Many of our regular readers are serious competitors who own top-end benchrest, F-Class, Palma, and/or Service Rifles. Such full-custom match rifles can easily exceed $5500 with optic. These premium rifles are a source of pride and competitive success. But many shooters also want something more affordable for fun rimfire matches, plinking, or varmint work. And that’s the focus of this story — good quality rifles that won’t bust your budget.
Video Reviews of Affordable Rifles
We recently found an interesting YouTube Channel that specializes in affordable rifles and scopes. This channel, appropriately named Affordable Optics and Rifle Reviews (AOFF), has 170+ helpful videos online, many with over 100,000 views. The testers are based in Canada, so they offer a perspective that’s a bit different than that of most American gun vloggers.
For todays’ Saturday at the Movies feature, we feature five of our favorite rifle reviews from the AOFF site. These videos are good starting points if you have been considering any of these rifles. Most are multi-purpose rifles that could be used in a tactical match or on a hunt.
1. Savage 110 Precision vs. Ruger Precision Rifle Comparison
These two rifles are direct competitors in the $1300-$1400 market range. The Savage combines the proven model 110 action with a modern Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) chassis. The latest Gen 3 Ruger Precision Rifle comes with a new, free-float M-LOK handguard that provides greater front scope clearance. The Ruger Precision MSR buttstock attaches to an AR-style buffer tube on a left-folding hinge, and the stock adjusts for length of pull and comb height. We have shot both rifles. We like the balance and accuracy of the Savage, but prefer the adjustable butt system on the Ruger.
2. Bergara B-14 vs. Tikka UPR Rifle Comparison
In this interesting comparison video, AOFF tests the Bergara B-14 HMR and the NEW Tikka UPR, both of which could be called cross-over rifles. You can hunt with them or shoot a tactical match. AOFF notes: “Both are GREAT rifles. In our previous reviews on these rifles, both showed great accuracy and performance out to long range (we brought them to 750m).” The Bergara B-14 runs about $1000 USD while the Tikka currently sells for about $1400.
3. Savage Axis II Precision Rifle in MDT Chassis
This video showcases the Savage Axis II Precision, chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Priced at $899.99, this rifle offers good performance for the price. It’s a good starter rig if you want to try a PRS/NRL competition, but it can also serve well as a hunting rifle. With adjustable comb and adjustable LOP, the MDT chassis offers good ergonomics. AOFF writes: “A great option for those who are looking to get into long range shooting, but aren’t looking into remortgaging there home to do so.” AOFF says the Savage Axis II is one of the best affordable, chassis rifles on the market because it combines an accurate barreled action with a nice MDT chassis. For more info, read this very thorough Savage Axis II review in Guns America Digest.
4. MDT XRS Modular Chassis System for Tikka T3x
AOFF tested the MDT Chassis with Tikka T3x Varmint in .223 Rem and .308 Win. AOFF states that this MDT Chassis offers good value: “This is not a ‘cheap’ rifle stock, although it IS one most can afford.” The XRS Chassis is designed for shooters who want the ergonomics of a traditional-shaped rifle stock with the benefits of a modern precision rifle chassis system. The MDT XRS Chassis is constructed from a full-length CNC machined core of 6061 aircraft grade aluminum with external textured polymer panels. It is available configured for a variety of short actions including Rem 700, Tikka T1x/T3x, Savage, CZ 457, Howa 1500, and Ruger American.
5. Winchester Wildcat .22 LR Rifle
The Winchester 22 has earned very positive reviews from owners, and it is a true bargain. AOFF reports: “This Winchester rifle proved to be a fun little rifle to shoot and plink with. As light as it is, with minimal recoil makes it a pleasure to shoot. This rifle retails for $230 USD making it not only fun but affordable. Mind you it isn’t perfect. The short stock with the short grip are two … things we found that should be improved on the Winchester Wildcat 22.”
