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October 31st, 2024

Pumpkin Carving with Pistols — Halloween Handgun Fun

hickok45 youtube pumpkin video model 29 revolver sig M17

Happy Halloween

Hickok45 Carves Pumpkin Faces with Handguns
To celebrate Halloween, here’s an example of master wheelgun marksmanship. Popular YouTube host Hickok45 skillfully creates a smiling face on a pumpkin using a S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum revolver. This is the classic blued, double-action revolver popularized by Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry. This has become a tradition for Hickok 45 — every year he puts a face on a pumpkin using a different firearm, typically a pistol, but he’s used a couple rifles as well. A 2022 pumpkin-carving effort was done with a suppressor-equipped 9mm Mini Uzi. SEE PUMPKIN Shooting Playlist for all Hickok45’s annual pumpkin blasts. The lead video shows a pumpkin face-making session with a .44 Magnum.

Want to see more? Hickok45 has also carved pumpkins with a dozen firearms. Here is a pumpkin carved with a genuine, WWI-era Colt 1911 carried by an American soldier in the Pacific theater.

And here is a rather grim-looking face applied using the .40 SW Glock 23.

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October 31st, 2024

Shooting Corrosive Ammo? Learn How to Protect Your Guns

Corrosive Ammo ammunition
Scary stuff — AK-74 after firing corrosive ammo and not being cleaned for a week.
Image courtesy
ADCOFirearms.com.

corrosive ammunition ammo BrownellsNo doubt you’ve heard the term “corrosive” used with respect to ammunition. But what exactly is “corrosive ammunition” (and how does it different from non-corrosive ammo)? What is the chemistry that leads to corrosion, and what cleaning procedures should you follow if you shoot corrosive ammunition? Brownells has come up with answers to these and other questions in a helpful TECH TIP video about corrosive ammo.

In this informative video, Brownells gun tech Steve Ostrem explains the primer-related chemistry that makes some ammo corrosive. The video then reviews suggested cleaning procedures you should follow after you have fired corrosive ammo through any firearms.

What Is “Corrosive” Ammunition?
What makes ammo “corrosive”? Generally speaking, primers are the problem. When corrosive ammunition is fired, the ignited primers leave a residue of corrosive salts. Typically these primers contain potassium chlorate, or sodium petrochlorate which, when burned, change into potassium chloride or sodium chloride. Sodium chloride is also known as common table salt.

Potassium chloride and sodium chloride are both very hygroscopic (i.e. they attract water). Because of that, these alkalis are rust generators. When exposed to the hydrogen and oxygen in the air (and moisture) potassium chloride and sodium chloride can form an acid that quickly causes metal rifle parts to rust and pit.

Given a choice, you may wish to avoid corrosive ammo altogether. However, for some types of fire-arms, particularly older military-style rifles, the most affordable ammunition may be corrosive. If you choose to use corrosive ammo, it is important to clean the gun thoroughly after use. After firing, you want to use an element that will neutralize the primer salts. Brownells suggests a water soak (see video above). Alternatively, Windex with ammonia can help neutralize the salts, but that doesn’t finish the job. After the salts have been neutralized and flushed away, basic anti-corrosion protectant (such as Eezox or other gun oil) should be applied to all metal parts.

This video ahows the effects of Corrosive Ammo after one month without cleaning:

Paul Markel, host of the popular Student of the Gun TV series, offered smart advice on the proper procedures for cleaning rifles exposed to corrosive ammo: “Windex (with ammonia) is the Corrosive Ammo shooter’s best friend. After you are done shooting your corrosive ammunition for the day, squirt the window cleaner liberally from the chamber down the barrel. Pull the bolt / bolt carrier / op rod if there is one and douse them as well. A couple of old cotton t-shirts will come in handy. A cotton barrel swab is a nice accessory but you can make do with patches. Some folks will rinse all of the ammonia and loosened corrosive salts off with hot water. Others prefer to wipe it all down and let the ammonia evaporate. Either way, once the corrosive salts have been tackled with the window cleaner, it is time for an all-purpose brush (old toothbrush) and some gun oil.”

