Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Last instalment of
the .308
Winchester feature
Target Shooter
Make your own windflags • Pellet Preparation • New Products • and lots More…..1
2 Target Shooter
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Target Shooter 3
Welcome to the June Issue......................
15 Website Review
85 Club Review
4 Target Shooter
Association Pages
86 UKBRA
88 UKBR22 Editor(s).
Carl Boswell and Vince Bottomley
90 F- Class Advertising and Office Manager
Andy Dubreuil. email; admin@targetshooter.co.uk
93 Quigley Association Contributors
Vince Bottomley Chris Parkin Tim Finley
96 Gallery Rifle Laurie Holland Chris Risebrook Carl Boswell
Don Brook Chris Farr Nigel Greenaway
97 UKPSA Gwyn Roberts Ken Hall Les Holgate
Hayley Platts Stanley Shaw Tony Saunders
Webitorial - June 2010
So, we have a new Government and a new format with a Con Lib Dem coalition. Personally, I’m not
unhappy with this – two new viewpoints rather than the tired old Labour spin.
Could these two new visionaries possibly see the sense in holding the Shooting Olympics at Bisley
rather than Woolwich? Not only a vast saving in staging the shooting but no de-commissioning
costs after the games. One of the Coalition’s promises is to “urgently move forward with plans for
a genuine and lasting legacy for the 2012 London Olympics”. This should at least mean scrapping
the idea of charging shooters of almost half a million for the ‘infrastructure’ left over from the shoot-
ing events!
No matter who is in power, Target Shooter continues to grow from strength to strength, with more
contributors, more content and more new readers. It would be nice to add ‘more advertisers’ to
that list but sadly, those who place copy for their employers just can’t be tempted to try something
new. The inside front cover and the back cover are the most expensive advertising slots in any
magazine and not surprisingly our major importers regularly buy this space. But is it cost-effective?
Advertising managers – are you really getting best value for your employer? If I told you there was
a magazine with three-times the readership of any other, wouldn’t you be tempted to try it?
We currently attract a monthly readership of over 10,000 with 70% from the UK and the remainder
spread over thirty countries. Why not try an ad. in Target Shooter and take advantage of our vast
readership? If shooters don’t know what you sell, how can they buy it from you? More and more
shooters are turning to the internet and that suits us just fine!
Disclaimer
The website www.targetshooter.co.uk is part of Target Shooter magazine with all contents of both electronic media copyrighted. No reproduction is permitted unless
written authorisation is provided.
Information, prices and data is believed to be correct at the time of posting on the internet which is on or around the 1st of each month. Advertisements that are firearm
related are from companies or individuals that Target Shooter magazine believes are licensed to hold such firearms and accepts no responsibility if companies or
individuals are not so licensed.
Letters and photographs submitted by members of the public to Target Shooter magazine will be accepted on the basis that the writer has agreed to publication unless
otherwise stated. Target Shooter magazine has no control over the content or ownership of photographs submitted.
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers and relate to specific circumstances within each article. These are the opinions
and experiences of writers using specific equipment, firearms, components and data under controlled conditions. Information contained in the online magazine or on the
website is intended to be used as a guide only and in specific circumstances caution should be used. Target Shooter Magazine does not except any responsibility for
individuals attempting to recreate such testing using any information, data or other materials in its electronic pages.Publishers of Target Shooter magazine.
Target Shooter 5
Shooting Sport News
True-Flite Stock better bedding but also takes the ‘ring’ out of
This New Zealand company is famous for its the stock, which is often present with aluminium
barrels but now they have launched a new stocks.
rifle-stock. As you can see from the photograph
it is a composite of aluminium and wood. The The stock in the picture is configured for off-hand
billet aluminium is CNC machined to take Target Rifle shooting and comes with a multi-
the Barnard P action and it incorporates an adjustable butt and cheek-piece. This
interesting ‘flexi-bed’ system. wouldn’t of course be needed for F Class and
considerable weight (and cost) could be saved
This bedding system is quite clever in that the by removing it. I’m hoping that an F/TR version
action is pulled-down into the bedding area will eventually be available as I would reckon
on to two flexible synthetic ‘rails’. The actualthat there would be a significant market for such
bedding-screw pillars are also flexibly mounted. a stock.
This system will provide a much greater area of
contact for the action rather than simply riding Fox Firearms are the True-Flite importers and
on ‘highspots’- as is the usual case with an Brian Fox has recruited a couple of volunteers
aluminium bedding-block system. I would to try the stock so look out for a follow-up.
imagine that the flexi-bed not only provides
6 Target Shooter
The Phoenix Trade Show offer for the long range shooter and we hope to
The Phoenix Meeting had a lively trade show have a review of one of them in an issue later
this year. It took at least ten minutes to get to this year – see pic. As did Midway UK, Westlake
the stall you wanted to get too, through the Engineering, Fox Firearms, NWCP, Innovatech,
crowds. It was jam packed. The usual stalls were Green Leopard. We are working to have new
present, with a few new ones as well. The products for review in the future.
trade show has a variety of things to offer, from Although it was a wet and breezy day – it’s a
antiques to the latest in technical gadgetry, for bank holiday so that is the norm – the trade show
those into a variety of shooting sports. had its usual enticements. What would be nice
Global Rifles had a number of products on to see is something a lot bigger at Bisley during
this weekend, like the UK Shooting Show we
reviewed a few months ago. Bisley is the
The rain kept a lot in the Pavilion during the wet home of UK shooting and the Phoenix could
Saturday afternoon grow – with backing - to the size of the Anno
Domini meeting many years ago. Some-
thing to think about, as the UK Shooting
Show was a great success.
Gwyn, who I met at the show, will no doubt
be writing a review of the matches from
his perspective in the coming months, as I
know he was there for the full four days of
shooting. Something to look forward to in
upcoming issues.
Last but not least minimum. With the Olympics looming there
– our new government in the form of David could not be a better time.
Cameron and Nick Clegg have announced
the desire to repeal a host of “Bad Legislation” Anyway, one for you all to ponder.
that Labour had imposed. They were actually
seeking people to TELL them WHICH laws This is in the words of a friend via email, but
should be repealed. Now, there is a great it is something that all shooters, whatever they
opportunity for us all, including this magazine, shoot should get involved with – start petitions
to get a message out that shooters should call in the house of commons, etc. Watch this space
for the repeal of the .22 handgun ban at a for more news.
Target Shooter 7
Calendar of events over the next few months
If your club or association has events you want to publicise here then email us.
1 June NRA Shooting Club Day (National 5 to 6 July F Class League (National Shooting
Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley) Centre (NSC), Bisley)
Multi-discipline NRA Shooting Club Day. Targets Contact(s): Mik Maksimovic
have been booked on Melville and at 100, 200,
900 and 1000 yards. All disciplines welcome. 5 to 6 July MLAGB Pedersoli Challenge
Open to all full members of the NRA who have (Wedgenock, Warwickshire)
completed and returned the registration form An Open Competition for pistol, rifle and musket.
which is available by clicking on the link below.
Contact(s): David Spittles
Contact Heather Webb at the NRA 7 to 26 July NRA Imperial Meeting (National
Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley)
NRA Imperial Meeting. This series of matches
7 June Highpower Rifle Association Match
is divided up into disciplines with competitions
(National Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley)
for Service Rifle, Civilian Service Rifle, Cadets,
80 round XTC. Details can be found by clicking
Historic Arms, Schools, Gallery Rifle and Pistol,
on the links below.
Match Rifle and Target Rifle. It finishes on the
http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk
26th July with the Queens Final followed by Prize
Giving.
5-6 June WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL
TARGET SHOOTING SQUAD Contact(s): NRA Imperial Meeting
West Midlands 10m Airgun Championships
3 x 60-shot matches, finals, standard and 5 26th July- 6th August Rimfire and Air Rifle
target pistol. WMRTSC Wolverhampton Benchrest European Championships 2010. Plzen
Karen Morris Phone (Ian): 07970 166457 in the Czech Republic - http://www.erabsf.org
Email: kazmorris@orange.net
3 Aug Highpower Rifle Association Match
7 June to 9 June Scottish Open Championships (National Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley)
(Barry Buddon (Scotland)) 80 round XTC. Details can be found by clicking
This years Scottish Open Prize Meeting will be on the links below.
held at Barry Ranges, Carnoustie near Dundee on http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk
Saturday 7 June to Monday 9 June 2008. Contact(s): Highpower Rifle Match Entries
Whether TR or F Class, expert or beginner,
everyone is welcome at this hugely enjoyable 23 to 24 Aug Gallery Rifle National
meeting. Championships (National Shooting Centre (NSC).
Further information and entry forms may be Some of the events being shot are 1500, Bianchi
obtained from Allan Mabon or by clicking below. Match, Timed & Precision 1, 2 and 3, Multi-
http://www.scottishrifleassociation.org.uk Target, Precision at 25 and 50, Phoenix A,
7 June to 8 June Greshams and Norfolk Open Advancing Target and Speed Steel Challenge.
Meeting (Thetford (England)) Contact Brian Thomas
http://www.ncra.co.uk/fb%20entry%20form.htm
27 to 29th Aug - UK National Rimfire and Air Rifle
Championship - held at Paul Lane Rifle and Pistol
11 to 13 June British International 50 Metre Club. Cotact via the UKBR22 website
Championships http://www.benchrest22.org
Email: info@nsra.co.uk
Location: Lord Roberts Centre, Bisley
26 Sep Somerset SBSA – Open Shoot. (Rifle)
Long Ashton Ranges. Tel. 01275 836442. Email.
12-13 June : Hungarian FT Open 2010
julian.withey@btinternet.com
Field Target air rifle National Championship +
Open.
more details: http://www.fieldtarget.hu/ftob2010 1-3 October: Field Target World Championship,
more info: fieldtarget@fieldtarget.hu Hungary more details: http://www.fieldtarget.hu/
ftob2010
more info:fieldtarget@fieldtarget.hu
8 Target Shooter
Portsmouth Gun Centre Ltd
295 London Road
North End
Portsmouth
PO2 9HF
Opening Times Tel 02392 660574
Mon 9.30 - 5.30 Fax 02392 644666
Tues Closed
Wed Closed E-mail sales@portsmouthguncentre.com
Thur 9.30 - 5.30 Website www.portsmouthguncentre.com
Fri 9.30 - 5.30
Sat 9.30 - 5.30
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.
Welcome to GT Shooting.
The premier shooting sports shop in Surrey
10 Target Shooter
Rifle Work Ammunition Development
Re-barreling work Assistance in Ammunition Development up to and
Fitting of Moderators and Muzzle brakes - Reproofing of including .50 BMG
Rifle required
Trigger work – See Trigger work
Ballistics Testing
Offering Ballistics testing for research
and development purposes to Stanag,
NIJ and V50 testing of composite and
steel materials. Including High speed
photography and Certifiable Results of
tests.
Dolphin are now proud to announce
that we are ISO 9001:2008 BSI
certificate No FM32560 for our
Ballistic testing.
Website: www.dolphinguncompany.co.uk
Please feel free to contact us at any reasonable time to discuss any requirements that you may have.
Target Shooter 11
Self adhesive scope turret labels
by Nigel Greenaway
Above - The self adhesive labels as they come in the packet. A rather innovative idea that
may well prove popular with a lot of shooters
Over the years I’ve become quite adept at reaching scrambled due to lack of oxygen! When you are
for my old modelling paintbrush to carefully paint new exhausted and gasping for air being able to quickly
numbers on to elevation turrets of various scopes move your elevation turret on to the next CLEARLY
to represent quick reference points for 100, 200, INDICATED range is vital.
300 yards, etc. This was always a small but vital
element of Practical Rifle and Service Rifle You can imagine then how delighted I was when
competition preparation – you really do not have I heard about Rangesports.Com – a small UK
time to refer to a piece of paper sellotaped on to the company that has spotted a niche in the market
side of the rifle and then count the clicks for the next and has started to produce sidewheel/turret labels,
range. Both disciplines involve run downs between primarily for air rifles. The labels are printed on
ranges where you have approximately 30 seconds exterior grade heat laminated adhesive vinyl which
to reach the next firing point 100 yards away. Using is hard wearing and waterproof. Rangesports.com
any of these seconds to count clicks is a recipe also manufactures custom stickers so a quick email
for disaster – especially during a 600 yard to 100 explaining my need for a simple set of numbers
yard rundown when your brain starts to get a bit from one to ten soon resulted in a custom pack of
Below - Before and after
12 Target Shooter
Above - AR15 with Nightforce scope My current Civilian Service Rifle is a Southern Gun
Company Speedmaster topped with a Nightforce
NXS 2.5-10x24 scope. This is a great little scope
stickers. You can see from the photographs that the
which I selected for its size. The elevation turret is
labels have a vertical line below the range number
not very tall which leaves little room for paining new
which can be aligned to your zero point for that
numbers on – which you can see from my efforts in
distance. The air rifle labels start at 8 and move
the picture where I have painted new silver range
up in one yard or metre increments to 20 and
numbers. I found that the Rangesports labels had
then change to 2 yard/metre increments up to 60.
to be cut down in height but this was no problem
There are a few other distances thrown in for good
and they were easy to handle and apply. The latest
measure like 25, 35, 45 and 55. These distances are
Nightforce scope has a taller turret so this will make
then repeated for the side focus wheel that air rifle
life easier.
shooters use for range finding.
All in all a great idea and I look forward to testing
They are available in two colour ways but custom
them for the rest of the shooting season.
colours are available:
The label sizes are 5mm x 6mm for the turret labels
and 8mm x 5mm for the side wheel. Cost is £7.45
which includes postage. Visit www.rangesports.
com for more details including information on their
other shooting accessories.
Target Shooter 13
TIM HANNAM Retail & Trade
EnquiriesWelcome
The Reloading Specialists
Peckfield Lodge,
Great North Road ,
Leeds, LS25 5LJ
Tel: 01977 681639 Fax: 01977 684272
New
3 in 1 Case
Mouth Cutter
Reloading Presses
We stock a full range of presses by Lee, Lyman, Hornady and Forster
Reloading Dies
We stock a wide range of die sets and individual dies by Lee, Lyman ,
Hornady and Forster
Scales
We stock both electronic and beam scales from Lee, Lyman , Hornady.
Brass Cases
From the most popular to the fairly obscure Manufacturers include
Lapua, Remington, Winchester, Starline and IMI
Smokeless Powders
We carry a wide range of powders from Vihtavouri, Hodgdon, IMR
and Alliant
Bullets
Including Match, Varmint and Target bullets from Lapua, Hornady
Remington and Winchester. We carry a wide range of pistol bullets in
both jacketed and lead.
Primers
For both Rifle and Pistol calibers from Remington, Winchester,
CCI and Federal
14 Target Shooter
Website Review
This month we review our own website and it would the account on for ‘passing trade’, for want of a
be great to get some ideas from you, the reader. So better expression! However, the interest in the Scribd
please pass these on to us. versions of the magazine could not be more healthy,
standing at over 5000 readers a month – we thought
One of the reasons for this review is that most of we would remind readers who use this site about the
our readers, about 9500 per month visit it for all the official Target Shooter website and the past issues,
services we offer. We started off using Scribd as videos and support available via our website.
the medium for Target Shooter magazine, Not that it matters as readers are
but this became readers at the end of the day, but
cumbersome very for best viewing of our magazine
quickly. When and peripheral products, do try
taking on the new an visit us here at www.target-
magazine software shooter.co.uk.
we thought
interest in the Scribd
version would wane
a little. Just keeping
Target Shooter 15
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” lead
wadcutter 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
16 EVERYTHING
Target Shooter WE IMPORT IS BY FAR THE BEST VALUE IN THE UK
First impressions of the Sightron
S111 Series 10-50x60
LRTD scope
by Vince Bottomley
Above - Here’s the 10-50 Sightron next to my 8-32 Nightforce NXS (top)
When is ‘big’ too big? I remember when I bought use it as a benchmark when reviewing optics
my first rifle, a ten-power scope was considered for Target Shooter. Having said that, I’ve just
to be ‘plenty big enough’. In some respects acquired a 40X March so that might become the
it was – for the rifles we were using then! I new ‘benchmark’.
remember buying my first 36 power Leupold
scope for benchrest competition. We need 36 In a world where top-end optics are
power because we must be able to see our approaching £2000 many shooters are looking
shot-holes at 200 yards but, no one expects for the best possible value before they part
to see shot-holes at 1000 yards – do they? At with their hard-earned. Over the past twelve
1000 yards, all we are doing is ‘quartering’ a months, we have had a new player in the quality
large circular target and yes, you can do that target-scope market – Sightron. Aimfield
quite well with a ten-power scope. When your Sports is the UK importer which for me is great
shot is marked with a spotting-disk, you will see because CEO John Dean is also a keen F Class
it with your ten power. shooter and you will see him at most of the GB F
Class League shoots. In other words, he knows
Then along came Nightforce with their 12-42 about the kit he is selling, unlike some of our
power scope. It was expensive, I was happy to importers who have scant knowledge of their
ignore it – until somebody turned up with one. products – let alone the experience of actually
We all had a look through it – the world would using them! Sightron’s 8-32 has proved to be
never be the same again! I bought a Nightforce. a very popular scope with F Class shooters
We all bought a Nightforce! We all learned a and no wonder, when I tested it alongside my
little as well - bigger isn’t necessarily clearer and Nightforce, the Sightron matched it for image
some shooters preferred the image at 32 power quality and, if I remember rightly, offered a
rather than 42. Amongst discerning shooters, slightly more contrasty image. Not bad, when
the 8-32 Nightforce developed a following and you consider that the 8-32 Sightron is a good bit
the optics on my 8-32 Nightforce BR are just cheaper than anything in its class.
about the best of all my scopes and I tend to
Target Shooter 17
Not many scopes have a ‘50’ on the
zoom ring
When I heard that Sightron were about to launch restricted to 17lbs. When building rifles for these
a 10-50 power scope I got quite excited and disciplines, ounces are important!
when I saw the first one to hit the UK on the
Aimfield Sports stand at the Newark Show, I just The Sightron’s 30mm body tube has the
had to have it for a review for Target Sports readers. usual satin anodised finish and the 36 mm
Yes, we have already reviewed the 12-50 ocular comes with a protective rubber ring which
Schmidt & Bender, a fabulous scope in every will no doubt save a few of us from the dreaded
aspect but at around £1750, it will sadly ‘snipers kiss’. The ocular can also be rotated –
remain out of reach of many shooters but John as with European scopes – to focus the reticle.
confidently told me that he would be able to And, now that I’ve mentioned it, the reticle is an
retail the new Sightron for under a grand – ultra-fine crosshair-dot which will satisfy even
fantastic! What’s more, he agreed to lend me the most discerning benchrest shooter and is
the scope – but only for a couple of days – a lot exactly what is required for accurate long-range
of people want to see it, so this review will be target work. If I remember, I did comment on
more of an impression than a full test. the reticle on the early 8-32 Sightron scope as
being just a little heavy for my taste. Thank-you
Eager to make the most of this opportunity, I Sightron for addressing this – we now have a
opted to use the Sightron in a 600 yard perfect reticle. (They have also upgraded the
benchrest competition coming up on Easter 8-32 reticle).
Monday. It’s just possible to see 6.5mm
bullet-holes at 600 yards with my Nightforce so The objective lens is a substantial 60mm in
this would be a good test for the 10-50 Sightron diameter - so be thinking about high rings,
but before we do, let’s have a closer look at this though if you are using a Picatinny type rail, this
bit of glass. On the scales, the Sightron weighs will give you a useful bit of lift. In true Sightron
in at 1 lb. 13 ounces – not bad – a tad lighter style, all lettering is tastefully incised in gold and
than the Nightforce. Yes, those three ounces on the underside of the turret, that all-important
will be important to shooters who are attempting ‘Made in Japan’. Controls move with that smooth
to meet a weight limit – like F/TR at 18lbs.2 oz. ‘precision’ feel of a quality instrument and the
or benchrest Light Gun competitors who are turrets, which are protected by dust covers,
18 Target Shooter
Yes – it was raining when I
took these shots!
adjust with a positive ‘click’ in eighth MOA Sightron is now back with the importer, Aimfield
graduations. Long-range ‘effers appreciate Sports and we will have to wait until the first
eighth MOA clicks. Their half MOA V bull is now delivery arrives from America before we can
four clicks across – not two! complete this review and carry out all our usual
tests to check adjustment accuracy, return to
The side-focus (not available on the lower- zero, tracking and resolving power of the lenses
priced Nightforce BR scope) travels three- etc.
quarters of a turn from closest focus (which I
didn’t get chance to measure) out to infinity. Both Meanwhile, I can only say that this scope has
lenses have a greeny-blue anti-flare coating and created a lot of interest and no wonder, on the
internally, the body-tube has received an face of it Sightron are giving us a scope the
effective anti-flare finish. Don’t look directly equal of any for less than £1000. If you are
into the sun to check the effectiveness of this interested, get in touch with Aimfield Sports
but, under normal use shooting towards the www.aimfieldsports.com and make sure you
sun - but not into it - I couldn’t induce flare. have your name on one from that first batch.
Similarly, chromatic aberration – or ‘fringing’ – a
greeny-yellow halo around high-contrast If you need another reason to buy a Sightron
subjects - was minimal. here’s one of the best. Sightron are the only
scope manufacturer sponsoring UK shooting. In
Normally I would carry out my optical addition to giving scopes as prizes at the World
comparison test with my Nightforce BR but, no and European F Class Championships, they
time so it’s straight into the 600 yard competition. have also given F/TR World Champion Russell
I decided to really test the Sightron by Simmonds a scope. Support those who support
mounting it on my 22 Dasher rather than the us!
6.5x47 I normally use. This would be a real test
of the Sightron’s optics – would I really be able
to see 22 bullet-holes at 600 yards?
Target Shooter 19
20 Target Shooter
Shooting the Black Powder Pistol
Part 7
by Chris Risebrook
In Part 6, we went through the loading procedure for 2 and give the barrel a good slap to make sure
single shot pistols. Now, let’s see if we can actually that no powder is stuck in the tube. Then, place a
make it go bang! To make it more difficult, I have pre-greased patch centrally over the muzzle, and
chosen the flintlock. place the ball in the centre of the patch - photo 3.
This pistol is a .44 cal. smoothbore and I use .435
ball with a ten thou. patch. It just so happens that
cotton handkerchief material is ideal.
Pic 2
Pic 1
Target Shooter 21
Pic 3 Pic 5
Pic 6
22 Target Shooter
Pic 7
Pic 8
Target Shooter 23
www.FoxFirearmsUK.com
Tel: 0161 430 8278 or 07941 958464
PUTTING SHOOTING FIRST
For all your F Class, Centerfire and Rimfire Benchrest needs
Harrel Barrel Tuner for
Rimfire Benchrest Rifle
SEB Co-axial
Custom Rest
By Carl Boswell
A while ago I wrote an article on wind flags and Above - a standard match with a vareity of
their uses within rimfire and air rifle benchrest. windflags
They are equally important in centerfire benchrest flags vary greatly.
as well.
Within these next few articles I would like to offer
When new shooters come into the sport, they are some DIY knowledge that may stand you in good
naturally concerned with getting the very best rifle stead in developing your own flags. A colleague
and scope they can afford. Next up is usually a and friend in the USA, Doug Weeter, truly believes
quality rest and back bag but the wind flag is just that making your own wind flags will actually teach
as important yet many shooters never own a set of you more about what the wind is doing, as you
flags and rely on someone else to provide them. are designing them specifically for yourself. (His
Few of us are capable of building our own rifle website can be found at http://www.thewind-
but a set of wind flags is a different matter and a isnotyourfriend.com/ on this website you will
simple flag can be put together by anyone with the also find the design offered below in imperial
most basic tools and skill. If you want to progress, measurements).
please give some serious consideration to having
your own set of flags. And remember, practising I tend to agree with Doug but, with everything DIY
without wind flags is a waste of ammunition! you will need some equipment to make the flags.
Where things become technical it may be worth
I have attempted further research on the types of finding out if anyone in your club has a lathe,
flags that are available and what is needed to help as some parts will need to be made on such a
you make that vital shot. I found, whilst shooting machine. I don’t have a lathe so I had my parts
a number competitions, that those with and those made up for me to save time.
without flags do tend to have contrasting scores,
so there is no doubt that using wind flags does There are a number of types of wind flag available
help. This however is going to be down to personal on the open market, single vane, dual vane, 360
taste, as I know colleagues who only use ribbons degree, 180 degree, etc. These all attempt to
as indicators, while others use the best they can provide information to the shooter regarding the
get their hands on. The styles and size of these
Target Shooter 25
PIC 1 basic windflag
speed and direction/angle the wind is coming from These were made using a bit of polystyrene card,
at various points along the path the bullet will take. cut to shape and aluminium rod for the main shaft
They can be made very simply - like the one I with a model propeller and some plastic rod as the
made 8 years ago. (Pic1) pivot where it would be held in an aluminium tube
Chart 1
26 Target Shooter
180 degree windicator,
PIC 2 plan which is larger, is to
be used at 50m. The
dual-vane flags will be
spaced between these,
showing direction and
angle of the wind.
So let’s get to making
– the 360 degree first.
You will need the pieces
outlines in the chart
opposite
All the metals required
should be available
locally but if not, a
search of the internet,
or a well known auction
site, will put you onto
those materials that
you need. Even the
Corroflute (sometimes
called Corex) is
available in small or
large quantities. Do
have a look at the
diagrams included
with this article. (Pic 2)
The whole set of plans
for these and all the
others will be available
on the UKBR22
website at http://www.
benchrest22.org/rim-
that acts as the stand. A ribbon can then be fireBRfaqs.htm
added as a tail to the plastic vane.
Target Shooter 29
Knowing your conditions
Helps to keep your aim true
Weather Meters
Easy to use
Accurate
Wind speeds
Cross Winds
Air Pressure
Humidity
Temperature
Dew Point
Wind Chill
Altitude
Time and Date
Graphical Display
Data Logging
by Vince Bottomley
Greg Thompson won the GB F Class League in no sighters?”
2008 and, as is tradition, we conducted an interview Now that would really put the cat amongst the
with Greg. These interviews follow a standard pigeons! Most UK shooting competitions allow the
pattern and one of the questions we always ask is competitor a couple of sighting shots – plus we even
“Would you like to see any changes to the F Class have the luxury of ‘blow-off’ shots in major F Class
rules.” Greg’s (tongue in cheek) reply – “What about comps. One shoot that doesn’t have any sighters is
the Diggle Egg Shoot. Without sighters, more than
This Caldwell half the field will fail to hit an A3 size target at 500
meter yards but give a guy sighters and he can shoot the
usefully gives gonads off a gnat!
the At short range – out to say 600 yards, it’s pretty
temperature as difficult to miss the six-foot square panel that is
well as your F Class target but, at 1000 yards, it’s a whole
wind-speed. different ball-game. Through experience, we
There are learn, we record, we amass data both written and
similar meters remembered that we can call on when we lie down
from Kestrel at 1000 yards on a strange range with a significant
which can get wind blowing. To the naked-eye, the target appears
very as a tiny white square - how do we ensure that first
sophisticated. shot hits the target?
For me, if it’s a big competition, it’s a great relief
when the target goes down following my first shot
and sheer bliss when it comes back up with a
spotting-disc in place. It doesn’t matter where the
spotter is – it’s not too difficult to adjust for the next
shot. The main thing is being on target with that
first shot. If you’re not, you will likely throw away
valuable points that you can never recover.
Hopefully, we will have some data from the last
time we shot at 1000 yards. Data? That would be
our scope’s elevation setting and wind ‘zero’ for a
Target Shooter 31
to use and pretty accurate.
Unfortunately, the Fortunately, you don’t need to drag
screen display your laptop onto the firing-point - you
doesn’t show up in can download ballistic programmes
this pic – you need direct to your i-phone. Alternatively,
to have a look at we can print out our ‘desktop’ data
the website on a sheet of paper. We can even l
aminate it for weather protection –
clumsy though, as we would have
to print several sheets to cover all
possible temperature and wind
variations. Are there better
alternatives?
Let’s have a look at a few aids which
will help both the field and range
shooter to reliably make that first
round hit.
familiar range that we shoot on regularly. Armed I’m sure we are all familiar with wind
with this information, we can hopefully make a good meters like the Kestrel or Caldwell. Switch on, hold
‘stab’ at our scope adjustment to take into account into the wind and the wind-speed in MPH (or KPH)
the prevailing conditions. We need to judge the wind appears on the screen. Very useful but it only indicates
strength and direction. We also need to consider the the wind-strength at one point. A thousand
temperature and the elevation of the firing-point. yards away it might be doing something quite
Example, Diggle is 1000 feet above sea level, Bisley different. Combined this with a series of range-flags
is perhaps 200 feet. Armed with this information, a however and we can begin to build up a picture of
first shot hit should be guaranteed – providing we the wind-conditions down the range. Fine but what
can ‘translate’ our data into minutes of angle (MOA) can we do with that information?
on our scope’s windage and elevation turrets!
Most of us will have encountered the computer Palm-tops
ballistic program – they are cheap (often free) easy The early ballistic programmes were quite basic and
32 Target Shooter
serious military/professional
The TAS (Tactical use. I doubt that there are
Adjustment Systems) many amateur shooters
whiz-wheel willing to spend that amount
but if you must have the best,
or you are a professional user,
the Horus deserves to be on
your shopping list.
Target Shooter 33
This mechanical wind-indicator is about six-inches in
diameter and made of very tough plastic – robust
and weatherproof
direction, temperature and inclination (though the elevation and windage settings won’t be accurate
latter won’t normally be relevant on a formal either. The Kestrel will give a pretty good indication
rifle-range). of wind-speed but don’t forget temperature. Playing
with these programmes, I was surprised how much a
Its advantage over the i-pod is utter reliability. It is small change in temperature can affect the elevation
not affected by immersion in water, sand, extreme when shooting at extreme ranges, so we must take
heat or cold, impact-damage or low battery – no temperature into account though it needn’t be to the
matter what the conditions, the whiz-wheel keeps on nearest degree – though obviously, more accurate
working. Its disadvantage? It is specific to one the better.
ammunition/rifle combination but for say a police
firearms unit using the same rifles and ammunition, The other problem is wind direction. I find this very
it’s ideal. If you change rifle or ammo. or you want difficult to estimate. Yes – not too difficult to estimate
one for another rifle, then go back to Dougie and he the difference between say a 90 degree or 45 degree
will make you another disc – they just snap in and wind but who can read it to within ten degrees? The
out in seconds. What could be simpler? I’ve used difference between the wind-drift of a 10mph wind
mine for a few months now and I’m beginning to at 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock is three-feet at 1000 yards
learn that, coupled with my Kestrel, I can rely on it on a 308 bullet – enough to have you off the target!
completely. Have a look at the TAS (TacticalAdjustment One of my shooting buddies who has had ‘some
Systems) website for more info. www.globalsecurity- experience’ - and I will say no more than that – of
marketing.com training military snipers has come up with a very
simple little device that is a great wind-direction
One of the problems of using any of these devices is indicator.
the old computer adage – ‘Rubbish in – rubbish out’.
