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October 7th, 2008
Smith & Wesson Corp., announced today that the company will offer new consumer promotions through the end of the year (12/31/2008). The new fall/winter promotions include product offerings and consumer rebates for Smith & Wesson, Thompson/Center Arms and Walther products. For rifle buyers, there are $50.00 rebates offered on both the Smith & Wesson i-Bolt™ and the Thompson/Center Arms ICON™ rifle. Under the Fall Spectacular Hunting Promo, purchasers of a new S&W i-Bolt rifle will get a $50.00 rebate. Likewise, under T/C’s Get in the Hunt Promo, buyers of a new T/C ICON™ qualify for a $50.00 rifle.
CLICK HERE to Download i-Bolt™ Rebate Form
CLICK HERE for T/C ICON™ Mail-In Rebate Form
We were impressed with the T/C ICON™ rifles we handled at SHOT Show earlier this year. The upper end ICONs had really nice Ultra Wood™ stocks made from three pieces of hand-selected walnut laminated together with two sheets of carbon fiber. The actions are smooth and very strong, with integral (milled) Weaver-type scope mounts. Modern CNC production methods are used to manufacture the action and aluminum bedding block. The three-lug bolt has a short, 60° throw, a handsome jeweled body, and is easy to disassemble. Every ICON is factory-tested and the button-rifled barrels are guaranteed to shoot sub-inch groups at 100 yards. If you are looking for a US-made hunting rifle with modern engineering and state-of-the-art construction, the ICON is a good choice. We love the looks of the standard ICON with blued metal and glossy wood, but if you prefer a more rugged field rifle, the ICON is also offered in stainless with a Hogue® over-molded composite stock in matte black or camo finish. The Hogue stocks have a rubberized external finish that is very “grippy” in wet conditions.
October 3rd, 2008
 Looking for firearms and accessories on the web? You can spend hours cruising Forum Classifieds. Or, with one click, you can view items for sale on 20 different gun forums. Using robotic web spider technology, EliteDealSeeker.com collects active “for sale” listings from around the web, displaying them all on one page, sorted by site. The subject line for each ad is displayed as a clickable link. It’s a great system that makes shopping for bargains fast and easy. Most of the listings are for optics and accessories for AR15 or semi-auto style rifles, and for handguns, but you can still find a bargain out there and this technology can save you lots of time. You can set the time span for ads to display — from the last 24 hours (minimum) to the past 28 days (maximum). For starters, we suggest you search for the last 5-7 days of classified ads.
Our own AccurateShooter Forum Classifieds are spidered, and you’ll find other good deals on precision shooting stuff on the Accurate Reloading Forums, on RimfireCentral.com, and Snipershide.com. The chart below shows the complete list of spidered gun-related websites. A “webbot” visits all these sites daily, grabbing the latest sale items for you to review. You can set display preferences so your favorite sites appear at the top of the list.
6mmBR.com
24hourcampfire.com
1911forum.com
Accuratereloading.com
AKfiles.com
AR15.com
Defensivecarry.com
Falfiles.com
Glocktalk.com
Gunboards.com |
Gunsnet.net
HKPro.com
Rugerforum.com
Shotgunworld.com
Sigforum.com
Smith-Wessonforum.com
Sturmgewehr.com
theakforum.net
thefiringline.com
thehighroad.org
XDtalk.com |
October 1st, 2008
Natchez Shooters Supplies has the Leatherman Skeletool CX on sale for $53.49, marked down from $96.00. Light-weight (just 5 oz.), compact (4″ closed), and versatile, the Skeletool CX features pliers, wirecutter, screwdriver (with changeable bits), and a very nice semi-serrated cutting blade. The handle is tungsten-coated steel and carbon fiber. We’ve checked around the web, and the next lowest price for the versatile Skeletool CX is $62.99 at Toolup.com. If you do order from Natchez, please mention that you saw this deal on AccurateShooter.com.
Buyer Reviews of the Skeletool CX have been extremely positive. One owner declared: “I’ve owned practically every Leatherman and SOG multi-tool produced over the past 15 years; a few Gerbers and Swiss Army brands thrown in there as well. And I’ve got to just jump in and say, this is arguably the best Leatherman ever.” Another Skeletool user wrote: “I’ve owned this product for about 4 months now and really do love it. I appreciate that this Leatherman has done away with all the extraneous tools that add bulk and weight but are rarely used. Instead of needing a holster, I can wear it in my pocket like I would any other knife.”
