Report by Craig Arnzen, Area 419
As the PRS and other tactical/practical competitions continue to grow, a guy tends to wonder, just how good are the top competitors? And what are they actually doing (and viewing) as they complete a stage? Well, a great video from the new Long Range Precision Shooters YouTube Channel let us see what the best in the sport see through their scopes when they shoot.
This video features Dave Preston, 2015 National Champion and perennial powerhouse, shooting the PRS Skills barricade. Dave Preston is widely considered the best in the nation running this PRS stage. Dave nearly always shoots 100% with the fastest recorded time. In this video you’ll see him successfully engage all eight shots in under 43 seconds — that’s crazy fast. This includes a POV sequence (4:35 time-mark) showing the actual view through Dave’s scope as he completes the stage.
Watch this video! Dave offers excellent advice on gun-handling and body positioning for barricades. Listen to what he says and you WILL shoot better.
This video features the PRS Skills Barricade, an 8-round, 4-position stage featured at the majority of PRS matches throughout country. It’s called a “Skills Stage” as it is run the same way at every national match and gives shooters the ability to compare skill levels based on hit percentage and speed.
The target is a 10″ plate at 400 yards. There are four different positions, with two shots each. Most people run this stage in about 70 seconds, some in the mid-60s, the greats in the high 50s, and Dave does it in the low 40s… mighty impressive!
The Right Gear Aids Stability and Lets You Shoot Faster
Let’s also take a look at two pieces of gear that really helped Dave Preston get stable and shoot fast.
1. BARRICADE BAG — To Get Stable, Really Stable
In the video Dave is using a Solo Sac from Short Action Precision This bag was designed by USMC Solomon Mansalala, and $5 of every purchase goes to help the Marine Scout Snipers buy gear. It’s a very soft/dense bag and is popular at matches.
The other bag that sees a LOT of use, and is far and away the most used, is the patented Gamechanger Bag from Reasor Precision Solutions and Armageddon Gear.
2. MUZZLE BRAKE — To Make Your Follow-Up Faster
You’ll notice that in the video the rifle is very steady through firing, even though he is not applying a lot of pressure to the rifle. Dave is using a Hellfire Muzzle Brake from Area 419. Combined with the soft-recoiling 6mmBR cartridge he is able to spot his impacts and make adjustments, and can also make very fast follow-up shots as his rifle hasn’t bounced way off target.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is now one of the most popular cartridges chambered in factory rifles. It found favor among hunters and PRS competitors, but then its little brother the 6mm Creedmoor became widely adopted because the 6mm version delivered less recoil, equivalent or better ballistics, and lower bullet cost.
Now there’s a new Creedmoor kid on the block, the 22 Creedmoor. While this certainly can be used for PRS and tactical competition, the 22 Creedmoor seems to be ideally suited as a high velocity varmint round — something to replace the 22-250. You get 22-250 class velocities with a more modern cartridge design, and high-quality brass.
LEARN MORE about the 22 Creedmoor
There is an excellent write-up in the GunsAmerica Digest about the 22 Creedmoor cartridge. Reviewer Jeff Cramblit built a 22 Creedmoor rifle and tested it with a variety of bullet weights. He concluded it worked best as a varminter, but could also do PRS duty, provided it is loaded under the 3200 fps velocity limit common in PRS matches. CLICK HERE to read full GunsAmerica 22 Creedmoor test report.
Since there is not yet a SAAMI spec for the 22 Creedmoor, the cartridge is officially still a wildcat. However some ammo-makers are producing 22 Creedmoor loaded ammo right now: Copper Creek, Gunwerks, and Spark Munitions. We expect Hornady and possibly Federal might also produce loaded ammo in the near future. Currently Cooper Creek has the most 22 Creedmoor loaded ammo varieties, with 17 different bullet options from 60 grains to 95 grains. Copper Creek also offers load development packs with either Alpha or Hornady brass. Here are five Cooper Creek options with Sierra and Berger bullets:
In addition, multiple companies are now selling 22 Creedmoor cartridge brass: Alpha Munitions, Atlas ADG, Hornady, and Peterson Cartridge. The Peterson 22 Creedmoor brass is excellent.
