Probably 95% of all civilian rifle shooting is done from the bench — if you include fun shooting, load development, sight-in sessions, practice days, youth training, as well as actual benchrest and club competitions. If you shoot with iron sights, or a low-power optic, you’ll definitely need a spotting scope to see your shots on target. And if you’re shooting long-range, that spotting scope will help you see mirage, as well as hits on far targets.
It’s not always easy to place a spotting scope near your bench. There are short benchtop tripods, but they take up precious bench-top space and can interfere with your non-favored arm placement/functions. Or you can deploy a complete separate tall tripod, next to the bench, but, frankly, that’s inconvenient, and with some bench structures it’s difficult to get the scope close enough to the shooter’s eye.
Here is a smart solution from Creedmoor Sports — a specialized, clamp-on Spotting Scope Support that mounts directly to the side of your bench. This will work with heavy, thick range benchtops as well as thinner-top portable shooting benches.
Creedmoor Spotting Scope Bench Mount
This mounting system clamps to the bench, allowing your spotting scope to be suspended near your face, with nothing below it to get bumped. If your buddy wants to look through the scope, simply spin the horizontal boom piece away from the bench. This system adjusts up and down and left and right. Set the scope head in any configuration you prefer. The $219.95 kit has everything you need, including all clamps AND the blue adjustable scope head. Select either 3/4″ rod diameter or 1″ rod diameter. (Bigger is better for heavier spotting scopes).
Creedmoor Bench Mount Spotting Scope Stand Features:
1″ or 3/4″ aluminum rods for vertical and horizontal support (18″ in length)
Anti-pivot pins to keep the mount from twisting on the edge of the bench
Includes high-grade Blue anodized adjustable scope head
Durable anti-slip rubber on the clamp
Micro-adjustment clamping stopper
Many gun gear makers and online vendors are offering great bargains right now through “Pre-Black Friday” promotions. Popular online stores are offering big discounts on a large inventory selection — in some cases, everything in stock is discounted 10%, 15%, even 25%.
Traditionally, a host of major sales commence on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. However, some major Black Friday Week promotions that are already underway today, November 24th, 2021. You’ll find super deals on firearms, reloading tools, optics, shooting accessories, and more. Most of the offers shown below are active right now, or start on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. We will release another Sale Spotlight tomorrow for deals that begin on Black Friday.
EuroOptic Black Friday/Cyber Week Savings — Major Discounts
EuroOptic is offering special Cyber Week savings on scopes, spotting scopes, binoculars, and laser rangefinders from major brands including Schmidt & Bender, SIG Sauer, Crimson Trace, Eotech and more. In addition, you’ll find discounts on Vortex, Leupold, and other brands. And not just optics are on sale — there are Cyber Week discounts on Kimber pistols, Timney triggers, Garmin gear, and SilencerCo suppressors. CLICK HERE to see ALL the EuroOptic deals.
Primary Arms Pre-Black Friday Sale
Save on AR lowers, uppers, optics, triggers, .22 LR AR conversion kits, cleaning kits, backpacks and more. Primary Arms has discounted nearly all Aero Precision products. Plus Primary Arms has complete Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 rimfire AR clones for $379.99 — that’s $70 off the regular price.
Palmetto State Armory — Pre-Black Friday Sales
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) has already kicked off a major Black Friday week sale. If you are shopping for an AR lower, upper, or magazines, this is the first place to look. PSA also has very attractive pricing on handguns for carry or competition.
Precision Reloading — Bullets, Brass, Presses, and Dies on Sale
Precision Reloading has discounted Hornady bullets, Redding dies, RCBS presses, RCBS ChargeMaster Lites, RCBS priming tools, Redding presses, Lyman tools, Starline brass, and more. This is a great opportunity to get a good press and quality dies for your next gun project.
Creedmoor Sports — Pre-Black Friday Savings on Many Products
Creedmoor Sports is running a big Thanksgiving Week Sale with significant savings on dozens of popular items including signature Creedmoor Sports shooting coats, shooting mats, carts, rifle cases, scope stands, and much more. There are also big discounts on Sightron and Hi-Lux optics, electronic hearing protection, reloading tools, and other hardware. CLICK HERE to see all products on sale now.
Walmart — Hewlett Packard Core i3 Windows Laptop, $279.00
⏺ GREAT price for HP laptop with Windows 10 and very fast SSD
Here is a killer pre-Black Friday deal at Walmart. Get a fine Hewlett Packard (HP) 15.6″ Laptop computer with Windows 10 software for just $279.00! This HP features a fast Intel i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of super-fast SSD storage, plus FREE Windows 11 upgrade. With this device you can can monitor a shot-marker, record match results, and access load data at the range. NOTE: If you prefer a faster processor, Walmart also offers a similar HP laptop for $379.00 with Intel i5 processor, Windows 11, and 8GB RAM/250GB SSD.
Sportsman’s Warehouse — Early Access Black Friday Sale
Sportsman’s Warehouse is running an “Early Access” Sale with major discounts on firearms, hunting gear, outdoor clothing, and optics. You’ll find great deals on scopes, rangefinder, and binoculars from Vortex, Nikon, Crimson Trace, Leupold, SIG Sauer and other top brands. You can save up to $500 on Crimson Trace scopes. If you want even bigger savings, CLICK HERE for a preview of the featured Black Friday sale items starting 11/26/2021.
Longshot — Big Cyber Days Savings on LR Target Cameras
Longshot makes the best long range target cameras on the market. These offer great image quality and unrivaled range. In addition, Longshot offers a cool system that works with spotting scopes, allowing you to video-record your strings and even score shots. Right now you can save $100.00 on the superb Longshot LR-3 UHD system with 2-mile range. Save up to $250.00 on multi-camera systems.
Big Shot Tumblers — FREE Shipping through December 5, 2021
Forum member F-Class John offers the superb, high-capacity Big Shot Tumblers in two high-capacity sizes, BST-40 and BST-60. These Big Shot Tumblers put lesser machines to shame. If you regularly tumble large quantities of cases, you should definitely get a Big Shot Tumbler. These start at $380 for the 40-lb capacity BST-40 model. Now through 12/5/2021, you can get FREE SHIPPING on your orders. Use coupon Code BIGSHIP during check-out.
After Thanksgiving, many Eastern and snow-belt shooting ranges will halt operations for the winter. If you’re an avid rifleman who enjoys shooting regularly, the dark days of winter can bring withdrawal pains. The closure of outdoor ranges can mean months of forced inactivity… unless you have an all-weather indoor shooting solution — such as this unique airgun target backer system from Creedmoor Sports.
Some clubs maintain their own indoor air rifle ranges where you can continue to shoot and train throughout the winter. If there are no such facilities nearby, Creedmoor Sports offers a great solution for those who want to shoot indoors — even in your own basement or garage.
Creedmoor’s patented Air Gun Range provides a target holder and a curtain-type backstop capable of stopping pellets with a muzzle velocity up to 600 fps. The target boxes can be positioned at various heights for prone, kneeling, and standing. Creedmoor says the hardened steel target boxes provide 100% containment for any pellet passing through the target.
Creedmoor Air Gun Ranges Are Used by CMP, Colleges, and U.S. Military
Creedmoor’s Air Gun Range is a proven, heavy-duty product — the only Air Rifle target system ever tested and approved by the U.S. Military. This system is now being used in more than 800 schools nationwide, as well as the CMP shooting facility in Alabama. The 3-station range easily dis-assembles for transport and storage, fitting inside a 34″ x 10″ x 8″ carry duffle.
The Portable Air Gun Range comes with a durable curtain/backstop that sets up quickly and easily. Velcro edging allows multiple curtains to be joined together. The curtain provides ample stopping power for air pellets. However, this is NEVER to be used with rimfire or centerfire rounds, or even high-energy pneumatic hunting rifles. This is for standard airguns only. That could be a $100 Crosman, or a $3600 Model 9003 S2 Anschutz, as shown below:
Creedmoor-branded products are generally high quality, and Creedmoor Sports offers customization options for its shooting coats and many other personal gear items. It’s definitely worth checking out the products on sale.
This is a limited time offer with 10% off Creedmoor branded items. Use Promo Code SPOOKY at checkout. Some exclusions apply (ammunition, portable air gun ranges and parts). NOTE: SPOOKY Coupon cannot be combined with other coupon codes or promotions. Offer valid through 11/1/21 11:59 am central. Not valid on previous purchases.
A “10.9” is a perfect shot in Olympic and ISSF smallbore and airgun shooting. Since today is the ninth day of October, officially 10/9/2021, Creedmoor Sports is running a special 10.9 FREE SHIPPING promotion. To celebrate the PERFECT shot this weekend, Creedmor Sports is offering Free Shipping on orders over $109 (with some exceptions). Use promo code PERFECT at checkout. This offer runs through Monday 10/11/21 at 11:59 pm. See website for details: Creedmoorsports.com.
What is a 10.9 Score — Isn’t a 10 the Highest Value?
Under ISSF rules, “The final score is made of decimal points, with the maximum score per shot being 10.9.” You get extra value, above 10 points, by placing your shot in the very center of the ten ring, as shown in red in the photo above. The maximum score is a 10.9.
Bill Lee, former U.S. Olympic Shooting Team Member, explains the 10.9 score in a Quaro Post:
A 10.9 would be a DEAD-CENTER shot.
ALL ISSF events that previously uses paper bullseye targets with numerical scoring rings have switched to electronic targets since the conclusion of the 1988 Olympics. From this point forward decimal points scoring was introduced, initially for only the finals for both rifle and pistol. Still, in recent years all rifle events’ in both preliminary/qualifying AND the FINAL stage of the match are entirely scored in decimal points. In contrast, the pistol events, only the finals are scored down to decimals.
Why? To break ties, and see who CONSISTENTLY comes close to dead center hit with every shot, of course! They don’t call it the Olympics for nothing.
A 10.5 is a shot that “nicks” the lines on the inner 10-ring (It’s the smallest circle on ALL ISSF bullseye rifle and pistol targets). — Bill Lee
If a shot just slightly cuts the outside of the 10-ring (2nd smallest circle), it’s a 10.0.
Terms of 10.9 Special Offer at Creedmoor Sports
This is a limited time offer for Free Shipping for orders over $109.00 dollars. Use Promo Code PERFECT at checkout. The FREE shipping for orders over $109.00 applies to all Creedmoor Sports departments (see below), but there are exclusions for certain, specific products: “Some exclusions apply (Hagar brass, ammunition, tumbler media, portable air gun ranges, targets, kneeling roll pellets, cleaning rods, and posters. Drop shipped items (all Giraud and Gracey products, Big Shot Tumblers) are excluded.”
Creedmoor Sports Departments — Ammo, Guns, Gear, Optics, Tools, Targets, Coats and More
Take a look at that unusual target below. We bet you’ve never seen one of these before. It’s a 50-Yard Sighting Target for the M1 Garand (and other .30-06 Springfield vintage military rifles). It’s designed to allow a rifleman to confirm his zeros for multiple yardages all the way out to 1000 yards. But importantly, he can establish those zeros at a very “short” shooting facility, since the target is positioned at a mere 50 yards.
Here’s how it works. The target is placed at fifty (50) yards. You start at the bottom, aiming at the black circle. Then check your come-up table and work your way up, clicking step-by-step to the various horizontal lines set for 200, 300, 500, 600 and 1000 yards. This is NOT “spray and pray” — you need to have a pretty good idea of the clicks you need, based on your ammo’s ballistics. This target is calibrated for the U.S. Military M72 Ball Ammo. The targets are available from Champion’s Choice ($0.75 each) or from Creedmoor Sports (12 for $5.95).
Kevin Thomas used this target to get zeroed for a D-Day Anniversary Match at the Talladega Marksmanship Park a few seasons back. Kevin used the target for both his M1 Garand as well as his M1903A1 Springfield, both chambered for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge.
Zeroing at a Short Distance — How to Use the 50-Yard Sighting Target, by Kevin Thomas
As part of my preparation for the Garand Match at the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park, I needed to zero my new M1 Garand, but I was crunched for time. I didn’t have time to get to my normal range and confirm zeros at actual yardages. But a 50-yard zero target came to the rescue. Made for M1s using the M72 National Match ammo, the target allows the shooter to establish fairly good zeros at 200, 300, 500, 600 and 1,000 yards if you’ve got access to a 50-yard range.
I have no idea when these 50-yard Sighting Targets were first developed, but they’ve been around for at least as long as I’ve been involved in this game (longer than I care to admit). It consists of a tall target, with a smallish black bullseye located at the bottom center. The bullseye is an aiming point only. Extending through the top of the target is a vertical line that runs directly up the center, to nearly the top of the paper. Across this, there are intersecting horizontal lines that are marked 200, 300, 500, 600 and 1,000.
The target was designed for the M1 Garand rifle using then-issued M72 National Match ammunition. This ammo launched a 173gr FMJBT bullet at approximately 2,640 FPS. It was a good load in its day, supersonic out to the 1,000-yard line. While that ammo is fairly scarce these days, this isn’t a problem for the handloader. My standard match load for the M1 Garand utilizes the 175gr Lapua Scenar HPBT, and delivers remarkably similar ballistic performance. Thus my normal Garand load translates nicely to this 50-yard target. Yes, this is by design. No point in reinventing the wheel when Lake City has already established what works!
In use, the shooter sets the target up at a measured 50 yards, and (this is critical) checks the vertical line with a plumb bob or a carpenter’s level, to ensure that it is absolutely vertical. Once the target is set, the rifle is fired and the group noted. From there, it is a simple matter of zeroing it normally to bring the groups into alignment with the vertical line, at the elevation needed for a particular range. Once your group is hammering the intersection of the vertical line and the horizontal line marked “200”, you have established your 200-yard zero for that rifle. Record the number of clicks, and you’re good to go. Raise the impacts up to coincide with the line marked “300” and you now have a 300-yard zero as well. And so on, right up the target. Record those settings in your data book, and you’re ready to go to the range at the full distances. If done carefully, you may be in the X-Ring, but at the very least, you’ll be well-centered and ready to get some hard dope recorded for future shoots.
The same target can also be used with an M14/M1A, at least at the shorter distances. The ballistics of the M118 and the current M118LR are similar enough that this will get you on target at the full distances, probably requiring just a half MOA or so change from the 50 yard zero you recorded. Same bullets, moving at a slightly more sedate 2,550 fps, you’ll be in the ballpark at least.
Dennis DeMille shows a young competitor at the CMP Western Games how to adjust his leather sling.
The NRA High Power Over-the-Course (OTC) National Championship will be held at Camp Atterbury over the next 7 days. Firing will be done in multiple positions — prone, sitting/kneeling, and standing. Proper support and adjustment of the sling is vital for successful High Power competition. In this short article, Dennis DeMille, a past Service Rifle Champion, explains how to set-up a sling on match rifles.
Setting-Up a Leather Service Rifle Sling for Competition
So you made the mistake of disassembling your leather service rifle sling, or are intimidated about how to use one? In this Creedmoor Sports InfoZone video, Dennis DeMille (past Creedmoor G.M.) explains how to set up and use a sling. The covers the basics — Dennis starts with a totally disassembled leather service rifle sling and shows you how to set it up properly.
Tip: “Many shooters shy away from using a leather sling because they have never been taught how to use one. That’s unfortunate. In my opinion a leather sling offers more support than a web sling, which is important when competiting with the heavier than normal rifles.”
Configuring the Sling for the Standing (Offhand) Position
In this second in a series of Creedmoor InfoZone videos on the setup and use of the leather service rifle sling, Dennis DeMille details how to configure and best utilize the leather service rifle sling while shooting from the standing position.
Tip: “Putting the Frogs in different hole will change the amount of added elevation a sling provides.”
Looking at Sling Types — Comparing the Features
In this video Dennis showcases a large variety of shooting slings. He explains the strong points of each type so you can choose the sling best suited to your discipline and shooting style.
The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
Once you know how to set up your sling properly, you’ll want to practice. Dennis DeMille stresses the importance of dry-fire practice with sling and shooting coat. Dry-Fire training is essential to the sling disciplines. Dennis DeMille, a national Service Rifle Champion, told us that, for every minute he spent in actual competition, he would spend hours practicing without ammunition. While in the USMC, Dennis would practice in the barracks, working on his hold and dry-firing:
“The most important thing is to spend time off the range practicing. Most of what I learned as a High Power shooter I learned without ammunition — just spending time dry firing and doing holding exercises. Holding exercises will really identify the weak parts of your position. The primary purpose of dry firing is to get you used to shooting an empty rifle. If you can shoot a loaded rifle the same way you shoot an empty rifle then eventually you will become a High Master.”
While reloading components remain in short supply, there is a new source for affordable rifle bullets in popular calibers. Creedmoor Sports is now offering American Bullet Company (ABC) Practice Bullets in .22, 6mm, and .308 calibers. These are factory seconds from a major American manufacturer.
Creedmoor Sports explains that it may make sense to shoot less expensive bullets during practice sessions, particularly for sling-shooters: “We believe a key to winning a competition is the practice time you put in leading up to the match. ABC Practice Bullets are an excellent alternative for competitors who may not want to use their expensive bullets during a practice session and save their best loads for a match.” With these ABC Practice Bullets you can save 20-30% off the price of first-run, major brand BTHP bullets. With those savings, you spend less money per round, so live-fire practice doesn’t bust your budget.
For some disciplines, these bullets aren’t just for practice. We predict the ABC 6mm bullets will work well in PRS/NRL matches with popular calibers 6mmBR, 6 Dasher, 6 GT, 6-6.5×47 Lapua, and 6mm Creedmoor.
ABC Practice Bullets are factory seconds, but they’re still great for training. Along with the 6mm 107gr bullets, Creedmoor is offering .22-Caliber (52gr, 55gr, 77gr) and .308-Caliber (125gr, 168gr, 175gr) practice bullets. All offerings have very attractive pricing, starting at $17.80/100 (for .22 Cal 55gr).
NOTE: All ABC Practice Bullets are sold in 500-ct boxes (by weight). All bullets in each 500-ct boxes will be from the same lot in each box. However, lots may vary from box to box.
How These Practice Bullets May Vary from First-Run Bullets
Issues separating American Bullet Company Practice Bullets from factory first-run bullets may include:
Minor scratch marks on the jacket
Polishing media or compound in the hollow point
Boat tail dimensions that vary slightly from the print
Weight variance — total weight variance of 2.0 grains across the lot
The folks at Creedmoor Sports are reviving a tradition this week — opening an “outlet store” on Commercial Row at Camp Perry. To serve shooters at the National Matches, Creedmoor Sports loaded a large truck with shooting gear and accessories and headed North to the shores of Lake Erie. Over the past few days, Creedmoor’s team has been unpacking the gear and setting it up.
The Creedmoor Sports store at Camp Perry opened today July 20, 2021. On Creedmoor’s Facebook Page, the crew posted: “Almost everything is unboxed and we’re on track to open our Camp Perry store[.]”
Good news for serious hand-loaders — a large selection of premium-quality Lapua brass is now IN STOCK at Creedmoor Sports and Grafs.com. You’ll find a wide variety of cartridge types available for purchase today at these two leading vendors. Check the lists below.
We’re happy to report that Lapua Brass is IN STOCK, because finding top quality reloading components (brass, bullets, powder, and especially primers) has been a major challenge over the past year. It looks like both Graf & Sons and Creedmoor Sports have received large shipments of Lapua cartridge brass recently. So if need good brass, check the availability list below, and then place your orders. Sorry, no 6mmBR, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5×55, 7mm-08, or .30-06 brass at either vendor right now.
As of 9:00 am on Saturday July 17, 2021, here are some of the rifle cartridge types we found in stock.
Lapua .220 Russian Brass $128.29
Lapua .223 Rem. Brass $68.99
Lapua 6mm Creedmoor Brass Small Primer Pocket $55.99 (50 ct)
Lapua .243 Win Brass $120.99
Lapua 6.5×47 Lapua Brass $134.99
Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor Brass Small Primer Pocket $103.99
Lapua .260 Rem Brass $120.99
Lapua .284 Winchester Brass $144.99
Lapua 7.62×39 Brass $85.99
Lapua 7.62x54R Russian Brass $158.99
Lapua 7x65R Brass $119.99
Lapua .300 Norma Magnum Brass $226.99
Lapua .338 Norma Magnum Brass $328.99
Lapua .338 Lapua Magnum Brass $321.99
CLICK HERE for Grafs.com Lapua Brass Sales Page
NOTE: On that page, items IN STOCK are listed first. You can Login to be notified when out-of-stock items are back in stock. Prices subject to change.
After Thanksgiving, many Eastern and snow-belt shooting ranges will halt operations for the winter. If you’re an avid rifleman who enjoys shooting regularly, the dark days of winter can bring withdrawal pains. The closure of outdoor ranges can mean months of forced inactivity… unless you have an all-weather indoor shooting solution — such as this unique airgun target backer system from Creedmoor Sports.
The Benefits of Dry-Fire Training
Good news for serious hand-loaders — a large selection of premium-quality Lapua brass is now IN STOCK at 
