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December 8th, 2014
 Christmas is coming up soon, so today we’re featuring a hand-picked collection of “stocking stuffers” for precision shooters. You can order most of these items online, and if you get your orders in soon, your selections should arrive before December 25th. So as not to bust your holiday budget, all of our selections are priced under $10.00. These items are handy tools that you’ll use over and over again at the range and/or at your loading bench (so you’re allowed to buy them for yourself, even after Christmas).
Gifts $1 to $5
Surveyors Tape
$1.99 |
Hood Kwik Estimator
$2.50 |
Bifocal 3X/6X Magnifier
$2.75 |
Barrel Mirage Shade
$4.95 |
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Surveyors’ Tape. Always watch the wind when you shoot. Inexpensive, Day-Glo Surveyors’ Tape (aka “Flagging Tape”), attached to a stake or target frame, makes a good wind indicator. It will flutter even in mild breezes, alerting you to both angle and velocity shifts. This should be part of every range kit. Don’t leave home without it.
Hood Kwik Estimator. Here’s a very handy tool to measure your 6mm groups. Bracket the group within the diverging lines of the Kwik Estimator and you’ll instantly get a good approximation of the actual group size. No more trips to the tool box for calipers. The inexpensive Kwik Estimator fits in a shirt pocket. (Thanks to Boyd Allen for this suggestion.)
Bifocal 3X/6X magnifier. This handy, inexpensive dual-power magnifier is always close at hand on our loading bench, because it helps with so many task. We use a compact magnifier to inspect bullet tips, to check brass chamfers, and inspect the internals of triggers and other parts. Priced at just $2.75, a magnifier like this (or the folding variety) is a “must-have” item for every hand-loader.
Sinclair Barrel Mirage Shade. For high-volume varminters, and competitors who shoot fast in warm weather, a mirage shield is absolutely essential. This prevents hot air rising off the barrel from distorting the image in your scope. The aluminum Sinclair shield can be trimmed to fit, and comes with stick-on Velcro attachments. Two lengths are available: 18″ for short BR barrels, and 24″ for longer barrels.
Gifts $6 to $10
Dewey Crocogator
$6.50 |
Ballistol Aerosol Lube
$8.99 |
Sinclair Barrel Bag
$9.95 |
Sinclair Load Block
$9.99 |
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Dewey Crocogator. The Crocogator tool, with knurled “teeth” at both ends, is simple, inexpensive, and compact. Yet nothing zips though primer-pocket gunk faster or better. Unlike some cutter-tipped primer pocket tools, the Crocogator removes the carbon quick and easy without shaving brass. One end is sized for large primer pockets, the other for small.
Ballistol Aerosol Lube. Ballistol is a versatile, non-toxic product with many uses in the reloading room. We have found it is ideal for lubricating cases for normal full-length sizing. It is clear, not gooey or chalky like other lubes. It is very, very slippery, yet is easy to apply and just as easy to wipe off. As you lube your cases, the Ballistol will also clean powder fouling off the case necks. For heavy-duty case forming and neck expansion, we’ll still use Imperial die wax, but for every-day case sizing, Ballistol is our first choice. It also helps prevent your dies from rusting and it even conditions leather. Ballistol is a favored bore cleaner for Black Powder shooters because it neutralizes acidic powder residues.
 Sinclair Barrel Bag. If you run a switch-barrel rig, or take spare barrels to a big match, this simple but effective barrel bag will protect your valuable steel. The bag is moisture-resistant vinyl on the outside with a soft, quilted interior to protect the barrel’s finish and delicate crown. There are two sizes: one for barrels up to 26 inches, the other for barrels up to 31 inches. Both sizes are priced at $9.95 per bag. That’s cheap insurance for those priceless barrels.
Sinclair ‘Poly’ Loading Block. We’ve tried wood and injection-molded loading trays, and we prefer Sinclair’s white polyethylene loading blocks. They featured chamfered holes properly sized for the particular case you reload. The blocks are heavy enough to be stable on the bench, and the “dishwasher-friendly” material is easy to clean. The standard Poly Loading Block holds 50 cases, while the Competition Loading Block holds 25 cases with a tray for empties. For a bit more money, there’s also a Heavy-Duty 50-case model with an extra-thick 1″ base.