Of course you can neck down high-quality Lapua 6mm Creedmoor brass. Lapua brass has outstanding consistency and durability. Choose from large primer or small primer types. Necking down is a simple one-step operation with a neck-sizing or full-length sizing die.
22 Creedmoor Brass from Peterson Cartridge
According to Derek Peterson, President of Peterson Cartridge, “We decided to build the tooling to make our .22 Creedmoor brass in response to the uptick in long-distance predator and varmint hunting. Plus the round is just straight-up fun to shoot. It is a low-recoil, flat shooting, wind-bucking round [that is] deadly accurate up to 800 yards.”
“When we designed the tooling for the .22 Creedmoor we set out to make casings with improved features”, Peterson added. “And we were successful. We increased the head hardness to tolerate higher pressures. And we increased our internal volume slightly to work better with the slow-burning powders [such as Reloder 26 or H1000].”
22 Creedmoor for Varmints — Video from the Varmint Fields of Eastern Oregon
Bullet Choices for 22 Creedmoor
If you have an appropriate twist-rate barrel, you can load the 22 Creedmoor with heavy 85-95 grain bullets. However, we think that the cartridge is better suited for lighter 65-80 grain bullets. This yields high velocities that provide explosive impacts on small varmints.
This GunsAmerica photo shows, L to R, 90gr Sierra MK, Hornady 88gr, 80gr, and 75gr .224 caliber bullets.
What is the Best Role for the 22 Creedmoor?
GunsAmerica tester Jeff Cramblit favors the 22 Creedmoor as a varmint round: “The performance of the 22 Creedmoor with 75-80 grain bullets makes it an outstanding varmint cartridge. I’ve seen claims of 80 grain Bergers at 3500 fps out of 26″ barrels, which would be devastating on any varmint. Loaded ammunition is available with bullets in the 70-75 range leaving 24” barrels at velocities around 3400+ fps, a bit more conservative than personal hand-loading, but still making it a very flat shooting, low recoiling round delivering impressive results.”
Jeff says the 22 Creedmoor will also work for PRS with heavier bullets: “I built the 22 CM to be a dual-purpose gun, or actually a 3-purpose gun. The first was for the coyotes and varmints previously mentioned. The second was for shooting PRS (Precision Rifle Series) style matches on occasion, and the third was for hunting deer-sized game. As with any multi-purpose tool there tends to be compromises.”
As a member of the USAMU, SFC Daniel Horner established himself as one of the top 3-Gun shooters on the planet. In fact, given his major championship titles, a strong argument can be made that Horner is the most successful Multi-Gun competitor in history — the best of the best. Now a civilian professional, Dan Horner competes as Team SIG Sauer’s 3-Gun ace.
Horner captured yet another prestigious Championship earlier this month, winning the 2020 USPSA National Championship. Horner finished first in the Tactical Division at the 2020 USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals at the Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, Florida, June 11-14, 2020. This is Daniel’s 12th victory at the prestigious Multi-Gun Nationals.
At the USPSA Nationals Horner competed through 12 stages with pistol, rifles, and shotgun. For pistol competition, Horner used a SIG Sauer P320 X5 LEGION pistol with iron sights. For the long-range competition, Horner used his SIG Sauer M400 rifle with a SIG Sauer TANGO6T riflescope, and a SIG KILO 3000BDX Rangefinder.
Click Photo for full-screen diagram
Horner said the 2020 Multi-Gun Nationals were very tough — a special challenge:
“The competition at this year’s Multi-Gun Nationals was the best I’ve seen. Everyone that competed had obviously spent extra time training and practicing while they were at home over the past few months. With this being the first major nationals match since quarantine, the training showed and the competition was elevated. The accuracy and reliability of my SIG equipment, combined with my training routine, gave me the edge I needed to pull-off the victory[.]”
