Put the same load in a variety of barrels (with the same length and chamberings) and you’ll see a wide variance in muzzle velocity. In fact, it’s not unusual to see up to 100 fps difference from one barrel to the next. We demonstrated this with a comparison test of Lapua factory ammo.
Chron Testing Lapua Factory Ammo
At our Southern California test range some years ago, we chronographed Lapua 105gr 6mmBR factory ammo in three different 8-twist barrels of similar length. The results were fascinating. Lapua specs this ammo at 2790 fps, based on Lapua’s testing with its own 26″ test barrel. We observed a speed variance of 67 fps based on tests with three aftermarket barrels.
Barrel Velocity Variance
Brand ‘S’ and Brand ‘PN’ were pre-fit barrels shot on Savage actions. Brand ‘K’ was fitted to a custom action. All test barrels were throated for the 100-108 grain bullets, though there may have been some slight variances in barrel freebore. With a COAL of 2.330″, the rounds were “jumping” to the rifling in all barrels.
Among the four barrels, Brand ‘PN’ was the fastest at 2824 fps average — 67 fps faster than the slowest barrel. Roughly 10 fps can be attributed to the slightly longer length (27″ vs. 26″), but otherwise this particular barrel was simply faster than the rest. (Click Here for results of 6mmBR Barrel Length Velocity Test).
IMPORTANT: Results Are Barrel-Specific, Not Brand-Specific
These tests demonstrate that the exact same load can perform very differently in different barrels. We aren’t publishing the barrel-makers’ names, because it would be wrong to assume that ‘Brand X’ is always going to be faster than ‘Brand Y’ based on test results from a single barrel. In fact, velocities can vary up to 100 fps with two identical-spec barrels from the SAME manufacturer. That’s right, you can have two 8-twist, 26″ barrels, with the same land-groove configuration and contour, from the same manufacturer, and one can be much faster than another.
Don’t Demand More Than Your Barrel Can Deliver
We often hear guys lament, “I don’t get it… how can you guys get 2900 fps with your 6BRs and I can only get 2840?” The answer may simply be that the barrel is slower than average. If you have a slow barrel, you can try using more powder, but there is a good chance it may never run as fast as an inherently fast barrel. You shouldn’t knock yourself out (and over-stress your brass) trying to duplicate the velocities someone else may be getting. You need to work within the limits of your barrel.
Factory Ammo Provides a Benchmark
If you have a .223 Rem, 6mmBR, .243 Win, 6.5×47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, or .338 LM Rifle, we recommend you buy a box of Lapua factory-loaded ammo. This stuff will shoot great (typically around half-MOA), and it can give you a baseline to determine how your barrel stacks up speedwise. [Editor’s NOTE: The original test was conducted in 2008. The velocity of current-production Lapua factory ammo might be higher or lower, so your results may vary.]
When you complete a new 6mmBR rifle, it’s definitely smart to get a box of the factory ammo and chronograph it. That will immediately give you a good idea whether you have a slow, average, or fast barrel. Then you can set your velocity goals accordingly. For example, if the factory 6BR ammo runs about 2780-2790 fps in your gun, it has an average barrel. If it runs 2820+ in a 26″ barrel (or 2835 fps in a 28″), you’ve got a fast tube.
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Team SIG Sauer pro shooter Lena Miculek had a great performance at the 2024 USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals held July 19-21 in Minnesota. While defending her Ladies Division title, Lena posted a record-breaking, highest-ever finish by a female in National Multi-Gun competition. She shot a red dot SIG pistol this year with a SIG M400 prototype semi-auto rifle. Watch Lena shooting rifle, pistol, and shotgun at the USPSA Nationals in the video below right.
On her Facebook Page Lena stated: “This was one of the most challenging and technical Multi-Gun Nationals yet! This year, I switched to a new division called Modified. Compared to years past, I now got to run a red dot on my pistol. My shotgun started loaded with 13 shells instead of just 9, AND bipods were legal for rifle. I was nervous about the switch but quickly realized it was the best choice[.] My two months of shooting boot camp earned me my highest Nationals placement ever. Hard work and dedication always pays off. Big thanks to everyone that worked the match and made it possible. Definitely a wonderful experience and competition I am thankful to have attended!”
