Report from Peterson Cartridge Company
For a while now Peterson Cartridge has made 6mm BR Norma (6BR) casings (sold exclusively through Graf & Sons). These have been popular with benchrest, varmint, and PRS/NRL shooters. But recently we had a customer ask us to make 7mm BR Remington casings. That customer is David Fricke of Lehigh Defense and SSK Firearms. Lehigh is known for making specialized, high-performance bullets.
Recently, Lehigh began making bullets for the J.D. Jones-designed Whisper line of cartridges, which are necked up from 7 BR casings. Some years back, J. D. Jones of SSK industries developed several efficient dual-role cartridges, the .302 Whisper, the .338 Whisper, .375 Whisper and the .416 Whisper. These are all made from necked-up 7mm BR Rem casings. The “dual role” refers to the fact that they can be loaded either for subsonic applications, or for high velocity shooting. According to Fricke, “Remington made the XP-100 bolt-action handgun, and one of the calibers they chambered it in was 7mm BR, which became very popular with Silhouette shooters. Remington also made the 7 BR casings which people like to neck up to the different Whisper calibers.”
Fricke concluded, “The 7mm BR caliber is a highly efficient, inherently accurate round, which doesn’t require much powder. The balance between the powder charge, bullet weight, barrel length and related harmonics results in a caliber with outstanding accuracy.”
Expect this 7mm BR Brass to be Necked-Up and Necked Down for Other Calibers
Commentary: With this new 7mm BR brass, we expect wildcatters will go to work right away, necking the case up to 30 BR, the favored cartridge for 100/200 score benchrest competition. We’ve also heard plans that some PRS shooters may neck down and fire-form the cartridge for a 6.5 BRA version with a 40° shoulder.
Peterson Brass — Strong, Uniform, Durable
Peterson brass is among the most precise, durable (over many load cycles), and uniform on the market. Extended load cycle tests have shown great longevity for Peterson brass, which has performed well in many disciplines from PRS to ELR. For more information on Peterson Cartridge Company or to learn more about its match-grade brass and loaded ammunition, visit PetersonCartridge.com.
Extended Load Cycle Test of Peterson Brass
About Peterson Cartridge Company
Peterson Cartridge Company is a family-owned, American manufacturer of match-grade brass rifle casings and loaded ammunition. This 20-minute video provides an inside look at the Peterson Cartridge company. Host Larry Berg visits Peterson’s modern production facility in Pennsylvania. There are also interviews with Peterson Executives and engineers.
Now through July 15, 2020, Zeiss is running a great promotion. When you buy a Zeiss Spotting scope you will get the outstanding, highly-rated Zeiss Victory Pocket binoculars for FREE. Or, if you purchase the Zeiss Victory SF binoculars Zeiss will kick in a second Zeiss Terra ED binocular unit for FREE. Either way, this is a compelling promotion for anyone looking for high-quality European optics.
The spring 2020 promotion runs from Apri1 15 through July 15, 2020, and supplies are limited. For the next 90 days, Zeiss will be offering fantastic incentives for the spring season through participating Zeiss authorized retailers. Zeiss states: “Now is the perfect time to consider a new super premium spotting scope for the spring and enjoy the true benefits of a Zeiss Victory Pocket binocular[.]”
The Zeiss Victory Harpia spotting scope pairs with a slim eyepiece that offers comfortable viewing and features a bayonet mount for safe and secure lock-up upon installation. The DualSpeed™ focus enables automatic switching between rapid and fine adjustment for fast and precise focusing. The LotuTec® coating ensures a clear view in all weather conditions.
The innovative Victory Pocket unit (shown above) represents up to a $880 retail value. This design uses an offset hinge to fold very compactly. The glass is excellent — our Editors have tested these. Redemption of the Victory Pocket 8×25 or 10×25 binocular will be at time of purchase.
PROMO TWO — Buy Victory SF Binocs, Get Terra ED Binocs Free
Withe the second Zeiss Spring 2020 Promo, you receive a FREE Zeiss Terra ED binocular with purchase of a Zeiss Victory SF binocular. That Terra ED is worth up to $500 retail value. Redemption of the Terra ED 8×42 or 10×42 will be at time of purchase.
