To mark its 200th Anniversary, Remington is giving away 200 guns (rifles, pistols, and shotguns). Starting in March 2016, there will be a monthly drawing each month through the end of the year. To enter Remington’s 200-Gun Sweepstakes, submit a photo or a short video, along with a brief description of the experience shown*. The subject of your submission can be hunting, shooting, or some experience in the outdoors. Below are three recent contest submissions. CLICK HERE to ENTER CONTEST.
Enter Up to Ten Times for More Chances to Win
The Remington 200-Gun Sweepstakes runs from February 6, 2016 through December 31, 2016. The Sweepstakes Period is divided into ten (10) separate entry periods (each called a “Monthly Entry Period” even though the first Monthly Entry Period is longer than a month). You can submit a new entry each month, i.e. one (1) entry per person during each Monthly Entry Period, for a maximum ten (10) entries during the entire Sweepstakes Period.
The CMP has made big changes in the Rules for service rifle competition. Now AR-based service rifles can sport optics (up to 4.5X magnification), while restrictions on buttstock and handguard configurations have been liberalized. Our friend Dennis Santiago is a seasoned service rifle shooter. He welcomed the rule changes and went right out and upgraded one of his ARs to the limits of the new rule. That’s his new rifle above. “A 2016 CMP Rule-compliant scoped service rifle takes shape. [Note the optic, the buttstock, and the handguards, and the absence of iron sights.] This is NOT your M-16A2 external dimensions rule machine of yesteryear. Literally, the 2015 rule did not allow the rifle in the photo”, says Dennis.
These rule changes should increase participation in service rifle matches. Certainly for competitors with aging eyes, the ability to use a 4.5X magnified optic will be a plus. In addition, the other rule changes will let competitors customize their rifles for enhanced comfort and/or ergonomics.
Dennis also upgraded his gas block assembly in front of the handguard: “This works. The clearance between the sling swivel weight bar in the Giessele Mk VII is pretty tight. Not all gas blocks will work. You also need to account for the fact that the barrel will whip during firing. If it touches, bye bye accuracy. This is a Yankee Hill Machine gas block with an optional flat piece bottom in the rear that should provide the necessary clearance. The White Oak front towers will also clear but they will shadow the optic. Their railed gas block should work too but it’s presently an unobtanium back order item.”
At the request of our readers, we have launched a “Deals of the Week” feature. Every Monday morning we offer our Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on hardware, reloading components, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. Natchez — Special 5 Reloading Press Kit, $199.99
This is an excellent entry-level reloading kit, which is on sale for $199.99 at Natchez Shooters Supply. We like the relatively compact Special 5 press for most reloading duties. Eventually you many want to add an additional large heavy press, but this will get the job done. This kit includes an RCBS Powder Measure, Digital Scale, Powder Trickler, Hand Priming Tool, Load Manual, Loading Tray, and more. It’s hard to beat this combination of tools for under $200.00.
2. Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore — Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22
Smith & Wesson’s M&P 15-22 is designed and built as a true .22 LR semi-auto from the ground up, with ergonomics (and most controls) identical to a centerfire M&P 15 rifle. These rimfire AR clones are affordable. For example, right now Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore is offering the M&P 15-22 (black version) for just $359.99. (Find other M&P 15-22 deals with the SlickGuns.com search engine.) NRA reviewer Colon Noir tested the M&P 15-22 and was impressed: “This gun is unbelievably fun to shoot. This gun feels like a full-out AR-15 [and] makes for a great training companion. I’m picking one up, because it’s guns like these that make you truly realize how fun shooting is.”
3. Amazon — Bushnell 3-9x40mm Bushnell for $112.00
No, that’s not a misprint. This 3-9x40mm Bushnell scope, optimized for .223 Rem rifles, is just $112.00 right now at Amazon.com. The price on this scope was slashed more than $140.00. Now it’s priced 56% below the regular price. Act soon as this offer won’t last long.
4. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Master Tumbler Kit
This Master Tumbler Kit contains everything you need to tumble rifle or pistol brass. Now on sale for $64.99 with free shipping, this Kit contains: Vibratory Tumbler, Rotary Media Separator, Plastic Bucket, 3 lbs. Cleaning Media, and 4 oz. Brass Polish.
