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Steiner P4Xi review
STEINER P4XI Review
OVERVIEW
My friends at Euro Optics where kind enough to send me a Steiner P4Xi in 4-16x56mm with a 34mm tube. The test scope came in a First Focal Plane, with the Steiner SCR Reticle. You can find the scope here.
REVOLUTION INDICATOR
I paired the scope with a set of Nightforce Rings on an LRS Precision Shop AR10 in 6.5 Creedmoor. My initial impressions of the scope have been very good. The glass quality is better than my Gen 2 Vortex Viper PST.
The adjustments are a bit stiff but have a very nice audible and tactile clicks. The scope has 20 MILS of adjustment with two full revolutions of the turret. A very nice feature is the color coded turret markings and color coded revolution indicator. On the 1st revolution, you use the white numbers and green on the second. The window changes colors to let you know what revolution you are on so you don’t ever have to worry about losing track during a match or out in the field hunting.
PERFORMANCE
But enough of the boring technical stuff!! How did the scope perform? It performed very well! After I I got the scope zeroed I tested tracking at 100 yards. The scope performed flawlessly. Then I moved out to 400 yards dialed the scope in and was hitting a 12” plate with no issues at all.
That was as far as I was able to shoot on the 1st trip do to weather and time that I had that day. The next big test came 2 weeks later when I took the scope to a PRS match with targets out to 1,047 yards. The first stage was 10 shots at 940 yards. I dialed the scope in and 1st round impact! I was extremely happy as I had never shot or dialed the scope that far until this stage. The next stage had five distances out to 530 yards. The scope was dead on as I dialed each distance. That’s how the rest of the day went then we got to the stage at 1,047 yards and again 1st round impact!!
CLOSING
So would I recommend the Steiner P4Xi? Yes I would! It’s a great scope and worked extremely well. I do wish it had more magnification, but that is not a fault of the scope it really wasn’t designed with PRS in mind but with that said it still worked well. If I was going to buy this scope I would personally put it on something I wasn’t going to shoot past 6-800 yards often on.
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Applied Ballistics WEZ and Cartridge Selection
APPLIED BALLISTICS WEZ AND CARTRIDGE SELECTION
Previously I published an article that looked at multiple cartridges and the ballistic data, cost of ammunition, as well as recoil of different bullet weights in a given cartridge. You can find that article here. What that article does not cover is important factors that center around probability. Looking at bullet drop and wind drift doesn’t paint the whole picture.
Applied Ballistics offers a tool that allows us to compare more factors. These factors include the ballistics of the bullet as well as shooter competency. Bryan Litz has written a great book that utilizes the WEZ (Weapon Employment Zone). I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to get into long range shooting or for those who want a better understanding of the multiple factors involved in long range shooting. You can order a copy directly from Applied Ballistics here.
If we look at normal ballistic tables we only see the corrections based of the data we input. What normal ballistic tables don’t account for is our personal ability as the shooter to input “good” data. If we are off in our wind call it will negatively impact our hit percentage and cause misses off the left or right side of the target . If our ammo has a large standard deviation (SD) it will cause vertical dispersion that could lead to misses over or under the target. Finally the WEZ allows us to see how different bullets in different cartridges can effect hit probability. Bullets with higher BC’s can be more forgiving then those with lower BC values and have a higher hit percentage.
USING THE DATA FOR CARTRIDGE SELECTION
Using the same shooter competency level we can establish a consistent baseline for performance. From there we can compare common loads from popular cartridges. This will give us the data we need to help choose the appropriate cartridge for our application.
Today we will compare 3 short action cartridges that are popular in the shooting industry. We will cover more cartridges in follow on articles. The 3 cartridges are .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6mm Creedmoor.
