Coating bullets with a friction-reducing compound such as Molybdenum Disulfide (Moly) offers potential benefits, including reduced barrel heat, and being able to shoot longer strings of fire between bore cleanings. One of the effects of reduced friction can be the lessening of internal barrel pressures. This, in turn, means that coated bullets MAY run slower than naked bullets (with charges held equal).
To restore velocities, shooters running coated bullets are inclined to “bump up” the load — but you need to be cautious.
Be Careful When Increasing Loads for Coated Bullets
We caution shooters that when your start out with coated bullets in a “fresh barrel” you should NOT immediately raise the charge weight. It may take a couple dozen coated rounds before the anti-friction coating is distributed through the bore, and you really start to see the reduced pressures. Some guys will automatically add a grain or so to recommended “naked” bullet charge weights when they shoot coated bullets. That’s a risky undertaking.
We recommend that you use “naked” bullet loads for the first dozen coated rounds through a new barrel. Use a chronograph and monitor velocities. It may take up to 30 rounds before you see a reduction in velocity of 30-50 fps that indicates that your anti-friction coating is fully effective.
We have a friend who was recently testing moly-coated 6mm bullets in a 6-6.5×47. Moly had not been used in the barrel before. Our friend had added a grain to his “naked” bullet load, thinking that would compensate for the predicted lower pressures. What he found instead was that his loads were WAY too hot initially. It took 30+ moly-coated rounds through the bore before he saw his velocities drop — a sign that the pressure had lowered due to the moly. For the rounds fired before that point his pressures were too high, and he ended up tossing some expensive Lapua brass into the trash because the primer pockets had expanded excessively.
LESSON: Start low, even with coated bullets. Don’t increase your charge weights (over naked bullet loads) until you have clear evidence of lower pressure and reduced velocity.
Procedure After Barrel Cleaning
If you shoot Moly, and clean the barrel aggressively after a match, you may want to shoot a dozen coated “foulers” before starting your record string. Robert Whitley, who has used Moly in some of his rifles, tells us he liked to have 10-15 coated rounds through the bore before commencing record fire. In a “squeaky-clean” bore, you won’t get the full “benefits” of moly immediately.
To learn more about the properties of dry lubricants for bullets, read our Guide to Coating Bullets. This covers the three most popular bullet coatings: Molybdenum Disulfide (Moly), Tungsten Disulfide (WS2 or ‘Danzac’), and Hexagonal Boron Nitride (HBN). The article discusses the pros and cons of the different bullet coatings and offers step-by-step, illustrated instructions on how to coat your bullets using a tumbler.
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Hornady recently unveiled a variety of new products for 2023. There are new ammo and bullet types, new firearms storage products, a new ammo storage locker, and an impressive new Precision Lab Scale with a 0.01 grain readout and hi/lo sensitivity settings. Among Hornady’s new ammo products, the new 7mm PRC is the most notable. This new 7mm magnum cartridge will initially be offered with three bullet types: 160gr CX Outfitter, 175gr ELD-X Precision Hunter, and 180gr ELD Match.
The new ammunition, bullet, reloading and security products will be available from stocking dealers, major retail sporting goods stores and their websites.
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TEN Shots in 0.303″ (0.289 MOA) at 100 Yards
Look at that target showing TEN shots at 100 yards, with eight (8) shots in the main cluster at the top. The ten-shot group measures .303″ (0.289 MOA), as calculated with OnTarget Software. Not bad for a handgun — a very nice bolt-action XP-100 pistol! What do you think, can your best-shooting rifle match the 10-shot accuracy of this XP-100 pistol?
Report by Boyd Allen
This story goes back a few seasons… this remarkable XP-100 pistol belongs to Dan Lutke, a Bay Area benchrest shooter who publishes the results for the Visalia matches to the competitors and the NBRSA. He has been an enthusiastic competitor for an number of years, at various ranges, notably Visalia and Sacramento. The action is a Remington XP-100, to which a Kelbly 2 oz. trigger has been fitted. On top is an old Japanese-made Tasco 36X scope (these were actually pretty darn good). The Hart barrel (a cast-off from Dan’s Unlimited rail gun) was shortened and re-chambered for the 6x45mm, a wildcat made by necking-up the .223 Remington parent case. The custom stock/chassis was CNC-machined by Joe Updike from 6061 Billet Aluminum to fit the XP-100 action and mount a target-style AR grip with bottom hand rest. The gun was bedded and assembled by Mel Iwatsubu. In his XP-100 pistol, Dan shoots 65gr custom boat-tails with Benchmark powder.
This diagram shows the most common 6x45mm wildcat, which is a necked-up version of the .223 Remington parent cartridge. NOTE: The dimensions for Dan Lutke’s benchrest version of this cartridge may be slightly different.
ACAD drawing by Peter Gnanapragasam CC by SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Title Added.
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Ruger has created a helpful set of online resources for new Firearm owners. The New Firearm Owner Resources site features a Fundamentals of Firearms Ownership Video Series, Industry Resources for local “hands-on” training, as well as information on safe storage. In addition, this online Resource Center offers a full library of product instruction manuals along with suggestions for recommended safety equipment.
