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January 20th, 2014
 It’s official. Representatives of Lapua announced at SHOT Show 2014 that Nammo has purchased Vihtavuori, acquiring the “VV” line of propellants, and, most importantly, taking over Vihtavuori’s powder production facility in Vihtavuori, Finland.
This means that Vihtavuori is now officially under the Nammo umbrella as is Lapua, producer of brass, bullets, and loaded ammunition. Lapua engineer Tommi Tuuri has visited the Vihtavuori plant in person. Tommi says all operations are going well and the plant is running at normal capacity (but Nammo does plan some upgrades in the months ahead). Vihtavuori powders will continue to be imported into the United States as before and the powders will be made available through existing distribution channels.
Learn More about Nammo Purchase of Vihtavuori Powder Factory
The Vihtavuori Powder factory is located in Vihtavuori, Finland. Click marker to zoom.
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January 20th, 2014
Here’s a smart product from MTM Case-Gard, new for 2014. You get a rugged, polypropylene plastic ammo carrier, complete with a matched set of 100-round ammo boxes for a particular caliber (e.g. 9mm, 45 ACP, or .223 Rem). This is a slick, intelligent way to transport ammo to the range.
We like these new MTM plastic ammo carriers better than military surplus metal ammo cans, which have sharp edges, finger-pinching clasps, and rust far too easily. MTM’s ammo carriers are much lighter than milsurp ammo cans, and they have an enhanced O-Ring seal system for a superior water-resistant seal. All plastic, the MTM ammo carriers can never rust. They have easy-to-shut dual latches, double locking tabs for padlocks, and convenient built-in stacking ridges molded into the lids. Overall, the MTM ammo carrier is a superior, more user-friendly design compared to conventional metal ammo cans. And the combo set, with fitted 100-round boxes, gives double protection to your precious ammunition.
January 19th, 2014
 Accurate makes some outstanding propellants, including LT-32, a favorite among short-range benchrest shooters. Ramshot X-Terminator is also a great powder for a many applications. You’ll find up-to-date load data for these and other Accurate, Ramshot, and Blackhorn propellants in the new Western Powders Reloading Guide Edition 5.0. This printed resource guide includes the most current handgun and rifle Load Data for Accurate and Ramshot powders. The Guide offers a variety of helpful articles on subjects from Reloading Basics to Gun Cleaning.
Western’s print-format Reloading Guide is offered for $2.99 delivered. (The guide itself is free — the $2.99 covers shipping and handling.) It’s nice to have a “hard-copy” guide to keep in the loading room. However, if you want immediate access to load data for Accurate propellants and Ramshot powders, there are online reloading resources for both brands. Click the links below:
January 19th, 2014
Need a comp scope with serious magnification, but have a limited budget? Then check out the new XTR II 8-40x50mm from Burris. Priced at $1199.00 (MSRP), this new scope offers 40X max magnification, and a lifetime, bumper-to-bumper warranty. The scope weighs 31.4 ounces, has 1/8th-MOA clicks, and 10 MOA per turret revolution. With a 34mm main tube, the scope delivers 70 MOA of elevation adjustment and 30 MOA of windage adjustment. New this year, this FFP scope should be available by the end of March 2014. Learn more in the video preview below:
Learn about Features of 8-40x50mm Burris XTR 11:
Innovative F-Class MOA Reticle with Multiple Center Dots
Burris offers this First Focal Plane (FFP) scope with an F-Class MOA Reticle, the only reticle of its kind to feature multiple illuminated center dots (on the vertical line), the Front Focal Plane reticle keeps the 1/2 MOA grid design constant (relative to target) at any magnification. A second 20 MOA offset 1/2 MOA grid allow shooters to obtain an extra 20 MOA of elevation beyond the capability of the turret adjustments and still have horizontal wind hold-off references. At each 10 MOA section you’ll find an ultra-fine crosshair with 1/8 MOA illuminated dot for maximum versatility.
January 19th, 2014
McMillan recently sold its gun-making business to Strategic Armory Corps, LLC (SAC). But don’t worry, McMillan will continue production of its full line of quality fiberglass stocks. At SHOT Show 2014, we interviewed Kelly McMillan of McMillan Group International. Kelly confirmed that McMillan Fiberglass Stocks will continue to craft stocks for competition, hunting, and tactical applications.
In our interview (video below), Kelly discusses the recent sale of McMillan’s gun-making business to Strategic Armory Corps, LLC (SAC) which also owns Armalite and Surgeon Rifles. Kelly says SAC will maintain very high quality standards for McMillan’s Competition, Tactical, and Hunting rifles: “SAC is a great company, with a great vision… it’s going to be really good for the product and our customers”.
Watch Kelly McMillan Video Interview — Learn About McMillan Merchant Solutions:
 In the second half of the video, Kelly talks about McMillan Merchant Solutions (MMS), a new “gun-friendly” credit-card processing company. McMillan Merchant Solutions offers processing functions and other services for all gun industry businesses, large and small, at very competitive rates. A portion of MMS revenues will be donated to groups that support Second Amendment rights.
January 18th, 2014
Ashbury Precision Ordnance (APO) has introduced a new line of modular SABRE chassis systems for Savage model 10 and 110 rifles. These chassis systems are completely modular, upgradeable, and reconfigurable. Sporter models start at $995.00. APO President Morris Petersen explains: “Our customers said ‘Hey, you need to build a line for Savages’. So we built a series of SABREs for Savage [short action and long action rifles]. We have a composite version (Sporter), the Super-Sport Alloy, and the Carbon Fiber version. They are all fully adjustable (as all of the SABRE Platforms are) so they can fit any type of shooter.” New model calibers include .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua Mag in Sporter Composite and Quattro Alloy series with 5-round and 10-round AICS-type magazines.
New Savage SABRE Chassis System (SVS-A3, MOD-1 Alloy Series SuperSport)
APO has been selling the Savage SVL-A2 MOD-1 for the 110 BA for nearly 2 years. The new Savage 10 and 110 models will begin deliveries to APO dealers in the Spring of 2014. Sporter models will come first, followed by the Alloy Series.
APO Showcases the New SABRE Chassis Line for Savage 10 and 110 Rifles
Shooting with APO During Media Day at the Range
Media Day at the Boulder Pistol and Rifle Club was busy all day long. The APO crew let reporters test drive three precision rifles: an ASW .338 Lapua Magnum, a custom M700 .300 Win Mag, and the new Savage 10 FCP/SVS-A3. The winds kicked up quickly and reached 25 mph at times. But everyone still had fun.
January 18th, 2014
The 17 Winchester Super Magnum Rimfire cartridge (aka 17 Win Super Mag or 17 WSM) debuted last January. There was lots of buzz about this new, high-velocity rimfire cartridge in 2013, but the ammo was hard to get. Also, months passed before rifles chambered for the new cartridge were available. Now that situation is changing. Winchester has been producing 17 WSM ammo for a year now, actually making twice as much 17 WSM ammo as originally planned.
And now you can finally get a rifle to shoot the speedy little cartridge, the fastest rimfire round ever created. Browning offers a Falling Block chambered in 17 WSM, Savage has its new B-Mag rifle in 17 WSM, and Volquartsen is taking orders for an impressive, semi-auto 17 WSM. So the future is bright for this little cartridge, which can drive a 20-grain bullet at 3000 FPS, or a 25-grain bullet at 2600 FPS.
Savage B-Mag Rifle Chambered in 17 Win Super Mag.
Easy One-MOA Accuracy, Even in High Winds
We had a chance to shoot some 25-grain 17 WSM ammo through a new Savage B-Mag rifle. This polymer-tipped ammo showed its capability to buck the wind way better than .22 LR ammo (or even 17 HMR). In gusty 15-20 mph winds, Jason was still able to put five shots inside an inch or so at 100 yards.
Watch Jason Shoot 17 Win Super Mag in Savage B-Mag Rifle. In Second Part of Video, Winchester Staff Talks about 17 WSM Ammo Availability:
The B-Mag rifle worked well. The trigger is surprisingly good, with a crisp break at around 3.5 pounds. The B-Mag employs a “cock-on-close” design. Last year we tried an early production prototype B-Mag, and the bolt closure was very heavy. Though Savage claims there were no significant design changes, we can tell you the B-Mag is improved. Bolt closure takes less effort and the feeling as you drop the bolt handle is much smoother. (Perhaps the firing pin spring rate has been softened.) We did get a misfeed from the rotary-style magazine when cycling very rapidly. However, if you slow down a bit it works fine. You also must make sure the bolt is pushed ALL the way forward before you begin to rotate the bolt handle downwards.
Click Boxes to View Larger Charts
January 18th, 2014
CZ USA had many new (and updated) products on display at SHOT Show 2014. A new camo version of the CZ 455 Varmint Precision Trainer (VPT) caught our eye. This is one of the best options for Rimfire Tactical Competitions, and well as cross-training with low-cost rimfire ammo. Chambered in .22 LR, the Varmint Precision Trainer was designed to provide the same look and feel as a full-size tactical rifle while allowing for more economical training. The high-quality Manners Composite T4 stock wears a new camouflage paint scheme this year. The rifle features an .866-diameter heavy barrel that should offer good accuracy. MSRP is $940.00.
