AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL: At 25 yards, this is a fun rimfire plinking target. At longer distances it can be a great training target for precision centerfire shooters.
With NRL22 and the new PRS Rimfire Series, interest in rimfire tactical competition is growing fast. There is also great interest in .22 LR rimfire tactical cross-training. With a rimfire rig, you can practice regularly for a fraction of the cost of centerfire training. That way you can build your skill set without breaking the bank. Decent rimfire ammo can be had for five cents a round. Compare that to fifty cents (or more) for handloads and maybe $1.20 per round for factory ammo.
To help with rimfire cross-training, here are some of our favorite rimfire tactical targets, all in easy-to-print PDF format. Click each target image to download the FREE target. You’ll find more free targets for load development, precision practice, and fun shooting on our AccurateShooter FREE Targets Page
Targets for Rimfire Training and Fun Matches
Here’s a rimfire training target with “big to small” target circles. Start with the largest circles, then move to the smaller ones in sequence. This systematic drill provides increasing challenge shot-by-shot. Novices often are quite surprised to see their accuracy improve as they move from bigger to smaller aiming points. That provides positive feedback — always a good thing.
Right Click and “Save as” to download printable PDF versions of target.
Rimfire Practice Targets
SPECIAL BONUS–Rimfire Tactical Precision Targets
These FREE targets by DesertFrog are offered in Adobe Acrobat format for easy printing. CLICK HERE to download all six targets as a .ZIP archive.
More Free Targets…
These and many other free targets are available at MyTargets.com.
If you’re anywhere near Phoenix, head down to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility on May 6-8, 2022. You’ll have a chance to shoot a variety of SIG Sauer pistols and rifles. That’s right, you can test drive nearly 50 new SIG guns at one of America’s best ranges, and SIG Sauer even provides the ammo. There is a fee of $79.95 per day. When you consider the cost of ammo, that’s a good deal.
SIG FREEDOM DAYS
Ben Avery, May 6-8, 2022
The first-ever SIG Sauer Freedom Days fun shooting event will take place May 6- 8, 2022, at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Guests will be able to shoot nearly 50 different SIG SAUER firearms. A $79.95 daily pass let you shoot 10 stages featuring SIG pistols and rifles. Ammunition is provided along with access to professional demonstrations.
— Shoot nearly 50 new and existing SIG Sauer firearms
— Learn from world-class SIG SAUER Academy Instructors
— Shoot Mossberg Shotguns and Xpedition Archery Crossbows
— Shoot the SIG SAUER “Next Generation” Machine Gun (additional fee)
— See stage presentations by pro shooters, industry leaders, and personalities
— Watch live demos by Team SIG pros Max Michel, Dan Horner, Lena Miculek, and Jerry Miculek.
Included in $79.95 per day pass: Access to all activities, expert stage presentations, and the opportunity to shoot up to 10 different stages, featuring SIG pistols and rifles, Mossberg shotguns, and Xpedition Archery Crossbows. Shoot an additional five stages for $29.95 extra. CLICK HERE for more INFO about SIG Freedom Days.
Watch Max Michel Demo Drill (This Guy is Blazing Fast!)
In this video, Max drills 18 rounds in just over five seconds with two mag changes. We timed that unofficially at 5.21 seconds.
Some the world’s best action shooters will be on hand to showcase their skills. Meet Jerry Miculek, the world’s revolver shoter. Get tips about carry optics from Team SIG Captain Max Michel. Top 3-Gun ace and former USAMU team member Daniel Horner will also share his expertise about precision shooting.
Rifle Skills for Multi-Gun Competition — Grip, Stance, and Body Position
Location: Ben Avery Shooting Facility, Phoenix, Arizona
Dates: Friday, May 6 – Sunday, May 8, 2022
Times: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: $79.95 per person per day (food can also be purchased on-site).
