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12/15/2023 0 Comments The promise of quality and the reneging in production! The dirty trick and industry secret that no one talks about! First, I want to start this conversation by saying that the CNC machine tools used today across a broad spectrum of applications and necessities., each have their place and each have an important role to play. I also want to be clear that a great machinist can do amazing things with machines that are not supposed to be able to hold exceptional tolerances. A great car driver could probably give most people the scare of the their lives on a racetrack, even if handed the keys to a mini-van. That said, it would not be the vehicle of choice at that high level of professionalism. If he tried to hoodwink people at shows and events on his vehicle's quality and capabilities (even though he is a great driver) the truth would come out on race day as the fans fill the bleachers and he pulls his mini van onto the track. I come from exceptional humble beginnings and praise anyone trying to better themselves and using what they have to grow. There are a lot of great builders out there using world class manual lathes that produce better rifles than almost any major celebrity brand, TV Show or Influencer out there. But, on the same token, the local smith isn't being deceitful about his shop, tools, professionalism, abilities or what he is going to provide you as a customer. This is how I started building rifles and my hat goes out to all of those who can take a raw piece of steel and with nothing but a manual lathe turn it into a shooting work of art. My wish it nothing but the best for you all as you are my brothers. I just finished the third part of our podcast series, "The Story of the Ace," and it was about making the ACE at volume and at exceptionally high accuracy. This was no small feat, to say the least, and was as much about the technology as it was about separating ourselves from the accepted machines and machining practices and looking to the aerospace industry. We believe that if you want to make world class components, you cannot do it on the same equipment that most big and small manufacturers in the gun industry today are using. Many in the industry hang a sign on the front door that reads "we build the best," but the sign above the entrance to the shop floor reads "we use equipment of bare minimum quality, just good enough to get by with” and to us we find that contradictory. To customers, we feel that, is in some ways, deceitful. These tactics are selling nothing but a brand and are marketing strategies to lure the people in while hiding the fact that you actually plan on using the mini van on race day when it comes to building their custom rifle. These tactics can be compared to Oprah. Oprah has been boasting for years that she loses weight the hard way..."climb that mountain" she said in an interview. "Do the work and don't take the easy way out," was her war cry. Then, the truth came out that she really wasn't putting in the hard work necessary to lose weight. Instead, she was taking Ozempic, a medication designed for diabetic patients that has weight lose effects. I am not shaming, but the same holds true for our industry in a strange but parallel world of custom "long range" rifles. Some say one thing in the public eye, then produce a completely different product behind the scenes taking the easiest and cheapest way out. I am not throwing stones, but we are committed to not just talking the talk. We believe that if you truly believe what you are saying or in this case selling, shouldn't your actions be mirroring your words? Commitment means buying equipment that is 3 to 5 times more expensive than the accepted production brand machine in our industry. You get what you pay for and if you want 3 to 5 times the accuracy and quality out the rife you are building than a machine that can hold 3 to 5 times tighter tolerances is going to cost you. You cannot make Ferrari's using equipment from the Kia plant, nor should you be selling your customers a Kia when promising Ferrari quality. If you are going to commit and make that promise of delivering the highest quality to the customer, you cannot renege on your promise of quality when it comes time to writing the checks and putting the machines on the floor that are needed to deliver on your promise. Like the race car driver secretly planning on using his mini van to run the race on your behalf or the great and powerful Oz saying don't look behind that curtain. Wether intentional or not, most customers wouldn't know the differences in the machines if they just merely looked at them. They all sort of look the same. And. I would bet pulling back the curtain on the great and powerful Oz to some still looks amazing. Again, this is not to knock local, talented gunsmiths that have magic in their abilities to form metal by hand and skill. This is about the big boys, the magic show on TV and elsewhere selling the hype while you stand outside of the curtain trembling in fear and in awe at the performance being put on in front of you. Not knowing it's nothing more than a scripted broadway show. I don't mean to sound harsh, but the $3000 custom cowboy hat selling you on their commitment to deliver the very best quality to you is deceitful if they then choose to use throw away machines to make the product after you hand over a lot and in some cases even excessive amounts of hard earned cash. "The most ***urate hunting rifles in the world" or "1*** yards out of the box" are only disingenuous taglines if you choose to use some of the cheapest brand machines on the market or worn our recycled machines from the 90's or even older to build that customers rifle. Let me explain in a little more detail... When it comes to accuracy and machines, the tolerances are like the bullseye of a target. Except, that as the tolerances get looser, the target moves around on the operator, making it harder to hit dead center once, let alone in a repeatable fashion. So, a machine that can hold lets say .001 tolerance sounds great on paper, but that is plus or minus .001. meaning it's doubling the problem because now you can miss on either side of the target. As machines and their castings heat up or cool, the target moves! As the spindles warm up or cool down, the target moves. As even something so miniscule as the coolant in the machine warms up or cools down, you guessed it, the target moves again. All this in mind, it is the center of the target you are aiming for. That is not to say that even with all of this working against you that a world class machinist cannot get that machine to hit that mark. A great one could. Now, he may need a couple cracks at it, but I believe a great machinist can do spectacular things. But if pressed and asked, even they would agree that this type of effort is exhausting on lesser quality machines and in no way suitable for extremely high accuracy and in a production environment requiring it. So, now when you start talking about machines that have tolerances of .0001 or .0002 you can just imagine the level of quality it would have to be. Can you imagine the level of sophistication it would take to build a machine tool that is 5 to 10 times more accurate than the ones I mentioned above? How expensive they would be to make and the excessive prices you would have to pay for the advancements in machining technology. These machines can not only hold the bullseye perfectly still, but also allows less skilled shooters (machinist) to hit the mark with ease over and over again. So, are these companies promising the best while using lesser quality machines using the very best machinists in the world to drive them? Do you think Richard Petty would waste his talent trying to drive a mini van on the race track regardless of how much he was offered to be paid? I don't think so, as he would be setting himself up for a task where winning over and over again would be impossible. We knew building the ACE was going to be hard. We knew holding the tolerances needed to build a rifle as close to perfect as humanly possible was going to be harder. We also knew that trying to do all of this at scale meant the machines where going to have to be of aerospace quality. We also knew that this meant it was going to be expensive. What gave me some of the greatest pleasure while going through this process of selecting the right machine was not once did any of us waiver on our commitment to the quality of machine we needed and we did not talk ourselves out of it or try to find ways to justify anything less. "That's the machine everyone else is using" was not going to be a good enough sales pitch to change our minds. Names like Okuma, Mazak and DMG Mori, that are common in the Aerospace and Medical Fields, are rarely if ever seen in our industry. In some ways, I think it is sad that some in our industry promise "the best" and "cutting edge" and often charge for that promise in great excess. But, then feel that the customer is not worth the investment or will notice the difference in quality when it comes time in choosing the machine in order to keep and deliver on the promise they made. The sign that hangs in our entrance reads "Home of the ACE". Our commitment to the very best is on our lobby wall. And, our commitment to building the very best is clear regardless of what door you walk through or machine you walk by. We cannot hit the bullseye every time on behalf of the customer if we buy a machine that can't hold it still. We are committed to building the best through advancements in technology including "The ACE" and the machines need to deliver it in both quality and quantity through exceptional repeatable accuracy. The most exciting part for us is as our production keeps going up, our prices can keep coming down. Eventually I want to be able to offer to everyone a rifle that is better than a custom and at a price that most can afford. It's a promise from me and I intend to keep it. We build to a standard, not a price and our products are premised on optimal performance, engineering excellence and capitalizing on modern production capabilities. So would you spend a million dollars to develop the next generation of accuracy driven rifles? We did and are 100% committed to the cause and to stay the course. It's the writing on our wall and a promise we made to our customers. We want to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone and are looking forward to a great new year in 2024! Thanks for all the support! 
