Bolt Action Reloading is a popular YouTube channel that has amassed nearly 75,000 subscribers. For this Saturday Video Showcase we’ve selected six interesting videos. If you’re getting started in reloading, definitely watch the video on Five Common Mistakes. And all handloaders can benefit from the videos which covers affordable tools, all under $50.00.
Five Common Mistakes Made by Novice Handloaders
This video spotlights five (5) common mistakes made by people when they get started hand-loading ammunition. These are some of the most common errors and misconceptions that affect “newbie” reloaders. Here are the five common problems encountered by folks getting started in handloading:
1. Not Using LOAD DATA from a Reliable Source — Use verified, properly developed load data from a powder maker or bullet maker. Don’t trust private social media posts. And always start conservatively.
2. Inconsistent Case Sizing — this can be the result of sloppy die set-ups or not knowing how to measure cases correctly.
3. Cartridge Overall Length (COAL) Variances — Don’t assume that COAL book values apply to your ammo. You should measure your own cases based on your chamber, headspace, and bullet choice. AccurateShooter.com recommends you use QuickLoad or Gordon’s Reloading Tool software to help adjust loads for different COAL.
4. Hand-Loading Is Not Always a Money-Saver — For a cartridge you don’t shoot much (say a .30-06 for hunting only), hand-loading might not save you money once you count the cost of dies and tools.
5. Reloading Kits Are NOT Complete — Don’t assume that the $500 reloading kit you acquired (with press, powder measure, scale etc.) has all the components and tools you actually need. You will still need dies, comparators, and many other tools.
Primer Pocket Uniforming — Is It Worth the Time and Effort?
With Lapua and Peterson brass we have had very good results — great accuracy and with low ES and SD — using brass that has NOT had the primer pockets uniformed with some kind of cutter. We always do check to make sure there are no flakes or obstructions in the flash holes, but we generally do NOT need to cut into the pockets. But with lesser brands of brass you can benefit from uniforming your primer pockets. And yes there are some top shooters who DO uniform pockets even on premium-brand brass. That is up to you. This video explains the process for primer pocket uniforming and looks at some test results.
Developing a Load — OCW vs. 10-Round Ladder
This video talks about two methods of determining an accurate load. We include this video here because many people are curious about Optimal Charge Weight (OCW) load development. Frankly, however, we believe there are better, more reliable ways to find a good load — many people have wasted many hours and much barrel life on the OCW quest. NOTE: With a good cartridge of known accuracy, such as a 6mmBR or 6mm Creedmoor using top-quality brass, we really do NOT advocate either method described in this video. We suggest you do a search to find the best bullet choice and powder choices. Then, if you are shooting from the bench with a custom barrel, consider starting in the lands, about .003-.005 past first touch. NOT full jam!! If you are shooting in conditions where you may have to unload a round during a match, start .020″ back from first touch. Chronograph every round. Shoot three-shot groups at 100 yards, looking to keep all shots touching. Many people doing OCW waste a ton of time (and barrel life). And one bit of advice for people with average factory barrels — it may be pointless to expect anything much under 1 MOA from that barrel no matter what you do.
Handloading Cool Tools — All Under $50.00
Along with powder measure, dies, and reloading press, there are a wide variety of tools that can help achieve good results when handloading ammo. This Bolt Action Reloading video identifies ten (10) tools that can be acquired for $50.00 or less. Here is the list:
1. Check Weights (00:20) — These help ensure your scale is measuring properly.
2. Digital Calipers (00:57) — You can spend $200+ on calipers, but you can get good results from caliper that cost less than $50.00, and every reloader should have a back-up set of calipers.
3. Comparator Sets (01:26) — These are fittings that attach to calipers. Bullet Comparators are sized to fit a bullet diameter to get reliable base-to-ogive measurements. Case comparators fit the neck of the cartridge, allowing you to measure shoulder bump.
4. Stock Case Remover (02:48) — This allows you to remove a brass case that may be stuck in a die.
5. Imperial Sizing Die Wax (03:20) — There are many types of case lubricants, but Imperial Die Wax is still a popular choice and very affordable.
6. LEE Cutter and Lock Stud (03:44) — This is a cheap way to trim cases. We prefer a Forster trimmer or a deluxe power trimmer but LEE system is inexpensive.
7. Chamfering and Deburring Tools (04:38) — After brass is trimmed to length you need to chamfer and deburr the case necks. Good chamfering/deburring tools are “must have” items for hand-loaders.
8. Case Neck Brushes (05:50) — If you don’t tumble your brass it’s a good idea to brush the inside of your fired cases before seating bullets. A couple swipes is all it takes — and you may find you get more consistent seating if you leave a bit of carbon in the necks.
9. Primer Pocket Swage Gauge (Ballistic Tool) (06:24) — These little tools let you check the dimensions of your primer pockets.
10. Decapping Die (06:57) — The decapping die removes spent primers without sizing the case. This is very handy if you want to remove primers before tumbling brass. NOTE: If your cases have small-diameter flash-holes you need to check the diameter of the decapping rod.
11. Powder Trickler (07:40) — A good trickler is an absolute “must have” when manually weighing each charge. The trickler allows you to add a couple grains at a time.
12. Powder Funnel with Drop Tube (08:45) — While most folks have a basic funnel, a deluxe funnel with a drop tube helps to get a full charge and more consistent powder density.
13. Kinetic Bullet Puller (09:36) — This is like a hammer that holds a loaded round. Using kinetic energy this tool can unseat a bullet with a couple of whacks. However, if you must unload a large quantity of rounds you’ll want a cam-lock bullet puller (09:58) that works with your press.
14. Caliber Specific Reloading Trays (10:28) — These are handy if you are loading specific cartridges. There is less wobble for each round.
Setting Neck Tension with Expanders and/or Bushings
There are three main ways (in addition to collet dies), by which you can set the neck diameter on cartridge brass and thereby control neck tension or the “grip” on the seated bullet. First, the sizing die itself can reduce the neck diameter. This can be a fitted die with the neck honed to a precise diameter. Or, the die can take neck bushings, which allow a range of neck tensions via different bushing internal diameters. Because they allow a wide range of tension settings, bushing dies are popular and effective. You can also have a die that takes the neck dimension down a few thousandths, but then have an expander mandrel that brings the neck inside diameter to an exact dimension. This has the advantage of keeping the INSIDE of the neck perfectly round, with any variances in neck-wall thickness pushed to the outside. This Bolt Action Reloading video explains the use of neck bushings and expander mandrels.
Full-Length-Sizing vs. Neck-Sizing of Cases
NOTE: At AccurateShooter.com we recommend that handloaders always full-length size their brass for many important reasons. Virtually all champion shooters in multiple disciplines full-length size their brass. Full-length sizing can achieve record-setting accuracy, and, importantly, it offers consistent shoulder bump with each loading. But we know that people are curious about neck-sizing, so we are including this video.
This video compares identical charge-weight loads tested with full-length-sized 6.5 Creedmoor brass vs. neck-sized 6.5 Creedmoor brass. The tester states: “I use the 142gr Sierra Match King HPBT loaded with Alliant Reloder 16. There is velocity and group data at 150 yards. FYI, we recommend always full-length sizing most cartridge brass, bumping the shoulder about .003″ (or more if required in a semi-auto).”
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However, if you don’t have a printer, don’t want to pay for commercial targets or adhesive target stickers, then there IS an interesting option. One of our Forum members has created his own Custom TARGET STAMP. Using an INK PAD, this creates a black multi-ring bullseye on paper that matches the exact dimensions of a competition target (SEE Top Photo).
Forum member JimmyMac wanted a target that replicates a competition multi-ring bullseye. He wanted to be able to stamp this bullseye quickly and easily on blank paper. Shown below is the custom stamp he created to accomplish that task. JimmyMac posted: “I took dimensions of a 100-yard group target and had a stamp made to transfer to the paper of my choice. Not revolutionary by any stretch, but works good. I may do a UBR score target stamp next.” JimmyMac purchased the target stamper through an online vendor: “I bought mine online. I provided a template. They did the rest. Here is the stamp and the ink that goes inside.” READ FORUM Thread for more information.
There are a large variety of ink-using target stamps available now on Amazon. Some of these are “self-inking” for convenience, while others require a separate ink pad to function. Here are some of the many target stampers currently offered. There are many target pattern and target size options.
This article is Copyright 2023 AccurateShooter.com. Republication by any other website or media violates Federal copyright law and obliges that third party to pay statutory penalties and damages.
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Report from National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)
The U.S. District Court (Central District of California) has issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of California’s Unsafe Handgun Act with its microstamping requirement. The case, Boland v. Bonta, was filed shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision. The District court issued the preliminary injunction on March 20, 2024, via an order signed by U.S. District Judge Cormack J. Carney.
“This order is a victory for lawful gun ownership in California. For too long, the Second Amendment has been significantly infringed upon by elected officials who have taken every opportunity to put roadblocks in front of law-abiding citizens seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights”, said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior VP and General Counsel.
This microstamping requirement is technologically unsound. And it has resulted in massive reductions in handguns available to California citizens. According to the NSSF: “Since [the microstamping rule went into effect], California’s list of handguns certified for sale has dwindled. No new models have been added to California’s approved list since 2013, and models available for sale have dwindled 75%, from 976 handgun models to under 250 in 2022[.]”
“The order … is a significant win. NSSF has long contended that California’s Unsafe Handgun Act is an unconstitutional infringement denying Californians their ability to legally purchase the handguns that would best suit their needs”, Keane continued. “The court is correctly applying the holdings of the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision that the Second Amendment is the only test when it comes to lawful firearm ownership and the holdings of Heller that firearms in common use are protected by the Second Amendment.”
Boland v. Bonta, filed by the California Rifle & Pistol Association, challenged California’s Unsafe Handgun Act that requires all new pistols sold in the state to be equipped with a chamber-loaded indicator, a magazine disconnect mechanism, and be capable of using the firing pin to embed a microstamp on the primer of a fired cartridge case. That final requirement is technologically problematic, to say the least.
NSSF has testified in California’s legislature that it was impossible to meet the microstamping requirement. And event the microstamping patent-holder, Todd Lizotte, admitted that microstamping is unreliable, stating, “…legitimate questions exist related to both the technical aspects, production costs, and database management associated with microstamping that should be addressed before wide scale implementation is legislatively mandated.”
