Photo from Gunwerks Sheep Mountain L3 Mountain Shooting Course in July 2021. Register Here.
Carpe Diem — “Seize the Day”. Make every day count…
This story is not directly about firearms, or reloading gear, or any of the little details of our sport. It, instead, is about life… and, sadly, about death. The recent passing of a close friend (and fellow shooter) got me to thinking, “I’m now sixty-eight — what if I only had ten more years to live — how would I want to live my life? What really counts the most? What things would I do differently? What dreams would I pursue?”
AccurateShooter.com has many thousands of readers in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. Hopefully we will all live long, happy, and fruitful lives. But it’s wise to remember that we are all mortal, and the clock is ticking. Consider this — in the United States, the current average male life expectancy is just 73.5 years.*
Using that number as a benchmark, since I am now 68, I may have just 5.5 more years to enjoy life and to do the things I love — shooting, traveling, sailing, camping, listening to music, being with friends and family. Only 5.5 years left — that’s a real number my brain can comprehend all too well, particularly after all the time we lost due to COVID lockdowns.
There is some good news — American actuarial tables predict that, since I’ve made it to 68 years already, I should live until age 83 — as the predicted life-span of a 68-year-old American male is 14.9 years. And the Social Security Life Expectancy Calculator says that I should live another 16.8 years until nearly age 85. Well 16.8 years works out to 201.6 more months, and 876 more weekends. That’s less scary, but the message still rings true — time is running out. Live your dreams while you can.
Living a Life with More Good Times, and Fewer Regrets
Recently, a group of men, very near the end of their lives, were surveyed. They were asked if they would do things differently if they could live their lives over again. The vast majority of these men gave surprisingly similar responses, which fit into five “Life Lessons”. These “Top 5 Regrets of the Dying” were reported in a story by Bronnie Ware, writing for the AARP online magazine. Ware writes: “When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced.” Here are the five regrets most often mentioned by older men:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
“This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. ”
Lesson: Don’t wait to follow your dreams. Be true to yourself.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
“This came from every male patient [surveyed]. All of the men… deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.”
Lesson: Don’t let your work crowd out other important aspects of life.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
“Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming.”
Lesson: Express yourself truthfully. Don’t suppress your feelings for decades.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
“There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort they deserved. Many [were] so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years.”
Lesson: Take an interest your friends’ lives; keep bonds of friendship strong.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
“This is a surprisingly common [regret]. Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice.”
Lesson: Affirmatively pursue the things that bring you happiness. Don’t just stick to old habits.
Turn Off the Computer, and Do Something Memorable with Your Friends Today
How does this all apply to our shooting hobby? Well, if (like me) you are middle-aged (or older), go have some fun this weekend! Load up your rifle and get to the range. Don’t put off doing the things that make you happy. Call those old buddies you may not have seen in a long time. Renew friendships. Get out into nature. And start figuring out how you can live your dreams. As the saying goes, “Time waits for no man”.
*This is based on 2021 World Bank Group Data for all males. One of our readers pointed out that the numbers actually work out better than this, because once a man survives to later life, men of his surviving age cohort enjoy a projected lifespan longer than the average projected lifespan from birth. For example, using Social Security Administration (SSA) data, an American man born exactly 60 years ago has a calculated average life expectancy of 20.47 years… meaning he would live to age 80+, on average. CLICK HERE to see SSA-predicted longevity based on your birthdate.
Share the post "Live Life to the Fullest — Time Waits for No One"
“Science tells us that exposure to continuous noise of 85 dB for eight hours is enough to cause permanent hearing loss, and worse, spikes of 130 dB and more can result in permanent hearing damage instantly.” Source: NRA Blog.
The Risk of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be progressive and irreversible. If you are a shooter, this is serious business. As the NRA Blog cautions: “You may not even realize you’re harming your hearing. Hearing loss occurs gradually, and can go effectively unnoticed until symptoms become severe. By then, the damage is done.”Effective hearing protection is a must whenever you are shooting firearms or when you are in the vicinity of gun-shots. For ultimate protection, we recommend a good set of tapered foam earplugs, topped by ear-muffs. However, there are situations when you may prefer lighter-weight hearing protection that can be quickly removed. For example, if you are standing well behind the firing line as an observer, or if you are working as a rangemaster or waddie some distance away from the shooters.”
Sound Levels for Common Noises:
9mm Luger pistol: 160 dB
Jet aircraft engine (near): 140 dB
.22 LR pistol: 134 dB
Normal human pain threshold: 120 dB
Noisy Nightclub: 110 db
Riding Motorcycle at 65 mph: 103 db
Power Lawnmower: 95 dB
Hearing damage possible: 85 dB (sustained for 8+ hours)
Ringing Telephone: 80 dB
Normal conversation: 60 dB
What about suppressors? If you use a suppressor is it OK to dispense with hearing protection? Not really. Even the most effective suppressors, on the smallest and quietest calibers (.22 LR), reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to between 110 to 120 dB. To put that in perspective, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that is as loud as a jackhammer (110 dB) or an ambulance siren (120 dB). For normal caliber handguns and rifles, suppressed sound levels routinely exceed 130 dB, just shy of OSHA’s “hearing safe” threshold of 140 dB. Accordingly, we recommend use of hearing protection even when shooting suppressed.
1. Ear Muffs — Max Protection and Compact Options
The highest current USA Noise Reduction Rating is 34 dB NRR. To get that kind of protection, you need pretty big muffs, but thankfully, you don’t have to spend big bucks. For under $15.00 you can buy quality ANSI-approved muffs with a 30+ dB Noise Reduction Rating. Chose the 34 NRR G&F Pro Muffs at $13.99 or the more comfortable 30 NRR Walker EXT Range Muffs for $14.97. Both products have padded head-bands which retract.
Many hunters and competitive shooters prefer low-profile ear muffs. As these typically have a lower Noise Reduction Rating, perhaps NRR 22-24, we recommend running earplugs under muffs, particularly when you are at a busy range or shooting a match. If you use low-profile electronic muffs, such as Howard Leight Impact Sport Muffs, you should still be able to hear range commands even with plugs underneath.
2. Electronic Plugs — New Technology with Adjustable Volume
For maximum hearing protection we still recommend good muffs over quality foam ear plugs, there is a new option available. A variety of companies now offer electronic ear buds that include small speakers so you can hear range commands and conversations. Please note — these MUST be specially-designed protective in-ear devices. Do NOT just use ear-buds designed for music playback!
Howard Leight recently introduced new Impact Sport In-Ear plugs with an impressive 29 dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). That NRR is better than most compact ear muffs. The plugs automatically compress amplification when loud impulse sounds (like gunshots) exceed 85dB. Internal amplification allows you to hear range commands and conversations. The cord connecting the plugs includes twin, handy volume controls. These plugs come with moldable earhooks with 3 different ear tip sizes. The deluxe model with quick-connect BlueTooth is available for $79.99 on Amazon. With this high-tech BlueTooth version you can take phone calls.
3. Foam Earplugs — Small, Inexpensive, but Essential
20 Pairs
50 Pairs
Quality foam earplugs offer great hearing protection at low cost. These Howard Leight NRR33 Max plugs are your Editor’s favorite foam earplugs. Between shooting, motorcycling and mowing lawns, I probably have Max plugs in my ears 3-4 days a week. These Leight Max plugs are very effective, easy to insert/remove (with the flared ends), and they seem to be less abrasive in the ear canal than some other brands. Right now you can get 20 pairs of these NRR33 Leight Max plugs for just $9.25.
Note, if you prefer thin, light-weight earmuffs, we recommend running earplugs underneath for double protection while shooting firearms (or when you’re on the firing line). Sound experts tell us that running plugs and muffs together can effectively improve your effective noise reduction by 4-7 dB NRR.
Hearing bands are inexpensive, lightweight, and are handy for special situations, such using hedgetrimmers and noisy power tools, when you may need to frequently remove the protection. These banded products are a also a very good form of hearing protection for hunters. You can keep them handy around the neck while spotting game, and then insert the plugs before shooting. We have tried two types of banded hearing protection, the Howard Leight Quiet Band (shown above) (25 dB NRR), and the Radians Rad-Band (23 dB NRR). The Leight Quiet Band is quite durable and the plugs can be replaced.
Radians Rad-Band is very light-weight, with Jelli™ Plugs that are comfortable, washable, and reusable — all for just $6.58 on Amazon. Peltor also offers Sport Banded Earplugs. These conveniently ship with 3 pairs of ear buds, all for $12.20 on Amazon.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
Share the post "For 2024 and the Life Ahead — Protect Your Hearing"
NOTE: There are ten (10) shots in the group, but for simplicity we are only displaying five (5) shot circles. Adding more circles won’t change the measurement because the two most distant shots, which determine group size, ARE included.
What kind of 200-yard accuracy can you get in an enclosed, underground test range? Would you believe 0.162 MOA at 200 yards with a .338? Have a look at these test targets from Sierra Bullets. Like most bullet manufacturers, Sierra does live-fire bullet testing to ensure that Sierra projectiles perform as promised, with repeatable accuracy. Sierra tests bullets in its own underground test complex. Sierra’s 300-meter test range is the longest, privately-owned underground bullet test facility in the Western Hemisphere.*
Day in and day out, various bullet types are tested using a big collection of barreled actions. These barreled actions are clamped in stout, return-to-battery test fixtures. These big, heavy test fixtures provide near-perfect repeatability (with no human-induced holding or aiming errors).
Sierra Bullets 10-Shot Groups at 200 yards
Check out these 10-shot test groups shot at the Sierra Test Range at 200 yards. Note that the numbers listed on each sample are actual measurements in inches. To convert to MOA, cut those numbers in half (to be more precise, divide by 2.094, which is 1 MOA at 200 yards). For example, the 0.340″ middle group works out to 0.162 MOA at 200 yards.
Scan-Verified 0.162 MOA Accuracy at 200 Yards
To verify the accuracy of Sierra’s measurements, we measured the middle (.338 caliber) 10-shot group with our On-Target Group Measurement software. We registered a group size reading of 0.339″ — within one-thousandth of the Sierra measurement. The calculated group size in MOA (Minute of Angle) is 0.162.
That’s amazingly good for ten rounds of big .338 caliber bullets. A FIVE-shot 0.162 MOA group at 200 would be considered excellent at any benchrest match. But remember this target has TEN shots. The current, one-target IBS world record for ten shots at 200 yards is 0.245″, set by Ed Watson in 1999.
Bevy of Barreled Actions for Bullet Testing
Sierra Bullets uses dozens of barreled actions for testing bullets in its enclosed, 200-yard test range. Each barrel has its own logbook to track the barrel’s usage.
Click Photo to Zoom
*Even Longer Test Tunnels Exist in Europe: At Stadeln in Germany, RWS (now part of RUAG) owns a 500 meter tunnel (above ground level) which has existed for decades. In Thun, Switzerland, RUAG has a fully-instrumented 500 meter underground tunnel. Near Ulm, Germany, there is a 5-lane 300 meter underground shooting range that is open to the public.
Share the post "10 Shots in One Ragged Hole at 200 Yards — Sierra Tunnel Test"
SHOT Show, the major gun industry trade show of the year, takes place next month in Las Vegas, Nevada. SHOT® stands for “Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade”. The event starts off with the Industry Day at the Range on Monday, January 22, 2024. Then the main show commences on Tuesday, January 23 and runs through Friday, January 26, 2024.
SHOT Show is a huge event, filling two major convention centers — the Venetian Expo and Caesar’s Forum. Over 2,500 companies will attend the event this year, showcasing their products. The 2023 SHOT Show had more than 800,000 net square feet of space reserved by more than 2,500 exhibitors. SHOT Show attracts buyers, retailer reps, and news media from 100+ countries. In years past over 50,000 persons attended SHOT Show, and we expect even more this year. The NSSF, SHOT Show’s organizer, expects this year’s event to draw some “52,000 industry professionals and 2,200 media representatives.”
CLICK EACH FLOOR LEVEL BELOW for More Details
If you’ll be attending the big event in Las Vegas next month, check out these floor plans. You can CLICK on each level to go to the official SHOT Show website. There you’ll be able to click on specific highlights, such as the New Product Center on Level One or the LE/Tactical Gear Section on Level Two.
Book Your Hotel Room Right Away — Don’t Delay
If you plan to attend SHOT Show in Las Vegas next month, be sure to get a hotel booked as soon as possible. Room rates are already jacked up for SHOT Show week, and will get higher the longer you wait. Click the box below to visit hotels and casinos that offer favorable rates for SHOT Show attendees.
From SHOT Show 2023 — 36 Interesting New Guns
If you’re curious about the SHOT Show experience, check out this video from last year. The popular Backfire YouTube Channel spotlights 36 new firearms featured at last year’s SHOT Show:
Share the post "SHOT Show 2024 — Floor Tour for Gun Industry Trade Show"
In 2019 CCI introduced a new type of .22 LR rimfire ammunition. CCI’s innovative Clean-22 Ammo features polymer-coated bullets. This is actually a pretty important development. The bullet coating on CCI’s Clean-22 ammo provides three main benefits:
1. Copper fouling in the barrel is greatly reduced.
2. Lead fouling in the barrel is greatly reduced.
3. Lead build-up in suppressors is reduced by 60-80%.
CCI has produced four versions of Clean-22 rimfire ammunition: Hyper Velocity (#954CC, 31gr, 1550 FPS MV), High Velocity (#944CC, 40gr, 1235 FPS MV), Subsonic (#934CC, 40gr, 1070 FPS MV), and Suppressor (#980CC, 45gr, 1000 FPS). These all feature lead bullets with polymer coatings. The Hyper Velocity ammo has purple-coated bullets, High Velocity ammo has red-coated bullets, Subsonic has blue-coated bullets, and the Suppressor version has black-coasted bullets. There was also a special 400rd Christmas pack of Clean-22 Hi-Vel ammo with Red and GREEN coated bullets, item #946XMAS.
Clean-22 Ammo with Polymer-Coated Bullets
Clean-22 uses an exclusive polymer bullet coating to greatly reduce copper and lead fouling in the barrel without leaving a residue. It also cuts lead buildup in suppressors 60 to 80 percent. Both the Sub-Sonic and High Velocity loads feature a 40-grain round nose lead bullet with geometry that’s been optimized for accuracy. With dependable CCI priming and consistent propellant, Clean-22 provides reliable cycling through semi-automatics and all 22 LR firearms.
Conventional brass jags work great — except for one thing. They can react to solvents, leaving a blue “false positive” on patches. In recent years, jag-makers have experimented with many different materials in an effort to cure the solvent-reaction problem. Today we have polymer jags, nickel-plated jags, and stainless steel jags. And the latest innovation is the aluminum jag from Dewey.