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 The great hesitation!When I first started shooting, I thought the harder I try and the more I concentrated I could will the bullet to go where I wanted it to go. The concept of "ready, aim and fire" plays this out in words in our head every time. To new shooters and to more experienced shooters alike, this is a problem. The concept, although there, is misguided, misunderstood, misused and misapplied. To start with, this is stuck in peoples head so well that they play it out each and every time they shoot, I think whether they mean to or not. The bigger problem is that for accurate shooting, the concept is all wrong. Talking to one's self (hopefully not out loud) it may sound something like this... Ready - "ok I am on the rifle" Aim - "come on you idiot hold still" Aim - "Come on try harder" Aim - "What the ****" Aim - "Hold still damn it" Aim - "almost there" "On it - Fire, fire , fire, quick pull the trigger" Bang!  If you chase your aim point and a panic yank of the trigger, your groups will never look like this. To do the above, we have to change your mind, your concept and your approach to precision shooting. W.T.F. It is not what you think it stands for. It stands for Weather, Trajectory (DOPE and Weather) and Fundamentals. The fundamentals part is the key. Once you are settled in on your rifle, (with everything set up correctly like your bi-pod and rear bag), you will get on target with your reticle looking for a natural point of aim. This means the crosshairs are floating on the center or close to center of the target without pushing or pulling the rifle to get there. This is aiming at its finest. Now, it's going through a mental checklist to make sure you are not putting pressure or more pressure than needed in any area of the rifle while the firing process gets closer. Think firm handshake grip, loading the bipod, cheek weld, cheek pressure. Still looking good - this is ready. Now, a natural respiratory pause, you fire by a straight clean pull of the trigger, pulling the trigger in a straight line with the barrel to the shoulder, without any side torque or jerky quick movements. A smooth and clean break of the trigger should be the most anti-climatic thing you ever see. It's not supposed to be dramatic. Just remember to hold the trigger to the rear/back wall through the shot or until the bullet hits the target. This is fire.  Although we strive for perfection, we are human and have to be happy every time we get a little closer. Some parting thoughts. Keep in mind that we are human. If the only time you are happy is when you are perfect, you will spend a lifetime in misery. Be happy with improvements and identifying your flaws should always bring a smile knowing this is the path to improvement. And, in the end that is all we can strive for.
If you are one of those that will never be happy until perfection is achieved, then ready, aim and fire will probably be the last words you hear as your own ego becomes the commander of your firing squad. So leave "ready, aim, fire" for those that wish to die on that hill and think "aim, ready and fire" to reach the enlightenment of a happy and growing shooter.  When it's a labor of love, passion and commitment, anything is possible! |
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Some early examples of custom rifles built with spiders!
An entrepreneur of one! The wall, or at least that is what I called it...a growing business with no one to hire. Or at least someone that was willing to learn to chamber with spiders. Everyone loves the art but I am amazed on how few have the discipline to become an artist of sorts. There are a lot of gunsmiths out there that love to build rifles, but few want to go beyond the bare minimum of accepted practices. I ran into this firsthand as a young business owner and a hopeful future leader. I could lead them to water, but I could not get them to drink the from it. No matter how hard I tried or the explanations of wanting this critical part (the throat) to be perfect, it fell on deaf ears and eventually a defining silence in shop with just me working all alone. "Sorry, I just want to build hunting rifles" was a common theme to hear as the tools and resignations were laid on my bench.
The cruel reality was setting in that I was going to be limited by my own two hands for the rest of my career if I wanted to continue building rifles this way. "Maybe best practices are just as good" I would say in my head. But, with each range trip getting ready to deliver another rifle built using spiders said otherwise. "You have found the way to exceptional accuracy" I would say, but the question always lingered. How could I possibly do it at scale? So, as months ticked by with sleepless nights wondering and tiresome hands filling each order one by one my dream appeared to be slipping away.
A Thanksgiving to remember. I can remember it, as if it was yesterday. Machining away on another barrel using spiders to make another custom rifle. My heart was sickened and saddened as the reality set in that I was and will always be the sum of my company. When I get old or tired or injured, my business and legacy will stop. Like a broken record, this played over and over in my head. Then it happened, like something in my brain said to me "you are looking at the answer" but still couldn't see it. "Look again," the voice said. Have you ever had that feeling that something was right in front of you eyes, you know it's there, but you just can't see it? That thought kept me staring for several minutes. The lathe is now off, the room is quite and I stand there blank faced and staring like a zombie while my mind is straining to see something. Anything. And then...there it was.
I couldn't believe it. Right in front of my eyes a measly 12 inches in front of my nose and it had been there the whole time. The answer to that nagging question was right there in front of me. How do you make the perfect throat every time without spiders and do it at scale? The full length sizing die setting a shelf right in front of my eyes was the answer. If you want to make a perfectly straight throat, stop chambering the barrel to make it. Get the chamber out of the way and simply cut the throat in the first inch of the barrel. Then, in my mind it got even better as I put two and two together because the absolute straightest portion of the the barrel is that first precious inch. With my brain now going even faster the realization set in, simply attach the chamber when finished. Voila! And, there the ACE was born!
If we can make a full length sizing die that forms our brass back to perfect dimensions for reloading, why can't we make the chamber? After all, they are almost identical and the process on how to make it is already known. Just a few modifications and we could attach what would appear to be a full length sizing die right to the barrel. If it can form brass back to perfect size, why couldn't it be made to support the loaded round too? With pencil, paper, coffee and an excitement like I have never known before swept over me. Like figuring out the Da Vinci code, line by line, it was being laid out in front of me. Was this the answer I had been looking for? I wondered if it could be that simple? If it was, why hasn't it been done before? Surely I cannot be the first person to think of this. Five days later I was on a plane to travel 2300 miles from my home to share this idea for the first time with people I knew, respected and trusted. What were they going to think? Were they going to laugh me out of the building? Should I even be on my way to share this crazy idea at all? Will they think I am an idiot? All of these things and more were going through my mind on that airplane. But my heart was telling me to go forward with a little flicker of hope that this just might be the answer. It kept me awake for the entire flight and the entire night before the next day's meeting.
