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March 16th, 2008
Here’s a great product for owners of the Lyman 1200 Electronic Powder Scale/Dispenser. Lyman offers an inexpensive kit that will make your machine run much faster, AND it will be easier to clean out. Currently MidwayUSA has the Lyman 1200 Speed Upgrade Kit (item 638676) on sale for $21.99. This price is good through March 31, 2008.
Lyman 1200 owners report that the Speed Kit (Lyman part #7752428) is easy to install, and it can double the dispensing speed with some powders. Jack C. of NY reports that he could swap in the new unit in 10 minutes. He found that, with the Speed Kit, his machine was “nearly twice as fast and it cleans out in 1/10th the time.” Chris U. of Texas concurs: “This upgrade works! The bonus is that cleanup is greatly improved over the original unit. Remaining powder flows out easily leaving only a few behind.” Overall, Lyman 1200 owners report significant dispensing speed gains. Steve K. of VT notes: “The upgrade kit at least doubles the speed of the DPS 1200 and with rifle cartridges has a new charge dispensed and ready by the time I have placed and seated a bullet on the previous charged case. I highly recommend this upgrade.”
March 16th, 2008
In less than a decade, GunBroker.com® has reached a milestone unmatched by any other online firearms auction — 1,000,000 registered users. On March 4, Californian D. Krainock, registered as the record-setting user. With this achievement, GunBroker.com maintains its position as the third largest online auction site in the world and by far the largest firearms, hunting and shooting sports website.
Steve Urvan, CEO of GunBroker.com, declared: “It amazes me to think that in fewer than ten years, GunBroker.com has grown to more than a million users.” “The future of business across the globe is e-commerce,” he continued. “It’s comforting to know the firearms industry is keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology.”
Caveat Emptor Applies to GunBroker Transactions
While this Editor has used GunBroker.com for some successful transactions, we caution users to be very careful when you buy. If a transaction goes bad, there is little GunBroker.com will do, as an enterprise, to help you out. You’re pretty much on your own. Here are some tips for buyers:
■ Before the auction closes, ask plenty of questions. Don’t assume that the description of the item for sale is completely correct (or current).
■ Check to ensure the photos in the listing are actually of the item for sale. Quite often they may be “catalog shots” taken from a manufacturer.
■ Review the seller’s return policy. We won’t buy any gun unless there is a “no questions asked” return policy allowing a reasonable amount of time for inspection. Some sellers will give you five days for inspection, but their clock starts running on the shipping date. You want at least five (5) business days from date of arrival.
■ If the item you receive is NOT what you purchased, immediately notify the seller, and take pictures of the item before you send it back. Try to negotiate a refund before you return the item.
■ Be sure you understand shipping/insurance procedures and costs. These days, it is not unusual for gun to be damaged in transit. Make sure the item is adequately insured and that you can send it back if it is damaged.
■ Check seller feedback. If there are more than a handful of published negative feedbacks, avoid that seller.
GunBroker.com Fraud Protection
GunBroker.com advertises a Buyer’s Protection Program under which buyers are automatically covered against fraud, for amounts up to $500 with a $100 deductible. The Buyer’s Protection Program covers two forms of fraud: a) if you pay for an item and never receive it; or 2) the item you receive is materially different that its description (e.g. if you bid on a stainless pistol and received a blued one instead.)
That sounds good right? In practice, we’ve found that it is exceedingly difficult to get one dime out of GunBroker.com if a transaction goes bad. First, GunBroker.com doesn’t answer emails or take phone calls. Second, the Fraud Claim Process is very complex and there is a lot of fine print, with “weasel clauses” that negate buyers’ rights. Many typical problems are specifically NOT covered by GunBroker’s Buyer Protection. For example, Gunbroker.com will NOT pay if:
A. The item was purchased with cash, or you don’t retain proof of payment.
B. The item was lost or damaged in shipping — “You must deal with the carrier for lost or damaged items.”
C. There are “differences in opinion over the condition of the item”.
In practice, that last clause (“C”) applies to most disputes, and really renders the Fraud Protection pretty useless except in situations where you don’t get the item at all (non-delivery), or if you receive something completely different than what you purchased (e.g. if you receive a Marlin 22 when you bid on an Anschutz).
March 15th, 2008
Competitive Edge Gunworks, based in Missouri, has created an interesting new stock design. Featuring a 5″ wide fore-arm and a 2.5″-wide butt section, the new stock is designed to work for BOTH Light Gun and Heavy Gun competition. The Heavy Gun version can be fitted with plates to increase weight, and to track more precisely with a mechanical rear rest. The Light Gun version can make weight at 16.5 pounds, and you can order a narrower rear dimension if your club does not allow 2.5″-wide flats in the rear. (A 2.5″-wide rear flat should be legal under current F-Class, NBRSA, and IBS rules.) Since some clubs or events may still limit the front fore-arm to 3″ for Light Gun class, you can also order the stock with a 3″-wide forearm. However, if the 5-incher is legal at your club–that’s what you want to run. It’s makes the gun signficantly more stable, and really reduces torque effects (with big calibers) compared to a 3-incher.
Larry Crow of Competitive Edge designed the “combo stock.” He believed that long-range benchrest shooters could benefit if their Light Guns and Heavy Guns were configured as similar as possible. This way, for both LG and HG, the bolt is in the same position, length of pull is the same, and the scope is in the same position. You can also use the same front rest for both guns. With consistent dimensions and ergonomics, the shooter can concentrate on reading the conditions, and not worry so much about gun-handling.
 
The Competitive Edge stock is available in both a 3″ forearm version, and the bigger 5″-wide combo version. Price for a 3″-wide forearm stock starts at $395.00, while the 5″ x 2.5″ combo stock starts at $495.00. Fancy laminates are available on request at extra cost. For more info, contact Competitive Edge Gunworks at 1-660-731-5124.
March 15th, 2008
Recently in our Forum, French shooter Aurelien posted some spectacular 400m groups shot with a “6×47″ built by Christian Salva. (We believe that is the 6mm based on the 6.5×47 Lapua cases, and not the RUAG 6×47, a separate cartridge.) If you want to see some cool-looking precision rifles (and target pistols) built with a continental flair, check out Christian’s website. Christian has built some wild-looking silhouette pistols, and we are intrigued by his barrel-block F-Class rifle, and thumbhole Varmint rifle.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
March 14th, 2008
Whether you shoot at 100 yards or 1000, you need to gauge the wind to shoot small groups. A flag or wind-sock will show you the angle of the wind, but you’ll still be guessing about its velocity. That’s where a hand-held wind gauge helps. A good gauge provides both current and averaged wind speed plus basic environmental info (such as temperature and wind chill). To get these features you can pay hundreds of dollars. Or, you can buy a Speedtech Skymate SM-18 Wind Meter from Officetronics for just $55.00. (If Officetronics is sold out, try this vendor link at $58.66.) The Skymate is a quality product sold by many of the big name vendors (Cabela’s, MidwayUSA) for $90.00 or more. The Skymate Wind Meter is accurate, rugged, water resistant, and affordable. This compact unit weighs just 2.3 ounces, and has a replaceable 400 hour lithium battery. “Smart” features include a data lock function, and an automatic power shutoff that kicks in after 15 minutes to save your battery.
March 13th, 2008
Currently, Natchez Shooters Supply has the highly regarded Steiner 8×32 Predator binoculars on sale for $199.00, marked down from $249.00. The versatile, rubber-armored Predator 8×30 is small enough to carry easily and fit into a coat pocket, while offering both power and brightness. The Steiner 8x30s provide 20mm of eye relief and a 390-foot-wide field of vision at 1,000 yards. Weight is 18 ounces. The waterproof Predator 8x30s come with Auto-Focus System, wrap-around eye cups that fold down, objective lens covers, binocular case and strap. Steiner offers a 10-year warranty on this model.
This is a very good deal. We did a quick price search on the web. Cabela’s.com has the same 8×30 Steiners for $260.94, while OpticsPlanet.com is charging $249.00.
CLICK HERE to read Steiner Binocular reviews from Cabela’s Customers.
March 13th, 2008
The United States F-Class Rifle Team announced that Lapua, a division of the Nordic Nammo Group, has committed to provide world class cartridge cases for use by the U.S. Team in the 2009 World F-Class Long Range Rifle Championships.
In July 2009, 35 of America’s best F-Class shooters from across the United States will travel to England to face team competition at distances of 600 to 1000 yards in the third World F-Class Long Range Rifle Championships. The United States won the first world championships in 2002 held in Ottawa, Canada, followed by a second place finish in 2005 in South Africa.
In an effort to reclaim the world title in 2009, the team officers have created a training program designed to greatly increase their odds. “We have worked hard to modify both our team selection process and training regimen,” said Robert Bock, United States F-Class Rifle Team captain. “It brings us great pride and pleasure to have our efforts both acknowledged and supported by Lapua. We can’t thank Lapua enough for its support and dedication or our future success.” Team USA currently uses the 6.5-284 cartridge, and it is likely the team will stick with that chambering in 2009.
F-Class is shot from the prone position at distances of 300 to 1,000 yards. In Open Class Competitors may use almost any caliber rifle, a scope, and both front and rear rests. An ideal sport for both male and female competitive shooters, this shooting discipline is unique in the fact that anyone can excel in it, even with little experience. “F-Class shooting is performed with a scoped, rested rifle,” said Adam Braverman, U.S. sales and business manager for Lapua. “Men, women, teenagers, the elderly and the physically disabled are able to compete on an even playing field, making F-Class the fastest growing long-range shooting discipline in the world. It is our pleasure to support the national team and we look forward to them returning to the United States as World Champions.”
March 12th, 2008
 “What trigger would you like us to build next?” That’s the question Timney Triggers is asking shooters. Timney wants customer input on what type(s) of new triggers it should develop, and the reasons why. Just log on to the Timney Triggers website, and share your ideas on the Trigger Survey Page.
Timney tells us: “Since its inception in 1946, Timney has always looked for ways to improve their products by listening to the customer. After all who knows better about the product than the end user? Timney would like to pose the question to all shooters and hunters. What trigger would you like us to build next? Perhaps a new bolt action, semi-auto pistol, shotgun, or tactical rifle? The sky is the limit so be creative.”
Arizona-based Timney Triggers currently offers a line of 75 replacement triggers, including a popular set of drop-in, modular AR-15 triggers. For more info, call 866-484-6639 or visit TimneyTriggers.com.
March 11th, 2008
The popular media often depict hunting and shooting as ‘niche’ activities, out-of-step with general trends in society. And of course golf and tennis receive much more coverage in the media than do shooting sports.
In fact, hunting and shooting are hugely popular. Americans spend more money on hunting and shooting equipment than on golf, tennis, fishing, or skiing gear. $3.7 billion was spent on hunting and shooting equipment in 2006, including $2.18 billion in firearms sales. According to data released from the National Sporting Goods Assn., sales of hunting and shooting-related equipment exceeded gear sales for every other sport activity, except exercise equipment. That means hunting and shooting are more important to the economy than golf, more important than tennis, more important than sport fishing.
New statistics show that hunting gear and firearm sales topped $3.7 billion in 2006, up 4.1 percent from the previous year. Only exercise equipment performed better, with sales of $5.22 billion, according to NSGA’s most recent “Sporting Goods Market” report. Golf equipment, which claimed the No. 2 spot the previous year, fell into the third spot with $3.66 billion in sales.
Included in the hunting- and shooting-related equipment category are firearms ($2.18 billion in 2006 sales), airguns ($224.1 million), ammunition ($977.1 million), knives ($51.8 million), paintball guns/packages ($220.9 million), and reloading equipment ($52.0 million).
“These statistics not only further demonstrate the willingness of America’s 40 million hunters and shooters to spend big bucks to enjoy their lifestyles, but also show our industry’s success in continuing to develop new products to meet their needs,” said Doug Painter, president of the firearm industry’s trade association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Top 10 Sports Equipment Sales Categories (2006):
1. Exercise – $5.22 billion
2. Hunting and firearms – $3.71 billion
3. Golf – $3.66 billion
4. Athletic goods team sales – $2.62 billion
5. Fishing tackle – $2.22 billion
6. Camping – $1.53 billion
7. Optics – $1.01 billion
8. Snow skiing – $615.0 million
9. Billiards / indoor games – $570.9 million
10. Tennis – $419.8 million
This report appears courtesy the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
March 11th, 2008
Currently, MidwayUSA is running a promotion on a dozen popular items, with sales prices up to 50% off. Included in the sale are hot-selling products from Butches, Champion, Federal, and Shooter’s Choice. Shown below are a few of the special sale items.
CLICK HERE to view Full Sales Sheet
Shooter’s Choice Solvent
24% OFF
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Champion Rimfire Bullet Trap
11% OFF
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HySkore Modular Pistol Rack
24% OFF
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Butch’s Triple Twill Patches
36% OFF
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