IR Thermometer

Excessive barrel temperature can reduce  accuracy, increase copper fouling, and increase barrel wear. Using a cheap IR thermometer such as this one from Maplin can help you keep track of your barrel's temp. Small enough to keep in your range bag and it may save you some barrel life.

Great for load development too. It will enable you to make sure your barrel is at the same temperature for all your groups.

Case Trimming Gadget - The Worlds Finest Trimmer

Nice little gadget on reviewed 6mm-BR this morning - The Worlds Finest Trimmer.

I hate trimming cases so if this does everything it says on the tin I may have to invest in one (or a couple since they are calibre specific). Hopefully they'll bring out a Mk.2 which takes inserts or something.

Available here.

The Heavy Bullet Conundrum

Here's and interesting article discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using light vs heavy bullets in .308:

The Heavy Bullet Conundrum

The First Affordable FLIR System

Finally there is a FLIR system that is within the price range of shooters. It will be interesting to see how much they are when/if they make it over here though.

Worlds Most Expensive Rifle

http://www.luxist.com/2011/03/28/the-classicist-vo-gun-falcon-rifle/

http://www.vovapen.com/VO-Falcon

Insert Shock Smiley Here.

September Edition of Guns Magazine

The September (really, this early) edition of Guns magazine is available online now.

Animal Welfare Group Releasing Foxes

Sometimes you just can't believe the incompetence of some "Animal Welfare" groups.

July Articles on Long Range Hunting

The July articles are now available on Long Range Hunting.

Ultra Long Range Review of Android Shooter App

Another good post on 6mm-BR about the Android Shooter App. Sounds like a great app, almost sounds good enough to make me think about getting an Android phone instead of my iPhone.

I particularly like the Kestrel Bluetooth feature. I wonder if it works in real time? I doubt it but that would be really good.

Sources of Zero Shift

Interesting video and short article about Zero Shift on 6mm-BR today from Horus.

Another Magazine Available Online

Junior Shooters is not a magazine that I am familiar with but apparently it's been around a while in paper form. It's now available online.

Gun Handling Tips

Different shooting positions for shooting off a bench or prone:

Free Recoil : Only your trigger finger and possibly your thumb from your firing hand touch the rifle. The rifle recoils in the bags until it contacts your shoulder after an inch or so of recoil. If firing with thumb contact also apply light, consistent pressure with your firing hand thumb usually on the back of the trigger guard.

One Handed Firm Hold: Full, firm but consistent contact with the firing hand and shoulder. The non firing hand can be used to support the butt by making a fist and placing it beneath the butt or if using a rear bag It allows you to reach around and adjust the rear bag.

Two Handed Firm Hold:  Same as for the one handed method only this time the non firing hand supports the forend.


How you hold your rifle also depends, to a great extent, on the following:

1. Stability: If the position isn’t stable, then you aren't going to shoot well. Because of the amount of body contact with the ground and the low center of gravity prone is the most stable position.

2. Durability: If you change your position even slightly between one shot and the next it will affect your accuracy therefore, the position has to be durable. A properly fitting stock will help maintain position. Ideally, your cheek should never leave the comb during the string and your position must be as close to naturally looking strait forward as possible.

3. Comfort: You shouldn't feel any pain or discomfort whilst trying to mintain your postion. If you are not comfy it will affect the stability and durability of your shooting position.

Shooting Tips:

1. Concentrate on your trigger contol. The trigger must be squeezed gently straight back; any twisting, pushing or moving side to side will ruin accuracy. Practice by dry firing with snap caps. Practicing in the dark may help you concentrate more on your actual trigger technique.
2. Slow your breathing and heart rate as much as possible. There is a natural pause in your breathing after you have exhaled. I always time my shot to coincide with this pause and try not to think about it too much, just do it.
3. Maintain and memorise your cheek weld, it must be consistent. Your head shouldn't be leaning over to one side, as above the alignment must be as close to naturally looking strait forward as possible.
4. Don't fire too many shots in one go. Once fatigue starts to set in accuracy will deteriorate. This will also allow your barrel to cool.
5. When shooting with a bipod push forward slightly on the rifle to improve stability.
6. Use a sling. Even a simple carry sling wrapped around your non firing hand will improve stability in most positions.
7. Practice! There is no substitute for trigger time. Competition and advice from others is the quickest way to learn. Get out there and try different shooting styles and positions and you'll soon lear what works for you.

This weeks Sharpshooter

This weeks Sharpshooter is available online now.

Refurbish Your Brass

Here's an interesting new service that's being offered in the UK. Refurbish your old brass by having it annealed. At £23 per hundred it makes it quite attractive compared to new brass prices, and if you've ever tried to anneal your own brass, you'll know how time consuming and how much of a pain it can be.

Target Shooter App

The July issue of Target Shooter is now available as an App. May and June are available free but future editions will be 59p which is still very cheap for such a great mag. The online versions will still be available free.



Wind Reading Articles

Want to improve your wind reading skills? Here are 10 of best articles/discussions I've found on the subject:

http://www.sniperflashcards.com/windreading.php

http://www.6mmbr.com/windreading.html

http://www.6mmbr.com/Winddrift.html

http://www.odcmp.org/1206/USAMU_Wind1.asp

http://www.odcmp.org/0107/default.asp?page=USAMU_WIND2

http://www.shooting-the-breeze.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5569

http://www.ultimatesniper.com/Docs/21.PDF

http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=2262

http://www.snipersparadise.com/bits-o-wisdom/basics/71-reading-wind-there-are-no-flags-on-the-battlefield

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=985972

July Issue of Varmint Hunter

The July Issue of Varmint Hunter is available online now. You can only view the full issue if you subscribe.

 

Another Free Online Magazine

Hunting Illustrated is a free online magazine by Christensen who are better known (to me anyway) for their carbon fibre barrels and rifles.

Exploded Firearms Diagrams

Looking for exploded firearms diagrams? Try these two links and you'l probably find what your looking for. Between the two of them they have diagrams for most rifles, shotguns or pistols.

http://www.okiegunsmithshop.com/lvl25.html

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/schematics/default.aspx

Petition to Relax the Ban on .22 Target Pistols in the UK

Here is a petition to relax the ban on target pistols in the UK. Not that our government will take any notice but the more signatures the better the chances.

July Issue of Shooting Sports USA

The July Issue of Shooting Sports USA is available online now.

July Issue of Target Shooter

The July Issue of Target Shooter is available now.

This Month Includes:

• The results from the Egg Shoot
• A review of the Desert Tactical Arms Bullpup
• New F-Class Bipods

Simple Tactical Bolt Handle Modification

The Bolt Lift from KRG is a quick and simple way to give your rifle a Tactical Bolt Handle. It may look a bit plasticy but if you don't like it just take it off and at $28 its cheap too.

There's a brief write up of it here, with more to follow and some pics of the installation.