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VIRAL GUN VIDSTERS 22plinkster, YouTube Stars Make Shooting Fun Again!

SPECIAL ISSUE:

TRAINING

NRA Law Enforcement Competitions Civilian Marksmanship Program Thumbs-forward Grip

ALSO INSIDE:

Savage A22 Rifle

Woodleigh Bullets

Shell Shock Cases

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American Ame A meeric icca an n Sho S Shooting ott ng oti g Jou Journal urna rrn nal // na // April Ap pri riil 2017 2017 0117 0 17

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A MERIC A N

SHOOTING JOURNAL Volume 6 // Issue 8 // May 2017 PUBLISHER

James R. Baker ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Dick Openshaw

GENERAL MANAGER

John Rusnak

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Andy Walgamott EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Craig Hodgkins

LEAD CONTRIBUTOR

Oleg Volk

CONTRIBUTORS

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Mamie Griffin, Garn Kennedy, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold PRODUCTION MANAGER

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Sam Rockwell, Lindsey Lewers, Jake Weipert PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Kelly Baker

OFFICE MANAGER/ ACCOUNTING

Audra Higgins

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Katie Sauro

INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER

Lois Sanborn

WEBMASTER / INBOUND MARKETING

Jon Hines

DIGITAL ASSISTANT

Samantha Morstan CIRCULATION MANAGER

Heidi Belew

DISTRIBUTION

Gary Bickford, Barry Johnston, Tony Sorrentino ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

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ON THE COVER The man known as 22plinkster – the online moniker of firearms enthusiast Dave Nash – is one of a new breed of Internet video channel hosts who share engaging and entertaining firearms content with a rapidly growing number of viewers. (OLEG VOLK)

MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S. Ste. 190 • Tukwila, WA 98168 OREGON OFFICE 8116 SW Durham Rd • Tigard, OR 97224 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 8 • mAy 2017

FEATURES

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POINT AND SHOOT

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RANDOM SHOTS: BETTER BANG FOR YOUR BUCK Despite the continuing effects of inflation, you can still find some excellent hunting rifles that won’t break the bank. Mike Dickerson has studied several of these budget-conscious guns, and he weighs in with some sound advice.

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ROAD HUNTER: TAKEDOWN! Sixteen-year-old Macie Stewart is a proven champion on the wrestling mat and on the hunt.

Scott Haugen has hunted with the talented Oregon teen on multiple occasions, and he shares how her skills and dedication in each sport more than complement the other.

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BEHIND THE BADGE: NRA + LEO = SUCCESS A growing number of law enforcement agencies depend on the National Rifle Association for supplemental firearms training, from classroom and range settings to sanctioned competition events. Steven Paul Barlow gives us an insider’s perspective on this lesser known but vital function of the NRA.

125 GUNS OF OUR FATHERS: THE FRENCH RUBY Although the Ruby pistol became a procurement nightmare, it nevertheless armed French troops and many others throughout World War I and beyond. Rob Reed takes us back in time for a brief but fascinating look at the convoluted production history of this handy handgun.

133 BULLET BULLETIN: THE GOODLEIGH WOODLEY Ian McCullum is the host of the popular Forgotten Weapons YouTube channel and its accompanying blog. (OLEG VOLK)

The proliferation of Internet video channels featuring engaging firearms content has brought a whole new group of experienced and knowledgeable hosts to the forefront of shooting media. Oleg Volk profiles four members of this new wave of gun gurus and their popular channels.

A power-packed pill from Down Under, the Woodleigh Weldcore bullet is an excellent choice for large and dangerous game. Writer and reloader Phil Massaro offers up a passel of positives for those seeking an impactful bullet for medium-range hunting.

AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2017 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

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CONTENTS Also Inside 103 Training: The Thumbs-Forward Grip 145 Reloading: Shell Shock Cases 157 Black Powder: The Great American Flintlock Duck Hunt 165 Shooter’s Shelf: Sharps Firearms, Volume II 171 Company Spotlight: Armaspec

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MAKING ITS MARK ON MARKSMANSHIP

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is currently leading a renaissance in firearms accuracy with a massive new instructional range facility and more than a thousand sanctioned matches each year. Frank Jardim gets us up to speed on the 114-year-old program.

DEPARTMENTS 17 19 21 25

Editor’s Note Competition Calendar Gun Show Calendar Industry News: SIG Ammo, an RCBS Case Cleaner, and Bottle Breachers Civilians of all ages and experience levels receive expert training via CMP classes. (TIM HEADY)

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EDITOR’S NOTE

S

hortly before the most recent national election, I received an alert on my iPhone suggesting that I follow Hillary Clinton on Twitter.

Clearly, despite all the time we spend together, my smartphone isn’t too smart.

But besides being wrong on so many levels, this automatic, sponsored message from an ap also reminded me how convoluted things can become in this age of technological dependence and information collection.

If you shop online, you know how easy it is to confuse (to use one example) Amazon’s purchase history tracker. Like many of you, I regularly buy gifts for a variety of friends and family members. But to Amazon, all of these purchases go into one big “Craig” bucket, meaning that their

online tracker has me figured for a fan of Simplicity dress patterns, Terry and the Pirates comic collections, 1960s jazz and folk music, figure skating, Minecraft strategy guides, LEGO construction sets, and hydroponic gardening.

Some of those purchases were for me (I’ll let you guess which), but now, and probably for time immemorial, my Amazon page will feature targeted advertisements for items in which I am not personally interested. If their ad metrics are designed to create or increase purchase intent on my part, the results often just make me laugh.

And yet, the Internet remains a wonderful resource for seeking information, especially in the initial stages of a search, as long as we exercise our due diligence and have a good vetting process to help us

determine what is true and what is, as my father used to say, “a lot of hooey.”

The old adage “don’t believe everything you read” may be doubly true of online content, as the barriers of entry to “publishing” are rarely barriers at all.

But there is a wealth of outstanding content online, including that produced by the four individuals highlighted in our feature on current Internet video channel personalities. And although they are each riding a new wave of outdoor storytelling, it is worth noting that at least two of these channels frequently feature historical or classic firearms, along with the latest and greatest from today’s top companies.

I love it when the new and the old come together. Maybe I’ll tweet about it, and see who gets “suggested” to follow me. -Craig Hodgkins

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PRECISION RIFLE SERIES - A nationwide competitive points race featuring the best precision rifle matches and most competitive riflemen in the country.

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Presented By:

COMPETITION C A L E N D A R

A competitor at a Camp Perry U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) rifle class takes steady aim using a sling. (TIM HEADY)

May 6-7 Corn Huskers Classic IX Grand Island, Neb.

May 6-7 Tri-State Regional Classic VII Dayton, Ohio

May 20-21 Music City Shootout VII Dickson, Tenn.

May 20-21 Northern Lakes Regional Classic XXVI St. Paul, Minn.

May 4-7 World Speed Shooting Championship San Luis Obispo, Calif.

May 17-21 2017 USPSA Classic National Championship Barry, Ill.

May 27 2017 Mississippi PCC, Carry Optics, and Ltd 10 Championship Biloxi, Miss.

May 31–June 4 2017 AREA 5 Championship Brooklyn, Mich.

May 5-6 Maryland State Championship – Tier 2 Lexington Park, Md.

May 19-21 12th Annual Great Lakes Regional – Tier 3 Munger, Mich.

May 13 2017 Missouri State Championship, Backstoppers Challenge – Tier 3 Barnhart, Mo.

May 19-20 Arkansas State IDPA Championship – Tier 3 Hot Springs, Ark.

May 6-7 NMT State ShootShoot for the Loot Socorro, N.M.

May 13-14 California State Blazing Saddles XVI Turlock, Calif.

May 28 Comp-Tac’s 2017 Texas State IDPA Championship – Tier 4 Cresson, Texas

May 20 Oklahoma State Championship Pawhuska, Okla.

May 26-27 Colorado State Shoot Castle Rock, Colo.

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Stability and Accuracy

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AR/AK Pistol Cheekrest Kits Our Pistol Cheek Rest Kits are a Hybrid design combining our Standard or Enhanced Buffer Tube Covers and the Command Arms SST1 or the Mission First Tactical Evolv Stock Saddle. The two are joined together using a specially designed adapter and mounting hardware.

The result is a rock solid, ergonomic, cheek weld that provides stability for accurate, repeatable, shooting and a proper sight line for your favorite optics or sights. Our kits come pre-assembled in house with new, easy to follow, instructions on the inside flap of the new header card. Instructional videos are also available on our website.

BD-180 Blast Deflector Kits An inexpensive and easy to install upgrade for short barreled rifle and AR Pistol applications. It redirects high pressure concussion, flame, and hot muzzle gasses forward away from the shooter and bystanders.

The BD-180 is unique because it can be installed between your existing A1, A2, and 3 pronged flash hider and the barrel, eliminating the need to buy an entirely new muzzle device. It can be used in place of or in conjunction with a crush washer for a secure connection and proper timing. At 1.35 inches in diameter and weighing in at a mere 2 ounces, it will fit inside most low profile or lightweight foreends without adding significant weight.

Picatinny Buffer Tube Adapter Our new Picatinny Buffer Tube Adapter is a great addition to your Sig MPX, Sig MCX, Sig P556XI, Rock River PDS, or any other pistol that utilizes a rear vertical picatinny rail. It gives a shooter the ability to add a cheek rest for greater stability or a stock for SBR conversions (federal tax stamp required).

The mounting method follows true STANAG (NATO Standardization Agreement) protocol using the two back angles and the top of the rail as the contact points. The result is perfect alignment with the centerline of the firearm. A feature that is not attainable with typical side clamping adapters. Another bonus is that there are no visible fasteners or holes on the top and sides of the adapter giving it a clean sleek look. americanshootingjournal.com 23

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NEWS

NEW PRODUCTS ARRIVE FOR SPRING SHOOTERS

Hunters, reloaders, and drinkers of beverages that come in bottles see new offerings.

COMPILED BY THE EDITORS • PHOTOS BY MANUFACTURERS

SIG SAUER INTRODUCES SIG HT HUNTING AMMUNITION IN .308 WIN

S

IG Sauer is pleased to expand itss SIG HT hunting line of ade rifle premium-grade dition of ammunition with the addition ll-copper .308 Win. Featuring an all-copper bullet that delivers deep penetration and maximum terminal ballistic mmunition performance, SIG HT ammunition nd ideal for is supremely accurate and es of game. hunting numerous species n features a The 150-grain .308 Win eet per second muzzle velocity of 2,900 feet 01 foot-pounds. and muzzle energy of 2,801 rtridge is This SIG HT .308 Win cartridge me such as excellent for midsized game redators. deer, antelope, pigs and predators.

“SIG HT ammunition is extremely effective in the field, and our initial SIG HT offering in supersonicc .300 Blackout has been in high demand because of nce,” said its outstanding performance,” Dan Powers, president of the SIG on. “Retailers Sauer Ammunition Division. sking for and their customers are asking additional calibers in this lead-free, all-copper hunting round, and we will

by SIG Sauer to the same exacting continue to expand the line to meet standards as the company’s premium even more hunters’ needs.” pistols and rifles.

SIG HT cartridges are made with For more info, visit sigammo.com. premium nickel-plated shell cases, and flash-reduced propellant is used NEW ULTRASONIC CASE CLEANER-2 FROM to minimize visible signature while RCBS OFFERS 100 PERCENT MORE CAPACITY shooting in low-light situations.

RCBS, the leading manufacturer of Premium quality primers are also used ammunition reloading equipment for to minimize variations in velocity. rifles and pistols, offers reloaders the All Elite Performance ammunition The new-for-2017 Dodge Ram Power Wagon is well equipped for Ultrasonic Case Cleaner-2 to new RCBS is manufactured in the United States off-road work, and can get you just about anywhere you need to go.

SIG Sauer’s new SIG HT hunting ammo in .308 Win.

clean even more brass and firearm parts than before.

The new Ultrasonic Case Cleaner-2 includes significant changes from the previous model. Most important is that the Ultrasonic Case Cleaner-2 is nearly 100 percent larger.

“The 6.3-quart capacity is twice as big,” said RCBS product manager Kent Sakamoto. “A second ceramic heater and transducer add more heat and americanshootingjournal.com 25

NEWS vibration to better clean brass cases and firearm parts.”

It comes with a stainless-steel parts basket and smaller stainless-steel parts tub. The LED is easily programmable, and the timer can be set for up to 30 minutes of continuous cleaning. It is available in a 120VAC model, as well as a 240VAC EU/UK/AUS compliant model. Combined with RCBS Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution, the Ultrasonic Case Cleaner-2 delivers piles of clean brass in a short amount of time.

RCBS, a brand of Vista Outdoor, is a leading manufacturer of ammunition reloading equipment for rifles and pistols, offering reloading equipment throughout the world.

For more info, visit RCBS.com.

BOTTLE BREACHERS AID VETERANS’ CHARITIES – AND OUR CELEBRATIONS Summer is on its way, and soon we’ll have the opportunity to celebrate Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and

The new and improved Ultrasonic Case Cleaner-2 from RCBS.

the American way of life by gathering with our friends while cracking open and hoisting a bottle (or two) of our favorite beverage.

