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March 5th, 2011
 Winchester recently issued an important product safety notice, recalling certain lots of Winchester 64gr Power-Point .223 Rem ammo. According to The Firearm Blog, “catastrophic failures destroyed a number of law enforcement AR15 type rifles.” That Blog cited LEO agency notices describing guns that suffered cracked uppers and bowed lowers after firing Winchester’s 64gr Power-Point .223 Rem ammo. Rifles built by three different manufacturers (Colt, Bushmaster, and Stag Arms), all sustained similar damage. Below is Winchester’s Recall Notice dated 3/1/2011:
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PRODUCT WARNING AND RECALL NOTICE
WINCHESTER® RANGER® LAW ENFORCEMENT 223 Remington 64 Grain Power-Point®
Olin Corporation, through its Winchester Division, is recalling six (6) lots of its RANGER® 223 Remington 64 Grain Power-Point® (PP) centerfire rifle ammunition (Symbol Number RA223R2).
Lot Numbers (last four characters): DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41, and DK51
Through extensive evaluation Winchester has determined the above lots of RANGER® Law Enforcement ammunition may contain incorrect propellant. Incorrect propellant in this ammunition may cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable, and subject the shooter or bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury when fired.
 DO NOT USE WINCHESTER® RANGER® 223 REMINGTON 64 GRAIN POWER-POINT® AMMUNITION THAT HAS A LOT NUMBER ENDING IN DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41 or DK51. The ammunition Lot Number is ink stamped inside the right tuck flap of the 20-round carton, as indicated here:
To determine if your ammunition is subject to this notice, review the Lot Number. If the last four characters of the Lot Number are DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41 or DK51 immediately discontinue use and contact Winchester toll-free at 866-423-5224 to arrange for replacement ammunition and free UPS pick-up of the recalled ammunition.
This notice applies only to RANGER® 223 Remington 64 Grain Power-Point® centerfire rifle ammunition with lot numbers ending in DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41, and DK51. Other Symbol Numbers or Lot Numbers are not subject to this recall.
If you have any questions concerning this RANGER® Law Enforcement ammunition recall please call toll-free 866-423-5224, write to Winchester (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: RA223R2 Recall), or visit our website at www.winchester.com.
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March 3rd, 2011
 Yet another ballistics App is now available for the iPhone and iPod. iPhone users can download the new Winchester Ballistics App for free. Winchester has taken the features and functionality from its web-based Ballistics Calculator and developed a user-friendly interface for the iPhone. Winchester’s free online ballistics calculator is still available.
The iPhone version of Winchester’s Ballistics Calculator allows users to choose their type of ammunition and compare up to three different Winchester products with easy-to-read, high-tech ballistic charts and graphs. You can customize shooting conditions by entering wind speed and outside temperature, adjust zero marks for sighting in.
To get the free Winchester App, visit the Winchester Ballistics webpage, and click on the photo of an iPhone on the right side of the screen. You will need to have iTunes configured on your computer to download the Winchester App.
 Recommended $9.99 ‘Ballistic’ App
While you’re at the iPhones store, you probably want to download the ‘Ballistic’ App by Jonathan Zdziarski. Powered by the JBM Ballistics engine, the $9.99 ‘Ballistic’ App is recommended by Bryan Litz, and it is one of the most sophisticated solvers available. A new $19.99 iPad version of ‘Ballistic’ has just been introduced.
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March 2nd, 2011
Winchester is producing four new types of rimfire ammunition for 2011. Three of the four products should be of great interest to varminters, with new high velocity, high expansion, and lead-free designs. Winchester is also introducing its M-22 bulk pack .22LR ammo, designed for use in mag-fed semi-autos.
Varmint HV in .22 Magnum Rimfire
SPECS: 30gr tipped V-Max bullet, 2250 FPS
The Winchester Varmint HV line of .22 WMR ammo has proven very popular, and this year Winchester adds a new version for varminters who prefer a plastic-tipped bullet. The latest Varmint HV round features the accurate and explosive 30gr V-Max bullet. With a V-Max loaded to an impressive 2250 fps, this gives you near 17HMR velocity, with a heavier bullet for added hitting power.
Varmint HE 3-in-1 Segmented .22LR
SPECS: 37gr plated HP, 1435 FPS
The unique 3-in-1 segment design, exclusive to Winchester, features a 37gr plated HP fragmenting expansion bullet pushed at 1435 fps. This “progammed” hollow-point bullet fragments into three forward segments, plus a solid rear core that gives more penetration (and energy). “Without a doubt, Varmint HE ammunition provides explosive impact,” said Brett Flaugher, Winchester’s Marketing VP. “The 3/1 segmenting design makes this product truly innovative, but unlike other high-energy bullets on the market, our new 3/1 fragmenting design allows initial impact shock, and deep penetration resulting in maximum terminal effect.”
Varmint LF (Lead-Free) 17 HMR
SPECS: 15.5gr NXT tipped lead-free bullet, 2550 FPS
For 2011, Winchester is introducing a new 17HMR version of its popular Lead-Free (LF) rimfire ammo. The new 17HMR LF shoots a lightweight, 15.5gr tipped NXT bullet at a blistering 2550 fps, making this some of the highest-velocity rimfire ammo you can buy. Along with the new 17MHR LF, Winchester’s LF rimfire line includes lead-free .22 WMR and .22LR LF ammo.
M-22 Ammo for .22LR Tactical Trainers
SPECS: 40gr, Blackened Copper-plated Lead Bullet, 1255 FPS
New this year is Winchester’s M-22 line of affordable .22LR ammo. This is designed to function well in large-capacity stick magazines. If you are shooting one of the .22LR tactical-style semi-autos such as Smith & Wesson’s MP15-22, this ammo would be a good choice. It features a blackened, copper-plated 40gr lead bullet, and is available in 1000-count bulk packs.
Winchester Product Demo Page
NOTE: To watch video, use scroll bars to move to right, then click on “VIDEOS” in top red navigation bar. Or, CLICK HERE to view page in new window.
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February 17th, 2011
If you have a model 70 or a modern Winchester bolt-action that needs re-stocking, here is a great opportunity to pick up an inletted factory stock for peanuts. Gunsmiths who build customs on model 70 action should also take notice. CDNN Investments has acquired a huge quantity of Winchester factory stocks of all shapes and sizes, wood, laminate, and synthetic. CDNN is selling them off at “fire-sale” prices. For example, a Sporter Walnut Featherweight Blem stock for a post-64 action is just $39.99 including buttpad and swivel studs. A black, checkered, synthetic stock for a post-64 action (with heavy barrel) is just $49.99, including pad and studs. And if you need something fancy for a modern Long Action Winchester, a Grade II/III walnut Sporter stock, checkered, with recoil pad and swivel studs, is $149.99. That’s still cheaper than many uninletted walnut blanks.
These and other stock bargains are contained in CDNN’s latest 2010-6 catalog, on page 138 (shown above). You can view the new CDNN catalog online, or download the catalog as a PDF file.
CLICK HERE for Direct Download of CDNN Catalog 2010-6 (41.3 megabyte PDF).
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December 17th, 2010
The NRA offers a website dedicated to the interests of hunters, particularly big game hunters. The NRAHuntersRights.org website offers current news items, gear reviews, and stories about hunts in the USA and abroad. There is also a Trophy Gallery and a state-by-state directory of Places to Hunt. The site also allows readers to share their views via a Hunters’ Blog and Forum.
Site Features More Than Politics
NRAHuntersRights.org might be better titled “Hunters’ News”. The site is more a general interest resource for hunters than a platform for gun rights advocacy. While it does have links to gun rights stories, most of the content covers the basics… where to hunt, how to hunt, and what equipment to hunt with. You’ll also find interesting historical stories. For example, the website offers a video about Teddy Roosevelt’s .405-caliber, lever-action 1895 Winchester, the rifle Teddy called “Big Medicine.”
Click Here to Watch Video about 1895 Winchester
In the video, National Firearms Museum curator Phil Schreier explains that the 1895 Winchester accompanied the former commander in chief on a 1910 safari in Africa, as well as Roosevelt’s famed 1915 expedition to Brazil to find the source of the Amazon River.
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December 16th, 2010
 Richard M. Hammett, Olin Corporation Vice President and President of Olin’s Winchester division, plans to retire effective February 28, 2011. Thomas J. O’Keefe assumes responsibilities as President of Winchester, effective January 1, 2011.
 Hammett spent 42 years with Olin Corporation in a variety of finance, marketing and senior management roles. He has served as President of Olin’s Winchester Division since September 2002. An active sportsman and industry leader, Hammett is a board member and treasurer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). He also serves on the board of the Small Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing Institute (SAAMI).
Incoming Winchester President Thomas J. O’Keefe, who holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Metallurgical Engineering, has plenty of experience in ammunition production. O’Keefe held positions in the manufacturing and engineering organization of Olin’s Brass division, and was appointed VP, Manufacturing and Engineering for the division in 2001. In 2006, O’Keefe was appointed VP, Manufacturing Operations for Winchester and assumed additional responsibility for Business Planning in 2008. For more info about Winchester Ammunition and its complete line of products visit www.Winchester.com.
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November 15th, 2010
Olin Corp. (NYSE: OLN) has announced that its Winchester centerfire operations and approximately 1,000 jobs will be relocated to Oxford, Mississippi (Lafayette County). The company’s decision follows two failed ratification votes by members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, in which employees twice rejected a union proposal that would have allowed Centerfire Operations to remain in East Alton, Illinois. The company informed the unions in August that it was considering relocating operations to Oxford to enhance the competitiveness of its operations. The company engaged in discussions with union leaders over the past two months, but Olin’s final offers were rejected, so Olin decided to move its operations down South.
Olin’s relocation decision was influenced by an incentive package offered by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. According to Business Week, the Mississippi State Development Authority will give Lafayette County $25,000,000 “to build a new 500,000-square-foot building for Olin.” The new publicly-owned Olin plant will be built near the current Winchester facility in Oxford. Lafayette County is also “providing the site and site preparation work.” CLICK HERE for more details from Business Week.
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October 25th, 2010
by Lars Dalseide, courtesy the NRA Blog.
A Model 52 rimfire target rifle with a storied history was recently added to the NRA National Museum Collection. With this rifle, one of America’s great marksmanship feats was accomplished.
 The 3000 Bullseye Rifle
Back in 1926, an 18-year-old Massachusetts shooter named Sam Moore took his Winchester Model 52 rifle in hand and began shooting. By the end of the day, he had set an amazing record in competitive shooting, totaling 3,000 consecutive bullseyes with his trusty Winchester.
The amazing feat received national attention, with Moore being presented with a gold medal by President Calvin Coolidge on behalf of the NRA. The engraving on the back reads:
Presented to L.S. Moore by the President of the United States in behalf of the National Rifle Association Junior Rifle Corps World Record — 3000 — consecutive bullseyes.
Moore went on to graduate from the US Naval Academy in 1931, helped develop the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife, served in WWII as a USMC aviator and maintained his interest in shooting until his passing in 1982.
Moore’s rifle and engraved gold medal arrived at the National Firearms Museum earlier this week, donated by his son David. While unwrapping the bolt-action in the museum, I remember thinking that there is a lot of shooting history tied up in these two pieces. This suspicion was confirmed when one of the provenance documents received with the rifle revealed that Moore ceased shooting on the 3,000 bulls-eye day only because the heat of the rifle finally made it impossible to handle.
Moore rifle history provided by NRA Museum Curator Doug Wicklund.
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September 30th, 2010
A while back, Forum member Andy (aka GrayMist) did an interesting test, with five (5) different types of .243 Winchester Brass. He collected Federal, Lapua, Remington, and two different lots of Winchester-brand brass. Then he selected ten (10) cases at random from each brand and measured their weights. To ascertain case capacity, three (3) cases from each brand/lot that were closest to the average weight for that brand/lot were selected. The results were surprising: there was less than one (1) grain capacity difference between all the cases, even with a 14.7 grain maximum difference in case weight!
Measuring Procedures
The cases were sized in a Redding body die then primed with a spent primer. All were weighed before and after filling them with distilled water. The capacity shown is an average of all three (3) cases from that lot and represents grains of water. Note, I tested two lots of Winchester brass. Lot A was purchased in 1999. Lot B was from factory .243 ammo. There is a rather large disparity in case weight between the two lots.
| Brand |
Federal |
Lapua |
Remington |
Winchester A |
Winchester B |
| Capacity |
53.9 |
54.4 |
53.7 |
54.8 |
54.8 |
| Aver. Weight |
173.28 |
173.13 |
165.34 |
158.58 |
166.44 |
| SD¹ |
0.46 |
0.39 |
0.17 |
0.58 |
0.42 |
| Range² |
1.70 |
1.10 |
0.40 |
1.80 |
1.40 |
| % of Avg.³ |
0.98% |
0.64% |
0.24% |
1.14% |
0.84% |
1) Standard Deviation in grains.