Video Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
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October 31st, 2024

Primer Pocket “Swage Gage” Checks Pocket Depth & Diameter

Primer depth diameter gauge brass cartridge

One side of this gauge is the “go” side which quickly tells you the depth of a primer pocket, whether any crimp is properly removed, and whether the primer pocket is loose. If it feels loose on the “go” side, use the other end of the tool, the “no go” side, to test to see if the primer pocket is too loose to hold a primer. If the no-go slides into the pocket, then you know to junk that brass.

Primer Pocket Growth and Useful Case Life
Repeated firings at stout pressures can cause primer pockets to grow in diameter. This can create an unsafe condition if your primers are not seating properly. Are your primer pockets “good to go”, or have they been pushed to the point of no return? Do you really know? Many guys try to gauge primer pocket tightness by “feel”, as they seat the primer. But that method isn’t precise. Now there’s a better way…

Primer depth diameter gauge brass cartridgeThe folks at Ballistictools.com have created a handy set of precision-machined gauges that let you quickly and accurately check your primer pockets. These gauges (aka “gages”) are offered in two sizes — for large and small primer pockets. A two-piece set of both large and small gauges costs just $25.99. These gauges let you quickly measure the depth of a primer pocket, and check if the crimp has been removed properly. Most importantly, the gauge tells you if the primer pocket has opened up too much. One side of the gauge has an enlarged diameter plug. If that “No-Go” side fits in the primer pocket, you should ditch the case — it’s toast.

CLICK HERE to order Small and Large Primer Pocket Swage Gage™ Set from Ballistictools.com.

Precision ground from O-1 tool steel, The Ballistic Tools primer pocket gauges serve multiple functions. The inventor of these tools explains: “I created the prototype of this tool for my own use in brass processing. I needed a way to quickly and easily measure primer pockets that was reliable and did not require wasting a primer. This tool has been indispensable for me and I would never go back to the old method of uncertainty and guessing.”

Product tip from Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
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October 30th, 2024

Have Fall Fun with Printable Halloween-Theme Targets

free halloween spooky target pumpkins
Click above image for full-size version.

Halloween (aka “All Hallows Eve”) will be celebrated tomorrow, the 31st of October. Around the country pumpkins and Halloween decorations are on display in neighborhoods. Why not head to the range and shoot some Halloween-themed targets this week amidst the fall foliage. The folks at the NRA Blog have created a series of “spook-tastic” Halloween targets. Writer Kyle Jillson says, “In addition to stocking up on candy and finding great costumes, we thought you might like to have some fun at the range, so we created these spooky targets for you to use.”

Just click an image to launch its full-size version. You can then download the target and print it out on regular 8.5″x11″ paper. Now you have fun Halloween-themed targets to bring to the range this week.

Pumpkin Patch Target | Pumpkin Antler Target | Turkey Target | Pig Target


CLICK EACH Target to Download Full-Size Version

free halloween spooky target pumpkins

free halloween spooky target pumpkins free halloween spooky target pumpkins
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October 30th, 2024

Buyer’s Guide — 15 Good Sources for Factory Ammunition

online internet ammo ammunition purchasing

With our inflationary economy, ammo continues to go up in price every year. Smart shooters can benefit by price-shopping to get the best deals on factory-loaded ammunition, particularly for popular cartridge types such as .22 LR, 9x19mm (9mm Luger), .357 Mag, .223 Rem (5.56×45), and 6.5 Creedmoor. It this article we list 15 reliable online sources for factory-loaded ammo. You may want to bookmark this page so you can quickly scan and price-check multiple vendors. In addition, you can use a service such as AmmoSeek.com.

