Here’s a notable firearms manufacturing milestone. Founded in 1997, Henry Repeating Arms has just produced its one-millionth Henry lever action .22 LR rimfire rifle, a special, pimped-out version of the reliable yet affordable Model H001, now sold in over 30 countries worldwide. Selected as the 2018 SHOT Show auction rifle, this one-of-a-kind millionth .22 LR H001 features silver finished receiver, elaborate scroll engraving, inlaid 24-carat gold highlights, and an exhibition-grade walnut stock.
The historic Henry will be sold via a GunBroker.com auction concluding on the final day of the 2018 SHOT Show (1/26/18). The Hunting Heritage Trust hopes to surpass the SHOT Show auction record of $136,014. Henry’s President Anthony Imperato stated: “This is the rifle that put Henry Repeating Arms on the map, energized the lever action market and resurrected the Henry name.”
The first Henry Lever Action .22 rifles were crafted in Brooklyn, New York two decades ago. In 2008, Henry moved production to New Jersey. Over the years, several variations of the H001 were added including a youth model, a carbine with a large loop lever, octagon barreled editions, and additional calibers in .22 Magnum and .17 HMR. Counting ALL the styles and chamberings, Henry has actually sold over TWO million H001 series rifles.
About Henry Repeating Arms
The original Henry rifle played a significant role in the frontier days of the American West and is one of the most legendary American firearms. Founded in 1997, Henry Repeating Arms is now the nation’s leading lever-action rifle manufacturer. To learn more about the company and its products visit HenryUSA.com.
Anthony Imperato, President and owner of Henry Repeating Arms reminisces, “When I attended the SHOT Show in 1996 I displayed the prototype H001 on top of an 8-foot folding table. We didn’t have a big budget booth and it was a no-frills affair. I had no idea that it would go on to be a top seller, a staple of the firearms industry. My goal was to deliver value, quality, a smooth reliable action and of course, made in America.”
Only four shopping days left until Christmas. Thankfully, many vendors, including Amazon, offer expedited shipping. In addition, many leading shooting sports online merchants are offering Free shipping promotions right now. Here’s a quick summary of Five FREE Shipping offers, four of which require a minimum purchase.
Bruno Shooters’ Supply — Free Shipping over $99.95
Bruno’s is offering FREE Shipping on all orders over $99.95 with some exclusions (such as rests and gunsmith work). In addition you can get FREE Shipping and FREE Hazmat with orders of powder and primers that total $500.00 or more. These two offers are good through 12/26/2017 at 8:00 am MST.
Cabela’s — Free Shipping on $99.00 or More through 1/2/18
Cabela’s is offering FREE shipping on all orders of at least $99.00. What’s great is that this free shipping offer runs all the way through January 2, 2018 — so it applies to post-Xmas shopping too. There are some exlusions but this a still a very good offer that applies to nearly everything Cabelas sells. To get Free ground shipping use Promo Code 2017FREE during checkout.
Creedmoor Sports — Free Shipping over $99.00
Creedmoor Sports is now offering FREE Ground Shipping on all orders over $99.00. Some exclusions apply. Right now Creedmoor is also offering a huge Holiday Sale right now with big discounts on popular products including rifle cases, shooting coats, target cams, Books/DVDs, and much more. We just order a Service Rifle Scope and some other accessories and got FREE Shipping on the entire order.
MidwayUSA — Free Shipping on Select Optics and Clothing
MidwayUSA is offering FREE shipping (no minimum) on 18 popular brands including six leading optics makers. Along with free shipping on scopes you can get free shipping on Sitka, Danner, 5.11, and Carhartt outerwear and clothing.
Natchez Shooters Supplies — Free Shipping over $49.99
Natchez is offering FREE Ground Shipping on all orders over $49.99 — that’s generous compared to other vendors who want you to spend $99 or more to get free shipping. This applies to pretty much everything in stock other than Motor Freight and Drop Ship Items. Use Promo Code FS171221 during check out. But you better act soon — this offer expires 12/24/17 at 11:59 pm EST. Offer Details HERE.
NOTE: There are 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.
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 world. 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.
Report by NRA-ILA
Last week, President Trump signed into law H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (NDAA). Included in the law is a provision long sought by collectors of vintage firearms and militaria that would require military surplus M1911/M1911A1 pistols (1911s) to be made available for sale to the American public. The military currently has some 100,000 excess 1911s sitting in storage at taxpayer expense.
A previous version of the NDAA signed into law by then-President Obama in 2015 authorized, but did not require, the Secretary of Defense to transfer up to 10,000 surplus 1911s per year to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) for sale to the public. Unsurprisingly, no such transfers were ever made while Obama remained in the White House.
The language in the 2018 NDAA effectively establishes a mandatory pilot program under which at least 8,000 (and as many as 10,000) 1911s would be transferred to the CMP for public sale in 2018. The Secretary of Defense must then report to Congress on the outcome of the program. Thereafter, the Secretary would be authorized to continue transferring up to 10,000 [more] surplus 1911s a year to the CMP for further public sales. READ More about CMP Sales of Vintage 1911 Pistols on NRA-ILA.org.
The Process to Acquire a Military 1911 Pistol
Sales of the surplus 1911 handguns will be handled a bit differently than most other CMP firearms transfers for M1 Garands, M1 Carbines and other vintage rifles. All transfers must go through a local FFL in a face-to-face transaction. In addition, there will be two background checks of the purchaser before the gun can be transfered. The first check is done by the CMP prior to shipping the pistol, while a second check is done by the FFL before releasing the pistol to the customer at the FFL’s place of business. Customers will be limited to one 1911 pistol per calendar year.
Additional CMP Requirements
The CMP has a number of “threshhold” requirements for purchase of a surplus 1911. To acquire one of the CMP 1911s, you must be a U.S. citizens, eligible to receive firearms under federal law, and the laws of your city/state. In addition you must belong to a CMP-affiliated club, and able to provide proof of participation in a marksmanship activity.
This article appears in the Cheaper Than Dirt Shooter’s Log.
The passage of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act through the U.S. House of Representatives is a step in the right direction, but not a law yet. The U.S. is a patchwork of confusing and cumbersome laws that change the rules of what you can carry, where you can carry, and whether you can possess the firearm, ammunition of magazine at without running afoul of the local laws. Now, if every state was like Vermont, law abiding gun owners could freely travel with their firearms with no worries. Unfortunately, many states have a history of being hostile to traveling gun owners.
The federal “Firearms Owner Protection Act” allows travel through any state as long as the firearm is unloaded, in a locked case, and not easily accessible to the passengers. However, that is not to say that certain states that are less friendly to firearms have not created their own laws that would snare unsuspecting otherwise law-abiding firearm owners. This led us to name the Top 5 States to Avoid while traveling with a firearm this holiday season.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut does not have any gun reciprocity agreements with other states. This means nonresidents are not allowed to carry handguns in Connecticut under a permit issued by another state.
HAWAII
Every person arriving into the state who brings a firearm of any description, usable or not, shall register the firearm within three days of the arrival of the person or the firearm, whichever arrives later, with the chief of police of the county where the person will reside, where their business is, or the person’s place of sojourn. GET Hawaii Firearms INFO HERE.
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts imposes harsh penalties on the mere possession and transport of firearms without a license to carry. Prospective travelers are urged to contact the Massachusetts Firearms Records Bureau at (617) 660-4780 or contact the State Police. GET Massachusetts Firearms INFO HERE.
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey has some of the most restrictive firearms laws in the country. Your firearm must be unloaded, in a locked container, and not accessible in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that anyone traveling within the state is deemed to be aware of these regulations and will be held strictly accountable for violations. If you’re traveling through New Jersey, the N.J. State Police website provides information regarding transporting firearms within state lines. GET New Jersey Firearms INFO HERE.
NEW YORK
Use extreme caution when traveling through New York state with firearms. New York’s general approach is to make the possession of handguns and so-called “assault weapons” illegal. A number of localities, including Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Suffolk County, and Yonkers, impose their own requirements on the possession, registration, and transport of firearms. Possession of a handgun within New York City requires a New York City handgun license or a special permit from the city Police Commissioner. This license validates a state license within the city. Even New York state licenses are generally not valid within New York City unless a specific exemption applies. Possession of a shotgun or rifle within New York City requires a permit, which is available to non-residents, and a certificate of registration.
