We know that many of our readers are 55 years of age or older (or soon will be). Your Editor just hit the 55 mark this year. But growing old isn’t all bad — many companies offer discounts for seniors. The threshhold age for discounts can range from 50 to 66, but for many programs, persons 55 or older qualify. A list of 106 companies offering senior discounts has been compiled by BradsDeals.com. On the list, you’ll find savings on groceries, restaurant meals, clothing, hard goods, cell phone plans, park admissions, hotels, car rentals, air travel and even personal services such as haircuts. We know you guys traveling to matches can benefit from the hotel and rental car discounts. CLICK HERE to download Senior Discount Company List (PDF).
Here are some of the best deals from the list (savings may vary by region):
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off other services including camping (Age 62+).
Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+).
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+).
Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off (55+).
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions.
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+).
Alamo, Avis, and Hertz Rent-a-car: Up to 25% off for AARP members.
Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+).
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+).
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+).
The above list is just a small sampling of the senior discounts available. Download the entire list to see 106 companies’ senior savings programs (with eligibility requirements). You can find more discounts at www.SeniorDiscounts.com. In addition, since many senior discounts are not advertised to the public, folks over 55 should ALWAYS inquire (before you hand over your credit card) whether the store or vendor provides a senior discount. That way, you can be sure to get the most bang for your buck. Even if you only save $1.00 on a cup of coffee, that’s money saved that can be used to pay important bills, or used to buy more reloading components.
Ninth High Power Title for Bernosky
Carl Bernosky has won the 2011 NRA National High Power Rifle Championship with a final Aggregate score of 2393-160X. Rodrigo Rosa finished second, just three points behind, but Carl had a huge edge in X-Count, 160X for Carl vs. 132X for Rosa. Over the course of the past week, while amassing his winning Aggregate, Carl won a number of trophy matches without dropping a point, including the Scott Trophy Match (200-15X), Appreciation Cup Match (200-18X), Crescent Cup Match (200-15X), and the Crowell Trophy Match (200-17X).
One of his most impressive accomplishments this year was tying a National Record for slow fire standing from 200 yards. The record, a 200-15X, was originally set by Gary Anderson in 1971 in the Navy Cup. “When I shot that 200 with 15X standing, that was discipline. I didn’t shoot a bad shot,” Bernosky said. “That was the best target I’ve ever shot, including practice.”
Shooting for Team SOG in 2011, this win marks Bernosky’s Ninth National High Power Championship*. This was a sweet victory for Carl, as last year he finished just one point behind 2010 Champion SGT Sherri Gallagher. As far as we can tell, Carl’s 2393-160X was the second highest National High Power Championship Winning Agg in history, exceeded only by Gallagher’s 2396-161X record set last year. Congratulations to Carl for his impressive victory! Now a nine-time champion, Bernosky has won the High Power Championship in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1992, 2000, 2007, 2008, and 2011. *In 1981 Carl won the Match Rifle division, but D.I. Boyd, a Service Rifle shooter, had the highest overall Aggregate.
The top five finishers in the 2011 NRA National High Power Rifle Championship were:
1. Carl Bernosky, 2393-160X
2. Rodrigo Rosa, 2390-132X
3. Brandon Green, 2385-126X
4. Sherri Gallagher, 2383-146X
5. Norman Houle, 2381-114X
Watch Bernosky in Action in Video
In this video from the 2011 Crowell Trophy Match segment of the National High Power Championships, Carl Bernosky (in maroon shooting coat) shoots prone with his AR spacegun. Note the minimal recoil after shots.
Bernosky Explains How to Read the Wind
Below is a video interview with Carl Bernosky recorded at the 2010 Shot Show. Carl explains when you need to shoot fast, and when you need to be patient and wait for the conditions.
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has named industry veteran Randy Bimson as its new technical advisor and director of technical affairs. In his position, Bimson will manage all activities of the SAAMI Technical Office. He succeeds Ken Green, who recently retired after serving as SAAMI’s technical advisor and director of technical affairs for the past 16 years. A 35-year industry veteran, Bimson most recently served as senior technical advisor for Beretta USA Corp. Other positions he has held over his career include technical services manager of Brownells’ factory parts division, and gunsmithing products division manager at MidwayUSA.
