If you want to keep your wind-reading skills sharp during a long, cold winter spent mostly indoors, check out Shooter Ready, a Long-Range Shooting Simulation for home computers. A FREE DEMO is offered on the web. This is serious training software, not just a computer game. You choose the rifle, and the program provides different scenarios with various wind angles/speeds and target distances. The result of each shot is exactly calculated using ballistics formulas to show where the bullet hits on the target.
This simulation graphically displays how wind, altitude, and temperature affect the bullet in flight. The results for distance are given in both meters and yards. The program provides a variety of atmospheric conditions and you can practice Mil Dot ranging on three targets: A 12″ X 12″ swinging plate, a 30″ X 18″ knock down plate and a regulation 72″ X 19″ knock down plate. Chose from three chamberings: .308 Winchester, (175 gr), Windrunner .338 Lapua, and 50 BMG. Each caliber has 70 different range exercises, plus an advanced stage for each caliber with 25 different timed hold-offs and moving targets. Add in different atmospheric extremes and you get almost 300 different ranging scenarios.
The demo has sample stages from the CD version of Shooter Ready. A basic understanding of mil dot ranging, using a range card and some exterior ballistics is recommended.
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ShooterReady.com offers an excellent computer simulation that lets you “shoot” three different calibers at virtual ranges out to 2000 yards–complete with sound effects and realistic scenery. You view the target through a 10-20x zoom scope and adjust windage and elevation as with a real scope. A FREE Online Demo is available that lets you practice with a 175gr .308, and also Windrunner .338 and .50 BMG. Atmospheric conditions and range distance change with each stage, so there is plenty of challenge. Warning–if you’re at work, this can be addictive once you get the hang of it.
You can practice Mil Dot ranging on 3 targets: A 12″ X 12″ swinging plate, a 30″ X 18″ knock-down plate, and a regulation 72″ X 19″ knock down plate. Each caliber has 70 range exercises, plus an advanced stage with 25 timed hold-offs, and moving targets.
The CD also includes “Interactive Classrooms” that teach you how to use Mil-Dot scopes and how to use a range card. The presentation on reading Mils and calculating target distances is very well done. It is much easier to learn interactively than by just reading a static manual. Below is a screenshot from the Mil-Dot Ranging “Classroom”.
Trust us, you can learn a great deal from the Free Demo. This is not just a shooter video game. The demo offers a variety of scenarios–enough to keep you occupied for quite some time. If you want to learn more, the full CD, with hundreds of scenarios, and five bonus stages, costs $39.95 from ShooterReady.com.
NEW Burris Eliminator 6 Laser Rangefinder Riflescope
The new Burris Eliminator 6 could be the most sophisticated new optics product at SHOT Show 2024. This 4-20x52mm optic combines a powerful laser rangefinder with multiple environmental sensors, in a 34mm tube format that is compact, with easy-to-use turret controls and sharp ED glass.
Burris revolutionized hunting optics with its Eliminator laser rangefinding riflescopes. These offered a magnified optic with a built-in rangefinder giving hunters and varminters a fast/accurate aiming solution. The Eliminator’s laser measured distance then provided a firing solution. Just put the red dot on the target. Building on five generations of Eliminator rangefinding riflescopes, Burris has just released an impressive, all-new, completely redesigned Eliminator 6. Hunters who are familiar with the legacy Eliminator series will instantly recognize the Eliminator 6 as “something different,” and they would be correct. It is smaller, and lighter, and it looks like a regular scope.
How does it work? Using the Eliminator 6, simply range your target, hold the illuminated aiming point on your target, and hold wind if necessary using the hold-off points in the reticle. You don’t have to carry around a separate Laser Rangefinder, or dial elevation with knobs.
See how the parallax and illumination adjustments are now conveniently located on a conventional turret-style knob that also contains the range activation and brightness button array.
Burris states that the “Eliminator 6 [has] the most comprehensive and advanced integrated technology ever delivered in a hunting riflescope.” Remarkably, this new Eliminator 6 includes multiple sensors, along with the laser rangefinder. The Eliminator 6 features a built-in thermometer, barometer, and inclinometer, and it automatically measures density altitude (which can also be manually selected). This allows the Eliminator 6 to provide extremely accurate ballistics solutions. The key features are:
• Integrated laser rangefinder capable of ranging out to 2,000 yards (reflective)
• BurrisConnect App compatible for quick programing and precise ballistics
• 4-20X Magnification
• X177 Reticle with 177 1/5 MOA illuminated aiming points
• Angle Sensor informs ballistics calculator
• Built-In Environmental Sensors
• HUD with 11 data zones
• Shotcall Marker
To maximize optical clarity and minimize chromatic aberration, Burris uses extra-low dispersion (ED) glass for the Eliminator 6. The ED glass combined with multi-coated lenses deliver a crisp optical view with superb low-light transmission. Other optical features include a new 5X system with 4-20X magnification, a +2.0 to -3.0 diopter adjustment range, and side focus/parallax adjustment from 25 yards to infinity. Parallax and illumination adjustments are now located on a conventional turret-style knob that also contains the range activation and brightness button array.
Ranging — At the touch of a button, the Eliminator 6 offers instant and precise ranging out to 2000+ yards on reflective targets and 1400 yards on deer hide. Simply place the reticle on the target, depress the ranging button, and the distance in yards or meters is presented on the scope’s heads-up display (HUD).
Environmental Monitoring — Climate and terrain play a big part in ballistics. The Eliminator 6 features a built-in thermometer, barometer, and inclinometer, and it automatically measures density altitude (which can also be manually selected). From this, the Eliminator 6 selects the ballistics solution via the previously calculated database drawn from the Burris Connect App.
Ballistic Compensation — Eliminator 6 ballistic solutions are calcuated on the BurrisConnect mobile App and uploaded to the scope. Bluetooth connectivity with the user’s mobile device allows the user to create an internal DOPE card in the Eliminator 6 that combines ranging, environmental, and ballistic data. Users can create profiles using factory load data or completely custom.
Precise Aiming Solutions – The digital DOPE card works with the scope’s illuminated X177 reticle to display the precise holdover aiming point for the ranged distance. Combined with the reticle’s windage hold-off points, the Eliminator 6 offers a massive 177 aim points with 1/5 MOA precision to ensure reliable point-of-aim/point-of-impact performance.
ShotCall Marker (SCM) – Available for display in the HUD is bullet velocity and bullet energy at the ranged distance. These features allow the shooter to recognize when the shot distance may be too far and the velocity/energy too low to ensure an ethical kill. The SCM will display an “X” if the user defined ballistic terminal performance is inadequate at the ranged distance.
This article features an impressive .308 Winchester tubegun, crafted with an Eliseo (Competition Machine) RTS chassis, Borden action, and 30″ Krieger medium Palma Contour barrel. Owner Mark LaFevers chambered and fitted the barrel and assembled the rifle himself. What’s more, Mark even crafted his own muzzle brake, front/rear bag-riders, and his own, innovative “big-foot” bipod! Mark’s Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tubegun has proven as accurate as it is multi-faceted. Optimized to shoot the 155-grain-class match projectiles, this gun is a tack-driver. This Editor has witnessed the gun repeatedly put 3-round groups into one ragged hole at 100 yards. At 600 yards, the gun has held under 1″ of vertical in competition.
When it comes to versatility, it’s hard to beat a tubegun chambered in .308 Winchester. This rifle system can be used in High Power (Palma) competition, F-TR matches, Long Range Steel Matches, and Tactical Competitions. With the addition of a front sled, a modern tubegun can even be competitive in 600-yard benchrest matches, as demonstrated by Jerry Tierney, who, some years back, won the NBRSA 600-yard Nationals with an Eliseo (Competition Machine) tubegun.
Do-It-All Multi-Discipline .308 Win Tubegun for F-TR, Benchrest, Varmint Matches, Palma, and Tactical Competitions
by Mark LaFevers
The Concept — a ‘Do-It-All .308 Win’
This project began with a wish list developed after shooting in a precision tactical match in 2009. From that experience I knew I wanted a magazine-fed precision bolt gun sporting a high-quality, variable-power scope. I wanted a rifle that could be competitive in a broad range of gun games including tac comps and long-range prone events. If the gun could also double as a medium-range benchrest rig, that would satisfy the needs of the monthly club matches I shoot — a varmint steel silhouette match (shot from the bench), and an F-Class style prone event. I also wanted a gun that could shoot Palma matches someday (when I get around to learning to shoot with iron sights).
Because I like to build things, I’m always looking for projects that offer opportunities to customize and innovate to suit my needs. And because I’m interested in trying different shooting disciplines, I hoped to craft a rifle that could be reconfigured fairly easily to fit various needs. To maximize the gun’s potential, I chose to use only the highest-quality components for every aspect of this project. I planned on building as much of this rifle as I possibly could myself — and that would include chambering and fitting a barrel for the first time. Having much to learn, I would be relying heavily on the expert advice and goodwill of others for the gun’s success.
