The Range Station, an accessory case with roll-out shooting mat, provides useful storage plus important protection for your handguns at the range.
Here’s a smart new product we like for pistol sessions. The Range Station case combines an ammo compartment with a roll-out mat. Great idea. Some gun ranges only have concrete benches, or shooting stations with horizontal surfaces covered with dirt, powder residues, and other debris. You don’t want to put your $2000 blued Colt Python on that mess.
Manufacturer Real Avid says: “This intelligent solution has a place for everything. The 12×24” padded mat stays put on the counter-top and holds guns and gear. The case snaps to either the right or left side of the mat. Interior trays are sized for standard ammo boxes and magazines. And special compartments hold smaller range gear such as rulers, pens, target markers, and more. When finished, the mat can be rolled and stored neatly and compactly in the case for next time.”
Range Station Features: 12″x24″ Padded Gun Mat with Non-Slip Back | Mat Top Coating Repels Oils & Solvents
Interior Holds Ammunition Boxes | Tray for Magazines and Small Accessories
Mat Rolls Right Back into Case | Case Fits Most Range Bags
Gear Organizer with Roll-out Gun Mat
The Avid Range station is a versatile case that holds your ammunition along with a built-in 12″ x 24″ mat. The Range Station’s protective mat quickly rolls out and has a coating to repel oils and solvents, providing a clean surface to lay your pistol or revolver at any range. The durable, molded case doubles as storage for common range gear and has room to store additional ammo for reloading magazines at the line. This smart Range Station fits the vast majority of range bags, and is affordable, with a $29.99 MSRP.
Dan Zimmerman of ConcealedNation.org tested the Range Station and liked it, confirming that “When opened, the case is perfect for holding extra magazines, tools and plenty of ammo. When closed, the thing fits neatly in most range bags.” Here is a photo from Dan’s test:
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The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) does more than run matches and sell surplus firearms. The CMP also operates a full-service Custom Shop in Anniston, Alabama that does maintenance, repair, and upgrading of USGI-issue rifles at a reasonable cost.
Since the fall of 2013, the CMP Custom Shop has offered repair, upgrade, gunsmithing and custom services for a wide range of U.S. Military rifles, specifically those issued in early eras. As well as regular repairs and troubleshooting, the CMP Custom Shop can upgrade, accurize, and refinish virtually all the rifle types sold by the CMP.
What Rifles Can the CMP Custom Shop Service?
The CMP Custom Shop will work on the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, 1903/1903A3 Springfield, 1917 Enfield, and the Krag. The Custom Shop will also service Remington 40X, Mossberg 44, and H&R Model 12 rifles. CMP will NOT work on shotguns, pistols, revolvers, M14/M1A, AR15-style rifles or other commercially-produced modern rifles. For a list of services (with prices) visit the CMP Custom Shop webpage.
NOTE: Before you can send a rifle to the CMP Custom Shop you must be a customer on file in the CMP system. Customers must meet the same eligibility requirements as for CMP rifle purchases. Once qualified, you can purchase a rifle from the CMP and have the CMP Custom Shop make modifications to it prior to shipping.
CMP Custom Shop Can Work on USGI Rifles Purchased from Other Sources
The CMP Custom Shop can work on rifles that may have been purchased elsewhere as long as they were made by a USGI contractor. Some examples include: Springfield Armory (not Springfield Inc.), Harrington & Richardson, Winchester, International Harvester, Remington, Rock Island, Eddystone, Inland, Underwood, Rock-Ola, Quality Hardware, National Postal meter, Standard Products, IBM, Irwin-Pederson and Saginaw. NOTE: There are many NON-USGI copies of the M1 Garand, 1903 Springfield and especially the M1 Carbine that CMP will be unable to work on.
For more information, call (256) 835-8455, x1113, or send email to customshop [at] thecmp.org. Shipping and Correspondence address for the CMP Custom Shop is:
If you have received an NRA Board of Directors ballot, please cast your vote and mail the ballot in immediately. Don’t delay! Sunday, April 15, 2018 is the final due date for ballots for the 2018 NRA Board Member Election. Ballots must be received and opened by the 15th — postmarks will not count. For most eligible NRA voting members, the ballot will have been included in your February NRA Magazine. Please look at the ballot, cast your vote, and return the ballot right away. If you have not already done so, please send in your ballots’ as every vote counts.
Here is a 2018 NRA Directors Election ballot. Note — your ballot may look somewhat different because the names are printed in random order. That way no particular candidates are favored by their placement on the page. Ballots must by RECEIVED by April 15th!
Life Members and Annual Members with five consecutive years of membership should have received their ballots for this year’s NRA elections last week. If you received a ballot in your February NRA magazine, you are eligible to vote. If you didn’t, you probably aren’t a Voting Member. If you believe you are eligible to vote in NRA elections, and you did not receive a ballot, you can contact the NRA Secretary’s Office to verify your membership status and request a ballot. (Source: Ammoland.com)
You can vote for up to twenty-five (25) candidates. There are many worthy individuals on the slate. You’ll see the name of John Sigler, past NRA President, and AccurateShooter Forum member. Robert Nosler, Chairman/CEO of Nosler, is a strong supporter of the shooting sports. Judie Golob, of Team Smith & Wesson, is a U.S. Army veteran and talented pistol shooter. Adam Kraut is a knowledgeable attorney who is endorsed by Jeff Knox, Director of the Firearms Coalition. Scott Bach, a staunch advocate of gun rights, is endorsed by Ammoland News and Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation. There are many other good candidates — don’t consider this list exclusive.
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The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has developed a series of infographics to help the public, particularly non-hunters, better understand hunting and hunters. According to the NSSF, nearly 80 percent of today’s population approves of legal hunting, yet misunderstanding of hunting and hunters persists. These NSSF infographics help explain how wildlife is strategically managed with regulations, seasons and permit rules, all with hunters’ support. Hunters also directly support land preservation via programs financed through licensing fees and firearms excise taxes.
By ensuring sustainability of species, hunters help the continuing health and vitality of the natural world. To help illustrate this, NSSF spotlights things “You may be Surprised to know about hunting,” highlighted in these informative infographics. Click the graphics below to learn more about each topic.
We want to congratulate Bryan Litz and his talented team at Applied Ballistics LLC. We have followed Bryan’s career as a bullet designer, ballistician, author, software product developer, and ELR pioneer. His team leads the world in advancing the science of long range shooting. And it looks like all the hard work has paid off — Applied Ballistics has secured a major contract to develop extreme long-range sniper capability for the U.S. Military.
Applied Ballistics LLC, a Michigan-based tech company, has been awarded a $1,300,000 contract by the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) to execute Phase 1 of the Extreme Sniper Strike Operations (ESSO) project.
Phase 1 of the ESSO project is focused on advancing the predictive capabilities of modern ballistic solvers by performing Doppler radar measurement and modeling of current service rounds at Extreme Long Range (ELR) as a function of gyroscopic stability, and refining the models of secondary ballistic effects such as spin rate decay and spin drift at ELR. Phase 1 will conclude with the ballistic modeling enhancements being integrated into the existing Applied Ballistics ecosystem of electronic devices which are currently deployed by numerous U.S. and allied armed forces around the world. Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in late 2018.
Phase 2 of the ESSO project is a potential follow on (2019) that focuses on the development and fielding of an advanced ELR sniper rifle system designed to drastically increase first-round hit probability at ELR on man-sized targets. The Applied Ballistics Weapons Division is currently conducting research and development on weapons platforms, as well as new cartridge and bullet options, that will maximize ELR ballistic performance from lightweight, practical, magazine-fed systems.
Bryan Litz, owner of Applied Ballistics LLC, said: “Our team of Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical and Computer Science Engineers, and Technicians will apply our combined experience including years of testing and competing in ELR Shooting to the successful completion of the ESSO program objectives. This means extending the maximum effective range of U.S. and allied snipers, achieving decisive overmatch on the battlefield. I can’t imagine a better application of Applied Ballistics’ collective efforts.”