December 8th, 2014
 The free December Shooting Industry eZine includes a preview of the 2015 SHOT Show (pp. 50-51), detailing the week’s events and offerings at the industry’s mega trade show kicking off next month in Las Vegas. This December issue of Shooting Industry magazine also features Part I of the New Product Showcase (starting on page 56). This 20-page Showcase features hundreds of new product offerings including handguns, long guns, ammunition, optics, accessories and more. If you want a preview of products to be released in Vegas, check it out….
The December issue also features the Shooting Industry Buyer’s Guide, an industry-wide directory of product sources. This searchable, interactive directory lists manufacturers and distributors for all types of outdoor products, including guns, ammunition, optics, reloading tools, shooting accessories, archery equipment, knives, hunting gear and more.
This month’s edition of Shooting Industry also addresses trends in the shooting retail market. In “Dealers: Facing The Challenges,” Managing Editor Jade Moldé looks at issues such as high inventories and decreased consumer demand. One Arizona retailer said regulations are a constant concern: “The biggest challenge I see for 2015 is staying on top of all regulatory responsibilities and growing partnerships with those manufacturers who will offer the best support to the independent retailer.”
December 7th, 2014
 You have to love this story, supplied by our friend Lou Murdica. It seems that a petite little 10-year-old school girl finished fourth in a 100-Yard Benchrest match in Phoenix, beating some of the best in the business, including many Benchrest Hall of Famers. That’s right, shooting a remarkable 0.1612 Aggregate, little Angelina G. put a whupping on some very big names in the Benchrest game, including Lou Murdica himself. Angelina finished just .008 behind Hall of Famer Gary Ocock, beating other Benchrest superstars such as Bob Brackney, Lester Bruno, and Tom Libby. Angelina also beat legendary bullet-maker Walt Berger, but we’ll cut Walt some slack. Now in his 80s, Walt deserves praise for doing so well at the opposite end of the age spectrum.
Congratulations to Angelina on some great shooting in the Unlimited Class. Her five groups measured: 0.186, 0.172, 0.173, 0.121, 0.155. That’s impressive consistency. You go girl!
Point to ponder: If Angelina was shooting a Rail Gun, her rifle probably weighed more than she did.
Check out the big names who finished behind little Angelina.
December 7th, 2014
On this day 73 years ago….
Thoughts on Pearl Harbor, by Dennis Santiago
When I think of December 7th, I remember it is the day my elders began the most difficult four years of their lives. I have seen in their eyes the fear, anger and resolve that come from experiencing what it was like to survive in territory occupied by the Empire of the Rising Sun. My mother had never heard of Pearl Harbor. For her, World War II began on the same day seeing the Japanese bomb a U.S. naval installation called Cubi Point, at the entrance to Manila Bay in the Philippine Islands.
My maternal grandfather never spoke of what horrors he had seen on the Bataan Death March or his years in the prison camps. When I look at my father, I think of my other grandfather’s memories of his son — my father — hanging off the side of a Japanese patrol boat in Subic Bay with an Arisaka pointed at him, forced to give up the catch needed to feed his family….
Time has passed but the poignancy has not faded. Each December 7th, I’m thankful my elders survived because I would not be here to muse about it, had they not. The echoes of their ordeal drive me deeply to make sure that such a thing will never happen again. Whether called the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere or some other name made up by the contemporaries of my day, the evil that lurks underneath those who believe their ideas justify the horrors they impose must always be confronted and defeated.
December 6th, 2014
 According to a CNBC report, Remington has agreed to replace (or upgrade) the triggers on 7.85 million Remington rifles including ALL Remington 700s, and a dozen other models including the Model Seven, Sportsman 78, 673, 710, 715, 770, 600, 660, XP-100, 721, 722, and 725. CNBC reported that, as part of the settlement of a class action lawsuit, Remington has agreed to provide trigger replacements (or other solutions) to all owners of the affected rifle models. While Remington is not specifically recalling all the affected firearms, Big Green has committed to offering trigger upgrades (or other compensation) on millions of firearms produced over many decades. In a released statement, Remington insisted it was not “recalling” the affected rifles, but Remington did offer to replace the triggers on request. This corrective program could, potentially, involve millions of rifles (though we doubt that most Rem 700 and Model Seven owners will actually request trigger modifications.)
