Precision Rifle

HARBOUR ARMS SNAP-CAPS

Remember when you bought your first rifle and the advice you received about not dropping the firing-pin on an empty chamber? So, you also bought a snap-cap so that you could safely drop the firing-pin.

When you bought your next rifle - maybe in a slightly more 'exotic' calibre - you probably found that you couldn't buy a snap-cap as they only tend to be available in the popular calibres like 308, 243, 223 etc. OK, dropping the pin the odd time is not a problem but, if you are a keen competition shooter, you could be doing this half a dozen times in a single day and you will find that most of the custom action makers do not recommend this.

For firearm instructors, dry-firing practice is essential and using a snap-cap is just good sense. Alternatively, lots of serious shooters like to 'dry-fire' practice off range. Similarly, when setting-up a competition trigger, repeated dropping of the pin is often required to achieve the correct adjustment.

As a keen competition shooter and law enforcement instructor, Eric Kennard noticed that lots of other shooters also bemoaned the lack of custom snap-caps,  so he decided to do something about it. Eric now offers a range of snap-caps in all the popular competition cartridges, like 6BR, 6XC, Dasher, 6.5x47 Lapua, 6.5-284 etc., etc., right up to the 338 Lapua Magnum plus of course, all the popular calibres as well.

The snap-caps have a brass spring-loaded plunger to cushion the firing-pin strike and are beautifully made from solid aluminium which is bright red anodised so that they cannot be mistaken for a live round. They are sold as a set of two for a paltry $12.95 or around £8.00. At the moment there is no UK distributor but I'm sure Eric would love to hear from one. If you order direct please add £7.00 for postage and packing.

Check out the Harbour Arms website at www.harbourarms.com   

Both are 8" long and for short action cartridges. Long action and mini for PPC / BR to come.

Action specifications

17/4 PH stainless hardened to 39 Rockwell before machining.1.36" diameter. Raceway and internal cam EDM cut. Thread 1.0625 x 18 tpi. Pinned recoil lug. Will accept Remington bottom-metal. Single-shot utilizing trigger-hanger, repeater has trigger pinned. Drilled and tapped 6 x 48 for scope-bases.

Bolt specifications:

Machined from one piece of high carbon EN30B tool steel. A 10lb block to start with produces 2 of 8oz bolts. Heat treated to 45 Rockwell after rough machining then ground to final dimensions. Sako style extractor and spring plunger ejector. Stainless steel shroud and fluted firing pin. 308, 223, PPC and magnum options.

All work done in house apart from EDM and heat treating.Recoil lugs and firing pins sourced from PTG for now.

NEW ACTIONS FROM THE USA

Rhino Rifles www.rhinorifles.co.uk have just taken delivery of some new actions from the States. These are PIERCE actions and they are Remmy size and available in the usual configurations of bolt and port locations. They look really nicely made and they are available now!

BRIT MUZZLE BRAKES

At last we have a manufacturer of muzzle brakes in the UK. These CNC machined brakes from RG Rifles in Aberdeen are as good as any I've seen and better than most. Note that tiny bevel round every hole - that's nice! When I get chance, we'll be seeing how they work in practice but if you want one, get your gunsmith to contact RG Rifles on www.rgrifles.com 

Some more muzzle brakes (Below) - this time from just down the road from where I live. North West Custom parts are having these brakes made locally to suit individual customer requirements. Check out www.nwcustomparts.com

SIGHTRON 8 - 32 Scope

Full report under 'Equipment reviews'

TAS Ballistics Calculator

Full report under 'Equipment Reviews'

SMART RELOADER - A new range of reloading products from Europe

In addition to these battery operated scales, there is a case-tumbler, kinetic bullet-puller and ear-muffs - all at great prices - imported by Henry Krank of Pudsey West Yorkshire.

WORLD SNIPER CHAMPIONSHIPS

Rob's just got back from Hungary and he got on the podium! read all about it under 'Extreme Stuff'

FORSTER DIES & RELOADING PRODUCTS

North West Custom Parts briefly held the UK Forster agency but now it has been picked up by Tim Hannam. Forster dies are just about the best I know for use with a conventional press. Their Benchrest Ultra-seater is superb. You can access the Forster website at www.forsterproducts.com I ordered a 6.5x47 body die direct from America but it cost me as much again for the postage etc. This is the advantage of a UK agent. 

IWA SHOW 2008

The IWA show in Nurnberg, Germany just gets better year on year. Once more, visitor numbers were up and so was the number of exhibitors. This year, we had 50 UK exhibitors � an indication surely that 10 years on from the pistol ban, the gun-trade is healthy.

