Leupold Tactical Spotting and Rifle Scopes

March 28, 2008

Aside from superior marksmanship, extraordinary fieldcraft and mastering tactics, one thing that sets a sniper apart is his high-quality optics.

A sniper might have to protect his unit or entry team as they set up, or he might be assigned to take out a bad guy holding hostages. Often, he will be assigned surveillance or recon missions that require good optics.

I conducted surveillance much of the time when I was in a SWAT unit, and I relied on high-resolution spotting scopes so I could remain undetected but accurately see what was happening. If there was a rash of robberies or burglaries in an area, we would try to be in a position of advantage when the next crime occurred. Accurate observation from a distance was paramount to success.

Sniper Considerations
Selecting a spotting scope for a sniper team can be a challenge. There are as many spotting scopes on the market as there are rifles, and they range from excellent to less than useful. It’s almost impossible to find a fixed-power spotter of acceptable quality. Everybody is stuck on zoom spotters. Fixed-power spotters have fewer lenses, thereby providing more light transmission. With less glass, it’s also lighter to carry. And with simpler construction, less can go wrong with it.

Adjustable-power spotters let you adjust the power, and if the objective is large enough, you can see clearly see for great distances. Numerous companies make exceptional spotting scopes, and many are small enough to carry in a small pack.

I have a friend who was bragging about a 60-power scope of unknown make, which he claimed to be able to see a hair on a gnat’s butt. He might have bought a scope with an objective the size of the moon, but I doubt it. High-power spotters usually have a small objective and will not gather enough light to get a clear picture on the highest setting.

I like to have an objective lens at least one-half again as large as the highest magnification — or more. Better-quality glass will provide better clarity, but physics will prevail. If the power is so high the objective can’t gather enough light, it will not provide a sharp image at the highest setting. Another thing that gets in the way is mirage. It starts to goof up the operation around 25X.

The Leupold Spotter
The Leupold Mark 4 Tactical is a 12-40X with a 60 mm objective. In my opinion, that’s about perfect. The 12X is low enough to focus on close stuff, and teaming the 40X eyepiece with the 60 mm objective makes for bright, clear long-range clarity. Mirage will affect the best spotting scope on high power, but the Leupold Mark 4 cuts through it better than anything else.

The other thing I like about the Leupold system is the huge eyepiece. It’s one element I always seek in a spotter. The tiny eyepieces on most scopes restrict how well I can see through them. Recently, a friend and I were checking out spotters at a big sporting-goods store. The tiny eyepieces worked well enough for average viewing, but there was a difference with the bigger eyepiece. He ended up with a Bushnell, which also had a big eyepiece. It was a great scope, through which I could see very well. However, it was quite a bit larger than the Mark 4. But my friend planned to pack it in his pickup, and it was an extremely clear, good-quality spotter.

The Mark 4 Tactical Spotting Scope also is available with mil-dot or TMR reticules, which can be matched with Leupold’s tactical binoculars and high-quality riflescopes. This is a great advantage for a sniper team — whether on duty or in competition — because everyone sees the same thing. If you are using the mil-dot or TMR slashes for hold-over, you can pick it in the binoculars or spotting scope while observing the target. The ranging operation is the same as any mil-dot scope. Another thing I really like is that Leupold built the case for the spotter, so it can be used on the tripod without taking it from the case. That goes a long way with me to help protect the spotter.

Binoculars
I have always been a great fan of Leupold’s products because they make a wide range of scopes and binoculars to fit every budget. When replacing my binoculars, I again went with Leupold, mostly because good experience with its warranty. The company give its products a lifetime warranty. Of course, other manufacturers do, too, but I’ve put Leupold’s warranty to the test. I purchased a pair of 8×32 miniature binoculars about 20 years ago and really liked the clarity in such a compact piece. But recently, after dropping them, falling on them and whatever else for the past 20 years, they went out of alignment. I was impressed they lasted that long. I sent them back to be repaired and was surprised to see the company replaced them with a recent version of that binocular.

