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.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
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.
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 — FREE 9mm Pistol with SIG Rifle or Handgun
⏺ Get a FREE SIG Sauer P365 or P320 pistol with SIG gun purchase
Buy a gun, get a FREE gun. Here’s the deal — if you buy a specific SIG Sauer rifle or pistol you can get a FREE SIG P365 or P320 pistol. Customers who purchase a qualifying MCX-Regulator rifle, MCX-Spear rifle, or P226-XFIVE pistol will receive a SIG P365, P320-M17, or P320-M18 pistol through an online redemption offer at SIGSauer.com. CLICK HERE for details and list of qualifying purchases. You can purchase the qualifying guns through Palmetto State Armory or other licensed gun vendor.
2. Midsouth — Leupold VX-3HD Scope Sale with $100 Savings
⏺ Good scope for hunting rifles now $100 Off
If you need a new scope for a game-hunting or varmint rifle, check out the VX-3HD Line from Leupold. Right now Midsouth is offering a huge $100 discount on four popular Leupold VX-3HD scopes. Plus you get FREE shipping. Chose the 3.5-10x40mm, 3.5-10x50mm, 4.5-14x40mm, or 4.5-14x50mm, all with 1″ diameter main tubes.
3. Precision Reloading — Major Sierra Bullet Sale, All Calibers
Right now Precision Reloading is running a major sale on Sierra Bullets. There are significant savings on the full range of bullet weights and calibers — from .204 to .457. Save 12% or more this week. Choose from lightweight varmint bullets or high-BC match bullets in popular competition calibers: .224, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, and .308. NOTE: Sierra Bullet Sale ends 9/22/2024.
4. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Depriming Tool, $39.99
⏺ Convenient tool — no press needed to deprime anywhere
Decapping fired brass can be tedious when using a reloading press and decapping die. Make things easier with the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Deprimer Tool (#ad). You can deprime cases while watching TV. This handheld unit features an easily removable spent primer catch tube and an assisted-ejection case holder for easy removal of deprimed cases. The handle is spring-loaded to return the deprimer to the start position automatically.
Shooting waterfowl demands a rugged, accurate shotgun that won’t punish you with recoil. The Franchi 28″ Affinity Black 12ga Semi-Automatic Shotgun handles great and can shoot modern, full-size 3.5″ shells. Recoil is quite manageable — the quality TSA buttpad combined with the Franchi Inertia Drive system absorb up to 50% of perceived recoil. The shotgun has a ventilated rib barrel with red fiber-optic front sight. This Franchi shotgun ships with Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full chokes plus choke wrench.
6. Amazon — Lyman Trigger Pull Gauge, $47.48
⏺ Very popular trigger gauge is accurate and easy to use
Lyman’s patented Digital Trigger Pull Gauge (#ad) is designed to be the fastest and most accurate trigger pull gauge available. This accurate electronic trigger gauge can register from 1 ounce all the way up to 12 pounds pull weight, with accuracy to the tenth of an ounce. That makes it ideal for all firearms types. This unit features a retractable pull rod to prevent damage. We like this Lyman tool and recommend it.
7. Scheels — Berry’s 400 Tumbler, $64.99
⏺ High-quality tumbler plus free shipping with $75 total purchase
Tumbling brass takes a strong machine that gets the job done quickly. The Berry’s 400 Tumbler is made from premium parts. The large, smooth bowl helps with fast, efficient cleaning while the clear lid lets you check progress easily. The motor has a 3-year warranty while other parts come with a lifetime warranty. NOTE: Currently Scheels offers FREE Shipping with a purchase of $75.00 or more. Add cleaning media ($17.99) to your cart and you can get FREE Shipping for both items.
Whether you’re working on your next firearm build or performing routine maintenance in your shop, the Wheeler Engineering 30-Piece SAE/Metric Hex and Torx P-Handle Set (#ad) is a great addition to your workbench. The stand design allows quick access, and the holder assembly can even be mounted on a wall. The tool handles are color-coded for type, and the front of the holder has clear/bright labels for size and type of each tool. This 30-piece set offers a full range of SAE Mex, Metric Hex, and Torx drivers.