SHOOTER COMPETENCY
In the Accuracy and Precision For Long Range Shooting Bryan Litz uses a defined set of of confidence levels. One of the more appealing parts of the WEZ tool is the ability to customize or change factors in the listed confidence set. As to not confuse the data in this article we will use different shooter competency values that vary from the published confidence levels. The following factors will be our constants:
- Wind Estimation: Within 3 MPH
- Range Estimation: Within 1 Meter (assuming a confirmed known distance range or a quality range finder)
- Precision of the Rifle and Shooter: 1 MOA
- Velocity SD: 20 FPS (Good Factory Match Ammo)
All other factors will be left at the system defaults.
THE AMMUNITION
Ammunition for all three cartridges will be factory ammo loaded by Hornady. Listed below is the information used:
- 168 GR ELD Match 308 Winchester- 24″ Barrel producing 2700 FPS at the muzzle
- 140 GR ELD Match 6.5 Creedmoor- 24″ barrel producing 2710 FPS at the muzzle
- 108 GR 6mm Creedmoor- 24″ Barrel producing 2960 FPS at the muzzle
TRADITIONAL BALLISTIC TABLES
Below I have generated traditional ballistic tables. All data is run with a DA of 0 and a wind speed of 10 at 9 o’clock.
HIT PROBIBILITY
Using the same constant factors discussed above we will run two examples for each cartridge.
- Example one will be a 2 MOA (10.47 inches) target at 500 yards.
- Example two will be a 2 MOA (20.94 inches) target at 1000 yards.
500 yards
1000 yards
IN CLOSING
When looking for a good cartridge there are many things to consider, and hopefully this is something to add to that list. It is worth noting that the constants here can be changed with experience and improved ammunition. If you go from calling wind down to 1 MPH you will have have an increased hit probability. The same will happen if you buy or load your own ammunition with an SD of 10 FPS instead of 20 FPS. There will also be an increased hit probability if the precision of the weapon system and shooter shrinks smaller then 1 MOA.
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Is 2018 The Year Of The Heavies?
Is 2018 The Year Of The Heavies?
As I am sure many of you are aware Sierra has brought some new products to the precision rifle world. Listed above are their new bullets available. Designed specifically for match shooting these bullets are heavier then most common offerings available currently, but is heavier better? Lets find out.
The Fan Favorite: The 6.5 Creedmoor
While Sierra is offering quite a few new bullets today we will be reviewing their new 6.5mm (.264) 150 GR HPBT as it relates much closer to Practical Precision shooting (our focus). In particular we will be looking at the 6.5 Creedmoor loaded with the 150 GR Matchking and comparing it to other popular loads.
At the time of this being written my 6.5 Creedmoor barrel is still a solid rod. In lieu of real data collected from my rifle we will use available published reloading data from a number of sources.
Here is the subject of this article
A key thing to consider is the required twist rate. Most factory rifles chambered in the 6.5 Creedmoor offer a 1:8 twist. It can be fired from a rifle without a 1:7.5 twist or faster, but will likely not take advantage of the full BC of the bullet.
Published data for the 150 GR Matchking shows a G1 BC of .713 at 1760 FPS and above. While we usually prefer G7 for ballistics comparison that data has not been published as of yet. Based off of the reloading data provided by Sierra we will use 2700 FPS as the muzzle velocity. This data is based off a 24″ barrel.
All ballistics calculations are run at a DA of 0 with 10 MPH winds at 90 degrees. All data is provided by the Applied Ballistics mobile application.
Hornady 147 GR ELD Match
Up until the release of the Sierra 150 GR HPBT Matchking the 147 GR ELD Match was the heaviest available match round for the 6.5 family. It has a AB verified G1 of .654. Copper Creek Cartridge offers loaded 147 GR ELD Match ammo and from a 24″ barrel it produces 2725 FPS.
Berger 140 GR Match Hybrid Target
A tried and true favorite that has existed before the new Hornday ELD series the hybrid target offers impressive results. It has a AB verified G1 of .607. Copper Creek Cartridge offers loaded 140 GR Match Hybrid Target ammo and from a 24″ barrel it produces 2820 FPS.
Hornady 140 GR ELD Match
Designed as an improved replacement to the A-MAX line the ELD series offers impressive BC and improved performance at distance. IT has a a AB verified G1 BC of .629. Copper Creek Cartridge offers loaded 140 GR ELD Match ammo and from a 24″ barrel it produces 2810 FPS.