The Mark 4 Binocular is just like the spotting scope in that it has high-quality glass. The binocular is probably the most-used observation optic on a sniper team, and a pair of 10×50 glasses and a smaller pair for short recons are necessary equipment. I liked having my binos with me all the time when we were on callouts, and the quality pair of compacts did the trick. In a hide or during longer surveillances, I liked the 10x50s. At the beginning of every watch, the 10x50s were on the seat next to me.

The Mark 4 binoculars are a great match to the Mark 4 spotting scope because they can be purchased with the mil-dot or TMR reticule installed. They come with a rubberized coating that makes them sound-proof when bumped and protects them from rugged use. They are sealed tight for guaranteed moisture and fog resistance. That’s important where I live. Winter trap-line temperatures regularly hit minus 20 — and sometimes get colder. Good-quality optics are required to keep working through extreme temperature changes.

Up to the Test
I had the Mark 4 binoculars while hunting elk with friends this year. We traded binoculars, as guys do when looking for game, and the Mark 4s stood out compared to others. The other binos were high-quality competitors, but I immediately noticed the ability of the Leupolds to see in the shadows of the willows we were glassing. The clarity in shadowy spots really stood out, and one of my friends mentioned that. That could be important during surveillance or a recon stakeout when deciphering important information, such as the presence of a gun or other weapon. (Most of the surveillance or recon I did was at night, and the ability to gather light in such conditions makes or breaks a surveillance tool.)

Whether setting up optics for a sniper team or picking out glass for a competition, Leupold provides great quality and will survive the toughest mission. With long-range shooting and .50 BMG shooting becoming so popular, good glass is necessary to score targets without having to walk downrange. Most of my long-range (800 to 1,000 yards) shooting is done in the hills because I don’t have a range nearby. Leupold glass helps my wife spot for me accurately without spending excessive time going down range to check the impact.

— Dave Morelli is an all-around gun nut from Idaho.

Want to learn more about basic scope selection for your rifle? Click Here to Read the Primer

Slick Up Your Lever Gun for Self-Defense

Dave Morelli

March 27, 2008

Lever actions are still great defensive weapons. Here are some ways one gunsmith slicks up the lever action for improved performance.

It’s amazing how gun technology took off when folks got away from the rocklock.

The flintlock had reigned for more than 100 years when the caplock hit the scene. The caplock was around for about 50 years when the cartridge idea came to the drawing board. First came the single-shot, and then the revolver, the Henry, and the Winchester 1866 and 1873 lever-guns — the list goes on. By the time the lever-gun was the hot new item, technology was moving so fast that new ideas were appearing before old ones were perfected.

I think that’s what happened with the 1873 Winchester lever-gun. With the increased popularity of cowboy action shooting nowadays and the 1873 Winchester’s already-smooth action, it didn’t take long for shooters to figure out how to reduce the rifle’s long lever throw.

No matter your thoughts about altering a cowboy gun for competition, the result is a defensive carbine that’s a bit quicker to operate.

Smoothing Up

The 1866 and 1873 have always been known for smoothness, mostly because the cartridge elevator lifts the round straight up while it rests level in the action. There is no angled ramp to force the cartridge through. That, coupled with a simplistic action, made the gun reliable and smooth. The lever throw made you pass 90 degrees when levering a new round. Shooters soon realized that by altering the physics of the internal components, you could make the lever rotate less, and the rifle would be faster.

One of these shooters was Joe Alves, owner of Pioneer Gun Works. His Short Stroke Kit reduces the stroke by at least the width of the lever, bringing it on the butt side of 90 degrees. That gives the 1873 the advantages of later lever-guns, such as the Marlin 1894, without the angled feeding ramp. Alves found that by changing the toggles and lifter arm using a computer program, he could reduce the rotation needed to function the 1873 and ’66. The rifles have similar internal parts. After the parts are designed on the computer, a program is loaded into the CNC machine, and the part is cut to exact specifications. Alves then inspects each part, and they can be dropped into your gun with minor fitting of the lifter arm. He said if you can take apart your gun, you can install the short-stroke kit.

