Want to know more? Click HERE to view the full-screen image. Look at those five targets. The average (aggregate) of the five targets is only 0.0840 inch! Gary Ocock shot these at 100 yards during a California benchrest match held on August 6, 2017 Gary’s 0.0840 Agg is a record-breaker, but this wasn’t a “sanctioned match”, so Gary’s killer Agg wasn’t submitted for IBS and NBRSA records. The Agg will not be in the record books. However, it is still a remarkable feat of rifle accuracy that was achieved in competition. Gary’s red Railgun is probably the most accurate gun ever built. We believe that no one has ever shot smaller 5-target Agg anywhere in history. Jerry Lahr’s 2012 NBRSA Unlimited 5×5 Aggregate World Record of 0.1242″ is the record. Gary’s Agg of 0.0840″ is much smaller. Boyd Allen’s report on The Unlimited Benchrest Record that Will Never Be
Gary Ocock’s unlimited Aggregate is simply amazing. This is an average of five 5-shot groups of 0.0840. This Aggregate was shot under sanctioned match rule, but at a non-sanctioned fun match. It is well below the 100-yard official records for the IBS (.1386) and the NBRSA. The fourth group measured a minuscule.018, which is less than half of the existing NBRSA Unlimited Record of.049, also shot by Gary. Check it out:
Conditions must be favorable when the top 15 shooters are all below the teen Aggs. Gary said he shot better when there was a light switchy wind. GUN SPECIFICATIONS
Ocock’s red Jay Young Unlimited Railgun has a major difference to Young’s typical Railgun design. The barrel block is integral to the gun’s top (moving parts). The barrel is Ocock’s usual 1:13.5″-twist, Krieger, chambered for 6 PPC. The BAT Neuvo* action is unique in that the lugs are horizontal when locked up instead of vertical as is usual. When the action is cocked, both lugs remain in contact with their abutments. In the normal configuration, the top lug is pushed off its seat when the action is cocked by a combination between the angle of trigger cocking piece, the pressure of striker spring and bolt clearance in the rear of action. LOAD SPECIFICATIONS
Gary shot this amazing Agg using well-used brass and Vihtavuori powder N133, with self-made 66gr BT Bullets** seated in “jam”. This incredible Agg was fired on the second of a two-day Unlimited Benchrest match. Gary tried different loads on Day 1, using both surplus IMR-8208 and Vihtavuori N133. He was not happy with the results. Gary’s first group of Day 2 was a light N133 load. After seeing the results, Gary decided to try the other extreme – a super-stout N133 loading – with the same powder. You can see that Gary’s willingness and ability to experiment paid off. Gary used a light neck tension. Ocock found for these bullets, and this barrel that light neck tension was best (contrary of “normal” benchrest N133 practice). Ocock used a bushing which only produces.001″ difference between the diameters for sized and loaded cases. This video shows the Rail-Guns in a line-up. At the 0:35 mark, you can see one of Gary Ocock’s Rails.
Comment on Ocock’s Achievement
Gary Ocock deserves a big congratulations for his superb shooting (and clever loading). Ocock has set a new standard for ultimate accuracy, even though the match wasn’t sanctioned. Although this 0.0840 aggregate and 0.018 group won’t be included in the record group, it is still notable. It’s almost certain that they would have passed inspection by any record committee. Except for the lack of fixed backers, an IBS requirement (for detecting cross-fires), all other conditions were met for an officially-sanctioned match. Ocock did set Single-Group IBS World Record for Red Railgun
Photo credit: Ben Zentner Gary with his Red Railgun in Visalia, October 2017. Gavin Lichtenwalter (12 years old) was the youngest competitor at the event. On Sunday afternoon, Ocock let him shoot Gary’s Railgun in the last three matches. Gary had set a new IBS Heavy Benchrest World Record the day before, on 10/21/17. He shot five shots in 0.045 inches. This was certified by the IBS Record Committee. Here is the group as it was first measured at range at 0.039 inch. Gary also holds the Unlimited 5 Shot NBRSA 100 Yard Record with a 0.049 inch group shot on 10/17/2009. *The new BAT Neuvo action is the result of a collaborative effort between Dwight Scott and Bruce Thom. The actions combine Dwight’s innovative ideas with BAT’s manufacturing expertise. ** Ocock shot his boat-tail match cartridges made with George Ulrich dies and Hood cores. He said it had been some time since he weighed them, but his best guess is that they weigh around 66.5 grains.
