Here is an interesting item for hunters who want to keep their rifle as light as possible. MDT has introduced a new Titanium muzzle brake that weighs just 1.7 ounces. This ultralight MDT Hunt Brake can reduce recoil, so it’s a definite help for heavier calibers. And by reducing recoil up to 66% the follow-up shot speed is greatly improved. The new MDT Hunt brake has upward venting ports to reduce muzzle rise also (see video below at 1:05 time-mark).
On the negative side, the muzzle brake will increase noise heard by the hunter and can kick up dust if the shooter is firing from the ground. That can give away a hunter’s position, potentially spooking his prey.
Still, many hunters may want a modern brake, and this new $249.95 MDT Hunt Brake has some impressive design features. The baffles are designed to mitigate recoil and keep the shooter on target, and the self-timing lock makes installation easy. The MDT Hunt Brake is the third in MDT’s muzzle brake series which includes the steel Elite Brake ($129.95) and the innovative MDT Comp brake ($249.95), which has tunable upward gas vents and directs the blast away from the shooter.
Key Features of the MDT Titanium HUNT BRAKE:
Titanium Construction — Hunt Brake Weighs just 1.7 ounces
4 Baffle design to mitigate recoil and muzzle climb
The design also reduces backwards muzzle blast
Designed to match Sendero profile barrels
Self-timing nut for easy installation
Size specification options:
6.5/7mm/308 – 1/2-28
6.5/7mm/308 – 5/8-24
.338 – 5/8-24
MSRP $249.95
Allen Company offers Hardrock AR500 Targets. These are affordable steel targets suitable for rimfire rifles and pistols as well as centerfire pistols. Note, these targets are NOT designed for centerfire rifles (you can damage the targets with repeated impacts). Most Hardrock targets are supplied with frames with front legs that slide into the ground. But there are also separate hanging targets such as the 4″ diameter circle, just $19.99 from Allen. You’ll need to mount hanging targets to your own frame with chains.
Allen Hardrock Steel Target Systems
Allen’s Hardrock family of targets are constructed from heavy-duty 1/4″-thick AR500 hardened steel. They are all finished with a high-visibility cross/bulleye pattern that makes aiming easier. After a bit of shooting, however, you will need to paint the targets, and/or supply your own pasters. However we do like the red ring/black diamond/orange center graphics supplied on these Hardrock targets out of the box.
*To mount the Hardrock Gongs, Allen offers a Quick-set Steel Target Stand and a Rubber Strap Gong Hanging Kit, priced at $62.99 and $16.99 respectively.
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“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” — William Arthur Ward
Readers often ask us: “Is there a decent, easy-to-comprehend book that can help my wind-reading?” Many of our Forum members have recommended The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters by Linda Miller and Keith Cunningham.
New Edition — Hardback and eBook
The latest, updated edition of The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters was released in May 2020. This 144-page book, first published in 2007, is a great resource. But you don’t have to take our word for it. If you click this link, you can read book excerpts and decide for yourself. When the Amazon page opens, look below the book cover photo, and click the bar labeled “Read Sample”. This lets you preview chapters from the Wind Book, and view some illustrations. Along with the hardback edition ($22.99), Amazon offers a Kindle (eBook) edition for $14.99.
Other books cover wind reading in a broader discussion of ballistics or long-range shooting, such as Applied Ballistics for Long-Range Shooting by Bryan Litz. But the Miller & Cunningham book is ALL about wind reading from cover to cover, and that is its strength. The book focuses on real world skills that can help you accurately gauge wind angle, wind velocity, and wind cycles.
All other factors being equal, it is your ability to read the wind that will make the most difference in your shooting accuracy. The better you understand the behavior of the wind, the better you will understand the behavior of your bullet. — The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters
The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters covers techniques and tactics used by expert wind-readers. There are numerous charts and illustrations. The authors show you how to put together a simple wind-reading “toolbox” for calculating wind speed, direction, deflection and drift. Then they explain how to use these tools to read flags and mirage, record and interpret your observations, and time your shots to compensate for wind.
I believe this is a must-have book if you are a long-range sport shooter. I compete in F-Class Open and when I first purchased this book and read it from cover to cover, it helped me understand wind reading and making accurate scope corrections. Buy this book, read it, put into practice what it tells you, you will not be disappointed. — P. Janzso
If you have one book for wind reading, this should be it. Whether you’re a novice or experienced wind shooter this book has something for you. It covers how to get wind speed and direction from flags, mirage, and natural phenomenon. In my opinion this is the best book for learning to read wind speed and direction. — Muddler
Shooting USA TV has a good show released today. Shooting USA’s Wednesday Night episode features RMAC — the Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge. This is a fun and challenging, multi-class tactical-style airgun competition.
The RMAC event, hosted by Utah Airguns, is one of the largest outdoor air rifle matches in the country. It combines the low-cost of air rifle shooting with the fun of PRS/NRL-type multi-stage shooting.
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge
The 2024 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge in Provo, Utah attracted top shooters with over $100,000 worth of prizes. The stages look like what you’d see at PRS/NRL events, but the targets are smaller, the range is shorter, and the power behind each shot is air. Practical Air-Gun competition has a well-established community that spans the globe, and recently competitors from other shooting disciplines, the powder burners, beginning to take notice. Air-Gun practical competition is fun and inexpensive — you are paying pennies a round vs. a $1.30 or more per round for premium centerfire ammo. The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge is leading the way in this interesting air-powered shooting discipline. This multi-day event featured a variety of events on multiple stages.
Modern Tactical-Style Air Rifles
Here are two state-of-the-art tactical air rifles, the BinTac MCAR ($2790.00 from Airgun Tactical) and the FX IMPACT M4 ($2099.99 from Utah Airguns). The BinTac MCAR almost looks like a centerfire rifle at first glance but the air chambers on the buttstock tell the real story.
The 18-lb BinTac M4 features a 38″ barrel which can be easily swapped out to shoot multiple calibers including .457, .50, .51, and .58. There is also a 14-lb hunting version with a 30″ barrel. Max fill pressure is 4500 psi, but there is a 7000-psi upgrade with regulator available.
First introduced in 2015, the original FX IMPACT air rifle represented a major upgrade in field air rifles. The modern IMPACT M4 version offers enhanced performance with a variety of barrel and chassis options.
Running out of space in your gun safe? Here’s a clever product that will allow you to store more long guns in your current vault. The plastic Rifle Rods from Gun Storage Solutions slip in long-gun barrels and then grip the shelf above using Velcro pads. This allows you to nestle your rifles and shotguns much closer together than with the conventional racks provided with most gunsafes.
The handy Rifle Rods are offered in bright orange or basic black. We prefer the orange rods (shown above with the Velcro “receiver” shelf liner provided with the Rod Kit).
Rifles with narrow furniture (such as lever guns) can be placed very close together, saving lots of space. For benchrest or varmint rifles with wider fore-ends, you won’t benefit as much. Note that, in the photo above, all of the guns are fairly slim — none have wide fore-ends. Still we think these Rifle Rods could open up 12″ or more horizontal clearance in a medium-sized safe — that could easily allow you to store six (6) more guns in two rows, as shown.
Rifle Rod Kits Starting at $20.70
A kit with 5 Rifle Rods and loop fabric shelf liner costs $20.70 on Amazon.com, while the 10-Rod Kit with liner costs $33.29 this week. That’s a lot cheaper than buying a new safe. A six-pack of additional Rifle Rods costs $17.95 on Amazon. You can also purchases rods and fabric directly from Gun Storage Solutions.
WARNING: Always REMOVE Rod from barrel before taking gun to the range. Never place live ammunition in a gun with storage Rod in the barrel!
Product tip from ELR Researcher. We welcome reader submissions.
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New CZ Shadow 2 Target Pistol — Great for Gun Games
The new CZ Shadow 2 Target pistol has attracted much attention, with some very positive reviews. The Firearm Blog says the new Shadow 2 Target may be the most accurate CZ pistol ever made. But with a steep $2599.99 MSRP it better be good! If you compete in action pistol matches, the CZ Shadow 2 Target could take you to the next level… but that price could be a deal-breaker for many. Here are two recent video reviews of this impressive new pistol. CLICK HERE for more photos and full specifications.
In the video below GunsAmerica Digest Editor True Pearce reviews the new CZ Shadow 2 Target pistol. This 9mm pistol features an extended slide, 6-inch polished and hand-fitted barrel, full steel frame, and handsome ergonomic grip. This pistol also boasts a very crisp trigger that can adjust to five positions.
The regular Shadow 2 has won many IPSC world championships. And this new Shadow 2 Target model should be even better. The 6″ barrel and long slide offer significantly reduced muzzle lift for faster follow-up shots plus longer sight radius for more precise aiming. NOTE: As this pistol is designed for iron sights competition, the slide does NOT have an “optics cut” to take the larger red dot optics.
NRA Media offers a series of 40 informative videos about the Science of Shooting, covering a wide range of topics, from eye dominance to long-range ballistics. These videos feature high production values, with super-slow motion segments, as well as helpful computer graphics to illustrate the principles covered.
The videos are narrated by Jessie Duff, a top action pistol shooter (and the first women ever to achieve USPSA Grand Master status). Jessie is assisted by talented shooters such as Top Shot Season 4 Champion Chris Cheng. There are forty videos in the Firearm Science Video Series. Here are five NRA videos, with links to others below. You’ll find all 40 NRA Firearm Science Videos HERE.
Eye Dominance — How to Determine Which Eye is Dominant
Host Jessie Duff and longtime shooter Krystie Messenger demonstrate how eye dominance affects aim and teach you how to determine your dominant eye in this edition of Firearm Science. There are very simple tests you can do to determine your eye dominance. This Editor is right-handed but left-eye dominant. All competitive shooters should check for eye dominance. If you are cross-dominant, you can alter your head position or put a paper patch on one frame of your shooting glasses.
Eye Protection — Effect of Different Color Lenses
No matter what you’re shooting, eye protection should always be worn. But with so many choices, what should you wear? In this edition of Firearm Science, two-time Olympic trap shooter Corey Cogdell explains lens color options for protective eyewear. Different colors may be selected according to the light conditions and the sport. For most rifle shooters using magnified scopes, clear lenses are probably the best choice, except on very bright summer days.
Iron Sights vs. Optics
Host Jessie Duff and shooter Krystie Messenger demonstrate the benefits and drawbacks of using iron sights and optics in this edition of Firearm Science. For AR-type rifles, choosing the right option depends on the intended use of the rifle and the rules of competition. For example, a “Standard military Rifle” for CMP competition must have iron sights. But current NRA service rifle competition (and CMP unlimited military rifle class) allows scopes. Olympic smallbore shooters and Palma shooters have shown that extreme accuracy IS possible with sophisticated target sights. Below is the iron-sights Palma rifle with which John Whidden (Whidden Gunworks) won NRA Long-Range National Championships.
Many of our readers have been interested in learning how modern bullets are made. While a “boutique” bullet-maker, supplied with appropriate cores and jackets, can craft bullets using relatively simple hand dies and manual presses, factory production is different. The major bullet-makers, such as Barnes, employ huge, complex machines to craft their projectiles on an assembly line.
Modern hunting bullets are made with a variety of sophisticated (and expensive) machines, such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC) lathes, giant multi-stage presses, and hydraulic extruding machines that draw lead ingots into lead wire. Barnes offers an “inside look” at the bullet production process in a series of videos filmed at its Mona, UT factory. We’ve embedded four videos from the series here. These videos can also be viewed on the Barnes Bullets YouTube Channel.
Milling Slots in TSX All-Copper Bullet
This video shows how the slots (between the drive bands) in the TSX all-copper bullet are cut. The slots reduce the bearing surface that contacts the rifling. This helps reduce friction and heat, extending the life of barrels used with all-metal, drive-band bullets:
Varminator Bullets Produced in Jumbo Transfer Press
Here is the transfer press used in the production of Varminator and MPG Bullets. The process begins with a giant spool of flat copper material. The copper is stamped into jackets and eventually the formed Varminator bullets are ejected one by one into a bucket.
CNC Lathe Turns Bullets Automatically
In the video below, a Bar-Feed CNC crafts mono-bloc bullets from metal bar stock. Barnes uses a small CNC lathe to turn .50-caliber bullets from brass bar stock. We’re not sure which bullet is being made in this video. The material looks to be sintered metal. In the close-ups you can gold-colored shavings from when the machine was previously used for CNC-turned brass bullets.
Accuracy Testing in 100-yard Tunnel
Barnes regularly tests bullet samples for accuracy. In the video below, a Barnes technician loads sample rounds and tests them for accuracy in a 100-yard tunnel. The rounds are shot through a special fixture — basically a barreled action connected to parallel rods on either side. This allows the testing fixture to slide straight back on recoil (see it move back at 1:07-08 minute mark).
Upside-Down Trigger — Application for Unlimited Benchrest Competition?
Note how the tester actuates the trigger, which points UPWARDS, just the opposite of a normal rifle. The technician lightly taps the upward-pointing trigger shoe with a metal rod. Could this upside-down trigger work in benchrest shooting — perhaps with railguns? It could make for an interesting experiment.
Story suggestion by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Redding Reloading offers handy Handloader’s Data Sheets in printable PDF format. This FREE form allows hand-loaders to document their tool settings, bushing size, powder charge, load specs (COAL etc.), and case prep status. In addition, the form allows you to enter your load testing information, complete with chronograph data, group size, zero range, and wind/temp conditions. With this single, handy form you can document all the vital information for your particular cartridges and loads. We suggest you print these out, 3-hole-punch ‘em, and then keep them in a three-ring binder.
We’ve seen various reloading log templates, but this Redding form (shown below) is better than most because it combines both reloading data AND range-test data in one place. You can see all key details of the reloading process (tool settings etc.) plus the end results — how the load actually performed over the chronograph and on paper. This form allows the user to capture a large amount of information for later use, while accurately track load development. CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD.
FREE Ammunition Box Label Template Redding also provides a FREE printable template for your ammo boxes (see photo at top of article). This lets you put all vital load info on your ammo boxes. There are fields for: Date, Cartridge, Powder, Grains, Bullet, Weight, Primer, Case type. Designed for Avery 5260 (or similar) label sheets, this template allows you to print 30 labels at one time. You can purchase the Avery 5260 peel-off printable label sheets at any office supply store.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
⏺️ Complete AR-15 rifle for less than you might pay for assembled upper
You can’t beat this price for a complete AR-15 — $369.99 from CDNN Sports. You could easily pay MORE for an assembled upper alone. The Radical Firearms RPR AR-15 rifle features MIL-STD upper and lower receivers along with 15″ RPR rail system. The 16″ 1:7″-twist barrel is 4140 Chrome Moly Vanadium. The lower is forged 7075 T6 aluminum with Type III anodizing. The buttstock is adjustable and there is a long rail on the top of the forearm for mounting optics and accessories. NOTE: No iron sights come standard, but these can be added to the top rail.
2. Midsouth — RCBS Buy Green Free Bullets Promotion
⏺️ FREE Sierra or Barnes bullets with $100 or more RCBS product purchases
If you’re looking to grab a new reloading tool from RCBS you can now also get FREE bullets with Midsouth’s BUY GREEN, Get Premium Bullets Sale. Spend $100 and choose from a selection of free Sierra and Barnes bullets (quantity of 40 to 100 bullets). If you spend $400 you can choose from variety of 200-ct to 500-ct bullet packs. Those 500 free Sierra bullets could be worth up to $295 (for .308 168gr MatchKings) — so this is a great deal! NOTE: To get the FREE bullets you’ll need to fill out a RCBS Rebate Form. CLICK HERE for full chart of BUY GREEN free bullets.
⏺️ Very good .22 LR Target/Training pistol now under $250
All shooters should have a quality .22 LR rimfire pistol with a good trigger, ergonomic grip, and excellent accuracy. With the Walther P22 Target Model, you can get all those things for just $248.76 at CDNN Sports. The P22 is a very nice rimfire handgun with a 5″ barrel plus a forward ported compensator. The ergonomic grip has an interchangeable backstrap. Compared to most other rimfire pistols in this class, the trigger is very good with a light, crisp pull. We also like the ambidextrous controls. A rare feature for a rimfire, the P22 is covered by the Walther Legendary Lifetime Limited Warranty.
⏺️ Great price on press and complete reloading system
Natchez is offering Hornady’s L-N-L Classic Single Stage Press Reloading Kit for $344.99, a $149.00 discount. This kit includes a nice press, manual powder dispenser, electronic scale, priming tool, powder trickler, chamfer/debur tool, case lube, shell block and more. As a special bonus, Natchez is including the powered Hornady Case Prep Duo Chamfer tool, a $49 value by itself.
5. EuroOptic — Major Leupold Sale, 20-40% Off
⏺️ Save hundreds on spotters and 5X and 6X zoom ratio riflescopes
If you need a spotting scope or rifle optic check out the current EuroOptic Leupold Sale. You’ll find savings of 20% to 40% on a variety of quality spotters and rifle scopes. Among the best deals, we like the 20-60x85mm SX-4 Spotter for $649.99 ($350 off), and the 3-15x44mm VX-5HD scope for $999.00 ($500 off).
6. Locked & Loaded — Federal .22 LR Ammo, $159.99 3250 rds
⏺️ Amazing deal on good Federal .22 LR 40gr Ammo — 5 cents per round
Rimfire shooting is fun, and decent .22 LR ammo is a fraction of the cost of centerfire fodder. And here’s one of the best bulk bargains we’ve found. Right now Locked & Loaded has a 3,250-round pack of good Federal 40gr .22 LR ammunition for just $159.99. This price works out to under FIVE CENTS per round. At that price you can shoot 100 rounds for just five bucks!
7. Midsouth — Lee Breech Lock Press, $49.99
⏺️ Budget-priced Lee press works well as secondary or range press
Need a simple, reliable press that doesn’t take up a lot of bench space? A good choice for a small, secondary press is the Lee Breech Lock Reloader Single-Stage Press. Weighing just 2.1 pounds this compact press is easy to transport to the range. And you can change dies quickly using the Lee quick change bushing system — with a twist of the wrist you can remove a die in a few seconds.
8. Locked & Loaded — CCI Blazer 9mm Ammo, $214.99 1000 rds
⏺️ Quality 9mm brass-cased ammo at a super-low price — $22 cents/round
CCI makes very reliable pistol ammo with reloadable brass cases. Right now you can get 1000 rounds of CCI Blazer 9mm FMJ ammo for just $214.99 at LockedLoaded.com. The price for this 124gr CCI Blazer 9mm ammo works out to just $10.75 per 50-round box — a fantastic price. This very affordable CCI 9x19mm ammo is excellent for practice/training, and it is more reliable than commercial reloads.
9. Amazon — Earmuffs Plus Safety Glasses Combo, $24.99
⏺️ Good deal on Muffs/safety eyewear combo
Here’s a good set of NRR 28-rated earmuffs plus Z87.1-approved, wrap-around shooting glasses. This combo offers great protection for the price. The muffs come in multiple color combos: Yellow/Black (as shown), Gray/Black, Blue/Black, Pink/Black, and Purple/Black. Get the muffs and one set of safety eyewear for just $24.99 on sale (#ad). Or, for $6.00 more you can get a $30.99 kit with TWO sets of safety glasses, one tinted and one clear.
10. CDNN Sports — Camo Pack with Hydration Bladder, $9.99
⏺️ Versatile, handy hiking pack for water and basic supplies
This rugged, comfortable Backpack with 1.5 liter water bladder is a very useful gear item for hikes. The hose allows easy hydration without removing the pack. This hydration pack will hold 1.5 liters (0.4 gallons) of liquid. In the two zippered pouches you can stow other items such as: lunch snacks, a small first aid kit, a hat, extra socks, and a GPS. We have a similar bag that has worked great for many years.
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Many of our readers have been interested in learning how modern bullets are made. While a “boutique” bullet-maker, supplied with appropriate cores and jackets, can craft bullets using relatively simple hand dies and manual presses, factory production is different. The major bullet-makers, such as 
Redding also provides a FREE 
