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September 28th, 2013
We know guys are desperate to get rifle primers these days. This may help you out — but you need to act quickly. As of September 23, 2013 at 1:00 pm ET, Powder Valley was showing some hard-to-find primers in stock. Some notable PVI primer offerings are listed below (all are subject to change).
Readers — Check the publish date on this notice! if you are reading this more that a day or two after our release date, the listed product may be sold out. Check availability at PowderValleyInc.com before you get too excited.
| PVI — Primers in Stock 9/28/2013 |
| CCI BR4 SMALL RIFLE BENCHREST PRIMERS (1000) — In Stock at $49.00 per 1000 primers |
| CCI #350 LARGE PISTOL MAGNUM PRIMERS (1000) — In Stock at $30.00 per 1000 primers |
| TULA SMALL RIFLE PRIMERS (KVB223) (1000) — In Stock at $23.50 per 1000 primers |
September 26th, 2013
 Stiller’s Precision Firearms (www.viperactions.com) has introduced a new line of billet stainless Octagon actions, dubbed the Spectre series. Designed primarily for tactical use, Stiller’s new Spectre Actions can also be used for long range hunting. Offered in .308 short action, .308 long action, and Magnum sizes, the black oxide-coated, octagonal Spectres feature a +20 MOA angled Picatinny rail milled into the receiver body.
MSRP for all Stiller Spectre actions is $1295.00 (price does not include separate, pinned recoil lug). Short-action Spectres are available right now, while the long-action and magnum versions should be in stock by December, 2013. To order, visit ViperActions.com or call 972-429-5000.
Spectres Designed to Fit Rem 700 Inlets with Minor Mods
The Spectres should fit most stocks designed for Rem 700-type actions (with minor modifications). Stiller’s Precision explains: “Spectres are octagonal stainless steel replacements for the Remington 700 series actions. The Spectre will fit most chassis including the Accuracy International series as a drop in replacement for the Remington 700 series actions. In standard stocks some minor inletting will be needed to clear the corners of the octagon.”
The short actions have .223 and .308 bolt-faces, while Spectre long actions have .308 or magnum bolt-faces. The .223 bolt uses the Sako-style extractor, while the others use a modified M16-type extractor. Spectre actions are only available with a straight handle. All tactical actions feature a one-piece-from-billet bolt and a screw-on knob. The standard bolt finish is black Iron Nitride QPQ (very durable).
Spectres Will Work with AI and AICS Magazines
Short-action Spectres have a magazine cutout for Accuracy International double stack magazines. They also work well with centerfeed-style detachable magazines such as the AICS. Stiller’s Precision offers detachable bottom metal systems that utilize both magazines. The short action Spectre will NOT function with the BDL [hinged floor plate] style magazine. The long Spectres have the standard Remington 700 style magazine cutout for either AICS style centerfeed detachable magazines or the BDL-style (hinged floor plate) magazine.
September 26th, 2013
 Colt Mfg. Co. (Colt) is bringing out two new bolt-action rifles with actions from Cooper Firearms of Montana. (So maybe we should call these “Colpers” or “Coolts”?) Two different versions of the new Colt M2012 solid-stocked bolt-action rifles have been announced: a .308 Win with a Manners composite stock (MT308T), and a laminated stock version chambered in either .308 Win (LT308G) or .260 Remington (LT260G). All versions feature fluted barrels, detachable box magazines, and single-stage Timney triggers. All new M2012 MTs and LTs ship with signed, numbered, and dated Colt test targets.
These rifles will be pricey for a factory rifle. The M2012MT308T in .308 Winchester carries a $3,195.00 MSRP. That puts you pretty close to the cost of a custom tactical build. The laminated-stock LT versions list for $2,795.00, making those considerably more affordable. So what do you get for your money with a M2012 bolt-action “Coolt”?
The M2012MT308T features a 1:10″-twist, 22″ fluted stainless barrel with factory muzzle brake. All-up weight, even with the lightweight Manners carbon/fiberglass composite stock, is 10.25 pounds. Overall length is 44″, making the rifle fairly compact, good for tactical games and hunting.
