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.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Graf & Sons — Frankford Arsenal F-1 Press, $103.99
⏺ Versatile press, good primer exit, plus built-in light
Here’s a handy, single-stage press with some cool features. The Frankford Arsenal F-1 press has an open front for easy case placement, plus a built-in LED lamp at the top. And after decapping, spent primers go straight down a tube into a handy, clear, twist-off catch cylinder (as on a Forster Co-Ax). We think this would be an excellent secondary press used for decapping or bullet seating. Priced at just $103.99 at Graf & Sons — this press is a GREAT deal, but act quick, supplies are limited. NOTE: This press does NOT have primer seating capability — you must prime cases with a separate tool. Also, the power cord for the LED light is NOT included. CLICK HERE for full Frankford Arsenal F-1 Press Review.
2. Brownells — Weekly Deals on Guns, Optics, Actions and More
⏺ Major savings on hundreds of products — actions, optics, rifles, pistols
3. Palmetto SA — Savage Axis XP Rifle with Scope, $520.00
⏺ Great deal on Savage Camo hunting rifle with bore-sighted optic
Hunting season is starting soon. If you need a hunting rifle, consider a camo-stocked Savage Axis XP rifle, complete with mounted/bore-sighted Weaver 3-9x40mm scope. This has a nice camo stock plus a user-adjustable AccuTrigger. Total price, with scope, is just $469.99 for .223 Rem, .243 Win, and 7mm-08. Or get a long-action .270 Win Axis XP for $428.99 or a .30-06 Springfield Axis XP for $479.99. If you don’t need a camo stock you can get a scoped Savage Axis XP for just $368.99 in 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, and .308 Win. All these are great deals for a rugged, reliable rifle complete with scope.
4. EuroOptic — Trijicon Close-Out Scope Sale
⏺ Huge discounts on high-quality Trijicon scopes
While supplies last, save up to 57% on these Trijicon Tenmile and Credo Scopes on closeout! User reviews of these optics have been very positive. Choose the 3-9x40mm Trijicon Huron BDC Hunter for $449.99, the 6-24x50mm Tenmile FFP for $849.99 (great scope choice for PRS/NRL), or the innovative 1-8x28mm Trijicon Credo HX (good for ARs) for $999.99 (over $900 off!).
⏺ Fast, programmable, accurate dispenser at great price
The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper (#ad) 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 stores charge weights for different cartridges. This unit has a 7000-grain capacity with both auto and manual trickle capability. This $174.99 price is a good deal now — you save $55 (24%) off the typical $230 online price.
⏺ Save hundreds on advanced optics with built-in rangefinders
The Burris Eliminator III is a 4-16x50mm optic with a built-in Laser Rangefinder. This rangefinding scope is now on sale for $699.99 at MidwayUSA, a 49% savings off the original $1399.99 price. Plus the newer Eliminator IV model is now just $885.00, a 49% savings. We really like these units for varmint hunting — you can instantly range the critters, with the vertical hold shown by a red dot in the reticle.
7. Midsouth — Bulk Tipped Bullets Sale, 250 for $42 and up
⏺ Super deal on good bullets for varmint hunting and ARs
Varmint hunters may shoot hundreds of rounds in a day, and AR competitors will run through many magazines in multi-gun matches. If you are a high-volume .22 cal centerfire shooter, here’s a great bullet deal at Midsouth. Get 250 55gr poly-tipped bullets for $41.99 — just 17 cents per bullet. Or get 250 poly-tipped 62-grainers for $44.99 — 18 cents each. If you want a heavier .22 cal poly-tipped bullet, Midsouth has 250ct packs of 75-grainers for $49.99, 20 cents per bullet. In addition to the .22 cal bargains, there are also 110gr .308 cal poly-tip bullets on sale at $64.99 for 250.
⏺ Great price on versatile rapid access 2-gun security safe
If you want handy storage for two handguns or one pistol, watches, and other valuables, consider this SnapSafe 2-Gun Keypad Vault, now just $69.99 at Grafs.com (46% off). Along with the keypad, there is a backup rotary key lock. The spring-loaded door opens immediately with your programmable code. A protective foam liner safeguards contents, the interior shelf is removable, and the base is pre-drilled so the vault can be bolted in place. This is a great deal — the very same SnapSafe 2-gun vault costs $134.99 right now at MidwayUSA — nearly twice as much.
