scenarios with the range and organisers specifics but the physical and psychological stress, solving

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logical problems etc. and we could call these competitionsacorruptionofbenchrest/F-class competition,duetothepredominanceofheavybarrel,single-shottargetriflestheexceptions areafewAnschutz1907reps. Thetargetsandtimelimitsareadjustedtothese rifles and shooters using repeater rifles made

inCzechorothercountrieswithloweraccuracy have no chance. Unfortunately matches are without challenges that could possibly level these accuracy disadvantages i.e stress or shooting in different positions, quick changing positionsetc. However,abigchangecameinformofanew

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Target Shooter

series of matches organized by Guncenter Otrokovice (GC) called the Rimfire Sniper Competition. Their range is indoor and 150m long and the organizers successfully built a competitionthatprettywellreplicatesacenterfire tactical sniper competition. No wonder - they used their experiences from sniper centrefire competitionsandmodifiedthemforrimfireuse. Thematchitselfisveryfastandtherearemany differentscenariosandshootershavetoshoot from different positions at targets from 10 to 150m and often they include some physical exercises. These matches are intended for shooterswhoenjoymovingaroundandshooting more realistic situations from not necessarily comfortablepositions. Unfortunately, the GC Otrokovice range is a longwaytotravelformanyshooters,somostly only local shooters attend these competitions. Another problem is the lack of 150m ranges to be able to practice. Actually, there would be enough ranges but rimfire shooters are not willing to pay the cost of hiring these ranges - rimfireisstillregardedasalowcostshooting sport.Nonetheless,thesecompetitionsarethe bestofthisformatthatareavailable. ThisgotmethinkingandIfinallydecidedtostart a new competition in Czech republic: Tactical Rimfire. The plan was to devise a competition that would test a shooters logical, mental and

physical ability to manage various competition scenarioswithinagiventimelimitandwiththe best possible accuracy, that would show their abilityasversatileshooters. Co-operationwiththeGCOtrokoviceorganisers andothertacticalshooterswasverybeneficial andtheresultisanewcompetitionthatdemands a rifle system capable of 1 1/3 MOA accuracy anytimeandunderanycondition.Competitors are exposed to time constraints, physical stress,changingshootingpositionsandsolving logical problems. We did our best to ensure thattherewouldntbeanyspecialdemandsor requirements for competitors to practice. All situationsareshotfrom10to50mandarewell described. A big thanks must go to Mr. Ladislav Ninger, theChairmanofCzechBenchrestAssociation, forhisadviceandrecommendationsbasedon his experiences of organizing competitions at internationallevelandfromhistacticalshooting background. Each course of fire is put together in such a way that shooters have to show their ability to resolve the situation. The abilities are endurance,resistancetostress,adaptabilityto anewandunknownsituationsandtoapplytheir knowledge and experience of weapons and shooting. Amatchisdesignedtocontainthreeelements Target Shooter 23

to try and achieve a fair and level playingfield. One third will favour repeaters and semi-auto rifles; one third is in favour single-shot,heavytargetriflesandtheremaining third is based on solving logical problems includingcommunicationbetweenashooterand hisspotterandtheirresultantshooting.Thispart isprobablythemostinventiveelement.Shooters canhavetwo-manteamsandpracticetogether, simulating the snipers work or, they can just pickupapartnerforthatparticularlymatch.This bringsanotheraspecttothematch-howthese teamswouldcopeinastresssituationandhow theycommunicateundertheseconditions. The idea is that each competition should maintain the aforementioned three elements andeachpartshouldcontainthesametypeof 24 Target Shooter

situation to be solved. Forexample-ahostage situation. Knowing your shooting limits should be in the precision part, selecting and changing shootingpositionshould be at the tactical part and similarly with target recognition. We have scheduled a series of eight competitions for 2011. The winner will be determinedfromhisfive best scores. Scores in eachcompetitionwillbe measuredandcalculated by a percentage ratio based on the winners score. Therefore its very important to shoot yourbestineachcourse of fire to minimise the difference between yourselfandthewinner. Duringthematch,targets fromeachcourseoffire are sealed and scored duringthematch.Partial scores are not revealed until match is over. Competitors have to do theirbestallofthetime. In addition to these competitions, we decided to hold the TacticalRimfireChallengeCupThiscompetition will be stretch over a weekend (two days and one night). The regular courses of fire will be complemented with extra physical activities (squatting, exercising in a ballistic jacket etc.) together with the results of solving a logical problem within the period of the competition. Wealsoplantoholdsomesurvivalclassesand othertacticalskills. Ourfirsttestcompetitionrevealedafewerrors and incorrect assumptions which proved a valuable learning aid and more accurately indicatedthetimeneededforactualshootingas againstwhatweassumedwouldbeappropriate. However, the shooters really liked it and were very enthusiastic with the innovative scenarios

weusedsoitwasdeemedtobeagreatsuccess. We know that this kind of competition will not suiteveryonetherequirementforphysicaland mentalstrainandstresscanbedifficultforolder shooterstohandlebut,forthetimebeing,wedo notintendtomakeanyallowancebasedonthe ageofcompetitors.

limited range space. If any UK shooters like the idea, why not give it a go? It sounds a bit like mini-rifle but with a great accuracy requirement and would be perfect for a bolt-action, mag.fed rimfire rifle. If any club decides to put on a rimfire sniper shoot, please let us know. Meanwhile, I invite Martin to send us a few photographs of one of his comps. so that clubs can get a better Thank you Martin for a very interesting article. idea of courses of fire etc. Vince. This sounds a great idea for those clubs with

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GBR EnglandManufacturers of the superb GBR Bolt Action - produced to the tightest tolerances for builders of the nest ries & UK Distributors of Bergara Barrels from Spain

Why not get your next custom rie built using a GBR Action & Bergara Barrel?

Website : www.GBREngland.co.uk 26 Phone: 01606 79029 Target Shooter e-mail: GBREngland@hotmail.co.uk

Turbo Building a 22RF Benchrest rifle by Vince BottomleyWhenyougetaFlashEbertTurboactionyouget alittlepieceofhissoulwitheachbuild............. Ireadthatquoteonashootingforumacoupleof yearsago.IdneverheardofaTurboactionor indeed Flash Ebert, the designer/manufacturer ofthislittlerimfireaction-now,Iactuallyhave oneonmyworkbench! There are very few custom actions available to the rimfire benchrest shooter. In addition to theTurbo,wehavethelegendaryHallandtwo others, by Stiller and Baity, have just come on themarket. Ive handled just one example of the Hall and very nice it was too - as is the Turbo. From researchingtheinternetrimfireforums,thereis littletochoosebetweenthetwosomeshooters areTurbomen,othersprefertheHall. The Turbo is very much a hand-built action youwontseeanyofthetell-taleCNCmachining marks here but you will see examples of a craftsmansskillandnotwooftheseactionswill everbeexactlyalikeyouwillalwaysbeableto recogniseyourownandthatsquiteniceinthis worldofCNCandmassproduction. IcantellyouverylittleabouttheeponymousMr Flash Ebert, except that he is reputedly in his twilightyearsandhisoutputofactionsisvery, verylimited.Myactionisoneoftwoimportedby BrianFoxofFoxFirearmsandIofferedtobuild oneofthetwointoarimfirebenchrestriflejust forthehellofit-andofcourse,Ihopeitmaybe ofsomeinteresttoTargetShooterreaders. Unfortunately, the Turbo already has a barrel fitted. It is brand-new and installed by Kelbly - whousedtomaketheirownrimfireaction,the Swindlehurst-sowecanbesurethatitisasgood as it gets. Kelblys gunsmith has an enviable reputation amongst American benchrest shooters.SowhydoIsayunfortunately?Well, IveneverinstalledarimfirebarrelandIwould lovetodoone-butpreferablyonaproperaction liketheTurboratherthanthepressed,pinnedor gluedtypeasusedonmanyrimfireactions. Briangavemeachoiceoftwobenchreststocks andIpickedaKelblySPGovertheotheraTom Merideth.Myown6PPCbenchgunisbuiltonan identical SPG and bedding my BAT centrefire action was a breeze but I soon realised I had madethewrongchoicefortheTurbo.TheSPG stockismadefromtwofibreglassshellswhich