The Do-It-Yourself Approach — The Appeal of Building Your Own Rifle
Not everyone understands the DIY (do-it-yourself) approach to life. Why would anyone try to smith his own rifle, when he could have it done by competent professionals? There is the imagined prospect of cost savings. However, a home gunsmith may find that, at least initially, it costs more money to do it yourself when all the costs of tooling etc. are calculated. But doing it yourself is not just about saving money. There is a special satisfaction derived from building something with your own hands. For me the relationship between practiced hands, tools, materials, and knowledge of craft is important. The DIY approach surely means different things to different people. For me it’s about the quest for improvement, and an appreciation of the importance of craftmanship in history, and trying to do my part.
Whatever our craft, the fit and function of the things we care about ultimately define us. In this project I felt a responsibility to uphold certain standards. I also was motivated by the desire to give ‘homage’ to my distant relative Daniel M. LeFever, a gun-maker who left his mark on the firearms industry in the 1870s. “Uncle Dan” LeFever crafted high-grade double guns that rivaled the finest European doubles.*
Choosing Components for the .308 Win Tubegun
Looking over the range of suitable equipment, it did not take long to come across Gary Eliseo’s Competition Machine tubegun chassis kit. Initially intrigued by the beauty of the machine work in this aluminum stock, the more I looked the better this platform seemed. Gary’s RTS kit for Remington 700 and Rem clones accepts the proven AICS magazines and offers great stock adjustment flexibility. For more on that subject read German Salazar’s excellent article on Configuring the Eliseo Tubegun Stock.
When I learned that Jim Borden, BordenRifles.com, was building an action designed specifically for the Eliseo tubegun stock, the decision to go this route was made even easier. I had previously had the opportunity to admire close up the Borden action used by our top Club benchrest record holder, and I knew I couldn’t go wrong there. In selecting a trigger group, I knew I wanted a fully adjustable two-stage trigger that could be set for different pull weights for various shooting disciplines. At first glance Jewell seemed to be the obvious choices, but I asked if there were any products that might be better than the Jewell for my purposes. It was suggested that an American-made trigger by CG Jackson might do the trick, so I talked with Tom Myers of X-Treme Shooting Products. Tom’s company offered a fully-adjustable, 2-stage Mod 22 Tactical trigger that fits Remington 700 actions and their clones. It is offered with a fixed or moveable shoe, with or without a safety. I chose the fixed trigger shoe with no safety.
Choosing a Scope
Given my prior positive experiences with Nightforce products, a Nightforce scope was my first choice in optics. But I needed to select between the NXS (side-focus) and BR (front focus) models, and chose a magnification range. Because I wanted to play a variety of gun games from Tactical to Benchrest, it seemed to me that the NXS, with its faster side focus parallax adjustment, would be the more versatile choice. I went with the 12-42x56mm version so that I had plenty of magnification on tap for long-range precision work. I can still dial it back to 12 power for a wider field of view, as needed.
Mark bench-testing the gun during Load Development. The front rest is the superb SEB Neo Co-Axial.
Caliber Choice and Load Development
Choice of Caliber — .308 Win Offers Accuracy, Versatility, Long Barrel Life
Rather than agonize over the many caliber choices, I chose to step back and consider what I thought, in my experience, made winning shooters. Was it the caliber they were shooting or their training, skill and intelligence, that made them winners? While it is true that various calibers do have their specific merits, it is also true that an individual with five times as much training as you is likely to beat you with whatever caliber he or she is using. Case in point being the tactical match that got me started on this project, won by a young Marine shooting a .308 Win. While many other competitors had rifles with “faster, flatter, superior ballistics”, the Marine topped the field through his superior training, natural ability, and the keen edge of youth. With the right trigger puller, .308 Win was clearly still good enough to win this kind of match.
Among the arguments in favor of the .308 Win caliber for this project were:
I had positive previous experience with the .308 and was already set up to reload for it.
Very wide selection of performance-proven bullets.
Some popular disciplines, such as F-TR and International Fullbore, specify .308 Win (7.62×51) as one of the “permitted” chamberings.
Top shooters could provide guidance on .308 load development, and effective shooting techniques.
.308 Win offers long barrel life.
Weighing against the .308 Win were higher component costs and heavier recoil compared to many popular, smaller, mid-distance calibers, such as the 6mmBR, 6 Dasher, 6XC, and 6.5×47 Lapua.
Selecting the Optimal Barrel Configuration for my Bullet Selection
One way of narrowing the field of .308 bullet options is to choose a specific bullet that has performed well for winning shooters, and design the gun around the bullet. The weight of the bullet and its preference for a specific seating depth dictate the twist rate of the barrel and the depth of the chamber, which is also dependent upon whether you choose to single feed or magazine feed. Because I have had very positive experiences with Berger bullets, and becasue Berger Ballistician Bryan Litz was very positive about Berger’s 155.5gr Palma bullet, that was my starting bullet choice for this gun. Because Bryan had great 1000-yard success with a 1:13 twist barrel with the 155.5 bullet, but thought he might go with a 1:12 twist next time, I felt it would be interesting to try a 1:12.5″ twist. Krieger Barrels was able to privde this specific twist rate, and we hoped Krieger’s 5R rifling with a 30″ length would yield a fast barrel. Some extra velocity would help offset the velocity loss I might suffer by being limited to a mag-length COAL. (If I could load longer than mag length I could stuff in more powder and get more velocity.) The Krieger 5R proved a very good choice. From the start the barrel has cleaned up easily, it has delivered awesome accuracy, and it holds very tight elevation at long range. I’ve also been able to achieve very low ES/SD with this Krieger.
Gun Set-Up and Initial Testing
The first break-in of the rifle was done at 100 yards on home turf at the Ojai Valley Gun Club in California. Your Editor and I put 40 rounds through it using Krieger’s recommended break-in procedure. Our impression was that in less than 10 rounds the barrel was ready for competition. I shot the second 10 rounds looking at the performance of the variable muzzle brake I had built. Firing initially with only the one built-in baffle in place, a tremendous amount of gas was still blowing forward, made visually more pronounced by the frosty 29° air. Maximum recoil reduction was achieved adding the front baffle spool, so this is how the brake will be used. On disassembly after firing the forward faces of the baffle spool show descending amounts of powder residue from the gas entry to exit end, with almost no residue at the final baffle wall, showing most of the gas has exited to the side by that point. Attention to precision alignment shows the brake having no adverse effect on accuracy, as the last 20 rounds seated to various depths yielded a couple three-shot, one-hole groups at 100. At the end of the session I was pleased to find that the Krieger barrel cleaned extremely easily. Two wet patches cleared the powder residue and just a little copper showed up at the muzzle end by visual inspection.
The Jim Borden action has a really nice feel when single round loading, and good consistency feeding from the magazine with an authoritative hand. The ejector is very aggressive and will pitch the brass off the bench if it isn’t blocked from escaping. This action cycles very smoothly, and the beautiful workmanship shows even with the tubegun chassis mostly surrounding it.
Mark crafted two front sleds for the gun, one from metal, another from wood (which worked a bit better). Mark notes: “With the wood bag-rider in place the gun became quite stable, and you didn’t notice the high center of gravity so much.” Mark also made his own rear Bag-Rider.
Tubegun Wins First Fun Match
Shortly after breaking in the barrel, I took the gun down to a nearby range to compete in an informal 300- and 400-yard paper competition. I thought it would be fun to test loads while shooting in a club-level fun match. I was getting the best grouping at 44.5 grains of Varget, hotter loads were not doing so well, leading me to believe I needed to work up loads from 44.0 to 44.5 by tenths to find the sweet spot. In the 10-competitor match I squeaked out a win by 1 point. Still, a win is a win!
Load Development
I took the rifle up to the Ojai range at daybreak to run some load variations at 600 yards in still 26° air. I printed targets (sourced from AccurateShooter.com’s FREE Target Page) that had a 1″ red dot within a 5″ grid box. The dot made an excellent aim point at 600 yards. Here the capabilities of the Nightforce 12-42 NXS optic really became apparent. In the exceptionally clear, early morning conditions, I could see the dot AND the bullet holes — all at 600 yards downrange! I had set up my 72-power Meade spotting scope but didn’t use it as the Nightforce scope had more clarity and sharpness. There was no need to go downrange to check the targets, as bullet holes were clearly visible on the targets. This is great because I can make better use of the narrow window of perfect air in the morning, before the sun stirs thermals and mirage.
In this rifle, the Berger 155.5gr Fullbore bullet likes to be seated .010″ off what I’m calling “Max Jam”, using a Hornady OAL length gauge pressing the bullet softly into the lands, so the bullet just barely sticks there when the tool is removed. [Editor’s Note: At his optimal seating depth, Mark’s bullets are still in the lands, just .010″ shy of the max length he can load them without set-back.] The rounds are loaded to 2.850″ OAL to magazine feed. Even though I cut a “no-turn” chamber, I do lightly turn the outside of the case necks to uniform them. I like to look at bullet bearing surface length variations, using a Sinclair comparator body and two .30-cal inserts, one on the nose and the other on the tail of the bullet. With very uniform bullets like the Bergers this method is really only attempting to spot that random outlier bullet that varies in length enough to separate from the group. This is no knock on Berger, just a nod to the challenges of maintaining incredibly tight manufacturing tolerances.
