Brownells is running a big Memorial Day Weekend Sale, which runs now (Friday 5/26/23) through the end of the three-day weekend. Over 100 items are featured in this sale, including tools, optics, and AR equipment, along with ammo and primers.
To add to the savings, you can get 15% off $200+ purchases with coupon code MDAY15. Now through May 28, 2023 use MDAY15 during checkout to save 15%. Then, on Monday, May 29th, you can use code MDAY20 to save 20% off purchases of $200 or more. NOTE: CODE MDAY20 will work on May 29th (Monday) only. Until then use code MDAY15.
Good Memorial Day Weekend DEALS at Brownells.com
Here are eight (8) of the 103 Memorial Day Weekend Deals on the Brownells website currently. Along with AR uppers and lowers and magazines, you’ll find centerfire and rimfire ammunition on sale. And handloaders should definitely check on the discounts on CCI 400 Small Rifle Primers and CCI Pistol Primers.
Want to have fun with an Air Rifle or Air Pistol? Right now you can save up to 50% on Crosman products direct from the manufacturer. With Crossman’s Memorial Day weekend Alternate Special Sale, you can buy a complete .177-caliber air rifle for $150 or less complete with scope. And Crosman also has air pistols on sale starting at just $15.99! Using inexpensive pellets, air rifles and air pistols are fun to shoot. Unlike centerfire guns, air rifles and air pistols can be used with very affordable light metal targets. Budget-priced air rifles can be a good starting tool for novice shooters.
Alternate Specials: Up to 50% off Alternate Special. No coupon code needed. Valid 5/1/2023 – 5/29/2023. Other exclusions apply. While supplies last. Visit Crosman.com for all current specials.
Shipping Policy: Air rifle and air pistols are not regulated like centerfire and rimfire firearms. In most jurisdictions, air rifles and pistols can be shipped directly to the purchaser or picked up at retail outlets.
Crosman Mag-Fire Extreme Rifle (.177), $149.99 on Sale
Crosman Mag-Fire Ultra Rifle (.177), $124.99 on Sale
Crosman Mag-Fire Mission Rifle (.177), $104.99 on Sale
Emil Praslick III is widely recognized as one of the greatest wind wizards on the planet — a master at identifying wind value and direction, and predicting wind cycles. As coach of the USAMU and top civilian teams, Emil has helped win many high-level championships. In the three videos we feature today, Emil, who works with Capstone Precision Group (Berger, Lapua, SK, Vihtavuori) and Team Applied Ballistics, explains how to determine wind direction and velocity using a variety of indicators. Praslick, now retired from the U.S. Army, was an 18-time National and 2-time World Champion coach with the USAMU.
Video ONE: Wind Theory Basics — Understanding “Wind Values”
In this video from UltimateReloader.com, Emil explains the basics of modern wind theory. To properly understand the effect of the wind you need to know both the velocity of the wind and its angle. The combination of those variables translates to the wind value. Emil also explains that the wind value may not be constant — it can cycle both in speed and velocity. Emil also explains some of the environmental conditions such as mirage that can reveal wind conditions.
Video TWO: Determining the Direction of the Wind
Key Point in Video — Find the Boil
Emil explains how to determine wind direction using optic. The method is to use spotting scope, riflescope, or binoculars to look for the “Boil” — the condition in mirage when the light waves rising straight up. The wind will generate that straight-up, vertical boil in your optics when it is blowing directly at you, or directly from your rear. To identify this, traverse your scope or optics until you see the boil running straight up. When you see that vertical boil, the direction your optic is pointing is aligned with the wind flow (either blowing towards you or from directly behind you).
Video THREE: The No Wind Zero Setting
In this second video, Emil defines the “No-Wind Zero”, and explains why competitive shooters must understand the no-wind zero and have their sights or optics set for a no-wind zero starting point before heading to a match. In order to hit your target, after determining wind speed and direction, says Emil, “you have to have your scope setting dialed to ‘no wind zero’ first.”
Coach of Champions — Emil Praslick III
SFC Emil Praslick III, (U.S. Army, retired) works with Berger Bullets and Applied Ballistics. Emil served as the Head Coach of the U.S. National Long Range Rifle Team and Head Coach of the USAMU for several years. Teams coached by Emil have won 33 Inter-Service Rifle Championships. On top of that, teams he coached set 18 National records and 2 World Records. Overall, in the role of coach, Praslick can be credited with the most team wins of any coach in U.S. Military history.
