GunVault has unveiled a new, affordable security system for AR-platform rifles. The patent-pending AR MagVault ($24.95 MSRP) is a key-lock-controlled bright orange nylon block that fits in AR magwells. When engaged, the AR MagVault blocks magazine access, and more importantly, prevents the bolt from cycling. Once the AR MagVault is locked into place, a round cannot be inserted or chambered.
According to the manufacturer, the AR MagVault fits virtually all .223/5.56 AR-platform rifles. We like this well-designed product. The fiberglass-reinforced nylon block seems sturdy. It can supplement the use of a chamber safety flag at the range (the hi-viz orange color makes it easy to see the block is in place). In addition the AR MagVault can provide added security when an AR is transported or stored in a gun safe. Our only concern is the key system — we’d rather see a combination lock. As blogger Robert Farago cautions: “Don’t lose that key!” For additional info, visit GunVault.com.
Each year Shooting Sports USA magazine (SSUSA) spotlights its Products of the Year — those competition shooting accessories which have the best combination of value, performance, and utility. Right now SSUSA is asking its readers to nominate products for the annual Best Products of the Year feature. SSUSA seeks your input on competitive shooting gear that made a significant difference in your shooting performance. Such products could include barrels, scopes, timers, holsters, magazine followers, instructional DVDs, or any other accessories/components which help you compete more effectively, and achieve higher scores.
Once the numbers are in, the results will be tallied and published in the SHOT Show edition of Shooting Sports USA. Please send your nomination for best 2010 competitive shooting product to shootingsportsusa@nrahq.org with 2010 Product in the subject line. The nomination deadline is December 10, 2010.
A new website for FFL to FFL sales has launched. FFLGunTrader.com is a new web venue where Federal Firearm License-holders (FFLs) can buy and sell firearms and accessories. To participate, both buyers and sellers must have valid FFLs. According to FFLGunTrader.com’s Scott Chatman: “We wanted to create an online marketplace for Federally-licensed distributors and dealers. It is a great [opportunity] for dealers looking to move excess inventory. Plus dealers have the peace of mind knowing that each buyer had to submit to a license check.”
Buyer and Seller FFL Status is Verified
FFLGunTrader.com verifies each buyer and seller is a federal firearm licensed dealer through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms eZCheck process. Buyers and sellers are required to submit the first three and the last five of their license number in order to be approved for the transaction. “We check each buyer and seller to verify that they are licensed and registered to participate in our marketplace,” Chatman said. “If they fail the license check, the transaction is not completed.”
Sellers Pay 3% of Transaction on Sale — No Fee for Buyers
Buyers don’t have to pay for purchasing an item on FFLGunTrader.com. Sellers pay a three percent (3%) transaction fee (due on sale) to list the item on the marketplace to a national audience. For more information about FFLGunTrader, visit www.fflguntrader.com.
Nikon has adapted its popular Spot On Ballistics software to run on iPhones and iPods. The Spot On iPhone App contains a vast database of factory ammo (both rimfire and centerfire), so you can quickly plot ballistics for your chosen load. If you have a Nikon scope with a Ballistic Drop Compensating Reticle (BDC), you can input the ammo type, zero distance, and atmospheric conditions, and the software will automatically calculate exact target distances corresponding to the hold-over circles on your reticle. Match Technology provides precise aiming points for any Nikon BDC reticle riflescope and precise reference for sighting in other Nikon riflescopes with plex, MilDot or standard crosshair reticles. Nikon’s Spot On App costs $4.99 from the iTunes App store.
Free Web Version of Nikon’s Ballistics App
If you don’t own an iPhone, you can still use the full-featured Spot On program for free on the web. Just log on to NikonHunting.com/spoton and register. Pick a caliber/cartridge and a bullet, then input temp, altitude, and shooting angle. This will give you a ballistics solution and will show the actual yardages corresponding to your BDC reticle hold-over circles. Shown below is the user interface for the FREE web-based version of Spot On.
We recently had a chance to chat with Dave Emary, Hornady’s Chief Ballistics Scientist. Dave told us that varmint hunters should definitely check out two new .224-caliber bullets from Hornady, the 35gr NTX and the 53gr V-Max. Both bullets offer high-BCs for their weight class, along with excellent terminal performance.