“Lena crushed Multi-Gun Nationals, there’s just no other way to say it”, said Robby Johnson, SIG Sauer’s Chief Marketing Officer. “She is a force to be reckoned with, not just in the female divisions, but amongst all competitors. To achieve this level of success, it is a life commitment. Lena lives this day in and day out and all her glory is the result of preparation, training, and the absolute hardest work[.]”
At the 2024 USPSA Multi-Gun National Championship, Miculek defended her High Lady title through eight field courses and four speed shoots using a SIG M400 rifle with ROSE features and a TANGO6T riflescope, a P320-DH3 pistol with ROSE features, and a ROMEO1 Pro optic. She used SIG Sauer Match Elite competition ammunition. NOTE: The M400 prototype ROSE rifle Miculek used at the 2024 Multi-Gun Nationals is currently in development and is a variant of the SIG SAUER M400 series.
The 2024 USPSA Multi-Gun Championship was held at the Forest Lake Sportsmen’s Club in Minnesota, July 19-21, 2024. Next month, Lena Miculek will compete at the International Practical Shooting Competition (IPSC) Rifle World Shoot beginning August 4, 2024 at Ruutikangas Shooting Center in Liminka, Finland.
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The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) published a series of reloading articles on its Facebook Page. In this article, the second in a 3-part series, the USAMU covers the process of loading competition pistol ammunition. The authors focus on two key elements — the taper crimp and the quality/uniformity of the original brass. If you shoot pistol competitively, or just want to maximize the accuracy of your handguns, read this article. The taper crimp tips are very important.
Loading Accurate Competition Pistol Ammunition — Part 2 of 3
Today, we resume our series on factors affecting accuracy in pistol handloads. Readers who missed Part One can visit our USAMU Facebook Page. [To read the first article in the series, search for March 28, 2018 to find that first installment, which is definitely worth reading.]
One often-overlooked aspect of handloading highly-accurate pistol ammunition is the amount of taper crimp used, and its effect on accuracy. (NOTE: this article pertains to loading for semi-autos – revolver crimp techniques involve some quite different issues.) Briefly, different amounts of taper crimp are used with various handloads to obtain best accuracy. The amount is based on bullet weight, powder burn rate and charge, plus other factors such as case neck tension. During machine-rest testing of experimental Service Pistol ammunition, many variables are examined. Among these, our Shop often varies a load’s crimp in degrees of 0.001″ when re-testing for finest accuracy.
How to Measure Taper Crimp on Pistol Cartridges
One question that often arises is, “How do I measure the taper crimp I’m putting on my cartridges?” Using the narrow part of one’s dial caliper jaws, carefully measure the case diameter at the exact edge of the case mouth on a loaded cartridge. It’s important to take several measurements to ensure consistency. Also, be sure to measure at several places around the case mouth, as case wall thickness can vary. After measuring 2-3 cartridges with a given crimp setting, one can be confident of the true dimension and that it can be repeated later, if needed.
However, for good results, one must use brass from one maker due to variances in case wall thickness. For example, the same degree of crimp that imparts a measurement of 0.471″ with Brand X brass may result in 0.469″ with Brand Y. Thus, for best accuracy, using brass from the same manufacturer is important — particularly for 50-yard Slow Fire. In a perfect world, it is better still to use brass from one lot number if possible. With the popularity of progressive presses using interchangeable tool heads, keeping separate tool heads adjusted for each load helps maximize uniformity between ammunition lots.
Brass Uniformity and Accuracy
Brass is important to pistol accuracy. While accurate ammunition can be loaded using brass of mixed parentage, that is not conducive to finest results, particularly at 50 yards. It is important for the serious competitor to pay attention to his brass – even if only for the 50-yard “Slow Fire” portions of “Bullseye” matches and practice. By segregating brass as described above, and additionally keeping track of the number of times a given batch of cases has been fired, one can ensure case neck tension and case length are at their most uniform.
Given the large volumes of ammunition consumed by active pistol competitors, using inexpensive, mixed surplus brass for practice, particularly at the “short line” (25 yards), is understandable. In NRA Outdoor Pistol (“Bullseye”), the 10-ring is relatively generous — especially for a well-trained shooter with an accurate pistol and load. However, for the “long line” (50 yards), purchasing and segregating a lot of high-quality brass to be used strictly for slow-fire is a wise idea. To keep track of your brass on the line, use a unique headstamp marking with 1 or 2 colors of marking pen ink.