J. Dewey Mfg. offers a series of “Copper Eliminator” jags and brush adapters made from aircraft-grade aluminum with the same hardness as brass. Dewey claims that its aluminum jags will not become embedded with grit or particles that could harm your bore. At the same time, Dewey’s aluminum jags will not react to ammoniated bore solvents that can turn patches blue green when used with brass jags. Dewey aluminum jags are offered with either male OR female 8/32 threads. The $5.25 aluminum jags and $3.70 brush adapters are offered in a wide variety of calibers. You can order these products from Dewey Mfg. or Brownells.
Story Tip from Boyd Allen. We welcome submissions from our readers.
Share the post "Aluminum Jags Eliminate Annoying False Positives on Patches"
Holiday Greetings to Our Readers
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our readers and especially our 71,600+ Forum Members. This marks our 19th Christmas “in business”, and the site is stronger than ever thanks to our Gold and Silver Forum members and industry sponsors. AccurateShooter.com is now accessed by over 600,000 visitors every month, who enjoy our Shooters’ Forum, Daily Bulletin, Cartridge Guides, and Feature Articles. Part of the reason for that success is the hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteer helpers.
Unsung Heroes Deserve Recognition
We acknowledge those guys who have really helped out the site. Number one is skilled F-Class shooter Praveen K. who serves as our System Admin. Along with being a talented trigger-puller, Praveen is a super-smart computer wizard who has kept our servers running smoothly and helped with vital software upgrades. We also thank Andy B., our Xenforo ace who has contributed vital Forum software solutions.
A huge “thank-you” goes to F-Class John who finds weekly bargains for the Bulletin and tests new products. John, who produces gear/hardware reviews for his popular YouTube Channel, is a top-tier shooter as well as video host — John won the F-Open Mid-Range National Championship this year. We also regularly feature videos from wind wizard Keith Glasscock, and product tests from Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com. We thank Boyd Allen and ELR Researcher who supply story leads for the Daily Bulletin. And we wouldn’t be here without Jeff Williams, who handles site donations by mail. We have a great place to test rifles thanks to our valued friend Joe Friedrich. Other important contributors include: Jason Baney of EuroOptic.com, Dennis Santiago, and Hunting Editor Colton Reid. All these men (and many others) have aided the site.
Praise for our Site Sponsors and Advertisers
We also want to thank our major sponsors, without whose support the site could not provide the full AccurateShooter.com experience, with an active Forum, an archive of in-depth articles, and fresh content 365 days a year in our Daily Bulletin. We’re grateful to ALL our sponsors and advertisers. In particular, we want to acknowledge the major companies which have been strong supporters of this site for many years: Capstone Precision Group (Berger, Lapua, SK, Vihtavuori), Bruno Shooters Supply, Bullet Central, EuroOptic, Graf & Sons, Midsouth Shooters Supply, Powder Valley Inc., PMA Tools, Precision Reloading, Whidden Gunworks, and Zeiss Sports Optics. Their continuing support helps us keep up the flow of information and serve our readers and Forum members.
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. Midsouth — Electronic Powder Dispenser Sale
⏺ Save big on Powder Scale/Dispensers from Lyman, RCBS, Frankford Arsenal
Looking for a good powder dispenser? With the Midsouth Powder Dispenser/Scale Sale you can get significant savings on a large variety of powder dispensers. Choose among quality Lyman, RCBS, and Frankford Arsenal scale/dispensers — all with major discounts. All of these machines will help you load more efficiently and with excellent powder charge precision.
2. EuroOptic — Vortex Optics Sale
⏺ Huge savings on Popular Vortex Scopes and Optics
Need a scope for your latest rifle build? There are some great deals right now at the Vortex Optics Sale, with savings up to 60% off MSRP. There are SFP high-magnification scopes for competition, rugged FFP scopes for PRS/NRL, and lower power scopes for hunting rifles and ARs. For a home defense application, there is a Vortex SPARC Red Dot for just $109.99.
3. Brownells — Taurus Pistol Sale and $30 Rebate
⏺ Some of the best pistol deals of the year, plus $30 factory Rebate
How would you like an excellent, reliable 9mm pistol for under $300? Right now, at Brownells, you can get a variety of Taurus pistols for under $270 with rebate. In fact, you can get the TAURUS GS2 for under $200 after rebate! That’s a steal. With this Brownells sale, you’ll find great deals on the Taurus G-Series pistols such as the TAURUS G3 Tactical 9MM or the TAURUS GX4 T.O.R.O. 9MM Micro-Compact. You’ll find a wide selection of TAURUS pistols at very low prices PLUS you can get an additional $30 Mfg. Rebate. NOTE: Because of high Brownells Xmas site traffic, it may take 30 seconds to load the links.
