At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Graf & Sons — Peterson Brass in Stock Plus Free Shipping
⏺ Excellent brass for popular cartridges with free shipping option
Quality loads start with quality brass and Peterson offers excellent made-in-USA brass. Graf’s has a full line of Peterson Cartridge Brass in stock and ready to ship. You’ll find popular cartridge types including 6mmBR, 6mm Creedmoor, 6XC, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .284 Win, .308 Win, 300 WinMag and many more. PLUS, if you spend at least $150 of in-stock Peterson Brass, you get Free Shipping on your entire order.
2. Sportsman’s WH — Springfield Armory Model 2020 .22 LR Scoped Rifle, $419.99
⏺ Nice scoped rifle for NRL22, plinking, varminting
Here’s a good rimfire rifle with accuracy guarantee for under $420 complete with optic. Sportsman’s Warehouse has the .22 LR Springfield Armory 2020 Rimfire Target Rifle on sale for only $419.99, a $130 savings. The Model 2020 Rimfire rifle boasts a free-floated barrel and is guaranteed to shoot 1 inch or less at 50 yards with quality ammunition. The trigger is pretty good and the action features dual cocking cams for smooth, reliable operation. This 2020 Rimfire rifle can use Ruger 10/22 magazines.
3. Midsouth — Blem Bullet Sale with Huge Savings
⏺ Major discounts on good bullets for practice, hunting, and varminting
For plinking, varminting, barrel break-in, or just fun shooting on reactive targets, you don’t need ultra-expensive premium projectiles. And for deer hunting, a slight blemish on your bullet shouldn’t be an issue. You can now save up to 50% with the Blem Bullets Sale at Midsouth. For example .270 cal 145gr poly-tip hunting bullets are now just $27.99/100, 45% off the regular price. Offered in a wide range of calibers and styles, these blem bullets are produced by major bullet-makers.
4. Creedmoor Sports — Redding Boss ProPack Combo, $284.95
⏺ Very good single stage press and key components
Get started reloading with the Redding Boss ProPak Loading Kit. Redding has combined top-quality reloading equipment in a money-saving package. This kit provides nearly everything you need (besides dies) to start reloading: Redding Boss Single-Stage Reloading Press, Model 2 Powder and Bullet Scale, Powder Trickler, Deburring Tool, Powder Funnel, Case Prep Kit, Non-skid lube pad and case lube, and Hodgdon Manual. NOTE: This same $284.95 Redding combo is now $489.99 on Amazon, over $200 more!
5. Palmetto SA — AR15 and 9mm Pistol Combo, $799.99
⏺ Get an AR rifle AND a 9mm pistol for under $800
Need a 8mm pistol? Need an AR? How about grabbing both at the same time and saving some money? This week Palmetto State Armory offers the PA-15 Nitride M4 Carbine AND the PSA Dagger RMR 9mm Pistol as a two-gun combo for just $799.99. You could easily pay that much just for a good AR rifle. Both the PA15 rifle and the Dagger Pistol come in OD and matte black colors. These are both well-made and reliable guns.
6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Case Trim/Prep System, $139.99
⏺ Versatile system popular with hand-loaders — good price
The Frankford Arsenal Case Trim and Prep Center (#ad) houses the key tools you need to trim, chamfer, and deburr brass, and clean primer pockets. The case holder features an adjustable collet and bushing system that indexes the case shoulder and can be set to precisely trim brass to an exact length. Built from aluminum and a durable steel frame, the Frankford Case Trim and Prep Center is sturdy and has earned praise from purchasers. Right now it is just $139.99 on Amazon, a 30% discount.
7. Amazon — Caldwell Front and Rear Bag Combo, $29.53
⏺ Very affordable bags for zeroing rifles or PRS/NRL practice
Here’s a low cost yet handy support set-up for your rifle (or pistol). With the Caldwell DeadShot Front and Rear Bag Combo (#ad) you get durable front and rear bags for just $29.53 (for both). This bag combo can be used for sighting in rifles, or easy-to-carry support when varminting. The Caldwell DeadShot Front Bag works pretty well for sighting-in a hunting rifle, and can also be used for PRS/NRL competition. For easier transport, the rear bag has a clasp that can be attached to a strap on the larger front bag.
8. Amazon — Hexeum 4K Night Vision Binoculars, $121.98
⏺ Popular recording night vision binocs at affordable price
Here is a great product for hunters that can also serve for home security, allowing you to scan your property at night. These Hexeum 4K Night Vision Binoculars (#ad) can “watch live” as well as record stills and video. Now available for just $121.98, these Night Vision Binoculars can take high definition photos, and record/playback video in daytime or night time. The recording is 4K HD quality with playback via a 3″ wide view screen. This unit is Amazon’s #1 Best-Seller among Night Vision Binoculars & Goggles. It comes with a 32GB storage card and has USB Type-C fast charging.