For some applications, we prefer a non-bushing FL die over a bushing die. Shown here are three Forster full-length sizing dies, with necks honed to three different dimensions: 0.265″, 0.266″, and 0.267″.
The Honed Full-Length Sizing Die Option
There are many good options in full-length (FL) sizing dies. Most precision hand-loaders prefer FL dies with neck bushings. These let you adjust the “grip” on your bullet by using larger or smaller bushings. FL bushing dies are available from Whidden Gunworks, Forster, Redding and other makers.
Conventional, non-bushing full-length sizing dies can create ultra-accurate ammo with very low run-out. But many conventional non-bushing FL dies have an undersized neck diameter so you end up with excess neck tension, and you work the brass excessively.
There is another effective option, one that promises extremely low run-out. The honed FL die is a full-length sizing die that has the necked honed to provide a precise fit to the case-neck. When done right, honed FL dies produce extremely straight ammo — as there are no issues with bushing alignment (or bushings that are not perfectly concentric). This Editor owns honed dies from Forster, Redding, and Whidden Gunworks. They all perform extremely well, delivering match ammunition with extremely low run-out measured with a 21st Century Concentricity Gauge.
In one of the most popular articles we’ve ever published, Bugholes from Bipod, California shooter “Froggy” explained why he prefers honed dies for his tactical ammo.
Q: Do you FL size every time? Do you use custom dies?
Absolutely, I full length resize all of my brass every time I reload. And guess what? I’ve never had a feeding problem.
I do use a modified sizing die, without bushings. My FL resizing die has been custom-honed in the neck area to give .0015″ press fit on the bullet. I also put a slightly larger radius at the neck shoulder junction. I feel that this helps to seal the chamber. With this die, I get consistent neck tension every time–without bushings. Bushings are useful when you’re fishing around for a good load. But once you find the right amount of sizing for ideal neck tension, you can do this better with a customized FL die.
6.5 Guys Review Forster Honed Full-length Dies
The 6.5 Guys have reviewed honed FL sizing dies from Forster, explaining the pros and cons of this type of reloading die. They explained that, if you load a wide variety of bullets from different manufacturers, you many want to stick with a Bushing FL die. However, if you have settled on a particular bullet and found the “ideal” neck tension, then a honed die may make sense.
In this Gear Update, the 6.5 Guys discuss a service offered by Forster Products to custom hone the neck diameter of its full-length sizing dies to the customer’s specifications (to the thousandth). Whidden Gunworks also offers custom-honed FL dies.
This article is Copyright 2023 AccurateShooter.com. Any publication on another website is unauthorized and obligates monetary compensation and statutory damages.
In this episode of the NSSF Bullet Points podcast, NSSF’s Managing Director State Affairs Jake McGuigan discusses fending off “woke” corporate agendas and anti-gun policies. Jake explains recent successes in state houses around the U.S. including, addressing financial discrimination against the firearm industry by enacting the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination (FIND) Act and successful restrictions on credit card processing companies that are attempting to track firearm purchases with new Merchant Category Codes.
0:00 Intro
0:42 Round up of pro-gun bills being passed in state houses
2:03 FIND Act
6:39 Pushing back on “woke” agendas and policies (ESG)
8:59 Restricting credit card processor’s ability to track firearm purchases
13:23 Outlook
1700+ Gun-Related Bills in State Legislature in Past 12 months
More than 1,700 firearm-related bills have been introduced in state legislatures since last May. Ninety-three of those bills were passed by legislatures and signed into law. Of those, 56% “expanded access to firearms or benefited the firearms industry by allowing manufacturing in the state or protecting them from liability lawsuits.” On the flip side, nearly 44% of the bills “restricted access to firearms or supported victims/potential victims in gun-related cases.”
Some states have been tougher than others. Several states like Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois, New York and Connecticut have supermajorities that skew toward gun control. Other states, like Arizona, Nevada and Virginia are slim majorities or split between the parties controlling one side of the legislature or the other. Still, other states like Florida moved aggressively to protect the firearm industry.
