For today’s Sunday GunDay we present the merger of artistry and gunsmithing with a selection of elaborately-engraved rifles. These rigs are impressive to say the least. There are hunting rifles as you’d expect, but we even include a one-of-a-kind benchrest rifle with engraved action.
Amazing Double-Barreled Safari Bolt Guns
Here are some of beautifully-engraved safari rifles from Fuchs Fine Guns of Austria. These rifles feature a unique Double-barrel Bolt Action receiver, which is quite unique. Along with stunning wood stocks, the Fuchs rifles boast extensive detailed engraving with gold and jewelled highlights.
On this Fuchs .416 Rem Mag double-barrel rifle, the pistol grip contains a tiger’s eye gemstone set in silver. White gold is used for the tiger’s paws, symbolizing the beast’s formidable strength. The tiger’s paws on the pistol grip cap are surrounded by blue sapphires.
This DBR 48 Fuchs rifle with Celtic-themed engraving is chambered for the .470 Capstick caliber, the largest cartridge Fuchs offers. This rifle’s internal magazine offers a six-shot capacity. This DBR 48 was decorated in a Celtic motif. The bolt handle ends in a ball made of solid sterling silver. The magazine cover displays the Celtic boat symbol which stands for prosperity, wealth and power.
Benchrest Rifle with Engraved Stiller Action
“Ultimate PPC” by Speedy with engraved Stiller Viper action. Titanium Rest by John Loh (R.I.P.).
A Very Unique Viper Action, Two Years in the Making
This is no ordinary Viper action. The full engraving attracts your attention, but there are some slick “performance mods” Jerry Stiller added at Speedy’s request.
First, the action features a plain-Jane unfluted bolt, with a slight taper in the middle, a bit of a wasp-waist. Speedy prefers an unfluted design because it has superior wear characteristics. He’s found, when working with an aluminum action such as the Viper, the sharp flutes on the bolt will wear the inside of the action faster.
In the interest of reduced wear, Speedy also requested a smaller-sized loading/ejection port. This provides for a larger front and rear receiver ring, which enhances bolt bearing surface. More bearing surface reduces point loading for less internal wear.
First-Ever Hornady “Number One” Rifle with Baron Engraving
This “Hornady Number One” rifle was commissioned as the featured 2015 SHOT Show Gun. It was displayed in Las Vegas and auctioned on Gunbroker.com. The action and bottom metal is elaborately engraved by Baron Engraving of Trumbull, Connecticut. Hornady hired Bill Wiseman & Company to craft the barrel and action and Hornady commissioned Lucid Solutions (Clem Boyd) to build the stock. But the Hornady name IS now engraved on the side of a rifle receiver and that does represent a genuine first. This one-of-a-kind rifle, serial number “H-001″, is a bolt-action hunter, chambered for the .300 RCM cartridge.
Savage Rifle Created for Savage ArmsCompany President
This unique Savage 99 rifle was created for Joseph V. Falcon, President of Savage Arms in the 1950s.
Presentation Engraved Savage 99 Rifle
When you run the company, you get some pretty nice stuff — in this case you get what may be the most elegant Savage ever made.
This rifle was created for Joseph V. Falcon, who served as President of Savage Arms in 1956. This highly embellished Savage 99 lever-action rifle is chambered for the .300 Savage cartridge. It features deluxe checkering and gold inlays. This presentation-grade rifle boast deep relief engraving with a golden elk on one side of the receiver and a stalking cougar on the other. This rifle was given to Joseph V. Falcon from his friends at Savage in December of 1967. Falcon later donated the rifle to the NRA. This impressive model 99 is currently showcased at the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia.
Savage 99 Quick History
Arthur Savage invented the first “hammerless” lever action rifle with the entire mechanism enclosed in a steel receiver. This rifle featured a rotary magazine with a unique counter that displayed the number of rounds remaining. The Model 99, as it became known, was the gun that launched a company. There is an interesting history of the company’s logo which features an Indian chief in feather head-dress. In 1919, Chief Lame Deer approached Arthur Savage to purchase lever-action rifles for his tribe’s reservation and the two men struck a deal. In return for discounted rifles and support, Savage received the tribe’s endorsement. By virtue of that association, Arthur Savage added the Indian head symbol to the company’s commercial trademark and letterhead.