He who dies with the most toys wins — right? Well Sinclair has another interesting gadget you can add to your reloading bench. The Sinclair Case Neck Sorting Tool lets you quickly sort brass by neck-wall thickness. For those who shoot “no-turn” brass, this can improve neck-tension consistency. Large variances in neck-wall thickness can cause inconsistent neck “grip” on the bullet. Generally, we’ve found that more consistent neck tension will lower ES and (usually) improve accuracy. We know some guys who shoot no-turn 6mmBR brass in competition with considerable success — but their secret is pre-sorting their brass by neck-wall thickness. Cases that are out-of-spec are set aside for sighters (or are later skim-turned).
Watch Case Neck Sorting Tool Operation in Video
How the Case Neck Sorting Tool Works
Here’s how the Sinclair tool works. Cases are rotated under an indicator tip while they are supported on a case-neck pilot and a support pin through the flash hole. The unit has a nice, wide base and low profile so it is stable in use. The tool works for .22 through .45 caliber cases and can be used on .17- and .20-caliber cases with the optional carbide alignment rod. The MIC-4 pin fits both .060 (PPC size) and .080 (standard size) flash holes. Sinclair’s Case Neck Sorting Tool can be ordered with or without a dial indicator. The basic unit without dial indicator (item item 749006612) is priced at $59.99. You can also buy the tool complete with dial indicator (item 749007129) for $89.99. IMPORTANT: This sorting tool requires caliber-specific Case Neck Pilots which must be ordered separately.
Editor’s Comment: The purpose of this Sinclair tool is rapid, high-quantity sorting of cartridge brass to ascertain significant case-neck-wall thickness variations. Consider this a rapid culling/sorting tool. If you are turning your necks, you will still need a quality ball micrometer tool to measure neck-wall thickness (to .0005) before and after neck-turning operations.
If you’re looking for a space-saving handgun storage system, consider the Easy Use Gun Hangers from USA GunClub. These vinyl-coated, wire hangers organize handguns below the shelves in your gunsafe, freeing up storage space above the shelves. To use the handgun hangers, simply slide each hanger on the shelf and then slip your pistol’s barrel over the lower rod. Handgun Hangers are intended for guns with an overall length of 10 inches or shorter. They will fit shelves that are at least 11 inches deep and 5/8-1 inch in thickness. Handgun Hangers will hold handguns .22 caliber and up, though the fit is a bit snug on .22s. A four-pack of Handgun Hangers costs $9.99. This product has been Amazon’s #1 Best Seller among handgun storage accessories.
WARNING — ALWAYS Make Sure Handgun is UNLOADED when using Handgun Hangers!!
Gun Storage Solutions offers an Over-Under Hanger that holds two handguns — one above the shelf, and one below. A two-pack of Over-Under Hangers (capable of holding four handguns) costs $17.95. Boomstick also sells an over-under two-pack for $9.49. Over-under hangers work well. However, this Editor personally prefers the standard handgun hangers (shown above), so I can use the upper surface of the shelf to hold odd-shaped items such as cameras, binoculars, and miscellaneous valuables.
Sightron has introduced a new 1-4.5x24mm optic designed for service rifle shooters. The new S-TAC 1-4.5×24 SR1 Service Scope is a Second Focal Plane (SFP) optic designed and engineered for CMP Service Rifle and NRA High Power Rifle competition. The S-TAC 1-4.5×24 SR1 boasts high-quality optical glass with MC-333 lens multi-coatings. This provides great light transmission while reducing flare.
Sightron’s new S-TAC 1-4.5×24 SR1 boasts an impressive 100 MOA elevation travel and 60 MOA of windage travel with 1/4-MOA clicks. The tube is 30mm aircraft aluminum, nitrogen charged for waterproofing. Sightron’s exclusive ExacTrack erector tube system provides consistent, reliable, and repeatable adjustments. Testers confirm the turrets have very postitive, audible clicks while the elevation and windage numbers are easy to read.