9. Amazon — RPNB KeyPad Gun Safe, $69.99
⏺ Compact pistol safe with quick keypad entry, for vehicle or house
If you have a handgun for defense in the home, RV, or vehicle, it is essential that you keep it safely stored while still retaining rapid access. The RPNB Mounted KeyPad Gun Safe (#ad) offers safe storage plus the ability to deploy the gun in seconds. This vertical desk-mount safe features an electronic keypad for single-handed operation. The fast activation drop-down drawer provides a stored firearm in the ready position. Multiple brackets allow left-side, right-side and top bracket mounting. NOTE: There is also a fingerprint-activated Biometric version of this safe for $109.99 on Amazon.
10. Amazon — The ABCs of Reloading 10th Edition, $17.54
⏺ Excellent 288-page resource for reloaders
The ABCs of Reloading book (#ad) covers safe, reliable methods for hand-loading rifle and pistol ammunition. This latest 2021 10th Edition offers detailed reloading instruction, explaining the procedures involved and the tools needed. This book has earned 77% 5-Star reviews. One buyer noted: “This answers over 90% of the questions I see people asking online, but from a RELIABLE source. I’ve been reloading since the mid 70s and I think this is a great source of information for reloaders, new and old.”
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
Burris Signature Rings with polymer inserts are an excellent product. The inserts allow you to clamp your scope securely without ring marks. Moreover, using the matched offset inserts you can “pre-load” your scope to add additional elevation. This helps keep the scope centered in its elevation range while shooting at long range. Additionally, with a -20 insert set in the front and a +20 insert set in the rear, you may be able to zero at very long ranges without using an angled scope base — and that can save money. (To move your point of impact upwards, you lower the front of the scope relative to the bore axis, while raising the rear of the scope.)
Insert Elevation Values and Ring Spacing
People are sometimes confused when they employ the Burris inserts. The inset numbers (-10, +10, -20, +20 etc.) refer to hundredths of inch shim values, rather than to MOA. And you need the correct, matched top/bottom pair of inserts to give you the marked thousandth value. Importantly, the actual amount of elevation you get with Burris inserts will depend BOTH on the insert value AND the spacing between ring centers.
Forum member Gunamonth has explained this in our Shooters’ Forum:
Working with Burris Signature Rings
Burris inserts are [marked] in thousandths of an inch, not MOA. To know how many MOA you gain you also need to know the ring spacing. For example, with a -20 thou insert set in the front and a +20 thou insert set in the rear, if the ring spacing is 6″, the elevation change will be approximately +24 MOA upwards.
Here’s how we calculate that. If you have a 2 X 0.020″ “lift” over a distance of 6 inches (i.e. 0.040″ total offset at 0.5 feet) that’s equivalent to 0.080″ “lift” over 12 inches (one foot). There are 300 feet in 100 yards so we multiply 0.080″ X 300 and get 24″ for the total elevation increase at 100 yard. (Note: One inch at 100 yards isn’t exactly a MOA but it’s fairly close.)
Here’s a formula, with all units in inches:
Total Ring Offset
——————– X 3600 = Change @ 100 yards
Ring Spacing
(.020 + .020)
—————– X 3600 = 24 inches at 100 yards
Ring Spacing: 6 inches
NOTE: Using the above formula, the only time the marked insert offset will equal the actual MOA shift is when the center to center ring spacing is 3.60″. Of course, you are not required to use 3.60″ spacing, but if you have a different spacing your elevation “lift” will be more or less than the values on the inserts.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Palmetto SA — Radical Firearms RF-15 AR, $399.99
⏺ Get complete AR-platform rifle for the price of an upper — $399.99
Yes you can get a modern 5.56 AR-platform rifle for under $400.00. Right now Palmetto State Armory is offering the Radical Firearms RF-15 Rifle for just $399.99. This comes complete with 15″ M-Lok handguard. Along with the all-black version, this RF-15 is also available with FDE (tan) stock, or OD Green stock for the same $399.99 price. NOTE: We do recommend getting a PSA drop-in trigger for this rifle which is chambered for 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem.
⏺ Great price on press and complete reloading system
Natchez is offering Hornady’s L-N-L Classic Single Stage Press Reloading Kit for $339.99, a $154.00 discount. This kit includes a nice press, manual powder dispenser, electronic scale, priming tool, powder trickler, chamfer/debur tool, case lube, shell block and more. As a special bonus, Natchez is including the powered Hornady Case Prep Duo Chamfer tool, a $49 value by itself.
3. EuroOptic — Vortex Optics 12% Site Wide Sale
⏺ Save 12% on Vortex scopes, spotting scopes, LRFs and more
If you’re in the market for a new scope, spotter, and/or other optics, check out the Vortex sale at EuroOptic.com. For a limited time, save 12% on most Vortex products when you use promo code VTX12. There is a wide selection of scopes available for both hunting and competition use, with FFP and SFP models. Vortex also makes very popular (and durable) spotting scopes, binoculars, and rangefinders.
4. Midsouth — Hornady V-Max Bullets on Sale, $105.99/500
⏺ Excellent bullets for varmint rifles and ARs, just $21.20 per 100
Here’s a great bullet deal for AR shooters and varmint hunters with .22-caliber cartridges. At Midsouth now you can get 500-ct packs of 50gr or 55gr Hornady V-Max tipped bullets for just $105.99. And get the bigger V-Max 60-grainers for just four bucks more — $109.99. These bullets work great on prairie dogs and other small critters. V-Max bullets are also good for sporting AR15s shooting steel and paper targets.
5. Palmetto SA — Taurus G2C 9mm Pistol, $229.99
⏺ With rebate get a good 9mm carry pistol for just $204.99
If you need a good, reliable carry pistol, but have a limited budget, consider the Taurus G2C 9mm pistol, on sale at Palmetto State Armory for just $229.99. The G2C features an accessory rail, adjustable rear sight, textured grip, and smooth edges for comfort. The double-stack magazine holds 12 rounds. NOTE: This G2C pistol qualifies for a $25 Taurus Rebate right now. That lowers your net price to just $204.99 — a steal.
6. Amazon — Caldwell AR-500 Steel Targets, starting at $14.99
⏺ Great deals on durable AR500 steel targets — watch video below right
Caldwell’s bright, easy-to-see steel targets come in multiple shapes and sizes for competition, training, and recreational use. Made of AR-500 grade hardened steel, these bright yellow targets can withstand thousands of rounds. Rated up to a 3000 fps impact velocity and a 3500 ft-lb impact energy, these targets come in seven styles and sizes with three hanging solutions. These bright yellow Caldwell AR500 Steel Targets (#ad) are on sale now on Amazon, starting at just $14.99 for the 5″ Gong Target.
7. Natchez, Norma TAC-22 Ammo, $3.59/50ct Box
⏺ Very good .22 LR ammo at extremely low price — GREAT VALUE
If you want quality .22 LR ammo at a very low price, grab some Norma TAC-22. Natchez now has Norma Tac-22 for just $3.59 for 50 rounds. This is a true bargain, yet the TAC-22 is good enough for NRL22 matches as well as fun target shooting. We’ve shot this Norma ammo and been very satisfied. You’ll be hard-pressed to find better .22 LR ammo at this price. Don’t delay ordering — at this price, we expect this TAC-22 ammo will sell out soon. The $3.59 for 50 rds price which works out to just seven cents per round.
8. Amazon — Earmuffs Plus Safety Glasses Combo, $22.49
⏺ Good deal on Muffs/safety eyewear combo
Here’s a good set of NRR 28-rated earmuffs plus Z87.1-approved, wrap-around shooting glasses. This combo offers great protection for the price. The muffs come in multiple color combos: Yellow/Black (as shown), Gray/Black, Blue/Black, Pink/Black, and Purple/Black. Get the muffs and one set of safety eyewear for just $22.49 on sale (#ad). Or, for $8.00 more you can get a $30.99 kit with TWO sets of safety glasses, one tinted and one clear.
⏺ Sophisticated wind speed meter at a super-affordable price
Knowing wind speed is critical to making accurate ballistic adjustments both on the line or in the field. If you need a reliable yet affordable wind speed meter, consider the BTMETER BT-100 Handheld Anemometer (#ad). The BT-100’s multi-function capabilities include Wind Speed, Wind Temperature, and Wind Chill factor. The BT-100 portable wind speed gauge can accurately measure wind velocity in 5 units: m/s, km/h, ft/min, knots, mph. The unit also records air temperatures in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit.
10. TargetSports USA — Self-Inking Stamp for Targets, $5.99
⏺ Handy tool to stamp your own 2″ bullseyes on target
Are you tired of buying targets or wasting expensive printer ink just to shoot holes in paper? Consider this Self-Inking Target Stamp. With an easy-to-fill ink reservoir, you can stamp a grid of multiple targets or add 2″ red bullseyes to a printed target. NOTE: This target stamp is listed at 51mm, so it makes bulls 2 inches in diameter.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. EuroOptic — Sako S20 Hunter or Precision, $1099.99 and up
⏺ Excellent hunting rifle now with $599 price reduction
Need a quality, accurate field rifle with outstanding reliability — plus a great factory trigger and a smooth-running action? Consider the Sako S20 Hunter. The Sako S20 rifle in 6.5 PRC is $1099.99 on sale — a $599.01 discount from the original $1699.00 list price. Along with the 6.5 PRC other chamberings are available with this close-out sale: 6.5 Creedmoor and .300 Win Magnum. Along with the thumbhole stock Hunter model S20, you can also purchase the Precision Rifle version which works well with a bipod and/or rear bag. NOTE: As both stock models fit the same S20 action so you can have two rifles in one (second stock sold separately).
2. Amazon — RCBS Rock Chucker Combo, $435.08
⏺ Excellent combo kit with major savings
Here’s a great package to get started in reloading. You get an excellent RCBS press, plus all the tools you need to load, other than dies. RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit (#ad) has all the necessary items to start including the Rock Chucker Supreme Press, Universal Case Loading Block, Uniflow III Powder Measure, Hand Priming Tool, M500 Mechanical Scale, .17-.60 Debur Tool, Hex Key Set, Case Lube Kit, Powder Funnel and Speer Reloading Manual. You get all this for $435.08 — a very good deal.
