Target Shooter

1
Black Powder • Event Reports • New Products • and lots more
 New from Lapua
The ScenarL Bullet
The First Choice For Serious Target Competition
We at Lapua have never been content to rest on our laurels. We have recently undertaken a
major program to make our outstanding bullets even more accurate. Not a redesign in
ballistics, but a refinement in all manufacturing steps. Using our state of the art
manufacturing capabilities and decades of competitive experience, we have set out to
tighten all measures and requirements, including our already famous quality control
standards. Closer weight tolerances, tighter jacket wall concentricity standards, and greater
uniformity in every dimension, starting from the gilding metal cup, lead wire and jacket
forming, ending up to core-jacket assembly, boat tail pressing and tipping. Several new
proprietary machines, manufacturing steps and advanced instrumentations combined to the
ScenarL manufacturing line never seen before in bullet production. We also took our
already high quality control standards and kicked them up a notch.

This new generation of match bullets has been dubbed the ScenarL, and is a fitting
successor to the vaunted Scenar family. Sharing the same aerodynamic profiles as their
predecessors, the ScenarL are the perfect choice for any type of competitive shooting.
Whether it’s ISSF or CISM, Benchrest or F-Class, Silhouette, High Power Across the
Course or Long Range, the new ScenarL line will give you the extra edge that takes you to
the winners circle. Based on the Scenar’s proven track record of competitive successes,
Lapua’s new ScenarL will deliver the ultimate performance in the most demanding
competitive environments every time. Precision craftsmanship, painstaking quality control
standards, state of the art manufacturing technology and advanced ballistic design all
combine to make the new ScenarL the very best of the best!

First ScenarL is now available, the 6mm 105gr ScenarL.

The New Lapua260 Remington

With the .260 already a favorite of demanding competitive shooters, Lapua sets the standard even
higher with the introduction of our new .260 brass. Superior Lapua metallurgy, outstanding uni-
formity and durability combine with our meticulous quality control to make this case the obvious
choice for those requiring the ultimate in performance

**check our website for news on the ScenarL range **

Sole distributors of Lapua components & Vihtavuori
Powders
Hannam’s Reloading Ltd
Tel: 01977 681639 Fax: 01977 684272
email: sales@hannamsreloading.com

2 Target Shooter
 Target Shooter 3
Welcome to the March Issue of ................Target Shooter
Sections
19 Ruger SR 22 TS by 6 Shooting Sport News
Tim Finley
13 Seirra Reloading DVD
Review - by Vince
Bottomley
27 Developing an
14 Shooters Calendar
accurate load for your
rifle by Vince Bottomley 15 Shooting Black Powder
Pistol by Chris Risebrook

43 Firearms Guide 2011 by

Vince Bottomley

80 This Smallbore Business

36 Rimfire Actions by Don Brook
for Benchrest by
Carl Boswell 84 2011 British Open Air Gun
Championship
by Hayley Platts

46 Gallery Rifle and Association Pages

Pistol - Ammunition 88 NRA
and Reloading by
Gwyn Roberts 90 UKBRA

91 UKBR22

54 Building the 94 F- Class

Ultimate F/TR Rifle 100 Gallery Rifle
Part 3 by Vince
Bottomley 102 UKPSA

104 Quigley Association

61 Handloading
Bench - Mechanical
Powder Measures
by Laurie Holland

4 Target Shooter
 Editor(s). Main cover courtesy of
Carl Boswell and Vince Bottomley RFDNET
Advertising and Office Manager
email; admin@targetshooter.co.uk
Contributors
Vince Bottomley Tony Saunders Tim Finley
Laurie Holland Chris Risebrook Carl Boswell
Don Brook Alan Whittle Gwyn Roberts
Hayley Platts Ken Hall Heather Webb

Webitorial - March 2011

We would have loved to have had a review of the Newark Show in this issue but, with our publication
date just couple of days after the Show closed, we decided that it was too good to rush it! So, instead
look out for our ‘Target Shooter Show Special’ – a free supplement devoted exclusively to the Show,
which will be downloadable from the Target Shooter website in around a week – don’t miss it!
Although Target Shooter is a UK publication, around 40% of our 13,000 unique readers are domiciled
outside the UK. We are a global brand! The great majority of our overseas readers are from the USA
and to embrace our non-UK followers we have now acquired new dot.com domains which will soon go
live. American advertisers please note, for your convenience we now have a US bank account.
Remember, ad. revenue is vital to keep Target Shooter on-line and free.
We are always conscious of the advantages and drawbacks of an on-line magazine – yes, we don’t
have a ten week lead-in time so we can be first with the news and match reports. Neither do we have
the hassle of printing and distribution but, if you download and read Target Shooter on a desktop
computer, there are drawbacks. With this in mind, we are constantly exploring ways to make Target
Shooter more accessible and those with iPads and the like will already be enjoying the magazine in
a far more friendly format. Yes, the iPad and its competitors are not cheap but book readers like the
Kindle are - at just over £100. We are currently looking at ways of downloading to Kindle and of course
‘apps’. Unfortunately, apps aren’t free but would you pay say 59p or 99 cents for the convenience of a
Target Shooter app.?
On a more serious note, the Crime & Security Act 2010 s.46 – Safe keeping of air weapons came into
being in February. If you own an air-weapon, you must now take ‘reasonable precautions’ to prevent
your air-weapons falling into the hands of young persons under the age of 18. Of course, ‘reasonable
precautions’ will depend on circumstances and yes, it is another restriction on our sport - albeit a
common sense one. I think we can handle that.
Finally, a big ‘thanks’ to all of you who came along to our stand at Newark and told us how much you
enjoy Target Shooter – it means a lot!

Vince, Carl & Yvonne

Carl Boswell - carl@targetshooter.co.uk and Vince Bottomley - vinceb@targetshooter.co.uk and

Yvonne - admin@targetshooter.co.uk Copyright © Trinity Digital Publishing Ltd
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
SYSS semi-custom Rem700SPS Varmint in Manners T5-DBM

N ew Products from South Yorkshire

Shooting Supplies
Roger and Shelia Francis at SYSS continue to add
new products, in this case for the precision and
tactical shooter, although as always in this day
and age of flexible shooting gear, of interest to the
accuracy minded fox shooter and deerstalker too.
The SYSS range of very well made Manners
Remington 700-compatible synthetic stocks
has received a boost with the arrival of long
awaited versions with Badger Ordnance
manufactured mini-chassis bedding blocks/
detachable magazine bottom-metal. The stock
itself is the Manners T5 tactical job, a strong
well-made ambidextrous design that is up to
full military strength specifications and can be

MCS T5 with MCS-DBM chassis system installed

6 Target Shooter
had in standard ‘drop-in’ form for Remington
700 barrelled actions, or those using the Remy
action ‘footprint’ without the ‘mini-chassis’.
Manners makes its tactical stocks from a
35% aviation grade carbon fibre and 65%
fibreglass mix hand-laid up in multiple layers
with high temperature epoxy resins, placed in
a vacuum chamber before heat curing to obtain
a correct resin to fabric ratio. As can be seen
in the photograph, the T5 has a thumbhole
configuration. The forend is 2.4” wide for
maximum strength and stability and its channel
will hold barrels up to 1.35” outside diameter.
Factory installation of the Manners MCS-DBM
‘mini-chassis’ provides a more rigid aluminium
alloy full-length bedding section and also
incorporates the magazine well, securing catch
and feed arrangements for what is fast becoming
the international standard of affordable
large-capacity box magazines - those from
Accuracy International. SYSS has also
obtained .223 Rem AI magazines alongside
those for .308W and similar length cartridges
such as 6.5X47L. 6.5mm Hornady Creedmoor,
.243 Win etc. With the .223R version retaining
.308W length, this magazine accommodates
over-SAAMI length cartridges loaded with
heavy (75-80gn) bullets seated well out and
feeds reliably, an attribute long sought-after
by .223R aficionados. Magazine release is
Alchemy Long Detachable Magazine
through a long M14 type lever between the
trigger guard and magazine rear face giving
easy release, the empty mag. dropping out
of the mini-chassis under its own weight.
SYSS also imports the T5A version of the
stock with a height adjustable cheekpiece
but this is only made in right-hand form.
Both versions are supplied with pull-length
adjustable stocks using spacers and a
half-inch think Pachmayr ‘Decelerator’ butt-pad
and are available in black or olive green finish.
They accept Remington 700 ‘footprint’ actions
in long or short versions and no gunsmithing
is required. SYSS offers these stocks as one
option in its ‘semi-customised’ Remington rifle
range too, alongside the AICS, other Manners
stock models and Bell & Carlsson versions.
We’ve reported before on SYSS British
manufactured ‘Alchemy’ stainless actions
with a Remington 700 ‘footprint’ which will
eventually be available in several versions
and sizes. Long repeating actions with
detachable magazine ‘bottom metal’ are the
latest to arrive. As with other versions, they
have a fluted bolt and the price includes an
M1913 Mil.Std. ‘Picatinny’ ‘scope rail. They are
available with standard (0.473”) or magnum
(0.550”) diameter bolt faces. For information
on either product range and contact details,
visit SYSS website www.rimfiremagic.co.uk/
Target Shooter 7
 Fermoy Rifle Club
Ballyhooly, Co. Cork, Ireland
www.fermoyrifleclub.com

In association with the National Benchrest Association of Ireland – (NBAI)

(Affiliated to WRABF and ERABSF)

WORLD INTER-CLUB CHALLENGE 2011

Cyber Shoot
April 16th and 17th 2011

1. 50m Benchrest (outdoor range) in .22 rimfire LV (10.5 lb limit) and HV (15 lb limit)

2. Competitions may be completed at each participating team’s home club or some

clubs may wish to come together for the event

3. All matches to be completed on the same day. Teams must nominate in advance to
shoot on 16th or 17th

4. LV and HV events are separate competitions – i.e. no aggregate

5. Club team event only – teams of 3, with all team members from the same shooting
club

6. A Shooter may be on a LV team and also on a HV team if so selected by their club

7. Any number of teams may be entered by a club but each shooter can only be on one
team for each event (i.e. on 1 LV team and/or on 1 HV team)

8. Teams must be pre-entered with team name and members names

9. 2 consecutive cards to be completed by each shooter for each event

10. Results scored at the place of competition and emailed same day to the control
centre in Fermoy

11. Competition rules, including scoring, according to WRABF rules

12. No entry fee required. Fermoy Rifle Club will award medallions to the first 3 teams in
each event

13. Each participating shooting range must nominate a competition director in advance.
The director will be responsible for the emailing of results to Fermoy on the day of
competition.

8 Target Shooter
 HISTORY SHOOTER OF THE YEAR

A LONG AWARDS – SHOOTER OF THE YEAR 1984 - 2010

YEAR G NAME NAT SHOOTER OF THE YEAR

TRADITION 1984
M
W
COOPER, Malcolm
SPURGIN, Pat
GBR
USA
1984,
1984
1985

OF 1985

1986
M
W
M
COOPER, Malcolm
MATOVA, Nonka
BASINSKI, Igor
GBR
BUL
URS
1984,
1985
1986
1985

SUCCESS 1987
W
M
W
LETCHEVA, Vesela
IVANOV, Kirill
LETCHEVA, Vesela
BUL
URS
BUL
1986,
1987
1986,
1987, 1993, 1995

1987, 1993, 1995

M MAKSIMOVIC, Goran YUG 1988
1988
W SPERBER, Silvia FRG 1988
M SCHUMANN, Ralf GDR 1989, 1992
1989
W SALUKVADZE, Nino URS 1989
M STENVAAG, Harald NOR 1990
1990

T
he “Shooter of the Year” award W SEKARIC, Jasna YUG 1990, 1994, 2005
is currently a tradition in the M DEBEVEC, Rajmond YUG 1991, 1993
shooting world. The award was 1991
W LOGVINENKO, Marina URS 1991, 1992
established in 1984, when the shooting M SCHUMANN, Ralf GER 1989, 1992
1992
sport journalists voted to acknowledge the W LOGVINENKO, Marina EUN 1991, 1992
best athletes of the season for the first time. M DEBEVEC, Rajmond SLO 1991, 1993
1993
Through the last twenty-six years, the best W LETCHEVA, Vesela BUL 1986, 1987, 1993, 1995
shooters of the world won this title. Twen- M DI DONNA, Roberto ITA 1994, 1996
1994
ty-one Olympic Champions were voted as W SEKARIC, Jasna IOP 1990, 1994, 2005
shooters of the year, and 29 World Champi- M KREBS, Torsten GER 1995
1995
ons won the approval of the shooting jour- W LETCHEVA, Vesela BUL 1986, 1987, 1993, 1995
nalists community. Numbers are impressive, M DI DONNA, Roberto ITA 1994, 1996
1996
when considering that 65 different Olympic W MAUER, Renata POL 1996
medals, and 129 ISSF World Championship M FARNIK, Thomas AUT 1997
1997
medals, finished around the necks of the W GELISIO, Deborah ITA 1997
Shooters of the Year. M GONCI, Jozef SVK 1998, 1999
1998
W PFEILSCHIFTER, Sonja GER 1998, 1999
This elite community also includes a few
M GONCI, Jozef SVK 1998, 1999
athletes who were able to win the title more 1999
W PFEILSCHIFTER, Sonja GER 1998, 1999
than once. The record goes to the Bulgarian
M DIAMOND, Michael AUS 2000
Vesela Letcheva, an experienced rifle shoot- 2000
W TAO, Luna CHN 2000, 2001
er who was awarded four different times, in
M NESTRUEV, Mikhail RUS 2001, 2004
1986, 1987, 1993 and 1995: an unmatched re- 2001
W TAO, Luna CHN 2000, 2001
sult. Following her, another woman finished M BUERGE, Marcel SUI 2002
in the spotlight several times in the last two 2002
W KOSTEVYCH, Olena UKR 2002
decades: Jasna Sekaric, the Pistol Olympic M TENK, Martin CZE 2003
multi-medallist, who won the title three 2003
W GALKINA, Lioubov RUS 2003, 2004
times in 1990, 1994 and 2005. Both Matsuda M NESTRUEV, Mikhail RUS 2001, 2004
2004
and Klimova entered this “list of honor” for W GALKINA, Lioubov RUS 2003, 2004
the first time this year. The two newcomers M HANCOCK, Vincent USA 2005
2005
are now the “athletes to beat” on the path W SEKARIC, Jasna SCG 1990, 1994, 2005
leading to the 2012 Olympic Games in Lon- M FOKEEV, Vitaly RUS 2006
2006
don. “Yes, I started feeling some pressure, W DU, Li CHN 2006
now that I am the world champion,” Mat- M ACHILLEOS, Georgios CYP 2007
2007
suda said, speaking after the Asian Games, W CHEN, Ying CHN 2007
last December. “But I think this is also a les- M JIN, Jong Oh KOR 2008
2008
son I need to go through: you have to learn W EMMONS, Katerina CZE 2008
how to deal with pressure!” M SIDI, Peter HUN 2009
2009
Marco Dalla Dea
W ROSSI, Jessica ITA 2009
M MATSUDA, Tomoyuki JPN 2010
2010
W KLIMOVA, Kira RUS 2010

Target Shooter 9
N ew Northern Gunsmith

We’ve previously reported

upcoming developments on
South Yorkshire Shooting
Supplies’ Everill Gate Farm
site with up and coming
Gunsmith Dave ‘Baldie’
Wylde preparing to trade
independently as Valkyrie
Rifles. The transition has
now taken place and
we’re pleased to report
that the new business is
up and running with Dave
comfortably ensconced in
his own workshop alongside
the original operation.
Valkyrie Rifles offers a full
rifle gunsmithing service the field with a well-earned reputation for top
at reasonable prices covering repairs, ‘action quality work. A large range of standard colours
tuning’, fitting custom triggers, tactical bolt and camouflage pattern finishes is available
knob installation, re-barrelling, restocking, alongside custom work.
re-crowning and muzzle threading etc. up to Valkyrie Rifles and South Yorkshire Shooting
undertaking a custom rifle build to the customer’s Supplies continue to collaborate on many
specification. We’ll report in next month’s issue products and services, the latter focussing on
on a nifty piece of work which forms the first semi-custom Remington target and sporting
stage of an upgrade programme to a budget rifles as well as its long-standing custom .22
Remington 700SPS Tactical rifle. Mini-Rifle and ‘Race-Gun’ products, optimised
Dave has acquired a name for modifying rifles Marlin lever-guns and more.
to achieve smooth, reliable magazine feed with For further information on Valkyrie Rifles visit
short, fat cartridges that have defeated other www.valkyrierifles.net.
gunsmiths – one he admits that he sometimes
wishes he hadn’t acquired given the problems
inherent in this task. Another service is Duracoat
paint finishing, Dave being a specialist in

10 Target Shooter
New for 2011

March 3-24x42 mm Zoom Scope(First Focal Plane)

This zoom scope has eight magnification ratios, including the highest
magnification ratio in the FFP (first focal plane) configuration rifle
scope made to date. The mrad reticle scale value remains constant
across the entire zoom range. It is easy to range the target without
thinking where to set the zoom range. One turn of the adjustment dial
is 10 mrad, and one click value is 1/10 mrad. Additionally, with the
capability to set any position as the zero point in elevation, the shooter
will never lose his starting calibration.

Target Shooter 11
P2
 Shooting
Venue: The Royal Artillery Barracks
Station: DLR Woolwich Arsenal

Price category
Medal Session Ticket
Date Session time Session description Type of ticket session code AA A B C D E limit

10m Air Pistol: qualification,

final, victory ceremony Finals Hall &
28 July 08:15–16:00
Ground Pass
SH001 – £40 – – – – 6
10m Air Rifle: qualification,
final, victory ceremony

10m Air Pistol: qualification,

final, victory ceremony Finals Hall &
09:00–17:30
Ground Pass
SH002 – £40 – – – – 6
Skeet: qualification,
final, victory ceremony
29 July
10m Air Pistol: qualification
09:00–17:30 Skeet: qualification, Ground Pass SH003 – £30 – – – – 6
final, victory ceremony

10m Air Rifle: qualification,

Finals Hall &
09:00–14:30 final, victory ceremony
Ground Pass
SH004 – £40 – – – – 6
Skeet: qualification (day 1)
30 July
10m Air Rifle: qualification
09:00–14:30 Ground Pass SH005 – £20 – – – – 20
Skeet: qualification (day 1)

Skeet: qualification (day 2),

31 July 09:00–15:15 Ground Pass SH006 – £30 – – – – 6
final, victory ceremony

25m Pistol: qualification, Finals Hall &

1 Aug 09:00–16:15
Ground Pass
SH007 – £40 – – – – 6
final, victory ceremony

25m Rapid Fire Pistol: qualification

(stage 1)
2 Aug 09:00–16:15 Ground Pass SH008 – £30 – – – – 6
Double Trap: qualification,
final, victory ceremony

25m Rapid Fire Pistol: qualification

(stage 2), final, victory ceremony Finals Hall &
3 Aug 09:00–16:30
Ground Pass
SH009 – £40 – – – – 6
50m Rifle Prone: qualification,
final, victory ceremony

50m Rifle 3 Positions: qualification,

final, victory ceremony Finals Hall &
09:00–17:30
Ground Pass
SH010 – £40 – – – – 6
Trap: qualification,
final, victory ceremony
4 Aug
50m Rifle 3 Positions: qualification
09:00–17:30 Trap: qualification, Ground Pass SH011 – £30 – – – – 6
final, victory ceremony

50m Pistol: qualification,

Finals Hall &
09:00–16:00 final, victory ceremony
Ground Pass
SH012 – £40 – – – – 6
Trap: qualification (day 1)
5 Aug
50m Pistol: qualification
09:00–16:00 Ground Pass SH013 – £20 – – – – 20
Trap: qualification (day 1)

50m Rifle 3 Positions: qualification,

final, victory ceremony Finals Hall &
09:00–17:30
Ground Pass
SH014 – £40 – – – – 6
Trap: qualification (day 2),
final, victory ceremony
6 Aug
50m Rifle 3 Positions: qualification
09:00–17:30 Trap: qualification (day 2), Ground Pass SH015 – £30 – – – – 6
final, victory ceremony

A Finals Hall & Ground Pass gives spectator access to all events.
A Ground Pass gives spectator access to the ground and all qualification rounds and ranges in the Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun events, plus the Finals Range for Shotgun finals.
It does not give access to the Finals Hall for Rifle and Pistol finals.
Due to the nature of the sport, you will be able to view events at multiple halls and ranges, some of which have seats and some of which have not. Access to individual halls
and ranges is subject to capacity.

