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April 18th, 2010
 If you’re interested in doing something for our troops overseas, consider donating old or unused cellphones for the Cell Phones for Soldiers (CPFS) project. This program was founded by two teens from Massachusetts, Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, who read about a soldier struggling to pay a phone bill. The goal of Cell Phones for Soldiers is to provide every US soldier with a way to call home for free. This charity welcomes donations of any cell phones in decent condition — whether working or not. Phones that cannot be activated will be recycled with proceeds going to provide talk time for the soldiers. You can also donate money for talk time using PayPal. Cell Phones for soldiers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax-deductible.
 One NRA employee is doing his part to support Cell Phones for Soldiers. Jim Dove, Manager of NRA’s Telecommunications Services, learned about the Cell Phones for Soldiers program from Vanessa Beebe, an assistant in the Executive Vice President’s office. For the past several months, Dove has been diligently collecting old NRA cell phones –- functioning and not –- for a worthy cause. “We want to support our men and women in uniform in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Dove told the NRA Blog. Right now his collection numbers 40, and he’s nearly ready to deliver the phones to CPFS.
Cell Phones for Soldiers has also enlisted the help of corporate sponsors. Through the end of April 2010, Little Caesars Pizza Parlors will collect used cell phones to help raise money for CPFS. Also, postage-paid cell phone shipping envelopes will be available to Little Caesars’ customers. In addition, AT&T has donated more than $500,000 worth of prepaid phone cards to Cell Phones for Soldiers. AT&T also provides CPFS drop-offs at its 2,000+ company-owned stores.
April 17th, 2010
 Want to own a piece of Remington? And throw in Bushmaster, Marlin, DPMS, H&R and EOTAC for good measure? Well you may have your chance later this year. The Freedom Group, a holding company owned by Cerberus Capital Management, is planning to “go public”. Last fall, the Freedom Group filed a preliminary S-1 prospectus with the SEC. This launched the process of regulatory approvals needed for a Freedom Group public offering. Three weeks ago, the Freedom Group filed an amended S-1 in preparation for an IPO in the second half of 2010.
We’ve all been watching the Freedom Group gobble up one firearms-maker after another over the past few years, building the colossus of the gun industry. (See Acquisition Timeline.) Now the Freedom Group claims to be “the largest manufacturer of commercial firearms and ammunition” in the world. The Freedom Group conglomerate includes more than a dozen leading brands: Advanced Armament, Barnes Bullets, Bushmaster Firearms, Dakota Arms (including Miller Arms and Nesika), DPMS/Panther Arms, EOTAC, INTC, Marlin (including H&R, New England Firearms and L.C. Smith), and Remington Arms. With its series of acquisitions (most recently Advanced Armament and Barnes), the Freedom Group has become a dominant player in the Shooting Sports and Security Industries. In its SEC Filings, the Freedom group declared $54.5 million in net income on $848.7 million in net sales.
When will the Freedom Group launch its IPO and how much will shares cost? That information has not yet been revealed, but documents filed so far definitely point to a public offering sometime this year. Will buying shares in the Freedom Group prove a good investment? Well if you had bought gun company stocks immediately after the November 2008 election you could have tripled your money. However, some experts say Cerberus’ decision to take the Freedom Group public indicates that the “blush is off the rose” and the gun industry may be facing lean times ahead, with reduced profit potential and slower growth. For cynics, the IPO announcement confirms that Cerberus plans to “take the money and run” — disposing of the Freedom Group before its profitability declines.
CLICK HERE to download Freedom Group S-1 SEC Filing (3rd Amend.)
April 17th, 2010
NSSF VP and Gen’l Counsel Lawrence Keane has analyzed the laws governing transport of firearms and ammunition. Here Keene explains long-standing restrictions as well as some new rules that affect firearms owners who ship guns by Common Carrier or who bring firearms when they travel by air.
Disclose to the Carrier if Contents Include Firearms or Ammunition
In a recent case, an individual was criminally prosecuted by the federal government for shipping two guns and some ammunition via a common carrier. The federal government also seized and forfeited the firearms and ammo. Why? Because the shipper “knowingly” failed to disclose to the carrier in writing that the contents of the package contained firearms and ammo. He violated Section 922(e) of the Gun Control Act. This case provides an important lesson for all of us who may, for example, ship a firearm to ourselves for an event rather than check the firearm as luggage.
You MUST declare the contents to the common carrier in writing (on the carrier’s form, check the box/fill in the line). It is a crime to “knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment . . . to persons other than a licensed [importer, manufacturer, dealers, or collector], any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped.”
 Name on Airline Reservations and Picture ID must be Identical
An important new change is taking place for everyone who travels. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has launched a program called “Secure Flight,” which will require travelers to provide their full name as it appears on the government-issued identification they will be traveling with (i.e. passport, driver’s license) when making airline reservations. With this change, you will no longer be able to travel under an abbreviated name or nickname (i.e. Scott vs. W. Scott, Liz vs. Elizabeth or Bill vs. William). This change in airline procedure may affect you and require you to make changes to how your name appears in your travel documents including profiles with your travel agency.
 Educate Yourself About Restricted Items
The TSA offers a comprehensive list of all prohibited items on its website, www.TSA.gov. The lengthy list explains which items may be carried on and which must go in checked luggage. The exhaustive list of items barred from carry-on includes many things you might not expect.
For example, it is illegal to have drill bits or even screwdrivers (more than 7″ in length) in carry-on luggage. Scissors longer that 4″ must be checked. Hammers must be checked. Gel shoe inserts must be removed and checked, and even snow globes may not be carried on a plane. Because its hard to remember all the restrictions, we recommend you download the TSA’s digital PDF brochure on restricted items, and use it for reference before your new airline trip.
April 16th, 2010
Berger Bullets has just released a video report from Eric Stecker, Berger’s “master bulletsmith”. In this video update, Eric explains why Berger’s popular 6mm, 25 cal, and 7mm bullets are in short supply. Eric reports that production delays were caused by mechanical problems with the jacket-making presses. The good news is that the jacket presses have now been fixed (this required a complete rebuild of the 7mm press), so production should be back on schedule very soon. You’ll find more current news and match reports on Berger’s new Facebook Page.
Berger also announced that, in order to better respond to customer inquiries, Berger has added a new representative to the customer service staff, Teresa Collins. You can contact Teresa by phone at 714-447-5456 or send email to: teresa.collins [at] bergerbullets.com.
April 16th, 2010
Some weeks ago we reported that ATK was involved in a program with military-base commanders, under which one-fired cartridge brass was “de-milled” and then sold as scrap metal to ATK. The unit commanders then retained the proceeds for “discretionary use” at their bases. This procedure drew flack from gun owners and various members of Congress who believed the brass should be sold in reloadable condition — thereby returning its “highest use value” to the U.S. Treasury.
 Apparently ATK has abandoned the process of purchasing, at scrap value, demilled once-fired brass from military base commanders. According to Jim Shepherd’s Shooting Wire: “Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg has been ‘personally assured’ by Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) that the company’s controversial purchasing of demilled, once-fired military brass from individual military post commandants was ‘done’. That program launched a firestorm of protest from ammunition reloaders toward the small arms ammunition manufacturer after Montana Shooting Sports Association president Gary Marbut alleged ATK was trying to ‘pull an end-run’ around a Congressional directive to stop the process of destroying once-fired military brass.”
We hope that ATK has abandoned the de-milling program for good, and that once-fired military brass will, without exception, be made available to surplus vendors through public auctions. This was the intent of a Congressional Directive which stated that once-fired brass should be sold in reloadable condition. The U.S. government should certainly receive the highest value for surplus cartridge brass which the taxpayer paid to produce in the first place. Once-fired military brass is a popular resource for recreational and competitive shooters nationwide.
April 15th, 2010
 We’ve learned that many first-time visitors to AccurateShooter.com may come in via a link to the Daily Bulletin rather than through our home page. As a result, they may not be aware that there is a wealth of other content available to our readers. Our Shooters’ Forum, with nearly 11,000 registered members, is one of the best places on the web to discuss precision shooting and advanced reloading. We also offer FREE Forum Classifieds. On the editorial side, AccurateShooter.com offers hundreds of pages of content, with thousands of photos. Our Cartridge Guides are considered definitive sources of tech info for popular match calibers, and our Guns of the Week articles provide in-depth reports on outstanding custom rifles, most of which have competition pedigrees. In addition, we offer videos, gear reviews, book reviews, an event calendar, and even FREE downloadable targets.
If you’re a new visitor to AccurateShooter.com, you should check out all that we have to offer. There are hundreds of informative articles to read … and they’re all free.
 AccurateShooter.com Features:
April 15th, 2010
 The 2010 Eastern CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches will be held May 8th through 16th at Camp Butner, NC. The event is hosted by the North Carolina Army National Guard. The 4th Eastern CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches are co-sponsored by the CMP and Creedmoor Sports, Inc. CMP Games Matches will take place on 8-11 May while Creedmoor Cup Matches will be held 12-16 May. All interested shooters, (of all ages and skill levels) are invited to participate in these popular competitions. You’ll want to get your entry form in soon. There’s less than four weeks before the match starts.
CLICK for Match Program | CLICK for Match REGISTRATION
The Eastern CMP Games begin with a clinic on Saturday, 8 May. Three days of Garand, Springfield and Vintage Military Rifle Matches take place on 8, 10 & 11 May. The CMP Games Matches also include an “As-Issued” M1 Garand EIC Match on 9 May, a Rimfire Sporter Match and As-Issued Military Pistol Match on 9 May and an M1 Carbine Match on 10 May. New this year is a “Vintage Sniper Rifle Test Match” for two-man teams on 11 May. The Creedmoor Cup Matches begin on Wednesday, 12 May, with an advanced clinic. The Creedmoor Cup Matches include a Practice Match, a NMC team match, the 80-shot Creedmoor Cup Match and an EIC service rifle-NMC match rifle event. Both competitions feature special hospitality events and prize awards. Remington Firearms is sponsoring the High Power Rifle Clinic and a Practice Match (NMC). Creedmoor Sports is sponsoring a Four-Man team match (4 x NMC), the Creedmoor Cup 800 Aggregate and the Creedmoor EIC Match.
