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. EuroOptic — Tikka T3x Rifle Blow-Out Sale — Save 35%
⏺️ » Tikka makes great hunting rifles now offered at major savings
With this Blow-Out Sale at EuroOptic.com, you can save $120-$500 on quality Tikka T3x hunting rifles, starting at just $499.99. Multiple models are on sale including T3x Lite, T3x Lite Compact, T3x Lite Stainless, T3x Hunter, T3x Laminated, and T3x RoughTech. Both right-hand and left-hand versions are offered. The Hunter models feature a handsome wood stock. These rifles can deliver sub-MOA accuracy with good hand-loads.
2. Creedmoor Sports — Berger Bullet Sale, Save up to 20%
⏺️ Good discounts on very large selection of Berger bullets
Now’s the time to get components, with the competition season getting underway. And right now Creedmoor Sports is running a major Berger Bullet Sale with quality Berger bullets from .17 to .30 calibers in a wide variety of hunting and match types. Choose target hybrids, varmint bullets, Elite Hunters or other bullet types for your next match or hunt. Many of the most popular .22-Cal, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, and .30-Cal match bullets are on sale.
3. Sportsman’s WH — Springfield Armory XD-M Elite, $379.99
⏺️ Great deal on excellent 9mm pistol complete with Crimson Trace optic
Here’s a great deal on a high-quality Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 9x19mm pistol complete with a Crimson Trace 1500 Red Dot sight. With this current $379.99 sale price you save $220 (37%). That’s a terrific deal on a pistol with excellent owner reviews: “Great value and a great pistol. 100% reliable and accurate”; “Very happy with this purchase”.
4. Sportsman’s WH: SIGnature Event Optics Sale, Save 20-40%
⏺️ Discounts on scopes, rangefinders, red dots, plus FREE Gift Cards
Head over to Sportsman’s Warehouse for major savings on SIG Sauer scopes, rangefinders, and Red Dot optics. And now through 4/20/2025, you’ll receive a $10 Sportsman’s Warehouse Gift Card for every $100 spent on SIG Sauer items. The eGift Card will be sent once SIG Sauer items are shipped. This eGift Card offer applies to SIG Sauer firearm sales as well as SIG Sauer optics. And with many products Sportsman’s Warehouse is currently offering Free Shipping with orders over $49.00.
5. Midway USA — Walker’s Electronic EarMuffs on Sale
⏺️ Major savings on popular electronic hearing protection
6. Midsouth — Lyman Gen 6 Powder Scale/Dispenser, $219.99
⏺️ Good advanced powder dispenser now $40 Off plus FREE Shipping
Here’s a good, modern powder scale/dispenser offered with a HUGE discount. At Midsouth, the Lyman Gen 6 Compact Powder Dispenser System is now $40 Off with FREE Shipping. So your total price, delivered, is $219.99 — a great deal. This unit is accurate to +/- 0.1 grains and can use any type of smokeless powder. It has a fast warm-up, anti-static/anti-drift technology, with sophisticated electronic shielding to resist interference from other electronic devices. This unit comes with calibration weight, powder tray, and cleaning brush.
⏺️ » Incredibly low price on a good home defense shotgun
If you’re looking for a rugged 12ga shotgun for home defense — here is the deal of the decade. CDNN Sports is now selling a Dickinson XX2T 12ga Pump Shotgun for just $139.99, an amazingly low price. This pistol-grip shotgun works with 2 3/4″ or 3″ shells and has an 18.5″ barrel with factory muzzle brake. This XX2T, with shielded tactical iron sights, is $110 off the regular $249.99 price.
8. Midsouth — Aguila .22 LR ammo, 2000-rd case, $114.99
⏺️ Great 2000-round .22 LR bulk pack, super-low price
Modern .22 LR rimfire ammo is way cheaper than centerfire ammo, which can cost $1.30 or more per round for your own handloads, given the high costs of bullets, powder, and primers. Here’s a great deal — Midsouth offers 2000 rounds of Aguila .22 LR for only $114.99. This 38gr High Velocity Copper Plated Hollow Point is sold in a 2000-rd case. The $114.99 price works out to just $.06 (six cents) per round.