One reason I like the 1873 — besides romance — is the simple design of the action. When shooting black-powder cartridge matches, I like to clean the guns after every shoot. It’s even necessary sometimes before the shoot is finished. Black powder is extremely corrosive, and the fouling is thick and can jam the action. Yet the 1873 also seems to resist the jamming effects of black-powder fouling longer than other actions. The simple action is much easier to take down and hose out after each shooting.

The more I shot the ’73, the more I wanted to slick up the action, so I figured I should install the short-stroke kit.

Easy Installation

When the short-stroke kit arrived, I noticed the machining was very professional. The parts came with complete instructions, and the only tool needed — other than for disassembly — was a small file to mill the contact surface of the lifter arm where it meets the lever. I also used a stone to polish the surface after it was timed. The toggle links dropped right in, and I used a dummy round to time the lifter to the rest of the action. The elevator will only rise when the bolt is closed or open all the way. If the lifter arm isn’t timed with the bolt, it will jam.

I had one problem. The factory springs that came with the rifle were so massive and hardened they would wear on the bumps that made them operate on the lifter arm. I talked to Alves, and he recommended lighter springs. The springs are like leaf springs on a car, and they aren’t needed to cause the lift and return to operate the gun. However, my Uberti is a replica of the original 1873, and manufacturers made everything stronger then.

Solutions include reducing the tension of the original spring by grinding it thinner or replacing the springs with a Whisper Spring Kit from the Smith Shop (www.thesmithshop.com) in Rhode Island. These springs are wire versions of the originals. I would consider getting Whisper Springs when ordering a kit from Alves. They are cheap enough that it isn’t worth grinding the original springs.

Alves also offers an aluminum version of the elevator. It’s anodized to a brass color, so it looks like the original and is unbelievably lighter than the brass elevator that comes with the gun. The idea behind the lighter elevator is simple: A lighter part is easier to lift.

I also used some molybdenum disulfide from Brownell’s on the friction areas of the action when reassembling it. That prevented any galling until the parts broke in.

I was amazed how easily I could lever a round after installing the kit. It was like the rifle was transformed into a semiauto. The 1873 felt a little like my Marlin because the stroke was shorter.

The kit — or any other part that must be fitted in a gun — rarely works after the first fitting. Be patient, file a little at a time, and then reassemble the gun and try it. It might take many tries to get a perfect fit and timing.

The Defensive Carbine

Most folks think of AR-15s or other semiautos as tactical or defensive weapons. However, the lever-gun is still a great defensive rifle. With a pistol-caliber rifle, overpenetration is lessened from that of, say, a .223. Further, lever-guns are short and maneuverable in close quarters. The .45 Colt, .44-40, .44 Mag. or .357 Mag. have plenty of stopping power. The speed with which cowboy action shooters can operate a lever-gun is phenomenal.

As with any defensive tool, routine practice sessions will make the operation of a lever-gun second nature. And after modifying any defensive firearm, don’t shoot it until you’re satisfied it’s safe and have confidence in it.

Conclusion

Whether you want to get an edge at the next cowboy match or have an 1873 standing sentry at home, the Short Stroke Kit from Pioneer Gun Works will make your action smoother and faster to operate. Give Alves a call at (541) 521-9684, or check out www.pioneergunworks.com.

Bushnell and Choate Team to Make Rifle Deadly Accurate

Dave Morelli

March 27, 2008

When putting together a tactical precision rifle or a varmint/target rifle, two of the most important considerations are the scope and stock. A rifleman must be able to clearly see distant targets and hold the rifle steady until after the bullet has left the barrel. A quality scope from Bushnell’s Elite Series and the Ultimate Varmint/Sniper Stock from Choate Machine and Tool are great complements to a precisely tuned barreled action.

The Glass
Bushnell products have been around for as long as I can remember. I own several. Recently, I was putting together a precision .308-caliber rifle and wanted to top it with good scope. The Bushnell Elite Series 4200 had all the options I wanted.

The scope’s glass is impressive. With 95 percent light transmission, it is extremely bright and clear, even during reduced light conditions. The 50 mm objective grabs light even at the 24X setting. The 6X eyepiece has a field of view of 16.5 feet at 100 yards, and the parallax focal point is 25 yards to infinity, so you won’t have a blurry close shot.

It also has target turrets with clear, easy-to-read numbering; a sun shade; and a side parallax adjustment. I really like the side focus knob, as it’s easier to reach from an aiming position. From a tactical standpoint, it lets you keep the hairs on the bad guy while adjusting parallax. The Bushnell Rainguard-coated lenses combine with the Firefly reticule to provide a fogproof view in damp conditions. The Elite scope is built on a 30 mm tube. That’s standard for long-range scopes, as a 30 mm tube assists in light transmission and also give more minute-of-angle “clicks” for elevation. It’s nice to have extra clicks, especially if you use a few for initial sighting. Finished with flip-up lens covers from Butler Creek, the scope was ready to mount on the receiver.

I really like the twist-in scope mounts. They are a sturdy way to mount a scope, and the rear mount has windage adjustment that can be made mechanically when sighting in. This saves the windage adjustment in the scope, keeping it at zero. When I mount a scope I like to shim the elevation so the scope adjustment starts at zero. Then, the only adjustment is the fine zeroing and elevation compensation for longer ranges. I use Millet rings and mounts, and the rings needed to be medium height to account for the 50 mm objective. After final adjustments, the turret scales can be put back to zero.

I also liked the ease with which the dials turned. Some dials are really hard to turn, making it a royal pain to adjust the magnification. This feature, combined with the rugged compactness of the scope, makes it a great long-range or tactical scope.

Stock Options
The stock is the bond between the action and shooter. One model really stands out: The Ultimate Sniper Stock was designed by Maj. John Plaster, USAR (retired), for Choate Machine & Tool Co. It has a great design, everything you want on a stock.
A varmint or sniper-type stock should have some weight, more so on the sniper stock because it adds strength and stability to the rifle. A hunting gun is usually lighter because most folks don’t want to pack it around all day. In the sniper’s world, that convenience takes a back seat to ruggedness and accuracy. The USS is relatively heavy, with enlarged areas in the forearm and pistol grip to facilitate resting on sandbags. There are hollow areas in the pistol grip and rear buttstock that can be filled with lead shot mixed with epoxy to add weight.

One of the most important features of the custom sniper stock is how the action is bedded to it. The USS has an aluminum block molded into it and machined to fit the action you want to install. This makes for a rock-solid repeatable bed to which the action can be returned.

The forearm of the grip is fitted with a T-rail to facilitate accessories such as a bipod. It is a quick-detach feature, so you can switch from a prone bipod to sitting bipod quickly. The front of the forearm is flat, wide and heavily serrated for shooting from a rest, and the forward area is tapered out to the barrel so the front of the rifle can be elevated by sliding it forward on the rest. Also, when the bipod is collapsed, the legs will point up to the barrel and are less likely to snag on something. The buttstock is flat on the bottom and heavily serrated, and has a screw-type rear elevation adjustment. The length of pull is adjustable from 13.25 inches out. The buttplate is also adjustable up and down. The stock also comes with two cheek pieces; one for low-mount scopes and a higher one for a scope with a bigger objective. The position of the cheek piece is adjustable front-to-back on the stock.

The stippling around the grip sections of the rifle is aggressive and rough and will not slip. Most sniper stocks are wide in the forearm to provide a stabile hold, and the USS is no different, but there is a narrowed portion for easier one-handed balanced carry. The barrel channel is wide and will facilitate a bull barrel of up to 1.25 inches. It includes slots cut in the side to aid in cooling and attaching ghillie material. Sling-swivel studs are attached on both sides of the stock near the buttplate and the center of the forearm so your can choose which side you want to carry the rifle.

I put the barreled action in the stock to shoot it. I hadn’t rebarreled the action with the bull barrel yet, but I wanted to shoot the rifle to compare groups later with the new barrel. When shooting from a bench to sight it in, I liked the skeleton aspect of the stock. The stock performed nicely with the factory barrel, although it looked odd in such a wide barrel channel.

The tough DuPont Rynite SST-35 is less expensive to produce than layered Kevlar and fiberglass, making the stock very inexpensive. The stock I started with was OD green, and with a little imagination and Aluma-Hyde II spray-on finish from Brownell’s, the stock won’t be seen.

Conclusion
Bushnell Elite Series scopes and the Ultimate Varmint/Sniper Stock provide a great combination for putting together a precision rifle. Combined with a finely tuned Remington action fitted with a barrel built for Brownell’s by Shilen, they will produce a winning rifle every time.

— Dave Morelli is a retired policeman, having served as a patrolman, trainer, SWAT operator and a SAR tracker/trainer. He now writes about guns, hunting, tactical gear and training.

Winchester Ammo Develops Reduced-Recoil .460 S&W Load

Gun Digest Editors

March 19, 2008

Winchester Ammunition introduces a reduced-recoil load for the .460 S&W Magnum, giving shooters more enjoyable hunting and target-shooting options.

The new Winchester Super-X .460 S&W Reduced Recoil round features a 250-grain jacketed hollow-point bullet, a muzzle velocity of 1,450 feet per second and an impressive 1,517 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.

Engineered to offer almost 50 percent reduction in recoil compared to full-power loads while retaining enough energy for hunting at normal handgun distances, the new load is ideal for predators, deer-sized game and target shooting.

Contact Winchester Ammunition at www.winchester.com.

Volquartsen Unveils Picatinny-Style Scope Mount

Gun Digest Editors

March 19, 2008

Volquartsen Custom introduces a no-gunsmithing scope mount for Ruger Mark II and Mark III pistols.

The tactically influenced mount features a mil-spec Picatinny-style rail on the top and bottom to provide an efficient double mounting platform for almost any combination of scope, light, red-dot or laser aiming device. It attaches easily to any Mark II, MKIII or 22/45 with a 5.5-inch bull barrel.

The sturdy, lightweight mount is CNC machined from billet aluminum and is available anodized in several colors. You can select no sights or a pre-installed TL rear-adjustable sight.

Contact Volquartsen at (712)792-4238 or www.volquartsen.com.

Beretta’s New UGB25 Xcel Shotgun

Gun Digest Editors

March 5, 2008

The new Beretta UGB25 Xcel shotgun features an innovative locking system with a break-open action that allows completely safe operation during competitions. The second round is not hidden inside the magazine tube but remains visible in a side cartridge carrier.

The UGB25 Xcel, available in 12 gauge with a 30-inch barrel, operates on a short-barrel recoil system that keeps the gun’s internal parts clean even after prolonged use. The short recoil and low-set single barrel, which inhibits muzzle jump, lets you maintain the same point of impact with the second shot, allowing for quicker and easier realignment.

Crafted by Giugiaro Design, the UGB25 Xcel is ergonomically fashioned with a light alloy receiver that fits smoothly into the stock. It features select walnut stock with a water-resistant finish. All versions of the UGB25 Xcel feature the Optima-Bore barrel with a lengthened forcing cone for enhanced pattern distribution, reduced recoil and shot velocity optimization.

Contact Beretta USA at www.berettausa.com.

New Mount Makes Leatherwood Scope Easier to Use

Gun Digest Editors

March 5, 2008

A new rear side mount makes it simple to install the short-length Leatherwood Malcolm scope on Sharps sporting rifles.

The mount requires no drilling or tapping of the receiver. Instead, replacement screws replace the sidelock screw, and latch detent and spring retainer screw.

Installation of the rear mount takes minutes. The front mount uses the screw hole through which the standard Sharps-type rear sight attaches to the barrel, but it requires a gunsmith to drill and tap a second hole for the mounting screw.

The Malcolm scope is 17 inches long, and has a .75-inch-diameter steel tube and external windage and elevation adjustments. The scopes are available in 3X and 6X.

Contact Leatherwood/Hi-Lux Inc. at (888) 445-8912 or www.hi-luxoptics.com.

New Jersey Committee to Reconsider One-Gun-a-Month Legislation

Gun Digest Editors

March 3, 2008

Editor's note: This originally appeared as an action update from our friends at the Citizens' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

Later today, a New Jersey Assembly committee will again consider one-gun-a-month legislation.

The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to consider A339 at 2 p.m.

One-gun-a-month legislation was defeated during the previous legislative session and was recently re-introduced. The legislation restricts the rights of law-abiding citizens but fails to address the true source of gun violence — criminals. A New Jersey court recently invalidated similar legislation, saying there is no rational relationship between restricting the number of firearms purchased by law-abiding citizens and the frequency of crime.

The gun-rationing bill, sponsored by assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley, D-32, would prohibit the purchase of more than one handgun per month by citizens, even if they have been pre-certified by the state as “non-criminals” after passing a 13-point background investigation.

The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs urge Gun Digest readers to contact members of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee today and urge them to oppose A339.

Contact information:

Chairman: assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson
[email protected]
(201) 541-1118 (Englewood)
(201) 928-0100 (Teaneck)

Vice-Chairman: assemblyman Nelson Albano
[email protected]
(609) 465-0700 (Cape May Court House)
(856) 765-0891 (Millville)
(856) 696-7109 (Vineland)

Assemblyman Jon M. Bramnick
[email protected]
(908) 232-2073 (Westfield)
(908) 232-3673 (Westfield)
(908) 918-0414 (Summit)

Assemblyman David P. Rible
[email protected]
(732) 974-0400

Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer
[email protected]

Check Out the Best of SHOT

Gun Digest Editors

February 27, 2008

With so many great new products at the SHOT Show, how do you pick the top 12? It's tough, but that's just what we asked the editors of Gun Digest the Magazine to do. Their choices are revealed in the March 31 issue, which is on sale now.

Help Keep Recreational Shooting Open On Federal Lands

Gun Digest Editors

February 27, 2008

Opportunities to shoot recreationally on public lands benefit the recreational shooter and hunter. Shooting takes place in a variety of forms, from dispersed unsupervised sites, to unsupervised ranges to ranges managed under a special use permit. But many factors are combining to close these areas including:

* Environmental and property damage
* Unsafe shooting practices
* Accumulation of spent ammo, targets and other debris
* Illegal dumping
* Conflict with other recreational activities
* Encroaching development

Access for hunting and shooting opportunities on federal lands is one of the highest priorities of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable, which was created under an agreement signed by the NRA and 39 other national organizations and three federal agencies. NRA was a driving force in the creation of the Roundtable. The Roundtable's purpose is remove barriers to access for sportsmen and enhance opportunities for hunting and recreational shooting.

If you shoot on lands managed by the National Forest Service and/or the Bureau of Land Management, NRA asks that you fill out the “Federal Lands Survey” found at www.nrahuntersrights.org/survey.aspx. You can provide the Roundtable with valuable information needed to keep recreational shooting areas opened to the public.

Sabre Defence Unveils Two New Rifles

Gun Digest Editors

February 20, 2008

Sabre Defence Industries introduces the Competition Extreme 5.56 mm rifle and M5 Tactical rifle in 5.56 mm, 6.5 Grendel or 7.62×39.

The Competition Extreme is designed for close-quarter shots. It has 45-degree rails mounted to a Sabre free-float handguard, and is well-balanced and easy to maneuver. It comes with flip-up sights, and long-range sights can easily be mounted to the top rail. Its stock is adjustable for length of pull.

