Break out those credit cards ladies and gentlemen… Brownells is running a major Presidents’ Day Sale with huge price reductions on guns, barreled actions, uppers, lowers, reloading tools, accessories, loaded ammo and more. A quick glance at the Brownells website revealed many killer deals — some of the best prices we’ve seen in many months on many highly desirable products, such as Howa Barreled Actions, Aero Precision components, CCI Ammo, and even the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite.
Here are eight great deals we found this morning. Visit the Brownells SALE PAGE to see more bargains.
BRN-180 — Retro Or Cutting Edge?
Brownells’ new BRN-180 Upper is a gas-piston system that is compatible with AR Lowers but offers a folding stock. This system, inspired by the original AR-180, runs cleaner than a typical AR15. Designed in conjunction with PWS and FM Products, the Brownells BRN-180 Upper Receiver is inspired by the Armalite AR-180 of the 1960s. Developed as a successor to the original AR-15, the AR-180 was a civilian version of the AR-18, itself an upgrade on the M16 platform. The BRN-180 incorporates many AR-18/AR-180 improvements, including its robust and reliable gas piston operating system. The BRN-180 upper receiver is fully compatible with any standard AR-15 lower receiver. However, the BRN-180 can run a folding stock because a spring over the gas piston replaces the buffer in the stock.
The Berger Southwest Nationals is taking place right now at the Ben Avery Range outside Phoenix, Arizona. At the SWN you’ll see prone rifles and tubeguns for sling shooters, F-TR rifles with fancy bipods, and high-tech F-Open rigs. You might also see a few TubeGuns converted to shoot F-Open off front rests. Yes this is an easy conversion thanks to Gary Eliseo’s clever PickleFork forearm attachment.
Forum Member Killick attached PickleForks to his handsome blue Eliseo R1 TubeGun now chambered in .284 Winchester, a top choice for the F-Open discipline. Killick explains: “Behold! An Eliseo R1 F-Classer. This started out as an R1 Long Range sling rifle (6XC) with a Borden TubeGun action. It is now rebarreled in .284 Win with Gary’s PickleFork fore-end adaptor. Props to Gary Eliseo at Competition Machine LLC.”
Killick adds: “I like how the original fore-end indexes off the back side of the front bag. No need for the front bumper attachment.” Check it out below:
PickleForks are rails that fit to the sides of the tubular fore-end/handguard on Eliseo Chassis systems. This allows you to use a pedestal-style front rest for F-Class competition. It also provides a much more stable platform for load testing, varmint hunting, or any kind of rest-assisted precision shooting. These new PickleForks transform a Tubegun into an ultra-stable, straight-tracking rig when used with a competition-style front rest.
Designer Gary Eliseo explains: “Now you can have the same super low-boreline, long wheelbase and vertical sides of our innovative F1 F-Class chassis system for your tube chassis. The PickleForks attach directly to the sides of the F-Class/Tactical fore-ends, no modifications are required. They are very rigid with no flex or twist and make the rifle track like it’s on rails.” The Eliseo Competition Machine PickleForks are offered for a very reasonable $70.00 per pair, with Cerakote finish. You get two metal units, one for each side of the fore-arm. For more info, visit GotXRing.com or call (928) 649-0742.
“Golf — the willful misuse of a perfectly good rifle range.”
Here’s a humorous illustration that pokes fun at the game of golf. We posted this on Facebook a couple seasons back. To our great surprise this generated 356 shares, and reached 22,000+ readers, making this the most popular AccurateShooter Facebook post ever at the time.
So, what do you think — should golf courses be converted to shooting ranges? Is golf truly a “good [shoot] spoiled”? This photo was shared by our shooting buddy Jim de Kort from Holland.
“Actually golf and shooting are similar sports. Trying to shoot a small object into a small hole from long range.” — Eric A.
“You can hit a golf ball 300 yards, but I can hit a golf ball AT 1000 yards.” — Zach S.
“The game should be changed. You should hit the ball out as far as possible, then get your rifle out and hit the golf ball. The most golf balls hits… with the rifle wins!” — Hui H.
