Meeting Forum Friends at Ben Avery

After wrapping up our coverage of the NRA Annual Meeting in Phoenix, we headed out to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, located about 27 miles north of downtown Phoenix on I-17. There we had a chance to check out Ben Avery’s impressive range complex, which includes a Clay Target (shotgun) center, 1000-yard High Power range, 100-300 yard Benchrest range, rifle and pistol silhouette ranges, handgun ranges, smallbore range, Running Boar range, and a large, 53-bay, 200-yard main range.

At the main range we ran into Forum Member Troy D., who had a brand-spanking new Lester Bruno-built 6BR. While breaking-in his new 28″ Krieger barrel, Troy was using Sierra 70gr Blitz-Kings. Accuracy was impressive — the 70 grainers ripped tight, little knots in the high 2s, low 3s. Though his rifle has an 8-twist barrel, Troy was testing the 70s in preparation for a prairie dog trip next week. From what we saw, those p-dogs should be worried. Troy’s gun was a tack-driver with the Sierra Blitz-Kings.

Troy’s Compact Storage Box
While Troy was cleaning between groups, we noticed he was using a compact little box to hold his jags, brushes and patches. The box was the perfect size for these items. Troy explained: “If you’re just taking one rifle to the range, you don’t need to take a big gear box with stuff for all your guns. Apart from solvent, bore guide, and cleaning rod, this little box holds all I really need to clean my rifle.” Troy sourced the box at Cabela’s for $1.50.

USAMU Teaches Wind-Reading on ShootingUSA May 20th

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 20th, when a “must-watch” episode of ShootingUSA television is broadcast. On the 20th, Sergeant Grant Singley and other members of the USAMU Service Rifle Team explain wind-reading for long range competition. This should be a very informative segment, enhanced with on-screen graphics illustrating key points.

Sgt. Singley notes: “A 5-mph crosswind at 600 yards will move an 80gr .223 bullet about 15 inches. You can see that being able to accurately read the wind will greatly enhance your success on the rifle range.” The USAMU uses a clock method to estimate wind value based on the direction. Then you add in the measured (or estimated) velocity for the vector value (wind strength and angle).

Sgt. Singley recommends the use of a wind meter, such as a Kestrel, to gauge wind speed. But observed conditions will also indicate wind velocity. Sgt. Singley explains: “Zero-to-three mph, is hardly felt on the shooters face, but smoke will drift. Three-to-five mph is felt lightly on the shooter’s face. Five-to-eight mph keeps leaves in constant movement. Eight-to-12 mph will blow dust and loose paper, and 12-to-15 mph winds cause small trees to sway.”

Using Mirage to Estimate Wind Speed and Direction
Long-range shooters also need to learn how to read mirage. Mirage is the reflection of light through layers of air that have a different temperature than the ground. These layers are blown through by the wind, and can be monitored through a spotting scope, to detect direction and speed. You can see what appear to be waves running across the screen. This is the mirage. The waves appear to be running right to left, which indicates a wind coming out of the right. To clearly see the mirage through a spotting scope, you bring the target into focus, then adjust the focus about a quarter turn counter-clockwise.”

Graphics copyright 2009 ShootingUSA, used with permission.

Ruger Offers New SR-556 with Gas-Piston Upper

Ruger has jumped on the “black rifle” bandwagon. One of the more popular (and unexpected) product releases at the 2009 NRA Annual Meeting was yet another AR15-style rifle, Ruger’s new $2000.00 SR-556 carbine with gas-piston upper. For tactical applications the gas piston design is a good idea. It keeps vented gases away from the bolt/bolt carrier assembly, allowing the gun to run MUCH cleaner and cooler. This is something the U.S. military should have adopted 40 years ago, and in fact, the father of the M16, Gene Stoner, employed a gas piston on his Stoner 63 back in the ’60s. More recently Heckler & Koch (and other smaller companies) have developed gas-piston uppers for the AR platform. Ruger’s new SR-556 represents the first time a major American gun-maker has offered a complete AR-style rifle with the gas-piston technology.

CLICK HERE to watch Ruger SR-556 Video.

The Ruger SR-556 does offer some nice components, including a full-length Picatinny-style rail on top, folding Troy Industry battlesights, and a comfortable Hogue pistol grip. However the SR-556 still uses the common six-position adjustable AR stock, something we consider a poor design (the cheek weld is too low for use with scopes and the stock’s underside has many projections that can hang up on slings and gear). Doubtless Ruger will sell many SR-556 rifles to a market starved for AR-style inventory, but we wish Ruger had gone a step farther in design evolution and done more than just slap a piston upper and rails on a 40-year old design. We also wonder if many buyers will be deterred by the SR-556’s hefty $1995.00 (MSRP) price-tag.

CLICK HERE for Ruger SR-556 Spec Sheet (.pdf file).