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June 23rd, 2022

Short History of the .220 Swift Cartridge — Great for Varmints

Sierra Bullets 220 .220 Swift Cartridge powder loading Hodgdon

A History of the .220 Swift Cartridge

by Sierra Bullets Ballistic Technician Paul Box
Sierra Bullets 220 .220 Swift Cartridge powder loading HodgdonThis cartridge was introduced by Winchester in 1935 in their model 54 rifle. A year later, it was added as a standard cartridge in the model 70. What might not be common knowledge to some reloaders is that the prototype for the Swift was developed in 1934-35 by Grosvenor Wotkyns by necking down the 250 Savage case, but in the end, Winchester chose the 6mm Lee Navy case for the foundation for this cartridge.

This cartridge was far ahead of its time and for that reason it received a lot of bad press. We’ve all read the horror stories through the years. Many of those stories were just simply repeated from previous articles even the wording was just slightly different. So how bad was the Swift? Let’s take a deeper look.

Some of the early Swifts had soft barrel steel and some of the rare ones even had barrels that were .223 in bore size. This stemmed from the fact that the .22 Hornets prior to the end of World War II were .223 in bore size and some of these barrels were chambered in the Swift. It was rumored that the Swift peaked in pressure far too quick. I’ll bet they did with a turkey extra full choke barrel.

Burn rates of powders were limited at that time as well, so the Swift was limited in its true ability due to that. It was almost like building a funny car for drag racing when only kerosene was available.

One of the longest lasting black eyes was that it shot barrels out so fast. If you get the barrel branding iron hot and fail to clean it often this can happen. Common sense will go a long ways here. Keep the barrel as cool as you can and properly clean it every fifteen rounds or less will go a long way to improving accuracy life of a Swift.

Sierra Bullets 220 .220 Swift Cartridge powder loading Hodgdon

So what is the real truth about this cartridge? I’m glad you ask. I’ve been shooting the .220 Swift for over 43 years now. It is one of the best varmint cartridges I’ve ever owned. It is not hard to load for, it doesn’t suddenly peak in pressure and it isn’t the barrel burner that you’ve heard. Hodgdon powders once reported a Remington 40-X with over 3,000 rounds of full power loads averaged .344” for five, 5-shot groups. My findings have been the same. It isn’t as hard on barrels as it has been made out to be.

I’ve also read that down loading it slightly will help in barrel life. This is true, but if you buy a thoroughbred you want him to run. Barrels are threaded on the end for a reason. If you have enough fun to shoot out a Swift barrel, just rebarrel it.

The bottom line is enjoy the .220 Swift for what it was meant to be. The popularity of the Swift has slipped in the last twenty years and few factory rifles are now available in this caliber. There is no reason for this and I know the Swift will always have a strong and loyal following.

Sierra Bullets 220 Swift Cartridge Guide

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Hunting/Varminting 5 Comments »
June 22nd, 2022

Ammunition on Sale at Natchez with FREE Shipping

natchez ammunition sale ammo cheap free shippging

If you need pistol ammunition or .223 Rem ammo for your AR or varmint rifles, head over to Natchez Shooter Supplies this week. Right now, through 11:59 pm on 6/24/2022, Natchez is offering serious discounts on 9mm, .40 SW, and .223 Rem (plus 5.56×45), and .308 Win ammo. Along with the very attractive prices, you can get FREE Shipping with a qualifying ammo purchase of $200 or more. Use CODE FS220622.

Shown below are some of the top deals, but there are many more discounted ammo offerings, such as Winchester Lake City .223 Rem 55gr FMJ for $0.57/round, and Winchester Lake City 7.62×51 149gr FMJ M80 for $1.05/round.

natchez ammunition sale ammo cheap free shippging

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June 19th, 2022

BargainFinder 352: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

Today, June 19, 2022, is Father’s Day. To mark this special day, we’ve included some great Father’s Day sales, as well as some cool products that would make a great gift for any father who enjoys hunting and the shooting sports.

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

1. Creedmoor Sports — Sightron Scope Sale, Save $200

sightron scope sale
Save $200 on highly-rated Sightron Scopes now through June 30, 2022

If you’re looking for a great deal on a solid, competition-worthy optic, check out the Sightron Sale at Creedmoor Sports. They have a large selection of the most popular scopes in the Sightron lineup all at prices you can’t pass up. You can save $200 on the SIII 8-32x56mm and save $200 on the SIII 10-50x56mm model. Both are great choices for benchrest or F-Class Competition. Varminters should consider the S-TAC 4-20x560mm, now discounted from $529.99 to $449.99.

2. Optics Planet — 8% Off Store-wide Father’s Day Sale

optics planet 8% fathers day sale
Save 8% on optics, camping gear, hunting gear, and even Ammo

Through Monday, June 20 at 11:59 pm, you can save a full 8% off the vast majority of the products on the Optics Planet website (with $50 minimum purchase). On a $2000.00 scope, that discount works out to $160.00! FYI, Optics Planet sells a wide variety of products — not just scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars. You can also save on bipods, stocks, camping gear, apparel, and even ammo. Use Coupon CODE 8DAD.

3. Palmetto SA — Leupold Laser Rangefinder, Binoculars, and Carry Harness Kit, $279.99

Leupold rangfinder binocs binocularr kit
Father’s Day bundle with laser RF, binoculars, and handy carry harness

Here’s a great Father’s Day combo package for every Dad who loves to hunt. Serious hunters need a rangefinder, binoculars, and a way to transport them securely. A great option is this Leupold Bundle featuring the RX-1400I TBR/W Rangefinder, BX-1 Timberline 10X42 Binoculars, and Go Afield Harness. The combo Father’s Day Sale price, just $279.99, is a great value.

4. Amazon — Caldwell E-MAX Shadow PRO EarPlugs, $127.46

caldwell emax earplugs
High-tech electronic plugs with package, now 39% OFF

Are you tired of bulky ear muffs and want to hear range commands? Then consider these Caldwell E-MAX Shadows Pro Electronic Plugs. The $127.46 price is $82+ off the regular cost — a 39% discount. The plugs come with multiple diameter tips to allow a comfortable “custom fit”. The included storage case functions as a charger with battery level indicators for each ear piece and the case itself.

5. Amazon — Rimfire Steel Silhouette Targets, 20-pack $109.99

rimfire steel targets
GREAT Deal on rimfire silhouette steel target 20-Pack

There are few things as fun as plinking with a .22 LR Rimfire rig at steel targets. It’s fun for kids and adults alike and right now you can grab a 20-ct pack of RIMFIRE animal targets in assorted sizes and shapes. They are 1/5 size and made from A36 steel plate. IMPORTANT: These small steel targets work great for rimfire shooting, but should NEVER be used with centerfire rifle cartridges.

6. Amazon — Hornady Powder Measure, $88.99

hornady powder measure sale
High-quality, smooth-operating powder measure on SALE

Are you looking for a universal powder measure that will work both on or off a press? One of our favorites is the Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure. This L-N-L Powder Measure offers flexible operation and can handle powder charges of 0.5 grains to 265 grains with the appropriate insert and rotor. Metering inserts can be changed with the push of a button, giving handloaders the ability to load everything from small pistol cartridges to large magnums. This unit ships with a rifle rotor and metering insert.

7. Amazon — Vanguard Porta Aim Front Gun Rest, $44.99

vanguard rifle rest

The Vanguard Porta Aim Gun Rest is good for varmint work, sighting-in hunting rifles, and AR practice/load development. The top pad is contoured to fit round AR fore-arms perfectly. The top of the rest rotates 360 degrees, allowing quick sighting adjustments in the field. Weighing just 1.7 lbs., this Vanguard rest is easy to carry in the field. At just $44.99 this is a handy and affordable back-up front rest.

8. Harbor Freight — Apache Hard Cases, $37.99 and Up

harbor freight apache case

Looking for a durable, secure hard case for pistols, rifles, or other gear but don’t want to spend a fortune? Harbor Freight Apache Cases represent an affordable alternative to the big-name brands. These airline-approved cases feature a strong exterior, durable locking options, and a customizable interior. A variety of case configurations are offered now at Harbor Freight, many discounted 16%. Along with the gun cases there’s a nice weatherproof Hard-shell Carry-on for $99.99, half the price of a similar Pelican 1510 case.

9. Locked & Loaded — Winchester SXP Shotgun, $449.99

winchester shotgun sale

Here’s a great 12-gauge pump defensive shotgun with all the bells and whistles — modern pistol-grip stock with adjustable comb, front/rear sights, Picatinnny scope rail, muzzle brake, and barrel guard. This impressive 18″-barrel Winchester SXP Extreme Defender has a 5+1 capacity with a handsome Flat Dark Earth protective finish. Price is $449.99 on sale.

10. MidwayUSA — Assorted Rifle Cases, $21.99 – $27.99

scoped rifle case sale
Good prices on 52″, 48″, 44″ and 40″ rifle cases

Do you need a good soft case for a hunting or match rifle? MidwayUSA-brand rifle cases are now on sale at big discounts. Featuring sturdy padding and a handy storage pocket, these durable cases offer good value for the money. Price varies with color and size. For example: Black 52″, $27.99; Charcoal 48″, $24.99; and Coyote 44″, $24.99. NOTE: After choosing a case length, select among the four available colors to get the best price (not every variant is discounted).

11. CDNN Sports — HK 416 .22 LR AR with Laser, $449.99

HK 416 .22 LR 22LR rimfire rifle NRL22 cross-training
Great option for AR cross-training or rimfire gun games, save $134

If you own an AR for Service Rifle competition or 3-Gun matches, here’s a great option for inexpensive rimfire cross-training. An AR-type .22 LR rifle can also be effective in NRL22 matches. Right now you can save $134 on the HK 416 .22 LR rifle complete with Walther XGL532 Red Laser. This rifle boasts a 16.1″ barrel, retractable stock, M-LOK rail, and adjustable flip-up sights. The included Red Laser with remote on/off switch allows fast target acquisition.

12. Amazon — Twist-Top 1 Oz. Squeeze Bottles, $12.49

twist top bottles
Great product for gun cleaning solvents and lubricants

Cleaning supplies often come in glass bottles that are fragile, awkward, and hard to transport. For cleaning/lubricating at the range or after a match, we can recommend these Twist-Top 1 oz. Bottles. These are airtight, easy to squeeze. With a tight “no-leak” lid, these are secure/convenient to transport, even when traveling to distant matches via air.

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June 19th, 2022

Fascinating Federal Video Shows How Primers Are Made

Federal Primer Priming Tool Magnum primers foil anvil primer construction reloading powder CCI

Do you know how gun primers are made — how the explosive elements are applied into those tiny cups? Find out by watching this video filmed at a Federal ammunition factory. It starts out with empty primer cups loaded, 1000 at a time, into trays using vibration (0:05 time-mark). While much of the process is automated, there is still a significant role played by production workers who apply a green, paste-like charging compound to the inside of hundreds of primer cups.

At the 0:17-second time-mark you can see the factory worker “charging” the primers with the priming compound. After the cups are filled, then the plate of cups “mates up with a plate of anvils” (0:40 time-mark). Then the primers are unloaded from trays and inspected.


Federal Primer Priming Tool Magnum primers foil anvil primer construction reloading powder CCI

Primer “Mysteries and Misconceptions” Article

There is an excellent article about primers on the Shooting Times website. This authoritative Shooting Times article explains the fine points of primer design and construction. The author reveals some little-known facts about primers and corrects common misconceptions. Here are some highlights:

Primer Priming Tool Magnum primers foil anvil primer construction reloading powder CCISize Matters
Useful Trivia — even though Small Rifle and Small Pistol primer pockets share the same depth specification, Large Rifle and Large Pistol primers do not. The standard pocket for a Large Pistol primer is somewhat shallower than its Large Rifle counterpart, specifically, 0.008 to 0.009 inch less.

Magnum Primers
There are two ways to make a Magnum primer — either use more of the standard chemical mix to provide a longer-burning flame or change the mix to one with more aggressive burn characteristics. Prior to 1989, CCI used the first option in Magnum Rifle primers. After that, we switched to a mix optimized for spherical propellants that produced a 24% increase in flame temperature and a 16% boost in gas volume.

Foiled Again
Most component primers have a little disk of paper between the anvil and the priming mix. It is called “foil paper” not because it’s made of foil but because it replaces the true metal foil used to seal early percussion caps. The reason this little disk exists is strictly a manufacturing convenience. Wet primer pellets are smaller than the inside diameter of the cup when inserted and must be compacted to achieve their proper diameter and height. Without the foil paper, the wet mix would stick to the compaction pins and jam up the assembly process.

Read Full Primer Story on ShootingTimes.com

Video find by Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
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June 18th, 2022

Potential Action to Restrict Commercial Sales of Lake City Ammo

Winchester ammunition lake city missouri

Story based on report from NRA Institute for Legislative Action:

Last week, it was reported that the Biden administration seeks to limit the sales of Lake City-produced ammunition. Specifically, Biden’s team intends to prohibit commercial (public) sales of 5.56x45mm NATO ammo produced at the Lake City Ammunition Plant in Missouri. The move could result in a reduction of the commercial production of 5.56×45 (.223 Rem) caliber ammunition by over 30 percent (30%).

The sales restriction would dramatically reduce availability of ammunition for America’s most popular centerfire rifle caliber, and the ammo most commonly used in AR-15 platform rifles. This could result in a significantly increased cost for all centerfire .223 Rem and 5.56×45 ammunition, because overall supply would be drastically reduced.

Lake City-produced ammo, which exceeds the U.S. government’s requirements, has long been made available to the private commercial market. Lake City’s output, according to some estimates, accounts for one-third of the 5.56×45 ammunition available to U.S. consumers.

News of the move was broken by Larry Keane, NSSF Senior V.P. and General Counsel. This past week, Keane published a tweet, which stated: “The U.S. Military is actively considering shutting down the sale [of] M855/SS109 ammo from Lake City to the commercial market”.

Winchester ammunition lake city missouri Biden ban ammo

Lake City Ammunition Plant Produces over 1 Billion Rounds Annually
Lake City is a sprawling ammunition plant in Independence, Missouri, originally established by Remington in 1941 to manufacture and test ammunition for the U.S. Army. It is currently owned by the government and operated by private contractors and produces well over a billion rounds of ammunition per year.

Commentary about the Potential Ammunition Sales Restrictions:
The Truth about Guns Blog commented: “The motivation here is obvious. The Biden administration is attempting to further spike the price of ammunition, squeezing the owners of America’s favorite rifles — the scary black ones that the president assures us are only good for killing people and taking down Kevlar vest-wearing deer. The hapless Biden administration [is] trying to make shooting most AR-15 rifles as expensive as possible for Americans who own between 20 and 25 million AR-platform guns.

The NRA-ILA states: “Gun prohibition advocates have a long-standing desire to ban the AR-15 and other types of semiautomatic long guns outright. Joe Biden in particular loves to brag of authoring the so-called ‘assault weapons’ ban that Bill Clinton signed into law in 1994. Congress, however, allowed the ban to expire 10 years later, after a Department of Justice-sponsored study was unable to substantiate any significant crime reduction benefit from it.

Close followers of Second Amendment issues will remember that these same [5.56×45] rounds were targeted by the Obama/Biden administration under the guise of relabeling them ‘armor piercing ammunition’, which is banned from commercial sale by federal law. The resulting … furor from the Second Amendment community was so intense that it culminated in Obama’s ATF director, B. Todd Jones, quitting his job.”

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, News, Tactical 2 Comments »
June 18th, 2022

NO-LEAD Is Very Effective for Cleaning Rimfire and Pistol Barrels

Suhl Rimfire Benchrest indoor cleaning
We have used NO-LEAD Cleaner in rimfire benchrest rifles similar to this modified Suhl 150-1. It helped restore accuracy with minimal brushing.

NO-lead brushless lead remover Wipe-out Sharp Shoot-rMade by the same smart folks that created Wipe-Out™, and Carb-Out™, NO-LEAD Brushless Lead Remover™ really works. Honest. If you are an active rimfire shooter, or if you shoot cast lead-alloy bullets in centerfire rifles and pistols, you should try this product. We now use NO-LEAD in our rimfire benchrest rifles, and in some centerfire guns that receive a steady diet of soft-alloy cast bullets (90%+ lead). (With rimfire guns, you don’t need to use NO-LEAD very often — maybe every 300-400 rounds unless you have a real fouler of a barrel.)

If you’ve got stubborn lead fouling in a rimfire barrel, or on a pistol’s muzzle brake/compensator, you should definitely give this stuff a try. We don’t know how but it does soften lead deposits. The manufacturer says you don’t need brushes, but we found that a bit of brushing (after NO-LEAD application) can help remove more serious lead build-up.

Yes we were surprised to find a lead remover that really works. We tried a half-dozen other lead “cleaners” that promised to dissolve lead and most of them, we discovered, are nearly useless. There’s a reason for that, as the lead alloys used in bullets don’t react to typical petrochemical-based solvents. It took the Wipe-Out chemists over five years to perfect this water-based solution that really does dissolve lead.

NO-LEAD Cleaning Procedure — Read Carefully
NO-LEAD Lead Remover is a clear, red gel that is easy to apply. Just swab it in your bore (or on muzzle brakes) with wet patches or bore mop and let it sit for a few minutes. (The manufacturer says you can leave the NO-LEAD for up to 20 minutes, but that long of a dwell time does not seem necessary with our rimfire barrels.) When it contacts lead it will start to foam and you’ll see that the NO-LEAD solvent turns a pastel pink when it dissolves lead. The pink comes from the formation of lead oxide. After the recommended dwell time, simply patch out the dissolved lead deposits (you can also use a nylon brush for stubborn lead build-up).

NOTE: After cleaning, it is very important that you get all the NO-LEAD out of your barrel, and neutralize it. We recommend following the application of NO-Lead with Wipe-out or Patch-Out to neutralize the NO-LEAD, clear the bore, and remove residual carbon and copper fouling. If you don’t have Wipe-Out or Patch-out, flush the barrel thoroughly with Rubbing Alcohol or even a solution of Dawn dish detergent — then re-oil the bore.

Be Sure to Neutralize NO-LEAD After Use
Remember that N0-LEAD is a strong, slightly acidic chemical that needs to be neutralized after use. If you leave it on a nice, blued barrel for too long, it can harm the bluing. NO-LEAD will remove all the surface oils from the barrel bore. For this reason it is recommended that you neutralize NO-LEAD with Wipe-Out, or Patch-Out, which both contain effective corrosion inhibitors. If you don’t have those products, once you’ve flushed the NO-LEAD with something like rubbing alcohol, then follow with a gun oil. Caution: A petroleum-based gun oil will NOT, by itself, neutralize NO-LEAD. You need to neutralize first, then apply the corrosion inhibitor (or do it all in one step with Wipe-Out or Patch-Out).

Where to Buy NO-LEAD Lead Remover
NO-LEAD Lead Remover costs $18.55 for an 8 oz. squeeze bottle with a flip-top spout. This product is sold directly by Sharp Shoot-R Precision Products through Sharpshootr.com, or you can purchase NO-LEAD through many other online vendors. For more information, send an email via the Sharp Shoot-R Contact Form or or contact SharpShoot-R at (785) 883-4444. You can ask for Terry Paul, Sharp Shoot-R’s owner and the master chemist who developed the NO-LEAD formula.

View Price List for all SharpShootr products »

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June 16th, 2022

Load Dev for .223 Rem Varminter and .308 Win Hunting Rifle

Keith Glasscock winning Wind .308 Winchester Win .223 Rem load development

Keith Glasscock is an outstanding competitive shooter, who has finished second at the F-Class National Championships (F-Open) multiple times. Keith is also a skilled wind coach who runs the popular Winning in the Wind YouTube Channel. Along with his interest in mid-range and long-range F-Class competition, Keith also enjoys game hunting and varmint adventures.

Developing accurate hand-loaded ammo for hunting and varmint rifles involves procedures that may be a bit different than load testing for a match rifle. You want to be efficient, and use the types of brass and bullets you’ll be using on the hunts. In two recent videos, Keith shows how he developed good, accurate loads for a .223 Rem varmint rifle and a .308 Win hunting rifle.

.223 Rem Load Development — Powder Charge and Seating Depth

In the first video, Keith covers the load development process for a Remington 700 bolt-action varmint rifle chambered in .223 Remington. Keith starts by full-length sizing the brass. Then he experimented with powder charge weights, and came up with a promising load of 24.7 grains of Alliant AR Comp with Hornady 50gr A-Max bullets.

Next Keith experimented with seating depths (see 5:30-6:100) and found that accuracy improved as he changed OAL length in .005 increments. Keith ended up with 2.270″ with a 3-shot group in the twos! This video shows the importance of testing your bullet choice at various seating depths. Keith shoots this rig prone off bipod, which is similar to the bipod shooting he does in the varmint fields. Keith explains key factors to consider when optimizing the .223 Rem cartridge in a varmint rig. Velocity readings are made with a LabRadar unit.

Keith Glasscock .223 Rem load development

Load Development for .308 Win Hunting Rifle

Keith Glasscock .223 Rem load development

In a second video, Keith shows the process for load development with a .308 Winchester hunting rifle. Here Keith uses a large X-type sandbag for a front support. Again, he was shooting a Remington 700 bolt-action rifle, this time with Barnes TSX solid copper bullets, PPU Brass, Federal 210m primers, and AR Comp powder. Keith said the Barnes bullets were excellent — he commented that these bullets were “match quality in terms of precision”. Keith achieved some very small three-shot groups with AR Comp and the TSX projectiles. Keith did note that point-of-impact shifted up significantly with increases in charge weight (see 6:20-7:10). With thinner-contour hunting barrels, this is not unexpected. But POI change should be observed carefully during load development, as you may need to adjust your zero after completing testing.


Keith Glasscock .223 Rem load development

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June 16th, 2022

Current Discount Codes — Save on Guns, Ammo, Accessories

Money Saving Discount Codes Shooters Shopping Demo Optics

The true cost of living has risen significantly since Biden took office. The latest inflation number is 8.6% annualized — the worst in 40+ years. Accordingly, it’s important to save money whenever possible. Fuel is over $5.00/gallon, food prices are going up, health costs are rising significantly, and the cost of components (bullets, brass, powder) remain at high levels (though inventory is starting to improve). To help you hang on to those hard-earned dollars, here are discount codes you can use with a variety of online retailers, including leading vendors such as Brownells and Sportsman’s Warehouse.

For more deals, check regularly for current COUPON CODES at Gun.deals/coupons.

Sportsman’s Warehouse
DEAL: Spend $200 or more, get “Bounceback Bucks” worth $50 off future purchases made from 7/5/2022 through 7/14/2022.
sportsman's warehouse $200 $50 back
CODE: No Coupon Code Needed
Expiration date: 6/19/2022 at 11:59 pm

sportsman's warehouse $200 $50 back

Brownells
DEAL: $15 off $150
CODE: TAG or SAE
Expiration: Unknown

DEAL: $10 off $100
CODE: PTT or RTA
Expiration: Unknown

Sportsman’s Guide
DEAL: Club Bucks — Spend $50, Get $10
CODE: CB1030
Expiration date: 6/21/2022 at 11:59 pm

DEAL: $20 Off Sitewide (Excludes Ammo)
CODE: ULTIMATE20
Expiration: Unknown

Focus Camera
DEAL: 25% OFF select Vortex products
CODE: MEMORIAL25
Expiration date: 6/16/2022 (Ends today at 11:59 pm! Don’t hesitate.)

Optics Planet
DEAL: 8% Off over $50
CODE: 8DAD
Expiration Date: 6/19/22 at 11:59pm

DEAL: 5% OFF
CODE: GUNDEALS
Expiration date: Unknown

ShootingTargets7
DEAL: $10 Off Steel Targets
CODE: DAD
Expiration Date: 6/20/22 at 11:59pm

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June 14th, 2022

Bullet Impacts Show at Amazing 1 Million Frames Per Second

werner mehl kurzzeit.com high speed slow motion bullet video

Want to see a bullet hit a target in ultra-ultra-slow motion? Watch this video to witness some amazing things — such as a bullet jacket peeling back like a banana-skin (at time-mark 7:30). Some years ago, Werner Mehl of Kurzzeit.com produced a 10-minute video for the SHOT Show. This video has has been watched over 15 million times on YouTube, making it one of the most popular shooting-related videos in history. Employing cameras recording at up to 1,000,000 (one million) frames per second, Mehl’s bullet flight video has been called “astounding” and “mesmerizing”. If you haven’t seen it yet, sit back and enjoy!

Watch This Video! It’s Really Something Special…

LINK: Kurzzeit.com Video System
Click the link above to learn more about Werner Mehl and his super-sophisticated camera systems that can record at 1,000,000 frames per second. On the same linked page you can learn about the advanced chronographs designed by Werner. Werner has now retired from business, but he was a brilliant engineer and his high-speed cameras were truly amazing. CLICK HERE to see more high-speed bullet videos.

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June 14th, 2022

Die Shims For Full-Length Sizing Dies — EZ Die Adjusting

Sinclair Die Shims

When your cases become hard to extract, or you feel a stiff bolt lift when removing a cartridge, it’s probably time to full-length size your cases, and “bump” the shoulder back. Short-range benchrest shooters, running high pressures, typically full-length size every load cycle, bumping the shoulder .001-.002″. The vast majority of mid-range and long-range F-Class shooters also full-length size every time. High Power shooters with gas guns should definitely full-length size every time, and may need to bump the shoulders .003″ or more to ensure reliable feeding and extraction.

Use Shims for Precise Control of Shoulder Bump
Some shooters like to set the “default” position for their full-length die to have an “ample” .003″ or .004″ shoulder bump. When they need less bump, a simple way to reduce the amount of shoulder movement is to use precision shims in .001″ (one-thousandth) increments. Sinclair Int’l offers a set of seven (7) shims for your standard 7/8-14 FL sizing dies for $14.99.

Sinclair explains: “Each shim is notched for easy size identification. Just set your die using one of the middle thickness shims. Adjustments can be made easily by changing shims to increase or decrease die depth without changing the stem setting. This is a great upgrade for non-micrometer adjustable dies.”

Here are reports from Forum members who use the shims:

“Great product. I have my die lock ring(s) adjusted for the shortest headspace length on my multiple chambers 6BRs and 6PPCs. When needing a longer headspace, I just refer to my notes and add the appropriate shim under the lock ring. Keep it simple.” — F.D. Shuster

Mats Johansson writes: “I’ve been using [shims] since Skip Otto (of BR fame) came out with them. I set up my dies with the .006″ shim, giving me the option of bumping the shoulder a bit more when the brass gets old and hardens while still having room to adjust up for zero headspace, should I have missed the original setup by a thou or two. Hunting rounds can easily be bumped an extra .002-.003″ for positive, no-crush feeding. Being a safety-oriented cheapskate, I couldn’t live without them — they let me reload my cases a gazillion times without dangerous web-stretching. Shims are a must-have, as simple as that.” — Mats Johansson

Sinclair Die ShimsBrownells offers the seven-piece set of Sizing Die Shims that let you adjust the height of your die (and thereby the amount of bump and sizing) in precise .001″ increments. Sinclair explains: “Some handloaders will set their die up to achieve maximum sizing and then progressively use Sinclair Die Shims between the lock ring and the press head to move the die away from the shellholder. Doing this allows you to leave the lock ring in the same position. These shims are usually available in increments of .001″ and work very well.”

Seven Shims from .003″ to .010″
For use with 7/8-14 threaded dies, Sinclair’s $14.99 Die Shim Kit (Sinclair item 22400 or Brownells Code 749-001-325WB) includes seven shims in thicknesses of .003, .004, .005, .006, .007, .008, and .010. For ease of use, shim thickness is indicated by the number of notches cut in the outer edge of each shim. Even without looking you can “count” the notches by feel.

NOTE: These shim sets can also be use to adjust bullet seating depth for dies that lack micrometer adjustment. Use the same 7/8-14 shims with your non-micrometer seating dies.

Sinclair Die ShimsShims for Arbor Dies

Do you seat with an Arbor Press? No problem…

Brownells offers a $14.99 10-shim Arbor Die set for use with L.E. Wilson seating dies employed with arbor presses. Frankly we prefer micrometer-top Wilson dies, but if you have the standard Arbor dies, these shims come in handy. Order either Brownells Code 749-001-370WB (.22 to .243 caliber) or Brownells Code 749-001-326WB (.25 to .30 caliber).

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