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January 22nd, 2014
 At the Nightforce booth at SHOT Show, we got our hands on the GEN 2 15-55x52mm Comp Scope. It features large turret knobs with high-contrast numbers. The 15-55 Comp still has the great HD glass from the first generation model, but now it offers 10 MOA per revolution, plus zero-stop. There are now FOUR reticle options: DDR-2, FCR-1, CTR-2, and CTR-3. The 15-55 Comp weighs 27.87 ounces, making it 24% lighter than Nightforce’s 12-42x56mm Benchrest scope. The latest 15-55x52mm Comp scope retails for about $2355.00. Black is the only color option.
Affordable 4-14x56mm SHV Hunting Scope
The big news at the Nightforce booth was the SHV, a new medium-magnification, second-focal plane scope for hunters and varminters. Described as “the most affordable Nightforce riflescope [offered] to date”, the all-new 4-14x56mm SHV will sell for $995.00 (non-illuminated model) or $1195.00 with an illuminated reticle. The “SHV” stands for ShooterHunterVarminter™, reflecting this scope’s versatility — it can be used for a wide variety of applications. The SHV has plenty of travel for long-range use: 100 MOA of elevation adjustment and 70 MOA of horizontal (windage) travel. Two reticle options will initially be offered, the basic IHR (Int’l Hunting Reticle) with floating center cross-hair, and the popular MOAR reticle with 1-MOA vertical and horizontal hash marks. The 4-14x56mm SHV weighs 26.8 oz. for the basic version, and 28.5 oz. for the illuminated model. CLICK HERE for 2014 Nightforce Catalog.
Watch Report on Nightforce SHV Scope from SHOT Show 2014
The 4-14 SHV scope represents a new direction for Nightforce. The optics-maker kept the price under $1000.00 by “limiting some options, offering simpler controls, and using a less complex manufacturing process.” Nightforce said the goal with the SHV was to offer a scope priced “within the reach of a wider range of hunters and shooters who don’t need the ‘overbuilt’ characteristics of our NXS™ series, most of which were originally created to withstand actual combat conditions.”
January 21st, 2014
Report by Jason Baney, EuroOptic.com
At Media Day at the Range, some of us were privileged to shoot a very accurate new tactical rifle — the Sako TRG M10. People have been clamoring for this “bad-ass” multi-caliber rifle, which has not yet been released to the public. The M10 was one of the top submissions for the PSR (Precision Sniper Rifle) contract and we can see why. The ergonomics, function, and adjustments are very smooth and intuitive. As proof, though I had never previously handled an M10, much less practiced with one, we managed to complete our video in just one take. I was quickly able to figure out the adjustments and get shots on target. That bodes well for a serious tactical rifle designed for combat.
When compared to previous Sako TRG models, the M10 is notable for its modular construction, wide range of adjustments, and, of course, its ability to shoot multiple cartridge types (.308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua Mag). As with other PSR submissions, Sako’s M10 has user-changeable barrels that can be switched easily.
Watch Jason Shoot Sako TRG M10 at 960 Yards
The M10 is currently only available to the military market, but the hope is to push it to the commercial (civilian) market after military orders are filled. When this happens, EuroOptic plans to be one of the first vendors to offer TRG M10s to civilian customers. We do not know the price of the TRG M10 at this time — we asked Sako reps but they wouldn’t even venture a guess.
This 8-minute Video Covers Sako M10 Features in Great Detail:
January 21st, 2014
Can’t get enough SHOT Show coverage? Then visit Flickr.com for the official SHOT Show Photo Stream. You’ll find 99 images from last week’s event in Las Vegas. There are plenty of product shots, plus images of celebrities such as Texas Governor Rick Perry, Olympic shooter Amanda Furrer, and the always-colorful Ted Nugent.
FREE Digital Editions of SHOT Show Daily
You can also read FREE digital editions of the SHOT Show Daily (for Days 1-3). This is the publication handed out at SHOT Show. Packed with stories and photos, each edition has a special theme for the new products covered.
