Here is gunsmith Richard King, with his updated Martini Mark III smallbore rifle.
This is the kind of family-friendly, “feel-good” story we like. A few years back, Texan Richard King created a rimfire benchrest rifle using a classic Martini Mark III smallbore action. He fitted the gun with a new flat, wide forearm and a new buttstock, allowing the gun to sit steady on the bags and track smoothly. The narrow action was also fitted with a cantilevered top rail to hold a high-magnification scope.
Here is Vicki King, with Martini Mark III and her trophy.
But here’s the best part. Back in 2014, Richard provided this updated classic to his wife Vicki, who proceeded to win a rimfire benchrest match (Vintage class) with the old Martini. Richard reports: “Here is my lovely wife with her High Overall Vintage trophy. That is a Martini Mark III that I re-stocked in walnut for 50-yard, .22-caliber benchrest matches. It’s great to have her shooting with me again.”
Bravo Richard — kudos to you AND to your lovely bride. It’s great to see a couple shooting together. It’s also great to see a classic rifle brought back to the winner’s circle with some inspired stock-work, new optics mount, and other smart upgrades. Old rifles never die… at least if they find their way to a great smith like Richard King.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or 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.
⏺ Great value at $279.99 with CODE 16617906 — Safe weighs 179 lbs.
Here is a great deal for a secondary safe that you might use in a workshop, bedroom, vacation property, or even an RV. This Union Safe Co. 10-Gun safe compares with Stack-On safes costing up to $560.00. Sold by Harbor Freight, this safe is rated for 10 long guns and also has a top shelf for handguns and valuables. NOTE: This safe appears for $339.99 on the Harbor Freight website. To get the $279.99 Sale price, use the Sale Code Number 16617906 when you add the safe to your shopping cart. You can also use the same Sale Code for in-store purchases. Safe Dimensions: 59″ H x 21″ W X 14″ D.
⏺ Get good shooting M1 Garand with New Criterion Barrel and New Stock
The CMP now offers a “partially refurbished” M1 Garand for $650.00. The CMP Special Rack Grade (.30-06) M1 Garand features a refinished M1 receiver, a NEW production Criterion barrel, NEW production American Walnut stock and handguards, and NEW web sling. The receiver is the only original part of the rifle that has been refinished. The CMP notes that the receiver will have heavy pitting above the wood line. If you can live with that cosmetic flaw, this is a good choice for those who want to shoot M1 Garand matches. IMPORTANT: To purchase a CMP M1 Garand, a buyer must be an adult U.S. citizen who is a member of a CMP-affiliated club. ORDERING Information HERE.
⏺ Versatile, affordable optic for PRS and Varminting
If we needed a SFP scope with MOA reticle for varmint or fun match duties, this 5-24x50mm Vortex Viper would be one of our leading choices. With a magnification range perfect for varminting, this optic offers good glass, nice controls, and a great warranty — all at an affordable price. And right now you can Save $280 on this Vortex Viper at EuroOptic. This scope features glass-etched EBR-1 reticle in the second focal plane, XD Lens, 30mm main tube, tactical-style turrets, and CRS zero stop.
4. Midsouth — Norma .223 Remington Brass, $99.99 for 250
⏺ Impressive deal on very high quality .223 Rem brass
After Lapua, Norma makes some of the best brass you can buy. And here’s a chance to get a big supply of .223 Rem brass for your High Power or varmint rifle. This 223 Remington brass has very tight tolerances, holds up well to multiple reloads. We have seen very good accuracy with this brass with both light and heavy .224-caliber bullets. The price — $99.99 for 250 cases, works out to $0.39 per case. You can pay up to $0.70 per case for some other premium .223 Rem brass.
⏺ Excellent hard case, $50 savings, great for air travel
This is one of the best large hardshell rifle cases on the market. The Pelican Vault V800 compares well to other hard cases costing up to $350.00 but right now it is just $149.96 at MidwayUSA. Choose Desert Tan or Black. This case will hold two large match rifles securely. It features five layers of customizable foam, along with six (6) push-button latches. This same V800 53″ case sells elsewhere for $219.00, and is normally $199.95 at MidwayUSA. With this deal you save $50.00! Competitors headed to the F-Class Nationals in Raton, NM at the end of the month may want to grab one of these big 53″ cases.
