There’s a formidable new option for PRS Production Class. MasterPiece Arms (MPA) is bringing out a new tactical/practicalcompetition rig, officially called the MPA BA PMR Competition Rifle. This new rifle has a $1999.99 price tag, making it suitable for Production Class. It will be offered with Curtis Action fitted to an X-Caliber, hand-lapped 26″ match barrel. Three chamberings will be available: 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester.
This rifle is designed specifically for the Production Class requirements of the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and has been approved for use within this division. It includes many competition-related features while staying under the $2,000 price limit for this class. It is available in either a Black or Tungsten Cerakote® finish. Accuracy is helped with a very good barrel — an X-Caliber, hand-lapped 416R Stainless premium barrel with a polished finish. The chamber is indicated within 0.0001” or less to the bore of the rifle.
The MPA BA PMR Competition Rifle utilizes the MPA BA Ultra Lite Chassis, CNC-machined from 6061 aluminum. The V-bedding system provides additional clearance for glass bedding action and straight section of the barrel. The chassis also includes a built-in inclinometer, thumb notch, lower mounted Picatinny Rail, 20 MOA Scope Rail, A2 Style Pistol Grip and is R.A.T. System compatible. The MPA Buttstock comes with an adjustable cheek riser and length of pull that are locked in position with a series of set screws that are embedded into the buttstock body. This is the same system MPA uses on its Standard BA Chassis, but without the thumb wheels.
2019 will be a big year for Lyman. This company is rolling out a number of new products, including three unveiled today: a variable-speed case trimmer, a universal press stand, and a really nice shooting mat. We think all three products offer some very cool features and a lot of performance for the price.
For 2019, Lyman offers the Case Trim Xpress, a new, affordable variable-speed case trimmer with a razor-sharp CARBIDE CUTTER. Available in either 115V or 230V, the Case Trim Xpress can quickly and accurately trim brass at a rate of approximately 15 cases a minute. The unit has its own power source, and a strong variable-speed motor, so there is no need to use power drills. Using the 10 provided bushings, the unit indexes off the case shoulder — that’s simple, fast and reliable. Plus a precision trim adjustment wheel allows case lengths to be easily “dialed in” to 0.001″ increments. To trim your brass, simply push the case against the carbide cutter until the shoulder stops on the bushing (with precise case OAL set by the wheel). The Case Trim Xpress comes with 10 bushings that fit the most popular bottleneck rifle cartridges, so no pilots are needed. Expected retail price is around $140.00.
Fast and accurate — trims approximately 15 cases per minute
Variable speed motor and ultra-sharp, long-lasting carbide cutter
Utilizes case shoulders for centering and indexing cases (not for straight-walled cases)
Comes with 10 bushings fitting the most popular bottleneck rifle cartridges — no pilots needed.
Compact, low-profile design uses minimal bench space
Lyman says that its new Lyman Press Stand is the only press stand on the market that will accept most current single station, turret and progressive presses of any brand. The stand is heavy-duty steel for strength, pre-drilled for common presses. It will elevate your press 9 ¼” above the bench, providing a clear view of all reloading operations while keeping the operator in an upright, back-healthy position. Raising your press can reduce fatigue while giving you extra room (below) to hold bullet boxes and dies.
Press Stand Fits All these Presses and More:
Lyman: All-American 8 Turret, Crusher, Ideal C-Frame, T-Mag, Victory
RCBS: Rock Chucker, Rock Chucker Supreme, RCBS 6 Turret, Pro 2000
Lee: Load Master, Pro 1000, Classic, Value Turret
Hornady: AP, Iron, Lock-N-Load Classic
Dillon: 550, 650, Square Deal
Redding: T7 Turret
Tac-Mat Long Range Shooting Mats
For 2019 Lyman will offer new Tac-Mat Long Range Shooting mats — in both standard and HD padded versions. These mats are long enough for tall shooters, but they still can be rolled into a compact, easy to transport size. The Tac-Mat will be offered in two versions: a basic design in 600D construction with a carry handle and shoulder strap, or the heavy-duty version (HD) in 1000D construction with elbow pads, a built-in bipod stop, carry handle and shoulder strap. We like these new mats — a lot of smart thinking went into their designs and features.
