THE ABC’s OF UNLIMITED STANDING

By: Jim Harris

 

Somehow, almost by accident it seems, I became an Unlimited Standing shooter. It was a surprise, because for years I avoided any involvement in the Standing events. I just didn’t like standing very much.

 

But as often happens, I encountered Change.

 

After watching other shooters, I got interested in trying the scoped Unlimited Standing category for Big Bore. It didn’t come easy; it took a quite bit of practice, and maybe the lure of “scope technology” kept me at it. Eventually I found myself near the top of this two-legged shooting game.

 

It didn’t happen overnight, but a couple of things made the transition from standing-hater to standing-lover a little less painful. These things were equipment, technique and determination.

 

In the course to this effort, I managed to win three IHMSA International Championships, even though I still don’t consider myself a Top Gun in the event. 

 

 

 

 

XP100 with custom Douglas 7mm BR barrel, Ken Light High Rise, Weaver KT-15

 rifle scope, McMillan stock, Rifle Basix trigger

 

 

ACQUIRING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

 

Unlimited Standing was pioneered in the Southwest (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California), and many of the top shooters were in California during the early 90’s. Two things separated these competitors from the shooters in other parts of the country: High Rise scope mounts and high magnification rifle scopes.

 

I began my US involvement using equipment at hand. After the purchase of my first XP100 for Freestyle Unlimited shooting, my former Unlimited gun, a TC with a 15” 6TCU barrel was gathering dust. I removed a Weaver 2-10X scope from a .22 rifle, bought a Ken Light High Rise mount, and started shooting US. Although the 6TCU was under-powered, leaving some pigs and rams, I did well enough to move into AAA, shooting in the high 20’s and low 30’s.

 

This is the way to get involved, and for many shooters, the use of a TC with any number of 14-15” barrels will be all they need to be successful in US. Likely candidates are: 6.5 TCU, 7TCU, 7US, 7-30 Waters and .30-30. A competitor can get a custom TC barrel from many sources, such as Bullberry, and still have an excellent US gun at a reasonable price.

 

My 2-10X scope broke twice from the recoil of shooting US. Weaver replaced it at no charge the first time. After it broke the second time, I called Weaver to ask if I could pay a little extra and move up to the Weaver KT 15X target rifle scope, and was promptly sent the scope at no additional charge. This scope was used for the next several years without a problem (thanks Weaver!) and is still an excellent value for an entry-level scope.

 

Around this time, I had the opportunity to try an XP100 fashioned into a US gun, owned by Steve Astier. The US accessories came as a kit (since discontinued) from Ken Light: lightweight McMillan rear grip stock, Rifle Basix target trigger, aluminum bolt shroud and the 5” KL High Rise. This was an awakening for me – it was so easy to shoot, I posted a 33 the first time I tried it! This was my highest score to date and I was hooked.

 

In order to finance this new “toy” I liquidated several guns, including the 6TCU barrel and scope. I still wasn’t fully committed to US, but I wanted to try. At that time, this was the most expensive gun I had purchased for silhouette – around $1300 dollars with the XP purchase and addition of a Weaver KT-15 rifle scope.

 

I still use this rig today, although I have upgraded the scope to a Leupold 12X Target with an elevation turret. I decided to have the 12X “bumped” to 18X and custom ½ MOA dot installed by Bill Ackerman of Optical Services, (505) 589-3833. This has for years remained my dependable Big Bore Unlimited Standing set-up, and won me two International Championships and several runners-up in NRA Nationals.

 

Currently, I have three guns on hand for Unlimited Standing: the XP mentioned above for shooting 200m silhouette; a recent XP Repeater model rebarreled to 7BR with muzzle brake for 500m silhouette; and an Anschutz Exemplar .22LR (on permanent “loan” from Steve Astier). The common factor to all three is the use of Ken Light’s High Rise scope mounts and high magnification rifle scopes.

 

HIGH RISE & MUZZLE BRAKE

 

Nobody likes to get popped in the face. We learn this as children.

 

The idea of putting your face right up next to the rifle scope can be intimidating.

 

Two accessories can reduce or eliminate the possibility of getting “tagged.”

 

The use of a High Rise scope mount, as manufactured by Ken Light, greatly reduces and redirects recoil. The off hand holds the front bell of the scope, which subdues the upward impulse of recoil (like a mild muzzle brake); the shooting hand/arm on the rear grip acts as a pistol to absorb rearward recoil. When used with moderate loads, this set-up reduces and redirects recoil significantly.

