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June 5th, 2010
Top Shot is a new 10-episode TV series premiering this Sunday, June 6 at 10 pm (9 pm Central) on the History Channel. (Top Shot repeats Tuesday, June 8 at the same hour.) Sixteen experienced shooters were chosen to compete for a $100,000 cash prize. The 16 contestants are divided into two teams. Each week the teams compete against each other, then one contestant from the week’s losing team is eliminated from the show in a head to head elimination round. We’ve previewed Top Shot’s first two episodes and we can say that Top Shot makes for good television. The cinematography and editing are first-rate, even if hard-core precision marksmen might quibble about some of the equipment used. In addition to modern rifles and pistols, contestants must master antique black-powder arms as well as crossbows, throwing knives, and even tomahawks. Hey, it’s Hollywood remember?
Among the 16 competitors is Accurateshooter.com contributor Kelly Bachand, a talented young Palma shooter from Washington state. Kelly figures prominently in episode one. The History Channel has released an extended 11-minute Series Preview you can watch now on HULU.com.
CLICK HERE to Watch TOP SHOT 11-minute Extended Preview. (Advert may load first.)
This Preview is VERY well done, and well worth watching.
CLICK HERE for Video Bios of TOP SHOT Contestants, including Kelly Bachand.
Editor’s Note: The video Bios include footage from team challenges on upcoming episodes. Watching the contestant Bios gives you a “sneak peek” at much of the future action.
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June 5th, 2010
Recognizing the growing interest in bow-hunting, MidwayUSA is now offering a full line of archery equipment. MidwayUSA’s online store now carries everything an archer could need: compound bows, crossbows, quivers, arrows, shafts, bolts, broadheads, bow sights, releases, slings, bow cases, archery targets and more. In addition, for bow-hunters, MidwayUSA offers tree-stands, blinds, scent-blockers, plus hunting boots and hunting clothing. CLICK HERE to browse MidwayUSA’s selection of archery and bow-hunting products.
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June 4th, 2010
 A “Gun Road Show” (along the lines of TV’s “Antique Road Show”) will be held at at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, North Dakota, June 12-13. The event will feature National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Doug Wicklund, who will provide appraisals of historic firearms brought in by visitors. Wicklund will be evaluating firearms from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hall. Organizers have established a one-firearm-per-person limit, and require each participant to have their gun checked at the door.
The Cowboy Hall of Fame is located in downtown Medora, ND, at the gate of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. “The last time I was in Medora, some fantastic guns came in for me to review,” Wicklund said. “I’m looking forward to seeing more pieces of Western history.” Shown below are two classic American arms recently sold at the Rock Island Auction. Perhaps similar valuable classics will be “discovered” at the “Gun Road Show”.
Saturday evening at 7:00 pm, Wicklund will host a free “Guns of the West” seminar. Wicklund will display famous guns of 19th-century outlaws and lawmen as well as famous Hollywood firearms, including the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum revolver Clint Eastwood used in the Dirty Harry movie. Many of these arms are normally on display at the National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia.
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June 3rd, 2010
 At around 2:15 on the afternoon of June 2nd, there was a fire and explosion at the Nosler production plant in Bend, Oregon. Apparently the accident started in the ballistics tunnel testing area. Employees reported a flash, then smoke followed by a “massive explosion” which was felt many blocks away. One employee who saw a bright flash alertly activated a fire alarm which helped speed the evacuation process.
Nosler Plant Fire and Explosion VIDEO Report
Thankfully, all the roughly 100 Nosler employees were able to evacuate safely, and there were apparently no serious injuries. The fire and explosion did do significant damage to the 80,000 square foot Nosler building. When fire crews arrived, they found major damage to the southeast corner of the Nosler plant, with thick smoke still pouring out.
Damage could run into the millions of dollars. A number of city blocks were evacuated and cordoned off. Right now the cause of the fire and explosion remains unknown, but the Bend Fire Department, state police agencies, and the federal BATF are commencing investigations.
CLICK HERE for Nosler Fire Damage Photos | CLICK HERE for KTVZ.com (Bend, Oregon) News Report
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June 3rd, 2010
Carl Zeiss Sports Optics has renewed its “Zeiss Field Days” promotion for 2010. Zeiss now offers substantial rebates on scopes, binoculars, and laser rangefinders.
$100 Rebate on Zeiss Victory 8×26 PRF Rangefinder
Earlier this year we comparison-tested a variety of Laser Rangefinders. Among the units tested, we felt that the overall best value, considering price, was the Zeiss Victory 8×26. While larger and heavier than the Leica CRF1200, it was easier to hold and aim, and it costs much less than the Swarovski Laser Guide. The Zeiss Victory is an outstanding unit and now it is even cheaper. From June 1 – December 31, 2010, Zeiss is providing a $100.00 mail-in rebate on the award-winning Victory 8×26 T* PRF Laser Rangefinder. (There is also a $100.00 rebate for the Victory Compact Binoculars.)
$150.00 Rebate on Zeiss Riflescopes with Rapid-Z® Varmint Reticle
From June 1 – September 30, 2010, Carl Zeiss is offering a $150 mail-in rebate for customers purchasing Zeiss Victory Diavari 6-24X or Zeiss Conquest 6-20X Riflescopes with the Rapid-Z® Varmint reticle. The Zeiss Rapid-Z® Varmint Reticle provides multiple, labeled hold-over points so you quickly move from one target distance to another without dialing scope elevation.
According to Erik Schumacher, president of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics: “This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our many loyal customers…. Given the challenging economic times, these reduced prices and rebate promotions should help many more to afford the best optics possible.”
Rebate Rules
All rebate request forms must be completed and postmarked 30 days from the date of purchase. Payment will be made by Carl Zeiss Visa Prepaid Cards. CLICK THIS LINK for more info about the Zeiss Field Days Promotion. Click the links below for PDF Rebate Forms.
Victory PRF Rangefinder Rebate Form PDF | Victory/Conquest Riflescope Rebate Form PDF
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June 3rd, 2010
Amazon.com is running a big Fathers’ Day Sale on name-brand tools. There are some exceptional deals offered on quality equipment. Whether you need a gift for dad, or just want to upgrade your own tool inventory, you should check out some of these deals. Here are some examples:
There are many, many other Fathers’ Day Bargains, including deep discounts on Multi-Tools, Tool Cabinets, Flashlights, and Wood-working tools.
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June 2nd, 2010
 ‘Top Shot’, a new 10-episode TV series, debuts this Sunday, June 6th, on The History Channel. The show features 16 competitors (all experienced shooters), vying for a $100,000 prize. While competitors were selected on the basis of marksmanship skills, ‘Top Shot’ is NOT just a series of multi-gun matches or target shoots. Contestants are grouped into two teams which compete in a different type of challenge each week. This requires competitors to master a wide variety of weapons, both modern and antique. One of the 16 competitors is AccurateShooter.com contributor Kelly Bachand, a promising young Palma shooter. Kelly plays a prominent role in the premier episode.
After wrapping up his filming stint with ‘Top Shot’, Kelly visited us in Southern California to do some testing with an Eliseo .308 Win tube gun (photo above). Kelly explained that, for the TV show, he and his fellow competitors had to demonstrate skills with a wide variety of historic and modern weapons. In addition to modern rifles and semi-auto pistols, competitors used black-powder revolvers, crossbows, throwing knives, and even tomahawks. In some episodes the competitors were tasked with recreating a historically significant feat of marksmanship — such as cutting a “hanging rope” with a pistol shot. Each week, contenders will face both team and individual elimination challenges until one winner remains. In the series opener (Sunday, June 6), contestants are immediately divided into two teams and then compete in a “Rifle Relay,” an obstacle course using standard-issue rifles from four different wars. In the elimination round, two contestants go head-to-head in “The Long Shot,” a long-distance sniper challenge which will send the first person home. ‘Top Shot’ will air Sundays at 10 EDT, with ten episodes slated for the upcoming season.
CLICK HERE for TOP SHOT Website with Episode Summaries and Contestant Bios.
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June 2nd, 2010
 The most recent ISSF World Cup competition ended over the weekend. The Chinese shooting team won 10 medals, placing first in ISSF World Cup medal count for third consecutive time this year. Team USA finished second with 6 medals, including 2 Golds, both in rifle events. Russia took third place with 1 Gold and 5 total medals.
The Fort Benning, Georgia venue seemed to be comfortable for members of the USA Shooting team. “We were in every final. We are contending everywhere,” said Rifle National Coach Dave Johnson. Among the American standouts were Matt Emmons, who took gold in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3-Position and a bronze in Men’s 50m Rifle Prone; Jamie Beyerle, the gold medalist in Women’s 50m Rifle 3-Position; Jason Parker, who captured third place in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3-Postion; Eric Uptagrafft, who earned silver in the Men’s 50m Rifle Prone; and Daryl Szarenski, who captured silver in Men’s 50m Pistol. For Parker, it was his first international event since returning from deployment in Afghanistan. Learn more about the ISSF World Cup at the USA Shooting and Int’l Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) websites.
Jamie Beyerle (above) won Gold in Women’s 50m 3-Position Final.