Uniform Cartridge Overall Length is Important
Cartridge case Overall Length (OAL) uniformity as it comes from the factory is important to achieving utmost accuracy. More uniform case lengths (best measured after sizing) contribute to greater consistency of crimp, neck tension, ignition/burn of powder charge, headspace (rimless cartridges), etc. Cartridge case-length consistency varies noticeably by maker and, with lesser manufacturers, also from lot to lot. Some manufacturers are more consistent in their dimensions than others, and also in the hardness/ductility of their brass. Similarly, pay attention to primer brands, powder lot numbers, etc.
Consider Using a Lock-Out Die with Progressive Presses
When reloading pistol ammo with a Progressive press, we strongly recommend the use of a lock-out die, or other system that can detect double charges or low charges. If your progressive is manually advanced, the possibility of a double charge is very real — and that can have disastrous consequences.
On UltimateReloader.com website you’ll find an excellent two-part series on the function and set-up of the RCBS Lock-Out Die. This die prevents loading if a high or low powder charge is detected. The video above shows setup of the RCBS Lock-Out Die on the Dillon XL-650 progressive press.
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The 2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury commenced Monday, July 22, with the First Shot Ceremony and the start of the NRA National Precision Pistol Championships. Now in its fourth year at Camp Atterbury, the 2024 NRA National Matches will continue until the close of the NRA High Power Long-Range National Championships on Monday, August 19. Camp Atterbury is a National Guard training facility in Indiana located about 37 miles south of Indianapolis.
2023 NRA National Matches First Shot. (Photo by Cole McCulloch).
During the opening ceremony at Camp Atterbury, Indiana Congressman Greg Pence gave the keynote address. NRA Board Member and Indiana State Representative Craig Haggard (shown above) also spoke and then fired the ceremonial First Shot to commence the event.
Greg Pence is the U.S. representative for Indiana’s sixth congressional district and lives in Columbus, Indiana, located about 14 miles from Camp Atterbury. “Camp Atterbury is in my district,” Pence said. “[As a representative in Congress], I plan to maintain the support and advocacy for the Second Amendment, as well as for the NRA.”
Precision Pistol shooters on the firing line at Camp Atterbury during the practice session for the 2024 NRA Precision Pistol Nationals on the first day of the 2024 NRA National Matches. (Photo by Cole McCulloch)
NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury, Indiana
The NRA first moved its National High Power Rifle Championships to Camp Atterbury in 2017, with the National Precision Pistol Championships and National Smallbore Rifle Championships making their home at the National Guard base two years later. Now the NRA National matches represent one of the two biggest summer shooting events of the year, along with along with the CMP National Matches at Camp Perry. For more information, click the links below.
The 2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury — including the Precision Pistol, Smallbore Rifle, and High Power Rifle National Championships — begin Monday, July 22, and conclude Monday, August 19. The 2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury will begin with the Precision Pistol Nationals, followed by the Smallbore Rifle Nationals, and then the High Power Rifle Nationals.
2024 NRA National Matches Schedule
Precision Pistol (July 22 – 25)
July 22 – Opening Ceremony, Practice, Prelim Match, Harry Reeves Match
July 23 – .22 Championship, .22 EIC
July 24 – Centerfire Championship, Service Pistol EIC
July 25 – .45 Championship, Distinguished Revolver, Awards Ceremony
Smallbore Rifle Prone and F-Class (July 28 – August 1)
July 28 – Squadded practice, Metallic Sights Day One
July 29 – Metallic Sights Day Two
July 30 – Randle, Dewar, Team Matches
July 31 – Any Sights Day One
August 1 – Any Sights Day Two, Awards Ceremony
Smallbore Rifle Three-Position (August 2 – 4)
August 2 – Metallic Sights
August 3 – Drew Cup Team Match, Team Matches
August 4 – Any Sights, Awards Ceremony
High Power Rifle OTC (August 5 – 10)
August 6 – Member’s Trophy, Scott Trophy, Coast Artillery Trophy Matches
August 7 – Navy Cup, Army Cup, Coast Guard Trophy Matches
August 8 – Appreciation Cup, Marine Corps Cup, Air Force Cup Matches
August 9 – Crescent Cup, Cavalry Cup, Crowell Trophy Matches, Awards Ceremony
August 10 – EIC Leg Match
High Power Rifle Mid-Range (August 11 – 14)
August 11 – 300, 500, 600 yards, 600-yard Teams
August 12 – 3×600 yards, 600-yard Teams
August 13 – 300, 500, 600 yards, 600-yard Teams
August 14 – 3×600 yards, Awards Ceremony
High Power Rifle Long-Range (August 16 – 19)
August 16 – Wimbledon Cup, Rem Trophy, Porter Trophy, Andrus Trophy, Herrick Trophy Team Matches
August 17 – Leech Cup, Mustin Trophy, Farr Trophy, Aitken Trophy, Roumanian Team Trophy Matches
August 18 – Palma Individual Match, Awards Ceremony
August 19 – Palma Team Matches, Awards Ceremony
2024 NRA National Matches at Camp Atterbury Calendar
View the full program for this year’s National Precision Pistol, High Power Rifle, and Smallbore Rifle championships at Camp Atterbury via the NRA National Matches website. There are links to the 2024 NRA National Matches calendar and downloadable Match Program (PDF). You can also keep track of all the competitive shooting action at Camp Atterbury by subscribing to the Shooting Sports USA Newsletter.
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A while back, Cal Zant at PrecisionRifleBlog.com did a big muzzle brake comparison test. Along with measuring recoil reduction, Cal’s team recorded sound levels in PRB’s exhaustive muzzle brake field test. In the PRB archives you’ll find comprehensive muzzle brake sound test results, with hard data on 20 different muzzle brakes.
Sound can be a tricky subject, but Cal Zant, the editor of PrecisionRifleBlog.com, presents everything an informed shooter should know about muzzle brake noise in a straightforward and practical way. Most sound tests are measured from the side of the muzzle, in accordance with mil-spec standards, and Cal did that. But he also measured the sound level of each brake from behind the rifle, closer to the shooter’s position. This provides a more accurate indicator of the actual sound levels firearms operators will encounter while shooting.
Muzzle brakes ARE really loud — that’s something most active shooters have observed. But this study finally gives us some hard data and makes objective comparisons. The difference between brakes was quite significant. Some brakes were ear-splitting — more than twice as loud as other brakes tested.
As a bonus, Cal also provides data on how the new Ultra series suppressors from Thunder Beast Arms Corp (TBAC) compare in terms of sound level behind the rifle.
Photo by SFC Brandon Green, 2018 National High Power Champion.
Some of America’s most prestigious rifle matches take place at Camp Perry, Ohio over the next 17 days. The 800 Aggregate is underway now. The President’s 100 Match will be held on Monday, July 29th, followed by Individual and Team Trophy Matches. And the Garand and Modern Military events run the first weekend in August. For those competing at Camp Perry this month, we offer some insights from Tyrel Cooper, a multi-time National Champion. A past member of the USAMU, Cooper’s shooting resume includes five national championships (one each in 2008, 2011, 2012, and two in 2013). He won the 2013 NRA National Long Range Championship, as well as the 2013 NRA National Service Rifle Championship. In this article, written in 2014, Cooper explains the mental preparation that helped him win National Titles in 2013.
Below is a 2012 file photo of Ty Cooper shooting a service rifle. Cooper won the 2013 Long Range Championship using a Nesika-actioned bolt gun chambered in 7mm SAUM.
Mental Preparation by Tyrel Cooper Getting focused mentally is an important part of preparation for Perry. In 2011 I was chasing Sherri Gallagher, since then I have been chasing Brandon Green[.] If I get beat by a Service Rifle I am going to make him or her work for it. So there is your peak into my mental process. I go for the top and if I am hanging with them then the Service Rifle National Championship will come, Kind of like how I shoot for X’s and Tens will come.
Now I understand everyone is at different levels. You have to figure out what your goals are and then lie to yourself that you’ve already achieved them. Here is a trick that I used back in 2008: When I was a kid just starting out, my Dad made me read several books on shooting. One of them being With Winning In Mind by Lanny Bassham. One of the things I remember from his book is that he would make notes and place them where he would see them often. They contained his goals or stated he was already a world champion. I took a page from his book and did the same thing.
I made 3×5 cards and wrote my personal best 500 and 800 aggregate scores and taped on the horn of my truck, above the radio in my truck, on my laptop and a few other places I would see them often. Every time I saw those I would tell myself that I average those scores and I would get used to seeing them. By doing this you are lying to yourself to overcome the mental blocks the subconscious mind lays out for you.
I went from my worst year in 2007 to winning my first National Championship in 2008. I kind of slacked off in 2009 because I had reached my goals and didn’t set new ones and it showed, so I had to find new goals and motivation which I did and that pushed me back to the top.
Long story short, this is a mental sport and you have to figure out what you need to do to perform at your highest levels and breaking through those mental road blocks. You have to figure out how to get yourself to relax and control your mind keeping calm when you are shooting a personal best, either standing or on the day.
Here is a tip from my mental process from shooting. First I shoot for Xs, I took the line from the movie The Patriot and applied it to my shooting, “Aim small, miss small” and it is true. If you accept wide shots then you will keep shooting wide shots.
Winning Techniques for Rifle Competition
Slow, Solid, Smooth, Center
Always focus on the positive and good shots, and what you did physically and mentally, when you shot them. When I am nervous and need to calm myself down I tell myself: slow, solid, smooth, center.
Slow
I want my movement to be slow…
I can shoot Tens and Xs all day with slow movement.
Solid
Solid like a rock, a rock doesn’t move and that’s how I want my positions. By saying solid it reminds me to go through my little checks to make sure I am doing what I need to do make that happen.
Smooth
Smooth — that is my trigger word for smooth movement. You don’t want fast choppy movement but slow and smooth. This also reminds me to be smooth on the trigger. You can be smooth-fast or you can be smooth-slow but you have to be smooth and most people aren’t when they think they are. Just before leaving the USAMU, I walked up and down the line of five shooters during a rapid fire string and only one of them was smooth with their trigger control. It’s the second most important thing when it comes to shooting.
Center
This reminds me that I want my shots in the middle. It is just a positive reinforcement of where I want my shots to go. I shoot a reverse flat tire so it also kind of reminds me as to what I am looking for.
Story Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
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The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) has filed a lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) “Engaged in the Business” Final Rule. The ATF’s Final Rule unlawfully redefines when a person is “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms and therefore required to be federally licensed. This new lawsuit is being filed on the heels of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have reined in executive branch agencies from acting outside of statutory authority. The NRA suit is named Butler v. Garland and has been filed in the U.S. District Court in Alabama (Northern District, Eastern Division).
“The ATF’s Final Rule stands to turn countless upstanding and well-intending citizens into criminals for exercising their constitutional rights,” said Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “When ATF released this Final Rule, NRA promised to use every means necessary to stop this egregious interpretation of the law. Now that the Supreme Court’s recent decisions in Loper Bright, Cargill, and Rahimi make clear that the ATF does not have unfettered authority to arbitrarily restrict NRA Members’ rights to buy and sell firearms, the NRA is fighting back.”
NRA, along with two individuals, Don Butler and David Glidewell, filed the lawsuit challenging the ATF’s Final Rule in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The complaint alleges that the Final Rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it exceeds the ATF’s statutory and jurisdictional authority and is arbitrary and capricious; violates the Fifth Amendment because it is unconstitutionally vague; violates the Second Amendment by infringing the rights to keep, bear, buy, and sell arms; and violates the Separation of Powers, non-delegation doctrine, and Take Care Clause by usurping legislative powers and prohibiting lawful conduct by executive fiat.
In this Armed Attorneys Video, Emily Taylor and Richard Hayes discuss the effect of the new ATF Final Rule.
Under the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) of 1986 (which amended the Gun Control Act of 1968), someone is “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms if that person “deal[s] in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms.” The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) altered that definition by replacing “livelihood and profit” with “to predominantly earn a profit.” The BSCA did not alter FOPA’s exclusion for “a person who makes occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby, or who sells all or part of his personal collection of firearms.”
On April 19, 2024, ATF promulgated the Final Rule “to clarify the criteria for determining when a person is ‘engaged in the business.’” The Final Rule provides that “there is no minimum threshold number of firearms purchased or sold that triggers the licensing requirement” and that “there is no minimum number of transactions that determines whether a person is ‘engaged in the business’ of dealing in firearms. For example, even a single firearm transaction or offer to engage in a transaction . . . may require a license.”
The Final Rule also excludes firearms acquired for “personal protection” from the firearms that may be sold from a personal collection without a license. The ATF’s Final Rule thus rewrites the law, contradicts Congress’ statutory language, and adds confusion rather than clarification.
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Slee Claims Seventh Open Sight-Class Win During 2024 National Rimfire Sporter Match
60-year-old Steven Slee from Michigan scored 580-21X to win the Open Sight O-Class for the second consecutive year at the 2024 National Rimfire Sporter Match at Camp Perry, Ohio. Slee’s 2024 victory is his Seventh O-Class title, starting back in 2009. Slee is also the current record holder in the class and has previously won O-Class at Camp Perry in 2009, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023. Last year, Slee also shot in T-Class and won T-Class by one point over current record holder, Samuel Payne.
The CMP’s 2024 National Rimfire Sporter Match was a big success with over 280 shooters competing on a hot July 13th day. The competition was one of the first events at the annual National Matches, which have been held at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Site since 1907. The National Rimfire Sporter Match is open to both adults and juniors with targets at 25 and 50 yards. There are three classes for .22 LR rifles: Open Sight (O), Telescope Sight (T), and Tactical Unlimited (TU).
Along with the major annual Camp Perry event, other Rimfire Sporter matches are held throughout the country in connection with the CMP’s Travel Games.
The CMP Rimfire Sporter discipline is for .22 LR smallbore (rimfire) rifles that weigh 7 1/2 pounds or less. Firing is done at 25 and 50 yards in prone, sitting, and standing positions, in slow and rapid-fire modes. Even with the vast number of competitors, the Rimfire Sport match proceeds efficiently. The CMP now has a special smart-phone App that helps speed up scoring. SEE 2024 Results.
Other leading competitors of the 2024 National Rimfire Sporter Match were John Hawes, 40, of Waynesboro, PA, who won the T-Class with a score of 594-34X, and William Dunbar, 17, of Riverside, Iowa, who was the top scorer of the TU Class with 594-35X. Dunbar was just one point shy of the current TU Class record score of 595-37X, set nearly a decade ago, in 2015.
As one of the most popular rifle events offered by the CMP throughout the year, the National Rimfire Sporter Match is a great intro to competitive marksmanship. The match format and convivial atmosphere works for shooters of all ages and all experience.
Learn more about the CMP Rimfire Sporter Rifle competition on the CMP website at thecmp.org/competitions/matches/rimfire-sporter-2. To find an upcoming Rimfire Sporter Match near you CLICK HERE then select Rimfire from the list of upcoming match types.
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SIG Sauer P365 in Rose Gold Plate with Jewells
There was a stunning SIG Sauer P365 pistol on display at SHOT Show 2022. This little carry pistol had a stunning 18-carat Rose Gold finish with dozens of diamonds embedded in the slide. This sets a new standard for Carry Pistol Bling. This one-of-a-kind handgun was created by the Seattle Engraving Center.
To learn more about this gold-plated pistol, watch SHOT Show TV video starting at 4:16 time-mark.
Review of the Standard SIG Sauer P365 Pistol
The P365 is a very popular carry gun that is very thin with good ergonomics. SIG Sauer claims the P365 series is now “America’s #1 Selling Handgun”. Multiple P365 models are currently offered including: P365X, P365 SAS with flush sights, the P365 Nitron Micro-Compact, the P365 Romeo Zero with integrated Red Dot, and the P365 XL with longer slide and barrel.
Here is a good video review of a standard production SIG P365 pistol, without the stunning gold-plating and engraving. The reviewer, Myles from Tactical Hyve, noted the pistol was accurate and reliable with a comfortable grip. This particular pistol has held up for 50,000 rounds! Very popular, this 2022 review has been watched over 500,000 times. Tactical Hyve also has an extensive 2700-word REVIEW of the SIG P365 with accuracy test results.
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A new report from a voter registration group demonstrates the big impact hunters, recreational shooters, and other American gun owners could have on federal, state, and local elections if they register to vote and then vote in the upcoming November election. The Second Amendment community needs to make sure that the 22.3 million new first-time gun owners since 2020 are registered to vote and then vote this November. NSSF’s #GUNVOTE initiative was created to do just that and according to the newly released survey data from Vote4America, the outcome of the upcoming November presidential election could be determined by Second Amendment supporters.