There are a variety of informative videos, hosted by Mark Gurney, Ruger Director of Product Management. These short (2 min. on average) videos provide key information for new gun owners. If you have friends or family members who are new gun owners, they should watch these videos.
Introduction for New Firearms Owners
Safety Rules — The FOUR Fundamental Safety Rules
Range Safety Equipment — What You Need
This video reviews essential Eye and Ear Protection for shooters.
Safe Storage of Firearms
Range Etiquette — Proper Practices
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You can spend thousands on a rifle, but that expensive hardware won’t perform at its best if you have poor trigger technique. One key element of precision shooting is trigger control. Our friend Kirsten Joy Weiss has produced a good video that shows how to refine your trigger technique for better accuracy. In this video, Kirsten talks about the actual placement of a shooter’s index finger on the trigger. It is important to have the finger positioned optimally. Otherwise you can pull the shot slightly left or slightly right.
Kirsten tells us: “Finger placement on the trigger might not seem like a big deal, but it actually is. The reason for this is because, depending on where your index finger is placed on the trigger, [this] translates to different muscle interactions with the gun.” Watch this video to see Kirsten demonstrate proper finger placement (and explain problems caused by improper finger positioning).
When you pull the trigger, you only want to engage the last section of your finger, in order to avoid unwanted muscle engagement and to achieve a smooth shot. Remember there is a “sweet spot” between the crease (first joint) and the tip of the finger. If you position the trigger in that “sweet spot”, you should see an increase in your accuracy. Don’t make the mistake of putting the trigger in the crease of your finger, as shown below.
Effects of Incorrect Finger Placements
You want to place the trigger shoe between the end of your finger and the first joint. If you place the trigger on the very tip of you finger you’ll tend to push the rear of the rifle to the left when engaging the trigger, causing shots to go right (for a right-handed shooter). On the other hand, if you put the trigger in the crease (first joint), you’ll tend to bring the rear of the rifle to the right, causing shots to fall left. This is illustrated below for a right-handed shooter.
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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.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. KYGUNCO — Hunting Sale with Norma Ammo and Rifle Deals
⏺ Good Norma hunting ammo plus Weatherby and Savage on sale
Need ammo for that fall hunt? It’s cheaper to buy good factory ammo than invest in dies and components. Right now quality Norma Whitetail ammo (20rd box) is available in many popular cartridge types for just $26.97 (or $35.36 for .300 WinMag). If you need a deer rifle, consider the Weatherby Mark V Hunter for $1278.31 — $150 Off the regular price. Or if you have a limited budget, grab a Savage Axis II XP for just $429.99 complete with installed 3-9x40mm Bushnell riflescope.
2. MidwayUSA — Vortex Riflescope Sale, Save up to 50%
⏺ Scopes for hunting, PRS, and more at huge discounts
If you need an affordable optic for the fall hunt, or need a rugged scope for an NRL/PRS match, head over to MidwayUSA, which is running a major Vortex sale with discounts up to 50%. Yes that’s right — some Vortex scopes are HALF OFF this week, while others are discounted by 30%-44%. If you need a good, low-cost scope for a deer rifle, check out the Vortex 3-9x40mm Vanquish. On SALE now for just $99.99 (50% off), this Vanquish scope has a 3X zoom ratio and handy BDC (bullet-drop compensating) reticle.
3. Palmetto SA — AR Lower PLUS Pistol Lower Bundle, $99.99
⏺ Incredible deal on AR15 lower plus Glock-compatible PSA pistol frame
Here’s a great way to get key components for two firearms before the scoundrels in Washington DC pass further draconian restrictions. Right now you can get a stripped PSA AR-15 Lower PLUS a PSA Dagger Pistol Polymer Frame (with complete trigger system) for the super low of price of $99.99. Choose one of two $99.99 bundles: Sniper Green Pistol Lower plus AR-15 Lower or Black Pistol Lower plus Blem AR-15 lower.
NOTE: The polymer pistol frame is considered the serialized firearm for ATF purposes. Like an AR lower receiver, the PSA pistol frame must go through an FFL for purchase. The pistol can be completed with aftermarket Gen 3 Glock-type barrel and complete slide assembly.
4. Sportsman’s WH — Hundreds of Rifles & Shotguns under $500
⏺ Sportsman’s Warehouse has big inventories of under $500 firearms.
If you’re looking for a deer rifle for hunting season, or a rimfire rig for plinking and NRL22 matches, head over to Sportsman’s Warehouse. Likewise you’ll find a vast inventory of shotguns for hunting or trap/skeet shooting. Right now Sportsman’s Warehouse is running an “Under $500″ promotion. You find 140+ in-stock Rifles under $500 and 150+ in-stock Shotguns under $500. This is a good opportunity to get a rimfire or centerfire rifle at a good price.
5. Amazon — BOG Deathgrip Aluminum Tripod, $155.18
⏺ Versatile tripod mounts quickly, securely — use for PRS/NRL or hunting.
This is a great tripod for long-range hunters and PRS/NRL competitors. The clamp-type head quickly secures to your rifle’s forearm for a secure shooting solution. The BOG Deathgrip Aluminum Tripod is on sale now on Amazon for $155.18. If weight is critical, there is also a lighter BOG carbon fiber tripod for $223.96 at Grafs.com. For the extra $69 (Graf’s price) you save a pound in total weight (7.5 lbs for carbon vs. 8.5 lbs for aluminum). The aluminum version is the top-rated hunting tripod on Amazon.
6. Midsouth — .45 ACP Ammo in Box, $47.99 for 100
⏺ Quality .45 ACP pistol ammo in plastic box at good price
We rarely see good quality .45 ACP pistol ammo with significant discounts. Here’s a very good deal. For $47.99 you get 100 rounds of Ammo Inc. .45 ACP rounds PLUS a handy Midsouth clear-top, plastic 100-ct ammo box. The ammo is loaded with 230gr TMC (Total Metal Coating) bullets.
7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Tumbler Lite, $81.49
⏺ Great price — save 19% on Wet Tumbler for brass
Wet tumbling works very effectively to get your brass “squeaky clean” inside and out. And right now you can get a good mid-sized tumbling system at huge savings. The Frankford Arsenal Lite Tumbler is just $81.49 at Amazon, 19% off the regular price. This direct-drive unit with 3.3L capacity holds up to 300 pieces of .223 Rem brass. We recommend adding Frankford’s Rotary Tumbler Straining Cap, sold separately.
8. Palmetto State Armory — Rossi RS22 Rimfire Rifle, $129.99
⏺ Reliable, with very impressive accuracy — awesome deal under $130!
Looking for a very affordable first rifle? Here’s one of the best low-cost options among .22 LR rimfire rigs. The Rossi RS22 is a reliable, semi-auto rifle that comes equipped with barrel-mounted iron/fiber optic sights. There are also dovetails on the receiver for mounting scope rings. The RS22 takes most Mossberg 702 magazines. The Rossi RS22 features an 18″ free-floating barrel, adjustable fiber optic sights and a synthetic Monte Carlo stock. For added accuracy, 3/8″ dovetail mounts allow the mounting of a scope or other optic. Overall weight, without scope, is 4.1 pounds.
9. Amazon — Motion-Sensor LED Interior Light, $16.99
⏺ Activates when door opens, Rechargeable, 3 LED Light Levels
Winter is coming, and that means guns are going into safes for many months. Here’s a great accessory for your Gun Safe. This rechargeable LED Lamp turns itself on when you open the door, and off when you close the door. Select three brightness levels: 10LED, 20LED, 30LED. With the supplied 3M adhesive magnetic strip you can easily attach the light to the inner walls of your gun safe. And then quickly remove the unit for charging with a standard USB cord (no batteries to replace!). It works, it’s handy, and it’s affordable — just $16.99 on Amazon. These motion-sensor LED lamps can also be used in garages, closets, or stairwells. There is also a twin-pack for $26.99 on Amazon.
10. Amazon — Jialitte Scope Bubble Level, $10.99
⏺ Great price for handy product every rifle shooter can use
All serious rifle shooters need a scope level. This nicely designed Jialitte Scope Bubble Level features a 30mm milled inside diameter, plus an inner insert ring so it will also fit 1″-diameter main tubes — that dual-diameter versatility is a nice feature. We also like the way the unit is nicely radiused, and has a low profile in the middle. Price is just $10.99 with free shipping. User reviews have been very positive. You could easily pay $35.00 or more for a 30mm scope level.
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Canada’s nationwide handgun freeze went into effect last week. Under this repressive rule from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party, nearly all handgun sales and transfers are banned (except to certain “exempted individuals”). Likewise handgun imports are banned. Essentially it is an authoritarian attack on freedom approved by Trudeau’s ruling Liberal Party. This freeze on handgun sales and transfer was initially announced in May 2022, and went into effect last week.
On Friday, October 21, 2022, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in a public speech:
“Today, our national freeze on handguns is coming into force. From today forward, it is no longer legal to buy, sell, or transfer a handgun in Canada.”
In a social media post Trudeau added: “People can no longer buy, sell, or transfer handguns within Canada — and they cannot bring newly-acquired handguns into the country.”
This handgun freeze comes after Trudeau imposed radical restrictions on long rifle sales. Trudeau bragged about his previous authoritarian actions restricting long guns: “We’ve already banned more that 1,500 types of assault-style firearms. And we’ll continue to do whatever it takes to keep guns out of our communities.”
Canadian Firearms Rights Groups Oppose Handgun Freeze
Groups which support gun rights in Canada oppose Trudeau’s handgun freeze. Opponents of the freeze argue that it won’t achieve its stated goals, even while the policy violates the rights of law-abiding Canadian citizens. And by making it impossible to sell legally-acquired handguns, the freeze effectively ruins the commercial value of those guns, essentially stealing money from handgun owners.
As quoted by the CBC.ca website, Tracey Wilson of the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights (CCFR) said the firearms freeze was approved as a “distraction to a scandal-ridden government” and it will not really reduce crime. Wilson added: “The CCFR condemns the actions of the Liberal government today. This perfectly timed move by Trudeau, to implement the handgun ‘freeze’ on 650,000 licensed, RCMP-vetted gun owners, serves no purpose other than to energize [the Liberal] base.” SEE CBC.ca article.