Today’s five shot groups of Varget, jumping by tenths of a grain from 44.0 to 44.5 grains, showed the best grouping to be at 44.1 grains. The hotter loads were breaking the 2900 fps level, but the groups were not as tight as they were at the lower end. At 44.1 grains of Varget the five-shot group had a vertical dispersion of 1.9″ and a horizontal dispersion of 1.25″ at 600 yards, making that a keeper load.
Competition Load Selection and Performance
With a NBRSA 600-yard match fast approaching, I realized that with all the focus on testing I didn’t have enough Lapua brass to shoot the entire match. My solution was to fall back on once-fired Hornady Match brass, with which I have also had excellent luck. So, the day before the NBRSA match, I loaded up the best combinations of the Berger 155.5s with Hornady/Varget, Lapua/Varget, and Hornady/8208 for a final trial, and headed out to a 1000-yard range that’s a two-hour drive from home. Expecting to see the faster IMR 8208 edge out the Varget at this range, I was surprised to see the performance basically identical. With this last minute perspective I decided to shoot the six target NBRSA match using Berger/Hornady/Varget for the first three matches, then Berger/Hornady/8208 for the last three matches when the extra speed might help in a rising afternoon wind.
Match Results
Best results were in Match 1 using 44.0 grains of Varget to push the Berger 155.5 from the Hornady Match brass. Fortunately four bullets flew to a 1.44” group in the blue, unfortunately it was a five-shot match and one bullet flew high left. Excellent promise also showed in Match 6 with the IMR 8208 XBR powder yielding less than an inch of vertical at 600 yards. The lesson I learned from the event was that operator consistency was a much bigger factor than the technical limitations of the hardware or the ammunition. The gun can definitely shoot better than I can hold. I had the opportunity to shoot off a beautiful SEB NEO front rest in this competition. Although I am not a fan yet of joystick controls, this rest performed flawlessly and definitely had a positive effect on performance.
My Overall Impressions of the Project
For use as a benchrest rig, the tubegun provides an interesting challenge, because the pistol grip seems to make the gun much more sensitive to steering errors than a typical low-profile benchrest stock. You have to focus on consistency of grip. A light grip and firm cheek weld combination seems to work well at the bench, but the gun also responds well to a very firm grip and heavy shoulder pressure when fired in the prone position. Building an Eliseo tubegun is a great project and the finished product is a very versatile, fun-to-shoot gun! To encourage others with similar interests, let me just say that the products and components used in this project all get my five-star endorsement, without exception or hesitation.
The biggest challenge with this rifle lies in my own skill development — particularly for tactical matches. If you only have experience with known-distance shooting matches, you’ll need a whole new set of skills to be successful in unknown-distance (UKD) tactical competitions. These UKD matches require high levels of shooting intelligence and training. However, now that I have a rifle that instills confidence, I can work to improve my skills. Overall, I am very happy with the results of this project — the gun has certainly lived up to my expectations. It is rugged, accurate and very adept at “multi-tasking.”
DIY Machining — Chambering My First Barrel
One of my main objectives with this project was to do my own barrel chamber reaming and fit-up work. I had been studying and working from John Hinnants’s excellent book on Precision Rifle Barrel Making, building tools and working with the concepts, and felt myself to be ready to tackle the machining aspects of the project. Having local ace gunsmith Mac Tilton to talk to really helped me understand what would be needed. Greg Tannel’s excellent GreTan DVDs on how to set up a high pressure thru-the-barrel reamer flushing system and align the lathe tailstock properly for precision chamber reaming were invaluable. Greg’s off-the-shelf, hardware-store flow control layout makes the flushing system easy to regulate for other purposes as well. I built the reamer holder Greg describes in his DVD, and it too works well.
I began at everyone’s recommended starting point, which was to recheck the level of my lathe, a Jet 1340 gearhead belt-driven model. To accomplish this I used a precision 12” machinist level from Grizzly Tools. I can’t say the tool was easy to use because the leveling process is tedious as hell, but the level worked very well.
Dave Manson Shares His Reamer Knowledge
In researching which reamer maker to use to create the custom reamer for the Berger 155.5 fullbore bullet, which seems to like about .015″ jump to the lands, I was drawn by name recognition to Dave Manson’s products. In my years of thumbing through Brownells catalogs I was impressed with the thought Dave had put into the development of so many of his tools. During several phone conversations, I greatly benefited from Dave’s experience with chamber tolerances, cutting fluids and reamer modifications specific to thru-the-barrel flushing. To help spec the reamer, I sent Dave a couple dummy rounds built to magazine length so he could make a custom reamer to yield .015” jump and a no-turn neck. In no time I was using the Dave Manson reamer to practice with the flushing system on pieces cut from a take-off barrel, then checking dimensions using Cerrosafe castings. The dimensions were exactly as we had discussed, and I do mean EXACTLY! From the way Dave’s reamer worked in practice chambers, I knew this tool would produce a superior chamber.
Chambering Process with Tailstock DRO
For this project I set up a lathe tailstock digital readout from Grizzly, part # T10118, to help keep track of boring depth. Unlike relying on counting revolutions of the tailstock handwheel, with the DRO you are looking at the total travel measurement on a digital display, which is equally precise to the alternate dial indicator method. The chamber was cut in the stainless Krieger barrel at 60 RPM, using Mobilmet 744 heavy cutting oil diluted with mineral spirits, flushing chips from the reamer flutes at 100 PSI. For the last few thousandths of cut, lathe power was shut off and the cut completed by turning the reamer holder by hand while in-feeding with the lathe tailstock handwheel for precise depth and chamber dimension control.
To shorten this article up a bit and keep it on point for those interested in the rifle and not the process, let me just mention that details of some of the additional parts I made can be seen at my website: LaFeversFabricating.wordpress.com. Those parts include a muzzle brake of my design, my fast attach bipod design, a drop-leg level, wood grip, and wooden as well as metal front and rear bag riders for benchrest work.
Acknowledgements
For their participation and patience in supporting this project, and their tolerance of my myriad questions about parts and processes, I would like to thank, in alphabetical order:
Berger Bullets — Bergerbullets.com — Berger 155.5gr Fullbore Match bullets.
Jim Borden — BordenRifles.com — Stainless Rem. Clone action for Eliseo tubegun.
Gary Eliseo — CompetitionShootingStuff.com — RTS tubegun stock kit.
Grizzly Industrial — Grizzly.com
Krieger Barrels — KriegerBarrels.com — 30″ Medium Palma, 1:12.5″ twist 5R rifling, tight bore.
Dave Manson — MansonReamers.com — Custom .308 Win finish reamer for Berger 155.5 fullbore bullet.
Tom Myers — X-tremeShooting XTSP — CG Jackson Mod 22 Tactical 2-Stage Trigger.
Nightforce Optics — NightforceOptics.com — 12-42×56 NXS Scope with NP-R1 ranging reticle.
Greg Tannel — GreTanRifles.com — Lathe set-up and chambering DVDs.
*According to Chuck Hawks: “‘Uncle’ Dan Lefever was one of the greatest gun designers of his, or any, time. He founded several companies….The largest and best known of these, Lefever Arms Co., was eventually acquired by the Ithaca Gun Company around the time of the First World War. In the hey day of the classic American double there were guns galore and many different grades and price points, from plain field grade guns to masterpieces rivaling the best European guns. The Lefever Arms guns, for example, won medals at an International Arms Exhibition for ‘Best American’ and ‘World’s Best’ shotgun.”
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Hunting season is here. Time to organize your gear before heading to deer country. If you don’t have a quality, compact Laser Rangefinder, here’s a great deal. The 7x25mm SIG Sauer Kilo 2200 BDX Rangefinder is now on sale for under $350.00. This is an accurate LRF that ranges deer-sized targets at long distances quickly. The scan mode is fast and very effective. The unit is compact and light — a bonus for hunters.
This SIG LRF sold for over $500.00 when it was introduced. Now you can save 30%, with the Kilo 2200 BDX selling for just $346.99 at Amazon, with Free Shipping. Given its performance, that’s a steal. (With very similar performance, the SIG Kilo 2200 BDX is less than half the price of SIG’s Kilo 2400 BDX, $799.99 on Amazon.) We have tested a variety of LRFs from Bushnell, Leica, Leupold, Sig, Swarovski, and Zeiss. This SIG Kilo 2200 BDX will run with anything in the sub-$500 price range. If you are looking for a small LRF that can fit in a shirt pocket, this Kilo 2200 BDX is a good choice. Glass is good, controls are good, ranging capability is good. Light-Wave DSP Technology enables the Kilo 2200 BDX to range extremely fast. Scan mode refresh rate is an ultra-fast 4 times per second. The unit’s “smart” OLED Lumatic Display automatically runs bright in full sunlight, while dimming down to low levels at dusk and dawn.
