10sdcsdsdc by 11blabmagg84

T h e

S C C Y

P e r p e t u a l

W a r r a n t y

ONLY A GUN THIS GREAT COULD HAVE A WARRANTY

THIS IMPRESSIVE E. 9mm • Capacity: 10+1 MSRP: $315 (CPX-2) includes 2 mags.

SCCY offers the industry’s most comprehensive warranty. We’ll repair any defect or damage at no charge. And our remarkable warranty actually stays with the gun when it’s sold or traded. How can we have a warranty this good? Because we’re so sure that most of our customers will never need it. The NEW American gun company founded on the radical idea that the customer comes frst.

1800 CONCEPT COURT, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114

866.729.7599 | WWW.SCCY.COM

32 FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 58, ISSUE 1

A Top 10 10mm Les Baer has added 10mm Auto to the list of cartridges he now chambers. Here’s an exclusive report on the new Premier II 10mm with 6-inch barrel. Joel J. Hutchcroft

38 46 54 56

58 2

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

Fresh Take Uberti’s new 1873 Cattleman II offers an inventive solution to the old but relevant safety issue concerning the classic, traditional Colt-type single-action mechanism. Jake Edmondson

The 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum Weatherby’s belted magnum “Formula One” rifle cartridge is the fastest 6.5mm factory cartridge in the world. Joseph von Benedikt

The Ultimate Sporting Clays Gun Mossberg’s new 930 Pro-Series Sporting was designed to be the optimal sporting clays gun, and it’s a great all-around shotgun too. Steve Gash

Quick Shot MRI MLR22WMH .22 WMR The tackdriving semiautomatic MLR22WMH is chambered for .22 WMR and features MRI’s lightweight graphite barrel. Joel J. Hutchcroft

Quick Shot LaserMax Spartan Laser & Light This laser/light runs on a AAA battery, fits compact and fullsize Picatinny and Weaver rails, has dual paddle switches, and is programmable for steady or pulsed beam. Jake Edmondson

Quick Shot Federal Syntech Ammunition Syntech ammo uses “synthetic jacket technology” to shoot cleaner and cooler, produce less bullet splashback, and reduce wear on a gun’s bore. Joel J. Hutchcroft

EXCELLENCE IN TRIGGER DESIGN

SUPERIOR U E ERGONOMICS

Creed: A set of fundamental beliefs that guide one’s actions. Walther believes in superior ergonomics, excellence in trigger design, and unparalleled accuracy, quality, and reliability. The new Walther Creed is built on these principles. We live our Creed so you can believe in it.

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 58, ISSUE 1

SHOOTER’S UPDATE

An Outdoor Sportsman Group® Publication

PUBLISHER

8 Readers Speak Out

Chris Agnes

The 7mm Magnums are effective, more information about the Swedish Mauser, what goes around comes around, and more

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Joel J. Hutchcroft COPY EDITOR Michael Brecklin

10 New Guns & Gear Browning Black Label 1911-380 Pro, Birchwood Casey SportLock Gun Cases, AIM Sport XPF Riflescopes, Elite Survival Systems Liberty GunPack

12 Ask the Experts Do manufacturers have a standard for the term “match grade,” and can .38 Special ammo be fired in a .38 Long Colt revolver?

SHOOTER’S GALLERY 14 The Shootist

CONTRIBUTORS Jake Edmondson Steve Gash Allan Jones Lane Pearce Layne Simpson Bart Skelton Joseph von Benedikt Terry Wieland

ART ART DIRECTOR Luke M. Bouris GROUP ART DIRECTOR David A. Kleckner STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Anschuetz

PRODUCTION

Winchester Model 1400 Joseph von Benedikt

PRODUCTION MANAGER Terry Boyer PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jenny Kaeb

18 The Ballistician .380 ACP Allan Jones

ENDEMIC AD SALES NATIONAL ENDEMIC SALES Jim McConville (440) 791-7017 WESTERN REGION Hutch Looney (818) 990-9000

22 The Reloader Handloading the ELD-X Lane Pearce

MIDWEST REGION Rob Walker (309) 679-5069

SHOOTER’S SHOWCASE

EAST REGION Pat Bentzel (717) 695-8095

CORPORATE AD SALES EAST COAST ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kathy Gross (678) 589-2065

60 Gunsmoke Wild Bill Hickok’s 75-Yard Shooting Feat Terry Wieland

MIDWEST ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Kevin Donley (248) 798-4458 MIDWEST & MOUNTAIN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Carl Benson (312) 955-0496

64 Hipshots The Master of Triggernometry Joel J. Hutchcroft

DIRECT RESPONSE ADVERTISING/NON-ENDEMIC Anthony Smyth (914) 693-8700 Shooting Times (ISSN 0038-8084) is published monthly with a bimonthly issue in Dec/Jan by Outdoor Sportsman Group®, 1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018-3703. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Shooting Times, P.O. Box 37539, Boone, IA 50037-0539. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to 500 Rt 46 East, Clifton, NJ 07011. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product/Sales Agreement No. 41405030.

facebook.com/ShootingTimesMag

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

shootingtimes.com

twitter.com/ShootingTimesUS

Readers Speak Out Illustration: ©mstanley13 - fotolia.com New Guns & Gear Illustration: ©Oleksandr Moroz - fotolia.com Ask the Experts Illustration: ©rukanoga - fotolia.com

DESIGNED WITH THE TOUGHEST STANDARDS IN MIND BUILT TO PERFORM IN THE HARSHEST CONDITIONS

Short Takeup Trigger with Positive Reset

Recoil-Reducing Barrel Cam, Low Mass Slide, Low Center of Gravity and Low Bore Axis

Genuine Novak ® LoMount Carry Three-Dot Sights

Modular Wrap-Around Grip System for Adjusting Palm Swell and Trigger Reach

Safe, Easy Takedown with No Tools or Trigger Pull Required

Anything Else Would Be Un-American.

™

Ambidextrous Slide Stop, Manual Safety and Magazine Release Allow Actuation with Either Hand (Pro Models Come without External Safety)

Designed with the latest U.S. Military standards in mind, the Ruger American Pistol is built ®

to perform in the harshest conditions. A true American innovation, this pistol was developed through a rigorous “Voice of the Customer” process – where numerous law enforcement and military trainers, firearms experts, distributors and retailers provided input, feedback and testing in the determination of the form, function and features of this firearm. The resultant reducing barrel cam (which is designed to better spread recoil energy over time) with a low mass

Complete Your Ruger American Pistol® with the Officially Licensed Blade-Tech® Total Eclipse Holster at Your Local Retailer or Online at ShopRuger.com

slide, low center of gravity and a low bore axis to provide an unparalleled shooting experience.

RUGER.COM/AMERICANPISTOL

new pistol is a revolutionary platform for Ruger, one that utilizes the combination of a recoil-

092616

EDITOR'S NOTE

FEBRUARY 2017 VOLUME 58, ISSUE 1

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jeff Paro EVP, GROUP PUBLISHER, HUNTING & SHOOTING Mike Carney SENIOR VP, TV OPERATIONS, GROUP PUBLISHER, FISHING Steve Hoffman VP, FINANCE & OPERATIONS Derek Sevcik VP, CONSUMER MARKETING Peter Watt VP, MANUFACTURING Deb Daniels VP, CONTENT DEVELOPMENT Todd Smith VP, DIGITAL SALES David Plante DIRECTOR, MARKETING Kim Shay SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION Connie Mendoza DIRECTOR, PUBLISHING TECHNOLOGY Kyle Morgan OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN GROUP® DIGITAL DIRECTOR, DIGITAL AD OPS Reggie Hudson EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, FISHING Jeff Simpson EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, HUNTING & SHOOTING Randy Hynes

ALL OF US AT OUTDOOR SPORTSMAN GROUP ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE

new My Outdoor TV (MOTV) App, which allows you to access thousands of hours of your favorite shooting, hunting, and fishing outdoor television shows from the Outdoor Channel, the Sportsman Channel, and the World Fishing Network. It’s also a great solution for those who can’t get our linear channels. The MOTV App works on all devices—computers, tablets, and smartphones— so you can stream and download episodes, take them with you, and view them whenever you like. It’s much like Netflix, except targeted only to outdoor enthusiasts, and it lets you choose the HD video content you want to watch, when and where you want to watch it. It’s an easy-to-find, on-demand reservoir of dedicated hunting, shooting, and fishing content. Because readers of Shooting Times are obviously interested in shooting, some of the shows in the shooting genre on MOTV that will tickle your fancy are Guns & Ammo Television, Shooting USA, Gunny Time (with R. Lee Ermey), Gun Stories (with Joe Mantegna), Shooting Gallery (with Michael Bane), The Best Defense, Personal Defense TV, Handguns & Defensive Weapons, Hot Shots, Gunfather, and many others. One that I particularly enjoy is Shooting USA’s Impossible Shots where professional exhibition shooters, including Bob Munden, Byron Ferguson, and Tom Knapp, demonstrate their incredible shooting skills. You can search by genre (shooting in this example), and then you can pick the type of shooting (let’s say self-defense) and get exactly the content you want. For example, if you’re concerned about fending off an attacker in your home, search for “home invasion” on MOTV and then just watch that content. If you’re looking for information about hunting, you can search by species and region. Subscribers get to choose exactly what/when/where they want to watch. And the available content is not just archival footage; it includes longform content as well as short tips and techniques, wild game and fish recipes, how-tos, and much more. Again, MOTV allows users to watch thousands of the best outdoor shows on the planet at any time at any place. It’s available to anyone with a computer, smartphone, or tablet, including those who haven’t previously been able to watch content that has appeared on our linear TV channels. And with MOTV’s “Take With Me” feature, subscribers can watch content at the shooting range, in the blind, or anywhere outside of cell/Wi-Fi range. Check it out at www.myoutdoortv.com. We think you’re going to want to give it a try. Joel J. Hutchcroft 6

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

For questions regarding digital editions, please contact digitalsupport@outdoorsg.com MEDIA outdoorsg.com TELEVISION outdoorchannel.com thesportsmanchannel.com worldfishingnetwork.com

HUNTING bowhunter.com bowhuntingmag.com gundogmag.com petersenshunting.com northamericanwhitetail.com wildfowlmag.com

FISHING bassfan.com floridasportsman.com flyfisherman.com gameandfishmag.com in-fisherman.com

SHOOTING gunsandammo.com handguns.com rifleshootermag.com shootingtimes.com firearmsnews.com

Copyright 2016 by Outdoor Sportsman Group® All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission. Shooting Times® is a registered trademark of Outdoor Sportsman Group® in the United States. The Publisher and authors make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the information contained in this publication. Any reliance or use of the information is solely at your own risk, and the authors and publisher disclaim any and all liability relating thereto. Any prices given in this issue were suggested prices at the press time and are subject to change. Some advertisements in this magazine may concern products that are not legally for sale to California residents or residents in other jurisdictions. SUBSCRIPTIONS INQUIRIES: Should you wish to change your address, order new subscriptions, or report a problem with your current subscription, you can do so by writing Shooting Times, P.O. Box 37539, Boone, IA 50037-0539, or E-mail us at stmcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com, or call TOLL FREE 1-800-727-4353 or 1-800-494-2267. BE AWARE THAT SHOOTING TIMES ONLY ACCEPTS SUBSCRIPTION REQUESTS FROM AUTHORIZED AGENTS! WE MAY NOT HONOR REQUESTS FROM UNAUTHORIZED AGENTS, AND YOU THEREFORE MAY LOSE YOUR MONEY IF YOU BUY FROM AN UNAUTHORIZED AGENT. If you are offered a subscription to Shooting Times, please call 1-800-727-4353 to determine if the agent is authorized. For more information on subscription scams, please visit www.ftc.gov. Subscription rate for one year is $23.98 (U.S., APO, FPO, and U.S. possessions). Canada add $13.00 (U.S. funds) per year, includes sales tax and GST. Foreign add $15.00 (U.S. funds) per year. Occasionally, our subscriber list is made available to reputable firms offering goods and services that we believe would be of interest to our readers. If you prefer to be excluded, please send your current address label and a note requesting to be excluded from these promotions to: Outdoor Sportsman Group®, 1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018-3703, Attn: Privacy Coordinator FOR REPRINTS: For Reprints/Eprints or Licensing/Permissions, please contact: Wright’s Media - TOLL FREE 1-877-652-5295. BOOKS, DVD’S & BACK ISSUES: TOLL FREE 1-800-260-6397 or visit our online store at www.outdoorsg.com/store. CONTRIBUTIONS: Manuscripts, photographs and artwork must be submitted to the editorial department with a SASE. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited material. Please send to: Shooting Times, Editor, 2 News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61614. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

SHOOTER’S UPDATE READERS SPEAK OUT

NEW GUNS & GEAR

ASK THE EXPERTS

The “Sveltest” AR In the October 2016 issue, Rock River Arms’s AR is not quite the “sveltest” AR available! It is almost 1 pound heavier than my Christensen Arms VTAC 15! Check out the VTAC 15, a standard manufactured AR, not a “custom” rifle. Weight: 5.3 pounds; full-length Picatinny rail; 2to 2.5-pound, crisp, no-creep trigger; 45-degree short/quick throw on/off safety, not the standard 90-degree throw; carbonfiber-wrapped stainless-steel barrel; Wilde multi-caliber chamber; 30-round magazine; five-pocket soft carry case, etc. A little pricey at $2,300, but I needed/ wanted one AR for self-defense, and this one fits my bill! F. Pipoli Via e-mail

Don’t Forget the 6.5 Swedish I ENJOYED READING THE NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE, ESPECIALLY THE ARTICLES

regarding the 7mm Mags. Having hunted on five continents and taken more than 500 head of big game with various 7mms, I can attest to their effectiveness. Joseph Von Benedikt hits it on the nose when comparing the 7mm Remington Magnum with the 7mm Weatherby Magnum. It is about the psi difference. Handloading the 7mm Rem. Mag. since 1980 and firing thousands of rounds with various 160- and 175-grain bullets has proven that “exceeding” the 61,000 psi for the Remington produces the velocities of the Weatherby. It is not the Venturi shoulder of the Weatherby that makes the difference. Case capacity is also a factor. In 1982 I had Bart Obermyer build me a cut rifle barrel and chamber it so that I could seat the Nosler 175-grain Partition bullet out to an overall length of 3.44 inches, giving the case 3 grains more powder capacity. Bart told me it’s always about pressure. He was correct. That load shot at 3,143 fps as accurately as any rifle one could hope to own. True magnum performance. It’s also obvious to me from the Steve Gash article that he was trying to duplicate factory performance with his handloads. It is relatively easy for a handloader to achieve 3,000 fps with 175-grain bullets in the 7mm Rem. Mag. and 3,100+ fps with 160-grain bullets from a 24-inch barrel. In my testing I have found a loss greater than 25 fps per inch of barrel from 26 inches down to 20 inches. My results show a loss of more than 50 fps. There is a significant difference from 20 inches to 24 inches. Of the six rifles I have chambered in 7mm Rem. Mag., the shortest barrel is 24.5, and the longest is 26 inches. Thanks to Gash, von Benedikt, and Shooting Times for the great effort and research. Well done. Jeff Belongia Via e-mail 8