4. Graf & Sons — Aguila Rimfire Ammo In Stock
⏺ Good, reliable .22 LR rimfire ammo for as little as 8 cents a round
If you’re looking for .22 LR ammo with great performance for the price check out Aguila .22 LR Ammo. Aguila rimfire ammo is reliable and works well for target shooting or plinking, in both rifles and pistols. Aguila offers a variety of options, including standard velocity, subsonic velocity (1024 fps), and high-velocity (1470 fps) types. The big attraction is the price — starting at just $3.79 per 50rd box. That works out to just 8 cents per round. Compare that to centerfire ammo that can cost over $1.00 per round.
⏺ Save $200 on great 25X spotter for match shooting
Kowa makes some of the finest spotting scopes on the market. For good reason, Kowas are used by many top competition shooters (including F-Class, Palma, and sling disciplines). Right now you can save $200 on the Kowa 82SV Spotting Scope with 25X LER Eyepiece. This $958.95 Creedmoor Combo includes a high quality, padded scope cover. The 25-power LER eyepiece allows you to maintain your shooting position, without needing to stretch over to see through your scope, making it ideal to read mirage between shots.
6. Amazon — Midland-EX37VP Radio Kit (Set of 2), $44.99
⏺ Quality Walkie-Talkies with good range and special Emergency functions
Having a good 2-way communication system is vital when hunting or wilderness hiking. And walkie-talkies really help during shooting practices when a buddy goes downrange to set targets. A good budget-priced walkie-talkie set is the Midland-EX37VP E+Ready Emergency Two-Way Radio Kit. These radios have a 26 mile range and feature 22 FRS (Family Radio Service) channels, along with channel scan. With this kit you get E+Ready Emergency functionality, plus NOAA weather alerts. NOTE: This kit includes a compact flashlight, and compass with whistle and temp gauge.
⏺ Versatile 2-part shooting rest for pistols and hunting rifles
When sighting-in a hunting rifle or testing pistol loads, it’s really useful to have a basic rifle rest. The very affordable Caldwell Matrix Adjustable Rest (#ad) is specifically designed to work with both rifles and pistols. Use the front section by itself with a handgun, then attach the rear support for rifle shooting. An innovative spring-loaded elevation system allows for fast one handed, no wobble adjustment.
8. Amazon — Smith & Wesson Deluxe Range Bag, $63.74
⏺ Large capacity, nicely-made bag, now 15% off MSRP
A good range bag keeps your guns and gear protected from scratches and damage. The Smith & Wesson M&P Tactical Range Bag (#ad) has 8 pistol mag pouches, plus two 13.5″ x 9.5″ padded handgun cases. In addition this bag boasts two large external accessory pockets, plus two internal zippered side pockets. This bag even comes with a fitted, removable ammo bag to hold your spent cases.
9. Amazon — Adjustable 47.2″ Workbench, $141.99
⏺ Great addition to a reloading room — includes POWER OUTLETS
Having a stable work surface for reloading for firearm maintenance is critical for safe use but it can often be hard to find a table that fits your height whether sitting or standing. Get around those issues with this 47.2″ Adjustable Work Bench (#ad) that features an adjustable height from 27.5”-39.5”. And take note — this workbench comes equipped with built-in power outlets, allowing you to conveniently connect power tools, electronic devices, or chargers. You can easily customize the workbench’s height to achieve the optimal working posture, reducing fatigue during extended work sessions. NOTE: On the Amazon page is a orange “Coupon” icon below the product price. Click the Coupon box to save an extra $8.00. That lowers the price to $141.99, a very good deal.
10. Amazon — Rexbeti Digital Calipers, $25.99
⏺ Attractive price on digital read-out calipers in nice case
Digital calipers are easy to read and ensure you are measuring correctly so you stay safe when reloading. For just $25.99 you can get the stainless steel 6″ REXBETI Digital Calipers. This handy measuring tool features an LCD display that is readable even in sunlight and shows the measurements in inch and millimeters. These calipers will measure a 6″ max length.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
Share the post "BargainFinder 431: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week"
Today is Christmas, and there is plenty of snow on the ground in many parts of the country. 2023 has brought some unusually cold weather to many regions, and we can expect a pretty cold January and February in the higher elevations.
If you plan to go shooting or hunting in the weeks ahead, while the weather is below freezing and snow is on the ground, you need to be prepared. You should always have the right equipment and make sure that you can contact help if something goes wrong (such as not being able to start your vehicle).
The folks at the Precision Rifle Network have created a good video on winter shooting and hunting. Host Marcus Hom provides his TOP 10 TIPS for wintertime shooting/hunting adventures. We recommend that any 4-season shooter watch this video.
TOP 10 TIPS for Winter Shooting and Hunting:
1. Wear Good Sunglasses — With snow on the ground, wearing sunglasses is a must because of the extra reflected light. You can get good sunglasses that also have ANSI Z87.1-approved impact protection.
2. Wear Protective, Moisture-Proof Clothing — Wear a set of Bibs and a long jacket. This will prevent you from getting snow inside your clothing when shooting prone.
