RobinC

As my first step towards retirement I'm offering the first to go, a very trick custom built Keppeler 6mmBR Rifle. It was custom built for me for ISSF 300 mt in 2012, but will actually be ideal for other full bore target events. The action is the Keppeler square, flat bottomed, light action, the bolt the Keppeler 7 lug design, with an Anschutz 100 gm free trigger, the barrel is a special (they call it a 600) but its 570 mm (22 1/2"), a Lothar Walther, 1 in 8 twist, that they make specially for the German 300mt National Squad. Its used with a Keppeler 6" extension tube,with solid positive locations, so it can be removed and refitted exactly with no sight error. Between the wife and I we have had 4 of these barrels, hmmmm.....they are very good! This barrel was fitted for me at Keppeler in Germany in 2017, and is accurately logged at 1680 rounds. It has always been carefully cleaned with KG after every shoot, and it boroscopes perfectly. the rifle is complete with sight raisers, and Centra Cube front sight, and Centra LR rear sight, with an iris, and a Mec Lenshood, and mirage band( I have a black one as well as orange!) The stock is an alloy hybrid Keppeler K04/09 slim stock, black with polished inserts, the butt plate is the Walther KK200 (now unobtanium!) on Anschutz rods adjustable for length, it has a sling swivel and small hand stop. The grip is a Walther KK300, and the cheek piece is my own design side folding to allow the bolt to open. The rifle shoots superbly (tiny groups) at 300 mts, I've shot it internationally, I've also shot it on our TR club fun shoots back to 600 yards, and even with the soft loaded 300 mt ammo its an unfair advantage! Any one with long range aspirations will know that 6 mmBR shoots superbly at 1000 yds, put a scope on this, and wow, you have a very trick F class rifle! And when you do eventully shoot out the barrel if you feel like a 7.62, just rebarrel in 7.62! I have some hand loaded 107 gn match ammo specially for this rifle to get you started. Why am I selling? Just look at that screen, that's not the rifles fault, its me!! I'm now struggling with back problems, and its time to back down. My Wife is a better shot, she has an identical rifle, and has shot world level scores with hers at Internationals, so they are very trick rifles. I'm not hanging around, it goes quick, before I change my mind! Or I keep it! , Come on, the first £1850 gets it! If you are serious I'll take more pictures and Email them. robin.carter80@ntlworld.com Have Fun Robin

The NRA hand load survey is in response to several dangerous incidents at Bisley, and what is becoming apparently well known that people are loading outside of the parameters of manufacturers accepted safe data, some classes are notorious for this. Have Fun Robin

Maybe some years back, but not so now, its now commercial income from corporate clay bookings that rules the NRA (NSC) range planning. TR shooters would also like to use the shed as well, especially in the winter, the problem is the sporting game clay stands in the woods behind range 10 and 11, and the fact the NRA makes big income from the corporate bookings on them, one corporate booking is vastly more (thousands of £'s) , than even a full Century, and its not just the Shed, the stands behind Range 10 and 11 are also in the safety area of 500 yds and 600yds at that end of Century, why the 600 yd electronics are so far down the range. Have Fun Robin

Yes Century is very problematic, but the major problem with the 300 mt shed is not just its position as far as other century ranges, its is after all hardly ever used, we have just five half days this year! That's because in its safety area, is the high tower sporting clay stand, which just happens to make the NRA mega money compared to any other target range! So when that is in use everything else stops, why there are very few dates in the shed, the NRA makes too much money from that stand from corporate bookings to give fair and equal usage! Prior to that stand being built, we had regular use of the 300mt shed, built in the 1980's, and it did not impact on the rest of Century. Even when we do shoot in the 300mt shed we are continually showered with shot from the main clays stands on the left, totally ignored by the NRA, I suppose it will take a serious eye injury and a law suit to change that, and then will likely be the 300 mt that gets shut! Yes please, a new 300 mt shed in a location that allows full access to any NRA member any time, not 5 half days, which is all we have this year, as at the moment the NRA are heading towards destroying a long standing International discipline! Have Fun Robin

Yes Pete, That's what we plan to do to supplement our 300 mt shooting this year as the NRA has shafted us on dates and availability of the 300 shed, with very little usage. The electronics on range 19 are switchable to 300 mt ten ring scoring, and two of them are the same Kongsbergs that we have in the shed. I think the difference between 300 yds and metres is almost irrelevent, the scores will only differ if people are close to the lines, so over a 60 shot match course, the answer is hit the middle and the scores are the same! We are soft old wimps, don't do cold and wet, and our kit is very expensive to expose to the elements, but we have discussed with the Range Office and they can arrange Gazebos' so we can get some cover. 300mt FP's are flat and carpeted, but beggars can't be choosers, so grass and rough it will be! A bonus, the wind is easier down that end than range 10! Most of us travel, wife and I are Norfolk, and we are planning some Sat afternoon/Sunday mornings this year with a group of friends, so if you see us, come and have a chat. Have Fun Robin

