According to Shooting Industry magazine, a large segment of gun buyers are now gravitating toward long-range shooting. Short carbines with red dots are OUT. Precision rifles with high-power optics are IN. Interest in long-range shooting has driven sales of modular bolt guns and upgraded ARs in .224 Valkyrie or 6.5 Grendel. Shooting Industry states: “Dealers around the country report interest in long-range shooting has ignited over the past 12+ months”. In fact, “long-range shooting has become a passion for a larger number of shooters, leading to increased potential for sales of guns, ammo, and accessories[.]”
Doug Gifford of CORE Rifle Systems and GTO Guns in Florida observes: “For the past 12 months or so, I’ve seen a huge move toward interest in long-range accuracy.” Modern bolt-action rifles in popular chamberings such as 6.5 Creedmoor “are probably the fastest-moving modular sporting guns at the moment”.
Ruger Precision Rifle Leads the Way
Vikram Mookerajee of Pinnacle Firearms in Indiana says the introduction of the Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) several years ago really “opened up the market” to a broader spectrum of customers. The RPR created a whole new market segment for modular chassis rifles. With “street price” under $1250 (and under $1000 during sales), the RPR delivered a modern-looking, modular rifle system at an affordable price. This was not your grand-pappy’s deer rifle — the modular look appealed to a younger market segment. RPR accuracy out of the box was pretty good too.
Following the success of the basic RPR, offered in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win, Ruger has introduced a big Magnum version in .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum. This is a large rifle, weighing 15.2 lbs. without optics. And, with a $2099 MSRP ($1700 street price) it is considerably more expensive than the original RPR.
Long-Range Interest Drives Sales of Expensive Optics
The increasing interest in long-range shooting has driven sales of higher-magnification optics, particularly First Focal Plane (FFP) scopes with Mil-type reticles. Core’s Gifford notes: “The long-range trend is moving into real science. Shooters are looking at parallax and focal plane; they’re getting into the science of optics.” The latest generation of scopes aren’t cheap. For example, the 7-35x56mm FFP Nightforce ATACR, one of the most popular optics with PRS shooters, retails for $3600.00! You can buy a pretty nice used motorcycle or bass-boat for that kind of money.
Registration is now open for the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) 2019 Travel Games – a variety of rifle and pistol events held around the country throughout the year. The CMP’s Cup Matches, formerly known as the Creedmoor Cup Matches, will now be a fixture at Travel Games events. Cup Matches include a 4-Man Team Match, an EIC Rifle Match, and three days of 80-Shot events.
2019 Travel Games Schedule:
26 April-5 May – Eastern CMP Cup & Games, Camp Butner, NC
7-9 June – Talladega D-Day Matches, Talladega, AL
16-22 September – New England CMP Cup & Games, Jericho, VT
7-13 October – Oklahoma CMP Cup & Games, Oklahoma City, OK
19-24 November – Talladega 600, Talladega, AL
IMPORTANT: The CMP Travel Games 2019 schedule includes major changes! The Western CMP Travel Games event, usually held in Phoenix in October, will NOT be held 2019. However, the Western Games WILL resume in March 2020. For 2019, the Oklahoma CMP Games event will move from its typical April time-frame to October. Additionally, the Talladega 600 Match has been moved up from December to November.
Oklahoma CMP Cup & CMP Games Matches – The Oklahoma Games were moved from April to October in place of the Western CMP Games & CMP Cup Matches, which will return March 13-22, 2020.
Eastern CMP Cup & CMP Games Matches – The Eastern Games will revert back to a schedule used in the past, with CMP Games matches fired first, followed by Cup Matches to conclude the event.
Take Note: There are NO Western Travel Games in 2019 — Western Games Come Back in 2020.
Competition and Small Arms Firing Schools
Events fired at the Travel Games include a mix of modern and vintage military rifle competitions like the John C. Garand, Springfield, Rimfire Sporter, Carbine and Vintage Sniper Matches. The Travel Games also feature a growing field of pistol opportunities, as well as a Small Arms Firing School for new and experienced marksmen. Other informative clinics are conducted throughout the Games Matches by qualified CMP staff members.