The key objective should be to increase voter registration numbers for firearms owners, and encourage them to vote this November. According to the Vote4America survey, large numbers of gun owners and hunters in critical swing states are NOT registered to vote. Nationwide, an estimated 10 million gun owners and hunters are NOT registered. In a breakdown by state, the data shows unregistered hunting and Second Amendment supporters total at least 515,277 in Pennsylvania. That number is closer to around 370,000 each in Michigan and North Carolina. In addition, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri and Virginia “all have more than half a million hunters and gun owners unregistered,” and in Arizona that number totals approximately 133,000.
In a District of Conservation podcast, Vote4America adviser Baker Leavitt said, “If we could convert 2% of all licensed hunters and get them to vote, [the] GOP would win in a landslide.”
INFO on Registering to Vote, Voting Process, and Polling Places
The GunVote.org website has links to official state websites where more details about registering to vote, early voting protocols, and the entire process can be found. For those who wait until election day to cast their ballot, GunVote.org also has comprehensive lists of polling place locations where citizens can vote in their city/state.
Second Amendment rights and the rights of hunters and recreational target shooters are on the ballot every election. If you have a friend or loved one who loves hunting and recreational shooting sports, do your part and make sure they register to vote and then vote in November. If they have questions about how to register, send them to GunVote.org.
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Have inflation (and supply chain shortages) affected the price of powder? You bet. Probably WAY more than you could imagine. Forum member “Two Time HM LR” posted this interesting photo (above) showing Hodgdon powder prices from 1978, as sold by O.K. Weber in Oregon.
Now the prices — $20 to $44 — may not get your attention at first. But take note that these numbers are for EIGHT pound jugs. Yep eight-pounders were all under $45! For example, H4895 was $44 for 8 pounds back in 1978, 45 years ago. And H335 was $20 for eight pounds — that’s just $2.50 per pound!
These days a single pound of a desirable powder such as H4831 might cost $65 at some stores IF you can find it at all. On Hodgdon’s web site, H4831 powder is priced at $58.99 per pound in October 2023. Using that current $58.99/lb figure, H4831 is now nearly ELEVEN times higher than it was in 1978, when H4831 cost $44 for 8 pounds, i.e. $5.50 per pound.
Here are some comments from our Forum Members:
“Heck those prices are just about the same as current ones, just a little smaller container now.” — Joe
“I’ve got some H4831 in a can marked ‘WWII Surplus Powder’ with a price tag of $2.75. We’ll never see that again either.” Rick in Oregon
“1978 prices and [2024] income would be nice. Unfortunately that doesn’t work. If you compare prices and income, powder cost about the same. You also have to discount the temporary gouging that we are seeing.” — Tmwinds
“So I used to buy gas for 10 cents per gallon and they’d pump it, check the oil, and clean the windshield.” — Pirate Ammo
One comment suggests that the powder price hike actually tracks general U.S. currency inflation over the last four decades. So perhaps powder price increases are not as bad as they seem, when compared to how all prices have risen since 1978:
“Using H4895 [8 lbs.] as a comparison basis at $58.50 (list price) in 1978 calculates it to $276 in today’s money. Looking at … prices it looks like around [$380] for the same item in today’s money, so it really hasn’t gone up [that much as corrected for inflation]. Availability is another issue though and if someone is really needing powder they may well have to pay above suggested retail.” — Drover
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Like crosswords? Like guns? Well, thanks to Shooting Sports USA (SSUSA), you can try a crossword puzzle that tests your knowledge of gun stuff and competitive shooting. In the February 2013 digital edition of Shooting Sports USA magazine, you’ll find a crossword puzzle for shooters. There are some outdated answers, such as the location of the annual NRA National Pistol Championships (formerly Camp Perry, now Camp Atterbury). And other questions may require some research to answer. To print the crossword puzzle before you start working, click this Page 12 link, and then select the print icon. Spoiler alert — all the answers appear on PAGE 14 of the same February issue of SSUSA.
NOTE: These pages may be slow to load, but don’t fret, they WILL appear if you’re patient.
Barrel Velocity Variance
Getting focused mentally is an important part of preparation for Perry. In 2011 I was chasing Sherri Gallagher, since then I have been chasing Brandon Green[.] If I get beat by a Service Rifle I am going to make him or her work for it. So there is your peak into my mental process. I go for the top and if I am hanging with them then the Service Rifle National Championship will come, Kind of like how I shoot for X’s and Tens will come.
Like crosswords? Like guns? Well, thanks to 
