“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” — Rudyard Kipling
Today, May 14, 2023, is Mother’s Day. There are more than 85 million mothers in the United States, and today is the day we recognize all those ladies who brought life into the world.
Mothers deserve our praise, our devotion, and our concern for their health and happiness.
Be good to your mother, cherish her, and love her without fail… always. In her latter years, attend to her needs, help her with her health, and take time to bring brightness (and laughter) into her life. Let her know that you appreciate all the sacrifices she made, and that you are grateful for all that she did for her children and family.
This Mother’s Day tribute was created by a man who had lost his mother. It will help all of us appreciate all the things our mothers did for us.
Here are some quotes for Mother’s Day:
“Only mothers can think of the future — because they give birth to it in their children.” — Maxim Gorky
“Men are what their mothers made them.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Such a mysterious business, motherhood. How brave a woman must be to embark on it.” ― M.L. Stedman
“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” ― Abraham Lincoln
Team Smith & Wesson shooter Julie Golob has a message for Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 14th). Julie writes: “While some are using Mother’s Day week to push a gun control agenda, I’d like to encourage moms to ‘Take a Moment’. Talk to your kids about firearms safety. Help them learn what to do around firearms and have an open, honest discussion about guns and gun safety.
I truly believe that, no matter if you are pro-gun or anti-gun, everyone should know and understand the basic rules of firearm safety. It is equally important for parents to have the discussion about guns and what to do if your child finds one. Both the NSSF’s Project ChildSafe and the NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program are excellent. They offer resources for parents, educators, and child care providers to help ensure kids stay safe.
In this video, Julie encourages parents to have “the talk” about firearm safety with their kids sooner rather than later, and provides tips for how to have a helpful discussion. Sherra Scott, a mom and a certified NRA instructor, agrees with Julie: “Whether you have firearms in your home or not, if you have children in your life, please watch this video and talk WITH them about firearm safety and what to do if they come into contact with a firearm.”
Rifle accuracy is pointless unless you can see your target and aim precisely. That’s why good optics are so important for precision shooting — from 50 yards out to a mile and beyond. Top quality scopes can be very expensive — you’ll see optics costing $3000 or more on many competition F-Class and PRS rifles. Today’s video showcase covers important “Riflescope Knowledge”, including how to adjust for parallax, and how to properly sight-in your scoped rifle. In addition there’s a helpful video defining Minute of Angle (MOA) plus videos showing how to mount optics correctly (and avoid common scope-mounting mistakes).
Rifle Sight-In Process — Start to Finish
Here Ryan Cleckner shares his process for sighting in a scoped rifle. This helpful video covers the full process: bore-sighting, 25-yard shot confirmation, shooting groups, making adjustments at 100 yards, and finding mechanical zero. Looking for more valuable rifle instruction? Then check out Ryan Cleckner’s book, Long Range Shooting Handbook.
How to Adjust for Parallax
Most precision rifle scopes have parallax adjustment, but what is it and why do you need to adjust it? In this Shooting USA video, John Paul of JP Rifles defines parallax and explains why you need to set parallax correctly for the distance to your target. The video then show how to adjust parallax correctly, a process which should start with the scope’s ocular focus.
Understanding Minute of Angle (MOA)
In this video, Ryan Cleckner explains the measurement term “minute of angle” (MOA) and how to use MOA adjustments on your scope to compensate for bullet drop at varying distances. MOA is an angular measurement, used often in long range shooting, that is 1/60th of one degree of a circle. One MOA represents 1.047″ at 100 yards and 10.47″ at 1000 yards. Want to learn more? Read Ryan Cleckner’s article Understand and Using Minute of Angle.
Scope Mounting: Common Scope-Mounting Mistakes To Avoid
Mounting a scope isn’t a super-complex or highly technical job, but there are ways you can mess it up. This Brownells video explains common pitfalls to avoid when you’re mounting a rifle scope.
1. Make sure the rings don’t touch any part of the turret housing, objective bell, or eyepiece. Any one or combination of those will throw off your shot groups big time. Make sure those rings are clamping ONLY the scope’s main tube.
2. Ensure that the scope rings are properly clamped to the scope base. If you can grasp the scope with one hand and the rifle with the other and there’s play between them, your groups are going to be all over the place! Scope rings come with torque specs for a reason.