The laminated LT models (offered in .308 Win or .260 Rem), weigh just 8.5 pounds, making them nearly two pounds lighter than the Manners-stocked models. We presume the weight saving comes from the use of lighter-contour barrels. The LT308G features a 22″ chrome-moly 1:10″-twist fluted barrel, while the LT260G sports a 22″ chrome-moly 1:8″-twist fluted barrel. This enables the .260 version to shoot popular 138-142 grain 6.5mm match bullets. Again, muzzle brakes come fitted to the laminated guns, just like the composite-stock variant.
Will these new Cooper-actioned rifles find favor with shooters? We think that depends on how well they shoot. Given the asking prices ($2,795 for Laminated, $3,195.00 for Composite) these rifles are close in price to a gunsmith-built, custom rig with a super-premium barrel. Such a custom should deliver 1/2-MOA or better. Can the M2012 “Coolts” match that? Hard to say…
These new Colt M2012s might be a decent starter platform for an F-TR rifle, but the fore-arm is pretty short (for optimal bipod use) and the shooter might need to retro-fit some kind of raised cheekpiece for prone shooting. It may be that the real market for these rifles will be hunters who want the security of a factory warranty, in a product that is a step-up from a basic Remington 700, Howa, or Savage.
September 25th, 2013
 Following the success of CFE 223, Hodgdon Powder Company has released a new addition to the CFE (“Copper Fouling Eraser”) line of propellants. Hodgdon’s new CFE™ Pistol, a general purpose handgun powder, is designed to deliver less copper fouling. CFE Pistol is a spherical (ball) powder that meters very well. Hodgdon hopes to have CFE Pistol available in January 2014.
When CFE 223 rifle powder was first introduced, people were skeptical about claims that CFE reduced copper fouling in barrels. In fact, field reports from our Forum members indicate that CFE 223 does deliver on the promise of reduced copper fouling. Our readers also found CFE 223 to be very accurate in a variety of cartridge types. Hopefully CFE PISTOL will perform as well in handguns.
 The secret to CFE products’ reduced copper fouling is a proprietary “Copper Fouling Eraser” chemistry developed for U.S. rapid-fire military systems. Better living (and less cleaning) through chemistry, as they say. Hodgdon states: “Whatever your game is… you will benefit significantly with longer periods of top accuracy with less barrel cleaning time and minimal muzzle flash.”
Load data for CFE Pistol should be available on Hodgdon’s Reloading Data Center starting in December 2013. Hodgdon plans to provide over 100 available loads for 15 pistol cartridges, and 37 bullet weights. Load data will be offered for 9mm Luger, 38 Super, 40 S&W, .45 ACP and many other cartridge types. To find out more, visit Hodgdon.com, see Hodgdon’s upcoming 2014 Annual Manual, or call Hodgdon at 913-362-9455.
September 24th, 2013
The 10th Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup Matches will be held at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona, on 11-20 October 2013. The Western CMP Games Matches run 11-15 October 2013. The Creedmoor Cup Matches take place on 16-20 October 2013. All interested shooters, (whether new, recreation-oriented shooters or experienced, national championship contenders) are invited to participate in these unique, national-level competitions. NOTE: Registration for the Creedmoor Cup matches must be done online via www.creedmoorsports.com.
Western CMP Games Entry Form | Western CMP Games Online Registration
Western CMP Games & Creedmoor Cup Program | Directions to Ben Avery Range
| Western CMP Games Matches
Garand & Springfield Match Clinic
John C. Garand Match
Springfield Match
Vintage Military Rifle Match
Small Arms Firing School/M16 Match
Rimfire Sporter Match
Carbine Match
Vintage Sniper Match
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Western Creedmoor Cup Events
High Power Rifle Clinic
Creedmoor Cup (2400 point aggregate)
4-Man Team Match
Creedmoor EIC Match
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A Garand-Springfield-Military Rifle Master Instructor Clinic (lead by Gary Anderson, DCM Emeritus) will be head 11-12 October, prior to the Western CMP Games. For more info about the Western CMP Games email croguski[at]thecmp.org or call (888) 267-0796, ext. 1114. For Creedmoor Cup info, contact Dennis DeMille, demille[at]creedmoorsports.com or call (800) 273-3366 (Mon–Fri, 8 am to 4 pm.)
September 24th, 2013
Get into the NRA National Firearms Museum for free this Saturday, September 28, 2013. As part of Smithsonian magazine’s 9th Annual Museum Day Live! event, the National Firearms Museum will open its doors at no charge to those have downloaded a free event ticket from Smithsonian.com/museumday.