9. MidwayUSA — Plano Protector Pro-Max Rifle Case, $30.29
⏺ Good price on a sturdy, 52″ interior transport case for long rifles
Do you have a long-barreled hunting or varmint rifle? With a 52″ internal size, this Plano Protector Pro-Max Rifle Case handles rifles with barrels up to 30″ (or 31″ with a thin buttplate). On the inside the case has high-density, interlocking foam padding. On the outside, the case has four clamps, padlock tabs, and a handy carry handle. NOTE: This case will work well for normal trips to the range. However, you’ll want a thicker, more sturdy TSA-approved case for airline transport.
10. Palmetto SA — Walker’s Muffs + Safety Glasses, $15.99
⏺ Killer deal on hearing and eye protection combo
Need basic hearing and eye protection? Or perhaps you could use a spare set for friends you invite to the range? Check out this Walker’s Ultra Slim Muff & Glasses Combo. You get good quality 27dB NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) muffs AND a set of quality shooting glasses — all for just $15.99. That’s a great price for essential safety items. Shooters should always have both eye and ear protection whenever at the range.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
Berger Twist-Rate Stability Calculator On the Berger Bullets website you’ll find a handy Twist-Rate Stability Calculator that predicts your gyroscopic stability factor (SG) based on mulitiple variables: velocity, bullet length, bullet weight, barrel twist rate, ambient temperature, and altitude. This cool tool tells you if your chosen bullet will really stabilize in your barrel.
How to Use Berger’s Twist Rate Calculator
Using the Twist Rate Calculator is simple. Just enter the bullet DIAMETER (e.g. .264), bullet WEIGHT (in grains), and bullet overall LENGTH (in inches). On its website, Berger conveniently provides this info for all its bullet types. For other brands, we suggest you weigh three examples of your chosen bullet, and also measure the length on three samples. Then use the average weight and length of the three. To calculate bullet stability, simply enter your bullet data (along with observed Muzzle Velocity, outside Temperature, and Altitude) and click “Calculate SG”. Try different twist rate numbers (and recalculate) until you get an SG value of 1.4 (or higher).
Gyroscopic Stability (SG) and Twist Rate
Berger’s Twist Rate Calculator provides a predicted stability value called “SG” (for “Gyroscopic Stability”). This indicates the Gyroscopic Stability applied to the bullet by spin. This number is derived from the basic equation: SG = (rigidity of the spinning mass)/(overturning aerodynamic torque).
If you have an SG under 1.0, your bullet is predicted not to stabilize. If you have between 1.0 and 1.1 SG, your bullet may or may not stabilize. If you have an SG greater than 1.1, your bullet should stabilize under optimal conditions, but stabilization might not be adequate when temperature, altitude, or other variables are less-than-optimal. That’s why Berger normally recommends at least 1.5 SG to get out of the “Marginal Stability” zone.
In his book Applied Ballistics For Long-Range Shooting (3rd Ed.), Bryan Litz (Berger Ballistician) recommends at least a 1.4 SG rating when selecting a barrel twist for a particular bullet. This gives you a safety margin for shooting under various conditions, such as higher or lower altitudes or temperatures.
Story idea from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
The Pew Pew Tactical website has interesting article on rifle and pistol cartridges and bullet types. This contains a large selection of interesting photographs and illustrations. If you load and/or shoot for a wide variety of cartridge types, you’ll find that article well worth reading. It has nearly 50 photographs and more than a dozen short videos. READ FULL Article.
The article shows all types of pistol bullets, along with a variety of rifle projectiles. It even illustrates multiple types of shotshell cartridges.
The article also explains the basic components of modern cartridges –bullet, case, powder, and primer:
Photo courtesy Ammunitiontogo.com which sells ammo from many leading brands.
Popular Cartridge Types Profiled
The article provides quick summaries of popular ammunition types including 9mm Luger (9x19mm), .357 Magnum, .40 SW, .45 ACP, .223 Rem, and .308 Winchester. The author’s favorite pistol round is the 9mm Luger: “9mm is my personal favorite and if there was a “Goldilocks” round, this would be it. The very first gun I bought was a 9mm. They’re fun at the range. They’re good for defense. It is the standard round for NATO countries and the majority of police forces around the world. It is mild shooting, can vary in weight from 115 to 147 grains, and has varying stopping power based on the type of bullet.”
This Pew-Pew Tactical guide to cartridge types also provides a quick explanation of cartridge ignition — both centerfire and rimfire: “The rimfire’s primer is built into the rim while the centerfire cartridge has the primer in the center. Pro tip — if you can see a circle in the middle…it’s a centerfire cartridge.”
There are two common types of centerfire primers — Boxer and Berdan. This helpful Wikipedia illustration shows how Boxer, Berdan, and rimfire primers ignite the powder in the cartridge:
This centerfire and rimfire ignition animation is by BBODO – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.
