Team Berger’s Larry Bartholome showcased his shooting prowess by winning the 2025 Western Wildcat Smallbore F-Class Championship. The event, held in March at the Ben Avery Shooting Complex and hosted by the Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club, brought together the nation’s top smallbore F-Class shooters in a challenging 4-day competition.
Bartholome finished with a 6363 Grand Aggregate score and an impressive 434 Xs, showing remarkable consistency throughout the match. His Western Wildcat win comes on the heels of a strong third-place finish at the NRA Metric Prone National Championship. “The Western Wildcat is one of the most challenging smallbore matches in the country, and I knew I had to bring my absolute best”, said Bartholome. “Thank you to the Lapua group for producing such great .22 ammo. I couldn’t have won without it. The Lapua X-ACT [ammunition] I shot was outstanding.”
Bartholome’s victory at the Western Wildcat highlights not only his personal dedication and skill but also the critical role of precision equipment and top-tier ammunition in elite-level competition. His latest achievement adds to his distinguished career and reinforces his status as one of America’s best F-Class shooters in both centerfire and rimfire disciplines.
Bartholome prepared for the competition by testing ammo lots with his rifle at the Mesa, Arizona, Lapua Rimfire Performance Center. This facility allows testing of of multiple lots at both 50 and 100 meters to identify the best match for a shooter’s rifle. Lapua’s Rimfire Performance Centers, located in Mesa, AZ, and Marengo, OH, provide this ammo-testing service to competitive shooters. Appointments can be scheduled for those looking to refine their ammunition selection.
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Want to go to some fun rifle matches in the months ahead? You can access coming events near your location with the interactive NRA SSUSA.org Shooting Sports Coming Events Calendar webpage. You can filter results by shooting discipline (pistol, smallbore rifle, high power rifle etc.) as well as location. You can also view the match locations on a map by clicking on the “View on Map” link on the right side of the page. This alternates with “View as List”.
To see ALL upcoming matches in your area, click on the “Edit Search” button then click the box for the lead category, “All Competition Types”. Or click one or more of these categories:
Action Pistol
Air Rifle
BB Gun
Black Powder Target Rifle
Collegiate Rifle/Pistol
High Power Rifle
International Pistol
Precision Pistol
For example, here are the results of a search for matches within 200 miles of Seattle Washington. First is the list view, then below that is the map view. For any search, you can alternate views by clicking “View on Map” or “View as List” in the right column.
For Summer Travelers, Find Matches Outside Your Home State
If you are planning an out-of-state vacation this summer and you want to combine your travels with a shooting match, simply click the blue “Edit Search” button. Then you can select a different location. Just type in the city and state, or the Zip Code. For example, here are the search results for shooting matches within 75 miles of Las Vegas, Nevada:
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Enjoy the Shooting Sports USA Archives
As we head into spring, 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 latest SSUSA Online Issue (April 2025). 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 (April 2025) will appear at the top left. You can then scroll down — use the vertical scroll bar to go from April 2025 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 three of our favorite SSUSA feature stories from recent years. There are hundreds of other informative articles worth reading.
F-Class fans will enjoy the coverage of the 2023 F-Class World Championships in the June 2023 issue of Shooting Sports USA. On the cover is our friend and Forum member Erik Cortina.
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If you’re looking for a space-saving handgun storage system, consider the Easy Use Gun Hangers from AmeriGun Club. These vinyl-coated, wire hangers organize handguns below the shelves in your gunsafe, freeing up storage space above the shelves. To use the handgun hangers, simply slide each hanger on the shelf and then slip your pistol’s barrel over the lower rod. Handgun Hangers are intended for guns with an overall length of 10 inches or shorter. They will fit shelves that are at least 11 inches deep and 5/8-1 inch in thickness. Handgun Hangers will hold handguns .22 caliber and up, though the fit is a bit snug on .22s. A four-pack of AmeriGun Club Handgun Hangers costs $9.99.
WARNING — ALWAYS Make Sure Handgun is UNLOADED when using Handgun Hangers!!