How Hot is Horner — Just Watch and Be Amazed
Here are two videos showcasing Horner’s Skills with Rifle and pistol. In the first video, Horner demonstrates how to move and shoot with an AR platform rifle. In the second video, Horner demonstrates his speed, mobility, and accuracy during the final stage of a 3-Gun Nation event.
Rifle Skills for Multi-Gun Competition — Grip, Stance, and Body Position
Daniel Horner Shreds 3-Gun Nation Stage with Blazing Speed
As a soldier with the USAMU, Horner was a true phenom with rifle, pistol, and shotgun, winning multiple 3-Gun titles against tough competition. When he was on his game, no one on the planet was better in the 3-Gun arena. His record of major multi-gun championships may never be rivaled. He has won over 125 major events/titles at the world, national, regional, and state level.
Daniel Horner Major Titles
10-Time USPSA Multi-Gun National Champion
4-Time 3-Gun Nation Pro Series Champion
2014 NRA World Shooting Championship Winner
2-Time Int’l Sniper Competition Team Winner
2-Time IDPA National Champion
IPSC Shotgun National Champion
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Today is Father’s Day 2020. Here are our select Father’s Day Bargain selections for Dad. You’ll find 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.
⏺ Kestrel 5500 Bluetooth with Weather-Vane and DROP D3 in Case
This Father’s Day, give Dad a Kestrel Weather Spotter Kit. With this portable weather monitoring kit, dad can view real-time weather conditions, chart trends for forecasting, and share weather data remotely on a mobile device with the FREE Kestrel LiNK App. This Kit, normally $614.00, is now on Sale for just $449.00. Kit includes: Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with LiNK Bluetooth, Kestrel DROP D3, Vane Mount, Ultrapod Mini Tripod, Carrying Case.
⏺ Holds TWO rifles, Sizes up to 55″, Lots of Pockets, Handy Shoulder Straps
Finding a good quality rifle case that has plenty of room for gun and accessories can be a challenge. Check out these Savior double rifle casesTWO rifles and just about all the accessories you’d want to pack. While there are many other smaller tactical rifle cases, Savior offers 51″ and 55″ models that will hold long match rifles and PRS rigs with suppressors.
3. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Ruger 10/22, $199.99
⏺ Great Starter Rifle, Weaver Scope Rail, 18.5″ Barrel
The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most popular .22 LR rifles of all time. With lots of affordable .22 LR ammo available now, there’s never been a better time to shoot a rimfire. Now, for just $199.00 at Sportsman’s Warehouse, you can get a nice Ruger 10/22 Carbine with a synthetic stock and built-in Weaver scope rail. For under $200 this is a deal you can’t pass up.
4. Grafs.com — Peterson Brass, Popular and NEW Cartridge Types
⏺ Consistent Neck Walls, New 7mmBR and .30-06, Nice Ammo Box
Ever since Peterson Brass hit the market it’s been embraced by shooters in just about every discipline and for good reason. It’s incredibly uniform, has strong primer pockets, and is competitively priced. Graf & Sons has one of the best selections of Peterson Brass including the new 7mmBR and .30-06 SPR at prices that are tough to beat. To top it all off, all Peterson Brass ships in nice plastic ammo boxes.
5. Midsouth Shooters — Leupold VX-Freedom Sale
⏺ Made-in-USA, Great Warranty, Many Reticle Options, Good Value
Leupold scopes are American-made and Leupold offers one of the best warranties in the business. If you’re looking for a great scope for an AR or similar platform check out the VX-Freedom line of scopes. They feature zoom ranges from 1.5-4X up to 6-18X. Leupold also offers a wide choice of reticles.
6. Midsouth Shooters — Lapua .22 LR Rimfire Ammo Sale
⏺ Superb Accuracy with Pistol, Rifle, and Biathlon Types
Lapua makes some of the best .22 LR rimfire ammo on the planet. The high-end Lapua .22 LR ammunition has won Olympic Gold medals and World Championships. Now you can save big on a variety of Lapua .22 LR rifle and pistol Rimfire ammo at Midsouth Shooters. For target rifle and NRL-22 competition we think Lapua Center-X offers a good balance of price and performance.