Ever wondered what caused a particular bulge or marking on a case? And more importantly, does the issue make the case unsafe for further use? Sierra Bullets Ballistic Technician Duane Siercks offers some insight into various issues and their causes in two Case Diagnostic articles from the Sierra Blog.
Incipient Case-Head Separation
This is a Winchester .308 Win case that has a real issue. This case has a very obvious incipient case head separation in the process of becoming a complete failure.
This is most commonly caused by over-sizing the case causing there to be excess headspace on the case. After a few firings and subsequent re-sizing, this case is just about ready to come completely apart. Proper die adjustment is certainly a requirement here. Of course this case is not safe to reuse.
Excessive Pressure (Load Too Hot)
If you will notice in the picture of the case rim, there are two pressure signs to notice. First, look at the primer. It is basically flattened to about the max of what could be considered safe. If this was the only pressure sign noted, I would probably be fine with this load, but would constantly keep an eye on it especially if I was going to use this load in warmer temperatures. This load could easily cross into the “excess pressure” realm very quickly.
There is another sign of pressure that we cannot ignore. If you’ll notice, there is an ejector mark apparent that is located over the “R” of the R-P headstamp. This absolutely tells us that this load would not have been in the safe pressure range. If there were any of these rounds loaded, they should not be fired and should be dis-assembled. This case should not be reloaded.
Split Case-Neck
Here we have an R-P .22-250 case that has died the death. Everything looks fine with this case except the neck is split. This case must be tossed.
A split neck is a normal occurrence that you must watch for. It is caused by work-hardening of the brass. Brass cases get harder with age and use. Brand new cases that are stored for a period of time can become hard enough that they will split like this case within one to two firings. I have had new factory loads do the same thing. Then as we resize and fire these cases repeatedly, they tend to get harder and harder. Eventually they will split. The life of the case can be extended by careful annealing practices. This is an issue that would need to be addressed in an article by itself. Of course this case is no longer usable.
In the classes that I teach, I try to use examples like this to let the students see what they should be looking for. As always, if we can assist you, whether you are new to reloading or very experienced, contact us here at Sierra Bullets by phone at 1-800-223-8799 or by email at sierra@sierrabullets.com.
Dented Case Body
Here we have a Lake City 7.62×51 (.308 Win.) case with two heavy marks/dents in the case body.
This one may be a bit of a mystery. It appears as if this case may have been caught in the action of a semi-auto rifle when the firearm jammed or the case failed to clear during the cycling process. I probably would not reload this case just to prevent any feeding problems. This also appeared to be a factory loaded round and I don’t really see any pressure issues or damage to the case.
Multiple Problems — Lake City 5.56×45 unknown year.
This case has suffered multiple failures and cannot be re-used. First its has have a very rounded shoulder that is split. Upon first look it was obvious that this round had been a victim of excess pressure. The firearm (perhaps an AR?) was apparently not in full battery, or there was possibly a headspace issue also. While taking a closer look, the primer was very flat and the outside radius of the primer cup had been lost. High pressure! Then I also noticed that there was an ejector mark on the case rim. This is most certainly an incident of excessive pressure. This case is ruined and should be discarded.
It is very important to observe and inspect your cases before each reloading. After awhile it becomes second nature to notice the little things. Never get complacent as you become more familiar with the reloading process. If ever in doubt, call Sierra’s Techs at 1-800-223-8799.
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.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Brownells — Labor Day Sale PLUS 15% Off Discount Code
⏺ Huge number of discounted items plus 15% savings with Code LD15
If you’re looking to save money on a wide range of shooting gear check out the Labor Day Sale at Brownells. Many items are on sale and you can get 15% off nearly everything in stock with Promo Code “LD15″ at checkout. Don’t miss this chance to grab quality gun parts and accessories on sale. NOTE: The Labor Day Sale deals and 15% discount end Monday, September 2, 2024 at 11:59 pm CDT.
2. Graf & Sons — Bushnell Optics Clearance Sale
⏺ Save 22% or more on scopes, binoculars, and more
Bushnell makes quality riflescopes, binoculars, spotters, and night vision units, and Bushnell offers a strong warranty. Right now get major savings on Bushnell optics with the Bushnell Clearance Sale at Graf’s. All the sale items are at least 22% off with savings up to 25%. For example, if you need a deer hunting scope, you can grab a Bushnell 3-9x40mm Trophy scope for just $105.78 a 22% savings. This Bushnell Sale is a great opportunity to get optics for your next project or hunt.