My reason for visiting IWA � apart from a very enjoyable holiday � is to keep up to date with the latest accuracy stuff � actions, barrels, scopes, stocks etc. Of course, IWA is much like the US Shot Show in that you must wade through an awful lot of camo clothing just to discover the odd gem.

SCOPES

Last year, Schmidt & Bender finally got around to making a scope with decent magnification and introduced their magnificent 12-50 tactical scope � possibly the ultimate scope for the F Class and professional tactical shooter � would anything top that this year? Sadly no.

There appears to be some form of �blockage� in the design department of most scope manufacturers. Although it�s hard to knock the Schmidt, for me, the best scope out there has to be the Nightforce NSX. The Nightforce is optically excellent, bullet-proof and has plenty of accurate adjustment. I really can�t see why every scope manufacturer hasn�t simply taken a Nightforce apart and copied it � with a few subtle changes of course!

                                                                                                        Kahles tactical - nice optics but down on power!

Twenty years ago, when ten-power was thought to be more than enough, Kahles were renown for their tactical scopes so, when I heard they had a new tactical model on display � the K312 - I dashed over to their stand. Disappointment! A great scope in every way but a miserable 3-12 power. OK, they also do a 4-18 with target-turrets etc. but come on Kahles � you need to get out more and see what the rest of the world is shooting!

                                                                                       Sightron's 8-32 Big Sky scope

By contrast, the new Sightron �Big Sky� scope did get me excited. This scope has had rave reviews in America � especially the 8-32 version which should make a great F Class or 1000 yard benchrest scope at a price significantly cheaper than a Leupold. It�s a great-looking scope and Edgar Brothers are the UK importer. Let�s hope they can offer them at realistic prices, otherwise shooters will simply take advantage of the weak dollar and go direct to the USA.

Now we�ve mentioned Leupold, did they have anything new? Yes but not for the ultra-long-range accuracy shooter � their superb 8.5-25 Mk4 ranks alongside Nightforce and Schmidt & Bneder for serious F Class and tactical shooters.

                                                                                                         The 9-36 IOR has it all - including an adjustable mount - it's big and ugly but optically superb

Remember the IOR scopes from Romania? They were briefly imported into the UK and the one I had for review was very good. They are still offering their 9-36 power scope but it is a very heavy scope albeit with great optics and no doubt well engineered and would probably look great on a fifty-cal. Prices are up there with Leupold and the like but without the reputation to back it up. We've managed to get one for test so watch this space.

Once again, I searched the dozens of Chinese Optical stands for bargain optics. The Chinese have no qualms about high magnification � you want it � we make it! Most however share the same ugly features but still offer outstanding value for new shooters. Have a look at Barska (stocked by South Yorkshire SS) and the Viper range. These are good-looking Chinese scopes with decent optics.

We started off this piece on scopes by paying homage to the Nightforce NSX. Nightforce had nothing new to offer this year but then again they don�t need to - they can rest on their laurels and let the rest play catch-up.

RIFLES

                                                                                                    Last year they were prototypes, this year the new actions features on several stands

From scopes, we can move to complete rifles. There was plenty to see, though the Germans seem confused by F Class and benchrest and many of their custom stuff appeared to straddle both disciplines. Remember those actions that Brit gunsmith Pete Lincoln introduced us to last year? This year there were no less than four exhibitors showing rifles built on this action and all claiming ownership! All had the same message - the actions are not for sale but, once the home market is satiated, I reckon they will be. *See Peter Lincoln's comments at the end of this feature.  

On the factory side, Steyr have at last got the SSG sorted with a purposeful-looking skeletonised folding-stock, Picatinny rail, adjustable everything and a ten-round mag. They were also displaying their notorious 50BMG which, if you recall, came in for some criticism from the US Army when it fell into insurgent hands in Iraq.

                                                                                                Unique Alpine now offer this alternative butt

Unique Alpine are like Nightforce � they offer a fabulous product and don�t need to change anything but they have, with a small alteration to the butt. If you use your Alpine for F/TR Class you will have found that it�s way over the 8.25kg. limit. The new stock should be a bit lighter.

                                                                                                   RPA are now the UK's only real sporting arms manufacturer.

RPA had one of the best stands at IWA and it was always full. They have now rationalised their range of rifles and simplified the ordering process. A minimum standard of half MOA accuracy is a feature of their whole range � including the 50BMG! On the fun side, they were exhibiting a rifle which they made for a Lara Croft film, which folded up to fit in a hand-bag! It was beautifully engineered and was a great show-piece for demonstrating the innovative and precision engineering which is at the heart of RPA�s products.

Another superb looking tactical rifle was displayed on the Keppeler stand. This rifle bristles with innovation and I�ve already had a chance to examine one as Fox Firearms are the UK importers (see Featured Rifle). Keppeler specialise in three-position rifles and their superb actions and aluminium stocks can be purchased separately.