Online Ammo Vendors — 15 Solid Choices

Brownells Brownells loaded ammunition ammo
Bruno Shooters Supply Bruno's loaded ammo ammunition
Creedmoor Sports Creedmoor loaded ammo Ammunition
Graf & Sons Graf Graf's loaded ammo ammunition
KYGUNCO kygunco loaded ammo ammunition
Lucky Gunner Luck gunner loaded ammo ammunition
Midsouth Shooters Supplies Midsouth loaded ammo ammunition
MidwayUSA MidwayUSA loaded ammo ammunition
Natchez Shooters Supplies Natchez loaded ammo ammunition
Palmetto State Armory PSA Palmetto loaded ammo ammunition
Powder Valley Outdoors Cabela's loaded ammo ammunition
Precision Reloading Precision Reloading loaded ammo ammunition
Scheels scheels retail  loaded ammo ammunition
Sportsman’s Warehouse Sportsmans warehouse loaded ammo ammunition
Target Sports USA TrueShot Reloading loaded ammo

Why Should You Shop for Ammo Online?
By shopping online for ammo, you can save money, get a wider selection, and get bulk discounts. GunDeals.com explains: “Online purchases [can] save you a lot of money [and can] also save your time… one of the most important advantages is definitively the huge selection.” With online retailers you can quickly compare prices, and you will often get a discount on a large order (300 rounds or more) that is not available in local stores. Note, with some large vendors such as Cabela’s and Sportsman’s Warehouse you can order online then pick up in a local store.

Are There Restrictions on Online Ammo Purchasing?
In most (but not all) U.S. states is it legal to order ammunition online to be shipped to your residence. However, you MUST check your State and local laws and regulations. In some states and/or cities, it is ILLEGAL to purchase ammunition online for shipment across state lines with direct delivery. For example, in California, all ammo must be purchased from a licensed ammo dealer/vendor with a state background check (so much for the Second Amendment)*. Likewise Washington DC, and Hawaii do not allow online ammunition purchases. And there are restrictions in New York City. In Alaska there are multiple shipping regulations that impact ammo deliveries from online sales so many vendors do not ship to Alaska.


*In some instances ammo can be purchased online from an out-of-state seller who will then ship to an authorized, in-state California vendor who may transfer the ammo for a fee with background checks as required by CA law.

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October 30th, 2024

Want to Shoot “Dime-Sized Groups”? No Problem with 3″ Dime

Dime size meme humor joke accuracy

We’ve all encountered those boastful guys at the range — you know, the ones who say their factory rifle will shoot “dime-sized groups all day long.” Well maybe they were actually telling the truth — it all depends on the size of the ten-cent piece. With the huge dime shown above, we think we could shoot “dime-sized groups all day long” — even with a pistol. After seeing this, one reader commented: “That’s great. So this means my groups are only around Quarter-sized!”

Credit Forum member DKhunt14 who started a thread with this humorous image in our Shooters’ Forum. Other Forum members gave examples of similar accuracy claims they’ve heard:

I ran into a local tactical guru a few years ago that topped any story I’ve ever heard yet. He claimed he could shoot a quarter-inch group every time at 300 yards — like no problem whatsoever. — IMMike

I had a guy tell me he dropped a doe at 420 yards with a M1 carbine, open sights. Never took a step. I’ll bet he also shot those dime-sized groups!– DJ Porter

Seems like we could substitute 1000-yard prairie dog (other small varmint) hits for dime-sized groups. They both happen “all day long”. — Dsandfort

Many folks come into my shop… and feel compelled to regale me with their life history with firearms. Head-shooting squirrels at 100 yards with a .22 short and iron sights, deer dropped at 500 yards with a .35 Rem, ground hogs taken with one shot across vast distances, etc. — and it would appear that every former SEAL, Marine or SF sniper lives in the general area. My Dad used to tell me that sometimes you just have to smile and nod a lot. Not always, but a lot.

