The U.S. Armed Services’ new champion is a young lady. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Erin McNeil claimed the 2021 Interservice Individual Rifle Champion title with an impressive score of 996-52X, beating out 86 other service members. That score also earned Erin the title of High Woman. The 2021 Interservice Rifle Championships (IRC) continued with other events, including the 1000-yard match. Shown below is SSG McNeil competing in the IRC 1K Match.
Staff Sgt. Erin McNeil hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has a B.S. in Mathematics from Texas Christian University (TCU), and holds the military occupational specialty of battle management system operator. With the USAMU, SSG McNeil has served on the International Shooting Team and the Service Rifle Team. As a USAMU team member, SSG McNeil has earned the President’s 100 Tab, Rifleman’s EIC Badge, and Bronze Medal at the 2014 World Championship in 3-Position/50m Smallbore Rifle.
McNeil started shooting through a 4-H program while in the 8th grade and then shot in college with the TCU Rifle Team. Now, she serves as a shooter/instructor on the USAMU International Rifle Team. In the video below, SSG McNeil talks about her career in competitive shooting, and what she enjoys most about rifle competition — both smallbore and High Power. She notes she gets enjoys instructing young high school and collegiate shooters.
Erin enjoys shooting competition because “It’s really between you and the gun. It’s a very mental game. I think shooting is a great sport… as long as you are able to compete within yourself.”
Like Father, Like Daughter — Both Great Shooters
Erin noted: “My father was very influential in my shooting career. As a child, I looked up to him. I knew that he had been a world-class shooter in his youth. He asked me a few times if I would be interested in starting the 4H Rifle program He was excited when I started showing interest in the program. Although he never coached me for fear of crossing the father/daughter relationship with the athlete/coach relationship, but he was always my biggest supporter and even gave assistance when I asked for it. I had a natural talent for shooting and ended up joining my high school’s Army JROTC. I was given a NCAA scholarship; to TCU during my senior year. After completing college, I was accepted into the USAMU. My dad [was] the quiet, proud encourager of my shooting career[.]”
Words of Praise for SSG Erin McNeil from Facebook
“The nice thing about shooting sports is men and women can compete against each other and be on equal footing. Congratulations on the win!” — Doug Fraser
“Congrats Sergeant McNeil from an old shooter from the 1964 ARADCOM Interservice Rattle Battle matches at Fort Carson Colorado, Ft. Campbell, Ft Sheridan, et cetera. You make me proud of all you folks who carry on the tradition.” — Walter Colbert
“I’ve watched Erin shoot while I was calling the matches from the Tower at the Camp Perry smallbore championships. [She was] never bothered and never ruffled. Just keeps shooting those Xs.” — Ken Kelley
For those of us in the Western USA facing drought, heat waves, and forest fires, it is a bit amazing to see a shooting range with verdant green fields, and lush vegetation. Well that is the environment in far-away Queensland, Australia. Here is a photo essay from Aussie Zac Link Cameron who hails from Cairns, Queensland, up near the Great Barrier Reef. On June 20, 2021, Zac was at a scenic range, shooting out to 1000 yards. He posted on Facebook: “Beautiful morning for it at a beautiful range!”
Zac was competing at 1000 yards with his lovely “missus” Morgan Crisp at the Atherton Rifle Club range, situated west of Cairns in Queensland. Zac and Morgan are members of the Cairns Rifle Club, which also has an 800m range north of Cairns, located inland from Wangetti Beach (see map below). Posting on Facebook, Zac wrote: “First time at 1000 yards for the Missus today with her factory Howa 1500 in .223 Remington. Conditions couldn’t have been more perfect other then the swirling wind not making up its mind! But the little .223 did bloody good for its first outing past 800m. 1000 yards today and my gosh Atherton is a beautiful range!”
Zac wrote: “Dropped 2 points on my first target and didn’t drop any on my second. I definitely need to work on my wind reading though.”
Zac Cameron: “Beautiful morning for it at a beautiful range!”
Indeed, this is a beautiful range. It’s great to see all that greenery. Here is a fly-over video from the Atherton Tableland Gun Club Range, west of Cairns, another popular Queensland shooting venue. You can see other Queensland shooting ranges on Zac Cameron’s Long Range Australia FNQ Facebook page.
Australia Rifle Competition Disciplines
As stated on the Cairns Rifle Club website, there are multiple disciplines sanctioned by the National Rifle Association of Australia (NRAA) which are shot by Cairns Rifle Club:
Target Rifle: This discipline is shot with a .308 or .223 caliber rifle, and held by the shooter using peep sights and a sling. Target Rifle has been actively contested since before World War I. The Cairns Rifle Club has operated continuously since 1893 — 128 years.
F-Class: This discipline is contested with optical sights (scopes) and the use of bipods or rests. Three categories of F-Class exist. Two are shot from an adjustable rest being F-Standard which is limited to either .308 Win or .223 Rem caliber rifles and F-Open which is unlimited up to a maximum of 8mm. The other discipline is F-TR which is shot from a bipod and limited to .308 Win caliber. [Editor’s Note — This is different than in the USA which has F-TR (bipod .223 Rem or .308 Win) and F-Open (front rest, open caliber) only.]
Sporting/Hunting Class: The most recent addition to the disciplines is the Sporting/Hunting Class.
The disciplines are contested at distances from 300m through to 800m at Wangetti and up to 1000 yards elsewhere. Here is a MAP for Wangetti, 40km north of Cairns.
Zac and Morgan are members of the Cairns Rifle Club, an organization with a rich history, going back to 1893. Here are Cairns Rifle Club members in 1903:
The NRA Blog ran an feature on Silhouette shooting by NRA Silhouette Program Coordinator Jonathan Leighton. Here are selections from Leighton’s story:
NRA Silhouette Shooting
The loud crack from the bullet exiting the muzzle followed by an even louder ‘clang’ as you watch your target fly off the railing is really a true addiction for most Silhouette shooters. There is nothing better than shooting a game where you actually get to see your target react to the bullet. In my opinion, this is truly what makes this game so much fun.
Metallic Silhouette — A Mexican Import
Silhouette shooting came to this country from Mexico in the 1960s. It is speculated that sport had its origins in shooting contests between Pancho Villa’s men around 1914. After the Mexican Revolution the sport spread quickly throughout Mexico. ‘Siluetas Metalicas’ uses steel silhouettes shaped like game animals. Chickens up front followed by rows of pigs, turkeys, and furthest away, rams. Being that ‘Siluetas Metalicas’ was originally a Mexican sport, it is common to hear the targets referred to by their Spanish names Gallina (chicken), Javelina (pig), Guajalote (turkey) and Borrego (ram). Depending on the discipline one is shooting, these animals are set at different distances from the firing line, but always in the same order.
Before Steel There Was… Barbeque
In the very beginnings of the sport, live farm animals were used as targets, and afterwards, the shooters would have a barbeque with all the livestock and/or game that was shot during the match. The first Silhouette match that used steel targets instead of livestock was conducted in 1948 in Mexico City, Mexico by Don Gonzalo Aguilar. [Some matches hosted by wealthy Mexicans included high-ranking politicians and military leaders].
As the sport spread and gained popularity during the 1950s, shooters from the Southwestern USA started crossing the Mexican border to compete. Silhouette shooting came into the US in 1968 at the Tucson Rifle Club in Arizona. The rules have stayed pretty much the same since the sport has been shot in the US. NRA officially recognized Silhouette as a shooting discipline in 1972, and conducted its first NRA Silhouette Nationals in November of 1972.
Silhouette Ace Eric Mietenkorte Shooting Smallbore Silhouette — Perfect Form:
Now There Are Multiple Disciplines
The actual sport of Silhouette is broken into several different disciplines. High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Cowboy Lever Action Rifle, Black Powder Cartridge Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, and Hunter’s Pistol are the basic disciplines. Cowboy Lever Action is broken into three sub-categories to include Smallbore Cowboy Rifle, Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Lever Action, and regular Cowboy Lever Action. Black Powder Cartridge Rifle also has a ‘Scope’ class, and Hunter’s Pistol is broken into four sub-categories. Some clubs also offer Military Rifle Silhouette comps.
Where to Shoot Silhouette
NRA-Sanctioned matches are found at gun clubs nation-wide. There are also many State, Regional, and National matches across the country as well. You can find match listings on the Shooting Sports USA website or contact the NRA Silhouette Department at (703) 267-1465. For more info, visit SteelChickens.com, the #1 website dedicated to Silhouette shooting sports.
With gun sales in the USA approaching 40 million guns sold in 2020, the demand for ammo has dramatically gone up, depleting stockpiles and straining ammo manufacturers to keep up with that demand. This has led to extreme price gouging by some online vendors as well as sellers on Gunbroker.
There is a NEW ammunition seller that claims to be committed to providing rifle, pistol, and shotgun ammunition at reasonable prices. This new venture, AmmoSale.com offers a modern website and regular specials. AccurateShooter.com has no direct experience with this enterprise, but it is good to see another option for folks looking for hard-to-find factory ammo.
AmmoSale.com was launched in 2021 out of necessity, offering in-stock ammo at competitive prices while simultaneously keeping the price-gouging ammo sites in check. Located just outside of Columbia, Missouri, AmmoSale.com is smack dab in the middle of the America, enabling high-speed shipping times to all gun buyers across the US.
“AmmoSale.com was launched to focus on the needs of the consumer, getting them the ammo they need to shoot, compete and defend, at a reasonable price,” said Loren Hrabovsky, General Manager of Ammosale.com. “Launching our website and offering great pricing on popular calibers will hopefully start a trend to lower overall pricing in the seller industry. We currently offer some of the cheapest 9mm ammo in America[.]”
AmmoSale.com demands no paid membership or subscription. Buyers can sign up for the newsletter and receive notifications when specific ammo is in stock. AmmoSale.com states it “will always be honest and upfront with what is ‘in stock’ and ready to ship.” [Editor: Hopefully that proves to be the case.]
When Bigger IS Better — The New .416 Colossus ELR Cartridge
John Pierce, founder of Pierce Engineering revealed an impressive new cartridge developed for the ELR (Extreme Long Range) game — the .416 Colossus. This has achieved 3300 fps shooting the Badlands Precision 525gr solid copper projectile (BC: 1.20 G1, .614 G7). Above is a “big rig” designed to shoot this cartridge. This rifle boasts a custom Eliseo chassis with 20X Pierce Engineering action and Krieger barrel. John Pierce noted: “Big thanks to Gary Eliseo for building this special chassis. Pete Contacos owns and tested the rifle and cartridge. He is ecstatic to say the least.”
John Pierce reported on Facebook: “After a long two years of development and waiting to see what results could be achieved, we are very pleased. The Colossus cartridge, designed by Mark Fox and myself, is showing great [results].”
The cartridge boasts impressive velocities. John reports: “Over 3300 fps shooting the Badlands Precision 525gr .416-caliber projectiles. Zero bolt-lift issues from RCC (Robertson Cartridge Co.) brass. [We have] 25 firings on one test piece and still good to go. Big thanks to Dan Warner [at Warner Tool] for making the special, awesome dies.”
More Capacity and Higher Efficiency than .416 Barrett and .416 Warner
One Facebook commenter wanted to know how the .416 Colossus compared to other big .416-caliber cartridges created for the ELR game: “Can you or Mark share the increase in powder capacity over a standard .416 Barrett and over a .416 Warner?” John replied: “I would rather not elaborate on details of cartridge just yet…however it has a bit more capacity and higher efficiency using a large magnum primer.”
Pete Contacos, the rifle’s owner, posted: “I would like to thank everyone who made this possible: John Pierce, Mark Fox, Gary Eliseo, Jeff at RRC Brass, Jason At Badlands Bullets, Dan Warner for dies. This is an AMAZING rifle made possible by all of the above People. THANK YOU ALL… looking forward to seeing you all at the matches this year.”
Gary Eliseo (Competition Machine) is making a similar big chassis for John Pierce. Gary posted: “Yours is almost finished”, to which John replied: “Thank you for the beautiful chassis, exciting to get my Big Red.” Gary has told us that this big new chassis is a scaled-up version of the Competition Machine UMR system. The large Pierce 20X action is epoxied in the chassis, which accepts a Rem-compatible trigger.
About RCC Brass — CNC Machined Quality
RCC manufactures brass cartridges on CNC lathes and mills starting with C272 solid bar stock. RCC reloading brass cartridges are manufactured to SAAMI, CIP, or customer specifications (yes custom cartridge and wildcats can be made). The brass does not use a conventional draw process. This allows the brass to be stronger, according to RCC:
“We machine all our cases on CNC lathes and mills and our case weight, case volume, and our case concentricity are the best available in the industry. We do not anneal the case head as it is hammer-forged to a high tensile strength which gives us the same hardness for each case. Since we use CNC equipment to manufacture our, case weight is nearly identical, the case volume is too, and our case concentricity is held to a 0.001”.
Since we are not held back by the limitations of a [traditional] draw system, we are able to use higher strength alloys to manufacture cartridges. Our C272 brass alloy has a much higher tensile strength and tighter molecular grain structure than C260 brass, without losing the needed elasticity. Test results have been very positive as we’ve had reports of increased in velocity and energy and lower shot deviations versus C260 drawn brass.
We manufacture high-quality reloading brass cartridges for vintage, obsolete, hard to find, and wildcat calibers. All cartridges are made to SAAMI, CIP, or tolerances provided to us. Our unique process allows us to manufacture over 1,500 different cartridges at tolerances up to 0.0005”. We manufacture reloading brass cartridges for any firearm.
We custom fit brass to the chamber of your firearm. Our custom fit program will give you the headspace and chamber dimensions best suited for your firearm. Customers can send us fire-formed brass, a chamber cast, or the firearm for the custom cartridge. We do Wildcats too. Send us a reamer drawing, or a dimensioned drawing and we will manufacture your wildcat cartridge. There is a one time set-up fee for all wildcats and a 100 piece minimum order. We do Custom Headstamps too. We use our CNC mills to engrave headstamps. We are able to do text and some graphics too.”
If you purchased Winchester or Browning 9mm Luger (9x19mm Parabellum) ammunition this year, you should check your lot numbers. Olin Winchester is recalling numerous lots of 9mm Luger 115 grain Full Metal Jacket and 115 grain Jacketed Hollow Point pistol ammunition. The problem is the ammo may yield “squib” loads that could leave a bullet in the barrel. With a subsequent shot, this could be very dangerous. The affected 9mm ammo products have symbols: Q4172, RED9, USA9JHP, USA9MMVP, USA9W, WW9B.
NOTE: The ammunition Lot Number is stamped on the cartons as shown below:
NOTE: Winchester states “If ammunition of the above Symbols was purchased BEFORE March 25, 2021, it is NOT subject to the recall.” This recall notice applies only to the above 9mm Luger 115 FMJ and JHP Symbols with the above Lot Numbers.
Safety Issue Leading to Recall: Winchester has determined the above lots of 9mm Luger 115 FMJ/JHP ammunition may contain propellant that does not properly ignite and burn when the cartridge is fired. Ammunition containing propellant that does not properly ignite and burn may result in a bullet remaining in the barrel (i.e. a bullet-in-bore obstruction). Firing a subsequent bullet into the bore obstruction could cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable and subjecting the shooter and bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury.
How to Check Your Ammo: To determine if your ammunition is subject to this recall, review the Symbol and Lot Number. If it is any of the above Symbols and Lot Numbers, immediately discontinue use and contact Winchester toll-free at 844-653-8358 for free UPS pick-up of the recalled ammunition. Upon receipt of your recalled ammunition, Winchester will ship replacement ammunition directly to you or issue you a reimbursement check.
If you have any questions concerning this 9mm Luger 115 FMJ / JHP pistol ammunition recall please call toll-free 844-653-8358, write to Winchester (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: 9mm Luger Recall), or visit our website at Winchester.com.
BROWNING 9mm Luger Ammo Recall NOTICE
Along with the Winchester ammo recalled, Browning Ammunition is recalling the following lots of Browning 9mm Luger 115 grain Full Metal Jacket pistol ammunition: Symbol B191800092 with Lot Numbers SC13LD20, or SD10LD20.
The reason for the Browning Recall is the same as for the Winchester 9mm Luger ammunition — possible “squib” loads that could leave a bullet in the barrel of the gun.
DO NOT USE BROWNING 9mm Luger 115 FMJ SYMBOL B191800092 THAT HAS LOT NUMBER SC13LD20 or SD10LD20. The ammunition Lot Number is stamped on the 50-round carton as indicated here:
Browning Ammunition has determined the above lots of 9mm Luger 115 FMJ ammunition may contain propellant that does not properly ignite and burn when the cartridge is fired. Ammunition containing propellant that does not properly ignite and burn may result in a bullet remaining in the barrel (i.e., a bullet-in-bore obstruction). Firing a subsequent bullet into the bore obstruction could cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable and subjecting the shooter and bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury.
This notice applies only to Symbol B191800092 with Lot Number SC13LD20 or SD10LD20. Other Symbols or Lot Numbers are not subject to this recall. Note: If ammunition was purchased before March 25, 2021, it is NOT subject to the recall.
If you have any questions concerning this 9mm Luger 115 FMJ pistol ammunition recall please call toll-free 844-653-8358, write to Browning Ammunition (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: 9mm Luger Recall), or visit our website at Browningammo.com.
On August 9, 2021 the Vintage Sniper Team Match returns to Camp Perry, Ohio. We’re glad to see this popular match return after it (and other Nationals events) were cancelled in 2020 due to the Pandemic. This unique Sniper Team event is a two-man team competition using scoped rifles of WWI and WWII Vintage. This has become one of the most popular CMP rifle matches held at Camp Perry, with over 200 teams competing in recent years. Many competitors use some version of the M1903 Springfield, but you’ll also see scoped M1 Garands, M1917s, K31s, Mausers, and even a Lee-Enfield or two. There are both bolt action and semi-auto classifications, with each division being scored separately.
We expect 200+ teams to compete for the Vintage Sniper Trophy this summer. Two-person teams will fire 10 rounds in 20-second intervals from scoped vintage military rifles set on sand bags. One team marksman shoots from the prone position at 300 and 600 yards, while the other serves as a spotter to relay shot position. Marksman and spotter switch positions on the firing lines, allowing each teammate to play both roles. Scores are then combined for an Aggregate team total.
Who can identify this rifle, with its unusual scope mount?
“Walking down the … line one can find a plethora of various rifle models. Although 1903A4 and USMC M1941 builds made up a significant majority of the rifles on the line, other models such as the K98, M1C, M1D, M91/30, Swedish Mausers, and the No4 Mk1 (T) had their place in the hands of various shooters.” — Criterion Barrels Article
Our friends at Criterion Barrels have published a great article about the Vintage Sniper Rifle Match. This story offers a fascinating “insider’s perspective” on the Match, plus Vintage Sniper gunsmithing tips, Anyone considering shooting the Vintage Sniper match for the first time should definitely read this article.
About the Match and the Rifles
The Vintage Sniper Match was the brainchild of Hornady’s Dave Emary. The competition was inspired by his father, a World War II scout sniper, who carried a rifle similar to the 1903A4 rifle builds that can be found today on the Camp Perry firing line. Bob Schanen worked alongside Dave and the CMP staff in establishing the various competition rules prior to the first official Vintage Sniper Match in 2011. The match developers made a point to offer some level of flexibility in rifle configuration, allowing specific types of non-issue optics and rifle rebuilds. This helped make the match more inclusive.
Hornady’s Dave Emary and “Gunny” R. Lee Ermey (RIP):
Camp Perry — The Venue
The hallowed grounds of Camp Perry have hosted some of the nation’s finest shooters each summer for more than a century. Some of the world’s greatest marksmen have accomplished remarkable feats on the ranges of this lakeside military outpost. Located on the coast of Lake Erie, Camp Perry is positioned just outside of the scenic town of Port Clinton, Ohio. It is our firm belief that every shooter should make the pilgrimage to the Camp Perry at least once in their lifetime. If not participating in an event, visitors should at least make an attempt to meet the competitors, witness the wide selection of firearms used by participants, and pay a visit to the various vendors on base.
Did you know that there’s a free online resource that provides key data for thousands of bullet designs? The ShootForum Bullet Database provides profiles with weight, length, SD, and Ballistic Coefficient for nearly 3900 bullet types from all the major manufacturers. You can access all this info for free. This is a great place to start when you’re considering bullet options for a new rifle, or a new chambering for an existing rifle. To be fair, not all the latest, greatest match bullets are listed here. Could the database benefit from updates — yes, but it is still a great info source. You should definitely bookmark this resource for easy access in the future.
The massive ShootForum.com Bullet Database includes over 3900 bullet designs in all. We counted nearly 200 different 6mm bullets! The bullet info comes from the makers of QuickLOAD Software. Access to the online database is FREE. Most database entries include Caliber, Manufacturer, Stated Bullet Weight, True Bullet Weight, Length, Sectional Density (SD), and Ballistic Coefficient. In many cases multiple BCs are provided for different velocity ranges. Having bullet length lets you know right away if your cartridge/bullet combo can fit your magazine.
NOTE: This database has not been fully updated for a few years, so it certainly does not include all the latest and greatest projectiles, such as new match bullets from Sierra and Berger, or the Hornady A-Tips. However, as far as we can determine, this is still the largest bullet-database on the internet. Even without recent updates, this remains a hugely valueable resource.
The database is great if you’re looking for an unusual caliber, or you want a non-standard bullet diameter to fit a barrel that is tighter or looser than spec. You’ll find the popular jacketed bullets from major makers, plus solids, plated bullets, and even cast bullets. For those who don’t already own QuickLOAD software, this is a great resource, providing access to a wealth of bullet information.
by Sierra Bullets Ballistic Technician Paul Box
All of us who have been in reloading and shooting for any period of time have read how sectional density has been regarded as a bullet’s ability to penetrate. Back before high velocity came along and modern bullet design, the easiest way to get more “power” and penetration was by increasing the diameter and mass. After all, a bowling ball will hurt more than a golf ball, right?
Let’s take a closer look at sectional density.
The formula for calculating sectional density is pretty simple and straight forward. Take the bullet weight and divide by 7000. This number is then divided by the bullet diameter squared. Two bullets of equal weight and the same diameter will have equal sectional sectional density. No regard is given to the bullet construction. This is where the fly hits the soup in considering sectional density as far as penetration is concerned.
Section Density Formula: (Bullet Weight divided by 7000) divided by Bullet Diameter squared.
Bullet construction is the biggest factor in how it is able to penetrate. The best example I can think of here is to look at the Sierra .224 55 Gr. FMJBT GameKing #1355 compared to the 55 Gr. BlitzKing #1455. Both are .224 and weigh 55 grs. Both have a sectional density of .157. But there is a huge difference in their construction. The FMJ has a thick jacket and is designed to penetrate. The BlitzKing is designed for fast and rapid expansion with little concern for how deep they will penetrate.
The next time you’re choosing a bullet, look at the construction and less at the sectional density number. It’s all about the construction anyway. If you have any questions or would like to discuss sectional density or bullet penetration further, please give us a call at 800-223-8799 or shoot us an email at sierra@sierrabullets.com.
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.
⏺ Nicely equipped semi-auto .22LR — Good for NRL22 matches
Are you looking to get into the NRL22 discipline but don’t have a rifle to do it with? Check out the Thompson Center T/CR22 .22 LR Rimfire Rifle. This features a 17″ barrel (with front and rear sights) and the stock has a handsome Mossy Oak Camo finish. Equipped with a Picatinny Rail, this is ready to mount a scope for competition. This is a good starter rifle for NRL22 and other tactical rimfire games. Plus it can serve for fun plinking and hunting small varmints.
⏺ Save $110-$125 on quality spotters with Big 82mm objectives
Having a quality spotting scope is critical for a successful hunt or for reading wind and mirage at a match. One of the absolute best scope for the money is the Kowa 82sv and right now you can take advantage of the Kowa Scope Specials over at Creedmoor Sports. You can pick up the 82sv along with a cover plus your choice of the 25x LER eyepiece or the 20-60x eye piece and be ready for whatever adventure is next on your list.
3. Bullet Central — Berger 7mm 180gr Hybrid Bullets, $63.99
⏺ Choice of Champions — Get Berger 7mm 180s while you can
One of the most sought-after match bullets right now is the Berger 7mm/.284 180gr Hybrid Match Bullet. Many vendors are sold out. But we found them in-stock at Bullet Central and ready to ship. Considering the demand, we wouldn’t wait long to order and we’d probably order enough for your upcoming matches this year (including the F-Class Nationals).
4. Amazon — Roll-Up Shooting Mat with Bonus Sand Bag, $34.99
⏺ Great value, rolls-up into small format, free support sandbag
Traveling for matches can often mean stripping down to the bare minimum of gear and that usually mean leaving behind large padded shooting mats. A good option instead is a packable shooting mat such as this 78.5″ x 28.5″ Depring folding mat. This mat folds up into a very small footprint making it great for throwing in your checked baggage. FOUR Colors are offered, all priced at $34.99: Tan (shown), OD Green, Black, and Camo. These Depring shooting mats ship with a FREE 6″ x 3.75″ “Unfilled Gun Rest Sand Bag” which can be used for front or rear support.
5. Midsouth — LEE Breech Lock Reloader Press, $41.99
⏺ Great deal on compact press with breech lock quick die changes
Every handloader can benefit from a compact, secondary press for decapping at home and/or seating bullets at the range. Weighing under 2.5 pounds, this LEE Breech Lock Reloader Press is easy to transport. The open front design makes it easy to insert/remove cases. This LEE press offers Breech Lock functionality for rapid die changes. With the Breech Lock bushing in place, you can instantly swap dies with a twist of the wrist. Right now this LEE Reloader Press is on sale for $41.99 at Midsouth
6. Natchez — Federal XM193 5.56×45 Ammo 400rds, $399.99
⏺ Big savings on CCI 9mm ammo and XM193 ammo for ARs and .223 Rem rifles
Natchez is running a special ammo deal right now. You can save on rifle and pistol ammo AND get FREE SHIPPING. Choose one of three bulk packs: CCI Blazer 9mm 500 rounds for $549.99; or Federal XM193 5.56×45 400 rounds in can for $369.99 ($319.99/400 rds if you buy two cans); or Winchester Lake City M193 5.56×45 1000 rounds in box for $779.99. NOTE: The rifle bulk packs are officially 5.56x45mm ammo, but it should also shoot fine in most modern rifles chambered for .223 Remington. The CCI 9mm and Winchester M193 are priced very competitively, so don’t hesitate.
7. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Allen Soft Rifle Case Sale, 20% OFF
⏺ Huge selection of soft-side rifle cases on sale starting at $16
You can never have enough protection for your rifles while transporting them which means having a quality soft case. A great place to start is with the Allen soft case sale over at Sportsman’s Warehouse. You’ll find everything from simple single gun cases to deluxe double rifle cases — all at 20% off.
⏺ Durable, fitted pistol cases for 3 or 6 handguns
Do you find yourself needing to transport several pistols at a time but are tired of having a case for every gun? A handy, affordable solution are the MTM Tactical Pistol Handgun Cases. These fitted cases are offered in different sizes to accommodate 3 to 6 pistols with ease. These can also be locked up to comply with just about any state requirement. They also feature a rubber O-Ring for weather protection.
⏺ Versatile knife for camping and home, sharp stainless blade
Sometimes you just need a simple, no-nonsense knife in the field that doesn’t cost a lot in case it’s lost or broken. We found this Morakniv Craftline Pro S Fixed Blade Utility Knife which fits the bill exactly. It’s stainless steel, comes with a sheath, and is 3.6″ long making it well-suited for a multitude of cutting tasks. It also makes a good marine safety knife.
10. Amazon — MTM 50rd Deluxe Ammo Carry Box, $11.49
⏺ Hinged top, bullet tip protection, secure latches
Carrying 50 rounds of .20 Practical, .222 Rem, .204 Ruger, or .223 Rem/5.56×45 ammunition has never been easier thanks to the MTM H50-RS Deluxe 50-Round Rifle Ammo Case. These stackable MTM ammo boxes feature a strong, durable mechanical hinge. This provides years of use and allows the lid to sit flat. This MTM Deluxe case also has specially designed slots that hold the cartridges in place while protecting the bullet tips. Maximum Overall Cartridge Lenthe is 2.37″ bullet up and 3.45″ bullet down.
The 
Metallic Silhouette — A Mexican Import
Before Steel There Was… Barbeque
Traveling for matches can often mean stripping down to the bare minimum of gear and that usually mean leaving behind large padded shooting mats. A good option instead is a 
Carrying 50 rounds of .20 Practical, .222 Rem, .204 Ruger, or .223 Rem/5.56×45 ammunition has never been easier thanks to the 