In other words, if the information you input into the Like the whiz-wheel, it’s non-electrical, weather-
palm-top is not accurate, the information regarding proof and easy to carry in your shooting bag (see
34 Target Shooter
The foolproof S&B turret. Even from the pic I can see
The CSSS is similarly
that we are on the upper yellow scale from the ‘light-
foolproof and can be
house’ indicator and our elevation is therefore about
fitted to almost any
36 MOA.
scope. We can see
that we have 25 MOA
wound-on.
Never be a turn out
again
pic) as the spinner just lifts off. It’s made of a very Finally, we can buy any number of these devices but
tough plastic and in normal use it would be difficult don’t forget the device you already have and costs
to damage it. It couldn’t be simpler to use – align nothing – common sense! Make sure you record
the disc with your rifle’s line of sight, look at the your ‘still air’ zeros at all ranges so that you are
segment below the pointer and it tells you what only making minor tweaks to your scope settings
percentage of the wind speed (indicated by your dependant on conditions on the day. Remember
meter) to apply. More importantly, it will immediately the obvious - if the wind is blowing from the right,
indicate any wind changes during your shoot. then you know that if you miss the target, your
Combine this with a Kestrel (preferably one that shot will have gone to the left. Look at your fellow-
reads the temperature as well as wind-speed) and competitors’ targets and see how their sighters
a decent i-pod ballistic programme or the TAS impacted – though of course, you don’t know how
wizz-wheel and we are well on the way to that first much wind they wound-on! Before you even get out
round hit. your whiz-wheel, Kestral or i-pod – make a stab at
reading the wind – the more you do this, the more
Incidentally, the Horus uses the ‘clock-face’ principal you will become familiar with the wind.
for wind-direction inputs so they obviously feel that
this is about as accurate as you are likely to be able Before I close this article, I must tell you of an
to judge. interesting device I received the other day. One of
the problems which occasionally begets even the
Another critical variable is the ballistic coefficient most experienced shooters is that of being a ‘full turn
(BC) of our bullet. We all think we know this – just out’ on the scope’s elevation turret. Many scopes,
look it up on the bullet manufacturer’s website. Not like for example the Nightforce BR have just six
good enough! At what altitude and velocity were MOA to a full turn of the turret. This means you could
the BCs arrived at? You can bet the manufacturers be turning the turret four or five revolutions when
chose the most favourable conditions. If you really applying elevation – and honestly, who hasn’t got it
want to know your bullet’s true BC, I would suggest wrong during the heat of competition? One solution
purchasing a copy of Brian Litz’s excellent book is to buy a Schmidt & Bender – about the only scope
Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting. Brian that you can look at and visually tell your elevation
lists the real BC values for most popular match setting.
bullets, arrived at by individual testing and there
are some variations. Not only that, he explains the
folly of using the G1 ballistic coefficient (favoured Alternatively, this little device from AB Tactical called
by the bullet manufacturers) as opposed to the G7 the CSSS – continuous scale sighting system –
figure, which is a much more realistic BC for boat-tail does the same job. It fits over your scope turrets and
match bullets. Included with the book is Brian’s own uses a clever method to display your elevation (and
simple to use ballistic programme on a CD which is windage) settings from zero to - whatever your
also very accurate, especially if you use it with your scope’s maximum. It’s an interesting concept and
bullet’s G7 BC value. The G7 BC values for most one which AB Tactical are continually improving.
popular match bullets are also given in the book. E-mail a.b@ab-tactical.com if you want more details.
(ISBN 978-0-615-27661-8)
Target Shooter 35
36 Target Shooter
Ballistic FTE: Field Tactical Edition Software
Real-Time Ballistic data for your iPhone or
iPod Touch by Chris Parkin
Whilst planning a recent trip to the WMS steel hit the long-range targets over variable terrain types
challenge in Wales, I started to consider what and distances. Previously, when target-shooting
equipment to take with me which might help me to or hunting, I always used a home computer and
internet-based software such as JBM ballistics to
calculate my trajectory data. This data was always
Photograph 1 Trajectory Input done when a load had been chosen and prior to
actual use. For target shoots, a range card was
produced and for field use, a small ‘limited data’
set was printed out and stuck inside my rear flip-up
scope cap for quick reference. Was there another
option?
Target Shooter 37
instruction reader so I just tinkered with the software
and within minutes had data sets installed in it for
three of my rifles. The data output agreed exactly
with my previously verified trajectory information
and, over the course of the next few days, I
continued to tinker with the numerous extra features.
up the idea until I learned what ‘Apps’ were. When using the program there are five main
operational functions all with shortcut keys at the
The iPhone and iPod Touch run software bottom of the screen. You will have either chosen
applications and literally thousands are available a factory load or entered your own custom load
via Apple. They are usually written by independent using the ‘Trajectory’ function. This can then be
companies or even lone programmers and if they saved and entered into the ‘Favourites’ section that
are deemed good enough, can be given a license by is the second function. Within these favourites, all
Apple and sold via iTunes. specific rifle and scope data is integrated into one
file along with other data and notes you may want
Well, there were quite a few programs available for to record - such as zeroing range, temperature,
the task and although I would have liked an iPhone, location and the conditions at the time. A subsection
I picked up a used iPod Touch that would run the is specifically for reloading data that is very useful
software. After doing a bit of background internet and any of this information can be returned to and
research and logging into iTunes, I chose a piece edited at any time.
of software called Ballistic: Field Tactical Edition that
seemed to offer what I needed. The program itself The ‘Distance’ function, to cut a long story short,
used the JBM ballistic mathematical programming allows you to estimate distance using either a
that I had always found reliable and the price was a standard Mil dot or MOA reticle. The input and output
very reasonable £11.99. Was it too good to be true? functions can, as usual, be entered and displayed
in either metric or imperial equivalents. A ‘Range
It only took a few minutes to download and install log’ is the next feature which allows you to record
the software on the iPod Touch. It was very intuitive every visit to the range or other shooting opportunity
to use and I was immediately impressed, something and record all relevant data including scoring in
rare for me - so my friends say. I’m not much of an competition on a vast array of target formats. This
may be useful in nicer climates but to be honest,
38 Target Shooter
The functionality and simplicity of the unit is great
and quick to use, but the biggest surprise came
last. The iPod itself has built in sensors that detect
the angle the unit is held at once calibrated. This
angle detection can be turned on or off and can also
be entered manually but is incorporated into the
calculation for extra accuracy. Although we didn’t
take any shots much beyond 10 degrees downhill,
the few MOA that the software compensated for
certainly made the first shot hits more likely and the
feature was a very pleasant surprise. I knew the
software would calculate the angles, but I assumed I
would need to use a separate clinometer.
Target Shooter 39
Exclusive to the UK with
•For further information please call or Tel: +44 (0)20 8808 4847
e-mail. Price include VAT
Email: info@actionairshooting.org
•Prices plus P&P
40 Target Shooter Web: www.actionairshooting.org
PELLET PREPARATION
by Tim Finley
The test pellets - weighed Prix titles in Field Target and
and preped two “ Gathering” titles in Hunter
Field Target shooting were only
subjected to one preparation
process, and that was washing
and re-lubricating with pound a
bottle oil from a discount shop.
I simply did not have the time or
the inclination to spend hours on
pellet prep. When I first started
we had to sort Bisley Magnum
pellets to remove the rouge ones
formed in the manufacturing
process, this did involve visually
inspecting and weighing sample
42 Target Shooter
watch out for damaged skirts ultrasonically cleaned and
then oiled. I knew the Napier
lube would be more difficult to
remove from the barrel so I would
shoot the two different batches of
Napier pellets last, one from the
standard clean and one which
had been ultrasonically cleaned.
It was fairly easy to see with the
naked eye that the groups shot
with the pellets straight out of
the tin were worse than the four
shot with the cleaned and lubed
pellets.
I measured each five shot group
center to center and divided the
spread gained on each group by
the number of groups shot. The
results were very clear cut.
TestTargets
as possible and by keeping an eye on the meter I The smallest three shot group shot was 2.9mm
could see the conditions change second by second center to center with the standard wash and Napier
over the course of testing the pellets. I had also
worked out I would need to clean the barrel out
in between tests to ensure the test would be a
true test of the lubes. I cleaned the barrel out with
three VFG discofelt pellets and a few Crosman
Premiers straight out of the box. Then I shot
groups with the Accuracy Plus pellets straight
out of the tin, I had to take four clicks off the top
turret of the Schmidt and Bender compared to
my usual 7.9grain pellets. The Accuracy Plus
pellets are 7.3grain’s in weight and fly flatter due
to their lighter weight. After shooting a few groups
with the pellets out of the tin I then cleaned the
barrel again and used the pellets which had my
own light oil on them, one batch that had been After preping pellets do not sotre them in a
washed as I always have and the other was pocket
Target Shooter 43
Neck pouches protect pellets system. I still won many, many
major titles with the pound shop
oil but it has made me think
about switching to Napier lube
completely.
Once you have treated your
pellets think about how you are
going to store them, given all the
time and effort you put in to the
cleaning and re-lubing process
do not then dump then back
into a tin or carry them around
in a fluff lined pocket when you
are shooting. The pellets I have
used for years are in a foam lined
cardboard box anyway so I have
no problems with storage. When
at a shoot I decant 60 or so
lube. I put the poor 36.5mm group with pellets at a time into a cloth zip
the ultrasonically cleaned and oiled pellets
down to the damage on some of the skirts Only one of these is kind to pellets
caused by the harsher cleaning process.
Overall the five shot groups were bigger than
I expected but there was a touch of wind
now and again which could be seen by the
groups being strung out horizontally, apart
from the two Ultrasonically cleaned batches
which also had some shots dropped low out
of the main group, which as I mentioned
before was more than likely down to the
damage on some of the skirts. My decision
on the day to switch to 45 and not test at 50
yards as I originally planned was born out by
the useable results.
It is quite obvious that shooting washed and
re-lubricated pellets gives smaller group
sizes than shooting pellets straight out of
the tin. The Napier lube also looks to give
better performance than my cheapo oil
shut neck pouch. These have
a plastic lining and are lovingly
made by my mother. There
are leather ones on the market
which are popular. The only
other thing to mention which is
important with re-lubrication is
These are a very good idea not to over lubricate. Too much
lubricant and it will adversely
affect the group sizes.
As mentioned last month
weighing pellets has long been a
techniques used by Field Target
shooters. I decided to test if
it had any affect on my own
Crosman Premier pellets. I was
somewhat shocked by the
variation in the weights of my
prized pellets. I have always just
44 Target Shooter
napier 2010 cat_airgun ad:Layout 1 8/4/10 15:33 Page 1
by Chris Parkin
Above - Dave and Tom testing zero
The WMS steel challenge is a project run by taking 6.5x55’s, 308’s, 270’s and 300WM so
Andrew Venables in Wales to help instruct, train wouldn’t be pushing too hard compared to 338’s
and practice for all manner of shooting challenges and such.
in both the professional and recreational shooting
communities. Andrew has built a large facility I went to Wales on the Friday night of April 9th
amongst a very rural farming community in West with the television weather forecasters predicting
Wales of around 5000 acres of shootable terrain the first good weather of the year; I packed
surrounded by nearly 20,000 acres of uninhabited heavy waterproofs and thermals. We met at the
land. Bluebell Inn, a pub with B&B accommodation
recommended by Andrew as being both close to
THE PLANNING his home and the venue. When Chris and I arrived
Andrew set up the steel challenge for those at the pub, most of our party were already there
wanting to learn, test and improve their shooting enjoying a drink with Andrew and discussing what
skills, from military and police marksmen to they specifically wanted to do the following day to
sporting shooters either wanting to hone their improve their shooting ability.
skills or perhaps raise their game a notch for a
once in a lifetime trip to Africa or other worldwide Frank and Dave were both very experienced
destination. My own description of the challenge hunters who had shot all over the world but
and facilities of the venue cannot help but be rarely at any range further than normal hunting
steered by what my friends and I wanted to distances. Chris and myself were occasional
experience on our visit. The full scope of what is hunters who had more experience of shooting
available is so extensive it would be impossible longer ranges at target events although still in
to experience in a day with around 60 large fixed just a recreational manner. The following morning
targets and 50 more that can be moved around. At another Dave and his son Tom would be joining
the end of our day Andrew said we had covered us; they were also predominantly hunters up to
approximately 20% of the targets available. We that point in time. We were all keen to learn more
all felt we had had a great time and learned a and the specific overall aim for our day was for
lot, it was very clear that more visits were going the hunters to learn to estimate wind and how to
to be on the cards. The targets will withstand all dial-in scopes for more accurate long range
centrefires in normal civilian use and we were shooting at targets. Chris and I wanted to stretch
Target Shooter 47
Set up ready to go at 350 yards
helped by Andrew or the rest of us. 350 yards to to fall over with an audible ‘clank’; the larger ones
start is a long shot for a sporting shooter but not responded to a hit with a very solid ‘bong’ which
so much for a target shooter. We were advised could be heard even through our hear-muffs.
the best strategy was to pair up and one work as Prior to the shoot, Andrew had freshly painted the
spotter as the other shot and vice versa. targets ‘ice white’ and each hit left a large grey
spot. The larger game animals all had a yellow
At the start of the day, we were all shooting kill zone for a realistic shot-placement challenge.
slowly, getting used to working together and There is no point practicing this kind of shot to just
taking advantage of six extra pairs of eyes to spot hit the animal anywhere.
the splash in the sand if the round was off target.
At 350 yards the rifle had not settled from its recoil So far we have not mentioned the wind. Any
enough to allow the shooter to spot his own shot long-range shooter will know that the wind is
but the rest of us were able to quickly give them probably the biggest single factor in accurately
a ‘call’. The smaller targets could easily be seen hitting the target but at 350 yards, the drift was
Target Shooter 49
Tom and Dave overlooking the water
minimal, although the wind was running in a 3 After some more paired shooter/spotter action
o’clock direction, it was very light. As we moved and all the targets hit, we decided to have a break
out another hundred yards onto a turkey target, and a quick discussion to plan the rest of the
the wind came into play more and we did start morning. Two opted to stay at this set of targets
having to aim-off more and this is where the and work on trajectory data, which needed a bit
spotters really came in. Andrew had suggested of a tweak. The rest of us would go back across
shooting one shot, have the spotter call it, using to the zeroing range to try some shots from
language such as “Half a target left, good sitting positions, standing with sticks and standing
elevation.” This enabled us to start hitting more unsupported shots. We shot at 10 inch plates set
accurately with a quick second shot. This carried up at between 100 and 200 yards. Andrew was
on until we had hit everything, knocked it over or able to offer us some helpful tips on technique,
heated up our barrels to an uncomfortable level! especially regarding the unsupported shots. Up
to now, all of the shooting had been prone so it
THE FIRST CHALLENGE was good to try something new and challenging
We were told to imagine having traveled to a far off in a safe environment. Standing shots from sticks
land where we had paid untold amounts of money were well known to us all from DSC tests but only
for a once in a lifetime shot. Here was our once in at 100 yards so it was good to try them further out.
a lifetime opportunity to bag a trophy animal and
there it was, 600 yards away. We were told we For the second quick test of the day we were told
all had 1 shot and were given a minute to set up to pick up our guns and one round of ammo and
for the distance and estimate for the wind which follow Andrew. He walked to a spot overlooking
had now picked up a little and was blowing from shrub-covered ground extending as far as the eye
around 4 o’clock. Shooter number 6 would go first; could see and told us that there was a rusty red
the rest of us would spot. Shooter number 6 was coloured deer within reasonable shooting range
getting ready to shoot and then to trick us, Andrew in front of us, get down, find it, shoot it. The deer
said “NO, shooter number 2 GO!”. was tricky to locate with no binos at this point but
Shooter number 2 then shot, scored a kill-zone hit we all found it and everyone shot although only
and then the rest shot in turn with varying success. two scored hits. This surprised me a little and
We were starting to pick up the challenge that this reminded me why every shooter should consider
day was all about. what he (or she) feels to be a ‘reasonable’ range.
It was at 285 yards and even though we did
50 Target Shooter
The two Chris’s at the 1100 yard point. The brown
oval on the far hill just above our heads in the cen-
tre is the target sand trap
range-find it, four of us still missed. It just goes The shot was at a group of steel plates ranging
to show that on a day when this should be an in size from 10 to 20 inches, the range was
easy shot, with no wind, no pressure and the 461 yards, the incline 10 degrees down and I
trajectory of our rifle fresh to mind, the smallest estimated wind was fairly steady from left to right
error in shooting is amplified by range. at 2 or 3mph. The plates were in front of a large
pond so the bullets really did splash when you
So far, everything had been done in a 180-degree missed.
arc, from shooting positions within 100 yards of
the main facility and car park so, after a break for The data was good and although it took a couple
something to eat, we loaded up the vehicles and of shots from the group to find their exact
made our way out to another section of the shoot windage we were soon moving from the 20 inch
to try some shots downhill. plate to the 10 inch. After we had a good idea
of the windage needed - as the slight wind ebbed
Anyone familiar with deer stalking in Scotland and flowed - we moved onto shooting some
will know the scenario of shooting downhill with slightly closer but steeper reactive targets. Two
what is usually a compromised position and and four-pint milk cartons are always fun as they
needing to start thinking about trajectory, with the explode violently when hit and Andrew had laid out
effective shot-distance reduced to compensate for so many of these out we could pick and choose
the slope. Unlike in my field archery days where what we shot - again as pairs, shooter and spotter.
everything had to be estimated, distance, slope The next challenge was shooting from the same
and wind, this time I cheated! I was using an iPod location but in a perpendicular direction, again
touch with a clinometer that gave me a handy altering the wind direction.
readout of angle. I had bought the iPod to run
ballistics data realtime for this very scenario but As we were shooting in valleys all day, the wind
up until it arrived and I started to play with it, I in general blew in one direction but, the currents
didn’t realize it also had a built in gyroscope that of air the ‘general’ wind created, blew in totally
could run the clinometer. I questioned its ultimate different directions according to the terrain. The
accuracy but was pretty damn sure it was better targets this time were a pair of Fig. 11s again at
than my brain and tests with normal leveling 450 yards, perhaps 5 degrees downhill of us. The
equipment proved to me it was very accurate. fig.11s were arranged close to each other and
Target Shooter 51
care had to be taken not to hit the wrong target. back to the central zeroing areas and continue
to work on some of the more standard hunting
Obviously these targets are specifically created ranges and test whether their scope ‘return to zero’
for the Police and Military marksmen who train was all that was promised. Chris and I went with
at this facility. All other factors aside they are just Andrew and drove back to the 1100 yard
targets and it is an incredible challenge to hit one firing-point using the same targets we had just
of these. The intended hit-zone was about the size engaged at 800 yareds. I knew my scope would
of an apple and when the target is hit, we were told get me out to 1200 yards and with 20 MOA on
a large yellow plate would rise up from behind to the reticle, I could stretch it out to a maximum of
signal it. Again only one person actually got it but 1500 which was the limit of the supersonic flight of
all the hits point were in the close vicinity. To be my 300 Win Mag’s 208 grain bullet anyway. Chris
fair, the wind at this point had been learned and was shooting a 6.5 x 55 and knew this was going
adjusted for but a 3”x2” hole at 450 yards is still a to be about his limit as he was out of elevation.
very testing shot in terms of aiming and shooting. His bullet though would still be well supersonic
and, as the day was getting late, this was going
Now, back to the vehicles and off to another part of to be our last setup of the day. Hit or miss, there
the site where we shot solidly mounted fig.11s at was no point going home without trying the long
800 yards in pairs. By this time, four of us had now shots and as the weather today was probably as
realised this was our limit as we had either run good as anyone would ever get, it seemed an
out of elevation, mil-dots or confidence to hit these opportunity not worth missing.
targets at this distance. Again, hits were both
spotted and heard - it was taking several seconds This shooting point was a flat grassy area and
now for the ‘bong’ to return, a clear indicator of the since these were going to be really hard shots to
long range connect with, I was glad of what I have always
considered to be my favourite shooting style,
Frank, Tom and the two Dave’s decided to go prone on the grass. Andrew had set up a
•
WMS
Practice days and rifle shooting events for individuals,
gun clubs and professional clients
• Corporate days and events for companies
• Rifle, ammunition and product testing for manufacturers
• Product launches for manufacturers and importers
• Specific training courses such as Mountain Rifle, African
Rifle and Driven Big Game for individuals and groups who
want to properly prepare for hunting trips
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n?
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or call Andrew Venables on 07767 365804 / 01686 440782
52 Target or email on
Shooter andrewvenables@aol.com
spotting-scope behind us as it was getting hard windage which is very little for 1100 yards and
to see the fall of shot with binoculars. Chris and shows just how lucky we were with the wind.
I both had 32 power on our scopes, so we could Andrew then shifted me onto a 10 inch plate
still spot for each other. I was pretty excited to be hanging on chains next to the fig.11, he had
honest because I have always loved to push challenged me to hit it within three shots and then
myself and even though we had both shot 1000 to move onto a life size head-on fox. I got very
yard F Class several times, I have always enjoyed close to them both but the little left to right wind
field shooting more, with nothing but a rifle, scope changes were hard to spot and at that distance
and ammo. I was going to shoot first and dialled missing by inches is still pleasing to me on targets
in my elevation, Andrew gave a call on the wind that small. Maybe next time I will use a rear bag.
and mirage and even though I had never had this We all agreed it had been a great day, well worth
type of spotting advice before, it must have clicked the money. I will definitely be going back as soon
something in my head because I squeezed the as possible and this time maybe go a little further
trigger and controlled my breathing more carefully back? I’m told a mile is no problem and 2200 yards
than I think ever before………….BANG……300 is possible although the wind can make it a waste
Win Mag does tend to be a little lively when it goes of ammo. I’d certainly like to try 1500 yards but I’ll
off but the gun settled back near to the target in bet the weather won’t be as kind next time.
time for the bullet to arrive. I didn’t see the hit but
Andrew did. Then the ‘bong’ arrived back to us, If you fancy a visit - and I would certainly
I had hit the fig.11! I’ll forgive Andrew for what recommend it – Andrew’s contact details are listed
he called me because I felt lucky too but three below:
of the next five shots connected as well. Chris
then had a go and connected with the target with Andrew Venables
a few shots but felt it was a bit ‘hit and miss’ as he 6 Tanygroes, Llangurig, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18
had run out of elevation. For my next few shots I 6SQ
dialled-in the distances I had previously aimed-off Tel: 01686 440782 Mob: 07767 365804
– a half MOA off the elevation and four minutes left Web site: www.wms-firearmstraining.org
Target Shooter 53
HANDLOADING ‘OLD FAITHFUL’ THE .308 WINCHESTER - 8
By Laurie Holland
Above - A drawing of the G7 Reference Standard bullet with dimensions in calibres. It has a
‘form factor’ or i7 value of 1.000 (courtesy of Bryan Litz).
I’ve attempted to classify the ballistic efficiency of
the match bullets available in the UK. Most people
do this using BCs, but remember the ‘weight issue’
as half of this measure is derived from Sectional
Density which is entirely weight driven. There
is therefore little benefit in comparing a 155gn
bullet’s BC directly to a 210-grainer’s. Instead, I
chose the ‘form factor’ (i7) value that Bryan Litz
applies to each bullet (Table 1). It compares the
efficiency of the projectile’s shape in terms of the
drag it produces in flight against that of the G7
reference standard design. A value of 1.000
exactly matches the reference standard – and
there is one such – anything with a lower value
produces less drag; anything higher produces
more. I graded designs as Low, Medium and
High [drag], which conveniently fits short and
long-range classifications, well mostly. Setting
boundaries between classifications was trickier,
eventually going for 1.020 and 1.095, the former to
include the justly popular new 155gn Sierra Palma
MK (#2156) with an i7 value of 1.018 within the
‘Low’ group; the latter to move the 168gn Berger
BT and 180gn Sierra MK into the ‘High’ category.
I’ll stress these definitions are mine and lack
scientific basis. There is a caveat in using this
metric – we saw in April that two bullets with one
i7 value but different weights do not perform
identically in the wind, the advantage going
decisively to the heavier model even at
comparable MVs.
Left - The 210gn Sierra MatchKing’s 1,000yd
performance gives it an i7 value of 1.000
matching the reference standard, although it
is not an identical shape
54 Target Shooter
Left - The lowest and highest i7 values (that
is, lowest and highest drag factors) of the
0.308” match bullets on sale in the UK go to
the 208gn Hornady A-Max (left) at 0.967 and
the 167gn Lapua Scenar on the right at 1.163,
although the latter is no worse than a clutch
of similar 168gn bullets.
We have a range of i7 values from 0.967 to 1.163,
so how do we calibrate this metric? I looked at
how much difference 0.035 makes to wind-drift
performance taking three Berger models that have
a 10gn weight range and whose i7 values bracket
the 1.000 norm – the 185gn Target BT long-Range
(0.972); identical design 175gn equivalent on
0.999; 175gn VLD at 1.035. Table 2 lists their
retained velocities and wind drift values at 1,000yd
at comparable MVs based on a 155 at 3,000 fps
(3,098 ft/lb ME). To remove the weight bias and
provide an example with a full 0.035 difference
from the central 0.999 value, I conjured up a
hypothetical 175gn Super-High BC model whose
i7 is 0.964, this giving a G7 BC of 0.274. Noting
that this i7 is better than that of any 0.308”
bullet actually available, it wouldn’t be feasible
to get such a low-drag shape from any practical
lead-core 175gn model. What the results tell us
is that a 0.035 step change increases or reduces
the ‘standard’ 10 mph wind drift at 1,000yd by
four and a half inches for 175s at this MV, and the
simulated misread wind change by just over a
half-inch. Let’s run the figures for two similar weight
bullets at opposite ends of the ‘Low’ category
rankings in Table 1, the 208gn Hornady A-Max and
210gn Sierra MK. Their i7 values are also helpfully
‘Ballistics stars’ in respect of having low i7 values and/or known to perform well at long ranges.
Left to right: 155gn Lapua Scenar, 155.5gn Berger BT FULLBORE, 155gn new Sierra Palma
MK (#2156), 185gn Berger Target BT Long-Range, 190gn Sierra MK, 200gn Sierra MK, 210gn
Berger Target BT Long-Range, 210gn Sierra MK (a VLD design), 208gn Hornady A-Max (a VLD
design).
Target Shooter 55
Left - The differences
in i7 values will pro-
duce relatively little
difference in external
ballistics performance
on the range between
the 155gn old Sierra
Palma MK (#2155)
and the top of the line
155.5gn Berger paired
on the left. The same
stricture applies to the
210gn Sierra MK and
Hornady A-Max paired
on the right. However,
the performance
difference between
the ‘old’ 155gn Sierra
and 208gn A-Max will
be very large thanks
to the Hornady’s
combination of
increased weight
and improved ‘form
factor’ or aerodynamic
efficiency.
10 mph crosswind and
0.4” for the misread
wind change at 1,000yd
in favour of the A-Max.
Terminal MVs are 1,390
fps for the Hornady and
1,355 fps for the Sierra.
close to my chosen variation with 0.033 between Both performance
them, but we now get a smaller performance differences could easily be outweighed by individual
difference – only 3.2” reduction in wind drift in the bullet model performance (group-size and MVs)
within a barrel, so we can see that for
any particular bullet weight, you need
a very large change in the i7 value to
make a really significant performance
improvement in competition.
However, as we’ve already seen, a
Left - ‘Old Hands’. Left to right: the
173gn US military M1 long-range
FMJBT that gave the Browning
M1919 machine-gun a sustained
fire range of 5,900yd; the 185gn
Lapua D46 that also started life as a
machine-gun bullet; 190 and 200gn
Sierra MKs. Note the similarity
in shape (‘form’) of the two Sierras
and the 1920s vintage M1 design.
All of these bullets cope very well
with transonic velocities making
the three match designs excellent
long-range choices for .308
Winchester.
