Some “progressive” states, such as California, are imposing broad new restrictions on the use of ammunition that contains lead. This is problematic for rimfire varmint shooters. Thankfully, Winchester now offers LEAD FREE 17 WSM ammunition. In this ammunition, zinc replaces lead in the bullet cores.
The team at Varminter.com has conducted an extensive test of Winchester’s new lead-free ammo. Over the course of multiple sessions, Varminter.com shot the ammo using no less than nine different rifles. Four, 5-shot groups were shot with each rifle from the bench at 100 yards.
Results were impressive. Average group size for a 1:9″-twist heavy barrel Savage B-Mag was a remarkable 0.5005 inches. Group size averages for seven of the eight other 17-cal rifles* ranged from 0.755 to 1.03 inches at 100 yards — pretty impressive for factory rimfire rigs. A LOT of time was invested in this test, and we recommend you read the full report on Varminter.com.
Fastest Rimfire Cartridge Ever
If you’re not familiar with this cartridge, the 17 WSM is the fastest, flattest-shooting rimfire round you can buy. It stomps the .22 LR, and even offers significantly better ballistics than the popular 17 HMR. This lead- free version is impressively flat-shooting. With a 100-yard zero, it drops only 4.3 inches at 200 yards. Compare that with a .22 LR which can drop 18 inches or more from 100 to 200 yards (based on 1150 fps MV).
Zinc Replaces Lead in Winchester’s Eco-Friendly 17 WSM
For folks who live in areas where lead ammo is restricted, such as California, the arrival of this Lead Free 17 WSM is good news. Winchester’s new 17 WSM ammunition features a Zinc-cored, polymer-tipped 15-grain bullet with 0.118 G1 BC. The ammo is rated at a speedy 3300 FPS velocity. Winchester says that the zinc core and “thin alloy jacket with engineered sidewall profile” deliver “explosive fragmentation.”
*The ninth rifle, a Savage BMAG with original thin-contour barrel, was the “odd man out”. Accuracy was mediocre, averaging 1.763 inches.
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Here are six rebate or instant savings programs that can save you $50 to $100 on guns and ammunition. For example you can save $75 on a Beretta pistol, save 20% on Winchester ammo, save $100 on a KelTec carbine, or save 8% on a new Browning rifle, shotgun, or pistol. IMPORTANT: Some of these rebates expire soon — so don’t delay if you want these deals!
Click on each photo below to see REBATE details.
Winchester 20% Off Ammo Rebate — Valid through 4/30/2023
Taurus Handgun G3/GX4 Rebates — Valid through 6/18/2023
Browning Save 8% Rebate — Valid through 4/17/2023
Beretta $75 OFF Pistol Rebates — Valid through 5/31/2023
SIG Sauer Free Ammo Rebate — Valid through 6/30/2023
KelTec Sub 2000 $100 Rebate — Valid through 6/30/2023
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To help serve America’s many millions of new gun owners, Winchester has created a good online information site for first-time ammunition and firearms buyers as well as those just getting started in the shooting sports. Winchester’s New Shooters Site has many helpful articles plus a series of videos.
Field & Stream magazine recently released a helpful guide to new ammunition offerings as seen at SHOT Show 2022. The article features 21 different new ammo types for pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Many of the new ammo types, such as Hornady CX and CCI Blazer, feature lead-free projectiles. The Blazer even employs lead-free primers. Among the most notable new ammo selections is the Berger line, which features high-BC projectiles and superb Lapua brass. New for 2022 is Berger 6.5 PRC and .300 PRC ammunition. Here are our selection of four notable, new-for-2022 Ammo products for rifle shooters. SEE all 21 new ammo types on Fieldandstream.com.
Berger 6.5 PRC and .300 PRC Hunting Ammo
Berger has added the 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC cartridges to its loaded ammo line which features great Lapua brass. The 6.5 load features the heavy 156gr Berger Elite Hunter bullet running at 2960 FPS. This bullet boast a very high G1 ballistic coefficient (BC) of 0.679. Packing even more powder, Berger’s .300 PRC load features the 0.631 BC Berger Elite Hunter bullet. Tested muzzle velocity is 2895 FPS.