3. Amazon — Lyman 8-station Turret Press, $269.97
⏺ 8-station turret press is great for loading multiple cartridge types
The 8-station Lyman Brass Smith All-American 8 Press (#ad) is an impressive product. This sturdy turret press is made from heavy-duty cast iron. The 8-die station turret will hold up to four 2-die sets. Below the turret is a rigid cast iron frame, housing a 1″-diameter ram and compound linkage. NOTE: With a $269.97 price on Amazon, the 8-station Lyman is $130 cheaper than the $399.99 7-station Redding T-7. No question, that’s a significant price advantage.
4. Creedmoor Sports — Pre-Fit Criterion Barrels on Sale
⏺ Very accurate barrels for AR Platform, Garand, M1903-A3 and more
Pre-fit Criterion barrels are a great value. For $285 – $340 you can get a quality, accurate Criterion barrel that is threaded, chambered, and ready to install on your AR-15, M1 Garand, or M1903-A3. No special gunsmithing is required, though you should check the chamber length before you load ammo for the new barrel. This is a great option for GSSM match shooters and Service Rifle shooters. Go to Creedmoor Sports for these Criterion Pre-Fit Barrel Bargains.
5. Amazon — Lyman Case Prep Xpress, $144.96
⏺ Popular case prep machine with five stations
The popular Lyman Case Prep Xpress (#ad) has five stations (with a high-torque gear motor) so you can run multiple case prep tools on one machine. This allows you to chamfer cases inside and out, brush case-necks, clean/uniform primer pockets, and ream military crimps. The Case Prep Xpress ships with case neck brushes and multiple tool heads. Included with the machine are: Inside Deburr (VLD) Tool, Primer Pocket Uniformers (Sm/Lg), Primer Pocket Reamers (Sm/Lg), Primer Pocket Cleaners (Sm/Lg), Case Neck Brushes (.25, .30, .38, .45 Cal), and Clean-up Brush. A dump pan provides easy clean up of brass shavings.
6. Midsouth — Frankford Arsenal Tumbler Lite + Media, $109.99
⏺ Rugged, effective tumbler sold with or without media
Have you wanted to get a wet tumbler but don’t need a giant one? Consider the Frankford Arsenal Rotary Case Tumbler Lite. Choose either the basic model for $94.99 (no media) or the Combo Kit with two pounds of stainless media for $109.99. A compact version of the popular Frankford Platinum Series Tumbler, the Tumbler Lite can hold up to 300 pieces of .223 brass. With its proven durability and direct-drive electric motor, this is a good tumbler choice at a great price. It can be used with media or with just water and cleaning solution.
7. EuroOptic — Walther PPQ M2 9mm Pistol, $629.99
⏺ Save hundreds on great 9mm handgun for gun games
The Walther Q5 M2 Match — a great choice for IDPA and other action pistol competitions — has a very good trigger and impressive accuracy. It boasts fully adjustable LPA sights with a red fiber optic front. The slide can also take a Red Dot sight. The grip is comfortable and ergonomic, with interchangeable backstraps. We like the trigger much better than Glock triggers — this Walther has a clean trigger pull with fast reset. With this EuroOptic deal you can save $350.00 on the Walther Q5 M2 Match.
⏺ Comfortable slim NRR23 muffs with high-gain microphones
Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Shooting Earmuffs (#ad) amplify ambient noise for situational awareness yet provide good protection with a non-bulky design. These Razor Slim muffs have a good noise reduction rating (NRR) of 23 dB. (For optimal protection run plugs under the muffs.) The Razor series muffs feature Walker’s comfort fit headband for all-day shooting. NOTE: These are Amazon’s #1 Best Seller in Hunting & Shooting Earmuffs. This $38.80 price is a very good deal.
10. Amazon — REXBETI Digital Micrometer, $39.99
⏺ Very good unit for the price, with nice, large display
Want to upgrade to a digital micrometer? The EXBETI Digital Micrometer (#ad) is a great value at $39.99. This unit can provide ultra-precise measurements with 0.0001″ accuracy. The unit is easy to use and has a large, clear LCD display. This comes with a handy hard case for storage. NOTE — this type of micrometer does NOT work for measuring case-wall thickness. You’ll need a ball micrometer for that task.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
The Lapua Monarch Cup is a prestigious smallbore silhouette rifle competition with events in both the USA and Mexico. We congratulate Finland’s Marko Nikkos on winning the first event of the 2024 Lapua Monarch Cup. Nikkos, who scored a 107/120X shooting Lapua Midas+ ammo, edged out Team SK’s Jake Stine in a shootout to collect the $1,000 top prize. Over the three stages (sub-matches) of this event, Nikkos scored 33/40, 36/40, and 38/40, then winning in a final shootout.
