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November 26th, 2010
We admit, we found it hard to believe that a State government would actually waive state sales tax to promote the sales of firearms. But it’s true. For two days, November 26 and 27, 2010, South Carolina will exempt firearms purchases from state sales and use tax. South Carolina will waive the state’s sales tax on purchases of handguns, rifles and shotguns Nov. 26-27 during its two-day annual “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday”, first conducted in 2008.
Tax Holiday Today and Tomorrow
The 48-hour tax break on firearm purchases begins at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 26 and continues through midnight Nov. 27. The tax exemption also applies to any local sales and use tax. While gun purchases will be exempt, you’ll still have to pay tax on ammo and accessories though. The notice of the Sales Tax Holiday explains that ammunition, black powder, gun cases, gun barrels, gun safes, holsters, and hunting clothes etc. are NOT exempt.
CLICK HERE for details of South Carolina “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday”.
We salute South Carolina. At a time when many states, such as California, are doing everything possible to discourage firearm sales, and make it difficult for gun dealers to stay in business, South Carolina is giving hunters and sport shooters a break. This recognizes the fact that shooters contribute significantly to the economy and to wildlife conservation efforts.
November 25th, 2010
 Forum member Jerry S. posted this story yesterday in our Shooters’ Forum. It shows that, with the right bullet and good shot placement, the diminutive 6BR is more than enough cartridge for deer.
I decided to try something different this year. Instead of dragging out my trusty .44 Smith or the 6.5×55 Remington 700, I took my 6mmBR Norma Prairie Dog rifle deer hunting. We got a lot of wet sloppy snow the week before the opener and had a freezing drizzle on the first morning. I decided to hunt close to the house since my old bones couldn’t handle the trip to my normal hunting stand.
I set the 6mmBR P-dog rifle up on my shooting bench and began the long, cold wait. The deer trail I was watching is about 180 – 230 yards from where I was sitting.
Buck Lined up in Cross-hairs
At about 2:30 this afternoon, I was watching some does feeding along the trail and looked away for a minute then looked back and saw a third deer moving up behind them. A quick check in the spotting scope showed horns and I got behind the rifle. There is no safety on my P-dog gun so it wasn’t loaded and I quickly chambered a round. The does stepped into the woods and the buck stopped for a minute and looked right at me. I centered the cross hairs on his chest and touched the trigger. I could hear the impact as he leaped straight in the air and hit the ground running into the woods.
I figured it was a good hit, so I poured a cup of coffee and relaxed for a bit to let him tire out and drop. After my coffee, I picked up my 6.5×55 and went out to where he was shot. I was 190 yards from my bench and there was no blood. He was headed toward a swamp south of me so I figured I’d cut him off and see if I could cut his trail farther into the bush. I hadn’t gone ten yards when I came across a good blood trail.
I followed it for a few more yards and found him crumpled up. He had only gone 25 yards from where he was shot. While I was looking at him and taking photos, two more deer showed up. You can see one standing on the other side of my rifle.
My buddy brought his 4-wheeler over and helped me drag it to the house where we skinned it out. The bullet had taken the top off the heart and he was totally bled out. All in all, it was a successful hunt, and the 6mmBR did its job.
November 25th, 2010
Report By Steve Cooper, CMP
The 2010 Dixie Double Precision Air Rifle and Pistol Event gave junior and veteran shooters alike an opportunity to improve their game in a challenging environment at the 80-firing point CMP Marksmanship Center in Anniston, Alabama. Despite a calendar crowded with airgun events taking place nationwide and abroad, several of the country’s top air rifle and air pistol shooters brought their talents to the CMP Marksmanship Center during the 60-shot-times-two standing event, held Saturday and Sunday, 13 and 14 November.
A pair of US Army Marksmanship Unit soldiers took the top two podium spots in the open category of the CMP’s second annual Dixie Double Precision Air Rifle and Air Pistol Event, but University of Kentucky and USA Shooting’s Ashley Jackson, 22, wasn’t far off the pace. USAMU Shooter SFC Jason Parker finished first with a 1396 score, with his USAMU teammate SSG Hank Gray second with a 1385 score. Ashley Jackson applied pressure to members of the US Army Marksmanship Unit and took third overall with a 1381. Ashley finished with two impressive 100+ finals scores on each day of the 2010 Dixie Double.
Selina Curren, 14, picked up a BB gun for the first time a year ago and began shooting competitively with her 4-H club and has shown rapid improvement. At the 2010 Alabama Sports Festival she placed first in the 13 to 15-year-old class BB gun championship, second in the .22 rifle silhouette match and third in three-position .22 rifle match. A member of the Magic City Gun Club, coached by Perry Mitchell, Curren jumped to precision air rifle in September 2010 and made her first appearance at the Dixie Double this year.
“I’m learning things quickly,” she said after firing a second day score of 532 of a possible 600 in her second 60-shot precision air rifle standing match in two days. She improved by 30 points over her Saturday score of 502.
CLICK HERE to Read Full Story.
November 24th, 2010
 MidwayUSA just announced it’s own Black Friday Week Sale. The Sale starts today, Wednesday Nov. 24, and runs through Monday, Nov. 29th. You can save big on specially-discounted items. For example, tomorrow (Thursday) only, the new Pro Series Shooting Mat is marked down to just $29.99. You got that right — a deluxe shooting mat for $29.99. When it was previously on sale for $49.99 in October, we reported it was an excellent deal. At $29.99, it’s a steal.
CLICK HERE for Pro Series Mat specs and owner reports.
In addition to the special sale items, MidwayUSA is offering $15 off any $100 order for non-sale merchandise. Enter 151110 into the box titled, “Promotion Code” on the shopping cart page. This applies to online orders of regular price, in-stock products only (no gift certificates, no backorders, and this cannot be combined with other promotions).
November 23rd, 2010
Nikon has adapted its popular Spot On Ballistics software to run on iPhones and iPods. The Spot On iPhone App contains a vast database of factory ammo (both rimfire and centerfire), so you can quickly plot ballistics for your chosen load. If you have a Nikon scope with a Ballistic Drop Compensating Reticle (BDC), you can input the ammo type, zero distance, and atmospheric conditions, and the software will automatically calculate exact target distances corresponding to the hold-over circles on your reticle. Match Technology provides precise aiming points for any Nikon BDC reticle riflescope and precise reference for sighting in other Nikon riflescopes with plex, MilDot or standard crosshair reticles. Nikon’s Spot On App costs $4.99 from the iTunes App store.
Free Web Version of Nikon’s Ballistics App
If you don’t own an iPhone, you can still use the full-featured Spot On program for free on the web. Just log on to NikonHunting.com/spoton and register. Pick a caliber/cartridge and a bullet, then input temp, altitude, and shooting angle. This will give you a ballistics solution and will show the actual yardages corresponding to your BDC reticle hold-over circles. Shown below is the user interface for the FREE web-based version of Spot On.
November 22nd, 2010
 We recently had a chance to chat with Dave Emary, Hornady’s Chief Ballistics Scientist. Dave told us that varmint hunters should definitely check out two new .224-caliber bullets from Hornady, the 35gr NTX and the 53gr V-Max. Both bullets offer high-BCs for their weight class, along with excellent terminal performance.
New Lead-Free NTX “California-Legal” Bullet
First is the new 35gr NTX® BT plastic-tipped bullet. This is a lead-free California-compliant design. Designed with a boat-tail and extended ogive, the new 35gr NTX has better ballistics than most other bullets in its weight class. This bullet can be pushed to very high velocities by a standard .223 Remington cartridge. As you can see from the factory illustrations below, the new 35gr NTX bullet is far more streamlined that the previous 35gr flat-base V-MAX, and the NTX’s BC is much higher. So the NTX gives you a lead-free alternative, that has better ballistics to boot.
New High-BC, 53gr V-Max May Be a “Game-Changer” for .223 Rem Shooters
The second recently-released bullet is a new, High-BC, 53gr V-Max with a field-tested 0.290 G1 Ballistic Coefficient. That’s a very high BC for a .224-caliber bullet in this weight class. To demonstrate that point, the Berger 55gr BTHP Varmint bullet has a .210 G1 BC, while the Sierra 53gr FB MatchKing has a .224 G1 BC (above 2800 fps). How did Hornady achieve the higher BC? Emary tells us that this new bullet was designed with an extended ogive (nose section) to provide significantly better ballistics than other bullets in its weight class. Emary added: “With this .290 BC bullet and the higher velocities we get with the SuperFormance powder blends, the .223 Remington runs pretty darn close to a .22-250 with standard loads — you can run the ballistics numbers yourself.”
Taking Up Emary’s Challenge — Running the Balllistics
Given Dave’s challenge to “run the numbers” — we did just that. Hornady claims 3465 fps from its new SuperFormance .223 Rem factory ammo loaded with the 53gr V-Max. At 400 yards, this load will drop 20.8 inches from a 100-yard zero, and drift 15.6 inches in a 10 mph crosswind. (Figures calculated with JBM Ballistics, for 500′ altitude, 70° F.) To compare, Hodgdon’s Reloading Data Center says a .22-250 can deliver 3713 fps with a 55-grainer pushed by a max load of IMR 4064. So, for the .22-250, assuming a .220 BC for the 55gr bullet, the drop at 400 yards (from 100-yard zero) is 20.4 inches, while the 10 mph wind drift is 20.2 inches (again according to JBM). So, it looks like Emary is right, assuming his .223 Rem velocities are real. At 400 yards, the .223 Rem with the 53-grainer has nearly identical drop and much less wind drift than a .22-250 shooting a conventional 55-grainer. Here are the numbers:
| Cartridge |
Muzzle Vel |
Bullet BC |
Drop at 400 yds |
Drift at 400 yds |
| .223 Rem |
3465 fps |
0.290 BC (53gr) |
20.8 inches |
15.6 inches |
| .22-250 |
3713 fps |
0.220 BC (55gr) |
20.4 inches |
20.2 inches |
We asked Emary how the new 53-grainers hold up when driven at high velocities. Emary replied: “The 53-grainer has the tough V-Max jacket. You should be able to push it up to 4000 fps with no problems”.