I’m not a huge fan of Bass Pro Shop, but I DO appreciate Bass Pro’s motto: “Welcome hunters, fishermen and other liars.” Human nature can be so entertaining. — JLT

GET Your Own Giant DIME

By the way, if you want your own jumbo dime, Amazon offers 3″-diameter Roosevelt dimes for $9.34. These would be good for range accuracy challenges. You could tell a buddy you can “put five shots on a dime at 200 yards”. Then whip out this slightly oversize 3-incher and see his face.

These could also serve as “gag prizes” at club shooting matches — giveaways for folks who want to say they shot a group at 200 or 300 yards that could be “covered with a dime” … a 3″ dime that is!

Dime size meme humor joke accuracy
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October 29th, 2024

Shoot .22 LR Ammo in Regular AR15 with Rimfire Conversion Kit

.22 LR 22LR rimfire AR AR15 AR-15 conversion kit bolt magazine savings ammo ammunition

With inflation, the increased cost of .223 Rem centerfire ammo has driven more folks to shooting .22 LR rimfire ammo, both for fun and practice. Thankfully, handy conversion kits will let you shoot .22 LR ammo from your existing .223/5.56 AR-15 platform rifle. This allows low-cost training with no change in rifle balance, ergonomics, and/or optics.

The CMMG Bravo .22 LR Conversion Kit provides a replacement bolt/bolt carrier along with three 25-round magazines with special .22 LR-fitted followers and ammo slots. This allows you to shoot rimfire ammo from any AR-15 chambered for the .223 Rem (5.56×45). The CMMG Bravo has an integrated extension that fits into your current chamber. The rimfire bullet passes through this extension and then enters the barrel. This conversion kit is now on sale at Brownells for $172.99 with three 25-rd mags.

.22 LR 22LR rimfire AR AR15 AR-15 conversion kit bolt magazine savings ammo ammunition
The CMMG Bravo conversion Kit comes with blowback-operated .22 LR bolt carrier, rubber protector for bolt carrier tip, and three 25-round polymer magazines. To use, simply replace the rifle’s .223 Rem bolt and carrier with the Bravo .22 LR conversion unit and load up the included magazine(s) with rimfire ammo.

To use the CMMG Kit, simply remove the centerfire bolt/bolt carrier, and replace it with the CMMG silver colored bolt shown above. CMMG states: “For best performance use a round-style hammer as notched hammers can cause function issues.” Testers have stated that high-velocity .22 LR ammo works best, and CMMG notes that “36gr plated-nose bullets have proven to be the best choice for function.” The copper-plated bullets help reduce fouling.

Ultimate Reloader Tests CMMG .22 LR Conversion Kit

Our friend Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com recently tested the CMMG .22 LR AR Conversion Kit. He observed that installation was very straight-forward and the CMMG magazines worked well. He and fellow tester Travis Fox shot the unit both slow-fire and rapid-fire successfully.

Gavin and Travis found the CMMG Kit easy to install and fun to use. With an AR that can shoot both .223 Rem and .22 LR, it’s like having “two guns in one”. Travis was impressed with the ease of use: “It is so simple to change over to the CMMG .22 LR AR kit! It took me about 68 seconds the very first time I tried. Each time after that it took me about 40 seconds — it’s that simple. It takes longer to fully load one of the mags than it does to switch over from .223/5.56 to .22 LR and back.”

The AR shot very well with the higher-velocity ammo types. 100% functioning was achieved with both 40gr Federal Game Shok ammo and American Eagle High Velocity 38gr Copper-plated HP ammo. NOTE: CMMG does recommend high-velocity Copper-plated rimfire ammunition.

Maintenance Tip — After converting back to your centerfire .223 Rem (5.56), Travis says “make sure to clean the gas tube and components as .22 LR tends to run dirty”. READ Full Test on UltimateReloader.com.

CMMG Bravo Conversion Kit Gets Thumbs Up from Gavin and Travis
“Does this conversion kit get the Ultimate Reloader stamp of approval? Absolutely! In these times of ammunition/component scarcity this gives options to shooters. Finding bulk .22 LR can sometimes be easier than 223/5.56. This kit gives that option at a great price. Any chance to keep skills up and familiarize new shooters to a platform is a good thing. Basically two rifles for a lot less than another rifle.”