“The role of technical advisor requires the technical knowledge and attention to detail of a top-notch engineer, great management skills, the social skills of a diplomat and a working knowledge of law thrown in for good measure,” said Rick Patterson, SAAMI managing director. “[Randy’s] knowledge and years of experience will help ensure SAAMI’s technical work remains second to none.”
Founded in 1926 at the request of the U.S. Federal Government, SAAMI is an association of the nation’s leading manufacturers of sporting firearms, ammunition and components. It publishes voluntary industry standards, coordinates technical data and promotes safe and responsible firearm use. It handles both domestic and international technical and regulatory issues that affect safety and reliability of firearms, ammunition and components.
Grafs.com is having a big sale on certain Hornady reloading products. The Lock N Load Auto Charge Scale/Powder Dispenser is now just $199.99, marked down from $224.99. Reports on this unit have been generally positive. This sale makes the Hornady scale/dispenser much less expensive than an RCBS Chargemaster, which typically sells for about $330.00.
Next, the price of the Hornady Lock N Load Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine has been knocked down to $84.99 from $99.99. That makes the machine cheaper than “no-name” alternatives sold on eBay. This is similar to the machine we used for our original ultrasonic cleaning tests. It should do the job, unless you have large quantities of brass, in which case we recommend the larger Hornady Magnum Sonic Cleaning Machine, which has twin transducers and a larger immersion bay.
Grafs.com has also slashed the price of the Hornady Concentricity Gauge from $94.99 to $79.99. This tool can measure bullet run-out, and it has the capacity to straighten bullet alignment in the neck. Be aware, however, that because this tool supports a cartridge at both ends (like holding the two ends of a jump-rope), you will typically get a different run-out reading than with a traditional tool, such as the Sinclair Concentricity Gauge, which supports the case body only (without touching the bullet tip). Both tool designs give meaningful results, but the read-outs will not normally be the same.
Hornady Reloading Handbook $10.00 with Bullet Purchase
In addition to the tool sales, Grafs.com is now offering the lastest Hornady Reloading Handbook for just $10.00 if you purchase five (5) boxes of in-stock Hornady Bullets. If you could use the book, we recommend Hornady’s V-Max bullets for varmint hunters, and the new BTHP match bullets for target shooters. The new BTHP match bullets feature AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process) jackets for greater dimensional uniformity.
Sightron is offering $75 rebates on its SII Big Sky™ line of riflescopes. To qualify, just purchase any new Sightron SII Big Sky™ from the Models listed below between August 15, 2011 and December 31, 2011. CLICK HERE to review Sightrong Rebate Terms and to print out $75.00 Rebate Coupon.
Rebate Rules and Conditions: Purchaser must submit Sightron coupon with original sales receipt, warranty card, and UPC sticker by March 31, 2012. Purchase must be made between August 15th, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. Please Allow four to six weeks for processing of rebate. Remit Rebate Coupon to:
Sightron Inc.
Dept: 2011 Rebate Offer
100 Jeffrey Way, Suite A
Youngsville NC. 27596
Story Tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
You can view hundreds of photos from the National Matches at Camp Perry at the CMP’s Zenfolio Image Archive on the web. There are separate collections for each event, with up to 450 images per collection. Once you open a particular collection, you can click through the images individually or select the “slide show” option. For you vintage rifle fans, here are some images from the Springfield & Vintage Military Rifle Match, the John C. Garand Match, and the Vintage Sniper Rifle Match.
By Steve Cooper, CMP Writer
Civilian shooter Konrad Powers, 41, of Carol Stream, IL won the storm-shortened 2011 President’s Rifle Trophy Match at Camp Perry Monday, 1 August, with an aggregate score of 295-8X out of 300 points possible, topping SSG Ty Cooper, 26, U.S. Army and SGT Christopher Atkins, 24, U.S. Army Reserve, who placed second and third, respectively. Powers fired a 98-3X in off-hand shooting at 200 yards, 99-3X in rapid-fire prone at 300 yards and 98-2X in prone slow-fire at 600 yards with his service rifle.