We recently came across a unique product line designed to help keep the good times flowing while providing funds to a good cause.

According to company literature, Bottle Breachers are hand-crafted bottle and wine openers made of .50- and .20-caliber shells. Many of these Breachers come already engraved with hunting and fishing images, but any of them can be personalized for home use or

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*Do Not use with 9mm conversion or any open bolt face

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Founded by warriors. inspired by their legacy. gladiate as a way of life.

Made in America...SOF Veteran owned and operated

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NEWS as gifts for your business. The company also makes cigar bores, Freedom Frags, breacher pens, whiskey bullets and much more.

Eli Crane, the founder of Bottle Breacher, is a former Navy SEAL. He started the company with the mission of employing veterans and travels the country helping veterans find work or start their own small businesses. The company received a financial boost in 2014 after Eli and his wife Jen appeared on the television program Shark Tank.

The couple was able to secure funding from host Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary, leading to exponential growth for the fledgling business.

Each Breacher product is made in America by American veterans, and each sale benefits one of many veterans’ charities, with 100 percent of the Never Forgotten series going to the charities of fallen military heroes.

For more information, visit BottleBreacher.com.

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Each Bottle Breacher product can be personalized, and each sale benefits American veterans.

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The gun videographer known as Hickok45 fires a belt-fed minigun under the watchful eyes – and cell phone cameras – of a variety of trainers and Internet personalities at this firearms-centric gathering.

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POINT AND SHOOT The proliferation of Internet video channels featuring knowledgeable hosts sharing engaging firearms content has added new firepower to our computers, tablets and phones.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY OLEG VOLK

T

he best job, people say, is doing what you love. A similar saying goes, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

For decades, firearms aficionados have successfully found ways to combine their passions with profit.

Some became manufacturers or gunsmiths, or opened retail gun shops. Some sought work as trail and hunting guides so they could spend the maximum amount of time armed and outdoors. Others turned to sharing their knowledge and experience for a variety of print publications, and still later, radio and television programs. For those who sought to expand their hobbies into full-time employment, it was nice work if they could get it.

That same time-honored tradition of “working at what you love” continued as the 20th century became the 21st, but in some different ways. Today, a new generation of firearm fans seeking knowledge or information is as likely to access a computer search engine as they are to tune in a broadcast program or pick up a print magazine [Editor’s note: We think magazines are still pretty awesome], so it’s logical that many of americanshootingjournal.com 33

the current outdoor industry’s most popular “media” personalities got their start online.

Like those who came before them, these social media mavens began as firearm fans before ever posting a blog or uploading a video. Far from killing the romance, this transition enabled them to do more of what they love and to bring their passions to the world. And while outsiders often erroneously perceive members of the traditional gun culture as stodgy and standoffish, these new ambassadors are welcoming and engaging to wide and diverse audiences.

IAN MCCULLUM, the author of Forgotten Weapons blog and channel, started shooting while in school and continued recreationally afterward, often hanging out with collectors, where he learned by listening and reading. In 2010, a French friend who had some unique manuals and drawings of Pedersen devices – not just for M1903 Springfield but also for M1917, Mosin, and Lebel – died.

All of his info, including these unique and irreplaceable documents, were discarded by his family. That event prompted Ian and his friend Karl to begin to archive historic information about arms for the education of future enthusiasts, and his Forgotten

TO LEARN (AND WATCH) MORE: Ian McCullum Forgotten Weapons Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ ForgottenWeapons Tim Harmsen Military Arms Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ Sturmgewehre David Nash 22plinkster https://www.youtube.com/user/22plinkster Hickok45 Hickok45 https://www.youtube.com/user/hickok45 34

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Weapons blog was born. A supporting video channel launched in 2011.

Forgotten Weapons deals with historic and mechanical information in an academic format, rather than rely on flashy Tannerite or exploding watermelons. The appeal to viewers worldwide, in turn, gives access to more gear. As the blog and channel’s reputation grew, museums and private collections became more readily available for perusal. Rock Island Auctions and the James D. Julia Auction Company gave Ian access to numerous unique arms all at once.

The rise in viewership to 445,000 subscribers, and the promotional value of work done with auction companies turned a labor of love into a self-supporting enterprise. In addition to his own blog and video channel, Ian writes an “Exploded David Nash, also known as “22plinkster.”

Ian McCullum, of the Forgotten Weapons Channel and blog.

view” column for American Rifleman.

On the extra-serious side, he is a technical forensic adviser to the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE.org).

TIM HARMSEN was taught to shoot by his uncle in the early 1980s, and he became a regular reader of Guns & Ammo, Combat Arms and several other print publications. Tim began collecting firearms in 1985 with a Ruger 10/22 bought by his mother. A Colt AR-15 Sporter and a Government Model 1911 came the following year, and more have shown up regularly since then.

He launched the Military Arms Channel (MAC) in 2008, originally making short videos about new guns he had purchased or to illustrate points made on one of the many discussion Tim Harmsen of the Military Arms Channel (MAC).

americanshootingjournal.com americ ame ricans an hoo hootin tingjo gjourn urnal. al.com com 35

forums of the era. Thanks to the breadth of his own collection and to substantial industry support, he has been able to feature many weapons that otherwise we would have only been able to see in video games.

At the time of his launch, he was very active on the forums, posting reviews of personally owned guns and accessories. Slowly, he switched to making videos and posting links instead of writing the posts. More and more people liked the videos, asked for more and started subscribing. Tim increased the frequency of his videos, while maintaining independence from

manufacturers. He does not accept money for favorable videos or product placements; he only reports on things he owns and shoots. Unlike other “traditional” reviews, MAC videos often delve into minutia down to the level of “this screw turns left and this one turns right.” In a nutshell, Tim records range sessions using items of personal interest, and brings viewers along through the camera.

For 20 years Tim worked as an advertising executive at Omnicom companies and Hearst, both prominent international companies.

Then he traded that career for doing

David Nash gets some shots downrange using this Roni-converted pistol carbine. Nash hosted this particular gathering at his private range.

what he loves, shooting and firearms, and hasn’t looked back. The big pay cut was compensated by his passion being fed, and being happy to wake up and go to work every morning.

The Military Arms Channel – which currently has 545,000 subscribers and many more occasional viewers – Copper Custom Armament and the Full30.com firearm video hosting site have comprised Tim’s full time work for the last two years.

DAVID NASH, better known to the social media universe as 22plinkster, has been shooting since age 5. His video production experience goes back to December 2011, when he rose to a dare by a friend about hitting a golf ball with a bullet at 100 yards and documenting the process on video.

He hadn’t planned for fame, but 300-plus videos and 380,000 subscribers later, fame has clearly found him. Fifteen months ago he was able to turn “pro,” working mainly with Henry Repeating Arms, Vista Outdoors and the Sonoran Desert Institute.

The 22plinkster channel features mainly trick shots, gun reviews and “redneck” science (for example,

Gun rights activist and writer Yih-Chau Cheng fills the air with 12-gauge shells from this Saiga shotgun.

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how many balloons or silly string cans in a row would a .22 bullet penetrate?). He also does new product announcements, often getting to see preproduction samples long before anyone else in the industry. As with the other creators, David gets to have fun for a living, a nice gig indeed!

Being able to lean over the porch railing with a lever action, make steel ring in the distance and call it the day’s work sounds pretty good to me.

While David possesses the technical skills required for much more sophisticated video productions, he has deliberately maintained the look of a backyard hobbyist on all of his pieces. Often shot with a single camera, the simple, accessible look and feel of his stories invites and encourages viewers to get into the game as well. Like many people in the outdoor industry, 22plinkster is supportive and cooperative rather than competitive, subscribing to “the more, the merrier” view. His goals include expanding the shooting sports, the attendant culture and the supporting industry, and most other members of the gun-themed new media hold the same values.

THE MAN KNOWN AS HICKOK45 may be the most reclusive of the currently popular online video personalities.

His desire for privacy is easy to understand when you consider that a few of the 2.5 million subscribers occasionally turn up on his doorstep to worship the celebrity in person.

That kind of attention, while flattering, can creep out the family. Plus, at 6 foot 8 inches tall, he’s pretty distinctive, so we’ll use his screen name here as well.

A retired gentleman of leisure now, Hickok45 has shot guns all his life. He’s also always enjoyed photography, and was an early adopter of digital. When decent-quality pocket digital cameras became available, he always carried one. It was with the humble pocket camera that his first video, now at a million views, was made. All it showed were five shots taken at a steel buffalo target with the .45 Colt SAA – but the viewers loved it. He made several silly videos back in 2006 – including filming 38

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Hickok45 (left) towers over Yih-Chau Cheng’s niece “Dora” at a recent firearms training get-together.

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With help from professional trainers such as Kris Paulson and John Bibby (below) ...

himself shooting metal targets through the open doors of his car – mostly just fooling around. That was one of first things he posted on YouTube, thinking that was just for “silly stuff.”

Later, when teaching the novel Shane at a school where he taught for 23 years, he decided to film “cowboy” guns in action and show the video in class so his students could see what arms the title character carried and used. That piece and a couple of Glock videos produced an unexpectedly high volume of positive feedback, encouraging him to make more content.

Neither he nor his son knew how to edit video at the time, so they just turned on the camera and let it run.

They soon realized, just like 22plinkster did, that the simplicity and realism were a key part of his appeal to the viewers. Hickok45 had no idea that YouTube paid anybody, and so had no intention of making money from his channel. But a year into it, YouTube offered to monetize his channel and share ad revenue. After some hesitation, they accepted the offer, and the rest is history. As with the others above, his fame was largely accidental. Unlike 40

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

... Dora was able to become comfortable with a variety of firearms in one focused day of training.

some others today, he had no plan to create a big YouTube channel or to make money with it. His goal of simply filming for fun and sharing information kept expanding until it became a viable business. Hickok45’s most popular video has had over 15 million views, and ten more are currently at over 5 million views. Those are respectable viewer numbers for a large TV station,

much less a father-and-son team having fun on their backyard range. While some of the guns featured are the latest and greatest high-tech models available, many videos show much simpler and inexpensive firearms. These, however, are often presented in a new light, such as smoothbore shotguns being successfully used with slugs against 200yard steel targets.

americanshootingjournal.com 41

IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT people who have risen from humble hobbyist beginnings remain very friendly to other enthusiasts, including beginners.

Recently, 22plinkster provided his personal range for a Midwestern gathering centered on a visit by California gun rights activist and writer Yih-Chau Cheng and his niece Dora (not her real name). At 14, she has not had an opportunity to shoot guns, nor had access to the NFA class of weapons brought for the occasion by Kris Paulson of DTV Tactical Innovations. Hickok45 was able to show up as well. Having several firearm instructors and two of the most popular online personalities all supporting the learning experience enabled her skill set to go from zero to competent with pistol, submachine gun and belt-feds in one day. It also underscored the difference between the cultures of Middle America and those found in those “less than gun-friendly” states such as California.

Each of these four – Ian, Tim, David and Hickok45 – possess a staggering amount of knowledge. But

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Here, Dora enjoys the fruits of her training day with pistol, submachine gun and belt-feds supplied by DTV Tactical Innovations.

unlike museums that merely hold that knowledge for the occasional visitor, the quartet broadcasts what they know for the world to learn. What they don’t know, they investigate and then share.

The massive numbers of viewers indicate that the knowledge they spread is of substantial interest to American and foreign audiences alike. More recently, similar channels have sprung up in countries such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, presenting the best side of the gun culture to wider audiences. Hopefully,

this positive trend will help reverse much of the official anti-gun rhetoric inflicted on the European and American populations alike over the past century.

Editor’s note: On the day this article was completed, YouTube pulled all advertising from firearms-related pages. The decision seemed to be driven by their parent company, and may likely push much of the technical and right to keep and bear arms (RKBA) content to other sites. By the time this issue is in print, we will all know more.

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46

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

random Shots The author used a Thompson Center Venture Compact rifle to take two whitetail bucks and two does with four shots over a two-day hunt in Texas.

BETTER BANG FOR YOUR BUCK Despite the continuing impact of inflation, you can still find some excellent hunting rifles that won’t break the bank. STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE DICKERSON

P

rogress and the march of time can be very hard on the wallet, especially when it comes to hunting rifles.

Consider, if you will, the classic Big Three of American hunting rifles. According to a 2004 gun-value reference in my collection, you could

at that time buy a new Remington 700 BDL rifle for about $500, and the ADL model went for even less. A new Ruger Model 77 All-Weather rifle could also be found for less than $500, and the same could be said for a Winchester Model 70 Black Shadow.

Today, the latest incarnations of

these flagship models of American hunting rifles all have a suggested retail price of close to $1,000. In little more than a decade, these iconic American rifles have essentially doubled in price.

Not everyone can afford to lay out that kind of change for a hunting rifle. americanshootingjournal.com 47

Random shots

In testing, the Mossberg Patriot in .25-06 Rem. produced sub-minute-of-angle best groups with five factory loads. (Right) Another look at Mossberg’s Patriot shows why it is one of the most feature-rich and aesthetically pleasing offerings among budget-priced hunting rifles.

Even fewer can afford semicustom or custom rifles, and if you have to ask the price of, say, a fine European double rifle, you may want to be sitting down when you hear the answer.