More to come in part II. The making of and inventing the prototype...the ACE!
The cruel reality was setting in that I was going to be limited by my own two hands for the rest of my career if I wanted to continue building rifles this way. "Maybe best practices are just as good" I would say in my head. But, with each range trip getting ready to deliver another rifle built using spiders said otherwise. "You have found the way to exceptional accuracy" I would say, but the question always lingered. How could I possibly do it at scale? So, as months ticked by with sleepless nights wondering and tiresome hands filling each order one by one my dream appeared to be slipping away.
A Thanksgiving to remember. I can remember it, as if it was yesterday. Machining away on another barrel using spiders to make another custom rifle. My heart was sickened and saddened as the reality set in that I was and will always be the sum of my company. When I get old or tired or injured, my business and legacy will stop. Like a broken record, this played over and over in my head. Then it happened, like something in my brain said to me "you are looking at the answer" but still couldn't see it. "Look again," the voice said. Have you ever had that feeling that something was right in front of you eyes, you know it's there, but you just can't see it? That thought kept me staring for several minutes. The lathe is now off, the room is quite and I stand there blank faced and staring like a zombie while my mind is straining to see something. Anything. And then...there it was.
I couldn't believe it. Right in front of my eyes a measly 12 inches in front of my nose and it had been there the whole time. The answer to that nagging question was right there in front of me. How do you make the perfect throat every time without spiders and do it at scale? The full length sizing die setting a shelf right in front of my eyes was the answer. If you want to make a perfectly straight throat, stop chambering the barrel to make it. Get the chamber out of the way and simply cut the throat in the first inch of the barrel. Then, in my mind it got even better as I put two and two together because the absolute straightest portion of the the barrel is that first precious inch. With my brain now going even faster the realization set in, simply attach the chamber when finished. Voila! And, there the ACE was born!
If we can make a full length sizing die that forms our brass back to perfect dimensions for reloading, why can't we make the chamber? After all, they are almost identical and the process on how to make it is already known. Just a few modifications and we could attach what would appear to be a full length sizing die right to the barrel. If it can form brass back to perfect size, why couldn't it be made to support the loaded round too? With pencil, paper, coffee and an excitement like I have never known before swept over me. Like figuring out the Da Vinci code, line by line, it was being laid out in front of me. Was this the answer I had been looking for? I wondered if it could be that simple? If it was, why hasn't it been done before? Surely I cannot be the first person to think of this. Five days later I was on a plane to travel 2300 miles from my home to share this idea for the first time with people I knew, respected and trusted. What were they going to think? Were they going to laugh me out of the building? Should I even be on my way to share this crazy idea at all? Will they think I am an idiot? All of these things and more were going through my mind on that airplane. But my heart was telling me to go forward with a little flicker of hope that this just might be the answer. It kept me awake for the entire flight and the entire night before the next day's meeting.
More to come in part II. The making of and inventing the prototype...the ACE!
More to come in part II. The first prototypes.
So, you think you are ready to build your dream rifle? You have read all the articles, picked out the perfect caliber. You stressed over your decision on the best action for your intended uses, (hopefully you choose a Bat Machine action), and now it's time for a barrel. Easy enough, right? You think..."I know I want a 7 twist for my 22 Creed. I know I want it to be a heavy barrel for match shooting, so a Medium Palma contour seems like a good choice." Now, a couple more days and sleepless nights to decide on the barrel's finish length.....
Voila, we are ready to purchase our barrel and get things started. You think to yourself..."I just have to do a search to see who has what in stock and my rifle will be ready in a jiffy." And, now you move on to choosing your stock (and a couple more sleepless nights to decide that) and you are ready.
Does this sound familiar? There is a lot of thought that goes into building your dream rifle. But when it comes to the barrel, we only ask the simple questions and assume all will be well from there. On the surface, they all look the same. It's rifling and the good one "looks" beautiful to the eye with a borescope. So, what are you missing, you may ask. Everything!
The barrel is the delivery system of your bullet and the rotational motivator for your bullet to get spinning on course. But, what about stress and stress relief? What about the caliber selection and the stainless steel? What about the dangers of stainless barrels in extreme cold temperatures in small contours? Hopefully, I have your attention now.
Voila, we are ready to purchase our barrel and get things started. You think to yourself..."I just have to do a search to see who has what in stock and my rifle will be ready in a jiffy." And, now you move on to choosing your stock (and a couple more sleepless nights to decide that) and you are ready.
Does this sound familiar? There is a lot of thought that goes into building your dream rifle. But when it comes to the barrel, we only ask the simple questions and assume all will be well from there. On the surface, they all look the same. It's rifling and the good one "looks" beautiful to the eye with a borescope. So, what are you missing, you may ask. Everything!
The barrel is the delivery system of your bullet and the rotational motivator for your bullet to get spinning on course. But, what about stress and stress relief? What about the caliber selection and the stainless steel? What about the dangers of stainless barrels in extreme cold temperatures in small contours? Hopefully, I have your attention now.
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All are not equal
Over the course of many years, we have spent hundreds of hours, if not thousands, talking, researching and evaluating barrels. If you are going to build world class rifles, this is a critical decision. What we have learned over the years is there are riflers who rifle stainless steel blanks and sell them. Then, there are rifle barrel manufacturers. One rifles barrel blanks to sell. The other manufactures rifled barrels with intent, with purpose driven processes and procedures while understanding the science and metallurgy to lay the ground work for safety, stability and, of course, accuracy.
The history of rifled barrels goes way back and a good read if you are someone who likes history like me. But, to those who are currently in the market for a rifle barrel, there is so much more than meets the eye. You can pursue your barrel purchase like the quad marching down the yellow brick road with joyful glee without a care in the world, until you learn there is dangers in these woods. Once you know, it's amazing on how much more caution you will use as you proceed.
Let's take stress relieving a barrel for instance. As trivial as it sounds, there are a lot of barrel makers that do not apply this craft. Some through willful neglect, some because of cost and some because they simply don't care or don't feel it's a necessary issue. "It's not a problem with every barrel," they say. "We don't put stress in our barrels," they say. Or, "we buy stress free steal," they say. All come up with one reason or another to willfully turn a blind eye to stress relieving a barrel. And, its not a problem until it is and it's on your rifle.
The other major issue with stress relief is how do you know you are doing it right? You can copy best practices, but those experts in the industry that we know say "most have it wrong." Who do you believe? The oldest barrel maker in the world or a local shop in your home town? Not to say your local guy doesn't know his stuff. But, barrel makers who have been doing this for decades and even centuries have tested and trued their practices. The bottom line is this, if you don't ask, you don't know. And if you don't know, than you may be rolling the dice on where that metal came from, how it was made and how it was rifle and turned. In my mind, this aspect of a dream rifle is just as important of a choice as any of the other choices you will have when building your dream rifle. Why? Because, if you barrel has stress, as it warms up it will change your point of impact and this change can be a lot or be subtle. And, subtle or not, it's not something you are going to want to have to deal with. A .5" shift at 100 yards equals a 5" shift at a thousand. Accuracy is the result of the sum of your quality components. So, ask the questions and do the research. Your future self will thank you.
