Christmas is coming up soon, so today we’re featuring a hand-picked collection of six “stocking stuffers” for precision shooters. Some of these are recent new inventions. All are handy items that you’ll use over and over again at the range, on your vehicle, and/or at your loading bench (so you’re allowed to buy them for yourself, even after Christmas).
B&T Industries BT62 Determinator — $7.95
The acrylic BT62 Determinator measures groups with laser-cut concentric measuring rings. Check group size quick and easy — simply place the Determinator over shot group. Adjust until one of the circles crosses the center of the two outer-most holes. That gives you the center to center group measurement (1.5″ maximum). Alternatively, you can measure edge to edge (of the farthest shots) and then subtract the bullet diameter. Cool tool for gun guys. The supplied lanyard also glows in the dark.
Cabela’s Multi-Tool — $6.99
You won’t find a more versatile tool at this low price — just $6.99. The Cabela’s multi-tool performs many functions. The stainless steel frame features 8 tools: wire-cutting pliers with bolt grip, wire-stripper, knife, Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, saw, bottle opener, and scissors.Closed length is 3″. This handy tool is available in six colors: Red, Orange, Green, Teal, Purple, and Silver. A durable nylon belt sheath protects and carries the multitool.
Frustrated with your LabRadar missing shots? With this $35 LabRadar Recoil Trigger you will be much happier — and you won’t get false readings from the guy on the next bench. This plug-in device, made by JLK Precision, activates the LabRadar from your rifle’s inertial recoil pulse. It will work with any rifle from a .22 LR up to the big magnums. NOTE: The inertial trigger is sensitive so a “phantom” reading may occur with hard bolt manipulation. However, our Forum members who use this trigger say it is is a great improvement, with no more LOST shots and LabRadar placement is no longer critical. One owner noted: “This unit works flawlessly. Didn’t miss a single shot, and allows you to place the LabRadar in pretty much any position.” Velcro attachment standard — Picatinny and magnetic mounts sold separately. This trigger is made by JLK Precision, NOT by the LabRadar company.
Surveyor’s Tape (for Wind Indicators) — $2.69
Always watch the wind when you shoot. Inexpensive ($2.69/roll) Day-Glo Surveyors’ Tape (aka “Flagging Tape”), attached to a stake or target frame, makes a good wind indicator. It will flutter even in mild breezes, alerting you to both angle and velocity shifts. This should be part of every range kit. Don’t leave home without it. This can also be ordered from Creedmoor Sports for $3.95 per roll.
MagnetoSpeed — RifleKuhl Barrel Cooling Fan — $54.99
Cooling your barrel with a compact fan can extend barrel life. This bright red RifleKuhl from Magnetospeed is quite effective. The battery-powered impeller pushes cooling air down the barrel. It has a chamber seal for increased cooling efficiency while a neodymium magnet helps secure the device to your action. The RifleKuhl includes a belt/pocket clip and there is a Replaceable built-in 50 Micron air filter. The RifleKuhl costs $54.99 on Amazon.
Amazon — Digital Display Timer with Big Buttons — $10.95
If you shoot in a discipline with time limits, or you time your firing strings during practice, having a reliable and easy-to-read timer is critical. We like this very affordable Digital Display Timer with both count-up and count-down functions. Just $10.95 on Amazon, this unit boasts an easy-to-read display and LARGE buttons making it perfect for F-Class, Palma, and other matches. This timer comes with both a built-in stand AND a strong magnet so you can position the timer conveniently.
Creedmoor Sports — Leather 20Rd +2 Ammo Holder — $24.95
This handsome red leather ammo holder secures twenty (20) rounds of .308 Win-size ammunition, in a handy plastic carrier. In addition there are loops for 2 more sighter rounds on the outside. This is a very nice gift for a target shooter or hunter. There is also a .223 Rem version in black leather. Both these leather ammo holders conveniently fit into a shooting coat pocket via a leather pocket flap.
Bore Squeeg-E Cleaning Kit, Multi-Caliber — $9.99
The Bore Squeeg-E Cleaning System Kit contains cleaning tools for ARs, rifles, shotguns and handguns in .223/5.56mm, .308/7.62mm, .357/.380/.38/9mm, .44/.45 and 12/16/20/28GA. The compact canvas pack features quiet zipper pulls, and MOLLE mountable rear-velcro straps. There are rifle and handgun pull cables with T-pull handle. These Squeeg-E are very effective for quick cleaning of pistols and shotguns.
Creedmoor Mesh Bag for Brass — $5.95 on Sale
This durable 12″ x 9″ mesh bag for Cartridge Brass is good for collecting and holding your spent brass on the range. The open weave allows dust and gravel to fall out while the brass is retained securely. This lightweight, high-quality nylon mesh bag with draw string conveniently fits in you shooting stool or hangs on your shooting cart. User reviews have been excellent: “Capacity is generous… it works great”; “I bought two of these and they are simply perfect for bringing used brass back from the range.”
Grafs.com — Peregrine MAGnet Gun Caddy — $5.69
Here’s a handy item that can hold your rifle vertically alongside any steel surface. This works great on gun safes (outside or inside), and the MAGnet Gun Caddy can be used on vehicles too (see photo). The patented design makes it possible to secure and remove your gun from the holder with just one hand. The $5.69 MAGnet Gun Caddy is modular so you can arrange multiple units at whatever height works best.
BONUS — TACTICAL STOCKINGS for Your Stocking Stuffers
Don’t have a stocking to hold your small gift items? Then check out these cool, heavy-duty stockings. These Garud Tactical Stockings come in five camo varieties (including pink digital camo) plus OD Green, Khaki, and Black. They all feature 4 MOLLE attachments, rugged carry handle, hanging hook, swivel carabiners, outside draw pocket, and even Velcro USA Flag Patch. Get all this for the low price of $15.99 or $16.99. These stockings are sure to bring smiles to your tacticool family members and friends.
Product innovation is all about “building a better mousetrap”, or in this case, building a better bore-cleaning patch. A real smart guy, Shane Smith, has invented a triangular patch that earned a patent. The U.S. Patent Office has awarded a utility patent for BoreSmith’s Triangle Patch™. This unique cleaning patch was designed by Shane Smith, a mathematician/physicist who employed his scientific and firearms knowledge to create innovative bore-cleaning products.
BoreSmith’s clever Triangle Patch™ (aka Pyramid Patch) presents more cleaning surface area to the bore wall than does a conventional square or round patch (of equivalent size). At the same time, the unique geometry makes Triangle Patches much less likely to jam in the barrel. This is because the notches in the sides of the triangle allow the patch to sit more uniformly on the jag (without bunching up). In addition, the Pyramid patch is must less likely to jam due to pleating. One reason conventional patches get stuck is unwanted 5-layer pleating. The special notches in the Pyramid patch remove all or most 5-layer pleating. As a result the patch does not bunch up and this also reduces rod bowing. SEE Triangle Patches HERE.
Triangle Patch Function and Geometry Explained (See 1:18 time-mark):
NOTE: Despite what you may see in this video, you should ALWAYS insert brushes and patches from the chamber end first, using a fitted cleaning rod bore guide. With bolt-action rifles, NEVER insert a cleaning rod (with brush or jag) in through the muzzle. This may damage the delicate crown of your barrel.
The Triangle Patches work great with Boresmith’s patented dual-diameter bore brushes:
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. Natchez — Holiday Ammo Sale, Good Prices and Selection
⏺ Big savings on pistol, rifle, and shotgun ammunition, with ample inventory
Finally we are starting to see substantial quantities of factory-loaded ammo at dealers. If you need loaded pistol, rifle, or shotgun ammunition, Natchez is now running a major Holiday Ammo Sale. You’ll find everything from .22 LR ammo to 12ga shot-shells all at discounted prices. This is a great chance to stockpile good ammo at reasonable prices.
2. Sportsman’s — Charles Daly 12ga Semi-Auto Shotgun, $269.99
Interested in trap shooting or waterfowl hunting? Here’s a serious 12ga semi-auto shotgun for just $269.99 — a truly great deal. The Charles Daly Model 601 28″ Black 12ga Shotgun features a Beretta/Benelli Mobil Choke Tread MC-3 with IC, M, And F chokes. This is a lot of shotgun for the money. If you prefer a pump shotgun, Sportsman’s Warehouse also has the Charles Daly Model 301 12ga pump shotgun on sale. With a nice wood stock and forearm, the Model 301 at just $239.99 is a great bargain.