.22 LR 22LR rimfire AR AR15 AR-15 conversion kit bolt magazine savings ammo ammunition

How to Install CMMG Bravo .22 LR Conversion Kit

The Brownells video below shows the installation process step-by-step:

In this instructional video, a Brownells gunsmith demonstrates (step by step) how to install, disassemble, clean, lubricate, and reassemble the CMMG AR-15 .22 LR Conversion Kits. Clear the rifle and make safe before you start the conversion. Separate the upper and lower, remove the standard bolt carrier group. You then install the conversion bolt and connect the upper and lower as normal.

Details of CMMG .22 LR Conversion Kit

.22 LR 22LR rimfire AR AR15 AR-15 conversion kit bolt magazine savings ammo ammunition

“For years I’ve had a CMMG conversion kit. It’s a drop-in system that’s … very reliable and it’s accurate. The [CMMG conversion] has lower recoil [and is] great for training. Even though ammo prices have gone through the roof, .22 LR is still cheaper to shoot than anything else.” — SootchGear

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October 29th, 2024

Learn Reloading Basics with Sinclair International Video Series

free reloading videos sinclair international

Sinclair International has created a series of instructional videos illustrating the basics of metallic cartridge reloading. The 8-Part series starts with reloading basics and provides step-by-step, how-to instructions that will help new reloaders get started. Detailed, animated illustrations show you what happens inside the chamber when shooting, and inside the dies during each step of reloading. The videos can be viewed on Sinclair International’s YouTube channel. Shown below is the first video in the series:

Each of the Sinclair videos is hosted by then Sinclair Int’l President Bill Gravatt (now with Creedmoor Sports). Bill doesn’t just show you “how”, he tells you “why”. The how-to segments cover case inspection, proper die set up, case sizing, primer installation, powder measuring, bullet seating, crimping, and even goes into the record keeping needed for the handloader. “We wanted to give shooters who haven’t reloaded a look at all the advantages of creating your own ammo and how easy it is to get started,” said Gravatt, “without telling them they had to have any certain brand or type of equipment to do the job.”

The Eight Video Topics Are:

Part 1 — Intro to Video Series
Part 2 — Intro to Reloading Safety
Part 3 — Metallic Cartridge Components
Part 4 — The Firing Sequence
Part 5 — Tools for Reloading
Part 6 — Loading Bottle-Neck Cartridges (2 videos)
Part 7 — Loading Straight Wall Cartridges
Part 8 — Reloading Series Conclusion

CLICK HERE to Watch all Sinclair Reloading Series Videos »

Reloading Tools
Shown below is Part 5 of the video series, covering the tools used for precision reloading.

Sinclair International Reloading Videos

We also strongly recommend the Part 4 Video to readers who are getting started in reloading. This “How Things Work” segment covers the sequence of events inside the chamber (and barrel) when the cartridge is fired. The video includes helpful graphics that show what happens to the primer, powder, cartridge, and bullet when the round is fired. The video also illustrates “headspace” and explains how this can change after firing. We think this video answers many common questions and will help reloaders understand the forces at work on their brass during the firing process.

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October 29th, 2024

How Loud Noise Levels Cause Hearing Loss — Wear Protection

hearing protection sound noise american suppressor association ear muffs earplugs can silencer

Protect Your Hearing — Wear Protection Whenever You Shoot

hearing protection sound noise american suppressor association ear muffs earplugs can silencerNoise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are two of the most common afflictions for recreational shooters and hunters. Everyone knows that gunfire is loud, but very few people understand the repercussions that shooting can have on their hearing until it’s too late.