 

You may have been wondering why the High Rise is used on a .22 US gun? The High Rise is not designed for recoil reduction. In fact, I think that is probably a side benefit. It really provides a comfortable way to let gravity work to keep the gun straight and comfortable at all times. The High Rise positions the arms to reduce strain, which in turn reduces wobble – the most dangerous enemy of any standing shooter!

 

To effectively reduce recoil, a muzzle brake is required. A properly constructed MB uses the escaping gases and redirects them. The brake works in two ways: 1) the gases hit the front wall of the brake, pulling the gun forward; and 2) the gases are redirected through holes, slots or baffles to act a rockets, pushing the muzzle down and away from the shooter. This works most effectively with larger capacity cases, where excess gas can be captured. Least effected are cartridges such as .300 Whisper.

 

When using a MB in US, it is a little unnerving at first – the gun actually moves forward and down, instead of back; and the side blast of the brake is jarring. But most of the time the lack of recoil makes up for these disorienting concerns.

 

Over the years, I have used the MB off and on for my 200m shooting. Currently it is off, and I have been doing well without it. But for my really long range shooting, out to 500 meters, I definitely use a MB, made by Mike Dewey. This XP in 7BR uses a load that pushes a Sierra 168 gr. MatchKing to around 2000 fps. That generates quite a bit of recoil for a standing gun and must be tamed.

 

WHY RIFLE SCOPES?

Precise shot placement demands being able to see the exact point you are trying to hit. On the other hand, if your goal is to hit a full size chicken at 200 meters, or precisely call your shots, you will need a high magnification rifle scope. You’ve got to see the exact spot you’re aiming at.  The higher magnifications (12X and up) are intimidating to newcomers, but the highest scores are usually fired using the highest magnification scopes.

 

World Rifle Silhouette champion, Ray Schnarre, writes in his "High Power [Rifle] Silhouette" article in the Sierra reloading manual: "Many shooters have a tendency to shoot at the whole animal. Resist this, as it is guaranteed to cost you hits. You must shoot well within your target to minimize all the other tolerances such as shot dispersion, personal movement, timing errors, etc. To do this, you must train yourself to pick out one particular spot on the target, and shoot at that spot only! This need is, I think, why you see such high magnification scopes in this sport. They simply allow you to be more specific with your shot placement. Some never get used to higher-powered scopes due to their apparent visible movement. In any case, this is a personal decision that the shooter will need to make."

 

I agree with Ray’s view and have been working my way ever higher in magnification, with greatly improved scores. Although shakiness seems to be decreased at low magnification, shooters are fooling themselves into a false sense of composure. There is a lot of visible movement at high power settings, but the shooter must force him/herself to be in control of acquiring the target. The same amount of movement (or more) is present using a low powered optic, it’s just disguised by the low magnification. If you aren’t aware of your shooting errors, you are more likely to miss, and you won’t know what caused the mistake.

 

When it comes to shooting technique, I am prone to nervousness and flinching when the sights get near the target. Looking through an 18X scope, I see a lot of movement and shaking, but I want to see exactly what is happening and be ready when the dot centers up on the target. Even if I miss, I like to call my shots when the trigger breaks. It refines sight settings and improves the hand/eye coordination, plus it’s kind of a secondary game.

RIFLE SCOPE FEATURES

When we talk about rifle scopes we are actually referring to “target rifle scopes”. What essential scope features should you look for in a target scope? First, are large target knobs, or turrets, to make sight changes quickly and accurately without additional tools. Second, an Adjustable Objective (AO) front lens that corrects parallax and focuses for specific distances. This feature is indispensable when high magnification is used at various distances.

For ease of target acquisition, a dot size of between 3/8 to 3/4 minute of angle should be sought. Some target scopes feature 1/8 MOA dots, which although fine for Benchrest target shooters, are exhausting to concentrate on with black target. Keep in mind that dot size stays constant in variable power scopes, so a 1/2 MOA dot @ 18X may be 3/8 MOA @ 24X, and 3 MOA @ 6X. (MOA = 1" @ 100 yards). You may need to contact an aftermarket source to install a desired reticle (Legal for Unlimited Standing, NOT legal for Field/Hunter’s Pistol categories). Scope power can also be "bumped" or increased at the same time.

SCOPE RECOMMENDATIONS

Price, durability, weight and magnification all play important parts in choosing a scope.

 

Here are four recommendations. All scopes below have proven durable and repeatable in their adjustments.

 

Tasco’s 8-32X (44mm objective) offers a great deal of versatility at an affordable price. The scope is heavy and image quality declines at the highest magnifications, but it gives “growing room” to the shooter who wants to start at a lower magnification (12X) and learn enough technique to use the higher powers (24-32X). Features small target dot on thin crosshairs. Tasco's 6-24X would be another good choice for a budget scope with a lot of versatility.

 

Weaver’s KT15 is a lightweight and inexpensive entry level target scope. Image quality is good, but 15X can be a limiting factor as skill level increases. Features heavy duplex reticle.

 

All around top choice is the Leupold 6.5x20 (40mm objective) because of its light weight and useful range of magnification. Expensive, but worth it. Reticle can be ordered as Leupold target with .006 target dot, which equates to about ½ MOA at 20X. This scope is also suitable to be “bumped” to higher power by Premier Reticle (540-868-2044) or Optical Services (505-589-3833). Leupold’s 8.5-25X (40mm) would also be an excellent choice.

 

Leupold 12X target scope with same reticle suggestion as above and one elevation turret, bumped to 18X. This scope is very lightweight, even after the bump and image quality is fantastic. A less pricey alternative to the Leupold variable models.

 

I have used these scopes extensively on my silhouette pistols and rifles, so I am confident of their capabilities. I currently use the Tasco, set at 32X, for all my .22 US shooting with the Anschutz. My Big Bore XP100 US gun has the Leupold 12X, bumped to 18X. (The 500m US gun has a Weaver 24X Target scope – a heavier scope that might be considered with the new weight limits for IHMSA.)

 

LOADS

Unlimited Standing loads used by most top shooters are light to moderate in recoil. Since the mid-90’s, I’ve been using the XP100 in 7BR, and 130 grain Speer BTSP or 130 grain Sierra MatchKing loaded with 18.0 grains of H-4227, or more recently, 16.0 grains of Vihtavuori N110, both giving around 1800 fps. This load has reliable ram knockdown with very low recoil. I have never lost a ram, and the speed of the bullet reduces any chance of body motion affecting the gun while the bullet is still in the barrel.

 

For 500 meter shooting, I use my standard 130 grain load for the chickens at 200. From there I use either a moderate load with a heavy 168 gr. bullet for pigs and turkeys and a powerful 168 gr. load for rams (or use the moderate load all the way through rams), depending on wind conditions. The moderate load for 500m is what we commonly shoot for 200m freestyle: 168’s going under 1900 fps. Favorite loads are 27.0 gr. of Vihtavuori N135 and 28.0 gr. of H4895. Power loads feature the 168’s at or above 2000 fps. To accomplish this, 30.0 gr. Hodgdon Varget or VV-N540 are used.

 

Ammo for the .22 is the same as for freestyle – whatever shoots best. For my gun, that is Lapua Midas “L”.

 

SIGHT SETTINGS

 

Regardless of all my blather on other topics in this article, this short section will hopefully do you the most good.

 

More important than your equipment, the greatest influence on shot consistency (accuracy) will come from a proper position and stance.

 

Once you have established your elevation changes between target distances, consistent sight settings are based on maintaining a shooting position. Feet should be slightly spread at approximately a 90-degree angle. Body stands upright, slightly facing the targets. The most common error I make is to push against the scope with the hand holding it, which causes shots to go to the right (I am right handed, left hand pushing the scope). Grip on the scope and gun should be moderate, not held limply or too firmly gripped. Over-gripping will cause shots to go low, too loose and shots will go high.

 

Since the High Rise scope is offset so far from the bore, parallax strongly influences the closest targets. Additional compensation in sight adjustment is required for closest targets, especially chickens. Don’t be surprised to find your 25m chicken setting above your 100m ram setting in Smallbore!

 

For 200m Big Bore, sight settings do not change much, only about 4 MOA over the course using 130’s at 1800 fps. Chickens start at zero, pigs are down 1 MOA, turkeys up 0.5 MOA and rams up another 2.5-3.0 MOA.

My .22 sight settings on the Anschutz for the NRA distances are: 40m - zero; 50m - down one MOA; 75m - up 1/2 MOA; 100m - up 2 MOA. For IHMSA 25m chickens, the setting is 4 MOA above the ram setting (compensating for the difference in bore to sight height at the closer distance).

 

For anyone wishing to try 500m US (the record is currently 14x40, held by Ken Light), these are the loads and settings: 130 grain BT with N110/16.0 for chickens as zero, (using 168 MK and H4895/28.0) up 4.5 MOA for 300m pigs, up 7.0 MOA for 385m turkeys and up 9.0 MOA for 500m rams.

 

STRATEGY

 

Silhouette with a scope seems to be the simplest of the disciplines. Simply get the sights on target and fire.

 

But for me, US is the most aggravating category. You always know where the gun was aimed when the shot broke. If you miss – you know who is to blame! That instant “blame game” is what I fight against while competing. You can rapidly become your own worst enemy if you don’t exercise self-control and detachment.

 

I have been fortunate to shoot on a regular basis with the greatest US shooter in the world– Marvin Tannahill. Marvin is the only person to ever shoot a perfect 80x80 in US and is consistently the top shooter at the NRA National Championships in this category.

 

The main thing I have learned from observing Marvin is to never take a shot that is not on the target. Patience is the greatest virtue. I school myself that it is better to run out of time taking only four good shots than to throw away shots in desperation. Desperation leads to more desperation.

 

When I start to get desperate or fatigued or flinchy, I ask myself, “Would Marvin take that shot?” If you intend to win, or come close to such a person’s performance, you have to buckle down and mimic what you consider are their strongest traits.

 

US strategy pivots on two principles: Determination and Patience. Be determined to break the shot only when the sights are on the target; and use patience to overcome nerves and exhaustion.

 

Other pointers:

·        Rest the gun between shots or set it down if you become fatigued.

·        Take deep breaths between shots.

·        Get in a comfortable shooting position.

·        Be prepared to fire when the sights get on the target – you may not get another chance before you tire!

·        Know where the sights were when the shot went off.

 

A game-within-the-game is to call your shot to your spotter before he tells you where it went. It is a confidence-builder, even if you don’t hit the target.

 

PROOF IN THE PUDDING

 

My most thrilling moment in silhouette came in 1998 at the International Championship in Oak Ridge, TN, and it happened in regard to Unlimited Standing.

 

One reason I came to Oak Ridge was the hope of defending my US title from the previous year in Ft. Stockton. Although happy to hold the title, wind in Ft. Stockton is such a great equalizer that I was anxious to see how things would go in the calmer conditions in Tennessee.

 

During the Oak Ridge match, I met in person one of IHMSA’s greatest standing shooters, Jeff Hunt. Jeff and I are almost as opposite as you can find in the competition world: he is disciplined and contemplative; I am free-spirited and impulsive. But between us, we share a love of Unlimited Standing.

 

During an off moment in the Championship, I invited Jeff to examine my US rig. We had already been talking and comparing notes, and even though I knew Jeff to be a top shooter, I was explaining how much better he might do with a few changes – increased scope power and a high rise. On the sidelines, he carefully checked out the XP (he was shooting a TC), its mount and relatively high-powered scope, getting a feel of the balance and heft. He took away some new ideas, and I was impressed with his shooting techniques and discipline.

 

As fate would have it, we ended tied for the Champion position. The night before the shoot-off, we met by the motel swimming pool to have fun teasing each other: Jeff was eating healthy meals and going to bed early, while I stayed out carousing, drinking beer and smoking cigars (threatening to eat donuts before the match-up the next day!). Jeff was rolling his eyes as he excused himself to get a good night’s sleep.

 

When the shoot-off took place the next day, I was all nerves. Jeff, on the other hand was maintaining his poise and self-control. But as fate would have it – I managed to beat a shooter who was much better trained, conditioned and prepared. I am convinced the reason was equipment. For those brief moments as I raced through the firing, even though I was shaking like a leaf, the equipment allowed me to hold on the targets just well enough to win.

 

Surviving this shoot-off was a career topper for me. And Jeff was very gracious in his congratulations.

 

But the most sincere complement he paid me was to incorporate some of my equipment suggestions into his shooting, and he has since risen even higher in US. He is an extremely talented and open-minded shooter who deserves all his success.

SUMMARY

You can get started in Unlimited Standing on a budget, using the equipment you have on hand or for very little investment if you own a TC.

 

A High Rise scope mount is essential for top performance.

 

Use as much scope magnification as you can handle, or beyond. Force yourself to master body movement.

 

Purchase the most dependable scope you can afford.

 

Use lightweight bullets at relatively high speed to minimize errors caused by shooting position or follow-through.

 

Recommended Big Bore US cartridges: 6.5TCU, 6.5BR, 7TCU and 7BR.

 

Put in lots of practice!

 

 

I certainly hope this aids you in rising to the top of your abilities in Unlimited Standing. The fun of Silhouette is the sharing of information and helping others achieve the same results.

 

Good luck and safe shooting!

 

 

 

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