⏺ Great precision seater dies with open bullet port
RCBS MatchMaster Dies are great for bullet seating. A key, unique feature is the open “window” (port) on the upper part of the die that allows easy, efficient bullet placement. Along with micrometer seating-depth control, the MatchMaster seating die features a free-floating, self-centering seating stem for perfect bullet alignment. Available for a wide range of cartridge types, these excellent MatchMaster seaters are now 15% off at Grafs.com.
4. Graf & Sons — Frankford Arsenal F-1 Press, $103.99
⏺ Versatile press, good primer exit, plus built-in light
Here’s a handy, single-stage press with some cool features. The Frankford Arsenal F-1 press has an open front for easy case placement, plus a built-in LED lamp at the top. And after decapping, spent primers go straight down a tube into a handy, clear, twist-off catch cylinder (as on a Forster Co-Ax). We think this would be an excellent secondary press used for decapping or bullet seating. Priced at just $103.99 at Graf & Sons — this press is a GREAT deal, but act quick, supplies are limited. NOTE: This press does NOT have primer seating capability — you must prime cases with a separate tool. Also, the power cord for the LED light is NOT included. CLICK HERE for full Frankford Arsenal F-1 Press Review.
5. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Leupold SX-2 Spotting Scope Sale
⏺ Save $100 on spotters, plus get Leupold gift cards
Currently, Sportsman’s Warehouse (SW) is offering $100 OFF quality Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD spotting scopes. Chose either the 20-60x60mm SX-2 for $299.99 or the larger 20-60x80mm SX-2 for $399.99. Both models boast a rugged design and an oversized eyepiece for comfortable all-day glassing. As a bonus, get a FREE $10 SW Gift Card with every $100 spent on Leupold Products (up to a $300 Gift Card).
6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Lite, $99.99
⏺ Good, affordable rotary tumbler for wet-tumbling brass
Get your brass sparkly clean with the Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Lite (#ad). When combined with stainless steel cleaning pins, this rotary tumbler works much faster than ultrasonic or vibratory tumbling methods. With a secure seal this Frankford tumbler allows fast, effective wet cleaning. This 3.3 Liter tumbler is ideal for cleaning small batches of brass and easily fits on any reloading bench.
7. Amazon — Walker Noise Reduction Bluetooth Ear Buds, $46.42
⏺ Lightweight, affordable NRR 29 earbuds with volume controls
Walker’s Electronic Earbuds offer good hearing protection PLUS the ability to hear range commands and other communications. These Walker Earbuds have an impressive NRR 29 rating — better than many large, bulky ear muffs. You can choose from two different designs. The $46.42 Walker Omni-Directional Microphone Rope Hearing Enhancer Earbuds (#ad) offer good noise protection plus Bluetooth connectivity. The newer, gray-color $54.79 Walker Earbuds also have a NRR 29 rating with a more sleek look and controls. Both types have a rechargeable internal Li-Ion battery with up to 10 hours of run-time. Both types of Walker Earbuds boast hi-gain omnidirectional microphones and ship with carrying case, extra foam tips, and USB charging cable.
8. Creedmoor Sports — Real Avid Sale
⏺ Versatile tool kits for firearms
Real Avid offers excellent, innovative tools for ARs as well as other firearms. Right now Creedmoor Sports is running a big sale on Real Avid products, including maintenance kits, folding multi-function tools, cleaning stations, and other clever products for rifles, shotguns, and pistols. These Real Avid tools help you perform cleaning, maintenance, adjustment, and repair tasks with greater precision and efficiency. Save up to 28% now with Creedmoor Sports’ Real Avid Sale.
9. Amazon — Biometric Slider Pistol Safe, $176.99
⏺ Good fast opening gun safe for home or vehicle
The Biometric Slider Gun Safe (#ad) is a great option for rapid access pistol storage in the home, RV, or workplace. This Slider Gun Safe features a modern Hi-Rez 508 DPI Biometric Sensor capable of storing 20 unique fingerprints. You can also open the Slider Safe with a 4-8 digit PIN Code, OR a manual key. The 16-gauge carbon steel construction with a durable finish prevents corrosion and ensures long lasting protection of your device. This Slider Safe has an anti-impact latch that protect contents.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Creedmoor Sports — Berger Sale 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, .308
⏺ Top quality match and hunting bullets with major savings
Right now Creedmoor Sports is running a sale on popular, ultra-high-quality Berger Bullets. Currently a wide range of Berger Hybrid Target bullets are on sale in 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm and .308 calibers. These bullets are a top choice for multiple competition disciplines including F-Class, 600-yard Benchrest, and PRS/NRL. NOTE: Along with the bullets on sale, Creedmoor has 6.5 Creedmoor Berger Hybrid Target ammunition on sale also.