“The microstamping provision requires handguns to have a particular feature that is simply not commercially available or even feasible to implement on a mass scale,” the court’s order reads. This is a fact that NSSF has long maintained, and all peer-reviewed studies have reached the same conclusion.
Microstamping can be easily defeated by dragging a nail file over the tip of a firing pin or replacing the firing pin. However, the requirement was certified by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris. Since the adoption of the microstamping rule, California’s list of handguns certified for sale has dwindled. No new models have been added to California’s approved list since 2013, and models available for sale have dwindled 75 percent, from 976 handgun models to under 250 in 2022.
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If you couldn’t attend SHOT Show 2023, here’s a way to check out hundreds of new products that were on display in Vegas in January. You can now access complete digital editions of the official SHOT Show Daily Magazines provided to SHOT Show attendees and exhibitors. CLICK HERE to access all the SHOT Daily magazines distributed at SHOT Show 2023. In addition, you will find FREE digital issues of the four SHOT Daily issues from 2022.
So that’s eight (8) total issues, each with dozens of new product features…
Each of the eight SHOT Daily issues contains a major product review, and many interesting shorter features. In the 2023 Day 1 Edition, check out the Guns 2023 article starting on page 28. In the 2023 Day 2 Edition, look for the Optics 2023 article starting on page 38 and Ammo 2023 guide on page 22.
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For many Americans, real incomes have stayed flat in recent years, while inflation has increased the cost of living very significantly in the past three years. Accordingly, it’s important to save money whenever possible. Prices are going up, but wages aren’t following (for most of us). Here are seven ways shooters can save money on gear purchases and other shooting-related expenses.
1. Watch for Our Deals of the Week. Every Monday, in our Daily Bulletin, AccurateShooter.com offers some of the best deals to be found. We search the web to find great deals on ammo, reloading components, optics, tools, firearms, gun safes, electronics and more. It’s not unusual to find savings of 20-35% through our Deals of the Week. And many of our vendors are now offering special deals just for AccurateShooter.com readers.
2. Check Out the Forum Classifieds. There are great deals to be found every day in the AccurateShooter Shooters’ Forum. The latest deals are displayed in the right column of every Forum page. To see all the listings, browse through the Forum MarketPlace section which has four main categories:
Guns, Actions, Stocks, & Barrels
Tools, Dies, Rests, Reloading Components & Misc
Scopes, Optics, Sights, Rings, Bases Etc.
Commercial Sales by Paid Sponsors
3. Share a Ride to Matches. Fuel prices are on the rise — Regular-grade gasoline is over $5.00 per gallon in California now and around $3.50/gallon nationwide. With many shooters living 30-100 miles from the nearest range, fuel remains a big part of a shooter’s hobby budget. We’d say 90% of shooters drive solo to matches, often in large, gas-guzzling trucks. If you drive 200 miles round-trip to attend a match in a 20-mpg vehicle, you’ll burn over $35.00 worth of gasoline on your trip. That adds up. By simply sharing the ride with one fellow shooter you cut your fuel expenditures in half. And, if you alternate vehicles with a buddy from one match to the next, you save on vehicle wear and tear. At $0.55/mile (overall operating costs) consider the savings.
4. Use Discount Codes to Save. It’s always smart to check for discount codes before you buy. In the Daily Bulletin, we feature “Deals of the Week” every Monday morning, and we provide discount Coupon Codes when available. These can reduce the price substantially or lower shipping costs. Search codes for Brownells, Creedmoor Sports, EuroOptic, Graf’s, Midsouth, Powder Valley, Sportsman’s Warehouse, KYGUNCO, MidwayUSA, and Precision Reloading. Check your email also — some discount codes are only announced in email newsletters. If you can’t find a Coupon Code for your preferred vendor, visit Gun.deals and/or RetailMeNot.com. Both those sites list current coupon codes, and RetailMeNot.com covers thousands of vendors.
5. Shop for “Demo” Optics. Modern high-quality optics can easily cost $1500.00 or more, often exceeding the value of the rifle on which they are mounted. However, you can often save 20-30% by purchasing demo optics. These are normally display units used at trade shows. They may have slight ringmarks, but otherwise they are “as new”, having never been carried in the field or used on a rifle that has fired live ammo. When purchasing demo scopes, you should always ask about the warranty before consummating the sale. However, most demo scopes from name-brand manufacturers come with full factory warranties. EuroOptic.com and SWFA.com are two respected vendors that offer a good selection of demo optics.
6. Train with Rimfire Rifles. Good match-grade centerfire, hand-loaded ammo, counting premium bullets, powder, primers, and brass (figuring 10X loads), can now exceed $1.50 per round. And if your $600 (as chambered and fitted) competition barrel is toast after 1500 rounds, add $0.40 for barrel deprecation per shot. So you’re approaching two bucks a round total! By contrast, you can get quite good .22 LR target ammo for under $0.18 per round. Good rimfire barrels last a long, long time, so you don’t have to be concerned about wearing out your barrel quickly. A quality rimfire barrel can retain its accuracy for 7,000 rounds or more. If you run the ballistics, a .22 LR round at 100 yards can emulate the wind drift experienced by a centerfire cartridge at long range. This allows for effective cross-training with much less expensive ammo.