The Lapua Monarch Cup is a two-leg, multi-national smallbore silhouette series with the winner earning the title of North American Champion. Competitors are scored by division (Master, AAA, AA, & A), giving all shooters an opportunity to benefit from $100,000 in cash and prizes. With such valuable awards for participants, the Lapua Monarch Cup is a hugely prestigious and popular competition in the smallbore silhouette shooting world.
The first segment of the Lapua Monarch Cup was conducted at the Ridgway Rifle Club in Ridgway, Pennsylvania at the 2024 NRA Smallbore Rifle Silhouette Championship, held July 28-30, 2024. The second leg of the Lapua Monarch Cup is slated for October 5-6, 2024 at the Club Saltillo in Mexico.
Basics of Smallbore Silhouette Competition
Smallbore Silhouette shooting is a fun and challenging shooting discipline that has competitors taking aim at a variety of steel chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams. Shooters, standing and unsupported, take aim at four banks of silhouettes at increasing distances, shooting 40 targets in all. For every silhouette knocked down, the competitor earns one point. Smallbore Silhouette competitors typically shoot at distances of 40, 60, 77, and 100 meters at metric matches.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Lapua Monach Cup, with information on rules, entries, and venues.
Many online vendors are running sales this Labor Day Holiday weekend. You’ll find score of products marked way down, plus discount codes that can save you 15% or more on your purchases. Some sales run through end-of-day (11:59 pm) on Monday September 2nd, while other Labor Day sales extend into next week. Be sure to check the sale schedules.
Brownells Labor Day Sale — 15% Off Plus Sale Pricing
Save now with Brownell’s Labor Day Sale which is already underway. You get 15% Off with Code LD15, plus there is special SALE Pricing on a vast selection of popular products. Act soon because the deals/discount ends Monday, September 2, 2024 at 11:59 pm CDT.
Sportsman’s Guide — Big Discounts and $50 Off $250+ Orders
For Labor Day weekend at Sportsman’s Guide there are 60% savings on select shooting accessories, 50% savings on some hunting gear, and 40% savings on select ammunition. In addition, you can get $50 off orders of $250 or more with coupon CODE SG4088. NOTE this coupon offer expires Sunday, September 1, 2024, the day BEFORE Labor Day. Also the discount code does NOT work with firearms and ammunition.
Bruno’s — No HazMat + $15 Shipping w/ $250 Powder/Primers
Need primers or reloading powder? Right you can get powder and or primers delivered for just $15 with FREE HazMat (that can save you up to $70 on HazMat and shipping). To qualify you must purchase at least $250 worth of powder and/or primers at Bruno Shooters Supply. In addition, right now Bruno’s is offering $100 off BAT, Kelbly, and Stiller actions that are currently in stock (online purchases only).
Midsouth — FREE HazMat OR Free Shipping Through 9/2/2024
Midsouth is running a Labor Day Weekend Special for orders of $99 or more. With code LD24HE you can get FREE HazMat. OR with code LD24SE you can get FREE Shipping. Again, please note, there is a minimum order. For An Order To Qualify For FREE Shipping (LD24SE) the order must include at least $99 of in-stock items up to 49 pounds in total weight. If order weight exceeds 50 lbs, shipping charges will be added. To get FREE Haz-Mat (LD24HE) the order must include at least $99 of in-stock HazMat items up to 49 pounds. This offer applies to lower 48 states only. Offers cannot be combined and the offers will NOT apply to backorders. These offers end 09/02/24 at 11:59pm CST.
Primary Arms Labor Day Sale — Major Discounts
Primary Arms is running a huge Labor Day Sale, with major brand discounts such as 15% off Eotech and Bonus Bucks on Vortex products. There are also major savings on thousands of products in stock. For example the Anderson A4 Lower is marked down from $233.69 to $94.99, a CMC AR Trigger is marked down from $174.00 to $99.99, and a Primary Arms Shooting mat is marked down from $49.99 to $19.99. This is a big sale, with new items appearing every few hours.
Sportsman’s WH — Big Savings on Hunting & Camping Gear
Right now Sportsman’s Warehouse is running a huge Labor Day Sale with all product types on sale. You’ll find big savings on tents, camping gear, backpacks, optics, outdoor clothing, boots and more. In addition, there are discounts on firearms and ammunition. Shown above are just a few of the notable deals. You can up to 40% during this sale. NOTE: Some of the “Hot Buys” expire on Monday 9/2/24.
Precision Reloading — 10% Off Order or $8 Shipping Promo
Precision Reloading has a dual-option promotion for Labor Day weekend. First you can get 10% OFF your order with Code 19224. Or you can use code 89224 to get flat-rate $8.00 shipping. If you are planning a significant purchase, say over $120.00, then take the 10% OFF deal. If you are purchasing a heavy item, or plan a relatively low-cost order, then it may be wise to take the shipping discount. Both these offers are good through 11:59 pm CT on 9/3/2024. These promotions “cannot be used on previous orders, sale items, or with any other offers.”
Creedmoor Sports — FREE Shipping on Orders $145+
Now through mid-day on Tuesday, Creedmoor Sports is providing FREE Ground Shipping on orders of $145.00 or more. NOTE: This is a limited-time offer through 12:00 pm (noon) on Tuesday 9/3/2024. Some exclusions apply: ammunition, tumbler media, plastic beads, portable air gun ranges, firearms, air rifles, and posters. Also all drop-shipped items (including all Giraud and Gracey products, CTK products, Big Shot Tumblers) are exempt.
BONUS: MidwayUSA Camo Tuesday on 9/3/2024
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, MidwayUSA will run its big Camo Tuesday™ Sale, with major discounts and FREE SHIPPING on select hunting gear. “With the arrival of hunting season, it’s finally time for one of our biggest sales of the year, Camo Tuesday,” said Adam Augustine, VP of eCommerce. MidwayUSA offers camouflage clothing for sale, as well as packs, hunting boots, ammunition, optics and more. CLICK HERE to preview Camo Tuesday™ offerings.
The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit published a series of reloading “how-to” articles on the USAMU Facebook page. A while back the USAMU’s reloading gurus looked at the subject of cartridge run-out and what can be done to produce straighter ammo. Tasked with producing thousands of rounds of ammo for team members, the USAMU’s reloading staff has developed smart methods for improving concentricity, even with budget-priced dies. For other hand-loading tips, visit the USAMU Facebook page.
Minimizing Runout with Standard Seating Dies
This USAMU article explains how to set up standard bullet seating dies dies to minimize Total Indicated Run-out (TIR). The loading process is described using a single-stage press since most handloaders have one. A high-quality run-out gauge is essential for obtaining consistent, accurate results.
Having sized, primed, and charged our brass, the next step is bullet seating. Many approaches are possible; one that works well follows. When setting up a standard seating die, insert a sized, trimmed case into the shellholder and fully raise the press ram. Next, back the seating stem out and screw the die down until the internal crimping shoulder touches the case mouth.
Back the die out ¼ turn from this setting to prevent cartridge crimping. Next, lower the press ram and remove the case. Place a piece of flat steel (or window glass, which is quite flat) on the shellholder and carefully raise the ram.
Place tension on the die bottom with the flat steel on the shellholder. This helps center the die in the press threads. Check this by gently moving the die until it is well-centered. Keeping light tension on the die via the press ram, secure the die lock ring. If one were using a match style, micrometer-type seating die, the next step would be simple: run a charged case with bullet on top into the die and screw the seating stem down to obtain correct cartridge OAL.
However, with standard dies, an additional step can be helpful. When the die has a loosely-threaded seating stem, set the correct seating depth but don’t tighten the stem’s lock nut. Leave a loaded cartridge fully raised into the die to center the seating stem in the die. Then, secure the stem’s lock nut. Next, load sample cartridges and check them to verify good concentricity.
One can also experiment with variations such as letting the seating stem float slightly in the die to self-center, while keeping correct OAL. The run-out gauge will show any effects of changes upon concentricity. However, this method has produced excellent, practical results as evidenced by the experiment cited previously. These results (TIR Study 2) will reproduced below for the reader’s convenience.
First, however, let’s examine run-out figures of some factory-loaded match ammunition. This should give readers who are new to TIR gauges some perspective about the TIR ranges one might encounter.
TIR Study 1: 50 rounds Lake City M852 Match 7.62mm
(168 gr. Sierra MatchKings)
0.000” – 0.001” = 2%
0.001” – 0.002” = 30%
0.002” – 0.003” = 16%
0.003” – 0.004” = 22%
0.004” – 0.005” = 14%
0.005” – 0.006” = 14%
0.006” – 0.007” = 0%
0.007” – 0.008” = 2%
TIR Study 2: 50 rounds of .308 match ammo loaded using carefully-adjusted standard dies, vs. 50 using expensive “Match” dies from the same maker.
Standard dies, TIR:
0.000” — 0.001” = 52%;
0.001”– 0.002” = 40%;
0.002”– 0.003” = 8%.
None greater than 0.003”.
Note: both samples were loaded using the O-Ring method, i.e. with a rubber O-Ring placed under the locking ring of the Full-length sizing die to allow that die to float.
These tips are intended to help shooters obtain the best results from inexpensive, standard loading dies. Especially when using cases previously fired in a concentric chamber, as was done above, top-quality match dies and brass can easily yield ammo with virtually *no* runout, given careful handloading.
When neck-turning cases, it’s a good idea to extend the cut slightly below the neck-shoulder junction. This helps keep neck tension more uniform after repeated firings, by preventing a build-up of brass where the neck meets the shoulder. One of our Forum members, Craig from Ireland, a self-declared “neck-turning novice”, was having some problems turning brass for his 20 Tactical cases. He was correctly attempting to continue the cut slightly past the neck-shoulder junction, but he was concerned that brass was being removed too far down the shoulder.
Craig writes: “Everywhere I have read about neck turning, [it says] you need to cut slightly into the neck/shoulder junction to stop doughnutting. I completely understand this but I cant seem to get my neck-turning tool set-up to just touch the neck/shoulder junction. It either just doesn’t touch [the shoulder] or cuts nearly the whole shoulder and that just looks very messy. No matter how I adjust the mandrel to set how far down the neck it cuts, it either doesn’t touch it or it cuts far too much. I think it may relate to the bevel on the cutter in my neck-turning tool…”
Looking at Craig’s pictures, we’d agree that he didn’t need to cut so far down into the shoulder. There is a simple solution for this situation. Craig is using a neck-turning tool with a rather shallow cutter bevel angle. This 20-degree angle is set up as “universal geometry” that will work with any shoulder angle. Unfortunately, as you work the cutter down the neck, a shallow angled-cutter tip such as this will remove brass fairly far down. You only want to extend the cut about 1/32 of an inch past the neck-shoulder junction. This is enough to eliminate brass build-up at the base of the neck that can cause doughnuts to form.
The answer here is simply to use a cutter tip with a wider angle — 30 to 40 degrees. The cutter for the K&M neck-turning tool (above) has a shorter bevel that better matches a 30° shoulder. There is also a 40° tip available. PMA Tool and 21st Century Shooting also offer carbide cutters with a variety of bevel angles to exactly match your case shoulder angle*. WalkerTexasRanger reports: “I went to a 40-degree cutter head just to address this same issue, and I have been much happier with the results. The 40-degree heads are available from Sinclair Int’l for $15 or so.” Forum Member CBonner concurs: “I had the same problem with my 7WSM… The 40-degree cutter was the answer.” Below is Sinclair’s 40° Cutter for its NT-series neck-turning tools. Item NT3140, this 40° Cutter sells for $14.99. For the same price, Sinclair also sells the conventional 30° Cutter, item NT3100.
Al Nyhus has another clever solution: “The best way I’ve found to get around this problem is to get an extra shell holder and face it off .020-.025 and then run the cases into the sizing die. This will push the shoulder back .020-.025. Then you neck turn down to the ‘new’ neck/shoulder junction and simply stop there. Fireforming the cases by seating the bullets hard into the lands will blow the shoulder forward and the extra neck length you turned by having the shoulder set back will now be blended perfectly into the shoulder. The results are a case that perfectly fits the chamber and zero donuts.”
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.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Graf’s — Alpha Brass IN STOCK, Many Popular Types
⏺ Great brass for popular chamberings incl. 6mmBR, 6GT, 6mm Creedmoor
Alpha Brass makes excellent-quality cartridge brass for many popular categories, including popular wildcats such as the 6 BRA and 6mm Dasher. The price is competitive with other top-tier brass, ranging from $118-$130. In stock now at Grafs.com are Alpha brass for: 22 GT, 22 Creedmoor, 6mmBR, 6 BRA, 6mm Dasher, 6mmGT (6GT), 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7mm-08. Both benchrest shooters and PRS/NRL competitors have been impressed with current production Alpha brass which ships in excellent slotted plastic cases with perforated bi-layer foam for protection.
2. Midsouth — Lee Challenger Press with BONUS Die Set, $79.99
⏺ Good LEE Press on Sale with FREE DIES
The LEE Challenger is the world’s best-selling single station press. The lastest Gen III Challenger features an ergonomic lever plus a convenient drop-tube for spent primers. Right now, to mark its 40th Anniversary, LEE is offering a FREE die set with the purchase of the LEE Gen III Challenger Press. Chose one of five cartridge types: .223 Rem, 9mm Luger, .38 SPL/.357 Mag, .44 SPL/.44 Mag, and .45 ACP. Another good feature of the LEE Press is the Breech Lock Quick Change Die System — change dies instantly with a twist of the wrist.
3. MidwayUSA — CCI Small Rifle Primers on Sale
⏺ Top Tier CCI Small Rifle primers at good prices
MidwayUSA has top-quality CCI Small Rifle Primers in stock now at very competitive prices. Choose from CCI BR4, CCI 450 SR Magnum, CCI 400, or CCI No. 41 primer types. You can order sets of 1000 primers or 5000 primers, starting at $75.89 for the CCI 450s.
⏺ Great spotting scope for the price with rock-solid warranty
A quality spotting scope is very valuable in the field, at matches, or just having fun at the range. We found a great deal on the Vortex Diamondback 20-60x60mm spotting scope, now just $259.99 at MidwayUSA with FREE Shipping. This spotting scope has good light transmission throughout the magnification range. Sharpness is good, and this spotter is protected by Vortex’s VIP Unlimited Lifetime Warranty.
⏺ Recommended tool that adapts to multiple case rim sizes
The RCBS Universal Hand Primer tool (#ad) can handle both large rim and small rim cases without any parts change. Leverage is good and the primer feeding tray is very reliable. This is a recommended tool for both beginning handloaders and expert-level reloaders. Another good feature of this tool is a patented safety gate that isolates the primer seating operation from the primer supply, lowering risk of tray detonation.
⏺ High-quality soft case big enough for Palma and F-Class rifles
Typical soft rifle cases will not fit long-barreled match rifles. But this 52″-long quality case from Champion’s Choice is big enough for most F-Class and Palma rifles. Forum members highly recommend this $85.00 Deluxe Rifle Case which has a water-resistant heavy duty 600 denier PVC outer shell. It has large outside pockets for ammo and accessories, and is well-padded with over 1″ of thick high-density foam. This case boasts a carry handle, adjustable shoulder strap, and backpack straps. The case even has an interior tube for holding a cleaning rod.
8. Palmetto SA, Norma TAC-22 Ammo, $2.99/50ct Box
⏺ Very good .22 LR ammo at extremely low price — GREAT VALUE
If you want quality .22 LR ammo at an ultra-low price, grab some Norma TAC-22. Palmetto SA has kicked off its Labor Day sale, and Tac-22 is now just $2.99 for 50 rounds, this is a true bargain, yet the TAC-22 is good enough for NRL22 matches as well as fun target shooting. We’ve shot this Norma ammo and been very satisfied. You’ll be hard-pressed to find better .22 LR ammo at anywhere near this price. Don’t delay ordering — at this price, we expect this TAC-22 ammo will sell out soon. The $2.99 for 50 rds price which works out to just SIX cents per round.
8. Amazon — Scope Turret Magnifying Glass with Level, $12.95
Making rapid, yet precise scope turret adjustments can be challenging, especially during fast, timed stages. Most scope turrets have small, thin markings that can be tough to see (particularly with older eyes). To see your elevation turret markings better, try the Monstrum Scope Turret Magnifying Glass with Level (#ad). This simple but effective tool places a magnifier on the shooter’s side of the turret allowing easy viewing. In addition, this handy unit includes a built-in bubble level to help the shooter avoid canting his rifle.
9. Locked & Loaded — CCI Blazer 9mm Ammo, $214.99 1000 rds
⏺ Quality 9mm brass-cased ammo at a super-low price — $22 cents/round
CCI makes very reliable pistol ammo with reloadable brass cases. Right now you can get 1000 rounds of CCI Blazer 9mm FMJ ammo for just $219.99 at LockedLoaded.com. That price works out to just $10.75 per 50-round box — a fantastic price. This very affordable 115gr Blazer 9mm ammo is excellent for practice/training, and it is more reliable than commercial reloads.
10. 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 (#ad). 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.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
Popular Cartridge Types Profiled
When neck-turning cases, it’s a good idea to extend the cut slightly below the neck-shoulder junction. This helps keep neck tension more uniform after repeated firings, by preventing a build-up of brass where the neck meets the shoulder. One of our Forum members, Craig from Ireland, a self-declared “neck-turning novice”, was having some problems turning brass for his 20 Tactical cases. He was correctly attempting to continue the cut slightly past the neck-shoulder junction, but he was concerned that brass was being removed too far down the shoulder.
A quality spotting scope is very valuable in the field, at matches, or just having fun at the range. We found a great deal on the 