Of course, gun makers are well aware of this economic reality and have scrambled in recent years to produce more affordable guns for the masses. Many of these guns won’t win any beauty contests. Some may be described as downright ugly. Actions may be less than silky smooth, and stocks may bend in a stiff breeze.

They’re often described rather euphemistically as “budget-friendly” or “entry-level” rifles. These are, of course, handy phrases when you’re trying to avoid using the word “cheap.”

Have the manufacturers cut corners on these guns? You bet they have, but they had to in order to make the guns less expensive to produce and offer them at what are, by today’s standards, crazy-cheap prices.

TODAY, VIRTUALLY EVERY MAJOR massmanufacturer of hunting rifles has added an inexpensive rifle to their product lineup. While some have derisively called this a race to the bottom, I don’t exactly see it that 48

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

way. Sure, I’m fond of guns that have richly figured walnut stocks, elegantly engraved receivers, and fit and finish reflective ive of old world craftsmanship, but those guns won’t smack deer into the he freezer any more effectively than han most of today’s more affordable rifles. Advances in manufacturing ng processes and materials now enable gun makers to offer inexpensive ive rifles that resist the elements, work k reliably and shoot tight groups – and that’s all many buyers, especially cially first-time buyers, are looking for in a hunting rifle.

Here’s a quick roundup of some of the more popular opular inexpensive rifles currently on dealers’ shelves. Since there must, st, I suppose, be rules to the game, e, I’ll limit this discussion to rifles that at you can buy at a real-world price off $500 or less.

Consider, nsider, for example, the Thompson pson Center Venture rifle, with which I’ve had a fair amount of experience. xperience. These rifles feature a free-floated ee-floated barrel with 5R rifling and d pillar-bedded action. I used the Venture nture Compact model chambered in .308 Win. on a memorable Texas deer eer hunt, dropping two whitetail bucks and two does with four shots

americanshootingjournal.com 49

Random shots

Browning’s affordable AB3 rifle offers features like a button-rifled barrel, Inflex recoil pad, tang safety and bolt unlock button. (BROWNING)

over two days of hunting. Several other outdoor writers did the same.

I didn’t subject that rifle to accuracy testing, but I did test an identical gun chambered in .22-250 Rem. Five of six factory loads shot sub-minute-ofangle best groups, easily living up the rifle’s MOA accuracy guarantee. I was impressed enough that I bought a Venture Predator rifle, chambered in .204 Ruger, and it regularly shoots half-inch groups with its preferred load. That’s more than can be said of many more expensive rifles. You can find the Venture for less than $500, but if that’s too rich for your blood, you can look for the no-frills TC Compass rifle for less than $400.

Another $500 rifle I’ve had some experience with is the Winchester XPR rifle. The one I tested, chambered in .30-06 Springfield, put six different factory loads into groups averaging 1.3 inches, but that’s

The TC Venture is one of the author’s top choices in bargain-priced hunting rifles.

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Remington’s entry in the bargain hunting rifle category is the Model 783, which has a free-floated, button-rifled barrel and pillar bedding. (REMINGTON)

only part of the story. It dropped a 165-grain Federal load with Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets into average groups of 0.58 inch and a best group of just 0.31 inch. This gun is quite similar to the Browning AB3 rifle.

Both have decent triggers, a boltunlock button, 60-degree bolt lift and detachable box magazines. Both are offered in a variety of configurations and calibers, and if you shop around,

you can find either one on sale for about $500.

One of the most aesthetically pleasing and feature-rich offerings among the bargain-priced rifles is the Mossberg Patriot. This rifle’s lines are very much in a classic configuration, and you can get it with stocks that are walnut, laminate, black synthetic or synthetic Kryptek Highlander camo. Standard features include drop-

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random shots box magazines, fluted barrels with recessed crowns, a spiral-fluted bolt and adjustable trigger system. I tested one in .25-06 Rem., and five different factory loads turned in sub-MOA best groups. Surprisingly, I’ve seen the basic black synthetic model retail for less than $300.

ANOTHER POPULAR ENTRY in the value-priced category is the Ruger American Rifle. I haven’t tested one yet, but have just received the Predator model, chambered in – wonder of wonders – 6mm Creedmoor. I plan to give this one a thorough workout as soon as I can obtain enough ammo to put it through its paces. Available in several configurations, this rifle has an adjustable trigger, cold hammerforged barrel and a tang safety. It utilizes an integral bedding block system to free-float the barrel and has a removable rotary magazine.

52

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

The Winchester XPR rifle in .30-06 shot tight groups for the author using a Federal Premium 165-grain load with Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets.

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random ndom shots The author reports that the Winchester XPR rifle has a decent trigger, 60-degree bolt lift and detachable box magazine.

The one-piece bolt has three locking lugs and a 70-degree throw to allow ample room for mounting scopes on the bases supplied with the rifle.

According to Big Green, also known as Remington, the bargain-priced Remington 783 is “not dressed to

54

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

impress, it’s dressed for work.” With a MSRP of $399, the 783 has freefloated, button-rifled barrels mated to receivers that are pillar-bedded to a high-nylon-content synthetic stock.

The rifle is equipped with an adjustable trigger and, notably, detachable steel

magazines. The bolt has two locking lugs and a 90-degree lift.

The main thing going for the Savage Axis rifle is the fact that it is, well, a Savage. That usually means you can expect good out-ofthe-box accuracy. With an MSRP of

random shots The Ruger American Rifle has quickly become one of the most popular of the economy hunting rifles. (RUGER)

around $368 and a real-world price of around $330 for the basic model with a black synthetic stock, you’ll get a rifle that uses the classic Savage locknut approach to set headspace set to minimum. This has always driven some purists mildly nuts, but it significantly contributes to the accuracy Savage rifles are known for. Barrels on the Axis are buttonrifled. The two locking-lug bolt is unusual in that it uses a floating bolt head design, which theoretically also contributes to accuracy. Detachable box magazines are part metal, part plastic, with metal feed lips. Triggers on the Axis models I’ve seen aren’t

Savage rifles, including the budget-friendly Axis and Axis II (shown) models, are known for their outof-the-box accuracy. (SAVAGE)

overly impressive, but at a cost of about $450, you can step up to the Axis II rifle and get the Savage Accutrigger and a Weaver Kaspa 3-9x40 scope.

These rifles and others like them may not be your firearms cup of tea, but taken as a group, they fill an important gap in the marketplace.

They give people who might not

otherwise be able to afford a decent rifle an affordable entry point into hunting. If we’re going to preserve our cherished hunting traditions in this country, we’re going to need their participation – and their votes – in the years ahead. That’s worth thinking about the next time you bypass the bargain-rifle section of your local gun store.

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ROAD HUNTER

TAKEDOWN! Sixteen-year-old Macie Stewart is a proven champion on the wrestling mat and on the hunt.

Western Oregon’s Macie Stewart is an accomplished hunter and athlete. She sees many correlations between the demands of hunting and athletics, both of which benefit one another.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN

S

itting at timber’s edge, we waited for the dense fog to lift. We’d been in position for nearly 20 minutes, but couldn’t get a clear look at the roaring red stag, some 200 yards away.

I was with noted outfitter, Gerald Fluerty of Wildside Hunting Safaris, and we were in pursuit of red stags on the North Island of New Zealand.

I’d filmed TV shows with Gerald before, but this time I was carrying a camera, hoping to capture some action on film.

The hunter was Macie Stewart, a 16-year-old high school student from my hometown of Springfield, Oregon. It was her second day of the hunt, and while she’d passed on a couple nice stags, the rut was in full swing and the valleys echoed with roaring red stags; she was in no rush to end the hunt.

In February of this year, Macie stood atop the podium where she was crowned state champion wrestler in the 106-pound division. The 16-year-old junior at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, Macie has high expectations on and off the mat.

(THURSTON HIGH SCHOOL)

americanshootingjournal.com 61

ROAD HUNTER At the age of 13, Macie traveled with family and friends to Wyoming, where she took this beautiful pronghorn as part of a TV show. Macie has grown up in a family that hunts, and travel is a big part of her passion behind the hunt.

Finally, the fog cleared just enough to confirm the stag in front of us was a shooter. Inching into a better shooting position, Macie got set up in the shooting sticks and waited for the stag to stand.

Moments before darkness consumed us, the fog fully lifted, the massively racked stag let out a deep, guttural roar, and then stood up from his bed. That’s when Macie let him have it with her .308. The stag stumbled and fell.

“Oh my gosh, he’s way bigger than he looked through the scope,” said Macie as we approached the downed stag. Gerald and Macie exchanged high fives and hugs, as this was a moment each will remember forever.

And in a wrestling match, she would have scored two points for a takedown.

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Less than a month prior to her late March hunt for red stag in New Zealand, Macie was on the wrestling mat in Portland, Oregon’s Memorial Coliseum. Here, she became the first girl in her high school’s history to earn a state wrestling title. From athletics to hunting, Macie Stewart has achieved a lifetime of success, and she’s only a junior at Thurston High School.

“I SHOT MY FIRST BLACK-TAILED deer when I was 10 years old, on Oregon’s Mentored Youth tag,” Macie recalled.

“I was with my dad, and it was the day before Halloween. It was a fun hunt, but I messed up something on the camera and I lost all the photos of that deer. I didn’t think much about it then, but now I really wish I had them.”

“I like looking back at the pictures of my hunts because they bring back so many memories that went along with it, not just of the animals, but of the people, the places, and so many other things that go with the hunt,” Macie said. “There are so many fun memories that hunting creates.”

Macie began her wrestling career in sixth grade. “Even before I started wrestling, I was around it a lot,” she explains. “My brother, Zane, who is two years younger than me, started wrestling when he was five, so I was always around it and liked it a lot.”

Early in high school, Macie tried cheerleading and softball, and while they were fun, to her they just lacked something. “I’m a really competitive person,” Macie elaborated. “But I also love the family feeling wrestling has. Everyone in wrestling is like

americanshootingjournal.com 63

ROAD HUNTER Less than a month after earning her state title in wrestling, Macie was hunting red stag in New Zealand. Here, Macie and her guide, Gerald Fluerty, approach the monster stag Macie took following a long, patient wait.

a family, and when you meet up at big tournaments with other schools, it’s like a bigger family. It’s fun and everyone supports one another. I also like the intensity that goes with wrestling, so that’s my sport, what I do year-round either with my school or in clubs.”

I’ve been on many hunts with Macie and her father, Chris Stewart, over the years. Chris and I took Macie and my son, Braxton – who are the same age – to Wyoming for an antelope hunt when they were 13.

They both got nice bucks on a truly memorable hunt. On another hunt in Oregon’s Coast Range, Macie got a Roosevelt bull five minutes after Braxton got a bear. That was a fun 64

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

night in camp. Braxton also filmed Macie taking a five-point Roosevelt the season before that.

When asked if she gets nervous, Macie smiled, and said, “No, not really nervous; I get excited, but not nervous. I don’t know why.”

SHE DIDN’T FEEL NERVOUS when she stepped onto the mat for the state title match either. She’d entered the tournament as the number one seed, which can add pressure to anyone, let alone a kid. She won the semifinal match by a big margin, and though her title match lasted three full rounds, Macie won 6-0.

“I was in pretty good shape heading into state,” Macie shares. “I

felt good, but not overconfident.” She feels that way on many hunts, too.

She wasn’t nervous at all during the final moments of her red stag hunt. I know of many seasoned hunters who would have been on edge with the long wait and anticipation. “That stag wasn’t going anywhere, we were hidden really well in the trees and the wind was good; we just needed the fog to lift so I could get a shot. That hunt was all about patience.”

“Being in good shape is the key to success on the mat and in the woods,” Macie notes. “And having wrestling season be the same time as hunting season helps, a lot. Hunting deer and elk isn’t easy, and when I push hard

americanshootingjournal.com 65

ROAD HUNTER on those hunts, they’re actually great workouts that help me keep in shape for wrestling.”

Macie points out other correlations between hunting and wrestling and how they benefit one another.

“Wrestling makes you mentally tough, so the patience part of hunting comes easy to me. The challenges encountered while wrestling also prepare you for so many situations where you need to be mentally strong in life, and have perseverance, and I see that a lot when I’m hunting.

Sometimes I want to sleep in instead of go hunting, but when I get out there, I’m always glad I went.”

She goes on. “When you cut weight in wrestling and you finally win, it’s a great feeling, because you put in so much work to get to that point. It’s like hunting. You put in all this hard work and it comes down to one shot, and when you make that shot, it’s so gratifying. Wrestling and hunting teach you to never give up, because if you quit, you’ll never reach your goal.”

“My favorite part about hunting is being outdoors and getting to travel to other places,” Macie said.

“Hunting has allowed me to see some really cool things I otherwise wouldn’t have seen. I also love eating wild game; that’s all our family eats.

It’s way better tasting than meat from a store, and way better for you. Being a wrestler you have to be in good shape, all the time, and eating wild game keeps me fit, no doubt.”

WHEN ASKED HOW MANY BLACKTAILS and Roosevelt elk she has to her credit, Macie had to think, and still didn’t know for sure. “I don’t really keep track of that kind of stuff,” Macie smiles. “To me it’s more about the experience and the memories, not about numbers.” But she did recall some of her more challenging hunts.

