We love shooting steel. It’s fun to hit a gong, see the swing of the steel, and hear the re-assuring “clang”. But when shooting at shorter ranges, say 100-200 yards, the typical 6″ to 8″-diameter steel gong doesn’t present much of a challenge to a good marksman with an accurate rifle.
Now that’s all changed. ShootingTargets7.com offers a series of smaller “Precision Gongs” that will provide all the challenge you could want, even at close range. There are round Micro-gongs in 2″ and 3″ diameters, plus 1″ (W) x 4″ (H) “finger plates”. Choose AR500 or AR400 steel (AR500 is stronger).
Great News — these Laser-Cut Precision Gongs are now 50% OFF with code PG. Get a 2″ AR500 Gong (3/8″ thick) for just $6.47. Or purchase a 3″ AR500 Gong (1/4″ thick) for just $5.47. Prices vary with metal thickness, going up to 5/8″ max thickness. The biggest, thickest, 3″ AR500 Micro-Gong costs $11.97. Save more with bulk orders — you get FREE Shipping on all orders over $99.00.
These Precision Gongs work best suspended with rubber target-hanging straps, also available from ShootingTargets7.com, starting at $6.20 per pair for 8″-long straps.
Looking for something really different for your next range visit — something fun to shoot with the kids or grand-kids? Then check out the new Game Series of paper targets from Action Target, a leading manufacturer of steel targets and shooting supplies.
Inspired by arcade games, tabletop gaming, circus themes, and team sports, the new Game Series paper targets are designed to be engaging — to involve the shooter in a fun process, rather than just aiming at dots on paper. The sports targets let you enjoy Baseball and Hockey. The nostalgic arcade target designs capture the fun of an amusement park. Some targets, such as ‘Alien Invasion’ (below), feature fluorescent colors that “glow” when used indoors with black lights.
The selection of games is impressive — there are currently 18 different Game Series targets — really something for everyone. NOTE: These Game Series targets are not inexpensive. A single Game Series target costs $1.12. However, with a 25-Pack, the cost per target goes down to $0.62, a 45% savings.
More Fun Targets from EZ2C Targets
Action Target’s new Game Series targets aren’t the only arcade-style targets you can buy. EZ2C Targets offers very bright, high-contrast targets printed with eye-popping fluorescent red/orange and Deep Black Inks. EZ2C’s Battleship Target (Style 22) would be great for precision rifles at 100 or 200 yards. The red circles are about 3/4″ in diameter. That’s 0.36 MOA at 200 yards. That’s a good test for an accurate rifle (and for any shooting pals who boast that their guns can shoot “1/4 MOA all day long”.) The Dartboard target is great for a two-man shooting competition. You can shoot the numbers in order, or for more challenge, shoot the red rings (for each number), from the outer diameter to the middle. Just as in a real darts game, there are many variations.
How would you like to be able to switch out your scopes every three months, or try out a variety of optics without having to buy and then re-sell (at a big loss). Well the folks at Vulcan Circle have created a new service that is essentially like a “time-share” for optics. You pay a monthly membership fee, and then you can try out different scopes. Vulcan Circle calls this an “Optics Subscription Service”.
Vulcan Circle allows its members to receive and use high-end optics from brands like Vortex, Leupold, and Swarvoski and send them back to receive a new item every 3 months. The Vulcan Circle website shows a wide variety of scopes from trusted brands including Burris, Bushnell, Leupold, Kahles, March, Nightforce, Schmidt & Bender, Trijicon, Vortex, Zeiss, and more.
Vulcan Circle currently has three subscription levels. The basic “Legionary” Membership costs $45 per month for lower-priced scopes. Move up to “Centurion” ($90/month) to get Nightforce NXS, Vortex Razor, and similar optics. Finally, with the “Tribune” membership ($180/month) you can get high-end scopes such as Schimidt & Bender and Swarovski.
