Cabelas.com is currently running an Ammo Sale, with prices on some items are reduced up to 30%. In addition, now through July 19th, mechandise orders of $150.00 or more can be shipped for just $5.00. (Note, this does NOT apply to firearms sales,there may be additional charges for heavy items, and gift card purchases don’t qualify.) Some of the better deals are listed below:
Federal 7.62×51 (.308 Win) Gold Medal Match
Loaded with 175gr Sierra Match Kings
Item: IK-218116, $21.99 on Sale (20 rounds)
Federal 5.56 NATO Ammunition with Ammo Can
Loaded (on stripper clips) with 62gr green-tip bullets
Item: IK-218085, $150.99 on Sale (420 rounds)
Federal American Eagle .40 S&W with Ammo Can
Loaded with 165gr FMJ bullets
Item: IK-218023, $129.99 on Sale
E. Arthur Brown has just started stocking Barnes Bullets. To promote this new line of projectiles, EABCO is offering “Lowest Introductory Internet Prices” on some of Barnes’ most popular bullets: Triple Shock (TSX), Tipped Triple Shock (TTSX), and Varmint Grenade. The folks at EABCO explained: “We figured the best way to launch our Barnes Bullet Line would be to offer the most popular bullets at the lowest prices. The good people at Barnes gave us a ranking by sales volume, so we picked the top 20 (and added three personal favorites), to come up with the listing you see on the right”.
Ship Up to 20 Boxes of Bullets for Just $8.00
To sweeten the deal, EABCO is offering flat-rate USPS shipping. EABCO will charge just $8.00 to ship up to 20 boxes of bullets. Mix and match bullet types and bullet brands if you want. The $8.00 shipping offer applies to Berger, Hornady, and Lapua bullets also. But you need to select “$8 Bullets Only Shipping” during check-out. If you buy a large quantity of bullets, you can save a bundle with that shipping offer.
Qualities of Barnes Bullets
TSX bullets are widely known for their accuracy, consistent expansion on impact, and solid, weight retention. The “Triple Shock” name refers to the three grooves formed into the bearing surface. The Tipped Triple Shock is an enhanced-BC version of the Triple Shock with a polymer tip instead. Barnes claims that the higher BC of the TTSX tipped bullets provides a flatter trajectory for long-range shots. The popular lead-free Varmint Grenade bullets combine a composite (lead/tin) frangible core with a hollow cavity and copper jacket. These are designed to virtually disintegrate inside predators, minimizing pelt damage. Watch the video below for a dramatic demonstration of how Varmint Grenades perform when launched a very high velocities.
In this article, Bryan analyzes the design of long-range bullets, from .22 to .30 caliber. He notes that while 30-caliber bullets can have very high ballistic coefficients, 30-caliber bullets must be very heavy to match the BCs of the 6.5mm and 7mm projectiles. As the chart below shows, it takes a 240gr 30-caliber bullet to match the G7 BC of a 180gr 7mm VLD. But most 30-caliber shooters don’t use those ultra-heavy projectiles because the recoil is excessive and because it takes a monster cartridge burning lots of powder to drive 240-grainers to optimal velocities. Litz notes: “Heavy recoiling rifles are harder to shoot accurately. Even if a shooter overcomes the mental aspect of heavy recoil, the ‘system’ is more sensitive to minor imperfections in shot execution. This may be another reason that drives .30 cal shooters down to the ‘middleweight’ 190-grain class bullets instead of the proportionally heavy 220-240 grain bullets.”
Litz concludes that the heavy 7mm bullets are a better choice than the biggest 30-calibers (except in unlimited weight “heavy guns” where recoil is not a factor.) Bryan writes: “Even a moderate 7mm chambering is capable of delivering 2800 to 3000 fps with the heavy 7mm bullets, much faster with magnums. The heaviest .30 cal bullet requires a big magnum just to get to 2800 fps. So the first problem is: you can’t get the heavy .30 cal bullets going as fast as the heavy 7mm bullets! Even if you could get the same muzzle velocities from the heavy .30 cal bullets, it would take much more powder to do it, barrel life would suffer, and you’ve only achieved parity with the 7mm. The various negative effects of the incredible recoil are really just the ‘nail in the coffin’ for the heavy .30 caliber bullets.”
Bryan’s Updated Second Edition Ballistics Book
If you are interested in learning more about bullet design and ballistics, check out Bryan’s book, Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting. This highly-respected resource, now in its second edition, includes experimentally-measured Ballistic Coefficient (BC) data for over 236 long range bullets of various makes. The new edition of Applied Ballistics was upsized to 7″x10″ and Bryan added two new chapters, while updating the existing chapters. Bryan’s book comes complete with a CD containing Version 2.0 of the Point Mass Ballistics Solver. CLICK HERE to order Litz’s book and CD for $49.95.
Powder Valley Inc., one of our favorite vendors of powder, primers, and other reloading components, is offering a great Independence Day Deal. If you order online on the 4th of July, you will get 10% off the cost of your entire order. That’s right — 10% off everything you order. But note, this is a one-day deal only. Orders must be placed via the web on the 4th of July, between the hours of 12:00 AM and 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Powder Valley 4th of July Sale
In celebration of our great nation and independence!!! 24 Hour Special Only — CLICK HERE
10% off entire order placed online on the 4th of July.
Order must be placed online between the hours of 12:00 AM and 11:59 PM EDT July 4, 2011. It is best to place your order using Internet Explorer. Only orders completed during these hours will receive a 10% discount. NO EXCEPTIONS! Note: this does not apply to Hazmat fees or shipping charges.
Norma has updated and enhanced its website at www.norma.cc/en/ (the ‘en’ is for English version). Among the many new site features is Norma’s “Ammo Academy”, a technical resource that provides information on: Ballistics, Powder Storage, Barrel Wear, and Bullet Expansion. In addition, the Ammo Academy now links to Norma’s Reloading Data Center, where you’ll find loads for nearly 70 cartridge types including: .223 Rem, .22-250, 6mmBR Norma, 6XC, 260 Rem, 6.5-284, 6.5×55, 7mm-08, .270 Win, .284 Win, .308 Win, .30-06, 300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua Mag and dozens more.
The Ammo Academy’s Ballistics section contains some fascinating technical facts:
After the trigger is pulled, it takes around 0.005 seconds before the firing pin reaches the primer.
From the firing of the primer it takes 0.0015-0.002 seconds until the bullet exits the muzzle.
When the bullet leaves the muzzle, the hot gases surround and overtake the bullet, continuing the acceleration for a few centimeters.
Because the barrel is always angled slightly upwards, the bullet’s flight starts about 3-5 cm below the line of sight.
Norma also offers some good advice about Powder and Cartridge Storage:
To maintain the product quality for as long as possible, you have to keep the powder in a suitable place under suitable conditions. Where possible, store the powder at a constant temperature, ideally between 12 and 15°C (54°F to 59°F), and a relative humidity of 40–50%. If the air is too dry, it will dry out the powder, which will cause the pressure to be higher, thus affecting performance. Also make sure that you close the powder container properly afterwards. Cartridges should be stored under the same ambient conditions to maintain their quality.
Nosler’s running a special sale right now on over-run brass and bullets. There are some very good deals on rifle brass, including .223 Remington brass at $29.95/100 — that’s 46% off Nosler’s regular price. 6.5×55 Swede brass is also deeply discounted to $31.95 — down from $51.00 per 50-count box. Other types of brass on sale are: 30-378 ($54.95), 340 Weatherby ($34.95), and .338 Lapua Magnum ($54.95 for 25 cases). That’s an attractive price for quality .338 LM brass.
Bulk-Pack Bullet Bargains
Nosler’s summer savings aren’t limited to brass supplies. Nosler is offering low-cost, 250-count bulk packs of Custom Competition Grade bullets. The 69gr, .224-cal bullets are just $46.95, marked down from $61.00. And the 190gr, .308-cal bullets are just $69.95 for 250 projectiles (reduced from $91.00). Log on to Nosler.com to check out this over-stock savings.
We reported last week that both Sinclair Int’l and Brownells have commenced selling loaded ammunition. Both vendors now carry a full selection of rimfire and centerfire ammo, for pistols, rifles, and shotguns. This is the first time in Brownells’ 70-year history that it is selling ammunition. To promote the new ammo sales program, Brownells is offering a 5% discount on your entire order, if it includes ammunition. That’s right — if you purchase some ammo, you get 5% off EVERYTHING in your order (which can include tools, gun parts, supplies, you name it). But wait, there’s more — for all orders over $199.00 that contain ammunition, Brownells’ will also kick in FREE SHIPPING.
Use Discount CodeCXL
To get the 5% off and Free Shipping on $199.00+ orders, use Code CXL on check-out. To make this perfectly clear, so long as you purchase at least one box of ammo, you get 5% off your whole order. Can’t complain about that! But be advised — this is a limited time offer — Brownells is reserving the right to terminate these special offers after next week. So act now if you want to save 5% on your entire Brownells order.
Graf’s is running a cool special right now on CCI and Federal primers. If you purchase any two (2) cases of primers listed below, Graf’s will pay the $25 Hazardous Materials Fee. One case of primers contains five, 1000-count boxes of primers. The discounted sale prices, plus the free Hazmat Fee, makes this a very good deal — provided you need a whole bunch of primers. Qualifying primer types are: CCI500, CCIBR4, CCIM34, FDGM155M, FD215, FDGM200M, FDGM205M. Note the Fed 205M (match) primers are on sale for $149.99 per case, which works out to $30 per thousand. Kick in the free Hazmat and that’s very competitive pricing.
To take advantage of this deal, you may want to bundle an order with one of your shooting buddies — or perhaps organize a group buy with other members of your shooting club. And here’s the good news — that FREE Hazmat will cover other items (such as powder) up to a total weight of 50 lbs. of hazardous materials. For example, let’s say your two cases of primers weighs 20 pounds (boxed) — then you’ll have 30 pounds of free hazmat “coverage” left.
Here’s the Fine Print
Note — These prices only apply to internet purchases. The offer is limited to ONE free Hazmat fee per order. All ordered items must be in stock. To qualify, orders must be able to ship via FedEx Ground.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
Bruno Shooters Supply is selling Federal 205M Small Rifle Match primers for just $27.95 per 1000-ct box. That’s a very attractive price — just a couple years ago, these primers were very hard to find, and were selling for nearly fifty bucks per box. Now Bruno’s has 205Ms available for immediate delivery at prices that are $10.00 – $12.00 per box cheaper than some other major vendors. If you prefer the 205Ms for your .223 Rems, PPCs, BRs and 6.5×47 Lapuas, here’s a chance to grab a good supply without breaking the bank. Note, however, that the $27.95/box price does NOT include shipping and hazmat fee. To order these primers, call Amy Bruno at 1-800-455-0350, or (623) 587-7641, or log on to www.Brunoshooters.com.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
FNH USA is kicking off the summer with an attractive “free ammo” promotion, designed to spur sales of FNH rifles and pistols. (FNH USA is the sales and marketing arm of FN Herstal, S.A., Belgium.) Here’s the deal: if you purchase selected models of FN rifles, pistols and carbines between June 27 and August 31, 2011, FNH USA will reimburse you up to $150.00 for ammunition purchased at the same time from the same dealer.
Here’s how the FNH “free ammo” deal works. If you buy a new FN FNAR rifle, an FN SCAR™ 16S carbine or an FN FS2000 carbine, you’ll be reimbursed for up to $100.00 in free ammo. If you purchase BOTH a new FN PS90 carbine AND a new FN Five-seveN® pistol and you’ll get up to $150.00 in free ammo.
If you needed a little extra incentive to add an FNH gun to your collection, perhaps this offer will seal the deal. You can even explain to the wife: “…but honey, just think how much money I’m saving on ammo by spending $4k on a rifle.”
If this deal seems attractive, don’t delay — the offer expires August 31, 2011. Visit FNH’s dealer locator to find an FNH USA retail dealer near you and CLICK HERE to learn more about the Free Ammo offer and to download official rebate forms.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
Cabelas.com is currently running an Ammo Sale, with prices on some items are reduced up to 30%. In addition, now through July 19th, mechandise orders of $150.00 or more can be shipped for just $5.00. (Note, this does NOT apply to firearms sales,there may be additional charges for heavy items, and gift card purchases don’t qualify.) Some of the better deals are listed below:
Litz concludes that the heavy 7mm bullets are a better choice than the biggest 30-calibers (except in unlimited weight “heavy guns” where recoil is not a factor.) Bryan writes: “Even a moderate 7mm chambering is capable of delivering 2800 to 3000 fps with the heavy 7mm bullets, much faster with magnums. The heaviest .30 cal bullet requires a big magnum just to get to 2800 fps. So the first problem is: you can’t get the heavy .30 cal bullets going as fast as the heavy 7mm bullets! Even if you could get the same muzzle velocities from the heavy .30 cal bullets, it would take much more powder to do it, barrel life would suffer, and you’ve only achieved parity with the 7mm. The various negative effects of the incredible recoil are really just the ‘nail in the coffin’ for the heavy .30 caliber bullets.”
Powder Valley 4th of July Sale