Some rifle ranges certainly are beautiful enough to be country clubs. Here is the scenic General Vokes Range in British Columbia, Canada:
Plastix Plus, a Texas-based business founded by a volunteer fireman, is a leading builder of custom storage systems for Fire Departments, Police Agencies, Emergency Response teams, and Federal Agencies such as the U.S. Marshals and the FBI. Using CNC design and thermal plastic welding technology, Plastix Plus can create an infinite variety of in-vehicle storage systems with trays, bins, boxes, shelves, and lockable secure storage. Below is a Plastix Plus storage system fitted in the back of an SUV. Note the AR-type rifles stored in a sliding compartment with fast-access locks.
Modern Plastics Are Superior to Wood or Metal for Vehicle Storage
While other companies offer storage systems for SUVs and trucks, these are usually fabricated from wood and metal. Plastix Plus President Mike Snow says that the Vycom Hitec HDPE ½ inch-thick plastic used by his company is a superior material. In an interview with Tactical-Life.com, Snow explained: “When you have a $7,000 item like a Jaws of Life tool, metal on metal is not a good combination when you are carrying it in the truck and deploying it. The tool gets destroyed by the metal bracket designed to hold it. Plus, you have high moisture situations with fire fighting, so you need to worry about rust. The Hitec material is moisture-resistant and very forgiving for emergency tool transport.”
Likewise the Hitec plastic is easier on fine gun finishes than metal boxes, and it won’t warp or absorb moisture like wood can. Snow says that his plastic storage systems will last for decades. By contrast, Snow says some fire departments that opted for wood storage systems have been forced to replace or rebuild their storage units after just a couple seasons.
Plastix Plus hopes to expand to the general consumer market, providing custom in-vehicle storage solutions for trucks, RVs, and SUVs. Plastix Plus can match the exact dimensions of your vehicle, providing your choice of drawers, bins, and locking compartments, including gun storage lockers. A custom Plastix Plus storage system is not cheap. But it may be a smart purchase — when you consider the value of the guns and gear you haul around. Your investment in multiple match rifles (with $3K scopes), along with fancy rests, electronics, and accessories, could easily top $20,000.
There is so much to see at SHOT Show, with nearly 2000 exhibitors showcasing tens of thousands of products. SHOT Show is the largest trade show of its kind in the world, attracting 60,000+ attendees from more than 100 countries.
Thankfully there are many teams of reporters who covered SHOT Show this year, and they’ve now posted a wide selection of video reports. In today’s SHOT Show video showcase, we post our “pick of the litter” — ten of our favorite video reports from SHOT Show 2019, plus one great video “blast from the past”.
There’s a formidable new option for PRS Production Class. MasterPiece Arms (MPA) is bringing out a new tactical/practicalcompetition rig, officially called the MPA BA PMR Competition Rifle. This new rifle has a $1999.99 price tag, making it suitable for Production Class. It will be offered with Curtis Action fitted to an X-Caliber, hand-lapped 26″ match barrel. Three chamberings will be available: 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester.
This rifle is designed specifically for the Production Class requirements of the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and has been approved for use within this division. It includes many competition-related features while staying under the $2,000 price limit for this class. It is available in either a Black or Tungsten Cerakote® finish. Accuracy is helped with a very good barrel — an X-Caliber, hand-lapped 416R Stainless premium barrel with a polished finish. The chamber is indicated within 0.0001” or less to the bore of the rifle.
The MPA BA PMR Competition Rifle utilizes the MPA BA Ultra Lite Chassis, CNC-machined from 6061 aluminum. The V-bedding system provides additional clearance for glass bedding action and straight section of the barrel. The chassis also includes a built-in inclinometer, thumb notch, lower mounted Picatinny Rail, 20 MOA Scope Rail, A2 Style Pistol Grip and is R.A.T. System compatible. The MPA Buttstock comes with an adjustable cheek riser and length of pull that are locked in position with a series of set screws that are embedded into the buttstock body. This is the same system MPA uses on its Standard BA Chassis, but without the thumb wheels.