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

I am grateful for the two excellent 6.5mm-oriented columns in the October 2016 issue. Terry Wieland’s “Gunsmoke” column on the Ruger FTW Hunter immediately raises the question of how its accuracy will compare with Ruger’s Precision Rifle also in 6.5 Creedmoor—of course using Hornady factory ammunition. Lane Pearce’s otherwise well-written piece on 6.5mm cartridges neglects to mention that it is entirely feasible to load the 6.5 Swedish to or near the velocity levels of the 6.5 Creedmoor yet at the pressures set by CIP or the lower ones set by SAAMI. Sadly, both pieces overlook the reasons why the 6.5x53R Mannlicher, the 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, and the 6.5x55 SE (Swedish) first became widely recognized for their effectiveness on very large game: Their bullets were long and heavy, 155 to 162 grains in weight with very high sectional density. The muzzle velocities were usually under 2,400 fps with impact velocities around 2,200 fps or less. For the earlier cup-and-core jacketed bullets, these modest velocities enabled such bullets to penetrate deeply and expand well. Thousands of Scandinavian

moose are taken every year with 156-grain bullets in the 6.5 Swedish. Where are such loads for the 6.5 Creedmoor and the .260 Remington? Lt. Col. Clifford R. Dempster, US Army (retired), PhD Sullivan, NH

What Goes Around Comes Around Terry Wieland’s “Gunsmoke” column on the Hayley Man-Stopper in the November 2016 issue sure brought back some memories. Back in the days when most pistol competitors still shot one-handed and Super Vel was just entering the ammunition market, it was common practice for handloaders to seat the .38 wadcutter bullet backwards and crimped at the midpoint over a moderate charge of Bullseye or Unique for a short-range, low-penetration defensive round. While low-tech, that big cavity at the front end of the cartridge certainly looked

intimidating, and it didn’t take much velocity to open up that pure lead bullet. I guess what goes around comes around. John Paulson St. Paul, MN

More About the Swedish Mauser I enjoyed Joseph Von Benedict’s “The Shootist” column on the Swedish Mauser m/38 in the November 2016 issue and need to add a few comments. In the mid-1990s I purchased my first Swede, a Model 96. Since then I have sold and bought a few others. My current Swede is a Model 38 made by Husqvarna. I had a Soderin aperture rear sight attached to the receiver. It provides more precise adjustment in elevation and also windage that was lacking in the issued barrel sight. It is one of my favorite rifles to shoot. The 6.5x55 cartridge predates the .30-06 and is easy to handload. Almost all of my shooting is done with my home-cast bullets using a Lyman two-cavity mold that I purchased used in 1995. The discontinued Lyman No. 268645 mold produces 159grain bullets that are gaschecked. I started out using 17.0 grains of SR 4759, but that powder is no longer being produced, so now I use 19.1 grains of Accurate 5744. Elfego Baca Via e-mail

TCM TAC ULTRA FS HC TCM ROCK STANDARD MS

TCM ROCK ULTRA FS

THE TCM FAMILY. ONLY FROM ROCK ISLAND ARMORY. Pick your size and get ready for adventure. All TCM handguns shoot your choice of 9mm or Armscor’s powerful 22 TCM round at over 2,000fps with surprisingly little recoil. They’re simply the most potent, versatile 1911s money can buy.

www.RockIslandArmory.com

SHOOTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UPDATE READERS SPEAK OUT

NEW GUNS & GEAR

ASK THE EXPERTS

BROWNING HAS ADDED TWO NEW MODELS TO ITS FAMILY OF 1911-380

AIM Sport XPF Riflescopes

semiauto pistols: the Black Label 1911-380 Pro and the Black Label 1911380 Pro with Rail. Like other 1911-380 pistols, these new .380 ACP pistols are scaled-down versions of the original .45 ACP-chambered model designed by John M. Browning. The two new models come with steel three-dot sights (combat or night sights), G10 grips, 4.25-inch barrels, extended ambidextrous manual thumb safeties, extended slide releases, and beavertail grip safeties. Magazine capacity is eight rounds. Weight is 17.5 ounces. Overall length is 7.5 inches. MSRP: $799.99 to $909.99 browning.com

AIM Sport has upgraded its popular XPF line of riflescopes with exposed, locking windage and elevation knobs. The new knobs provide fast, precise adjustments. The XPF riflescopes feature one-piece aircraft-grade aluminum 30mm tubes, 50mm objective lenses, European-style fast-focus eyepieces, side focus parallax adjustments, and dual green and red illumination etched reticles. Scopes are offered in 3-12X 50mm, 4-16X 50mm, 6-24X 50mm, and 10-40X 50mm magnifications. MSRP: $140 to $170 aimsportinc.com

Birchwood Casey SportLock Gun Cases This new line of soft gun cases includes models for scoped rifles, pistols, and shotguns, including a floating shotgun case for waterfowlers. The line also includes a black Tactical 3-Gun Case that holds two long guns and two pistols. SportLock Cases are heavily padded with durable quilted liners and have heavy-duty zippers throughout. External accessory pockets are streamlined to prevent snagging. Pistol cases have interior microfleece linings with muzzle sleeves and locking zipper pulls. They unzip to lay flat, acting as a mat. The Tactical 3-Gun Case has four mag pouches, accessory pouches, an attached range bag, and MOLLE webbing for additional accessories. MSRP: $18.90 (pistol), $55.80 (rifle and shotgun), $63 (floating shotgun), $139.50 (Tactical 3-Gun) birchwoodcasey.com 10

SHOOTING TIMES â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 2017

BOYDS, the largest aftermarket gunstock maker in the world! 1. Largest selection on the planet Over 255 makes – over 1,200 models. If we don’t make it, you probably won’t ﬁnd it elsewhere.

2. Hardwood only Only top-grade hardwoods are used. Every stock is dried to exacting speciﬁcations to ensure rigidity and stability, then sealed with chemicalresistant ﬁnishes for long-lasting durability and performance in all weather conditions.

3. More accurate Boyds stocks are engineered to ﬁt the gun. They're tight where they need to be tight, loose where they need to be loose for superior performance and improved accuracy you can measure.

Elite Survival Systems Liberty GunPack One of the newest additions to Elite Survival Systems’s lineup of concealment products is the Liberty GunPack. The Liberty GunPack is discreet and durable, and it features a unique attachment system that allows it to be worn on the belt or affixed to a MOLLE platform. The rear compartment is designed to hold most compact handguns, is lined with Velcro, and comes with an adjustable holster and magazine pouch. Ripcord tabs are used to provide immediate access to the gun. The center compartment is lined with smooth nylon and has a mesh pocket for organization. The front zippered pocket is perfect for IDs, and the easy-access phone pouch has an elastic band and fits most smartphones. When on the belt, the 7x5x2.5-inch GunPack can be worn horizontally or vertically, allowing the user to choose his or her favorite draw function and style of carry. Made of heavy-duty 1000 denier nylon, it’s offered in black and coyote tan. MSRP: $49.95 elitesurvival.com

4. A better fit 62% of guns do not properly fit the shooter. A Boyds gunstock is ergonomically designed and can be customized to fit.

5. Custom look With 20 different stock shapes and 25 different colors and a huge selection of custom laser engraving options, now you can build your gun YOUR way.

6. Since 1981 Our engineers have continued to perfect manufacturing methods since 1981. That’s why you get far more gunstock for the money.

To learn more visit 25376 403rd Ave. Mitchell, SD 57301 605-996-5011

CARBON FIBER

BARRELS

THS GUNSEMUIP TO SAV

20%

PHONE 561 5848500

boydsgunstocks.com

1000 YARD ACCURACY REDUCTION 40% WEIGHT .300 AAC .223 WYLDE .308, 6.5 CM DROP-IN BARRELS IN STOCK FOR YOUR

OR CALL FILS DETA

Carbon Fiber Wrapped Stainless Steel Barrels

AR10/15

THE ONLY CARBON FIBER-WRAPPED BARREL IN USE BY THE U.S. MILITARY

www.ProofBarrels.com

SHOOTER’S UPDATE READERS SPEAK OUT

NEW GUNS & GEAR

ASK THE EXPERTS

I WAS GRATIFIED TO READ JOSEPH VON BENEDIKT’S ARTICLE ON

the Kimber 84M rifle in the October 2016 issue and learn that Kimber’s quality control has improved. I own a Kimber 84 Longmaster chambered in .22-250 that was marketed as having a “match-grade” chamber and barrel. My experience has been different from that noted in the article. It took a couple hundred rounds and much experimentation with numerous powder and bullet combinations to get my rifle to shoot better than 2- or 3-inch groups. Fired cases show an expansion ring of 0.473 inch just above the base. Factory Winchester ammo measures 0.465 inch at this point, and SAAMI specs show a diameter of 0.4668 inch at this point. Kimber’s response when I contacted them was that this is within specs. To avoid having cases split at this point and extend case life, I neck size my fired brass, turning it a half-turn and running it through the die again. The rifle now shoots well enough for prairie dogs, and I occasionally can get 1/2 MOA groups. My question is, does a standard exist for the term “match grade” or is each manufacturer arbitrarily allowed to make the claim? Eric Van Stralen Via e-mail

It sounds as if your rifle’s chamber is large but still within acceptable spec for a factory chamber. As you may know, the first chambers cut with a new reamer are typically on the large side, then as the reamer wears they become average, and as the reamer continues to wear the chambers it cuts eventually become too tight and the reamer must be 12

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

discarded. Most likely, yours was cut with a fresh reamer. As an aside, when you’ve worn out that barrel, get a premium match-grade barrel installed and chambered by a good gunsmith. I think you’ll find superb accuracy easy to achieve. You may also consider having the gun bedded. I believe most Kimbers are bedded using a slave action, and while the method is usually adequate, sometimes a gun derives great benefit from a custom bedding job. To answer your question, as far as I know, there’s no standard to which “match grade” claims must be held. However, custom barrels made by premium manufacturers are typically accompanied by the machining tolerances to which the barrel is held. They’ll usually be handlapped for interior smoothness. As for chambers, good gunsmiths use minimum-spec reamers made by top machinists like Manson and Pacific Tool & Gauge. Like you, I find ambiguous “match grade” claims frustrating, which is why I find a subMOA guarantee much more impressive. Joseph von Benedikt

.38 Special in .38 Long Colt Revolver?

I was recently given a Colt Model 1894 double-action revolver along with a couple of boxes of old .38 Special ammo. The barrel is marked “.38 D.A.,” which indicates it is chambered for .38 Long Colt. I’ve read that .38 Special ammo should not be fired in it. Can the Shooting Times experts verify that? Rick McDowell Via e-mail

Your Colt Model 1894 revolver is in fact chambered for .38 Long Colt. The .38 Long Colt has almost the same dimensions as the .38 Special, but the .38 Special develops higher chamber pressures and for safety reasons should not be fired in guns originally built for .38 Long Colt. Joel J. Hutchcroft

ONE GUN. ONE OPTIC. ONE COMPANY.

ONE FOR ALL.

THE WORLD’S ONLY FULLY INTEGRATED SHOOTING SYSTEM. No other manufacturer offers a pistol with a reﬂex sight ready to go out of the box.

P320 RX ®

#ONEFORALL sigsauer.com/P320RX

Shoot conﬁdently with faster target acquisition and improved accuracy. Installed. Zeroed. And backed by the quality of the SIG name. Forever change the way you shoot with the P320 RX. One Manufacturer

One Warranty

Less Hassle

Less Expense

P320 RX

YES

LEADING COMPETITION

SHOOTER’S GALLERY THE SHOOTIST

THE BALLISTICIAN

FEATURING AN ALUMINUM ALLOY RECEIVER AND

Although it’s somewhat unknown, the economy-grade Winchester Model 1400 is a soft-shooting semiauto shotgun that shooters weren’t afraid to work hard. The forward end of the magazine tube functions as a piston chamber for the gas-operated design. As a result, maximum magazine capacity is two rounds.

a few polymer and stamped metal parts, the Model 1400 was part of Winchester’s big cost-cutting debacle of 1964. Field & Stream once listed it as No. 3 in a list of the 50 worst guns ever made. However, many shooters have owned and used Model 1400s to fill the stewpot and shoot various clay disciplines for decades without any problems. Surely, part of the reason the Model 1400 is so often viewed as inferior is due to the fantastic quality of other Winchester shotguns, which almost invariably were finely made of machined steel, finished with midnight-dark bluing, and dressed in well-fitted walnut. Another reason undoubtedly is the Model 1400’s permanent two-round magazine capacity. There was no plug that could be removed to increase the magazine capacity. Several iterations of the Model 1400 were made in quick succession. After four years of production, an improved action release replaced the original, and the Model 1400 gained the designation “MK II” in 1968. In 1969 WinChokes were added. After four years the MK II label was dropped, but over the years a Skeet

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

THE RELOADER

Grade iteration with a 26-inch vent rib, Skeet bore, and select skeet-style stock was produced, along with a Trap Grade with a 30-inch Full-choke vent rib barrel and a Deer Gun with rifle-type sights on a 22-inch barrel. Common models were available in 12, 16, and 20 gauge with 26-, 28-, and 30-inch barrels. All had 2¾-inch chambers. Both non-ribbed and ventilated rib versions were available. The Model 1400 was discontinued in 1981, but a “New Model 1400” was brought back in 1989 and manufactured into 1994. Improvements included a three-shot magazine. Like the original model, variants, including a Custom High Grade, Slug Hunter, and a compact Ranger version, were also offered.

Mechanicals Model 1400 shotguns are gas operated with a rotating bolt. When fired, gas vents through a port in the bottom of the barrel, out through twin holes in the base of a sturdy steel magazine retainer ring brazed to the barrel. This gas is directed into the top forward end of the magazine tube, the forward half of which

Winchester Model 1400 MKII

MODEL 1400 MANUFACTURER TYPE

serves as a gas piston chamber. The piston is connected through a channel cut into the top of the magazine tube/piston chamber to the split rods of a slide arm. The dual rods extend rearward into the action and are connected with the bolt, driving it rearward to eject the empty cartridge. As the empty ejects, a lifter hoists a fresh cartridge and presents it to the chamber. Unless the bolt locks open on an empty magazine, it’s thrown forward by a stout mainspring, chambering the new cartridge. The bolt rotates into battery, ready to fire again. Loading the Model 1400 is much the same as most semiauto shotguns: simply press shotshells against the loading gate located in the bottom of the action and thumb them forward into the magazine tube. Unlike most semiauto shotguns, though, the bolt catch is located at the forward end of the loading gate. A deeply serrated squarish button, it must be pressed firmly forward to drop the rearward-locked bolt. The safety is a crossbolt affair housed in the front of the trigger guard and painted red around its circumference on the left side to provide visual indication when the gun is “hot.”

Provenance Many years ago—and shortly after tying the knot with my lively British bride—I ended up with the 20-gauge Model 1400 pictured in a several-way gun swap. I immediately presented it to her as a gift to keep myself out of trouble.

GAUGE MAGAZINE CAPACITY BARREL CHOKE OVERALL LENGTH WEIGHT, EMPTY

Winchester Gas-operated autoloader 20 gauge 2 rounds 28 in. Full 48.5 in. 7.06 lbs.

STOCK

Walnut

FINISH

Blued barrel and action, lacquer-finished wood

LENGTH OF PULL SIGHTS TRIGGER SAFETY

14 in. Brass bead front 5.19-lb. pull (as tested) Crossbolt

Research shows that it was produced among the early 1968 Model 1400s, because it bears the “MK II” and the improved action release but lacks the serial letter designation required by the Gun Control Act of 1968. Plus, it has a fixed Full choke rather than the WinChoke tubes introduced in 1969. Although my wife’s Model 1400 appeared almost brand-new, it sometimes double-fed the two shotshells in the magazine, depositing one onto the lifter but

The Model 1400 features dual operating rods that extend rearward to drive the action.

spitting the second shell out the loading gate and onto the ground when the shell in the chamber was fired. We initially solved the issue by simply loading one round into the chamber and one into the magazine. Later, while working part-time for a local gunsmith, I took the shotgun completely apart and discovered that the front edge of the magazine cutoff was worn. I managed to massage the steel into shape and finesse it square with a stone, which solved the issue.

Rangetime Shooters who appreciate the Model 1400 maintain that it’s one of the softest-shooting semiautos available. Although the 48-year-old rubber of my wife’s 20-gauge’s buttpad is almost crisp with age, the shotgun is still absolutely pleasant to shoot. Wandering across sage-covered flats on public land near my home, I recently shot targets of opportunity with Browning, Federal, and Winchester shotshells, ranging from light 7/8-ounce target loads to high-brass 1⅛-ounce field loads. The Model 1400 devoured them without issue and recoiled rather politely even with the heavier loads.

I tested the heavy field loads against a pattern board, firing from 40 yards, and the Full-choked Model 1400 put the bulk of the pellets into a 40-inch circle, grouping 70/30 percent above/below point of aim. That’s perfect for hunting fast-flushing pheasants and trap shooting. The gun’s balance is good, too, and it shoulders easily and points well. Granted, it’s not a fine handfitted, all-steel vintage classic that will increase in value over time. It’s sort of an almost-forgotten, hardworking shotgun that has been affordable from the first day it hit dealers’ shelves. Buying one today will set you back between $175 and $400, depending on condition and configuration, and it’s not an investment in high finance. Rather, it’s an investment in time afield with a soft-shooting, easy-pointing semiauto that costs less than most pump-actions shotguns.

SHOOTER’S GALLERY THE SHOOTIST

THE BALLISTICIAN

THE .380 AUTO CARTRIDGE EXISTS UNDER A NUM-

For the author, the .380 Auto is a family affair (his Walther PP is on the right and his daughter’s SIG SAUER P238 Equinox is on the left). Both are accurate, reliable, and fun to shoot. Flatpoint FMJ ammo is a welcome and long-overdue improvement for .380 Auto performance.

ber of different names—9mm Browning Short, .380 ACP, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Corto, 9x17mm—demonstrating its worldwide acceptance for use in small- to medium-frame defense pistols. In Europe it was commonly used as a secondary military sidearm cartridge and often a primary police cartridge. Most established makers of semiauto pistols have chambered their pistols for this very useful cartridge at some point in history. When ultra-compact 9mm Luger pistols not much larger than most .380s appeared, many people— including yours truly—suspected that this trend might cripple the market for the less-powerful .380 Auto. However, the .380 seems to remain strong. I’ve coached people who thought the .380 had a little more “bite” than they expected, so maybe recoil from a compact 9mm is a factor. I got a sweet deal on my German-built .380 Walther PP because of recoil: A dealer friend sold it to a person who fired exactly one magazine through it and returned it saying, “It

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

THE RELOADER

kicks too hard!” Her loss, my gain. Another possible factor is the technology to build a subcompact 9mm also allows creation of ultra-compact .380 pistols. Regardless of the reason, I believe the .380 Auto cartridge is here to stay.

.380 Auto Improvements The .380 Auto has an interesting ballistics profile and production history. In the United States, the original 95-grain FMJ-RN bullet was loaded to a nominal test barrel velocity of 950 fps. The standard pressure/velocity test barrel is 3.75 inches, close to that of many production pistol barrels of the time. Actual velocities were often close to factory nominal velocities—if the ammomakers did not scrimp on propellant. Sometimes they did. I first tested .380 Auto ammo at the crime lab in the mid-1970s. Only two major U.S. manufacturers were loading it then and only with the traditional 95-grain FMJ-RN. From a Walther PPK (3.25-inch barrel) one brand posted a speed of 866 fps and the

Flawless performance on the range or at the ready. With its lightweight polymer frame, thin profile, and ramped 3.2” barrel, the Taurus Millennium® G2 is the perfect Everyday Gun™—at an unbeatable price. Available in 9mm Luger or 40 S&W Ideal for concealed carry Proven performance Picatinny accessory rail MIL-STD-1913 Adjustable rear sight Taurus Security System®

TaurusUSA.com

.380 Auto

other a paltry 786 fps. Needless to say, spent cases were somewhat sluggish in leaving the ejection port. Lee Jurras was selling Super Vel ammunition by then. Its 88-grain JHP left the same pistol barrel at an impressive 1,080 fps. Cavity formation was far better than the RN versions, but expansion in gelatin was Modern .380 FMJ FPs provide up to 30 percent more wound cavity volume. missing. The need for effective .380 ammo remained unresolved for some time. The first .380 Auto ammo we tested that consistently expanded in gelatin was the second-generation Winchester 85-grain Silvertip HP. Second-gen Silvertips had tiny jacket notches at the cavity’s edge that enabled normal and symmetrical expansion from a thin, aluminum jacket. Great! We had expansion. Did this help the .380 Auto? Well, yes and no. We already knew that for reasonable effectiveness in the real world, any expanding bullet had to completely penetrate our 15cm (about 6 inches) gelatin blocks with a quarter of its energy remaining. Most early .380 Silvertips stopped between 4 and 5 inches; the few that made it through the blocks exited so gently that we found expanded bullets on the test stand often only inches behind the gelatin block. This was emphatically not a Silvertip issue only but one common to almost all lightweight, expanding bullets of the time. We saw exactly the same thing with 95-grain .38 Special JHPs fired in the 960- to 990-fps range. We were determining the volume of the temporary wound cavity relative to a benchmark: the standard-velocity .38 Special lead RN fired from a 4-inch-barreled revolver. With the benchmark value being 1.0, the slower FMJ-RN .380 scored 0.9, and the faster RN scored 1.0. Conventional RN .380 ammo from a PPK produced virtually the same wound volume as a .38 Special RN but with less penetration. The early Super Vel, even without expansion, posted a 1.8, and the Silvertip scored 2.3 but with limited penetration. So we had good shock and good penetration…just not in the same load. For more information, Faced with one functional HP bullet visit www.cz-usa.com. with a larger wound cavity but limited penetration and several non-expanding

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine Starting at $999

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

rowning’s T

.380 .

HPs with better penetration but a smaller wound cavity, we had but one recommendation available to officers using the .380 as a back-up or off-duty pistol. We advised loading a Silvertip “up the spout” and then stagger Silvertips in the magazine with one of the non-expanding HPs of the day—Speer, Hornady, Super Vel, or Federal—to mix shock and penetration. Four decades ago that was about the only way to make the .380 Auto a better defensive cartridge using factory ammo as required by department regulations. Fortunately, the industry did not give up but kept working to improve the situation. By combining the Dallas tests with the later FBI testing, both showing that penetration could not be ignored, ammo engineers have created new and better .380 loads that expand and penetrate.

1908 k .

p T C

ANSWER

k 1908.

THE

CALL

Better Ammo Today Today’s Silvertip .380 load now uses a more conventional jacket design that improves penetration compared to the fragile, aluminum-jacketed second-generation version of the 1980s. Other ammo companies have released HP loads that combine expansion with decent penetration. Most will typically penetrate 10 inches of gelatin. The classic .380 Auto FMJ has evolved for the better, too. Several manufacturers have changed the primitive roundnose FMJ profile to a flatpoint. This allows up to a 30 percent increase in wound cavity volume, and the FP commonly exhibits more penetration than the RN. Why? All other factors being equal, a flatnose, nonexpanding bullet stays “nose-on” during penetration longer than most RN designs. It gets deeper before penetration-robbing tumbling sets in. New pistol designs and better ammo selection have kept the .380 Auto cartridge viable, certainly in the Jones family. My daughter recently selected her first handgun: a SIG SAUER P238 Equinox. It’s a very compact and reliable .380 Auto pistol that fits her small hands, and she shoots it very well. In fact, she can print groups that challenge what I can do with my Walther PP that I’ve had over 35 years to master!

Sierra Varminter and BlitzKing bullets are the world’s most effective bullets for predator and varmint hunting. A thin jacket provides outstanding accuracy and the explosive expansion you need to answer the call with confdence. Contact your favorite dealer for the complete line of Sierra bullets or visit www.sierrabullets.com

1400 West Henry Street | Sedalia, MO 65301 | Tech support: 1-800-223-8799 | Other calls: 1-888-223-3006

FEBRUARY 2017 • SHOOTING TIMES

SHOOTER’S GALLERY THE SHOOTIST

THE BALLISTICIAN

BY NOW EVERYONE HAS PROBABLY HEARD OF

Hornady’s ELD-X bullets feature the patent-pending Heat Shield tip, the highest ballistic coefficient possible for each specific caliber and weight, and deliver matchlevel accuracy at long range. Lane built handloads with four ELD-X bullts in four different calibers and compared their performance to factory-loaded ammo with the same bullets.

Hornady’s ELD-X (Extremely Low Drag-eXpanding) bullets with the patent-pending Heat Shield tip. They reportedly exhibit the highest ballistic coefficient possible for each specific caliber and weight, and they deliver match-level accuracy at long range and effective terminal performance from maximum safe initial velocities down to 1,600 fps. Shooting Times reported on how the new bullets work in factory-loaded ammunition from Hornady in the February 2016 issue, so I won’t go into the specifics about the design and testing process that Hornady used to come up with the new bullets. Instead, I’ll give you a quick look at how four of them performed in handloads that I built using component bullets. The four representative cartridges I chose to include in this report are the 6.5 Creedmoor, the 7mm Remington Magnum, the .30-06, and the .300 Winchester Magnum.

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

THE RELOADER

I tried at least six different loadings for each cartridge; however, I’ve included only the three or four best handloads for each in the accompanying chart. I also limited the accuracy and velocity results to the average of two, five-shot groups fired at 100 yards and 10 rounds respectively. While developing those loads, I fired some at 200 yards. Although my 200-yard accuracy results are not listed in the chart, I do mention them in the following sections where appropriate.

The Results As you can see in the chart, the 6.5 Creedmoor Browning X-Bolt with its 28-inch heavy target barrel and a Meostar R1 4-16X 44mm scope delivered extraordinary velocities as well as superb accuracy. For example, group average for the 143-grain ELD-X bullet over 40.0 grains of Reloder 17 was 0.81 inch. I had previously used a similar recipe with early prototype 140-grain bullets to achieve 10-shot group

A L L NE W. A L L LW R C I . ™

BACK TO BASICS WITH NOTHING BASIC ABOUT IT. You know the commitment to craftsmanship and design excellence that comes with every LWRCI riﬂe. And the new Di is no exception. Built from the ground up to be more than just another Direct Impingement riﬂe, the new Di delivers the quality the discerning shooter demands, and innovation you expect from LWRCI. All with an operating system that’s been around the world and back. Di Elevated. Improved. Enhanced.

LWRCI Advanced DI Bolt Carrier Group with Integrated Linear Gas Key, Nickel-Boron-coated Carrier and Cam Pin, MIL-Spec Bolt. ■ LWRCI monoforgeª upper RECEIVER ■ NEW MODULAR ONE-PIECE FREE-FLOAT RAIL ■ LWRCI Cold hammer forged spiral fluted barrel ■ User configurable rail system ■ LWRCI Angled Ergonomic Fore Grip ■ LWRCI Enhanced Fire control group ■ FULLY AMBIDEXTROUS LOWER CONTROLS: MAG RELEASE, BOLT CATCH/RELEASE AND SELECTOR ■ LWRCI RAIL PANELS ■ LWRCI AMBI CHARGING HANDLE

To learn more and locate a dealer near you, visit www.lwrci.com/DI LWRCI™ |

HIGH-PERFORMANCE FIREARMS

PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA

LWRCI.COM

410-90 1-1348

Made in the USA

HORNADY ELD-X ACCURACY & VELOCITY

BULLET

(TYPE)

(GRS.)

PRIMER

VEL. (FPS)

E.S. (FPS)

S.D. (FPS)

100-YD. ACC. (IN.)

6.5 Creedmoor Browning X-Bolt Target, 28-in. Barrel Hornady 143-gr. ELD-X

Big Game

41.1

Fed. 210M

2786

1.05

Hornady 143-gr. ELD-X

IMR 4451

41.0

Fed. 210M

2725

0.64

Hornady 143-gr. ELD-X Hornady 143-gr. ELD-X

Reloder 17 Superformance

40.0 43.4

Fed. 210M Fed. 210M

2734 2699

31 29

11 8

0.81 0.85

2772

0.74

27 39 27 32

12 11 10 14

0.97 1.19 0.96 0.94

Hornady Precision Hunter 143-gr. ELD-X

Factory Load

7mm Rem. Mag. Remington Model 700 Sendero, 26-in. Barrel Hornady 162-gr. ELD-X Hornady 162-gr. ELD-X Hornady 162-gr. ELD-X Hornady Precision Hunter 162-gr. ELD-X

H4350 IMR 7828 SSC Reloder 25

59.5 Fed. 215M 2915 64.0 Fed. 215M 2959 68.0 Fed. 215M 2960 Factory Load 2904 .30-06 Sako A7, 22.4-in. Barrel Hornady 178-gr. ELD-X IMR 4350 55.0 Fed. 210M 2685 Hornady 178-gr. ELD-X Norma 204 53.0 Fed. 210M 2690 Hornady 178-gr. ELD-X Reloder 19 57.5 Fed. 210M 2683 Hornady 178-gr. ELD-X Tubal 7000 55.0 Fed. 210M 2576 Hornady Precision Hunter 178-gr. ELD-X Factory Load 2670 .300 Win. Mag. Steyr Pro Hunter, 25.6-in. Barrel Hornady 178-gr. ELD-X Hunter 70.0 CCI 250 2977 Hornady 178-gr. ELD-X H4350 67.0 Rem. 9½M 2883 Hornady 200-gr. ELD-X H4831SC 72.0 CCI 250 2829 Hornady 200-gr. ELD-X IMR 7828 SSC 71.5 CCI 250 2863

29 26 46 23 35

11 9 18 10 15

0.95 1.03 1.12 0.76 0.88

66 52 36 17

22 21 14 6

1.02 1.35 1.27 1.10

Hornady Precision Hunter 200-gr. ELD-X

0.96

Factory Load

2842

NOTES: Accuracy is the average of two, five-shot groups fired from a sandbag benchrest. Velocity is the average of 10 rounds measured eight feet from the guns’ muzzles. All load data should be used with caution. Always start with reduced loads first and make sure they are safe in each of your guns before proceeding to the high test loads listed. Since Shooting Times has no control over your choice of components, guns, or actual loadings, neither Shooting Times nor the various firearms and components manufacturers assume any responsibility for the use of this data.

averages of 0.62 and 0.32 inch, so I knew it would be a good one for the 143-grain production bullets. I also fired a 10-round batch of handloads loaded with 41.0 grains of IMR 4451, and it delivered an average of 0.64 inch, with nine rounds measuring 0.52 inch. At the final range session, I fired the last three rounds of factory ammo at 200 yards into a vertical string measuring 0.80 inch. Four rounds of a five-shot group of the same IMR 4451 handload measured just over an inch. With the 162-grain ELD-X, my 7mm Remington Magnum Remington Model 700 Sendero rifle (with a Bushnell 6500 Elite 2.5-16X 42mm scope installed) didn’t quite deliver the indicated factory-ammo velocity of 2,940 fps; however, three of the four, five-shot groups of Precision Hunter ammo measured less than an inch. I was able to closely approximate factory-load performance with 59.5 grains of H4350. I also tested loads with IMR 4451, IMR 7828 SSC, Reloder 25, IMR 7977, and VihtaVuori N560. I could safely reproduce or, with N560, exceed factory velocities, but IMR 7828 SSC and Reloder 25 produced the most promising results. My .30-06 Sako A7 really liked the 178-grain ELD-X bullet. Handloads were fueled by Reloder 19, IMR 4350, Vectan Tubal 7000, and Norma 204 propellants. I tweaked my initial results to approximate the factory load’s average velocity (2,670 fps) and compared accuracy results. The Vectan handloads 24

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

definitely preferred slightly reduced velocities. It was the only one to beat the factory load in overall accuracy, but that’s based on firing only a couple of groups. All in all, I was quite satisfied with the .300 Winchester Magnum results I produced with my Steyr Pro Hunter rifle, even though my handloads’ performance fell short compared to the factory ammo results. For example, the handload with 70.0 grains of Ramshot Hunter powder and CCI 250 primer produced an average accuracy just 0.06 inch larger than the factory-loaded ammo, and the handload’s average velocity was 135 fps higher. In addition, in the five-shot group that I fired at 200 yards during the final range session, four of the 200-grain ELD-X bullets measured just over an inch, and three formed a tight, 0.63-inch group. The Pro Hunter’s box magazine is longer than most, so I was able to seat the long and heavy bullets out further to increase case capacity. The conclusion is, you easily can handload the ELD-X bullets and achieve velocities and accuracy results comparable to factory-loaded ammunition with those same high-performance bullets.

HE 10MM AUTO CARTRIDGE IS ONE OF

those rounds that has a cult following. And although the cartridge is experiencing a recent flurry of popularity in the way of a bunch of new pistols from several different manufacturers and a few recent ammunition offerings from some of the biggest ammomakers, it’s never going to be as popular as other auto pistol cartridges like, say, the 9mm Luger. That doesn’t matter to me because I like the 10mm—a lot. Just as the 10mm doesn’t appeal to every handgunner, the Model 1911 pistol platform doesn’t appeal to every handgunner. In fact, it’s often referred to as “the expert’s pistol.” (Our esteemed staff writer Terry Wieland just called it that in last month’s installment of his “Gunsmoke” column.) I don’t consider myself an expert, but I like the Model 1911—a lot. I’d go so far as to say it’s my favorite type of semiautomatic pistol.

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

PREMIER II 10MM MANUFACTURER TYPE CALIBER MAGAZINE CAPACITY

The chamber of the Premier II 10mm’s 6.0inch match-grade barrel is throated and fully supported. The pistol is meticulously fitted, producing the tight slide-toframe fit that Les Baer Custom pistols are famous for.

Recoil-operated autoloader 10mm Auto 9 rounds

BARREL LENGTH

6.0 in.

OVERALL LENGTH

9.5 in.

WIDTH HEIGHT WEIGHT, EMPTY GRIPS

1.47 in. 5.75 in. (base of magazine to top of rear sight) 44.2 oz. Textured G10

FINISH

Black

SIGHTS

Adjustable rear; green fiber-optic front

TRIGGER

So, as you might expect, when I heard that Les Baer Custom was making a 10mm Model 1911, I got pretty excited. Baer Custom 1911s are some of the best-crafted, tightest-fitting 1911s you can buy. They are always extremely accurate. They are not cheap, but I think they are definitely worth every penny. During my 24 years as an editor of Shooting Times, I have purchased three Baer Custom 1911s: two .38 Supers and one .45 ACP. One of the .38 Supers is the Stinger model with a 4.25-inch barrel and Officer’s grip frame. The other two are full-size 5-inchbarreled guns. The fact that I have shelled out my hard-earned cash ought to indicate that I like Baer Custom 1911s—a lot. As soon as I learned that Les Baer is now chambering the 10mm, I got one of the first pistols to come out of his shop and put it through a thorough shooting review. Here’s how it fared.

Les Baer Custom lesbaer.com

SAFETY MSRP

4.0-lb. pull (as tested) Extended manual thumb safety, beavertail grip safety with memory bump $2,940

Features The new 10mm pistol is part of Baer’s Premier II line. It has Baer’s throated and fully supported National Match 6-inch barrel and slide. It has a steel frame, a stainless-steel bushing, a low-mount adjustable rear sight, and a green fiber-optic front sight that’s dovetailed into the slide. The pistol also has a tuned and polished extractor, a Baer extended ejector, a Baer checkered slide stop, a Baer extended thumb safety, a Baer aluminum trigger, a Baer deluxe skeletonized Commander hammer, and a Baer deluxe sear. It comes with a Baer beavertail grip safety and a flat mainspring housing. The Premier II’s mag well is beveled, and its frontstrap is checkered 20 lines per inch. The pistol is tuned for total reliability, and my pistol came with textured G10 grip panels and two, nine-round magazines. The magazines are made by Tripp Research, and they have polymer base pads. The slide has fine serrations at the rear and at the front (25 up front and 30 at the back), and the ejection port is lowered and flared. The barrel’s feedramp is polished. The frontstrap is checkered 20 lines per inch; the G10 grips are textured; and the flat mainspring housing is serrated. Together they provide a secure grip without biting into the shooter’s hands.

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

The front sight is dovetailed into the slide and comes with a green fiberoptic insert. The target-style rear sight is fully adjustable and recessed into the top of the slide. The face is all black and finely serrated.

The pistol’s fit, finish, and hand-craftsmanship are par excellence. Its rich black finish is evenly matched over the entire gun. Every part matches. Baer 1911s are known to have extremely tight fits. This one is no exception. Some effort is needed to work the slide due to the close fit of the slide and frame, and while you might think that such a tight fit might inhibit reliable functioning, this pistol proved otherwise. It functioned perfectly throughout my test session. All edges and corners of the Premier II 10mm are smooth. Obviously, the company’s technicians have done a lot of handwork on it. This results in a tremendously smooth-working pistol.

The front sight, as I mentioned earlier, has a green fiberoptic insert. The housing is 0.125 inch wide and 0.185 inch tall. I happen to like the green, but if green isn’t your color of choice, don’t worry. Baer includes red and yellow rods so you can easily switch. The adjustable target-type rear sight is similar in style and design to the classic BoMar rear sight, but the top two corners have been rounded off to prevent snagging. The face is all black and finely serrated, and the whole unit has been recessed into the top of the slide. Just about every high-performance 1911 comes with a beavertail grip safety these days, and the Baer Premier II does, too, but a few words about this particular safety may be of interest.

Rough Rider Series Rough Rider rimﬁre revolvers are authentically crafted and made in the USA. They are available in six and nine-shot options in .22 LR and .22 Mag. Big Bore offerings include .357 Mag and .45 LC.

STARTING AT: $199 MSRP

See our complete line of revolvers and accessories at:

WWW.HERITAGEMFG.COM

A TOP TEN 10MM

Les Baer designed his grip safety to have a 0.250-inch radius cut from the pin hole. The raised “memory” bump ensures positive disengagement even if you ride your thumb on the thumb safety. The hammer fits perfectly into the notch, and the wide beavertail effectively eliminates hammer bite. The pistol has an extended thumb safety for right-handed shooters and a standard magazine release. The grip panel has been sculpted to allow easy, quick access to the magazine release. The skeletonized aluminum trigger is Baer’s Speed Trigger, which has three holes and a slightly oversized trigger pad. My sample pistol’s trigger pull averaged exactly 4.0 pounds, with only 2 ounces of variation over a sequence of 10 measurements.

Accuracy I fired nine different factory loads in the Premier II 10mm with bullet weights ranging from 155 grains through 175 grains to 180 grains and styles ranging from hollowpoints through jacketed softpoints to full metal jackets. All types fed, fired, extracted, and ejected perfectly. Velocity ranged from 1,143 to 1,310 fps, measured 12 feet from the muzzle. I fired the rounds for velocity over a sandbag rest, and recoil was not sharp whatsoever. Undoubtedly, the pistol’s 2.76-pound weight (44.2 ounces) helped tame the recoil. Recoil values, as calculated with an online source, ranged

Federal’s 10mm 180-grain Trophy Bonded JSP load, which is designed specifically for hunting, produced an average velocity of 1,310 fps and a muzzle energy of 686 ft-lbs. At 1.38 inches, it had the best average accuracy of the nine factory loads fired for this review.

from 4.9 ft-lbs to 8.6 ft-lbs. Comparing those figures to popular .45 ACP loads fired in a typical 5-inch-barreled 1911 (weighing 39 ounces) that normally generate recoil values ranging from 4.5 to 7.2 ft-lbs reveals that the Premier II 10mm’s recoil is not much more. As for accuracy, to remove the human element, I mounted the pistol in my Ransom Rest and fired five, five-shot groups with each load at 25 yards, averaged those groups for each load, and then calculated an overall average accuracy for all loads. The overall average accuracy was 1.68 inches. The best load averaged 1.38 inches, and the “worst” load averaged 2.25 inches. I don’t have to tell you 2.25 inches at 25 yards is quite good, and 1.38 inches is extremely good. The complete results are listed in the accompanying chart. The Premier II 10mm comes with two, nine-round magazines; a bushing wrench; a trigger lock; a Les Baer Custom patch; extra red and yellow fiber-optic front sight rods; and a certificate of authenticity.

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

LES BAER PREMIER II 10MM ACCURACY & VELOCITY

AMMUNITION

VEL. (FPS)

E.S. (FPS)

S.D. (FPS)

25-YD. ACC. (IN.)

For plain old plinking, the Barnes 155-grain TAC-XP was the softest shooting load I tried, Barnes 155-gr. TAC-XP 1160 24 10 2.25 and its accuracy was more than acceptable. Hornady 155-gr. JHP-XTP 1269 30 13 1.61 And for home-defense, I’d most likely go with Hornady 175-gr. FlexLock 1143 17 7 1.75 either the HPR 180-grain JHP or the Hornady Winchester 175-gr. Silvertip 1300 44 18 1.69 155-grain XTP loadings. They were very good Armscor USA 180-gr. FMJ 1156 19 6 1.72 in the accuracy department, and their bullet Federal 180-gr. TB JSP 1310 20 8 1.38 styles have proven to be effective for defenHPR 180-gr. JHP 1233 60 22 1.51 sive applications. SIG SAUER 180-gr. FMJ 1273 50 21 1.69 I’ve been hankering for a long slide 10mm SIG SAUER 180-gr. JHP 1270 49 18 1.50 1911 for a long time. I think it would make an NOTES: Accuracy is the average of three, five-shot groups fired with the pistol mounted in a almost perfect deer- and hog-hunting pistol, Ransom Rest. Velocity is the average of five rounds measured 12 feet from the gun’s muzzle. and it surely would be great as a home-defense gun, too. Plus, I just like shooting the 10mm My favorite 10mm factory load has generally been Winchester’s round out of a longer, heavier pistol. I’m glad Les Baer Custom is now chambering the powerful round in the 6-inch-barreled 175-grain Silvertip loading because it is very close in ballistics Premier II. It has three features that my other Baer 1911s don’t to my favorite .41 Magnum revolver round, which happens to have: the fiber-optic front sight (my others have either black also be loaded with a Winchester 175-grain Silvertip bullet, but after shooting Federal’s 180-grain Trophy Bonded JSP offering in post or tritium dot front sights), the G10 grips (my others have premium checkered wood grips), and the 6-inch barrel (my the Baer Custom Premier II 10mm pistol, I’m reconsidering it. others have 5-inch or 4.25-inch barrels). Oh, and the Stinger The Federal load produces an average velocity of 1,310 fps with pistol has serrations at the rear of the slide only. I like the feaa muzzle energy of 686 ft-lbs, and it had the best average accutures of this Premier II 10mm—a lot. I think I just bought my racy of 1.38 inches. It’s specifically designed for hunting, which fourth Baer Custom 1911. is what I particularly like to do with the 10mm Auto cartridge. 6.0-in. Barrel

VERYBODY READING THIS MAGAZINE

probably knows the sage advice of loading a six-shot Colt-type single-action revolver with only five rounds and carrying it with the hammer down on the empty chamber. But perhaps not everyone knows why. The original Colt 1873 single-action revolver, a.k.a. Single Action Army (SAA) or Peacemaker, has its firing pin built into the hammer. It’s what I call a hard fit, wherein the firing pin is solidly fixed in the guide hole of the hammer. Aside from a little bit of “slop,” there is no movement of the firing pin; consequently, if the revolver’s cylinder is fully loaded and the hammer is manually lowered, the firing pin actually rests on the primer of the loaded centerfire cartridge. As has been proven over the 143-plus years that the design has existed, if the revolver is dropped on the hammer or if the hammer is hit hard enough by other means, the cartridge can fire accidentally. Several gunsmiths have offered solutions, some of which have been quite successful. Most have resulted in a mechanism that visually does not look like the traditional Colt design. Uberti’s fix is to make the firing pin retractable but still look like the traditional design.

SHOOTING TIMES

FEBRUARY 2017

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ANSCHUETZ

FEBRUARY 2017 â&#x20AC;¢ SHOOTING TIMES

FRESH TAKE HAMMER AT REST: Firing pin floats free within the hammer, exerts no pressure toward primer

HAMMER COCKED: Trigger sear ready to engage the firing pin through the internal connector rod

TRIGGER PULLED: Sear pushes the connector rod upward, locks the firing pin forward for firing.