SHOT Daily 2014
January 21st, 2014
In a relatively short time, Strategic Armory Corps, LLC (SAC) has become a major player in the American firearms business. SAC has acquired three highly respected firearms manufacturers: Armalite, Surgeon Rifles, and most recently, McMillan Firearms. All three companies have been industry leaders in their market segments.
At SHOT Show 2014, the “Product Spotlight Team” visited the SAC booth. The video below features new rifles from SAC’s Armalite and Surgeon divisions. First up is the new, short-action Armalite AR-31, a .308 Win tactical rifle that borrows important design features from its big brother, the Armalite AR-30A1 (which is offered in .300 WM and .338 Lapua Magnum).
Surgeon’s New CSR and PSR Rifles on Accuracy Int’l Chassis Systems
At SHOT Show, Surgeon showcased new modular rifles built on Accuracy Int’l Chassis systems. The CSR (Concealable Sniper Rifle) is a .308 Win built with a Surgeon 591 action. The CSR is featured in the video above. Surgeon’s PSR is a .338 Lapua Magnum built around Surgeon’s beefy XL action.
January 20th, 2014
Here’s a smart product from MTM Case-Gard, new for 2014. You get a rugged, polypropylene plastic ammo carrier, complete with a matched set of 100-round ammo boxes for a particular caliber (e.g. 9mm, 45 ACP, or .223 Rem). This is a slick, intelligent way to transport ammo to the range.
We like these new MTM plastic ammo carriers better than military surplus metal ammo cans, which have sharp edges, finger-pinching clasps, and rust far too easily. MTM’s ammo carriers are much lighter than milsurp ammo cans, and they have an enhanced O-Ring seal system for a superior water-resistant seal. All plastic, the MTM ammo carriers can never rust. They have easy-to-shut dual latches, double locking tabs for padlocks, and convenient built-in stacking ridges molded into the lids. Overall, the MTM ammo carrier is a superior, more user-friendly design compared to conventional metal ammo cans. And the combo set, with fitted 100-round boxes, gives double protection to your precious ammunition.
January 19th, 2014
Need a comp scope with serious magnification, but have a limited budget? Then check out the new XTR II 8-40x50mm from Burris. Priced at $1199.00 (MSRP), this new scope offers 40X max magnification, and a lifetime, bumper-to-bumper warranty. The scope weighs 31.4 ounces, has 1/8th-MOA clicks, and 10 MOA per turret revolution. With a 34mm main tube, the scope delivers 70 MOA of elevation adjustment and 30 MOA of windage adjustment. New this year, this FFP scope should be available by the end of March 2014. Learn more in the video preview below:
Learn about Features of 8-40x50mm Burris XTR 11:
Innovative F-Class MOA Reticle with Multiple Center Dots
Burris offers this First Focal Plane (FFP) scope with an F-Class MOA Reticle, the only reticle of its kind to feature multiple illuminated center dots (on the vertical line), the Front Focal Plane reticle keeps the 1/2 MOA grid design constant (relative to target) at any magnification. A second 20 MOA offset 1/2 MOA grid allow shooters to obtain an extra 20 MOA of elevation beyond the capability of the turret adjustments and still have horizontal wind hold-off references. At each 10 MOA section you’ll find an ultra-fine crosshair with 1/8 MOA illuminated dot for maximum versatility.
January 19th, 2014
McMillan recently sold its gun-making business to Strategic Armory Corps, LLC (SAC). But don’t worry, McMillan will continue production of its full line of quality fiberglass stocks. At SHOT Show 2014, we interviewed Kelly McMillan of McMillan Group International. Kelly confirmed that McMillan Fiberglass Stocks will continue to craft stocks for competition, hunting, and tactical applications.
In our interview (video below), Kelly discusses the recent sale of McMillan’s gun-making business to Strategic Armory Corps, LLC (SAC) which also owns Armalite and Surgeon Rifles. Kelly says SAC will maintain very high quality standards for McMillan’s Competition, Tactical, and Hunting rifles: “SAC is a great company, with a great vision… it’s going to be really good for the product and our customers”.