New Lead-Free NTX “California-Legal” Bullet
First is the new 35gr NTX® BT plastic-tipped bullet. This is a lead-free California-compliant design. Designed with a boat-tail and extended ogive, the new 35gr NTX has better ballistics than most other bullets in its weight class. This bullet can be pushed to very high velocities by a standard .223 Remington cartridge. As you can see from the factory illustrations below, the new 35gr NTX bullet is far more streamlined that the previous 35gr flat-base V-MAX, and the NTX’s BC is much higher. So the NTX gives you a lead-free alternative, that has better ballistics to boot.
New High-BC, 53gr V-Max May Be a “Game-Changer” for .223 Rem Shooters
The second recently-released bullet is a new, High-BC, 53gr V-Max with a field-tested 0.290 G1 Ballistic Coefficient. That’s a very high BC for a .224-caliber bullet in this weight class. To demonstrate that point, the Berger 55gr BTHP Varmint bullet has a .210 G1 BC, while the Sierra 53gr FB MatchKing has a .224 G1 BC (above 2800 fps). How did Hornady achieve the higher BC? Emary tells us that this new bullet was designed with an extended ogive (nose section) to provide significantly better ballistics than other bullets in its weight class. Emary added: “With this .290 BC bullet and the higher velocities we get with the SuperFormance powder blends, the .223 Remington runs pretty darn close to a .22-250 with standard loads — you can run the ballistics numbers yourself.”
Taking Up Emary’s Challenge — Running the Balllistics
Given Dave’s challenge to “run the numbers” — we did just that. Hornady claims 3465 fps from its new SuperFormance .223 Rem factory ammo loaded with the 53gr V-Max. At 400 yards, this load will drop 20.8 inches from a 100-yard zero, and drift 15.6 inches in a 10 mph crosswind. (Figures calculated with JBM Ballistics, for 500′ altitude, 70° F.) To compare, Hodgdon’s Reloading Data Center says a .22-250 can deliver 3713 fps with a 55-grainer pushed by a max load of IMR 4064. So, for the .22-250, assuming a .220 BC for the 55gr bullet, the drop at 400 yards (from 100-yard zero) is 20.4 inches, while the 10 mph wind drift is 20.2 inches (again according to JBM). So, it looks like Emary is right, assuming his .223 Rem velocities are real. At 400 yards, the .223 Rem with the 53-grainer has nearly identical drop and much less wind drift than a .22-250 shooting a conventional 55-grainer. Here are the numbers:
Cartridge
Muzzle Vel
Bullet BC
Drop at 400 yds
Drift at 400 yds
.223 Rem
3465 fps
0.290 BC (53gr)
20.8 inches
15.6 inches
.22-250
3713 fps
0.220 BC (55gr)
20.4 inches
20.2 inches
We asked Emary how the new 53-grainers hold up when driven at high velocities. Emary replied: “The 53-grainer has the tough V-Max jacket. You should be able to push it up to 4000 fps with no problems”.
Smith & Wesson has introduced a limited edition of 500 engraved Model 27, .357 mag revolvers to mark the 75th Anniversary of the .357 Magnum cartridge. The very first of the 500, serial number SFY0001, will be auctioned on Gunbroker.com to benefit USA Shooting. “The proceeds of serial #SFY0001 will benefit not only our athletes but also our various shooting programs,” said Buddy DuVall, USA Shooting Team Foundation Executive Director. USA Shooting provides training facilities for American shooting sports athletes, and supports American shooters in international competitions. CLICK HERE to see the Gunbroker auction, which runs through December 19, 2010.
For those who can’t afford the first of the line, the remaining 499 special edition m27s should prove desirable collectibles. Constructed of carbon steel and built on a large N-Frame, this special edition six-shot .357 Magnum/.38 Special revolver features a 6.5″ barrel and a high-polish, blued finish. Across the revolver’s barrel, frame and cylinder, there is elaborate machine engraving replicating the hand-drawn artwork of Smith & Wesson engraver David Mishichak. The 75th Anniversary m27 comes with engraved square-butt walnut grips, pinned patridge front sight and a micro-adjustable rear sight. Only 500 anniversary models will be produced with a unique serial number range from SFY0001 to SFY0500. Each Model 27 will be shipped complete with a wooden glass top presentation case.
The new, 32nd Edition of the Gun Trader’s Guide has just been released. This fully-illustrated resource features current market values for thousands of rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Along with the Blue Blue of Gun Values, the Gun Trader’s Guide is one of the two definitive resources on gun prices. If you buy or sell firearms, the Gun Traders’ Guide is a must-have item that will pay for itself. Over two million copies of the Gun Trader’s Guide have been sold to date. Order soon to be one of the first to own the new 32nd Edition. The price is $19.77 plus free shipping with a total order over $25.00.