The NRA National Firearms Museum is the finest firearms collection in the Western Hemisphere. More than 2,700 of America’s most significant firearm treasures are showcased among 15 galleries spanning six centuries. On September 28th, Senior Curator Doug Wicklund will lead a guided tour of the galleries.
Museum Day Live! tickets can be downloaded at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present a Museum Day Live! ticket will gain free entrance for two at participating venues for one day only. One ticket is permitted per household, per email address. To learn more about the NRA National Firearms Museum, visit nramuseum.org.
Participating museums emulate the policy of the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. by providing free admission. Last year’s Museum Day event drew over 400,000 participants, and this year’s event expects record-high participation.
September 24th, 2013
 The National Shooting Sports Foundation has launched an improved, redesigned website at www.nssf.org — the organization’s hub for providing timely news and educational materials to industry members and consumers. The new site features improved navigation, better search functionality and quick access to news and information. The new site’s Responsive Template design also makes it mobile-friendly for those accessing it via smartphones or tablets. (A ‘Responsive’ website automatically formats the site layout to best fit the type of device used by the visitor.) The new site is now live. NSSF invites its regular visitors and new visitors to check it out at www.nssf.org.
September 23rd, 2013
 Do you enjoy plinking with rimfire rifles and shooting reactive targets with handguns? Champion has developed a series of fun targets that tilt, spin, hop, or roll when hit. Made from a “self-healing” rubber-like polymer, Champion’s DuraSeal Targets can be hit dozens of times before they need to be replaced. (If you shoot only rimfire, they might last 200 rounds or more.) Along with the varmint spinners, we like Champion’s weighted wobble targets. These are offered in both a bowling pin shape and a sphere on a post (photo right). When you hit these targets they rock back and forth and side to side. Weights in the round bottom then bring the target back to an upright position.
Champion also offers “bouncing balls” and a 3D Star targets that hop and roll when shot. These make good long-range tactical rifle targets. The lifespan is not that great with large heavy bullets, but one of the ball or star targets should survive many dozens of hits with a .223 Rem or 6mmBR.
September 23rd, 2013
 Are you a high-volume shooter who needs large quantities of bullets at a reasonable cost? Well here’s a very good deal on name-brand bullets. Grafs.com has recently acquired a big inventory of factory seconds from a major, top-tier bullet maker. These bullets should shoot fine, but they may have water spots, discoloration, or some other cosmetic defect. We can’t reveal the manufacturer, but you may be able to figure it out from the list of bullets below. Here are some of the current offerings:
.224 Caliber (5.56 mm), 77gr HPBT, $18.99 per hundred (Item #: GRB2277)
.243 Caliber (6mm), 80gr SP Varmint, $15.59 per hundred (Item #: GRB2480)
.243 Caliber (6mm), 100gr SPT, $18.99 per hundred (Item #: GRB24100)
.308 Caliber, 155gr HPBT, $25.99 per hundred (Item #: GRB30155)
.308 Caliber, 168gr HPBT, $25.99 per hundred (Item #: GRB30168)
.308 Caliber, 175gr HPBT, $27.99 per hundred (Item #: GRB30175)
.308 Caliber, 220gr HPBT, $29.99 per hundred (Item #: GRB30220)
September 23rd, 2013
 What is the most-used piece of equipment on this editor’s reloading bench? No it’s not my Rock-Chucker press, or even my calipers. The one item in near-constant use is a small, folding magnifying glass. Mine folds into a square case and offers 4X viewing with an 8X bifocal insert. With this handy tool I can inspect case mouths for burrs, check primer pockets, inspect meplats, and look for flaws on bullet jackets. I also use the magnifier to see rifling marks on bullets seated into the rifling, or check my bolt for galling. The number of uses is nearly endless. I keep one magnifier at my reloading bench and another in my range kit.
Folding magnifiers are so handy yet inexpensive that you should own a couple spares (including one in the range box). I bought my magnifier in a book-store, but you can also find them on the web at FoldingMagnifier.com and WidgetSupply.com starting at just $1.95. To see the finest details, Widget Supply offers a powerful 17X/50X slide-out magnifier with a built-in, battery-powered LED light. With that gadget, you can easily see any minute flaws in your barrel crowns. That’s important because crown damage can cause hard-to-diagnose accuracy issues. We’ve known guys who spend weeks tinkering with loads, when the real problem was a worn-out or damaged crown.
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