The history of rifled barrels goes way back and a good read if you are someone who likes history like me. But, to those who are currently in the market for a rifle barrel, there is so much more than meets the eye. You can pursue your barrel purchase like the quad marching down the yellow brick road with joyful glee without a care in the world, until you learn there is dangers in these woods. Once you know, it's amazing on how much more caution you will use as you proceed.
Let's take stress relieving a barrel for instance. As trivial as it sounds, there are a lot of barrel makers that do not apply this craft. Some through willful neglect, some because of cost and some because they simply don't care or don't feel it's a necessary issue. "It's not a problem with every barrel," they say. "We don't put stress in our barrels," they say. Or, "we buy stress free steal," they say. All come up with one reason or another to willfully turn a blind eye to stress relieving a barrel. And, its not a problem until it is and it's on your rifle.
The other major issue with stress relief is how do you know you are doing it right? You can copy best practices, but those experts in the industry that we know say "most have it wrong." Who do you believe? The oldest barrel maker in the world or a local shop in your home town? Not to say your local guy doesn't know his stuff. But, barrel makers who have been doing this for decades and even centuries have tested and trued their practices. The bottom line is this, if you don't ask, you don't know. And if you don't know, than you may be rolling the dice on where that metal came from, how it was made and how it was rifle and turned. In my mind, this aspect of a dream rifle is just as important of a choice as any of the other choices you will have when building your dream rifle. Why? Because, if you barrel has stress, as it warms up it will change your point of impact and this change can be a lot or be subtle. And, subtle or not, it's not something you are going to want to have to deal with. A .5" shift at 100 yards equals a 5" shift at a thousand. Accuracy is the result of the sum of your quality components. So, ask the questions and do the research. Your future self will thank you.
Baby it's cold outside.
The hidden dangers of SS barrels and the cold!
This is not talked about enough and it is something that we talk about quite often with those in the industry that we know. Stainless steel barrels of small contours are dangerous in extreme cold weather. And in big calibers, can be really dangerous. If you haven't heard this before, hang on to your socks and get ready for a ride. Stainless steel gets brittle in cold temperatures.
You heard that right. So I will say it again. In cold temperatures, stainless steel rifle barrels become brittle. Don't believe me? Ask Mike at Krieger Barrels and he will tell you they will not make any barrel under a #5.5 contour in stainless. That is a heavy barrel for hunting. Heavier that most. Yet, you will find barrel makers and gunsmiths alike building on contours like a #2 or #3 all the time and with big magnums. Is it a constant problem? No. Have thousands of rounds been shot through barrels like it? Yes. But keep in mind, we are scoring the barrel with rifling, making week spots. So, when they do come apart, and they can, it will be split with potential pieces flying that at best may severely harm you and in a worst case scenario kill you or a loved one next to you.
So, this blog is part education, part thought-provoking and part public service announcement. Having just had this conversation with a world class tool and die maker, our hearts are always safety first. So, next time you are in the market, ask the questions about stress relieving. Ask where the steel came from. Ask what their processes are for dealing with and eliminating it from the finished product. And lastly, ask about stainless steel and what size you can safely go down to and with what calibers in cold weather. This is about starting out being able to simply finish the race. A component like the barrel deserves as much, if not more, attention than any other working part of the rifle.
You heard that right. So I will say it again. In cold temperatures, stainless steel rifle barrels become brittle. Don't believe me? Ask Mike at Krieger Barrels and he will tell you they will not make any barrel under a #5.5 contour in stainless. That is a heavy barrel for hunting. Heavier that most. Yet, you will find barrel makers and gunsmiths alike building on contours like a #2 or #3 all the time and with big magnums. Is it a constant problem? No. Have thousands of rounds been shot through barrels like it? Yes. But keep in mind, we are scoring the barrel with rifling, making week spots. So, when they do come apart, and they can, it will be split with potential pieces flying that at best may severely harm you and in a worst case scenario kill you or a loved one next to you.
So, this blog is part education, part thought-provoking and part public service announcement. Having just had this conversation with a world class tool and die maker, our hearts are always safety first. So, next time you are in the market, ask the questions about stress relieving. Ask where the steel came from. Ask what their processes are for dealing with and eliminating it from the finished product. And lastly, ask about stainless steel and what size you can safely go down to and with what calibers in cold weather. This is about starting out being able to simply finish the race. A component like the barrel deserves as much, if not more, attention than any other working part of the rifle.
Selling pre-fit barrels, sounds easy right? But what is pre-fit? Is it just a chambering in the barrel or is it a chambering headspaced to certain tolerances that will fit in most rifles, leaving room plus or minus so the vast majority will work? But how is that better than a chamber cut to specific and exact tolerances to match your receiver? Wouldn't that be more accurate?
Let's say you have a new barrel. What chamber do you decide to cut into? You know that with any chambering, once done it is like a tattoo that can never be changed or removed. Whether you like it or not, the chamber is now a permanent partner to that barrel. So you wrestle with the decision of what 6.5 caliber chamber to cut into your 6.5 rifled barrel. You only get one choice, one option, one swing and it's permanent.
"So what" you say! "That is just the way it is, has been and will be forever". Wait for it..................... not anymore!
Let's say you have a new barrel. What chamber do you decide to cut into? You know that with any chambering, once done it is like a tattoo that can never be changed or removed. Whether you like it or not, the chamber is now a permanent partner to that barrel. So you wrestle with the decision of what 6.5 caliber chamber to cut into your 6.5 rifled barrel. You only get one choice, one option, one swing and it's permanent.
"So what" you say! "That is just the way it is, has been and will be forever". Wait for it..................... not anymore!
There is an alternative and better option!
What is a universal barrel? It is a barrel ready to build with all the machining done to accept any caliber from that family of cartridges. Not a pre-fit, but a perfect fit to any chamber you would like to put on it. Have chamber remorse? We can fix that. We can take your 6.5 Creedmoor chamber off your universal barrel and put a 6.5PRC on it. Pre-fit - Nope, a perfect fit. Any other builder or gunsmith have this option? We don't think so. Would it be a nice option to have, though? We think so.
When it all matters!
Making a 1/2 MOA rifle is not hard to do with the quality of components on the market today. Things can be left go to the "acceptable" tolerances of most builders and manufacturers. But, when you are looking for that rifle that will perform over and over again and at a higher level, think sub 1/2 moa or a true quarter MOA capable rifle, then this all matters! Not just the the finished perfect part, but the perfected processes and details that go far beyond the average builder's passion that most will simply walk away at the start of this conversation. Think about a $500,000 machine. Capable right? Yes! Fallible by humans, of course. But, a sub 1/2 moa rifle has as much to do with the perfected process as it does with the perfect machine!