3. Graf & Sons — Major Year-End Sightron Optics Sale
⏺ High quality scopes at 25% savings — Forum members praise Sightrons
Sightron scopes offer excellent performance for the price, and are used by successful competitors in many shooting disciplines. With a wide range of scope styles and power ranges, you can find a Sightron to fit your purpose — whether hunting, varminting, or competition. For a limited time, you can pick up a fine Sightron scope at major savings, during the Sightron sale at Graf’s. Through the end of the year, nearly all the Sightron scopes are 25% off, with a few discounted over 30%! Sightron spotting scopes and binoculars are also discounted up to 25%.
⏺ Quality 6.5mm match bullets at a very good price
It’s tough to get match bullets at a big discount these days. If you shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5×47 Lapua, check out the 500-count pack of Hornady 140gr 6.5/.264 match bullets on sale. These 6.5mm projectiles have a high BC plus Hornady’s Advanced Manufacturing Process (AMP) jackets. These bullets have performed well for PRS/NRL and Tactical competitors.
5. Amazon — RCBS Auto Priming Tool, $104.39
⏺ Good bench-mounted priming option — durable and reliable
Seating your primers consistently is critical to proper ignition and good accuracy. A good choice for high-volume priming tasks is the RCBS Auto Priming Tool. It offers vertical primer feed plus plenty of leverage. This video from Brownells shows how the RCBS bench-mount priming tool works and how to install the primer tubes. This unit is set up for both large and small primers, with two primer rod assemblies and two primer feed tubes. The long, horizontal arm offers plenty of leverage and doesn’t cramp up your hand like some hand priming tools.
6. EuroOptic — Garmin GPS Watch Sale, Save up to $200
⏺ Save up to $200 on state-of-the-art Garmin GPS watches
Garmin Fenix watches are amazing — with remarkable functionality, including built-in GPS mapping. And right now at EuroOptic, you can get a variety Garmin Fenix 6 watches and save up to $200.00 off the regular price. These Fenix 6 GPS watches come preloaded with a wide array of specially-designed apps and features. If you are a hunter or outdoorsman, a GPS watch is a great asset — well worth the investment.
7. Creedmoor Sports — DLX Rifle Case 55″ or 60″, $119.95
⏺ Great cases for match rifles with long barrels
Protect those valuable match rifles during transport. Creedmoor’s Deluxe 55″ or 60″ rifle cases are some of the best soft-side gun cases you can buy, and now they are $30 off, on SALE. These deluxe cases are long enough for F-Class, Palma, and PRS rifles with long barrels. They are made from 1000 Denier Cordura and lined with nylon pack cloth with ample 1/2″ padding for rifle protection. Four large, padded exterior pockets (2 on each side) are great for carrying cleaning supplies, data books, wind meters, and ammo.
8. Amazon — Cleaning Kit with Three 40″ Rods, $49.99
⏺ Versatile triple-rod kit that all use the same handle
Is it time for a new cleaning rod? Consider this 3-Rod cleaning kit for $49.99. This kit features three different-sized PVC-coated 40″ steel rods that all work with the supplied rolling bearing handle. That allows this system to cover a wide range of calibers from .22 up to 12 gauge. The kit also includes jags, brushes, and patches for different calibers. This kit includes a handy storage tube that holds all three rods. That can save space in your loading room.
⏺ Very versatile aerosol lubricant and protective oil
We have been using Ballistol Aerosol for over 20 years now. This is a fairly unique product. It can help clean and preserve the metal parts on your firearms, PLUS it can be used for case cleaning and lubrication. Developed for the German Army which needed an oil that would lubricate, clean, and protect firearms, Ballistol is very versatile. It provides protection to steel — however, for long-term storage a true anti-corrosion product such as Eezox is best. We use aerosol Ballistol applied on a patch to clean carbon off case-necks after firing. For small cartridges it can also function as an effective case lube during reloading (spray on patch then wipe on case). NOTE: This can be used on wood and leather BUT test a small area first — it can change coloration on stocks and darken leather!
For today’s Sunday GunDay story we showcase seven interesting metal-chassis rifles. While we love the look and feel of wood and fiberglass, metal does have its advantages. It can be crafted very straight and true, and the designs can achieve a very low center-of-gravity without sacrificing rigidity. In addition, a precisioned machined metal chassis tends to track extremely well.