How they all compare
The 150 GR Matchking does offer some improved results based on the estimated numbers but it does leave us with a few questions. Are these results worth having your next barrel cut with a faster twist? Will there be factory offerings? Will rifle manufactures produce their rifles with a faster twist down the line to accommodate the 150’s?
Please comment below or shoot us a message if you have collected hard data with the Sierra 150 GR Matchking.
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Review: Hawk Hill Custom Bipod Replacement Feet
Hawk Hill Custom: Bipod Replacement Feet
Have you ever looked for a better solution to the standard feet that come on your Harris bipod? I recently had the chance to shoot a rifle that had upgraded Hawk Hill bipod feet. I was immediately impressed with the fit, finish, quality, and most importantly the improved performance of the bipod. You can find the product here.
So I ordered a set of Hawk Hill Bi pod replacement feet for my Harris bipod on Tuesday, January 2nd and within an hour I received a shipping notification Email. I will be honest I figured it must have just meant they had printed a label as it didn’t have a tracking number in the email. Fast forward to Thursday, January 4th the mail arrived and low an behold I had a package from Hawk Hill!!! Outstanding Customer Service right off the bat!
How it arrived and the install process
You get everything needed to install the feet. Two spiked feet, two roll pins, a tall and short block and drive pins to remove the roll pins holding the Harris feet on.
The roll pins are a bit of a pain to remove like all roll pins. It is simple enough with the drive blocks if you follow the instructions just make sure you have the blocks lined up right.
After installation and trip to the range I don’t think I will ever own a bipod without them.
The quality is great and the feet feel extremely sturdy. They also helps reduce the chance of the bipod sliding or slipping. What really stands out to me and makes me want to try more of their product’s is the amazing customer service. I don’t think I have ever received something so fast without having to pay extra for expedited shipping! I would highly recommend the bipod feet and Hawk Hill as a company!!
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Recommended Reading List
LRS RECOMMENDED READING LIST
Long range shooting has been on the rise for many years. More and more new shooters are becoming involved every day. While the internet has the benefit of being able to ask anyone a question about anything the information shared might not always be correct. After talking in depth about the subject we decided to put together a recommended reading list. We believe that this list will above anything else improve your knowledge and shooting ability.
While not released yet based off the information one can gain from his first book we believe that this book will also be a great asset in improving your shooting.
Precision Long Range Hunting and Shooting Volume One and Two offer great information for those just getting started as well as the more experienced shooter. You can find both volumes here.
Brian Litz and the team at Applied Ballistics have been on the forefront of modern ballistics, You can find their whole library of books on different subjects here.
Reloading is a very important part of Long Range Shooting. While there are many good reloading books I personally gained the most from Berger. Not only does it discuss reloading but also multiple shooting disciplines. You can find their latest manual here.
Reloading to Win is also a great resource for reloading for the precision rifle. You can find more information here.
Online Resources
http://matchesandhuntingpracticalprecision.blogspot.com/?m=0
http://precisionrifleblog.com/
https://www.precisionrifleseries.com/
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/competition/getting-started-in-f-class-shooting/
http://competitions.nra.org/how-to-get-started/high-power-rifle-competition.aspx
Long Range Rifle Shooting with Ryan Cleckner
We will Update the list as we find more books that offer quality information. Please feel free to comment with suggestions or questions below.
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First Impressions: MPA BA Competition Chassis
First Impression: MPA BA Competition Chassis
If you are in the market for a new stock or chassis system for your rifle there are a lot of choices. Both traditional stocks and chassis systems both have a lot to offer. Much like selecting a rifle or a cartridge to shoot it has a lot to do with what your intended use is. I have always had a hard time getting what I wanted in a stock/chassis system. I have always favored the vertical grip of a traditional stock. At the same time I have always liked the additional features most chassis systems come with. MPA was able to bring the best of both worlds to one system.