3. Make sure there’s clearance between the objective bell and the rifle. No part of the scope should touch the rifle itself. The only nexus between the scope and the rifle should be the scope rings — and they’re not actually part of the rifle. This also applies to a removable lens cover. When it’s on the scope, it should not touch any part of the gun.
4. Don’t mount the scope too low on an AR-15. On most rifles, you do want the centerline of the optic as close to the bore as you can get it. But the AR-15’s stock is on almost the same plane as the top of the receiver, so you need some height on the scope. Otherwise, it’ll be too low for you to look through it.
5. Overtightening the scope rings is VERY BAD. You can actually crush the scope tube and damage the optic beyond repair. Stick to those torque specs! If the rings come with a little wrench, that wrench is all you need to tighten them.
How to Sight In a Riflescope — Vortex Tech Talk
This popular video from Vortex Optics explains how to sight-in a rifle so that the reticle is aligned correctly and the scope is zeroed properly for your intended application/discipline. People need to remember that the sight height established by the rings will affect their zero, as the centerline of the scope is above the centerline of the barrel.
Scope Mounting — Proper Alignment and Torque Values
An improperly installed scope can cost you points at a match. In this video, MDT Pro Shooter Keith Baker explains the simple steps required to ensure your scope is secured properly with the reticle aligned correctly. The video centers on a typical Precision Rifle optics installation, but the techniques will also work for hunting, varmint, and benchrest rifles.
Well summer is almost here, so we know many folks are planning outdoors adventures in the weeks ahead. Do you have a good first-aid kit in your vehicle to deal with possible injuries? For just $17.00 (sale price) you can get an excellent kit from Be Smart/TRI, the #1 maker of First Aid Kits in the USA.
TRI’s Be Smart Get Prepared First Aid Kit has 201 items inside a sturdy case with shoulder strap and carry handle. There is also a handy, detachable mini pouch with key essentials for first aid on-the-go. You can easily bring the mini-pouch along on a bike ride or hike.
This multi-purpose First Aid Kit includes:
• 50 – Bandages 3/4 x 3
• 30 – Bandages 3/8 x 1 1/2
• 6 – Bandages Closure
• 3 – Knuckle Bandages
• 1 – Tapes – .5 x 2.5yd Waterproof
• 10 – Cotton Tips – 2.75″”/10 Pack
• 4 – Finger Splints
• 1 – First Aid Guide
• 4 – Gauze Pad – 2 x 2 / 4 ply
• 4 – Gauze Pad – 4 x 4 / 4 ply
• 1 – Gauze Pad – 5 x 9
• 2 – Nitrile Gloves
• 1 – Instant Cold Pack – 5 x 6
Tips for Staying Healthy Outdoors
To help ensure that outdoor adventures remain safe and trouble-free, the CTD Shooters’ Log has prepared a helpful Essential Summer Survival Guide. This is worth reading before you venture away from civilization.
Here are some highlights of the article with links for MORE INFO:
First Aid Kits for Campers
You should never venture outside without a first aid kit close at hand. While exploring the outdoors, all types of accidents can occur—from cuts, scrapes, and burns to broken limbs and severe allergic reactions.
Basic Survival Skills
Basic survival skills are a necessity if you plan to spend any amount of time outdoors. These five tips, plus a how-to on what to pack in a lightweight, basic survival kit will help if you are ever stuck, lost, stranded or injured in the field.
How to Treat Burns
Fireworks, barbeques and campfires — in the summer we are frequently around fire, which increases our chance of getting burned. A first-degree burn is most likely home treatable, while a third degree burn requires immediate medical attention. Learn how to spot the differences between minor and severe burns.
If you like accurate rifles and reactive targets, you’ll enjoy this 48-minute video from Shooting USA TV, which features long-range varmint silhouette competition in Texas, the Lone Star State. We have participated in these kind of matches on the West Coast — they are definitely a ton of fun. The sport combines the pure accuracy of benchrest competition with the fun of knocking down critter targets. These are smaller than standard silhouettes, so it’s quite a challenge to hit them at 300 yards and beyond.
In this episode, host John Scoutten competes with his 6.5 Creedmoor PRS rifle. He found that 1-MOA-sized steel Coyotes offered plenty of challenge at 385 meters! Most shooters use benchrest-grade rifles with premium front rests.
