Vista Outdoor has announced that it will be raising prices on ammunition, primers, and powder starting January 1, 2024. Last week, the Minnesota-based company sent a letter to commercial customers revealing across-the-board cost increases for ammunition, primers, and powder starting the first of the year. The price increases will range from one percent to ten percent, with projected 5% price hikes for primers. CCI/Federal/Remington .22 LR rimfire ammo will rise 1-5% while rifle ammo goes up 1-7%.
“Due to world events our suppliers have notified us of unprecedented demand for and an anticipated global shortage of gunpowder, and thus has increased our prices substantially,” Vice President of Sales, Sporting Products Brett Nelson said in the letter. “We must therefore raise our pricing to help offset those increases.”
Vista Outdoor Sporting Group entities that will increase prices include Alliant Powder, CCI, Federal, Remington, Speer, and HEVI-Shot. The projected increases are shown at right.
This article originally appeared on the USAMU Facebook Page. The USAMU regularly published reloading advice for many years. Check the Facebook archives for related USAMU articles.
Here at the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), we receive inquiries from shooters at many skill levels. One of the most frequent questions we are asked is, “What equipment do you recommend I buy to start handloading?”
Often, the handloader will be focused on producing ammo in quantity, and a big concern is whether to begin with a single-stage vs. a progressive press. However, there is one critical item that often gets overlooked as folks talk about the especially interesting topics such as reloading die brands and types, scale types and brands. And, what might that item be?
“When all else fails, read the what?” Yes, we recommend those new to handloading actually begin with reading the early chapters of one or, preferably two quality handloading manuals. They contain copious information on basic handloading safety, how to choose and use components, and how to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous conditions. Of course, they also do a fine job of teaching new loaders the correct methods of adjusting dies, determining safe loads and improving accuracy. Beginners can recognize and avoid many potential pitfalls, shortening the learning curve tremendously.
As a government entity, we aren’t able to make specific brand-name recommendations as such. However, recent manuals from the major bullet and powder manufacturers, especially those who emphasize accuracy and match-type bullets are generally a wise choice.
Handloaders often come to prefer one or two maker’s manuals over others for various reasons. Asking a friend who’s already an experienced loader which manuals they recommend is a good start. Borrowing one or more to read before purchasing is another.
This is a good way to both save money and get a feel for the variety of component types and data that are available. Comparing differences in data from different manuals in the same caliber, with the same powder and bullet weight can be an eye-opener. It is also a wise step in researching any loading project before one begins — and the reasons for the differences are fully explained in the manuals!
The AMU recommends buying proven, high-quality equipment. It should have a reputation for great durability, good ergonomics and reasonable-to-excellent precision. In addition, ask fellow shooters which companies have a good reputation for support after the sale. Several of the better handloading companies set the bar very high.
Video Shows Special Features of Forster Co-Ax Reloading Press
With the better ones, it’s common to call to order small replacement parts and receive them at no charge in the mail immediately thereafter. Other companies don’t enjoy such a sterling reputation. Often, these focus on cheap equipment made with low-quality materials, aimed at those to whom cost is the prime consideration.
Good quality equipment not only leads to less frustration, faster production, better results and less misery — it is also an excellent investment. Certain companies’ products sell virtually instantly on the used market and retain high resale value. Other gear from less well-regarded companies is much more difficult to sell. Moreover, it brings far less of its original purchase price—if it can be sold at all.
Ask veteran handloaders — preferably those who are still very active in the shooting sports — which equipment they prefer, and why. After getting specific recommendations, search for reviews of that equipment, as well as possible alternates and newer designs. Learn the steps of operating the various options, and evaluate them for efficiency, effort and precision. A little research can pay big dividends here!
With the Whidden Click-Adjustable Sizer Dies, you can change shoulder bump by .001″ (one-thousandth) with a simple click. Fast. Easy. Precise.
As handloaders have become more aware of shoulder bump and proper adjustment of the sizer die in recent years, there has become a need for an easier way to adjust the sizer die properly. For most folks, with their conventional dies, it takes lengthy trial trial and error to get the shoulder setback correct. Anyone who has done this can attest that it can be a slow and annoying job.