The new SR1 reticle provides a clean sight picture with a 9 MOA circle surrounding a 1/2 MOA aiming dot. One MOA stadia lines on the horizontal and lower vertical areas help draw the eye to the center of the reticle. See this below in this image from Creedmoor Sports.
Housed in a rugged, 30mm aircraft aluminum tube, the S-TAC 1-4.5×24 SR1 is engineered to withstand extremely high shock-loads, and is nitrogen-charged for waterproofing up to IPX7 standards. Sightron’s exclusive ExacTrack erector tube system provides consistent, reliable, and repeatable adjustments.
SIGHTRON S-TAC 1-4.5×24 SR1 Scope Features:
Second Focal Plane LPVO designed for CMP Service Rifle and NRA High Power Rifle Competition
MC-333 multi-coatings provide exceptional light transmission with reduced flare
Tactical turrets with solid, tactile audible clicks and easy to read numbers
Are you a do-it-yourself kind of guy with a creative eye? Then you’ll love the FREE Target Generator from the folks at ShooterShed.com. This FREE, interactive webpage allows you to design a variety of fun targets, including grids, benchrest-type Score/Group Shooting targets, sight-in targets, and even playing card targets. Choose the paper size and orientation (vertical or horizontal), then select the number of target elements on the page. For example, you could have four (4) bulls or a dozen playing cards. Then click the Style TAB to choose your target style. Use the OPTIONS TAB to overlay a grid on the target, choose squares or diamonds, or include load information blocks. For bullseye targets, you can control the number, color, and spacing (diameter) of the rings. LINK to TARGET GENERATOR.
QWIK TIP: For Super-Quick Target Creation, click the “Target Style” tab, then select a design from the list on the left. Then go to OPTIONS.
Click the TARGET STYLE TAB to select one of many target styles, including NBRSA Benchrest targets and 20+ types of NRA bullseye targets, scaled to distance:
Benchrest
Bullseye
Shapes
NRA High Power
NRA Pistol
NRA Rimfire
Images
Playing Cards
Load Test Blocks
Creating new targets is fast and easy. No computer graphics skills required! We created this green diamonds grid target in just five minutes using the ShooterShed Target Generator:
And here is a handy target with short-range range Benchrest competition-style box/circle aiming points, along with fields for entry of gun/load data:
The program provides a preview of each target you generate. There are controls to choose border and fill colors. If you like a particular design, save the file, and then print as many targets as you want. Check it out, this program is fun and handy to use. Here are four (4) targets your Editor created just for this article. With a bit of practice, you can be generating your own custom targets in minutes.
About the Creator of the Target Generator
The Target Generator program was created by Rod Brown of Sheridan, Wyoming. Rod tells us: “I build custom rifles and coach shooters. I’ve got a 100-yard range out my back door. I shoot short- and long-range benchrest competitively around the country. I’m a full-time software development consultant and an FFL holder. When I’m not developing custom software for my clients, I’m usually fiddling in the shop, building a custom benchrest rifle, traveling to a match, chambering a barrel, or reloading some ammunition.
Story tip from Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is privileged to announce the 2023 National Matches First Shot Speaker will be renowned rifle marksman Sergeant First Class (SFC) Brandon Green. After being part of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) since 2004, Green has announced his retirement in 2023 — making this year’s National Matches his last in uniform.
SFC Green is a shooting superstar — one of the most talented riflemen on the planet. He is a multi-time High Power Rifle National Champion. SFC Green was the 2022 Overall Long Range Champion, and he won every other major individual NRA Long Range Trophy in 2022 — something never done before. With this truly dominant Long Range performance, along with his three previous National High Power Championships, Green has established himself as one of the greatest American marksmen who has ever lived.
In 2022, Green was the first shooter to sweep ALL FOUR NRA Long Range Championship events. Green is also a 5-time champion of the Interservice Long Range Championships.
With the USAMU, he has been an integral part of multiple record-setting teams in both service rifle and long range rifle and has acted as the lead instructor of the unit’s Marksmanship Training courses. Green also served as Team Chief for the USAMU Service Rifle Team until 2022.
