Do you shoot an AR-15? Then here is a great deal on mil-spec 5.56x45mm ammo made by Federal. Credit Ammoland.com for finding this bargain-priced bulk pack with 400 XM193 rounds for just $274.99, 31% off the regular $399.95 price. That works out to under 69 cents per round. You could pay that much just for the quality Lake City brass!
Firearms products dealer Bereli is offering NEW, factory-fresh Federal XM193 5.56 Ammo loaded with 55gr FMJ Bullets. With this deal you get 400 rounds, plus an Ammo Can for $274.99. That is just $0.687 per round. Plus, with this 400rd Ammo Can ships for free with Code “FREESHIPPING”.
Federal XM193 5.56 Ammo 55 Grain FMJ
Federal 5.56 ammunition is loaded with Lake City brass and works for target shooting, training, and plinking. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, brass cases, 55 grain, with FMJ-BT. Get 400 rounds for less than $0.69 per round.
Manufacturer: Federal Premium
Caliber: 5.56×45mm
Bullet Weight: 55 gr
Bullet Type: FMJ
Quantity: 400 Rounds
Pyramyd Air announced its Sick of COVID Challenge — a contest that offers three big Prize Packages, Daily Giveaways, plus FREE Targets. The Sick of COVID (SOC) Challenge runs from February 7 through April 7, 2022. Winners will be drawn after the campaign concludes. To learn more about the SOC Challenge visit Pyramydair.com/soc. NOTE: To enter contest you must scroll down page and log in via email or social media account. No purchase necessary.
Pyramyd Air says: “Sick of Covid? We are too, which is why we’re holding a Sick of Covid Challenge from February 7th through April 7th, with prize packages that include a $3,000 Pyramyd Air shopping spree! Shooting targets won’t fix everything, but it will give us all a chance to unwind and bring some joy back to the world.”
THREE prize packages:
1st Place: $3,000 Shopping PA Spree
2nd Place: $1,500 Shopping PA Spree
3rd Place: $500 Shopping PA Spree
See Pyramyd Air social media channels for Daily Winners!
Winners will be drawn AFTER the contest has finished April 7th, 2022.
NOTE: The targets have a $9.99 price. However, they are free with Code “SOC”. You just pay shipping.
About the COVID Challenge Contest
Customers can enter to win exclusive prize packages by sharing how they enjoy their trigger therapy after a long two years of Pandemic restrictions and worry. Whether it’s an action-packed film, creative candids, or an interesting story, Pyramyd Air wants to hear how shooters are showing they’re Sick of COVID. Pyramyd Air will award $5,000 worth of shopping sprees to winners plus weekly giveaways throughout the two-month campaign.
About Pyramyd Air
Pyramyd Air is the world’s largest online retailer of airguns and accessories. The Ohio-based company offers a diverse inventory from the industry’s leading manufacturers. Each year, the company hosts the Pyramyd Air Cup competition. Pyramyd offers a vast collection of air rifles, from Red Ryder BB guns to lympic-class air Rifles from Anschutz and Feinwerkbau.
Shooting USA will broadcast a fun episode today, February 9, 2022. Today’s show covers Hornady’s Zombies in the Heartland multi-gun match. This popular event, hosted in Nebraska, is one of the biggest three-gun shoots in the nation. After cancellation in 2020 due to COVID, the match returned in June 2021. The Zombies in the Heartland 2021 Match attracted 300 shooters from 20 different states.
SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
The 10-stage 3-gun match was fun and challenging. Reactive zombie targets kept shooters engaged and entertained. Participants shot from a suspended motorcycle, through a burned-out auto yard, and while sitting in a parked pickup truck where shooters were required to turn the wheel to see targets.
Zombies in the Heartland on Shooting USA TV
Pandemic: Zombies in the Heartland
Every year Hornady hosts the very popular Zombies in the Heartland event. This “Pandemic” 3-Gun fun match, one of the biggest three-gun shoots in the nation, took place in June 2021 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. It was great to see the match return after cancellation in 2020. The Pandemic featured a rich prize table worth over $150,000. Prizes include pistols, rifles, shotguns, scopes, AR uppers, gun parts, and gear of all kinds.
The Pandemic is a veritable theme park for shootists, with many fun stages and innovative targets. Many unique, reactive zombie targets have been developed specifically for this match. The use of paper targets has been minimized — so it’s mostly “bang and clang”.
There were ten multi-gun stages this past year. Rifles, pistols and shotguns are used on most stages. There were also fun side-matches. We highly recommend you watch the video below to see highlights from a past Pandemic.
Zombies in the Heartland Highlights Video. Guys, this well-made video is WORTH WATCHING! This video offers Shooter’s POV views of many stages including full auto:
The Berger Southwest Nationals officially starts on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. However there will be Open Practice today at the Ben Avery Benchrest Range. If you’re shooting the Match and need to confirm your zero after travel, or perhaps do some last-minute load testing, you may want to take advantage of today’s testing session. This is also a chance to test out new equipment — such as a new rear bag, or new front rest — and ensure everything is working right. It’s also a good idea to make sure your scope is aligned properly and working 100% correctly.
Matt Schwartzkopf, Ben Avery Range Director, posted this welcome message on our Shooters’ Forum:
Berger SWN Check-In and Practice
[Berger SWN] shooters can check in and pick up their scorecards starting Tuesday 2/8/2022 at the Berger Building from 1 PM to 5 PM, and starting at 6:30 AM on Wednesday morning, 2/9/2022.
The gates to the facility will not be opened until 6:30 AM each morning of the match. Please do not enter the facility until the gates are opened by Ben Avery Staff.
Practice for the SWN is available on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the Ben Avery Benchrest Range from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
We look forward to seeing everyone,
SWN Event Staff
Does your range or shooting club need money to improve facilities? Would you like to train club members as shooting coaches? Well the MidwayUSA Foundation is offering money to help. Here’s how it works…
MidwayUSA Foundation will offer $1 million available for coach training and range development. The Coach Training Grant Program will accept applications through March 1, and Range Development applicants have until April 1 to apply. For both programs, applicants must apply through MidwayUSA Foundation’s online grant application process.
Range Development Grants help existing shooting ranges to make improvements/expansions to allow for more youth-oriented shooting activities. This grant cycle runs February 1 to April 1 and cash grants will be awarded in June. Range Development grants will not exceed $75,000 or 50% of the proposed project budget. Requesting facilities must be a range utilized by a MidwayUSA Foundation endowment holder. Additional requirements can be found on the MidwayUSA Foundation website.
The MidwayUSA Foundation’s Coach Training Grant Program will be open February 1 through March 1 and grants will be awarded in May. The maximum grant payout is $5,000 and the funds will be paid in May. Teams or individuals interested in the Coach Training grant program should reach out to eligible organizations at their state, regional, or national level. These organizations must hold an Agency or Donor Designated endowment with MidwayUSA Foundation. CLICK HERE for other requirements.
How these Grant Programs Help the Shooting Sports
Without proper ranges, there could be no shooting sports at all. And qualified coaches are essential for youth marksmanship training. Executive Director, G. Scott Reynolds explains: “These programs help put the infrastructure in place to provide qualified coaches and regulation ranges. We want all kids that desire to participate in youth shooting sports to have that opportunity.”
The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow the shooting sports industry by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation made is tax-deductible. The Foundation supports all shooting disciplines. For more INFO, visit Midwayusafoundation.org.
U.S. Olympic shooter Eric Uptagrafft in prone position, LARRC 2012. CC photo by Tony Chow.
Eley sponsors many of the world’s top rimfire shooters, who have shared their Tips from the Top. Five ace smallbore shooters provide advice on how to shoot better, how to train more effectively, and how to stay motivated even when “the going gets tough”. If you’re a competitive shooter (in any discipline) you can benefit from reading these words of wisdom from world-class shooters.
Henri Junghaenel, Past #1 ranked, 50M prone rifle shooter.
Focus on Fundamentals: Good performance requires a solid technical foundation. One can hunt after personal bests or one can try to work on the technical basics. The latter will probably lead to better results sooner.
Stay Motivated Over Time: Be persistent and don’t lose your motivation on your way to success. Shooting, like every other sport, requires a learning process which takes a lot of time.
Don’t Yield to Outside Pressures: Don’t let the expectations from others impact yourself. If some people try to put pressure on you (consciously or unconsciously), don’t let them!
Bill Collaros, 2013 Australian WRABF World Cup (Benchrest) and RBA team captain.
Don’t Skimp on Hardware: Ensure your equipment is a good as you can buy. This includes: rests, bags, rifle, scope, and ammunition.
Tune to Your Ammo: Ensure that the ammunition you have is tested and your rifle is tuned to it, to get the smallest possible group.
Train in All Conditions: Train in all sorts of wind and conditions so you know how your rifle and ammunition react in all circumstances.
Stine Nielsen, 2012 Olympic finalist for 3-Position Smallbore Rifle.
No Excuses: When I train, I train by my motto: “A loser has excuses. A winner has a plan.” And when I shoot in competitions I think about that mantra.
Stay Focused: When I stand at a shooting range, I have a good focus on my shooting and myself. I also have a good will to want to shoot 110%.
Zorana Arunovic, Past world #2 ranked, 25M women’s pistol shooter.
Never give up: No matter how hard it is you should always find something that will inspire you to keep going further. I find my inspiration in the success of other athletes. They inspire me to work more and harder. I would say to any young athletes, never give up, no matter how hard it is.
João Costa, Past world #2 ranked, 50m pistol shooter.
Breathing is Key: In shooting as in life, breathing is of paramount importance. So, when shooting try to be calm and quiet. On the bench in front of me I have my pistol, the scope, the magazine and my choice ammo then I count:
Lapua, renowned producer of high-quality components and ammunition, has hired Shane Barnhart as the new Manager of the Lapua Rimfire Performance Center located in Marengo, Ohio. As Manager, Shane will supervise rimfire ammo lot testing in Lapua’s state-of-the art indoor tunnel in Marengo.
Patterned after the world-renowned Lapua Test Center in Germany, both the Marengo, OH and Mesa, AZ Lapua Rimfire Performance Centers provide shooters the opportunity to test multiple lots of ammunition under tightly controlled conditions. Each of the Lapua Rimfire Performance Centers offer the ability to test ammunition at both 50 and 100 meters, simultaneously. By comparing the results of various lots fired at both distances, the best performing lots can provide a distinct competitive advantage. This allows for higher scores and more hits on target for a customer’s chosen discipline. To learn more about the Lapua Rimfire Performance Centers or to schedule an appointment, visit rimfiretest.com.
Shane Barnhart at Camp Perry in 2014, shooting with the USAMU Team.
Barnhart Has Won Multiple National Shooting Championships and Served with USAMU
Barnhart is an accomplished competitive shooter. Shane won 8 National Smallbore Championships, a Service Rifle National Championship, a Civilian Marksmanship Long Range National Championship, and more. Over the past 20 years, Barnhart served with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), where he was a competitive marksman and head coach. With the USAMU, Shane gained years of experience testing smallbore ammunition at the USAMU’s range. Barnhart will commence managing the day-to-day test operations in Ohio beginning in late February 2022.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue being part of the shooting community and to work with such a great brand while doing so,” said Barnhart. “I’ve seen how this kind of testing can make a major difference for a competitive shooter, and I am excited to help [shooters] realize their competitive dreams.”
About Lapua — Lapua produces outstanding rimfire and centerfire cartridges and components for civilian and professional use. Lapua is a part of the Capstone Precision Group, exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Lapua.com.
Applied Ballistics (AB) has announced the deployment schedule for the Applied Ballistics Mobile Laboratory during the 2022 shooting season. The Applied Ballistics Crew will be driving the Mobile Lab Truck and Trailer to a number of important shooting events in 2022. At these events you can get a Personal Drag Model (PDM) for your rifle/load based on Doppler Radar testing. The first deployment will be at the Bomber Run match in Indiana on February 18, 2022, just two weeks away. Here is the overall 2022 schedule:
The Applied Ballistics Mobile Lab trailer carries a vast array of equipment including computers, sensors, and advanced Doppler Radar equipment. The Doppler Radar is employed to create custom ballistic profiles (aka “Personal Drag Models”) for shooters at major matches.
Personal Drag Models (PDMs) provide shooters with exact, precise ballistics data for their preferred ammo as fired in their match rifles. This is especially important for rimfire ammo which may start supersonic, then go transonic, and finish well subsonic during much of its flight. Bryan Litz explains: “The Doppler Radar system allows us to track the bullet’s velocity as it flies down-range. As the bullet’s velocity decays, that’s what tells you the ballistic coefficient, the drag, and [other factors].”
About the Applied Ballistics Mobile Lab
Q: What is the basic purpose of the Applied Ballistics Mobile Lab?
Mitchell Fitzpatrick: The Mobile Lab allows us to effectively carry out ballistics testing in the field and at events. It has most of the capabilities of our normal lab, but on wheels.
Q: What hardware and electronics are carried in the Mobile Lab? What are its capabilities?
Bryan Litz: The Mobile Lab will transport most everything that’s in the main lab including the Doppler radar. This rig is new and we haven’t fully outfitted it yet. The load-outs will be somewhat flexible depending on the venue we are supporting.
The Great American Outdoor Show returns to Pennsylvania this weekend. The big event, the world’s biggest consumer outdoor activity show, takes place February 5-13, 2022 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Great American Outdoor Show will feature nearly 1,100 exhibitors in nine halls covering 650,000 square feet. In the booths will be shooting sports manufacturers, boat and RV dealers, hunting and fishing retailers, and more than 400 outfitters and boat captains.
Wall of Guns — $10 for a Chance to Win One of 40 Firearms
Right in the middle of the action will be The NRA Foundation’s Wall of Guns. Located at booth #39 in the PA Farm Show Complex’s main hallway, the Wall, which has display cases on both sides, will offer chances to win firearms during all nine days of the show.
The Wall of Guns has been a favorite since the NRA took over the show in 2014. For only $10, attendees have a 1 in 100 chance to win a brand new firearm or a $400 cash prize. After every 100 tickets are sold, a winner is drawn. With over 40 firearms to choose from, the $10 ticket is an easy buy for most attendees. Featured firearms on the Wall will include: Ruger Max-9, North American Arms 1860 Hogleg .22mag, Taurus GX4, Savage B22 Overwatch .22LR, and Kahr Arms CW9 and many more.
For attendees who want to make sure they collect a prize from the wall, there is a $500 ticket package which includes a Wall of Guns T-shirt, one KSA Mossy Oak Overwatch CPR Package with NRA Serialization, and 15 chances to win on the Wall. All of these firearms have been graciously donated to The NRA Foundation in support of preserving the Second Amendment.
Click HERE to view all 2022 Wall of Guns ticket packages.
Wouldn’t it be cool if your rifle scope had a built-in laser rangefinder, plus a weather sensor, a ballistics calculator, compass, and even wireless communication? Yes that would be very cool indeed, and that is why the Pentagon is spending at least $20 million on an amazing new “smart optic” from Vortex.
Vortex Optics has been awarded the contract for the U.S. military’s “Next Generation Squad Weapon–Fire Control” (NGSW-FC) optic. Under this contract, Vortex will provide up to 250,000 XM157 NGSW-FC optics over 10 years. These XM157 optics include an amazing set of features: variable magnification optic, backup etched reticle, laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator, atmospheric sensor suite, compass, Intra-Soldier Wireless, visible and infrared aiming lasers, and a digital display overlay.
The new XM157 smart optic is described as a “computer atop the weapon” since it can calculate range, ballistics, atmospherics, directional information, and digital overlay. The fire control system will replace the close combat optic, rifle combat optic, and machine gun optic used by U.S. Special Operations units, Marine Corps, and Army infantry units.
The XM157 is a Low Powered Variable Optic (LPVO) with a display overlay, Laser Rangefinder (LRF), ballistic solver, environmental sensors, aiming lasers, digital compass, and wireless communication to provide for seamless connectivity on the battlefield. The XM157 is based on a 1-8x30mm LPVO with glass-etched reticle on USA-made lenses. The XM157 weighs less than the combined weight of traditional LPVOs plus weapon-mounted Laser Rangefinders.
Vortex Contract Worth at Least $20 Million… And Potentially $2.7 Billion!
With a starting price of $20 million, the NGSW-FC Optic contract stipulates that Vortex will receive at least $20 million from the Pentagon. This will cover the XM157 advanced optics as well as supporting accessories, spare parts, repairs, and engineering services. The Vortex subsidiary Sheltered Wings will fulfill the contract.
As reported in Guns.com: “The 10-year contract… covers the production and delivery of up to 250,000 XM157 Next Generation Squad Weapons-Fire Control systems. The NGSW-FC will be the common sight for the Army’s new NGSW-Rifle, set to replace the M4 Carbine in front line service, and the NGSW-Automatic Rifle, the intended replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. The contract minimum is set at $20 million, with a fantastic $2.7 billion maximum mentioned if all options are taken, pointing to a unit price for each NGSW-FC optic as being in the neighborhood of $10,800. However, it should be noted that, going past the sights themselves, the contract includes supporting accessories, contractor support, spare parts, repairs, and engineering efforts, likely pointing to a significantly lower per-unit cost than the basic math would imply.”
Vortex Nation Podcast About NGSW Fire Control Optic
The Pentagon chose Vortex to provide its Next Generation Squad Weapon – Fire Control Optic (NGSW-FC). But what is an NGSW-FC? What is Vortex’s new scope replacing? What weapons will it ultimately sit on? What features/capabilities does it have? What is Active Reticle? What is Intra-Soldier Wireless? How do the features work? How was it tested? Is it easy to use? Vortex Rep Alexander Lewis answers these questions and more in the 49-minute Podcast linked below.
Vortex Podcast Answers Key Questions about new XM157 Smart Optic
Podcast Highlights about NSGW-FC Optic:
00:00 – NGSW-FC Intro
08:44 – A Traditional LPVO at its Core
16:22 – Smart Scope Technology
19:43 – The “Active Reticle” (Rendering)
23:40 – Smart Scope Technology
29:07 – Size/Weight
33:08 – Laser Rangefinder and Interfaces
42:53 – Battery and Power
Next Generation Squad Weapons Program
Launched in 2017, the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program is a U.S. military initiative to develop operationally relevant squad-level lethality against various threats. Three defense firms have been selected to provide weapons and ammunition prototypes for the program: SIG Sauer, General Dynamics, and Textron Systems. The weapon system also provides soldiers with significant range and signature management capability improvements.
Pandemic: Zombies in the Heartland