On April 11, the Biden Administration nominated Steven Dettelbach as the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), subject to Senate confirmation. With Dettelbach’s nomination, President Biden revealed his intent to put an aggressive gun control advocate in charge of the agency responsible for regulating America’s firearms industry.
David Chipman, Biden’s first ATF Director nominee, failed to achieve enough support in the Senate to be confirmed. After Chipman’s shortcomings were exposed in Senate hearings, the Biden Administration withdrew Chipman’s nomination. Chipman had worked for anti-gun lobbying groups and advocated widespread banning of popular current firearms types and even supported confiscation of modern sporting rifles. When it was clear Chipman would not win Senate confirmation, Biden withdrew the nomination.
Now Biden has nominated a second ATF Director candidate who is equally objectionable.
NRA-ILA Says Dettlebach Supports Radical Restrictions on Gun Rights
The NRA-ILA states: “Like Chipman, Dettelbach is a dedicated gun controller with a background that proves he would be neither fair nor objective as head of ATF. When running for Ohio Attorney General in 2018, Dettelbach endorsed gun bans, restrictions on lawful firearm transfers, and further expansion of prohibitions on who can lawfully possess a firearm. In short, it’s unclear what gun control measures Dettelbach doesn’t support.
This led NRA-PVF to award Dettelbach an ‘F’ for his positions on the right to keep and bear arms. Notably, Michael Bloomberg’s … gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety (David Chipman’s former employer) endorsed Dettelbach in his bid to become Ohio’s Attorney General.
Ohio voters wisely rejected Dettelbach and his gun control promises in 2018. But, Dettelbach’s unpopular views on the Second Amendment put him in line with the most anti-gun presidential administration in American history.
It will once again be up to gun owners to make clear that a failed anti-gun politician has no more place at the head of the ATF than a failed anti-gun lobbyist. Please contact your U.S. Senators… and respectfully encourage them to oppose Dettelbach’s nomination.”
Dettlebach Supports Ban on Modern Sporting Rifles
The National Shooting Sports Foundation added: “NSSF is committed to a thorough examination of Dettelbach’s record and qualifications. Dettelbach has previously stated support for bans on Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs), or AR-15 semiautomatic rifles, universal background checks, which are unworkable without a national firearm registry that is already forbidden by federal law, and extreme-risk protection orders, or so-called ‘red flag’ laws, without protections for Due Process considerations.
Dettelbach … a recent partisan candidate for public office, supported gun control during his campaign [and was] endorsed by the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety, for his support for policies restricting Second Amendment rights.”
COMMENTARY: Dettlebach is a Staunch Enemy of the Second Amendment
We concur that Dettlebach is not a candidate who respects the Second Amendment. If appointed to head the ATF, Dettlebach can be expected to push for policies that will negatively affect the rights of all American gun owners. Dettlebach will likely seek to impose a de facto national gun registry (a digital database of gun owners), make background checks more difficult, and put more restrictions on semi-auto pistols and rifles.
Here’s something truly innovative — a 3D-printed metal rimfire receiver!
Forum member Marcos G. (aka MFP_BOP) has designed and created his own rimfire action. But it’s not machined or forged. This new action was created with a 3D sintered metal printer. A 3D modeler by profession, Marcos has the requisite skill set and access to a very high-tech (and expensive) metal printer. As printed, the actual receiver is shown below. It has just been sent out to be age-hardened to 40 HRC, after which final finish work (e.g. cleaning up tenon threads) will be done. To learn more about this 3D-printing project, read this FORUM Thread.
When most of us think of 3D printing, we think of small plastic parts — nothing as strong as steel. But there are 3D printers that employ sintered metal to build complex metal components. Marcus says the receiver he’s created should have “stated yield and tensile strength similar to investment casting.” The material used for the action is 15-5 PH® Stainless Steel (in sintered form).
The action was designed to use a PT&G 40X rimfire bolt. Marcos notes that “There is an extraction cam inside of the action, something that would be very hard or impossible to do by regular machining and/or EDM.”