2. CDNN Sports — Ruger American Gen II Rifle w/ Scope, $599.99
⏺ Great deal for American-made hunting rifle with Bushnell scope
Need a rifle for your fall hunt? Save up to $149 on this Ruger American Rifle combo at CDNN Sports. This gray-stocked rifle comes complete with a 4-12x40mm Bushnell hunting scope, and 20″ fluted barrel (with brake). Choose .204 Ruger, .223 Rem, .243 Win, .308 Winchester, or .450 BM chamberings. In addition, for the same $599.99 price, there are versions with FDE tan stock or green stock and 16.1″ or 16.4″ barrels offered in .223 Rem, 300 Blackout, and .450 BM. All these Ruger American Gen II rifles come with 4-12x40mm Bushnell scope and rings, adjustable trigger, and Cerakote metal finish.
3. EuroOptic — Athlon Scope Sale, Save up to 48%
⏺ Buyers rate these Athlon scopes as great for the price
Need a great scope at a big discount? Consider the very affordable yet excellent Athlon Optics riflescopes. Right now they are discounted up to 48% at EuroOptic.com. With a wide array of options you can pick up something for AR shooting, PRS/NRL, Benchrest competition, or Long-range hunting. Magnification choices run from 1-6X zoom in the Athlon Midas BTR compact scopes up to 4.5-30X in the Athlon Ares ETR series scopes with 34mm tubes. For a hunting rig, consider the Athlon Midas TAC 4-16x44mm DD SF — it’s now on sale for just $389.99, a 41% savings off the $662.42 regular price.
4. Midsouth — Lee Challenger Press with BONUS Die Set, $79.99
⏺ Good LEE Press on Sale with FREE DIES
The LEE Challenger is the world’s best-selling single station press. The latest Gen III Challenger features an ergonomic lever plus a convenient tube for spent primers. Right now, to mark its 40th Anniversary, LEE is offering a FREE die set with the purchase of the LEE Gen III Challenger Press. Choose one of four cartridge types: .223 Rem, 9mm Luger, .38 SPL/.357 Mag, and .45 ACP (.44 SPL/.44 Mag is also listed but is out of stock). Another good feature of the LEE Press is the Breech Lock Quick Change Die System — change dies instantly with a twist of the wrist.
5. Palmetto SA — S&W Optics-Ready 9mm M&P Shield, $701.99
⏺ Popular 9mm compact pistol with installed red dot sight
Smith & Wesson took the power and features of the full sized M&P pistols and put them into a slim, lightweight pistol — the M&P Shield 9mm. This is an easy-to-conceal 9x19mm slim pistol has a single-stack magazine and ships with a modern 4 MOA Red Dot sight installed on the slide. This pistol has a Armornite corrosion-resistant finish. Two magazines are included — one flush-fit and one with extended base. Overall this is a very good choice for a CCW handgun.
6. Amazon — Caldwell Deadshot Shooting Bag Combo, $27.80
⏺ Good, inexpensive set-up for sighting-in hunting rifles
If you need an inexpensive set of bags to zero your hunting rifle this fall, consider the Caldwell DeadShot Front and Rear Bag combo. The front bag can also be used in PRS/NRL matches for support. NOTE: Both front and rear bags come filled with corn cob media to allow for immediate use. These bags can be used on virtually any surface, and are stable on wood or concrete benches or rotating shooting stand
7. Amazon — Uikro Shooting Mat, $23.98
⏺ Large, well-padded, waterproof roll-up mat under $25
Having a good, comfortable and durable shooting mat is essential for prone shooting. You can spend over $140 on some mats, but a great, affordable option is the $24 Uikro folding mat. This has ample padding and features moisture-resistant 600D Oxford material for durability. This 1.8-lb shooting pad conveniently folds up to 7.9″L x 6.3″W x 2.7″H. With a portable handle, this mat is easy to transport and it can also be attached to a backpack.
8. Midsouth — 1000 rds CCI Blazer 115gr 9mm, $249.99
⏺ Very good, reliable and consistent 9mm pistol ammo
CCI makes very reliable pistol ammo with reloadable brass cases. Right now you can get 1000 rounds of CCI Blazer 9mm FMJ ammo for just $249.99 at Midsouth. That price works out to just $12.50 per 50-round box — a good price. This very affordable 115gr Blazer 9mm ammo is excellent for practice/training, and it is more reliable than commercial reloads.
9. Amazon — Wheeler Screwdriver Kit, $14.99
⏺ Handy kit with Standard, Hex, Phillips, and Torx Bits
Having the right tools is vital when working on guns. We recommend the Wheeler Space Saver Screwdriver Set with Magnetic Handle. This takes up little space on your bench, but contains a durable and comprehensive set of 26 bits of four types. Included with the standard, Phillips, Hex, and Torx bits, is a 2″ long #2 Phillips bit which is ideal for recoil pad installation, and a hex-to-square conversion bit which allows you to use 1/4″ square drive sockets and other attachments.
