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November 24th, 2008
Gun parts vendor Brownells recently reached a significant milestone. Brownells’ computers officially logged the company’s one millionth customer since the company computerized in the early 1980s. Lucky #1,000,000 was Jason Wright. Brownells presented Wright with a personalized Bushmaster AR-15 in his caliber choice, .450 Bushmaster, at Brownell’s Montezuma, Iowa facility. In the photo, Brownells President Pete Brownell, left, and Company CEO Frank Brownell, right, flank the smiling Jason Wright, holding his new Bushmaster.
The Brownells IT Department had been keeping track as the company neared the one-million, unique customers mark. The tech guys passed the word to company President, Pete Brownell, the instant Mr. Wright’s order came in. “I really wanted to say thank you to our customers and show how much they mean to us. When I saw that Jason ordered AR-15 parts I knew right away what we had to do. A big thank you to Bushmaster for providing the gun, and Trinidad State Junior College for [personalizing] the gun for Jason.”
Jason himself was astonished, “I just placed an order, my first, and was so surprised when they called to say they were giving me a gun. I have another Bushmaster and love their ARs, so this is really great.”
November 23rd, 2008
Members of Canada’s women’s winter biathlon team have come up with a novel way to raise funds for their 2010 Olympic bid. Five young women athletes have shed their lycra ski-suits to appear in a “tasteful yet revealing” promotional calendar. The Bold Beautiful Biathlon 14-month calendar features Rosanna Crawford (Canmore, Alberta), Megan Imrie (Falcon Lake, Manitoba), Sandra Keith (Calgary, Alberta), Zina Kocher (Red Deer, Alberta), and Megan Tandy (Prince George, British Columbia). Calendar profits will be used to cover training and competition expenses in preparation for the 2010 Olympics.
 
Biathlon is a challenging winter sport that combines Nordic skiing with rimfire target shooting. The sport requires very high aerobic fitness levels, plus superior shooting skills. The five Canadian biathletes kicked off the launch of their fund-raising calendar by roller-skiing through downtown Calgary, clad in shorts and race bibs (photo below).
For more information (and to view a slide show featuring more photos of the biathletes), visit the CTV.ca website.
CLICK HERE to view Bold, Beautiful Biathlon Slide Show.
The Biathlon Calendar is offered online for $20.00 CDN at Boldbeautifulbiathlon.com. Through that website, you can also send a donation via PayPal.
Photos courtesy of Rachel Boekel
November 23rd, 2008
Forum member Lew C. (aka “Thud”) has acquired a large quantity of brand new H-S Precision Varmint long action stocks and is selling them at significant savings. Thud is offering the stocks for $300.00 plus $10.00 shipping. Normally these sell for $350 and there can be a 2-4 month wait for delivery. Thud explains: “I have twenty (20) NEW H-S Precision PSV029 RH Long Action stocks inletted for Remington actions. Each as new from H-S. They are black and have a pad and sling eyes. You need bottom metal to complete. My price is $300.00 + $10.00 shipping.”
You can see examples of similar stocks on the H-S Precision website. Note however, that the photo on that page shows a tan camo finish. Thud’s stocks are plain black. These H-S Precision stocks feature an aluminum bedding block and a varmint contour barrel channel. The outer shell is woven Kevlar, fiberglass cloth, carbon fiber and an epoxy-based gel coat and laminating resin. The center core of the stock is a reaction injection-molded, polyurethane structural foam.
Before you contact Thud, also be sure you understand these stocks are for right hand LONG ACTION Remington BDL receivers. For more information, visit this FORUM Thread or contact Thud via email: lscohen [at] gowebway.com.
These same model PSV029 stocks are sold by MidwayUSA for $307.99, but Midway is currently back-ordered, with an anticipated re-stocking date in December.
November 22nd, 2008
 Thanksgiving is coming up soon. After partaking in the traditional Turkey Day feast, we know many of our readers will find time during the holiday to head to the range. A Thanksgiving Day shoot is a fun excursion, and a great way for young and old family members to share time together. For all you T-Day marksmen, we offer a special turkey target. This was created by our friend and Forum member Pascal (aka “DesertFrog”).
We’ve packaged the turkey target along with five (5) other varmint/animal-themed targets for your shooting pleasure. These are all offered in .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format for easy printing.
CLICK HERE to download all six targets as a .Zip archive.
Program Works to Expand Hunting Opportunities for Families
Speaking of turkeys and families going shooting together, we’d like to give a plug for the “Families Afield” program. A joint effort of the Nat’l Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the “Families Afield” program works to expand the opportunities for young hunters with adult mentors. The goal of the program is to increase the number of young people getting involved in hunting. For every 100 adult hunters today, only 69 youth hunters are coming up to take their place. “Families Afield” works to reverse that trend. Several states that were restrictive to youth hunting have signed into law “Families Afield” legislation. These new laws make it possible for young hunters and their families to enjoy hunting traditions together. CLICK HERE to learn more.
November 20th, 2008
Edgewood rear bags are considered by many to be the “Cadillac” of rear bags. Offered in a variety of shapes and sizes, these bags are beautifully crafted of top-quality materials. Most of Edgewood’s current line-up of rear bags are optimized for use on a bench, but Edgewood also builds bags for F-Class shooters. Jack Snyder, Edgewood’s owner/chief designer, is soliciting ideas for new bag designs for F-classers. Jack posted this request in our Shooters’ Forum:
 To all F-Class Shooters: We’re in the process of doing some serious R & D for new products specifically for F-Class Shooters. Our focus, in the past, was on Benchrest, but we’ve had many calls lately from F-Class shooters requesting different Rear Bag body heights, Ear heights/spread and more. Our new Grab Bag (offered by Sinclair Int’l) has become popular with F-Class Shooters because of its easy-to-grab handle. And we’re now ready to begin working on other bags and products to suit the F-Class Shooter’s specific needs. Email sales[at]edgebag.com with any and all ideas, suggestions and general comments, and we’ll get back to you. Thanks, in advance, for any input you might offer. — Jack Snyder
You can reply to the folks at Edgewood via sales[at]edgebag.com or you can join the rear bag design discussion on our Forum:
CLICK HERE for Forum Thread on Bag Designs for F-Class.
November 18th, 2008
USA Shooting, the governing body of the Olympic shooting sports for the United States, has announced that 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Glenn Eller of Katy, Texas, and Silver Medalist Kim Rhode of El Monte, Calif., have been selected as the 2008 USA Shooting Athletes of the Year. Other Olympians receiving honors as Discipline Athletes of the Year were Matt Emmons of Browns Mills, N.J., for men’s rifle, Jamie Beyerle of Lebanon, Pa., for women’s rifle, and Jason Turner of Rochester, N.Y., for men’s pistol. Eller and Rhode’s names will be submitted to the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) for consideration for the 2008 USOC SportsMan and SportsWoman of the Year awards.
 Four-time Olympian Kimberly Rhode, who was also the 2007 USAS Female Athlete of the year, captured her fourth career Olympic medal in Beijing when she brought home the silver in Women’s Skeet. She won the silver medal at the World Cup in Kerrville, Texas in May and finished in fourth place at the World Cup Suhl and also at the World Cup Final in Minsk, Belarus. Rhode won the Women’s Skeet event at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and was also the 2008 National Champion. Rhode finished in second place at the Shotgun Fall Selection Match, claiming a spot on the 2009 World Shotgun Championship team.
Three-time Olympian Eller, a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), claimed the first Olympic medal of his career when he captured the Men’s Double Trap gold in Beijing this past August. He also claimed the silver medal at the Beijing World Cup in April, which served as the test event for the Olympic Games and placed fourth at both World Cup Kerrville and World Cup Suhl. Nationally, Eller finished in first place overall at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shotgun and also claimed the top spots at the Shotgun National Championships and Shotgun Fall Selection Match, landing himself a spot on the 2009 World Shotgun Championship team.
Photos courtesy USAMU and USA Shooting, All Rights Reserved.
November 17th, 2008
 Last summer we featured a portable reloading bench built on a Black & Decker Workmate. We’ve received many inquiries about this sturdy, efficient design, so we’re showing it again, in case you missed it the first time. this is a perfect do-it-yourself project that can be used at home or at the range.
Texan Robert Lewis made himself a great portable reloading bench from plywood mounted to a Black & Decker Workmate. The bench, roughly 22″ x 19″ on top, folds up to fit easily in your car’s trunk or behind the seats in a pick-up truck cab. Four recessed bolts hold the wood top section to the collapsible B&D Workmate.The sides and back of the unit are attached to the base with small nails. There is a small shelf (also nailed in place) which can be used to clamp a powder measure or hold a scale. Shown in the photo is a Harrell’s Benchrest measure and Harrell’s single-stage “C” press.
Click for Larger Photo.
The whole unit can be built for about $65.00 with pine, or $80.00 with oak (as shown). Robert explained: “The Workmate was $40. If someone bought a 2’x4′ sheet of 3/4″ oak plywood, I think it is around $30. Using pine plywood would be about half that. Fasteners were $3. Spar Urethane would be $5.”
Robert told us: “I used a couple ideas I found on the web. The Larry Willis website gave me the idea to use the Black and Decker Workmate as a base. I found the Workmate on sale for $40 and the top is made from oak plywood I had in my shop. I sealed the wood with three coats of Spar Urethane. The whole thing folds into a nice package for transportation to and from the range.”
Click HERE for FREE WORKBENCH PLANS.
November 15th, 2008
On Wednesday, Jan. 14th, 2009, the National Assn. of Firearms Retailers (NAFR) will host a series of informative seminars at SHOT Show in Orlando, FL. This SHOT Show University program provides a full day of seminars hosted by qualified speakers. There will be 90-minute seminars in the morning followed by ‘break-out sessions’ in the late afternoon. Seminars include:
— How to Create Outrageously Effective Marketing Materials (Ron Rosenberg)
— Know Your Rights as a Licensee (Richard Gardiner, Esq.)
— Consumer Profile of Today’s Hunter & Target Shooter (Frank Biganti, Rob Southwick)
— Best Firearms Compliance Practices (Wally Nelson, ATF, retired)
— Strategic Communication with the Media and Your Customers (Ann Baldwin)
— Budgeting Process for Your Business, and Creative Marketing for Your Business (Tom Shay)
Ron Rosenberg’s Marketing Seminar, the first session of the day (at 8:05 am), is one program you shouldn’t miss. Ron identifies the 12 key elements that should be in every marketing piece, and he reveals proven copywriting strategies that dramatically increase response rates. Attendees can bring their own marketing materials for on-the-spot feedback.
Seating is limited, so register early.2009 SHOT Show University price for NAFR members is $50.00. Non-members can register for the 2009 SHOT Show University for $75.00. For more info, call NSSF at (203) 426-1320.
CLICK HERE to Register for Shot Show University.
November 12th, 2008
On November 15, 2008, the Ohio National Guard and the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) will host an Open House at the newly completed Camp Perry indoor shooting facility. All shooters and interested persons are welcome. You can even test your marksmanship skills on the CMP’s new Olympic-style electronic targets.
The new, state-of-the-art Marksmanship Center features the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s 80-firing point, 10-meter electronic target air rifle range. Visitors can participate in a free match with a chance to win a turkey, courtesy of the CMP. Every half-hour, the lucky participant who shoots the best center-shot on the 10-meter targets will take home a Thanksgiving turkey just in time for the holiday. Visitors will be treated to hot dogs and refreshments and will have an opportunity to watch Beijing Olypmics shooting videos and purchase CMP sales items.
 
The Marksmanship Center also features the National Guard’s Engagement Skills Trainer (EST), a marksmanship simulator used for both military small arms and crew-served weapons. The Ohio Army National Guard will give demonstrations of the EST and allow visitors to take part in the training, which involves interactive viewing screens (like a life-size video game). Camp Perry is located approximately five miles west of Port Clinton on Ohio State Highway 2. For more info, call (419) 635-2141 or go to www.odcmp.com and click on the OPEN HOUSE icon.
November 11th, 2008
On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918, the Armistice ending the First World War was signed. To those who endured it, WWI was the “Great War”, “the War to End All Wars.” Tragically, an even greater conflict consumed the world just two decades later.
Today, 90 years after the end of WWI, Americans mark the anniversary of the WWI Armistace as “Veterans Day”. In Canada it is known as Remembrance Day. On this solemn occasion we honor all those who have served in the military in times of war and peace. While more WWII veterans pass away each year, there are still over 23 million veterans in the United States. Take time today to honor those soldiers, sailors, and airmen who have served their nation with pride. Today we remember that… “All gave some, and some gave all.”
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James Peake asks Americans to recognize the nation’s 23.4 million living veterans and the generations before them who fought to protect freedom and democracy: “While our foremost thoughts are with those in distant war zones today, Veterans Day is an opportunity for Americans to pay their respects to all who answered the nation’s call to military service.” Major Veterans Day observances are scheduled at 33 sites in 20 states.
On Veterans Day we especially need to remember the seriously wounded combat veterans. These men and women summon great courage every day to overcome the lasting injuries they suffered in battle. CLICK HERE for inspirational profiles of wounded vets who, through courage and determination, have learned to adapt to their disabilities. Some of these soldiers have lost limbs, yet volunteered to return to combat duty. That is dedication beyond measure.
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