A sum of all of its parts
The MPA BA Competition Chassis arrived to me finished in Burnt Bronze Cerakote with a barrel channel cut to accept up to MTU contour barrel as ordered. What makes MPA unique is that they as a company are constantly evolving. During the time that I placed my order to the time that I received my chassis there were 2 major changes that were added. The RAT system and the lug lock. So what features makes this chassis stand out?
Rotating barricade stop
This is a user adjustable system that allows you to “wedge” the for end of your rifle around an obstacle like a barricade. Should you choose to run a bag on your rifle it can be easily removed. There are also additional accessories that work with the barricade stop system.
For more information you can click here.
Trinity rail system
Designed to help get the bipod closer to the magwell the trinity rail is another user adjustable and removable system designed by MPA. It allows you to add/remove or adjust the location of the trinity rail to relocate your bipod for stage dependant shooting like when shooting off of tires or barrels.
For more information on the trinity rail click here.
Modified magwell “ryan castle” magwell cut
The modified magwell allows you to side load the magazine in tighter positions. The Competition Chassis accepts AICS style magazines.
Bag rider AttachmeNt
Using a rear bag with some stocks or chassis systems can often time be a pain. MPA realized that shooting off a bag could be improved. They deleted their monopod system and replaced it with the bag rider attachment. This helps with consistent rear bag placement and recoil management when shooting from a rear bag.
The Evg
One of my favorite parts about this chassis is the EVG. I love the fact that I can have a vertical grip on a chassis system. It fits like a glove, indexes my trigger finger perfectly and consistently on the trigger, and has a nice rough texture to help with gripping when things get sweaty and wet. Even better yet it will work with anything that accepts a standard A2 style grip.
Additional systems
The MPA Competition Chassis also comes with the RAT System. I will be ordering the necessary parts to use this system once my new bipod gets here. For more information you can check out the MPA site here. You can also read up on all the additional features the Competition Chassis comes with on their website.
A suggestion to masterpeice arms
So far I love the competition chassis system. When I started out this article I talked about how the MPA competition Chassis is a sum of all of its parts. I feel this is also true of any company or business out there. Masterpeice Arms produced an excellent product that was well worth the wait. With that being said I feel as though their customer service is sub par.
When I ordered my chassis I was quoted 8 to 12 weeks from time of order until time of delivery. That seemed fair, they also gave an option to pay only 20% and pay the rest at completion so I waited my 12 weeks. All said and done I got the chassis at a few days past 15 weeks from the day I placed my order.
My experience reaching out to MPA
I had sent emails and even called general customer service. When I did manage to get hold of MPA I was told it should be done next week only to wait another week after that. Personally I found their customer service to be a little hard to get a hold of. Emails didn’t always get returned in a timely fashion or at all. I received a phone call from MPA. Whom ever made that phone call did not leave a message. When I called back no one was able to tell me who called or why.
When someone is spending money with you they see value enough to do so. I can honestly say that some of that value was lost in our transaction. As someone who’s income heavily relies on customer satisfaction and has a great track record of high customer satisfaction scores in my industry I would like to make a few suggestions to the folks at Masterpeice Arms, I hope you take them to heart.
What can you do to improve?
1. Under promise and over deliver. Right now you have it backwards. I understand that 2 design changes were made and that they required retooling to get those put into production that push back production times. Update your wait times to be at a bare minimum realistic. I would have still placed the order if you told me it would take 12 to 16 weeks. I just placed an order for a barrel that quoted me 6 to 8 months. Time is not an issue as long as it is realistic. Under promise and over deliver.
2. Keep in touch with your customers and keep them updated. I wasn’t upset that my chassis took 15 weeks. I was upset that I didn’t get a single email or call from you at or prior to 12 weeks explaining why my chassis wasn’t done at 12 weeks like you told me when I placed my order. This is a realistic request from a customer, this is something you should already be doing and are not. It doesn’t even have to be a personal email to every single person who has an order in either.