The CCFR argues that the freeze is not needed because there are already significant handgun rules and regulations in effect. Under current Canadian laws, handguns are classified as “restricted” firearms, which can only be used at RCMP-approved shooting ranges. Only licensed owners who have passed a course that covers the safe handling, transportation and storage of restricted firearms can legally possess a handgun.
Given the existing restrictions on handgun use in Canada, there is no need for a freeze on all handgun sales and transfers. That freeze is nothing but an authoritarian move by a power-hungry prime minister supported by compliant Liberal Party members in Parliament.
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The 2022 NRA F-Class National Championships concluded on Sunday, October 23rd after 8 days of competition. Held at the Ben Avery range in Arizona, the F-Class Nationals were popular this year. There was a good turn-out for both the 600-yard Mid-Range event and the 1000-yard Long-Range competition. For the Long Range event, there were over 100 shooters in the F-Open division and over 70 competitors in the F-TR Division. We congratulate the new NRA F-Class National Champions in the two Divisions (F-TR and F-Open) and two distances (600 yards and 1000 yards). Hail to the Champs!
2022 NRA F-Class National Champions, F-TR and F-Open
Keith Trapp, F-TR 1000-Yard Champion
Tim Vaught, F-Open 1000-Yard Champion
James Crofts, F-TR 600-Yard Champion
Eric Wuestenhoefer, F-Open 600-Yard Champion
Among many notable showings, we were impressed by Eric Wuestenhoefer’s and James Crofts’ winning totals at 600 yards. F-Open competitor Eric finished with a superb 1795-117X Mid-Range Grand Agg, while F-TR ace James racked up a stellar 1782-100X Mid-Range final tally.
We list the Top 10 for Mid-Range and Long-Range Championships for both classes below. There were some very close competitions this year. The F-TR 1000-yard event went down to the wire with 2022 Champion Keith Trap (1572-63X) edging past Champion Ian Klemm (1572-58X) by X-count. In the F-Open Mid-Range Championships, 2022 Champ Eric Wuestenhoefer won by a single point over Pat Scully, who had the high X-Count. Get full match results on the Desert Sharpshooters Website:
1. Keith Trapp, 1572-63X CHAMPION
2. Ian Klemm, 1572-58X
3. Mike Francis, 1569-68X
4. Tracy Hogg, 1569-48X
5. Carl Matthews, 1564-58X
6. Edward Shelley, 1563-63X
7. Luke Ramsey, 1563-60X
8. Nancy Tompkins, 1561-60X
9. Brad Sauve, 1560-60X
10. Dale Lucy, 1559-57X
F-Open Long Range Top 10
1. Tim Vaught, 1586-87X CHAMPION
2. Tracy Harrold, 1584-78X, High Woman
3. Peter Johns, 1583-81X
4. Norman Harrold, 1582-80X
5. Eric Wuestenhoefer, 1580-80X
6. Matthew Basalla, 1580-74X
7. John Stewart, 1579-69X
8. Doug Skogman, 1578-77X, High Senior
9. David Gosnell, 1578-75X
10. William Kolodziej, 1576-75X
F-TR Mid-Range Top 10
1. James Crofts, 1782-100X CHAMPION
2. Richard Dixon, 1778-94X
3. Tracy Hogg, 1777-75X
4. Matthew Schwartzkopf, 1776-78X
5. Luke Ramsey, 1775-90X
6. Keith Trapp, 1775-76X
7. Raymond Weaver, 1768-71X
8. Henry Rockhill, 1765-73X
9. Philip Kelley Jr., 1763-75X
10. Steve Ernst, 1763-71X
F-Open Mid-Range Top 10
1. Eric Wuestenhoefer, 1794-117X CHAMPION
2. Pat Scully, 1793-121X
3. Josephy Cordeiro, 1792-116X
4. Tracy Harrold, 1791-104X
5. Jim Murphy, 1790-96X
6. John Masek, 1789-108X
7. Norman Harrold, 1788-115X
8. Jesse Ford, 1788-101X
9. Ken Dickerman, 1786-102X
10. Dan Bramley, 1786-96X
Here’s a video from John Masek who finished sixth in the F-Open 600-yard Championship. You’ll find many informative videos on John’s popular F-Class John YouTube Channel.