Born in Brazil, Marcos now lives in New Zealand. He tell us that: “New Zealand is a very gun-friendly country. I just need my A-CAT license to make [a receiver.]” So there are no special legal restrictions (as might apply in the USA). The printer is EOS270 laser metal sintering machine. Marcos says: “The current price for one of those machines is in five figures, but I am 99.99% sure that in 5-7 years this technology will be readily available to anyone.”
As designed, the receiver was 1.4″ in diameter. Marcos reports it came out of the printer at 1.403″. The designed boltway is .690″ and it came out .687″. Marcos notes: “I haven’t noticed any warping. The threads are rough, really! Interior and exterior finishes are really good though, probably because of the way it’s been printed: upside down (must have gone through tumbling afterwards). I will have to run some taps and single-point-cut the tenon threads to clean them up.”
Marcos says the actual printing process took a lot of time: “I should have asked how long it took to be printed!” But consider this, the 7″-long receiver is created in layers only 20 microns thick, so you can understand why the process took so long.
Reasons to Print a Rimfire Receiver
Marcos 3D-printed his own action basically to save money: “Some may be asking why I printed this receiver. Here’s a little history… I tried different ways to bring a Stiller 2500X action into New Zealand. The final price to my door was NZ $3000.00 (about $2195.00 USD). Designing and making one would be way cheaper, but I felt nobody here could machine the internal abutments with precision. Also printing was still a little cheaper and printing offered the chance to put in it all details I wanted — such as M4 threads, internal cam, and fillets.”
Big news for Georgia — Norma Precision Ammunition, a subsidiary of Swiss ammunition manufacturer RUAG Ammotec, will establish its new U.S. headquarters, manufacturing site, and warehousing and distribution operations in Chatham County, Georgia, close to Savannah, which boasts an excellent seaport.
You’ve certainly seen Norma rimfire and centerfire ammunition — quality ammo favored by hunters and competitors. Norma ammo has been produced in Europe and the USA by Swiss-based parent company RUAG Ammotec, and its American subsidiary, RUAG Ammotec, USA.
While much of Norma’s product line still comes from Europe, RUAG Ammotec has actually been manufacturing in the United States for 10+ years as RUAG Ammotec, USA, based in Tampa, Florida. Now the USA manufacturing operations will shift to Georgia. This will be a significant operation. Last year, in 2021, RUAG Ammotec produced over 30 million cartridges in the USA, and it plans to ramp up USA production significantly at its new Georgia ammo plant.
Christoph Eisenhardt, President/CEO of RUAG Ammotec declared: “Norma Precision Ammunition has been manufacturing in the United States for over 10 years as RUAG Ammotec, USA. With this relocation, expansion, and focus on the Norma Ammunition brand, we will continue to grow while better serving our customers and industry partners[.]” Paul Lemke, President of Norma Precision Ammunition added: “The Savannah area offers a significant opportunity to expand our small arms ammunition manufacturing and distribution … while providing unmatched access to the world-class Port of Savannah.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Hails New Norma Precision Ammunition Operations
Governor Kemp stated: “With their facilities in close proximity to the Port of Savannah … and our highly-skilled pool of talent, I’m confident that RUAG Ammotec will be very pleased with their decision to invest in the Peach State. I’m grateful to Norma Precision Ammunition for [its] job-stimulating investments, and I look forward to seeing the opportunities this creates for hardworking Georgians[.]”
Norma TAC-22 rimfire ammunition is very good. Here’s an example of accuracy with a lot from 2017. Photo from Champion Shooters Supply. Groups shot with Anschutz 1913 match rifle at 50 yards.
Norma Precision Ammunition is Hiring — Employment Opportunities
Norma Precision Ammunition will be located at 141 Prosperity Drive in Garden City, GA, on the eastern side of Savannah. The company has positions available in manufacturing, distribution, management, and sales. Individuals interested in career opportunities can visit www.NormaShooting.com for additional information.
Georgia Is Now Among Top 10 States in Firearms and Ammunition Manufacturing
Georgia continues to attract global businesses like RUAG Ammotec. In 2019 Taurus opened a large gun factory in Bainbridge, Georgia. And other gun/ammo makers have found a friendly home in Georgia. According to NSSF data, Georgia has become one of the country’s top 10 states for firearms and shooting sports products manufacturing.
About RUAG Ammotec — Swiss Company That Operates in 12 Nations
With operations in 12 different countries, Swiss-based RUAG Ammotec develops and produces ammunition for sports shooters, special operations forces, and peace officers worldwide, serving key markets in the military, law enforcement, hunting, and sporting goods sectors. In 2021, Norma Precision Ammunition imported over 400 containers of ammunition from RUAG Ammotec factories in Europe, while also producing over 30 million ammunition cartridges in the USA.
Through Executive action, without new Federal legislation, the Biden Administration, acting through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is moving to ban the direct sale of unfinished firearm frames and receivers which could be built into functional guns with some additional work and components. (Top photo from GunsAmerica Digest.)
This week, the Biden administration announced the final ruling for ATF 2021R-05, “Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms”. Among its provisions, the ruling will effectively eliminate the distribution of “80% Kits” and require FFLs and gunsmiths to serialize such kits upon acquisition. The rule will go into effect 120 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.
“This ruling will have significant regulatory and operational impacts on FFLs, gun owners and the entire firearms industry,” said Phil Milks, Orchid LLC VP and FFL Law Lead Attorney. “It’s imperative firearm manufacturers and retailers review the ruling in detail and evaluate their manufacturing, serialization and recordkeeping processes to ensure compliance when the new regulations go into effect. We urge FFLs to contact Orchid to learn more about this ruling and how it may affect their firearms business.”
New ATF Ruling Covered at Upcoming 2022 Firearm Industry Conference
The ATF’s new policies on unfinished receivers will be the focus of a seminar at the 2022 Firearms Industry Conference (FIC), April 26-27 in Atlanta, Georgia. At the FIC seminar/discussion, ATF executives will review the new ruling and take questions. Agency personnel will also be available during scheduled breakout sessions and private FFL/ATF meetings. The seminar/discussion will be hosted by Orchid LLC and the Williams Mullen Firearms Industry Group.
“With ATF executives in attendance, we believed it was important for attendees to have an opportunity to hear from and engage with their leadership in open dialogue,” said Orchid CEO, Jon Rydberg.
Over 20 ATF executives will attend FIC 2022, including:
– Marvin Richardson, Acting Director, ATF
– Tom Chittum, Acting Associate Deputy Director, ATF
– Alphonso Hughes, Asst. Director, Office of Enforcement Programs & Services
– Andy Graham, Deputy Asst. Director, Office of Enforcement Programs & Services
– Marianna Mitchem, Chief, Firearms & Explosive Industry Division
– Curtis Gilbert, Deputy Asst. Director (Industry Operations), Office of Field Operations
– Andrew Lange, Chief, Office of Regulatory Affairs
“The Firearms Industry Conference is critically important, especially this year, to the firearms industry”, said Chuck James of the Williams Mullen Firearms Industry Group. Held April 21–27, FIC 2022 features virtual and in-person sessions led by Federal agency personnel, firearms industry leaders, and subject matter experts. Sessions are broken intro three tracks: Firearms Industry Law & Finance, FFL Compliance, and FFL Technology. FIC On-Air™ will be held online April 21–22, followed by FIC Workshops on April 25, with the main FIC event on April 26–27 in Atlanta. To register for FIC 2022, visit orchidadvisors.com/FIC.
Online registration for the 2022 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury is open now at the NRA Competitive Shooting Web Portal. Consisting of the NRA National Championships for Precision Pistol, Smallbore Rifle and High Power Rifle, the NRA National Matches will kick off its second year in the Hoosier State on July 10 and conclude August 7. Also coming back after a hiatus is the NRA Extreme Long-Range (ELR) Championship, which has shooters engaging targets at one mile and beyond.
2022 NRA National Matches Schedule at Camp Atterbury:
High Power OTC (Across the Course): July 10–15, 2022
High Power Mid-Range: July 16–21, 2022
Precision Pistol: July 17–23, 2022
High Power Long-Range: July 24–29, 2022
Smallbore 3-Position: July 25–29, 2022
Smallbore Prone: July 30 – August 7, 2022
Extreme Long-Range (ELR): August 5–7, 2022
Electronic High Power Targets for 2022 — So No High Power Pit Duty
This year, for the first time, electronic targets will be used at Camp Atterbury during the NRA High Power National Championships. NRA Competitive Shooting Deputy Director Aaron Farmer posted: “We will have up to 40 targets using Silver Mountain electronic target systems. Competitors will be squadded on a target and then continue to shoot on the same target all week. The only thing that will change is the starting relay for the day. We will be running three relays. No pit duty!”
Pershing International Match Returns for Smallbore Rifle Championship
Another highlight this year will be during the Smallbore Rifle National Championships. The historic Pershing Match, which was scrubbed in 2021 due to pandemic-related international travel restrictions, is back on for 2022. British competitors are planning to travel to the USA this summer for this historic match, which occurs every eight years.
At the NRA National Championships, shooters from across the country can compete shoulder-to-shoulder, continuing traditions going back to the 19th century. To showcase the National Championships, NRA Publications has created a great 36-page 2021 NRA National Matches commemorative magazine. This provides complete coverage of the inaugural year at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. There are plenty of photos along with interviews with top shooters. CLICK HERE for related story.
This story is based on a recent NRA-ILA article.
Half the USA’s 50 states now recognize a Constitutional right to carry firearms. Constitutional Carry eliminates the need for government permission before a law-abiding individual can exercise their right to bear arms. A citizen can carry without attaining a CCW permit and/or paying special fees. This is a significant milestone, achieved with the recent passage of Constitutional Carry legislation in Georgia. Georgia Governor Kemp is expected to sign Georgia’s new Constitutional Carry act today, making Georgia the 25th U.S. state to recognize such rights. SEE: Fox News Report on Georgia law.
When Gov. Kemp signs the legislation, Georgia will join Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, in allowing law-abiding individuals to carry a concealed handgun without a government-issued permit.
Before Georgia adopted Constitutional Carry, Ohio passed similar legislation last month, with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signing S.B. 215, permitting firearms carry by Ohio citizens. READ Ohio Report.
According to the NRA: “The NRA paved the way for Constitutional Carry by first leading the charge for right-to-carry nearly 40 years ago. Today, every state, and the District of Columbia, provides for the carrying of a firearm for self-defense outside the home in some form, and half the nation recognizes the Second Amendment protects law-abiding citizens’ right to self-defense as an inherent and inalienable right.”
The modern carry movement in America began in earnest in 1987 when NRA helped pass a law legalizing concealed carry outside the home for all law-abiding gun owners in Florida. This law established a “shall issue” permitting regime in Florida, meaning the state was required to issue a carry permit to anyone who applied and could legally possess a firearm. Over the next 15 years, NRA successfully worked to establish right-to-carry laws in 42 states.
Constitutional Carry legislation, which eliminates the need for government permission before law-abiding gun owners can carry concealed firearms, was the natural next step after the success of “shall issue” legislation. In 2003, NRA helped to pass constitutional carry legislation in Alaska. Seven years later Arizona joined the fold, followed by Wyoming, Kansas, and Maine. Ten additional states passed similar legislation by 2019. And in the last two years, nine states have become constitutional carry states.
“This is a monumental moment for the Second Amendment, NRA members and gun owners nationwide,” said Jason Ouimet, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Half the country now rightfully recognizes the fundamental right to carry a firearm for self-defense as enshrined in our Constitution – as opposed to a government privilege that citizens must ask permission to exercise. Passing this essential legislation has been a priority for the NRA for many years, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this huge success.”
Are you looking to get started in PRS and NRL practical precision rifle competition? Or perhaps you’d like to advance your skill set so you can place higher in big matches (and get your hands on those prize table items)? Of course there is no substitute for trigger time in the field, but there ARE some great print resources. These four books can help you select the right equipment, improve your shooting skills, make better wind calls, increase your fitness, and develop a more efficient between-match training program.
1. Precision Rifle Marksmanship: The Fundamentals
Frank Galli, $23.71 Paperback, $15.99 Kindle
Frank Galli (aka “LowLight”) is the founder/head honcho of SnipersHide.com, the most active tactical community on the internet. Galli is also a retired USMC scout-sniper. Practical Precision Rifle shooting is one of the hottest trends in competitive shooting today. PRS and NRL matches draw big turn-outs and boast impressive prize tables. Galli’s Precision Rifle Marksmanship book covers the fundamentals of precision marksmanship with easy-to-understand methodology. The book uses the same instruction process that Galli uses in his live marksmanship classes.
As Sniper’s Hide guru Frank Galli explains, there is no voodoo when it comes to precision rifle marksmanship, but there are techniques that, when practiced, make the difference between good marksmanship and great marksmanship. Understanding the reasons that a bullet hits or doesn’t hit its intended target at ultra-long distances is a crucial element to learning. Galli’s explanations of how to understand and compensate for wind speed and direction are excellent — Galli offers great wind-reading advice.
Published in 2020, this 272-page well-illustrated book covers the latest equipment (scopes, LRFs, chassis systems, mags, bags, bipods, tripods) favored by tactical competitors in PRS/NRL type matches.
2. Long Range Shooting Handbook
Ryan Cleckner, $24.82 Paperback, $9.99 Kindle
Ryan Cleckner’s Long Range Shooting Handbook is the best-selling modern book on practical rifle skills. A former U.S. Army sniper instructor, Cleckner is knowledgeable, and his text is well-organized and chock full of good information. You can view Sample Chapters on Amazon.com.
Ryan Cleckner’s highly-regarded Long Range Shooting Handbook is designed as an intro to important fundamental concepts such as MOA vs. Mils, External Ballistics, and Environmental Effects. Included are personal tips and advice based on Cleckner’s years of experience as a sniper instructor and special operations sniper.
The Long Range Shooting Handbook is divided into three main categories: What It Is/How It Works, Fundamentals, and How to Use It. “What It Is/How It Works” covers equipment, terminology, and basic principles. “Fundamentals” covers the theory of long range shooting. “How to Use It” gives practical advice on implementing what you’ve learned, so you can progress as a skilled, long range shooter. This book will benefit any long-range shooter, not just PRS/NRL competitors.
3. IMPACT! — Training and Preparing for Precision Rifle Matches
Rodney Maze, $14.99 Paperback, $4.99 Kindle
Impact!, by PRS competitor Rodney Maze, is an entry/intermediate level guide to preparing yourself and your equipment to compete in precision rifle type matches. It will also benefit anyone looking to learn about practical-style long range and precision shooting. We recommend you check it out for yourself — there are 20 Pages of free sample content on Amazon. Topics covered include:
— Rifle, optic, and equipment selection
— Setting up your rifle, bags, tripods for PRS/NRL matches
— Understanding ballistics and how to record and use ballistic data
— Techniques for using holdovers for multi-target stages
— Gun skills, rapid fire techniques, clearing malfunctions
— Shooting off of barricades, and specialty stages
— Effects of wind and how to improve your wind calls
— Tips for live fire and dry fire practice
— Preparing yourself and your equipment for a match
— Mental strategies and techniques
Impact! is illustrated with plenty of photographs. Topics are divided logically, and concepts are explained in clear language. Also included is an extensive glossary of terms used in precision shooting and a list of additional resources you can use to further pursue your precision shooting knowledge. This book also includes a handy Appendix with formatted pages for recording data about your rifle, scope, and ammunition. There is also a Wind table for recording your rifle “dope” and wind hold-offs. Lastly, Impact! has a useful table of unit conversions.
