The NRA Convention will be in the Lone Star State next year — in September. Originally slated for May 2021, the National Rifle Association’s 2021 Annual Meetings & Exhibits are now scheduled for September 3-5, 2021 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The 2021 NRA Annual Meetings will celebrate NRA’s 150th anniversary as the oldest civil-rights organization in the country. The Exhibits Hall will be full of product and outfitter displays. More than 850 exhibitors will provide show-goers with a look at the latest firearms, ammunition, and accessories.
Due to the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 restrictions in 2021 and the impending rollout of a vaccine, NRA made the decision to reschedule its 150th anniversary celebration to give members and exhibitors a chance to make necessary plans. To date, more than 850 exhibitors will provide show-goers with a look at the latest firearms, ammunition and accessories available.
The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits is free for all NRA members, while some special events do require tickets. The organization plans to have a powerhouse lineup of political speakers, as well as an event exclusively for women exploring their right to keep and bear arms. Country music artists, seminars, workshops and more are available for the celebration of a lifetime.
Get the latest information on the 150th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits at NRAAM.org.
Nielsen-Kellerman, Inc. (NK) is acquiring the assets of MagnetoSpeed, LLC, leading manufacturer of barrel-mounted electromagnetic chronographs and other shooting accessories. MagnetoSpeed will join Kestrel Ballistics in NK’s Ballistics Division. With Kestrel and now MagnetoSpeed, NK has two very important product lines for precision shooters and competitors. And yes, NK anticipates that, in the near future, new software engineering will allow MagnetoSpeed chronos to communicate with Kestrels to provide faster ballistic solutions. NK CEO Alix James stated: “…We see exciting opportunities to improve the function of the chronograph line by connecting the chronographs directly to Kestrel Ballistics Weather Meters with Kestrel LiNK. The MagnetoSpeed founders are brilliant engineers and we are grateful for the opportunity to build upon their design innovations.”
NK CEO James added: “The MagnetoSpeed acquisition is a win for our companies, our customers, and the shooting community as a whole. The MagnetoSpeed brand is known for accuracy, durability, and innovation. This aligns with our commitment to producing extremely accurate, rugged, purpose-built ballistics tools for improving long-range precision and shooting performance. The move…supports NK’s commitment to expanding its offerings to the shooting, hunting, and outdoor users.”
NOTE: NK Ballistics Division will host a combined Kestrel/MagnetoSpeed Virtual Class training session on 12/23/2020. CLICK HERE to Register.
Nielsen-Kellerman Announces Acquisition of MagnetoSpeed LLC
The founders of MagnetoSpeed are proud their company is teaming with NK and Kestrel: “Ten years ago, three young engineers from Texas began work on a new kind of chronograph. It began with a crude prototype, but with the support of the shooting community, we were able to bootstrap those humble beginnings into a successful company[.] We see a great opportunity with Kestrel’s Ballistic division to take our products to the next level and to develop amazing new ones.”
MagnetoSpeed Product Line OverView
MagnetoSpeed has been manufacturing rugged chronographs, target hit indicators, and barrel coolers since 2013. The company’s signature V3 and Sporter barrel-mounted ballistic chronographs use patented electromagnetic sensors to measure bullet velocity with extreme precision and reliability. Other MagnetoSpeed products include the T1000 Hit Indicator, and the Riflekühl chamber flag + barrel cooler.
With a MagnetoSpeed barrel-mounted chrono you can quickly and easily record muzzle velocity (MV) without having to set up tripods or walk down-range. The compact MagnetoSpeed chronos are easy to set up and transport. With the full-featured V3 model, everything you need comes in a small fitted case. In the top photo are the components used with the MagnetoSpeed V3 Kit:
1. V3 Bayonet sensor
2. Display and control unit
3. Bayonet spacers (plastic and rubber)
4. Cords and mounting hardware (left), suppressor heat shield (right)
5. Alignment rod (square cross-section)
6. Rail adapter (sold separately)
If you are on a tighter budget, the MagnetoSpeed Sporter is a great option. This unit works on most rifles and offers the same reliable speed-measuring technology as the V3 model, but with fewer options and different display. Available for just $179.00 on Amazon, the MagnetoSpeed Sporter is perhaps the best value in chronographs on the market today.