3. Take Care of Your Hands — Bring good winter gloves, preferably with a waterproof outer layer. Make sure the inner gloves can work with your trigger/trigger guard.
4. Bring a Good Tripod — A tripod keeps you elevated so you can avoid laying down in snow or slush. That, in turn, avoids body heat loss. “Keeping out of the snow and shooting from an elevated position is pretty important in the wintertime.”
5. Protect Optics and Action — Keep your scope lenses and action clear of moisture, snow, and fog. You will want to have good caps on both lenses. Make sure the action remains closed, and consider some kind of wrap over the action until you’re ready to load and shoot.
6. Ranging Challenges — Laser range-finders don’t perform optimally with intense, bright, ambient light. Also, if it’s showing you may get false readings from snow particles. So take multiple readings to ensure you have the right distance. Also, if you have a reticle with MOA or MIL marks, and you know the size of your target, then you can range the target with the scope.
7. Drop and Windage Info (DOPE) Chart — Bring a waterproof, hard copy dope chart. Out in the field on cold days, a phone battery dies fast, and you’ll want to preserve that battery for emergency phone use if needed. So, you should keep a good old-fashioned drop chart in a waterproof laminate.
8. Muzzle Velocity Issues — Cold temperatures can lower muzzle velocity. Before you go, get an idea of how your velocity will change with low temperatures. Some powders are more sensitive to temperature than others, causing a noticeable reduction in muzzle velocity. A load you’ve worked out in summer may shoot LOW in winter because the actual velocity is low. Even with a “temperature stable” powder you may see a 10 fps slow-down. Do some winter velocity testing if you can before you go.
9. Keep Your Ammo Warm — A simple way to avoid muzzle velocity changes with low ambient temperatures is to keep you ammunition ON YOUR BODY. Have a pouch under your layered clothing where the ammo can be kept relatively warm. See video: 07:50
10. Safeguard Keys and Valuables — Keep keys and valuables in a secure, zippered pocket. “There is nothing worse than losing something… keys, phone, wallet. It’s really hard to find something when its buried under [many] inches of snow”. We also recommend keeping a spare vehicle key hidden on your car/truck. There are magnetic holders that can keep that spare key secure but safely hidden from view.
Share the post "TEN Winter Shooting and Hunting Tips and Tricks"
We think everyone should have a Garand in their gun collection…
Tomorrow is Christmas. In our AccurateShooter Forum, you’ll find a popular thread: “Anybody Get Gun Stuff for Christmas?”. One notable post featured a very special Christmas-week arrival — an M1 Garand barreled action. A Forum member received this CMP-sourced barreled action from a friend and then transformed it with a stunning wood stock and other components. We’d say this is a very successful and handsome holiday project. And get this — the skilled owner, who works as a volunteer armorer, assembled his new M1 Garand in record time: “Well, it took three weeks in-transit for my [Christmas] gift to myself to arrive, but I picked her up at 1400 hours yesterday. Had her built into a complete rifle by 1530….”
If you would like to put together a handsome M1 Garand like the Christmas rifle shown above, you’ll need to start with a barreled action. You can order these, as well as complete M1 Garand rifles, from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Below we explain how to order an M1 Garand from the CMP, and how to select the right grade for your needs and budget.
If you have questions about assembling a Garand, contact us and we will put you in touch with the builder of the Christmas M1 Garand rifle. He is a CMP-trained armorer who works to maintain ceremonial rifles for VFW, American Legion, and Disabled Veterans Posts throughout Kentucky.
Ordering an M1 Garand from the CMP — Qualifications
How to Order an M1 Garand from the CMP
To purchase an M1 Garand through the CMP, you must be an adult U.S. Citizen, and a member of an affiliated organization who has participated in a “Marksmanship Activity”. This basically means you need to join a gun club and participate in a clinic or match. Proof of club membership and citizenship is mandatory for all ages. However, the marksmanship requirement is waived for those over 60 years of age. M1 Garands must be ordered by mail or through official CMP Auctions.
It’s not that difficult to order an M1 Garand from the CMP. Along with mail-order sales, the CMP has two stores where M1 Garands can be ordered over the counter and then transferred via your FFL (in compliance with state law). The three CMP stores are located in Anniston, Alabama, Talladega, Alabama, and Port Clinton (Camp Perry), Ohio.
Ordering a Barrel — If you already have an M1 Garand, but the barrel has seen better days, you can order a pre-chambered Criterion barrel in .30-06 Springfield. Criterion tell us: “This is a direct replacement barrel for the M1 Garand rifle, manufactured to mil-spec print #6535448. It has the original G.I. contour and Parkerized finish. Receiver threads are timed, all milling cuts are made, and all M1 Garand barrels are hand-lapped.” NOTE: Each barrel is .010 short-chambered and should be properly headspaced by a qualified gunsmith. These Criterion .30-06 Springfield replacement barrels, priced at $295.00, are legal for use in Service Rifle and John C. Garand matches.
