17th September 2011: New Sako TRG42 in .338 Lapua gets lots of attention at Sennybridge
We were able to demonstrate the new Sako TRG42 in 'desert tan' to members attending the Sennybridge shoot on the 17th September. The rifle arrived mid week, however despite being sold as "new" it required the replacement of a few parts that were slightly damaged due to rough handling at some point in its life. Thanks to Ryan at the Sportsmans Gun Centre the replacement parts arrived within a few hours of our departure to the wind swept and very wet Brecon Beacons. The rifle is completely modular, so parts are relatively easy to remove and replace using nothing but hex keys, one hour later, dented/scratched parts replaced, Leupold scope mounted and it was ready to use. The bore was heavily copper fouled, so this took some cleaning to get the worst of it out - maybe its not as 'new' as the Sportsman Gun Centre claim. The rifle was supplied with the TRG 3 ring scope mount (30MOA), and an all steel bipod, which slots into a channel under the receiver on a quick release fitting.
The result? It took about 4 shots to establish a 450yard zero after a brief bore-sight, then dialing in to engage a figure 14 at 600 yards using ballistic charts resulted in a hit from the first shot. Moving to on engage ETR targets at 1100 metres were not a problem despite a now moderate cross wind. Ammunition was used up all too quickly as unlike a 50cal rifle it was a total pleasure to use. The match grade trigger is fantastic, even 'out of the box' is better than many tuned triggers I've ever used. The muzzle break does its job, as such recoil is no greater than an unbraked 7.62mm, and if correctly held the sight picture is not lost due to rifle movement whilst firing.
It's a medium weight rifle, the folding stock does add a little weight, but is more than worth it as its fully adjustable for length, comb height and recoil pad height - its also got a little mono pod that is extended on a ratchet, and fine adjustment can then be dialed in accordingly. It sports an aluminum picatinny type accessory rail, which has a sling point mounted, I don't think the weight would present much of a problem to any of the NATO troops who use this rifle, it should be possible to carry the rifle over your shoulder for a few hours without any significant discomfort. As you can see from the picture below, the rifle got a good soaking. Not a problem for the TRG as the metalwork is parkerized and the stock sections are made from injection molded plastic.
Next month we'll be testing it to its limits at 1800 metres.
16th May 2011: The FCSA visit the WMS firearms training facility in Wales
This year we have two entries for the 2011 FCSA world championships in the USA, as such we needed to verify that our competitors rifles were up to scratch, with a suitable zero and a batch of consistently loaded ammunition. The WMS facility offers shooters access to multiple targets - including paper target screens. Common distances being catered for are 100M, 200M, 750M and 1000M, although the potential to go back to nearly 3000M exists.
We've had lots of requests for unbiased feedback on this facility, so here goes. If any member has anything to add then drop us an email.
The range facility appears to be very much 'work in progress', for example the firing point pictured below left is constructed from loose shale/rubble, which has a tendency to fly into the face of spotters under the severe muzzle blast of the 50cal, however this is much less of a problem with smaller calibres and can be reduced is a piece of carpet or similar is placed under the muzzle break area. Compacted earth topped with turf would be a nice addition one day. Firing points beyond 500m(ish) are little more than the hillside itself, which is fine for most types of shooting - just don't expect any wooden clad firing pits as per MOD ranges.
Due to its location, and the topography, wind is significant factor at times. Several visitors have since reported that the wind seriously tested their abilities, making the process of zeroing a new rifle & scope combination a little tricky at times - therefore I'd suggest you determine your zero before making a booking - this would no doubt help put the site operators mind at ease, knowing that the majority of impacts are going to be well within the target area. There is the option to zero at lesser distances, however at the time of writing I'm not sure if the targetry is suitable for 50BMG rifles.
"If you can shoot well here, you can shoot well anywhere"... this was a phase that was coined on more than one occasion. You need to be lucky with the weather to make the most of your booking. Some might argue that we should all learn to shoot well in any condition, which is fine for the military, but for most civilians who simply want to test equipment or ammunition then this is not necessarily desirable.
