Every serious shooter needs to know the muzzle velocity (MV) for his load, so he can run ballistics solvers. And very consistent MV with low Extreme Spread (ES) and Standard Deviation SD is vital for consistent long-range shooting. You need good components and reloading techniques for low ES/SD. You want a good, reliable, and consistent chronograph to record your muzzle velocity — there are many good types now, including the compact Garmin Xero C1 and the handy Magnetospeed units which attach to your rifle.
Today we feature a new 55-minute video from Bryan Litz of Applied Ballistics. In this video Bryan explains how to measure muzzle velocity with various chronograph types and then explains some methods for optimizing your ES/SD. Bryan explains: “Muzzle velocity is an important variable for long range shooters. This video covers some key concepts for beginners and also goes into some advanced topics that are not normally encountered to keep it interesting for experienced shooters as well.”
This video from the manufacturer explains how to use the excellent Garmin Xero C1 radar chronograph. This popular new unit has proven to be user-friendly and very reliable. The ultra-compact size makes it easy to transport and deploy at the range.
Get a Good Ballistics App — Consider the NEW AB Quantum App
Once you have recorded your muzzle velocity successfully you can use the MV data with your known bullet BC and range altitude to plot the trajectory of bullet flight. This will tell you the correct scope elevation setting for the distance of your target. We recommend getting a good Ballistics App for your mobile device so you can run ballistics at the range.
Definitely check out the impressive new AB Quantum App from Applied Ballistics. Consumers can now download the AB Quantum App for either iOS (Apple) or Android devices. There is a free basic version, as well as an Elite subscription, which unlocks many more features for just $2.99/month or $19.99/year (see chart below). For more information visit AppliedBallisticsllc.com/ab-quantum.
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New Product Showcase Part ONE
Shooting Industry’s December 2024 issue has the first installment of the 2025 New Product Showcase — featuring new (or recently introduced) products from dozens of companies including FN America, Gemtech, H&K, Hornady, Kimber, MDT, Remington, Ruger, Savage, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, Trijicon, Vudoo Gun Works and more. You can see all these new products in a mobile-friendly format that works with cell phones.
Or, CLICK HERE to see the full December 2024 issue in printable PDF format. The New Product Showcase is on pages 52-67, with a Shot Show Preview on pages 48-51.
Below we feature our Top Six Picks among the many new products featured this month in Shooting Industry magazine. There are dozens of other new (or recently introduced) products in Shooting Industry’s Part 1 2025 Product feature, found in the current December 2024 issue. CLICK HERE to see ALL the featured new products.
Pick Six — Top New-for-2025 Shooting Products, Guns and Gear
MDT Sporting Goods — New CRBN Ultra-Lightweight Stock
The new MDT CRBN Rifle Stock is a lightweight carbon fiber stock with an internal mini-chassis weighing a mere 27 ounces — that’s light! Crafted from foam-filled carbon fiber, the MDT CRBN Rifle Stock is both incredibly lightweight and durable. The CRBN Stock features a full-length ARCA rail, adjustable comb height, adjustable length-of-pull, M-LOK slots, QD attachment points, thumb shelves, and a 20-degree grip angle. A V-Bedding block ensures a precise fit between the stock and action, and the barrel channel can accommodate a 1.2″ profile barrel.
Savage New Revel Rimfire Lever-Action Rifles
Savage Arms will offer the Revel Classic and Revel DLX rimfire lever-action rifles in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR chamberings. These are take-down rifles with simple disassembly for cleaning and maintenance. The Revels feature a nice, satin-finish walnut wood stock plus a large lever loop for rapid cycling. These new rimfire lever guns start at $439.00 MSRP for the Revel Classic and $539.00 for the Revel DLX. The .22 LR Revel Classic is available now while the .22 WMR and .17 WMR versions will be available in early spring 2025, as will all Revel DLX models.
Kimber CDS9 Metal-frame Compact Pistol
If you want a compact carry pistol but are not a fan of Glock-style polymer frames, you may favor Kimber’s new CDS9 (Covert Double Stack 9mm) pistol. This high-capacity, optics-ready compact handgun features all-metal frame with accessory rail for light or laser. The grip is available with a high-contrast red and black finish.
The CDS9 has an ambidextrous safety and slide release plus a reversible mag release. The CDS9 TFS version comes with a threaded barrel for suppressor, compensator or muzzle brake. The new MDT ships with a 13-round or 15-round magazine plus a 10-round flush magazine is offered for areas where high-capacity magazines are not allowed. Watch the video above for field test.
CenterPoint Optics has some new products that deliver decent glass and advanced internal electronics at an ultra-low price. The CPNV01 Night Vision Monocular boasts day and night vision modes, 6X optical zoom and 8X digital zoom, plus day and night vision modes with a 2″ display. You can record stills and video to a micro SD card. Priced at just $129.99, this could be a nice unit for hunters.
CenterPoint also has a decent laser rangefinder at a super low price. Costing just $129.99, the CPLRF6221K laser rangefinder measures distances up to 1,100 yards and features 6X magnification. The unit has scan mode with continuous distance readings to help track moving targets. The unit, with 22mm objective, also has a built-in inclinometer.
Silencer Central
Meat-Eater Suppressor
Silencer Central has worked with Banish to develop a new 30-caliber “Meat Eater” suppressor rated for cartridges up to .300 RUM. Designed for hunting, the maker claims this suppressor can reduce sound levels by 32 decibels and reduce recoil by up to 40% via its integrated “anchor brake”. Quite light-weight, the Meat-Eater suppressor weighs 10.3 oz., and measures 5.85″ long. It employs an industry-standard hub mount.
Vudoo Gun Works
Precision Rifle Bag
The impressive Vudoo Precision Rifle Bag has many notable features including thick foam padding on all sides, 3 Zippered mesh pockets, removable scope cover, muzzle cover with bungee, Velcro interior walls, and cleaning rod sleeve. The fully customizable compartments keep gear organized, while thick, high-density padding shields your firearm from the toughest conditions.
All these features make for a really great gun case, but it is very pricey at $225.00!
Discover more products ShootingIndustry.com. Dealers and retailers can subscribe to the magazine and get weekly emails with the latest industry news and new product info. And everyone can access regular news items via the Shooting Industry Facebook page.
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In our Shooter’s Forum there is a popular thread, Let’s See Those Hunting Rifles. This long-running thread features dozens of interesting hunting rifles of all varieties — from rimfires to big magnums. In that thread we found the focus of today’s story, a .221 Fireball. Now that we are in the thick of winter, with Christmas just two weeks away, we showcase this .221 Rem Fireball rifle from Norway. This rig belong to Thomas Haugland, aka “Roe” on our Forum. An avid backcountry hunter, Thomas also happens to be one of the best gun-content video producers on YouTube — check out Haugland’s THLR.NO YouTube Channel.
We’ll begin with two of Haugland’s remarkable videos — worth watching just for the stunning scenery. Thomas skis through the Norwegian Arctic backcountry, then successfully uses his suppressed, white-camouflaged .221 Fireball rifle to bag a Ptarmigan bird — bringing home a well-earned winter dinner.
NOTE: This is the short preview version. Watch the full hunt in second video.
The 7-minute video below shows the full ski hunt. The Ptarmigans are spotted at 4:30 time mark and Thomas takes the shot at 5:36. Great video — you feel like you are there in Norway’s white wilderness. The images above (including top photo) are pulled from this video.
About the .221 Fireball Cartridge
The .221 Remington Fireball cartridge was developed by Remington in 1963 for the XP-100 bolt action pistol. Today the cartridge remains popular with hunters/varminters, both in the original version, and with wildcats such as the .20 Vartarg and .17 Fireball. Lapua started making superb .221 Rem Fireball cartridge brass starting in 2014. However, according to Lapua: “This case is no longer in active production.” On 12/8/2024, we checked many leading vendors including Graf’s, MidwayUSA, and Powder Valley, but could not find new .221 Rem Lapua brass. Lapua notes: “Fireball brass has… seen a dramatic surge in popularity, due in large part to the efforts of wildcatters working with this versatile case. Whether used in its original form, or necked into one of the many cases that it serves as a parent for, the Lapua .221 Fireball brass is a sure winner[.]”
Haugland .221 Fireball with New Carbon Stock and Walther Barrel
Shown above is Haugland’s same .221 Rem Fireball from the videos, but with a new camo stock and new barrel. (The previous stock was painted white). Originally a Remington 700 Light Varmint, this was rebarreled to .221 Fireball with Lothar Walther 1:12″ barrel. Thomas admits he “Goofed a little on the barrel profile, so it is a tad heavier than I wanted.” The stock is a carbon-fiber Gunwerks ClymR and on top is a Leupold 3-18x44mm MK5 HD with Gunwerks RH1 reticle. Only the action and the trigger is left from the original rifle.