5. Grafs.com — Hornady 17 HMR for $10.59/50 Rounds
This is one of the best prices we’ve seen in recent years on 17 HMR ammo. We really like the V-Max bullets in 17 HMR ammunition — you get excellent accuracy plus the tipped design is very effective on small varmints. Grafs.com is having a big ammo sale right now, so you can get this quality Hornady 17 HMR ammo for just $10.59 per 50-round box. You could easily pay $16.00/box at a local gunstore. This is a GREAT deal — stock up while you can.
Like the RCBS ChargeMaster, this Lyman Gen6 Powder System will automatically dispense and weigh powder charges. This unit features a touch screen, rapid warm-up, anti-static/anti-drift technology, and electronic shielding to resist interference from other electronic devices. It’s a good deal at $202.49.
7. Powder Valley — Berger .308 High-BC Match Bullets
Looking for High-BC .308-caliber match bullets? Well Powder Valley Inc. (PVI) has Berger .308 match bullets from 175 to 230 grains in stock at very attractive prices. Need Juggernauts or the latest 230gr Hybrids? PVI has them. If you are shooting a .308 Win in F-TR or a .300 WSM in F-Open, you may want to stock up now before demand picks up next spring. (PVI also has good inventories of Berger Bullets in lighter weights and other calibers.)
8. MidwayUSA — Free Shipping on Orders over $150.00
If you’re planning some big purchases, here’s a way to save $20, $30 or even more on your shipping costs. For the next three (3) days, MidwayUSA.com is offering FREE Shipping on all orders of $150.00 or more. To get your Free shipping, use CODE FS150216 when ordering online. NOTE, this applies to regular-price IN-Stock items only.
After the giant SHOT Show extravaganza in Las Vegas each year, Great Britain hosts its own firearms trade show. This is a much smaller affair of course, but the British Shooting Show (aka BRITSHOT) still draws many thousands of shooting and hunting enthusiasts. This year our friend Vince Bottomley visited the trade show and reported for Target Shooter Magazine. CLICK HERE for full report.
Vince noted that big names in the shooting industry had products on display. Leading vendors included: Blaser, Browning, GMK, Ruag, Vortex, Schmidt & Bender, Zeiss, and Swarovski.
Among the new optics at BRITSHOT, Vince was quite impressed with Vortex’s new “Golden Eagle” 15-60x52mm competition scope (as we were when we saw this new optic in Vegas last month).
“Vortex had their new F Class 15-60 scope on display. This was one of the products I’d come to see and I wasn’t disappointed…. The turrets look and feel great – big and very positive. The reticle is a nice, simple, fine crosshair. Drastically undercutting Nightforce, Leupold, and March equivalents, this could be a very popular F-Class scope. Target Shooter hopes to have one for testing very soon so keep checking our Facebook page.”
The British Shooting Show also featured an airgun range. We feel these kind of indoor ranges provide a great opportunity to increase interest in recreational shooting. Vince agrees: “The excellent airgun ranges, where anyone can have a go at reactive targets [is] a great way for kids to shoot their first gun… this is a valuable part of the SHOW.”
That’s right, today is February 14th — Valentine’s Day. While testing a rifle at the range last season, Forum member Ron B. (aka Snakepit) managed a 3-shot group that would definitely make Mr. Cupid proud. Yep, Ron shot a lovely cluster that formed a sweet little heart in the splatter-type target.
That’s nice enough, mind you — but it gets even better. Ron’s heart-shaped, three-shot group was shot at SIX HUNDRED yards, making this a Valentine’s Day Masterpiece of precision shooting (and, we have to say it, quite a little bit of luck). Good Shootin’ Snakepit!
600-Yard Heart Shot with a Savage and Factory Ammo!
