According to Shooting Industry magazine, a large segment of gun buyers are now gravitating toward long-range shooting. Short carbines with red dots are OUT. Precision rifles with high-power optics are IN. Interest in long-range shooting has driven sales of modular bolt guns and upgraded ARs in .224 Valkyrie or 6.5 Grendel. Shooting Industry states: “Dealers around the country report interest in long-range shooting has ignited over the past 12+ months”. In fact, “long-range shooting has become a passion for a larger number of shooters, leading to increased potential for sales of guns, ammo, and accessories[.]”
Doug Gifford of CORE Rifle Systems and GTO Guns in Florida observes: “For the past 12 months or so, I’ve seen a huge move toward interest in long-range accuracy.” Modern bolt-action rifles in popular chamberings such as 6.5 Creedmoor “are probably the fastest-moving modular sporting guns at the moment”.
Ruger Precision Rifle Leads the Way
Vikram Mookerajee of Pinnacle Firearms in Indiana says the introduction of the Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) several years ago really “opened up the market” to a broader spectrum of customers. The RPR created a whole new market segment for modular chassis rifles. With “street price” under $1250 (and under $1000 during sales), the RPR delivered a modern-looking, modular rifle system at an affordable price. This was not your grand-pappy’s deer rifle — the modular look appealed to a younger market segment. RPR accuracy out of the box was pretty good too.
Following the success of the basic RPR, offered in 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win, Ruger has introduced a big Magnum version in .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum. This is a large rifle, weighing 15.2 lbs. without optics. And, with a $2099 MSRP ($1700 street price) it is considerably more expensive than the original RPR.
Long-Range Interest Drives Sales of Expensive Optics
The increasing interest in long-range shooting has driven sales of higher-magnification optics, particularly First Focal Plane (FFP) scopes with Mil-type reticles. Core’s Gifford notes: “The long-range trend is moving into real science. Shooters are looking at parallax and focal plane; they’re getting into the science of optics.” The latest generation of scopes aren’t cheap. For example, the 7-35x56mm FFP Nightforce ATACR, one of the most popular optics with PRS shooters, retails for $3600.00! You can buy a pretty nice used motorcycle or bass-boat for that kind of money.
Registration is now open for the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) 2019 Travel Games – a variety of rifle and pistol events held around the country throughout the year. The CMP’s Cup Matches, formerly known as the Creedmoor Cup Matches, will now be a fixture at Travel Games events. Cup Matches include a 4-Man Team Match, an EIC Rifle Match, and three days of 80-Shot events.
2019 Travel Games Schedule:
26 April-5 May – Eastern CMP Cup & Games, Camp Butner, NC
7-9 June – Talladega D-Day Matches, Talladega, AL
16-22 September – New England CMP Cup & Games, Jericho, VT
7-13 October – Oklahoma CMP Cup & Games, Oklahoma City, OK
19-24 November – Talladega 600, Talladega, AL
IMPORTANT: The CMP Travel Games 2019 schedule includes major changes! The Western CMP Travel Games event, usually held in Phoenix in October, will NOT be held 2019. However, the Western Games WILL resume in March 2020. For 2019, the Oklahoma CMP Games event will move from its typical April time-frame to October. Additionally, the Talladega 600 Match has been moved up from December to November.
Oklahoma CMP Cup & CMP Games Matches – The Oklahoma Games were moved from April to October in place of the Western CMP Games & CMP Cup Matches, which will return March 13-22, 2020.
Eastern CMP Cup & CMP Games Matches – The Eastern Games will revert back to a schedule used in the past, with CMP Games matches fired first, followed by Cup Matches to conclude the event.
Take Note: There are NO Western Travel Games in 2019 — Western Games Come Back in 2020.
Competition and Small Arms Firing Schools
Events fired at the Travel Games include a mix of modern and vintage military rifle competitions like the John C. Garand, Springfield, Rimfire Sporter, Carbine and Vintage Sniper Matches. The Travel Games also feature a growing field of pistol opportunities, as well as a Small Arms Firing School for new and experienced marksmen. Other informative clinics are conducted throughout the Games Matches by qualified CMP staff members.
Travel Games Will Employ Electronic Targets
E-Targets Means NO PIT DUTY
Rifle competitions will be fired on CMP Targets, a modern electronic target system that instantaneously produces shot placement and eliminates the need for pit duty. This allows quicker matches, with faster relays, and less wasted time. There is also less physical strain for older competitors.
For more information on the CMP Travel Games and/or to register, visit: CMP Travel Games Page.
CCI and Federal Premium are both brands of Vista Outdoor. Most CCI rimfire is produced in Idaho, while other Federal-branded rimfire ammo is produced in Federal’s Anoka, Minnesota facilities. Here we feature videos from both CCI and Federal ammo plants. Watch and learn how rimfire ammo is made.