Applied Ballistics has developed ballistics software for mobile Apps. AB’s software has been integrated into numerous products including Kestrels, Laser Rangefinders, and “Smart” optics.
Applied Ballistics Seminar in Utah, June 2-3, 2018
Applied Ballistics will offer a Ballistics Seminar June 2 and 3, 2018 at the Snowbird Cliff Lodge, Salt Lake City, Utah. This will include two full days of instruction with lectures plus Q&A sessions. The $625 cost of the seminar includes all 5 AB books, both AB DVD sets, AB Analytics, and Swag Bag.
CLICK HERE to Register. NOTE: Through April 17th, get $100 Off with discount code ABSEM100.
About Applied Ballistics, LLC:
Applied Ballistics’ mission is to be a complete and unbiased source of external ballistics information for long range shooters. We believe in the scientific method and promote mastery through understanding of the fundamentals. The results of our work are passed on to the government and shooting communities through clear and helpful instructional materials, as well as easy-to-use ballistic software running on many products.
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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.
1. Bud’s Gun Shop — T/C Rifles under $280.00 with Rebate
T/C Compass, 6.5 Creedmoor 22″ bbl — $354.00 or $279.00 after Rebate
T/C Compass, .223 Remington 22″ bbl — $351.00 or $276.00 after Rebate
T/C Venture, .243 Winchester 22″ bbl — $340.00 or $265.00 after Rebate
T/C Compass, 7mm-08 Remington 22″ bbl — $348.00 or $273.00 after Rebate
T/C Venture, .308 Winchester 22″ bbl — $340.00 or $265.00 after Rebate
T/C Compass, .300 Winchester Magnum 24″ bbl == $348.00 or $273.00 after Rebate
T/C® products qualifying for $75.00 Rebate: Venture, Compass, Dimension, G2 Contender, Encore Pro Hunter, Triumph, T/C® Strike and T/C® Impact.
2. Natchez — Special 5 Reloading Press Kit, $199.99
Looking for a great gift for a family member getting started in metallic cartridge reloading? This RCBS Kit has everything a new reloader needs: single-stage press, powder measure, scale, powder trickler, priming tool, cartridge tray, “rocket” chamfer tool, case lube and more. This is an excellent entry-level reloading kit, on sale for just $199.99 at Natchez Shooters Supplies. We like the relatively compact Special 5 press for most reloading duties. Eventually you may want to add an additional, large heavy press, but this will get the job done. For the combined package, with all the tools one needs to hand-load quality ammo — this is a stunningly good deal at $199.99.
3. Amazon — Tipton Compact Range Vise, $16.99
Here’s a very handy gun cradle that helps you clean and maintain your rifles while at the range. The Compact Range Vise folds and collapses to 11-1/4″, so it is easily transported. Two padded “V” brackets hold the rifle while protecting the finish during cleaning/maintenance operations. Made from solvent-resistant polymer, the Compact Range Vise is durable and should last for years. No this is not suited for wide-forearm benchrest or F-Open rigs, but for typical hunting and varmint rifles it works well.
NOTE: Amazon may show this “temporarily out of stock”, but you can order the Compact Range Vise for $16.99 and it will ship when available. This sells for up to $31.00 elsewhere.
4. Precision Reloading — Hodgdon H4350 in Stock
There has been a long wait, but Hodgdon H4350 powder is now showing up at vendors across the nations. Some of our favorite online retailers have H4350 in stock now, in both 1-pound and 8-pound containers. Precision Reloading has H4350 one-pounders for $26.99 and 8-lb jugs for $216.99. You should probably act quickly, because this may sell out soon. Precision Reloading also has good inventories of other popular powders.
