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April 7th, 2008
Robert Whitley has produced a new video showcasing an AR15-based varminter chambered in the 6mmAR cartridge, a 6.5 Grendel necked down to 6mm (.243). In the video, Robert cycles through ten rounds (two magazines) loaded with Hornady 87-grain BTHP bullets (item 2442, 0.376 BC). The rifle features a custom 6mmAR upper with a side charging handle. Note the ease with which Robert operates the charging handle from the prone position. The 6mmAR cartridge allows an AR shooter to use high-BC 6mm projectiles with superior down-range energy. Robert offers complete uppers and other accessories. For more information and load data, visit 6mmAR.com.
CLICK HERE to WATCH VIDEO
March 22nd, 2008
 On LongRangeHunting.com, you’ll find a good article about wind reading by Shawn Carlock. Shawn Carlock is a veteran law enforcement marksman and the current USPSA national precision rifle champion. Shawn offers good advice on how to estimate wind speeds and directions using a multitude of available indicators — not just your wind gauge: “Use anything at your disposal to accurately estimate the wind’s velocity. I keep and use a Kestrel for reading conditions….The Kestrel is very accurate but will only tell you what the conditions are where you are standing. I practice by looking at grass, brush, trees, dust, wind flags, mirage, rain, fog and anything else that will give me info on velocity and then estimate the speed.”
Shawn also explains how terrain features can cause vertical wind effects. A hunter positioned on a hilltop must account for bullet rise if there is a headwind blowing up the slope. Many shooters consider wind in only one plane — the horizontal. In fact wind has vertical components, both up and down. If you have ever piloted a small aircraft you know how important vertical wind vectors can be. Match shooters will also experience vertical rise when there is a strong tailwind blowing across an up-sloping berm ahead of the target emplacements. Overall, Shawn concludes: “The more time you spend studying the wind and its effect over varying terrain the more successful you will be as a long-range shooter and hunter.”
December 7th, 2007
Sinclair Int’l now carries the Bullet Test Tube. This unique bullet-testing system uses cardboard tubes filled with a reusable plastic-like test medium. Field & Stream named the Bullet Test Tube a “Best of the Best” product in 2006. According to Sinclair, this system is the only bullet-testing medium that lets you measure wound cavity in detail including volume. To reuse the testing medium, simply melt the expansion material in a standard 1.5 gallon crock-pot and pour it into a replacement target mold.
If you wish to capture the bullet after it passes through the test medium, add the Xtender accessory which slips on the end. This allows hunters to examine bullet integrity as well as wound cavity. Sinclair Int’l prices the Bullet Test Tube at $61.25, while the Xtender is an additional $57.60.
For more information, read this Test Tube FAQ, or Click the screenshot below to watch a QuickTime Video that demonstrates the whole process.
November 30th, 2007
In July 2007, eBay announced a policy banning the listing and sales of “any firearm part that is required for the firing of a gun”. This wholesale ban created an immediate vacuum in the auction market for bullets, barrels, slides, magazines and other firearm components.
There’s now a new auction site that hopes to replace eBay for sellers and buyers of gun parts and reloading components. ReloadersAuction.com launched in August 2007, just a few weeks after eBay announced its anti-gun policy. The creators of the new site, who are avid reloaders themselves, explain: “We started this auction site because eBay has stopped the sale of most all reloading supplies, gun parts, and most knives. We wanted to always have a place to buy reloading and hunting supplies at a great deal….” The site combines an eBay-style auction experience with enhanced features including “Want to Buy” ads and barter (“Swap”) offerings.
Because ReloadersAuction.com is so new, there were only 400 or so active auctions as of November 30th. But that should change quickly. There are some very nice navigation features which make the site easy to use. Right on the front page, “Ending Soon” and “Most Popular” auctions are listed in convenient table style format, so you can scan dozens of auctions in one glance. The “Most Viewed Items” also appear on the home page, highlighting good deals that you might not find via a word search.
We wish ReloadersAuction.com well. It is based in North Carolina, an area where gun rights are respected, and where there is a strong tradition of hunting and shooting sports. So, next time you need bullets, brass, or reloading accessories, check out this new site. There are some good deals to be had.
November 18th, 2007
You’ll get a kick out of this varminting sampler video from Velocity Films, producers of the popular “Dog Be Gone” videos. Titled the “Prairie Dog Olympics”, this 5-minute video showcases spectacular acrobatics by Prairie Dogs hit by high-velocity varmint rounds. Watch for the “judges” scores after each sequence. Beyond the somewhat hokey humor, you’ll see some pretty good shooting (and excellent camera-work) in this sample, produced on hunts in the varmint fields of the American West.
CLICK HERE to WATCH VIDEO
 The latest video from Velocity Films is “Dog Be Gone and Beyond (Volume 2)”. It features footage from multiple locations, while hunting Ground Squirrels, Rock Chucks, and Prairie Dogs. The video includes field tests of the .17 HMR & .204 Ruger, handgun hunting, plus reviews of the latest varmint hunting gear. This video is offered on DVD only for $17.95. The original “Dog Be Gone (Volume 1)” video is offered on VHS tape for $7.95 or DVD for $14.95. CLICK HERE to order online, or call 800-272-3000 to order by phone from Midsouth Shooters Supply.
November 10th, 2007
Among injection-molded rifle cases, Plano’s AirGlide™ case is unique in holding a rifle vertically, in foam cradles. This allows ample room for the 3″-wide fore-ends on BR and Varmint rifles. The foam blocks front and rear can even be trimmed for a custom fit, and velcro webbing straps hold the rifle securely. The AirGlide’s hinged top-opening lid provides ample clearance for large target scopes, with no side load on the turrets. (We’ve found that some eggcrate foam-lined gun cases can put enough pressure on scope knobs to alter your zero.) Measuring 51 1/2″L x 7 3/4″W x 12 1/4″H, the AirGlide can easily handle rifles up to 50″ in length. That should hold BR rifles with barrels up to 29″.
Priced attractively, ($29.97 at Sportsman’ Guide), the AirGlide has proven very popular with Varmint shooters and BR competitors. We’re told that, at last year’s West Pennsylvania Groundhog Shooting Championships, 1/3 of the competitors stowed their rifles in Plano AirGlides. Lockable and airline-approved, the Plano AirGlide offers excellent performance for the price.
CLICK HERE for a window with Zoomable Air-Glide Photo.
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