Last week, lame duck U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) revived her crusade to ban semi-automatic rifles along with all magazines holding more than ten (10) rounds. Feinstein’s new legislation, the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2019″, would ban “the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 205 military-style assault weapons by name.” Also included would be certain firearms that accept “a detachable ammunition magazine and [have] one or more military characteristics including a pistol grip, a forward grip, a barrel shroud, a threaded barrel or a folding or telescoping stock.” The federal legislation would also outlaw a variety of adjustable stocks plus stabilizing braces for pistols. Magazines would be banned if they “hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition”.
Feinstein and lead co-sponsors Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) say their legislation is needed to end mass shootings and “rid the streets” of “military grade weaponry”.
However, it is unclear that this sweeping gun ban would have any significant effects, other than restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. According to the NRA-ILA: “The firearms the bill targets are … the most popular class of centerfire rifles in America, with some 16 million having entered then stream of commerce in the U.S. since the previous national ban expired in 2004. Law-abiding Americans use them for every type of lawful purpose, including personal and home defense, hunting, marksmanship competitions, and recreational target practice.”
Semi-Auto Rifles Are Rarely Used in Crimes
The NRA-ILA states: “While law-abiding Americans have adopted semiautomatic rifles in droves, they are not the firearm of choice for violent criminals. Year after year, the FBI’s statistics tell a consistent story: rifles of any sort are used less often as a murder weapon than other types of common firearms, as well as knives and cutting instruments, clubs and other blunt objects, and even hands, fists, and feet. Feinstein’s bill would ban firearms that are actually under-represented in nationwide violent crime trends.
The NSSF Opposes Sen. Feinstein’s Latest Gun Control Bill:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition, today announced that it opposes the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 introduced in the U.S. Senate[.]
The legislation introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, like earlier versions, relies on wrongfully defining commonly-owned semi-automatic rifles based on certain cosmetic features. The new version of this legislation, however, expands ways to ban the most-popular center-fire rifle in America. Since the original Assault Weapons Ban expired in 2004, more than 16 million of these rifles have been legally purchased for lawful purposes.
“It is disappointing to see politicians continue to pursue a failed policy agenda that has proven ineffective in improving public safety and will deny law-abiding citizens their Constitutional right,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs and General Counsel. “Despite what proponents may say, the record shows that Sen. Feinstein’s original 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban had no demonstrable impact on reducing crime and this one would be equally ineffective.”
Since the original ban, firearms ownership has increased while the criminal misuse of firearms has steadily dropped. FBI crime statistics demonstrate there is no justification for banning modern sporting rifles. Senator Feinstein continues to mislead the American public by demonizing semi-automatic rifles based on external, cosmetic features that have no bearing on the function of a firearm[.]
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every 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. Field & Cave Outfitters – AR500 Gong 5-Pack, $69.99
Field & Cave Outfitters is now running a great SALE on its 3/8″ AR500 Gong Combo Packs. These 5-Packs include 4″, 6″, 8″, 10″ & 12″ laser-cut steel round gongs with two hanging “ears”. For the rest of January, or while supplies last, Field & Cave is offering these for $69.99 DELIVERED! Grab one of these packs of AR500 targets before they run out. This super-low price won’t last long. These are not seconds or imports and are laser-cut in Texas from prime domestic NuCor AR500 plate. Gongs ship USPS Flat Rate Priority Mail, so customers are getting them in as few as two days after ordering (USA addresses only).
2. Bruno Shooters Supply – Krieger Barrel Sale, $25 Off
Krieger produces some of the finest cut-rifled barrels on the planet. They are in high demand, but thankfully Bruno’s always stocks a large selection of Krieger barrels in a variety of calibers and contours. Right now you can save $25 on super-premium Krieger barrels with Bruno’s barrel bargain days. All Krieger Barrels are now $25 off. Bruno’s has a great selection right now including some of the hard-to-find 6.5mm and .284 barrels.