The Sabre M5 looks like a short barreled rifle but is legal for civilians to own. Its 14.5-inch Chrome-moly-vanadium barrel has a 1-in-7 twist and with a permanent A2 flash-hider, mid-length gas system and railed handguard. Its stock is adjustable for length of pull and features a unique locking mechanism for zero movement.

Contact Sabre Defence Industries at (615) 333-0077 or www.sabredefence.com.

Gun Review: Knight Rifles Shadow

Gun Digest Editors

February 20, 2008

The Shadow from Knight Rifles is a rugged, sleekly styled muzzleloader that’s easy to use and maintain.

The Shadow features a rebounding hammer and lightweight anodized receiver. The action breaks opens with the push of a button on the front of the trigger guard, providing easy access to the breech plug.

The gun, available in .50 caliber, incorporates a removable breech plug that accepts a 209 primer. The barrel easily detaches from the receiver for cleaning.

The Shadow comes in an ergonomic black composite stock with a choice of a stainless or blued barrel, each of which is drilled and tapped for scope mounting.

Contact Knight Rifles at (641) 856-2626 or www.knightrifles.com.

Sako Introduces New A7 Rifle

Gun Digest Editors

February 7, 2008

The new Sako A7 combines reliability with the world's finest out-of-the-box accuracy rating.

The rifle improves on the Sako 75 design, featuring a detachable magazine, synthetic stock, machined forged-steel bolt, match-grade hammer-forged barrel and adjustable single-stage trigger.

The A7 also integrates the new Total Control magazine latch introduced on the Sako 85, eliminating any chance the box magazine can come loose during operation.

The rifle is available in two finishes: blued and Sako¹s no-glare stainless steel. Its bolt has a silky-smooth movement with a 70-degree throw.

Contact Sako at www.berettausa.com.

Zeiss Includes FL Glass in Victory Diavari Scopes

Gun Digest Editors

February 7, 2008

Carl Zeiss Optical Inc.'s latest version of the Victory Diavari 6-24×72 T* FL features state-of-the-art FL glass – a first for riflescopes – resulting in better light transmission.

FL is fluoride-ion glass, which has special optical properties. It was introduced in Zeiss' Diascope spotting scopes.

Also, the Victory Diavari 6-24×72 T* FL now features Zeiss' revolutionary Rapid-Z Ballistic Reticle Systems, ensuring better accuracy on long-distance shots.

This magnum-sized scope, originally built for professional marksmen in the military and European law-enforcement agencies, is designed for American shooters who require the best low-light performance.

Contact Carl Zeiss Optical Inc. at (800) 441-3005 or www.zeiss.com/sports.

Blackhorn 209 Makes for Easy Cleanup

Gun Digest Editors

February 1, 2008

Western Powders introduces Blackhorn 209, a user-friendly powder that produces velocities faster than 2,000 feet per second with some saboted bullets.

Blackhorn 209 burns very clean, so it allows for easy cleanup and doesn¹t require swabbing between shots. It comes in 10-ounce containers that provide

62 100-grain-equivalent charges.

Contact Western Powders Inc. at (406) 234-0422.

Fiocchi Unveils Line of Nickel-Plated Turkey Shotshells

Gun Digest Editors

February 1, 2008

Fiocchi's nickel-plated line of turkey shotshells provide increased range and penetration, plus denser, more consistent patterns with fewer stray pellets.

The nickel-plating lets the pellets retain their aerodynamic spherical shape as they pass through the shotgun¹s barrel and choke, resulting in rounder pellets with truer flight characteristics, less wind resistance and higher retained velocity at impact. Combined with their resistance to deformation when striking tissue and bone, the loads provide deeper penetration to ensure a quick kill.

The shells are available in 12 gauge 23/4-, 3- and 31/2-inch loads of Nos. 4, 5 and 6 shot. Velocities range from 1,310 to 1,325 feet per second.

Contact Fiocchi Ammunition at (702) 293-6174 or www.fiocchiusa.com.

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Leupold Tactical Spotting and Rifle Scopes

Slick Up Your Lever Gun for Self-Defense