The United States Postal Service allows shipment of long-barreled rifles and shotguns via the U.S. Mail. However, regular citizens who do not possess an FFL are NOT allowed to mail handguns at all.* For handguns (all pistols and revolvers), you must use UPS or FedEX and ship FROM an FFL business in most situations.
432.1 General
Mailers must comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968, all of the provisions of postal law in 18 U.S.C. 1715, and all other all federal and state regulations and local ordinances affecting the movement of firearms. The following also applies:
a. The Postal Service may require the mailer to open parcels containing firearms or air guns or give written certification that the weapon is unloaded and not concealable (see note 1).
b. Short-barreled rifles or shotguns that can be concealed on the person are non-mailable.
c. No markings of any kind that indicate the nature of the contents may be placed on the outside wrapper or container of any mailpiece containing firearms.
d. Mailable matter must be properly and securely packaged within the general packaging requirements in DMM 601.1-7.
e. Except for shipments between licensed dealers, manufacturers, or importers, all regulated firearms must be mailed using a USPS product or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery (see note 2).
432.3 Rifles and Shotguns
Except under 431.2, unloaded rifles and shotguns are mailable. Mailers must comply with the rules and regulations under 27 CFR, Part 478, as well as state and local laws. The mailer may be required by the USPS to establish, by opening the parcel or by written certification, that the rifle or shotgun is unloaded and not ineligible for mailing (see note 1). The following conditions also apply:
a. Subject to state, territory, or district regulations, rifles and shotguns may be mailed without restriction when intended for delivery within the same state of mailing. These items must:
1. Bear a “Return Service Requested” endorsement.
2. Be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
b. A rifle or shotgun owned by a non-FFL may be mailed outside the owner’s state of residence by the owner to himself or herself, in care of another person in the other state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. These mailpieces must:
1. Be addressed to the owner.
2. Include the “in the care of” endorsement immediately preceding the name of the applicable temporary custodian.
3. Be opened by the rifle or shotgun owner only.
4. Be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
d. Mailing of rifles and shotguns between licensed FFL dealers, manufacturers, or importers are not restricted. The Postal Service recommends that these items be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
e. Except as described in 432.3a, licensed curio and relic collectors may mail firearms meeting the definition of curios or relics under 27 CFR 478.11 domestically to licensed FFL curio and relic collectors in any state. These items must be mailed using a class of mail, product, or Extra Service that provides tracking and signature capture at delivery.
f. Firearms meeting the definition of a rifle or shotgun under 431.4 which are certified by the curator of a municipal, state, or federal museum, which exhibits firearms to be curios or relics of museum interest, may be accepted for mailing without restriction when mailed between governmental museums.
g. Air guns (see 431.6) that do not fall within the definition of firearms under 431.1a are mailable. A shipment containing an air gun with a muzzle velocity of 400 or more feet per second (fps) must include an adult signature service under DMM 503.8. Mailers must additionally comply with all applicable state and local regulations.
FOUR TIPS for Safer, More Secure USPS Firearms Shipping
Here are some other helpful suggestions when shipping long guns via USPS:
1. Bring a copy of the destination FFL holder’s license to the Post Office, just in case the staff asks for confirmation.
2. Use a Shipping Mode that Requires Signature on Delivery for confirmation.
3. Ship Priority Mail for faster delivery and BUY INSURANCE to cover complete replacement value of the firearms. Some guns may be damaged, but insurance is needed to cover full gun value with a lost/stolen shipment.
4. Double tape the ends of the box, and put plenty of padding around the muzzle and buttstock INSIDE the box.
* While ordinary (non-FFL) person may never mail handguns, there are some types of handgun mail shipments allowed by manufacturers etc. to Government and U.S. Military recipients:
432.21 Authorized Persons
Subject to 432.22, handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer of firearms, a licensed importer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or the government of a state, territory, or district, only when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person’s official duties, and upon filing the required affidavit or certificate:
a. Officers of the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.
b. Officers of the National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.
c. Officers of the United States or of a state, territory, or district, whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
d. USPS employees authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.
e. Officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States.
f. Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a state, territory, or district.
g. Purchasing agent or other designated member of agencies employing officers and employees included in 432.21c through e.
432.23 Manufacturers, Dealers, and Importers
Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms, licensed dealers of firearms, and licensed importers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.