Jesse Kaufmann — Modern Engraving Master
Jesse Kaufmann, who operates Black Hills Gunstocks and Engraving LLC in South Dakota, is a true master of metal engraving and he also does superb stock checkering. Here is an example of Jesse’s engraving work on a barreled action. Watch the video to see more of Jesse’s artistry.
BONUS — A Stunning Wheelgun
Artistry in metal — Engraving has long been used to decorate fine firearms. Thankfully, engraving is not a lost art. There remain fine craftsman who can engrave beautiful designs into the metal components of rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Above is a spectacular Dragon-engraved Korth revolver from Nighthawk Custom. It has elaborate engraving covering almost the entire surface of the barrel, cylinder, and visible frame. In addition, an elaborate metal dragon’s tail has been embedded in the wood grip.
The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) fields pistol teams as well as rifle and shotgun competition squads. Consequently the USAMU’s Reloading Shop loads tens of thousands of pistol rounds every year. In this article, the USAMU’s handgun experts talk about reloading for handguns — with smart tips on how to achieve superior accuracy with 100% reliability. This article, which offers important insights on COAL, primers, crimps and more.
Precision Pistol Reloading — Recommended Methods
Optimize the Taper Crimp
One often-overlooked aspect of handloading highly-accurate pistol ammunition is the amount of crimp and its effect on accuracy. Different amounts of taper crimp are used with various handloads to obtain best accuracy. The amount is based on bullet weight, powder burn rate and charge, plus other factors. It is not unusual for our Shop to vary a load’s crimp in degrees of 0.001″ and re-test for finest accuracy.
Use Consistent Brass
Brass is also important to pistol accuracy. While accurate ammunition can be loaded using brass of mixed parentage, that is not conducive to finest results, particularly at 50 yards. It is important for the serious competitor/handloader to use brass of the same headstamp and ideally one lot number, to maximize uniformity. Given the volumes of ammunition consumed by active pistol competitors, using inexpensive, mixed surplus brass for practice, particularly at the “short line” (25 yards), is understandable. However, for the “long line” (50 yards), purchasing and segregating a lot of high-quality brass to be used strictly for slow-fire is a wise idea.
Importance of Uniform COAL
Uniformity of the Case Overall Length (COAL) as it comes from the factory is also important to achieving utmost accuracy. More uniform case lengths (best measured after sizing) contribute to greater consistency of crimp, neck tension, ignition/burn of powder charge, and so on. Cartridge case-length consistency varies from lot to lot, as well as by maker. Some manufacturers are more consistent in this dimension than others. [Editor’s note: It is easy to trim pistol brass to uniform length. Doing this will make your taper crimps much more consistent.]
Primers and Powders — Comparison Test for Accuracy
Pay attention to primer brands, powder types and charges. Evaluating accuracy with a Ransom or other machine rest at 50 yards can quickly reveal the effect of changes made to handload recipes.
This animation showing 1911 Pistol operation has over 30 million YouTube views:
Bullet Selection — FMJ vs. JHP
Bullets are another vital issue. First, there is the question of FMJ vs. JHP. A friend of this writer spent decades making and accuracy-testing rifle and pistol bullets during QC for a major bullet manufacturer. In his experience, making highly-accurate FMJ bullets is much more difficult than making highly-accurate JHPs, in large part due to the way the jackets are formed. Small die changes could affect accuracy of FMJ lots dramatically.
The CMP now allows “safe, jacketed ammunition” in Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) Service Pistol matches, although wadcutter ammunition is prohibited. Thus, the option to use very accurate JHP designs simplifies the life of CMP Service Pistol shooters in pursuit of the Distinguished Pistol Shot badge.
Hopefully, these tips will be helpful to any pistol shooters interested in accurate handloads, not just “Bullseye” shooters. Small tweaks to one’s normal routine can pay big dividends in improved accuracy and make practice and competition more rewarding.
