Western Powders has released its NEW Handloading Guide, Edition 7.0. This $2.99 print resource contains the latest load data for Western’s propellants including Accurate, Ramshot, and Blackhorn powders. Edition 7.0 features the most current data available for Ramshot and Accurate powders, including popular LT30 and LT32, and new Accurate TCM, Accurate 11FS and Ramshot LRT propellants. This latest load guide also has load data for the new 224 Valkyrie, 300 Norma, and 30 Nosler cartridges. Along with reloading recipes, this resource features helpful articles on handloading methods and rifle maintenance/cleaning with X-Treme products.
In the new Handloading Guide 7.0 , you’ll find load data for over 100 rifle cartridges. The cartridge listings are up to date — you’ll find the popular new mid-sized competition cartridges, such as the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5×47 Lapua, along with many popular wildcat varmint cartridges, such as the 20 Vartarg, 20 Tactical, and 20 BR. Benchresters will also find recipes for the new LT 30 and LT 32 powders which have proven very accurate in the 30BR and 6PPC respectively.
Download FREE Version 6.0 Guide:
If you can live without the very latest info, you can still get Version 6.0 of Western’s Reloading Guide for FREE. That’s right Version 6.0 is a FREE downloadable PDF. This FREE Reloading & Load Data Guide (Edition 6.0) contains thousands of recipes for handgun and rifle cartridges (plus shotshell and muzzle-loading info).
Once again a serious threat to citizens’ Second Amendment rights is coming from the Left Coast. If you live in Washington State, you need to educate yourself on Initiative 1639 (I-1639), a THIRTY-page gun control measure on the November ballot. This is one of the most restrictive and radical gun measures ever put on a State ballot. Your vote is needed to block I-1639 from becoming law.
This measure basically defines virtually ALL self-loading long guns as “assault rifles”. This would even include popular .22 LR rimfire rifles such as the Ruger 10/22, Marlin 60, and Remington 597. In addition, I-1639 imposes draconian gun storage requirements, imposes new taxes on gun ownership, creates a far-reaching gun registry, and mandates annual “verification” of gun owners. LEARN MORE HERE*.
“Law enforcement professionals recognize the extreme nature of I-1639,” said Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. “Not only does the initiative discriminate against gun owners, it classifies common recreational firearms as ‘semiautomatic assault rifles’ and requires gun buyers to surrender their medical privacy in order to exercise a constitutionally-protected right.” I-1639 is being pushed by the Seattle-based Alliance for Gun Responsibility, an extreme anti-gun advocacy group funded by billionaire dollars.
Not just organized gun rights groups are opposing I-1639. In fact many Washington State law enforcement organizations have opposed this far-reaching anti-gun measure.
The Washington State Sheriffs Association (WSSA), Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs (WACOPS) and Washington State Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association (WSLEFIA) all oppose I-1639.
The WSLEFIA stated: “Initiative 1639 is being promoted as a public safety measure; those actually working law enforcement know that IT WILL DO NOTHING TO STOP A SINGLE CRIME. This initiative has nothing to do with ‘assault weapons’ and is directed only at our good citizens who already pass multiple background checks before owning a firearm. I-1639 is an attack on civil rights and is an attempt to marginalize all firearm owners, including law enforcement officers. I-1639 will impair public safety, embolden criminals and impose burdensome restrictions on our most law-abiding citizens.”
WACOPS Executive Director Teresa Taylor added, “WACOPS believe that Initiative 1639 contains provisions that are in clear violation of both state and federal individual constitutional rights, which, as law enforcement, officers, WACOPS members are sworn to uphold. In addition to the constitutional issues, this 30-page initiative, if passed, would impose significant restrictions on a citizen’s ability to possess and access commonly-owned firearms for lawful self-defense.”
* Furthermore, according to the NRA: “The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) and law enforcement agencies are directed to collect and store information on purchases and transfers of guns under this Initiative, without limits on how this information may be used. Besides putting sensitive personal data at risk, this opens the door to a government registry of guns and gun owners. The Initiative also directs law enforcement agencies and the DOL to develop a process to ‘verify, on an annual or more frequent basis’, that both handgun and SAR owners continue to be eligible to possess any firearm under state and federal law. It authorizes law enforcement to ‘take steps to ensure’ that anyone who fails the verification process no longer possesses guns. The Initiative doesn’t rule out seizure and confiscation of firearms as means of enforcing this directive.”
