Cerrosafe Casting Materials on Sale

In order to get exact dimensions for custom dies, and to monitor changes in the throat of your rifle, you may want to make a chamber cast. With such casts you can determine the exact dimensions of your chamber, throat, and bore (including land/groove diameters). Most chamber casts are made with Cerrosafe, a very unique compound that is ideal for the job. To cast a chamber, Cerrosafe is poured into the chamber and the first part of the throat. As it hardens it actually shrinks, allowing you to remove the cast from your barreled action. But, then what good is an undersized cast? Well, that is the magic of Cerrosafe. As it goes into its final hardening process, it “grows” back to the true bore/chamber dimensions. Brownell’s explains: “Cerrosafe shrinks during the first 30 minutes of cooling and then at the end of an hour, is EXACTLY chamber size. Cerrosafe melts between 158°-190° F.” To learn more about chamber casting with Cerrosafe, Click here for Gun collector Mark Trope’s illustrated guide to chamber casting, found on SurplusRifle.com.

Save 32% at MidwayUSA
MidwayUSA has 1/2-pound bars of Cerrosafe Casting Alloy (item 462291) on sale for just $13.57, through the end of July. That’s $6.42 off the normal $19.99 price — a 32% savings. As long as you keep the alloy free of contaminents the Cerrosafe can be re-used many times, though we advise you keep your chamber cast as a reference as long as you own the rifle.

RCBS ChargeMaster on Sale: $272.46

The RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 has been our top-rated electronic powder dispenser. It is very popular with precision centerfire rifle reloaders who benefit from weighing every charge. It’s a very versatile tool that can make your reloading much more efficient.

MidwayUSA has slashed the price on the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale and Dispenser Combo, item 772151. The selling price is now just $272.46, marked down from $309.99. That’s a $38 savings.

Is the Unit Worth Buying?
Most RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 owners have been very happy with the devices. If you click the “Reviews” Tab on MidwayUSA’s ChargeMaster Page, you can read 87 reviews. The vast majority of the reviews are five stars. However, as with all electronic products, a small number of ChargeMasters have required repair or replacement. We do think RCBS now has most of the bugs worked out, and they are generally quite reliable (provided incoming voltage is uniform and the device is leveled properly.)

The units we tested showed excellent dispensing accuracy, delivering the desired charge within + or - 0.1 grain, 48 out of 50 times with H4350. (Weights were confirmed with a high-end digital laboratory scale.) The ChargeMaster works especially well for long, extruded powders, which are favored by long-range shooters. You can also speed the dispensing process by starting out with a scoop of powder on the pan (below your desired weight), and letting the ChargeMaster “top off” the charge.

ChargeMaster VIDEO
CLICK HERE to watch an excellent short video demonstrating the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 in action. It shows how to calibrate the machine, how to weigh powder, and how to remove powder when you’re done.

Timex Altimeter, Barometer, Thermometer Watch

Temperature, Atmospheric Pressure, and Altitude — all these things can and do affect bullet ballistics. Moreover, temperature changes can alter powder performance and chamber pressures. The smart reloader takes the predicted ambient temperature into account. And when calculating your come-ups and windage click values, you need to factor in Temperature, Air Pressure, AND Altitude.

How do you keep track of these important variables when you’re shooting? The Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Tracker®, is compact and provides a wealth of information: atmospheric pressure, altitude, density altitude, temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind chill, dew point, and heat index. We like the Kestrels and recommend them. But at $279.00, a Kestrel 4000 is too expensive for many shooters.

Timex now offers a solution. For about $56.00-$80.00 street price, the Timex Expedition® Adventure Tech™ watch (item T41501EA) displays Altitude, Barometric Pressure, and Temperature (ABT). The thermometer function records temps from 14° F to 140° F. The Altimeter reads from -2,296 feet to +29,520 feet with 10-foot resolution. The Barometer tracks current and sea level pressure, and provides a graph of pressure changes over time.

Encased in a stainless housing with a resin band, the Timex watch is water resistant to 50 meters, and offers many other nice features, including dual time zones, countdown timer, alarm, and backlit nightlight (very handy).

There are other quality watches, such as the Suunto Core, that provide Altitude, Atmospheric Pressure, and Temperature read-outs. But, at under $70 street price, the Timex costs one-fourth the price of the Suunto. Amazon.com is currently offering the Timex Temp/Altitude/Barometer watch for $55.97 - $79.95 (depending on source). It is offered with a silver band as well as the black shown above.

Useful Tool or Just Another Gadget?
Is this watch really useful or just another piece of male jewelry? Well just last week a friend was developing loads for his PPC. While chronographing his loads he wanted to input the ambient temperature, and current air pressure in his log. We just had to guess on those numbers. It felt like 90°+, but it may have been in the mid-eighties. With the Timex we’d have had reliable data (Note: it’s best to take the watch off your arm when gauging air temp). For this editor, the Timex ABT watch is a useful tool. I bought one and will be using it during load development and when shooting competitively.