Last week, lame duck U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) revived her crusade to ban semi-automatic rifles along with all magazines holding more than ten (10) rounds. Feinstein’s new legislation, the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2019″, would ban “the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 205 military-style assault weapons by name.” Also included would be certain firearms that accept “a detachable ammunition magazine and [have] one or more military characteristics including a pistol grip, a forward grip, a barrel shroud, a threaded barrel or a folding or telescoping stock.” The federal legislation would also outlaw a variety of adjustable stocks plus stabilizing braces for pistols. Magazines would be banned if they “hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition”.
Feinstein and lead co-sponsors Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) say their legislation is needed to end mass shootings and “rid the streets” of “military grade weaponry”.
However, it is unclear that this sweeping gun ban would have any significant effects, other than restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. According to the NRA-ILA: “The firearms the bill targets are … the most popular class of centerfire rifles in America, with some 16 million having entered then stream of commerce in the U.S. since the previous national ban expired in 2004. Law-abiding Americans use them for every type of lawful purpose, including personal and home defense, hunting, marksmanship competitions, and recreational target practice.”
Semi-Auto Rifles Are Rarely Used in Crimes
The NRA-ILA states: “While law-abiding Americans have adopted semiautomatic rifles in droves, they are not the firearm of choice for violent criminals. Year after year, the FBI’s statistics tell a consistent story: rifles of any sort are used less often as a murder weapon than other types of common firearms, as well as knives and cutting instruments, clubs and other blunt objects, and even hands, fists, and feet. Feinstein’s bill would ban firearms that are actually under-represented in nationwide violent crime trends.
The NSSF Opposes Sen. Feinstein’s Latest Gun Control Bill:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition, today announced that it opposes the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 introduced in the U.S. Senate[.]
The legislation introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, like earlier versions, relies on wrongfully defining commonly-owned semi-automatic rifles based on certain cosmetic features. The new version of this legislation, however, expands ways to ban the most-popular center-fire rifle in America. Since the original Assault Weapons Ban expired in 2004, more than 16 million of these rifles have been legally purchased for lawful purposes.
“It is disappointing to see politicians continue to pursue a failed policy agenda that has proven ineffective in improving public safety and will deny law-abiding citizens their Constitutional right,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs and General Counsel. “Despite what proponents may say, the record shows that Sen. Feinstein’s original 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban had no demonstrable impact on reducing crime and this one would be equally ineffective.”
Since the original ban, firearms ownership has increased while the criminal misuse of firearms has steadily dropped. FBI crime statistics demonstrate there is no justification for banning modern sporting rifles. Senator Feinstein continues to mislead the American public by demonizing semi-automatic rifles based on external, cosmetic features that have no bearing on the function of a firearm[.]
Could your gun club or youth shooting group use money to upgrade range facilities or run training programs? Well here’s a chance to get some cold, hard cash to help with operations. Every year, the NRA Foundation Grant Program provides hundreds of grants to deserving organizations. The 2019 Grant Application is now available. CLICK HERE to Apply for a Grant.
Since its inception, the NRA Foundation has funded over 40,000 grants totaling over $369 million. Grants went to qualified local, state and national shooting sports programs, hunting and conservation programs, Second Amendment education and for the preservation of historical firearms.
Grant money comes from generous donors and volunteer fund-raising efforts. Through its Grant Program the NRA Foundation seeks to: 1) Promote shooting sports and hunting safety; 2) Help educate individuals in proper firearms use and marksmanship; and 3) Enhance shooting range facilities and support active shooting sports organizations.
