Christmas is nearly here, so today we’re featuring a hand-picked collection of “stocking stuffers” for precision shooters. Some of these are recent new inventions. All are handy items that you’ll use over and over again at the range, on your vehicle, and/or at your loading bench (so you’re allowed to buy them for yourself, even after Christmas).
Creedmoor Sports ECI, Mag Block, and Dust Cover Flag
The acrylic BT62 Determinator measures groups with laser-cut concentric measuring rings. Check group size quick and easy — simply place the Determinator over shot group. Adjust until one of the circles crosses the center of the two outer-most holes. That gives you the center to center group measurement (1.5″ maximum). Alternatively, you can measure edge to edge (of the farthest shots) and then subtract the bullet diameter. Cool tool for gun guys. The supplied lanyard also glows in the dark.
This handsome red leather ammo holder secures twenty (20) rounds of .308 Win-size ammunition, in a handy plastic carrier. In addition there are loops for 2 more sighter rounds on the outside. This is a very nice gift for a target shooter or hunter. There is also a .223 Rem version in black leather. Both these leather ammo holders conveniently fit into a shooting coat pocket via a leather pocket flap.
Always watch the wind when you shoot. Inexpensive, Day-Glo Surveyors’ Tape (aka “Flagging Tape”), attached to a stake or target frame, makes a good wind indicator. It will flutter even in mild breezes, alerting you to both angle and velocity shifts. This should be part of every range kit. Don’t leave home without it. This can also be ordered from Creedmoor Sports for $3.99 per roll.
You won’t find a more versatile tool at this amazingly low price — just $5.99! The Cabela’s multi-tool performs many functions. It features flat-nose pliers, wire-stripper, knife, Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, saw, bottle opener, and scissors. Nylon sheath included. This handy tool is available in size colors: Red, Green, Orange, Purple, Teal, and Silver. A nylon sheath is included.
Here’s a very clever use of fired pistol brass. A female-threaded insert in the brass cases matches the threads on your automotive valve stems. So these Brass Stem Caps fit right in place. Way cooler than plastic stem caps — these definitely send a subtle but meaningful message. The $9.95 set comes with four (4) .40 SW caliber, once-fired valve stem caps.
Bullet Central — Magnifying Light, $12.95 – $19.50
If you’re like most shooters, you can use more light and magnification when inspecting brass and small gun parts. Here is the perfect tool to help and it doesn’t take up a ton of space. With the Bullet Central Magnifying Light you can ease your eyes and see into the primer pockets, flash holes or case-necks without straining. With your choice of battery-powered or rechargeable models, why not buy two and give one to your favorite range buddy?
This Outers-brand, 51-piece set contains all the drivers you could ever need: Flat-head, Phillips, Hex (Allen), and Torx. Priced under ten bucks, this driver set offers great value for the money. Even if you already own high-quality Allen and Torx wrenches, you can buy this as a spare set for your gun room. And this also makes a great holiday “stocking stuffer” for gun guys. These drivers work great for installing scope rings or bases, or everyday use around the home.
• Molded Driver with Magnetic Tip
• 15 Flat Head Bits
• 10 Hex Bits (inch)
• 9 Hex Bits (metric)
• 4 Phillips Bits
• 9 Torx Bits
• 2 Extra Long Phillips Bits
• 1 Hex to Square Adapter
How many times have you gone to look into a barrel or dark corner of a gun only to find you just can’t see in there? You can easily solve this problem by picking up this Compact Bore light for just $7.92 on Amazon. A bore-light is a “must-have” item for handgun owners, and these are also handy for inspecting dies, rifle chambers, and tool interiors. Honestly for this price you should grab a couple so you have one in your range bag and another on your bench.