Times are tough right now for hand-loaders. It is hard to find reloading components, particularly powder and primers. Thankfully, Brownells has made it easier for folks to find available powders without going through hundreds of searches resulting in “0ut of Stock” results. Just visit Brownell’s IN-STOCK Powder Page to see all reloading propellants currently available. This can save you much time and effort.
Brownells has two dozen major-brand powders IN STOCK today, including excellent, popular propellants from Vihtavuori, Hodgdon, and Winchester. Vihtavuori propellants such as N140 and N550 have a proven track record in competition and are popular with benchrest and F-Class shooter. As of today, 12/16/2020, here are 16 powders IN STOCK and available at Brownells.com. There are at least eight more powders in stock. But act quickly — these may sell out very soon. CLICK HERE for ALL in-stock powders.
Gander Outdoors in Kenosha, WI — reader-submitted photo on GMToday.com
The ammo and primer shortage is real, and it’s here to stay — well into 2021. That’s what industry experts tell us: “With [ammunition] demand far outstripping supply and inventory levels in the channel at all-time lows, we see strong demand continuing[.]” — Christopher Metz, CEO of Vista Outdoor
Certain types of ammunition, 9mm Luger for example, are very difficult to find these days. And what IS available is often marked up 300-400% over 2019 prices. Demand has far exceeded supply. And the ammo shortage won’t end any time soon. Vista Outdoor’s CEO Metz added: “Despite us producing flat-out for six months, there is no buildup of inventory at any of our customers. In fact, every one of them would like significantly more. Simply put, consumer demand continues to outpace our ability to supply.”
Ammunition Shortage Impacts Primer Supply
Rifle and pistol primers are nearly sold out everywhere, with some less-than-reputable vendors now charging 4-5 times the normal price. So what’s going on here — why can’t you find primers? One reason is that primer producers such as Federal and CCI are using the vast majority of the primers they make to complete their loaded ammunition, which is flying off the shelves.
What is causing the ammo panic buying and primer shortage?
There are a number of key reasons:
1. Concerns over the recent election and potential Democratic Party control of U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and the White House;
2. General worry and paranoia caused by the COVID-19 pandemic;
3. Fear of new legislation banning guns and restricting ammunition purchases;
4. Social unrest and rioting led by BLM and left-wing activists and tolerated/encouraged by Blue State government officials; and perhaps most importantly,
5. The vast increase in the number of new gun buyers.
Huge Increase in Gun Purchasing in 2020
2020 will probably set an all-time record for gun purchasing in the USA. This spike in gun buying has been propelled by the greatest annual increase in gun ownership in U.S. history. According to data from the NSSF, roughly 6.2 million Americans purchased their first firearm in 2020. A NSSF dealer survey estimates that 40% of all gun sales were conducted to purchasers who have never previously owned a firearm. And women accounted for 40.2% of first-time gun purchases. We’ve never seen that kind of spike in gun ownership in a single year. This is unprecedented.
Ammo Shortage Will Continue for Many Months, Well into 2021
What are the prospects for greater availabilty of loaded ammo in the months ahead? Not so good according to Vista Outdoor CEO Christopher Metz whose company operates Federal, CCI, RCBS, Alliant, Blazer and many other shooting industry brands. Metz declared: “We currently have over a year’s worth of orders for ammunition.” That value of those back-orders exceeds ONE BILLION dollars. “This is unprecedented for our company. With demand far outstripping supply and inventory levels in the channel at all-time lows, we see strong demand continuing[.]”
There is some good news however — the former Remington ammo factory will start cranking out ammunition again. The American Rifleman reports: “Vista Outdoor has purchased the [Remington Outdoor] ammunition factory in Lonoke, Arkansas [and will resume] production at or near full capacity. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports 300 employees furloughed by the former owner of the plant will soon be recalled to join nearly 400 still working at the facility.”