Range Improvement Grants
Helping clubs improve shooting range facilities is one of the main missions of the NRA Grant Program. Such programs might include: Berm improvements (example below), Clubhouse improvements, Target pits, Covered firing lines, Road improvements, Trap Machines, Storage buildings and other permanent improvements to club properties and/or facilities.
This is BIG news for the Extreme Long Range (ELR) game. Berger Bullets will offer a line of SOLID bullets in .375 caliber. You read that right — these will be the first-ever large diameter Berger projectiles manufactured from a solid copper alloy. Most conventional bullets feature a jacket over a metal core, typically lead alloy. These new Berger solids are lathe-turned from solid copper alloy — shaped with precision into perfect aerodynamic profiles. The new Berger ELR solids boast a long, VLD shape with ultra-high Ballistic Coefficients. The new .375 caliber Berger ELR solids will be offered in two bullet weights: 379 grains and 407 grains.
The prototype 400gr version of this solid bullet was extensively tested at 2400 yards (above). It remained supersonic at that distance, a remarkable 1.36 miles. Berger will now offer two production versions, 379gr and 407gr, based on this successful prototype, further optimized. Here is Berger’s official release:
Berger Bullets proudly announces the New Extreme Long Range (ELR) Match Solid Projectile line, beginning with .375 caliber 379 grain and 407 grain offerings.
Extreme Long-Range shooting to distances of two miles and beyond has taken the firearms community by storm. With much of its roots developed from elite military sniper and Special Forces rifle training, ELR enthusiasts are utilizing highly innovative rifle and ammunition technology to engage targets at distances previously unheard of. Berger has taken the lead pioneering ELR, similar to how it’s dominated all other long-range rifle disciplines.
Berger Bullets chief ballistician Bryan Litz states: “Our new ELR Solid Match Bullets provide both competition shooters and Mil/LE forces a long-range solid projectile like no other. Its highly-optimized VLD ogive design and lathe-turned solid copper construction provide a ballistic advantage that is unmatched by any conventional-style bullet.”
Berger .375 Caliber Bullet is a Winner
Berger’s .375 caliber solid bullet design has already been proven in competition. At the 2018 World Longest Shot Challenge (WLSC), Team Applied Ballistics used the prototype .375 Cal ELR solid with great results. The new .375 caliber monolithic Berger bullet designed by Bryan Litz was used by the first and second place finishers in the “above .338 caliber” class. The prototype .375 Cal solid performed great, and the ultra-high BC was confirmed. READ WLSC Story HERE.
Advanced Doppler Radar was used to confirm Ballistics Data for the new Berger .375-Caliber Solids:
If you’ve ever attended one of the major CMP games, you’ve probably seen Dennis DeMille, former General Manager of Creedmoor Sports. A two-time National Rifle Champion, Dennis helped teach High Power Clinics and he has shared his marksmanship knowledge in many ways. Now Dennis is undertaking a fresh challenge — as the new General Manager of Virginia-based Tactical Walls, a leader in specialized USA-made gun storage/concealment systems. As the Tactical Walls GM, Dennis will oversee operations and new product development. Dennis brings with him more than 20 years of active duty Marine Corps service and nearly 14 years of experience managing Creedmoor Sports.
Dennis is pleased to be working with Tactical Walls: “Tactical Walls was the pioneer in concealing firearms in plain sight. Working with people who are passionate about what they produce, who possess that level of creativity, and at a company with limitless manufacturing ability, makes me very excited about the future of Tactical Walls. It’s a real honor and my sincere privilege to now be part of this team. Please feel free to contact me directly at dennis [at] tacticalwalls.com”.
Tim Matter, founder and President of Tactical Walls states: “Dennis’ manufacturing and operations experience will help [extend] the tremendous growth and product development we experienced in 2018. We are proud and excited to have him on our team. Stop by and visit us at our booth at SHOT Show later this month or check us out at www.tacticalwalls.com”.
