Christmas is coming up soon, so today we’re featuring a hand-picked collection of “stocking stuffers” for precision shooters. You can order most of these items online, and if you get your orders in soon, your selections should arrive before December 25th. So as not to bust your holiday budget, all of our selections are priced under $10.00. These items are handy tools that you’ll use over and over again at the range and/or at your loading bench (so you’re allowed to buy them for yourself, even after Christmas).
Gifts $1 to $5
Surveyors Tape
$1.99
Hood Kwik Estimator
$2.50
Bifocal 3X/6X Magnifier
$2.75
Barrel Mirage Shade
$4.95
Surveyors’ Tape. Always watch the wind when you shoot. Inexpensive, Day-Glo Surveyors’ Tape (aka “Flagging Tape”), attached to a stake or target frame, makes a good wind indicator. It will flutter even in mild breezes, alerting you to both angle and velocity shifts. This should be part of every range kit. Don’t leave home without it.
Hood Kwik Estimator. Here’s a very handy tool to measure your 6mm groups. Bracket the group within the diverging lines of the Kwik Estimator and you’ll instantly get a good approximation of the actual group size. No more trips to the tool box for calipers. The inexpensive Kwik Estimator fits in a shirt pocket. (Thanks to Boyd Allen for this suggestion.)
Bifocal 3X/6X magnifier. This handy, inexpensive dual-power magnifier is always close at hand on our loading bench, because it helps with so many task. We use a compact magnifier to inspect bullet tips, to check brass chamfers, and inspect the internals of triggers and other parts. Priced at just $2.75, a magnifier like this (or the folding variety) is a “must-have” item for every hand-loader.
Sinclair Barrel Mirage Shade. For high-volume varminters, and competitors who shoot fast in warm weather, a mirage shield is absolutely essential. This prevents hot air rising off the barrel from distorting the image in your scope. The aluminum Sinclair shield can be trimmed to fit, and comes with stick-on Velcro attachments. Two lengths are available: 18″ for short BR barrels, and 24″ for longer barrels.
Gifts $6 to $10
Dewey Crocogator
$6.50
Ballistol Aerosol Lube
$8.99
Sinclair Barrel Bag
$9.95
Sinclair Load Block
$9.99
Dewey Crocogator. The Crocogator tool, with knurled “teeth” at both ends, is simple, inexpensive, and compact. Yet nothing zips though primer-pocket gunk faster or better. Unlike some cutter-tipped primer pocket tools, the Crocogator removes the carbon quick and easy without shaving brass. One end is sized for large primer pockets, the other for small.
Ballistol Aerosol Lube. Ballistol is a versatile, non-toxic product with many uses in the reloading room. We have found it is ideal for lubricating cases for normal full-length sizing. It is clear, not gooey or chalky like other lubes. It is very, very slippery, yet is easy to apply and just as easy to wipe off. As you lube your cases, the Ballistol will also clean powder fouling off the case necks. For heavy-duty case forming and neck expansion, we’ll still use Imperial die wax, but for every-day case sizing, Ballistol is our first choice. It also helps prevent your dies from rusting and it even conditions leather. Ballistol is a favored bore cleaner for Black Powder shooters because it neutralizes acidic powder residues.
Sinclair Barrel Bag. If you run a switch-barrel rig, or take spare barrels to a big match, this simple but effective barrel bag will protect your valuable steel. The bag is moisture-resistant vinyl on the outside with a soft, quilted interior to protect the barrel’s finish and delicate crown. There are two sizes: one for barrels up to 26 inches, the other for barrels up to 31 inches. Both sizes are priced at $9.95 per bag. That’s cheap insurance for those priceless barrels.
Sinclair ‘Poly’ Loading Block. We’ve tried wood and injection-molded loading trays, and we prefer Sinclair’s white polyethylene loading blocks. They featured chamfered holes properly sized for the particular case you reload. The blocks are heavy enough to be stable on the bench, and the “dishwasher-friendly” material is easy to clean. The standard Poly Loading Block holds 50 cases, while the Competition Loading Block holds 25 cases with a tray for empties. For a bit more money, there’s also a Heavy-Duty 50-case model with an extra-thick 1″ base.
Black Friday is coming up in two days. Big and small retailers nationwide will be offering some very attractively-priced sale items. First, definitely check out Sinclair International’s Cyber Weekend Sale. You’ll find great deals on everything from bullets to electronic powder measures. And you can use Code DUS to save 10% on orders over $150.00.
Along with the well-known vendors of shooting supplies, readers can find some great deals on general equipment for their reloading centers. Check out tool sales at Sears, for example. And here are two sweet deals from Harbor Freight. A rolling tool chest is marked down from $299.99 to $149.99 and the Windsor 60″ Workbench is now just $129.99. That’s $100 off the regular price. These sale prices are good for three (3) days: Friday November 23 through Sunday, November 25th.
Sale tip from EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Sinclair International has just released its 2012 Christmas Catalog. The 24-page catalog is filled with hundreds of sale items. Among the holiday bargains found inside are special offers on Hornady and Redding presses, Lyman case cleaning equipment, bullets from Berger, Norma, and Sierra, in addition to brass from Lapua and Nosler – just to name a few. The sale prices shown in the catalog are valid through January 14, 2013.
Customers who didn’t receive a print holiday catalog in the mail are encouraged to view the interactive digital version, which is an exact replica of the print edition.
Cyber Weekend Deals at Sinclair Int’l and Brownells
In five days, starting at 12:01 am on November 22, 2012 (Thanksgiving Day), Sinclair International kicks off its Cyber Weekend Sales Promotion. Through the holiday weekend, you’ll enjoy special savings on a wide variety of merchandise — bullets, brass, reloading tools, shooting accessories, and more. Along with the deals on the Sinclair Int’l website, Brownells.com will be offering special savings as part of Brownells’ “Black Rifle Friday” sales event, which actually starts on Thursday, November 22nd.
Sinclair Int’l is running a great promotion right now through midnight (11:59 pm) on July 4th. If you use CODE DS6 during check-out, you’ll get FREE Shipping on all orders of $99.00 or more. Remember this offer runs out Wednesday night. You can find current featured items on sale on Sinclair’s Sale Page. Among the items discounted currently are the Sinclair Competition Shooting Rest ($599.99 on sale), the Edgewood MiniGator rear bag ($124.99 on sale), and the Sinclair Cleaning Cradle ($44.99 on sale).
Every year, the third Sunday in June is Fathers’ Day. In 2012 this is June 17, so mark your calendars. If your father enjoys the shooting sports, we suggest planning a day at the range with him. And if you’re looking for a gift that will surely be appreciated, consider a Sinclair Int’l Gift Card. These are available in a variety of money values, and Sinclair can mail them directly to your father’s residence. If you’re running short on time, you can get an “eGift Card” sent directly to you father via email. Click the link below to learn more about Sinclair Gift Cards.
Take Your Daughter to the Range Day
This month, along with Father’s Day, there’s another special day to mark on your calendar. June 9th, 2012 is National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day. This is a great way to spend “quality time” with your daughter, and teach her the basics of firearms safety.
The organizers of this event explain: “Boys learn to shoot in Scouts, or with their Dads. Often the girls are left behind, because shooting isn’t ‘girly.’ Well, young ladies can, and do, shoot, and they often do it very well indeed. Learning to shoot gives young women confidence, helps to build self-esteem, and introduces them to a sport they can participate in their whole lives. This event will promote firearms safety and education, as well as family bonding through participation in an exciting and fun sport.”
Now through April 6, 2012, Sinclair’s Stainless Micrometer “Ultimate Trimmer” system is on sale for $159.99. That’s a $20.00 savings off the normal $179.00 price. This unit comes complete with micrometer cut-length control, stand, Shark Fin clamp for the case-holder, and a stainless Wilson cutter housing. NOTE: Caliber-specific case-holders are sold separately.
The Sinclair Micrometer head allows reloaders to easily adjust trim length in .001″ increments with an adjustment length of over 2″. The micrometer features easy-to-read, engraved unit markings and may be locked in place. The Ultimate Trimmer can trim cases from 22 Hornet up to 416 Rigby.
The Sinclair Stainless Ultimate Trimmer comes with Sinclair Mounting Stand and handy Shark Fin Clamp. This system makes easy work of installing and removing your trimmer case holder in a smooth “swing-arm” motion. The Shark Fin trimmer clamp secures the case head firmly against the micrometer adjustment head for a quick and accurate, chatter-free trim. NOTE: We have found that you will get the most accurate, repeatable trim lengths if you set the shark fin to a firm tension and do NOT hold the case-holder with your hand — let the Shark Fin clamp do the job. The video below shows how to use a Wilson case trimmer (with micrometer, stand and Shark Fin).
Looking for bargains on firearms, hunting gear, and reloading equipment? You’ll find scores of great deals in the next few days, as major online vendors roll out their Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber-Monday discount programs. While many folks may look to save a few bucks on bullets or ammo, think about shopping for big-ticket items as well. There are some great Black Friday deals on gun safes and complete rifles.
Cabela’s 5-day Holiday Sale
Deals start November 24 and here are some highlights:
Tiptons Best Gun Vise (tilting version for AR15s) – $49.99
Bushmaster .223 AR-15 rifle w/ Bushnell Red Dot scope, soft case, 20 rd mag – $599.99
Mossberg Waterfowl Shotguns, starting at $249.99
Primos Million-Candlepower Spotlights, $9.99-$14.99
Cannon Scout 24-gun Fire-Rated Gun Safe (60 x 28) – $699.99
Creedmoor Sports
FREE Shipping on orders over $100 through Nov. 27 (excludes: ammo, brass, bullets)
Hardback Coats (all varieties) – $50.00 Off
Service Rifle Competition Basics DVD – $20.00
Dicks Sporting Goods
Mossberg 702 or 802 Plinkster .22 LR semi-auto or bolt-action rifles – $119.98
Remington 11-87 Sportsman, wood or black synthetic furniture, $399.98 with mail in rebates
EABCO (E. Arthur Brown)
FREE Shipping on orders over $99.00. Chose “SPC” shipping Code at Check-Out.
Berry’s Model 400 Tumbler – $49.00
Shooters Ridge 1A2 and S Bipods (Harris Clone) – $39.00
Peltor Tactical 6 Electronic Hearing Protectors – $59.00
Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope – $139.00 with $30 Mail-In Rebate
T/C Omega Muzzle-Loader, SS Thumb-Hole Laminated – $599.00
Gander Mountain
S&W Bodyguard .380 ACP pistol w/laser – $329.99
Mossberg Tactical .22 – $199.99
Liberty Fatboy JR gun safe – 48 gun capacity – $1099.99
S&W Bodyguard .38 special revolver w/laser – $429.99
Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm Duplex Matt scope – $179.99
Bushnell XLT Bone Collector 3-9x49mm scope – $79.99 (after mail in rebate)
MidwayUSA
MidwayUSA has a Holiday Specials Page with new items listed every day through Monday, Nov. 28th. Select items for Black Friday (Nov. 25) are:
MidwayUSA Heavy-Duty Cordura Drag Bag – $54.99
Winchester-Brand .223 Rem Brass – $99.99 for 500 cases
Walther 2.9″ Tactical Folder Knife – $14.99
Palmetto State Armory
PSA 16” M-4 Carbine – $599.99
Remington 870 Express Tactical – $329.99
Sig Pro 2022 – $329.99
Remington R1 1911 – $599.99
Precision Reloading
FREE Shipping on orders over $100.00, Use Code LRHBLACK
Offer Expires 11:59 pm, Nov. 25.
Tractor Supply Company
Winchester 60″ Gunsafe – $549.99 (reg. $699.99)
Cannon TS6040 Gunsafe – $699.00 (reg. $999.99)
Friday, Nov. 25th Specials. Note: deals may not be available at all stores.
These are just a small sample of the items that are on sale. Some items are on sale Thursday or Friday only. Others product may be on sale for 3-4 days, or through November 30th.
Sinclair Int’l has started shipping its new, improved “3rd Gen” F-Class bipods. These are nearly a pound lighter than before, but just as stable. The key new feature is an optional, central rotary height adjustment. This was successfully tested by Danny Biggs, who won some big matches with a prototype height-adjusting bipod. While the new bipod is designed for F-TR competition, Sinclair’s wide-base bipods have also been used successfully by some F-Open Class competitors, and they have been popular with varmint hunters. Two versions of the new “3rd Gen” bipod are offered. The basic version, without central height adjustment, is currently in-stock for $199.95. The deluxe version, with central quick-adjust height control, can be pre-ordered for $249.95.
Sinclair tells us: “The Sinclair F-Class Bipod was designed with input from many of our customers, including members of Team Sinclair. The new third generation Sinclair F-Class Bipod is offered with an optional quick-adjust elevation knob. Made from 7075 T6 aluminum, the 3rd gen bipod is lighter yet more rigid — nearly a full pound less than the previous generation.” The latest F-Class Bipod now also includes handy laser-etched height markings on the adjustable legs.
Popular features of Sinclair’s previous F-Class bipod designs have been retained, notes Sinclair: “The bipod locking feature enables you to adjust rifle cant quickly and easily. The bipod can be mounted to the rifle’s sling swivel stud in just a few seconds with the captured, hardened pin system. Two tensioning knobs then pull the stock against heavy, low-compression felt pads for a movement-free mount.”
Here’s a sweet deal — buy a scope and get a Nikon digital camera worth one hundred bucks. Now until October 23, 2011, if you purchase any eligible Nikon Buckmasters® Riflescope, Nikon will include a free COOLPIX® L24 Digital Camera. This is no junky, disposable camera. The COOLPIX L25 is a quality 14.0 Megapixel camera with 3.6X optical zoom. It can even capture digital video. Check for yourself — the COOLPIX L24 retails by itself for $85.00 – $100.00. For example Sears sells the L24 for $99.99.
Nikon Buckmasters Scopes are Affordably Priced
A wide range of lifetime-guaranteed Buckmasters scopes qualify for this promotion, including 3-9X, 4.5-14X, and 6-18X zoom scopes starting at $209.95. CLICK HERE for Buckmaster Scope Lineup.
To qualify for the free camera, you must purchase a Buckmasters scope before October 23, 2011, and then submit an application form along with Proof of Purchase. Visit Sinclair Int’l or watch the promotional video below for more details:
Disclosure: AccurateShooter.com receives a small percentage of referred Sinclair Int’l sales.
Sinclair Int’l is running a Labor Day Promotion that starts today, September 1, and runs through September 6, 2011. Use the Promo Codes when shopping online, and you can save up to 10% off your order. There are three codes (but you may use only one per order):
$15 Off $150 — Use Code DHJ | $20 Off $200 — Use Code DHL | $25 Off $250 — Use Code DHN
Story Tip by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Christmas is coming up soon, so today we’re featuring a hand-picked collection of “stocking stuffers” for precision shooters. You can order most of these items online, and if you get your orders in soon, your selections should arrive before December 25th. So as not to bust your holiday budget, all of our selections are priced under $10.00. These items are handy tools that you’ll use over and over again at the range and/or at your loading bench (so you’re allowed to buy them for yourself, even after Christmas).
Sinclair Barrel Bag. If you run a switch-barrel rig, or take spare barrels to a big match, this simple but effective barrel bag will protect your valuable steel. The bag is moisture-resistant vinyl on the outside with a soft, quilted interior to protect the barrel’s finish and delicate crown. There are two sizes: one for barrels up to 26 inches, the other for barrels up to 31 inches. Both sizes are priced at $9.95 per bag. That’s cheap insurance for those priceless barrels.
The Sinclair Stainless Ultimate Trimmer comes with Sinclair Mounting Stand and handy Shark Fin Clamp. This system makes easy work of installing and removing your trimmer case holder in a smooth “swing-arm” motion. The Shark Fin trimmer clamp secures the case head firmly against the micrometer adjustment head for a quick and accurate, chatter-free trim. NOTE: We have found that you will get the most accurate, repeatable trim lengths if you set the shark fin to a firm tension and do NOT hold the case-holder with your hand — let the Shark Fin clamp do the job. The video below shows how to use a Wilson case trimmer (with micrometer, stand and Shark Fin).