Truth about Guns explains: “Think of it as Netflix for your rifle. You’ve had your eye on a Zeiss 5-30×50mm Conquest V6 for your Ruger Precision Rifle, but $1900 is a lot of samolians. Or maybe you’d love to top your Nosler Model 48 with… something like the Steiner 3-15×50-T5Xi for an upcoming hunt. But you don’t want to buy one, you just want to use one for your trip. Vulcan Circle lets you try before you buy, offering various membership options to give you access to different optics[.]”
Vulcan Circle President John Tippets explains: “As interest in shooting sports continues to grow, Vulcan Circle seeks to help those new to the idea familiarize themselves with optics and determine their needs. Instead of purchasing the optic up-front, members have unprecedented access to the most advanced firearm optics on the market. Even better, members can exchange optics every 3 months to experience something else.”
Vulcan Circle also offers a point-based rewards program for its members. The “Vulcan Honors” program allows members to redeem points which are accrued every month for products like tents, binos, rangefinders, YETI coolers, and more. Members are rewarded with points for continued membership and for returning optics on time and in good condition.
EDITOR’s COMMENT: This is an interesting new business model. Time-based rentals of sports/hobby gear have worked in other industries. You can rent a motorcycle, or a bass boat, or an RV after all. The concern we have with Vulcan Circle comes down to potential liability for damage or even normal “wear and tear”. Scopes used on hunting trips or Gun Games can easily get scratched or damaged. If that $3500.00 Schmidt & Bender scope gets busted, who pays? And how much? For those considering a Vulcan Circle membership (at any level), you’ll want to have these and other “financial exposure” questions answered BEFORE you commit.
Ruger has produced an interesting Big Magnum that combines a nice stock with a quality 5R barrel with muzzle brake. The new-for-2018 Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target (LRT) rifle offers outstanding bang for the buck in a large magnum chambering. MSRP for the LRT is $1279.00 while best “street price” is now under $1000.00. Honestly you could easily pay twice that much and not get a .300 Win Mag that shoots significantly better.
The Hawkeye LRT has some nice features, including:
– Barrel (26″) with 5R Rifling and Hybrid Muzzle Brake
– Target Stock with two-way Adjustable Comb and Adjustable LOP
– Flush-mounted Lower M-LOK® Rail for bipod or bag-rider
– Angled +20 MOA Picatinny Scope Rail
– AI-compatible Detachable Box Magazine
– 2-Stage Target Trigger adjusts to 2.4 pounds
– Mauser-style 3-position Safety
Video of New Hawkeye Long Range Target in .300 Winchester Magnum
3/4-MOA Three-Shot Accuracy with Factory Ammo Ammoland.com gunwriter L.P. Brezny recently field-tested the Ruger Hawkeye LRT with a variety of factory .300 Win Mag ammunition. Most of his three-shot groups were in the 3/4-MOA range: Norma ECO Strke 150gr, 0.652″; Federal Premium BT Edge 200gr, 0.834″; Winchester Power Core 150gr, 0.726″. Handloads with 155gr Sierra TMKs did even better: 0.496″ for three shots.
Tester Brezny was impressed with this rifle, saying: “I predict that like the [Ruger Precision Rifle], the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Target rifle that has been enhanced as an advanced tactical design at less than one-third the cost of most better-grade long range rifles, is going to see a whole lot of sales as a professional as well as civilian use in the year or two ahead.”
Solid Value and Good Features
With a tempting $1000 “street price”, we think this Ruger offers a lot of performance for the price. Accuracy is very good for a factory rifle. We like the two-stage trigger. It’s nice to have a +20 MOA scope rail. The toe of the stock works well with a rear sand-bag and the front M-LOK rail can be used to attach a 3″-wide bag-rider. This makes the gun very suitable for bench target use.
Too Heavy for Hunters?
The .300 Win Mag chambering is excellent for big game, but we doubt the LRT will actually harvest many big beasts. The reason? At 11 pounds before optics, (figure 13 lbs. with scope, rings, and sling) we doubt many Hawkeye LRT owners will carry this gun in the field.
