EBR Target Challenge

Steve, if I’m being honest...I love the naysayers.

Back in 2014, I was breaking all the 25m BR records and the most prominent shooter/tuner at the time “called me out” on the BR Central forum. Basically he figured if he couldn’t get it done, then surely I couldn’t. I told him that in a few months time, there would be other shooters with my guns in their hands that will be able to show what it could do. Two guys received my guns shortly thereafter and they both shot new records at the home range of the naysayer. I’ll remember that forever.

A top contender of EBR came out to my place to shoot my HPX and compare it to his 30 cal RAW that he used to make the top 3 several times. The best he could muster with his gun at my place was a 216....while shooting a 242 with my HPX.

In my position as a builder...it does no good to embellish about anything because once the guns are in the hands of others the truth will be quite evident. I’d have a lot of angry people out there if my guns didn’t so what I said...lol. Bring it on. I love it.


Mike

Steve, if I’m being honest...I love the naysayers.

Back in 2014, I was breaking all the 25m BR records and the most prominent shooter/tuner at the time “called me out” on the BR Central forum. Basically he figured if he couldn’t get it done, then surely I couldn’t. I told him that in a few months time, there would be other shooters with my guns in their hands that will be able to show what it could do. Two guys received my guns shortly thereafter and they both shot new records at the home range of the naysayer. I’ll remember that forever.

A top contender of EBR came out to my place to shoot my HPX and compare it to his 30 cal RAW that he used to make the top 3 several times. The best he could muster with his gun at my place was a 216....while shooting a 242 with my HPX.

In my position as a builder...it does no good to embellish about anything because once the guns are in the hands of others the truth will be quite evident. I’d have a lot of angry people out there if my guns didn’t so what I said...lol. Bring it on. I love it.


Mike

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Vindication - That must have felt so good! WAY to BRING it on man!

I could tell when I visited you that you were an honest person that wants, both to do, and be the best. Also experiencing first hand that the rifle was truly "ALL THAT" after shooting it. Plus the records show the proof is in the pudding, as they say.

I've had 4 custom gun builders do builds for me over the years that I got to know a little in the process. Some of them SUCKED as far as people go in the ways of integrity, demeanor, and the worse part is 2 of those did not deliver a satisfactory product. Once a guy has been burned it's hard to trust, especially when $$$$ is involved.

I know you are "good people" and work hard producing a well built and exceptional product, which assures me greatly! Thanks!

Truth always works its way out!

I can't wait to see Mike's space shuttle "twin booster bottle" LR gun in action at some of the big three comps this next yr., I believe its going to change a lot of people's perception of what, how and why you can't shoot a single shot Br gun off rest at 75-100yds! "if you use his equipment you'll have no one to blame but yourself" the thing I know from watching and talking to others that I compete with shooting Thomas's is the complete confidence in his guns, so now it comes down to the shooter! The next year or so should be very interesting with respect to slugs in competition "all competitions" If anyone can make it work It's Mike! 

Thanks

I don’t see slugs being allowed in any of the “Big 3”....until it becomes profitable for the “Big 2”. Those 3 events are not precision shooting events, and I don’t believe they have any intention of changing that. Pellets are semi precise at 50-75y in the right conditions...but not even slightly in the precision category at 100 in typical match conditions.

Joe, you understand precision shooting, and I’m certain I will never see you at a 100y pellet match. You won’t see me, either. I’m interested in the quest for repeatable perfection. 100y is so far out of the realm of that with a pellet in even light conditions. This slug setup is so far beyond what a pellet can do it’s laughable. Slugs could bring some needed dignity to the 100y air rifle game...but I don’t see that happening. If they allowed slugs...they would probably do something like change the distance to way beyond their reasonable precision capability so the fun shoot element could remain.

Im going a different way with the 22 cal slug stuff. I want to go toe to toe with the Rimfire guys. Not the guys shooting 10/22s with Walmart ammo...the big guys that shoot unlimited class rimfire. I’m not entirely sure it’s possible, but I’ve come a long way in a short time toward that goal.

Mike 

I'm so happy I put my deposit down when I did and am very excited to get my Thomas HP in a few months! Hey I just thought of the perfect name for my HP, I'm going to name it SURELY, lol. Cause it's "surely" going to get whatever task I need it for - done right!

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Steve, we all watched you shoot Mike N's Space Shuttle Thomas at TBR, so we know its the "real deal" and we're all in trouble at EBR and RMAC. Looking forward to shooting your version of that gun once you get it in your hands. Don't forget to get the muzzle threaded 1/2-20!!! And looking forward to seeing the Team Centercut colors on the winner's podium for the benchrest events with the Thomas, and on the other events with your .30 Vulcan2. Bleu will have something to say about that, but I'll need some luck on my side...