7. Take Advantage of Factory Rebates. There are some attractive rebates available right now from quality manufacturers such as Hornady, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, SIG Sauer, Walther, Winchester, and more. You have to be a bit wary because rebates are typically used to move less-popular merchandise. But some rebates apply to very wide range of merchandise, so it’s hard to go wrong. The current Smith & Wesson rebate is up to $100 and applies to rifles as well as some of the most popular S&W semi-auto pistols. Just make sure that, when you buy a product, you retain the sales slip and the original packaging (it’s also wise to print out online orders). To qualify for the rebate, you may need to mail in a product identification code found on the box, along with your original sales receipt.
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The 2023 F-Class World Championships will commence soon in South Africa. The 2023 F-Class World Championships are being held at the General Christiaan de Wet Shooting Range in Blomfontein, South Africa from March 26th through April 1st. Competitors from around the globe will compete in both F-Class Target Rifle (F-TR) and F-Open divisions battling for the prestigious title of World Champion.
Team USA will be competing in both divisions for a full week. The team includes past American champions and Southwest Nationals winners. Berger, manufacturer of high quality bullets and ammunition for competitive long-range shooters and sportsman, is a leading sponsor of the 2023 United States F-Class Team competing at the 2023 F-Class World Championships in South Africa.
The U.S. F-Open and F-TR teams are comprised of over 60 members coming from 25 different states. The team members have spent over five years preparing for this major event. Lead by Captains Dan Bramley and Phil Kelley, the teams are sure to make an impact. Three members of Team Berger — James Crofts, Trudie Fay, and Matt Schwartzkopf — are serving as coaches for US F-TR team. Team Lapua’s own Erik Cortina will be competing as part of the F-Open team.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to support United States F-Class Teams on their quest to be crowned international champions”, commented Geoff Esterline, Director of Marketing at Berger Bullets.
Team USA will also be supported by Lapua, maker of top brass and bullets. “We’re proud to support the United State F-Class Teams as they compete in South Africa at the World Championships”, commented Adam Braverman, V.P. of Sales & Marketing at Capstone. “We’ve watched the team over the last five years come together, practice, make it through delays due to COVID and still remain strong.”
USA F-TR Team Will Use Berger 200.2X Hybrid Target .30-Cal Bullets
F-Class Target Rifle (F-TR) category has strict requirements for a “ready-to-go” rifle weighing no more than 18 pounds. Chambers are required to be unmodified and use a standard .308 Win/7.62 NATO or .223 Rem/5.56 NATO cartridge. For competition, the U.S. F-TR team utilizes Berger’s .30 caliber 200.20X Hybrid Target, and 215 grain Hybrid Target bullets.
USA F-Open Team Will Use Berger 7mm 184gr and 180gr Hybrid Target Bullets
The F-Open category has requirements of a rifle weighing no more than 22 pounds and chambered in any caliber .35 and under. Rifles are fired in the prone position from the shoulder with an adjustable front rest and rear sandbag. Berger’s 7mm 184 grain Hybrid Target bullet is a favorite among F-Open competitors and is the official bullet of the U.S. F-Class F-Open team. The team also competes with Berger’s 7mm 180 Grain Hybrid Target bullet.
This video shows a match at the Genl De Wet Range in South Africa a decade ago:
About Berger and Lapua
Berger manufactures precision projectiles and match-grade ammunition for Target, Hunting, and Tactical applications in Mesa, AZ. For 100 years, Lapua has been producing the highest-quality cartridges and components for civilian and professional use. Berger and Lapua are both part of the Capstone Precision Group, exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Bergerbullets.com and Lapua.com.
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At Camp Perry this summer, there will be a new 600-yard match as part of the CMP’s National Long Range series, slated for July 31 through August 5, 2023, at Camp Perry, Ohio. For the first time, there will be a Mid-Range 3×600 Match, with 20 shots slow prone at 600 yards. This 3×600 competition is the first of the CMP’s Mid-Range offerings, with more planned in the near future.
Open to competitors of any experience level, the CMP’s National Long Range Series features ten individual and team events in Service, Match, and Palma rifle classes on Camp Perry’s 1,000-yard Viale Range. The matches are open to Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma, F-Open, F-TR or AR Tactical categories. The National Long Range series is part of the CMP’s annual National Matches, held at Camp Perry, Ohio.
Other Camp Perry National Match Events Include:
Viale Memorial, Critchfield, Henry Memorial, Kerr Memorial, McMaken & Speaks Memorial, Baesel Memorial individual matches – 20 slow prone shots at 1,000 yards.
Bataan Memorial 4-Man Team Match – 20 shots slow prone by each member at 1,000 yards.
Winder Memorial Iron 4 Man Team Match – 20 record shots per team member at 1,000 yards.
Camp Perry Palma Match – 15 record shots at 800, 900, and 1,000 yards.
