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June 26th, 2011
 We know many of our readers run their own businesses. Here’s important news for small business owners, gunsmiths, and independent contractors. Effective July 1, 2011, the IRS has raised the mileage deduction for business-related travel from $0.51 to $0.555. The IRS made this unusual midyear change in response to the sharp rise in gas prices, which now exceed $4.00 per gallon. So, for business trips conducted between 7/1/2011 and 12/31/2011, you should deduct 55.5 cents per mile traveled. To qualify for this deduction, you need to keep detailed records of each trip (date, destination, purpose, mileage) and you must claim the mileage on your Schedule ‘C’ at tax time.
Effect on Employees: Even if you don’t file a Schedule ‘C’ (as a business owner), this change may affect you. USA Today explains that: “The [mileage deduction] rate is also used as a benchmark by the federal government and many businesses to reimburse their employees for mileage. Workers who receive the reimbursement don’t have to report it as income, as long as the payments don’t exceed the IRS benchmark.”
After initially saying it would not change the mileage deduction in mid-year, the IRS relented, announcing new rates on June 23, 2011, which are effective July 1st. The deductible business travel rate will rise to 55.5 cents a mile. That’s an increase of 4.5 cents from the 51 cent rate currently in effect. Also going up by 4.5 cents between July 1 and Dec. 31 of this year will be the mileage deduction for medical or moving expenses which were increased from 19 cents to 23.5 cents per mile.
 TAX TIP: If you deduct business-related mileage we suggest you keep a little log-book in your vehicle. Write down the date of your trip and the starting mileage. When you reach your destination, write down the ending mileage. If it is a round-trip journey, you can log the end mileage when you return — but be sure to record your destination and a few notes to explain the purpose of the trip.
There are also expense reporting Apps for smartphones that allow you to record mileage. However, be sure to back up your digital deduction logs so that they don’t get lost if your phone goes haywire or if the battery dies.
June 25th, 2011
Graf’s is running a cool special right now on CCI and Federal primers. If you purchase any two (2) cases of primers listed below, Graf’s will pay the $25 Hazardous Materials Fee. One case of primers contains five, 1000-count boxes of primers. The discounted sale prices, plus the free Hazmat Fee, makes this a very good deal — provided you need a whole bunch of primers. Qualifying primer types are: CCI500, CCIBR4, CCIM34, FDGM155M, FD215, FDGM200M, FDGM205M. Note the Fed 205M (match) primers are on sale for $149.99 per case, which works out to $30 per thousand. Kick in the free Hazmat and that’s very competitive pricing.
To take advantage of this deal, you may want to bundle an order with one of your shooting buddies — or perhaps organize a group buy with other members of your shooting club. And here’s the good news — that FREE Hazmat will cover other items (such as powder) up to a total weight of 50 lbs. of hazardous materials. For example, let’s say your two cases of primers weighs 20 pounds (boxed) — then you’ll have 30 pounds of free hazmat “coverage” left.
Here’s the Fine Print
Note — These prices only apply to internet purchases. The offer is limited to ONE free Hazmat fee per order. All ordered items must be in stock. To qualify, orders must be able to ship via FedEx Ground.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
June 25th, 2011
Our friends Pat and Matt at PMA tools sent us this recent “summer update”. Since it contains product news and special offers, we decided to share it with our Daily Bulletin Readers:
NEWS from PMA Tools
From Pat & Matt — We’d like to update you on a few new items that have been or will be added to our line up of tools. We also have one item that is available while supplies last. We’ll start there.
 Blem Neck-Turners only $79.95
We have six (yep, only 6) blemished Model A Neck Turning Tools available while they last. These tools are completely functional, but boy are they ugly. For one reason or another the anodizing just didn’t take on these six tools. We wouldn’t feel right charging full price for them, so we’ve discounted them to $79.95. They can be found on our PMA home page under SPECIALs (lower left) or in the “New” section (lower center).
New 35° Cutter Option
We have added a third option of cutter angle to our neck turning tool offerings. We are now manufacturing a 35-degree cutter for use with WSM cartridges and cartridges based on the 284. We are expecting this cutter to eventually replace the 40° option. Not that there is anything wrong with using a 40° cutter for these cases, after all like Fred used to say “clearance is clearance”. The should actually make set-up easier, particularly when adjusting the turner for a “clean up” cut. The 35° carbide cutter (for Model A tools) costs $12.95
Pre-Set Neck Turners Coming Soon
Our new pre-set neck turning tool (tentatively called the Model B Tool) will be available in a matter of weeks. These neck turners will be available with your choice of cutter angle (30, 35 or 40), your choice of stainless steel mandrel (22, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm or 30cal) and preset to your choice of cut thickness. We will guarantee the thickness to .001”. The price of this tool is $45.95 complete (mandrel installed), all you have to do is adjust the mandrel location. This tool is a great, economical choice for shooters who like to have 2, 3, or even 4 tools set to different depths to get the thickness down to size. It’s also a great choice for any one who wants uniform case necks for a factory or non-tight neck custom chamber. This neck turning tool comes pre-set, but can be adjusted if need be — it’s just not nearly as easy to adjust as our Model A.
