Free Muffs with .204 Ruger Brass

Here’s a nice offer from Midsouth Shooters Supply for varminters who shoot the .204 Ruger. If you buy two 50-count boxes of Hornady .204 Ruger brass, Midsouth will give you a FREE pair of Silencio RBW71 Hearing Protectors. These NRR 25-rated muffs are “Hornady Red” with Hornady’s logo imprinted on the side. The muffs normally sell for about $10.00. The brass, Midsouth item 003-8604, costs just $21.03 per box of 50. Act soon, supplies are limited.

Sako L461 Custom .223 on Gunbroker

Guys, there’s a sweet thumbhole custom Sako .223 Rem on Gunbroker.com right now. We hope one of our readers is able to snag this little gem. Built on the classic Sako L461 action, it features a 28″ barrel and custom walnut thumbhole stock. We really like the looks of that stock–it would work equally well shooting prone from bipod, or shot from a pedestal rest. The thumbhole is nice when you’re steering the gun from one critter to the next. The front section has small flats on the side, and the underside of the forend is almost flat for stability on a front rest. Sako 461s are much prized for their compactness, smoothness, and quality of machining.

The seller writes: “This is an older rifle, 223 caliber, in very good condition. It has a 28″ heavy barrel, custom built with a thumbhole walnut stock. The inside of the barrel is clean (no pits) and the stock does not have any cracks. The length of pull is about 13-1/2 inches. It also comes with a Simmons 2.5X10X50 scope as seen in the pictures.” This gun is Gunbroker Auction item #72216185, expiring 5/24/2007 11:17 AM eastern time. The current bid is $635.95. NOTE: AccurateShooter.com has no connection with the seller.

Warm-Weather Footgear on Sale

Cabela’s has a great sale going on right now in its “Bargain Cave” online discount store. A variety of quality sandals from major makers are discounted up to 60% off. Out here in the Western states, where daytime temps are already up into the 80s, sandles are the footwear of choice for casual wear.

Buyers have given rave reviews to Cabela’s $24.88 Mud Springs sandles, and the Keen Newport. For casual use this editor recommends the Mud Springs Slide OG-823606. It is comfortable, durable, and is easy-on, easy-off. For hiking and trail use however, you’ll want a heavier sandle with toe protection and an ankle strap, such as the Keen.

Mother's Day, Sunday May 13th

We know this is a “guys’ site”, but all guys have mothers. Yep, it’s that special day Sunday. Don’t forget to remember Mom (and the mother of your kids). If she likes shooting, then take her to the range. If she doesn’t, well, treat her to a Sunday brunch and be a good sport and take her to her favorite activity even if that means, god forbid, shoe shopping.

If you haven’t bought a special gift yet, here are some quality online vendors all offering special Mothers’ Day promotions. Each one of these outfitters (Cabelas, Orvis, Woolrich, and Herrington Catalog), donates to this site, based on a percentage of sales.

Ballistol Cleaner/Lube on Sale

MidwayUSA currently has Ballistol Sportsman’s Oil on sale through the end of May. “Oil” is a bit of a misnomer, because Ballistol is a non-toxic, all-natural product that serves a multitude of purposes. It is very popular with black powder shooters because it is not petro-chemical based. Accordingly it will not alter combustion or affect a “seasoned” muzzleloader or black powder cartridge gun, though it cleans black powder residues very effectively.

Centerfire shooters will find that Ballistol does a very good job cleaning powder fouling off case necks and case bodies. As a lube, Ballistol is clear, not waxy or chalky, and it is very slippery. Ballistol is this editor’s preferred lube for full-length sizing PPC and BR cases. It is easy to apply with fingers or a damp patch and it wipes off quickly with a paper towel. All you need is a very thin sheen on the case and your brass will run through the sizer die like a dream. Since Ballistol is non-toxic, you need not be concerned with getting it on your fingers–in fact Ballistol even has antiseptic properties.

The sale item is the large, 16-ounce liquid, MidwayUSA item 164428 (left above). This will last a long time. It is marked down to $7.99 from $9.99, through May 31, 2007. For .223 Rem, 6BR, and PPC case sizing, we prefer the 6-ounce Aerosol version, MidwayUSA item 831231, regularly priced at $6.99 (right above). The Aerosol is easier to apply–a thin mist is all you need. NOTE: for heavy case forming and necking-up duties, we do recommend you employ a thicker lube, such as Imperial Die Wax. For regular neck- and body-sizing of small to medium-sized cases, however, Ballistol works great.