Zeiss states: “Zeiss Victory SF binoculars bring unbelievable clarity and viewing comfort to year-round glassing and wildlife observation. These binoculars provide an exceptionally wide field of view, fast and precise focusing, and … the highest image resolution. They feature the Zeiss exclusive ErgoBalance™ concept that allows for hours of fatigue-free nature observations.”
Here’s some good news about rifle shooters enjoying an early March competition before Executive Orders forced people to stay at home. We can report that the first-ever springtime CMP Western Games were well-attended. Nearly 300 shooters enjoyed the event, though the High Power matches and clinic phase was cancelled due to official social distancing mandates.
By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer
With the first run in its new March time slot, the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) annual Western CMP Games and HP Rifle Matches event was met with greatly-increased registration and attendance compared to recent years, despite social distance restrictions that led to a premature end to the event.
Competitors completed the entire schedule of CMP Games rifle events and schools at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility under brilliant Arizona skies and comfortable temperatures. Unfortunately, the 5-day CMP High Power Rifle Matches and clinic, scheduled in the second half of the schedule, were cancelled due to health concerns — “social distancing” mandates for participants and staff.
The Western CMP Games portion of the event held in Phoenix is one of many travel events conducted by the CMP across the country each year. It includes specially designed vintage and modern rifle matches and clinics affording opportunities for marksmanship enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels.
A spike in early registration of 283 participants led to an impressive number of 664 scheduled event entries for the early Spring event in Phoenix. Since its first Arizona appearance in 2008, the Western CMP Games events have been conducted in the month of October. Due to recurring inclement weather at the CMP’s annual Oklahoma Games, the decision was made to trade seasons with those in Arizona beginning in 2020.
Here are some photo highlights from the 2020 CMP Western Games. View hundreds more Western Games images on the CMP Zenfolio Photo Archive.
With all the grim Pandemic news these days, here’s something to take your mind off the Coronavirus. We offer some some mighty impressive trick shooting by a very talented young lady. In this video, Kirsten performs a classic Annie Oakley trick shot, cutting a playing card in half with a bullet. We hope this display of marksmanship brings a smile to our readers on this Easter Sunday 2020.
Kirsten Joy Weiss is a phenomenal off-hand rifle shooter. Splitting a playing card would be hard enough with a scoped rifle shot from the bench. But Kirsten makes this amazing shot from standing position, shooting over iron sights, with an inexpensive rimfire lever gun. Trust us, that’s not easy. It did take Kirsten three tries, but we’re still impressed.
To accomplish this trick shot, Kirsten’s horizontal aim had to be ultra-precise. A playing card is only 0.25mm thick (about 1/100th of an inch). That leaves almost no room for error.
GIF Animation Shows Bullet Slicing Card in Half:
We know top benchresters can put five shots in one ragged hole at 100 yards, used a scoped rifle sitting on a stable rest. But make those folks stand on their hind legs, hold the rifle, and aim over primitive iron sights, and some of those benchrest aces would be lucky to hit a dinner plate at 100 yards. Kudos to Kirsten for making this great shot.
In response to the growing number of first-time gun buyers during the Coronavirus outbreak, the NRA’s Education & Training Division is offering four new Online Gun Safety Courses that can be done online at home. The Four New NRA Online Gun Safety Courses ARE:
1. Gun Safety Seminar
2. NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course — Distance Learning
3. NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course — Distance Learning
4. NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course — Distance Learning
Each course, lasting from one to eight hours, is available online at NRAInstructors.org. To Access the 0nline training options, first CLICK HERE. Then under the Heading “DISTANCE LEARNING”, you will see options. CLICK the small gray box at the left of the title to select the course. IMPORTANT — Next you MUST SCROLL to the bottom of the NRA webpage to SEARCH. Select your state or Zip code, then you will get a list of the moderated online courses in your area.
Here is the Procedure to Follow:
1. CLICK HERE to Access ALL Course Listings
2. Select a “Distance Learning” Course.
3. Scroll Down and SEARCH for your State or Zip Code.
4. Review Course Dates and Times.
For example, here are the listed NRA online safety courses for California only. Elsewhere (in other states), YOUR list will be different!
“These courses will provide an option for first-time gun owners who don’t have the ability to take an NRA certified instructor-led class at their local shooting range at this time,” said Joe DeBergalis, Exec. Dir. of NRA General Operations. “While there is no replacement for in-person, instructor-led training, our new online classes do provide the basics of firearm safety training for those self-isolating at home.”