I think that's cute that your gun will be named SHIRLEY... LOL!!! I know you have a custom stock being made, but go with the black and orange anodize for the aluminum parts... TC all the way baby!!!

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Hey that's a good idea about those TC colors! I suppose SURELY could use a muzzle to keep that bark down, her bark is definitely as strong as her bite, well as long her bite isn't affected much I'm okay with it. Had almost forgot to discuss that aspect and the options Mike suggests. 

I need to get my steel set up and see how fast I can run that Vulcan 2?! Gotta figure out a name for it as well.

Ole Bleu holds its own quite well! That's one accurate rifle!

All I know is it's a good time to watch all this unfold, especially with slugs in USARB and competing against Rim Fires @ ARA events!, I quite honestly I have my hands full @ 25m... but am lucky to have a sanctioning club close by with a very good group of shooters and more importantly good friends! will say most of the shooters at the club are first and foremost field target shooters but passionate in both disciplines. Now if I only lived in a state where you can shoot year around. "someday" ( Mike you actually might have been to the the nationals held there in 2016? SOUTHERN MI. GUN CLUB 

Yep...I was there. It’s a nice club. I actually just found out that a good friend of mine from high school lives in Mattawan. I grew up in Northwest Indiana.


Mike 

Just play'n with ya, you won didn’t you? Sorry getting off topic!

Ya...I did..,but I had a shootoff with Jim from Precision Air....and I honestly think he let me have it. I think we could have gone on much longer.


Mike 

Here’s another. Makes pellet guns seem pretty lame.

Plugged to .350”

Mike

WOW! Is Right... My excuses are fading fast

Hey Mike N...

I know all your reasons for not shooting at RMAC, EBR, et. Al. But, I DO think you can really prove how good the Thomas rifle is IF.....you do reconsider. 

Until you shoot with your peers, and in some unpredictable wind, we will all wonder what your score will be?

Please don’t consider this a test of your skills. You shoot very well, no question about that!

So, if next year presents an opportunity to “step in the arena,” I would like to see how you do against the best. I think there might be a world of difference between side by side shooting at EBR air rifle competition vs. shooting at your home range.

Please don’t take this the wrong way, I would like to see the Thomas compete at 100 yard BR!


Tom 

This is a 40gr slug Tommy...one I’ve been working on for a long time.

it wouldn’t matter what the wind is anywhere on the planet...it would take an incredible feat for a pellet gun to beat it. It’s not even in the same league as a pellet gun.


Mike 

Gotcha... 

Don’t disagree. You have a magic slug that out shoots pellets. 

So, pick your favorite pellet with the Thomas and sign up and compete next year. As I recall, your Thomas was shooting 240+ with pellets. 

No thanks....

Im sure you’ll see some Thomas rifles at the EBR type events in the future. I’m still not interested in shooting pellets at 100y or the way these events are run. I step into many arenas every year...but the EBR won’t be one of them for me. It’s honestly not something I could ever take seriously...or want to devote time to.

Mike 

Too bad Mike. Many would love to see how you do. I guess we’ll never find out based on your response.

That’s OK, but next year a few others might be shooting the Thomas. 

We’ll have to see how it goes.

Too bad Mike. Many would love to see how you do. I guess we’ll never find out based on your response.

That’s OK, but next year a few others might be shooting the Thomas. 

We’ll have to see how it goes.

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Theoretically he'd do well if he were to go to the EBR, RMAC, or PAC, might even win some events and/or the main event. Because obviously he's got the experience and the tools to compete at the highest levels. As most of us know - In BR if a competitor gets the right bench and/or in the right relay, the chances get MUCH higher of getting a win vs others with good equipment and skills in harder conditions, or the opposite. That is only one aspect of the LUCK factor in any competition. As with all competitions - sometimes things go in ones favor and sometimes not. I've got quite a few stories I could relate I'll tell yuh!!!!!!!!!!

Mike is also one of top level WFTF shooters in the US so EFT wouldn't bother him a bit, he'd just have to practice off sticks for a few days to get that down pat.

He also shoots steel challenge matches with a combat pistol so he knows what shooting fast and accurately with a gun is about. It wouldn't take him but a little practice with a pcp repeater to be at the top of those speed events too, IMO. BTW I tried to get him to design a PCP repeater but his plate is flowing over already.

What Mike does is put in the work in as many ways as he can to break down the intricacies of.... and refine from there.... and that goes a loooooooonng way to getting the job done. The guy shoots nearly every day! He understands some things most don't.

I'm glad he isn't going to those mentioned comps, lol, because we'd be in BIG trouble! No offence there Mike,