4. Practical Shooter’s Guide
Marcus Blanchard, $19.99 Paperback, $9.99 Kindle
Thinking of getting started in the Practical/Tactical shooting game? Looking for ways to be more stable when shooting from unconventional positions? Then you may want to read Marcus Blanchard’s Practical Shooter’s Guide (A How-To Approach for Unconventional Firing Positions and Training). Unlike almost every “how to shoot” book on the market, Blanchard’s work focuses on the shooting skills and positions you need to succeed in PRS matches and similar tactical competitions. Blanchard provides clear advice on shooting from barricades, from roof-tops, from steep angles. Blanchard says you need to train for these types of challenges: “I believe the largest factor in the improvement of the average shooter isn’t necessarily the gear; it’s the way the shooter approaches obstacles and how they properly train for them.”
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. Midsouth — LEE Challenger Single-Stage Press, $72.99
⏺ Good basic or back-up press at really low price — great bargain
New to reloading and nee a simple but effective single-stage press? Or perhaps you wan to add a secondary press for repetitive chores such as primer decapping. Then the LEE Challenger Breech Lock Press. This LEE Press has a large opening for easy Case access while loading. The smart primer ejections system drops removed primers through a tube straight down into your trash big — that’s smart. The Challenger Breech Lock Press comes is fully compatible with LEE’s Breech Lock Quick Change die system. That allows you to swap dies in seconds.
⏺ Very good price on a major mfg. ultrasonic cleaning machine
Using ultrasonic technology to clean your brass is a fast and effective way to get both the case outside/inside plus the primer pockets clean. The Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Case Cleaner is on sale now at Graf & Sons for just $109.99, a 26% savings. This machine features a one quart stainless steel tank that removes carbon residue from the inside and outside of cartridge cases with high-frequency ultrasonic energy and a cleaning solution. The L-N-L Sonic Cleaner™ effectively cleans the inner surfaces of cartridge cases as well as the primer pockets.
3. Titan Reloading — LEE Load-Master Progressive Press, $214.99
⏺ Solid 5-station progressive — add powder measure + other features later
Are you looking to upgrade from a single stage to an affordable progressive press? The LEE Load-Master offers great performance for the price — just $214.99 on sale (less that you’d pay for some single-stage presses). Start with the basic auto-indexing unit with five stations. Then, as your budget permits, you can add a LEE Powder measure, Bullet Feeder, Case Feeder, Primer Feeder, and other Lee accessories. This is a solid starter set-up that you can upgrade over time. For pistol reloaders in particular the LEE Load-Master offers good performance for the price.
4. Taurus G3c 9mm Pistol, $209.99 after Mfg. Rebate
⏺ Good 9mm carry pistol for under $210 with Rebate that ends 4/15/22
Looking for a slim, compact carry pistol but have a tight budget? Here’s one of the best deals we’ve seen in many months. The compact 9mm Taurus G3c is on sale now for just $234.99 at LockedandLoaded.com. Plus this Taurus 63c pistol qualifies for a $25 Taurus factory rebate through 4/15/2022. That lowers your net cost to a crazy-low $209.99! This pistol features a tough Tenifer-finish slide plus Teflon coatings on all operational controls. Buyer reviews have been positive: “The pistol is easy to operate, clear, and the re-strike capability is nice. Great gun and not just for the money.”