However, for guys looking to punch paper and ring steel at 1000-1700 yards, this is an interesting option. We expect the main market for this rifle will be shooters who want to experiment with long-range (1000 yards and beyond) target shooting, without breaking the bank.
The Hawkeye Long Range Target rifle features a Mauser-style 3-position safety, plus a large, Mauser-type bolt release on the left side of the action:
Wouldn’t it be great if you could put up one BIG target that would handle a myriad of important tasks at the range: Zeroing, Load Development, Click Value Verification, and Click Tracking Repeatability Tests. Well the team at Box to Bench Precision (B2B) has developed what may be the most versatile (and biggest) precision targets ever developed. With precise grid geometry, and razor-sharp printing, B2B’s targets are probably the most advanced shooting targets ever created.
B2B’s 100 Yard Long Range Load Development and Scope Tracking Target will perform many functions. This big, 30″ x 23.5″ target has specific aiming points for various tasks. In the upper left, there are 11 small orange circles for precision load testing. Over on the upper right are 7 more small, orange circles for doing a Seating Depth Comparison test.
The bottom half of the target has larger black-on-white circles that serve multiple functions. Use the corner circles to do a “Box Test” to confirm scope tracking. On the bottom row is one B/W circle to confirm zero and another to use for velocity testing. There’s another great feature on this target — running up the center of the target is a tall line that shows elevation in both MILs and MOA. That helps you confirm the TRUE click values of your optic. You’d be surprised how many scopes are slightly off — not exactly 1/4 MOA, 1/8 MOA, or 1/10 Mil as advertised. That’s why Long Range shooters absolutely need to verify their click values.
Click Tracking Grid Target
Need to test the click tracking of your optics? B2B developed an advanced target just for that task. The Rex Grid Target (shown below) provides a highly precise grid for testing elevation and windage clicks. The unique grid design has small tics denoting 1/4 MOA, 1/2 MOA, and 3/4 MOA. 1 MOA is marked with a “+” and the 5, 10, 15, 20, & 25 MOA elevation lines are bolded for better visibility. There are aiming points at 5 MOA intervals over the full grid.
Buyers Praise the B2B Targets
We’ve handled the B2B Targets, which are printed on high-quality, tear-resistant card stock. We can attest the printing is very precise — with accurate elevation and windage values. These aren’t your ordinary targets — they are LARGE — nearly three feet tall. Verified buyers praise these targets, one noting how the B2B target revealed his scope was not tracking properly:
“Thank you for talking to me about the MIL and MOA markers on your targets. They are very accurate. While using the Long Range 100-Yard Load Development/Scope Tracking target and my new scope, it helped me realize that my scope wasn’t tracking correctly (both turrets). So, I sent the scope to the manufacturer. When it came back, and using your target as my known constant… the scope is now ‘spot-on’ accurate. These targets are a great tool to gain a better understanding of your rifle, scope, turrets etc., all on one sheet.” — Stan, 2018
“Almost too nice to put holes in. I was in the printing industry for thirty-five years and these are really well done. Quality paper and precise printing, should be able to see bullet holes easily with these!” — Dan, 2018
Looking for a good, solid First Focal Plane (FFP) optic for hunting or tactical events? Well you’re in luck. Vortex just released a new, ultra-affordable series of Diamondback FFP scopes with 4X zoom ratio. Select from 4-16x50mm or 6-24x50mm models. Both offer plenty of magnification for competitors and long-range varmint hunters. We suggest the 4-16X for hunting and the 6-24X for PRS and other competition disciplines.
These new Diamondbacks feature 30mm maintubes and your choice of either 1/4 MOA clicks or 1/10 Mil clicks. The MOA-click versions feature an EBR-C2 MOA reticle while the Mil-click scopes have an EBR-C2 MRAD reticle. That way the reticle matches your click values (as it always should).
