Shooting Illustrated Magazine recently announced its annual Golden Bullseye Awards. To be honest, some of the selections were questionable, but one product did stand out — a compact, totable first-aid kit: the Micro Trauma Kit NOW! from Blue Force Gear (BFG).
The handy Micro Trauma Kit NOW! was named “Accessory of the Year” by Shooting Illustrated. Measuring 6″ x 3.5″ x 2″ and weighing just 3.3 ounces, this little kit is easily carried in a cargo pocket or strapped to a belt or pack. We think every shooter and hunter should have something like this. (But you may want to make your own to save money).
Reviewing the Micro Trauma Kit, Shooting Illustrated found it easy to carry and deploy: “Designed for law enforcement, hunters and a citizen’s EDC kit, the trauma kit is easily deployed with a single hand or finger, made easy through the use of the company’s BLIP pull tabs. Once the tabs are pulled, the two main components of the kit separate: the outer pouch [and] the organizer insert.”
Micro Trauma Kit Now!™ Overview
This Trauma Kit comes in two versions. The standard kit includes: hemostatic dressing, 4-inch emergency trauma dressing, six 9″ lengths of medical-grade tape, Tourni-Kwik compression tourniquet, plus a pair of heavy-duty medical gloves.
The advanced fill option includes: QuickClot combat gauze, two HyFin vent chest seals, a Cleer medical trauma bandage 4-inch flat pack, a decompression needle, six 2×9 sections of frog tape, a size 28 nasopharyngeal airway and a pair of medical gloves.”
Good Product, But Pricey — Consider Making Your Own
We think every shooter and hunter should keep a small trauma kit like this in their vehicle or range bag. Much as we like these Blue Force Gear Micro Trauma Kits, we think they are over-priced at $129.00 for the standard version and $200.00 for the advanced fill option. We suggest you inspect the kits on the Blue Force Gear website, and make a list of the contents. Then you can probably create your own similar kits for one third the cost. Amazon sells basic Trauma Kit fill sets for under $25.00. Shown below are the Micro Trauma Kit Advanced Fill Option contents:
Micro Trauma Kit NOW! Supplies for Advanced Fill Option:
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Big Bucks. Serious Money. Walther Arms is making a whopping $450,000 in contingency awards available to pistol shooters in 2018. If you shoot pistol games such as USPSA and IDPA, and you “Win with a Walther”, you can go home with a nice check in your pocket. For example the winner of the USPSA Production Nationals will get $6000.00 if he shoots a Walther, while the winner of the IDPA U.S. Nationals will earn $4000. There are prizes for dozens of other competitions as well, with awards in multiple classes for both first and second places. The biggest payout is $6000, the smallest is $150.
Watch Video to Learn How to Win:
Walther has made it easy for shooters to participate in the “Win with Walther” program. For specified classes, Walther will reward top finishers in major pistol tournaments:
1. You must Finish First or Second using a Walther pistol in a Qualifying Tournament.
2. A Walther pistol must be used for the entire tournament. Proof of equipment is required.
3. You MUST email shootingteam@waltherarms.com with proof of your placement and a picture of your winning smile while holding the Walther Pistol you used to win or finish second!
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Walther Contingency Program. Click that link for a list of all qualifying shooting matches (with prize values), plus all the rules and “fine print”.
“We are very excited to not only continue but increase the contingency program for 2018. Walther Arms [will] build on the success of the 2017 contingency program, and increasing the approved events will allow more competitors to participate,” says Kevin Wilkerson, Walther Arms Marketing Manager.
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SHOT Show 2018 runs January 23-26 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Head to SHOT Show in Las Vegas in three weeks? Then you need to start your planning now. You’ll want to locate the companies you want to visit, and plan your booth-visiting route to make best use of your time. Thankfully, SHOT Show’s organizers offer an interactive SHOT Show Planner that lets you look up the exhibitors and plot their locations in the Sands EXPO Center. SEE Floor Plan.
The SHOT Show’s Interactive Floor Plan offers an easy-to-use Vendor Mapping feature. Simply enter the company name in the search field in the upper left. Then the Planner will locate the vendor’s booth(s) on the map and highlight the location for you. Easy-Peasy.
