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June 15th, 2008
This is the first Father’s Day this Editor has spent without a father to share it with. My dad passed last August. That’s made me ponder the meaning of this day, and how important it is to share time with your father when you can. Life is short.
So, use your time wisely. Turn off this computer, and go be with your father today. Do something with him that makes him smile. Maybe go to a ball game, or go to the range together. If he lives far from you, give him a call and let him know how important he is to your life. Remind him of the old adage: “Good fathers make good sons”.
Some Thoughts on Fatherhood –
MY Father…
He was there when I didn’t understand, he was there when I was wrong, he was there when I cried, he was there when I lied. For some reason my dad was always there, when I needed him the most. His love was never ending. And now that he’s gone there is an emptiness in my world, but not in my heart. — Michael Jordan
My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, “You’re tearing up the grass”! “We’re not raising grass,” Dad would reply, “We’re raising boys”. — Harmon Killebrew.
When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. — Mark Twain
Photo courtesy Free-Holiday-Ideas.com
June 15th, 2008
“Holy ****, you’ve got to be kidding me…”, was this editor’s reaction when confronted with the $5.09 per gallon price of regular gasoline in California today. Gas prices in the Golden State have climbed from $4.29 to over $5.00 per gallon in the last two weeks — and fuel costs are expected to continue to rise throughout the summer.
Gas Prices Impact Shooting Matches
At many West Coast gun clubs, match attendance is down in recent months, primarily as a results of high gas prices. Now more than ever, it makes sense to car-pool with one or two other shooters when going to a match. Sharing with just one other shooter cuts your gas outlay in half.
Downsizing Your Wheels — Cost/Benefit Analysis
Most of the shooters we know drive trucks to the range — big, gaz-guzzling trucks. With the price of gas topping $5.00, it may be time to consider a shift to a more economical vehicle–at least for daily commuting and longer drives. Below is a chart showing the annual cost of gasoline, based on different fuel economy ratings (MPG). If you drive 15,000 miles a year, a 30-MPG vehicle will save you $2857.00 annually compared to a 14-MPG vehicle. Compound that savings for three or four years, and you’ve recouped much of the cost of a used econobox.
Annual Fuel Cost at $5.00 per Gallon
Based on Vehicle Miles Per Gallon |
Miles
Yearly |
30 MPG |
26 MPG |
22 MPG |
18 MPG |
14 MPG |
| 10,000 |
$1667 |
$1923 |
$2273 |
$2778 |
$3571 |
| 12,000 |
$2000 |
$2308 |
$2727 |
$3333 |
$4286 |
| 15,000 |
$2500 |
$2885 |
$3409 |
$4167 |
$5357 |
June 14th, 2008
Tomorrow is Father’s Day. For all the dads out there, here’s a selection of cool tools and handy shooting accessories — all priced at fifty dollars or less. If you’re doing some last-minute shopping for the family patriarch, or just rewarding yourself for being a good dad, you’ll enjoy the bargains below. Many of the items are special sale priced for a limited period of time, so jump on these bargains while you can.
Cabela’s.com
Cabela’s Gun Vise, $29.99
This handy polymer Cabela’s Gun Vise, item 1AJ-227687, is on a special sale, marked down from $44.99 to just $29.99. The unit holds your rifle securely and contains compartments for solvents and cleaning tools. We’ve used similar units and they work well. The polymer material is impervious to most solvents and the light weight of the gun vise makes it easy to move around a loading room or bench. It’s light enough to easily lift to a high shelf for storage when not in use.
Sinclair International
Motorola FV700 Talkabout Two-Way Radio Set, $49.99
Compact, rugged, and easy to use, the Motorola FV700 walkie-talkie set is ideal for long-range shooting matches. With a range of 12 miles, the FV700 delivers reliable communications between the firing line and workers in the pits at 1000 yards and beyond. Employing both FRS and GMRS frequencies, the FV700 offers 22 talk channels, plus 11 NOAA weather channels. The units run on common AAA batteries or included NiMH battery packs. Priced at just $49.99, each set includes two radios, 2 belt clips, a charging adapter, and dual charging cradle.
Grafs.com
MTM Mini Digital Reloading Scale, $29.99
This light-weight, ultra-compact reloading scale is ideal for use at the range, and as a back-up for a larger digital or balance-beam scale. With output in both grams and grains, the MTM Mini offers resolution to ± one-tenth of a grain. Max capacity is 1200 grains–more than enough to weight 50-caliber bullets and cartridge cases. This unit has an easy-to-read backlit LCD display. To save battery power, there’s an auto shut-off after three minutes.
Midsouth Shooters Supply
ThermaCELL Insect Repellent System, $17.51
Nothing’s more annoying than mosquitos or black flies buzzing around your head. You can use creams or sprays to prevent bites, but the buzzing can still drive you nuts. Solution? ThermaCELL. The ThermaCELL portable “bug-buster” creates a 15′ by 15′ zone of protection around you that repels up to 98% of mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums. Trust us, ThermaCELLs really work. We wouldn’t go camping without one. One fill lasts for about 12 hours. If you’re skeptical, READ these REVIEWS. Now through the end of June, ThermaCELLs are on sale at Midsouth for just $17.51.
