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February 5th, 2025

How To Remove Bullets Easily With Collet-Style Bullet Pullers

Collet Bullet Puller Hornady RCBS Press Mount Reloading

Do you have some ammo that got loaded incorrectly, perhaps with the wrong powder? Then you’ll want to disassemble the ammo for safety’s sake. You can use an impact puller to do this task, but if you have more than a dozen rounds or so, you may prefer to use a collet-style bullet puller. These work very quickly and positively, making quick work of big jobs. The efficiency of the collet-style puller is worth the investment if you frequently disassemble ammo. These devices retail for under $35.00 (collets sold separately). Normally, you’ll need a specific collet for each bullet diameter. But collets are not that costly, so this isn’t a big deal, particularly if you only load a few calibers, such as .223, 6mm, and .308.

Hornady and RCBS use different mechanisms to tighten the collet around the bullet. On the red lever Hornady Cam-Lock Bullet Puller, a lever-arm on the top of the bullet puller serves to tighten the collet around the bullet. Simply rotate the lever from the vertical to the horizontal position to grab the bullet. Lower the ram to remove the case. The bullet will drop out when you return the lever arm to the vertical position. This is demonstrated in the video below:

Hornady Cam-Lock Bullet Puller Demonstrated

Collet bullet-pullers resemble a loading die with a lever or handle on the top. They screw into a standard reloading press. Hornady and RCBS both make collet-style bullet pullers. They use the same basic principle — the device tightens a collet around the bullet, and then the bullet is separated from the case by lowering the press ram. NOTE: Collet pullers may leave small marks on your bullets, unlike impact (kinetic) pullers.*

Hornady collet bullet pullerLike the Hornady tool, the RCBS Bullet Puller employs a collet to grab the bullet. However, the RCBS tool tightens the collet in a different way. The head of the RCBS tool is threaded internally. By rotating the lever arm clockwise in a horizontal circle you squeeze the collet around the bullet. To remove the bullet, after lowering the press ram, simply spin the lever arm back in the opposite direction. The use of the RCBS tool is demonstrated in these two videos:

RCBS Collet Bullet Puller Demonstrated:

WARNING: When removing bullets from loaded cartridges, always make sure there are no obstructions or debris in your shell-holder or under the loaded round. NEVER engage a primer seating accessory on your press when working with loaded rounds. You can cause a round to discharge by contacting the primer! Also, we recommend you keep your head and torso away from the bullet puller tool at all times.

*By contrast, impact pullers rarely mark bullets, particularly if you put a little bit of foam or paper wadding in the closed end of your impact puller. When dismantling loaded rounds, powder kernels can get trapped in the wadding, so you should remove and replace the wadding before changing to cartridges loaded with a different powder type (assuming you intend to save the powder).

Permalink - Articles, - Videos, Reloading No Comments »
February 2nd, 2025

Sunday Gunday: Savage 110 Ultralite Elite Hunting Rifle

savage 110 ultralite elite hunter hunting rifle lightweight sunday gunday feature

Hunters normally prefer relatively lightweight rifles. When trekking into the backcountry in pursuit of deer and elk, every pound counts. Along with the rifle, the hunter will be carrying a pack with binoculars, food, emergency gear, and tools for harvesting the meat. With all this extra mass to carry, today’s hunters want to keep their rifle’s weight to a minimum without sacrificing accuracy and durability. That was the design objective for Savage’s new Model 110 Ultralite Elite hunter — to “achieve lighter weights for higher altitude hunts and longer treks for big game.” At $3299.00 MSRP, the model 110 Ultralite Elite is the highest-priced Savage rifle on the market. But it offers impressive features and performance for that price.

