By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
The US Army Special Operations Command will begin testing 23 cartridges in the 6.5mm Creedmoor caliber this month, to decide on a intermediate caliper for their sniper rifles. I have heard a lot of nice things about the 6.5mm Creedmoor of late, so it will be interesting to see what combination of powder/bullet weight the Army will chose. A helpful comparison chart is included in the link.
As an aside, other than the ballistic effect, why would the Army be using such a heavy bullet in the 7.62 NATO it will be replacing?
Mike Lamb, a member of the firearms community for
the past 20 years has admitted he wasn't a recon sniper for the US Marines. Being a recon sniper is an elite position in the Marines, and a pretty big deal, as I understand it.
I read a quip some time ago that is it amazing how many recon snipers, Delta Force and Navy SEALs you will meet at a Veteran Affairs hospital, and how few runners, cooks, clerks and drivers there are even though they compose the bulk of the military.
Leftists in Arizona gather in the desert for firearms familiarization, but the writer at the link insists that is somehow nothing serious. Our sworn enemies are arming up and the only thing the writer at the link can do is to conclude their efforts are hilarious. At the beginning it may be, but there is nothing funny about a bunch of Kommies preparing to shoot your ass because of a set of concepts drilled into their soft heads by genuine enemies.
A.K.A. targets.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were steady. Rifle ammunition prices were steady.
Prices for used pistols were mixed. Prices for used rifles were mostly lower.
New Lows:
Arizona: 30-30 Winchester Lever Action: Winchester Ranger: $200
Texas: .40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic): Beretta 96: $200
Housekeeping: I failed to note last week that the nationwide average price for used AR-15s reached a new low of $462.
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bud's Gun Shop, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: J&G Sales, Hot Shot, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo Mart, Buffalo Cartridge, RSFP, Brass Casing, Factory Seconds .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo Valley, Own Brand, RSFP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2016)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Octane Munitions, Own Brand, RN, Reloads, Brass Casing, .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 1017))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: LAX Ammunition, CCI Blazer, LRN, Aluminum Casing .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Western Arms AND Ammo, Own Brand, TMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammomen, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week Unchanged (2 Weeks)
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Red River Reloading, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .86 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .88 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammo Liquidator, Federal Eagle, Brass Casing, JSP, 2.17 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammo Liquidator, Federal American Eagle, Brass Casing, JSP, 2.13 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo King, Aguila, RNL, .05 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Aguila, RNL, .05 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (10 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $469 Last Week Avg: $462(+) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $462 (2 Weeks))
Arizona (141, 141): Ruger AR-556: $500 ($600 (16 Weeks), $450 (9 Weeks))
Texas (379, 360): American Tactical Imports Omni: $450 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (207, 212): DPMS: $400 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (225, 229): Anderson Arms: $495 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $415 (21 Weeks))
Florida (517, 509): Delton: $500 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $844 Last Week Avg: $1,119(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $820 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (26, 29): Mixed Build: $1,000 ($1,450 (2 Weeks)), $650 (17 Weeks))
Texas (126, 129): Mixed Build: $775 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $700 (40 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (46, 37): Delton: $750 ($1,600 (26 Weeks), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (66, 65): Alex Pro: $900 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $750 (11 Weeks))
Florida (97, 81): Mixed Build: $795 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $545 Last Week Avg: $570(-) $668 (34 Weeks)), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (27, 21): Norinco MAK-90: $500 ($800 (8 Weeks), $500 (17 Weeks))
Texas (111, 108): WASR 10/63: $550 ($800 (1Q, 2016, $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (67, 69): IO: $500 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (51, 48): Romak: $600 ($700 (47 Weeks), $350 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (131, 115): IO: $575 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $356 Last Week Avg: $360(-) ($495 (30 Weeks), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (9, 8): Winchester Ranger: $200 ($500 (16 Weeks), $200 (CA: $350 (7 Weeks)))
Texas (19, 15): Winchester Ranger: $430 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $300 (1Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (16, 15): Marlin 336: $350 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (14, 13): Marlin 336: $450 ($670 (50 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (23, 22): Marlin: $350 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $525 Last Week Avg: $504(+) ($525 (CA: $515 (38 Weeks))), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (83, 89): Para Ordnance: $700 ($700 (CA: $600 (13 Weeks))), $400 (19 Weeks))
Texas (288, 275): Tisas ZIG-M1911: $475 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (22 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (175, 163): Para Ordnance: $550 ($575 (17 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (149, 146): Rock Island Armory: $450 ($600 (14 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (327, 327): Rock Island Armory: $450 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $222 Last Week Avg: $232(-) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $217 (4 Weeks)
Arizona (148, 147): Taurus PT 111: $240 ($400 (7 Weeks)), $240 (3 Weeks))
Texas (395, 408): Taurus 709: $199 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $199 (2 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (318, 329): Smith & Wesson SW9VE: $225 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (11 Weeks))
Virginia (274, 265): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $225 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (599, 591): Ruger P89: $225 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $190 (39 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $313 Last Week Avg: $278(+) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (47 Weeks))
Arizona (34, 34): Smith and Wesson M&P: $460 ($500 (17 Weeks), ($250 (8 Weeks))
Texas (112, 111): Beretta 96: $200 ($425 (4Q, 2014), ($200 (CA: $219 (31 Weeks)))
Pennsylvania (99, 98): Taurus PT-940: $240 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (35 Weeks))
Virginia (71, 86): Glock 22: $400 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (144, 144): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $265 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Montana)
Howa 1500 chambered in 7mm Winchester Magnum
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