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June 2nd, 2010
 Reversing an interpretation of the Gun Control Act (GCA) that has been on the books for more than four decades, on May 20th the ATF posted a New Ruling declaring that ANY shipment of a firearm by a manufacturer (FFL) to an authorized agent or contractor (e.g., an engineering firm, patent lawyer, testing lab, gun writer, etc.) is to be treated as a “transfer” under the Gun Control Act of 1968. As a consequence, legitimate business-related shipments will now require the recipient to complete a Form 4473 and undergo a Brady criminal background check. And, in some jurisdictions, a testing engineer or patent lawyer will have to sit out a waiting period before they can access the firearm and start working with it.
The 5/20/2010 ruling states: “The temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes, is a transfer or disposition for purposes of the Gun Control Act, and, accordingly, the FFL must contact NICS for a background check, record a disposition entry, and complete an ATF Form 4473.”
ATF officials have acknowledged this is a radical change from ATF’s long-standing interpretation that shipments to agents were not a “transfer” under the Gun Control Act that was set forth in a 1969 Ruling (“Shipment or Delivery of Firearms By Licensees to Employees, Agents, Representatives, Writers and Evaluators.”) and further clarified in a 1972 Ruling. ATF is now saying that its own long-standing rulings, issued shortly after the Gun Control Act was enacted, were wrong. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) believes this new interpretation should be challenged:
ATF should be required to explain why it took 42 years to decide that its original understanding and interpretation of the Gun Control Act is now somehow wrong. ATF appears to be under the mistaken impression that the Brady Act of 1993 changed what constitutes a “transfer” under the Gun Control Act. Even if this were true — and it is not — then ATF should be required to explain why it took 17 years to figure this out. ATF itself admits that neither the Gun Control Act nor the Brady Act defines “transfer”. There is simply nothing in the Brady Act or is there any other legal reason that compels ATF to now reject 40 years of precedent.
For more than four decades manufacturers have shipped firearms to agents for bona fide business purposes, such as testing, engineering studies, or reviews. According to the NSSF: “ATF is unable to identify a single instance during the past 40 years where a single firearm shipped to an [authorized] agent … was used in a crime.” Changing the rule on shipping to a gun writer, patent lawyer, or testing lab will only waste time and money, and make it harder to engineer improvements in firearms designs. We wonder if this new policy was “cooked up” under pressure from political leaders in Washington.
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June 1st, 2010
 The Bianchi Cup, first held in 1979, is one of the most lucrative (and prestigious) of all the shooting sports tournaments. This event draws shooters from all over the world including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Since its inception more than three decades ago, the NRA Bianchi Cup has retained its original course of fire, consisting of four matches: Practical, Barricade, Moving Target, and Falling Plates. Speed and accuracy is the key to winning the Championship. Each event is timed and is worth 480 points, equaling a total of 1920 possible points. Each of the the four primary stages consists of 48 rounds for a total possible score of 480 for each stage and 1920 for a perfect overall score.
The 2010 Event has concluded and we list the top performers below. Doug Koenig won the Open Class without dropping a point, finishing with 1920-179X. Jessie Abbate, new Team Smith & Wesson member, dominated the women’s division with a 1906-163X, edging her team-mate Julie Golob by 12 points. Robert Vadasz won the production division with a 1904-146X.
| 2010 Bianchi Cup Results by Category |
Open Class:
1. Doug Koenig, 1920-179x
2. Bruce Piatt, 1918-183x
3. Kevin Angstadt, 1918-169x
4. George Mowbray, 1918-151x
5. Tony Holmes, 1916-159x |
Metallic Sights:
1. Robert Vadasz, 1904-146x
2. Rob Leatham, 1894-153x
3. Troy Mattheyer, 1892-127x
4. Jason Koon, 1866-114x
5. Greg Davis, 1861-105x |
Production Class:
1. Kyle Schmidt, 1856-121x
2. Enoch Smith, 1835-123x
3. Dave Sevigny, 1833-119x
4. Phil Strader, 1819-102x
5. Vance Schmid, 1812-100x |
Women’s Overall:
1. Jessie Abbate, 1906-163x
2. Julie Golob, 1894-131x
3. Vera Koo, 1891-141x
4. Jodi Lyall, 1878-137x
5. Margaret Reese, 1857-124x |
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June 1st, 2010
 The new digital version of Graf & Sons 2010 Master Catalog is now available online. You can browse the entire catalog, page by page, and switch between single-page (presentation) and double-page (magazine) layouts. Keyword search is offered, and you can conveniently print any page for future reference. Shown below is the digital catalog viewer showing single-page layout with a search for “Zeiss”. By using the “print” command, one can print this page to save the reticle options for future reference. Search functionality, combined with the ability to print pages, makes the online catalog viewer very powerful. A hard-copy, print version of the catalog is also available on request. CLICK HERE to Request 2010 Printed Catalog.
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