Men’s event Women’s event Special prices available in this price category Medal session General admission

All competition schedules are subject to change at any time.

12 Target Shooter
 Sierra Reloading DVD by Vince Bottomley
The number of books I must have bought over the
years on reloading and, when I look back, none
were really any good. OK, most of them were pistol
orientated and when I wanted a decent reloading
manual for rifle, well I guess Glen Newick’s Ultimate
in Rifle Accuracy was pretty good, though it is aimed
directly at the short-range benchrest shooter rather
than the long-range rifleman.
A few years ago, I bought a copy of David Tubb’s
video Highpower Rifle Reloading which is produced
in conjunction with Sierra Bullets but of course
videos are now obsolete but I’m please to see that
it’s now available on DVD. If you’ve never heard of
David Tubb by the way, then you probably won’t be
interested in this DVD anyway but I’ll just say that
he is a legend in America, having won just about
everything in high-power – many times over.
Highpower is what the Americans call Target Rifle
shooting but over there they can use any calibre and
optics and they really push the boundaries of rifle
accuracy. David is probably best known over here
for his cartridge, the remarkable 6XC.
As it says on the tin, this DVD really does cover
everything you need to know about reloading and it’s
certainly the first time I’ve seen neck-turning covered
- outside of benchrest. Although it takes reloading
to a very advanced level, I would have loved this
video even as a beginner. If you shoot rifle and want
to get into or improve your reloading, you won’t be
disappointed with this three-hour DVD.
The DVD is available from UK Sierra stockist
Henry Krank of Pudsey in West Yorkshire www.
henrykrank.com/
Target Shooter 13
 Calendar of events over the next few months
If your club or association has events you want to publicise here then email us.
5, 12, 19 Mar - Probationary Members Course
2011/1 (National Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley)
The new modular Probationary training course is
now being offered at Bisley. Probationers complete
an initial introductory module on safety and a
general introduction to the target shooting, followed
by one or more discipline specific skills modules.
Contact Heather Webb or see the link below;
http://www.nra.org.uk/common/asp/courses/
pm.asp?site=NRA
13, 24 Mar - NRA Shooting Club Day (National
Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley) - Multi-discipline
NRA Shooting Club Day. Targets have been
booked on Melville and at 100, 200, 600 and
1000 yards. All disciplines welcome.
Open to all full members of the NRA who have
completed and returned the registration form.
Contact Charles Perry at the NRA
21 Mar - World Cup - Sydney
The competition runs from 21st - 30th March
Location: Sydney, AUS
26 Mar to 27 Mar - Gallery Rifle - Spring Ac-
tion Weekend (National Shooting Centre (NSC),
Bisley) This Is the first of three Gallery Rifle
Action weekends held within the friendly Gallery
Rifle community to encourage action shooting.
Contact Brian Thomas at the NRA
17 Apr - Somerset Small Bore Shooting
Association - Open Shoot
The Shoot will be held at the Long Ashton
Ranges.
Entry forms are available on the website. http://
ssbsa.com/
25 Sep - Somerset Small Bore Shooting
Association - Major Hutchinson Memorial Shoot
The Shoot will be held at the Long Ashton
Ranges.
Entry forms are available on the website. http://
ssbsa.com/
30 July to 7th August 2011 - The World
Rimfire & Air Rifle Benchrest Federation - 2nd
World Championships in Palmetto USA.

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

Fullbore & .22LR Optics

Black Power Ammunition
Air Rifles and Pistols Reloading equipment
Used rifles and Pistols and more...

Our premises are located at

53 Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2RB
www.gtshooting.co.uk

Tel: 020 8660 6843

Fax: 020 8660 6843

14 TargetWe are conveniently situated near the M23 & M25.

Shooter
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm
 Shooting the Black Powder Pistol
by Chris Risebrook
If the revolver shown in Photo 1 was the real
thing, i.e. an1851 .36 Colt Navy, it would be well
beyond my means. However, fortunately - for
me - it’s not, so it isn’t, if you see what I mean!
For all is not what it seems. It is a Metropolitan
and it is a perfect - in period - rip-off of a Colt
1851 .36 Navy.
Orison Blunt and John G. Syms were New York
gun dealers and businessmen. Information on
Syms and his brother is so far proving elusive,
but Blunt was a colourful character, a political
animal and entrepreneur, and a friend of
Picture 1
Abraham Lincoln (which would not have done
him any harm). He is also described as a gun
inventor and manufacturer, and the firm also
marketed and, I suspect, imported Mariette type
pepperbox revolvers. These used a ring trigger
which fired the bottom barrel, as opposed to
Ethan Allen’s bar hammer which fired the top
barrel, as illustrated in a previous article. Amongst
many other enterprises Blunt was involved with
a contract to supply 20000 Enfield type rifles
to the Ordnance Department, but it turned out
they were “bitzers”, assembled from English
Target Shooter 15
 Picture 2
and American parts. The Ordnance Department
smelt a rat, the guns were rejected, and the
order cancelled. Blunt had other interests, both
political and commercial, and was at one time
president of Metropolitan Life.
When Samuel Colt was first starting out, he
had to decide whether to manufacture or
farm out production, and he did have some
correspondence with Blunt & Syms . As we know,
he decided to go his own way at Patterson, New
Jersay - and went bust in the process!
In 1864, the Confederate Government sent
agents north to try and sabotage the Colt factory.
On the 20th February, the Pearl Street facility at
Hartford was destroyed by fire, and production
was halted. Enter Blunt & Syms, who promptly
formed the Metropilitan Arms Company in New
York and proceeded to make exact copies of the
1851 Colt. They made 6000 guns between 1864
and 1866, just about the time it took to rebuild
the Colt factory. So, it was an ill wind that blew
somebody some good. Colt had died in 1862;
16 Target Shooter
had he been alive, he would probably have sued
the pants off them!
Original Colt 1851s in this condition now go for
silly money, but this is about one third of the
price. It has been refinished, which I don’t mind;
the only downside is that the refinishing has
destroyed the cylinder engraving. Just like the
Colts, this was roll engraved and very shallow.
The stagecoach scene on the cylinder of my
1849 Colt Pocket Model has been reduced
to the odd wheel spoke and a bit of rim! The
refinishing has been done very sympathetically,
with very little loss of edges, but all patches
of discolouration have been polished out,
leaving an overall grey patina, which I find quite
pleasing. I do not have the luxury of owning an
original 1851 with which to compare it, but by
all accounts they are identical for all practical
purposes. Hopefully, parts for modern Colt
replicas, such as hammers, cylinder hands, bolt
stops and springs will fit with the usual liberal
dose of filing, fettling and swearing. The revolver
 Picture 3
bears the serial number 1366 which presumably
puts it in the early part of the production run in
1864, and the number is repeated on the cylinder,
both parts of the grip frame and the loading
lever. Timing and lock-up are perfect, with no
side or end play on the cylinder. The chambers
and nipples are in very good condition, but
unfortunately someone forgot to clean the barrel,
and it is pretty rough with just traces of rifling.
This does not particularly matter, since it will not
be used anyway, and at 25 metres, it really does
not seem to make a great deal of difference, as
I found last year using a smoothbore flintlock.
Compared to the Colt, these guns are relatively
rare; 6000 Metros to 250,000 Colt 1851s, and
the general consensus is that they are presently
undervalued. It will always lack the cachet of
the Colt name, but it has a charm and history
all of its own, and hopefully, will at least hold it’s
value. For comparison, in Photo 2 I have shown
it with the Manhattan, which is a .36 on a pocket
model frame, and again in Photo 3 in company
with the real Colt Pocket Model, which is a .31.
The difference in frame size is clear to see.
Finally, I have an admission to make. After my
last auction experience, I swore I would not again
bid on anything sight unseen. I had spent hours
researching the lots which were of interest, but
two days before the auction I had an horrendous
bike crash and could not even move, let alone
get there! My grateful thanks therefore to the
ladies at Wallis & Wallis who took my last minute
bid over the phone. As it turned out, it all ended
very well, and I am one very happy bunny!
Target Shooter 17
 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.

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18 Target Shooter
THE RUGER SR-22 TS
by Tim Finley
Ruger have now joined - somewhat late it
seems - the 22 semi-auto ‘Make it look like a
full-bore military rifle’ bandwagon. It cannot
be denied however, that having such styling
does make the 22 semi-auto very appealing.
We already have rimfire AK-47, HK416 and Colt
M4 look-alikes. Military rifles are designed from
the outset to be ergonomically designed for quick
shooting and ease of use - both of which are
needed in competition shooting disciplines such
as the increasingly popular Mini Rifle events.
These rifles have found favour with the
‘club’ shooter as well. Although our Ruger
SR-22 has the look of a ‘black rifle’, it does not
mimic the common black rifle controls. The
magazine release, safety, bolt etcetera are all
the standard Ruger 10/22 we know and love.
The SR-22 receiver is housed within in an
aluminium ‘over-chassis’. The chassis may
look familiar to some of you. Ruger went to
Nordic Components Inc. to manufacture a
version of the Nordic AR-22 chassis but to
Ruger’s specification. There are minor cosmetic
changes in the detailed machining on the
sides of the over-chassis but it can still be
Target Shooter 19
recognised as stemming from the Nordic camp. buttstock height, sight plane and pistol-grip are
all matched on the SR-22. The gun is also fitted
The black rifle - or AR platform - dimensions of with a mil-spec. diameter tube on the buttstock

20 Target Shooter
though the SR-22RSC model tested here has a The mono pistol-grip is made for Ruger
fixed non-adjustable buttstock for the UK market. by Hogue. The world famous Ruger Eagle
trademark is present on the right hand

Target Shooter 21
side of the rear buttstock. It also features of the SR-22, it has several newly designed
on the top and on both sides of the rubber tweaks over the older versions of the 10/22. It
pistol-grip and is machined into the both sides is fitted with Ruger’s new cast bolt and there
of the SR-22 chassis - from the outset they is a lot of evidence now from 10/22 users
want you to know that this is a Ruger product! and even customisers that it has improved
the 10/22’s already very good reliability.
The mid-length hand-guard does not look the
same as a Nordic Components item. It has lines The trigger-group housing is a new plastic
of eight, 14mm diameter holes offset from the version which also has a new magazine
main four axis. The hand-guard has tapped release catch. This catch now comes down
holes for fixing short Picatinny rails - four on off the bottom of the action and is no longer
each side, five on the top and four underneath. flush-fitting as the old ones were. Pushing the
There is also a stud for a sling or bipod on the catch forward, the magazine drops out of the
bottom of the guard. This is screwed into a barrel action. This is a major advantage for the potential
support block attached to the barrel. A Picatinny use of the SR-22 in Mini Rifle events, where
rail the full length of the top of the hand guard shooters have had to have the extended catches
can be fitted if required as well as shorter rails retro-fitted to their 10/22 to speed up magazine
for lights/lasers on the sides. The hand guard is changes.
fitted to the gun with an AR style barrel nut so, if
you wanted, you could fit an alternative type of The bolt-release lever is in front of this and
AR hand guard. I found it hard to fathom at first as it does not
operate like the old one. In the end I got the
The Picatinny rails can be bought from Viking hang of it and actually found it better than the
Arms, the distributor of the Ruger SR-22 old one. One thing to note is that you cannot
in the UK. There is a 200mm (8 inch) rail simply pull back the bolt to release the catch
for fitting optical sights on the top section and allow the bolt to go forwards. You have to
of the action cover - there is no open-sight operate the catch manually to release the bolt
facility on the SR-22, so an optical device from its locked back position. Many customisers
of some kind will need to be fitted to the gun. fit an auto bolt-release to overcome this, which
is what is needed for mini rifle comps.
Concentrating on the Ruger action at the heart

22 Target Shooter
The safety catch is a manual one consisting
of a button right in front of the trigger guard -
push to the right for safe and push to the left
and you are ready to fire, with a red ring now
visible around the circumference of the button.
the heavy trigger-pull. The 16 inch right-hand
six-grooved barrel is 0.75inch (19.1mm) in
diameter but does not come muzzle-threaded
on this model. It would be a good idea to add an
AR style muzzle brake as on the SR-22 R model.

The action has a sintered black textured finish, The rifle is crying out to be used on tactical
which is hidden by the over-chassis on the short-range style shooting such as Mini Rifle
SR-22 model. On some types of over-chassis, and for this I fitted a Barska non-magnified
it actually covered over the rifle’s serial number red-dot sight. Before I used the gun in an actual
but on the SR-22, part of the over-chassis has competition, I tested the SR-22 with my own
been machined away so you can easily see the Butler Creek and Tactical Inc. high-capacity
serial number without having to disassemble the magazine and the SR-22 never faltered - even
rifle. using the dirt-cheap Eagle plastic 10 shot
magazines it was flawless.
Using my electronic trigger-pull gauge the trigger
broke at 2.6kg - or 5lb 12 oz in real money butIn all my testing, both with deliberately aimed
more of that later. Holding the gun gives an single shots and fast firing the rifle, it did not
impression of solidity and weighing in at just jam or misfire once, a true testament to the
less than seven pounds without a scope, it is a10/22 action and the 10/22’s cast bolt. I did a
meaty bit of kit. rapid-fire test into a 15m target with a Tactical
Inc magazine. I loaded 20 rounds of CCI Mini
I fitted a Sightron 10-42 scope and a Harris Mags in the magazine and aimed at the target
bipod for accuracy testing and found the rifle and fired as fast as I could pull the trigger. It took
sat well on the bipod. After it was run-in, at 4.08 seconds empty the magazine. I also tested
50m I shot a 12.7mm five-shot group with CCI the size of the groups it would shoot when firing
Rimfire ammunition - that’s almost a ½ inch very fast double-taps (two shots) at 15 and 20m,
group at 50m, which was very good considering I was very pleasantly surprised with the results.

Target Shooter 23
For me, the only two downsides to the SR-22
are the small bolt-handle (Ruger have kept the
standard bolt-handle within the cast bolt. For Mini
Rifle it is too short and I would fit a bigger handle,
hopefully Ruger will soon rectify this and fit a
longer one as standard) and secondly, you have
24 Target Shooter
to remove the top of the over-chassis in order to
take the action out to clean inside. This can also
mean removing the sight - even if the sight stays
on the top section of the over-chassis when you
put that back, you will have to re-check your
zero and may find you have to fine tune it again.
 I used the SR-22 on a Mini Rifle
event and put in the second fastest
time on the stage, even though it
was the first time I had ever shot the
SR-22 under competition conditions.
There is also a picture of one of the
actual double-taps I shot as part
of the stage - you can see the two
holes side by side. As a competitive
Mini Rifle rifle, I proved it can ‘cut the
mustard’, even with a tiny bolt handle
and unmodified out of the box.

The Ruger SR-22 is a well-built,

well-executed and very reliable
semi-auto rimfire rifle. It looks and
handles like a military semi-auto
rifle, which cannot be a bad thing.
It a bold statement but for me the
Ruger SR-22 is the best ‘out of the
box’ Ruger 10/22 I have ever tested.

Model Ruger 10/22 SR-22RSC

Importer Viking Arms Ltd

01423 780810
www.vikingarms.
com

Calibre .22 Rimfire long rifle

Action Semi-auto blow-back

Capacity 10 round rotary

magazine supplied
but many after
market larger
capacity ones
available.

Barrel length 16.12 inches ( with

a 1:16 right-hand
six-groove twist)

Weight 6.5 lbs

Overall Length 34.38 inches

Length of pull 13 inches

In my opinion, you are better off shooting a
10/22 style rifle that looks like a military rifle Trigger-weight 5lb 121/2oz. (2.6kg)
rather than one of the look-alike clones – purely
on the grade of the metal used in each of the two Price £725
differing systems. The high-capacity magazines
are more readily available for the 10/22s as
well as the myriad of spares and accessories.

Target Shooter 25
26 Target Shooter
Developing an accurate load for your rifle
by Vince Bottomley
Vince above - Portable scales, Wilson hand-dies, arbor press, powder, bullets and prepped
cases are all we need for on-range load development. The hat? Well it was minus three!
If you’ve just bought a new rifle chambered for The obvious thing is to try and find someone
an unfamiliar cartridge, how do we go about else who is shooting the same cartridge and
developing a load for it? wheedle some load data out of him! Some
shooters are generous with their
knowledge; others who have spent
months and a considerable amount
of money sorting out a load may not
be so keen to share their hard-won
data – especially if you are a fellow
competitor!

A word of warning though. If your

buddy does agree tell you his load,
please do not simply replicate it –
Left - Tight barrel? The stamping
on the left-hand barrel just tells
us it’s a 243 but
the one on the right tells us that
we have a (tight) 0.236 inch bore
– 0.237 is more normal

Target Shooter 27
that could be the route to a blown rifle – or worse!
Why? Although his rifle may be chambered for
the same cartridge, there are lots of ‘variables’
which could have a significant pressure-raising
effect in your rifle.
What are these variables?
1. Tight barrel – It’s not uncommon for
barrels to vary slightly in bore diameter.
It’s also possible to specify a ‘tight’ barrel.
A barrel just one thou. smaller in the bore
diameter could raise pressures
significantly, particularly if you are already
‘close to the edge’ as it were. Do you
know if your barrel is tight? Probably not
– only the person who chambered it will
know that.
2. Tight chamber – similar to a tight barrel.
A chamber cut to minimum specifications
will exhibit different pressures to one cut
Here’s our rifle, a Nesika built in America. Note the
‘accuracy-asset’ I’ve fitted to the underside of the
fore-end for use with a front benchrest.
28 Target Shooter
more generously. But why should
chambers vary you may ask. With
standard factory cartridges, they shouldn’t
vary outside certain specified SAAMI
limits but with ‘wildcat’ cartridges, the
reamer gets ground to the designer’s
spec. The 6PPC is a good
example – there is really no such thing
as a standard 6PPC chamber – there are
dozens, maybe hundreds – of variations.
3. Cartridge case – can vary in thickness –
thicker brass will usually have less
volume and this can raise pressures.
Shooters often find this with the 5.56mm
military brass which can be particularly
thick as it has to stand up to machine-
gun use. Lapua have recently introduced
a 223 ‘match’ case with increased
capacity.
4. Barrel twist-rate and bore condition will
also affect pressure.
5. Powder can vary from batch
to batch. Some powders are quite
consistent, others can vary
alarmingly.
I recently bought a tub of powder
from a different batch to the
previous one and had to drop the
load by a whole two grains!
Fortunately I was aware so I
started low and avoided any
problems.
6. Even primers can affect pressure.
Hotter primers will raise pressure.
I’ve found that the PMC primers
tend to be on the hot side and my
standard 308Win load of 45.5
grains of Vit 140 behind a 155
bullet exhibited ‘sticky’ bolt-lift
when I tried PMC primers.
7. The most obvious – bullet weight
and diameter. Yes, not all bullets
are what they should be – ‘fatties’
will raise pressure, as will heavier
bullets. Loading bullets ‘into the
rifling’ will also raise pressure a
little.
8. Finally, let’s not forget temperature – Most shooters will rely on the foregoing but let’s
your buddy’s safe winter load could easily just suppose that we have no friends, no internet,
prove dangerous on a hot summer day. no computer (I’m feeling suicidal……..).
Firstly, we need to consider a few rules:
So, please, never ever simply duplicate a load
given by another shooter. By all means, use it 1. Small cases (like the 223Rem.) will use
as a guide but please, be prepared to start 10% faster powders than the larger cases
lower. (like 300Win.Mag.)