If you are not using a customer relationship management tool (CRM) that can send out mass emails updating those with orders that are running behind production I would suggest looking into it. Not only will it keep your customers happy, it will also make the business side of your life easier. It will also allow you to keep notes on customer contacts. Meaning that you can easily find out who called a customer and why if they didn’t leave a message.
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The Science Behind Reloading: Why Do We Reload?
Why Should You Reload?
In long-range shooting we face a lot of unknown variables. The most effective shooters in our community can effectively take into account all of these ever-changing variables to get their rounds on target with accuracy and consistency. Between the wind, humidity, temperature, Density Altitude, and actual range to target we have a lot of information to account for. A common suggestion to those looking to get the most out of their rifle is to reload. The reason is really simple, and it isn’t to save you any money. It is to find the best possible choice for your specific rifle.
COMMERCIAL Match Grade AMMUNITION
When we look at commercial ammunition we are talking about a mass-produced batch. While some companies do a better job than others you are likely to find variations between lot to lot. If we look at the fundamentals of shooting as a comparison such variations in commercial ammunition can cause inconsistent results much like jerking the trigger. Commercial ammunition from the same company and lot are likely to use the same power and bullet combinations. Every rifle is different, and some might not agree or be getting the best combination of powder and bullet to maximize your rifles accuracy.
ES and SD
If you have ever looked around on the internet in regards to reloading ES and SD have probably come up. So what are they are why are they so important?
ES stands for your extreme spread. It is the difference between your fastest and slowest chronograph round. The lower your ES is the more consistent your ammunition is. The higher your ES is the more inconsistent the ammunition is. However a single round loaded improperly can throw this number as it samples your fastest and slowest moving rounds ONLY.
SD stands for standard deviation. The standard deviation will tell us how consistent or alike your ammunition is. To explain this simply this will let you know how close your shots are to the average. Much like ES the lower your SD the more consistent your ammunition is shot to shot. It is worth noting that the majority of experienced reloaders recommend shooting a minimum of 20 shots when calculating your SD.
One thing that all long-range shooters should invest in regardless of reloading is a chronograph that does all the math for you. Finding your average muzzle velocity and ES can easily be done on a standard calculator. SD is something that takes a little more math skills. We recently did a review on the MagnetoSpeed V3 and recommend it highly.
Load Development
There is no short cut in developing a load that will work best with your rifle. Asking online for other people’s data is not the right answer and can be down right dangerous. Do the work the right way and you will get better results. Period.
Powder and charge weight
There are a lot of powders out there. Some burn faster than others. When you reload you can control what powder you use and also how much powder you use. By finding a powder that your rifle likes best with a charge weight that gets the best accuracy (not velocity) you can find an improved load over commercial ammunition and get more accuracy from your rifle,
C.O.L.
Most commercial ammunition is loaded to a predetermined C.O.L. or cartridge overall length. By reloading your own ammunition you can adjust how close the bullet is to the lands of your barrel. Some bullets perform better at a different distance then others. This will help get even more accuracy out of your reloads per your specific rifles barrel and the bullet you are shooting.
Brass
when reloading you can choose the quality of your brass. Some manufactures are known to make better brass than others. The better the brass the more reloads you can get out of it. The better brass tends to have more consistent tolerances. The more consistent the tolerances are the more consistent your ammunition will be in the accuracy department.
Equipment
Reloading is as much as an investment as your rifle and gear. It pays to get quality equipment upfront. Quality match grade dies can allow you to accurately and consistently seat the bullet to the same depth. A quality powder measuring system will allow you to precisely measure powder for consistent results. Even with the most consistent process in reloading the quality of the equipment used plays a huge part in your overall results.
Not all rifles will like the same ammunition, and one of the key things of reloading is consistency. It is not something that should be rushed. The more consistent process you have while reloading your own ammunition the more consistent your ammunition will be when it comes time to shoot it.
If you would like more information on reloading or getting started please feel free to reach out to us!
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Calm Down! .308 Isn’t Dead!
Calm Down! .308 Isn’t Dead!
