In our Shooters’ Forum, there’s an interesting thread about a very light hunting rifle. Featuring a Defiance ultra-light all-steel action, this 6.5×57 Lapua lightweight tips the scales at just 4.93 pounds including scope and rings! For reference, a half-gallon of milk weighs 4.3 pounds, so this rifle is LIGHT! Here’s a report from the proud owner who built the rifle for a future Kodiak Island Alaska mountain goat hunt.
Ultralight Rifle Report by Forum Member Dave
I decided I wanted the challenge of a Mountain Goat hunt after I turn 60. It was the perfect excuse to put together an ultralight, something I had wanted to do for years. I wanted to see how light a bolt action rifle could actually be. My goal was to stay under 5 pounds, without going to a Titanium action, including rings and scope. I knew this would be difficult but I did manage to achieve the goal.
I started with a Defiance anTi model Rem Model 7 short action. This is an extremely smooth action that weighs just 19.2 ounces in this size. I had Carson Lilja of Lilja Barrels program a barrel taper to my dimensions for a 6.5mm 1:8″-twist stainless, 3-groove 22″ barrel. As fitted in the rifle, the barrel is free-floated except for the first inch or so forward of the action.
Other rifle components are: Bix n Andy Dakota trigger, aluminum trigger guard, blind magazine with an aluminum follower, titanium action screws, and a Leupold 3-9X lightweight optic in Talley rings. I also had an aluminum adapter installed in the for-end to accept a magnetic mount Javelin carbon fiber bipod.
The rifle was chambered up in 6.5×47 Lapua by my friends at Sportsman’s Outfitters in Knox, Pennsylvania. Then I sent the barreled action to Wayne at Oregunsmithing (Pendleton, OR) to have a Kevlar stock built. The stock weighs a whopping 14 ounces! When it came back I had everything Cerakoted (see bottom photo before coating). This stock was a full custom, built around my barreled action. Wayne’s work was reasonably priced with a 3-month turn around.
Excellent Accuracy — 5/8″ Three-Shot Groups at 100 Yards
Now it was time to shoot the rifle and I was not disappointed. It shoots both Barnes TTSX 100s or Swift Scirocco II 130s into 5/8″ at 100 yards. Off a bipod at 400 yards, three go into 3″ or so. This thing is crazy light even though it wears a 22″ barrel.
Without scope and rings, before Cerakoting the action and barrel, this 6.5×47 rifle tipped the scales at a mere 4.20 pounds (67.2 ounces). Check it out:
The 2024 summer season is well underway. Do you have a good first-aid kit in your vehicle to deal with possible injuries to family members of all ages? For just $23.93 you can get an excellent kit from Be Smart/TRI, the #1 maker of First Aid Kits in the USA.
TRI’s Be Smart Get Prepared First Aid Kit has 201 items inside a sturdy case with shoulder strap and carry handle. There is also a handy, detachable mini pouch with key essentials for first aid on-the-go. You can easily bring the mini-pouch along on a bike ride or hike.
This multi-purpose First Aid Kit includes:
• 50 – Bandages 3/4 x 3
• 30 – Bandages 3/8 x 1 1/2
• 6 – Bandages Closure
• 3 – Knuckle Bandages
• 1 – Tapes – .5 x 2.5yd Waterproof
• 10 – Cotton Tips – 2.75″”/10 Pack
• 4 – Finger Splints
• 1 – First Aid Guide
• 4 – Gauze Pad – 2 x 2 / 4 ply
• 4 – Gauze Pad – 4 x 4 / 4 ply
• 1 – Gauze Pad – 5 x 9
• 2 – Nitrile Gloves
• 1 – Instant Cold Pack – 5 x 6
To help ensure that outdoor adventures remain safe and trouble-free, the CTD Shooters’ Log has a helpful Essential Summer Survival Guide. This is worth reading before you venture away from civilization.
Here are some highlights of the article with links for MORE INFO:
First Aid Kits for Campers
You should never venture outside without a first aid kit close at hand. While exploring the outdoors, all types of accidents can occur—from cuts, scrapes, and burns to broken limbs and severe allergic reactions.