But, what if we are completely in the dark – no 2. As we increase bullet weight, we need
one else is shooting our new ‘kick-ass’ wildcat? to slow-down the powder burning rate.

If we can’t ask a shooting buddy for load-data, 3. Overbore cartridges will use slower
we can easily ask the rest of the world - simply powders. In other words, if you neck
by going on-line. There are lots of excellent down a 308 Win case to 6.5mm and you
shooting forums frequented by enthusiasts and use the same bullet weight, use a slower
‘experts’ happily willing to share their knowledge. powder.
Try www.long-range.com for Target Rifle and
F Class loads, www.benchrest.com for loads 4. Rule 3 also works in reverse – if you
from 100 to 1000 yards, www.6mmBR.com for neck up a case, you can use a faster
everything and there are lots of others but, just powder.
like any info. from a fellow shooter – think safe,
start low and work up in small increments. 5. You can reduce pressure by reducing the
amount of powder you use but remember,
If you are still languishing in the steam-driven a load that fills the case will usually be
age and don’t have access to the internet then more accurate than one with a large
you could invest (providing you at least have air-space.
a computer) in something like the Quickload
programme. This is an excellent programme Even if you don’t have the internet or a computer,
into which you feed all relevant data - like you should own a reloading manual. If you don’t
case-capacity, calibre, bullet-weight etc. have one, I would suggest one produced by a
Quickload won’t help you get an accurate load bullet-maker rather than a powder manufacturer
(only range testing can do that) but it will help – for obvious reasons. The Sierra one is very
with powder choice. good but then again, because I do tend to use
Note the difference in primers – the right one is well flattened with just a hint of cratering*.
Also note the half circle embossed over the ‘300’ where the brass has flowed into the
bolt-face ejection-pin. Running your load this hot will soon destroy your brass – drop back
a grain or so.

Target Shooter 29
 Benchresting the Nesika – a stable platform is essential for load development.

Vhitavuori powders where possible, I do find Firstly, get an idea of your case-capacity by filling
the Vhitavuori manual very useful. So, with it to the bottom of the neck using your chosen
our loading manual and these rules in mind, powder. Of course, there is no presumption that
we should be able to find a starting point for a we will use all of our case-capacity. This will
powder type and load weight. depend on several factors – not just powder
choice but also bullet-weight.
Let’s get down to serious load development.
The lower cartridge is loaded to touch the rifling in the Nesika whereas the upper one
is magazine-length. Look how deep-seated the bullet is in the case - compromising
case-capacity and thus ballistic performance. Seating a bullet this deep is not good practice.
Even the lower bullet is seated too deep. Yes, the WSM is a short magnum and you can
load it for use in a 308-length action but don’t expect to extract maximum performance. If
you are re-barrelling a ‘short’ action then you have little alternative but for me, with a new
rifle, better to start with a long action and magazine so that the bullet is seated with just the
boat-tail protruding beyond the bottom of the case-neck.

30 Target Shooter
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Jamie Beyerle Target Shooter 31

For a big-kicking rifle like our 300WSM Nesika, I was very pleased with my
final group measuring 0.285 inches
If it is a small case, you will have chosen a fastish interestingly, the rifle’s owner has supplied me
powder and a slow powder if it is a magnum- with a tub of IMR 4350 which, according to my
size case. For a working example, I’m using a burning rate chart (from the Vihtavuori reloading
300WSM cartridge. Yes, I’ve played with the manual) is marginally slower than the Hodgdon
7mmWSM and even the 6.5WSM but never a version. It’s about the same as Vit N550 or
300WSM so this is new territory to me. Reloader 19. I use Reloader 25 in my 7mmWSM
with a 180gn. bullet – a slower powder in a
In fact, this is not my rifle, it’s a rather fine Nesika, slightly more overbore case.
built in America with hunting in mind rather than
target shooting. I’m not a hunter so I’m in the As this is a hunting rig, we need to seat our
dark a bit but the rifle’s owner has supplied bullets so that they will feed from the magazine
brass, bullets and even powder so that reduces rather than close to the rifling. However, I’m keen
the decisions I need to make. to find our COAL (cartridge overall length to
touch the rifling). Dolphin Gun Company make a
I’ve always thought that the 300WSM would very handy device for this purpose and there are
be an ideal long-range benchrest or F Class others. (see articles in the October 2010 Target
Open round but few seem to use it, however Shooter).
an American shooter has recently set a new
ten-shot group record at 1000 yards and Once having arrived at the COAL, I would
another won the US F Class Nationals with it, so normally seat the bullet 10 thou. (0.010 inches)
obviously the cartridge has accuracy potential. deeper into the case - so that it is just off the
lands – as a starting point. However, in this
I would be a fool not to look at their loads and, instance magazine-length will dictate the COAL
I’m surprised to see that the benchrester’s – which will almost certainly be shorter – 0.160
chosen powder is Hodgdon 4350. I would have inches shorter when I measure it! That’s a long
thought that this was a bit on the fast side but way to ‘jump’ a bullet!

32 Target Shooter
The next job is to find out how much powder the case-head or a raised circular print on the
rifle will take before exhibiting pressure signs, case-head where the brass has flowed
so I’ve carted all my reloading gear to the range into the ejector-pin hole in the bolt-face?
and I’m starting with 61 grains beneath the
Nosler 180 grain plastic-tipped bullets that came 5. Under an extreme overload, the primer-
with the rifle. How did I come up with 61 grains? pocket may enlarge to such an extent
Easy – I visited the IMR reloading website. In that the primer falls out - on ejection of
addition to a starter load of 61 grains, it gave a the fired case. We will not intentionally
maximum load of 65 grains – and a predicted reach this point!
muzzle velocity of almost 3000 fps with the 180
grain bullet. *When we are exploring the primer-cratering
I’ve loaded 10 rounds with loads ranging from 61 phenomenon, we must be careful. Many
to 65.5 grains in half-grain increments. I’ll shoot shooters use cratering to indicate a
each one over the chronograph – starting with pressure-load but beware - if the firing-pin is a
the lowest load – and, as we fire each round, we very close fit in the hole in the bolt-face (as is
will be looking for pressure signs as follows: often the case with a close-tolerance custom
action like our Nesika) the effects of cratering
1. Bolt-lift – was this normal? I.e. easy, or will not be so obvious as with a factory action
did we experience some ‘stickyness’? with a sloppy pin fit. The pressure will still be
there – you just won’t see it with cratering.
2. Does the primer look flattened?
For each round, note the velocity. Yes, we are
3. Is there any cratering* around the obviously interested in the velocity for maximum
firing-pin indent in the primer? ballistic performance but it can also be a load
indicator. When the velocity stops increasing by
4. Is there any scuffing of the brass on the a given amount as you increase the load, you

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Target Shooter 33
can be sure that you are near the maximum Having said that – is it right to ‘chase’ velocity?
usable powder load. Yes, sure, particularly for long-range competition
but never at the expense of accuracy. For the
Hopefully, we will reach our ‘safe’ maximum hunter, taking shots at unknown distances, high
load before we have expended all ten rounds, velocity means flatter trajectory – giving a better
otherwise we will need to continue increasing chance of a hit. The double-base powders like
the load but in reduced increments – say 0.3 Vhitavuori’s 5 series claim increased velocity
grains. without exhibiting an increase in pressure.
Impossible? Seemingly so but they do appear
At 65 grains, the primer was quite flat but bolt-lift to work.
was normal. I hadn’t reached the maximum but
because the bullet is seated so deep in the case, I don’t really subscribe to all the ‘moly’ hype
I could feel the powder crushing as I seated the regarding cleaning etc. but switching to
bullet. I decided to look for an accuracy load in moly-coated bullets will usefully reduce pressure
the 64 grain area. (and velocity) a little if you are close to the
‘edge’. This is useful when you are trying to fill
Now we can start to shoot some three-shot the case – with a cartridge like for example the
groups on the target, fine-tuning the load by 6.5-284. This case will hold 59-60 grains of
perhaps two-tenths of a grain. Not only are we powder but with bullets in the 140 grain range,
looking for nice tight groups but hopefully a small you could only be using 50 to 52 grains of
velocity-spread. With a hunting rifle, velocity powder. Switching to moly bullets might allow
spreads are not too much of an issue but with you to use another couple of grains of powder,
a long-range target rifle they certainly are – thus achieving a fuller case. Again, think safe
though don’t get too wound-up about obtaining - don’t simply switch to moly bullets and bung
single-figure spreads – around 25 fps for a in more powder – work up the load in small
five-shot string is fine. Hopefully, our groups will increments.
be devoid of ‘vertical’ and look like the proverbial
clover-leaf. Load development at 100 yards is convenient
but, if you are looking for a 1000 yard load then
I must confess, the Nesika shot far better than you perhaps need to fine-tune it at 300 yards -
I thought it would – with a hunting bullet seated anything around an inch will stand you in good
so deep into the case but what if our 100 yard stead at longer ranges.
3-shot groups are around an inch? We need
to go back to ‘square one’ and maybe change Finally, THE WARNING. Reloading can be
powder. dangerous. Please err on the side of safety –
refer to reloading manuals, start low and work
Is our load filling the case? If you’re not filling up the load in small increments. Beware of the
the case, you are unlikely to get consistency excess-pressure warning signs – sticky bolt-lift,
from shot to shot. Reason? The powder will flattened primers etc.
lie differently in a partly full case. Consider the
worst scenario – you tipped the round on its Blowing yourself up might not concern you
nose before you chambered it, so there is no too much but please, be aware of your fellow
powder covering the primer – or the opposite, shooters when developing a load. My own
you stood the round upright before chambering, club encourages safe hand-loading but, if the
so the primer was completely covered. You RO sees you having extraction problems (i.e.
don’t need to be a ballistician to envisage that difficulty lifting the bolt) he will politely, but firmly,
different ignition/burning characteristics would ask you to leave the firing-point. Similarly, if
be displayed. anyone is seen to ‘blow’ a primer he will not be
allowed to continue
Vorsprung durchshooting.
technik? This German
The answer is to try a slower powder that better
bi-pod is adjusted with a joystick
fills the case and go through the procedure
again. Are you getting similar velocity? Often
a slower powder won’t give enough velocity.

34 Target Shooter
 122 Bohemia Road, St Leonards-on-Sea,
East Sussex,
TN37 6RP, England
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Target Shooter 35
 Rimfire Actions for Benchrest

This month we follow on from the brilliant piece
Vince did last month on the Turbo actioned rifle he
put together, by looking at a few rimfire benchrest
actions including the Turbo.
By Carl Boswell
Currently made by Flash Ebert in the USA, the Turbo
has been the mainstay of rimfire benchrest shooters
for approximately two decades. There are others
such as the Remington 40x, the Hall, etc. There are
also recent additions like the Star and Falcon actions.

The Turbo Vince put together - sleek, elegant, consistent

36 Target Shooter
 Turbo short bolt with 12 o’clock pin
I am guessing that not many of you outside rimfire
benchrest circles will have heard of the Turbo??
This creates surprise for me, as this action has been
used to potentially achieve some of the smallest
groups at 50 metres. I say this with trepidation and
using estimation only!! This estimation comes from
the scores achieved using Turbo actioned rifles on
rimfire benchrest targets; which are a great deal
smaller than both prone and three position targets.
Maybe it my lack of understanding, but the extreme
accuracy afforded by rimfire benchrest shooters, I
find it surprising that the major manufacturers still
have a hold on the aforementioned shooting sports.
Possibly an interesting debate for the future!!??
The Turbo has long been considered one of the
Target Shooter 37
 Me with my Turbo last year - it is the rifle
I would want to use!
best rimfire benchrest actions, coming in a variety
of configurations, such as left hand port, right hand
bolt or right hand bolt, right hand bolt and so on. (My
own right hand bolt, left hand port action caused
confusion on my own home range!!) The bolt initially
came in the standard rimfire configuration of a 12
o’clock firing pin position. However, there has been
a lot of developmental research by Bill Calfee and
others into repositioning the firing pin to a 6 o’clock
configuration. This, from the research, allows better
ignition/ consistency of the cartridge and therefore
The Falcon action by Baity’s Custom Gunworks - possibly the way of the future
38 Target Shooter
better accuracy. Indeed there is still debate over
this, but we have a number of manufacturers that
are even doing these modifications on existing
actions. Baity’s Custom Gunworks offers the service
of converting existing bolts to the 6 o’clock firing pin
position, amongst other things which I will discuss
later.
Whatever your personal requirements or beliefs,
there is accommodation for what you need. The
Turbo is essentially a modified Winchester 52
 Falcon Firing close up
action that is machined after heat treatment. The
modifications have achieved a very positive and
consistent ignition, which is the basis for the actions
accuracy. It does the same thing every time and it
works!!! I can vouch for this as I own a Turbo myself,
it shoots exceptionally well. Comparing it to other
rifles I own like the Anschutz 2013 the consistency,
shot to shot, is better.
The new Finnish design - it looks interesting!!
Making a rimfire rifle accurate is a combination of
many things, all contributing to that little bullet existing
the barrel and being dead on target and hitting that
central ring. In their basic forms these things include,
the action/ bolt providing consistent seating, ignition,
headspace, etc; the barrel providing positive spin
to achieve absolute precision and the bullet exiting
the barrel at its tightest point to active this accuracy.
There are a lot of other things, but these are the
Target Shooter 39
 It looks very interesting!!
essentials. (It is more complicated, but would take a
series of articles to discuss this).
New Kid on the block
So following on from the Turbo, what is next? Well an
interesting question in itself!! Recent developments
at Baity’s Custom Gunworks have brought forth the
Falcon action! (We will see it in the UK in the not so
distant future and even possibly brought here on a
steady basis). The action can be selected with either
a 12 or 6 o’clock firing pin, providing options for the
shooter.
Now the Falcon is the newest action offered to
benchrest shooters, coming out just last year.
However, how do you tell if this is going to be a
performer or not?? You ask one of the best gunsmiths
in the USA to run tests on it and see how it performs
in a rifle build. Bill Calfee is one of the people to
talk to, as he has done this development work over
the last few months. Bill has tested both the Falcon
and Turbo (with a modified 6 o’clock firing pin). His
40 Target Shooter
comments have been very positive so far! We do
need to see the Falcon in action during some of the
big matches going on in the USA, or better still at the
World Championship this year, to determine if it is a
potential winner!? We may well see this as people
in the various countries are developing their’ kit’ in
a bid to outdo each other. (It’s friendly but serious
stuff)!!
Bill Calfee has commented about his development
work in a variety of threads on the Rimfire Accuracy
forum - about the Turbo action, the Falcon action
and modifications to both. Have a look at this link
- http://www.rimfireaccuracy.com/Forums/
forumdisplay.php/10-Rimfire-Benchrest
These threads are well worth the read, as quite
a lot being said is worth more than just a fleeting
glance!! (If reading this at a later date, just do a
search on the forum about the items discussed
here). So the potential is there, we just need to see
the Falcon being used and hopefully by a few people
Close up of the 6 o’Clock firing pin

around the world to really develop the competition
internationally!! If interested, then visit the Baity’s
website - http://baityscustom.com/
The grass is greener – or is it just another shade
of green?
Lastly we look very briefly at a new action coming out
of Finland. (We will look at this new action and rifle
build in depth later this year, when this new project
is completed). This is in the last phase of testing and
is owned by Jens Lagas, a friend who first discussed
this action last year at the European Championship.
The gunsmith who created the action is Juha
Söderholm of JMS- Precision, Finland. He has been
developing the atcion over the last eight months.
For me it’s good to see something made in this
region of the world, even though one was muted
in the UK last year. Again this action is designed
with a six o’clock firing pin for better/ consistent
ignition. Full testing is yet to be made but things
are looking good at the moment, but we do want
to see it perform. As yet the action is not in full
production, but will be within the year - so watch
this space.
Jens has told me that it will be used in at the World
Championship this year in the USA, so I think a lot
of people will be very interested. What will be more
interesting is if it does pose serious competition to
both the Turbo and the Falcon.
The Rimfire Benchrest World Championship
is going to be an interesting place to be this to
be this summer. We are going to see a number of
innovations that people are working on. However, is
it going to be a battle of the actions, as most people
have the custom barrels and other accessories that
are similar to one another’s?! Is a custom action
going to come out on top, or will we see a factory
action taking a few surprise places?? It sounds like
a fight similar to Mac verses the PC!!
Good shooting until next month.
The complete Finnish action -
I am jealous Jens!!
Target Shooter 41
 Custom Rißes - built on Savages, GBR, Stolle, Bat etc

Factory F Class, Benchrest & Palma Rißes from Savage Arms

Bipods from Fito Force & Sinclair

Tel : 0161 408 3555

Mob: 07861 399066

e-mail: stuart@ospreyrißes.com

URL : www.ospreyrißes.com

42 Target Shooter
The Firearms Guide 2011 review
By Vince Bottomley

Target Shooter 43
We were fortunate enough to receive a copy of
the Firearms Guide (on DVD) last year and this
year’s is even better.
For a firearm’s journalist, it’s absolutely
invaluable but for any shooter it’s a brilliant work
44 Target Shooter
of reference and I can spend hours just reading
it and going from one section to another.
The Guide now contains details – and I do mean
details – not just a high res. pic and a few lines
but every possible detail – dimensions, materials
used, etc. etc. of over 50,000 guns!

New for 2011 is a Scematics library for over

1500 guns showing every part in detail. That’s
not just modern guns – 1874 Sharps? 1851
Navy revolver? No problem! And with one
click you can print out an exploded diagram
of your firearm.

There is also a massive ammo list – both

American and European and every possible
fact and detail of each particular round is
listed including all the manufacturers of that
particular cartridge. Ballistic performance is
also included.

As a bonus, you also get stacks of targets

(500) you can print out and there’s even a
video from the French Demas Company
showing the manufacture of shotguns and
double rifles by the traditional method. For
our American readers, there is also a list of
gun dealers

Want a copy? Course you do! The Guide is

produced by Impressum Media Inc. Check out
the website at www.firearmsguide.com for
more information than we can include here.
The price is just $39.95 – yes, that’s dollars
but you can pay by Paypal – quick and safe.

Target Shooter 45

Setting up your pistol calibre Gallery Rifles/
Revolvers for improved functioning and
reliability, as well as making them fit you
properly in the first place is obviously very
important, and even more so if you intend to use
them for competition purposes but the whole
package won’t be complete unless you are
going to use good quality and accurate
ammunition at the same time.
The main reason why most of us choose to
reload our own ammunition is purely down to
the better accuracy that can be achieved with
it, compared to most of the commercial or club
rounds that are currently available. With a bit of
time, effort and care most shooters should be
able to produce their own ammunition which will
out perform what they are currently purchasing
and this can only improve your shooting in the
long run. Another major advantage of reloading
yourself is that it will give you much more
flexibility by allowing you to tailor your
ammunition for specific purposes or
competitions. For example, using a lighter
bullet or powder weight (or both) will help
Shooter or ammo ability?
46 Target Shooter
by Gwyn Roberts
reduce the recoil which is just what you need if
you intend on shooting a match like the speed
steels at Bisley. At the end of the day you only
want to make them ring, not scream out loud
when you hit them so making ammunition that
will allow you to achieve faster follow up shots
is going to help reduce your overall run times.
In contrast to this, using heavier bullets etc will
increase your chances of dropping any falling
plates should you happen to hit one low or
just nick the edge of it during a Man v Man or
Bianchi plates match. To stand any chance of
doing well in one of the 100-300yd GR matches
that are shot at Bisley you are going to need
to make ammunition which will push the bullet
towards the higher end of the velocity scale in
order to group well at these extended distances.
Some shooters who don’t own a mover base
make specific ammunition using lighter bullets
which travel at a much faster speed for use in
the Bianchi Mover match, as they find it cuts
down quite significantly the amount of lead
required whilst aiming and shooting at the
target. Using an accurate target load around the
3-6 grain mark (depending on the calibre being
used) rather than a much more pokier Cowboy
or Action load will make it much easier for you
to stay on target during the quicker stages of a
1500 or “shorts” match and this will obviously
help improve your scores accordingly. It will
also help to reduce fatigue for those having to
shoot back to back matches all day, as well as
making it a much more pleasant experience for
both you and the other shooters around you at
the same time.
As well as the obvious benefits of increased
accuracy and performance, reloading your
own ammunition can also be very rewarding as
 Different tools for different jobs
well as relaxing, and it can work out to be a lot
cheaper too in the long run. Starting off with a
used press will help cut down the initial outlay
Lee Turret
needed to get started and then it will obviously
depend on the amount of ammunition that you
make and use, as to how quickly you will recoup
your investment. Now I’m certainly no Laurie
or Vince in this department but when I started
out reloading in my pistol days I was steered
towards a single stage press and got one of
the old boys from the club to help me set it up
and watch over me for a few weeks until I was
confident in what I was doing. To be honest
though it took me way too long to make what
I considered was a small amount of .45acp
ammo, and then all of about 10 minutes to put
it down range so this was quickly replaced by a
cheap and cheerful Lee turret press. Although
this did speed things up a little bit it wasn’t very
long before this was replaced by one of the very
popular Lee Pro 1000 progressive presses,
which enabled me to load up to three to four
times faster once I’d got used to it and I’ve stuck
with them ever since. I actually saved the cost
of buying my first progressive press within the
first 6 months due to the amount of ammo that
I was shooting, and looking at the cost of the
commercial ammo that’s around today I don’t
think it would take you too long before you
started saving money either.
Single stage
A Single stage press as its name suggests uses
one die at a time to do a single process, which
to be honest isn’t really ideal for making the
quantity of pistol calibre ammo that we use
Target Shooter 47
 happens at each station using a 3 die press.
Lee Pro 1000 Placing an empty case into the holder and then
pulling down on the reloading handle will push
the case up into (1) the resizing/decapping die
which in turn sizes the case back to its original
factory dimensions, and pushes out the old
primer which is then dispensed into a clear pvc
tube. This retains the spent primers ready for
easy disposal afterwards and saves you a lot
of time and effort trying to find and pick them
up off the floor once you’ve finished reloading.
Pushing the primer unit forwards at this point
will place a new primer into the primer guide
which will then seat a new primer into the case
at the end of the upstroke. The turret head will
also rotate around to the next index at this point
and the next pull of the handle will push the
case up into (2) the powder through expanding
die which flares the top of the case slightly (to
enable a bullet to be seated easier) and drops
in the required amount of powder. As the handle
is pushed back up again the turret will index to
the next position where a bullet must then be

in Gallery Rifle. Because of the design and

ruggedness of a single stage press though
they will always produce a better quality of
ammunition but at a low rate per hour so they
tend to be used more for centre fire rifle rounds
where the tolerances and accuracy needed is
much higher.

Turret press
A turret press on the other hand uses a single
shell holder that holds one case in it at a time
but has a turret plate on top which holds the 3
- 4 individual dies needed to complete a round
of ammunition. This turret is either rotated by
hand, or on some models it will automatically
rotate/index to the next position on either the up
or down stroke of the handle. Like all machines
with moving parts an auto index press will need
a slight bit of tweaking from time to time to keep
it indexing precisely, but keeping them clean
and lubricated will pretty much take care of this
for you and help ensure it performs reliably.
One of the most widely used would be the Lee
Classic (3 or 4 hole) turret press which is auto
Hornady single stage
indexing and here’s a brief explanation of what

48 Target Shooter
 Dillon primer tubes
placed on top of the case. The next pull of the
handle will push the case up into (3) the bullet
seating die which will ensure the bullet is located
at the correct depth giving you the desired
overall length (O.A.L) of the cartridge and apply
the right amount (and type) of crimp at the same
time. When shooting low powered target loads
you only need to apply a very small amount of
crimp to ensure that the bullet doesn’t move and
that it will feed into the chamber/cylinder easily.
To make 1 complete round on a turret press
RCBS single stage
you will usually need to operate the lever either
3 or 4 times and the average production rate
using a turret press seems to be around the 150
to 200 rounds per hour (maybe more in some
cases) so the output is much better than that of
the single stage.
Progressive press
A progressive press on the other hand uses a
shell plate that holds several cases (between
3 & 8) at the same time and this plate rotates
automatically (in most cases) to the next
position/index once the handle completes
either an upward or downward stroke, depending
on its design. The turret plate holding the dies
and powder dispenser remains stationary and
whenever a case is present, a primer will
automatically be seated and the powder
dispensed. Up to around 100 -150 primers are
held in either tubes or holders which can be
changed over quickly and the powder hoppers
can also be topped up very quickly too so a lot
of rounds can be produced before you have
to stop to top up. Depending on the make and
model, some turrets can accommodate up to 7
individual dies plus other accessories such as
powder checks etc and once the initial cases
have been stationed, a complete round is
made with every crank of the handle giving a
production rate of between 300 to over 1,000
rounds per hour with the big machines. Most
progressives as standard still require the bullet
to be placed by hand on top of the flared case
but many can be fitted with factory automatic
bullet feeders which substantially increases the
production rate, but as always you will have to
pay for the privilege.
Because of the speed you can operate a
Target Shooter 49
 Lee powder disks way) and watch the disc movement I don’t really
see it as being a problem. I would have thought
that a double charge would be more likely when
trying to load too quickly on a turret press that
was indexed by hand if the operator forgot to
turn the turret to the next position, but if you
always remain diligent this problem should
never arise regardless of the type of press being
used.

Irrespective of the type you are using you must

always ensure that the press is mounted to a
very sturdy bench or table, and ideally with a
steel plate or similar underneath it to stop any
possible movement. To get the best out of a
progressive you must always keep the handle
operation smooth and develop a “feel” for
progressive at you will need to concentrate everything that is happening during each
100% on what you are doing at all times, so no process, and this is especially important
talking to your mates on the phone or listening to during the priming stage. Through practice you
loud music etc whilst you are doing it. To ensure will soon be able to tell if the primer has been
that every case is charged properly (no empty seated correctly or whether there may be a
or double loads) I always watch the powder potential problem, and if at any time you feel
disk to make sure that it moves over to drop the any resistance you must always stop and check
powder, and then returns back to its recharge for a problem instead of forcing the issue!
position every time, and I would also do this if Every make of press is different but to maintain a
I was using an auto indexer as well for obvious reliable primer feed on the Lee you must
reasons.Some people say that it is much easier ensure that there are always a sufficient
to produce a squib load on a progressive press number of primers present in the primer
but as long as you don’t let the powder level feed chute as it is this pressure that pushes
drop too low (I never let mine drop below half the following primer onto the seating ram. If
the primers are allowed to run low it can lead
to either no primer being inserted, or to one
being inserted sideways which is not what you
want to happen. Many of the other makes can
also give you problems during the priming
process as well if care is not taken as they
each have their own quirks as it were. Yes the
progressives are a bit more complicated in
the way that they work, but they also offer a
big advantage production wise over their
counterparts and I can quite happily churn out
100 rounds every 10 - 12 minutes on my little
press.

Buying your press

As with everything in life you tend to get what
Redding T7 turret you pay for and the Lee series of presses
offer very good value for money, and produce
ammunition that is certainly good enough for
the distances that we shoot at. It must be said
however that they are not as well made or as
robust as a Dillon 650 or the new Hornady LNL

50 Target Shooter

Dillon 650
(lock n load) versions but they are around a
third to half the price to start with depending on
specification. I use a friends 650 Dillon with the
Lee turret
Lee die set
electric case feeder and everything else on it
when I shoot over in the states and they really
are fantastic machines to use, but I just can’t
justify the extra cost needed to upgrade when
my cheap PRO 1000 makes ammunition that
clearly does the job for me. If you do have a
nice 650 that unfortunately needs a good home
though please do get in touch with me! If money
was no object then I would definitely buy either
a Dillon or Hornady as they are built to a much
higher quality but it’s your money so spend
accordingly as they will all produce good quality
ammunition at the end of the day.
Choosing the best type of press to load pistol
calibre ammo will always be a subjective issue
as everyone has their own opinion and
preference but as long as you learn and
understand the basics of what each station does
and why, and follow good reloading procedures
it really shouldn’t matter what you start off with.
Before parting with your hard earned cash make
sure you sit down and give some serious thought
as to how much shooting you intend to do over
the next few years or so as this will help to steer
you in the right direction to start with. If you only
intend to plink down at the local range every
week or so and shoot maybe 30 - 50 rounds
each time then a simple single stage press is
certainly going to fulfil your needs. If you are the
type of shooter who plans to visit their club a
couple of times a week and maybe take part in
a few club comps or postal leagues then I would
suggest that you need to go for at least a turret
press to start with as, you will probably be
shooting somewhere in the region of 100 to
maybe 150 rounds per week. If you want to
move up and progress into regional or maybe
Target Shooter 51
 Lee Pro disk and auto
disk
national competitions, or you simply enjoy
putting a lot of rounds down the range every
club night then you should definitely be looking
towards buying a progressive press for
obvious reasons. For people with ever
increasing family and job commitments it
may well make sense to go straight for a
progressive press in the first place, as you
could probably make the ammo and shoot it
down at the club in half the time that it would
take you on another type of press.
Once you have decided on the type of press that to set your press up for you, and teach you the
Lee adjustable charge
bar
52 Target Shooter
will serve your requirements best in the long run,
a good idea would be to ask as many people as
possible who own one (trying as many different
makes as you can) if you could try making a few
rounds using their equipment under supervision.
This hands on experience will confirm whether
or not it is the right type of press for you to start
with, and also help you to decide on which
features or layouts you would prefer to use as
they are all slightly different in some way or
another. What ever you decide to go for in the
end, I would strongly suggest that you get an
Hand priming tool
experienced reloader (ideally who is familiar with
the type and model that you have purchased)
basics of safe practice and reloading
procedures at the same time. Learning and
understanding about each of the individual
processes involved is paramount to ensuring
that you will always produce safe and reliable
ammunition, for both your sake and everyone
else’s. Having an experienced reloader
alongside you during the first few weeks or
months will be invaluable as they will be able
to help you identify and rectify any problems
that you may encounter along the way, as well
as making sure that you don’t get into any bad
habits to start with at the same time.
 Browning Buckmark Long Pistol

Buckmark Long Pistol with Lightweight Barrel £714.00 and Fox Red Dot sight £40.00.
Available from Westlake Engineering
Tel. 01722 782432 ags.westlake@virgin.net

Target Shooter 53
 Building the Ultimate F/TR Rifle
– part 3
By Vince Bottomley

Above - Load development in sub. zero temperatures – here’s where the benchrest-style
fore-end comes in useful
For the last three issues, Vince has serialised readers contemplating a similar project some
the building his ultimate F/TR rifle, though of food for thought.
course, Vince is the first to acknowledge that his
version of ‘ultimate’ may not match your idea or To briefly re-cap – for the last couple of months
specification. Nonetheless, we hope it may give I’ve been assembling a new F/TR rifle for the

54 Target Shooter
 The superb Stolle F/TR action – 2lbs 2oz. including the 20MOA scope-rail - mine is from
Osprey Rifles

coming season, to replace the ‘lash-up’ I was
shooting last season – namely my 1000 yard
benchgun fitted with a 308 barrel. As the 2011
benchrest season is rapidly approaching, I
need to press the rifle back into service on the
benchres and replace the 308 barrel with a
new 7mmWSM barrel and get some 1000 yard
testing done!
As with many competition rifles, weight is a
major consideration - particularly so with F/TR
but at least we do not have to ponder over the
choice
Massive flat of cartridge
bedding - asand
area it isthree
already fixed by the
screws
rules – it must be 308 Win. (unless your name is
Laurie Holland or you are a member of the Flat
Earth Society!)
Allowable all-up weight for an F/TR rifle, complete
with scope and bi-pod is 8.25 kilograms – or
close to 18lbs. 2oz. Here’s how the weight might
be used in a typical F/TR rifle:
Action (Barnard or similar) 3lb.
Barrel (depending on profile) 6 – 8lbs.
Stock 4 – 5lbs.
Scope 1 – 2 lbs.
Rings, trigger, screws etc. 1lb.
Bi-pod 1 – 2.5lbs.
Total 18lbs. 2oz. maximum
Coming from a benchrest background, I’ll always
choose a heavy barrel. Why? It isn’t any more
accurate per se but, a stiff, heavy barrel is

Here’s my 36BR Leupold on last year’s F/TR rifle. The scope weighs under a pound, the
rings 3oz!

Target Shooter 55
If best accuracy is your aim – use the best components. Lapua brass, bullets & Forster dies

easier to tune and keep in-tune – it’s less eventually got it down to a respectable 4lbs. 6oz.
affected by temperature changes and the like.
My barrel weighs 8lbs. and is a straight taper Now for my cunning plan – instead of a steel
from 1.25inches atthe breech to one inch at the Barnard or BAT action weighing 3lb., I’m going
muzzle. You could easily save a pound here for the all-aluminium Stolle F Class action,
and still end up with a decent profile. which comes with a built-in scope rail with
20MOA taper and weighs just 2lbs. 2oz. Even
To keep a 308 155grain projectile supersonic all so, I can’t afford to fit a Schmidt & Bender or
the way to 1000 yards, a length of around 30 Nightforce scope weighing over two pounds, so
inches is desirable - with many competitors I’m going for a Leupold 36BR fixed-power scope
opting for 32 or even 34 inches. I’ll stick at 30 (actually my 100 yard benchrest scope) which
inches – it gives me a genuine 3000 fps muzzle- weighs a tad under a pound. Another useful
velocity with the 155 Lapua Scenar - even on a weight-saver. Yes, a quality zoom scope like
cold day and that’s good enough – just! a 12-50 Schmidt & Bender would be my dream
choice but building an F/TR rifle is all about
I also like wood-laminate stocks. They are compromises!
denser and less ‘ringy’ than fibreglass but the
downside is they are heavier. Out of the Last month’s article ended with me waiting for my
box – un-inletted - mine (from www. buddy, Ian Dixon, to put some clear automotive
precisionriflesales.com weighed a frightening lacquer on the stock and hopefully make my
6lbs. but a day or three on the milling machine wood-butchering look good. He didn’t take long

56 Target Shooter
The lower group was shot with magnum primers, the upper group with normal primers.
Both are five-shot and measure comfortably under half an inch
and after half a dozen coats of two- accuracy, good brass is essential, so of course,
pack lacquer it did look good, so I put the rifle we will be starting with a new box of Lapua.
together and dropped it on the scales. Complete Incidentally, if you’re shooting new Lapua 308
with my home-made bi-pod (a Fito Big Foot brass don’t waste time, money and barrel-life by
copy) it weighed exactly 18lb. 2 oz. Relief! I fire-forming – there is no need.
did have the remarkable carbon-fibre Censhot
bi-pod weighing just 19oz. should the need Am I using Lapua’s new ‘small-primer’ brass,
arise. developed specially for the F/TR shooter who is
It’s now February and the first GBFCA League now achieving previously un-heard of velocities?
shoot is just two months away but my Club’s No, I’m not at this stage but I don’t rule it out
(Diggle) annual F Class Championship is three completely. The small primer gives more ‘meat’
rounds in and, as yet, I haven’t pulled a trigger. in the case-head, thus resisting the tendency for
This weekend’s shoot is a 1000 yarder so ‘in at the primer-pocket to expand after several heavy
the deep end’ so to speak but ideal to evaluate loadings. Slack primer-pockets means the brass
the rifle’s potential and a good opportunity for a must be binned – maybe after just four firings
‘zero’. But first, we need a load. but although the small-primer brass may last a
One great thing about the 308 Win. cartridge is bit longer, it’s more expensive initially so it’s a
that it’s very forgiving. By that, I mean it’s easy to ‘swings & roundabouts’ thing and personally, I’d
tune and it will handle a wide range of powders sooner change my brass more often – nothing
and bullets. It will work well with Hodgdon shoots like new brass!
H4895, Varget, Vhitavuori N140, N150 or the Of course, you need to prep. your new brass – by
equivalent double-base ‘5’ series (N540) and lightly chamfering the inside and outside of the
handle bullets from 125 – 210 grains. For best neck but that’s about all you need with Lapua.

Target Shooter 57
The rifle makes its competition debut at 1000 yards
Check the new brass in your chamber and make will give a slightly hotter burn – which is like
sure the bolt closes without resistance (remove using more powder so I tried another two-tenths
the spring and firing pin to do this). If there is of a grain with normal primers. That did it, a
any resistance, you can run the brass through really nice little five-shot group measuring 0.312
your full-length sizing-die – adjusting it until the inches (see pic). What’s more, the chronograph
bolt closes with just the slightest ‘kiss’ on the was indicating that magic 3000 fps that we are
case. If you wish to uniform the primer-pocket all chasing!
depth, wait until after the first firing – otherwise You may be wondering about loaded-length. Am
you may find the uniformer tool takes a shaving I loading into the rifling? If so, by how much?
off the sides of the pocket. With a benchgun, yes, I will try seating the bullets
With any new rifle, my first job is to find the into the rifling for that last ounce of accuracy
maximum load it will SAFELY handle. By this, I but, for F Class - no! Why not? If the RO calls
don’t mean the load which pops the primer out an emergency ‘cease-fire’ he will expect to see O
of its pocket but one where bolt-lift just begins to bolts removed and if I’ve got one ‘up the spout’
get a little ‘sticky’ and the primers are flattened this could mean pulling a round and filling the
with maybe the slightest hint of cratering. action with powder – I’ve seen it happen on
Although I know this will occur with around 45- more than one occasion. With a close-tolerance
47 grains of my Vhitavuori N540, every rifle is custom action, a single grain of powder can lock
unique – barrels can be ‘tight’, the internal finish the whole thing solid – shoot over – weekend
can be different etc. Never assume anything ruined! So, my loaded length will be about five
when developing a load – work up from a safe thou. off the rifling.
starting-point in small increments. Consult the I now have a load. I now have a 100 yard zero
reloading manual produced by your chosen but our shoot the next day is at 1000 yards, so
powder manufacturer for a safe starter load. it’s time to consult the ballistics program. I have
I like to do my loading on the firing-point when several and they all work but I do like the Brian
developing a load and I’m lucky at Diggle to have Litz one. Brian is the ballistics man for Berger
covered firing-points at most ranges but today, bullets and a CD of his programme was included
we are at 100 yards. As I expected, a little over with his excellent book Applied Ballistics for Long
47 grains produced the first signs of pressure so Range Shooting. If you’ve not seen this book,
I backed-off the load by half a grain and started I can thoroughly recommend it. Brian writes in
looking for the accuracy load. I soon had a five- such a way that this technical subject reads like
shot group around half an inch. Normally, with a a novel! Anyway, the prog. recommended 28
308, I would be happy with this but, such is the MOA from 100 to 1000 yards.
level of competition in national F/TR events, half
MOA just isn’t good enough! On the day of the shoot, it was a couple of
degrees above freezing but winds were light.
Also, I’d heard that some shooters were using I did first stint in butts and there were some
magnum primers in their 308s. That’s something strange shots on the targets. Clearly, there was
new to me but I decided to give it a try. I kept my more going on out there than the flags were
half MOA load and shot it using the magnums – revealing. Of course, our 308 bullets are on their
wow, an even smaller group! A magnum primer ‘last legs’ at 1000 yards and very susceptible to
58 Target Shooter
 even light winds. Best F Class Open score in the If you have any aspirations at all to shoot F
morning was a 98 (out of 100) with a reasonable Class with the GBFCA, please come along and
V bull count, indicating that conditions were give it a go. Don’t think that you need to build the
good. Best F/TR was an 88. ‘ultimate’ rifle - just come along with whatever
Thankfully, my first sighter was on target – a you have and get a feel for the sport. Check out
low four – so Brian’s prog. was spot-on. It was the GBFCA website at www.f-class.org.uk for
a clean barrel and shots can be low off a clean much more information and a calendar of our
tube so I shouldn’t have adjusted - but I did and shoots.
my second sighter was sat on top of the four
ring, just in the three zone! If I’d left it, it would
have been a five! I adjusted again and got a five
for my ‘first to count’. Yes, it was tricky out there
and I had two unforgivable ‘threes’ but ended up
on 89 - to take the F/TR class win. Not brilliant,
to be nine points adrift of the Open class winner
but I was pleased to see that the rifle had some
potential - until I found that second-place man
Paul Harper was shooting his tactical 308 off
a Harris bi-pod and a 26 inch barrel! Well shot
Paul – you deserved to win.
The Bartlein barrel has now had about 40
rounds down it so will be on the way to being
run-in. I gave it a good clean and there was very
little copper in there, so hopefully we have a
reasonably good barrel which will serve me well
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60 Target Shooter
HANDLOADING BENCH - MECHANICAL POWDER
MEASURES

by Laurie Holland
Above - The beautifully made and finished Harrell’s Precision Premium Benchrest
measure optimised for 30gn charges of fine-grained powder
I’ll carry on with my look at powder measures Scoring measure performance is like ice
this month, describing and testing a sample dancing contests where the judges give values
of six. Before getting into the nitty-gritty, for technical merit and artistic excellence. The
let’s examine a key issue. The term ‘powder ‘technical merit’ element here is consistency
measure’ involves an apparent contradiction – does the measure ‘throw’ the same charge
in that any cursory examination of one quickly each time? Results are judged by weight, but
shows it works by metering volume, but what constitutes an acceptable range? There is
smokeless loads are invariably quoted in and no off the shelf answer – for instance, a 0.4gn
calibrated by weight. What this tells us is that extreme spread (ES) will likely be acceptable
a measure must be used in conjunction with in a magnum employing near 70gn charges for
scales. The objective is to throw a particular use in a sporting rifle, but not so in a small cased
volume of powder that equates to whatever cartridge employing 25-30gn charges for mid
charge weight we want making it essential to to long-range precision target shooting. That
check-weigh the charges thrown at the start of assumes that charges will be used ‘as thrown’ of
a loading session, and regularly thereafter to course, while most long-range shooters adjust
ensure that correct weights are produced individual charges in conjunction with scales to
throughout. Since makes and grades of improve charge weight consistency, ±0.1gn the
powders have different bulk densities, the usual target. However, many shooters want to
measure is reset for each one even if charge use charges ‘as thrown’ to reduce the time and
weights remain the same. Densities can vary effort involved in the handloading process. For
too between production batches, also marginally many sporting shooters, the 1% variation rule
through air temperature and humidity changes. that I mentioned last month is probably good
enough, 0.3gn ES on a 30gn charge, 0.5gn on
Technical Merit a 50-grainer and so on. Distance to target is
Target Shooter 61
 important alongside grouping ability to
avoid vertical inconsistencies in the point
of impact. Charge weight variations aren’t
the only cause of over-large MV ES
values, but undoubtedly contribute.

This aspect of performance was judged

by subjecting the measures to an
identical test involving four powders –
Hodgdon VarGet and Hybrid 100V, IMR-
4064, and Vihtavuori N140. VarGet and
N140 are short-cut stick powders that
should flow and meter well, while 4064
is a traditional long-grained ‘log’ powder
notorious for getting kernels caught
between the rotor and measure body,
even hanging up (‘bridging’) in the
drop-tube. I’d just bought a bottle of
Hybrid 100V, a new propellant made for
Hodgdon by the St. Marks Powder Co.
in Florida and decided to use it as an
alternative to a true ball powder. It is a
dense double-base stick-powder with
The cheap and rounded ends produced in ball powder
remarkably precipitation-still technology, hence
efficient little Lee ‘hybrid’, and with a burning rate between
Perfect Meaure. H4350 and H4831 grades. It allegedly
The reservoir has gives high MVs and good results in
just enough cartridges like 6XC (my interest) and 6.5-
capacity for 284 Norma.
loading rifle
cartridges This quartet was expected to provide
a range of results, and I also thought
it unlikely any one measure would be
outstandingly good or bad with all four,
predictions that were largely fulfilled.
The test consisted of setting each
measure to throw charges around 50gn,
filling the powder reservoir fully, throwing
10 charges without weighing to settle
grains down inside the measure,
then carefully throwing 25 charges
each weighed on my Acculab VIC123
laboratory standard electron-
ic scales. The measure body
crucial – find a combination of bullet, powder, was tapped with a large but light
and pressures / MV that the rifle barrel likes wooden kitchen spoon before operating
(an ‘accuracy node’ or ‘sweet spot’) and you the handle as previous tests had shown that
get small groups at shorter ranges even with ‘knocking’ reduces charge weight variations and
significant powder charge weight and MV the measure handle was moved at a steady slow
variations. However, shoot at long rang- pace. All 35 charges thrown were returned to
es, or small targets at medium ranges, the powder bottle, not the measure reservoir, to
and achieving small MV spreads becomes see if the reducing powder column height (more

62 Target Shooter
The Lee Perfect stem is graduated in
cubic centimetres

Standard RCBS Uniflow, another long-

lived and good design from this company

Target Shooter 63
 Uniflow’s metering assembly.
There is a flat on the metering
screw with gradations out of
sight

importantly weight) affected charge consistency. in equal numbers as on a ‘bell’. Also, most
Results are listed in Table 2 giving the low, results fell within a reasonable range, but the
high and mean weights as well as the standard occasional one would be on its own well
deviation (SD) and the number of charges that outside the norm for no obvious reason, this
exceeded 0.2gn variance from the mean either applying particularly to Hybrid 100V, affecting
way. There was no attempt to produce identical ES and SD values. That’s why I added in how
charge weights from each measure, and once many charges were outside of ±0.2gn from the
set up, measures were left alone for the four mean, 0.4gn looking a reasonable range on
powders. a 50gn charge weight for sporting cartridges
and short-range target work. As an example,
A word is probably in order here about SD. the Redding Competition BR-30 produced a
This is a statistical measure of the amount of large 1.16gn ES for Hybrid 100V, an apparently
variability around an arithmetic mean (average). disastrous result, but when I studied the
While 25 results are enough to give an idea of breakdown, I found that of the seven charges
the amount of likely variability, four times that that exceeded a ±0.2gn tolerance, four only did
number would be a lot better. SD also relies on so marginally, a couple by around 0.1gn, and
results in graph or histogram form producing a the real damage was done by a single charge
bell-shape distribution curve and it became nearly 0.8gn below the mean that skewed the
obvious that this didn’t apply. For instance, results. Nevertheless, the base results remain
variations were more likely to appear on one valid as had those charges been used ‘as thrown’,
side of the average than the other rather than one cartridge out of the 25 would have had a
64 Target Shooter

Well-used Hornady
L-N-L Benchrest
Measure. The large
reservoir holds a
full tin of
Hybrid 100V. Note
the absence of
measure handle
knob – lost through
metal fatigue
significantly lower charge than the norm.
Apples and Oranges
The ‘artistic excellence’ scores in this exercise
comprise a range of attributes that are
subjectively measured – ease and speed of
initial adjustment and subsequent changes;
smoothness; propensity for powder kernels to
stick / be cut between the rotor and measure
body; and of course, price with the dearest
measure tested nine or ten times more
expensive than the cheapest. I’ve attempted
to put some scores to these values in Table 4,
but remind you they are subjective. Users have
differing needs which affect such an evaluation
too. For instance, the Harrell with its Culver form
metering chamber and ergonomic ad-
justment mechanism with very positive
click adjustment is ideal for
returning to a known previous
setting and making minor
changes.
A single ‘click’ on the adjuster
drum changes the charge weight
by 0.1gn with most short-cut stick
powders. This is ideal for me
loading up large numbers of
cartridges for tests in three or
five round batches that see
weights increase by anything
between 0.1gn and full grain steps.
It’s also ideal for the benchrest
competitor loading 6PPC or
similar on the firing point making
small adjustments to
accommodate temperature
changes during a match, and so
on, but is of no great value to the
individual who only loads one
cartridge sticking to a single
charge weight of one powder.
Then there are accessories
available for competition models
mostly – drop tubes,
super-capacity reservoirs,
reservoir baffles, alternative
metering screw assemblies, and
other goodies. Their availability
may be important to some, but
probably not to the average
handloader who just wants
to throw 20 or 30 reasonably
consistent charges in a session
and whose cartridge cases have
enough room to accept them without fuss.
Measures come in various sizes and grades.
Two of the six tested, the Harrell and the
Redding are small competition measures
designed for optimal accuracy throwing
fine-grained powders with charges around 30gn.
Testing them with 50gn charges, especially
of coarse-grained powders, puts them at a
disadvantage against the Lee, Hornady, RCBS
and Forster that will throw charges up to 100gn
or thereabouts putting 50gn in the mid-point of
their ranges. The Harrell’s adjuster drum was
set at a reading of 90 on a scale that tops out
at 110 to throw a 50gn charge, so its physical
limit is 60-65gn charges. To restore balance,
I ran an additional powder and weight test for
Target Shooter 65
 tering screw-heads and finely graduated stems.
Another difference is that it has become almost
normal now for ‘standard’ measures to employ
QD metering screw assemblies in pistol and
rifle versions whose dimensions are geared to
the very different charge sizes, but you don’t
get this facility with ‘competition’ models – you
can buy handgun / small rifle or rifle versions,
but not dual-purpose models. On reflection, I
don’t think it was unduly inappropriate to use the
Hornady ‘Bench Rest’ as it is the cheapest of
the ‘competition’ bunch by a large margin, £139
against £207 for its RCBS and Redding BR-30
competitors using Midway UK prices as a guide.
Moreover, it’s actually cheaper than a Redding
3 standard measure with ‘universal’ meter.
Talking money, another factor to consider is
the need for and cost of a measure stand. The
Lee comes with one, the others don’t. Hornady,
RCBS and Redding models have cylindrical
7/8X14 tpi threaded lower sections to screw into
loading press frames, turrets etc and can be
The Hornady bench or shelf-mounted using a cheap flat plate,
Bench Rest’s but if you plan on using them as standalone
graduated tools on a table or loading bench you really do
metering stem need a curved ‘piggyback’ stand to raise them
and cap with above tabletop level to bring them within easy
etched in
markings – The unusual and
difficult to read compact (but heavy
(and photograph). and sturdy) Forster
Bonanza Bench Rest
this pair, 29.0gn of Viht N133 which measure
approximates to what most British 100yd
benchrest shooters use in the 6PPC
(Table 3).

While a ‘full-size’ measure, the

Hornady L-N-L Bench Rest model is
another ‘competition’ design with
features that differentiate it from its
standard brethren and give it a
substantially higher price, so it isn’t a fair
comparison to pit it against the standard
RCBS Uniflow. All Harrell measures are
basically ‘competition’ types, the range
varying by size and finish, but Hornady,
RCBS and Redding produce a mix
of standard and competition models.
The main change between grades is in
the rotor powder cavity and attached
metering stem, competition versions
having reduced diameters, concave me-

66 Target Shooter
 Close-up of the Bonanza’s handle / metering chamber assembly. The metering rod is in
the position used for larger (>37gn) charges

reach and allow unrestricted insertion of a type material, their fit adjusted by the amount
cartridge case or scale-pan underneath. of tension imparted by the single securing
The Harrell and Forster measures include a screw. The trick is to set the tension so that the
screw-operated clamp for fixing to a shelf or tool operates easily, but not loose enough for
firing point structural ledge, but also need a powder kernels to slip between their surfaces
stand for bench use. I use Sinclair International’s which can happen especially with fine-grained ball
model with my Harrell measure, adjustable for powders, and requires the measure to be
height and the angle the measure is presented emptied, dismantled and cleaned. A key
at, but expensive. feature in its success is an ‘elastomer wiper’, a
thin soft blade that stops powder kernels sticking.
Impressions The mechanism is smooth, but doesn’t run as
Let me pass on my impressions of using the easily as the metal bodied models. You get a
six models, again emphasising the subjective thin stamped steel stand which is attached to
nature of these views. I’ll start with the Lee the measure body using two self-tappers and
‘Perfect’ measure, the cheapest at a few pence it’s so thin it flexes as you operate the device.
under £27. This is a small, no let’s be frank TINY, No matter, the elastomer wiper set-up doesn’t
device which unlike the others is mostly fabricated need rock-steady support to give good results
from plastics of one sort or other. The rotor apparently! Unlike some of our sextet, the
and its matching cavity in the body are slightly measuring chamber is charged when the
cone-shaped and made of some form of nylon handle is in the up position and discharges its

Target Shooter 67
 Redding Competition BR-30 with after-market adaptor to take 1lb Sinclair bottles or
Hodgdon / IMR powder cans

68 Target Shooter
The BR-30’s metering stem is clearly marked and finely adjustable

Target Shooter 69
 The Harrell’s metering adjuster stem and drum
load when the handle is pushed down. It has
a 120° throw, but if you don’t need automatic
(progressive press) operation, there is a small
plastic stop that can be removed to allow the
metering chamber to rise up to true vertical
improving performance with bulky powders.
This measure is one I bought some years back,
but hardly ever used, so was as-new when tried.
This degrades consistency as powders deposit
a coating of graphite on the internal surfaces
during early use that helps powder flow through
the device smoothly making its performance
even more creditable than the results in Table
2 suggest. Unlike other makers, Lee’s metering
stem markings have a use other than simply
for referencing settings as they’re graduated in
cubic centimetres and you get a list of powder
‘VMD’ values, the volume of 1.0gn powder
that lets you calculate a starting setting. If I’d
wanted to throw 51.9gn of H. VarGet (the
average I ended up with) whose VMD is 0.0731,
multiply one by the other and we get 3.79cc, and
sure enough that’s where we are on the scale
reading. The Lee was one of only two measures
that kept all four powder SDs to 0.2gn or below
and one of three that produced a reasonable
ES with Hybrid 100V. Oddly, it struggled a
little with VarGet which most other measures
performed best with, but proved to be an excellent
70 Target Shooter
performer overall, especially given the price. I
only have one complaint about this tool – it is too
small. If Lee had made it 50% bigger throughout,
or even given it a decent size grasping knob, it
would be easier to use.
Traditional Trio
I’ll group the Hornady L-N-L Bench Rest, RCBS
Uniflow, and Redding Competition BR-30
together as this trio share a common and
traditional design with a cast iron body,
machined cylindrical rotor that rotates through
100-115°, and a metering ‘pencil’ or ‘thimble’
sticking out the front with charges set by
turning its stem / cap. The measuring chamber
is charged with the handle / rotor down, and
the powder is released into a short drop-tube
as you raise the handle. There are two things
wrong with this arrangement. First, the rotor
movement range sees the measuring chamber
end up short of vertical during metering /
filling and discharge, so has to employ kinked
passages for powder movement as well as
failing to maximise the force of gravity. Second,
all three rotors ran very smoothly and freely
– a good thing, of course – but in the RCBS
and Redding models that saw the handle /
measuring chamber drop the rotor down into
the charging position under their own weight

as soon as the hand was removed from the
handle to perform other jobs. No problem,
unless you want to make a change to the
adjuster setting in which case you’re doing it
on a chamber already full of powder kernels. I
always throw that charge back into the powder
bottle before operating the measure again and
re-checking the weight as I reckon it is likely
to be inconsistent. Despite this, they worked
well with the exception of IMR-4064 which
produced regular ‘sticking’ in the discharge throw
movement and maybe one in five charges saw
a kernel truly stuck between rotor and body
needing considerable pressure to be built up
gradually on the handle to cut through it.
Incidentally, if you overcome any powder grain
induced ‘sticktion’ in measure operation – and
you get some with every measure and powder
type – slowly and smoothly, it doesn’t
Lee (furthest away) gives you a flimsy
stand, otherwise it’s an additional item
on top of the measure. Note Lock-N-
Load QD insert in the Hornady measure
stand (foreground)
affect charge weight consistency. I checked this
out with all six models and didn’t find a single
example of it producing a rogue charge weight.
Jerk the measure handle hard and it’s a
different matter! IMR-4064 also ‘bridged’
occasionally in the Uniflow’s drop-tube and
needed another couple of taps with the wooden
spoon on the measure body to ensure complete
clearance. This can happen with any of these
measures and many extruded powders if the
handle is operated too quickly as I know to my
cost with years of experience with the Hornady.
This measure has a hard metal plating on the
rotor and a different operating feel. Its handle
and rotor will remain in the upright (discharge)
position which I like. It and the Redding BR-
30 have the improved metering arrangements
that allow easy record keeping, finer setting
adjustment and should give greater charge
Target Shooter 71
Above - The three Hodgdon / IMR powders used in the main test and the N140 was used in
the main test; N133 and N550 in the secondary tests
consistency. Both performed well, the Redding Odd Design
managing IMR-4064 better than the rest by a Moving on to the Forster ‘Bonanza Bench Rest’,
large margin, and the Hornady finally giving this is an odd man out design-wise. Although
Hybrid 100V the small weight spread and SD sticking to the traditional cast iron body and
that Hodgdon promises. As noted before, the rotor, albeit much smaller than in the Hornady,
Redding had a problem with this powder, in Redding, RCBS trio, it has a huge cast iron
particular that one really low ‘rogue’ charge. operating handle that is bored out to double
Mentioning the Hornady, a feature that as the metering chamber. It contains a
differentiates it from the others is a large powder cylindrical metering rod whose position is adjusted
reservoir that easily holds a full pound weight through sliding it by hand – no screw-thread –
of powder. The others held a little over half a and it is locked in position with a large external
pound and were half-empty after 35 charges thumbscrew. The measure is given its initial
were thrown. To ensure consistency, they should setting by procuring the desired weight of
be topped up again at that point. powder using your scales, dropping the (empty)
measure’s handle into the down (charging)
position, pouring the powder charge into the top
of the tool to feed through into the handle /
chamber. The handle is then moved to its
half-way (horizontal) position which cuts the
metering chamber off from both drop-tube
and powder reservoir apertures, the meter-
ing rod’s setscrew loosened and the rod is slid
up the handle to touch the powder, closing it
up without unduly compressing the grains.
Lock the rod there, fill the reservoir up and
start off with hopefully only marginal further
adjustment needed. Incidentally, the rod has
two threaded holes an inch or so apart for its
lock-screw in order to accommodate different
powder weight ranges. When the lower hole is
used it moves the rod further up into the rotor
restricting available metering capacity and
should be used for charges in the 2.5-37gn
range, the upper hole used to drop the bar for
charges above that, 90-95gn of short-cut rifle
Hornady ‘Bench Rest’ metering screw powders being its limit. The charge bar can
assembly (left) alongside the same company’s also be removed to drain the measure back
standard L-N-L model into the powder bottle without removing it from
72 Target Shooter
 4064 and that was less
You can upgrade modern RCBS QD Uniflow QD models with a than the others, the Lee
UPM metering kit (Uniflow Precision Mic) excepted. Forster recom-
mends ignoring the han-
dle and gripping the han-
dle body between thumb
and forefinger, a method
that works well. This
measure didn’t excel with
any single powder but
gave a very creditable
performance across the
board. As with the Lee,
the measure was brand
new without any graphite
coating inside, so its
performance could be
expected to improve with
use. What did concern
me was the setting-up /
adjustment method as
to time and subsequent
fine-tuning. Having to
the bench. produce a ready-weighed
The handle / metering chamber travels through charge slows things down and only put me in the
a full 180° arc, its movement controlled ball-park, not spot on. I’d rather have a mechanical
by a small roll-pin stop and is vertical at each screw-based adjuster too as it’s near impossible
end of travel remaining at the top (full discharge) to make a really fine adjustment by sliding a rod
position without support. With its length, long by hand. I ran my .308 Win F/TR load of 46.3gn
throw and considerable weight, operation has Viht N550 through it and found it took about 10
a heavier and more ponderous feel than the minutes to set the measure up. The results I
previous trio, but is very smooth. There was got weren’t up to be used ‘as thrown’ – but that
no serious powder cutting except with IMR- applied to all results for all measures for this
purpose – but was just right for adjust-
Culver type meters are widely used by benchrest ing with a trickler and scales with 11
shooters like Steve Dunn seen here handloading charges usable straight from the mea-
between details in a UKBRA 100yd match sure, one slightly too high needing re-
ducing, and 13 needing topped up by
amounts between 0.1 and 0.4gn to be
within an acceptable final 46.2-46.4gn
weight range.

Rolls-Royce
That leaves the Harrell’s Precision
Premium Benchrest model, a small
lightweight device made out of
polished aluminium, brass, and steel
with superb ergonomics. With the
rotor supported at each end by
ball bearings, the handle operation
moving through its 180° arc
superlatively smoothly and allowing
precise control of the flow of powder

Target Shooter 73
 Table 1 

      Guide Price(s)  Manufacturer Website  UK Distributor(s) 

Lee ‘Perfect’    £27    www.leeprecision.com  Hannam’s Reloading Ltd., Peckfield Lodge, York 

 Henry Krank, Pudsey W Yorks 

RCBS Standard Uniflow  £98    www.rcbs.com    GMK Limited, Fareham, Hants   

Forster Bonanza Bench Rest  £125 (+ £29 stand)  www.forsterproducts.com  Hannam’s Reloading Ltd., Peckfield Lodge, York 

Hornady L‐N‐L Bench Rest  £139 (+ £36 stand)  www.hornady.com/reloading  Edgar Bros, Macclesfield 

      (£85 basic L‐N‐L) 

Redding Comp BR‐30    £207 (+£37 stand)  www.redding‐reloading.com  Norman Clark Gunsmith, Rugby 

      (£146 Redding 3 Universal) 

Harrell’s Precision     $249.95 US  http://www.harrellsprec.com  No importer. Try Trent Firearms or direct import  

Premium Benchrest  Others $200‐350 US (Sinclair)      from manufacturer. Sinclair International sells 

 (+ $46.95 US for Sinclair stand)  direct. (www.sinclairintl.com) 

kernels into the drop-tube (important for pack-
ing maximum charges into the PPC case). As
with the Lee, powder discharge is on the down-
stroke. I’ve already mentioned the super-fine
graduated ‘click’ adjuster with closely calibrated
scales, so price aside (a whopping $250 US plus
carriage, UK duty, customs clearance fees,
20% VAT!) what can be wrong with such a
Rolls-Royce quality machine? Simply that it didn’t
produce the tiny extreme spreads that one might
expect. Not that it did badly, very well with Hybrid
100V and better than most with IMR-4064, but
0.7gn spreads with VarGet and N140 are hardly
exciting and certainly not usable. Now I did
say that it was unfair on this measure (and the
Redding BR-30) to be expected to produce top
results with 50gn charges, so ran a 5th test with
29gn Viht N133 and this was better for both
small competition measures with near identical
results – a half-grain extreme spread and SDs
in the 0.13-0.14gn range. So the majority of
charges will be within a 0.3gn spread – and that
obviously works for 100yd benchrest shooters as
they use charges ‘as thrown’ and loaded on the
firing point. I think I’ll take pre-weighed charges
to the range when I start benchrest shooting in
a few weeks time! Having said all that, I love my
Harrell and it’s a great tool for the kind of loading
I do. If you only employ three or four load
combinations, or even a full half-dozen, you
might well be better off buying a job lot of Lee
Perfect Measures and setting each one up
permanently for a single powder-charge weight
combination. It would be cheaper with the
Harrell and Sinclair stand prices equating to
around 10 Lee models!
Next month, I’ll look at a true powder measure,
the electronic Lyman DPS 1200 that dispenses
and weighs powders alongside the neat
British made battery powered TARGETMASTER
powder dispenser from AE products that uses
your powder scales beam to automatically shut
the powder supply off when the correct charge
is reached.

74 Target Shooter
Table 2 

Six‐Measure, Four‐Powder Test Results 

Measure  Weights  H. VarGet  Viht N140  Hybrid100V  IMR‐4064 

Lee Perfect  Average  51.9gn    51.61gn  52.12gn  49.09gn   

    S.D.    0.16gn    0.13gn    0.12gn    0.19gn   

Low    51.52gn  51.42gn  51.84gn  48.76gn 

    High    52.24gn  51.98gn  52.36gn  49.42gn 

    ES    0.72gn    0.56gn    0.52gn    0.66gn 

    Avge ±0.2gn*  5    1    3    6 

RCBS Uniflow  Average  51.46gn  51.13gn  51.93gn  49.65gn   

    S.D.    0.1gn    0.13gn    0.23gn    0.29gn   

Low    51.26gn  50.84gn  51.26gn  48.94gn 

    High    51.66gn  51.5gn    52.64gn  50.2gn 

    ES    0.4gn    0.66gn    1.38gn    1.26gn 

    Avge ±0.2gn*  Nil    2    6    14 

Forster BR  Average  52.12gn  51.85gn  52.58gn  49.71gn   

    S.D.    0.15gn    0.13gn    0.2gn    0.17gn   

Low    51.86gn  51.64gn  52.26gn  49.34gn 

    High    52.38gn  52.24gn  53.4gn    49.96gn 

    ES    0.52gn    0.6gn    1.14gn    0.62gn 

    Avge ±0.2gn*  3    2    2    4 

 
Target Shooter 75
 Table 2 ‐ Cont 

Hornady BR  Average  51.64gn  51.43gn  52.17gn  49.56gn   

    S.D.    0.13gn    0.12gn    0.11gn    0.21gn   

Low    51.38gn  51.2gn    52.0gn    49.0gn 

    High    51.86gn  51.7gn    52.38gn  49.94gn 

    ES    0.48gn    0.5gn    0.38gn    0.94gn 

    Avge ±0.2gn*  3    5    Nil    7 

Redding BR‐30  Average  51.43gn  51.47gn  52.0gn    49.5gn   

    S.D.    0.1gn    0.19gn    0.25gn    0.22gn   

Low    51.2gn    50.96gn  51.22gn  49.16gn 

    High    51.64gn  51.82gn  52.38gn  50.02gn 

    ES    0.44gn    0.86gn    1.16gn    0.86gn 

    Avge ±0.2gn*  1    5    7    6 

Harrell    Average  51.94gn  51.78gn  52.18gn  49.31gn   

    S.D.    0.18gn    0.17gn    0.12gn    0.23gn   

Low    51.54gn  51.38gn  51.98gn  48.92gn 

    High    52.28gn  52.1gn    52.52gn  49.82gn 

    ES    0.74gn    0.72gn    0.54gn    0.9gn 

    Avge ±0.2gn*  6    3    2    9 

* number of instances where charges exceeded the average thrown charge weight by ± 0.2gn 

 
Table 3 

Subjective ‘Scores’ for measure Performance (in a scale of 1‐10) 

        Lee  RCBS  Hornady    Forster  Redding  Harrell     

Ergonomics / Size / Layout    6  8  8    7  8  9 

Smoothness / Powder Cutting  9  7  8    8  7  9 

Ease of Adjustment     6  6  7    5  8  10 

 
76 Target Shooter
Table 4 

Other Tests 

1. ‘Benchrest Measures’ and Vihtavuori N133 

Harrell’s Prem BR  Redding  BR‐30     

Average    29.14gn    29.02gn   

S.D.      0.14gn      0.13gn 

Low      28.88gn    28.8gn 

High      29.38gn    29.34gn 

ES      0.5gn      0.54gn 

Average ±0.15gn*  7      3 

* number of instances where charges exceeded the average thrown charge weight by ± 0.15gn – 
note smaller value used here. 

2. Forster Bonanza Bench Rest and N550 (Target 46.3gn) 

Average    46.16gn 

S.D.      0.16gn 

Low      45.9gn 

High      46.56gn 

ES      0.66gn 

Average ±0.2gn*  3 

* number of instances where charges exceeded the average thrown charge weight by ± 0.2gn 

Set‐up time c. 10 minutes. 

Target Shooter 77
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 This Smallbore Business
A Coach’s Eye View of some position faults,
Prone.
There is a funny thing about prone positions,
some of them look really questionable, but the
shooters seem to deny the obvious and make
them work!
With that in mind, there are however some basic
areas that generally are observed.
These are without doubt a variety that are
necessary for the overall prone position to
achieve what is necessary when the evolution
to very high scores is being sought.
Make sure though, that you keep the opening
paragraph within your mind!
A good coach needs to understand a few
things first, before they can “attack” the position
adopted by a shooter, and within that there are
a number of levels even then.
80 Target Shooter
By Don Brook
For instance some club coaches are quite
good at the basic positions relative to a new
shooter in the club, while the more astute are
more comfortable with a shooter of far higher
standards. Over my years, I have been lucky
enough to be exposed to all three levels, the
latter being a sports psychologist that was well
up there in terms of elite level performances.
I have no doubts that my level reached was
due to the said Sports Psychologist, a man by
the name of Graeme Winter. This guy was
something else, believe me! His amazing forte’
was performance when you wanted it…..
There is also something else that the new shooter
is often exposed to, and that is suggestion from
higher standard shooters within the club. These
shooters are quite well meaning, and very
willing to help the new chum, Quite often they
are quite right, and often they are just as equally
quite wrong. To the new chum, any information
 Target Shooter 81
is valuable, as they are starved for knowledge, These are:
are extremely interested, and usually as keen A. The basic Military position.
as mustard. B. The Russian “flounder” position
C. The Classic Estonian position,
Ideally, a good smallbore Rifle club would have D. The modern variation or American
a club coach working on the books, and if such Position.
is the case, this article is directed at them in an With the modern American variation, which
attempt to shave some time from the rise of the is actually based on the Estonian position
new shooter to eventually be able to compete with the difference being in the right leg (R/H
successfully. That is either within the club shooter) being drawn upwards towards the
parameters, or far higher if such are the goals. target in varying degrees. Some have right knee
You see, for a club coach to be successful, (or upwards as far as almost touching the right arm.
any coach for that matter) what is truly needed Others a lot further down. The objective of this
is simply the right direction to go! A good development is to help absorb the recoil though
coach can save an enormous amount of time, this is somewhat of an over kill for a small bore
virtually stopping the shooter from deviating up rifle.
a pathway that can be quite counter productive.
So often have I seen good shooters make an So assuming that the shooter follows the modern
adjustment to some part of their gear, then techniques, have a look at the illustrations I have
make another that is influenced by the first in submitted as a coach’s eye view from behind
the never ending chase for excellence, and so the shooter.
on. It is quite funny to see them eventually revert
to the exact same measurements they originally The top illustration #1, shows an ideal position,
started out with, both wondering how that came where the line of the ears of the shooter is
about, and seeing twelve months go by without parallel to the shoulders.
any fruit on the table…. This indicates that the head is level, and the
rifle fits the shooter as it should. The line of the
You should also understand that no coach can spine, is parallel to the left side line from the
see how your aiming is developing. The aim forward hand back through to the left foot. Note
can only be assessed when the shot hole is that the left foot rests on the toe, with the ankle
indicating some form of consistency, and so rotated outwards, thus effectively locking the left
open the possibility of centering your group by leg.
adjusting the sights. In fact a good coach would With the American variation, the only difference
be looking for a tight group rather more than a is in the right leg as a development from the
ten ring shot initially. classic Estonian position. The forward geometry
remains very much the same.
Dictating a basic position to an early shooter,
does require that the position is directed at If you examine the #2 picture, you will see the
the target, and of course when there is some major common fault of the ear line and shoulder
consistency developing the coach can introduce line way out of whack with an otherwise correct
the Natural Aiming Point (N.A.P) and the more forward geometry. As indicated the probable
refined nuances that dictate score levels. There cause with this is a badly fitted rifle with a stock
is much to learn! that does not suit the shooter. The shooter
has to lean the head well over to be able to
OK, over the years there has been a history see through the sights. This would introduce
of position development, and essentially the recoil inconsistencies because of unregulated
gradual improvement listed is set down over cheek piece pressures on the stock. The recoil
four basic positions. Each had their own ceiling (particularly with a full bore, or 300m rifle) will
in terms of scores and the excellence, so for “thrash” sideways, and is one of the chief causes
the terms of development for the article I will list of a wide, lateral group of shots.
them, but only concentrate on the latest position
that has evolved. Also with the head rotated over, a shooter with
astigmatism in the aiming eye could well find

82 Target Shooter
 it extremely difficult to gain a consistent sight bore range, where the full bore guys are always
picture. In my opinion, it is mandatory that the battling problem stocks.
shooter has the head quite level, and this is
the first sign that I look for when examining a “Problem stocks” will be an intensive study in
working position. (eg #1 illustration) the articles later down the track, but meanwhile,
if you are working with a new, or refining a not so
In #3 Illustration, the shooter has a “squared” new shooter, the rear view will tell an enormous
ear line, but the shoulders are very obviously story, so get the platform working, but a check of
not parallel, or level. The fault with this one lies the ears and shoulder configurations will often
in the forward arm being well extended along give you a very quick diagnosis.
the fore end of the rifle, causing the left shoulder
to drop well under the face on the cheek piece. If your job is coaching a shooter’s standard, it is
The right shoulder is quite high, which results in essential that you do not miss a trick!
bringing the right elbow very close to the body.
Once more the recoil will “thrash” and move Brooksie.
drastically upwards towards either 10, or two
o’clock depending on body configuration. A tall
rangy shooter will find the recoil, even with a
small bore rifle will often stay up towards two
o’clock when it all settles down. In the case of
the heavier recoiling rifles, the recoil movement
would finish generally above the next door
target! This opens up the possibility of a shot
on the wrong target, and nearly always to the
right….. So often have I seen this fault on a full

