The Biden administration, through its Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), will impose new gun export restrictions starting May 30, 2024. These restrictions will affect a wide range of gun exports to 36 countries world-wide. These new restrictions follow gun export “pauses” mandated last October. Fox News explains:
“The Biden administration plans to impose new restrictions on firearms exports and increase scrutiny on transactions … a Commerce Department official said late on Thursday. The department on Oct. 27 issued a pause on most firearm exports to assess the ‘risk of firearms being diverted to entities or activities that promote regional instability, violate human rights, or fuel criminal activities.’
The Department plans to announce on Friday it will lift the pause from May 30 when the new restrictions take effect. The Commerce Department expects the restrictions to result in about a 7% reduction, or $40 million, out of the $600 million in average annual U.S. firearm exports, the official said.”
Additionally, the Commerce Department will revoke some export licenses and will cut some licenses from four years to one-year. SEE Legal Analysis.
Biden Administration Restriction of Firearms Exports By Larry Keane, NSSF Senior V.P. and General Counsel
“President Joe Biden’s relentless rebukes of the firearm industry and law-abiding gun owners isn’t just an infringement on our Second Amendment rights – it’s a calculated and well-financed attack on the fabric of American liberty. President Biden calls the firearm industry ‘the enemy’ and his administration is systematically attempting to dismantle the industry and pander to the whims of radical gun control lobbyists. The evidence is clear, and the statistics damning.
The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) recently finalized a rule that made a 90-day firearm export ‘pause’ permanent policy and created burdensome regulatory requirements. Sold under the guise of national security, this policy will hamstring the U.S. firearm industry’s competitiveness and cost thousands of good-paying jobs by impeding a critical revenue source. The economic impact is staggering, with estimates far exceeding $250 million – a devastating blow to an industry already reeling from government overreach.” READ Full Story on NSSF.org.
This new Department of Commerce Rule goes into effect on May 30, 2024. The new firearms export policies are explained in the Federal Register:
“In this interim final rule (IFR), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to enhance the control structure for firearms and related items[.] This rule identifies semi-automatic firearms under new Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs); adds additional license requirements for Crime Control and Detection (CC) items, thereby resulting in additional restrictions on the availability of license exceptions for most destinations; amends license review policies so that they are more explicit as to the nature of review that will accompany different types of transactions and license exception availability (including adding a new list of high-risk destinations); updates and expands requirements for support documentation submitted with license applications; and better accounts for the import documentation requirements of other countries (such as an import certificate or other permit prior to importation) when firearms and related items are authorized under a BIS license exception. … This rule is effective May 30, 2024.”
This old lever gun is something special — the most expensive rifle ever sold at auction, according to the Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC), the world’s leading firearms auction house. This rifle sold in 2016 for $1,265,000.00 — the highest auction price ever recorded for a single rifle (and twice what RIAC expected). The rifle went for such a high price because it was Serial Number 1 and because of its special connection to the Wild West and Indian Wars. SEE: RIAC Most Expensive Guns.
From Rock Island Auctions: “This 1886 Winchester set what was at that time the world record for the most expensive single firearm ever sold at auction… this particular model 1886 happened to be serial number one! If that weren’t enough, the gun was presented by firearms designer Lieut. George E. Albee to his friend and fellow Medal of Honor Recipient Capt. Henry W. Lawton, upon Lawton’s accepted surrender of Apache leader Geronimo.”
This historic Winchester Model 1886, Serial Number 1, was given to then Captain Henry W. Lawton as a gift to honor Lawton’s successful raid to capture the renegade Apache leader Geronimo. The rifle was gifted by his friend, Lt. George E. Albee, who worked with Winchester. Both Army officers were Medal of Honor winners. This rifle “represents the 25 years of bloodshed between the U.S. Army and the Apache Indians in the Southwest, and the end of the Indian Wars. Being serial number one and possessing such outstanding condition would alone be enough to draw six figures at auction. When you add one of the most famous names in the history of the Old West you have a huge crossover appeal”, said RIAC President Kevin Hogan.
Click the links below for the full, illustrated history of Geronimo’s capture by Captain Henry W. Lawton.
Lawton was a “soldier’s soldier” who fought in the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and Philippine-American War, finishing his career with the rank of Major General. He lead an Army contingent that traveled 1300 miles to capture Geronimo in the summer of 1886. He was killed in combat in 1899 at the battle of San Mateo, in the Philippines. Ironically, the leader of the Philippine Revolutionary troops he faced was named Gen. Licerio Geronimo. Strange but true.
Rock Island sells over 25,000 firearms every year, but “never before had Rock Island offered Serial Number 1 of a production grade, investment-quality firearm” said RIAC. Given the rifle’s unique history and well-established provenance, “this truly is a prized national treasure”. This is the first production Winchester model 1886, with the single digit ONE stamped on the lower tang. The barrel is also inscribed “Albee to Lawton 45-70″.
“The rifle’s story begins with two brothers-in-arms during the Civil War who went their different ways after that conflict, one electing to continue a lifelong military career while the other pursued firearms and their development,” stated RIAC. “When the former, Captain Henry Ware Lawton, captured Geronimo in 1886, the latter, Lieutenant George E. Albee, was working for Winchester and able to secure serial number one of their newest rifle design. He presented it to his old war buddy and lifelong friend to commemorate Lawton’s remarkable achievement.”
Prices Continue to Rise for Rare, Collectible Firearms RIAC reports: “In recent years, high-value collectibles like fine art, classic cars, and vintage timepieces have been outperforming traditional investments and show no sign of losing momentum. Rare firearms have experienced similar uptrends, and that’s no surprise given how the most desirable firearm classes share many of the same traits as other investment-grade collectibles. Scarcity, tangibility, artistry, historical significance, popular appeal, and strong market demand have all contributed to substantial appreciation across the fine arms genre.”
RIAC has seen its average annual sales double since 2015 and break the $100 million barrier for the second year in a row in 2022. In the last two years more than 120 lots achieved six-figure price tags or higher, with four of those items surpassing the million-dollar mark.
Today is the last day of the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Dallas, Texas. The 153rd NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits has been running at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The Exhibit Hall has been open all three days, showcasing over 14 acres of the latest guns and gear from leading gun industry manufacturers and vendors.
Here are some quick videos showcasing new (or recently-introduced) products on display at the 2024 NRA Exhibits. These four product videos are hosted by GunsAmerica Digest Editor True Pearce, who reviews new rifles and pistols, plus optics. Among the new firearms, Mr. Pearce was quite impressed with the Beretta BRX1 straight-pull rifle, which has a very smooth cycling action and a sub-2-pound trigger. This could be a game changer for hunters. True Pearce also liked Walther’s new WMP model rimfire pistol chambered in .22 WMR. CLICK HERE for more NRA Show product reviews on the GunsAmerica YouTube Channel.
Beretta BRX1 Straight-Pull Rifle
Walther WMP Pistol in .22 WMR
New Colt Viper .357 Mag Revolver
Three New Optics from Steiner
BONUS: Trump 2024 NRA-ILA Speech
Former President Donald Trump spoke at the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings yesterday in Dallas. Here is a video of Mr. Trump’s full 97-minute speech at the NRA-ILA event:
One of the most important short-range benchrest matches on the planet kicks off tomorrow. The Super Shoot, official Super Shoot 50 this year, will draw top group-shooting benchrest aces from around the world to the USA this week. The match will be held at the excellent Benchrest Rifle Club in Missouri. The match officially starts on May 20th, but the BRC was open for practice this weekend (see schedule below).
This event has been called the “premier benchrest match of the year”. The course of fire has Light Varmint and Heavy varmint group size competition at 100 yards and 200 yards. Most of the rifles will be chambered for the 6mm PPC cartridge shooting bullets under 70 grains. Every year the Super Shoot attracts top benchrest competitors from many countries around the world. Along the firing line you’ll find Hall-of-Famers and past National Champions.
This year marks a milestone for the Super Shoot — as Super Shoot 50 will be held May 20-23, 2024. Historically, the Super Shoot has been the most prestigious benchrest match in the world. This year the Super Shoot will be held at one of the premier facilities in the United States, the Benchrest Rifle Club in St Louis, Missouri. Sponsors this year include: Bartlein Barrels, BAT Machine, Bruno Shooters Supply, Krieger Barrels, MidwayUSA, MTM, PMA Tool, Redding, and Shilen Rifles.
For this Saturday Video Showcase we are featuring products and operations of Kelbly’s Inc. We are doing this to help help honor the memory of George E. Kelbly Sr., the man who founded Kelbly’s Inc. producers of superb actions, stocks, and complete rifles. In addition, George Kelbly Sr. created the impressive range where the annual Super Shoot benchrest competition was held for many decades. Sadly, George passed away on May 14, 2024. He will be missed — George Kelbly Sr. was a great leader in the shooting community.
Kelbly’s Product and Gun-Building Videos
Want to see new-born Pandas? No, not the furry kind — rather Stolle Panda actions produced with state-of-the-art CNC machinery. If you’ve ever wondered how precision benchrest, long-range, and tactical rifles are built, check out this first video from Kelbly’s. You’ll see actions finished, barrels chambered and crowned, pillars installed in stocks, barreled actions bedded, plus a host of other services performed by Kelbly’s gunsmiths and machinists.
Click Volume Control to Activate Sound for Kelbly’s Video:
If you’re a fan of fine machine-work, this video should be both informative and entertaining. You can see how precision gun work is done with 21st-Century technology. Tip of the hat to Ian Kelbly and crew for producing this excellent video visit to the Kelbly’s production center. CLICK HERE to watch this video full-screen with full sound and no auto-start. That will make it easier to see production details.
Kelbly’s Super Shoot — Group-Shooting Benchrest Action
Here is a video from the 2022 Kelbly’s Super Shoot, the last-ever Super Shoot event held at the impressive Kelbly’s range in Ohio. The Super Shoot is a 100- and 200-yard benchrest competition with the world’s top group shooters. The Super Shoot, in the post-Kelbly’s phase, is now run by Super Shoot Sports with major sponsorship from Shilen. The 50th Super Shoot will be held May 20-23, 2024 (this coming week) at the St Louis Benchrest Club.
Above is another Kelbly’s Range video from a decade earlier at the 2012 Super Shoot. This has excellent footage showing the firing line and the forest of wind-flags.
Kelbly’s Nanook Lightweight LR Hunting Rifle
Kelbly’s impressive Nanook MG rifle features a magnesium chassis, with a 26″ carbon-wrapped barrel and folding stock. Strong yet light, the 7.9-lb Nanook MG is a long-range hunting rifle that’s easy to carry, yet can effectively shoot big-caliber cartridges capable of taking large game.
Guide to Kelbly’s Hunting and Tactical Actions
This video by Preferred Barrels features four modern hunting/tactical actions: Atlas Lite, Nanook, Atlas Tactical, and Prometheus. These actions stand out for their precision engineering, making them a top choice for both hunters and competitive shooters. The unique TG ejector system ensures reliable mechanical ejection, reducing reliance on chamber pressure and maintaining shot alignment. These actions are a good choice for PRS/NRL shooters as well as traditional hunters looking for lightweight precision.
Kelbly’s F-Class Panda Action
Here is a short third-party review of the impressive F-Class Panda Action from Kelbly’s. This is popular with competitors because the action has a wide, flat bottom that beds securely, plus the action has a built-in +20 MOA rail. These actions have a smooth movement and can deliver great accuracy. The F-Class Panda action is offered in both short and long versions, starting at $1600.00.
Firing Pin Maintenance — Kelbly’s Tutorial
The last video in today’s Saturday showcase offers some very important tips on maintaining your firing pin. While this features Kelbly’s action components, many of the observations apply to other modern actions as well. You definitely want to keep your firing pin in good order as pin problems can lead to unexpected fliers, or decreased accuracy on target.
President Donald J. Trump will address NRA Members at the 2024 NRA-ILA Leadership Forum.
Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump appears today at the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Trump will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 NRA-ILA Leadership Forum this Saturday, May 18th. The Forum starts at 2:00 pm CDT today. This marks President Trump’s ninth NRA appearance, reaffirming his strong commitment to the NRA, the Second Amendment, and American firearm ownership.
Event Starts at 2:00 PM – Doors Open at 12:00 PM. Admission is free and will be first come, first served. Tickets are not required but you must be an NRA Member to attend. You may start lining up at 11:00 AM.
President Trump, an NRA Life Member, first addressed the NRA in Nashville in 2015. Since then, he has been a steadfast advocate for the NRA, the Second Amendment, and self-defense rights. In 2016 he promised to never let NRA members down.
As President, Trump made good on that promise by appointing federal judges who respect the Second Amendment, including three Supreme Court justices who played a pivotal role in landmark Second Amendment rulings such as NYSRPA v. Bruen.
The 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits includes three days of free seminars and special events. Hundreds of companies will showcase guns and gear in the 14-acre Exhibit Hall. The event takes place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, 650 South Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202.
Box to Bench Precision (B2B) has developed an oversize (23.5″ x 30″) precisely-scaled target designed for Load Development and Scope Testing. This waterproof target is very innovative. On the target you’ll find clusters of aim points for various tasks. Upper left are orange aiming spots for testing various powder charges. In the upper right quadrant are more red aim points to be used when testing bullet seating depth. Running down the center of the target is a vertical line with horizontal marks showing precise MOA and Mil heights at 100 yards — use this feature to verify your click values. ORDER HERE.
And there’s more. In the lower right quadrant (far right) are three black targets to be used for chrono work. With these you can record cold velocity, hot barrel velocity and a “Final Velocity”. Over in the lower left quadrant, in the left-most column, are three dot targets for zeroing and recording group size with load data. Finally, four more black/white targets can be used for a scope box test (aka “shooting the square”). With a box test, you move from target to target, clicking in sequence to each corner of the square in sequence, eventually returning to your original aim point. If your scope tracks correctly, the last box test shot should end up right on top of the first shot.
Record the Entire Load Development Process on One Target
For those used to shooting at conventional bulleyes or benchrest targets, this target may seem confusing, but it can really help organize and simplify the process of load development. We like the idea of having a single, durable target that performs double-duty — serving for load development as well as scope checking. And we like the fact that the target is pretty strong — the maker says: “The target is Tear-Resistant and Water-Proof”. We’d expect a maker based in the Pacific NW to design a target that can handle wet weather.
Previous version of target shown. Current version has some minor enhancements.
How to Order
So how much does all this target technology cost? A pack of three 23.5″ x 30″ targets costs $22.00, a five-target pack is $30.00, while a ten-target pack runs $46.00. These targets ship FREE in a durable cardboard tube. To order these targets, visit the Box To Box Precision Online Store.
We have sad news to share. George E. Kelbly Sr., founder of Kelbly’s and creator of the famed Super Shoot, has died at age 87. George passed away May 14, 2024, at his North Lawrence, Ohio home surrounded by his loving family.
George was born October 21, 1936 in Marshallville, Ohio, to John and Emma (Butzer) Kelbly and graduated from Smithville High School in 1954. He married the love of his life Karen Elizabeth Bodager in 1957 and she survives.
George was a 25-year Union Bricklayer, he also was a custom homebuilder and a Wayne County HBA President. In 1969 he started Kelbly’s Rifle Range which hosted regional, national, and international benchrest tournaments for 50 years including the Firearms Industry Super Shoot. The Kelbly’s Super Shoot was widely considered the most prestigious benchrest match in the world. In 1981 he and Ralph Stolle formed Kelbly’s Inc., a firearms manufacturing company that his three sons and two grandsons currently run building and selling firearms Worldwide. George was extremely proud of his and his families’ accomplishments in the firearms industry.
George was a member of the Orrville Ohio Masonic Lodge 430, a lifetime NRA member. A lifetime member, Regional Director, and National President for the National Benchrest Shooters Association (NBRSA). He was inducted into the NBRSA Eastern Region Hall of Fame. He was a Regional, National and World Champion in Benchrest group shooting. He and Karen traveled throughout the USA and abroad to compete.
In addition to his wife, Karen, surviving are his daughter Marilyn (Mark) Endicott, sons George Jr. Kelbly, James Kelbly, Mike Kelbly, six grandsons Ian Kelbly, Ryan Kelbly, Max Kelbly, Eddie Battig, Nathan Kelbly, Caleb Endicott, and two great-dgrandchildren Gunner Kelbly, and Kennedy Jones. George Sr. was preceded in death by both parents, his sister Marilyn Wyckoff, and his brother John (Wes) Kelbly Junior.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Auble Funeral Home in Orrville, OH (10:00 am viewing, 11:00 am service). There will be graveside services at Maple Grove Cemetery in Marshallville, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Elara Caring Hospice, 1530 W Market St., Akron, OH 44313.
DRVT — DRAG VARIABILITY REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Using Doppler radar and Schlieren imagery, Hornady engineers have developed and patented Drag Variability Reduction Technology (DVRT) to increase the uniformity of bullet drag from shot to shot, resulting in less dispersion at long range.
While analyzing thousands of Doppler radar drag curves, Hornady’s ballisticians isolated a bullet tip design that would reduce the variation in drag from bullet to bullet. Specifically, the meplat must be flat – not pointed – and the diameter of the flat meplat is a specific ratio to the bullet diameter. Tests showed that a flat end of the bullet tip provided more consistent drag.
Upon refinement of this design feature in late 2018, DVRT was implemented into all bullets using the Heat Shield Tip and the A-Tip Match bullet. While DVRT was patent pending, shooters quietly benefited from this design for several years. Now with the patent issued, Hornday has published the details of Drag Variability Reduction Technology on its website. And the hour-long Hornady Podcast embedded below explains how DVRT was developed from extensive field research with Doppler radar.
Bullets with Drag Variability Reduction Technology:
When shooting any match that requires moving back and forth between multiple target distances it is very handy to have your ballistics data, i.e. your “come-ups”, placed within easy view. That way you can instantly see your elevation for various target distances in seconds. This can really help a PRS/NRL competitor on timed stages. And having a convenient “Dope” display of elevation at various distances can also benefit varminters who are shooting critters. In our varmint hunters we targeted p-dogs from about 80 yards out to 500+.
PRC DOPE Roller QD Ballistic Data Turret
The PRC DOPE Roller QD Ballistic Data Turret provides a handy, low profile display of windage and elevation data. You can see your “dope” without breaking position from behind the rifle. Then simply rotate the knob to display data from various distances. The ballistic data is placed by wrapping a simple 1″ x 3″ adhesive address label around the outside surface of the DOPE Roller. This handy quick-detach roller retails for $64.95 from Precision Rifle Components.
MDT M-LOK Data Card Holder
The MDT M-LOK Data Card Holder has an adjustable neck allowing you to easily position your ballistics data for optimal viewing. Data entries are written on on a reusable card that attaches with Velcro. The Data Card Holder Kit comes with hardware to mount to any M-Lok rail. In addition the card holder fits directly to an MDT ACC chassis attachment point. This MDT kit includes: M-LOK Data Card Holder, Wet Erase Data Card, Wet Erase Marker, and installation hardware. NOTE: The Card Holder sticks out about 6.7″ when fully extended, but arm links can be removed to make the arm shorter. The unit folds flat for storage. This complete kit is $59.95 at Creedmoor Sports.
Warne Universal Data Card Holder
The Warne Universal Data Card Holder easily attaches to the scope tube, in left or right configurations, for a universal fit. Data is displayed in a convenient location to make quick and accurate target transitions, and the articulating arm allows for low profile storage while not in use. The Warne Universal Data Card Holder retails for $70.95 at Creedmoor Sports. Three ring sizes are offered: 30mm, 34mm, 35mm. A 50-pack of Warne Data Card label refills is currently $9.95 on sale.
Scope-Cover Mounted Ballistics Table
Another option is to place your ballistics card on the back of the front flip-up scope cover. This set-up is used by Forum member Greg C. (aka “Rem40X”).
With your ‘come-up’ table on the flip-up cover you can check your windage and elevation drops easily without having to move out of shooting position.
Greg tells us: “Placing my trajectory table on the front scope cover has worked well for me for a couple of years and thought I’d share. It’s in plain view and not under my armpit. And the table is far enough away that my aging eyes can read it easily. To apply, just use clear tape on the front objective cover.”
Cheap But Effective — Tape on the Stock with Ballistics Data
At the 2021 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge, Applied Ballistics guru Bryan Litz wrote his come-ups on blue masking tape applied to his stock. He did this based on a tip from Chase Stroud. With the tape applied behind the action, the numbers are easily visible. This “cheap trick” does work apparently — Bryan won the match with a convincing victory over 220 other shooters. READ Match Report.
Cheap But NOT So Effective — Numbers on Hand
Many of us have scribbled some come-ups on the back of a hand or on our forearm using a marking pen. That can work if you only have a couple distances to deal with — say 100 and 300 yards. But if you want a more complete Come-up table, get one of the card-holders shown above. Writing numbers on the skin is generally not such a good idea….
Biden Administration Restriction of Firearms Exports
For this Saturday Video Showcase we are featuring products and operations of Kelbly’s Inc. We are doing this to help help honor the memory of George E. Kelbly Sr., the man who founded 
Scope-Cover Mounted Ballistics Table
