Looking for a good load for a new rifle? Or perhaps you want to try a new powder and bullet combo for an existing rig. One of the best places to start for load data is Hodgdon’s online Reloading Data Center for pistol, rifle, and shotgun reloaders. Check out the Reloading Data Center at www.HodgdonReloading.com.
In the Data Center, you’ll find thousands of load recipes for pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Rifle shooters will find dozens of loads for their favorite Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders such as H4198, H4895, Varget, H4350, and IMR 8208 XBR. And Hodgdon’s Reloading Center is “mobile-friendly” so it works well with smartphones and tables. Navigation is easy, and you can set the search criteria easily choosing your favorite powder or bullets. After choosing a cartridge, you can pre-select specific bullet weights and powder types. That quickly delivers just the information you want and need. You won’t have to scroll through scores of entries for bullets or powders you don’t use.
NOTE: This shows results for two bullet weights and two powder choices. With more powders and bullets selected you will get more results. The “BUY NOW” buttons link to the Hodgdon webstore.
Reloading Center is Smartphone-Friendly
Mobile users will notice that the current Hodgdon Reloading Center is “user-friendly” for smart-phone and tablet users. Controls have been optimized for touch-screens, and buttons are large and easy to use.
How to Get Started with Handloading
Getting started in Reloading? Ultimate Reloader offers a helpful introductory video that covers the basics. In addition, a recent Ultimate Reloader article reviews the types of reloading presses, plus the other gear you’ll need, from dies to powder dispensers.
He who dies with the most toys wins — right? Well Sinclair has another interesting gadget you can add to your reloading bench. The Sinclair Case Neck Sorting Tool lets you quickly sort brass by neck-wall thickness. For those who shoot “no-turn” brass, this can improve neck-tension consistency. Large variances in neck-wall thickness can cause inconsistent neck “grip” on the bullet. Generally, we’ve found that more consistent neck tension will lower ES and (usually) improve accuracy. We know some guys who shoot no-turn 6mmBR brass in competition with considerable success — but their secret is pre-sorting their brass by neck-wall thickness. Cases that are out-of-spec are set aside for sighters (or are later skim-turned).
Watch Case Neck Sorting Tool Operation in Video
How the Case Neck Sorting Tool Works
Here’s how the Sinclair tool works. Cases are rotated under an indicator tip while they are supported on a case-neck pilot and a support pin through the flash hole. The unit has a nice, wide base and low profile so it is stable in use. The tool works for .22 through .45 caliber cases and can be used on .17- and .20-caliber cases with the optional carbide alignment rod. The MIC-4 pin fits both .060 (PPC size) and .080 (standard size) flash holes. Sinclair’s Case Neck Sorting Tool can be ordered with or without a dial indicator. The basic unit without dial indicator (item 749-006-612WB) is priced at $59.99. You can also buy the tool complete with dial indicator (item 749-007-129WB) for $89.99. IMPORTANT: This sorting tool requires caliber-specific Case Neck Pilots which must be ordered separately.
Editor’s Comment: The purpose of this Sinclair tool is rapid, high-quantity sorting of cartridge brass to ascertain significant case-neck-wall thickness variations. Consider this a rapid culling/sorting tool. If you are turning your necks, you will still need a quality ball micrometer tool to measure neck-wall thickness (to .0005) before and after neck-turning operations.
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. Creedmoor Sports — American Practice Bullets, Save 20-30%
⏺ Save money on big brand bullets so you can practice more often
Creedmoor Sports is offering 500-ct bulk packs of factory second bullets. You can snatch up these American Bullet Company Practice Bullets in .22, 6mm, and .308 calibers at exceptionally low prices. These are factory ‘seconds’ from a very well-known manufacturer (think green) that are bulk-packed and ready to load. Get a box of 500 bullets at huge savings over regular prices. NOTE: There may be minor cosmetic issues with the bullets, or weight variances. In today’s world of component shortages, this is a great way to save money, and/or do more live fire practice with a lower cost per shot.
2. Sportsman’s WHSE — Savage 110 Elite Precision, $1749.99
⏺ Competitive PRS Production Class Rig with MDT Chassis
Excellent Video Review of Savage 110 Elite Precision in 6mm Creedmoor
PRS Production Class has a $2500 limit. With this Savage 110 Elite Precision you get a very competitive 6mm Creedmoor rifle, with a top-quality chassis, for $1749.99. That’s hundreds less than similar quality boutique-brand PRS Production rigs. Put the money saved into optics. The Savage Arms 110 Elite Precision boasts a Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) Adjustable Core Competition (ACC) Chassis, a full-length forearm ARCA rail, titanium nitride-coated “blueprinted” action, and effective muzzle brake. This Guns & Ammo video showcases the Elite Precision’s notable features.