As an admin on Long Range Shooters I see a lot of the same topics over and over again. When we talk about having 50,000 plus members its fair to assume we will see the same topic more then once. One of these topics that seems to generate hurt feelings more often then not is comparing .308 to 6.5 Creedmoor. It is beyond me why people get so fired up over this topic. I want to at least take the time to address my thoughts on the matter for what it is worth.
Exterior ballistics
Exterior ballistics play a large part in our ability to compare cartridges these days. The .308 is the old work horse of the long range shooting community. A simple data comparison can be run to see how .308 will stack up with other rounds in the short action class. Yes there are rounds that have better external ballistics, however for many shooters the .308 will do. I am not here to tell you that the .308 is the best cartridge in the whole wide world. I will however tell you that the .308 has been getting the job done for quite a while and will continue to do so. If you would like to see how the ballistics stack up over a wide variety of rounds you can look here.
DIVERSITY of bullet types and weight
The .308 brings a lot to the table when we look at the bullets it can shoot. There are a ton of .30 caliber bullets available. It makes for a versatile platform that can be used for multiple different purposes. If you reload this also gives you multiple options to find out exactly what your rifle likes to shoot. Very few calibers used today have quite the diversity of bullets that the .308 does. The .308 can push bullets weighing in as little as 110 gr all the way up to 220 gr.
factory AMMUNITION availability
This is a topic that is in flux. It depends on where you live and what your local shops stock. With that being said most large retailers and gun stores will always have .308 on the shelf. If you do not reload this is a matter of convenience. In most states you can order ammunition online right to your door or FFL. The primary argument to be made over 6.5 Creedmoor is availability of ammunition. This is less of an issue today then it was a few years ago. As rifle manufactures produce more factory rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor it only makes sense that they will also carry the necessary ammunition to feed the rifles they sell.
If it works for you don’t change it, but stop taking it personally
When we talk about cartridges the topic seems to always end in a heated discussion. If we lay out the facts it becomes apparent quickly that the .308 isn’t the best round for every application. Looking at PRS style shooting the cartridges with higher BC and less recoil dominate the sport. Same thing in many other long range rifle competitions. It is math and science and the end result is hard data. No one is threatening your family or calling your honor into question. If you like your .308 no one is asking you to change it, so stop taking it personally. On the flip side if you don’t like the .308 no one is asking you to change either, so don’t take it personally. Knowing when to give advice and when not to seems to be the biggest contribution to this problem on both sides.
Progress Isn’t a bad thing
“Well it’s just another wildcat based off the .308” is a statement that I have seen quite a few times. The person stating that is not wrong, but they are missing the point. Progress is not a bad thing. Taking something that works and making it better is always a good thing. While some people enjoy driving older vehicles the majority like the comfort and safety features that progress and innovation have brought us in that industry. The same thing can be said about the improvements made with the parent case being the .308 in new cartridges. If we can get better external ballistics with a similar amount of powder and generate less recoil why wouldn’t you do?
There will always be a place for the .308. It is a solid performer with a lot of versatility. It is still in use by Law Enforcement and Military units all over the world. If you have a .308 now and are happy with it no one is asking for you to change that. If you are a new shooter looking for your first long range rifle I wouldn’t skip past the .308 But I also won’t insist that it is the only option either. Like I have said before the most important part of Long Range Shooting is the shooting part, so stop bickering online and get out there and press the trigger to the rear!
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Review: Rifles Only The Bungee Sling
RIFLES ONLY THE BUNGEE SLING
The rifle sling is an important and seemingly forgotten accessory in the long-range community. They are highly versatile tools that can fill many roles. When one looks for a rifle sling the options are almost endless. After hours of research I came across the Rifles Only Bungee Sling. It seemed to have a lot to offer. After talking to a few more experienced shooters it also came highly recommenced so I pulled the trigger.
Rifles Only is what I would consider an end-user company. They took years of research and testing as well as input from competition shooters, military and LEO snipers, and instructors in to account. The end result is an amazing sling that is very easy and effective to use.