In junior shooting, Tyler Rico, 17, of Tucson, Arizona placed first with an aggregate score of 288-8X in an X-count tiebreaker over James London, 17, of Statesville, North Carolina who finished with a 288-4X. Rico’s score also placed him 38th overall in the match. He fired scores of 95-2X, 99-5X, 94-1X in offhand, rapid prone and slow prone, respectively.
First fired in 1878, the President’s Rifle Match, a National Trophy Rifle Match, was incorporated into the National Match program after the Nationals were established in 1903. The President’s Rifle and Pistol Matches have become especially prestigious because the match winners traditionally receive letters of congratulations from the President of the United States of America. Shooters who place 100th or better in the match are given special recognition as members of the President’s Hundred, a distinction highly prized in both civilian and military circles.
Charter Arms has apparently revived its 40 S&W Rimless Revolver, first announced in 2009. Charter Arms claims its 40 S&W Revolver is the “world’s first .40 caliber Rimless Revolver”.
Built on the same stainless steel frame as the .44 Special Pit Bull wheelgun, the new 5-shot .40 S&W Pit Bull Revolver weighs 20 ounces, and measures 6.75″ overall with a 2.3 inch barrel. The gun has a fixed frame rear sight and a ramped front sight with a standard hammer. A DAO hammer is available upon request. Rubber grips are standard.
Dual Coil Spring Extractor Design Eliminates Need for Moonclips
The Charter Arms .40 S&W Revolver features a rimless cartridge extractor assembly. A dual coil spring assembly is located in the extractor to allow the insertion and retention of a .40 caliber cartridge in each chamber of the revolvers’ cylinder. What sets the new Charter Arms apart from previous revolvers chambered for rimless cartridges is the built-in coil spring that grabs the cartridges’ extractor groove. This enables the gun to work without moon clips used in other revolver designs.
.40 S&W Revolver Makes Sense as Back-Up for .40 S&W Duty Pistol
Why do we need a revolver that shoots .40 S&W when there are perfectly good options for .38 Special, .357 Magnum and other popular rimmed cartridges? According to Charter Arms President Nick Ecker, the firearms industry has had a “long felt need” for a revolver that fires .40 S&W rimless ammo. Ecker explains: “The Pit Bull is the ideal revolver for law enforcement officers to use as their back up, because they can now carry a revolver that utilizes the same ammo as their sidearm. It gives them the first revolver that shoots their [.40 S&W] ammo without utilizing moon clips.” It is not clear whether the new .40-Cal Pit Bull can shoot the hotter 10mm rimless ammo as well. We note that the barrel of the gun is marked “Pit Bull 40 S&W”.
COMMENT: We hope Charter Arms applies its rimless extractor design to a 9mm Parabellum version. A 9mm revolver that works reliably without moon clips should be very popular. In a lightweight wheelgun, the 9mm (with its lesser recoil) would be more controllable than the .40 S&W round. The .40 S&W has a stout kick even in a full-size, all-metal duty pistol. 9mm ammo is also much more affordable than 40 S&W ammunition. We note that when Charter Arms first announced its “Rimless Revolvers” two years ago, it claimed it would also release a .45 ACP version and “90-120 days after the .45 ACP will come the 9mm”. Charter Arms has not revealed whether it still plans to bring out either a .45 ACP or 9mm Rimless Revolver. In 2009, Charter Arms listed these prices: 9mm $399.00, .40 $449.00, .45 ACP $449.00.
Hindsight: Smith & Wesson 9mm Model 547
Historically, the new .40 Cal Pit Bull is not the first revolver from a major manufacturer to chamber rimless cartridges without moon clips. In the 1980s Smith & Wesson marketed a model 547 9mm revolver that used a spring-loaded detent in the cylinder for case retention. Basically a modified model 13 with 3″ barrel, the model 547 is no longer in production.