Big River Tactical
Howard Leight Electronic Ear Muffs, $49.99
We’ve featured the Leight Impact Sport electronic ear muffs on the Bulletin before because they are a great product at an unbeatable price. Light weight with a slim profile, they don’t interfere with your cheek weld when shooting rifles or shotguns. One Forum member bought a pair recently and told us: “You guys were right, these are great. They work as well as units costing 4 times as much.” The Leight muffs help you hear range commands while diminishing rifle noise (sounds exceding 82db are attenuted). Note, the Leight Muffs have a 22 NRR (noise reduction rating). For enhanced ear protection we suggest using the muffs over a set of foam ear plugs.
MidwayUSA
Lyman Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge, $44.99
Every serious shooter needs an accurate, repeatable trigger pull gauge, and the Lyman digital unit is the best available, plain and simple. The Lyman Gauge is on sale this month at MidwayUSA for $44.99, marked down from $48.99. The Lyman Gauge uses strain-gauge technology to read ± 0.1 ounce with a range of 0 to 12 pounds. The controls are easy to use, and we like the built-in Averaging function. Note: 9 volt battery must purchased separately.
Sears.com
Craftsman Wet-Dry Vac, $14.99 (Half-Price Sale)
If you have a home workshop, once you get a portable wet-dry vacuum you’ll wonder how you ever did without it. This editor has a similar unit that’s used almost on a daily basis. The Craftsman Clean N Carry model has a 1.5 hp motor providing ample cleaning power. Right now, through 6/15/2008, you can buy it for HALF PRICE. The machine costs just $14.99 at Sears, marked down from $29.99. That’s a steal. Hurry though, this is a special Father’s Day deal.
Craftsman Clean N Carry® 2 gal. Wet-Dry Vac
Sears item# 00917713000, Mfr. model# 17713
June 14th, 2008
Farley Manufacturing, makers of the Coax II Front Rests and Farley actions, has asked owners to return bolts for inspection. There have been issues regarding bolt lug integrity that Farley wishes to resolve. This applies to all Farley actions except the current Black Widow actions. Farley has issued the following statement:
“To our customers and anyone who may own a Farley Action. We need to inspect your bolt. Most of these actions have been in service for 6-12 years. However, regardless of age or use we need to inspect the bolt.
If your Action is currently in use please send us the bolt as soon as possible. If it is not in use please call us to schedule it in. Black Widow Actions are not included. We understand that this is very inconvenient. We will try to turn them around to you in 7-10 days.
This is an important safety issue and we are depending on your help. Please send bolt(s) via UPS and we will reimburse shipping. If you would like a pre-paid mailer please contact us via email or phone and include serial # of Action along with your name, address and phone number.
Thank you,
Jim Farley Jr.
President, Farley Mfg.”
Farleymfg.com
farleymfg@yahoo.com
Phone: (405) 732-7852
June 13th, 2008
Erik Stecker of Berger Bullets confirmed that his company will be producing a new, high-BC 20-Caliber bullet this fall. The new bullet features a conventional, non-VLD tangent-ogive design for greater seating flexibility and, hopefully, increased precision. The new bullet should be the highest-BC bullet available to 20-Cal shooters from a major bullet-maker. Although production dies aren’t ready yet, Berger has set a 0.400 Ballistic Coefficient design goal for the bullet. That would be a significant step up from Berger’s current 50gr, 20-caliber bullet, which has a published BC of 0.295.
We expect the new 55-grainer to require an 1:8″ or faster twist barrel, but the exact twist required will depend on the final bullet dimensions when it is put into production. Expected ship date for the new 55gr bullet is “late August to early September”, according to Stecker. With the correct-twist barrel, the new bullet should work well in most popular 20-caliber chamberings, including 20 VarTarg, 20-223, 20 PPC, 20 BR, and .204 Ruger.
June 12th, 2008
 Readers often ask for a good, authoritative resource on doping the wind and reading mirage. Many Forum members recommended M.Sgt. Jim Owens’ Wind-Reading guide. This is now offered on CD, with 22 sets of wind charts. Owens’ Reading the Wind and Coaching Techniques clearly explains how to gauge wind speeds and angles. Owens, a well-known High Power coach (and creator of Jarheadtop.com), offers a simple system for coming up with wind value based on speed and angle. The CD also explains how to read mirage — a vital skill for long-range shooters. In many situations, reading the mirage may be just as important as watching the wind flags. Owens’ $9.95 CD provides wind-reading strategies that can be applied by coaches as well as individual shooters.