The key feature of the new 1873 Cattleman II is its retractable firing pin. While at rest, the firing pin floats free in its guide, exerting no pressure toward the chamber. With the hammer at fullcock, the sear shifts into position to engage the firing pin once the trigger is squeezed. When the trigger is squeezed in the fullcock position, the sear engages the firing pin, locking it in the forward position until the trigger is released.

standpoints. Essentially, the Cattleman’s existing internal bar Here’s how it works. While at rest, the firing pin floats free in its guide, exerting no pressure towards the chamber. was lengthened by 1cm, approximately, to reach the firing pin, With the hammer at fullcock, the sear shifts into position to and the wedge was done away with (net result: one less moving engage the firing pin once the trigger is squeezed. When the part). There’s nothing that the user has to activate or deactitrigger is pulled from the fullcock position, the sear engages vate, and unless he or she is told that this system is in place, the firing pin, locking it in the forward position until the he or she wouldn’t even know it. trigger is released. “The result is that the firing pin is locked in the forward When I asked my contact at the company about the design, position (its free-floating ‘run’ is only 1.5mm, approximately, thereby being practically undetectable) when the trigger is he said: “Uberti has been developing this idea since the early 2000s pulled. Dr. Merlino liked this system for its absolute simplic(that is, for at least 10 years). The goal was to make the revolver ity and effectiveness. The design does away with the first click accessible in large quantities to the American market and add a new way to avoid having customers inadvertently lower the firing pin on a loaded primer. THE UBERTI STORY STARTS IN 1959 WHEN “Previously, the issue had been partially solved with the Ruger-like transfer-bar system Aldo Uberti began making replicas of Civil of the Beretta Stampede/Uberti Horseman War-era cap-and-ball revolvers in the village model. This, however, was deemed unsatisfacof Gardone Val Trompia in the Italian Alps. Firearms historians have tied a surge in the tory by Uberti President Dr. Giacomo Merlino popularity of such guns in the 1950s in the due to the serious compromise the system has United States with the rise in the popularity of Western movies at from a historical-authenticity standpoint. Ditto with the quarter-cock safety wedge of that time. Eventually, Uberti included more and more Old West the standard Cattleman, which added moving replica guns to his company’s offerings. parts as well as a visually anti-historical eleOver the years Uberti firearms have earned a fine reputation ment to the gun’s hammer. for being exacting replicas, and many now feature improvements “So Dr. Merlino set out to devise a system over the originals, specifically in the use of advanced materials and modern machinery in their construction. that would have few moving parts, make the Today, Uberti is part of the Benelli USA family of brands, which hammer look 100 percent historically authentic, and meet resellers’ expectations regarding also includes Stoeger, headquartered in Accokeek, Maryland, and it single-action design. produces blackpowder revolvers, cartridge revolvers, and cartridge “The testing and development involved rifles. Uberti firearms are sold through authorized U.S. dealers. —Jake Edmondson more than 10 iterations—14 to be exact— after which the present system was chosen as the best from both design and production

UBERTI

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

1873 CATTLEMAN II MANUFACTURER TYPE CALIBER CYLINDER CAPACITY BARREL LENGTH OVERALL LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT WEIGHT, EMPTY GRIPS

Single-action revolver .357 Magnum 6 rounds 5.5 in. 11 in. (5.5-in. barrel) 1.67 in. 5.1 in. 36.8 oz. (5.5-in. barrel) One-piece walnut

FINISH

Blued/casehardened with brass backstrap and trigger guard

SIGHTS

Fixed; groove in topstrap rear, plain blade front

TRIGGER

2.5-lb. pull (as tested)

SAFETY

Retractable firing pin

MSRP

of the traditional C-O-L-T cocking ‘ritual,’ although this was viewed as a very small price to pay to make the gun more widely available and more historically authentic from the outside. Remember that the Ruger Vaquero, by far the most popular cowboy revolver in the U.S., has a firing mechanism that looks and functions in a manner not at all historically authentic— although nobody seems to complain about it!”

A. Uberti S.p.A. // uberti.com

$549

Before I get to other features of the 1873 Cattleman II, I want to point out that Uberti clearly states, “The safest way to carry a single action is with the hammer resting on an unloaded chamber. This is true even for the Uberti retractable firing pin design. But in the case of the Uberti design, the risk of accidental discharge is reduced: the firing pin is not locked into the firing position unless the trigger is squeezed.

Knockdown Knockdown Power Powerin in aaversatile versatile AR Platform. Platform.

Windham Weaponry 7.62x39mm SRC Model R16M4FTT-762 16” Chrome Lined M4 Barrel Rifled 1 x 9.5” Semi-Automatic Gas Impingement System Ready for Optics or Accessory Sights Lifetime Transferable Warranty Ships with a 30 Rd. Magazine. 5 Rd. Magazines for hunting are also available.

One day shy of his 8th birthday, Oliver bagged this 181 lb. Maine Black Bear with a Windham Weaponry 7.62x39mm SRC. With him are Dad Jeremy (who co-owns Bethel Bait Tackle & More, Bethel, Maine), and their Guide from The Bear River Guide Service. ...Now if an 8 yr. old can do it... (just sayin’!)

Then, two days later.... Oliver’s Mother Sarah, (co-owner of Bethel Bait Tackle & More) bagged her own 200 lb. Maine Black Bear with the same Windham 7.62x39mm SRC. ...That’s a hunting family!

See all the Windham Weaponry Rifles, Parts & Accessories at: www.windhamweaponry.com

Made In

The U.S.A.

FRESH TAKE

Other Features

SHOOTING THE CATTLEMAN II

AMMUNITION

VEL. (FPS)

E.S. (FPS)

S.D. (FPS)

25-YD. ACC. (IN.)

.357 Magnum The 1873 Cattleman II is a typical tradiBarnes 125-gr. TAC-XPD 1401 51 21 3.03 tional single-action revolver in that it has fixed HPR 125-gr. JHP 1236 49 19 3.85 sights, a six-shot cylinder, and walnut grips. SIG SAUER 125-gr. JHP 1425 64 24 4.25 The grips are one piece just like on genuine st Federal 158-gr. Hydra-Shok 1203 46 19 1.48 1 Generation Colt SAAs. That’s interesting PMC 158-gr. JSP 1089 35 18 2.62 to me because these days a lot of single-action NOTES: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups fired from a sandbag benchrest. revolvers come with two-piece grips, which Velocity is the average of six rounds measured 12 feet from the gun’s muzzle. are less costly to fit to a gun’s frame. The onepiece single-action grip doesn’t have a lot of At Home on the Range room for “slop,” and the stock has to fit inside the grip frame very closely. It has to be pretty precise, and as we all know, Serious handgunners know that a quality-built single action can be just as accurate as a quality double-action revolver or precision usually comes at additional cost. The fit of my 1873 Cattleman II is very good all the way around, including the semiautomatic pistol. Some exceptional ones are even more grips. accurate than those other types. The 1873 Cattleman II I fired The Cattleman II can be had with a blued barrel, casehardfor this report isn’t what I would call match-grade accurate, ened main frame, and brass trigger guard and grip frame or but it certainly did not disappoint. With all five of the factory blued barrel, casehardened main frame, and blued steel trigger loads fired, the overall average 25-yard accuracy for a total of guard and grip frame. Available barrel lengths are 4.75, 5.5, and 25, five-shot groups was 3.05 inches. The most accurate load 7.5 inches, and calibers offered include .357 Magnum, .44-40, in my sample gun averaged less than 1.50 inches. and .45 Colt. MSRPs are $549 for the brass trigger guard and grip frame and $559 for the blued steel trigger guard and grip The six-shot 1873 Cattleman II disassembles into frame, cylinder, cylinframe. My gun is chambered for .357 Magnum and has a 5.5der base pin, and cylinder base pin sleeve. inch barrel and the brass trigger guard and grip frame.

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

The new 1873 Cattleman II is offered in blued/casehardened finish with or without a brass grip frame and trigger guard. Available calibers include .357 Magnum (as tested), .44-40, and .45 Colt. Barrel lengths are 4.75, 5.5 (as tested), and 7.5 inches. Like most traditional single-action revolvers, the 1873 Cattleman II has fixed sights. It also comes with one-piece walnut grips.

T00000000000000I000000000000000000x0u00000000000000uzz00000000y0 00000500000055000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000,0000000000w0u000000000000000c00000000000000000000000w0000 w000000000u00000000000c0u00000w0000000000 T0000’00000000u0000000000000c00000c0000k0000000000000000c00000 00x0u0000000000c0000y000000000k,0000c00u000000000H0v0000000 0u000000c0000k000000000000c000000000’00000000000000000000 00000000000000000w000w000000u00000000000k000000,00000000000 0000000000,00xc00000000ccu00cy,0000000u00qu00000000c00 0000000c00c000000000000y—000018730C000000000II00000 00000000U00000’0000000000k0000000v000c0000000000000

FEBRUARY 2017 • SHOOTING TIMES

EATHERBY’S NEW MAGNUM IS THE

biggest, fastest 6.5mm cartridge in the world. You could call it a “Formula One” cartridge. Named the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum, the new hot-rod round is simply the .300 Weatherby Magnum necked down to 6.5mm (0.264 inch). Now, that’s a significant step down, and since the bigger-bored .300 Wby. Mag. is already on the cusp of being overbored, it puts the 6.5mm version solidly into the realm of heavy horsepower. It’s way past balanced, and efficient it is not. But it is incredibly fast—as fast as the .22-250 with some projectiles—and its 6.5mm bullets are far more aerodynamic than any .22-caliber projectile. Those two characteristics give the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. tremendous reach. Initially, three factory loads will be available: a Barnes 127grain LRX rated at 3,531 fps; a Swift 130-grain Scirocco II at 3,476 fps; and a Swift 140-grain A-Frame at 3,395 fps. Those are factory-advertised numbers, but my testing indicates that real-world results are very close. The details are listed in the chart on page 41.

High-Performance Ballistics For deer-size game, I prefer the Swift 130-grain Scirocco II bullet for the simple reason that it nips at the speedy heels of the slightly faster Barnes 127-grain LRX load and offers the 38

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

highest ballistic coefficient (BC) of the three factory-loaded projectiles available. Specifically, the 127-grain LRX has a BC of .485; the 130-grain Scirocco II has a BC of .571; and the blunter, flatbase 140-grain A-Frame has a BC of .401. Although the lighter LRX bullet exits the muzzle of my rifle about 50 fps faster than the Scirocco II (3,499 fps versus 3,450 fps) when fired from Weatherby’s factory ammunition, the slightly heavier, more aerodynamic bullet hangs on to velocity more effectively, which translates to less drop and drift at long range and more retained energy. At my home elevation of 5,050 feet and in 70-degree temperatures, when sighted-in at 200 yards, the 130-grain Scirocco II drops 4.2 inches at 300 yards, 12.3 inches at 400 yards, and 24.7 inches at 500 yards, where it is still zipping along at 2,725 fps and packing 2,143 ft-lbs of energy. That’s darned near as much speed and energy as the popular 6.5 Creedmoor has at the muzzle. Even better, zero the rifle at 300 yards, and the 130-grain Scirocco II will impact 2.0 inches high at 100 yards, 1.3 inches high at 200 yards, 6.7 inches low at 400 yards, and only 17.6 inches low at 500 yards. While at first blush the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. seems to be the perfect cartridge for long-range hunters, it does have a couple

Derived from the .300 Weatherby Magnum (left), the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum (right) propells the Swift 130-grain Scirocco II bullet at 3,476 fps.

of drawbacks. One is that the cartridge is tricky to handload. (I’ll come back to that.) Another drawback is the necessity to use a tough bullet, which eliminates super-aerodynamic bullets like Berger’s VLD Hunting and Hornady’s ELD-X. I haven’t had a chance to try Nosler’s AccuBond Long Range (ABLR) in my rifle yet, but it may be a viable option because of its bonded-core construction. However, I suspect Weatherby would have introduced a factory load with the ABLR had it proven capable of maintaining accuracy at 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. velocities. If your 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. rifle likes the 130-grain Scirocco II load—and mine does—there’s really no reason to worry about working up anything else for deer-size game. If bigger-boned, heavier animals, such as elk or even really big wild hogs, are on the menu, you’ll want to turn to an even tougher bullet. The Scirocco II performs spectacularly during impact speeds up to 3,200 fps and even a bit more, but during such fast impacts it will expand tremendously and hinder penetration. Elk hunts are costly in terms of time, effort, and dollars, and you don’t want to have to pass on a shot opportunity because your bullet won’t penetrate enough on a quartering presentation. If you plan to shoot beyond 400 yards or so, look to the Barnes 127-grain LRX. It’s a superbly accurate bullet (in fact

Weatherby’s techs tell me it typically shoots the best of the three in the bulk of the 6.5-300 rifles they’ve tested), has a respectable BC, and even during very close-range impacts its shank holds together and punches deeply. I shot a steeply quartering 200-pound hog with the 127-grain LRX at about 25 yards, and a postmortem showed that it performed in textbook fashion, causing tremendous internal damage and exiting the far shoulder. For elk or moose inside 400 yards, I’d opt for the Swift 140-grain A-Frame. It carries a bit more weight and has tremendous integrity. It will hold together when impacting heavy bone at high speeds. Adam Weatherby shot a big 6x6 bull elk at 350 yards with the 140-grain A-Frame, and as you can see

6.5-300 WEATHERBY MAGNUM PARENT CASE WATER CAPACITY

.300 Weatherby Magnum 101.1 grs.

OVERALL CASE LENGTH

2.825 in.

TRIM-TO CASE LENGTH

2.805 in.

CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH

3.600 in.

PRIMER MAXIMUM AVERAGE PRESSURE

Large Rifle Magnum 65,000 psi

FEBRUARY 2017 • SHOOTING TIMES

The new cartridge easily felled a big Idaho 6x6 bull elk at 350 yards. The recovered Swift 140-grain A-Frame showed textbook expansion. PHOTO BY JOHN MACGILLIVRAY

by the recovered bullet shown here, performance couldn’t have been better. Barrel life? What barrel life? Kidding aside, the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. is high on performance but short on barrel life. My best guess is that shooters that baby their rifles, shooting no more than three-shot groups and allowing barrels to cool completely between groups, should get between 600 and 1,000 rounds before seeing a significant drop in accuracy.

Notes on Reloading Efficient cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, and so forth are typically mild-mannered and easy to reload. Severely overbored cartridges like the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. are temperamental and take a lot of tuning to get just right. A lot more powder is combusting, a lot more vibration is occurring, and a lot more speed is affecting the bullet. Throw all those consistency-affecting elements together and it’s easy to see why the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. is high maintenance.

Three 6.5mm Wby. Mag. factory loads are currently available. They’re loaded with (left to right) the Barnes 127-grain LRX (rated at 3,531 fps), the Swift 130-grain Scirocco II (rated at 3,476 fps); and a Swift 140-grain A-Frame (rated at 3,395 fps).

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

Add in Weatherby’s freebore—which has the great virtue of keeping pressures low at very high velocities yet complicates accuracy tuning—and you’ll comprehend just how tricky the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. is to handload. Being aware that very overbore cartridges have a tendency to pressure spike when powder charges are reduced too much but vague as to exactly why, I put in a call to Ron Reiber, Hodgdon’s ballistics guru. According to him, the phenomenon typically occurs when the rifling leade becomes eroded and rough (which

6.5-300 WEATHERBY ACCURACY & VELOCITY POWDER (TYPE) (GRS.)

BULLET

VEL. (FPS)

E.S. (FPS)

S.D. (FPS)

100-YD. ACC. (IN.)

Weatherby Mark V AccuMark, 26-in. Barrel Swift 130-gr. Scirocco II

US869

91.0

3460

1.18

Nosler 140-gr. Partition Swift 140-gr. A-Frame

US869 US869

88.0 88.0

3253 3327

---60

---22

0.94 1.01

Weatherby 127-gr. LRX

Factory Loads

3499

0.99

Weatherby 130-gr. Scirocco II

Factory Loads

3450

0.96

NOTES: Accuracy is the average of three, three-shot groups fired from a Sinclair benchrest. Velocity is the average of nine rounds measured 10 feet from the muzzle. Ambient temperature: 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Elevation: 5,050 feet. All load data should be used with caution. Always start with reduced loads first and make sure they are safe in each of your guns before proceeding to the high test loads listed. Since Shooting Times has no control over your choice of components, guns, or actual loadings, neither Shooting Times nor the various firearms and components manufacturers assume any responsibility for the use of this data.

can happen within 80 rounds or so if a super-hot cartridge is shot aggressively) and when there’s too much air space within the cartridge case. It works like this: Excess air space can cause inconsistent or slow powder ignition. As the firing pin detonates the primer, if only a bit of powder ignites instantly, the bullet can be thrust lightly forward into the rifling leade, where it sticks tightly in the rasp-like eroded surface. (We’re talking microseconds here.) When the rest of the powder detonates, the stuck bullet resists accelerating down the bore just a bit too long, and excessive pressures can occur. As long as internal case capacity is occupied close to 100 percent, powder granules are contained, held fast in the blast of the detonating primer, and ignite instantly and consistently, boosting the projectile through the rifling leade and down the barrel. The takeaway? Don’t download.