Frank Galli, aka “Lowlight”, runs the popular SnipersHide.com website. Frank recently completed a gunsmithing course with Robert Gradous. Frank recounts the learning process in an informative, nicely-illustrated article on the ‘Hide. Frank explains how he put together a new 6.5 Creedmoor tactical rifle using a Bartlein barrel, Bighorn Action (Rem clone with floating bolt-head), and a “lightly used” Accuracy International 1.5 chassis. The HD video below shows the process start-to-finish. READ Full Article.
During Frank’s “hands-on” training sessions with Gradous, Frank learned to thread and chamber a barrel, fit a recoil lug, and install the barreled action in the AI chassis. Chambering was done with great care: “We spent the better part of the day working the barrel. I feel this is a critical component and seeing the attention to detail in Robert’s approach confirmed it for me. When it came time to chamber Robert had a custom tight chamber reamer there for a 6.5CM but I’m shooting a tactical rifle, tight chambers aren’t for me, and this was clear, as out came the standard SAAMI reamer.”
Frank also learned how to modify an aluminum chassis: “the AI chassis had the recoil lug opened up, but it was opened in the wrong direction. This was going to require milling increasing the gap to at least a 1/2″ in size. Robert was really leery of this, but my attitude was, ‘it’s just a chassis and nothing a little Marine Tex can’t handle’.” Thankfully the chassis mod came out OK.
Once the barreled action was complete and the AI chassis was successfully milled, Frank applied a tan Cerakote finish to the barreled action. This would give a proper tactical look to the rifle, while providing superior corrosion resistance for the metal parts. To learn more about Cerakote finishing, check out the Cerakote Application Video, published last week in the Daily Bulletin.
When the rifle was complete, Frank took it out for testing with a variety of ammo, both factory fodder and handloads. There were some initial worries about accuracy as it took a while for the barrel to break in. A few sessions of bore cleaning were required before the barrel stopped fouling and then — like magic — the rifle started printing really small groups.
By the end of his load testing session, Frank was getting good groups with Hornady 120gr GMX factory 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, and really superb groups with handloads. The 120gr GMX ammo “was going 3100 fps with no ill effects”. The best handloads were approaching 1/4 MOA for three shots, and Frank’s load with Berger 130 VLDs shot even smaller than that: “In my opinion the load development we did was worth its weight in gold. Where else can you build in a rifle in two days, then go out and develop a baseline load using everything from 120gr ammo to 140gr ammo with a few in between? My favorite load and clearly the rifle’s too, was the [Berger] 130gr VLD. This gave us great velocity, awesome groups [with some one-holers] and really nice results at distance.”
Lowlight’s Gunsmithing Story is a ‘Must-Read’
We recommend you read Frank’s story. It shows that, with the right tools, and the supervision of a master smith, even a novice can produce an ultra-accurate rifle. For those of you who have considered taking a gunsmithing class, Frank’s successful experience with gunsmith Robert Gradous should give you plenty of motivation.
Results are in for some of the early high power and service rifle competitions at Camp Perry. SGT Sherri Gallagher took the Coast Artillery Trophy Match, edging runner-up Rodrigo Rosa in a Shoot-Off by three ‘Xs’. Finishing third was Carl Bernosky. Gallagher, Rosa, and Bernosky all shot identical 200-15X scores in the main match. The Coast Artillery Trophy, pictured on the right, is a lidded silver loving cup with the figure of a uniformed U.S. soldier of the 1920s shooting a rifle from the standing position embossed on the side. The trophy was donated to the NRA by the Coast Artillery Association in 1923 to be awarded to the high-scoring Coast Artilleryman in the President’s Match. The Coast Artillery Match is a rapid fire match shot from 300 yards in the prone position.
In the Scott Trophy match, Harry Harrison finished first, winning by tie-breaker over Carl Bernosky. Both Harry and Carl shot identical 200-15X scores. The Scott Trophy match is shot rapid fire in two strings of ten shots — each string lasting only 70 seconds. Competitors have the option to kneel or sit when shooting, although most opt to sit.
The Members Trophy Match is a a slow fire match of 20 shots from 200 yards while standing. First shot (and won by William F. Leushner of New York) in 1901, the original competition called for annual NRA members to shoot five shots at 200 yards while standing and five shots prone at 500 yards.