It is not just having a world class machine tool, it goes well beyond that. It gets into the set up of the barrel, the jigging, the custom tooling, the custom fixtures, the custom holders and even custom spindle bore liners, each made by hand to support the barrel opposite of what is being machined. When you are trying to make the perfect rifle over and over again, this is the level of attention that goes on behind the curtain makes all the difference and where average and the best part ways. Making a true sub .5 MOA rifle is not by accident or luck. It is 100% on purpose with a commitment to accept nothing less.
So we don't take it lightly announcing something like a Universal Barrel. It's not a tag line, a sales pitch or play on words. To make this possible, the workings behind the scenes resembles the thought, care, passions and technical know-how that one would think we where designing rockets. But in same strange way, isn't that what we are doing? Isn't that the approach you would want to be taken? That level of expertise, passion and commitment from the team and to the end user. Pre-fit can be found with fittings at a hardware store, but perfect is intentional, every time!
It is not just having a world class machine tool, it goes well beyond that. It gets into the set up of the barrel, the jigging, the custom tooling, the custom fixtures, the custom holders and even custom spindle bore liners, each made by hand to support the barrel opposite of what is being machined. When you are trying to make the perfect rifle over and over again, this is the level of attention that goes on behind the curtain makes all the difference and where average and the best part ways. Making a true sub .5 MOA rifle is not by accident or luck. It is 100% on purpose with a commitment to accept nothing less.
So we don't take it lightly announcing something like a Universal Barrel. It's not a tag line, a sales pitch or play on words. To make this possible, the workings behind the scenes resembles the thought, care, passions and technical know-how that one would think we where designing rockets. But in same strange way, isn't that what we are doing? Isn't that the approach you would want to be taken? That level of expertise, passion and commitment from the team and to the end user. Pre-fit can be found with fittings at a hardware store, but perfect is intentional, every time!
Some of the greatest advice I can give you from a person who just loves to shoot and wants to grow as a marksman is...you have to avoid falling into the trap of just shooting what you are the best at. We all want to do well and show off our skills. We all want to leave the range fulfilled and feeling like we are actually good as something. But unfortunately, that is not where growth happens. You must make an effort to train what you are the weakest at in order to grow as a shooter!
When I was younger and wanting to grow my skills and level of marksmanship, one of the biggest benefits to me was to come away from an event with a new position or stage that I have never done or seen before. And I blew it. And, although, int the moment, it felt awful to blow a stage of a match, that to me was always worth its wait in gold. As strange as it may sound, I was always excited to get home and face this new challenging shot or position to improve upon it.
You see, when at a match I didn't care about the stages I did well on. I always looked for things I didn't do well on. I loved it when I came away from a stage scratching my head and saying "well that was something new." Mentally, it would go in a notebook for when I would get home as to something I wanted to practice, study, learn, then, improve on.
I think for most shooters, shooting prone or off a bench is where they shine. But be wary of always getting into the habit of shooting that position all the time. In real world hunting or match shooting in the field, get ready for the brow beatings. Because you will be outside your comfort zone and your shooting and score will show it as will your results hunting.
I think comfort is a good word to use because we don't want to do things as human beings we are not good at. If you are terrible at one sport but like to be considered an "athlete," you are going to drop that sport like a bad habit and be on the hunt for something that you will be more of a natural at or at least a competitor at. And for the record, although there are some who take the sport of shooting well, I do not believe most are just "naturally" good at it. To be at the top of their game, good shooters have to practice and practice a lot. And I am sure through the learning curve, they have had some losses and some embarrassing shots along the way.
When I was younger and wanting to grow my skills and level of marksmanship, one of the biggest benefits to me was to come away from an event with a new position or stage that I have never done or seen before. And I blew it. And, although, int the moment, it felt awful to blow a stage of a match, that to me was always worth its wait in gold. As strange as it may sound, I was always excited to get home and face this new challenging shot or position to improve upon it.
You see, when at a match I didn't care about the stages I did well on. I always looked for things I didn't do well on. I loved it when I came away from a stage scratching my head and saying "well that was something new." Mentally, it would go in a notebook for when I would get home as to something I wanted to practice, study, learn, then, improve on.
I think for most shooters, shooting prone or off a bench is where they shine. But be wary of always getting into the habit of shooting that position all the time. In real world hunting or match shooting in the field, get ready for the brow beatings. Because you will be outside your comfort zone and your shooting and score will show it as will your results hunting.
I think comfort is a good word to use because we don't want to do things as human beings we are not good at. If you are terrible at one sport but like to be considered an "athlete," you are going to drop that sport like a bad habit and be on the hunt for something that you will be more of a natural at or at least a competitor at. And for the record, although there are some who take the sport of shooting well, I do not believe most are just "naturally" good at it. To be at the top of their game, good shooters have to practice and practice a lot. And I am sure through the learning curve, they have had some losses and some embarrassing shots along the way.
A case in point and what led me to this blog. We had a Police Sniper team here training with us recently. And I cannot say how much I was impressed on their abilities to shoot off of a tri-pod. Their lead shooter said one of the wisest things I have heard in quite sometime. He said "we do not train prone as the likelihood of that shot being taken in a real world situation is little to none. So, we train at our weakest skill set and one that will probably have to be used in the field someday, and that is off a tripod. So, 90% of our training is off one." Well said, well done and for the record it showed. Probably one of the best groups I have even seen shooting from tripods bar none,
If you want to start placing and winning in matches or if you want your hunting trip to have a better chance of ending with success, then you merely need to become a well-rounded shooter. You do not have to be the best at any position. Work to be average or above in all positions and you will move up the ranks every time. You may be beaten with a sling by a world-class cross-the-course shooter, but just hold your own with him. Because the next timed stage or position he may just struggle with and you will make up lost ground like crazy. Most shooters shine at something, some position, some hold. Few can stay middle of the pack in every position. To do so, you simply have to constantly train on your weakest positions, not your strongest. Do this long enough and the results will amaze you.
If you want to start placing and winning in matches or if you want your hunting trip to have a better chance of ending with success, then you merely need to become a well-rounded shooter. You do not have to be the best at any position. Work to be average or above in all positions and you will move up the ranks every time. You may be beaten with a sling by a world-class cross-the-course shooter, but just hold your own with him. Because the next timed stage or position he may just struggle with and you will make up lost ground like crazy. Most shooters shine at something, some position, some hold. Few can stay middle of the pack in every position. To do so, you simply have to constantly train on your weakest positions, not your strongest. Do this long enough and the results will amaze you.