Travel Games Will Employ Electronic Targets
E-Targets Means NO PIT DUTY
Rifle competitions will be fired on CMP Targets, a modern electronic target system that instantaneously produces shot placement and eliminates the need for pit duty. This allows quicker matches, with faster relays, and less wasted time. There is also less physical strain for older competitors.
For more information on the CMP Travel Games and/or to register, visit: CMP Travel Games Page.
When covering SHOT Show 2019 our reporters focused primarily on rifles, optics, and reloading equipment, because this website is dedicated to rifle accuracy. However we know many of our readers are interested in pistols and revolvers, and we bet the majority of our Forum members own handguns. This Editor used to compete in IDPA and other pistol disciplines and I still love my semi-autos and wheelguns.
For you pistoleros, here are five videos covering some of the best new handgun options for 2019. The first video in the list covers multiple handguns — four recommended 1911-type pistols. Enjoy.
Top Four 1911 Pistols from SHOT Show 2019
Pistols Round-Up — Top New Handguns 2019
TOP Five Sub-Compact Handguns Under $500
New COLT Revolvers and 1911s
SIG Sauer P320X Compact
HANDGUN SKILLS — Pistol Training Target
This 12″ Bullseye Pistol Diagnostic Target helps improve handgun marksmanship. The target diagnoses common problems based on shot impact zones. While this target is designed for righties, left-handed shooters can use the target too. Just observe the opposite tips.
YouTube Strikes Again — More Censorship, More Channel Freezes without Good Cause
YouTube is a “hostile environment” for firearms and the shooting sports. Last week, YouTube announced that, going forward, all strikes against videos that violate Community Guidelines will now carry the same punishment: a temporary ban from YouTube activity, with the length of time increasing with the strikes.
That’s right — a single “violation”, which might be triggered by an exaggerated or malicious complaint by anti-gunners, can result in a complete channel shut-down for a period.
Previously, YouTube had a “three strikes and you’re out” policy, but each strike had a different penalty. The first strike had resulted in a 90-day live-streaming freeze, while the second would result in a two-week freeze on video uploads, via techcrunch.com. In addition, YouTube has demonetized many gun-related channels, cutting off advertising revenues.
Responding to the YouTube censorship and often unjustified shut-downs of shooting-centric channels, GetZone.com is now offering a viable option for gun/hunting/reloading video producers. GetZone, a modern outdoor-focused digital platform, “welcomes gun-related YouTube channels that promote legal firearms, demonstration of their use, and lawful sales”.
GetZone.com Welcomes Gun and Hunting Video Producers
GetZone.com stated: “As attacks on our 2nd Amendment continue, it is more important than ever for the outdoor industry to have a trusted, dedicated video platform like GetZone.com. If you’re a banned YouTuber, or you know someone who is, [contact us] to get your videos hosted on GetZone.com. While YouTube continues to shut down gun-related content, there is a tremendous amount of quality firearms, training, and hunting information that producers need to distribute and viewers need to see.”
In addition to video content, GetZone.com offers discussion (comment) functionality moderated by users, thus providing the firearms community a reliable place to communicate.
Krieger Barrels has some great news for Savage rifle owners. This fine cut-rifled barrel-maker, a long-term sponsor of AccurateShooter.com, now offers Pre-Fit (pre-chambered) rifle barrels for Savage actions. With a Krieger pre-chambered barrel, you save time and money — you don’t have to pay a gunsmith hundreds to cut the chamber, and wait weeks (or sometimes months). With the proper GO/NO-GO gauges and barrel nut wrench, most rifle-owners can install their own pre-fit barrel.
SAVAGE PRE-FITS NOW AVAILABLE
Choose from multiple calibers/chamberings and custom contours for large- and small-shank Savage actions. Call Krieger Barrels at (262) 628-8558 to start your order.