Whidden Gunworks has solved the problem with the innovative Click Adjustable Sizer Die. Patent No: 10,393,488. This die and lock ring work together to give the user a clicking feel to the adjustment just like a high end rifle scope. Each click moves the shoulder bump exactly .001″ so you can easily find the exact shoulder bump that you desire.
The Click Adjustable option is available on Whidden Custom Sizer dies as well (7/8”-14 format dies only)! Included with the Click Adjustable Sizer Die is a Shoulder Bump Gauge. This gauge attaches to standard calipers and allows measurement from the case shoulder to the base. Using the Shoulder Bump Gauge with the Click Adjustable Sizer Die will make the proper sizer die setup easier than ever before.
Click-adjustable die sets are available with both bushing and non-bushing configurations. Along with these complete die sets, Whidden Gunworks offers a separate click-adjustable ring to use with existing dies. Priced at $58.99, the Whidden Click-Adjust Lock Ring represents a modest investment for a major gain in die ease-of-use and precision adjustability.
The Whidden Universal Click Adjustable Lock Ring you can instantly turn your sizer die into a Click Adjustable Die. This ring works with any 7/8 OD sizer of any brand with adjustable shoulder bump. Simple in design, the inner and outer ring can rotate independently of each other. Each click is metered in true 1 thousandths adjustment and has 0.100″ total available travel. These work great with nearly all sizing 7/8 OD sizing dies, and one verified purchaser noted: “Not only are they useful on reloading dies, but it’s the cat’s meow on the Giraud Power Trimmer Case Holders.”
Dillon Users Take Note: The Whidden Click Adjustable Sizing Die will not work with the Dillon 550 or 650 progressive reloading press systems. The Universal Click Adjustable Lock Ring is not compatible with the Dillon floating toolhead.
Powder Valley has added Norma products to its extensive inventory of ammunition, reloading components, tools, and shooting accessories. Powder Valley is now carrying Norma products for shooters and handloaders. Norma ammo and components are developed with the high quality raw materials and tight tolerances to ensure long life and accuracy.
About Norma Precision AB
Dedicated to outfitting shooting enthusiasts with quality products since 1902, Norma started out in a small Swedish town and is now a top global brand boasting more than 350 employees, most of whom are hunters, shooters, and reloaders themselves. For hunting and target shooting applications Norma manufactures many millions of rounds annually for 100+ different cartridge types.
VERY Informative Video Show Cartridge Brass and Ammunition Production:
Here’s a cool video showing how bullet, brass, and ammunition are produced at the Norma Precision AB factory. 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 human being (3:27″ time-mark). 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 the loaded rounds to the packing system.
12 Days Of Christmas Contest at Powder Valley
Beginning Monday, December 4, 2023, Powder Valley has been running a major give-away contest, with prize products from a different maker each day. Today, 12/6/23, Berry’s Bullets are the Prize. And, TAKE NOTE readers, tomorrow 12/7/2023 Lapua, Berger, and Vihtavuori products are the Daily Contest Prize. If you need Lapua Brass, Berger Bullets, or VV powder, be sure to enter before end of day 12/7/2023. The 12 prizes vary by day and by value. Each day’s prize will be posted on Facebook and Instagram. WINNER SELECTION: A random drawing will be conducted the following day by Sponsor or its designated representatives. The Sweepstakes began on 12/4/23 and ends on 12/15/23.
About Powder Valley Powder Valley began in 1984 as Dexter Automotive, the first master distributor of Accurate powder. In 2000, Bryan and Noel Richardson purchased the company and moved operations to Winfield, Kansas with a focus on providing the finest in reloading components at the best possible price. Powder Valley expanded its vision to offer every type of powder and primer available so reloaders would have a single shopping source. Since then, Powder Valley has grown into the largest distributor of canister powder in the United States and currently carries an ever-expanding offering of high-quality bullets, brass, wads, shot, gun care items, and ammunition at an excellent value.
Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) announced that its Board of Directors, following consultation with its financial and legal advisors, has rejected the unsolicited proposal received on November 22, 2023 from Colt CZ Group SE to combine Colt CZ and Vista Outdoor. It appears that the main reason the Colt CZ proposal was rejected is that the proposed $30.00 share price was too low and “did not take into account the value created by splitting the outdoor and sporting divisions” (Reuters). Vista Outdoor will continue to move forward with sale of its sporting products operations to the Czechoslovak Group A.S. (CSG), as announced this past October.
