At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. Palmetto State Armory — Ruger American Camo Rifles, $599.99
⏺ Excellent deer rifle with brake — save $100 with this deal
Hunting season is here. If you need a reliable deer rifle at a good price check out the Ruger American Rifle GO Wild edition. This popular Ruger rifle boasts a great “GO Wild” camo finish and the barreled action is coated for durability. The 22″ barrel is fitted with a factory muzzle brake for reduced recoil. The 3-lug bolt with 70° throw provides good scope clearance and dual cocking cams aid smooth cycling. This rifle is on sale now in 6.5 Creedmoor for $599.99 or 7mm-08 Rem for $599.99. That’s $100 off the regular price. Or get the 450 Bushmaster version for $549.99. Ruger offers this camo-stocked Ruger American in many other chamberings including .243 Win, 6.5 PRC, .25-06, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg, and .300 Win Mag.
2. MidwayUSA — RCBS MatchMaster, $649 net w/ $250 Gift Cert.
⏺ Buy advanced RCBS MatchMaster, get $250 Midway Gift Certificate
Want to upgrade to a more advanced, sophisticated powder scale/dispenser? Here’s a great deal from MidwayUSA. If you purchase a RCBS MatchMaster for $899, MidwayUSA kicks in a $250 gift certificate. Spend that $250 on dies, tools, ammo, optics — anything MidwayUSA sells. With the certificate providing an effective $250 price reduction, this is the best deal we’ve seen on the MatchMaster, which offers twin dispensing tubes and multiple modes.
3. Amazon — Kestrel 5700 Weather Meter with LiNK, $399.00
⏺ Kestrel with LiNK is “must have” for serious long range shooters
The excellent Kestrel 5700 Ballistics Weather Meter with LiNK offers wind measuring PLUS ballistics calculation. The Kestrel 5700 Ballistics Weather Meter measures wind, altitude, and all critical weather and ballistic variables to calculate an accurate aim point for long-range shooting. No more DOPE cards, re-zeroing or guessing at the wind. This compact tool combines onsite environmental measurements with a powerful G1/G7 ballistics calculator to deliver precise elevation and windage solutions.
4. Bruno Shooters Supply — Sierra MatchKing Bullet Sale
⏺ Excellent prices on hard-to-find .224, 7mm, and .30-Cal match bullets
Sierra MatchKing Bullets have won many championships and set records. Right now Bruno’s is offering big savings on popular .224, .284 (7mm), and .308 caliber Sierra Matchkings. Hot deals include 100ct box of 7mm 197gr Matchkings for just $47.65, 500ct box of 7mm 180gr MatchKings for $201.80, 100ct box of .308 175gr MatchKings for $38.95, and 500ct box of .224 77gr MatchKings for $135.00. Competition Tip — These 7mm bullets have worked great for F-Open shooters and the .30-Cal SMKs are excellent for M1 Garands and 1903 Springfields. Tipped MatchKings are also on sale at great prices.
5. Midsouth — Meopta Scope Sale
⏺ Meopta scopes offer excellent value for the money
When you think of quality scopes do you think of Meopta? If you don’t you should because they make great scopes that fit a number of price ranges. Check out the Meopta Scope Sale over at Midsouth where you can find scopes for just about any use at some great prices.
6. Amazon — Caldwell E-Max Shadows, $69.99
⏺ Compact NRR23 electronic plugs protect without interfering with cheek weld
Electronic earmuffs are effective, but they are bulky and can be awkward to use with some rifles. Conventional ear plugs provide great sound blocking, but you will have trouble hearing range commands and/or spotter’s shot calls. Get good protection and convenience with Caldwell E-Max Shadows Electronic Hearing Protection devices. These slick earbud-style units feature NRR23 noise reduction, quality stereo sound, illuminated on/off indicator, 4-hour auto-shutoff, and multiple foam insert tips for custom fit.
7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Wet/Dry Media Separator, $42.99
⏺ Durable, high-capacity media separator at bargain price
Whether you tumble wet or tumble dry, separating your brass from the tumbling media is critical. For separation duties, the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Wet/Dry Media Separator kit works great. This kit, now just $42.99 at Amazon, includes everything you need to easily remove all types of media from your brass. The kit even has a built-in strainer to catch stainless media before it ends up on the floor or sink.
⏺ Protect gun collection in your safe with advanced dehumidifier
Gun owners need to control the humidity levels in their gun safes and storage vaults. One efficient, modern tool for this task is the Hornady Rechargeable Dehumidifier, on sale now for $27.92 on Amazon. This electrical unit helps control humidity to help prevent rust and mildew. Simply charge the unit and place in your safe to draw unwanted moisture away from your valuables. When the moisture-control crystals change color, then recharge the unit with a 110v outlet.
⏺ Monitor Barrel temps precisely with adhesive strips
As you shoot, your barrel gets hot and that’s not good for barrel life or accuracy. One of the best ways to monitor barrel heat is with Digi-Sense Reversible 7-Point Horizontal Temperature Labels which attach directly to your barrel(s). These will display a range of 86 to 140 degrees F. That covers the majority of barrel heat ranges you’ll encounter. To measure higher temperatures, there is also a high-range Digi-Sense Temp strip that covers 140 to 194 degrees F.
10. Midsouth — Tula .223 Rem 55gr 1000rd Case, $469.99
⏺ Great value for reliable 55gr .223 Rem Tula ammunition
Ammo prices are finally starting to come back down. For someone looking for affordable basic .223 Remington ammunition, here is the best deal we’ve found in recent weeks. Midsouth Shooters is selling a 1000rd Case of Tula .223 Rem ammo for just $469.99. That’s just 47 cents per round for reliable 55gr FMJ ammo. NOTE: This is steel-cased, NON-reloadable ammo.
The fall Hunting Season is here. Do you plan to use factory ammo in your hunting rifles? Perhaps you buy bulk centerfire ammo for your AR15 or varmint rifle. Then this book can definitely benefit you.
If you ever shoot factory ammo, you should consider getting Ammo & Ballistics 6. This resource lists over 2,600 different loads for 200+ cartridge types from .17 Mach 2 up to .700 Nitro Express, including the most popular centerfire and rimfire cartridges (both rifle and handgun). In this updated-for-2020 Sixth Edition, there are over 3,000 tables covering virtually every caliber and every load for all commercially-loaded hunting ammunition sold in the USA. Tables include velocity, energy, wind drift, bullet drop, and ballistic coefficients up to 1,000 yards.
Ammo & Ballistics 6 helps you select ammo for a hunt — quickly compare the velocity and knock-down power of various commercial ammo. This book can also help you choose a caliber/chambering for your next hunting rig.
Verified Book Purchaser Reviews
“Outstanding reference guide for shooters and ballistic enthusiasts alike. Has data on velocity, energy delivered, Taylor KO index, windage and elevation on numerous loadings for hundreds of [cartridge types]. Each cartridge has all dimensions labeled (i.e rim, case length, neck, etc.), and has an informative description of the cartridges history/relevance.” — S. Step, 2017
“Great heaps of data! This volume has pages and pages of new data for .22LR like the hot Velocitor, and also on the .22 WMR from 30 grains up into the 50s. Most importantly there is lots of range data, drop, windage, kinetic energy, etc. — Terrific reference guide….” — E. Svanoe
Ammo & Ballistics 6 contains data and illustrations on virtually every sporting cartridge sold in the USA. This 2020 Edition covers 200-plus cartridge types from .17 Mach 2 up to .700 Nitro Express.
A legend in the shooting community has passed. And we are all diminished. Walt Berger passed away on September 19, 2021. A great innovator, a great benchrest competitor (with many Hall of Fame points), and a great friend to countless shooters, Walt will be truly missed.
Berger Bullets announced yesterday: “It is with our deepest regrets that we announce the passing of Berger Bullets & Ammunition founder, Walter Berger. Walt passed peacefully on Sunday afternoon September 19th, 2021, surrounded by friends and family at the age of 92.
‘If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right’, were words that Walt lived by. One could see it in how he treated friends and family, and in his impact on the shooting world. Walt’s legacy and dedication to quality is carried on by his grandson, David Hamilton, the Plant Manager of the Berger manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona. Walt’s philosophies and business practices are the guiding principles in our mission to ensure that products bearing the Berger name continue to be something Walt would be proud of. We celebrate his life and will do our best to live up to his example.”
Walt was a remarkable man who loved the sport of benchrest shooting. He was still competing at age 90+. Here he is in 2016 at the Cactus Classic in Arizona.
Many of our readers and Forum members knew Walt and shot with him at matches over the decades. Here are some of the expressions of sadness at his passing:
“Great man, he had a long run, and touched many lives.” — Boyd Allen
“A real gentleman and always there to help anyone that needed it. I’m blessed to have known him many years. RIP old Friend.” — Bill Shehane
“Now there is a man for ya! I remember talking to him and Eunice on the phone back in the 80s ordering some of their benchrest bullets. May God bless his family. Thank you Walt for the great bullets — I’ve watched them do some amazing things!” — Don Mild
“Walt was an iconic figure in accurate shooting for many many years. A gentleman in the game who traveled worldwide including Australia. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. Rest assured men like Walt aren’t made any more. Thanks for everything Walt — your Australian friends will never forget you.” — Brad Ward
“When I first started chasing accuracy I used to buy bullets from Walt at his little shop on Camelback Road in Phoenix. He always had time to share his expertise and to help me. He and Eunice are together again, shooting at the big range in the sky where the weather is perfect with no wind.” — Doug Whitson
“My prayers go to David, Stacey, Eric, and the girls.
Walt was a truly special man and friend.” — Nancy Tompkins
“He was a Man of Legend. And Legends live forever.” — Ivan Lukashevych
About Walt Berger and Berger Bullets
Walt Berger shot competitive benchrest most of his adult life. Seeing that the bullets he could buy off-the-shelf were not up to his quality expectations, Walt decided that he could make better precision bullets than he could purchase. Walt started making his own bullets and proved their quality by winning competitions and eventually even earning his place in the Benchrest Shooters Hall of Fame. Other benchrest shooters saw his success and solicited him to make their bullets as well.
After years of crafting bullets by hand in his garage, Walt’s wife, Eunice, who was also a legend in benchrest competition, encouraged him to expand his hobby into a business. Together, they grew Berger into a large-scale precision bullet operation with exceptionally high quality standards.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. EuroOptic — Mauser M18 6.5 PRC, $429.99
⏺ European quality hunting rifle, save $269 with this deal
If you are looking for a refined, well-designed hunting rifle, this Mauser M18 fills the bill. And right now this Mauser M18 in 6.5 PRC is just $429.99 at EuroOptic.com. That’s a huge $269.01 savings off the regular $699.00 price. This M18 rifle features a modern 3-lug bolt with 60-degree bolt lift. Reviews have been excellent! Action and barrel are black nitride coated for durability. The 6.5 PRC is a modern potent hunting cartridge that can drive 140gr bullets at 2950 FPS. Mauser short- and long-action M18s with other chamberings are offered by EuroOptic for $499.99 to $699.99 with choice of black or Savannah brown stock. Other chamberings include .223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg, and 300 Win Mag.
2. Locked & Loaded — Stevens Shotguns 12ga or 20ga under $190
⏺ Shockingly low prices on reliable home defense pump shotguns
⏺ Devices offer GPS and Satellite Communication — Backcountry Safety Item
If you’re headed far into the backcountry on a hunt, you definitely need a GPS with In-Reach communication capability. This will ensure you can contact help in the event of emergency, and transmit your exact location. Many hunters use the regular size Garmin inReach Explorer+, priced at $449.99 at Sportsman’s Warehouse. We like and use the Garmin inReach Mini because it is so light (3.5 oz) and compact (4″x2″), and can clip to your shoulder straps. The Mini can send maps to your cellphone. Grab it now for $349.99 from either Sportsman’s Warehouse (black or orange) or Amazon (black only).
4. EuroOptic — Vortex Viper & Razor Close-Outs, Save Hundreds
Here is an awesome deal on the popular Vortex Viper scopes, a top choice for hunters and tactical shooters. EuroOptic has slashed prices on last year’s model Vipers so you can save hundreds. Varminters will love the Vortex Viper PST 6-24×50 MOA EBR-2C for $479.99, a whopping $470 off the original MSRP. Or get the First Focal Plane (F1) 4-16x50mm Viper PST for $449.99 — $450 off the original price. Or, grab the higher-magnification F1 6-24x50mm Viper PST for $599.99, a $350 savings. Click Here for all Vortex Close-Out Scopesthe Vortex warranty is second to none.
⏺ Fast, programmable, accurate dispenser at great price
The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper is a high-quality powder scale dispenser. It’s accurate to +/- one-tenth of a grain, dispenses in seconds, and can be controlled by a handy mobile App that can store various charges weights for different cartridges. This unit has a 7000-grain capacity with both Auto and manual trickle capability. IMPORTANT: Act quickly to secure the Intellidropper for $199.95 on Sale. NOTE: You must add item to cart to see $199.95 price.
⏺ Benchsource machine works great — cycles brass through twin-torch flame
The state-of-the-art, computer-controlled AMP Annealing Machine is our first choice for precision annealing. But for folks on a budget, the Benchsource Gas Annealer machine is excellent for the $561.99 price (with $9.95 flat-rate shipping). Many national and world records have been set with brass annealed on a Benchsource. A built-in, user-controllable timer sets the annealing time, and the system rotates the brass during the annealing process. You can process about 500-600 cases per hour. The Benchsource Annealer includes machined brackets with twin, high-quality torch heads. Purchase gas containers separately.
7. Midsouth — Tipton Basic Gun Vise, $39.99
⏺ Durable, easy to move around, versatile — at great price
The original Tipton Gun Vise is ON SALE for just $39.99 at Midsouth. Great Deal — this sells for up to $59.99 elsewhere. This is a tough, versatile product you’ll use for years. This Editor has used one of these for more 16 years (with all sorts of rifles) and it is still going strong. This vise has handled everything from an 18″-barreled lever gun to a 32″-barreled F-Class rifle. The unit works well for many tasks: cleaning barrels, stock refinishing/bedding, scope mounting, trigger adjusting, bore-scoping barrels, and checking throat length with a Hornady OAL tool.