Field & Stream Tours Federal Ammo Plant in Minnesota
A reporter for Field & Stream recently got a chance to tour the Federal ammunition production facility in Anoka, Minnesota. This large plant produces both rimfire and centerfire ammunition. While touring the plant, the reporter was allowed to capture video showing the creation of .22 LR rounds from start to finish. This is a fascinating video, well worth watching.
Note to Viewers — After Starting Video, Click Speaker Icon to HEAR audio!
This revealing video shows all phases of .22 LR ammo production including cupping, drawing, annealing, washing, drying, head-stamping, priming, powder charging, bullet seating, crimping, waxing, inspection, and final packaging. We recommend you watch the video from start to finish. You’ll definitely learn some new things about rimfire ammo.
.22 LR Ammo Production in Idaho
Back in 2016, YouTuber 22Plinkster was able to tour the CCI Ammo plant in Lewiston, Idado. Here is the rimfire production video he produced.
The Manufacturing Process for .22 LR Rimfire Ammunition Shooting Sports USA explains: “Rimfire cartridge cases are the oldest self-contained cartridge in existence, having been in continuous production since the mid-1850s. Rimfire cases are drawn from a thin piece of brass and formed with a hollow rim. A priming compound is then forced into the case using centrifugal force, where it is charged with powder and a bullet is seated in the mouth of the case. The case is then crimped around the bullet to ensure sufficient push and pull when the round is fired. When the firing pin strikes the thin brass rim of the case, the hollow rim is crushed and the primer is ignited.” Source: SSUSA.org 9/2/2017.
This rifle features a massive BAT “L” Round Action, McMillan Beast Stock, 38″ Bartlein 1:7″-twist Barrel, T5 Terminator Muzzle Brake, R.A.D. Recoil Reduction unit, and a customized Cheek Riser. The “Beast” stock name is appropriate — this rifle weighs a massive 38 pounds. Including the T5 brake, the finished barrel, chambered in .375 CheyTac, is 44″ long! All the work was done by Hall-of-Fame shooter and gunsmith Thomas “Speedy” Gonzales, of S.G. Precision LLC in San Antonio, Texas. If you want a rifle like this, Speedy says the lead time is 6-9 months. CONTACT SPEEDY, or call (210) 368-9010, or (972) 672-6630.
Speedy milled vents in the fore-end. He told us “when you’re burning 150+ grains of powder you need all the ventilation you can get to help reduce the barrel heat.”
There are many good brakes out there, then there’s the “TERMINATOR”! — Speedy
The Phoenix Bipod employs a lowering modification.
Sometimes you have an opportunity to go shooting but you’re a long way from home and your regular tall target frame(s). Here’s a handy product — a foldable cardboard cone — you can easily carry in your vehicle and deploy any time.
With this innovative Target Cone you can easily carry a target-holder wherever you go. The Target Cone from Re-Nine Safety transports flat so it can be easily stowed in the trunk of your car (or even under a seat). When you’re ready to use it, simply fold the flaps to create a self-supporting cone with pre-printed targets on one side. Place a rock on the base to hold it steady. The Target Cone can be used by itself or, as shown below, you can attach other targets, such as Re-Nine’s Silhouette Target (below right).
We think this is a great innovation. Keep a couple Target Cone flats in the back of your car or truck and you’ll always have a target support. For spur-of-the-moment range sessions, this is much easier than toting around a big target frame. The Re-Nine Safety Target Cones come flat, fold together and interlock forming a sturdy 28″ tall stand-alone target.
Got .22 LR Ammo? Here is a crazy good deal that will get you a year’s worth of rimfire ammo — 3500 rounds — for just $116.64 after Rebate. That’s just 3.3 cents per round. Here’s how it works…
2. Order seven (7) 500-ct Bricks of CCI Blazer .22 LR Ammo for $153.93 ($21.99 per brick on sale).
3. Type in Code “NCS” in the Discount Code slot. This NCS Code knocks $15 dollars off the price AND provides FREE Shipping. Cost is now $138.93.
4. Apply for the CCI Factory Rebate. This rebates you $21.99, what you paid (after discount) for one of the CCI 500-ct Bricks.
5. With the $21.99 Rebate, your Net Cost is just $116.94 delivered.
That’s $116.94 for 3500 rounds of .22 LR ammo — GREAT DEAL!
To get this deal you purchase the ammo from Brownells for $138.93 with Code NCS and then apply for the CCI pre-paid credit card worth $21.99. NOTE: You must purchase on or before 3/31/2019.
PRS and NRL fans — and really anyone interested in “move and shoot” type competitions — should definitely watch this video. It’s excellent. No hype folks — this Editor has watched dozens of PRS/tactical videos and this is one of the best filmed and edited. You get a real feel for the competition — the challenges, the gun-handling, the hardware, and, of course, the camaraderie.
GREAT VIDEO — WATCH PRS Finale Down Under in Australia:
NOTE: Click Speaker Icon to play audio.
This video covers the 2018 Vortex Season Finale in Buchan, Victoria, Australia. This was the culmination of the Australia Precision Rifle Series (AUS PRS). To say it looks like fun is an understatement. We wish we could have participated.
More Aussie PRS Matches in 2019 Starting This Month
There are more Aussie Matches in 2019, starting with a Victoria match at the end of this month, on March 29-31, 2019. So far, FIVE matches are locked in for the 2019 season, with another TWO being planned:
March 29th – 31st | SSAA Mildura, VIC
May 10th – 12th | Pracitcal Shooting SA (Monarto, SA)
When covering SHOT Show 2019 our reporters focused primarily on rifles, optics, and reloading equipment, because this website is dedicated to rifle accuracy. However we know many of our readers are interested in pistols and revolvers, and we bet the majority of our Forum members own handguns. This Editor used to compete in IDPA and other pistol disciplines and I still love my semi-autos and wheelguns.
For you pistoleros, here are five videos covering some of the best new handgun options for 2019. The first video in the list covers multiple handguns — four recommended 1911-type pistols. Enjoy.
Top Four 1911 Pistols from SHOT Show 2019
Pistols Round-Up — Top New Handguns 2019
TOP Five Sub-Compact Handguns Under $500
New COLT Revolvers and 1911s
SIG Sauer P320X Compact
HANDGUN SKILLS — Pistol Training Target
This 12″ Bullseye Pistol Diagnostic Target helps improve handgun marksmanship. The target diagnoses common problems based on shot impact zones. While this target is designed for righties, left-handed shooters can use the target too. Just observe the opposite tips.
YouTube Strikes Again — More Censorship, More Channel Freezes without Good Cause
YouTube is a “hostile environment” for firearms and the shooting sports. Last week, YouTube announced that, going forward, all strikes against videos that violate Community Guidelines will now carry the same punishment: a temporary ban from YouTube activity, with the length of time increasing with the strikes.
That’s right — a single “violation”, which might be triggered by an exaggerated or malicious complaint by anti-gunners, can result in a complete channel shut-down for a period.
Previously, YouTube had a “three strikes and you’re out” policy, but each strike had a different penalty. The first strike had resulted in a 90-day live-streaming freeze, while the second would result in a two-week freeze on video uploads, via techcrunch.com. In addition, YouTube has demonetized many gun-related channels, cutting off advertising revenues.
Responding to the YouTube censorship and often unjustified shut-downs of shooting-centric channels, GetZone.com is now offering a viable option for gun/hunting/reloading video producers. GetZone, a modern outdoor-focused digital platform, “welcomes gun-related YouTube channels that promote legal firearms, demonstration of their use, and lawful sales”.
GetZone.com Welcomes Gun and Hunting Video Producers
GetZone.com stated: “As attacks on our 2nd Amendment continue, it is more important than ever for the outdoor industry to have a trusted, dedicated video platform like GetZone.com. If you’re a banned YouTuber, or you know someone who is, [contact us] to get your videos hosted on GetZone.com. While YouTube continues to shut down gun-related content, there is a tremendous amount of quality firearms, training, and hunting information that producers need to distribute and viewers need to see.”
In addition to video content, GetZone.com offers discussion (comment) functionality moderated by users, thus providing the firearms community a reliable place to communicate.
Want to see a bullet hit a target in ultra-ultra-slow motion? Watch this video to witness some amazing things — such as a bullet jacket peeling back like a banana-skin (at time-mark 7:30). A while back, Werner Mehl of Kurzzeit.com produced a 10-minute video for the SHOT Show. This video has has been watched over 10.6 million times, making it one of the most popular shooting-related videos in history. Employing cameras recording at up to 1,000,000 (one million) frames per second, Mehl’s bullet flight video has been called “astounding” and “mesmerizing”. If you haven’t seen it yet, sit back and enjoy!
Watch This Video! It’s Really Something Special…
LINK: Kurzzeit.com Video System and PVM-21 Chronograph
Click the link above to learn more about Werner Mehl and his super-sophisticated camera systems that can record at 1,000,000 frames per second. On the same linked page you can learn about the advanced PVM-21 chronograph (now sold as the BMC-19) designed by Werner. Operating “all-infrared, all the time”, the PVM-21/BMC-19 is the best optical chronograph we have tested for very low light conditions, or very tricky light conditions.