And the BDX (Ballistic Data Xchange) capability is a big bonus if you have a compatible SIG Sauer BDX riflescope. This rangefinder can communicate with BDX scopes or phone Apps, providing ballistics solutions. Using Bluetooth, the built-in BDX system sends an illuminated holdover dot to any Bluetooth-enabled SIG Sauer BDX scope. Even with a conventional scope, the SIG Kilo 2200 BDX rangefinder will communicate with a free ballistics App on your mobile device.
SIG Kilo 2200 BDX Verified Buyer Reviews
Read the reviews on Amazon. 87% of verified buyers gave this SIG LRF Five Stars:
Five Stars: “I spent a lot of time agonizing over which rangefinder to purchase, and I’m glad I went with this one. I’ve easily ranged objects out to 1300 yards. Pairing it with the Sig Sauer BDX App and imputing some ballistic and wind data shows me MOA adjustments both in the App and directly in the rangefinder while I’m ranging.” (Review by A. Kirzner, June 2020)
Five Stars: “Amazingly fast and accurate readings. The fact that they pair with Bluetooth to the ballistics App on my phone makes long range shooting much easier.” (Review by Eric A., May 2019)
Five Stars: “Quick to acquire target, easy to use, red reticle works great in low light conditions.” (Review by Brian C., October 2019)
And here is a review of the previous model, the SIG Kilo 2000: “It’s small — palm-sized. If you’re a backcountry shooter and every ounce counts, you can wear this unit around your neck all day long. In my experience and opinion, the Sig Kilo 2000 is an amazing laser rangefinder at a very reasonable price. When it comes to the raw function of a laser rangefinder, to give accurate, repeatable distance measurements within your target range, the Sig Kilo 2000 blows away anything even remotely close to it in its price range.” (Review by Verified Customer, July 2016)
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At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. EuroOptic — Eliminator III 4-16x50mm LaserScope, $999.00
⏺ Save $400 on popular integrated scope/laser rangefinder
Burris recently released its new, $1699 IV-Series Eliminator LaserScope. That’s good news for bargain hunters because the price of the VERY similar Burris 4-16x50mm Eliminator III is now just $999.00, marked down from $1399.00 ($400 savings). The Eliminator system works great for varmint hunting. Combining optical magnification with laser rangefinding, the Eliminator III ranges out to 1,200 yards with push-button automatic trajectory compensation. You range your target, and the Eliminator III sets a red aiming point. Then just put the red dot on the target and pull the trigger — no drop charts, no knobs to crank. NOTE: EuroOptic also has Demo Model Eliminator IIIs for $899.00.
⏺ Outstanding deal on quality muffs — many color options
Every shooter should have quality ear muffs, both for yourself and any friends/family members you bring to the range. For those on a tight budget, we recommend the Walker’s Razor Slim Passive Earmuffs. These are comfortable and have a good 28dB Noise Reduction rating — very high for slim muffs. These Walker’s Razor Slims are available in a wide variety of colors, starting at just $15.80 on Amazon — a great deal. These muffs fold compactly, making them easy to stow.
⏺ Good press, powder measure plus many tools for crazy-low price
Though reloading tools are in high demand, right now you can get this very complete Lee 50th Anniversary multi-component kit for $147.99, an incredible bargain — the press alone is worth $100! The main attraction is the Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press with quick-change bushing. In addition, you get a Lee Perfect Powder Measure, Safety Scale, Powder Funnel, and Safety Prime. The kit even includes variety of Case Prep tools: Case trimmer, Chamfer Tool, Primer Pocket-Cleaning tool.
4. Midsouth — Hornady .22 Cal Bullet Bulk Packs, 9¢ per bullet
⏺ Get 6000 .22 Caliber bullets for just 9 cents each
5. MidwayUSA — Frankford Large Rotary Tumbler, $143.99
⏺ Big Capacity, Great Deal — save $77 over typical price
If your brass is dirty on the outside or if you want to get it “squeaky clean” before annealing, a Rotary Wet Tumbler is a smart option. Right now the large, full-size Frankford Rotary Tumbler is on sale. Order it now from MidwayUSA for just $143.99 including 5 pounds of 304 stainless media pins and a packet of Frankford Brass Cleaning Solution. NOTE: You must ADD to CART to see that $143.99 price. This a great deal — this tumbler sells elsewhere for $220 or more. Note: if you already have the media, you can also buy the unit by itself from Amazon for $143.99, with free shipping for Prime members.
6. Amazon — Teslong Borescope with Monitor
⏺ Chose Rigid or Flexible model — every rifle shooter needs a good borescope
Seeing inside your barrel can provide clues to how well you’re cleaning and the bore’s overall health. One of the best tools we’ve found is the Teslong Rigid Borescope. This features a solid rod for easy use in barrels. It comes with an self-contained high-definition viewing monitor so no phones or pads are needed. If you’re looking for something more portable and a bit more versatile, try the Teslong Flexible Borescope, $99.99 including monitor. Our Forum members give high praise to both models.
7. Precision Reloading — Hornady Bulk Bullets
⏺ Hornady bullets IN STOCK with great bulk savings
Here’s your opportunity to save big on a huge variety of Hornady bullets in many calibers and various profiles and weights. You’ll find .22, 6mm, and .308 bullets discounted 10-20%. The more you buy the more you save. Precision Reloading is also offering big discounts on a variety of Hornady 9mm and 10mm pistol projectiles.
8. Dunn’s — Norma 9mm Luger Ammo, $18.99/50
⏺ Great Norma 9mm ammo at attractive price in today’s market
9mm Luger ammo remains the most sought-after pistol ammo. Some vendors are charging up to $59.00 for 50 rounds. Now you can get high-quality Norma-brand 9mm ammo for less than one-third that price — just $18.99 for 50 rounds ($0.40/round). Grab it now. If this Norma 9mm ammo sells out, head over to Grafs.com which has Wolf 9mm ammo for $23.49 per 50 rounds. This Wolf ammo features polymer-coated FMJ bullets for reduced copper fouling. NOTE: This steel-cased Wolf ammo is NOT reloadable.
9. Palmetto SA — Taurus 22 Poly 11 oz. Pistol, $279.99
⏺ VERY light and VERY small — for everyday deep concealment
Boasting sleek lines and a lightweight, polymer frame, the 11 oz. Taurus 22 Poly pistol features a blowback action and tip-up barrel for safety/convenience during loading and chambering. Capacity is 8 rounds. The frame is polymer while the barrel and slide are steel. No, this will not run with an 18-round Glock, but is it so small and so light you can literally carry it anywhere in a pants or coat pocket, or a small purse.
⏺ Affordable padded mat rolls up for easy transport
When shooting prone, it’s really important to be comfortable. You need a good mat that offers some padding along with plenty of room for your gear. The Redneck Convent Padded Shooters Mat fits the bill. Measuring 64 inches by 21 inches it boasts plenty of room and features 1/2″ padding top to bottom. This mat rolls up for easy storage/transport (Rolled size is 21″x8″) with handy built-in rolling straps. This is also available in Green for $38.99 or Black for $39.99.
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If this were a normal year, our team would be reporting from SHOT Show in Las Vegas right now. But the COVID-19 Pandemic changed all that. There is no SHOT Show 2021. However, the organizers of SHOT Show have created a virtual gallery of new products, SHOT Show “On Demand”. We scanned through over 500 new products to create this selection of 14 “new and notable” products. There are new optics from March, Zeiss, Leica, and Athlon, new bullets from Berger, new rifles from Howa and Ruger, plus additional products for hunters and long range shooters.
1. Berger .25 Caliber Long Range Hybrid Target Bullet
Berger’s new .25 Caliber 135 grain Long Range Hybrid Target bullet is the latest projectile offering in the highly-anticipated Long Range Hybrid Target (LRHT) product line. The new .25 Cal LRHT boasts a high BC, jump-tolerant hybrid ogive profile that is Doppler Radar-verified with less than 1% BC variation.
The 25s are ideal for many of today’s PRS and NRL disciplines that reach out to 1,000 yards and beyond. They are tailored for cartridges such as the .25 Creedmoor, 25-06 Remington, along with several wildcat cartridges popular among competitive shooters. The 135s require 1:8″ twist or faster. Use Berger’s Twist Rate Calculator and determine the optimal twist rate.
This Video Explains the Features of Berger LR Hybrid Target Bullets:
2. March 1-10x24mm Dual Reticle Riflescope — FFP and SFP
The new March 1-10×24mm Shorty is a revolutionary compact scope. The innovative Dual Reticle design boasts the advantages of both First Focal Plane (FFP) and Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticles.
This scope has the convenience of a FFP reticle which scales precisely with changes of magnification. But the scope also boasts the usability of a SFP reticle with constant line thickness as the magnification changes. Placing the bright fiber dot in the Second Focal Plane ensures that the illuminated dot is effective across the entire magnification range.
This a great scope for hunters. It weighs just 17.8 ounces and is just 8.4 inches overall. With a true 1X power option, it can be used to scan rapidly with both eyes open. But with its 10-fold zoom ratio, it can also be used for long range shots requiring precision aiming. MSRP is $2750.00.