The better quality suppressors can reduce the noise of a gunshot by 20 to 35 decibels (dB). Good muffs or plugs will reduce sound by 23 to 33 dB. By decreasing the overall sound signature, suppressors help to preserve the hearing of recreational shooters and hunters. Even the most effective suppressors, on the smallest and quietest calibers (.22 LR) reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to between 110 to 120 dB. To put that in perspective, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), that is as loud as a jackhammer (110 dB) or an ambulance siren (120 dB). For normal caliber handguns and rifles, suppressed sound levels routinely exceed 130 dB, just shy of OSHA’s “hearing safe” threshold of 140 dB.

hearing protection sound noise american suppressor association ear muffs earplugs can silencer

According to Dr. William W. Clark, the current Director of the Washington Univ. School of Medicine’s Audiology/Communication Sciences Program, a “serious threat to hearing comes from recreational hunting or target shooting”. This is in large part due to the fact that many people choose not to use traditional hearing protection devices like earplugs and earmuffs because they want to be able to hear their surroundings. Multiple studies have found that between 70 to 80% of hunters never wear earplugs or earmuffs, and nearly half of all target shooters don’t consistently wear traditional hearing protection. Thus, it should come as no surprise that for every five years of hunting, hunters become seven percent more likely to experience high frequency hearing loss.

This article is based on information from the American Suppressor Association (ASA). Since the ASA’s formation in 2011, three additional states have legalized suppressor ownership and 18 states have legalized suppressor hunting. For more information, visit www.AmericanSuppressorAssociation.com.

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October 28th, 2024

BargainFinder 475: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

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. Graf & Sons — Peterson Brass in Stock Plus Free Shipping

peterson brass sale
Excellent brass for popular cartridges with free shipping option

Quality loads start with quality brass and Peterson offers excellent made-in-USA brass. Graf’s has a full line of Peterson Cartridge Brass in stock and ready to ship. You’ll find popular cartridge types including 6mmBR, 6mm Creedmoor, 6XC, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .284 Win, .308 Win, 300 WinMag and many more. PLUS, if you spend at least $150 of in-stock Peterson Brass, you get Free Shipping on your entire order.

2. Sportsman’s WH — Springfield Armory Model 2020 .22 LR Scoped Rifle, $419.99

springfield rifle sale
Nice scoped rifle for NRL22, plinking, varminting

Here’s a good rimfire rifle with accuracy guarantee for under $420 complete with optic. Sportsman’s Warehouse has the .22 LR Springfield Armory 2020 Rimfire Target Rifle on sale for only $419.99, a $130 savings. The Model 2020 Rimfire rifle boasts a free-floated barrel and is guaranteed to shoot 1 inch or less at 50 yards with quality ammunition. The trigger is pretty good and the action features dual cocking cams for smooth, reliable operation. This 2020 Rimfire rifle can use Ruger 10/22 magazines.

3. Midsouth — Blem Bullet Sale with Huge Savings

blem bullet sale
Major discounts on good bullets for practice, hunting, and varminting

For plinking, varminting, barrel break-in, or just fun shooting on reactive targets, you don’t need ultra-expensive premium projectiles. And for deer hunting, a slight blemish on your bullet shouldn’t be an issue. You can now save up to 50% with the Blem Bullets Sale at Midsouth. For example .270 cal 145gr poly-tip hunting bullets are now just $27.99/100, 45% off the regular price. Offered in a wide range of calibers and styles, these blem bullets are produced by major bullet-makers.

4. Creedmoor Sports — Redding Boss ProPack Combo, $284.95

redding press sale
Very good single stage press and key components

Get started reloading with the Redding Boss ProPak Loading Kit. Redding has combined top-quality reloading equipment in a money-saving package. This kit provides nearly everything you need (besides dies) to start reloading: Redding Boss Single-Stage Reloading Press, Model 2 Powder and Bullet Scale, Powder Trickler, Deburring Tool, Powder Funnel, Case Prep Kit, Non-skid lube pad and case lube, and Hodgdon Manual. NOTE: This same $284.95 Redding combo is now $489.99 on Amazon, over $200 more!