This video shows key features of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite — good graphics, worth watching!

savage 110 ultralite elite hunter hunting rifle lightweight sunday gunday feature

The modern 110 Ultralite Elite boasts a Proof Research carbon fiber-wrapped stainless barrel and advanced MDT HNT26 folding carbon fiber stock. With these components the 110 Ultralite Elite offers very impressive performance with a remarkably light weight. With its carbon components, and the shorter barrel option, the Savage 110 Ultralite Hunter weighs around 5.5 pounds without scope and rings — a good 3 to 4 pounds lighter than a typical wood-stocked hunting rifle. Seven chamberings are currently offered: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 7mm BC, .308 Winchester, .300 WSM, and .300 Winchester Magnum. The internal magazine holds three rounds, and barrel lengths vary from 18″ to 22″. The shorter 18″ barrel is offered for 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm BC, and .308 Win.

savage 110 ultralite elite hunter hunting rifle lightweight sunday gunday feature
savage 110 ultralite elite hunter hunting rifle lightweight sunday gunday feature

SAVAGE 110 Ultralite FEATURES:
MDT HNT26 Chassis with carbon fiber fore-end, pistol grip, and foam-filled carbon fiber buttstock

Adjustable stock LOP and comb height with four LOP spacers

Proof Research Carbon Fiber-Wrapped Stainless Steel Barrel

Barrel has 5/8×24 threaded muzzle & Omniport muzzle brake

Lightweight Stainless Steel Receiver with Cerakote finish

Grey Cerakote finish on Magnesium center section

Diamond Fluted Bolt Blackout Cerakote coated
with Carbon Fiber Bolt Knob

AICS low-profile detachable box magazine

20MOA picatinny scope rail

Integrated ARCA rail

savage 110 ultralite elite hunter hunting rifle lightweight sunday gunday feature
savage 110 ultralite elite hunter hunting rifle lightweight sunday gunday feature

Savage’s product page states: “Savage is taking innovation and accuracy to new heights at faster speeds with the 110 Ultralite Elite. With its exclusive Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped stainless steel barrel and MDT HNT26 folding carbon fiber stock, the 110 Ultralite Elite can achieve lighter weights for higher altitude hunts and longer treks for big game. Savage teamed up with PROOF Research to craft a barrel specific for a purpose driven firearm. At under 5.8 pounds, the 110 Ultralite is designed to combat elevation and elements while maintaining the performance of a factory blueprinted Savage 110 action.”

22 Plinkster Video with Steel Target Testing and Scope Camera

If you are potentially interested in purchasing a Savage 110 Ultralite Elite, you should definitely watch this review by popular YouTuber 22plinkster. He explains the features of the rifle, shows off the high-tech carbon components, and then bench-tests the rifle for accuracy on steel targets from 200 out to 1000 yards. The test rifle had a 20″ barrel chambered for the 6.5 PRC. The ammunition was 130gr Federal Terminal Ascent. Starting at 4:12 time-mark you can see 22Plinkster engaging the steel targets. The video provides a shooter’s POV via a TriggerCam Scope Camera.

HuntStand Quick Review of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite

Here is the HuntStand Channel video review from last year when the 110 Ultralite Elite was first released. The HuntStand’s Josh Dahlke was impressed with the rifle’s build quality and light weight. This has a five-minute dialog with a Savage representative. The video has some useful close-ups and it shows how the folding stock works. However, there is no field testing on targets.

TFB-TV Showtime Video Review of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite

This video was produced by The Firearm Blog (TFB-TV) last spring. TFB-TV states: “Savage Arms is typically associated with high quality but economically priced hunting rifles but at IWA 2024, they are unveiling a high end collaborative ultra-lightweight rifle with participation from Proof Research and MDT. The rifle will use an MDT chassis with carbon fiber elements and a folding stock, a Proof Research carbon fiber-wrapped barrel, and Savage’s excellent trigger. It’s hard to believe that Savage is getting on board with high end players like MDT and Proof, but it’s a welcome surprise, to be sure.”

Backfire Multi-Rifle Review Highlighting Savage 110 Ultralite Elite

In this video, the Backfire Channel host reviews a number of rifles. Starting at the 12:20 time-mark he spotlights the Savage 110 Ultralite Elite, calling it his “Dream Rifle”. He highlights the noteworthy features of the Ultralite Elite, and then shows how it can be mounted on a tripod using the integral ARCA rail.