Shooting Tips with Dennis DeMille
Sling Shooting Tip — The Benefits of Leather
Above, Dennis shows a young competitor at the CMP Western Games how to adjust his leather sling. “Many shooters shy away from using a leather sling because they have never been taught how to use one. That’s unfortunate. A leather sling offers more support than a web sling, which is important when competing with the heavier than normal rifles.” — Dennis DeMille
The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
Once you set up your sling properly, you’ll need practice. Dennis DeMille stresses the importance of dry-fire practice with sling and shooting coat. Dry-Fire training is essential to the sling disciplines. DeMille, a past National Service Rifle Champion, told us that, for every minute he spent in actual competition, he would spend hours practicing without ammunition. While in the USMC, Dennis would practice in the barracks, working on his hold and dry-firing:
“The most important thing is to spend time off the range practicing. Most of what I learned as a High Power shooter I learned without ammunition — just spending time dry firing and doing holding exercises. Holding exercises will really identify the weak parts of your position. The primary purpose of dry firing is to get you used to shooting an empty rifle. If you can shoot a loaded rifle the same way you shoot an empty rifle then eventually you will become a High Master.”
You’ll find lots of notable new products in Shooting Industry’s January 2019 issue. This 108-page issue is filled with timely articles ranging from marketing insights and SHOT Show 2019 coverage to tips for success in the new year. The January issue also includes Part II of the 2019 New Product Showcase. January’s 30-page New Product Showcase features over 150 products from 115 brands. Here are some highlights from the Product Showcase:
Steyr’s Monobloc — Barrel and Action are one piece of steel. Impressive engineering, but what happens when your barrel wears out?
Berger has new 6mm Creedmoor Ammo plus new .375-Caliber bullets for ELR shooters:
Lyman has a great new Case Trimmer with speed control and carbide cutter:
New Brass from Jagemann and BOG “DeathGrip” Clamping Tactical Tripod:
New Generation Mantis — Accelerometer and software tracks your muzzle movement:
Have a LONG F-Class Rifle or a PRS rig with suppressor? This nice case will hold your rig:
MORE SHOT Show Coverage
Shooting Industry’s January Issue has extensive SHOT Show coverage, including the comprehensive Exhibitors Guide, SHOT Show Auction info, plus a sizable pullout map in the printed editions.
Mossberg has reached a major milestone. 2019 marks the 100th year in business for this leading USA gun-maker. The Mossberg story began in 1919 with a dream to manufacture durable and reliable firearms that the working class could afford. As simple as that dream was, it was fairly ambitious. After all, Oscar Frederick Mossberg, a Swedish immigrant, was 53 years old. But he was talented and determined. So armed with experience, and keen knowledge of the industry, he and his two sons, Harold and Iver, began O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. A lot has happened in Mossberg’s first 100 years. Yet through it all, the company has proudly remained family owned and operated.
Oscar knew the gun industry from being a product engineer at various New England companies including Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works, J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co., and Marlin-Rockwell. In 1919, when Marlin-Rockwell went out of business, O.F. Mossberg and his two sons, Iver and Harold, started a new firearms company of their own, O.F. Mossberg & Sons.
The company’s first gun was the Brownie, a four-shot, 22-caliber pistol that was durable and reliable. This pocket pistol cemented Mossberg’s reputation as a manufacturer of firearms that performed well, and were built to last.
Mossberg grew quickly, adding over two dozen firearms while developing and improving bolt-action rifles and shotguns. As it developed new models, the company launched a variety of innovations, including the first range-finding telescopic sight.
Oscar Mossberg passed away in 1937. However, his sons continued their father’s legacy. And in 1941, they started manufacturing training rifles for the U.S. military. That contract established a strong connection with the U.S. armed forces.
In 1961 Mossberg introduced the Model 500 pump-action shotgun. It proved to be the company’s most successful firearm, reaching the 10 million mark faster than any other, making it one of the world’s most-produced firearms. The Mossberg 500 is still one of the most popular shotguns in the world.
Mossberg’s innovations continued through the 1970s and ’80s. The 500 led the way to Mossberg’s military 500, 590, and 590A1, the only pump-action shotguns ever to meet all U.S. Military MIL-SPEC 3443 requirements. In 1988, Mossberg introduced the powerful 835 Ulti-Mag pump-action shotgun, the first-ever firearm chambered for 3.5″ shells.
Another Mossberg innovation was the MVP, the first bolt-action rifle to reliably feed from standard AR/M14 magazines. Mossberg also developed the innovative Model 590M shotgun, which added a double-stack detachable magazine to the battle-proven 590 shotgun platform.
NEW Mossberg MC1sc Subcompact 9mm Pistol
For 2019, Mossberg is introducing the all-new MC1sc, a slim 9mm single-stack compact designed to compete with the Glock 43, Ruger American Compact, and Taurus PT111 G2. The innovative MC1sc was designed to outperform industry-leading 9mm subcompacts while continuing the Mossberg tradition of durability and dependability.
Similar in size and shape to the Taurus PT111 G2, this new Mossberg pistol follows a familiar formula: soft-edged polymer frame, single-stack 6-rd magazine (with 7-rd extended option), drift adjustable sights, and an Glock-type trigger-shoe-insert safety. The barrel is 3.4″ while the MC1sc is 1.03″ thick and 6.25″ long (nearly identical to a Glock 43). The backstrap profile and grip angle is sort of a blend between a Glock and the Walther PPS.
Why choose the mini-Mossie when so many other proven 9mm carry guns are available? Well, it will definitely cost less than a Glock 43. MSRP for the Mossberg is $421.00 but we expect “street price” to be about $380.00, making the MC1sc $90 cheaper than the Glock 43, which retails for around $470.00 (with standard sights). The MC1sc also has two interesting (and innovative) design features: 1) see-through magazines; and 2) quick-removable striker assembly.
Innovative See-through Magazines
Mossberg ships the gun with see-through Clear-Count™ magazines made from a transparent polymer. This lets you quickly see the number of rounds remaining in your mags. Smart idea. That’s a good thing. Plus, this pistol will also take Glock-compatible mags, so you have a choice.
The second feature will annoy some gun owners. You must REMOVE the striker assembly in order to take-down the pistol. GunsAmerica explains: “The MC1sc…requires the user to remove the striker assembly before disassembling the handgun for cleaning. While this sounds more like an impediment than a feature, it ensures safe takedown and doesn’t require users to pull the trigger before disassembly.”
The 9th Edition of the Firearms Guide has just been released. This is the MOTHER LODE of GUN INFO. If you’d like to have instant access to 8,000 gun schematics and descriptions of 73,000 types of guns and ammo from 1,110 manufacturers, then check this out. The Firearms Guide is a humongous online database that is regularly updated. You can access all this info for pennies a day. The basic annual subscription is on sale right now for just $29.95. If you only need the info for a month or two, get a monthly membership at $6.50 per month, and cancel any time.
You can also get a DVD or Flash Drive add-on that lets you access the database even without a web connection. A 1-year Online Edition PLUS Firearms Guide 8th Ed. DVD for Mac & Windows is $34.95, including shipping. Alternatively, the 1-year Online Edition PLUS Firearms Guide 8th Ed. Flash Drive for Mac & Windows is $44.95. This lets you access the data from laptops and most tablets with a USB port.
You may be familiar with the Firearms Guide when it was distributed as a DVD. Now the 9th Edition is a fully interactive, subscription-based online database of firearms and ammo, which is also the most complete guide to global gun values on the web. The amount of imagery is amazing — there are tens of thousands of photos and over 8000 schematics, which help you work on a firearm or identify key components/parts. The Firearms Guide permits detailed searches of antique and modern guns and side by side comparisons of search results. Guns are cross-referenced with the ammunition database.
Database Includes Printable Targets: This resource even includes printable targets. You’ll find practice targets, sight-in targets, silhouette targets, special shapes and, yes, even Zombie targets.