Currently at EuroOptic.com Vortex’s affordable new 4-16x50mm FFP Diamondback is just $349.99, while the 6-24x50mm version is just $399.99. Either way, these are outstanding values. One of our testers who competes in both long-range and tactical matches was impressed with the new Diamondbacks, given the pricing: “The glass looks fine upon quick inspection. Turrets and everything else feel great for the price paid. I bet there’s no better value out there for a FFP scope with advanced reticle like this”.
MidwayUSA also sells these new Vortex FFP scopes with similar pricing. MidwayUSA’s optics manager raved: “Try not to spit out your coffee as you check the price of the Diamondback Tactical FFP after reading about its impressive performance and features. The first focal plane reticle, a feature ordinarily reserved for 4-figure-priced optics, allows shooters to use the information-packed EBR-2C reticles for ranging, holdovers or windage corrections on any magnification.”
Howa has introduced a new rifle in a modular chassis, the Howa APC (Australian Precision Chassis) model. Developed for PRS and tactical competitions, this rifle is priced right ($1149.00 starting MSRP) and is offered in a variety of popular chamberings: .223 Rem, .22-250, .243 Win, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win.
In the 6mm Creedmoor or 6.5 Creedmoor chamberings with 26″ heavy barrel ($1199.00 MSRP), this could become quite popular with “Factory Class” PRS shooters. The Howa APC has a smooth-running action, excellent 2-stage trigger, and the affordable MSRP leaves a ton of money left over for optics and accessories. Under PRS Rule 2.3.3, PRS Production division guns must be under $4000.00, combined, for rifle + scope: “The rifle shall not exceed $2,000 USD and the optic not exceed $2,000 USD”.
This is a nicely-equipped rifle. All Howa APCs include a 2-stage, creep-free HACT trigger, with three-position safety. The LUTH-AR MBA-4 stock boasts an adjustable comb height, and adjustable LOP from 12.5″ to 16.75″. The rifle is offered with 20″ and 24″ heavy barrels in .223 Rem, .22-250; 24″ and 26″ heavy barrels in 6mm Creedmoor, .243 Win, and 6.5 Creedmoor; and 20″, 24″, and 26″ heavy barrels in the .308 Win. Threaded barrel options are available. Some models come with a +20 MOA EGW Scope Rail. All Howa ACRs come with Lifetime Warranty and Sub-MOA Guarantee.
Howa APC Features:
• Black 6061-T6 Aluminum Chassis with Hogue Grip
• Free-Float M-LOK Fore-end
• LUTH AR MBA-4 Buttstock Adjustable cheekpiece,
• 2 Stage H.A.C.T. Trigger with 3-Position Safety
• 10 Round Detachable Box Magazine
Produced in Australia, this is a very thorough Howa 1500 APC Video Review:
The Howa APC is also offered in a scoped package with a Nikko Stirling Diamond LR 4-16x50mm scope and +20 MOA EGW rail for optics. The scope has ¼ MOA clicks, zero-stop turrets, and illuminated reticle. Howa APC Scoped Package MSRP: $1,439.00 – $1499.00.
Howa APC American Flag Version
Legacy Sports, Howa’s importer, also offers a special American Flag Edition of this rifle, using the same APC chassis but with a USA flag-theme red, white, and blue Cerakote finish and 3-chamber muzzle brake. This special edition is sold with a Nikko 4-16x50mm scope and shipped in a hard case. See VIDEO of Stars and Stripes APC Rifle.
Howa Sub-MOA Accuracy Guarantee
Howa rifles are guaranteed to deliver sub-MOA performance of 1 inch or less at 100 yards with premium factory ammunition. Guarantee is not transferable. All Howa rifles purchased in the U.S. on or after January 1, 2017 are covered by this offer.