With the 1:12″ twist, this rifle is restricted to 55gr maximum bullet weight. Thomas posted: “Shoots well with Vihtavuori N130 and Norma N200 powders, not so good with RL7.” Due to lack of light in far-Northern Norway in winter (see photo above), Roe has not hunted with this rifle much since rebarreling, but as you can see, it’s very accurate — look at that group. Thomas says the gun shoots much better with the new barrel: “With the factory barrel (which I believe was 1:14″-twist) it didn’t shoot better than 1 MOA at 100 yards. Now it approaches half-MOA for three shots (see photo).”
And Thomas was successful with this rig as “reborn” with new stock and barrel. Here’s the gun and a Ptarmigan he shot in the Norwegian snow-covered backcountry.
If you like that Gunwerks ClymR carbon stock, here’s a Gunwerks video showcasing the ClymR Rifle System. A complete Gunwerks ClymR rifle with Titanium action and scope was a shocking $9734.99, so we can understand why Thomas went with the stock alone, paired with a older Rem 700 action.
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Gun-maker Bear Creek Arsenal has a good article on its website about rifling barrels. The article explains four common methods of rifling the interior of barrels: Cut Rifling, Broach Rifling, Button Rifling, and Hammer Forging. In addition, the article describes a new (and somewhat radical) method, Cation Rifling, which employs acid to etch rifling. READ Full Article.
The main focus of the article is on Cold Hammer Forging of barrels. This requires massive, expensive tooling, but the results can be very consistent. Many top gun-makers, such as FN, HK, and Ruger, have used the hammer forging process. And now Bear Creek Arsenal also offers hammer-forged barrels. Bear Creek recently acquired two state-of-the-art cold hammer forging machines. With hammer forging, a chamber can be formed and barrel contour shaped at the same time. This process produces some of the most consistent barrels available today. Here is a summary of how Cold Hammer Forging works:
Cold Hammer Forging — Machinery and Process
A cold hammer-forged barrel starts life… as a short and fat blank with a polished hole running through the center. A hardened mandrel of proper width (caliber) and rifling pattern — again reversed/inverted — is placed into the smooth bore. The pair go into a forging machine that compresses the steel against the mandrel, hammering it into final shape. The barely detectable external spiral patterns that remain on some barrels are imprints from those hammers at work. Some companies polish them out, however.
Cold hammer forging machinery is very expensive, representing a significant investment for companies. However, when the hammer forging process is done and the mandrel removed, the resulting barrel is the proper length and profile with rifling that is consistent and butter smooth. No lapping is required — a time and expense saver — although a stress-relief step often follows.
The process takes place at room temperature, despite the misleading “cold” terminology. There is a hot hammer forging process, but the equipment is even more expensive and the slight improvement in grain consistency hasn’t proven advantageous enough for a return on that investment. Performance is impressive and consistent.
One of the biggest advantages of a cold hammer forged barrel is longevity. They… survive abuse and last longer. The manufacturing process adds those enviable virtues with each strike of those hammers — strengthening the metal in a work-hardening process employed by blacksmiths for centuries.
Comparing Popular Rifling Methods
What rifling process should you choose? If long-distance is your passion and you home brew custom cartridges to print tiny groups in the next zip code, cut rifling is the optimum choice. Button rifling is a solid second choice, but not always the Holy Grail long-distance shooters dream about. Cold hammer forged barrels, however, last longer and [offer great performance for the price.]
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To shoot tight groups and high scores from the bench, or in prone F-Open competition, a quality front rest is essential. And a good rest is also very valuable when zeroing rifles, testing loads, and shooting varmints from a portable bench. Today’s Saturday video showcase includes multiple video reviews of some of the best front rests on the market — great products from SEB, Rodzilla, 21st Century, Lenzi, and Sinclair Int’l. In addition, the lead-off video from F-Class John covers some of the less expensive rests as well as SEB Joy-Pod coaxial bipods.
Review of Many Popular Front Rests from $250 to $2200
If you are shopping for a front rest, definitely watch this comprehensive 42-minute video from start to finish. This is probably the most informative video about premium shooting rests available on YouTube. Top F-Class shooter and video-maker F-Class John covers a wide selection of front rests, with some observations about coaxial bipods as well. John covers the impressive new SEB NEO-X, the easy-to-transport SEB Mini-X, the excellent Rodzilla Rest, the innovative 21st Century Hybrid Rest, the sleek Italian Lenzi Rest. And at the end of the video John reviews the very affordable Caldwell Fire Control Rest ($220.93 on Amazon), explaining how it can be a decent choice for shooters on a limited budget.
NEW SEB NEO-X — Set-Up in the Field
Still in its final prototype stage, the innovative SEB NEO-X raises the bar for transportable coaxial front rests. An innovative design with hinged legs allows the 20-lb NEO-X to be transported in a small case. Once the legs are extended however, the NEO-X has proven to be very stable. And this new coaxial rest offers very precise, easy-to-use controls. A swivel head speeds up deployment, as the allows you to quickly align the rest top to the target. Users have confirmed the NEO-X works great and is very stable. In the video above ace F-Class shooter Erik Cortina (below) shows how to quickly deploy the NEO-X in the field.
Rodzilla T-Rex — High Quality, Big Footprint, Advanced Features
The impressive Rodzilla T-Rex front rest offers outstanding stability with smooth, precise performance. Designer/builder Rod Brakhage (the Rod in Rodzilla) started from the ground up to create a user-friendly, match-ready, modular front rest on the market. The T-Rex weighs just over 21 pounds, and the T-Rex has a large footprint, rivaling the largest rests on the market. That provides exceptional stability, even with heavy-recoiling rifles.
The T-Rex boasts an adjustable joystick that extends from 15.5″ to 21″ in length. With this adjustability, no matter what your stock length or design, you can find a comfortable position without having to stretch uncomfortably. Rodzilla delivers the T-Rex in a custom-designed hard carry case that fits it perfectly and still has room for additional feet and accessories. The T-Rex can be ordered with excellent Sand Feet. Along with the T-Rex, Rodzilla now offers the excellent Raptor Front Rest, a lighter rest designed for easy air travel and portability without sacrificing features or stability.
21st Century Hybrid-X Front Rest
Lateral Control Arm, Vertical Elevation Knob
The innovative 21st Century Hybrid-X front rest offers the “best of both worlds”. It allows precise lateral movement (for wind holds) with no elevation change. The entire center section of the rest rotates as one unit for fast, perfect horizontal alignment to target. Then adjust vertical precisely with the rotary knob on the outboard end of the control rod. Our Daily Bulletin Hybrid-X article has a full description with multiple photos of this unique rest. See additional Hybrid-X Video.
Sinclair Int’l Competition Front Rest — Sturdy and Stable Design
The Sinclair Int’l Competition Rest is a classic heavy and very stable rest that works great on the bench. Weighing 30+ pounds, with a 1″-thick steel base, this rest has a very low center of gravity and is ultra-stable. Currently priced at $579.99, the Sinclair Competition Rest is less than half the cost of the more exotic front rests.
Horizontal (windage) movement is controlled with a large rear knob which uses dual sets of twin tapered roller bearings for a non-binding windage operation. Nearly four feet of windage adjustment is offered at 100 yards. Elevation changes are made with the large wheel. With its mass and low COG, this Sinclair Rest is very stable. And because of its ability to hold elevation shot to shot, this rest has been popular with long-range benchrest competitors who often shoot quick strings of 5 or 10 shots.
SEB Mini-X and SEB Mini — Transportable Joystick Tripod Rests
The original SEB Mini was an innovative collapsible tripod rest with a coaxial top. On its introduction the SEB Mini became immediately popular with varminters, F-TR shooters, and anyone who wanted an affordable, easy-to-transport front rest that offered easy, precise and rapid adjustment of windage and elevation with the Joystick. Building on the success of the original SEB Mini, the SEB Mini-X offers an improved head design, and new adjustable “ankle” units on all three legs. This makes it easier to level the Mini-X on uneven ground. The Mini-X has proven very successful in competition, winning major F-Open matches. Folding into a very compact package, it is easy to transport in airline luggage. Yet it offers a very stable shooting platform with precise, effortless joystick control of elevation and windage.
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The October 2022 issue of Shooting Industry Magazine covers the increasing popularity of “optics-ready” handguns. These pistols have slides configured to mount Red Dot optics. Some of these new handguns are sold with the Red Dot optics pre-installed, ready to go. For example, the Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P 9 Shield Plus (above) is sold with a Crimson Trace Red Dot optic mounted on the slide.
The new FN Five-seveN MRD is an optics-ready pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm. (Image: FN America)
For IDPA and gun games, a Red Dot sight can definitely help with rapid target acquisition. And for a defense gun, the Red Dot assists aiming at night, even in the dark. And unlike a pistol-mounted laser, the Red Dot does not have a bright, visible beam that pinpoints the gun owner’s location.
The Shooting Industry article explains how optics-equipped pistols have become much more popular: “It wasn’t too long ago optics-ready handguns were little more than a novelty. But today, it’s difficult to talk about the handgun segment without delving into the increasing number of guns coming from the manufacturers with optics already installed, or ready to accept one.”
Massad Ayoob, a respected shooting instructor and gun writer, says optics-equipped pistols are now very popular: “Carry optics are burning up the handgun market today. Some of my fellow instructors tell me they have general defensive shooting classes where more than half the students show up with guns wearing carry optics, a compact version of Red Dot sights. Police departments are going to them [optics equipped pistols] in droves.” READ FULL Story.
If you are interested in a wide selection of optics-ready handguns, check out the Modern Carry: Best Optics-Ready Pistols article in the CheaperThanDirt Blog. This highlights ten production pistols from Canik, CZ, FN, Hechler & Koch, Keltec, SCCY, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, and Taurus. Below is the Taurus G3 T.O.R.O (Taurus Optic Ready Option), a full-frame pistol with 17+1 9mm capacity.
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Two years ago, Colt Mfg. Co. (“Colt”) introduced an impressive new rimfire revolver — the King Cobra Target 22 LR. Colt states: “From competition to plinking and small game hunting, this baby Cobra does it all and packs 10-rounds of .22 LR in its cylinder”. The King Cobra Target 22 LR is available with 4.25-inch and 6-inch barrel lengths, both with 1:16″ RH rifling twist. The 4.25″ and 6″ models each have a $999.00 MSRP.
The King Cobra Target 22 LR features USA-forged stainless steel construction. Designed and crafted for outstanding accuracy, new King Cobra Target 22 LR features a one-piece barrel/shroud with fiber optic front sight. The cylinder holds ten (10) rounds. The frame is fitted with an adjustable target rear sight and Hogue overmolded rubber grips.
This TFB Showtime episode examines the new .22 LR rimfire Colt King Cobra Target. The King Cobra Target 22 LR features a 10-shot cylinder, and the same adjustable target sights as the .357 Magnum version.
Last May, Justin Baldini, Colt’s VP of Product Strategy stated: “Shooting .22 LR is such an important part of shooting sports. It’s where we come to learn as a beginner; and where we return as seasoned shooters to cost-effectively enjoy more time at the range. We’re confident that new and old Colt fans will love what we’ve done with the new King Cobra 22 LR.”
All-American built, the King Cobra Target 22 LR should deliver exceptional accuracy and good reliability. Watch the video to see this rimfire revolver in action.
Commentary: We applaud Colt for introducing this new .22 LR wheelgun. Rimfire revolvers are great. This Editor owns a Smith & Wesson Model 617 ten-shot rimfire revolver that has easily fired more rounds than all his other handguns combined. A .22 LR revolver is great for training and fun for plinking. Like the Model 617, this Colt .22 LR wheelgun offers minimal recoil, great reliability, a nice sight radius, and affordable shooting. In addition, if you shoot single-action slow-fire, the trigger pull is light and crisp — better than the vast majority of semi-auto pistols. We think this new “Baby Snake” will be a great addition to any shooter’s collection.
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Applied Ballistics has released powerful new ballistics software, the Applied Ballistics Quantum™ App. This state-of-the-art mobile App provides a complete ballistics solver plus profile management tool for long-range shooting. Featuring an all-new user interface, AB Quantum™ includes a host of new tools and features for competitive shooters and hunters.
“Ballistics can be complicated, and it is our job to simplify what’s important so that shooters can hit targets”, said Applied Ballistics Founder/Chief Ballistician Bryan Litz. “The AB Quantum platform meets this goal and more. By integrating the ballistic solver with other support tools, shooters will have a complete management system to … put rounds on target faster and easier than ever before.”