10. Amazon — MTM R-100 Ammo Box, $17.99 and up
⏺ Best 100-rd ammo box, securely holds cartridges nose up or nose down
For transporting ammo to the range, we like the MTM R-100 Deluxe ammo box (#ad). These durable R-100 flip-top ammo boxes provide excellent protection for your ammo. When rounds are in the nose-down position special fingers in each hole prevent bullets from hitting the bottom of the box, thereby preventing tip damage. On Amazon there are different prices for R-100 boxes for various cartridge types. Prices start at $17.99 for one R-100 box. There is also a choice between opaque green R-100 boxes and semi-transparent blue R-100 boxes. We like being able to see the cartridges inside the box with the blue design. The most popular blue box, for 22-250 to .30-06 cases, is currently $18.85 on Amazon. This works for all these cartridge types: 22-250, 6mm PPC, 6mmBR, 6 Dasher, .243/.270/.308 Win, 25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55, 6.5-284, 7.62×39, 7mm-08 Rem, .30-06 Springfield and more.
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Hunting season is right around the corner. That means its time to inspect all your hunting gear, including your scope set-up. If you have a new optic, you’ll want to get it mount it correctly, A proper scope installation involves more than just tensioning a set of rings — you need to consider the proper eye relief and head position, and it should be leveled correctly. This video shows a simple, quick method to mount a scope. The method assumes that the reticle (cross-hairs) are square without the turret. You’ll want to confirm that with a plumb line hanging straight down, a procedure you can do indoors.
In this NSSF video, Ryan Cleckner shows how to set up a scope on a hunting or tactical rifle. Ryan, a former U.S. Army Sniper Instructor, notes that many hunters spend a small fortune on equipment, but fail to set up their rifle to use the optics optimally. Cleckner likens this to someone who owns an expensive sports car, but never adjusts the seat or the mirrors.
Ryan notes that you want your head and neck to be able to rest naturally on the stock, without straining. You head should rest comfortably on the stock. If you have to consciously lift your head off the stock to see through the scope, then your set-up isn’t correct. Likewise, You shouldn’t have to push your head forward or pull it back to see a clear image through the scope. If you need to strain forward or pull back to get correct eye relief, then the scope’s fore/aft position in the rings needs to be altered. Watch the full video for more tips.
Tips on Mounting Your Scope and Adjusting Your Comb Height:
1. Normally, you want your scope mounted as low as possible, while allowing sufficient clearance for the front objective. (NOTE: Benchrest shooters may prefer a high mount for a variety of reasons.)
2. Once the scope height is set, you need to get your head to the correct level. This may require adding an accessory cheekpad, or raising the comb height if your rifle has an adjustable cheekpiece.
3. Start with the rifle in the position you use most often (standing, kneeling, or prone). If you shoot mostly prone, you need to get down on the ground. Close your eyes, and let you head rest naturally on the stock. Then open your eyes, and see if you are too low or too high. You may need to use a cheekpad to get your head higher on the stock.
4. If your scope has a flat on the bottom of the turret housing, this will help you level your scope. Just find a flat piece of metal that slides easily between the bottom of the scope and the rail. Slide that metal piece under the scope and then tilt it up so the flat on the bottom of the scope aligns parallel with the flats on the rail. Watch the video at 8:40 to see how this is done.
Video find by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. CDNN Sports — Winchester XPR with Vortex Scope, $599.99
⏺ Super deal on Winchester hunting rifle with Vortex 3-9x40mm scope
Here’s a great deal on a hunting rifle. For just $599.99, you can get a quality Winchester XPR rifle with Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm with BDC reticle. For this rifle + optic special, there are six (6) chambering choices: .243 Winchester (regular and compact), 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm Magnum, .300 WSM (regular and compact), .300 WinMag, .338 WinMag. These rifles feature a 20″, 22″, or 26″ barrel, Perma-Coat steel receiver, free-floating button-rifled barrel, MOA trigger system, and black composite stock.
2. Midsouth — Powders on Sale, Hodgdon, VV, Alliant & More
⏺ Big discounts on popular powders for rifles and pistols
Right now there a great sale on Powders at Midsouth. Many of the popular powders from Hodgdon, Vihtavuori, Alliant, Accurate, Winchester, and Shooters World are now IN STOCK and ON SALE. For example, save $18 per pound on Accurate LT-30 (28% off) and save $10 per pound on Alliant Reloder 16 a 15% savings. You want to act quickly on these deals, because some of the most popular propellants — such as Varget, RL 15.5 TS, RL 16, and VV N560 — can be expected to sell out quickly.
3. Sportsman’s WH — Rangefinders on Sale, Save up to 34%
⏺ Big discounts on Vortex, SIG, Leupold, and Bushnell Rangefinders
4. Palmetto SA — SIG Sauer 3-12x44mm Hunting Scope, $89.99
⏺ Save 50% now on good, basic hunting scope
Here’s a fantastic deal. Get a good, reliable major brand hunting scope for just $89.99. You can save 50% ($90!) this week on this SIG Sauer 3-12x44mm Buckmaster scope. This SFP riflescope features a custom Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) reticle with holdover dots out to 500 yards plus an illuminated display for low-light hunting. NOTE: we believe this optic ships complete with front and rear flip-up lens covers.
5. Palmetto SA — Winchester 5.56 Ammo, $249.99 500 rds
⏺ Super deal on Winchester 5.56 (.223 Rem) ammunition
If you shoot an AR15 or .223 Rem varmint rifle, here’s a great deal. Get 500 rounds of good, reliable Winchester 5.56 55gr FMJ ammo for just $249.99. That works out to just 50 cents per round. This 55gr target ammo works great for service rifle practice or varminting. It will shoot fine in modern rifles chambered for either 5.56 NATO or .223 Remington.
7. Midsouth — CCI Blazer .22 LR Ammo, $32.99/500 Rounds
⏺ Very low price on good, reliable .22 LR ammunition
If you use .22 LR ammo for NRL22, varminting, or plinking, consider this CCI Blazer 40gr ammunition. Rated at 1235 fps, this CCI ammo runs pretty fast and packs a punch. Right now you can get a 500-ct brick for just $32.99. That’s just $3.29 per 50-ct box, a great value for quality American-made ammo.
8. Amazon — Deyace Extra Large Shooting Mat, $37.99
⏺ Nice, relatively big shooting mat with good padding
When shooting prone, you need a good shooting mat. The Deyace Extra Large padded shooting mat (#ad) is a great value for just $37.99. Measuring a generous 78″x28.5″, this XL mat has nice padding for elbows and knees, and the mat folds up nicely for transport. This mat is offered in four colors: Green, Tan, Tan Camo, and Black. For transport, we like this mat’s integral straps and carry handle.
9. Amazon — Digital Trigger Pull Gauge, $17.99
⏺ Cool sub-$20 tool that works really well — great buy
The Pridefend Professional Digital Trigger Pull Gauge (#ad) offers great performance for a very low price. We’ve used this “smart” pull gauge with success on match rifle triggers. This gauge measures in 1 oz. increments from 0 to 12 pounds. The gauge display is easy to read and you can choose ounce, pound, or Kg units. Though it costs just $17.99, this digital gauge offers better consistency than many conventional spring-type gauges. Plus, when you do a sequence of multiple pull tests on one gun, the unit automatically calculates maximum, minimum, and average pull weights.
⏺ Excellent, rugged rifle case at a very good price
When flying or driving it’s vital to protect your rifles. A good hard case option (at a great price) is the APACHE 9800 Weatherproof Protective Rifle Case. On sale for $149.99, this 53″-long case is $190.00 less than an equivalent-size Pelican case. Constructed from durable polypropylene, this quality hard case can protect long guns from from impact, moisture, and dust. The built-in purge valve equalizes pressure so you can open the case after changing elevations. NOTE: Case interior dimensions are 50⅜” by 13⅝”.
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With hunting season coming up soon, we know that many readers will be out in the field — with a set of binoculars. On most game hunts, you’ll speed a lot more time glassing with binocs than looking through your riflescope. With wide field of view and extended low-light capability, a good set of binoculars will be your most important game-finder. And with premium LRF binoculars, such as the ZEISS Victory series, one tool serves both for spotting and laser ranging.
“Without the stabilization of your binoculars [provided by] a tripod … you will be missing a majority of the game you are glassing for.” — Outdoorsmans.com
In this article, Vortex Optics’ Mark Boardman, an experienced hunter, explains the benefits of using a tripod with high-magnification binoculars. Everybody knows that powerful spotting scopes work best when mounted to a stable tripod or otherwise secured to a steady mount. Yet when most folks use binoculars, they never even think of using a tripod, despite the fact that tripod adapters are available for many premium binoculars.
Outdoorsmans Tripod Adapters Outdoorsmans.com sells tripod adapters for various kinds of binoculars. These really work: “Mounting your binoculars to a quality tripod is a must for the serious western hunter. Without the stabilization of your binoculars [by] mounting them to a tripod … you will be missing a majority of the game you are glassing for.”
A serious hunter should learn how to glass with tripod support, using methods outlined here. With binoculars offering more that 8X magnification, you can really benefit from a steady mount. You’ll be amazed at the difference the tripod will make.
Based on its external appearance, a modern riflescope may seem simple. It’s just a tube with two or three knobs on the outside right? Well, looks can be deceiving. Modern variable focal-length optics are complex systems with lots of internal parts. Modern scopes, even ‘budget’ optics, use multiple lens elements to allow variable magnification levels and parallax adjustment.
A few seasons back, we had a chance to look inside a riflescope thanks to a product display from ATK, now called Vista Outdoor, parent of Alliant Powder, CCI, Federal, RCBS, Speer, Weaver Optics. The Weaver engineers sliced open a Weaver Super Slam scope so you can see the internal lens elements plus the elevation and windage controls. We thought readers would like to see the “inner workings” of a typical modern rifle scope, so we snapped some pictures. The sectioned Super Slam scope was mounted inside a Plexiglas case, making it a bit hard to get super-sharp images, but you can still see the multiple lenses and the complex windage and elevation controls.
Check out the details of the focusing and magnification rings near the ocular (eyeball) end of the scope. There is very fine machining and threading to make everything work properly. The ocular lens is the piece of glass that faces the shooter while he aims.
Ever wonder how rifles, actions, stocks, optics, suppressors, and ammo components are produced in factories around the world? Today’s Saturday at the Movies installment features fascinating videos filmed inside major firearms industry factories including BAT Machine, ZEISS, Norma, SAKO, Nosler, CCI and Federal.
