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Holiday Buyers' Guide
Hand-picked Gear and Precision Shooting Components
 December is here, and the stores are gearing up for the biggest shopping season of the year. We know that many of you shooters are looking for new reloading gear and components for your "next year's gun." Both to whet your collective appetites and make the gear-shopping process easier, in this GEAR BUYERS GUIDE, AccurateShooter.com's editors have selected some of the best products for precision shooters. Items range in price from $1.99 (stocking stuffer anyone?) to a well over a thousand dollars. Some of the products are brand new, others are "old favorites" tested and proven on the fields of competition. For each product you'll find candid commentary, and tips for finding the best prices.
 Nearly all of the items shown here are owned, used and endorsed by one or more of the guys who write and test for this site. Each selection is a top-quality piece of gear you can purchase with confidence. Most of these products represent excellent value within their class. In some cases, such as the Swarovski rangefinder, the product is more expensive than its competition, but it was still worth the price, in our opinion. Whenever possible, we've listed the lowest advertised "street price". In some cases we list "MSRP", but if you buy from the right sources, you can often enjoy significant savings over MSRP.
Gifts $1 to $5
Surveyors Tape
$1.99 | 
Hood Kwik Estimator
$2.50 | 
Barrel Mirage Shade
$3.95 | 
Dewey Crocogator
$4.95 |
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 Surveyors' Tape. You should always watch the wind when you shoot. Inexpensive, Day-Glo Surveyors' Tape, attached to a stake or target frame, makes a great wind indicator. It will flutter even in mild breezes, alerting you to both angle and velocity shifts. This should be part of every range kit. Don't leave home without it.
Hood Kwik Estimator. Here's a very handy tool to measure your 6mm groups. Bracket the group within the diverging lines of the Kwik Estimator and you'll instantly get a good approximation of the actual group size. No more trips to the tool box for calipers. The inexpensive Kwik Estimator fits in a shirt pocket. (Thanks to Boyd Allen for this suggestion.)
Sinclair Barrel Mirage Shade. For high-volume varminters, and competitors who shoot fast in warm weather, a mirage shield is absolutely essential. This prevents hot air rising off the barrel from distorting the image in your scope. The aluminum Sinclair shield can be trimmed to fit, and comes with stick-on Velcro attachments. Two lengths are available: 18" for short BR barrels, and 24" for longer barrels.
Dewey Crocogator. The Crocogator tool, with knurled "teeth" at both ends, is simple, inexpensive, and compact. Yet nothing zips though primer-pocket gunk faster or better. Unlike some cutter-tipped primer pocket tools, the Crocogator removes the carbon quick and easy without shaving brass. One end is sized for large primer pockets, the other for small.
Gifts $6 to $10
Ballistol Aerosol Lube
$6.50 | 
Sinclair Barrel Bag
$7.90 | 
Sinclair Load Block
$8.20 | 
BoreTech Eliminator
$9.50 |
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Ballistol Aerosol Lube. Ballistol is a versatile, non-toxic product with many uses in the reloading room. We have found it is ideal for lubricating cases for normal full-length sizing. It is clear, not gooey or chalky like other lubes. It is very, very slippery, yet is easy to apply and just as easy to wipe off. As you lube your cases, the Ballistol will also clean powder fouling off the case necks. For heavy-duty case forming and neck expansion, we'll still use Imperial die wax, but for every-day case sizing, Ballistol is our first choice. It also helps prevent your dies from rusting and it even conditions leather. Ballistol is a favored bore cleaner for Black Powder shooters because it neutralizes acidic powder residues.
Sinclair Barrel Bag. If you run a switch-barrel rig, or take spare barrels to a big match, this simple but effective barrel bag will protect your valuable steel. The bag is moisture-resistant vinyl on the outside with a soft, quilted interior to protect the barrel's finish and delicate crown. The 26" bag costs $7.90, while a 31" bag costs $8.50. Either way, it is cheap insurance for those priceless barrels.
