Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
You’re a varmint hunter, and whether it’s to protect your land, or for sport, ProGrade® has created a special grade of ammunition just for you. ProGrade Varmint Grade is a series of cartridges hand-selected by its in-house ballistic specialists and is the best ammunition available to take down everything from coyotes, foxes and wolves to squirrels, rabbits and groundhogs. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
Funny thing about this extraordinary winter weather: it’s just not funny anymore! I realize, Mother (as in Nature), that I had asked for you to “bring it on.” Certainly, it’s all my fault, but enough already. I’ve learned my lesson. Next time I submit a request for a dose of bitterness, I’ll be sure to add an all-important caveat: and end point!
So, what’s a hunter to do? Simple. Prepare for better days. And, to me that means cranking out some custom, handloaded ammo.
If ever there has been rationale for the do-it-yourselfer to get in the game, it’s now. The ammo shortage may have eased up a bit, but a quick check with one of my favorite suppliers, www.MidwayUSA.com, shows little improvement in availability. And, those prices for loaded ammo have gone through the roof, if you can find what you want, that is.
For example, one box of factory .22 Hornet ammunition will set you back over a dollar per round. And, that’s for stuff I’ve never even tried. If it wouldn’t be able to perform to expectations, I’d be out over $50. There’s nothing special about the components in this caliber that make the ammo more expensive than others; it’s merely supply and demand. In fact, the tiny bit of powder and small bullets make this a textbook candidate to handload. Read more
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 23, 2014) — Smith & Wesson Corp. announced today that although it continually seeks ways to refine and improve its firearms so that consumers have access to the best possible products, the State of California is making that impossible when it comes to California residents.
Under California’s “Unsafe Handgun Act,” any new semi-automatic pistol introduced into that state must comply with microstamping laws. In addition, California asserts that anything other than a cosmetic change to a handgun already on the California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale, including performance enhancements and other improvements, requires it to be removed from the roster and retested. For semi-automatic pistols, this means it must comply with the microstamping requirements, as well.
Smith & Wesson does not and will not include microstamping in its firearms. A number of studies have indicated that microstamping is unreliable, serves no safety purpose, is cost prohibitive and, most importantly, is not proven to aid in preventing or solving crimes. The microstamping mandate and the company’s unwillingness to adopt this so-called technology will result in a diminishing number of Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistols available for purchase by California residents. Read more
Join NRA-ILA Grassroots staff on Saturday, February 8, for our FREE NRA University (NRA U). NRA University (NRA U) is a FREE training seminar geared toward college students, but open to all interested in learning more about NRA, the Second Amendment, the real facts surrounding the gun control debate and how to become an even more effective grassroots activist. Attendees who are not current NRA Members will receive a complimentary one-year membership to NRA, along with hats, t-shirts, and other important materials.
At this NRA U you will hear from NRA staff on the challenges and opportunities we will face this year and what you can do to ensure the preservation of our Second Amendment rights. Success in the 2014 elections is critical if we are to preserve our Second Amendment rights from a relentless barrage of attacks by President Obama and Michael Bloomberg, and victory in November is dependent on your activism, which has never been more important. Read more
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation has released a major new report about the importance of target shooting activities to the economies of Michigan and the nation. NSSF is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry.
The report, Target Shooting in America: Millions of Shooters, Billions of Dollars, was released today in conjunction with a press conference at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), the largest trade show of its kind in the world and a showcase for the firearms and ammunition industry.
The report provides a first-ever look at U.S. target shooting-related expenditures. Also included are state-by-state statistics for the number of target shooters, retail sales, taxes and jobs. The target-shooting report complements the Hunting in America report released by NSSF and the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies in March 2013.
In Michigan, target shooting-related spending contributed $726,643,476 to the state’s economy and supported 7,153 jobs.
Nationally, the money target shooters spent in 2011 resulted in $23 billion being added to the nation’s economy and supported more than 185,000 jobs. Read more
In case you couldn’t attend…
GW: If only we had some Michigan roosters to hunt…
EAST ALTON, Ill. (Jan. 8, 2014) — Upland hunters rely on long-range lethality when it comes to flushing ringnecks. Winchester® Ammunition is proud to introduce its most innovative pheasant load, the new Rooster™ XR™.
Featuring the same Shot-Lok™ Technology as found in Winchester Long Beard™ XR™, Rooster XR delivers more consistent and tighter patterns at longer ranges. It also includes deeper penetration and extreme knockdown power. Rooster XR is ideal for upland hunters that experience challenging shots in tough conditions. Winchester Rooster XR will be offered in the following specifications:
| SKU | RDS/BX | Length | Velocity | Shot Wt | Shot Size |
| 12 | 15 | 3 | 1300 | 1½ | 4,5,6 |
| 12 | 15 | 2¾ | 1300 | 1¼ | 4,5,6 |
SHOT-LOK TECHNOLOGY— Shot-Lok Technology, found in Rooster XR, is a hardened resin that eliminates air space around the pellets preventing movement, which ultimately leads to virtually no pellet deformation. Read more
Ammo provisions included in New York’s infamous SAFE Act will put an end to online ammunition shopping for New Yorkers effective January 15. Many retailers, including AmmoMan.com are alerting customers their final day to order ammunition online because of the new law will be January 14. Read more
Liberty’s lead-free, hollow-point fragmenting hunting round in .223 Rem is the first of many calibers specifically designed for the hunter.
BRADENTON, FL – Liberty Ammunition, global leader in high performance, lead-free ammunition for military and law enforcement markets, announces the Silverado line of hunting ammunition. The first caliber introduced is the .223 Rem, 55 Grain, a copper, monolithic, hollow-point, deep cavity fragmenting hunting round. Read more
SPRINGFIELD, MA— Smith & Wesson Corp. today announced that the master gunsmiths of the legendary Performance Center™ have once again elevated the perception of the classic wheel gun through the introduction of four new one-of-a-kind revolvers. Blending hand craftsmanship with new-age technology, the Performance Center by Smith & Wesson™ has broadened its lineup of precision revolvers with new competition-ready, hunting and personal protection models. Read more