Though range time is an important part of the classes, there is still a wealth of knowledge available in the online programs. “The NRA recommends that all new gun owners seek professional training at the range, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a head start on learning the basics of firearm safety at home. Taking one of these classes moderated by a certified NRA instructor, can only make you safer…” DeBergalis added.
Due to concerns about the Coronavirus Pandemic, large numbers of Americans are acquiring firearms for self-protection. Many of these citizens are purchasing a gun for the first time. It is important that these new gun owners learn about gun safety and responsible gun storage.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released a new Infographic for first-time gun owners. If you recently purchased your first firearm, we recommend you review this document. Additionally NSSF released a new Firearm Storage and Safety Assessment Quiz. This walks gun owners through questions related to safe handling and storage of firearms. The Quiz also links to helpful gun safety resources.
Below is the latest NSSF Infographic for new gun owners. This provides questions to ask before buying a gun, plus information on safe gun storage at home. This Infographic is part of a large collection of NSSF Resources for New Gun Owners. Among those resources you will find links to gun storage options, training videos, guidance on talking to children about gun safety, and much more.
Here’s the NSSF Infographic for New Gun Owners. CLICK HERE for the Interactive Version. On that Interactive PDF, click on the smaller buttons to get additional information, or to watch related videos.
Sadly, this year the “Zombie Pandemic” 3-Gun match in Nebraska has been replaced with a true health pandemic, one of the greatest challenges facing the United States since WWII. Due to the public health measures in response to the spread of the Coronavirus. The event organizers issued this statement:
“The Hornady 2020 Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match has been canceled due to the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19. Although the match wouldn’t have taken place until May 28-31 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, current health and safety protocols would have precluded preparing the range for the event. Hornady and the Heartland Public Shooting Park plan to resume the battle against the zombie scourge in 2021.
Refunds will be issued by the City of Grand Island to all registered shooters, but please be patient as this will take some time. Hornady is also working with companies to return prizes and cash sponsorships. Should there be any questions, please contact the shooting park directly.”
About the Zombies in the Heartland Match
For many years, Hornady has hosted the popular Zombies in the Heartland event. This “Pandemic” 3-Gun fun match, one of the biggest three-gun shoots in the nation, was to be held at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. The Pandemic traditionally has a rich prize table worth over $150,000. Prizes included pistols, rifles, shotguns, scopes, AR uppers, gun parts, and gear of all kinds.
The Pandemic was a veritable theme park for shootists, with many fun stages and innovative targets. Many unique, reactive zombie targets were developed specifically for this match. The use of paper targets was minimized — so it was mostly “bang and clang”.
Shotguns, rifles, and handguns were used on most stages, which feature handgun targets from 1-15 yards, shotgun targets from 10-20 yards, and rifle targets from 1-200 yards. There were also side matches with full-auto demo firearms, exploding targets, specialty targets.
This video from 2017 offers a Shooter’s POV views of many stages including full auto:
Operated by the Grand Island Parks and Recreation Department, the Heartland Public Shooting Park is the largest and most complete public shooting facility in the Midwest. For more information, call 308-385-5048.
OK guys, you probably want to keep this page confidential. Your spouse probably doesn’t want to be reminded about all the times you ignored the “Honey Do” list and headed off to the range instead. And she certainly doesn’t want to know how much you spend every year on your gun hobby.
Answer these two polls to see how dedicated (or should we say “obsessed”) a gun guy you really are. Once you vote you can see how your shooting (and spending) habits compare to other readers. Full results display after you select an answer and click the “Vote” button.
Click to vote in our current Readers’ polls.
Click “View Results” to see what other readers have selected.
The rifle cartridge money clip is a real product from ReleaseMeCreations.com. You can, of course, make your own cartridge money clip with a Dremel tool for free.
Here’s a radical new rifle. Instead of a vertical trigger that moves rearward when pulled by the index finger, this Blackwater T.O.R. A1 rifle has a lever INSIDE the lower receiver. That lever is moved by the operator’s THUMB, causing the rifle to fire. The claimed benefits of the “thumb-gun” are: 1) Improved Ergonomics (thumb stays in alignment with point of aim); 2) Better Mechanics (thumb is strongest digit and can manipulate lever easily); 3) Enhanced Safety (trigger blade/lever is not exposed).