8. Brownells — KRG Bravo Chassis Rem 700, $329.99 with Code
⏺ Versatile internal frame stock for PRS or hunting — tan, black, or green
The Kinetic Research Group (KRG) Rem 700 Bravo Chassis is a good dual-purpose choice for PRS and hunting. This chassis features an internal aluminum frame with polymer exterior in Flat Dark Earth, Sako Green, or Black. The stock fits Rem 700 and Rem clone actions, accepts AICS-pattern mags, and is M-LOK compatible. The 2.9-lb KRG Bravo chassis features adjustable cheek riser and length-of-pull, built-in thumb shelf, plus quick-detach sling-swivel and bipod mounts. The KRG Bravo stock costs $349.99 at Brownells in Black or FDE (shown above). Get $20 Off with Brownells code SRG, lowering the net cost to $329.99.
⏺ Good inexpensive system for varminters or sight-in duties
Need a good basic front rest and rear bag to sight-in that hunting rifle? Here’s a solid, functional benchrest set-up at a great price. This Caldwell Rock BR Rest and Bag Combo is great combo deal for just $109.99. This will more than suffice for testing a hunting rifle or basic bench-work. Upgrade the rear bag later. The front rest adjusts for both windage and elevation. This is a very good deal — consider that the Rock BR Rest by itself sells for $163.13 on Amazon.
10. Amazon — 12″ x 12″ Splatter Grid Targets, 10 for $10.99
⏺ Great for hunting rifle Sight-In and easy to estimate group size
This 12″x12″ Splatterburst Target combines splatter shot marking with a grid background, with five aiming points. The bright neon shot circles make it easy to see your shots. And the handy grid lets you quickly estimate your group size. Get a 10-pack for $10.99, or a 25-pack for $18.99 (better deal). This particular target has earned rave reviews — 87% of verified buyers gave this a FIVE-Star rating. One example: “Excellent quality and durability. The adhesive is really strong and the splatter contrast is [great].”
Ace tactical shooter and gunsmith Jim See of Elite Accuracy LLC recently tested a Frankford Arsenal rotary brass tumbler. Like the older Thumbler’s Tumblers, this can tumble your cases in a liquid solution. The wet-tumbling process worked very well Jim reports. Posting on Facebook, Jim noted: “I was super impressed with the Frankford Arsenal rotary tumbler and cleaning packs they sent me. I ran 350 pieces of brass for one hour. They now look great.” Jim appreciated not having to deal with dry tumbling media, such as crushed walnut shells. Dry media produces dust and can leave residues or clog flash-holes.
Interestingly, Jim recommends you try wet-tumbling WITHOUT using stainless media. At least give it a try. Tumbling without media simplifies the process and you don’t have to worry about pins stuck in flash-holes or case-necks*. Jim reports: “Stainless steel pins come with the Frankford kit, but mine hit the trash right out of the box. There is no need to clean the inside of your cases 100% and that’s all the pins add to the equation. The brass bumping brass with hot water and Frankford’s liquid cleaner works great all by itself.” One wag stated: “That’s great to hear. Stainless steel pins are a PITA.”
Other Facebook posters concurred with Jim’s evaluation of the Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler:
“I’ve had one for a couple years, and it works well. I usually run about 250-300 Dasher cases at once in it. But I use the pins because I’m OCD about clean brass.” — David W.
“I’ve had one for a year and a half and it definitely works with or without pins.” — Luke C.
“I got one about six months ago and have yet to use any SS media. I just use some dawn, distilled water, and Lemi Shine®. Turns nasty 5.56 range brass bright and shiny.” — Brian D.
“I don’t use the pins either and use a combination of Dawn soap and Lemi Shine.” — Jon N.G.
This video shows how to assemble and operate the Frankford rotary tumbler. But note, Jim See does NOT feel that it is necessary to use stainless media.
How to Dry Your Brass — Hair Dryer Vs. Machine
The downside of wet tumbling is that you end up with a pile of wet brass at the end of the cleaning cycle. There are many ways to dry brass, from drying in the sun to using a kitchen oven (be careful not to “overcook” your brass). One Facebook poster asked Jim: “What is your drying method for wet brass, and how long does it take?”
Jim See replied: “To start I just drain off the dirty water, and rinse the brass with clean hot water. Then I roll the brass on a towel for 30 seconds and put the brass in a one-gallon bucket. Next I insert a hair dryer in the bucket (with the brass) and let it run for about 5 minutes. With this procedure, the drying process for me is done in less than 10 minutes.”
Jack Lanhart has another method: “I use a food dehydrator. It takes 30 to 45 minutes.”
For those who don’t want to mess with towels and hair dryers, Frankford Arsenal offers a matching Platinum Series Case Dryer that simplifies the process of drying brass. Lyman also makes an excellent Cyclone Case Dryer. These drying machines each cost about $65.00 and both have multiple levels so you can separate different types of cartridge brass. Lyman states that “The forced heated air circulation of the Cyclone will dry your brass inside and out within an hour or two, with no unsightly water spots.” The Lyman dryer can also be used for ultrasonically-cleaned gun parts.
*The Frankford Rotary tumbler does include media separators if you choose to use the provided pins or other media. CLICK HERE for diagram showing how to use media separators.
Here’s a clever little device from Creedmoor Sports. This $14.95 PUCK lets you run multiple cleaning/uniforming attachments with one easy to use center disk. Store the attachments on the outer diameter and transfer to the threaded center section as desired. This is a clever invention that could work great in your range kit.
Attached Tools Are NOT Included
But before we go any further, TAKE NOTE — the $14.95 only gets you the threaded central Puck disk. ALL the other attachments are sold separately — you have to pay MORE Money — got that? Most people already have inside/outside chamferers and primer pocket uniformers, so the Puck should work well. It fits all 8-32 threaded tools, which includes 95% of most case prep tools.
The Puck — Universal Brass Case Prep Tool Holder
Product Description from Creedmoor Sports
Attach up to four case prep tools threaded 8-32 (95% of case prep tools on the market). The Puck encourages a light touch and is more ergonomic to use than most hand tools on the market today.
Quickly rotate the tool to progressively work through your case prep. Set it up with an outside deburrer, inside deburrer, primer pocket cleaner, and crimp cutter. You can easily rotate through the tools.
A handy tool for the range bag, pair the Creedmoor Puck with any brush or pull cord with an 8-32 thread. Use for detailed brushing or use the Puck as a puller. Thread on picks for scraping off carbon or getting dirt out of tight spaces.
The Creedmoor Puck is made from 416 Stainless Steel. This is both corrosion resistant and magnetic. Use a magnet to stick a Puck the side of your reloading press to easily store your prep tools and keep them at your fingertips for quick touch-ups while loading. The diamond knurling makes this tool easy to grip while in use. The patent-pending Puck tool is designed for heavy use and should last a lifetime.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. Sportsman’s Warehouse — $50 Off Ruger American Rifles
⏺ $50 Off Ruger hunting rifles — wide variety of styles and chamberings
All Ruger American rifles are $50 OFF this week at Sportsman’s Warehouse. These Ruger rifles can often shoot MOA or better with factory ammo — making them more than adequate for deer hunting. A wide selection of Ruger American rifles are ON SALE including Predator, Hunter, Compact, Ranch Rifle, and Go Wild Camo models. Most include a Picatinny scope rail. There is a huge choice of chamberings: .22-250, .243 Win, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, 7mm-08, .308 Win, .30-06, .300 WSM, .350 Legend and others. If you need a new hunting rifle check out this Ruger sale.
2. Midsouth — Rock Chucker Supreme Reloading Kit, $399.99
⏺ Kit includes press, powder measure, scale, manual and many tools
Everything you see above can be yours for just $399.99. Right now, Midsouth is selling the Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit for $399.99, a fine price considering all the hardware you get: Press, Primer Tool, Scale, Powder Measure, Loading Tray, Reloading Manual and more. This is good starter kit for any reloader, with sturdy items (such as the Rock Chucker press), that will last a lifetime.
3. Midsouth — Lee Breech-Lock Hand Press, $47.66
⏺ Great value — versatile press, good for bullet seating at range
A good hand press is worth having. Whether seating bullets at the range or doing repetitive tasks at home while watching TV, a hand press can be very useful. One very affordable choice is the Lee Breech-Lock Hand Press. With its breech lock system, you can quickly and easily swap dies. And you can efficiently deprime fired brass with this tool’s built-in primer catcher. Here’s a video from F-Class John showing how you can use the hand press for bullet seating.
4. Midsouth — Match Monster .30 Cal bullets, 500ct $149.99
⏺ Under $30 per hundred for very good .308 168gr BTHP bullets
With current shortages, it’s been hard to find decent .30-caliber target bullets at a reasonable price. Here’s a good deal for you — Midsouth has Match Monster .30 Cal 168gr BTHP Bullets on Sale. Get a 500-ct box for only $149.99. That’s just $29.98 per hundred! These are “match quality” bullets so you can practice effectively with your .308 Win or .30-06 without breaking the bank.