In our Shooter’s Forum, Ron explained that this group was actually shot with factory ammo… from a Savage no less:
“This will be one that may be hard to believe for some but it is my Savage 12 FTR .308 and I was shooting 168gr Federal Gold Medal Match. The stock has been modified for benchrest shooting with a 3″-wide shoe on the forward stock. I do not shoot this rifle very often as most of my time is spent with my 30″ Brux barreled 6BR working up loads and shooting. That day I had put the scope back on it and was sighting it in at 600 yards and those were my last three shots after my last scope correction and then I was out of ammo. This rifle has always been very accurate. The weather was good, no wind or mirage.”
Here’s good news for suppressor owners in the Great Lakes state. The Michigan legislature has approved the use of suppressors for hunting. On February 11th, Michigan became the 38th state to allow for the use of firearm suppressors while hunting when the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) voted 4 – 1 to approve an amended version of Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 1 of 2016. The measure became effective immediately.
The American Suppressor Association led a coalition working to legalize suppressor hunting in Michigan. Other organizations involved were the National Rifle Association (NRA), the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), and Safari Club International (SCI).
“We are incredibly excited that hunters in the great state of Michigan can now use suppressors to help protect their hearing while they’re in the field,” said Knox Williams, President of the American Suppressor Association. “It was a pleasure working to educate the NRC Commissioners and members of the DNR on the realities of suppressor use. We applaud their decision to remove the prohibition on suppressor hunting without the two restrictive provisions. In doing so, they have done their part to ensure that the next generation of hunters does not have to sacrifice their hearing.”
Our friend Paul Phillips (above), is pleased with this change: “With this new Law that passed in Michigan Today, I will be hunting with my GEMTECH arrow silencer. I can’t wait for Spring to start Shooting ELR.”
Here are some of the fine rifles Mike Bryant has smithed. You’ll find dozens more on BryantCustom.com.
Texas-based gunsmith Mike Bryant has decided to start taking work again. It seems that retired life was just a bit too sedate for Mike. This is great news for fans of precision rifles. Mike is an superb smith who has produced many match-winning competition rigs along with fine hunting and varmint rifles.
The services Mike can provide are listed on his “re-activated” website at BryantCustom.com. Mike will still continue to specialize in Rem Action-based and Custom Action-based rifles with customer-supplied parts. He explains his decision to return to the business he does so well: “Retirement was short with what the economy has done in the oil and gas business. I am back at least part time. I am Looking forward to serving my customer’s needs as I have done in the past.”
Welcome back Mike — we wish you success in your “return to the fold”. As before Mike will offer complete custom rifles as well as a full range of gunsmithing services including chambering, barrel-fitting, stocking, and action truing.
Checking conditions at break of day. This week Phoenix will offer cool nights and warm days, with daytime temps in the mid- to high 80s (F).
The Berger Southwest Nationals (SWN), is the biggest, most prestigious long-range shooting match west of the Mississipi. The SW Nationals, which run February 9-14, 2016, kicked off on Tuesday the 9th with a shooting clinic at the Ben Avery 1000-yard Range. This gave competitors a chance to confirm their zeros, study the conditions at Ben Avery, and prep their “mental game” for the upcoming competition. This will be a huge event, with over 370 shooters from all over the USA and many foreign countries. The SW Nationals attracts top F-Class and Sling shooters, lured by the quality of the competition and a huge prize table. This is truly a “world-class” event.
Tuesday’s shooting clinic started with a class on Exterior Ballistics hosted by Bryan Litz. Following the ballistics class, shooters made their way to the firing line for one-on-one instruction with experienced shooters in each discipline (sling, F-TR and F-Open). During this segment of the clinic, champion shooters worked directly with novice and intermediate shooters. Bryan said: “It was great to see the ‘top guns’ sharing their knowledge.”
File photo from 2015.
Nat’l Mid-Range and Long-Range F-TR Champion Bryan Litz instructs during Tuesday’s Clinic at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.
Eliseo Tubegun with Nightforce Competition scope. These versatile rifle chassis systems are produced by Competition Machine in Cottonwood, Arizona.
Old is new again. After receiving many suggestions on how best to fill the recently-added week at the end of the National Matches in August, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has created the “CMP Legacy Series”. To be conducted during the final week of competition at Camp Perry, the Legacy Series will include the following matches:
CMP Heritage Match (Aug. 10) – 800 Aggregate event, 20 shots standing and 20 shots sitting at the 200-yard line, 20 shots rapid fire at the 300-yard line and 20 shots prone slow fire at the 600-yard line.
CMP Viale Memorial Match (Aug. 11) – 50-shot National Match Course of Fire
CMP Critchfield 2-Man Team Match (Aug. 12) – 50-shot National Match Course of Fire.
CMP Modern Military Rifle Match (Aug. 13) – 55-shot match fired at the 200-yard line.
CMP Roosevelt Commemorative Match (Aug. 14) – 30-shot Krag/m1903 match fired at the 200-yard line.
The theme “Legacy Series” was chosen to honor Camp Perry and those individuals who have helped shape the nation’s longest-running series of championship and recreational rifle events in America. The schedule above was chosen by the overwhelming majority of CMP competitors surveyed. Of the 1,595 responses, 1,051 selected the CMP Legacy Series to conclude the 2016 National Matches.
The CMP Heritage Match is typical of the National Match Course service rifle events fired at Camp Perry for more than 100 years. The CMP Viale Memorial Match celebrates the memory of 2nd Lt. Robert M. Viale, KIA, namesake of Camp Perry’s 1,000-yard range. The CMP Critchfield 2-Man Team match is named in honor of Ammon B. Critchfield, Adjutant General of Ohio and founder of Camp Perry, the largest rifle range in the nation.
Critchfield would also be pleased to see those 1903 Springfields in action more than a century later on his range at the CMP Roosevelt Commemorative Match, open only to the Springfield and its predecessor, the Krag-Jorgensen rifle.
The CMP Modern Military Rifle Match showcases modern, semi-automatic military style rifles like the non-accurized M14/M1A, the original lightweight AR15 and many foreign military semi-autos and commercial equivalents.
If you have questions regarding the CMP Legacy Series, contact Christina Roguski at croguski @ thecmp.org, Shannon Hand at shand @ thecmp.org or Kim Filipiak at kfilipiak @ thecmp.org.
Cabela’s, the large sporting goods enterprise, is sponsoring a six-month sweepstakes with some serious prizes. To enter, you shoot a target, take a photo of the target, and upload the photo with your entry info. For the next six months, February through July, there will be prize drawings each month. Monthly prizes will include firearms, NRA Life Memberships, ammo, shooting accessories and more. For example, this month (February), Cabela’s will give away a new Savage A17 Rifle and 200 rounds of 17 HMR ammo, plus an NRA Life Membership. Next month, the awards include TWO S&W rimfire guns (both rifle and pistol), 1000 rounds of .22LR ammo, plus an NRA Life Membership.
How to Win Prizes
To enter the contest, first shoot a Cabela’s Target, then upload a photo of the target via Twitter, Instagram, on Cabela’s Online Entry Form. You can submit a new entry each month for the February-July period. There will be different winners each month.
Photos must show an official Cabela’s Shooting Park Target to be eligible. The Cabela’s Shooting Park Target can be downloaded for free by clicking on the image at right or THIS LINK.
No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of U.S./DC who are at least 21 years of age. Void in RI and where prohibited. Sponsored by Cabela’s Marketing and Brand Management, One Cabela Drive, Sidney, NE 69160. Odds depend on number of eligible entries received. Approximate value of February prize is $2,069. For details, see Official Contest Rules.
These rule changes should increase participation in service rifle matches. Certainly for competitors with aging eyes, the ability to use a 4.5X magnified optic will be a plus. In addition, the other rule changes will let competitors customize their rifles for enhanced comfort and/or ergonomics.
That’s right, today is February 14th — Valentine’s Day. While testing a rifle at the range last season, Forum member Ron B. (aka Snakepit) managed a 3-shot group that would definitely make Mr. Cupid proud. Yep, Ron shot a lovely cluster that formed a sweet little heart in the splatter-type target.
Texas-based gunsmith Mike Bryant has decided to start taking work again. It seems that retired life was just a bit too sedate for Mike. This is great news for fans of precision rifles. Mike is an superb smith who has produced many match-winning competition rigs along with fine hunting and varmint rifles.
The 