Do you neck-turn hundreds of cases annually? Then you deserve this outstanding tool. This innovative neck-turning system is truly a game-changer. The 21st Century Shooting Powered Neck-Turning Lathe is quite simply the best system ever created for quickly and precisely uniforming (and reducing) the neckwall thickness of cartridge brass. We have the original manual 21st Century neck-turning lathe, and can attest that it works great. But with the new powered system you can turn necks faster and more efficiently, with less effort. This is like going from a stick shift to an automatic transmission. The cases feed very smoothly and the results are beautiful. Once you’ve tried the Powered Neck-Turning Lathe you won’t want to use anything else. Watch this video to see how it works:
Power is activated by the red button on the end of the blue, horizontal feed handle:
Click the Speaker Button on video frame to play with sound (audio).
The Powered Neck-Turning lathe is a modular system. Swing the bar from right to left to feed the case. The power head (with case holder) glides on stainless steel rails for smooth movement. This allows very precise feed rate. Power is supplied via a button that is built into the end of the feed handle. Push the red button to make the case spin. It’s as simple as that.
The folks at 21st Century Shooting explain why the system works so well: “The floating design of our Neck Turner and Case Driver allows the case mouth (bore) to run on the arbor absolutely concentric. This, therefore, allows the outside diameter to be turned concentric with the inside diameter.”
Here is another video that shows how the lathe system operates:
Click the Speaker Button on video frame to play with sound (audio).
Complete Powered Neck-Turning Lathe System
The powered neck-turning system comes with everything you need, starting at $679.00. This includes: Motor Assembly, Lathe Base, “L” bracket, Neck-Turning Tool, Cutter, Case Holder, Driver, Turning Arbor, Expander Die Body, and Expander Mandrel. 21st Century currently offers a choice of nine popular calibers: .17, .20, .22, .243 (6mm), .264 (6.5mm), .270, .284 (7mm), .30, and .33. The case holders are appropriately sized for the common rim sizes in that caliber. Choose either stainless arbor and mandrel or Titanium Nitride-coated arbor and mandrel (for $20 more). Some of the larger calibers cost a bit more.
Sierra Bullets has just introduced a new line of hunting bullets, called the GameChanger series. These are claimed to combine match-bullet accuracy with highly effective performance on game animals. From what we can tell this is Sierra MatchKing (SMK) projectile modified with a new hollow cavity and tipped front end. The official product release says: “Sierra re-engineered their legendary MatchKing bullet into a hollow-point design for quick expansion and fitted it with a transparent green tip for ballistic uniformity. Inside, the GameChanger features a unique construction that utilizes a special lead alloy surrounded by a tough copper jacket that delivers excellent penetration and expansion[.]”
Video Shows Design of GameChanger Bullet (0:30 time mark):
Are you a sling shooter who would like to get into the F-Class game? Gary Eliseo has a great, affordable solution for TubeGun owners. A simply bolt-on forearm accessory lets your TubeGun ride a conventional front bag like a dream, with less torque effect and great tracking.
Competition Machine’s Gary Eliseo is a very smart designer as well as a talented shooter. The inventor/builder of the popular Competition Machine Tubegun chassis systems, Gary has come up with something new, which he calls the PickleForks. These are rails that fit to the sides of the tubular fore-end/handguard on his chassis systems. This allows you to use a pedestal-style front rest for F-Class competition. It also provides a much more stable platform for load testing, varmint hunting, or any kind of rest-assisted precision shooting. These new PickleForks transform a Tubegun into an ultra-stable, straight-tracking rig when used with a competition-style front rest.
Gary explains: “Now you can have the same super low-boreline, long ‘wheelbase’ and vertical sides of our innovative F1 F-Class chassis system for your tube chassis. The new PickleForks attach directly to the sides of the F-Class/Tactical fore-ends, no modifications are required. They are very rigid with no flex or twist and make the rifle track like it’s on rails.” The new Eliseo Competition Machine PickleForks are offered for a very reasonable $70.00 per pair, with Cerakote finish. (You get two metal units, one for each side of the fore-arm). For more information, visit www.GotXRing.com or call (928) 649-0742.
New Product Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Solid Value and Good Features