5. Sportsman’s WHSE — Razor HD 20-60x85mm Spotter, $799.99
⏺ Very good spotter for the price with outstanding warranty
Vortex has updated its top-of-the-line Razor HD spotting scope, changing from an small-knob focus system to a single large focus ring. Now get the previous model Vortex Razor HD 20-60x85mm Spotting Scope at a huge discount. The $799.99 sale price is $800 less than the current 27-60x85mm Razor HD ($1599.00 on Amazon) — that’s HALF the price! This two-tone $799.99 spotter features premium High Definition (HD) glass for excellent sharpness/resolution with minimal chromatic aberration (color fringing). Exterior lenses are protected by ArmorTek – a scratch-resistant compound that repels oil, dirt, and fingerprints. Verified purchaser reviews have been very positive: “Great spotting scope at a great price”.
6. Graf & Sons — Cutting Edge Monolithic Bullets
⏺ Superb solid copper bullets favored by top ELR competitors
Here is a great bullet option for ELR shooters, and hunters who are required to use lead-free projectiles. Grafs.com has the excellent Cutting Edge Bullets on sale now. These are lathe-turned, solid copper precision bullets. Cutting Edge Bullets feature a patented SealTite™ band (slightly larger than caliber diameter) which can help reduce gas blow-by and reduce copper fouling. IMPORTANT: These Cutting Edge Bullets are LEAD FREE so can be used in areas like California which ban hunting with bullets that contain lead. Please note that inventory is very limited for some bullet calibers/weights, so you should act soon.
⏺ Good rings are easy to adjust — custom wrench is handy
If you have dies from various die-makers, you probably have many different types of die lock rings, and some are annoying to adjust. Some of them are too small to grip and others lock in a way that can damage threads. You can standardize your rings with McJ Tools Reloading Ultimate Lock Ring set. Each pack comes with six (6) rings, a tailored steel wrench, a Hex key, and two (2) extra set screws so you’ll have everything you need. This system allows you to set your dies up and then tighten them down or easily remove them with the custom wrench without losing your setting.
⏺ Smart new Die System simplifies loading multiple cartridge types
Are you tired of buying another expensive seating die every time you try a new cartridge type? With the unique Frankford Arsenal Universal Bullet Seating Die you can have one die that loads multiple cartridge types. This clever bullet seating system includes 3 different stems and 9 sleeves allowing you to seat .224 to .338-caliber bullets with this one multi-caliber tool. Forum members using this system have praised it. NOTE: the universal seating die comes with the .308-caliber sleeve pre-installed. The other 8 sleeves are provided in the box.
9. MidwayUSA — Real Avid AR-15 Cleaning Kit with Mat, $31.99
⏺ Great accessory for AR15s, cleaning kit and mat with diagrams
We can recommend the Real Avid AR-15 Cleaning Kit/Smart Mat for all AR owners. This includes a large, padded, oil-resistant mat with printed AR parts diagrams and a built-in parts tray. The tool kit, in zippered pouch, has key tools needed to disassemble and clean your AR. The kit also includes the Real Avid Field Guide. At $31.99, this combo set costs less than the Real Avid Cleaning Kit by itself.
10. Amazon — Gun Swabs and Patch Combo, $14.49
⏺ Handy Combo Pack — 600 patches for barrels and 400 swabs
Cleaning patches are a necessity in our sport, and swabs can be very useful. Swabs can clean out the gunk from deep inside your actions and efficiently place lube in tight places. Amazon currently offers a great combo kit with 600 Gun Patches and 400 6″ Gun Swabs. This kit will help you clean barrels and actions.
.223 Rem for Long Range Palma, by John Whidden (5-Time Nat’l LR Champion)
We’ve seen quite an amount of interest in recent years in .223s for Long Range Palma shooting. Yes, the .223 Remington is a pretty light cartridge for long range use, but the specific rules of Palma shooting make it a choice worth considering.
Back in 2019, the Int’l Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA), the international governing body for Palma shooting, made a rule change allowing .223 Rem rifles to use bullets of less than 91 grains. Previously the rule allowed the use of bullets less than 81 grains in the .223 Rem, and we have long had the popular option of .308s shooting bullets less than 156 grains. These heavier bullets such as the 85.5gr Berger LR Hybrid and 90gr Berger VLD make the .223s quite competitive in the wind with the old standby .308 Winchester. The .223 does hold the obvious advantage of much lower recoil than the .308. [Editor: The reduced recoil is quite noticeable in the video below where John is shooting his .223 Rem rifle.]
John Whidden Shoots .223 Rem Palma Rifle with 90gr Berger VLDs
Watch video at 00:25 and you’ll see the recoil of Whidden’s .223 Rem Palma rifle is significantly less than a .308 Win Palma rig. John joked: “With the .223 Rem there is just a pop and a wiggle after the shot.”
.223 Rem Palma Rifle — Barnard Action, Tec-Hro Stock
The Barnard P action imported by Whidden Gunworks is the foundation for many winning Palma rifles. As soon as our USA shooters returned from the New Zealand Palma match in 2019 they were immediately requesting bolts to convert their actions to .223 Remington.
Given all of this interest in the .223 Rem, I decided to build one myself and see if all of these theories about wind performance held water. Starting with my Barnard P action, I worked with Tec-Hro in Germany to use one of their Fanatic stocks for the project. The Fanatic is a modern aluminum stock suitable for prone or Three Position use. The stock uses adapter blocks to work with a wide variety of rimfire actions such as Anschutz, Walther, and Feinwerkbau. As far as I know we were the first to test it out for centerfire use. After shooting the stock with my .308 Win barreled action installed to refine a few details and ensure the stock would stand up to recoil, I then mounted my .223 Rem barreled action and went to the range.
Prior to my range visit a decision was made concerning bullets and twist rate. After discussion with Mark Buettgen at Bartlein Barrels I ordered two barrels — a 1:7″-twist and also a 1:6.25″-twist. Mark was looking for some data using the Sierra 90gr MatchKing bullet and we expected that the faster twist rate might give the best success with that MatchKing bullet. When the barrels arrived they were chambered and installed on the rifle.
John uses a Warner rear adjustable sight with a Centra front sight.
Fast Twist-Rate Barrels for Long .223-Caliber Bullet
First up the 1:6.25″-twist barrel was installed and testing commenced. The barrel shot extremely well right out of the gate. All loads used Lapua brass and Vihtavuori N140 powder. I tested the Berger 85.5gr and 90gr bullets as well as Sierra 90gr and 95gr bullets. Testing with the 6.25-twist barrel went well with both of the Berger bullets looking especially good. Later the 1:7″-twist barrel was mounted and tested.
While both barrels were very accurate we decided that the 1:6.25″-twist barrel outshined the 1:7″-twist tube. Now we all know that some barrels are just a little more accurate than others. With such a small sample of data here (just two barrels) I’m not saying that a 1:6.25″-twist is decidedly better. In fact we have a number of customers shooting 7-twist barrels who are shooting them very well. With this particular rifle however, the 6.25-twist seems to be the more accurate of the two.
.223 Rem Load Development for Palma Competition
The load I settled on is Lapua brass, Vihtavuori N140 powder, and Berger 90 grain VLDs which I moly-coat. I soft-seat the bullets into the lands with only .001″ neck tension or a little less.
Why the Berger 90gr VLD? The secret sauce is that the 90gr VLD is much superior in the wind after we point it up with the Whidden Pointing Die. The 85.5gr Hybrid bullet comes from Berger with this treatment already done while the 90gr VLD does not. When the 90-grainer is pointed up, the wind drift is a few percent better than the 85.5, given the velocities that I feel comfortable achieving with the rifle.
I settled on 2840 fps for the 90gr VLD and 2880 fps for the 85.5gr Hybrid from a 32″ barrel. When pointed up, the 90-grainer shoots flatter to 1000 yards by 1 MOA which indicates a G7 BC of .289 in my combination. Wind Drift in a 10 mph direct crosswind at 1000 yards is 70.8″ with this 90gr combination compared to 76.8″ for the 85.5gr load.
Testing in Competition — at Camp Perry
This past August 2021 at the CMP Long Range National Championships at Camp Perry I finally had the chance to shoot the rifle on a big stage. Winds that day were from almost directly 12:00 to about 1:30 switching headwinds. Velocity was around 8-10 mph meaning not the easiest or the hardest of conditions. I managed a third place finish in the Palma match. That proves the .223 Rem is definitely competitive in elite Palma events.
.223 Rem Performance in the Wind
My sense of the .223 Rem’s wind performance was that it was in line with the performance I’d expect from my .308 Win Palma gun. Of course the lack of recoil made the .223 Rem much easier to shoot well.
How to Order a Rifle Like This Whidden Gunworks can build a rifle like this for Palma competitors who want to move to .223 Rem. John tells us: “We’ve built a number of these combinations of the Barnard P action, Tec-Hro Fanatic stock, and Bartlein barrel. They all shoot incredibly well and the ergonomics are top notch. One of the good points is that the current price of $3875.00 (without sights) makes it a bargain for a top-tier Palma rifle.”
About John Whidden
5-Time National Long Range Champion
John Whidden is founder and owner of Whidden Gunworks and a lifelong competitive shooter. Major shooting accomplishments include being a 5-Time U.S. National Long Range Champion, winner of the Australia National Queen’s Prize, and member of three USA Palma Teams. John is currently active in Long Range Highpower, 300 Meter Prone, and Smallbore prone events. John tells us that one secret of his success is having top equipment: “The mental component of Long Range competitive shooting is always challenging but having tremendous confidence in the accuracy of your equipment is a huge benefit. There’s nothing to start your Palma match off well like knowing that you are shooting the most accurate Palma rifle you’ve ever owned.”