In our Shooter’s Forum there is a popular thread, Let’s See Those Hunting Rifles. This long-running thread features dozens of interesting hunting rifles of all varieties — from rimfires to big magnums. In that thread we found the focus of today’s story, a .221 Fireball. Now that we are in the thick of winter, with Christmas just two weeks away, we showcase this .221 Rem Fireball rifle from Norway. This rig belong to Thomas Haugland, aka “Roe” on our Forum. An avid backcountry hunter, Thomas also happens to be one of the best gun-content video producers on YouTube — check out Haugland’s THLR.NO YouTube Channel.
We’ll begin with two of Haugland’s remarkable videos — worth watching just for the stunning scenery. Thomas skis through the Norwegian Arctic backcountry, then successfully uses his suppressed, white-camouflaged .221 Fireball rifle to bag a Ptarmigan bird — bringing home a well-earned winter dinner.
NOTE: This is the short preview version. Watch the full hunt in second video.
The 7-minute video below shows the full ski hunt. The Ptarmigans are spotted at 4:30 time mark and Thomas takes the shot at 5:36. Great video — you feel like you are there in Norway’s white wilderness. The images above (including top photo) are pulled from this video.
About the .221 Fireball Cartridge
The .221 Remington Fireball cartridge was developed by Remington in 1963 for the XP-100 bolt action pistol. Today the cartridge remains popular with hunters/varminters, both in the original version, and with wildcats such as the .20 Vartarg and .17 Fireball. Lapua started making superb .221 Rem Fireball cartridge brass starting in 2014. However, according to Lapua: “This case is no longer in active production.” But you can definitely still find it — Lapua .221 Fireball brass is in stock now at Grafs.com for $79.99/100. Lapua notes: “Fireball brass has recently seen a dramatic surge in popularity, due in large part to the efforts of wildcatters working with this versatile case. Whether used in its original form, or necked into one of the many cases that it serves as a parent for, the Lapua .221 Fireball brass is a sure winner[.]”
Haugland .221 Fireball with New Carbon Stock and Walther Barrel
Shown above is Haugland’s same .221 Rem Fireball from the videos, but with a new camo stock and new barrel. (The previous stock was painted white). Originally a Remington 700 Light Varmint, this was rebarreled to .221 Fireball with Lothar Walther 1:12″ barrel. Thomas admits he “Goofed a little on the barrel profile, so it is a tad heavier than I wanted.” The stock is a carbon-fiber Gunwerks ClymR and on top is a Leupold 3-18x44mm MK5 HD with Gunwerks RH1 reticle. Only the action and the trigger is left from the original rifle.
With the 1:12″ twist, this rifle is restricted to 55gr maximum bullet weight. Thomas posted: “Shoots well with Vihtavuori N130 and Norma N200 powders, not so good with RL7.” Due to lack of light in far-Northern Norway in winter (see photo above), Roe has not hunted with this rifle much since rebarreling, but as you can see, it’s very accurate — look at that group. Thomas says the gun shoots much better with the new barrel: “With the factory barrel (which I believe was 1:14″-twist) it didn’t shoot better than 1 MOA at 100 yards. Now it approaches half-MOA for three shots (see photo).”
And Thomas was successful with this rig as “reborn” with new stock and barrel. Here’s the gun and a Ptarmigan he shot in the Norwegian snow-covered backcountry.
If you like that Gunwerks ClymR carbon stock, here’s a Gunwerks video showcasing the ClymR Rifle System. A complete Gunwerks ClymR rifle with Titanium action and scope is a shocking $9734.99, so we can understand why Thomas went with the stock alone, paired with a older Rem 700 action.
Image Courtesy NSSF. This story is based on an NSSF Article.
‘Tis the season of gift-giving (and Christmas Day is nearly here). Perhaps you’re considering giving a a first rifle to your grandson or perhaps a carry pistol to a spouse. When making a gun gift to a friend or family member, however, there are some very important legal considerations. Also the rules on firearms gift transfers vary from state to state. Bottom line here — you need to know the law BEFORE you deliver that shiny new firearm to a family member, close friend, or relative.
The first thing to remember if you’re thinking about giving someone a gun is that … it’s a gun! You already know that ownership of a firearm brings with it some serious legal and ethical obligations that other consumer products don’t. So let’s look at some questions you may have about giving a firearm as a gift.
Image Courtesy NSSF
The first question you have to ask is whether the intended recipient can legally own the firearm where he or she lives. With more than 20,000 different gun laws on the books, even the kinds of firearms that law-abiding citizens can own vary from place to place. For example, juveniles (under age 18) generally speaking are precluded by law from possessing a handgun. Check out the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) website for an overview of local laws and, whatever you do, don’t forget that you can never under any circumstances transfer a firearm to someone you know — or have reasonable cause to believe — legally can’t own one. That’s a federal felony, so be careful.
There’s no federal law that prohibits a gift of a firearm to a relative or friend who lives in your home state. Abramski v. United States, a recent Supreme Court decision involving a “straw purchase” of a firearm did not change the law regarding firearms as gifts. The following states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington State) and the District of Columbia require you to transfer a firearm through a local firearms retailer so an instant background check will be performed to make sure the recipient is not legally prohibited from owning the gun. Maryland and Pennsylvania require a background check for private party transfer of a handgun. There are exceptions, so it’s important to check the law of your state or ask your local firearms retailer.
Consider a Gift Card Instead of Direct Gift
The ATF recommends that if you want to give someone a new firearm, rather than going to a gun store and buying the gun on your own, consider instead purchasing a gift certificate/card from your favorite gun retailer. Then give that gift card as the present. That way the recipient can choose the exact gun he or she wants, and there’s no question about who is “the actual buyer of the firearm,” which is a question any purchaser must certify on the Federal Form 4473 at the time of purchase. The Gift Card option avoids any “straw purchaser” issues.
Calling all holiday shoppers! Looking for that perfect gift for the hunter or shooter on your list? Through December 31, 2020, ZEISS will be offering fantastic deals for the holiday season through participating ZEISS authorized retailers. Customers looking to buy select Conquest V4 riflescopes and Terra ED 42 mm objective binoculars will receive $100 off instantly at time of purchase. CLICK HERE for ZEISS SALE INFO.
$100 Off Zeiss Conquest V4 Riflescopes
The Conquest V4 Scope series offers four different magnification levels. Choose from 3-12x56mm, 4-16x44mm, 4-16x50mm, or 6-24x50mm.
These scopes offer outstanding optics, precise controls, with many advanced features as shown below. And now you can save $100 instantly on your purchase.
Exceptionally accurate. Extremely precise. The Conquest V4 riflescopes are for hunters and target shooters. We like the 6-24x50mm version for varmint hunting and practical competitions.
$100 Off Terra ED Binoculars
ZEISS Terra ED binoculars are robust, reliable, and easy to use. They are light-weight and compact. The optical precision, advanced design, and hydrophobic multicoating guarantee brilliant images in all conditions. Terra ED binoculars are waterproof and nitrogen-filled.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the ZEISS Holiday Sales Event.
Now this is definitely “putting your money where your mouth is”. Kudos to Smith & Wesson for helping fund the NSSF at a time when our gun rights are being seriously challenged at Federal, State, and local levels.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced today that it will donate $500,000 to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to help fund the Foundation’s continued efforts to advocate gun rights and support the firearms industry. SW declared that “The work that the NSSF performs on behalf of the firearms industry is unparalleled and [it] been instrumental to ensuring the success of the industry for almost 60 years.” This $500K donation adds to another half-million dollars S&W has given to the NSSF over the past 11 months.
“When the NSSF decided to cancel the 2021 SHOT Show, we felt it was important to show them that we stand behind them during these challenging times. Smith & Wesson fully supports the NSSF and the work that they continue to do on behalf of our industry”, said Mark Smith, S&W President and CEO. “The National Shooting Sports Foundation is a strong advocate for the Second Amendment and helps promote hunting and the shooting sports. Smith & Wesson is proud to have donated over $1 million in 2020 to support [NSSF] efforts.”
About Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI) is a U.S.-based leader in firearm manufacturing, delivering a broad portfolio of quality handgun, long gun, and suppressor products to the global consumer and professional markets under the iconic Smith & Wesson®, M&P, Thompson/Center Arms, and Gemtech brands. The company also provides manufacturing services including forging, machining, and precision plastic injection molding services.
IWA Outdoor Classics 2021 Trade Show Is Cancelled
There will be no “Euro SHOT Show” next year. The directors of the IWA Outdoor Classics event, which attracts over 45,000 visitors annually, have cancelled the event, stating: “The current state of the COVID-19 pandemic and current travel restrictions of numerous companies on their employees have made it difficult for IWA to organize their annual trade fair event. For these reasons, IWA has made the difficult decision to cancel the IWA Outdoor Classics 2021 originally scheduled for March 2021.”
To allow all participants to plan with certainty, NürnbergMesse has taken the decision to cancel the IWA OutdoorClassics 2021 well ahead of time. Rising infection rates, various quarantine rules, and travel restrictions are simply making it impossible for exhibitors and visitors to make any firm plans. The next IWA Outdoor Classics trade show will take place in Nuremberg from 3–6 March 2022.
IWA OutdoorClassics 2022 Dates Are Set: March 3-6, 2022
Thankfully, the big trade show should return in March 2022, 15 months from now. The IWA Outdoor Classics 2022 will take place in Nuremberg from 3–6 March, 2022. The usual schedule has advanced forward by one day so that the Show will now run from Thursday to Sunday.
Online Virtual Show Format Planned for March 2021
The IWA team is currently working on an interim program for 2021. The kick-off event for the series of online and physical events and formats called “Road to IWA 2022” will take place on 12 March 2021, the first day of the planned IWA 2021. “We want to offer the sector the opportunity to stay in contact during these turbulent times. We are therefore working hard to develop concepts to allow us to bridge the gap until the next face-to-face gathering”, explained Rebecca Schönfelder, IWA Exhibition Director.
Institutional sponsors support decision
Klaus Gotzen, managing director of the JSM (German Firearms and Ammunition Manufacturers Association), says: “It is certainly true that the IWA is one of the most important occasions and industry gatherings in the year. But all of us need to prioritize our health. We very much regret the cancellation of the IWA because meeting our partners and members in person is so important to us. Nevertheless, we completely understand the decision by NürnbergMesse and are looking forward to the event in 2022.” The manufacturers’ association currently serves 42 companies.
Today, 79 years later, it remains important to remember what took place at Pearl Harbor, and to honor those soldiers, sailors, marines (and civilians) who lost their lives in the surprise attack. The tragic memory of Pearl Harbor reminds us that our nation should never be lulled into complacency. The world remains a dangerous place. The nation must remain alert to all dangers, and be prepared to respond to all threats, both known and unknown. As Wendell Phillips said famously: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
The Shooting Wire noted: “Today, as we live in another period of uncertainty … we owe our lives and success as a nation to the more than 16 million Americans who left their homes and traveled over the world to protect freedom. Today, only about 325,000 of them are left, and estimates say they’re dying at the rate of nearly 300 per day. Today, it’s appropriate to remember them and the sacrifices they made for us.”
This Editor’s father and uncle both fought in WWII, father in the Army, uncle in the U.S. Navy. A Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers, my father took part in three landings — North Africa, Sicily, and the south of France. I still have his invasion armband — a treasured memento. Sadly, we lost my uncle last year, when he died at age 100. While in the Pacific, he served at the Tulagi Navy Base, where he knew Lt. (JG) John F. Kennedy. Of Kennedy, my uncle told me: “Jack? He was a good kid… and he loved his country.”
About the .221 Fireball Cartridge
The first question you have to ask is whether the intended recipient can legally own the firearm where he or she lives. With more than 20,000 different gun laws on the books, even the kinds of firearms that law-abiding citizens can own vary from place to place. For example, juveniles (under age 18) generally speaking are precluded by law from possessing a handgun. Check out the 
Consider a Gift Card Instead of Direct Gift