5. Palmetto SA — AR15 and 9mm Pistol Combo, $799.99

palmetto ar15 combo dagger pistol ar sale
Get an AR rifle AND a 9mm pistol for under $800

Need a 8mm pistol? Need an AR? How about grabbing both at the same time and saving some money? This week Palmetto State Armory offers the PA-15 Nitride M4 Carbine AND the PSA Dagger RMR 9mm Pistol as a two-gun combo for just $799.99. You could easily pay that much just for a good AR rifle. Both the PA15 rifle and the Dagger Pistol come in OD and matte black colors. These are both well-made and reliable guns.

6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Case Trim/Prep System, $139.99

case trimmer sale
Versatile system popular with hand-loaders — good price

The Frankford Arsenal Case Trim and Prep Center (#ad) houses the key tools you need to trim, chamfer, and deburr brass, and clean primer pockets. The case holder features an adjustable collet and bushing system that indexes the case shoulder and can be set to precisely trim brass to an exact length. Built from aluminum and a durable steel frame, the Frankford Case Trim and Prep Center is sturdy and has earned praise from purchasers. Right now it is just $139.99 on Amazon, a 30% discount.

7. Amazon — Caldwell Front and Rear Bag Combo, $29.53

rifle bag rest sale
Very affordable bags for zeroing rifles or PRS/NRL practice

Here’s a low cost yet handy support set-up for your rifle (or pistol). With the Caldwell DeadShot Front and Rear Bag Combo (#ad) you get durable front and rear bags for just $29.53 (for both). This bag combo can be used for sighting in rifles, or easy-to-carry support when varminting. The Caldwell DeadShot Front Bag works pretty well for sighting-in a hunting rifle, and can also be used for PRS/NRL competition. For easier transport, the rear bag has a clasp that can be attached to a strap on the larger front bag.

8. Amazon — Hexeum 4K Night Vision Binoculars, $121.98

night vision binocular sale
Popular recording night vision binocs at affordable price

Here is a great product for hunters that can also serve for home security, allowing you to scan your property at night. These Hexeum 4K Night Vision Binoculars (#ad) can “watch live” as well as record stills and video. Now available for just $121.98, these Night Vision Binoculars can take high definition photos, and record/playback video in daytime or night time. The recording is 4K HD quality with playback via a 3″ wide view screen. This unit is Amazon’s #1 Best-Seller among Night Vision Binoculars & Goggles. It comes with a 32GB storage card and has USB Type-C fast charging.

9. Amazon — RPNB KeyPad Gun Safe, $69.99

pistol safe sale
Compact pistol safe with quick keypad entry, for vehicle or house

If you have a handgun for defense in the home, RV, or vehicle, it is essential that you keep it safely stored while still retaining rapid access. The RPNB Mounted KeyPad Gun Safe (#ad) offers safe storage plus the ability to deploy the gun in seconds. This vertical desk-mount safe features an electronic keypad for single-handed operation. The fast activation drop-down drawer provides a stored firearm in the ready position. Multiple brackets allow left-side, right-side and top bracket mounting. NOTE: There is also a fingerprint-activated Biometric version of this safe for $109.99 on Amazon.

10. Amazon — The ABCs of Reloading 10th Edition, $17.54

shooting book sale
Excellent 288-page resource for reloaders

The ABCs of Reloading book (#ad) covers safe, reliable methods for hand-loading rifle and pistol ammunition. This latest 2021 10th Edition offers detailed reloading instruction, explaining the procedures involved and the tools needed. This book has earned 77% 5-Star reviews. One buyer noted: “This answers over 90% of the questions I see people asking online, but from a RELIABLE source. I’ve been reloading since the mid 70s and I think this is a great source of information for reloaders, new and old.”

As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.

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October 28th, 2024

Three Barrels Better Than One? Exotic Blaser Bockdrilling Rifle

Blaser BD14 Drilling Bockdrilling Shotgun Rifle
CLICK Photo for full-screen view.

