APRS Latest News

Australian Shooter Review
Nov 28, 2011

APRS and Nightforce received a good review in the November edition of the Australian Shooter.  If you have not seen it, we've included the link here so check it out!

APRS Review in November Australian Shooter

Rifle Review
Jan 17, 2011

Righto,

We were given the opportunity by Clinton Tulk at Lightforce last week to trial one of their rifles. The specs for this rifle are:

Calibre:  .308 Win
Action:  APRS Predator by Stiller - Hand Bedded
Trigger:  Rifle Basix LV-1, Adjustable
Barrel:  Krieger Match Grade 26" Rem varmint contour/profile Fluted 1/10" twist
Magazine:  AI 5 round detachable
Stock:  Manners MCS - T4A Adjustable Cheek piece.
Colour:  Coyote Tan
Optics:  Nightforce NXS 3.5 - 15 x 50 F1 Milrad Zero Stop Turrets / Nightforce Rings
Price:  Approx $8,000

Last week was our two day Precision Shooting Introduction Course in Canberra. This rifle was used by us and one of the students on the course. Ammunition used in it was the Federal GMM 175gn using the Sierra 175gn HPBT.

To cut a long story short, the rifle shot like a dream.

A basic Harris bipod was used as a support and it was also shot over a rice bag under the fore end, and with the butt resting on the shooting mat.

The stock, which is very similar to the McMillan A5, is in our opinion the most versatile stock for precision shooting - useful for a variety of methods such as bipod, bags, modified hawkins, sitting, kneeling, or standing. In fact this is better than the McMillan A5. The fore end is moulded perfectly with this one having two sling swivel studs. The straight lines of the stock made the rifle come straight back into the shoulder when fired, cutting down the dispersion of the rounds by this alone.

The action was very smooth and precise. Each round chambered faultlessly from the AI magazine which seated with ease. The magazine release was in the form of a longer than normal lever just in front of the trigger guard and was in the perfect place for quick and easy Mag changes without looking in the area.

Scope was easy to use and the MLR reticle was of course in the first focal plane so the values stayed true at any power setting.

Now down to the nuts and bolts. Three five shot groups from the prone supported position using the harris bipod with the 175 grainers were put down onto a target using a 1cm red aiming mark. All were under half minute. Then using the modified hawkins, (rice bag under the fore end tucked behind the bipod rear, with the butt locked onto the shooting mat with the shoulder), two groups were shot. One measured 8mm centre to centre and the other 10mm centre to centre. This was at 103 metres.

After the rifle was chronographed using the PVM21, the scope height was measured, and some other details were put into JBM calculations, we headed up to the 500m range in Canberra to crack a steel ram. We pulled the rifle out of the box, dialed the distance and the 30km cross winds (bad day), and the first round splashed on the top of the shoulder. The ram didn't fall over as .308 Win's generally don't have enough punch to do this. We put it back in the box ... too easy.

All in all this is one hell of a rifle and congrats to Andrew Noble for doing a fine job putting these together. I can't fault these rifles at all – and can't wait to shoot the braked 300 Win Mag.

As they say in the UK ... these are the TITS.

Regards

Precision Shooting

Nice Rifle!
Jan 14, 2011

These snaps were sent in to us from a happy customer enjoying a model from the LR Precision range.  What you see here is the LR Precision with a Nightforce NXS2256.  Looks like a good day out!

New LR Precision Model Available
Dec 22, 2010

New LR Precision models in .308, MCS T4A & T5A all shot Sub ¼ moa groups at 100m.
Available for sale now, comes with hard plastic case (scope not included).
$4600 including GST and Freight.

Long Range Shooting Advice from Precision Shooter
Nov 22, 2010

Long Range Rifles – Selecting your Rifle System in the right order
What are Long Range Rifles?

