Useful reloading gear does not have to be costly. Here are ten handy (and very inexpensive) items that belong on your loading bench or in your range kit.
• Magnifying Glass – We use a flat, 2″x2″ pocket 4x-8x magnifier. This folds up on itself. Very handy, we use it to inspect bullets and brass. Use this to check your flash holes for burrs, and check the meplats of your bullets before loading.
• Clear 35mm Film Cannister – Use this to transfer the thrown powder charge to the little measuring cup that sits on your scale. That way you don’t get any kernel splash. Also if the charge weight is obviously off, it’s easy to dump back in the measure. A film canister works pretty well as a trickler too.
• Compressed Air in a Can -- Get these at office supply stores. Use the can (with tube attached) to blow crud out of cases after cleaning the neck with a brush, and blast loose debris out of primer pockets.
• Pin Vise – A simple pin vise with a #53 bit is perfect for deburring Lapua PPC and BR flash holes without reaming the flash-holes any larger. The Lapua PPC/BR flash-hole diameter is 1.5 mm, or 0.059″. Amazon.com sells a handy $8.29 pin vise kit with 10 bits, including the ideal 1.5mm bit. Other vendors offer a #53 pin vise bit that measures .0595″ or .060″ (depending or source). You can find pin vises and bits at hobby stores — here’s an example below with ten bits including 1.5mm. Pin vise sets can be found from $7 to $15.
• Bounce Dryer Sheets – The common dryer sheets eliminate “static cling” on your plastic reloading parts such as powder measure cylinders, powder funnels, and reloading press plastic bins. Thanks to Doc76251 for this tip.
• Ballistol Aerosol – Try using this versatile lubricant/solvent for full-length sizing. Spray some on a patch and you can wipe the carbon off your case necks. Then, continue to apply a very small amount of Ballistol on the case bodies — just thin sheen is all you need. Ballistol is super slippery, and easy to remove. For general full-length sizing (on small cases) it works great and doesn’t leave a gooey, waxy, or chalky residue. For heavier case-forming jobs, we recommend Imperial Die Wax.
• Shotgun Mop – Stick this in the chamber when using Wipe-Out foaming bore cleaner. This will seal off the chamber so the foam doesn’t flow into your action. For long chambers screw on one section of cleaning rod to aid extraction.
• Colored Sharpie Marking Pens – Mark your bullets ahead of the bearing surface, and the color transfers to the target. This way you can shoot multiple loads at the same point of aim and discern which load shoots the tightest. (Recommended for 300 yards and beyond). With colored bullet tips you can test multiple loads “round robin” to equalize wind effects. When testing seating depths for example, you can mark the longer-seated set of bullets red and the shorter-seated set green and shoot them during the same sequence. Just look at the colored marks on the target to see which grouped better.
• Thin Latex Gloves – You should keep a box of inexpensive, disposable latex gloves (the kind doctors use) in your loading room. These will prevent contamination of primers or powder kernels that you handle directly. Also, use the gloves when handling fine blued tools or firearms to prevent transfering body oils and salts that promote rust.
• Plastic Washers for Neck Mic – If you use a Sinclair Neck-wall Micrometer Gauge with integral stand, you can use thin plastic washers to adjust the height of the case on the mandrel. This makes it much easier to measure the same point on the case neck every time. Thanks to MikeCR for this tip (and photo).
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Every year the NRA Publications group announces Golden Bullseye Award winners for various product categories (rifle, handgun, shotgun, optics, gear etc.). These awards are like the Oscars for the shooting industry. There are many Golden Bullseyes given out each year because there are separate awards given by different NRA Magazines — including American Rifleman, Shooting Illustrated, and American Hunter. Here are the 2023 Rifles of the Year (Golden Bullseye Winners) as chosen by each of those three publications.
American Rifleman 2023 Golden Bullseye Award Winner
Rifle of the Year — Marlin 1895 SBL by Ruger
In late 2020, Ruger acquired the assets of the Marlin Firearms, as part of the Remington bankruptcy sale. After acquiring the Marlin assets from Remington, Ruger put its engineers to work producing one of the best-machined Marlins ever, the impressive Marlin 1895 SBL. The first new-generation model 1895 SBL rifles were chambered for the .45-70 Gov’t cartridge.
Ruger President/CEO, Chris Killoy explained how the Model 1895 SBL was developed: “Since the move of over 100 truckloads of equipment and inventory back in November 2020, our engineering team took the 1895 through a complete design and production review, focused on achieving the highest quality, accuracy, and performance standards. The end result is a quality rifle, produced using modern manufacturing methods[.] From the quality of the firearm, to clear ways for consumers to differentiate Ruger-made Marlins, we focused on getting every detail right.”
Ruger-made Marlin 1985 SBL rifles bear an “RM” (Ruger-Made) serial number prefix, have the Marlin Horse/Rider logo laser-engraved on the grip, and include a red and white bullseye on the buttstock.
American Hunter 2023 Golden Bullseye Award Winner
Rifle of the Year — Nosler Model 21
The new Nosler Model 21 rifle has many advanced features. Along with a lightweight McMillan carbon fiber stock, the Model 21 boasts a wire EDM-machined receiver, nitride-coated fluted bolt, and TriggerTech trigger. Excellent accuracy is delivered with a Shilen match-grade stainless barrel, threaded at the muzzle for brake or suppressor. The Model 21 is offered in a wide variety of chamberings from .22 to .375 calibers: 22 Nosler, 26 Nosler, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 27 Nosler, 280 Ackley Improved, 28 Nosler, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag, 30 Nosler, 33 Nosler, and .375 H&H Magnum.
The heart of the rifle is Nosler’s new Model 21 action, designed in collaboration with the Mack Brothers from South Dakota, creators of the advanced EVO action popular with precision shooters. Nosler’s newly-designed Model 21 blends the best features of the EVO action with unique Nosler-engineered customizations, delivering an ultra-reliable, smooth cycling action, well suited for hunting applications.
Nosler Model 21 with McMillan Carbon Fiber Stock
Shooting Illustrated 2023 Golden Bullseye Award Winner
Rifle of the Year — Springfield Armory Saint Edge ATC
Springfield Armory’s new SAINT Edge ATC is built around a patented “Accurized Tactical Chassis”, an advanced evolution of the AR platform. Featuring a monolithic lower/handguard system, the SAINT Edge ATC delivers a 100% free-floated barrel. This ensures that the barrel, barrel nut and gas system are totally free from any contact with the lower chassis.
Chambered in .223 Wylde, the SAINT Edge ATC is offered in a standard black model as well as an Elite version finished in Cerakote® Coyote Brown, paired with an upgraded LaRue 2-Stage trigger and B5 Systems’ Precision Stock. For those that demand sub-moa precision from their AR-style rifle, the SAINT Edge ATC series is guaranteed to deliver.
About the Golden Bullseye Awards
Now in their 21st year, the NRA Publications Golden Bullseye Awards acknowledge top products available in the shooting sports. The winners are selected by a committee of editors, graphic designers, and NRA Publications staffers, representing more than a century of collective experience in the shooting/hunting industry. This year’s Golden Bullseye Awards are noteworthy as American Rifleman magazine is celebrating its 100th anniversary, while American Hunter magazine marks its 50th year of publication. Golden Bullseyes are also awarded by the NRA’s Shooting Illustrated magazine, and NRAWomen.com website.
To qualify for consideration for a Golden Bullseye Award, a product must have been:
— Recently introduced and available to consumers.
— Used/tested by a staff member or magazine contributor.
— Reliable in the field, meeting or exceeding the evaluator’s expectations
— Innovative in design and function.
— Readily perceived as a value to the purchaser.
— Styled in a manner befitting the shooting and hunting industry.
NRA Publications Executive Director Doug Hamlin stated: “The NRA Golden Bullseye Awards epitomize what NRA members seek in their shooting and hunting equipment—outstanding performance, innovation and value. These are the best new products, truly worthy of NRA Members’ attention, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all this year’s winners.”
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Back in 1999, EuroOptic became one of the first U.S. commercial dealers of premium European optics such as Zeiss and Swarovski. Now, 23 years later, EuroOptic is an industry leader with a massive catalog of over 200 manufacturers, with exclusive product offers from some of the most respected names in the business. EuroOptic also boasts an outstanding customer service and sales team.
Adding to this impressive list of achievements, EuroOptic now offers RED 1 & 2 Day Delivery! This service ensures your order is shipped the same day and is delivered to you the next day or in 2 days time FOR FREE, with no hidden fees or memberships whatsoever. Speedy RED shipping is available for most optics and non-firearm products including products from Vortex, Nightforce, Leica, Trijicon, Swarovski, Leupold, Sitka Gear, and more. Visit EuroOptic.com/Red.aspx for more information about this program.
What’s better than getting new gear? Not much, but getting it the next day is a step in the right direction. Now, with EuroOptic’s RED shipping service, that’s the program – any item marked with the logo will have a delivery speed marked — usually the next day or the day after.
And, shipping is no extra charge.
EuroOptic states that it has “always been about getting shipments out as fast as possible, and now we’re turning up the intensity on the shipping carrier speed as well. Give it a try, we’re sure you’ll be pleased.”
Program Details
Products on the EuroOptic.com website which have the logo will also have a delivery speed listed — generally, 1-Day Shipping or 2-Day Shipping. When purchasing these items, you can expect those items to ship with a carrier method to match the stated delivery speed — No extra charge
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If you’ve been thinking about a big purchase at Brownells, here are some money-saving codes. Brownells is currently offering $25 Off a $250 purchase, $20 Off a $200 purchase, $15 (or 10%) Off a $150 purchase, and $10 Off a $100 purchase. It’s simple to get these discounts — there are no buyers’ clubs to join, no forms to fill out. Just use the appropriate Discount Code during online check-out.
Listed below are the Codes to use. Simply use the appropriate Code for your purchase at Brownells.com. NOTE: Most of these codes have no listed expiration date, so Brownells could terminate them at any time. Accordingly, we recommend you do your shopping soon. Also if the highest value code no longer works, try a lesser value CODE.
Coupon Code: AMMOLAND25 — $25 off $250
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: 20OFF200 — $20 off $200
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: TS10 — 10% off $150+
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: WLS10 — 10% off $150+
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: BACK15 — $15 off $150
Expiration date: Unknown
Coupon Code: HOME10 — $10 OFF $100
Expiration date: Unknown
NOTE: None of the above codes include FREE or Discounted Shipping. But Code Q63 offers Free Shipping/Handling for orders over $99.00 (with no other discounts). Depending on the weight/size of the item, this might be a better deal than saving $10-$20.
Here’s great firearms resource that you can enjoy reading during the winter months when you’ll be spending plenty of time indoors. The Gun Digest 2023, 77th Edition, can be ordered for $37.99 through the Gun Digest store or $22.42 from Amazon with $3.99 shipping (third party seller price — save $6 over Amazon direct). You can also pre-order the 2024 78th Edition set for release in September 2023.
This 592-page resource covers rifles, shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders, airguns, optics and more. We like the print edition, but there is also a Kindle eBook version for $15.87 on Amazon. Both paperback and Kindle versions provide hundreds of photos plus new product roundups, in-depth product tests, and scores of articles and stories.
Gun Digest 2023 Editor-in-Chief Phil Massaro has assembled a large team of respected industry authors for the new book, including Craig Boddington, Joe Coogan, Ron Spomer, Patrick Sweeney, Jim Supica, Thomas Gomez, Tom Turpin, Wayne van Zwoll, Bob Campbell and many more.
Gun Digest 2023 covers hunting, personal defense, target shooting, gunsmithing, and collecting. Historical articles look at the role played by firearms in our country. There are Updated Ballistics Tables, and the catalog section shows off the newest offerings in rifles, handguns, shotguns, muzzleloaders and air rifles. Here are some of the key topics from last year’s 2022 edition:
Reports from the Field cover the newest firearms and accessories. A Testfire section brings readers up to date on product performance. And the annual photo essay spotlights the finest custom and engraved guns.
Other Good Books from Gun Digest Media
Gun Digest Media produces numerous other quality books for rifle, pistol, and shotgun owners. Here are four volumes we recommend. These are offered in both paperback and eBook versions:
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At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or 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.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Midsouth — Varget, H4350, N133, LT32 Other Powders
⏺ Hard-to-find premium powders IN STOCK at good prices
Wow, the unobtainable powders are FINALLY back in stock. But act soon. Midsouth has ultra-popular Hodgdon, Vihtavuori, Accurate, and Ramshot powders in stock. Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H4350, and Hodgdon H4831sc 1-pounders are all IN-Stock at $45.43 per pound. Short-range PPC shooters can get Vihtavurori N133 in both 1-lb ($43.89) and 8-lb containers ($293.48), along with many other VV powders. And short-range 30BR score shooters will find Accurate LT-30 and LT-32 in stock in both 1-lb ($44.19) and 8-lb jugs ($336.14). Also Natchez has Varget 8-pounders for just $327.49.
2. Palmetto SA — AR15 Lower with Buttstock, $129.99
⏺ Exceptionally good price for complete AR Lower
Here is an awesome AR bargain. Just add an upper and you have a Modern Sporting Rifle ready for gun games, varminting, or defensive chores. Right now you can save $170.00 on the price of a complete PSA Stealth AR-15 lower. The $129.99 Sale Price includes lower, FDE adjustable buttstock, buffer, plus installed trigger and magazine controls. Plus you get FREE Shipping to boot! Act soon — this New Year’s Sale deal won’t last long.
3. Sportsman’s WH — Save on Trijicon & Crimson Trace Optics
⏺ Significant savings on great FFP and SFP optics
Trijicon and Crimson Trace both make excellent optics with good glass and precise, repeatable controls. Right now you can save big on medium-magnification zoom optics that will work well for PRS/NRL, hunters, and varminters. You can save $200 or more right now. CLICK HERE to see all the Trijicon and Crimson Trace scopes on sale.
4. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Priming Tool, $59.99
⏺ Precise Depth Control, 12 Shell Holders, Quick-Change, Carry Case
Seating primers to a consistent depth helps deliver enhanced accuracy and low ES/SD. However, most priming systems don’t allow precise depth control. If you’re looking for a priming tool that allows you to adjust primer seating depth, check out the Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Primer. This tool comes in a protective case along with a full set of case holders and primer flip tray. A quick thumb release system allows you to switch from small to large primers quickly. Get this now for $59.99 on Amazon.
5. Locked-N-Loaded — SAR USA Mete 9mm w/ Red Dot, $329.99
⏺ Amazing deal on modern 9mm pistol with installed Red Dot
Here’s a great deal on a versatile 9mm handgun for self-defense and/or action pistol matches. The SAR USA Mete 9mm with Riton Red Dot is ON SALE now for just $329.99 at Locked-N-Loaded. Yes that low price includes the Red Dot sight! These optics-equipped SAR USA Mete pistols are offered with Safari Tan frame. Great bargain for just $329.99. There is a OD Green frame version also, but it could sell out fast.
6. Precision Reloading — Hornady Auto Charge Pro, $299.99
⏺ Good performance with convenient raised control panel
Every handloader needs a good, automated powder dispenser. The new-generation Hornady Auto Charge has many good features, including a smaller footprint, and adjustable trickle rates. This way you can customize the dispensing speed to your choice of powder. Having the control panel on top of the scale/dispenser is also handy. Precision Reloading’s $299.99 price is a very good deal — the same Hornady Auto Charge Pro currently sells for $359.99 at MidwayUSA.
7. Midsouth — Lyman Tac-Mat Shooting Mat, $56.31
⏺ Thick padded mat offers better comfort
Comfort counts when you’re on the ground for hours. We like this Lyman Tac-Mat 71″ x 36″ shooting mat. It has more padding than most mats on the market, providing better comfort. This is a good deal. This same Lyman shooting mat is $81.24 on Amazon.
8. Amazon — KUBEI USB Rechargeable Digital Scale, $24.99
⏺ Compact scale with USB-rechargeable battery at great price
Everyone can use an inexpensive, compact scale for loading at the range or sorting bullets or maybe even primers. One very affordable option KUBEI USB Rechargeable Digital Scale. Unlike most other inexpensive digital scales, this comes with a large dust cover with a “window” for your powder pan. Notably, this scale can be conveniently recharged with a standard USB cable — no batteries to replace ever! We have heard positive reports from Forum members about this $24.99 portable scale, which offers 9 types of weight units, calibration weight, and fold-down protective lid.
When traveling by air with a handgun, the pistol must be in a case with a TSA-recognized lock. The Snapsafe Treklite XL Lock Box fits that role perfectly. It will hold two compact pistols or one larger pistol with magazing (which must be UNLOADED). Made with a strong polycarbonate case, This lightweight (2.2 lb) lock box is one-third the weight of a steel box. Right now the Treklite XL FDE Lock Box is just $29.99 at Midsouth, 25% OFF the regular price.
10. Amazon — Jialitte Scope Bubble Level, $10.99
⏺ Great value — works with both 1″ and 30mm rings
All serious rifle shooters need a scope level. This nicely designed Jialitte Scope Bubble Level features a 30mm milled inside diameter, plus an inner insert ring so it will also fit 1″-diameter main tubes — that dual-diameter versatility is a nice feature. We also like the way the unit is nicely radiused, and has a low profile in the middle. Price is $10.99 — a great value. You could easily pay $35.00 or more for a 30mm scope level. User reviews have been very positive, with 85% four- or five-star Amazon ratings.
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LEE Precision has a new six-station Progressive Press with some impressive engineering. Given its very affordable $364.50 street price and the features, this new Six Pack Pro 6000 Progressive Kit will definitely draw some customers away from Dillon, RCBS, and Hornady.
This press has clearance for magnum rifle cases, offers auto-indexing, and does not require a set of separate tool heads. Just swap the dies in and out quickly using LEE Smart Lock bushings.
The press includes the combination tool rack, bin bracket and free ammo bin. When you purchase the full Six Pack Pro 6000 Kit, shown at right, this comes complete with LEE Breech lock reloading dies (your choice of cartridge), Universal Case Feeder, Auto Drum Powder measure, and appropriate shell plate.
You can buy the Six Pack Pro 6000 Kit set up for a variety of cartridge types: 9mm Luger, .32 S&W, .380 ACP, .38 SPL/.357 Magnum, .40 SW, .44 SPL/.44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, 300 Blackout, .223 Remington, and 6.5 Creedmoor. Each set comes with the dies and shell plate you need for that cartridge type.
The included dies for pistol cases are: Carbide full length sizing die, powder-through expanding die, bullet seating die. For rifle cartridges .223 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor you get: Full length sizing die, short or long charging die, easy adjust dead length bullet seating die, and factory crimp die.
Key Features of New LEE Six Pack Progressive Press:
Six stations
Very affordable price
Automatic priming system
Simple and reliable automatic indexing
Clearance sufficient for largest magnum rifle cases
Cartridge changeover in seconds, change primer size with no adjustments
Dies secured with LEE Smart Lock Bushings — no turret or tool heads needed
John Lee, President of LEE Precision, is proud of this new product: “I am pleased to announce the Six Pack progressive is now shipping. The Six Pack is the heaviest, most capable progressive press, we have ever made. The Six Pack is also one of the easiest presses to setup and operate. The only ‘adjustments’ are setting the dies and selecting and installing the correct primer size. The Six Pack Pro kit includes everything you need to start reloading a specific cartridge. The kit includes our new ‘Smart Lock’ Breech Lock quick change bushings.”
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Happy New Year to all our readers, and especially the 66,660+ members of our AccurateShooter Forum. We hope 2023 brings you happiness in your lives and success in your endeavors. We also wish for small groups, high scores, and successful hunts in the New Year. And, yes, we wish for mankind’s victory over COVID, and other viral pandemics, so we can fully return to our normal lives.
Forum Members — Upgrade Your Membership to Get Unlimited Classifieds for 12 Months.
Looking Forward to 2023 Every year we work to improve AccurateShooter.com. We have continued to upgrade the Forum, adding enhanced security measures, with background checks on all sign-ups and enhanced scammer detection. On the content side we have expanded our popular Deals of the Week and Sunday GunDay features. And we’ve added a Video Showcase every Saturday. We also now offer more product reviews in our Daily Bulletin. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy our feature articles, our Deals of the Week, our match reports, and our Forum Classifieds. The formula seems to be working — our audience is bigger than ever, with Forum membership growing substantially year after year.
Forum Membership Increased 10% in 2022
Our Shooters’ Forum grew significantly over the past 12 months. Total registered membership grew by about 10% as Forum ranks swelled to 60,670+ members! More people are successfully buying and selling through our Forum Classifieds services than ever before. Silver and Gold members get unlimited Classifieds for 12 months. Gold members also get custom Avatars and other privileges.
We need your support. For 19 years the site has relied largely on volunteer efforts. But as the site grows, we need the assistance of Forum moderators, product testers, web gurus, and computer software experts. Those guys don’t work for glory alone.
Consider this — you could pay $25 for a couple medium pizzas. For the same twenty-five dollars you can become a Silver Forum member for an entire YEAR and help this site provide info, tests, tech tips, bargains, and shooting news.
And consider the benefits — Silver or Gold Members get unlimited classifieds for 12 months. If you were to sell just ONE $1500 rifle through Gunbroker.com, you would pay $66.50 in fees! That’s much more than our Gold Membership — just to sell one single rifle.
In the last quarter of 2022 about 540 site users have donated or upgraded their Forum membership. That’s less than 1% of the current membership. We thank all those who have generously contributed. But that still leaves tens of thousands of users who access the site every week without contributing. With more donations and more Forum upgrades, we can deliver more premium content and offer more services to our members.
How to Contribute
If you ARE a Forum member, you can help the site by UPGRADING your membership. CLICK HERE to UPGRADE.
If you are NOT a Forum member, you can still help by making a donation. Donating is simple and easy. Just click on the orange “Donate” button at right. If you have a credit card, you don’t need a PayPal account to contribute.
IMPORTANT: After you click on the orange button a PayPal screen will load. You’ll also see a field that says “0.00”. Fill in the amount you want to give. For example, to give $25, type 25.00 in the amount field. You choose the amount.
Help Support this Site by Making a Secure Donation.
If You Don’t Like PayPal, You Can Send a Check.
Make the check payable to: Jeff Williams. Please list your Shooters’ Forum Log-In Name (if any), and mail the check to:
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2023 images licensed through iStock photos.
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For the very first day of 2023 we present a precision rifle built with a relatively new cartridge — the 6GT. Developed by George Gardner of G.A. Precision and Tom Jacobs of Vapor Trail Bullets, the 6GT was designed to have the efficiency of a 6mm Dasher without the need for case forming. It was also designed with a longer case body so it feeds better from magazines. Even with the added capacity, the 6GT is still very efficient, and can achieve good velocities with less powder than a 6mm Creedmoor.
Today’s Sunday Gunday feature rifle was smithed and tested by Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com. Gavin did all the gunsmithing — chambering the barrel, fitting the muzzle brake, and even laser engraving the barrel. In building this 6GT rifle, Gavin used top-tier components: BAT TR action, Krieger 28″ 1:7.5″-twist 4-groove 6mm barrel, TriggerTech Diamond Rem 700-compatible trigger, and Area 419 Hellfire Muzzle Brake. The barreled action was then fitted in a handsome and rugged MDT ACC Chassis. On top is a Zero Tech 4.5-27×50mm FFP Trace Advanced scope in 30mm Hawkins Precision high rings.
We recommend you watch the video above — it covers the rifle build, load development, and then features some remarkable shooting sequences across snowy hills in the Pacific Northwest. Gavin’s team actually used a drone to capture overhead footage of the location.
After developing a promising load with Berger 109gr LRHT bullets, Varget powder, and Alpha brass, Gavin literally headed for the hills to test his new rifle at longer ranges, shooting from bipod. His load had shot well under half-MOA at 100 yards in testing so he was hoping he could hit multiple steel targets positioned at 340 yards, 760 yards, and 1000 yards. Indeed he did, proving the rifle’s great accuracy and Gavin’s fine trigger-pulling skills. You can see the hits at these time points in the above video:
340 Yards — 18:15 time | 760 Yards — 19:00 time | 1000 Yards — 19:54 Time
Gavin’s 6GT Hit Highlights on Steel out to 1000 Yards
Building Gavin’s 6GT Precision Rifle
Gavin Gear did all the gunsmithing on this project, using his own Precision Matthews TL-1660 lathe for the chambering with an Alpha carbide 6GT reamer. The barrel work took about four hours total. Shown below is the reamer cutting the chamber, which was finished with a 0.170″ freebore and 0.270″ neck diameter. For other brands of brass you might want the chamber to have a larger 0.272″ neck diameter.
Chambering the Krieger barrel with Alpha carbide 6GT reamer, 0.170” freebore, .270″ neck diameter.
This project when smoothly, with Gavin able to install the barreled action in the MDT Chassis and fit the buttstock in an hour or so. So total build time was about five hours. One nice “finishing touch” on the project was laser engraving the 28″ Krieger barrel — a process you can see in the video below.
Laser engraving of Krieger 28″ barrel.
About the 6GT — Sort of a 6 Dasher on Steroids
6GT Cartridge Design Features
The 6GT was designed to have an optimal length and capacity for mag-fed PRS/NRL tactical rifles. The 6GT is longer than a 6mmBR and 6 Dasher, but shorter than a 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5×47 Lapua. That gives the 6GT ample case body length to feed reliably from a magazine, while the case capacity is sufficient to run popular powders at reasonable pressures. It has a 35-degree shoulder angle.
On paper the 6GT seemed like the perfect cartridge for PRS- and NRL-style centerfire competition. It has the low recoil of a 6 Dasher, with good feeding and mag compatibility. With the 6GT, a competitor can push 6mm 105gr bullets at 3000+ FPS or run heavier bullets at ~2950 FPS. With this 28″ Krieger barrel, Gavin actually achieved 3004 FPS running 109gr Bergers.
Gavin started with quality Alpha Munitions brass. The cases were then annealed with an AMP Annealer and trimmed to length with a Henderson powered trimmer (see video below). After sizing with a Forster Co-Ax press, Federal SR Primers were seated using a Primal Rights competition seater. Next the powder was measured with an A&D FX120i force restoration scale. Finally, the Berger 109gr LR Hybrid Target bullets were seated with a Forster Micrometer die, again using the smooth Forster Co-Ax press.
Initial Load Testing with Berger and Hornady Projectiles
Before it got cold and snowy, Gavin did load development, shooting from a bench with a Sinclair front rest. The Krieger cut-rifled barrel was accurate right from the start and Hodgdon Varget powder proved to be a very good choice for the 6GT.
Gavin’s 6GT boasts a MDT ACC short action chassis with SRS-X Elite buttstock, vertical grip, and MDT CKYE-POD Bipod.
Gavin did initial load testing with both Hornady 110gr A-Tip Match and Berger 109gr Long Range Hybrid Target bullets. The Berger 109gr LRHT bullets were the most promising. A variety of charge weights were tested, with Gavin settling on 34.6 grains of Varget. This delivered fine accuracy with a 3004 FPS muzzle velocity. Group size measurements with this load are shown in the chart. At 100 yards, four three-shot groups averaged 0.361 MOA, and the rifle produced a nice 0.387 MOA (0.405″) five-shot group.
———————————————— Winter Wonderland for Shooters ———————————————–
Coming Soon — Ultimate Reloader Rifles Business
Gavin Gear is in the process of opening his own gunsmithing business. He will be offering a variety of custom-built rifles for multiple disciplines — hunting, PRS/NRL, ELR, and other competitive disciplines. Gavin explains: “Ultimate Reloader is gearing up to do custom rifle work for the general public starting (hopefully) in Spring 2022. We will most likely start with complete custom rifle builds using parts from our inventory. We will focus on high-end, bolt-action rifle builds and gunsmithing, primarily Remington 700 and clones. We will entertain limited gunsmithing work outside of complete builds (i.e. chambering, muzzle threading).
As we release this story, the East Coast has just entered a new year 2023. Perhaps you’ve been eagerly awaiting for the big event, getting champagne (and sparklers) to celebrate the New Year. 2023 will hopefully be a much better year than 2022, a tough year with inflation, the border crisis, War in Ukraine, and shocking incompetence in Washington. To mark the dawning of 2023, with hope for a much better year, we expect many folks will open a bottle of champagne. You could pop the cork the traditional way, or read on and learn how to release the celebratory champagne with a rifle shot, as demonstrated by the talented Kirsten Joy Weiss.
Recently at Thorton Winery in Temecula, California, a champagne vintner, we were shown the best way to open a champagne bottle. We were told you should hold the bottle nose up at an angle then rotate the BOTTLE slowly while holding the cork. That works great… but it’s not as stunning as the way sharpshooter Kirsten Joy Weiss opens a bottle of bubbly.
A former competitive smallbore rifle shooter, ace trigger-puller Kirsten Joy Weiss tried a special New Year’s trick shot a few seasons back. In keeping with the festive New Year’s spirit, Kirsten attempted to shoot the cork off a champagne bottle. After a few unsuccessful tries, she managed to hit the cork with at least two shots. But alas the cork did not fly. She actually hit the cork, but it did not release. That was surprising…
Undaunted, Kirsten changed her strategy, aiming for the neck of the bottle. This duplicates the process of “sabering” a champagne bottle — a method of liberating the bubbly by slashing off the end of the neck with a blade. Aiming for the neck of the bottle, Kirsten successfully blew off the top of the bottle. (Apparently, when “sabering” it is actually the pressure within the champagne bottle which does most of the work).
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UltimateReloader.com offers some of the most thorough firearms and reloading tool tests on the internet. And UltimateReloader’s YouTube Channel has hundreds of great videos that showcase reloading tools, accurate firearms, precision optics, gunsmithing methods, and top-tier reloading components. For today’s Saturday at the Movies feature, we showcase six great videos recently created by Gavin Gear and his UltimateReloader team. These videos highlight a superb Long-Range Target Camera, the remarkable AMP Press, the new Hornady PRC cartridges, and other interesting topics. On this final day of 2022, enjoy our Saturday Video Showcase.
With the high price of centerfire powders, bullets, and brass, everyone should have an accurate .22 LR rimfire rifle for marksmanship training and competition at 25 to 200 yards. In this video, Ultimate Reloader’s Gavin Gear tests the impressive Anschutz 54.18 BR50-U7 match rifle using a quality Sinclair Int’l front rest. Anschutz offers several versions of the 54.18 and BR-50. There are two barreled actions available: 20″ threaded and 25.9″ non-threaded. Gavin tested the 20″ threaded model with the U7 stock. In this video, Gavin tested the trigger with a sophisticated TriggerScan TS-11. The trigger was superbly repeatable at a measured 3.8 ounces. Gavin also did a bore examination. He then tested the Anschutz with a variety of premium ammo. In this rifle, Lapua Midas+ producing the smallest groups. FULL STORY HERE.
This video features the impressive, high-tech AMP Bullet Seating Press. The AMP Press combines a motor driven ram, a distance sensor, and a load cell to deliver extremely accurate and precise force/distance bullet seating measurements. The AMP Press offers unrivaled consistency in the bullet seating process. And as the AMP Press is linked to a computer, seating data can be stored and you can chart variations in seating resistance. A wealth of precise data is collected during the bullet seating process. This helps you optimize your brass prep and annealing for the best, most consistent results. FULL STORY HERE.
Past 400 yards or so, it can be difficult to see bullet holes on paper, even with spotting scopes. That’s why we recommend a high-quality wireless target camera. The best long-range target cameras on the market are produced by Longshot Camera Systems. The Longshot Target Cam provides a live WiFi camera feed. This comes back to your shooting station and you can view the image with a laptop or mobile device. You don’t need internet coverage and no separate tall antennas are required. Simply place the camera unit next to your target and the receiver unit close to your rifle or bench. The Longshot system is completely self-contained. Longshot produces a variety of cameras starting at $449.00 for the LongShot Marksman. We recommend the $899.00 LR-3 unit which works out to two miles! In this video Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader tests the LR-3 at long range. PRODUCT INFO HERE.
This video examines how muzzle brakes reduce recoil. Just how important is bore clearance for a muzzle brake? Should you have an exit diameter that’s just slightly larger than bullet diameter, or will a larger diameter work well also? Along with no brake at all (bare muzzle), Ultimate Reloader tested multiple different brake bore clearances on a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle: 0.010″ over bullet diameter, 0.020″, 0.030″, 0.050″, 0.100″, and 0.200″. The testers expected to get the best recoil reduction with the tightest fit. Surprisingly, this wasn’t quite the case.
Using all brake configurations (all bore clearances) Ultimate Reloader saw a significant reduction in recoil, almost half, as compared to a bare muzzle: “What we didn’t expect was how close together the rest of the clearances would cluster. All of the clearances that we tested had good recoil reduction.” FULL STORY HERE.
Dillon Precision continues to be the leader among progressive press makers. Dillon offers the largest variety of progressives, the most accessories, and legendary customer service. In this video, Gavin Gear of Ultimate Reloader looks at a variety of Dillon machines to help buyers decide which progressive best suits their needs. Featured Dillon progressives include: Square Deal B, Xl750, and RL1100. Along with basic press feature, Gavin shows the operation of Dillon’s automated bullet feeder and case feeder accessories. The video also provides pricing summaries with various configurations. FULL STORY HERE.
Hornady’s PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) family of cartridges are becoming quite popular. The 6.5 PRC fits in a short action, while the 7mm PRC and 300 PRC both require a long action. The 7mm PRC is a long-action centerfire hunting cartridge designed to shoot 180gr bullets at 2950+ FPS. The 6.5 PRC is a good hunting cartridge that can fit a standard-length action. And, a number of top F-Open shooters are necking up the 6.5 PRC for 7mm bullets. This 7-6.5 PRC wildcat has shown excellent F-Class accuracy with a higher velocity node than the .284 Winchester. Along with these two cartridges, Hornady has a 300 PRC that can shoot the big .308-caliber bullets. In this video, Ultimate Reloader analyzes and compares each of the three PRC cartridge types. FULL STORY HERE.
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With major forest fires this past year in Western states, many have wondered about hazards faced by gun owners in fire zones. This important video shows what really happens when loaded ammunition burns. You will probably be surprised. Contrary to Hollywood notions, the ammo doesn’t ignite in a massive explosion. Far from it… basically the rounds “cook off” one by one, and the bullets release at relatively low velocity. We’ve featured this SAAMI research project before, but it is worth reprising for those who have not yet seen the burn tests.
A few years back, SAAMI released an important video concerning ammo and fire. With professional fire-fighters standing by, over 400,000 rounds of ammo were incinerated in a series of eye-opening tests. If you haven’t had the chance to view this video yet, you should take the time to watch it now
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has produced an amazing 25-minute video that shows what actually happens to sporting ammunition involved in a fire. This video shows the results of serious tests conducted with the assistance of professional fire crews. We strongly recommend you watch this video, all the way through. It dispels many myths, while demonstrating what really happens when ammunition is burned, dropped, or crushed.
Watch SAAMI Ammunition Testing Video
Video Timeline
2:10 Impact Test (ignited outside firearm)
3:40 65-foot Drop Test
5:08 Bullet Impact (.308 Win firing)
7:55 Blasting Cap Attacks
9:55 Bulldozer and Forklift Tests
12:20 Boxed Ammo Bonfire
15:37 Bonfire without Packaging
17:21 Retail Store Simulation Burn
20:55 Truck Trailer Burn
Over 400,000 rounds of ammunition were used in the tests. Some of the footage is quite remarkable. Testers built a bonfire with 28,000 rounds of boxed ammo soaked in diesel fuel. Then the testers loaded five pallets of ammo (250,000 rounds) in the back of a semi-truck, and torched it all using wood and paper fire-starting materials doused with diesel fuel.
The video shows that, when ammo boxes are set on fire, and ammunition does discharge, the bullet normally exits at low speed and low pressure. SAAMI states: “Smokeless powders must be confined to propel a projectile at high velocity. When not in a firearm, projectile velocities are extremely low.” At distances of 10 meters, bullets launched from “cooked-off” ammo would not penetrate the normal “turn-out gear” worn by fire-fighters.
We are not suggesting you disregard the risks of ammo “cooking off” in a fire, but you will learn the realities of the situation by watching the video. There are some amazing demonstrations — including a simulated retail store fire with 115,000 rounds of ammo in boxes. As cartridges cook off, it sounds like a battery of machine-guns, but projectiles did not penetrate the “store” walls, or even two layers of sheet-rock. The fire crew puts out the “store fire” easily in under 20 seconds, just using water.
Additional Testing: Drop Test, Projectile Test, Crush Test, Blasting Cap Test
Drop Test
The video also offers interesting ammo-handling tests. Boxes of ammo were dropped from a height of 65 feet. Only a tiny fraction of the cartridges discharged, and there was no chain-fire. SAAMI concludes: “When dropped from extreme heights (65 feet), sporting ammunition is unlikely to ignite. If a cartridge ignites, it does not propagate.”
Rifle Fire Test
SAAMI’s testers even tried to blow up boxes of ammunition with rifle fire. Boxes of loaded ammo were shot with .308 Win rounds from 65 yards. The video includes fascinating slow-motion footage showing rounds penetrating boxes of rifle cartridges, pistol ammo, and shotgun shells. Individual cartridges that were penetrated were destroyed, but adjacent cartridges suffered little damage, other than some powder leakage. SAAMI observed: “Most of the ammunition did not ignite. When a cartridge did ignite, there was no chain reaction.”
Bulldozer Crush Test
The test team also did an amazing “crush-test” using a Bulldozer. First boxes of loaded ammo, then loose piles of ammo, were crushed under the treads of a Bulldozer. A handful of rounds fired off, but again there was no chain-fire, and no large explosion. SAAMI observed: “Even in the most extreme conditions of compression and friction, sporting ammunition is unlikely to ignite. [If it does ignite when crushed] it does not propagate.”
Blasting Cap Test
Perhaps most amazingly, the testers were not able to get ammunition to chain-fire (detonate all at once), even when using blasting caps affixed directly to live primers. In the SAAMI test, a blasting cap was placed on the primer of a round housed in a large box of ammo. One cartridge ignited but the rest of the boxed ammo was relatively undamaged and there was no propagation.
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• Magnifying Glass – We use a flat, 2″x2″ pocket 4x-8x magnifier. This folds up on itself. Very handy, we use it to inspect bullets and brass. Use this to check your flash holes for burrs, and check the meplats of your bullets before loading.
• Ballistol Aerosol – Try using this versatile lubricant/solvent for full-length sizing. Spray some on a patch and you can wipe the carbon off your case necks. Then, continue to apply a very small amount of Ballistol on the case bodies — just thin sheen is all you need. Ballistol is super slippery, and easy to remove. For general full-length sizing (on small cases) it works great and doesn’t leave a gooey, waxy, or chalky residue. For heavier case-forming jobs, we recommend Imperial Die Wax.
Every year the 
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LEE Precision has a new six-station Progressive Press with some impressive engineering. Given its very affordable 
A former competitive smallbore rifle shooter, ace trigger-puller Kirsten Joy Weiss tried a special New Year’s trick shot a few seasons back. In keeping with the festive New Year’s spirit, Kirsten attempted to shoot the cork off a champagne bottle. After a few unsuccessful tries, she managed to hit the cork with at least two shots. But alas the cork did not fly. She actually hit the cork, but it did not release. That was surprising…
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (
We are not suggesting you disregard the risks of ammo “cooking off” in a fire, but you will learn the realities of the situation by watching the video. There are some amazing demonstrations — including a simulated retail store fire with 115,000 rounds of ammo in boxes. As cartridges cook off, it sounds like a battery of machine-guns, but projectiles did not penetrate the “store” walls, or even two layers of sheet-rock. The fire crew puts out the “store fire” easily in under 20 seconds, just using water.
