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February 20th, 2009
 Among the many good deals in Cabela’s Bargain Cave, we found a couple outstanding bargains this week. How about a quality hydration pack for $14.88, or a fleece neck gaitor for just $2.88? Note, Cabelas.com also currently offers free shipping on orders of $150.00 or more. Use Promo Code ’29SHIP’.
Bargain 70-oz. Hydration Pack
Cabela’s is offering a good, solid basic hydration pack for just $14.88, marked down from $24.99 (item OG-517656). While a benchrester may never need a water pack, this is a great accessory for a varmint hunter, F-Class shooter, High Power competitor, or any one who has to spend long hours in the hot sun. The pack (offered in blue or green) features a 70-oz. H20 reservoir, comfortable shoulder straps, and a handy mesh pocket for keys or cell phone. Similar hydration packs from other manufacturers can cost $40 or more. A recent purchaser praised the Cabela’s design: “Great item — I have been very impressed with the Cabela’s Diamond Peak Hydration Packs I ordered. The bite valve is very easy to use and never leaks a drip. The pack construction seems very solid. No need to pay more.”
Polartec Fleece Neck Gator — $2.88
The last time this Editor went to the range at the crack of dawn, it was about 30 degrees. I sure could have used this warm, thick fleece neck gaiter. This Polartec “WAMUgaiter™” (item OG-942580) has an angled zipper so you can adjust ventilation. I’ve used these when skiing and riding a motorcycle as well. You can easily slide them up and down to adjust the warmth factor, and unlike a full-head-coverage Balaclava, they won’t make you look like a Ninja assassin. Note, the only color available is BLAZE ORANGE, though the photo below shows camo. That may disappoint some, but for under three bucks, how can you complain. This is a very versatile cold-weather item, on sale now for just $2.88.
February 13th, 2009
 As most of you know by now, supplies of the most popular reloading components are in high demand. We’re seeing shortages of primers, bullets, and brass. As you might expect, .308 Win and .223 Rem components are selling out quickly. However, we have found some deals on .223 Rem cartridge brass.
MidwayUSA has Winchester-brand .223 Rem brass on sale right now. The price is just $20.99 per hundred — a great deal. The 100-count boxes are MidwayUSA item 1390148099. Unfortunately, the larger 500-ct and 1000-ct lots are sold out.
 Midsouth Shooters Supply has 100-count bags of Remington-brand .223 Rem brass on sale for $27.00, item 050-23089100. If you need large quantities, a 2000-count case of Rem-brand .223 brass, is $515.61, item 050-23089. That’s $0.257 per piece.
Bruno’s Sold Out — In case you wondered about Bruno Shooters Supply, on 2/13 we checked with Amy. She reports Bruno’s is completely sold out of all .223 Rem brass (all manufacturers) at this time.
February 7th, 2009
READ THIS!! 4/1/2009 UPDATE: Bruno’s Wolf primers are sold out. Call for current availability of any primers.
Amy at Bruno Shooters Supply let us know that she just received 250,000 Wolf Small Rifle Magnum primers (i.e. 250 1K boxes). These are the Russian-made primers that work well in the 6BR and 6-6.5×47 cases. Note, the magnum version of the Wolf small rifle primer is much preferrable to the standard Wolf small rifle primer which has a fairly soft cup. Price is $23.50 per 1000-ct box.
Bruno Shooters Supply: Wolf Small Rifle Magnum primers (250 1K boxes in stock) as of 2/7/2009. Ask Amy or Lester — You won’t find these on the website yet.
January 30th, 2009
We checked out the latest flyers from MidwayUSA and Natchez Shooters Supplies and found some great deals. How about $12.99 for a set of digital calipers?
 Digital Calipers, $12.99
MidwayUSA item 604242
No these are not the finest calipers you can buy, but they work as well as many digital calipers costing thirty bucks or more. This $12.99 price is the lowest we’ve seen on the MidwayUSA electronic calipers in a LONG time. For $12.99, pick up these calipers as a back-up, or for your range kit. Having a spare set of calipers at the range makes it easy to measure targets or check your case growth.
 Bell & Carlson Anschutz-Style Stock for Ruger 10/22
MidwayUSA item 500223, $154.99
We know the Ruger 10/22 is popular in the new Tactical Rimfire game, but the factory stock is less than ideal. Here’s an inexpensive stock that works great both prone (with bipod) and standing. The B&C 10/22 Stock is rigid, cleared for a .920″ barrel, and has a nice, no-slip black finish. We have a similar-shaped stock on our Anschutz Biathlon rifle and it is functions great from bipod, sitting position, or standing. You may want to add spacers to increase length of pull for prone work.
 Hornady A-Max Bullets, Natchez
Natchez is listing great prices right now on Hornady A-Max match bullets. The popular 6mm 105gr A-Max is sale priced at $18.28/100, but unfortunately is out of stock. You might ask for a “rain check” on that price. Likewise, Natchez has V-Max bullets at great prices, but most items are showing “out of stock.” Here are some other good deals on available inventory:
– 22 Cal., 80gr A-Max, HO22832, $15.74/100
– 6.5 mm, 140gr A-Max, HO26332, $24.68/100
 Neoprene ScopeCoat, $9.99
Natchez item F01SXSCL50HT
Large ScopeCoat for target scopes (50mm objective). These thickly-padded covers provide superior protection for expensive optics. The quoted item is 12.5″ x 50mm, but smaller sizes are available for the same $9.99 price. ScopeCoats sell elsewhere for up to $20.00. Right now Natchez also has flip-up Butler Creek lens covers for just $5.94 (that’s 20% off).
January 28th, 2009
Precision Reloading currently has the Bushnell Elite 1500 Rangefinder on sale for just $309.99. This is a very good price for Bushnell’s top-of-the-line LRF. For comparison, both Cabela’s and Optics Planet are charging $399.99, and SWFA.com is selling the Elite 1500 for $364.99.
 The Elite 1500 is probably the best of the domestic Laser Rangefinders. It includes two optional modes which really help in special situations. BullsEye mode automatically selects the closest ranged object, when you might otherwise get multiple, conflicting returns. Brush Mode is very handy. It will ignore returns from brush or rocks in the foreground, so you get the true range to your target. Fully waterproof, the Elite 1500 also features Bushnell’s effective Rainguard lens coating.
Overall, the Elite 1500 lacks some of the refinements of the higher-priced Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss laser rangefinders. The Beam Divergence is worse than a Leica or Swaro. But at $309.99, the Elite 1500 is roughly half the price of the euro-brand competition. An Elite 1500 will probably prove completely serviceable when ranging out to 800 yards or so.
CLICK HERE for our Comprehensive Laser Rangefinder Comparison Guide
January 23rd, 2009
We recently talked with Dave Kiff of Pacific Tool & Gauge (PT&G). Dave told us he has a number of new time-saving tools for gunsmiths, plus new bottom metal and bolt components for owners of Remington rifles..
Specialized Gunsmithing Tools in Stock
At the show, dave noted that PT&G currently has a variety of specialized cutting tools in inventory. Dave says the big new is is “Gen 2 Reamer”. This unique $287.00 tool will true the receiver face AND the internal lug recesses simultaneously. That will save a gunsmith time and effort. Dave offers other specialized cutters including:
– Threaded Receiver Mandrel for external engraving, outside truing etc. — $189.00
– Oversize Thread Reamer — $189.00
– Diamond-coated tap for Rem 700 – $189.00
 New Rem 700 Upgrades
Dave Kiff has collaborated with parts designer Kevin Wyatt to introduce some exciting new hardware for precision tactical, match, and hunting rifles. The new PT&G/Wyatt products will include custom bottom metal for the Rem 700, and a Win m70 claw-extractor modification for the Remington 700.
Initially, the Rem 700 bottom metal will be crafted from aluminum (steel versions will be offered soon). The bottom metal will use Wyatt’s detachable box magazines. The bottom metal fits a standard Remington footprint (though minor modifications may have to be made to the receiver). Both aluminum and solid steel versions should be available by late spring for $205.00 with one magazine, and extra mags are $54.00.