Basic Survival Skills
Basic survival skills are a necessity if you plan to spend any amount of time outdoors. These five tips, plus a how-to on what to pack in a lightweight, basic survival kit will help if you are ever stuck, lost, stranded or injured in the field.
How to Treat Burns
Fireworks, barbeques and campfires — in the summer we are frequently around fire, which increases our chance of getting burned. A first-degree burn is most likely home treatable, while a third degree burn requires immediate medical attention. Learn how to spot the differences between minor and severe burns.
ARs and Narrow-Forearm Sporters Benefit from Front Bag-Rider Blocks
Whidden Gunworks offers a smart product that will enhance the bench-rested accuracy of any rifle with an accessory rail on the forearm. The Whidden Track Plate fits securely in the forearm accessory rail on prone, cross-the-course, tactical, and Palma rifles. These guns typically have a narrow and/or rounded fore-end so they rock and wobble when used with a front pedestal rest. The TrackPlate cures that. Once installed it provides a rock-solid, 2.9″-wide platform that mates perfectly with a benchrest-type front sandbag. This gives sling-shooters maximum stability when testing loads or zeroing their sights or scope. Plus you can now shoot F-Class competitively with a prone gun. (The 2.9″ width is 100% legal for F-Open).
The Track Plate is light-weight, has catamaran-style runners to aid tracking and prevent rocking, and can be easily stowed in a range bag. The Track Plate fits BOTH Anschutz and American style forends and is made in the USA of machined aluminum. The Track Plate is available from Whidden Gunworks for $58.50.
Plate designer (and 5-Time Nat’l LR Rifle Champion) John Whidden says: “The Plate is great for any rifle with a rail whether it ís smallbore, centerfire, or an air gun. Now you can try F-Class with your favorite prone rifle: the Plate has a perfect low-drag finish for riding a rest or sandbags and is competition legal.”
Bag-Riders for AR-Platform Rifles from EGW
AR owners should check out the 3″-wide Delrin bag-rider from Evolution Gun Works (EGW). There are two versions, one for front Picatinny Rails, and another that mounts via sling swivel studs. These EGW Bag-Riders were developed expressly to fit the fore-ends of ARs. The front bag-riders are contoured to match the handguard profile so they fits securely with no wobble.
The $49.99 EGW Picatinny Rail front Bag-Rider simply slides on your under-forearm rail and there is a a tension bolt. Attachment is quick and easy. Or, if your AR has no rail get the original $39.99 EGW front Bag-Rider that attaches to a front sling swivel stud anchor. That allows it to mount as easily as a Harris bipod — no rail needed! Just unscrew the swivel stud, put the front bag-rider in place and attach one hex-head machine screw.
Also with the two front Bag-Riders, EGW offers a Rear Bag-Rider for ARs that attaches via the sling swivel anchor. Overall, it is a slick system. Front and rear bag-riders can be attached in a couple of minutes. The Delrin blocks slide easily in the bags and make the gun ultra-stable. The gun tracks straight back.
Armageddon Gear (“AG”) produces outstanding support bags, gun cases, slings, suppressor covers, and personal gear for PRS/NRL shooters. Along with its tactical competition items, Armageddon Gear also offers an extensive line of products for hunters. AG’s Products for Hunters include hunting support bags, rifle cases, chest packs, slings, travel bags, and apparel.
Armageddon Gear hunting products are featured this week on Shooting USA Television. You’ll get a first hand look at the popular hunting products such as chest rigs, travel cases, hats, and more. AG states: “All our products are made from the best domestically sourced materials, crafted to stand the test of time, and designed to keep you more organized and ready when afield.”
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode or $1.99/mo for unlimited streaming.
Today is officially Prime Day with special savings for Amazon Prime members. There are thousands of great bargains on a vast selection of products. And Prime Day bargains include hundreds of great deals on reloading tools, rifle accessories, and gun maintenance supplies.
Here are four special bargains we found today, on products we’ve used and can recommend. If you are an Amazon Prime member you should definitely do some shopping today — there are literally thousands of bargains, with many great bargains for shooters, handloaders, and hunters.
Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Universal Bullet Seating Kit, $59.98
Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Primer Seating Tool, $59.98
Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Case Trimmer for Drill, $63.09
Amazon — Walker’s Muffs with Microphone and Bluetooth, $30.06
NOTE: You must be logged into your Amazon Prime account to see this $30.06 muffs price.
IMPORTANT — This is just a small sample of the thousands of significant bargains offered today for Amazon Prime Members. We recommend you head over to Amazon and check out the deals. You can save enough today to pay for a monthly Prime membership many times over.
We have always liked Tikka actions, and now there is a great re-barreling option for Tikka T3 owners. Criterion Barrels Inc. (CBI), makers of “pre-fit” barrels for Savage, Remington, and Rem-clone actions, also produces Tikka pre-fits. These pre-chambered barrels for Tikka T3 actions will be headspaced with a barrel nut, just like a Savage.
Click image for full-screen version
Criterion’s Tikka T3 pre-fit barrels can be purchased through Solid Accuracy, a respected Texas-based outfit that sells high-end scopes, stocks, barrels and other rifle components. Solid Accuracy states: “Each Solid Accuracy/Criterion pre-fit barrel features a hand-lapped bore and meets extreme quality control standards. Utilizing a proven barrel nut design, these barrels can be swapped in just a few minutes using only a barrel nut wrench and the appropriate headspace gauge set. Solid Accuracy offers finished lengths up to 30″ with multiple contour options.” Current price for T3 and T3X Barrels is $495.00 which includes Barrel Blank, Barrel Nut and Wrench, and Barrel Threading with Thread Protector for the muzzle.
These Tikka pre-fits were first introduced in 2017, and the accuracy results were impressive. Solid Accuracy’s initial test rifle featured a Tikka T3 action mounted in a KRG X-Ray chassis, with Criterion barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. The group below was shot with a stout load of H4350 and Sierra 140 grain MatchKings seated .009″ in the lands.
Criterion is proud of how well the Tikka pre-fit project turned out. These barrels work great in the Tikka platform. One of Criterion’s staffers was so impressed with the initial test results that he is built his own Tikka T3 rifle, with a Criterion pre-fit of course…
Precision Benchrest and F-Class shooters favor premium brass from Lapua, Norma, Peterson, or RWS. (Lake City also makes quality brass in military calibers.) Premium brass delivers better accuracy, more consistent velocities, and longer life. Shooters understand the importance of good brass, but many of us have no idea how cartridge cases are actually made. Here’s how it’s done.
The process starts with a brass disk stamped from strips of metal. Then, through a series of stages, the brass is extruded or drawn into a cylindrical shape. In the extrusion process the brass is squeezed through a die under tremendous pressure. This is repeated two or three times typically. In the more traditional “draw” process, the case is progressively stretched longer, in 3 to 5 stages, using a series of high-pressure rams forcing the brass into a form die. While extrusion may be more common today, RWS, which makes some of the most uniform brass in the world, still uses the draw process: “It starts with cup drawing after the bands have been punched out. RWS cases are drawn in three ‘stages’ and after each draw they are annealed, pickled, rinsed and subjected to further quality improvement measures. This achieves specific hardening of the brass cases and increases their resistance to extraordinary stresses.” FYI, Lapua also uses a traditional draw process to manufacture most of its cartridge brass (although Lapua employs some proprietary steps that are different from RWS’s methods).
After the cases are extruded or drawn to max length, the cases are trimmed and the neck/shoulder are formed. Then the extractor groove (on rimless cases) is formed or machined, and the primer pocket is created in the base. One way to form the primer pocket is to use a hardened steel plug called a “bunter”. In the photos below you see the stages for forming a 20mm cannon case (courtesy OldAmmo.com), along with bunters used for Lake City rifle brass. This illustrates the draw process (as opposed to extrusion). The process of draw-forming rifle brass is that same as for this 20mm shell, just on a smaller scale.
River Valley Ordnance explains: “When a case is being made, it is drawn to its final draw length, with the diameter being slightly smaller than needed. At this point in its life, the head of the draw is slightly rounded, and there are no provisions for a primer. So the final drawn cases are trimmed to length, then run into the head bunter. A punch, ground to the intended contours for the inside of the case, pushes the draw into a cylindrical die and holds it in place while another punch rams into the case from the other end, mashing the bottom flat. That secondary ram holds the headstamp bunter punch.