Want to get more info on the Savage 110 Ultralite Elite? Here are three more web resources:

All4Shooters Savage 110 Review |Guns.com Savage 110 Review | GunsWeek Savage 110 Review

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February 1st, 2025

Saturday Movies: How to Bore-Sight Competition & Hunting Rifles

saturday movie scope optics boresight bore-sighting video showcase review laser sight

Today’s video showcase covers bore-sighting methods and technology. Bore-sighting the old-fashioned way — by looking down the bore of a rifle at a target — is not difficult. With a conventional bolt-action rifle, visual bore-sighting can be done quickly and easily. Rest your gun securely on bags, remove your bolt and set up a 50-yard target with a large bright orange or black center circle. Look through the back of the action and you should be able to sight down the bore with your own eyes just fine. There’s no need for expensive hardware. In fact it may be easier to bore-sight the “old-fashioned way” rather than try to see a laser in bright sunlight at 50 yards (or even 25).

However, with lever guns and semi-auto rifles, including the popular AR15, M1 Garand, and M1A, the design of the receiver may make it virtually impossible to sight down the bore with the naked eye. That’s where a modern laser bore-sighting device comes in handy. For those situations where a bore-sighting tool is needed, we recommend a laser bore-sighter that fits inside your chamber. An in-chamber laser device, as shown below, is handy and has less safety risk than a tool which fits in the end of the barrel.

saturday movie scope optics boresight bore-sighting video showcase review laser sight

How to Bore-Sight Your Rifle in Five Minutes

This video from Australia shows the basics of the bore-sighting process. First set up a target 50 yards (or closer) from your shooting station. Make sure the rifle is well-supported and stable. When the target is ideally centered in the BORE of the barrel, then adjust the reticle on your scope to center the crosshairs on the middle of the target. Then, after checking down-range, take a few test shots. Finally, move the target out to 100 yards and confirm your zero, as explained at the close of today’s article.

Vortex Shows How to Bore-Sight Rifles

This well-made, informative video from Vortex covers the basics of bore-sighting. Bore sighting your rifle is a simple way to establish an initial zero to get you on target faster and save you ammo at the range. Thankfully, it doesn’t take a ton of gear or ammunition to bore-sight a rifle effectively. Video host Jimmy from Vortex provides a handy, step-by-step guide in this 10-minute video.

Bore-Sighting Using a Barrel-Mounted Laser Bore-Sighter

If you wondered why a barrel-mounted laser bore-sighter was off-center? Or if you want to learn how to use one properly, this video shows how to safely and properly zero a scope using a barrel-mounted laser bore sight device. Another option is a small cartridge-sized laser that fits inside the chamber. These sell for under $25.00 and are convenient. There are safety advantages to in-chamber lasers.

Initial Bore-Sighting at Home (Before You Head to the Range)

This useful video shows how to bore-sight a rifle at home. This can save time (and money for ammo) when you do get to the range to confirm your scope’s zero. This home procedure works best if the target is well-illuminated while the rifle is in a shadowed area, creating the best contrast. Also make sure the rifle is on a steady support — such as a portable gun vise or sandbags front and rear.

Bore-Sighting with a Red Dot (Reflex) Sight

As with conventional scopes, if you have a red dot sight or reflex optic, you’ll need to bore-sight your rifle, then zero the optic. [Reflex sights use a reflex lens to project a dot or reticle onto the target, whereas red dot sights use a flat, reflective surface to display a red dot reticle.] In this video, retired Navy SEAL Mark Cochiolo demonstrates how to bore-sight then adjust a red dot. Bore sighting allows you to zero your red dot so that your shots hit near your intended point of impact.

Learn More about Bore-Sighting with Tools

To learn more about bore-sighting, you can view a detailed article on the Warne Scope Mounts website. This features through-the-barrel images and discussion of tools that fit in the chamber or barrel to project a laser beam down-range. Shown below are cartridge-sized projecting lasers that fit in a rifle’s chamber. These are available for a wide variety of cartridge/chamber sizes.

chamber brass bore-sighting laser

WARNING: If you use an in-barrel laser be sure to remove it BEFORE chambering a round. ANY obstruction in the barrel can cause serious injury or even death if you fire a round.