Hornady Hunting Ammo with Solid Copper CX Bullets
For 2022, Hornady has introduced a new CX™ (Copper alloy eXpanding) hunting projectile. This CX bullet is designed to provide outstanding performance when hunting in areas where solid lead or lead-core bullets are prohibited. Hornady states: “The new CX™ bullet from Hornady represents the most advanced monolithic hunting bullet on the market. Its optimized design offers extended range performance, greater accuracy, high weight retention, and deep penetration.” The CX will be available in a number of calibers/bullet weights: 6mm, .25 Cal, 6.5mm, .270 Cal, 7mm, .308, .338, and .375.
Norma .22 LR Rimfire Ammo — Three New Offerings
Norma announced three new .22 LR rimfire ammo types to be released in 2022: Xtreme LR-22, ECO Power 22, and Hunter Power 22. The Xtreme LR-22 should prove popular in the growing long-range rimfire PRS/NRL disciplines. The LR-22 offers higher BC for better long-range performance. The new ECO Power 22 has a lead-free zinc hollowpoint bullet traveling at a very fast 1700 FPS — on the high end for any .22 LR on the market. Norma’s Hunter Power 22 features a 40gr bullet designed for controlled expansion. This Power 22 ammo runs at 1260 fps with 142 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
Winchester New Lead-Free Copper Impact Hunting Ammo
Winchester’s new Copper Impact hunting ammunition features a tipped high-BC bullet. Winchester states that the Extreme Point helps create “immediate expansion”. Field and Stream’ reviewer states that “All this, combined with a lead-free bullet that will retain most of its weight, makes for a deep-penetrating big-game stopper[.]” Winchester’s new Copper Impact ammunition for over 12 different cartridge types, including the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.8 Western, .308 Win, and even the .350 Legend.
Ammunition News — Ammo Inc. Acquires Gunbroker, Builds Wisconsin Ammo Factory
In this interview, Mark Hanish (Pres., Global Sales & Marketing) of Ammo Inc. (Nasdaq: POWW) talks about his company. This enterprise is making significant moves in the firearms/shooting sports industry. Hanish discusses Ammo, Inc’s modern new 160,000-sq.ft. ammunition manufacturing plant in Manitowac, WI, and the company’s 2021 acquisition of GunBroker.com. Through a $240 million merger in May 2021, GunBroker.com officially become an Ammo Inc. subsidiary.
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To help serve America’s many millions of new gun owners, Winchester has created a new online information site for first-time ammunition and firearms buyers as well as those just getting started in the shooting sports and hunting. Winchester’s New Shooters Site has many helpful articles plus a series of videos.
Winchester’s New Shooters Site also incorporates the NSSF’s WHERE-To-SHOOT Resource, the internet’s most comprehensive listing of gun ranges. The Where-to-Shoot section makes finding a local range easy. Simply input your location and max desired distance, and the site will generate a list of nearby indoor and outdoor ranges with a Google map.
“More than 12 million people since the beginning of 2020 purchased a firearm for the first time, and that is in addition to the more than 56 million people in the U.S. who currently target shoot,” said Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “As an industry leader, we are committed to helping educate people about the many topics surrounding firearms, ammunition, safety and more. More and more people want to participate in the shooting sports and hunting. Our audience is diverse and growing, and this platform will be an excellent resource.”
— Skill-level filtering, allowing new shooters to find the most relevant content
— New video series and blog posts with entry-level topics
— Product recommendations for firearms and ammunition
— Tips and training (shooting fundamentals)
— Safety and storage
About Winchester Ammunition
Winchester was founded in 1866, 155 years ago. Winchester is now the largest small caliber ammunition enterprise in the world providing a huge variety of pistol, rifle, and shotgun ammunition. Learn more about Winchester by visiting Winchester.com or Winchester’s Facebook Page.
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Winchester and Browning have introduced the new 6.8 Western, a new .277-caliber cartridge designed for long-range hunting. The new 6.8 Western is a high-capacity cartridge with a modern 35-degree shoulder, optimized for a conventional short action. The 6.8 Western is VERY similar to the existing .270 WSM. It shares the same 0.535″ rim diameter, and the same 0.277″ bullet diameter, however the 6.8 Western’s case length is slightly shorter. The .270 WSM has a 2.100″ case length, while the new 6.8 Western has a 2.020″ length. That’s just 80 thousandths shorter. Both cartridges, the 6.8 Western and .270 WSM, share a 35° shoulder, so in fact, the 6.8 Western is VERY close to the existing .270 WSM, just .080″ short. With a 1:8″ twist, the 6.8 Western should be able to shoot bullets up to 175 grains.