2) Range is the difference in weight between the heaviest and lightest cases in the test.
3) Case range weight divided by the average weight.
 What the Numbers Mean
… And Some Speculations
Andy observes: “It certainly seems there is a huge difference in case weight between Winchester lot A and any other brand of 243 tested. What is also surprising is that there was less than one (1) grain capacity difference between all the cases, even with a 14.7 grain difference in case weight!
Should one be wary of trying the same loads that were initially tested in the light weight Winchester brass even though the capacity difference is small? I have had some interesting results with one brand brass that I cannot pass on yet, except to say I sent that company a sample of the lot I have been using. The Remington brass weight range was very low. These were taken from a box of once-fired factory ammo. I will have to acquire some more and measure it.”
Results of Larger Lapua Sample
In a previous session Andy weighed all 100 Lapua cases he had on hand. His measurements showed a total variation of 2.1 grains, with the weight range being 172.5 to 174.6 grains. That is a 1.2 percent spread. The most that came in at the same weight were 11 cases at 173.5 grains.
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June 4th, 2010
 A “Gun Road Show” (along the lines of TV’s “Antique Road Show”) will be held at at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, North Dakota, June 12-13. The event will feature National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Doug Wicklund, who will provide appraisals of historic firearms brought in by visitors. Wicklund will be evaluating firearms from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hall. Organizers have established a one-firearm-per-person limit, and require each participant to have their gun checked at the door.
The Cowboy Hall of Fame is located in downtown Medora, ND, at the gate of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. “The last time I was in Medora, some fantastic guns came in for me to review,” Wicklund said. “I’m looking forward to seeing more pieces of Western history.” Shown below are two classic American arms recently sold at the Rock Island Auction. Perhaps similar valuable classics will be “discovered” at the “Gun Road Show”.
Saturday evening at 7:00 pm, Wicklund will host a free “Guns of the West” seminar. Wicklund will display famous guns of 19th-century outlaws and lawmen as well as famous Hollywood firearms, including the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum revolver Clint Eastwood used in the Dirty Harry movie. Many of these arms are normally on display at the National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia.
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March 13th, 2010
 The first 2010 CDNN Investments catalog has just been released for downloading. As usual, it contains impressive deals on handguns, rifles, shotguns, scopes, magazines, gun parts, and shooting accessories. Plus, as part of CDNN’s “March Madness” sale, CDNN is offering low-cost $5.99 shipping for any internet order. You can also get Free Shipping for internet orders over $200 (use Coupon Code fs200). NOTE: These special shipping offers apply to this weekend only — the offers expire Monday, March 15th at 12:00 noon CST.
CLICK HERE to Download 2010-1 CDNN Catalog (32 mb PDF file)
HK, Sig Sauer, and Springfield Pistols on Sale
Plus Nice Winchester Model 70 Rifles
Among the discounted handguns are the popular KelTec sub-compacts, HK USPs and P30s, and a wide selection of Springfield Armory 1911s. CDNN also has stainless demo models of the sleek Sig Sauer p232 — complete with night sights. Very nice gun that will hold its value. There are scores of AR15 type rifles at deep discounts, plus CD Defense AR15 bare lower receivers for just $99.99. Hunters should check out the inventory of Winchester Model 70s. There’s a nice Belgian-proofed Featherlite with Safari sights, premium Schnabel fore-end stock, and cut checkering. Chambered in either 300 WSM or 7mm WSM, this would make a handsome elk rifle for just $699.99.
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January 16th, 2010
 Forum member David K. (aka “mongochicago”) displayed a handsome 1919-vintage 1885 Winchester High Wall in our Forum Rimfire Gallery. The 91-year-old rimfire has been transformed from stem to stern with a new barrel, engraving on the receiver, and stunning exhibition-grade walnut fore-arm and buttstock.
The beautiful wood comes from Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Co. of Cody, Wyoming. Shilen Rifles provided the new blued octagon barrel (chambered in 22 Magnum). David tells us: “This is an 1885 Winchester made in 1919 that I customized for prairie dog shooting. The gunsmith was Mark Stratton, and the engraving was done by Darrel B. Nelson.” |
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