6. Brownells — KRG Bravo Chassis Rem 700, $324.99 with Code
⏺ Versatile internal frame stock for PRS or hunting — tan, black, or green
The Kinetic Research Group (KRG) Rem 700 Bravo Chassis is a good dual-purpose choice for PRS and hunting. There is an internal aluminum frame with polymer exterior in Flat Dark Earth, Sako Green, or black. The stock fits Rem 700 and Rem Clone actions, accepts AICS-pattern mags, and is M-LOK compatible. The 2.9-lb KRG Bravo chassis features adjustable cheek riser and length-of-pull, built-in thumb shelf, plus quick-detach sling-swivel and bipod mounts. The KRG Bravo stock costs $349.99 at Brownells. You can also get $25 Off with Brownells code VSE, lowering the net cost to $324.99.
7. Amazon — Teslong Borescope $44.99 or Rigid Version $79.99
⏺ Teslong borescopes are game-changers — true “must-have” tool
The Teslong digital borescope has been a huge success. This compact, electro-optical, cable-type borescope outputs sharp, high-resolution images and VIDEO to desktop computers and laptops, and many tablets. Check out our Full Teslong Review complete with inside-the-barrel videos. Get the basic version for $44.99 on Amazon or the rigid version Teslong Borescope for $79.99. If you scope your barrels often, you may prefer the rigid version which is easy to insert and rotate.
8. Midsouth — Tipton Gun Butler, $19.49
⏺ Very useful, particularly for regular cleaning, great price
Here’s a handy, portable gun caddy that works well for rifle maintenance chores at home or at the range. Right now the Tipton Gun Butler is marked down to $19.49. The Gun Butler offers a convenient platform for cleaning your gun or doing tasks such as scope mounting. Two removable forks/cradles hold a gun securely in place, while compartments and slots hold solvents, jags, brushes, mops, and tools. The Gun Butler features a convenient carrying handle, and slip-resistant rubber feet.
9. MidwayUSA — Remington Roll-Up Mat Cleaning Kit, $11.77
⏺ Amazing deal — very complete tool set, and great gift item
This is a great portable gun cleaning kit. It’s now a steal at just $11.77, 68% off the regular price. This kit contains 9 caliber-specific bore brushes, 5 various-sized bore mops, patch pullers, a 3-piece cleaning rod, plus a pair of utility cleaning brushes. Heck just all the brushes and mops are worth more than the $11.77 price. This kit also makes a great gift for your shooting buddies or family members who enjoy guns.
2020 has been a pretty rotten year so far — with the Pandemic, shutdowns, riots, and, yes, cancellation of major shooting tournaments, including the big summer National Matches at Camp Perry.
But, not daunted, the CMP organized a series of shooting matches around the country, called the Home Range Appreciation Series. Over 1200 Rifle and pistol competitors shot Home Range matches in 32 states this year. In total, 11 smallbore events, 33 air rifle, 9 GSMM rifle, 13 Highpower Rifle Aggregate, 2 pistol and 4 Rimfire Sporter rifle events were fired in 32 states. Nearly 1,500 entries were recorded throughout the events, with competitors from 43 states.
Open to both adult and junior athletes, the Home Range Appreciation Series events were fired in local club matches and scored by the CMP to be compared against overall scores from participating marksmen around the nation. Matches included the White Oak 1600 Rifle Aggregate, a 200-Yard Reduced Course 800 Rifle Aggregate, a Garand/Springfield/Vintage/Modern Military Rifle Match, Rimfire Sporter Rifle, CMP Pistol 2700 (featuring .22 Rimfire, Center Fire and 45 Caliber pistols), Smallbore 3×20, Smallbore Prone 3200, and air rifle 3×20 and 60-Shot matches.
The CMP conducted a Virtual Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 2, 2020, to honor the top competitors in various discpline. A drawing for all sponsor-donated items also took place during the Virtual Awards Ceremony. You can watch this virtual awards ceremony on YouTube:
The CMP thanks all participants, volunteers, clubs and others who helped to make this inaugural event a true success. To see the top performers, CLICK HERE for full list of Home Range Match Results.
We’re in the thick of hunting season now, so we’re featuring an impressive new hunting rig from Springfield Armory. The new Model 2020 Waypoint rifles feature advanced carbon-wrapped barrels*, TriggerTech triggers, and carbon-fiber, hand-painted camo stocks. The actions are pretty impressive too — with precision machining, enlarged ejection port, and integral recoil lug. These Waypoint rifles rival full-custom hunting rigs, yet are reasonably affordable. Starting price is $1699.00 with stainless barrel, while the deluxe model with carbon-wrapped barrel and adjustable cheekpiece is still under $2,400.00.
Handsome Hand-Painted Carbon-Fiber Stocks
Minimum gun weight with carbon-wrapped barrel and fixed cheek is just 6.6 pounds.
All Model 2020 Waypoint rifles feature strong, light-weight, carbon-fiber-reinforced stocks with hand-painted camouflage finishes. Springfield Armory worked with AG Composites to develop these handsome stocks. You could easily pay $700-$800 just for an equivalent camo-painted stock from McMillan or Manners Composite Stocks.
Four Chambering Choices
The Model 2020 Waypoint is offered in four popular chamberings: 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and .308 Winchester. Those are all desirable options. However, because this is a hunting rifle, we would also like to see a 7mm option, and a larger .30-caliber option. At least the barrel twist rates will allow modern, high-BC bullets: 1:7.5″ for the 6mm Creedmoor, 1:8″ for the 6.5 Creedmoor, and 1:10″ for the .308 Win. All barrels are threaded 5/8-24 for the included SA Radial Muzzle Brake.
TriggerTech Adjustable Trigger and Fast Lock Time
We were pleased to see the Model 2020 Waypoint comes with a very good TriggerTech trigger that easily adjusts from 2.5 to 5.0 pounds. This trigger, as combined with a modern fire control system, achieves a very good 19 millisecond lock time — that rivals some custom benchrest actions, and is up to 45% faster than some other factory actions. FYI, “lock time” is measured from the break of the trigger until the firing pin strikes the primer.
Modern Coated Action with Big Ejection Port — Takes AICS-Compatible Mags
Springfield Armory did a nice job with the action. There is a large ejection port and EDM-crafted raceways. The fluted bolt and the action body are coated for corrosion resistance and smooth operation. Additionally, the bolt features dual cocking cams for ease of operation and tool-less disassembly for maintenance.
Factory 3/4-MOA Accuracy Guarantee
Springfield offers an impressive 0.75 MOA three-shot accuracy guarantee with “with quality match-grade factory ammunition, in the hands of a skilled shooter.” That is actually pretty impressive for a hunting rifle that weighs in under 7 pounds before options (carbon bbl version). You could spent a LOT more on a custom rig and not do much better accuracy wise.
Bottom Line — How Does It Feel and How Does It Shoot?
Respected gun writer and hunter Wayne Van Zwoll tested a carbon-barrel Model 2020 Waypoint for Hunting Digital Magazine. He was impressed with the feel of the rifle, the quality of the components, the crispness of the trigger, the smooth mag-feeding, and the demonstrated accuracy:
“This rifle balances well. Running this rifle is a delight! It slurps cartridges seamlessly from the box and is easy to top-feed with single rounds. The magazine is a cinch to release and easily inserted. Springfield Armory’s Waypoint Model 2020 is notable for its relatively modest price — under $2,400 for even the most expensive version, and a starting price of $1,699 — [and] the quality of its parts and workmanship.
Accuracy — My first three shots, after bore-sighting and two to zero, cut a 0.62″ knot. I printed some more groups, which measured .63″ and .70″. Such accuracy from a rifle that, stripped, scales under 6¾ pounds should please any shooter! It’s also a credit to Hornady’s excellent ammunition.
In sum, the Waypoint offers features and performance now expected of top-rung multi-purpose rifles, without bleeding budgets. It should impress hunters as well as shooters scrambling in cross-terrain rifle competition[.] The first new Springfield Armory bolt rifle in a century has impressed me!”
* The base Model 2020 Waypoint has a fluted stainless barrel. The carbon-wrapped barrel is an extra-cost option, as is the adjustable cheekpiece.
When neck-turning cases, it’s a good idea to extend the cut slightly below the neck-shoulder junction. This helps keep neck tension more uniform after repeated firings, by preventing a build-up of brass where the neck meets the shoulder. One of our Forum members, Craig from Ireland, a self-declared “neck-turning novice”, was having some problems turning brass for his 20 Tactical cases. He was correctly attempting to continue the cut slightly past the neck-shoulder junction, but he was concerned that brass was being removed too far down the shoulder.
Craig writes: “Everywhere I have read about neck turning, [it says] you need to cut slightly into the neck/shoulder junction to stop doughnutting. I completely understand this but I cant seem to get my neck-turning tool set-up to just touch the neck/shoulder junction. It either just doesn’t touch [the shoulder] or cuts nearly the whole shoulder and that just looks very messy. No matter how I adjust the mandrel to set how far down the neck it cuts, it either doesn’t touch it or it cuts far too much. I think it may relate to the bevel on the cutter in my neck-turning tool…”
Looking at Craig’s pictures, we’d agree that he didn’t need to cut so far down into the shoulder. There is a simple solution for this situation. Craig is using a neck-turning tool with a rather shallow cutter bevel angle. This 20-degree angle is set up as “universal geometry” that will work with any shoulder angle. Unfortunately, as you work the cutter down the neck, a shallow angled-cutter tip such as this will remove brass fairly far down. You only want to extend the cut about 1/32 of an inch past the neck-shoulder junction. This is enough to eliminate brass build-up at the base of the neck that can cause doughnuts to form.
The answer here is simply to use a cutter tip with a wider angle — 30 to 40 degrees. The cutter for the K&M neck-turning tool (above) has a shorter bevel that better matches a 30° shoulder. There is also a 40° tip available. PMA Tool and 21st Century Shooting also offer carbide cutters with a variety of bevel angles to exactly match your case shoulder angle*. WalkerTexasRanger reports: “I went to a 40-degree cutter head just to address this same issue, and I have been much happier with the results. The 40-degree heads are available from Sinclair Int’l for $15 or so.” Forum Member CBonner concurs: “I had the same problem with my 7WSM… The 40-degree cutter was the answer.” Below is Sinclair’s 40° Cutter for its NT-series neck-turning tools. Item NT3140, this 40° Cutter sells for $14.99. For the same price, Sinclair also sells the conventional 30° Cutter, item NT3100.
Al Nyhus has another clever solution: “The best way I’ve found to get around this problem is to get an extra shell holder and face it off .020-.025 and then run the cases into the sizing die. This will push the shoulder back .020-.025. Then you neck turn down to the ‘new’ neck/shoulder junction and simply stop there. Fireforming the cases by seating the bullets hard into the lands will blow the shoulder forward and the extra neck length you turned by having the shoulder set back will now be blended perfectly into the shoulder. The results are a case that perfectly fits the chamber and zero donuts.”
* 21st Century sells carbide cutters in: 15, 17, 20, 21.5, 23, 25, 28, 30, 35, 40, and 46 degrees. PMA Tool sells carbide cutters in: 17.5, 20, 21.5, 23, 25, 28, 30, and 40 degrees, plus special short-neck cutters.
Forum member Nodak7mm has discovered an ideal way to store your rifle cleaning rods in your garage or loading room. Using inexpensive Berkley Horizontal Fishing Rod Racks, Nodak7mm has secured a half-dozen Dewey rods on the back of a door. You could also mount the racks along a wall or on the side of a storage cabinet. This installation takes up minimal space and the Berkley Racks cost just $11.96 at Amazon (select “6 Rod Rack”) or $16.50 per set at Walmart. If you prefer wood, Amazon also sells a pine 6-rod wall rack for $22.45.
Nodak7mm explains: “I was moving some fishing poles around and ended up with an extra pair of Fishing Rod wall racks. I said to myself, ‘I bet this would hold my Dewey cleaning rods’. I mounted the pair on the inside of a closet door in my man cave and put my cleaning rods in it. It works like a charm and is far cheaper than a specially-made rack that only lets the rods hang. One can even slam the door with the rods mounted and they stay put. This rod rack set… is made by a nationally recognized name and does a great job of holding the cleaning rods securely and safely.” These are inexpensive and are easy to mount to a door or wood cabinet.