5. MidwayUSA — Norma Match-22 Ammo, 1500 Rounds, $99.99
This Norma Match-22 ammunition is good stuff. In many rifles it shoots as well as $8/box products from other makers. But now you can get Match-22 for the equivalent of $3.33 per 50-round box when you buy 30 boxes. MidwayUSA is selling 1500 rounds of Match-22 (three 500-round cases) plus an ammo can for just $99.99. That works out to just 6.7 cents per round. If you don’t need that much .22 LR ammo, you can also buy 500 rounds for $39.99. We think you’ll be happy with this Norma Match-22 ammo. It is a good choice for tactical cross-training, rimfire silhouette, and fun shooting. This Editor ordered a 1500-round can last week.
6. Natchez — Surplus SKB 5041 Transport Cases, $105.99
Natchez has obtained a supply of British MOD Surplus SKB 5041 rifle cases. These were ordered as mine detector cases, but were never issued. Natchez has removed the foam cut for the detectors and replaced it with brand new 2-piece convoluted foam. Interior dimension of the case is 50″x14.5″x5″ so this will hold long-barrel match rifles comfortably. These are extremely high-quality cases, very tough and rugged, waterproof with gaskets. These cases feature four SKB patented trigger latches, four reinforced padlock locations, and inline wheels. Though in excellent condition, some case may have minor exterior scuffs. You won’t find a better case at anywhere near the $105.99 price. These normally retail for $299.99.
7. Amazon — Signature Zee High Rings (with Pos-Align Inserts)
Burris Signature Zees are our “go-to” rings for use with benchrest rifles. Right now Amazon has the 1″-diameter High Sig Zee rings on sale for $36.94 (Matte Black) or $36.95 (Nickel) plus $8 shipping. Burris also offers medium height 1″-diameter Sig Zees. The 30mm Signature Zee rings are somewhat more expensive (about $54.00), but still well worth the price in our view. This Editor uses 30mm Signature Zee Rings for his personal 6mmBR rifle. The polymer inserts allow you to pre-load elevation, and also eliminate the need to lap your rings.
8. Remington — $100 Cash Back on Model 700 VTR and Magpul
Remington is running a $100 Spring Fever Cash Back Promo on its Model 700 VTR (Varmint Tactical Rifle) and Model 700 Magpul rifles. The 700 Magpul features a strong internal sub-chassis, while the 700 VTR has a unique triangle-countour barrel with integral muzzle brake. The mail-in offers are valid on guns purchased between now and May 1, 2018. There is a limit of five rebates per customer, $100 for each gun. Get details here.
9. CDNN — Smith & Wesson Model 617 10-Shot Revolver, $679.99
This Editor’s first really accurate handgun was a Smith & Wesson model 617 that could easily stack ten shots in a dime at 10 yards. It remains my favorite and most-used handgun, and I will never part with it. What can we say about the model 617? Every serious gun guy should own one. The single-action trigger pull is superb, and the accuracy surpasses most any semi-auto rimfire pistol, except for a few, very expensive target pistols. We like the 6″ version for the longer site radius, but the 4″-barrel 617 is also very accurate, and it balances better. CDNN’s $679.99 sale price may seem like a lot of money, but MSRP is $829.00 and most dealers are charging $750.00 or more for a new 6″-barrel 617. Get one — you won’t regret it.
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Thomas Haugland, a Shooters’ Forum member from Norway, is a long-range target shooter and hunter. He has created an interesting video showing how to gauge wind velocities by watching trees, grass, and other natural vegetation. The video commentary is in English, but the units of wind speed (and distance) are metric. Haugland explains: “This is not a full tutorial, but rather a short heads-up to make you draw the lines between the dots yourself”. Here are some conversions that will help when watching the video:
.5 m/s = 1.1 mph | 1 m/s = 2.2 mph | 2 m/s = 4.5 mph
3 m/s = 6.7 mph | 4 m/s = 8.9 mph | 5 m/s =11.2 mph
Shown above is David Tubb, the legendary 11-time National High Power Champion, posing with a very serious rifle used in the Extreme Long Range (ELR) game. David has jumped into the Extreme Long Range discipline in a very big way, producing a .375-caliber, long-barreled ELR version of his famous Tubb rifle, called the Adaptive Target Rifle (ATR). A version of this rifle, piloted by David’s son-in-law Nate Stallter, set the current ELR World Record in January 2018. See video below for a full report.