Success in Halting Firearms-Related Credit Card Tracking
Several legislatures have passed laws that prohibit the use of a firearm retailer-specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) by credit card companies to track lawful sales. That tracking could lead to backdoor gun control and firearm ownership lists by government agencies. Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed this law, as did Montana’s Gov. Greg Gianforte and North Dakota’s Gov. Doug Burgum. West Virginia’s Gov. Jim Justice, Mississippi’s Gov. Tate Reeves and Idaho’s Gov. Brad Little have signed laws barring the use of a MCC on firearm purchases earlier this year. Similar legislative efforts are ongoing on the federal level.
It is important to halt the use of Merchant Codes to track gun-related purchases, because this data could, potentially, be used to create a national Firearms Registry, something expressly prohibited by Federal law.
How’d you like to go to a beautiful 17,000-acre ranch in Wyoming this month, with a chance to win major prize money and valuable shooting gear? That’s the lure of the Burris Optics Team Challenge, a 3-day shooting competition scheduled for June 22-25, 2023, at a private 17,000+ acre ranch in Douglas, Wyoming. CLICK HERE to Register.
The Burris Optics Team Challenge is a unique event with two-person teams competing in multiple shooting disciplines — long-range rifle shooting, pistol shooting, and shotgun shooting. The competition is designed to test participants’ marksmanship skills, as well as their ability to work together as a team. In partnership with Competition Dynamics, this match offers a world-class, cutting-edge competitive practical shooting experience is a beautiful, backcountry environment.
The match takes place on a huge range located just outside Douglas, Wyoming. The terrain combines rolling hills and gradual inclines mixed with mountainous zones.
Athlon Outdoors posted an interesting article about a young couple, Tyler Hughes and Rei Hong, who competed in this event a few seasons back, finishing 8th overall. Taylor said their experience was very positive: “Our focus was to go as hard as we could, improving our plan each day based on what we learned from each other. Most importantly, we never lost sight of having fun together.”
Participants in the Burris Optics Team Challenge will have the chance to win a variety of prizes, including optics, cash, and other shooting-related gear. In addition, the top-performing team will be crowned the Burris Optics Team Challenge Champions and awarded a grand prize.
Burris Optics Team Challenge Match Overview
Stages: 3 Field Hike (long); 2 Long Assault (timed, multi-gun style); 1 standards
The 3 Field Hike stages will involve significant movement on foot while engaging multiple targets
Rugged desert / mountainous terrain with natural hazards — Local altitude of 5200′
Targets — rifles to 1000 yards, carbine to 600 yards, and pistols to 60 nominal
Locate, range, and engage targets under strict time constraints
Competitors carry all gear used during the courses of fire
Almost all targets will be reactive armor steel plate
Unknown, various, and non-standard target sizes
Registration for the Burris Optics Team Challenge is now open, and spaces are limited. Interested participants can learn more and register online at the event website.
Enjoy the Shooting Sports USA Archives
As we head into summer, many Americans will be spending more time at the range. And competitors will be shooting in rimfire and centerfire rifle matches throughout the country. Here’s an opportunity to learn competition skills, gun tuning methods, and reloading techniques from leading experts. A vast resource of great gun-related content available online for FREE. Check out the Shooting Sports USA Articles Archive. SSUSA maintains a vast digital library with hundreds of articles going back to June 2009.
It’s easy to find back issues of Shooting Sports USA magazine. Here’s how: First, navigate to the current SSUSA Online Issue. Then click on the “ARCHIVES” icon in the upper right area (indicated with red arrow). When you click on “ARCHIVES”, a window will open with a selection of Shooting Sports USA magazine covers/dates in a vertical column. The most recent issue (June 2023) will appear at the top. You can then scroll down — use the vertical scroll bar to go from September 2022 (the latest issue) all the way back to June 2009. Click any issue cover to read.
How to Find and Save Articles
To search back issues, select “MORE OPTIONS” from the toolbar (top left). Then click the “SEARCH” button. When that opens, select either “Search Archives” for ALL back issues or “Search Only this Issue”. When you’ve made your choice, enter your search term(s). For example, you can search for “Camp Perry” or “Palma” or “F-Class Championship”. You can also save any archived issue as a PDF for viewing offline. Just click “SAVE” to download the article you’re currently viewing/reading.
Read Sample Articles
Here are a couple of our favorite SSUSA feature stories from recent years. There are hundreds of other informative articles worth reading.
We’ve all encountered those boastful guys at the range — you know, the ones who say their factory rifle will shoot “dime-sized groups all day long.” Well maybe they were actually telling the truth — it all depends on the size of the ten-cent piece. With the huge dime shown above, we think we could shoot “dime-sized groups all day long” — even with a pistol. After seeing this, one reader commented: “That’s great. So this means my groups are only around Quarter-sized!”
Credit Forum member DKhunt14 who started a thread with this humorous image in our Shooters’ Forum. Other Forum members gave examples of similar accuracy claims they’ve heard:
I ran into a local tactical guru a few years ago that topped any story I’ve ever heard yet. He claimed he could shoot a quarter-inch group every time at 300 yards — like no problem whatsoever. — IMMike
I had a guy tell me he dropped a doe at 420 yards with a M1 carbine, open sights. Never took a step. I’ll bet he also shot those dime-sized groups!– DJ Porter
Seems like we could substitute 1000-yard prairie dog (other small varmint) hits for dime-sized groups. They both happen “all day long”. — Dsandfort
Many folks come into my shop… and feel compelled to regale me with their life history with firearms. Head-shooting squirrels at 100 yards with a .22 short and iron sights, deer dropped at 500 yards with a .35 Rem, ground hogs taken with one shot across vast distances, etc. — and it would appear that every former SEAL, Marine or SF sniper lives in the general area. My Dad used to tell me that sometimes you just have to smile and nod a lot. Not always, but a lot.
I’m not a huge fan of Bass Pro Shop, but I DO appreciate Bass Pro’s motto: “Welcome hunters, fishermen and other liars.” Human nature can be so entertaining. — JLT
GET Your Own Giant DIME
By the way, if you want your own jumbo dime, Amazon.com offers 3″-diameter Roosevelt dimes for ten bucks. These would be good for range accuracy challenges. You could tell a buddy you can “put five shots on a dime at 200 yards”. Then whip out this slightly oversize 3-incher and see his face.
These could also serve as “gag prizes” at club shooting matches — giveaways for folks who want to say they shot a group at 200 or 300 yards that could be “covered with a dime” … a 3″ dime that is!
In this .308 Win test, 70° F ammo shot 96 FPS slower than ammo heated to 130.5° F. And the 130.5° ammunition was 145 fps faster than ammo taken right out of the freezer (at 25.5° F). That’s a huge difference…
Summer Solstice is just two weeks away, so most parts of the country will soon be encountering peak summer heat. Some ranges in the Western states have already recorded temperatures well over 100 degrees F during matches. When dealing with extreme summer heat, you should make a serious effort to keep your ammo at reasonable temperatures. When possible, keep ammo in a cooler in the shade.
Never leave boxes of ammo out in the hot sun. Even with powders advertised as “temp stable” you can see significant velocity increases when ambient temps reach 90 degrees and above. This article explains how temperature extremes (both hot and cold) can alter bullet velocities. The velocity differences between very cold ammo and very hot ammo can be very large, as this article explains.
EDITOR’s NOTE: The Sierra tester does not reveal the brand of powder tested here. Some powders are much more temp sensitive than others. Accordingly, you cannot extrapolate test results from one propellant to another. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see the actual recorded velocity shift with ammo temperature variations in a .308 Win.
Written by Sierra Chief Ballistician Tommy Todd This story originally appeared in theSierra Bullets Blog
A few weeks ago I was attending the Missouri State F-Class Match. This was a two-day event during the summer and temperatures were hot one day and hotter the next. I shot next to a gentleman who was relatively new to the sport. He was shooting a basically factory rifle and was enjoying himself with the exception that his scores were not as good as he hoped they would be and he was experiencing pressure issues with his ammunition. I noticed that he was having to force the bolt open on a couple of rounds. During a break, I visited with him and offered a couple of suggestions which helped his situation somewhat and he was able to finish the match without major issues.
He was shooting factory ammunition, which is normally loaded to upper levels of allowable pressures. While this ammunition showed no problems during “normal” testing, it was definitely showing issues during a 20-round string of fire in the temperatures we were competing in. My first suggestion was that he keep his ammunition out of the direct sun and shade it as much as possible. My second suggestion was to not close the bolt on a cartridge until he was ready to fire. He had his ammo in the direct sunlight and was chambering a round while waiting on the target to be pulled and scored which can take from a few seconds to almost a minute sometimes.
This time frame allowed the bullet and powder to absorb chamber [heat] and build pressure/velocity above normal conditions. Making my recommended changes lowered the pressures enough for the rifle and cartridge to function normally.
Testing Effects of Ammunition Temperature on Velocity and POI
After thinking about this situation, I decided to perform a test in the Sierra Bullets underground range to see what temperature changes will do to a rifle/cartridge combination. I acquired thirty consecutive .30 caliber 175 grain MatchKing bullets #2275 right off one of our bullet assembly presses and loaded them into .308 Winchester ammunition. I utilized an unnamed powder manufacturer’s product that is appropriate for the .308 Winchester cartridge. This load is not at the maximum for this cartridge, but it gives consistent velocities and accuracy for testing.
I took ten of the cartridges and placed them in a freezer to condition.
I set ten of them on my loading bench, and since it was cool and cloudy the day I performed this test I utilized a floodlight and stand to simulate ammunition being heated in the sun.
I kept track of the temperatures of the three ammunition samples with a non-contact laser thermometer.
The rifle was fired at room temperature (70 degrees) with all three sets of ammunition. I fired this test at 200 yards out of a return-to-battery machine rest. The aiming point was a leveled line drawn on a sheet of paper. I fired one group with the scope aimed at the line and then moved the aiming point across the paper from left to right for the subsequent groups.
NOTE that the velocity increased as the temperature of the ammunition did.
The ammunition from the freezer shot at 2451 fps.
The room temperature ammunition shot at 2500 fps.
The heated ammunition shot at 2596 fps.
The tune window of the particular rifle is fairly wide as is shown by the accuracy of the three pressure/velocity levels and good accuracy was achieved across the board. However, notice the point of impact shift with the third group? There is enough shift at 200 yards to cause a miss if you were shooting a target or animal at longer ranges. While the pressure and velocities changed this load was far enough from maximum that perceived over pressure issues such as flattened primer, ejector marks on the case head, or sticky extraction did not appear. If you load to maximum and then subject your ammunition to this test your results will probably be magnified in comparison.
This test showed that pressures, velocities, and point-of-impact can be affected by temperatures of your ammunition at the time of firing. It’s really not a bad idea to test in the conditions that you plan on utilizing the ammo/firearm in if at all possible. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to also test to see what condition changes do to your particular gun and ammunition combination so that you can make allowances as needed. Any personal testing along these lines should be done with caution as some powder and cartridge combination could become unsafe with relatively small changes in conditions.
Do you know someone who recently purchased his/her first handgun and is getting started in the shooting sports? Or do you need to brush up your own pistol skills? Then check out a new FREE video training series from the SIG Sauer Academy: Shooter’s Edge — Learning to Shoot.
Here is the Second Video from the Shooter’ Edge series, covering Basic Rules of Firearms Safety:
This video series features foundational handgun classes at the SIG Sauer Academy in New Hampshire. The ten-episode series takes viewers into the classroom and onto the range as the instructors walk through the fundamentals of handgun safety, shooting techniques, practice and training exercises, along with instruction in equipment options and handgun selection. The series was shot on location during several of the Academy’s introductory classes.
Click Below to Access Full Video Series on SigSauer.com:
The Shooter’ Edge Series includes the following episodes: Learn to Shoot at SIG Sauer Academy; Basic Rules of Safety; Types of Handguns and Ammunition; Foundational Shooting Techniques; How to Practice and Train Effectively; Choosing the Right Gun; Equipment and Its Purpose; Holsters — Presentation and Recovery; Magazines — Loading and Unloading; and What Happens After Learning to Shoot.
Back in 2014, Forum member Robert Chombart posted this message from his home in Normandy, France: “On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of D-Day, I … salute the memory of the thousands of American soldiers who sacrificed their youth to liberate France, with … particular [respect] for those who rest in Normandy ground.” Today, 79 years after that historic day, it is important we never forget the sacrifice of those who gave their lives on the beaches of Normandy.
Today we should remember those who crossed the Channel to begin the liberation of Europe. Thousands of soldiers, sailors, and aviators gave their lives on June 6, 1944. Their sacrifice on “The Longest Day”, allowed people throughout Europe to enjoy freedom. We should remember those brave warriors, and never forget that freedom is not free — it requires continuing vigilance and sacrifice.
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. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Father’s Day Sale
⏺ Sale through June 18 — deal on guns, optics, gear
Save on all your hunting and target shooting needs over at Sportsman’s Warehouse during their Father’s Day sale. With big discounts on optics, rifles, pistols, ammo, gun safes, and shooting gear, you’ll find plenty of bargains for both yourself and your father.
2. EuroOptic — Trijicon Tenmile Scope SALE with Huge Savings
⏺ Precise powder scale/dispenser with advanced features
Trijicon makes some great scopes for a variety of applications. Grab a high-quality Trijicon Tenmile scope with a massive discount (up to 51%) during the Trijicon Riflescope Closeout SALE at EuroOptic.com. Choose from Tenmile scopes with 6X magnification ranges 3-18X, 4-24X, or 4.5-30X — all well suited for both varmint work and competition. Don’t delay, with these prices, these Trijicon Tenmile 6x zoom range optics should sell out quickly.
3. CDNN Sports — HK VP9 Father’s Day $200 Gear Credit Promo
⏺ Get $200 credit for mags and accessories with HKVP9 Special
Heckler & Koch (HK) makes outstanding defensive pistols. This Editor has owned four HK pistols in three calibers and they were all exceptionally accurate and ultra-reliable. Right now you’ll earn a $200 gear credit with the purchase of an HK VP9 pistol from CDNN Sports. Various color and sight options are available. With this Father’s Day Loadout Special you’ll get a $200 credit for the HK webshop. That $200 credit can be used for magazines and a variety of accessories.
⏺ Precise powder scale/dispenser with advanced features
This combo kit features four top-tier reloading tools. The Powder Measuring Pro-Combo Special includes the superb Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 Precision Scale, TRX-925 Scale Caddy, Redding Competition Model BR-30 Powder Measure, and Redding Model No. 5 Powder Trickler. The TRX-925 is a class-leading precision scale that reads in grains. To do better you’d have to spent more than twice as much for a Force Restoration scale. And right now you SAVE $200 with this Creedmoor Sports Pro-Combo Special.
5. Palmetto SA — Norma ECO Speed .22 LR Ammo, $3.49/50rd
⏺ Unique, ultra-fast .22 LR ammo with lead-free bullets
Here’s unique, extremely fast .22 LR ammo for varminting and target shooing. This Norma ECO Speed ammo features a lead-free 25gr bullet running at a blistering 1706 FPS. That rivals the 17 Mach 2, but you can shoot this from any .22 LR rifle. This high-velocity Norma ECO Speed .22 LR ammo, is now just $3.49 on sale (50rd Box). Norma’s lead-free ECO Speed ammo boast a muzzle velocity exceeding all other .22 LR on the market. The cartridge is 100% lead-free, including the primer, making it quite unique. NOTE: This ammo works best in bolt-action rifles.
6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Precision Case Trimmer, $79.99
⏺ Versatile kit allows you to trim nearly any neck diameter shouldered brass
The Frankford Arsenal Universal Precision Trimmer is a versatile tool that can work with most popular cartridge types. This case-trimming system indexes on case shoulders for precise trimming. The adjustable collet system works with shouldered cases from .17 Remington to .460 Weatherby and fits most power drills. The built-in depth micrometer allows for micro-adjustments and the brass shaving ejection port ensures a clean trim. NOTE, this tool is NOT compatible with straight-wall cartridges.
7. Midsouth — Winchester 9mm Luger Ammo, 500rds $144.99
⏺ Very low price on quality USA-made 9mm ammo plus free shipping
Here’s a great deal on quality USA-made 9x19mm (9mm Luger) ammo. Midsouth is offering a 500-round case of Winchester Service Grade 9mm 115gr ammo for just $144.99 with FREE SHIPPING. This FMJ ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in reloadable brass. Winchester Service Grade is an excellent choice for competitive and recreational shooting applications.
8. Amazon — PROHEAR Earmuffs 2-Pack, $33.95
⏺ Muffs Duo with very good 26dB Noise Reduction Rating
All shooters should use quality hearing protection whenever at the range. This 2-Pack of PROHEAR earmuffs, provides excellent 26 dB NRR (SNR 31dB) protection for yourself and a shooting buddy. These PROHEAR muffs, just $33.95 for the pair, offer quality foam combined with a sound-dampening composite housing. That provides a very good 26 dB Noise Reduction Rating, better than most muffs in this price range.
Available in black or olive green colors, these PROHEAR muffs have a reduced width at the bottom to provide less interference when shouldering a rifle or shotgun. The 2-packs are offered in Black & Green (see above), Black & Brown, Black & Black, Brown & Green, or Black and Hi-Viz Pink — a cool set for a guy and his wife.
9. Midsouth — Varmint X-Treme .22 Cal 55gr, $39.99/250
⏺ Amazing deal on varmint bullets — just $0.16 each in 250 pack
Planning a varmint safari this summer? If you shoot a .22-caliber rifle, check out this hot deal on Varmint Nightmare X-Treme FBHP bullets. Get 250 bullets for $39.99 — just $16 per hundred! Crafted by a major bullet-maker, these .22 Caliber, 55 grain projectiles feature a quality jacket, and a 0.218 BC. With their hollow point design, these Varmint Nightmare bullets have an explosive effect on P-dogs and Groundhogs.
10. Amazon — Reloading Data Book, $5.99
⏺ Handy low cost 120-page book keep vital reloading data at hand
All handloaders should keep detailed reloading notes with all essential load data. The Reloading Data Book provides a handy hard copy of your load data in an organized format. This 8.5″ x 11″ book Data Book has 120 log pages with printed entry boxes for date, cartridge, powder, grains, bullet type, bullet weight, and many more variables. At just $5.99, this a great resource to keep in your loading room.
Video Reviews of Affordable Rifles
Summer Solstice is just two weeks away, so most parts of the country will soon be encountering peak summer heat. Some ranges in the Western states have already recorded temperatures well over 100 degrees F during matches. When dealing with extreme summer heat, you should make a serious effort to keep your ammo at reasonable temperatures. When possible, keep ammo in a cooler in the shade.