This AR-type rifle was developed by Iron Horse, now partnered with Blackwater Worldwide. The new T.O.R. (aka “Thumb Operated Receiver”) A1 is the industry’s first AR-platform rifle incorporating patent-pending, lever-driven fire technology.
Iron Horse A1 Precision Rifle
The manufacturer has made some interesting claims about this new thumb-lever system. Blackwater/Iron Horse claims that “Multiple samples of users show a shorter learning curve and reduced shot group size”, and that the design “lends to greater accuracy in precision shooting… with its inherent natural ergonomics.” One claim we do believe, is that the thumb lever may help disabled shooters. Additionally the manufacturer notes that because the “trigger guard completely encases the trigger” there is less chance of snagging the trigger in brush or vegetation.
How the Lever Trigger Works
The operator’s thumb goes into a port in the top of the polymer grip (see grip photo above). This allows ambidextrous firing by right- or left-handed shooters. The thumb points forward, in line with the barrel. The lever itself is contained INSIDE the lower. Watch this video to see how it works:
Is the Thumb Lever a Game-Changer?
“Ironhorse’s revolutionary trigger system has the potential to be a game changer” states Eric Prince, Founder of Blackwater Worldwide. “Our in-house testing has shown a significant decrease in shot group size when compared to a traditional AR-15 trigger set. We think this technology … could replace traditional triggers altogether at some point.” The manufacturer states that the thumb-operated trigger “has been shown to greatly enhance the experience of a large portion of the shooting community and makes shooting possible for those who have limited mobility or severely injured fingers.”
About Iron Horse and Blackwater Worldwide Iron Horse Firearms, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, was founded by a former U.S. Marine Ryan McDonald. The Patent-Pending Thumb-Operated Receiver was first developed in August of 2016 and became a fully operational system in the fall of 2018. Moving forward, Iron Horse Firearms will be doing business as part of Blackwater Worldwide.
In 2019, Blackwater Worldwide re-entered the firearms and ammunition market in the United States. In its first year of operation, it has acquired or developed multiple firearms lines and a proprietary ammunition line. The company is headquartered in Concord, NC.
Article based on report from Montana Shooting Sports Association.
Some states with anti-gun leadership are aggressively trying to eliminate insurance programs that help protect gun owners who may be forced to use a gun in self-defense. These liberal-controlled states claim they can block such self-defense insurance coverage because insurance is not allowed for an “illegal activity”. Interesting theory — since when did self-defense become illegal? The right of armed self-protection is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Most states have a position titled “Insurance Commissioner”, a public official (usually elected) who regulates insurance matters. We are seeing harsh anti-gun policies being pushed through by State Insurance Commissioners, often as the behest of Democratic-party Governors or Legislative leaders.
For example, in Washington State, the Office of Insurance Commissioner (OIC) sent cease and desist letters to the NRA (regarding previously offered Carry Guard*), the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), the Armed Citizen Legal Defense Network, U.S. Law Shield, Firearms Legal Protection, and CCW Safe, demanding that all quit doing business in Washington State. California’s Insurance Commissioner blocked NRA Carry Guard Insurance, and the same thing is likely to happen in other states in the months ahead…
Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, says that citizens need to be concerned with state candidates for Insurance Commissioner (or equivalent state official): “In Montana, the function of an insurance commissioner is performed by the State Auditor, an elected position most people don’t think about much. Because of the attack on self-defense insurance in other states, the race for State Auditor is worth paying attention to in Montana. As voters, you and your friends should know which candidates pledge that self-defense insurance will NOT be targeted for eradication in Montana.”
That advice should be headed by citizens in other states as well. With so many attacks on Second Amendment rights from liberal politicians (and the mainstream news media), we don’t want state insurance rules to be used to disarm law-abiding citizens, or subject them to increased risk of lawsuits.
*The NRA’s Carry Guard Insurance program is no longer offered. Cancellation of this program is due largely to aggressive actions by State Insurance Commissioners in blue states such as California, New York, and Washington.
About the Zombies in the Heartland Match
Here’s a radical new rifle. Instead of a vertical trigger that moves rearward when pulled by the index finger, this Blackwater 