Bore Sight Grid Tool with Arbors
The Bushnell Bore Sight with Arbors is a bore-sighting tool that many gun stores and gunsmiths use. This device uses arbors but does not transmit a laser.

saturday movie scope optics boresight bore-sighting video showcase review laser sight

You attach the tool to the end of the barrel and align it with your scope. A grid is visible inside the bore-sighter. Look at that grid and then and align your scope’s reticle with the grid. This Bushnell unit ships with three expandable arbors in 22-270 caliber, 7mm-35 caliber, and 35-45 caliber.

How to Zero a Hunting Rifle Efficiently

Once you have bore-sighted your rifle to get “on target” successfully, then you want to zero your optic so that the shot falls exactly where you want it at your target distance, typically 100 yards. This Vortex video shows you how to quickly and efficiently sight-in and zero a hunting rifle before heading out into the field. This video explains a simple procedure that lets you get a solid zero in just three shots. Of course you probably want to fire a few more rounds to confirm your zero before you head off to your hunting grounds, but this will let you get on-target with a minimum amount of time and ammo expended. This helpful video now has 3.2 million views on YouTube!

3-Shot Zero

Fouling Shots and Cold Bore Condition
If you recently cleaned your rifle, you may want to fire two or three fouling shots before you start this procedure. But keep in mind that you want to duplicate the typical cold bore conditions that you’ll experience during the hunt. If you set your zero after three fouling shots, then make sure the bore is in a similar condition when you actually go out hunting.

This Video Showcase suggested by Boyd Allen.
Permalink - Videos, Competition, Gear Review, Optics, Tech Tip No Comments »
January 29th, 2025

RMAC Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge on ShootingUSA TV

Shooting USA TV Rocky Mountain Air-gun Challenge Provo Utah

rmac rocky mountain airgun utah  precisionShooting USA TV has a good show released today. Shooting USA’s Wednesday Night episode features RMAC — the Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge. This is a fun and challenging, multi-class tactical-style airgun competition.

The RMAC event, hosted by Utah Airguns, is one of the largest outdoor air rifle matches in the country. It combines the low-cost of air rifle shooting with the fun of PRS/NRL-type multi-stage shooting.

Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.

The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge

Shooting USA TV Rocky Mountain Air-gun Challenge Provo Utah

The 2024 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge in Provo, Utah attracted top shooters with over $100,000 worth of prizes. The stages look like what you’d see at PRS/NRL events, but the targets are smaller, the range is shorter, and the power behind each shot is air. Practical Air-Gun competition has a well-established community that spans the globe, and recently competitors from other shooting disciplines, the powder burners, beginning to take notice. Air-Gun practical competition is fun and inexpensive — you are paying pennies a round vs. a $1.30 or more per round for premium centerfire ammo. The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge is leading the way in this interesting air-powered shooting discipline. This multi-day event featured a variety of events on multiple stages.

Modern Tactical-Style Air Rifles

Here are two state-of-the-art tactical air rifles, the BinTac MCAR ($2790.00 from Airgun Tactical) and the FX IMPACT M4 ($2099.99 from Utah Airguns). The BinTac MCAR almost looks like a centerfire rifle at first glance but the air chambers on the buttstock tell the real story.

tactical air rifle prs nrl rmac bintac mcar precision

The 18-lb BinTac M4 features a 38″ barrel which can be easily swapped out to shoot multiple calibers including .457, .50, .51, and .58. There is also a 14-lb hunting version with a 30″ barrel. Max fill pressure is 4500 psi, but there is a 7000-psi upgrade with regulator available.


tactical air rifle prs nrl rmac bintac mcar precision

First introduced in 2015, the original FX IMPACT air rifle represented a major upgrade in field air rifles. The modern IMPACT M4 version offers enhanced performance with a variety of barrel and chassis options.

tactical air rifle prs nrl rmac fx impact m4 utah precision
tactical air rifle prs nrl rmac fx impact m4 utah  precision

Permalink - Videos, Competition, Gear Review, News No Comments »
January 29th, 2025

Organize Long Guns in Safe with Handy Rifle Rods

Gun Storage Solutions Rifle Rod Kit

Running out of space in your gun safe? Here’s a clever product that will allow you to store more long guns in your current vault. The plastic Rifle Rods from Gun Storage Solutions slip in long-gun barrels and then grip the shelf above using Velcro pads. This allows you to nestle your rifles and shotguns much closer together than with the conventional racks provided with most gunsafes.

