Click on the photo to view a larger image. This is Ernie Bishop’s pride and joy. It’s a specialty pistol named “Batman”, because the black carbon fiber stock looks like he Batmobile. This is a sophisticated handgun. The ultra-light stock allows the Batman pistol to weigh under 7.5 pounds with scope. The carbon stock measures 6 inches at the foreend and weighs only one pound. Ernie says: “This gun is easy to use, especially with my SEB Max Rest.” After the photos were taken, Ernie installed a “field-usable back-grip stock” so he could shoot it prone using a bipod. The Batman pistol chambered the 6mm “Long Dasher”, which is a 6mm 40deg shoulder variant of the Lapua 6.5×47. Ernie loads Berger 105gr hybrid bullets pushed by Hodgdon h4350 powder. Gun Specifications
The gun was crafted by Eric Wallance, of Nawaka Firearms. It features an XP100 action, Jewell Trigger, and a 15” long, Brux 1/8” twist barrel with aluminum muzzle break. This gun is unique in that it does not have the traditional recoil-lug. Wallace milled a lug out of the bottom of the XP100 action in order to save weight. The rig is topped with a Sightron Inc S-III 6-23X56mm scope mounted in Kelbly rings and a custom +20MOA rail. Long Dasher Wildcat
The “Long Dasher”, a 40deg wildcat, was created by Forum member Sunbuilder. This chambering is very similar to Ernie Bishops, although there may be slight variations in the reamer design. Dave Kiff, Pacific Tool & Gauge, made Sunbuilder’s 6-6.5×47 Improved reamer (aka “Long Dasher”) for Sunbuilder. This wildcat cartridge increases the capacity of the 6.5×47 by about 2.0 grains when it is necked down to a 6mm. The case is certainly impressive with its 40deg shoulder. We’re waiting for the tactical guys who will start running this improved cartridge in its original 6.5mm diameter bore. Here are three FIVE shot groups at 500 yards from Ernie’s Batman gun:
