SARA Queens Series

[RDavies]

What more could be said about Stuart Braund’s performance in F Open? Only dropping 3 points in the Queens and 4 points in Grand Agg in the house of pain must have blown range records into the weeds.
In F/tr it was closer with big Mick Ponturiero pipping Darren Bradley by a point followed closely by a slew of other South Aussies.
The biggest standout though was in f/std, with 17 year Scott Larsen, son of F Open legend Peter Larsen, bearing a strong field to win his first Queens. I hope Peter keeps his 7mm barrels Locke’s away or we are all in trouble.

Another point to bring up is SARA wise move to skip 300 for F class, giving them a late start on day one, then joining TR shooters at 500 with a 15 shot match. With 300 being unpopular among F class shooters (and target repairers), I thought it was a smart change to the program.

[RAVEN]

Yes Rod the board had made some changes to the format and I think it worked very well the issue with the NRAA web stats is I believe it had trouble dealing with 15 shot and 10 shot strings in the same competition ended up with a data base of scrambled eggs.
The mornings were chilly, and a SARA member provided a barrel fire on a towable frame
This was great idea as competitors could thaw out while waiting to start shooting.
The Ice cream van that is stationed at each range now served fresh brewed cappuccino latte and hot chocolate homemade biscuits and cake. Well appreciated by the competitors.
SARA also engaged a new caterer unfortunately there were quite a few complaints that the meals were to big and the prices to cheap.
Cook breaky in the mornings was also appreciated I couldn't finish all my bacon (dang who does that!)
The house of pains reputation is still in place for a few previously un-initiated there was some blood on the mounds today strangely enough SARA was presenting a set of steak knives at the SAT presentation.
obviously to be deployed on oneself at 900m and a few put then to use.
it’s not nice seeing some getting a spanking but it happens and I’m sure they will return with a healthy respect for what it takes to tame Lower Light next year.
My congratulations to all the winner and those competitors that had had a great shoot until today well done and can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Stu now holds the record for queens wins at the house of pain with 5 well done Stu
RB

[bruce moulds]

well I was starting to think that stu is a machine, until I found out the secret.
he was able to beat the saums easily without trying because he was using a kmr.
bruce.

[bruce moulds]

a quick look at the grand agg revealed another statistic.
kmr 1st, 284 2nd.
saums after that.
what does this say about free lunches?
bruce.

[RDavies]

a quick look at the grand agg revealed another statistic.
kmr 1st, 284 2nd.
saums after that.
what does this say about free lunches?
bruce.

It says the nut behind the butt is the most important bit of equipment.
(though experience in the local conditions wouldn't hurt either)

[bruce moulds]

rod,
so where does that leave the 6.5 super lr with a good nut behind the butt.?
bruce.

[AlanF]

Whatever a "kmr" is (are we all supposed to know?) congratulations Stu on continuing your mastery of Lower Light. And some very respectable performances by the winners in F/TR and F-Std also. Not sure about TR, can't see any scores for them for day 3???

[Peterla]

Hi Alan.
A 284 kmr is a 7mm 284 that is blown out to a slightly bigger than a Shehane but then also added a 40-degree shoulder.
I have 1 too and they are hummer rifles that can get a 180 up to 2950 with now pressure signs

[AlanF]

Hi Alan.
A 284 kmr is a 7mm 284 that is blown out to a small bit bigger than a Shehane but then also added a 40-degree shoulder.
I have 1 too and they are hummer rifles that can get a 180 up to 2950 with now pressure signs

Thanks Peter. When you say no pressure signs, how many firings will the primer pockets stand with that sort of load? I say that because my Shehane will get to over 2900fps with 180s without affecting bolt lift or showing excessive primer cratering BUT some cases may only last 2 or 3 firings before primers are too loose. That seems to be the achilles heal of the Lapua 6.5-284 case.

[Peterla]

Hi Alan
I have a friend in the UK that runs at around 2980 with over 7 firing the last time I spoke with him.
I am not sure what powder he is using but I think it's between 13 and 17 so not like our 09 most use.
We are up to 4 firings with no loose primers at all running in the around 2920 to 2960 depending on whos gun it is
Mine is using 13 at 2950 and others are 09 with 2890 to 2930.
Time will tell but looks very promising at the moment.

[Tim L]

rod,
so where does that leave the 6.5 super lr with a good nut behind the butt.?
bruce.

Very happy with mine (the nut behind the butt being the weak link.)
140 ELDs at 3050 with 09 in necked down Palmer brass is going well.
I might try for the 3200 node with 08 but then again i might be better off tweaking the nut

[Gyro]

rod,
so where does that leave the 6.5 super lr with a good nut behind the butt.?
bruce.

Very happy with mine (the nut behind the butt being the weak link.)
140 ELDs at 3050 with 09 in necked down Palmer brass is going well.
I might try for the 3200 node with 08 but then again i might be better off tweaking the nut

Even at 3050 you're very competitive Tim.

Unless of course there's some tangible reasons the .284 bore size now rules .....

I been running a 284 Ackley ( same as the KMR & Walker ) and it goes well. But so far it confirms what I was told, that the 284 is a 'weak' case when u run hard.

[Tim L]

rod,
so where does that leave the 6.5 super lr with a good nut behind the butt.?
bruce.

Very happy with mine (the nut behind the butt being the weak link.)
140 ELDs at 3050 with 09 in necked down Palmer brass is going well.
I might try for the 3200 node with 08 but then again i might be better off tweaking the nut

Even at 3050 you're very competitive Tim.

Unless of course there's some tangible reasons the .284 bore size now rules .....

I been running a 284 Ackley ( same as the KMR & Walker ) and it goes well. But so far it confirms what I was told, that the 284 is a 'weak' case when u run hard.

I'm finding the SLR does everything the 6.5 284 did and palmer brass is no weakling, it holds enough powder and holds up very well. I'd say the berger 140 vlds have the edge on the ELDs in this barrel but i have a box of nosler 140 RDF to try too.
Time will tell if the neck protects the barrel

[bruce moulds]

tim,
that is fast for the super lr.
let us know how you go chasing the higher node.
guys with them around here running in the low 2900s are getting really good barrel life, along with shootability.
I suspect the longer neck does help barrel life.
bruce.

[BRETT B]

rod,
so where does that leave the 6.5 super lr with a good nut behind the butt.?
bruce.

Very happy with mine (the nut behind the butt being the weak link.)
140 ELDs at 3050 with 09 in necked down Palmer brass is going well.
I might try for the 3200 node with 08 but then again i might be better off tweaking the nut

Tim , 3050 with 140 and 2209 in that case is RED HOT!! The only thing holding it together is the Palma Brass!! Try that in Large primer Brass and you will need a Dentist real quick . I ran a 260 AI for years( which is bigger!!) ,with Palma Brass too and I can tell you if you even try to get the 3200 node with 2208 there is a damn good chance you will eat your Bolt!!