Getting to the SHOT Show Building
SHOT Show 2018 is held in the Sands Expo Convention Center, attached to the Venetian Hotel. If you don’t want to walk through the disorienting maze of that badly designed, over-priced hotel, you can enter through the Sands Avenue street entrance (taxi-cab stand). Word to the wise — avoid the SHOT Show shuttle buses if you can — riding them is a great way to catch a bad cold from other passengers who are sick.
On this interactive map you can use your mouse to re-center and zoom in/out.
There are three notable articles in the latest January 2018 Digital Edition of Shooting Sports USA Magazine. F-Class competitors will definitely want to read the report on the 2017 World Championships. And hand-loaders will appreciate the insightful article on the AMP induction annealing machine. The third recommended article provides tips and techniques for sighting in hunting, tactical, and benchrest rifles. Access the entire SSUSA 54-page January 2018 eZine by clicking THIS LINK.
F-Class 2017 World Championships in Canada Story by Larry Bartholome
Fifteen years ago, the very first F-Class World Championships were held in Canada. In 2017, the Championships returned to Canada for the fifth edition of the match. This year there were triple the number of entries, representing the growing popularity of F-Class competition. Notably, this year’s event was preceded by the Canadian F-Class National Championships. This issue contains a full report on the event, written by Larry Bartolome, a past National F-Open Champion. Shown at right above is the new F-TR World Champion, our friend Derek Rodgers from New Mexico.
AMP Annealing Machine — Annealing .30-06 Brass for Vintage Military Rifles Story by Art Merrill
Produced in New Zealand, the AMP (Annealing Made Perfect) unit is a sophisticated, microprocessor-controlled annealing machine that achieves ultra-consistent results using an electrical INDUCTION process. By contrast, with butane torch systems you may have to adjust the system when the ambient temperature changes, or even if your butane fuel is slightly different. In this month’s issue of Shooting Sports USA, Field Editor Art Merrill uses the AMP to anneal .30-06 brass for vintage military rifles. The review shows how to use the AMP and explains the advantages of the Induction Annealing vs. flame-based annealing.
Sighting In Your Rifle — Tips for All Shooters Story by Jim Shults
This month’s “Rifle Issue” of Shooting Sports USA focuses on rifle shooting in various forms. Author Jim Shults has written an lengthy article offering tips and techniques for sighting-in your rifle. Shults says “The trick in effective sighting-in (zeroing) is shot-to-shot consistency”. To achieve that consistency, you must first eliminate driver error. You need a stable set-up. Good ammo is also essential and Shults offers an important tip: “Keep your ammo cool and out of direct sun at the range”. Shults also explains there is a big difference between load testing and zeroing. You want to finalize your zero AFTER you have developed your match or hunting load.
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The CZ-455 is very affordable, with a $389.55 street price. File photo shows Leupold scope. A different CZ 455 with Vanguard scope was used in CTD ammo test.
How accurate can a sub-$400 rimfire rifle be with moderately priced .22 LR ammo? A lot better than you might expect. CTD Blog Tester Wilburn Roberts took a box-stock CZ 455 American and got 1.1 MOA accuracy with Eley Contact ammo, and 1.3 MOA accuracy with Fiocchi HV ammo. This was shooting from the bench with a $280 3-9x40mm scope and targets set at 50 yards. The actual Eley Contact 40gr average group size for three, 5-shot groups was 0.55″. That is pretty darn impressive for a very affordable rifle with no accurizing.
CZ 455 Test Results for TEN Different Ammo Types, Shooting Three 5-Shot Groups:
Group sizes at 50 yards, listed in inches. The .55″ equates to 1.0506 MOA at 100 yards.
Tester Wilburn Roberts was impressed with the CZ 455’s accuracy: “This is an accurate rifle, and I realized this with the first group. The rifle was fired for accuracy at 50 yards. The accompanying table (above) lists some of my results.” Along with target ammo such as Eley Contact, Roberts tested several hunting loads, such as the CCI Velocitor and Winchester Super X, that “have given good results on game”, according to Roberts. Read Full CZ 455 Review.
No Mods Except Trigger Tuning
Notably, Roberts made no changes to his CZ 455 other than adjusting the factory trigger down to 2.5 pounds: “The trigger was smooth enough from the factory at 3.5 pounds. However, if the action is separated from the stock you may adjust the trigger. A small lock nut allows adjusting the trigger, and I was able to back it off to a crisp and clean 2.5 pounds.”
Roberts observed the CZ 455 was very well-made: “The 455 is a replacement for the proven 452 series. The rifle demonstrates first-class quality. The fit and finish are excellent. I was very impressed by what you cannot see — such as chamber dimensions and internal fit and finish. The wood … is nice in appearance, and the fit of the stock to the action is excellent. Inletting is flawless. The barrel channel and the trigger guard is where less-than-perfect fitting shows, but this rifle was flawless.”
CZ 455 Offered with Multi-Caliber Package: .22 LR and 17 HMR
Wouldn’t it be great if a rimfire rifle could shoot both .22 LR and .17 HMR? Well, CZ offers just such a rig — the CZ 455 American Combo, a versatile switch-caliber rifle priced under $500.00. The American Combo (MSRP: $557.00) comes complete with both .22 LR and .17 HMR barrels, easily interchanged with an Allen wrench. As CZ explains: “The CZ 455 eliminates the need to spend the extra expense on a second rifle when you want to add another quality shooter to your rimfire battery”. For a bit more money, you can even purchase a .22 WMR barrel, making your CZ a triple-threat varmint-slayer.
As tested by GunsAmerica.com, the CZ-455 has shown impressive accuracy in both .17 HMR and .22 LR versions. In fact, when GunsAmerica.com tested the CZ 455 American Combo, the .17 HMR version delivered quarter-inch groups at 50 yards. That’s darn impressive accuracy!
This Video Shows How to Interchange Barrels on a CZ 455:
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Happy New Year to all our readers worldwide, and especially the nearly 38,300 members of our AccurateShooter Forum. We hope 2018 brings you happiness in your lives and success in your endeavors. And we wish for small groups, good scores, and successful hunts in the New Year.
Forum Members — Upgrade Your Membership to Get Unlimited Classifieds for 12 Months.
Looking Forward to 2018
Every year, we work to improve AccurateShooter.com. In 2016 we completely overhauled the Forum, making it faster and mobile-friendly. In 2017 we upgraded our servers to improve speed and security. And we created tiered Forum levels with additional benefits for supporting Silver and Gold members. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy our feature articles, our Daily Bulletin, our match reports, and our Forum Classifieds. The formula seems to be working — our audience is bigger than ever, with over 550,000+ unique users visiting the site every month.
Forum Membership Grows 13% in 2017
Our Shooters’ Forum grew significantly in 2017. Our membership grew by over 13% as Forum ranks swelled to over 38,000 members! More people are successfully buying and selling in our Forum Classifieds section than ever before. Silver and Gold members get unlimited Classifieds for 12 months. Gold members also qualify for prize give-aways and custom Avatars.
We need your support. For over 14 years the site has relied largely on volunteer efforts by dedicated shooters. But as the site grows, serving a larger audience, we need the assistance of gunsmiths, product testers, cameramen/video editors, and computer software experts. Those guys don’t work for glory alone.
Consider this — what do you pay for a couple of movie tickets these days? Maybe 20 bucks for 90 minutes of escapism. For under two bucks a month ($20 per year) you can become a Silver Forum member and help this site provide a YEAR’s worth of info, tests, tech tips, bargains, and shooting news.
In the last quarter of 2017 about 250 site users have donated or upgraded their Forum membership to Silver or Gold Levels. We thank all those who have generously contributed. But that still leaves tens of thousands of users who access the site regularly without contributing. With more donations we can deliver more premium content and offer more services to our members.
How to Contribute
If you are a Forum member, you can help the site by UPGRADING your membership. CLICK HERE to UPGRADE.
If you’re not a member, making a donation to the site is simple and easy. Just click on the orange “Donate” button at right. If you have a credit card, you don’t need a Paypal account to contribute.
IMPORTANT: After you click on the orange button a PayPal screen will load. You’ll also see a field that says “0.00”. For desktop users that field will be on the right (with other pre-set amount buttons on the left). Fill in the amount you want to give. For example, to give $25, type 25.00 in the amount field.
Help Support this Site by Making a Secure Donation.