The handy Rifle Rods are offered in bright orange or basic black. We prefer the orange rods (shown above with the Velcro “receiver” shelf liner provided with the Rod Kit).

Gun Storage Solutions Rifle Rod Kit

Rifles with narrow furniture (such as lever guns) can be placed very close together, saving lots of space. For benchrest or varmint rifles with wider fore-ends, you won’t benefit as much. Note that, in the photo above, all of the guns are fairly slim — none have wide fore-ends. Still we think these Rifle Rods could open up 12″ or more horizontal clearance in a medium-sized safe — that could easily allow you to store six (6) more guns in two rows, as shown.

Rifle Rod Kits Starting at $20.70
A kit with 5 Rifle Rods and loop fabric shelf liner costs $20.70 on Amazon.com, while the 10-Rod Kit with liner costs $33.29 this week. That’s a lot cheaper than buying a new safe. A six-pack of additional Rifle Rods costs $17.95 on Amazon. You can also purchases rods and fabric directly from Gun Storage Solutions.

WARNING: Always REMOVE Rod from barrel before taking gun to the range. Never place live ammunition in a gun with storage Rod in the barrel!

Product tip from ELR Researcher. We welcome reader submissions.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
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January 29th, 2025

New $2600 CZ Pistol for Pistol Matches — Accuracy at a Price

cz pistol shadow 2 target competition IPSC 2024 9mm 9x19mm

New CZ Shadow 2 Target Pistol — Great for Gun Games
The new CZ Shadow 2 Target pistol has attracted much attention, with some very positive reviews. The Firearm Blog says the new Shadow 2 Target may be the most accurate CZ pistol ever made. But with a steep $2599.99 MSRP it better be good! If you compete in action pistol matches, the CZ Shadow 2 Target could take you to the next level… but that price could be a deal-breaker for many. Here are two recent video reviews of this impressive new pistol. CLICK HERE for more photos and full specifications.

In the video below GunsAmerica Digest Editor True Pearce reviews the new CZ Shadow 2 Target pistol. This 9mm pistol features an extended slide, 6-inch polished and hand-fitted barrel, full steel frame, and handsome ergonomic grip. This pistol also boasts a very crisp trigger that can adjust to five positions.

The regular Shadow 2 has won many IPSC world championships. And this new Shadow 2 Target model should be even better. The 6″ barrel and long slide offer significantly reduced muzzle lift for faster follow-up shots plus longer sight radius for more precise aiming. NOTE: As this pistol is designed for iron sights competition, the slide does NOT have an “optics cut” to take the larger red dot optics.

cz pistol shadow 2 target competition IPSC 2024 9mm 9x19mm
cz pistol shadow 2 target competition IPSC 2024 9mm 9x19mm

Permalink - Videos, Gear Review, Handguns, News 1 Comment »
January 28th, 2025

SIGHT TALK — Eye Dominance, Vision Protection, Irons vs. Optics

firearm science NRA Jessie Duff Harrison

NRA Media offers a series of 40 informative videos about the Science of Shooting, covering a wide range of topics, from eye dominance to long-range ballistics. These videos feature high production values, with super-slow motion segments, as well as helpful computer graphics to illustrate the principles covered.

The videos are narrated by Jessie Duff, a top action pistol shooter (and the first women ever to achieve USPSA Grand Master status). Jessie is assisted by talented shooters such as Top Shot Season 4 Champion Chris Cheng. There are forty videos in the Firearm Science Video Series. Here are five NRA videos, with links to others below. You’ll find all 40 NRA Firearm Science Videos HERE.

Eye Dominance — How to Determine Which Eye is Dominant

Host Jessie Duff and longtime shooter Krystie Messenger demonstrate how eye dominance affects aim and teach you how to determine your dominant eye in this edition of Firearm Science. There are very simple tests you can do to determine your eye dominance. This Editor is right-handed but left-eye dominant. All competitive shooters should check for eye dominance. If you are cross-dominant, you can alter your head position or put a paper patch on one frame of your shooting glasses.