Taking Orders Now for Carbide Mandrels
We have an update on our carbide neck turning mandrel situation. They will be available before summer’s end in our standard sizes (22, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm and 30cal) and will be priced at $45.95. If you would like, you can pre-order carbide mandrels by emailing us (support@pmatool.com) and letting us know which size you need. We will place you on the list and you will receive an email as soon as they are available. Last, but not least, we are expanding our stainless steel mandrel offerings to include 17, 20 and 338 calibers as standard options. |
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
June 25th, 2011
 This Monday, June 27, at 9:00 pm, Barrett Firearms Mfg. will be featured on a National Geographic special entitled Snipers, Inc.. The hour-long show tells the story of Ronnie Barrett, his innovative large-caliber sniper rifle designs, and how he built a multi-million dollar business. Barrett Firearms introduced the semi-automatic .50-Cal M82 in 1982 but did not make any significant sales until 1989. Soon afterward, the M82 was purchased by the United States armed forces, and it was deployed in the Gulf War. Today the company has contracts with dozens of countries to supply sniper rifles. The success of the M82A1 has spawned several other models of .50 BMG rifles, including the M95, M99, and M99-1. These are lighter, lower-cost bolt-action rifles. One of the most recent offerings from Barret is the M107A1, unveiled in January 2011. M107A1 enhancements include a 4-lb weight reduction, increased accuracy, and a quick attachment for a Barrett suppressor.
The Nat Geo promo states: “Selling guns to snipers is all in a day’s work for one small-town Tennessee family. Ronnie, the designer and businessman at the helm of Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, and his two children, are responsible for creating the M107 sniper rifle. The M107’s power and precision allow snipers to destroy multiple targets from more than 20 football fields away. NGC goes inside this family of firearm ‘rock stars’.” In the video below, Ronnie Barrett talks about the M107A1 and the new multi-caliber MRAD rifle system. (It’s an interesting Nat Geo video, well worth watching.)
CLICK on video to start playback
June 24th, 2011
Not much to say here — the photo and the price ($25.00) pretty much tell the story. Here’s a chance to pick up a nice range bag for a low, low price. Big enough for a couple full-size pistols, ammo, and muffs, this bag features zippered pockets on both ends and slot pockets on the sides for magazines and other thin items. We don’t know why Hornady slashed the price of the Team Hornady range bag from $59.99 to a mere $25.00. That’s a 58% reduction — what we’d call a serious discount. The bag is roomy and functional, and we think it’s pretty handsome — so long as you’re not logo-phobic.
This range bag, item 9919, is sold directly through Hornady’s website. Visit Hornady’s online store soon to grab one before the price goes back up. Click photo (above) to go to the Hornady order page.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
June 24th, 2011
Bruno Shooters Supply is selling Federal 205M Small Rifle Match primers for just $27.95 per 1000-ct box. That’s a very attractive price — just a couple years ago, these primers were very hard to find, and were selling for nearly fifty bucks per box. Now Bruno’s has 205Ms available for immediate delivery at prices that are $10.00 – $12.00 per box cheaper than some other major vendors. If you prefer the 205Ms for your .223 Rems, PPCs, BRs and 6.5×47 Lapuas, here’s a chance to grab a good supply without breaking the bank. Note, however, that the $27.95/box price does NOT include shipping and hazmat fee. To order these primers, call Amy Bruno at 1-800-455-0350, or (623) 587-7641, or log on to www.Brunoshooters.com.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
June 24th, 2011
 FNH USA is kicking off the summer with an attractive “free ammo” promotion, designed to spur sales of FNH rifles and pistols. (FNH USA is the sales and marketing arm of FN Herstal, S.A., Belgium.) Here’s the deal: if you purchase selected models of FN rifles, pistols and carbines between June 27 and August 31, 2011, FNH USA will reimburse you up to $150.00 for ammunition purchased at the same time from the same dealer.
Here’s how the FNH “free ammo” deal works. If you buy a new FN FNAR rifle, an FN SCAR™ 16S carbine or an FN FS2000 carbine, you’ll be reimbursed for up to $100.00 in free ammo. If you purchase BOTH a new FN PS90 carbine AND a new FN Five-seveN® pistol and you’ll get up to $150.00 in free ammo.
If you needed a little extra incentive to add an FNH gun to your collection, perhaps this offer will seal the deal. You can even explain to the wife: “…but honey, just think how much money I’m saving on ammo by spending $4k on a rifle.”
If this deal seems attractive, don’t delay — the offer expires August 31, 2011. Visit FNH’s dealer locator to find an FNH USA retail dealer near you and CLICK HERE to learn more about the Free Ammo offer and to download official rebate forms.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
June 24th, 2011
For the next few days, Harbor Freight is selling an 11-drawer rolling tool cabinet for just $169.99 with CODE 71638506. This U.S. General Roller Cabinet measures 17″ D x 27″ W x 52″ H (without handles), and can hold up to 350 pounds of tools and gear. The finish is a black powder-coat, and the lockable drawers have non-slip liners. The only assembly required is attaching the handles to the drawers. NOTE: You should pick this up at a Harbor Freight store, as the Roller Cabinet weighs 151 lbs. (crated) and has an $89.95 additional freight charge! Once the sale expires on 6/26/2011, you can still order the U.S. General 11-drawer roller cabinet for $199.99.
Get What You Pay For?
We know this is a thin-walled, entry-level unit. It certainly does NOT have the quality of a Snap-On Roll Cart tool chest, but you could pay nearly $1400.00 for a Snap-On rolling cabinet. Even a Craftsman mobile tool chest (of similar capacity) could easily set you back $700.00 or more. For some folks, the Harbor Freight unit will suffice pretty well until they can upgrade. And the money one saves can be used for tools to put in those many drawers. The video below does a good job explaining the cabinet’s features — and it shows the inside capacity of most of the drawers and compartments.
Roller Cabinet
Story Tip by Edlongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
June 23rd, 2011
Brownells and Sinclair Int’l now offer a wide selection of rifle, handgun, and shotgun ammunition at competitive prices, backed by Brownells’ 100% satisfaction guarantee*. Brands include Winchester, Federal, Remington, CCI, Hornady, Fiocchi, Ultramax, Kent, Weatherby and more.
“For years, customers have told us, ‘I sure wish you had ammo,’ well, we listened. We are offering the highest quality product at competitive prices, all backed by the high level of service Brownells customers have come to expect,” said company President Pete Brownell.
Sinclair Int’l President and General Manager, Bill Gravatt told us, “When you don’t have the time to reload, you can count on Sinclair to offer you a wide selection of the highest-quality ammunition from the brands you know and trust.” The same Sinclair tech staffers who help customers with reloading questions are also available to help buyers select the right ammo.
Ammo Advisor Web Tool Speeds Ammo Selection Process
For their online customers, both Brownells and Sinclair Int’l offer the Ammo Advisor — an industry first. This interactive ammo database makes online shopping for ammunition quick and easy. Use any or all of the fields and the Ammo Advisor filters the selection based on the shopper’s criteria. The selection fields are populated with all the top brands in the calibers shooters use most. “65% of Brownells customers shoot more than 25 times per year. We are taking the ammo shopping experience to the next level by offering customers a tool that is user-friendly. It makes shopping for ammo quick, fun, easy and convenient,” continued Brownell. Of course, customers can always just head straight for their favorite brands without going through the Ammo Advisor.
*Brownells exclusive 100% guarantee applies to all purchases so customers can rest easy knowing that they can return anything they’re not happy with — no questions, no hassles.
June 22nd, 2011
The SlickGuns.com website, a resource for firearms sales and special deals, has a regularly-updated page dedicated to discount coupons. On SlickGuns.com’ Coupon Page you’ll find the latest money-saving coupons for major vendors including: Gander Mountain, MidwayUSA, and Sportsmans Guide. Check the Coupon Page regularly, as the Coupon Codes are typically replaced every 2-4 weeks.
 Current Discounts Include:
MidwayUSA
Coupon code 1061175
Discount: $10 off $100
Expires: 6/24/2011
Gander Mountain
Coupon code GML20 (use at checkout)
Discount: $20 off $100
Expires: 6/30/2011
Sportsman’s Guide
Coupon code SH387
Discount: FREE $25 gift card AND $5 OFF
shipping on purchases of $99 or more.
Expires: 6/30/2011
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