If you don’t like Paypal, you can send a check. Make the check payable to our “Answerman” Jeff Williams. Please list your Forum Log-In Name (if any), and mail the check to:
Jeff Williams
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At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
The Ruger Precision Rimfire .22 LR rifle is so new that no vendor has one in inventory yet. But you CAN pre-order one now for $399.99 from Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore (MSRP: $529.00). For PRS shooters and Ruger Precision Rifle owners, this may be an ideal rimfire cross-trainer, with ergonomics and balance like their centerfire rig. This PRS-style .22 LR rig has some very interesting features, including adjustable bolt throw that lets shooters change from a rimfire 1.5″ bolt throw to a short-action centerfire 3″ bolt throw, reducing the chance of short-stroking your bolt in competition. The Ruger Marksman trigger adjust from 2.25 to 5.0 pounds.
RUGER PRECISION RIMFIRE Important Features:
Quick-Fit Stock with adjustable cheekpiece and adjustable LOP
18″ barrel, pre-threaded for brakes and Silent-SR® suppressor
Picatinny scope rail with +30 MOA built-in elevation
Front 15″ free-float M-Lok handguard
Accepts all Ruger 10/22 magazines
Click Image to Launch Ruger Site with Ruger Precision Rimfire Video:
Bushnell’s highly-regarded Elite 4500 Series scopes offer good performance and reliability for the price. Here’s a great deal on a Demo Bushnell 6-24x40mm Elite 4500 with Multi-X Reticle and 1″-diameter main tube. This would be a good choice for a varmint rifle. Here is a review from a recent buyer: “I bought this demo Elite 4500 scope not knowing what to expect from a demo sale. I received this package and it was completely new. It had never been opened. At the range, the scope was as clear as a bell.The picture was exceptional. The adjustments were easy and true.” NOTE: Natchez also has 2.5-10x40mm Bushnell 4500 Elite zoom scopes on sale now for just $269.99 (with Multi-X Reticle). That’s a crazy low price for a good hunting optic.
3. MidwayUSA — 3000 Rounds Norma Tac-22 Ammo, $199.98
Check out those groups. That’s impressive accuracy at 50 yards. You’d expect to pay $10.00 or more per box for rimfire ammo that can shoot this well. But you can now get the Norma Tac-22 for the equivalent of $3.33 per box in this package deal — 3000 rounds in Ammo Can for $199.98. This works out to just 6.7 cents a round for very good .22 LR rimfire ammo — that’s a steal. If you don’t need 3000 rounds, you can also buy individual 50-rd boxes for $4.49 per box (9 cents per round). (NOTE: The target photos come from Champion Shooters Supply. This vendor tells us: “We have found this to run very well in Ruger rifles, handguns, and target pistols. These are 5-shot groups at 50 yards with an Anschutz 1913 rifle. This is an incredible value.”
4. Stocky’s — LR Stocks with Aluminum Bedding Block, $179.99
Here’s a good deal on a versatile Stocky’s Long Range Stock with aluminum V-block bedding system. For just $179.99, order this for Rem/Rem Clone long actions or short actions, with either narrow or wide (varmint/tactical) barrel channel. This would be a good choice for a varmint rifle. This is also offered with handsome hydrographic or web-pattern baked-on textured finishes for $199.99.
If your carry gun is too big and bulky, you probably won’t carry it, which sort of defeats the whole purpose. The Ruger LCP is light (9.6 ounces) and compact (5.16″ OAL), so you’re more likely to carry it regularly. The little LCP is small enough to fit in a pocket. The .380 ACP cartridge is not as powerful as a 9x19mm or 40 S&W to be sure, but when your life is on the line, a small gun is certainly better than no gun. For those looking for a very light-weight, easy-to-conceal handgun, this little Ruger is a solid choice. Owner reviews have been positive and the $169.00 price (with free shipping) is hard to beat. That’s for payment via money orders, checks, or echecks; credit card price is $174.07.
The American Furniture Classics Gun Concealment Storage Bench holds five (5) long guns. There is also a removable accessory tray for handguns or other accessories. There is padding on top and the outside of the bench is covered with stitched brown polyurethane. In the upper compartment (above the guns), you can store blankets, bedding, or other gear. NOTE: while the gun compartment has a lock, and there are steel and magnesium components, this is NOT a fully shielded gun locker. Some bench walls are wood composite. Also some assembly is required. NOTE: This Concealment Bench is also available at Walmart for $120.00 with Free shipping or Free In-store pickup.