Affected Remington Products: Model 700, Seven, Sportsman 78, 673, 710, 715, 770, 600, 660, XP-100, 721, 722 and 725.
According to CNBC: “America’s oldest gun manufacturer, Remington, has agreed to replace millions of triggers in its most popular product — the Model 700 rifle. While insisting its action is not a recall of the iconic gun, Remington says in a statement that it is agreeing to make the changes ‘to avoid the uncertainties and expense of protracted litigation.’ The settlement involves a class action suit brought in 2013 by Ian Pollard of Concordia, Missouri, who claimed his Remington 700 rifle fired on multiple occasions without the trigger being pulled.”
According to the Montana Standard, the proposed Remington class action settlement will include model-by-model solutions:
— For Models 700, Seven, Sportsman 78 and 673 rifles, Remington will remove the original Walker trigger mechanism and replace it with a new X-Mark Pro mechanism.
— For Models 710, 715 and 770, Remington will remove the original trigger mechanism and replace it with a Model 770 connector-less mechanism.
— For Models 600, 660, XP-100, 721, 722 and 725, Remington will provide vouchers of $12.50 or $10, depending on the model, redeemable for Remington products.
— For Models 700 and Seven rifles made between May 2006 and April 9, 2014 with an X-Mark Pro trigger mechanism, Remington will retro-fit a new, improved assembly.
Under the terms of the settlement (which must ultimately receive Court approval), Remington will pay for the parts and labor involved to replace or fix trigger mechanisms, at no cost to the owner. The scope of the settlement may include rifles which previously had trigger upgrades done by owners. According to CNBC, “For guns that cannot be retrofitted, the company plans to offer vouchers for Remington products”. LINK: Related Story with Mis-Fire Demo Video.
CLICK HERE to view Remington Proposed Settlement Document (PDF file)
Will This be a Thirty Million-Dollar Fix?
How much will the trigger fix program cost Remington? That is hard to predict. However, Remington Outdoors (previously known as “The Freedom Group”) told its investors last month that it had allocated $29.7 million for a “Model 700 settlement reserve”.
December 5th, 2014
 Nothing in life is free, except, well, when somebody is giving it away. The Shooter’s Log blogmeisters have compiled a lengthy list of gun giveaways and contests with firearms prizes. These are mostly promotional contests taking place this December (but some extend into the new year). We know many of you like entering contests and sweepstakes… so have at it. As Dirty Harry said famously: “Are you feelin’ lucky?”. But don’t procrastinate — entry deadlines for many of these contests and promotions are coming up soon.
CLICK HERE to Read Original Shooter’s Log Article with More FREE Rebates, Raffles, and Give-Aways.
Firearms Contests and Sweepstakes
(All dates are in 2014, unless noted otherwise.)
- NEW! Trop Guns 25 Guns of Christmas Giveaway. Deadline: December 25.
http://www.25gunsofchristmas.com/
- NEW! The Firearm Blog Springfield Armory XD Mod.2 Giveaway. Deadline: December 13.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/11/13/new-springfield-xd-9-mod-2-giveaway/
- NEW! SIG Sauer P320 Take-A-Shot Contest. Deadline: December 12.
http://www.sigsauer.com/Promotions/P320-Take-a-Shot-Contest.aspx
- SIG Sauer Free Gun Every Month Giveaway. (Active Now.)
http://www.sigsauer.com/Promotions/Sweepstakes.aspx
- NEW! GunWatcher Second Christmas Gun Giveaway. Deadline: December 29.
http://www.gunwatcher.com/Contest
- NEW! Guns Magazine MAC 1911 and Daniel Defense Ambush Rifle Giveaways. Deadlines: February 1, 2015 and January 1, 2015.
http://gunsmagazine.com/giveaway/
- NEW! American Handgunner Armscor and TMT Tactical Handgun Giveaways. Deadlines: Jan. 31, 2015 and Jan. 13, 2015.
http://www.americanhandgunner.com/giveaway/
- NEW! Legally Armed America Ruger 10/22 Giveaway. Deadline: December 17.
http://legallyarmedamerica.com/giveaways/ruger-1022-giveaway/
- NEW! Second Amendment University GLOCK 32 Giveaway. (Active Now.)