Kahles SKMR3 Reticle in Mils
Let us start at the beginning. You are a new shooter or hunter and want to shoot at distance. The allure of someone doing all the math and printing out your yardage on a turret or reticle sounds enticing. The thought that you don't have to learn MOA or Mils sounds appealing. The idea that someone will do all this work for you to bypass this learning process sounds like a win. Or is it?
The thought of someone coming up with a "simple way" to put your D.O.P.E. on your rifle turns my stomach. They sell you on the fact that if you look behind the curtain, your brain may melt or you will be overwhelmed forever on the mystical and magical powers of the great and powerful Oz (insert fire, smoke and yelling here). Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! Just write the check and let us take all this burden off you.
I hope by now you are seeing the humor. But on a serious side, if you fall for this trap in the long run it will hurt you on learning some core truths to running a rifle at distance.
1. You have to be able to modify your D.O.P.E. to current and constantly changing weather conditions, altitude and, more importantly, density altitude. And to be truthful, it is one of the simplest things you will ever have to learn in life. If you peak behind the curtain you will see, BDC is all a gimmick, nothing but noise, smoke and mirrors. A way to work you around just simply using your MOA or Mil adjustments with no end user control. BDC's are complicated, complicating, inaccurate and will hamstring you as a shooter and a marksman.
2. Once you learn Minutes and Mils, it frees you to simply learn to get your rifles D.O.P.E. and apply it to the rifle. More importantly, it allows you to true your trajectory for what your rifle really needs, not what someone or some ballistics calculator thinks you need. These are all 100% guaranteed to be wrong. Or more importantly, 100% impossible to be correct for your rifle. Why? Because they have no way of knowing the curvature to your bore (rifling), your true BC of your bullet as it is deformed in your rifle or lastly what your speed will be once your rifle has broken in. Because, after shooting 150 to 200 rounds it you will pick up speed and your dope will have to be corrected for it.
The thought of someone coming up with a "simple way" to put your D.O.P.E. on your rifle turns my stomach. They sell you on the fact that if you look behind the curtain, your brain may melt or you will be overwhelmed forever on the mystical and magical powers of the great and powerful Oz (insert fire, smoke and yelling here). Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! Just write the check and let us take all this burden off you.
I hope by now you are seeing the humor. But on a serious side, if you fall for this trap in the long run it will hurt you on learning some core truths to running a rifle at distance.
1. You have to be able to modify your D.O.P.E. to current and constantly changing weather conditions, altitude and, more importantly, density altitude. And to be truthful, it is one of the simplest things you will ever have to learn in life. If you peak behind the curtain you will see, BDC is all a gimmick, nothing but noise, smoke and mirrors. A way to work you around just simply using your MOA or Mil adjustments with no end user control. BDC's are complicated, complicating, inaccurate and will hamstring you as a shooter and a marksman.
2. Once you learn Minutes and Mils, it frees you to simply learn to get your rifles D.O.P.E. and apply it to the rifle. More importantly, it allows you to true your trajectory for what your rifle really needs, not what someone or some ballistics calculator thinks you need. These are all 100% guaranteed to be wrong. Or more importantly, 100% impossible to be correct for your rifle. Why? Because they have no way of knowing the curvature to your bore (rifling), your true BC of your bullet as it is deformed in your rifle or lastly what your speed will be once your rifle has broken in. Because, after shooting 150 to 200 rounds it you will pick up speed and your dope will have to be corrected for it.
This is what your rifle looks like in your barrel! Surprised?
3. It is hog wash of your BDC covering you 2000 feet plus or minus from where you will be hunting on the map. I could shoot so many holes through this that Swiss cheese would be embarrassed if we used it as an example. Airplanes do not land or find the ground according to the altitude on a map. They land on the altitude based on measured air pressure. Google and read more if you are interested. But the short version of this story is, it is not the map you have to worry about. It is the simulated altitude we call density altitude. As the DA rises, you are shooting in thinner air. As is lowers, you are being simulated shooting closer to sea level. And this moves up and down drastically based on heat, height and humidity. So you could be at 5000 feet on the map, but shooting at 3000, 5000 or 7500 feet on any given day. This is where you miss or put a bad shot down range. On average, a 1000 foot change in DA can move your point of impact up or down at 1000 yards 3.5" to 10" or more depending on your rifle and caliber.
All is not lost. As a shooter choosing a BDC turret or reticle you are missing out on one of the most important learning processes you can go through, something that will put you in control of the shot without question or uncertainty. That is learning to use MOA or Mils to get your D.O.P.E. and then mastering the weather to fine tune the long range shots with confidence. When it comes to long range or precision at distance, it is weather first, ballistics and, then, fundamentals. That is how a shot should be made. With knowledge of all three and the know how to adjust the first two when changes are needed, you will grow with confidence. More importantly, you have now looked behind the curtain and realized that there is no wizard and this in not magic. It is knowledge that you too can learn and grow from and become the shooter you've always wanted to be.
All is not lost. As a shooter choosing a BDC turret or reticle you are missing out on one of the most important learning processes you can go through, something that will put you in control of the shot without question or uncertainty. That is learning to use MOA or Mils to get your D.O.P.E. and then mastering the weather to fine tune the long range shots with confidence. When it comes to long range or precision at distance, it is weather first, ballistics and, then, fundamentals. That is how a shot should be made. With knowledge of all three and the know how to adjust the first two when changes are needed, you will grow with confidence. More importantly, you have now looked behind the curtain and realized that there is no wizard and this in not magic. It is knowledge that you too can learn and grow from and become the shooter you've always wanted to be.
8/24/2023 0 Comments
The difference between hosting an event and running an event. The dangers in hosting a social firing line/event.
One thing to keep in mind and a struggle with bringing in and training new trainers is teaching the separation of the social part of the event from the running of the line and the safety of the participants. Assume will always make an ass-of-u-me. This is the danger, assumption that everything will always turn out fine and the complacency that follows. And it is complacency the can and does cost people their lives.
When people get involved in the shooting world and helping at events, it is first and foremost because it is fun. It is a great time to be around the sport and the people who enjoy doing it. You meet interesting people and there is always stories and conversations about everything shooting. Before you know it, the match is over and you are thinking of what a wonderful time you had. How great is was to be there and to be part of the event. So you volunteer or offer your services again. As time goes by, it becomes more about you being at the event and having a great time being a part of it than the responsibilities you signed up. It is easier to engage in side conversation, talk shop about your most recent purchase or new reloading data or the latest article you read on that hot new caliber. Your head is turned, your eyes are not where they belong and your ears are not listening to anything other than the sound of your own voice. Then BAM. It happens. Right there next to you and under your watch. Paint whatever picture of whatever accident you can think of and insert it here and you are responsible.
I don't want to paint a grim picture, but this is the gremlin you battle. When bringing on new instructors or training new range officers, this is what we focus on. Keeping your wits and all your senses at full alert every second you are there on the firing line. You are the last hope or chance someone might have at preventing an accident and possibly saving that person or some innocent bystander their life.
