Nick Weidhaas

At greater than 300 yards and/or in a good stiff crosswind, you'll appreciate the 77's. Since most matches these days don't go much past 300, their benefits seldom come into play. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> rmfield- That was my plan, 55's out to 300 and 77's beyound that. Thanks, Nick-

As a follow-up to my original post, I finially got some Ultramax 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip ammo and I am very impressed. Stuff shoots as well as the 77gr. BH and as Benny said, with much less recoil. Found my load. Thanks for the help. Nick-

I've shot a lot of Team Challenge and IMHO, the best optic for a 10/22 for this game is a Leupold 4.5-14 (what I used) or a 6.5-20 from Premier Reticles. Have them make you a custom dot reticle with target turrets (or at least an elevation turret). Tell them you want a dot that will subtend/cover 1" at 90 yards at the maximum magnification you think you will shoot (for me it was 14X). The star (3") and diamond (1.5X3") are the hardest targets at 75 and 90 yards. The 1" dot reticle fits niecely inside these shapes. This dot will also cover or subtend approx. 1/2" at 50 yards, which makes it very nice for the 1" bonus targets. This dot is also nice on the larger shapes, allowing you to see the dot and move through the targets pretty quick. All the guys on my team shot this set up and it rocked. Lastly, know your dope (elevation come-ups) for all distances and put it write on your scope or memorize it. We had each shooter responsible for a bank of targets and then we moved to help each other. It is a lot easier to shoot POA/POI with your dope dialed in than trying to hold over or under, especially on the smaller target. Again this is what worked for us. Best, Nick-

The S&W Winter Championships were well done. They had several stages you could just go flat out (still using cover of course;-). Enjoyed the match very much overall. It is a shame the "secret stage" did not work out. In hind sight it would have been a great flash light stage if shot in a traditional manner. Watched the super squad shoot on Sat. Free lessons.....LOL. I shot on Thursday, so I got to watch and see how it should be done. Their skill is inspiring. Best, Nick-

I brought Steve out a few years ago to teach an IDPA class. He was a GREAT instructor, and an even nicer guy. We emailed each other several times and he was always quick to answer a question or offer a piece of advice. I had recenlty talked to him about getting together for another lesson.... He will be missed. My best wishes to those close to him. It is a tragic loss. Nick-

Have a M1 Field that Benny did for me. Awesome. I do recommend the having the rear sight installed in the rib as I could not get enough elevation with slugs @ 50 yards without it. Highly recommend him. Fast turn around and very helpful. Nick-

Have a Benelli M1 Field (21" bbl) that Benny Hill did up for me. Sweet!!!!!!!!! Nick-

I'm using the Larue SPR mount. Great product. Nick-

Kellyn- Internal Compensator I have one of those. Now I know those 77's won't be able to push me around Thanks again for the imput. Nick-

All good info and very helpful everyone. I appreciate the input. Learn something new every day as they say..... Today I was back at the range to finish breaking in the barrel. Shot at 100 yards to finish this task and got similar results as the the day before at 50 yards. 1/2" groups were the norm with the 77's. The BH 60 BT's were in the 1.25" range. The 69's about the same. I think if I had a different optic (cross hair and more magnfication) I could squeez out some more accuracy, but the 4X and triangle in the Trijicon are not made for precision. I'm happy thus far, just wish I had a lighter bullet that shot decent and about the same poi as the 77's (I guy can wish can''t he ). The point of impact was considerably different with all three loads. I did not have any 55's, so I will gather some and test later. I don't reload rifle, so I am limited to finding a decent lighter factory load that will hopefully do better than 1moa (although in reality, 1moa would be fine I guess). I just like to see those little groups. I'm thinking I should have gone with a 1:9 twist. Hmmm. Well I guess I got what I got. I think I should be able to find something. If all else fails, I'll have to start reloading rifle. Not my favorite thing to do. Thanks again, N-

I'm running the Larue SPR mount with an Accupoint and it works great. I'm running a JP 20" upper and an A2 stock. The Larue is mouned at the front of the receiver. Accupoint is crystal clear from any shooting position at any power. Poor eye relief is not an issue. I can email you a pic of the Larue and Accupoint mounted on the rifle if your interested. I don't know how to post a pic here. Best, Nick-