This article is Copyright 2023 AccurateShooter.com. Any entity reproducing this article without permission is liable for compensatory and punitive damages.
Kestrel wind and weather meters are often regarded as the best on the market — for good reason. Here are a series of three videos by F-Class John that show how the Kestrel 5700 with Elite Ballistics works. This article reviews the advanced Kestrel 5700 Elite Wind Meter with sophisticated ballistics capabilities. Our review features three videos by F-Class John that show how the Kestrel 5700 Elite functions with Applied Ballistics APP software and LiNK connection.
This Part I Video starts with a basic Kestrel Anemometer (blue case, 00:00-00:40) wind meter. Then reviewer F-Class John looks at the “smart” Kestrel 5700 with Elite Ballistics. John explains the many features of the Kestrel 5700 and how it holds a powerful ballistics calculator in the convenient, easy-to-tote Kestrel package. With Elite Ballistics, once you enter data about your bullets, velocity, zero, and rifle, the Kestrel can calculate come-ups and wind corrections. If you don’t yet own a Kestrel, we highly recommend you watch this series of videos that explains advanced Kestrel features in detail.
This Part II Video shows the key features of the advanced software APP used by the Kestrel 5700 unit with Elite Ballistics. The Kestrel 5700 can “talk” to a mobile device that runs the Applied Ballistics software APP that contains bullet databases and allows you to enter key information such as muzzle velocity, bullet BC, zero distance, velocity, wind, and environmental factors (altitude, temperature etc.). There are also gun-specific factors such as scope height over bore and barrel twist rate. The video also explains how “range cards” are created and how to view them with your Elite Ballistics-enabled Kestrel. John notes: “The APP is great because you don’t have to fiddle with the Kestrel’s buttons. It’s much easier to enter data and change settings with the APP.”
This Part III video shows how to determine true wind direction by aligning the SIDE of the unit into the wind. You essentially want to set the unit 90 degrees to the wind direction so the impeller runs as slowly as possible. Then, after you set your target distance (See 3:03), the unit can give you precise come-ups for your intended target (10.28 MOA for 559 yards here). The Kestrel then calculates the cross-wind correction as well (See 3:12).
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, the video author may receive a small commission. This helps support F-Class John’s YouTube channel and allows him to continue to make videos like this.
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. Palmetto SA — S&W M&P 9mm Shield Bundle, $374.99
⏺ Great value Bundle PLUS $75 S&W Factory Rebate
S&W makes some great firearms and one of their best values is the M&P 9mm M2.0 pistol. With this multi-item BUNDLE you get the M&P Shield M2.0 9mm plus a cleaning kit, range bag, and tactical knife — all for $374.99. On top of that, S&W offers a $75 Rebate on this pistol. That lowers your net cost to just $299.99!
⏺ Great spotting scope for the price with rock-solid warranty
Having a quality spotting scope can help when 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 $249.99 at MidwayUSA. This spotting scope has good light transmission throughout the magnification range. Sharpness is good, and the spotting scope’s construction stands up to rough use in the field. This spotter is protected by Vortex’s VIP Unlimited Lifetime Warranty. If you need a bigger objective, MidwayUSA also has the 20-60x80mm version for $324.99.
3. Brownell’s — LEE Breechlock Kit, $157.50 with Discount Code
⏺ Get a complete reloading kit for less than the cost of a single-stage press
Would you like to grab a complete reloading setup for under $200? Brownells offers the Lee Breechlock Press Package for a low $174.99 price. But it gets better — enter Brownells 10% Off codes TA10 or WLS10 at checkout to bring the price down to a crazy low $157.50 (before tax/shipping). This is a great deal on a complete reloading package with all the essentials — Press, Powder Measure, Scale, Priming Tool, Chamfer Tool, Shellholders, and more.
4. Amazon — HQA TSA-Approved Rifle Case, $109.99
⏺ Very rugged, full-featured TSA-approved roller case
Whether flying or just transporting your rifles to the range it’s important to protect them with a rugged, quality gun case. The solidly-built HQ ISSUE 41″ Tactical Rifle Case meets all the TSA requirements and can withstand tough treatment. Offered in two colors — Flat Dark Earth and Gray — this case has rollers to ease movement through the airport. Handy pick-n-pluck foam allows a secure custom fit for your firearms. NOTE: This case is 41″ overall so it will NOT fit long-barrel competition rifles unless the action is separated from the stock/chassis. For larger rifles, one good option is the Eylar 53″ Protective Roller Rifle Hard Case priced at $199.99.
5. Graf’s — Frankford Arsenal Trimmer, $69.99
⏺ Adjustable collet for all case sizes — strong user reviews
The nicely-crafted Frankford Arsenal Universal Precision Trimmer is a versatile tool that can work with most popular cartridge types. This case-trimming system indexes on case shoulders for precise trimming every time. The adjustable collet system works with shouldered cases from .17 Remington to .460 Weatherby and fits just about any drill or drill press.
6. Graf’s — Federal .22 LR Hi-Vel ammo, 525 Rounds $36.99
⏺ Quality USA-made ammo, just $0.07 (seven cents) per round
With the high cost of primers, powder, and bullets these days, more gun guys/gals are shooting rimfire rifles. If you need good .22 LR ammo at a very attractive price, check out Federal .22 LR Hi-Vel ammo at Graf’s. Get a bulk pack with 525 rounds for just $36.99. That works out to $3.52 for 50 rounds — a great price for good-quality major USA brand ammo.
7. Natchez — Pistol and Rifle Magazines on Sale
⏺ Huge selection of pistol and rifle magazines deeply discounted
Have you been waiting for the right time to pick up more magazines for your favorite pistol or rifle? Right now Natchez is running a big Multi-Brand Magazine SALE. You’ll find mags for Glock, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, and Kimber at big savings. For example, a Glock G17 Gen5 17rd magazine is just $19.99. That’s 17% off the regular $23.99 price.
8. Amazon — RCBS Automatic Priming Tool, $115.99
⏺ Popular and efficient bench-top priming unit
If you’re looking to prime your cases fast and consistently then check out the RCBS Auto Priming Tool. This tool mounts securely to a bench top. It is simple to use but reliable and very consistent thanks to its single-stage lever system. You can load up to 100 primers in the two provided vertical primer-holder tubes. This system is very efficient — you can insert a case and prime it in just a few seconds. Here are verified owner comments: “Fast with very consistent sitting depth”; “Works fantastic, netting me over 500 cases an hour easily — my hand-priming days are over”; “Loading the primers into the feeding tube is easier than handling individual primers [with] traditional tools.”
9. Amazon — Hunpal Compact Tripod, $19.99
⏺ Handy tripod for hunters and varminters — low-cost and compact
For plinking fun days or a varmint trip, sometimes a simple, small-format front rest may be all you need. This HUNTPAL Portable Tripod offers versatility, low cost, and a compact footprint. With aluminum construction, non-slip rubber feet, and the ability to work as either a tripod or monopod, this HUNTPAL unit can be helpful for varminters and hunters in the field. It can also work as a front rest for sighting in a hunting rig.
“Second Amendment? — We don’t give a damn.” That could be the mantra of many Democratic Party members of Congress. Now a radical anti-gunner from New Jersey has introduced new Federal legislation, H.R. 584, that would prevent all Americans from purchasing ANY quantity of ammunition online. All ammo sales would have to be in person with photo ID.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) (“Watson Coleman”) has revived legislation that would prohibit the sale of ammunition online. Last month, Watson Coleman introduced the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act of 2023, a new version of restrictive legislation she authored in the past. The bill has been listed as H.R. 584 and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. As of February 24, 2023, H.R. 584 had 23 co-sponsors*, all woke Democrats, including the radical Rashida Tlaib, noted for her calls to defund the police (which shows how little she actually cares about reducing crime).
This unconstitutional bill, according to the NRA-ILA, would implement all of the following:
1. FORCE purchasers to submit a photo ID in person every time one buys ANY ammunition.
2. REPORT the identity of ammo purchasers to the U.S. Attorney General if the ammo buyers purchase more than 1,000 rounds within a 5-day period.
3. REGISTER ammunition buyers in a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice.
You know what the DOJ would do with the database of ammo buyers. It would be used to identify gun owners, creating a de facto registry of gun owners. That’s in direct violation of Federal law which forbids such a registry.