6.5-300 WEATHERBY MAGNUM VERSUS .26 NOSLER IT’S WORTH TAKING A MOMENT TO DRAW A COM-

parison between the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. (factory-rated velocity of 3,476 fps with a 130-grain bullet) and the non-belted .26 Nosler (factory-rated velocity of 3,400 fps with a 130-grain bullet). Candidly, although the latter gives up a bit in velocity, it’s engineered more practically. It’s fatter, so it may be more difficult to house three cartridges in a standard magazine box, but it’s also shorter, so it fits in standard-length rifle actions. Cost and availability are comparable. Only the parent company of each is at this time producing any quantity of ammunition, and while Weatherby’s 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. ammo costs $95 per box of 20, Nosler’s .26 isn’t far behind at $77.50 to $85.90. I’ve handloaded both, and while my experience is limited to one rifle in each chambering, I found the .26 Nosler to be more forgiving. Presumably, that’s due to the lack of freebore. It may also have something to do with the fact that the .26 Nosler holds its propellant in a shorter, fatter column and thus reaps the benefits of slightly more consistent ignition. —Joseph von Benedikt

FEBRUARY 2017 • SHOOTING TIMES

The Most Comprehensive Legal Protection for Armed Self Defense in America!

SecondCallDefense.org Includes insurance backed by the NRA endorsed insurance program, administered by Lockton Affinity, LLC.

 24/7 Emergency Hotline  Nationwide Attorneys  Immediate, Up-Front Cash  Bond, Legal Fees, More  Wage Compensation  Aftermath Cleanup  Personal Crisis Manager  Expert Witnesses  Gun Retrieve or Replace  Psychological Support  On-Site Assistance  No Out-of-Pocket Costs  Nothing to Repay Ever  Good in All 50 States  Membership starts at $9.95  Add Spouse for as little as $5 More at SecondCallDefense.org

I wanted to include as many different projectiles The 6.5mm Wby. Mag. loaded with the Barnes 127-gr. LRX also as possible in this report, so I started with bullets worked perfectly up close at 25 other than the Swift and Barnes bullets factoryyards on this 200-pound boar. loaded by Weatherby when I began handloading PHOTO BY JUSTIN MOORE the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. Except with Nosler’s Partition (another inherently tough bullet), results were dismal. So dismal that I’ve not included them in the handload charts. Velocity extreme spreads were off the map, and accuracy averaged around 2.5 inches for three-shot groups. My initial impression was that the rifle might have a bad barrel—very unusual in a Weatherby, but possible. Fortunately, the Nosler 140-grain Partition averaged subinch groups at 100 yards, restoring my faith. When production-lot factory loads with the Barnes 127-grain LRX and Swift 130-grain Scirocco II bullets arrived for testing, they put my handloading efforts to shame by averaging less than 1 MOA. It appears that Hodgdon US869 powder is the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag.’s ticket to happiness. A charge of 91.0 grains under the Swift Scirocco II duplicated factory-load velocities.

...the Nosler 140-grain Partition averaged sub-inch groups at 100 yards....

Get Your FIRST MONTH

FREE!

Complete the sign up form online and Enter Special Offer Code “SHOOTING-2” We’ll mail a check with your Welcome Kit to reimburse you for your ﬁrst month. HURRY! LIMITED TIME OFFER.

JOIN TODAY!

My “factory duplicate” handloads with the Swift 130-grain Scirocco II didn’t group quite as well as Weatherby’s ammunition did, which I cheerfully attribute to a neck tension difference. I couldn’t immediately get my hands on any Barnes 127-grain LRX bullets, so I was unable to attempt to duplicate the factory load with that bullet, but I did work up a load using the Swift 140-grain A-Frame that more or less matches factory-suggested velocity, and it grouped right at 1 MOA.

SecondCallDefense.org 42

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

Ninety degree view

Straight view

Toolmarks

Custom barrel

Fired cartridge case

Rust

Erosion

Copper, carbon & toolmarks

Twist & fouling

Cleaning patch in bore*

Erosion & rust

Blocked gas port

Erosion in chamber

Rough patch in bore

PRECISION BORESCOPES ÂŠGradient Lens Corporation - 800.536.0790 www.hawkeyeshooting.com

*If there is any chance that there is a live round in

the chamber, DO NOT look down the barrel with a Hawkeye Borescope.

RCBS offers 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. reloading dies, and Hodgdon US869 powder is an ideal propellant for handloading the high-octane cartridge.

® STEEL FRAME Full size Barrel: 4.43” Calibers: 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP

www.magnumresearch.com

After experiencing the broad extreme spreads, I’ve come to believe that neck tension is critical to consistent propellant ignition and resulting good accuracy since the freebore prevents bullets from being seated to kiss the rifling leade. Projectiles with a crimping groove or cannelure may offer an advantage, too, enabling careful handloaders to apply a crimp and prevent premature bullet movement that way. On the subject of freebore, the designers of the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. implemented a unique two-step leade into the rifling in an effort to assist bullets in maintaining concentricity across the long freebore jump. Only time will tell whether it’s a valuable addition to the freebore concept. Weatherby techs told me their go-to bullet—in any given caliber—for validating the company’s accuracy guarantee is typically a Barnes all-copper TSX, TTSX, or LRX. It’s just a theory, but my guess is that the tough, hard bullet jumps the freebore with less distortion than typical soft cup-and-core bullets do, leading me to think that possibly other monolithic bullets, such as Nosler’s E-Tip and Hornady’s GMX, should perform equally well. I’ve heard claims that the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. is moderate in terms of recoil. Not in my world. Even with the relatively stout weight of the Mark V AccuMark (8.25 pounds), the cartridge bites. On paper, it kicks slightly less than the .300 WinRECOIL COMPARISON chester Magnum loaded with a 180-grain bullet, but in reality, its recoil is so sharp BULLET WEIGHT RECOIL that, to me, it feels worse. I attribute it CARTRIDGE (GRS.) (FT-LBS) to the large amounts of powder being .270 Win. 150 20.84 burned and the extremely high velocity .30-06 180 24.49 exit of the bullet. But I wouldn’t say it’s 7mm Rem. Mag. 160 28.00 truly vicious, and the cartridge’s spectac6.5-300 Wby. Mag. 130 30.40 ular ballistics make it worth it. .300 Win. Mag. 180 32.54 That said, there’s only one fastest .300 Wby. Mag. 180 39.72 factory 6.5mm cartridge, and it’s the .30-378 Wby. Mag. 180 53.86 Weatherby. 44

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

A Timeless Classic Engineered for performance.

Precision machined in America.

Hand-crafted to perfection.

573.565.3261 www.edbrown.com

Signature Edition The ultimate in quality frearm craftsmanship at its fnest

HE NEW 12-GAUGE SEMIAUTOMATIC 930

Pro-Series Sporting shotgun was designed to be the ultimate sporting clays gun, but perhaps the most significant thing about it is the way it was designed. Mossberg’s designers and engineers didn’t just whip up a fancier version of an existing model and call it the “new superduper clays gun.” Instead, they started with the solid 930 platform and reworked it to be as “perfect” as it could be—with help from some renowned sporting clays experts. Working with Mossberg, Gil and Vicki Ash, owners of the Optimum Shotgun Performance 46

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

Shooting School, laid the groundwork for the new gun. Gil is no shrinking violet, and if you don’t want to know his opinion on something, don’t ask. Well, Mossberg asked, and the result is a gun with a slew of subtle design features that synergistically contribute to the its superb “shootability.” For example, the shape of the buttstock, the curve of the pistol grip, and the length of pull were all designed to keep the shooter’s hands and face positioned in the right places to put shot on the target. The drop is calculated so that the shooter doesn’t have to plaster his or her cheek to the stock as firmly as with some straighter designs. It all works together. If you want to fiddle with drop, or cast-off or cast-on, the 930 ProSeries Sporting comes with a shim set Mossberg calls the “Stock

Drop Spacer” system that allows the shooter to customize these dimensions to his or her individual needs. Even the tang safety is specially designed to help the shooter. When I first saw the 930 Pro-Series Sporting, I wondered why they used such a big, ugly safety button. I learned later that Gil designed it that way intentionally to force the shooter to keep his or her thumb and fingers positioned correctly so as to hit clay targets better. A soft, squishy, 1-inch-thick recoil pad cuts shooter fatigue, and the efficient gas-operated action stretches recoil out to make it seem lighter. All in all, the 7-pound, 13-ounce 930 ProSeries Sporting is a soft-shooting gun. Heft and balance seem about right for me, and the gun swings smoothly.

The 930 Pro-Series Sporting shotgun from Mossberg is built on the proven gas-operated 930 autoloading action, and it’s been reworked into the ultimate sporting clays configuration.

The 930 Pro-Series Sporting has a 28-inch ported barrel with a sleek ventilated rib. The barrel also has a 3-inch chamber, and the gun handles all 2¾- and 3-inch loads without adjustment. Here’s an interesting tidbit: In their testing, Mossberg engineers found that all shells seemed to pattern better in the 3-inch chamber, a happy coincidence. The bore diameter is about 0.730 inch. In my tests, all the 1-ounce loads at 950 fps and 7/8-ounce loads registering 1,000 fps worked 100 percent. FEBRUARY 2017 • SHOOTING TIMES

THE ULTIMATE SPORTING CLAYS GUN

The front sight is from HiViz, and several interchangeable LitePipes of different colors and shapes are supplied, allowing the user to pick the one that best suits his or her needs. (I like the smaller white LitePipe, but to each his own.) If you’d like to mount a red-dot sight or scope, the receiver is drilled and tapped for a scope base. Three newly designed custom Briley extended choke tubes are provided. Skeet, Improved Cylinder, and Modified should cover the majority of sporting clays and field use, and other constrictions are available from several vendors. I got an ExtraFull turkey tube from Mossberg, just in case I got caught in a turkey blind. A choke tube wrench does not come with the 930 Pro-Series Sporting, but a special “conical” wrench for the Briley tubes is available from Briley. I have one, and it works like a charm. Internal parts are coated with a tungsten Cerakote for wear resistance, and the gas piston is boron-nitride coated to resist corrosion and fouling. Mossberg recommends cleaning the 930 Pro-Series Sporting about every 500 rounds. Magazine capacity is four 2¾-inch shells; a plug is provided to cut the capacity to two shells. The length of pull is 14 inches. 930 PRO-SERIES SPORTING MANUFACTURER TYPE GAUGE MAGAZINE CAPACITY

Gas-operated autoloader 12, 3-in. chamber 4 rounds, 2¾-in. shells; 3 rounds, 3-in. shells

The receiver is finished with a tough, matte gray Cerakote that is laser engraved with company and model names. My gun’s gold-plated trigger is excellent, breaking crisply at 5.5 pounds, and there is a cocking indicator in the front of the trigger guard, which is a nice touch. The bolt handle is a little larger than most field guns and is easy to grasp and use without being obtrusive. The wood on my gun has impressive dark streaks of grain and plenty of figure. The stock and forearm are European walnut and are made by Benelli in Italy. They have extensive stippling instead of checkering. It looks great and offers the shooter a firm grip. The stippling on the forearm is shaped in a graceful “horseshoe” pattern that surrounds the Mossberg name laser engraved on the bottom. A large “M” is engraved on the bottom of the pistol grip. Overall, the “handle” on this gun looks and feels great.

28 in.

Breaking Clays

OVERALL LENGTH

48.5 in.

WEIGHT, EMPTY

7.8 lbs.

The new 930 Pro-Series Sporting has just about every tweak you could ask for in a sporting gun. It is specifically designed to break clays, consistently and with ease. So the important thing is how it shoots. To this end, it succeeds admirably. In a word: great. I found that out last August when Mossberg invited a group of writers to the American Shooting Center in George Bush Park in Houston, Texas, for a roll-out introduction. This mindboggling, 563-acre center has state-of-the-art ranges for all manner of rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting.

BARREL

STOCK LENGTH OF PULL

Semi-fancy European walnut 14.3 in.

FINISH

Matte blue barrel; gray Cerakote receiver

SIGHTS

Fiber-optic front

TRIGGER SAFETY MSRP

O.F. Mossberg & Sons Inc. mossberg.com

If drop, cast-off, or cast-on need to be modified, the 930 Pro-Series Sporting comes with a shim kit.

5.5-lb. pull (as tested) Two-position $1,029

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

The shape of the buttstock, curve of the pistol grip, and length of pull have all been redesigned to keep the shooter’s face and hands in the correct positions to put shot on the target.

The fiber-optic front sight is by HiViz, and several extra LitePipes in various colors and shapes are included.

The 930 Pro-Series Sporting gun comes with three custom Briley extended choke tubes in Skeet, Improved Cylinder, and Modified constrictions.

PUT HOLES IN YOUR TARGET. NOT YOUR BUDGET. SHV™ 3-10 x 42 SHV™ 4-14 x 56 There are only two ways to build a less expensive riflescope. Some do it by reducing the quality of its glass, components and construction. The other is to build it more simply, with fewer options, without compromising on quality.

SHV™ 4-14 x 50 F1

In developing our SHV™ series, we chose the second approach. Apparently it worked. Two Outdoor Life Editor’s Choice awards. Rave reviews from experts. And thanks from shooters who “always wanted a Nightforce,” but found the price a bit out of their reach.

