The 5th Annual Brownells Gunsmith Career Fair will feature some of the biggest names in the gun trade. These experts will share their knowledge to help budding gunsmiths learn new skills and grow their businesses. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) representatives will also be on hand to answer questions. The Gunsmith Career Fair runs April 15 and 16, 2011, at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. The event is FREE to gunsmiths and exhibitors.
Wide Range of Scheduled Seminars
Seminars range from advancing your career in the gunsmithing profession to starting or expanding a gunsmithing business. View the full seminar schedule at gunsmithcareerfair.com. Scheduled Seminars are listed below:
Seminar Title and Seminar Leader
Am I Gunsmithing or Manufacturing — ATF Technology Branch (4/15)
Alternative Careers in the Industry — Bill Gravatt, Sinclair Int’l (4/15)
Essential Components of a Business Plan — Tom Shay (4/15)
Creating Your Niche in Life — Doug Turnbull (4/15)
Marking Variances & When are They Required — ATF Technology Branch (4/15)
Finding Your Specialty in the Industry — Sharon Dressel (4/15)
Small Businesses Don’t Die; They Commit Suicide — Tom Shay (4/15)
Responsible, Professional Gunsmith Opportunities (Keynote Address) — Ron Power (4/15)
Professional Techniques on Gunsmithing Guns — Ron Power (4/16)
Creating a Great Customer Experience — Bart Miller (4/16)
Understanding Ballistics — Paul Dressel (4/16)
Communicating with the Public — Reid Coffield (4/16)
It’s Not Too Late to Register
There’s still time to register to attend or exhibit, just go to gunsmithcareerfair.com or call 641-623-5401 and ask for Stacy or Jill. Attendees and exhibitors are urged to book hotel rooms and flights early.
Sinclair International is running a Spring Promo right now. You can get $20.00 off an order of $200.00 (or more), or $25.00 off an order of $250.00 (or more). Think about it — a couple boxes of Lapua brass and a couple boxes of bullets and you’ll qualify. But take note: this Promo only runs March 4 through March 6 — Friday (today), Saturday, and Sunday. So act quick if you want to save. For the $20 off deal use promo code CMN; for the $25 off deal use promo code CFR.
Sinclair Int’l is running a Cyber Weekend Sale with 10% off orders over $150.00. USE Promo Code: RFL. Simply use that Code during checkout to receive your discount
“Doors Open” at 12:01 am on November 26th. At that time you can see selected items at big markdowns. Go to Sinclair’s Cyber Weekend Page to see the special discounts. The exclusive savings run through midnight, November 29! Selected items have special, reduced prices, available all weekend.
Here are some of the featured Cyber Weekend Specials:
On “Black Friday”, the big sale day following Thanksgiving, Brownells will commence a 10% off promotion. Starting at 12:01 AM, Friday, November 26, you can get 10% off any Brownells order. Log on to Brownells’ Black Rifle Friday Page on Friday to get the Promo Code, or visit Brownells’ Facebook page (Facebook “friends” get early access to Promo Code).
Black Rifle Friday Promo Runs Until Midnight on Cyber-Monday
The Brownells Black Rifle Friday Promo runs through midnight, on “Cyber-Monday”, November 29. Selected items will also have special, reduced prices all weekend. For more information, call 800-741-0015 or visit brownells.com.
Students from the Brownells-sponsored Third Year Gunsmithing program at Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC) donated their time to help shooters at the recent Black Powder Cartridge Rifle National Silhouette Championships. The students repaired guns during the event, held at the NRA’s Whittington Center Range near Raton, New Mexico.
The TSJC gunsmiths-in-training worked on almost 40 guns belonging to the 200 competitors in the event. In the photo at right, John Cowell and Bob Campbell work on a firing pin problem for one of the shooters. The Whittington Center experience let the students practice their skills with the extra time pressure of helping a shooter get back to competition. “This is exactly [what] the 3rd Year Program was designed to do — get the students hands-on experience solving real gun repair problems,” said Brownells President, Pete Brownell.
Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette Basics
You’ll find a good summary of Black Power Cartridge Rifle Silhouette History, Rules and Equipment on the Outdoor Adventures Network website.
In Black Powder Cartridge Silhouette Silhouette (BPCRS) competition, shooters must knock down steel silhouette chickens at 200 meters (656 ft.), pigs at 300 meters (984 ft.), turkeys at 385 meters (1,262 ft.) and rams at 500 meters (1,639 ft.). As in high-power rifle silhouette competitions, the chickens must be shot off-hand, in the standing position. However, BPCRS differs in that the pigs, turkeys and rams may be shot in a prone or sitting position using a cross-stick rest. Ten shots are fired at each target, for a total of 40 shots per match. The challenge is in the equipment — BPCRS is limited to single shot, exposed-hammer, American rifles of the era preceding 1896. Only original or reproduction single shot rifles that shoot cartridges loaded with black powder or Pyrodex are allowed. Only original sights may be used –- no scopes.
Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Links:
LongRangeBPCR.com (Informative site for BPCR Long-range Competition).
BPCR.net (Active Forum, Tech Pages, and Match Results).
Here’s an interesting job opportunity that would allow gun-savvy writers to work from home, anywhere in the country. Brownells, Inc. is seeking freelance writers for Public Relations press releases. According to Randy Lehman, Brownells’ Marketing Director, the ideal candidate “would have knowledge of the shooting industry, some knowledge of Brownells and experience in public relations.” We think many of our readers would qualify. To be considered please email a cover letter & resume to Randy.Lehmann [at] brownells.com. If you have questions, call (641) 623-5401.
Brownells’ 4th Annual Gunsmith Career Fair takes place on April 23 and 24, 2010, at Des Moines Marriott Downtown in Des Moines, Iowa. The event, free to gunsmiths and exhibitors, is designed to help new gunsmiths find work and otherwise advance their careers and businesses. Expert gunsmiths and gun industry leaders will be on hand to share their experience and lead seminars. Scheduled Seminars include:
- Time = Money (The Cold, Hard Facts)
– Financing your Business
– Gunsmithing Tax
– Increasing your Revenue through Engraving
– Gunsmithing for a ‘Big Box’ Retailer
– Merchandising Tips
In addition, Tom Shay (Profit Plus) will outline the essential components of a business plan and BATF Reps will host two seminars on Federal rules and regulations pertaining to gunsmithing.
Frank Brownell told us, “I’m delighted to see the seminars growing. Our goal is to make the Career Fair much more than just a place to find a job.” There’s still time to register to attend or exhibit. Sign up now at gunsmithcareerfair.com or call Stacy or Jill at (641) 623-5401. NOTE: Attendees and exhibitors should book hotel rooms and flights early as other major events are scheduled in Des Moines that same weekend.CLICK HERE to watch Gunsmith Career Fair VIDEO (Recommended).
Sinclair Int’l is offering a chance to win $100.00. Here’s the deal. If you write and submit a user product review, you will be entered into a contest with a chance to win a $100 gift certificate. For every approved review you write, you’ll get one chance at the monthly drawing. For example, if you write 10 product reviews that are approved, you will get 10 entries. It’s pretty simple. Just remember, there is only one winner per month. The January winner was Ross Livingston.
Each month all reviewers will be entered into a random drawing to win a $100 Sinclair International Gift Certificate. Sinclair says: “You do not need to have recently purchased the item to write a review for it. It could be a product that you previously purchased from Sinclair International. If we still sell it, you can review it!” After the monthly drawing is held the winning reviewer will be sent electronically a $100 Sinclair International Gift Certificate.
Sinclair Int’l has added many new products to its catalog, including recently-introduced reloading products from Hornady: AutoCharge electronic powder measure ($249.95), Lock-N-Load Concentricity Gauge ($99.95), and the Lock-N-Load UltraSonic Cleaning machine ($99.95). In addition, Sinclair has rolled out some impressive new products of its own, such as the new fully-adjustable, quick-attach Tactical/Varmint Bipod.
Sinclair Int’l Tactical/Varmint Bipod
With a hefty $229.95 MSRP, the new Sinclair Tactical/Varmint Bipod (item 04-8500) is nearly three times the price of a Harris bipod. Is it worth the extra money? For a typical varmint hunter, the answer might be no. But for the tactical competitor, the enhanced performance (and extra features) of the Sinclair tactical/varmint bipod may well be worth the extra coin.
The new Sinclair Tactical/Varmint Bipod is a strong, rugged design with billet aluminum and stainless steel construction throughout. There are many enhanced features compared to a Harris. First, the Sinclair Bipod’s individually adjustable legs can spread much wider (and lower) than on a Harris. The legs adjust from 6 1/2 inches to 12 1/2 inches in length, and there is a positive stop on each leg. The Sinclair Bipod also comes with a built-in “Pod-Loc” style cant adjuster, a really important feature that must be retrofitted (for about $27) on a Harris. In addition to the cant adjustment lever, the Sinclair bipod has a secure quick-release attachment system — the same system used on Sinclair’s popular F-Class Bipod. This lets you install or remove the bipod in seconds without any tools. Showing attention to detail, Sinclair also included an extra swivel stud on the bipod upper section, so you can attach a sling. Overall, the new 1 lb., 12 oz. Sinclair Tactical Bipod looks like a very good product that offers real advantages over a Harris for the tactical shooter. We just wish the price was lower.
Hornady AutoCharge Electronic Powder Scale & Dispenser
Here’s the first look at Hornady’s brand new Lock-N-Load AutoCharge electronic powder scale/dispenser. This unit can measure up to 1000 grains of powder. According to Hornady, the unit will calculate weight precisely to within ± 0.1 grains. That would put it on a par with the RCBS Chargemaster, though the Hornady unit sells for $60-$80 less than the “green machine”. The Hornady has many nice features, such as an easily readable, back-lit display, trickle function, calibration weights suitable to both low and high powder charges, and plenty of memory for your favorite loads. The Hornady, priced at $249.95 (item 050068) at Sinclair, also features three, user-selectable dispensing speeds — something you won’t find on the RCBS ChargeMaster. Those three speed settings let you optimize dispensing flow for the type of powder you’re using.
We hope to get one of these Hornady AutoCharge units soon and run a head-to-head comparison with our RCBS Chargemaster. Below is a video from SHOT Show 2010 of an early production Hornady AutoCharge.
Brownells has commenced a 37,000 square foot expansion of its Montezuma, Iowa, warehouse. Along with the new space, plans call for the addition of several new warehouse employees, plus more technology to assist order-picking, packing, and shipping.
According to company President, Pete Brownell, “The extra space makes room for the additional inventory needed to maintain our industry-leading in-stock position and to also help us get our orders out even more efficiently.”
CEO Frank Brownell told us, “I remember working for Dad in the basement of the old movie theatre on the town square. We couldn’t imagine filling the current building when we moved in back in the 1970s and we’ve had to add on every five years.”
The 5th Annual Brownells Gunsmith Career Fair will feature some of the biggest names in the gun trade. These experts will share their knowledge to help budding gunsmiths learn new skills and grow their businesses. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) representatives will also be on hand to answer questions. The Gunsmith Career Fair runs April 15 and 16, 2011, at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. The event is FREE to gunsmiths and exhibitors.
On “Black Friday”, the big sale day following Thanksgiving, Brownells will commence a 10% off promotion. Starting at 12:01 AM, Friday, November 26, you can get 10% off any Brownells order. Log on to Brownells’ 
Students from the Brownells-sponsored Third Year Gunsmithing program at 
In Black Powder Cartridge Silhouette Silhouette (BPCRS) competition, shooters must knock down steel silhouette chickens at 200 meters (656 ft.), pigs at 300 meters (984 ft.), turkeys at 385 meters (1,262 ft.) and rams at 500 meters (1,639 ft.). As in high-power rifle silhouette competitions, the chickens must be shot off-hand, in the standing position. However, BPCRS differs in that the pigs, turkeys and rams may be shot in a prone or sitting position using a cross-stick rest. Ten shots are fired at each target, for a total of 40 shots per match. The challenge is in the equipment — BPCRS is limited to single shot, exposed-hammer, American rifles of the era preceding 1896. Only original or reproduction single shot rifles that shoot cartridges loaded with black powder or Pyrodex are allowed. Only original sights may be used –- no scopes.
Here’s an interesting job opportunity that would allow gun-savvy writers to work from home, anywhere in the country. 
Brownells’ 4th Annual 