We like Kahr pistols for self-defense. They are slim, the grips are comfortable, and the DAO triggers are pretty smooth. Kahr pistols are also an excellent value. Right now, the hard-hitting .40 S&W Kahr CT40 is on sale at Brownells. The CT40 features a polymer frame, stainless steel slide, 4″ barrel, and white bar-dot sight configuration. This pistol is just 0.94″ thick and weighs just 21.8 oz. with empty magazine. This is a slim, relatively light-weight carry option. Right now the CT40 is on sale at Brownells for $279.99 with a $10 FFL fee. Use Code M8Y to save $20 with free shipping. That lowers your net cost to $269.99 delivered — a heck of a bargain. Inset image from Guns America CT40 Review.
We see more people storing their guns and valuable in multiple safes. This way you can have rapid access to home-defense weapons, while still keeping your main collection in a big heavy safe. You may also want a secondary safe for a separate work-room or storage area. The Barska Biometric Safe is a great size for small rooms, yet it still holds full-size long guns. This safe features instant access with a Biometric scanner that reads the owner’s fingerprint. This Barska provides a very high-tech storage solution for $299.49 — a reasonable cost. Get one now and they’ll even throw in a FREE $25 value dehumidifier!
5. EuroOptic — Leica CRF 2000-B, $399.00
This may be the best deal we’ve seen on the vaunted Leica 2000-B Laser Rangefinder (LRF) with 7-power optic. This unit is rated out to 2000 yards on reflective objects (in real-world use it will laze a deer well past 800 if you can hold steady). The Leica 2000-B features air pressure and temperature sensors, plus on-board inclinometer. Angle correction works out to 1200 horizontal yards equivalent, with the true hold-over displayed in both MILs and MOA. The compact Leica CRF 2000-B weighs just 6.5 ounces and measures 4.5″ L x 2.25″ H x 1.25″ W. It has a waterproof outer shell.
6. Various Retailers – Springfield Gear Up Giveaway, $265 value
The Springfield M1A rifle, descended from the military’s M14 battle rifle, has an impressive pedigree. If you’d like to add an M1A to your gun collection, now’s a great time to buy. When you purchase a qualifying M1A rifle, Springfield Armory will give you two (2) additional magazines plus a scope mount for FREE. Those mags and the mount represent a $265.00 value! In addition, you can buy Vortex scopes at significant savings — up to 57% off MSRP. Below are the Vortex scopes you can buy at a huge discount:
For more details on the M1A promotion, CLICK HERE. You’ll find qualifying M1A rifles at Cabelas.com and other large retailers. If an M1A has been on your wish list, this is an attractive offer.
7. Stocky’s — LR Stocks with Aluminum Bedding Block, $199.99
Here’s a good deal on a versatile Stocky’s Long Range Stock with aluminum V-block bedding system. For just $199.99, order this for Rem/Rem Clone long actions or short actions, with either narrow or wide (varmint/tactical) barrel channel. This would be a good choice for a varmint rifle. This is also offered with handsome hydrographic or web-pattern baked-on textured finishes for $219.99.
8. Creedmoor Sports – MTM Tactical Range Box, $44.95
When you head to range do you always seem to leave something behind? Pick up this MTM Tactical Range Box and you’ll be able to fit everything you need inside — ammo, cleaning supplies, tools, target stickers, Kestrel and even a set of earmuffs. This range box include multiple small parts trays, plus two padded stirrups that anchor into the base so you can use the range box as a field cleaning stand. The MTM Range Box also has a vertical support bracket that fits in the magazine well of AR-platform rifles. On sale now at Creedmoor Sports for $44.95, this is an versatile item that can tote your ammo, accessories, and serve as a cleaning station at the range.
