"LONG RANGE SHOOTING"

Long range shooting has always been my passion. So many years ago I had an idea(right or wrong) of what I wanted.

This tack driver started out as a new Remington 700 Sendero Stainless fluted in 300 win mag. Shot good, but not what I wanted. So off I went to Reddick Illinois to see a great gunsmith named Fuzzy Anderson(real name Dennis).

We started with just the Remington action. The stock is the laminated heavy varmint from Darrell Holland. Its meticulously built. The fore-end is wide and flat, has a high comb and 3/8 inch cast off(slight bend) and Darrell's springs for a 700 Remington (met Darrell in South Dakota at a Varmint Hunters shootout).

Fuzzy always liked Douglass XXX barrels so after all his work cutting and chambering the barrel which is 31 1/2 inches long and 1 1/8 inch in diameter front to rear. Next Fuzzy started to assemble the rifle. The only thing he kept secret was the heavy duty recoil lug (I think he made that himself). After many weeks it was finished. Not a rifle to carry, never really weighed it, but I figure the rifle weight at about 17 to 18 pounds including the Leupold scope. Fuzzy has since moved to Arizona (bit longer road trip) and is missed by the shooters at the Ill Rifle Assoc as well as many others.

Now off to the range. I was like a little kid with his first bike. It was break in time(we really hate break in). One shot clean, one shot clean. I do this for 10 shots. Then go 2 shots and clean 10 times.

Recoil is like shooting a 223 with a 1 1/2 pound trigger, great. Shooting Federal Gold Match ammo and zeroing in at 300 yards, you can put 3 shots in 1 hole easily. I've taken prairie dogs at 900 yards. Now that I am retired, I'll have a lot more time to practice. My personal goal is 1800 yards.

Later I'll tell you more about Fuzzy and how he could setup the great Ruger #1B's and 1V's.

Hollands Gunsmithing and Supplies (www.hollandsales@aol.com)

"FAVORITE 1911 HANDGUN"

The pride of my 1911's is from Wilson Combat. Its the model #WTE-A-A Tactical Elite, the ultimate in a defense handgun. Its all black with cocobolo wood grips. Its built around a full-size 5 1/16" hand fit one piece heavy tapered cone barrel. No barrel bushing is needed and the little extra weight out front makes rapid fire shot to shot recovery time excellent. Parts, finish and fit are all premium plus. I did add an adjustable pyramid tritum blade rear sight. The shape tends to draw your eyes toward the center of the sight. Great for my old eyes. Wilson has an accuracy guarantee of 1 inch at 25 yards. The instruction book said go shoot 200 rounds no cleaning necessary, but I did my usual complete cleaning anyway.
At the range I got lucky because my Wilson loves Fiocchi ammo (which I think is the best cleanest pistol ammo made). The 1 inch guarantee not a problem, even with me behind the sights. It is without a doubt the finest "1911" I have ever seen and used.
One quick mention about Wilson Combat service, its the best. Let me tell you why I feel this way. I had one small problem. In my mind I am thinking 2 to 3 weeks time limit. I called my Wilson rep, and got a return number. Sent it to Wilson, got it back the same week along with a nice letter and a couple of new magazines. Thank you Wilson Combat.

Remember always, safety first.