The Applied Ballistics Facebook Page features great, interesting new content posted multiple times each week. This resource features videos, test results, accuracy tips, and samples from Bryan Litz’s excellent books on ballistics and the three volume series on Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting. Here are some highlights from Applied Ballistics’ Facebook posts from the past two weeks. Plus there’s a discount code, READ2024, that can save you 25% on Applied Ballistics books purchased in the month of March.
.22 LR Super Slow Motion Video — Watch the Bullet!
Watch .22 LR Rimfire Projectile Exiting Rifle Muzzle
This video, filmed with an ultra-high-speed camera, shows the milliseconds in time as a .22-caliber bullet travels the first 11 inches after leaving a .22 LR rifle barrel. Applied Ballistics states: “Notice that the bullet is fully obturated to the internal bore dimension — the step/rebate that exists on the unfired bullet where it meets the case gets expanded (obturated) and doesn’t exist on the fired bullet.”
How Important is Case Fill Ratio — You May Be Surprised
Conventional reloading practice is to select a powder that gives you a good case fill, meaning 90%-100% fill ratio for the cartridge and bullet you’re using. But why?
Some say that a higher fill ratio is good because it prevents the powder from settling differently in the case (which could lead to inconsistent ignition and greater MV SD). This explanation sounds good, and went unchallenged for a long time. However, Applied Ballistics has done some interesting testing that sheds new light on the density issue.
Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting – Vol. 2 contains the results of Applied Ballistics tests of five different cartridge types — .223 Rem to .338 Lapua — loaded with different powders to produce fill ratios of 80%, 90%, and 100%. The testers wanted to see if 100% fill ratios actually gave better results (lower MV SDs) than the lower fill ratios.
Results of testing 3 different loads in 5 different cartridges — The highest MV SD was in fact measured in an 80% fill ratio load. However, the lowest MV SD was also measured for a different 80% load! Seems like the more we learn, the more questions we have. An informative Applied Ballistics podcast covers the Fill Ratio test. Visit Thescienceofaccuracy.com to access this and interesting podcasts.
EDITOR’s NOTE: There were multiple comments from Facebook readers stating that fill ratios 90% and above worked more consistently for them. And the reloading manuals warn against very low fill ratios.
Get 25% Off Applied Ballistics Books in March 2024
Applied Ballistics, through its Science of Accuracy webstore, is currently offering big savings on its popular books — considered to be the best print resources about rifle accuracy/ballistics ever published. This month you can save 25% on all six Applied Ballistics book titles by respected expert (and past national champion) Bryan Litz. Use Code READ2024 to get 25% of one or more of these books.
Get 25% OFF Applied Ballistics Books! Use code: READ2024 at checkout.
Share the post "Applied Ballistics — Rimfire Video, Fill Ratios, and 25% Off Sale"
Americans love AR-platform rifles. However, they can be maintenance-intensive, as hot gasses are directed right back into the action to operate the bolt. Because ARs have a somewhat unique (and dirty) semi-auto operating system, we think all AR owners should learn how their rifles operate — from the inside out. This feature provides an “inside look” at the AR, with X-Ray and Cutaway views created through advanced 3D computer modeling.
AR15 Functions Revealed with 3D Computer Animation
Ever wondered how the parts inside an AR15 work together? Just exactly how does the reciprocating bolt carrier feed rounds from the magazine? How do the elements in the trigger group work and reset after each shot? How does the gas system bleed gas from the barrel and operate the bolt carrier? These and other questions are answered in this eye-opening video from 45Snipers. Using “cutaway” 3D computer animation, this 5-minute video shows all features of an AR15 inside and out. This fascinating firearms animation allows the viewer to look inside the upper and lower receivers, into the bolt carrier, chamber, barrel, and magazine.
This video starts off slow and has annoying background music, but it is well worth watching if you own or shoot any AR-platform rifle. It illustrates all the key operations during the charging, loading, firing, and ejection processes. The cutaway animation shows how rounds are stripped from the magazine and then chambered. It then shows how every part of the trigger group works, and how the firing pin strikes the primer. You can even watch the bullet move down the barrel before the empty shell casing is removed from the chamber and tossed out the ejection port. Here are sample frames from the video:
How AR-Platform Rifles Work — General Introduction
To help reader understand the general operation of AR-type rifles, this video shows the control functions of an AR and how the upper and lower sections work together.
Cutaway 3D Animation of AR15/M16 Action — Watch Video
Here is an excellent “cutaway” animation by Thomas Schwenke that shows how an AR-15 functions — how the entire loading cycle works from start to finish.
AR platform rifles are semi-automatics version of the M16. These feature distinctive upper and lower receivers which can be readily separated via front and rear pins. The upper includes the barrel, handguard, forward gas tube, and bolt assembly, while the lower contains grip, trigger group, fire selector, and mag well. In addition the lower is attached to the stock which encloses the buffer assembly.
The original ArmaLite AR-15 was a select-fire, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle designed by American gun manufacturer ArmaLite in 1956. It was based on Armalite’s AR-10 rifle chambered for the 7.62×51 NATO (.308 Win). In 1959, ArmaLite sold its rights to the AR-10 and AR-15 to Colt. Some key modifications were made — most notably, the charging handle was re-located from under the carrying handle to the rear of the receiver. The redesigned rifle was adopted by the U.S. military as the M16 carbine, which went into production in March 1964.
Share the post "3D Cutaway Animations Show How AR-Platform Rifles Work"
CMP Acquires Surplus Ammunition with Upcoming Sales at Matches
In early 2023, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) announced the acquisition of vast quantities of surplus ammunition. Over the past year, this surplus ammunition was available to CMP customers, and available to competitors during our matches.
The CMP intends on maintaining a surplus ammo inventory large enough to support CMP Matches for the next several years and to provide discounted surplus ammo to competitors attending CMP events. All sales will include set limits to remain in compliance with guidelines specified in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of the Army and the CMP. The CMP’s current ammunition available for purchase may be viewed on the CMP eStore.
“CMP continues to fulfill its vision to lead the nation in marksmanship excellence providing safe, high quality, and innovative programs with a focus on youth”, said Christie Sewell, CMP’s Chief Programs Officer. “CMP continues to set purchase limits and restrictions to ensure that our competitors will have access to the surplus ammunition.”
NOTE: This video shows an M1 Garand shooting modern CMP M2 Ball ammo NOT older surplus. The surplus M2 Ball ammo obtained by the CMP is older, but should have similar velocities with 150gr bullets.
Commercial and surplus ammunition sales are currently available on the CMP E-Store to qualified individuals. Register for an account or browse the CMP E-Store at https://shop.thecmp.org/browse/Ammo.
Share the post "CMP Will Offer Surplus Ammo at Matches Nationwide"
Can you hit an egg at 600+ yards? We mean hit it reliably — not just by luck. To do that you’ll need good shooting skills and a very accurate rifle. How accurate? Well, a chicken egg is, on average, 2 1/4 inches (57 mm) long and 1 3/4 inches (44.5 mm) in diameter. That means to hit an egg (on demand) at 600 yards, you’ll need a rifle capable of 1/3-MOA accuracy (or better). Forum member DukeDuke has such a gun, and he demonstrated its egg-busting prowess in this short video. DukeDuke’s rifle is chambered in 6BRX (a 30° 6BR Improved) and it’s loaded with DTAC 115gr bullets pushed by Alliant Reloder 17. In the video, the eggs are placed on top of poles set 616 yards from the firing line.
See Egg Hit at 38 second mark…
As you can see in the video, that’s a heck of a nice shooting range where DukeDuke scrambled those eggs at 616 yards. The range is situated just outside of Lake Jackson, Texas. As for the gun… the action is a Rem 700 SA BDL, blueprinted and bedded in a Rem/HS Precision PSS stock. The 31″ barrel is 1:8″-twist Broughton. The “P3″ on the barrel stands for Porter’s Precision Products, Lake Jackson, TX. The rifle was built by Kenneth Porter. The load was 33.5 grains of RL-17 at 2950 fps, with 115gr DTAC bullets touching the lands. Cartridge OAL is 2.400″.
The 6mm BRX was developed by Bob Crone. Retaining the 30° shoulder of the parent 6mmBR case, the BRX has a little less capacity than a 6mm Dasher. Bob told us that his original design for the 6mm BRX always had a .100″ longer head space than a 6mmBR Norma and that he never deviated from that. But after Bob developed the first 6mm BRX, Bill Shehane made a 6mm BRX version that had a .120″ longer head space, and thus some confusion started. In truth, the original 6mm BRX always was (and still is) a chambering with a head space .100″ longer than a 6mm BR Norma.
Reamer Print provided by AR-X Enterprises LLC, www.6mmAR.com.
Share the post "Can You Hit an Egg at 600 Yards? Check Out This Challenge…"
In the case of Nguyen v. Bonta, plaintiffs have been granted summary judgment in a federal challenge of California’s One-Gun-A-Month (OGM) purchase law. This is a major win for gun rights in California. Under current California law, even after passing multiple background checks, a California citizen may only purchase one firearm every 30 days. This violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, argued plaintiffs lead by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). U.S. District Judge William Q. Hayes agreed, granting plaintiffs summary judgement, which is essentially a case victory based on legal principles. However, Judge Hayes, stayed his decision for 30 days to allow defendants to appeal. The case will probably be appealed by California to the liberal-leaning 9th Circuit.