⏺ Secondary or RV Safe, Electronic Lock plus Key, Silent Entry Option
Need a small vertical safe for your workshop, loading room, remote cabin, or RV? This Legend Range & Field 4-Gun Safe can fill the bill. It has an electronic lock and backup key, and secures with five 1″ locking bolts. This small safe also includes a bolt-down kit for added security. At $183.30 this safe offers significantly more protection than a thin-walled security locker, for not much more money. Save $37 with this promotion at Gander Outdoors. NOTE: If you have the safe shipped to your house, there is a $50.00 Shipping Fee. Exterior Dimensions: 55″H x 11.6″W x 11″D
8. Amazon — Monstrum Rubberized Scope Caps, $9.99
⏺ Many Sizes for Eye Piece and Objective, Heavy-Duty Rubberized Protection
With the cost of optics these days, you MUST protect your glass. Unfortunately, very few high-end scopes come with lens protectors. These heavy-duty Monstrum rubberized scope caps offer great protection and are available in all kinds of sizes to fit most scopes. Choose basic black or hunters may prefer the Flat Dark Earth (tan) Monstrom Lens Covers. NOTE — Eyepiece and Objective covers sold separately for $9.99 each.
9. Amazon — EZ2C 40pk Games Target Set, $19.67
⏺ 40 Target Sheets, 4 Hi-Viz Styles, with Repair Pasters
Shooting at regular paper targets or swinging steel can get pretty boring especially if you are shooting with a friend or kids. We like these assorted EZ2C Targets. They are bright and colorful, and fun to shoot. There are four target types, 10 each of Dart Board, Big to Small Circles, Ship Battle, and Tic-Tac-Toe.
Yes, there WILL be a Precision Rifle Expo in 2020! With the economy reopening, event organizers have confirmed that the popular gathering WILL take place in September. This year, the PRE will be held September 26-27, 2020, at the Arena Training Facility in Blakely, Georgia. Registration is now open.
The Precision Rifle Expo (PRE) has opened registration for its 3rd annual, 2-day event featuring top brands in the tactical/precision rifle market. Manufacturers will showcase actions, optics, ammo, reloading equipment, stocks, chassis, electronics, supporting equipment (bags and tripods), rifles, triggers, suppressors, and much more. There will be training sessions on precision handloading, wind reading, marksmanship, ballistic devices, and PRS competition.
The event will continue to offer hands-on instruction plus demonstration of rifle systems at long range, along with displays from 50+ important companies. At last year’s event exhibitors included Applied Ballistics, AMP Annealing, MPA, Vudoo Gunworks as well as many action builders and optics manufacturers.
Attendee Registration for Event
Attendees may register now for the 2020 PRE. Pre-registration is $35 with onsite registration at $50. Pre-registrants will not receive a ticket and are asked to proceed to the Check-In Tent where a wrist band will be provided for admission. This year, attendees will not have to pre-register for any of the classes. Classes will be posted on the website and at the event.
PRE organizers state: “2020 promises attendees an outstanding opportunity to access the exhibitor tent, attend multiple education classes taught by leading names in the precision rifle category, and various range experiences. Novices and professionals, competitors, and industry experts, all converge on one of the Country’s premier shooting facilities to learn from each other and test their skills[.]”
Here is a video covering last year’s event:
Exhibitor Companies Can Still Register with the 2020 Precision Rifle Expo
Would you like to exhibit your company’s products at the 2020 PRE? There are still Exhibitor spaces available. Contact Phil Cashin at 770-401-3572 or precisionrifleexpo@gmail.com for more info or to reserve your exhibit space.