8. Amazon — Lyman Micro-Touch 1500 Scale, $67.87
⏺ Good compact scale with touch screen
Every handloader can use a compact but precise scale. Get all the features of much larger models combined with state-of-the-art touch screen controls with the Lyman Micro-Touch 1500 Scale (#ad). It is just 3.25″ wide by 5.4″ long and 1.25″ tall. This digital reloading scale has a full 1500 grain capacity and is accurate to within 1/10 of a grain. The Micro-touch 1500 also includes its own powder pan and 100-gram calibration weight.
10. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Gen 2 Reloading Trays
⏺ Quality cartridge-specific trays offer no-wobble fit
Ammo trays that fit cartridge brass very well definitely enhance the reloading process. We like the Frankford Arsenal Gen2 Reloading Trays (#ad) because they are sized for individual cartridge types (or a cartridge family) for a precise fit. These trays help hand-loaders maximize efficiency and stay organized. Sold in a convenient 2-pack, each tray securely holds 50 cases. Tray sizes are available for popular rifle and pistol cartridges: 9mm, .223 Rem, .38 SPL/.357 Mag, .38 Super/.40 SW, .45 ACP, .308 Win/6.5 CM, 7mm RemMag/.300 WinMag, and .338 Lapua/.45-70.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
Hunting season is coming soon. For hunters that means many hours may be spent searching for animals through spotting scopes and binoculars — “glassing” for game. And when the hunter does find a good buck or doe, he’ll need to know the animal’s precise distance, so that demands a good laser rangefinder. Being carried in the field, the scopes on hunting rifles need to be tough and durable, and every hunting scope should have excellent low-light performance. And when the hunter finally takes his shot, his scope better be properly zeroed. Today’s Saturday showcase spotlights Hunting Optics. We offer eight great videos that help you select the right riflescope, spotting scope, rangefinder, and binoculars for your next hunt.
Here’s a good video by an avid hunter who treks in remote, mountainous zones. The host has learned what works… and what’s worth the weight to carry: “I’ve found that the combination of 10×42 binoculars and a 27–60x80mm spotting scope is the sweet spot for mountain hunting. This pairing balances weight with reach, allowing me to keep moving but also reach out and see well-hidden animals. In some cases, I will make use of an 18×56 binocular, but this is reserved for non-backpack hunts. With 25 years of mountain hunting experience, I can whole-heartedly recommend my preferred binocular pair as a fantastic and versatile set-up for northern mountain hunts at the very least.”
Ultimate Spotter Test — 19 Spotting Scopes Reviewed
The producers of this remarkable 19-product spotting scope comparison state: “If you are looking at choosing the best spotting scope for hunting… you are in the right place! We tested these 19 spotting scopes to find the best compact spotting scope, best 65mm spotting scope, and best 85mm spotting scope out there. We also wanted to find the best values on the market, and I think we definitely did that. While we certainly couldn’t test them ALL, we were able to put together this incredible lineup of some of the best spotting scopes out there to help you find what is going to work for your specific needs.”
First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane Scopes
For the last century, Second Focal Plane (SFP) scopes have been most common on hunting rifles. Now there are an increasing number of First Focal Plane (FFP) optics favored by hunters. The main reason is that the reticle mark values (in Mils or MOA) are constant relative to the target size at all magnification levels. That is handy for hold-offs and hold-overs. On the other hand, a SFP scope maintains a constant reticle size and line thickness at all zoom values. For most hunting shots, taken inside 300 yards, that really should be fine. Many hunters feel they can spot their prey more easily without a busy reticle that obscures small details at higher magnification. This video explains the pros and cons of both reticle types. The final decision is up to you — much will depend on the terrain you hunt and the distances you shoot.
The Complete Optics Selection for For Deer Hunting
In this video, Vortex optics techs explain the optics package deer hunters will want to take into the field. Along with a good medium-power zoom riflescope, you’ll want binoculars and (probably) a spotting scope. You’ll also want a Laser Rangefinder (LRF) or laser-equipped binoculars. As the team points out, the LRF is not just to range your prey right before you take a shot. A top-quality LRF can range a reflective object as far as 1500 yards away. That helps you decide whether you want to hike a mile to reach that buck you see way out on the next ridge.
MOA vs. MIL — What You Need to Know
These days, scope manufacturers offer a wide selection of both MIL (Milliradian) and MOA (Minute-of-Angle) based optics. We do think that MOA is still predominant in the lighter-weight, lower-cost (sub-$500) scopes marketed for hunters. There are pros and cons for both angular measurement systems. One MIL is 3.6″ at 100 yards, while one MOA is 1.047″ at 100 yards. If you grew up thinking in inches, a 1/4-MOA click-value hunting scope might work best. If you shoot PRS or have other MIL scopes you may prefer a MIL-value optic for your hunting rifle. Both choices will do the job.
Comparison of Eight Laser Rangefinders
The Backfire team purchased eight rangefinders and tested them in the field. Most of the products are under $500. This is a good review if you are looking for a compact LRF at a moderate price. Looking at performance for the price, for the hunting market, the reviewers favored the Leupold RX-1600 and the waterproof Vortex Ranger 1800. COMMENTARY: If you can afford it, we recommend that serious hunters consider top-end laser rangefinder-equipped binoculars such as the ZEISS Victory RF and Leica Geovid.
How to Zero Your Hunting Rifle Efficiently
Last but not least, here’s a great video from Vortex that shows you how to quickly and efficiently sight-in and zero your hunting rifle before heading out into the field. This video explains a simple procedure that lets you get a solid zero in just three shots. Of course you probably want to fire a few more rounds to confirm your zero before you head off to your hunting grounds, but this will let you get on-target with a minimum amount of time and ammo expended. This helpful video has over 3 million views on YouTube!
Fouling Shots and Cold Bore Condition
If you recently cleaned your rifle, you may want to fire two or three fouling shots before you start this procedure. But keep in mind that you want to duplicate the typical cold bore conditions that you’ll experience during the hunt. If you set your zero after three fouling shots, then make sure the bore is in a similar condition when you actually go out hunting.
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 — 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.
2. Brownells — Weekly Deals on Guns, Optics, Actions and More
⏺ Major savings on hundreds of products — actions, optics, rifles, pistols
3. Palmetto SA — Savage Axis XP Rifle with Scope, $520.00
⏺ Great deal on Savage Camo hunting rifle with bore-sighted optic
Hunting season is starting soon. If you need a hunting rifle, consider a camo-stocked Savage Axis XP rifle, complete with mounted/bore-sighted Weaver 3-9x40mm scope. This has a nice camo stock plus a user-adjustable AccuTrigger. Total price, with scope, is just $469.99 for .223 Rem, .243 Win, and 7mm-08. Or get a long-action .270 Win Axis XP for $428.99 or a .30-06 Springfield Axis XP for $479.99. If you don’t need a camo stock you can get a scoped Savage Axis XP for just $368.99 in 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, and .308 Win. All these are great deals for a rugged, reliable rifle complete with scope.
4. EuroOptic — Trijicon Close-Out Scope Sale
⏺ Huge discounts on high-quality Trijicon scopes
While supplies last, save up to 57% on these Trijicon Tenmile and Credo Scopes on closeout! User reviews of these optics have been very positive. Choose the 3-9x40mm Trijicon Huron BDC Hunter for $449.99, the 6-24x50mm Tenmile FFP for $849.99 (great scope choice for PRS/NRL), or the innovative 1-8x28mm Trijicon Credo HX (good for ARs) for $999.99 (over $900 off!).
⏺ Fast, programmable, accurate dispenser at great price
The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper (#ad) is a high-quality powder scale/dispenser. It’s accurate to +/- one-tenth of a grain, dispenses in seconds, and can be controlled by a handy mobile App that stores charge weights for different cartridges. This unit has a 7000-grain capacity with both auto and manual trickle capability. This $174.99 price is a good deal now — you save $55 (24%) off the typical $230 online price.