3. Kestrel 5700X Elite Weather Meter, Applied Ballistics + LiNK
The Kestrel 5700X Elite Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics and LiNK offers the accuracy and reliability as the industry “gold standard” 5700 Elite. But the 5700X packs more performance power to deliver faster firing solutions for multiple targets at extreme long-ranges. This allows shooters to hit long-distance targets faster than ever before. With an upgraded processor that is more powerful and faster than the 5700 Elite, the 5700X provides quicker targeting data for extreme long-range targets. For security, the adjustable Bluetooth® Low Energy signal can be dialed from full power to off position to minimize Bluetooth® range detectability. MSRP is $849.00.
4. Leica Amplus 6 Scope with 6X Zoom Ratio
Leica Sport Optics has introduced a premium riflescope line — the Leica Amplus 6 series. These 30mm tube scopes feature illuminated reticles and a broad, 6X zoom ratio. According to Leica: “The Amplus 6 combines the proven Leica DNA in a universal riflescope with 6X zoom. Leica Amplus 6 balances premium optical performance with rugged features and is complimented by the extremely sharp illuminated dot, 6x zoom, large exit pupil and wide field of view.” Leica promises “color-neutral images with brilliant color correction” along with tough construction. The Amplus 6 is offered in 1-10x24mm, 2.5-15x50mm, and 2.5-15x56mm models. CLICK HERE for product details.
5. Ruger Precision Rifle — Custom Shop Model
The Ruger Precision® Rifle chambered in 6mm Creedmoor is the newest addition to the Ruger Custom Shop® line of firearms. Designed in collaboration with Team Ruger Captain Doug Koenig, and featuring a factory-installed TriggerTech trigger with Frictionless Release Technology, this new model builds upon the already competitive Ruger Precision Rifle to deliver a factory-built firearm specifically designed for long-range competition. MSRP is $2399.00. This is an interesting rifle, but we think for the money we would look at a semi-custom. Get a nice barreled action and drop it in a good chassis stock.
Zeiss Sports Optics has just unveiled ZEISS DTI 3/35, its first thermal imaging camera specifically developed for hunting. The thermal imaging camera combines a high-resolution display with a balanced, ergonomic design. Thanks to the ErgoControl arrangement of the control buttons and the device’s specially-shaped design, the ZEISS DTI 3/35 is intuitive to use. The buttons are arranged so that they can be engaged quickly and accurately with gloved hands even when it is dark and cold. Even the high-precision manual zoom is designed work easily in the dark. The DTI 3/35 also offers precise magnification adjustments in 0.5x increments for the digital 1.0-4.0x zoom. This allows the user to quickly switch zoom levels, making it easier to find and then zoom in to identify game in the dark.
Spotting scopes continue to evolve, with high-end performance now being offered in more affordable units. The new Athlon Ares 20-60x85mm G2 is an example. This offers Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) glass plus a big 85mm objective — with a modest $799.99 price. This Athlon spotting scope has features found on top-of-the-line spotters, such as a full-diameter focus ring. Athlon says that for “a precision shooter spotting impacts at 1,000 yards, the extra-low-dispersion glass provides vivid clarity and resolution[.]” Note: The new Ares G2 20-60×85mm ships with a 3X zoom ratio 20-60 power eyepiece, but it can also accept an optional 28X fixed-power eyepiece with ranging reticle. Street price is $799.99 on Amazon.
8. Surelock Security Company — The Boss Giant Gunsafe
We know lots of our readers have gun collections that push the limits of their current gun safe. What you may need is the giant-capacity Boss Gunsafe from Surelock Security. This huge (59″ H x 55″ W x 28″ D) gunvault can hold up to 76 guns! Of course that rating is based on thin guns without scopes but this is still one of the biggest consumer safes on the market. The Boss safe features 14ga steel walls and door (top and bottom are 12ga). It comes with a 75-minute fire rating. The door is secured by fourteen 1.25″-diameter steel bolts and a SecuRam® Lock. Nice internal features include a deluxe Door Panel Organizer plus internal 110v and USB power outlets. This is a heavy beast — assembled weight is 920 pounds. Price is $1999.99, a pretty good deal considering the features and capacity. Note: This safe is so new it’s not on the Surelock website yet, but you can call 480-542-9459 with questions.
9. Howa — Carbon Fiber Stalker Rifle (Under 5 pounds)
The Howa Carbon Fiber Stalker hunting rifle is great new offering for hunters who want to minimize their load-out. As fitted with a Stocky’s Carbon Fiber stock and trim Howa Mini Action, this new Carbon Fiber Stalker rifle weighs just 4 pounds, 10 ounces. Weight will be higher with Short Action and Long Action. These rifles feature a M1500 barrel and the 2-Stage HACT trigger — one of the best factory triggers on the market. The rifle comes with the standard 3-Position Safety with the Mini Action, Short Action, and Long Action. All Howa Carbon Fiber Stalker rifles come with a Sub-MOA Guarantee and Lifetime Warranty. The Carbon Fiber Stalker will first be offered in Mini Actions, followed by the bigger action types. Available chamberings are:
Mini Action: .223 Rem, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62×39, and .350 Legend
Short Action: 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem, and .308 Win
Long Action: .270 Win and 6.5 PRC
10. Plano — AW2 Pistol Cases with Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor
If you have high-cost handguns, you may want to transport them in Plano All Weather™ AW2 cases. These will protect pricey pistols from damage, moisture, and corrosion. Plano has added Rustrictor technology and improved protections to its popular pistol cases. The new AW2 cases offer rugged, industrial-strength construction, a continuous Dri-Loc® seal, and an exclusive Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) powered by Armor. Plano states: “AW2 Rustrictor cases create a 360° shield that protects your gear and prevents rust, even in the most extreme conditions.” Heavy-duty, dual-stage lockable latches and a built-in pressure release valve help these cases withstand the continuous bumping and jarring of travel including airlines.
Plano claims that Rustrictor blocks rust up to 5 times longer then the compitiotn with 360° of protection. These Plano AW2 pistol cases are availible in three sizes: Medium (1 pistol, $59.99 MSRP), Large (2 pistols, $79.99 MSRP) and Extra Large (4 pistols with MSRP 99.99).
11. Walker’s — FireMax Walkie-Talkie Accessory
Here’s a very smart new product that lets you talk with other shooters or range workers when you have your earmuffs in place. The new FireMax Walkie-Talkie from Walker’s attaches to the bottom of a FireMax Muff, providing a microphone and radio circuitry. This unit run on the FRS frequency band, with main, sub-channel, and priority channel settings. The antenna is adjustable and their is a large, back-lit LCD screen. The walkie-talkie components is powered by the existing large FireMax Muff battery, keeping things simple. We like the fact that the attached Walkie-talkie will also control muff volume and mode selection. Price is very reasonable — just $59.99 (FireMax Muff sold separately for $149.99).
12. Swagger Bipods — SFR10 FLEX/RIGID Bipod
Swagger’s new SFRP10 Flex/Rigid Bipod is pretty expensive at $249.99 MSRP, but it does offer some unique capabilities that tactical shooters will appreciate. The special system allows the bipod to cant, traverse and FLEX. Swagger states: “Every shooter wants the rigidity of a traditional bipod but also have the ability to cant and traverse with ease.
The SFR10 bipod has the ability to cant and traverse, track a target and make adjustments down range-all without having to take your eye out of the scope and off the target. Adjustable flex tension allows shooter to fine tune flexibility to the situation. This SFR10 bipod easily adjusts from max flex to rigid, and legs can be set at 45° angle for lower shooting position. Bipod weight is 15.2 oz. and vertical adjustment range is 6″ to 10.5″.
13. SIUS HS10 Hybrid Target System — Rimfire AND Air guns
The Swiss-made SIUS HS10 hybrid is an electronic scoring target for air guns and small bore rifles. As far as we know this is the first-ever electronic target system designed to work for both .22 LR competition as well as air rifles/air pistols. SIUS says this “is the perfect target for all 10m, 50ft, 50m needs from a single lane installation (with SIUSLANE software) to a system for competitions (with SIUSDATA,TEN-LANE Command Desk, SIUSRANK software). This new HS10 Hybrid target is ISSF rated for National-Level competitions. It can be used at home (for airgun practice) or for club/school/program sport shooting.
How it works: When the projectile passes through the inner target plane, it is detected completely contact-free by TWO independent HD-infrared beams. This technology allows for projectile detection with the accuracy of a few hundredths of a millimeter.
14. New Sling Saddle Secures Hunting Rifle During Carry
How do you carry your rifle when hunting? Do you stow it away in your pack for a hands free hike, sling it over your shoulder and hold there, or carry it in your hands to keep it handy for when you need it in a hurry? With the Sling Saddle Shoulder and belt clip system you can carry your rifle completely HANDS FREE. The Creed Sling Saddle Combo ($49.95 MSRP) offers a solution to a common problem that hunters struggle with when carrying a rifle on their shoulder. The Shoulder clip easily attaches to your backpack shoulder strap, is fully adjustable, and very easy to use. Simply attach it onto your favorite hunting pack. This unit comes in two variations. You can purchase the shoulder clip only, or you can purchase the Combo which secures your rifle at shoulder and waist.