The bottom dollar. This is the sign that gets everyone thinking I should do this or I can do this. $! And although I am all for more shooting range and events to enjoy, this simple sign of a dollar brings people to hosting events because they can and because they see money. I have been to many matches over the years and decades. I have seen both sides. Great run events that where professionally ran and scrupulously managed for safety. I have seen matches where the end couldn't come fast enough so the days tally can be counted and celebrated. Shots rushed, people herded through stations like cattle and range officers where more like ticket takers at a sketchy amusement park filled with carnies. "Step right up folks and take your shot", can you see and hear it?
Time will and does take its toll on even the best range officers, the newness and excitement can wear off. Or you have a day where you just don't want to bother or be bothered. You get tired, it's the same old, same old. This is the point I promised myself many years ago that if I reach, I will close the school permanently. Yes, I do this for a living and have been blessed to be able to do so. But I have always done it to share my love and passion for the sport and the art of marksmanship. And although I have to pay bills and payroll, I never really did it for the money. When I retire, I will probably still work and share my passion and at that point probably for free to give back all the good that I have been blessed with over the decades.
When people get involved in the shooting world and helping at events, it is first and foremost because it is fun. It is a great time to be around the sport and the people who enjoy doing it. You meet interesting people and there is always stories and conversations about everything shooting. Before you know it, the match is over and you are thinking of what a wonderful time you had. How great is was to be there and to be part of the event. So you volunteer or offer your services again. As time goes by, it becomes more about you being at the event and having a great time being a part of it than the responsibilities you signed up. It is easier to engage in side conversation, talk shop about your most recent purchase or new reloading data or the latest article you read on that hot new caliber. Your head is turned, your eyes are not where they belong and your ears are not listening to anything other than the sound of your own voice. Then BAM. It happens. Right there next to you and under your watch. Paint whatever picture of whatever accident you can think of and insert it here and you are responsible.
I don't want to paint a grim picture, but this is the gremlin you battle. When bringing on new instructors or training new range officers, this is what we focus on. Keeping your wits and all your senses at full alert every second you are there on the firing line. You are the last hope or chance someone might have at preventing an accident and possibly saving that person or some innocent bystander their life.
The bottom dollar. This is the sign that gets everyone thinking I should do this or I can do this. $! And although I am all for more shooting range and events to enjoy, this simple sign of a dollar brings people to hosting events because they can and because they see money. I have been to many matches over the years and decades. I have seen both sides. Great run events that where professionally ran and scrupulously managed for safety. I have seen matches where the end couldn't come fast enough so the days tally can be counted and celebrated. Shots rushed, people herded through stations like cattle and range officers where more like ticket takers at a sketchy amusement park filled with carnies. "Step right up folks and take your shot", can you see and hear it?
Time will and does take its toll on even the best range officers, the newness and excitement can wear off. Or you have a day where you just don't want to bother or be bothered. You get tired, it's the same old, same old. This is the point I promised myself many years ago that if I reach, I will close the school permanently. Yes, I do this for a living and have been blessed to be able to do so. But I have always done it to share my love and passion for the sport and the art of marksmanship. And although I have to pay bills and payroll, I never really did it for the money. When I retire, I will probably still work and share my passion and at that point probably for free to give back all the good that I have been blessed with over the decades.
Practical Tactical October 14th, 2012
So, to those who work so hard at matches and events, I always say thank you and have nothing but the most respect for those that would choose to help over shooting an event. It takes a pretty special person to do that. For those that are thinking in the future of joining the ranks. Keep in mind and always be mindful as to why you are there and the responsibilities that are yours now to bear. Keep in mind that even though your are calling shots, running targets and running stages, you are there to serve and to be the eyes and ears for those that are deaf and blind. The line in the sand that says "not on my watch". And above all be wary of the sirens song to draw you into the socialization and the fabric that makes up its net. This trap is set, it is always there and an easy snare for the split second you let your guard down.
Monetary gains are a bonus and a reward for the efforts and hard work done, earned through the hours of the kings guard standing silently, alone and always at attention. You have earned your salt, spend it well at the days end. And for those looking in from the outside, to the gains and glory of those standing watch. If you choose to join the ranks, leave both of these notions behind. Look to it as an honor to serve, as a service to those around you and to the loved ones of those attending. They are counting on your diligence for every waking moment those attendees surround you. Do not let the social aspect draw you in or the greed of an easy dollar tempt you. Do it for the right reasons.
Monetary gains are a bonus and a reward for the efforts and hard work done, earned through the hours of the kings guard standing silently, alone and always at attention. You have earned your salt, spend it well at the days end. And for those looking in from the outside, to the gains and glory of those standing watch. If you choose to join the ranks, leave both of these notions behind. Look to it as an honor to serve, as a service to those around you and to the loved ones of those attending. They are counting on your diligence for every waking moment those attendees surround you. Do not let the social aspect draw you in or the greed of an easy dollar tempt you. Do it for the right reasons.
8/17/2023 0 Comments
Preparing For A Match/Hunt And The Dangers Of Doing It Too Close To A Match Or Hunt.
I want to take a few minutes and write about training for new shooters and the dangers of doing it too close to the start of the match or hunt. So we had a great customer call in who is getting ready for his first match and obviously very excited. He is getting ready and making a very common mistake new shooters will do and that is just a few short days before the match or hunt, you decide to go to the range one more time to check things out.
Then bam, it happens. Something is off a little. The round is a little too far left or right. Your zero is off, or you made a wind call and a bad one at that leaving the bullet .5 mils left of the target. Then, the inevitable happens, Bam, the panic sets in that something is wrong. I have received this call and email many times, often with some panic in the voice or a feeling of anxiety and urgency in the email.
I want to share with you some sound advice for new shooters and it applies the same for both match and hunting preparation equally. I want to share with you my advice for this subject that I have given many times. For new shooters it will help you get to the starting line with your head in a good place and started off on the right foot
You have to resist the urge to go one more time to check things or to practice bumped up against the shoulder of the start date. When you are one to two weeks out and practicing, this should be just to make sure everything is right and tight. No serious training, just a zero check to breath and maybe some fun easy targets to get some trigger time. But no serious training or final modifications to your loads or your rifle should be happening in this time window. All of that should have already been done previously with your focus now to just put a couple rounds down range for fun and to congratulate yourself for doing a great job doing on all the hard work and training to be here right now at this point in time. Relax and just shoot a little.