56 Target Shooter
Above - Seven higher-drag models that should be restricted to shorter range matches. Left to
right: 155gn ‘old’ Sierra Palma MK (#2155), 167gn Lapua Scenar; 168gn Hornady Match, 168gn
Sierra MK, 175gn Sierra MK, 180gn Sierra MK, and 185gn Lapua Scenar. Some will perform out to
1,000yd but have trouble staying supersonic.
bullet that is both heavy and efficient shape-wise, significantly better, the aerodynamic efficiency of
performs much better in the wind than a lightweight equivalent weight VLDs? The new long-nose Sierra
/ high-i7 model. 155gn Palma MK must also be described as an
outstanding design given its proven long-range
Analysis performance and reputation for ‘easy tuning’ in
Before making any judgements, I’ll mention bullet handloads. Finally, I must add the 155gn Scenar
type – that is, tangent or secant ogive. I’ve shown to this elite list despite its secant ogive. Secant v
the secant (VLD or VLD-type) bullets in red in Table tangent issues aside, every bullet in this column is
1 and we see that a majority of the top performing a very efficient design, and choice will be mostly
half of the list (208gn A-Max to 190gn Sierra MK) dictated by matching the bullet weight to the shooting
fall into this category. VLDs are not to everybody’s application, personal preference, and other factors
taste because of the difficulties encountered in that might include availability and price – the Lapua
getting them to group well, in particular finding a aside, most are recent introductions and generally
COAL that suits the barrel throating. The usual command premium prices.
practice of seating them well into the rifling lands
when the cartridge is chambered can lead to At the other end of the efficiency range, we have ten
problems if a live cartridge has to be unloaded, the short-range designs in the right-hand column, seven
bullet sometimes sticking in the barrel and being of which have short and steeply angled boat-tails,
pulled from the case. Some will be surprised that not a coincidence. (Incidentally, mentioning such
I’ve shown the 155gn Lapua Scenar in this group, rear ends, I need to make a correction to last month’s
but its specification fits the VLD profile, with a 10.7- issue Table 1 data – the 208gn Hornady A-Max does
calibres radius secant nose. Perhaps because it has not have a short steep-angle boat-tail and is a true
a shorter nose than many VLDs (Bergers running at long-range bullet in every respect.) I wondered
around 14-calibres radius), it doesn’t seem as fussy about the two Lapua Scenar models in this (‘Low’)
as some, and is more likely to accept a small jump group given the 155gn Scenar’s efficiency, and can
into the rifling. only assume the designer’s brief was very different
for this pair, perhaps to match the performance
Looking at the bullets, I regard the five non-VLD and appeal of equivalent Sierra MatchKings, able
models in black type as the outstanding designs in to shoot (group) well in most barrels and give top
the ‘Low’ group, especially Berger’s 185gn Target BT shorter range precision. Both have tangent-ogive
Long-Range and the 155.5gn Berger FULLBORE. front ends at just over 6-calibres radius which is
Who would have thought a few years back that very short for this class of match bullet. Subject
tangent ogive models would match, never mind to the usual caveats about bullets matching barrel
Target Shooter 57
If you have a 1-14” rifling twist barrel or shoot under Target / Fullbore / Palma Rifle
regulations, these are the bullets for you. Left to right: ‘old’ Sierra MK (#2155) used in the
current NRA issued ammunition and a good performer at all ranges but now overtaken in
external ballistics performance by the trio to its right; 155gn Lapua Scenar; 155.5gn
Berger Target BT FULLBORE; 155gn ‘new’ Sierra Palma MK (#2156).
characteristics, I would expect all of the bullets in this 1920s Frankford Arsenal research that saw the US
section to be excellent short-range performers and develop the 173gn M1 long-range .30-06 cartridge
many are available at lower prices than those in the for the same purpose. Long-range sustained MG
‘Low’ classification. fire needs bullets to minimise the effects of going
transonic, then subsonic, and that’s what these
Looking at the ‘Medium’ group, we have a trio of bullets do. Nevertheless, it’s really desirable to stay
Berger VLDs whose performance has been eclipsed as far above the speed of sound as possible in any
by the company’s newer 155.5, 175 and 185gn BT precision discipline.
Long-Range tangent models, followed by seven
venerable designs, all Sierras bar the Lapua D46. Transonic
They might seem inferior to new low i7 / high-BC The speed of sound in standard environmental
designs, but some are very solid long-range conditions (59°F / 29.92in Hg pressure) is 1,122
performers. MR (Match Rifle, a 1,000yd plus fps and ballisticians have long known that passing
discipline restricted to the .308W) shooters tell me through or even approaching it causes stability
that 190-220gn Sierra MKs perform superbly in the problems thanks to rapid changes in the shape
trans-sonic zone just above the speed of sound, and amplitude of shock waves in the air around the
where higher-BC longer nose designs may see projectile. Effects are not restricted to a few fps
problems. The Lapua D46’s ancestor was a bullet either side of 1,122 fps as there is a transonic zone
designed for 7.62X54R calibre machine-guns in the from around 1.3 Mach (1,460 fps) down to 0.85 Mach
post WW1 period when military doctrine promoted ultra (950 fps). Let’s look at going subsonic, noting it’s
long-range massed MG fire dropping a rain of plunging not an issue with any bullet for shorter range
bullets onto targets up to 5,000 metres away. The shooters. For long-range competitors, it really has
older Sierras likely build on Col. Townsend Whelen’s to be guarded against as the bullet might behave
58 Target Shooter
Round 1 of the 2010 GB F-Class league series kicks off at Diggle at 500yd and conditions
were initially so calm that the 167gn Scenar would have sufficed. It didn’t last long – high
velocities and efficient bullets soon proved essential with F/TR competitors scoring ones
and twos.
unpredictably, become overly sensitive to minor wind 168gn Federal GM Match doing so just beyond
changes, and in extreme cases, unstable. So, the 600yd, the M118LR (175gn SMK / 2,580 fps) at
High i7 bullets in Table 1’s right-hand column should 700. There are two ‘get out of jail cards’ – severe
not be used even in 30” barrel rifles. The 155gn turbulence that causes dispersion on the target
cartridges used in TR / FR / Palma competition probably only lies 10% either side of the speed of
are OK keeping bullets supersonic at 1,000yd by a sound (1,010-1,230 fps) giving us more latitude;
small but sufficient margin (but only in appropriate some bullets are known to be more resistant to
rifles). F/TR shooters with long barrel rifles likewise its effects than others. MR shooters know about
don’t have a problem, particularly if they adopt the dealing with transonic flight, and have a simple rule
heavier and higher-BC bullet models. It is however a – heavy and fast. No 155s here! The new breed of
potential issue for short-barrel rifle owners shooting 208-210gn high-BC bullets stay above the problem
at long ranges and struggling to get enough MV, so velocities in most conditions even at 1,200yd (the
careful bullet choice pays dividends. Let’s look at the normal maximum MR range in the UK), the 210gn
1,000yd retained velocities of two bullets at either SMK at 2,750 fps MV sailing along at 1,273 fps under
end of the i7 rankings at short-barrel MVs. The ‘old’ standard conditions. However, an old MR favourite,
155gn Sierra MK at 2,800 fps is down to a subsonic the much lower BC 190gn SMK at 2,860 fps is barely
1,067 fps, while the 185gn Berger BT Long-Range supersonic at 1,200yd having dropped to 1,147
at an equivalent 2,563 fps MV remains comfortably fps. Nevertheless, it and its 200 and 220gn siblings
supersonic at 1,228 fps. At another extreme, the are proven performers at this range despite their
GB MR team campaigned in Australia last winter relatively high i7 / low BC values and around half
(local summer) and participated in a 1,500yd shoot our MR shooters still use them in preference to the
at Coonabarrabran in New South Wales. Team apparently more efficient VLDs. There have
members who tried the 210gn Sierra MK at 2,750 been suggestions that the 210gn VLDs and other
fps MV found it remained supersonic throughout in extended nose designs do not cope with transonic
the ambient conditions (1,700ft ASL and presumably velocities as well as SMKs, but the top places in
with rather higher temperatures than usually seen at the 1,500yd Coonabarrabran match went to Sierra
Bisley)! and Berger 210gn VLD users. This probably seems
irrelevant to TR and F/TR shooters as that 200yd
Moving onto transonic flight, this is potentially bad 1,000-1,200yd gap is an enormous gulf in terms of
news for.308W long-range shooters as it’s difficult .308W ballistics, but performance in the transonic
to see how bullets won’t drop below 1,460 fps, the zone is a vital issue to many 800-1,000yd users of
Target Shooter 59
Looking down the scenic if difficult Blair Atholl range from the 1,000yd firing point. F/TR
competitors need every bit of ballistic advantage they can garner through bullet choice at this
distance, but especially here when the wind comes up Glen Tilt from one o’ clock.
the cartridge, especially those with shorter barrel from all this, there is a final issue to consider –
rifles or shooting in disciplines restricted to 155gn rifling twist rates – it’s no good setting your heart
bullets. For instance, tactical and sniper rifle on shooting a 210gn VLD from a 1-13”twist TR rifle,
specialists report that M118LR performance and that I’m afraid. Table 3 shows rates and the bullets they
of comparable handloads using the 175gn SMK ‘falls stabilise. (This is a subject I’ll touch on when I get
off a cliff just the other side of 800 metres’ (900yd). onto range results as I tried various ‘unsuitably
heavy’ bullets in a 1-13.5” twist Bartlein barrel on my
Conclusions F/TR tube gun with interesting results last year.) So
Before trying to sum up what lessons we can draw what lessons can we learn from this study of .308
0.308” Bullet Form Factor (i7) Values Table 1
0.3080” Bullet Form
Low Medium High
Hornady 208gn A‐Max (0.967) Berger 175gn VLD (1.035) Berger 168gn BT (1.096)
Factor (i7) Values
60 Target Shooter
Effects of a Shift in Form Factor Value of ~0.035 on 1,000 yd Ballistics Performance
Bullet i7 MV ME V1,000 D1,000 (1) D1,000 (2)
Berger 175gn VLD 1.035 2,823 3,098 1,282 90.6” 11.8”
Berger 175gn BT Long‐Range 0.999 2,823 3,098 1,326 86.1” 11.2”
Berger 185gn BT Long‐Range 0.972 2,746 3,098 1,371 80.0” 10.4”
Table 2
Note – the extra 10gn weight of the 185gn BT Long‐Range model produces a slightly greater improvement in wind‐reduction performance
than would be obtained from a 175gn bullet with the same i7 value of 0.972.
Win match bullets? First, forget external ballistics be a drift to heavier designs. Finally, I’d say look at
performance at short (up to 300yd) ranges, instead those old favourites, the 190gn, 200gn, and 220gn
choose bullets that are easy to fine tune for the Sierra MKs that obviously perform much better
smallest possible group size. This approach is at long ranges than their BCs might suggest, and
sometimes advocated for 500 and 600yd shooting, stabilise in slower twist barrels than you might have
but whether it applies depends on other factors – thought. Of course, if you have a 1-14” twist barrel
range conditions (‘difficult winds’); target ring sizes; rifle or are a TR, Fullbore or Palma competitor,
degree of competition. For instance, Les Holgate’s bullet weight choice has already been made for you –
report on Round 1 of the GB F-Class Assoc league ‘less than 156gn’. The choice here is simpler, but still
shoots in last month’s issue mentions 2s and even three way for long-range competitions – the 155gn
1s being scored at 600yd – a modest velocity 168 Lapua Scenar, new Sierra Palma MK (#2156), or the
or 175gn SMK load wasn’t going to cut the mustard 155.5gn Berger FULLBORE. At short ranges, almost
in this particular 500/600yd competition, no matter any 155 is viable, and the original Palma MatchKing
how well it grouped! Beyond 600yd, there is no (#2155) remains an excellent choice.
Table 3 ‐ Rifling Twist Rate and Bullet Compatibility
1‐10”: All bullets listed in Table 1, but may not give optimum precision with light bullets.
1‐11”: All bullets listed in Table 1, except possibly the 208gn Hornady A‐Max and 240gn SMK which
are marginal. This twist rate may not give optimum precision with light bullets.
1‐12”: All bullets bar the following: 208g A‐Max; Berger 210gn VLD and BT Long‐Range; Sierra 210gn,
220gn and 240gn MKs.
1‐13”: All bullets in Table 1 except the following: those listed above as unsuitable for 1‐12” twist
plus Berger 185gn VLD and Target BT Long‐Range (the latter works in some 1‐13” barrels) and 190gn
VLD models; Sierra 190gn and 200gn MKs.
1‐14”: suitable only for 155s and shorter 168gn bullets including the Sierra MK version. The new
generation longer 155s (Scenar, 155.5gn Berger, SMK #2156) will possibly perform better at long
ranges in 1‐13” twist barrels, although it should be noted F/TR world champion Russell Simmonds
used the Sierra #2156 in a 1‐14” twist rate barrel without harming his scores in 2009.
issue – you need precision (small groups), good
elevation consistency (small MV spreads), and low
i7 / high BC bullets at good MVs. Whether that’s the
best of the 155s at very high MVs, the new 175, 185
and 210gn tangent-ogive Long-Range models, or
the out and out long-range heavyweights, the 208
and 210gn VLDs remains to be seen. I suspect all
three will have successful adherents, but there will
Target Shooter 61
62 Target Shooter
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by Vince Bottomley
A few years ago, only serious benchrest and the body from Cordura – do not buy this
shooters used a back bag, now F Classers use bag! Cordura can be further lubricated using a
them and even plinkers use a back-bag to get silicone spray. If you do have leather ears, try
the best out of their rifle by eliminating ‘human talcum powder.
error’. As a result, there are many types of bag
available so it’s important to choose the right Firstly, stuff your bag – properly. Benchrest
one. rules state that bags must be filled with a
natural granular material – sand in other words.
What do we want our bag to do for us? We We need a stable bag and the heavier the bag
need a very stable support for the butt of the is, the more stable it will be – in theory. If you
rifle, which we hope will not be disturbed when are just a plinker, you could use a mixture of
the rifle is fired. How do we achieve that? Firstly, sand and lead-shot but if you shoot in benchrest
buy the right bag. If the bag is made of leather, competition, lead-shot is not permitted as a
it should ideally have Cordura ‘ears’ – which bag-filler.
helps the rifle slide smoothly under recoil.
Leather ears can become a problem if they get Sand is a usefully dense substance and the
wet! I have seen one bag where the maker got finer the sand, the heavier it will be - for a given
it totally wrong and made the ears out of leather volume. The finest sand I know is called Zircon
64 Target Shooter
but unfortunately, you won’t find it on any beach the back bag. The other disadvantage of bag-
in the UK, though it is available here. If you can’t squeezing is holding the bag perfectly still whilst
get hold of Zircon, try foundry sand. This is an- you release the shot – not easy, takes a lot of
other very fine sand, used in the metal casting practise. The preferred bags for bag-squeezing
process and if you have a foundry nearby they will have a pliable leather base as they don’t
will probably be happy to give you a shovel-full. need to sit solidly on the bench – you provide
The last option is building sand. You can get a the stability with your hand! If you look at the
half-hundred weight bag from B&Q for a couple picture at the start of this article, only the Bald
of pounds but hold on – this sand will be damp Eagle and Equifix bags would be suitable for
and we need it ‘snuff-dry’ for bag filling. You can bag-squeezing – the others are too rigid.
put it in the microwave or oven or better still, buy
kiln-dried sand – also from B&Q. The joystick rest is now gaining popularity with
F Class shooters as well as benchrest, so again
We have a great variety of bags available today. From the left – two cordura bags from
Equifix Shooting Bags, a Bald Eagle leather bag with Cordura ears, a Cicognani all-
synthetic bag with rigid base, an Edgewood leather and Cordura (probably the best there
is) and finally, a SEB ‘gator bag with off-set ears. In the foreground a suede doughnut bag,
which improves stability if used as a base for your bag
The first job is to fill the ears. Using the funnel, we don’t now have a lot of bag-squeezers in F
pour as much sand into the ears as you can, Open but we do in F/TR, where the shooter has
tackling one ear at a time. Use the wrong only a simple bi-pod. Major adjustments can be
end of the pencil to ram in the sand until you made with the bi-pod but once set up, most will
absolutely can’t get any more in. This takes ‘fine-adjust’ prior to taking the shot by squeezing
several applications, adding a small amount of the back-bag. I’ve found that the Cordura bags
sand and then ramming with the pencil. Now on the left of the picture from Equifix make good
tuck the filler ‘tail’ under the ear and do the F/TR bags. You can stack one on the other if
second one. We may eventually find that we you need to and there is a massive choice of
have too much sand in the ears but it’s easier shapes and heights on offer at modest proces.
to take a little out than put more in, should we Check out www.equifixshootingbags.co.uk
need to.