Arena Training Facility — 2300 Acres with Ranges out to 2100m
The 2300-acre Arena Training Facility is a premier shooting facility with multiple shooting ranges from 50m to 2100m. Arena’s 1000-yard covered Known Distance range offers multiple benches, steel and paper targets out to 1000 yards. On Arena’s UKD (unknown distance) range shooters can engage steel out to 2300 yards. This 2100m UKD range boasts a 3-Story Shooting Tower, Air-Conditioned Shoot House, and multiple Positional Challenges.
At the 2018 EXPO, Long-Range Clinics were held on the 1000-yard Range:
Do you enjoy 3-Gun competition or other types of “Action Shooting”? Then you should visit the USAMU Facebook Page today Friday, June 19th at 2:00 pm Eastern.
There will be a LIVE Q & A session today. Members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) will answer questions about Action Shooting, about the USAMU in general, and about the U.S. Army. This is a great opportunity to communicate directly with some of the top 3-gun shooters in the nation. If you have specific questions, then post a comment on the USAMU’s Facebook page before the session.
Want to learn more about Action Shooting? This Virtual Tour Video first tours the USAMU training center. Then team members show the rifles, pistols, and shotguns they use in Multi-Gun competition.
SFC Daniel Horner — Greatest 3-Gunner Ever?
Though now a civilian competing for SIG Sauer, SFC Daniel Horner was a USAMU superstar. One of the best 3-Gun competitors in history, Horner was blazing fast (and wicked accurate) with all three guns.
As a soldier with the USAMU, Horner was a true phenom with rifle, pistol, and shotgun, winning multiple 3-Gun titles against tough competition. When he was on his game, no one on the planet was better in the 3-Gun arena. His record of major multi-gun championships may never be rivaled. He has won over 125 major events/titles at the world, national, regional, and state level.
Daniel Horner Major Titles
10-Time USPSA Multi-Gun National Champion
4-Time 3-Gun Nation Pro Series Champion
2014 NRA World Shooting Championship Winner
2-Time Int’l Sniper Competition Team Winner
2-Time IDPA National Champion
IPSC Shotgun National Champion
Rifle Grip, Stance, and Body Position for Action Shooting Competition
In this action-packed video, SFC Horner gives tips on how to properly handle a semi-automatic rifle, including grip, stance and body position.
Trigger images from PrimaryArms.com, which sells all the triggers reviewed here: Geissele, Elftmann, Timney, and ALG Defense.
Are you thinking of upgrading the trigger system for your AR-platform rifle? There are dozens of options available, from $45 up to $300. Thankfully, Brownells has created video reviews of some of the more popular AR trigger options from Timney, Geissele, and ALG Defense. And we included a video review of the highly-regarded Elftmann Match Trigger. If you want the best solution for Service Rifle competition, you might favor the Geisselle. For ease of installation, it’s hard to beat the Timney, a “drop-in” module. Like the Timney, the super-smooth Elftman is a drop-in module. At $249.00 it’s pricey, but it is one of the best AR triggers out there. If you’re on a tight budget, the best “bang for your buck” may be the “Perfected Mil-Spec” ALG which starts at around $45.00.
Geissele Enhanced Two-Stage Trigger
Geissele makes a variety of quality AR trigger sets both single-stage and two-stage. Many High Power competitors like the two-stage Geissele trigger. This delivers a repeatable, controlled pull through the first stage with a very clean break in the second stage. The Super Dynamic Enhanced Trigger, shown above, features a distinctive, trigger blade. Reviewer Thomas Conroy says: “The flat surface is very easy to press against. Both stages are light and very distinct.”
Elftmann Drop-In Match Trigger
Though pricey ($249.00 at PrimaryArms.com), we really like the Elftmann AR trigger. It combines the best of both worlds — the precision and smoothness of the Geissele with the Timney’s ease of installation. This single stage trigger is user-adjustable from 2.75 to 4 pounds pull weight. It is offered with either straight or curved trigger blade. Primary Arms says: “The amazingly short take-up, glass-rod crisp break and [near-zero] over-travel can be compared to the finest custom 1911 triggers.” The above video shows the installation process start to finish. There is also a “mil-spec” version for $162.00 at Primary Arms.
Timney Drop-In Trigger Module
This trigger module is available for both the AR15 and the AR10 platform (as covered in the above video). Timney triggers are easy to install and come with multiple pin size and pull-weight options. Reviewer Thomas Conroy confirms that the single-stage Timney “breaks cleanly and crisply. This trigger is modular, meaning that the trigger, sear, hammer, and spring are all encased in a bright, shiny yellow aluminum housing.”
ALG Defense Trigger — Higher-Quality Basic AR Trigger
According to Thomas Conroy, ALG triggers “are the perfected version of the standard, non-adjustable mil-spec original trigger. They have the same geometry, but are made to higher quality standards, and come with … hardened and smoothed-out sear contact surface to eliminate all grittiness.” These are also offered in a nickle-boron coated version. Available for under $50.00, the ALG is a well-made, low-cost option for shooters who want a better factory-type trigger system.
GET MORE INFO about AR-Platfrom Triggers
Learn more about Geissele, Timney and ALG triggers, plus two more AR trigger options (CMMG and Rock River Arms) in a Trigger Comparison Review by Thomas Conroy on Ammoland.com. And here is a very current (April 2020) review of 10 popular AR triggers:
SIG Sauer Eckernförde fireams production facility. Photo credit Alexander Losert, SIG Sauer
The parent company of SIG Sauer USA and SIG Sauer Germany will be shutting down a production facility in Eckernförde, Germany. SIG Sauer firearms production will continue elsewhere. One big reason for the shutdown, experts report, were the anti-gun policies of the current German government. In addition, because SIG Sauer is a multinational enterprise owned by Lüke & Ortmeier Holding Gruppe (L & O Holding Group), it was excluded from many German military and police contracts. Also the economic effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic hurt the company. SIG executives* stated:
“The locational disadvantages in Germany for SIG Sauer do not economically allow for manufacturing of sports and LE/military firearms in the future. Legislation is increasingly restricting the use of sports firearms. When awarding public contracts, both the German police and the Bundeswehr prefer a few local producers. SIG Sauer is systematically excluded from tenders due to its international orientation, most of its developments originating from the USA. In addition to the existing problems, there are the current effects of the Corona crisis, which place an additional considerable economic burden on the continuation of business operations in Eckernförde”.
So what SIG Sauer guns have been produced in the Eckernförde factory? German website All4Shooters answered: “A large part of [SIG Sauer’s] European catalog products comes from Eckernförde, Germany. In addition to the complete P220 and P226 X series, this includes the P210 series, various classic P226/P229s, as well as the SSG 3000 and STR rifle lines.”
What is the Future for SIG Sauer USA?
The Shooting Wire noted: “With L&O Holding Group’s announcement [that] SIG Sauer GmbH division in Eckernforde, Germany was being shut down, the speculation began almost immediately as to what the impact might be on SIG Sauer’s operations in Newington, NH. Since the U.S. operation has recently celebrated scores of defense and law enforcement contracts, any disruption in that operation could have a significant impact on the status of our military and many law enforcement agencies.” However, SIG’s official release affirmed that SIG Sauer USA will “continue business as usual”.
SIG Sauer Official Statement about USA Operations:
L & O Holding group has announced that it is closing its SIG SAUER, GmbH (Germany) division in Eckernförde, Germany. L&O Holding owns and operates numerous business units in the defense and hunting market including SIG SAUER, GmbH (Germany), SIG SAUER, Inc. (U.S.A.), and German Sports Group, GmbH (GSG), among others.
SIG SAUER, Inc. operations in the U.S. will continue business as usual. The U.S. based division, headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, has over 2,300 employees throughout 9 facilities in New Hampshire, Arkansas and Oregon where the company designs and manufactures firearms, ammunition, optics, suppressors and air guns[.] SIG SAUER, Inc. markets and distributes its U.S. made products in 88 countries. The SIG SAUER, Inc. International Sales Team, based in Europe, will expand its responsibilities to include the German market.
SIG Sauer Rifle and Pistol Production Will Continue in the USA
What Went Wrong in Germany for SIG Sauer?
Why did SIG Sauer Suffer Business Setbacks in Germany? The Firearm Blog (TFB) suggested multiple issues: “A number of factors have led to the downturn in SIG Sauer GmbH’s fortunes, [including its] exclusion from Bundeswehr small arms programs due to ITAR restrictions (as the company’s firearms are principally developed in the US, by SIG Sauer, Inc). The impact of the European Union’s increasingly hampering firearms legislation and recent legal issues have also been factors. The ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic has also no doubt played a part with sales slowing significantly in 2020.”
SIG Sauer Company Background and Organization
SIG Sauer was created in 1976 as a partnership of Swiss company Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) and German enterprise J.P. Sauer & Sohn. SIG Sauer products were sold in the USA under the SIGARMS brand for some years, and then SIG Sauer Inc. was created in 2007. Currently, under L & O Holdings, SIG Sauer runs as three entities: SIG Sauer, GmbH (with Eckernforde facility), SIG Sauer, Inc. (U.S.A.) and SIG SAUER’s International Sales Team (based in Europe).
* In a press release to German media, SIG Sauer Mng. Dir. Tim Castagne declared that “SIG Sauer [GmbH] is systematically excluded from the tender because of its international orientation.”
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.
1. Amazon — The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters, $22.99
This is the NEW May 2020 Edition, Just Released!
Readers often ask: “Is there a good, easy-to-comprehend book that can help my wind-reading?” Many of our Forum members have recommended The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters by Linda Miller and Keith Cunningham. Other books cover wind reading in a broader discussion of ballistics or long-range shooting. But the Miller & Cunningham book is ALL about wind reading from cover to cover, and that is its strength. The book focuses on real world skills that can help you accurately gauge wind angle, wind velocity, and wind cycles. Here’s a video review explaining what makes this book so good.
2. Bullet Central — Farley Classic Edition Coaxial Rest, $1085
Whether for benchrest matches or F-Open, a well-made front rest is vital. Farley still makes quality, well-built rests that are favorites of benchrest shooters. Farleys are smooth-operating and match-proven.
The best way to get a Farley is to order from Bullet Central. Right now the Classic Edition Farley Rest is in stock for $1085 — nearly $300 less than some other well-known coaxial competitors.
If you want some more “bling” in your rest, Bullet Central also sells the exclusive Gold-finish Limited Edition Farley Rests. The Gold Coaxial II BR is $1265.00, while the Ltd. Edition Gold Coaxial II F-Class model is $1407.00.
3. Midsouth Shooters — All Berger Bullets on Sale
Time to stock up on projectiles! Right now Midsouth is running a big sale on Berger bullets. Pretty much all Berger competition and hunting bullets are on sale, including popular LRHT and Hybrid match bullets. You’ll find all your favorite calibers: .223, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm (.284), and .30 Caliber. Midsouth even has the new High-BC 109gr 6mm, 153.5gr 6.5mm, 190gr 7mm, and 208gr .30-Cal Long Range Hybrid Target bullets on sale. Go to SALE HERE.
4. MidwayUSA — Rem 700 Magpul 6mm Creedmoor, $724.99
This Rem 700 rifle qualifies for $75 Mfg. Mail-in Rebate. Net Price $649.99 with rebate.
Here’s a very impressive rifle in a fun, accurate caliber. Check out this Remington 700 Magpul Enhanced Rifle in 6mm Creedmoor. On sale now at MidwayUSA for $724.99, this rig features a 20″ Heavy Barrel (threaded muzzle) and Magpul Flat Dark Earth stock with internal chassis. Note, this rifle ships complete with M-Lok bipod mount and folding bipod PLUS an X-Mark Pro externally adjustable trigger. IMPORTANT: This rifle qualifies for a $75 Remington Rebate. That lowers your net cost to $649.99 (after rebate).
