Christmas is just one week away, so today we’re featuring a hand-picked collection of “stocking stuffers” for precision shooters. Some of these are recent new inventions. All are handy items that you’ll use over and over again at the range, on your vehicle, and/or at your loading bench (so you’re allowed to buy them for yourself, even after Christmas).
B&T Industries BT62 Determinator — $7.95
The acrylic BT62 Determinator measures groups with laser-cut concentric measuring rings. Check group size quick and easy — simply place the Determinator over shot group. Adjust until one of the circles crosses the center of the two outer-most holes. That gives you the center to center group measurement (1.5″ maximum). Alternatively, you can measure edge to edge (of the farthest shots) and then subtract the bullet diameter. Cool tool for gun guys. The supplied lanyard also glows in the dark.
Surveyor’s Tape (for Wind Indicators) — $1.99
Always watch the wind when you shoot. Inexpensive, Day-Glo Surveyors’ Tape (aka “Flagging Tape”), attached to a stake or target frame, makes a good wind indicator. It will flutter even in mild breezes, alerting you to both angle and velocity shifts. This should be part of every range kit. Don’t leave home without it. This can also be ordered from Creedmoor Sports for $3.95 per roll.
Cabela’s Multi-Tool (Various Colors) — $5.00
You won’t find a more versatile tool at this amazingly low price — just $5.99! The Cabela’s multi-tool performs many functions. It features flat-nose pliers, wire-stripper, knife, Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, saw, bottle opener, and scissors. Nylon sheath included. This handy tool is available in size colors: Red, Green, Orange, Purple, Teal, and Silver. A nylon sheath is included.
Amazon — Bore-Snake Two-Pack — $7.99
While bore cleaning should be done with a good cleaning rod and fitted bore guide, there are times when Bore-Snakes can be handy, such as when cleaning pistols and 10/22s. Now on Amazon you can get two (2) convenient GogoKu Bore-Snakes for just $7.99. Get two of the same diameter (.22 up to 12ga), or choose a Kit with both .223 and .308 sizes. Great stocking stuffer for a shooter.
Work Sharp — Pivot Plus Knife Sharpener — $7.95
The new, easy-to-carry Pivot Plus Knife Sharpener from WorkSharp provides a 3-stage honing process for keeping your knives sharp in the field.. Sharpen straight-edge blades with a few pulls on the carbide and ceramic v-cut sharpening slots, and hone your serrated blades with the diamond-coated rod. A great stocking stuffer, this little sharpener costs just $7.95 on Amazon.
Bullet Central — Magnifying Light, $12.95 – $19.50
If you’re like most shooters, you can use more light and magnification when inspecting brass and small gun parts. Here is the perfect tool to help and it doesn’t take up a ton of space. With the Bullet Central Magnifying Light you can ease your eyes and see into the primer pockets, flash holes or case-necks without straining. With your choice of battery-powered or rechargeable models, why not buy two and give one to your favorite range buddy?
Amazon — Camouflage Neoprene Scope Cover — $8.98
Here’s a great gift item for a hunter. This reversible Camo-pattern Neoprene Scope Cover fits scopes up to 10″ long and 45mm lens diameter. The cover cushions your scope and protects against moisture and scratches. Note: Along with Camo, there is also a black version with bright red trim.
Creedmoor Sports — Leather 20Rd +2 Ammo Holder — $25.00
This handsome red leather ammo holder secures twenty (20) rounds of .308 Win-size ammunition, in a handy plastic carrier. In addition there are loops for 2 more sighter rounds on the outside. This is a very nice gift for a target shooter or hunter. There is also a .223 Rem version in black leather. Both these leather ammo holders conveniently fit into a shooting coat pocket via a leather pocket flap.
This Outers-brand, 51-piece set contains all the drivers you could ever need: Flat-head, Phillips, Hex (Allen), and Torx. Priced at just $6.99, this driver set offers great value for the money. Even if you already own high-quality Allen and Torx wrenches, you can buy this as a spare set for your gun room. And this also makes a great holiday “stocking stuffer” for gun guys. These drivers work great for installing scope rings or bases, or everyday use around the home.
• Molded Driver with Magnetic Tip
• 15 Flat Head Bits
• 10 Hex Bits (inch)
• 9 Hex Bits (metric)
• 4 Phillips Bits
• 9 Torx Bits
• 2 Extra Long Phillips Bits
• 1 Hex to Square Adapter
Creedmoor Sports — ECI, Mag Block, and Dust Cover Flag
How many times have you gone to look into a barrel or dark corner of a gun only to find you just can’t see in there? You can easily solve this problem by picking up this Compact Bore Light for just $8.52 on Amazon. A bore light is a “must-have” item for handgun owners, and these are also handy for inspecting dies, rifle chambers, and tool interiors. Honestly for this price you should grab a couple so you have one in your range bag and another on your bench.
BONUS — TACTICAL STOCKINGS for Your Stocking Stuffers
Don’t have a stocking to hold your small gift items? Well we’ve got you covered — check out these cool, heavy-duty stockings. These Garud Tactical Stockings come in three camo varieties plus OD Green, Black, and Khaki. They all feature 4 MOLLE attachments, rugged carry handle, hanging hook, swivel carabiners, outside draw pocket, and even Velcro USA Flag Patch. Get all this for the low price of $12.99 (solid colors) or $14.99 (Camo). These stockings are sure to bring smiles to your tacticool family members and friends. And right now they ship for FREE on Amazon.
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 — RCBS & Hornady Sale, 25% Off
We’ve seen reloading sales before but never two major brands with 25% OFF for all items in stock. Head over to Sportsman’s Warehouse and take advantage of the big RCBS and Hornady 25% Off SALE. Think of the savings — on a Progressive Press, you can save $120 or more. On a Reloading Kit you can save $80+, and on a Powder Scale/Dispenser you can save $70 or more. Hundreds of items are on sale now. But act quickly — this sale will end soon.
2. CDNN — Thompson Center Compass, $269.99
In you want a solid, low-cost hunting rifle, look no further. CDNN is running an amazing sale on the Thompson Center Compass. At just $269.99, this is a perfect first rifle for a family member. This is a $129 savings over normal retail. At this ultra-affordable $269.99 price, six (6) different chamberings are available: 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, 7mm-08, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 Win Magnum.
3. EuroOptic — End of 2019 Sales — Many Brands
EuroOptic.com is one of the very best source for quality scopes and rifles. And now EuroOptic is running a huge 2019 Year End Sale with truly outstanding bargains. There are rifles, handguns, and premium optics at deep discounts. Even premium Kahles, Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss optics are deeply discounted. If you want top-of-the-line equipment at the lowest possible price, check out EuroOptic’s YEAR END SALE today.
4. Brownells – Gift Center 2019 Major Savings
Brownells.com is always a perennial favorite for many shooters. Through the end of December, you can find many great bargains on Brownell’s Gift Center 2019. You’ll find great deals on rifles, reloading supplies, optics, gun parts and more. Or get a gift for a friend or family member. There’s bound to be something you need at significant discounts.
5. Bruno Shooters Supply — L.E. Wilson Reloading Tools Sale
L.E. Wilson makes outstanding tools and reloading dies. We use Wilson dies with our Arbor presses, and use Wilson Trimmers. Now you can save on the full line of Wilson dies and reloading tools. Bruno Shooters Supply is running a great Wilson Product Sale this month. There’s lots to choose from including case trimmers, die sets,and more.
6. Amazon — Wheeler Digital Trigger Pull Gauge, $54.31
Every serious shooter should have a good trigger gauge. The Wheeler digital trigger gauge is precise and repeatable, measuring pull weights up to 12 pounds, making it suitable for all types of firearms. The load cell directly contacts the trigger making it extremely accurate with +/- 0.2 ounce precision. There are two modes: “Peak” and “Live.” Peak mode shows max force for each pull and calculates the minimum, maximum and average pull weights. Live mode continuously shows the force on the sensor. It even has a special adapter for Savage-style triggers with bladed inserts.
7. Amazon — Chapman Tool Kit, $45.00
If you’re using cheap “box store” drivers and wrenches for your scopes, guns, dies, and presses then you’re risking damage. You need proper, quality tools to do the job right and the components in Chapman tool kits are exactly that. Choose from a variety of Champman Kit with multiple drivers. With these tools you can work on your fine firearms with confidence.
8. Longshot Target Cameras — All Systems on Sale!
Target cameras have come a long way in the last year or two and Targetvision is leading the charge with their Longshot camera systems. The top-end LR-3 System offers longer range (2 miles), higher resolution, and better software than you get with any other consumer target camera system. The Longshot systems have earned some of the highest reviews on the market and also have a ‘bulletproof’ option which guarantees a replacement in the event your unit gets shot.
9. Midsouth Shooters — Sparc AR Red Dot, $119.99
Not everyone needs a high-tech $500 red dot optic for their AR or shotgun. There are plenty of guys who just love having fun and want a red dot sight that does the job and the Sparc AR red dot is exactly that. Pick one up for a crazy low price of $119.99 and start having some fun today.
10. Amazon — MTM Cleaning Rod Case, $22.89
Good cleaning rods are expensive and can be easily damaged if you’re not careful. To protect those valuable cleaning rods, we recommend the MTM cleaning rod case which holds four rods as well as cleaning supplies. This case protects your rods both at home and while traveling. With this handy, durable case you can stop worrying about bending or breaking those important cleaning rods.
Earlier this year, CCI introduced a new type of .22 LR rimfire ammunition. CCI’s innovative Clean-22 Ammo features polymer-coated bullets. This is actually a pretty important development. The bullet coating on CCI’s new Clean-22 ammo provides three main benefits:
1. Copper fouling in the barrel is greatly reduced.
2. Lead fouling in the barrel is greatly reduced.
3. Lead build-up in suppressors is reduced by 60-80%.
CCI offers two versions of Clean-22 ammo: High Velocity (944CC, 1235 FPS MV) and Subsonic (934CC, 1070 FPS MV). Both feature 40gr lead bullets with polymer coatings. The High Velocity ammo has red-coated bullets, while the Subsonic has blue-coated bullets. MSRP for both is $9.95 for 100 rounds. This ammo is available right now from TargetSportsUSA for $6.99 per 100ct High Velocity or 100ct Subsonic.
Clean-22 High Velocity: 1235 FPS | Clean-22 Subsonic: 1070 FPS
Clean-22 Ammo with Polymer-Coated Bullets
Clean-22 uses an exclusive polymer bullet coating to greatly reduce copper and lead fouling in the barrel without leaving a residue. It also cuts lead buildup in suppressors 60 to 80 percent. Both the Sub-Sonic and High Velocity loads feature a 40-grain round nose lead bullet with geometry that’s been optimized for accuracy. With dependable CCI priming and consistent propellant, Clean-22 provides reliable cycling through semi-automatics and all 22 LR firearms.
Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before — a rimfire tracer bullet split in half on the blade of a machete. This pistol trick shot is performed by 22Plinkster, an avid rifle/pistol shooter with a hugely popular YouTube Channel. This impressive split bullet demonstration was filmed with high-speed cameras. This lets you see the bullet fly onto the machete blade in slow motion, with red tracer particles streaming behind. And then a freeze-frame clearly shows the two bullet halves after they have passed through two balloons. Check it out:
The high-speed camera (which allows super slow-motion playback) was provided by RatedRR studios. The .22 LR tracer ammunition was provided by Piney Mountain Ammunition Company.
Watch .22 LR Tracer Shooting Montage (Shots Synced to Music):
Here’s a very cool video that shows .22 LR Rimfire Tracer Rounds shot at a variety of targets. There’s a nice musical background that adds to the entertainment value. This video has been viewed over 240,000 times with over 2600 “likes”!
Along with these popular cartridge types, DJ’s Brass can hydro-form 6 PPC, 30 PPC, 6 BRA, 30 BR, .260 AI, .284 Shehane and other wildcats.
Do you shoot a popular wildcat (such as the 6 BRA), but hate the hassle of fire-forming all your own cartridge brass? That takes time, costs money (in bullets and powder), and consumes precious barrel life. Well there IS a better solution — you can have your new brass hydro-formed to your exact specifications for a reasonable cost.
DJ’s Brass Service now offers custom case hydro-forming to your exact specs. Darrell Jones offers this service for a variety of popular cartridges: 6 PPC, 30 PPC, 30 BR, 6 BRA (BR Ackley), 6mm Grinch, 6 BRDX, 6 BRX, .260 Ackley, .284 Shehane and of course the very popular 6mm Dasher. After hydro-forming your brass, Darrell can also neck-up or neck-down the cases to meet your needs. For example, if you shoot a 22 Dasher, Darrell can hydro-form the cases to a 6 Dasher and then neck them down to .22 caliber. He can also turn the necks to your specs (for an additional charge).
Darrell is a hydro-forming wizard who has perfected the process over the last couple of years. He has learned a few special techniques along the way to ensure uniform case-forming.
Without revealing any trade secrets, we can say the Darrell has very special dies and Darrell doesn’t use a mallet or hammer — he has a system that is much more consistent. Darrell tells us: “Many of my customers take this brass and load it ‘as is’ and go straight to a match and shoot some very nice groups.”
With Darrell’s hydro-forming service you don’t have to buy any special dies or other equipment. Darrell says: “Simply send me the brass you need or have it dropped-shipped to me along with a fired case that has not been sized. If you need formed brass for a new build (gun not yet fired), let me know and I will size the brass to fit within .001 of a PT&G GO gauge.”
Hydro-forming by Darrell costs $0.60 (sixty cents) per case with a minimum order of $60. Neck-turning is an additional $0.60 (sixty cents) per case (or $0.75 for magnums) plus actual return shipping. The turnaround is usually less than five days.
NOTE: After cases are hydro-formed by Darrell, every case is washed, cleaned and re-annealed. This cleaning and annealing process is included in the $0.60 (sixty cents) per case price — that’s all part of the Hydro-forming service.
For more information, visit DJsBrass.com, or call Darrell at (205) 461-4680. IMPORTANT: Contact Darrell for shipping instructions BEFORE sending brass for processing. In a hurry, don’t have time? Just call Darrell and he’ll make something work for you.
Hydro-Forming Customer Reports
Here are testimonials from recent customers.
“Recently had Darrell Jones of DJ’s Brass Service hydro-form 6 BRX brass for me. The turn around time was very fast and the brass was to the exact specification I ask for. I actually shot the hydro-formed brass in a match [without further fire-forming]. It shot a 3.597″ — pretty amazing. Let DJ do the work for you!” — Mike Wilson (3 Time IBS Record Holder; 2013 and 2014 1000-yard IBS Shooter of the Year.)
“Darrell Jones of DJ’s Brass Service went far beyond the call of duty, to assist me [with my first] IBS match. I have had an interest in 1000-yard competition for many years and finally got the opportunity to try it. After researching the winning competitors, rifles, and rounds I ordered a Panda action with Krieger barrel in 6mm Dasher from Kelby’s. It was one week before the match and I had a rifle and no rounds. I contacted Darrell to hydraulically form 6mm Dasher from Lapua 6mm BR brass. He formed the brass and had it in the mail the next day[.] Since I have only reloaded for hunting or magazine fed rifles I was not familiar with proper seating to allow land engagement of the bullets for 1000-yard accuracy. Darrell took the time to advised me every step of the way to allow me to shoot a 3.158″ (5) shot group to win my first round of my first competitive match ever.” — Mike Youngblood
A hot new 6.5mm match bullet has arrived — the Berger 144-grain Hybrid. This new 144-grainer, officially called the Long Range Hybrid Target (LRHT), features a formed meplat (bullet tip) for more consistent Ballistic Coefficient (BC). With its new MRT (Meplat Reduction Technology) nose, the new 144gr LRHT boasts a high-BC, “jump-tolerant” hybrid ogive profile along with an extremely consistent BC. In fact, Doppler Radar testing confirms less than 1% BC variation from bullet to bullet. While a high BC is of course desirable for competitive shooting, shot-to-shot BC consistency is most critical when engaging targets to 600 yards and beyond. The 144’s BC numbers are very impressive for a 6.5mm bullet: 0.655 G1 and 0.336 G7.
AccurateShooter.com plans to test these new 144s very soon — we’ve sent some to championship-level shooters. The new 144s should prove very popular. These bullets are optimized for leading accuracy and long-range cartridges such as 6.5mm Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua, Remington .260, 6.5-284, and 6.5 PRC among others. NOTE: Berger states that the new 144gr LRHT offers the same stability factor as Berger’s 140gr Hybrid Target. Accordingly, the new 144-grainer can be considered a “direct replacement” for the proven Berger 140gr Hybrids. And YES, the 144gr LRHT will work in 1:8″-twist barrels.
“The 6.5mm 144 Grain LRHTs offer several advantages”, said Bryan Litz, Berger’s Chief Ballistician. “The ultra-sleek profile provides a higher Ballistic Coefficient (BC) resulting in less wind drift at all ranges. The proprietary MRT manufacturing process also provides a higher and more consistent BC, important for reducing dispersion at long range.”
“During our initial Doppler Radar testing we concluded that the new 6.5mm 144gr Long Range Hybrid Target bullets consistently displayed ballistic coefficients with standard deviations far less than one percent of the documented average” reports Garett Stoddard, Berger Engineer. “Driven at muzzle velocities typical for today’s popular 6.5mm cartridges, that variation translates to only a 2″ vertical group dispersion at 1000 yards. [This demonstrates] the advantage of the Meplat Reduction Technology, as well as the importance of ballistic coefficient consistency.”
The new 6.5mm 144 Grain Long Range Hybrid Target is the latest offering in Berger’s impressive Long Range Hybrid Target (LRHT) product line, which also includes .224-Cal and 6mm projectiles:
Meplat Reduction Technology for More Consistent BCs
Berger’s new 6.5mm 144gr Long Range Hybrid Target is designed to provide Benchrest, F-Class, and PRS enthusiasts a class-leading level of precision and consistency. Utilizing advanced/proprietary manufacturing processes, Berger’s Meplat Reduction Technology™ (MRT™) System applies controlled pressure along the projectile nose, producing a homogeneous and repeatable bullet profile. This yields what Berger claims are “the industry’s most consistent Ballistic Coefficients (BC)”.
The Berger 6.5mm 144 Grain Long Range Hybrid Target™ Bullets will be available very soon at authorized Berger Retailers. Use the Berger Dealer Locator to find a store near you.
Figure 1. When the bullet is seated farther out of the case, there is more volume available for powder. This enables the cartridge to generate higher muzzle velocity with the same pressure.
Effects Of Cartridge Over All Length (COAL) And Cartridge Base To Ogive (CBTO) – Part 1 by Bryan Litz forBerger Bullets.
Many shooters are not aware of the dramatic effects that bullet seating depth can have on the pressure and velocity generated by a rifle cartridge. Cartridge Overall Length (COAL) is also a variable that can be used to fine-tune accuracy. It’s also an important consideration for rifles that need to feed rounds through a magazine. In this article, we’ll explore the various effects of COAL, and what choices a shooter can make to maximize the effectiveness of their hand loads.
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI)
Most loading manuals (including the Berger Manual), present loading data according to SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) standards. SAAMI provides max pressure, COAL and many other specifications for commercial cartridges so that rifle makers, ammo makers, and hand loaders can standardize their products so they all work together. As we’ll see later in this article, these SAAMI standards are in many cases outdated and can dramatically restrict the performance potential of a cartridge.
Bullet seating depth is an important variable in the accuracy equation. In many cases, the SAAMI-specified COAL is shorter than what a hand loader wants to load their rounds to for accuracy purposes. In the case where a hand loader seats the bullets longer than SAAMI specified COAL, there are some internal ballistic effects that take place which are important to understand.
Effects of Seating Depth / COAL on Pressure and Velocity
The primary effect of loading a cartridge long is that it leaves more internal volume inside the cartridge. This extra internal volume has a well known effect; for a given powder charge, there will be less pressure and less velocity produced because of the extra empty space. Another way to look at this is you have to use more powder to achieve the same pressure and velocity when the bullet is seated out long. In fact, the extra powder you can add to a cartridge with the bullet seated long will allow you to achieve greater velocity at the same pressure than a cartridge with a bullet seated short.
When you think about it, it makes good sense. After all, when you seat the bullet out longer and leave more internal case volume for powder, you’re effectively making the cartridge into a bigger cartridge by increasing the size of the combustion chamber. Figure 1 illustrates the extra volume that’s available for powder when the bullet is seated out long.
Before concluding that it’s a good idea to start seating your bullets longer than SAAMI spec length, there are a few things to consider.
Geometry of a Chamber Throat
The chamber in a rifle will have a certain throat length which will dictate how long a bullet can be loaded. The throat is the forward portion of the chamber that has no rifling. The portion of the bullet’s bearing surface that projects out of the case occupies the throat (see Figure 2).
The length of the throat determines how much of the bullet can stick out of the case. When a cartridge is chambered and the bullet encounters the beginning of the rifling, known as the lands, it’s met with hard resistance. This COAL marks the maximum length that a bullet can be seated. When a bullet is seated out to contact the lands, its initial forward motion during ignition is immediately resisted by an engraving force.
Seating a bullet against the lands causes pressures to be elevated noticeably higher than if the bullet were seated just a few thousandths of an inch off the lands.
A very common practice in precision reloading is to establish the COAL for a bullet that’s seated to touch the lands. This is a reference length that the hand loader works from when searching for the optimal seating depth for precision. Many times, the best seating depth is with the bullet touching or very near the lands. However, in some rifles, the best seating depth might be 0.100″ or more off the lands. This is simply a variable the hand loader uses to tune the precision of a rifle.
Are you feelin’ lucky? Well here’s your chance to win. For 12 Days in December (Dec. 9-20), Powder Valley is giving away thousands of dollars worth of products from big name suppliers. This is top-of-the-line stuff, including Powder from Accurate, Alliant, Hodgdon, Ramshot, and Vihtavuori, Bullets from Berry’s, Lapua, Nosler, Sierra, Speer, and Zero, Ammunition from Hornady, Nosler, and Zero, plus Reloading Hardware from Hornady. Each day there will be a new set of prizes.
On the first Day of Christmas this year (12/9/2019) Powder Valley offered FREE Shipping on orders over $49.00, plus a free “Koozie” gift. Today, December 10th, the Second Day of Christmas, you’ll have a chance to win a Hornady LNL Classic Kit or Hornady Ammunition.
To enter the give-away contest, you need to visit Powder Valley’s Facebook Page and post a comment. Winners will be selected by lottery from those who comment as instructed. Each successive day, through December 20th, there will be another product giveaway post. On some of the 12 days Powder Valley will have additional discounts and/or FREE HazMat offers.
Powder Valley Daily Giveaway — New Prizes Every Day
For the Daily Powder Valley Contests, you need to go to the Powder Valley Facebook Page and post a Facebook Comment for the Daily Prize story. You don’t have to fill out any forms, but you must have a Facebook account so you can comment. You can enter multiple times by commenting on multiple days, but sorry, if you win, you are no longer eligible.
NOTE: You MUST post your comment on Powder Valley’s Facebook Site, NOT HERE. And you need to comment each day on the featured Daily Giveaway Post to be entered in that particular day’s contest. To have repeat chances to win you need to comment on multiple days. Got it?
Each day the folks at Powder Valley will select winners from among the visitors who commented. In days ahead there can be multiple daily winners. And on Day 12 there will be very special prize give-aways including Powder Valley Gift certificates.
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. Walmart — 80th Anniversary Red Ryder BB Gun, $24.47
Who can forget the 1983 movie “The Christmas Story” which focused on young Ralphie Parker’s overwhelming desire for a Red Ryder BB gun. The year 2020 marks the 80th year in production for Daisy’s classic Red Ryder BB gun. And now it is available in an 80th Anniversary Special Edition for just $24.47 at Walmart. If you want one of these for a young shooter in the family, act soon — these are selling fast.
2. Amazon — Teslong Borescope $49.99 or NEW $74.99 WiFi Version (iOS Apple, Android, and Windows Capable)
Video Review of Teslong WiFi Version:
The impressive Teslong digital borescope has been a huge success. This compact, electro-optical, cable-type borescope outputs sharp, high-resolution images and VIDEO to desktop computers, laptops, as well as Android tablets and smartphones. Check out our Full Teslong Review complete with inside-the-barrel videos. NOTE: There is a NEW WiFi Version that works with Apple iPhones and iPads, as well as all other WiFi devices and tablets. Get the Wifi Teslong for $74.99.
3. Midsouth Shooters — Berger Bullets 10% Off Sale
Berger Bullets are proven winners for all forms of centerfire rifle competition and Berger hunting projectiles are also excellent. Now you can save on high-quality Berger bullets through the end of this December. Visit Midsouth Shooters this month to get 10% Off All Berger Bullets in stock. This sale covers both competition and hunting bullets.
The Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) is hard to beat for the price among entry-level chassis rifles. And here is one of the best prices for an RPR that we’ve ever seen. If you’re in the market for an RPR, grab this .308 Win RPR for a just $783.82. If you’re looking for a 6mm version, check out this Ruger Precision Rifle in 6mm Creedmoor for $995.99.
5. Tractor Supply — Cannon 40-Gun Safe $649.99
The Cannon TS5934 40-Gun Safe, has a large 19.1-cubic foot capacity with an impressive 45-minute fire rating. This beefy 497-lb safe features 8 locking bolts and TRUlock internal hinges. This safe includes a door organizer kit and attractive interior upholstery, adjustable shelving, and a chrome 5-spoke handle. This is a great value at $649.99. On the outside, the safe is 59″ high and 34″ inches wide.
6. EuroOptic.com — HUGE Nikon Scope Close-Out Sale
EuroOptic.com is running a huge close-out sale on quality Nikon riflescopes. This sale includes the excellent Black FX1000 (FFP), and Black X1000 (SFP) tactical scopes, plus the M-Tactical and P-Tactical series optics. If you are looking for a great tactical or hunting scope at a crazy low price, head over to EuroOptic this week. For example the 4-16x50mm FX1000 MRAD is marked down from $749.95 to just $369.95, a 50% savings! And the 2-7x32mm P-Tactical and M-Tactical series scopes are just $99.95! Nikon scope mounts are also discounted.
7. Amazon — RCBS Explorer Plus Reloading Kit, $373.99
Here’s a great Reloading Kit for someone getting started in reloading, or for folks who need a compact secondary press plus accessories. Right now you can get the RCBS Plus Reloading Kit for just $373.99 on Amazon.
8. Midsouth Shooters — Lyman Case Prep Center, $114.99
Case prep is key to consistent accuracy, so a powered prep center is a good investment. Midsouth Shooters now has the 5-station Lyman Case Prep Center for $114.99 on SALE. With this Case Prep Center you can save time, and reduce repetitive hand fatigue dramatically. This is a real bargain — this unit sells for up to $150.00 elsewhere.
9. Midsouth — Frankford Arsenal Perfect Primer Seater, $56.99
As part of its Christmas Sale, Midsouth has the Frankford Perfect Primer Seater Tool for $56.99 (21% Off). This is a GREAT primer seating tool. It has good feel, plenty of leverage, and the primer feed-from-tray works well. Importantly, it has a click-adjust wheel for precise primer seating depth control. Read our Frankford Primer Seating Tool Product Review by gunsmith Jim See. The tool comes complete with 12 precision shell holders.
10. Midsouth — Tipton 13-Piece Jag Kit, $11.99
The 13-piece Tipton Brass Jag Kit includes jags sized to fit all popular calibers from .17 to .45. Priced at just $11.99 at Midsouth, this handy Jag Kit is a perfect stocking stuffer for shooters in the family.
11. Amazon — Samsung 10.1″ Tablet plus 64GB card, $156.32
Need a budget-priced tablet for your TargetCam, Ballistics Apps, and Endoscope? Check out this Samsung 10.1″ Tablet Computer. It’s just $157.64 complete with 80GB of Ram (16GB onboard plus 64GB on MicroSD card). Or, if you don’t need the extra RAM, get the same tablet with 16GB onboard for $147.99. These are 2019 production tablets with modern Android OS.
Here’s a great “stocking stuffer” gift for your wife or girlfriend who enjoys shooting. For just $4.99 you can get a combo set of “high-fashion” ear muffs and ANSI-rated safety glasses. The comfortable, zebra-print muffs provide 21 dB of noise reduction. The stylish, tortoise-shell pattern Bella Ballistica™ shooting eyewear has passed MIL-PRF-31013 ballistic tests and meets ANSI Z87+ high-velocity requirements with a chic designer appearance. The lady in your life just might appreciate the stylish eyewear and distinctive muffs, earning you “bonus points”. And she’ll never suspect you only spent five bucks!
Here’s an early Christmas present to our readers — a selection of FREE printable precision and fun targets. You can download these targets as PDF files and then print them out on 8.5×11″ heavy paper.
AccurateShooter.com offers a cool page with over 50 FREE downloadable targets. You’ll find all types or FREE targets — sight-in targets, varmint targets, rimfire targets, bullseye targets, tactical targets, load development targets and more. CLICK HERE for all our free targets, including our LOAD DEV target.
We created the above target a decade ago. Since then it has been used by tens of thousands of shooters. It has proven very popular as a load development target, since all your load data fits neatly in the boxes under each target. In fact this target is being employed by both rifle-makers and barrel-makers (including Criterion) to test their products. The target was designed for aiming efficiency. The diamonds have 1/2″ sides and you can align your cross-hairs on the horizontal and vertical lines. It is a clean design that is easy to see even at 200 yards with a 20X scope. When we test, we usually crank in a little elevation, setting the point-of-impact higher, so that our shots fall in the gray circles. That way you leave the squares intact for precise aiming.
Versatile Targets with Multiple Aiming Points
We use the two targets below for load development and precision practice. For the left target, use the corners of the diamonds to align your cross-hairs precisely. The circle dot target (on the right) can also be used for informal rimfire competition at 50 yards. Right-Click Each Target to Download Printable PDFs.
Know-Your-Limits Target for Rimfire Training & Fun Matches
Here’s a rimfire training target with “big to small” target circles. Start with the largest circles, then move to the smaller ones in sequence. This systematic drill provides increasing challenge shot-by-shot. Novices often are quite surprised to see their accuracy improve as they move from bigger to smaller aiming points. That provides positive feedback — always a good thing.
Right Click and “Save as” to download printable PDF versions of target.
FREE NSSF Fun Targets — Dartboard, Golf, Billiards, Bowling Etc.
To help our readers have more fun during National Shooting Sports Month, here are a dozen FREE Targets from the NSSF. Along with Bullseye targets, there are some very cool specialty targets here, including a Golf Course Target, Baseball Diamond Target, Billiards Target, Light Bulb Target, Bowling Pin Target, and even a Windmill Target. Enjoy the myriad possibilities with these 12 fun targets.
Quality Paper Stock Is Important
If you want your self-printed targets to show shots cleanly (and not rip when it gets windy), you should use quality paper stock. We recommend card stock — the kind of thick paper used for business cards. Card stock is available in both 65-lb and 110-lb weights in a variety of colors. We generally print black on white. But you might experiment with bright orange or yellow sheets. Forum Member ShootDots report: “They sell cardstock at Fed-Ex Kinko! I use either Orange or Yellow. That makes it easy to see bullet holes clearly.”
Here are some Target-Printing Tips from our Forum members:
“Staples sells a 67-lb heavy stock that I have settled on. I use the light grey or light blue, either of these are easy on the eyes on bright days. I have used the 110-lb card stock as well and it works fine. It’s just a little easier to print the lighter stuff.” (JBarnwell)
“Cardstock, as mentioned, works great for showing bullet holes as it doesn’t tear or rip like the thin, lightweight 20-lb paper. I’ve never had a problem with cardstock feeding in the printer, just don’t stick too many sheets in there. If I need three targets, I load only three card stock sheets”. (MEMilanuk)
“20-lb bond works pretty well for me if I use a spray adhesive and stick the entire back of the paper’s surface to the backer board.” (Lapua40X)
Darrell is a hydro-forming wizard who has perfected the process over the last couple of years. He has learned a few special techniques along the way to ensure uniform case-forming.
Effects Of Cartridge Over All Length (COAL) And Cartridge Base To Ogive (CBTO) – Part 1