⏺ Save hundreds on advanced optics with built-in rangefinders
The Burris Eliminator III is a 4-16x50mm optic with a built-in Laser Rangefinder. This rangefinding scope is now on sale for $699.99 at MidwayUSA, a 49% savings off the original $1399.99 price. Plus the newer Eliminator IV model is now just $885.00, a 49% savings. We really like these units for varmint hunting — you can instantly range the critters, with the vertical hold shown by a red dot in the reticle.
7. Midsouth — Bulk Tipped Bullets Sale, 250 for $42 and up
⏺ Super deal on good bullets for varmint hunting and ARs
Varmint hunters may shoot hundreds of rounds in a day, and AR competitors will run through many magazines in multi-gun matches. If you are a high-volume .22 cal centerfire shooter, here’s a great bullet deal at Midsouth. Get 250 55gr poly-tipped bullets for $41.99 — just 17 cents per bullet. Or get 250 poly-tipped 62-grainers for $44.99 — 18 cents each. If you want a heavier .22 cal poly-tipped bullet, Midsouth has 250ct packs of 75-grainers for $49.99, 20 cents per bullet. In addition to the .22 cal bargains, there are also 110gr .308 cal poly-tip bullets on sale at $64.99 for 250.
⏺ Great price on versatile rapid access 2-gun security safe
If you want handy storage for two handguns or one pistol, watches, and other valuables, consider this SnapSafe 2-Gun Keypad Vault, now just $69.99 at Grafs.com (46% off). Along with the keypad, there is a backup rotary key lock. The spring-loaded door opens immediately with your programmable code. A protective foam liner safeguards contents, the interior shelf is removable, and the base is pre-drilled so the vault can be bolted in place. This is a great deal — the very same SnapSafe 2-gun vault costs $134.99 right now at MidwayUSA — nearly twice as much.
9. MidwayUSA — Plano Protector Pro-Max Rifle Case, $30.29
⏺ Good price on a sturdy, 52″ interior transport case for long rifles
Do you have a long-barreled hunting or varmint rifle? With a 52″ internal size, this Plano Protector Pro-Max Rifle Case handles rifles with barrels up to 30″ (or 31″ with a thin buttplate). On the inside the case has high-density, interlocking foam padding. On the outside, the case has four clamps, padlock tabs, and a handy carry handle. NOTE: This case will work well for normal trips to the range. However, you’ll want a thicker, more sturdy TSA-approved case for airline transport.
10. Palmetto SA — Walker’s Muffs + Safety Glasses, $15.99
⏺ Killer deal on hearing and eye protection combo
Need basic hearing and eye protection? Or perhaps you could use a spare set for friends you invite to the range? Check out this Walker’s Ultra Slim Muff & Glasses Combo. You get good quality 27dB NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) muffs AND a set of quality shooting glasses — all for just $15.99. That’s a great price for essential safety items. Shooters should always have both eye and ear protection whenever at the range.
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This new ultra-compact spotting scope that should prove useful for hunters and PRS/NRL competitors. The Vortex Viper HD 11-33x50mm spotting scope weighs just 27 ounces — great for back-country hunting where light weight and portability is crucial. This spotter is offered in both straight and angled models for $599.99. It employs a handy dual-focus system, allowing a rapid initial focus plus precision final focus.
The compact Viper HD 11-33×50 has an HD Optical System encased in rugged outer body with rubberized armor. About the size of a large water bottle, this compact, 27 oz. spotter stows easily in a pack. It features a removable eyepiece and has an ARCA mount for tripods.
- Compact and Lightweight maximizes portability for long treks
– Dual-Focus enables rapid and precise image focusing
– ARCA-Swiss Compatible enables quick, versatile, and secure mounting options
– Removable Eyepiece enhances packability, ideal for backcountry hunts
– Twist-up Eyecup provides customized eye relief
– Rubber Armor ensures durability, protection, and a non-slip grip
For a detailed list of technical specifications, frequently asked questions, and high-resolution images, check out the Viper® HD 11-33x50mm Spotter on the Vortex New Product Portal.
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 