In designing this new cartridge, Winchester wanted WSM performance in a slightly shorter case: “The key feature… was to shorten up that shoulder, shorten up the OAL of the cartridge so we could get longer, sleeker, heavy-for-caliber bullets to really drive the G1 BC higher and higher, to get the flattest possible trajectory.” Winchester claims that the 6.8 Western is the “largest [cartridge] on the market to fit into lighter, short-action rifles like the Winchester Model 70, Winchester XBR, and Browning X-Bolt Pro”. That’s a bit deceptive, since the .300 WSM, with a 0.2100″ case length, will fit in many of those rifles with most bullets. Oh well — there’s always some marketing hype.
6.8 Western — High-BC Bullets, Good Knock-Down Power, Tolerable Recoil
What is the real advantage of the new 6.8 Western? Fundamentally it can be loaded with heavier, higher-BC bullets than a 6.5 PRC, while having less recoil than a .300 WSM (with most bullets). (But the same can be said of the older .270 WSM.) WideOpenSpaces.com states that with the 6.8 Western “recoil is much lower than the .300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, and the .300 WSM cartridge. At the same time, the 6.8 is said to deliver more energy to the target than a 6.5 PRC [or] 6.5 Creedmoor[.]” Winchester is even claiming more downrange energy than a 7mm Remington Magnum.
This video, with lots of field footage, explains the main features of the new 6.8 Western:
This video has great cartridge illustrations, with 3D Animations and comparative energy tables:
“When people think of the perfect long-range rifle cartridge, they want many key features — good precision, flat trajectory, large down-range energy, and manageable recoil.” — Keith Masinelli, Winchester
This video shows loaded ammo. Direct comparison with .270 WSM at 8:55 minute time mark.
Why Develop a New Hunting Cartridge So Similar to the .270 WSM?
With interest in long-range hunting growing rapidly, engineers at Winchester and Browning sought a solution that could offer magnum performance with a modern high-BC projectile, yet chamber in a short action rifle for shorter bolt-throw and less weight. The 6.8 Western was “designed to be capable in any big-game hunting scenario and a great fit for those who enjoy long-range target shooting”. For the 6.8 Western, the designers basically shortened the .270 WSM case to allow for longer bullets (with the same cartridge OAL limits), and possibly make the case a bit more efficient.
The First 6.8 Western Rifles from Browning and Winchester
Browning X-Bolt Pro in 6.8 Western
Browning will release a light-weight, X-Bolt Pro rifle chambered for the 6.8 Western. This will have a 26″ barrel with 1:7.5″-twist, so it should be able to shoot all the high-BC .277-caliber bullets. With a carbon-reinforced stock, this rifle is relatively light-weight — just 6 lbs., 12 ounces before optics. The rifle has a 3-lug bolt with 60° bolt lift. Trigger adjusts from 3-6 pounds, fine for a hunting rifle. According to Wide Open Spaces, the barrel and receiver are finished with Tungsten Cerakote to protect the rig in harsh weather conditions. On Browning’s website, the Browning X-Bolt in 6.8 Western has a $2,469.99 MSRP. At that price, it may make more sense to buy a used X-Bolt rifle and re-barrel it.
“The 6.8 Western cartridge brings a new perspective to long-range hunting and shooting,” said Ryan Godderidge, Senior VP of Sales, Marketing, and Firearms for Browning. “It provides magnum-level performance in our short action rifles, giving the shooter highly effective down-range energy, even at longer ranges, while allowing for a lighter-weight platform.”
Winchester Model 70 in 6.8 Western
Winchester will release a Model 70 chambered for the 6.8 Western. It will have a 24″ stainless barrel, stainless action with 3-round hinged floor-plate internal magazine. Wide Open Spaces reports: “Right now, it appears the Model 70 Extreme Weather MB is the first 6.8 Western that will roll off their factory floors. The stock is composite with a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. At 44.25″ overall, this rifle is shorter than the Browning X-Bolts, but weighs slightly more at seven pounds even.” Listed MSRP is $1,599.99 for this new 6.8 Western Model 70.
Times are tough right now for hand-loaders. It is hard to find reloading components, particularly powder and primers. Thankfully, Brownells has made it easier for folks to find available powders without going through hundreds of searches resulting in “0ut of Stock” results. Just visit Brownell’s IN-STOCK Powder Page to see all reloading propellants currently available. This can save you much time and effort.
Brownells has two dozen major-brand powders IN STOCK today, including excellent, popular propellants from Vihtavuori, Hodgdon, and Winchester. Vihtavuori propellants such as N140 and N550 have a proven track record in competition and are popular with benchrest and F-Class shooter. As of today, 12/16/2020, here are 16 powders IN STOCK and available at Brownells.com. There are at least eight more powders in stock. But act quickly — these may sell out very soon. CLICK HERE for ALL in-stock powders.
Olin Corporation announced that, effective 10/1/2020, its ammunition division, Olin Winchester LLC (“Winchester”), assumed full management and operational control of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. The U.S. Army selected Winchester to operate and manage the Lake City plant in September 2019. The contract has an initial term of seven years and may be extended by the U.S. Army for up to three additional years. Winchester is now the world’s largest small arms ammunition manufacturer.
Winchester President Brett Flaugher stated: “We were selected to manage the Lake City plant because of our industry-leading capabilities and track record. For decades, we have successfully demonstrated those capabilities in quality, innovation and on-time delivery as well as through our partnership with the U.S. Army in developing solutions that service the U.S. Warfighter. Our team is fully prepared and 100% committed to the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Lake City plant.”
Currently in its 154th year of operation and 90th year as part of Olin, Winchester has been providing ammunition to the U.S. military since World War I.
About Lake City Ammunition Plant
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) is a 3,935-acre government-owned, contractor-operated facility in Independence, Missouri that was established by Remington Arms in 1941 to manufacture and test small caliber ammunition for the U.S. Army. The Lake City Plant has remained in continuous operation except for one 5-year period following World War II. The plant also serves as a national test center for ammunition performance and weapons firing.
Remington Arms operated the plant from its inception until 1985. Then Winchester took over the facility from 1985-2000. Prior to its acquisition by Northrup Grumman in 2018, Orbital-ATK ran the plant since late 2000, initially as Alliant Techsystems (ATK). In 2019, Olin Winchester, LLC, was selected by the U.S. Army to operate and manage the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant for the next seven years. Winchester took full operational control of the Lake City plant on October 1, 2020.
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Big News in the ammo industry! At the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, Northrup Grumman is out, and Winchester is taking over.
Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) announced that its ammunition division, Olin Winchester, LLC (“Winchester”), has been selected by the U.S. Army to operate and manage the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. Winchester will be taking over in the fall of 2020. Winchester’s Lake City contract has an initial term of seven years and may be extended for up to three more years, which would put Winchester in charge of the plant for a full decade.
Prior to its acquisition by Northrup Grumman in 2018, Orbital-ATK ran the plant since 2000, initially as Alliant Techsystems (ATK). Before that, Winchester previously operated the Lake City facility from 1985-2000, so Winchester knows this facility. Following a one-year transition period, Winchester will assume full operational control of the Lake City plant on October 1, 2020.
The Lake City plant, which began production in 1941, is the primary provider of small-caliber U.S. military ammunition for training and combat use. The plant produces as many as 2 billion rounds per year. The plant, encompassing nearly 4,000 acres, also serves as a national and regional test center for ammunition performance and weapons firing.
Orbital-ATK Was Losing Millions at Lake City in Recent Years
The Lake City contract was a huge financial problem for Orbital ATK, now a division of Northrup Grumman. Orbital ATK was losing money on its plant contract, due to the high cost of materials. KCRU.org reported:
“Orbital ATK, the defense contractor that ran the Lake City facility from 2000 until it was bought [in 2018] by Northrop Grumman, stunned investors on August 10, 2016, when it announced it wouldn’t be able to file its quarterly earnings report on time. Orbital ATK stock plummeted more than 20%. Institutional investors… filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the company fraudulently hid the fact it was losing hundreds of millions of dollars on its massive, multi-year Army contract. [Orbital ATK] eventually said it expected to lose $373 million on the contract.”
About Orbital-ATK and Alliant Techsystems: Before it split into two companies, Orbital-ATK and Vista Outdoor, Alliant Techsystems (ATK) was the parent company of numerous major gun industry brands, including: Alliant Powder, CCI, Champion, Federal, RCBS, Speer, and Weaver. These brands are still operated by Vista Outdoor.
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A while back, RifleShooter online magazine published a list of the purported Ten Best Bolt-Action Rifles of All Time. Ten classic rifle designs (including the Remington 700 and Winchester Model 70) were featured with a paragraph or two explaining their notable features.
“Best” Lists Stir Controversy…
These Top 10 lists are always controversial. While most readers might approve of half the entries, there are always some items on the Top 10 list that some readers would challenge. Here is RifleShooter’s Top 10 list. What do you think? Are there some other bolt-actions that are more deserving?
1. Springfield M1903
2. Mauser 98
3. Winchester Model 70
4. Remington Model 700
5. Weatherby V
6. Sako L61/AV
7. Savage Model 110
8. Ruger M77
9. Tikka T3
10. Mannlicher-Schonauer
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Winchester just unveiled a completely updated website at Winchester.com. The new, mobile-friendly website offers comprehensive information on Winchester ammunition. In addition, the upgraded Winchester website now boasts a full-featured, interactive Ballistics Calculator which runs on web browsers as well as mobile Apps. This new Ballistics Calculator offers an innovative “Shooter’s Eye View”, shown above. You can change the magnification level on the “scope”, and adjust variables (such as temp and range) using the red sliders. Try it out — it’s fascinating to see how the calculated Point of Impact moves as you adjust the sliders.
NEW Winchester Ballistic Calculator Features:
— Calculator provides precise trajectory for hundreds of cartridge types and bullet weights
— Calculator includes library of Ballistic Coefficients.
— Calculator offers visual graphs showing trajectories — with calculated point of impact as well as trajectory curve chart.
— Calculator variables include sight-in range, target range, air temperature, crosswind speed, sight height, and elevation.
— Calculator offers side-by-side comparisons among five separate rounds.
— Calculator offers detailed statistics chart for fine-tuning your shooting.
— Calculator can print handy, small Drop Chart you can attach to your rifle.
The Winchester Ballistic Calculator is available as a free download for iPhone and iPad through the Apple iOs app store, and for Android phones and tablets through Google Play.
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There a number of good rebate programs going on right now, but some conclude in just a few weeks. To take advantage of these deals you’ll need to start your shopping soon. Here are some current Rebate Programs for rifles, loading equipment, and shooting accessories. You can save up to $125.00 with these direct Rebate offers, or you can get bullets worth over $175.00 (500 count). The RCBS promo runs through 2/28/2018, while the Browning and Winchester rebates go through 3/31/2018. Hornady’s Get Loaded promotion is good all year
1. Browning Sales Tax Event — 10% Rebate
When you buy a new Browning firearm at retail between February 1 and March 31, 2018, you can receive a rebate of 10% of the purchase price to reimburse you for your state sales tax. This applies to a wide range of Browning firearms including rifles, shotguns, and pistols. All purchasers must be citizens or legal residents of the United States
Start Date: February 1, 2018
End Date: March 31, 2018
Redemption Deadline: April 15, 2018
Get Bucks or Bullets with purchase of Qualifying RCBS Products. This offers buyers a choice of money or bullets. You get a $10 Prepaid Card or 100 Free Bullets with: Qualifying Die Sets, Hand Priming Tool, Universal Hand Priming Tool, Trim Mate Case Prep Center, or a M500 Mechanical Scale. Alternatively, you can get a $50 Prepaid Card or 500 Free Bullets with: Rock Chucker Supreme Kit, Universal Case Prep Center, Explorer or Explorer Plus Kits, Pro Chucker 5 or 7, or an Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2.
Start Date: February 1, 2018
End Date: February 28, 2018
Redemption Deadline: March 31, 2018
Here’s a great deal if you are looking for a new hunting rifle. Purchase any NEW Winchester XPR rifle and receive $75 via mail-in rebate. With this promotion, you can buy a new XPR for just $264.99 after rebate. You can also save $25, $50, or $100 on qualifying Winchester shotguns.