5. Amazon — Quality Clamp for ARCA Rail Attachments, $23.99
⏺ Use to clamp rifle ARCA rails to bipods, tripods, and bagriders
Need an inexpensive way to fit accessories to a rifle’s forearm ARCA Rail? We found this 70mm Quick Release ARCA Swiss Clamp for only $23.99 — much cheaper than high-end ARCA Swiss clamps. This can be used to fit a benchrest bag-rider, or PRS accessory bag. Or, you can clamp Atlas-type bipods. And yes, you can mount your rifle to a tripod with this clamping unit (which secures to the top of the tripod). One of our Editors uses this model and finds it’s a solid mount with two handy built-in levels. NOTE: This is not a true “quick release” clamp. It takes nearly a full rotation on the knob to loosen the clamp, so this may not be ideal for rapid accessory-swapping in tactical competitions.
6. KYGUNCO — Savage .22 LR Mark II FV-SR Rifle, $259.99
⏺ Inexpensive rifle has shown good accuracy for NRL22
Looking for a fun .22 LR rifle that offers good accuracy for a very affordable price? Grab the Savage Mark II FV-SR. A good starter for NRL22 work, this rifle boasts a multi-Cam synthetic stock plus 5-round detachable box magazine. This Mark II FV-SR includes a one-piece scope rail, plus user-adjustable AccuTrigger for crisp trigger pulls. The heavy, button-rifled, 16.5″ barrel is fluted, and is threaded at the muzzle.
⏺ Amazing value for a good 80mm objective spotting scope
Need a spotting scope but have a very tight budget? Consider the Athlon Talos Spotting scopes. These are now on sale at EuroOptic for just $139.99, 53% off the regular $299.99 price. These Athlon Talos spotters feature a large, 80mm objective lens with multi-coating treatment for excellent light transmission. Buyers report that the general clarity and sharpness are surprisingly good for the money. The Athlon Talos features a rotating ring, so you can easily adjust the viewing angle when mounted on a tripod.
⏺ Very good set of Torque control fastener tools now on sale
For many years Wheeler’s FAT Wrench has been a popular tool for working on firearms. Now Wheeler Engineering has introduced the excellent Wheeler FAT Stix set. This includes 12 Screwdriver Bits, 5 Torque Limiters, and fitted Storage Case. Use this FAST Stix set for for firearm assembly, maintenance, and installing accessories. Along with the bits and torque limiters, Wheeler includes a comfortable T-handle all wrapped up in a convenient case. With the FAT Stix kit you can ensure your actions and scope rings are attached properly.
9. Amazon — Caldwell Steady Rest, $24.64
⏺ Works as front/rear rifle support or detach to use as separate pistol rest
The Caldwell Steady Rest is a sturdy yet inexpensive modular rest design. At $24.64 on Amazon you can’t go wrong with this Caldwell Steady Rest, even if you use it just for pistols, or sighting in hunting rifles. Use the front section by itself as a pistol rest, or connect both units for rifle use. We’ve used this for pistols and it worked very well — the design provides a nice handrest below the pistol grip. Lightweight yet stable, the Caldwell Steady Rest is easy to store, easy to transport, and ultra-affordable.
Right Click and “Save as” to download printable PDF versions of target.
If you’re anywhere near Phoenix, head down to the Ben Avery Shooting Facility on May 6-8, 2022. You’ll have a chance to shoot a variety of SIG Sauer pistols and rifles. That’s right, you can test drive nearly 50 new SIG guns at one of America’s best ranges, and SIG Sauer even provides the ammo. There is a fee of $79.95 per day. When you consider the cost of ammo, that’s a good deal.
While much of Norma’s product line still comes from Europe, RUAG Ammotec has actually been manufacturing in the United States for 10+ years as RUAG Ammotec, USA, based in Tampa, Florida. Now the USA manufacturing operations will shift to Georgia. This will be a significant operation. Last year, in 2021, RUAG Ammotec produced over 30 million cartridges in the USA, and it plans to ramp up USA production significantly at its new Georgia ammo plant.