SHV™ 5-20 x 56

SHOOTERHUNTERVARMINTER

We cut no corners. Only the cost. 336 Hazen Lane, Orofino, ID 83544 n 208.476.9814 n Learn more at NightforceOptics.com

Instructors Gil and Vicki Ash were there to share some of their shooting expertise with us, and after an introductory presentation, we were divided into two groups. I was in Gil’s. Before we picked up our test guns, he outlined his criteria for shooting success. The principles were simple and straightforward. “It is critical,” Gil stressed, “to get the gun going the same speed as the target and to know where your gun is pointing relative to the target at all times.” Gil refers to this as the “threshold concept.” “Don’t look at the gun,” Gil said. “Just look at the target.” If Gil caught a shooter looking at the side of the gun, the barrel, or the front sight, he’d chide, “Ain’t that a pretty gun?” He pointed out that an important feature built into the 930 Pro-Series Sporting is the design of the buttstock. It is shaped so that the shooter doesn’t have to plaster his cheek down hard on the comb of the stock to achieve hits. This lessens the face pounding that eventually degrades the ability to hit consistently. Mossberg’s Dave Miles told us that from the factory the 930 Pro-Series Sporting’s stock is set to shoot about 50/50, maybe a little higher, and that this seems to suit the majority of shooters. “The idea,” Gil said, “is to bring the gun up to the face, not to bring the face down to the stock. Just a nice, gentle mount. See the bird, shoot the bird.” That approach seemed to work for me. In a short time the 930 Pro-Series Sporting and I were plastering clays at various 50

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

The new 930 Pro-Series Sporting may very well be the ultimate sporting clays gun, and Steve thinks it would make a great all-around shotgun, too.

ranges out to 60 yards with 1-ounce loads through the Improved Cylinder choke tube. I later applied the criteria with the 930 Pro-Series Sporting at a local skeet range with gratifying success. An important extra benefit that comes with the purchase of a 930 Pro-Series Sporting is a free 60-day subscription to Gil’s “Knowledge Vault.” This on-line tutorial has hours of Gil’s instruction along with hundreds of hunting videos that show how to approach various shots on the range and in the field and how to hit them consistently. It’s a tremendous learning opportunity and a big timesaver. It’s the next best thing to having Gil look over your shoulder and coach as you shoot. Although the 930 Pro-Series Sporting comes only in 12 gauge and was designed from the ground up as the ultimate sporting clays gun, it is immediately apparent that it also would be terrific on game birds in the field. I have shot the 930 Pro-Series Sporting extensively and can report that it is about the bestshooting semiauto I’ve ever fired. And I’ve shot a lot of other semiautomatic shotguns. All in all, I couldn’t be more impressed with the 930 ProSeries Sporting. It seems to be a natural shooter and does everything it’s supposed to. Anyone in the market for a highquality, all-around autoloader should give the new Mossberg 930 Pro-Series Sporting a look.

That's why discriminating shooters whose jobs, professional success or personal safety depend on super accurate, super dependable firearms are willing to stake their lives and their livelihoods on Les Baer Custom 1911 pistols. From cops, tactical operators and military special ops guys to firearms trainers and serious competitors, they know that Les Baer 1911s have been delivering superior performance and unquestioned reliability for more than a quarter-century. More than thirty custom 1911 models are available, all combining traditional 1911 toughness with Les Baer's trademark craftsmanship and attention to detail. Models include:

Les Baer 1911 Premier II©

Les Baer 1911 Boss .45

Les Baer 1911 Ultimate Master

New! Les Baer .38 Super Stinger

The flagship of our entire 1911 line.

Built for high performance and lots of muscle

Available in 5" or 6"

Compact size, high performance caliber

Also available: Les Baer AR-Style Semi-Auto Rifles More than twenty models of breathtakingly accurate rifles in multiple caliber choices, barrel lengths and mission-specific options, including:

.308 Cal Monolith SWAT Model With Mid-Length Barrel .223 or .204 Ruger Super Varmint Model Les Baer Custom AR Super Varmint Rifle

Les Baer CustomMonolith .308 Semi-Auto SWAT Model

See our entire line of high performance custom rifles and pistols at…

www.lesbaer.com Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central Time

Performance. It’s Everything. 1804 Iowa Drive • LeClaire, Iowa 52753 Ph: 563-289-2126 • Fx: 563-289-2132 Email: info@lesbaer.com

SHOOT

HUNT

DEFEND

TRAIN

QUICKSHOT

SOMETIME AGO I HAD THE PLEASURE OF REVIEWING MAGNUM RESEARCH

Inc.’s .22 LR MLR22AT semiautomatic rimfire rifle. I liked it so much I bought it. Now I have the pleasure of reporting on the same rifle chambered for .22 WMR. Well, it’s not totally the same rifle. This one has a different style of stock, but the action and barrel are basically the same. Like the first one, this one is a tackdriver. The rifle has an aluminum alloy receiver and a graphite barrel; thus, it weighs just 4 pounds, 7 ounces, unloaded and without an optic. The action is patterned after the Ruger 10/22 action, and it uses Ruger’s rotary magazine and Ruger’s 10/22 trigger group. The magazine holds nine rounds of .22 WMR ammo. The action uses a modified blowback system of operation. By that I mean a patented gas system and block under the barrel allow a small amount of gas to be tapped off through a hole in the barrel to assist in the blowback operation. The receiver has an integral Weaver-style optics rail with eight cross-slots, which made it really easy to install the Leupold 1X LCO red-dot sight that I used for my shooting session. With the optic installed, the rifle weighs 5 pounds, 1 ounce according to my digital scale. The 19-inch-long barrel is MRI’s proprietary Magnum Lite barrel and is constructed of a steel liner with “uni-directional” graphite fibers running parallel to the bore’s axis. It is lightweight yet stiff (six times stiffer than steel, according to MRI), and the diameter at the muzzle is 0.92 inch. It’s a

SHOOTINGTIMES.COM

MRI MLR22WMH ACCURACY & VELOCITY 100-YD.

straight barrel with no taper, and the muzzle VEL. E.S. S.D. ACC. AMMUNITION (FPS) (FPS) (FPS) (IN.) crown has an 11-degree recess. .22 WMR As I said before, the rifle uses Ruger’s CCI GamePoint 40-gr. JSP 1841 21 10 0.93 trigger group, and trigger pull averaged 5.0 CCI Maxi Mag 40-gr. JHP 1833 17 5 0.58 pounds for 10 pulls measured with an RCBS CCI Maxi Mag 40-gr. TMJ 1836 15 5 0.70 trigger pull scale. Federal Champion 40-gr. FMJ 1806 64 23 0.63 I chose a black Hogue rubber OverRemington 40-gr. JHP 1845 51 20 1.04 Molded stock with a standard comb when Remington 40-gr. PSP 1837 61 27 1.00 I ordered the MLR22WMH because I like Winchester 40-gr. FMJ 1764 88 29 0.77 Hogue OverMolded stocks. MRI also offers Winchester 40-gr. JHP 1758 89 35 0.44 this gun with Barracuda thumbhole-style Federal Game-Shok 50-gr. JHP 1487 53 22 1.10 stocks, but I like the tacky feel and weatherNOTES: Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups fired from a sandbag benchrest. resistant qualities of the Hogue stock for a Velocity is the average of 10 rounds measured 12 feet from the gun’s muzzle. hunting rifle, which is exactly what I plan to do with this particular rifle. In fact, after I did the range shooting, I spent the better part of a morn1 inch, and the overall average for all nine loads was 0.80 inch. Accuracy and velocity averages are listed in the chart. ing hunting fox squirrels. It was early October, and the One thing has to be mentioned about the MLR22WMH. weather was perfect for the adventure. If you haven’t been MRI advises using only ammunition that is loaded with 40squirrel hunting for a while, you should reacquaint yourself with the activity. I think you’ll be reminded of just how or 50-grain bullets. Using 30-grain ammunition will void the much fun time in the woods hunting small game can be. rifle’s warranty. I stuck to that recommendation and did not Of course, with this rifle being chambered for .22 WMR, have a single malfunction. it can also be used effectively for hunting game up to and including coyotes as long as you are mindful of the range MLR22WMH limitations and you place your shots carefully. This stock also has slight palmswells on both sides of the Magnum Research Inc. MANUFACTURER magnumresearch.com pistol grip, a 1-inch-thick recoil pad, and sling-swivel studs TYPE Blowback-operated autoloader both fore and aft. The rifle’s bolt comes with an oversize CALIBER .22 WMR bolt handle that makes charging quick and easy. MAGAZINE CAPACITY 9 rounds During my range session, I put nine .22 WMR loads through BARREL 19 in. the rifle, and it was incredibly accurate. The best five-shot OVERALL LENGTH 38 in. group average (for five, five-shot groups) was just 0.44 inch. WEIGHT, EMPTY 4 lbs., 7 oz. That’s at 100 yards. Four out of the nine loads averaged STOCK Black Hogue rubber OverMolded less than 0.75 inch, six out of the nine averaged less than LENGTH OF PULL

13.63 in.

FINISH

Black anodized receiver, matte black barrel

SIGHTS

None; integral Weaver-style scope rail

TRIGGER SAFETY MSRP

5.0-lb. pull (as tested) Two position $794

The semiautomatic MLR22WMH has an aluminum alloy receiver with integral optics base, a graphite barrel, and a nine-round rotary magazine. The version used for this report features a Hogue rubber OverMolded stock.

FEBRUARY 2017 • SHOOTING TIMES

SHOOT

HUNT

DEFEND

TRAIN

QUICKSHOT

THE NEW SPARTAN LASER & LIGHT COMBO IS LASERMAX’S FIRST

offering that uses AAA batteries. It’s powered by one alkaline or NiMh rechargeable battery (lithium batteries should not be used), and you don’t have to remove the unit from the gun to replace the battery. The clamping screws do need to be removed, though. The Spartan Laser & Light fits compact and full-size Picatinny and Weaver rails. It has dual oversized paddle switches that enable left- or right-handed shooters to activate the laser and the light. It’s user programmable for a steady or high-visibility pulsed beam, and it’s fully adjustable for windage and elevation. The combo unit can be operated in laser-only mode, light-only mode, or simultaneous mode. To activate the laser only, press and release the top portion of the paddle switch from either side. Press and release the switch again to turn the laser off. To activate the light only, press and release the bottom portion of the paddle switch from ether side. Press and release the switch again to turn the light off. To activate the laser and the light simultaneously, press and release both portions of the paddle switch at the same time. The light produces 120 lumens of Mint Green LED light and is recoil proof. It can be used in steady or strobe modes, and it can be dimmed down to 4 lumens if so desired. The Class 3R visible laser has an output power rating of 5mW and a wavelength of 650nm. The Spartan Laser & Light can be had with a red laser or a green laser. My sample is the red one. A preservation mode automatically deactivates the laser and the light after 10 minutes of inactivity, safeguarding against unintentional battery drain. Simply cycle the switches to turn the laser or the light back on. The Spartan Laser & Light fits all pistols with accessory rails. The fully adjustable nature of the advanced mounting system (called Rail Vise Technology) allows the operator to install it in the optimal location for personal comfort and ease of use. The Spartan Laser & Light is 2.63 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 1 inch tall and weighs 1.3 ounces (with battery). It is covered by LaserMax’s five-year limited warranty. MSRP: $175 (red), $215 (green) lasermax.com 56

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

LEGEND PRO ARM YOURSELF WITH THE BEST

INTRODUCING THE NEW LEADER IN ALL-COPPER HOLLOW POINT PERFORMANCE

w Match Grade accuracy w Superior reliability w Maximum energy transfer w Maximum weight retention w Optimal expansion Designed and manufactured in America, LEGEND PRO delivers custom load performance in every round.

â&#x2DC;&#x2026; AVAILABLE IN A WIDE RANGE OF CALIBERS AND GRAIN WEIGHTS. Learn more at GBWcartridge.com

CUSTOM PERFORMANCE IN EVERY ROUND.

SHOOT

HUNT

DEFEND

TRAIN

QUICKSHOT

FEDERAL CREATED ITS NEW AMERICAN EAGLE SYNTECH LINE OF AMMUNITION

to be smoother and cleaner shooting. To achieve this goal, engineers developed what they call “synthetic jacket technology.” The synthetic jacket is said to shoot cleaner and cooler, produce less bullet splashback when fired into steel targets, and cause less wear on your gun’s bore. Three elements combine to provide these benefits. First, the bullet has a soft lead core and the polymer coating instead of a copper jacket. The polymer coating totally encapsulates the bullet, and according to Federal, it prevents harsh metal-on-metal contact between the bullet and the gun’s bore, eliminating copper and lead fouling. Thus, it extends barrel life. Second, Syntech ammunition uses specially formulated, cleaner-burning propellant. This powder is designed to minimize residue and fouling. Third, Syntech ammunition is primed with Federal’s new lead-free Catalyst primer. The new primer produces reliable, consistent ignition and provides a more complete burn of the propellant, which further reduces residue. Looking at the numbers, Federal’s scientific testing of Syntech found that it produced an average of 12 percent less barrel friction and 14 percent less heat. When fired into steel targets, Syntech produced 51 percent less total recoverable fragment weight than FMJ bullets between five and 15 yards of the target. It also resulted in 91 percent less weight in fragments traveling more than 15 yards from the target and at least 77 percent less in fragments weighing more than 10 grains. My first thought when I learned of Syntech was, “I wonder if this is Federal’s old Nyclad coated bullets.” I asked my contact at Federal, and he was adamant that Syntech is totally different. Syntech is currently produced in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. I fired some of the .40 S&W ammo in my SIG Match Elite 1911 pistol. Twenty-five rounds produced an average velocity of 1,104 fps (measured 12 feet from the gun’s muzzle) with an extreme spread of 20 fps and a standard deviation of 7 fps. Five, five-shot groups produced an average accuracy of 2.40 inches at 25 yards with the pistol mounted in a Ransom Rest. Four out of those five-shot strings had four shots touching. MSRP: $19.95 (9mm), $26.95 (.40 S&W), $33.95 (.45 ACP) federalpremium.com 58

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

SHOOTER’S SHOWCASE GUNSMOKE

According to legend, on July 21, 1865, Wild Bill Hickok killed Davis Tutt with one shot from his Colt Model 1851 Navy revolver. The distance was supposedly 75 yards. Terry recreated that shooting feat by firing an original Coly Navy and putting one shot very close to the heart of a silhouette target set out at 80 yards, demonstrating that Hickok’s shot is not at all farfetched.

HIPSHOTS

ANY LIST OF THE DEADLIEST GUNFIGHTERS OF

the American West must include James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok. One of the West’s most famous gunfights was Hickok’s encounter with Davis Tutt, across the town square of Springfield, Missouri, on July 21, 1865. Accounts vary, as accounts will. One had Tutt pulling his gun and missing four times before Hickok calmly drew his cap-andball Navy Colt, rested it on his forearm, and drilled Tutt through the heart at a range of about 75 yards. The generally accepted sequence of events has Hickok and Tutt spying one another across the square and then drawing and firing one shot apiece, almost simultaneously. Tutt missed, Hickok did not, and Tutt died.

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

Anyone who has ever fired a handgun knows that hitting a target at 75 yards is no easy matter. Doing so with a Navy Colt, whose sighting apparatus is a bead on the barrel and a narrow notch in the hammer, would be an accomplishment indeed. And then we have the limited power of the Navy. A .36-caliber round ball weighing 83 grains delivers ballistic performance roughly akin to the .32 ACP.

Reenacting the Shot There was only one way to confirm this was possible, and that was to reenact the event. My friend Bob Hayley owns an original Navy Colt. For the record, we chronographed a few shots first and came up with an average velocity of 747 fps, giving muzzle energy of 103 ft-lbs. The standard .32 ACP load with a 71-grain bullet at 905 fps delivers 129 ft-lbs.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT & CIRCULATION

The Colt Model 1851 Navy Wild Bill Hickok’s favorite handguns were a pair of Colt Model 1851 Navy revolvers. The Colt Model 1851 Navy is a .36-caliber percussion revolver with a six-shot cylinder and a 7.5-inch barrel. Approximately 215,348 Model 1851 Navy revolvers were produced from 1850 to 1873.

