Federal offers advanced Syntech ammunition with polymer-encased projectiles. Federal Syntech Ammo is the first range-specific factory-loaded ammunition designed to reduce fouling and extend barrel life with a high-tech polymer bullet coating plus specially-formulated clean-burning powders. The potential for reduced wear and fouling is real. When tested against conventional FMJ ammunition, Federal claims Syntech pistol ammo produced 12% less barrel friction and 14% less heat. Also, since Syntech bullets lack a metal jacket, there is less chance of ricochets on steel targets.
Syntech user reviews have been highly positive:
Syntech ammo does what it says, I’ve tested it. Barrel stays cooler, easier to clean without lead or copper fouling. Extremely reliable — the Syntech coating aides in the feeding cycle.
This my favorite ammo for shooting steel plates. Makes a terrific sound when hitting. Far less barrel cleaning after a day of shooting.
Great range ammo. Clean pistols less often.
Federal now offers Syntech ammunition in 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, and .45 ACP. These four chamberings are offered in various bullet weights with both round-nose and flat-nose bullet options. The best value we found is a 500-round case of 124gr 9mm Luger for $239.99 at MidwayUSA.
For years this Editor has loaded his .45 ACP and .44 Mag handguns with polymer/moly matrix-coated bullets from Precision Bullets in Texas. Those poly/moly-encased lead bullets shot VERY accurately and I found that my barrels fouled much less than with conventional lead bullets. Likewise, there was much less cylinder fouling on my revolvers. If the American Syntech bullets work as well as those Precision bullets, we think the Syntech line will be a winner. Syntech bullets should benefit any shooter who frequents a range where conventional lead ammo is not allowed.
Features & Benefits
• Polymer-encapsulated Syntech bullet prevents metal-on-metal contact in the bore, eliminating copper and lead fouling, while extending barrel life.
• Exclusive primer formulation provides reliable, consistent ignition.
• Clean-burning propellants minimize residue and fouling.
• Significantly reduces the required frequency of cleaning.
• Absence of a copper jacket minimizes splash-back on steel targets.
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While AccurateShooter.com focuses primarily on rifle disciplines, we know that most of our regular readers also own handguns. It’s fun to shoot pistols, both outdoors and indoors. With a short site radius, and the snap of pistol recoil, handguns can be challenging — but that’s part of the fun. We enjoy shooting revolvers and semi-auto pistols at distances from 25 feet to 50 yards. Here are some fun targets you can download and print for FREE. These should provide a fun challenge for your next handgun sessions.
1. Patriotic Stars Target with Three Score Values
Here’s a fun Patriotic Stars Target created by the NSSF. This would be a great target to shoot on the 4th of July. Aim for the stars. The red stars are worth 3 points, the blue stars are 5 points, and the smallest white stars are worth 10 points. After aiming for the one-color stars, try to hit the center red, white, and blue star for added fun. You can also use this target with rifles at longer ranges.
2. Red Center Pistol Target
Here’s a NRA-type target for pistol shooting. The bright red center helps when shooting indoors because well-placed bullet holes are much more visible. This target includes data entry boxes to record gun type, score, and load data. This Red Center Target is one of many good free targets available at Targets4free.com.
3. NSSF Billiards Table Target
This Billiards Table Target offers 15 brightly-colored numbered balls with the cue ball at the bottom. Aim for the numbers, shooting 1-15 in sequence, or alternate between stripes and solids. You can also draw an “X” on the white cue ball (or attach a paster), and use that to set your zero. This target is fun for shooting outdoors with rifles at 50 or 100 yards or indoors with pistols.
4. Poker Target — Get the Best Hand
With this playing card-themed target, each shooter takes five shots and the one with the highest hand wins. With the Poker Game Target you can also shoot for 4-of-a-kind, against the clock, fastest four (without a mistake) wins.
5. Tic-Tac-Toe Fun Game Target
This Tic-Tac-Toe Shooting Game Target lets you challenge your shooting buddies at the range. One player can shoot the red triangles, while the other shoots the white zones, taking turns. You proceed just like a regular Tic-Tac-Toe game, alternating shots, with the goal of getting three of the same color in a row. This is a fun game for a parent and a young family member. You’ll find other fun targets on Targets4free.com.
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Precision rifle shooters don’t have to hit a big-league fastball, or launch a top-fuel dragster in the blink of an eye. Nonetheless, reaction times are important in our sport — both for competitive shooters and hunters. Want to catch that prairie dog before he slips down his hole? You’ll need to be quick. Want to win at short-range benchrest? Then you’ll need to watch your windflags and respond quickly to a change. Miss a major wind-shift and you could ruin your whole weekend.
Here’s a fun test of reaction times from HumanBenchmark.com. The way it works is that, after clicking “Start”, you wait until the background color changes from red to green. The instant you see green, immediately click your mouse. The average (median) reaction time is 273 milliseconds, according to data collected so far. Hint: If you keep your finger “preloaded” in contact with your mouse button you can shave some milliseconds — but don’t “jump the gun”.
Tips for Faster Times
Here are three tips to speed up your reaction times:
1) Respond to the color change (by itself), rather than wait to read the word “CLICK!” after the box shifts to green.
2) Try focusing at the corner of the box, rather than the center. This may help you react “without thinking”.
3) Have your index finger “poised and ready” over the left button–you can shave milliseconds by very slightly depressing the button before you actually click.
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The shooting season is now in full swing. When you head to the range you’ll want to be prepared. That means collecting all the gear you’ll need at the range. It’s easy to forget small, critical items, so we’ve provided a checklist of the small “extras” you should pack before you head out to the range. In addition to rifle, rests, ammo, targets, and cleaning gear, here are a dozen essentials you should include in your range bag.
• Shell-Holder — If you don’t have calipers, you can use a shell-holder to check for excessive case expansion from hot loads. If a fired case doesn’t slip into the shell-holder easily, your load is definitely TOO HOT.
• Extra Earplugs — Always use ear protection when shooting. We bring a 35mm film canister with extra sets of foam earplugs.
• Hex Wrench or Screwdriver for action screws — Action screws can work loose with time. Always bring the appropriate hex wrench or screwdriver whenever you go to the range.
• Small Wrench for Scope Rings — Check the tension of your scope base and ring fasteners before you go. Bring along a small Torx wrench for the ring screws (or other tool that fits your fasteners).
• Normal and Under-sized Jags — It is often wise to use one-caliber undersize jags when applying solvent with cotton patches. You should have a couple sizes in your range kit.
• Extra Batteries — Bring extra batteries for all your electronic gear — which can include chronograph, windmeter, digital camera, GPS etc.
• Small Notebook and Pen or Pencil — Use the notebook to record chron data, log group sizes, and make notes about wind and weather conditions.
• Adhesive dots — Bring a few sheets of adhesive dots (sold at office supply stores). Use small white or black dots as target pasters. Use larger red or orange dots as aiming points (target centers).
• Folding Chair or Camp Stool — This comes in handy if you’re spotting for another shooter, or if you reload away from the firing line.
• Water Bottle — You can’t shoot well if you’re dehydrated. Bring at least two quarts of water with you and keep a bottle at the bench.
• Surveyors’ Tape and Wood Stakes — You can make inexpensive wind indicators using surveyors’ tape attached to the top of wood stakes.
• Small Plastic Ruler — Use this to measure your group sizes. A transparent (see-through) ruler works best. Rulers are also useful for drawing lines on targets.
This list is not intended to be exclusive. There are many other items you may wish to include. Obviously bring safety glasses, and Sharpie-type pens are always handy to mark targets. We invite our readers to add other “essentials” to the list. The important thing is to plan ahead, packing your key items before you drive to the range.
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Summer is approaching. That means many of our readers will be on the road traveling to matches or holiday destinations. LawShield, America’s largest provider of Legal Defense for Self Defense® coverage, offers a National Travel Guide for Gun Owners and state-specific Travel Guides for Gun Owners. These guides feature practical information for people traveling through nearly every state in the USA.
State-Specific Travel Guides — Access for FREE
State-specific Travel Guides and a National Travel Guide for Gun Owners can be accessed for FREE on the the U.S. LawShield website. For planning future travel, bookmark Resources.uslawshield.com/travel-guide,
According to Kirk Evans, President of U.S. LawShield, “Because there are so many details for people to understand before they leave home, we developed state-specific guides to help folks stay on the right side of the law. Take the time to learn the laws before hitting the road because they are not the same everywhere. Don’t wait until after the fact to plan for your guns when preparing for your trip.”
Travel Guide for Gun Owners Topics:
Permits/licenses recognized by specific states
State laws you should know, including vehicle carry, duty to notify law enforcement, and open and concealed carry laws
Where you can legally carry your gun
Federal laws you should know
Carrying in National Parks
Transfer of firearms
Traveling from state to state and the Safe Passage provision
Flying with a firearm, including TSA requirement warnings and how to pack ammunition
Driving with a firearm
Two Knowledgeable Attorneys Explain State Law Issues When Traveling
In this video U.S. LawShield Independent Program Attorneys Richard Hayes and Emily Taylor provide essential information for traveling with firearms. Discussion includes essential information needed to stay safe and responsible while traveling with firearms.
Know the Laws of Every State You Travel Through
“There is no standardization of gun laws within the 50 individual states, so even if a state recognizes your handgun license or permit, they may have additional restrictions on certain types of firearms, magazines, or ammunition,” said Evans. “In some states, it’s illegal for a non-resident to possess a firearm in the passenger compartment of their vehicle. And, because you are subject to a state’s laws when you are in that state, if you break their laws, you could be committing a crime — whether you think you intentionally broke the law or not,” he added.
“Remember, not knowing the law is not a valid defense,” stated Evans. “Use our Travel Guide for Gun Owners for whatever state you’re traveling through, and learn which states honor your carry license or permit before you go.”
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CMP Awards Over $300,000 in Scholarships to Marksmanship Athletes for 2024-2025
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Scholarship Committee has presented 142 scholarships to outstanding junior marksmen and women for the 2024-2025 school year. Along with a generous $30,000 contribution from the Garand Collectors Association (GCA), the CMP Scholarship Program awarded $308,000 in new and recurring scholarships: 76 one-time $1,000 scholarships, 17 one-time $3,000 scholarships, and 24 one-time $5,000 scholarships, and Repeat $5000 (4-time) scholarships. CLICK HERE for list of all 2024-25 CMP Scholarship winners.
Four-Year Scholarships
The CMP granted four new repeat $5,000 scholarships, totaling $20,000 over four years for each recipient. These will support the candidates throughout their 4-year college careers. Earning four-year recurring scholarships ($20k per person) are:
Harry Sieben Scholarship: Claudia Muzik (Green Springs, OH)
Carolyn Hines Scholarship: Danjela Jordan de Jesus (Woodbine, GA)
Jon Bengston Scholarship: Natalie Bean (Sour Lake, TX)
Judith Legerski Scholarship: Meredith Stuart (Comfort, TX)
One-time $5000 Scholarship Winners:
Students receiving the $5,000 one-time scholarships are:
Jordyn Allen (AL)
Susan Carter (GA)
Rory Claussen (NM)
Grace Corbett (VA)
Colter Cornwell (MT)
Gracie Dinh (AR)
Riley Dunn (PA)
Ena Gibson (CO)
Nicolette Hoffman (SD)
Megan Jaros (MN)
Katie McCall (MO)
Mallory Johnson (TN)
Evan Langerak (MN)
David LePage (NY)
Elizabeth Probst (TX)
Chloe Shannon (OK)
Donald Simpson (OH)
Hailey Singleton (OH)
Emma Sjodin (TX)
Judson Terry (GA)
Logan Tucker (AR)
Carlee Valenta (PA)
Micah Vawter (WA)
Emme Walrath (WI).
Special Community Scholarship Program
An additional $5,000 from the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama was donated towards CMP’s Community Scholarship – reserved for students in districts surrounding the CMP facilities in Anniston/Talladega, Alabama, and Port Clinton (Camp Perry), Ohio. This year’s $5,000 Superspeedway donation went to Peyton Whitelaw (Oxford, AL). A total of 16 other $1,000 Community Scholarships were awarded, marking $21,000 overall for CMP’s support of neighboring areas.
About the CMP Scholarship Program:
The CMP is proud to provide support to junior marksmen in their continuing education. Through these scholarships, the CMP is able to uphold its goal of awarding those who present exceptional talent, determination and citizenship within the field of marksmanship. CMP Scholarships are available to graduating high school JROTC, 4-H, and other junior shooting club members. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, show good moral character, and be a scholar marksman.
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. To learn more about the CMP and its programs, visit TheCMP.org
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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 — AR15 Lower Receiver, $49.99
⏺ Amazing Deal on quality AR lower receiver
Do you need a quality, affordable lower for your next black gun build? Here’s a great deal. Palmetto State Armory (PSA) now has stripped AR15 lowers for just $49.99. With this lower as the core, you can build up your AR for any discipline you choose: 3-Gun rifle, competition service rifle competition, varmint rifle, or even “race gun” for the PRS Gas Gun Series. These PSA lowers are forged using 7075-T6 Aluminum and have a durable, mil-spec anodized hardcoat finish.
2. Sportsman’s WH — Rangefinders on Sale, Save up to 34%
⏺ Major discounts on Leupold, SIG Sauer, and Vortex Rangefinders
3. Stocky’s Stocks — Quality Carbon Fiber Stocks on Sale
⏺ Excellent stocks for varmint and hunting rifles — strong and light
Would you like a modern, high-tech carbon fiber stock for your next hunting or varmint rifle project? Stocky’s Stocks is running a major sale on UltraLite Carbon Fiber VG2 Rem 700 Stocks, UltraLite Carbon Fiber Hunter Rem 700 Stocks and UltraLite Carbon Fiber M50 Rem 700 Stocks. With a selection this big you’re bound to find one that fits your needs. These stocks are strong, light, and durable.
4. Palmetto SA — SIG 3-9x50mm Scope + Laser RF, $179.99
⏺ Scope and rangefinder for hunting — combo for under $200
Here’s a good, ultra-affordable scope/LRF combo for a hunter on a tight budget. The Buckmasters Scope and Rangefinder Combo offers advanced SIG Sauer electro-optics for just $179.99. The 3-9x50mm scope has a Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) reticle with holdover dots. The SIG Sauer LRF 1500 Laser Rangefinder offers fast-ranging performance with red illuminated display for low light hunting. If you don’t need a scope, you can get the Buckmasters 1500 Laser Rangefinder for just $119.99, an amazing deal.
5. Walmart — Fingerprint Access Gun Safe, $149.99
⏺ 50% Off price on Rapid Access Gun Safe (fingerprint, keypad, key)
Need to store a few rifles or shotguns with secure yet rapid access? Consider this 5-Gun Safe with Fingerprint Access. With a $299.99 MSRP, it is now just $149.99 on sale. It has five locking bolts on the door sides plus an internal locking compartment. Sized 13.8″W x 11.8″D x 57″T, this 74-lb safe can hold multiple long guns and pistols, along with other valuables. The main door can be opened instantly with fingerprint recognition, or use the digital keypad (there is also an emergency keyhole). The interior has foam barrel holder and carpeted floor, plus three pistol pouches on the door. NOTE: We do NOT recommend this as a primary gun safe, but it can be a good secondary safe.
6. Palmetto SA, Blackhawk Shooting Mat/Rifle Case, $49.99
⏺ Multi-Function Shooting Mat/Rifle Case now $100 Off
Here’s a great deal on a multi-function Mat/carry case. The Blackhawk Stalker Drag Mat Carry Case functions as a nice padded shooting mat, AND it serves as a rifle carry case and drag bag. Length is 50.5″ and width (in rifle case mode) is 9″. This mat/case is made from durable 1000 denier nylon and closed-cell foam. It has carry straps plus a shoulder strap.
7. Powder Valley — 2500 RUAG SmR Primers, $177.99
⏺ Great price on high-quality primers
If you shoot benchrest rigs, varmint rifles, or ARs, you need small rifle (SR) primers. Now you can get some very high-quality German-made RUAG SR Primers for a mere $177.99 for 2500. That’s the equivalent of $71.20 per thousand. These RUAG #4033 primers have earned positive user reviews: “Excellent quality… they performed very well… would recommend these to anyone”. NOTE: These are mil-spec primers with a fairly hard cup.
8. Midsouth — Poly-Tipped Bullet Sale, 17 to 23 Cents Each
⏺ Good, budget-priced bullets for varminters, AR15 Shooters, and hunters
If you need good bullets for your .223 Rem, 22 BR, or 22-250 varmint rig, here is a great opportunity. Get 55gr or 75gr polymer-tipped bullets at super-low prices, starting at just $41.99 for 250 — just 17 cents each. There are also 110gr .30 caliber bullets at $56.99/250 that can work for small game, or even local club matches. These deals are all on 250-count lots. CLICK HERE for Poly-tip Bullet Sale at Midsouth.
9. Amazon — Dragon AR500 Steel Targets, $16.99 and Up
⏺ Good prices on strong versatile AR500 steel gongs, 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″, 12″.
Shooting steel is fun — you get instant gratification from hearing the “clang” and seeing the gong swing. Shooting steel is also good practice for PRS/NRL events and ground-hog matches. Right now, you can get some great deals on quality AR500 steel targets. These Dragon Target Gongs (#ad) start at just $16.99 for a 4″-diameter, 3/8″-thick gong. Larger 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″ gongs are offered in 3/8″ and 1/2″ thicknesses, and a 3-pack of 8″ gongs is available. A 6″-diameter gong is $26.99 (3/8″ thick) or $32.99 (1/2″ thick). The largest 12″-diameter gong in the heavy 1/2″ thickness is $76.99. NOTE: All these Dragon gongs have a center hole allowing more hanging options.
⏺ Sophisticated wind speed meter at a super-affordable price
Knowing wind speed is critical to making accurate ballistic adjustments both on the line or in the field. If you need a reliable yet affordable wind speed meter, consider the BTMETER BT-100 Handheld Anemometer (#ad). The BT-100’s multi-function capabilities include Wind Speed, Wind Temperature, and Wind Chill factor. The BT-100 portable wind speed gauge can accurately measure wind velocity in 5 units: m/s, km/h, ft/min, knots, mph. The unit also records air temperatures in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
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President Donald J. Trump will address NRA Members at the 2024 NRA-ILA Leadership Forum.
Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump will appear 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 on Saturday, May 18th. The Forum starts at 2:00 pm on the 18th. 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.
Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of NRA-ILA, added, “President Trump’s presence at the NRA Annual Meetings is a powerful sign of his ongoing commitment to our constitutional freedoms and the [NRA’s] efforts to protect and advance the Second Amendment rights of every law-abiding American.”
The 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits includes three days of free seminars and special events. On display in the 14-acre Exhibit Hall are the latest guns and gear from leading suppliers. In addition, hunting outfitters will promote their services. The event takes place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, 650 South Griffin Street, Dallas, TX 75202.
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Detail from Doan Trevor rimfire prone stock (Fiddleback Walnut) with Stiller 2500 X Action.
New Mexico Gunsmith Doan Trever is a true wizard with wood. At Doan Trevor Custom Rifle Building, he crafts stunning figured wood stocks, and also builds complete wood-stocked and fiberglass-stocked rifles that shoot as good as they look. Doan is a true master, with a mind for function and an eye for beauty. The ability to hand-craft wood is becoming a lost art. For this Sunday, we celebrate four projects crafted by Doan: two complete rifle, a special F-Class stock built for multiple actions, and an F-TR stock for a Sako action. Visit DoanTrevor.com to view find dozens of other stunning stocks and complete rifles.
Mausingfield America Rifle with English Walnut Stock
Doan told us: “This is a highly figured piece of English Walnut with burls and flowers. Along the bottom of the stock there’s a burl/flower that looks like an owl and one side looks like the Sandia Mountains. This rifle is in 30 PCR. Doan adds: “The owner is enjoying this rifle immensely.”
Walther KK500 (Twin Trigger), English Walnut Laminate Stock with Fiddleback Accents
About this unique rig Doan notes: “This left-handed rifle has two triggers. It has an electronic trigger AND a mechanical trigger. With the wood stock option, the charging cable needs to be modified modify in order to clear the trigger extension to be able to charge. Also, keeping with aesthetics, I made it able to remove the trigger guard in order to charge more easily. Removing the trigger guard does not change the bedding.”
American Walnut F-Class Stock with Figured English/Claro Walnut Fore-End Inlay
Doan explains: “The owner has three actions with the same barrel block mounting system. He wanted to be able to use one stock. I built a bedding system that would accomplish this task. The two pieces of Claro Walnut on the fore-end are mirror copies.”
F-TR Stock for Sako 85 with Johnny Byer Stock Blank
Here’s a handsome F-TR rig. Doan reports: “The pistol grip cap is a piece of Screw Bean Mesquite Wood from my old front yard in Albuquerque. (I live in Rio Rancho, NM now.) Take a look at the bottom photo with the blue background, the rifle doesn’t have any stippling yet. Sometimes, you have stippling as the last step. There’s no room for error when this order of events is necessary.”
Doan Trevor is a master gunsmith and stock-maker who works in the old style. He still hand-crafts stocks from start to finish, and does all the metal-work on the custom rifles he builds. Starting with highly-figured woods, Doan carves and shapes his stocks largely by hand, with meticulous attention to detail. Each rifle he builds is optimized for its intended discipline, and custom-fitted for the customer.
With photography by Doan’s talented wife Sue, Doan has created a website, DoanTrevor.com, that is a feast for the eyes. You can see beautiful wood-stocked rifles being hand-crafted. Doan also illustrates how he creates custom metal parts, and how he beds barreled actions into the finished stocks.
Definitely visit Doan’s website. Be sure to click on the site’s secondary pages: Rifle Building, Woodworking, and Metalworking. There you’ll find info on wood-working plus hundreds of high-quality photos.
Contact Doan Trevor
Doan Trevor Custom Rifle Building
Website: DoanTrevor.com
Email: doantrevor@gmail.com
Phone: 714-457-5566
Products and Services: Custom rifle building for High Power, F-Class, Long Range, and Smallbore shooters. Fancy Wood and Fiberglass Rifle Stocks, Custom Grips for Rifles, and Offset Sights.
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There is a good article on gun safes in SHOT Business, a publication for the NSSF SHOT Show audience. Written by Christopher Cogley, this Safe Spaces Article offers some very important things to consider when purchasing a gun safe. Here are key points from that article:
Safe Security — The security of a gun safe comes down to two main factors: the thickness of the steel and the construction of the safe. When it comes to construction, look for a safe that has continuous welded construction instead of bolts or spot-welding, which are easier for trained gun thieves to cut through with torches or high-power saws.
Lock Options — Traditional combination locks are arguably the simplest choice. The downside, though, is they don’t provide quick access to firearms in an emergency. Electronic and biometric keypads provide quicker access — but be sure to replace the batteries every year.
Fireproof Rating — Aside from theft, the biggest threat to your firearms is fire. Unfortunately, the fireproof rating on gun safes can be confusing because there is no single, “standard” fireproof rating. As a general rule, the fireproof rating states how long a safe can be exposed to a fire of a particular temperature and maintain a temperature inside the safe of no more than 350 degrees F. To put this in context, the average house fire creates temperatures between 800 and 1,200 degrees F.
Where to Place a Gun Safe in Your Home
The Safe Spaces article includes advice from Stephen Hall, CEO of Lock It Up Safes. Hall addressed the question: “Where should I put my safe?”
Hall states: “Ease of installation should NOT be the foremost consideration when making this decision. Putting a safe in the garage has both pros and cons. We see some retailers recommend the garage solely because they don’t have the right team on board to install safes in other locations, and wheeling one into the garage is the easy way out.
Putting a safe in the garage is fine if that is the only place you an put it, but most want the safe in the home, where they can get to it quickly. Temperature and humidity are important considerations as well, and both are more easily controlled in a house rather than in the garage.
One advantage to garage installation is the concrete floor provides a solid base for safe installation. Houses built on concrete slabs also offer a solid anchor on the first level. If the safe needs to go to an upper floor, the weight of the safe and its contents need to be factored in.”
Place Safe Against Outside Wall
Hall recommends placing your gun safe against an outside wall: “In case of fire, the safe will typically last longer as there is not a lot that can burn on one side of the safe, thus keeping it cooler.”
Don’t Make the Mistake of Buying an Undersized Safe
The most common mistake people make when buying a gun safe is getting a safe that’s too small. This video explains why you should probably invest in a bigger safe. First, the rated gun capacity is exaggerated — rifles with mounted optics, long barrels, wide forearms and/or pistol grips take up considerably more space than a small rimfire rifle or a lever gun with iron sights. Second, your gun collection will likely grow in years to come. Third, you may want to store other valuables in the safe — such as vital documents, jewelry, watches, and pricey electronics. In this video the host notes: “Get a much larger safe than you think you’ll need at first. This will guarantee that you will have enough room for future purchases and all the guns and equipment you currently have.”
Recommended Safe Features for Long-Gun Storage
Editor’s Recommendation:
Budget $1200-1500 for a safe from a major maker, with external hinges, and an interior at least 58″ high. That gives you room for 30″-barreled rifles with a top shelf for handguns and other valuables. A rotary rack and slide-out drawers are great additions.
Keypad or Dial? We favor rotary dial locks. With minimal maintenance they will function flawlessly for decades. But the digital locks offer quick-access and convenience. If you go digital, get a commercial-grade unit.
Fire-lining is worth getting, but a thin layer of sheet-rock doesn’t make a safe truly “fire-proof”.
Interior at least 58″ High and 30″ wide Overall Weight 750+ Pounds 8 Gauge or Heavier Wall Thickness Double-Wall, Composite Door with Relockers Minimum UL RSC Rated. TL-15 or TL-30 Rating is Desirable External Hinges
Mechanical UL Group II (or better) Lock with Standard Dial Or UL Type 1 Commercial-Grade Electronic Lock
Custom Interior Suitable for Scoped Guns with Long Barrels On-Door Storage System for Non-scoped Long Guns OR Rotary Gun Rack for Scoped Rifles and ARs
Internal (sandwiched) Insulator, Reinforced if Sheet-rock Palusol? Heat-Activated Expanding Door Seals
Slide-out Drawers for Handguns Fire-lined Inner Safe for Paper and Media
Low Gloss, Rust-resistant External Finish Pre-Drilled holes for Lag Bolts and in Rear for Electric Cord Overhead Fluorescent Lamp and/or LED Mini-lights on Strings
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There was huge news in the reloading world this week. Hodgdon Powder Company (Hodgdon) has acquired RCBS from Revelyst, a division of of Vista Outdoor (VSTO). Most operations of RCBS will remain in Oroville, California for now, and the full product line will stay in production — presses, dies, powder measures, case prep tools, priming tools, scales and more. But this is still big news, with a leading reloading gear maker being acquired by a leading powder maker/distributor.
Today’s Saturday Showcase feature some of the most popular and noteworthy RCBS products including single-stage, turret, and progressive presses, plus powder dispensers and other tools.
RCBS ChargeMaster Link Scale/Dispenser with Bluetooth
Having a modern, electronic powder scale/dispenser makes the hand-loading process vastly more efficient. The latest generation of powder dispensers are very accurate, and they can store charge settings for multiple cartridge types. The latest RCBS ChargeMaster Link dispenser has a modern interface, plus Bluetooth technology that “talks” to a handy App on your mobile device. This is available now for $299.99 at Cabelas.com.
RCBS Combo Kit — Good Choice for Getting Started in Reloading
You can definitely save money by buying multiple reloading gear items in one combo package. RCBS offers a variety of Reloading Combo Kits which feature reloading press, powder measure, scale, priming tool, and other items. These range in price from $265-$620 on Amazon. This video reviews an RCBS Rebel Master Kit. This is a very complete starter set-up, sold for $499.99 at Midsouth.
Along with the press, we like many of the components in the Rebel Master combo kit. The powder measure works well as does the trickler, and the hand primer tool is reliable, with good feeding and plenty of leverage.
RCBS Partner Press
We think all serious reloaders should have a small, secondary single-stage press for repetitive tasks such as decapping primers. In addition, a small, compact press can be transported easily to the range. Load development can be done more efficiently when loading at the range, as you can easily modify seating depth and other variables. The RCBS Partner Press (#ad) is a great choice for a secondary press. This UltimateReloader video shows the key features of the Partner Press.
RCBS 6-Station Turret Press — Operation Tips
This editor has owned and used an RCBS Turret Press for over two decades. While certainly not as versatile/sophisticated as the Area 419 XERO turret press, this six-station RCBS press does its job handily. It is a good choice if you load multiple pistol cartridges. With six stations, you can install both a sizing and a seating die for three different cartridge types, such as 9mm Luger, .357 Magnum, and .45 ACP.
RCBS Brass Boss Case Prep Center
The RCBS Boss is a powered case prep center that performs multiple tasks efficiently. Priced at $198.99 on Amazon (#ad), the RCBS Boss boasts six variable, high-speed rotating stations (four at <350 RPM; two at <550 RPM). This unit is great for initial case prep (chamfering/deburring) and regular brass maintenance.
RCBS Summit — Set-UP and Field installation on Vehicle
The RCBS Summit Press (#ad) is a very unique, small footprint press that operates differently than most reloading presses. The cast-iron Summit has a large-diameter center column and die moves up and down to meet the cartridge. With this small footprint, the Summit can be used in the field. As you can see in the second video, one of our testers actually mounted a Summit Press on his vehicle (with a special pedestal) so he could load anywhere.
RCBS Bench-mount Priming Tool (Two Short Videos)
If you need to prime large numbers of cases, the RCBS bench-mount Auto Priming Tool can do so efficiently at a modest cost (currently $155.09 on Amazon #ad). It attaches to your bench so it is secure and stable. A vertical tube holds dozens of primers that feed into the pusher as you can see in these videos. Older guys who experience pain when gripping hand primer tools have praised this bench-mounted RCBS unit.
Choosing a Case Cleaning System
Here Kent Sakamoto of RCBS looks at the three main types of brass cleaning systems: Vibratory Tumbler, Wet Tumbler (with media), and Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine. Kent reviews the pros and cons of each system. Most gun owners can benefit by having an ultrasonic machine for parts cleaning as well as a tumbler for cleaning fired brass.
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With barrels, one wonders “Can a little more length provide a meaningful velocity gain?” To answer that question, Rifleshooter.com performed an interesting test, cutting a .308 Win barrel from 28″ all the way down to 16.5″. The cuts were made in one-inch intervals with a rotary saw. At each cut length, velocity was measured with a Magnetospeed chronograph. To make the test even more interesting, four different types of .308 Win factory ammunition were chronographed at each barrel length.
This is a very useful test is you’re thinking about building a .308 Win hunting rifle, or perhaps thinking of going shorter for your F-TR rifle to save weight.
Test Barrel Lost 22.7 FPS Per Inch (.308 Win Chambering)
How much velocity do you think was lost, on average, for each 1″ reduction in barrel length? The answer may surprise you. With a barrel reduction from 28″ to 16.5″, the average speed loss of the four types of .308 ammo was 261 fps total. That works out to an average loss of 22.7 fps per inch. This chart shows velocity changes for all four ammo varieties:
Summary of Findings:
The average velocity loss per inch, for all four ammo types combined, was 22.7 FPS. By ammo type, the average FPS loss per inch was: 24.6 (Win 147 FMJ), 22.8 (IMI 150 FMJ), 20.9 (Fed GMM 168gr), and 22.5 (Win 180PP).
Interestingly, these numbers jive pretty well with estimates found in reloading manuals. The testers observed: “The Berger Reloading manual says for the 308 Winchester, ‘muzzle velocity will increase (or decrease) by approximately 20 fps per inch from a standard 24″ barrel’.”
How the Test Was Done
The testers described their procedure as follows: “Ballistic data was gathered using a Magnetospeed barrel mounted ballistic chronograph. At each barrel length, the rifle was fired from a front rest with rear bags, with five rounds of each type of ammunition. Average velocity and standard deviation were logged for each round. Since we would be gathering data on 52 different barrel length and ammunition combinations and would not be crowning the barrel after each cut, we decided to eliminate gathering data on group sizes. Once data was gathered for each cartridge at a given barrel length, the rifle was cleared and the bolt was removed. The barrel was cut off using a cold saw. The test protocol was repeated for the next length. Temperature was 47° F.”
CLICK HERE to Read the Rifleshooter.com Test. This includes detailed charts with inch-by-inch velocity numbers, multiple line charts, and complete data sets for each type of ammo. Rifleshooter.com also offers ballistics graphs showing trajectories with different barrel lengths. All in all, this was a very thorough test by the folks at RifleShooter.com.
Much Different Results with 6mmBR and a Longer Barrel
The results from Rifleshooter.com’s .308 barrel cut-down test are quite different than the results we recorded some years ago with a barrel chambered for the 6mmBR cartridge. When we cut our 6mmBR barrel down from 33″ to 28″, we only lost about 8 FPS per inch. Obviously this is a different cartridge type, but also our 6mmBR barrel start length was 5″ longer than Rifleshooter.com’s .308 Win start length (and we ended where Rifleshooter’s .308 started — at 28″). Velocity loss can be more extreme with shorter barrel lengths (and bigger cartridges). Powder burn rates can also make a difference.
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The shooting season is now in full swing. When you head to the range you’ll want to be prepared. That means collecting all the gear you’ll need at the range. It’s easy to forget small, critical items, so we’ve provided a checklist of the small “extras” you should pack before you head out to the range. In addition to rifle, rests, ammo, targets, and cleaning gear, here are a dozen essentials you should include in your range bag.
• Shell-Holder — If you don’t have calipers, you can use a shell-holder to check for excessive case expansion from hot loads. If a fired case doesn’t slip into the shell-holder easily, your load is definitely TOO HOT.
• Hex Wrench or Screwdriver for action screws — Action screws can work loose with time. Always bring the appropriate hex wrench or screwdriver whenever you go to the range.
• Extra Batteries — Bring extra batteries for all your electronic gear — which can include chronograph, windmeter, digital camera, GPS etc.
• Folding Chair or Camp Stool — This comes in handy if you’re spotting for another shooter, or if you reload away from the firing line.
• Small Plastic Ruler — Use this to measure your group sizes. A transparent (see-through) ruler works best. Rulers are also useful for drawing lines on targets.
Detail from Doan Trevor rimfire prone stock (Fiddleback Walnut) with Stiller 2500 X Action.
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