Watch Kelly McMillan Video Interview — Learn About McMillan Merchant Solutions:
 In the second half of the video, Kelly talks about McMillan Merchant Solutions (MMS), a new “gun-friendly” credit-card processing company. McMillan Merchant Solutions offers processing functions and other services for all gun industry businesses, large and small, at very competitive rates. A portion of MMS revenues will be donated to groups that support Second Amendment rights.
January 18th, 2014
Ashbury Precision Ordnance (APO) has introduced a new line of modular SABRE chassis systems for Savage model 10 and 110 rifles. These chassis systems are completely modular, upgradeable, and reconfigurable. Sporter models start at $995.00. APO President Morris Petersen explains: “Our customers said ‘Hey, you need to build a line for Savages’. So we built a series of SABREs for Savage [short action and long action rifles]. We have a composite version (Sporter), the Super-Sport Alloy, and the Carbon Fiber version. They are all fully adjustable (as all of the SABRE Platforms are) so they can fit any type of shooter.” New model calibers include .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua Mag in Sporter Composite and Quattro Alloy series with 5-round and 10-round AICS-type magazines.
New Savage SABRE Chassis System (SVS-A3, MOD-1 Alloy Series SuperSport)
APO has been selling the Savage SVL-A2 MOD-1 for the 110 BA for nearly 2 years. The new Savage 10 and 110 models will begin deliveries to APO dealers in the Spring of 2014. Sporter models will come first, followed by the Alloy Series.
APO Showcases the New SABRE Chassis Line for Savage 10 and 110 Rifles
Shooting with APO During Media Day at the Range
Media Day at the Boulder Pistol and Rifle Club was busy all day long. The APO crew let reporters test drive three precision rifles: an ASW .338 Lapua Magnum, a custom M700 .300 Win Mag, and the new Savage 10 FCP/SVS-A3. The winds kicked up quickly and reached 25 mph at times. But everyone still had fun.
January 18th, 2014
The 17 Winchester Super Magnum Rimfire cartridge (aka 17 Win Super Mag or 17 WSM) debuted last January. There was lots of buzz about this new, high-velocity rimfire cartridge in 2013, but the ammo was hard to get. Also, months passed before rifles chambered for the new cartridge were available. Now that situation is changing. Winchester has been producing 17 WSM ammo for a year now, actually making twice as much 17 WSM ammo as originally planned.
And now you can finally get a rifle to shoot the speedy little cartridge, the fastest rimfire round ever created. Browning offers a Falling Block chambered in 17 WSM, Savage has its new B-Mag rifle in 17 WSM, and Volquartsen is taking orders for an impressive, semi-auto 17 WSM. So the future is bright for this little cartridge, which can drive a 20-grain bullet at 3000 FPS, or a 25-grain bullet at 2600 FPS.
Savage B-Mag Rifle Chambered in 17 Win Super Mag.
Easy One-MOA Accuracy, Even in High Winds
We had a chance to shoot some 25-grain 17 WSM ammo through a new Savage B-Mag rifle. This polymer-tipped ammo showed its capability to buck the wind way better than .22 LR ammo (or even 17 HMR). In gusty 15-20 mph winds, Jason was still able to put five shots inside an inch or so at 100 yards.
Watch Jason Shoot 17 Win Super Mag in Savage B-Mag Rifle. In Second Part of Video, Winchester Staff Talks about 17 WSM Ammo Availability:
The B-Mag rifle worked well. The trigger is surprisingly good, with a crisp break at around 3.5 pounds. The B-Mag employs a “cock-on-close” design. Last year we tried an early production prototype B-Mag, and the bolt closure was very heavy. Though Savage claims there were no significant design changes, we can tell you the B-Mag is improved. Bolt closure takes less effort and the feeling as you drop the bolt handle is much smoother. (Perhaps the firing pin spring rate has been softened.) We did get a misfeed from the rotary-style magazine when cycling very rapidly. However, if you slow down a bit it works fine. You also must make sure the bolt is pushed ALL the way forward before you begin to rotate the bolt handle downwards.
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