“The Board of Directors has determined that the (Colt CZ proposal) would not be more favorable to Vista stockholders from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated by the CSG (agreement) and does not provide a basis for engagement with Colt CZ,” Vista Chief Executive Gary McArthur said in a letter posted on the company’s website.
Vista Outdoor will continue to proceed to sell its outdoor sporting products business to Czechoslovak Group (CSG) for $1.91 billion. This will involve transfer of some of the biggest names in the shooting/reloading world including: Federal, CCI, Remington Ammo, Speer, and Hevi-Shot. The sale and take-over is expected to be completed in 2024. CSG stated: “From the outset, we have believed that, compared to Colt’s offer, our agreement with Vista makes much more sense for Vista shareholders and for the future success of both (Vista) segments.”
Vista Outdoor’s Board of Directors stated that the determination to reject the Colt CZ proposal was made based on a number of factors, including:
The “purported value of $30 per Vista share in the November 22 [Colt CZ] Proposal significantly undervalues Vista”;
The November 22 Colt CZ Proposal “does not provide adequate details relating to the debt and equity financing contemplated thereby and does not include any binding commitments with respect to such financing”;
The November 22 Colt CZ Proposal “does not take into account the significant stockholder value that is expected to be created by the separation of the Outdoor Products and Sporting Products segments of Vista into two independent companies, each with its own dedicated strategic focus, enhanced ability to attract and retain top talent, tailored capital allocation philosophy, and set of competitive advantages.”
An official release stated: “The Vista Outdoor Board continues to recommend the acquisition of the Sporting Products business by Czechoslovak Group a.s. (“CSG”) and remains committed to acting in the best interests of Vista Outdoor stockholders.” And CSG has stated: “From the outset, we have believed that, compared to Colt’s offer, our agreement with Vista makes much more sense for Vista shareholders and for the future success of both (Vista) segments.”
The acquisition of the Sporting Products business by Czechoslovak Group is expected to close in calendar year 2024, subject to approval of Vista Outdoor’s stockholders, receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
We have all been there — you place a piece of tumbled brass in the shell-holder of your press, raise it into the die, and suddenly it is like somebody hit the brakes. The case is stuck in the die. Your first instinct is to reverse it out. You crank on the handle, and BANG! The rim rips off the case head and you are looking at a piece of brass stuck in the die.
A stuck case is one of the boo-boos that all of us reloaders have faced from time to time. If proper lubrication is applied, then it should not be a problem. No matter if you are a seasoned reloader or new to it, this situation can happen. Take your time, use the proper procedures, and you will be back in business in no time! This article explains how to avoid stuck cases (through proper lubrication) and how to use a stuck case removal system.
What Causes Stuck Cases
One of the first common mistakes reloaders face is the stuck case. It can be caused by too much or too little lube. Too much and a vacuum can be formed causing the case to become suctioned into the die. Too little lube and friction is the culprit. So what is the cure? There is no exact cure, but the best lube that we have found so far is just a dab of Imperial Sizing Die Wax on your fingers and applied in a thin coat on the body of the case, not the shoulder or neck. Too much of this wax can cause the vacuum effect, or can eventually load your die up with gobs of residue. If it is applied to the shoulder area, or the leftover wax moves up into the shoulder region of the die, you will see dents or dimples in the shoulder. [AccurateShooter.com Editor’s Note: For normal full-length sizing of small cases such as 220 Russian/PPC, 6mmBR, 6.5 Grendel, or 6.5×47 Lapua we recommend Ballistol (aerosol) lube. It is very slippery, goes on very thin, and does not gum up the die.]
A great way to ensure that your dies are clean is to use a simple chamber mop with a dab of your favorite solvent on it and clean out the die. Be sure all of the solvent is out after cleaning by spraying the die out with Quickscrub III or use a clean chamber mop. If you are storing your dies, you can apply a thin coat of a good oil to protect the steel such as TM oil or Starrett M1 Spray.
