November 16, 2012
By Shooting Times News
It's the most wonderful time of the year once again, and while most folks are dreaming of a White Christmas, our holiday fantasies are of something blued. Or nickel. Or stainless. We're a different breed, you see, but that doesn't make us any more difficult to shop for. But just in case you need a little guidance in shopping for that designated shootist in your family, we're here to help. Check out the following suggestions to make your holiday shopping a little less stressful.
Hamilton Bowen's 'The Custom Revolver — Kindle Edition' Published over a decade ago, legendary revolver-smith Hamilton Bowen's excellent book,
The Custom Revolver , is out of print. Used copies — when one can be found for sale — are expensive. Thankfully, a digital edition for tablets is now available from Amazon. We've been perusing the tome on an iPad, reveling in the detailed information and the discussions of legendary custom revolvers such as Elmer Keith's No. 5.
Price: $9.99
Hodgdon Annual Manual The magazine-format
Hodgdon Annual Manual is back, packed with more in-depth reloading info and data than ever, including up-to-date info on new powders, handload data for recently-developed cartridges, and more. On newsstands now.
Price: $8.99
In-Range Sight-Bloc Rifle Rest Made entirely of recycled rubber particles, the
In-Range Supplies Sight-Bloc rifle rest provides a molded rubber construction that won't freeze, absorb water, or decompose. Its multilevel shape features two recessed rests that accommodate heights from 4, 7 and 9 inches. And it can be used with AR-15s with 30-round magazines. It weighs 14 pounds and measures 11x9x6 inches.
Price: $50
Limbsaver Kodiak-Lite Sling The new
Kodiak-Lite Sling is designed for crossbows, compound bows and firearms. It's lightweight and made from Limbsaver's exclusive NAVCOM material that absorbs vibration. The contour design reduces shoulder fatigue, does not slip, and is comfortable for left- or right-hand shooters. The nylon webbing is tested at 2,000+ pounds strength. Color choices include black and camo.
Price: $25
Lyman Turbo Sonic Cleaners Lyman has added two new
Turbo Sonic Ultrasonic Cleaners , a larger 6.3-quart, heated Model TS-6000 (holds up to 1,300 9mm cases or four handgun frames) and a smaller 23.6-ounce, unheated Model TS-700 (ideal for firearms parts, dies, and mold blocks) to the company's original midsized TS-2500 model introduced last year. All models offer exceptional speed and cleaning performance. The Turbo Sonics use Lyman's specially formulated brass cleaning solution to deliver superior cleaning of cases and primer pockets.
Price: $350 (TS-6000) and $80 (TS-700)
Nosler Varmageddon With prairie-doggin' season just around the corner, it's worth knowing about
Nosler's new 'Varmageddon ' line , featuring both loaded ammo and polymer-tipped and hollowpoint component bullets. Calibers for the lead-alloy-core, copper-alloy-jacketed projectiles (100 per box) are .17, .204, .224 and .243. Factory-loaded ammo will come 20 rounds per box in .17 Rem., .204 Ruger, .221 Fireball, .222 Rem., .22-250, .223 Rem. and .243 Win.
Prices range from $15 to $18 for component bullets, and $19 to $36 for loaded ammo, depending on caliber and bullet configuration.
Ruger 22/45 Lite Perhaps the ultimate accurate lightweight .22 rimfire trail/trappers gun,
Ruger's 22.8-ounce 22/45 Lite is the only gun that made the gift-guide grade. We speculate that the aluminum shroud creates a tensioned barrel, a condition known to promote accuracy. Whatever the cause, the two samples we've tested shot silver-dollar size 10-shot groups at 25 yards, without a single reliability issue.
Price: $469
Ergo Slim-Line Rail Covers Ergo Grip's new Slim-Line rail covers are molded from Santoprene, and they cover Picatinny rails with the lowest, most comfortable profile possible, according to the company.
Available in 18-slot sizes (can be cut to size by the consumer) and in black, coyote brown, dark earth, olive drab, and pink colors, the Slim-Line rail covers use Ergo's patented design to snap over the sides of the rail. They come in packs of three.
Price: $31
Smith & Wesson Range Jacket Designed with a distinctly western, non-tactical look,
S&W's new Range Jacket is made for concealed handgun carriers who wish to avoid the dead-giveaway tactical look. Constructed of stout, water-resistant canvas, it's comfortable, stylish and has numerous pockets, hidden and otherwise, to stick your favorite back-alley companion in. Available in Walnut, Heat (red), and Lager (tan), it comes in sizes Small through XXL.
Price: $249
Tetra Gun Care ValuPro III Cleaning Kits Tetra's next generation of cleaning kits, the ValuPro III , offer high-performance lubricants and improved, high-quality cleaning rods with ergonomic handles. Available for most calibers and gauges, ValuPro III kits are versatile and convenient. They contain everything shooters need to maintain, clean, and lubricate their firearms all in reusable HDPE cases with clear lids.
Prices: $16 to $20
War Dog Safe Featuring an innovative, stackable drawer design,
War Dog safes are ideal for installing under a bed, in the rear of an SUV, or stacking in the closet. Sophisticated electronic locks are hardened drill-plate protected. Weight, 185 pounds; exterior dimensions are 46.50 wide by 20.25 deep by 6.75 inches high. This is our most expensive gift suggestion listed, but when it comes to preserving heirlooms and protecting family, how much is too much?
Price: [imo-slideshow gallery=24],250 (Classic)
