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October 13th, 2011
Our friends at Midsouth Shooters Supply have announced that Midsouth is now taking orders on Hornady’s much-awaited Zombie Max™ (Z-Max) loaded ammo. Hornady is marketing this stuff as “Zombie-killing” ammunition. Hopefully buyers will read the warnings and understand that the new Z-Max ammunition is 100% lethal and deadly. This is NOT some kind of paintball ammo or less-than-lethal substitute. The Z-Max line includes jacketed rifle ammo with bright green polymer tips, hollow-point pistol ammo with bright green polymer end-plugs, and conventional 00 Buck shotgun ammo in a special black (with green lettering) shotshell. Currently, Hornady plans to sell the following types of Zombie Max ammo: 9mm, 40SW, .45ACP, .223 Rem, 7.62×39, .308 Win, and 12 gauge (2 3/4″ shotshell).
| Commentary: Maybe Not Such a Great Idea?
For some folks the notion of blasting zombies is an amusing fantasy. But it is only that — a fantasy. It is merely “make-believe”. We’re not so sure that associating fantasy zombie-killing with the use of actual, lethal ammunition is a very good idea. Frankly, we have serious misgivings about this entire Zombie Max marketing effort by Hornady. The product graphics and supporting advertising make Zombie Max ammo seem like something used for Halloween fun and games. Hornady’s product flyer declares: “Supply yourself for the Zombie Apocalypse with Zombie Max™ ammunition…. Remember. . .only head shots count!“. Is that really wise?
Hornady is even distributing a video featuring an anxious shooter apparently firing live Zombie Max rifle and pistol ammo at persons dressed like zombies. How that got past the lawyers we’ll never know. Hopefully people will realize that Zombie Max ammo should be treated like any other 100% lethal ammunition. Read Hornady’s warning: “This is Live Ammunition. This is not a toy.” Then follow all basic firearms safety rules when using Hornady’s Zombie Max products. And hopefully, this Halloween, no moron will try out his Zombie Max rounds on some grade-school trick-or-treater in a zombie costume.
CLICK HERE to View Hornady Zombie Max™ Sell Sheet (PDF). |
September 14th, 2011
Sinclair Int’l is offering some good deals right now. First, Sinclair has the new Rock River Arms 2-Stage AR15 match trigger marked down to $99.00 from $120.00. If you’re building a black rifle, here’s a chance to save twenty bucks. Click the image below to get the discount.
 
Sinclair is also running a sale now on Hornady BTHP Match Bullets. We’ve heard positive reports on the new match bullets with the Advance Manufacturing Process (AMP) jackets. Our friend John Adams has tested some of Hornady’s new 6mm 105-grainers with AMP Jackets. John says they shoot very accurately and are extremely uniform. John tells us: “I’m impressed by the new Hornady 105s. They are some of the most uniform bullets I’ve ever sampled. I absolutely stopped sorting them because the base to ogive measurements were so consistent.”
August 25th, 2011
 The August 2011 digital edition of Shooting Sports USA is available online — free for the reading. This issue contains a “must-read” expert symposium on the subject of Eye Dominance, as it affects both rifle and pistol shooting. No matter whether you have normal dominance (i.e. your dominant eye is on the same side as your dominant hand), or if you have cross-dominance, you’ll benefit by reading this excellent article. The physiology and science of eye dominance is explained by Dr. Norman Wong, a noted optometrist. In addition, expert advice is provided by champion shooters such as David Tubb, Lones Wigger, Dennis DeMille, Julie Golob, Jessie Duff, and Phil Hemphill.
Development of the 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge
Also in the August Edition of Shooting Sports is a feature on the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge. This story covers the origin of the cartridge and its performance both as a match cartridge and as a hunting round. Hornady Chief Ballistician Dave Emary explained: “the original intent of the cartridge was as an across-the-course match cartridge. We envisioned it as an off-the-shelf round that would produced the accuracy and ballistics to compete in all match disciplines right out of the box. At the same time we realized that the same characteristics would make an exceptional hunting cartridge with the right bullets.”
 6.5 Creedmoor Brass No Longer Washed After Annealing
Here’s an interesting update on Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor brass and loaded ammo. In a move to improve case quality and neck uniformity, Hornady recently changed the 6.5 Creedmoor production process, eliminating the case-washing step after annealing. So now you will see annealing coloration on 6.5 Creedmoor brass, just like on Lapua brass. Dennis DeMille of Creedmoor Sports wanted to improve the consistency/uniformity of 6.5 Creedmoor case-necks. At Dennis’ suggestion, Hornady conducted tests which showed that the “standard industry practice” of washing brass could potentially alter the necks in undesirable ways. Bottom line, unwashed annealed brass was determined to have an accuracy edge over washed brass. Looking at these results, Hornady decided to forgo the post-anneal washing process. As a result, the latest 6.5 Creedmoor brass now displays the distinctive coloration left by neck/shoulder annealing. Learn something new every day, eh?
August 12th, 2011
Grafs.com is having a big sale on certain Hornady reloading products. The Lock N Load Auto Charge Scale/Powder Dispenser is now just $199.99, marked down from $224.99. Reports on this unit have been generally positive. This sale makes the Hornady scale/dispenser much less expensive than an RCBS Chargemaster, which typically sells for about $330.00.
Next, the price of the Hornady Lock N Load Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine has been knocked down to $84.99 from $99.99. That makes the machine cheaper than “no-name” alternatives sold on eBay. This is similar to the machine we used for our original ultrasonic cleaning tests. It should do the job, unless you have large quantities of brass, in which case we recommend the larger Hornady Magnum Sonic Cleaning Machine, which has twin transducers and a larger immersion bay.
Grafs.com has also slashed the price of the Hornady Concentricity Gauge from $94.99 to $79.99. This tool can measure bullet run-out, and it has the capacity to straighten bullet alignment in the neck. Be aware, however, that because this tool supports a cartridge at both ends (like holding the two ends of a jump-rope), you will typically get a different run-out reading than with a traditional tool, such as the Sinclair Concentricity Gauge, which supports the case body only (without touching the bullet tip). Both tool designs give meaningful results, but the read-outs will not normally be the same.
 Hornady Reloading Handbook $10.00 with Bullet Purchase
In addition to the tool sales, Grafs.com is now offering the lastest Hornady Reloading Handbook for just $10.00 if you purchase five (5) boxes of in-stock Hornady Bullets. If you could use the book, we recommend Hornady’s V-Max bullets for varmint hunters, and the new BTHP match bullets for target shooters. The new BTHP match bullets feature AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process) jackets for greater dimensional uniformity.
July 26th, 2011
 At the 20th Annual Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence awards (held last week in Kentucky), Larry Potterfield of Midway USA received the prestigious Shooting Industry Award for 2011. Potterfield was honored for his efforts to promote the shooting sports. In 2010, Potterfield donated more than $4,000,000 to youth shooting sports organizations and firearms training programs. We congratulate Mr. Potterfield. It’s great to see a successful businessman give back to the sport so generously.
After receiving the Shooting Industry Award, Potterfield stated: “This award is a great validation, from our peers, that Brenda and I are on the right track in supporting the youth shooting movement in the United States. Tomorrow’s leaders are in 4H, Boy Scouts, and the youth programs of the Key Conservation Groups; and they’re attending high schools and colleges. Our passion is to help fund programs that allow more kids to pull the trigger more times. The Scholastic Shooting Trust Fund, which provides funds for high school and college shooting teams, is our favorite charity.”
Hornady is Manufacturer of the Year
Hornady was named Manufacturer of the Year for service, support, and commitment to customers at all levels. Hornady’s new Superformance Varmint Ammo also earned “Ammunition of the Year” honors.
Ruger was a double winner as a gun-maker. Ruger’s new LC9 pistol was named “Handgun of the Year”, while the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle (M77-GS) received the coveted “Rifle of the Year” award.
Leupold also won two awards. The Leupold VX-R 3-9x40mm riflescope was named Optic of the Year and Leupold’s RX-1000i TBR Laser Rangefinder was named Hunting Product of the Year.
Awards were determined by the votes of the 500-member Academy of Excellence, which includes manufacturers, distributors, executives, storefront dealers and outdoor writers. “Each award recipient and nominee deserves accolades for their commitment to excellence in design and service,” said Randy Molde, Academy director.
June 24th, 2011
Not much to say here — the photo and the price ($25.00) pretty much tell the story. Here’s a chance to pick up a nice range bag for a low, low price. Big enough for a couple full-size pistols, ammo, and muffs, this bag features zippered pockets on both ends and slot pockets on the sides for magazines and other thin items. We don’t know why Hornady slashed the price of the Team Hornady range bag from $59.99 to a mere $25.00. That’s a 58% reduction — what we’d call a serious discount. The bag is roomy and functional, and we think it’s pretty handsome — so long as you’re not logo-phobic.
This range bag, item 9919, is sold directly through Hornady’s website. Visit Hornady’s online store soon to grab one before the price goes back up. Click photo (above) to go to the Hornady order page.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from our readers.
May 13th, 2011
 While the venerable .308 Winchester is still the chambering of choice for most tactical shooters, a growing number of tac competitors are switching to the 6.5 Creedmoor (as well as other 6.5mm chamberings such as the 6.5×47 Lapua and .260 Remington). Among the 6.5mm options, the 6.5 Creedmoor offers the advantage of high quality, relatively affordable factory ammo.
Can the 6.5 Creedmoor win tactical matches with factory ammo? Absolutely. Team Hornady’s Tony Gimmellie used Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor 120gr Match ammo to win the Oregon Sniper Challenge, held May 22-23, at the Douglas Ridge Rifle Club in Eagle Creek, Oregon. Tony said, “Hornady’s 6.5 Creedmoor ammo delivered ½ MOA accuracy from [my] POF gas piston rifle, allowing me to stay well ahead of the competition.”
To learn more about the 6.5 Creedmoor, along with the other popular 6.5mm cartridges used for tac comps, we recommend three articles by Accurateshooter.com contributor Zak Smith:
6.5 Creedmoor vs. the .308 Winchester
In the first article above, Zak explains: “Why 6.5 mm instead of .30 caliber? Put simply, they sling the long, slim, high-BC 6.5 mm bullets at respectable velocity. It duplicates or beats the .300 Win Mag’s trajectory with less recoil than a .308 Win. Compared to the 175 Sierra MK fired from a .308 Win, the 6.5 mm will have 27% less wind drift and about 10 MOA less drop at 1000 yards. Despite a 35-grain deficit in bullet mass, the 6.5 Creedmoor will retain 18% more energy and hit the target 260 fps faster.”
6.5mm Cartridges — Comparative Ballistics Performance by Zak Smith
Put in order of ballistic performance, the 6.5 Creedmoor and the .260 Remington are almost neck-and-neck, pushing the same weight bullets at about the same velocities from almost identical case capacities. The 6.5×47 Lapua in factory form lags by 100 to 200 fps due to less powder capacity; however, it has already gained a reputation for having a strong case that puts up with the high pressures some reloaders push in their custom rifles. The .260 Remington’s main problem for the reloader is lack of high-quality and affordable brass and to date there has only been one factory load produced which was appropriate for serious long-range competition for the non-reloader. The 6.5×47 was designed for intermediate-range competition and very accurate ammunition is available from Lapua; however, these factory loads are at a ballistic disadvantage at long range compared to the .260 Remington and the 6.5 Creedmoor.
There will always be those who bash new cartridges, claiming that they don’t do anything better than their favorite cartridge. By this logic, we’d all be shooting .30-06. Put simply, the 6.5 Creedmoor is what the .260 Remington should have been. It looks like Hornady has the right mind-set to make its new cartridge a success in the competitive and practical market, unlike Remington who basically let the .260 languish in a few hunting rifles. The 6.5 Creedmoor enjoys additional case capacity over the 6.5×47 Lapua, which allows better ballistics at a lower peak chamber pressure.
April 22nd, 2011
 Grafs.com is running a big sale right now on Hornady Bullets with many very popular projectiles marked down 12%.
And to sweeten the deal, for the next week, Grafs.com is waiving its $4.95 handling/insurance fee on any orders worth $60.00 or more. Graf’s already offers free shipping on most products, so this is a good deal, even if you’re only going to buy a couple boxes of bullets. Here are some of the Hornady Bullet Discounts:
- 20gr V-MAX BULLET (.172, 100/box)
$15.39 on sale, 12% savings
Item #RN21710
- 40gr V-MAX BULLET (.224, 100/box)
$15.39 on sale, 12% savings
Item #HRN22241
- 50gr V-MAX BULLET (.224, 100/box)
$15.39 on SALE, 12% savings
Item #HRN22261
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- 58gr V-MAX BULLET (6mm, 100/Box)
$17.79 on sale, 10% savings
Item #HRN22411
- 120gr A-MAX BULLET (6.5mm, 100/box)
$23.59 on sale, 8% savings
Item #HRN26172
- 168gr BTHP MATCH BULLET (.308, 100/box)
$23.99 on sale, 10% savings
Item #HRN30501
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FREE Freight and No-Charge Handling/Insurance with $60 Purchase
Grafs.com will waive the handling and insurance charge ($4.95 value) when you order at least $60 worth of in-stock merchandise. Freight is ALWAYS prepaid to the 48 states on regular ground service only except for target load ammo (see terms of service for details). Offer excludes closeout items and target loads. Offer expires Thursday, April 28th at midnight CST. NOTE: Hazmat and other special fees are NOT included. Call 800-531-2666 for any questions.
April 15th, 2011
 Here’s an amazing deal if you need a large supply of .224-cal, general purpose bullets. Wideners.com is currently offering a 6000-count bulk pack of 55gr Hornady FMJBT bullets. The price is just $475.00 including FREE shipping. That works out to just $7.92/hundred or less than 8 cents per bullet!. These bullets sell elsewhere for $13-$15 per box of 100.
The cannelured, secant-ogive, 55gr FMJBT bullet was designed to duplicate the performance of military M193 ammo. The deep-penetrating FMJ design is also good for hunters wanting to preserve the integrity of game pelts.
The 55gr bullets ship in a 6000-count bulk pack with free shipping. Who needs 6000 bullets? Well a club or training group could assemble low-cost training ammo with these bullets. Or, two or three varmint-shooting buddies might want to join in on a “group buy”.
Story sourced by Edlongrange.
April 13th, 2011
 Hornady has discovered social networking. This week Hornady launched official Facebook and Twitter sites. Fans can go to Facebook.com/hornady and Twitter.com/teamhornady to get the latest news about Hornady products and events.
Hornady’s Facebook Site will offer:
- Live chats with industry experts.
- Exclusive discounts and promotions.
- Timely info on new products.
- Product photo galleries and videos.
On Hornady’s new social media pages, shooters can share their photos and stories about hunting, competitive shooting, and reloading. Importantly, the Facebook Page will allow shooters to interact with Hornady’s “brain trust” — the ballisticians, designers, and engineers who develop Hornady’s new products. Allowing customers to share their ideas/experiences with the folks who design and build Hornady products is a good thing. Hornady can get reliable, immediate feedback on its products. That should speed up the process of making improvements and enhancements.
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