In his 24-page decision, Federal District Court Judge Hayes wrote, “Defendants have not met their burden of producing a ‘well-established and representative historical analogue’ to the OGM law. The Court therefore concludes that Plaintiffs are entitled to summary judgment as to the constitutionality of the OGM law under the Second Amendment.”
“The state of California tried to justify the OGM law in part on the grounds that it is a lawful regulation imposing conditions on the commercial sale of arms,” noted SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “However, there is nothing in the Second Amendment remotely connected to limiting the number of firearms a person can purchase. This limitation is blatantly unconstitutional, and if this ruling is appealed by the State of California, we intend to defend the lower court’s correct decision.”
“This is a win for gun rights and California gun owners”, said Alan M. Gottlieb, SAF founder and Executive Vice President. “There is no historical justification for limiting law-abiding citizens to a single handgun or rifle purchase during a one-month period, and Judge Hayes’ ruling clearly points that out.”
SAF is joined by the North County Shooting Center, San Diego County Gun Owners Pac, PWGG, LP, Firearms Policy Coalition and six private citizens including Michelle Nguyen, for whom the case is named. They are represented by attorney Raymond M. DiGuiseppe of Southport, N.C. The case was filed in December 2020 and is known as Nguyen v. Bonta.
Share the post "Big Gun Rights Victory in California One-Gun-A-Month Challenge"
With custom rifles growing more and more expensive each year it is great to see that factory-built “precision” rifles can be fully competitive in PRS/NRL competition.
A Savage ace recently won matches in both the NRL Hunter Series and the Precision Rifle Series (PRS). Team Savage shooter Matt Alwine kicked off March with a first-place triumph in the NRL Hunter Series at the Mason Valley Steel Hunter match. This marks the third consecutive win in the 2024 NRL Hunter Series for the team and Alwine. The following weekend, Matt Alwine obtained an additional first-place win at the Central Coast Chaos match in the Precision Rifle Series in California.
Alwine topped the field at the Mason Valley Steel Hunter match in Julian, California using a Savage 110 Ultralite Elite custom chambered in 25 Creedmoor. Alwine secured first in Open Heavy, and first overall in the Open Light division. At the Central Coast Chaos match in San Luis Obispo, California Alwine secured top marks with a 110 Elite Precision in 6mm Creedmoor, where Alwine placed first in Production Class.
The NRL Hunter Match Series challenges skilled marksmen and women, testing their ability in a variety of shooting scenarios. For future match dates and details on the NRLH Hunter Match Series visit nrlhunter.org/matches-2024. Additional match details, as well as up-to-date scoreboards upcoming matches, can be found at www.precisionrifleseries.com.
Video Reviews of the Savage 110 Elite Precision:
This Alabama Arsenal video shows the Savage 110 Elite Precision on PRS Match stages using bags, tripods, and bipods, firing from stone barriers, field frames, and wood platform supports. If you are in the market for a PRS rifle, this video, which now has 346,000 views, is well worth watching. It covers specific features including trigger, chassis, magazines, and Atlas attachment.
With these most recent wins, Team Savage continues to move through the 2024 shooting season triumphantly. Visit SavageArms.com for Savage Team updates and more information on Savage’s NRL/PRS chassis rifles.
Share the post "Team Savage’s Matt Alwine Wins Multiple NRL and PRS Matches"
A few seasons back, Forum member Rick from Louisiana (aka RMulhern) rigged up a fantastic target for long-range shooting. Rick, a long-time competitive Palma shooter, had a large 72″x72″ steel target fabricated with two separate center rings that are equivalent to the official paper Palma/Creedmoor target. He says he’s “shot a lot of Palma on that target, as well as lots of Black Powder Cartridge (BPCR) rounds”. The big steel target works great when Rick shoots his Sharps 45/110 BPCR at 800 to 1000 yards. The large steel background (painted white) helps Rick see and hear his hits. If you understand the high-arching trajectory of 500+ grain projectiles shot from a 45/110, you know it can take a few rounds to get Point of Impact dialed in.
Rick reports: “These are two of my favorite rifles to shoot: a M1874 Shiloh Sharps in caliber 45/110 (2 7/8) made in Big Timber, Montana by Kirk Bryan and family. The other is a 6.5×47 Lapua on a blue-printed M700 action with 1:8.5″-twist Krieger barrel and F5 McMillan Tactical stock. Many of the shooters that take up BPCR have a tendency to get away from their smokeless powder rifles in favor of the blackpowder game. Frankly I have the best of both worlds as I enjoy shooting both (smokeless and BPCR), although I must admit that I probably spend the majority of my time on the range with the Sharps rifles these days.” (Rick’s pretty good with his Sharps by the way — he recently shot a 95, 96, and 100 (clean) for 3×10 shots at 800 yards.)
Gongzilla: $1000 Worth of Steel with Three Plate Layers
Rick tells us: “Here’s the deal — everything is steel! The large plate is 72″x72″ and the black bull is 44″ diameter. The 20″-diameter central white bull is made from 1/2″-thick AR400 bull-dozer plating. That’s the same size as the regulation Palma/Creedmoor paper target. The white square and black bull are 3/8″-thick mild steel. Plates are off-set 2″ from each other. I welded a 2″ length of square tubing to the back of both plates and the bolt slides through and is attached to the large plate. I used 2 3/8″ upset tubing (oil field pipe) for the holder framing.” Rick says he invested about $1000.00 in metal for the target, but that was 15 years ago. Today the steel would be much more expensive.
Rick says the AR400 armor plate in the center bull is very strong: “You can shoot a .338 Lapua Magnum at 200 yards and it won’t damage the center bull”. The mild steel works well for the cast bullets Rick uses with his Sharps 45/110. Also, Rick says the mild steel is rugged enough for 6.5mm and .308 hollowpoint match bullets, if you’re at least 500 yards away. However, Rick told us, “If I would make [the target] again, I would make the black bull AR400 as well. [That way] you would never have to worry about big dents or beating the plate up at any distance. The AR400 is very tough steel. You can shoot a Sierra or Lapua HP bullet and they will just splatter.”
Rick told us: “I built this target with off-set clanger plates. The white clanger is AR400. Bullets just splatter!” Does he worry about hitting the bolt head? Not at all. Rick says: “When I hit the bolt head, I break my arm patting myself on the back!”.
Share the post "Gongzilla! Giant 72″x72″ Three-Element Steel Gong"
One of the CMP’s most popular competitions is the M1 Carbine Match. The little carbines are easy to hold and easy to shoot, with relatively low recoil compared to an M1 Garand or M1903 shooting the full-power .30-06 cartridge. Unfortunately, genuine GI-issue M1 Carbines are now hard to find at affordable prices. The CMP has announced: “CMP’S Carbine Inventory has been exhausted and we do not expect to receive any additional shipments.” Authentic, “all-original” M1 Carbines are going for $1800 to $2100.00 these days on Gunbroker.com.
CMP M1 Carbine Matches — Growing in Popularity
The CMP M1 Carbine Match is part of the CMP Games program that already includes Garand, Springfield and Vintage Military Rifle Matches. “As-issued” U. S. Military M1 Carbines are fired over a 45-shot course of fire at 100 yards on either the old military “A” target or the “SR” target. The course includes 5 sighters and 10 shots for record prone slow fire in 15 minutes, a 10-shot rapid fire prone series in 60 seconds, a 10-shot rapid fire sitting series in 60 seconds and 10 shots slow fire standing in 10 minutes.
CMP M1 Carbine Match at Western CMP Games
New Production M1 Carbines
Thankfully, you don’t need to source a real WWII-era M1 to enjoy CMP M1 Matches. You can now get a brand new, American-made M1 Carbine clone for much less than an original CMP M1 rifle. And these new M1 clones are approved to shoot in CMP M1 matches. Auto-Ordnance sells new production .30-Caliber M1 Carbines that look, feel, and shoot just like the originals, for a lot less money. These are made in Kahr’s modern manufacturing plant in Greeley, PA. There are two versions:
Another producer of M1 Carbine replica rifles is Inland Manufacturing, a modern company which shares the name of a leading WWII M1 Carbine maker. These made-in-the-USA, newly manufactured M1 Carbines are very authentic copies of the original carbines from the World War II era. With a $1139.00 starting MSRP, they feature authentic 1944-type adjustable sights, push button safety, round bolt, “low wood” walnut stock, and a 10–round or 15-round magazine. There are three (3) versions: M1 1944 style, M1 1945 style, and M1A1 Paratrooper model.
GunsAmerica.com report compares new Inland M1 Carbines side-by-side with original vintage M1 Carbines: “We had to get in close to tell the difference. Overall, the two examples we were able to handle looked great and held up when next to the originals. The stampings are even close to correct with a few minor differences that were chosen to stop the new Inlands from being mistaken for originals. Take a look at the photos and see for yourself.” READ M1 Carbine Review.
Share the post "M1 Carbine Matches — CMP Competition with Affordable Rifles"
A few seasons ago, Texas gunsmith Richard King built an impressive .50 BMG target rifle for a customer. Equipped with a beefy McMillan stock, this rig has delivered some very impressive accuracy. Check out that target shot during break-in. Using On Target software, we measured this 3-shot group at 0.476″ or 0.454 MOA. Not bad for a beast with VERY serious recoil. Do you think you could beat that 0.476″ with your AR15 shooting puny .223-caliber bullets?
Compare the dimensions of that massive 50-Cal action to a Rem 700 action in the middle. When you’re shooting a Fifty, size matters!
On Facebook, some folks were surprised a guy could wring that kind of accuracy out of a monster .50 BMG. One wag posted: “Yikes! He will need flinch therapy after shooting that beast.”