Benny- Thanks for the tip, I'll give them a try. So far, this 1:8 twist bbl. does not seem to really like the lighter bullets. I was hoping to find a 55 or 60gr. load that the gun liked that I could use for the close stuff and just run the 77's on the long stuff. The BH 60gr. AMAX load I shot has a ballistic tip. I generally find the bt bullets to be pretty accurate. We have used the 55gr. and 60gr. Hornady TAP load (ballistic tip) at work and it was real accurate out of our 1:9 16" carbines. I think the 77's are capable of all being put in the same hole with this rifle, but there is a recoil trade-off for sure. Rob- I choose the 1:8 so I could run the longer/heavier bullets if needed/wanted. The 1:8 should allow me to run everything from 55grs. and up, with a preference for 62gr. and up. 1:9 bbls will usually shoot the 55's well with some partial to bullet weights up to 69grs. Each bbl. is different and you have to find the bullet/load your gun likes. I am going to try the 55 BT as Benny recommended. I'm also going and give the BH 60gr. AMAX (BT) another try. Lighter weight bullets yield less felt recoil, but don't have the energy at the longer ranges. The heavier bullets also fair better in the wind. Trade-offs......... Best, Nick-

Took my rifle to the range today. I put a JP 20" upper, 1:8 twist med weight bbl, BC comp, on a new Armalite lower with a McCormick straight Super Match Trigger. Stock is an A2 and optics are a Trijicon Accupoint TR21r mounted in a Larue SPR mount. I have a set routine for barrel break-in, but decided to incorportate JP's break-in procedure with mine. I got to the range and cleaned the barrel as it had been test fired by JP. 1 wet patch of Butch's Bore Shine (BBS) 1 patch with a light coating of JB Bore Paste pushed through the barrel 5 times. 1 wet patch of BBS. Wet bronze brush with Butch's Bore Shine, back and forth 5 times. 1 wet patch of BBS. Dry patches continually pushed through bbl. until patch comes out clean. Above repeated every 10 rounds for a total of 60 rnds. All shooting was at 50 yards (zero distance) with Trijicon at 4X. 5 shot groups. 10 rnds of each load. Not a big test, but interesting none the less. *Clean* Winchester Factory 62gr. fmj, 1.5" groups . *Clean* Blackhills 60gr. AMAX, 3/4" groups. *Clean* Blackhills 69gr. Match HP, 1" groups. (Thought this load would have shot better.) *Clean* Blackills 77gr. Match HP, in both groups I put 4 rounds in a 1/4" with the 5th round opening it up to 1/2". Seems like this barrel likes the 77gr. loads . (Note I had a box of both BH blue and red and they both shot the same. ) *Clean* Function was flawless. Very happy with new rifle. Next range visit, (maybe tomorrow) I will start shooting some distance. Best, Nick-

Don't go by what is written on the side of the choke. Factory bore and choke diameters can be off as much as .005 (which is a choke constriction) from factory published data. You need to have your bore measured and then your chokes to ensure you are running the right constriction. Other words, base your choke constriciton off the bore diameter. After you have had your bore and chokes measured, then test them with the load you intend to use at the distance you expect to shoot. Choke constrictions are usually measured as follows: .000 Cylinder (no constriction or the same constriction as your bore) .005 Skeet .010 IC (improved Cylinder) .015 Light Modified .020 Modified .025 Improved Modified .030 Light Full .035 Full .040 Extra full A Browning Invector Plus bore is supposed to measure .740. Standard Benelli & Berettas generally have a .721 bore. (I'm not sure about Remington). Here is an example of how you can get into trouble. My Benelli inside bbl. diameter measures .720. The factory IC choke that came with the gun measures .715. So....my IC choke that is supposed to give me .010 of constriction is only giving me .005 which is a Skeet choke. This is why you need to measure your bore and chokes. If you don't like the measurements of your factory chokes, you can order custom chokes from a bunch of manufactures to the exact dimension you want. Briley is probably the best for flush mount chokes. Also, remember that the optimum bbl. and choke diameter relationship is supposed to give the CLAY shooter a nice 30" pattern at a given distance. I've found that chokes really don't start opening up (any choke) untill about 15'-18' in front of the bbl. So depending on how YOUR gun patterns YOUR load at a given disance and how large or small the target is (how many pellets you want to hit the target with), will dictate what size choke you use. Hope this helps. Nick-

Mike, I'd get it and build it up slowly. Sounds like a project that you will have some fun with and that is what is all about. I'd suggest a 22" or 24" bbl and not the 26" as it will make it very nose heavy. I run a 24" flutted Mike Rock bbl and I like the balance a lot. As you said, you can just rebarrel the rifle to get going. Then if you like it, switch out the stock for a McMillan or an AI. Both stocks will accept the AI mags now. See my other post about the new Badger Ord. bottom metal for the Rem 700 and McMillan stock that will allow you to use AI mags. Many options and everything does not have to be done at once. Best, Nick