Here’s an owner’s review: “I have been through a Nike ABT, a Swiss Army ABT, and a High Gear ABT watch this year alone. None of them, which cost quite a bit more, have been as accurate and durable as this Timex. It has a better fit, was easy to use and read and just plain ‘on the money’ as far as forecasting weather and altitude. Also, I have not had to take it off my arm for 10-15 mins to get a decent temperature rating. It has always been within 1-3 degrees of actual temp. And I live in the Carribean in a tropical climate… so, for it to be this accurate is a statement in itself.”

And here’s an interesting comment from one purchaser: “I bought this watch to set the jetting on my racing go kart. I needed to know field elevation, and temperature. Plus changes in barometric pressure as the day went on. Most teams use a weather station and computer that cost over $700 for this purpose. My watch and accompanying chart (for the motor) has given me the same results.” If this watch works for racers, it can work for our “internal combustion” precision bullet-launching machines as well.

Shilen Barrels on Sale at Bruno Shooters Supply

Bruno Shooters Supply is currently offering great pricing on Shilen rifle barrels. All 1.250″ or smaller diameter barrels are just $236.40. This applies to barrels 28″ in length or shorter. Bruno’s 22 Rimfire, .224, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, and 30 caliber barrels are offered in a variety of twist rates from 1:8″ to 1:17″ (twist rates are dependent on caliber).

CLICK HERE for Bruno’s Shilen barrel inventory.

Garand Walnut Stocks on Sale

Many of our readers enjoy classic military rifles as well as precision BR rigs and varmint rifles. Now through June 30th, MidwayUSA has Boyd’s M1 Garand replacement stocks on sale for just $89.99, marked down from $104.99 (item 107223). Boyd’s Garand stocks are fully-inletted and crafted from quality American Walnut. Very slight trimming and sanding may be required, but otherwise this is a “drop-in” stock.

There is a superb article by Jamie Magnum on SurplusRifle.com that explains how to install a Boyd’s Walnut stock on your Garand. The author provides complete step-by-step instructions showing how to remove the old stock, and attach the new stock. Through a series of 75 photos, the article covers every aspect of the job, including inletting, and making sure all the metal connectors are attached properly.

CLICK HERE for Downlodable .PDF version of Garand Article.

SurplusRifle.com is an online service of Tennessee Gun Parts, Covington, TN, 1-866-472-4986.

Rare Tikka 595 with Select Wood on Auction Arms

Most of the Tikka 595s that made it to the States came with a synthetic stock or rather ordinary wood stock. Right now, on Auction Arms, there’s a very clean Tikka 595 with a really nice stock in highly-figured walnut with contrasting forearm tip. Chambered in 22-250, it’s a very handsome rifle, and the 595 action is slick and strong. We’re hoping one of our regular readers snags this gem. Current bid price is $625.00. Forum member Fireball tells us the Tikka 595 22-250 magazines will also feed 6BR and 22BR cartridges well if you plan to re-barrel this rifle and chamber a different cartridge. We’d just shoot it “as is”, at least until the barrel wore out.

Bore-Store Protective Bags on Sale

MidwayUSA has Bore-Store synthetic fleece rifle storage bags on sale. We can say, unequivocally, that Bore-Stores are a great product. Every gun in this editor’s safe rests in a Bore-Store. Bore-Stores cushion your guns against dings and scratches while the breathable fabric wicks away moisture and fights rust with a special anti-corrosion coating. The fabric is coated with pure silicon and an extra rust-inhibiting chemical. Bore-Stores are relatively inexpensive and last forever. Unlike cotton, wool, leather or canvas bags, the fibers do not absorb and retain moisture. You really can’t beat them for storage in a safe because they cushion the gun as well as fight rust and aluminum corrosion.

MidwayUSA has the full line of Bore-Store cases on sale. We’ve found that the latest examples run on the roomy side, so the 46″ scoped rifle case, item SRC-1, will fit guns up to 48″ overall, with plenty of clearance for a big scope. The 46″ case is now $9.99 marked down from $11.49. The 40″ Scoped Rifle Case, item SRC-3 ($9.49 on sale), will fit most short-range BR guns up to 42″ in length. There are also models for shotguns, carbines, and pistols.

$75.00 Gift Certificate with Nightforce Scope Purchase

Creedmoor Sports has a new promotion for scope buyers. If you purchase a Nightforce NXS or Benchrest Model scope at regular price, Creedmoor will give you a $75.00 gift cerficate that can be applied to other Creedmoor Sports merchandise. (Note: The certificate can NOT be applied to the original scope sale, or the purchase of another Nightforce product.)

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.