Better Than a Blade Alone
 For years, this Editor’s favorite, carry-around cutting instrument has been a semi-serrated Spyderco Delica. I may finally retire the Delica and replace it with the Skeletool CX. For not much more money than a Delica costs today, the Skeletool provides a semi-serrated stainless cutting blade, plus pliers and a bit-driver. The overall package isn’t much larger than my Delica, and it’s just as easy to carry. The Skeletool CX has a removeable pocket clip PLUS a handy, carabiner type carry loop (see photo at right).
Specs:
• Length: 4 in. / 10 cm closed
• Weight: 5 ounces / 142 grams
• Features: Combination Straight/Serrated Cutting Blade (154CM stainless steel), Pliers, Wire Cutters, Screwdriver with bits, Bit Storage in handle, Bottle Opener, Lanyard Ring, Carabiner snap-loop, Removable Pocket Clip
• Materials: Stainless Steel, Tungsten DLC Coating, 154CM, Carbon Fiber (handle)
Included Bits:
• Phillips #1 and #2
• Screwdriver 3/16″ and 1/4″
September 14th, 2008
Readers often ask us: “What is a good, affordable hard-shell gun case for benchrest and varmint rifles with long barrels and wide stocks?” While there are many excellent options, many premium hard cases (such as the SKB) cost $150.00 or more. For about $30.00, the unique Plano AirGlide™ is a great choice. Right now the AirGlide, item WX2-110200, is on sale at Sportsmans’ Guide for just $29.97 (or $26.97 for SG’s Buyers’ Club members). Lockable and airline-approved, the Plano AirGlide offers excellent performance for the price.
Among injection-molded rifle cases, Plano’s AirGlide™ case is unique in holding a rifle vertically, in foam cradles. This allows ample room for the 3″-wide fore-ends on BR and Varmint rifles. The foam blocks front and rear can even be trimmed for a custom fit, and velcro webbing straps hold the rifle securely. The AirGlide’s hinged top-opening lid provides ample clearance for large target scopes, with no side load on the turrets. (We’ve found that some eggcrate foam-lined gun cases can put enough pressure on scope knobs to alter your zero.) Measuring 51 1/2″L x 7 3/4″W x 12 1/4″H, the AirGlide can easily handle rifles up to 50″ in length. That should hold BR rifles with barrels up to 29″.
September 11th, 2008
The 4th Annual Shilen Swap Meet will be held on Saturday, October 18th. The Swap Meet runs from 8am to 3pm in Shilen’s parking lot at 205 Metro Park Blvd., Ennis, Texas. All buyers and sellers are invited — and you’re welcome to just come and mingle or take a tour of the factory. Anyone can set up a table or just drop your tailgate. There are no fees and the Swap Meet will go forward rain or shine (Shilen rents a tent). Shilen provides complementary chili, frito pie and soft drinks. Shilen’s organizers noted: “Please call (972) 875-5318 if you plan on attending so we can have a rough head count. If you want to put up a table please call, fax or email us and let us know. We will add you to the list of vendors.”
Butch Lambert tells us: “Bring all your guns and gun-related stuff. No charge for anything. They will have regular tours of the shop. They are planning on a few shooting seminars also. Dr. Oltersdorf has said he will be there with his weedwacker blender serving up a few toddies, and Shilen will serve Chupacabra chili and drinks. ”
For more info, or to reserve space, call (972) 875-5318 or email jennifer.hull [at] shilen.com.
September 9th, 2008
UPDATE: ALL SOLD OUT as of noon, 9/9/2008
Right now Bruno Shooters Supply has special edition 100-Year Anniversary 30-06 brass on sale for just $49.00 per hundred cases (item 4HH7067). This is first-quality Lapua brass, produced as a special run for Dakota Arms in 2006. To some, this relatively rare brass is worth buying for collector purposes. For others, it’s just a heck of a deal. Bruno’s regular price on standard Lapua 30-06 brass (item 4PH7068) is $67.00 per hundred cases, and you’ll see the same Lapua-headstamp brass sold for up to $100.99 per hundred elsewhere (MidwayUSA price).