Massive IBS Heavy Gun Milled from Solid Aluminum Billet
This remarkable 70-lb IBS Heavy Gun, was machined from solid aluminum billet, by Bruce Baer. It rests on a G&G Alvey rest split in the middle to comply with rules. This “heavy metal” CNC-machined wonder is a work of art designed for the 1000-yard game in the Heavy Gun class. Wood stocks, and to a lesser extent fiberglass stocks, are more forgiving, offering greater damping and recoil absorption. However, metal stocks offer superior rigidity, and the CNC machining allows tracking surfaces to be perfectly parallel.
Williamsport limits Heavy Guns to 100 pounds. Under IBS and NBRSA rules weight is unlimited. You will see a few massive 200-lb behemoths at IBS matches, but most competitors find that something in the 60-90 pound range works best. Bruce Baer explains, “You can’t stop a gun from recoiling. If it doesn’t recoil it will jump. If it jumps you might as well go home because you won’t shoot a good group. So it is pointless to try to build a gun so heavy as to eliminate all recoil. The more you restrict the rifle’s recoil the more temperamental that rifle will be. The 200-pounders just don’t out-perform something in the 60- to 80-pound range, and I think the optimal weight is 60-70 pounds.”
Bruce Baer likes the 70-lb overall weight for a heavy gun: “Extreme mass is not necessarily an advantage. Watch a locomotive starting up from zero–it will vibrate from one end to another. If the gun is too heavy I think it will vibrate at the start of recoil and that will kill accuracy. I want the gun to start from recoil with very little effort so it will be smooth from start to stop.”
Water-Cooled World Record-Setting Wondergun
We like “outside of the box” thinking. And in the world of competitive shooting, it can’t get more unconventional than this. But this radical liquid-cooled benchrest rig wasn’t just a crazy experiment — it actually delivered the goods. This IBS Heavy Gun, built by Joel Pendergraft, produced a superb 10-shot, 3.044″ group that stood as an International Benchrest Shooters (IBS) 1000-Yard Heavy Gun record for seven years, not being broken until 2016.
Using this water-cooled wondergun, Joel shot the record-breaking group in April 2009 at Hawks Ridge, NC. This monster features a .30-Caliber 12-twist, 4-groove Krieger barrel inside a water-filled sleeve (like on a liquid-cooled machine gun). Joel shot BIB 187gr flat-based bullets in Norma brass, pushed by a “generous amount” of Alliant Reloder 25 and Federal 210M primers. The cartridge was a big custom wildcat Joel listed as “.300 Ackley Improved”.
Pendergraft’s 3.044″ 10-shot group was a great feat, breaking one of the longest-standing, 1000-yard IBS World Records. And Joel’s 3.044″ record stood for 7 years!
Richard King’s Radical .223 Rem F-TR Skeleton Rifle
Here’s something exotic from our Gun of the Week archives. We like this rig because it is so radical (we doubt that you have ever seen anything quite like it). Gun-builder Richard King calls this his “Texas-T”, noting that “this is my personal gun, built the way I wanted it. I know it’s radical and some may not care for it. But it works.” The rig was designed to shoot F-TR, but it can also be converted easily to shoot F-Open with a front rest.
Richard reports: “This is pretty much an all-aluminum rifle. The action is a Kelbly F-Class with a Shilen stainless steel competition trigger. The scope is a 1″-tube Leupold 36X with a Tucker Conversion set in Jewell spherical bearing rings. The .223 barrel is 30″ Pac-Nor 3-groove, 1:6.5″-twist mounted in a V-type barrel block. The bipod has vertical adjustment only via a dovetail slide activated by a stick handle. It works like a joy-stick, but for vertical only. I adjust for windage by moving the rear sandbag.”
Richard likes how the barrel block works: “With the barrel block forward, the vibrations should be at a low frequency. Instead of one long rod whipping, I now have two short rods (barrel halves) being dampened. This is my fourth barrel block gun. They work, but so does a good pillar-bedded action. [This rifle] is designed for my style of shooting. It is not meant to be a universal ‘fit all’ for the general public. However, I will say the design is adaptable. I can easily convert the system to run in F-Open Class. I would drop a big-bore barreled action into the V-block, slide on a heavier pre-zeroed scope and rings, add plates on the sides up front to bring the width to 3″, and maybe a recoil pad.”
F1 F-Open Chassis from Competition Machine
Along with his famed tube-guns, Gary Eliseo of Competition Machine has designed a modern, low-profile chassis system for F-Open competition. Assembled with Cerakoted aluminum beams, these F1 F-Open chassis systems offer great tracking with an ultra-low center of gravity.
Here is the F1 Chassis with “Marine Corps Red” powder coat finish. Read Full Report.
This F1 aluminum alloy chassis stock features a super-low center of gravity, plus adjustable length of pull, cheek rest, and drop. The stock is available in a wide choice of Cerakote finishes. The current Model F1 chassis features a action block mounting system to fit most actions. There was also an earlier version that had a free-floated action with the barrel in a barrel block, secured with epoxy. Both F1 versions (action block and barrel block) shot great, with excellent performances in competition.
Gen 1 F1 F-Open Chassis System with Barrel Block
State Championship Win with Home-Built Aluminum Stock
While most of the stocks featured above were crafted by professionals, the properties of aluminum allow it to be used by persons with some basic mechanical skills and metal-working tools. Here’s proof. Back in 2009, Forum Member John Dunbar (aka JD12) crafted his own aluminum F-Open stock. And he used that impressive metal stock to win the Wisconsin State F-Class championship. READ Full Story.
The stock for John’s “home-built” .284 Winchester was mated with a Savage target action. John designed and fabricated the aluminum stock himself. It features a central barrel block clamping a 32″ Brux barrel. Get this — John completed the rifle only 5 days before the match: “I finished machining/assembly on Monday night, did load workup Wednesday and Thursday nights, loaded rounds Friday night, and headed to Lodi at 4:30 on Saturday morning.” John even made his own co-axial front rest (see below)
When Fiberglass Fails, Aluminum Stock Saves the Day
Australian Mark Fairbairn performed a “Quick Fix” during the 2018 Berger SW Nationals. Mark’s F-Open rifle, in a conventional fiberglass stock, was giving him random vertical during one yardage: “I had a bit of a problem with elevation — the stock was hitting somewhere [causing vertical]. I was X-X-X then a shot popped up in the 9 ring with no good reason. So I figured I better put a new stock on it. I got my old aluminium stock I brought from Australia and quickly adjusted it to fit on the Stolle.”
Right on the firing line berm Mark swapped his barreled action into the metal stock of his own design. The clock was ticking… but the story had a happy ending. For the next yardage Mark shot a brilliant 150-7X, not dropping a point. So the “Quick Fix” did the trick. As they say Down Under — “Good on Ya, Mate!”
Home-Built Aluminum Chassis with Innovative A-Arm Bipod
Here is another home-built rig featuring an aluminum chassis mated to a Savage barreled action via a forward-mounted barrel block. This rig was crafted by Forum member Patrick Lundy, who followed the maxim: “If you can’t buy it, then build it.”
Patrick Lundy was so impressed with a fellow shooter’s barrel-block rifle, that he build a similar match gun himself, complete with barrel block and aluminum chassis. Patrick was inspired by a metal stock belonging to Peter Gagne. But he added his own custom touches, including an innovative “A-Arm”-design bipod for shooting in F-TR class. The gun has been very successful in competition. READ FULL Report
Pat told us: “This new stock was a milestone in my shooting career — it was my very first attempt to build a stock. I wasn’t much of a wood worker but I did have a talent for building with metal. The stock was fabricated from 6061 T6 aluminum. With this gun I was able to shoot from a rest or a bipod.”
Pat crafted the bipod from aluminum tubing: “The bipod was a very rigid A-frame design with welded aluminum tubing. I added slippery feet under the pod skis to facilitate smoother recoil. I realized that a wide-stance bipod had to recoil the same on both sides or the group would string horizontally.” Here is the innovative “A-Arm” bipod that Pat Lundy built for his rifle.
SilencerCo’s new Harvester EVO is a lightweight suppressor designed for hunters and precision shooters. Evolved from SilencerCo’s Harvester 300, the new Harvester EVO suppressor is notable for its compact size and VERY light weight. Constructed with cobalt-6, inconel and 17-4 heat treated stainless steel, the new EVO weighs just 10.8 ounces (0.675 pounds) and retails for $680.00.
The Harvester EVO can work with chamberings from .223 Rem up to .300 Win Mag. Consumer feedback on the previous Harvester models led SilencerCo engineers to make the EVO shorter, lighter, and more affordable. The smaller size makes the Harvester EVO less likely to get caught on bushes and brush in outdoor environments.
Weighing just 10.8 ounces, the Harvester EVO is one of the lightest rifle suppressors you can buy. The EVO’s low mass and smaller size “gives the EVO an edge over other hunting suppressors” said SilencerCo Senior Product Development Specialist, Dewie Vieira. CLICK HERE for Harvester EVO product details.
EVO Suppressor Product Specifications:
● Rated for calibers ranging from .223REM/5.56NATO to .300 WIN
● Tubeless, light-weight design
● Weighs 10.8 ounces
● Measures 6.24″ in length
● Constructed with cobalt-6, inconel and 17-4 heat treated stainless steel materials
● Ships with both a Bravo ½ x 28 and Bravo ⅝ x 24 Direct Thread Mount
Right now reloading presses are in high demand. If you are shopping for a single-stage press, here’s a good press you may still find available at many vendors. The Hornady Iron Press features a super-strong, pyramid-style cast-iron frame with an open front. A clever optional “automatic” priming system shuttles primers from a vertical tube in the back to the shell-holder in the front. This is very clever engineering. The Auto-Prime system is sold separately or as part of the Iron Press Reloading Kit.
The broad top of the beefy (26-lb.) Iron Press can hold case prep tools (such as chamfer tool and case-neck brush) and/or a box for bullets or brass. NOTE: This is NOT a turret press — you can only use one die at a time. However, Hornady offers an accessory “Die Caddy” (sold separately) that can hold up to three (3) more dies. That way you can quickly switch from a sizing die to a seater die (or vice-versa). What Hornady calls the “Accessory Mounting Deck” gives quick access to items such as trays for bullets or cases, chamfer and deburr tools, case neck brushes, primer pocket cleaners and other accessories. The Iron Press comes with the Lock-N-Load® bushing system which allows for rapid die changes.
Optional Auto Prime Shuttle Priming System
The optional auto-priming system is a real selling point for this press we think. When you move the press handle rearwards, a horizontal bar toggles back to pick up a primer from the column in the rear of the press. Then this same bar move forwards to place the fresh primer in the center of the shell-holder. Hornady explains: “The available gravity-fed Automatic Priming System (sold separately or with the Lock-N-Load® Iron Press Reloading Kit), combined with the Accessory Mounting Deck, increases reloading efficiency by allowing more processes to occur simultaneously. The Iron Press is the first of its kind to allow the ability to deprime, pause, and remove the case to chamfer & deburr … then replace and prime.” This video shows how to install and operate the Auto Prime system.
Video Shows Set-up and Operation of Gravity-Fed Shuttle Priming System:
In these days of Smart Phones, WiFi-equipped cars, and Alexa digital assistants, conventional books may seem old-fashioned. But for presenting a wide range of information, with charts, tables, photos, and a handy index, there is much to be said for conventional paper publications. These can be used anywhere and anytime, even where there is no cell service. You can annotate the pages with your own comments, and make simple, manual bookmarks for your most-used pages.
One resource we use regularly is the Cartridge Comparison Guide V2, a remarkably comprehensive 340-page spiral-bound book. Covering over 250 cartridges, the 2nd Edition of the Cartridge Comparison Guide covers most available factory cartridges from .17 caliber all the way up to .50 caliber. This resource also compiles cartridge data from major manufacturers Barnes, Federal, Hornady, Norma, Nosler, Remington, Sierra, Swift, Weatherby, and Winchester. If you shoot factory ammo, you should definitely get the Cartridge Comparison Guide.
Shooters building a resource library have many good choices. Creedmoor Sports has a large collection of books in stock, with many on sale. On Creedmoor’s Book/Video page, you’ll find dozens of printed books. You can search by format, author, price, and date. In addition, while you’re visiting Creedmoor Sports, you’ll find many tools and shooting accessories on sale.
Here Are Nine of Creedmoor Sports’ Most Popular Book Titles:
Shooting Sports Crossword Puzzle Book
Here’s an interesting book for gun owners. Get away from the TV and test your skills on these gun-centric crossword puzzles. The Shooters Book uses terms and names relating to firearms, their use, and development. At 178 pages, this crossword puzzle/word search book offers something for all firearm enthusiasts. Each crossword puzzle has correlated word searches included to help solve it.
We know our readers like gun-related bargains. Our Monday Deals of the Week feature is usually the most popular article of the week. Well we’ve found another internet resource that can steer you to bargains on firearms, optics, reloading tools, ammo, bullets, brass and more. That resource is GunDelio.com.
The folks at GunTalk Media created GunDelio.com to help you save money when purchasing guns, ammo, and accessories. GunDealio.com finds current special offers, discounts, and promotions.
Here are nine notable bargains valid this week. There are dozens of more deals on the Gundelio.com website. You’ll want to check back regularly to find up-to-date listings of the best current bargains.
One of the most popular features of our Shooters’ Forum is the Official ‘Pride & Joy’ Rifle thread. There you’ll find dozens of interesting rifles, with photos and descriptions supplied by proud owners. Today we’re spotlighting one of the more interesting ‘Pride & Joy’ rifles unveiled this year, a Mosin Nagant “senior citizen”. This 72-year-old Russian bolt gun is not like any Mosin Nagant you’ve ever seen before. It has been brought into the 21st Century with a handsome target stock and some first-class upgrades, including Lothar Walther barrel and Timney trigger. Here’s a look at a very nice Russian rifle, belonging to Forum member Ben C. (aka “Grimstod”):
Video Shows Rifle Shooting Sub-Half-MOA from Bipod (in the Snow):
Name of rifle: Smyert Mk3 (Modified Mosin Nagant)
Make: Izhmekh/Izhevsk (“Izzy”) High Wall
Model: 91/30 | Year: 1942
Scope mount: Rock Solid (looks like an action sleeve)
Scope: SWFA 20x42mm MRAD
Gunsmith: Sheppard
Bolt handle: Rock Solid with Surgeon tactical handle
Bipod: Versa Pod
Total Weight: 18.6 lbs
Grimstod’s Mosin Nagant Custom Shoots Under 0.5 MOA From Bipod
Even in harsh winter conditions, the rifle shot well. (I guess we should expect that for a Russian gun). The photo below shows a group shot from bipod. (The video shows Grimstod’s snow-bound range session). Grimstod calculated the group at 0.394 MOA measuring from outside edge to edge. Using our On-Target software, which measures center to center of most distant shots, we came up with 0.428 MOA. Still that’s impressive for an ancient action being shot in the dead of winter with snow falling. To learn more about this rifle (and view photos of the build process), visit the SurplusRifleForum.com.
The History and Features of the Mosin Nagant M1891
Now that you’ve seen a modernized Mosin Nagant, we through we’d provide some information about the original rifle, first issued in the late 19th century. It is one of the most mass-produced military bolt-action rifles in history with over 37 million units having been made since 1891.
The is a lengthy Wikipedia article on the Mosin Nagant rifle design and history. The 3-line rifle M1891, known in the West as Mosin Nagant and in former Soviet Union as Mosin’s rifle (Russian: винтовка Мосина), is a five-shot, bolt-action, internal magazine–fed military rifle. It is primarily chambered for its original 7.62×54mmR cartridge. The 3-line rifle, Model 1891, its original official designation, was adopted by the Russian military in 1891. There have been several variations from the original rifle, the most common being the M1891/30, which was a modernized design introduced in 1930.
Here is a test of the Sniper Version of the Mosin Nagant:
Photo credit: Nemo5576 retouched by Ewan ar born, Copyrighted free use, via Wikimedia Commons.
Like the Gewehr 98, the 1891 Mosin uses two front-locking lugs to lock up the action. However, the Mosin’s lugs lock in the horizontal position, whereas the Mauser locks vertically. The Mosin bolt body is multi-piece whereas the Mauser is one piece. The Mosin uses interchangeable bolt heads like the Lee–Enfield. Unlike the Mauser, which uses a controlled-feed bolt head in which the cartridge base snaps up under the fixed extractor as the cartridge is fed from the magazine, the Mosin has a push-feed recessed bolt head in which the spring-loaded extractor snaps over the cartridge base as the bolt is finally closed similar to the Gewehr 1888 and M91 Carcano or modern sporting rifles like the Remington 700. Like the Mauser, the Mosin uses a blade ejector mounted in the receiver. The Mosin bolt is removed by simply pulling it fully to the rear of the receiver and squeezing the trigger, while the Mauser has a bolt stop lever separate from the trigger.
Photo courtesy Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum), public domain.
Like the Mauser, the bolt lift arc on the Mosin Nagant is 90 degrees. The Mosin bolt handle is similar to the Mannlicher: it is attached to a protrusion on the middle of the bolt body, which serves as a bolt guide, and it locks protruding out of the ejection/loading port in front of a split rear receiver ring, also serving a similar function to Mauser’s “third” or “safety” lug.
In this video Jerry Miculek tests the carbine version of the Mosin Nagant:
The rifling of the Mosin barrel is right-turning (clockwise looking down the rifle) 4-groove with a twist of 1:9.5″ or 1:10″. The 5-round fixed metallic magazine can either be loaded by inserting the cartridges singly, or more often in military service, by the use of 5-round stripper clips.
Photo courtesy Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum), public domain.
Wikipedia text courtesy Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License (CC BY-SA).
Area 419’s ZERO reloading press is a brilliantly engineered 9-station turret press with some very unique features. This press was designed to be the most precise turret ever created. As tested by Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com, the ZERO turret press delivered very impressive shoulder-bump consistency and ultra-low seated bullet run-out (about +/- 0.0005″). The numbers were as good as you can get from a quality single-stage press, so Area 419 did some impressive engineering. We would expect that, as this is an expensive product — MSRP is $1200.00. SEE FULL REVIEW on UltimateReloader.com.
The ZERO turret press lets you install up to nine (9) different reloading dies in the large top turret, which revolves around a central axis. But unlike most turret presses, the ZERO doesn’t have flex or wobble when you’re loading. This is because Area 419 includes a clever system for locking the turret in position after you’ve selected the die from your array. Area 419 also uses a unique system for securing shell-holders (see video at 12:00). This, likewise, adds to the precision of the press.
In the video above, you can see how the turret is secured with a “wedge clamp”. By loosening the wedge clamp you can index the press easily to any station. Then, when you have selected your die, you tighten the wedge clamp again. You can see this important procedure at 13:20 – 13:35 timemark in the video.
ZERO Turret Press Has Very Smooth Operation
Gavin observed that this ZERO turret is both smooth and very precise, thanks to smart engineering and the use of multiple bearings. Area 419 describes the design features:
— Turret (zero-slop) eliminates variability induced when removing and resetting dies
— The turret head holds nine 7/8×14-threaded dies (1-1/4 thread in future)
— Available ram-stroke here is 4.4″, allowing use of very tall cartridge types.
— Adjustable/interchangeable handle setup for maximizing leverage/feel based on operation
— Internally contained primer-catch system, slide-out drawer
Important Features of ZERO Turret Press
1. Press frame: 6061 Aluminum, clear anodized
2. Wedge clamp (locks turret into indexed position)
3. Turret (7075 aluminum and steel construction)
4. Adjustable handle with roller knob (set either left- or right-handed operation)
5. Bearings: Ball bearing plus roller thrust bearings for side plates
6. Ram riding in self-lubricated linear bearing
7. Spent primer catcher drawer
Milled from American billet aluminum and stainless steel, this press employs 14 bearings, including a self-lubricating linear sleeve bearing for the precision-ground 1.25″ ram. The linkage system also glides on bearings providing smooth operation with near-ZERO slop. The oversized ram features a 0.75″-diameter steel arm and ZERO-friction knob. The turret system is located with an oversized ball-detent system and secured using an over-sized, custom-made ZERO-point pull-stud. Locking the turret after indexing require only a half-turn of the supplied T-handle (see photo above). When indexing the turret, repeatability variance of the system should be less than .0005″.
The opening in the press will allow for sizing and seating of cases up to.338 Lapua Magnum, and will accept standard 7/8″ dies and standard shellholders. NOTE: Area 419 will be making and selling shellholders specifically fit to the system later in 2020.
SUMMARY — Impressive Press Delivers Precise Results
Gavin Gear was very impressed with Area 419’s new Zero Press, which he said offers the precision of a quality single-stage with the versatility of a turret: “There will always be people that prefer a traditional single-stage. Where the ZERO will be compelling is to those who want the precision of a single-stage without the need to screw dies in and out. Leaving your dies set can have benefits for precision as well — everything comes back to the ‘same place’ when dies are indexed into position. Screwing dies in and out can impose variation, and variation is the enemy of the ‘white lab coat shooter’. I plan on testing the ZERO press with ultra-high-end dies, and custom dies that I ream to my own specifications. I’m thinking that will show the true potential of this press!”
Area 419 ZERO Press Video with Operation Instructions
One resource we use regularly is the 