This video shows Team TUBB setting a new ELR World Record of 2011 Yards using the Tubb Adaptive Target Rifle in .375 CheyTac. Nate Stallter nailed three shots at over one mile — 1768 yards. Then Nate broke his own record, going 3 for 3 at 2011 yards. ELR Central hosted this match, held at the Front Sight gun range, Pahrump, NV on January 21, 2018.
David Tubb will Be Working with Chase Stroud
David has been working with Chase Stroud, a talented young Texan who has competed in tactical rifle competitions and worked with Team Applied Ballistics on ELR projects. Chase has long respected Tubb’s shooting ability as well as his design/engineering talent in developing successful rifle platforms, such as the ground-breaking Tubb 2000.
Recently, Chase had the opportunity to shoot long range with David Tubb. David crafted a left-hand ATR rifle for Chase who will be working with David in the future. Posting on Facebook, Stroud wrote:
“Growing up as a kid I taught myself to shoot long distance from David’s videos. David Tubb was my idol then and still is now. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would share the line with him much less get to represent his product in the long range community. A literal dream come true for me….
Yesterday we shot some video for the new Tubb ATR system. After pressing him for years he made me a [left-hand ATR] and it shot unreal using his absolute ammo. I thank you … David. It’s time to get some practice under my belt and start shooting again…”
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At a time when we are surrounded with live video of all sorts, it’s remarkable that on-demand audio broadcasts (aka “podcasts”) are increasing in popularity. A podcast is like a radio show that is available 24/7, at your convenience. These days, you can download free podcasts on a vast variety of subject areas, including precision shooting and hunting.
One of the newest gun-oriented podcasts comes from optics-maker Leupold & Stevens (“Leupold). Oregon-based Leupold recently launched its “Core Insider” podcast series. These podcasts will deliver optics info, industry intel, tech tips, hunting advice, and tactical training guidance. Leupold’s Core Insider podcasts stream via iTunes and Spotify, and can also be accessed directly from Leupold.com. From the Leupold Podcast Home Page, you can either stream the podcasts live or download for later listening.
Premiering at SHOT Show 2018, the Leupold Core Insider covers a wide variety of shooting and hunting topics. On episode features Leupold team members Kyle Lamb and Buck Doyle discussing long-range shooting, while another episode covers the latest predator hunting tactics.
Among the regular Core Insider Podcast hosts is Leupold’s president and CEO, Bruce Pettet. “Our consumers are some of the most dedicated hunters and shooters in this industry – just like so many Leupold team members, both here in Oregon and across the nation,” Pettet said. “We want to reach out to our audience directly and deliver the kind of content they’ve been asking for…”
There are eight current Leupold Core Insider Podcasts. Click links below to access:
Gary Eliseo of Competition Machine is a very talented sling shooter. And Eliseo Tubeguns are used by many of the nation’s top Palma and Sling Discipline shooters. Gary has “raised the bar” with his latest Tubegun product which combines a tuned Pierce action with a modernized Eliseo chassis. Gary calls this the Universal Match Rifle System (UMRS). It can accept a variety of high-end triggers, including the Jewell and Bix’n Andy two-stage.
Gary tells us: “We’re very proud to announce our new Universal Match Rifle system, built around a special hand-tuned action made to our specifications by Pierce Engineering. The Universal Match Rifle system is crafted to the highest standards and has a full line of attachments that make it easily configured for the NRA Highpower, Long Range Prone/Palma or Precision Rifle disciplines. The Universal Match Rifle is available as a complete rifle in the chambering of your choice with your choice of a Jewell single stage or Bix’n Andy two stage trigger, it’s also available as a ‘builders kit’ where you can have your gunsmith fit the barrel and trigger of your choice. Please contact us with your questions about the UMRS, or to ask about delivery schedules and pricing”.
The Eliseo UMRS has already proven itself in competition. At the recent 2018 Berger Southwest Nationals, Allen Thomas used his UMRS to win the Overall Grand Aggregate in Sling Division. Competition was fierce, with some great shooters including many sling aces from the United Kingdom.
SWN Sling Winner Allen Thomas (left) with Capstone Precision Group’s Bill Gravatt.
In this video, Gary Eliseo explains the features of his new Universal Match Rifle System. Gary builds the UMRS and other high-quality chassis systems at his Cottonwood, Arizona production facility. Visit GotXRing.com for more information on all Competition Machine products.
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There is a new book, Chambering Rifles for Accuracy, that will benefit folks who want to understand the chambering process, and potentially learn to chamber a barrel on their own. We caution, however — you really need a skilled, hands-on mentor for this this task. For someone without a lot of machining experience, chambering can be tricky, and working with lathes can be dangerous to say the least.*
With those cautions stated, this book will help any gun-owner understand how chambering is done, and what to look for when assessing chambering work by commercial gunsmiths. Chambering Rifles for Accuracy is co-authored by Gordy Gritters and Fred Zeglin. The methods detailed in this book can be used equally well by gunsmiths in a professional shop, and by skilled, well-trained hobbyists working in a home workshop. The book costs $49.95 from Amazon.
Gordy Gritters is a highly-respected gunsmith and gunsmithing instructor. Gordy has built many match-winning competition rifles so he knows his stuff. Fred is a gunsmith, gunsmithing instructor, author, and is the owner of 4-D Reamer Rentals, so he is very knowledgeable on the use and care of reamers. Fred has extensive experience building high-accuracy hunting rifles.
Fred wrote the first half of the book, which covers what is needed to prepare for and chamber high-accuracy hunting barrels. Zeglin lists all the tools needed such as reamers, micrometer reamer stops, headspace gauges, and more.
Gordy wrote the second half of the book, which goes beyond basic chambering. Gordy covers setting up a lathe for chambering barrels through the headstock, various dialing-in methods commonly used, how to deal with curvature in rifle bores, and how to deal with reamer chatter (especially prevalent in 5R-type barrels). Then Gordy covers the entire dialing-in/threading/fitting/chambering/crowning process used to build a benchrest-quality rifle. Gordy also explaines how to ream custom chamber necks, and how to throat the chamber for specific bullets or for a specific purpose.
Gordy Gritters also created an excellent DVD, “Chambering a Championship Match Barrel”. No other chambering video shows the entire chambering process step-by-step with the advanced, precision techniques used by master gunsmiths. Gordy has built several rifles that hold world records and have won National Championships. This is a professional 90-minute production from Grizzly Industrial. You can purchase this $69.95 DVD from Gordy’s website or from Grizzly Industrial.
*This Editor’s own uncle suffered a severe arm injury while working with a lathe. He was not an amateur — he had done lathe and mill work for over 40 years. But a shirt-sleeve caught in the spinning chuck. The results were horrific.
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There has been a long wait, but Hodgdon H4350 powder is now showing up at vendors across the nations. Some of our favorite online retailers have H4350 in stock now, in both 1-pound and 8-pound containers.
Precision Reloading has H4350 one-pounders for $26.99 and 8-lb jugs for $216.99. You should probably act quickly, because this may sell out soon. Precision Reloading also has good inventories of other popular powders.
Bruno Shooters Supply has the large, 8-lb jugs for $222.95, with H4350 1-lb containers for $34.95. Bruno’s also has most of the other popular Hodgdon powders in stock now.
Gear Organizer with Roll-out Gun Mat
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) does more than run matches and sell surplus firearms. The CMP also operates a full-service Custom Shop in Anniston, Alabama that does maintenance, repair, and upgrading of USGI-issue rifles at a reasonable cost.
For more information, call (256) 835-8455, x1113, or send email to customshop [at] thecmp.org. Shipping and Correspondence address for the CMP Custom Shop is:
