Now that you’ve spent thousands of dollars on the new benchrest, PRS, ELR, or hunting rifle (and thousands more on optics), how are you going to get it to the range and/or hunting grounds? It’s important to transport your valuable firearms in high-quality gun cases. Good padded soft cases can work, but for long-distance hauling (and all air transport), we recommend hard cases with quality foam inside.
Choosing a Rifle Transport Case
Before he retired, Forum member Ron D. served as a Police Officer at Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Ron offers some very important advice for shooters traveling with firearms and expensive optics: “Buy the best [rifle case] that you can afford. Don’t cry when your $3,000+ Benchrest rifle has a cracked stock or broken scope. Think about what it would be like to travel across the country and arrive with a damaged rifle. Remember the Samsonite commercial. (For you younger shooters, it shows a monkey throwing the suitcase around in his cage at the zoo.)
Baggage handling is NOT a fine art. There is no guarantee that your rifle case will be on top of all the other baggage. Then there is shifting of baggage in the belly of the plane. Ponder that for a while. Rifle and pistol cases must be locked. It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist to figure out that a simple pry tool will open most case locks. There is not much that you can do to disguise a rifle case. It is what it is, and opportunists know this. Among thieves, it doesn’t take long for the word to get around about a NEW type of case.”
Customizing the Foam Interiors of Gun Carry Cases
For the best fit of your firearms and accessories in a foam-interior hard case, you should customize the foam to fit. Some cases have “pluckable” foam. With these you remove small squares one an a time until the stored items fit. With other cases with dense foam interiors, you’ll need to cut the foam to fit. Here are two videos that show the process of tailoring foam to a rifle using an electric cutting tool. Watch these videos carefully — they can really help create the best custom-fit for your firearms.
Pelican 1750 Waterproof Travel Vault Case
Guncases.com, an Optics Planet company, offers a wide selection of quality, durable gun cases. One of the best units offered is Pelican 1750 Waterproof Rifle Case – Travel Vault Protector. If you’re headed to a very rainy/snowy climate, or transporting your rifle on a boat, consider this option. The waterproof Pelican 1750 case measures 53.00″ x 16.00″ x 6.12″ outside and weighs 25.5 pounds unladen. It features an O-Ring Seal, Pressure Relief Valve, and a lifetime warranty. It is offered in three colors, OD Green, Black, and Desert Tan, starting at $269.95. This is pricey, but it is one of the highest-rated cases you can buy.
Pelican Vault Series Rifle Cases
Pelican Products, known for premium hard-shell transport cases also offers a more affordable VAULT series of cases. Pelican’s VAULT cases offer durability and security at a lower price point. VAULT cases range in price from $39.99 to $199.99 and are backed by a 1-year guarantee. The VAULT rifle cases all feature wheels, easy-to-use push-button latches, and four stainless steel lock hasps for security. There is also a brightly colored Hi-Viz strip on the front of Pelican’s VAULT cases. This will make it easier to spot your case at airport baggage areas. The model V800 double-rifle case features a 53″ x 16″ x 6″ interior. That’s long enough for F-Class rifles and tactical rigs with brakes. The model V770 single-rifle case is 50″ × 10″ × 6″ inside. That’s still big enough for most hunting, varmint, and benchrest rifles.
SKB Double Rifle Case
GunCases.com also offers SKB Gun Cases. The SKB model 2SKB-5009 Double Rifle Case is an excellent choice carrying two rifles long distances. This has a very tough exterior with a metal middle frame for extra strength. Priced at $286.24 on Amazon, this case has exterior dimensions: 56″ L x 16.5″ W x 9.5″ H. This photo shows the case carrying both an M1A and an M1 Garand. NOTE: The foam is not really customizable. This is not the best choice if you plan to carry a single rifle and a spotting scope and a second barrel.
Plano Two-Gun All-Weather Tactical Case
This Plano two-gun case is Amazon’s #1 Best Seller in wheeled, heavy-duty firearms cases. This is offered in three sizes: 36″, 42″, and 52″. We like the biggest 52″ version, ($117.49 on Amazon), as it is long enough inside to fit most scoped match rifles. Alternatively, if you have a really long F-Class, ELR, or Palma rig, you can detach the barreled action from the stock, and run the two sections in the shorter 42″ case, now just $75.99 on Amazon. The big case lets you easily carry TWO scoped hunting rifles. That’s great because this case is strong enough for airline travel, meeting FAA requirements for checked baggage. This Plano case offers a good balance between strength and weight, all for a reasonable cost. Yes a Pelican 1750 is somewhat better, but that will cost at least $270.00 — over twice as much.
Plano now offers advanced versions of its All Weather series with “Rustrictor” technology. These Rustrictor cases, which sport RED handles and latches, come with built-in anti-corrosion technology — a rust-preventive Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) infused into the resin and into foam emitter blocks. If you often shoot in wet environments, or leave guns in a case for more than a few hours, you should probably upgrade to the Plano Rustrictor cases, currently priced at $97.76 for the 42″ model and $184.99 for the 52″ wheeled case.
Video Tip from Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
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.
1. Whidden Gunworks — Barnard Model SMS Action, $1150
⏺ Outstanding, smooth-running action, takes Rem 700 triggers (like Jewell)
Building a new gun these days can be challenging at best, especially because action manufacturers now have lead times up to one year. If you want a great custom action with no long wait, check out the Barnard Model SMS Action in stock and ready to ship from Whidden Gunworks. With a Remingon 700 footprint it fits a huge variety of inletted stocks. You can order it with either a .223 Rem or .308 Win bolt face. The Barnard SMS action compatible with Remington 700 Triggers, AICS & HS Precision magazine systems and is Picatinny rail compatible. This is a great way to get started on that next precision build.
3. Stocky’s — Rem 700 Stock with Alum. Bedding Block, $249.99
⏺ Great value — nice stock with built-in Aluminum bedding block
We helped find you an action, now it’s time for a quality stock. Stocky’s Stocks carries a wide assortment of great looking stocks that work great. You can pick up this Remington 700 BDL Laminated With Aluminum Bedding Block for under $300.00! Choose among seven different color combinations. Stocky’s EuroStocks feature OEM-quality fit and finish, stippled laser-engraved checkering, and a nice, 1″ thick, vented recoil pad. Stocky’s ships these stocks complete with mil-spec takedown screws, washers, and Allen wrenches.
3. EuroOptic — SIG Sauer P320 M18 Carry 9mm, $699.99
⏺ Civilian version of U.S. Military 9mm pistol — accurate, high capacity
SIG Sauer continues to be one of the most respected pistol makers for good reason. SIG pistols are reliable, accurate, and trusted by law enforcement/military around the world. Here’s the civilian version of the U.S. Military’s M18 sidearm: SIG Sauer P320 M18 Carry 9mm. The P320’s modular design allows the shooter to easily change the size and fit of the handgun making for a great experience no matter the owner. Order now for $699.99 and you can get a free bonus extra magazine, for three mags total.
4. Creedmoor Sports — DLX 55″ or 60″ Rifle Case Blue, $149.95
⏺ Truly one of the highest-quality soft rifle cases you can buy
Tired of poorly-made soft cases that wear out after one season? If you want to get a top-quality case that will last for years, check out the Creedmoor Blue Deluxe 55″ or 60″ Rifle Case. These hand-made cases provide superior protection with quality fabrics and padding. Smart design, high-grade zippers, and top-quality sewing make a noticeable difference. You will see many of the nation’s top Palma and F-Class shooters using these cases.
⏺ Remarkable 8 times magnification range — great for hunting and tactical use
Vortex offers excellent optics with one of the best warranties in the business. Here’s a good choice for an AR or hunting rig. The 1-8X power range offers a wide field of vision plus plenty of magnification when you’re on target. Right now the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-8X24mm is on sale for $429.99 at Brownells. This includes a cantilever mount that works great with AR-platform rifles and many tactical-style actions.
6. MidwayUSA — Frankford Case Tumbler Master Kit, $72.99
⏺ We’ve used this Combo Kit for many seasons — very good value right now
Keeping your brass clean is one of the best ways to keep your dies (and reloading presses) clean as well. If you’re looking for a new, affordable setup to clean cartridge brass, consider the Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit. You get everything needed to dry-tumble your brass and remove the media. This is all available now for a very low $72.99. You could pay that much for a good vibratory tumbler alone.
7. Amazon — 36″ Carbon Fiber Cleaning Rod, $29.99
⏺ Good cleaning rod with ball-bearing handle and coated rod
Cleaning rods break and bend or just plain wear out, but they can be expensive to replace. We found this 36″ Carbon Fiber Cleaning Rod that features a ball bearing handle and a threaded tip to add any jag or brush of your choice. The shaft is nylon coated so it is easy to clean. User Reviews have been very positive.
⏺ Well-designed case for two pistols, mags, protective gear
Storing and transporting pistols can be a challenge since some cases are too small and while others are too big and heavy. If you need to transport a pair of pistols to the range, this Tactical Double Scoped Handgun Case is a good option. It has twin zippered pistol compartments plus straps for 6 magazines. This soft case perfectly fits two scoped pistols and has extra space for other gear such as glasses and earplugs.
9. MidwayUSA — Competition Shooting Mat $24.99
⏺ Good versatile mat that does the job for just $24.99
Here’s a good deal from MidwayUSA: $24.99 Competition Shooting Mat. Regularly priced at $33.99, these mats are now 9 bucks off — that’s a 26% savings. We’ve used this mat many times. It’s obviously not the most deluxe mat you can buy, but it does the job and should last a long time. This mat rolls up into a nice package with carry handle. Most purchasers give this 4 or 5 stars. One verified buyer posted: “Very nice basic mat for the money. Well-made and quality materials. I use it at the range on concrete pad. Very comfortable without a lot of bulk. Highly recommend this mat.”
Congrats to Lester Bruno, overall winner of the 2021 Cactus Classic Benchrest Match. This popular NBRSA match is held every year at the Ben Avery Range outside Phoenix, Arizona. Lester shot brilliantly, particularly at 200 yards, to win the Two-Gun convincingly with an 0.2099 Overall Aggregate. Ed Adams was second with a 0.2303 Two-Gun Agg, with Durward Wofford in third place with 0.2655. Along the way Lester nailed a remarkable 0.1742 200-yard Heavy Varmint Agg. That’s mighty impressive.
Click Image Below for full-screen Panorama Image:
Paul Parosky reported: “So the Cactus Classic COVID Edition of 2021 has come to an end. Lester Bruno won with some amazing shooting at the LV and HV 200 yards. Myself? I need some more time behind the rifle and at 200 yards. We came across some nasty mirage that basically it was really hard to see the bullet hole. I still was able to finish in the middle of the pack 29th in the 2-Gun Aggregate, which is OK with me. But most of all had super great time, meeting new people and also putting faces to the FB friends from the group. The referees, Matthew Schwartzkopf and his crew [plus] the Wickenburg School volunteers did a wonderful job keeping the match going flawlessly.”
2021 Cactus Classic Top 25 Two-Gun Overall Results:
In 100/200 yard Group Benchrest, most top competitors load at the range, tuning their loads for the conditions. Here you can see the portable powder measure (left) and a compact ARKCO Hood Press (right). That blue combo press can both size cases with a screw-in die and seat bullets using a Wilson Seater die (placed on left side). The vast majority of short-range benchrest-for-group competitors run the 6PPC cartridge with fast-burning powders such as Vihtavuori N133.
Capstone Precision Group (Berger Bullets, Lapua, SK, Vihtavuori) provided many valuable prizes to competitors at the 2021 Cactus Classic.
Vudoo Gun Works now offers V-22 action rifles chambered for the 17 Hornady Mach 2 (aka 17 HM2) rimfire cartridge. The 17 Mach 2 runs 2010-2100 FPS, making it much more potent than the .22 LR for varminting. Along with the added speed, the 17 Mach 2 is also much flatter shooting than the .22 LR, making it more fun to use past 150 yards. When you want to go back to the .22 LR for paper punching at 50-100 yards, simply spin on a .22 LR barrel, and use the same action and same magazines. So, you can have one rimfire rifle that shoots two rimfire cartridge types. That’s smart.
Because the 17 Mach 2 shares similar OAL and cartridge diameter/rim sizes as the venerable .22 LR, the 17 HM2 runs perfectly in actions and magazines designed for the .22 LR. Vudoo says: “The dimensional similarities of traditional .22 LR, which the V-22 action has been designed around, made the 17 HM2 a natural performer in our rifles. The addition of the 17 HM2 gives our customers access to a wide range of high-velocity projectiles to better suit a variety of sporting applications.”
Vudoo Gun Works currently offers a variety of rifles chambered in 17 Mach 2. The Ravage Ridgeback model (top photo) has a composite stock with adjustable cheekpiece. There is also a Ravage Renegade (shown below). For those who prefer a metal chassis, Vudoo offers its V-22 barreled action in the MPA alloy chassis. Vudoo has lighter, “walk-around stocks” and barrel profiles for hunters, and we like the Apparition model with the KRG Bravo Chassis. All Vudoo 17 HM2 models use the V-22 action. Multi-shot models employ Vudoo .22 LR magazines.
Which Voodoo 17 Mach 2 to Buy?
We see the 17 HM2 round primarily as a varmint cartridge, secondarily as a fun-shooting round for steel and reactive targets. As yet it is not really for competition because there is no organized .17 Caliber rimfire League, and the 17 Mach 2 is not allowed for rimfire silhouette. That may change and the Mach 2 might be allowed in some local range fun matches, but it’s not really a competition cartridge.
That said, it is a great round for small critters such as ground squirrels. Accordingly, we recommend a Vudoo option that has a conventional stock that can work with both bipod or front rest, used in the field off bipod or shot from a portable bench or tripod. You’ll want a magazine-fed rig to allow quick follow-up shots on critters.
For this we recommend the Ravage in the Renegade stock for $2295.00. This has a fairly straight buttstock toe in the rear so it works well with a rear bag. There are seven (7) different stock finishes available. If you want an adjustable cheekpiece and forearm rails you can get the Ravage in the Ridgeback stock for $300 more ($2595.00). Vudoo call this “A purpose-built competition/target rifle with an impressive list of options.” All Ravage Models promise sub-MOA accuracy. You can probably beat that with the best lots of 17 Mach 2 ammo.
Vudoo V-22 17 Mach 2 Rifle Features
Short action Remington 700 footprint
Magazines fit std AICS-form bottom metal
Large selection of aftermarket triggers
Large selection of aftermarket stocks
17 HM2 converts to .22 LR with bbl swap
Vudoo Rimfire Rifle Specs
Action: V-22, Patented Vudoo Rimfire repeater action with control-round-feed
Chamber Options: .17 HM2, .17 HMR, .22 LR, .22 WMR
Barrel: 416R stainless, cut-rifled, Vudoo chamber, 16.5″, 18″, 20″, or 22″, Kukri contour
Trigger: Timney 510v2 preset at 2 lbs. (Upgradable to other Timney, Trigger Tech, or Huber at add’l cost)
Because the 17 Mach 2 fits .22 LR magazines and has the same OAL and rim size, it can be shot from a Vudoo .22 LR action. Just spin on a 17 HM2-chambered barrel, get some ammo, and you are good to go. WARNING: Never shoot a .22 LR in a 17-caliber barrel.
About the 17 Mach 2 (17 HM2 Cartridge)
The 17 Mach 2 was developed by Hornady and ELEY in 2004 to give varmint hunters a high-velocity rimfire cartridge that fits in standard rimfire-length actions. With a selection of V-MAX or NTX bullets, the 17 HM2 is capable of taking ground squirrels and prairie dogs at ranges of up to 220 yards. We like this cartridge because 17 HM2 ammo has historically been 35% less expensive than 17 HMR ammo. And with the current shortages, we’ve seen 17 Mach 2 at HALF the price of 17 HMR ($11/box vs. $22/box). When you’re shooting hundreds of rounds a day in the varmint fields, that price savings adds up.
What Kind of Accuracy Can You Expect?
Vudoo .22 LR rifles have shown exceptional rimfire accuracy. Accordingly we believe the 17 Mach 2 versions should be impressive. But frankly, the limit will be the ammo. You may want to sort through each box and check for run-out and COAL. With Hornady 17 HM2 ammo, we usually find 2-4 rounds per 50-ct box with short-seated bullets or very high bullet run-out. You can sometimes actually see the bullet tilted off-axis. Use those for foulers or short range.
Accurateshooter.com built a 17 Mach 2 benchrest rifle some years ago with a match barrel, custom action, and wide-forearm benchrest stock. We saw many 5-shot groups in the 0.7″ range at ONE HUNDRED yards with early ELEY-made 17 Mach 2 ammo. Yes, 0.7 MOA at 100. The current Hornady ammo is not as consistent. We’ve heard good things about the CCI VNT 17 HM2 ammunition introduced in 2019, but we haven’t tested it yet.
Yes 17 Mach 2 Ammo IS Available Right Now
Readers may be asking “Can I actually get 17 Mach 2 ammo right now?” The answer is a definite “YES”. While popular centerfire ammo is hard to find, and many types of .22 LR ammo is out of stock, we found 17 HM2 ammo in stock right now at many vendors. Here are some examples in stock on 3/14/2021:
One Rimfire Rifle Can Shoot Two Calibers — .17 and .22
Here is the Vudoo V-22 action in an MPA chassis. You can have one .22 LR barrel for NRL22 Matches and another 17 HM2 barrel for varminting. Best of both worlds. Both cartridge types will run from the same magazine, with no modifications required other than a barrel swap. WARNING: Never shoot a .22 LR through a .17-Caliber barrel!
About the Vudoo V-22 Action — Important Design Features
The Vudoo V-22 action resembles a Remington 40X action at first glance. However, there are many key differences. Vudoo’s engineers explain: “First off, the V-22 departs from the 40X in that the 40X was a full-size, centerfire receiver converted to handle the diminutive .22 LR cartridge. The V-22 has been designed from the ground up as a true-to-scale Rimfire receiver that fits the Rem 700 footprint as far as stocks and chassis systems go. The V-22 also runs a full size short action bottom metal (DBM) and our V-2210 magazine has an AICS form factor so it pops right in Chassis’ or other DBM’s made for such.
V-22 Actions Boast Controlled-Round Feeding
Vudoo’s V-22 action has a unique control-round-feed design. The bolt fully controls the rimfire cartridge from the time it leaves the magazine until it ejects the spent round out the ejection port. The significance of that is two-fold. Great feed and extraction reliability and…equally as important, the cartridge is controlled in a way that it never touches anything on its entrance into the bore. There is no feed ramp, nor does the projectile go in at an angle that might damage it in any way. Potential bullet damage is avoided through the V-22’s smart design.
17 Mach 2 — Best Rimfire Varmint Bang for the Buck?
If you are looking for a capable, squirrel-busting round or a fun plinking round, you should definitely consider the 17 Mach 2, especially since CCI has committed to production of the little cartridge. CCI now offers its “Gen 2″ 17 Mach 2 VNT Ammo. This features a Speer bullet with a very thin jacket and yellow polymer tip. G1 BC is 0.125 with 2010 FPS muzzle Velocity. CCI claims “explosive terminal performance” on small varmints.
Considering that 17 HMR ammo is typically running $17 to $22 a box (when you can find it), the 17 Mach 2 is an excellent value by comparison. It is available right now for $8.99 per 50ct box at Sportsman’s Warehouse. That’s just $0.18 per round. Other vendors have 17 Mach 2 in stock now for $10-$12/box.
When you consider overall “bang for the buck”, for many shooters, it makes sense to use the 17 Mach 2 rather than a 17 HMR or 17 WSM. You save money, barrel life is a little longer, and the 17 Mach 2 is still a much more potent cartridge than the .22 LR. Check out this comparison, and note how the 17 Mach 2 has a much flatter trajectory than the .22 LR. For small varmint shooting, we think the 17 Mach 2 is clearly the better choice.
Hornady’s 17 Mach 2 has a 2100 FPS muzzle velocity vs. 1255 FPS for “High-Velocity” .22 LR.
Are you a do-it-yourself kind of guy with a creative eye? Then you’ll love the FREE Target Generator from the folks at ShooterShed.com. This free, interactive webpage allows you to design a variety of fun targets, including grids, benchrest-type Score Shooting targets, sight-in targets, and even playing card targets. Choose the paper size and orientation (vertical or horizontal), then select the number of target elements on the page. For example, you could have four (4) bulls or 52 playing cards. Then click the Style TAB to choose your target style. Use the OPTIONS TAB to overlay a grid on the target, choose squares or diamonds, or include load information blocks. For bullseye targets, you can control the number, color, and spacing (diameter) of the rings. LINK to TARGET GENERATOR.
Click the TARGET STYLE TAB to select one of many target styles, including NBRSA Benchrest targets and 20+ types of NRA bullseye targets, scaled to distance:
Benchrest
Bullseye
Shapes
NRA High Power
NRA Pistol
NRA Rimfire
Images
Playing Cards
Load Test Blocks
The program provides a preview of each target you generate. There are controls to choose border and fill colors. If you like a particular design, save the file, and then print as many targets as you want. Check it out, this program is fun and handy to use. Here are five (5) targets your Editor created just for this article. With a bit of practice, you can be generating your own custom targets in minutes. We just created the green diamonds grid target in 5 minutes this morning. Have fun!
About the Creator of the Target Generator
The Target Generator program was created by Rod Brown of Sheridan, Wyoming. Rod tells us: “I build custom rifles and coach shooters. I’ve got a 100-yard range out my back door. I shoot short- and long-range benchrest competitively around the country. I’m a full-time software development consultant and an FFL holder. When I’m not developing custom software for my clients, I’m usually fiddling in the shop, building a custom benchrest rifle, traveling to a match, chambering a barrel, or reloading some ammunition.
Story tip from Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
It didn’t take long. Democratic Party politicians in Washington are moving to ban semi-auto, modern sporting rifles. During his campaign, Joe Biden promised to ban so-called “assault rifles” and now Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA) has introduced legislation to do just that. Feinstein’s New Senate bill, introduced as the Assault Weapons Ban of 2021, is Feinstein’s latest attempt to block gun purchases and scuttle the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. An identical bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.).
God forbid Feinstein should craft legislation to actually deal with the crime, drug abuse, homelessness, and crumbling infrastructure in her home turf of San Francisco, California. No, she doesn’t care about that. That’s because she has no answers, and she knows that Democratic-party policies have fostered ALL those problems. So she wants to target guns once again, though there is zero evidence that past semi-auto gun bans have had a measurable effect on overall, national violent crime rates.
• Bans the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 205 military-style assault weapons by name. Owners may keep existing weapons.
• Bans any assault weapon with the capacity to utilize a magazine that is not a fixed ammunition magazine and has one or more military characteristics including a pistol grip, a forward grip, a barrel shroud, a threaded barrel or a folding or telescoping stock. Owners may keep existing weapons.
• Bans magazines and other ammunition feeding devices that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, which allow shooters to quickly fire many rounds without needing to reload. Owners may keep existing magazines.
• Requires a background check on any future sale, trade, or gifting of an assault weapon covered by the bill.
• Requires that grandfathered assault weapons are stored using a secure gun storage or safety device like a trigger lock.
• Prohibits the transfer of high-capacity ammunition magazines.
• Bans bump-fire stocks and other devices that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire at fully automatic rates.
Senator Feinstein declared: “We’re now seeing a rise in domestic terrorism, and military-style assault weapons are increasingly becoming the guns of choice for these dangerous groups. I’m hopeful that with the new administration and Democratic control of the Senate, we can finally … remove these deadly weapons from our communities.” NOTE: This is disingenuous to say the least. If Feinstein was really concerned about “domestic terrorism” she would be doing something about Antifa and BLM rioters.
In the Senate, the Assault Weapons Ban is cosponsored by Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).
Read those names. Notice that there is not ONE Republican on the list. This anti-gun legislation is pure partisan politics folks, pushed by a biased, career politician and supported by a Democratic Party President who is suffering from dementia. While Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer hide behind fences and razor wire, with thousands of armed National Guard troops serving as their “palace guards”, they seek to destroy your right to armed self-defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment. Without question, after these corrupt politicians ban all mag-fed semi-autos, they will come after other guns, until their mission of disarming America is accomplished.
* There are certain “carve-outs” in the legislation. The bill exempts by name more than 2,200 guns for hunting, household defense, or recreational purposes. The bill also includes a grandfather clause that exempts all weapons lawfully possessed at the date of enactment.
We know many readers are still having trouble sourcing ammunition, particularly for popular cartridge types such as .22 LR, 9x19mm (9mm Luger), .357 Mag, .223 Rem (5.56×45) and 6.5 Creedmoor. In this article we list 15 reliable online sources for factory-loaded ammo. You may want to bookmark this page so you can quickly scan and price-check multiple vendors. In addition, you can use a service such as AmmoSeek.com.
Why Should You Shop for Ammo Online?
By shopping online for ammo, you can save money, get a wider selection, and often get bulk discounts. GunDeals.com explains the advantages: “Online purchases will save you a lot of money, and that is the biggest advantage, but that is not all, it will also save your time, deliveries are usually really fast, but one of the most important advantages is definitively the huge selection. You will be able to find any ammo brand online[.]” With online retailers you can quickly compare prices, and you will often get a discount on a large order (300 rounds or more) that is not available in local stores. Note, with some large vendors such as Cabela’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse you can order online then pick up in a local store.
Are There Restrictions on Online Ammo Purchasing?
In most (but not all) U.S. states is it legal to order ammunition online to be shipped to your residence. However, you MUST check your State and local laws and regulations. In some states and/or cities, it is ILLEGAL to purchase ammunition online for shipment across state lines with direct delivery. For example, in California, all ammo must be purchased from a licensed ammo dealer/vendor with a state background check (so much for the Second Amendment)*. Likewise Washington DC, Hawaii, and Alaska do not allow online ammunition purchases. And there are restrictions in New York City.
*In some instances ammo can be purchased online from an out-of-state seller who will then ship to an authorized, in-state California vendor who may transfer the ammo for a fee with background checks as required by CA law.
Are you tired of making a mess in your gun room and picking up patches off the floor? If you clean at the range, would you like to make life much easier (no hunting for patches on dirty ground)? Then consider the MTM Gun Cleaning Patch Catcher. It is currently just $9.19 on Grafs.com and $9.89 on Amazon.
This handy see-through green container fits on the end of your rifle or shotgun barrel. It works with all patch types and bore sizes and fits virtually all barrel diameters, large and small. Simply slip the MTM Gun Cleaning Patch Catcher over your barrel to contain all the patches pushed out the muzzle. No more mess and stains on your bench/table. When cleaning tasks are done, simply remove the Patch Catcher and dump the contents into the trash. Watch the video to see how the MTM Patch Catcher works. Note how it also retains the solvent spray and/or drips.
One owner explains: “This box straps over the muzzle end of a barrel and keeps the mess completely contained. Excess cleaning solvents collect in the bottom. Patches fall off the jag and are captured as well when the cleaning rod is withdrawn. It also completely contains the splatter burst when a bore brush exits the muzzle of whatever firearm is being cleaned.” (D.J. Bradley)
Here are actual user reviews from verified customers:
“It’s been a long time since I bought something that is just WOW brilliant but this patch catcher is just that. It is so simple, so neat, so clean and so effective. It fits perfectly on all my rifle barrels and catches patches, brush spray and most importantly most of the smells of solvents. I can now clean my rifles in the house without inviting the wrath of my darling wife.” — Emmitt P. (Amazon)
“The MTM Patch Catcher works great! It is easy to adjust to different size barrels, and … all the gunk stays in the trap! Now, no more cleaning up the work bench/floor area after gun cleaning. This trap is a must have! I never knew I needed one of these until I got the MTM one from Graf’s. My buddy had a different brand, and it was hard to use. On his, the trap that holds the dirty patches and ‘juice’ would not stay in place, and some times most of the gunk ended up on the floor.” — Michael T (Grafs.com)
“This little device is more than a patch catcher. It also contains that dirty, smelly spray when a bore bristle exits the barrel. With the [MTM Patch Catcher] top open, it will also catch spray cleaners and lubes when used on small parts.” — TwoBoxer (Amazon)
On Thursday, March 11, 2021 the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, a bill that would impose mandatory Federal NICS background checks on ALL firearms transfers, including private sales. Some states, such as California, already have this restriction in effect, but in a few other states intra-family or person-to-person long gun sales are allowed. The House also passed a second gun control measure, H.R. 1446, which would extend the initial background check review period from three to 10 business days. Previously if the NICS check was not completed by the FBI within 3 business days, a sale could (in most circumstances) proceed.
NOTE: H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 have NOT (yet) been approved by the U.S. Senate, or signed into law. But given Democratic Party control of the Senate and White House, there is a good chance that both these House bills may well become the law of the land.
About H.R. 8 — What It Would Require
This bill would change the law in states where certain types of person-to-person sales do not currently require the purchaser to have a Federal background check. USA Today explained: “The legislation would expand the cases in which a background check is required for the sale or transfer of a firearm, including for private individuals and groups, closing the ‘Gun Show Loophole'[.] The bill would make it illegal for anyone who is not a licensed firearm importer, manufacturer or dealer to trade or sell firearms to another person; current federal law requires background checks only for [sales made by] licensed gun dealers.”
As it stands now, this Universal Background Check bill would not mandate a National Registry of all firearms, but we know that many Democratic Party politicians, including Pres. Biden and V.P. Harris, support a National Registry. This would provide the Federal government with a database of all firearms owned by Americans, along with the location of the guns. Such a Registry would facilitate gun confiscation, as is happening right now in Canada. (READ about Canadian Gun Confiscation.)
NRA-ILA Finds Flaws with H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446
After the House of Representative passed gun control bills HR 8 and HR 1446, on a nearly party-line vote, NRA-ILA Exec. Dir. Jason Ouimet released the following statement:
“These bills are a transparent attempt by gun control advocates in Congress to restrict the rights of law-abiding Americans under the guise of addressing the violent criminal culture in America. The truth, however, is that neither of these bills will do anything to solve that problem. By giving full power to unelected government bureaucrats to indefinitely delay and prevent lawful firearm transfers, H.R. 1446 could ultimately destroy the Second Amendment rights guaranteed to every law-abiding American by turning it into a privilege enjoyed by a select few. H.R. 8, so called ‘universal’ background checks, cannot be enforced without a federal gun registry, will not prevent crime, and will turn otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals for simply loaning a firearm to friends or family members. If Congress is serious about the safety of law-abiding citizens, it should have passed concealed carry reciprocity so that Americans can safeguard themselves and their families across state lines and throughout our country during these dangerous times.”
Video Explains Important Provisions of H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446:
Zombies are preparing to invade once again for the Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match on June 4-6, 2021 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. After canceling the match due to COVID-19 in 2020, Hornady will host the popular event again this year. For complete event information, visit the official Zombies in the Heartland website, or follow the Zombies in the Heartland Facebook page. Hornady posted: “We are already half full, so sign up fast! We look forward to having you this year!”
ZOMBIES MATCH REGISTRATION: Early registration for past competitors opened on February 24th. Returning competitors were emailed with registration links. General registration opened on 3/2/2021, so you can register now online via Practiscore (you’ll need to set up a free Practiscore Account):
LODGING INFO: Hotel rooms can be reserved at the Boarders Inn and Suites, 3333 Ramada Road, Grand Island, NE. Mention Zombies in the Heartland for reduced rates.
About the Zombies in the Heartland Match
The very popular Zombies in the Heartland event, one of the biggest three-gun shoots in the nation, will take place June 4-6, 2021 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. The “Zombie Pandemic” match traditionally has a rich prize table worth over $150,000. Prizes include pistols, rifles, shotguns, scopes, AR uppers, gun parts, and gear of all kinds.
The Zombie Match is a veritable theme park for shootists, with many fun stages and innovative targets. Many unique, reactive zombie targets have been developed specifically for this match. The use of paper targets has been minimized — so it’s mostly “bang and clang”.
In recent years there have been TEN multi-gun stages. Rifles, pistols and shotguns are used on most stages, which feature handgun targets from 1-15 yards, shotgun targets from 10-20 yards, and rifle targets from 1-200 yards. There were also side matches with full-auto demo firearms, exploding targets, and specialty targets.
Zombies in the Heartland Highlights Video. This well-made 2017 video is worth watching! This video offers Shooter’s POV views of many stages including full auto:
ABOUT the RANGE FACILITY: Operated by the Grand Island Parks and Recreation Department, the Heartland Public Shooting Park is the largest and most complete public shooting facility in the Midwest. The facility hosts regional and national events, drawing shooters from around the world.
About the Zombies in the Heartland Match