SFC Brandon Green Marksmanship Highlights
SFC Brandon Green is a multi-time Service Rifle National Champion. At the National Matches in 2017, Green fired a record score of 499-30X during the National Trophy Individual (NTI) event. He went on to earn the Mountain Man title, setting a national record score, beating the score the following year for a new record of 1296-83X that still stands today. Additionally, in 2017, he earned the championship title during the CMP’s inaugural 2400 Aggregate Rifle event during the National Matches High Power rifle series.
Green is a three-time winner of the Mountain Man Trophy, awarded to the highest aggregate score in the President’s Rifle, NTI, and National Trophy Team (NTT) matches, and is a three-time winner of the NTI itself, among several other individual National Trophy wins and records.
SFC Brandon Green — 300m Rapid Fire Prone Training with Tubb 2000: You’ll be amazed at how quickly and smoothly SFC Green cycles this bolt-action rifle.
Greene Shoots Perfect Score at President’s 100
At the 2018 National Matches, Green fired a new national record for the prestigious President’s 100 Match, shooting a perfect score of 400-20X while winning the match. No other competitor had ever achieved a perfect score in the President’s 100 match since the event began (in its current form) in 1894.
SFC Green’s Military Accolades
Green has earned many military accolades, including being named Soldier of the Year by the Military Marksmanship Association in 2013. Along with his marksmanship honors, his military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medals (4), Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon.
About the First Shot Ceremony at Camp Perry
Each year, the First Shot Ceremony serves as a welcoming event for the National Rifle and Pistol Matches at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility. The National Matches attract the nation’s top rifle and pistol shooters for a month of competitions.
The 2023 First Shot Ceremony takes place Monday, July 10, at 4:30 p.m. on the grounds of Camp Perry. SFC Green will speak and make the traditional First Shot to officially open the National Matches. Green will be firing the M70 bolt rifle once used by DCM Emeritus and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Gary Anderson, to shoot the National Matches 200-yard standing record in 1971.
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.
This week we mark a special milestone — our 400th BargainFinder Deals of the Week! That works out to 7.7 YEARS of bargains, promos, and discounts. To mark our 400th Week of Hot Deals, we are doubling the number of deals listed, for a total of TWENTY deals — all under $400.00.
The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper powder scale/dispenser has earned positive owner reviews. This unit is FAST, and you can program your loads with a smart-phone App. Get it now for $179.49 on Amazon, a great deal.
Everyone needs a borescope to check barrel fouling. Teslong makes very good borescopes. Get the Basic Model for $55.99 or get the Rigid Model for $99.99 with a metal shaft. Both work well.
Berger bullets are hard to find but we found these 7mm 184gr Hybrid bullets in stock and ready to ship. Grab them now before someone else does.
Simple targets are hard to beat at the range. We love these Champion Sight-In Targets for only $3. Grab a bunch and go have some fun.
This is a great deal — Get a 9mm Smith & Wesson SD9VE pistol with built-in Crimson Trace Laser and extra night sights for just $389.99.
These 10-power Vortex Diamondback Binoculars are rubber-armored and 100% weatherproof with O-Ring seals. Get these for just $137.99, a 40% savings off the regular $229.99 price.
If you want to upgrade your AR15 rifle, consider grabbing a RISE AR-15 Trigger. This trigger has a clean break with a short reset and comes with anti-walk pins for installation.
With this Frankford Universal Seating Die you can load NINE different bullet diameters: .224, .243, .257, .264, .277, .284, .308, .325, .338. Now just $62.24 on Amazon this kit includes micrometer stem, 9 bullet alignment sleeves, 3 VLD bullet seating stems, and molded storage case.
This dual-mode rifle case for hunters and tactical shooters boasts comfortable shoulder straps, plus large external pockets. This case is offered in green or black in 28″, 36″, 42″, and 51″ sizes. The 36″ model starts at $65.25 on Amazon.
Seat primers easily and reliably with the RCBS hand primer tool. The tray holds 100 primers and allows good feel of seating depth. The universal mount fits all common rim sizes.
Do you shoot an M1 Garand or 1903 Springfield? Here’s a great deal on genuine mil-spec .30-06 SPRG ammo from the CMP. Get 400 rounds of 150gr .30-06 M2 Ball ammo for just $392.00. This comes in original ammo can with 20rd boxes.
Sometimes you just need a simple, inexpensive scope for your hunting rifle. The Simmons 2.5-10x40mm Aetec is great for the price and is even illuminated for those dusk and dawn shots.
Match target bullets are still hard to find but we saw these Hornady 6.5 A-Tips and the price is great. These are top level bullets so don’t hesitate to grab some for your next match.
Here’s an excellent package deal. Get a S&W 9mm M&P Shield M2.0 pistol plus range bag, cleaning kit, AND a nice folding knife — all for just $374.99 — a $53 savings.
Protect your ears while hearing those around you with these Walker Electronic Muffs. They feature comfortable cups and 27db NRR for your protection.
You have the equipment but do you have the skills to shoot in the wind? Grab The Wind Book and you’ll get tips and tricks from wind experts so you can dominate your next match.
When shooting any match that requires moving back and forth between multiple target distances it is very handy to have your ballistics data, i.e. your “come-ups”, placed within easy view. That way you can instantly see your elevation for various target distances in seconds. This can really help a PRS/NRL competitor on timed stages. And having a convenient “Dope” display of elevation at various distances can also benefit varminters who are shooting critters. In our varmint hunters we targeted p-dogs from about 80 yards out to 500+.
PRC DOPE Roller QD Ballistic Data Turret
The PRC DOPE Roller QD Ballistic Data Turret provides a handy, low profile display of windage and elevation data. You can see your “dope” without breaking position from behind the rifle. Then simply rotate the knob to display data from various distances. The ballistic data is placed by wrapping a simple 1″ x 3″ adhesive address label around the outside surface of the DOPE Roller. This handy quick-detach roller retails for $64.95 at Creedmoor Sports.
MDT M-LOK Data Card Holder
The MDT M-LOK Data Card Holder has an adjustable neck allowing you to easily position your ballistics data for optimal viewing. Data entries are written on on a reusable card that attaches with Velcro. The Data Card Holder Kit comes with hardware to mount to any M-Lok rail. In addition the card holder fits directly to an MDT ACC chassis attachment point. This MDT kit includes: M-LOK Data Card Holder, Wet Erase Data Card, Wet Erase Marker, and installation hardware. NOTE: The Card Holder sticks out about 6.7″ when fully extended, but arm links can be removed to make the arm shorter. The unit folds flat for storage. This complete kit is $59.95 at Creedmoor Sports.
Warne Universal Data Card Holder
The Warne Universal Data Card Holder easily attaches to the scope tube, in left or right configurations, for a universal fit. Data is displayed in a convenient location to make quick and accurate target transitions, and the articulating arm allows for low profile storage while not in use. The Warne Universal Data Card Holder retails for $70.95 at Creedmoor Sports. Three ring sizes are offered: 30mm, 34mm, 35mm. A 50-pack of Data Card label refills is $13.95 (see below).
Scope-Cover Mounted Ballistics Table
Another option is to place your ballistics card on the back of the front flip-up scope cover. This set-up is used by Forum member Greg C. (aka “Rem40X”).
With your ‘come-up’ table on the flip-up cover you can check your windage and elevation drops easily without having to move out of shooting position.
Greg tells us: “Placing my trajectory table on the front scope cover has worked well for me for a couple of years and thought I’d share. It’s in plain view and not under my armpit. And the table is far enough away that my aging eyes can read it easily. To apply, just use clear tape on the front objective cover.”
Cheap But Effective — Tape on the Stock with Ballistics Data
At the 2021 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge, Applied Ballistics guru Bryan Litz wrote his come-ups on blue masking tape applied to his stock. He did this based on a tip from Chase Stroud. With the tape applied behind the action, the numbers are easily visible. This “cheap trick” does work apparently — Bryan won the match with a convincing victory over 220 other shooters. READ Match Report.
Cheap But NOT So Effective — Numbers on Hand
Many of us have scribbled some come-ups on the back of a hand or on our forearm using a marking pen. That can work if you only have a couple distances to deal with — say 100 and 300 yards. But if you want a more complete Come-up table, get one of the card-holders shown above. Writing numbers on the skin is generally not such a good idea….
He who dies with the most toys wins — right? Well Sinclair has another interesting gadget you can add to your reloading bench. The Sinclair 
Gun Storage Solutions offers an 
Scope-Cover Mounted Ballistics Table