How does it compare to Sennybridge or Warcop? Well the big advantage of the WMS facility is that you have the option to check your targetry whenever you want (assuming any other party using the range is happy to cease fire). For military staff wanting to hone their tactical training then WMS is ideal. There is also the possibility that calibres larger than 50BMG can be used, this needs further investigation however if this proves to be the case then this would mean that calibres such as 14.5mm and .55 could be used for target shooting. The only disadvantages are the firing points (although this does depend on your expectations), there are no ETR targets, but there are reactive targets in the form of steel 'gongs', so you at least get audible feedback, and the price - which might be a little prohibitive for some.
Above left: Shingle firing point Above right: Target area in the distance - semi circular scree in the centre of the picture
26th/27th February 2011: FCSA club officials attended the Newark shooting show
Many thanks to all those people who expressed an interest and have subsequently joined our ranks.
http://www.shootingshow.co.uk/
(Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the FCSA logo)
October 2008: Visit from FCSA USA officials to Warcop!
Left: Barry and Reid Right: Barry, Chris, Reid, John
The FCSA (UK) were delighted to meet officials from the FCSA (USA), Reid Woodward, Barry Hamilton and Dr Bryan McCann, who attended not only our shoot at Warcop, but also made a quick visit to the FCSA (Swiss) to shoot in Switzerland and meet some of their membership. After years of email and telephone dialogue between the 3 divisions of the FCSA it was a pleasure to meet our American counterparts. Barry laid down the gauntlet for us to attend an FCSA world championship competition next year, so better get reloading. (sponsors required!!) Edit: May 2011: in fact we had one entry who did rather well, thanks Scott!
September 2008, Newsletter 12
1)Things in General :
(Including Certification)Lots happening at the moment, having now received the shooters certificates of competence and bringing our Probationary scheme up to scratch. We thought that the standard NRA course would be ok, but it is only any good for those who shoot at Bisley, having very little in common with what the majority of shooting clubs are about in the rest of the UK.
The Mandatory certification programme can now begin requiring all shooters using an MOD Range to be certified as a “Safe Person ”etc. by the end of 2008. This has to be renewed every year and consists of a set assessment made by an official of the club (Preferably your Primary club) who is appointed by the club Chairperson. If you attend other clubs shoots, or if shooters from other clubs shoot with FCSA, then you / they will have to show the certificate before being allowed to shoot. (Call the Secretary if you are unsure & want to know how it affects you.) There is No actual test as such, only an assessment
. (See latest shoot dates attached)2) Range Updates :
As mentioned above, the business of Muzzle Energy now applies on MOD gallery ranges, such as Kingsbury. The HME zero test has proved to be NO problem, but it does eat up a little range time as well as the cost for the ammo every time it is done. However if it means we can carry on with the higher muzzle energy calibre’s, then we have to make this very small sacrifice. However, a good thing to come out of this, is that we can now use 338 lap Mag. + others, on J3a Range at Sennybridge for 1000m (1100yd) shoots, providing all concerned do the 200 m/yd HME zero test first. This has proved to be very popular and ODRC have the first Saturday J3a this year, on the 4th October. Up to now only week days have been available. Make a note if you are interested. Field Firing Ranges (“F” Range) are not affected by this, so you can still use your 338’s, 50’s etc., without doing the Zero Test, as both FCSA & ODRC have access to such ranges.
Kingsbury “A” & “B” Ranges.
No further development as yet, but we live in hope of getting a divide between the 2 ranges, thereby getting rid of the 200yd rule.
Sennybridge :
More 1000 m shoots on J3a are to be booked, along with “G” IBSR Range and “F” Range. Still NO GO with “X” Range, but I keep trying. Don’t forget, if you experience difficulty getting on your target at 1000m (1100yds) then please shout up and some one will assist you. For these distances, it is advisable to have an appropriate inclined mounting rail for your scope sight (eg - 20 MOA) Also a rifle of suitable type & calibre.
Lydd :
Next FCSA shoot will be for Thursday 25th September on Serial 45 Range. This is a multi purpose range with 25 ETR targets as well as hard & soft static’s, going out to about 1200yds. Tracer is normally allowed. Please advise me if you are intending to be present, as I have to notify the security at Lydd of members attending. I will need your car details and you must display your Club ID Badge whilst on the site.
Warcop :
Not much change other than more shoots to be booked by FCSA(UK) in the future..
Private or None Military Ranges :
Things are still moving slowly with respect to use of Radnor, but hope to know more very soon..
3) Membership :
Still on the increase, with total members around 160 mark.