This video shows how the Sling Saddle works in the field for hunters:
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At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. Burris — Eliminator 4-16x50mm III, $999.00
⏺ Save $400 on integrated scope/laser rangefinder
The Burris 4-16x50mm Eliminator III laser range-finding optic is on sale September 1 through December 31, 2020. Burris has dropped Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) by $400 for the balance of the year. Hunters and shooters can take advantage of the limited-time lower $999 price. The Eliminator III scope offers laser ranging out to 1,200 yards with push-button automatic trajectory compensation. You range your target, and the Eliminator III sets a red aiming point. Then just put the red dot on the target and pull the trigger — no drop charts, no knobs to crank. Previous retail price was $1,399. The new MAP is $999. Save $400!
2. Brownells — Labor Day Sale, Sale Items and 10% OFF Codes
⏺ Many items heavily discounted, plus 10% OFF Codes
Brownells is running a big Labor Day Sale with many items discounted, including Optics, Triggers, Barreled Actions, and more. Pluse you can get 10% Off purchases now through 9/30/2020. Use Code VSD to get $50 off $500, Code VSC for $25 off $250, and Code TAG to get $15 off $150. NOTE: There’s a Killer Deal on the Howa Barreled Action in 6mm Creedmoor — just $249.99 including the excellent HACT trigger.
3. Creedmoor Sports — 10% Off Labor Day Sale
⏺ Save 10% on all Creedmoor Sports and MTM brand products
During the Labor Day Weekend, Creedmoor Sports is offering 10% Off all Creedmoor brand products — that way you get significant savings on Creedmoor shooting coats, rifle cases, mats, carts, and much more. In addition, Creedmoor Sports has knocked 10% Off the price of all MTM products and most targets. To get these savings, use CODE LD20 during check-out. The Sale ends at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 9/8/2020.
4. Tipton Direct — 30% Off Sale on All Tipton Products
⏺ Save 30% on gun vises, maintenance stands, tools and more
Tipton is running a BIG SALE: “We wanted our loyal customers to have the biggest savings they could before the fall season starts.” Everything on the Tipton website is 30% off — use CODE FALL30 during checkout to save 30%. NOTE: Even with the 30% savings, a few of the listed items might be cheaper at other retailers. Look at Tipton’s listed price, subtract 30% and then check pricing. This deal ends at 11:59 pm on Monday, September 7, 2020 Pacific Time
5. MidwayUSA — Camo Tuesday Hunting Gear Sale, 9/8/2020
⏺ Major 1-day Sale for hunters, plus Giveaways
MidwayUSA’s Camo Tuesday™ only happens once a year. Hunters will find amazing deals plus free shipping on select hunting gear. Everything that hunters use will be heavily discounted — hunting clothing, scopes, shooting rests, binoculars, rangefinders, backpacks, trail cams, GPS units. If you hunt, be sure to visit MidwayUSA on Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 to shop the best hunting products at unbeatable prices. In addition to the discounts, you can register for Camo Tuesday™ Prize packages.
6. Brownells — SIG BDX Riflescopes — 50% Off, Save Hundreds
⏺ Save 50% on SIG Sauer BDX “Smart Scopes” — great for hunters
As part of its Labor Day Sale, Brownells is offering huge 50% discounts on SIG BDX riflescopes. The Sierra3 4.5-14X44mm scope is now $299.99, marked down from $599.99. That’s 50% Off! And the Sierra3 3.5-10x42mm scope is $249.99, marked down from $499.99. These are good hunting scopes that work with SIG Sauer’s BDX rangefinders and Ballistic App. After ranging, the DBX scope receives a calculated ballistic solution. Then a dot lights up on the reticle, showing shooters where to hold.
7. Amazon — The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters, $22.99
⏺ NEW 2020 Edition, completely updated — great resource
Readers often ask: “Is there a good, easy-to-comprehend book that can help my wind-reading?” Many of our Forum members have recommended The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters by Linda Miller and Keith Cunningham. Other books cover wind reading in a broader discussion of ballistics or long-range shooting. But the Miller & Cunningham book is ALL about wind reading from cover to cover, and that is its strength. The book focuses on real world skills that can help you accurately gauge wind angle, wind velocity, and wind cycles. Here’s a video review explaining what makes this book so good.
We know a LOT of Americans are looking for 9mm defensive pistols right now. Demand is high and dealers are jacking up prices on their remaining inventory. If you’re looking for an affordable 9mm, consider the Walther Creed. This pistol offers excellent ergonomics, good accuracy, and well-designed controls at a good price — $399.99 at CDNN Sports. This gun emulates Walther’s more expensive PPQ model at a much lower price. The Creed features a snag-free bobbed hammer. Testers say that, despite the bargain price, the Creed “sacrifices little to nothing in… ergonomics, accuracy, and reliability.”
9. Cabela’s — Catch-All Gear Bag $12.99, Many Colors
⏺ Versatile, good capacity, buy two at this price
This versatile bag holds lots of gear, and you can’t beat the price — just $12.99. At 16″x10″x6″ it’s big enough to hold rifle ammo, muffs, a Kestrel, and other accessories. It can also serve as a general utility bag for car camping trips. Six exterior pockets, including zippered mesh pockets on top and side, provide multiple storage options.Sturdy 1-1⁄2″ nylon web carry straps can be joined by a hand-friendly wrap handle. Cabela’s Catch-All Gear Bag available in a variety of colors including True Timber Camo, 02 Octane Camo, Lt. Gray, Green, Tan, Orange Gold, and Dark Gray.
10. Amazon — Jialitte Scope Bubble Level, $10.99
⏺ Effective and affordable — works for both 30mm and 1″ tubes
All serious rifle shooters need a scope level. This nicely designed Jialitte Scope Bubble Level features a 30mm milled inside diameter, plus an inner insert ring so it will also fit 1″-diameter main tubes — that dual-diameter versatility is a nice feature. We also like the way the unit is nicely radiused, and has a low profile in the middle. Price is just $10.99 with free shipping. User reviews have been very positive. You could easily pay $35.00 or more for a 30mm scope level.
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At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. Graf & Sons — Huge 25% Off Sightron Optics Sale — All Scopes
If you’re looking for a high-magnification zoom optic for matches and long-range shooting, here is one of the best Optics Sales of the year. Now at Graf’s get 25% off the entire inventory of Sightron optics — riflescopes as well as spotting scopes, red dot sights, and binoculars. There are some truly great deals here. For example, the 10-50x60mm SIII for $817.49, or a 3-16x42mm S-TAC for just $292.49. There are over 150 items discounted 25% — you should really check out this sale.
2. CDNN Sports — Remington 770 Rifle with Scope, $249.99
Looking for a first hunting rifle for a family member, with the Remington heritage? Check out this Rem 770 package with 3-9X40mm scope. As this is our Deals of the Week #243, we looked for a .243 Winchester. We found both Standard and Youth model .243 Wins are just $249.99. Other Rem 770 scoped rifle packages are available from CDNN for just $249.99 in all these popular chamberings: .270 Win, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, .30-06, and .300 Win Mag. All these rifles come with a pre-mounted 3-9x40mm riflescope. The Rem 770 features an ergonomic stock with raised cheekpiece and textured grip and forearm.
3. Amazon — 42″ Double Long Gun Case Backpack, $63.71
The Savior Tactical Double Rifle case will hold TWO rifles, plus a large pistol. This case has nice thick padding, plenty of pockets, AND comfortable shoulder straps so you can carry it like a backpack. Shown above is the 42″x12″ Flat Dark Earth (Tan) version, $63.71 on Amazon. Along with the 42″-long case, there are 36″, 46″, 51″, and 55″ models. The 55″ Savior Tactical case ($86.53 on Amazon) is big enough for most PRS rifles, even with long barrels. These gun cases also come in OD Green, Black, and Gray.
Whether hunting or target shooting, spotting scopes get you on target faster and easier than bare eyes or riflescope. If you need a good all-purpose spotter, check out the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x60mm angled spotting scope for $399.00. It offers great clarity and rock-solid lifetime guarantee. There’s also a straight version for just $349.95, with same 20-60X power and 60mm objective. If you need more low-light ability, the Vortex 20-60x80mm spotter is $499.00, angled or straight.
5. Brownells — Walker’s Ear and Eye Protection, 20% Off Sale
All shooters need quality hearing protection. We recommend safety glasses for all disciplines. Right now you can get up to 20% OFF Walker’s Ear and Eye Protection. Save on standard muffs, electronic muffs, ear-plugs, game-ear systems, and shooting glasses. There are also combo muffs/glasses packages at big discounts. You’ll find plenty of bargains — shooting glasses starting at $5.99 and muffs under $15.00.
6. Midsouth Shooters — Tipton Cleaning Rod Rack, $6.88
Want to organize all your cleaning rods? The Tipton Cleaning Rod Rack holds up to six (6) cleaning rods of various lengths and handle types. There are molded bumpers for T-Handle rods plus hanging hooks on either end for additional accessories. Right now this rack is on sale for just $6.88, complete with mounting holes and screws.
