|
|
August 12th, 2009
 If you were to guess the percentage of Americans who favor Right-to-Carry laws, what you would you say? 30%? 40%? Remember there are more people living in liberal “blue states” than in conservative “red states”.
Well, you may be surprised, but over four-fifths of Americans support Right-to-Carry Laws. A new poll shows that 83 percent of Americans support laws allowing handgun carry by citizens who have passed background checks. The poll also revealed that support for Right-to-Carry crosses party lines, with 86% of independent voters and 80% of Democratic voters supporting Right-to-Carry.
Conducted by Zogby International and The O’Leary Report, the poll looked at Americans’ opinions on some key issues related to the Second Amendment. One of the questions asked: “Currently, 39 states have laws that allow residents to carry firearms to protect themselves, only if they pass a background check and pay a fee to cover administrative costs. Most of those states also require applicants to have firearms safety training. Do you support or oppose [such a] law?” 83% of respondents said they would support such Right-to-Carry laws.
August 10th, 2009
 Respected shooting sports journalist Jim Shepherd and Gun Talk Radio host Tom Gresham have teamed up to produce a new show, Guns & Gear, for the Versus Country cable network. Guns & Gear premieres Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 3:00 pm Eastern time on Versus. The first episode, which focuses on hunting with AR-platform rifles, will feature new products from from Kimber, Nosler, Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson and Olympic Arms.
Every Guns & Gear episode will cover interesting and innovative new shooting products, showcased via range sessions and real-world field tests, combined with in-studio interviews with product engineers. Celebrity host Tom Gresham promises to deliver the “inside scoop” on the latest and most interesting gear for target shooters and hunters.
August 9th, 2009
 A red dot sight can speed up target acquisition dramatically when shooting carbines, shotguns, or pistols at short ranges (where ballistic drop compensation is not an issue). Just put the dot on the target and pull the trigger. For older shooters who may have trouble focusing on both front and rear sights, a red dot makes the aiming process much easier. And for novices, who may have trouble aligning front and rear sights, the red dot gets them on target quicker and more reliably.
Where red dot sights are allowed in action pistol competition, they are almost universally used. If a red dot is compact enough, it can also work on a defensive handgun. However, a red dot is normally worthless when the batteries run down. Trijicon has solved that battery issue with its new Ruggedized Miniature Reflex™ (RMR), the world’s first battery-free mini reflex sight. The RMR uses light-gathering fiber optics and tritium for the display, so no battery is requried. The Tritium phosphor display works even in low-light situations, and is guaranteed to illuminate up to 15 years. The new RMR is extremely compact, measuring a mere 1.78″ L X 1.24″ W X1.03″ H and weighing in at only 1.22 ounces. This makes it small and light enough to mount on most handguns
 Trijicon, Inc.®, has been honored by the Firearms Marketing Group (FMG) for its innovative new Trijicon RMR™ Sight. The patent-pending Trijicon Ruggedized Miniature Reflex™ won the prestigious “Optic of the Year” award, chosen by 500 top industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers.
In addition to the fiber optic + Tritium RMR (no battery required), Trijicon markets a more conventional battery-powered version with LED display. Using a single CR2032 battery (with an auto-shut-off circuit), this can provide up to 17,000 hour of battery life. The LED display also adjusts automatically for ambient light levels. Both RMR versions feature a tough, 7075-T6 aluminum alloy housing. Rugged and reliable, the Trijicon RMRs (both versions) come with a lifetime warranty from Trijicon.
August 4th, 2009
You’d never know it, given the way the mainstream media portrays the shooting sports, but hunting/shooting is more important, from an economic standpoint, than golf, tennis, bike-riding, or just about any recreational sport you can name. Americans spent $4.6 Billion on hunting and shooting sports equipment in 2008, a 16% rise from 2007. Yep that’s “B” for Billion.