The black-stocked rifle below the camo VPT is another interesting rimfire from CZ. New for 2014, this CZ 455 Tacticool Suppressor-Ready sports a 16.5″ varmint-contour barrel with 1/2×28 threads for the “can”. This allows easy installation of your suppressor, while allowing a short overall package. For varmint hunters who want a quiet, stealthy rifle, this model fills the bill. NOTE: CZ does NOT provide the suppressor. That must be purchased separately and an ATF tax stamp must be obtained. Check the laws in your jurisdiction to determine whether suppressor ownership is legal where you live.
3-Gun Competitors will be impressed with CZ’s new scattergun, the 712 Practical. Priced at an affordable $699.00 (MSRP), this semi-auto shotgun, designed specifically for 3-Gun competition, features 10-round capacity (counting a shell in the chamber). The 6-position, adjustable buttstock offers various lengths of pull from 11.25 to 15 inches. The ATI fluted magazine extension provides 9+1 rounds of firepower and extends just past the 22″ barrel to help protect the muzzle. The new 712 Practical comes complete with 5 choke tubes — all for a price that undercuts some comparable 3-Gun shotguns by hundreds.
January 17th, 2014
Here are some more quick highlights from SHOT Show in Las Vegas. There are some brilliantly designed new products, as well as some items that are interesting simply because they depart from the norm. Enjoy these images of interesting products (and people) we saw this week in Vegas.
Era-Tac Adjustable-Angle Scope Mount (0 to +70 MOA)
This is a unique, variable-angle scope mount (with integral rings) that adjusts from 0 MOA to +70 MOA pre-load, in precise, ten-MOA increments. Once adjusted and tensioned, there is no play in the system so your elevation is repeatable. This Era-Tac Mount, made by Recknagel (Germany) is a very advanced design that really works. CLICK HERE for details.
Mossberg Gets Patriotic
Mossberg was “showing the flag” (literally) at its SHOT Show booth. Here a row of camo-dipped Mossberg shotguns and rifles are decorated with Old Glory.
New Precise Micrometer-Top Bullet Seaters from Sinclair Int’l
Sinclair showed off its new dial-adjustable seating dies for use with arbor presses. Though produced by L.E. Wilson, these are a step up from the regular Wilson micro-adjusting hand dies. These new Sinclair dies eliminate the guesswork. Each hashmark actually gives you a .001″ (one-thousandth) change in bullet seating depth. There’s a tactile click as you rotate the micrometer top past each hash mark.
World Champions Gather At Sands Expo
Four members of the World Championship-winning USA F-TR Team were on hand when we paid a visit to the Nightforce booth at SHOT Show. Left to right, here are four of the team that triumphed at Raton: Ray Gross, Dan Pohlabel (with rifle), Phillip Kelley, and Brad Sauve.
Wow, Is There Anything PT&G Isn’t Making These Days?
Pacific Tool & Gauge had dozens of new products on hand. There were gunsmithing tools, replacement bolts (for many different action types), barrel vises, action truing tools, you name it. Heck, Dave Kiff even showed us a new aluminum rifle chassis PT&G will be manufacturing. This company is now producing a vast selection of precision metal parts and tools.
300 AAC Blackout, Actually Blacked-Out
Australian Outback, backed by the folks who acquired ADI, is making a big push to sell loaded ammunition in the USA. To jazz up their new 300 Blackout ammo, the bodies of the brass cases have a distinctive black finish. So the Blackout Ammo is black… get it?
Kimber SOC (Not Your Ordinary Kimber Bolt-Gun)
No, this is not an Accuracy International, or a Surgeon, or even a Colt tactical rifle. Believe it or not, this is the new Kimber “Advanced Tactical” metal-chassis rifle, dubbed the “SOC” for “Special Operations Capable”. The chassis felt stiff and strong. The bolt cycled smoothly, but the trigger pull was pretty heavy (we’re told it can be adjusted.)
January 17th, 2014
When we visited the Forster Products booth at SHOT Show 2014, we learned an amazing story involving a Vietnam veteran and a Forster (previously Bonanza) Co-Ax press:
Forster tells us: “[We] just met with a gentleman at the SHOT Show who was a sniper in Vietnam and used a Co-Ax press during his time of service (loading hundreds of rounds). Upon completion of his time he shipped the press back to the States. When he got home, the press was not there….he assumed all hopes of seeing his press were lost. But just this past year, [decades] later, that package was finally delivered. He cleaned it up a bit and it works just as well as he remembered!
We [at Forster] are meeting lots of great people and hearing lots of great stories. Thank you to all who have and continue to serve our country!”
This is a USMC archive photo of a Marine Sniper Team in the Khe Sanh Valley. It does not depict the person mentioned in the article. Original photo by David Douglas Duncan. Donated for use by his estate to the USMC, and shared via Wikimedia Commons.
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