If you are a bag-squeezer, it makes sense not
Before we tackle the main body of the bag, there to fill your bag too hard, otherwise you will never
is one question I need you to answer – are you squeeze it! Remember this when you are filling
a bag-squeezer? What is a bag-squeezer, you your bag. I’m going to assume you are not
may ask. Well, in the old days, when benchrest bag-squeezing and we’ll fill our bag as hard as
was in its infancy, front rests didn’t have all possible. If we don’t have a hard bag, it can sag
the fancy adjustments that we have today and under the recoil of the rifle – exactly the oppo-
joystick rests were not even a dream. The front site of what we are trying to achieve. Bear in
rest was largely a fixed tri-pod pedestal and mind however that your bag is made of leather,
once set up, all aim adjustments were made by which will stretch, so even if it feels like a brick
squeezing and manipulating the back-bag. Very when newly filled, it will sag and need topping up
few UK benchrest shooters are bag-squeezers occasionally.
but several top American BR shooters still prefer
to bag-squeeze. Many bags these days have a very thick, rigid
base. This allows the bag to sit flat on the top
Does bag-squeezing have any advantage? of a concrete bench without rocking. The older
Before the ‘one touch’ joystick rests, bags generally have a thinner base made of
bag-squeezing was a very quick way to adjust a single piece of leather and as you pack the
the aim – rather than reaching forward and sand into the bag, the base becomes convex.
adjusting the windage screw and the elevation Not good. This means that the bag will not now
screw but now, with the joystick rests, it’s one provide a stable platform off a concrete bench
quick adjustment - easily as quick as squeezing though it may not be too disastrous for F Class
Target Shooter 65
Here’s what you need to fill your bag – sand, small funnel, a pen or pencil for ramming the
sand into the ears and a tablespoon is useful for handling the sand
- off your shooting-mat on a grassy firing-point. encourage the sand to settle and compact. As
you are reaching the stage where the bag is
If you do end up with a convex base, the getting full, bring the pencil into play and ram
solution is to sit it upon one of those doughnuts the sand between fills via the filler tail. At this
– usually made of rubber or better still stage you will be getting about a teaspoonful
suede-leather, filled with sand – see pic. of sand in at a time. Be patient, ram that sand,
Obviously rubber can be bouncy and this is keep slapping it, get it so full it feels like a brick
exactly what we are trying to avoid so, if you – unless you are a bag-squeezer of course!
are going to buy a doughnut – get a leather
one. You will need to fill it with sand but it’s not Once it’s absolutely full, tuck-in the filler-tail.
essential to pack it drum-tight. You might have to carefully use the blade of a
screwdriver to do this. Now, have a look at the
It might be tempting to sit your bag on a pile of ears. Are they too full? They need to mould
wooden blocks or what have you and I have seen slightly to the shape of your butt-stock and
some horrendous rear bag supports amongst should not lift the butt as you track the rifle
the F Class fraternity. In benchrest competition, back and forth. Look through the scope – if the
there are restrictions on such contraptions. In crosshairs keep dropping on your target as you
all fairness to the F Class guys, they are often ‘track’ the rifle, the ears are too full.
faced with steeply sloping uneven firing-points
and I have occasionally needed to resort to The proof of the pudding is of course in the
drastic methods to obtain a stable shooting shooting. Set up your rifle and see how it ‘runs’
platform. in the bags. Beat the top of the butt-stock with
your fist to settle it in the ears and run the
Fill the main body of your bag with sand as rifle back and forth in a sawing motion. Set your
we did with the ears – slapping the bag to crosshairs on the target and run the rifle back
66 Target Shooter
Note the stitching between the ears – single row on the left, three rows on the right – for
wider stocks. Buy the right bag for your stock.
and forth some more and keep checking for finger. Do not wrap your hand around the stock
return to point of aim – we are looking for a or hold onto the fore-end. Free-recoil is usually
set-up where, after the rifle is fired and you push the best way to shoot but this becomes more
it back against the fore-end stop, the crosshairs difficult with larger calibres we use in 1000 yard
are somewhere near your point of aim. benchrest or F Class.
If you are using a front pedestal rest – what Some shooters initially don’t take to shooting
about the front-bag? Firstly, there is no benchrest-style but please, persevere, it is
requirement to use Zircon – the bag is fixed to the most accurate way to shoot. Not only do
a heavy rest. Secondly, fill as above but don’t benchresters achieve outstanding accuracy but
overfill it. You should be able to push your finger look at the F Class guys with their five-inch V
into the bag about an eighth of an inch. Don’t bull at 1000 yards. Even in perfect conditions,
get it too solid. Use a small spirit-level to ensure such accuracy can only be achieved with a
the front bag is level before you mount the rifle. faultless set-up.
Do up the side screws to encourage the sides
of the bag to grip the stock – but not too tight. Check out www.foxfirearmsuk.com for SEB
The rifle must be allowed to recoil freely. Look products, for Cicognani, go to www.varide-
through your scope whilst gently attempting to cicognani.com Bald Eagle and Protector
move the fore-end from side to side – as long bags are available from www.sinclairintl.com
as the crosshairs don’t move, the grip is tight and see www.edgebag.com for Edgewood
enough. products.
Target Shooter 67
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How many times when you are practicing down The creator is one Nazzareno Scorfna, a long time
range on various knock-down targets someone else air rifle enthusiast. Nazzareno is also a founder
knocks down your target just as you are taking aim? member of our shooting club and he is always
How many times would you like to reset a target but keen to help the club in any way and is a dedicated
the pulling-cord is manned by some one else and committee member in the MAAC Airgun Section.
he is too lazy to re-set the target? How many times Nazzareno is also a keen FT shooter and had his
you pull the cord and it breaks? wish come true in 2009 when he participated in the
WFTF Worlds in South Africa. Nazzareno is a proud
Definitely not a big issue but I reckon every shooter Wierauch owner and all his air rifles except one are
will smile when they read that introduction. One HW products and he will never change them for any
shooter in our club (Malta Allied Airgunners Club) other brand. His full time job as an auto electrician
decided to do something about it – by building his helped him to apply his skills in this project.
own automated knock-down target. Of course, by
today’s micro-electronic standards it’s not the latest Nazzareno is his real name but is known as Renie
in high-tech but it’s worth a mention and a closer by all his friends and he always had a fixation in
look in appreciation of our shooter’s dedication his mind to have a full-size knock-down target that
towards his favorite hobby. will automatically reset after being hit. He is always
busy with targets. He builds
targets for air pistol and targets
for air rifles, usually with some
kind of innovation. He likes and
tries to make life easier for all
except himself. However it’s
Renie’s passion to make
something work and to help all
members old and new feel at
home.
Target Shooter 69
Nazzareno the man behind this project.
battery. According to Renie’s own words you can the next shot.
easily purchase these items or even get them for
free since these are easily available from a scrap Rene tells me that before he decided to introduce
yard. the electric circuit he tried various attempts to make
a fully mechanical auto re-set target. In fact he
Rene decided to construct his own knock-down managed to do it but the problem is that the target
from scrap metal. The cable, timer, solenoid, auto re-sets at once and does not allow an observer
covering and even the knock-down all came from such as a lane marshal to notice this, if he is not
a scrap yard. Rene’s contribution to recycling! directly observing the target. Rene wants things
He only bought the relays and the micro switch done in a fair way so he wants the target down and
because he tells us that these items are the most to stay down for a few seconds then auto re-set
critical parts and its better to get them new. He did itself.
not find any great difficulties in constructing the
target and the set-up but he encountered a problem His problem was how to conceal the electrical
of how to reverse the timer function. He wanted to circuit and make it less noticeable. He also wanted
make the timer function work in the opposite way to to protect certain components from any accidental
how it works on the diesel engines. shots so he decided to fit and protect all the
components into a metal base and double protect
Rene explains to me that timer in a diesel engine the critical components. I reckon the construction
works in the following way. When the ignition is is strong enough to stop a 9mm round – that’s safe
switched on, the timer supplies current for a set enough for Renie!
number of seconds on the heater-plugs and then
automatically breaks the circuit. He wanted the Well Rene’s project is now complete but I bet he
timer to work the other way around. When the comes up with more refinements to his creation –
knock-down kill-zone is hit, the face-plate will fall don’t ask me what but he will certainly share it with
and in turn will activate the micro-switch. This us once he completes it. One thing I am certain of
action will supply current and trigger the timer to - we will see more of these units in the future on our
initiate a countdown before the current is applied to the range.
solenoid. The solenoid will then starts to pull the
link by means of a pull-cable which will in turn pull It’s Renie’s wish to share his little project and
to re-set the knock-down. Once the knock-down he happy to help others who want to build this
re-sets and locks the face-plate, the micro switch is system for their own use. He is not seeking patents
released and this will cut the current supply to the or profit, it’s just fun for him but although he likes to
solenoid making it free so that the target is ready for share with each and every shooter he would not like
70 Target Shooter
Rear View showing the neat arrangment
anyone to take commercial advantage of this. If operation of this target can also now be seen on
anyone is interested for personal use or commercial You tube by following this link http://www.youtube.
application and would like to contact Renie, please com/watch?v=AHZ-2Fdv9vg .
do so and email him on scorpion303@onvol.net .
The shooters at the range like to use it especially This article is just my way, as Club Chairman,
for standing shots. When Renie understood this he to give my little contribution to Renie and his
immediately painted it red with a yellow hit zone lazy-man’s knock-down targe
to please his fellow shooters’ request. The full
Target Shooter 71
72 Target Shooter
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By Don Brook
The Natural Aiming Point of the position. I have explained also the importance of the left
side of the position (straight line from the forward
As an ongoing system of progress concerning hand, directly through the forward elbow, shoulder,
setting up the position for prone shooting, the NAP hip, knee, and the foot) and it is this positioning on
is the next point of concern for any shooter, both the firing point that enables the shooter to gain the
new chum and expert. correct left and right natural aiming point.
Let me state right now, that once the initial position
is finalised, the real detail starts in getting the rifle to If the shooter will follow along with me as I write this,
point at the target. and assume a position that you have developed that
is comfortable, and hopefully points somewhere in
Every position, be it that of a brand new shooter or close proximity to the target, I would like you now
a world champion has a Natural Aiming Point (NAP) to place the rifle up into your position and drop
encased within. your eye behind the back sight on the cheek piece,
getting ready to aim the rifle.
The trick with this, is to get the rifle aligned exactly Now, just breathe in and out steadily and close your
with the target, without any extraneous force eyes. Continue breathing as you relax the forward
applied to bring the rifle on aim by use of muscles. position with emphasis on the arms, and shoulders,
for about three or four breaths, then open your eyes
I have already explained the correct use of the sling, behind the sights to aim the rifle.
which primarily is an aid to hold the rifle still, and
the sources of the many problems that can develop There are TWO highly important areas to look at
until the sling is set to favour each position. now!
Within the forward geometry, using the sling
correctly, largely influences the control of the NAP, “A”… Is the rifle pointing either left or right of the
but the primary control is entirely the placement of target?
the body on the firing point for prone shooting. Also
connected within this is breathing control, and the “B”…. Is your aiming eye dead centre in the back
evolution of the position round the fulcrum point of peep of the rear sight? looking directly through the
the left elbow. (RH shooter). peep?
The forward elbow becomes the single most
important placement factor in a successful In relation to “A” above, where the rifle is pointing
position, and the shooter will soon learn to leave it either left or right of the aiming mark, is the
firmly stuck in place! LATERAL Natural Aiming Point of the position. If
You see, the control of the left, and right “point” of this does not coincide with the aiming mark through
the rifle is dictated by the body movement around the sights, you need to alter the body position
that fulcrum point of the forward elbow. around the fulcrum of the forward elbow. Do NOT
74 Target Shooter
Have a look at the position fault here, where the eye is well under the peep centre. (See
text) This is a simple cheek piece adjustment requirement but is so often seen!
move the elbow position under any circumstances. Now, concerning “B” above, “Is the eye looking
The whole of the position geometry is dictated by directly through the sights?”
the standard position of the forward elbow in both If you study the photograph #1 you will see a
planes, as I will explain. classic case of the eye under the peep axis within
the position.
Say for instance the rifle is aiming left of the aiming The aiming eye is well under the peep axis as an
mark. To bring the rifle to the right, to coincide with illustration, and is largely at fault with the elevation
the aiming mark, you just simply move the hips to of an adjustable cheek piece on the rifle.
the left. This allows the position to move the rifle The remedy is quite simple here, as the cheek
further to the right, and once more under the eyes piece can be adjusted up wards to gain the peep
shut, relaxed breathing sequence the lateral “point” axis (See photo #2)
is searched and found.
However, if the shooter persists with the first photo
It is important, that the finest increment is observed, adjustment, it will be seen that the shooter has to
particularly when searching for that elusive fine lift the head upwards from the cheek piece to gain
piece of positioning as your skills develop. Even eye centre through the peep. This means that the
the slightest amount off the centre aim in the cheek piece pressure on the rifle varies, (in some
foresight is not acceptable under the attention cases considerably) so losing control of the facial
to detail requirement I have continued with in my position and the recoil factors on shot release.
writings. The variations encased within this fault can lead to
Conversely, if the rifle is aiming to the right of the excessive group size on the target, and totally
aiming mark, then you move your hips to the right unexplained shots in the scoring rings for an
around the fulcrum of that forward elbow until the otherwise quite well aimed shot.
NAP is found without any form of muscle influence
in BOTH planes….. If your small bore rifle does not have an adjustable
cheek piece, then you need to make sure that
Shooters reading this, I must state that these adjustments are made to enable peep centering on
examples are mandatory if you want to get aim. I have seen all sorts of ingenious methods
anywhere with this fascinating sport. You simply to achieve this factor, from carving the shape of
HAVE to do this as you develop your shooting skills. the cheek piece woodwork itself (my own early
Target Shooter 75
This photo shows the correct cheek piece height, which as you can see, allows the eye to
be centered in the peep. This is crucial to correct cheek piece pressure. (See text)
Anschutz rifles were all altered in some way, as I needs to have the aiming point found pretty quickly.
never fired a stock standard rifle stock in my life.) or The second series of the Natural Aiming Point
in some cases a cheek piece built up with builders selection devoted to elevation control by position
epoxy “Bog” that enabled the shooter to gain peep and breathing will be promoted next issue.
centre without varying the cheek piece pressure on
the rifle. These days, with electronic targets, single aiming
mark target machines, and the finales systems in p
The obvious cure all for a stock like this is to have lace, at least you only have one aiming mark
a stock maker build an adjustable cheek piece for presented to you.
you, you will be surprised at the benefits. It is not Spare a thought for those clubs all over the world,
rocket science, and a good stock maker can do this that still use multi aiming mark targets, such as
easily. the 50m five bull target in Australian clubs that
present this set of problems to each 20 shot string
“Rifle Fit” will be discussed further down the track five times!
in future articles, and I have seen, in my travels
around the rifle matches in the world, some pretty From what I know about shot release orientation,
ingenious devices to gain rifle fitting. There was this is probably one of the major causes of
even one instance of a prominent shooter from diminished skills levels in all forms of prone
Finland with a 12mm Dowel (Approx the same shooting, let alone the demands applied for three
size as a “Dolly” clothes peg) employed as a position shooters!
cheekpiece! I do know, that when I first ventured out of
Australia to international competition, I am quite
It should also be noted that modern target rifles sure the increase in my personal standard came
are fully adjustable, and this was no accident of from single aiming mark targets in front of me. So
development, believe me! much less I had to bother about!
This will be the first article devoted to natural aiming Another little gem for you all…. “If you hit it in the
point, and it must be accepted that every position, middle, it does not matter where the lines are, does
no matter how standardised, or radical it may be, it? Brooksie.
76 Target Shooter
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Target Shooter 77
Profile on Matt Milson
By Hayley Platts
Matt has been involved in shooting now for to coach Richard was to return to the club the
just three years, having come to the sport via following week and have a go. Quite a nifty move
Tetrathlon. Prior to taking up shooting as a stand converting a pistol shooter to rifle! That was three
alone event, Matt competed regularly in the years ago and his interest has gained momentum
Tetrathlon for the pony club, and for those who along with his skills and success . Now aged
get confused as to which disciplines the Tetrathlon eighteen Matt saw his move to small-bore
includes - it is, running, swimming and horse riding shooting as a step up from air rifle and air pistol
as well of course as air pistol shooting. When he which he had thoroughly enjoyed but felt this new
was fifteen the coach at the local rifle club where discipline represented a new challenge and a way
Matt’s shooting training took place asked if he had of furthering and building on the skills he already
considered small-bore shooting. Matt’s response had. Currently Matt is concentrating on .22 prone
78 Target Shooter
with his small-bore rifle but this may inevitably
lead to learning the new skills required to become
a three positional shooter.
The Place to
Matt is starting to emerge as a young shooting
talent and has for the past two years attended
Shop at Bisley
the Yorkshire Regional training squad as well as
being as competitive as possible shooting in
national events at Bisley, and travelling to Scotland
The NSRA,
and the Isle of Man to help broaden his knowledge
of good and demanding ranges in the UK. It
Lord Roberts Centre
always amazes me how we have a good number Now in stock ~ the popular
of outdoor ranges dotted around the UK which Morini CM84E ISSF ‘Longarm’ Free Pistol
go unnoticed by the general public and non local
shooters unless you are heading there! but
once you arrive at these little clubs to compete
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So far Matt cites clinching the Scottish Junior Stockists.
Championship last year in Scotland as his best
achievement, although he is also very proud
to have represented the England Juniors also
in 2009 at Bisley and bring home a gold in the
annual match versus Scotland and Wales. With
regard to his future in the shooting Matt says that
he wants to continue to learn and also to compete
to the best of his ability, and most importantly still
enjoy it.
A wide range of pistols and rifles available,
Matt has plenty on his plate academically wise as Anschütz, Walther, Morini, BSA, Air Arms,
he is in the throes of completing his A Levels at Webley Limited, Steyr, Feinwerkbau.
College where he has undertaken Maths, Physics Accessories from leading manufacturers Centra,
and Business Studies. Good luck with those and Gehmann, HPS, VFG, Walther; AHG, Knobloch,
also congratulations to Matt for recently gaining Champion, Opticron, Hawke, BSA and many more.
his Private Pilots License for Helicopters, Shooting Mats from Evans and HPS.
something which he tells me is what he hopes Gun Safes from Bratton Sound.
Ammunition from Eley, RWS, HPS Target Master,
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Just thinking about those academic skills and his Optics from Tasco, BSA, Hawke, MTC, AGS.
aptitude for learning to fly, I wonder if those Clothing from Kurt Thune, Realtree, Holme,
analytical skills help Matt consider his shots and Anschütz, Gehmann, AKAH.
the mathematical decisions on wind speed and We stock guns and Accessories for Field Target
direction etc - quite an interesting topic to mull and Hunter Field Target Disciplines
over, it often intrigues me to discover what skills With many more items too numerous to mention so
and talents people bring to the range from their come browse and ask if you don’t see what you
non shooting lives and how that helps or hinders want. You’ll get a warm welcome, the best
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Anyhow to sum up, I hope Matt turns out to be
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the next few years.
Target Shooter 79
By Gwyn Roberts
Instead of more coaching tips or looking at different Association (NPA) which was the governing body
types of equipment etc I thought I’d take a look for pistol shooting and the British Fifteen Hundred
this month at our sport as a whole to see what has and Action Pistol Association (BFAPA). It was their
happened, what is currently happening and what we job to run pretty much every 1500 or action pistol /
need to plan for and implement in the future to help revolver match that was either at Bisley or anywhere
ensure the growth and development of Gallery Rifle else around the country and a very good job they
& Pistol (GR&P). I have the feeling this is going to did of it too at the time! Unfortunately for us, when
be a bit like poking a stick into a hornet’s nest but GR&P shooting started to take off so did the NPA and
it seems that there is a great deal of talking on the this left us all with no governing body or any formal
ranges, but very little communication getting outside structure to carry on with into the future. Thankfully
of it so I’ll start the ball rolling and just hope that it though, a few of the stalwarts from within our
doesn’t turn into a ten pin bowling match. shooting community managed to keep our sport alive
and set about rebuilding what we had left, which
Starting at the beginning in 1997, many of us wanted wasn’t much when you think of it. Quite a few people
to carry on shooting the type of action events that just gave up at this point as they either didn’t want
we used to shoot with our pistols and the only types to shoot rifles, or found that they couldn’t perform
of firearms that were available at the time were the at the level they were previously at shooting their
10/22’s and lever action rifles. Many of us up until pistols but the rest of us were determined to see
this time were members of the National Pistol what we could make of it. It did take quite a while
80 Target Shooter
being waved around in front
of their eyes for lots of new
members, were they were
trying to help safeguard TR,
or was it because they were
simply trying to help out
fellow shooters within the
sport? Quite frankly none
of us really cared because
it meant that we could still
carry on with our shooting
instead of having to take up
fishing or something else
instead! This partnership
gave GR&P the credibility
that it needed as a
recognised NRA discipline
which would ensure that
it was fully accepted by
both the Home Office and
Our sport needs more Juniors & under 21’s A.C.P.O so that we could
carry on shooting with our
old competitions albeit with
to achieve but the National Rifle Association (NRA) our new types of firearms.
was eventually persuaded to help us out and took the
discipline of GR&P under its wing. For some shooters Present:
it was like “turning to the dark side” with them having Turning our attention then to our National Governing
to fall under the NRA’s banner, but then looking at it Body for GR&P, the first question you would
from their point of view, why should they have taken probably ask is are they actually doing a good job of
us on board anyway? Was it because £ signs were it? I think the NRA’s immediate response would be
Target Shooter 81
place. This should be good news for every type
of shooter and the appointment or replacement of
some staff, along with the accountability measures
being put into place is certainly encouraging. Outside
expertise, help and advice in some areas and
disciplines is also being utilized along with the
setting up of additional committees and working
groups which is all helping to take a very positive
step forward in the right direction.
82 Target Shooter
informal get together or a full blown inter club / open as well as clubs in the not too distant future.
competition, and if not, why not? Surely this is the
best way to get more people actively involved in As well as attracting more shooters and competitors
all of the disciplines and it will also help educate into GR&P we also need to increase the number
everyone involved in aspects from safety to the of competent R.O and C.R.O’s to ensure that we
fun factor, and this is what it’s all about surely? On can carry on providing good quality and above all
one hand there are many clubs dotted around the else, safe matches and this again is proving to be
country with some fantastic facilities but they somewhat of an uphill struggle. There are always
are “closed” to outsiders or any form of change, people who are willing to take all they can from a
whereas others have very enthusiastic and sport but there are far less who are prepared to give
experienced members but have poor facilities anything back in return, and this is another issue that
meaning that they have either little or no opportunity needs to be addressed in the future. If you are not
to pass on their expertise and knowledge to others. willing to help out in some small way at an event
Either way, both scenarios are detrimental to the then I don’t really see why anyone else should be
future of our sport and unless things can change prepared to help you on the day either. It’s not the
pretty soon, the future of all forms of shooting is end of the world to turn up earlier to help score
looking pretty bleak! I’ve mentioned this many times targets, paint steel or help with R.O duties so give
before, but if we could all just get one more person this some thought if it applies to you. If we had a lot
from our club to travel to Bisley (or any another open more R.O’s available to us it would mean that the
shoot) then the Phoenix would instantly have well duties could be shared throughout the day or
over a 1,100 entrants, and this would be a huge boost weekend and this would make it much fairer on the
and get us back up to somewhere near the numbers current people who do it as it would give them a lot
we used to get at the old Anno Domini meetings. As more time to shoot their own matches in (or even
well as having access to good facilities we also need take part in some circumstances).
to make sure that help and advice is readily available
to those that need it regarding every aspect of GR&P Running an association the size of the NRA cannot
shooting and this will be available to both individuals be done by just a handful of people and it requires
Your ultimate goal perhaps a huge number of volunteers to
work together in many different
areas. There’s a small minority
who view those sitting on the
various committees or being
responsible for certain positions
as being on some sort of power
trip, or simply wanting to be in
charge of everyone else but in
most cases, this is very far from
the truth. If you actually saw the
amount of paperwork involved,
the number of meetings that have
to be attended (and the distance
involved to actually get to them)
along with the size of the reports
that have to be written etc, etc
then these individuals would
certainly change their opinions
of those who help run our sport.
These people put in a tremendous
amount of their (unpaid) time,
effort and commitment into
helping our sport develop and
grow and it is up to all of us to
help them in any way we can. It
takes far more than someone who
is on an ego trip to run our sport,
where much has been promised
in the past only for very little to be
actually delivered but I think the
Target Shooter 83
key people that we currently have in place within I think at the end of the day a lack of communication
the GR&P framework (both GR&P and NRA/NSC) probably creates more problems or distrust
are doing a huge amount of good work for us, the within the shooting sports (or any other sport for that
majority of which usually goes totally unnoticed but matter) than any other specific point and this is what
it is certainly being done. The main tasks that the we need to address, now! The NRA / NSC already
GR&P Committee members are working on at the send out regular e-mails and the GR&P’s galleryr-
moment is writing and putting together the various ifle.com website has pretty much everything else
manuals for Skills, Training, Coaching, R.O’s and covered but they can both be improved on. There
Club / Regional Development. This is a huge task are obviously many people out there who are
to achieve but it is already under way and although satisfied with the way that our sport is being run and
it will take time to complete, the end results will developed, and there are also a few who aren’t.
benefit everyone from probationary members to There must be lots of people out there with some
national standard shooters and they will help us to good ideas about what can be done to improve
take our sport up to the next level. You will notice areas or points within Gallery Rifle, but it’s not of
that new rules have been introduced regarding the much use if you don’t put your ideas forwards to
classification / type of firearms that can be used in anyone. In order for us to progress we must
GR&P events and this will help to ensure a fairer and communicate, so please get in touch either with the
more level playing field as new types of firearms are NRA / NSC or the GR&P committee at gallery@nra.
becoming available on the market. It is also org.uk so that we can all help each other.
opening up our sport to people who shoot with the
older types of rifle that use the standard iron sights
etc and this can only be good for GR&P. It has
involved a lot more work for the stats crew but there
are now individual classifications for the different
calibers in the individual shorts events, and again
this is to ensure that every shooter gets as fair a deal
as is possible.
Introducing the Target-Hunter barrel from KID. This high accuracy .920”
solid Stainless Steel ‘Bull’ barrel is available in 12.5”, 14” and 16”
versions. The barrel is threaded ½”x 28 and is supplied with a stainless
steel thread protector. We can supply moderators to suit.
www.rudefatdog.com
84 Tel: Shooter
Target +44(0)1271 865865 Fax: +44(0)1271 865830
LICHFIELD TARGET SHOOTING CLUB
Club Feature
The Lichfield Target Shooting Club was formed as who resurrected the Staffordshire Open 10 metre
Weeford Airgun Club in 1976 and, soon after, moved to Championships - a national 10 metre event which in
premises at Lichfield Cricket Club, changing the name the first few years was held in the big Sports Hall of the
in the process to Lichfield Airgun Club. For the most Friary Grange Sports Centre in Lichfield.
part, certainly over 15 years, the Cricket Club was the Members pulled together to organise the meeting
shooting club’s base although there were brief spells as well as compete in it themselves, and with the
where the club met at the Officer’s Club, Swinfen Hall, combination of a new venue for shooters to travel
in the grounds of the prison, and another period of to and compete at, and the wonderful array of local
time at the Old Schoolhouse in the nearby hamlet of crystal prizes, the ‘Staffs’ became a hugely supported
Fradley. However with the demise of the Cricket and well loved annual event, which eventually was
pitch and it’s club house to make way for a housing held at the Aldersley national range, Wolverhampton
development, necessitated another move and the due to astronomical room hire rates at the Sports
Lichfield group of shooters now rent the Scout Centre. In it’s heyday the event attracted international
Hut at Hopwas where they have been located for shooters from as far afield as New Zealand and
approximately 3 years. comprised of 2 days of double 60 shot competitions plus
a qualifier and Olympic Final on the Saturday night, with
The name was changed to the Lichfield Target Staffordshire confined champions being crowned in
Shooting Club in 1988 to reflect some of the changes in conjuction with the main shooting events.
club activities, and at the same time the demographic
of the membership was changing with members not At this point I must declare my non-neutral status as
only from the city itself but the local outlying areas as far as Lichfield is concerned as it was the club where I
well. learned my shooting trade so to speak, and benefited
enormously from the experienced and enthusiastic
The club is always happy to welcome newcomers hard core bunch of members who were there back in
to the sport of air rifle and air pistol shooting as well the 80’s. A small group of us travelled most weekends
as established shooters to the club. If you are new to events all over the UK, saw how competitions were
to the sport the club in the first instance has good run, what scores you needed to win and generally learn
honest equipment to get you started as well as some how to shoot in competitions. I think I learnt to do 10
very patient and knowledgeable members who are metre shooting at some of these competitions having
only too happy to see newcomers improve and thrive no access to a range with 10 metres at the time! Many
in the sport. of these people have become lifelong friends and I still
shoot shoulder to shoulder with them most weeks.
Primarily Lichfield was always a club for 6 yard
shooting (target and bell) as it did not have the Anyone in the locality looking for a small friendly
necessary room size available to extend the range club should contact Ken Beddows on 01543 253734.
to shoot 10 metres. All the more extraordinary then The club meets on Tuesday nights from 8.00pm until
to think that it was Lichfield Target Shooting Club 10.00pm on 10 metre target changers.
Target Shooter 85
VINCE’S REGULAR COLUMN WHEREBY
ACCURACY NUTS CAN KEEP UP TO
DATE WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UKBRA
This is septuagenarian Eddy Robinson. He shot smallest group at 100 yards on Saturday
with his 6PPC Stolle. Here he is at 1000 yards with his 7mmWSM BAT
86 Target Shooter
Toni Young with her 308 Remington
do no better than third and an on-form Toni Young tape, you could be missing a ‘trick’.
took a great win with her absolutely standard 308
Remington and also scooped the small-group I get my stock tape from Russ Hayden www.
award. shooters-supply.com in America. Not very
convenient as the postage costs as much as the
Results: tape! For around a tenner you get four squares -
Light Gun enough for two rifles but postage and packing takes
1st Mal Roberts 6.5-284 BAT 8.607 its toll and my credit card was debited $28.00!
in. (av. Of four 5-shot groups)
2nd Phil Sammons 6.5-284 PRS Stolle 9.135 Applying stock tape it is easy – just peel-off the
3rd Les Holgate 6.5x55 RPA 10.656 backing and stick it on your stock. Be warned
though – it is very, very sticky and, if you get it
Small group Phil Sammons 4.438 inches wrong, there’s no second chance – believe me,
this stuff is sticky!
Factory
1st Toni Young 308 Remington 13.013 Anyway, back to our reader’s e-mail. Clearly not
2nd Andy Carter 308 Sako TRG 15.075 happy with the American connection, he surfed the
3rd Ian Kellett 6.5-284 Savage 17.6 net and managed to locate a UK supplier.
Obviously, this tape is not made specially for
Small group Toni Young 9.886 inches benchrest shooters – it must have another
application, however, Jon has sent me a sample
New Stuff and I can confirm that it is identical to the Russ
Got an e-mail the other day asking where I got Hayden tape.
my stock tape from. If you are not familiar, stock
tape is a self-adhesive Teflon tape and is used by So, Jon at jon@hammie.co.uk is the guy to
benchresters to reduce the friction between contact if you would like some tape. The tape
bags and rifle. We usually stick a piece on the comes on a five-inch wide roll and he will sell you
underside of the fore-end and the underside of the two five-inch squares for £7.95 or four squares
butt to help it slide between the ears of the rear for £10.95, p&p included. Contact Jon (mob.
bag. The rifle must recoil freely without ‘stiction’ if 07717277314) for further details but please note,
‘shot to shot’ consistency is to be maintained. If he will be away until June 9th.
you are shooting a rested rifle and not using stock
Target Shooter 87
In association with
My name is Scott Grayson, I’m sixteen years old With winning in mind - Scott is on a winning
and I shoot for Buxted Rifle Club which I have streak
been a member for the last four years and have
very much enjoyed my time there. I handled an
air rifle for the first time four years ago and I’ve
never looked back since. My Dad, Alan, bought
my brother his first air rifle, an s200 in a GnB
stock and this is when he and my brother first
started shooting at Buxted Rifle Club and I followed
shortly afterwards.
Target Shooter 89
The Long View
News from the GB
F-Class Association
by Les Holgate
Although the Blair Atholl shoot was the first long place, the paths and the roads in Glen Tilt have
range competition of the F Class League this to be closed to walkers for safety reasons).
year, it was actually the second League shoot
– the first one being held at Diggle in April over The competition was set to commence at 10am,
500 and 600 yards. If you have never been so the blow-offs and sighting-in session would
to Blair Atholl you should go because this is be immediately before this and would not be
the most picturesque range in the country – squadded, so competitors just found a space to
possibly the world and also one of the hardest shoot and got a rough zero.
to shoot on.
When the shoot commenced it was four details
Similar to Diggle in layout, it is on the side of a with 12 shooters to a detail. With the entry split
valley with flags mainly positioned down the left 19/29 in favour of the Open Class shooters it
hand side of the range (although the flags can meant two full details of Open class, one full
be so confusing and misleading, they may as detail of F/TR shooters and one mixed detail.
well be behind you!).
Normally there would be a practice/zeroing The other point to mention is that Blair have
session on the Friday but with long-range electronic targets and everyone is happy about
days limited at Blair Atholl this would now be not having to do butt duty! If you haven’t shot
Saturday morning, May 8th. (The main reason on these targets, they are great but you do
for this is that when the long-range shoots take find that you are shooting much quicker so you
What a great place to shoot – note the monitor for the electronic targets – targets can be
seen just above the monitor
90 Target Shooter
World F Class Champion Gary Costello (check shirt) gives first-timer Paul Harper a few tips
sometimes have to force yourself to slow down. in the baronial dining room, washed down with
They also show your score to one decimal place some good wine and chat.
so you can see exactly how far you are from
the line. Looks great if you get a 5.9 but soul-For Sunday, the weather seemed to be
destroying when 3.9 is indicated! promising more of the same but not quite as
sunny. The other downside was the wind - it
When the first 2/15 shoot got underway, the was going to be even more testing. Behind the
fish-tailing wind was confusing many shooters raised firing-point it seemed to be fairly calm
and Open scores were in the mid sixties when but as soon as you got on top of the point, that
they would normally be in the seventies with wasn’t the case. The wind was strong and when
F/TR not far behind. This was a pattern that it did change it really caught us out with many
continued for the rest of the day with most competitors wondering how they could have
struggling to come to terms with the big wind missed the 3 or 4 minute wind changes - with
changes. However, it shows how far F/TR has some missing the target completely.
come in that several shooters would have faired
quite well in the Open Class. By the end of the With John Campbell holding a slender lead
day John Campbell was leading in Open Class overnight, could anyone catch him or maybe
and Ian Dixon was ahead in F/TR but most of he would ‘dollop’. Even though there was some
us had to be content with the sun tan we had excellent shooting - the highest score of the day
gained from the glorious weather! being a stunning 74 from Danny Brough – with
some competitors at last getting to grips with the
For the Saturday evening, match organiser Des wind, nobody could match John’s consistency
Parr had arranged a Shoot Dinner in the Atholl and he took the overall win.
Arms Hotel, which was also the venue that
most competitors were staying in. Most of the F/TR looked like it would be closer, with Ian
shooters attended and enjoyed a great meal Dixon’s lead slipping from 5 points overnight to
Target Shooter 91
Both winners – Ian Dixon in the fore-ground with that home-made stock and bi-pod and
John Campbell in the background. John builds his own rifles, this one a Stolle in 7mm WSM
only 2 points ahead after the first Sunday relay.
Ian has a long history of ‘dolloping’ and could
write a book on it but when the last F/TR shot
had gone down the range not only had he not
dolloped but he had actually turned his two shot
lead into a 9 shot lead - superb shooting.
For the record Ian had also won three of the five
matches so you could say he had dominated the
weekend for F/TR. For those of you wondering
what equipment this top F/TR shooter uses, he
has made his own stock and bi-pod, a Barnard
action fitted with a 34 inch barrel shooting 185
grain bullets - all gunsmithing work by Walker
Custom Rifles. It may not be the prettiest gun
but ‘beauty is in the eyes of the beholder’ and
his scores prove that it shoots and also proves
that it isn’t just about how much you can spend.
So, with the shoot over, all that was left was
the prize-giving and another surprise - the GB
F Class Association has now invested in some
solid silver salvers at a cost of £1000 each!
So at last, F Class shooters can have some
high-quality trophies of their own.
92 Target Shooter
A regular column whereby Ken Hall keeps us up to date
with black powder cartridge rifle shooting in the UK.
THE ANNUAL QUIGLEY SHOOTING Dennis Richardson with his Browning High
ASSOCIATION TIGHTGROUP SHOOT. Wall
Target Shooter 93
Ken Jones and Gary Lee ue to strive towards achieving smaller groups at
this distance; otherwise decent scores at longer
ranges will continue to elude us.
RESULTS.
Khall6548@aol.com
94 Target Shooter
Dave Coleman gets his own back. Smoke that is.
Target Shooter 95
Gallery Rifle & Pistol News
The season is off to a good start with the they turn up at an open meeting.
Mattersey Ten, Basildon 1500, the Western
Winner 1500 at Bristol, Joint Services PC in DATES FOR 2010
Scotland and the Spring Action Weekend.
Record numbers at the National Shooting June 26-27 Derby 1500 Derby
Centre for the last, which currently looks like July 10-11 Fermoy International GR
being the case for the Phoenix Meeting too. The Ireland
sport is alive and well and new faces are joining July10-24 The Imperial Meeting NSC
the competition circuit at every meeting. Bisley
July 18 Mattersey Steel Shoot
This month you have the Derby 1500. This Mattersey
is a popular and well attended meeting with July 24-25 Frome Three Gun Shield
competitors from beginners to national team Dorset
members attending. An excellent place to try August 7-8 Stourport 1500 and Shorts
your first open competition in a friendly and Stourport
relaxed atmosphere. August 28-29 Gallery Rifle National
Championships NSC
Some of you will have seen the new Disruptive Bisley
Pattern targets at the NSC and elsewhere. Don’t September 19 Mattersey Bianchi and
worry if you still have stocks of the old ones Shorts Mattersey
left as the scoring rings are the same, with the October 17 Shield Steel Challenge
exception of the new X ring on the DP1, keep GR&P Dorset
using them as the scores are just as valid. (It October 23-24 The Trafalgar Meeting
may be a good idea to make up a transparent NSC Bisley
overlay to match the X ring on the DP1 so you October 30-30 Autumn Action Weekend
can produce scores that can be compared with NSC Bisley
others nationally.) November 12-14 Leitmar International GR
Germany
The Phoenix Meeting at the end of May was December 30 Shield Christmas Shoot
the first outing for the national teams and the Dorset
results will be out by now. The Great Britain GR
Team, lead by this year’s Captain Ash Dagger, (Either contact the organisers direct or go to
will be off to Ireland next month and the England www.galleryrifle.com for entry forms.)
Scotland and Wales Teams will also be meeting
around the country for more matches. If you
want to know more about the teams get in touch GR&P = Gallery Rifle Centre Fire (GRCF),
using the contact details below. Gallery Rifle Small Bore (GRSB), Long Barrelled
Pistol (LBP) and Long Barrelled Revolver (LBR)
Finally, if you want to use the same range
officer reference cards and scorecards as used at Please go to the Gallery Rifle website www.gal-
Bisley and elsewhere, the new editions are leryrifle.com for more news and information
available for download from the website. Useful or contact gallery@nra.org.uk or chris@gal-
if you have prospective new competitors in your leryrifle.com.
club and they want to know what to expect when
96 Target Shooter
UKPSA Contingent attend the SK Bayern nourished with bacon butties, the contingent
Cup Level III Shotgun Match in Germany arrived in the quaint German town of
Phillipsburg, north of Karlsruhe late
in the afternoon and settled in the
friendly Phillipsburger Hof hotel in
the centre of town.
Target Shooter 97
One of the UK Squads working out Team tactics for Stage 4
on the hanging clays, you very quickly ran currently free from your local firearms office. It
out of ammo. I did not feel really comfortable lists the firearms you hold on your FAC that you
with even 9 in the gun and 42 on the belt after would like to use abroad – so it doesn’t have to
watching the first shooters in my squad.” name all the ones on your FAC – just the guns
you intend to take out of the UK.
George and Graham have traveled around for You also need a match invitation that you
years on the competition circuit and often squad may need to show at any customs or border
together and their good natured bantering crossing, and certainly if you happen to be
can always be heard over the noise of their stopped by the police in any of the European
shotguns. George quipped: “The competition countries you are passing through or staying in.
itself was a blast! There were ten stages in
all and most were difficult – in fact there was it all used to be done with paperwork and post.
nothing that could be called easy. Several Increasingly though, technology is making its
people lost the plot on the 32 target birdshot inevitable impact. Registering for this match
stage which boasted moving clay targets was all done online. George explains: “The
triggered by the shooter breaking an Infra Red organization of the match was superb. They
beam, and indeed one old gentleman became used the Match Organisation System (MOS),
so confused and forgetful that he had to be led an online subscription service” [ See it at http://
off the stage by the competition nurse. On the www.ipsc-dvc.org].
next stage his friend Graham did likewise.” As
always, George’s face breaks into a grin as he He continued, “Shooters have to find some way
relates a myriad of tales about the trip. of getting their entry money to the organisers,
but everything else is taken care of online. The
Entering a match in European countries sounds shooter puts in his details, division, gun etc, and
daunting, but is actually much more simple than selects a squad. Just before the competition the
you would think. Being a member of the UKPSA organisers print off all the information so that on
and having successfully completed the two-day each stage the RO has an envelope with the
safety course means that the shooter can take score sheets for the squad, all in the correct
part in an IPSC match anywhere in the world. shooting order. It is brilliant. It takes care of
Apart from your firearms licence, you also need almost all the paperwork. “
a European Firearms Pass (EFP) which is
Target Shooter 99
Neil Smith with his Benelli M2 taking careful aim at a distant clay target
After the intensity of the competition, the UK Jim Starley came 12th in Standard Auto
shooters were able to relax with some pistol Relative newcomer to PSG, Mick Flatley shot
shooting courtesy of the German hosts who are his way to a superb 14th position.
always ready to make us Brits feel just a little Mike Scarlett came second in Open (Senior)
jealous of their STI’s and Glock 17’s. This was class.
followed by a post match barbecue at the range Neil Smith chose to shoot pump and shot a
with all beer and food included in the entry fee. fantastic 7th Place in Standard Manual (just
Can’t end the day better than that. a shade behind the current European pump
champion)
When the results came out, the Brits had
managed some respectable scores: Winners were:
Dirk Frey (GERMANY) from Team Brenneke
won 1st place in OPEN
Division
Branislav Raketic (SERBIA)
won 1st place in Standard
Auto
Paulo Zambai (ITALY) won
1st place in Standard Manual
(Pump)
As always, the UKPSA
contingent would like to
thank their German hosts
and organisers and aim
to see many of them
again at the British Open
Championships Level III
Jim Starley shot an excellent match with his Winchester SX3 PSG match this year in
Carlisle.
100 Target Shooter
News
Next month we continue with reviews and bringing you updates on what is happening in the
target shooting world. Hopefully by them the porr weather we are having will have gone and people
can come out of hibernation - starting to prepare and shoot in the spring weather. Until then, good
shooting and keep warm.
customer.services@targetshooter.co.uk
Happy reading and we hope you enjoy the magazine. The team at Target Shooter.
If you have any letters or news that you would like to air on a national basis then please contact us
at the magazine. This could be for those budding writers out there that would like to submit a full
article on specific firearms, competitions, shooting sports, etc.
The aim of the magazine is to include you the shooters in the United Kingdom and further afield.
So having a regular letters page or even a question and answer section would be really useful for
a lot of people out there. Let us know what you think!?
We would also like to have a gun of the month section - so send us your pic and spec and we’ll
include it in ‘gun of the month’.
Any news that your club or association thinks is worth viewing can also be sent in for selection.
What we would like is to get a letters page started with your views, news and perceptions about
all all the aspects of target shooting. So lets see those letters coming in and we will read your
thoughts in these pages.
Advertisers Index
Action Air Shooting 40 Napier 45
AIM Field Sports 20 NSRA 79
Benchrest Directory 24 Phoenix League 23
Bratton Sound Gunsafes 68 Portsmouth Gun Centre Ltd 9
Bulzeye Pro 72 Richard Paul Russell Ltd 30
Dolphin Gun Company 11 Roedale Precision 46
Eley LTD 73 Rude Fat Dog 84
Fox Firearms 16,24 & Website Shooting Bags 36
G T Shooting 9 South Yorkshire Gun Supplies 62
Green Leopard 11 Tim Hannam 14
Indelfa industrial electronics 73 UKBR22 - Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest 77
Intershoot 77 Viking Arms LTD 2
Low Mill Range 24 & Website Westlake Engineering 16
March Scopes UK 53 WMS Steel Challenge 52
Merseyside Armoury 73 Zeiss Optics 3
The July issue will be out as normal on the 1st of the month. Lots of follow up articles, new
reviews, news and as ever packed with the articles you want to read.
All the latest information at your fingertips
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