Finally, we opened this section by mentioning Pete Lincoln. Peter is now Howa�s �Custom Shop� in Germany and he is offering tactical and hunting rifles built around the Howa action. These are tarted-up with fluted bolts and after-market stocks � including the AI and we will have one for test very soon. In fact, the idea is to do a three-way shoot-out with two other tactical rifles.

BARRELS

You can�t build a good rifle without a good barrel and that usually means American. In Europe, it�s Border Barrels or Lothar Walther but now we have a new Spanish barrel maker in the form of Bergara barrels. These barrels are unique in that they are honed after the bore is drilled and before buttoning takes place. This produces a very good internal finish and Bergara had a bore-scope on hand for the doubters � me? Ed Shilen has worked with Bergara and from a quality stand-point I would buy one tomorrow but there are still a couple of issues to sort out before Bergara barrels start to appear on our long-range precision rifles.

I also saw a prototype Lothar Walther barrel which was sleeved in aluminium to keep the weight down � and it works. I can see this catching on big style, not only for the hunter but for the competition shooter where the discipline demands a certain weight limit � and most do.

STOCKS

                                                                                                     Manfred Schmidt's aluminium stock

We haven�t mentioned stocks so far. Not a lot to get excited about but a German shooter, Manfred Schmidt was exhibiting his own stock beautifully machined from aluminium. It looked ideal for F Class, tactical or even long-range benchrest and would take any flat-bottom action with minimal bedding and was fully adjustable. Jackson Rifles always carry a good inventory of McMillan stocks and they are now also importing Robertson and had a nice tactical stock on display similar to the McMillan A5. In addition to their range of moderators, Jackson Rifles now have their own replacement trigger - this month, it's featured on www.6mmBR.com

                                                                                                   Robertson tactical stock from Jackson Rifles

OTHER STUFF 

Anything else? I was disappointed that Hornady weren�t pushing their new 6.5 Creedmore round � in fact they looked at me with a blank expression when I mentioned it! They have a new 6.5 A Max bullet to go with it which is good news for 6.5x47 Lapua shooters. No new bullets were on offer from Sierra � just a cannelure on their 77 grain 224 bullet presumably to help with the semi-auto AR 15. Lapua also had a new 77 grain 224 bullet but with a profile that would enable it to be loaded to magazine length � again for the AR15 match shooters.

Of course, there was lots of smaller stuff like scope rings and rails. At last manufacturers are catching on to the Weaver or Picatinny rail and producing mounts for it. This is easily the most sensible system to use for mounting your scope but it takes so long for the major manufacturers to wake up to new trends. Like the scope manufactures, it�s a pity they don�t employ a few competition shooters as consultants. Dream on!

                                                                                                                            Caldwell's joystick rest will be half the price of the competition

Another accessory which will surely sell well in the UK is the �joystick� benchrest from Caldwell. Currently, it�s hard to get a joystick-type rest in the UK for less than �400 but expect the Caldwell to sell for half this amount. OK, there are a couple of mods I would make but any aspiring F Class or BR shooter should have no problem adapting the rest to their requirements.

I didn�t see much new for reloaders though most of the big firms like RCBS, Hornady and Lyman are getting into the accuracy side a bit more and offering the precision stuff once only available from specialist companies like Sinclair. I noticed a new Swiss company, Smart Reloader, who�s brand colour is orange. Don�t forget, we don�t pay the same duty on goods from Europe, so they should be keenly priced. I think Henry Krank of Pudsey W. Yorks. are already stocking their stuff. 

                                                                                                                     These BCM presses are beautifully made - and now I own one! 

One of the most interesting exhibitors I look forward to seeing every year is the Modulo Masterpiece stand. Dr Vittorio Taveggia, the driving force behind this company has now re-branded as BCM Europearms. You need to have a look at his website to see the full range of stuff (www.bcmeuropearms.it) They produce lots for the accuracy nut, including reloading presses, rings, rails and even complete rifles. Vittorio is now shooting 1000 yard benchrest in Italy � maybe we can arrange a joint shoot. His compact reloading presses can be used with Wilson-type hand-dies and screw-in dies and are beautifully made. I am now the proud owner of one and it will replace the two presses I currently take to a benchrest shoot. 

                                                                                                                                                         Go on - you'd love one! 

Finally, once again I made my desperate appeal to Mr Wesson � or was it Mr Smith? Their beautiful 460XVR stainless-steel revolver, chambered for the 460 S&W Magnum and fitted with a 12 inch barrel as standard, is almost UK legal. Just a tiny little six-inch long piece of stainless steel welded on at the factory would make it legal over here. We could build up a whole range of competitions round this one gun. Interested? Send an e-mail to ga@smith-wesson.com and if enough of us tell �em we want one, they might just do it!

THE AIMFIELD SPORTS DRAG BAG

LEUPOLD SCOPES

Following my abysmal performance at the Scottish round of the F Class League, I decided I needed a new scope. Retail therapy I think they call it. I was using a fixed 32 power scope and I couldn't turn it down in the intense mirage so I decided to go for one of the Leupold 8.5-25 Long Range Target scopes the one with the fine crosshair/dot reticle model 55188.

OK, I know these are not new but please read on. They retail in the UK at over �700 so I thought I'd have a look on the internet - Ebay actually. I came up with an American shop called DR Sports. They list the full range of Leupold optics plus tons of other shooting stuff and all prices are in pounds sterling. The price - an amazing �451 also included shipping!

OK, it's always a slight risk buying over the net but they accept Paypal which means you are protected up to �500. What could I lose? The scope arrived eight days later and even with duty it was still less than �500!  Interested? OK, the web address is: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/D-R-SPORTS-CENTER

I got an e-mail request for a full test on the 8.5-25 Leupold scope so, as soon as I get chance to shoot it we'll put it through its paces.

EWING SCOPE STANDS

These are by no means new but we do now have a UK importer. I often get asked about these stands but when shooters find out that they have to send to the USA, it's a bit off-putting for some. Now you don't have to - contact James Dallas on (click) jamesadallas@aol.com or mobile 07970 910608.

                                                                                                                                     This shot shows the Ewing supporting the massive ZOS spotting scope

The Ewing stands aren't cheap but they are THE best. If you want to see more pics, have a look in the 'Equipment Review' section for the ZOS spotting scope. They come with a three-piece stainless steel column so you can use it prone, sitting or standing.

PAC-NOR  BARRELS

I reckon most firms making barrels turn out a good product these days - otherwise they wouldn't stay in business! Problem is, the well known barrel-makers are busy and delivery time is usually three to four months. I had a look at the Pac-Nor website and they were quoting 5 to 6 weeks! OK - I placed an order at the beginning of the month and the barrel was delivered just four weeks later.

My stainless-steel barrel is what Pac-Nor call their Heavy Varmint profile (same as Border's T1) and is quite heavy. They are button-rifled and two grades are offered - a 'match' and a 'super match'. Mine is the 'super' which is an extra $20 and will be chambered for the new 6.5x47 Lapua round. Internally, the borescope revealed a similar finish to other buttoned match barrels and on the face of it, the Pac-Nor looks a real find. Look under the 'Projects' section of this site to see how it eventually shoots. 

Pac-Nor are based in Oregon USA.

ACCUSHOT SCOPE RINGS

Last week, I spent a frustrating day making phone calls in an attempt to get some 30mm scope-rings suitable for a Weaver base. A simple requirement you would think but I won't list the shops who couldn't help with this basic request and in the end, I had to resort to the internet. I got onto www.ebay.co.uk went into the Hunting section under Sporting Goods and typed '30mm Weaver' in the search-box. I was directed to an on-line shop by the name of eHobby-Asia and eventually found the very rings. I had a choice of low, medium or high and the whole lot, including postage was less than �15.00! Of course, one is always wary of such transactions with China but by using Paypall, it's pretty secure. The rings arrived today and vey nice they look. They even include an Allen-key and a spare screw! There's some blurb about 'machined from aircraft aluminium' etc but I'm not saying they are as good as Leupold, Burris, Nightforce and the like but they are here, my scope is on my rifle and I will be shooting it tomorrow!

 The actual shop address is http://stores.ebay.co.uk/eHobby-Asia-Airsoft-Supplier (just click on the link) and they list one or two other useful bits amongst the pages of dross. Is it any wonder more and more shooters are turning to the internet for stuff?

REMINGTON REPLACEMENT BOLT

If you have a Remington and are contemplating building a custom rifle, you probably intend to have the action 'accurised'. This is not a simple or cheap process and a lot of the work will be to the bolt itself - truing the lugs, skimming the bolt-face, fitting a Sako style extractor, new bolt-knob and maybe a new firing-pin. Even then, unless you have it sleeved, it will rattle like the old clunker it probably is! Don't waste your money! Go for one of the replacement bolts from Pacfic Tool & Gauge. They offer a new bolt complete with new bolt-handle, firing pin, spring etc and the bolts come in different diameters so that you can get one to exactly fit your Remington action. This of course requires some accurate measuring, so it's best to get your gunsmith to order the bolt. They are amazingly good value and will cost a lot less than up-grading your existing bolt.

                                                                                                                   Pacific Tool & Gauge's replacement Remington bolt.