There are less than 1500 pieces available at this price, so act quickly. Call Bruno’s at (623) 587-7641 and ask Amy or Lester for the special “100 Years” Lapua brass. Kudos go to German Salazar for spotting this great deal on unique Lapua brass.
September 1st, 2008
For storing fine firearms in a gunsafe or storage locker, we recommend Bore-Stores. These thick, synthetic fleece bags are treated with silicone and a special rust inhibitor to safeguard against rust and corrosion. Bore-Stores also cushion your rifles, protecting against nicks and dings while you’re moving your guns in and out of the safe.
Right now, through the end of September, MidwayUSA has most popular sizes of Bore-Store bags on sale. Bags for 4″ and 6″-barreled pistols are marked down from $5.89 to $4.99, and the 46″ Scoped rifle Bore-Store bag (item 570349) is just $9.99, reduced from $11.49. NOTE: Even if your rifle measures a bit longer, we have found this bag is large enough to fit a Benchrest-style rifle with up to 28″ barrel. For shorter guns with big scopes, we recommend the 42″ AR15 case (item 360601).
Bore-Stores are outstanding products, much better than the thin “gun socks” made by other companies. The fleece material is breathable, so it wicks away moisture from the firearm. By contrast, typical hard cases with “eggcrate” foam interiors attract and retain moisture — they can actually breed rust on your guns. Likewise, most zippered soft cases retain moisture.
GoldenRods on Sale Too
GoldenRods are electric heating elements that help prevent corrosion in your gunsafe by maintaining a constant temperature that is above the dewpoint. This prevents rust-breeding moisture from condensing on your guns. Both large and small GoldenRods are on sale this month at MidwayUSA, starting at $15.99 marked down from $19.99. The largest “gold” model (item 621013), which protects up to 300 cubic feet, is now $10.00 off, marked down to $29.99 from $39.99.
August 3rd, 2008
Looking for a joystick-type front rest at a bargain price? Now through the end of August, 2008, the Caldwell Fire Control Rest is on sale at MidwayUSA for just $179.99 (product #956104). That’s a $20.00 savings.
This Caldwell Fire Control Rest costs hundreds of dollars less than a Farley Co-AX or a SEB coaxial rest, though the function is very similar. We’ve tried the Caldwell. While we much prefer the more costly Farley and SEB units (they have better bases and much better bags), the Caldwell does a creditable job. Movement of the rest head is fairly smooth in all directions. The rest can be adjusted so the control arm doesn’t “droop” or move even if you remove your hand. The one knock on the product is most people think the supplied front sandbags are not good enough for competitive benchrest. But for a varminter looking for the ability to adjust both vertical and horizontal aiming point quickly, this unit should suffice. Below is a video we created at the 2008 SHOT Show.
CLICK HERE (or on VIDEO frame) to watch Fire Control Rest DEMO Video
To view another Caldwell-produced short video showing the basic Fire Control Front Rest plus a full-length version that supports the rifle at the front AND rear, click the link below:
VIDEO — Caldwell Fire Control Front Rest and One-Piece Rest (with stock cradle)
July 21st, 2008
The PACT XP Chronograph is now on sale at MidwayUSA for $206.99, $23.00 off the regular price. (Sale ends July 31, 2008.) This unit contains many advanced features, is fairly easy to set up, and has a handy control unit with built-in printer. An enhanced “Glint Guard” bullet detection system provide greater sensitivity in a wide range of light conditions.
The PACT XP chronograph can also be upgraded with infrared screens. We highly recommend the infrared option, a $49.95 upgrade from PACT. You can also purchase the PACT Pro XP with infrared kit directly from PACT for $269.95.
The PACT Pro XP includes improved “Mark 6″ Skyscreens, mounting bracket, storage case, and a 9-volt battery. With software available from the PACT website, you can transfer your data to a laptop or home computer. The PACT Pro XP also features a built-in ballistics calculator that uses your actual chronograph and bullet data and corrects for windage, elevation, and temperature. PACT provides a bullet database with the Ballistic Coefficient (BC) of nearly all bullet designs from popular bullet-makers.
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