Another Facebooker joked: “When shooting a .50 BMG you say…In your best Crocodile Dundee voice…that’s not a gun, THIS is a gun!”
Richard King responded that this customer has quite a bit of experience with jumbo-caliber rifles: “Remember this is the guy that shot a .338 Lapua in a two-day F-Class match. Recoil might actually be easier on this 50, given the fact that it has more weight and a brake.”
Richard King showed us the monster 13-lb BAT action for this rifle at the 2018 Berger SWN. Honestly, the big BAT .50 BMG action was HUGE — with the bolt fully extended it was the size of your forearm (to the finger tips). Richard joked “This weighs almost as much as an F-TR rifle (before optic) all by itself”.
Specialty Tools for the Big .50 BMG
Yes, the .50 BMG is one huge cartridge. Thankfully, there are some special tools for loading the jumbo-size round. Giraud Tool produces a specialty comparator for the 50-Cal cartridge. The double-ended .50 BMG comparator is quite versatile. In one orientation you can measure base-to-ogive bullet length and also measure cartridge OAL from rim to bullet ogive. When reversed, you can use the comparator to measure cartridge headspace. Priced at $33.00, Giraud 50 BMG Comparator gauge is constructed of 303 stainless and fits most any vernier, dial, or digital caliper. CLICK HERE for more info.
Share the post "Big Boomer .50 BMG Boasts Impressive Half-MOA Accuracy"
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. Palmetto State Armory — Semi-Auto 12ga Shotgun, $199.99
⏺ Great owner reports on versatile, sub-$200 shotgun
This might just be the shotgun deal of the decade. Right now you can get a reliable, optics-ready 12ga semi-auto shotgun for just $199.99. The 8-pound G-Force GF99 DLX Shotgun features a 20″ barrel, full Picatinny rail, and ships with a 5+1 magazine. Weight, unloaded, is 8 pounds. Read the very positive reviews from verified buyers: “Won’t find a better gun for the money… reliability [and] usability 5 stars”; “Cycles perfect. No jamming… go for it”; “Not one malfunction… I’m 100% happy with the purchase.”
2. MidwayUSA — BOG Tripod + Electronic Muffs Combo, $139.99
⏺ Save $70 on outstanding tripod and electronic muffs combo
Here’s a great combo for PRS/NRL shooters and/or hunters. You get the excellent BOG Deathgrip Tripod AND Caldwell E-Max Electronic Muffs for just $139.99 total. Plus you get free shipping this week from MidwayUSA. The BOG DeathGrip Tripod has rugged aluminum legs and a patented hands-free clamp. The bipod head pans 360 degrees with cant adjustment. The 3-position leg angle lock allows bipod use in standing, kneeling, and prone positions. The comfortable, low-profile E-Max Pro electronic muffs have a 23dB noise reduction rating (NRR).
3. Powder Valley — Hodgdon and Alliant Powders in Stock
⏺ Ultra-popular Hodgdon powders now available at good prices
This is your lucky day — many super-popular Hodgdon powders are in stock right now at Powder Valley. That’s right, you can order Hodgdon Varget, H4350, and H4831SC right now. And other Hodgdon powders are available starting at $32.99/lb. Plus many popular Alliant and IMR powders are in stock at Powder Valley including the outstanding Alliant Reloder 16. NOTE: If your favorite powder sells out, Midsouth also has Varget, RL16, H4350, and other top choices in stock including 8-lb jugs of H4350 and H4831sc for $390.99 ($48.87/lb).
Everyone should have a good .22 LR rimfire pistol for training and fun shooting. We really like the Walther P22 Target Model. This has excellent ergonomics and a nice trigger. With its forward compensator, this pistol has almost no muzzle flip, allowing very rapid shot strings. Currently you can get this P22 pistol plus a Hornady TrekLite Lockbox XXL portable gun safe — all for just $289.99 at CDNN Sports. Get the Lockbox via Walther mail-in rebate. CLICK HERE for Rebate INFO. NOTE: If you already have a .22 LR Pistol, CDNN has the gun+safe combo offer with other Walther 9mm and .380 ACP handguns.
⏺ Save 20% ($29.95) on very good canvas shooting coat
Creedmoor Sports makes some of the best shooting coats you can buy. Right now the popular Deluxe Canvas Shooting Coat is 20% off. Regularly $149.99, this is now on sale for $120.00, a $29.99 savings. This coat is very popular with High Power shooters, and Garand/Vintage military rifle shooters. Act soon as this discount ends on Tuesday 3/12/2024 at noon CST.
⏺ Great price on versatile, well-designed gun vise
Here’s an excellent gun vise on sale for just $35.99. The versatile MTM GV-30 CaseGard Gun Vise supports rifles and shotguns for cleaning/maintenance. High and low forks allow level or angled gun placement. The rubber-padded rotating stock clamp provides a firm hold. The base has 14 different compartments for tools/solvents, plus 11 slots for jags, brushes, and screwdrivers. On the side are tabs for two cleaning rods. This GV-20 vise is made from rugged, solvent-resistant polypropylene plastic. If this sells out on GunZoneDeals, Midsouth has the GV-30 Vise for $38.00.
7. Locked&Loaded — CCI Blazer 9mm Ammo, $219.99 1000 rds
⏺ Quality 9mm brass-cased ammo at a super-low price — $0.22/round
CCI makes very reliable pistol ammo with reloadable brass cases. Right now you can get 1000 rounds of CCI Blazer 9mm FMJ ammo for just $219.99 at LockedLoaded.com. That price works out to just $11.00 per 50-round box — a fantastic price. This very affordable 115gr Blazer 9mm ammo is excellent for practice/training, and it is more reliable than commercial reloads.
⏺ Handy adjustable rest fits nearly all types of pistols and revolvers
A small compact rest definitely helps with handgun load development and accuracy testing. A good choice (at a great price) is the Caldwell Pistolero shooting rest (#ad), now just $22.39 on sale at Amazon. The Caldwell Pistolero rest is durable, and the support surfaces will not mark your pistols. The hand support is comfortable to use. With 5 inches of rear pad movement and and 3 inches of vertical adjustment in the front, the Pistolero rest accommodates virtually all handguns, providing a stable shooting surface.
9. Amazon — GuardTech Plus Gun Cleaning Kit, $43.50
⏺ Excellent full-featured cleaning kit for all types of guns
This big GuardTech Plus Cleaning Kit will work for rifles, pistols, and even shotguns. You get a big selection of brushes, jags, and mops that fit calibers .17 to .50. In addition, there are picks and tooth-brush-style brushes for cleaning your action, plus a pull-through cleaning rope. You get all this, in a nice fitted hard case, for just $43.50 on Amazon. Choose green case (as shown), or black case.
10. MidwayUSA — Wheeler Bore Lapping Kit, $21.89
⏺ Simple, inexpensive method to enhance factory barrels — Save 54%
This kit can help polish a rifle bore to remove factory machining marks and reduce fouling. With this kit you coat bullets so they can perform a lapping function as they are fired through the barrel. This Wheeler Lapping Kit consists of three 1 oz. jars of silicon carbide abrasive pastes (220 Cutting Grit, 320 Smoothing Grit, and 600 Polishing Grit) and two steel application plates. NOTE: We do NOT recommend using this kit with high-quality, hand-lapped barrels from makers such as Bartlein, Brux, Krieger, and Shilen.
Share the post "BargainFinder 442: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week"
On Friday, March 8, 2024, Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWBI) stock had a HUGE increase, with the SWBI stock price rising 29.39%. That’s a massive gain in a single day. Why the huge price spike? S&W sales volumes and revenues were up — WAY up. The latest corporate report revealed big revenue gains in Q3 2024, which dramatically out-paced expectations. Interestingly, S&W’s major revenue gains were from increased long gun sales, not more pistol sales. In addition, experts predict a big increase in overall gun sales during this election year, as buyers fear new restrictive gun laws.
Yahoo Finance reported: “Shares of Smith & Wesson Brands (SWBI) soared on better-than-expected third-quarter results. CEO Mark Smith said … that the company expects ‘the firearm market to experience healthy demand through the 2024 election cycle’. [SWBI] stock was also upgraded to Buy from Hold at Craig-Hallum, which argues the company is entering the election cycle in ‘optimal position’.”
Click Image Below to View Smith & Wesson Stock Price Analysis Video Report:
Yahoo Finance’s Josh Lipton and Julie Hyman discussed the stock’s surge in a 3/8/2024 Yahoo Finance Live webcast. Here is a partial transcript from that Yahoo Finance video:
JOSH LIPTON: We’re going to start here with Smith & Wesson. You could see that stock is skyrocketing in today’s trade.
Net sales, they’re up about 7% to 137.5 million. Gross margins also better than the Street was looking for. And on top of that, we get an upgrade from the team at Craig-Hallum…They take their target to 18… They also, Julie, talk about the upcoming election. They say that should give the company momentum.
JULIE HYMAN: Yeah, we tend to see firearm sales go higher ahead of elections, ahead of Democrats being elected in office because of fear about new gun legislation although that mostly has not come to fruition. But those are the cycles we tend to watch. I thought it was interesting, I was looking through the conference call, handguns are not where the sales activity was from. So handgun sales were actually down. Average selling price of handguns were down.
It was long guns that were higher in both amount of sales and average selling prices. And I don’t know– I mean long guns is a big category. I don’t know if we’re talking about demand from hunting, from sports, from whatever. But whatever it was, they saw an increase.
JOSH LIPTON: Yeah, they didn’t break it down. It is the election. Just to put some more numbers on that, they note that during the 2020 election, which allowed the company, they said, to generate more than a billion in revenue, $4.15 EPS and almost $300 million free cash flow.
Smith & Wesson Company Profile Video
Share the post "Smith & Wesson Stock Jumps Nearly 30% This Past Friday"
Register Now for the 2024 National Matches at Camp Perry Article based on Report by Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
Registration for the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) 2024 National Trophy Rifle and Pistol Matches is officially open. The National Matches include a huge variety of competitions for rimfire and centerfire rifles, pistols, and airguns. The annual event, held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Base since 1907, is conducted via a partnership between the CMP and the Ohio National Guard. The month-long series showcases a variety of indoor and outdoor events for both adults and juniors, with spectators welcome. The CMP National Matches offer something for all target shooters — both novices and seasoned competitors. Our friend Dennis Santiago, who has competed at Camp Perry many times, offers five good reasons to attend the CMP National Matches:
Top 5 Reasons to Go to Camp Perry
1. It’s the Nationals. A thousand competitors on the line. You get to be a player in the Super Bowl of marksmanship.
2. The President’s Hundred Match. Camp Perry is the only place you can earn the right to wear this prestigious tab on your shoulder.
3. Rattle Battle. Also known as the Infantry Trophy, this fast-paced match is a bucket list experience.
4. Making friends. Camp Perry is where you will meet and get to know shooters from all across the USA who share your passion. They will become lifelong friends.
5. It will make you a better shooter. The exposure to the level of competition will ooze into your soul. You will pick up knowledge about technique, equipment, and discipline that will amplify your skills and raise your performance level.
The National Matches is comprised of the CMP National Trophy Pistol and Rifle Matches, National Games Matches, National Smallbore Matches, National Air Gun Championships, and the National Mid-Range and Long Range Matches. Along with the competitions, the National Matches includes a variety of training clinics for all experience levels. The CMP will also run a sales center where accessories and ammo can be purchased. CLICK HERE to review the 2024 National Matches schedule and event info on the CMP website.
Garand and Vintage Military Rifle Matches
Among the most popular events at the Camp Perry National Matches are the Garand and Vintage Military Rifle matches. This summer, classic military rifles will fill the firing lines at Camp Perry. The Garand, Springfield, Vintage and Modern Military Match (GSMM) is set to start on Thursday, August 1, 2024 with the one-day M1A Match on Sunday, August 3, 2024. (See CMP Camp Perry 2024 Calendar.) Some participants will shoot just one rifle type, but there is also a combined GSMM 4-Gun Aggregate. The Vintage Sniper Match, set for August 4th, will include a new category — Vietnam Era. NOTE: the Springfield Armory M1A event is now the McKee Memorial Match (M14 Heritage Match), sponsored by Fulton Armory.
Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match
One of the most popular events of the National Games events, the Rimfire Sporter Rifle match features .22 caliber competition at 25 and 50 yards. There are three (3) classes: open sights (O-Class), telescopic (T-Class) and tactical/unlimited (TU) classes, fired at 50 and 25 yards. The event is perfect both for novice shooters and for experienced competitors who want to compete with a simple, affordable .22 LR rifle.
Smallbore Rifle Matches on Electronic Targets
Like last year, all National Smallbore (rimfire) events will be fired on electronic targets on Petrarca Range. The schedule includes three-position and prone events. In addition, rimfire F-Class will run concurrently with the smallbore prone matches.
National Air Gun Matches
For air rifle and air pistol competitors, the National Air Gun Matches will be held on the electronic target range within the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center. The air rifle series features training and an elimination two-team member match, two days of 60-shot competitions and an accompanying four-member team event. NOTE: The Air Pistol Championships will be held in the evenings to allow competitors to take part in the Match Pistol 2700 during the day.
High Power, Service Rifle, and Vintage Rifle Matches
The National Trophy Rifle series includes prestigious matches like the President’s Rifle, Hearst Doubles, Rattle Battle, National Trophy Individual and National Trophy Team events. A paired Junior Team Match is also on the schedule for young competitors, along with an assortment of vintage and modern military rifle events like the John C. Garand, Springfield and Vintage Sniper matches for individuals at every stage of their marksmanship abilities. A 4-man team event and three 80-shot matches will appeal to those looking for more high power rifle events, each fired on CMP’s line of outdoor electronic targets.
Mid-Range and Long Range Rifle Matches
The CMP’s National Long Range series features 10 individual and team competitions. Returning in 2024 is the Mid-Range event (with a course of fire consisting of three rounds of 20 shots slow prone at 600 yards), along with Long Range matches. These are all open to Match Rifle, Service Rifle, Palma Rifle, F-Open, F-TR or AR Tactical categories. Long Range Matches are fired on Camp Perry’s 1000-yard Viale Range.
Pistol Events — Centerfire and Rimfire
The National Pistol events include a mix of traditional matches like the President’s Pistol (President’s 100), National Trophy Individual and Team events, alongside a series of 900 Aggregate matches for .22 LR, .45 ACP, and other Centerfire Pistol. The fan-favorite GSSF GLOCK National Challenge will be returning to the schedule in 2024, while the Service Revolver EIC Match has been renamed the Philip Hemphill Memorial Service Revolver EIC Match in honor of Philip Hemphill — a repeat national champion lost in late 2023.
Pistol Practice will be available on July 15 and 16, 2024 (cost: $5.00 per practice time). Competitors will receive a Pistol Practice card at check-in, with additional practice time open for purchase (if available).
Marksmanship Clinics and Small Arms Firing Schools
Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS) will be held for centerfire rifle, smallbore rifle, and pistol. Participants in SAFS are instructed by some of the top military instructors in the country on firearm safety and competition basics. All firearms and ammo are provided for the live-fire portion of the clinic. Other clinics during the National Matches include a Rimfire Sporter Rifle Clinic, the CMP/USMC Junior Rifle Clinic, and the CMP Advanced High Power Clinic, for more experienced competitors. Most clinics include both classroom and live-fire training on the range.
More Camp Perry Summer Services — Sales and Housing
Sales: Behind the range, Commercial Row offers a variety of items for spectators and competitors – with an array of manufacturers selling used firearms, ammunition, competition gear, accessories, apparel and much more. The CMP North Store, located on the grounds of Camp Perry, allows even more buying opportunities at the Matches with a selection of military surplus rifles, memorabilia and equipment needs.
Housing: Housing for the National Matches is currently available on the grounds of Camp Perry. Accommodations include four-person huts, cottages, barracks, RV spaces, and camp sites. Camp Perry housing info posted at CPLCC.com/national-matches. If base housing is full, numerous hotels are available in the surrounding Port Clinton, Fremont, and Sandusky areas. CLICK HERE for information on local hotels and tourism resources.
CLICK PHOTO for article on after-match activities in the Camp Perry region.
More Info: All events are open to the public, free for viewing. Spectators are welcome to observe firing on the Camp Perry ranges at any time, with ample parking on-site. Guests are encouraged to participate in the many exciting activities and visual attractions offered during the National Matches season.
Directions to Camp Perry:
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs visit www.TheCMP.org.
Share the post "Sunday GunDay: 2024 Camp Perry Nat’l Matches — Registration"
Some say that a higher fill ratio is good because it prevents the powder from settling differently in the case (which could lead to inconsistent ignition and greater MV SD). This explanation sounds good, and went unchallenged for a long time. However, Applied Ballistics has done some interesting testing that sheds new light on the density issue.
Can you hit an egg at 600+ yards? We mean hit it reliably — not just by luck. To do that you’ll need good shooting skills and a very accurate rifle. How accurate? Well, a chicken egg is, on average, 2 1/4 inches (57 mm) long and 1 3/4 inches (44.5 mm) in diameter. That means to hit an egg (on demand) at 600 yards, you’ll need a rifle capable of 1/3-MOA accuracy (or better). Forum member DukeDuke has such a gun, and he demonstrated its egg-busting prowess in this short video. DukeDuke’s rifle is chambered in 6BRX (a 30° 6BR Improved) and it’s loaded with DTAC 115gr bullets pushed by Alliant Reloder 17. In the video, the eggs are placed on top of poles set 616 yards from the firing line.
As you can see in the video, that’s a heck of a nice shooting range where DukeDuke scrambled those eggs at 616 yards. The range is situated just outside of Lake Jackson, Texas. As for the gun… the action is a Rem 700 SA BDL, blueprinted and bedded in a Rem/HS Precision PSS stock. The 31″ barrel is 1:8″-twist Broughton. The “P3″ on the barrel stands for Porter’s Precision Products, Lake Jackson, TX. The rifle was built by Kenneth Porter. The load was 33.5 grains of RL-17 at 2950 fps, with 115gr DTAC bullets touching the lands. Cartridge OAL is 2.400″.
A few seasons back, Forum member Rick from Louisiana (aka RMulhern) rigged up a fantastic target for long-range shooting. Rick, a long-time competitive Palma shooter, had a large 72″x72″ steel target fabricated with two separate center rings that are equivalent to the official paper Palma/Creedmoor target. He says he’s “shot a lot of Palma on that target, as well as lots of Black Powder Cartridge (BPCR) rounds”. The big steel target works great when Rick shoots his Sharps 45/110 BPCR at 800 to 1000 yards. The large steel background (painted white) helps Rick see and hear his hits. If you understand the high-arching trajectory of 500+ grain projectiles shot from a 45/110, you know it can take a few rounds to get Point of Impact dialed in.
Top 5 Reasons to Go to Camp Perry