Subs for 2008 are now DUE, (Still only £50) So if not done already, send with your ID Card along with a completed Renewal Form (Attached) to :- John Masefield. Please make cheques payable to – FCSA(UK). If you have renewed, many thanks, but please complete form & return. If you are not renewing, then please advise .AGM :
Hope to have soon. Will advise.6) Want – Adds
To advertise is free, so sort out the old and send in your “Wish List”. E Mail me or in writing please. Unless stated otherwise, please contact the person advertising, not the undersigned, as I have no Knowledge of the state of sale unless advised by the persons involved. If you have disposed of items for sale then PLEASE advise.
Be seeing you,
John Masefield
(Hon Sec)March 2008: New MOD rulings on civilian use of MOD ranges. VERY IMPORTANT!
New MOD / NRA Rulings for Civilians using MOD Ranges (Including Bisley)
The following is based on the information given by Mr Glynn Alger & Chris Web of the NRA during a meeting with Civilian clubs at Bromsgrove, on Saturday 8th March 2008.
1. The new "High Energy zero test"
We have been advised by the MOD at Warminster, and now the NRA (on the 8th March), that users of MOD 'Field Firing Areas' - now termed 'Live Fire Tactical Training Areas' (LFTTA) - are NOT restricted by the 7000 Joule energy and 2900 Meter danger area template limitations that will be applied to gallery ranges only.
A mandatory proof of zero test for 4500J - 7000J ammunition on gallery ranges has been introduced and is enforceable from the 1st April 2008, therefore a 'High Muzzle Energy' RCO must be present at each and every shoot where a rifle and ammunition combination that has a muzzle energy of over 4500J is used. The HME RCO will require that the appropriate shooters undertake a quick zero procedure at 200 yards, the HME RCO will then sign each target to indicate that the shooter has been cleared for that range, on that day, with that rifle - and can then proceed to longer distances than 200 meters. Unfortunately this proof of zero only lasts for that one day. Targets will be available for download from the NRA soon.
Not sure if your rifle is over 4500J? Click here for a simple ballistic calculator - print out the bullet drop table if you can't memorise it. Many ammunition types are over this limit, all you need to do is push a 170gn bullet at 2961 feet/sec and you are over the limit by 1 joule!
What happens if you get caught using ammunition which is over this limit on a gallery range and you are without your RCO HME signed and dated test target? Simple, an authorised person from the MOD will take a sample of your ammunition for expert testing, (not at the range) if found to be over the limit then you will be banned from every MOD range for life. We are still waiting for the exact procedure, we have been told that there will be no room for debate. (However, we have explained that any testing must be carried out using the same Rifle, as variations in chamber, barrel length etc., can vary the muzzle energy)
It is believed (although awaiting written confirmation), that if the range is less than 200 meters then no zero process will be required for those rifle/ammunition combinations that are in the 4500 - 7000J range.
The FCSA UK now has most of its RCOs 'upgraded' to this new standard (May 2008). If you are a member and a qualified NRA RCO but still do not have the HME qualification then please contact the club Secretary or Chairman ASAP.
2. NRA Safe Shooting System
From the 1st April the FCSA UK will begin a process that will certify each member as a competent and 'safe shooter', in accordance with new MOD/NRA requirements, we have until January 2009 to complete this task, after which it will be a mandatory requirement for all users of all MOD ranges, including Field Firing Areas.
Essentially all this will mean is that each shooter needs to demonstrate that they are capable of operating their rifle in a safe manner, the club Chairman will then sign each certificate accordingly, this will be renewed each year assuming the member can demonstrate the level of competency required by the MOD and NRA. This certificate is totally independent from the 7000J zero test as described above.
More information will be released soon, however copies of the certificate can be downloaded from the NRA website (we are informed).
3. Probationary Members
All new probationers will be expected to follow an NRA approved probationary membership training scheme (or the actual NRA version). Having now had a copy of the NRA 'Safe Shooters system, SSS, we can confirm that the training system is too heavily focused on Bisley shooters - 'F' class, TR etc, with little or no mention of the large calibers and true long range shooting disciplines, therefore the FCSA UK will be developing a more suitable training scheme, the aim being to provide safety training that is relevant to all calibres used by FCSA members, and takes into consideration safety factors which only come into place on LFTTAs, for example the use of tracer ammunition, coping with the increased recoil, danger templates based on hard or soft targets, identification of the physical landmarks used to mark the correct arc of fire, understanding and avoidance of unexploded munitions on LFTTAs*. The FCSA safety training scheme will need to be NRA approved. More information to follow.
