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January 1st, 2012
 We wish all our readers a happy, safe, and prosperous New Year. We hope that, in 2012, you’ll enjoy your precision rifles, spending “quality time” at the range with friends who share your “addiction to accuracy”. We’ve made major upgrades to our Shooters’ Forum this year, and our audience is bigger than ever. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy our feature articles, our Daily Bulletin, our match reports, and our Free Forum Classifieds.
Forum Membership Grows 23%
We experienced big growth in our Forum this past year. Membership grew by 23% as member ranks swelled from just under 13,000 members to over 16,000 members! The Forum Classifieds section, with an effective seller/buyer feedback system, is more active than ever.
Rifle by Long Rifles Inc. (Chad Dixon), photo by Robert J Anderson.
Daily Bulletin Is a Big Hit
The AccurateShooter Daily Bulletin has become a “must read” for anyone interested in serious rifle accuracy. In the Bulletin you’ll find money-saving sale notices, timely match reports, and a host of reloading and accurizing tips. And the Bulletin has become THE source for exclusive “scoops” on new product and new shooting technologies. Eric Stecker of Berger Bullets says “You guys have become the ‘USA Today’ of the precision shooting market.” 365 days a year we offer a unique combination of shooting tips, gear reviews, industry news, and highlighted bargains and special sales.
Big Plans for 2012 — With Your Help…
In the months ahead we plan to release more Cartridge Guides, more Gun Profiles, and some major gear comparison tests. We also hope to do audio interviews (“podcasts”) with top shooters such as Carl Bernosky, Sam Hall, and John Whidden. And we’ll continue to offer serious field tests and inside “scoops” on the latest precision shooting products.
We need your support. For over seven years the site has relied largely on volunteer efforts by dedicated shooters. But as the site grows, adding new types of content and more sophisticated features, we need the assistance of professional gunsmiths, writers, and movie editors. Those guys don’t work for glory alone.
For the site to continue to deliver more cutting-edge content, we need to bring in paid helpers. Right now, the site reaches over 100,000 shooters every WEEK. If the majority of those users could provide a small donation every year, we could deliver more stories, more tests, more Gun of the Week features, and more videos.
 In the past quarter about 50 site users have generously donated to the site. I want to again thank all those who have contributed (at any time). But that still leaves tens of thousands of users who access the site regularly without contributing.
Here’s our proposal. First, if you have used our FREE Classifieds to successfully sell your rifles or shooting gear, consider sending in a dollar or two from your sale proceeds. Second, for those who use the site regularly, consider donating One Dollar a Month. That’s less than the price of a cup of coffee and much less than many websites now charge for their “premium content areas”.
Consider this — what do you pay for a movie ticket these days? Probably $8.50 or more for 90 minutes of escapism. For a buck a month ($12 a year) you can help this site provide a YEAR’s worth of info, tests, and shooting news that you won’t find anywhere else.
| How to Contribute
Making a donation to the site is simple and easy. Just click on the “Donate Button” at right. If you have a credit card, you don’t need a Paypal account to contribute. Any sum is welcome — donations need not be large. |
Help Support this Site by Making a Secure Donation.
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If you don’t like Paypal, you can send a check. Make the check payable to our Asst. Editor Jason Baney. Please list your Forum Log-In Name (if any), and mail the check to:
Jason Baney
P.O. Box 105
Montoursville, PA 17754
January 1st, 2012
Serious shooters spend lots of time in the reloading room. If you want to produce great ammo, start with a good, solid bench with a very rigid working surface and plenty of storage space. Here we present three sets of FREE workbench plans. Any one of these bench designs can be a good winter do-it-yourself project for those with basic word-working skills.
Easy-to-Build Basic Bench
Simpson, maker of Strong-Tie fasteners, offers FREE Workbench Plans for a sturdy, 48″-wide bench with a pegboard backing and both upper and lower shelves. A complete list of fasteners and cut lengths is provided. For use as a loading bench with mounted presses, double-up the bench-top for extra ridigity. Without much difficulty, the plans can be adapted to build a wider bench if you prefer. The same downloadable document also contains plans for an 80″-high 6-shelf unit, a 72″-high heavy-duty shelving unit (with 4 shelves), and a 48″-wide heavy-duty table.
FREE Strongtie Bench Plans (.pdf file).
Corner Bench with Swinging Doors
The next design is rather unique — a corner bench with swing-out cabinets. This reloading bench is based on plans by M. L. McPherson as published in the October 1993 American Rifleman. The compact footprint that makes good use of corner space that is usually poorly utilized. This set of plans originally came from Ray-Vin.com. The folks who started Ray-Vin have retired, but you can still purchase many Ray-Vin products at SB Sales & Distributing.
