Monday, May 27, 2024 is Memorial Day. Many leading shooting sports/outdoor vendors are now running Memorial Day Sales over the next few days. You’ll find savings on guns, ammo, reloading supplies, brass, optics, hunting gear and more.
Brownells Memorial Day Sale — Save 15% with Code MDAY15
Brownells has kicked off a major Memorial Day Sale. Use Code MDAY15 to save 15% sitewide on a vast range of products. You’ll find great deals on Howa products, optics, AR components and more.
Creedmoor Sports — Free Shipping and Peterson Brass Sale
Now through Tuesday, 5/28/24 at noon CST, Creedmoor Sports is offering FREE Shipping on orders over $149.00. In addition, there is a big sale on quality, USA-made Peterson brass. You can save $32 per 100 or more. A very large variety of Peterson brass is in stock now. (Note: Some of the brass sale prices have not been updated yet.)
Palmetto State Armory Memorial Day Sale
Palmetto State Armory has a major Memorial Day Weekend Sale underway now. Save on ammo, optics, tools, triggers, and more. A wide variety of AR-platform parts are discounted and there are some great deals on handguns. For example, the Taurus G2C 9mm pistol is now just $229.99, a $120.00 savings.
Popular retailer KYGUNCO is offering significant savings on Beretta, Glock, Springfield Armory, and Taurus handguns as part of its Memorial Day Sale. For example you can get the Beretta APX-A1 9mm carry pistol for just $199.99 after Beretta $50 factory Rebate. With Rebate that’s $109 off the typical $309.00 price.
File photo showing Kestrel 5700 Elite. See video below for 6.5 Creedmoor rifle.
It’s not easy to place a first shot on target at 1500 yards. You must measure the wind speed with precision, know your exact muzzle velocity, and have a sophisticated ballistics solver. In this short video from Ryans Range Report, the shooter manages a first-round hit on a steel silhouette at 1500 yards. He used a Kestrel 4500 NV Weather Meter with Applied Ballistics software to figure out the trajectory for his 6.5 Creedmoor rounds.
The Kestrel recorded a wind velocity, and the internal software calculated a solution of 17 Mils elevation (that’s 928 inches of drop) with 2.5 Mils windage. “Bang” — the shooter sends it, and 2.6 seconds later “Clang” he had a hit (flight time was 2.6 seconds). Bryan Litz observes: “This is the science of accuracy (in the form of an Applied Ballistics Kestrel) being put to good use at 1500 yards”.
Later in the video (1:05-1:15) the shooter places three rounds on steel at 1000 yards in just 10 seconds. The three shots all fall within 10″ or so — pretty impressive for rapid fire. The shooter reports: “[In my 6.5 Creedmoor] I’m using a 136gr Lapua Scenar L. This bullet has impressed me. It screams out of my barrel at 2940 fps and holds on all the way out to 1,500 yards.”
The rifle was built by Aaron Roberts of Roberts Precision Rifles (RPRifles.com). Chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor, it features a Leupold Mark VI 3-18x44mm scope.
Roberts Precision Rifles
19515 Wied Rd. Suite D
Spring, Texas 77388
Phone: 281-651-5593
Email: rprifles @ gmail.com
If you are planning to shoot a PRS match with factory ammo or use factory ammo when hunting, you should definitely check the ammo velocity in YOUR rifle. Otherwise your ballistics come-up tables could be all wrong. It’s not uncommon to find that the actual velocity in YOUR gun is NOT the same as the listed velocity on the ammunition package. We explain why in today’s article…
Why You CANNOT Rely on the MV Printed on the Ammo Box!
When figuring out your come-ups with a ballistics solver or drop chart it’s “mission critical” to have an accurate muzzle velocity (MV). When shooting factory ammo, it’s tempting to use the manufacturer-provided MV which may be printed on the package. That’s not such a great idea says Bryan Litz of Applied Ballistics. Don’t rely on the MV on the box, Bryan advises — you should take out your chrono and run your own velocity tests. There are a number of reasons why the MV values on ammo packaging may be inaccurate. Below is a discussion of factory ammo MV from the Applied Ballistics Facebook Page.
Five Reasons You Cannot Trust the Velocity on a Box of Ammo:
1. You have no idea about the rifle used for the MV test.
2. You have no idea what atmospheric conditions were during testing, and yes it matters a lot.
3. You have no idea of the SD for the factory ammo, and how the manufacturer derived the MV from that SD. (Marketing plays a role here).
4. You have no idea of the precision and quality of chronograph(s) used for velocity testing.
5. You have no idea if the manufacturer used the raw velocity, or back-calculated the MV. The BC used to back track that data is also unknown.
1. The factory test rifle and your rifle are not the same. Aside from having a different chamber, and possibly barrel length some other things are important too like the barrel twist rate, and how much wear was in the barrel. Was it just recently cleaned, has it ever been cleaned? You simply don’t know anything about the rifle used in testing.
2. Temperature and Humidity conditions may be quite different (than during testing). Temperature has a physical effect on powder, which changes how it burns. Couple this with the fact that different powders can vary in temp-stability quite a bit. You just don’t know what the conditions at the time of testing were. Also a lot of factory ammunition is loaded with powder that is meter friendly. Meter friendly can often times be ball powder, which is less temperature stable than stick powder often times.
3. The ammo’s Standard Deviation (SD) is unknown. You will often notice that while MV is often listed on ammo packages, Standard Deviation (normally) is not. It is not uncommon for factory ammunition to have an SD of 18 or higher. Sometimes as high as 40+. As such is the nature of metering powder. With marketing in mind, did they pick the high, low, or average end of the SD? We really don’t know. You won’t either until you test it for yourself. For hand-loaded ammo, to be considered around 10 fps or less. Having a high SD is often the nature of metered powder and factory loads. The image below is from Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting: Volume II.
4. You don’t know how MV was measured. What chronograph system did the manufacturer use, and how did they back track to a muzzle velocity? A chronograph does not measure true velocity at the muzzle; it simply measures velocity at the location it is sitting. So you need to back-calculate the distance from the chrono to the end of the barrel. This calculation requires a semi-accurate BC. So whose BC was used to back track to the muzzle or did the manufacturer even do that? Did they simply print the numbers displayed by the chronograph? What kind of chronograph setup did they use? We know from our Lab Testing that not all chronographs are created equal. Without knowing what chronograph was used, you have no idea the quality of the measurement.
5. The MV data may not be current. Does the manufacturer update that data for every lot? Or is it the same data from years ago? Some manufacturers rarely if ever re-test and update information. Some update it every lot (ABM Ammo is actually tested every single lot for 1% consistency). Without knowing this information, you could be using data for years ago.
CONCLUSION: Never use the printed MV off a box of ammo as anything more than a starting point, there are too many factors to account for. You must always either test for the MV with a chronograph, or use carefully obtained, live fire data. When you are using a Ballistic Solver such as the AB Apps or Devices integrated with AB, you need to know the MV to an accuracy down to 5 fps. The more reliable the MV number, the better your ballistics solutions.
Registration is open for the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) 2024 National Smallbore and Air Gun events. These will be part of the 2024 National Matches held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Base in Clinton, Ohio. Review the 2024 National Matches schedule and event info on the CMP website.
Smallbore (Rimfire) Events at Petrarca Range
The National Smallbore lineup includes iron sights and any sights prone events as well as 3×20 (three-position) individual and team matches. Smallbore events are fired on the covered outdoor electronic target line of Camp Perry’s Petrarca Range.
This video covers the Smallbore competition at the 2021 CMP National Matches at Camp Perry.
National Air Gun Matches at Gary Anderson Competition Center
Air rifle and/or air pistol competitors can participate in the National Air Gun Matches, held on the electronic target range at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center. The air rifle and air pistol programs feature training, followed by two days of 60-shot competitions.
Schedule Allows Competitors to Shoot Both Smallbore AND Air Rifle Events
The National Smallbore and National Air Gun phases have been arranged in tandem to allow athletes the option of competing in both disciplines, with an aggregate event included for those firing in air rifle and three-position smallbore competitions. Challenging elimination team matches will also be part of the Air Gun and Smallbore schedules.
About the National Matches:
The National Matches event 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. The month-long series also includes a variety of educational clinics for all experience levels. All events are open to the public, with spectators welcome.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), has announced its support for the Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolution of Disapproval of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) “Engaged in the Business” Final Rule. The CRA Disapproval Resolution was introduced and led by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and was co-sponsored by 43 other senators.
Senators Seek to Block ATF Rule Requiring FFL License for Private Sales
The CRA Resolution would block the Biden administration from enforcing the Final Rule that forces private firearm sellers to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL), conduct FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check Systems (NICS) verifications and maintain records in perpetuity, the same as a bonafide licensed firearm retailer. The Final Rule was forced through to institute near-universal background checks, legislation that Congress has expressly rejected because it would require a national firearm registry to work.
“President Biden is using rulemaking by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to impose so-called ‘Universal Background Checks’ rejected by Congress. The rule is unconstitutional because it violates the Separation of Powers by usurping the role of Congress to say what the law is,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF’s Senior VP & General Counsel.
Keane adds: “The rule ignores Congress’ requirements left unchanged by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) that a dealer is one who devotes time, attention and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms. The Biden administration has repeatedly shown its willingness to run roughshod over the Constitution to attack the fundamental rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.” SEE ATF Final Rule Text.
In this Armed Attorneys Video, Emily Taylor and Richard Hayes discuss the effect of the new ATF Final Rule.
Biden Admin Action Could Affect over 300,000 Private Gun Owners
The massive expansion of persons considered to be “engaged in the business” could have a massive reach. The new policy could require registration (and monitoring) of up to 328,000 Americans it now deems to be “firearm dealers” even though they only make occasional firearm sales, sell part of a personal firearm collection, or make purchases/exchanges for a personal collection or hobby.
Here Attorney and Washington Gun Law President William Kirk analyzes the ATF’s new Final Rule and explains how it will affect private transactions.
The 17th Edition of the Cartridges of the World was released in June, 2022, so it is still quite current. This massive 704-page reference contains illustrations and load data for over 1500 cartridge types. That makes it a unique, very valuable resource. If you shoot a wide variety of cartridges, or are a cartridge collector, this book is a “must-have” resource. The latest 17th Edition includes 30+ new cartridge types and 1500+ photos. The print version costs $30.97 at Amazon.com (with possible free shipping on orders over $35.00). Or you can get the print book from Amazon 3rd party sellers starting at $26.98 delivered plus $3.99 shipping. The Kindle eBook version costs $18.52.
CLICK HERE for a large FREE Content Sample from the Kindle eBook version.
Updated 17th Edition with Feature Articles
The 17th Edition of Cartridges of the World includes cartridge specs, plus tech articles on Cartridge identification, SAAMI guidelines, wildcatting, and new cartridge design trends. Cartridges of the World, the most complete cartridge reference guide in print, includes a full-color section with feature articles such Cartridges of the AR-15, Creedmoor Cartridge Family, .404 Jeffrey, .30 Carbine, plus “Cartridges and Cans” (suppressors).
View Free Book Sample Content
FREE STUFF for You: If you want to see what you are getting, there is a very large sample section of the 17th Edition available online with over 100 pages of content and dozens of photos and illustrations. To access all this FREE INFO, CLICK HERE, then click on the cover photo where it says “Look Inside” or “Read Sample”. It may take a few moments to fully load the sample pages.
NOTE: This is content from the 16th Edition, but most is the same in the 17th Edition.
Cartridges of the World 17th Ed. CHAPTERS:
Chapter 1: Current American Sporting Cartridges
Chapter 2: Obsolete American Rifle Cartridges
Chapter 3: Wildcat Cartridges
Chapter 4: Proprietary Cartridges
Chapter 5: Handgun Cartridges of the World
Chapter 6: Military Rifle Cartridges of the World
Chapter 7: British Sporting Rifle Cartridges
Chapter 8: European Sporting Rifle Cartridges
Chapter 9: American Rimfire Cartridges
Chapter 10: Shotgun Shells
Chapter 11: U.S. Military Ammunition
Chapter 12: Cartridge ID by Measurement
If you are looking for a good, durable hunting rifle with an excellent trigger, consider the Howa 1500 rifle series. These boast a 1-MOA, three-round accuracy guarantee. Howa 1500 rifles come in a variety of action sizes and stock configurations. And now there are models with quality stainless barreled actions. The prices are quite affordable with MSRPs from $639.00 to $1,179.00.
Multiple stock options are offered with these new stainless models: Hogue Overmolded, HS Precision, Walnut Super Deluxe, and Walnut Hunter (see above). For the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win calibers there is also a Hera H7 option. We think this rifle is a very good choice for a large game rifle in a magnum chambering such as 7mm PRC. For large game hunting work, we would consider a 7mm magnum with the HS Precision stock. If you want something more compact, a short action .308 Win would work.
Howa importer Legacy Sports Int’l will soon have these HOWA 1500 stainless models in inventory. HOWA fans can get these stainless rifles with three action sizes and a wide selection of chamberings and calibers:
Mini Action (16.5″ to 22″ barrels): .223 Rem, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62×39, 350 Legend
Short Action (22″ barrel): 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester
Long Action (24″ barrel): 6.5 PRC, 7mm Mag, 7mm PRC, .300 Win Mag
HOWA 1500 Stainless Rifle Features:
• Two Stage Match HACT Trigger
• Large One Piece Bolt With Pressure Vent Holes
• Integral Front Barrel Lug for solid bedding
• Lifetime Warranty
NOTE: There are some older model Howa 1500s that have stainless steel barrels but a non-stainless steel gray-finish action (see below). The newer model rifles with thread-protector caps on the barrel muzzles (see top photo) have stainless barrels AND stainless steel actions.
Shooting USA TV will broadcast a great show tomorrow, 5/22/24. Shooting USA’s Wednesday Night episode features the NRA World Shooting Championship held last month at Camp Atterbury. This unique competition features multiple disciplines shot with firearms supplied by sponsors. All of the guns are provided and once the match is over the stage firearms become prizes. There are also cash prize awards for the top Pro Class competitors. SEE NRA World Championship Program.
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
The NRA World Shooting Championship was held April 3-6, 2024 at Camp Atterbury, Edinburgh, Indiana. Presented by Walther, this challenging event involved rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting with a dozen disciplines — from short-range action pistol to long-range rifle. Topping the field among lady shooters was the talented Lanny Barnes, a 3-Time Olympic biathlete and professional 3-Gun competitor. We congratulate Lanny for her great 2024 performance at the NRA Championship, which earned Lanny the title of NRA World Shooting Lady Champion!
The NRA World Shooting Championship
This championship is designed to test individuals through multiple different disciplines over a period of three days of shooting. Competitors compete in Professional and Amateur categories for cash and prizes of over $250,000. Walther and other sponsors supplied ALL firearms equipment and ammunition required for the 12 stages of competition.
To do well, competitors must be highly proficient in all shooting skills — rifle, pistol, shotgun, both rapid fire and precision. The stages were: Sporting Clays, Precision Standing Air Gun, NRA Americas Rifle Challenge, NRA Precision Pistol, FITASC, 3-Gun, Mid-Range AR-Tactical, Biathlon, SASS (Cowboy Action), PRS, Scholastic Action Shooting, and USPSA.
On May 20, 2024, the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association (NRA) elected Doug Hamlin as NRA Executive Vice President and CEO and also elected former U.S. Congressman Bob Barr as President of the NRA. The recent meeting of the Board of Directors followed the 153rd NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits held in Dallas, Texas.
“I thank my colleagues for their support of my election as NRA President,” said Bob Barr. “I have been a fighter my whole life and I commit to boldly fight for our Second Amendment rights on behalf of the millions of NRA members. We need to grow our ranks, especially in this election year, and I pledge to focus my attention on doing just that.”
New NRA VP and CEO Hamlin is Marine Veteran Who Directed NRA Publications
New NRA Executive Vice President & CEO Doug Hamlin recently served as Executive Director of NRA Publications. Prior to joining NRA in 2014, Mr. Hamlin had a long career in the publishing industry with Petersen Publishing. He also was vice president and group publisher of Motor Trend magazine and served as the publisher of Guns & Ammo magazine. Mr. Hamlin served six years on active duty as a regular Marine Officer, including serving overseas with the Third Marine Division. He also has been active in Veteran charitable causes.
“I am truly humbled to be elected by the NRA Board of Directors as the next Executive Vice President & CEO of the NRA,” said Doug Hamlin. “Our Association is at a decisive moment in our history, and the future of America and constitutional freedoms depends on the success of the NRA.”
Following the election of Mr. Hamlin as NRA Executive Vice President, he re-appointed Randy Kozuch as the Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) and appointed Joseph P. De Bergalis, Jr., as the Executive Director of NRA General Operations.
The NRA Board of Directors also elected William A. Bachenberg as NRA First Vice President and Mark E. Vaughan, President of the Oklahoma Rifle Association, as NRA Second Vice President. The Board of Directors also re-elected Sonya B. Rowling as NRA Treasurer and John C. Frazer as NRA Secretary. This year, the NRA membership voted overwhelmingly to create the position of NRA Chief Compliance Officer. Robert Mensinger was elected by the Board to serve in that position.
BONUS: Full Donald Trump Address to NRA-ILA on 5/19/2024
On Saturday, former President Donald Trump delivered the keynote address at the NRA Leadership Forum. At the event he accepted the official endorsement from the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) for his re-election as President of the United States of America.
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. Brownells — Weekly Featured Deals — Many Bargains
⏺ Great deals at Brownells — ammo, bullets, optics, chronos, and more
2. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Memorial Day Sale, Up to 40% Off
⏺ Huge savings on optics and outdoor gear
Sportsman’s Warehouse is running a huge Memorial Day Sale now through May 27, 2024. Some 647 items are on sale with discounts up to 40%. Gun guys will find major savings on optics, ammo, and some firearms. For example, save $140 (40%) on a SIG Sauer Kilo 2800 Rangefinder, or save $200 (20%) on a Vortex 20-60X Spotting Scope. Plus there are big savings on outdoor supplies such as tents, fishing gear, stoves, knives, med kits and more. CLICK HERE for the Memorial Day Sale Page with all 647 items.
3. Midsouth — RCBS Sale on Nearly All Products
⏺ Good discounts on nearly all in-stock RCBS tools and products
Do you need a reloading press, powder scale/dispenser, tumbler, or other reloading tool. Then check out the big RCBS sale running now at Midsouth. You’ll see signficant savings (from 10-20%) on a huge variety of items, including the popular RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme ($50 Off plus FREE Shipping) and the classic RockChucker Supreme Press (10% Off).
4. Brownells — FN Pistol Spring Savings Sale ($150 Rebate)
⏺ Big discounts plus Instant Rebate on FN Pistols
Need a good defense pistol? Take advantage of huge savings on FN 509 and FN FNX pistols at Brownells. With the current promo, you get discounted sale pricing PLUS a $100 to $150 instant rebate! No code is needed and there are no forms to fill out. This is an “instant savings” offer for select models with waiting period to process the rebate.
5. Midsouth — Bulk Match Bullets Sale
⏺ Super low price on bullets for varminting and service rifle practice bullets
Get big savings on a variety of .224 and .308 caliber match bullets. Choose either a 250-countt bulk pack or a 25-count sample pack with 69gr and 77gr .224 bullets, and 168gr, 175gr, and 220g .308-caliber bullets. With the .224 bulk packs your cost is just 20 cents per bullet — a steal these days. These bullets are a good choice for practice with service rifles and Modern Military rifles such as the M1 Garand and M1A.
6. Powder Valley — CCI .22 LR Ammo Sale, $30.84 525 rds
⏺ Great price on good quality CCI .22 LR ammunition
CCI makes very good quality ammunition. And here we have the deal of the year on 38gr .22 LR rimfire ammo. Right now at Powder Valley you can get a 525rd brick of CCI .22 LR ammo for just $30.84. That equates to just $2.94 for 50 rounds box or 5.9 cents per round.
⏺ Save hundreds on advanced optics with built-in rangefinders
The Burris Eliminator III is a 4-16x50mm optic with a built-in Laser Rangefinder. This rangefinding scope is now on sale for $699.99 at MidwayUSA, a 49% savings off the original $1399.99 price. Plus the newer Eliminator IV model is now just $799.99, a 54% savings. We really like these units for varmint hunting — you can instantly range the critters, with the vertical hold shown by a red dot in the reticle.
8. CDNN Sports — Walther P22 Pistol + Ammo, $269.99
⏺ Accurate, ergonomic .22 LR pistol plus FREE ammo
We think all shooters should have a quality .22 LR rimfire pistol — something with a good trigger, ergonomic grip, and excellent accuracy out of the box. Right now, with the Walther P22 Target Model, you can get all those things for just $269.99 at CDNN Sports. Plus, if you order this pistol by June 30th, Walther will throw in 200 rounds of Federal .22 LR Punch ammo, which retails for $11/box of 50. So you save hundreds off the price of this nice pistol, plus get $44.00 worth of free ammo. NOTE: This free ammunition deal is good for all Walther P22 .22 LR rimfire pistols. SEE FREE AMMO details.
9. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Depriming Tool, $37.08
⏺ Convenient tool — no press needed to deprime anywhere
Decapping fired brass can be tedious when using a reloading press and decapping die. Make things easier with the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Deprimer Tool (#ad). You can deprime cases while watching TV. This handheld unit features an easily removable spent primer catch tube and an assisted-ejection case holder for easy removal of deprimed cases. The handle is spring-loaded to return the deprimer to the start position automatically.
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It’s not easy to place a first shot on target at 1500 yards. You must measure the wind speed with precision, know your exact muzzle velocity, and have a sophisticated ballistics solver. In this short video from 