Applied Ballistics Chief Technology Officer Nick Vitalbo said that the goal was “to create the most intuitive, feature-rich ballistics application on the market, seamlessly integrating with the entire Applied Ballistics ecosystem of products. AB Quantum™ will be our flagship platform, driving the future of AB-integrated devices [and transforming] the way [customers] use their existing AB-enabled products.”
Quantum™ Ballistics App — New Features Overview
AB Quantum™ creates a new paradigm for ballistic solvers and integration with Bluetooth®-enabled devices. With a host of new features, the platform is designed to save time and add performance for users of all skill levels. The all-new user interface is designed with single-handed use in mind, putting all major features just a swipe or tap away from any screen, which allows users to rapidly obtain solutions in the field or at a match. The simplicity and versatility of the app interface creates an intuitive experience for both new and experienced users.
Two new features — AB Quantum Connect™ and AB Quantum Sync™ — enable users to quickly connect to other AB-enabled devices and sync gun profiles between them in seconds, as well as back those profiles up to an encrypted server for peace of mind and easy restoration. The new platform automatically saves changes made to rifle profiles and updates connected devices. AB Quantum™ also includes customizable Range and Multi-Target tables. After creating a range or target card, it can easily be shared via email.
AB Quantum™ platform has impressive, innovative features:
● AB Quantum™ User Interface — Take control of ballistic data and find solutions with ease using the new layout designed with one-handed operation in mind.
● New Bluetooth® Device Manager — Find and connect AB Bluetooth® devices quickly and send data
between devices using AB Quantum Connect™.
● AB Quantum Sync™ — User gun profiles are automatically uploaded to an encrypted server to allow easy access for other devices and backup, providing peace of mind and security.
● Customizable Range Card and Target Card Modes — The new expandable and customizable range and
target card modes allow users to select what data to see for each Range or Target. Use the share function to send range and data cards in just seconds.
● New Reticle Library — The AB Reticle library is hosted online and updates in AB Quantum™ automatically, providing users with up-to-date solution drawing for their favorite rifle scopes.
● Improved Truing Interface — Easy to access ballistic truing features without leaving solution screens.
● Chronograph Integration — Connect Bluetooth®-enabled chronographs – such as the Optex Systems
SpeedTracker™ – directly to the App and save the velocity data to rifle profiles.
The acclaimed Applied Ballistics Bullet Library is a good example of simplification for shooters: it includes thousands of projectile models that have been built using Doppler Radar to create a Custom Drag Model (CDM) for each bullet. This library is a core feature of the AB Quantum™ App, giving users the fastest way to create accurate and precise solutions for any environment.
Consumers can now download the AB Quantum App from iOS or Android app stores. There is a free basic version, as well as an Elite subscription, which unlocks many more features for just $2.99/month or $19.99/year (see chart below). For more information visit AppliedBallisticsllc.com/ab-quantum/.
About Applied Ballistics
Applied Ballistics provides ballistics data and software solutions for shooters, hunters and industry partners. Offering books, online training, and advanced ballistics software, Applied Ballistics is dedicated to delivering accurate, unbiased ballistics information and solutions.
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Do you enjoy shooting pistols for sport, or perhaps you carry a handgun for self-defense? If you’re like most of us, you might benefit from a “refresher course” on the fundamentals of handgun shooting. The NRA has created a useful Infographic that covers important basics of handgun marksmanship — key things such as Sight Alignment, Trigger Control, and Handgun Hold.
Here are the first two (2) lessons. Click the link below to see all SIX (6) training topics: Sight Alignment, Sight Focus, Trigger Control, Breath Control, Hold Control, and Follow-Through.
Video Shows Sight Alignment, Grip, Stance, Trigger Control and More
In this USAMU video, SGT Shane Coley talks about the basics of sight alignment and trigger control. But then SGT Coley talks about other important control factors such as grip, arm position, and body stance. For rapid-fire shooting, you need to have a good arm and body positioning to control recoil and get back on target quickly. This video is a valuable complement to the NRA Infographic because it demonstrates all the important pistol fundamentals during live fire, at the range.