Now the advice, do not and I mean "DO NOT" go the range days leading up to your departure. Once you are less than a week away, step away and prepare yourself mentally and physically. Get your kit sorted and packed. Get your dope and equipment prepared. Go over your equipment pre-flight checklist and check all your batteries. But, resist at all cost the urge to go to the range one more time. If you do, the anxiety and pressure building will play itself out in your shooting, and things can go wrong in a hurry not because there's a problem with your kit, load or rifle. It's your head. You are under pressure and worried. Give yourself a break and stay away from this potential explosion of a pressure cooker moment,
Keep in mind, nothing of real value is going to come from training this late in the game. It would be like training the morning before the game. It's a little late...you got what you got at that point. The only thing that can and often does happen especially to new or newer shooters is all the above. Remember, you don't have to be perfect. Remember that you did the work and earned the right to take the shot or be at the match. Remember why you are going in the first place...to have fun and grow and learn as a shooter and marksman. Give yourself a break and a chance to go and enjoy what you have earned and you will be surprised on how much more fun you will have and oftentimes how much better of a shot you really are.
Then bam, it happens. Something is off a little. The round is a little too far left or right. Your zero is off, or you made a wind call and a bad one at that leaving the bullet .5 mils left of the target. Then, the inevitable happens, Bam, the panic sets in that something is wrong. I have received this call and email many times, often with some panic in the voice or a feeling of anxiety and urgency in the email.
I want to share with you some sound advice for new shooters and it applies the same for both match and hunting preparation equally. I want to share with you my advice for this subject that I have given many times. For new shooters it will help you get to the starting line with your head in a good place and started off on the right foot
You have to resist the urge to go one more time to check things or to practice bumped up against the shoulder of the start date. When you are one to two weeks out and practicing, this should be just to make sure everything is right and tight. No serious training, just a zero check to breath and maybe some fun easy targets to get some trigger time. But no serious training or final modifications to your loads or your rifle should be happening in this time window. All of that should have already been done previously with your focus now to just put a couple rounds down range for fun and to congratulate yourself for doing a great job doing on all the hard work and training to be here right now at this point in time. Relax and just shoot a little.
Now the advice, do not and I mean "DO NOT" go the range days leading up to your departure. Once you are less than a week away, step away and prepare yourself mentally and physically. Get your kit sorted and packed. Get your dope and equipment prepared. Go over your equipment pre-flight checklist and check all your batteries. But, resist at all cost the urge to go to the range one more time. If you do, the anxiety and pressure building will play itself out in your shooting, and things can go wrong in a hurry not because there's a problem with your kit, load or rifle. It's your head. You are under pressure and worried. Give yourself a break and stay away from this potential explosion of a pressure cooker moment,
Keep in mind, nothing of real value is going to come from training this late in the game. It would be like training the morning before the game. It's a little late...you got what you got at that point. The only thing that can and often does happen especially to new or newer shooters is all the above. Remember, you don't have to be perfect. Remember that you did the work and earned the right to take the shot or be at the match. Remember why you are going in the first place...to have fun and grow and learn as a shooter and marksman. Give yourself a break and a chance to go and enjoy what you have earned and you will be surprised on how much more fun you will have and oftentimes how much better of a shot you really are.
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The wind meter is a great tool, but often times not used as correctly or looked at correctly for those that want to grow into great wind callers. The wind meter will tell you the speed of the wind. It will also provide some input on the direction it is coming from. But it will not teach you to read the wind. Too often, shooters' eyes are focused on the screen of the meter and not out in the environment where they should be. The meter should be a training tool, stepping stone or a bridge to span the gap of what the speed is and how it looks and feels in the environment.
Like all technology, it is only good at one thing....data. But, you have to do the work to learn what that looks like in the field, how it is felt on the skin and what that means or how does that translate to a speed that you can then use to make your call. The wind meter should be the tool to teach you the wind, not just used for speed. You should be able to look at the environment and all the things that surround you and use them as tools or gauging blocks to calculate a wind speed or in the beginning to start guessing. Then, use the wind meter to see if you got it right or how far off you were.
When I was young with a daughter of about 5-7 years old, I took my wind meter with me everywhere. Taking dogs for a walk and to kids' soccer games. My wife often would look at me like wives often do, with that confused and questioning your sanity look. But I would feel the wind, look at it., and ry to see how it is moving and what was it's rhythm. Then, I would pull out the old yellow Kestrel and see how close to the actual speed I really was. This went on for years, varmint hunting and even match shooting. I would try to read the wind first, then use the wind meter to see if I got it right.
One thing that led me to this post is the simple fact that too often at the schools, students focus on the screen. They fail to look beyond the meter to see that those conditions look like in mother nature. She will show you, but you have to do the work and have the patience to learn her. To be honest, I don't think she cares if you get it right or wrong. But she will show you the answer if you just look.
At the school, I often get grief now and then from students asking "where are the wind flags?" I tell them there are a thousand of them out there, can't you see them. They often look at me confused. I then explain that we don't put man made flags up and never will. But, I also explain that mother nature has hundreds out there, you just have to take the time to learn where they are and how to read them.
Now, I am not trying to come off as a guru or a wind whisperer. To be honest, this is a hard road to walk as it requires patience and the ability to allow yourself to make mistakes and be wrong without giving up. This is the learning curve that, once mastered, separates the good from the great. Use the wind meter to train yourself to read the environment and eventually the tool will be used to just verify what you already know.
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Like all technology, it is only good at one thing....data. But, you have to do the work to learn what that looks like in the field, how it is felt on the skin and what that means or how does that translate to a speed that you can then use to make your call. The wind meter should be the tool to teach you the wind, not just used for speed. You should be able to look at the environment and all the things that surround you and use them as tools or gauging blocks to calculate a wind speed or in the beginning to start guessing. Then, use the wind meter to see if you got it right or how far off you were.
When I was young with a daughter of about 5-7 years old, I took my wind meter with me everywhere. Taking dogs for a walk and to kids' soccer games. My wife often would look at me like wives often do, with that confused and questioning your sanity look. But I would feel the wind, look at it., and ry to see how it is moving and what was it's rhythm. Then, I would pull out the old yellow Kestrel and see how close to the actual speed I really was. This went on for years, varmint hunting and even match shooting. I would try to read the wind first, then use the wind meter to see if I got it right.
One thing that led me to this post is the simple fact that too often at the schools, students focus on the screen. They fail to look beyond the meter to see that those conditions look like in mother nature. She will show you, but you have to do the work and have the patience to learn her. To be honest, I don't think she cares if you get it right or wrong. But she will show you the answer if you just look.
At the school, I often get grief now and then from students asking "where are the wind flags?" I tell them there are a thousand of them out there, can't you see them. They often look at me confused. I then explain that we don't put man made flags up and never will. But, I also explain that mother nature has hundreds out there, you just have to take the time to learn where they are and how to read them.
Now, I am not trying to come off as a guru or a wind whisperer. To be honest, this is a hard road to walk as it requires patience and the ability to allow yourself to make mistakes and be wrong without giving up. This is the learning curve that, once mastered, separates the good from the great. Use the wind meter to train yourself to read the environment and eventually the tool will be used to just verify what you already know.
www.wolfprecision.net
https://youtu.be/wJniurPogrE
https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep51-hornady-iii-86404778?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Jamie Dodson
President of Wolf Precision and inventor of the ACE.
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