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.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
Palmetto SA — Memorial Day Sale
⏺️ » Great deals on rifles, AR components, ammo
Many leading vendors are running major Memorial Day Sales. Palmetto State Armory has hundreds of popular items on sale this week. Enjoy major discounts on AR components, complete rifles, handguns, optics and more.
Midsouth — Primers Sale and Free Shipping or Free Hazmat
⏺️ » Primers SALE plus Free Shipping or Free Hazmat on powder/primers
Midsouth is running notable promos right now with significant discounts on primers plus savings on powder shipping and hazmat. This sale includes major brands including Hodgdon, CCI, Winchester, Accurate, Remington, Ramshot and many others. Choose FREE Shipping or FREE Hazmat on orders over $99! Use Code MD26FS for Free Shipping on orders over $99 or use Code MD26FHM for Free Hazmat on orders over $99. Order Must Include $99 of In Stock Items – Up to 49lbs. NOTE: These codes expire Monday 05/25/26 at 11:59pm CST.
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Monday, May 25, 2026 is Memorial Day. Many leading shooting sports/outdoor gear vendors are running Memorial Day Sales over the next few days. You’ll find savings on guns, ammo, reloading supplies, brass, optics, hunting gear and more.
Memorial Day is one of the best times of the year to score deals on firearms, ammunition, and hunting gear. Major retailers are offering significant site-wide discounts, plus significant price cuts on top-tier brands like Vortex, Burris, Smith & Wesson, Tikka, and Walker’s.
Here Are Some Top Memorial Day Sale Opportunities:
MidwayUSA
Prices are slashed on thousands of products with the MidwayUSA Memorial Day Sale. Enjoy major savings on optics, reloading tools, ammo, hunting gear and more. Many popular items are discounted 45% or more! For example the Vortex 4-12x40mm Vanquish hunting scope is now just $99.99, a 58% discount! In addition MidwayUSA is offering FREE Shipping with orders of $100 or more.
Brownells
Definitely visit Brownells.com this weekend. There are featured deals on gun parts, optics, and gear. In addition, Brownells is offering 12% Off a huge selection of products with Coupon Code MEM12.
Precision Reloading
Save on a vast product selection with the Memorial Day Bargain Program at Precision Reloading. With Code MEM26 you save 10% (ten percent) on all purchases of $99 or more. This great 10% savings offer applies to virtually all in-stock products purchased from now through Tuesday, 5/26/26.
Palmetto State Armory
Palmetto State Armory is running a major Memorial Day Weekend sale right now, with significant discounts on ammo, optics, AR components and more. There are also major markdowns for complete firearms — pistols, rifles, and shotguns.
Sportsman’s Warehouse
Sportsman’s Warehouse: Save up to 25% on hunting, camping, and fishing gear. They are also offering an additional 10% off for veterans, active duty, and first responders. You can check out their deals on the Sportsman’s Warehouse Memorial Day Sale hub.
GrabAGun
The GrabAGun website offers a vast inventory of firearms. GrabAGun is now offering Daily Price Drops plus limited-time markdowns on leading firearms. Check out the inventory on the GrabAGun Sale page.
Guns.com: This large web vendor offers offers major warehouse clearance events on handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Browse the Memorial Day Weekend offers at the Guns.com Deals page.
Primary Arms: Find the full list of markdowns on the Primary Arms Memorial Day Sale page. For the next few days, you can get significant discounts on Optics, AR-15 parts, complete uppers, and triggers.
Kulzer Sets Eight IBS 1000-Yard IBS Benchrest Records with 6 BRA Rifle Report by Alex Wheeler
In 2021, Glenn Kulzer of Dillon, Montana had a season that will go down in 1000-Yard Benchrest history. Glenn set eight IBS records in 2021 at the Deep Creek range in Missoula, and then was named IBS 1K Shooter of the Year. What makes this so incredible is not just the number of records but the records themselves. Normally when a world record small group is shot that’s a singular event — never accompanied by Aggregate records set by the same shooter. Glenn’s IBS record small group wasn’t a one-time lucky string. Consider this — Glenn nailed that historic small group, but also recorded multiple IBS Aggregate records in 2021. And Glenn set these IBS Heavy Gun records actually using his 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) Light Gun! Mighty impressive.
[Editor: These were impressive records that have stood the test of time. A quick search of the IBS record site shows Glenn Kulzer still holds six of the ten listed IBS 1000-yard Heavy Gun records. Plus, Glenn broke the Light Gun 20-Target Agg group record, but that was later bettered by Tom Mousel.]
1000-yard Benchrest Aggregate records represent a series of targets shot over the course of multiple matches during a season. That really takes any luck out of the equation. You have to keep the rifle shooting at its peak all year long. It’s the ultimate test of accuracy. But the small groups do get the most notice and Glenn also broke the small group record with a remarkable 2.6853″ 10-shot group (photo below).
Eight IBS Records Set by Glenn Kulzer in 2021
Date: 06/13/2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 10-Shot Group, 2.6853″
Date: 06/13/2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 10-Shot Score 100/2.6853″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 6-Match Group Aggregate, 4.349″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 6-Match Score Aggregate, 99.167/4.679″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 12-Target Group Aggregate, 4.529″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 12-Target Score Aggregate, 98.583/5.058″
Date: 2021
Class: Heavy Gun
Record: 20-Target Score Aggregate, 95.2/6.422″
Date: 2021
Class: Light Gun
Record: 20-Target Group Aggregate, 5.202″
NOTE: Most of these records have been broken. In 2025 talented Montana shooter Tom Mousel set 8 multi-match and multi-target records, including an amazing 12-target Group Agg of 3.8790″ and 12-target Score Agg of 99.5.
This IBS record 1000-yard group, and Glenn’s other IBS records, were shot with Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet, Hodgdon H4895 powder, CCI BR4 primers, and Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass. However, Glenn does use Lapua brass for some other 6 BRA rifles.
Glenn’s record-setting rifle is a Light Gun with a common setup used in long range Benchrest. The rig features a Borden BRM drop-port action with a Bix’n Andy trigger. The action is glued and screwed into a industrial wood laminate Deep Creek Tracker stock, a predecessor of the McMillan LRB. The Krieger barrel is a 4-groove, 1:8″-twist Heavy Varmint contour chambered for the 6 BRA (6mmBR Ackley) cartridge. All of Glenn’s rifles are topped with Vortex Golden Eagle scopes. Glenn notes that his Vortex Golden Eagles have show excellent point-of-aim stability when tested with a scope checker. The front rest was a Sinclair competition with Edgewood front bag, Field & Cave outfitters front rest plate, and speed screw. For rear support Glenn uses an Edgewood LRB rear bag.
Loading Procedures for Record-Setting 1000-Yard Shooting
Glenn’s loading process is pretty simple. He full-length sizes every time, bumping the shoulders back about .003″. Powder is weighed to the kernel, and bullets are seated with a Wilson seater. NOTE: Glenn does does not anneal his brass. He sorts primers by weight but does not otherwise measure them by dimensions. He seats the primers by feel using a relatively inexpensive primer seating tool — nothing fancy.
Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
Glenn shot Alpha Munitions 6 BRA brass all year with the .080″ flash hole. This year he shot Roy Hunter’s 103gr “A” bullet set quite deep into the rifling. NOTE: This deep jam has proven to be very stable IF you barrel likes it. Glenn used CCI BR4 primers and Hodgdon H4895 with .005″ of neck tension. His load delivered 3030 fps out of a 28″ barrel. NOTE: This is a “HIGH NODE” that may not be possible in an average barrel with different brass. Many 6 BRA shooters are reaching a 3000+ fps node, but you should always start low and work up. Some 6 BRA barrels will max out at 2950 FPS with 103-108gr bullets.
Glenn Interview Part I — All About the Rifle that Set Eight 1000-yard Records
Glenn Interview Part II — Load Development Process and Loading Methods
Glenn Interview Part III — Barrel Cleaning Discussion
Glenn Kulzer also shot his impressive 6 BRA at the 2021 IBS Nationals at Deep Creek (shown above). This Deep Creek range photo is by Forum member Dave Way.
Setting Records in June 2021 Report by Alex Wheeler
It was a typical match for June, nothing unique about it. Saturday was actually looking to be a really great day. Overall it was good but not great. Sunday had a clear blue sky with bright sun. I looked through a couple of scopes before the match and it was milky. I probably would have shot that relay at 30-35 power. But somehow Glenn Kulzer was able to pull off the best heavy gun group ever shot in 1000-yard IBS competition. With that group Glenn also broke the 6-match IBS Group Aggregate record (which was later broken by Tom Mousel in 2025). The group was no fluke, this rifle also shot great in previous matches with small groups at 1000. To my knowledge this may be the only time a small group record AND an Aggregate record were broken in the same season by the same gun. The ultimate achievement.
On June 13, 2021, Glenn shot a 2.6583″ 10-shot group, all shots in the 10 Ring for a 100 score. This group still stands as the current IBS Heavy Gun 1000-Yard 10-shot group record AND score record. It was also part of Aggregate Records listed above.
About Glenn Kulzer — Rising Star in the Long-Range Benchrest Game by Alex Wheeler
Kulzer is a pharmacist in Dillon, Montana. The attention to detail required for his job crosses over to Long-Range Benchrest. He started off a very competitive shooter right from the start. I have said it many times, but benchrest is not an elitist sport. Hard work and dedication will always rise to the top. Glenn took the sport seriously from the beginning. Accordingly, he displayed a rapid learning curve and quickly surpassed some of his mentors in match results. Glenn tunes mostly at 1000 yards using the Deep Creek variation of ladder testing. He will also load and tune at the range to try and nail the best tune for the conditions. Again, it all about the work done by competitors. But Glenn’s success shows that a bright, hard-working shooter can rise to the top of the game in just a few seasons.
This shocking photo of destroyed AR-15 bits and pieces was posted on Facebook by William Walter, a firearms instructor. William said this was “The worst AR-15 blow-up I have ever seen. The case head literally atomized …you can see the brass residue on the parts. The bolt was split in two also.”
There’s nothing inherently wrong with AR-platform rifles (well, except that they run dirty). Over the past six decades Eugene Stoner’s semi-automatic design has proven its merits in military and civilian applications. You may not know, but the original AR from 1955 was a .30-caliber. The Armalite AR-10 shot the 7.62×51 cartridge. Later, at the request of the U.S. Military, Armalite created a smaller version that became the M16/AR15. The rest was history. Now there are millions of AR “black rifles” in the hands of soldiers and sportsmen.
With so many ARs in circulation, it’s no surprise that some get used by folks who don’t know how to hand-load or otherwise fail to follow safe gun practices. The AR is actually a pretty sturdy rifle, but when it’s fed bad ammo, or abused, bad things can happen. Very bad things… commonly known as Kabooms.
The American Shooting Journal (ASJ) compiled a set of particularly extreme AR Kabooms. Compiling the “evidence” from various web sites, ASJ published nine (9) of the most Unbelievable AR-15 Fails (but sadly the photos seem to be unavailable now). Here are two of the worst “AR-15 Fails”.
Nothing but busted parts after this catastrophic Kaboom…
Notice the bolt is still stuck in the barrel extension … with the rest of the gun in pieces.
Another view of this sad blow-up…
These catastrophic AR failures are eye-openers, that’s for sure. ASJ cautions: “Any weapon can fail if given the wrong ammunition, faulty reloads or a plugged barrel. Always be aware of what can happen at anytime if you fail to follow common sense and gun safety rules.”
ASJ Sources: Photobucket, Armory Blog, Pinterest, Northeastern Arms, Eric Nestor
RCBS, one of the biggest names in the reloading and gun maintenance world, changed ownership a couple years ago. Hodgdon Powder Company (Hodgdon) acquired RCBS from Revelyst, a division of of Vista Outdoor (VSTO). Most operations of RCBS have been continued, and the full product line remains in production — presses, dies, powder measures, case prep tools, priming tools, scales and more.
Today’s Saturday Showcase feature some of the most popular and noteworthy RCBS products including single-stage, turret, and progressive presses, plus powder dispensers and other tools.
RCBS ChargeMaster Link Scale/Dispenser with Bluetooth
Having a modern, electronic powder scale/dispenser makes the hand-loading process vastly more efficient. The latest generation of powder dispensers are very accurate, and they can store charge settings for multiple cartridge types. The latest RCBS ChargeMaster Link dispenser has a modern interface, plus Bluetooth technology that “talks” to a handy App on your mobile device. The popular ChargeMaster Link is available now for $299.99 at MidwayUSA.
RCBS Combo Kit — Good Choice for Getting Started in Reloading
You can definitely save money by buying multiple reloading gear items in one combo package. RCBS offers a variety of Reloading Combo Kits which feature reloading press, powder measure, scale, priming tool, and other items. These range in price from $265-$620 on Amazon. This video reviews an RCBS Rebel Master Kit. This is a very complete starter set-up, sold for $449.99 at Midsouth.
Along with the press, we like many of the components in the Rebel Master combo kit. The powder measure works well as does the trickler, and the hand primer tool is reliable, with good feeding and plenty of leverage.
RCBS Partner Press
We think all serious reloaders should have a small, secondary single-stage press for repetitive tasks such as decapping primers. In addition, a small, compact press can be transported easily to the range. Load development can be done more efficiently when loading at the range, as you can easily modify seating depth and other variables. The RCBS Partner Press (#ad) is a great choice for a secondary press. This UltimateReloader video shows the key features of the Partner Press.
RCBS 6-Station Turret Press — Operation Tips
This editor has owned and used an RCBS Turret Press for over two decades. While certainly not as versatile/sophisticated as the Area 419 XERO turret press, this six-station RCBS press does its job handily. It is a good choice if you load multiple pistol cartridges. With six stations, you can install both a sizing and a seating die for three different cartridge types, such as 9mm Luger, .357 Magnum, and .45 ACP. It is currently $406.99 at MidwayUSA.
RCBS Brass Boss Case Prep Center
The RCBS Boss is a powered case prep center that performs multiple tasks efficiently. Priced at $214.99 on Amazon (#ad), the RCBS Boss boasts six variable, high-speed rotating stations (four at <350 RPM; two at <550 RPM). This unit is great for initial case prep (chamfering/deburring) and regular brass maintenance.
RCBS Summit — Set-UP and Field installation on Vehicle
The RCBS Summit Press (#ad) is a very unique, small footprint press that operates differently than most reloading presses. The cast-iron Summit has a large-diameter center column and die moves up and down to meet the cartridge. With this small footprint, the Summit can be used in the field. As you can see in the second video, one of our testers actually mounted a Summit Press on his vehicle (with a special pedestal) so he could load anywhere.
RCBS Bench-mount Priming Tool (Two Short Videos)
If you need to prime large numbers of cases, the RCBS bench-mount Auto Priming Tool can do so efficiently at a modest cost (currently $135.84 on Amazon #ad). It attaches to your bench so it is secure and stable. A vertical tube holds dozens of primers that feed into the pusher as you can see in these videos. Older guys who experience pain when gripping hand primer tools have praised this bench-mounted RCBS unit.
Choosing a Case Cleaning System
Here Kent Sakamoto of RCBS looks at the three main types of brass cleaning systems: Vibratory Tumbler, Wet Tumbler (with media), and Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine. Kent reviews the pros and cons of each system. Most gun owners can benefit by having an ultrasonic machine for parts cleaning as well as a tumbler for cleaning fired brass.
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Get WAY Better Groups with New Criterion Pre-Fit Custom Barrel
In our Shooters’ Forum, you’ll find a lengthy thread about accuracy problems with a Savage LRPV, chambered in 6mmBR. The gun would repeatedly split groups at 100 yards, and at 300 yards, the “flyers” would open up the groups to 1.5 MOA or larger. Interestingly, the factory test target (at right) showed a split group — not a good sign.
The gun’s owner, forum member LR_Shooter, tried a variety of tweaks: “I did this, done that… [changed] torque, tang floated, bedded action, recut chamber, and [adjusted firing pin]”. But nothing really helped. Frustrated, LR_Shooter asked his fellow Forum members for help. Much advice was proffered, including the novel idea of removing the middle action screw in the Savage 3-screw target action. Some of the advice proved helpful, but none of the suggested remedies produced a major improvement. This rifle, out of the box, tossed flyers and no amount of tweaking (or changes in shooting technique) really cured the basic problem. That is, until, the factory barrel got replaced…
New Criterion Pre-Fit Barrel Works Wonders
LR_Shooter acquired a Criterion pre-fit barrel from Jim Briggs at Northland Shooters Supply (NSS). These pre-fits are designed for easy installation with the standard Savage barrel nut. Wouldn’t you know it, with a new 30″ heavy-contour barrel on the LRPV, the gun started shooting way better. No more crazy fliers, no more split groups, no more excessive vertical. And the improvement came without any other major modifications. LR_Shooter reports: “I got a replacement barrel from Jim at NSS. It is a 30″ bull Criterion barrel. So far, without playing with torque screws and having my old setup… I’m very satisfied with the barrel I got. Now I have no problem getting [groups] under 0.25 MOA. Finally this thing can shoot!” The targets below, shot with the new Criterion barrel, speak for themselves. The left target was shot at 100 yards, while the target on the right was shot at 300 yards (very impressive).
Targets Shot with Savage LRPV Fitted with Criterion Barrel
Moral of the Story — Sometimes A New Barrel Really Is the Right Solution
All of us have struggled at times with a rifle that won’t live up to expectations. This Editor personally struggled for over a year with a .260 Rem Savage with a factory tube. The gun tended to split groups and the POI walked as the barrel heated. I tried one powder/primer combination after another, working through a variety of seating depths over many months. I was persistent. Out of stubbornness, I just believed that sooner or later I’d find the magic load.
Well folks, sometimes there’s really nothing you can do about a sub-par barrel. It is what it is. To really improve a gun’s accuracy (particularly a gun with a factory tube), you may need to open your wallet and get a quality aftermarket barrel. Spending months trying one recipe after another may simply be an overwhelming waste of powder, bullets, and your precious time.
Albert Einstein supposedly said: “Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.” Well that sort of describes my efforts with my .260 Rem. Once I had enough evidence that my barrel split groups no matter what load combo (and seating depth) I tried, it was time to pony up for a new barrel. When I did finally screw on a nice PacNor 3-groove SuperMatch, that Savage suddenly became a true tack-driver. As re-chambered in 6mmBR with the Pac-Nor, in calm conditions, my Savage will now consistently shoot in the twos with heavy bullets, and it can sometimes dip down into the ones with Berger 80gr flat-base bullets. The moral of the story here is simple — don’t waste weeks or months chasing your tail with a barrel that just won’t deliver (after a reasonable amount of testing). Save up for a custom barrel, get it chambered properly, and stop your cycle of frustration.
Here is great news for score benchrest shooters. For years 100/200 yard score competition has been dominated by the 30 BR cartridge, which offers outstanding accuracy and consistency with .30-caliber bullets. But creating a .30 BR cartridge took time and effort forming the brass from a parent typically using Lapua 6mm BR Norma brass or Peterson 7mm BR brass.
Now that has changed. Alpha Munitions now offers excellent, ready-to-shoot 30 BR brass. No separate fire-forming or hydro-forming is required. This Alpha 30 BR brass has shown excellent accuracy both with a no-turn neck and as turned for a tighter chamber. Case life is excellent as Alpha brass is strong with good longevity. This impressive new 30 BR brass is now available exclusively through Bruno Shooters Supply. It is IN STOCK now and priced at $159.99 for 100 pieces.
Ace benchrester and gunsmith Speedy Gonzales has praised this new Alpha 30 BR brass: “Well fellow score shooters, the days of expanding 6mm or 7mm brass up to make 30 BR brass are just about over. UPS just dropped off the test samples for me to test, and should be in full production soon. I will post a full video after testing and give you all the full report. 30 BR brass by Alpha will be sold exclusively through Bruno Shooters Supply and has an order list up and running[.]”
This was one of our 25 Most Popular Articles in past years. We’re repeating it for those of you who may have missed it the first time around. These diagrams were created by the South Texas Shooting Marksmanship Training Center (STMTC).
There was an excellent article about Mirage created for the South Texas Marksmanship Training Center (STMTC). This article explains what causes mirage and how mirage can move the perceived aiming point on your target. Most importantly, the article explains, in considerable detail, how you can “read” mirage to discern wind speeds and wind directions.
Mirage Is Your Friend
While hot days with lots of mirage can be frustrating, mirage can reveal how the wind is flowing (and changing). If you learn how to recognize and read mirage patterns, you can use that information to shoot higher scores. That’s why many leading long-range shooters tell us: “Mirage is your friend.” As the STMTC article explained: “A mirage condition is not a handicap, since it offers a very accurate method of perceiving small wind changes[.]”
Mirage Illustrated with Diagrams
With simple but effective graphic illustrations, this is one of the best explanations of mirage (and mirage reading) we have found on the internet. This is a “must-read” for any serious competitive shooter. Here is a brief sample from the article, along with an illustration. NOTE: the full article is six times longer and has 8 diagrams.
The term “mirage” as used by the shooter does not refer to a true mirage, but to heat waves and the refraction of light as it is bent passing through air layers of different density. Light which passes obliquely from one wind medium to another it undergoes an abrupt change in direction, whenever its velocity in the second medium is different from the velocity in the first wind medium; the shooter will see a “mirage”.
The density of air, and therefore its refraction, varies with its temperature. A condition of cool air overlaying warm air next to the ground is the cause of heat waves or “mirage”. The warm air, having a lower index of refraction, is mixed with the cooler air above by convection, irregularly bending the light transmitting the target image to the shooter’s eye. Figure 1 shows (greatly exaggerated) the vertical displacement of the target image by heat waves.
Heat waves are easily seen with the unaided eye on a hot, bright day and can be seen with spotting scope on all but the coldest days. To observe heat waves, the scope should be focused on a point about midway to the target. This will cause the target to appear slightly out of focus, but since the high power rifle shooter generally does not try to spot bullet holes, the lack in target clarity is more than compensated by clarity of the heat waves.
Story tip from Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
Capstone Precision Group and Team Lapua USA announce with deep sadness the passing of Steve Reiter, one of the most accomplished competitive pistol shooters in history and a foundational member of Team Lapua in the United States. Steve passed away on May 18, 2026. In the slow-fire pistol shooting disciplines, Steve is probably the greatest American shooter ever.
Reiter was among the original members of Team Lapua USA when the program was established in 2009, helping to define the standard for excellence, sportsmanship, and brand representation that continues today. Throughout his career, he served not only as a world-class competitor, but also as a dedicated ambassador for the shooting sports.
Steve Reiter’s record in high-level competition is extraordinary:
34 National Championship titles, including five National Championships at Camp Perry
63 National Records, including a historic .22 Aggregate score of 899, the highest ever recorded
40+ Regional Championships
First-ever Quadruple Distinguished Marksman under the CMP
Triple Distinguished Marksman under the CMP
Two-time President’s 100 Champion in Pistol
Two-time National Trophy Individual Match Champion in Pistol
10-time Winner of the National Match High Senior Pistol Trophy
Five-time Winner of Citizens’ Military Pistol Trophy
Canada International Service Pistol Champion
Two-time Free Pistol National Champion
Seven-time Interservice Champion
Standard Pistol National Champion
Member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team (Free Pistol)
Reiter continued to compete at an elite level well into his later years, achieving many Senior titles. Following his retirement from active competition, Reiter remained an integral part of Team Lapua as an Emeritus Member, continuing to mentor shooters and support the sport he loved.
Steve Reiter Senior Championships:
2017 NRA National Pistol Championships — 1st Place, Super Senior
2013 NRA National Pistol Championship — Grand Senior Champion
2014 Mid-Winter Championship — 1st Place
2014 Indoor National Sectional Championship — 3rd Place and new Senior National Record
“Steve Reiter was more than a champion—he was one of the foundational figures of Team Lapua in the United States,” said Adam Braverman, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Capstone Precision Group. “His achievements speak for themselves, but what truly set Steve apart was the way he carried himself and the impact he had on others. He represented our brand with integrity, passion, and a genuine love for the shooting sports. Steve helped shape what Team Lapua stands for today, and his legacy will continue to inspire our team and the broader shooting community for years to come.”
In 2022, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) honored Reiter by establishing the Reiter Cup National Champion Trophy. This award is presented to the winner of the Match Pistol 2700 Any Sights National Championship, which recognizes the highest combined scores from the .22, .45 ACP, and Centerfire 900 Aggregate matches held during the annual National Matches at Camp Perry.
Beyond his competitive accomplishments, Reiter was widely respected for his humility, sportsmanship, and commitment to growing the shooting sports community. His influence extended far beyond the firing line, impacting countless shooters, teammates, and fans across generations. Capstone Precision Group and Team Lapua extend their deepest condolences to Steve’s family, friends, and the entire shooting sports community.
The official start of summer (6/21/2026) is just one month away, and temperatures are starting to heat up. We are already seeing unseasonably hot conditions in some areas of the country. You never want your barrels to get too hot, which can happen more quickly in summertime. Accuracy suffers when barrels over-heat, and excessive heat is not good for barrel life. So how do you monitor your barrel’s temperature? You can check if the barrel is “warm to the touch” — but that method is not particularly precise. There is a better way — using temperature-sensitive strips. McMaster.com (an industrial supply house) offers stick-on temp strips with values from 86° F to 140° F. A pack of ten (10) of these horizontal strips (item 59535K13) costs $11.56. That’s a mere $1.16 per barrel for strips — cheap insurance for your precious barrels. For best barrel life, you should try to keep your barrels under 120 degrees F.
NOTE: On the McMaster.com website, you’ll need to scroll down to the multi-use “Temperature Indicating Labels”. Then click on the horizontal label and select item 59535K13, as shown below.
Forum member Nomad47 says: “I have temperature strips (bought at McMaster-Carr) on all my barrels. I try not to shoot when the barrel gets to 122 degrees or higher[.]” Here are photos of the McMaster-Carr temp strips on Nomad47’s customized Savage.
Creedmoor Sports now offers handy Temp Strips, with 3-packs for $12.95. These have colored temp range markers so you can quickly see if your barrel is getting too hot. Creedmoor Sports notes: “The temperature range of 30-160° spaced in 10° increments fit most … shooting situations. The 1″-wide 6″-long LCD strip will provide many years of service. In general, we recommend that if a barrel begins to reach 140°, it is too hot and continuing to shoot at these temperatures accelerates barrel wear These barrel temperature strips use a 3M® adhesive and will stick to blued, parkerized and stainless barrels.”
Bad things can happen if your barrel gets too hot. First, with some barrels, the point of impact (POI) will shift or “walk” as the barrel heats up excessively. Second, even if the POI doesn’t change, the groups can open up dramatically when the barrel gets too hot. Third, if the barrel is very hot, the chamber will transfer heat to your loaded cartridge, which can lead to pressure issues. Finally, there’s considerable evidence that hot barrels wear out faster. This is a very real concern, particularly for varmint shooters who may shoot hundreds of rounds in a day. For this reason, many varminters switch among various guns, never letting a particular barrel get too hot.
Neconos.com offers BAR-L Temp Strips that visually display heat readings from 86 to 140 degrees. Think of these strips as compact, unbreakable thermometers that monitor barrel heating.
Put a strip on the side of the barrel and the barrel’s temp will be indicated by a stripe that changes from black to green. There is also a “general purpose” strip that reads to 196 degrees (see bottom row). The Benchrest model strip (86°F to 140°F) is in the middle. These Bar-L temp strips cost $12.70 each, or $25.00 for a 3-pack.
NOTE: These strips can be permanently fixed to the barrel with the heavy-duty clear plastic tape strip provided with the BAR-L Temp strip.
Glenn worked up a trim-and-point recipe for this lot of bullets based on group size. Load development is all performed at 1000 yards using the group ladder method. Glenn’s record load ended up being 30.3 grains of H4985 powder with the 103gr bullet seated very far into the rifling with .005″ of neck tension. This gave a velocity of 3030 fps in the 28″ Krieger.
In our 
Beyond his competitive accomplishments, Reiter was widely respected for his humility, sportsmanship, and commitment to growing the shooting sports community. His influence extended far beyond the firing line, impacting countless shooters, teammates, and fans across generations. Capstone Precision Group and Team Lapua extend their deepest condolences to Steve’s family, friends, and the entire shooting sports community.