The Turbo bolt is a beautiful piece of work Target Shooter 27

TheTurbo came with Davidson scope-bases whichtaketheultra-lightKelblyrings

arebondedtogetherandfilledwithalightfoam. This forms a very stiff, light structure and a round-bottombenchrestactionlikemyBAT- can be simply glued in place without breaking through the fibreglass shell into the soft foam filler. Not so with the Turbo. The rear tang has a strange swoopy profile and, to get it looking anythinglikedecent,meantcuttingthroughthe fibreglass shell and exposing the foam core. This meant that I would have to install pillars and replace the soft foam beneath the action withDevcon.Ihatetoseerifle-buildswherethe actionsitsaboveitscentre-lineitlooksawful anditsjustalazywaytoturnoutacustomrifle. Stocks rarely seem compatible with the action-tang without some soul-searching, machining, filling and sanding but the first decision we have to make is where to drill the rear action-screw hole. Although drilling a quarter-inch diameterhole mightnotseem too daunting a task, it can be. Once drilled, it will set the pattern for the whole of the project including the trigger, trigger-guard, bolt handle cut-out, ejection-port etc. Get it wrong and 28 Target Shooter

the stock could be scrap! Not too bad with a fibreglassstocklikethisoneaswecanalways fillitandpaintitbut,withanicewood-laminate, thereisnoroomforerroryoujustcantputthat woodback! So, after a bit of head-scratching, measuring andanafternoononthemillercoveringmyself inpinkfibreglassdust,Ihadthebarrelled-action sittingnicelyonthespringingline.Ithenmade two light pillars from brass tube and Devcond theminplace.Twenty-fourhourslater,whenthe Devconhadset,theseweremachinedtoensure thattheywouldbewellbelowthebottomofthe action,sothattheactionrestsonafullDevcon bedratherthanbearingdirectlyonthepillars. I would normally cut out for a Devcon bed of around 6 or 7mm thick which would provide a solidbedfortheTurbobutIhadtoscoopoutthe softfoamcoreexposedwhenmachiningaway theSPGsinnerfibreglassskin,sotherewillbe alotmoreDevcon.Steel-filledDevconisheavy and this could create a weight-problem - if we wereworkingtoa10.5lbLVlimit. Many centrefire benchguns use a glued-in ratherthanascrewed-inactionastheorysays that this is the ultimate bedding-job but it can

be off-putting to shooters not familiar with this method. Most shooters feel that they will need totaketheactionoutofthestockatsometime or other and a glue-in prevents this. If you do goforaglue-in,youmustofcourseensurethat thetriggerisaccessible/removable,forthiswill beonecomponentthatwilllikelyneedattention fromtimetotime.Re-barrellingisnotaproblem withaglue-inasyourgunsmithcanmeasureoff theoldbarrel-tenon. The other job was to move the position of the ejection-portcut-outinthestock.Itwastheright sizebutabout20mmtoofarforward.Thebolthandle cut-out was in the right place but a bit largeformyliking.Thefinalcut-outweneedto makeisforthebolt-releasecatch. Finaljobwastheactualbeddingoftheaction. Ifyouveneverdonethis,Iwilloffertwotips always mix twice as much Devcon as you will think you will need and mask off everything including the outside of the stock and first four-inches of the barrel - that Devcon gets everywhere! Oncesetafter24hoursorsowecanpopthe barrelled-actionoutofthebeddinghopefully! Itcangetquiteagripand,eventhoughwehave appliedrelease-agenttotheaction,itcantake someforcetobreakitfreebutthistimeitcame outquiteeasily-withaloudcrackwhichalways soundsasifthestockhasbrokenintwo! A gunsmith will typically charge around 150250 for a Devcon bedding job depending on the amount of work. Up to now, Ive got about threedaysworkinthisone.OK,Imnotworking flat-out the whole day but with Devcon setting time and thinking time I havent done much else.Dontcomplainaboutwhatyourgunsmith charges-ifhedoesagoodjob! The stock actually came with quite a nice red glitterfibreglassgel-coatandcouldhavebeen usedasisbutmyadjustmentsmeanthatan

expensivepaint-jobwillnowbeneededtogetit lookingright.MrFoxwillnotbepleased!Also, ounces are important when building a rifle to a weight-limit and a paint-job can easily add a couple - LV benchrest stocks are often left un-paintedbutwithourheavy-profileLiljabarrel, this will clearly be a Heavy Varmint class rifle weighingupto13.5lbs.sowecanstandacoat ofpaint. Well, I left the choice of colour to Foxy and he has chosen well a beautiful metallic blue similar to that Subaru WRX blue. With the polished stainless action and barrel, it looks a treat.IwasabouttomountablackWeaverT36 onitbutitjustwouldntlookrightsoIveusedmy 36BRsilverLeupoldforthepics.Thesuper-light Kelbly rings fit snugly on the Davidson bases whichcamewiththeTurbo. One last job the trigger it has to be a 2oz JewellorKelbly.Atonetime,theJewellwasthe undisputedkingbutnowbenchrestshootersare beginningtoaccepttheKelblyasanalternative. Iveusedoneonmybenchgunforthelastfour years without problem. For the unskilled, they areeasiertoadjustthantheJewell. The rifle is for sale contact Fox Firearms - www.foxfirearmsuk.com Ofcourse,itsnotcheapbutifyouareserious aboutyourrimfirebenchrest,itcouldbeagood investment.WhybuyanAnschutz,throwaway everything but the action, have it re-barrelled and re-stocked? Yes, it will shoot, but when you come to sell it, its just anotherAnschutz! The turbo action will stay with you as long as you shoot rimfire benchrest. If you want it configuredasanLV,thenyoucanalwayshavea switch-barrel. The stock is super-light, it will easilymakeweight. Target Shooter 29

TointroduceourselveswearetheUnitedKingdomAssociationof RimfireandAirRifleBenchrestShooting.Bythatwemean"True BenchrestShooting".TheAssociationisrecognisedbyrimfire shootersacrossintheUK,withpartnersacrossEuropeandtherestof theworld,asthepresentativebodythatpromotesrimfireandairrifle benchrestacrossthiscountryandwithotherpartnersinEuropeanand Worldevents. Visitourwebsitefornewsaboutnationalandinternational competitionsthatallcanhaveagoat.Fromnovicetochampion shooter,everyoneiswelcome www.benchrest22.org