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RCBS has a good successor to the venerable RCBS Trim Mate. The RCBS Brass Boss features six rotating stations that handle all your brass neck-brushing, chamfering, deburring, and pocket uniforming chores. The RCBS Brass Boss includes tools for all six stations: inside VLD chamfering tool, outside deburring tool, primer pocket cleaners (small/large), military crimp removers (small/large), primer pocket uniformers (small/large), case neck brushes (four diameters), and a tub of dry case neck lubricant. MSRP for the Brass Boss, RCBS Item 90390, is $219.99. The best price we found is $169.99 at Natchez — a very good deal.
This machine has two different rotation speeds for the toolheads. Four stations run at 350 rpm, while the two other stations run 57% faster, at 550 rpm. That give you a choice of spin speeds. You can work fast for tougher chores like military crimp removal, and slow down for inside-neck chamfering, which should be done carefully.
Larger and taller than the older RCBS Trim Mate, the Brass Boss has one more station (six vs. five), plus a more powerful motor. This should make the Brass Boss more competitive with the popular Lyman Case Prep Express, $168.59 on Amazon.
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Keith Glasscock is one of America’s greatest F-Class shooters, as well as a highly respected wind coach. A High Master, Keith finished second overall at the 2021 NRA F-Class Long Range Championship in F-Open division. He also finished second at the 2020 F-Open Nationals, and second at the 2019 F-Open Nationals. His consistency is unrivaled, which means he definitely knows the secrets of competition shooting and loading ultra-accurate ammo. Recently Keith has started PRS/NRL competition, bringing his shooting skills to those popular tactical disciplines.
Keith has a great YouTube Channel with new content every week. On Keith’s Winning in the Wind channel, Keith offers 235+ informative videos on a wide range of topics including wind reading, reloading, component selection, load development, and training.
For today’s Saturday Video Showcase, we offer eight of our favorite Keith Glasscock videos. These cover many key topics — ballistics, barrel care, gunsmithing, bullet sorting, reloading, maintenance and more. Each video has important points that can benefit any competitive rifle shooter, whether you shoot in local 100-yard fun matches or compete at the National Level in F-Class, LR Benchrest, Palma, High Power, or PRS/NRL.
For most disciplines, if you want to achieve maximum accuracy and consistency, you should have your action bedded. This provides an optimal “seating” for the action which quells shot-to-shot motion and helps reduce vibration. Gunsmiths say a good bedding job can produce immediate benefits. In this video Keith Glasscock explains how to check your stock bedding and discusses the realistic benefits you can expect in group size and consistency over long strings.
Keith Glasscock is one of the very few PRS/NRL competitors who has shot F-Class at the very highest level, finishing second three times in F-Class National Championships. PRS/NRL and F-Class are very different disciplines with different challenges. F-Class is shot prone with time between shots and target distances from 600 to 1000 yards. In PRS/NRL competition, you are shooting from multiple positions, at many distances from 100 yards on out, with fast follow-up shoots. For F-Open, you want an extremely accurate load that can deliver sub-quarter MOA groups at 200 yards. For PRS/NRL you don’t necessarily need that level of accuracy (though it helps). But you also need a load that is very consistent, has relatively low recoil, but can also provide sufficient impact energy to clearly show a hit on distant steel. In this video, Keith Glasscock explains his reloading objectives for the two disciplines.
Hard carbon is the bane of rifle shooters. Hard carbon build-up in the barrel can adversely affect accuracy, and in extreme cases, can lead to increased pressure. If possible, you should clean your barrel(s) soon after a match (or shooting session) before the carbon fully hardens. We’ve used Wipe-Out Foam right after a match (with an hour soak time) and that dramatically reduced the amount of brushing required. In this video Keith Glasscock explains the negatives of hard carbon in your barrel, and he discusses how to diagnose the problem and how to remove the carbon build-up efficiently.
Benchrest and F-Class shooters don’t worry about magazines, because their rifles typically employ single-shot actions. However, with PRS/NRL rifles you’ll be shooting from a magazine. Likewise many hunting rifles use magazines to enable quick follow-up shots. In selecting the best magazine(s) for your rifle and discipline you need to consider a variety of factors including fit, capacity, reliability, and, yes, cost. In this video Keith Glasscock examines a variety of magazines for bolt-action rifles used in PRS/NRL competition as well magazines for hunting rifles.