“I’ve had some tough blacktail hunts,” Macie recalled. “There was one big three-by-three a couple years ago.

Dad and I spotted him from a long 66

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Macie with a great public-land blacktail she took last October, one of a half-dozen good bucks she’s taken since age 10.

way away, and we had to patiently stalk through the woods, then the edge of a logged unit. Finally, we got to within 50 yards of the bedded buck before we could see him. He was really hidden and we had to move carefully on that one, but it wasn’t easy because it was getting dark out.”

“Last year was a fun hunt, too,” Macie continued. “My brother had

shot a big buck in a unit, and packing that buck out, there was so much sign that we went back the next day and spotted another big buck in the same unit. We could only get to about 300 yards, but I got prone and felt really solid, and connected on the shot. That buck had a giant body. We quartered and packed that thing out, but had to go get help from some of

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When asked what she most recalls from her hunts, Macie didn’t hesitate.

“The people and the places are what stand out most in my mind,” she said.

“This New Zealand hunt was extra special because Mom was with me, while Dad and Zane were hunting another area. That was the first time she’d been with me when I shot an animal, in all these years.”

“I also loved the way people in New Zealand hunt,” Macie added.

“When we hunt at home, we stay out all day. In New Zealand we got up, ate breakfast, went hunting for a few hours, came back for a big lunch, where their family joined ours, went back out hunting until dark, then their whole family was together again with us for dinner. It was like Thanksgiving every night.”

With May upon us, where will you find Macie Stewart? She has a spring bear tag, so you can bet she’ll be spending time in the woods. She also has a demanding spring and summer wrestling schedule, one that takes her around the country, possibly the world. Last year she qualified for a tournament in South Africa.

What I appreciate most about Macie Stewart is how hard she works. Be it wrestling or hunting, she’s diligent and positive. She doesn’t brag, flood her social media sites with boastful images of animals she’s taken, and she has nothing to prove to anyone.

I’ve been on many hunts with Macie, and not once has she cared about putting on makeup, fixing her hair, painting her nails or worrying about what she looks like in the photos.

Macie is an accomplished hunter, statechampion athlete, and a hard worker who will be an achiever in life, no matter what she decides to do.

Editor’s note: Scott Haugen is a full-time author and TV host. His show, The Hunt, can be seen on Netflix. To learn more about the show or New Zealand hunting, visit scotthaugen.com.

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There are plenty of targets at the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s new Marksmanship Park in Talladega, Alabama, and each shooting bay is equipped with state-of-the-art Kongsberg Target System (KTS) electronic targets and scoring monitors which detect, record and display every round the shooter fires. (CMP)

MAKING ITS MARK ON MARKSMANSHIP The Civilian Marksmanship Program is currently leading a renaissance in firearms precision and accuracy with a massive new instructional range facility and more than a thousand sanctioned matches each year.

STORY BY FRANK JARDIM • PHOTOS BY TIM HEADY

T

he acronym CMP stands for Civilian Marksmanship Program, and if it sounds familiar, that’s because it’s been around for 114 years. Once a government-funded program administered by the U.S. Army, it was reformed as a private, self-supporting, nonprofit in 1996. Its core mission is instructing the citizenry, and particularly the nation’s youth, in the principles of safe firearms handing and cultivating the knowledge and skills required for precision shooting.

Great shooting requires practice, and the CMP promotes that through their support of 5,000 local affiliated shooting clubs and state organizations that run CMP-sanctioned courses and competitive shooting matches across the country. That amounts to over 1,400 sanctioned matches a year attended by more than 10,000 shooters. The CMP codified the competition rules and trains and certifies the range officers who run the matches. They also train and certify master instructors who teach thousands of new shooters each year using CMP course materials in more than 100 sponsored clinics nationwide.

Through their online Competition Tracker system, they maintain the match scores for every shooter in every CMP competition, as well as a listing of all upcoming matches, making it easy for shooters to find out when and where they can compete, register for those matches, and track their progress up to the national level.

Reflecting its military roots, high-power military service rifle and service pistol competitions have always been a major component of the CMP. However, they are by no

The Talladega Marksmanship Park is equally impressive from the air. (CMP)

means the whole show. To paraphrase the American poet Walt Whitman, “The CMP is large. It contains multitudes.” Today, its 30 instructional and competitive programs also include air and .22 rimfire pistols and rifles.

AN EMPHASIS ON PRECISION marksmanship is the common element is all CMP matches. These are not running-and-gunning, action-style, three-gun, speed or steel matches. CMP competitors shoot traditional bull’s-eye targets at specific distances from established positions (prone, sitting, kneeling and standing), usually with iron sights. Sometimes rifle shooters can use a sling.

Not to diminish the challenges of other shooting sports, which often pose a high level of difficulty in other methods and techniques, but the CMP fosters in its competitors 74

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

a great deal of personal discipline and technical knowledge.

The CMP high-power rifle competition, for example, with its 200-, 300- and 600-yard stages, allows shooters the chance to develop their A marker explains why an Army camp is named after a Navy man. understanding of some of the most difficult (and interesting) technical windage compensation, and deal with aspects of shooting. To put the bullet any heat mirage that may blur the in the X ring, the shooter needs to view of the distant target. understand trajectory, adjust the Akin to the “World Series” of sights for the bullet’s drop, evaluate shooting sports, the CMP holds their the wind speed and direction to National Matches every summer at calculate the required amount of Camp Perry, Ohio. Bordering Lake

americanshootingjournal.com 75

A closer look at the Kongsberg Target System.

Erie, the Camp Perry ranges are considered by many to be the largest and best in the county. Among the 6,000 participants from all the CMP disciplines, you will always find America’s finest military and civilian marksmen.

The National Matches, a tradition at Camp Perry since 1907, also include top quality training seminars for novice and advanced shooters. A newcomer to competitive shooting could attend a one- or two-day CMP– USAMU (U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit) Small Arms Firing School for rifle or pistol (or both) and learn the basics of firearms safety and marksmanship on the spot.

I HAD THE CHANCE TO TALK with CMP’s Mark Johnson to get the scoop on what accomplishments he was most excited about this year. Johnson is not the type of chief operating officer to sit behind a desk all day, evidenced by the fact that we talked by phone as he was driving back from a CMP competition in Oklahoma.

While he paid respectful homage to the National Matches, which he refers to as the CMP’s “crowning jewel,” it was the growth and success of the Junior Air Rifle Camp that he seemed to find most exhilarating.

These weeklong summer camps are held around the country with a goal to teach 9- to 12-year-olds safety and 76

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

marksmanship lessons of universal value. Participants bring their own equipment and the fee is a nominal $285 per youth and $50 for their adult coach. As of this writing, 14 of the 16 camps are already full.

You might be surprised to learn that the most popular competitive shooting sport among precollege boys and girls is three-position air rifle shooting. Its growth shows no sign of slowing down, so this particular competition is helping to develop our next generation of marksmen.

But just because kids love it doesn’t make it a kid’s sport. The 10-meter, three-position (prone, kneeling and standing) competition is also an international sport and an Olympic event. In fact, those Junior Air Rifle camps that Johnson is so proud of boast multiple Olympian alumni, and two medalists, including 2016 Gold Medal winner Ginny Thrasher (see American Shooting Journal, September 2016).

The CMP actually sanctions two classes of air rifle competitions for juniors that differ only in the equipment needed. Sporting Air Rifle competition uses basic target rifles that cost $105 to $525 and requires no specialized shooting clothing.

Precision Air Rifle uses Olympicgrade guns that cost $850 to $1,275 and require the full complement of target shooting clothes and

americanshootingjournal.com americ ame ricans anshoo hootin tingjo gjourn u al. urn al.com com 77

accessories. By the way, those prices are from the CMP online store and represent a discounted cost only available for qualified club members.

Apparently, kids are having some success convincing their parents to let them give the less costly Sporting Air Rifle a try (or perhaps it’s the other way around), as it has become a major entry point into competitive shooting for them. Three-Position Air Rifle can be a life-long hobby and college students can compete in NCAA matches or via Junior ROTC programs as well.

Another thing Johnson was really proud of was the CMP’s new Talladega Marksmanship Park in Talladega, Alabama. This is the third, and by far the largest, modern instructional range facility they have constructed, and it is the most technologically advanced in the world. The two others are 80-port indoor air rifle ranges at their Camp Perry, Ohio, and Anniston, Alabama, locations, where they also operate retail stores.

THE NEW MARKSMANSHIP PARK is huge,

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Competitors prepping their gear before going to the ready line.

americanshootingjournal.com 79

covering 500 acres, with rifle, pistol and shotgun ranges. At maximum capacity it could accommodate 3,000 shooters at once, and transportation around the ranges is provided.

The facility includes a 13,000-square-foot clubhouse with classrooms, lounge, and a Creedmoor Sports Pro Shop. Inside, visitors can follow the progress of competitors on monitors if the Alabama heat or humidity gets to be too much for them.

The park has an amazing combination 200-, 300- and 600yard rifle ranges, a 100-yard multipurpose range and a 50-yard pistol range, all equipped with state of the art Kongsberg Target System (KTS) electronic targets and scoring monitors which detect, record and display every round the shooter fires. This means you can maximize your shooting practice time because you don’t ever have to leave the firing line to change targets. You don’t even need a spotting scope.

And, for fans of shotgun sports,

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A Kentucky Junior Service Rifle competitor competes in a local CMP match.

The view from the rear of the ready line during a USAMU rifle class at Camp Perry.

americanshootingjournal.com 81

there are trap, sporting clays and five-stand courses.

The facility plays host to the whole gamut of CMP Games and matches, including the popular GSM (Garand, Springfield, Vintage Military) matches where shooters use as-issued historic rifles. The CMP knows there’s more to shooting than just the black bull’seyes, so you’ll also find a wide variety of popular action shooting sports like 3-Gun, Steel Challenge and IDPA. Even better, Marksmanship Park is open to the public and charges only $20 to shoot all day.

Over the years, the CMP had often made surplus military rifles and ammunition available to qualified club members at reasonable prices. In fact, if you have ever heard that you could get a surplus M1 Garand rifle directly from the government, that’s part of the CMP program. At this point, however, virtually all of those M1 rifles and carbines, M1903 Springfield and M1917 Enfield rifles are sold out.

The good news is the profits from the sale of those historic rifles

A shooter rolling with the recoil of his service rifle.

The U.S. Army Mobile Ordnance Maintenance truck stands by to service military and civilian competitor rifles.

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funded an endowment that will keep the CMP in operation, training new generations of marksman, for the foreseeable future.

In light of the recent shift in political control since the last election, I asked Johnson if there might be some possibility of more M1 rifles turning up. He told me that had I asked that question six months ago, the answer would be no. But since then, one of the last great stockpiles of M1s, currently held by the Philippine government, just might be making its way home from the islands.

So keep your fingers crossed, and get yourself involved with the CMPaffiliated club in your area. Only qualified club members will be able to buy these rifles should they become available. “How do I qualify,” you ask? It’s very simple. Just join a CMPaffiliated club and shot in a CMPsanctioned match.

You can find vast amounts of additional information about the CMP and its great programs when you visit TheCMP.org.

Many competitors continue to use the rifle designed by the namesake of the Talladega Marksmanship Park range, John Garand (inset).

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The National Rifle Association created its Law Enforcement Division in 1960, and has been training officers and conducting competitions ever since.

BEHIND THE BADGE

LEO+NRA = SUCCESS A growing number of law enforcement agencies depend on the National Rifle Association for supplemental firearms training, from classroom and range settings to sanctioned competition events.

STORY BY STEVEN PAUL BARLOW PHOTOS BY NRA

T

he officer entered the room, heart rate elevated, his carbine leveled and at the ready. He tried to control his breathing. There! Three to his left – two armed terrorists and a hostage. He found the trigger and squeezed. He’d eliminated the threats, but there was no time to lose. He worked his way quickly, but methodically, through the maze of rooms, careful to use available cover as he scanned for more threats.

This time around the scenario was simulated, part of a competition.

But there was more than a trophy at stake. The competition served as training, preparation for a time when lives would be on the line, when the threats and hostages would be real. The competition was tailored specifically for police officers, for the real situations they face, and it was conducted by the National Rifle Association.

When we think of the NRA, we often visualize the organization at the forefront of protecting our Second Amendment freedoms; the group

that fights against the often absurd proposed legislation by elected officials who believe the government should be our only protector and that we don’t have the right to take on the responsibility to defend ourselves.

Unfortunately, because of this vital and public phase of the NRA’s work, the organization’s other programs can often go unnoticed. There’s the Eddie Eagle program on gun accident prevention geared toward children from pre-K through the 4th grade.

About a million people attend firearms training courses each year that are

americanshootingjournal.com 91

BEHIND THE BADGE The NRA’s Tactical Police Competition, or TPC, events, held across the country, require officers to use duty weapons and gear, and can involve transitions from one type of weapon to another.

taught by NRA-certified instructors.

The NRA has multiple programs for women, including Women on Target shooting clinics, Women’s Wilderness Escape and Refuse to be a Victim.