USA F-T/R BLUE HM 1576-64X
TRACY HOGG 390-14X
BRAD SAUVE 396-19X
LUKE RAMSEY 393-9X
IAN KLEMM T 397-22X
KIMBERLY ROWE alt
**********************************
TEAM TEXAS HM 1551-43X
Capt.: SKIP BARKLEY / Coach: ALLEN TAMPKE
JENNIFFER BONDURANT 390-7X
CARL MATTHEWS 381-12X
RANDY LITTLETON 391-15X
GREG BARKLEY 389-9X
MALACHI GALLAGHER alt
**********************************
USA F-T/R RED MA 1541-45X
Capt.: PHIL KELLEY / Coach: JAMES CROFTS
EDWARD SHELLEY 379-6X
MIKE FRANCIS 389-14X
NIKLAS MONTIN 386-13X
HENRY ROCKHILL 387-12X
F-Open Team Results
1000-Yard F-Open Top Three Teams
ROLLING COAL HM 1586-85X
Capt.: NORM HARROLD / Coach: OMAR ALONZO
NORMAN HARROLD 393-20X
TIM VAUGHT 397-23X
DOUG SKOGMAN 397-17X
PETER JOHNS 399-25X
**********************************
TEAM GRIZZLY HM 1585-72
Capt.: SHIRAZ BALOLIA / Coach: TRUDIE FAY
JOSEPH CORDEIRO 397-18X
DWAYNE DRAGGOO 393-19X
SHIRAZ BALOLIA 395-15X
ERIC WUESTENHOEFER 400-20x
WILLIAM KOLODZIEJ alt
ADDISON MOHLER alt
**********************************
THE LONG SHOTS HM 1581-79X
Capt.: DAN BRAMLEY / Coach: MICHELLE GALLAGHER
KEITH WEIL 396-21X
KEN DICKERMAN 395-22X
PAT SCULLY 393-17X
DAVID GOSNEL 397-19X
F-TR Team Results
600-Yard F-TR Top Three Teams
TEAM TEXAS HM 1580-85X
Capt.: SKIP BARKLEY / Coach: ALLEN TAMPKE
RANDY LITTLETON 396-21X
GREG BARKLEY 399-22X
CARL MATTHEWS 388-18X
JENNIFFER BONDURANT 397-24X
**********************************
USA F-T/R BLUE HM 1573-72X
Capt.: CHARLES ROWE / Coach: KEITH TRAPP
ALTON JOHNSON 392-15X
TRACY HOGG 393-20X
HENRY ROCKHILL 390-16X
LUKE RAMSEY T HM 398-21X
KIMBERLY ROWE alt
**********************************
USA F-T/R RED HM 1571-63X
Capt.: PHIL KELLEY / Coach: JAMES CROFTS
NIKLAS MONTIN 393-18X
EDWARD SHELLEY 390-14X
BRAD SAUVE 396-20X
DOUG BOYER 392-11X
F-TR Team Results
600-Yard F-Open Top Three Teams
ROLLING COAL 1591-95X
Capt.: NORM HARROLD / Coach: OMAR ALONZO
TIM VAUGHT 398-23X
NORMAN HARROLD 397-27X
DOUG SKOGMAN 398-22X
PETER JOHNS 398-23X
CHRIS FEW alt
**********************************
THE LONG SHOTS HM 1588-100X
Capt.: DAN BRAMLEY / Coach: MICHELLE GALLAGHER
DAVID GOSNELL 397-26X
KEN DICKERMAN 397-26X
PAT SCULLY 395-21X
KEITH WEIL 399-27X
**********************************
LAPUA BRUX BORDEN 1585-78X
Capt.: ERIK CORTINA / Coach: BOB SEBOLD
DAVID CHRISTIAN 397-15X
JEREMY SMITH 394-18X
JAY CHRISTOPHERSON 397-24X
TED WEDELL 397-21X
TOD HENDRICKS alt
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When a hunter treks deep into the backcountry, he wants a tough yet light-weight rifle that’s easy to carry. But if the hunter is pursing very big game, such as a mature bull elk, he needs a rifle capable of shooting a large-caliber bullet at serious velocities. That’s what Kelbly’s offers with the impressive Nanook MG rifle. Built on a magnesium chassis, with a 26″ carbon-wrapped barrel and folding stock, the 7.9-lb Nanook MG is a long-range hunting rifle that’s easy to carry, yet can effectively shoot big-caliber cartridges capable of taking very large game.
The Kelbly’s Nanook MG offers the benefits of a chassis rifle with lighter weight through the use of carbon fiber components. Take a look — you’ll see carbon pistol grip, carbon cheek riser, and even a carbon buttstock beam. And the buttstock folds 180-degrees behind the chassis. This allows convenient carry when strapped to a backpack. With its folding stock, the Nanook MG is quite “packable” even with a 26″ barrel that allows high velocities from .300 PRC, .300 Norma Magnum, or .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges.
Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). CLICK HERE to DONATE to RMEF.
Nanook MG — Modern Chassis Rifle for the Long Range Hunter
The Nanook MG is a modern, light-weight chassis rifle optimized for medium- and long-range game hunting. Key Nanook MG components are low mass, allowing an overall weight of just 7 lbs. 14 ounces (before scope) even with a 26″ barrel. The heart of the rifle is Kelbly’s new light-weight Nanook action that weighs just 26.5 ounces. The barreled action rides in a magnesium XLR Element 4.0 MG chassis fitted with a carbon fiber hand grip and cheek riser to save those precious ounces. To ease packing the rifle, the chassis is fitted with a folding buttstock. This allows the rifle to have a proper 26″-long barrel to deliver high velocity with big cartridges.
The carbon-wrapped Heavy Palma Contour barrel is crafted by Preferred Carbon and fitted with self-timing Klaw Muzzle Brake. Kelbly’s states these barrels give excellent 3-shot accuracy, enough shots for any hunting situation. That accuracy is aided by a premium Bix’N Andy Dakota trigger set at a crisp 2.5 pounds.