BONUS — TACTICAL STOCKINGS for Your Stocking Stuffers
Don’t have a stocking to hold your small gift items? Well we’ve got you covered — check out these cool, heavy-duty stockings. These Garud Tactical Stockings come in four colors: Camo, OD Green, Black, and Khaki. They all feature 4 MOLLE attachments, rugged carry handle, hanging hook, swivel carabiners, outside draw pocket, and even Velcro USA Flag Patch. Get all this for the low price of $12.99 (black) or $13.99 (other colors). These stockings are sure to bring smiles to your tacticool family members and friends. And right now they ship for FREE on Amazon.
Credit EdLongrange for BT62 Determinator suggestion.
The popular Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle is now available in two additional rimfire chamberings: .17 HMR and .22 WMR. This makes the rig more suitable for use in varminting. Both cartridge types, .17 HMR and .22 WMR, also offer higher velocities, less wind drift, and flatter trajectory than the .22 LR. This is a benefit when cross-training. You can shoot at more distant targets with considerably less elevation dialed in your scope. And the windage corrections will be less extreme. We really like the .17 HMR — it’s our favorite rimfire cartridge for small varmints out to 160 yards.
Ruger says: “Faster, flatter and with high-performing bullets, .17 HMR and .22 WMR cartridges expand the capabilities of the Ruger Precision Rimfire platform. Like its .22 LR predecessor, these new magnum offerings maintain the same ergonomics, trigger and manual of arms as the larger centerfire Ruger Precision Rifle.”
Both Ruger Precision Rimfire rifles feature 18″ hammer-forged barrels threaded for muzzle devices, including the Ruger® Silent-SR®. The 15″ free-float handguard with Magpul M-LOK slots provides generous scope clearance and easy mounting of M-LOK-compatible rails and accessories. Like
Like its .22 LR version, the magnum Ruger Precision Rimfire models featured an adjustable bolt throw (that can emulate a centerfire action if desired), along with trigger that adjusts from 2.25 to 5 pounds. The .17 HMR and .22 WMR models ship with a 0 MOA Picatinny rail and one, 15-round BX-15 Magnum magazine or one, 9-round JMX-1 rotary magazine. The BX-15 Magnum is a natural pairing for the new Ruger Precision Rimfire in magnum calibers. It is also compatible with Ruger 77/17®, Ruger 77/22® and Ruger American® Rimfire rifles chambered in .17 HMR and .22 WMR.
If you buy a Burris 3-15x50mm Veracity scope this month, you will get a 4.5-14x50mm Burris Fullfield Scope for FREE — a $379.00 Value. The Front Focal Plane Veracity is Burris’s top-of-the-line hunting scope featuring 5x zoom, wide field-of-view, zero stop, and Burris Forever warranty. Those who purchase a 3-15x50mm Veracity by December 31, 2018 will receive a free Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm Long Range MOA reticle scope, a $379 value. The Veracity/Fullfield E1 offer is available in a special bundle package at participating Burris retailers.
The Veracity is a good FFP scope that PRS competitors and hunters should consider. The Veracity line earned both the Editors Choice and Great Buy awards in Outdoor Life Magazine’s 2016 Optics Test. These Veracity scopes also feature excellent Ballistic Plex reticles that feature vertical hold-over hash marks plus “Christmas Tree”-type windage holds.
$100 Rebate on Burris Eliminator III Laser Rangefinder Scope
The Burris Eliminator III is an advanced electro-optical device that combines magnified optics with a built-in laser rangefinder and micro-processor. With the push of a button the Eliminator III ranges your target. Then the micro-processor “brain” instantly calculates the required holdover for that distance, and displays a red dot on the reticle. Simply put the red dot on the center of your target and pull the trigger.
Now through December 31, 2018 you can save $100.00 on the purchase of the 4-16x50mm Burris Eliminator III LaserScope. That’s a significant savings on a proven product. We think this LaserScope is particularly handy for varmint hunters working a large prairie dog field, with critters near and far, at ranges from 100 out to 800 yards. With the Eliminator, you can range a P-Dog mound instantly, then just place the red dot on the animal and you’re good. No fussing with drop charts or scope clicks.
How To Get $100 Rebate
Purchase a Burris Eliminator III 4-16x50mm LaserScope (Item # 200116 or 200119) and get a $100 Rebate. (Other models do not qualify). To receive the Burris $100 Mail-in Rebate, you must submit three things: 1) Proof of Purchase; 2) Original UPC Code from product box; and 3) Mail-In Rebate Form.
Send All Items HERE:
$100 Eliminator Rebate
Dept #BS18-5028
P.O. Box 472
Scottsdale, AZ 85252-0472
Shooting Industry Magazine just released its December 2018 issue, which you can read for free online. This December issue includes a SHOT Show Preview, but more importantly, there is also a 24-page New Product Showcase. Here you can see a variety of new products, including those from some of our favorite manufacturers: McMillan (MC3), Leupold, Warne, Vault Pro, Champion and more…
What if you could have a normal-height rear sight that could dispense with the need to align front sight and rear sight? In fact, what if that rear sight could eliminate the need for a front sight altogether?
Meprolight FT Bullseye system does. Employing fiber optics and tritium, the FT Bullseye provides a bright aiming dot inside a circle — no front sight is needed. When the dot is centered in the circle, you’re on target. It’s as simple as that! The front blade is rendered superfluous. This really is innovative technology, albeit expensive — the FT Bullseye’s street price runs from $99 to $150, depending on pistol make and model — not cheap.
Traditionally, a shooter aims by aligning the front and rear sights. Meprolight combined the dot and the circle on the rear sight, eliminating the need to use the front sight altogether. This sight is fast on target and works in all light conditions.
Red dot and reflex systems also work without iron sights, but red dots are tall and bulky, and they don’t work well at all for shooters with astigmatism.
Meprolight’s engineers created a sleek, low profile rear sight by combining fiber optics with tritium. For concealed carry, this is better than a bulky red-dot. The low-profile design allows the shooter to draw from holster without worrying about snagging a bulky red dot or reflex sight assembly. To see how the FT Bullseye sight works, watch this video.
The fiber optic technology used in the FT Bullseye was pioneered by Tactical Aiming Systems (T.A.S.) an Israeli company. Meprolight dramatically improved the TAS system, adding tritium and an enhanced dot/circle reticle. The FT Bullseye is also smaller and sleeker than the original T.A.S. rear sight. The FT Bullseye is currently available in red or green dot/circle for all Glock models. Meprolight guarantees the tritium to last 12 years. MSRP is $199.00.
One side of this gauge is the “go” side which quickly tells you the depth of a primer pocket, whether any crimp is properly removed, and whether the primer pocket is loose. If it feels loose on the “go” side, use the other end of the tool, the “no go” side, to test to see if the primer pocket is too loose to hold a primer. If the no-go slides into the pocket, then you know to junk that brass.
Primer Pocket Growth and Useful Case Life
Repeated firings at stout pressures can cause primer pockets to grow in diameter. This can create an unsafe condition if your primers are not seating properly. Are your primer pockets “good to go”, or have they been pushed to the point of no return? Do you really know? Many guys try to gauge primer pocket tightness by “feel”, as they seat the primer. But that method isn’t precise. Now there’s a better way…
The folks at Ballistictools.com have created a handy set of precision-machined gauges that let you quickly and accurately check your primer pockets. These gauges (aka “gages”) are offered in two sizes — for large and small primer pockets. A two-piece set of both large and small gauges costs just $19.99. These gauges let you quickly measure the depth of a primer pocket, and check if the crimp has been removed properly. Most importantly, the gauge tells you if the primer pocket has opened up too much. One side of the gauge has an enlarged diameter plug. If that “No-Go” side fits in the primer pocket, you should ditch the case — it’s toast.
Precision ground from O-1 tool steel, The Ballistic Tools primer pocket gauges serve multiple functions. The inventor of these tools explains: “I created the prototype of this tool for my own use in brass processing. I needed a way to quickly and easily measure primer pockets that was reliable and did not require wasting a primer. This tool has been indispensable for me and I would never go back to the old method of uncertainty and guessing.”
Product tip from Boyd Allen. We welcome reader submissions.
If you’re planning a build with a Remington or Rem-clone action, take heed. Here’s a trigger upgrade worth considering for an F-Class or Long-Range rig. David Tubb offers an excellent two-stage trigger for Remington 700 rifles, the Model T7T. Priced at $349.00, the Tubb T7T Trigger is a true two-stage design: first and second stages are independently adjustable for both weight and feel. Overall (combined stage) trigger pull weight can be adjusted from just under 1 pound to slightly over 3.5 pounds.
If you are interested in the T7T, watch these two videos. The first shows how to adjust pull-weights for both stages. The second video shows how to modify your stock to provide clearance for the T7T.
This video shows how to adjust the new Tubb T7T two-stage trigger for Remington 700s:
The new T7T is a quality product. We’ve received good feedback from “early adopters” who tell us the two-stage function works well. While installation of the T7T may require minor modifications to your action, most gun owners with basic mechanical skills can install the T7T by themselves. The T7T is made using stainless steel and aluminum for maximum corrosion resistance. Note, a full installation of the T7T trigger (either Right-Hand or Left-Hand) also requires a companion T7T bolt release, offered by DavidTubb.com for $10.00.
This video shows how to modify your stock to fit the T7T trigger:
Leupold recently annouced a new, premium spotting scope with outstanding low-light performance. Leupold’s new Santium SX-5 Spotter features a jumbo 80mm objective with a 27-55X zoom eyepiece. The SX-5 is offered in both straight and angled versions. Suggested retail price (including eyepiece) is $2339.00. Best “street price” should be around $1800.00. That positions Leupold’s SX-5 above Vortex, Burris, and Pentax price-wise, but the SX-5 is over $1000 less than high-end, 80mm-class Swarovski and Leica spotters which approach $3000 with eyepiece.
We’re interested to see how this new Leupold stacks up against the Kowa TSN-880 Prominar spotter ($2450.00 on Amazon) which has been a benchmark in the 80mm class. Leupold worked hard to give the SX-5 “second to none” low-light performance. The goal was to create a truly superior optic for hunters who may spend long periods “glassing” for game at dawn and dusk.
The SX-5 features High Definition (HD) glass with proprietary lens coatings to maximize light transmission and color fidelity. Zac Bird, Product Manager for Leupold states: “The human eye is most sensitive to colors outside the middle of the spectrum during dawn and dusk, when game is moving — the Twilight Max HD Light Management System literally helps you see more in less light. The superior glare reduction it offers ensures the maximum amount of usable light gets to your eye. Our proprietary lens coatings and superior optical design help deliver the very best contrast and resolution”
Features of New SX-5 Santiam HD 27-55x80mm Spotting Scope: – Full-Diameter Focus Ring for smooth and precise focusing
– Oversized Eyepiece for reduced fatigue
– Guard-Ion Rain-Shedding Lens Coating
– Built-in Retractable Lens Shade
– Tough Rubber Armor Coating
– Full Lifetime Warranty
Price vs. Performance in the Field
Should a hunter spend a couple grand ($2000) on a spotting scope? It depends on your priorities. Leupold says: “Don’t underestimate the importance of a quality spotting scope. Your spotter can mean difference between tagging out or going home empty-handed…. Ultimately, you can’t shoot what you can’t find.”
Ruger has gone big — very big — with its popular Ruger Precision Rifle platform. The RPR is now offered in .338 Lapua Magnum (LM) and .300 Winchester Magnum (WinMag). That’s good news for ELR fans and shooters looking for serious energy transfer at long range. Ruger states: “These new magnum caliber models pair exceptional long-range accuracy potential with tremendous down-range energy, broadening the appeal of an already very popular rifle. These new chambering options broaden the Ruger Precision Rifle’s utility across a wide range of readily-available ammunition.”
New .338 Lapua Magnum RPR Tested by Gun Talk Media
“When the 6.5 and .308 RPRs came out everyone loved them, but they automatically asked ‘Hey, can we have a magnum?’. So we [at Ruger] started working on it right away. We blew the gun up physically larger… to have this in .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua. The Lapua is fun, I’ll tell you.” Mark Gurney, Ruger Director of Product Management.
RPR Magnums Boast 5R Barrels with Big Brakes
The new RPR magnums feature hammer-forged, chrome-moly heavy-contour 5R barrels fitted with tunable muzzle brakes. Those fat, large-port brakes will certainly reduce recoil and muzzle jump but we wouldn’t like to be shooting beside the .338 LM RPR — expect lots of side-blast. The new RPR magnums feature 18″ free-float anodized handguards with M-LOK accessory attachment slots on all four sides. Integral QD sling attachment points eliminate the need for additional adaptors and a flat-bottom 1.50″ dovetail is compatible with RRS S.O.A.R. and similar QD systems.
The .338 Lapua Magnum RPR features a 1:9.375″ twist rate while the .300 Winchester Magnum model features a 1:9″ twist rate, both of which stabilize long-for-caliber projectiles. These rifles ship with two, 5-round AI-style magazines. As with all RPRs, the bolt is a 3-lug design with 70-degree bolt lift.
Angled +30 MOA Rail and Adjustable Stock Standard
ELR shooters will be pleased that the new, magnum-caliber RPRs ship with a +30 MOA Picatinny rail. That will help give shooters enough elevation to shoot out to 1500 yards and beyond. As with other Ruger Precision Rifle models, the magnums feature a folding stock with adjustable comb height and length of pull. The Ruger Marksman trigger is user-adjustable between 2.25 and 5 pounds.
To view full specifications for the Ruger Precision Rifle in Magnum chamberings, visit Ruger.com. To find accessories for the Ruger Precision Rifle and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com
Registration has opened for SHOT Show 2019, which runs January 22-25, 2019 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. While not open to the general public, the huge, annual firearms industry trade show attracts over 60,000 industry professionals, buyers, and media members from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
Registration for the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s 2016 SHOT Show is now open for Exhibitors, Attendees, and members of the Media. Register now at SHOTShow.org/register. While registering, attendees can also enroll in seminars. CLICK HERE for Attendee Registration.
IMPORTANT: Book your hotel very early! Like last year, there will be a number of major events in Las Vegas the same week as SHOT Show 2019. This means that hotel space will be heavily booked in advance. Make reservations NOW. Forewarned is forearmed!
The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) is the world’s largest trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting, and law enforcement industries. It is the world’s premier exposition of firearms, stocks, barrels, gun optics, ammunition, outdoor apparel, and all related products and services. The SHOT Show is a very big deal in Vegas — at the 40th Anniversary SHOT Show in 2018, more than 60,000 industry professionals packed the Sands Expo aisles. This year could be even bigger.
What’s SHOT Show like? Here’s last year’s official SHOT Show Teaser Video :
The popular Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle is now available in two additional rimfire chamberings: .17 HMR and .22 WMR. This makes the rig more suitable for use in varminting. Both cartridge types, .17 HMR and .22 WMR, also offer higher velocities, less wind drift, and flatter trajectory than the .22 LR. This is a benefit when cross-training. You can shoot at more distant targets with considerably less elevation dialed in your scope. And the windage corrections will be less extreme. We really like the .17 HMR — it’s our favorite rimfire cartridge for small varmints out to 160 yards.
Meprolight FT Bullseye system does. Employing fiber optics and tritium, the FT Bullseye provides a bright aiming dot inside a circle — no front sight is needed. When the dot is centered in the circle, you’re on target. It’s as simple as that! The front blade is rendered superfluous. This really is innovative technology, albeit expensive — the FT Bullseye’s street price runs from 
The folks at 