 According to a new National Sporting Goods Association report, hunting- and firearms-related equipment was the only sporting-goods equipment category to see double-digit sales growth in 2008. Sales rose 16 percent, while overall sporting-goods equipment sales declined 1 percent compared to the previous year. Hunting- and firearms-related equipment ranked second only to exercise equipment in 2008, NSGA reports. Included in the “hunting and firearms” equipment category are rifles, handguns, shotguns, ammunition, airguns, reloading equipment, paintball and cutlery. NSGA reported sales in the hunting and firearms category were $4.6 billion in 2008, up from $3.9 billion the previous year.
In related news, Sturm Ruger & Co. announced a huge spike in its gun sales for 2009. This is probably due to the popularity of Ruger’s new compact handguns, combined with orders for its new AR15 style rifle, the Ruger SR-556 with gas-piston upper. Ruger reported Wednesday that firearms sales grew 94 percent in the second quarter of 2009, compared to the same period last year, and that sales were up 14 percent when compared to the first quarter of this year. Firearms unit production grew 63 percent from the second quarter of 2008.
Call it “panic buying” or the “Obama Effect”, but it’s ironic that the election of President Obama has ignited the greatest surge in guns and ammo sales in recent memory. One firearms marketing rep has suggested, half-seriously, that Pres. Obama should be named “Gun Salesman of the Century”.
This report courtesy NSSF.org
August 3rd, 2009
Veteran pilot, rifle shooter, hunter, and AccurateShooter forum member Dave Funk is running as a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Iowa. Dave Funk, known as ‘Captain Dave’ by many, served as Co-chair of Iowa Sportsmen for McCain-Palin and has been active in conservative political circles for most of his adult life. He recently serviced as co-chair of the Iowa Sportsmen for McCain-Palin. He is also is the current President of the Iowa Chapter of Safari Club International.
 Now working as an aviation security consultant, Dave served for nearly ten years as an attack helicopter pilot with the Iowa Army National Guard. He has over three decades of aviation experience, most recently as a Boeing 757 Captain for Northwest Airlines.
Why does a family man, living in rural Iowa with his wife and children, want to go to Washington? Dave Funk, a “tried and true conservative”, believes the country is at a crossroads and basic American values and freedoms are being challenged.
Dave explained: “Last fall, in the President’s Message in the Safari Club International’s Iowa Chapter quarterly newsletter, I wrote the following regarding the then-pending election: ‘As a nation we are at a fork in the road, one turn, towards the left, is in a direction much like our European allies have gone, to more government intrusion, higher taxes, fewer individual rights, and unrelenting attacks on our traditions as hunters and, to top it all off… stagnant economies. The other turn is toward the right, to freedom and liberty, lower taxes, [and] a vibrant economy.'”
Dave continued: “The ‘hope’ and ‘change’ thing sold to the American people last fall is not really working out. Democrats took control of Congress… and through a series of legislative missteps have increased the costs of doing business for all of us through higher taxes, excessive spending and massive federal intrusion into the private sector — including taking over banks and manufacturing companies.
I don’t want to face my son 20 years from now when he asks me, ‘Dad, in 2010, when there was still time to save this country, why didn’t you do something?’ It’s time that real Americans step up… before it’s too late. That’s why I’m running for Congress.” To learn more about Dave Funk and his campaign visit www.FunkforCongress.com, or call (515) 966-2066.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Whatever your political leanings, you have to admire Dave for undertaking this campaign. We applaud the fact that a fellow shooter is making the effort to get involved in the national politics. It is easy to sit back and complain about the state of affairs in the nation. It takes courage and commitment to do what Dave is doing.
July 31st, 2009
 This year’s 2009 World F-Class Championship was held at the historic Bisley Range in England, and UK Shooters served their country proud, winning the prestigious F-Open Team Competition and dominating the individual matches in both F-Open and F-TR classes. Great Britain’s F-Open shooters proved their mastery of the challenging Bisley course, posting a 3436-230V score to top the second-place American Team by 59 points (Team USA score was 3377-234V). The South African Team, defending Champions, finished third with a 3337-188V score.
UK Shooters truely dominated the Individual F-Open Championship, capturing ALL of the top ten places, lead by Gary Costello (1st Place) with 458-44V, followed close behind by fellow Brit Des Parr with 456-36V. That’s nine Brits and a Scot in the Top Ten. In the Individual Competition, F-TR division, Britain finished one/two at the top of the podium, with Russell Simmons (437-23V) winning the Gold, and countryman George Barnard (432-23V) winning Silver. American Stan Pate took third with a 420-25V score.
American F-Open Team Vice-Captain Shiraz Balolia, writing in his Bisley Blog, suggested that the windy conditions favored the 7mm caliber used by the home team Brits: “The individual World F-Class Championship is over. We essentially got overpowered by the 7mm guns. Bisley is not a range that you can win using 6.5mm guns, which is what the whole US Team is using. Of the top 10 positions, all but one were Brits with 7mm guns. The odd one was a Scot also with a 7mm gun.”
After the Team Match concluded, Shiraz wrote: “The British team won the World F-Class Open Championship. USA took second and South Africa third. The Brits beat us by 59 points and they were very surprised that we came that close to them. I believe that there were two main factors that worked very well for them. First and foremost was that they had full knowledge of their range and have been practicing on that range fairly regularly as a team for quite some time. Secondly, their 7mm guns were a good wind-bucking caliber that, when combined with good coaches (who have coached at that range for many years), gave them the results they were after. Someone made the comment to me that the Americans were improving by the day. Unfortunately, we ran out of days and it was game over. Our coaches did an outstanding job under very trying conditions. We beat the previous champs, South Africa, by 40 points.”
EDITOR’s NOTE: In the previous F-Open World Championships in South Africa, Team USA was defeated by the home team South Africans who were shooting 7mms. At Bisley in 2009, the same thing happened, with the Brits winning on their home turf, again using 7mms. Do we see the writing on the wall?
CLICK HERE for Complete F-Class Championships Results.
CLICK HERE for 2009 F-Class World Championship Photo Archive.
Americans Win F-TR Class
In the F-TR class the American Team powered to victory, haulting the British juggernaut. Under the leadership of Captain Darrel Buell, and coach Gary Rassmussen, shooters Brad Sauve, Dale Carpenter, Warren Dean, Monte Milanuk, Paul Phillips, Stan Pate, Jeff Rorer, and John Weil won the F-Class Restricted Teams Match with a 1581-76V score. The USA Rutland Cup Open Team of David Bailey, Mike Downey, David Gosnell, and Larry Taite, coached by Nancy Tompkins, also finished first, besting a strong Great Britain Red squad (second place), and Don Nagel’s third-place Connecticut Yankees.
All photos © 2009 by 762_AK, used by permission.
July 31st, 2009
If you’re looking for hard to find reloading components, Darrell Holland reports that Holland Shooters Supplies has just received large shipments of powder, bullets, brass, and yes, primers.
Primer inventories now include: Remington, Winchester, and Wolf (small and large rifle; small and large pistol; plus Win shotgun primers). Popular powders in stock include: Hodgdon Varget (plenty), H335, H4895, H4350, H4831sc, H-1000, Retumbo; and Alliant Reloder 22
Holland’s has received substantial supplies of Lapua cartridge brass including: 223 Rem, 6mmBR, 6.5×47, 6.5-284, 308 Win, and 338 Lapua. In addition Hollands has Winchester brass for 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 6mm Rem, 308 Win, and 30-06. Nosler brass is available in 280 Rem, 280 Ackly, and 7mm STW
Darrell says he’s also got good supplies of Berger, Nosler, and Sierra Bullets: “lots of 308 caliber 168s, 175s, and 210s, plus 50-80gr 224s.” Holland’s also has 70-107gr 6mms in stock, plus 6.5mm and 7mm bullets.
 For these reloading components at Holland’s, there is no limit on quantity — first come, first served. A $25.00 Hazmat will cover up to 50 lbs of powder and primers. To order, call Holland’s, (541) 439-5155, 9am to 3:00 pm Pacific Time.