This video employs DEFORM-2D software to show the draw process for brass casings.
The headstamp bunter punch has a protrusion on the end to make the primer pocket, and has raised lettering around the face to form the headstamp writing. This is, of course, all a mirror image of the finished case head. Small cases, such as 5.56×45, can be headed with a single strike. Larger cases, like 7.62×51 and 50 BMG, need to be struck once to form a dent for the primer pocket, then a second strike to finish the pocket, flatten the head, and imprint the writing. This second strike works the brass to harden it so it will support the pressure of firing.”
Thanks to Guy Hildebrand, of the Cartridge Collectors’ Exchange, OldAmmo.com, for providing this 20mm Draw Set photo. Bunter photo from River Valley Ordnance.
What type of handguns, holsters, and gear do female shooters prefer? That question was answered by a survey of lady shooters at SHINE 2024, the Annual Conference of the “A Girl & A Gun” organization. The SHINE 2024 event took place this past May at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex near Grand Junction, Colorado. The 706 lady attendees ranged in age from 17 to 78 and hailed from 45 different states. The 700+ lady shooters included both novices and seasoned shooters — 28% of the attendees were relatively new shooters, 41% were intermediates, and 31% were advanced. The annual event sold out last September and had more than 500 women on the waiting list.
All the participants were required to go through a ‘Gear Check’ process where their handguns, belts, holsters, and mag pouches were all reviewed and function checked. In total, the 706 women brought 976 handguns for training. For today’s article, we reveal the favored handguns, holsters, sights/optics, and other accessories. Glock was the #1 gun choice with 22.75% with Walther a close second at 20.29%. CLICK HERE for complete gun/product survey results.
Handgun Choices by Lady Shooters
Leading Pistol Brands
GLOCK / 22.75%
SIG Sauer / 20.29%
Walther / 17.01%
Smith & Wesson / 9.63%
Heckler & Koch / 5.94%
CZ / 5.33%
Springfield / 4.51%
Canik / 4.41%
Staccato / 3.48%
Ruger / 0.82%
Beretta / 0.61%
Shadow Systems / 0.61%
Kimber / 0.51%
STI / 0.51%
Wilson Combat / 0.51%
Taurus / 0.41%
FN / 0.31%
Favorite Pistol Models
Walther PDP-F / 17.23%
GLOCK 19 / 11.56%
Sig Sauer P365XL / 5.44%
GLOCK 34 / 4.54%
GLOCK 43X / 4.31%
HK VP9 / 4.31%
Sig Sauer P320 / 4.31%
Sig Sauer P365 / 3.85%
GLOCK 17 / 3.40%
Walther PDP / 3.40%
GLOCK 48 / 2.49%
GLOCK 45 / 2.27%
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ / 2.27%
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 / 1.81%
Shooting Gear and Accessories Choices
Holster Brands
Comp Tac / 17.16%
Haven Defense / 7.59%
BladeTech / 6.27%
We The People / 5.83%
Black Scorpion / 5.72%
Safariland / 4.40%
PHLster / 3.52%
Dara / 3.19%
Alien Gear / 2.42%
Blackhawk / 1.98%
Hearing Protection
Walker / 36.09%
Howard Leight / 13.00%
Axil / 11.62%
AKT1 Sport / 5.96%
Peltor / 4.28%
Iron Sights Vs. Pistol-Mounted Optics
While there are more pistol-mounted optics each year, they still have not yet surpassed iron sights among women. 54.4% of the ladies’ pistols had iron sights compared to 45.6% of the handguns which were fitted with Red Dot-type slide-mounted optics.
Training Sessions at AG & AG SHINE Conference
During this shine event, training sessions were run at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. With 28 live-fire bays, 25 field classrooms, a 5-Stand course, and 2,003-yard rifle range, 3D archery loops, and natural terrain for other training options, AG & AG was able to provide training classes on a wide variety of shooting and self-defense topics.
The 2024 F-Class National Championships is just one month away. The event will be held in Lodi, Wisconsin from August 10th through the 17th, 2024 at the Winnequah Gun Club. The Mid-Range Championships run August 10-13, while the Long Range Championships run August 14-17.
