Book Reviews: V22N7
By Dean Roxby
For the Competitive Shooter A Handy Guide for the Serious Shooters
If long-range shooting is of interest to you, this book should also interest you. Primarily written with the competition shooter in mind (notice how I didn’t say “aimed at …”), this is not just another reloading manual. Yes, it does have load recipes for the cartridges most suited to this sport. However, the text chapters at the front of the book contain much useful advice and technical information.
The shooting sport known as Precision Rifle Series (PRS) has really taken off in the last several years. Many rifle makers have introduced tactical type rifles in recognition of this new PRS game. With top quality, heavy contour barrels, stiffer actions, far better triggers, all riding in very rigid stocks, some fine shooting is taking place across America now. Of course, such a rig needs quality ammo, which is the reason for this book. As noted in the opening front matter, Editor’s Foreward, most loading manuals list a blend of commonly available components. This book, being geared towards serious shooters, lists the best target bullets such as Berger, Lapua, Sierra MatchKing, etc. Often, brass from Lapua or Norma is called for.
Another significant difference between this and most other manuals is this one features only cartridges that that are serious contenders in the PRS game. Even the time-honored 30-06 is not listed here. Meanwhile, wildcats such as the 6mm Dasher, 6 XC and the 6x47 Lapua are included.
Chapters written by guest writers Dave Emary (Hornady’s Chief Ballistician, recently retired) and top PRS shooter Matt Gervais offer a great deal of technical insight. For me, the chapter “Reticles – Understanding the Tools Within Your Field of View,” by Michael Baccellieri was most helpful to understand the differences in scope design.
Following the load data, there is a section titled “Trajectory Charts.” This gives the drop in inches for each bullet mentioned in the recipes, from zero to 1500 yards. Each bullet drop chart has the trajectory calculated as sighted for 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 yard zero. Each bullet type is also calculated at four different velocities.
Naturally, lighter for diameter bullets are listed with higher velocities than their heavy for diameter counterparts.
Although this is a fairly thin book at 128 pages, it does contain a lot of good information with articles by industry experts and top PRS shooters. One dollar from book sale is donated to the NRA.
Lyman Long Range Precision Rifle Reloading Handbook
PUBLISHER: Lyman Products Corp., Middletown, CT 06457
ASIN: B07952XHJ8
IBM: 9816060
ISBN: [No ISBN listed. It does have a UPC 011516960603]
COPYRIGHT: 2018
PAGES: 128, Softcover, 8.5”x11”, color photos
USD: $16.98
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V22N7 (August 2018) |
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