This video shows how to use an RCBS Stuck Case Removal Kit:
Using a Stuck Case Removal Kit
If you do stick a case in your die there are a few good stuck case removal kits available. Each one works in a similar fashion. I have found the Hornady kit very effective and easy to use. [Editor: Forster, Lyman, and RCBS also make good kits for removing a case stuck in a die.]
Basically what you do is remove the die from the press. Unscrew the decapping assembly and pull it out as far as you can. You then need to drill/tap threads into the stuck case head (this is why it is suggested to unscrew the decapping assembly as far as you can to get it clear of the drill bits). Once this is done screw the die back into the press. You then install the included shellholder attachment on the shellholder ram, and thread it into the case via a small wrench. With some elbow grease you can reverse the stuck case out of the die with the leverage of the press, and not damage the die.
However if the case is stuck… REALLY stuck, you may pull out the threads on the case and you are still left with a stuck case in the die without any way to pull it out. If the case is really difficult to remove even with the use of a stuck case removal kit, do not try to be Hercules with the press ram. Here is a trick that may work. Take the die with the stuck case and place it in your freezer for a couple of hours. Then repeat the removal with the cold die. The freezing temperatures may cause the brass to contract, and make removal easier. If this does not work it is recommended to send it to the die manufacturer. They will be able to remove the case without damaging the die.
Another fix if you can remove the decapping assembly completely is to use a tap hammer and a punch or small wooden dowel to knock the stuck case out. This isn’t the best way since it is very possible that you will damage the die internally or externally on the threads, or both. Send the die to the manufacturer to have this done properly. You will be happier in the long run.
This article appears courtesy Sinclair International. It first appeared in Sinclair’s Reloading Press Blog.
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.
CYBER MONDAY Special — Hornady L-N-L Classic Press Reloading Kit With FREE Case Prep Duo
On sale now at Midsouth for just $299.99 ($100 off), the Lock-N-Load Classic Press Reloading Kit comes with everything you need for case prep and powder measuring. This kit features an electronic scale, powder trickler, funnel, hand-held priming tool, reloading block, and Hornady Reloading Handbook, 11th Edition. This kit also includes a FREE L-N-L Case Prep Duo, which sells for $55 by itself.
1. Natchez — Big Savings on Burris, Leupold, and Trijicon Scopes
⏺ End of year sale with major brand scopes at huge savings
If you’re in the market for any type of optic from a red dot to a thermal scope (for night hunting) check out the current Natchez Optics Sale. A variety of quality scopes from Burris, Leupold, Trijicon (and more) are offered at very attractive end-of-the-year prices. You can save up to $819 or 69%. In addition, for a limited time, you get FREE Shipping for orders $99.99+ with Code FS231123.
2. Palmetto SA — Taurus G2C 9mm Pistol, $229.99
⏺ With rebate get a good 9mm carry pistol for just $199.99
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 G2X pistol qualifies for the $30 Taurus Rebate right now. That lowers your net price to just $199.99 — a steal.
3. Midsouth — Hodgdon and Vihtavuori Powders in Stock
⏺ Ultra-popular Hodgdon and VV powders now available at good prices
Many super-popular Hodgdon and Vihtavuori (“VV”) powders are in stock right now at Midsouth. That’s right, you can order Hodgdon Varget, H4350, and H4831SC right now for $50.99/lb (or $43.62/lb for 8-lb H4350, H4831sc). And other Hodgdon powders are available starting at $36.99/lb. Plus many popular Vihtavuori powders are in stock at Midsouth including VV N133, N150, N310, N550, N560 and more.
4. EuroOptic — Meopta Optika Scope Sale
⏺ Save up to 37% on Meopta Optika riflescopes
Meopta makes excellent scopes with extremely high-quality glass. The larger Meopta scopes offer impressive 6 times zoom range (e.g. 3-18X and 5-30X). If you want a high-end scope at a moderate price, check out the Meopta Optika Sale at EuroOptic. Right now you can save up to 37% on Meopta scopes, including the FFP Optika6 5-30x56mm ED DichroTech, now discounted a whopping $450.00!