There are youth education, training and competition programs. Add in the NRA’s gunsmithing schools, range planning services, the Hunters for the Hungry program that helps to feed the poor and the hunter safety programs that many states have adopted and you begin to get the idea.

But there’s more. To preserve our firearms heritage, the NRA also operates three museums in Virginia, Missouri and New Mexico that showcase historic firearms. When it comes to civilian competitions, the NRA sanctions about 11,000 shooting events, including 50 national championships each year. Shooting disciplines include air gun, muzzleloading, pistol, rifle and silhouette.

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While the media seems to seek out politically motivated, high-ranking police administrators on the side of strict gun control to interview for their reports, it’s been my experience that the average cop on the street is pro-gun.

THE NRA HAS BEEN PRO-LAW ENFORCEMENT since its inception. It created a special Law Enforcement Division in 1960 and has been active in training police firearms instructors and fostering police firearms competitions ever since.

Most police agencies have their own firearms instructors to train and requalify their officers, but who trains the instructors? Often, it’s the NRA. In fact, the NRA has trained and certified more than 55,000 law enforcement firearms instructors over the years.

Currently there are more than 12,000 NRA-certified law enforcement firearms instructors across the country.

The NRA training is centered on the

use of handguns, shotguns, patrol rifles as well as select-fire and long-range rifles in tactical situations. Instruction is conducted both in the classroom and on the range. In recent years, military personnel and military contractors have also been trained in police tactics, as their roles sometimes include policing as well as combat missions.

Because maintaining a police agency’s firearms often falls on their firearms instructors, the NRA Law Enforcement Division often coordinates their training with the armorer schools of several manufacturers, including Heckler & Koch, Beretta, FNH, Glock and Smith & Wesson.

Police SWAT units normally train frequently, but time and money enter into the equation for the average cop on the street. As a result, many police departments conduct in-service firearms training and qualifications only once or twice a year.

TPC competitors are often forced to shoot from unconventional positions.

A range officer follows a competitor through each TPC course of fire to time the stage, to watch for rules violations and to ensure safety.

As more officers carry patrol rifles in their vehicles, training and competition in their use have been increasingly important.

Once an officer receives final instructions, he is on his own through the TPC course of fire and must make splitsecond decisions on how to “solve� the tactical problem.

TPC courses of fire can entail anything a police officer might face on the street. americanshootingjournal.com 93

BEHIND THE BADGE While certifying police firearms instructors, the NRA works with firearms manufacturers, which often provide armorer courses on maintaining specific duty weapons.

Police Pistol Combat (PPC) events divide shooters by gun type and skill level classifications.

Certain custom features are allowed on firearms used in PPC competitions.

Officers who want to train more frequently to increase their proficiency are often on their own, and the NRA helps fill this gap by offering opportunities for officers to keep their firearms skills sharp through their numerous competitions.

POLICE PISTOL COMBAT (PPC) events are sanctioned by the NRA, and are open to full-time active law enforcement officers and, more recently, to military police. An officer doesn’t have to be a member of the NRA to compete. There are divisions for both semiauto pistols and revolvers and shooters are divided into various classifications according to their results in previous shoots.

The NRA also sanctions Tactical Police Competition (TPC) events across the country that require the use of actual duty guns and gear, as opposed to competition-specific “race” guns and holsters. These competitions are open to law enforcement officers, military personnel and private sector officers.

“The officers that participate in the Tactical Police Championships not only get to put their training to the test against other LEOs, but get to see where they can improve,” said Marc Lipp, the NRA Law Enforcement Division competitions manager. “This 94

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

isn’t like competitions where shooters bring in customized guns and gear – they’re using the same gear they use in the line of duty.”

Each of these matches consists of four to seven courses of fire for handgun, rifle, shotgun or combination of those. There are skill-based courses of fire to test an officer’s handling proficiency and accuracy with a particular type of gun.

There are also scenario-based courses of fire that place the officer in hypothetical situations that the officer has to solve. These courses of fire might include assessing threat and nonthreat targets, shooting from

Competitors in NRA-sanctioned PPC events come from agencies across the country.

americanshootingjournal.com 95

BEHIND THE BADGE various unconventional positions and making tactical decisions on how to move through the course using cover and navigating barriers, managing the available ammo, and finding the right balance of speed and accuracy.

“We aim to present scenarios LEOs would face on the job in order to accurately evaluate their skill level,” said Lipp. “It might be a competition here, but it could be a matter of life or death on the streets, and being able to respond to realistic situations is the best way for officers to train.”

These competitions can be eyeopening experiences for officers.

“The TPC is intentionally uncomfortable to navigate, and a lot of newcomers aren’t prepared for how challenging it is,” he said. “That’s good, because it forces the officers to face their training deficiencies head-on and make improvements in key areas. In the field, they’re not getting commands from a range tower on how to solve a

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PPC events entail shooting from different positions too.

problem – they need to know how to approach fluid scenarios in fractions of a second to deescalate potentially dangerous situations.”

THE NRA’S NATIONAL POLICE SHOOTING Championships will be conducted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, beginning September 16 this year. The national shoot is open to law enforcement

Reloads are often part of shooting stages in the PPC events.

americanshootingjournal.com 97

BEHIND THE BADGE

TPC events are often very challenging, both physically and mentally.

professionals from around the world.

Unlike other national competitions, there are no qualifiers or invitations needed. You compete against officers in your own classification. Unclassified shooter can also compete.

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So, the next time you get pulled into a debate with a gun-control advocate and the NRA is mentioned, you can help set the record straight. More than just a special-interest lobbying group, the NRA is deeply committed

to firearms safety, training and competition, with special devotion to our nation’s police officers.

To learn more, visit the NRA Law Enforcement Division at le.nra.org.

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HOLSTERS

THUMBS UP …

ER, FORWARD! Mastering the thumbs-forward grip involves more than just the thumbs.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROB REED

T

he thumbs-forward grip started with competition shooters and spread to defensive pistol instructors and others who recognized the benefits of this once unorthodox style. The grip grew popular because it provides excellent recoil management that allows for faster and more accurate shooting.

To get the most from this technique it needs to be performed correctly. Some shooters simply point their thumbs forward without completely understanding the mechanics of the grip. The name aside, the key is really in the position of the support-side wrist, not the thumbs, and once that is understood, mastering the grip becomes easy.

STEP 1: GIVE IT TWO ‘THUMBS UP To learn how to execute the thumbs-forward grip start by putting both thumbs up in the classic “Fonzie” or “double hitchhiker” position. Try to get as close to a 90-degree angle between the thumb and the index finger as possible.

1 STEP 2: CLEAR A SPACE FOR THE SUPPORT HAND Place the pistol in the dominant hand, while keeping the dominant thumb high and out of the way. The trigger finger should index on the side of the slide and the second finger should be up tight against the underside of the trigger guard. The empty area on the grip is where the palm of the support hand will go.

2 STEP 3: FILL THAT SPACE WITH THE SUPPORT PALM

3

Now take the support hand, open it, and cock the wrist downward at about a 45-degree angle. Make sure to keep the almost 90-degree angle between the thumb and the fingers.

While keeping the support hand’s wrist rotated down, place the meaty part of the support hand’s palm on the open area of the pistol grip to obtain as much hand-to-gun contact as possible. The support hand’s thumb rests alongside the slide and naturally points forward.

americanshootingjournal.com 103

STEP 4: CLOSE THE SUPPORT HAND Next, close the support hand’s fingers. The index finger on the support hand should be as high as possible under the trigger guard. The wrist remains cocked at the same downward angle and should feel “locked.” At the same time bring the dominant thumb down onto the support hand thumb until both thumbs point forward. (The strong hand thumb should ride the safety on 1911 or similar pistols). The support hand should provide most of the force of the grip. This makes it easier to isolate the trigger finger of the dominant hand to allow for better trigger control.

While the thumbs-forward grip works well overall, there are a couple potential issues. The first is that the grip does not work as well onehanded due to the high thumb placement. Many shooters will lock the thumb down if shooting with only one hand.

The other issue is that the slide may not lock open on an empty magazine if the shooter’s thumbs engage the slide release.

In many cases a slight repositioning of the thumbs will avoid this.

4

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The new Longslide Hunter in 10mm from Gary Reeder Custom Guns is built from the ground up and is full custom all the way. americanshootingjournal.com 109

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gun review

EVERYONE NEEDS A GOOD .22 The new Savage A22 impresses with its accuracy and volume.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY LARRY CASE

D

otzie was telling me to hurry. Treed at the base of a big white oak, my little mountain cur barked impatiently to inform me there was a squirrel up above that required my undivided attention.

Out of breath from hurrying to her side, it took me several minutes to spot the gray squirrel pinned to a limb. Still a little shaky, I pulled a miss on my first shot and the squirrel darted through the upper limbs to begin his high-wire act.

I settled down by the third shot, and after I squeezed the AccuTrigger on the Savage A22, the bushytail tumbled out of the tree. I was happy, and more importantly, Dotzie was happy.

IN MY MISSPENT YOUTH, I knew an old codger who I thought of as my mentor when it came to rifles. He had survived Korea and a battle that took place in a location now called the Frozen Chozin. He had a house full of guns, and was always shooting, reloading, or doing something with a rifle. I tried to learn as much as I could from him, while staying out of his way at the same time.

“Boy,” he told me, “everyone needs a good .22 rifle, if for nothing else than just to shoot.”

By “just to shoot” he meant target practice, can plinking, hunting

Dotzie the mountain cur spent a fair part of the author’s hunt barking up the right tree. americanshootingjournal.com 111

gun review small game, pest control, and anything else a body would need a rifle for in a caliber below a .3030. To him, a dependable .22 was a tool much like an axe or a wrench; and when you needed one, it had to work and work well.

Long known for their brand of no-nonsense firearms, Savage Arms (savagearms.com) has returned to the forefront in recent years with high-quality rifles that work well when you need them to. Savage wowed the rimfire world a couple of years ago with the introduction of the A17, the first high-performance semiautomatic rimfire specifically designed for the .17 HMR cartridge.

They followed that success up with the A22 in .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum rimfire). Now, Savage is adding another new model to the A series: the A22 in (you guessed it) .22 Long Rifle. Here are some thoughts on this nifty little rifle, and

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The new Savage A22 is an accurate shooter, with a solid proficiency of putting rounds down range.

The author tested the A22 with a Bushnell 3.5-10X A22 Rimfire Optics scope.

americanshootingjournal.com 113

gun review

The A22 is equally at home on the range. (SAVAGE)

why I think my old long gun mentor would approve.

Like the A17 and A22 Magnum, this rifle features a thread-in

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barrel with zero-tolerance head space, much like Savage builds their centerfire rifles. The barrel is “button� rifled and recessed on

the business end, which is going to save on accuracy over time by protecting it. This is important if you are as hard on guns as I am,

americanshootingjournal.com 115

gun review hauling them around in vehicles, getting knocked around while carrying them and the like.

The A22 comes equipped with a Savage AccuTrigger that outdoes many triggers in the centerfire line. No pulling the trigger housing or disassembly required. A small, simple tool, supplied by Savage, is inserted through the trigger guard and turned one direction to lighten the trigger pull, and the other to make it heavier. This could easily be done in the field if necessary.

The trigger is the most important element of any rifle and the AccuTrigger is a good one.

The A22 has a smoothcycling, straight-blowback action that reliably feeds a variety of .22-caliber ammunition from the magazine to the chamber. This little rifle ate every kind of .22 ammo that I fed it, including CCI Mini Mag, Federal Hunter Match, Aguila

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With a weight of just over 5.5 pounds, the A22 is an easy-carrying rifle for all manner of small game.

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gun review Sub Sonic and Super Extra, and Remington Gold Bullet and Target rounds. The A22 chewed them all up and spit them out without fail.

That in itself is no small feat for any rimfire autoloader.

COMPANY LITERATURE TELLS US that Savage engineers did some exhaustive factory testing, and it appears they were successful across the board. The 10-round rotary magazine reliably fed the rounds every time the trigger was pulled. The magazine is flush mounted, and two other hunters besides myself who carried the A22 liked this feature.

For those times when you may want more ammo on hand, Savage also partnered with shooting accessories supplier Butler Creek (butlercreek.com) to increase the rifle’s ammo capacity by creating a 25-round, spring-fed aftermarket

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magazine. I haven’t got my hands on one of these magazines yet, but that is definitely my plan.

At the risk of sounding like the typical prattling gun writer, I must say I was very impressed with the A22’s accuracy. Holetouching groups did not seem to be a problem out to 50 yards, which I deemed far enough for squirrel shooting. The rifle comes equipped with adjustable open steel sights, so it’s ready to shoot right out of the box, but it is

The ten-round, flush-mounted rotary magazine is another fully functional design feature on the A22. (SAVAGE)

gun review also drilled and tapped for scope mounts, allowing shooters to easily add their favorite optic.

The rifle I tested had a Bushnell 3.5-10x A22 Rimfire Optics scope mounted on it, and at first I thought this was too much scope for a .22 rifle. But after shooting this rig for a few days I really began to like it.

This optic has a turret calibrated for high-velocity .22 ammo, and you can have a lot of fun with this system out to 125 yards. You can check out more info on this particular scope and many others by visiting bushnell.com.