How to Maintain the M1 Garand
Once you have an M1 Garand in your collection, you’ll want to keep it in tip-top condition so it works flawlessly for vintage military matches and fun shooting. Below we’ve linked two good SSUSA articles on M1 Garand maintenance. Following that you’ll find two excellent videos covering M1 Garand Disassembly, Cleaning, and Lubrication. Finally there are links to recommended print manuals for the M1 Garand. If you need spare parts for your M1 Garand, we recommend visiting Garand Gear which carries many key items.
M1 Garand Service and Maintenance
Shooting Sports USA (SSUSA) published an excellent article on Service and Maintenance of M1 Garand Rifles. This offers some smart tricks, such as using smoke from burning masking tape to darken the front sight post. There is also an older SSUSA article that covers basic cleaning and servicing and also explains how to upgrade the performance of your Garands. READ Article HERE.
M1 Garand Disassembly, Cleaning, and Lubrication
This Brownells video shows how to disassemble your M1 Garand.
This TekMat video explains how to clean and lubricate your M1 Garand.
Recommended M1 Garand Service Manuals
Among the many M1 Garand manuals available, we recommend the CMP’s U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1: ‘Read This First’ Manual. This booklet covers take-down, reassembly, cleaning, lubrication, and operation. The manual comes with CMP rifles or can be purchased for $3.25 from the CMP eStore. The author of Garand Tips & Tricks says: “It’s one of the best firearms manuals I’ve seen and I highly recommend it.” The CMP also offers many other M1 Garand print resources including:
Do you own an M1 Garand, or have you always wanted to acquire one of these legendary semi-auto battle rifles? Well then here is a valuable new resource: The Essential M1 Garand: A Practical and Historical Guide for Shooters and Collectors. This new book by Jim Thompson covers the history of the M1 Garand, and offers practical advice for Garand owners, along with complete parts lists. The book includes annotated military and National Match manuals, a troubleshooting chart, and a section on hand-loading for the Garand. The final Section addresses common questions about the rifle and offers detailed instructions for maintaining this wartime classic. First published in February, 2020, The Essential M1 Garand is available in Print Paperback and Kindle eBook versions. View Table of Contents.
Share the post "Sunday GunDay — Getting a Garand for Christmas"
Thousands of new products will be on display at SHOT Show 2024, the major gun industry trade show held each January in Las Vegas. The official SHOT Show Product Planner offers a “sneak peak” at 255 new-for-2024 products for hunters and shooters. More will come in the weeks ahead. Here are eight interesting new products for gun owners and reloaders. Since these are all recently-released items, we haven’t been able to test them yet. Product profiles are based on descriptions provided by the manufacturers. We will run a separate feature on new pistols and rifles that will debut in 2024.
For the gun owner with multiple firearms, the Sportsman’s Range Box is the gun cleaning kit that has it all — and more. This universal gun cleaning kit provides all the necessary equipment for proper Breech-to-Muzzle® cleaning. It cleans all rifles, pistols, shotguns and inline muzzleloaders. This cleaning kit also features the B.O.N.E.® Tool which makes cleaning the bolt carrier assembly of MSR/AR style rifles a breeze, and Shooter’s Choice chemicals (0.5 oz and 4 oz bottle of FP-10 Lubricant Elite®, plus 10cc grease). Inside the Range Box are over 60 components including support brackets so the box can serve as a gun vise to hold your long guns while cleaning.
The Grippy Universal Cheekrest is a lightweight, adjustable cheekrest system that allows up to four levels of height adjustment from 0.35″ to 1.25″. The Grippy Universal Cheekrest comes with two stackable spacers which fit most scope setups but you can use up to four spacers to get the exact height you need. The product includes two plugs to cover up 2x screw heads on top of Grippy Cheekrest cap. If your stock is 1.45″ wide or less, this should fit your stock. This product is designed to fit many stock types: TITAN22 1022 Stock, Hogue 10-22 Overmolded Stock , Boyd’s Tacticool/Varmint Stocks, Bell & Carlson 10/22 Stock, Savage MkII OEM Stock, Savage B22 Stock, Tikka T3X OEM Stock, Manners CZ455 Stock, Winchester OEM Stocks, HS Precision Rimfire, Remington 870 / 1100 Sporter Stocks and many more.
The idea and SKILI Gear’s new Ghost and Phantom pack designs came from Navy SEAL operators with real world experiences. There was a need to efficiently carry a sniper rifle plus gear in a multi-purpose backpack. Developed through six years of collaboration and multiple design improvements, this system has grown from an effective “bare bones” sniper bag to a completely customizable pack. Hunters and outdoorsmen can used these customizable bags for hunting, fishing, or EDC. Whatever lifestyle you are pursuing, the Ghost or Phantom pack can adapt to your needs.