CLICK HERE for CMP High Power Rifle Competition Rules (2023)
About the Camp Perry National Matches
Held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility in Ohio since 1907, the National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches offer a wide variety of smallbore rifle, high power rifle, and pistol competitions. The Small Arms Firing Schools lead new and experienced individuals on safety and fundamentals within Pistol, Rifle, and Smallbore Rifle disciplines. The National Matches are conducted by a partnership between the CMP and Ohio National Guard. Learn more by visiting the CMP National Match website.
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This week Shooting USA TV features the 2022 Bianchi Cup, hosted May 25-27, 2022 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri (near Columbia). For 2022 the Bianchi Cup featured 117 of the world’s top action pistol shooters. This year Benito Martinez claimed his first Bianchi overall title, helped by his perfect 480-48X Falling Plate stage score. Martinez finished with 1920-165X, 12 Xs ahead of the runner-up, Joey DeLeon (1520-153X). Sally Talbot was high lady with 1913-155X
This episode of Shooting USA airs Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific, 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. Shooting USA is also available On Demand via Vimeo.com.
Officially, the annual competition is known as the National Championship of NRA Action Pistol. But its is generally called the Bianchi Cup — from the trophy named for one of the founders, John Bianchi. In the past 30 years the match has become the richest handgun tournament in the world.
Bianchi Cup — the Richest Handgun Match on the Planet
Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.
Bianchi Cup Open Class Pistol — Features in Review
The Bianchi Cup has been called the most prestigious pistol tournament in the world. Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. In 2021 the NRA turned the organization and management of the match over to a new group from the Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club.
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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. EuroOptic — Sako S20 Close-out Sale, Save $400-$600
⏺ Save HUNDREDS on outstanding SAKO S20 rifles, multiple calibers
The SAKO S20 is a truly outstanding hunting rifle. It offers a smooth action, great trigger, excellent accuracy, and a convertible stock. Right now at EuroOptic you can save $400-$600 on a new SAKO S20 in a variety of popular chamberings. 15 different caliber/stock combinations are on sale, with discounts from $450-$600. Shown above are six notable deals, but there are many more. CLICK HERE to see all S20 Close-out offerings.
Here’s an excellent reloading package with everything you need to start handloading cartridges. And right now you can save 21%. With this Hornady Lock N Load Deluxe Classic Reloading kit you get the Classic single-stage press, powder measure with stand, digital scale, hand priming tool, OAL gauge tool, calipers, loading block, bullet release “hammer”, powder trickler, funnel, chamfer/debur tool, shellholder pack, die bushings, lock rings, Hornady Reloading Manual and much more. Folks, this is a great bargain at $319.99! The same Hornady L-N-L Classic Press Kit is $369.97 on Amazon, fifty bucks more. Plus you get 500 Free bullets from Hornady with the purchase of this kit.
3. Brownells — Rock Chucker Reloading Kit, $269.99 with CODE
⏺ Kit includes press, powder measure, scale, manual and many tools
Here’s a great starter kit for any reloader, with sturdy items — such as the Rock Chucker Supreme press — that will last a lifetime. Everything you see above can be yours for just $319.99. And, with discount code “MARCH50″ you can save another $50, for a net price of just $269.99. That makes this Kit an absolute steal! The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit includes Rock Chucker Supreme Press, Primer Tool, Scale, Powder Measure, Loading Tray, Reloading Manual and more. Be sure to use the “MARCH50″ Code during checkout to lower your net cost to $269.99, making this one of the best deals of the year.
4. Winchester Wildcat with Optic, $244.99 with Rebate
⏺ Fun rimfire rifle complete with optic — rebate through 3/26/23
Here is a fun little semi-auto .22 LR rifle at a crazy low price — $244.99 complete with a mounted Red Dot Reflex optic. That includes a $25 factory rebate — the list price is $269.99. The Winchester Wildcat takes Ruger 10/22 mags, and has some great features, such as field-removable lower receiver, ambidextrous controls, integral Picatinny rails, and rear barrel access. It has a good trigger and shoots well. In many respects the Wildcat beats the Ruger 10/22 while costing a lot less. The lower receiver assembly is easily removed from the upper assembly by pushing a button — no tools required. If you don’t need the optic, you can get a basic Wildcat with threaded barrel for $229.99 on sale.
Winchester Rebate: Purchase any Winchester Wildcat rifle and get $25 back via mail-in rebate. Offer valid February 23 through March 26, 2023. Go to Rebates.winchesterguns.com.
5. KYGUNCO — M&P Shield EZ or M&P9 M2.0 Laser/Light Shield
⏺ S&W carry pistols Shield EZ and M2.0 with laser/light option, $75 Rebates
KYGUNCO is running some great S&W Pistol deals this week. When you combine KYGUNCO’s price reductions with the current S&W $75 factory rebates, you can save over $120.00. Here are two impressive 9mm pistol options. We like the 9mm Shield EZ for $449.00 or just $374.00 after $75.00 S&W Rebate. Or get the 9mm Shield compact with Green Laser/Light combo for $423.87, or just $348.87 after rebate. That’s a very nice carry gun.
6. Brownells — Tax Time Bipod Sale
⏺ Major savings on wide selection of big brand optics
Now through mid-April, Brownells is featuring a large selection of bipods from four leading brands: Harris, Magpul, Accu-Tac, Atlas, and MDT. You’ll find special sales on some bipods, and a wide selection of options for others. If you need a new bipod for your tactical, hunting, or varminting rifle, check out these offerings at Brownells.
7. Graf’s — Sightron SIII LR 6-24x50mm, $849.99 (23% Off)
⏺ Major savings on wide selection of big brand optics
This is a great scope for varmint rifles. It has an MOA-2 reticle that allows easy hold off. Because it is Second Focal Plane, the reticle doesn’t enlarge with magnification so you are not obscuring small critters at distance. This scope features Sightron’s unique ExacTrack windage and elevation adjustment system, and it has a rock-solid warranty. For a SFP varmint scope, this would be one of our top choices. And now you can get significant savings at Grafs.com. This scope is now $849.99 on sale, a 23% savings. The same scope sells for $1099.99 elsewhere. If you often shoot in low light, there is a also a fully illuminated 6-24x50mm Sightron SIII with the MOA-H reticle for $999.99.
8. EuroOptic — Leica 6X Zoom Scopes, 40-42% Off
⏺ Great deal on superb long-range hunting/varminting scopes
Here are two very high-quality Leica riflescopes at big discounts. These are SFP optics with 0.1 Milrad clicks. With an amazing 6X zoom ration, there is a huge field of view at the 2.5X base magnification. Then you have 15X on the other end for long shots. The 56mm objective version is now $919.99 on sale, a 42% savings off the $1599.99 price, while the version with a 50mm objective is $899.99, a 40% discount off the regular $1499.99 price. With these deals you can save over $600 — enough to buy a rifle.
⏺ Excellent scope for varminters and grounghog matches
Looking to clean your brass and/or gun parts? The H&B Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine is a bargain at just $84.48 on Amazon. This unit features a heated tank for cleaning of cartridge brass and metal parts. The ultrasonic cavitation lifts and dissolves carbon, dirt, and any residue left on fired cases. Chose cycles from 90 to 480 seconds. Not only can you clean brass, but this unit can clean pistol slides, magazines, jewelry, and silverware. Note: This unit, an “Amazon Choice” with 84% 4- or 5-star reviews, is nearly identical to the unit Lyman has sold for $120+.
10. MidwayUSA — Real Avid AR-15 Cleaning Kit with Mat, $28.22
⏺ Great accessory for AR15s, cleaning kit and mat with diagrams
We can recommend the Real Avid AR-15 Cleaning Kit/Smart Mat for all AR owners. This includes a large, padded, oil-resistant mat with printed AR parts diagrams and a built-in parts tray. The tool kit, in zippered pouch, has key tools needed to disassemble and clean your AR. The kit also includes the Real Avid Field Guide. At $28.22, this combo set costs less than the Real Avid Cleaning Kit by itself.
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Here are select product images from IWA Outdoor Classics 2023 trade show in Nuremburg (Nürnberg) Germany. We reviewed hundreds of images to find some of the more interesting products on display. We hope our readers enjoy this vicarious look at the IWA Outdoor Classics show.
There are over 220 photos online from the 2023 IWA Outdoor Classics event. You can access them through the IWA 2023 photo archive. Here are a few product images that we thought our readers would enjoy.
Twin CZ 600 Range rifles on display. The CZ 600 Range features a modern wood laminated stock and cold-hammer-forged barred. CZ guarantees 3/4-MOA accuracy at 100 meters.
Young lady looks through the latest Leica GeoVid Pro 8×32 Laser Rangefinder binoculars.
Schmidt & Bender FFP MRAD scope mounted on precision rifle with Masterpiece Arms (MPA) Chassis and 6.5 Creedmoor 1:8″-twist MPA barrel.
The IWA Outdoor Classics show is very much about hunting. Here’s a display of the latest and greatest camo and Hi-Viz (day-glo) apparel for hunters.
All shooters should ALWAYS wear quality eye protection that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards. This display shows that you can choose from a wide spectrum of lens colors and frame types.
Trio of Pulsar Optics — binoculars, thermal monocular, and thermal imaging binoculars.
Here’s a selection of GECO Express, Plus, and Star ammunition. GECO, now part of the Swiss RUAG group, was founded in Germany by Gustav Genschow in 1887. Today, GECO ammunition is manufactured in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Hungary.
IWA Outdoor Classics features traditional hunting gear, such as these handsome brass hunting horns.
Crowd gathers at the Glock booth in the NürnbergMesse in Bavaria, Germany, home of the IWA Outdoor Classics trade show.
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The IWA Outdoor Classics, aka the “Euro SHOT Show”, took place in Germany earlier this month. This show, the largest gun/hunting/outdoors trade show in Europe, ran for four days, March 2-5, 2023, in Nuremberg, Germany. Approximately 1,100 exhibitors attracted 34,000 visitors from 119 countries. With those numbers, the IWA Outdoor Classics ranks second only to the USA’s SHOT Show as a global trade show for shooting, hunting, and outdoor activities. This bodes well for IWA Outdoor Classics, which marks its 50th anniversary next year in 2024.
Legendary American Shooter Meets VIPs at IWA Show
There were quite a few notable American shooters at the IWA Show in Germany. Here, at the Mossberg booth, legendary pistol and rifle competitor Jerry Miculek meets with Roland Weigert, Bavaria’s State Secretary for Economic Affairs.