On February 26, Krieger announced: “We are happy to announce that we are now taking orders for Pre-Fit Savage barrels for their centerfire bolt action receivers! Many standard cartridges available for both large shank (1-1/8″) and small shank (1-1/6″) actions. You can order our standard contours or come up with a custom contour to fit your needs. Every detail is addressed to make these Pre-Fit Savage barrels the best they can be for your application.”
Pre-Fit Savage barrels start at $515.00 + S&H. Call today to discuss your needs and get a barrel order going! For more information visit KriegerBarrels.com or call Krieger at (262) 628-8558.
Company founder John Krieger hard at work at the Krieger Barrels production facility.
In this essay from The Shooting Wire, Tom Gresham states that the anti-gun left seeks nothing less than the eventual confiscation and destruction of all privately-held firearms. The anti-gunners have revealed their goals, says Gresham, through radical legislation recently introduced in Congress, and suggestions that an Executive Order by a future by a Democratic Party President could halt ALL gun sales. Gresham says gun owners must wake up, and take action NOW. Otherwise our rights will be lost. We think every gun owner should read this.
Sometimes understanding what’s going on requires us to connect the dots on things that don’t immediately appear to be connected. Looking at recent events, it’s now possible to see the plans of the gun banners.
It’s much worse than almost anyone imagined.
First, what happened?
H.R. 8, a bill in the House, would end the private sales of guns, would end being able to give a gun to someone, and would criminalize even loaning a gun to someone — unless you got the permission of the FBI each time you want to buy, sell, loan, or borrow a gun. In other words, there could be no legal transfer of a gun in the U.S. unless the government approves each transaction.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi threatened that a Democrat President could declare a national emergency on gun violence.
A separate bill — H.R. 1112 — would (according to the NRA-ILA) “…eliminate the 3-day safety-valve provision under the federal firearms background check system that prevents the government from enacting an indefinite delay of firearm purchases for law-abiding Americans.”
Currently, if a firearms retailer submits the background check to the FBI, and it is delayed, after three days the dealer is free to legally transfer the firearm. This provision in the current law is the safety valve. It guards against the government shutting down background checks (through incompetence, technical snafu, or even political activism) and stopping gun sales from dealers. (Private sales currently would be untouched.)
Pelosi’s threat didn’t just pop into her head. This idea has been in the works.
Consider those three actions.
The expanded background check provision requires that all gun sales, and gifts, and loans — any transfers — must go through the FBI NICS system.
H.R. 1112 would kill the protection of allowing retailers to sell guns when they don’t get a “denial” from the FBI in three days.
If those two provisions were in place I fully expect a Democrat president to act after a highly-publicized shooting to declare a national emergency and shut down the NICS checks for 90 to 120 days. Maybe even a year.
That would be so that we could have a “national conversation” about gun violence. America’s gun owners would suffer a “mere inconvenience” the banners will say. Except that most privately-owned gun stores could not survive three or four months with no gun sales.
This is not happenstance.
It’s not an accident.
It’s not coincidence.
The gun ban lobby is not dumb.
This has been the plan all along.
1. Kill off all private sales, forcing all legal gun sales to go though dealers.
2. Kill the provision in current law which protect gun owners from a government shutdown of the background check system.
3. Declare a National Emergency and close background checks, which stops all legal gun sales.
Make no mistake. This is part of the larger plan to confiscate (“mandatory buy-back”) your guns.
Naturally, there would be legal challenges. The current makeup of the Supreme Court favors — ever so slightly — the hope that the high court would stop such a thing. If it took months to work its way through the courts, however, massive damage would be done. Thousands of businesses would close and tens or hundreds of thousands of people would be thrown out of work.
Naturally, to the “if it saves one life” crowd, that’s a price they are willing to pay. Well, they wouldn’t pay it. We will. And that doesn’t even touch on the subject that no one wants to talk about … [resistance].
How do we stop this?