Start Date: February 1, 2018
End Date: March 31, 2018
Redemption Deadline: April 15, 2019
Receive 100 or 500 Free Bullets when you purchase select Hornady Products. The 500 Free Bullets (worth up to $181.05) are available with purchase of one of these Lock-N-Load® products: Iron Press Kit, Classic Kit, Classic Kit Deluxe, Classic Kit with Auto Charge, Ammo Plant, AP Press, Case Prep Center, Deluxe Control Panel, or Hot Tub® Sonic Cleaner. NOTE: Hornady requires you to pay for return shipping on the bullets. You must submit a check for the shipping with your rebate form. No check, no bullets — got it?
Start Date: January 1, 2018
End Date: December 31, 2018
Redemption Deadline: February 15, 2019
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.
NOTE About Price Changes — We put up great deals when we find them. But prices change, so be “on your toes”. Example: Last week, on Monday morning, we featured Steiner AZ830 binoculars priced at just $116.00. This week, the very same Steiner binocs now cost $274.68! The price has more than doubled! Lesson here? If you see something at a great price, don’t hesitate.
1. Cabelas — 500 Rounds Winchester .22LR Ammo $31.99
Here’s an ammo bargain that also makes a great Christmas gift. Who wouldn’t like a nice, wooden crate of rimfire ammo under the Christmas tree? Cabela’s is offering this Winchester 500-round Ammo Special for just $31.99. That’s just 6.4 cents per round. The Limited Edition wooden crate is filled with Winchester Super-X Hi-Vel .22 LR ammo, loaded with 36gr copper-plated HP bullets. This ammo is rated at 1,280 fps velocity, making it good for small varmints as well as plinking. This would make a great end-of-year gift for a 4H Club Team, or Boy Scouts youth shooting program. And, to make the deal even better, you can get FREE Shipping with Cabela’s Code “7HOLIDAY” (no minimum).
2. Powder Valley — 12 Days of Christmas Promotion
Are you feelin’ lucky? Well here’s your chance to win. Over the next twelve days (through December 22, 2016), Powder Valley Inc. is giving away thousands of dollars worth of products from big name suppliers. This is top-of-the-line stuff, with products from Accurate, Alliant, Berry’s, Hodgdon, Hornady, Nosler, Ramshot, Shooters’ World, Sierra Bullets, Speer, and Zero Bullets. Each day there will be a new set of prizes. The prizes for Monday December 11th are Hornady Ammunition and a Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit with Reloading Press (MSRP $339.00). CLICK HERE for Contest.
UPDATE: The Prizes for December 12th are Accurate Reloading Powders.
It’s easy to be entered to win one of the Daily Giveaway prize packages. Simply visit Powder Valley’s Facebook Page, and make a comment on the featured Daily Giveaway Post. You don’t have to fill out any forms, but you must have a Facebook account so you can comment. Each day the folks at Powder Valley will select winners from among the visitors who commented. NOTE: You can enter multiple times by commenting on multiple days, but sorry, if you win, you are no longer eligible.
Ruger Precision Rifle, 6.5 Creedmoor, $998.00 complete — what’s not to like? If you’ve been thinking of purchasing a Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) chambered for the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge, here’s the best deal we’ve found in recent months. Right now Gunprime.com is offering this poular tactical rig for under $1000.00, in the high-demand 6.5 Creedmoor chambering. Heck of a bargain boys — you can pay $1300 or more elsewhere for the same rifle. This is a good choice for the PRS production class, or you can take in to another level of preformance with a Pre-Fit 26″ cut-rifled barrel from Krieger. This is the lastest RPR Gen 2 version with the upgraded handguards. Scope and rings NOT included in price.
4. MidwayUSA — Edgewood Rear Bag Clearance — Save $60 to $99
It’s common knowledge that Edgewood makes some of the very best rear sandbags you can buy, withe top quality AND workmanship. It is very rare to see these ultra-premium bags discounted. It is even more remarkable to see them at fire-sale prices — 31% to 48% Off at MidwayUSA. Quantities are very limited so, these will probably sell out within a few hours of being listed in our Deals of the Week. With some models, only one example is available at this price. Don’t hesitate if you need a bag — but first be sure to Check the Spacing Between the Ears to ensure it fits your rifle stock. This dimension varies from bag to bag. For each listed bag, click the “Specification” tab to get the ear spacing width, which varies from 0.375″ to 0.750″.
5. Creedmoor Sports — Holiday Sale, Many Items 15-20% Off
Creedmoor Sports is running a big Holiday Promotion. Many popular items, including gun cases, slings, coats, optics and more, have significant markdowns. CLICK HERE to see all Holiday Sale items. Sling shooters — if you are looking for a shooting coat, sling, or glove — there are some great deals to be had during this holiday sale.
6. Brownells — Buy Revolver Get $100 Gift Card + $50 S&W Rebate
This is the best promo we’ve ever seen for premium Smith & Wesson revolvers — America’s favorite wheelguns. You get a double bonus when you purchase one of the eligible S&W revolvers. First you get a $100 Brownells Gift Card. In addition, Smith & Wesson will send you a $50 rebate in the form of a prepaid Visa Card. That’s $150.00 in value. Plus you can use coupon “MDK” for 10% off + free shipping on orders over $200. This promo applies to over 50 different S&W revolvers, not just the ones in the graphic. SEE ALL Revolvers HERE.
This Editor owns a number of Smith & Wesson revolvers. They are all extremely accurate and a pleasure to shoot. I have bought and sold Glocks, HKs, Springfields, and Rugers. But I can never seem to part with any of my Performance Center S&W wheelguns — the accuracy and build quality is just too satisfying. If you don’t own a Performance Center S&W yet, here is your chance.
7. Plano 52″ Double Rifle Case with Wheels, $112.74
This Plano Double Scoped Rifle Case is an Amazon Best Seller for good reason. It offers the functionality and durability of an SKB-type hard case for HALF the money. This is under $115.00, while the equivalent SKB is around $240.00, so you can buy two Planos for the price of one SKB. The 51.5″ interior will fit most scoped competition rifles up to about 29″ barrels (measure your own rifle to make sure). If you separate the barreled action from the stock you can transport even ultra-long ELR rifles. The handles are convenient and beefy and the wheels make this case easy to move through airports and parking lots. This is a very tough, roomy case for the money (plus there’s Free Shipping for Amazon Prime members).
Exterior Dimensions: 54.625″ x 15.5″ x 6″
Interior Dimensions: 51.5″ x 12.63″ x 5.25″
Pluckable Interior Dimensions: 46″ x 10″
Features: Wheels, Secure Draw-Down Latches, O-Ring Seal, Pressure Relief Valve, Customizable Foam
8. Amazon — Howard Leight Electronic Muffs, $31.98
NOTE: These were a deal last week at $34.99, and now they’re even cheaper. Every shooter should own a pair of Electronic muffs, even if you prefer shooting with earplugs and/or standard muffs. Electronic muffs are great when you are doing spotting duties or are working near the firing line. They allow you to hear ordinary conversations while still providing vital hearing protection. Right now Amazon.com has the Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Muffs on sale for just $31.98, with free Prime Shipping. This is good deal — these NRR 22 muffs are currently Amazon’s #1 seller in the category.
9. MidwayUSA — Packable Shooting Mat, $19.99
Here’s a heck of a deal on a good light-weight shooting mat. MidwayUSA has slashed the price on its Packable Shooting Mat. Available in Coyote Tan or Olive Drab, this 67″ Long x 31″ Wide padded mat is now just $19.99. This Packable Mat has some nice features, such as 12″ front flap, elbow pads, 0.15″ thick padding, and six staking grommets. It’s easy to transport, rolling up to a 9″ x 4.5″ package, secured with a heavy strap. If you need a low-cost, basic shooting mat, check out this deal. Weighing just 1.5 pounds, this a good, light-weight mat to keep in a vehicle or to use on a “walk-around” varminting hunt.
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Not so long ago, .22 LR Rimfire ammunition was in very short supply. And when you could find decent .22 LR ammo, it was very expensive. High demand and reduced supply lead to high prices. Hoarding by some rimfire shooters didn’t help the situation either. But, thankfully, those days are behind us. Major brand .22 LR rimfire ammunition is now widely available again at reasonable prices. This is good news for all shooters, especially for rimfire competitors and clubs that run youth training programs. Here are some of the best deals we’ve found this week. NOTE: Some of the deals expire soon — if you see something you want, don’t delay.
MidwayUSA — 1500 Rounds Norma Tac-22 Ammo, $109.99
7.3 Cents Per Round
Check out those groups. That’s impressive accuracy at 50 yards. You’d expect to pay $10.00 or more per box for rimfire ammo that can shoot this well. But you can now get the Norma Tac-22 for the equivalent of $3.66 per box in this package deal — 1500 rounds in Ammo Can for $109.99. This works out to just 7.3 cents a round for very good .22 LR rimfire ammo — that’s a steal. NOTE: The target photos come from Champion Shooters Supply. This vendor tells us: “We have found this to run very well in Ruger rifles, handguns, and target pistols. These are 5-shot groups at 50 yards with an Anschutz 1913 rifle. This is an incredible value.”
Outdoor Ltd. — Winchester in Wood Box, $29.99 for 500 Rounds
6 Cents Per Round
This 36gr Winchester .22 LR ammo would make a nice gift item. The 50-round packs come with a nice slide-top wooden box. For $29.99 you get ten (10) 50-count boxes that fit inside the wood Display Box. That works out to just six cents ($0.06) per round. NOTE: Photo shows a full case in large cardboard box. Outdoor Limited’s $29.99 price is for 500 rounds (ten 50-ct boxes) with wooden Winchester case.
Grafs.com — Browning BPR 40gr, $19.99 for 400 Rounds
5 Cents Per Round
The “good old days” are back. You can now buy 400 rounds of Big Name, American-made .22 LR Rimfire ammo for under twenty bucks. That’s just five cents ($0.05) per round. Right now Grafs.com is offering Browning Performance Rimfire (BPR) 40gr LRN rimfire ammo for just $19.99. This is one plastic container with 400 rounds. That works out to just five cents ($0.05 per round). Send 100 rounds down range for the price of a Big Mac at McDonalds.
AmmoMen LLC — Federal Champion, $2.05 for 50 Rounds
4 Cents Per Round
To be honest, we couldn’t believe the price on this Federl 40gr LRN Champion Ammo. Just $2.05 for a 50-round box of name-brand, USA-made ammo. That can’t be right — just four cents ($0.04) per round? Well we called the vendor, AmmoMenLLC.com and confirmed this price is real. Grab it while you can. This is one of the best deals we’ve seen in a long time.
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500 Rounds in Limited Edition Wood Box for just $35.99
Here’s a great offer for fun-shooting/plinking rimfire ammo. You get 500 rounds of Winchester Super-X HV ammo for just $35.99. What’s more, you get a collectible, Winchester-branded wood box as part of the deal. Inside the limited-edition wood crate are ten, 50-round boxes of Winchester’s fastest 22 Long Rifle ammo, rated at 1280 FPS. The copper-plated 36gr lead HP bullets work well for target shooting or for small game and varmints. This new production ammunition is non-corrosive. ORDER AMMO HERE.
Affordable fun shooting — Just Seven Cents per Round.
Your Editor just bought one of these Winchester boxes as a gift for a friend who is teaching his son to shoot. Hopefully the young man will keep the Winchester Ammo Box long after all the Super-X rimfire cartridges are gone. The wood box works great to store tools, personal items, or mementos.
We encourage our readers to do more rimfire shooting — it’s inexpensive, it’s a great way to introduce new shooters to the sport, and it helps you maintain your trigger-pulling and gun-handling skills without burning out your precious centerfire match barrels. A typical good 6mm barrel might have 1500-2000 rounds of “best match accuracy”. By contrast, a good rimfire barrel can still deliver match-winning performance after 20,000 or even 30,000 rounds.
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Olin Corporation announced that, effective 10/1/2020, its ammunition division, Olin Winchester LLC (“Winchester”), assumed full management and operational control of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. The U.S. Army selected Winchester to operate and manage the Lake City plant in September 2019. The contract has an initial term of seven years and may be extended by the U.S. Army for up to three additional years. Winchester is now the world’s largest small arms ammunition manufacturer.