Eye Protection — Effect of Different Color Lenses

No matter what you’re shooting, eye protection should always be worn. But with so many choices, what should you wear? In this edition of Firearm Science, two-time Olympic trap shooter Corey Cogdell explains lens color options for protective eyewear. Different colors may be selected according to the light conditions and the sport. For most rifle shooters using magnified scopes, clear lenses are probably the best choice, except on very bright summer days.

Iron Sights vs. Optics

Host Jessie Duff and shooter Krystie Messenger demonstrate the benefits and drawbacks of using iron sights and optics in this edition of Firearm Science. For AR-type rifles, choosing the right option depends on the intended use of the rifle and the rules of competition. For example, a “Standard military Rifle” for CMP competition must have iron sights. But current NRA service rifle competition (and CMP unlimited military rifle class) allows scopes. Olympic smallbore shooters and Palma shooters have shown that extreme accuracy IS possible with sophisticated target sights. Below is the iron-sights Palma rifle with which John Whidden (Whidden Gunworks) won NRA Long-Range National Championships.

John Whidden .308 Win Palma rifle

Permalink - Articles, - Videos, Optics, Shooting Skills 1 Comment »
January 28th, 2025

Bullet-Making — Videos Show How Barnes Bullets Are Made

Barnes Bullets Factory

Barnes Bullets FactoryMany of our readers have been interested in learning how modern bullets are made. While a “boutique” bullet-maker, supplied with appropriate cores and jackets, can craft bullets using relatively simple hand dies and manual presses, factory production is different. The major bullet-makers, such as Barnes, employ huge, complex machines to craft their projectiles on an assembly line.

Modern hunting bullets are made with a variety of sophisticated (and expensive) machines, such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC) lathes, giant multi-stage presses, and hydraulic extruding machines that draw lead ingots into lead wire. Barnes offers an “inside look” at the bullet production process in a series of videos filmed at its Mona, UT factory. We’ve embedded four videos from the series here. These videos can also be viewed on the Barnes Bullets YouTube Channel.

Milling Slots in TSX All-Copper Bullet
This video shows how the slots (between the drive bands) in the TSX all-copper bullet are cut. The slots reduce the bearing surface that contacts the rifling. This helps reduce friction and heat, extending the life of barrels used with all-metal, drive-band bullets:

Varminator Bullets Produced in Jumbo Transfer Press
Here is the transfer press used in the production of Varminator and MPG Bullets. The process begins with a giant spool of flat copper material. The copper is stamped into jackets and eventually the formed Varminator bullets are ejected one by one into a bucket.

CNC Lathe Turns Bullets Automatically
In the video below, a Bar-Feed CNC crafts mono-bloc bullets from metal bar stock. Barnes uses a small CNC lathe to turn .50-caliber bullets from brass bar stock. We’re not sure which bullet is being made in this video. The material looks to be sintered metal. In the close-ups you can gold-colored shavings from when the machine was previously used for CNC-turned brass bullets.

Accuracy Testing in 100-yard Tunnel
Barnes regularly tests bullet samples for accuracy. In the video below, a Barnes technician loads sample rounds and tests them for accuracy in a 100-yard tunnel. The rounds are shot through a special fixture — basically a barreled action connected to parallel rods on either side. This allows the testing fixture to slide straight back on recoil (see it move back at 1:07-08 minute mark).

Upside-Down Trigger — Application for Unlimited Benchrest Competition?
Note how the tester actuates the trigger, which points UPWARDS, just the opposite of a normal rifle. The technician lightly taps the upward-pointing trigger shoe with a metal rod. Could this upside-down trigger work in benchrest shooting — perhaps with railguns? It could make for an interesting experiment.

Story suggestion by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Permalink - Videos, Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Gunsmithing No Comments »
January 26th, 2025

How .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition is Made — Factory Videos

22 .22 Plinkster Youtube Video CCI Speer Rimfire Ammo Ammunition plant Lewiston Idaho

Today’s showcase shows how CCI, Federal, and Remington .22 LR rimfire ammunition types are produced in large American factories. CCI and Federal, until very recently, were part of the Vista Outdoor Kinetic Group. In December 2024 CCI and Federal along with other Vista ammo brands were sold to a Czech company, CSG.* Most CCI rimfire is produced in Idaho, while most Federal rimfire ammo is produced in Anoka, Minnesota. Here we feature videos from CCI, Federal, and Remington ammo plants. Watch and learn how rimfire ammo is made.