If two barrels are better than one, then why not three? That’s the thinking behind the exotic Bockdriling BD14 from Blaser, unveiled at the 2014 IWA Show in Germany. This three-barrel Bockdrilling firearm works as a shotgun, large-caliber rifle, and small-caliber rifle all in one. Even with all those barrels, the BD14 is relatively light, at 3.3 kg (7.26 lbs) without optics. That makes this a nice, carry-around gun for stalking. As you’d expect from Blaser, the twin triggers are crisp and precise, with a pull weight of just 1.43 lbs (650 grams). The front trigger is for the large-caliber rifle barrel, while the rear trigger works both the shotgun and small-caliber barrels, via a tang-mounted selector. These firearms are rare in the USA — and quite expensive. The only Blaser BD 14 we could find on GunBroker had a $9099.95 asking price. That works out to over three grand per barrel.

Blaser BD14 Drilling Bockdrilling Shotgun Rifle

Here’s what Blaser USA has to say about its unique three-barreled BD 14:

“The ‘Bockdrilling’ is, put simply, an over/under (O/U) rifle-shotgun combination with a smaller caliber rifle-barrel… on the side. The barrel arrangement [allows] for an extremely slender receiver, making the BD14 exceptionally huntable.

The [patent-pending] Vertical Block Lockup… combines an extremely compact and solid block lockup in a closed system within the monoblock with the comfortable handling of a classic break-action rifle.

The double lock permits, if needed, a rapid second shot, the front trigger always releasing the large rifle-caliber. The … barrel selector actives the shotgun barrel when in position ‘top’ and activates the smaller rifle caliber in position ‘bottom’.”

Blaser BD14 Drilling Bockdrilling Shotgun Rifle

Why Does Anyone Need Three Barrels?
The Blaser website explains: “As hunters, we learn to expect the unexpected, whether in a blind or stalking, so it’s understandable that we dream of a firearm that will allow us to take advantage of any situation. With the Bockdrilling BD14, Blaser has developed the perfect blind and stalking firearm – compromises are finally a thing of the past.”

Design Features of the Bockdrilling BD 14 Tri-Barrel Gun
The BD14 has a double-lock system so that a second shot can be taken without having to recock the firearm. Blaser says: “Thanks to the free-floating barrels, point of impact remains constant even with a quick succession of shots, no matter which barrel was fired first. The extremely strong vertical block lock on the BD14 helps contribute to the high degree of precision.”

Story idea from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Permalink Gear Review, Gunsmithing No Comments »
October 28th, 2024

Texas Couple Share a Martini — A Mark III Martini Rifle

rimfire benchrest .22 LR mac tilton Martini Mark III husband wife
Here is gunsmith Richard King, with his updated Martini Mark III smallbore rifle.

This is the kind of family-friendly, “feel-good” story we like. A few years back, Texan Richard King created a rimfire benchrest rifle using a classic Martini Mark III smallbore action. He fitted the gun with a new flat, wide forearm and a new buttstock, allowing the gun to sit steady on the bags and track smoothly. The narrow action was also fitted with a cantilevered top rail to hold a high-magnification scope.

Here is Vicki King, with Martini Mark III and her trophy.
rimfire benchrest .22 LR mac tilton Martini Mark III husband wife

But here’s the best part. A decade ago, back in 2014, Richard provided this updated classic to his wife Vicki, who proceeded to win a rimfire benchrest match (Vintage class) with the old Martini. Richard reports: “Here is my lovely wife with her High Overall Vintage trophy. That is a Martini Mark III that I re-stocked in walnut for 50-yard, .22-caliber benchrest matches. It’s great to have her shooting with me again.”

rimfire benchrest .22 LR mac tilton Martini Mark III husband wife

Bravo Richard — kudos to you AND to your lovely bride. It’s great to see a couple shooting together. It’s also great to see a classic rifle brought back to the winner’s circle with some inspired stock-work, new optics mount, and other smart upgrades. Old rifles never die… at least if they find their way to a great smith like Richard King.

Permalink Competition, Gear Review, Shooting Skills 1 Comment »