FREE Corner Bench Plans (330kb .pdf file)
Classic NRMA Bench with Cabinets
The last bench design is a large, versatile bench with a full set of enclosed overhead cabinets. A National Reloding Manufacturers Association (NRMA) design, this bench requires many hours to build, but it will house all your reloading gear and provide a very stable platform for your presses.This bench was designed to be as versatile as possible to meet the needs of most reloaders. However, the bench design can easily be customized. For instance, it can be made larger or smaller to meet space requirements or quantities of equipment and components. As it is currently designed, the work area is about waist-high for a 6’2″ person. This can be adjusted to fit your height simply by making the legs longer or shorter.
FREE NRMA Reloading Bench Plans (2.42 megabyte .pdf file).
December 28th, 2011
 Are factory rifles really more accurate than ever? This question is examined in the December issue of SHOT Business. In this issue you’ll also find a good discussion of modern bullet design. In his article Whatever Happened to Bad Bullets?, author David E. Petzal explores why and how bullet performance has improved in recent years. You’ll find plenty of other interesting content in SHOT Business magazine, including numerous gear reviews, retail selling advice, recent news briefs, ATF Q&A, and much more.
The latest issue of SHOT Business magazine is now available for FREE online. You can either read the feature stories in a conventional web layout at Shotbusiness.com, or view the magazine-style ePaper version. This takes longer to load, but you can see larger photos, and flip from page to page like a conventional print magazine.
December 8th, 2011
 Range Requirements for NRA Comps
If you’re planning to add new competition programs at your shooting range or club, you need to know what disciplines can be conducted given your facilities. What are the requirements for firing stations, target locations, berm placements and so on? That’s where the folks from NRA’s Competitive Shooting Department come in.
A new FREE Range Distance Guide explains what competitions can be shot given the layout of your range. You may be surprised at how many disciplines can be offered even in a relatively short-distance facility: 3-Position BB Rifle at 5 meters, Tyro Course Action Pistol at 15 yards, Light Standing Smallbore rifle at 50 feet, High Power Rifle (reduced) at 100 yards and more.
With information for events from 5 meters to 1000 yards, this pamphlet is a helpful reference for any club offering NRA matches. Of course, if you decide to add new discipline(s) to your club’s agenda, you’ll need a rule book, scorecards, and scoring aids. Get these from the NRA Program Materials center by calling 1-800-7402 or visiting http://materials.nraqh.org.
In addition, clubs can sign up for a updates and E-news from the NRA Competitive Shooting department regarding new programs, rule changes, and other related subjects.
December 4th, 2011
SAAMI, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, is an association of the nation’s leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. Founded in 1926, SAAMI promulgates industry standards for firearms ammunition safety, interchangeability, reliability and quality.
New SAAMI Website Offers Free, Printable Cartridge Diagrams
SAAMI recently rolled out a new website loaded with invaluable info for shooters. From the new SAAMI site you can access hundreds of FREE official cartridge diagrams and chamber drawings for all ammo types: Rimfire, Pistol Cartridges, Rifle Cartridges, and Shotshells. Are you looking for the official 17 HMR diagram, or 6.5 Creedmoor, or 7mm Winchester Short Magnum? You’ll find them all, along with hundreds more, on the SAAMI site. Said Rick Patterson, SAAMI’s managing director. “This redesigned website will help provide greater visibility and understanding of SAAMI’s important work.”
Please Read These Instructions Carefully
To access the cartridge diagrams, go to SAAMI’s Technical Information webpage, and CLICK ON Cartridge and Chamber Drawings to reveal categories. You will find links to 20 new and/or updated cartridges there.
To find the full set of cartridge diagrams, you need to click on the link to Current Cartridge & Chamber Drawing documents — American National Standards Published by SAAMI. There you will find links to four categories of diagrams: Rimfire, Shotshell, Centerfire Pistol/Revolver, and Centerfire Rifle. These links will launch large PDF files that have diagrams of the cartridge types. NOTE: These are very large PDF documents. For example, the Centerfire Pistol/Revolver PDF is 189 pages long. You must scroll down to see the cartridge type you want.
Unfortunately, the organization of the SAAMI site is much less convenient than before. Previously you could access a page and then simply click on a link for the cartridge you wanted to view. Below is a sample of the first page of the previous Rifle Cartridge Diagram List.
Red arrows show you where to click, after you launched the page under the old website.