April 14th, 2010
 Expect the price of bullets and cartridge brass to climb upwards. Though demand for loaded ammunition has slacked off somewhat in the USA, as the buying frenzy of 2008-2009 has abated, there is still strong demand for sporting ammo and reloading components. Shortages persist for some types of reloading components and military ammo demand remains strong. But the primary reason for higher brass and bullet prices is the rise in raw materials costs. In the past year, the price of copper has risen from about $2.00/lb to over $3.50/lb. Likewise, the cost of lead (used for bullet cores) has jumped from $0.60/lb to $1.05/lb.
Will this trend continue? Probably. As the world economy sputters into recovery, increased global demand for raw materials will probably continue to drive metal prices upwards — and that means reloading components will cost more. A 100-count box of 140gr bullets contains two pounds of metal. If raw material costs rise $2.00 or $3.00 per 100 bullets, eventually we will see higher bullet prices.
The Economist predicts rising metal prices through 2011: “Growing optimism about the world economy helps explain why prices are surging. News from developed economies has become sunnier. And metal-hungry China ([which] consumes a third of the world’s base metals) is expected to grow so fast that its metal demand could return to pre-crisis levels in a year or so. Supply and demand is not the only thing helping keep prices aloft. There is an ‘extraordinary market’ for copper that has departed from fundamentals, reckons Andrew Keen at HSBC. Growing copper inventories at metals-exchange warehouses (half a million tonnes or so by some estimates) have coincided with increasing prices. The same seems to be happening with aluminium, lead and nickel.”
April 13th, 2010
From April 30 – May 2, the Original Pennsylvania 1000 Yard Club will host a multi-day, long-range benchrest school at its Williamsport range. For $250, up to 36 students will enjoy 1 night and 2 days of training under the tutelage of some of the nations’ top 1000-yard shooters. There are still some spots available for the Spring class, so get your applications in before the April 25th sign-up deadline.
 On Friday night (April 30), students will meet their mentors. Saturday (May 1), the class moves to the range for a full day of hands-on technical training. Topics include precision reloading, load development, gun handling, use of chronograph, analysis of shooting results, gun cleaning, and target analysis. The Williamsport Club will provide the rifles and all reloading components. Saturday’s sessions are followed by a steak dinner, included in the $250 seminar price.
On Sunday (May 2), after an early training session covering bench set-up and match strategies, students will shoot a 1000-yard match, spending time both behind the trigger and in the pits. The program wraps up before 4:00 pm on Sunday. The 1000-yard Benchrest School is limited to 36 students (with less than 3 students per advisor). Intructors include Gunsmiths Bruce Baer and Mark King, our Asst. Editor Jason Baney, and many Williamsport Hall of Fame shooters. For more info, email School Director Frank Grappone, frankgrappone [at] sbcglobal.net.
1000-Yard Benchrest School Slide Show
Sebastian Reist attended the 2009 Williamsport 1000-yard BR school. A talented professional photographer, Sebastian captured the highlights of his Williamsport 1K training weekend in the slideshow below, provided courtesy www.sreistphotography.com.
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April 13th, 2010
 Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) has acquired Blackhawk Industries Products Group Unlimited, LLC, a major player in the lucrative tactical products and security accessories market. The acquisition of Blackhawk, combined with the recent purchase of Eagle Industries, strengthens ATK’s position in tactical equipment for domestic and international military, law enforcement, security, and sport enthusiast markets.
“The acquisition of Blackhawk supports our strategy of expanding into adjacent lanes while leveraging ATK’s existing core competencies,” said Mark DeYoung, President and CEO. “Blackhawk provides ATK with a leading tactical systems brand, an expanded portfolio of quality products, and additional design and development expertise[.] This acquisition significantly increases our presence and our potential in the growing domestic and international security markets.”
 Blackhawk was founded in 1993 by former Navy SEAL Mike Noell. It all started with a failed pack in a mine field in Iraq that inspired Noell to create his own line of gear. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, Blackhawk is a leading US manufacturer of tactical gear, body armor, law enforcement duty gear, holsters, hydration systems, protective gloves and gear, apparel and footwear, knives, illumination tools, breaching tools, hunting gear, and recoil reducing stocks. The company operates manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Montana, and Idaho. Blackhawk is one of the most widely recognized brands for tactical, military, and law enforcement equipment. Blackhawk and ATK’s existing tactical accessories business will become a division of ATK’s Security and Sporting Group.
ATK is a global aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues in excess of $4.8 billion. ATK operates the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, while the ATK Security and Sporting Group now includes the following major brands: Alliant Powder, Blackhawk, CCI, Champion, Eagle Industries, Federal, RCBS, Speer, and Weaver Optics.
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