2007 Pan American Games 3x20 Gold Medalist 2007 WC Milan 3x20 Silver Medalist 2008 Olympian 3x20 Fifth Place 5-Time NRA Camp Perry 3x20 Junior National Champion Multiple Womens NRA Camp Perry National Champion

If you want to shoot like a champion, choose Lilja! www.riflebarrels.comLilja Precision Rifle Barrels, Inc PO Box 372 Plains, MT 59859Tel: 406-826-3084 Fax: 406-826-308330 Target Shooter

Jamie Beyerle

The Jewell Trigger - by Chris ParkinAbove - Jewell installed on my Remington showing bolt-release mechanism Egotistical maybe, but I think Im pretty good The Jewell trigger is one of those quiet little atsqueezingatriggerandwaitingforthatnice itemsthatstayshiddeninyourstockandnever cleanbreak-Idontflinchanddontanticipate getsamentionitsoneofthoserareproducts recoil. Its a patient game I learned to play as thathavenopeerandnoquarrel.Nooneseems an archer with mechanical release aids and tohaveanycriticismoftheJewellforeithertheir Imhappy-uptopressthatImnotatrigger build-quality or their performance in use. They puncher. areafairlyexpensiveitem,certainlyatthetopof thetriggertree,sowhatmakesthemspecial? AtarecentMcQueenshoot,Istartedtowonder whether, on the rapid-fire type of events such What sets the Jewell apart from the other asthese,ifalighter(readfaster)triggerwould replacementRemington-styletriggers,certainly improve things. I think I would be dishonest forusein`tactical`orhuntingrifles?Apartfrom to say that I never snatch the trigger when the build standards - using the highest quality shootingquickly. materialslike440cstainlesssteelhardened to 58 Rockwell for the sears, 300 series for the So,IresearchedtriggersandalthoughIhada side-plates-isthatdualseardesign,coveredby nice,clean2lbbreakonmyfactoryRemington USpatents.Butwhatexactlydoesthismean? trigger, I knew that with a single-sear unit, minimal travel, the pull-weight of the trigger Inlaymansterms-insteadofthetrigger(lever) is always at odds with the sear-engagement you squeeze with your finger, running directly andthereforeSAFETY-oratleastconsistent, onto the sear holding back the firing pin in reliable performance. You really dont want an the bolt, it holds back an intermediate sear, of un-cocked firing-pin or worse still, a slam fire much lower spring tension/weight. This works whenrackingthebolt,nevermindwhenworking like a miniature hammer to operate the main attherequiredMcQueenreloadspeed. searunderthefiring-pin.Thisintermediatestep Target Shooter 31

Top the Kelbly trigger, the Jewells only real competitor.

allows two things to happen that do not occur in other Remington-style units. The firing-pin is held by a more strongly engaged sear and thetriggeritselfbyamuchfinerone.Thusthe very low pull-weights available fromtheJewell do not compromise the safety of the firing-pin engagement. When you want to play with 2oz rapid-fire benchrest triggers with no risk of a slamfire,hereistheanswer. That is not to say that the Jewell is purely a benchrestitem(itnowhasseriouscompetitionin thatfield,moreofwhichinamoment).Although itisaRemington-styletriggerreplacement,there aretwomaintypesavailable.Thestandarditem, supplied with 3 springs, a bolt-release slider and a safety-catch that replaces any standard Remington trigger and the competition model with no safety or bolt-release. The latter runs with a pull-weight between 1.5 and 3oz, the standard model is supplied with 3 springs for the trigger blade itself, allowing weights to be setfrom1.5to56oz(3.5lbs).

alongtheRemingtonsilhouette(Shilen,Timney, JardorRifleBasix)haseverfullychallengedthe SwisswatchprecisionbuildofferedbytheJewell. ThenewlydesignedKelblytrigger(themakers oftheStolleaction)hastakenfulladvantageof themostmodernmanufacturingtechniquesthat werenotevenimaginedbyArnoldJewellatthe time of his triggers appearance. The body of theKelblytriggeriswire-cutfromasinglesolid pieceofsteeltoobviatetheneedforside-plates tobescrewedandrivetedtogetheranditdoes have a uniquely simple adjustment method. It has certainly become a popular choice among thededicatedbenchrestcrowd.

IorderedmyJewelltriggerthroughDaveWylde ofValkrieRiflesinSouthYorkshire.Itcamevia JacksonRifles,theimporter(FoxFirearmsalso import Jewell and Kelbly triggers) who wasted notimeingettingittoDavebythefollowingday. AlthoughIcouldhaveprobablyfitteditmyself, I let Dave get on with it as he told me that occasionallythetrigger-wellinthestockneeds atinyamountofmaterialremovingtofititin.In Up until recently, no other trigger designed thecaseofmyrifle,itwasnotrequired. 32 Target Shooter

All adjustments can be made from below without removing the barrelled action

After testing the trigger - which was fitted to the gun in around five minutes straight out of the packet - we drank tea! There was literally nothing more to do, adjust or discuss. I love thingsthatjustWORK.Anyadjustmentsthatare desired can be done from underneath, without takingthegunoutofthestock;veryhandyand essential for a glue-in benchrest action. The safety-catchitselfissuperiortothesometimes criticisedRemingtonitemasitlocksthesearfar more securely into the underside of the firing pin. The1lbpre-setpull-weightwasabsolutemagic andalthoughIhadneverusedaJewellbefore, itdidimpressmewhereIthoughtImighthave beenalittleunder-whelmed.Theknowledgethat I could drop an extra pound off my pull-weight withabsolutelynodiscernibletriggermovement andbeabletoforgettheboltnotre-cockingat speedwasveryreassuring. Before I tried the gun again for real, in the field, I did wonder how well I would like the trigger,especiallyintheupcomingcold,windy,

winterweatherwithfrozenfingers.Oneword excellent!Youbegintorealisehowinconsistent some of your other triggers are as even at a pound, the feel of the glass break is ultra consistentandreassuring. MymainfearinbuyingtheJewellwas-would it make all my other rifles and their triggers seem inadequate? Well, the hunting rifles - no but lets just say I have ordered another oneformylong-rangetargetrifle.Iamnowin theclub,IknowwhynoonequestionsJewell triggers-therearenoquestions. WARNINGALTHOUGHTHEINSTALLATION OF A TRIGGER CAN APPEAR SIMPLE, FAULTYADJUSTMENTCANCAUSESLAMFIRES OR MISFIRES. IT IS A JOB BEST LEFTTOTHEPROFESSIONALGUNSMITH. Vorsprung durch technik? This German bi-pod is adjusted with a joystick

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Knowing your conditions Helps to keep your aim true

Weather Meters? to use Easy ? Accurate ? speeds Wind ? Cross Winds ? Pressure Air ? Humidity ? Temperature ? Point Dew ? Chill Wind ? Altitude ? and Date Time ? Graphical Display ? Logging Data

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Target Shooter

ORDER ONLINE FROM www.r-p-r.co.uk Tel: 01590 679755

Air Rifle Benchrest - The Steyr LG Series

By Carl BoswellThis article is an update on the Steyr LG series of air rifles as they are products I have written about before.However,afewthingshavehappenedatthe latterpartof2010.Ipersonallyhaveusedboththe LG100andtheLG110,thelatterbeingaborrowed rifle, at a number of competitions. I was put onto theseriflesbyashootingcolleagueandfellowmedal winnerColinRenwick. Colin has used these rifles for HFT and continued

A full refit of the stock

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A partial refit of the stockto do so for Air Rifle Benchrest - thus getting me into this side of the sport. (I had used a few other riflesbeforehand,butbecauseoftheirlimitationson accuracy/consistencyIwasnotinspiredanddidnot takeupcompetitiveairriflebenchrestshootinguntil 2008). be in its infancy, but people have quickly adapted to the nature of shooting the sport. The days of inconsistentaccuracyarealmostgone,asshooters have seen what is happening in other shooting sportsandhaveadaptedappropriately.Imentioned someofthesedevelopmentslastmonth.Isuppose that each shooter has their own like and dislikes, dependingonwhattheyhavefoundworksforthem. Theonethingthatseemstobecommonamongstall shootersistheadaptionofthestocksysteminsome waytoenablebenchreststyleshooting.