http://www.secondamendmentgiveaways.com/
- NEW! Walther Great Guns PPQ M2 Giveaway. Deadline: December 15.
http://www.waltherarms.com/ppq-m2-entry-page/
- NEW! Gun Owners of America, Remington 700 VTR Rifle Giveaway. Deadline: December 14.
http://cqrcengage.com/gunowners/app/register?0&m=4818
- NEW! On Target Kahr Arms CT380 Giveaway. Deadline: December 31.
http://www.ontargetmagazine.com/contest-entry-form
- NEW! Optics Planet Stag Arms Rifle Package Sweepstakes. Deadline: January 2, 2015.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/load-make-ready.html
- NEW! Xtreme 50K Giveaway. Deadline: January 14, 2015.
http://xtremegiveaway.com/
- NEW! Impact Guns Romanian WASR AK-47 Rifle Giveaway. Deadline: December 7.
http://www.impactguns.com/win.aspx
- American Handgunner TMT Tactical Gun Giveaway. Deadline: January 13, 2015.
http://www.americanhandgunner.com/giveaway/
- Guns Magazine Daniel Defense Ambush Rifle Giveaway. Deadline: January 1, 2015
http://gunsmagazine.com/giveaway/
- Guns Magazine Just Right Carbines 9mm Rifle Giveaway. Deadline: December 15.
http://gunsmagazine.com/giveaway/
- Gould Brothers Winchester Gun Giveaway. Deadline: December 31.
http://www.gbxshooting.com/gould-brothers-winchester-gun-giveaway/
- Bergara Custom Rifle Giveaway. (Active Now.)
http://www.bergarausa.com/RifleGiveaway/
- NRA 25-Gun Giveaway. Deadline: June 30, 2015.
https://www.nra.org/sweepstakes/default.aspx?ek=Y4BESWPN
- Gunwinner.com Armalite AR-301A1 .338 Lapua Rifle Giveaway. (Active Now.)
http://www.gunwinner.com/contest/armalite-ar-30a1-338-lapua-target-rifle-giveaway
- Florida Gun Supply Free Gun Every Month Giveaway. (Active Now.)
http://floridagunsupply.com/free-guns
- Grabagun.com Free Gun Every Month Giveaway. (Active Now.)
http://grabagun.com/giveaway#.U5XQZXZhuVY
- Gallery of Guns Free Gun Every Month Giveaway. (Active Now.)
https://www.galleryofguns.com/about/GGGEntry2014.aspx
- Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Gun-A-Week Raffle Sweepstakes. Deadline: December 29.
http://2014gunaweek.unionsportsmen.org/Winners/rules
- CVA Muzzleloader Monthly Drawing. (Active Now.)
http://www.cva.com/CVA-Contest.php
Accessories Contests and Promotions
December 5th, 2014
Remington is voluntarily recalling Remington Model 887 shotguns manufactured from December 1, 2013 to November 24, 2014. Remington has determined that some Remington Model 887 shotguns manufactured between December 19, 2013 and November 24, 2014 may exhibit a defect causing the firing pin to bind in the forward position within the bolt, which can result in an unintentional discharge when chambering a live round. Therefore, Remington is recalling ALL potentially affected products to fully inspect and repair. Remington has advised customers to immediately cease use of recalled shotguns and return them to Remington free of charge. The shotguns will be inspected, repaired, tested, and returned as soon as possible.
RECALLED: Remington Model 887 shotguns made from Dec. 1, 2013 to Nov. 24, 2014.
Owners of the recalled shotguns should not attempt to diagnose or repair the shotguns themselves. Remington has established a dedicated website and toll-free hotline to help Model 886 owners consumers determine whether their shotguns are subject to recall. Visit 887recall.remington.com or call 1-800-243-9700.
REMEDY/ACTION TO BE TAKEN: STOP USING YOUR SHOTGUN.
Any unintended discharge has the potential to cause injury or death. Immediately cease use of recalled shotguns and return them to Remington free of charge. Shotguns will be inspected, repaired, tested, and returned as soon as possible, at no cost to you. DO NOT attempt to diagnose or repair recalled shotguns yourself. For your safety, STOP USING YOUR SHOTGUN and immediately contact Remington.