5. Midsouth Shooters — Hornady A-Tip Bullet Sale
Hornady A-Tip bullets have intrigued shooters with their unique design featuring an elongated aluminum tip. Hornady claims the A-Tips provide high, ultra-consistent BCs for every bullet in the box. These A-Tip bullets are packaged from small sequential production runs, again to ensure uniformity. Right now at Midsouth, you can grab these modern A-Tip bullets at some of the lowest prices we’ve seen.
6. Grizzly Industrial — Gun Case and Range Bag Clearance
It’s great when you can find high-quality gun cases and range bags at a serious discounts. Head over to Grizzly.com for the Bald Eagle gun case and range bag clearance Sale. You will some really great deals on rifle cases and very functional stiff-sided range bags. Please check the sizes. Most of the rifle cases are 45″. For a long-barrel match or PRS rifle you may prefer the 50″ model, offered for $37.77 in blue or red, or $41.97 in black. The range bags are high quality, with stiffening foam in the sides plus padded internal dividers. We use these range bags to carry our spotting scopes and other valuable gear.
7. Cabela’s — Garmin Portable GPS units with SatComs
The biggest fear many hunters or hikers have is being lost/stranded with no way to communicate for help. Quell those fears with Garmin’s satellite-enabled GPS units. The Garmin inReach Explorer and Garmin 66i GPS both feature interactive SOS, connecting you to the GEOS 24/7 search-and-rescue monitoring center. They also allow you to send and receive text messages, no matter where you are, via advanced inReach satellite technology. Yes you can communicate even if you are miles from the nearest cell tower. Cabela’s sale prices are quite a bit cheaper than other vendors.
8. Natchez Shooters Supplies — Hornady Ammo Sale
Hornady makes quality target and hunting ammunition in an amazingly large selection of calibers. Whether for hunting, PRS, target practice, or just fun shooting you’ll find appropriate Hornady ammunition on SALE at Natchez. This is a great chance to pick up some quality ammo at very attractive prices. But don’t hesitate — the most popular cartridge types may sell out quickly.
9. Amazon – Arctic Zone Cooler, $29.99
Being truly prepared for a long match or range day requires more than just bringing guns, ammo, rests, and targets. You also need to stay hydrated and eat properly. Accordingly, a smart shooter will have a quality cooler to hold food and beverages. We were impressed with the Arctic Zone hardbody cooler. This features a clever zipperless design that provides easy access while keeping your food chilled all day long even in the summer heat.
Here’s a great set of stick-on (adhesive) splatter targets. Shots appear as bright neon yellow halos — providing easy-to-see instant feedback. The $7.99 target packs include 10 sheets of black circles, 3″ in diameter, for shooting out to 300 yards and beyond. In addition, each sheet includes 8 smaller red center bulls plus 22 stick-on black dots. You can shoot the entire target sheet, or peel off one or more circles to stick on a target backer. These also work great indoors with pistols.
In a preceding story, we revealed the 6mm ARC cartridge from Hornady. This is VERY similar to the 6mmAR cartridge based on the 6.5 Grendel, which was developed by Robert Whitley a decade and a half ago. Hornady developed the 6mm ARC is cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and now the first run of 6mm ARC black rifles is heading to DOD testers. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. (“Barrett”) has announced that it has partnered with Hornady to chamber the REC7 rifle series in the new 6mm ARC offering. The first production run of these rifles has been delivered to the U.S. DOD, fulfilling a contract that was awarded to Barrett late last year. READ MORE HERE.
Barrett states: “The combination of the proven REC7 DI gas system and the potent 6mm ARC cartridge creates a product that is consistently accurate and easy to shoot. Carrying 24 rounds in the magazine, the 108 gr. ELD Match bullets leave the 18″ Proof Research match grade stainless steel or carbon fiber barrel at over 2630 fps. This easily gives the rifle supersonic capabilities past 1000 yards.”
In this video Ryan Cleckner (Former U.S. Army Ranger) tests the Barrett REC7 chambered in 6mm ARC:
Trigger images from 
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