Stow Your Cleaning Rods on Your Gun Safe
Another option is to make a rod set with a magnetic backing strip. This can be affixed to the sides of your gun safe or steel storage cabinet. Here is a home-made, magnet-affixed cleaning rod holder made by Forum Member “BobM”. This smart installation works great. CLICK HERE for more information.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (Ruger) announced on 10/2/2020 that its offer to purchase substantially all of the Marlin Firearms assets was accepted by Remington Outdoor Company, Inc. and approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Ruger will pay the $30 million purchase price from cash on hand at the time of closing, which is expected to occur in October.
“The value of Marlin and its 150-year legacy was too great of an opportunity for us to pass up,” said Ruger President and CEO Chris Killoy. “The brand aligns perfectly with ours and the Marlin product portfolio will help us widen our already diverse product offerings.”
The transaction is exclusively for the Marlin Firearms assets. Remington firearms, ammunition, other Remington Outdoor brands, and all facilities and real estate are excluded from the Ruger purchase. Once the purchase is completed, Ruger will begin the process of relocating the Marlin Firearms assets to existing Ruger manufacturing facilities.
“The important thing for consumers, retailers and distributors to know at this point in time,” continued Killoy, “is that the Marlin brand and its great products will live on. Long Live the Lever Gun.”
“Marlin Firearms was founded in 1870, some 144 years ago, by Mr. John Mahlon Marlin. As such, Marlin rifles for generations carried ‘JM’ roll marks on their barrels to designate this homage. Marlin had cut his teeth in Samuel Colt’s factory making revolvers and pistols during the Civil War in Hartford, Connecticut. Then, he broke out on his own, starting a small shop in nearby New Haven.
The company specialized in lever action rifles, such as the M1891, which was updated as the 1893, then the Model 39, and still exists today as the Model 336. After Mr. Marlin died in the early 1900s, the company went from being family-owned to being a corporation, which made machine guns for the Army during World War 1, merged with Hopkins and Allen, then in 1924 went out of business.
It was then that the Kenna family bought what was left of the company for $100 and, for all but a decade, a member of the Kenna family remained the president of the company for the next 83 years. During that time, Marlin registered hundreds of patents including on side ejection lever actions, Micro-Groove rifling, the T-900 Fire Control System, and others.”
More recently, in the year 2000, Marlin acquired Harrington and Richardson (H&R), maker of break-action shotguns and rifles. Then in 2007 Remington bought out Marlin, including H&R.
Gander Outdoors in Kenosha, WI — reader-submitted photo on GMToday.com
There is major ammunition shortage right throughout the nation. The unrest and riots in urban areas along with left-wing calls to “defund the police” have caused millions of Americans to be concerned about safety, so they are buying ammo wherever they can find it, online and in stores. Another reason ammo demand is exceeding supply is that 2020 has seen record numbers of first-time gun owners buying acquired rifles, pistols, and shotguns, primarily for self-defense. According to the NSSF, gun sales are up 95% in the first half of 2020 compared to Jan-June 2019. Even more remarkable, the NSSF says ammo sales are up 139% compared to the same time period in 2019. That’s a massive increase.
One ammunition manufacturer, Arizona-based Ammo Inc. has revealed that it has $80 million in unfilled ammo orders. “We’re working right now seven days a week, 24 hours a day in all the manufacturing plants”, Ammo Incorporated CEO Fred Wagenhals told AZFamily.com.
“We just bought 2.8 million dollars worth of machinery and equipment last week to increase our production and increase our volume”, Wagenhals added.
According to GunsAmerica Digest, “Wagenhals attributed the jump in demand to various factors, including COVID-19, the upcoming presidential election, and widespread civil unrest[.]” Wagenhals noted: “As you’ve seen in a lot of cities, the looting and the burning, and I think people are just scared.”