We hung a paper silhouette target at 80 laser-measured yards. I’m a novice with the Colt Navy, whereas Hickok was a master. I wasn’t comfortable resting it on my forearm, so I simply fired one-handed Bullseye style. Of six rounds in the chamber, three misfired because of decrepit percussion caps or clogged flash holes, three balls went downrange, two hit the target, and one placed a neat round hole just above the heart. “I should’ve cleaned that, shouldn’t I?” Bob muttered. Well, yes. It had not been fired in years. Shooting the Navy, however, was a revelation. It was extremely comfortable to handle and fit my hand perfectly. With its long barrel and loading rod, it’s pleasantly muzzle-heavy and very steady. One can see how a man like Hickok could become attached to his pair of Navy Colts and keep carrying them in his famous sash long after cartridge revolvers made them technologically obsolete. Most debates about killing power dismiss the .32 ACP as barely adequate even with modern tactical loads, and the Navy’s .36-caliber ball doesn’t even match that. Still, put it in the right place and you have one dead assailant. According to Jim Wilson, who has made a study of Old West gunfighters, Hickok made a practice of going out and shooting his revolvers every day. He would then clean them thoroughly, reload with fresh powder and ball, and press new percussion caps into place after ensuring the flash holes were clear. He was then ready for what the day (or night) might bring. This ritual not only afforded him daily practice, it kept his guns in tip-top condition. Bob and I were working with a gun that gets fired rarely, using percussion caps of indeterminate age. That alone was an object lesson in what you should do, on a regular basis, with any gun you might depend on to save your life. Garry James, whose specialty is pre-cartridge blackpowder guns, told me that most people are surprised at just how well percussion revolvers like the Navy actually shoot and how accurate they are at ranges we consider far beyond the capability of most of today’s carry guns. I’m not suggesting we should all return to tucking Navy Colts in our sashes (or wearing sashes, for that matter), but there are several good lessons here for anyone who carries a handgun. FEBRUARY 2017 • SHOOTING TIMES

1) Publication Title Shooting Times 2) Publication Number 0038-8084 3) Filing Date 10/01/16 4) Issue Frequency Monthly with a Bi-Monthly Issue in Dec/Jan 5) Number of Issues Published Annually 11 6) Annual Subscription Price $23.98 7) Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication Outdoor Sportsman Group David Madrid 1040 6th Avenue, 12th Floor New York, NY 10018-3703 Phone: 323-791-7190 8) Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher Outdoor Sportsman Group 1040 6th Avenue, 12th Floor New York, NY 10018-3703 9) Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor Publisher: Chris Agnes 3815 Azure Lane Addison, TX 75001 Editor: Joel J. Hutchcroft 2 News Plaza, 2nd Floor Peoria, IL 61614 Managing Editor: Terry Boyer 2 News Plaza, 2nd Floor Peoria, IL 61614 10) Owner Outdoor Sportsman Group 1040 6th Avenue, 12th Floor New York, NY 10018-3703 11) Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities. None 12) Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rate) (Check one) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: ❏ Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months ❏ Has Changed During the Preceding 12 Months 13) Publication Title Shooting Times 14) Issue Date for Circulation Data Below November 2016 15) Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. No. Copies Copies of Single Each Issue Issue During Published Preceding Nearest 12 Months to Filing Date a) Total Number of Copies 216,960 214,430 b) Paid Circulation 1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 144,712 143,902 2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 0 0 3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales 12,387 13,000 4) By Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS 0 0 c) Total Paid Distribution 157,099 156,902 d) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution 1) Outside-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541 83 95 2) In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541 0 0 3) Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS 0 0 4) Distribution Outside the Mail 295 145 e) Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution 378 240 f) Total Distribution 157,477 157,142 g) Copies Not Distributed 59,482 57,288 h) Total 216,960 214,430 i) Percent Paid 99.8% 99.8% 16) Electronic Copy Circulation a) Paid Electronic Copies 5,483 5,462 b) Total Paid Print Copies + Paid Electronic Copies 162,582 162,364 c) Total Distribution + Paid Electronic Copies 162,960 162,604 d) Percent Paid (Both Print & Electronic Copies) 99.77% 99.85% 17) This statement of ownership will be printed in the February 2017 issue of this publication. 18) Signed Peter Watt, Vice President, Consumer Marketing Date 10/01/16 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

The Master of Triggernometry // Continued From Page 64

Favorite Guns McGivern used single-action Colt revolvers early in his career, but he eventually found that he preferred double-action revolvers and is known to have used Colts and Smith & Wessons. Seemingly, he ended up preferring S&Ws—both the medium-frame M&P and the large-frame .38/44. He often used .22 LR revolvers, but his main gun was the .38 Special S&W M&P. He engineered his own ammunition, designing his own handloading tools and developing the 148-grain full wadcutter bullet specifically for the .38 Special. His bullet was later listed and sold by the Ideal Manufacturing Co.

Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting Ed McGivern’s Book of Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting, first published in 1938, is still in print (Skyhorse Publishing). The book covers his career as an exhibition shooter, and it reveals a system of shooting that he perfected during years of experimentation and research. It’s full of handgun lore and original photographs.

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

He typically used revolvers with 4- or 5-inch barrels, and he believed in using revolvers that were unmodified. Well, that’s not exactly correct. While he did nothing to the actions of his revolvers, he fitted the front sights with large gold beads. Exhibition shooting aside, McGivern was very interested in police use of the revolver. After the .357 Magnum cartridge was developed and introduced by Smith & Wesson and Winchester in 1935, McGivern experimented with Magnum revolvers at long ranges, demonstrating that with proper sights, the .357 Magnum could be used on man-sized targets at ranges of up to 600 yards. He went on to instruct police agencies and the FBI in his shooting techniques. He put on shooting exhibitions and training seminars until 1936, when during a tour of the eastern United States, he was stricken with a severe bout of arthritis. It effectively ended his exhibition-shooting career, but he continued training police and military personnel. He lived out his days in Montana, passing away in 1957. In 2010 McGivern was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.

How Does Harbor Freight Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools at the LOWEST Prices? We have invested millions of dollars in our own state-of-the-art quality test labs and millions more in our factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come visit one of our 700+ Stores Nationwide.

SAVE 259

comp at

$399

ITEM 69684 shown 61969/61970

R 12" SLIDING COMPOUND PE N O DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW SU UP WITH LASER GUIDE CO Customer Rating

$13999 $ 19999

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON

$ 97 VALUE

•

R PE ON SU UP CO

90 AMP FLUX WIRE WELDER

Customer Rating

• No Gas Required

ITEM 61849 62719 68887 shown

SAVE 50 $

comp at

99 $469

DRIVE 1/4" 3/8" 1/2"

WOW

SAVE 66%

R PE ON SU UP CO

Item 239 shown

comp at

$149.99

Customer Rating

comp at ITEM 61258 shown 61840/61297/68146

SAVE $105

ITEM 2696/61277 807/61276 62431/239

Customer Rating

YOUR CHOICE

$ 99

$29.99

$2199

comp at

• Accuracy within ±4%

TORQUE WRENCHES

t calling 800-423-2567. Canno l or HarborFreight.com or by LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from originaal be used with other discount t. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Origin day. purchase with original receip through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per Valid coupon must be presented.

8999 $159.99

5499

POWDER-FREE SUPER COUPON 5 mil NITRILE GLOVES thickness PACK OF 100 2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL YOUR CHOICE

$ 99

ITEM 68496/61363 68497/61360 68498/61359

$9999 $10999

WE CARRY A FULL LINE OF WELDING WIRE

QUALITY TOOLS LOWEST PRICES EVERYDAY VALID NOW ON 5,000 + ITEMS

R PE ON SU UP

SAVE 62%

7 $ 99 comp at $15.99

WOW SUPER COUPON

Wheel kit sold separately.

$28999 339

(212 CC ITEM 63079/69729 63080/69676 shown Customer Rating ITEM 69675/69728 63090/63089 CALIFORNIA ONLY

ING WATTS 4000 PEAK/3200 RUNN ) GAS GENERATORS 6.5 HP

LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

Customer Rating

SIZE MED LG X-LG

LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.

4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER

comp at

1499 $20.26

$ 99

ITEM 95578/69645/60625 shown Customer Rating

Item 68498 shown

O A. HOT DOG C

ITEM 60637/61615 95275 shown

B. PANCAKE

ITEM 69269 97080 shown

3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS AIR COMPRESSORS Customer Rating

SAVE 59%

$98.62

comp at

$5999

3999

YOUR CHOICE

ITEM 69052 shown 69111/62522/62573

WITH ANY PURCHASE 3-1/2" SUPER BRIGHT NINE LED ALUMINUM FLASHLIGHT

20% FREE

ANY SINGLE ITEM

OFF

$60.95

SAVE 50%

R PE ON SU UPA CO

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, automotive lifts, compressors, ﬂoor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Badland, Bremen, CoverPro, Creekstone, Daytona, Diablo, Doyle, Drummond, Earthquake, Franklin, Hercules, Holt, Jupiter, Lynxx, Maddox, Portland, Predator, Quinn, StormCat, Union, Viking. Not valid on prior purchases. Nontransferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17.

WOW SU26PE",R CO4 DRUPAWONER

9999

TOOL CART Customer Rating ITEM 61634 61952 • 580 lb. capacity 95659 shown

comp at

15999 $319.01

SAVE $219 $

comp at

$ 99 2199 39

SAVE 63%

t calling 800-423-2567. Canno l or HarborFreight.com or by LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from originaal be used with other discount t. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Origin day. purchase with original receip through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per Valid coupon must be presented.

LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "comp at" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

t calling 800-423-2567. Canno l or HarborFreight.com or by LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from originaal be used with other discount t. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Origin day. purchase with original receip through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per Valid coupon must be presented.

• HarborFreight.com • 800-423-2567

LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R 3/8" x 14 FT. GRADE 43 PERON PE N O SU UP • 5400 lb. capacity TOWING CHAIN SU UP CO Not for overhead lifting. CO ITEM 60658 97711 shown

Customer Rating

On All Hand Tools

• 700+ Stores Nationwide • Lifetime Warranty

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • Over 30 Million Satisﬁed Customers • No Hassle Return Policy

WOW SUPERAMCOMOUPONBOX

Customer Rating

SAVE 66%

$ 99

$ 99 7 $14.99

p at ITEM 63135/61451 shown com

3999

comp at

99 $ 54 $109.99

Customer Rating

ITEM 62774/94555 shown

20-60 x 60mm SPOTTING SCOPE WITH TRIPOD

m or by calling stores or HarborFreight.co LIMIT 5 - Good at our used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through

R PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE 70

Customer Rating

comp at

$34.99

$ 99

ITEM 69594/69955 42292 shown

AUTOMATIC BATTERY FLOAT CHARGER

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/6/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

R PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE 82%

SAVE $60

Customer Rating

R RAPID PUMP 1.5 TON PE ON ALUMINUM RACING JACK SU UP CO

• 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts Most Vehicles • Weighs 34 lbs.

ITEM 69252/62160 62496/62516/68053 60569 shown

comp at

8999 $119.99

$5999

SHOOTER’S SHOWCASE GUNSMOKE

HIPSHOTS

EXHIBITION SHOOTER JOE BOWMAN (OF WHOM

Ed McGivern (1874–1957) was one of the fastest handgunners of all time. He was an expert at aerial shooting and also set a Guinness World Record for rapid-fire shooting. Exhibition shooter, firearms instructor, and author, McGivern favored Smith & Wesson doubleaction revolvers.

I was a fan) was known to have said he had a PhD in “triggernometry.” Ed McGivern could have made the same claim. He was no doubt a master of the subject. At the height of his career, McGivern could break five clay balls, thrown into the air simultaneously, before they hit the ground; hit a tin can handthrown 20 feet into the air five times before it touched the ground; drive a tack or nail into wood by shooting it; shoot the pips out of playing cards at 18 feet; split a playing card edge on; “draw” a portrait of a person on sheet metal with bullet holes; write words in script or block letters the same way; and shoot a dime on the fly. More amazingly, he did those feats with a handgun—or a pair of handguns, shooting simultaneously or one at a time. He could shoot accurately holding a revolver behind his back, between his legs, upside down, or sighting from a mirror. And he is known as one of the fastest handgunners of all time. It’s been said that McGivern could shoot so fast that timing machines would malfunction in attempting to record his speed. He set a Guinness World Record for “the greatest rapid-fire feat” in 1932 by emptying two revolvers in less than two seconds. He

SHOOTING TIMES • FEBRUARY 2017

set another record in 1934 by firing five shots from a double-action revolver in 2/5 second, putting all five shots into a group that fit inside the area of a regular playing card. The distance was 15 feet and he was 60 years old at the time. (More about his favorite guns in moment.) Ed McGivern was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1874 and got his first big-bore revolver in the early 1890s. It was a .41-caliber Colt, but the exact model is not known. Later, he moved to Butte, Montana, and it was during this period that he witnessed the famous husband and wife team of Ad and Plinky Topperwein put on a shooting exhibition. During that performance, the Topperweins performed aerial shooting feats and picture drawing with rifles. Doing so, as the story goes, inspired McGivern to learn how to do the same kind of fast and accurate shooting—but using handguns instead. McGivern devoted the rest of his life to developing his extraordinary shooting skills and writing the book (Ed McGivern’s Book of Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting) that made him famous. All the while, he acknowledged that anyone could do what he did if they put in the time required to practice. Continued on Page 62

Conventional polymer tips melt in flight! Hornady ® engineers, using Doppler radar, discovered that all commonly used polymer tips are affected by aerodynamic heating – they melt and deform in flight leading to both BC and accuracy loss. To counter this effect, Hornady ® identified a heat resistant polymer and developed the Heat Shield® tip. This revolutionary new tip creates the PEFECT MEPLAT (tip) with exceptionally consistent results from bullet-to-bullet and lot-tolot – results that CAN’T BE MATCHED BY ANY BTHP. The Heat Shield® tip combined with AMP® bullet jacket technology, streamlined secant ogive and optimum boattail design creates the most consistent match bullet on the market today – ELD® Match.

ELD MATCH E X T R E M E LY L O W D R A G M AT C H B U L L E T S • Revolutionary Heat Shield® Tip • Highest-in-class BCs (over entire trajectory) • Accurate, Doppler radar veriﬁed BCs (corrected back to standard atmosphere) • Highest degrees of accuracy and consistency (bullet-to-bullet/lot-to-lot) • Streamlined secant ogive and optimum boattail design • AMP® Bullet Jackets

THE PERFECT TIP The new Heat Shield ® tip creates the perfect meplat and outperforms BTHP bullets. Available as component bullets or in factory-loaded Match ™ ammunition.

For the full story on the Heat Shield® tip and ELD® Match bullet, go to hornady.com/heat-shield

800.338.3220 | HORNADY.COM

Kimber Two-Tone II and Stainless II The new look for an iconic foundation.

The sophisticated twotone slide and frame finish features brush-polished flats on slide and is accented by rosewood grips. Offered in 45 ACP and 9mm.

The Stainless II family offers models in stainless steel and aluminum construction. Kimber logo rosewood grips complete the classic look on all Stainless II models. Available in three sizes and in .45 ACP and 9mm.

Transforming our foundation, the 2016 Kimber Two-Tone II and Stainless II families have the custom features that promote intuitive operation and absolute dependability. As with all Kimber pistols, each part is manufactured to the tightest tolerances and fit together by hand. Three sizes and 2 calibers are available in each family; the Ultra Carry II, pictured here, features a 3-inch barrel and weighs in at 25 ounces.

MADE IN A MERIC A

WHAT ALL GUNS SHOULD BE

(888) 243-4522 kimberamerica.com