We shoot ISSF 300 mt to national and International level, and use and load 6 mmBR and .223. We only hand clean cases at neck with 0000 wire wool, use Norma for 6 mmBR, and Lapua for .223 We FL and length, fire form to a specific rifle and only use in that, and then neck size for 5 loads, clean the primer pockets at each load, and then FL and size, and five more neck sizes before scrapping the case. Use only BR4 primers, no check other than visual. Measure powder to 0.02 grain, case length and bullet seating to one thou. Use Sierra MK's 107 gn for 6mmBR, and 80 gn MK's for .223. No check other than visual, do not weigh or batch, just load! In many 1000's of loads never had a problem with any round, always shoot to top level, in fact the wife who is the "real" shot, has shot to within a few points of the world record at an International. And Popsbengo, I agree, and look forward to you having that lottery win! Have Fun Robin

Sir I realize as a commercial operation you will aim at the largest market and that in the UK is the Fun/leisure shooters, but don't ignore that there is a serious need from serious match target shooters. My wife and I, shoot ISSF 300 metre at Bisley, in the "shed" on the electronic targets. The NRA is limiting use each year and it is now so little its not worth the trips to Bisley, this year we have been offered 5 half days! We also used to shoot abroad regularly, Boris ended that by negotiating out European Firearms Passes (EFP's) from the deal, and now Covid is almost ending that route! We have our sport dissapearing from in front of us, and we are sat on many thousands of £'s of specialised tack drivers! If you could put in a 300 meter range, with electronic targets, and Indoor firing points, basically a version of the "Bisley Shed"we would gladly make the trek from Norfolk on a monthly basis to shoot, we book two hour slots at Bisley each, and I know other 300 mt shooters also who would. I write the 300 mt articles in the NRA Journal for any one who wishes to know more. Best of Luck, and have Fun Robin

The easy way? Just buy some GGG 69gn (Sierra bullet) from the NRA, its cheap, and shoots well in a decent 1 in 8 barrel/action combo, GGG also make a 77gn (also Sierra bullet), similar price, (but not available from the NRA), if they shoot well, to your satisfaction you have a route, as they can be easily mirrored in a load. If not, its almost certainly the rifle quality, which to be honest sounds like its not exactly a silk purse. Or you could play for ever with opinions on loads and intense technicalities, and still never get further than you are now! Have Fun Robin

1 in 8 needs a heavier bullet up to 80 gn, easy route as a test, go and buy some GGG 69gn match (which uses the Sierra MK 69 gn bullet) from the NRA to try, they do it in boxes of 20, that is an excellent budget (about £18 per 20) factory ammo in the right load ball park, if it works satisfactorily I can give you a guide towards a load that will work even better, or you can stick with that, if it doesn't work, I suspect then its maybe the rifle is not the ideal choice for precision shooting. My criteria is tight accuracy not just speed for the sake of it, I shoot a precision match course (ISSF 300 mt) with a 1 in 8 twist .223, with a 25" Bartlein barrel on a Barnard P action, I tried the GGG, it was a very tight group at 300 mt, but a tad slow, so not good in wind (at 300), if you are plinking, and the rifle is not exactly match grade, I think the GG 69gn Match should out shoot your Rifle. Best of luck Have Fun Robin

Very few serious match target shooters would not run in a new barrel, the NRA run in their rental barrels, most barrel manufacturers recommend running in a new barrel, and most serious match target rifle manufacturers also. Its a simple process, my process is fairly standard, in your case but a box of factory ammo, I do it on the zero at Bisley. Let the range office now that you will be doing it, you can also zero at the same time Process, shoot one round, clean, shoot 3 rounds, clean, shoot 5 rounds clean, shoot 10 rounds clean. Job done! I have done it with dozens of barrels, it settles the barrel, ensures full life (maybe!!) and you will know you have done all you can. PS, The wife and I have shot at top level, and internationally. Have Fun Robin

I'm shooting .223 at ISSF 300 metre, my load is Lapua cases, BR4 primers, 80 gn Sierra Matchkings seated at 2.525, using 25 grains of Viht 540. Have not Chrono'ed, as not really interested in speed as they knock the middle out at 300 mts, and spit in the eye of wind! Shot from my Barnard P action, with 30 gm Bix'n Andy trigger, Bartlein 1 in 8 twist 25 ins barrel, in a special Dolphin stock. The result below is a 30 shot match shot prone at 300 metres, in a gale at Bisley, by my wife, she only stopped at 30 because the wind tore the target down, and shooting was stopped for safety!! We don't shoot 7.62 now, but Viht 540 works nicely in 7.62 with various bullets, we also use it very successfully in 6mmbr with 107 gn bullets. Have Fun Robin