Sinclair 'Poly' Loading Block. We've tried wood and injection-molded loading trays, and we like Sinclair's white polyethylene loading blocks the best. They fit BR, .308, and 6.5-284 cases very well, with chamfered holes sized for the particular case you reload. The blocks are heavy enough to be stable on the bench, and the "dishwasher-friendly" material is easy to clean. The PBX model hold 50 cases, while the PLX version holds 25 cases with a tray for empties. There is also a heavy-duty model (08-4275) with an extra-thick 1" base. Sinclair's loading blocks are superior products at a fair price.
BoreTech Eliminator. There are many excellent bore cleaners, including Butch's BoreShine, KG-12, Montana X-Treme. We've recently tested the BoreTech Eliminator on 20-caliber high-velocity varmint rifles that tended to copper-foul very quickly. The BoreTech Eliminator worked faster and restored acuracy better than most other solvents we tried. While we still recommend Wipe-Out foam for regular after-match barrel cleaning, when you need a rapid-acting bore solvent, try the Eliminator.
Gifts $11 to $25
Wipe-Out Foam
Bore Cleaner
$11.00 | 
"Shotgunner"
Folding Muffs
$14.49 | 
Firing Pin
Removal Tool
$19.95 | 
Lapua Match-Grade
Loaded Ammunition
$25.00 |
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Wipe-Out Foam Bore Cleaner. You NEED this stuff. Trust us it works and it will save you countless hours of labor. Used with the optional Accelerator, it will get your barrel squeaky clean with about 40 minutes of dwell time (and no brushing). We normally let it sit about three hours then patch out. It works best it you send 2-3 wet patches through the bore (to get out loose carbon) before you apply the foam. Insert your bore guide and squirt it in from the muzzle, or you can apply through the breech-end with plastic tubing.
Shotgunner Folding Muffs. Tapered foam earplugs, of 29dB NRR or better, offer the most effective noise protection. However, when you can't wear plugs, or if you want to "double-up" for added noise reduction, Peltor's "ShotGunner" folding muffs (21dB NRR) are great. The lower half is thinner, so they don't interfere with a cheek weld. These muffs fold up very compactly for storage in your range kit, using a clever double hinge. (Folded, they're about the size of a softball). Everyone should have a pair of these, which cost just $15 or so at major retailers.
Sinclair Firing Pin Removal Tool. Don't neglect the inside of that expensive action. The bolt on a rifle that sees a lot of use should be disassembled, and the inside cleaned and oiled, several times a year. The bolt should also be disassembled and inspected if a primer is pierced or "blanked". Sinclair's bolt disassembly tools make removing the firing pin, spring and shroud assembly from the bolt body a simple, "no-stress" task. These tools are designed to pull back and hold the cocking piece as the shroud, pin and spring assembly is removed from the bolt body. One tool (#RFPT) fits most Remington actions and Stolle actions. Another tool (#22-300) is available for Hall actions.
Lapua Loaded Ammo. Some people don't realize that Lapua sells match-grade loaded ammo in .222 Rem, .223 Rem, 6BR, 6.5x55, .308 Winchester, and .338 Lapua Magnum. Plus, very shortly, Lapua plans to introduce 6.5x47 loaded ammunition. Lapua's 6BR loaded ammo, in 77gr, 90gr, and 105 grain versions, is quite probably the most accurate factory-loaded ammunition available in any caliber. This stuff shot in the 2s and low 3s in our 6BRs with .272" no-turn necks. Lapua claims the new 6.5x47 loaded ammo should be as good or better. It will be available with 108gr, 123gr, and 139gr Scenar bullets. You can order all Lapua loaded ammo from Grafs.com. Prices vary by caliber.
Gifts $26 to $50
KMW Pod-Loc
$27.95 | 
Burris SigZee Rings
$35.00 | 
RCBS APS Tool
$38.00 | 
Forster Ultra Seater
$49.00 |
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KMW Pod-Loc. The Pod-Loc device, invented by Terry Cross, is a "must-have" accessory for anyone using a Harris swivel-model (S-series) bipod. This accessory transforms a Harris Swivel into a quick-adjustable, easy to use platform for prone target-shooting or varminting. The Pod-Loc cures the one major flaw of Harris Swivel bipods--the tensioning system. It is very difficult to dial out all "bipod flop" using the standard Harris tensioning nut. With a Pod-Loc, flop is history; with one hand, you can lock the bipod rock-solid, and just as easily release all tension any time you want. Bottom line, if you shoot off a bipod more than a few times a year, you need a Pod-Loc. You can purchase direct from KMW, or Lock, Stock and Barrel (item KMW875, $22.85).
Burris Signature Zee Rings. Burris Signature Rings are neither expensive nor fancy. But the thing is they just plain work. Available in dual dovetail, standard, or Zee (for Weaver rails) models, Signature rings are proof that an innovative design can deliver superior performance. At the heart of the system are matched polymer inserts. These allow rock-solid mounting of your scope without stresses or marks. Since the inserts are self-aligning, no lapping is required. Long-range shooters will like the fact that you can combine +10 (rear) and -10 (front) inserts to preload up to +20 MOA of elevation when mounting your scope. That's enough added "up" that you can shoot out to 1000 yards without a pricey angled scope rail. This past year Burris added Medium and High versions of the 30mm Signature Zees.
RCBS APS Hand Priming Tool. We love this tool and use it for all our precision rifle rounds. No more primer tubes! No more upside down primers or primers dropped on the floor. And no more potential contamination--your fingers never touch the individual primers. The convenient strips let you sort different primer brands by color coding. The tool has plenty of leverage, so you can seat primers nice and hard, but there is still good, positive feel. The unit is speedy--much faster than any single-cup hand priming tool. A unique universal shell-holding head works with any cartridge you load--no more shellholders to fiddle with or misplace. The RCBS APS tool costs $38 from major vendors.
Forster "Ultra" Seating Die. The Forster Ultra Seating Die produces benchrest quality ammo with very low run-out. In fact, with the exceptions of the index marks, which are a little hard to read, it works every bit as well as the much more expensive Redding Competition Seater. We found that the sliding sleeve in the Forster Die was a near-perfect match for Lapua Brass. The "feel" of the micrometer top was very good, and a movement of one index mark did produce precisely .001" change in seating depth, measured off the ogive. Overall this is a superb factory die at a very competitive price.
Gifts $51 to $100
42Khz Ultrasonic Machine
$65.00 | 
K&M Arbor Press
$75.00 | 
Wilson SS Micrometer Seater
$77.59 |
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Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine. Jason Baney, our 1000-yard Editor, was curious whether ultrasonic methods could clean cartridge brass INSIDE and out. After much testing with a variety of different solutions, he achieved outstanding results. Using a 42 Khz, 1.4 pint-capacity machine purchased from eBay for about $65, Jason was able to restore very old brass with caked-on carbon deposits to pristine condition. The insides got so clean one can see shiny reflections. Jason says, among the many machines on the market, get one at least as big as the one shown here. Click HERE for test results.
K&M Arbor Press. There are many arbor presses on the market, and most of them are very well made. After all, fundamentally, an arbor press is a very simple device--just a shaft that applies downward force. But all arbor presses are NOT the same. With its optional seating force gauge, the K&M arbor is unique. On the end of the K&M's ram is a Belleville washer stack. This acts like a spring, compressing as the bullet encounters resistance in the case neck. The amount of compression is measured by a dial indicator linked to the ram. With this ingenious set-up, you can see a visible readout of seating force as you press the bullet into the case neck. This helps you produce more consistent ammo. And we've seen the results on the target. Rounds with smooth readouts definitely grouped better than rounds that showed big spikes on the force gauge. You can purchase the K&M Arbor Press from many vendors including Russ Haydon's Shooters' Supply. The basic unit costs $75.00, while the full rig with Force Gauge linkage and Dial Indicator costs about $135.00.
Wilson Stainless Micrometer Seater. We've tried a half-dozen seating dies for the 6BR cartridge and the Wilson is the best off-the shelf unit you can buy. It delivered the lowest bullet run-out, and most consistent cartridge OAL numbers with bullets seated. The index marks correlate very well with actual .001" steps in seating depth. Once you understand how the micrometer tension screw works, we could set the dial so it stayed in place but was still easy to adjust. Fit with Lapua 6BR brass couldn't be better--in fact the fit is SO good you can get a vacuum lock when removing the case. If this happens, use a heavy paper clip or small piece of flat wood under the extractor groove to pop the case out.