Long range rifles are sold on the basis that you can use them for target engagements at long range.  The majority of users out there consider long range to be around 800 to 1000m with small arms ammunition.  Long range however can vary with the type of cartridge used.
To call a rifle a long range rifle or tactical rifle is somewhat ambiguous and is directed at marketing and sales.  A rifle can shoot long range without actually looking like a long range or tactical rifle.  In fact some long range hunters, or hunters that may take shots and longer than normal ranges, use rifles that look nothing like these rifles so often advertised.  Long range target shooters who do not have to or wish to carry these heavy rifles long distances prefer these heavy tactical looking rifles for many reasons.  These tactical looking, factory made or custom rifles are brilliant in their application.  The new South Australian custom made APRS line of rifles is a prime example of this.  
The rifle is really a system, which includes, the rifle itself, the telescopic sight (scope), cartridge and projectiles, barrel twist rate, the scope mounting components, bipod and other accessories.  
A common denominator of rifles that shoot well at long range is that they are all “Precision Rifles”.  A precision rifle is really one that shoots very consistently by showing us the evidence of tight groups at shorter distances of say 100 yards or 100 metres.  A rifle that groups under 1 minute of angle can be called a precision rifle.  Not all precision rifles are long range rifles. A rifle that shoots tight groups amounts to only about 20% of what is actually needed to shoot long range.  Let's break it down.  Firstly in long range shooting there are two areas we like to call “The Science” and “The Art”.
The Science – this involves everything that is needed to get the projectile onto the target the vertical plane or otherwise described as (the correct elevation).  Physics with algorithmic based calculations will tell us the trajectory after effects from the atmospheric conditions, distance to the target (lasered) etc have been accounted for.  Expensive velocity measuring equipment provides us with the exact velocity of the projectile and computer software predicts the fall of shot from the rate of velocity degradation, spin drift and Coriolis effects.
The Art – the skill in using this precision rifle to produce tight groupings lies with the shooter.  The ability to predict the wind away from the shooting position by observation of mirage, lay of the land and wind effects on objects is no science, believe us.  These skills can be taught but are only mastered from patience and a lot of practice.
Let’s break down the Science component in percentages of what constitutes a precision rifle, capable of shooting long range.
Rifle                        -              20%
Scope / Mounts   -              40%
Cart/Projectile      -             40%
Surprised?
Rifle: Accurate long range shots cannot be achieved if the thing groups 2MOA at 100m.  Equate this to 800m with no wind and we are looking at an 18.32” group.
Scope/Mounts: No point in trying to shoot longer range if the scope can’t get you there.  Scopes can either have mechanical elevation or optical elevation, or both.  A scope with just a plane cross style reticule only has mechanical elevation (Elevation Turret).  The Horus line of scopes and the many Christmas tree hunting style reticules available are examples of optical elevation.  Depending of the cartridge used in the rifle, there is a considerable amount of elevation required to have your bullet cross your line of sight that second time at the 1000m mark.  For a 308 WIN 175gn SMK an average of 11.5 Milrad or 39 MOA is needed.  For the 300WM 8.5 Milrad or 29 MOA is required.
If your scope does not have this elevation in the top turret, or enough stadia below the cross, you aren’t going out there.  Even if you have purchased a $4500 S&B PMII scope you must also look at using a sloped rail of at least 20MOA to get the entire elevation out of the turrets.  Most rifles out there soak up 20MOA of the scopes elevation just to zero them at 100m.  Scope selection is critical in this area which leads us to cartridge and projectile selection.
Cartridge/Projectiles: A general rule of thumb can be applied here.  You want to shoot 1000m! Then your projectile must still be supersonic at that range.  Not bordering on 1117fps, but around 1350fps which is still this side of the transonic zone.  Any velocity slower than this and expect dramas if you don’t know what you are doing.  The .308WIN 175gn will generally be transonic around the 750m mark depending on air density (height above Sea Level) and numerous other factors.  The 300WM using 210gn Berger VLD’s will be supersonic to around 1150m.  After selecting your cartridge you must select the highest BC, most precisely made and stable bullet you can buy.  This will usually be quite long for its calibre and hence it needs to be spun faster the lighter ones.  Your rifle’s twist rate MUST be fast enough to stabilise you chosen projectile. The majority of hunting rifles out there have twist rates that are too slow for long rang shooting. 

OK now we have broken down this area here is how to select a rifle for Long Range Shooting.
1.  Determine where you are going to shoot and what you are going to shoot.  This will give you an idea of the distance needed for the maximum shot you may have to take and the energy needed to take down your game or drop that steel target. 
You have now selected your Cartridge!
2.  Your target is inanimate!  Find your most accurate highest BC target projectile available.  If your target is game, then you must also select the highest BC hunting projectile you can find that retains enough energy at these distances to be able to perform within the velocity band it was intended.
You have now selected your Projectile!
3.  Find the highest quality scope you can afford (at least half the cost of the rifle) with enough elevation on its turrets with a good reticule.  Note: Your click values must match your reticule values.  Try and avoid getting MOA scopes with Milrad reticles, you will just end up confusing yourself.  If you are set on imperial measurements and love the MOA then get an MOA reticule, they are out there. If your turret values match your reticle then you have just increased your elevation by adding optical elevation to the mechanical.  If you have a 13 Milrad turret on your S&B with a P3 reticule, you essentially have 18 Milrad of elevation because you have a mildot reticule.  There a 5 Milliradians from the cross to the thick post.  Easy.
You have now selected your Scope!

If you can find a rifle with what money you have left then fantastic, If not, start saving.  This rifle must first appeal to you.  It must also have the correct twist rate, shoot nice tight groups and be able to be carried to where to want to shoot it.  Your rifle selection may be based on hunting in the mountains of New Zealand or driving it to the 10,000 acre property out west to shoot your favourite 1100m rock with your mates.

A fine example of an APRS long range rifle is the in .308WIN. Its supersonic capability is around 800m. This shoots well under half MOA and it has the right scope, twist and with 175gn SMK’s, it’s perfect. This has a 20MOA sloped piccatinny rail, and 25 Milrad of adjustment in the Nightforce F1 3-5 - 15 x 50 scope. Ample for the .308 and perfect for a 300WM or larger.
Another fine example is the Blaser R93 Proff hunting rifle turned Hybrid. This 300WSM can shoot under 1/2MOA and pushes 210gn Berger Hunting VLD’s supersonic to 1150m. You can also carry it up a 45deg mountain in NZ without killing yourself. Note the front handle for controlling the recoil of this lightweight rifle. The scope has 18 Milrad of optical and mechanical elevation and is capable of engaging targets at 1200m
So when looking at purchasing rifle for this sport try buying in this order for a change and we promise you success in the right equipment choice.
1. Select Cartridge then the projectile.
2.  Find the scope and mounts you need.
3.  Buy the rifle capable of delivering the goods. 

APRS Rifle Review
We also had the opportunity to test one of the new APRS rifles from Lightforce in South Australia. All in all, these rifles are the biz and they are as good as they say, even better.  Please read the article from us on the Australian Shooting Forum. 

New Thumb hole LR Precision model
Oct 5, 2010

This is our new Thumb hole LR Precision model in .308 on a MCS-T5A. We were running the barrel in and seeing how it performed, after several hole in hole shots we were pretty happy.

This would have to be one of the most comfortable, natural thumb hole stocks we have ever used, once you try it you will love it.

Quick Specs:

• MCS – T5A
• Manners detachable Mag system
• APRS action by Stiller
• Fluted Krieger barrel, 1:10 twist
• Rifle basic match trigger
• Pacific tool & Gauge trigger guard