Feinwerkbau 900 Competition Air Rifle
German gunmaker Feinwerkbau GmbH displayed a variety of Olympic-grade target rifles, including this impressive Model 900 with aluminum stock. The maker states: “Quality components come together to form a high-precision sporting rifle and a multitude of adjustment options ensure optimum ergonomics. The maintenance-free pressure reducer has been redesigned for even smoother system operation and ensures significantly reduced noise during firing. The optimized system bedding with double barrel clamping ensures highly precise groupings. This results in a new pace setter in the match air rifle sector.” The 900 Aluminum model is available in silver or black as standard, and, in addition, the model can be customized in 13 special colors for an additional charge.
Jumbo Display Bullets from Sax Munitions
Bullet and ammunition manufacturer Sax Munitions GmbH, had an eye-catching display of super jumbo-sized bullets. Just what you’d need to hunt a Dinosaur in Jurassic Park.
There were many innovative optics on display, such as this ATN ThOR LT day/night thermal rifle scope.
Mauser K98 Stock from Pro Mag | Archangel
Do you have an old Mauser K98 that you’d like to modernize with a more ergonomic stock for hunting and fun competition? Well ProMag Industries has you covered. This polymer stock fits the classic K98 Mauser, and variants including German K-98s, Czech VZ-24, Yugo 48 / 48a, and Turkish. The stock is made from high strength carbon fiber and glass-reinforced black polymer. Actions are secured with precision-fit, inlet steel pillar bedding with free-floated barrel channel. Length of pull is thumbwheel-click-adjustable from 13.5″ to 14.25″. This ProMag K98 stock is offered in black (as shown), desert tan, and olive drab colorsl. This modern stock design lists for just $185.99 MSRP.
Chayeh Z20 — New Straight-Pull Hunting Rifle
The Chayeh Z20 from Liwa Arms in Slovakia is a new, straight-pull, bolt-actuated hunting rifle with five-round magazine. The maker states that the Chayeh Z20 is “accurate, safe, fast and reliable rifle with high-end finish for a very surprising price.” The Z20 is currently available in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester with three different barrel lenghts and various stock designs.
Walther LP 500 Competition Air Pistols
Along with a variety of rimfire and centerfire rifles and pistols, Walther showcased its impressive LP 500 air pistol. This beautifully balanced and very ergonomic air pistol is used by top competitors in ISSF 10-meter air pistol events.
ISSC SPA Hunter Toggle-Action Rimfire Rifle
We like toggle-link actions. Originally developed for biathlon rifles where rapid cycling (with minimal rifle movement) is critical, toggle-link actions are now available for rimfire sport and hunting rifles. We were impressed with the ISSC toggle-link action rifle, displayed by the Waffen-Pfandleihhaus group at the IWA show. This ISSC SPA Hunter rifle features a nice wood stock and is offered in three (3) rimfire chamberings: .17 HMR, .22 LR, and .22 WMR. We’d like one of these rigs for ground squirrel safaris.
Classic Wood Stock on Modern Air Rifle — HM1000
The HM1000 from Rapid Air Weapons derives it’s linage from the Theoben Rapid 7. Featuring many of the same design cues, the HM (Hunting Model) departs from its family history with such features as side lever cocking, an on-board manometer, an easy access Foster-style fill adapter and fully regulated design. This Hunting model offers a very handsome, high-grade would stock. The fit and finish of this rifle is matched by high standards for accuracy and reliability.
Mini Spotting Scope from Noblex
There are times when you want something steadier and more powerful than binoculars, but you don’t want a massive, heavy spotting scope that might weigh 6 pounds or more. The European optics company Noblex offers a very lightweight (18.7 ounce) 6-24x50mm Mini Spotting Scope. We think many hunters and varmint shooters could use a product like this. Small and light (at just 1.17 pounds), it is also very affordable, with a $419.00 MSRP.
BONUS BLADES — IWA Knife Spotlight
Along with the many pistols, rifles, optics, and accessories displayed at the 2023 IWA show in Germany, there was a special award program for knives. Here are two of the award-winning blades at the IWA Knife Award Ceremony.
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AccurateShooter.com offers a dozens of free, printable targets in our Target Collection. However, we know that sometimes shooters may prefer a commercially-printed specialty target. These may offer unique designs, hi-viz colors, splatter effect, or special functions (such as scope checking). Here are a variety of excellent commercial grid targets you can buy via Amazon or the target-maker’s website.
EZ-AIM 12″x12″ Grid with Orange Bullseyes — $6.99 for 13-pack
We like this EZ-Aim Sight-in Grid Target for sighting-in, load development. and general practice. The full 12″x12″ target is covered with a precise black-lined grid on white background. There is a large center orange bullseye, plus four additional bulls, one in each corner. Right now this target is a bargain. You can get a 13-pack of targets for just $6.99.
Freedom Targets — Bullseye Sight-In Grid Target, 25 for $12.95
Here’s a great Bullseye Sight-in Grid Target. This target provides a central bull on a 1″ grid pattern. There 8 additional small orange dot aim points, plus helpful numbers on the central vertical and horizontal lines. The outer four orange aim points are set inside heavier black lines to help align your scope crosshairs. This target is nicely printed, with sharp lines and bright orange circles. You get a pack of 25 targets for $12.95 — that’s $0.52 per target.
Birchwood Casey Grid — Black on White Splatter, 10 for $11.07
We’ve all seen conventional splatter targets with a black bullseye or grid. When a shot hits the target, a halo (usually neon yellow) appears around the bullet hole. Here is another kind of splatter target that creates a black circle on a white background. This can be very effective for spotting your hits at long range. This Birchwood-Casey White Grid Target is $11.07 for a 10-pack. These Shoot-N-C Sight-In Targets have a self-adhesive backing, making for easy put up and take down. In addition, the target pack comes with corner pasters to cover holes or use as additional aim points.
High-Viz Option — Yellow on Black Grid with Yellow Halos
If you prefer seeing ultra-high-contrast yellow/green “halos” for your hits, Birchwood Casey also makes adhesive grid targets with five yellow-edged diamonds. Red circles provide precise aiming points in the middle of each box. You can quickly estimate group size or dial-in your zero using the hi-viz yellow 1″ grid lines. These yellow-on-black targets are available in three sizes: 8″ square, 12″ square, and 17.5″ square. These yellow-on-black grid targets start at $7.60 for an 8″ six-pack.
B-2-B Precision LR Load Dev & Scope Tracking Target — 3 for $22
Here is one BIG target that handles a myriad of important tasks at the range: Zeroing, Load Development, Click Value Verification, and Click Tracking Repeatability Tests. Box to Bench Precision (B2B) offers the most versatile (and biggest) precision targets ever developed. With precise grid geometry, and razor-sharp printing, B2B’s targets are probably the most advanced shooting targets ever created.
B2B’s 100 Yard Long Range Load Development and Scope Tracking Target performs many functions. This big, 30″ x 23.5″ target has specific aiming points for various tasks. In the upper left, there are 11 small orange circles for precision load testing. Over on the upper right are 7 more small, orange circles for doing a Seating Depth Comparison test. The bottom half of the target has larger black-on-white circles that serve multiple functions. Use the corner circles to do a “Box Test” to confirm scope tracking. On the bottom row is one B/W circle to confirm zero and another to use for velocity testing. There’s another great feature on this target — running up the center of the target is a tall line that shows elevation in both MILs and MOA. That helps you confirm the TRUE click values of your optic. Get a precision 100-yard 3-Pack for $22.00, or the 100m version 3-Pack for $13.00.
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AccurateShooter.com has a page with dozens of 
2. Check Out the Forum Classifieds. There are great deals to be found every day in the AccurateShooter 
3. Share a Ride to Matches. Fuel prices are on the rise — Regular-grade gasoline is over $5.00 per gallon in California now and around $3.50/gallon nationwide. With many shooters living 30-100 miles from the nearest range, fuel remains a big part of a shooter’s hobby budget. We’d say 90% of shooters drive solo to matches, often in large, gas-guzzling trucks. If you drive 200 miles round-trip to attend a match in a 20-mpg vehicle, you’ll burn over $35.00 worth of gasoline on your trip. That adds up. By simply sharing the ride with one fellow shooter you cut your fuel expenditures in half. And, if you alternate vehicles with a buddy from one match to the next, you save on vehicle wear and tear. At $0.55/mile (overall operating costs) consider the savings.
4. Use Discount Codes to Save. It’s always smart to check for discount codes before you buy. In the Daily Bulletin, we feature “Deals of the Week” every Monday morning, and we provide discount Coupon Codes when available. These can reduce the price substantially or lower shipping costs. Search codes for Brownells, Creedmoor Sports, EuroOptic, Graf’s, Midsouth, Powder Valley, Sportsman’s Warehouse, KYGUNCO, MidwayUSA, and Precision Reloading. Check your email also — some discount codes are only announced in email newsletters. If you can’t find a Coupon Code for your preferred vendor, visit 
5. Shop for “Demo” Optics. Modern high-quality optics can easily cost $1500.00 or more, often exceeding the value of the rifle on which they are mounted. However, you can often save 20-30% by purchasing demo optics. These are normally display units used at trade shows. They may have slight ringmarks, but otherwise they are “as new”, having never been carried in the field or used on a rifle that has fired live ammo. When purchasing demo scopes, you should always ask about the warranty before consummating the sale. However, most demo scopes from name-brand manufacturers come with full factory warranties. 
6. Train with Rimfire Rifles. Good match-grade centerfire, hand-loaded ammo, counting premium bullets, powder, primers, and brass (figuring 10X loads), can now exceed $1.50 per round. And if your $600 (as chambered and fitted) competition barrel is toast after 1500 rounds, add $0.40 for barrel deprecation per shot. So you’re approaching two bucks a round total! By contrast, you can get quite good .22 LR target ammo for under $0.18 per round. Good rimfire barrels last a long, long time, so you don’t have to be concerned about wearing out your barrel quickly. A quality rimfire barrel can retain its accuracy for 7,000 rounds or more. If you run the ballistics, a .22 LR round at 100 yards can emulate the wind drift experienced by a centerfire cartridge at long range. This allows for effective cross-training with much less expensive ammo.