December 4th, 2014
 The 2015 Hodgdon Annual Manual (the 12th Annual Edition) has been released. The 2015 Hodgdon Manual now contains over 5000 loads — more load data than you’ll find in any other annual reloading resource. The 2015 Manual has updates for numerous rifle and pistol cartridges. Featured in the 2015 Manual are the new IMR Enduron™ powders such as IMR 4166, IMR 4451, and IMR 7977. Enduron powders feature a built-in copper fouling reducer, along with small kernels for easy metering and good load density. IMR also claims that Enduron powders are not sensitive to ambient temperature changes. It appears IMR 4166 may be a viable alternative to Hodgdon’s popular, but hard to find, Varget powder.
Along with comprehensive load data, the 8 1/2″ by 11″ magazine-style Hodgdon Annual Manual offers authoritative articles by top gun industry writers. You can purchase the 2015 Manual at news-stands (and gunshops) for $8.99. In a few weeks, you should also be able to purchase the manual from Hodgdon’s online store. For more info, visit Hodgdon.com or call 913-362-9455.
December 3rd, 2014
 Smith & Wesson (S&W), has agreed to acquire Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. for $130.5 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to close in December. In acquiring Battenfeld, S&W will become an industry leading in the sales of hunting, shooting, and reloading tools and accessories. Battenfeld markets dozens of popular products such as Tipton gun vises, Frankford Arsenal tumblers, Caldwell shooting rests, and Goldenrod safe heaters.
Founded 22 years ago, Battenfeld Technologies has generated a largely organic* compound annual revenue growth rate in excess of 18% (Since 2006). Based in a 145,000-square-foot facility in Columbia, Missouri, Battenfeld Technologies develops and sells shooting, reloading, gunsmithing, and gun cleaning supplies under several brands, including Caldwell, Frankford Arsenal, GoldenRod, Lockdown, Tipton, and Wheeler Engineering. Battenfeld grew rapidly by developing new products and by acquiring smaller accessories makers such as BOG-POD and GoldenRod.
Acquisition Helps S&W Expand Accessories Business with Strong Brand
James Debney, Smith & Wesson President and CEO, said, “Battenfeld Technologies… fits perfectly within our core firearm business. It also allows us to move more strongly into the hunting vertical as well as establish a strong platform for growth in our existing firearm accessories business[.] Battenfeld Technologies’ sophisticated sourcing and distribution infrastructure, should provide a solid framework for organic and inorganic growth as the new accessories division of Smith & Wesson. Our intention is that eventually all existing Smith & Wesson®, M&P®, and Thompson/Center Arms accessories will be housed within this new division.”
*Biz Terminology 101: Organic growth is the process of business expansion due to increasing overall customer base, increased output per customer or representative, new sales, or any combination of the above, as opposed to mergers and acquisitions, which are examples of inorganic growth.
December 3rd, 2014
The 2015 NRA National Indoor Rifle & Pistol Championships start January 1, 2015. Unlike the NRA’s National Matches at Camp Perry, the Indoor Championships are shot as a postal match, through multiple sectional tournaments all across the country. This means you can join the action from the comfort of your local range. The scores from shooters around the nation are compared by the NRA, which names the winners in each classification.
The Indoor Rifle & Pistol Championships include a variety of disciplines: Air Pistol, Rimfire Pistol, Air Rifle, and Rimfire Rifles. There is even a BB gun class for Juniors. The Indoor Championships involve multiple sectional tournaments, held in a variety of states from January through mid-April. This is like a super-duper postal match. Winners will be announced by the NRA in late May. There will be nearly 300 sectionals in 2014, so you’ll probably find an event close to home. Here are dates for 2013:
Open Sectionals: 1/1 – 3/18 | Collegiate Sectionals: 1/1 – 2/12 | JR. Sectionals: 1/1 – 4/15
The 50m Free Pistol is one of the events in the NRA National Indoor Championship. It takes skill — the pistol is shot one-handed, with iron sights, and the Ten-Ring is only 50mm (about 1.97″) in diameter. A competitive world-class score is 560 or better out of 600 possible points. Learn more about this challenging discipline in this USA Shooting video:
Story based on report in NRA Blog.
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