The Claw Extractor mod for the Rem 700 is a robust design that avoids some of the problems associated with a SAKO-style extractor in a Rem bolt. The Claw Extractor allows a “normal” ejection angle so you won’t bounce your brass off the windage knob of the scope. No receiver alterations are required, and Wyatt is working to provide controlled feeding in the final production version. The new Claw Extractor product, according to Dave Kiff, should be available by the end of 2009. Installation will require a gunsmith — this is not a do-it-yourself mod.
January 22nd, 2009
Now through the end of January, MidwayUSA is offering “blemished bullets” from major manufacturers at deep discounts — up to 40% off. These blemished bullets are bulk-packed factory seconds from major manufacturers. For most bullets, the blemish consists of slight discolorations in the jacket. Click the links below for specific calibers:
20 Cal Blems | 22 Cal Blems | 6mm Blems | 7mm Blems
Among the better blemished bullet offerings are:
 20 Caliber (.204 Diameter) 45gr Soft Point Box of 100
Product #786503
Price: $13.49 marked down from $22.49.
22 Caliber (.224 Diameter) 55gr Soft Point Box of 100
Product #324450
Price: $8.89 marked down from $14.79.
270 Caliber (.277 Diameter) 140gr Spitzer BT Box of 100
Product #491606
Price: $13.49 marked down from $22.49.
7mm (.284 Diam.) 154gr Bonded Spitzer BT (Plastic Tip) Box of 100
Product #377637
Price: $26.99 marked down from $44.99.
January 7th, 2009
There are some nice items up for sale right now in our Forum Classifieds at tempting prices, with gunsmithing done by some of America’s top smiths. Here are a couple highlights from the Classifieds. The first is a barrel-block long-range gun smithed by Jerry Simison. The second is a high-power stock crafted by Alex Sitman.
6-6.5×47 Long-Range Rifle with Barrel Block
Bill B. (aka “338 Laz”) is offering a handsome 6mm Coyote (6.5×47 Lapua necked to 6mm) long-range rifle with a barrel block. This gun was chambered by Jerry Simison, (218) 532-7007, with barrel block and fitting By Tony Larson (both highly respected smiths). The gun features a Remington 721 action, and a Krieger 1:8″ twist barrel, with .275″ chamber neck. Bill reports: “I used it for my first year at 1000-yard benchrest shooting. Won a match with it and was always in the running I did my part. It has about 500 rounds through it. Comes with Brass. Jerry’s will make some dies for you if you want.” The price is $1600.00. Email bill.behnke [at] yahoo.com for questions. CLICK HERE for more pictures.
Master Class High Power Stock (left-hand)
Here’s a selection for you South-Paws. You may know that Alex Sitman of Master Class Stocks does some of the best stock-work in the country. But his work is in high demand so you can expect to wait months for custom projects. Here’s a High Power match stock that sold for $900 new. It’s now offered for just $495. Seller SwedeJohn reports “This stock has been shortened somewhat and the cheek piece has been sanded. It is bedded for Rem 700 Short Action.” Email fiveptjon [at] aol.com with questions. CLICK HERE for more photos.
January 3rd, 2009
Now through the end of January, Midway has three items on sale that caught our attention.
Dewey 44″ Cleaning Rods for $25.99
First, MidwayUSA has marked down Dewey nylon-coated 44″ cleaning rods from $31.49 to $25.99. The sale price applies to both 22-26 caliber rods (item 971244), and 27-34 caliber rods (item 268904). For most target rifles, a Dewey rod is a very good choice when considering both price and performance. Dewey rods have nice handles, good bearings, and durable nylon covers. Plus Dewey stands behind its products. The 44″ length should work with barrels up to 28″ (without muzzle brake). Note, however, these rods have a male tip, so you’ll need an adapter (which Dewey provides) for use with male-threaded jags.