I do herby proclaim the A22 to be a shooter, both in accuracy and proficiency of putting rounds down range. At a suggested retail of 281 American dollars, I doubt you can find a .22 rifle that is this much gun for less money. I think my old rifle guru would approve.

Dotzie taking a well deserved break from squirrel searching with the author’s friend Ritchie Miller.

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guns of our fathers

A EUROPEAN RUBY

Although the Ruby pistol became a procurement nightmare, it nevertheless armed French troops and scores of others throughout World War I and beyond.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROB REED

T

he “Ruby” pistol is the result of France’s desperate need for arms in the early days of the Great War. By 1915, much of the French industrial heartland was under German control, and what remained under allied control was producing critically needed material such as rifles, machine guns, and artillery. As the conflict grew beyond even the most pessimistic expectations, the sheer volume of troops sent into battle literally exhausted the meager stores of small arms. To meet this rising demand for pistols for the trenches, the French contracted with the Spanish firm of Gabilondo y Urresti-Eibar for their Ruby semiauto pistol.

The Ruby made use of a prewar design largely copied (without license) from the Browning Model 1903. Among the changes are the deletion of the grip safety and a relocation of the manual safety closer to the trigger guard. The resulting Ruby is a direct blowback pistol chambered in 7.65 (.32 ACP). The pistol features an internal hammer and a frame-mounted safety that goes down for “FIRE.” The original magazine capacity was nine rounds.

The original contract called for the firm to produce 10,000 pistols a month, but the insatiable French demand for handguns saw the production numbers increased in stages until the incredible target of 50,000 pistols a month was set.

THIS IS WHERE THE STORY of the Ruby gets messy. Since Gabilondo y Urresti-

A right-side view of this Ruby pistol variant shows the ejection port and an extended grip housing a single-stack detachable magazine holding nine cartridges. The Ruby is a direct blowback pistol chambered in 7.65 (.32 ACP).

Eibar could not hope to meet that production quota, they licensed out manufacture of the pistol to other companies. Although only four other manufacturers were originally contracted to produce the pistol, the firm eventually partnered with seven companies to meet French demand.

At the same time, French purchasing agents were individually contracting with other Spanish firearms makers to also produce the guns. By the time all the contracts were signed, roughly 50 companies were producing the pistol, either for Gabilondo y Urresti-Eibar or directly for the French. Soon, multiple companies (both legally and otherwise) were producing the pistol across the continent, making it a

truly European weapon.

The result was chaos. The quality of the pistols produced varied widely from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Some were good, others substandard, while others yet were simply unsafe to fire. At first the French tested every pistol, but soon went to batchlot testing instead. Even among the pistols deemed acceptable to issue, problems would arise after the guns broke in with use. Some references list the expected service life of the Ruby at only 500 rounds.

As you can imagine, parts interchangeability – so vital for a service weapon – was lost as the number of manufacturers involved grew. Parts and magazines from one manufacturer would not work in americanshootingjournal.com 125

guns of our fathers

A left-side view reveals the manufacturer’s barrel markings (including the “GU” for “Gabilondo y UrrestiEibar” beside the grip) and the occasionally problematic safety lever.

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

another manufacturer’s pistol, and often parts would not interchange even within pistols made by the same manufacturer. Features such as barrel length and magazine capacity also varied from source to source as different manufacturers put their own spin on the design.

All in all, the Ruby became a textbook example of what not to do for small arms weapon procurement.

Still, the pistols were desperately needed, and almost as fast as they were produced they were sent to the front to be engulfed in the horrors of trench warfare. Records show that the French military had accepted an estimated 700,000 to 900,000 pistols by war’s end.

The large number of pistols produced has made the Ruby available in the U.S. collector’s market for decades. Some came home as souvenirs after WWI or WWII, while others found their way across the ocean in various import lots over time.

The modern U.S. collector is unlikely to know the exact origin of his pistol, as many were imported prior to import marks became mandatory in 1968.

ALTHOUGH I’VE NEVER OWNED a Ruby pistol, I’ve had several opportunities to fire them. Their best attribute is their simplicity. Unlike other pistols from the same time frame they are a “modern” design with a one-piece slide and breechblock and what we would consider conventional controls.

The safety lever is relatively easy to use, as is the European-style heel mag release. The pistol does not have a slide stop/slide release. On some examples I have seen, a rivet was installed to keep the safety from moving to the “safe” position. My understanding is that this is a postWWI French military modification.

The gun in the accompanying photos is an actual Gabilondo y Urresti-Eibar-produced pistol and owned by a friend. Recently, I was able to fire several magazines of

americanshootingjournal.com 127

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modern-production .32 ACP FMJ through this particular pistol.

Surprisingly (based on reputation alone), the pistol fired 100 percent of the time, with no misfires, failures to feed, or failures to eject. This is not always the case with these little pistols as, in addition to their hurried manufacture, they have by now seen an additional 100 years of often hard use. Obviously, it is important to have a qualified gunsmith check out any Ruby-type pistol before attempting to fire it.

Besides the original manufacturing issues listed above, other problems may have arisen in the decades since these pistols were produced.

The condition of the original magazine is especially important, as a bad feed lip or worn-out springs will cause problems. Since most pistols only come with one mag, and magazine interchangeability is spotty at best, a bad mag can deadline an otherwise functional pistol.

The tiny sights make the pistols better suited for point shooting than precise aimed fire. The combination of the steel frame and low-powered .32 ACP cartridge reduces the felt recoil considerably. I was not able to bench test this particular pistol, but we were able to keep a full magazine inside a paper plate out to 10 yards. Accuracy began to drop considerably at 25 yards, and the best either of us could do was to keep about half the shots on a plate at that distance. The tiny sights and gritty trigger on this particular pistol made us work for even those results.

Although not rare by any means, except in certain variants, the Ruby pistol remains an interesting historical artifact. And even though it was hurried into production to meet insatiable wartime needs, the gun I tested still functioned as intended a century after it was produced.

If nothing else, shooting a Ruby pistol is a way to make a tangible connection to the time when the French struggled to survive during “the war to end all wars.”

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BULLET BULLETIN Five hundred and fifty-grain Woodleigh Weldcores loaded in Norma’s .450 Rigby African PH ammunition.

THE GOODLY WOODLEIGH A power-packed pill from Down Under, the Woodleigh Weldcore bullet is an excellent choice for large and dangerous game.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PHIL MASSARO

M

y phone rang; I was expecting the phone call, as I knew my pals were landing that morning at the JFK airport, just back from Zimbabwe. Dave deMoulpied –

of deMoulpied & Son Outdoor Adventures – had been hunting with our mutual friend, Dr. Mike McNulty, for both plains game and Cape buffalo.

I had loaded Mike’s ammo, .458 Lott with 500-grain Woodleigh Weldcore bullets, at 2,225 feet per second, and this load proved very accurate in his

Ruger RSM. He was after a buffalo cow, no less dangerous than the bulls that have such a fierce reputation. He was ecstatic on the phone.

“Buddy, that bullet hammered that cow. Didn’t go 25 yards.”

I had a feeling it would be like that. The Woodleigh Weldcore americanshootingjournal.com 133

bullet bulletin

A 500-grain Weldcore being handloaded in the .470 Nitro Express.

bullet, which hails from Australia, is among the finest choices for large and dangerous game. Round-nosed, with a bonded core, the Weldcore is designed for exactly that purpose; most are on the heavier side of weight choices for caliber, and that higher sectional density figure ensures good penetration. That round-nose profile will give fantastic energy transmission, and the Weldcore is soft enough up front to give the expansion needed to destroy vital tissue. The bonded core will hold the bullet together, even if the huge shoulder bones of a buffalo are hit.

So what we have is a bullet of a profile that transmits its energy quickly, has enough exposed lead so it expands the way a soft point should, yet has the proper structural integrity to ensure proper penetration into and through the vitals. Couple that with the fact that they are available in heavyfor-caliber choices, and you’ve got an absolute winning combination for any dangerous game animal, save elephant.

In the lighter calibers, such as the .30-06 Springfield and 7x57 Mauser, they make a great choice for African plains game, as well as larger North American deer species like elk and moose. I also like the Weldcore as a choice for black bear, whether over bait or at spot-and-stalk distances.

ONE OF THE OTHER BENEFITS of the Woodleigh Weldcore is the fact that they are designed with the same nose profile as the old Kynoch ammunition, for which so many of the classic double rifles were regulated. This makes the Woodleigh bullets, when driven at the velocity specified for regulation, absolutely perfect for providing ammunition for many of the obscure calibers, like the .475 No. 2 Jeffery or the .500-450 Nitro Express. Woodleigh has also had the foresight to provide their excellent bullets in some of the more rare calibers, like the .318 Westley Richards that I love so much.

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

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bullet bulletin bullet, the Woodleigh Weldcore is also the centerpiece of Norma’s African PH line of ammunition. Norma has chosen standard bullet weights for the rimmed, double rifle calibers, like the .375 H&H Flanged Magnum, the .500/416 Nitro Express, .450 Nitro Express, .470 Nitro Express and .500 Nitro Express. This will allow for proper regulation and accuracy for all of those double rifles still in use, offering a reliable source of ammunition for using vintage rifles.

The bolt-action calibers in the Norma line – the .375 H&H, .416 Rigby and Remington, .404 Jeffery, .458 Lott, .450 Rigby and .505 Gibbs – generally use a Woodleigh Weldcore bullet 50 grains heavier than the normal maximum, at a slower velocity.

This was the brainchild of Dr. Kevin Robertson, a Zimbabwean veterinarian and professional hunter better known as “Doctari.” Robertson’s concept was to develop stopping ammunition that

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Dr. McNulty and his cow Cape buffalo, taken cleanly with a 500-grain Woodleigh Weldcore.

americanshootingjournal.com 137

AMMO/RELOADING

A 450-grain Weldcore from a .416 Rigby, as loaded in the Norma African PH line, recovered from ballistic gel.

The .458-diameter, 500-grain Welcore recovered from McNulty’s buffalo cow.

wasn’t necessarily designed for longrange capability, but engineered for stopping a dangerous game animal within 50 yards.

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AMMO/RELOADING or the thick forests of North America, the Woodleigh Weldcore is a fantastic choice. I love it in the smaller cases, like .308 Winchester, .338 Federal and .350 Remington Magnum, where case capacity is prime real estate, and the Woodleigh Weldcore will keep its weight forward due to a round nose and flat base. I use them in my .318 Westley Richards – as a classic 250-grain setup – and in my .375 H&H and .404 Jeffery, as a multipurpose bullet for Africa. I love it in the .308 Winchester as a black bear cartridge in my native New York, and wouldn’t hesitate to use this as a feral hog bullet. I’ve got a sweet .275 Rigby rifle en route, and I’m loading the 175-grain 7mm Weldcore first and foremost!

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By developing a lighter, two-piece case with steel and aluminum, Shell Shock Technologies has begun to capture a share of the factory ammunition and reloading market.

These two-piece steel and aluminum ammo cases from Shell Shock Technologies were a hot topic at the most recent SHOT Show.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BOB SHELL

W

e live in an age where all types of novel ammo and reloading components are coming to the market.

That is good news for shooters, as many of these products are legitimate improvements over previous offerings.

One company, Shell Shock Technologies, has recently released 9mm cases using manufacturing methods not previously used, at least to my knowledge.

What sets Shell Shock apart is that the company produces a two-piece case made from nickel steel. The exact process is proprietary, therefore the methods used are not revealed.

However, I recently received some cases for evaluation, along with a sizing and decapping die and a belling die so I could load and shoot them. The bullet seating is done with a normal die, which isn’t included. The sizing and belling dies can also be used for standard brass cases, which is a plus because these new cases are superior to brass but will never replace them.

According to company literature, the cases are 50 percent lighter and two times stronger than brass, with a uniform wall thickness and proprietary assembly technique that leads to reliable and consistent velocity. The bottom of the case is an aluminum alloy, while a steel part

is the top, which makes the case magnetic and makes it easier to pick up at a range. I placed a number of them on the scale one at a time, and they all weighed 35 grains, with no variation. Some brass cases I weighed came in at 63 to 64 grains, so the advantage of lightweight cases would be evident if you had to carry a large amount of ammo. I also measured several of the Shell Shock cases for length and they all came in at .7505 inch with no variation. Obviously, no variation in weight and length among these cases would contribute to accuracy and consistency.

I also received 200 rounds of 9mm loads with copper 124-grain americanshootingjournal.com 145

RELOADING Shell Shock also provides specialized dies for sizing and decapping and belling.

SHELL SHOCK AND REGULAR BRASS CASE TESTING DATA LOAD

BULLET

VELOCITY

COMMENT

8 grs W-231

60-grain HP new ogive*

1,580.81

better

8 grs W-572

60-grain HP new ogive*

1,458.79

very consistent

7 grs Tite Group

60-grain HP

1,629.3

ok

5 grs Red (Shell Shock)

115-grain FMJ

861.75 (Beretta)

too light

5 grs Red (regular)

115-grain FMJ

827.46 (Beretta)

too light

5 grs Red (Shell Shock)

115-grain FMJ

859.2 (Norinco)

light

5 grs Red (regular)

115-grain FMJ

839.9 (Norinco)

light

4 grs Tite Group

115-grain FMJ (Dillon)

1,094.7

consistent feeds

6 grs W-231

115-grain FMJ

1,107.5

consistent

6.5 grs W-572

115-grain FMJ

1,063.18

consistent

6.5 grs W-572

115-grain FMJ

1,115.8 (Norinco)

consistent

6.5 grs W-572

115-grain cast coated

1,099.14

super consistent

7 grs W-572

115-grain FMJ Sig

1,153.46

nice load

7.5 grs W-572

115-grain FMJ Sig

1,270.25

consistent max

7.5 grs W-231

115-grain cast coated

1,139.82

very consistent

6 grs Red

115-grain FMJ

1,283.83 (Norinco)

high, extreme speed

HP bullets. These are produced by L-Tech Enterprises using the Shell Shock cases, and they sent some info showing penetration and weight retention results. They are consistent in size and weight as well, so if you are not a reloader, this ammo might be for you.

6 grs Red

115-grain FMJ

1,300.2 (Beretta)

high, extreme speed

FOR THE FIRST LOAD, I used five grains of Winchester 231 and a 115-grain FMJ bullet. This load is very mild and the cases were covered with soot, which is normal with light loads. Low-pressure loads don’t completely seal the chamber, which allows some powder to come back into the action. While messy, it is seldom an issue in regards to performance. The soot cleans off easily for those who like good-looking cases. Most nickel cases have that advantage, though brass needs extra cleaning if that is important to you.

So why would you purchase these cases as opposed to more conventional pieces, when most 9mm cases last several firings and are easy to obtain?

Performance-wise, there isn’t any big difference. But if you wanted to carry a large amount of ammo, the lightweight case really adds value, and if you combine this case with a lightweight bullet, then it would be 146

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

L-Tech

124-grain HP

1,085.55

consistent

L-Tech

124-grain HP

1,044.5

consistent

6.5 grs W-572

130-grain FMJ

1,073.8

nice load

5.5 grs Red

130-grain Acme

1,084.64 (Norinco)

fair

5.5 grs Red

130-grain Acme

1,090.5 (Beretta)

high, extreme speed

6.5 grs HS-6

135-grain HP Custom Die

945.8

mild, ok

6.5 grs HS-6

135-grain HP RCBS Die

912.1

fed ok

6 grs Unique

135-grain HP RCBS die

1,062.5

nice load

6 grs HS-6

147-grain Berry

924

better fed

6 grs W-572

147-grain Berry

1,080.89 (Beretta)

nice

5.2 grs Blue Dot

158-grain cast coated

762.18

consistent

* I initially tried using some CMA bullets in my testing, but the ogives were too blunt and wouldn’t feed, so I reformed them with a 9mm bullet die that I bought years ago. After that, they looked better and the diameter increased, which allowed them to be seated tighter and more consistent. When I changed the ogive, the diameter increased to .356 to .357, which is probably the reason that they were more consistent than the unformed bullets with a .355 diameter. The 60-grain bullet has some potential, so I am going to work with it in the future in regards to shape and loads. Since it is so light, velocity has to be high in order to cycle the gun. Such a load should be nice in a lightweight gun, as it will cut down on recoil.

Just for information purposes, I weighed some 9mm ammo with the following results: LOAD

BULLET

WEIGHT

Liberty factory 9mm

50-grain bullet

120 grains

9mm Shell Shock case

60-grain bullet

95 grains

9mm factory case

115-grain FMJ

186 grains

9mm Shell Shock case

115-grain FMJ

150 grains

9mm Shell Shock case

147-grain Berry

182 grains

americanshootingjournal.com 147

RELOADING A top view looking into the cases.

Measurements confirmed that Shell Shock cases are consistently uniform in both size and weight.

a really desirable product. Liberty Ammunition makes a 50-grain nonlead HP bullet, and that paired up with the Shell Shock case should make some top-rate ammo. Carrying a small amount of this ammo wouldn’t make a difference, but carrying or transporting a large amount would show a sizable advantage. I have a 60-grain bullet to work with, and at high velocity it should make a nice self-defense load.

I sized some fired cases with normal dies and don’t see any problems, and the effort is the same as with the special dies; belling is normal and priming feels a little odd. I tried some once-fired cases using both sets of dies and the effort appears identical, though lubing makes them easier to size. I noticed that a couple had increased the size of the groove, but I’m not sure if that is a function of the dies or a case. If you closely look at the groove, it shows that the case is a two-piece case. The inside is slightly shallower than a conventional case, but not by much (an average of .05 inch). A look at the inside of the custom die shows that it appears to be the same as a conventional one with a tungsten core.

It appears that the construction of the case is very different than a conventional piece of brass, and it will be interesting to see how they go through a Dillon or other progressive press. I am going to load cases with the same load but using both sets of dies. I have some 60-grain HP and had to size the new cases to make them fit tight enough. The 115-grain cast did not need to have the new cases sized.

For testing, I used a Beretta with a 148

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

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RELOADING 5-inch barrel, a SIG with a 4-inch barrel and a Norinco, giving us different guns to provide more info on what to expect with the cases and loads. Some of the cases have now been fired seven times; there is no indication of any problems, and I am using RCBS dies only, as I don’t see a need for the special ones.

That would make these cases even more desirable if it isn’t necessary to use special dies. Obviously, you should test their dies to see which method works best for you.

Testing was conducted using a Beretta (bottom) and a 9mm long-slide Glock, as well as (not pictured) a Norinco.

150

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

I RECENTLY RECEIVED SOME new powders from Chris Hodgdon that resemble some older powders such as Red Dot. Since I received the powders from Hodgdon while trying out the new cases, I decided to try a couple loads with the Shell Shock cases, starting with the Red. In these tests, the cases held up after five or six firings using standard RCBS dies. I tried many loads using the three handguns I

americanshootingjournal.com 151

RELOADING

A shiny new Shell Shock Shoc case and bullet.

(SHELL SHOCK)

mentioned to get a good overview of the h case, along with the new powder pow ty of bullets. I made some s and a variety of the lighter bullets myself yself (such as the 60-grainer), as they are not generally available. The Acme bullet is a cast item with a red coating that tends to make them slick and aids in feeding.

These numbers were rounded off, and you can see that if you needed to carry a large quantity of ammo, the Shell Shock cases would cut down on the weight enough to make a difference. The 60-grain CMA fared best, but still jammed on occasion in the Norinco. Of course, that would

152

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

render it unsuitable for defense work, but I will try and work with the ogive, though due to the short length that may be difficult.

The 147-grain Berry did well with the heavier load of Hodgdon’s HS-6 with no stovepipes. Like any situation and gun, it is recommended that you thoroughly check out the ammo that is intended to be carried.

I took the 135-grain CMA and changed the ogive to a more rounded shape to ensure that it will feed in everything. In addition, they were .354 in diameter and the reshaping increased it to .358. Since there is a possibility that they may cause some problems, I reduced it to .356. Some .357-diameter bullets (a FMJ and a cast coated, both roundnose) were swaged down to .356. The purpose is for subsonic loads. A company called Liberty Ammunition makes some high-performance ammo using lighter than standard bullets. The

9mm bullet weighs 50 grains, so I measured a loaded round. The Shell Shock case weighs 35 grains, so a loaded round with a Liberty bullet would weigh 85 grains. Several companies are currently using Shell Shock cases, and I would like to see Liberty pick them up with their 50-grain bullets.

I was also curious as to the case capacity of Shell Shock casings compared to other commercial cases.

I used Winchester 572 filled to the top on each case and the results surprised me. I thought that the Shell Shock case would have more capacity based on their weight. My “nonscientific” results showed Shell Shock and PMC held 13.1 grains, Federal and Winchester 13.2 grains and GFI 13.3 grains. As you can see, they are very similar. The next step is to use the same load in both types of cases.

ONE THING I HAVEN’T NOTICED is any

on the Dillon and they fed flawlessly, so there should be no issues but they have to be lubed regardless of which dies or machine is used to load them.

That would be the only downside. That new powder W-572 seems to work well in the 9mm rounds; you just need to adjust Here is some L-Tech factory ammo with Shell Shock brass, in this the loads. case, a 124-grain bullet.

Based on my observations and tests, these cases mention of the cases being reloaded are here to stay. They are durable and on a progressive machine. That would be a plus, if that is the case. Therefore, can compete with conventional brass cases in regards to price and reloading I had a friend run some through life. I can see other companies his Dillion 550. Other than the coming out with versions of them, requirement that they be lubed, the and hopefully other calibers will be process went off without a hitch. With offered. In a few years they will have a normal bullet everything went fine. a good share of the market, though We fired some of the rounds made

they won’t entirely replace the brass cases for several reasons. They have a few upsides such as durability and price, and since they are partly steel a magnet will pick them up. I have fired hundreds of rounds and had one case that split. I can live with that.

The only downside is the requirement that they have to be lubed. A quick spray-on may speed up the process with a progressive machine. I would recommend that you give this product a try, and if you do, I think you will become a customer.

To learn more information, please visit shellshocktechnologies.com. Also, since this technology is new, Shell Shock has produced a video on how to use their dies and cases. There are some differences from standard practices, so it would behoove you to check out the video prior to using their products. You can find it online (along with other pertinent information) at s3reload.com.

americanshootingjournal.com 153

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American Ame meeric r an a Sho Shooting h oti ot ng ng Jou Journal urna rnall // / M May ay y 2017 20117

BLACK POWDER

THE GREAT FLINTLOCK DUCK HUNT

On a cold winter day in western Washington, two duck hunting rookies loaded up on No. 2 shot and expert advice to take on some wily webfoots.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT

Here’s author Mike Nesbitt’s favorite 20-gauge “flinter,” with a 20-inch barrel.

C

edarville Farms, located in Oakville, Washington, is an active farm that includes a working millworks facility. But perhaps more applicable to the topic of this column, it is also home to a waterfowl hunting club situated on more than 100 acres with five swales, a tree-enclosed pond, and 2,500 feet of river frontage.

Owner Jon McAninch always donates a couple of two-person guided hunts to the annual Washington Waterfowl Association (WWA) raffle, and since I was one of last year’s lucky winners, I was able to select a partner. I chose Mike Moran, the president of the Washington State Muzzleloading Association, because I knew I could count on him to join me in hunting with a flintlock rifle.

Jon and Kurt Snyder – the chairman of the Grays Harbor chapter of the WWA – made our group a foursome. In addition to his duck hunting knowledge, Kurt was a

huge help because it was he who put out the decoys and doubled as our retriever for getting our birds out of the water.

Ironically, neither Jon nor Kurt likes black powder shooting with

muzzleloaders, and neither Mike nor I consider ourselves duck hunters.

In other words, we were going to need their help to collect a couple of ducks, and they were more than glad to provide it.

Mike Moran (left) and Mike Nesbitt with the ducks they bagged using flintlocks. americanshootingjournal.com 157

BLACK POWDER

Mike Moran’s 20-gauge Northwest gun has a 36-inch barrel.

MY “DUCK GUN” OF CHOICE was actually a short-barreled “canoe gun” in 20 gauge with the 20-inch barrel. From my point of view, it shoots with the best of the flintlock smoothbores. And, since I’ve used it in several rifle matches where it served me well enough to give me some rather good scores, this was the only gun that I even considered for my duck adventure.

Although Mike is well aware of my faith and trust in short-barreled guns, when he got the kit to make his Northwest gun, he chose one with a 36-inch barrel. I suppose the longer barrel must add some advantages, although I’ve yet to discover what those might be. But despite the difference in length, both of our guns use cylinder bore barrels with no choke at all, so we knew the shot patterns would most likely be very similar. Mike also selected a 20 gauge because that is probably the best all-around bore size for a Northwest gun.

This hunt took place on a cold winter’s day on Medicine Creek, which is at the high end of the Nisqually River delta, in Washington’s southernmost Puget Sound. And though Jon and Kurt had some established duck blinds in the area, Mike and I took up positions behind a log and some brush beside the slow-moving creek. Less than half a dozen decoys were anchored in the water near us. We were to hunker down to remain out of sight (always good advice), and were told in no uncertain terms that when the ducks came in, they’d be coming in fast.

Our flintlocks were loaded with steel air-rifle BBs. Jon had been very specific about what size of birdshot we might use in our 20-gauge guns.

The birdshot, of course, must be steel, and Jon suggested that we use large shot so kills could be counted on; we wanted no wounded birds getting away. He recommended No. 2s or larger.

Since those BBs were most likely

harder than the barrels of our guns, due consideration had to be made to put together loads just for duck hunting. First, we’d pour 75 grains of black powder down our guns’ barrels.

The granulation of powder I used was Olde Eynsford 2F. Then came the same volume of BBs, contained in 20-gauge Remington Power Pistons.

And because the amount of BBs more than filled the Power Pistons, we generally used Wonder Wads as overshot cards to give the bore a bit of lubricant ahead of the BBs. OUR GUIDES GOT US INTO POSITION after we had loaded our guns. Jon headed out to other parts of the area to scare up some ducks, while Kurt remained with us, primarily as our “retriever.” Kurt was a very good hunting guide. He was able to identify ducks that were coming toward us when they still looked like black dots to Mike and me.

We’ll both be eager to hunt with the “Jon and Kurt team” again.

CAYWOOD GUNMAKERS

A side-by-side size comparison of Mike and Mike’s flintlocks. The author’s is on the bottom.

158

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

If you have an interest in an authentic flintlock smoothbore, Caywood Gunmakers offer a fine selection of English, French, and American smoothbores and rifles, and their guns are offered as kits or already assembled. Their slogan is “Grab a Caywood and sparks will fly.” Visit their web site at caywoodguns.com, or call (870) 423-4741.

americanshootingjournal.com 159

BLACK POWDER Then some more ducks came in, and these followed a flight plan more to our liking. But all too quickly Mike and I were looking at each other holding empty flintlocks, and no ducks had even broken formation! Clean misses! In fact, very clean misses.

Finally the spell was broken.

A flight of half a dozen ducks approached, and I picked out one I’d try for. They got into our desired range and I stood up to take my shot.

When I rose, the duck swung sharply to its left, my right, but I had guessed that would happen and kept up plus a little ahead of it with my gun. When my flintlock spoke, the duck took some hard hits and for a moment seemed to stop midair. Then it was lifeless and simply tumbled down to the water. The first duck of the hunt was mine, but I certainly didn’t take it with my first shot.

There was no time to gloat, so I

160

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Mike Moran helps Kurt Snyder (right) to bring in the decoys.

americanshootingjournal.com ame ric i anshoo oo oti tin i gjo j urnal. l com 116 161 61

BLACK POWDER simply reloaded. My gun had just received its fresh load when Mike’s gun roared. When I stood up to see what was going on, there was a wounded duck in the water ahead of us and my gun was quickly unloaded in order to end any miseries the duck might have felt. That was Mike’s first duck; he had taken it out of the air and all claims to it were his.

Later, we finally had some moments to reflect on our successful shots.

The image of the duck I killed almost stopping in the air actually looked like an easy shot. That was the type of shot we had come to that spot for. In fact, it looked so easy that I have no idea why I couldn’t do it again.

Suddenly a lone duck flew our way and Mike stood up to take the shot. It was a very good shot at a fast-flying bird, and although the duck was hit hard, its speed and momentum carried it through the air to crash behind us. That was Mike’s second

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duck and it looked like our day of hunting was over. That’s also when the pictures you see here were taken, and in some of them you can see the long shadows that accompany late afternoon photography.

IT WAS AFTER THE PHOTOS were taken that Kurt noticed a dead pintail hen.

At first it was thought that the hen had been killed by other hunters who were there the day before but the duck wasn’t frozen. It was still warm and, in fact, it showed a single wound to the breast made by a BB, so it was clearly one of ours. It must have taken the hit, perhaps like a heart shot, but continued flying until over or behind us before it reached the ground. Mike suggested that I take it because that would give us each two birds for the hunt. I appreciated the gesture, and claiming the pintail really added to my day.

Mike and I decided that additional

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American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Cedarville Farms owner Jon McAninch admires the author’s short Northwest gun, saying, “This is light!”

flintlock hunts would be a good thing, perhaps for grouse or rabbits next time. Different kinds of game offers challenges of another sort, and you’re never too young to learn. We also agreed to do more practice shooting with our flintlocks using birdshot on flying, running, and bouncing targets simply to be a bit better the next time we take those guns afield.

americanshootingjournal.com 163

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SHOOTERS SHELF

A FINE FIRST SALVO This initial offering in a proposed set of four volumes on Sharps rifles details everything you’ve ever wanted to know about them, with plenty of wonderful photographs to back it all up.

STORY BY MIKE NESBITT

Sharps Firearms, Volume II

By Roy Marcot and Ron Paxton with DeWitt Bailey II and Richard Labowskie, M.D. 388 pages, standard hardbound edition, $89.95 ISBN 10:0-9611494-6-9

The first of a four-volume set on the history of Sharps rifles is now available.

>

THIS VOLUME EASILY LIVES UP to its hefty “coffee table” format, measuring 10 inches by 12 inches and weighing in at more than 6 pounds. But it is what comes between the covers that really makes this a wonderful resource. The volume has 388 pages nicely divided into 10 chapters. The first three are devoted to the early development of the metallic cartridges and the early Sharps rifles that used them. Chapter 4 is about the Sharps Model 1869 Sporting Rifles, and I have already spent several hours visiting those 24 pages alone. The remainder of the book (Chapters 5 through 10) is devoted to the Model 1874 in sporting rifles, sporting rifle characteristics and features, military rifles, military carbines, buffalo hunting, and buffalo rifles and hunters. Let’s just say that the coverage of those early cartridge models, conversions, the Model 1869 and the 1874 is very complete.

>

M

y editor tells me that the key to writing a good book review is being brief, but it will be very difficult to remain brief about this new volume on Sharps Firearms simply because there is so much to say. Obviously, as a long-time collector and the Black Powder columnist for this magazine, this subject interests me very much, and this book dives into that subject with many details that have not been given the proper attention before.

But in the necessity of remaining brief [Editor’s note: “Thanks, Mike”], let me say that this is the book that Sharps rifle fans and collectors have been waiting for. Correction – it is one of the books they have awaited, as this current edition is just one entry out of a planned four-volume set on Sharps Firearms. And, to clear up any possible confusion, Volume II – which is dedicated to the cartridge-firing Sharps rifles from the early 1866 versions to the most famous, the Model of 1874 – has come out first simply because it was ready first. So don’t go looking around for a Volume I, yet.

An example of the detailed color photographs found throughout the book.

But above and beyond the informative text in this new book is a vast number of excellent photographs. More than 1,300 images of original Sharps rifles were taken for this set, and they are displayed in very large, full-color pages. Words can’t accurately or adequately compliment the fine photos of the Sharps rifles in this book.

All Sharps rifle fans will want to get a copy of this volume. It is available in two different editions; the standard hardbound edition is priced at $89.95 (add $10 for postage and insurance). A Special Deluxe Edition is also available. It comes leather bound with a slip case, page ribbon and giltedge pages for $165, plus $15 for postage and insurance. To place an order, mail those checks (made out to Northwood Heritage Press) to Roy Marcot, 12655 E. Horsehead Road, Tucson, AZ 85749. If you have any questions regarding an order, call Marcot at (520) 906-0716 or email him at roymarcot@msn.com. In addition, gun clubs and other organizations can seek special book pricing. americanshootingjournal.com 165

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AR-15 upper receiver See us on page 118

Upper receiver See us on page 172

CMR modular locking accessory system (M-Lok) handguard See us on page 55

DIAMONDBACK FIREARMS DB10 Diamondback barrel See us on page 44

GUNTEC UNT NT TEC USA USA A

AR .308 Airlite Series Cal Stripped Billet Upper Receiver See us on page 15

SANDERS SAN SA AN ARMORY

AXC TACTICAL

Lower receiver parts kit See us on page 167

Strike Industries AR Enhanced Castle Nut an and Extended End Plate See us on page 3

WHIT WHITE IT TE OAK OA AK AK ARMAMENT ARMA A RMA RMAM MA AMEN ENT T U Upper receiver fixture See us on page 65

SPINTA PRECISION 4.5-inch 9mm barrel See us on page 129

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HIGH SPEED SHOOTING STABILIZER

SUPERLATIVE ARMS

.750-inch adjustable piston system See us on page 79

Fang shooting stabilizer See us on page 20

DEZ ARMS, INC

16-inch, 7.62x39 match-grade fluted AR-15 barrel See us on page 82

RUBBER CITY ARMORY

Low-mass competition bolt-carrier group See us on page 114

DELPHI D EL LPHI H TA TACTICAL AC CTIC CA C AL AL DP-10 billet receiver set See us on page 27

POLYMER80

.308 WarrHogg 80 percent polymer y lower receiver Seee us on page 124

LAYKE TACTICAL LT-10 lower receiver See us on page 110

VELOCITY TRIGGERS

3-pound curved trigger See us on page 26

TAC-CON C

3MR R trigger trigg See page 135 ee us on pa

TRIG TRIGGER RIGG GGE ER TECH TEC T ECH EC CH Flat trigger See us on page 164

LANTAC

3PSS curved trigger See us on page 170

R&J FIREARMS Crown muzzle brake See us on page 56

DEAD FOOT ARMS LLC

Modified cycle system See us on page 39

SILENCER SHOP Surefire suppressor See us on page 130

ELITE IRON

OP-COM .223/5.56mm muzzle brake See us on page 132

HUBER CONCEPTS Square brake See us on page 88

MACHETE FIREARMS THORDSEN CUSTOMS

MVB INDUSTRIES

Model MF10 lower See us on page 28

AR-pistol cheek rest See us on page 23

ARC-Xti stock See us on page 172

SRT ARMS

Titanium cans See us on page 130

AMERICAN BUILT ARMS COMPANY

LUTH-AR

MBA-3 buttstock See us on page 37

Urban Sniper stock See us on page 113

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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

GAINING A TACTICAL ADVANTAGE

With Armaspec always adding products to its American-made accessory arsenal, we decided to catch up with the company’s president, Alex Iosilevsky, to find out more.

The Stealth Recoil Spring is a multi-stage drop-in replacement for your standard buffer and spring.

INTERVIEW BY THE EDITORS PHOTOS BY ARMASPEC

A

rmaspec produces quality, innovative AR accessories designed to give you the ultimate tactical advantage. Our recent conversation with Armaspec president Alex Iosilevsky helped shed some light on their growing line.

American Shooting Journal: You have

been coming out with some really innovative products for the AR platform lately. Can you tell us a little about your XPDW stock?

Alex Iosilevsky: We have been working on a lot of really cool stuff; some of the products have been released and others should be released in the near future. The XPDW stock is one of those products. We had requests from consumers and agencies to come up with a solution that would not require changing the buffer tube

or bolt carrier group and still provide the PDW functionality. The XPDW stock clamps right onto a standard Mil-Spec buffer tube with no other modifications. We had a few other solutions, but we wanted to keep the MSRP at $179 for this release.

ASJ: How about your color parts, like your Ambidextrous Safety Selector and Extended Mag release – are they just as easy to install as the Mil-Spec?

AI: All of our products are just as americanshootingjournal.com 171

As seen at

Brownells.com & BeyerBarrels.com

Ultralight rimfire barrels For the Ruger 1022 and 1022 takedown barrels as well as the AR15 dedicated uppers.

Match chambers and 7075 aluminum.

Bull barrels, mid weight and factory taper barrels now with straight or diamond fluting.

To buy direct call Clint at 360 640 1497 Also available at Brownells or other various dealers.

189179 HWY 101 Forks, WA 98331

PURPOSE BUILT

MADE IN THE USA

AR15 Compact Stock

K ONLY -

C ARC STO

GUN NOT

D

INCLUDE

ending

Patent P

QD Sling ent Point Attachm

ARC STOCK www.mvbindustries.com 172

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

• Collapsed 4 7/8 vs. Deployed 8 7/8 • Weight: 1.4 lbs.

• Operates with any Milspec BCG • Body: 7075 Aircraft Grade Aluminum

• Type III Hardcoat Anodized • Rails: 17/4 Stainless Steel Nitrided • Includes Propiertary Buffer & Spring Assembly • 9mm Buffer Available

americanshootingjournal.com 173

company SPOTLIGHT

Armaspec’s new XPDW stock.

easy to install as Mil-Spec products.

Regarding color options, we initially only sold black, flat dark earth, olive drab green. When we launched the red color option, it was a huge success and at that time we started looking at launching other colors. At SHOT Show 2017 we added blue, dark blue, gold and purple as color options for a lot of our products. We have seen most of the colors sell very well, and we will continue to carry these color options for most of our products.

ASJ: Armaspec offers a recoil reduction spring. Can you tell us about that and why someone would want this?

AI: Absolutely. The Stealth Recoil Spring is a drop-in replacement for a standard buffer and spring. It has lots of benefits over a standard buffer and spring. It not only reduces the felt recoil with the multistage spring 174

American Shooting Journal // May 2017

Rhino R-23 Magwell Grip

system, but also creates a smoother recoil. The sound of the spring scraping against the buffer tube is eliminated with the Stealth Recoil Spring by keeping the buffer spring away from the buffer tube. We also removed the metal on metal contact between the bolt carrier and the buffer with the addition of an O-ring. The Stealth Recoil Spring comes in six different configurations to fit your buffer needs: SRS-C for carbines, SRS-9 for 9mm, or SRS-308 to handle the heavier recoil and longer bolt of a .308.

ASJ: You have many other parts to trick out an AR, as well. What are your favorites that you think our readers would really like?

AI: I like all the stuff we make. I am sure every reader has their own configuration that they are trying to optimize. Our stainless-steel gun

builder/LKP part kit is a great product if you have a stripped lower and want to start that next build. We’ve color-matched the button, selector levers and trigger guard to create that unique look. The titanium takedown/ pivot pins are a great choice as well.

ASJ: Do you have some cool new products coming out soon that you can share with us?

AI: There are a few products that we will be releasing soon and others that are currently in development. The Victory charging handle should be out shortly, as well as our AKPDW stock. We also have a few products in development that utilize our new Mini-Stealth Recoil Spring and that should be out later this year.

Visit armaspec.com for more information on all of Armaspec’s product offerings.

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