Category: Ammunition

Background Checks for Ammunition in California

In June, the California Assembly’s Public Safety Committee voted to pass SB 53, anti-sportsman legislation that would establish a new government-run permitting system to regulate the purchase and sale of ammunition in the state. Now, SB 53 has moved to the Assembly Floor where it could be called up for a vote at any time.

If passed, SB 53 would require virtually anyone wishing to obtain ammo used for any purpose, even hunting and target shooting, to undergo a background check and obtain approval from the State of California. SB 53 would create a state-run database of individuals approved to purchase ammunition and authorize the California Department of Justice to create an ammunition purchase permit program requiring law abiding citizens to register and pay a fee every two years, simply for acquiring common items like shotgun shells or rifle ammo. Furthermore, SB 53 would harm small businesses and limit consumer choice by banning mail-order and internet ammunition transactions in California. Read more

Ammunition, Gun Control, Hunting, Self Defense

Defining Ethics in Long-Range Shooting

By Glen Wunderlich

When it comes to long-range shooting relative to hunting, I suspect most Michiganders would consider 200 yards a reasonable limit.  If one hunts in the southern portion of the lower peninsula – known as the shotgun zone or limited firearm deer zone – 150 yards would fit the description for most sportsmen.  In Western states the maximum ethical range is much farther.  So, the issue becomes how far is too far?

Just as modern motor vehicles are capable of speeds well beyond any legal limit, most firearms will outshoot the operators’ potential, as well.  As ammunition, optics, firearms and related gear continue to be improved,  it’s only natural to push the limits.  While doing so can be challenging at the practice range, it’s entirely another matter afield.

“It’s not about distance; it’s about intent,” said Bill Demmer, Boone and Crocket Club president.

He explained, “Hunters have varying degrees of marksmanship skills and capabilities. Some are steady only out to 100 yards. Others are very efficient at much longer distances. All kinds of field conditions also factor into what is or isn’t an ethical shot. So, within reasonable sideboards, it’s impossible to use distance as a measurement of fair chase.”

The Club urges all hunters to think carefully of the consequences of long-range shooting, whether hunting with a rifle, bow, muzzleloader, crossbow, or handgun, and not confuse the purposes and intent of long-range shooting with fair chase hunting.

Although getting too close to game can be problematic, any sportsman should define his own personal limits and doing so comes from practice.

There’s no excuse for not understanding terminal ballistics or the energy needed to humanely kill big game animals.  It’s all out there with every major ammunition manufacturer providing free ballistic programs online.  Obviously, a bullet that becomes anemic downrange must be ruled out in fairness to the quarry.   But, how else can a sportsman determine limitations?

First off, nobody’s perfect, but with myriad variables there’s a simple barometer for any hunter to follow:  the 9 out of 10 rule.  Whatever the chosen firearm or bow, a shooter must be able to hit the target 9 out of 10 times.  And, “the target” should be somewhat smaller than the kill zone of the game being pursued, thus allowing a larger margin for error.

While it makes for challenging competition at the practice range, a sportsman translates the limiting results afield, and therefore, defines his personal ethical standards.

Ammunition, Hunting, Wildlife

Clinton-Appointed Judge Upholds Maryland’s “Assault Weapon” and “Large” Magazine Bans in Ultra-Biased Opinion

This week’s ruling by the judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland reminds us why it is important to elect U.S. senators who will reject an anti-gun president’s anti-gun nominees to the federal courts, and to elect presidents who will not nominate anti-gunners in the first place.

On Tuesday, August 12, Judge Catherine C. Blake, appointed to the court by President Bill Clinton, upheld Maryland’s “assault weapon” and “large” magazine ban in the case of Kolbe v. O’Malley. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Self Defense

DRT Introduces 50 Cal 170gr. TSMZ

DRT Ammunition is proud to introduce the new 50 Cal 170gr. TSMZ. This Terminal Shock Muzzle Loader bullet is .451dia and comes with Harvester Sabots in a 12 round package. The new TSMZ line was made to extend the range of the common inline muzzleloader, offering a non-lead projectile that is more consistent, and provides the terminal ballistics on which DRT builds its reputation. Our powdered core has given the bullet an unprecedented stability and will shoot less than a minute of angle at 100 and 200 yards out of a quality rifle.

