Howard Leight Electronic Muffs on Sale for $49.99

Now through May 31, 2008, MidwayUSA has the Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuffs on sale for $49.99, $10.00 off the regular price. That’s a heck of a deal. These electronic muffs (item 671923) perform as well as some other noise-cancelling muffs that cost two or three times the price.

Because the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs only carry a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 22 db, we recommend you use these OVER foam ear plugs. When you do that, the electronic noise circuit still allows you to hear range commands. Forum member Danny Reever has a pair of the Leight Impacts. He reports: “Off the firing line, while others are shooting, you can easily carry on a conversation while the electronics cancel out the gunfire. Amplification is crisp and clear even at the highest setting. On the firing line, the slim profile of the muffs does not interfere with cheek weld and are comfortable.

The 22-decibel noise reduction rating (NRR) is a bit low for my liking, but I have found using 29-db plugs coupled with a slight gain in the electronics allows me to get maximum protection and still hear range commands. In fact, by increasing the volume further I could still hear conversations up and down the firing line.”

Assistant Editor Jason Baney also has a pair of the Howard Leight electronic muffs. He says: “They are comfortable and work great if you wear plugs underneath. You can even plug an iPod into them.”

Both Cabela’s buyers and MidwayUSA customers have praised these units:

“I am a firearms instructor/SWAT instructor, active on two SWAT teams. [I] have burned through too many pairs of Peltors due to their poor battery set up. These are cheaper price-wise, but [have] better controls and battery storage. Amazing sound quality. In reality to beat the performance you need to spend four to five times the money. If I could give ten stars I would…” ZM, Cabelas customer.

“I have a set of Peltors that I paid triple the price for and they aren’t half as good. These [Leights] have nice smooth attenuation unlike the Peltor that snap on and off in a very annoying fashion. These fit tight, have good noise reduction and good sound quality. The low profile works well with rifles and shotguns. Don’t bother spending more, these are great!” Paul D., MidwayUSA Customer.

H-S Precision Stocks on Sale — $259.99

Now through April 30, 2008, MidwayUSA has H-S Precision stocks on sale for $259.99. These stocks regularly sell for $307.99 at MidwayUSA, and are priced at $350.00-$370.00 on the H-S Precision website. These H-S Precision stocks feature Kevlar- or carbon fiber-reinforced shells, plus a CNC-milled aluminum bedding block. The integral aluminum block provides a solid attachment for the action. Many shooters report that the H-S stock, even without conventional bedding, delivers better accuracy than a typical factory Remington stock. Most smiths, however, believe that the H-S aluminum bedding block works even better when skim-bedded.

Six different H&S stocks are available for $259.99: the sporter-style model PSS003 (short) or PSS010 (long) for Rem 700s, tactical-style model PST012 (short) or PST087 (long) for Rem 700 actions with varmint contour barrels, the PSC100 benchrest style with 3″-wide fore-end for Rem 700 short actions, and the sporter-style PSS021 for post-64 Winchester Model 70 actions. In addition, the PSC027 Silhouette Thumbhole stock for Rem 700 short actions is offered for $269.99. All H&S sale stocks come in black only, glossy black for the PSC100 and matte black for everything else.

M. Weaver of Chandler, OK, who purchased the model PST087 stock (tactical long action), gave this review: “Great stock. Easy to change out. The aluminum full length bedding block takes away the need for any gunsmithing and allows the action to be torqued to proper specifications[.]“

33db NRR Earplugs just $0.26 per pair

Howard Leight Max® Foam Earplugs offer the highest noise reduction of any shooters’ earplug you can buy–33 decibels. The NRR 33 rating makes the MAX the highest rated disposable earplug in the US. We prefer the corded variety as you’re less likely to lose them and the cord keeps the plugs comfortably draped around your neck when not in use. You can get big savings by buying in bulk. DiscountSafetyGear.com sells 100 pairs for just $25.99. That’s a heck of a lot better than the typical range price of $1.50 a pair (or more). Go in with a buddy on a 100-pack and you’ll have enough pairs for years of safe shooting, with plenty of spares to give to friends and shooting companions.

Rust-Fighters for GunSafes on Sale

Help keep your prized firearms in good condition with products that keep moisture off guns stored in your safe. Now through April 30, 2008 MidwayUSA has Goldenrod heating units and desiccant packs on sale.