5. Graf’s — Mark 7 Autodrive Sale
⏺ Great advanced power accessory for big Dillon Progressives
Do you own a Dillon progressive press and want to load bulk ammo faster and easier? Check out the Mark 7 Autodrive sale at Grafs.com. Designed for Dillon 650/750 or 1050/1100 series presses, these Mark 7 Autodrives power the press cycles. That lets you produce more quality ammo in less time. The efficient Autodrives will reduce hand and muscle fatigue.
6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Brass Dryer, $49.99
⏺ Great solution for drying brass after wet-tumbling
If you wet-tumble brass, you must ensure that the brass is dry inside and out before loading. You should never ever put primers and/or powder in damp brass. An excellent, efficient drying solution is the Frankford Arsenal Brass Dryer, now just $49.99 on Amazon. Vented trays provide excellent airflow and the heavy-duty, 500-watt heating unit can dry a full load of brass in under an hour.
7. Amazon — Lock-N-Load Comparator Kit, $34.00
⏺ Good tool works with most popular bullet diameters
For best accuracy and optimal ES/SD, you must seat bullets precisely. With the Hornady Lock-N-Load Comparator Kit you can quickly yet precisely measure seating depth. This kit comes with seven (7) different comparator inserts for bullet diameters: .224, .243, .257, .264, .277, .284 and .308. With the comparator attached to your calipers, this system measures from the bullet ogive to the base of the loaded round with great precision. You can use this tool to confirm various seating depths when doing accuracy testing. For example you can test 0.010″ off the lands and then 0.015″ off the lands.
8. Midsouth — Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper, $159.99
⏺ Great price on modern, fast dispenser with BlueTooth and App
A good electronic powder scale/dispenser lets you load more precisely with greater charge-weight consistency. The Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper delivers 0.10 (one-tenth) of a grain accuracy. This modern, easy-to-use machine also connects via Bluetooth to a very handy App on your phone that stores your loads for various cartridge and bullet types. Priced at just $159.99 at Midsouth, this is a great deal. This same Intellidropper sells for $203.99 elsewhere. The Intellidropper boasts a proprietary powder calibration button and dispenses powder twice as fast as some other powder dispensers.
9. Amazon — Neolube Neck Lube, $22.99
⏺ Very effective liquid lube for inside case-necks
Neolube is a little-known secret of top shooters, who use it to lube the inside of case-necks. That helps smooth bullet seating which, in turn, can help provide a more consistent ES/SD. Easy to apply, Neolube provides a very thin film, so this 2 oz. bottle will last for multiple seasons. Using Neolube during brass prep can help ensure consistent seating.
Heavy recoil can hurt your shoulder and potentially make you miss your shot. Installing a mechanical recoil-reduction system can be expensive but we found these handy KEEPER MG Recoil Pads. Priced at $28.99 for a twin pack, these pads employ a HQ visco-elastic absorption gel that dissipates recoil vibrations and reduces felt recoil. The pads are made from 4-way stretch neoprene to fit snugly.
Do you use bushings to size your case-necks? Are you assuming that your bushings are actually round on the inside, with a hole that’s centered-up properly? Well you may be in for an unpleasant surprise, based on what our friend Jim de Kort recently discovered. Jim was concerned about the run-out on his brass. His cases went into his bushing-equipped FL die pretty straight, but came out of the die with up to .004″ run-out. “What gives?”, Jim wondered. “Could the problem be the bushings themselves?”
To answer that question, Jim decided to examine his bushings. Using an Accuracy One Wheel-drive concentricity gauge, Jim checked out some of his neck bushings. What he discovered may surprise you…
Neck Bushing Flaws Revealed
Trust no one… — Jim de Kort
Jim writes: “I measured the concentricity of my 6BR rounds today. I noticed they went into the neck-bushing equipped full-length sizing die with less than .001″ deviation but came out with .003-.004″. The culprit, it appears, was the bushing itself. Without it the cases stayed within .0005″ to .001″ deviation, so something was happening with the bushing.
One bushing had .00025″ deviation on the outside, yet almost .003″ on the inside, so it is crooked. But even when using a bushing that is within .001″ I still get .003″ runout after sizing. I repeated the same procedure for my 6×47 and got the same results. When using the bushing, concentricity suffers a lot.”