Full 48-Minute Episode of Shooting USA featuring Texas Varmint Silhouette:
5″x4″ Hogs — 500 Meters
Chickens (on Swingers) — 600 Yards
Pigs (on Swingers) — 750 Yards
EDITOR: We strongly recommend you take the time to watch this Shooting USA feature — it shows some top-flight benchrest rifles, and also covers the origins of benchrest varmint silhouette in Pennsylvania. There are even some AccurateShooter Forum members on screen. John Scoutten also does nice job explaining the challenges of shooting this discipline with a PRS rig. We think any benchrest or tactical shooter will really enjoy watching this video.
Travis Frazier, who created steel targets with Field & Cave Outfitters, says shooters love the reactive targets: “The most exciting thing is seeing your hits — these [targets] really go airborne”. Yep, that’s the best thing about Varmint Silhouette matches — hits deliver instant gratification. Travis designs and produces these steel targets.
This Texas match features multiple target shapes, 10 at each distance: Tiny Prairie Dogs at 200m, 3″x3″ Armadillos at 300m; 3″x5″ Coyotes at 385m; 5″x4″ Hogs at 500m; Chickens (on swingers) at 600 yards; and Pigs (on Swingers) at 750 yards. Competitors are allowed 10 rounds and 10 minutes to hit each set of targets.
Online registration for the 2023 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury is open now at the NRA Competitive Shooting web portal. If you want to shoot at Camp Atterbury this summer, register soon.
The 2023 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury will run July 8 and conclude August 6, 2023. The Nationals will include the High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, and Precision Pistol National Championships.
2023 NRA National Matches schedule:
National High Power Rifle Championships: July 8-28
National Precision Pistol Championships: July 18-22
National Smallbore Rifle Championships: July 25-August 6
An active National Guard facility, Indiana’s Camp Atterbury has served as the home of the NRA National Matches since 2021 and the High Power Rifle Nationals since 2017. CLICK HERE to view the official program for the 2023 NRA National Matches in printable PDF format.
2023 NRA National Matches Apparel Available
If you register for the NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury by June 14, you can order a T-shirt, polo shirt, or hooded sweatshirt sporting the NRA National Matches logo, with discipline-specific highlights.
The official 2023 Matches polo shirt runs $45, the hooded sweatshirt is $40, and the T-shirt costs $20.
Register for the 2023 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury at the NRA Competitive Shooting Division website: competitor.nra.org.
The NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation) has announced that firearm and ammunition manufacturers topped $16.1 billion in excise tax contributions to the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund since its inception in 1937. When adjusted for inflation, the total is more than $25 billion. The latest Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET) Collection report released by the Department of the Treasury, covering the 4th Quarter Calendar Year 2022, indicates that firearm and ammunition manufacturers contributed more than $235 million, the third-highest fourth calendar-quarter in history.
The notable $16.1 billion in overall Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax contributions represents more than $1 billion contributed to conservation since crossing the $15 billion threshold just 12 months ago.
These 10-11% excise tax dollars collected since 1937 under the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act are specifically designated to be used by state wildlife agencies for conservation and related purposes. Collectively, purchasers of firearms and ammunition, hunters, and the firearms industry represent the greatest source of wildlife conservation funding.
NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi stated: “The firearm and ammunition industry understands [that] wildlife and the habitats in which they thrive are invaluable. They are critical to future generations taking part in hunting and the recreational shooting sports traditions and learning about their vital importance. The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, funded significantly by taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, is responsible for the restoration and recovery of America’s iconic game species across the country, including the Rocky Mountain elk, whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, wild turkey and a variety of waterfowl. These contributions have also facilitated the remarkable recovery of the majestic American bald eagle, of which there are now more than 316,000 in the lower 48 states. The firearm and ammunition industry is [proud of] the role our industry plays to ensure America’s wildlife is perpetuated for future generations.”
The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson fund, is funded by excise taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers on their products, as well as archery equipment manufacturers. The excise tax is set at 11 percent of the wholesale price for long guns and ammunition and 10 percent of the wholesale price for handguns. The excise tax, paid by manufacturers and importers, applies to all firearms produced or imported for commercial federal law enforcement sales, whether the purpose is for recreational shooting, hunting or personal defense. The tax is administered by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the Department of the Treasury, which turns the funds over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
USFWS deposits the Pittman-Robertson revenues into a special account called the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund administered by the USFWS. These funds are made available to states and territories the year following their collection based on a statutory formula.