SAAMI Standards Documents With Additional Info
You can also click the subcategory links under SAAMI/ANSI Standards to see multiple diagrams in a larger PDF file. You may have to click the SAAMI/ANSI standards line first to display the four sub-categories: Pistol/Revolver, Centerfire Rifle, Rimfire, and Shotshell.
Credit Boyd Allen for finding SAAMI’s Cartridge Diagram PDF Archive.
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December 1st, 2011
 It’s great to be able to access load data on the internet. But we still recommend keeping some hard-bound reloading manuals at home for reference. Right now MidwayUSA has a great deal on the Modern Reloading, Second Edition, Revised by Richard Lee. Now through the end of the year, you can buy the latest LEE reloading manual for just $12.49. This book was recently revised, so it has more reloading data than the previous release of the 2nd Edition. The load data section now has black tabs on the side of the pages.
Should you buy the book? It’s cheap at $12.49. The load data covers a huge variety of cartridges. But some guys complain that the first section of the book reads like a LEE catalog. Here are book-buyers’ comments:
“At twice the size of my old Speer book, the Lee manual covers everything you need from a reloading reference book. The best part is that it is not produced by a powder or bullet maker so the reloading data focuses on the best performing products.” — G. Basley
“The reloading data is AMAZING for exotic loads, but pretty basic for popular loads. Also, Lee goes back and forth between Grains and CCs, which can be distracting at best. [Editor: Why CCs? Answer — Lee sells CC-graduated powder scoops]. The loading data is really the most useful aspect of the book because the charts are straight-forward and the diagrams are easy to read.” — D. Hukill
“On the one hand, this reloading manual is a great deal for the money. It’s cheapest out of all the reloading manuals, and yet it doesn’t skimp on any of the load data. On the other hand, the writing style in this manual is not professional… [it needs] a competent editor. Many parts of this reloading manual read like pure advertising copy for Lee products.” — C. Weys
November 19th, 2011
 This Sunday, November 20th, is “Ladies’ Day” on Gun Talk Radio. Tom Gresham’s popular syndicated radio show will feature interviews with handgun ace (and author) Julie Golob, and talented photographer Lindsay McCrum, creator of the hot-selling photo book, Chicks with Guns. Both Julie and Lindsay will talk with Tom about their new book releases.
 No stranger to competition, Team Smith & Wesson’s Julie Golob has taken on a challenge of a different type in her latest role as a published author. Her book, SHOOT: Your Guide to Shooting and Competition serves as both an introduction to firearms and shooting for novices (with an emphasis on safety) and a primer to help experienced shooters improve their skills. Julie’s new book comes out in 2012, but can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com and other large book-sellers. Find out more at www.juliegolob.com.
Photographer Lindsay McCrum’s new book, Chicks with Guns, presents dozens of photographs with women and their guns, and a caption about how guns play a part in their lives. “I was so surprised by the variety and breadth and diversity of these women,” McCrum said. “There are so many stereotypes about guns, mostly derived from popular culture, but the reality is so much more complex and varied than you can imagine.” More info is available at www.chickswithgunsbook.com.
In its 17th year of national syndication, Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio airs live on Sundays from 2PM-5PM Eastern, and runs on more than 130 stations, plus on XM (Ch. 165) Satellite Radio. All Gun Talk shows can be downloaded as podcasts at http://www.guntalk.libsyn.com and Apple iTunes.
November 1st, 2011
 According to Time Magazine, scientists projected that the seven billionth human was born on October 31st, yesterday. Think about that: 7,000,000,000 people are now competing on planet earth for food, resources, living space, energy, and medical care. That statistic is doubly amazing when you consider that, when this Editor was born in the late-50s, world population was just three billion. When my mother was born in the 1920s there were just two billion people. So, in her lifetime (she’s in her eighties now), she has witnessed world population increase 350%!
The exponential increase in world population is actually a relatively new phenomenon. In fact, world population did not reach one billion until 1804, and it took 123 years to reach two billion. Now scientists predict that, in just 14 more years, the world population will reach EIGHT billion in the year 2025. That will have significant consequences for everything in our lives — from freeway traffic to retirement funding. Though the world population is getting larger, it is also getting older, particularly in “first-world” countries. In 1950 there were 12 working-age people for every person over 65 years. According to Time Magazine, by 2050, there will only be three (3) working age people for each person over 65. So who will pay for the pensioners? Will this lead to “generational” civil war?
Population growth affects the hunting and shooting community directly, because an expanding population increases the pressure to replace wildlands and open spaces with housing tracts and commercial centers. We have already witnessed this in California, where a number of shooting ranges have been closed to make way for housing developments. Even where existing shooting ranges are allowed to remain, these shooting facilities may face new restrictions on operating hours and potential liabilities for errant shots landing in newly-populated areas.