You can order the Gun Trader’s Guide (32nd Ed.), the Blue Book of Gun Values (31st Ed.) and other popular firearms books through the AccurateShooter Bookstore. To save you time, we’ve collected the best books on shooting, reloading, hunting, and gunsmithing all in one location. Ordering, secure billing, and shipping are all handled efficiently by Amazon.com.
Russian arms-maker Baikal has a new mag-fed rimfire repeater chambered in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR. The new Baikal MP-161K “Small-bore Magazine Carbine” combines Russian reliability/simplicity of operation with modern styling and ergonomics. The fiberglass-reinforced polymer outer shell copies the design of recent Beretta carbines — that’s not a bad thing. The MP-161K features a modern thumbhole stock configuration with a comfortable hand grip and adjustable cheekpiece.
The MP-161K comes with standard iron sights or you can attach a Weaver-type rail to the top of the receiver for mounting telescopic optics. Standard magazine capacity is 10 rounds, and the curved magazine “disappears” completely into the receiver housing. That’s a nice feature for someone carrying the gun in the field — one less projection to snag. The gun is light-weight. Without scope the MP-161K weighs just 5.72 lbs. (2.6 kg).
The Baikal MP-161K will be sold in the USA by European American Armory (EAA Corp.), which has recently resumed importation of the Baikal line of firearms. EAA does not expect to have MK-161Ks in stock before mid-December, if then. Price has not yet been set. We’ll try to give you a hands-on report from SHOT Show 2011 in January.
Michael Bane of Downrange.TV traveled to the Gunsite Shooting Academy this week to sample new products from Colt, Crimson Trace, and Sig Sauer. Bane reports that Colt is returning to the consumer pistol and rifle markets in a big way. In 2011, Colt will roll out an extensive line-up of 1911 pistols, plus new AR-platform rifles. Bane also reports that Sig Sauer may introduce a new Sig 556 rifle, chambered in 7.62×39, which will take standard AK47 magazines. With the rugged Eastern Bloc magazines, the new Sig 556 could set new standards for reliability among “Sport Utility Rifles”.
Michael Bane’s Weekly Video Podcast
NOTE: Short Advertisement may precede the video. Loud firing noises are in the video’s second half.
Barrett Firearms Mfg. has introduced its latest rifle, the MRAD, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum (and optionally 300 Win Mag and 7.62×51 NATO). The MRAD’s modular design includes a user-changeable barrel system, removable by unscrewing two bolts with a standard Torx wrench. The bolt-head also changes out easily for caliber conversions. The video below shows how quickly the barrel can be swapped out by the operator. The MRAD ships with a folding stock which Barret claims “locks in as solid as a fixed-stock rifle”. When folded, the stock latches around the bolt (smart feature). The MRAD ships with a 24.5″ fluted barrel and Multi-Role Brown finish. No price has yet been announced.
The MRAD, slated for release in mid-2011, also features a new, easily-accessed trigger module, claimed to be “match-grade [and] drop-fire-proof”. Integrated into the MRAD’s 7000 series aluminum upper receiver is a 21.75″ M1913 rail with 30 MOA taper. Configurable side and bottom rails can also hold a number of accessories. Watch the video below to see the MRAD’s features and operation.
GunVault has unveiled a new, affordable security system for AR-platform rifles. The patent-pending AR MagVault ($24.95 MSRP) is a key-lock-controlled bright orange nylon block that fits in AR magwells. When engaged, the AR MagVault blocks magazine access, and more importantly, prevents the bolt from cycling. Once the AR MagVault is locked into place, a round cannot be inserted or chambered.
Each year 
A new website for FFL to FFL sales has launched. 
We recently had a chance to chat with Dave Emary, Hornady’s Chief Ballistics Scientist. Dave told us that varmint hunters should definitely check out two new .224-caliber bullets from 
The new, 32nd Edition of the Gun Trader’s Guide has just been released. This fully-illustrated resource features current market values for thousands of rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Along with the Blue Blue of Gun Values, the Gun Trader’s Guide is one of the two definitive resources on gun prices. If you buy or sell firearms, the Gun Traders’ Guide is a must-have item that will pay for itself. Over two million copies of the Gun Trader’s Guide have been sold to date. Order soon to be one of the first to own the new 32nd Edition. The price is $19.77 plus free shipping with a total order over $25.00.
