Archive for November, 2006

Myth Buster Sniper Episode Aired

Thursday, November 30th, 2006

As I mentioned a few months ago, (http://blog.snipercentral.com/?p=6) Myth Busters was putting together an episode on sniping. I speculated back then that it was probably going to be focused on the “Shot through the scope” as done by Carlos Hathcock during the Vietnam War. Well, the episode aired last night, but I will admit I missed it. From what I am told, they did indeed attempt to prove or bust the scope shot. Their conclusion was that it was a bust, as they could not get a round to travel through the scope, it kept being deflected into the scope body once it hit the glass.

Like I said, I did not see the episode, so I cannot comment on what scope they were using (For some reason I doubt it was a Russian PU as it would have been) or what ammo (FMJ vs. Softpoint would make a huge difference). I will have to try and catch a re showing of the episode.

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HSM Ammo Available in the Sniper Store

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006

I have made some Hunting Shack Montana (HSM) ammo available in the Sniper Store. This is the same ammo manufacturer that is loading our customer .260 load. They are located up here in Montana and I have been to their facility several times and have been impressed. The .260 ammo has been excellent and their 308 match ammo has been excellent for the past several years now. Their ammo will be a part of a very extensive match ammo review coming up in a month or two.

As it is, I have started with some 308 match ammo, both 168 and 175gr, as well as some 168gr Match “Range” ammo. I also wanted to try some .30-06 175gr match ammo, for those .30-06 fans out there! HSM has a good number of different match loadings in .223, 7mm08, 7mm Rem Mag, 308, 300 Win Mag, 6.5×284 and some others. Based off of how this initial trial goes with 308 and 30-06 will determine how much other calibers I try. If you are interested in case quanitities of the other calibers, I can make special arrangements, just contact us here.

Now, there are some legalities of shipping ammo, so please pay attention. You have to be 18, or course, and there are some places where it is not legal to ship ammo to. MASSACHUSETTS residents, sorry, we cannot ship ammo there, as well as NYC and some other cities. DELAWARE, DC, NEW YORK and OHIO, you MUST check your local laws to determine if it is legal, you will be held liable. If you live in ILLINOIS, we must have a copy of your FOID on hand here before we can ship.

Anyway, this is an experiment and we’ll see how it goes. The prices on the HSM match ammo is VERY reasonable especially for the good quality of the ammo.

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Parker-Hale bipods now readily available in the USA

Thursday, November 16th, 2006

I received the following information via email:

“We would like to get the word out to all your members that current production Parker-Hale bipods are now available for purchase in the United States. We know that many shooters think that either that Parker-Hale no longer exists, or that the bipods are not available here in the U.S. Actually, a British company purchased Parker-Hale a few years ago. They do not manufacture the Parker-Hale sniper rifle, but they do still make the bipods.

Over the past couple of years we have worked with Parker-Hale to get through the red-tape of exporting/importing these bipods and then to have a ready supply here in the U.S. That supply system is now in place.”

There you have it! The PH bipods are excellent and it is great to be able to easily get the in the USA now. You can find the bipods on their web page http://www.fidelisfirearms.com/

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SC 260 LR ammo update

Monday, November 13th, 2006

I took out the first 260 factory loads prepared for us to the range with the chrono to run the first initial tests. The 260 rifle I used is the old SC2 prototype with a 22″ barrel in a HS stock. The rifle has been a good accurate .5 MOA rifle with handloads. Let me just say right now, the rifle loves this ammo, and I am very impressed with the initial loads. The average velocity for all shots fired during the day was 2760 fps. This is with a 22″ barrel in 40 degree temperature at 3200′ above sea level. The load was setup to shoot 2800fps which it will do with a typical 24″ barrel. At 2800fps, the load is an excellent long range loading, but yet still very mild recoil. When compared to the .308 WIn 175gr SMK at 2600 fps, this load drops 84″ less (yes, 7 feet less) and in a 10 mph crosswind drifts 18″ less at 1000 yards. The 175gr 308 does have an extra 30 ft-lbs of energy at 1000 though.

This load obviously shows some very good long range potential for a non magnum short action cartridge that is very pleasant to shoot. The best part though is the accuracy of this factory loaded ammo. Match grade is certainly the proper term with these first few boxes. The largest 100 yard group fired during these tests was .501″, and one of the better groups is displayed below. So, I have given my approval to HSM to proceed with the loading and production of the ammo as it is. Sure, I would love to see 2900fps, but that is getting into higher pressures and things gets more tricky to make accurate, so I will trust HSM and go with this 2800 fps load. We do give up an extra 27″ of drop by slowing it down to 2800fps, but for as sweet as this ammo has shot so far, I’ll be fine with it.

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Tip: Side focus long range scopes

Wednesday, November 8th, 2006

I believe the following tip comes from the 6mmBR.com site, but I am not positive, as I saw it in a newsletter from a shooting association I belong to….

From the Leupold Technical Department: “When focusing a long range scope with side focus, turn to infinity then back to where the target is in focus. If you accidentally go past that point, do not try to backup to achieve focus, but go all the way back to infinity again and approach focus once more. This type of scope has slack in the focus and will not focus accurately if brought past and then back to focus. You must go back to infinity and then start again.”

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