Even with high-quality brass from Lapua, Peterson, Norma, Alpha and RWS, occasionally you may find one or two cases per box which have a small flake or obstruction in the flash-hole. This will appear like a thin crescent on one side of the flash hole (see photo). You should inspect ALL new brass before loading to identify any pieces with a partially-obstructed flash hole. It’s a good idea to remove any flake or thin crescent left as an artifact of the flash-hole forming process. Because the flash-hole itself is normally centered and of the correct diameter, it is not necessary to ream the flash-hole to a larger diameter. All you really need to do is remove the small obstruction(s). This can be done quickly with inexpensive tools.
Use a Small Pin Vise to Remove Flash-Hole Obstructions
Folks have asked if there is a tool that can remove obstructions from a Lapua small, BR-sized flash hole without opening the hole size. The Lapua PPC/BR flash hole is spec’d at 1.5mm, which works out to 0.059055″. Most of the PPC/BR flash-hole uniforming tools on the market use a 1/16″ bit which is nominally 0.0625″, but these often run oversize — up to 0.066″.
If you want to just clear out any obstructions in the flash hole, without increasing the flash hole diameter, you can use an inexpensive “pin vise” with an appropriate drill bit. For $0.99, eHobbyTools.com sells a 1.5mm drill bit, item 79186, that matches the Lapua flash hole exactly. Other vendors offer a #53 pin vise drill bit that measures .0595″ or .060″ (depending or source). An 0.0595″ bit is close enough. You can find pin vises and these small-diameter drill bits at hobby stores.
For quite some time, Sinclair Int’l has sold a similar device for small (PPC and BR-size) flash holes. Like the 07-3081 unit for large flash holes, the 073000 Reamer for small flash holes works from the outside, so it can index off the primer pocket. It reams to .0625″, and also costs $29.99. The standard dimension for Lapua 220 Russian and 6mmBR flash holes is 1.5mm or .0590″. This tool will permit standard-size decapping rods with .0625″ tips to work without binding. However, note that both Forster and Redding normally supply .057″ decapping pins with their PPC and BR dies. So, it is NOT necessary to ream your Lapua BR/PPC flashholes, unless you prefer to do so for uniformity. It IS, however, a good idea to check BR/PPC flash holes for burrs before loading the first time.
NOTE: If you purchase either the 073081 or 073000 Sinclair Flash Hole Reamer tools, we recommend you mic the cutter tip before you process a bunch of cases. Sometimes a tip comes through that is oversize. This will ream the flash holes larger than you may intend.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. Graf’s — Peterson Catridge Brass In Stock
⏺ Peterson brass is strong and consistent, good selection of cartridge types
Peterson makes great brass for a wide variety of popular cartridges. Peterson has earned a great reputation for its consistent, long-lasting match-grade brass. Right now Graf’s has Peterson brass IN STOCK for a wide range of cartridge types — from small varmint rounds to F-Class cartridges all the way up to big magnums for ELR. Whether you shoot a .22-cal or even a .408 CheyTac round, you should find in-stock Peterson brass that suits your needs.
2. EuroOptic — Vortex Optics Closeout Sale (Save Hundred$)
⏺ Huge discounts on excellent scopes with superb warranty
Need a scope for your next rifle project, but have a limited budget? You can save hundreds of dollars with EuroOptic’s Vortex Optics Close-Out Sale. EuroOptic has FFP and SFP Vortex scopes with a variety of feature sets and magnification ranges — all at crazy low prices. All Vortex scopes on sale are brand new, with full factory warranty.
3. Creedmoor Sports — American Practice Bullets
⏺ Major discounts on big-name factory bullets; great for practice
We can all use more live fire practice. To shoot more without breaking your budget, we recommend these American Practice bullets. These are good quality “big name” bullets in a wide range of calibers. You can get 500 bullets for a fraction of their normal costs. CLICK HERE for the full selection. We recommend: 77gr .224 bullets; 107gr 6mm bullets; and 168gr .308 bullets. With these deals you can practice more often.
4. Powder Valley — Accurate Powders IN STOCK, Low Prices
⏺ Good selection of Accurate-brand powders at VERY favorable prices
For a long time, Powder Valley Inc. has been one of the best resources for reloading supplies. Powder Valley is a highly ethical company, run by honorable folks who have worked hard to hold down prices on powder and primers. Powder Valley has also been a staunch supporter of AccurateShooter since the beginning. Right now Powder Valley has a good selection of Accurate-brand powders in stock at very fair prices — from $27.25/lb (Accurate #2) to $34.50/lb (Accurate 4064). If you could use one of the available Accurate-brand powders, head over to Powder Valley today.
5. Midsouth — Hornady V-Max Bullet Sale
⏺ Get high-quality, first-rate tipped hunting bullets at bargain prices
V-Max bullets are favored by game hunters and varmint shooters. Right now Hornady V-Max bullets, in a wide assortment of calibers/weights, are on sale at Midsouth. The Hornady V-MAX polymer tip increases the ballistic coefficient and also initiates dramatic expansion upon impact — even at velocities as low as 1600 fps. For varmint hunting in .20, .224, and 6mm calibers, the V-Max bullets are a great choice, and now you can save big. 22-Caliber shooters can select 40gr, 50gr, 53gr, and 55gr bullets all for just $21.59 for 100 bullets.
6. Palmetto SA — S&W M&P15-22 Sport Rimfire Package, $449.99
⏺ Good, reliable rimfire AR clone for NRL22 and cross-training
This Smith & Wesson AR-style M&P15-22 provides the fun of an AR15 with the low cost of rimfire ammo. This can work well for cross-training or NRL22 matches. The S&W M&P15-22 SPORT features a slim M-LOK handguard that easily accepts a variety of accessories without removing the handguard. The M&P15-22 SPORT comes standard with removable Magpul MBUS front and rear folding sights. This $449.99 package includes 3 magazines and a nice gun case.
7. Midsouth — Bulldog Rifle Case 54″, $69.99
⏺ Good deal on excellent case for long rifles up to 52.5″
Highly rated by purchasers, the Bulldog Long Range Rifle Case fits rifles up to 52.5″ long. This premium 54″ soft case is on Sale Now for $69.99 at Midsouth, 18% off the regular $84.99 price. The Bulldog LR works great for long-barreled match rifles. This versatile case boasts a tough 600-dernier water-resistant outer shell, plus quilted inner lining with Velcro tie downs. There are two zippered center pockets plus an external zippered pocket at front. The main compartment zippers are lockable. Choose either Dark Tan (shown), or Matte Black for the same $69.99 price.
8. Amazon — Lyman Brass Smith Case Trim Xpress, $119.99
⏺ Efficient, well-designed power trimmer that indexes off shoulder
Trimming brass is critical to precision reloading. However, with most case trimmers it’s a pain to adjust trim length, plus the hand-cranking becomes tiresome. A better, more efficient case trimming solution is offered by the Lyman Brass Smith Case Trim Xpress. We like this case trimmer for good reason. The smart design allows for .001″ trim length adjustments with the click of a dial. The tool ships with 10 bushings that cover the most popular neck sizes on the market. To see a video of the Case Trim Xpress in action, check out our Lyman Case Trim Xpress Review.
9. Amazon — Caldwell The Rock Jr. Front Shooting Rest, $35.19
⏺ Low-cost rest works for young shooters and as back-up varminting rest
Simple and light can be good. When teaching youngsters to shoot or when sighting in a hunting rig, this Caldwell Rock Jr. Rest may be all you need. Weighing under 5.5 pounds, this compact rest is easy to set up. It offers 7.75″ vertical adjustment. One verified buyer states: “After lugging [a heavy front rest] to and from the range a few times I realized it was just too big and heavy for what I really needed. This little rest is inexpensive, yet it’s ideal for sighting-in firearms and airguns, and for informal shooting. A hint: Lubricate the elevation screw and the thrust washer that sits under the elevation wheel with a dab of lithium grease, and your adjustments will be smoother and easier.”
10. Brownells — Wipe-Out Foam Cleaner, $10.99
⏺ Wipe-Out Foam is effective, particularly when used right after shooting
Walking the firing line at the Berger SW Nationals, one cleaning product was mentioned over and over again and for good reason. Sharp Shoot R Wipe-Out foaming bore cleaner is a no-nonsense, easy-to-use bore cleaner that does a great job. We get best results with two applications of Wipe-Out after some wet patches. If you’re tired of long brushing sessions, give Wipe-Out a try — it really reduces brushing required. This is a good deal. The same 5 oz. can is $23.87 on Amazon!
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. 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. Graf’s — Peterson Brass and Loaded Ammo
⏺ New loaded ammo offering and excellent cartridge brass
Accurate loads start with high-quality brass. American-made Peterson Brass is VERY high-quality. It’s extremely uniform and long-lasting. Right now you can get a large selection of Peterson cartridge brass at Grafs.com. Peterson offers both popular as well as hard-to-find brass types. Along with the match-grade brass, Peterson now offers excellent loaded ammo for many cartridge types, including 6×47 Lapua, 6.5-284 Norma, and .308 Win.
2. Amazon — Frankford Universal Case Trimmer, $79.99
⏺ Smart system fits drills and trims nearly all popular rifle case types
Here is a good option for trimming cases, if you shoot many different cartridge types. Frankford Arsenal Universal Precision Case Trimmer handled most popular cartridges from .17 Rem all the way up to .460 Weatherby. Just choose the right collet then attached the unit to the end of your power drill for fast, easy trimming. The built-in depth micrometer allows for fast trim-length adjustments, and the brass-shaving ejection port ensures a clean trim. The universal collet system indexes on case shoulders for precise and consistent trimming. This trimming system works with just about any 1/2″ power drill.
3. Sportsman’s WHSE — Sig Sauer P365XL Package, $549.99
⏺ Most popular new SIG pistol with holster and 3 mags
SIG Sauer P365 pistols are a fine choice for a carry gun — they are slim, well-made, and accurate. And right now Sportsman’s Warehouse has a great SIG Sauer P365XL package on sale. The P365 series now ranks second among Gunbroker’s top-selling handguns of 2021. Given the proven reliability, small form factor, and class-leading accuracy, the SIG P365XL is very popular. With an attractive price, PLUS 3 magazines and a molded belt holster, this is a good pistol package deal.
4. Bullet Central — Micron Dies In Stock
⏺ Superb quality dies can produce match-grade ammo
If you’re in the market for a new sizing die and want a premium die with superb tolerances and excellent internal finish, consider Micron Precision Series Sizer Dies. These are some of the straightest, best-crafted dies you can find. Each die blank is caliber-specific in length. JGS resize reamers are used to chamber the dies which are hand-polished and inspected before surface treatment. These Micron Sizers boast sub-0.0002″ runout from OD to bushing pocket and die chamber. All dies come with a bushing retainer cap for full neck sizing.
5. Precision Reloading — Hornady Auto Charge Pro, $299.99
⏺ Save over $70 on advanced powder scale/dispenser
A good electronic scale/dispenser is a vital tool for precision handloading. Right now you can get the high-tech Hornady Auto Charge Pro at significant savings. The Auto Charge Pro is precise to within +/- 0.1 grain, and offers customizable trickle speeds and custom time settings. This machine has its display screen on top so the unit takes up less space on your loading bench. This is an excellent deal — the Auto Charge Pro sells for up to $380 elsewhere (e.g. $373.99 at MidwayUSA).
6. Natchez — Frankford Quick-N-Easy Case Tumbler Kit, $79.99
⏺ We’ve used this Combo Kit for many seasons — very good value right now
Keeping your brass clean is important (and essential if you anneal). If you’re looking for a new, affordable setup to clean cartridge brass, consider the Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit. You get everything needed to dry-tumble your brass and remove the media. This is all available now for a very low $79.99. You could pay that much for a good vibratory tumbler alone, yet this combo kit includes tumbler, media separator, bucket, brass polish, and media.
7. Amazon — Real Avid Torque Wrench, $70.79
⏺ Essential tool for mounting scope rings, rails, and accessories
Every serious gun owner should have a good tool to properly set torque values for scope mounts and other accessories. Here’s a good product at an attractive price. The Real Avid torque wrench kit includes a torque wrench, 12 common bits/drivers, a force lever, and a hard case. The adjustable torque wrench adjusts from 10-70 inch-pounds with precise one-lb increments. The special “force assist driver” increases torque power when needed to tighten screws and fasteners.
8. Amazon — Tipton Action Cleaning Kit, $11.99
⏺ Get inside of actions clean with inexpensive kit
Everyone knows to clean your barrel but do you know that cleaning your action and lug recesses is equally important? Pick up the Tipton Action Cleaning Kit and you’ll be able to get into every nook and cranny of your gun. With a rod that accepts standard 8/32 brushes and tips as well as a specially-designed lug recess tool that uses cotton rolls to get the gunk out of there you’ll be clean in no time.
9. Amazon — Caldwell Pivot Bipod, $38.39
⏺ Good basic bipod with legs that can swivel around center axis
For both prone shooting and bench work, a good bipod is a vital accessory. The Caldwell Pivot Bipod provides a stable shooting support that conveniently attaches via a sling swivel stud. The legs can spring out to the shooting position with the touch of a button, and height is easily adjusted via leg notches. The bipod is able to cant 18 degrees left or right around the center axis (essentially rotating left or right). This allows your firearm to be quickly leveled on uneven ground.
⏺ Quality name-brand shooting eyewear — buy multiples at this price
Every shooter needs eye protection EVERY TIME you go to the shooting range. Right now Midsouth has the good Radians clear lens Outback Shooting Glasses for just $5.88. These ANSI Z87.1 Radians Shooting Glasses provide 99.9% UVA/UVB protection with the coated lenses. These offer excellent wrap-around protection and are fairly light and comfortable. A handy neck cord is included. With this low $5.88 price, you can buy 3 or 4 sets and keep spares in your vehicles, so you always have protective eyewear for yourself and your friends.
The .375 EnABELR cartridge was developed to offer magazine-feeding capabilities with the highest-BC solid bullets available. The .375 EnABELR cartridge is slightly shorter than a .375 CheyTac so it allows the round to mag-feed. Applied Ballistics is currently using brass made by Peterson. The .375 EnABELR has achieved impressive velocities — 2990 FPS — with prototype Berger 379-grain solid bullets fired from a 1:7″-twist 30″ barrel. Applied Ballistics may also test 1:8″-twist and 1:9″-twist barrels. READ Bullet Testing Report.
The .375 EnABELR cartridge was designed to offer .375 CheyTac performance in a slightly shorter package: “The problem with the .375 CheyTac is that, when loaded with the highest performance .375 caliber bullets (379-407 gr Berger Solids, and the 400-425 grain Cutting Edge Lazers) the round is not magazine feed-able in any action that’s sized for CheyTac cartridges.
Here is Mitchell Fitzpatrick, shooting the 375 EnABELR in an ELR Competition.
“Knowing the .375 CheyTac produced substantial performance, and that it was just too long for magazine feeding, made it easy to converge on a design for the .375 EnABELR. We just had to make the case short enough to achieve magazine length with the desired bullets, while adding a little more diameter to keep the case capacity similar to the .375 CheyTac. The resulting basic shape is quite similar in proportions to the successful .338 Norma Magnum Cartridge which, interestingly, was selected as the cartridge for General Dynamics Lightweight Medium Machine Gun (LWMMG).”
Even with high-quality brass from Lapua, Peterson, Norma, Alpha and RWS, occasionally you may find one or two cases per box which have a small flake or obstruction in the flash-hole. This will appear like a thin crescent on one side of the flash hole (see photo). You should inspect ALL new brass before loading to identify any pieces with a partially-obstructed flash hole. It’s a good idea to remove any flake or thin crescent left as an artifact of the flash-hole forming process. Because the flash-hole itself is normally centered and of the correct diameter, it is not necessary to ream the flash-hole to a larger diameter. All you really need to do is remove the small obstruction(s). This can be done quickly with inexpensive tools.
Use a Small Pin Vise to Remove Flash-Hole Obstructions
Folks have asked if there is a tool that can remove obstructions from a Lapua small, BR-sized flash hole without opening the hole size. The Lapua PPC/BR flash hole is spec’d at 1.5mm, which works out to 0.059055″. Most of the PPC/BR flash-hole uniforming tools on the market use a 1/16″ bit which is nominally 0.0625″, but these often run oversize — up to 0.066″.
If you want to just clear out any obstructions in the flash hole, without increasing the flash hole diameter, you can use an inexpensive “pin vise” with an appropriate drill bit. For $0.99, eHobbyTools.com sells a 1.5mm drill bit, item 79186, that matches the Lapua flash hole exactly. Other vendors offer a #53 pin vise drill bit that measures .0595″ or .060″ (depending or source). An 0.0595″ bit is close enough. You can find pin vises and these small-diameter drill bits at hobby stores.
For quite some time, Sinclair Int’l has sold a similar device for small (PPC and BR-size) flash holes. Like the 07-3081 unit for large flash holes, the 073000 Reamer for small flash holes works from the outside, so it can index off the primer pocket. It reams to .0625″, and also costs $29.99. The standard dimension for Lapua 220 Russian and 6mmBR flash holes is 1.5mm or .0590″. This tool will permit standard-size decapping rods with .0625″ tips to work without binding. However, note that both Forster and Redding normally supply .057″ decapping pins with their PPC and BR dies. So, it is NOT necessary to ream your Lapua BR/PPC flashholes, unless you prefer to do so for uniformity. It IS, however, a good idea to check BR/PPC flash holes for burrs before loading the first time.
NOTE: If you purchase either the 073081 or 073000 Sinclair Flash Hole Reamer tools, we recommend you mic the cutter tip before you process a bunch of cases. Sometimes a tip comes through that is oversize. This will ream the flash holes larger than you may intend.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is now one of the most popular cartridges chambered in factory rifles. It found favor among hunters and PRS competitors, but then its little brother the 6mm Creedmoor became widely adopted because the 6mm version delivered less recoil, equivalent or better ballistics, and lower bullet cost.
Now there’s a new Creedmoor kid on the block, the 22 Creedmoor. While this certainly can be used for PRS and tactical competition, the 22 Creedmoor seems to be ideally suited as a high velocity varmint round — something to replace the 22-250. You get 22-250 class velocities with a more modern cartridge design, and high-quality brass.
LEARN MORE about the 22 Creedmoor
There is an excellent write-up in the GunsAmerica Digest about the 22 Creedmoor cartridge. Reviewer Jeff Cramblit built a 22 Creedmoor rifle and tested it with a variety of bullet weights. He concluded it worked best as a varminter, but could also do PRS duty, provided it is loaded under the 3200 fps velocity limit common in PRS matches. CLICK HERE to read full GunsAmerica 22 Creedmoor test report.
Since there is not yet a SAAMI spec for the 22 Creedmoor, the cartridge is officially still a wildcat. However some ammo-makers are producing 22 Creedmoor loaded ammo right now: Copper Creek, Gunwerks, and Spark Munitions. We expect Hornady and possibly Federal might also produce loaded ammo in the near future. Currently Cooper Creek has the most 22 Creedmoor loaded ammo varieties, with 17 different bullet options from 60 grains to 95 grains. Copper Creek also offers load development packs with either Alpha or Hornady brass. Here are five Cooper Creek options with Sierra and Berger bullets:
In addition, multiple companies are now selling 22 Creedmoor cartridge brass: Alpha Munitions, Atlas ADG, Hornady, and Peterson Cartridge. The Peterson 22 Creedmoor brass is excellent.
Of course you can neck down high-quality Lapua 6mm Creedmoor brass. Lapua brass has outstanding consistency and durability. Choose from large primer or small primer types. Necking down is a simple one-step operation with a neck-sizing or full-length sizing die.
22 Creedmoor Brass from Peterson Cartridge
According to Derek Peterson, President of Peterson Cartridge, “We decided to build the tooling to make our .22 Creedmoor brass in response to the uptick in long-distance predator and varmint hunting. Plus the round is just straight-up fun to shoot. It is a low-recoil, flat shooting, wind-bucking round [that is] deadly accurate up to 800 yards.”
“When we designed the tooling for the .22 Creedmoor we set out to make casings with improved features”, Peterson added. “And we were successful. We increased the head hardness to tolerate higher pressures. And we increased our internal volume slightly to work better with the slow-burning powders [such as Reloder 26 or H1000].”
22 Creedmoor for Varmints — Video from the Varmint Fields of Eastern Oregon
Bullet Choices for 22 Creedmoor
If you have an appropriate twist-rate barrel, you can load the 22 Creedmoor with heavy 85-95 grain bullets. However, we think that the cartridge is better suited for lighter 65-80 grain bullets. This yields high velocities that provide explosive impacts on small varmints.
This GunsAmerica photo shows, L to R, 90gr Sierra MK, Hornady 88gr, 80gr, and 75gr .224 caliber bullets.
What is the Best Role for the 22 Creedmoor?
GunsAmerica tester Jeff Cramblit favors the 22 Creedmoor as a varmint round: “The performance of the 22 Creedmoor with 75-80 grain bullets makes it an outstanding varmint cartridge. I’ve seen claims of 80 grain Bergers at 3500 fps out of 26″ barrels, which would be devastating on any varmint. Loaded ammunition is available with bullets in the 70-75 range leaving 24” barrels at velocities around 3400+ fps, a bit more conservative than personal hand-loading, but still making it a very flat shooting, low recoiling round delivering impressive results.”
Jeff says the 22 Creedmoor will also work for PRS with heavier bullets: “I built the 22 CM to be a dual-purpose gun, or actually a 3-purpose gun. The first was for the coyotes and varmints previously mentioned. The second was for shooting PRS (Precision Rifle Series) style matches on occasion, and the third was for hunting deer-sized game. As with any multi-purpose tool there tends to be compromises.”
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Today is Father’s Day 2020. Here are our select Father’s Day Bargain selections for Dad. You’ll find some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
⏺ Kestrel 5500 Bluetooth with Weather-Vane and DROP D3 in Case
This Father’s Day, give Dad a Kestrel Weather Spotter Kit. With this portable weather monitoring kit, dad can view real-time weather conditions, chart trends for forecasting, and share weather data remotely on a mobile device with the FREE Kestrel LiNK App. This Kit, normally $614.00, is now on Sale for just $449.00. Kit includes: Kestrel 5500 Weather Meter with LiNK Bluetooth, Kestrel DROP D3, Vane Mount, Ultrapod Mini Tripod, Carrying Case.
⏺ Holds TWO rifles, Sizes up to 55″, Lots of Pockets, Handy Shoulder Straps
Finding a good quality rifle case that has plenty of room for gun and accessories can be a challenge. Check out these Savior double rifle casesTWO rifles and just about all the accessories you’d want to pack. While there are many other smaller tactical rifle cases, Savior offers 51″ and 55″ models that will hold long match rifles and PRS rigs with suppressors.
3. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Ruger 10/22, $199.99
⏺ Great Starter Rifle, Weaver Scope Rail, 18.5″ Barrel
The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most popular .22 LR rifles of all time. With lots of affordable .22 LR ammo available now, there’s never been a better time to shoot a rimfire. Now, for just $199.00 at Sportsman’s Warehouse, you can get a nice Ruger 10/22 Carbine with a synthetic stock and built-in Weaver scope rail. For under $200 this is a deal you can’t pass up.
4. Grafs.com — Peterson Brass, Popular and NEW Cartridge Types
⏺ Consistent Neck Walls, New 7mmBR and .30-06, Nice Ammo Box
Ever since Peterson Brass hit the market it’s been embraced by shooters in just about every discipline and for good reason. It’s incredibly uniform, has strong primer pockets, and is competitively priced. Graf & Sons has one of the best selections of Peterson Brass including the new 7mmBR and .30-06 SPR at prices that are tough to beat. To top it all off, all Peterson Brass ships in nice plastic ammo boxes.
5. Midsouth Shooters — Leupold VX-Freedom Sale
⏺ Made-in-USA, Great Warranty, Many Reticle Options, Good Value
Leupold scopes are American-made and Leupold offers one of the best warranties in the business. If you’re looking for a great scope for an AR or similar platform check out the VX-Freedom line of scopes. They feature zoom ranges from 1.5-4X up to 6-18X. Leupold also offers a wide choice of reticles.
6. Midsouth Shooters — Lapua .22 LR Rimfire Ammo Sale
⏺ Superb Accuracy with Pistol, Rifle, and Biathlon Types
Lapua makes some of the best .22 LR rimfire ammo on the planet. The high-end Lapua .22 LR ammunition has won Olympic Gold medals and World Championships. Now you can save big on a variety of Lapua .22 LR rifle and pistol Rimfire ammo at Midsouth Shooters. For target rifle and NRL-22 competition we think Lapua Center-X offers a good balance of price and performance.
⏺ Secondary or RV Safe, Electronic Lock plus Key, Silent Entry Option
Need a small vertical safe for your workshop, loading room, remote cabin, or RV? This Legend Range & Field 4-Gun Safe can fill the bill. It has an electronic lock and backup key, and secures with five 1″ locking bolts. This small safe also includes a bolt-down kit for added security. At $183.30 this safe offers significantly more protection than a thin-walled security locker, for not much more money. Save $37 with this promotion at Gander Outdoors. NOTE: If you have the safe shipped to your house, there is a $50.00 Shipping Fee. Exterior Dimensions: 55″H x 11.6″W x 11″D
8. Amazon — Monstrum Rubberized Scope Caps, $9.99
⏺ Many Sizes for Eye Piece and Objective, Heavy-Duty Rubberized Protection
With the cost of optics these days, you MUST protect your glass. Unfortunately, very few high-end scopes come with lens protectors. These heavy-duty Monstrum rubberized scope caps offer great protection and are available in all kinds of sizes to fit most scopes. Choose basic black or hunters may prefer the Flat Dark Earth (tan) Monstrom Lens Covers. NOTE — Eyepiece and Objective covers sold separately for $9.99 each.
9. Amazon — EZ2C 40pk Games Target Set, $19.67
⏺ 40 Target Sheets, 4 Hi-Viz Styles, with Repair Pasters
Shooting at regular paper targets or swinging steel can get pretty boring especially if you are shooting with a friend or kids. We like these assorted EZ2C Targets. They are bright and colorful, and fun to shoot. There are four target types, 10 each of Dart Board, Big to Small Circles, Ship Battle, and Tic-Tac-Toe.
Peterson Cartridge Company (“Peterson”) has released a lengthy, authoritative guide to the 22 Creedmoor cartridge, a popular wildcat based on the 6.5 Creedmoor or 6mm Creedmoor necked down to .224 caliber. We think the 22 Creedmoor would be a great long-range varmint cartridge, similar to the .22-250 Rem, but with a more moder, efficient cartridge design. In addition, some PRS/NRL competitors may turn to the 22 Creedmoor because it has less recoil and is flatter-shooting than the 6mm Creedmoor. In addition, .224-caliber match bullets are typically less expensive than heavier 6mm and 6.5mm projectiles. Less recoil, and less cost — what’s not to like?*
Along with load data, this article has specific sections dedicated to: Primers, Rifling Twist Rates, and Reloading Supplies. If you are considering building a .22 Creedmoor, we recommend you download the full Peterson .22 Creedmoor article, which is available in PDF format.
Peterson states, “Since its inception in 2007… the 6.5 Creedmoor has seen some pretty meteoric growth in popularity. That growth continues as of this writing, as the cartridge has now gone mainstream with hunters and shooters alike. As the popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor has increased, so has the number of wildcat cartridges based off of it. Some of those popular wildcat cartridges are the 6mm Creedmoor, the .25 Creedmoor, and now the .22 Creedmoor. This data sheet will cover the .22 Creedmoor.
To help our customers, and anyone else who shoots .22 Creedmoor, we decided to create this Data Sheet and distribute it. [In this LOAD DATA Document] you will find four (4) common bullets, and four (4) common rifle powders used when handloading the .22 Creedmoor cartridge. We then took the different bullet and powder combinations and loaded them up to the SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) for the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor cartridges, which is 62,000 PSI. [O]ur goal was to provide a wide spectrum of bullet weights and the powders used with them.
All of the following data was gathered by our ballistician in our indoor ballistics lab located in our factory in Pennsylvania. Although we were able to gather pressure and velocity data in our lab, we have NOT tested these loads for accuracy. Again, these loads are just designed to give shooters information regarding what velocity, a given bullet and powder charge combination, will produce the SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) of 62,000 psi.”
Sample .22 Creedmoor LOAD DATA
IMPORTANT — Pressures can vary significantly with different Cartridge Overall Lengths (COAL). In addition, ANY change to ANY load components — primers, bullets, brass, powder — can affect pressure. Always load conservatively. In addition, because of variances in bore dimensions, some barrels may show higher pressures than others. Again, always start with conservative loads, well below MAX pressures.
*Actually there IS a potential downside — reduced barrel life. We expect that a .22 Creedmoor running hot varmint loads would experience shorter useful barrel life compared to a 6.5 Creedmoor. This is based on what we’ve observed with .22-250 and .22-250 Ackley barrels compared to our 6.5 CM barrels.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. 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. CDNN — Winchester XPR Rifle, $50 Off Plus Free Scope
Simple and reliable rifles can be found in just about any safe and if you’re like us you can never have too many of them. If you’re looking to grab something for hunting season or maybe a teen’s first gun, CDNN has a great deal going on. You can pick up your choice of Winchester XPR rifles in a variety of calibers, all with a $50 Factory REBATE. Plus you also get a Weaver 3-9x40mm scope and rings for FREE. Each XPR is now just $319.99 after rebate, complete with scope and rings.
2. Grafs — Berger Bullets 10% Off + Free Hat
We’re entering the competition season which means you can never have enough bullets. With that in mind we found a killer deal on Berger Bullets at Grafs.com. This sale applies to all Berger bullets in stock, including the most popular calibers. When you buy at least three (3) boxes you even get a FREE Berger Hat. With this 10% OFF discount and free ballcap, we think it’s smart to stock up on Bergers this week.
3. Amazon — MTM Cleaning Rod Case, $22.89
Good cleaning rods are expensive and can be easily damaged if you’re not careful. To protect those valuable cleaning rods, we recommend the MTM cleaning rod case which holds four rods as well as cleaning supplies. This case protects your rods both at home and while traveling. With this handy, durable case you can stop worrying about bending or breaking those important cleaning rods.
4. Midsouth Shooters — Speer 20% Cash Back Rebate
Speer bullets have a good reputation for quality and consistency so when we saw this sale we had to share it. For a limited time Midsouth is offering 20% cash back on purchases of $100 or more with a maximum rebate of $100. To get your 20% Cash Back after ordering Speer bullets, you must fill out Speer’s REBATE FORM or submit INFO ONLINE. This offer is for bullet purchases made from 4/1/2019 through 6/30/2019.
5. Grafs — Peterson Brass, 10% Off Promotion
Over the past few years, Peterson Brass products have become very popular for many shooting disciplines, including ELR competitions. Peterson brass is strong and durable, and Peterson offers many hard-to-find cartridge types, such as .375 CheyTac. Head over to Grafs.com this week to save 10% on ALL Peterson brass. This is your chance to grab some great brass in calibers such as 6mm Creedmoor, .284 Win, or .375 CheyTac at very attractive prices.
6. Powder Valley — Winchester Primers, 25% Off
Winchester primers work great in pistol, rifle, and shotgun handloads. Because they are both affordable and very reliable, Winchester primers are our favorite for most pistol reloading. And now you can save 25% off the price. Buy Winchester primers from Powder Valley and then complete the REBATE FORM and get 25% back by mail. There’s never been a better time to stock up on WW primers. Stock up now and save.
Leica Geovids rank among the very best rangefinding binoculars you can buy, no matter what the cost. EuroOptic.com is making that purchase a lot easier by offering the Leica Geovid 10×42 HD-B Edition 2200 Rangefinding Binoculars for $1999.99. That’s $1000.00 less than the original list price. These premium rangefinding binoculars may not suit everyone’s budget but this is still a great deal. These Geovids combine superb glass with outstanding ranging performance.
8. Amazon — Range Station for Pistol Shooters, $29.99
The Range Station combines an ammo compartment with a roll-out mat. Some gun ranges only have concrete benches, or shooting stations with horizontal surfaces covered with dirt, powder residues, and other debris. You don’t want to put your $2000 blued Colt Python on that mess. The 12″x24″ Padded Gun Mat stays put on the counter-top and holds guns and gear. The case snaps to either the right or left side of the mat. Interior trays are sized for standard ammo boxes and magazines. Separate compartments hold smaller range gear such as rulers, pens, target markers, and more. When finished, the mat can be rolled and stored neatly and compactly in the case. Buy now for $29.99 at Amazon.
9. Amazon — Caldwell Front and Rear Bag Set (Unfilled), $15.19
Insanely cheap! We noticed this sandbag set when it cost around $25.00. Now this handy bag duo, an Amazon best seller, costs just $15.19! Varminters can keep these bags in a vehicle for deployment any time. Act quick — this is a special sale price at Amazon.com. This unfilled bag combo sells for up to $33.00 elsewhere. This inexpensive system works surprisingly well, particularly with “standard” rifles with narrow fore-ends. Rather than sand, you can fill with rice or media to make the bags lighter. This system features a heavy-duty clip and D-Ring for linking the two bags. Bag dimensions (filled) are: FRONT 11″ x 8.5″ X 6″; REAR 5″ x 5″ x 4.5″.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. 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. Graf’s and Creedmoor Sports — Peterson Brass
Peterson Brass is quickly becoming a leading cartridge brass producer for good reason. Peterson offers good quality, long-lasting, American-made brass at very competitive prices. For PRS and other disciplines not requiring one-hole accuracy, Peterson brass may be up to the task. Plus some Peterson brass varieties come pre-sorted by weight and length — that saves time! Along with popular cartridge types, such as 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mmBR, and .308 Win, Peterson offers brass for cartridges with fewer brass options — such as 6XC, .300 Norma Magnum, .375 CheyTac, .408 CheyTac, and others. Peterson’s CheyTac brass has found favor with the ELR crowd. Purchase Peterson Brass from Graf and Sons or Creedmoor Sports. Both vendors offer competitive pricing and great customer service.
2. Amazon — Digital Flex-Cord WiFi BoreScope, $32.99
Have you wanted a high-end optical borescope but couldn’t bear the price (as much as a complete rifle)? Here’s an incredibly affordable alternative. For under forty bucks you can get a high-tech, digital endoscope that sends video, via WiFi, to your Android or iOS smartphone, or other mobile device.
This is a great value. Pick up one of these digital borescopes for only $32.99. These digital endoscopes feature a 5.5mm-diameter camera head so you can scope just about any barrel from .22 caliber up to .50 caliber. NOTE: A buyer reports the mirror extension increases the end diameter to 6.5mm so that limits 90deg views with smaller diameter barrels. The unit sends the image wirelessly to your phone, and charges with a USB connection. Watch in real time or record for future viewing. Along with bore-inspection chores, you can use this versatile gadget to find parts you drop behind the bench or even inspect your vehicles.
3. Bruno’s — Berger 7mm 184gr Hybrids, $45.70/100
If you’re a competitive shooter, you know how important it is to get all the components you need for the entire match season or risk running short at the worst time. Topping the “must have” list of many F-Class competitors are the record-setting Berger 7mm/.284 184gr Hybrid Target bullets. Brunos Shooters Supply now has these Berger 7mm 184gr Hybrid Target Bullets in stock. These will, no doubt, become very hard-to-find later this year. So don’t miss out while they’re available or you’ll be sorry later. Bruno’s HERE: Berger 7mm Hybrids $47.30/100.
4. March Optics — All Scopes on Sale
Every time we head to a match we see more and more March Optics on the line and there’s a good reason why. March offers some amazing scopes, offering incredible clarity, sharpness, and magnification ranges you won’t find on other scope series. If you’re looking to upgrade to a serious, competition-grade optic, here is your chance to grab a March scope at up to 30% off.
5. Amazon — Howard Leight Impact Electronic Muffs, $35.99
All firearms enthusiasts need to protect their hearing. Even a single shot can damage your hearing. We like to use double coverage, with plugs under electronic muffs. This provides outstanding hearing protection, AND you can still hear range commands. The very popular Howard Leight Impact Sport ear muffs are now on sale for just $35.99. With that attractive price, there’s no excuse for not having ear protection in your range bag. These Impact Sport muffs are without question the most commonly-used electronic muffs because they offer great performance for the price.
Target cameras and electronic targets are cool but of course that all comes with high prices and technical hassles. Now there’s a smart, affordable solution that lets you quickly change your targets without moving from your firing position. The Lyman Auto Advance Target System holds multiple targets on a motor-advanced roll. With the push of a button, you can command new targets to roll up into view. The wireless controller lets you place the target frame up to 200 yards away. Lyman sells a variety of target rolls. Each has enough targets to keep you shooting all weekend without changing. We really like this unit for rimfire shooting. The unit is easy to set-up and adjust for different heights.
7. Midsouth — Assorted Hornady Gauge and Comparator Tools
Bullet seating depth is a key variable in precision reloading. For best accuracy you really need to know LENGTH to LANDS, i.e. the point at which your bullet will first touch the rifling in the barrel. Adjustment of cartridge base-to-ogive length (from “jam” to “jump”) is a critical method of optimizing rifle accuracy. With some barrels, cartridge types, and bullets it may be best to seat into the lands. With other barrels and bullets you’ll want to “jump” the bullets 20, 30, or even 40 thousandths (or more). To determine your length to lands with repeatable precision, we recommend the Hornady Comparator tools. Grab the straight OAL gauge and either the basic set with 6 inserts or the full set with 14 inserts and start collecting real data about your chambers. You can also grab an extra comparator body on sale.
8. Amazon — Pop Packs Color Burst Targets, $28.91
Do you love reactive targets but don’t live in an area that allows exploding targets? These colorful Pop Packs liquid-filled splash targets offer a safe, cost-effective and fun alternative to exploding targets. Now you can grab 48 Pop Packs bursting targets for just $28.91. There are also 12-packs, 24-packs, and even 96-packs of these bursting Pop Packs targets. The more you buy the lower the cost per sack. Keep in mind these make a messy splatter and should not be used without permission of your range owner or managers.
9. Palmetto State Armory — Multi-Brand Scope Savings
If you’ve been looking for a feature-laden riflescope for your next gun, check out Palmetto State Armory (PSA). This vendor has some lesser-known brands, such as Eotech, at great savings. And PSA has the new Trijicon zooms. Trijicon, famed for its reflex optics, now makes very high quality zoom optics. This week’s PSA Scope Sale saves you money on brands such as Trijicon and EOtech that rarely go on sale. In addition, there are big discounts on Burris and other big names.
This week’s Deal Selections sourced by F-Class John.
Have you wanted a high-end optical borescope but couldn’t bear the price (as much as a complete rifle)? Here’s an incredibly affordable alternative. For under forty bucks you can get a high-tech, digital endoscope that sends video, via WiFi, to your Android or iOS smartphone, or other mobile device. 