7. Natchez — Sale on EarMuffs, Eye Protection, Targets & More
Natchez Shooters Supplies is running a big Spring Range Day Sale right now, with substantial savings on a variety of products. Earmuffs and shooting glasses are deeply discounted, and and AR500 target plate with stand is 45% off. CLICK HERE to see all 29 featured items.
Nikon’s ProStaff 1000i Laser Rangefinder boasts 6-power optics, good controls, Incline/Decline Technology, and a rugged, rainproof case. This unit offers 1000-yard ranging capability — plenty for hunting or varminting. The ProStaff 1000i offers switchable Horizontal Distance / Actual Distance display mode. At just $179.99, this Nikon LRF is a bargain. The same unit costs $200 or more elsewhere.
9. MidwayUSA — Tipton Jag Sets Brass or Nickel-Plated 25% Off
If you shoot a variety of calibers, you need one of these Jag Kits, now 25% Off. You get 13 different diameter jags in a fitted case for under $15.00. That’s a steal. We like the Nickel-Plated Ultra Brass Jags (25% off price $14.09) because you don’t get “false positive” blue from your solvent interacting with the jag itself. But the regular Solid Brass Jags (25% Off price $12.74) also work great and some folks think they are more durable. We own these Jag kits and use them for everything from a .17 HMR up to a 45/70. Both kits contain 13 jags covering these calibers: .17, .20, .22, .243/6mm, .25/6.5mm, .270/7mm, .30, .338/8mm, .35/9mm, .375, .40, .44 and .45. NOTE: MidwayUSA’s product title states there are 12 Nickle-Plated Jags. However the Nickle-Plated Jag Kit photo shows thirteen (13), the description lists 13, Tipton’s Website shows 13, and that’s what we got in our Nickle-Plated Jag Kit.
10. Amazon — Two Rolls of 3″ Neon Target Stickers, $12.99
We like these bright, Neon 3″ target stickers. These are big enough to see at 600 yards, providing a 1/2 MOA target center at that distance. For $12.99 at Amazon.com, you get 250 3″-diameter self-adhesive circles (125 targets per roll). The high-contrast fluorescent red/orange color provides an excellent HI-VIZ aiming point, along with good contrast for bullet holes within the 3″ circle. To help line up your reticle cross-hairs, the target centers feature black markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 0’Clock.
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At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. CDNN — Browning A-Bolt III Rifle, $349.99 with Rebate
Here’s an awesome deal on Browning hunting rifles. Browning will give you $100 Cash Back on a wide selection of hunting rigs. For example CDNN now offers the A-Bolt III Composite Stalker in .30-06 Springfield for just $449.99. With Browning’s $100.00 Rebate, you net cost is just $349.99. The same deal is offered for other chamberings, including .243 Win, .270 Win, and 7mm Rem Mag. That’s a great price — you could pay that much just for a custom barrel. NOTE: This Browning Bucks $100 Rebate Program also applies to Browning rimfire rifles and shotguns. There is a $50 Rebate for X-Bolt rifles. To make this deal even sweeter, CDNN is now offering a FREE 3-9x40mm Bushnell scope with each A-Bolt III Rifle sold. Check it out:
2. Precision Reloading — Discounts on All Powders in Stock
Right now Precision Reloading is running a big sale on reloading powders. Save 10% or more on all leading powder brands: Accurate, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, Norma, Ramshot, Vihtavuori, and Winchester. The sale applies to all one-pound containers, as well at 5-lb and 8-lb jugs. If you need powder, don’t hesitate — this promotion ends 10/19/2018 at 11:59 pm. NOTE: In addition to powders, Precision Reloading has CCI primers on sale this week — save up to 17% on all CCI primer types.
3. Midsouth — Lyman Brass Smith Ideal Press, $69.99
Lyman’s new Ideal compact press works great as a second, lighter-duty press. It also is a good choice for loading at the range. It can easily be mounted to a range bench with C-clamps. With its cast-iron body, this C-Frame press is stronger than other presses in its price class. If you are looking for a secondary press for decapping, bullet-seating and other tasks not requiring heavy leverage, this is an excellent choice. The Lyman Ideal costs just $69.99 at Midsouth Shooters Supply.
4. Midsouth — 10% Off All Sierra Bullets
Need match or hunting projectiles? All Sierra bullets are on sale right now at Midsouth Shooters Supplies. Save 10% on Sierra match, hunting, and varmint bullets, including regular and tipped bullets. Competitors take note — Sierra’s MatchKing bullets are top performers in many disciplines. The 6mm and 6.5mm MatchKings are great for PRS, and the new heavy (183gr and 197gr) 7mm MatchKings (pointed at the factory) have worked great for F-Open shooters. Here are some of the great deals:
6mm 110gr BTHP MatchKing (100) — $36.18 marked down from $40.20
6.5mm 142gr BTHP MatchKing (100) — $39.45 marked down from $43.84
7mm 183gr BTHP MatchKing (100) — $44.255 marked down from $49.16
5. MidwayUSA — Big Sale on Zeiss V4, V6, and V8 Riflescopes
Zeiss makes great scopes with superb glass, reliable tracking, and very positive clicks. Now you can save hundreds on Zeiss V4, V6, and V8 optics. The V4 is an affordable scope for hunters, while the V8 Line offers a stunning 8X zoom ratio. The V6 models, with 6X zoom ratio, are outstanding scopes that compete very well with Nightforce and other top brands on price and performance. Competition and long range shooters should definitely look at the V6 line-up. NOTE: These discounts are part of a Zeiss Field Days promotion running through 10/29/2018. See similar incentives at other retailers.
Leica’s outstanding Geovid 10×42 binoculars feature a built-in laser rangefinder rated to 2000 yards. We’ve used this HD-B 2000 unit and the optics are superb and the rangefinding is super fast. When placed on a tripod for support we were amazed at the ranging ability of these Geovids. Give credit to great glass, minimal beam divergence and Leica’s excellent error correction software. Act now and you can save $1000 over the original price. Note: This is discontinued model that has been replaced by the newer Leica HD-B 3000, priced at $2999.00.
7. Brownells — Sig P320 9mm Pistol, $399.99
The new SIG P320 is one of the best compact 9mm carry guns on the market. Accurate, slim, and reliable, it has earned praise from owners and reviewers alike. Yes we would rather carry a P320 than a sub-compact Glock. This modular, striker-fired pistol features a sub-compact grip, slim slide, and Night Sights. Safety features include a striker safety and disconnect safety. Brownells’ sale price is $399.99, marked down from $579.99. NOTE: Some buyers report you can get an extra $20 OFF with code “M8Y” entered on the final payment screen.
8. Midsouth — Hornady 17 HMR Ten Boxes for $84.99
Varmint hunters take note. Here’s a great deal on premium 17 HMR ammo. Midsouth is selling 500 rounds of Hornady 17 HMR ammo for $84.99. That works out to just $8.50 per 50-rd box — the best price we’ve seen in a while. Loaded with 17gr V-Max bullets, this ammo is accurate — expect about 1 MOA at 100 yards in a good rifle. The V-Max bullets are effective on small varmints out to 200 yards.
9. Amazon — Two Rolls of 3″ Neon Target Stickers, $14.95
We like these bright, Neon 3″ target stickers. They are big enough to see easily at 600 yards, giving you a 1/2 MOA target center at that distance. For $14.95 at Amazon.com, you get 250 3″-diameter self-adhesive centers (125 targets per roll) that stick to almost any surface The high-contrast fluorescent red/orange color provides an excellent HI-VIZ aiming point, along with good contrast for bullet holes that fall within the 3″ circle. To help line up your reticle cross-hairs, the target centers feature black markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 0’Clock. NOTE: These stickers may qualify for FREE Shipping with combined orders over $25.00.
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Field Test and Review by Colton Reid
For years my “go-to” optic for hunting mule deer has been a high-quality set of Swarovski porro prism binoculars. They offer a sharp image, good low light performance, and were about half the price of a comparable roof prism design. I also carry a small, handheld laser rangefinder in my pocket while hiking. This setup has been “good enough” for a long time despite the inconvenience of separate optics and having to scramble for the rangefinder every time I spotted a buck.
But as I get older this setup becomes less favorable and my reasons for upgrading to binoculars with rangefinding capability are outweighing my reasons against. Accordingly, I decided to test if rangefinder (RF) binoculars could really deliver an improvement over separate binoculars and LRF. Fortunately, AccurateShooter.com acquired a new Zeiss Victory 10×42 RF and let me field test it. This is a premium unit, with a premium price tag. The 10×42 Victory RF currently sells for $3399.99.
First impressions were good. The Victory RF employs an Abbe-Koenig roof prism with a comfortable-to-hold black body that has a padded soft-touch surface. The Victory RF is marginally heavier than my older porro prism binocs. The central focus wheel is large, easy to turn, and is positioned to allow index and middle fingers to simultaneously work the focus wheel and rangefinder.