Coast Artillery Trophy Match*
1. Sherri Gallagher 200-15X (100-10X)
2. Rodrigo Rosa 200-15X (100-7X)
3. Carl Bernosky 200-15X
4. Jack Jones 200-13X
5. David Kerin 200-12X
5. David Tubb 200-12X
5. Harry Harrison 200-12X
Scott Trophy Match
1. Harry Harrison 200-15X
2. Carl Bernosky 200-15X
3. Samuel Freeman 200-14X
4. Kevin Bangen 200-13X
5. John Holliger 200-13X
Members Trophy Match
1. Rodrigo Rosa 199-7X
2. Joseph Hendricks 198-5X
3. Norman Houle 197-11X
4. Carl Bernosky 197-11X
5. Sherri Gallagher 197-8X
*In the Coast Artillery Trophy Match, SGT Gallagher and Rosa fired a shoot-off, as they had an unbreakable tie in the match. In the shoot off, Rosa had a 100-7x, and Gallagher had a perfect 100-10x to win the Coast Artillery Trophy.
We know that many of our readers are 55 years of age or older (or soon will be). Your Editor just hit the 55 mark this year. But growing old isn’t all bad — many companies offer discounts for seniors. The threshhold age for discounts can range from 50 to 66, but for many programs, persons 55 or older qualify. A list of 106 companies offering senior discounts has been compiled by BradsDeals.com. On the list, you’ll find savings on groceries, restaurant meals, clothing, hard goods, cell phone plans, park admissions, hotels, car rentals, air travel and even personal services such as haircuts. We know you guys traveling to matches can benefit from the hotel and rental car discounts. CLICK HERE to download Senior Discount Company List (PDF).
Ninth High Power Title for Bernosky
The top five finishers in the 2011 NRA National High Power Rifle Championship were:
The 
Hornady Reloading Handbook $10.00 with Bullet Purchase
First fired in 1878, the President’s Rifle Match, a National Trophy Rifle Match, was incorporated into the National Match program after the Nationals were established in 1903. The President’s Rifle and Pistol Matches have become especially prestigious because the match winners traditionally receive letters of congratulations from the President of the United States of America. Shooters who place 100th or better in the match are given special recognition as members of the President’s Hundred, a distinction highly prized in both civilian and military circles.
Once the barreled action was complete and the AI chassis was successfully milled, Frank applied a tan Cerakote finish to the barreled action. This would give a proper tactical look to the rifle, while providing superior corrosion resistance for the metal parts. To learn more about Cerakote finishing, check out the 
By the end of his load testing session, Frank was getting good groups with Hornady 120gr GMX factory 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, and really superb groups with handloads. The 120gr GMX ammo “was going 3100 fps with no ill effects”. The best handloads were approaching 1/4 MOA for three shots, and Frank’s load with Berger 130 VLDs shot even smaller than that: “In my opinion the load development we did was worth its weight in gold. Where else can you build in a rifle in two days, then go out and develop a baseline load using everything from 120gr ammo to 140gr ammo with a few in between? My favorite load and clearly the rifle’s too, was the [Berger] 130gr VLD. This gave us great velocity, awesome groups [with some one-holers] and really nice results at distance.”
Results are in for some of the early high power and service rifle competitions at Camp Perry. SGT Sherri Gallagher took the Coast Artillery Trophy Match, edging runner-up Rodrigo Rosa in a Shoot-Off by three ‘Xs’. Finishing third was Carl Bernosky. Gallagher, Rosa, and Bernosky all shot identical 200-15X scores in the main match. The Coast Artillery Trophy, pictured on the right, is a lidded silver loving cup with the figure of a uniformed U.S. soldier of the 1920s shooting a rifle from the standing position embossed on the side. The trophy was donated to the NRA by the Coast Artillery Association in 1923 to be awarded to the high-scoring Coast Artilleryman in the President’s Match. The Coast Artillery Match is a rapid fire match shot from 300 yards in the prone position.