Attachment System
The Rifles Only Sling caught my attention for the ability to easily use different attachments. Some slings on the market make it hard to swap attachments. The Bungee Sling is designed to allow use of any attachments available. Instead of having to buy multiple slings set up to specific attachments you only need one sling and the attachments you intend to use. You can get the sling with no attachments, Heavy duty swivels(stud swivel), HK hooks, or flush cups(QD mounts). I ordered mine with flush cups as that is what I use on my rifle. Should that ever change all I need to do is order different attachments and swap them out with the flush cups. Easy and effective with no need to order a new sling with the appropriate attachments needed.
Cam-Buckle system
I ordered a Coyote Brown Rifles Only Bungee Sling. I was immediately impressed with the quality and construction of the product. It features 2 cam-buckles for quick and easy adjustments.
The first cam-buckle is located at the front (barrel) portion of the sling. As per the Rifles Only website this can be used to adjust the overall tension of the sling.
The rear cam-buckle allows you to adjust the length of the sling. Should you choose to sling up you can also use the rear cam-buckle to place the sling snugly around your bicep.
One of my favorite parts of the cam-buckle system is the fact that they use a different color, texture, and width fabric that is attached to the cam-buckles. This allows you to quickly and easily grab and pull the proper piece to adjust the sling without having to look and see what you are doing. If you need to release the cam-buckle you grab the smaller thinner black piece. To adjust the sling and tighten it, you grab the double reinforced fabric that is the same width and material as the sling itself. 
The bungee
The rear portion of the sling is a large bungee. It connects to the lower portion of the sling that contains the cam-buckles via a ITW GT Cobra Buckle. The cobra buckle is polymer in construction which saves weight and also aids with noise reduction over a metal buckle. It can carry a tensile load of up to 500 lbs. If you should ever need to break away from your rifle quickly all you need to do is pinch the buckle on the tabs and it drops free. This feature also helps when you need to sling up with the rifle and allows you to disengage the rear portion of the sling and only use what is needed.
The bungee itself provides quite a few benefits that are worth noting. When using the rifle sling in traditional 2-point sling fashion the bungee provides rear-ward tension. As you load into the rifle the bungee will pull the rifle back into your shoulder giving you extra support. This helps tremendously when making you need to take a quick shot from an unsupported position. The second benefit of the bungee is that it reduces the felt weight of the rifle. If you are a hunter or a military sniper who travels long distance it will also help as you move across rough terrain.
Final Thoughts
I like the versatility of the sling. The guys and gals over at Rifles Only really put a lot of time and effort into the design. The cam-buckle system is simple and easy to use. It allows for rapid adjustments and small “micro” adjustments to help create a more stable position.
The ability to quickly break away from the sling via the ITW buckle is also a great feature. Should you ever need to get the rifle off you or do not require the sling any longer simply pinching the buckle drops the sling. This can save you a few seconds if you are shooting a stage that requires the sling for one position but would hinder you on the next. The bungee helps for both transporting the rifle on long days or over far distances and also helps make a more stable position by pulling the rifle into the shoulder.
Possibly the best part of the Rifles Only Bungee Sling is that it is a sum of its parts. If you need to take a quick shot the bungee and cam-buckles allow for a quick and easy hasty sling set up. Should you be doing dedicated position work you can set up into a very effective and adjustable loop sling.
For more information you can head over to Rifles Only website Here.
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Review: Sarge’s Shooting Bags
Sarge’s Shooting Bags Review
Shooting bags are becoming more and more popular tools in the long-range shooting community. Most long-range shooters have used a rear bag in some capacity. What is formally known as a sand bag has been adapted to fill more than the role of just a rear bag. Shooting bags are used in competition shooting like the Precision Rifle Series and other practical precision matches. They help aid in positional shooting and come in many shapes and sizes. Everyone has their favorite company to produce bags. After asking for some recommendations I choose to go with Sarge’s Shooting Bags. Sarge’s is a veteran owned and operated company and makes a great product at an affordable price.