With our inflationary economy, ammo continues to go up in price. So many readers are looking for bargains on factory-loaded ammunition, particularly for popular cartridge types such as .22 LR, 9x19mm (9mm Luger), .357 Mag, .223 Rem (5.56×45), and 6.5 Creedmoor. It this article we list 15 reliable online sources for factory-loaded ammo. You may want to bookmark this page so you can quickly scan and price-check multiple vendors. In addition, you can use a service such as AmmoSeek.com.
Why Should You Shop for Ammo Online?
By shopping online for ammo, you can save money, get a wider selection, and get bulk discounts. GunDeals.com explains: “Online purchases [can] save you a lot of money [and can] also save your time… one of the most important advantages is definitively the huge selection.” With online retailers you can quickly compare prices, and you will often get a discount on a large order (300 rounds or more) that is not available in local stores. Note, with some large vendors such as Cabela’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse you can order online then pick up in a local store.
Are There Restrictions on Online Ammo Purchasing?
In most (but not all) U.S. states is it legal to order ammunition online to be shipped to your residence. However, you MUST check your State and local laws and regulations. In some states and/or cities, it is ILLEGAL to purchase ammunition online for shipment across state lines with direct delivery. For example, in California, all ammo must be purchased from a licensed ammo dealer/vendor with a state background check (so much for the Second Amendment)*. Likewise Washington DC, and Hawaii do not allow online ammunition purchases. And there are restrictions in New York City. In Alaska there are multiple shipping regulations that impact ammo deliveries from online sales so many vendors do not ship to Alaska.
*In some instances ammo can be purchased online from an out-of-state seller who will then ship to an authorized, in-state California vendor who may transfer the ammo for a fee with background checks as required by CA law.
AccurateShooter’s Target Page provides over 50 FREE downloadable targets. You’ll find all types of targets — sight-in targets, varmint targets, rimfire targets, bullseye targets, tactical targets, load development targets and more. CLICK HERE for all our free targets, including our popular LOAD DEV target.
On this load development target, all your load data fits neatly in the boxes under each target. The diamonds have 1/2″ sides and you can align your cross-hairs on the horizontal and vertical lines. When we test, we crank in a little elevation, setting the point-of-impact higher. That way our shots fall in the gray circles, leaving the red diamonds intact for precise aiming.
Storm Tactical Targets — Hundreds of FREE, Printable Targets
If you want an even greater selection of targets, specialized for PRS and NRL shooters, Storm Tactical offers a vast collection of tactical targets, available in three different versions: MOA, MIL Yards, and MIL Meters. These target sets were created with input from Sniper’s Hide. Storm Tactical also created a great rimfire target set. This includes side-by-side target blocks for fun, one-on-one competition. If you shoot NRL22 or just enjoy shooting with a buddy, we highly recommend the rimfire target set.
Overall there are 299 Storm Tactical Targets in four sets.
CLICK links to launch each Storm Tactical target collection. Then you can click the download icon to save to your hard drive. OR, you can scroll up and down to select the target(s) you like which you can tell your printer to print. We do recommend downloading the complete archives. File sizes are listed.
Here’s a Tikka T3 in Third Eye Tactical cerakoted chassis.
Rimfire Twin Target, for One-on-One Shooter Challenges
You’ll find this fun target on the third page of the Rimfire Target Pack. Just download the PDF file and instruct your printer to deliver page three. Or print out all six (6) rimfire targets if you like.
If you have been considering getting an AMP annealer — the most sophisticated microprocessor-controlled annealing machine on the planet — then you may want to take advantage of a special promotion. Right now Creedmoor Sports is offering FREE SHIPPING on AMP Mark II Annealing Machines. This can save you quite a few dollars. And the machines are IN STOCK now and ready to ship — no waiting! This FREE Shipping offer is good through Monday, May 15, at noon Central Time. CLICK HERE for Product INFO.
The AMP Mark II uses computer-controlled electric Induction Annealing for precise, repeatable results.
Today, May 14, 2023, is Mother’s Day. There are more than 85 million mothers in the United States, and today is the day we recognize all those ladies who brought life into the world.
Team Smith & Wesson shooter 
If you want an even greater selection of targets, specialized for PRS and NRL shooters, 