It could still be the de capping rod through too far, the pin holder would push on the inside of the case. That would be my go to, I'd re check the decapping die very carefully, it only just needs to push the primer just out of the case. It may not be doing others as the pressure on the bottom of the case after it did those four, could have pushed the decapper back. Presses create a lot of pressure. Best of Luck Robin

Are they jacketed or solid? Have Fun Robin

With long range with the weights suggested, twist is more important, to stabilize 168/175's you would get away with 26 in length, but you really need a 1 in 10 twist, go heavier towards 200 gn and you'll need 1 in 9. The TR boys hold the vee bull at 1000 with 1 in 12 or 1 in 13 barrels, using commercial GGG or Ruag 155 gn ammo, but generally with 30+ ins barrels Have Fun Robin

Hi Adam Welcome to the sport, you say "target shooting", but that depends what form you are looking at, Target Rifle (TR) is all with .308/7.62, and shot prone with a sling, the rifle has "iron sights", ie, aperture sights with no magnification, shot from 200 yds to 1000 yds, and its probably the most common form of full bore target shooting, with lots of Bisley Clubs, and lots of competitions. Then there is F class, which is prone, rested on bipods, using telescopic sights, usually long range out to 1200 yards, there are variations on this, Match rifle, and others, and informal long range target shooting. The 6.5, I presume is scoped, and is probably more suited to these scoped events, and is not eligible for TR. My wife and I shoot occasional TR, but now specialize in International 300 mt, shot from an indoor firing point, shot prone with sling, iron sights, onto electronic targets, its rules are similar to .22 match prone, just with a big bang and longer distance, and sadly the only UK range is at Bisley, your 6.5 would not be suitable for that, look out for our articles in the NRA journal. We live in Norfolk, and full bore opportunities are thin on the ground, as are ranges, so we commute to Bisley, the car knows the way on auto pilot!. In East of England, Thetford has back to 600 yds, and Cambridge has 1000 yds, we belong to West Suffolk RC, WSRC is currently in limbo, and and shares with Grove, which uses several East of England ranges, and for informal is probable your best bet for a club. Bisley is the shooters Disneyland, welcome to the sport, enjoy it. Have Fun Robin

Its totally unfair to blame the NRA, they did publicise the minute silence, and it was only a minute. It was also on the National news that there would be a national minutes silence, many times, so you had to be a bit isolated to not expect the NRA to respect it by stopping shooting. Regardless of the reason, the hooter went twice, if any one was unaware of the reason, then they should have thought it was a safety issue, and stopped any way! Its not the NRA who were at fault, its near enough impossible for them to find who the offenders were afterwards. The individual RO's (non NRA) would have known who shot, and they should have stepped in when people shot, they may have done, and I hope they did, and the person(s) were spoken to. The clays were the main ones who broke it, it sounded like one stand, but there were also rifle shots as well, I was on Century and it sounded as if it was from the far end, Range 19 ish, but it could have been Siberia. OK this one was for respect, but its still a big safety issue, that is a concern, that we shoot with people who don't understand the signals, or worse, ignore them! Have Fun Robin

I can also solve your SWMBO issue, easy, teach her to shoot, she will quickly become better than you, and want the best kit, what you want, then pales into insignificance! You can see my wife's article in the next NRA journal the Spring Edition when it comes out! Have Fun Robin

Before you consider a replacement, and your budget is a little tight, there may be another way? I'm presuming that as your Sportco is standard its a TR class. The Omark 44 (Sportco) is a great rifle, (my wife made the Queens final with one in 1979!) and they can be updated very easily to make an even better rifle. The Sportco still lives!!!! The company that owns the rights and tooling on them is Total Solutions Engineering Pty Ltd, (TSE) Everton Park Queensland Australia. They will supply spares, including the barrel adapter, and will even build you a new Sportco rifle to order! They don't build a lot as there are so many S/H ones in Oz. The contact is info@tsengineering.com.au I have one that I did the "Aussie" mods to a couple of years ago, I bought the adaptor from TSE, also drilled the middle of the action to fit a middle action screw, then don't use the rear one, I took it a stage further because I wanted a short action, we then milled off the back action mounting. It was rebarreled with one of the last of the real Kolbe Border barrels. Mik at Dolphin did an alloy machined bedding for it in my old Walther stock, and it shot superbly, several possibles, the last at 600 yds. I also had a new Barnard/Dolphin, and the Sportco was at least as good, and my favourite rifle by far. Pics are of it as it was then, as a 7.62 I only stopped using it after a recoil related eye problem after only 250 rounds, and I'm now re building it as a .223 (The Omark was also built as a .223) so its just needs a new .223 bolt head, now being made for me by TSE. I'm modifying the stock to bring it bang up to date, and when the head arrives it will be rebarreled and chambered as .223 Wylde. You can see pics and some info on what I'm doing with that to rebuild it as a 300 mt rifle for ISSF events on my "300 mt post" on www.Stirton.com So don't give up on the Sportco, any stock can be bedded for it, you find a stock, a small bore one, Mik will inlet it for a Sportco. it can be rebarreled easily, if you want to develop after that they are "Remington 700" footprint so better triggers are available. When mine is rebuilt as a .223, there could be a good Border 250 rd 7.62 barrel sat unused, and by then, I may know a man who had a Sportco barrel adaptor sat unused as well? If you want to consider that route, you can email me on robin.carter80@ntlworld.com PS You will be very lucky to get a TR that's much better than what you have now for £750! Have Fun Robin