Guns.com reports: “The proposal [H.R. 584] would establish the licensing of ammunition dealers who then would be required to confirm the identity of customers seeking to purchase ammo by verifying a valid photo I.D. in person. As such, it would place a prohibition on the current widespread practice of buying ammo online and having it shipped directly to the customer’s door. The measure would also require these vendors to report all purchases of more than 1,000 rounds within a five-day period by the same person to the U.S. Attorney General as well as local and state law enforcement.”
Effects If ‘Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act’ Becomes Law
From a practical standpoint, this legislation would make ammunition much more difficult to buy in large quantities. And specialized ammo, for less popular chamberings, could be almost impossible to get, if people could only shop at local retail outlets. Being able to shop a dozen or more online vendors allows shooting enthusiasts to get a wide variety of ammo types at competitive prices. For example, with AmmoSeek.com, you can see the best rimfire and centerfire ammo deals from dozens of vendors.
Watson Coleman and her anti-Second Amendment co-sponsors want to make it MUCH more difficult to obtain ammunition, and she would be delighted if the cost of ammo doubled or even tripled. She hates firearms and hates gun owners.
Regarding H.R. 584, GunsAmerica contacted Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation. Gottlieb was critical of the one-sidedness of legislation in that it presupposes all ammunition sold online ends up in the hands of criminals. Gottlieb noted: “Day in and day out men and women save their lives with ammunition they have bought online and the only response from Democrats is to call for bans on the sale of ammunition.”
Additional cosponsors of the bill include:
Jake Auchincloss [D-MA-4]
Joyce Beatty [D-OH-3]
Earl Blumenauer [D-OR-3]
Andre Carson [D-IN-7]
Joe Courtney [D-CT-2]
Jason Crow [D-CO-6]
Danny Davis [D-IL-7]
Madeleine Dean [D-PA-4]
Diana DeGette [D-CO-1]
Susan DelBene [D-WA-1]
Mark DeSaulnier [D-CA-10]
Glenn Ivey [D-MD-4]
Sydney Kamlager-Dove [D-CA-37]
Barbara Lee [D-CA-12]
Zoe Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
Betty McCollum [D-MN-4]
Kweisi Mfume [D-MD-7]
Seth Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Eleanor Holmes Norton [D-DC-At Large]
Donald M. Payne, Jr. [D-NJ-10]
Mike Quigley [D-IL-5]
Rashida Tlaib [D-MI-12]
Jill Tokuda [D-HI-2]
Just last week hundreds of F-Class shooters competed at the Southwest Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona. The vast majority of F-TR shooters had rifles chambered for the .308 Winchester cartridge (7.62×51), but F-TR rules also allow the .223 Rem (5.56×45). There are some advantages to the smaller .223 Rem round — there’s notably less recoil, bullets and brass are significantly cheaper, and a lot less powder is required. For those who are considering campaigning a .223 Rem F-TR rifle, this story explains how an accurate .223 Rem load was developed. This load development was done by a father for his daughter who was getting started in F-Class competition.
Dad builds an F-TR Rifle for his Daughter and Develops Load
Jeremy Rowland decided to put together an F-TR rifle for his eldest daughter, who enjoys competitive shooting. For his daughter, Rowland chose the .223 Rem option because it has less recoil and components are less costly than the .308 Win. Here is Rowland’s account of how he developed a .223 Rem load. For more details (with data charts), read Jeremy’s FULL STORY on Sierra Bullets Blog.
Journey to Find a .223 Rem F-Class Load
by Jeremy Rowland, Reloading Podcast
My oldest daughter has been to several matches with me, and has even competed in several, using her .243. [A few seasons back] I decided, she would compete with a .223 Rem in F-TR. Looking for a good starter rifle, I settled on the Savage Axis Heavy Barrel since it has a 1:9″ twist. This would be a great little rifle for her to learn on. The rifle was shot unmodified, as it came from the factory. A Sinclair F-Class Bipod w/micro elevation adjustment was fitted to the front.
Next came finding the components I wanted to use for her match loads. After spending hours and hours running numbers on JBM stability calculator as well as in my iPhone Ballistic AE app, the 69 gr Sierra Tipped MatchKing® (TMK) looked really good. So that’s what I decided to go with. I jumped in head first and ordered a bulk pack of the Sierra 69 gr TMKs. I had settled on Hodgdon CFE 223 powder since it shows good velocity. I decided to go with once-fired Lake City brass with CCI BR4 primers.
Next came the testing. I decided to run a ladder test (one shot per charge from min to max looking for the accuracy node). The ladder test ranged from 23.5 grains to 25.6 grains, in 0.3 grain increments.
Bullet: 69 gr Sierra Tipped MatchKing®
Case: Lake City (mixed years, sorted by case capacity)
Primer:CCI BR4
Powder: Hodgdon CFE 223 (one round each from 23.5 to 25.6 grains)
Cartridge OAL: 2.378″
Base to Ogive: 1.933″ (.020″ off lands)
After his ladder test, Rowland settled on a load of 25.2 grains of Hodgdon CFE 223. He then fine-tuned his load with different seating depths: “I loaded up 5 rounds each at .020″ off lands, .015″ off lands, .010″ off lands, and .005″ off the lands. Here are the results from the best group for OAL/Ogive fine tuning. As you can see, I think I’ve found a winner in these 69 gr Sierra Tipped MatchKings.”
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.
⏺ Electronic earbuds are good for hunters, Muffs are tough yet comfortable
Good hearing protection is essential whenever you go to the range. We recommend muffs and/or plugs with at least a 24dB NRR (noise reduction rating). Having electronic amplification is very valuable as it allows you to hear range commands while still protecting against dangerous noises. Right now MidwayUSA is offering two excellent Walker’s hearing protection products. For a lightweight solution, the 29dB NRR Electronic earbud-type plugs on a rope-style connector are now just $44.99, a 50% savings. Or choose the 27db NRR electronic muffs for $59.99, a huge 66% savings over the regular $159.99 price.
2. Midsouth — Vihtavuori Powders with FREE Reloading Guide
⏺ Vihtavuori powders in stock at good prices with FREE Load Manual
Right now Midsouth has a large selection of rifle and pistol powders IN STOCK at attractive prices. And, this week, purchasers of Vihtavuori powders from Midsouth will get a FREE official Vihtavuori 100th Anniversary print reloading guide. Vihtavuori makes many great powders. N133 is the top choice of most short-range benchrest-for-group shooter. N320 is our favorite .45 ACP powder, and N550, with a burn rate between H4350 and H4831, works well for a variety of medium and large rifle cartridges.
3. Sentry Ammo — Norma 9mm Ammo, 1000 Rds $207.99
⏺ Very high quality 9mm Norma 124gr FMJ 9mm ammo at fantastic price
Here is an absolutely GREAT DEAL for high-quality 9mm Luger ammunition. Right now Sentry Ammo is offering 1000 rounds of quality Norma 124gr 9mm bulk pack ammunition for $207.99. That’s just $0.21 (twenty-one cents) per round! With this special deal you even get a nice hinged polymer ammo can.
4. Locked & Loaded — Savage A22 FV-SR, $287.56
⏺ Good deal on reliable, semi-auto .22 LR rimfire rifle
NRL22 and PRS 22 disciplines are America’s fastest-growing forms of rifle competitions. If you want to try your hand at NRL22 without sinking a fortune, check out the Savage A22 FV-SR now on sale for $287.56, 18% OFF. This semi-auto rifle has shown good accuracy, and it comes complete with a Picatinny rail on top. The .22 LR Savage FV-SR model upgrades the original A22 platform with a button-rifled, 16.5″ medium-contour barrel, and threaded muzzle. The A22 FV-SR features a user-adjustable AccuTrigger and reliable straight blowback semi-auto action for fast follow-up shots.
5. Graf & Sons — CCI .22 LR Ammunition from $3.99/50
⏺ Quality CCI .22 LR ammo in stock at very good prices
With the growth of NRL22, PRS 22, and rimfire F-Class, more and more shooters are competing with rimfire rifles. And with action steel matches, rimfire pistol shooting is hugely popular these days. Thankfully, its still possible to get good rimfire ammo at reasonable prices. At Graf’s you’ll find good CCI .22 LR ammunition starting at just $0.08 (eight cents) per round. CLICK HERE for CCI .22 LR Deals.
6. Midsouth — RCBS Reloading Presses on SALE
⏺ Quality RCBS Presses in stock now at very competitive prices
Midsouth Shooters Supply has discounted its line-up of RCBS Single-Stage Presses. For example Midsouth has the Rock Chucker Supreme Press at $169.99. That’s over forty bucks less than some other sellers charge. And you can get the new RCBS Rebel Press for $179.99, a solid deal. The innovative compact RCBS Summit press is now $199.99. We’ve used the Summit press. We like the open front and it works well for small reloading areas or at the range.
7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Priming Tool, $52.59
⏺ Precise Depth Control, 12 Shell Holders, Quick-Change, Carry Case
Seating primers to a consistent depth helps deliver enhanced accuracy and low ES/SD. However, most priming systems don’t allow precise depth control. If you’re looking for a priming tool that allows you to adjust primer seating depth, check out the Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Primer. This tool comes in a protective case along with a full set of case holders and primer flip tray. A quick thumb release system allows you to switch from small to large primers quickly. Get this now for $59.99 on Amazon.
⏺ Self-resetting targets made from good AR500 steel
Shooting at reactive targets is ton of fun, but no one likes trekking down range to reset them. Here’s the answer — sturdy, self-resetting AR 500 steel targets. These come complete with frames that raise them off the ground. Grab the Caldwell Prairie Dog Popper Target at $99.99 or the Caldwell Pepper Popper Target at $86.99. Both these targets tilt when hit for instant confirmation. Then the built-in, automatic reset spring lifts the steel back up so you don’t need to go down range.
9. CDNN Sports — Grid Target Packs starting at $1.99/12
⏺ Great deals on colorful Champion grid target packs
⏺ Good compact muffs for the price with a good 26db SNR
We say it all the time but don’t ever shoot without quality hearing protection. Consider these Vanderfield folding ear muffs. These come in a variety of colors (blue, black, brown, green, gray, red, purple, pink) so you can easily tell yours apart from others. The 26db SNR sound protection rating is above average for compact muffs. For maximum protection use plugs under the muffs. (FYI, “SNR” or Single Number Rating, is the EURO equivalent of the NRR noise rating in the USA.)
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. Midsouth — Hornady Get Loaded Promo with 500 Free Bullets
⏺ Get 500 or 100 Free Bullets with Hornady hardware
Hornady is now running its 2023 Get Loaded® promotion. Now through 12/31/2023 get up to 500 FREE BULLETS with qualifying purchases of Hornady reloading products. You can also get significant up-front savings and/or FREE Shipping when you buy Hornady reloading presses and other products at Midsouth. For example, you can save $90 on the Hornady Iron Press Kit. Depending on the products purchased, customers can get 500 or 100 free bullets, valued up to $234.33.
⏺ Quality USA-made hunting rifle at good price; many chamberings
Looking for a good hunting rifle with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee? Right now the Weatherby Vanguard with synthetic stock is ON SALE for just $499.97 at Sportsman’s Warehouse. This Vanguard model features a gray, Griptonite Monte Carlo composite stock. For this $499.97 bargain price, many chamberings are offered: .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, .25-06 Remington, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and .240 Weatherby Magnum. Overall weight (without scope) is 7.75 pounds.
3. Midsouth — Fiocchi .223 Rem Ammo with V-Max Bullets
⏺ Good deal on factory ammo with quality Hornady V-Max bullets
Here’s excellent varmint ammo on SALE at a bargain price. If you’re planning a Prairie Dog safari this spring, but don’t want to handload, grab some Fiocchi Field Dynamics .223 Rem ammo. Choose the 40gr V-Max, 50gr V-Max, or 55gr V-Max versions, all with 50-rd boxes for just $34.99 on SALE. That’s $0.70 per round, a darn good price. This Fiocchi .223 Rem ammo has earned very positive reviews from purchasers.
⏺ Fast, programmable, accurate dispenser at great price
The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper is a high-quality powder scale/dispenser. It’s accurate to +/- one-tenth of a grain, dispenses in seconds, and can be controlled by a handy mobile App that stores charge weights for different cartridges. This unit has a 7000-grain capacity with both auto and manual trickle capability. This is a great deal — you save fifty bucks (21%) off the regular MidwayUSA price, and the same Intellidropper is now $239.96 on Amazon.
5. Natchez — Frankford Quick-N-Easy Case Tumbler Kit, $79.99
⏺ We’ve used this Combo Kit for many seasons — very good value right now
Keeping your brass clean is important (and essential if you anneal). 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 $79.99. You could pay that much for a good vibratory tumbler alone, yet this combo kit includes tumbler, media separator, bucket, brass polish, and media.
6. Palmetto State Armory — Norma Tac-22 .22 LR 500rds, $32.99
⏺ Very good .22 LR ammo at extremely low price — GREAT VALUE
If you love .22 LR rimfires and want quality ammo at an ultra-low price, grab some Norma TAC-22. Priced at just $3.30 per 50-ct box, 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.
7. KYGUNCO — Rock Island Armory TM22 Rifle, $278.00
⏺ Slick, AR-style rimfire rifle with new features
Looking to get started in NRL22 competition, or want a rimfire varmint rifle with familiar AR look and feel? Then check out the Rock Island Armory TM22. This handsome semi-auto .22 LR rimfire rig weighs 6.5 lbs. with its 18″ barrel. The modestly-priced TM22 sports an AR-type grip, commercial buffer tube adapter, top rail, and M-LOK fore-end. The rifle is set up with right-handed controls, but the TM22 can easily be modified for left-handed operation. The TM22 ships with two 10-rd aluminum magazines with aftermarket 15- and 25-round magazines available.
8. Midsouth — 1000 Rounds Federal 9mm FMJ Ammo, $314.99
⏺ Great DEAL on quality Federal 9mm Luger (9x19mm) ammo
Here’s a great ammo offering, with major-brand quality 9mm cartridges from Federal. Get 1000 rounds of 115gr FMJ American Eagle ammo for just $314.99 at Midsouth. This works out to just $15.75 per 50rd box — a great deal. We have shot this ammo in a variety of 9x19mm pistols and it is very reliable. This is NOT loose bulk-pack, there are twenty convenient 50rd boxes.
⏺ Super-low prices on compact binoculars — up to 63% Off
Need a spare pair of compact, lightweight binoculars? Now you can get a decent set of weatherproof binoculars for under $25.00. Choose from Bushnell, Simmons, and Tasco binoculars on sale now at CDNN Sports starting at just $9.99. We like the Bushnell H20 8×25 waterproof binocs at $17.76 — 61% off the $44.99 MSRP. NOTE: None of these are truly excellent binoculars that can compete with a $400+ Nikon, Leica, Sightron, or Zeiss. But these are small, handy, and can fit in a vehicle glove box or a fanny pack. So they can be used regularly when you’re hiking, camping, or game-watching.
⏺ Versatile eye protection — 4 colors of lenses plus adjustable frame
Walker’s Adjustable Sport Glasses feature FOUR interchangeable lenses made of high-grade polycarbonate that exceeds ANSI 287.1-2003 High Impact Requirements. The interchangeable lenses come in four colors (Smoke Gray, Amber, Yellow, and Clear). The frames adjust for length and angle. These safety glasses ship with a soft carrying pouch that holds the extra lenses. This is a good deal — the same combo kit sells for $23.53 on Amazon!
CMP Acquires Surplus Ammunition with Sales Planned for Coming Months
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has announced the recent acquisition of vast quantities of surplus ammunition: M2 Ball (.30-06 Springfield), .30 Carbine, .22 Pistol, and .22 Long Rifle. This surplus ammunition supply will soon become available to CMP customers, and will be sold at matches to CMP shooters. At this time, the recently-acquired surplus ammunition supplies are being assessed and cataloged by CMP personnel.
The CMP intends on maintaining a surplus ammo inventory large enough to support CMP Matches for the next several years and to provide discounted surplus ammo to competitors attending CMP events. All sales will include set limits to remain in compliance with guidelines specified in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of the Army and the CMP.
“The CMP plans to make the ammunition available to our loyal constituents sometime this spring, after the surplus ammo goes through all CMP in-processing procedures”. said Mark Johnson, CMP’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of Civilian Marksmanship. “Purchase limits and restrictions will be set to ensure that the mission of CMP is well served.”
NOTE: This video shows an M1 Garand shooting modern CMP M2 Ball ammo NOT older surplus. The surplus M2 Ball ammo obtained by the CMP is older, but should have similar velocities with 150gr bullets.
Further surplus sales details will be forthcoming in the near future. Commercial ammunition sales are currently available on the CMP E-Store to qualified individuals. Register for an account or browse the CMP E-Store at https://shop.thecmp.org/browse/Ammo.
Need a top-notch Ballistics App for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod? Start with Ballistic: Advanced Edition (AE), the number 1 (i.e. most installed) App for iOS systems (iPhones and iPads). Ballistics AE (Advanced Edition) is the most popular iOS ballistics program for many good reasons. It offers a full feature set with Ballistic Solver, Ballistic Comparison (with up to 8 projectiles), Target Log (records group sizes), Advanced WindKit, and more. The Ballistic: Advanced Edition software is easy to use, with nice controls. Underneath it all is the proven JBM Ballistics calculator. And here’s the kicker — this excellent mobile App software is now FREE to download and install on iPhones and iPads!
This Video Explains How to Set Up and Use Ballistic: Advanced Edition
Full-featured and easy to use, Ballistics AE has been refined over many years, and it supplies rock-solid solutions derived from JBM Ballistics solver (created by James B. Millard). Unlike some other Apps, Ballistics AE is STABLE on iPhones (with various OS levels). What’s cool is that Ballistics AE is now available for FREE for both iPhones and iPads. This software is now provided by Federal Premium Ammunition, with in-App purchase functionality.
We’ve used the Ballistic: Advanced Edition program on an iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, and iPad, and it performed well. Here are some of the features we liked:
1. Mirrors output from online version of JBM Ballistics we often use for initial calculations.
2. Controls are simple to use and (mostly) intuitive.
3. Handy comparison feature lets you compare ballistics for different projectiles side by side.
4. Advanced Wind Kit allows you to account for complex wind situations.
5. Projectile and BC Databases are very comprehensive.
6. Software is regularly updated to match Apple OS changes.
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Here are some really smart tips for hand-loaders compiled by Sierra Bullets. These suggestions were submitted by Sierra’s Facebook fans — and some are very valuable indeed. Some of these tips will help you load more accurate ammo. Other selections will help you stay SAFE — which should always be your #1 priority. For example, we concur with the advice to “Check and Double Check. Everything. Every Time”. Also definitely keep “One powder on the bench at a time” — that could be a life-saver. You may want to print these “words of wisdom” and place them on a wall in your loading room.
Reloading Safety Tips — Sound Advice
ALWAYS START LOW: “Just because a load manual says X grains of X powder with X bullet is max, your rifle could reach max pressure a grain or two before what the book says. Start low and work up.” — Walter Coats
BE SAFE and CAREFUL: “Check and double check. Everything. Every time. Only one type of powder on the bench at a time.” — Glen Lundgren
DON’T RUSH: “Be patient, don’t be in a hurry, have fun and find your rhythm. Just tell your family you’re putting yourself in ‘time-out’. They will understand.” — Erik Dyal
POWDER RULE #1: “One powder on the bench at one time, it might save your life.” — James A. Kimery
STAY FOCUSED: “Relaxed but concentrated attention. Have fun enjoying a great hobby and pastime but stay focused.” — Jim Caldwell
POLICE LOADING AREA: “Keep your reloading bench area clean and put items away ASAP.” — Eric J. Ford
BE PATIENT: “Focus, Focus, Focus — be patient — it AIN’T a race.” — William Stanley
RECORD YOUR LOADS: “Write down on a small card what you’re loading – bullet weight, powder weight, type of powder, and primer. And put it in the powder hopper. I am unloading .45 FMJ because I forgot what type powder was in the hopper.” — Michael Conniff
HAVE a PROCEDURE for INTERRUPTIONS: “If, for any reason, you have to leave the bench while in the process of dropping powder charges, turn the next case to be charged upside down in the loading block so you know where you left off.” — Bill Tinsley
LABEL EVERYTHING: “OCD is a good habit to have with your loading bench. CLEARLY label everything!” — Andy Pynckel
HAVE a GOAL: “Never start reloading or developing a load without a specific goal in mind. Second keep meticulous records.” — Peter Eick
RESEARCH THE JOB: “Read all you can about it before you start!” — Keith Shively
KEEP TRACK of the Brass: “I put all my primed brass upside down (primer up) and as I charge the casing, I (of course) flip it primer down.” — Mark Ewing