The Prime Vibe is an electric vibratory bowl primer tube filler. This patent-pending device handles both small and large primers. The system permits you to fill primer tubes faster and more reliably. A controller unit allows you to set the frequency and run time for perfect results with any primer brand. There is a set-and-forget feature with an adjustable auto-shutoff timer. The product includes Small and large primer conversions and tubes included, plus a quick-release Safety Shield. The Prime Vibe machine is compatible with other brand primer tubes. Price: $219.00
Magna Lens eyewear features a patented magnetic connection that secures your eye protection directly to your earmuffs. This eiminates discomfort associated with traditional gear which press eyewear frames against the head. The design also preserves the NRR of your earmuffs by 2 to 10 dB compared to users who wear eyewear under earmuff pads. The high-performance 2.9mm thick lenses provide exceptional optical performance and blast resistance. Magna Lens eyewear can be used with almost any brand of earmuffs. The patented magnetic design literally gives you THE most comfortable way to wear earmuffs with eye protection. This system should prove to be a game-changer for shooters with increase comfort. Price: $150.00
The Live Stream Pro Camera is a new trail cam with variable resolution and live streaming capability. Key camera features are:
•32MP/24MP/16MP/8MP/5MP Image Resolution
•1440P/1080P/720P/WVGA Video
•Fast video triggering＜0.6s
•4G LTE High Speed; Live video monitoring/surveillance
•Live stream monitoring
•PIR Detection + Smart motion tracking
•H.264 compressor, greatly reduce the video size
•Cloud Platform with Free APP (Android & iOS)
•2.4″ Color LCD
•SD Card support 2GB-128GB
The GPS shotgun buttstock with patented recoil system was invented by Sai Chiang through years of being a competitive shotgun shooter, and most importantly, listening closely to what shooters want of their shotgun stocks. Through years of development, we created an innovative shotgun stock that can custom fit 99.9% of shooters requirements. Also, the custom hand molded grip design increases the comfort and ergonomic control during target acquisition and firing of the shotgun. This stock offers pneumatic recoil reduction technology, delivering softer and faster recoil reduction without compromising power or performance. The system boasts the world’s largest air chamber, effectively reducing recoil. Six available grip sizes ensure optimal comfort and fit.
Simplify your inventory and reduce costs with the Paradigm Universal Holster by G-Code. Designed using cutting-edge overlay technology, this versatile holster fits almost any weapon and is truly top of its class. The Paradigm holster is durable, ambidextrous, and can be worn in or outside the waistband. Priced at just $29.95 MSRP, it’s a smart, cost-effective choice for concealed or regular carry. The benefit for owners is being able to have a single holster that fits multiple handguns and can be worn in multiple ways.
Share the post "SHOT Show 2024 — Eight Interesting NEW PRODUCTS"
Make Your Own Length-to-Lands Gauge to Check Bullet Position
Here’s a tip we feature every year or so, because it is something that costs nothing, yet can be very useful in the reloading process. With a simple, easy modification to a fired case, you can determine the length to lands in your rifle barrel. As long as you set the tension right, the measurements should be repeatable, and you’ve just saved yourself $43.93 — the combined cost of a Hornady C-1000 commercial OAL gauge ($37.99) and Modified Case ($5.94).
To achieve best accuracy with a rifle, you must control bullet seating depth very precisely, so all bullets end up in the same place relative to the entrance of the lands, every time. There may be multiple cartridge OALs which prove accurate. However, with each, you first need to determine a “zero” point — a reliable, and repeatable OAL where the bullet is “just touching” the lands.
There are tools, such as the Hornady (formerly Stoney Point) OAL Gauge, that will help you find a seating OAL just touching the lands. However, the tool requires that you use a special modified case for each cartridge you shoot. And, while we find that the Hornady OAL Gauge is repeatable, it does take some practice to get in right.
Make Your Own Length-to-Lands Gauge with a Dremel
Here’s an inexpensive alternative to the Hornady OAL tool — a slotted case. Forum member Andris Silins explais how to create a slotted case to measure length to the lands in your rifle:
“Here’s what I did to find length to lands for seating my bullets. I made four cuts into the neck of fire-formed brass. Then I pressed the bullet in lightly and chambered the entire gauge. As the cartridge chambers, the bullet slides back into the case to give you length to lands. It took less than five minutes to get it cut and working. A little light oil in the barrel just past the chamber helps ensure the bullet does not get stuck in the lands. It works great and is very accurate.
How to Adjust Tension — Length and Number of Neck Cuts
I made the cuts using a Dremel with a cut-off wheel. You can adjust tension two ways. First, you can make the cuts longer or shorter. Longer cuts = less tension. If you used only three cuts instead of four you would get more tension. The trick is to be gentle when you open and close the bolt. If you ram the bolt closed you may wedge the bullet into the lands. When you open the bolt it helps to keep a finger or two near by to guide the case out straight because the ejector wants to push it sideways.”
Share the post "Craft Your Own Simple Length-To-Lands Measuring System"
The Risk of Hearing Loss
Scan-Verified 0.162 MOA Accuracy at 200 Yards
CCI has produced four versions of Clean-22 rimfire ammunition: 
Holiday Greetings to Our Readers