Go on to the AirgunsBBS forum "collectors" section, you will find the best specialists in the UK reside there. There are people there who collect and restore BSA's. Best of Luck Have Fun Robin

BUT, I admit I also did a quick scurry to my docs to check the one I have, phew, it was done in 2014! BUT, our Gov. should have declared this invalid! Our Gov. have joined the EU to shaft us in other ways as well, with the EFP. Under "the deal" and under the "May" deal we retained the European Firearms Pass (EFP) and the Gov. guidance has been right up to Dec 2020 "the EFP will be invalid IF we do not have a deal", well, we had a deal, and the EFP is still invalid!!!! I have queried with my MP and the HO, and the HO minister, and it appears they wanted to retain it, but that in the negotiation's the EU insisted it became invalid, and our guys folded! This will make it very difficult to compete abroad, almost impractical. Have Fun Robin

Best to join the NRA, and you will also need a Shooters Certificate of Competance (SCC) to shoot at Bisley, or any MoD range, and most FB clubs. You would need to do a course to qualify for that, NRA or some clubs do it. Bisley is a motor way trip away, and has ready access to targets at all ranges to rent. With NRA membership and an SCC you could then shoot and rent targets at Bisley, and shoot as guests at clubs. Best of luck and have Fun Robin

We all know what "should not" means, not means NOT! There are also various references to travel being kept local, and definitions of what reasons travel is permitted, and a day out at Bisley is not among them. Common sense guys, Bisley will still be there when this virus is controled. Merry Xmas and lets hope for a better new year. Robin

I have used electronics in all events small bore and full bore for many years, probably since electronics have become available, both here and abroad and I can honestly say that they are as close to being 100% reliable as it is possible to be, IF they are maintained correctly. It appears that it is a big IF!!! I have no experience of the Intarso or Shotmarker, but extensive experience of Kongsbergs here, and Suis Ascor abroad. I shoot 300 mt at Bisley in the "shed" at Bisley, we have Kongsbergs , we move the rear rubber before every week end, even training, most shooters do a full match coursof 60 shots plus sighters so probably 70 shots each, at 300 mts there are a lot of shots in the small area, but problems are very rare as long as the back rubber is moved reasonably regularly, a target is perfectly satisfactory over a week end with nothing other than pre shoot attention, and that use could be a 1000 plus shots in a busy week end. They can not be patched effectively and when shot out and rotated fully must be replaced. When we shoot abroad, in competitions the targets are checked and rotated or replaced after every detail and there is a paper backer so claimed non appearing hits or challenges on score can be checked . Its the way to go, but the systems must be good quality, and well maintained. Have Fun Robin

Nick For what its worth, we have no interest in velocity what so ever, I only ever checked ours for interest after a couple of years because some one had a chrono on the range! OK, we are concentrating on 300 mt, but our loads were developed for accuracy, wind bucking, and low recoil (300 is a 60 shot plus sighters event!). I think Viht 540 is the reloading secret, I started using it years back when 140 was in short supply, and then discovered I was not alone in its "quiet" use. This year I've developed a .223 load with 540 with 80 gn SMK's in the 300 mt quest for lower recoil, and the results with that are very impressive. The print out below was the last 20 of a 60 shot 300 metre training shoot my wife did with her 6 mmBR in wind with our 540 load, the small ring is 50 mm. it just shows what can be done when you get the wind right and point the gun at the middle. Have Fun Robin

Something Different! The wife and I shoot international 300 mt, not benched, but prone from a sling to ISSF rules. We use Keppelers in 6mmBR from 1 in 8 barrels 24 ins bartleins. Our load is 107 gn SMK, 28.6 gn of Vhit 540, 2680 fps at the muzzle, shoots one hole groups at 300 mt, also tried for fun at 500 and 600 very successfully. The accuracy drops off a cliff at 2500 rounds. Have Fun Robin