The author spent a day in a South Dakota prairie dog town in southwestern South Dakota using this H-S Precision SPR rifl e chambered in .223. The action is slick and the trigger is crisp.
the Pro-Series 2000 HTR tactical rifl es, plus the Israeli Defense Forces and many other tactical teams worldwide … and all these units tested H-S rifl es against other major rifl e manufacturers from around the world. The manufacturing plant for H-S
Precision is a curious blend of old and new, combining handwork on the stocks with the most modern CNC milling machines for the actions. The huge lathes on which the cut-rifled barrels are produced date from the World War I era. With regular mainte- nance, though, these lathes continue to produce smooth and accurate barrels. Cut-rifl ed barrels take longer to make than other methods but the end result is worth the time. H-S Precision guar- antees half-inch to one-inch accuracy (depending on caliber) from both light- weight sporter and heavy tactical rifl es. The composite stocks are con-
structed of two molded halves com- prised of multiple layers of fi berglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar, and urethane foam glued together around an alu- minum bedding block. The result is a strong but lightweight stock that can be made in various styles for sporter or tactical use. These stocks are so reliable that two other major rifl e manufactur- ers have selected H-S stocks for some of their most accurate rifl es. Plus, H-S Precision markets a take-down rifl e that utilizes these stocks. These rifl es
and stocks come apart into two equal- length pieces for ease of transport. Over the years, as H-S Precision
has grown, the original building in southeastern Rapid City has been ex- panded several times to accommodate new machines and departments, stor- age, and an underground shooting tun- nel for testing rifl es. Each writer got to fi re several shots in this tunnel, which was interesting … but we couldn’t fi nd any prairie dogs in this underground facility. However, the tunnel has the virtue of showing just what H-S rifl es can produce in the way of accuracy. H-S Precision offers a rather ex-
tensive lineup of rifl e models (plus a bolt-action varmint hunting handgun) to meet about any shooter’s wants or needs. Hunting rifl es come in at least fi ve models, plus variations in stock styles and colors and barrel confi gura- tions. Target styles include a benchrest rifl e, an F-Class rifl e, and two versions of a bolt-action handgun. Tactical rifl es for military and law enforcement are available in several versions, including a patented take-down model, and the various H-S tactical rifl es have seen service around the globe. In addition to complete rifl es, Pro-Series composite rifl e stocks are available in a variety of colors and confi gurations, including sporter, varmint, competition, and tactical styles. The following day we returned to
Tom Houghton, Jr., at left, is now president of H-S Precision. When several fi rearms writers visited the company, Tom became a guide for part of the tour. At far right of photo is writer Ron Spomer, from Idaho.
the prairie dog town where earlier we had tried to shoot in the hurricane. This day the weather was greatly improved, with warmer temperature, sunny skies with just a few clouds, and only a light wind that had minimal effect on our shooting. What was even bet- ter, the prairie dogs were out in force, providing plenty of targets for the H-S Precision SPR model rifl e in .223 I had for the day. The stock featured a green camouflage finish and the rifle was topped with a Leupold 4.5-14x scope. I and the rifl e, ammo, and shooting bench were dropped off near the crest of a hill with a broad valley in front of me and to my left. Most of the targets I had available were within about 300 yards, which was just fi ne for a .223. The H-S rifl e was a pleasure to shoot, with a fi ne trigger and a smooth bolt travel within the action. The sporter stock confi guration was comfortable and the Leupold scope suited the dis- tance of most of the targets I spotted. I was a happy camper, thanks to H-S Precision. The only down side was that Tom Jr. expected us to return the rifl es at the end of the day.
www.varminthunter.org Page 183
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