Mark Oliva, NSSF Director of Public Affairs, told GunsAmerica that the spike in demand for ammo mirrors that of firearms, with ammo sales skyrocketing:
“The sale on ammunition goes hand-in-glove with the sale of firearms. NSSF estimates there are more than 5 million people who bought a gun for the first time this year and we’ve recorded more than 13.8 million background checks for the sale of a gun this year. That tops figures for all of 2019 in just the first eight months of 2020. That’s caused an unprecedented demand in the marketplace and we’re seeing this happen everywhere.”
“Ammunition makers are working as quickly as possibly to meet this demand,” Oliva continued. “We’ve seen spikes before and we’ve seen sustained period of demand. This year, though, is unlike any before.”
Ammo Inc.’s STREAK Ammo — Tracers without Heat
Ammo Inc. produces a unique type of STREAK ammo that delivers a tracer-like light trail when fired. Through patented technology, a photo-luminescent coating is applied to the base of the bullet. This is “activated” on firing, allowing the shooter to see the projectile’s path toward its target. STREAK rounds are NON-incendiary. They do not generate heat so they are safe to use in environments where tracers are prohibited or could be a fire hazard. Ammo Inc. says these STREAK bullets are “game-changing” for indoor range use and low-light shooting.
Click Map to launch interactive webpage with info for all 50 states.
Going hunting soon? Need to find out about hunting licenses, deer tags, local regulations, and the best hunting areas? Then visit WheretoHunt.org. This website has an interactive map of the country. Simply click on a state to find the info you need. For all 50 states, the NSSF provides information about hunting licenses and permits, where to hunt, hunter education classes, laws and regulations and more. For each state you’ll also find a link for required applications and license forms. Have a safe and productive hunt this year.
On the WheretoHunt.org website, click a particular state on MAP, and resource links will load at right:
Three new powder lines have been added to the Hodgdon “family” of propellants. Hodgdon Powder Company (“Hodgdon”) has acquired Accurate and Ramshot smokeless powder brands from Western Powders, along with the Blackhorn 209 muzzleloader brand. This acquisition is effective October 1, 2020. Hodgdon will begin shipping these powders immediately to wholesale and retail customers.
This represents a major expansion of Hodgdon’s powder line-up which also includes the popular Hodgdon, IMR, GOEX, and Winchester propellants. Hodgon’s ADI-produced powders, such as H4895, Varget, and H4350 are among the most “in-demand” propellants for precision hand-loaders and competitors.
“This acquisition is another example of our dedication to the handloader and muzzleloader hunter,” said J.B. Hogdon and Bob Hodgdon, co-owners and sons of the founder of the Hodgdon Powder Company. “We have experience in acquiring the IMR Powder brand in 2003, the Winchester Powder license in 2005 and the GOEX brand in 2009 and we plan to put this experience to use in expanding the reach and customer base of the Ramshot, Accurate, and Blackhorn 209 brands.”
Acquisition Expands Hodgdon’s Ballistics Lab Resources
“This acquisition of the Ramshot and Accurate brands further solidifies our portfolio of smokeless brands and products for our handloading end users,” said Steve Kehrwald, president and CEO of Hodgdon Powder Company. “And the addition of Blackhorn 209 to our world-class muzzleloading brands like Pyrodex and Triple Seven uniquely positions us to serve the muzzleloading consumer. With these brands, we also add the capabilities of an additional ballistics lab to continue developing the data our customers demand from our Reloading Data Center and publications like our Annual and Basic Manuals.”
“Hodgdon has always been a strong competitor in the reloading powders industry,” said Doug Phair of Western Powders. “The Hodgdon family has built a robust company. Ramshot, Accurate, and Blackhorn 209 will make excellent additions to the Hodgdon family of powders.”
When neck-turning cases, it’s a good idea to extend the cut slightly below the neck-shoulder junction. This helps keep neck tension more uniform after repeated firings, by preventing a build-up of brass where the neck meets the shoulder. One of our Forum members, Craig from Ireland, a self-declared “neck-turning novice”, was having some problems turning brass for his 20 Tactical cases. He was correctly attempting to continue the cut slightly past the neck-shoulder junction, but he was concerned that brass was being removed too far down the shoulder.
Forum member Nodak7mm has discovered an ideal way to store your rifle cleaning rods in your garage or loading room. Using inexpensive 