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Target Shooter 83
 2011 BRITISH OPEN AIRGUN (.177)
CHAMPIONSHIPS
(Incorporating National Championships for people
with disabilities & Universities Championships)
By Hayley Platts
I think it is definitely fair to say that the 2011
Championships brought forth some fabulous
shooting by the Ladies and their achievements were
in my opinion the highlights this year at Bisley.
In the current climate it was good to hear that the
numbers stayed pretty similar to last year at around
the 300 mark, with eleven different nationalities
represented at the Championships including a large
contingent from Northern Cyprus. Once again there
84 Target Shooter
By Hayley Platts
were lots of youngsters competing in the Sporter
Rifle competitions which was good to see, what with
the enthusiasm of the young shooters on the range,
and their camaraderie.
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES
Jenny Corish certainly stamped her authority on these
Championships with a cracking 40 shot air rifle score
of 395 which gave her a lead of 6 points over Sheree
Cox on 389, with Heloise Manasco right there too on
the same score. In 4th was Jenny’s twin sister Sian.
Those placings remained the same at the end of the
womens air rifle 10 shot Final. Add to this her sublime
Junior mens rifle final

shooting in the aggregate competition with 592 and
593. Ken Parr jnr held his nerve and kept ahead of
James Huckle who had entered the mens air rifle
Final in 2nd with a score of 585, just 2 points behind,
however Ken shot a wonderful Final score of 102.7
giving him the gold medal. M Bamsey in the junior
men’s event was right up with the senior men with his
584 and comfortably fought off the opposition to take
gold. Jen McIntosh came into the Championships
on the back of a great performance internationally,
having shot 395 in the Rocky Mountains match in
Colorado in the USA in February which sets a new
junior and senior ladies Scottish Record for air rifle.
Her score here was 387, one ahead of C Whitaker
although she extended her lead in the 10 shot Final
to win the junior women’s title.
Moving to air pistol Georgina Geikie was back on
form in the senior ladies event with a 379, ahead
of Julia Lydall on 375 and 3rd placed Mrs Brownlie
much further adrift on 367.Once again no change
after the Final which left Georgina to claim another
British title. Not far behind score wise was Junior
lady C Kennerley on 377 which blew away her
nearest rivals, although A Holmes on 360 slid down
the rankings after her Final and was overtaken by
I Sida-Page. Meanwhile Sylwester Los was busy
retaining his title, and A Graver took a tumble down
to 3rd with H Syms stealing the silver. Kristian
Callaghan scored 553 in the junior event, eight
points clear of his nearest competitor and retained
this lead to take the title. He is a dedicated and
talented young shooter who always seems to have a
calm temperament on the range.
The Disabled SH2 category produced some seriously
high scores, R J Davies and N K Porrill tying on
596 with R A Cockbill only 2 points lower. There
was a treat for spectators (not so much so for the
2 competitors I suspect!) but R Davies and N Porrill
tied after the 10 shot Final. The 11th shot was a 10
versus a 9 producing a result as it started. It’s difficult
to see how things can be made more challenging
The Place to
Shop at Bisley
The NSRA,
Lord Roberts Centre
Now in stock ~ the popular
Morini CM84E ISSF ‘Longarm’ Free Pistol
Price: ~ £1236.00
FAC Required
A wide range of pistols and rifles available, -
Anschütz, Walther, Morini, BSA, Air Arms,
Webley Limited, Steyr, Feinwerkbau.
Accessories from leading manufacturers Centra,
Gehmann, HPS, VFG, Walther; AHG, Knobloch,
Champion, Opticron, Hawke, BSA and many more.
Shooting Mats from Evans and HPS.
Gun Safes from Bratton Sound.
Ammunition from Eley, RWS, HPS Target Master,
SK, Lapua - including Air Gun Ammunition
Optics from Tasco, BSA, Hawke, MTC, AGS.
Clothing from Kurt Thune, Realtree, Holme,
Anschütz, Gehmann, AKAH.
We stock guns and Accessories for Field Target
and Hunter Field Target Disciplines
With many more items too numerous to mention so
come browse and ask if you don’t see what you
want. You’ll get a warm welcome, the best objective
advice, the right product at the right price with a
comprehensive after sales service.
Further information from out website
www.nsra.co.uk
Shop Tel: 01483 485510
Shop Fax: 01483 488817
E-mail: sales@nsra.co.uk
Target Shooter 85
 Junior ladies rifle final

AIR RIFLE for these extremely proficient

SENIOR MEN SENIOR WOMEN shooters now they are getting
1. K G Parr (584) 689.7 1. J A Corish (395) 495.9 consistently near to the 600
2. J Huckle (585) 686.6 2. S Cox (389) 490.7 score.
3. C E Tucker (577) 672.0 3. H Manasco (389) 488.1

JUNIOR MEN JUNIOR WOMEN There were plenty of events

1. M Bamsey (584) 685.2 1. J R A McIntosh (387) 488.8 for competitors to take part
2. R W Shears (579) 679.0 2. C L Whitaker (386) 486.1 in, in order to make the most
3. L T Flack (577) 676.2 3. H A Pugsley (380) 478.9
of their weekend at Bisley
including 10 metre air pistol
standard and five target
AIR PISTOL championship as well as
SENIOR MEN SENIOR WOMEN numerous team competitions
1. S Los (577) 677.6 1. G Geikie (379) 474.1
2. H C A Syms (567) 666.7 2. J M Lydall (375) 472.4 and a disabled prone air
3. A J Graver (570) 666.4 3. C Brownlie (367) 465.2 rifle championship. All of
the results for these can be
JUNIOR MEN JUNIOR WOMEN viewed on the NSRA website.
1. K Callaghan (553) 644.0 1. C R Kennerley (377) 476.0
2. C Auden (545) 641.7 2. I Sida-Page (357) 451.7
The NSRA shop for those
3. E J Graver (539) 631.8 3. A L Holmes (360) 450.8 who haven’t been to Bisley
in the last year has been
re-modelled with a more
DISABLED SH1 AIR RIFLE CATEGORY modern and less cluttered look with plenty of
1. D Coates (593) 696.9 space for displaying merchandise.
2. N Milgate (587) 690.0
3. M Skelton (577) 680.0 The weekend produced some fine shooting and
I enjoy seeing the shooters of a similar high
DISABLED SH2 AIR RIFLE CATEGORY
standard all vying for top honours and in turn
1. R J Davies (596) 698.4
pushing each other’s levels higher. This can only
2. N K Porrill (596) 698.1 tie break shot 10.5
be good for the future of shooting.
3. R A Cockbill (594) 698.1 tie break shot 9.7
The prize presentations for the British
DISABLED SH1 AIR PISTOL CATEGORY
1. A P Bunclark (545) 638.7 Championship titles were distributed immediately
2. P M Grainger (539) 534.9 after the Finals which left the awards ceremony
3. C Summer scales (545) 633.7 for the aggregate and team events to take place
late on Sunday afternoon. This was well attended

86 Target Shooter
AGGREGATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS although some of the local
AIR RIFLE Surrey shooters had already
X CLASS C CLASS gone home! Jenny Corish’s
1. J A Corish 1185 1. D E Blinco 1111 fine 592 and 593 gave her
2. D Coates 1184 2. A M Russell 1109 a deserved X class win for
3. N Milgate 1179 3. H J R Plant 1108 the Sudewic Salver and she
was wearing the carpet out
A CLASS D CLASS to receive numerous other
1. M S Bamsey 1169 1. J Rivers 1080 awards. Sywester Los was
2. C L Whitaker 1165 2. M B Dyer 1070 also a multiple title winner
3. R W Shears 1157 3. B M Bryant 1061 and no longer has the
chance to battle with Mick
B CLASS Gault for the honours. There
1. S K Woods 1172 was another noteworthy title
2. L T Flack 1147
winner, yes yours truly had
3. K Kennedy 1130
a good weekend with her
air pistol and won her first
AIR PISTOL
X CLASS C CLASS event claiming class D. All
1. S Los 1153 1. A M Beeby 1075 the more satisfying for an ex
2. J H Newsome1141 2. A P Stanley 1067 air rifle shooter!
3. S Nangle 1141 3. N Parker 1059
Some appreciation must
go to the many volunteers
who give their time over the
A CLASS D CLASS three days of competition
1. C Brownlie 1116 1. H F Platts 1042 and to most people are just
2. K Callaghan 1115 2. R C Margetts 1039 a blur while they concentrate
3. A J Carter 1107 3. R H Hough 989 on their shooting, but the
Championship would not
happen without all of these
B CLASS people, most of whom
1. R T Careless 1108 were cheerful and helpful
2. K Gaunt 1100 throughout. I do hope
3. P M Grainger 1090 a younger generation of
helpers are in the wings to
SPORTER RIFLE
give a little back to the sport
1. H A Davies-Jones 334
when they are no longer
2. B Monksummers 325
3. A Stead 316 competing themselves.

Bisley presentation - our very own Hayley

Target Shooter 87
Diary of a Show
I was a bit stumped about what to write about
this month as there isn’t much going on but then I
remembered what was happening at the end of the
month and, having asked permission to get my copy
in late, I dived into a description of what goes on to
put on a stand at a big show.
The first show of the year is the British Shooting
Show at Newark. This is its third year and we have
had a stand at all three show so we have seen it
grow tremendously over those few years. The
Newark showground is in a great position as it’s
only just off the A1 which must help both traders and
public alike. However work for the next show starts
almost as soon as the last one finishes, even for
stall-holders. At the very least accommodation has to
be booked, rooms at the local hotels go very quickly!
Once that’s sorted you can relax until a bit nearer
the date.
By the time the show is only a week away, the stand
has been booked, van and car hired and we’re ready
to go. We picked up the vehicles on the Thursday so
that we can get some of the packing done ready to
leave bright and early on Friday morning.
Friday dawned bright and clear, great weather for
driving – at least it is if you packed your sunglasses,
isn’t it? However, not a problem as true to form it
than we planned. We decided to take the easy route,
quickly clouds over. We are all set to go and I’m just
M3, M25, A1 as there were road-works and delays
finishing off some work when we discover that the
all over the place so no route looked better than the
van has started making an ominous whining noise
other. We thought at one point that we had opted for
over night. Chris & Charles hastily take it back to
the wrong one, big time, when we came to a grinding
the hire company who’s mechanic, after giving it a
halt on the M25 and just sat there for ages.
thorough look, assures us it won’t let us down. Let’s
Fortunately, it appeared it was just so they could re-
hope he’s right!
move the debris of an accident from the roadwork
We finally get on the road about 11am, well later
area and once we started moving,
we didn’t slow down again. So a fair-
ly uneventful journey, which is how
we like it.
As Chris & I were in the car we
arrived first and went straight to the
hotel to book us all in and dump
our stuff in the room. By the time
we got into the showground and
found our allotted space, Charles
wasn’t that far behind us. The first
box off the van had the kettle in
it so a brew was soon on the go –
nothing planned about our pack-

88 Target Shooter
ing! After that the stand went up in no time at all,
really. We have done it so many times now that we
all know which bit we do and where everything goes.
Fortunately all the electrical equipment worked first
time so no headaches there. We were all done,
dusted, and back at the hotel by 17.30 which was
great as it meant we could have an early supper and
straight to bed ready for the early start. Traders have
to be on their stands by about 7.30 ready for the off
at 8.00 – no lay ins this weekend!
When we arrived we were happy to feel that the
heating was working this year. Last year it was
bitterly cold and some nice kind soul had stolen the
fuel from all the heaters, bar one – and that one they
vandalised!! We froze our little whatsits off until they
managed to get a fresh supply but none of that this
year. I did feel sorry for the traders that had to sleep
in the marquees overnight, not only was the heating
off but the lights were on full all night, no wonder
there were some bleary eyes the next day – nothing
to do with the parties at all, I was informed!
The gates opened at 8am and the crowds poured
in, amazing how many people had arrived early.
We were busy right from the start with lots of
questions about membership, certification, courses,
the NRASC and many other topics. The time whizzed
past and the first time I looked at a watch it was
already 12.30 – no wonder my tummy was
complaining. We signed up a record amount of
people for us as well as chatting to a lot of familiar
faces.
However, by about 14.30 the crowds had thinned so
much you could almost see the tumbleweed, strange
as that doesn’t usually happen. Then someone
mentioned that the rugby was on and all became
clear. At least it meant that we could now take a
break and look around the show ourselves, which is
just what we did. On reflection, maybe we shouldn’t
have done as it became quite an expensive day
when Chris and I fell for a pair of .22 long barrelled
pistols modelled on the Colt 1911. Now all we have
to do is get the slots on our licenses and then Chris
can teach me how to shoot mine. I never got into
the pistol scene as I started straight into 7.62 target
rifle but Chris was a crack shot and I couldn’t say
‘No’ when I saw his eyes light up as he hefted the
display models. Well at least it’s something we can
do together for a change.
Sunday was a lot quieter on our stand as the
crowds seemed to be browsing rather than buy-
ing but we did still do some trade. However as the
day neared the end we were all watching the time
so that we could start to pack up and
head wearily home. Again, that went
like clockwork and we were on the road
by about 17.45. An uneventful if wet
drive home and another early night,
exhausted from the weekend.
So a great weekend was had all round.
The stallholders that we spoke to
seemed to be doing a good trade, which
is very heartening for our sport. Now
it’s back to the daily grind until the next
show, for us, in April at Norwich when it
all starts all over again.
Heather Webb
NRA Membership Secretary.
Target Shooter 89
 From The Bench
VINCE’S REGULAR COLUMN
WHEREBY ACCURACY NUTS
CAN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UKBRA

March 2011 Spain, Austria and America. Start shooting now

Competitions
February was a little barren as far as benchrest
competitions were concerned but I did enjoy
meeting a lot of you at the Newark Show and
I only wish that your enthusiasm and interest
could be translated into ‘bums on seats’ at our
benchrest shoots!
As always, it’s a big step from ‘wanting to’ and
actually turning-up and doing it. All I can say is
– please come along and try it. Honestly, I don’t
think you will regret it. Yes, it is a big step but not
that big and we all had to start somewhere. I can
well remember my very first benchrest shoot –
when the UKBRA used Minsterley Ranges – I
had the ignominy of finishing next to last place!
and within a couple of years, honestly you could
be ready to shoot for your Country!
Egg Shoot
Diggle Ranges have held their annual Egg
Shoot for over a decade but this year, it’s the
150th Anniversary of the Range and the Club
are looking to do something spectacular to
commemorate the event.
This year, therefore, the intention is to offer a
£1000 prize to anyone breaking the egg – but
there’s a difference – the hen’s egg will be at
1000 yards not 500 yards! The date of the shoot
is May 30th Bank Holiday Monday. The day
before – Sunday, will be a day of 1000 practise.

Five years later however, I was in Italy at the Diggle is well known as a ‘centre of accuracy’
World Benchrest Championships representing and the idea is to attract the country’s top
my Country! Benchrest can change your life riflemen – and women to compete for this
– it’s taken me to New Zealand, Scandinavia, fabulous prize. It will be a never to be repeated
It’s a great feeling to break that egg – do it event and someone will walk away
this year and you could win £1000! with the money. If it’s not broken on
the first attempt, competitors will be
allowed a further attempt.

Numbers are limited to 100 shooters,

so e-mail me on vinceb@6ppc.
fsnet.co.uk if you would like to
attend.

90 Target Shooter
The Benchmark - Rimfire & Air Rifle Benchrest News
The British Shooting Show 2011

For all of those that we saw at the show, our

thanks. It was a great experience. We came
away from the show feeling that we, as
shooters and ambassadors of our chosen
shooting sport, had made a real impact on
the people we met.
This is in no small part to the role Alan
Grayson, his son Scott, Richard Healey,
his son Jake, Graham Freeman and Gary
Morrison had in setting this up and their
contribution to the sport by speaking to
visitors over the two days. These guys were
not only promoting the sport and UKBR22,
but also running a raffle and collecting Gary talking through the finer points of the sport
donations to help get the UK team to the please contact them through the magazine).
World Championship in the USA this year. (So
any philanthropists out there willing to help,
Alan Grayson talking up the sport

Target Shooter 91

Graham being interviewed for theTV and
show
92 Target Shooter
One thing that always amazes me about the
colleagues I work with developing this sport is
the time and effort they put in. It’s for the love of
it. They are not paid! They are not on expense
accounts! They do not get a bonus! They do it as
they hold the belief that are furthering the sport
they love.
If any of the public did meet any of this amazing
team, they will be back next year. They will be
back with further stories of the up and coming
world championship. They will be back with new
ideas about the sport, the development of the air
rifles they use and similarly the rimfire rifles. We,
I know are determined to make this good news.
One thing we have said - lots of times - all
weekend is dig out what you have in terms of
air rifles and or rimfire rifles. You don’t need
expensive kit to start of with, just use what you
have. A basic PCP air rifle do, as some of them
compete and win at international level. A basic
Ruger or CZ 452 will get you started in rimfire
benchrest. Both of these did for me and they
will work well as starter rifles. If you have an
Anschutz or something similar, then even better.
Expensive rests are nice, but a £20 one to start
off with is fit for the job at hand.
You have to remember that those you meet
and compete in the sport have accrued all their
equipment over a number of years. Try to let this
pass and start from where you are personally.
You and your equipment will grow with the
sport. I know this as I have been there, building
inexpensive rifles to show it can be done. It’s
fun and very addictive. (I also know that even
the best get beaten with a car jack, a Tesco bag
filled with sand and an ancient Anschutz 54 rifle
- it’s been done). So come one and come all,
dig out and blow the dust off that rifle you hardly
use. Have a go at something that makes you
think and builds up your shooting skills on so
many levels! Maybe you might enjoy something
new and even have a go at the number of postal
match’s that are available.
Here is too seeing you on the range, shooting
your first 250 and having the fun in shooting you
deserve. Until next time and good shooting.
If only .....................! Some friendly marketing reps

Target Shooter 93
 The Long View
News from the GB
F-Class Association
by Les Holgate

Our regular columnist, Les Holgate is away skiing

at the moment so, this month’s Long View falls to
me. Last month, the GB F Class Association held
its second Training Weekend at Bisley and, as I
was one of the helpers, I thought it might be good
to let you aspiring ‘effers, who didn’t make it for
various reasons, see what we got up to.
Since the formation of the GBFCA League some
five years ago, the standard of shooting has grown
tremendously – which is great in one respect (GB
are the reigning World F Class Champions) but, in
another, it can be a little daunting for newcomers
who wish to take up this demanding discipline.
Also, many shooters don’t get the opportunity to
shoot at longer ranges and most of our League
shoots are at 800 to 1000 yards.
The object of the Training Weekend therefore is to
impart the sort of knowledge in a couple of days
that it might otherwise take a season of F Class
shooting to acquire. Also, attendees will pick up OK you lot........ Course
valuable advice on equipment choice, which can organiser Mik Maksimovic
save making expensive mistakes by purchasing
the wrong kit.

The plotting class

94 Target Shooter
 Shooting in the rain? No problem with a gazebo - but try and keep water out of the
muzzle!

Places on the course were eagerly snapped-up a natural split. Each group would spend around
as soon as the dates were announced and, If you half a day on each of the four modules which
didn’t make it this year, here’s what you missed. make up the Course – namely:
Of course, do not think that you have to attend Reloading for F Class competition
a training weekend to shoot in the League and Long-range shooting techniques
enjoy yourself – you don’t and all are more than Wind-reading & plotting
welcome to shoot with us no matter what your F Class – the discipline - which also
experience. You will find us a friendly bunch included some basic rifle maintenance like
and information and help is readily dispensed to barrel-cleaning and mounting and zeroing
newcomers. a scope.
Some elements took place in the classroom (sun
The weekend actually started on the Friday lounge of the L&M Club House) but the shooting
evening, when we all met up at Bisley’s London took place on Stickledown - Bisley’s famous 800
& Middlesex Club House for an introductory – 1200 yard range.
get-together. Half a dozen instructors – all with
sound F Class credentials - mingled with the The opportunity to socialise has always been a
trainees and GBFCA Chairman and organiser, Mik feature of the GBFCA from the word ‘go’ so Friday
Maksimovic gave an overview of what to expect for evening was a good opportunity to introduce
the next two days and handed out some literature, ourselves and meet a few of the trainees before
including plotting sheets and score cards. it got serious on the Saturday morning. We
The thirty-odd attendees were divided into three even had some Dutch and Spanish shooters
groups – about two-thirds were F/TR so that gave which was nice to see and an enjoyable evening

One of the two F Class rifles owned by the GBFCA. These can be hired for League
shoots

Target Shooter 95
 World Champion Russ Simmonds and the reloading school
ensued – bearing in mind the ‘crack of dawn’ start
the following morning! I was hoping for a more
relaxed start but it was breakfast at 7.30am for an
8.30 start on Stickledown at 900 yards.
Normally, at 7.30am on the morning of a big shoot,
a cup of coffee serves as breakfast and I only get
some food down after the first yardage at around
ten o’clock but today, breakfast in the L&M was
buzzin’ with anticipation and for once, without the
pressure of a big comp. I was able to relax and
enjoy a serious fry-up!
My role was on-range for the weekend, with
Stuart Anselm (GB F/TR Team Captain) and
Open F Class shooter Peter Wilson (who won the
first every GB F Class League way back in 2006).
Current World & European F/TR Champion Russell
Simmonds was running the reloading session and
GBFCA Chairman and founder Mik Maksimovic
was doing everything else – as unfortunately, we
had an instructor withdraw at the last minute due
to illness.
The weather was not kind to those scheduled
to shoot first but, as we trotted out onto the
firing-point in a steady drizzle, great joy – gazebos
were in place, which gave us a fairly dry shoot
and let’s face it, it wouldn’t be proper F Class
without a bit of rain! Today, we were at 900 yards
as a previous range-booking for the 900 yards
point prevented shooting from further back but in
some ways, this is a better ‘instructional’ distance
– particularly for F/TR - as the 308 bullet can do
some strange unexplained things at 1000 yards!
The idea was to place an instructor between two
trainees and try and simulate a competition so
that shooters would be fully prepared for their first
match with no off-putting surprises. That was the
theory but, as always, with shooters of differing
abilities and ‘equipment issues’ it didn’t always
quite work out but I think most came off the point
96 Target Shooter
having learned something of value.
For those not having a suitable rifle of their own,
the GBFCA now has two F/TR rifles thanks to the
generosity of the Dolphin Gun Company who did
the gunsmithing and Border Barrels who provided
new barrels for the rifles. One of these rifles will
be kept at Bisley and the other at Diggle. They
can be hired for a modest sum and 308 RUAG
ammunition purchased by the hirer.
Although the rain persisted on and off, the wind
was very light which meant that it was easier
to get ‘on’ – for those who hadn’t got 900 yard
zeros but it was difficult to give any meaningful
wind-reading instruction. However, the main
problem with most trainees was ‘set-up’. Harris
bi-pods just aren’t good enough anymore and
proper back-bags are essential for a steady ‘hold’
and let-off, allowing the rifle to recoil rather than
jump. By the end of the session, all trainees were
on-target and shooting well. Damp conditions
meant that plotting-sheets and score cards got
wet but that’s all part of F Class and we tried to
advise on keeping dry in inclement conditions.
Back in the classroom, Russell was giving his
group some reloading tuition and I was again
surprised how many were not already reloading.
Maybe the NRA’s new 308 RUAG ammunition is
to blame it’s just too good and many are prepared
to stump-up 80p per bang rather than shell-out
£200-300 on reloading equipment. Nonetheless,
Russell was able to impart that the advantages
of reloading a round specifically tuned to your
particular rifle is much more than a cost-saving
option in the ultra-competitive world of F Class.
Mik’s group had a lot to get through. In addition
to the general etiquette of F Class shooting,
rifle-cleaning, mounting a scope etc. the group
also have a Power-Point lecture in wind-plotting.
 Stuart Anselm of Osprey Rifles brought his bore-scope along
For those not familiar, this is a technique which
compares the shooters estimate of the wind to
the actual wind – indicated by the fall of shot
on the target. It can take a while for the ‘penny
to drop’ but once grasped, it is a useful and
essential technique, particularly when shooting
at the highest level. In the World Championships,
plotting is usually done by another team member,
allowing the shooter to concentrate on his job.
For a beginner, shooting, marking your partner’s
score-card and plotting can be too much.
On range, we didn’t attempt to take plotting
beyond the basics of recording each shot on
the plot sheet and anyway, the wind was so light
that it was often having no discernable effect on
the shot, which did at least allow the trainees to
concentrate on set-up and shot-release. Even
in the calm conditions, most experienced the
unexplainable high or low shot, which we all
occasionally experience. With the Target Rifle
shooter, this often means a low or high ‘5’ but a
one MOA drop on the F Class target will convert
your ‘5’ into a ‘3’!
As always, there were a few who struggled and
Stuart had taken his borescope along so shooters
could also check their barrel if they thought that
they maybe had a gun problem – often, they didn’t
like what they saw! Removing the copper from a
neglected barrel is a major job.
Coached shooting at 1000 yards
Target Shooter 97
 At least two trainees were happy - Charlie and Iain are working hard to get F Class
going in Northern Ireland
On the Sunday morning, conditions were dry so
the gazebos were not needed and we were also
able to shoot at 1000 yards. The wind was still
non-existent and most of the trainees enjoyed a
good shoot, using the same format as the previous
day with one instructor per two shooters.
Following the lunch-break, we re-assembled in
the L&M for a de-brief, followed by a question and
answer session. We are eager to get feedback
from trainees – negative or positive but it seems
that most were content with what they had learned.
We hope that at least some will come and shoot
with the League but of course there are plenty
of ‘club’ F Class shoots to take part in and gain
experience.
The final de-brief and Q&A session
98 Target Shooter
Personally, I enjoyed the weekend immensely. On
the whole, shooters are a decent lot and many
new friendships were made. Several were able to
tell me that they enjoy Target Shooter, which is so
nice to hear.
To sum up – the two-day course really did provide
the sort of information that it would otherwise take
a year of F Class shooting to assimilate. Also,
information regarding equipment – what works
and what doesn’t – can save a lot of money and
frustration. If you were thinking of coming but
decided against it at the last minute - make a
date for next year – it’ll be around the same time.
Vince
 Another F/TR Bi-pod - Brian Fox www.foxfirearmsuk.com gave me this sturdy-looking prototype
bi-pod to try the other day. It’s beautifully made and not too heavy at around a kilo. Being CNC machined
from solid, rather than assembled from several pieces, gives it that extra rigidity. With a bit of work, the
manufacturer could get it even lighter but if you can bear the weight, give Foxy a call on 0160 430 8278

www.FoxFirearmsUK.com
Tel: 0161 430 8278 or 07941 958464
PUTTING SHOOTING FIRST
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Target Shooter BARRELS 99
 Gallery Rifle & Pistol News
New Gallery Rifle Event
The current Phoenix A and Multi-target Matches
are based on the former Service A and B courses
of fire shot extensively prior to the handgun
ban. Shooters tell me they enjoy the additional
complexity of the Phoenix A course of fire, with the
different shooting positions, a fire and movement
element and a snap shooting series that permit
the shooter to decide on the number of shots
they take at each exposure and the order of
target engagement. I cannot be alone in having
erred from the constraints of this discipline with
disastrous consequences to the score.
With scoped gallery rifles now replacing pistols,
some believe that 25 metres is an insufficient
challenge with the long gun, so this year the
Gallery Rifle Sub-Committee has published a
The 50 metre stage was more challenging - a typical return!
100 Target Shooter
new event, based on the above two matches,
which is aimed at providing an even greater
challenge. The new match is called the
Multi-target 3, but will the new course of
fire, developed by committee, prove to be a
thoroughbred or a camel? Here is a pre-view: -
General Conditions
2 x NRA DP1 targets
All practices start with 6 rounds loaded
The ready position is 45º
Course of Fire
This event takes approximately 45 minutes to
complete
It requires 48 rounds
The maximum possible score is 240
Practice 1
50 metres, 18 shots in 120 seconds 50
6 shots kneeling on the left hand target
 6 shots sitting on the right hand target
6 shots standing unsupported, 3 on each target
Practice 2
25 metres, 12 shots standing unsupported
The target will make 4 x 5 second appearances
with intervals of 7 seconds
Any number of shots may be fired at each
exposure but only 6 shots will be counted on each
target.
The firearm must be returned to the ready position
between exposures.
Practice 3
15 metres, 12 shots standing unsupported
The target will make 3 x 3 second appearances
with intervals of 5 seconds
2 shots to be fired at each appearance on the
right hand target
The firearm must be returned to the ready position
between exposures
The practice is then repeated using the left hand
target
Practice 4
10 metres, 6 shots (3 on each target) in 8 seconds
standing unsupported
My home club (Frome) trialed this match last
Sunday, the weather was overcast but the light
was even with little wind, so no excuses possible
for the performances accept the untried course
of fire, and here are my initial impressions: -
The five ring on the DP1 presents an 80 mm
diameter circle for the maximum scoring zone,
rather than the 85 x 150 mm race trace style
centre zone of the DP 2 (Timed and Precision)
and 1500 targets more usually employed at 50
metres. The view of a row of DP1s at 50 metres
distance was a strange one and thoughts turned
to target acquisition, with shooters hurriedly
putting spots on the periphery to act as target
designators, despite even this measure at least
one competitor cross shot. The long range,
Practice 1, proved very challenging and none of
the entrants managed to clean this stage, despite
many well graded shooters taking part. The
apparently generous 120 second allowance for
the 18 shots was off-putting, with most shooters
finishing well within the allotted time. If this match
becomes a favourite then I think pacing will need
to be practiced if scores are to improve.
Practice 2 introduces a new element, reloading
during the 7 second away interval in order to
take onboard sufficient ammunition to complete
the course of fire from an initial charge of only
six rounds. This had the effect of disturbing the
shooting position more radically than simply
returning to the 45º ready position. Tactics
should be worked out in advance and I decided
to take three shots per exposure and top up with
two at each interval, thus ensuring the minimum
reloading whilst retaining adequate firepower
for the next exposure. Predictably some coped
better than others and I noticed one or two live
rounds on the range floor at the end of the detail.
Some good scores were returned but again no
clean sheets, most shooters being unfamiliar
with rapid fire snap shooting at 25 metres.
Practices 3 and 4 are reminiscent of the standard
Multi-target Match.
So the match offers some new challenges but
unlike the Phoenix A does not have the movement
element and judging by the scores returned (the
maximum of the day was 229) a high grade
shooter should be able to post a 230 plus score
(x240). The match has not been scheduled for
inclusion at any of the Bisley Action Weekends
but I enjoyed it and it might just become a club
favourite and the Matches Directors for other
open events would do well to consider this as an
interesting alternative.
GR News
GB Squad - the Gallery Rifle Sub-Committee
has endorsed the application of Ashley Dagger
to Captain the GB Gallery Rifle Team for a
second year in 2011. Last seasons statistics are
being actively studied to identify potential squad
members, good luck to Ashley and the Squad
during the forthcoming international season.
Online Entry – online entry for the Spring Action
Weekend (SAW), scheduled for 26th/27th March, is
now available and to encourage use of the facility
there will be a draw for those entering online prior
to 12th March, the prize being a refunded entry
fee – worth considering.
Following the SAW there is a “Help the Hero’s”
Charity Shoot at the Shield Shooting Centre,
Dorset on 16th April and a Steel Challenge at
Moretonhampstead on Sunday 17th April. The
next open match is a 1500 plus Shorts over the
weekend of 23rd/24th April at Basildon. Details
and entry form (when they become available) are
on www.galleryrifle.com
Target Shooter 101
The first graded match of the 2011 season will
be the LBR/LBP match at Leicester on March
13th. This is the beginning of a packed season
for LBR/LBP/Mini & gallery rifle events across
the country ranging from Bedford in the South to
a new venue just over the border in Scotland in
the north – the first graded match to be held in
Scotland for a very long time.
course.
Border Guns in Shropshire are hosting the
Midlands championship 8-10th July, which will
also be the venue for the Team Challenge that
has been mooted for some time.
In addition to all this, there will be UK contingents
attending the Bayern Cup in Germany and

Sanctioned IPSC Shotgun Matches

Date  Match  Venue 

Apr 2nd / 3rd   The Hadrian IPSC L3 Shotgun  Carlisle 
May 20th/21st  The Ken Brown Memorial IPSC L3 Shotgun  Harlow, Essex 
Jul 8th / 9th / 10th  The Midlands Champs IPSC L3 and British Club  Border Gun, 
Champs  Shropshire 
Aug 5th / 6th / 7th  The British Open IPSC L3 Shotgun  Carlisle 
Sep 2nd / 3rd / 4th  The Welsh Championships IPSC L3 Shotgun  Border Guns, 
Shropshire 
Oct 21st / 22nd   The Home Countries Champs IPSC L3 Shotgun   Harlow, Essex 
 
Sanctioned IPSC Long Barrelled Matches (includes LBR / LBP / Gallery and Mini‐Rifle) 

Date  Match  Venue 

March 13th  Leicester Challenge Match L2  LSC (Leicester) 
May 1st  Northern Championships L2  Tall Trees 
May 29th *1  Bedford Challenge L2   Bedford 
June 25th  Scottish Championships L2  Crocketford 
June 26th  Reiver Challenge L2  Carlisle 
August 21st  British Open Championships L2  Tall Trees  
October 30th  Southern Championships L2  Bedford 
November 27th  Midlands Championships L2  LSC (Leicester) 
th
*1 To be confirmed – may possibly change to 5  June 2011

The Shotgun Championship series kicks off with
the first of six Level 3s at the Hadrian match at
Carlisle on 2nd/3rd April. Carlisle will also be
the venue for the British Open in August this
year, with a different shooting format being
tried out, spreading the match over two days
for competitors, but needing only one overnight
stay for virtually all but the range crew. Further
details of this will be on the UKPSA forum in due
the Central European Shotgun Open match in
Hungary. The range in Hungary will also host
the IPSC World Shotgun Championships in
2012, and we are already setting up National
Squad training to ensure that our teams are as
prepared and supported as they can be, with
the first session having taken place at Bisley on
20th February where the squad worked on their
long range slug shooting.

102 Target Shooter

 Additionally, the annual target shotgun events held at Bisley are excellent matches and a fantastic 
opportunity to practice your longer range slug shooting, and meet other shooters. 

Spring Action Weekend; March 26th and morning of the 27th.

T+P1; 30 rounds, 30m to 15m.

Multi Target; 24 rounds, 30m to 15m.
Embassy Cup; 24 rounds, 25m to 15m.

Other non shotgun events also available.

Phoenix Meeting; May 27th to 29th inc, late May Bank hol.

As Spring Action Weekend (but bigger!)

Gallery Rifle National Championships; August 27th & 28th, Bank holiday weekend.

As Spring Action Weekend.

Police Sport UK Open Meeting; September 13th to 15th.

T&P1 plus Multi Target.

Other non shotgun events available inc Practical Rifle.

Autumn Action Weekend; October 29th & 30th.

As Spring Action Weekend plus firework display on 29th.

 
This was a Level 1 match jointly run by the Met
Last month I promised to provide the 2011 match Blue Team and the NRA. By Tony Saunders
The first shotgun match of the year was the Target Shotgun Festival which took place on 19th 
calendar all sanctioned UKPSA / IPSC matches,
andFebruary at Bisley (under typically wet February weather) and saw a very healthy turnout of 50 
here it is.
competitors shooting both slug and birdshot. 
To enter the sanctioned matches you need to
be a current UKPSA member with a competition
This was a Level 1 match jointly run by the Met Blue Team and the NRA. 
license. You can check out the UKPSA member
forum
  for more details and updated match
information.
By Tony Saunders 
If you are shooting IPSC shotgun or LBR/LBP Full page adverts, Half
you need to have a current FAC with the gun page adverts,
Quarter page adverts
you are shooting entered on your own FAC. and more.
Unfortunately, under current firearms law, you
may not borrow a section 1 shotgun or long Contact us today to see
barrelled pistol or revolver even if you have your what we can do for you
own! and make your products
work to their full potential,
in a way that is the future
Bisley Target Shotgun Events of magazines and
advertising. With over
Additionally, the annual target shotgun events readers 10,000 a month, in
held at Bisley are excellent matches and a the UK and around the
fantastic opportunity to practice your longer
range slug shooting, and meet other shooters.
Target Shooter Magazine can offer your
company the kind of advertising that a hard
The first shotgun match of the year was the copy magazine cannot offer. Our readers can,
with a click of the mouse, connect straight to
Target Shotgun Festival which took place on 19th your website.
February at Bisley (under typically wet February An advert with a hard copy magazines can
only say so much about your product. With
weather) and saw a very healthy turnout of 50 cost and limited space, most have to keep it
competitors shooting both slug and birdshot. direct. But with a online magazine the advert
takes on a whole new way of advertising, as
Target Shooter Magazine
email us at
it can be the front door to your website and
all those other products you have waiting for admin@targetshooter.co.uk
customers Target Shooter 103
Target Shooter Magazine is a publication of Trinity Digital Publishing Ltd
 A regular column whereby Ken Hall keeps us up to date
with black powder cartridge rifle shooting in the UK.

If you are a member of the British Western category, then look no further, I may just know
Shooting Society, or are just interested in what you seek. Designed by Ballard for the Marlin
Cowboy Action Shooting and you are looking firearms manufacturing company, the cartridge
for a suitable tool to use in the long range rifle
designated .38-55 first appeared on the scene
in 1884, it was used in many
38-55 Winchester with 250gr flat nosed bullet of their single shot target rifles
and their 1893 model lever
action. Winchester soon
realized the potential of this
very accurate round and
began to chamber several of
their offerings for it, including
the Browning designed
1885 Hi-Wall single-shot
rifle, and their renowned model
1894 lever action.

The early .38-55 cases with the

balloon or folded head cases
would hold 55 grains of black
powder behind a 255 grain
bullet, but when the solid
head case came along soon
afterwards it would only hold
48 grains of powder with
the 255 grain bullet, which
then became the standard
configuration.

At the turn of the century, the

.38-55 soon became one of
the more popular cartridges
amongst the schuetzen
type competitors in the
USA, where the firers
engage targets at 200 yards
from the standing position

104 Target Shooter

 Original High Wall in 38-55 with Schuetzen type butt

Pedersoli High Wall

Uberti 1885 High Wall Special Sporting rifle

with any rifle and sight combination using repro Winchester 1885 in .38-55 fed on black
ammunition from .22 to .40 calibre. Incidentally powder.
those chaps were shooting groups of minute
of angle and less with cast bullets in single I would recommend the Lyman 375248 249gn
shot rifles of falling block design. To achieve flat nose mould for Lever action rifles and for
this standard, many of these old masters used Sharps and High Walls at short ranges (200yds
custom barrels with gain twist rifling and used or less). The Lyman 378674 335gn Postell
paper patched bullets, both breech seated and shaped mould is ideal for Sharps and High
muzzle loaded. Wall single shot rifles for long range shooting.
Today, the choice of rifle is more limited,
original under lever rifles can still be found in The standard chamber measures around 2.13in
this calibre and shoot quite well, but most so there is no problem using the longer Starline
people will plump for a modern reproduction. cases which are around 2.10in as well as the
The modern reproduction .38-55 rifles shorter Winchester cases which measure 2.08in.
normally have a groove diameter of .377-379in,
this makes the .38-55 particularly favourable In the next instalment I will look at
to cast bullets which are able to obturate more selecting a suitable black powder load for
efficiently. (However when I slugged the barrel Quigley shooting at ranges from 400yds to
of my Uberti, it actually measured .383 groove 1000yds.
diameter).
The Pedersoli Hi Wall repro has a 1:12 twist Ken Hall for QSA, comments and queries to
to stabilize the longer 360gn bullet. My Khall6548@aol.com
Uberti Special Sporter has a 1:18 twist rate
which, according to the Greenhill formula,
ideally favours the shorter 249 / 255gr bullets,
however, I have found that using black powder
seems to contradict the theory and the 335gr
Postell remains stable even at long ranges.
As a matter of record, Alison Buck, one of the
QSA members, won the 1000yd Billy Dixon
competition at Diggle in 2006 using her Uberti
Target Shooter 105
 Next time in.....

The April 2011 issue will be out on the at the beginning of the month. Lots of follow up articles, new
reviews, news and as ever packed with the articles you want to read. DON’T FORGET TO LOOK AT
THE BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW SUPPLEMENT DUE OUT IN THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH.

106 Target Shooter