Barrel break-in is a controversial subject. With premium finish-lapped barrels from top manufacturers, some ace F-Class shooters get away with hardly no break-in — just shoot for score right from the get-go. On high-quality custom barrels, we’ve had success with minimalistic break-in with a few wet patches ever 3 rounds for the first 20 rounds. However, with relatively rough factory barrels, you may get better long-term results with a systematic break-in process, even using specialized products on your patches. In this video Keith Glasscock explains break-in procedures he’s found to work for various barrel types and applications.
In general, we have gotten the best match results with loads showing an Extreme Spread (ES) under 13 FPS and an extremely low Standard Deviation (SD). We know that F-Class and ELR shooters competing at 1000 yards and beyond definitely want an extremely low ES to minimize vertical dispersion at long range. That said, some short-range Benchrest competitors look at group size more than ES/SD. In this video, Keith Glasscock talks about the reloading process and methods for lowering ES and SD. Proper brass prep is important, as is precise powder measuring. And long range shooters may want to test 3 or 4 different powder types to find the one that offers the best combination of accuracy and low ES/SD.
Should you sort your bullets? If so, should you sort by weight, OAL, base-to-ogive, or max diameter? Which factor? Well the answer is “it depends”. You need to carefully examine a couple dozen bullets from each batch to see how consistent they are. We had some Lapua bullets that were ultra-consistent with 97 out of 100 within .0015″ base to ogive length. We used those bullets unsorted to set a local range record at 600 yards. On the other hand if you find significant differences in weights, diameters, or bearing surface lengths, you probably should sort. One tip — many shooters do not consider the width difference in bullets. We have seen 6mm bullet diameters vary from 0.2428″ to 0.2436″. We have one 3-groove 6BR barrel that likes the skinny bullets and another 6-groove barrel that definitely prefers the fatter bullets.
The Kestrel 5700 Elite Wind Meter boasts sophisticated ballistics capabilities and LiNK Bluetooth connectivity. With the Kestrel 5700 Elite, once you enter data about bullet type (and BC), velocity, zero, and rifle, the Kestrel can calculate come-ups and wind corrections. The Kestrel 5700 can “talk” to a mobile device that runs the Applied Ballistics APP that contains bullet databases and allows you to easily enter key information such as muzzle velocity, bullet BC, zero distance, velocity, wind, and environmental factors. In this video Keith Glasscock explains the Kestrel 5700’s features including the ability to program sectors for a PRS/NRL match.
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Today is Thanksgiving, aka “Turkey Day”, a time to enjoy an annual get-together with family and friends. To mark this occasion we offer a collection of interesting videos about turkey hunting plus a FREE Turkey target. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday!
GetZoneHunting.com has a vast video library for hunters, with hundreds of helpful videos on all types of hunting. In time for spring turkey season, GetZoneHunting offers a big collection of turkey hunting videos: At the Ranch – Turkey. On that page you’ll find 13 turkey hunting “how-to” videos. Here are links to five GetZone Turkey Hunting videos with valuable information from skilled, experienced hunters.
At the Ranch Turkey Hunting Videos
At the Ranch – Turkey offers solid advice for turkey hunters. These five videos will help you better understand turkey behavior and have success on your hunt. Click any photo to watch the particular video on the GetZone website. (Work Warning — When each GetZone video opens, it may immediately launch an annoying commercial with loud AUDIO!). There are eight more turkey hunting videos on GetZone’s Turkey Hunting HQ Page.
At the Ranch: Shot Placement for Turkeys — CLICK PHOTO to Watch Video
At the Ranch: Turkey Hunting Essentials — CLICK PHOTO to Watch Video
At the Ranch: The Difference Between a Jake and a Tom — CLICK PHOTO to Watch Video
At the Ranch: Early vs. Late Spring Turkey Hunt — CLICK PHOTO to Watch Video
At the Ranch: How to Plan a Turkey Hunt — CLICK PHOTO to Watch Video
Free Printable Turkey Target from AccurateShooter.com
As a special bonus for our readers, here is a free, printable Turkey Target, so you can practice for your turkey hunting adventure, This special Turkey Bullseye Target was created by our friend and Forum member Pascal (aka “DesertFrog”). CLICK HERE for FREE Turkey Target.
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About the .221 Fireball Cartridge
The 
This machine has two different rotation speeds for the toolheads. Four stations run at 350 rpm, while the two other stations run 57% faster, at 550 rpm. That give you a choice of spin speeds. You can work fast for tougher chores like military crimp removal, and slow down for inside-neck chamfering, which should be done carefully.
Keith has a great 