We stop it the old fashioned way. We beat it at the polls. We beat it by speaking up in our churches. We beat it with peaceful activism in the streets. We join every single gun rights group — even those which less “pure” by whatever standard is in vogue on any given day.
We spend money. A lot of money. We stop complaining about requests for donations. We donate annually an amount equal to the price of a new gun. How about a dollar a day? We actually do call the offices of our Congressional representatives monthly and talk politely with the staff there about our concerns on Second Amendment matters. We volunteer on campaigns. We go to school board, city council, and state legislature meetings and hearings. We show up.
Two things must happen.
First, you have to look in the mirror and admit you haven’t done enough/much/anything. No one else can do this. Each of us must have the conversation with ourselves and take an honest look at what we have and have not done. And what we can do.
This is a total lifestyle change. It’s a change in where you spend your money and your time.
Second, each of us has to bring along a friend into this activism. I’m not talking about taking someone to the range, though that’s always worthwhile. I’m talking about convincing or more friends that each of you really must donate a buck a day. A lot of dough? Less than many of us spend on coffee. Times a million gun owners.
GunsAmerica brought a team of reporters to SHOT Show 2019, lead by Managing Editor True Pearce. These hard-working reporters have produced over 60 videos covering Range Day and SHOT Show. The GunsAmerica squad tested many rifles during Range Day and then visited many rifle-makers in the Expo Center. Here are five GunsAmerica videos about new rifles and chassis systems. Check out dozens of other SHOT Show 2019 videos on the GunsAmerica YouTube Channel.
Battle Arms 3.8-Lb Titanium AR — World’s Lightest AR
If you are a fan of light-weight rifles, watch this video! It features the
Battle Arms GEN 2 O.I.P. AR that weighs just 3.8 pounds. To save weight, this carbine features a carbon fiber handguard and various titanium parts including a Titanium muzzle brake. Look carefully at how even small controls have been modified to save ounces. GunsAmerica reports: “Battle Arms has done a lot of work to find all the ounces that can be spared to make this gun as light as possible.” Even at just 3.8 pounds, the gun is very controllable during rapid fire. Despite a steep $3299.00 MSRP, the first run of Battle Arms’ sub-4-lb GEN 2 O.I.P. is sold out. That proves that “light is right”, as least in the AR carbine market. Read Titanium AR Review HERE.
Seekins Precision — Complete Rifles and Actions
Seekins Precision showcased some impressive custom actions plus complete rifles for both tactical competitors and long range hunters. We were impressed with the build quality of the Seekins precision rifles. We liked the new Seekins Havak Bravo, and the Seekins action has some interesting features, such as four locking lugs with 90° bolt throw. Full Seekins Havak Bravo Review.
CZ 457 Precision Rimfire Rifle
Many top PRS and NRL shooters train with .22 LR rimfire rigs between matches. Rimfire cross-training lets you hone your skills at much lower cost — ten cents per round vs. seventy cents. Shooting rimfire also helps improve your wind-reading skills, as even a small wind change will move a .22 LR bullet noticeably at 100 yards. This video features the new CZ 457, which replaces CZ’s popular 455 series. Along with the Manners-stocked Varmint Precision Trainer variant featured in the video, the CZ 457 is offered in a variety of configurations in .22 LR, .17 HMR, and .22 WMR. MSRP starts at $365 and goes up from there. For more information visit CZUSA.com.
Ruger Precision Rimfire Goes Magnum — With Doug Koenig
The versatile Ruger Precision Rimfire has been a big success as a .22 LR. And now for 2019, it is also offered in a magnum version for .17 HMR and .22 WMR. Varminters should be happy about that. For Ruger Precision Rifle owners, this rimfire version offers ergonomics just like their centerfire rig. The chassis-style rimfire rifle has some very interesting features, including adjustable bolt throw that lets shooters change from a rimfire 1.5″ bolt throw to a short-action centerfire 3″ bolt throw, reducing the chance of short-stroking your bolt in competition. The Ruger Marksman trigger adjusts from 2.25 to 5.0 pounds.
Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range
Browning showcased a very nice bolt-action rifle during Industry Day at the Range. The New X-Bolt Max Long Range features a handsome composite stock, with adjustable cheek-piece and straight toe in the rear for riding bags. The fluted 26″ barrel is threaded for suppressors or brakes. GunsAmerica’s tester reports: “The Max Long Range was a joy to shoot, the trigger was light and crisp, and it cycled easily due to the extended bolt handle. At 8 pounds, 3 ounces without scope or ammo, it isn’t too heavy. The stainless steel barrel matched with the black and grey splatter on the stock gives it a sharp-looking appearance as well.” MSRP is $1269 – $1329 with 11 chambering options from 6mm Creedmoor up to .300 Win Magnum.
The 2019 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 25-28, 2019. At this event, the NRA’s 148th annual convention, you’ll find 15 acres of guns and gear. There will be plenty to see and do — you can talk to hunting outfitters, attend seminars, dine at banquets, listen to top national political leaders, and enjoy country music concerts. If you’ve never been to an NRA Convention before, it’s worth going — just to see all the rifles, pistols, optics, and shooting accessories. Everything else is a bonus. The venue is the Indianapolis Convention Center at 100 South Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN 45225.
1. Registration Is Open Now for NRA Annual Meetings
Register now to get your badges and credentials mailed to you for free. Avoid waiting in lines. Trust us — it’s smart to register in advance. Admission is FREE for NRA members, their spouses and up to 5 children (under 19). The credentials give you full access to the exhibit hall for all three show days.
1. NRA Foundation Auction and BBQ
2. National Firearms Law Seminar
3. Women’s Leadership Forum and Auction
4. NRA-ILA Leadership Forum
5. Country Musics Show (Alan Jackson)
6. National Prayer Breakfast
Sportsmen spend millions of dollars on hunting and recreational shooting equipment, but which brands are they buying? In 2018, Southwick Associates surveyed more than 20,000 hunters and recreational shooters to find the top brands in the market. The product preferences of hunters and recreational shooters were determined via HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com online polls.
The top handgun maker was Smith & Wesson and the top handgun ammo brand was Federal. Those choices make sense. But some of the other choices were a bit surprising…
IMPORTANT COMMENT: Keep in mind these are just survey results. In many cases, the top choices are simply the cheapest options that sell the most. For example the top choice in reloading dies was Lee Precision. Lee makes some decent products (we like Lee decapping dies), but you won’t find many National Champions using Lee seating or sizing dies.
So assess the survey results with a “grain of salt”, understanding that these aren’t necessarily the best products when gauged by quality or performance. They are just the most popular among those surveyed. A Big Mac isn’t better than a filet mignon, but more Big Macs are purchased. You get the idea…
SURVEY Results — Most Purchased Hunting & Shooting Brands:
Top rimfire rifle brand: Ruger/Sturm Ruger
Top handgun brand: Smith & Wesson
Top handgun ammunition brand: Federal (including Fusion)
Top holster/ammo belt brand: Uncle Mikes
Top reflex/red dot sight brand: Vortex
Top laser rangefinder brand: Nikon
Top laser sight brand: Crimson Trace
Top scope mount brand: Leupold
Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon
Top reloading bullets brand: Hornady
Top propellant/powder brand: Triple Seven
Top reloading dies brand: Lee Precision
Top gun cleaning brand: Hoppes
Top hunting knife brand: Gerber
Top game call brand: Primos
Top crossbow brand: Barnett
Top arrow brand: Easton
More than one hundred products are examined in the 2018 Hunting & Shooting Participation and Equipment Purchases Report (CLICK HERE). This in-depth resource covers buying preferences, including the percentage of sales occurring across different retail channels, brand purchased, price paid, and demographics for hunters and shooters buying specific products. Additional information tracked includes total days spent per activity, type of hunting / shooting activity, preferred species and where they hunt. In addition to the topline reports covering hunting and target shooting, annual reports are also offered for special segments including archery consumers, deer hunters, turkey hunters, and waterfowl hunters. To purchase a report or discuss custom research, email Nancy [at] SouthwickAssociates.com.