While you’re visiting Holland’s website, check out the new $30 Tactical Shooter’s Pouch on the products page. This unique, ballistic nylon bag holds ammo in elastic loops, plus it’s big enough to carry range cards, a mildot master, spare parts, or even a PDA with a ballistics program.
July 29th, 2009
Gunny’s back — starting this Friday (7/31/09) on the History Channel. Marine Corps veteran R. Lee Ermey will host “Lock N’ Load”, a History Channel series which debuts July 31st at 9pm ET. Ermey, acclaimed for his role as a Marine Drill Instructor in the movie Full Metal Jacket, previously hosted the popular “Mail Call” show on the History Channel. The focus of Lock N’ Load will be firepower — and lots of it.
Lock N’ Load will be an hour-long weekly series featuring the engineering and development of military weapons. In the new show, R. Lee Ermey, the U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, former drill instructor, Vietnam veteran and actor, will get “hands-on with some of the world’s fiercest firearms, including machine guns, tanks, pistols and rockets”. For example, in the debut episode Ermey demos the 3000-round-per-minute Dillon Aero Minigun, and then traces the evolutionary steps that brought the gun to its present place in history. Check out the promo video below:
In each episode of Lock N’ Load, special high-speed photography reveals the inner workings of a particular weapon — how it performs and what really happens at the point of impact. Advanced 3D graphics help illustrate the technology and design principles behind each weapon. In addition, expert consultants explain the history and engineering of each weapon.
July 29th, 2009
 Headed to Camp Perry this summer? Take the “Bernosky Challenge” while you’re there and compete for over $1000 in cash prizes. The “Bernosky Challenge” is being conducted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program in cooperation with Creedmoor Sports.
Competitors in the Bernosky Challenge will fire the National Match Air Rifle Standing Course with the new Creedmoor-Anschütz NMAR air rifles and compete against the current Camp Perry High Power champion, Carl Bernosky. One of America’s all-time great target rifle shooters, Carl won his 9th NRA National High Power Rifle Championship in 2008. This year, Bernosky will seek his 10th Championship using a Creedmoor CSR-1 Match Rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
ANYONE who can beat Carl Bernosky in this air rifle challenge will receive $100. (See challenge rules for details.) Go to www.creedmoorsports.com or CLICK HERE for more details.
The new National Match Air Rifle discipline was developed by the CMP to simulate High Power rifle across-the-course shooting and provide adults with an air rifle discipline that builds on the popular junior three-position air rifle program. This NMAR discipline gives High Power competitors off-season shooting opportunities. One of three NMAR equipment classes is for air rifles configured like M16/AR-type rifles.The Creedmoor-Anschütz NMAR rifle is one of these rifles. NMAR targets are scaled down High Power SR and MR targets. Courses of fire are closely related to current High Power courses.
Thirty-five (35) Creedmoor NMAR rifles are available for anyone for use during this competition. CLICK HERE for more details!
July 28th, 2009
Precision Reloading, a South Dakota-based vendor of shooting supplies and reloading components, has launched its new, enhanced website. You’ll find the new site easier to navigate, with enhanced product descriptions and photos. The shopping cart system is also much faster and easier to use. Products are now organized in eight basic categories: Shotshell Reloading, Metallic Reloading, Muzzleloading, Hunting & Shooting Accessories, Optics, Gun Cleaning & Care, Books & DVDs, and Sale/Clearance items. Click on any main category and you’ll find products grouped by type. For example, under Gun Cleaning products, you’ll find handy links for “Bore Guides”, “Solvents”, “Patches & Jags” etc.; this lets you quickly easily compare multiple competitive products. We’ve found that’s much faster than trying to search, one by one, for a half-dozen different bore solvents, for example.
Precision Reloading’s new website also spotlights sale/clearance items with “Monthly Specials” and “Bargain Bench” entries. Among the current monthly specials we found the Vortex Viper 4-12x40mm Side Focus scope for just $362.99 (item VX04P). And in the “Bargain Bench”, you’ll find Wilson Caseholders for just $6.50 and Sinclair Expander Mandrels for just $3.99 per caliber.
|
