Tony maybe Dwaynce Cyr will pipe in hear.  He has an idea kicking around for there club at Kenora that may be just what you would be looking for at Rosebud.  It is a format that shooters can use off the shelf rimfires and still shoot decent.  I like the idea as there are some lower priced off the shelf rimfires that are pretty darn accurate.  CZ's being one of them.

Calvin 

Good read Bill.  

Now I am by no means a Machinist or Gunsmith.  I was going to say is not the equipment that is available for the gunsmith today better than when you were first building benchguns yesteryear?  Then I get realizing yes they are but as in your read, How much effect would that have in assembling a rifle that is known to us as a rifle built for the pinnacle of acccuracy?  Am I right to say not a lot.  If anything I can see the tooling may be better and constructed of better metal designed for withstanding wear.  

Is the same attention to detail used back then as it is today?  I would hope so if not more.

Has the basic stock changed?  No.  I would hope though that the glues, epoxies and glass used are better than they were used yesteryear.  There has been some experimentation but very limited.  The biggest I would see is the Gene Beggs stock which I still for the life of me understand how it can work?

If anything the availability of GREAT components is running rampant unless you live outside of the US.  We do have Robertson Composites and our own Boutique bullet maker in Alberta which helps us immensely.  With the introduction of the new IMR 8208 XBR we HOPEFULLY will have a powder available to us at a better price and work just as well if not better than VV133. 

I guess if anything, yes the basic concepts are the same but who is out there with the ability to experiment?  I am not one as I do not have the machining background or the ability to do so.  I have not seen a fraction of what you or Sorensen have seen over the years.  I hate to say it but you fellas have done your time and it is time to enjoy your lifes.  What is needed is the next generation to step up which we all know is tough to do and take up the slack.  Our best and most knowledgeable gunsmiths are at there retirement stages in there lives.  If the next generation is not willing to come in with an open mind and LEARN the right way if anything I can see it spiraling slightly backwards.  Anyone can call themselves a gunsmith but can they stand behind what they have done?

We are fortunate to have a few guys in the west who actively shoot benchrest and are good gunsmiths.  I will not mention names as I know some prefer to build guns at there own pleasure and not be swamped with work.

I am not sure if what I said makes any sense or not, nah probably not, but I had to ramble something this morning before making a trip to the range.

Calvin


 

Yes.  They supposedly work better when the temp changes outside as there is that constant pressure on the plate inside.

I have played around adjusting it to get it right.  When the temp goes up I hear it gets a bit loose.  I think just adjusting a couple of the screws on 1 side would be enough to get it back in shape if it happens but if I can avoid it I will.

So thus wanting the screws.

Your are right Tony when you mention being told " you cannot quit, you have to work through the issues and try to resolve them".

At the Alberta provincials  when all was over Max mentioned about the terrible year she had compared to the year before.  In 08 Max shot like a house on fire.  This past year she struggled but did not give up.  She shot and did her best. 

I remember the one target she shot in the Unlimited at 100.  A 10 shot group with a bag gun in the 2's at a range like Rosebud.  That was the only target she said she wanted to take.  It was a nice group. 

I think it is those nice groups and more so when they are little that keeps me going and going trying to make another.

Anyways, from what I have heard from Doug, Max is going into training this winter and I recon will be a force to contend with in 2010. 

Well another 6PPC must I.  I have a twin to the current Bat action I shoot on order.  Been around 3 months since ordered.

It is going to be another LV but with the JTR stock if I can ever get one now that Robertson is so back logged.  Anyone have a spare on order?   

It will also sport a slightly heavier Gaillaird 13.5 4groove barrel as I have a LV contour sitting looking for a new home.

 

Best memories of 09.  Winning my first yardage at 100 in Selkirk, coming in 2nd to Rob in the HV 200 at the Alberta Provincials, and most of all the comradery of all the shooters I was able to spend a weekend with this past year.

You said it Tony.  I ain't going to be the first guy to be planted in the ground with a Herse pulling a trailer with all my money to put in the ground. 

I have a great group shot of the 2009 Nationals from Regina and would post if there are no objections.

Calvin

Just thought I would remind everyone that 2009 is almost past and thoughts must move towards the new year.  I know we have been spending our hard earned money on Christmas but I hope we all saved some to support the sport we all enjoy.

In saying that I would like to remind everyone to think about renewing there memberships for the next year or 2 years if you desire.  If memory serves me right the fees are 25.00 for 1 year and 45.00 for 2 year memberships.  

Money can be sent to:

Maxine Seib
5710 - 2nd. Ave. North
Regina SK S4R-5M5

Calvin
 

Some of the common equipment found used by shooters at the bench.



Clockwise from left:  towel, Edgewood snake bag(used to keep ejected brass on table), Sand bags(used to support rist and forearm in trigger area), Gel elbow pad, timer, rear bag, rear bag stabilizer donut.  In the middle are superfeet.



Front rest.  This version of front rest is a SEB Coaxial front rest with shell loading block.  The loading block puts the ammo near the height of the loading port.  The ammo block aids the shooter in loading so as to not search for the next round when trying to keep your eyes on your flags.  It also aids the shooters who are quick shooters in getting reloaded at a quicker rate.