The 40 gram desiccant box, item 799452, is now on sale for $3.99. Containing hydrosorbant Silica Gel in an aluminum shell, each unit protects up to 3 cubic feet of storage space. These desiccant packs can be “recharged” by placing them in an oven for 3 hours at 300° F.

The Goldenrod is a safe, electric heating element that will help prevent rust and corrosion. MidwayUSA has an 18″ unit, item 614184, on sale for $15.99 that will warm and protect up to 200 cubic feet.

GoldenRods are marketed as “dehumidifiers”, but that is a bit of a misnomer. The GoldenRod doesn’t absorb moisture like a desiccant per se. It works by maintaining a constant temperature inside your safe that raises the dew point and alters the relative humidity so that water vapor doesn’t condense on your firearms.

Savage .22 LR Youth Match Rifle for $212.00

The Savage Mark I-FVT single-shot .22 Caliber rimfire smallbore target rifle can now be purchased by CMP-affiliated clubs, youth camps, 4-H Shooting Sports clubs, and Boy Scout (BSA) organizations for $212.00 each through a special marketing agreement between Savage and the CMP. The $212.00 price includes sights and shipping.

Measuring 39.5″ overall and weighing just 5.25 lbs., the rifle is a comfortable fit for juniors. It features an adjustable Williams rear match sight and front globe sight with multiple apertures. The Mark I-FVT rifle comes with the adjustable Savage AccuTrigger®. Any CMP-affiliated organization with a junior shooting program may apply to the CMP for a purchase eligibility certificate. To purchase these rifles, organizations must first submit a purchase eligibility certificate application. CLICK HERE to download application form. If you have questions, contact CMP Program Sales: (419) 635-2141 ext. 1115; email clubrifle [at] odcmp.com.

Heavy Caldwell BR Rest now $129.99

This deal is set to expire soon, so don’t hesitate if you’re looking for a very heavy front rest at a bargain price. Now through March 31, 2008, MidwayUSA has knocked $30.00 off its 1000-yard competition “Rock” front rest (item 627414), so it’s priced at just $129.99. Offer expires 3/31/08. This is the extra-heavy 24-lb. version with an 18″ footprint. It is designed for big 1000-yard guns and comes with a 5″-wide three-lobe front bag. The rest top, however, will accept other bags from Caldwell or other suppliers.

Note that Caldwell BR rests adjust windage by rotation of the rest top rather than linear tracking. Still, we’ve used these 24-lb rests and they are solid and functional, though many owners eventually upgrade the rather thin 3-lobe front sandbag. Purchaser Richard S. from Colorado reports: “The rest is heavy and very solid. This is a great rest for the money. I replaced the Caldwell bag with a leather Protektor bag. The rest has groves made to accommodate the Protektor bag and it is a perfect fit.” Butch Lambert of ShadeTree Engineering can also adapt his joystick rest top to these units.

13th Speer Reloading Manual Just $9.99

Grafs.com is offering “blow-out pricing” on the 13th Edition of the Speer Reloading Manual. Regularly priced at $20.99, the Speer Manual (item PS9510) is now just $9.99. This hefty 730-page hardcover resource offers more than 8,000 load recipes with powder charges and bullet data. The Speer Manual also includes detailed ballistics tables, bullet energy and velocity tables, plus sections on special techniques, problem-solving and more. The 13th Edition of this popular reloading guide was updated with an improved format for quick reference.

Note, however, the 13th Edition was first published in 1998. The latest edition of this manual is the 1149-page 14th Edition, published in 2007. The 14th edition has more technical tables and over 9,000 load recipes. The 14th Edition (shown below) is available from Grafs.com for $29.99 (item SP9515, in stock now), or from MidSouth Shooters Supply for $27.50 (item 021-9515, on order).

Cabela’s “Gun Show” Sale Weekend, March 28-30

On March 28-30, Cabela’s is running a major gun sale at many of its stores. This “Gun Show” weekend will feature great discounts on both new and used firearms. Customers are also invited to bring in their own firearms to sell, trade, or consign. Cabela’s has collected inventories from its gun vaults, placing hundreds of used guns on sale for the first time. In addition, participating stores will offer new guns at special savings. The Cabela’s “Gun Show” will be held at these participating stores: Boise, Buda, Dundee, East Grand Forks, Fort Worth, Glendale, Hamburg, Kansas City, Kearney, La Vista, Lehi, Mitchell, Prairie du Chien, Owatonna, Richfield, Rogers, Sidney, and Wheeling.

In addition, gun safes will be offered at low, discounted prices at the following locations: Boise, Glendale, Kansas City, Lehi, Owatonna, Richfield, and Rogers. If you live near any of these locations, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire a quality gun safe at significant savings.

Horizontal $259.00 “Site Safe” at Lowe’s

Here’s a useful item that can provide secure storage for valuable tools, outdoor gear, and shooting accessories. In a pinch, it can also augment the storage capacity of your gun safe, though we recommend a conventional gun safe with UL-rated locking mechanism for long-term firearms storage.

The Better Built® 48″ Steel Job Site Safe is now on sale at Lowe’s for $259.00, marked down from $288.00. Offering 17.5 cubic feet of storage space, the Site Safe (Lowe’s item # 195894) will hold tools, barrel, tripods etc. up to 48″ in length. It is 25″ high, 24″ front to back, and is built of powder-coated 14 gauge steel. The design includes recessed lift handles to assist in installation. In the front are two lock ports which can be secured with padlocks.

Note, this Job Site Safe does not qualify as a Residential Security Container, so it won’t pass muster in some states as a qualifying gun safe. However, this unit can be very handy in your garage or workshop to secure expensive tools and other equipment. Also, its low, horizontal design allows it to fit in places where a conventional, vertical style safe will not fit. Better Built® also offers 36″-wide (item 37224145), and 60″-wide (item 37224142) Site Safes, but these products are not currently sold at Lowe’s.

Nikon BDC 3-9×40 Scope on Sale

Here’s a good deal on a scope suitable for deer hunting and general field use. The magnification range is sensible for an all-around hunting rifle. SWFA is offering the 3-9×40 Team Primos Riflescope for just $199.00 (item 8435). That’s $150.00 off SWFA’s normal price, and $40-$50 cheaper than the best prices we’ve found at other vendors.

Weighing just 13 ounces, the Nikon offers near-constant 3.6-3.7 inch eye relief and 95% light transmission with full-coated lenses. The nitrogen-filled scope is 100% Waterproof/Fogproof/Shockproof and features a one-piece main body tube. Nikon offers a full, lifetime warranty.

The scope features Nikon’s BDC (Bullet Drop Compensating) reticle designed and calibrated to provide fast, simple aiming points for various shot distances. This system has a series of small “ballistic circles”-each subtending 2″ at 100 yards.

Nikon’s BDC is designed to be used with most standard centerfire cartridges with typical bullet weights, providing aiming points out to 500 yards, with a 100-yard sight-in. With Magnum cartridges and typical bullet weights, the same scopes with BDC reticles offer aiming points out to 600 yards, with a 200-yard sight-in.

Dell Renews $549.00 Laptop Deal

In January, we reported that Dell was offering an excellent laptop computer for under $600.00, the Dell Vostro 1500. Dell has extended that offer, and even sweetened the deal. Now for $549.00 you can get a well-configured unit with 2 Gigs of RAM, a 1.4 mhz Intel Dual-Core processor, built-in Wi-Fi, and a huge 250 gigabyte hard-drive. Previously, the $549.00 Vostro 1500 had a 160 Gig hard-drive. This is a limited-time offer from Dell. Dell even includes FREE shipping.

CLICK HERE for full Vostro 1500 Review.

Notably, unlike Acer, Sony, Toshiba, and most other bargain lap-top makers, Dell offers its Vostros with a choice of either Windows XP or Vista operating systems. For a variety of reasons, we still recommend XP over Vista. Tests have demonstrated that XP runs faster than Vista, it enjoys superior software compatibility, and it requires less RAM.

Overall, the Vostro 1500 is a very capable package for the price. This Editor acquired one (thanks to a donation from Joe. F in CA), and our 1000-yard Editor Jason Baney just ordered one. Dell laptop buyers also get special deals on printers, for example the Dell 1320c Color Laser, a PC World magazine “Best Buy”, is just $299.00. Consider that, a decade ago, a quality color laser printer could cost $1500.00 or more.