* An aerial view of the Sennybridge impact area, look closely and you'll see hundreds of craters.
June 2005 - Latest news from the Home Office
Many of our members have been asking me for an update on the dreaded Home Office Consultation paper. So on the 19th April 2005 I contacted the Home Office in an attempt to find out what was happening with the consultation process, as we had all been expecting news in the 1st quarter of 2005. The reply I received was as follows:
Dear Chris,
Thank you for your recent e-mail about our review of firearms controls.
We have been analysing the considerable response to last May's consultation paper and will be publishing a summary of the views expressed, and our thoughts on what we intend to do next, as soon as we are able to.
There is no fixed timetable and, as I am sure you appreciate, firearms legislation is a complex area. It would be wrong at this stage to preempt what the outcome of this review might be. However, I can assure you and your members that we will be looking to achieve in consultation with key representative organisations, including those from the legitimate shooting world, a balanced and proportionate system of control that is simple and enforceable but still ensures public safety.
Kind regards
Zoe Dormon
Firearms Section
This may be read as good news, and if the latest proposed 'Violent Crime Bill' is anything to go by it would appear as though certain key (and sensible) aspects of the original consultation paper have been put forward to the House of Commons, these being - restrictions on replica guns, controls over primers, reloading presses and dies. No mention of any additional restrictions on the legitimate target shooter! Fingers crossed that this is the end of the line for the consultation process, having "no fixed timetable" would generally indicate that they are under no real pressure to enforce more restrictions, maybe the emphasis has swung to review the licensing system - often seen as too bureaucratic, quote, "a balanced and proportionate system that is simple and enforceable..."
September 2004 - Home Office review of firearms legislation
Click here to read the official FCSA response to the Home Office
16 August 2004: We submitted our recommendations to the Home Office.
Please follow this link. Read the Home Office consultation paper and then our response.
This is the reply we received from the Home Office two months later:
Where do we go now? Well we still need to increase our membership so may I suggest that we try and make contact with as many 50cal shooters and clubs in the UK, maybe using this site. If you have e-mail addresses of other 50cal owners please ask them to contact me at click-here.
Thanks for all your support,
Chris Stevenson
Chairman, FCSA (UK)
Minutes of FCSA AGM held at Sennybridge F range on the 12th June 2004
The executive committee posts were announced to the prospective FCSA membership in attendance, these being Chris Stevenson as Chairman, John Masefield as both Secretary and Treasurer and Pete Shaw as President.
CS explained to the group the reasons why we had decided to formalise the FCSA (UK) and seek Home Office approval, NRA affiliation, obtain Insurance and range licenses. These being:
1. To improve communication between UK 50cal owners and possibly manufacturers, promote the fact that we are not alone!
2. To co-ordinate our defense/response to the Home Office consultation process.
3. To assist individual members in the formulation of individual responses, ensuring that 'nothing is left out' and that responses are in a valid format - we only have until August 31st!
4. Promote the competitive element of 50cal target shooting and formalise competition events.
5. To promote other large calibre competition events, such as .338 Lapua and .408, i.e. anything that might be under threat.
John Masefield explained the individual costs associated with setting up a Home Office approved club and established that we would need a minimum of £500 and 10 members to start with, we are hoping to attract at least 40 owners of 50cal rifles and even more associate members. Range fees are not cheap so any surplus would be used to contribute towards range fees and possibly used by the club officials in promoting and defending our sport when necessary, i.e. attending Home Office organised meetings etc.
The idea of obtaining a 50cal 'club gun' and club FAC was also discussed and agreed.
Tom Charnock has provided the committee with a list of 50cal owners who are not yet on this e-mail distribution, they will be contacted this week.
It was agreed that membership costs should initially be set at £50 for full membership or £30 for associate membership. This should get the ball rolling and help prevent the more generous individuals from being too out-of-pocket.
Please contact John Masefield john@fcsa.co.uk for a membership pack, we are looking at getting membership applications in and processed by the 1st July so you need to be quick.