We know many of our readers will be attending the F-Class National Championships, and a good percentage of them will be flying in from around the country. For these F-Class competitors, and other readers who will be flying with firearms this summer, we provide this article with practical tips for transporting your rifles.
Traveling with Firearms — Important Advice
Savage Arms offers a series of Shooting Tips in the Savage Blog. Here is a helpful article from Team Savage Shooter Stan Pate. This covers how to ship your rifle safely, and then re-establish zero properly when the gun is reassembled after transport.
Traveling with firearms can be stressful. You must comply with multiple regulations and then trust your expensive guns to airline baggage handlers. And after arrival you’ll need to put your rifles back together and confirm the zeros. This article offers helpful travel advice from Team Savage shooter Stan Pate. Pate has traveled the globe competing with match rifles. Here he shares his tips for making trips easier on you and your firearms.
Easier Air Travel With Firearms
TSA isn’t nearly as careful with your rifles as you are. Proper storage before sending your firearm up a conveyer belt and into the belly of a plane is critical. Stan Pate spends lots of time each year traveling the skies and has devised a system for keeping his rifle safe when going to and from.
“Never travel with your firearm completely assembled,” Pate cautions. “A fully assembled firearm is much heavier [as a total unit] than one that has been broken-down and stored [in separate sections]. More weight creates more in-the-case movement, which can result in damage. I learned this the hard way years ago. My rifle was actually broken in half when traveling to an international competition. Record your torque settings, use those settings during reassembly and your return to zero should be no problem.”
“Be sure to check on current TSA rules and regulations before travel to be aware of any changes that may effect how you pack your rifles,” says Pate.
Rifle Reassembly and Resetting Zero
The quicker you can reestablish your zero, the quicker you can relax and stop worrying about if your rounds are going to hit their mark during competition. Pate, over the years, has developed a system for rifle reassembly and getting back to zero as quickly as possible. While his torque settings may not be the same as yours, the process can still be used.
“The barreled-action goes back on the stock, and then I tighten all three receiver screws finger tight,” says Pate. “Next, I tighten the front two receiver screws down to 35-inch pounds. The rear receiver screws on this particular rifle likes 15-inch pounds. [Note: Proper torque settings will vary with your action and stock type. Most actions have TWO screws, not three.] Scope attachment comes next, and I follow manufacturer settings when tightening it down. All that’s left to do now is go zero your rifle.”
This video explains an efficient method to Re-Zero your rifles
Good news from MDT — it now offers its popular Field Stock Chassis System for CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X rimfire barreled actions. These stocks allow for free-floating barrel, and have adjustable cheek height and length of pull. These Field Stock Chassis Systems are polymer with aluminum V-Blocks precisely machined for particular actions. The fore-ends fit M-LOK accessories. Bolt right-hand bolt and left-bolt configurations are offered, with polymer stocks in black or flat dark earth (FDE) colors.
The new CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X variants of the MDT Field Stock Chassis System are available now for $299.95. For more details, visit the MDT Sporting Goods Website.
Key Features of MDT Rimfire Field Stock Models
Tailored Fit for CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X: Ensures perfect integration with the CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X rimfire rifles, enhancing their performance and ergonomics. Adjustable Buttstock: Offers an adjustable cheek riser and adjustable length of pull, providing a custom fit for improved ergonomics. Free-Floating Barrel Design: Maximizes accuracy by minimizing contact interference from the chassis. V-Block Bedding System: Stabilizes the action and improves shot consistency. The V-block is crafted to precisely fit CZ 455, Savage MKII, and Tikka T1X rimfire rifles.
Durable Materials: Built with quality materials designed to withstand varied environmental conditions while maintaining comfort. Fore-end Attachment Options: M-LOK fore-end accepts accessories for hunting and competition.
Precision Benchrest and F-Class shooters favor premium brass from 
The headstamp bunter punch has a protrusion on the end to make the primer pocket, and has raised lettering around the face to form the headstamp writing. This is, of course, all a mirror image of the finished case head. Small cases, such as 5.56×45, can be headed with a single strike. Larger cases, like 7.62×51 and 50 BMG, need to be struck once to form a dent for the primer pocket, then a second strike to finish the pocket, flatten the head, and imprint the writing. This second strike works the brass to harden it so it will support the pressure of firing.”
