|
For used guns and gear click here
To read about new guns for 2004 continue
Winchester continues to expand the Winchester Super Short Magnum line. In 2004, the .25 WSSM will be the latest "short-fat" cartridge.
According to Winchester Ammunition, the high efficiency of the "short-fat" design improves the interior ballistics of the cartridge. With more
propellant surface area exposed to the primer, ignition is more consistent. In addition, the beltless shell case allows head spacing off
the shoulder to provide better centering of the bullet on the chamber. The new super-short action of the rifle also maximizes accuracy potential.
Like its predecessors (.223 WSSM and .243 WSSM), the .25 WSSM is reported to have equal exterior
ballistics of longer cartridges of the same caliber. The ballistics of the .25 WSSM are equal to ballistics
of the .25-'06 cartridges, with 14 percent less powder and less recoil, in a shorter action rifle. The .25
WSSM is designed with varmints and medium sized, thin skin game in mind. Muzzle velocity is
reported to be 3470 for the 85 gn. bullet, 3060 for the 115 gn bullet, and 2990 for the 120 gn. bullet. http://www.winchester-guns.com/homepage/index.asp
Remington will introduce a new caliber this year based on a new cartridge it developed for the US
Military. Seems 5.56mm (.223 Remington) round fired in the short barreled M16/M4's used in Iraq don't
have enough energy for the task. Remington says, "The 6.8mm Remington SPC is an intermediate
length rifle cartridge based on the 30 Remington case. Designed to function in M4/M16 type rifles, the 6
.8mm Remington SPC was specifically developed to provide increased reliability, incapacitation, and
accuracy not only at close quarters combat distance, but ranges out to 500 meters".
The 6.8mm Remington SPC, (Special Purpose Cartridge) will be offered in three versions for 2004,
including Remington's new Premier® Match, line of ammunition. The 115 grain MatchKing® BTHP bullet
will deliver a muzzle velocity of 2800 fps and 2002 ft-lbs of energy while providing low felt recoil and 1
MOA accuracy at 100 yards. The 6.8mm Remington SPC will also be available in both BTHP and Metal
-Case 115 grain versions. No word on which rifles Remington will offer the new 6.8 SPC in, but I would guess a Remington 700 LTR is in the works for police use.
Remington will also introduce lower recoil rounds in 270, 3006 & 7 Mag by using lighter-than-average
bullet weights, like a 115 grain bullet in the 270 and 130 grain bullet in the 3006. A new light weight
version of the M700 rifle in varmint calibers will be available using a fluted barrel to for weight savings.
Even more weight could have been saved if they had screwed this barrel onto a Model Seven action, but who am I to question Remington.
See more here http://www.remington.com/2006spring/new.htmnew
Leupold has new VXIII. Read about it at this link www.leupold.com/products/VX-III_Intro/VX-III_Introduction.htm.
www.leupold.com
Browning has "new" lines of auto shotguns called the Gold Evolve. They have tried to make their BAR
look like the new Benneli rifle by screwing with the stock and making the receiver of aluminum. Being
partners with Winchester automatically adds the WSM calibers. Looks like another ho hum year for Browning. http://www.browning.com/homepage/index.asp
Kimber is supposed to have the M8400 out this year, but I have not found one on the shelf yet. The
8400 will be chambered in WSM calibers. They also have a 25th Anniversary version of the 22LR called
the Custom Match, and 25th Anniversary 1911 pistols for 2004. . More info at http://www
.kimberamerica.com
Ruger Sturm will introduce a new caliber, the 204 RUGER, and chamber it in five rifle models for 2004, .
This small, fast, and efficient new cartridge is the result of another joint development effort between
Sturm, Ruger and Hornady Manufacturing Company. The 204 RUGER shares the same case head and
overall length cartridge as the 223 Remington, but uses a slender new 20 caliber, 32 grain, V-MAX®
bullet. The 204 RUGER's bullet has an extremely efficient ballistic coefficient of 0.192, and an amazing muzzle velocity of 4,225 feet per second.
Because this new caliber provides significant benefits for varmint hunters and target shooters alike,
Sturm, Ruger is introducing five rifle models chambered for the 204 RUGER. These include three bolt
action rifles and two single shot rifles. The Ruger M77 MKII bolt action rifles include: the M77R in blued
steel with a cut-checkered American walnut stock; the KM77RLFP Ultralight All-Weather in stainless
steel with a synthetic stock and a light contour barrel; and the Target Grey KM77VT Target rifle in
stainless steel with a brown, laminated wood stock, heavy target barrel, and two-stage target trigger.
Ruger No.1 single shot models include the No. 1 Standard in blued steel with a cut-checkered American
walnut stock and the No. 1 Stainless Varminter in stainless steel with a black, laminated stock.
These new 204 RUGER models will be available beginning in March 2004.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com
Benelli later. More info at http://www.benelliusa.com
Savage now has what they have always needed, a new trigger for their high powered rifles. Savage has always made accurate rifles with crappy triggers.
Now they have the "AccuTrigger" adjustable from 1.5-6 pounds. The Striker
pistol will get the 17RF too. Info at http://www.savagearms.com . BASIX
also markets a replacement trigger for the Savage 93 rifles. Buy them and www.midsouthshooterssupply.com . I will be testing one of these soon on
my Savage 93 17HRM.
Nosler has a new hunting bullet called the AccuBond. The Accubond looks to be a cross between a
core-to-jacket bonded Ballistic-Tip and the old Solid Base to give the bullet a stronger, deeper
penetrating ability and a highly efficient shape. You can buy them loaded in Remington or Winchester
ammo. I have no idea why they just don't put their sharp plastic tip on a Partition. Is this a no-brainer or what? www.nosler.com
More to Come.
|