 Shooters’ Log Books
M. Sgt. Owens also offers excellent log books for High Power shooters. The Owens Data Book features an updated design with “amended” grid lines and twin plotting bulls for rapid fire. Much more than just a shot log, Owens’ books offers eight sets of wind charts, a wind speed estimating guide, a “gun round count page”, a scoring system chart, an equipment check list, and a guide for normal come-ups from 100 to 1,000 yards in 100 yard increments. There is also a special Long-Range Data Book with 54 two-sided pages for the 600-yard stage, 54 two-sided pages for the 800/900/1,000 yard target, 14 sets of wind charts, and larger plotting areas. Price for either the standard Owens Data Book, or the Long-Range Data book, is $14.95 plus $1.50 S&H.
June 11th, 2008
Right now the March line of scopes represent the “state of the art” in high-magnification Benchrest scopes. They are unexcelled for brightness, sharpness, and perhaps most importantly, shot-to-shot reliability. Many top short-range benchrest shooters, who can’t tolerate even a tiny shift in the scope’s reticle moving the point of impact a few hundreths of an inch, are using the March 40X, 50X, and 60X, and now the new 10-60X Zoom.
CLICK HERE for complete MARCH SPECIFICATIONS
March scopes are made in Japan by DEON. In the USA they are sold exclusively by Kelbly’s. Jim Kelbly reports: “Some 40s and 50s are in stock now. The 10-60X zooms will be in stock in about two months unless the back order list gets longer as it is everyday. If you want a March scope you should not wait till they are in stock. We have a waiting list and you should get on it if you would like one in next two months.”
Current March Scope pricing:
40×52, 50×52, and 60×52 fixed focal length: $2100.00
10-60×52 Zoom: $2400.00
June 10th, 2008
Bruno Shooters Supply is currently offering great pricing on Shilen rifle barrels. All 1.250″ or smaller diameter barrels are just $236.40. This applies to barrels 28″ in length or shorter. Bruno’s 22 Rimfire, .224, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, and 30 caliber barrels are offered in a variety of twist rates from 1:8″ to 1:17″ (twist rates are dependent on caliber).
CLICK HERE for Bruno’s Shilen barrel inventory.
June 10th, 2008
We now know for certain the two candidates for President of the United States — Obama and John McCain. The views of these two men on gun issues could not be more different. McCain has supported Second Amendment rights and opposed more restrictive gun laws at the Federal level. Obama supports bans on all semi-automatic weapons, approves strict local restrictions on handguns, and he co-sponsored a bill in 2000 limiting handgun sales to one per month. Make no mistake about it, Barrack Obama is no friend of hunters or firearms enthusiasts.
By contrast, John McCain re-affirmed his commitment to gun rights in a recent Interview with the NRA. The complete text of the interview is available online. Here are some highlights:
Q: Senator, throughout your career you have opposed waiting periods on firearm purchases, bans on commonly owned ammunition, and efforts to register and license gun owners. What are your reasons for those positions?
McCain: I have consistently opposed these measures, because they are arbitrary restrictions on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. Gun bans, waiting periods, ammunition bans, registration and licensing of gun owners — each of these has a common theme: They only affect law-abiding citizens. And they have another common theme: They don’t work as crime-fighting tools.
Q:Senator, why should gun owners support you in November?
While [the NRA and I] have disagreed at times on some issues, I have never tried to hide my positions, or to say one thing and do another. And the fact is that we have always agreed on the vast majority of issues—as evidenced by my opposition to gun bans, ammunition bans, waiting periods, registration and licensing, and other arbitrary restrictions on law-abiding gun owners during my entire career. As I mentioned earlier, of the three presidential candidates who had an opportunity to sign the historic and bipartisan amicus brief in the Heller case—strongly arguing that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms and that Washington, D.C.’s ban on handguns and operable firearms in the home is unconstitutional—I was the only one who did.
Text and photo copyright © 2008 National Rifle Assn., All Rights Reserved.
June 10th, 2008
The gun industry is growing, at least based on the increased Federal excise taxe collections. Sales of ammunition and firearms rose 10.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007, led by a 23.6 percent increase in ammunition sales, a 5.9 percent rise in handgun sales and a 4 percent increase in long gun sales. These figures are based on excise taxes collected on wholesale receipts–so the rises can represent higher prices for guns and ammo, or higher quantities sold, or both. The statistics are taken from the latest Pittman-Robertson federal excise tax collection report.
Excise taxes are calculated as a percentage of wholesale receipts, paid quarterly by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, and earmarked for state wildlife conservation and habitat restoration programs. During the quarter, $74.8 million was collected, compared to $67.4 million in the same period in 2006. From October through December, $16.2 million was collected for pistols and revolvers, $31.4 million for long guns and $27.1 million for ammunition. The latest tax collections suggest overall sales of $694.4 million, not including retail markup or final retail sales. For the entire calendar year, a total of $303.2 million was collected in excise taxes, up 21.2 percent from the $250.1 million in 2006.
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