In recent months, Creedmoor Sports has expanded its selection of reloading tools and gear, under the guidance of Bill Gravatt, former President of Sinclair International. And Creedmoor recently launched the Creedmoor InfoZone, an online source for Shooting News, Reloading Tips, Gear Reviews and basic gunsmithing information. Visit CreedmoorInfoZone.com.
Bill Gravatt is an expert on reloading processes and gear. He developed many of the popular tools marketed by Sinclair Int’l, and now he’s lending that expertise to Creedmoor Sports. Bill is hosting a series of “how-to” videos produced for the Creedmoor InfoZone.
Here Creedmoor’s Bill Gravatt demonstrates several methods to clean your cases. Bill tells us: “Powder residue should be removed before you insert your cases into your reloading dies. There are several ways to clean your cases. Many shooters use a combination of various methods…”
1. Manual Cleaning — You can use 0000 Steel wool for the outside of the case and a Case Neck brush for the inside. A paper towel can remove any remaining residue. This is a handy way to clean if you load at the range.
2. Vibratory Tumbling — This traditional method works well, particularly for pistol brass. Experiment with both Corn Cob and Walnut media. You can get a brighter shine by putting a small amount of liquid brass polish in the media.
3. Wet Tumbling with Stainless Media — This process can get your brass clean inside and out. Do check to ensure no pins are stuck in the flash-holes. Watch for peening of case mouths that can occur over time.
4. Ultrasonic Cleaning — Ultrasonic cleaning works great for small parts as well as brass. The ultrasonic process removes all carbon and traces of lube, which can leave the inside of case necks too dry. To smooth bullet seating, try putting a tablespoon of Ballistol in the cleaning solution.
Cleaning Reloading Dies
Cleaning your reloading dies is something that many hand-loaders neglect. In this 60-second Tech Tip, Bill Gravatt provides some smart advice on cleaning your dies. Bill notes: “After heavy use, case lube and carbon can build up in your reloading dies. It’s important to keep them clean. Also, with new dies, give them a good cleaning before first use, because they ship with a corrosion inhibitor.”
1. Step 1 — Prior to cleaning, disassemble the die and spray it with a good degreaser. Do this with brand new dies too.
2. Step 2 – Take a patch and run it in the die to remove old lube and gunk. Don’t forget the decapping assembly and other internal parts.
3. Step 3 — After cleaning the die, but before reassembly, spray the die with a good corrosion inhibitor, such as Corrosion-X or Starrett M1.
Here’s a new product we like — Creedmoor’s extra-long, fitted Cleaning Rod Guides (aka Bore Guides) that offer a port for adding solvent. We like the distinctive bright orange color. That helps you quickly identify your rifle on crowded cleaning bench.
Why a Rod Guide Is Needed for Proper Bore Cleaning
A good Cleaning Rod Guide ensures that your brushes and jags are centered in your bore, so you don’t get uneven wear in your throat. Moreover the guides protect the action raceways, blocking liquids and debris from entering the trigger group. The port helps you add solvent without making a mess or spilling on a fine stock finish.
The orange Creedmoor Cleaning Rod Guides have some nice features. They are long enough so that you can avoid removing larger optics and include a port to apply solvent. The O-ring at the front provides an additional seal for the chamber. These Rod Guides are designed for specific action types and chamberings for proper alignment. Creedmoor’s Bore guides cost $24.95. That’s quite a bit less than some other vendors’ fitted cleaning rod guides. Current offering are:
TIP: When using any cleaning rod guide, you should cover the rear of the stock with a towel to prevent any solvent from touching the stock. Solvents can harm find wood, painted, and hydro-dipped finishes.
We all wish we could spend more time shooting and less time sitting in front of a computer. But when you can’t avoid “keyboard commando” duties, here’s a way you can keep your focus on the X-Ring. Creedmoor Sports offers Shooters’ Mouse Pads for $4.95. This popular (and very functional) product will improve your web-surfing experience (nobody likes an old dirty mouse pad). Digitally printed, Creedmoor’s mouse pads are offered in five basic designs: Bull Target, 6 Inches, Distinguished Rifleman, Distinguished Pistol, and “I’d Rather Be Shooting”. Or, for an extra charge, the pads can be printed with a custom design for your shooting club or rifle team. Mouse pads printed with either the basic designs or custom logos would make excellent prizes to be awarded at your local club. This is a great way to promote your club or organization. Call 1-800-CREEDMOOR for quantity discounts.
The great shooting coat controversy has been quelled — at least for the next few months. The CMP will not be banning any brands of commonly-used jackets for now. On Monday, May 15th, the CMP announced that it would halt “strict enforcement” of shooting jacket rules for the remainder of 2017, until new, clear standards can be adopted. Here is the CMP’s statement:
Moratorium on Strict Enforcement of Shooting Jacket Rules
The Civilian Marksmanship Program has declared a moratorium on strict enforcement of rules on design and construction of shooting jackets for 2017 until specific procedures and measurement tools are developed to determine the maximum amount of support coats may provide to competitors.
“The CMP 2018 Rules will contain further clarifications concerning jacket design and construction specifics going forward,” said Mark Johnson, CMP’s Chief Operating Officer. “The CMP strives to institute rules that promote true marksmanship skill and those that resist the equipment race (gamesmanship) facets of our sport.”
“The CMP’s matches are being developed to enhance competitor learning and increasing their own personal marksmanship skill set, not who can buy the best gadget for means of additional support or easier access to higher point totals,” Johnson said.
In 2017, the primary emphasis of the shooting jacket rule, 6.6.1 in the CMP Highpower Rifle and Pistol Competition Rules, 21st Edition – 2017, still applies. The rule states, in part, “Shooting jackets made of flexible material may be worn in CMP Rifle events. Shooting jackets may have shoulder, sling and elbow pads providing those pads are not constructed so as to provide rigid artificial support. Jacket constructions that use back braces (…) or other non-flexible materials are prohibited.”
For 2018, it is the CMP’s intent to provide a clear and concise definition of “flexibility” as it relates to support materials used in shooting jackets and a simple measurement process capable of passing or failing jackets across the entire spectrum of highpower rifle jackets in the marketplace.”
Jacket Rules Not Abandoned Completely
We commend readers to look at the second-to-last paragraph in the CMP statement above. The CMP says Rule 6.6.1 still applies, requiring shooting jackets to be made of “flexible materials” without “rigid, artificial support”. Keep that in mind. While the CMP is halting “strict enforcement” of jacket rules, you still can’t show up with a bionic exo-skeleton.
Tired of hauling around an old-fashioned Score Book and making entries with pencil and paper? Well now you can go digital — Creedmoor Sports has released a full-featured Scoring Book App that lets you plot your shot locations using an iPhone, iPod, or iPad (Apple tablet). The price is right — just visit the iTunes store to download the App for FREE.
Record Match and Practice Data
This new App, available for free in the Apple App Store, provides all the same functions and capabilities of the traditional Creedmoor print Data Book, but with the convenience and ease of recording your match and practice information with your iPhone or tablet. With this App you can break your 20 shot slow-fire segments into either 10- or 20-shot targets, and also opt for sighting shots. All the specific event data can also be recorded, such as location, wind, light etc., along with wind and elevation adjustments.
COMMUNICATIONS Restrictions: In some matches you are not allowed to have electronic communication ability, so you may have to set your iPhone to “Airplane Mode”, or use this only with an iPod (which does not have two-way communication capability).
Today, December 16th, 2016, Creedmoor Sports is offering FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders within the Continental USA. Orders must be placed by 11:59 PM EST, on Friday, December 16. And now through January 2, 2017, Creedmoor is offering holiday sale prices on a host of products, including match ammo, shooting coats, gun cases, gloves, spotting scopes, shooting mats, eyewear, and much more.
In its Holiday Shopping Catalog, Creedmoor has also cut prices on its best-selling instructional DVDs. You can save up to $9.50 per disc, with typical savings of 20% or more. Serious High Power rifle competitors can definitely benefit from these informative DVDs which combine instruction with photos, video, and interviews. Here are three highly recommended DVDs, the first from Triple-Distinguished Marksman Jim Hill and the other two from 11-Time National High Power Champion David Tubb. You can ORDER these DVDs Online.
Great news for shooters –Bill Gravatt (former owner and President of Sinclair International) has joined the team at Creedmoor Sports. Bill will work with Creedmoor on product development, customer service, and other key tasks, bringing his decades of experience to Creedmoor’s operations. Creedmoor Sports is a company on the rise — it now offers a full line of ammunition, and in recent years Creedmoor has launched its own successful “brick and mortar” retail stores.
Bill has worked in the shooting and reloading industry for over 25 years. His vast knowledge of “all things shooting and reloading” will help Creedmoor expand its product line and serve hand-loaders. Bill Gravatt commented: “The folks at Creedmoor Sports remind me of the great team I had at Sinclair International. They are all driven in pursuit of exemplary customer service, they create well-made products, love to shoot, and just enjoy the daily satisfaction that comes from helping fellow shooters enjoy their sport.”
Greg Kantorovich, owner and President of Creedmoor Sports, tells us: “We are excited to have Bill working with us in many areas including product innovation, content production, reloading expansion, and consulting with our management team.”
“Bill brings a passion for people, product, and process that is second to none. In the short time we have been working together he has helped us raise the bar on becoming a better company to serve our customers. Myself and my team are excited for the future of precision rifle shooting and what Creedmoor will continue to bring to market.”
About Creedmoor Sports, Inc.
Creedmoor Sports produces rugged, well-built equipment for precision-driven rifle shooters. Creedmoor offers products for centerfire, smallbore and air rifle/pistol disciplines, as well as hunting and recreational shooters. For more information, visit CreedmoorSports.com.
Here’s a clever item for the avid shooters on your Xmas gift list. For the holiday season, Creedmoor Sports has created special package-wrapping paper with target graphics. The unique, heavy-weight gift wrap features Dennis DeMille’s High Power Rifle National Record Target score of 200-20x+100-8x at 200 yards. The 36″ x 24″ sheets are made from 60# stock with a gloss finish. Individual bullseye wrapping sheets cost $1.95 or you can buy five sheets for $7.95 (and save 18%).
This unique bullseye wrapping paper is perfect for presents you give to the shooters in your family. Bullseye wrap is also great for gifts a club may present to members/officers at year’s end.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Today we have something special — a bunch of exceptional “Cyber Monday” Deals as well as carry-over Black Friday Bargains. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, and shooting accessories we found. You’ll need to act quickly because many of these deals expire at 11:59 PM tonight (11/28/2016) or on Tuesday. 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. Brownells — Cyber Monday Guns, Optics, Parts, Ammo & More
Brownells has gone “whole hog” for Cyber Monday this year. Visit Brownells’ Cyber Monday Page and you’ll find deep discounts on firearms, optics, mags, reloading tools, ammo, gun parts and accessories. It’s easy to navigate — as there are big topical buttons for all the key product line. To further motivate Cyber Monday shoppers, Brownells is offering FREE Shipping with Code L9L. And, if you spend $200.00 or more, you can get FREE shipping plus 10% OFF your order with Code L9M. To see all Brownells Cyber Monday deals, CLICK HERE.
2. CDNN Sports — Cyber Monday Rifle Deals
CDNN is running a Cyber Monday Sale with deep discounts on numerous rifles and pistols. You’ll find great deals on Colt, Remington, and Ruger rifles. But what really caught our attention were the BROWNING BARGAINS. Check out the prices on these smooth-cycling A-Bolt III rifles (as low at $449.00 net after Browning Rebate). And what’s even better, CDNN includes a 3-9x40mm Thompson Center Scope and rings with each A-Bolt III. NOTE: Sale ends Tuesday November 29, 2016 at Noon CST. If you want one of these rifles — don’t delay!
Our friends at EuroOptic.com have rolled out some exceptional deals for Cyber Monday. Buy a Sightron Scope and get a $50.00 Gift Card. You’ll also find great deals on Leica CRF-1600B and CRF-1000R Laser Rangefinders. Last but not least, prices have been slashed on Leupold’s highly-respected Mark IV scopes. With EuroOptic’s Close-Out Pricing, save $200-$300 on these Mark IVs.
4. Midsouth — Lock ‘N Load Complete Reloading Kit, $249.99
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Kit comes with everything you need to turn out high-quality handloads. The Kit includes: Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic single-stage press, Hornady Powder Measure, Digital Scale, Two-Volume Hornady Reloading Manual, Three Lock-N-Load Die Bushings, Reloading Block, Chamfer/Debur Tool, Hand Priming Tool, and One Shot™ Case Lube. We’ve used this press and it is excellent. The L-N-L bushings allow fast die changes.
Creedmoor Sports has many items on sale this Cyber Monday. You’ll find discounts on Creedmoor-brand ammo, shooting mats, shooting gloves, and books. But the deal that really caught our attention was the Shooting Coat Special. Today you can save $30.95 on Creedmoor’s famous Canvas Shooting Coat. Regularly $140.95, this coat is now just $110.00 — that’s a 22% markdown.
Plus on Cyber Monday you can get FREE Ground Shipping on ALL in-stock items in the Creedmoor online store. This special expires at 11:59 pm, November 28, 2016.
6. Cabelas.com — Cyber Week Deals on Guns, Ammo, & Gear
Now through December 3, 2016, Cabela’s is offering CyberWeek Deals on a wide range of products. Here are four of the best shooting/hunting bargains we found:
7. Gander Mountain — Money Off Codes Save Up to $100 on Orders
Gander Mountain carries a large selection of outdoor gear, reloading products, and hunting accessories. This national retailer also sells pistols, shotguns, and rifles. If you find an item of interest at GanderMountain.com, save cash with Coupon Code CYBER2016. This saves $20 on $100+ orders, saves $50 on $250+ orders, and saves a whopping $100 on $500+ orders. NOTE: This promotion expires November 28, 2016 at 11:59 pm EST.
8. Sportsman’s Guide — Cyber Monday Specials
For Cyber Monday, Sportsman’s Guide has slashed prices on 140+ items. Hunters will find a wide selection of footwear and camo hunting apparel on sale. In addition, there are bargains on hunting accessories such as game cameras, gloves, and winter wear. Shown above are some very good deals we found on the Cyber Monday Sale Page.
Here’s a great promotion from Creedmoor Sports. Right now, if you purchase any Creedmoor Hardback Heavy Coat in stock, you’ll get a $75.00 gift certificate. This coat is very popular with Service Rifle shooters, Palma competitors, and other sling shooters. These Hardback Coats are high-quality items that will last a lifetime. To see the Hardback shooting coat sizes and colors in stock, CLICK HERE.
These coats are in stock now and ready to ship. Due to the limited inventory of these coats (and specialized sizes), please call 1-800-273-3366 to order. Creedmoor’s inventory spreadsheet will be updated every 24 hours so please call to check real-time inventory levels and sizes. NOTE: This is a limited time offer.
Tired of hauling around an old-fashioned Score Book and making entries with pencil and paper? Well now you can go digital — 