⏺ Turn-key solution for 6mm Dasher Shooters with great dies
The 6mm Dasher is very popular in PRS and Mid-range Benchrest. And a 6mm Dasher just won the F-Open Mid-Range Nationals convincingly. If you’re ready to build a Dasher, consider the 6mm Dasher Starter Kit from Whidden Gunworks. The kit includes your choice of standard dies, 100 pieces of Lapua 6mmBR brass, 6mm Dasher Hydraulic Form Die, and a 6mm Dasher Case Gauge. This is everything you need to get up and running with this match-winning wildcat cartridge.
4. Creedmoor Sports — Sierra Bullets PLUS FREE Ammo Box
⏺ Good Deal on Sierra bullets plus handy Ammo Box
Sierra makes some of the highest-quality bullets on the market. Right now Creedmoor Sports has most popular Sierra Bullets in stock and ready to ship in many calibers. Most of the popular MatchKing bullet types have the meplats “tipped” at the factory for consistent BC and improved long-range performance. NOTE: If you purchase at least $150 in Sierra bullets you’ll get a FREE high-quality Plano Ammo Box.
5. KYGUNCO — Taurus G2c 9mm Pistol, $205.99
⏺ Great Deal on Reliable 12rd 9mm Carry Pistol
The Taurus G2c is a good little compact carry gun at a VERY attractive price — a third what you might pay for a 9mm Glock 19 these days. KYGUNCO has the black-on-black 9mm Taurus G2c for just $205.99 (cash price). That’s the best deal we’ve seen on a major brand 9mm pistol in a long time. At 6.25″ OAL, and weighing just 21.2 oz. unloaded, this affordable 9mm handgun is a true compact. Despite its small size, the G2c boasts a 12-round magazine. We like the fact it has a left-side manual safety (unlike the Glock).
6. Amazon — RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, $188.99
⏺ Strong, versatile full-size press with lifetime warranty
With the shortages of good factory ammo, more shooters are hand-loading than ever before. That means that good reloading presses have been hard to find at reasonable prices. But here’s a good deal on a great press. Right now Amazon has the legendary RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for under $190.00. This strong, capable press and allows you to do myriad reloading tasks: decapping, neck-sizing, FL-sizing, crimping, and even swaging bullets. RCBS offers a rock-solid lifetime warranty.
7. Amazon — Caldwell The Rock BR Rest, $140.79
⏺ Good basic rest for Varmint work and sighting-in rifles
Right now the green-framed Caldwell Rests are deeply discounted on Amazon. If you’re looking for something you could use in competition as well as varminting, check out the Caldwell Rock BR at $140.79. The Rock BR model is stable and works well for varmint shooting. If you want something lighter and more basic, the Rock Deluxe at $75.19 is an excellent value. Or if you prefer a compact, lightweight front rest for basic rifle and pistol work, consider a Rock Jr. at $35.54.
8. Natchez — CCI Blazer 9mm Ammunition, $19.99
⏺ Very reliable 9mm practice ammo at a good price
Finding quality 9mm Luger ammo at a decent price has been difficult lately. But here’s a good deal at Natchez. Quality, aluminum-case CCI Blazer 9mm 115gr ammo is now just $19.99 per 50-count box. That’s HALF the cost of 9mm pistol ammo at some other vendors. NOTE: Having aluminum cases, this ammo is NOT reloadable. But, in our experience it is reliable and accurate.
9. Amazon — KUBEI USB Rechargeable Digital Scale, $24.99
⏺ Compact scale with USB-rechargeable battery at great price
Everyone can use an inexpensive, compact scale for loading at the range or sorting bullets or maybe even primers. One very affordable option KUBEI USB Rechargeable Digital Scale. Unlike most other inexpensive digital scales, this comes with a large dust cover with a “window” for your powder pan. Notably, this scale can be conveniently recharged with a standard USB cable — no batteries to replace ever! We have heard positive reports from Forum members about this $24.99 portable scale, which offers 9 types of weight units, calibration weight, and fold-down protective lid.