Guns and ammo are presented with prices, specifications, features, ballistics, and up to 12 high-rez color pictures. NOTE: The Ammo information includes bullet BCs and velocities. GUN VALUES are provided for dealers and gun collectors. You can access thousands of printable and zoom-able GUN SCHEMATICS (diagrams or exploded views) with parts lists and blueprints for professional gunsmiths. Here’s an example of the schematicsL
The online database’s search capability lets you search by gun caliber, manufacturer, and key features (e.g. “.223 Rem, Colt, folding stock”). There are 14 different search criteria — this allows you to “drill down” precisely to find the gun you want in seconds. Shown below are typical profiles of listed products:
If you are a gun collector, or just an information junkie, you’ll find the Firearms Guide to be an invaluable resource. The scope is truly worldwide, with coverage of gun makers in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America, South Africa, and Asia as well as North America.
About the Firearms Guide Database Firearms Guide has been published from 2009 to 2015 on DVDs and sold through Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, the NRA and other vendors. In 2016 Firearms Guide was transformed into a subscription-based, online searchable guns and ammo reference and gun value guide for industry professionals and enthusiasts. Along with the web subscription, you can purchase a supplemental DVD or Flash Drive which contains the same information for off-line access.
Nightforce Optics has introduced a second focal plane version of the popular ATACR™ 7-35×56 F1 scope. The First Focal Plane (FFP) 7-35X ATACR scope is very popular among PRS/NRL competitors. In fact, according to the Precision Rifle Blog, the 7-35x56mm F1 ATACR is a top choice among surveyed PRS/NRL shooters: “The Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56 F1 was on more rifles than any other scope. 20% of them to be exact. It has only been out a couple of years, but has quickly become a favorite among this crowd.” This scope offers ED glass, very good resolution, excellent reliability and stout construction.
Seeing the popularity and success of the FFP 7-35x56mm ATACR, Nighforce decided to bring out a Second Focal Plane (SFP) version. “The F1 first focal plane-version has been so successful, that we wanted to make the same … performance available to those who prefer a second focal plane reticle”, said Nightforce’s Alan Stillwell. We think that’s a good option. For slow-fire target shooting, at known distances, we often prefer the visual “stability” of a Second Focal Plane reticle, which stays constant (in the circle of view) with any magnification (meaning the reticle lines do not grow or shrink as you zoom in or out). MSRP for the new SFP 7-35x56mm ATACR F2 is $3,100.00.
The ATACR™ 7-35x56mm F2, built on a 34mm tube, provides 100 MOA/29 MRAD of elevation adjustment and 60 MOA/17 MRAD of windage adjustment. Nightforces claims that this scope “delivers superb clarity at every power setting, allowing detailed rendering and identification of small targets at extreme ranges”. The new 7-35X ATACR F2 is offered with either the MOAR-T™ or MIL-C™ proprietary Nightforce reticles. DigIllum reticle illumination and ZeroStop elevation are standard.
New Nightforce MIL-XT Reticle
Nightforce has a new illuminated MIL-XT™ reticle, available in 16X, 25X and 35X ATACR™ F1 (first focal plane) riflescopes. It is designed for precision rifle competition (PRS and NRL). By providing precise hold-over and hold-off points, this reticle helps competitors engage targets rapidly without needing to dial windage or elevation, allowing faster hits “on the clock”. Main lines feature .2 Mil-Radian holds, while each whole Mil-Radian is numbered for fast reference.
Below center, there are .2 Mil-Radian-spaced floating dots at every vertical Mil-Radian. Whole Mil-Radians dots are larger in size for fast counting. Numbers below center vary in size and are placed on each side for easy counting and verification of appropriate hold points. Nightforce says: “The MIL-XT™ provides excellent range estimation, rapid target engagements and precise first-shot placement.”
The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
The company’s first gun was the Brownie, a four-shot, 22-caliber pistol that was durable and reliable. This pocket pistol cemented Mossberg’s reputation as a manufacturer of firearms that performed well, and were built to last.
Innovative See-through Magazines