Before we bash the bushing-makers, we must acknowledge that many different things can contribute to excessive run-out and/or mis-alignment of case-necks. We don’t have all the answers here, and Jim would be the first to say that some mysteries remain. Still, these are interesting results that give all precision hand-loaders something to think about.
Jim Borden of Borden Accuracy also offers this tip: “Check the trueness of the face of the die cap. That has more to do with trueness than the bushing. Also check perpendicularity of hole in bushing to top surface. When I was making dies, the cap was made by threading and facing the threaded tenon in same setup.”
Editor’s Comment: Many people have great results with neck-bushing dies, but Jim isn’t the only fellow who has seen some very odd results. I personally employ honed, non-bushing dies for many of my chamberings. These non-bushing dies (with the necks honed for .002-.003″ neck tension) produce extremely straight ammo, with run-out consistently under .0015″.
Yesterday we featured ten great Black Friday SALES from leading vendors. With those sale programs you can save hundreds of dollars on firearms, gun safes, optics, reloading hardware and more. Here are ten more Black Friday specials, many of which run through end of day on November 27th, Cyber Monday. PRS/NRL shooters should definitely check out the MDT Sale, while hunters will find many great deals at Cabela’s and Bass Pro.
Bullet Central Black Friday Sale
The Black Friday Sale at Bullet Central runs from Friday 11/24/2023 through Sunday 11/26/2023. This is a great sale — there are significant savings on custom actions, stocks/chassis systems, pre-fit barrels, reloading dies, and optics. Here are the key sale items. We are not sure if the discounts have already been applied automatically to the listed prices. You should check with Bullet Central.
K&M Precision Shooting Products (K&M) makes great arbor presses and precision reloading tools. Now through Monday 11/27/2023 you can save $20-$75 on Arbor Presses and other K&M Gear and accessories. The more you spend the more you save with codes KMBF20, KMBF30, KMBF45, KMBF60, and KMBF75. Pick the code that fits the amount you spend from $100 to $500. For example, save $20 (20%) on a $100 purchase with code KMBF20. NOTE: This promotion excludes Mitutoyo products, Arbor Press Cases, and Gift Certificates. Spend value for coupons excludes shipping fees.
MDT Black Friday Sale — 10% to 40% Off
MDT is a top-tier rifle chassis-maker, favored by PRS/NRL competitors. MDT says that its 2023 Black Friday promo is MDT’s “Only sale of the year”. This year’s Black Friday Specials include chassis systems, buttstocks, bipods, support bags, scope rings, magazines and more. Some of sale items are “blem” and/or “factory second” items. Though offered at huge discounts these products are still fully covered by the MDT lifetime warranty.
Shooting sports store KYGUNCO has dozens of items deeply discounted for Black Friday. CLICK HERE to see ALL the Black Friday Sale listings. We saw some great CZ pistol and rifle deals, plus huge discounts on Sports Afield gun safes.
Creedmoor Sports Black Friday Extended Sale
Creedmoor Sports has many popular products on sale for Black Friday (through 11/28/23). The TRX-925 Precision Reloading Scale, regularly $374.95, is on sale for $350.00. The Big Shot BST-40 Rotary Wet/Dry Tumbler is on sale for $329.95 ($50 savings). Plus some Creedmoor Rifle Rest Bags are 15% off. In addition to these specials, there are ongoing discounts on a variety of brands, including Peterson Brass, ADG Brass, Hornady Bullets, Kowa Spotting Scopes, AMP Annealers, and much more. But that’s not all! During Black Friday, when you place an order over $200, you’ll receive a FREE, Creedmoor Sports 45th Anniversary T-Shirt. And through Tuesday 11/28/2023 at noon, customers also get FREE SHIPPING with orders over $99.00.
Midsouth Black Friday Specials
A large selection of products are deeply discounted for the Midsouth Black Friday Sale. You’ll find big price reductions on everything from bullets to big progressive presses. Our top picks are:
1. Hornady LNL Loading Combo Kit w/ Free Case Prep Duo ($299.99, Save $100)
3. Lyman Gen 6 Powder Dispenser/Scale ($179.99, Save $80)
2. Hornady 17 HMR Ammo ($134.99/500 rounds, Save $55)
4. Frankford Arsenal Tumbler and Depriming Tool ($99.99, Save $65)
Horus Vision 20% Off Sitewide
Horus Vision produces quality riflescopes, rangefinders, spotting scopes, and electronic weather meters. In addition Horus offers combo kits with multiple products. For example the HoVR™ Complete Shooter Package mates the HoVR 5-20x50mm scope with the HoVR 2000 BT Laser Rangefinder and HoVR weather meter. Right now you can save 20% on virtually all products sold through the Horus Vision online store.
Protector Model Shooting Bags — 15% Off with Code THANKFUL
Protektor Model will be discounting its leather shooting bags 15% for Black Friday through 11:59 pm on November 24, 2023. NOTE: You won’t see a “Black Friday Sale” prompt on the website or product descriptions. However, when you put your order in the shopping cart, the 15% OFF savings will be applied via discount code THANKFUL. We just confirmed that on the ProtektorModel.com website at 8:00 pm on 11/23/23.
Winchester Black Friday Special — 20% Off The Entire Store
For Black Friday weekend, the Winchester Gear Store is offering 20% off all merchandise. NOTE: This offer does NOT apply to Winchester brand ammunition, powder, or primers. This is ONLY for clothing and accessories such as hats, sweatshirts, and shotgun shooting vests. To save 20% on all items use code SHOP23 at Checkout.
Sierra Bullets has released load data for the 6.5 Grendel, a popular cartridge that works equally well in bolt guns and AR15-platform gas guns. Sierra published comprehensive 6.5 Grendel load data, covering 19 powders and eight (8) different bullets from 85 to 130 grains. NOTE: Hornady-brand brass (see below) was used for Sierra’s 6.5 Grendel tests, not the stronger Lapua 6.5 Grendel brass. Hand-loaders using Lapua 6.5 Grendel brass may need to adjust their loads. Also Winchester WSR primers were used. We imagine most precision hand-loaders will prefer CCI or Federal primers.
Sierra Bullets Tested for 6.5 Grendel Load Data
85gr HP (#1700)
100gr HP (#1710)
107gr HPBT (#1715)
In developing its 6.5 Grendel load data, Sierra tested a very wide selection of propellants, 19 in all. For the 85gr to 100gr varmint bullets, modern powders such as XMR 2230, Power Pro Varmint, and Ramshot TAC offered the best velocity in the 24″ test barrel. For the heavier 120gr to 130gr match bullets, Sierra tested a selection of powders. Highest velocities came with Power Pro Varmint and TAC. If you’re looking for best accuracy, consider the slower burn-rate powders such as IMR 8208 XBR and Varget — but you’ll sacrifice some speed. Overall, Sierra’s latest 6.5 Grendel load data is an excellent addition to the 6.5 Grendel knowledge base. Thanks Sierra!
Here are Sierra’s 6.5 Grendel Load Data Charts for Sierra’s 123gr HPBT, 130gr HPBT, and 130gr TMK. There are a five other tables for lighter-weight Sierra bullets.
History of the 6.5 Grendel Cartridge
The 6.5 Grendel originated as a 6mm PPC necked up to 6.5 mm. After Alexander Arms relinquished the “6.5 Grendel” Trademark, the 6.5 Grendel was standardized as an official SAAMI cartridge. It has become popular with target shooters and hunters alike because it is accurate, efficient, and offers modest recoil. Good for small to medium game, the 6.5 Grendel is available in lightweight hunting rifles, such as the Howa Mini Action Rifle. And the 6.5 Grendel is one of the most accurate cartridges suitable for modern AR-15 platform rifles.
Handloaders often come to prefer one or two maker’s manuals over others for various reasons. Asking a friend who’s already an experienced loader which manuals they recommend is a good start. Borrowing one or more to read before purchasing is another.
Here’s a cool video showing how bullet, brass, and ammunition are produced at the 
A stuck case is one of the boo-boos that all of us reloaders have faced from time to time. If proper lubrication is applied, then it should not be a problem. No matter if you are a seasoned reloader or new to it, this situation can happen. Take your time, use the proper procedures, and you will be back in business in no time! This article explains how to avoid stuck cases (through proper lubrication) and how to use a stuck case removal system.