The Manufacturing Process for .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition
Shooting Sports USA explains: “Rimfire cartridge cases are the oldest self-contained cartridge in existence, having been in continuous production since the mid-1850s. Rimfire cases are drawn from a thin piece of brass and formed with a hollow rim. A priming compound is then forced into the case using centrifugal force, where it is charged with powder and a bullet is seated in the mouth of the case. The case is then crimped around the bullet to ensure sufficient push and pull when the round is fired. When the firing pin strikes the thin brass rim of the case, the hollow rim is crushed and the primer is ignited.” Source: SSUSA.org 9/2/2017.

.22 LR ammunition photo
Photo courtesy BulkAmmo.com.

.22 LR Ammo Production at Federal Ammo Plant in Minnesota

Note to Viewers — After Starting Video, Click Speaker Icon to HEAR audio!

A while back a Field & Stream writer toured the Federal ammunition production facility in Anoka, Minnesota. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, the reporter was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish. This is a fascinating video, well worth watching. Click speaker icon for sound.

22Plinkster Tours CCI/Speer Idaho Factory

Trickshot artist and YouTube host 22Plinkster was able to tour the CCI/Speer production facility in Lewiston, Idaho. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, 22Plinkster was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish.

This revealing video shows all phases of .22 LR ammo production including cupping, drawing, annealing, washing, drying, head-stamping, priming, powder charging, bullet seating, crimping, waxing, inspection, and final packaging. We really recommend you watch the video from start to finish. Well worth watching, this excellent video has logged 3.2 million views on YouTube.

Remington Factory Produces Millions of Rounds of Rimfire Ammo

Billions of .22 Long Rifle rounds are produced every year, and Remington Ammunition in Lonoke, Arkansas produces a significant share of the rimfire ammunition used worldwide. This “American Rifleman Television” feature shows the full ammo production process. At the start, brass cups are stamped out of large sheets of brass, and the cups then move on to have the headstamps applied and rims formed. Next, the rounds move on to be annealed and rinsed. Then the cases move onto priming. A wet priming pellet is then pressed into each empty .22 case, and the case is spun rapidly, spreading the pellet mix into the inner cartridge rim. The primed cartridges are then sent to a drying house, where they’ll sit for several days to allow the priming mixture to dry. The Remington factory is very efficient, with “some of the fastest rimfire-making equipment on the planet”.


*In December 2024, Vista Outdoor completed the $2.23 billion sale of the company’s “Sporting Products” division — which is known as the Kinetic Group and includes American ammunition brands CCI, Federal Premium, Hevi-Shot, Remington, and Speer — to the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), a Czech conglomerate. READ Full Story of Vista Outdoor Kinetic Group ammo brands sale.

Permalink - Articles, - Videos, Bullets, Brass, Ammo No Comments »
January 25th, 2025

Saturday Movies: Ultimate Reloader Rifle and Product Showcase

gavin gear ultimate reloader video showcase SHOT Show 2025 January

UltimateReloader.com offers some of the most thorough firearms and reloading tool tests on the internet. And the Ultimate Reloader YouTube Channel now has over 1200 videos that showcase reloading tools, accurate firearms, precision optics, gunsmithing methods, and top-tier reloading components. For today’s Saturday at the Movies feature, we showcase eight great videos created by Gavin Gear and his UltimateReloader team. These videos highlight NRL22 Rifles and optics, the remarkable AMP Annealer, a new affordable target cam, Bix’N Andy Triggers, Silencerco Suppressors, and a stunning 6×47 Lapua rifle project. Enjoy this Saturday Video Showcase.