9. Amazon — Tactical Shooting Mat & Rest Bags, $29.99
⏺️ Handy shooting mat with two bags — all for under $30
Shooting prone requires a good shooting mat. And it helps to have front and rear bags when not sling-shooting. One budget-priced option is this DGVR Tactical Shooting Mat (#ad) set that comes with both front and rear bags. Get the mat and both bags for just $29.99 on Amazon (#ad). The bags are made of 600D oxford but do NOT come filled. The 1000D Nylon shooting mat is waterproof, and boasts a non-slip, wear-resistant coating plus a handy carry strap.
10. MidwayUSA — Tipton Jag Kit Brass or Nickel 15-20% Off
⏺️ Very useful kit with 13 different size jags
If you shoot a variety of calibers, you need one of these Jag Kits, now 25% Off. You get 13 different diameter jags in a fitted case for under $17.00. We like the Nickel-Plated Ultra Brass Jags (20% off price $19.99) because you don’t get “false positive” blue from your solvent interacting with the jag itself. But the regular Solid Brass Jags (15% Off price $16.99) also work great and some folks think they are more durable. We own these Jag kits and use them for everything from a .17 HMR up to a 45/70. Both kits contain 13 jags covering these calibers: .17, .20, .22, .243/6mm, .25/6.5mm, .270/7mm, .30, .338/8mm, .35/9mm, .375, .40, .44 and .45.
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The digital archives of Shooting Sports USA magazine (SSUSA) features an Expert Forum on Wind Reading. This outstanding article on wind reading starts off with a section by ballistics guru Bryan Litz, author of Applied Ballistics for Long-Range Shooting. Then four of the greatest American shooters in history share their personal wind wisdom. Lanny Basham (Olympic Gold Medalist, author, Winning in the Wind), Nancy Tompkins (Past National HP Champion, author, Prone and Long-Range Rifle Shooting), David Tubb (11-Time Camp Perry National Champion), and Lones Wigger (Olympic Hall of Fame) all offer practical wind-reading lessons learned during their shooting careers.
Whether you shoot paper at Perry or prairie dogs in the Dakotas, this is a certified “must-read” resource on reading the wind. Here is a sample selection from the article:
Shooting Sports USA magazine (SSUSA) has a modern, mobile-friendly website with tons of great content. Log on to www.ssusa.org. There you’ll find current news stories as well as popular articles from the SSUSA archives. The SSUSA website also includes match reports, gear reviews, reloading advice, plus expert marksmanship tips from the USAMU.
Mark your calendars for the return of the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament. The second longest-running pistol championship in the world, the 2025 CMP Bianchi Cup is set to run May 20-23, 2025 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri.
About the CMP Bianchi Cup
The Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament was first held in 1979, making it the second longest running pistol championship in the world. This year, it will be hosted by the CMP May 20-23, 2025, at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Missouri. The Bianchi Cup has been called the most prestigious pistol tournament in the world. Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet.
The Bianchi Cup is Comprised of Four Events:
Practical Event: Competitors fire at distances from 10 yards to 50 yards under varying time limits from the shooting line.
Barricade Event: Competitors fire at targets on either side of the barricade at different distances and under varying time limits from within shooting boxes and behind barricades.
Falling Plate Event: Competitors fire at eight-inch round steel plates arranged in banks of six at distances from 10 to 25 yards under varying time limits.
Moving Target Event: Competitors fire from within shooting boxes at distances ranging from 10 to 25 yards at a target moving from left to right, with the target exposed for six seconds.
Bianchi Cup Open Class Pistol — Features in Review
Above an Australian lady competitor shoots Open Class pistol. Note the large flared grip extension, ported muzzle compensator, and elevated optic. Open pistols may also have special custom fittings: wings for barricades, mover base for leads, and prone pad for stability. Open Class pistols rule at the Bianchi Cup: “Unlike USPSA, all divisions compete heads up at Bianchi. While Bianchi recognizes wins in other divisions, only the absolute top score can win the Cup. Since Bianchi is typically won only with a perfect score, and often by X count, guns other than open are not really competitive.” See Pistol-Training.com.
Position Shooting with Pistols at Bianchi Cup
Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and are also required to shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages. There are no make-up shots in the Bianchi Cup, adding to the difficulty.
Bianchi Cup 1911 Pistol Giveaway
Looking for a 1911 pistol? The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is giving away a vintage 1911 pistol (plus mags, holster, and ammo) for competitors who register for the upcoming 2025 CMP Bianchi Cup.
The 2025 Bianchi Cup match runs May 20-23 in Hallsville, Missouri. Those who sign up for the CMP Bianchi Cup BEFORE April 27, 2025 will be automatically entered to win.*
To have a chance to win, you must officially register for the 2025 Bianchi Cup. ALL paid registrants will be automatically entered for the raffle. To learn more and REGISTER for the 2023 Bianchi Cup, go to the CMP 2025 Bianchi Cup Web Page.
* The raffle is open to U.S. citizens only. If a non-U.S. citizen is drawn, he or she will receive $500 in place of the 1911 pistol. Those who have already purchased a pistol are still permitted to win.
Team Berger’s Larry Bartholome showcased his shooting prowess by winning the 2025 Western Wildcat Smallbore F-Class Championship. The event, held in March at the Ben Avery Shooting Complex and hosted by the Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club, brought together the nation’s top smallbore F-Class shooters in a challenging 4-day competition.
Bartholome finished with a 6363 Grand Aggregate score and an impressive 434 Xs, showing remarkable consistency throughout the match. His Western Wildcat win comes on the heels of a strong third-place finish at the NRA Metric Prone National Championship. “The Western Wildcat is one of the most challenging smallbore matches in the country, and I knew I had to bring my absolute best”, said Bartholome. “Thank you to the Lapua group for producing such great .22 ammo. I couldn’t have won without it. The Lapua X-ACT [ammunition] I shot was outstanding.”
Bartholome’s victory at the Western Wildcat highlights not only his personal dedication and skill but also the critical role of precision equipment and top-tier ammunition in elite-level competition. His latest achievement adds to his distinguished career and reinforces his status as one of America’s best F-Class shooters in both centerfire and rimfire disciplines.
Bartholome prepared for the competition by testing ammo lots with his rifle at the Mesa, Arizona, Lapua Rimfire Performance Center. This facility allows testing of of multiple lots at both 50 and 100 meters to identify the best match for a shooter’s rifle. Lapua’s Rimfire Performance Centers, located in Mesa, AZ, and Marengo, OH, provide this ammo-testing service to competitive shooters. Appointments can be scheduled for those looking to refine their ammunition selection.
Want to go to some fun rifle matches in the months ahead? You can access coming events near your location with the interactive NRA SSUSA.org Shooting Sports Coming Events Calendar webpage. You can filter results by shooting discipline (pistol, smallbore rifle, high power rifle etc.) as well as location. You can also view the match locations on a map by clicking on the “View on Map” link on the right side of the page. This alternates with “View as List”.
To see ALL upcoming matches in your area, click on the “Edit Search” button then click the box for the lead category, “All Competition Types”. Or click one or more of these categories:
Action Pistol
Air Rifle
BB Gun
Black Powder Target Rifle
Collegiate Rifle/Pistol
High Power Rifle
International Pistol
Precision Pistol
For example, here are the results of a search for matches within 200 miles of Seattle Washington. First is the list view, then below that is the map view. For any search, you can alternate views by clicking “View on Map” or “View as List” in the right column.
For Summer Travelers, Find Matches Outside Your Home State
If you are planning an out-of-state vacation this summer and you want to combine your travels with a shooting match, simply click the blue “Edit Search” button. Then you can select a different location. Just type in the city and state, or the Zip Code. For example, here are the search results for shooting matches within 75 miles of Las Vegas, Nevada:
Enjoy the Shooting Sports USA Archives
As we head into spring, many Americans will be spending more time at the range. And competitors will be shooting in rimfire and centerfire rifle matches throughout the country. Here’s an opportunity to learn competition skills, gun tuning methods, and reloading techniques from leading experts. A vast resource of great gun-related content available online for FREE. Check out the Shooting Sports USA Articles Archive. SSUSA maintains a vast digital library with hundreds of articles going back to June 2009.
It’s easy to find back issues of Shooting Sports USA magazine. Here’s how: First, navigate to the latest SSUSA Online Issue (April 2025). Then click on the “ARCHIVES” icon in the upper right area (indicated with red arrow). When you click on “ARCHIVES”, a window will open with a selection of Shooting Sports USA magazine covers/dates in a vertical column. The most recent issue (April 2025) will appear at the top left. You can then scroll down — use the vertical scroll bar to go from April 2025 all the way back to June 2009. Click any issue cover to read.
How to Find and Save Articles
To search back issues, select “MORE OPTIONS” from the toolbar (top left). Then click the “SEARCH” button. When that opens, select either “Search Archives” for ALL back issues or “Search Only this Issue”. When you’ve made your choice, enter your search term(s). For example, you can search for “Camp Perry” or “Palma” or “F-Class Championship”. You can also save any archived issue as a PDF for viewing offline. Just click “SAVE” to download the article you’re currently viewing/reading.
Read Sample Articles
Here are a three of our favorite SSUSA feature stories from recent years. There are hundreds of other informative articles worth reading.
F-Class fans will enjoy the coverage of the 2023 F-Class World Championships in the June 2023 issue of Shooting Sports USA. On the cover is our friend and Forum member Erik Cortina.
First there was F-Class, and now there will be E-Class, the “E” standing for “Economy”. The NRA Competitive Shooting Division has just approved a new form of rifle competition starting in 2025: E-Class. Unlike F-Class, E-Class will have tight rifle and gear cost controls. This is a clear response to rising F-Class costs, which have spiraled out of control. The first major E-Class National event will be a preview match held this summer at Camp Atterbury in Indiana.
The NRA’s sanctioning of E-Class competition makes sense. Let’s face it, top-level F-Class competition, both F-TR and F-Open, has become just too expensive. A modern F-Open rifle capable of winning a championship can now cost $9000.00 or more, including rest, premium trigger, and optics. Under the NRA’s new E-Class Rules, rifles can cost no more than $2000.00 total, including optics and rest (E-Open) or bipod (E-TR). In addition, new E-Class rules will recognize a special division, called E-Factory, that is limited to factory rifles, such as the Savage Axis II and Howa rifles. The E-Factory Class will also be restricted to .223 Remington to keep ammo costs down.
COST COMPARISON — F-Open, E-Open, and E-TR Factory
E-TR Factory Division
Complete Rifle
Savage Axis II: $1079 MSRP
Barrel: Included
Stock: Included
Optics: $500
Trigger: Included
Bipod: $150
Rear Bag: $50 Total: $1779.00
Under the new E-Class rules, TOTAL Cost for an E-Open or E-TR Rifle is limited to $2000.00, including optics, front rest or bipod, and rear bag. There are specific gear limits. Scope maximum is $500.00. Front rest or bipod is limited to $300.00. In the chart above you see how an E-Open rifle could be built for $1900 with a $400 action and a $400 optic. In the third column we’ve priced out an E-Factory rifle, based on a Savage Axis II Rifle, at $1779.00.
A top-of-the-line F-Open set-up like this can cost more than $8000.00 with custom stock, high-end optic, and coax front rest. All new E-Class rifles must cost less than $2000 including rests and scope.
These E-Class rigs cost less than a quarter of the price of a Top-of-the-line $8750.00 F-Open Rig. That’s a huge savings, that will allow more shooters to enjoy competitive shooting. E-Class combines the fun challenge of the F-Class course of fire, with a vastly lower investment. With the rising costs of taxes, food, fuel, and everything else, it’s high time we get serious about the money we throw away on competition rifles. We know the wives will approve!
Keeping on Lid on Expenses
In the Wings — Controls on Ammo Costs as Well
Shooters know that the price of the rifle, optics, and rests is only part of the cost equation. The price of ammunition is also significant. Currently, in F-Open, competitors can easily pay $1.40 per round just for the expendables — bullets, powder, and primers. Add in the cost of premium cartridge brass and the cost per shot goes up significantly. One competitor lamented “Shooting a match these days really empties your wallet. I cringe every time I pull the trigger, knowing what it costs.”
Therefore, the NRA is considering E-Class ammo restrictions. Starting in 2026, E-Factory class competitors would be required to shoot recycled bulk brass and blem bullets. Bulk Lake City 5.56 brass will be offered by ARMorAlly.com, and blem bullets will be offered by Midsouth Shooters Supply. Purists may complain about using surplus brass, but it only costs $199.99 for 500 cases! That’s a huge savings.
The Final Step — Claiming Rules for E-Class
As in every competitive endeavor, there may be temptation to bend or even break the rules. Predictably, some E-Class competitors may try to substitute more expensive components, such as high-cost triggers, or modified actions. To prevent this, the NRA plans to impose claiming rules for E-Class matches. This means that any rifle that captures first or second place in a major match can be claimed by another competitor for the fee of $2000.00. This procedure may seem radical but it is used in other sports to ensure parity among the competitors. If a shooter wins with a “cheater” $5000.00 rifle, he can be forced to sell it to a competitor for $2000.00.
The CMP Eastern Games will run April 25 through May 4, 2025 at the Camp Butner Training Facility in North Carolina. This popular event, part of CMP’s Travel Games series, combines competitions and educational clinics open to adults and juniors of all experience levels. CLICK HERE to learn more about the CMP Eastern Games and to access the Eastern Games Registration Page.
There will be modern and vintage military rifle competitions, like the Springfield, Carbine, and John C. Garand Matches, as well as the .22 Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match and Vintage Sniper team event. Mid-Range 3×600 and 1,000-yard Long Range matches, added to Eastern Games in recent years, will also make a return in 2025, as well as CMP Cup Rifle Matches – comprised of 4-Man Team, 80 Shot and EIC Rifle competitions. All rifle matches will be fired on advanced CMP electronic targets, removing pit duty. That allows matches to be concluded more quickly.
Long Range Competition at CMP Eastern Games
The newest addition to the CMP Eastern Games is the Long Range program for Palma rifles, service rifles, and F-Class rifles. KTS (Kongsberg Target System) electronic targets were used for this match as well as all other rifle matches. Shown above is a Long Range competitor shooting with scoped Eliseo Tubegun. Note the viewing screen for electronic target. In addition to the Long Range Rifle matches, there will be a mid-range 3×600 match, EIC Rifle match, 80-shot HP match, Carbine Match, Vintage Sniper Match, 4-Man Team match, and other rifle competitions.
Garand, Springfield and Modern Military (GSMM) Matches
Like other Travel Games events, those competing in the John C. Garand Match with As-Issued M1 Rifles will have the chance to earn a GCA (Garand Collectors Association) Master Marksman medal.
Service Rifle Competition at CMP Eastern Games
There will be multiple matches for modern service rifles. Current rules allow ARs to be fitted with optics. In CMP and NRA service rifle competitions using AR-15 platform rifles, scopes are allowed with a maximum magnification of 4.5X and a maximum objective lens of 34mm, and the rifle, including the optic, must weigh no more than 11.5 pounds.
Rimfire Sporter Competition at CMP Eastern Games
The CMP expects a high turn-out of Rimfire Sporter class competitors. Rimfire Sporter competition is conducted with relatively inexpensive .22 LR production rifles and is a good way to enjoy a CMP match without a huge investment in rifle, fancy optics, and shooting gear.
Pistol Competition at the CMP Eastern Games
The Eastern Games will include multiple pistol competitions including Centerfire, .45 and .22 Pistol 900 Aggregates and a Service Revolver EIC Match. Those interested in learning more about the sport may also sign up for the Pistol Marksmanship 101 courses taught by certified CMP instructors.
For more information about the CMP and its programs, visit TheCMP.org.
You’ve heard the adage — “The couple that plays together, stays together.” Here’s a story about a talented husband and wife who compete together in precision rifle matches. Shooters Tim and Regina Milkovich have done well in competition, including both placing in the Top 10 at the popular CowTown Accurized AR Match a while back. Regina took third with a nearly-clean run, dropping only one shot on Stage 5 to end with 49 points and an overall time of 49.50. Tim followed closely behind, placing sixth with 48 points and a time of 37.95.
This match, held at the CowTown Range in Peoria, Arizona, is designed to test and build shooters’ long range skills. Shots are taken from normal PRS-style positions and supports. Each match consists of five stages with targets ranging from 100 to 700 yards. Each stage has a 20-round maximum, and the match typically requires 40 to 50 hits.
Tim and Regina, who are both sponsored by Nosler, can often be found competing together at individual and team matches. At this match, both shot ARs chambered in .223 Rem loaded with Nosler .22 caliber 77gr Custom Competition bullets.
This video is from a past Cowtown Accurized AR match.
Regina is a Top Female PRS Shooter
Regina is one of the top female precision rifle competitors in the country. She is one of only two women to ever win a national-level Precision Rifle Series (PRS) match. Just a few years ago Regina was a novice in the PRS/NRL game. Now ranked as a Master Class shooter, today she is a respected, top-level competitor.
Time is a Veteran Who Shoots Many Disciplines
Tim is a military veteran with service in the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force. He has been shooting competitively since 1986 in multiple disciplines including Pistol Silhouette, Bullseye Pistol, USPSA, IDPA, and 3 Gun. Tim has a Master Class ranking in most of the disciplines he shoots.
Tim also shoots bolt-action rifles. Below are his 6.5×47 Lapua cartridges loaded with Nosler 140gr RDF bullets and Varget powder. Photos from Tim Milkovich Facebook Page.
AR-Type Rifle Event in April at Camp Atterbury, Indiana
The NRA Competition Shooting Division is launching the America’s Rifle Challenge, an all-AR-based program to build and test skills for shooters of all levels. On April 19, 2025, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana (south of Indianapolis), the NRA will hold the America’s Rifle Challenge, a one-day, AR-based competition with two levels giving participants a fun intro to the action shooting sports with AR-15 type rifles. The NRA will provide prizes and awards for competitors and winners (plus a free lunch). Match Fees are $45 for NRA Members and $55 for non-members.
After the action concludes, the NRA will provide a FREE BBQ lunch for all competitors and one immediate family member or friend. American Rifleman TV and ShootingUSA will be filming the match and conducting interviews with competitors and spectators.
America’s Rifle Challenge Event Levels:
Level 1: The Level 1 course of fire is conducted from 10 out to 100 yards with competitors firing from different positions under time constraints. Level 1 is intended for AR owners new to competitive shooting. This event focuses on building skills to improve accuracy, speed, and mechanics. L1 matches are conducted from 100 yards and inward, with a balance of both time and accuracy being measured in every event. There are currently five total stages of fire in this match, with more in development. NOTE: Level 1 is limited to the first 32 competitors (4 squads). Space in level 1 is limited, so sign up quickly.
Level 2: The Level 2 course of fire covers the full spectrum of what is possible with an AR. L2 matches are conducted from 500 yards inward. Competitors will face a variety of stages designed to test skills — shooting and moving, positional shooting skills, long-range precision, speed, stage planning, and use of barricades, as well as close-quarters exercises. Level 2 offers a higher round count and more dynamics to the stages. NOTE: Level 2 is limited to the first 60 competitors (6 squads).
America’s Rifle Challenge Match Gear Requirements:
AR rifle in .223/5.56, .300 Blackout, or .308 Win
Level 1 Ammo Requirement: 125 Rounds (bring 180 Rounds)
Level 2 Ammo Requirement: 150 Rounds (bring 200 Rounds)
All firearms must have Empty Chamber Indicator
At least three magazines
Magazine holders
AR Sling required
Hearing protection
Eye protection
NOTE: The NRA plans to release the full NRA America’s Rifle Challenge rule book as well as NRA ARC requirements for clubs/ranges no later than August 1, 2025. Follow the NRA Competitive Shooting Facebook page for more information.