What kind of accuracy do you think is possible from a rimfire benchrest rifle? If we said 0.44 MOA you might not be surprised, thinking this was at 50 yards. But how about 0.44 MOA accuracy at TWO HUNDRED yards. Now that’s impressive. Consider this — at 200 yards, a 10 mph crosswind will push that little 40gr bullet 15.3 inches. Here’s the story, which comes from the Land Down-Under, Australia.
A few seasons back, Australian John Lavaring shot a group at 200 yards that would make most centerfire shooters proud. The five-shot group, with all shots in the center 10-Ring, measured just 0.93 inches. That works out to 0.44 MOA at 200 — mighty impressive for a .22 LR. Recorded at a Rimfire Fly Shoot benchrest event in Canberra, Australia, this 200-yard target set two new Australian SSAA National records! John was using ELEY Tenex ammunition.
Congratulations to John Lavaring for a spectacular demonstration of how well a rimfire rig can shoot — even at 200 yards. We rarely shoot our .22 LR rifles past 50 meters. Maybe it’s time to start a Rimfire ELR series, with targets at 200 or even 300 yards. What do you think of the Rimfire ELR idea? Leave comments below.
Anschutz 54 Benchrest Rig
The rifle was a Anschutz model 54 Match in a custom benchrest stock. John’s record-setting rig features a barrel block, which you can see forward of the action. Scope is a Bausch & Lomb BR model. We don’t have the round count on Lavaring’s barrel, but good rimfire benchrest rifles can often get 10,000 rounds (or more) of accurate life.
Rimfire Ballistics at 200 Yards
Some folks may be wondering about .22 LR ballistics at 200 yards. Well, with a 25-yard zero, the 200-yard drop for John’s 40gr Tenex ammo is 54 inches, assuming 0.145 G1 BC and 1085 fps muzzle velocity per ELEY website. And at 200 yards, a 10 mph crosswind will push that little bullet 15.3 inches! We’re told the winds were pretty tricky when Lavary shot his record group. This makes his achievement all the more impressive — we have to admire John’s wind-reading ability.
This ELEY ammo has proven to be exceptionally accurate. Here is a short video showing TEN rounds of Tenex shot from a machine rest with target at 50 meters.
The IWA Outdoor Classics, aka the “Euro SHOT Show”, is underway right now in Nuremberg, Germany. This event, the largest gun/hunting/outdoors trade show in Europe, opened on February 29th, and concludes Sunday, March 3, 2024. Over 1080 companies from 53 nations have exhibits on display with thousands of products including rifles, pistols, optics, hunting accessories, and ammunition. In terms of exhibitor numbers, the IWA Outdoor Classics ranks second only to the USA’s SHOT Show as a global trade show for shooting, hunting, and outdoor activities. 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of the IWA Outdoor Classics.
For this Saturday Video Showcase, we feature new rifles and new optics. Many of the videos were produced by the LowReady Magazine Youtube Channel. This channel now has nearly 100 videos created at the 2024 IWA Outdoor Classics — an amazing amount of content released in just two days!
Bergara Premier Elite — Metal Chassis PRS/NRL Rifle
Bergara is now in the tactical rifle game offering the impressive new Premiere Elite Rifle suitable for PRS and NRL Competition. This rifle is offered in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win chamberings. The new Premier Elite boasts a top-quality MDT ACC Elite metal chassis, TriggerTech Diamond trigger, and Bergara profile 7 competition barrel.
STEINER eRanger 8 Scope and eRanger Rangefinder Binoculars
In this video, the lovely Danielle Valkyrie interviews Steiner Rep Christoph Weigler. They discuss the features of the impressive new eRanger 8 scopes. These have environmental sensors and integrated ballistics solvers which can display the proper hold at any distance. The eRanger scopes “talk” to the new eRanger LRF 10X42 rangefinding binoculars. This allows the rangefinder data to appear in the scope’s view. There is also Steiner GeoApp which can map locations on a smart phone.
Beretta APX A1 Optics-Ready Pistol
In this video Product Manager Christian Schulte shows Danielle Valkyrie the Beretta APX A1 pistol in both full-size and compact configurations. NOTE: This video also features Danielle shooting an APX the day before (2:14 time-mark). The modular, striker-fired APX A1 Tactical is a “flexible and reliable all-rounder”. The serial number is now placed on the internal chassis, so the polymer grip can be exchanged.
Merkel K5 Break-Action Rifle
This All4Hunters video features the stunning, single-shot Merkel K5 hunting rifle, one of Merkel’s best-selling firearms. The break-action rifle is sleek, easy to handle and, above all, light. Merkel is now offering the K5 in a 6.5×55 SE version, plus a K5 chambered in .270 Winchester — both with longer barrels to better exploit the full energy of the cartridges. In response to consumer requests, Merkel now offers the K5 with 23.6″ (600mm) barrels in .270 Winchester and 6.5×55 SE.
New Leupold Mark 4HD Riflescopes
Leupold unveiled its new Mark 4HD series with five riflescope models, all with a four times zoom factor: 1-4.5x24mm and 2.5-10x42mm (with 30mm main tube), plus 4.5-18x52mm, 6-24x52mm and 8-32x56mm (all with 34mm tube).
Mark 4HD scopes cost considerably less than Leupold’s Mark 5HD series, and 4HD models use the more common 30mm or 34mm rings. (Most 5HD scopes require 35mm rings.) In this All4Hunters.com video, Leupold representative Tim Lesser explains the features of the new 4HD series optics. Shown below is a video showing the 4.5-18×52 model. For varmint hunting we’d probably step up to the 6-24x52mm model.
Bergara B14² CREST Carbon/Carbon Rifle
If you’re looking for a very light-weight field rifle, consider the Bergara B14² CREST Carbon rifle. This features a carbon-laminate stock plus a carbon-wrapped barrel. Before optics, all-up weight is 6.8 pounds for short-action models. A wide range of chamberings are offered: .223 Rem, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .270 Win, 7mm PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, and .300 Win Mag.
Todd Jarrett is one of the world’s best handgun shooters. A multi-time World Champion, Todd knows a thing or two about semi-auto pistols, particularly 1911s and 1911-based raceguns. Jarrett has been IPSC Open Division World Champion, has won the Steel Challenge World title four times (Limited Division), and has won than 100 Area championships, as well as many other action shooting events. Jarrett is the only USPSA Triple Crown Winner and he holds four USPSA National titles: Open, Limited, Production, and Limited-10. Jarrett revealed in an interview that between 1988 and 2001 he shot about 1.7 million rounds during practice: “I had a gun in my hand for two hours every day for 10 years to develop my skill level”.
In the video below, Todd explains how to get the proper grip on your handgun, and how to employ a proper stance. We’ve watched many videos on pistol shooting. This is one of the best handgun instructional videos we’ve seen. Todd explains, in easy-to-understand terms, the key elements of grip and stance. One very important point he demonstrates is how to align the grip in your hand so that the gun points naturally — something very important when rapid aiming is required. If you watch this video, you’ll learn valuable lessons — whether you shoot competitively or just want to have better control and accuracy when using your handgun defensively.
Recommended Thumbs-Forward Shooting Grip for 1911s
“Shooting semiautomatic pistols using the thumbs-forward method really becomes useful … where speed and accuracy are both needed. By positioning the thumbs-forward along the slide (or slightly off of the slide) you are in essence creating a second sighting device: wherever your shooting thumb is pointing is where the pistol is pointing. This makes it incredibly fast to draw the pistol, get your proper grip, and press forward to the target without needing to hunt around for the front sight.” — Cheaper Than Dirt Blog.
Day 2 of the IWA Outdoor Classics event (aka “Euro SHOT Show”) is underway. There will be two more days, with the show concluding on Sunday, March 3, 2024. This year’s event has been very popular, with high attendance. The show directors say there are over 1080 exhibiting companies from 53 nations at this year’s event. CLICK HERE to see hundreds of hi-rez photos from manufacturers’ displays at the 2024 IWA Outdoor Classics.
European Market for Civilian Firearms is Thriving
Europe’s civilian firearms industries are thriving, based on data from the European Institute of Hunting and Sporting Arms (IEACS). “Global production of civilian firearms has increased in recent years, as has European production, which recorded 3.6 million firearms produced in 2020, of which 2.7 million were pistols and 900,000 were shotguns and rifles. Compared to the previous year, this represents a 34% increase in European firearms production,” said Nicola Perrotti, IEACS president.
You’ll find over 130 new products on the IWA Outdoor Classics NEW Product Showcase. Product names are listed alphabetically, and you can also search by product type and/or country. Along with the new products you can also access ALL Products at the show. Here are three notable new products we found:
AZ-P1 Giant .38 Special Match Pistol from ARMA ZEKA s.r.o.
Ares LRF Thermal Scope from Thermtec
FZ-8 Hardshell Eco-Leather Full-Length Gun Case from Acropolis
IWA Outdoor Classics Special Programs
There are some cool special programs at this year’s IWA Outdoor Classics. Along with the expert speaker program, there is a Knife Demo Area, an Airsoft Shooting Range, and a very cool Optics Testing Area. We’d like to see that at SHOT Show in the USA.
New Product Showcase Video (English and German)
This video covers a variety of pistols and rifles on display at the 2024 IWA Outdoor Classics event. NOTE: This runs in English for 17 minutes, then the second half of the video is in German language.
This video shows Hornady’s AR-compatible, 22 ARC cartridge and Hornady’s new polymer-tipped ELD-VT bullet.
This video shows new Victrix model Tactical Bolt-action rifles suitable for PRS/NRL matches.
Blast from the Past — Eye-Catching Guns from 2023 IWA
If you like high-grade wood and handsome engraved metal, then watch this video compiled at the 2023 IWA Outdoor Classics. Similar eye-catching firearms are on display this year as well. In a world of polymer pistols and bland black MSRs it’s great to see classic high-grade wood and beautiful metal work.
The IWA Outdoor Classics show is very much about hunting. Here’s a display of the latest and greatest camo and Hi-Viz (day-glo) apparel for hunters.
Need high-quality reloading powder for your rifle or pistol? Now is a great time to order VihtaVuori powder from Midsouth Shooters Supply. If you purchase in-stock VihtaVuori powders, you will receive, at no charge, TWO VihtaVurori print reloading manuals. That’s right you get both VihtaVuori 2023 & 2024 Reloading Guides for FREE while supplies last. This deal is limited to one set of two VV manuals per order.
Receive both 2023 & 2024 Reloading Guides for FREE with purchase of any In-Stock VihtaVuori Powders! Offer is valid on qualifying purchases while supplies last! Start Date: 2/14/2024 End Date: 12/31/2024
Learn About VihtaVuori Powders with Informative Videos
This video shows how VihtaVuori powders are produced. The video covers the multiple production phases and the sophisticated testing procedures.
VihtaVuori marked its 100th Anniversary in 2022. Today, VihtaVuori Powders is stronger than ever and is respected by serious competitive shooters, accuracy enthusiasts, and hunters. In this video, Team VihtaVuori shooter Ian Klemm shows how he loads with VihtaVuori powder. One of the best F-TR shooters on the planet, Ian is a 4-time F-class National Champion.
Accurate, modular, and supremely versatile, the AR15 is America’s favorite semi-auto rifle. But let’s face it, the AR is a maintenance hog. The AR’s gas tube blows carbon and soot right into the middle of the bolt assembly where it cakes on to the metal. The AR bolt also has many tiny parts, and small recesses, which must be cleaned regularly. This author has seen numerous ARs fail simply because there was gunk (dried lube, carbon, brass shavings) in the ejector slot or extractor spring recess.
A Clean AR is a Happy AR — Whether You Run ‘Wet’ or ‘Dry’
There are various schools of thought when it comes to maintaining an AR. Some folks prefer to run their AR “dry” with minimal lube on the lugs and friction surfaces. Other shooters prefer to run their ARs “wet”, with lots of lube. But whatever your preference, you need to clean your AR regularly. And nothing is more important than the AR’s bolt/carrier assembly. Because it is involved in feeding, firing, and extracting, the AR-15 bolt/carrier assembly can be considered the most critical portion of the AR-15 from a maintenance standpoint.
Bolt Take-Down Guide on Top Quark Blog
The editor of the Top Quark Blog has created an excellent illustrated AR15 Bolt Take-Down Guide that shows how to disassemble an AR15 bolt and carrier for regular cleaning. Even if you’re an experienced AR15 shooter, you can learn something from this page (sample at right), and you may want to bookmark it for future reference. The photos are large and clear and there are helpful hints for each step of the process.
The author knows his stuff and offers some important insights. For example, he notes that “Extractor springs in most AR15 bolt assemblies are fairly weak, and this can lead to various extraction-related failures. One of the few high points about Colt assemblies is their usage of higher-strength extractor springs. You can tell the difference by looking at the inner plastic insert. ‘Normal’ springs feature a blue plastic insert, Colt strong springs have a black insert.”
There is one notable oversight on this page — the author doesn’t cover disassembly and cleaning of the ejector assembly. This is actually quite important. A few small brass shavings, combined with carbon and lube in the ejector slot, WILL cause malfunctions. In fact, when this editor is called to diagnose problem ARs, the first things I look at (after swapping magazines) are the ejector recess and the slot for the extractor. Clogged ejectors are responsible for fail-to-ejects and other jams. It is essential that you keep the ejector hole clean. Old, gooey lube residues mixed with carbon and tiny brass shavings in the ejector recess will create all sorts of problems. As shown in the diagram below, it is simple to remove the ejector (#6) and ejector spring (#5), by drifting the ejector retaining pin (#4).
NOTE: The original Quark Blog Article appears to be offline (See Quark LINK.) However, this excellent article has been preserved via the WayBack Machine Internet Archives. CLICK HERE to access the Full Quark Blog Article via WayBack Machine Archive.
This year the IWA Outdoor Classics, aka “Euro Shot Show”, marks its 50th year as Europe’s leading outdoor, hunting, and target shooting trade show. The event opened today February 29, and runs through Sunday March 3, 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany. For the next four days, the Nuremberg metropolitan region will once again focus on hunting, target shooting, and the outdoor adventure market. In its 50th year, the IWA Outdoor Classics is a huge event, drawing over 1,080 exhibitors from 53 countries.
In 2024, the IWA Outdoor Classics celebrates its Golden Anniversary. For more than 50 years, outdoor and shooting industry companies have come together in Nuremberg to present the latest products and services for hunting and shooting sports. For 2024, Europe’s leading outdoor trade show will host more than 1,080 German and international exhibitors in nine exhibition halls. In addition, there will be a wide variety of seminars, meetings, and interactive demonstrations.
Stefanie Leege, Exhibition Director of IWA OutdoorClassics posted: “This year we are particularly honored to welcome exhibitors, visitors, and press representatives to IWA Outdoor Classics. Our 50th anniversary is definitely an honor for us, but even more so for the commitment of our customers and [exhibitors]. We … look forward to an unforgettable Anniversary edition.”
Manufacturers and vendors from the hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor segments offer a vast range of products this year. From hunting, sport shooting, and airsoft firearms to optics and technologies, ammunition, knives, hunting accessories, clothing and outdoor equipment, there is plenty to discover in the nine halls at IWA Outdoor Classics 2024. IWA Outdoor Classics allows buyers and retailers from around the world to see thousands of new products from international manufacturers all in one convenient setting.
Handguns, Shotguns, Rifles, and More
Wheelgun Showcase at Korth Arms
Modern Scopes and Optics on Display
Outdoor Gear, Shooting Equipment, and Hunting Accesories
Along with the firearms, optics, stocks, and reloading products, there were many booths features outdoor clothing, hunting gear, and shooting accessories.
Official INTRO Video for IWA Outdoor Classics 2024
Our friend Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com often gets to test the latest and greatest reloading tools before they hit the market. He does a good job showing the features of new products with informative videos. Today we present three interesting products that Gavin has reviewed. First off is the impressive new RCBS Rebel reloading press. Next is the versatile three-head Case Prep Trio machine from Hornady. Third, Gavin reviews new Die Lock Rings and Breech Lock Die Bushings from Lee Precision.
RCBS Rebel Single-Stage Reloading Press
Most hand-loaders have used an RCBS Rock Chucker press at one time or another. Recently RCBS unveiled its new Rebel single-stage press. Like the Rock Chucker, the Rebel has a Cast Iron frame, but with a bigger base and taller arch (for a larger opening). The most important change is that this new Rebel press ejects primers out the bottom of the ram. This a big deal — just put a bin under the press to collect spent primers. However — take note — the Rebel has no on-press priming. You need to prime your cases separately. That’s not really a major issue, as we know the majority of our readers prime separately using hand or bench priming tools.
In this video Gavin loads ammo on the new the Rebel single-stage press and explains its notable features, including the primer ejection through the ram.
Currently Midsouth Shooters Supply is running a major RCBS Products Sale, with significant savings. The RCBS Rebel Press is now on sale for $219.99 at Midsouth, $30 off the regular price — a good deal for a press that can last a lifetime.
Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Prep Trio
Hornady’s compact Case Prep Trio machine (item 050160) packs a lot of functionality in a small package. This triple-threat tool has a small footprint, yet it can perform three tasks as well as much more expensive, tower-style case prep units.
Gavin Gear does a nice job explaining the features of the Case Prep trio. Watch this video to see how it can help you perform chamfering, deburring, and pimer pocket uniforming tasks more efficiently.
With three active stations, you can chamfer, deburr and clean primer pockets without having to change tools. The Case Prep Trio ships with inside chamfer, outside chamfer, and deburr tools. You can also use the machine with other optional 8/32 threaded accessories such as primer pocket reamers and case neck brushes. We’ve used this machine and it works well. The only negative is that you will get metal shavings on your bench (unlike some of the larger case prep centers). We’ve seen some guys put a small pan under the power head — then you can just dump the shavings out of the pan.
Lee Die Lock Rings and Spline Drive Breech Lock Bushings
New basic lock ring in left hand. Older non-splined ring in right hand.
In this video Gavin Gear reviews three types of die accessories from LEE. These work for virtually all standard dies, not just LEE-brand reloading dies. The new LEE basic silver-finish die lock rings now feature splines for enhanced grip and compatibility with LEE’s new die lock ring wrench (photo right). They still boast a rubber 0-Ring that helps “float” the die for improved cartridge concentricity.
LEE’s latest Ultimate Die Lock Rings have two major improvements — a colorful anodized finish, and a split-ring design with a tensioning screw, that allows these rings to be clamped securely to your dies. Available as a set, this package includes three ultimate die lock rings, and a plastic die lock ring wrench.
Gavin also reviews Lee’s Spline Drive Breech Lock Bushings for use with presses fitted with LEE’s Breech Lock system. These new Breech Lock bushings allow rapid change-out of dies without modifying the setting. The colorful new bushings feature splines on top that work with the new Lee Lock ring wrench shown above. In addition, the Breech Lock Bushings have a clamp to preserve die depth setting.
First, the action features a plain-Jane unfluted bolt, with a slight taper in the middle, a bit of a wasp-waist. Speedy prefers an unfluted design because it has superior wear characteristics. He’s found, when working with an aluminum action such as the Viper, the sharp flutes on the bolt will wear the inside of the action faster.
Presentation Engraved Savage 99 Rifle
Use Consistent Brass
Anschutz 54 Benchrest Rig
In this video Gavin Gear reviews three types of die accessories from LEE. These work for virtually all standard dies, not just LEE-brand reloading dies. The new LEE basic silver-finish die lock rings now feature splines for enhanced grip and compatibility with LEE’s new die lock ring wrench (photo right). They still boast a rubber 0-Ring that helps “float” the die for improved cartridge concentricity.