Here are some interesting Global Statistics:
29 years — Median age of world population.
19% — Percentage of world population now living in China.
$10,290 — Gross income per capita, worldwide average.
50.5% — Percentage of world population living in urban areas.
7.2 — Highest fertility rate among nations (from Central Africa).
73% — Percentage of world population that does NOT use the internet.
October 16th, 2011
 One of the most prestigious rifle competitions in the world is underway right now at the Belmont Shooting Facility, near Brisbane, Australia. Many of the best sling and irons marksmen (and women) in the world are competing for individual and team honors. American aces such as SGT Sherri Gallagher, Noma Mayo, Trudie Fay, Nancy Tompkins, Bob Gamboa, Bryan Litz, Robert Mead, and John Whidden are representing the Red, White, and Blue down-under, but they and their American teammates are facing stiff opposition from the Brits, South Africans, Canadians, New Zealanders, and the host Australians.
You can get complete individual and team results on the World Rifle Championships Website. Results are updated daily, so you can follow the action, which continues through October 22nd. Russ Theurer is also providing regular reports in our Shooters’ Forum.
 One of the best performances so far was turned in by Bryan Litz, Berger Bullets’ Ballistician. In the Senior Australia Team match last week, Bryan outshot every other individual on the course, nailing a perfect 200-26V to tie the Championship Record. This was a brilliant display of marksmanship by Bryan. At the Awards Ceremony after the match, Bryan received a long standing ovation from his fellow competitors.
You’ll find lots of match photos in the official match Photo Gallery. Plus, Facebook users can access hundreds of photos uploaded by members of the USA Young Eagles Team. Young American shooters have been performing well. Russ Theurer reports: “Team USA Red won the Under 25 Australia Team Match, while Team USA Blue came from behind at 1000 to place third. Young Eagle Joshua Lehn was high score shooter of the team match of all teams combined.” Below are photos of the Young Eagles from Day 5, the Under 25 match:
Photos courtesy USA Young Eagles.
October 9th, 2011
Winter is coming and that means cold temps and wet weather. Heck it’s even raining in California this week. When it’s cold and damp out, you need to pro-actively guard against rust and corrosion on your valuable tools and firearms. As temperatures drop, moisture can condense from the air, causing guns to rust, even if they are stored in a safe.
We recommend that you use a proven corrosion inhibitor to protect your firearms during winter storage. We did extensive testing and recommend three products to combat rust: BoeShield T-9, Corrosion-X, and Eezox. These are all excellent products, but this Editor’s first choice is Eezox, because it cleans as well as protects, and because Eezox does not leave a sticky or waxy coating on your arms. Eezox is also ideal for fine, blued firearms. After 2-3 light applications it provides a dry protective finish that allows high polish blueing to shine through.
CLICK HERE for Anti-Corrosion Product Test Results
Eezox is available in small drip bottles, 4-oz. cans, and 4-, 6-, and 18-oz. aerosol spray cans. We typically apply Eezox to a patch from an aerosol can, then wipe down the firearm. Let the Eezox dry, then reapply. This will give you outstanding protection. Just make sure you wipe down ALL the metal surfaces, which may require removing the barreled action from the stock. We’ve seen examples of guns that rusted on the underside of the action because the owner had only bothered to wipe down the barrel and exposed section of the action. You can purchase Eezox from gun stores ($8.99 for 7 oz. can average price), or Warren Custom Outdoor.
Foam Cases Are Rust Magnets — Use Bore Stores
Just about the worst thing you can do in the winter (short of leaving your rifle outside in the rain) is to store firearms in tight, foam-padded cases. The foam in these cases actually collects and retains moisture from the air, acting as the perfect breeding ground for rust.
 Those plastic-shelled cases with foam interiors are for transport, not for long-term storage. Don’t repeat the mistake of a wealthy gun collector I know. He stored four valuable Colt Single Action Army (SAA) revolvers in individual foam-padded plastic cases, and locked these away in his gun safe. A year later, every one of his precious SAAs had rusted, some badly.
For storing long guns in your safe, we strongly recommend Bore Stores. These synthetic fleece gun sacks are coated with silicone and corrosion inhibitors. The thick fleece also protects your guns from nicks and scratches. Rifle-size Bore Stores can be purchased for $13.00 – $18.00 from Brownell’s, or MidwayUSA, or direct from the manufacturer Big Spring Enterprises, which can also craft custom sizes on request.
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