Bullet sorting station — quilted Maple with marble tile inlay, created by JVW2008.
We have a master woodworker in our Shooters’ Forum, Jerry from Colorado (aka JVW2008). In a Shooters’ Forum thread, Jerry showcases multiple examples of his handiwork — various wood projects for the reloading room. Beautifully made, these one-of-a-kind custom cabinets and tool stands deserve to be on display in a museum.
Jerry’s creations exhibit exquisite craftsmanship and some very clever design features. What is your favorite item among the Jerry’s wood wonders shown here? You can reveal your favorites in the comment section below.
Throne for a Sartorius Analytical Balance
Jerry built this “Throne” for his ultra-precise Sartorius Entris force restoration scale, which is linked to a V2 Auto-Trickler. This is a true state-of-the-art powder measuring system on a beautiful base unit.
Cabinet for Balance Beam Scale
Here is an oak balance beam scale cabinet and weighing surface. Note the mulitiple tiers, side wings, and other smart design features.
Custom Arbor Press Base
Below is a handsome, well-designed base for K&M Arbor Press and Wilson dies. Look at the fitted recesses for the hand dies — very nice!
Jumbo Walnut/Maple Loading Block
And here is a beautiful 100-cartridge reloading block, crafted from Walnut over Maple. It’s impressive to see 100 cartridges all lined up like that!
To see more impressive wood projects by our Shooters’ Forum members, visit the Wood Working Ideas Forum Thread. Along with Jerry’s reloading toom wonders, you’ll see cleaning cradles, shooting benches, transport boxes, and much more. Check out this amazing inlaid rifle case crafted by Forum member Nando-AS for his son.
Whidden Gunworks makes great sizing and seating dies. The Whidden full-length sizing die with neck bushing is very popular because it allows you to “tune” the neck tension by using different bushings, with larger or smaller inside diameters. In this video, John Whidden explains how to choose a the right bushing size for use with your neck-sizing and full-length sizing bushing dies.
For most applications, John suggest starting with the caliper-measured outside diameter of a loaded cartridge (with your choice of bullet), and then SUBTRACT about three thousandths. For example, if your loaded round mics at .333, then you would want to start with a 0.330 neck bushing. John notes, however, that you may want to experiment with bushings, going down a thousandth and up a thousandth. With thin In addition, as your brass ages and the necks harden, you may want to change your bushing size.
Quick Tip: Try Flipping Your Bushings
You may also want to experiment with “flipping” your neck bushings to alternate the side that first contacts the neck of the case. (One side of the bushing is usually marked with the size, while the other side is unmarked.) So try “number side up” as well as “number side down”.
Some folks believe that one side of the bushing may allow a smoother entry, and that this can enhance concentricity. Other people think they can get very slightly more or less neck tension depending on how the bushing is oriented. This is a subtle effect, but it costs nothing to experiment.
If one bushing orientation proves better you can mark the “up” side with nail polish so that you can always orient the bushing optimally. NOTE: We have confirmed that some bushings are actually made with a slight taper. In addition, bushings may get distorted slightly when the brand name and size is stamped. Therefore there IS a reason to try both orientations.
Today, October 31st is Halloween (aka “All Hallows Eve”). There will be trick-or-treaters and Costume parties. Why not head to the range and shoot some Halloween-themed targets this October amidst the fall foliage. The folks at the NRA Blog have created a series of “spook-tastic” Halloween targets. Writer Kyle Jillson says, “In addition to stocking up on candy and finding great costumes, we thought you might like to have some fun at the range, so we created these spooky targets for you to use.”
Just click an image to launch its full-size version. You can then download the target and print it out on regular 8.5″x11″ paper. Now you have fun Halloween-themed targets to bring to the range this week.
Today is October 31st, Halloween (originally “All Hallows Eve”). That means it’s pumpkin time. Just how much fun can you have with pumpkins? Watch these two videos and find out. In the first video, the RatedRR team sends a few orange gourds to pumpkin heaven using Det Cord, C4, and binary explosives. The sequence starting at the 2:00 minute mark in the first video is truly amazing. WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Watch Pumpkin Blasting with Explosives
In the next video, a pumpkin carved as a Death Star serves as the target for a .50 caliber rifle (looks like a Barrett M82 .50 BMG). As you may guess, the pumpkin Death Star suffers the same fate as the Hollywood version in Star Wars. NOTE: At the 0:42 mark in the video, a graphic displays “30,000 FPS”. That’s the high-speed camera’s frame-per-second rate, NOT the projectile velocity in feet-per-second.
Watch .50 BMG Rifle vs. Death Star Pumpkin
Warning: These demonstrations were carried out on closed ranges by experienced professionals certified to use explosives. Possession of C4 and Det Cord may be a violation of various Federal, State, and local laws. Detonating cord and C4 are classified as high explosives and are regulated by the BATFE. Don’t even think about trying to repeat these stunts on your own.
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 — Garmin Xero C1 Pro Radar Chronograph, $599.99
⏺ Advanced new compact radar chronograph — testers are impressed
The new Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph has hit the market. Initial reports have been very positive, and the price is attractive — $599.99. The new Xero C1 Pro radar chronograph, measuring just 3.03″x2.38″x1.36″, is compact and easy to transport. Using Doppler radar, the Xero C1 Pro accurately records velocities from 100 FPS to 5000 FPS, so it works with all kinds of projectiles. Setup is simple and intuitive, thanks to the button-operated design. SEE FULL RecoilWeb Review (many photos).
⏺ Amazingly low prices on 16″ barrel AR-15 — good basis for varmint rifle
If you’re in the market for an AR15-platform rifle, here’s a great deal. For just $399.99 you can grab this Radical Firearms SOCOM AR15 5.56 rifle. That’s less than you’d pay for a Glock. This Radical Firearms 16″ barrel AR rifle uses MIL-STD Upper and lower receivers and has a 16″ barrel with flash hider. A full accessory rail extends along the upper receiver and modern RPR free float handguard. The buttstock is adjustable for length.
3. Powder Valley — Factory Second Bullets
⏺ Save 30-50% on major brand bullets
Right now Powder Valley is running a sale on major-brand bullets in a wide range of calibers and styles. With this promo you save save up to 50% on factory second bullets. You can recognize some makers from the bullet styles and tips. With these bullet discounts you can do a lot more rifle and pistol practice. This factory second bullet sale will expire soon so don’t delay.
4. Sportsman’s WH — Leupold Gold Event Sale + Gift Cards
⏺ Major savings plus Sportsman’s Warehouse gift cards
If you’ve been shopping for riflescopes, spotting scopes, rangefinders, and/or binoculars head over to Sportsman’s Warehouse for the Leupold Gold Event. There are major discounts on a wide range of quality optics. Along with the sale price reductions, Sportsman’s Warehouse gives buyers a FREE gift card with many Leupold products. The value of the gift card is based on the purchase price with a max $300 card value. This gift card deal runs through 10/31/2023.
5. Creedmoor Sports — ADG Brass Sale
⏺ ADG brass is high quality and handles strong loads.
Great ammo starts with good brass. American-made ADG Brass is high-quality stuff, used by many top shooters. ADG brass has a reputation for consistency and long life cycle, and it holds up with with strong competition loads. If you haven’t tried ADG brass yet, this Creedmoor Sports sale is a good opportunity. There is a good selection of modern and magnum cartridge types including 6.5 PRC, 7 SAUM, 7 PRC, 28 Nosler, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 WSM, 30 Nosler, 300 PRC, 338 Lapua Mag and many more.
6. Amazon — Lyman Case Trim Xpress, $114.99
⏺ Very good trimmer — quick adjustments; 10 bushings provided
Precision reloading demands consistent brass trim length. However, with many case trimmers it’s a pain to adjust trim length, plus the hand-cranking becomes tiresome. A better, more efficient case trimming solution is offered by the Lyman Trim Xpress. We like this case trimmer for good reason. The smart design allows for fast .001″ trim length adjustments with the click of a dial. The tool ships with 10 bushings that cover the most popular neck sizes on the market.
1911 style single-action pistols have always been popular because they are accurate, and can be easily customized. If you’re looking for a modern 1911 that’s quite affordable, consider the SDS Imports 1911 Devil Ray Carry on sale now at Palmetto State Armory. This 1911 Devil Ray .45 ACP pistol boasts a forged steel frame with Ed brown-style bobtail frame cut. This design makes CCW carry easier.
8. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Brass Tumbler, $47.99
⏺ Sturdy, effective tumbler at a very attractive price
For removing dirt, fouling, and sizing lube, a brass tumbler is a very useful tool for hand-loaders. We like the Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Vibratory Case Tumbler (#ad). The Frankford Tumbler’s bowl is designed to increase brass agitation for fast, aggressive cleaning that reduces wear on reloading dies and extends brass life. It has a clear lid for monitoring tumbling action with cord-mount ON/OFF switch for safety and convenience.
9. Amazon — Cleaning Patches and Swab Set, $13.99
⏺ Very complete cleaning set with 600 patches, 400 swabs
Proper gun maintenance requires cleaning bore, chamber, and the little nooks and crannies. Many key cleaning tasks can be done with this Cleaning Package (#ad) with 600 2″ Cleaning Patches and 400 6″-long Gun Cleaning Swab pack. The patches will work with all types of firearms and can be trimmed for smaller diameter barrels. The swabs are great for cleaning inside of actions and mag wells.
As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.
The Biden administration has issued an order halting exports and sales of American-made civilian firearms for 90 days, starting October 27, 2023. The U.S. Department of Commerce has stopped issuing export licenses for most civilian firearms and ammunition (and some optics) for 90 days for all non-governmental users. The Commerce Department cited security issues as grounds its sweeping order: “The review will be conducted with urgency and will enable the Department to more effectively assess and mitigate risk of firearms being diverted to entities or activities that promote regional instability, violate human rights, or fuel criminal activities.”
We can expect this order to reduce sales and revenues of leading American gunmakers including Barrett, Colt, Ruger, SIG Sauer USA, and Smith & Wesson.
Bloomberg reports: “The Commerce Department is halting exports of most US-made firearms for 90 days and reviewing its support of the country’s biggest gun trade show to ensure such backing ‘does not undermine US policy interests’ — steps that could slow two decades of growth of gun sales abroad.
The department late Friday announced the pause in approval of new export licenses for the commercial sale of semiautomatic and non-automatic firearms around the world. The freeze doesn’t apply to Israel, Ukraine and about 40 other countries that are part of an export-control agreement. But it does cover some of the biggest markets for American gunmakers, including Brazil, Thailand, and Guatemala[.]”
However, the ban will NOT apply to some 40 countries, including Israel and Ukraine, that have a separate export agreement for firearms. Reuters states that: “Exporters can continue to submit license requests during the pause, but they will be ‘held without action’ until the pause is lifted.”
What is interesting, and perhaps deliberate, is that the 90-day export ban overlaps with the NSSF SHOT Show. TheTruthaboutGuns.com noted: “The announcement of this 90-day ‘pause’ in export licensing just happens to be perfectly timed to include pulling the Commerce Department’s support for the NSSF’s SHOT Show scheduled for January 23 to 26, 2024.”
One legal expert observed that the export ban will apply to most firearms and ammunition that can be purchased in American gun stores, including shotguns. Johanna Reeves, a lawyer with Reeves & Dola in Washington who specializes in export controls and firearms, stated she had never seen such a broad and sweeping restriction on civilian gun exports before.
Precision rifle shooters don’t have to hit a big-league fastball, or launch a top-fuel dragster in the blink of an eye. Nonetheless, reaction times are important in our sport — both for competitive shooters and hunters. Want to catch that prairie dog before he slips down his hole? You’ll need to be quick. Want to win at short-range benchrest? Then you’ll need to watch your windflags and respond quickly to a change. Miss a major wind-shift and you could ruin your whole weekend.
Here’s a fun test of reaction times from HumanBenchmark.com. The way it works is that, after clicking “Start”, you wait until the background color changes from red to green. The instant you see green, immediately click your mouse. The average (median) reaction time is 215 milliseconds. Hint: If you keep your finger “preloaded” in contact with your mouse button you can shave some milliseconds — but don’t “jump the gun”.
Tips for Faster Times
Here are three tips to speed up your reaction times:
1) Respond to the color change (by itself), rather than wait to read the word “CLICK!” after the box shifts to green.
2) Try focusing at the corner of the box, rather than the center. This may help you react “without thinking”.
3) Have your index finger “poised and ready” over the left button–you can shave milliseconds by very slightly depressing the button before you actually click.
22Plinkster runs of the most popular gun-centric YouTube channels. His videos have been watched by hundreds of thousands of firearms fans. Many of 22Plinkster’s videos involve trick shots, such as shooting a .22LR through 100 balloons, but he also does serious reviews. He’s actually a competent marksman who has shot a vast collection of .22 LR/22 WMR pistols and rifles, making him a qualified rimfire expert (as well as a trick-shot artist and showman). Today we feature five 22Plinkster Firearms Videos, plus a bonus Vudoo Gun Works video review from GunsandTactics.com.
Vudoo Gun Works Ravage Precision .22 LR Rifle
Last Sunday we featured an NRL22 rimfire competition rig built with a Vudoo Gun Works V-22 action. For this Sunday GunDay article, we showcase a complete Vudoo rifle, a mag-fed Ravage with Ridgeback stock. 22Plinkster declared: “It’s a Tack-Driver … this .22 LR Rifle is the most accurate .22 LR bolt-action rimfire rifle I have ever shot in my life.” And he notes that he has shot Anschutz, Lithgow and other quality rifles.
Firing from a Lead Sled, 22Plinkster starts out at 50 yards, and produced a 0.335″ group at 50 yards using Lapua Midas+ ammunition (4:00 time-mark). Then this session gets really impressive. Continuing with Lapua Midas+ ammo, this Vudoo Ravage produced a sub-half-inch group at 100 yards*. You can watch that Midas+ group form up from 7:20 to 8:25 in the video. Then, with ELEY Tenex ammo, he produced a 0.707″ group (10:30) and an even smaller group (11:55). This complete rifle is available from Vudoo Gun Works for $2545.00 without optics.
22Plinkster says Vudoo’s Ravage is a top choice for NRL22/PRS rimfire matches and Rimfire ELR competitions: “This is the cream of the crop. [Many] people who are winning PRS rimfire matches are shooting Vudoos. What sets this rifle apart from a lot of the other Match 22 rifles is what it does past 300 yards. A lot of rifles — Anschutz, Lithgow, CZ — shoot really good out to 300 yards. But after 300 yards, their accuracy diminishes big-time.”
Vudoo V22 Ravage with a fluted 18″ Kukri barrel in an Urban Camo Grayboe Ridgeback stock.
If you are interested in getting a Vudoo rimfire rifle, then definitely watch this 20-minute Guns & Tactics video. It provides extensive accuracy testing for multiple ammo types with verified group sizes. Then the reviewer shows the working details of the rifle, including the bolt, trigger system, and magazine. The video also includes field testing from bipod as well as competition-type practical stages out to nearly 400 yards.
Savage A22, 22 Magnum (WMR) Rifle Field Test
The Savage A22 is the .22 WMR “big brother” to Savage’s popular A17 17 HMR rifle. In this video, 22Plinkster demonstrates that the A22 is a very reliable semi-auto that can deliver near-1 MOA accuracy when the barrel is clean. This rifle retails for about $390.00.
Smith & Wesson Model 41 .22 LR Pistol Review
The S&W Model 41 is a classic American rimfire target pistol. Beautifully crafted, the Model 41 boasts a superb trigger, comfortable grip, and excellent accuracy. New or used, a Model 41 would be a fine addition to any firearms collection.
Volquartsen Scorpion .22 LR Pistol Review
The Scorpion demonstrated exceptional accuracy in the hands of 22Plinkster. It comes with a large target-style grip. With a built-in compensator, the Scorpion stays on target with almost no muzzle rise. The comp can be easily switched out with a suppressor (See video at 3:00 time-mark).
S&W Victory Vs. Ruger Mark IV Pistol Shoot-Off
22Plinkster liked both pistols. He favored the grips on the Ruger while preferring the S&W’s trigger. He felt the Ruger’s iron sights were best for precision work, but he noted that the green dot fiber optic sights on the S&W Victory worked better for speed work.
*Footnote regarding 22Plinkster Measured Groups: At least one of the measured groups (in close-up view) does NOT show the exact same group which formed in the preceding video sequence. You can tell from the shot placements relative to the center of the target — it’s a different group. Still we believe that 22Plinkster did shoot very small groups with this rifle at 50 and 100 yards. We just think 22Plinkster’s video editing may have been out of sequence. You can tell the group measured with calipers is not the same as the group shown forming top right in the preceding live video.
Progressive reloading presses offer shooters speed and efficiency in producing custom-tailored rifle and pistol ammunition. However, there is a wide choice of Progressive Presses and a bewildering array of options to consider. In this video, the 6.5 Guys and UltimateReloader.com’s Gavin Gear provide an overview of the leading Progressive Presses on the market along with key considerations for precision rifle shooters. If you are considering getting a Progessive for rifle ammo reloading, you should watch this informative, 25-minute video.
10 Tips for Reloading Rifle Ammo on a Progressive Press:
1. Make sure the brass is very clean. Don’t mix old range pick-up brass with newer brass.
2. Apply a thin, spray lube to all cases before the sizing/loading cycle.
3. Consider priming your brass separately (with a hand or bench tool) before the operation. Then inspect the primers before loading powder and bullets.
4. Always wear eye protection when loading with the Progressive, particularly if you are priming cases.
5. With masking tape, mark the powder measure/dropper with the powder type and cartridge charge weight. Check the charge mass multiple times (see below).
6. Cycle a few cases, sizing and adding powder but NOT seating bullets. Weigh the powder charges to ensure the powder measure is dispensing the correct charge. Sometimes this will change a couple tenths as it “settles down” after the first few charges.
7. Check the brass for shoulder bump and bullet seating depth carefully for the first few rounds, then check again periodically.
8. Try to maintain a steady pace and operate the handle the same way every time.
9. Visually inspect the powder charge in each case (before bullet seating), and use a lock-out die if your Progressive Press has enough stations.
10. Never, ever mix pistol and rifle powders! If you have previously loaded pistol ammo with your Progressive, make sure ALL the powder (every flake and kernel) is removed from all parts of the powder-dropping system before you add rifle powder.
Visit these sites for more Reloading and Precision Shooting Videos:
Most competitive shooters are pretty good about bore cleaning (some may even clean their bores too aggressively). However, we’ve found that many shooters neglect the chamber area and the bolt lug recesses. It’s too easy to clean the bore, slip out the guide rod and say “I’m done.” Sinclair Int’l explains why it’s important to clean the action interior: “Shooters use a lot of grease and oil on their bolts to reduce friction and to prevent wear[.] Unfortunately, both of these compounds attract grit, powder and primer residues. Cleaning your receiver is especially critical [with] custom actions where the fit between the action and bolt is held to very tight tolerances. Routine cleaning of the action will prevent unnecessary wear on the bolt body, locking lugs, and the action raceways/guide rails. Frequent action cleaning is also essential to keeping the trigger area free of debris which can cause trigger hang-ups and failures.”
Your rifle deserves a clean action and lug recesses. For action cleaning, our friend Danny Reever favors the PMA Action Cleaning tool. This handy tool speeds up the cleaning process, letting you do a better job in less time. Danny reports: “I’ve been using the PMA Action Cleaning Tool Kit for quite some time. Previously, I used one of the old style (round knob) action-cleaning tools with cylindrical cotton rolls. I think the PMA Action Cleaning Tool Kit is easier to use, and possibly achieves better results. Read Full Tool Review.
Cleaning the Chamber
Combustion by-products, lubricants, and solvent residues can collect in your chamber. Severe build-up of grease and carbon can interfere with chambering. Also some solvents will promote corrosion. You need to keep your chambers clean.
1) Install a clean cotton mop of the correct size on the end of a chamber rod and insert the mop into the chamber. Rotate the mop several times to remove any brush bristles left behind and any excess solvent that was between the rod guide snout and the end of the chamber. Make sure the chamber is dry. Prior to storing a rifle you can oil the chamber but make sure the oil is removed prior to firing the rifle.
2) Alternatively, install an old bore brush on a chamber rod, overlap a couple of patches on the brush bristles, and wrap them around the brush completely. Then insert the patch-covered brush into the chamber while rotating it to remove the excess solvent and debris. Push it firmly into the neck area of the chamber. A similar method is to pierce a large patch on the end of the brush loop and insert it into the action, again rotating the brush as you push the patch up against the breech.
Cleaning the Lug Recess Area
The action lug recess area is one of the dirtiest places on a bolt-action rifle. To properly clean this area, always use a tool designed for the task, such as the $32.99 Sinclair Action Cleaning Tool (Brownells #749003115) which is part of the full Sinclair Action Cleaning Tool Kit ($54.99, Brownells #749004651).
1) Insert a cotton roll or cleaning felt into your lug recess cleaning tool and wet both ends and the face of the cotton roll/felt with solvent.
2) Insert the tool into the action and push it forward until it is positioned fully in the lug recess area and rotate the tool head several times. Then reverse the rotation for another few turns. While rotating the tool move it slightly in and out to cover the entire recess area and to also clean the breech face.
3) Remove the tool from the action and inspect the surface of the felt or cotton roll. If there is quite a bit of residue on both sides of the felt/roll, then repeat with another wet felt/roll.
4) When you feel the recess area is completely clean, insert a dry cotton roll into the tool and rotate the tool head to remove any remaining solvent and debris. If necessary, use a second dry cotton roll.
5) You can follow this step up with another pass of a mop or patches into the chamber to get any debris or solvent that pushed forward out of the lug recess area.
Quick Tip: Try Flipping Your Bushings