Q & A with Ian Kelbly about the Features of the Nanook MG Rifle
Q: What were Kelbly’s design goals in making the Nanook MG rifle?
Kelbly: Our design goal was to create an optimized long range hunting rifle. We wanted something easy to pack (i.e. light-weight with a folding stock), that still had a fairly long 26″ barrel. This barrel length allows the hunter to take full advantage of the .300 PRC, .300 Norma Magnum, or .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges. We also wanted to showcase our new Nanook action, fitted to a modern chassis rifle that was light enough for mountain hunting.
Q: What are the best features of the Nanook MG Rifle?
Kelbly: There are many important features in this turn-key hunting rifle. The magnesium XLR Element chassis boasts high strength and ruggedness, with no more weight than a synthetic stock. The carbon-wrapped barrel from Preferred Barrels offers ample length for high velocities, but significantly reduced weight compared to a normal stainless barrel. The Bix’N Andy Dakota single-stage trigger provides a super-crisp break with the adjustability of a high end competition trigger.
Q: What factors favor a Chassis Rifle for long-range hunting?
Kelbly: The XLR Element 4.0 MG chassis offers the modularity of a modern precision rifle, including a full-length ARCA Rail for bipod/tripod attachment, but with the weight of a synthetic stock. The chassis also features M-Lok slots for for attaching any accessories that the hunter would want. Another key feature is that this chassis design allows you to fold the buttstock for scabbard packs and easy carrying.
Q: How do the carbon-wrap barrel and folding stock benefit the hunter in the field?
Kelbly: The carbon barrel allows us to remove significant weight from the rifle. We also specify the rifle with a carbon buttstock and hand grip to allow for more weight savings. The folding stock makes transport and packing much easier by reducing the overall length. Carbon barrels are well-suited for hunting, as they have proven to be very repeatable on cold bore and follow-up shots. The only thing a carbon barrel can’t do well is sustained rapid fire for many shots, but that is not needed for big game hunting applications.
Q. What are good chambering options for the Nanook MG Rifle?
Kelbly: We offer the Nanook MG in .300 PRC, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. All chamberings include a self-timing Klaw Muzzle Brake.
The two-lug Nanook action, at just 26.5 ounces, is extremely light for a steel action. The action body is made of 416R steel while the bolt is 4140 steel. This action features built-in Picatinny rail, while the bolt boasts an aluminum handle plus teardrop bolt knob.
How to Make Your Elk Hunt a Success
A North American elk hunt represents the adventure of a lifetime for many. Before heading out on an elk hunt, you want to maximize your chances of success by having the right equipment, and by doing your homework before the hunt. This National Shooting Sport Foundation (NSSF) video offers good advice on planning your first elk hunt.
Success! Elk hunt photo from West Canyon Ranch, a private hunting ranch in Utah.
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In April 2020, the National Rifle Association (NRA) launched NRAWomen.com, a website dedicated to the fastest-growing group of firearm owners — America’s women. This website serves the increasing number of female gun owners, huntresses, and competitive shooters. Female involvement in firearms is growing significantly. Consider these numbers: Statistica estimates that 19% of women in the USA owned firearms in 2020, while 23% of women surveyed in a 2011 Gallup Poll stated they owned a gun.
Jessie Harrison is one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet.
Here are three excellent Articles from the NRAWomen.com website, all worth reading. For each example, Click the Photo or direct link to read the full article on NRAWomen.com.
1. Flying with Firearms — What You Need to Know
We recommend that any gun owner, female OR male, should definitely read this article. It is one of the better discussions on the web of airline travel with firearms, covering international travel as well as domestic flights. The article notes that you should obtain U.S. Customs Form 4457 before flying overseas with a firearm.
“Flying with a gun is actually a lot easier than you’d probably expect. You need a couple of specific gear items, and you need to know the proper procedure, but it’s a relatively simple process. I’ve flown with long guns and handguns dozens of times around the country and around the world. The process is generally the same, but with some additional steps and maybe additional hassle depending on the airport [and personnel.]” READ FULL ARTICLE on NRAWomen.com.
2. Modular Safes — Smart Option for Easier Moving
The second article features a great video showing how to assemble a modular safe in under 30 minutes. This article also explains the benefits of modular gunsafes — primarily easier transport and installation.
“Modular safes have been around for a few years now and are becoming more popular. Here’s why: The safe comes delivered to you in panels, so you can bring them into your home one at a time and put it together anywhere you like. This makes it easy to carry up and down stairs, onto elevators or anywhere! Security — Is it as secure as one that comes pre-assembled? The answer is, absolutely.” READ FULL ARTICLE on NRAWomen.com.
3. Rimfire .22 LR Handguns for Self-Defense
This article looks at a wide variety of .22 LR pistols and revolvers. The author discusses the pros and cons of a rimfire defense gun, concluding that while the stopping power is limited, having some protection is better than going unarmed.