The Creedmoor Cup is an historic challenge match between American and Irish marksmen. The first match was held in in 1874 between American and Irish Teams in Creedmoor, New York. (Read Match History). The Match was revived in 2011 and is now held every four years.
In 2019, the match was held this week at the Ben Avery Range in Arizona, following the Berger Southwest Nationals. It proved to be a great match, with Team USA coming out on top. Erik Cortina stated: “What a great experience this has been. Team USA won the 2019 Creedmoor cup vs Ireland. It had been over 100 years since match was shot in the United States. Glad to see this tradition continue.”
Congrats to the Members of Winning Team USA:
F-TR Riflemen
Alan Barnhart
Ellis Berry
David Conrath
Tracy Hogg
Ian Klemm
Matthew Schwartzkopf
Ed Shelley
Keith Trapp
F-Open Riflemen
Larry Bartholome
Erik Cortina
Ken Dickerman
David Gosnell
Rick Jensen
Jim Murphy
Pat Scully
Keith Weil
Coaches
Kent Reeve (Head Coach)
James Crofts
Scott Fulmer
Bob Seabold
Nancy Tompkins
Team Staff
Captain Phil Kelley
Vice-Captain Dan Bramley
Adjutant Stephen Ireland
Team USA Captain Phil Kelly told us this was a great match: “USA wins the Creedmoor Cup in a great competition with Team Ireland! Two days of cold and windy conditions challenged both 16-shooter teams. Final ceremonies included Native American dancers and great camaraderie among all the competitors. Thank you to all from Team Ireland who made the trip! The best of competitors and friends.” Phil added: “Special thanks to additional Creedmoor Committee members including Michelle Gallagher, Pete Ricci, and Mark Walker. We look forward to the next gathering in four years. Safe travels all.”
Nancy Tompkins looks down-range. With the wind-chill, competitors and coaches dressed warm.
Not Your Typical Warm Arizona Days at Ben Avery
There were variable conditions at the match — first easy, then tough. USA Captain Phil Kelley reported: “On Day 1 of the 2-day match, things started good then got tougher. The morning and 800-yard line saw 34° and light winds leading to high scores.
That changed as the 16-shooter teams made their way to the 900-yard line as sun, moderate wind and building mirage hit the range providing more challenging conditions.
After an excellent lunch both teams were in for a challenge. Winds of 12-16 mph with constant angle changes and surging mirage made communications and coordination among five coaches critical. The wind chill also dropped as teams stayed on the line for the majority of allotted time.”
The First-Ever Creedmoor Challenge Match in 1874
The Irish International Shooting team arrived in New York on the 16th of September and proceeded to “take in the sights”, which was understandable, before some practice at the Creedmoor range. On September 26th they presented themselves for the match with confidence and in high spirits. The crowds that day were reported to be between 5,000 and 10,000 strong, which showed the huge support already growing for the fledgling sport in America.
The course of fire was 15 shots to each man at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. Unfortunately, the details of each mans scores at the individual distances have been lost to time but we do know that the Americans were well ahead after the 800-yard shoot. The Irish then caught up after the 900-yard and finished the 1000-yard shoot ahead by 1 point. The Americans still had one man left to shoot and it came down to his very last shot with which he scored a 4 giving the American team the win over the Irish by 3 points.
Post-Competition Camaraderie and “Craic” at the Pub
“Craic” is an Irish term referring to positive interaction among people through conversation, stories, and music. The Craic was strong after the 2019 Creedmoor Match.
Desert Sharpshooters posted: “The ‘Craic’ is amazing tonight with the Irish rifle team to finish the Creedmoor. Thank you to the USA team members that came out tonight to show the Irish a good time. This is truely what the Creedmoor Cup is about, Friendship and good times.”
First, what happened?
