In this issue:

Australasian-Pacific "Grand Prix"
Re: Can you dry-fire Anschutz?
Re: Sling model differences
Re: Sling model differences

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Just a short note about the Australasian-Pacific "Grand Prix".

There has been the inclusion of an exciting new event that shooters
say has not been done before anywhere in the world.  Please check it
out on our web page at:

http://www.rheology.uq.edu.au/grandprix/

While you are there please take a look at the program as it has 
changed slightly to include the new event.  Also you will see that
there is a Scribani Rossi Shooting Clinic on before the competition.

If you have any queries please contact me, or otherwise keep an eye on
the web page as it will be updated from time to time!

Regards
Janine

Secretary
Organising Committee
Australasian-Pacific "Grand Prix"
PO Box 4004
St Lucia South  Queensland  Australia  4067
ph: 07 3871 3871       fax: +61 7 5446 8353
email:  janinek@cheque.uq.edu.au

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Dear Mike,
In response to the Anshutz dry firing question I would like to say the
following.  Although an already fired case is sufficient to protect the
chamber I don't beleive this is the case for the firing pin.  The reason I
say this is that the pin would be continuously hitting a hard surface with
very little compliance.  Granted that this is the case in actual firing,
however, in my opinion one would be subjecting the pin surface to the same
wear when dry firing and not actually seeing the shot.  Economically it
doesn't seem practical.  When I went to Bisley, U.K, in 1994, I saw a red
plastic case like analog.  It had a flag on it and had to be kept in the
bridge so show that it the chamber is in fact empty and to keep the barrel
warm by preventing air flow.  I beleive that the same red flag is supplied
with the Hammerli 280 .22/.32 target pistol.  I use this flag when dry
firing as the plastic provides a compliant surface for the pin to hit.

I realize this is a long message but I hope I was able to convey my 
message seeing as my english is not perfect.

Samir

[Editor - I was told by an Anschutz gunsmith that the pin will not hit the
chamber so dry-firing with an empty chamber was fine. Of course, my memory
may not serve me correctly.]

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Mike: Just thought of something else. On the sling question, the only
thing I can offer is that on the videos that I have that were done in
Germany and translated in England, they note that with the screw
adjustement sling, you can make small, precise changes in length,
without taking the rifle from the shoulder. This would be a distinct
advantage, I would think. I still have one of the old pulley style
slings, but I am too cheap to get a new one, and I am not sure that at
this stage of my shooting that it would help enough to bother about.
Thanks, Don Williams

[Editor - for my shooters I'm not worried about that precise of an
adjustment. I am curious as to whether the newer slings offer some
advantage as how they distribute the tension around the arm to reduce
heartbeat oscillations (eg, the pulley slings often seem to pull from the
inside of the arm).]

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The purpose of the sling is to enable a shooter to hold the
position without the use of muscle. The sling does all the work. 
Leather slings tend to stretch with a rubber band effect-especially as
they get older. For an expert shooter this can be a serious problem if
they doen't know what is causing the problem.

Synthetic slings are excellent because they are generally made of
conveyor belt material that doesn't stretch, are long lasting and
moisture doesn't effect them. Holes can be punch in wherever needed and
don't worry about cosmetics. Function is the essential thing here.

Don't discard any of the old slings. You can give them to junior
programs or starting out shooters or even just to have a few back up
slings.   Hope this helps a little-Jon Wolters

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End of UIT Mailing List #6

Michael Ray - Systems Engineer
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. Rifle Coach
UIT Shooting Page - http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1190/index.htm