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Working With Ballistic Gelatin at Home

By
Richard A. Mann
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Ballistic Gelatin 2
These items and a stove top are all you need to mix ordnance gelatin. A drill with a stirring insert helps with mixing, and some oil of cinnamon helps with the odor.

Working with ballistic gelatin is not hard or easy, but it is quite involved.

What Are The Basics Of Mixing Ballistic Gelatin At Home:

  • Mixed at a 9-to-1 by weight ratio with water.
  • Refrigerate for 24 hours as 39 degrees (F).
  • Calibrate by firing a .177 steel BB at 590 fps +/-15 fps into the gelatin; it should penetrat 2.97 to 3.75 inches.

A block of ballistic gelatin is not a “bad guy,” but bad guys don’t show up at test labs asking to be shot.

Because of that inarguable fact, in the late 1980s, the FBI established 10 percent ballistic gelatin as its soft-tissue stimulant. Since then, most bullet manufactures have adopted 10 percent ballistic gelatin as a test medium. This does not mean ballistic gelatin at any mix ratio. Ten or 20 percent exactly simulates human or animal tissue. Nor does it mean it’s the only media used by bullet manufacturers. It is, however, the most common terminal ballistics testing media.

Ballistic Gelatin Prep

Gelatin (type B) is obtained by the partial hydrolysis of collagen derived from the skin, white connective tissue and bones of animals. Gelatin consists approximately of 86 percent protein, 12 percent moisture and 2 percent ash (“mineral salt”). Typical food-grade gelatin will not provide the consistency required for ballistic testing. Ballistic gelatin provides a repeatable medium for testing a bullet’s penetration, expansion and integrity, all of which influence the bullet’s terminal performance.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
If there’s an industry standard when it comes to a bullet-testing medium, it’s ballistic gelatin. Most often, a 10 percent gelatin mixture is used. Kits are available from Custom Collagen (CustomCollagen.com).

Most shooters mix the gelatin in open molds placed in a refrigerator. Gelatin doesn’t have an appealing odor and, until it sets up, it can spill. I found that an easy way to make ballistic gelatin is to use half-gallon cardboard milk or orange juice containers with a screw-off top for a mold. (No, this does not conform to FBI testing standards, but because I don’t work for the FBI, I don’t care. If you’re conducting your own terminal ballistics tests, you shouldn’t care either.)

Smashing Ballistic Myths:

To contain the bullets from most defensive handgun cartridges, you will need three 4.66-pound blocks formed in these half-gallon containers. If you place them end to end on a flat surface, you will have 24 inches of gelatin to shoot into.

It’s generally rather easy to shoot twice into one end of the three blocks and twice into the other end. This procedure allows you to test at least four bullets with three gelatin blocks; and the center gelatin block becomes the catch block.

Ballistic Gelatin 4
It’s easy to see the difference in terminal performance when testing in blocks of 10 percent ballistic gelatin. The real question is how the differences translate to the bullet’s actual terminal performance in a bad guy. All we can do is guess.

As long as bullet paths do not cross, your results should be sound. Actually, tests have shown that even when they do cross, results vary by such a minimal amount that it’s statistically irrelevant.

What You’ll Need and How to Make It

Ten percent ballistic gelatin is called “10 percent ballistic gelatin” because it is mixed at a 9-to-1 by weight ratio with water. One of these half-gallon containers will make a block of 10 percent ballistic gelatin that weighs about 4.66 pounds. This means that for each block, you will need 0.466 pound (7.45 ounces) of gelatin and 4.2 pounds (4 pounds, 3.2 ounces) of water. Measure out the water and gelatin. You’ll need a candy thermometer, funnel, stirring spatula, mop bucket and one to two 1-gallon pots in which you can heat the water on the stove.

Heat the water to 140 degrees (F) and add 1.7ml of foam eater and 0.5ml of cinnamon oil. Foam eater cuts down the foam while mixing, and the cinnamon oil aids in the prevention of bacteria and lessens the nasty smell.

Ballistic Gelatin 3
Results such as this are what you want to see when you test your ammo in ballistic gelatin. Deep penetration and full expansion are the goals.

With the help of a friend, pour the water into a bucket while pouring the gelatin in at the same time. Then, aggressively stir the mixture for about 10 minutes or until the gelatin is dissolved.

Using a funnel, fill the half-gallon container through the screw-off cap. Screw on the cap and let the container cool for four hours at room temperature. (Write the time and date on the containers with a marker pen). After cooling, place the container in the refrigerator for 24 hours. The temperature should be about 39 degrees (F).

The temptation will be to adjust your percentages of the mix by the size of blocks you wish to make. You can concoct your own open-top molds, but it is unnecessary for handgun bullet testing. The problem with this is that working with more than a half-gallon becomes tedious in a home kitchen, and the potential for a divorce-causing mess exists! Spill this stuff inside your refrigerator, and your wife will say words she’s never said as she throws things that should not be thrown. Mix your gelatin—one at a time—in an enclosed half-gallon cardboard container.

Calibrating the Blocks

The FBI requires that gelatin blocks be calibrated. This is done by firing a .177 steel BB at 590 fps +/-15 fps into the gelatin. The BB should penetrate 2.95 to 3.74 inches. I used to do this, but after never having a block fail the test, I stopped.

Ballistic Gelatin 7

Do you have to calibrate your blocks by the FBI method? Only if you are the FBI. Can blocks that have not been calibrated yield inconsistent results? Yep. Nevertheless, tests have shown that slight variations in block consistency only minimally impact the results. Follow the preparation instructions, and your tests will provide meaningful information.

At the Range

The cardboard containers make transporting gelatin to the range in a cooler easy. When you set them out to shoot, simply peel the cardboard off. Always shoot into gelatin on a safe range, and don’t assume the bullet will stop in the gelatin or that it will not come out the side. It is not safe to stand beside gelatin blocks when they are being shot at. When shooting ballistic gelatin, all common firearms safety practices should be observed at all times.

Why Test via ballistic Gelatin?

What should you do with the results, and why should you test in ballistic gelatin? You can use the results to compare how various bullets perform in your handgun. You can also place different types of clothing or barriers in front of the gelatin.

Granted, a lot of this information is available on the Internet for a lot of different loads and barriers. However, there is no substitute for doing and learning on your own.

First Look: Mossberg’s Extended Capacity MC2c Pistol

By
Elwood Shelton
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0

Mossberg MC2c 1

Mossberg ups the ante with the extended capacity, yet highly concealable, MC2 compact pistol.

What Does The MC2c Offer:

  • 13-round flush fit and 15-round extended double-stack magazines.
  • Slim 1.1-inch width.
  • Safe and easy takedown that does not require a trigger pull.
  • Very economical starting MSRP of $490.

The shocker at last year’s SHOT Show was Mossberg. After 100 years since introducing a new pistol model, the company raised more than one eyebrow with the introduction of the MC1sc 9mm compact. It appeared a wise move, with the smooth shooting and relatively economical single-stack winning over a fair following. Not Mossberg is set to capture lightning in a bottle again.

On the cusp of the 2020 SHOT Show, the company has followed up on the MC1sc with the MC2c compact, a slightly larger variation with enhanced capacity. And while the 13+1 capacity of the new pistol is enough to perk up most shooters’ ears, its how Mossberg pulled it off that’s the intriguing story. While the double-stack MC2c boasts a bit longer barrel (3.9 inches) and comes in a touch taller (4.9 inches) than its older sibling, it remains nearly as slim and unimposing. A width of 1.1 inches, the pistol should prove extremely easy to carry and disappear on your person.

To accomplish this feat, Mossberg had to break some from the original design, in particular, the material its magazines are made from. Previously, the MC1sc utilized semi-translucent polymer magazines and was compatible with Glock 43 magazines, but had to turn to steel to pull off the svelte compact. To boot, they're a proprietary design, though feature an extended base plate that increases the magazine capacity to 15 rounds.

Learn More About Handguns:

From there, the pistol remains very familiar. The MC2c has the same comfortable ergonomics as the original, stainless steel slide with DLC or matte stainless finish, fore and aft cocking serrations, flat-faced trigger (also break around 5 pounds or so), oversized trigger guard and cross-bolt safety. The striker-fired also has the same unique and safe takedown procedure as the MC1sc, which does not require a trigger pull and allows easy access to the striker. Additionally, the MC2c is offered with your choice of low-profile 3-dot sights or optional Truglo night sights.

Sticking the what the MC1sc established, the MC2c comes in extremely affordable with an MSRP of $490 for all three-dot sight models and $595 if you pick Truglo sights.

More From Mossberg:

NORTH HAVEN, CT – Following the phenomenal success of the MC1sc™, Mossberg’s first semi-auto pistol in the company’s 100-year history, Mossberg is announcing the next in its series of feature-rich handguns: the MC2c (compact) 9mm pistol. Combining superior ergonomics, performance-driven features and increased capacity with its double-stack magazines, makes the MC2c a great size for concealed carry or home protection. Five initial offerings will include two frame variants (standard and cross-bolt safety); choice of slide finishes (black DLC-finished or bead-blasted stainless steel); and optional TRUGLO® Tritium Pro™ Night sights. And all MC2c models come with 13-round flush and 15-round extended coated-steel magazines.

Mossberg MC2c 2

Carryability begins with the compact size of the MC2c which features a 3.9-inch barrel and has an overall length of 7.1 inches; surprisingly-slim width of 1.10 inches; and height of 4.90 inches. Weighing in at 21 ounces (unloaded), this semiauto is designed to be incredibly narrow for its capacity. In addition to its concealability, the MC2c pistol’s ergonomic features help ensure that this compact is comfortable to shoot. The grip has an added palm swell and grip angle, like a 1911, and features Mossberg’s signature aggressive texturing for a more confident, firm grip. The stainless-steel slide features aggressive multi-angle serrations that provide positive slide manipulation and MC2c pistols also have a reversible magazine release, located behind the trigger guard. Models are available with a cross-bolt safety, which is reversible for right or left-handed shooters.

The MC2c frames are constructed of glass-reinforced polymer, which provides for high tensile strength and stiffness as well as high impact and chemical resistance. Slides are stainless steel with the option of Black DLC (Diamond-Like Coating) or Matte Stainless finish. And integrated into the slide is the Mossberg STS™ (Safe Takedown System), which unlike competitive products, does not require the user to pull the trigger to dissemble for routine cleaning or maintenance. Other standard features include dovetail-mounted, low-profile white 3-dot sights (drift adjustable); stainless steel barrel with cut-broached rifling and 1-in-16 twist rate with black DLC finish; front accessory rail; oversized trigger guard; and flat-profile trigger with integrated blade safety. Trigger features include short, tactile reset; reduced overtravel; and approximate 5.5-pound trigger pull weigh.

The MC2c flush 13-round and an extended 15-round double-stack magazines are constructed of coated steel which offers low friction and superior wear-resistance. The magazines also feature easy-to-remove floorplates for ease of cleaning and high-visibility followers.

MC2c Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 13+1 flush-fit magazine; 15+1 extended magazine
Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
Sights: White 3-Dot; Truglo Tritium Pro
Overall Length: 7.1 inches
Height: 4.9 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Weight: 21 ounces unloaded
MSRP: $490 3-dot sights; $595 Truglo

For more information on the Mossberg MC2c, please visit www.mossberg.com.

Browning Citori: World’s Most Popular Over/Under Shotgun

By
Jerry Lee
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5

Browning Citori LEAD

Produced in mass and beloved by many, few over/under shotguns hold a candle to the Browning Citori and its impact.

What Sets The Browning Citori Apart From Other Over/Unders:

  • Meant as an affordable alternative to the Browning Superposed.
  • Manufatured for Browning by the Miroku gun factory in Kochi, Japan.
  • Citori included selective automatic ejectors and selective single trigger.
  • Barrels pivot on a full-length hinge pin and lock close by an underlug and bolt.
  • There have been close to 100 different Citoris.

The Browning Citori has been called the best-selling over/under shotgun in the world. It’s difficult to track down sales figures from every manufacturer, but the claim is certainly believable.

Introduced in 1973, the Citori wasn’t meant to replace the legendary Superposed; rather, it was intended to be a more affordable alternative. The Superposed was made by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium, where rising production costs were quickly putting the price out of the reach of the average shotgunner. Browning management wanted to develop a lower-priced version that would increase the company’s share of the over/under market yet maintain its high-quality reputation.

Browning Citori 1
This White Lightning model has an attractive silver nitride-finished receiver with high relief engraving.

When the Citori was introduced, that goal was achieved. A standard model Superposed in the early 1970s sold for about $750. The introductory price for a Browning Citori was $325—less than half the price of the Superposed.

The Miroku Connection

When Browning began looking for a supplier for the new shotgun, it looked to the East. Company President John Val Browning had first visited the Miroku gun factory in Kochi, Japan, in 1965 and was impressed with the facility and the workers, especially the work being done on the Charles Daly brand of shotguns.1

One of these was an over/under based on the design of the Browning Superposed. Over the next few years, a relationship developed between the two companies, and an agreement was made for Miroku to manufacture firearms to be marketed under the Browning name. The first of these was the BL-22 lever-action rifle in 1970, followed the next year by the Semi-Auto .22 rifle, the B-SS side-by-side shotgun and the B-78 Single Shot rifle.2

This Citori Model 725 trap gun features ported barrels, a high-comb, grade III/IV walnut Monte Carlo stock and a HiViz Pro-Comp sight.
This Citori Model 725 trap gun features ported barrels, a high-comb, grade III/IV walnut Monte Carlo stock and a HiViz Pro-Comp sight.

Browning firearms made and imported from overseas was not a new idea. None other than John M. Browning himself had signed an agreement in 1897 for Fabrique Nationale to manufacture several of his pistol designs in Belgium.3 The Auto-5 shotgun was introduced in 1903. More than three million were made by FN before production of the legendary semi-auto was moved to Miroku in 1976.

Browning Citori Features and Models

The Citori has all the features one would expect to find on a quality over/under shotgun, including selective automatic ejectors and selective single triggers. The trigger selector is built into the safety lever located on top of the tang. Barrels came with fixed chokes in the earliest models, with choke tubes becoming standard in 1988.

Fit and finish are in keeping with Browning’s reputation for excellent workmanship. Like the Superposed, the Citori has a box-lock action, and many features are the same as, or similar to, those of the Superposed. The barrels on both designs pivot on a full-length hinge pin and are locked closed by an underlug and bolt. One obvious difference is the forend design: When the Superposed is taken down, the forend remains attached to the barrels; it is removed on the Citori.

The Superlight Feather model’s English-style, straight-grip stock made for fast handling. With its alloy receiver, it weighed only 6 pounds in 12 gauge.
The Superlight Feather model’s English-style, straight-grip stock made for fast handling. With its alloy receiver, it weighed only 6 pounds in 12 gauge.

There are many Browning Citori models and variants currently in production and dozens more over its 46-year run. It has been chambered in 12, 20 and 28 gauge and .410 bore, including occasional listings for 16 gauge. Current models shown on the Browning website are chambered only in 20 or 12 gauge, except for a four-gauge combo with extra barrels in 12, 20, 28 and .410. I’m quite sure there has never been a 10-gauge Citori.

Recent Changes

As would be expected over its long run, there have been some changes in the evolution of the Citori. The most recent has been with the 725 series, introduced in 2012. It has a lower profile receiver that is designed to place the shooter’s eye closer to the axis of the barrels. Another change is to a mechanical trigger, which doesn’t require the recoil of the first shot to set the second.

Bone Up On Browning:

Current models come in every hunting and clay target variation. Browning currently lists more than 50 different Citori models, including the 725 series and some variants listed as “limited availability.”

Looking back over the history of the name, there have been close to 100 different Citoris—further proof that it can claim to be the world’s most popular over/under shotgun.

FOOTNOTES
1, 2: A Brief History of Browning and Miroku, www.browning.com
3: Standard Catalog of Browning, Joseph Cornell, Gun Digest Books, 2008

The article originally appeared in the July 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Corey Graff contributed to this article.

First Look: Springfield XD-M Elite

By
Elwood Shelton
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Springfield Armory XD-M Pistols

Boasting an enhanced trigger and plenty of capacity, the Springfield Armory improves the XD-M line with the XD-M Elite.

How Does the XD-M Elite Improve On The Original:

  • Match Grade, flat-faced trigger with integral overtravel stop
  • Cold hammer-forged barrel
  • More aggressive cocking serrations
  • Removable extended and flared magwell
  • Enhanced 22+1 capacity

It won’t be January without Springfield Armory offering an update to its striker-fired pistol family. And the company didn’t disappoint, tacking on an addition to what many consider the pick of the litter. The XD-M Elite has several updates, including an improved trigger (Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly), match barrel, ambidextrous slide stop, more aggressive cocking serrations, removable extended and flared magwells (Precision and Tactical OSP models) and enhanced capacity (20+1 rounds of 9mm in the 3.8- and 4.5-inch barrel models and 22+1 in the Precision and Tactical OSP models).

The trigger pull is what has gotten many jawing with about the pistol, claiming it lives up to its ‘match’ moniker. In addition to a terse and crisp break, the flat-faced trigger also features an integral overtravel stop, which should help you pick up the pace. Springfield offers four variations of the XD-M Elite, 5.25-inch barreled Precision, 4.5-inch threaded barrel Tactical OSP, 4.5-inch barrel service model and 3.8-inch barrel sub-compact. The MSRP of the 3.8 and 4.5 XD-M Elite is $559, while the Tactical OSP is $709 and the Precision $653.

Learn More About Handguns:

More From Springfield:

GENESEO, ILL.– The new XD-M® Elite from Springfield Armory® represents the pinnacle of performance in factory striker-fired pistols. Taking the polymer platform that broke the mold and incorporating numerous upgrades and improvements, the XD-M® Elite redefines what you should expect from modern, striker-fired firearms.

At the heart of the new XD-M® Elite is the Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META™) system, a superbly refined trigger designed to wring out the most from the pistol’s most important interface with the shooter. Featuring a flat face and integral overtravel stop, the META™ system delivers the finest trigger pull available on a production polymer-framed pistol.

In addition to the exceptionally crisp and clean trigger pull tuned to the pistol’s fully cocked striker, the XD-M® Elite also features increased-capacity magazines holding up to 22 rounds of 9mm. These magazines mate up with another impressive upgrade on the XD-M® Elite — removable extended and flared magwells, designed to make ultra-fast reloads a breeze.

Ushering in the new XD-M® Elite family of purpose-driven pistols are four duly appointed models, ranging from competition-ready and tactical variants to duty-sized and CCW-ready versions. These models are as follows:

·XD-M® Elite Precision (XDME95259BHC)
·XD-M® Elite Tactical OSP™(XDMET9459FHCOSP)
·XD-M® Elite 4.5″ (XDME9459BHC)
·XD-M® Elite 3.8″ (XDME9389BHC)

The XD-M® Elite Precision features a 5.25″ hammer-forged barrel and extended slide with an adjustable rear/fiber optic front sight system while the XD-M® Elite Tactical OSP™ sports a hammer-forged 5.34” threaded barrel with thread protector, a slide capable of mounting today’s top red dot optics and suppressor-height iron sights. Both pistols feature a “standard” magwell design that works in concert with its 22+1 capacity magazines, for the ultimate in 9mm firepower.

The XD-M® Elite 4.5″ features a standard-length slide and 4.5″ hammer-forged barrel, while the XD-M® Elite 3.8″ is topped off with a shortened 3.8″ hammer-forged barrel and matching compact slide for enhanced concealability. Both pistols feature “short” magwell systems and 20+1 capacity 9mm magazines, combining amazing capacity with compact dimensions. Also, both versions feature U-Dot rear sights combined with fiber optic fronts. All four variants come packed with two magazines.

Other upgrades to the XD-M® Elite include an ambidextrous slide stop and improved slide serrations, with enlarged grasping grooves for slip-free purchase. The result is a pistol that handles as well as it shoots and shows you what today’s top polymer-framed pistol can truly do.

Springfield Armory XD-M Sub
XD-M ELITE 3.8″
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.8″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:16
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite Finish
Frame Black: Polymer
Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot Rear
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Magazines: (2) 20-Round
Grip Width: 1.2″
Height: 5.75″
Length: 6.75″
Weight: 28 oz
MSRP: $559

Springfield Armory XD-M Service
XD-M ELITE 4.5″
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.5″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:16
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite Finish
Frame: Black Polymer
Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot Rear
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Magazines: (2) 20-Round
Grip Width: 1.2″
Height: 5.75″
Length: 7.6″
Weight: 29 oz
MSRP: $559

Springfield Armory XD-M tactical
XD-M ELITE 4.5″ TACTICAL OSP
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 5.28″ Hammer Forged Steel, Threaded (.578 x 28), Melonite Finish, 1:16
Slide: Forged Steel, Desert FDE Cerakote Finish, Optics Ready
Frame: Desert FDE Polymer
Sights: Co-Witness, Suppressor Height
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Magazines: (2) 22-Round
Grip Width: 1.2″
Height: 5.875″
Length: 8.6″
Weight: 30 oz
MSRP: $709

Springfield Armory XD-M Precision
XD-M ELITE 5.25″ PRECISION
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 5.25″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:16
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite Finish
Frame: Black Polymer
Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Fully Adjustable Target Rear
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Magazines: (3) 22-Round
Grip Width: 1.2″
Height: 5.875″
Length: 8.3″
Weight: 30 oz
MSRP: $653

For more information on the XD-M Elite line, please visit www.springfield-armory.com/.

Reloading Tools: Accessorize Your Reloading Bench

By
Philip Massaro
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0
Reloading tools die
A reloading bench can be as simple or as complex as you’d like; sometimes, the gadgets and gizmos are very welcome.

Game-changing reloading tools that make handloading much more enjoyable.

I learned how to reload on my dad’s gear. To say it was minimalist is more than an understatement.

Here’s an idea of what he had at the time: The entire list comprised a Lee three-hole turret press, an RCBS 505 balance beam scale, an RCBS powder trickler, a set of .308 Winchester RCBS dies, a Wilson chamfer/deburring tool and a dual-sided primer pocket cleaner tool.

Needless to say, it was a meager setup. Nevertheless, as I look back, we had an awful lot of fun stretching the limits of that small bench and “making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”

And Now …

At the time, Dad and I both shot a .308 Winchester (a Ruger Model 77 MKII for me and a Mossberg Model 100A for Dad), and we learned quite a bit about the subtle difference in barrels, as well as how the same load wouldn’t work (perfectly) for both guns. But we did learn about the science of reloading, and we learned what we didn’t know.

Reloading Tool Trays
The Lyman Deluxe Anodized Aluminum Loading Blocks and Bleacher Blocks keep your cartridges from rolling all over the bench. They’re neat, concise and well thought out.

My reloading bench today is completely different than what we had at Dad’s house, but the mission is also completely different. I no longer use a .308 Winchester exclusively and have amassed a wide variety of rifles in an equally wide variety of cartridges. I also load a larger number of different cartridges for friends and clients, alike, so versatility is paramount.

There are four presses on the bench—three single-stages and a Redding T7 turret press—and my stack of reloading dies might qualify as a collection, but there are some little, and some not so little, things I have become quite attached to.

Time-Saving Gear

RCBS ChargeMaster 1500. The RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 is an automated powder-thrower combined with a 1,500-grain digital scale that’s fully programmable to store your favorite loads. It will throw loads between 2 and 300 grains to the nearest 1/10 grain and warns you if a charge is overweight. For high-volume loading, it’s hard to beat this unit. If your budget is a bit tight, look to the ChargeMaster Lite.

Reloading Tools Auto Case Prep
The RCBS Brass Boss can prep a good number of cases in a short amount of time, performing multiple operations.

Redding PR-50 powder measure. I like the Redding PR-50 powder measure, especially for load development. Powders can be changed quickly; and, when cooking up a variety of loads, I can get very close to the target weight and trickle in the remainder.

Lyman Deluxe Anodized Aluminum Loading Blocks. I have found a couple of loading block models from Lyman that I absolutely love. They are milled from a single block of 6061-T6 aluminum; and, at a weight of 2 pounds, they don’t fall over. They have a hole drilled into the base of each case receptacle so that the residue and debris from resized cases can be brushed out. The Lyman Bleacher Blocks are a cheaper alternative and almost as cool; they are a bit more difficult to clean but are sized perfectly for the three popular case sizes: .223, .30-06 and .375 H&H Belted.

Little Crow Gun Works Precision Prep Tool. Case preparation can be a chore, but the Little Crow Gun Works Precision Prep Tool has earned a place on my bench. The aluminum “Hand Turret,” with its rotating head, has four receptacles for different tool heads. I keep a VLD chamfer tool, deburring tool, large rifle primer pocket cleaner and a large rifle primer pocket uniforming tool on mine. The tool works in a fishing reel motion, and although I do own automated tools, this little wonder gives me a hands-on feel.

Reloading Tools Case Trimmer
The Redding 2400 Trimmer can give uniform results without the need for electricity.

The Redding 15-P has a piloted VLD chamfer tool (using the case’s flash hole as a pilot hole) that uses a slender screwdriver handle to put the most precise chamfer I’ve ever seen on a case mouth. If you like to geek-out over your case preparation, the Redding 15-P (aptly named for the 15-degree chamfer angle) is something you’ll want to own.

Load Up On Reloading Info:

The RCBS Brass Boss offers six rotating heads to take the pressure off your wrists. Chamfering, deburring, primer pocket cleaning, military crimp remover—all these processes, and more, are handled by the Brass Boss. It will mount to your bench and is extremely handy.

I also like the RCBS Universal Case Prep Center, because it adds a micrometer-adjustable trimming tool to the variable-rpm unit. Cases come out at a uniform length, with nice, square case mouths. I like this tool for cartridge conversion; when I’m making .318 Westley Richards brass out of .30-’06 Springfield brass, it’s much easier to let the motor do the work, and the result is much more uniform.

Reloading Tools ChargeMaster
The RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 dispenses accurate powder charges very quickly and is a worthy investment.

Redding Bullet Seating Micrometers. These replace the seating plug in the seating die, giving micrometer adjustments to dial your seating-in depth to a hair’s breadth. Redding offers them in standard, VLD and flat configurations, covering just about all the bases. With so many lead-free copper bullets on the market today—known for their sensitivity to seating depth—investing in a micrometer-adjustable seating plug is a good idea.

For years, we primed all our cases from that Lee press, and while it certainly worked, the press generates an awful lot of pressure. Some feel the operation should be handled by hand priming tools. I agree, because I enjoy the feel of these tools, and I have two that I enjoy equally.

The RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool uses a set of spring-loaded jaws to hold nearly all cartridges and will install both large and small primers.

Reloading Tools Hand Primer
Both the RCBS and Lyman hand priming tools make life easier, giving a better “feel” when seating primers.

The Lyman E-ZEE Prime Universal Hand Priming Tool uses two trays (one for each primer size) and the appropriate shellholder for the cartridge being primed to neatly and quickly install primers. Both are worth the cost and are a smart addition to the bench.

Up the Enjoyment Factor

It’s up to you to decide how simple or complex your reloading bench will be. I hope that with the modern conveniences available, it would be a bit more comfortable than what I learned on. Depending on your budget, you can have as many or as few accessories as you’d like.

First Look: FN SCAR 20S Now Available In 6.5 Creedmoor

By
Elwood Shelton
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0

FN SCAR 20s

The addition of a 6.5 Creedmoor option is certain to take the precision SCAR 20S the distance and then some.

How The 6.5 CM SCAR 20S Is Set Up For Long-Range Success:

  • Monolithic extended receiver adds rigidity.
  • Plenty of heft and a compensator cuts recoil.
  • Two-stage Geissele Super SCAR trigger offers a clean break.

Any performance gun geek has a special place in his or her heart for the FN SCAR. It’s a shooter, darn accurate one at that and potentially more so given the Belgian-American company’s recent announcement. The popular SCAR 20S series will now be available in 6.5 Creedmoor. That news is enough to get a trigger finger itching.

Based on the FN MK 20 SSR (sniper support rifle) first developed for USSOCOM, the SCAR 20S was originally released in 7.62 NATO/.308 Win. two years ago. The new 6.5 Creedmoor should prove equally as riveting to the gun world, outfitted with a Surefire ProComp 762 muzzle brake/compensator on 20-inch cold hammer-forged and chrome-plated barrel with a 1-in-8 right-hand twist. Additionally, and like the 7.62 model, the rifle has a two-stage Geissele Super SCAR trigger, extended monolithic receiver and the FN MK 20 SSR precision stock (fully adjustable). Given the rifle’s 11.5-pound weight and the compensator, the already polite 6.5 Creedmoor should be a plum pussycat out of the SCAR.

More Precision Shooting

Furthermore, across the board, the entire SCAR 20S series has new color options, now available in matte black and Flat Dark Earth. No matter its hue, start going through the couch cushion for spare change if you want one, with the SCAR 20S in 6.5 Creedmoor is tagged with a steep $4,499 MSRP.

More from FN:

(McLean, VA) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that the popular FN SCAR® 20S long-range, precision rifle, released in 2018, is now available in 6.5 Creedmoor. This new chambering also accompanies new color options for the platform with the rifle now offered in a matte black finish as well as the company’s signature flat dark earth (FDE).

The 6.5 Creedmoor-chambered rifle will feature a 20-inch, 1:8” righthand twist barrel with SureFire ProComp 762 muzzle device. The barrel is made from FN’s proprietary machine gun steel and is cold hammer-forged and chrome-plated for extended life.

FN SCAR 20s 1

Like the 7.62 FN SCAR 20S, the rifle features an extended monolithic receiver with ample space to mount optics, Geissele Super SCAR trigger with an average of 4lb. trigger pull, FN MK 20 SSR precision stock that is adjustable for length of pull and comb height, as well as the Hogue grip. Both the FN SCAR 20S in 7.62 and 6.5 Creedmoor accept the 10- or 20-round FN SCAR 17S magazines.

The 6.5mm Creedmoor has taken the long-range shooting market by storm with its increased efficiency, reduced recoil, availability and price of high-quality match-grade ammunition coupled with a cartridge design that is inherently accurate. FN first prototyped the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge in the FN MK 20 SSR or sniper support rifle when USSOCOM announced plans last year to explore the cartridge for future adoption.

FN SCAR 20S 6.5 CM Specifications:
Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Twist Rate: 1:8″ RH
Barrel Material: Alloy Steel, hammer forged, chrome plated
Muzzle Device: Surefire ProComp 762
Sights: None provided
Stock: SSR Precision Adjustable for LOP, comb height
Forearm: M1913 rails at 3, 6, 9 o’clock
Weight (with empty magazine, no optics): 11.5 pounds
Length: 41.125″ – 43″
Width: 2.73″
Height (with magazine): 8.03″
Length of Pull: 13.125-15″
Magazine: One 10-round magazine
Trigger Pull: 3.5-4.5lbs two-stage Geissele Super SCAR
MSRP: $4,499

For more information on the FN SCAR 20S, please visit fnamerica.com.

Brush Up on Your Creedmoor 6.5 Knowledge

Norma Strike Series: Bench Performance Hunting Ammo

By
Philip Massaro
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Norma Strike Series Cartridges 2

The bench results of the three bullets that make up the Norma Strike Series will make you a believer.

What Comprises The Norma Strike Series:

  • EcoStrike is an all-copper hollow-point bullet with a green polymer tip and proprietary plating.
  • TipStrike bullet is a flat-base, copper jacket/lead core design with a spitzer point and orange polymer tip.
  • BondStrike Extreme is a polymer-tipped, bonded-core boattail that’s designed for deep penetration at a wide variety of distances.

When I was a young man, premium ammunition was virtually unheard of. We shot what was available.

But when I finally saw the benefits of the premium stuff, I was immediately hooked. I had seen a few boxes of Norma ammunition—a brand I was definitely unfamiliar with—with the lower-case brand name and wood grain look, and I was amazed at the performance.

Fast-forward three decades, and that kid (with a lot less hair but a bit more wisdom) would have developed a passion for premium ammunition and would become rather well-acquainted with the Norma brand.

Norma Strike Series Eco Cartridge Box
The Norma EcoStrike, a lead-free, monometal bullet, is designed to give deep penetration.

Long before I ever pulled the trigger on Norma’s ammunition, I developed a love for the company’s component brass. It has given me some of the most accurate handloads I’ve ever created. As I began testing different brands and types of ammunition for various articles, I saw a common thread with Norma factory ammunition: It has been consistently accurate, in addition to delivering the terminal performance that any hunter would be happy with.

Famous for the consistency of its products, Norma not only loaded some fantastic bullets from famous producers (its African PH line is built around the excellent pair of the Woodleigh Weldcore softpoint and Woodleigh Full Metal Jacket), it also began to produce its own superb bullets.

On-Target Ammunition Information:

The Norma Oryx, with a semi-bonded design and a soft nose, is a wonderful hunting bullet. Giving excellent expansion at the front end, the rear of the jacket is chemically bonded to the lead core to prevent jacket/core separation and guarantee deep penetration. It’s never let me down.

Norma’s Strike Series


However, Norma has endeavored to build upon the reputation of the Oryx—and the company’s bullet-making capabilities—by developing the Strike series of projectiles.

Norma Strike Series Eco Group
Mrs. Massaro’s Savage LadyHunter certainly liked the 150-grain Norma EcoStrike load.

Located in Amotfors, Sweden, Norma Precision caters to hunters all around the globe—from the deer hunters of the United States to the professional hunters across Africa and everywhere in between. Each and every hunting situation is different, and just as we have many different cartridges to fill our hunting needs, there are many different bullet designs to handle the wide variety of game animals.

Currently, there are three models available in the Strike series: EcoStrike, TipStrike and BondStrike Extreme. They are three distinctly different bullet designs, and each does its job perfectly. I had the unique opportunity to visit the Norma Precision plant in Amotfors to see exactly how Norma’s stuff is made.

The plant is as efficient an operation as I have ever seen. Each station is clean as a whistle, and Norma has taken every effort to see that materials are used in a manner that generates minimum waste. All in all, it’s one impressive operation.

Green As Grass: EcoStrike


The projectiles for the Strike series are as different as night and day.

Norma Strike Series Tip Cartridge Box
The Norma TipStrike, a flat-base, polymer-tipped bullet, is designed for rapid expansion.

The EcoStrike is an all-copper hollow-point bullet with a green polymer tip and proprietary plating. The plating reduces the amount of copper fouling associated with bullets of this design. The bullet uses a “waist” mid shank to reduce barrel friction and maximize velocities. Being of monometal design, the EcoStrike will hold together, no matter the impact velocities, and will give very deep penetration. The bullets are very uniform—they are turned on a machine—and have shown impressive accuracy, in addition to great terminal results.

Testing the new ammunition in a few different calibers and rifles here in the States, I noticed the accuracy of the EcoStrike immediately. The .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and .300 Winchester Magnum stuff all printed sub-MOA, with one rifle giving exceptional accuracy: my wife’s Savage Lady Hunter in .308 Winchester.

I asked her to try the EcoStrike. She sheepishly told me the first bullet hit a bit above the bullseye, but she missed the target with the second two shots. Knowing she shoots well, we walked down to the target, only to see one ragged hole—three shots in a group measuring ¼ inch. We adjusted the scope, and I asked for a second group, which measured barely larger than the first.

Quick And Lethal: TipStrike


Norma’s TipStrike is designed on the opposite end of the spectrum. Listening to the desires of both wild boar hunters across Europe and American deer hunters—both of whom enjoy the benefits of a bullet with rapid expansion and energy transfer—Norma has developed a bullet perfect for both scenarios.

Norma Strike Series Group on Target 1
he 170-grain Norma TipStrike shot very well in the author’s Winchester Model 70.

The TipStrike bullet is a flat-base, copper jacket/lead core design with a spitzer point and orange polymer tip. While the ballistic coefficient certainly isn’t that of the target-style bullets, it still shoots plenty flat enough for a hunter who stays within sane ranges; and it, too, is wickedly accurate.

My trusty, old .300 Winchester Magnum—a Model 70 Classic Stainless that has served me very well—will put three 170-grain TipStrikes into a sub-½-inch group at 100 yards; this is perfect for any deer hunting situation.

The TipStrike has a tapering jacket with a small interior rim near the base to firmly hold the lead core to the copper jacket. The package results in a bullet that gives wonderful expansion up front yet results in about 75 percent weight retention … when you can recover them. The flat-base design actually aids accuracy, and the polymer tip initiates that quick expansion.

Norma Strike Series Cartrdige
The Norma BondStrike Extreme is a bonded-core boattail bullet with a polymer tip. It is designed to retain its energy at longer ranges and withstand high-velocity impact.

When you want a bullet that gives the “off switch’” performance that will put a deer down in its tracks, the Norma TipStrike delivers.

Tough as Nails at Any Distance: Bondstrike extreme

Norma’s BondStrike Extreme is the third in the series. It’s a polymer-tipped, bonded-core boattail that’s designed for deep penetration at a wide variety of distances.

Released at the 2019 SHOT Show, BondStrike Extreme is the perfect choice for the Western hunter whose shots tend to be on the longer side or for hunters who like a bullet that can handle the strains of high-impact velocity (such as a .300 Magnum up close) yet still expand reliably at lower-impact velocities. I’ve tested the new design in both .308 Winchester and .300 Winchester Magnum. The former was used on a whitetail buck, and the latter was used on a west Texas aoudad, which are renowned for their ability to soak up lead.

Norma Strike Series Cartridge On Hunt
Norma’s BondStrike Extreme .300 Winchester cartridge is a great long-range hunting choice.

At the bench, both printed very well, with my Ruger 77 MKII .308 putting three shots into exactly 1 MOA and my Winchester 70 Classic Stainless .300 Win. Mag. printing ¾ MOA. The shot on the deer—a mature buck, but nothing stunning in the antler department—was at fewer than 50 yards.
It was a straight-on frontal shot. The deer went down as if pole-axed. The bullet took him in the spine, killing him instantly. It traversed about 12 inches of spine and was found in the tenderloin, understandably distorted.

So, whether up close or way out there, the BondStrike Extreme can cover it. The polymer tip helps maintain an already-high ballistic coefficient (it has a G1 BC of 0.615), and the muzzle velocities of both tested calibers were at spec. Consequently, the BondStrike makes all sorts of sense for those who hunt at longer ranges.

Something for Everyone


If you prefer the performance of a premium, monometal bullet, the Norma EcoStrike is your baby. It generally runs on the light side for caliber, giving a bit more muzzle velocity in close, but it has a ballistic coefficient good enough to let hunters make the shot they need to. It’s lead free in order to be legally compliant with those areas that prohibit hunting with lead-core bullets, and the polymer tip and hollow cavity guarantee consistent expansion.

Norma Strike Series bullet expansion
This BondStrike Extreme 180-grain bullet was recovered from an aoudad ram shot at 32 yards. In spite of the high-impact velocity, the bullet held together.

For the deer, antelope and sheep class of game, Norma’s TipStrike is hard to beat. It hits hard, opens quickly and yet stays together to drive deep into the vitals. My own experiences with this bullet have proven Norma’s claim that this bullet provides—and I quote—“instant stop, because we don’t believe in blood trails.”

For the tougher animals, which might be taken at longer distances, the BondStrike Extreme will get the job done for sure.
So, if you want a fantastic trio of ammo for your favorite rifle or just want a breath of fresh air, give one or all of these products a whirl. I believe the bench results, alone, will make a believer of you.

The Norma EcoStrike is available in the following calibers: 7x64mm Brenneke, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7x64R, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 WSM, .300 Winchester Magnum, 8×57 JS, 8×57 JRS, 9.3x62mm, 9.3x74R

The Norma TipStrike is available in the following calibers: .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, 7x57R, 7x65R, 7×64 Brenneke, .280 Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Magnum

The Norma BondStrike Extreme is available in the following calibers: .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .300 WSM, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Remington Ultra Magnum

The article originally appeared in the July 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

First Look: Walther CCP M2 In .380 ACP

By
Elwood Shelton
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Walther CCP M2 1

Walther has taken its easy-to-shoot and manipulate CCP M2 .380 ACP.

At one time, little thought was given to those that have difficulty manipulating a semi-automatic pistol. An elderly person or someone with a permanent disability, whatever the case, the inability to efficiently work the slide could prove a hurdle too high. Thus arguably the most useful style of self-defense gun was out of reach. Those days are fast becoming a thing of the past.

Walther Arms is among a handful of gunmakers who’ve addressed this issue, and it’s CCP M2 in .380 ACP is the result. The first polymer pistol with the company’s Softcoil gas technology, the CCP—both the .380 and earlier 9mm models—boasts a slide nearly anyone can manipulate, regardless of hand strength. The same technology also cuts felt recoil considerably—particularly in .380—which is always a plus.

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Following the same lines as the original 9mm version of the pistol, the .380 CCP M2 has a wealth of convenience engineered into it. Next to its easy shooting and manipulation, it also makes takedown less of a hassle than any other Walther. This is thanks to its toolless disassembly process, a blessing for those who don’t relish spending extra time on routine maintenance. Other notables, a 3.54-inch fixed barrel, 5.5-pound trigger pull, 8+1 capacity, 20-ounce weight (empty) and 1.18-inch width.

More from Walther:

Maximum Efficiency. Minimal Effort. Cutting- Edge Technology.

An achievement born from an unabating commitment to excellence. All in the most comfortable and accessible firearm offered in the market today.

The CCP M2 handgun series represents the next step in performance at Walther. Once again pushing beyond the boundaries of expectations to meet this demand, Walther releases the extraordinary CCP M2 pistol in .380 ACP.

Walther CCP M2 380

The CCP – or Concealed Carry Pistol – is the first polymer pistol with Softcoil gas technology. This technology improves the user’s experience by reducing overall felt recoil and allowing the slide to be easily manipulated regardless of hand strength. The CCP is also the most ergonomic and comfortable handgun in Walther’s dynamic concealed carry lineup. Tool-less takedown and a fixed barrel allow for easy cleaning and maintenance, making this one of the most accessible pistols available today.

Softcoil Gas Technology utilizes the gasses fired from the round to delay recoil with a piston attached to the slide. This gas-delayed blow-back system works hand-in-hand with Walther’s fixed barrel semi-automatic system, making it the softest shooting .380 ACP on the market.

With additional popular features such as an external safety, front, and rear slide serrations and a reversible magazine release, the CCP M2 handgun is sure to become a valuable addition to your everyday carry.

CCP M2 in .380 Specs
Caliber: .380 ACP
Barrel Length: 3.54 inches
Trigger Pull: 5.5 pounds
Trigger Travel: 0.27 inches
Capacity: 8 rounds
Overall Length: 6.41 inches
Height: 5.12 inches
Safety: 1 manual thumb safety
Width: 1.18 inches
Weight Empty: 20 ounces

For more information on the CCP M2, please visit waltherarms.com.

Keeping Your Progressive Press Running Smooth

By
Patrick Sweeney
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Progressive Press lead

If you want to craft great ammo, take care of your progressive press. Here’s how.

What Are The Areas Of Concern On A Progressive Press:

  • Lube the ram
  • Keep the priming system clear of debris
  • Ensuring the trough (or plate) moves freely
  • Clean and calibrate your dies

While you don’t have to be borderline OCD to be a good reloader, a certain amount of daintiness and neatness is a good idea …

Progressive Press 1
The ram, or links, or pivots on your press appreciate a little TLC now and then.

… Especially when it comes to progressive presses. Those are the ones where you can shuttle cartridges along the shell plate in order as you work the handle and process each in a separate step. You know: Dillon, Hornady and RCBS, to name a few. There are a few things they have in common that you must attend to if you expect to be crafting good ammo.

Lube the Ram

You need to lube the ram. The center post—the part that moves the shell plate with its load of cartridges—needs attending to now and then. Not often; but wiping the ram and using lubricant on it and/or the links and pivots will make the process smoother. It will also reduce wear. If you find the work of loading to have become even more work than it started out being, a buildup of crud on the moving parts can cause friction, and that leads to wear.

Disassemble the Priming System

Progressive Press
The primer feed mechanism is the most delicate part of your press. if you don’t keep it clean, don’t expect it to work properly.

You need to fuss over the priming system. If your press feeds primers, any buildup of dust or scattered powder will cause problems. I find that if I yank the priming system apart every couple of thousand rounds and scrub, inspect, lube and reassemble it, things go much more smoothly. For lube in the priming system, I use a spray dry silicone lubricant. This way, I can keep it slick but not risk having lubricant migrate into the feed system and kill primers.

If I don’t take care of this task regularly, the primer feed system buildup causes primers to sit just a bit too high in the cup, and they pop out when I cycle the handle.

Check the Trough

While you’re at it, check the trough or plate that the shell plate moves in. Every time you decap a spent primer, there is a puff of ash and particles. Every time you are a bit heavy-handed in moving the shell plate, you risk a particle or two of powder being spilled. As this cloud of debris wafts down and builds up, it can bind the shell plate. So, while you have the primer feed system apart, yank the shell plate out, scrub the parts, silicone-lube and reassemble everything.

Progressive Press 4
With even just a bit of jiggling, your press will spill a few particles of powder. If you let it build up, it will cause problems.

And, speaking of spent primers, anything you can do, any gadget you can buy that makes the collection and control of those used-up bits of metal cleaner—get it.

Check the Bullet Seating Setup

Check your bullet seating setup. OK; if you load lead bullets (and a lot of reloaders do in order to stretch ammo dollars even further), you will have been advised to bell your cases enough to allow for easy seating. However, too much and you work your brass too hard, they will crack sooner in use. As a result, a lot of reloaders have the belling of brass adjusted to the absolute minimum they can get away with. This can lead to a different problem:

Load Up On Reloading Info:

If you don’t bell enough, the lead bullets can have some of the bullet lube squeegeed off, and it is pushed up into the seating die. I found this out, as you’d expect, the hard way back in the early days of my reloading. I had figured out how to load 9mm (not easy back then; 9mm wasn’t commonly reloaded) and then proceeded to load up literal buckets of ammo.

Progressive Press 2
For every case you decap, that spent primer spurts a tiny puff of ash, particles and bits of brass. Regular cleaning will keep things running smoothly.

One day, while practicing on bowling pins, I had a jam. Darned 9mms—always causing problems. I pulled the round out, only to see that it was too short. Hmm. Another malfunction, another short round. Then, I started looking at the rest in the bucket: They were all too short.

It turns out that the lube had been squeegeed off and pumped up into the seating die until it had packed in enough to start seating bullets short. I pulled my seating die out, scraped out an embarrassingly large amount of bullet lube and then adjusted the belling setting to bell just a bit more. There were no problems after that.

You’re Not Quite Done Yet

As an aid to being clean, once you are done loading a particular caliber, finish the components on hand, put the powder back into its container and disassemble the press.

Progressive Press 3
Spent primers want to go everywhere. Anything you can buy, build or steal that keeps them under control—do it.

When you next start loading, you have a bare press to inspect (and clean, if need be) and set up for loading. Note: Don’t leave powder in the dispenser for the next session; it will discolor the tube. And, if you forget what kind of powder it is, you have to dispose of it and not risk using the wrong powder.

The last part of this isn’t really cleaning; it’s labeling. Unless you load one cartridge with one combination of powder, bullets, primers, etc., you need to write down what you do—and not just the caliber, but the powder, weight, any settings (if they are changed from the standard) and any other details. Use 3×5 cards, and put one in with each box or bucket of ammo you load. That way, when you run low, you can easily reassemble the press to the correct settings and load the same ammo.

There’s a reason mankind invented writing. Use it.

The article originally appeared in the July 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

First Look: The Mossberg 940 JM Pro Proves Lightning Fast In Every Way

By
Elwood Shelton
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Mossberg 940 JM Pro

Born to run, the Mossberg 940 JM Pro has all the assets own the shotgun stage of 3-Gun competitions.

How The 940 JM Pro Is Engineered To Be A Winner:

  • Self-cleaning piston can run for 1,500 rounds between cleanings.
  • Oversized, beveled loading port allows for fast reloads.
  • Magazine holds nine 2 3/4-inch shells.
  • Fully adjustable buttstock allows for a perfect fit.

Think race gun, a tricked out CZ Shadow or STI 2011 typically comes to mind. Seldom—outside the bounds of dyed-in-the-wool 3-Gun competitors—does the lowly shotgun end up the top thought. Though, anymore, this can be the make-or-break stage in a competition. Luckily, a company that knows shotguns has put a lot of thought into what it takes to gun for gold and looks to have turned out a winner.

Freshly unveiled, the Mossberg 940 JM Pro offers all those little extras that shave precious seconds from the clock. It figures it would. Not only does the semi-automatic 12-gauge roll off the line of one of the country’s most storied shotgun makers, but was built in conjunction with a couple of folks that know a thing or two about coming out on top in competitive shooting matches—Jerry and Lena Miculek.

So how does the collaboration shake out? Well, to say the least, with the 940 JM Pro proving a durable and intuitive smoothbore with fifth-gears engineered into every aspect.

Perhaps most important for the shotgun, a newly redesigned gas system devised to go the distance and then some. By Mossberg’s account, the 940 JM Pro will chew through some 1,500 rounds before requiring a cleaning—a plus in a pursuit that shucks shells faster than a Key West raw bar. The shotgun accomplishes this with self-cleaning piston and vented and stepped spacer tube, which all their part to keep fouling to a minimum and the gun cycling. Additionally, the piston never leaves the cylinder during operation, so no broken gas rings.

On The Mark With More Shotgun Info:

The 940 JM Pro addresses one of the most crucial aspects of 3-Gun competition, reloads. Mossberg decked out the gun with everything to juice it quickly, incorporating a large and beveled loading port, easily found and fed. This plays gateway to an ample full-length magazine that holds a whopping nine 2 ¾-inch shells, yet does not extend past the shotgun’s 24-inch barrel.

The other winner in the 940 JM Pro’s refinements is a fully adjustable stock. Thankfully, this has become a more common feature among all long guns in recent years, vastly improving their accuracy potential. With the Mossberg, it offers 1 ¼-inch of adjustment in length of pull, ½-inch in drop at comb and ¼-inch in cast. Other notables, the internal components are nickel boron-coated, it boasts a HIVIZ fiber optic front sight, it comes with a set of Briley extended chokes and its safety situated on the tang.

Perhaps the most attractive feature of the 940 JM Pro is it’s price tag, with Mossberg setting the MSRP at $1,015. Not bad, especially for a 3-gunner looking to step up their performance on the shotgun stage.

More from Mossberg:

NORTH HAVEN, CT – O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., a leading American firearms manufacturer, announced today the introduction of a new 12-gauge autoloading shotgun platform; the 940 JM Pro™, available in two 10-shot models. The result of two years of development alongside world champion shooters, Jerry and Lena Miculek, the 940 JM Pro is designed to meet the needs of today’s competition shooter with the incorporation of an array of aftermarket modifications and accessories direct from the factory.

Using the iconic 930™ JM Pro-Series Competition Shotgun as a baseline, the Miculeks worked with Mossberg engineers to identify and help re-design major areas of improvement that included the gas system; loading port; point-of-aim/point-of-impact; overall product fit and functionality; sight system; and choke system.

All the newly designed components led the way for the introduction of a new autoloading platform from Mossberg, the 940. Major attributes of the 940 autoloading shotgun include:

Gas System: The new gas system on the 940 will run up to 1,500 rounds before cleaning and will reliably cycle any type of quality factory-made 2 ¾ or 3-inch ammunition. A stepped and vented-spacer component has also been incorporated that keeps the gas system running fast by shedding any moisture or carbon build-up every time it cycles.

Loading Port: The 940’s loading port has been designed to allow the user to efficiently quad-load the magazine tube straight out of the box without any need of modification to the receiver. The elevator and shell catch have also been designed to eliminate common pinch-points.

Point-of-Aim/Point-of-Impact: Mossberg engineers worked to design a new barrel-making process for the 940 that ensures the consistent production of a platform that will allow a user to maintain an accurate point-of-aim/point-of-impact when utilizing quality factory-made ammunition.

Fit and Functionality: The 940 sports a slim profile and ergonomic forend and stock, both feature Mossberg’s signature texturing that offers a positive, yet comfortable grip. The stock is completely user-configurable, offering out-of-the box adjustability for length-of-pull (13 – 14.25 inches), drop, and cast. The receiver is anodized for durability and the controls (charging handle and bolt release button) are oversized. Internal components are nickel boron-coated for smooth, reliable functionality.

Sight System: The 940 JM Pro utilizes a fiber optic HIVIZ® TriComp sight system that offers nine user-interchangeable LitePipes, in three colors and three shapes of varied height, for superior sighting in any competitive environment.

Choke System: Equipped with Mossberg’s Accu-Choke™ system, the 940 JM Pro ships with a set of Briley® extended chokes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder and Modified) that come engraved with constriction for easy selection.

Two models of the 940 JM Pro are being initially offered; both featuring 24-inch barrel lengths; 10-round total capacity; and matte blue-finish on the barrels. Options include choice of black synthetic stock and forend (SKU #85111) with tungsten gray-anodized receiver. Gold-anodized bolt handle; bolt release button; magazine extension nut; safety button; trigger; and cocking indicator which easily identify your 940 in a rack of similarly-equipped competition guns. With the second option, the stock and forend are camouflaged with the proven Black MultiCam® pattern (SKU #85113). The receiver and controls wear a black anodized-finish. MSRP: $1015

For more information on the Mossberg 940 JM Pro, please visit www.mossberg.com.

First Look: Ruger 57 Gives Shooters Another 5.7x28mm Option

By
Elwood Shelton
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1

Ruger 57 1

Been waiting for an affordable 5.7x28mm pistol? Then the newly minted Ruger 57 is for you.

How The Ruger 57 Breathes New Life Into The 5.7x28mm:

  • With an MSRP of $799, it's affordable compared to many other 5.7x28mm guns.
  • Boasts excellent 20+1 capacity.
  • Outfitted with Ruger's Secure Action Trigger and hammer-fired ignition.

You’ve got to love the oddballs of the world. The 5.7x28mm more than qualifies as one. Not that’s a bad thing. Just, the petite, yet powerful bottleneck pistol cartridge only ever captured a smattering of the handgun-buying public’s imagination. In turn, that small, though dedicated,  cadre of shooters has a scintilla of firearms options to choose from … mostly from FN. Now make that Ruger too.

With the 2020 SHOT Show on the horizon, the prolific gunmaker has unveiled one of the more intriguing offerings of this young year—the Ruger 57. Chambered for the wonderful oddball, the polymer-framed, internal hammer-fired pistol has the potential to breathe new life into the 30-year-old cartridge, if for no other reason than it’s relatively affordable.

Ruger 57 4

Yeah, a $799 MSRP might not sound like a blue-light special in the day and age of budget striker-fired. But lined up against other 5.7x28mm pistols, carbines and AR pistols—most starting north of $1,000—it’s a downright steal.

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Ruger does a good job outfitting you with the Ruger 57 for the price, to boot. Perhaps of its most eye-catching aspect is the one most cherish in guns chambered for the cartridge—capacity. The Ruger 57 has 20+1 rounds on tap (10+1 round models are available), impressive in a pistol a hair over 4-inches in height and 1-inch in width. To boot, it also comes in at a manageable 21-ounces.

Very similar in looks to the company’s Security 9, the Ruger 57 also mirrors some of the pistol's internal qualities. Like the Security-9, the Ruger 57 is outfitted with the company’s Secure Action Trigger, a partially pre-cocked double-action design and is, as mentioned, hammer-fired. Though, unlike the 9mm—a locking breech—the 5.7x28mm pistol is a delayed blowback system, which should make it shoot like a laser beam.

More from Ruger:

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is thrilled to introduce a cutting-edge new platform – the Ruger-57™ pistol. The Ruger-57 is a full-featured handgun wrapped around a standard capacity, 20-round steel magazine, chambered in the high performance and low-recoiling 5.7x28mm caliber.

The most touted feature of this new pistol is its impressive ergonomics. The slender steel magazine is surrounded by a glass-filled nylon frame featuring an optimized texture, making for a natural and ergonomic grip. Despite the longer cartridges, the trigger reach is no longer than many common 9mm Luger handguns. All of the controls are easily accessible, like the 1911-style ambidextrous manual safety, robust slide release and the reversible magazine latch.

The flat-shooting 5.7x28mm cartridge is recognized for its superior ballistic performance. The lighter weight projectiles have significantly less felt recoil than 9mm Luger, allowing quicker sight reacquisition.

Ruger 57 2

Rounding out the package is a windage and elevation adjustable, serrated rear sight and rapid acquisition fiber optic front sight for fast, accurate shooting; Picatinny-style accessory rail; and Secure Action™ fire control which combines Ruger's reliable and proven internal hammer with a short, crisp trigger pull and a positive reset. To top it off, the slide is drilled and tapped for easy mounting of optics with a separately available optic adapter plate, available at ShopRuger.com.

“The Ruger-57 is destined to become one of America's favorite handguns,” said Ruger President and CEO Chris Killoy. “This pistol is soft shooting, accurate, powerful and just plain fun to shoot.”

The through-hardened, billet steel slide with lightening cuts features enhanced front and rear cocking serrations. The steel barrel features a black nitride treatment for wear resistance, and the fire control housing is precision CNC-machined from anodized aluminum. The pistol is 8.65″ long and weighs 24.5 ounces. It ships in a lockable hard case and includes two, 20-round steel magazines (10-round, state-compliant model also available).

Ruger 57 3

Ruger 57 Specs
Capacity: 20+1
Grip Frame: High-Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon
Barrel Length: 4.94″
Overall Length: 8.65″
Barrel Material: Alloy Steel
Barrel Finish: Black Nitride
Front Sight: Fiber Optic
Rear Sight: Adjustable
Slide Material: Alloy Steel
Slide Finish: Black Oxide
Weight: 24.5 oz.
Slide Width: 1.20″
Height: 5.60″
Grooves: 8
Twist: 1:9″ RH
Suggested Retail: $799

For more information on the Ruger 57, please visit www.ruger.com.

Get More Ruger Info:

Gun Review: Inside The Sig Sauer P320X Compact

By
Patrick Sweeney
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0
Sig Sauer P320x 2
The Sig P320X Compact is just that: compact. And yet, it holds plenty of emergency-handling ammunition.

It's shrunk down, but the Sig Sauer P320X Compact is still large on features and performance.

How The P320X Compact Edges Out Others In Its Class:

  • Slide is machined from a billet of stainless steel and is more than robust enough to support the 3.6-inch barrel.
  • Straight bar trigger breaks when it's perpendicular to the axis, reducing overtravel.
  • Optics-ready slide, compatible with Sig Romeo1 Pro and Deltapoint Pro red-dot optics.
  • Self-contained chassis allows users to switch frame sizes.
  • Beveled mag well to expedite reloads.
  • 15+1 capacity gives user full-sized firepower in a compact package.

Some people—and companies—just can’t leave well enough alone. Mostly, that’s a bad thing, but there are always exceptions … and Sig is one of them.

The basic P320—Sig’s evolved pistol—now with a striker-firing system, has gone from strength to strength. The good parts of the P320 are still there in the P320X Compact.

The Good Parts

The slide is machined from a billet of stainless steel and, for the Compact, is made short enough to meet the demands of the barrel, which is slightly more than 3½ inches long. It gets the same sculpting as the original, with angled flats on the slide to make it easier to draw and re-holster. There are cocking serrations fore and aft, and the barrel locks up in the slide by using the ejection port. So, there are no internal locking lugs to machine or keep clean.

Raise Your Sig Sauer IQ

On top, the P320X Compact gets a set of tritium night sights—entirely appropriate for a pistol meant as a daily-carry tool. The front rides in a transverse dovetail, so it can be adjusted left to right if you need some fine-tuning for point of impact.

Sig Sauer P320x 3
The P320 is a striker-fired pistol … and the evolution of the Sig designs.

The rear is different: It incorporates a mounting plate cover. If you wish, you can remove the rear plate and mount a red-dot optic. The P320X Compact is set up to accept the Sig Romeo1 Pro or the Deltapoint Pro without a problem. I have no doubt that a competent pistolsmith could make any other red-dot optic work as well, but of course, Sig is not responsible for extra work you have done to your firearm.

The barrel is a Sig barrel made of carbon steel, rifled to allow use of hard-cast lead bullets (unlike some striker-fired pistols) and heat-treated for maximum durability. It locks up with an angled can underneath, and the hood and front of the chamber lock into the ejection port opening on the slide. Next to it is a beefy extractor.

On the frame, Sig took details from the X-Series competition line and adapted them to the EDC world. The trigger is a straight bar with a small lip on the bottom as a tactical index point. The trigger is designed so that it releases the strike when the trigger face is perpendicular to the axis of the bore.

Why? Simple: If your trigger finger is pulled directly to the rear at the moment the striker is released, the force of that pull is minimized as accuracy-robbing overtravel. When you release the striker, your finger keeps going backward. It has to—the mechanism has to have overtravel in order to work. The direction and force of that overtravel can have a bad effect on accuracy. This geometry reduces the overtravel effect and allows you greater leeway in learning to press and still hit.

Sig Sauer P320x 6
The standard P320 Compact magazine holds 15 rounds, but you can use higher-capacity magazines as well.

Sig sculpted the rear of the frame shell to allow your hand a more comfortable, and higher, carry, with an extended beavertail. Not that the original was not good, but because it is a shell, they can do more. Also, the frontstrap at the trigger guard was given an undercut to let your hand get higher on the frame.

The frame, for those who have not been keeping up, is merely a shell. Inside the frame, Sig has designed the P320 to be a self-contained chassis. It is a simple thing to remove the disassembly lever (once the pistol is apart) and then lift the chassis out.

Bigger Frame? No Problem

If you want to have a bigger frame for your carry gun, the shells are not controlled items (no serial number), and you can swap back and forth if you want. The serial number is on the chassis, and you can see it by means of a cutout section of the shell, made for just that purpose. The shells also come in larger dimensions—as in small, medium and large—if you want compact but you want larger diameter for larger hands. The marking is on the backstrap just above the hole for your lanyard loop attachment.

You can also remove the chassis from the shell before you toss everything into an ultrasonic cleaner. You might do this if you and your pistol took a spill into a particularly soupy swamp or had to wade into seawater. Getting it clean is easier than on standard designs.

Sig Sauer P320x 4
The chassis, inside the shell, is a robust steel assembly.

Let’s keep the shell-and-chassis design aspect a secret just between us, shall we? If some of the more-moronic legislators—say, from the Worker’s Paradise of Kaliforniastan—get wind of this, they might think it is some evil plot. No, it is just a way to make your Sig better suit you.

Added Features

As an added feature, the Sig designers beveled the inside of the magazine well to make reloads smoother. They didn’t go outside the shell dimensions, as one might on a competition gun, but the effect is the same, if not as absurdly marked as some competition guns can be.
Out on front, for them that wants it, there is a 1913 rail, where you can mount a light, laser or combo unit.

Magazines and Ammo

The P320X Compact, despite holding “only” 15 rounds in the magazine, will function just fine with the standard magazines, holding 17 rounds, or the extended magazines designed for the M17 military pistol, which hold 21. Of course, having these magazines in place while you are carrying will, to a certain extent, negate the concealability of the P320X Compact, so keep those handy as reloads. If you want to be ready, 15-plus on in the gun, along with a pair of 17-round standard P320 magazines, will have you packing a full box of 9mm ammo (well, an old-school 50-round box).

What kind of 9mm ammo? Whatever you want. The P320 is rated for +P ammo, and the P320X Compact is probably going to handle a steady diet of +P ammo better than you are (the 9mm +P loads can get pretty snappy).

A Bit Bored by it All

The P320X Compact comes in a lockable box, along with a pair of 15-round magazines and all the usual gear: manual, lock, paperwork.

Sig Sauer P320x 5
The rear plate on the slide can be removed and replaced with a red-dot optic.

I have to admit to being a bit blasé about testing the P320X Compact. I’ve shot enough P320s to expect that they will always go bang! each time; that they will eject the empties without fail; that the magazine will lock the slide open after the last round has been shot; and that the pistol will hit where I am aiming. In those regards, I have to say I was a bit bored—because they all happened.

But, while doing the chronograph work, I noticed that the impact area on the backstop was a rather small, dark spot. This led me to expect some good things from the accuracy testing, and there, I was also not disappointed.

Sig P320x table

Let’s not beat around the bush: The P320X Compact is aimed directly at the standard carry pistol in some quarters—the Glock G19. Same size, same capacity. However, the P320X Compact is better (except for its longer name).

The shell is rigid, so you don’t get the “squishy” feel of the Austrian 9mm. The chassis inside means the firing control parts are all supported by, and pivot off of, steel. This has a very marked and beneficial effect on trigger feel. Add in the straight trigger, with it perpendicular location when the striker is released, and you improve usable accuracy.

Sig P320x Specs

The standard night sights, with the replaceable plate for a red-dot optic, is pure 21st century. And then, the steel magazines that drop free when you press the magazine button? Just like old times.

Even with +P ammo, the P320X Compact doesn’t really have harsh recoil. You’ll know it is more than the standard 9mm or softy practice and competition ammo, but the shape of the frame distributes recoil evenly. You will have to shoot a veritable truckload of ammo to have your hands complaining as a result.

I’ve spent a long time shooting various .45 pistols, but the P320 in general, and the P320X Compact specifically, make the 9mm a lot more attractive than it has been in the past.

Raise Your Sig Sauer IQ:

The article originally appeared in the September 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

First Look: LCP II .22 LR Perfect For Training

By
Elwood Shelton
-
0

Ruger LCP II 22 LR 2

Enhanced with Ruger's Lite Rack system, the new LCP II .22 LR proves an easy shooting and affordable micro-pistol trainer.

How Has The LCP II .22 LR Been Optimized:

  • Chambered for the light recoiling .22 LR
  • Enhanced slide and light springs make for easy manipulation
  • Excellent 10+1 capacity

A bit like holding a jump kick, micro pistols aren’t always the easiest handguns to shoot accurately. That even goes for those chambered in the fairly manageable .380 ACP. There are several factors at play, but the primary culprits are the guns' lightweight combined with scant real estate to get a grip. Generally, a healthy amount of practice is warranted before making one of these mighty mites your go-to everyday carry piece.

Ruger has made boning up on micro pistol fundamentals all the more doable with the introduction of a rimfire variation of one of its most popular carry guns. From muzzle to butt, the LCP II .22 LR is designed for the utmost shootability and ease of manipulation, making it an ideal trainer, as well as potentially filling a back-up role. And its easy-shooting chambering isn’t the only thing the 10+1-capacity .22 pistol has going for it to make it an overall sweet shooter.

Get More Information On Ruger Guns

Chief among the LCP II .22 LR’s enhancements is Ruger’s Lite Rack system, several features that make manipulating the side worlds easier. In particular, the pistol has refined cocking serrations, cocking ears at the aft of the slide and lighter springs. Together, the assets make working the slide much simpler, making the LCP II well suited for new shooters or those who suffer from weak hand strength.

The LCP II .22 LR features a tilt-barrel, blowback operation and last-round hold open … a bonus in a class of pistols that generally doesn't boast that characteristic. It also has a manual safety—situated on the left, a push-forward-to fire thumb configuration—that proves unobtrusive and further bolsters the pistol as a solid training option. As to price, the LCP II .22 LR is in line with the rest of the series with an MSRP of $349.

Top Articles on .22 Caliber Firearms

More from Ruger:

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) proudly introduces the LCP® II chambered in .22 LR. This new, low-recoiling Lite Rack™ pistol features an easy-to-manipulate slide that shoots comfortably regardless of hand size or strength.

Since its introduction in 2008, the LCP has set the industry standard for a lightweight, compact and reliable carry pistol. In 2016, the product line evolved with the release of the LCP II, boasting enhanced features like taller sights, a larger grip surface, crisp new trigger and last-round hold open. The all new LCP II chambered in .22 LR represents the latest innovation in compact carry pistols from Ruger.

The .22 LR LCP II incorporates Ruger's new Lite Rack system, which allows for easy slide manipulation. The Lite Rack system includes refined slide serrations, pronounced cocking ears and a lighter recoil spring. Combined, these features ease the burden of cycling a pistol slide by hand. Pistols equipped with the Lite Rack system are ideally suited for new shooters, those who struggle with racking traditional slides and anyone looking to enjoy a day at the range. Whether used as a training tool for an existing LCP or LCP II, or as a concealed carry option, the low-recoiling Lite Rack LCP II in .22 LR allows shooters to train with and operate their pistol with confidence.

Ruger LCP II 22 LR 1

Optimized to function with high-velocity ammunition, this new pistol features a tilt-barrel, blowback semi-automatic action, which aids in feeding for reliable function. With a patent-pending floorplate assembly, the magazine offers a very compact 10+1 capacity, extends the grip for improved control and retains the LCP II's popular last-round hold open function.

The LCP II in .22 LR features a first-ever manual safety, making this a great training option for new shooters or those who prefer a manual safety option. Positioned on the left side of the frame, the safety is oriented in a push-forward-to-fire configuration that is instinctive and unobtrusive. A magazine disconnect ensures that the gun cannot fire with the magazine removed, yet still allows the magazine to drop free.

Like the rest of the LCP II family, this American-made pistol features a short, crisp, Secure Action™ trigger with inner trigger safety; improved sights for superior accuracy; and highly-textured grip surfaces. In addition to one, 10-round magazine, this pistol also ships with a magazine loader.

Ruger LCP II 22 LR

LCP II .22 LR Specs
Capacity: 10+1
Barrel Length: 2.75″
Overall Length: 5.20″
Weight: 11.2 oz.
Grip Frame: Black, High-Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon
Grooves: 6
Feature: Lite Rack System
Slide Material: Alloy Steel
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
Slide Width: 0.81″
Sights: Integral
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Slide Finish: Blued
Barrel Finish: Satin Stainless
Height: 4″
Suggested Retail: $349.00

For more information on the Ruger LCP II .22 LR, please visit www.ruger.com.

Get More Ruger Info:

First Look: Savage RENEGAUGE Semi-Auto Shotgun

By
Elwood Shelton
-
0

Savage Renegauge 3

Designed to cycle any shell it's fed, the Savage RENEGAUGE aims to be a do-all semi-auto shotgun.

What Sets The Savage RENEGAUGE Apart From Other Semi-Auto Shotguns:

  • Cycles all sized shells without at hitch
  • User-adjustable buttstock for a perfect fit
  • High cycle rate means you can't outrun the trigger

One gun that does it all … the concept has petered out in recent decades. Now, specialization rules the roost. Long-range rigs, close-quarters configurations, heck, even a particular smoothbore depending if you hunt upland birds or waterfowl.

Savage Arms seems set on thumbing its nose at this trend, at least when it comes to shotguns with the release of its first-ever semi-automatic smoothbore. The RENEGAUGE has do-all potential, an odd claim for a gas-operated shotgun—usually they are noted as finicky browsers when it comes to shells. But, as Savage claims, high-wall, low-wall and everything in between will run like a rabbit, giving you a choice gun no matter if you're pitching shot at quail or Canada geese.

Savage Renegauge 5
A view of the Savage RENEGAUGE twin valve D.R.I.V. system

The secret sauce making the RENEGAUGE undiscriminating is its Dual Regulating Inline Valve (D.R.I.V.) gas system. In thumbnail, the gun’s twin spring-loaded valves take in precisely enough propellant gas to cycle the action and vents the rest. A bonus, it's all automatically done, requiring no user adjustment. And it’s accomplished efficiently, cutting back on the force the action-bar assembly requires to operate, thus cutting down on recoil. Not a bad extra. Another, the company claims you cannot outrun the trigger, given the 12-gauge’s cycle rate.

Savage Renegauge 15
Savage RENEGAUGE'S one-piece lightweight bolt carrier.

The concept of an indiscriminate gas-operated semi-auto shotgun isn’t new to the RENEGAUGE. Remington won its share of kudos when it unveiled its Versa Max system a decade ago. But, Savage didn’t stop with the operating system in breaking new ground. Taking a cue from its rifle division, the buttstock is completely adjustable for length of pull and comb rise. This, along with some ergonomic tweaks, should make the RENEGAUGE natural to shoulder, thus fast on the point.

Learn More About Savage:

Savage is offering the RENEGAUGE with 24-, 26- and 28-inch barrel options and your choice of black synthetic, Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades or Oak Bottomland camo patterns. The MSRP on the shotgun ranges from $1,440 to $1,549 depending on finish.

More from Savage Arms:

Westfield, Massachusetts – January 3, 2020 – Savage Arms, makers of the most trusted hunting and target rifles in the United States, is proud to introduce RENEGAUGE. The new American-made semiautomatic 12 gauge shotguns are built for field use, offer hunters and competitors a new standard for both fit and function, and include several patented parts and designs—including the Dual Regulating Inline Valve (D.R.I.V.) gas system.

“RENEGAUGE is unlike any other semi-automatic shotgun, and demonstrates our commitment to innovate as an independent company,” said Al Kasper, President and CEO. “This project has been in the works for years because we wanted to enter a new category in a big way. The team in place now did an amazing job getting this to the finish line. Hunters and shooters are going to be amazed with the fit, feel, function and versatility of this shotgun. And it’s a platform we can and will build on—so look for more in the very near future.”

Savage Renegauge 2
The Savage RENEGAUGE has a fully adjustable buttstock, similar to the company's AccuFit system.

RENEGAUGE has been tested to the extreme—both in the field and in the lab. Everything in the design is intentional and has a purpose. RENEGAUGE looks different because it is—and it brings American-made performance to a new level. The shotgun functions and cycles light loads and magnum field loads with unbelievable consistency and reliability. Avid wing shooters will love the way it swings, competitors will find it at home on the range, and hunters will trust it in the nastiest of conditions.

The D.R.I.V. system provides RENEGAGUE with the unparalleled ability to regulate the gas that cycles the shotgun’s action. Both low-brass target shells and Magnum hunting shells will cycle the action with the same reliability and without any adjustment from the shooter.

This functionality is complemented by how easy RENEGAUGE is to fit to the shooter. From comb height to length of pull, RENEGAUGE can be adjusted to ensure every aspect of its ergonomics matches its user’s needs.

Features
D.R.I.V. gas system
Adjustable stock for length of pull, comb height, drop and cast
One-piece, chrome plated action bar assembly
Chrome plated reciprocating components
Stock rod buffer to reduce felt recoil
Fluted barrel with melonite finish
Carbon steel ventilated rib with red fiberoptic sight
Competition-ready easy loading magazine port
Oversized controls
3 interchangeable flush mount choke tubes (Beretta/Benelli) – IC, M, F
Hard-sided carrying case

Part No./Description/MSRP
57602/RENEGAUGE, 12 Gauge Black Synthetic 28-inch barrel/$1,449
57603/RENEGAUGE, 12 Gauge Black Synthetic 26-inch barrel/$1,449
57604/RENEGAUGE Waterfowl, 12 Gauge Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades 28-inch barrel/$1,549
57605/RENEGAUGE Waterfowl, 12 Gauge Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades 26-inch barrel/$1,549
57606/RENEGAUGE TURKEY, 12 Gauge Mossy Oak Bottomland 24-inch barrel/$1,549
57607/RENEGAUGE TURKEY, 12 Gauge Mossy Oak Obsession 24-inch barrel/$1,549

Savage RENEGAUGE Specs
Action: Semi Auto
Barrel Color: Black
Barrel Finish: Melonite
Barrel Length (inches): 24, 26, 28
Barrel Material: Carbon Steel
Caliber: 12 GA
Magazine Capacity: 4+1
Length of Pull (inches): 14.25-15.07
Magazine: Tube
Overall Length (inches): 45.5 to 49.5
Receiver Color: Black
Receiver Finish: Matte
Receiver Material: Carbon Steel
Stock Material: Synthetic
Stock Type: Monte Carlo Style
Weight (lbs): 7.8 to 8
MSRP: $1,449-$1,549

For more information on the Savage RENEGAUGE, please visit www.savagearms.com.

First Look: Hard Cast Bullet Option With Federal Solid Core Ammo

By
Elwood Shelton
-
0

Federal Solid Core 2

Boasting a polymer jacket, Federal Solid Core ammo should prove an effective, affordable and clean hard cast option for handgun hunters.

How Federal Solid Core Stands Up To Other Hard Cast Options:

  • Deep-penetrating bullet built for tough game
  • Syntech jacket eliminates lead fouling and reduces friction
  • Available in popular handgun hunting calibers

As any dedicated handgun hunter will tell you, hard cast bullets are the way to go. Tough as rail stock, the lead alloy missiles endow ammunition with the key factor required to take down game with a sidearm—penetration. A fairly set formula, there seems little to be done to improve on the time-tested projectiles, yet Federal Premium found a way.

Fairly logically, the ammo-maker has extended its Syntech line of polymer-jacked ammunition with its hunting angled Solid Core addition. While the company doesn’t tip its hand on the lead alloy it uses (most likely tin or antimony), it promises a hard bullet that won’t break up or mushroom upon impact. In short, the stuff you want in your cylinder or magazine if a grizzly comes charging or an elk step out of timber within range.

The value add compared to other hard cast options is Federal’s revolutionary polymer jacket that should make the Solid Core offerings cleaner to shoot and easier on your gun’s bore. No wax rings or gas checks, so it should live up to its billing. Syntec certainly has in its other iterations—soft-core range and self-defense loads—as well as proving economical and accurate. 

Federal Solid Core 1

In the case of Federal Solid Core, the bullets are flat-nosed to improve energy transfer once they reach their target. Furthermore, the company is turning them out in some of the most popular handgun-hunting calibers as well as some others: .44 Rem. Mag., 10mm, .357 Mag., .45 ACP, .40 S&W and 9mm.

Presently, Federal hasn’t released the box-side specs on Solid Core, but one would hope with their intended use they’d error toward hot. However, they do fall into the relatively affordable category for the class of ammo, ranging from $29 (9mm) to $40 (.44 Mag.) depending on caliber. News that should set hogs to shaking in their hoofs.

For more information on Federal Solid Core, please visit www.federalpremium.com.

On-Target Ammunition Information:

29 Items that Won’t Be on Shelves When Disaster Strikes

By
Ben Sobieck
-
2

Courtesy of Gun Digest‘s sister brand, Living Ready, here are the 29 items you'll want to stock up on now (other than ammo) when facing uncertain times. The well-prepared citizen will already have these items on hand, but it's never too late to start.

Food

    • Bread
    • Butter
    • Cereal
    • Coffee
    • Eggs
    • Flour
    • Fruit, canned and fresh
    • Honey
    • Meats, canned
    • Milk
    • Peanut butter
    • Pet food
    • Salt
    • Sugar
    • Vegetables (canned and root vegetables)
    • Water

Gear

  • Batteries
  • Candles
  • Charcoal
  • Coolers
  • Flashlights
  • Gasoline
  • Garbage bags
  • Generators
  • Glow sticks
  • Lamp oil and oil lanterns
  • Lighter fluid
  • Matches
  • Propane, propane stoves

What other items can you think of to add to this list? Leave a comment below.

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