“Over the last few months we’ve seen the launch of new handguns chambered for .22 LR that sport the same looks and features as center-fire handguns designed for daily concealed carry. The models I’ve had a chance to work with so far include the compact Taurus TX22 semi-automatic pistol, the pocket-size Ruger Lite Rack LCP II, Kel-Tec’s P17 semi-automatic and the Taurus 942 8-shot snubnose revolver.” READ FULL ARTICLE on NRAWomen.com.
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Sherri Jo Gallagher, the second woman in history to win the NRA High Power National Championship, sports Eye Protection at Camp Perry. The first lady High Power Champion was Sherri’s mother, Nancy Tompkins.
In response to a Bulletin article about Protective Eyewear, one of our Canadian readers posted a personal story. His account demonstrates the importance of wearing eye protection whenever you shoot — no matter what type of firearm you are using — even air rifles. We hope all our readers take this to heart. All too often at rifle matches we see shooters, even some top competitors, risking their vision by failing to wear eye protection.
Eye and Hearing Protection are now MANDATORY for Highpower Rifle competitors and Pistol shooters in all CMP-affiliated matches. The 2020 CMP Highpower Rifle, Pistol, and CMP Games Rulebooks all contain the following rule: “All competitors and competition officials are required to wear appropriate eye and hearing protection when on shooting range firing lines during highpower rifle or pistol firing. All competitors must comply with this requirement before they can participate in a CMP sponsored or sanctioned competition. Competitors are responsible for selecting their eyewear and hearing protection.”
Eye Protection — Lesson Learned by Nicholas from Canada
As a boy on a mixed farm on the plains the first shooting stick I owned was a Red Ryder BB gun. My Dad bought it for me as I showed a keen interest in the shooting and hunting sports. I was about 9 years old at the time.
We had literally thousands of sparrows in our large farm yard and they liked to roost on the steel railings in the barn loft. I took to slowly thinning out their ranks by flashlight at night as these little winged pests settled in the farm buildings.
One evening as I slayed sparrow after sparrow in the barn loft — with about a dozen farm cats following me to consume these easy meals, I fired at another bird centered in my flashlight beam.
However, my aim was a bit low — and the copper pellet hit the steel beam square on. Instantly I felt a sharp pain as the BB bounced back and hit me squarely between the eyes on the bridge of my nose – drawing blood from the partial penetration into the skin. A half inch either way and I’d have lost an eye!
Never, never, never shoot at any target with a steel background with any firearm, even a BB gun – is the hard lesson I learned, and wear the best shooting glasses that money can buy!
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT!!
Editor’s Comment: Among competitive pistol shooters, the use of safety eyewear is universal. You’ll never see Rob Leatham, Julie Golob, or Jerry Miculek competing without eye protection — for good reason. The handgun sports’ governing bodies effectively enforce mandatory eye protection policies. We wish the same could be said for competitive rifle shooting. We often see benchrest, High Power, and F-Class competitors shooting without eye protection. We’ve heard all the excuses, yet none of them trump the safety considerations involved.
We recommend that all shooters and hunters employ eye protection whenever they use firearms or are at a location where live fire is taking place. You only have two eyes. A tiny bullet fragment or ricochet is all it takes to cause permanent blindness in one or both eyes. As rifle shooters, we place our eyes a couple inches away from a combustion chamber operating at pressures up to 70,000 psi. I know quite a few guys who will religiously put on safety glasses when running a lathe or a drill press, yet the same guys won’t use eye protection when shooting their rifles — simply because it is “inconvenient”. That’s nuts. It doesn’t matter is you are a cub scout or a multi-time National Champion — you should wear eye protection.
I will give you a personal example. A year ago I was shooting a 9mm pistol. One of the cartridges had a primer burst outward blowing small particles, some brass, and a piece of the pistol’s extractor right back into my eyes. Thankfully I was wearing good wrap-around safety glasses. No injuries at all. But without those safety glasses, this could have been very serious. I always wear safety glasses with ALL firearms. Shown below is the same kind of primer blow-out I experienced, but with a .270 Win rifle cartridge.
Be wise — protect your eyes. To learn more about eyewear safety standards, and to learn about the latest options in ANSI Z87-certified protective eyewear, read our article on Eye Protection for Shooters.
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The 2022 NRA F-Class National Championships have been underway at the Ben Avery Range in Arizona this past week. The Mid-Range F-Class Nationals ran October 16-19, and the Long Range (1000-yard) event started on October 20 and concludes on Sunday, October 23, 2022. Many of the nation’s leading F-TR and F-Open shooters are battling it out at Ben Avery right now. The week of competition will conclude on Sunday October 23, 2022 with the final 1000-yard relays followed by award ceremonies.
Looking down-range with F-TR rifle at Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
F-Class Shooting at Bisley Range in the United Kingdom
F-Class competition is popular around the world, and the UK is a major center of F-Class shooting in Europe. The Bisley range is justly famous, with a long heritage of shooting competitions. This video features the European F-Class Championship held at Bisley in 2015.
Highlights from Day 1 of 2021 F-Class Nationals
In 2021 the NRA F-Class National Championships were held at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Here is interesting footage from Day 1 of the Long-Range 1000-yard match. The video is narrated by our friend Erik Cortina, a top F-class shooter and member of Team Lapua-Brux-Borden. Erik has a popular YouTube Channel featuring interviews with many top shooters as well as reloading and tech tips.
