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January 6th, 2025

How to Inspect Your Barrel Crown with a Q-Tip

The last half-inch or so of your barrel is absolutely critical. Any damage (or abnormal wear) near the crown will cause a significant drop-off in accuracy. Here are ways you can check the end of your barrel, using a common Q-Tip.

Use Q-Tip for Barrel Inspection
To find out if you have a burr or damage to your crown, you can use an ordinary Q-tip cotton swab. Check the edges of the crown by pulling the Q-tip gently out past the edge of the crown. If you have a burr, it will “grab” the cotton and leave strands behind.

Larry Willis has another way to use a Q-Tip: “Here’s a neat trick that will surprise you with how well it works.” Just insert a Q-Tip into your barrel (like the picture below), and it will reflect enough light so that you can get a real good look at the last half inch of rifling and the crown of your barrel. In most cases you’ll find that this works much better than a flashlight. Larry tells us: “I’ve used this method about a jillion times. Q-Tips are handy to keep in your cleaning supplies anyway. This is a good way to judge approximately how well you are cleaning your barrel when you’re at the range. It’s also the best way to examine your barrel when you’re in the field.”

Larry Willis is the inventor of Innovative Technologies’ Belted Magnum Collet Resizing Die. Larry explains how this die works, and offers other reloading tips on LarryWillis.com.

Permalink Gunsmithing, Tech Tip No Comments »
January 6th, 2025

BargainFinder 485: 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. Brownells — Crimson Trace Optics Sale

rifle scope sale
⏺️ Quality Crimson Trace scopes now at very significant discounts

Brownells is running a major sale right now on quality Crimson Trace Optics. Along with rifle scopes (both FFP and SFP versions) with a wide range of magnification levels, there are red dots for pistols. With this notable Crimson Trace Optics Sale you can save up to 60% on quality optics with very positive user reviews. We would definitely consider a FFP Crimson Trace for a PRS rifle.

2. Whidden Gunworks — Lapua 6mmBR Brass, $114.99/100

lapua 6mmbr norma 6br dasher brass whidden discount
⏺️ High-quality match-winning 6BR brass, works for Dasher and 6BRA too

The original 6mmBR Norma cartridge and its wildcats such as the 6mm Dasher and 6BRA have been hugely popular for many disciplines — Benchrest, PRS/NRL, varminting. But with this popularity has come short supply. 6mmBR brass has been hard to find in recent months. But take heart — Whidden Gunworks has Lapua 6mmBR Brass in stock at $119.99 for 100 cases — a good price. If Whidden Gunworks sells out, Bruno Shooters also has Lapua 6mmBR brass in stock for $122.80 per 100, just a few bucks more.

3. Palmetto SA — SAR9 Sport 9mm Pistol, $299.99

SAR SAR9 9mm carry pistol sale palmetto discount
⏺️ Save $300 off MSRP on good full-size 9mm pistol

This is a great deal for a modern, reliable 9mm pistol with better ergonomics than a Glock (at less than half the price). The lightweight polymer-framed, striker-fired SAR9 points naturally and has three insertable back straps to customize fit. We like the 20-degree grip angle which points well for most users. This ported slide version with 5.2″ barrel is a great gun for IDPA, USPSA, and other pistol matches. The listed $299.99 sale price is $300.00 off the original $699.99 MSRP. The slide has two threaded holes that allow an optic to be attached, but it does not have a removable plate like some newer pistols.

4. Graf & Sons — Unis Large Rifle Primers, 5000 for $399.00

large rifle primer sale
⏺️ Get Large Rifle Primers — in stock now at Graf’s

Large rifle primers have been hard to source lately. But Graf & Sons now has ample inventories of Unis Large Rifle Primers. You can get a big 5000-count case of UNIX Large Rifle Primers for $399.00, a 15% discount. That price works out to just eight cents per primer. Manufactured in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Unis “Ginex” primers are used by major ammunition manufacturers world-wide. With consistent ignition and uniform size these will work for anything from plinking to competition.

5. Creedmoor Sports — $20 Off All Rifle Cases

rifle case sale
rifle case sale

⏺️ Creedmoor Sports makes some of the best soft cases — save $20 now

For decades Creedmoor Sports has offered some of the best fabric rifle cases you can buy. These cases are very popular with Palma, High Power, and Service Rifle competitors. They have quality zippers and handy outside pockets and are offered in a variety of sizes and colors. Right now these Creedmoor Sports gun cases are $20 OFF on Sale through 1/11/25. With a variety of size, pocket, and color options this is a great opportunity to pick up a new gun case for 2025.

6. Scheels — Forster Co-Ax Primer Seater, $119.99

forster priming tool sale
⏺️ Great product, with significant savings over other sellers

If you load lots of cartridges, it’s wise to have a high-leverage, stack-loading bench-mounted primer tool that gives repeatable results. This allows you to prime hundreds of cases efficiently without the hand pain from repetitive gripping. A great choice is the Forster Co-Ax Primer Seater with E-Z-Just Shell Holder Jaws. This system has an adaptive rim holder so separate shell holders are not needed. The E-Z-Just jaws can grip rifle and pistol cases with a rim thickness of .045″ to .072″. Primers stack in vertically-oriented primer tubes (separate tubes for large primers and small primers are supplied). The primers stack sideways — outer diameter to outer diameter — for added safety.

7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Tumbler Combo Kit, $99.99

brass tumbler sale
⏺️ Complete tumbling kit — tumbler, separator, bucket, and media

Cleaning your brass is a critical step in the reloading process and we found a great kit if you’re in the market for one. The Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Kit (#ad) has everything you need to get started. With Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler, Quick-N-EZ Rotary Media Separator, 4 oz. Brass Polish, 3 lb. Cleaning Media and a Plastic Bucket you’ll be up and running in no time.

8. Amazon — Wheeler Trigger Pull Gauge, $61.49

triger pull gauge sale
⏺️ Good very consistent and reliable trigger gauge

Competitive shooters as well as hunters need to accurately monitor trigger pull weights. Having optimal (and consistent) pull weights is key for shooting performance and safety. You may also need to verify pull weight to comply with match rules. One of the best trigger gauges out there is the Wheeler Professional Digital Trigger Pull Gauge (#ad). With digital display and 1 oz. increments this Pro Trigger Gauge is a great tool for target shooters and gunsmiths, allowing precise trigger settings. This digital gauge boasts accuracy to +/-0.5% over a range of 0 to 12 pounds.

9. Amazon — Lockdown Hidden Storage Shelf, $99.99

hidden gun safe sale
⏺️ Great design provides security in a living area

It can be challenging to keep firearms in your house in a manner where they are both secure yet readily accessible. One way to accomplish this is with the Lockdown Hidden Compartment Shelf (#ad). This has a hidden horizontal storage area where you can keep a pistol and other key items. The Lockdown Shelf mounts easily on your wall. With a simple swipe of the included magnetic key, you have instant access to firearms and other important items.

10. Amazon — Digital Microscope, $29.99

microscope sale
⏺️ Very low price on great tool for inspecting bullets, brass, primers

Do you wish you had a way to cheaply and easily inspect your primer pockets, trimmed brass, or pointed bullets? We like this 4.3″ 1080p HD 1000x Zoom Microscope (#ad) that allows you to go from 5X to 1000X with an easy-to-use focus. This advanced electronic magnifying system is priced at just $29.99, a very low price for such a sophisticated device. NOTE: This is a limited time deal that may expire very quickly.

11. TargetSports USA — Self-Inking Stamp for Targets, $5.99

target stamp sale
⏺️ Handy tool to stamp your own 2″ bullseyes on target

Are you tired of buying targets or wasting expensive printer ink just to shoot holes in paper? Consider this handy, low-cost Self-Inking Target Stamp. With an easy-to-fill ink reservoir, you can stamp a grid of multiple targets or add 2″ red bullseyes to a printed target. NOTE: This target stamp is listed at 51mm, so it makes bulls 2 inches in diameter.

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Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Gear Review, Hot Deals, Optics No Comments »
January 6th, 2025

NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Training Course — ONLINE

nra pistol basic shooting training course
This 12″ Bullseye Pistol Diagnostic Target helps improve handgun marksmanship. The target diagnoses common problems with one-handed shooting based on shot impact zones. While this target is designed for righties, left-handed shooters can use the target too. Just observe the opposite tips.

Do you know someone who wants to get started in pistol shooting? Here’s a helpful resource. The NRA now offers its Basics of Pistol Shooting Course in an online format. That makes it easy to cover the “classroom” phase of the course on your own time. The $60.00 online course includes 11 step-by-step lessons (to be followed by live range training). CLICK HERE to enroll in online Pistol Training Course.

nra pistol basic shooting training course

Train Online, Then Register for a Range Session
For the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course, Phase 1 is conducted in an online environment, completed on your own time (cost is $60.00, non-refundable). After successfully completing the online exam, students can register for Phase 2, the instructor-led training session. Phase 2 is conducted at your local range with an NRA-Certified Instructor. NOTE: There will normally be an additional fee for Phase 2. You must successfully complete BOTH Phase 1 and Phase 2 in order to receive your NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course certificate.

nra pistol basic shooting training course

Designed and developed by experts to accommodate busy schedules, the web-based course takes a blended learning approach to firearms training with both online and physical components. Students have 90 days to work through 11 online lessons before registering for Phase 2, the NRA Certified Instructor-led phase at a local range.

“Thanks to our online courses and network of more than 125,000 NRA Certified Instructors, it has never been easier to learn basic firearm skills,” said Kyle Weaver, NRA General Operations Exec. Director. The NRA offers other online training courses at Onlinetraining.nra.org. Along with pistol course, these offerings include Rifle Training, Shotgun Training, a Range Safety Office (RSO) course, and a Range Development and Operations course.

Know someone getting started with handguns? Here is a useful video focusing on safety:

Permalink Competition, Handguns, Shooting Skills No Comments »
January 6th, 2025

How to Prep Milsurp 5.56 Brass for Match Use — USAMU Tips

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit regularly published a reloading “how-to” article on the USAMU Facebook page. One excellent “Handloading Hump Day” post covered preparation of once-fired 5.56x45mm brass. This article, the first in a 3-part series, has many useful tips. If you shoot a rifle chambered in .223 Rem or 5.56x45mm, this article is worth reading. You can obtain once-fired Lake City 5.56x45mm brass for less than half the cost of premium .223 Rem brass.

This week, Handloading Hump-Day will answer a special request from several competitive shooters who asked about procedures for morphing once-fired GI 5.56mm brass into accurate match brass for NRA High Power Rifle use. The USAMU has used virgin Lake City (LC) 5.56 brass to win National Championships and set National Records for many years. In this 3-part series, we’ll share techniques proven to wring match-winning accuracy from combat-grade brass.

GI brass has an excellent attribute, worth noting — it is virtually indestructible. Due to its NATO-spec hardness, the primer pockets last much longer than most commercial brass when using loads at appropriate pressures.

Preparing Once-Fired GI 5.56 Brass for Reloading (Part 1 of 3)

Assuming our readers will be getting brass once-fired as received from surplus dealers, the following steps can help process the low-cost raw material into reliably accurate components.

1. Clean the Brass
First, clean the brass of any dirt/mud/debris, if applicable. Depending on the brass’s condition, washing it in a soap solution followed by a thorough rinsing may help. [This step also extends the life of the tumbling media.] Approaches range from low-tech, using gallon jugs 1/2 full of water/dish soap plus brass and shaking vigorously, to more high-tech, expensive and time-consuming methods.

cleaning Lake City 5.56 brass

2. Wet-Tumbling Options (Be Sure to Dry the Brass)
When applying the final cleaning/polish, some use tumblers with liquid cleaning media and stainless steel pins for a brilliant shine inside and out, while others take the traditional vibratory tumbler/ground media approach. Degree of case shine is purely personal preference, but the key issue is simple cleanliness to avoid scratching ones’ dies.

If a liquid cleaner is used, be SURE to dry the cases thoroughly to preclude corrosion inside. One method is to dump the wet brass into an old pillow case, then tilt it left/right so the cases re-orient themselves while shifting from corner to corner. Several repetitions, pausing at each corner until water stops draining, will remove most water. They can then be left to air-dry on a towel, or can be dried in a warm (150° F-200° F max) oven for a few minutes to speed evaporation.

Shown below are Lake City cases after cleaning with Stainless Media (STM). Note: STM Case cleaning was done by a third party, not the USAMU, which does not endorse any particular cleaning method.

NOTE: The USAMU Handloading (HL) Shop does not RE-load fired 5.56 brass. We use virgin LC brass with our chosen primer already staked in place. However, our staff has extensive personal experience reloading GI brass for competition, which will supplement the Shop’s customary steps. In handloading, as in life, there are many ways to accomplish any given task. Our suggestions are note presented as the “only way,” by any means. Time for loading/practicing is always at a premium. Readers who have more efficient, alternative methods that maintain top accuracy are invited to share them here.

3. Inspect Every Case
Once dry, inspect each case for significant deformation (i.e., someone stepped on it), damaged mouths/necks and case head/rim damage. Some rifles’ ejectors actually dig small chunks of brass out of the case head — obviously, not ideal for precision shooting. Similarly, some extractors can bend the case rims so badly that distortion is visible when spinning them in one’s fingers. These can be used for plinking, but our match brass should have straight, undamaged rims.

Dented case mouths are common, and these can easily be rounded using a conical, tapered tool, [such as a .223 expander mandrel. A dummy 7.62 or .30-06 cartridge with a FMJ spitzer can also work.] If most of your brass is of one headstamp, this is a good time to cull out any odd cases.

4. Check the Primers Before Decapping
Your clean, dry and inspected brass is now ready for full-length sizing, decapping and re-priming. Historically, primer crimps on GI brass have caused some head-scratching (and vile language) among handloaders. Our next installment will detail efficient, easy and practical methods to remove primer crimp, plus other useful handloading tips. Until next week, Good Shooting!

Accuracy Potential of Mil-Surp 5.56×45 Brass
So, how accurate can previously-fired GI surplus brass be in a good National Match AR-15? Well, here’s a data point from many years ago that might be of interest. A High Power shooter who wrote for the late Precision Shooting magazine took a Bill Wylde-built AR match rifle to a registered Benchrest match. He had no difficulty obtaining consistent 0.5-0.6 MOA accuracy at 200 yards using LC brass and a generic “practice” load that was not tuned to his rifle.

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