7. Amazon — MTM AC4C Ammo Crate with 4 Ammo Boxes
Here’s a very cool product from MTM at a great price. The versatile MTM AC4C Ammo Carrier features four, lockable polymer ammo cans in a fitted, four-slot 23.5” x 11.3” x 7.5” carry crate. This makes it easy to haul four full ammo cans. Actual purchasers have raved: “Moments after I received this storage box set I ordered another. Very well built and great design. Awesome and a steal at the price.” Right now this is on sale at Amazon for just $29.99 with free prime shipping. The system includes four lockable, O-Ring 11.3″ x 7.2″ x 5″ ammo cans (AC30T) for multi-caliber ammo storage. The crate even includes tie-down points for transport in a cart or ATV. NOTE: Earlier this summer this MTM AC4C system sold for $39.99. The current $29.99 price represents a 25% savings!
8. Amazon — Neiko Digital Calipers, $16.85
Even if you have a good set of calipers, you may want to get one of these Neiko 01407A Digital Calipers. The #1 best-selling digital caliper on Amazon.com, this Neiko tool features a large LCD Screen and measures up to 6.0 inches. With over 3000 customer reviews, this product has earned an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. It’s hard to go wrong for $16.85, even if you just use these as a spare set for measuring group sizes and case trim lengths.
9. Amazon — Two Rolls of 3″ Neon Target Stickers, $14.95
We like these bright, Neon 3″ target stickers. They are big enough to see easily at 600 yards, giving you a 1/2 MOA target center at that distance. For $14.95 at Amazon.com, you get 250 3″-diameter self-adhesive centers (125 targets per roll) that stick to almost any surface The high-contrast fluorescent red/orange color provides an excellent HI-VIZ aiming point, along with good contrast for bullet holes that fall within the 3″ circle. To help line up your reticle cross-hairs, the target centers feature black markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12 0’Clock. NOTE: These stickers may qualify for FREE Shipping with combined orders over $25.00.
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This stunning Celtic Engraved Double Bolt Action rifle is from Fuchs Fine Guns.
As a New Year’s gift to our readers, we thought we’d share some beauty pictures — rifle beauty that is. In our Shooters’ Forum, a Gun Glamour thread recently started entitled: “Show me what a beautiful gun looks like!” Well here are some very handsome rifles featured in that Forum Thread. Enjoy.
Beautiful Rifles from our Shooters’ Forum
Forum member Kurz posted a dream gun owned by a friend in England. Kurz included a quote from a book created by the rifle’s owner: “There, with my father’s words ringing in my ears, I shall take that ‘step forward’ and order a perfect machine based on the Mauser ’98 action, built from metal and wood by master craftsmen who truly understand that ‘reliable’ and ‘mechanical integrity’ have as much relevance today as they did all those years ago.”
A gun can “shoot dots” and still be handsome. Here is a short-range benchrest rifle with a stunning, exhibition-grade Walnut stock. Forum member Josh B found this beauty.
This “old school” rimfire sports a Stolle Swindlehurst Chrome Moly action, Unertl 20X scope, Krieger barrel, and Kelbly trigger. Forum Member FFEMT tells us this rifle “has a nice little piece of English Walnut”. Yes indeed — the stock is from John Maxon
Forum member JRS submitted a stunner from Europe. This beauty features a truly exquisite piece of wood with elaborately engraved receiver. It also has escutcheons and special metal work on the grip.
Lever-action Falling Block rifles can be beautiful too. This one features a color case-hardened receiver and handsome two-piece fancy wood stock. This was submitted by Forum member Kurz who notes: “Besides exhibition grade walnut, I like the variations available in spalted maple for rifle stocks.”
A competition rifle must be “performance first”. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be handsome too. Forum member XTR’s rifle, an F-TR rig, features Maple wood with Bubinga tips.
“Wood is Good” — as demonstrated by all the rifles showcased above. But, as a “parting shot”, we’ll add a blue British beauty from the long-running Pride and Joy Forum Thread we started a decade ago. This eye-catching 270-7mm WSM F-Classer belongs to Forum member Elwood from the UK. A well-executed hydro-dip finish can really dress up a competition rifle.
Click Photo to See Hundreds More ‘Pride and Joy’ Rifles…
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