BAT Custom Rifle Actions — Factory Tour and Owner Interview
BAT Machine Co. makes some of the finest custom actions you can buy. Numerous national and world records have been set with BAT actions. To create this video, Ultimate Reloader’s Gavin Gear visited the BAT Machine production center in Post Falls, Idaho. Gavin talked with BAT’s founder Bruce Thom. The video features extensive footage of advanced CNC machines used to produce the superb BAT actions. If you own a BAT action, or hope to acquire one some day, definitely watch this video. CLICK HERE for Full Story.
Norma Ammunition Factory — Cartridge Creation Start to Finish
Norma has released a fascinating video showing how bullet, brass, and ammunition are produced at the Norma Precision AB factory which first opened in 1902. You can see how cartridges are made starting with brass disks, then formed into shape through a series of processes, including “hitting [the cup] with a 30-ton hammer”. After annealing (shown at 0:08″), samples from every batch of brass are analyzed (at multiple points along the case length) to check metal grain structure and hardness. Before packing, each case is visually inspected by a factory worker.
The video also shows how bullets are made from jackets and lead cores. Finally, you can watch the loading machines that fill cases with powder, seat the bullets, and then transport loaded rounds to the packing system. Guys, watch this video! You won’t be disappointed. The camera work and editing are excellent — there are many close-ups revealing key processes such as annealing and head-stamping.
SAKO Factory Tour in Finland
SAKO produces some of the best hunting rifles you can buy. SAKO, along with its sister company Tikka, operates sophisticated production facilities in Finland. In the video below, Canadian journalists visit the SAKO factory where rifles are made. It is interesting to see how stocks are made and barrels are bored and contoured. SEE More HERE.
Nosler Bullet Manufacturing
Ever wanted to see how Nosler bullets and cartridges are made? Here’s your opportunity. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) has produced a video (“Quality First”) that offers a behind-the-scenes look inside Nosler’s Oregon factory that produces bullets, brass, and ammunition. RMEF representatives visited Nosler’s famously-guarded manufacturing plant to show the technology used by Nosler to produce bullets and ammunition. After the intro, this video illustrates Nosler’s bullet construction techniques with a cool animation sequence. The video then showcases the Nosler ballistics lab, inspection room, and packaging line. SEE more HERE.
Video Showcases Nosler Production Facility and Ballistics Lab
ZEISS Sport Optics
ZEISS is a world leader in lens and optics technology. Along with ultra-high quality lenses used in production of computer chips and special optics for high-tech medical equipment, ZEISS produces great optics for hunters and shooters. ZEISS lenses are renowned for their sharpness, clarity, and high light transmission. ZEISS has a new series of LRP S3 and LRP S5 First Focal Plane scopes which promise to be favorites among PRS/NRL competitors and long-range hunters.
Silencerco Suppressor Fabrication Start to Finish
Here’s a cool video that shows the entire production process for a SilencerCo Octane pistol suppressor start to finish. Beginning with the raw materials, this video shows a wide variety of cutting, milling, drilling, burnishing, fitting, metal bathing, surface finishing, and laser etching processes. If you have any interest in production methods you’ll want to watch this video all the way through, and maybe a second time.
Rimfire Ammo Production at CCI/Speer and Federal Factories
YouTube host 22Plinkster got a chance to tour the CCI/Speer production facility in Lewiston, Idaho. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, 22Plinkster was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish. This is a fascinating video, well worth watching.
This revealing video shows all phases of .22 LR ammo production including cupping, drawing, annealing, washing, drying, head-stamping, priming, powder charging, bullet seating, crimping, waxing, inspection, and final packaging.
Field & Stream Tours Federal Ammo Plant in Minnesota
A while back Field & Stream toured the Federal ammunition production facility in Anoka, Minnesota. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, the reporter was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish. This is a fascinating video, well worth watching. Click speaker icon for sound.
Note to Viewers — After Starting Video, Click Speaker Icon to HEAR audio!
The Manufacturing Process for .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition Shooting Sports USA explains: “Rimfire cartridge cases are the oldest self-contained cartridge in existence, having been in continuous production since the mid-1850s. Rimfire cases are drawn from a thin piece of brass and formed with a hollow rim. A priming compound is then forced into the case using centrifugal force, where it is charged with powder and a bullet is seated in the mouth of the case. The case is then crimped around the bullet to ensure sufficient push and pull when the round is fired. When the firing pin strikes the thin brass rim of the case, the hollow rim is crushed and the primer is ignited.” Source: SSUSA.org 9/2/2017.
In this NSSF video, Ryan Cleckner shows how to set up a scope on a hunting or tactical rifle. Ryan, a former U.S. Army Sniper Instructor, notes that many hunters spend a small fortune on equipment, but fail to set up their rifle to use the optics optimally. Cleckner likens this to someone who owns an expensive sports car, but never adjusts the seat or the mirrors.
Outdoorsmans Tripod Adapters
Norma has released a fascinating video showing how bullet, brass, and ammunition are produced at the 