Popular .22 LR Rimfire Tactical Competition — NRL22

NRL22 and PRS Rimfire are some of the fastest-growing shooting disciplines in the USA. The NRL now runs 7-8 times as many rimfire NRL22 matches as centerfire matches. The popularity of rimfire precision shooting is easy to understand — .22 LR ammo is a small fraction of the cost of centerfire ammunition and you can compete at any local range that goes out to 200 yards. In this video Gavin Gear explains the features you want in an NRL22 rifle. The related video (at right) explains what you’ll want in an optic for NRL22 competition.

AMP Annealer — Guide for Getting Started


gavin gear ultimate reloader AMP annealing Matt Alex Findlay new zealand annealer
Gavin Gear with New Zealanders Matt Findlay (center) and Alex Findlay (right) of Annealing Made Perfect.

This detailed 11.5-minute review outlines the features of the impressive AMP electronic annealing machine, the AMP Mark II DB. This uses a computer control to deliver precise annealing times and temperatures with a profile for your specific lot and brand of brass. This video explains how to set the annealing timing for your brass and how to configure multiple profiles. One AMP Mark II DB owner offers high praise for AMP annealers: “If you want to anneal the best way possible this is it. Does a torch work? Sure it does. The AMP does it far better and far more consistently.”

Budget Ranger Target Camera from LongShot Precision

Longshot offers superb, reliable, high-resolution target cameras favored by top shooters around the world. Now LongShot offers its Ranger target cameras starting at just $199.00 for the basic Ranger Target Camera which runs at 100 yards. For those who shoot at longer distances, we recommend the Ranger Plus model which reaches out to 1000 yards. Powered by state-of-the-art 5G WiFi technology, the Ranger Plus connects to your phone or tablet. You can purchase the Ranger Plus for $399.00. The features of these two Ranger systems are compared in the graphic below:

ranger target video camera longshot precision

6x47L Rifle Build with BAT Action & Woox Furiosa Ultra Chassis

Gavin Gear has completed many impressive custom rifles. This handsome rifle is one of Gavin’s best efforts. Chambered for the 6-6.5×47 Lapua wildcat cartridge (aka 6x47L), this rifle has show great accuracy. It boast a handsome black BAT Hammerhead action and a wood/metal composite WOOX Furiosa Ultra chassis. This high-tech hybrid stock/chassis combines wood sections over a full-length, aerospace-grade aluminum skeleton chassis, giving it the “feel” of a wood stock with the strength and stability of a metal stock. Gavin likes the way the stock feels on the trigger hand in particular and the smooth wood cheekpiece is also very nice. Made in Italy, the Furiosa is offered in three versions all with wood sections on the forearm, grip area, and cheekpiece. Choose natural Walnut Brown, Micarta Black, or Midnight Grey.

SilencerCo Suppressors Tested

Gavin Gear of UlimateReloader.com got a chance to visit a SilencerCo dealer, The Range LLC in Yakima, WA. During his visit, Gavin was able to test a number of suppressors (aka “moderators” or “silencers”) for both rifle and pistols. Gavin has released a lengthy article covering his experiences. If you are in the market for a suppressor, we highly recommend you read Gavin Gear’s full SilencerCo Products Overview on UltimateReloader.com.

Bix’N Andy Trigger Testing

Bix’N Andy makes some of the best triggers you can buy, with versions suited for benchrest, F-Class, ELR, PRS/NRL, as well as hunting and varminting. In this October 2024 video, Gavin looks at the features and functionality of a variety of Bix’N Andy triggers. You can purchase these quality triggers from BulletCentral.com at attractive prices starting at $199.00.

Ultimate Reloader’s Most Popular Video EVER:
.223 Remington vs. 5.56x45mm — 7.7 Million Views

This video explains essential facts and corrects common misconceptions related to both .223/5.56 ammunition, as well as .223/5.56 rifles. Gavin provides insight on chamber specs, pressure levels, barrel twist rates, military 5.56 crimped brass, and other important topics. If you are new to the AR world, this video is definitely worth watching. And that’s why it now has garnered over 7.7 MILLION YouTube views, making it one of the most popular gun-related videos ever. Full Story: CLICK HERE for full written analysis of .223 Rem vs. 5.56x45mm with graphs and data.

BONUS — Key Legal Insights for Gun Owners

Interview with Attorney William Kirk of Washington Gun Law

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