The Gun Pimp

Mike - one of our new members is looking for a scope like the one you have for sale. If you can drop it off with me the next time you are at Diggle I think I can move it on for you - Vince

Foxy still has a good selection of Edgewood and a few others. Not had any issues with the Lenzi and I shoot with quite a few who use them - I don't think I've heard any complaints. Most bags will need a top up when the stitching and leather has settled but the Lenzis come filled, which is a bonus.

I'd start off by looking at Edgewood offerings. The leather is nice and soft and you can go for Cordura ears or the super-slippery ones. (I'm happy with Cordura). Go for a thick rigid base - maybe incorporating a carry handle if you are going to lug it around the range. I think the Dolphin stock has a round carbon-fibre bag-rider so get one with maybe 10mm between the ears so your bag-rider rides on the ears and not the stitching between the ears. Various heights are available - go for a medium - it will suit most situations with a NEO front rest. The Edgewood aren't cheap but they are superior to the cheaper SEB ones. If you really want the best have a look at the Lenzi bag from March scopes. I've switched to a Lenzi from an Edgewood. They have super soft leather, rigid base, Cordura ears and they are very heavy when filled with Zircon. The pic shows my Lenzi on a stainless steel base - really solid.

It has been done before - Laurie Holland had some striking results with a 223 loaded with 80gn bullets - probably about 10 years ago shooting in the GB F Class League. We all remember the 'head to head' with Russ Simmons in the League Shoot at Blair Atholl at 1000 yds with both shooters punching in 5s and V bulls on the electronic targets. I think Laurie took the win by a single point. We used a special reamer with a very long throat so that powder capacity was not compromised. Can't remember the powder that Laurie used.

So Nick - if you found a hot load that would guarantee you a win - you wouldn't use it because it knocked 10% off your barrel life? Get real - the rest of us are using hot loads!

Laurie I remember, we started using them in 6PPC but every time one 'blanked' - pierced - the case was scrap - no way of removing the primer. Annoying with a fire-formed, neck-turned Lapua 220 Russian case.......

The majority of short range benchrest shooters worldwide will use Wilson hand-dies for neck-sizing and bullet-seating (including me) but will use maybe a Harrel screw-in die for full-length re-sizing. If that's what you shoot then yes - it's worth the hassle. I still use Wilson bullet seaters for long-range benchrest and F Class but Forster dies and normal press for re-sizing.

Might be worth checking with Foxy.

Are importer Hannam out of stock? They had plenty a few weeks ago.

N140 is the closest to Varget on the powder burning-rate charts. When my Varget stock dries up that's where I'll be going.

It might be worth noting that the UKBRA 1000 yard record for a five-shot group now measures 2.322 inches and was shot with a 6BR using Vit N140 powder. The group was shot by Mr David Sharp in August.

No I don't think so but it's just another thing to lug around!

Not tempted by the new Seb NEO-X Bruce?

Wouldn't we all!

So you got the rifle without proofing? You must be non-UK?

They usually change hands for about £250

Interesting - I don't think I've ever seen a Leupold fixed power 45x scope with a 1 inch tube. Crosshairs? Any chance of a pic - may have a buyer.

I know the Police don't want NHS records - I sent mine to Medcert. If you get your own records it saves the time and trouble of Medcert applying for them and speeds up the process.

Paul, I just rang the Surgery and the receptionist was very helpful and asked if I would like to collect or have them posted. It's only a computer run-off which anyone at the surgery has access to. Not really a GP issue. I'd go along and ask them to print off your NHS records whilst you wait.

Hannam's got their Lapua bullet shipment last week........

10 kilos and no muzzle brakes - if I remember.

You're correct - you'll struggle to get mass produced bullets so consistent but of course all short-range benchrest shooters are using custom hand-made bullets which are pretty good.

Jack is one of the World's top benchrest shooters and a really nice guy (shot with him at the Benchrest Worlds in Sweden some years ago) who goes out of his way to share information with his fellow shooters. If you don't shoot competitive short range benchrest then yes - maybe Jack is a little too anal but if you do wish to shoot at the highest level then you'll hang on to his every word.

Will you take £400 plus say a tenner postage? If so I'll buy it. PM me on targetshooteronline@icloud.com

A 6mm barrel with a 1 in 8 twist. The make and profile is up to you but sometimes it comes down to what your chosen gunsmith has in stock - unless you don't mind waiting.