Bronco, Sorry to here about your negative experience with GAP. Yours is actually the first negative experience I have every heard of. George and crew get a lot of praise over at www.snipershide.com I know several who have had rifles built and I've owned four GAP rifles at one time or another and all have been excellent. QC and customer service has always been top notch. Again, my experience. Best, Nick

On this same note. I can highly recommend GA Precision if you need a stick built. I've owned 4 different GAP rifles (3 bolt guns and 1 M1A) and I have to say everyone was as good as it gets. George is a down to earth guy and will work with you building what you want. He is retired LEO Sniper and shoots sniper competitions. He knows what works and will point you in the right direction. He often has rifles in stock and his turn around time is very good. George also has on staff a guy that built rifles for the Marine Corps. These guys know their stuff. Nick-

For those wanting to build a MOR, you now have another option. Here is a link for some pics of a rifle built by George Gardner of GA Precision www.gaprecision.net. Scroll down after you go to the link to see the pics. http://www.snipershide.com/ubb/ultimatebb....ic;f=2;t=000945 The rifle was shown off at the Shot Show. Badger Ord. has come out with Rem. 700 bottom metal for McMillan stocks that will accept the AI Mags. Badger metal for AI mags should be available in June. For those that don't like the weight of the AI stocks or would rather a McMillan stock, here is your chance to combine it with the best mags made, IMHO. I personally have a GAP built Rem 700 in a AI 1.5 and love it. I like the weight as it absorbs recoil and a heavier rifle swings/moves slower when shooting off hand. However, for long term comfort while laying down behind a rifle, the McMillan A3 is hard to beat. I have no connection with any of these folks, other than being a GAP customer. Just trying to pass on a cool new product. Best, Nick-

A local shooter does trigger jobs on Glocks. He has done two for me, a 17 and 22. He uses the LS Ti striker and plunger. He then plays with different striker springs to achieve a light, but reliable ignition. He does several other things, but does not polish anything. He says polishing can change angles. Anyway, his triggers avg. about 2lbs with little take up and a quick reset. I've got about 6K rounds between the two guns he did for me and have had no problems. He has well over this number of rounds with the Ti parts in his guns and again no problems. The Ti parts definetly make for a lighter and quite different feeling tirgger pull. I shoot factory 9mm and run Winchester sp primers in my reloads. Hope this helps. Nick-

Hey Matt, I thought Vol 6. was well thought out and did a good job convering the rifle skills/techniques needed for 3-gun. I'm an LE firearms trainer and bought Vol 6 to learn more about 3 gun rifle and was also hoping for new techniques that I can bring to the officers I train. I got what I was looking for. The section with JP and 3gun gear was also helpful. The bonus footage from the Iron Man and RM3G was great and gave me some insight into what to expect at these matches. I did get one of the bad Vol 6 disk sets and I thank you for getting me out a new Vol 6 right away. The new disks worked great. Great customer service after the sale. Good luck, Nick Weidhaas Easthampton, MA

Thanks blkbrd. I appreciate the info. Best, Nick

SingerJD, Thanks much. Info is a big help. Best, Nick-

I was on the fence as to which JP rifle upper configuration to get. I asked some questions of the folks on BE.COM and also called JP (should have done this first I guess) and this is what I learned. I figured some of you may have the same questions. The following info is regarding JP's 18" and 20" bbls. A 18" JP medium weight bbl is .650 under the handguards and .875 in front of the gas block. A JP 20" light weight bbl shares the same specs as a 18" bbl. Other words, a 18" JP medium weight bbl is a 20" JP lw bbl. with two inches cut off. 1:8 twist bbls are available only in the 20" guns, off the shelf. The Ultra Light Weight bbl. is available in 18" only and measures .500 under the handguards and .750 in front of the gas block. Ultra Light bbl weighs about 1lb less than a med weight bbl. A JP15 with a 18" medium weight bbl. weighs 7.4lbs. The stainless steel JP gas block weighs 5oz. more than their aluminum gas block. Hope this helps. Nick-

Thanks for all the great info. It is really appreciated. I've decided to go with a JP upper with the new lightened ss carrier. Barrel will be 1:9. Only hang-up now is 18" v. 20" and ultra light v. medium weight barrel. Hmmm. One thought was to get the unltra light bbl. and put a stainless steel gas block on to balance out the front end. Has anyone tried this? Compared to a stardard factory 20" AR or 16" carbine from say BM or Colt, how does the weight of a JP medium weight barreled rifle compare? I guess I'm asking if the weight of a JP rifle with a med. weight barrel is heavier or lighter than a factory barrel? This will give me a reference. Thanks, Nick-

Forgot to mention that the Nightforce scopes all have illuminated reticles that are very sharp/precise. Batteries last forever as well. Nick-