Gifts $101 to $200
Creedmoor Deluxe Cart Conversion Kit
$125.00 | 
Wilson Ultimate Trimmer
$139.00 | 
Forster Co-Ax Press
$189.99 |
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Creedmoor Deluxe Cart Conversion Kit. This clever product from Creedmoor Sports allows you to convert a basic shooters' folding stool into a fully functional shooting cart. Creedmoor reports "this is a very popular product and we've received great feedback. With the kit you have a light-weight (15-lb), easy-to-transport system, that performs most of the duties of a much more expensive shooting cart." The kit works with any Creedmoor Shooting Stool and is built from the same, strong 3/8" aluminum bar-stock as Creedmoor's high-end Range Cart. The unit folds up in seconds, and can be disassembled easily for transport in a standard suitcase. Shown in the photo is an optional ($50) shooting tray to hold ammo, log-book, or accessories. NOTE: Shooting stool must be purchased separately. Click Here to view full-page photo of assembled cart.
Sinclair-Wilson Ultimate Trimmer. The "Ultimate Trimmer" lives up to its name. It is easy to use, precise, and most importantly, repeatable. Brass trimmers are sold by all the major reloading companies. For the most part they all do a decent job. The Forster cuts nice and sharp and it holds cases very securely with its collet/pilot system. However, adjusting the Forster is tedious and time-consuming. You have to fiddle with set screws and slide a locking ring back and forth. That gets old fast. With the Sinclair unit, by contrast, just slide a piece of brass in the case holder, dial in your trim length with the micrometer, and start cranking. And don't be put off by the price of case holders--these actually cost less than some pilot sets required for other units. Editor Kory Hamzeh recently tested the Ultimate Trimmer and was impressed. He noted: "the micrometer shows absolute length and not relative. So you can switch between different cartridges very quickly and maintain .001" accuracy. Plus, the unit can be calibrated to cope with different cutters and cutter wear."
Forster Co-Ax Press. A unique design, the Forster is a superb single-stage press that produces very straight ammo with low run-out. It uses an open-jaw system, which mounts dies quickly, with none of the thread slop found in conventional threaded presses. We've also used an RCBS Turret press for quite some time. It is very convenient, but frankly, the Co-Ax does a much better job for heavy case-forming duties. When expanding 6BR necks for example, the Co-Ax's superior rigidity (and mechanical advantage) handled the job much better. You don't get the slight head-flex you see even in the best turret presses. One Co-Ax user had this to say: "I have one and love it. I have several reasons for choosing this one: spent primers are captured and can't fall on the floor. No need to change shell holders for common calibers. Dies, once set, can be removed and replaced in seconds. You're not limited to the available spots on a turret press. [And it is the] first press-mounted priming system that gave me good feel when seating primers." MidSouth Shooters Supply offers the Co-Ax, item 070-028271, for $189.99.
Gifts $201 to $300
Weaver ETX-90
Spotting Scope
$239.00 | 
RCBS Chargemaster
1500 Combo
$249.95 | 
Bartlein Match Barrel
$265.00 | 
Denver Instrument
MXX-123 Scale
$275.00 |
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Weaver ETX-90. At under $300, the Weaver ETX-90 deserves mention as a spotting scope. It employs a Maksutov-Cassegrain astronomy telescope design to deliver a very bright view at HIGH magnification, in a compact package. We looked through a similar Meade terrestrial telescope some time ago and were very impressed with the brightness of the image and the field of view. No, it did not deliver the ultra-sharp resolution of an 80mm Zeiss with ED glass--but then you can buy FIVE Weaver ETX-90s for the price of the Zeiss. Optics Planet is running a special right now on the ETX-90. For just $299.00, it comes with two lenses (delivering 48x and 83x magnification respectively). That's very attractive. And, for a limited time, Optics Planet is offering an "Outlet" price--an ETX-90 with two lenses for just $239.00. Click HERE for the eBay outlet pricing.