Boomstick also offers Over-Under Hangers that hold two handguns — one above the shelf, and one below. A two-pack of Over-Under Hangers (capable of holding four handguns) costs $9.99 on Amazon. This may be a good solution for you. This Editor personally prefers standard hangers which place pistols BELOW the shelf. That way I can use the upper surface of the shelf to hold odd-shaped items such as cameras, binoculars, and miscellaneous valuables.
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Through the passage of Proposition KK last November, Colorado adopted a 6.5% state excise tax on the sale of firearms, ammunition, and certain firearm parts to Colorado consumers. Colorado’s new 6.5% guns/ammo tax took effect on April 1, 2025. The tax, codified by Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-37-101, is levied on vendors (see below), but the amount is passed through to law-abiding Coloradans every time they purchase guns and ammo. The law also imposes burdensome registration and recordkeeping requirements on vendors and subjects them to harsh punishments for violations.
Legal experts believe this new law is unconstitutional and otherwise legally improper. Thankfully, this new Colorado gun tax is being challenged in the courts. The Second Amendment Foundation (2AF) has filed a lawsuit, Langston v. Humphreys, in Denver County District Court challenging Colorado’s Proposition KK as an unconstitutional tax on the exercise of a fundamental constitutional right. Joining SAF in Langston v. Humphreys are the National Rifle Association (NRA), Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), Magnum Shooting Center, the Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA), and a private citizen, Zachary Langston. Named as defendants are Heidi Humphreys, executive director of the Colorado Dept. of Revenue and Michael J. Allen, district attorney of El Paso County.
The complaint argues that Colorado’s new excise tax on guns and ammo violates the Second Amendment. Plaintifs seek a declaratory judgment that the tax is unconstitutional and plaintiffs further seek a permanent injunction forbidding the enforcement of the gun excise tax.
“Colorado’s firearms excise tax is an overt assault on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Coloradans and a deliberate attempt to discourage the exercise of constitutionally protected freedoms”, said John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “Recently, anti-gun activists in Colorado have been adopting California’s radical gun control agenda to systematically erode gun rights in the state. We are pleased to join with other Second Amendment advocates in this lawsuit to protect and defend the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.”
The SAF, NRA and other plaintiffs contend that the state’s 6.5% excise tax on the retail sale of any firearm, firearm precursor part, or ammunition is unconstitutional in that it impermissibly singles out the exercise of a constitutional right for special taxation. There have been several rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court prohibiting such a tax scheme.
“Colorado’s new law impermissibly taxes an enumerated constitutional right”, said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “Not only does the tax lack any basis in our nation’s history and tradition of firearms regulation, it violates Supreme Court precedent that states the exercise of constitutional rights cannot be targeted through taxation.”
“You simply cannot tax the exercise of a constitutionally-protected fundamental right” noted SAF founder and Executive V.P. Alan M. Gottlieb, who added that: “Federal legislation to prevent this sort of tax was introduced just days ago in both the House and Senate.”
New Requirements for Firearms Manufacturers, Gun Dealers, and Ammo Sellers
For the new guns/ammo tax Colorado defines a “Vendor” as a person or company doing business as an ammunition seller, firearms dealer, or firearms manufacturer. All Colorado Vendors must register with the Colorado Department of Revenue by April 1, 2025, and file annual registration renewals. After registration, Vendors are required to file monthly excise tax returns based on taxable products and submit excise tax payments to the state.
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So, are you feeling lucky? Then you may want to sign up for the ShootOn.com Giveaway contest. The “Ready to Carry” Shoot ON contest prize pack includes an FN Reflex 9mm pistol, a Burris FastFire Red Dot Optic, a Crossbreed SuperTuck Holsert, and 5 boxes of Fiocchi CovertX defensive ammo. The total retail value of the “Ready to Carry” Giveaway prize package is $1,331.90.
CLICK HERE to visit the contest entry page. NOTE: No purchase is required to enter the “Ready to Carry” Giveaway. Simply go to the Shoot ON “Ready to Carry” Giveaway page and enter. You can also boost your odds of winning through the Daily Bonus Entry option. The Shoot ON “Ready to Carry” Giveaway ends April 17, 2025, so enter today!
Giveaway Items — Total Value $1331.90
Handgun: FN’s new Reflex XL MRD micro-compact 9mm is a rugged, accurate optics-ready pistol with good ergonomics and up to 18-round capacity even with a compact format. FN claims the Reflex EL series pistols off “best-in-class triggers” for optimal performance.
Holster: The Crossbreed SuperTuck is an IWB holster developed for deep concealment. This combine a Kydex pocket with a combat-cut premium leather backer for security and comfort. The SuperTuck also has powder-coated steel belt clips adjustable for height and cant (angle).
Red Dot Optic: The Burris FastFire E is an enclosed red dot optic with a large 22×17 mm sight window for the 3.5 MOA dot. The FastFire E offers 100 MOA of elevation and windage adjustment range so it works with handguns, shotguns and rifles. A tough housing protects the unit which is waterproof, shockproof and fogproof. The FastFire E offers an “always on” function.
Ammunition: The contest package includes five, 20-round boxes of Fiocchi’s new CovertX personal defense ammunition. This CovertX ammo features a new jacketed HP projectile specifically engineered for controlled expansion when fired from short-barrel handguns.
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First there was F-Class, and now there will be E-Class, the “E” standing for “Economy”. The NRA Competitive Shooting Division has just approved a new form of rifle competition starting in 2025: E-Class. Unlike F-Class, E-Class will have tight rifle and gear cost controls. This is a clear response to rising F-Class costs, which have spiraled out of control. The first major E-Class National event will be a preview match held this summer at Camp Atterbury in Indiana.
The NRA’s sanctioning of E-Class competition makes sense. Let’s face it, top-level F-Class competition, both F-TR and F-Open, has become just too expensive. A modern F-Open rifle capable of winning a championship can now cost $9000.00 or more, including rest, premium trigger, and optics. Under the NRA’s new E-Class Rules, rifles can cost no more than $2000.00 total, including optics and rest (E-Open) or bipod (E-TR). In addition, new E-Class rules will recognize a special division, called E-Factory, that is limited to factory rifles, such as the Savage Axis II and Howa rifles. The E-Factory Class will also be restricted to .223 Remington to keep ammo costs down.
COST COMPARISON — F-Open, E-Open, and E-TR Factory
E-TR Factory Division
Complete Rifle
Savage Axis II: $1079 MSRP
Barrel: Included
Stock: Included
Optics: $500
Trigger: Included
Bipod: $150
Rear Bag: $50 Total: $1779.00
Under the new E-Class rules, TOTAL Cost for an E-Open or E-TR Rifle is limited to $2000.00, including optics, front rest or bipod, and rear bag. There are specific gear limits. Scope maximum is $500.00. Front rest or bipod is limited to $300.00. In the chart above you see how an E-Open rifle could be built for $1900 with a $400 action and a $400 optic. In the third column we’ve priced out an E-Factory rifle, based on a Savage Axis II Rifle, at $1779.00.
A top-of-the-line F-Open set-up like this can cost more than $8000.00 with custom stock, high-end optic, and coax front rest. All new E-Class rifles must cost less than $2000 including rests and scope.
These E-Class rigs cost less than a quarter of the price of a Top-of-the-line $8750.00 F-Open Rig. That’s a huge savings, that will allow more shooters to enjoy competitive shooting. E-Class combines the fun challenge of the F-Class course of fire, with a vastly lower investment. With the rising costs of taxes, food, fuel, and everything else, it’s high time we get serious about the money we throw away on competition rifles. We know the wives will approve!
Keeping on Lid on Expenses
In the Wings — Controls on Ammo Costs as Well
Shooters know that the price of the rifle, optics, and rests is only part of the cost equation. The price of ammunition is also significant. Currently, in F-Open, competitors can easily pay $1.40 per round just for the expendables — bullets, powder, and primers. Add in the cost of premium cartridge brass and the cost per shot goes up significantly. One competitor lamented “Shooting a match these days really empties your wallet. I cringe every time I pull the trigger, knowing what it costs.”
Therefore, the NRA is considering E-Class ammo restrictions. Starting in 2026, E-Factory class competitors would be required to shoot recycled bulk brass and blem bullets. Bulk Lake City 5.56 brass will be offered by ARMorAlly.com, and blem bullets will be offered by Midsouth Shooters Supply. Purists may complain about using surplus brass, but it only costs $199.99 for 500 cases! That’s a huge savings.
The Final Step — Claiming Rules for E-Class
As in every competitive endeavor, there may be temptation to bend or even break the rules. Predictably, some E-Class competitors may try to substitute more expensive components, such as high-cost triggers, or modified actions. To prevent this, the NRA plans to impose claiming rules for E-Class matches. This means that any rifle that captures first or second place in a major match can be claimed by another competitor for the fee of $2000.00. This procedure may seem radical but it is used in other sports to ensure parity among the competitors. If a shooter wins with a “cheater” $5000.00 rifle, he can be forced to sell it to a competitor for $2000.00.
A recent scientific discovery in Washington State suggests that areas in North America once harbored large colonies of giant, man-sized rodents — distant cousins to today’s prairie dogs.
In late 2024, while searching for ancient dinosaur fossils, a field team of Princeton University paleontologists has uncovered a startling find — the skull of a massive prehistoric rodent, along with other skeletal remains.
The skull, nearly the size of a horse’s head, is almost identical in form to the skull of a modern-era prairie dog, though it is is more than 50 times as large. Apparently today’s Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs had some very large predecessors. Based on the size of the skull and other bones, scientists estimate that the giant prairie dogs could stand up to 7′ tall and weigh up to 350 pounds. In other words, this critter was man-sized.
The giant rodents lived much like modern prairie dogs do today — grazing on vegetation and nesting underground in burrows. The giant skull was unearthed in Washington’s Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve. View More: Mima Mounds Aerial photo.
Mystery of Mima Mounds Finally Solved
Southwest of Seattle, near Littlerock, Washington, you’ll find the Mima Mounds, a vast field of clustered earthen mounds covering over 600 acres. Since their discovery (by whites) in the 18th century, the Mima Mounds have confounded scientific explanation — until now that is. The location of the giant prairie dog skull and bones inside one of the Mima Mounds indicates, with great certainty, that the mound field was created by a large colony of giant burrowing rodents. Scientists now believe that the Mima Mounds area is a prehistoric prairie dog field, created by the creatures scientists have nicknamed “Big Dogs”.
NW Indian Legends Spoke of Giant Prairie Dogs
The presence of the giant prairie dogs at Mima Mounds is confirmed by Northwestern Indian legends describing a giant burrowing beast that stood as tall as a man, when raised on its hind legs. Researchers, who transcribed oral histories of the Sauk-Suiattle tribe, have recorded numerous references to a large, man-sized creature that burrowed underground. In the Suiattle language the beast was called “Chok-lahtle-wachook”, which, literally translated, means “Standing Man-Mouse”. A number of ancient Indian carvings and artifacts have depicted this creature (see photo at right), but cultural historians had not understood their significance. For decades the historians presumed Chok-lahtle-wachook was a wholly fictional man-beast, not a real species. Such mythical hybrid creatures are commonly revered as important totemic spirits by many Native American cultures. However, it now appears that Chok-lahtle-wachook really existed, and did so in great numbers.
Can Science Revive the Giant Prairie Dog?
The discovery of the giant prairie dog has electrified the scientific community because it appears that bone samples may contain recoverable DNA. And that means — you guessed it — there is a small chance that Chok-lahtle-wachook could be cloned. Geneticist Amy Moorwall of the Univ. of Washington explains: “These are not 100-million-year-old dinosaur bones. This creature lived in relatively recent times, so there is much more genetic material remaining that hasn’t completely fossilized. Initial inspection of bone marrow samples suggest that there may be viable, complete DNA strands that could be recovered. If that’s true, this could be one of our first opportunities to revive an extinct species.”
Varmint Hunters Hope for Successful Cloning
Could Chok-lahtle-wachook once again stand tall upon America’s prairies through the application of modern genetic cloning technology? If so, that would be exciting news for the nation’s hunting community. Varmint hunting is hugely popular in North America, and the possibility of bagging a man-sized prairie dog would be a dream come true for avid varminters. Ryan Stanley of the Varmint Hunters’ Association (VHA) told us that his members hope that the giant prairie dog could be cloned successfully: “We would definitely support a cloning effort. Many of our members spend countless days, over many seasons, trying to earn a 1000-yard patch, signifying a confirmed varmint kill at 1000 yards. Getting that patch, for a varminter, is like a baseball player making it into Cooperstown. Needless to say, if VHA members have a chance to shoot at a 7-foot-tall, 300-pound varmint, instead of a puny little prairie dog, many more of our members will finally earn their 1000-yard patch.”
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In recent years, the California Legislature has passed a series of laws restricting the rights of California gun owners. The latest example of anti-gun legislation will hit gun owners in their pocketbooks….
If you want to practice your marksmanship in California from now on, get ready to open your wallet and pay the taxman. With the passage of AB 211, recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, California shooters who use paper targets at indoor ranges will have to pay a fee for every hole they put in paper — literally. This new law, codified in the California Penal Code, states that commercial gun ranges must collect a charge of $0.38 per shot, as established by holes made in approved paper targets. This fee, the “Target Tax”, can be raised in the future at the discretion of the California Dept. of Justice. Newsom has justified this new tax, stating that it will be used to fund vital relief programs in the wake of the recent massive Southern California wildfires.
Here’s how it will work, starting June 1, 2025, when the new Target Tax law goes into effect at California ranges. First, all shooters must purchase California DOJ-approved paper targets (you may no longer bring your own). When you purchase a certified target at an indoor range, your name and the number of targets you have purchased will be recorded in a state database. Then, after your shooting session, the targets must be scanned, with the number of shot holes recorded. A charge of $0.38 per scanned hole will be added as a line item for your range session, along with the DOJ target-processing fee of $5.00 per target.
How the Tax Works — Count the holes: With 30 holes, the California target tax on this left target would be 30 x $0.38 or $11.40. By contrast, the tax on the target on the right would be just 38 cents, because there is only one hole, though five shots went through the same hole. Obviously, exceptional marksmanship skills can help reduce your target tax liabilities. But even with just one hole, there is still the DOJ processing fee of $5.00 per target, which applies to every target.
California Targets Must Be Culturally Tolerant and Non-Discriminatory
AB 211 also includes a series of provisions which specify the types of targets which may be purchased. First, as you might expect, all targets must be printed on recycled paper. Second, no target may contain any “hate speech” or “micro-aggressions”. Third, while targets may still show human silhouette-style outlines, any targets which depict a protected minority type or non-binary gender type are forbidden. Likewise, any target that shows discernable culture, religion, or national origin are forbidden. So, a target showing a bearded male wearing a turban would be forbidden. If you had such a target, the range owner would be required, under AB 211, to confiscate it. Shown below are two types of targets that would be illegal in California under AB 211. NOTE: It is unclear whether a zombie target would be allowed, if the Zombie is unknown gender, ethnicity, or culture.
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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 — Primer Sale w/ CCI, Federal, Rem, Magtech & more
⏺️ Large supply of magnum, large, and small primers at good prices
Over the last few years premium brand primers have been pricey and hard to source. Thankfully, things are getting much better. And right now Midsouth is running a major Midsouth Primer Sale with significant savings on CCI, Federal, Winchester, Magtech and other brand primers. Yes there are large rifle primers and CCI BR-4, CCI 450s, and Federal 205M small rifle primers — popular with competitive shooters. Both 1000ct and 5000ct packages are on sale.
2. Natchez — Reloading Press Sale w/ Redding, RCBS, Lyman, Lee
⏺️ Big discounts on many good Redding, RCBS, Lyman, and Lee Presses
With the Giant Press Sale at Natchez you’ll find major discounts (up to 30%) on popular presses from Redding, RCBS, Lyman, and Lee. Single-stage, progressive, and turret-top presses are on sale. If you need a good primary or secondary press, this is a great buying opportunity. For folks who load multiple pistol cartridge types, we can recommend the Lyman BrassSmith 8-station turret. This is offered in a complete Combo Package for $499.99.
3. Amazon — Folding 4-Wheel Gear Cart, $53.99
⏺️ Great deal on folding cart that can handle all your shooting equipment
How many times have you gone to a match or the range and had to make multiple trips for all your gear? Now you can haul the gear easier with a Collapsible Foldable Beach Wagon (#ad). Often used at matches to haul rifles, rests, mats, windflags, spotting scopes etc., these handy carts make life easier at the range or out in the field. The large oversized wheels traverse rough terrain and roll through sand with ease.
⏺️ Very complete kit with good press and quality tools
The Redding Boss ProPak Loading Kit is a great combo for both new reloaders getting started and for more advanced reloaders wanting to upgrade their equipment. And right now this quality Redding ProPak is just $285.94 — over 50% off the regular $577.95 MSRP. The Boss Pro-Pak includes the Redding Boss reloading press, powder and bullet scale, powder trickler, lube pad, deburring tool, case prep kit, powder funnel, and loading manual. Just add dies and you’re ready to handload high-quality ammo.
5. Howa M1100 .22 LR Bolt-Action Rifle, $199.99
⏺️ Major savings on good, accurate bolt-action rimfire rifle
The Howa M1100 is a good first rifle for a young family member or a nice plinking rig. And this bolt-action .22 LR rimfire rig is ultra-affordable — it costs just $199.99 at Vance Outdoors. This same rifle is $283.75 at Buds Gun Shop — nearly $84 more. This 6.3-lb rifle has an 18″ 1:16″-twist blued barrel, synthetic black polymer stock, tactical bolt handle, and a 10-round .22 LR magazine. Buyers report the M1100 rifle is very accurate and Howa offers a solid warranty.
⏺️ Innovative system that cleans both suppressors and muzzle brakes
This product cleans suppressors and muzzle brakes. The Bore Tech Decimator Suppressor Cleaning System is specifically formulated to safely and effectively remove fouling inside suppressors AND remove carbon fouling from ported muzzle brakes. On sale for $219.99 at Graf’s ($30 off MSRP), this Bore Tech kit includes Part A and Part B solvents, vertical stand with overflow catcher, and a spray system that goes inside your suppressor. The Spray Handle and Flushing Lance effectively remove fouling from the chambers and metal parts in both sealed and take-apart suppressors. BoreTech says its Decimator solvents are safe for aluminum, stainless steel, titanium and a wide variety of alloys and coatings.
7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Universal Case Trimmer, $66.70
⏺️ Handy, affordable tool that works for small to magnum cases
Unlike conventional trimmers, the Frankford Arsenal Universal Precision Case Trimmer (#ad) requires no specific pilots or shellholders. The included collets index off the case shoulder to trim any shouldered case from 17 Remington to 460 Weatherby Magnum. Simply install the correct collet, adjust the trimmer to your desired length, and secure the trimmer into a drill or drill press. Cases are then fed into the trimmer by hand. Overall this is a very affordable and versatile system that, in many respects, is more efficient than traditional case trimmers.
8. Palmetto SA — Crimson Trace RAD Max Red Dot, $89.99
⏺️ Quality 3 MOA Reflex sight for pistols/shotguns, 74% OFF
If you need a red dot optic for your pistol or shotgun, consider the Crimson Trace RAD Max. Featuring a red 3 MOA aiming dot, the RAD Max has a recessed, multi-coated lens with a quick acquisition window. Along with a manual on/off button, the RAD Max has an AUTO Shut-off Function that automatically shuts off after 8 hours of operation to conserve battery life. This Red Dot optic has earned praise from purchasers with 88% 5-star ratings. This is a great deal — $260 off MSRP, a 74% discount.
⏺️ Good advanced powder dispenser now $40 Off with FREE Shipping
Here’s a good, modern powder scale/dispenser offered with a HUGE discount. At Midsouth, the Lyman Gen6 Compact Powder Dispenser System is now $40 Off with FREE Shipping. So your total price, delivered, is $219.99 — a great deal. This unit is accurate to +/- 0.1 grains and can use any type of smokeless powder. It has a fast warm-up, anti-static/anti-drift technology, with sophisticated electronic shielding to resist interference from other electronic devices. This unit comes with calibration weight, powder tray, and cleaning brush.
10. Amazon — 52″ Double Rifle Case, $39.99
⏺️ Great price for rugged, dual-rifle carry case
Here’s a very affordable rifle case that can hold long competition rifles. The Huntsen 52″ Double Rifle Case features a removable divider that enables the carrying of one or two rifles up to 50″ OAL. This case includes a large zipper pocket, 3 magazine pouches, plus MOLLE straps for other accessories. For the same $39.99 sale price, this 52″ case is offered in black (#ad), green (#ad), or tan digital camo (#ad) colors.
As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.
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The 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) on April 24-27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Exhibit Hall is open all three days and will showcase over 14 acres of guns and gear. There will also be numerous special events, plus entertainment. If you would like to attend, register for the event and book your hotel soon. The GWCC is the fourth-largest convention center in the United States.
The 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits has events on the 24th and the convention hall will officially open at 9:00 AM on April 25. NRA members and immediate family receive free entry. Non-members can join online or at the door for immediate access. Visit NRAam.org for more information and to purchase tickets for special events.
The 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center (see map below). Thousands of NRA members and their families will gather for a celebration of freedom and American values. The 14-acre exhibit hall will feature the latest guns and gear from firearm industry companies. The schedule of events also includes educational seminars, product demonstrations, and fundraising banquets to supprt Second Amendment rights.
Event Registration
CLICK HERE to REGISTER for the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. NOTE: NRA Members and their immediate family get FREE ENTRY.
CLICK HERE for EVENT Schedule. There will be a powerhouse line-up of political speakers this year. In addition there will be major fundraising events featuring top brand giveaways.
MidwayUSA is Official Sponsor of 2025 NRA Event
The National Rifle Association of America is pleased to announce MidwayUSA as the official sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 25-27. MidwayUSA has been a longtime sponsor of NRA’s annual flagship event.
“We’re pleased to continue our support of the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits and look forward to joining our customers in Atlanta,” said Adam Augustine, MidwayUSA VP of eCommerce.
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Can sustained rapid-fire shooting with no cool-down period wear out a quality barrel more quickly? The answer is “Yes” according to Forum member LCazador, who did an interesting comparison test with two .243 Winchester barrels. He started off with two, identical, match-grade HV taper stainless barrels. Both were NEW at the start of testing, and LCazador shot the same load through each: 95gr match bullets with 38 grains of Hodgdon Varget. After giving both barrels the same, gentle 20-round break-in, 300 rounds were then fired through each barrel — in very different ways. Barrel condition and wear were monitored with a borescope.
Barrel One — Slow Fire, Cool Down Periods, Cleaning Every 50 Rounds
At the end of the 300-round test, Barrel One looked brand new. There was none of the severe fire cracking found in Barrel Two. This barrel was shot no more than 10 times without a cool down and firing was done at a much slower pace. Cleaning for this barrel was done every 50 shots.
Barrel Two — Fast Firing, No Waiting, Cleaning Every 100 Rounds
The second barrel, which received hard use and minimal cleaning, was severely damaged with severe fire cracking at the leade and throat. As a result, the barrel had to be re-chambered. This barrel was shot 100 rounds at time without cleaning and was shot up to 20 times in succession without a cool down.
LESSON LEARNED — Heat Kills Barrel Life
Don’t let your barrel get too hot, and keep it clean. One afternoon can ruin a barrel!
Monitoring Barrel Wear with Borescope
Some folks worry too much about what their borescopes reveal — many barrels do not have to be “squeaky clean” to perform well. In fact some barrels run better after ten or more fouling shots. However, a borescope can be very helpful when your barrel starts losing accuracy for no apparent reason. Forum member FdShuster writes:
“A borescope is a positive way of backing up your suspicions when the rifle starts to throw an occasional (soon followed by more frequent) wild shot. Using the scope is also an excellent way to determine that the cause is barrel wear and not simply a need for a concentrated cleaning session to remove built up copper and more importantly, carbon fouling.
I’ve had a few barrels that gave every indication of being shot out. But I ‘scoped them out and found the cause to be nothing more than requiring a good cleaning. They then returned to their usual performance. There’s no guessing involved when you are able to get ‘up close and personal’ using the scope. The borescope also provides an excellent view of the all-important condition of the crown. My borescope is one of the most valuable investments I’ve ever made.”
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Monitoring Barrel Wear with Borescope