TheLG110HighpowerriflethatColinintroducedto mebackin2007wasusedtohelpusachievesilver and bronze medals at the World Championship in 2008. I then purchased the LG100 I currently own fromColin-thisisthepredecessoroftheLG110FT modelcurrentlyavailable. Going to international events is a real eye opener, asyouseeallsortsofadaptionsanddevelopments, In 2009 at the UK championship I took the heavily from scopes to pellets and everything in-between. modifiedLG100,asIhadadapteditspecificallyfor EvensincetheWorldChampionshipin2008,things Benchrest.Atthatpointtheriflewasjustnotready havemovedon.Iwouldevensaythisaboutmyself andnotfullytested,soIaskedColintofallbackon asIamalwayslookingforthenextthingtoimprove theLG110-whichwonusamatcheach.Colincame accuracy.Arentweallasitisacompetitivebusiness awaywiththeLVGoldandIcameawaywiththeHV and we all like to win. I have seen most things, Gold. (Colin actually got overall championship title even an electronic level system that was originally aswell). developedforcameras.Itsintherules,sowhynot!? AsyouknowfromthearticlesaboutboththeWorld CupandEuropeanChampionship,IusedtheLG100 again,butbythistimeitwasthewayIwanteditto be.Theriflehadanewbarrel,completelyserviced action, tuner, air splitter, et al. Good job, as it helpedmewinseveralgoldmedalsandtheoverall championshiptitlesforbothcompetitions. TheLGseriesofairriflesareusedextensivelyina varietyofshootingsports.Oneofmyfellowwriters, Tim Finley, uses two LG 110s - one set up for FT and one set up for HFT. He wrote about these previously in Target Shooter Magazine. I know he does well with both rifles!! BenchrestAir Rifle may

BacktotheSteyrseriesofrifles!AlthoughIusethe older LG 100, the LG 110 is the one that seems to be most common Steyr in benchrest circles. At the European Championship in 2010 the Russian teamallhadtheLG110model.Thisteamtookthe placebystorm,thrashingallofusonthedayofthe secondmatch.Evenonthethirddaytheycamein topasathreemanteam.Aswithmyownrifle,they had modified their own a great deal to make them appropriate for the sport - as can be seen by the picturesinthisarticle.Muchlikethestocksyouwill find on rimfire and centerfire benchrest rifles, but usuallydevelopedbytheshooterasthereisnothing else on the market! This is the one thing you will

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Target Shooter

willprovideabout60to70goodshots.Takinginto accountthatthefirsttentofifteenshotsareinthe sand,itsnotleavingmuchroomforerror.Thisnew cylinder,IamtoldbyHarryPrestonofSteyrUK,will provide and extra forty shots or so in comparison tothestandardaircylinder.Mightyimpressiveand somethingseriouslytothinkabout.......andIam!! I say I am as I have been told the new cylinder will also fit older rifles, so will fit perfectly onto my LG100. The fact that it will stick out a good four inchesinfrontofthebarrelisneitherherenorthere!! Aesthetics are wonderful, but it is the functionality thatIamlookingfor!!Thatfunctionalityisincreased opportunitiesduringalivematch,wherethissimple have to get used to - developing your own stock. developmentwillbeamassiveboon.Iamsurethat Some brands with traditional designed wooden other manufacturers will be considering this in the stocks already incorporated into the rifle design, future,iftheyaredevelopinganairrifleBRgun??!! have an instant advantage to developing their rifle for benchrest. However, they all need a bit of I suppose that part of the fascination for this area modificationtotrackproperlyinthebags. oftheBenchrestsportisthatsomeofitisofaDIY nature - this statement is specifically refers to the Inthelatterpartof2010SteyrSportswaffenbrought stock design and is aimed at all manufacturers. I out their new benchrest model. (As well as this all personally like to experiment and you can see the LG110modelscannowberequestedwithalefthand oddbitsofstuffonmyriflethatIbelieveworksand cockinghandleatnoextracharge).Stillbasedonthe itdoesforme!!However,itwouldbenicetogoand same stock system as their FT and HFT, the thing pick up an off the shelf rifle, fit for the majority of lackingfromthisisadiscreetbenchreststock.Ifyou competitions out there. It would certainly create can get over this and think about the possibilities, interestinthesport,asitwouldbemoreaccessible. they are endless. The major development for this Atthistimewearelefttoourowndevices,butthis modelistheextendedchassis,incorporatingalonger canbegoodthingifitbreedsinnovation?! aircylinderwithincreasedcapacity.Thisextraairis goingtobeagodsendincompetitions.Isaythisas The Steyr LG series are excellent air rifles that theonedownfallofAirRifleBenchrestistheissue have a great deal of potential as benchrest guns. to dowithlimitedsighters,because oftheissue of Theyhaveaproventrackrecordoveranumberof runningoutofair. national and international competitions, since this sport started. With some of these new innovations IhavebeeninthepositionwhereIneededtotake Iampersonallypositivewearemovingintheright lotsofsighters,becauseoftheweatherconditionson direction.Sowatchthisspace!!! aspecificday.ItactuallygottothepointwhereIjust AsthenewbenchrestmodelisavailableintheUK hadtoshootorfacetheconsequenceofnothaving fromanumberofsuppliers,itwouldbegoodtosee enoughairtofinishthematch-astandardaircylinder itontestinthefuture.Wewillsee.Untilnextmonth.

Another full refit of the stock

The New LG110 benchrest model exciting times Target Shooter 37

Custom Ries - built on Savages, GBR, Stolle, Bat etc Factory F Class, Benchrest & Palma Ries from Savage Arms Bipods from Fito Force & Sinclair

Tel : 0161 408 3555 Mob: 07861 399066 e-mail: stuart@ospreyries.com URL : www.ospreyries.com

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Target Shooter

The Sanders Joystick Rest

By Vince BottomleyI spotted this rest at the European F Class Championships at Bisley back in November thePolishFClassTeamwereusingthemandI wassooninconversationwithMichalHarenza, whoseEnglishincidentally,isbetterthanmine! Michal was able to show me a few other accuracy products that the Sanders company willmarketincludingaveryniceconcentricity gaugeandaportablearbourpress.Oneortwo othergoodiesarealsointhepipelinesoplease check out www.sanders-shooting.com At the endofthecompetition,Michalkindlyofferedto loanmearestforevaluation,soheregoes. First off, let me say that I am the owner of a Mk 1 SEB rest and Ive also shot extensively withthenewSEBNeorest.BothSEBrestsare excellentbutinmyopinion,theNeoiscertainly an improvement on the Mk 1 though maybe not enough of an improvement for me to buy oneyet! Sowhatfeaturesarewelookingforinajoystick rest? To some extent, it depends on its use benchrest or F Class. In fact, what are the advantagesofajoystickrestoveraconventional tri-pod rest like for example, the Sinclair or Cicognani. Forme,thebigadvantageforFClassshooting is being able to reach the controls from the pronepositionsomethingnotpossiblewitha conventional tripod rest without coming out of position, stretching forward and make an adjustment.Somethingyoumaywellhavetodo foreveryshot. Withajoystickrestitsohsosimplejusttoggle thejoystick,theendofwhichwillbeclosetoyour trigger and your free hand, so no stretching required.Ifthewindchangesatthelastminute, itseasytomovethejoystickandslightlyadjust your aim accordingly. With a tripod rest, you strainforwardtoadjustandthenreturntoyour scopetocheck,adjustagainthenprobablystart shuffling and squeezing the back-bag to get exactly on aim.And shuffling that back bag is exactlywhatyoudonotwanttodoitshould remainasatotallystable,solidsupportforyour rifle-buttifyouexpecttofindthathalfMOAV bullwithanysortofregularity. Ideally,therestshouldbeasheavyasyoucan stand remember, you may have to carry it a few hundred yards to the firing point and Ive noticed some shooters replacing the heavy baseontheirFarleyjoystickrestwithalighter version. But, if you have a 4WD or a little range-cart,keepthatheavybase. The joystick rest has of course come from benchrest where it is used exclusively on a concrete bench, so most have short Target Shooter 39

The Sanders footprint is slightly bigger than the Mk1 SEB but overall weight is about the same

adjusting-screws with hardened steel points so they can be hammered into the benchtop. On the F Classers soft grass firing-point, this wont do and Sinclair now offer a set of steel

foot-pads and extended adjusting-screws, to copewithsoftundulatingfiring-points.Withthe Sanders,theseitemscomeasstandardandthe baseisheavy.Butnotridiculouslyso.

The feet are excellent and can be used on a bench-top or a soft firing-point. The screws are a good length too with two locking collars on each

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ThebasicdesignoftherestissimilartotheSEB Neo a rack and pinion twin-column design whichoffersplentyofverticaladjustment3.5 inches to be precise. The top is adjusted by meansofaknobontheleft-handcolumnanda matchingknobontheoppositecolumnlocksit inplace.Theactionisntquiteassmoothasthe SEB but, it works well enough.Also, the SEB Neo has a very clever clutch mechanism that will hold the weight of your rifle meaning that you can use just one hand to raise and then apply the lock. You need to hold the Sanders withonehandwhilstyoulockitwiththeother notabigproblembutjustoneofthenicetiesthat SebLambanghasincorporatedintotheNeo. Again,liketheSEBNeo,theSandersemploys athree-piecefrontbagbutunliketheSEB,the bag is adjustable - by turning another knob - which closes up the sides of the bag against yourfore-end.(Notedontgripthefore-endtoo tight,justenoughtoremoveanyside-play).This is a useful improvement over the SEB, which must be adjusted with an Allen key though admittedlythereisprovisionforfineadjustment with thumb-screws and you will only need the Allen key if you are using another rifle.This is one feature where the sanders scores above theSEB.

Now,thereisoneareawhereshootersdisagree howtighttosetthejoystickoperatingtension. Ilikeminesetupwithverylittletensionsothat the joystick feels like a spoon stirring cream! This is essential for benchrest, where we try to discharge five aimed shots in around 15 seconds.Thisrateoffireisjustnotpossibleby adjusting the rest between shots as we would havetodowithatripodresttheonlywaywith a tripod is to bag-squeeze (the back bag) to makerapidfineadjustmenttothecrosshairs. Bag-squeezingisveryquickandveryeffective butitdoesneedpractiseasyoumustofcourse hold the bag absolutely steady as the shot is taken. Similarly, with my loose-tension, I must holdthejoystickabsolutelystillbutIwouldargue thatthisiseasiertomasterthanbag-squeezing. The alternative is to set the tension firmly, so thatitwillholdtheweightoftherifleunderfiring so no need to hold the stick. However, if you do this you will find it difficult to sweep the crosshairsontoyouraim-point.Theactionofthe joystickwillbejerkyitwilltakeafewseconds togetonaim.Notacceptableinbenchrestbut permissibleinFClasswhereyoumayhavehalf aminuteormoretogetonaim.But,whatdoyou dowithyourlefthand?Youmayaswellholdthe joystick.

These two thumb-screws adjust the tension. Note also, two bubblelevels Target Shooter 41

This knob adjusts the width/grip of the front-bag an improvement on the SEB. Fore-end stop is also easily adjustable If the Mk 1 SEB has an issue, it was adjustment of the joystick tension. Four fiddly socket-screws with lock-nuts, which were difficulttogetatandimpossibleduringashoot. TheSEBNeoaddressedthisproblem(asdoes theFarley)andwearenowlookingattwoeasily accessible thumb-screws.The Neo also has a bitofbuilt-inup-liftsothattherifleissupported eventhoughthetensionislightwelldoneSeb -welikethis!Ivedonealmostthesamething withmyMk.1SEBbyusingacounter-balance weightonthefrontofthejoystickspindle.Seb nowofferstheseweightsasanaccessory. Although our Sanders rest does not have any built-inuplift,thetensioncanbesetinthesame way as the SEB Neo with just a couple of thumb-screws. You can set it loose or tighter dependingonyourpreferenceandtensioncan easily be adjusted mid-shoot . You could also useacounterbalanceweightasdescribedinthe previousparagraph. Oneofthedrawbacksofthejoystickrestisits range of adjustment. If you shoot long-range F Class, then it will easily traverse the width (and height) of your target but what about the 42 Target Shooter rimfireandair-riflebenchrestshooter,whomust traverseatargetcardwhichmeasures15inches inwidthatjust25metres.TheSEBNeoisfineat 50yardsbutitwontdoitat25mwhichmeans shufflingtheback-bagevenmoreofano-no inbenchrestshootingthanFClass.Itrieditwith theSandersandat25yardsnochance-only fiveinchesofmovement.Itwontevenspanthe cardat50m,sothateffectivelyrulesoutrimfire/ air-rifleuse. Anyothercomments?Thejoystickdoeshavea bitofplaywhichneedsresolvingbutinpractise, IdidntfinditaproblemandIwasabletoshoot nicetightgroupsjustaseasilyasIcanwiththe SEB. The SEB Neo comes in at around 600 or 425fortheMk1SEB(seeFoxFirearmswww. foxfirearmsUK.com ) I do not have an official price on the Sanders at the time of going to press but Michal is aware of the competition andwhenIlefthimatBisley,hewasconfident thathecouldholdthepricearound500.Atthe moment,thereisnoUKimporterbutifhegets enoughenquiries,Imsuretherewillbe.

This knob locks the vertical adjustment rack. The identical one on the opposite side lowers and raises the top. There is 3.5 inches of vertical adjustment

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Rimfire Benchrest - Australian Special ReportBy Richard LightfootRimfire Benchrest shooting in Australia had taken another step forward with the first RBA NationaleventheldinVictoriaattheMelbourne InternationalShootingClub(MISC)fromthe29th The25metreaircompetitionwasthefirsttime Octoberto1stNovember,2010. thatthiscompetitionhasbeenshotinAustralia InthepastRimfireBenchresthasbeenshotat andrecordedscoreswere 50 metres, however, in the world competitions thereisa25metreand50metrecompetition.At the25metretherearefourclassesofshooting. Conditions were difficult with rain and swirling (1) The Sporter class, which is a winds and from the scores it can be seen that conventionalrifle,notuner,telescopic theriflesusedAirArmEV2MarkIVandSteyr sight limited to six power, a weight LG 100, 110 very competitive and accurate. Forpeoplewhencontemplatinganewandless of 3.86 kilograms and conventional expensiveformofbenchrestshooting,25metre stock. (2) LightVarmitwithanunlimitedpowered air is a real prospect. It must be appreciated scope,tunerbutwithaweightlimitof that with pellets costing $20.00 for 500 and supplies of 200 bar air are somewhat cheaper 10.5poundsor4.76kilograms. (3) TheHeavyVarmitweighingover10.5 thanpaying$200.00abrickforcompetitive.22 ammunition. poundsandlessthan15pounds. (4) An increase in the diversity of shootingisprovidedbya25metreair The 25 metre rimfire competition shot on the competition.Thisisshotonthesame samerangeastheaircompetition,theconditions hadmoderatedresultinginsixshootersgetting 750outof750andtheleading scorebyGlennSeamanfrom New South Wales was 750 with 68 centre. This was followedbyHusseinOzaksoy, aJuniorhittinga750with67 centre.Husseinis14yearsold and using Richard Lightfoots Walther reversed tapered LiljawithGoldMedalFederal Ammunitionhistopscorewas 750/24withthecentralmissed onlyjustgaugedout.Itwasa spectaculareffortbyaJunior! AsMurpphyslawwouldhave it, Richard Lightfoot used his rifle and he shot a 750 with 44 Target Shooter 25 metre rimfire targets and gauged to .22. With these competitions in mindMISChostedtheNationalsand approximately25shooterscompeted.

of four and therefore no shooter gained any specificadvantageinlocationaseachdetailis shotoneaftertheother,shootingbeingspread across the morning and no specific advantage was obtained by being the first shooter in the morning. The rimfire results were as follows withAnnette Rowe winning with a 747 and 50 centres.ShewasfollowedbyBretWilson747 with45centresandJohnPeet742with38centre othersfollowedwithscoressetoutbelow. The dual range rimfire 25/50 metres resulted inAnnetteRowestarringwith1495,112X,Bret Wilson1495,99X,JohnPeet1491,94X.The remainderofthefieldachievingcrediblescores. TherangeatMISCisfullylitandshooterscan shoot 24/7 at this range. It provides a distinct advantage to members so that they can elect when to shoot and are not restricted by club nightsonly. SpecialthanksgoestomembersoftheStawell SmallboreRifleClub,theypouredthebenchtops for MISC and also to Reg and Val McCreddie, Ernie and Ruth Mulcahy, Patrick Wolfe and Martin Lee who provided assistance in both buildingtherangeandrunningthecompetition. BasedonthesuccessoftheAirand25metre Rimfire it is envisaged that another two day event with air and rimfire be conducted on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th December, 2011. Watch the MISCwebsitefordetailsaswegrowthissport.

63centraltheremustbealessonthere!The otherresultsarelisted. Thepremiumeventwasshotat50metres,the HeavyVarmitclass.ShotattheMISCdedicated benchrest paper range. On this range there are 12 concrete topped brick supported bench units, 3 left hand units and 9 right hand units. This allows a progressive rotation of targets

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Whetheryouintendtotakepartintheexcitingsport ofGalleryRifleforthefirsttimein2011,oryouand afriendhavesimplydecidedthatitstimetoventure outsideofyourownclubandenteroneofthemany GRcompetitionsthatwillbeavailablethroughoutthe year,nowisthetimetostartpreparingforthenew season ahead of us! Its important that you give a lotofthoughttotheequipmentyouaregoingtouse (orneedtopurchase)toeitherpracticeorcompete withasgettingitrightthefirsttimewillsaveyouboth moneyandmakelifealoteasierforyouinthelong run,andmostofthesedetailshavebeencoveredin previouseditionsofTargetShooter. Thefirstthingyouneedtodoregardlessofwhich type of rifle you are going to shoot with, is ensure thatthestock/cheekpiecefitsyouperfectlyeitheras standard,orafteryourownmodifications.Itspretty simpletodoanditwillbeparamounttoyouroverall performancefurtherdowntheline,sodontbescared offbydoinganyreshapingworkthatmayspoilthe

finishasyoucanalwaysre-lacqueritafterwardsto makeitlooklikenewagain.Ifyouhaventgotone for your 10/22 yet then make sure you either hold, ortryoutasmanydifferenttypesasyoucanouton therangetoseewhichtypesuitsyoubest,anddont justbuyonejustbecauseitlooksniceorfunkyina magazine. Makesurethatthescopeyouintendtousewillallow youtopickupyourtargetatthecloserdistances,as wellasenableyoutoseethepointofimpactatthe furthestdistanceyouwillbeshootingat.Formany

by Gwyn Roberts

Make everything fit you properly............and try out any new ideas you may have Target Shooter 47

It doesnt matter whether your equipment is bought or home made, as long as it does the jobof the people out there shooting good scores, this would be a scope that adjusts from around 4-5x up to 16 -20x at the high end. These lower power settings will be manageable for most people when shooting down to 10 or 15m (providing you have worked on your target acquisition practices that is) and although many new shooters wont use the abilityimproves.Justlikethestock,aproperfitisvery importantsomakesurethatyoumountyourscopeat therightheight,andalsoinapositionthatgivesyou exactly the right eye relief when you bring the rifle upintotheaimingposition.Ifyouintendtocompete insomeofthehigherroundscountmatcheslikethe 1500orBianchi,itwouldbeagoodideatohaveat

Making good ammunition will help you perform at your best!maximum magnification to start with, it will always leastfive10roundsmagazines,alongwithabeltthat beavailableinthefuturewhenyourconfidenceand is complete with the appropriate ammo/ magazine

Whether you are just starting off in our sport, or you compete at an International standard, Gallery Rifle will certainly provide you with a challenge, as well as a lot of fun and enjoyment! - also see next page

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Target Shooter

haveexperiencedmanyjamsinsomeofmy10/22s using Eley ammunition (including the much more expensiveMatch&TenexEPS/semiautovarieties) yet when I tried using some of the cheaper .22lr ammunitionsuchasCCIStandardandGecointhe samerifle,thereliabilityturnedouttobeexcellent somakesureyoutryasmanydifferenttypesand see what works in your rifle/barrel combination. I think in most cases (but certainly not all) you will getmuchmoreconsistentandtightergroups(along with good reliability) using what I term as the mid range stuff such as SK Standard/Rifle Match or RWSetc.Itisofcoursemoreexpensivebutyouget whatyoupayfor,butyoumaywellenduphaving tosettleonacompromisebetweenoverallcostand performance,butthatsforyou(oryourmissus)to decideonattheendoftheday. Foryourcentrefireammunition,reloadingyourown targetloadisdefinitelythewaytogoifyouwantto save money and produce ammo that will certainly group better than the typical (and expensive) CowboyAction loads that are available. If you are new to reloading then I would strongly suggest getting someone who knows what theyre doing to helpyousetupyourpress,aswellashelpingyou along safely through the early stages of making your ammunition and load development. Safety is paramountwithinoursport,bothyoursandoursso makesureyoutreatthistopicwiththerespectthat it deserves, otherwise your time within the Gallery Riflecommunitymaywellendupbeingashortone, ifyouknowwhatImean!Probablythequickestand easiest way to make good ammo is to replicate someoneelsesloadthathasalreadyproventobe bothsafeandaccurateat50m,andanexperienced friendwillbeabletosetupyourownpressforyou inordertodothis.Allyoullhavetodothenisbolt itontoaworkmateandtakeitdowntoyournearest

holders attached.A simple timer is also a valuable item to keep inside your shooting box, and if you havehadyourrifleforacoupleofyearsandhavent paidmuchattentiontoitthennowwouldprobablybe agoodtimetochangethehammerspringandfiring pintohelpavoidanylightstrikesorthepossibilityof anybreakagesduringthenewseason.Checkingthe conditionandfitofyourextractoratthesametime wouldalsobeagoodidea,forobviousreasons. Onceyourrifleissetup,thenextthingtolookatis the ammunition you are going to use, and I would suggesttestingyourgroupsizesat50m,usingagood shootingbagorvicesetup.Ontherimfiresideof things,functionalreliability(ejection/extraction)must beyourmainpriorityaswithoutityouwillhavelittle chanceofperformingwellifyourenotabletoshoot allofyourroundsoffduringamatch.OvertheyearsI

See this and the next five pictures - Gallery Rifle offers a huge variety of competitions ranging from ten shots in 10 minutes, to five shots in just over 2 seconds. Target Shooter 49

50mrangetofinetunethingsalittle.Ivetestedmy own.44loadinlotsofotherpeoplesriflesandthey haveallgroupedexactlythesamecomparedtomy ownresults,sowhynotsaveyourselfalotoftime, effort,expenseandheartachetostartwith? The only way you are going to get better and improve your scores is by putting in the time and effort on the range and sticking to a good practice regime,anddoingsowithotherlikemindedormore experienced shooters will obviously allow you to progressbothquickerandeasier(aswellasmaking it more enjoyable) compared to trying to do it on your own.This is easier said than done though as Imsuretherearemanyshootersouttherewhofind themselvesinapositionwheretheyaretheonlyone interestedinshootingGRattheirclub.Imsurethere arealsosmallgroupsofshootersouttherewhoare allverykeen,butmaybelackingsomeexperience or someone to help guide them along with some goodhelpandadvice.Ifyoufindyourselfinoneof thesesituations,weshouldbeabletohelpyououtin somewayoranothershouldyouneedit.Everything fromtriggercontroltohowtoshoottheshortsand 1500matcheshasbeencoveredinpreviousissues ofTStohelpgetyoustartedoff.Coaching/training daysforshootersofallabilitiescanalsobearranged forupto10-12peopleateitheryourownrange,or

at one of the leading GR clubs based around the country.Ifyouaretotallyonyourown,weshouldbe abletoputyouintouchwiththenearestactiveGR clubinyourarea,orevenanindividual/smallgroup ofshooterswhowouldbehappyforyoutotagalong andpracticewiththem.Helpisalsoavailabletoany clubsoutthereonanythingfromhowtostartupyour ownGalleryRiflesection,totrainingrangeofficers andholdingyourownGRcompetitions.Allyouhave todoisaskandthiscanbedoneviae-mailthrough info@galleryrifle.com.Ifthereissufficientinterest,a coaching/trainingdaywillbeheldaroundthemiddle ofAprilintheBristolareaandmoreinformationwill bepostedontheGalleryrifle.comwebsitecalendar duringthenextweekorso. Onthecompetitionsideofthings,itwouldcertainly benicetoseesomenewfaces(whateveryourability) attendingsomeofthisyearsopenshoots,andthey start off with the Spring Action weekend at Bisley onMarch26th/27thwhereyouwillbeabletoshoot everything from the slow fire precision matches, to theactioneventslike1500&Bianchi.Dontbeput offthinkingthatyouarenotgoodenoughtoshootat Bisley because your scores will only count against othershootersofthesameability,andeveryonefrom total beginners to experts are welcome to attend. Youareboundtohaveagoodtimeandmakesome

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Benchrest) competition which is open to GR shooters from any country and the best part aboutitisthereisnoentryfee,anditcanalsobe shotinthecomfortofyourownrange.Theevent is scheduled to take place over the weekend 16/17th ofApril and is open to both individuals and teams of 3 in both calibres, so check out their website at www.fermoyrifleclub.com or contactthemonGallerycybershoot2011@gmail. comformoredetails. Wearecurrentlyintheprocessoffinalisingthe reduced1500andBianchitargetssothatthese popularmatchescanbeshotonany25mrange providing us all with even more opportunities (especially during the winter months) to shoot

new friends along the way, and many of us will be sharingabeerortwotogetherinthebarafterwards sowhynotcomealongandgiveitatry?Otherwell run and very popular events throughout the year includeBristolsWesternWinner1500onMay14th, ThePhoenixInternationalatBisleyonMay26/30th, Derbys1500&shortsonJune25/26th,theNational GR Championships on 27/28th August at Bisley alongwiththeexcellentMatterseySteelandBianchi Actionmatchesthedatesofwhichwillbeconfirmed inthenearfuture.

these exciting matches. This could greatly reduce thetravellingdistanceandcostsformanypeopleand couldpotentiallydoublethenumberofopenevents thatareavailabletoGRshootersatthepresenttime, soifyouwouldbeinterestedinhostinganeventat yourownclub,pleaseletusknow.Allinall2011looks likeitwillbeanotherverysuccessfulyearforGallery Rifle and there are also a few European matches thataregoingtobeheldsomakesureyougetout thereandhaveago.Everyonewillbehappytohelp yououtbothonandofftherangeandonceyouve Theincreasedcostoffuelandtravellinghasprompted triedit,Ithinkyoullbewithusforaverylongtime! someofourfriendsinFermoy,intheSouthofIreland toorganiseanew1500GalleryRifle&T&P1(plus

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Browning Buckmark Long Pistol

Buckmark Long Pistol with Lightweight Barrel 714.00 and Fox Red Dot sight 40.00.

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52

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Building the Ultimate F/TR Rifle part 2 By Vince Bottomley

My Stolle Panda has a left port/right bolt configuration the norm for a right-handed shooter plus a recoil-lug Vince Bottomley is serialising the build of his needagoodsolidactiontosupportit,properly ultimate F/TR rifle for Target Shooter readers beddedinarigidstock. and, although Vince is the first to concede Im using a Stolle all-aluminium action, as it that his idea of ultimate may not be yours, weighs only two pounds as against 3lb. for we nonetheless hope that it will give those say a Barnard P or BAT M. The Stolle has a contemplating a similar build a few ideas. massive flat bedding-area, 8.5 inches by 1.5 inchesandalthoughdevelopedasabenchrest Lastmonth,(Januaryissue)Ioutlinedthemain action, Kelblys have adapted the action for F componentschosenformyF/TRrifleandwhy Class competition by incorporating a recoil-lug they were chosen. As with any rifle built to a (not used on a benchrest rifle as the action is stringent weight-limit (18lb. 2oz.), the weight normally glued into the stock) and a built-in must be used in the right places to maximise scope-rail with 20 MOA taper. My scope-rail accuracy.Along(30-32inches)heavybarrelisa is a Davidson but if you prefer a Picatinny, its mustandsothisisthestartingpoint.Then,we offeredasanoption. Massive flat bedding area and three screws

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You can see how much Ive milled-off the sides and top of the butt saving 12 ounces. Now I know why they call this stock Purple haze a purple haze is covering most of my workshop! Why did I choose the Davidson? Its light and the Matching Kelbly rings are also very light, strongandtrue.Therailandringsareoneplace whereyoucouldeasilysave8ozequivalent toanothertwoinchesonyourbarrel-lengtha separate Picatinny rail and rings can weigh a From the left the 155 Sierra Matchking, the new Sierra and the Lapua Scenar significantamount. Inaddition,theStollehasthreebeddingscrews you dont need to use all three but at least use the front and rear ones. The Barnard P action has only two screws and for some reason,neitheroftheseisat the rear of the action. With a long heavy barrel, I prefer to have a screw at the rear oftheaction,inthetang,for fullsupport.Fortherecord,I willbeusingallthreebedding screwswhynot? The super-light aluminium Stolle will give us a whole extra pound to play with but my Precision Rifle www. p r e c i s i o n r i f l e s a l e s . c o m wood-laminate stock blank weighsawhopping6lb.!The barrel will be around eight pounds, so if we add the weight of the action, scope and bi-pod not forgetting trigger, trigger-guard, scoperings, screws etc. we are alreadywelloverthe18lb.2 oz.limit.Clearly,weneedto removesomewoodfromthat 54 Target Shooter

Left, the Stolle tenon, right, a Remington stockandgetitdowntoaroundfourandahalf pounds. Simply in-letting the stock to take the action andbarrelwillsaveabunchbutnotenough,so Imattackingthebuttwhichismassivelybulky. With a rifle rested both ends I do not need a cheek-piece to lean on - clattering against my ear-muffs, so that will go and I reckon I can easilycarveaquarter-inchslaboffeachsideof thebuttanditwillstillbeoveraninchthick. Ineedtogetthebarrelled-actionsittingonthe springinglineandthenhackoutanothersixor seven millimetres for the bedding-compound. Thewood-laminate stocksareverydenseand strongunlikeafibreglassonesopillarsarent reallyneededbutIliketoglueaslimaluminium pillarinthebedding-screwholesjusttoneaten thingsup. But,beforeIcandoanyofthiswork,weneedto fitthebarreltotheaction.MybarrelisaBartlein with 1 in 13.5 twist to stabilise the 155 grain bullet-LapuaScenarstobeprecise-thoughI wouldliketoeventuallytrytheBerger155.5s ifIcangetholdofsome.However,suppliesof

Reaming the chamber the muzzle-flush gets rid of swarf and helps prevent scoring of the chamber

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I use a cheap router bolted to my miller for inletting its much quicker and leaves a superior finish and cutting tools are only a few pounds each.

Bergersseemtohavedried-upforthemoment. has been built on the Remmy 700 action, it is ratherflimsywith itsmassive ejection-port and TheBartleinbarrelisastraighttaperfrom1.25 magazinecut-out. in.atthebreechtoaninchatthemuzzleandwill be finished at 30 inches. Some F/TR shooters Bartleinbarrelsalwayscutreallynicelyandare liketogo32inchesforthatextra50or60fpsof apleasuretoworkwithandtheactionwassoon velocityandIwouldifIcouldstandanother8 mated to the new barrel. My crown will be a ounces of weight but, if that means sacrificing simple 90 degree recessed some prefer the the profile, Ill stick at 30 inches. This length 11 degree crown but performance-wise there gives me an honest 3000 fps with the 155gn. is no difference. I find the 90 degree is easier Scenar over Vit540 powder and works well to keep an eye on run your thumb across it enoughforme. andyoullfeelifthesharpnesshasdisappeared. My Pacific Tool & Gauge reamer is ground to Remember,theconditionofthecrowniscritical suit the Scenar bullet, which is significantly toaccuracyandwiththeconstantcleaningofa longerthanthe155Sierra,soneedsabitmore competitionrifle,thecrowncansuffer.Itpaysto freebore-ifitisnottobepushedtoodeepinto getyourgunsmithtotickle-upthecrownevery thecase-thuscompromisingpowdercapacity. year. TheStollebarrel-tenonisahealthy1.115inches longand1.0625inchesindiameter,usingan18 Nowthatthebarrelisfinished,Illweightitand tpi thread. This configuration is quite common tryandcalculateexactlyhowmuchwoodwestill amongstcustomactionsandcontrastswiththe needtocarveoffthatstock.SeeTable. rather short tenon used on say the Remington Ourbarewoodstockwillactuallyneedtoweigh action which is only 0.7 inches long but the afewounceslessthanfivepoundsforweneed same diameter. If you are using a long heavy to include the weight of some sort of butt-pad, barrel,youneedagoodactiontosupportitand whichcouldsimplybeapieceofaluminiumor getthebestoutofit.Althoughmanyagoodrifle rubberdependantonmyweightallowance. 56 Target Shooter

Action 2lb2oz Barrel(30inchtapering1.251.0inchatmuzzle)8lb Scopeandrings(Leupold36BRwithKelblyrings) 1lb 3oz Trigger,Screws&triggerguard 4oz Bipod(Censhot) 1lb 3oz Lacquer&beddingcompound(estimate) 6oz __________ Total 13lb 2oz AllowableF/TRweight 18lb 2oz __________ Remainingforstock 5lb Asyoucanseefromthepic,thebarrel-channel Thenextjobistobedtheaction.Eventhoughand bedding area are now inletted and the resultingblankweighs4lb.6oz.Thiswillbefine. IfneededIcouldgetitevenlighterbutIwould have to knock another half-pound off to make it worth-while allowing me to use a variable scope like the 8-32 Sightron but this might compromisetherigidityofthestocksoIllleave itat4lb.6oz. thisisalong,heavybarrel,Iwillnotbebedding it under any part of the barrel. The barrel will remain fully free-floating. Ive seen gunsmiths bed under the first few inches of the barrel but Ive never seen a benchgun bedded in that way have you? Its not necessary and could even be detrimental. The breech area of the barrel gets very hot especially on the undersidewhereitwouldbeincontactwithyour

Inletting for the aluminium trigger-guard this one is British made from Rhino Rifles

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Open

Withtheactionnowbedded,ourbuildisvirtually completesaveforafewcoatsofsomeclear automotive lacquer which shooting buddy Ian Dixon will kindly apply for me.Then, its just a matterofinstallingthetriggerandtrigger-guard, scope, butt-pad and bi-pod and dumping the whole lot on the scales and see how we are Theflat-bottomStolleisagreatactiontobed.Ill doingforweight. beusinganewbedding-compound,rather