I ordered The MOAB, The Goody Bag, The Wild Bill, and The Blockhead. It is worth noting that Sarge’s offers a discounted price if you order a combo. For example I ordered the Big Bag Combo. It contained the MOAB, Goody Bag, and Wild Bill. If ordered individually the total cost of the package would be $199 dollars, however the combo sells for $166. A savings of $30.
Sarge’s speed straps
Unlike other bags on the market Sarge’s bags have a unique feature that sets them apart from the rest. The Sarge’s Speed Strap allows for easy and quick one-handed adjustments to tighten or loosen the strap. This helps when using the bag as a “pillow” on one of your arms to help fill space and make a stable position. It also makes attaching the bag to your rifle very easy and hassle free. All you have to do is pull the shock cord at either end of the speed strap to tighten. 
The MOAB
The Mother of All Bags is Sarge’s second largest bag. Measuring 10″x8″x6″ the MOAB has a lot of uses. It can be used with an AR-15 with a 30 round magazine in the prone. It also works great for filling large voids by adding stability in positional shooting. The MOAB comes standard with a lightweight poly fill that breaks in nicely. Even with its large size the fill keeps the weight down and it is very comfortable to use when strapped to your arm.Featuring two of Sarge’s Speed Straps it is very easy to use and adjust. It also has a loop for attaching a strap should you want to run with the bag attached to your person or rifle. The MOAB has an MSRP of $78.
The Goody Bag
Measuring in at 10″x8″x4″ the Goody Bag is Sarge’s 3rd largest bag produced. That Goody Bag has a lot of uses from a front bag for your rifle, a rear bag while shooting in the prone, or used to fill gaps in your position by attaching to your arm and using as a “pillow” The Goody Bag features two of Sarge’s Speed Straps and also has a loop for attaching the bag to your person or rifle. Just like The MOAB The Goody Bag also comes with a lightweight poly fill. Out of the 4 Sarge’s bags that I own The Goody Bag is by far my preferred bag to run on the front of my rifle. I have used it to help create a more solid position as well as using it to “wedge” the rifle on a barricade. The Goody Bag has an MSRP of $66. 
The Wild Bill
The Wild Bill measures in at 8″x5″x4″. It has one Sarge’s Speed Strap. It makes for a great rear bag and can also be used as a front bag if needed. The Wild Bill can be had with the lightweight poly fill or a heavy plastic resin. I choose the lightweight poly fill, but have considered ordering another with the heavy plastic resin fill. When I bought my Sarge’s bags I also got the Blockhead expecting that to be my dedicated rear bag. After using both The Blockhead and The Wild Bill I found that I can use the Wild Bill as a positional bag as well as on the front of my rifle in a pinch if necessary making it much more versatile. The Wild Bill has an MSRP of $55.
The Blockhead
The Blockhead measures in at 6″x5″x4″. Best for use as a dedicated rear bag The Blockhead does not have a Sarge’s Speed Strap. Instead it has an adjustable Velcro strap to keep the bag attached to your hand while using it as a rear bag. You can get the Blockhead in either lightweight poly fill or the heavier plastic resin. I choose the lightweight poly fill. Offering 3 different heights to choose from when used as a rear bag it is very flexible.
Out of all 4 of my Sarge’s bags The Blockhead sees the least amount of use. I like to run a bag attached to the butt-stock of my rifle should I need a rear bag and I purchased the Blockhead for this purpose, however I found that I actually prefer to run The Wild Bill for this application instead. Your Mileage may very. The Blockhead has an MSRP of $34.00.
Top notch quality
All four of the bags I ordered came to me right inline with the time-table promised. The materials used and the craftsmanship exceeded my expectations. Like all new bags they had to be broken in, which according to a very reliable source is best done by parking your vehicle on the bags to help speed up the process. After getting over my initial fear of destroying the bags I did just that and they have broken in nicely. I am very impressed with the quality of the bags and how much of a difference they can make in getting a stable position when shooting off a barricade. If you are looking for new bags I would absolutely recommend Sarge’s Shooting Bags!
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