November 22nd, 2010
 Smith & Wesson has introduced a limited edition of 500 engraved Model 27, .357 mag revolvers to mark the 75th Anniversary of the .357 Magnum cartridge. The very first of the 500, serial number SFY0001, will be auctioned on Gunbroker.com to benefit USA Shooting. “The proceeds of serial #SFY0001 will benefit not only our athletes but also our various shooting programs,” said Buddy DuVall, USA Shooting Team Foundation Executive Director. USA Shooting provides training facilities for American shooting sports athletes, and supports American shooters in international competitions. CLICK HERE to see the Gunbroker auction, which runs through December 19, 2010.
For those who can’t afford the first of the line, the remaining 499 special edition m27s should prove desirable collectibles. Constructed of carbon steel and built on a large N-Frame, this special edition six-shot .357 Magnum/.38 Special revolver features a 6.5″ barrel and a high-polish, blued finish. Across the revolver’s barrel, frame and cylinder, there is elaborate machine engraving replicating the hand-drawn artwork of Smith & Wesson engraver David Mishichak. The 75th Anniversary m27 comes with engraved square-butt walnut grips, pinned patridge front sight and a micro-adjustable rear sight. Only 500 anniversary models will be produced with a unique serial number range from SFY0001 to SFY0500. Each Model 27 will be shipped complete with a wooden glass top presentation case.
November 21st, 2010
Gander Mountain, a large outdoor sports retailer, just announced a pre-Thanksgiving sale. For online purchases only, you can get $20 off any order of $125.00 or more. Use Promo Code GME1121. This promotion ends November 24, 2010.
November 20th, 2010
 Our latest Forum sponsor, DoghouseOutdoors.com, is a new online retailer specializing in fine optics. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Doghouse has a modern, easy-to-navigate website with a wide selection of products, all illustrated with high-quality photos.
Current Mfg. Rebates in Doghouse’s Rebate Central
On DoghouseOutdoors.com you’ll find a very cool feature: Rebate Central. Here manufacturers’ current optics rebates are all collected in one place. This helps buyers take advantage of all available money-saving promotions on rifle scopes, binoculars, rangefinders and other products.
Here’s the way it works: DoghouseOutdoors.com searches out all applicable rebates and then highlights them on the DogHouse home page in the “Rebate Central” area. As you move from one featured rebate to the next, if you find a rebate that suits you, just click on the rebate notice and you’ll be taken to the relevant products. Each product listing contains high-resolution photos along with a detailed description.
FREE Shipping on Rebated Products
As an added incentive for AccurateShooter.com readers, DoghouseOutdoors.com will provide free shipping on all rebate-qualified products. This currently includes products from Burris, Bushnell, Eotech, Leupold, and Sightron. (Shipping policy subject to change.)
 Zeiss Instant Rebates
In related news, Zeiss just announced a Winter Specials Promotion providing instant rebates on Zeiss scopes and binoculars. If you purchase a set of Victory RF Binoculars between November 15, 2010 and January 31, 2011 you get a $200 instant rebate at check out. You can also get a $100 instant rebate if you purchase any other Zeiss Victory FL Binoculars or Zeiss Victory riflescope (except DiaRange LRF scope).
Field Days Mail-In Rebate
Also, under the Zeiss Field Days Promo (which continues through December 31, 2010), you can get a $100 mail-in rebate with the purchase of a ZeissVictory 8×26 T* PRF Laser Rangefinder or any of the Victory Compact Binoculars. We have field-tested the Zeiss 8×26 T* PRF Rangefinder and we recommend it highly. It is easy to hold and aim, optics are sharp and bright, and ranging performance is excellent.
November 20th, 2010
 The new, 32nd Edition of the Gun Trader’s Guide has just been released. This fully-illustrated resource features current market values for thousands of rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Along with the Blue Blue of Gun Values, the Gun Trader’s Guide is one of the two definitive resources on gun prices. If you buy or sell firearms, the Gun Traders’ Guide is a must-have item that will pay for itself. Over two million copies of the Gun Trader’s Guide have been sold to date. Order soon to be one of the first to own the new 32nd Edition. The price is $19.77 plus free shipping with a total order over $25.00.
You can order the Gun Trader’s Guide (32nd Ed.), the Blue Book of Gun Values (31st Ed.) and other popular firearms books through the AccurateShooter Bookstore. To save you time, we’ve collected the best books on shooting, reloading, hunting, and gunsmithing all in one location. Ordering, secure billing, and shipping are all handled efficiently by Amazon.com.
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