WICKED WINDS — At Ben Avery with 18-30 mph Winds
Long-range F-Class shooters will tell you that the winds can be the biggest challenge in a match. And things can get pretty wild at times as the Ben Avery range in Phoenix, site of the 2022 NRA F-Class National Championships. In this video, shooters fight through extremely strong 18-30 mph winds at 600 yards. In these kind of extreme conditions, a major unexpected gust can send your bullet off-target.
F-0pen rifle at the Berger SW Nationals at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, AZ.
Front Rest Options for F-Open (and Benchrest) Competition
If you are shopping for a front rest, definitely watch this comprehensive 42-minute video from start to finish. This is probably the most informative video about premium shooting rests available on YouTube. Top F-Class shooter and video-maker F-Class John covers a wide selection of front rests, with some observations about coaxial bipods as well. John covers the impressive new SEB NEO-X, the easy-to-transport SEB Mini-X, the excellent Rodzilla Rest, the innovative 21st Century Hybrid Rest, the sleek Italian Lenzi Rest. And at the end of the video John reviews the very affordable Caldwell Fire Control Rest ($204.99 on Amazon), explaining how it can be a decent choice for shooters on a limited budget.
Newbie Perspective — First Time Shooting F-Class
Just getting started in F-Class? Then you would appreciate this video, which covers the experience of an F-Class novice from Australia. The host of the video shot his first F-Class match at 600 yards with the Brisbane Mariners Rifle Club (BMRC) in Brisbane, Australia. He was using a Tikka T3 factory rifle with a $40 bipod. He enjoyed the challenge and had a good experience. This video shows that club-level F-Class can be fun, even with a modestly-priced factory rig. NOTE: This video is filmed indoors after the match, NOT on the lovely BMRC range shown above.
Reloading for F-Class — Interview with Erik Cortina
In this Precision Rifle Network video, Erik Cortina of Team Lapua-Brux-Borden covers the reloading process for his F-Class rifle. All phases of reloading are noted — brass prep, annealing, primer seating, precision powder measuring (to the kernel), and bullet seating. Erik also talk about load testing and use of barrel tuners. Erik produces the EC Barrel Tuner which is used by many top competitors.
Building a Modern F-Open Stock for Competition
In this video, our friend F-Class John explains the process for building two custom laminated stocks for his F-Open rifles. John selected handsome, highly-figured African hardwoods, which were then laminated into layers with purple-tinted heart-wood and dark Wenge wood stringers in the middle. The stock-maker then sliced the wood into layers (1:02) and then glued the layers together (1:40). After final cutting, the stocks are shown at 2:00, and then the video shows how the stocks received their final finish. Both stocks are fitted with the R.A.D. recoil-reduction system. See the bedding at 19:00 and the fully finished rifles at 19:12 with barreled actions fitted.
Here is another beautiful F-Open stock, on the firing line at Ben Avery with a SEB Mini front rest. Note the metal side-bars on the front of the forearm. These metal fittings extend the stock’s “wheelbase” while also lowering the rifle’s center of gravity.
BONUS Video
Crazy Small F-Class Group — Five Shots in 1.3″ at 1000 Yards
This video might just make you slap your forehead and say “that’s amazing!” During a practice session, Erik Cortina had a camera set up on the firing line along with a ShotMarker system on the target 1000 yards away. Erik recorded himself nailing a 1.3″ five-shot group, with four of the shots all touching in just 0.3″. The full group size, 1.3″, works out to 0.124 MOA — amazing accuracy for a big 7mm cartridge! And the four touching shots in 0.3″ represent an insane 0.029 MOA cluster! (1 MOA at 1000 yards is 10.47″.) As this was not shot in a competition, Erik’s 1.3″ group doesn’t count as a record, but it just shows how accurate a modern F-Open rifle can be when all the stars align for a talented trigger-puller.
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To learn more about the properties of dry lubricants for bullets, read our Guide to Coating Bullets. This covers the three most popular bullet coatings: Molybdenum Disulfide (Moly), Tungsten Disulfide (WS2 or ‘Danzac’), and Hexagonal Boron Nitride (HBN). The article discusses the pros and cons of the different bullet coatings and offers step-by-step, illustrated instructions on how to coat your bullets using a tumbler.
On Friday, October 21, 2022, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in a public speech:
In response to a Bulletin article about 
Eye Protection — Lesson Learned
Editor’s Comment: Among competitive pistol shooters, the use of safety eyewear is universal. You’ll never see Rob Leatham, Julie Golob, or Jerry Miculek competing without eye protection — for good reason. The handgun sports’ governing bodies effectively enforce mandatory eye protection policies. We wish the same could be said for competitive rifle shooting. We often see benchrest, High Power, and F-Class competitors shooting without eye protection. We’ve heard all the excuses, yet none of them trump the safety considerations involved.
Just getting started in F-Class? Then you would appreciate this video, which covers the experience of an F-Class novice from Australia. The host of the video shot his first F-Class match at 600 yards with the 