Whidden Gunworks stands ready to help with your shooting and reloading needs. Whidden Gunworks specializes in custom bolt action rifles, reloading dies, other reloading tools, and reloading components. Well known for match-grade custom rifles and high-quality reloading dies, Whidden Gunworks’ growing lineup includes components from Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori, and SK rimfire ammunition. Learn more by visiting www.WhiddenGunworks.com.
This illustration shows headspace measurement for the popular .308 Winchester cartridge, which headspaces on the shoulder. Image copyright 2015 Ultimate Reloader.
In this Brownells Tech Tip Video, Brownells gun tech Steve Ostrem explains what headspace is and why it’s one of the most critical measurements for nearly all firearms. Even if you’re an experienced rifle shooter, it’s worth watching this video to refresh your understanding of headspace measurements, and the correct use of “GO” and “NO-GO” gauges.
Headspace Definition
In firearms, headspace is the distance measured from the part of the chamber that stops forward motion of the cartridge (the datum reference) to the face of the bolt. Different cartridges have their datum lines in different positions in relation to the cartridge. For example, 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition headspaces off the shoulder of the cartridge, whereas .303 British headspaces off the forward rim of the cartridge. If the headspace is too short, ammunition that is in specification may not chamber correctly. If headspace is too large, the ammunition may not fit as intended or designed and the cartridge case may rupture, possibly damaging the firearm and injuring the shooter. (Source: Wikipedia)
Problems Caused by Too Much Headspace
Excessive headspace issues can include: light primer strikes, failure to fire, bulged/blown cases, case separations, split shoulders, or unseated primers after firing. Case ruptures caused by excessive headspace can lead to catastrophic failures causing serious injury. That is why headspace is such an important measurement.
Problems Cause by Too Little Headspace
Insufficent (or excessively tight) headspace can prevent the firearm from going into battery, resulting in failure to fire or deformation of the cartridge case. Various feeding and functioning problems can be caused by cases with too little headspace, even if a round can be chambered (with effort).
Headspace Gauges
Headspace is measured with a set of two headspace gauges: a “Go” gauge, and a “No-Go” gauge. Headspace gauges resemble the cartridges for the chambers they are designed to headspace, and are typically made of heat-treated tool steel. Both a “Go” and a “No-Go” gauge are required for a gunsmith to headspace a firearm properly. A third gauge, the “Field” gauge, is used (as the name implies) in the field to indicate the absolute maximum safe headspace. This gauge is used because, over time, the bolt and receiver will wear, the bolt and lugs compress, and the receiver may stretch, all causing the headspace to gradually increase from the “factory specs” measured by the “Go” and “No-Go” gauges. A bolt that closes on “No-Go” but not on “Field” is close to being unsafe to fire, and may malfunction on cartridges that are slightly out of spec. (Source: Wikipedia)
To learn more, read Brownell’s article Headspace Gauges and How to Use Them. Among other things, this explains the relative lengths of “Go”, “No-Go”, and “Field” gauges. The “Field” is actually the longest: “The GO gauge corresponds to the SAAMI minimum chamber length, while the FIELD gauge usually matches the maximum chamber depth, or slightly less. NO-GO gauges are an intermediate length between minimum and maximum, that, technically, is a voluntary dimension. A firearm that closes on a NO-GO gauge and does not close on a FIELD gauge may not give good accuracy and may have very short cartridge case life from the ammunition re-loader’s standpoint.”
Good news for rimfire and centerfire shooters. Norma is now selling ammunition direct through its website at very competitive prices. What’s more you get FREE Shipping on all orders over $50, plus free insurance with all orders. A wide variety of ammunition is available now at NormaShooting.com. Norma states that Norma ammunition’s official online store, NormaShooting.com has both centerfire and rimfire ammunition “in stock, ready to ship” and “whether you need ammunition for target practice, hunting purposes or defensive measures, there is plenty of ammo for sale at Norma Shooting.”
Here are examples of current Norma ammo deals, in stock as of 9:00 am ET on September 8, 2021:
The Norma TAC-22 rimfire ammunition is very good. Here is an example of accuracy with a lot from 2017. Photo from Champion Shooters Supply. Groups shot with Anschutz 1913 match rifle at 50 yards.
A legend in the shooting community has passed. And we are all diminished. Walt Berger passed away on September 19, 2021. A great innovator, a great benchrest competitor (with many Hall of Fame points), and a great friend to countless shooters, Walt will be truly missed.
Testing in Competition — at Camp Perry
About John Whidden
Headspace Gauges