More Scary States for Gun Owners
Here are six other jurisdictions (five states and DC) where you need to be wary when traveling. California, for example, treats all handguns in vehicles as “loaded” if there is ammunition loaded into an attached magazine. It’s wise, when in California, to have handguns unloaded in a LOCKED case, with all ammunition or magazines in a separate section of the vehicle. These states (and DC) all have laws that can trap unsuspecting gun-owners. Be wary.
California
Delaware
Dist. of Columbia
Illinois
Maryland
Rhode Island
Do we really need a new, high-performance .22-caliber cartridge for the AR15 platform (aka MSR 15). Federal thinks so. Federal has introduced a .22-Caliber Hot Rod cartridge — the .224 Valkyrie. Designed to out-perform the .223 Rem and .22 Nosler while still running well in ARs, the new .224 Valkyrie offers excellent long-range performance when loaded with heavy, high-BC bullets.
The performance is impressive. Federal says that, when loaded with a 90-grain Sierra MatchKing bullet, the .224 Valkyrie will stay supersonic all the way to 1300 yards, while offering substantially less recoil than other AR-friendly cartridges such as the 6.5 Grendel.
Here are three videos that give insight into the .224 Valkyrie cartridge and rifle options. We think the two applications that make most sense for this new cartridge are: 1) PRS Gas Gun matches (Open Class) — you get 6mm Creedmoor ballistic performance with much less recoil for faster shot transitions; and 2) Long-Range (400+ yards) varminting — you get performance similar to a 22-250 in a cartridge that works with your existing AR15 lower. That will really help with those long shots on P-dogs.
.224 Valkyrie PRS Gas Gun Demo Run
The new .224 Valkyrie is basically a 6.8 SPC case necked down to .22-caliber. You can use your existing AR15 lower, but you will need a dedicated .224-Valkyrie upper, or at the minimum a new barrel, modified bolt with proper bolt face, and 6.8-compliant mags. In this video, a shooter runs a tactical course using a rig chambered for the .224 Valkyrie. You can see how it functions 100%. This video also provides ballistic comparisons with other “enhanced performance” AR15 cartridges.
.224 Valkyrie vs. .22-250 Remington
The Social Regressive explains: “There are two key reasons why the 224 Valkyrie is unique and desirable. First, it is specifically designed to fit the limitations of the AR-15 platform. It does so even when loaded with gigantic bullets, like the 90-grain SMK that Federal announced. .22-250 Rem is too long and too fat to work in the AR-15 platform; it needs an AR-10 bolt and magazine.”
Image from .224 Valkyrie Video from The Social Regressive, linked below.
“Does this mean that the 22-250 is now outmoded? Not even close. Varminters depend upon its flat trajectory and inherent accuracy. It’s a handloader’s dream cartridge, and the factory ammunition out there works well, too. If, however, you want a semiauto platform or you want to shoot longer distances, .224 Valkyrie looks like it will be the logical choice [with fast twist-rate barrels and high-BC bullets].”
New Savage MSR 15 in .224 Valkyrie
Savage Arms has a new AR15-platform rifle chambered in .224 Valkyrie. This will debut at SHOT Show 2018. The new Savage MSR 15 Valkyrie has some nice features: crisp two-stage trigger, adjustable gas system, and tough Cerakote finish on lower and upper. The 5R-rifled, 18″-long barrel comes from the factory with an effective muzzle brake. MSRP is $1499.00. We wish the barrel was a bit longer (at least 22″), but the adjustable gas system is a nice feature that lets you tune the cycling for your ammo and shooting discipline.
Savage has high hopes for this rifle. With 90gr Federal factory ammo, it produces only half the recoil of larger cartridges with similar long-range performance. Here is a video showing a prototype Savage with a 22-inch barrel. The Ammo was Federal Premium pushing a 90gr SMK at 2680 fps. Note how “calm” the rifle stays on the bags. There is no muzzle lift and rearward recoil is minimal (see 0:10). You could work a varmint field very effectively with this rifle.
Savage MSR 15 Tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
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. Krieger — OverStock Barrels, 15% Off, with Quick Delivery
Smart shooters know that Krieger makes some of the best barrels in the world. For example, nearly half of the shooters at the recent World Benchrest Championship shot Kriegers. But to get a prized Krieger barrel, you normally have to pay full price, and sometimes wait many weeks. Not now — Krieger is running an end-of-year overstock inventory sale. Dozens of premium single-point, cut-rifled barrels are now on sale for 15%. Choose from a wide range of Calibers and Contours: .204, .224, 6mm, 6.5mm, .270, 7mm, .308, .338 — even the big magnums: .375, .416, .458 and .50 Caliber. CLICK HERE to see all 15% Off Krieger barrels.
Purchase info: All year-end, closeout-priced barrels require full payment at time of order (restocking fee for cancelled or returned barrels). Some barrels must be recontoured prior to sale. Call (262) 628-8558 for more information on a particular barrel. Barrels not requiring recontouring or other services should ship within two (2) weeks.
2. Amazon — FosPower 10200 mAh Waterproof Charger, $26.99
When you’re at the range or on a hunt, it’s smart to have a USB-output battery pack for smart phone, target-cam monitor, even a LabRadar. There are many battery packs available, but most are fairly fragile, with exposed ports. This “ruggedized” FosPower 10200 mAh charger is different. It is waterproof, dust-proof, and shock-proof. (IP67 certified: dust and water resistance for up to 3ft/1m for 30 minutes under water.) It can handle all that a PRS competitor or hunter can dish out. It even has a handy LED light. Right now it’s priced at $26.99 with FREE Shipping (on orders over $25.00).
Benchrest Matches have been won (and many records set) with 36X Weaver T-Series optics. Our friend Boyd Allen observed “You can pay three or four times as much for a scope but not necessarily be more competitive — a 36X front objective Weaver is enough to win with…” The Classic T-Series Weaver has proven to be one of the most reliable high-magnification scopes ever made. The “old-fashioned” adjustable objective works well and the Weaver Micro-Trac turret system delivers precise and repeatable elevation and windage control. You can also save money on rings since the main tube is 1″ diameter. The Weaver T-36 with 1/8 MOA clicks and Fine Cross-hair reticle costs $419.32 at Amazon.com with free Prime Shipping. NOTE: If you don’t see that price, try our multi-vendor Product LINK for the best current deal. Other Classic T-Series 36X scopes with Target Dot Reticle or silver finish cost about $475.00.
4. Grafs.com — Caldwell Rock Front Rest, $119.99
The Caldwell Rock BR Front Rest is sturdy and stable. It ships with two front bags, a wide tri-lobe plus a conventional bag (shown above). The latter works quite well for rifles with narrow forearms — such as hunting rigs or ARs. This is a good option for a young shooter or someone getting started on a tight budget. We’ve used this rest on a varmint hunt and it worked well. Use the Mariner wheel for gross elevation changes and “fine tune” elevation by squeezing your rear sand bag. This same rest costs $139.61 at Amazon. Save $20.00 by purchasing through Grafs which also offers a single, flat $7.95 handling fee per order — no extra shipping charge. Purchase multiple items from Grafs.com and pay just one $7.95 fee.
Here’s a great holiday gift for a friend or family member getting started in hand-loading. The Lee Breech Lock Challenger Reloading Kit includes Press (with quick change die system), Powder Measure, Scale, Priming Tool, Shell Holders, Reloading Tray, and Chamfer Tool. And you get all this for just $99.99 with discount code! Brownells’ current discounted Sale Price is $109.99, but you get $10.00 off with CODE M3P. That lowers your net cost to $99.99. Get the entire kit for under one hundred bucks. That’s a steal — this same kit sells for around $125.00 on Amazon.
6. RCBS — Buy Green Get Green Rebate Program
Act quickly — RCBS’s best rebate program of 2017 runs out at 11:59 pm on December 31st. The Holiday 2017 Buy Green Get Green promo is simple — buy ANY RCBS product over $49.99 and you qualify. There’s no restricted list of “qualifying” products. The more you spend, the more you get back — up to $175.00 total. If you are considering purchasing a single-stage press, electronic powder dispenser, progressive press, or a full reloading kit, save big with this promotion. It is good for purchases made through the end of the year, December 31, 2017. Download REBATE Form HERE.
If you are serious about your precision firearms, you need one of these. We use the Lyman Electronic Trigger Pull Gauge to test the triggers on all our match and varmint rifles. The unit is precise and repeatable. Once you try one of these you won’t want to go back to crude spring trigger gauges. Amazon.com offers this unit for $39.99 with free shipping (third party sale).
This Outers-brand, 51-piece set contains all the drivers you could ever need: Flat-head, Phillips, Hex (Allen), and Torx. Priced under ten bucks, this driver set offers great value for the money. Even if you already own high-quality Allen and Torx wrenches, you can buy this as a spare set for your gun room. And this also makes a great holiday “stocking stuffer” for gun guys. These drivers work great for installing scope rings or bases, or everyday use around the home.
• Molded Driver with Magnetic Tip
• 15 Flat Head Bits
• 10 Hex Bits (inch)
• 9 Hex Bits (metric)
• 4 Phillips Bits
• 9 Torx Bits
• 2 Extra Long Phillips Bits
• 1 Hex to Square Adapter
Check out the Harbor Freight Welding Cart, item #65939. This cart is ON SALE right now for just $55.99. With a few bungee cords (and some creativity), the cart can be adapted for hauling your guns gear. It’s easy to add plastic side-panels on the bottom unit, and fit a barrel-holding system on the cross-tube. Overall size is 29-1/2″ L x 20″ W x 49″ H, and width between side rails is 18″. The wheels (with tires) are 20 3/4″ in diameter for smooth rolling. Consider that, if you made your own cart from scratch you could easily pay $30.00 or more just for the large-diameter wheels and axle. NOTE: This cart has air-filled tires. Be sure to inflate before you go to the Range!
10. Amazon — Tactical Stockings for Christmas
Don’t have a stocking to hold your small gift items? Well we’ve got you covered — check out these cool, heavy-duty stockings. These Garud Tactical Stockings come in four colors: Camo, OD Green, Black, and Khaki. They all feature 4 MOLLE attachments, rugged carry handle, hanging hook, swivel carabiners, outside draw pocket, and even Velcro USA Flag Patch. Get all this for the low price of $11.99 (black) or $14.49 (other colors). These stockings are sure to bring smiles to your tacticool family members and friends. Spend over $25.00 and these ship for free on Amazon.
Credit EdLongrange for Krieger Year-End Overstock Sale tip.
Hodgdon has just introduced a versatile new Winchester-brand pistol powder with a clean formulation. WinClean 244 is a modern, Winchester-branded propellant “ideally suited to .38 Special, .45 Auto, and 9mm standard loads.” That means WinClean 244 is designed for moderate pressure target loads. That’s good news for hand-loaders who enjoy target shooting with these popular cartridges.
Hodgdon, which markets Winchester powders, says that new WinClean 244 is consistent, and clean burning with a low flash: “The WinClean formulation reduces copper fouling and residue, extending accuracy for longer shooting periods.” It will be interesting to see if this is noticeably cleaner-burning than other popular powders. In pistol barrels we are actually less concerned with copper fouling than with general “sootiness” and carbon.
With its clean-burning qualities, “shooters are really going to like loading handgun cartridges with this powder” said Tim Vaitekunas, vice president of product development at Hodgdon. WinClean 244 powder, in 1-, 4- and 8-pound canisters, should be in stores in January 2018. Load Data is now available right now on the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center.
This Editor used to compete in Action Pistol matches, so I’ve loaded thousands of rounds of pistol ammunition using a wide variety of pistol propellants. I tend to favor Vihtavuori N310/N320 for .45 ACP, and Alliant powders for 9mm Luger, but it will be interesting to see how WinClean 244 works for these chamberings. Many powders work well for .38 Special loads, but new 244’s low flash could be an advantage there too.
Pistol Showcase — Candidates for WinClean 244
The Sig P210 SuperTarget is a modern 9mm Luger pistol with exceptional accuracy and one of the best out-of-the-box triggers you’ll ever try. Winchester WinClean 244 is suitable for a variety of bullet weights in the 9x19mm (9mm Luger) cartridge.
The 8-shot Smith & Wesson Model 627 Pro is an exceptional revolver that balances well and can shoot 1″ groups at 25 yards with tuned handloads. On this particular Model 627, featured on YouTube, the owner added a Hogue Pau Ferro wood grip, Hogue Extended Cylinder Release, and Wilson Combat trigger spring kit. In this kind of wheelgun, you can shoot moderate .38 Special target rounds loaded with new WinClean 244 powder.
Ret. Army Lt. Col. Lones W. Wigger, Olympic shooter and international champion, passed away on the evening of December 14, 2017 at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old. By many measures, Wigger could be called the best iron sights, position shooter in history. During his shooting career, Wigger won 111 medals and set or tied 29 world records in international competition, more than any other shooter in the world. He was on the USA Olympic Shooting Team in 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1980.
Kelly McMillan mourns Wigger: “My heart is broken. Sometimes something happens that though you may have been expecting it, when it happens the effect that it has on you is a complete surprise. I feel honored to have attended his [80th] Birthday Celebration in August and was extremely fortunate to have him on my radio show a little over a month ago. I am honored to have known him and to call him my friend… I miss him already.”
A Lifetime of Shooting Excellence
Originally from Fort Benton, Montana, Wigger won three Olympic medals in his career including Golds in 1964 and 1972. His resume also includes 24 World Championship Gold Medals and 29 World Records. The retired Lt. Col. also served his country in the U.S. Army with tours of duty in Vietnam in 1967 and 1971. Wigger was primed for Olympic success in 1980 but never got the chance due to the U.S. boycott.
Wigger is often regarded as the greatest competitive rifle shooter ever to have taken aim for the United States. He won more medals in international shooting competition (111) than any other shooting athlete in the world and is the only athlete to win medals in all three Olympic rifle shooting disciplines. Wigger is the only USA Shooting Team member ever elected to the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Hall of Fame.
Wigger was a USA Olympic shooting team member in 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1980. The 1964 effort resulted in a Gold Medal. He won the gold for the 3-position small-bore rifle. In 1972, Wigger won the Gold Medal for 3-position Free Rifle. Wigger also competed on five Pan American Games teams, where he won five Silver and 13 Gold medals. A retired Army Lt. Colonel, Wigger was a Vietnam Veteran who spent 25 years on active duty, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. While in the Army, Wiggers also competed with the USAMU.
Wisdom from Wigger — The Psychology of Winning
by Lones Wigger, Olympic Medalist
It’s pretty complicated — this subject of dealing with pressure. I’m a precision shooter and have learned to excel in that discipline. You’ve got to learn to shoot the desired scores at home and in training. And once you’re capable of shooting the scores, you may not shoot the same way in the match because of the match pressure. As a result, it takes 3-4 years to learn how to shoot, and another 3-4 years to learn how to win — to deal with the match pressure. It takes several more years to learn how to do it when it counts.
To win, there are several things you have to learn how to do. You have to do it from within. You have to learn how to train just as if you were in a big competition. You work on every shot. You have got to learn to treat it just like a match — to get the maximum value out of every shot.
You have got to use the same technique in practice and in training. A lot of shooters have a problem because they change their technique from practice to the match. In competition, you work your ass off for every shot. You have to approach the training the same way.
A second way to combat pressure is to shoot in every competition you can get into so that you become accustomed to it.
Do Everything Possible to Prepare
The third technique is preparation. Before you are going to shoot in a big competition, train hard to do everything you can to raise your scores. So when you’re in the match, you know that you have done everything humanly possible to get ready for the competition. If you have self-doubt, you will not shoot well. You have to have the will to prepare to win.
When Gary Anderson was a kid, he couldn’t afford a gun or ammunition. He had read about the great Soviet shooters. With his single shot rifle, he would get into position, point that gun and dry fire for hours at a time in the three different positions. He had tremendous desire. He wanted to win and he did whatever he could to get there. When he finally got into competition, he shot fantastic scores from the beginning.
Visualize Winning to Train the Subconscious Mind
A little bit of psychology: You picture in your mind what you want to do. You have to say, OK, I’m going to the Olympics and perform well. Picture yourself shooting a great score and how good it feels. You are training your subconscious mind. Once you get it trained, it takes over. A coach taught me to visualize the outcome, and it worked. Eventually you train your subconscious and it believes you can win. At first I didn’t know about teaching the subconscious to take over, but now I do it all the time. And it certainly worked for me at the 1972 Olympics. What it really takes is training and doing the same thing in training as at a match. If you are “just shooting,” you are wasting your time.
This above text comes from an interview with Lones Wigger by Jock Elliot, part of a three-part series, The Fine Art of Not Cracking Under Pressure. CLICK HERE to READ FULL ARTICLE featuring other interviews with Brian Zins, Bruce Piatt, Carl Bernosky and Ernie Vande Zande.
Christmas is coming up soon, so today we’re featuring a hand-picked collection of six “stocking stuffers” for precision shooters. Some of these are recent new inventions. All are handy items that you’ll use over and over again at the range, on your vehicle, and/or at your loading bench (so you’re allowed to buy them for yourself, even after Christmas).
1. B&T Industries BT62 Determinator — $7.95
The acrylic BT62 Determinator measures groups with laser-cut concentric measuring rings. Check group size quick and easy — simply place the Determinator over shot group. Adjust until one of the circles crosses the center of the two outer-most holes. That gives you the center to center group measurement (1.5″ maximum). Alternatively, you can measure edge to edge (of the farthest shots) and then subtract the bullet diameter. Cool tool for gun guys. The supplied lanyard also glows in the dark.
Here’s a very clever use of fired pistol brass. A female-threaded insert in the brass cases matches the threads on your automotive valve stems. So these Brass Stem Caps fit right in place. Way cooler than plastic stem caps — these definitely send a subtle but meaningful message. The $9.95 set comes with four (4) .40 SW caliber, once-fired valve stem caps.
You won’t find a more versatile tool at this low price — just five bucks on sale. The Cabela’s multi-tool performs many functions. It features flat-nose pliers, wire-stripper, knife, Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, saw, bottle opener, and scissors. Nylon sheath included. This handy tool is available in size colors: Red, Orange, Purple, Green, Teal, and Silver. A nylon sheath is included and you even get FREE shipping with Code “7HOLIDAY”.
Turn that unused hitch receiver into a secret safe. The durable, all-metal NRA HitchSafe™ converts your vehicle’s hitch receiver into a lockable compartment for spare keys, cash, credit cards and more. Patented hitch pins secure the HitchSafe inside the receiver via two sliding bars that can only be accessed through a locked drawer. The HitchSafe easily installs/uninstalls in seconds with no tools required. Two plastic dust covers are included: Blank and NRA logo. The HitchSafe Fits standard 2” receivers.
This Outers-brand, 51-piece set contains all the drivers you could ever need: Flat-head, Phillips, Hex (Allen), and Torx. Priced under ten bucks, this driver set offers great value for the money. Even if you already own high-quality Allen and Torx wrenches, you can buy this as a spare set for your gun room. And this also makes a great holiday “stocking stuffer” for gun guys. These drivers work great for installing scope rings or bases, or everyday use around the home.
• Molded Driver with Magnetic Tip
• 15 Flat Head Bits
• 10 Hex Bits (inch)
• 9 Hex Bits (metric)
• 4 Phillips Bits
• 9 Torx Bits
• 2 Extra Long Phillips Bits
• 1 Hex to Square Adapter
6. Midsouth — Radians Moldable Earplugs, $10.88
If you’re a shooter, you need hearing protection — serious hearing protection. Along with muffs and disposable foam plugs, custom molded hearing protection is an option. You can spend up to $100.00 per set for molded plugs at a gunshow or you can buy the Radian’s moldable plugs for $10.88 at Midsouth. If you follow the simple instructions, you can custom-mold these to our own ears in just 10 minutes. Many people feel this is the most secure and comfortable form of ear protection if you need hearing protection for many hours at a time. Five different colors are available. After molding, the units are washable, so they can be re-used many times.
BONUS — TACTICAL STOCKINGS for Your Stocking Stuffers
Don’t have a stocking to hold your small gift items? Well we’ve got you covered — check out these cool, heavy-duty stockings. These Garud Tactical Stockings come in four colors: Camo, OD Green, Black, and Khaki. They all feature 4 MOLLE attachments, rugged carry handle, hanging hook, swivel carabiners, outside draw pocket, and even Velcro USA Flag Patch. Get all this for the low price of $11.99 (black) or $14.49 (other colors). These stockings are sure to bring smiles to your tacticool family members and friends. Spend over $25.00 and these ship for free on Amazon.
Credit EdLongrange for BT62 Determinator suggestion.
Scan-Verified 0.162 MOA Accuracy at 200 Yards
It’s pretty complicated — this subject of dealing with pressure. I’m a precision shooter and have learned to excel in that discipline. You’ve got to learn to shoot the desired scores at home and in training. And once you’re capable of shooting the scores, you may not shoot the same way in the match because of the match pressure. As a result, it takes 3-4 years to learn how to shoot, and another 3-4 years to learn how to win — to deal with the match pressure. It takes several more years to learn how to do it when it counts.