RCBS 1500 Chargemaster Combo. Last year AccurateShooter.com did an extensive review of the three leading electronic powder dispensers. At that time the RCBS Chargemaster was our top choice, and it remains so today. It is the fastest machine, it has more memory than the PACT, and it is easier to clean and calibrate than the Lyman 1200. There were some early software glitches, but they've been resolved for the most part. The Chargemaster now offers an "auto-fill" function that makes the process even easier. If you've been thinking about getting an electronic powder dispenser, now is a great time.
Natchez Shooters Supplies has the Chargemaster Combo (scale + dispenser) on sale for just $249.95 (item RC98923). We think that's a bargain for a tool that dramatically enhances your productivity.
Bartlein Cut-Rifled Match Barrel. The folks at Bartlein Barrels have been producing some truly outstanding barrels lately. These cut-rifled barrels will hold their own against the best from the "Big Name" makers. One noted smith told us he was switching over to Bartlein because "their barrels are super straight, clean-up fast, and the accuracy is all I could wish for." One benefit of purchasing a Bartlein is that you don't have to wait as long as for some other brands. Normally, Bartlein can fill orders within 4-5 weeks. We also like the price. A stainless match barrel (standard contour, 1.250" max diameter) is just $265.00, and a chrome-moly blank is just $245.00. Bartlein also uses very high-grade steel. "It costs a bit more to buy the best grade of steel, but we think it makes a difference in the end product", Bartlein told us.
Denver Instrument MXX-123 Scale. The new MXX-123 scale, for the first time, offers a truly precise weight-measuring system within the budget of many serious reloaders. A Chargemaster 1500 digital dispenser, in good tune, is good to roughly 0.2 grains ES. The MXX-123 is good to two-hundredths of a grain! James Phillips recently received an MXX-123 for testing and evaluation. Starting with charges measured to the kernel with his $750 TR-603D lab scale, he then cross-checked them on the MXX-123. He reports that EVERY charge was "dead on" with the MXX-123, matching the TR-603's numbers. He concluded that, with a stick powder like Varget, the MXX-123 can deliver single-kernel accuracy. The MXX-123 also comes with check weights. He weighed these on the TR-603D and reports they were "right on the money." As for drift, using check weights, James saw negligible zero drift over a four-hour time-line. Bottom line--this is a great unit that delivers on its claims. It offers practical precision that would cost you $700 or more just a few years ago. We have to hand it to Denver Instrument for coming up with a fantastic product at an attractive price.
Gifts $301 to $400
Farley Co-Axial Rest Top
$310.00 | 
Sightron 36X Scope
$369.95 | 
McMillan Edge Stock
$382.00 |
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Farley Co-Axial Compact Top. This is one of the hottest new products on the market. Farley's new Compact Co-Ax Top allows owners of Bald-Eagle, Hart, Midway, and Sinclair front rests to enjoy the advantages of joystick windage and elevation control. With one swift movement you can move up/down/and sideways. The new Compact Co-Ax Top fits most existing bases with a standard-diameter stem. The $310.00 price includes a high-quality cordura bag and adjustable front stop. We've talked to the designers and they say the movement of the front rest is every bit as smooth as the $775 Farley Co-Axial II, and the top offers a full 16" of horizontal travel at 50 yards--so this should work for 50-yard rimfire shooters. The joystick has sufficient damping so that, once you set your aiming point, you can remove your hand from the stick and the rest holds position.
Sightron 36X. For the money, the Sightron 36x is hard to beat in a high-magnification, fixed-power, target scope. Glass seems, on average, a bit better than the Weavers. The Sightron's tracking is very reliable. A Sightron sits on top of AccurateShooter.com's latest project rifle, and many top "point-blank" BR shooters are turning to Sightrons after experiencing instable zeros and POI shift with much more costly side-focus target scopes. For great deals on Sightrons, contact Bruno Shooters Supply or SWFA.com.
McMillan Edge. The Edge was revolutionary when it was released, and it still remains one of the most effective stock designs for short-range benchrest. The unique "I-beam" design, combined with optional carbon fiber reinforcement, provides exceptional rigidity in a very light-weight design. LV shooters find the Edge saves enough ounces to permit them to run the heavier target scopes and still make weight. When we selected a stock for our rimfire project gun, the Edge was our first choice because it tracks well and the low weight kept us under 10.5 pounds "all up" even with a heavy contour barrel. McMillan offers highly-accurate CNC inletting for all popular actions. The HV version of the Edge costs $382.00 with full inletting and molded-in colors. The lighter LV and HBR versions of the Edge cost $524.00.
Gifts $401 to $500
The Big Shooter Bench
$425.00 | 
Hart 1000yd Pedestal Combo Rest
$473.75 |
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The Big Shooter Bench. We polled professional varmint hunting guides and serious varmint hunters to determine their preference in portable shooting benches. The Big Shooter earned top marks for strength, ease of assembly and take-down, and quality of components and workmanship. Designed by a mechanical engineer, The Big Shooter rotates 360 degrees and adapts easily for right- or left-handed shooters. This bench is rock-solid--the shooters's weight actually increases the rigidity and stability of the bench. Amazingly, the bench disassembles into three easily carried components, with a total weight of 65 pounds. Given the quality, you'd expect to pay more, but The Big Shooter actually costs less than other portable benches with far fewer features.
Hart 1000-Yard Pedestal Combo. This 40-lb front rest system combines a Hart competition rest with a heavy metal plate that provides superior stability for hard-recoiling long-range benchrest rifles. The rest top rides on a heavy-duty 1" diameter threaded stem, and the top is wide enough to handle the 5" to 6"-wide owl-ear bags used with the extra wide 1000-yard Heavy Guns. Weighing 17 pounds without base plate, the rest is strong enough to support 100-lb rifles. The Pedestal Combo comes with extra heavy adjusting screws for leveling and a bubble level attached to the rear leg. A handle is milled in the base-plate for ease of carrying. While designed for bench use, this rig is also suitable for F-Class use, if the ground is reasonably level.
Gifts $501 to $700
Leupold 6.5-20x40 VX-III EFR
$599.95 | 
Hawkeye 17" BoreScope
$660.00 | 
Lawton 7000 Action
$695.00 |
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Leupold 6.5-20x40 VX-III EFR Scope. There are many outstanding zoom riflescopes offering 20X maximum magnification. But the Leupold EFR can focus down to 10 meters, making it ideal for air rifle and rimfire applications or for those who practice at very short range. The Leupold 6.5-20X EFR is our first choice for a 22LR or 17 Mach 2 rifle that will be used primarily from 15 to 120 yards. However, this scope also performs admirably at long range, thanks to its high-quality, fully-coated optics. The VX-III EFR comes with a 1" diameter main tube, front-adjustable objective, and easy-to-use Target Knobs with 1/4-MOA clicks. This is an excellent, super-versatile scope for under $600.00 street price.
Hawkeye 17" Borescope. A good borescope is a "must-have" tool for every gunsmith and any shooter who wants to monitor the condition of his barrels. The Hawkeye BoreScope Kit, from Gradient Lens Corp., is a high-grade optical system including a quick-turn focusing eyepiece, light source, and a deluxe lockable aluminum hard case to protect your investment. Note, the $660.00 price, offered by Sinclair Int'l, includes a $75.00 manufacturer's rebate (item HS17FE-K) valid for U.S. customers only. Mail your Sinclair Int'l invoice directly to Gradient Lens (makers of Hawkeye Borescopes).
Lawton 7000 Action. At $695.00, the Lawton 7000 is a value-leader among Remington 700 replacement actions. Suitable for varmint, hunting, tactical, and competition rifles, the Lawton 7000 offers the precision and quality of a custom action for not much more than the cost of a factory Rem 700 receiver that has been blue-printed. The Lawton 7000 is available in short or long version, in stainless or chrome-moly steel. Bolt fluting is a $30 option. The Lawton 7000 fits all stocks inletted for a Remington 700, and it accepts all Rem-compatible triggers, including the Jewell and Kelbly match triggers. For $725.00, Lawton also offers the model 7500 (single or dual-port) with tighter tolerances for benchrest applications.
Gifts $701 to $1000
Savage Long Range
Precision Varminter
$787.00 Street Price | 
Swarovski 8x30 Laser Guide
$889.00 MSRP | 
Barnard 'P' Action with Trigger
$995.00 |
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Savage Long-Range Precision Varminter. The Savage LRPV is probably the most accurate Savage ever sold, delivering accuracy (in a factory gun) that rivals much more expensive custom rigs. Test rifles have shot half-MOA with handloads. Now that "street prices" have settled a bit, you can buy one in 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, 204 Ruger for under $800.00. Delivered with a RBLP stainless action, 1" diameter barrel, and high-quality H-S Precision Varmint Stock with bedding block, the LRPV is a excellent "turn-key" varmint gun at an attractive price.
Swarovski Laser Guide RangeFinder. Move over Leica, there's a new "top dog" among laser rangefinders. The new Swarovski 8x30 Laser Guide costs quite a bit more than competitive models from Bushnell, Leica, Leupold, and Nikon, but it really does the best job ranging distant objects. We've interviewed many users who've tried both the Leica LRF and the Swaro in the field--and they report, almost unanimously, that the Swaro can range farther than other brands under $1500.00. The Swaro also earned excellent marks for repeatability, ergonomics, and the quality of its 8-power monocular. The only shortcoming with the Swaro is that the aiming circle is rather large--about 20" at 100 yards. A small central red dot would be better for ranging game animals and objects beyond 600 yards.
Barnard Action. Popular with Palma and full-bore shooters, the Barnard 'P' action is a strong, all-steel unit that comes complete with an excellent trigger. The Barnard is competition-ready out of the box, no "blue-printing" required. All Barnard actions feature triple locking lugs, high-strength Sako-style extractor, and 1/16" diameter firing pin as standard. Get a stock with a V-block installed and you have a bolt-in solution requiring no gunsmithing other than barrel-fitting. With a long bolt handle providing good leverage, the tri-lug bolt opens easily, and it closes VERY smoothly with lock-up as solid as a bank vault.
Gifts Over $1000 (Big Bucks)
BAT 'MB' Stainless Action
$1150.00 (Varies with features) | 
NightForce 12-42x56 Benchrest Scope
$1215.00 MSRP |
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BAT Stainless Action. Shown is a medium BAT Right-Bolt, Dual-port, multi-flat action on Vic Bottomley's UK record-holding 1000-yard Light Gun. Any top gunsmith will tell you that BAT Machine makes some of the finest actions around, and BAT has added three-lug actions this year. The two-lug 'MB' model features an integrated recoil lug, plus an extra inch of metal forward of the locking lugs. That gives you more bedding surface and a little extra weight to balance out heavy barrels. There are BAT actions to fit everything from a 221 Fireball to a 50 BMG. You can order single or dual-port configurations, with or without ejector, round or multi-flat profile.
Nightforce BR Scope. This powerful 12-42X optic is the first choice of top long-range Benchrest and F-Class shooters. It offers 1/8-MOA clicks (vs. 1/4-MOA for the NF NXS), for precise aiming at long distances. Tracking is rock-solid and repeatable. Optical resolution and brightness are superior. Contact Bill Shehane for competitive prices on Nightforce scopes. Ask for his "Christmas Special".
Sky's the Limit
Speedy BRX with Engraved Viper Action, Leupold Comp 40X, and Loh Titanium Rest ($5000+) |
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S.G.& Y. Custom. Here is Speedy's personal "Ultimate PPC". If you've been very, very good, maybe Santa will bring you one of these beauties. The engraved action has some special internal mods for enhanced smoothness and long-term durability. The rest was custom-made from Titanium. There are only a couple in existence. Price for the whole package with scope? Well, if you have to ask, you can't afford it. But you can get a Stiller Viper (without engraving) for $900 ($950 with drop-port or ejector), including rings and trigger guard. A Robertson Composites BRX stock costs $360 before options.
Enjoy your shopping.
Remember, you only live once and "He who dies with the most toys wins."
All the folks here at AccurateShooter.com wish you and yours
a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year.
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