Great Glass with Excellent Low-Light Performance
Diopter adjustment was a bit more complicated due to the built-in rangefinder display, but once set didn’t require further adjustment. When all knobs were adjusted, optical performance was excellent. Compared with my tried and true Swarovski Habicht 10×40 porro prism binoculars, the Zeiss Victory RF exhibited an equally sharp image that was also brighter in the fading daylight. Additionally, the Victory RF had a narrower depth of field than the old Swaro porro. This produced a noticeable “3D” effect that helped the target pop out of its surroundings. The optics alone make the Victory RF an excellent product, but the Victory RF’s built-in rangefinder made these binoculars truly exceptional.
Testing the Victory RF Laser Rangefinder Capability
Having rangefinder functionality inside quality optics was remarkably convenient. This allowed spotting and ranging targets without having to re-acquire an image using separate optics. It also ensured that the image for ranging was the same magnification and quality as the binoculars. Beyond just convenience, the Victory’s ranging capability was superb.
During one testing session at dusk, distances out to an astonishing 2600 yards could be repeatedly measured. To dispel my skepticism I verified all ranges with Google Earth (Google earth image + range image). Ranging game-sized objects beyond 800 yards required a stable surface (or tripod) to hold the red dot on target. However, the rangefinder had no problem ranging trees or large boulders at longer distances by hand. Measurement to measurement variation was within about 5 yards, which is likely due to movement from the user, especially at long distances.
In most outdoor environments I’ve hunted, ranging nearby vegetation or rocks gives enough accuracy in distance to obtain a satisfactory ballistic solution. In my experience, the vast majority of hunters are taking their shots inside 300 yards. At that distance or closer, hand-holding the Victory RF works well. For shots that exceed 300 yards, where bullet drop is a concern for hunters, the rangefinder is able to incorporate ballistics profiles from the Zeiss Hunting App running on a smart-phone, and deliver a precise ballistic solution visible IN the binoculars.
[Editor: Press a button and right in the glass you can see the calculated elevation correction in inches or cm, with clicks in MILS or MOA. A Long-Range Only video review confirmed how well this works: “The sync was almost immediate. Gives you custom drop right in your binoculars, with one push of a button.” The Zeiss RF also calculates true horizontal distance for angled shots.]
The Victory RF was able to range larger objects at 2000 yards and beyond with the unit placed on tripod or solid support. In the example above, the Victory RF was targeted on a specific object on a ridge over one mile away. The Victory RF’s 1928-yard read-out was confirmed with a Google Earth GPS trace.
Smart RF Binoculars with Built-in Ballistics Solver
Customized ballistics data can be transferred to the Victory HF’s display via a Bluetooth connection with the Zeiss Hunting Application*.
The Zeiss Hunting App deserves its own full review. But I can say the interface is clean, minimal, and FREE. There is much to be desired from the notes section, but the Ballistics Calculator makes it one of the better hunting apps I’ve used. Because ballistics data can be transferred to the rangefinder display, the App is a “must-have” accessory for the Victory RF.
KEY FEATURES: Ballistics Solver, GPS Tagging, Weather Forecast, Field Notes with Photos
Comments on Zeiss Victory RF
Despite the Victory RF’s excellent optics and impressive ranging performance, there is some room for improvement in this product. The red rangefinder display proved difficult to see against a tan/brown backdrop during bright daylight hours. Also I noted that, if you look away from the center of the field of view, the read-out seems to dim. At full LED brightness the red dot target was always visible but still showed a tendency to blend in with a tan backdrop. [Editor: The Zeiss RF does offer 11 brightness curves, and the manufacturer notes the unit features an automatic brightness control.]
Setting the dual eyepiece diopters was also a bit more complex than a single diopter system. The “trick” was to first focus the rangefinder display using the right diopter wheel. After that the central wheel and left diopter could be focused as needed. The accompanying neck strap and binocular case were well made and may work well for birding or nature hikes, but would not be preferred for hunting. When performing extreme physical activity, a shoulder harness or chest pack carrying case such the Badlands Bino X (shown below) is needed for support and fast extraction.
CONCLUSION — Superb Binoculars with Outstanding Rangefinding Capability
All together the Victory 10×42 RF is one of the finest binoculars I have had the pleasure of using. The crisp image coupled with a reliable long-distance rangefinder gave me the confidence to spot and stalk game over a mile away. As a hunter who spends 70% of his time behind optics I am convinced that with the Victory RF my ability to observe and plan in the field has dramatically improved. And with a little bit of care, these binoculars will be a reliable field favorite for years to come.
Zeiss Victory RF Binoculars Features:
– Laser Ranging capability from 16 to 2,500 yards
– On-board B.I.S. II ballistic calculator with integrated sensors
– Custom ballistics input via smartphone or tablet
– Bluetooth connectivity
– Holds custom ballistic profiles
– Measures angle, temperature, and air pressure
– Calculates equivalent horizontal distance
– Displays holdover in inches/cm, MOA, MIL and clicks
– Features Scan and Target modes
– Automatic LED brightness adjustment (11 brightness curves)
– User-Programmable ontrol buttons and display
– One-touch ranging (right or left hand)
– Syncs personal settings and ballistic profiles to and from the RF
– Large focusing wheel for minimal rotation
– FL glass, ZEISS T and LotuTec® coatings
About the Author, Colton Reid, Ph.D.
Colton Reid is a hunter and outdoorsman, who is also an optics expert. A Ph.D. engineer in the high-tech industry, Colton works with high-resolution electro-optical measuring devices for microchips. Raised in Colorado, Colton’s favorite activity is a backcountry hunting adventure. AccurateShooter.com is fortunate to have Colton review optics products.
* The Zeiss Hunting App integrates many useful features — ballistics solver, compass, GPS tagging, hunt history. The “Field Notes” function can record a wide variety of info — save photos, record shots and hits, log animal sightings, and even plot game locations on a map. Shots can be tagged via GPS through the shooter’s and the target’s position, and then displayed on a map. The Field Notes hunt diary shows all entries in chronological order.
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At the 2018 NRA Show in Dallas last week, Trijicon unveiled a notable new scope that should interest Benchrest shooters and Long-Range competitors. The all-new Trijicon AccuPower 5-50x56mm Long Range Scope offers an impressive ten times zoom range, plus an illuminated reticle. This RS50 Series Second Focal Plane scope with 34mm main tube is offered in both MOA and MIL systems. The MOA version features 1/8 MOA clicks plus a reticle with 1 MOA subtensions at 40X power. The MIL version has 1/20 Milrad click values and a ranging style reticle with wind hold dot system. Both MOA and MIL versions have a full 100 MOA of elevation travel.
New Trijicon 5-50x56mm Scope Revealed at NRA Show in Dallas:
Credit Erik Cortina for providing this video.
With a $2700 MSRP, we expect Trijicon’s new 5-50X scope to have a “street price” of about $2400. That lines up with the NightForce 15-55x52mm Competition, now priced at $2352.00 on Amazon.
The new Trijicon 5-50x56mm (RS50 Series) scope boasts some nice features. Employing extra-low dispersion glass, the scope offers high light transmission with minimal chromatic aberration. The magnification control lever can be moved to two different positions to suit the operator. Both MOA and MIL reticle styles are illuminated with 5 red and 5 green user-selectable brightness settings.
We hope to get our hands on one of these new Trijicon 5-50X scopes soon for testing. We’ll let you know how it stacks up against other high-magnification zoom scopes, such as the Vortex 10-60x52mm Golden Eagle, the Nightforce 15-55x52mm, and the March 5-50x56mm.
Please note, along with this 5-50x56mm scope, Trijicon has also introduced a 4.5-30x56mm RS30 Series scope. This 4.5-30X optic will be offered in both First Focal Plane and Second Focal Plane versions. SEE AccuPower Scope Brochure.
Product Tip from EdLongrange. Video and Trijicon Brochure from Erik Cortina.
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If you want to keep your wind-reading skills sharp during a long, cold winter spent mostly indoors, check out Shooter Ready, a Long-Range Shooting Simulation for home computers. A FREE DEMO is offered on the web. This is serious training software, not just a computer game. You choose the rifle, and the program provides different scenarios with various wind angles/speeds and target distances. The result of each shot is exactly calculated using ballistics formulas to show where the bullet hits on the target.
This simulation graphically displays how wind, altitude, and temperature affect the bullet in flight. The results for distance are given in both meters and yards. The program provides a variety of atmospheric conditions and you can practice Mil Dot ranging on three targets: A 12″ X 12″ swinging plate, a 30″ X 18″ knock down plate and a regulation 72″ X 19″ knock down plate. Chose from three chamberings: .308 Winchester, (175 gr), Windrunner .338 Lapua, and 50 BMG. Each caliber has 70 different range exercises, plus an advanced stage for each caliber with 25 different timed hold-offs and moving targets. Add in different atmospheric extremes and you get almost 300 different ranging scenarios.
You can practice Mil Dot ranging on 3 targets: A 12″ X 12″ swinging plate, a 30″ X 18″ knock-down plate, and a regulation 72″ X 19″ knock down plate. Each caliber has 70 range exercises, plus an advanced stage with 25 timed hold-offs, and moving targets.
The Concept — a ‘Do-It-All .308 Win’
Zeiss Sports Optics has just unveiled 
Swagger’s new 