Here’s a simple modification that makes your classic beam balance more user-friendly. For a few dollars you can enhance your balance scale system to improve work-flow and reduce eye strain. This clever modification makes it easier to see the balance’s zero-mark center-line when weighing charges.
When he chooses to measure his loads or sort bullets by weight, Forum Member Boyd Allen likes his trusty RCBS 10-10 scale. He finds that it works predictably, time after time, and it doesn’t suffer from the drift and calibration issues that plague some of the less-expensive electronic scales on the market.
To make it easier to see the balance point, Boyd has adapted a magnifying glass with a mirror. This makes the end of his balance beam easier to view from his normal position on the bench. Boyd explains: “This set-up uses a cheap magnifier with positioning arms that was probably designed to hold and magnify small objects while soldering them. I think that it came from Harbor Freight many years ago. The mirror lets you look at the scale as if is was at eye level, and of course the magnifier makes the image easier to see.”
Do You Like H4350? Then You Should Try Reloder 16 — It Is Accurate and Temp Stable
Alliant Reloder 16 is used now by many top shooters for cartridges that work well with Hodgdon H4350. In fact, we’d say that Reloder 16 is the best substitute for H4350 on the market. Alliant’s RL 16 is very temp stable, offers good velocity, and the accuracy is top tier. Some guys report slightly better accuracy than H4350 in the .284 Win, .260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, and 6XC cartridges. If you currently use H4350, you should definitely give Alliant Reloder 16 a try. The powder also boasts excellent lot-to-lot consistency and contains a proprietary de-coppering additive.
This is NOT just a slower version of Alliant’s double-based Reloder 15 (which words great in the 6mmBR and Dasher cartridges). Reloder 16 is a completely new formulation, produced in Sweden by Bofors for Alliant. Reloder 16 utilizes TZ technology, which manipulates the response of the propellant and resists the natural tendency to generate more pressure at higher temperatures and less pressure at lower temperatures. As a result, Alliant’s Reloder 16 offers truly outstanding temperature stability.
Match and Hunting Cartridge Applications:
Alliant tells us that Reloder 16 “is ideal for traditional hunting cartridges, such as .30-06 Springfield and .270 Winchester, as well as 6.5mm target loads and tactical applications wherein temperature stability is required.” We also think the powder will work well in these popular match cartridges: 6XC, 6mm Creedmoor, .243 Win, 6.5×47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Rem, .284 Win, and .300 WSM. For example, Alliant’s Reloder 16 Load Data Page shows a 2932 FPS load with Berger 130 grain Hybrid bullet in the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Alliant Reloder 16 Load DATA for 6.5 Creedmoor:
Alliant Reloder 16 Load DATA for .243 Winchester:
NOTE: This is a partial .243 Win Data set. More loads available HERE.
What kind of 200-yard accuracy can you get in an enclosed, underground test range? Would you believe 0.162 MOA at 200 yards with a .338? Have a look at these test targets from Sierra Bullets. Like most bullet manufacturers, Sierra does live-fire bullet testing to ensure that Sierra projectiles perform as promised, with repeatable accuracy. Sierra tests bullets in its own underground test complex. Sierra’s 300-meter test range is the longest, privately-owned underground bullet test facility in the Western Hemisphere. (RWS has a 500m test tunnel in Germany). Sierra offers free tours of the test tunnel as part of Sierra’s Factory Tour Program.
Day in and day out, various bullet types are tested using a big collection of barreled actions. These barreled actions are clamped in stout, return-to-battery test fixtures. These big, heavy test fixtures provide near-perfect repeatability (with no human-induced holding or aiming errors).
Sierra Bullets 10-Shot Groups at 200 yards
Check out these 10-shot test groups shot at the Sierra Test Range at 200 yards. Note that the numbers listed on each sample are actual measurements in inches. To convert to MOA, cut those numbers in half (to be more precise, divide by 2.094, which is 1 MOA at 200 yards). For example, the 0.340″ middle group works out to 0.162 MOA at 200 yards.
Scan-Verified 0.162 MOA Accuracy at 200 Yards
To verify the accuracy of Sierra’s measurements, we measured the middle (.338 caliber) 10-shot group with our On-Target Group Measurement software. We registered a group size reading of 0.339″ — within one-thousandth of the Sierra measurement*. The calculated group size in MOA (Minute of Angle) is 0.162. That’s amazingly good for ten rounds of big .338 caliber bullets. A FIVE-shot 0.162 MOA group at 200 would be considered excellent at any benchrest match. But remember this target has TEN shots. The current, one-target IBS world record for ten shots at 200 yards is 0.245″, set by Ed Watson in 1999.
Bevy of Barreled Actions for Bullet Testing
Sierra Bullets uses dozens of barreled actions for testing bullets in its enclosed, 200-yard test range. Each barrel has its own logbook to track the barrel’s usage.
Click Photo to Zoom
*Note, there were ten (10) shots in the group, but for simplicity we are only displaying five (5) shot circles. Adding more circles won’t change the measurement because the two most distant shots, which determine group size, ARE included.
Thompson/Center Arms has a new rebate program running October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Get $50 back with the purchase of a T/C Compass rifle or $25 back with the purchase of a T/C Impact muzzleloader. You can also get $50 rebate on T/CR22 rimfire rifles, as part of the Rimfire Redefined promo which began in August, 2018.
The T/C Compass is a basic, no-frills hunting rifle. T/C Compass owners say this rifle offers excellent “bang for the buck”, with decent accuracy (approaching 1 MOA). American Rifleman has done a very thorough review of the T/C Compass that’s worth reading. That review shows details of the action and the three-lug bolt. The tester liked the Compass trigger, writing: “It’s as good a factory trigger as I’ve encountered.” The test rifle, chambered in .30-06 Springfield, averaged 1.23″ 5-shot groups with three types of factory hunting ammo.
To participate in the “Hunt for Savings” rebate program, customers must complete and submit the online rebate form at Smithandwessonrebates.com. Deadline for rebate submission is January 31, 2019.
Rebates will be delivered as follows:
$50 USD Smith & Wesson prepaid MasterCard on any new T/C Compass bolt-action rifle.
$50 USD Smith & Wesson prepaid MasterCard on any qualifying new T/CR22 rifle.
$25 USD Smith & Wesson prepaid MasterCard on any new T/C IMPACT! Muzzleloader.
Do you need to pull bullets that have been seated in a case? You can use lever-actuated, collet-type pullers, or inertial hammer-style pullers, but there is a faster solution. The Grip-N-Pull bullet puller is a precision-machined hand clamp that works for multiple calibers. A single Grip-N-Pull can replace several other tools, while being faster to use. With larger-diameter bullets loaded with light-to-moderate neck tension, it works well. The bullets come out pretty easily, with no scuff marks or dents. For smaller-diameter, .204 to .243 caliber bullets, it may be hard to grip the bullet easily, or you may end up with some jacket damage. And we wouldn’t use this for factory-crimped cartridges.
Introduction to Grip-N-Pull — How It Works:
How to Use the Grip-N-Pull
Put your loaded case in the shell-holder on a reloading press. Raise the ram so the bullet is exposed at the top of the press. Then select the correct, caliber-specific slot in the Grip-N–Pull, clasp the bullet firmly, then lower the ram. The bullet withdraws from the case-neck, retained in the tool. Fast and simple. If there isn’t much neck tension (or a crimp), the bullet should come out undamaged.
Not So Great for Small-Diameter Bullets
Watch this video — the tester says the Grip-N-Pull works well with larger-diameter bullets, but there can be slippage with smaller-diameter projectiles, or those with short bearing surfaces. NOTE: When there is a lot of neck tension, you have to grip extremely hard which can cause your hand to hurt after a while. And the bullets can get marred.
This video explains some of the shortcomings of the Grip-N-Pull.
Four Grip-N-Pull Models Available Grip-N-Pull bullet pullers can be used for multiple calibers. For example, the Standard Rifle Grip-N-Pull pulls bullets for these calibers: .17, .20, .22, .24, .25, .26, .27, .28, and .30. The Large Rifle model works with 8mm, .338, .375, .416 and .458. There is a third model for pistol cartridges, and a fourth “Mil-Spec” unit that does 5.56, 7.62, .338 and .50 BMG. Grip-N-Pull bullet pullers are made of 1/4″ heavy-duty #30 stainless steel and are backed by a lifetime warranty.
Speed and Efficiency of Grip-N-Pull
The Grip-N-Pull’s creators claim this hand clamp cuts bullet pulling time in half. For a speed comparison between Grip-N-Pull and a hammer-style (inertial) bullet puller, watch this Extreme Outer Limits video. Bob and Chris Beck do a head-to-head comparison between the Grip-N-Pull and an inertia puller. It’s no contest — the Grip-N-Pull is way faster, and the powder stays in the case.
Pull Comparison — Grip-N-Pull Vs. Hammer-Style Inertial Puller
Jerod’s Tactical Trio
Many guys are lucky to have just one accurate tactical rifle fitted with a custom barrel and high-end optics. Well forum member Jerod (aka Stinnett1981) has three!
Jerod calls his tactical trio the “Three Amigos”. All are built with Manners Composite stocks and Bartlein barrels. But there are three different chamberings. In order below (from top to bottom) are: .308 Win (Bartlein 5R, 1:10″ twist); .223 Rem (Bartlein 5R, 1:8″ twist);,and 6.5×47 Lapua (Bartlein 5R 1:8.5″ twist). Read on for a full description of each build.
The tan rifle is Jerod’s .308 Winchester. It has a Manners T4A stock, trued Rem 700 SA, Badger M5 DBM, and Bartlein 5R 10-twist HV contour finished at 23″. The optic is a Bushnell XRS 4.5-30X50mm FFP with G2 reticle scope.
The Green rifle is a .223 Remington. This has a Manners T4 stock, trued Rem 700 SA, Badger M5 DBM, and Bartlein 5R 8-twist HV contour finished at 23″. On top is a Nightforce NXS F1 3.5-15X50mm FFP with MLR 2.0 reticle scope. Jerod says: “This scope and reticle are awesome.”
The Black rifle is chambered for the 6.5-47 Lapua. Components are: Manners T4A stock, Stiller TAC 30, Badger M5 DBM, Bartlein 5R 8.5-twist bull barrel (1″ at muzzle) finished at 26″. The scope is a Nightforce NXS 8-32X56mm with NP2DD reticle.
What Comes Next — A Rimfire Maybe?
While Jarod’s Three Amigos make up a very impressive tactical troika, we’d like to see one more rifle added to the mix — a .22 LR rimfire rig, set up with a similar stock. That would be perfect for low-cost cross-training, or competition in Rimfire Tactical matches. Jerod could build the “fourth Amigo” using a rimfire action. Here is just such a rifle, built by Brian of GA Precision with a modified Rem 40X action in a Manners T4A stock (matching Jerod’s centerfire stocks). Pretty cool eh?
Could This Be the Fourth Amigo? 40X Rimfire in Manners Stock
Brian, a gunsmith at GA Precision, built this rimfire rig with GAP colleague Anthony Soukup.
When your cases become hard to extract, or you feel a stiff bolt lift when removing a cartridge, it’s probably time to full-length size your cases, and “bump” the shoulder back. With a hunting load, shoulder bumping may only be required every 4-5 loading cycles. Short-range benchrest shooters, running higher pressures, typically full-length size every load cycle, bumping the shoulder .001-.002″. High Power shooters with gas guns generally full-length size every time, and may need to bump the shoulders .003″ or more to ensure reliable feeding and extraction.
Use Shims for Precise Control of Shoulder Bump
Some shooters like to set the “default” position for their full-length die to have an “ample” .003″ or .004″ shoulder bump. When they need less bump, a simple way to reduce the amount of shoulder movement is to use precision shims in .001″ (one-thousandth) increments.
Here are reports from Forum members who use the shims:
“Great product. I have my die lock ring(s) adjusted for the shortest headspace length on my multiple chambers 6BRs and 6PPCs. When needing a longer headspace, I just refer to my notes and add the appropriate shim under the lock ring. Keep it simple.” — F.D. Shuster
Mats Johansson writes: “I’ve been using [shims] since Skip Otto (of BR fame) came out with them. I set up my dies with the .006″ shim, giving me the option of bumping the shoulder a bit more when the brass gets old and hardens while still having room to adjust up for zero headspace, should I have missed the original setup by a thou or two. Hunting rounds can easily be bumped an extra .002-.003″ for positive, no-crush feeding. Being a safety-oriented cheapskate, I couldn’t live without them — they let me reload my cases a gazillion times without dangerous web-stretching. Shims are a must-have, as simple as that.” — Mats Johansson
Sinclair Int’l offers a seven-piece set of Sizing Die Shims that let you adjust the height of your die (and thereby the amount of bump and sizing) in precise .001″ increments. Sinclair explains: “Some handloaders will set their die up to achieve maximum sizing and then progressively use Sinclair Die Shims between the lock ring and the press head to move the die away from the shellholder. Doing this allows you to leave the lock ring in the same position. These shims are usually available in increments of .001″ and work very well.”
Seven Shims from .003″ to .010″
Sinclair’s Die Shim Kit (item 22400) includes seven shims in thicknesses of .003, .004, .005, .006, .007, .008, and .010. For ease of use, shim thickness is indicated by the number of notches cut in the outer edge of each shim. Even without looking you can “count” the notches by feel. Normally priced at $11.99, this shim kit is on sale now for $10.99.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every 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.
1. Palmetto Armory — Rem 700 .223 Rem with Scope, $359.99
Here’s an awesome deal on a camo-finish Remington 700 hunting/varminting rig. The price is just $359.99 with scope and rings! This Rem 700 features 26” blued heavy barrel chambered in .223 Rem, Mossy Oak Camo synthetic stock, and X-Mark Pro (non-adjustable) trigger. The package comes complete with a 4-12x40mm scope. NOTE: The twist is 1:12″ so this is suitable for lighter-weight bullets. Buyers say the scope is pretty cheap, though functional. But this is still a great deal. You could pay as much (or more) just for a Rem 700 short action with trigger. Here you get a complete rifle with a pretty nice hunting stock. Order HERE.
2. Grafs.com — 10% OFF All Powders and Primers
Grafs.com is running a great reloading special right now, offering 10% OFF all powder and primers through October 3, 2018. Virtually all your favorite propellants are on sale — Accurate, Alliant, Hodgdon, IMR, Norma, Ramshot, Vectan, Vihtavuori, Winchester and more. In addition, you can save 10% on primers from CCI, Federal, Winchester and other leading brands. Shipping and HazMat fees still apply. Along with these specials, Grafs.com is offering 10% Off Peterson Brass (no listed end date on Peterson brass discount). Hats off to EdLongRange for finding these Graf’s deals.
Here’s a killer deal on a Front Focal Plane (FFP) optic good for PRS competition and tactical applications. The Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm scope features 0.1 Milrad clicks with an EBR-2C illuminated reticle with Mil-based hash marks. This reticle also features the “Christmas Tree” type lower half, which provides range hold-overs with horizontal markings for wind holds. Not that long ago, this scope sold for around a thousand bucks. Now you can get the Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm for just $649.99. That’s a great price for a PRS-ready FFP comp scope with a proven track record and rock-solid Vortex warranty. EuroOptic’s Sale price is $649.99. This is a great deal — this same scope sells elsewhere for $789.99.
4. Precision Reloading — 15% Off All Battenfeld Brand Products
Visit PrecisionReloading.com to save big on Caldwell Rests and Target Cams, Tipton Cleaning Rods and Gun Vises, Frankford Arsenal Tumbler Kits, Golden Rod Dehumidifiers, and Wheeler Engineering Reloading Tools. We use a Tipton Gun Vise, and clean brass with a Frankford Arsenal Tumbler and media separator. We also think the Caldwell Target Cam is one of the best values on the market. It out-performs long range video systems costing hundreds more. HEADS UP: While you’re shopping at PrecisionReloading.com, note that the HazMat fee is only $16 for any powder and/or primer order. That’s half what some other vendors charge.
5. CDNN — Ruger EC9S Carry Pistol, $229.99
Here’s a good little 9mm carry pistol for a crazy-low price. Right now, CDNN is selling the popular Ruger EC9S 9MM pistol for $229.99 — that’s $70 off the regular $299.00 price. This gun is light (17.2 ounces) and thin so it’s easy to carry discretely. The EC9S is 6″ overall with a 3.12″-long barrel. The EC9S features integral sights and ships with a single 7-round magazine.
6. Midsouth — New Lyman Reloading Presses on Sale
Midsouth Shooters Supply is running a big sale right on Lyman’s impressive new Brass Smith line of reloading presses. There are three models, each offering great performance and value for its class. You can save quite a bit of cash with this Midsouth Lyman Press sale. If you haven’t tried orange yet, we think you’ll be impressed. The little C-Frame is a steal at $69.99. The sturdy O-Frame Singles stage press is $154.99. And if you’re looking for a Turret press, the new 8-station Lyman Turret press ($192.99 on sale) is very impressive — with more stations than the competition, and enhanced strength/rigidity.
7. Amazon — NcStar Roll-Up Shooting Mat, $29.95
Thicker and bigger than most shooting mats under $60.00, this $29.95 NcStar Roll-Up Mat has earned excellent reviews for comfort and utility. It has 0.30″ padding plus elbow and knee panels. The mat rolls up into a compact 19.5″ W x 8.5″ H, secured by twin Velcro straps The mat is available in six colors: Tan (shown), green, black, camo, digital camo, and grey. Prices vary slightly among colors. With both carry handle AND shoulder strap, the rolled mat is easy to tote. Here are reviews from three recent verified purchasers:
“This mat is fantastic, the stitching is solid, the padding is thick enough that rocks and cactus aren’t a problem. It’s light, quick, and easy to roll up.” — Angela D.
“Excellent mat. Used it for a Project Appleseed shoot and it performed perfectly. Two days of kneeling, standing and laying on it, over a dirty, dusty shooting range. Came through it all with flying colors. Rolls nicely [and] well-constructed from high-quality materials.” — NPCoach
“Works better than I expected. Easy to roll up and unroll in seconds. Velcro ties save a lot of time. It’s not uncomfortable laying on hard, uneven ground. Great product!” — Robert
8. Midsouth — 17 HMR Ammo Sale, $33.79 for 200 Rounds
Every good varmint hunter has a 17-cal rimfire in his arsenel. The 17 HMR is ideal for small critters out to about 150 yards. Low noise and low recoil help you score multiple hits. Now’s a great time to stock up on 17 HMR ammunition. Midsouth has Hornady 17 HMR in 200-count packs for $33.79. That works out to $8.45 per 50-count box or $0.17 (seventeen cents) per round. This is good ammo — the tipped V-Max bullets are explosive on ground squirrels and prairie dogs. NOTE: Midsouth also has 500-round 17 HMR bricks for $84.99, also $0.17 per round.
9. Midsouth — 250 Adhesive Precision Targets on Roll, $12.49
Midsouth offers 250 self-adhesive Benchrest Targets on a convenient roll. These stick-on targets work great for load development. The aiming diamond helps align the cross hairs of your scope for consistent shot placement. If you set your Point of Impact to the 1/4″ grid pattern at the top it’s easy to eyeball your group size. At the bottom are fields for your load info. Each Target sticker measures 6″ x 4″ with a 4.5″ x 2.5″ printed area. Midsouth sells the 250-target roll for $12.49, discounted this week from $14.99.
Download FREE Version 6.0 Guide:
Scan-Verified 0.162 MOA Accuracy at 200 Yards
Jerod’s Tactical Trio