Lee Universal Decapping Die for $7.99
There are many situations when you may want to remove primers from fired brass without running them into a sizing die fitted with a decapping rod. We often do this with pistol brass that’s slated to be loaded in a progressive press. Popping the primers first allows you to clean and inspect the primer pockets before loading the brass — and it also reduces the effort to run the progressive. If your rifle brass is dirty, you may want to de-cap before sizing. Lee makes a simple, inexpensive decapping die that every reloader should have. It will quickly pop out a primer without touching the rest of the case. The Lee Universal Decapping Die will work with cartridges from 17 Fireball all the way up to 45-70. However, NOTE that the decapping pin supplied with this Lee die is TOO LARGE for LAPUA BR and PPC flash holes — you’ll need to either turn down the pin, or decap with a different tool for the Lapua cases with .059″ flash-holes. With the exception of those cases, the Lee decapping die works very well and it’s a bargain. This month at MidwayUSA it’s on sale for just $7.99 (item 136543).
Bore-Store Synthetic Fleece Storage Sacks
In this Editor’s opinion, Bore-Store storage bags are the best option on the market for storing rifles, shotguns, and pistols in a gun safe or storage cabinet. They are much less bulky than soft gun cases, so you can fit more guns in your safe. The thick, synthetic fleece pile cushions your gun, safeguarding against dings and scratches. The fabric is breathable, so moisture doesn’t collect on the gun, and the fabric is treated with silicone AND a rust inhibitor. I have Bore-Stores for every firearm in my collection. Over the years they have kept my rifles rust-free and protected fine metal and wood finishes from scratches. MidwayUSA now has a wide variety of Bore-Stores on sale. For example, the 46″ Scoped Rifle case (item 570-349) is marked down from $13.49 to $9.99. This will fit rifles with barrels up to 28″ and maybe 29″ with a little stretching. The 42″ AR15 Case (item 360-601) is marked down from $15.59 to $10.49. This case is extra-wide, with plenty of clearance for pistol grip and carry handle. Other Bore-Stores for handguns and shotguns are on sale through the end of January.
January 3rd, 2009
When working on firearms, one is constantly in need of hex (allen) key wrenches in a variety of sizes, both metric and SAE (English). You can get a folding (swiss army knife-style) allen wrench set, but that may not give the reach you need and you can’t apply much torque. For heavier jobs, such as loosening heavily-torqued action screws, you’ll want a set of T-Handle wrenches.
Color-Coded 10-tool Hex Key Sets
Harbor Freight has attractively-priced hex key wrench sets in both metric and English (SAE) sizes. Each $5.99 set comes with a nice, powder-coated metal storage bracket with tool sizes clearly marked on the front. The handle tops are conveniently color-coded in bright primary colors, and key sizes are stamped in the handle. The color coding is really, really useful. For example, I know that a yellow (5mm) metric key works for the action screws on my Tikka, while a green (5/32″) SAE wrench fits the action screws on my Savage. A purple (1/8″) SAE key fits the door jam tensioner on my gun safe. It’s easy to look at the tool holder on my workbench and pick the right hex key.
The SAE Hex Key Set (item 37861-4VGA) contains 10 tools, 3/32″ to 3/8″. The Metric Hex Key Set (item 37862-4VGA) has 10 tools from 2mm to 10mm. The shanks are constructed from carbon steel. Each set is just $5.99.
This Editor has been using the Harbor Freight Hex Key Sets (both metric and SAE) for over a year now, and they have performed well. The handles haven’t slipped, the tips haven’t rounded off, and nothing has rusted. Now I wouldn’t use these bargain tools to wrench a race-car engine, but for simple around-the-house tasks they work fine. I also put the appropriate action-screw hex key(s) in my range kit whenever I go shooting. I really like fact that each tool size has a different color handle with the size stamped in the plastic. The mounting bracket is nicely made and clearly labeled. At $5.99 per set, it’s hard to beat this tool deal.
Torx T-Handle Wrench Set for Just $9.99
Harbor Freight also offers other budget-priced T-handle sets, including a 7-Piece T-Handle Torx Key Set containing T15, T20, T25, T30, T40, T45 and T50 Torx keys. Each key in this $9.99 set has two drive ends: one long to provide up to 25° tilt angle for access in hard-to-reach areas, and one short for extra rigidity under high loads.
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