We used a 115gr of Blackhorn 209 with CCI 209 shotshell primers and a Thompson Center Triumph to test this bullet for accuracy. We also used 150 Gr (3 pellets) of White Hots in a TC Encore Pro Hunter. The TSMZ is a powdered core, just like our other projectiles, and is incredibly devastating. The bullet will pass through bone and parts of the bullet core remain intact continuing to move through the animal, which makes it perfect for hunting – causing massive internal damage. This truly is an accurate and deadly bullet, unlike any other available. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Hunting

NSSF President: Gun Industry Sales Reflect a “New Normal”

NEWTOWN, Conn. – Last year was an extraordinary one for firearm sales, a year unlike any other in the industry’s history. That’s a fact to be mindful of when comparing estimated sales through the first seven months of 2014 with those of the previous year, notes Steve Sanetti, President and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry.

Remove the extraordinary 2013 from the rear-view mirror and sales of firearms in America still show an almost uninterrupted rise over the past 10 years, according to national background check figures adjusted by NSSF to reflect market activity. For the first seven months of 2014, total firearm sales rank as the highest in the last decade, with the one big exception of 2013 (see chart). Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Hunting, Self Defense

Smith & Wesson Expands M&P Series with New M&P 22 Compact Pistol

Compact .22LR Pistol Delivers Popular M&P Features in a Smaller, Rimfire Package

Made in U.S.A. – Accessories Available – Ammo Rebate with Purchase

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (August 12, 2014) — Smith & Wesson Corp. announced today that it has added a new model to the company’s flagship line of M&P® polymer pistols with the introduction of the M&P22 Compact. Engineered to professional standards, the new tactical rimfire pistol incorporates a variety of features inherent to the design of the full size M&P centerfire pistol in a new, smaller scale version. Manufactured entirely in the United States by Smith & Wesson, the .22 LR pistol provides shooting enthusiasts with M&P accuracy and reliability in a new fun-to-shoot, compact profile. To round out the shooting experience, from now through December 31, 2014, Smith & Wesson will ship 222 rounds of Winchester .22LR ammunition to each M&P22 Compact consumer who redeems the promotional coupon. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms, Hunting, Self Defense

Berger Bullets Announces Launch of New Ammo Company

Berger Bullets, the leading brand in precision rifle bullets, has announced the launch of Applied Ballistics Munitions, also referred to as ABM Ammo or ABM (www.abmammo.com).

ABM Ammo specializes in making the highest quality rifle ammunition using three specific cases: 308 Winchester, 300 Winchester Magnum and 338 Lapua Magnum. ABM focuses on these cases in a deliberate effort to develop the best ammunition possible for the Special Forces sniper and operator community under the product name “Mission Ready™.” Read more

Ammunition

FrankFord Arsenal Introduces Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler

The Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler delivers a new level of brass cleaning performance. Rotary tumbling with stainless steel media in a liquid bath gets brass much cleaner, and works much faster than ultrasonic or vibratory tumbling methods. The small stainless pins easily penetrate inside cases and into primer pockets to deliver unbeatable cleaning power. The large volume drum holds up to 1000 pieces of .223 brass and has a molded in rubber lining to protect brass and dampen noise during operation. A built in timer in the base can be set to run from 0 to 3 hours, shutting off automatically. Read more

Ammunition, Firearms

NSSF to Cal Fish & Game Prez: Recuse Yourself

Attorneys for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) on Tuesday, Aug. 5, delivered a formal letter to the California Fish and Game Commission President Michael Sutton asking that he recuse himself from involvement in the drafting of regulations to implement AB711, the state law banning traditional ammunition for use in hunting, as well as any other issue related to lead ammunition or matters lobbied by California Audubon or Pacific Flyaway. Because of Sutton’s position as executive director with Audubon California, his involvement in the implementation of AB 711 regulations appears to violate state statutes and undermines public confidence in the commission’s impartiality and fairness in the regulatory process. Read more

Ammunition, Gun Control, Hunting
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