9. Amazon – Proster Wind Meter, $16.99
Wish you had a modern impeller-style wind meter but only shoot a couple matches a year and can’t justify spending $150 (or more) on one? This Proster wind meter has a very impressive 4.5 star overall rating (with hundreds of reviews), so buy with confidence. Now on sale for just $16.99, this is a very useful tool for a bargain basement price. Get this affordable Wind Meter to ensure you have reliable wind readings for ballistics calculations. And unlike a costly Kestrel, with this low-priced wind meter, you won’t feel too bad if it gets lost or misplaced some time.
PRS and NRL shooters, as well as game hunters, now have new ultra-accurate Berger and Lapua factory ammo for the popular 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor chamberings. For shooters who do not have the time or equipment to hand-load, these new factory ammo options promise outstanding performance. We fully expect that these new offerings from Berger and Lapua will set new standards for accuracy and ballistic uniformity among commercial ammunition for the 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor. Lapua’s match ammo for the similar 6.5×47 Lapua cartridge has shown outstanding accuracy with ES/SD numbers rivaling high-quality hand-loads. (SEE 6.5x47L Test Results).
New Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor Target and Lead-Free Hunting Ammunition
Lapua has added the popular 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge to its line of Scenar-L Target ammo and its Naturalis Hunting ammunition offerings. The 6.5m Creedmoor 136 grain Scenar-L offers a high ballistic coefficient (BC) for long-range competitive target shooting, yet maintains SAAMI configuration for flawless function through all factory or custom rifle magazines. Lapua ammo will also be loaded with the excellent 123 grain OTM Scenar. One of our favorite bullets, the 123-grainer offers faster velocities (and less recoil) than its bigger brother, and may be the best choice for many PRS stages.
6.5 Creedmoor ammo loaded with the 140 grain Lapua Naturalis provides hunters a lead-free option for hunting in areas that ban lead bullets. Designed and manufactured from pure copper, Naturalis bullets will reliably retain 90-100% of their original weight. Lapua’s Naturalis projectiles produce consistent, controlled expansion at the widest velocity range on the market.
New Berger 6mm Creedmoor Target and Hunting Ammo
New 6mm Creedmoor Target Ammunition is loaded with Berger 105 grain Hybrid Target bullets, the “go-to” for PRS shooters and long-range accuracy enthusiasts alike. Built using premium-grade Lapua cartridge cases, Berger’s 6mm Creedmoor Target Ammunition provides the discriminating shooter the highest quality components and sub-MOA accuracy “off-the-shelf”, unequaled by the competition.
New Berger 6mm Creedmoor Hunting Ammunition is loaded with 95 grain Hybrid Classic Hunter bullets in premium Lapua brass. These top-flight components deliver lethal precision and sub-MOA accuracy — impressive for hunting ammo. The hybrid ogive design of the Classic Hunter projectile is the same as Berger Hybrid Target bullets, while allowing for SAAMI length configurations for efficiency in the field and reliable functioning through magazines.
A couple seasons back we published our comprehensive 6.5×47 Lapua Cartridge Guide, researched by the 6.5 Guys. In case you’ve been wondering what kind of accuracy is possible for a tactical-type rifle chambered for this mid-sized cartridge, check out this tack-driver built by gunsmith Ryan Pierce. That’s a mighty impressive 0.206″ five-shot group fired with Berger 140gr Hybrids using a Brux cut-rifled barrel. The powder was Hodgdon H4350, a very good choice for this cartridge.
Ryan reports: “Here is a 6.5×47 I built for a customer. It features a trued Rem 700 action, Brux 1:8″ Rem varmint-contour barrel, Mcmillan thumbhole stock, Surgeon bottom metal, and 3-port muzzle brake. The customer’s preferred load is the same that has worked in the last couple dozen 6.5x47s I’ve built: 41.1-41.3 grains of H4350 with 140 hybrids .050″ off the lands. This should run about 2810-2815 fps from a 26″ barrel. The 3.128″ refers to length of a loaded round from the base to ogive including the Hornady ogive comparator tool.”
Yep, It Measures Up…
Lest anyone dispute Ryan’s measurement of this group (the internet is full of nay-sayers), 0.206″ is EXACTLY what we got when we measured this group using OnTarget software. See for yourself:
