Barnes Bullets Participates in the 2024 Creedmoor Christmas Giveaway

MONA, Utah –– Barnes Bullets is excited to partner with C&H PrecisionDaniel Defense and HuntStand in the 2024 Creedmoor Christmas Giveaway. Running now until December 27, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST, this giveaway offers participants a chance to win an incredible prize package of different products carefully selected by each brand.

2024 Creedmoor Christmas Giveaway Prize Package:

·One (1) C&H LPVO

·Five (5) Boxes of Barnes VOR-TX Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor 120 GR Bullets

·One (1) Daniel Defense Delta 5 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle

·Five (5) HuntStand Pro Whitetail Subscriptions

Barnes’ contribution of its VOR-TX Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor 120 GR Bullets, renowned for their excellent accuracy, is a prime example of the company’s dedication to quality and innovation. These all-copper bullets deliver incredible power, maximum weight retention and immense energy transfer. Designed for hunters or shooters who demand precision and performance, they are guaranteed to deliver exceptional results. Read more

Environmentalists Dismiss Lawsuit to Ban Lead Ammo on West Virginia Refuge

Last week, after a year and a half of stalled litigation seeking to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to ban lead ammo in the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, the plaintiffs stipulated a dismissal of their lawsuit.

Every year, FWS opens new and modifies pre-existing hunting and fishing opportunities through “station-specific” refuge regulations. The 2022-23 proposed rule announced that the Service would be phasing out lead ammunition on the Canaan Valley Refuge. However, after going through the notice and comment period, FWS decided not to phase out lead ammo on the refuge.

A group of environmental plaintiffs, led by The National Wildlife Refuge Association and the Sierra Club filed suit in July 2023, seeking to force FWS to go forward with the ban on lead ammunition. The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association, intervened in the case to defend the decision.

“The suit was baseless from the start,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel for Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “You cannot use the courts to force agencies to make rules, unless Congress has specifically required the agency to make the rule, and there is no such mandate from Congress in the 1997 Improvement Act, or any other law.” Read more

G9 Defense Introduces New 9mm Copper Subsonic Ammunition

G9 Defense manufacturers of premium ammunition is pleased to announce the new 9mm Subsonic ammunition. The 126-grain Subsonic is an External Hollow Point (EHP) made completely of copper. It penetrates common barriers shot in defensive scenarios without loss of performance.

G9 Defense, once again, redefines ballistic innovation with the introduction of the 126gr Subsonic 9mm round. Specifically crafted with self-defense in mind, this round blends together the heritage of their groundbreaking EHP design with the nuances of subsonic delivery, setting a new benchmark for those who prioritize stealth and efficiency in one package. Other subsonic rounds are often repurposed versions of their supersonic counterparts, resulting in inconsistent performance when it matters most. The G9 126gr subsonic is purpose-built for peak terminal impact. Read more

Winchester Offers Waterfowl Ammunition Rebate

Winchester announces that for a limited time consumers can earn $5.00 back for each box of Winchester Xpert Waterfowl loads purchased and earn $7.00 back for each box of Winchester Blind Side 2 and Drylok loads purchased. Total maximum rebate amount is $150.00 per household. The offer is valid on qualifying purchases made between December 1, 2024 – January 18, 2025.

Eligible brands:

  • Xpert® Waterfowl
  • Blind Side® 2
  • Drylok Super Steel®

Visit Winchester.com to learn how to submit your rebate. Read more

Shell Shock Technologies “12 Days of Christmas” Savings

Now until Dec. 17, 2024 get Shell Tech ammunition and casings at great discounts! Check in daily to discover new discounts on the most innovative pistol and rifle ammunition and casings.

Eubank, KY – Shell Shock Technologies, LLC. (SST), a leading innovator in advanced ammunition and ammunition case technology, design, and manufacturing, celebrates the countdown to Christmas with Shell Shock Technologies Twelve Days of Christmas with savings on their website.

Starting Dec. 5 and running through Dec. 17, every day will offer a new opportunity to save on various pistol and rifle ammo, plus casings. Each day a specific cartridge or casing will be promoted. Use promo code HOLIDAY10 at checkout to get 10% off. Offer good until December 17th, midnight, when promotion ends ensuring your ammo arrives in time for Christmas.

Shell Tech Ammo and Casings featured during the Twelve Days of Christmas Special: Read more

Brownells Donates to Special Operations Wounded Warriors

Brownells is proud to announce that its Veterans Day Week campaign has successfully raised $120,000 for Special Operations Wounded Warriors (SOWW), thanks to the overwhelming support of its customers.

From November 11 to November 17, Brownells committed to donating 4% of all sales made at Brownells.com to SOWW. This week-long initiative allowed customers to join Brownells in giving back to the brave men and women of the Special Operations community who have sacrificed so much for our country.

“I want to sincerely thank our customers for participating in our Veterans Day fundraiser in support of Special Operations Wounded Warriors (SOWW),” said Pete Brownell, CEO of Brownells. “Together, we raised over $120,000 to help operators and their families on the path to a healthier future. Operator Syndrome claims far too many of our nation’s protectors, and any effort we can make to assist in their recovery and well-being is deeply meaningful and greatly appreciated.” Read more

The Difference in Hunting Bullets – A Case in Point

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

As Michigan’s Regular Firearms deer season comes to an end, I am going to take this opportunity to explain why the choice of ammo – and, specifically, bullets – can make all the difference in outcomes.  Long ago, I have come to the conclusion that a bullet with proven design characteristics and elements that produces controlled expansion is always my choice for deer hunting; varmint hunting is a different matter and is not the issue.  We’re talking deer hunting.

Never before has there been more varieties in conventional store-bought ammo.  Some folks may opt for price, others accuracy or just plain availability.  However, without understanding what happens to that bullet when it strikes the target, may leave hunters at a distinct disadvantage afield.

Many YouTube videos exist that depict penetration and expansion characteristics when chosen projectiles are fired into ballistic gel.  This is always helpful and can lead shooters to make educated decisions as to ammo choices.  With this in mind, I made the video below to unscientifically demonstrate vast differences in two bullet designs: Hornady’s flex tip and Federal’s with its proprietary Fusion projectile as they strike bone.

Before going any further, it’s understood that my test is extreme; however, it demonstrates the integrity of both.  My personal choice is neither, but its proven design fits the bill for me:  Barnes Vortex – a copper hollow-point offering that produces controlled expansion results regularly.

Two cases in point this deer season; one is a sizeable buck that I took and another is a doe shot by my pal, Joe, with the Hornady Flex Tip.  My buck was taken at 108 yards and Joe’s doe was shot at less than that.

When I decided to let that Barnes bullet fly, the deer had moved to a quartering-away position.  To me that meant I’d aim a bit farther back than straight broadside shots and the suppressed .450 Bushmaster round from my Ruger American hit the mark, as evidenced by the “mule kick” and “thump” sound of the bullet.  The mortally wounded deer piled up within 70 yards.  Because of the angle, there was no usual exit wound, but that bullet traveled through the vitals lengthwise taking out both lungs. It’s rare for this bullet not to pass through, but the total distance of travel of the projectile after impact was impressive upon inspection.

When Joe punched his doe, he mentioned he too saw the mule kick from the Flex Tip.  He didn’t hear the impact, but his hearing has diminished over the years.  It was assumed to be an easy recovery, as he marked the scene, although no evidence was found: no hair, no blood and no deer.

I was back at headquarters pacifying his trusty tracking dog, Junior, when he radioed me.  To give the dog some excitement, we took him along for the seemingly easy recovery.  We were totally dumbfounded when after over an hour later we had no clues.  For the first time, Junior, came up as empty as were our hearts.

Next morning, back at it with the dog.  Same results.  Nothing but someone else’s dead by that expired on my property.

The following day, I found Joe’s deer some 70 yards from the scene of the crime in plain view.  Why the dog never found it, may be attributable to a lack of blood trail.  Although Joe mentioned the direction of the fleeing, accompanying antlerless deer, we blew the chance to recover it before spoiling.  The dog seemed to be trailing the other deer to Nowheresville.

Upon inspection of the wound, I noticed an entry hole but merely as spec of blood on the opposite side – apparently from a small bullet fragment.  It was an accurate shot in the ribs but that explosive bullet never produced the exit hole we desire.   Had it been shot in the same place with a better bullet, I suspect we’d have had no problem finding the prize.  Dang it!

Glen Wunderlich’s Mid-Michigan Buck

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

With Michigan’s regular firearms season half over, I headed afield with my pal, Joe Reynolds.  We had shared a heated blind a couple of times beginning with opening day November 15th.  Lots of excitement in the early morning hours when we spotted two good bucks that closed to within 150 yards or so.  However, there wasn’t enough light to make out any detail, so we let them walk.  Sometime later, we heard a gunshot ring out and we assumed the unfriendly neighbors took one out.

We saw a total of 10 bucks on that day, but nothing measured up; we were hoping for something relatively large with at least four antler points per side – my personal restriction in the interest of growing big bucks down the road.

The next morning, things had already slowed, but we were able to view an additional six bucks – all apparent yearlings, so we kept with our discipline.  I went out one more morning and things got a bit slimmer.

Then Joe contacted me for the next adventure – already eight days into the season and I was ready, willing, and able, so we settled on the afternoon shift.  We were both toting our Ruger American rifles in .450 Bushmaster caliber.

Joe’s deer buster sported a fine Leupold Vari X III in 3.5×10 power with a 50mm objective lens.  My suppressed gun was topped with an older Zeiss Diavari variable scope in 1.5 to 4.5 power.  My go-to ammo has been Federal Premium loaded with Barnes’ venerable 250-grain X bullets – a favorite of mine for years.

I had used this same load for years and it has proven not only accurate, but deadly – never needing more than one shot. The combo would prove its worth, once again, as twilight set in.  We let a basket-rack eight points come and go at 100 yards, hoping for something better.

With less than an hour remaining in the session, we watched a yet another apparent yearling 8-point amble across the clover field.  We had seen this buck before with its basket-rack and short brow tines.  We hung in there never looking back.

A few does and fawns made the same journey between 100 to 125 yards, which was enough to keep our attention.  Then I spotted a white rack entering the field at over 150 yards.  Upon immediate consideration, it looked to be a sizeable buck with tall and wide headgear.  Joe coaxed me into taking it, but I wanted it to present a better opportunity, and it certainly cooperated; I watched and waited, as it got into the center of the field directly in front of us at 108 yards.

Finally, the moment had come to lean on the trigger of the Ruger, but it sure seemed awfully difficult to release.  Dang dummy!  Safety was still on and if one thinks this veteran of some six decades of deer hunting would be relaxed, well, I just wasn’t.

A touch of buck fever caught me flinching!  Good thing that safety did its job.  I realized I had better get a grip and calmed down when the prize turned quartering away.  A smooth trigger pull and muffled belch was followed by the obvious mule kick and the whomping sound of that copper hollow point Barnes projectile.  I instinctively knew it was a dead deer running.

Joe and I watched intently, as the buck scampered some 70 yards and fell to the ground in plain view.  We stayed put for ten minutes to make sure we didn’t pressure it, just in case it had some fight left; it didn’t.  We marched across the field for a few photos.

Back to the garage where Joe’s tracking dog – a German Shorthair Pointer was resting.  Even though we had already knew the outcome, we wanted to give Junior the excitement he lives for.  He sure knew the drill as soon as he sniffed my clothes already saturated with scent after taking a few photos.

Junior dragged Joe to the scene – and, I mean dragged in furious glee.  Although the six point buck lacked typical brow tines, the body size made up for any violation of my 8-point rule.  A good buck nonetheless and one I’ll not forget.

Mid-Michigan 6-point buck

 

 

Winchester Vintage Edition XPERT Waterfowl Loads – Shipping Now

Winchester Ammunition releases vintage edition XPERT high velocity steel shotshell loads for the waterfowler that wants to go back in time.

Available in Duck and Goose Loads, these vintage edition shotshells contain high velocity steel shot that yields more energy per pellet resulting in exceptional terminal performance. Now available in vintage packaging, waterfowlers of all generations can connect over the decades of dependability and consistent performance that Winchester XPERT shotshells are known for. Read more

1 2 3 153