The International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) has a great new product for iPad users. The ISSF now offers a multi-media “eZine” optimized for Apple tablets. The free, downloadable ISSF Magazine covers competition shooting around the globe. You’ll find match reports, interviews with shooters, and coverage of the gear and ammo that win matches. Packed with plenty of photos and videos, ISSF’s iPad magazine is rich with interactive content. The latest issue features 15 videos, 35 articles, and over 400 photos. That’s quite a package… and it’s all FREE (just download from the App Store). Each magazine is “self-contained” when downloaded. That means, once you download an issue, you read it start to finish, even without a live web connection.
The ISSF plans to release six (6) iPad magazines each year, covering the full range of ISSF shooting disciplines. The ISSF iPad magazine is now available to download for free from the Apple App Store. To get the ISSF Magazine App, click the App Store button on your iPad, then search for “ISSF News” in the App Store. To learn more about the ISSF’s eZine for iPad, watch this video from ISSF:
Preview Free ISSF Interactive Magazine
Gary Anderson Praises ISSF’s New Digital Magazine
ISSF Vice-President Gary Anderson states: “I’m from the old generation, but the App is perfectly easy for me to use. I encourage everyone to download the new App and use it. I think they’re going to find that this is the best new way to get information about ISSF competitions and ISSF activities. Everyone who is interested in shooting should take advantage of this.”
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Using digital publishing software, the NRA is now offering iPad-optimized versions of American Rifleman and American Hunter magazines. These two magazines are now available for iPad-using NRA members who download the NRA Magazines App in the Apple App Store.
Bonus Content for iPad Users
The new digital magazines will feature all the stories, photos, and graphics found in the print magazines, PLUS bonus content. NRA Members with iPads can access videos, extra photos, sidebars, computer graphics and other interactive features. NRA Publications’ Joe Graham states: “The new iPad editions are designed to be convenient, easy to use and, most importantly, fun to read. The digital magazines have the same look and feel as the print magazines [but with] additional interactive content you can only get on an iPad.”
How to Get the iPad Editions of American Rifleman and American Hunter
As Official Journals of the NRA, American Rifleman and American Hunter are available exclusively to NRA members. You must be a current NRA member to access these digital eZines. To join the NRA visit Membership.nrahq.org or call 1-877-NRA-2000. For a limited time, all NRA members who currently receive their magazines in print will be able to download the iPad editions.
To get the new iPad editions of American Rifleman and American Hunter, NRA members can download the free NRA Magazines App from the Apple App Store. Once downloaded, launch the app and enter your NRA membership number and last name. Upon verification, the magazine you currently receive as part of your NRA membership will be displayed. Tap “download” to have the digital magazine delivered directly to your iPad and start enjoying all of the exciting new interactive features.
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Sniper’s Hide has released its first-ever, full-length DVD: Day One: Precision Rifle Training for the Tactical Shooter. This 91-minute DVD focuses on the fundamentals of marksmanship and is the first in a series being produced by Frank Galli and his crew at SnipersHide.com. Since 2009 Sniper’s Hide has offered subscription-based online training videos from within the Sniper’s Hide forum. The Day One DVD is the next evolution in Sniper’s Hide video-based training. The DVD run-time is 1 hour and 31 minutes, with a heavy emphasis on the basics. Day One Precision Rifle Training for the Tactical Shooter is available now in the Sniper’s Hide Store for $60.00.
Companion “Day One” Digital Book for iPads
Sniper’s Hide also offers a companion Day One interactive digital book for iPad users. This iBook features text, photos, and video instruction with a heavy focus on the fundamentals of marksmanship. Designed to compliment the Day One DVD, the interactive “Day One” iBook features instructional text plus video clips from the Day One DVD. Following the same block of instruction as the DVD, this iBook gives the end user another way to view the instruction. Precision Rifle Basics for the Tactical Shooter for iPads can be purchased for $12.99 from the iBookstore or iTunes store.
Watch Sample Video from DAY ONE: Precision Rifle Training
SnipersHide.com is one of the most popular online communities for tactical-style shooters. The Sniper’s Hide Forum now boasts over 75,000 registered members, and Sniper’s Hide also sponsors major shooting competitions which draw the best tactical shooters in the country.
The Range Report, the NSSF’s “Magazine for Shooting Facilities” has been reborn as a digital eZine AND a full-featured website, RangeReport.org. This gives readers multiple ways to access information about range operations. If you prefer a conventional website format, with headlines, links, and thumbnail graphics for navigation, then visit RangeReport.org. In addition to hosting the latest Range Report feature articles, the new website also provides Range News, Q&A, and instant access to other features. The website also boasts a Digital Archive of all past Range Report issues in three, handy digital formats: eZine (flip-page), iPad, and PDF.
Read The Range Report in a Magazine-Style (Flip-Page) Format
If you favor a print magazine-style experience, which allows you to flip pages and view full two-page spreads, then visit the new Range Report Digital eZine. Just like a hard-copy magazine, the Range Report eZine begins with a index section and has feature articles placed sequentially, like chapters in a book. The Summer 2012 debut Range Report eZine is 51 pages long, with many interesting articles, including a report by Tom Carpenter on how to conduct shooter training classes, plus a feature by William Kendy on how to promote your range through Co-Op Advertising.
Anyone involved in range operations (whether commercially or as part of a shooting club) should find The Range Report a useful resource. Now that Range Report contents are available in multiple formats, it’s easier than ever to access hundreds of articles that can help your club run your range safely and profitably. Readers can also also Subscribe to the magazine’s monthly e-newsletter.
Leupold has launched a redesigned website with more intuitive navigation and many new features. Products are now organized into four main categories: Hunting and Shooting, Tactical, Observation, and Golf. Drop-down menus under each heading shorten the time for users to locate detailed info on specific products. An enhanced Leupold Scope Finder feature allows users to filter the entire catalog down through six categories:
Type of firearm
Price range
Maximum magnification range
Objective size range
Choice of Bullet Drop Compensation reticles
Illuminated or non-illuminated
With the new Scope Finder, a Comparison Tool lets users review scopes side-by-side. Key scope specs appear in adjacent columns for easy comparison shopping. Mike Slack, Leupold’s Sr. manager of advertising and communications notes: “The site’s new Scope Finder tool should help consumers quickly find the right product for their needs.”
New Leupold Site Works Well with Tablets and Smartphones
Leupold designed its new website to be fast to load and quick to navigate for users with smartphones and tablets. iPhone and Android phone users will note that the navigation is much simpler and most function screens can be utilized without excessive scrolling.
Story Tip by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
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If you have a firearms collection, you need an inventory of the guns, with serial numbers, photos, and detailed descriptions. This is important for insurance and law enforcement purposes. If your firearms are ever stolen or destroyed in a fire or other natural disaster you need a complete inventory if you expect to get a proper insurance payout. There is nothing wrong with writing down descriptions of your guns in a “hard-copy” notebook or ledger. However, many gun owners don’t bother to take photos of their firearms, making it difficult to claim full value during loss. Additionally, ledgers are easy to misplace, and, in the event of a fire, your “hard copy” gun inventory may go up in smoke.
JHSTech.com has created Gun Inventory, a handy $0.99 smart-phone App that makes it easy to create a detailed inventory of all your firearms, complete with photos. Gun Inventory works with iPhones, iPods, iPads and all iOS devices (no Android version yet). Using this App, in a few minutes you can inventory all your guns, complete with photos taken with your iPhone’s camera. The app allows you to fill in details such as Make, Model, Serial Number, Finish, Barrel Length, and any other info that can help identify your firearms. After the info is saved, your guns are organized into a easily-navigated list, that you’ll have with you when you leave home. Need an inventory print-out? Just email the list from your iPhone or iPad to any web-mail address.
How Secure Is Your List on a Phone?
In reviewing this product, we initially thought: “It’s a really BAD IDEA to carry around a list of your guns on a cell phone”. If a bad guy accesses your iPhone gun list, he learns you are a prime target for theft, and, unfortunately, your home address can be easily traced from your cell number. But the creators of the Gun Inventory App have given some thought to security. First, the App has an optional password protected login screen. By all means, if you use this App, use the password protection! (We wish the log-in screen did not say “Gun Inventory” — that’s enough to tell thieves that you’re a gun owner. The App developers should create a “stealth” entry screen with a title such as “Baby Pictures”.) Second, if you lose your phone, you can delete your gun list using the remote wiping features that come on iOS devices. The Gun Inventory App can be purchased for just $0.99 through the iTunes App Store.
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Our friend Vince Bottomley of Target Shooter Magazine, www.targetshooteronline.com, let us know about an exciting new development for the quality UK-based shooting eZine. Starting this month, June 2011, the latest monthly edition of Target Shooter will be available as a digital App for Apple iPads. Each monthly edition can be downloaded from the iTunes store for just $0.99. That’s a good value when you consider Target Shooter has at least 6-8 feature articles every month, plus gear reviews and match reports. Here are some highlight from this month’s June edition of Target Shooter:
New Optics for 2011 from Leupold, IOR, March, Schmidt & Bender, Sightron (informative report by Vince Bottomley).
Handloading for the 6mmBR (Part 2), by Laurie Holland (Great article — a “must read”.)
Visit to Savage Arms Factory (in Massachusetts) by Yvonne Wilcock.
New Valkyrie Tactical .308 (in Folding Stock), by Chris Parkin.
Reading Mirage for Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest, by Carl Boswell.
Review of Bryan Litz’s Applied Ballistics (2d. Ed) book.
If you prefer to read Target Shooter on the web, or you don’t have an iPad content reader, don’t worry, Target Shooter will still be available for free through Target Shooter’s website. Just log on to www.targetshooteronline.com. But if you want to see the latest and greatest version of Target Shooter, consider the iTunes download. Vince tells us: “the magazine is so much nicer to read with an iPad — it’s almost better than a paper magazine.” To download Target Shooter, just go to the iTunes Webstore and search iPad apps for “Target Shooter” or “targetshooteronline”.
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A dedicated iPad version of Ballistic (‘Ballistic’ App), a full-featured ballistics calculator for the iPhone, is available for the growing numbers of iPad users. As with the iPhone version, ‘Ballistic’ App for the iPad is “powered by JBM Ballistics” so it offers very precise solutions — typically, at 600 yards, JBM will get you within two or three clicks, provided you have good bullet BC data and reliable MV from your chronograph.
The ‘Ballistic’ App for the iPhone and iPad features a library of over 3,100 projectiles; the library includes the latest 2010 commercial data and G7 military coefficients from Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Along with calculating bullet trajectories, this software has many extra features. There are several different target cards so you can input shot placement and scoring is calculated automatically. There is also a range log (for recording shooting sessions), a mildot and MOA range estimator, and a convenient load database for storing your reloading recipes.
Special features in the iPad edition of ‘Ballistic’ App include: fully integrated split-screen ballistics, favorites, and range log; full-screen, hi-resolution charts; ballistics calculations update automatically as you edit; larger target sizes in range log; and screens can rotate. The iPad Ballistic App (release 2.3.7) costs $19.99. The standard version for iPhone and iTouch units, costs $9.99. To learn more about this software, visit ballistic.zdziarski.com.
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While there are now over 330,000 iPhone apps, studies show that iPhone owners use their devices overwhelming for just three functions: Talking, Texting (or email), and Gaming. If you’re an iPhone or iPad owner looking for a decent gun-oriented game, check out RELOAD, a new shooting simulator for the iPhone, the iPad and the iPod Touch. The RELOAD App, released on March 31, 2011, costs $2.99 at the iTunes Store. A version for Android phone will be available later this year.
Featuring a wide variety of virtual firearms, RELOAD lets you train for everything from hostage rescue and sniper situations to Olympic-style shooting events. There are 17 levels and over 100 different milestone awards, medals, or badges. According to Mastiff, the App’s creator: “Master pistols and you’re ready for long gun training. Start at the rifle range, move to skeet shooting, and finally train to be a sniper. Whatever the weapon, the basics are the same: Identify targets, sight them in, take them down.”
While the game is mostly about shooting Bad Guys with a variety of defensive weapons ranging from Desert Eagle Pistols to military rifles, there are some target shooting scenarios where accuracy and precision are paramount. If you have an iPhone (and time to burn), you’ll probably find RELOAD worth its $2.99 price. It won’t make you a better shooter in the real world, but it can be entertaining.
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Need a diversion? Looking for an interesting shooting game you can play on an iPhone or iPad as well as your home computer? The Guns & Ammo Point of Impact Shooting Game lets you select a firearm type, then shoot it for accuracy in “virtual ranges” modeled after the Scottsdale (AZ) Gun Club. No this is NOT another Zombie Game, or First-Person-Shooter kill-fest. It is NOT based on the Point of Impact book by author Stephen Hunter. Point of Impact is a skill-oriented, arcade-style gun simulator presented by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). It lets you test your skills in target shooting scenarios, with a wide selection of virtual firearms and targets.
*WARNING: We are not aware of any issues with this software and it passed multiple virus scans for us. However, as with any software, installation of this program can take resources and slow your machine down. Also, a software conflict could cause other programs to crash or run more slowly. For these reasons, we recommend that you NOT install this software on a work computer. If you choose to install the computer version on your home computer, and you don’t like it, or you get bored with it, you should uninstall the program from your home PC or laptop.
Credit Research Assistant Edlongrange for sourcing this game report.
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Huge Price Cut for Popular Gadget
If you’ve been waiting to purchase an e-Reader, now may be the time to open your wallet. Today, Amazon.com unveiled a new Kindle reader for just $139.00 — less than a third what the original Kindle cost. The introduction of Apple’s new iPad has forced Amazon to slash the price of its popular electronic book reader, which has been Amazon’s #1-selling product for the past two years. You may ask: “Why buy a Kindle when the iPad has web-browsing capability and a color screen?” Well consider these factors:
Kindle has a HUGE run-time advantage. An iPad can run about 10 hours before it needs recharging. Kindle can run for a MONTH between charges.
Books and newspaper articles are easier to read on the Kindle’s low-glare, black-on-white “virtual paper” screen.
The Kindle does NOT require an expensive data plan or web access contract. The Kindle has no connection fees, although you do pay a charge to download most recent book titles.
The Kindle is lighter and more rugged than an iPad. The new Kindle weighs just 8.7 ounces — less than a paperback book.
The Kindle has physical keys, and it is easier to flip pages on the Kindle without moving your supporting hands.
Two new Kindles, priced at $139.00 and $189.00 respectively, go on sale today, with delivery starting August 27, 2010. These new units are 15% lighter and 21% smaller than the current basic model, yet the screens offer higher resolution with easier-to-read text. The $139.00 Kindle is WiFi only, while the same-sized $189.00 version offers both WiFi and 3G cellular connectivity. Both the new compact Kindles offer a 6″ viewing screen. That is significantly smaller than the iPad screen, but the iPad starts at about $500, and you could easily pay $700 with memory upgrades. If you prefer a bigger screen, Amazon also offers a large-screen model, the Kindle DX, which costs $379.00.
Editor’s Note: Some readers may wonder what eReaders have to do with shooting. Well, there are thousands of outdoor, hunting, and shooting-related titles offered for Kindles. You can download an eBook for a fraction of the cost of buying the physical version. And the Kindle can hold up to 3,500 titles in a compact device that weighs less than a single paperback book.
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Many of our readers use iPhones to run ballistics programs and to access travel maps and weather reports. We CAUTION readers who may be planning to purchase a new Apple iPhone 4 (Fourth Generation), first released on June 24th: Wait until the flaws are fixed.
You May Want to Hold Off on Purchasing a iPhone 4
We know many of you guys are anxious to get the latest iPhone 4… but we strongly advise you to wait a week or two at least. Or perhaps wait a few months until an improved version of the new iPhone is available. The reason for this advice is simple — the glass panels on the new iPhone are prone to cracking, and there is a serious reception problem on many of the latest generation of iPhones.
iPhone 4 Major Problems
We suggest readers WAIT before purchasing an iPhone 4, based on issues we observed ourselves, as well as thousands of reports that are flooding in. There are three main problems.
1. Many iPhone 4s have hardware-related reception problems causing dropped calls. This is apparently caused by hand interference with the antenna.
2. The iPhone 4’s front screen and back plate, which are composed of a new, ultra-hard Aluminosilicate glass, are very prone to cracking. We observed this first-hand.
3. Some iPhone 4 users are reporting yellow blotches and other abnormal screen discolorations. This is apparently a manufacturing defect.
Cracked Glass on Faceplate and Backplate
On June 24th, we went to the shooting range. One of our shooters, Katrina, had just acquired a brand new iPhone 4. She carried it in a protective belt holster. After a couple hours of shooting from a sitting position at the bench, she tried to make a call, only to find that the front glass screen had a full-width diagonal crack. This phone was never dropped, tossed, or abused in any way. While the screen needs to be replaced, Katrina’s iPhone is still able to make calls — the first one of which went to Apple customer support.
Many reports are surfacing about broken iPhone 4 glass. Unlike our experience with Katrina’s phone, most of the breakages appear to be on the back plate. You’ll find reports of the breakages in the Apple forums and on major tech websites.
Gizmodo.com reports: “Cases of broken iPhone 4’s backs are already appearing. This hasn’t changed from previous generations…. But the difference is that the iPhone 4 is all glass. If you drop any other phone, you have a 50% chance of breaking its screen. With the iPhone 4, the risk will always be there, no matter how it falls. It’s just more exposed to damage because of the material choice.” Another breakage report.
Reception and Dropped Call Problem
There is a widespread problem with iPhone 4s losing reception when held in the hand. The video below shows how just picking up the iPhone and holding it normally will cause loss of reception. The problem appears to be hand contact with the iPhone 4’s metal frame, which serves as the antenna.
An article in Gizmodo.com addresses the issue: “There’s no great fix for the iPhone 4 reception issues right now. We’re also pretty sure—and Apple confirms it—that touching the antenna does affect things—whether or not it has the final result of killing calls or speed of data connection.”
Rubber Bumper Partial Reception Fix?
Here is a further CNET video report confirming the reception issue with multiple iPhone 4 test units. The problem is more acute with some users than others, and CNET did suggest that installing a $30 rubber bumper may help with the problem. Tests by igear360.com show that bumper can raise iPhone 4 downloading speeds, but uploading speeds still suffer substantially. Click here for iPhone bumper tests.
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The International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) has a great new product for iPad users. The ISSF now offers a multi-media “eZine” optimized for Apple tablets. The free, downloadable ISSF Magazine covers competition shooting around the globe. You’ll find match reports, interviews with shooters, and coverage of the gear and ammo that win matches. Packed with plenty of photos and videos, ISSF’s iPad magazine is rich with interactive content. The latest issue features 15 videos, 35 articles, and over 400 photos. That’s quite a package… and it’s all FREE (just download from the App Store). Each magazine is “self-contained” when downloaded. That means, once you download an issue, you read it start to finish, even without a live web connection.
Using digital publishing software, the NRA is now offering iPad-optimized versions of American Rifleman and American Hunter magazines. These two magazines are now available for iPad-using NRA members who download the 
Sniper’s Hide has released its first-ever, full-length DVD: 
Our friend Vince Bottomley of Target Shooter Magazine, 
A dedicated iPad version of 
Need a diversion? Looking for an interesting shooting game you can play on an iPhone or iPad as well as your home computer? The Guns & Ammo 
Huge Price Cut for Popular Gadget
Cracked Glass on Faceplate and Backplate
