Catch-22

I don’t. Hopefully someone with more knowledge on the matter than I can chime in.

In all honesty Terry, I don’t know much about it. Seemingly it’s a UK wide ban, something about the MOD being ‘unable’ to ‘prove’ safe arc’s of fire on FF ranges. Obviously the MOD must be content with safety for its own military personnel, so why it doesn’t extend to civvies I cannot say? And why on ranges historically used by the MOD and civvies the arcs are now seemingly different or have somehow suddenly changed (I know F range on sennybridge is the same as it as been for years) is also unclear. It is supposedly only a temporary ban. But the MOD moves at a snails pace, so we shall see. Shame really.

Ok a bit weird. Seems Alliant use the same SDS data sheet (which lists all the specs and ingredients of each powder) for Rel 15, 16, 19, 22, 23 and 25. Seems they all reference Alliant AR Comp powder. If this is true and not quite a big content error on their website, then Rel 16 is a double base powder: https://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/reloder16.aspx https://www.alliantpowder.com/downloads/sds/Reloder_Series_SDS.pdf

Good news - after a very long delay, Offas Dyke Rifle club received a renewed Home Office approval the other day, meaning club shoots are up and running again. The calendar is starting to fill up with range dates. However Sennybridge ‘F Range’ is still a no-go due to the MOD temporarily banning all civilian clubs from shooting on field firing areas across the UK. ODRC calendar here: http://www.offasrifleclub.com/index.php/calendar

Price reduced

Quite comparable with SPHUR and just a little more than Tier One mounts. https://www.optics-trade.eu/uk/era-tac-one-piece-mount-for-s-b-pm-ii-ultra-short-lever-20-moa.html https://www.eratac.de/en/products/tactical-mounts/

Personally, I’d have to disagree with this statement. Given my own experience using an extremely high quality QD mount (Era-Tac) over a number of years, I cannot fault them - nor detect any discernible shift in zero. I’ve used this system on multiple rifles now, more recently on the same rifle with multiple barrels. I remove the scope+mount every time the gun goes into the cabinet and into its storage case, and I’ve never encountered a problem - even when shooting a big .338NM. No shift and no need to constantly re-check zero before a range session. Zero between barrels is easy. Simply zero for a given barrel and when using on a new barrel (or rifle) just note the difference between POI and dial accordingly. As long as you remember the right turret ‘zero’ settings for each given barrel (or rifle), and ensure you lock the mount in the same exact slot in the picatinny rail as before, there’s no issue! Good video from Eric Cortina on the subject of tracking scope zero/settings between multiple barrels/rifles. I use the same principal and even have the differences between barrel / turret calibrations stored in my Kestrel to permit the correct adjustments without me needing to remember the turret calibrations. 😎

I’ve used the Era-Tac one piece QD mount for my S&B PMII 5-25x56 for the last few years and I cannot fault them. Ive never lost my zero after repeatedly taking it on and off, even when shooting the .338NM barrel. The QD leavers are chunky, very well made, easy to manipulate yet can’t be accidentally undone.

Mag arrived today - many thanks!

To the top ☝️

@woodsie99 ill have the AICS .308 mag please. Just to confirm, it is a proper AICS pattern Double Stack, Single Feed?

Personally I agree with the above. .223 will limit your range unless you buy factory ammunition loaded with heavy bullets (eg 77g, 80g +)...but you’ll need a rifle with an appropriate twist (1-8”, 1-7”) to properly accommodate and stabilise the heavy bullets...likely meaning a custom barrel = spendy. A good off the shelf rifle should suit your needs, one in one of the following calibers will do you well out to 1000m. All these calibres have suitable factory and/or military surplus ammunition available, suitable to get you out to those ranges. In no particular order; 6mmBR, 6.5x55 Swede, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308/7.62 NATO There are plenty of other suitable calibres out there but the above will be easily available to buy ammunition for. Personally I’d look at a .308w/7.62 NATO for hitting steel with, or entering F class, particularly if on a budget...ammunition will be a bit cheaper compared to the others. My 2 pennies worth.

Agree with the above, though you’ll need a medium/long action for the 6.5x55 Swede as it’s a fair bit longer than a 6.5x47, 6.5 Creed, .260 etc. Though I have owned several 6.5x47 and it’s a lovely round. Very easy to reload and find a very accurate load for.

Not UK based but have you seen the Shotmarker system by the designer/maker of the Autotricker system? https://www.autotrickler.com/shotmarker.html Owning an Autotricker/Autothrow combo, I can attest to the quality of Adam’s products. I’m positive his Shotmarker system would be of the same high quality. Seems you can connect multiple systems together, linking up an entire range. Bit more high tech than the retrieval system but probably needs less maintenance in the long run. Plus it gives instant feedback...no waiting for retrieval’s.

Price reduced

Sunny afternoon bump 😎

I choose to look at the online data provided by the powder manufacture (select cartridge, powder I’m using and general bullet weight). For example, I use both Vihtavouri and Reload Swiss powders, so will consult their online data for given cartridge and bullet weights. I always found the Hodgdon online resource helpful too in the past. And I also trawl various forums, using a basic Google search for matching cartridge, powder and bullet weight. But you’ve got to be mindful of the BS some people chat...so plumbing for a good average is wise (eg 20x people with a very similar charge, not just one person). I take this bunch of varying load data and make a judgement, comparing against the data of the powder manufacture, to determine both a starting load and a safe max load for an initial OCW load test. Often I find my start loads can be 15% higher than the ‘official’ start load and be no where near to max pressure.

Hmm, I would disagree re barrel weights. Thing is, the AI’s had lighter profile barrels because it’s all about compromise. The solider, with heavily laden Bergen, a rifle that’s heavy to begin with and carrying all the other kit, plus tabbing somewhere for 12+ hrs isn’t quite the same as the PRS game. Shoot a stage and the rifle gets set down. Plenty of time to have a breather and regain ones strength, so no reason not to go heavier if you can. The heavier profiles are better because they’re stiffer (proven to produce better accuracy), offer better balance and permit longer shot strings before accuracy wanes. Interestingly, it seems that the vast majority of PRS shooters in the US are now switching over to heavier profiles after several years of shooting medium or heavy Palmer contours. Some even seemingly use a full bull barrel (I think the PRS’s 6th top shot was shooting a 26” bull). So I wouldn’t shy away from the heavier profiles. https://precisionrifleblog.com/2019/01/05/best-rifle-barrel-2/

The 6’s are ballistically better but will be harder on barrels and might be more difficult to spot splash at distance, especially in bad weather. 26” barrels give great velocity without needing to up charge weights too far. The extra length and weight will give greater balance and stability keeping you on target better. FFP scopes are definitely better for quick holdovers and turret dialling. But do consider looking at specific holdover reticles, like the ‘Christmas Tree’ type. Some may think they’re too cluttered but you soon get past that with some training. The benefit is that you simply have a 100m zero and you never need to touch the turrets when transitioning between targets, just use the reticle holdovers. This saves HUGE time on stages that require multiple engagements in a short time frame.

Impact 737R action MPA Competition Chassis 6.5x47L, 6.5 Creed or 6 Dasher Any of the top barrels, 26”, Heavy Varmint or MTU contour Area 419 Sidewinder brake Trigger Tech Diamond trigger, set @ #1lb Harris bipod (quicker to release under time constraints) Any of the top scopes. I would have a preference for any with a Horus H59 reticle for fast holdovers. Personally I like the 5-25x56 PMII’s turret design...just me. Just an opinion.

Worth a read. https://precisionrifleblog.com/2018/12/29/custom-rifle-action/ The guys behind the Impact actions do engineering for NASA, Gov and Aerospace sectors, so know their shizzle about keeping tolerances tight and exact.

Slightly off topic, but the Impact Precision 737R actions are all made to such exact specs that all barrels chambered and threaded for them are done using CNC machines and never need to be headspaced for each individual action. Simply buy a barrel off their shelf and screw it on your action. Interestingly I’ve heard from a couple of gunsmiths, who CNC chamber barrels for the Impact actions, say that they cannot do the same procedure for other custom actions, including Defiance, as the tolerances simply aren’t identical action to action, like the Impact’s are. The above is one of many reasons why they’re the preferred action used in the PRS league as those guys go through 3-4 barrels a season.

Another +1 for the Whidden dies (6.5x47L and .338 Norma Mag). I chose NOT to go full custom route (eg sending them 3 fired cases) and chose their ‘standard’ dies as I too wanted to reuse the same die sets once I rebarrel both calibres. I own the .338NM reamer but not the 6.5x47, so couldn’t guarantee specs to be the same. Tbh, their ‘standard’ dies are very precise - I don’t think I’d notice/see any difference between them and their custom dies. And yes, the Whidden family are extremely helpful and customer service is top notch!

Everywhere I’ve looked, the Minox ZP 5-25x56 is more expensive than the PMII. Where did you find it cheaper please? Cheers

Bump