10. Amazon — Tactical Hard Case, Customizable Foam, $89.99
⏺ Solid, strong wheeled case for ARs, or hunting rifles
Whether driving or flying, you need a good, strong case to protect your firearms. This affordable TSA-approved HQ ISSUE Tactical Rifle Hard Case has room for an AR, handguns, and accessories or a couple hunting rifles (with moderate-length barrels). NOTE: This case has rollers — something you don’t typically find on cases at this price point. The included pluckable foam interior can be easily customized to fit your rifle. External dimensions are: 43″ x 16″ x 7″.
11. Amazon — LEE Perfect Powder Measure, $22.95
⏺ Low-cost unit will work for basic powder-dispensing duties
Sometimes you just need a simple but effective way to throw powder charges without a big investment. For basic powder-throwing tasks the LEE Perfect Powder Measure can do the job. With a simple adjustment you can throw anywhere from 2 grains to over 70 grains. This is fine for most pistol charges. For more accurate rifle handloads, you can throw the charge within a grain and then trickle up to the final load weight using using a scale and separate trickler.
In this .308 Win test, 70° F ammo shot 96 FPS slower than ammo heated to 130.5° F. And the 130.5° ammunition was 145 fps faster than ammo taken right out of the freezer (at 25.5° F). That’s a huge difference…
Today is the first day of August. That means most parts of the country will soon be encountering peak summer heat. Some ranges in the Western states have already recorded temperatures well over 100 degrees F during matches. When dealing with extreme summer heat, you should make a serious effort to keep your ammo at reasonable temperatures. When possible, keep ammo in a cooler in the shade.
Never leave boxes of ammo out in the hot sun. Even with powders advertised as “temp stable” you can see significant velocity increases when ambient temps reach 90 degrees and above. This article explains how temperature extremes (both hot and cold) can alter bullet velocities. The velocity differences between very cold ammo and very hot ammo can be very large, as this article explains.
EDITOR’s NOTE: The Sierra tester does not reveal the brand of powder tested here. Some powders are much more temp sensitive than others. Accordingly, you cannot extrapolate test results from one propellant to another. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see the actual recorded velocity shift with ammo temperature variations in a .308 Win.
Written by Sierra Chief Ballistician Tommy Todd This story originally appeared in theSierra Bullets Blog
A few weeks ago I was attending the Missouri State F-Class Match. This was a two-day event during the summer and temperatures were hot one day and hotter the next. I shot next to a gentleman who was relatively new to the sport. He was shooting a basically factory rifle and was enjoying himself with the exception that his scores were not as good as he hoped they would be and he was experiencing pressure issues with his ammunition. I noticed that he was having to force the bolt open on a couple of rounds. During a break, I visited with him and offered a couple of suggestions which helped his situation somewhat and he was able to finish the match without major issues.
He was shooting factory ammunition, which is normally loaded to upper levels of allowable pressures. While this ammunition showed no problems during “normal” testing, it was definitely showing issues during a 20-round string of fire in the temperatures we were competing in. My first suggestion was that he keep his ammunition out of the direct sun and shade it as much as possible. My second suggestion was to not close the bolt on a cartridge until he was ready to fire. He had his ammo in the direct sunlight and was chambering a round while waiting on the target to be pulled and scored which can take from a few seconds to almost a minute sometimes.
This time frame allowed the bullet and powder to absorb chamber [heat] and build pressure/velocity above normal conditions. Making my recommended changes lowered the pressures enough for the rifle and cartridge to function normally.
Testing Effects of Ammunition Temperature on Velocity and POI
After thinking about this situation, I decided to perform a test in the Sierra Bullets underground range to see what temperature changes will do to a rifle/cartridge combination. I acquired thirty consecutive .30 caliber 175 grain MatchKing bullets #2275 right off one of our bullet assembly presses and loaded them into .308 Winchester ammunition. I utilized an unnamed powder manufacturer’s product that is appropriate for the .308 Winchester cartridge. This load is not at the maximum for this cartridge, but it gives consistent velocities and accuracy for testing.
I took ten of the cartridges and placed them in a freezer to condition.
I set ten of them on my loading bench, and since it was cool and cloudy the day I performed this test I utilized a floodlight and stand to simulate ammunition being heated in the sun.
I kept track of the temperatures of the three ammunition samples with a non-contact laser thermometer.
The rifle was fired at room temperature (70 degrees) with all three sets of ammunition. I fired this test at 200 yards out of a return-to-battery machine rest. The aiming point was a leveled line drawn on a sheet of paper. I fired one group with the scope aimed at the line and then moved the aiming point across the paper from left to right for the subsequent groups.
NOTE that the velocity increased as the temperature of the ammunition did.
The ammunition from the freezer shot at 2451 fps.
The room temperature ammunition shot at 2500 fps.
The heated ammunition shot at 2596 fps.
The tune window of the particular rifle is fairly wide as is shown by the accuracy of the three pressure/velocity levels and good accuracy was achieved across the board. However, notice the point of impact shift with the third group? There is enough shift at 200 yards to cause a miss if you were shooting a target or animal at longer ranges. While the pressure and velocities changed this load was far enough from maximum that perceived over pressure issues such as flattened primer, ejector marks on the case head, or sticky extraction did not appear. If you load to maximum and then subject your ammunition to this test your results will probably be magnified in comparison.
This test showed that pressures, velocities, and point-of-impact can be affected by temperatures of your ammunition at the time of firing. It’s really not a bad idea to test in the conditions that you plan on utilizing the ammo/firearm in if at all possible. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to also test to see what condition changes do to your particular gun and ammunition combination so that you can make allowances as needed. Any personal testing along these lines should be done with caution as some powder and cartridge combination could become unsafe with relatively small changes in conditions.
Keith Glasscock is one of America’s greatest F-Class shooters, as well as a highly respected wind coach. A High Master, Keith finished second overall at the 2021 NRA F-Class Long Range Championship in F-Open division. He also finished second at the 2020 Nationals, tied with F-Open winner Pat Scully on points, but with fewer Xs. And he took second also at the 2019 Nationals. His consistency is unrivaled, which means he definitely knows the secrets of long range wind calling and loading ultra-accurate ammo.
Keith has a popular YouTube Channel with new content every week. On Keith’s Winning in the Wind channel, Keith offers 60+ informative videos on a wide range of topics including wind reading, reloading, component selection, load development, and training. For today’s Video Showcase, we offer four of our favorite Keith Glasscock videos. Each video has important points that can benefit any competitive rifle shooter, whether you shoot in local 100-yard fun matches or compete at the National Level in F-Class, LR Benchrest, Palma, or High Power.
How to Find (and Fine-Tune) Seating Depth
This is Keith’s most popular video. Keith definitely knows how to maximize accuracy by finding the optimal seating depth for each particular barrel. He is achieving groups in the high Ones for three shots. That would be good for a short-range benchrest cartridge, but Keith is achieving that with a .284 Winchester which has much more recoil. If you shoot F-TR or F-Open or even PRS, you should watch this video.
How to Lower your ES/SD and Reduce Vertical at Long Range
This is Keith’s first video in a series on how to improve long range groups, precision, and accuracy by reducing velocity Extreme Spread (ES) and Standard Deviation (SD). To achieve the lowest ES you need to look at multiple processes, including precision powder weighing, careful seating, brass annealing, and primer selection. Another factor is bullet selection. Not all bullets of the same nominal caliber and weight class have exactly the same bullet diameter or shape. Sometimes you can get better accuracy AND lower ES by trying a different brand of bullet. We have found bullet diameters, of the same stated caliber, can vary by up to .0008″ (eight ten-thousandths). Some barrels like the fatter bullets, while other barrels may favor the skinny bullets.
How to Find Bullet-to-Rifling Touch Point
Before you even start to load for a new rifle you need to know the point at which the bullet in a loaded round will first touch the rifling. (This will be a base to ogive measurement on your round). Beyond that point you are “in the lands”. If you load shorter than that base-to-ogive length you are “jumping” your bullets. Some cartridge/bullet combos typically shoot best in the lands, while with other bullets and cartridges, jumping is the way to go. Additionally, with some disciplines it is wise to jump your bullets since you may have to unload a chambered round while on the firing line. In this video Keith shows a number of methods to determine “length to lands” with repeatable precision.
Field Test and Review of SEB Mini-X Coaxial Front Rest
While gear reviews are not the primary focus of Keith’s YouTube Channel, Keith does talk about products he likes and uses. In this video. Keith reviews the SEB Mini-X, the newest coaxial tripod rest from SEB Rests. The Mini-X offers fast, precise windage and elevation adjustment with the joystick control. The unit is much easier to pack and transport than a large, heavy front rest such as a SEB NEO or Farley. The latest Mini-X also has upgraded foot controls that make it easier to level the rest on uneven ground. For more info, see our SEB Mini-X Report.
While reloading components remain in short supply, there is a new source for affordable rifle bullets in popular calibers. Creedmoor Sports is now offering American Bullet Company (ABC) Practice Bullets in .22, 6mm, and .308 calibers. These are factory seconds from a major American manufacturer.
Creedmoor Sports explains that it may make sense to shoot less expensive bullets during practice sessions, particularly for sling-shooters: “We believe a key to winning a competition is the practice time you put in leading up to the match. ABC Practice Bullets are an excellent alternative for competitors who may not want to use their expensive bullets during a practice session and save their best loads for a match.” With these ABC Practice Bullets you can save 20-30% off the price of first-run, major brand BTHP bullets. With those savings, you spend less money per round, so live-fire practice doesn’t bust your budget.
For some disciplines, these bullets aren’t just for practice. We predict the ABC 6mm bullets will work well in PRS/NRL matches with popular calibers 6mmBR, 6 Dasher, 6 GT, 6-6.5×47 Lapua, and 6mm Creedmoor.
ABC Practice Bullets are factory seconds, but they’re still great for training. Along with the 6mm 107gr bullets, Creedmoor is offering .22-Caliber (52gr, 55gr, 77gr) and .308-Caliber (125gr, 168gr, 175gr) practice bullets. All offerings have very attractive pricing, starting at $17.80/100 (for .22 Cal 55gr).
NOTE: All ABC Practice Bullets are sold in 500-ct boxes (by weight). All bullets in each 500-ct boxes will be from the same lot in each box. However, lots may vary from box to box.
How These Practice Bullets May Vary from First-Run Bullets
Issues separating American Bullet Company Practice Bullets from factory first-run bullets may include:
Minor scratch marks on the jacket
Polishing media or compound in the hollow point
Boat tail dimensions that vary slightly from the print
Weight variance — total weight variance of 2.0 grains across the lot
It’s great to be able to access online load data for your cartridges. You can quickly get load data for a particular powder and bullet weight. However, there are times when we prefer to consult old-fashioned printed/bound load manuals. The primary reason is that manuals produced by bullet- and tool-makers will, for a particular cartridge, include data for powders from multiple manufacturers. Having a single source can save you time and trouble. For example, if you want to find 6.5 Creedmoor loads using H4350 (Hodgdon), Reloder 16 (Alliant), and N150 (Vihtavuori) you would have to visit three different powder-maker websites, one after another. OR you can pick up a modern load manual and find everything in one place.
There are many excellent printed load manuals on the market. We have used the Berger Manual, Sierra Manual, Speer Manual, Lyman Manual, and Hornady Manual. We like the Berger and Sierra manuals for match rifle cartridges, and the Lyman and Hornady manuals for hunting loads and pistol cartridges. Unfortunately, the popular binder-format Sierra Manual is currently back-ordered. Get one if you can.
The Lyman Reloading Manuals have earn praise over the years:
“Every other reloading book I’ve used favors their own bullets over every other manufacturers. With Lyman you get an honest representation of a wide variety of different… manufacturers. [Lyman has] a ton of reloading data on just about any bullet style you can imagine. I’ve tried a wide range of their recipes and everyone I’ve tried has been spot on. The overall breadth of information this book covers is impressive.” Review by RangetoReal.com.
Nosler #9 Manual Features New Cartridges
If you are looking for up-to-date cartridge/bullet/powder information, in late 2020 Nosler released the Nosler Reloading Guide #9, the latest in a respected series of Nosler load manuals.
This 800-page guide covers 101 cartridge types. New in this edition you’ll find the popular 6mm Creedmoor, 6mm XC, 6.5 PRC, and 7.62×39, along with 20 Nosler, 22 Nosler, 24 Nosler, 27 Nosler and 33 Nosler. This manual is a good resource for PRS shooters and hunters. The Nosler #9 book draws from thousands of hours in the Nosler Ballistic Lab, along with the experience of many respected experts.
The book is available for $28.99 at Midsouth or $29.95 on Amazon. Keep in mind that much of the book’s latest load data is available for free on the Nosler.com online LOAD DATA Center. But to get ALL the data, PLUS all the technical articles, you’ll need to buy the book.
Along with the new Nosler #9 Manual, here are four other recommended Reloading Manuals:
Here Are Four General Instructional Books That Cover Reloading Procedures:
POWDER BURN RATE TABLE
Here is the most recent powder burn rate chart from Hodgdon/IMR that we could find. Click links below to access printable PDF. Note, some readers have suggested a couple powder ranking issues in the table. However, this is the latest official version from the IMR website, released in November 2019.
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. Midsouth — Birthday Sale on Rifle Kits, Ammo, Bullets, Mags
⏺ Big Savings on AR Kits, Hornady Bullets, Pistol Load Packs
Right now Midsouth Shooters is celebrating its 52nd year in business with a big Birthday Sale. Save $70 on a full AR kit — everything you need but the Lower. Or get a great 9mm Reloaders Pack with 1000 115gr Bullets and 500 pieces of new, unprimed brass. Midsouth also has a wide selection of Hornady Bullets on sale in 500-ct “sleeves”. There are both pistol (9mm, .38, .45) and rifle bullets (.224, .308) at huge savings. You’ll also find 9mm Luger and 5.56×45 (.223 Rem) loaded ammo on sale. Last but not least you can get ten (10) 30rd AR magazines for just $99.00.
2. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Winchester .22 LR Wildcat, $219.99
⏺ Removable lower receiver, Picatinny rails, good trigger, great price
Here is a fun little semi-auto .22 LR rifle at a crazy low price — $219.99 at Sportsman’s Warehouse. The Winchester Wildcat takes Ruger 10/22 mags, and has some great features, such as field-removable lower receiver, ambidextrous controls, integral Picatinny rails and rear barrel access. It has a good trigger and shoots well. In many respects the Wildcat beats the Ruger 10/22 while costing considerably less. The lower receiver assembly is easily removed from the upper assembly by pushing a button — no tools required.
⏺ Reliable — nice shielded design with side port, good value
Like the RCBS ChargeMaster, this Lyman Gen6 Powder System will automatically dispense and weigh powder charges. This unit features a touch screen, rapid warm-up, anti-static/anti-drift technology, and electronic shielding to resist interference from other electronic devices. One notable feature is a side port to quick-drain the powder. Right now this Lyman Gen6 Scale/Dispenser is on sale at Midsouth for $218.99. That’s a very good deal as this same Lyman unit sells for $293.99 elsewhere.
4. Grafs.com — Leupold SX4 Spotting Scopes, $699.99 or $899.99
⏺ Save $100 on Angled or Straight spotters, 65mm or 85mm objection
Graf & Sons is running a sale on Leupold SX4 Pro Guide Spotting Scopes. Choose straight or angled, either big 85mm front objective or the smaller 65mm. Save $100 on any and all SX4 models. We prefer the smaller version for hunting/varminting, and the bigger 85mm for competition spotting duties. This is a high-quality optic with an outstanding warranty. If you shoot prone, you’ll want the angled version.
5. Midsouth — Lyman Tac-Mat Shooting Mat, $56.63
⏺ Thick padded mat offers more comfort with good length and carry handle
Comfort counts when you’re on the ground for hours. We like this Lyman Tac-Mat 71″ x 36″ shooting mat. It has more padding than most mats on the market, providing better comfort. Now $56.63 at Midsouth, this is a VERY good deal. This same Lyman shooting mat is $89.89 on Amazon.
6. Amazon — Frankford Case Tumbler Master Kit, $73.99
⏺ We’ve used this Combo Kit for many seasons — very good value right now
Keeping your brass clean is one of the best ways to keep your dies (and reloading presses) clean as well. If you’re looking for a new, affordable setup to clean cartridge brass, consider the Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit. You get everything needed to dry-tumble your brass and remove the media. This is all available now for a very low $73.99. You could pay that much for a good vibratory tumbler alone.
7. LAXAmmo — TulAmmo 9mm Ammo 1000 rounds, $319.89
⏺ Great deal on 9mm Luger ammo — $16 per 50rd box
This TulAmmo 9mm ammo will work for pistol practice. The big appeal of this Russian-made steel-cased ammo in PRICE. Get 1000 rounds for $319.89 — that works out to $16 per 50rd box ($0.32/round), a third of the price some vendors are asking for 9mm Luger ammo. You can also purchase 500 rounds for $169.95. NOTE: This ammo is non-corrosive. However it has STEEL cases so it is NOT reloadable.
8. Amazon — Bluetooth Digital Anemometer, $25.99
⏺ Measures wind velocity with Bluetooth connection to Smartphone App
To shoot successfully at long range, you need precise wind speed readings. This “smart” Digital Anemometer (windmeter) records Max/Min/Average wind speeds and ambient temperature which display on-screen. Importantly, the unit also outputs wind readings to your smartphone via Bluetooth. This allows you to mount the wind meter downrange and view wind speeds via a smartphone App. The unit’s base is threaded for tripod mounting. This is a pretty impressive system for under thirty bucks.
9. Amazon — EILIKS Multi-Tool Kit, $32.99
⏺ Very versatile kit for vehicle and camping
The 24-piece EILIKS Multi-Tool Kit it a great item for your vehicle. This contains a nice survival knife and flashlight, plus 22 other emergency survival tools: paracord bracelets, wire saw, water bottle clip, emergency blanket, flint stone, scraper, blow fire tube, 4pcs fire tinder, whistle, saber card, survival pen, multi-use spoon fork, 2 carabiners, 4pces ishing tools and box. The full 8″x4″x2″ kit will fit in most vehicle glove compartments, and can be attached to belt or pack with included ranger band. List price was $48.99, so the $32.99 price is 33% Off.
⏺ Quality name-brand shooting eyewear — buy multiples at this price
Every shooter needs eye protection EVERY TIME you go to the shooting range. Right now Midsouth has the good Radians clear Lens Outback Shooting Glasses for just $5.88. These ANSI Z87.1 Radians Shooting Glasses provide 99.9% UVA/UVB protection with the coated lenses. These offer excellent wrap-around protection and are fairly light and comfortable. A handy neck cord is included. With this low $5.88 price, you can buy 3 or 4 sets and keep spares in your vehicles, so you always have protective eyewear for yourself and your friends.
If you’ve been thinking about a big purchase at Brownells, here are some money-saving codes. Brownells is currently offering $40 Off a $450+ purchase, $20 Off a $250+ purchase, $15 Off a $150+ purchase, and $10 Off a $100+ purchase. It’s simple to get these discounts — there are no buyers’ clubs to join, no forms to fill out. Just use the appropriate Discount Code during online check-out.
Listed below are the Codes to use. Simply use the appropriate Code for your purchase at Brownells.com. As these Codes may be deactivated without notice, if one Code doesn’t work, try a different Code and you can still save some buck$. Also if the highest value code no longer works, try a lesser value CODE.
Coupon Code: VST — $40 Off $450 or more
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: VSJ — $20 Off $250 or more
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: SAE — $15 off $150 or more
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: TAG — $15 off $150 or more
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: PTT — $10 Off $100 or more
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: RSA — $10 Off $100 or more
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: RTA — $10 Off $100 or more
Expiration date: Unknown
NOTE: All these codes have no listed expiration date, so Brownells could terminate them at any time. Accordingly, we recommend you do your shopping soon.
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. Amazon — LongShot LR-3 Target Camera System, $724.08
⏺ Best Long Range Target Camera you can buy — save $75 now
This superb Longshot LR-3 Camera system combines a high-definition camera with a special receiver. This set-up delivers sharp, live images at distances up to two miles with excellent 2688 x 1512 HD resolution. Integrated software lets you mark your shots. This is a good deal — other vendors are selling the LR-3 for $799.00. NOTE: If you want the BulletProof Warranty, we recommend you buy direct from LongShot. You can get the LR-3 System WITH Warranty for $838.00. We do recommend purchasing the BulletProof Warranty — that way LongShot will repair or replace your unit if it is damaged by gunfire or other hazard.
2. Midsouth — LEE 60th Anniversary Challenger Kit, $197.58
⏺ Excellent kit with Press, Priming Tool, Powder Measure, and much more
It’s been a while since we’ve seen reloading gear both in-stock and at reasonable prices especially for starting kits. Check out this LEE 60th Anniversary Challenger Kit which features a Breech Lock Challenger Press with Large and Small Primer Lever Arms, Deluxe Perfect Powder Measure, Safety Powder Scale, Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, Deluxe Quick Trim, Bench Prime, Priming Tool Shell Holder Kit, Case Conditioning Kit, Powder Funnel and some Lee Case Lube. This is really a great starting kit for anyone looking to get into reloading and probably won’t last long. This is great bargain — the Press alone is worth $100, and the priming tool and powder measure both worth very well.
3. Brownells — Blackhawk Gun Case and Holster Sale
⏺ Significant discounts on quality Gun Cases, Mats, Holsters
If you’re in the market for shooting gear head over to Brownell’s for their sitewide Blackhawk Sale. Blackhawk has been an industry leader for decades and for good reason. They make everything from gun cases to holsters to slings. With this sale, you’ll find significant discounts on very good gun cases, and we like the multi-functional Blackhawk Stalker Drag Mat. This double-duty item works as a rifle carry case AND a padded shooting mat — great product.
4. Roger’s — Federal XM193 5.56x45mm Ammo, 400rd $279.99
⏺ Quality mil-spec AR15 ammo at good price with ammo can
Bulk .223 Rem (5.56×45) ammo has been hard to find these days at reasonable prices. But Roger’s Sporting Goods now has Federal XM193 5.56×45 ammo on sale. Get 400 rounds of 55gr XM193 NATO Rifle Ammunition for just $279.99 ($.70/rd). This is high-quality, ultra-reliable new production ammo shipped in a military-grade metal ammo can. XM193 is rated at 3165 FPS.
5. Sportsman’s WHSE — Savage 6.5 CM Rifle + Scope, $359.99
⏺ With scope included, it’s like getting rifle for $220!
Here’s a stellar deal on a decent 6.5 Creedmoor hunting rig. Get the rifle PLUS the scope for just $359.99. Sportsman’s Warehouse is selling the Savage Axis XP Scope Combo for only $359.99. The rifle comes complete with a Bushnell 4-12x40mm scope. The rifle boasts a rugged black synthetic stock and is fitted with a carbon steel, 22″ sporter-contour, button-rifled barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. This package rifle is ready to shoot, right out of the box, thanks to the mounted and bore-sighted Bushnell optic.
6. Amazon — EZ-Aim Targets, Grid or Bullseye, 13pk $1.46/$1.49
⏺ Incredible deal on 13-packs of Grid or Bullseye targets
This may be the deal of the year on quality targets. Why print targets at home and waste your ink when you can pick up a 13-pack of these EZ-Aim Sight-in Grid Targets for only $1.46! These are nicely sized 12″x12″ grid targets with a large center bull and 4 other orange aim points in the corners. These targets are great for sight-in and/or load development as the 1″ grid provides a quick reference for scope clicks and group sizes. If you prefer multiple small bulls, try the EZ-Aim 11-Spot Target Pack. There are 11 orange bulls on each 12″x12″ sheet. A 13-pack costs $1.49.
7. EuroOptic — 15% OFF Holosun Sights
⏺ Significant 15% discount on All Holosun Sights at EuroOptic.com
It’s hard to deny the impact that holosights have had on the pistol market. They’re lightweight, easy to use. and help shooters get on target faster and more accurately than ever. If you looking to upgrade a pistol, consider Holosun sights. Right now, at EuroOptic, you can get 15% off with code HOLO15. Features include Holosun’s Green Super LED with up to 50k hours battery life, Multi-Reticle System, Solar Failsafe, and Shake Awake.
8. Graf & Sons — Nikon Laser Rangefinder Sale
⏺ Good, reliable basic rangefinders on SALE 12-22% Off
Knowing how far you’re shooting is critical both when hunting and target shooting. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend big money on a Laser rangefinder. Right now Graf & Sons has slashed prices on Nikon Laser Rangefinders. There are a variety of models starting at just $149.95 for the Prostaff 1000 6x20mm. The yellow body Forestry Pro II model can range and then display the angles of multiple targets.
9. Amazon — Front and Rear Shooting Bags Set, $12.92
⏺ Handy low-cost bags for varmint work or NRL22 competitions
Sometimes all you need is a simple front bag rest and squeeze bag in the rear and we found a great deal. These bags will suffice for basic varmint duties, sight-in for a hunting rifle, or barricade work in an NRL22 match. The Ace Hunter Front and Rear Bag Combo is available in 3 colors (Black, Green, and Camo). For just $12.92 you get both front and rear bags, which can be linked for transport.
These bags ship unfilled so must add your preferred fill material (depending on application) — try lighter fill such as rice for field carry, with heavier sand for bench work.
Looking for a good load for a new rifle? Or perhaps you want to try a new powder and bullet combo for an existing rig. One of the best places to start for load data is Hodgdon’s online Reloading Data Center for pistol, rifle, and shotgun reloaders. Check out the Reloading Data Center at www.HodgdonReloading.com.
He who dies with the most toys wins — right? Well Sinclair has another interesting gadget you can add to your reloading bench. The Sinclair 
Today is the first day of August. That means most parts of the country will soon be encountering peak summer heat. Some ranges in the Western states have already recorded temperatures well over 100 degrees F during matches. When dealing with extreme summer heat, you should make a serious effort to keep your ammo at reasonable temperatures. When possible, keep ammo in a cooler in the shade.
Nosler #9 Manual Features New Cartridges
Sometimes all you need is a simple front bag rest and squeeze bag in the rear and we found a great deal. These bags will suffice for basic varmint duties, sight-in for a hunting rifle, or barricade work in an NRL22 match. The 
