The Firearm Blog

Winchester will be launching a new line of Safari ammo. They will be offering it in calibers 375 H&H Magnum, 416 Rigby, 458 Winchester Magnum and 416 Remington Magnum cartridge and will be using Nosler Partition and Nosler Solid bullets.

The new ammo will be available later this year.

They have not yet updated their website with the details.

The Press release:

When Africa calls, so does the need for being equipped with the proper ammunition to take down the game on your hunting list—and being prepared for game that may not be. Winchester’s new Safari Ammunition line was engineered to not only tackle the toughest game in Africa and the rest of the continents with supreme confidence, but to provide performance and versatility in virtually any situation.

Offered in the venerable 375 H&H Magnum, 416 Rigby and 458 Winchester Magnum, as well as the 416 Remington Magnum cartridge, the new Winchester® Safari line makes the most of these popular and proven African cartridges by pairing them with the finest bullet choices available—Nosler® Partition® and the new Nosler Solid™.

Nosler Partition bullets—with copper alloy jackets and lead-alloy cores—have long been favored around the world for accuracy and terminal performance on game. The new Nosler Solids—featuring a unique design and homogenous lead-free alloy construction—provide spectacular penetration and an impressively straight wound channel on large, thick-skinned game.

According to Glen Weeks, Winchester Centerfire Product Manager, “The Safari line was developed to meet the most demanding hunting needs. Each of the cartridges in the line provides the energy and knockdown power needed for the largest and most dangerous game. The Partition offerings are ideal for dangerous, or large thinner skin game, while the Solids will offer maximum penetration on the toughest hide and bone.”

Winchester Safari Ammunition features nickel-plated cartridge cases and is packaged in reusable 20-round plastic boxes with labels featuring recently discovered vintage Winchester artwork. The line will be available summer 2008.

Robinson Arms have just released an updated PDF Brochure of their XCR rifle.

The XCR

They have also said on their website that the SBR (Short Barreled Rifle) version of the XCR is becoming very popular.
Download it here.

After feeding him some of my wife’s famous lasagna (we always feed our servicemen) he gave me a dry demo of the new Tavor Commando and let me try it out.

Read more here.

Murdoc found this photo from 2001

1st Infantry Division (ID) Soldiers, part of the USA Task Force (TF) Sabre force, fire a Heckler-Koch 5.56 mm G36 assault rifle on the live-fire range at Orahovac, Kosovo, Serbia

More here.

This is the first of the 2008 rifles I am covering (during 2008).

Accuracy under all conditons. The Bell and Carlson™ composite stock features a textured charcoal grey matte finish for rugged good looks and improved grip in adverse conditions. The Pachmayr® Decelerator® pad helps take the felt recoil bite out of high performance magnum cartridges.

The claw extractor offers Controlled Round Feeding so the cartridge may be easily withdrawn from the chamber at any point after it leaves the magazine. The cartridge feed lips are part of the receiver for improved reliability and greater durability. The classic three-position safety offers both on safe and fire positions, plus a middle position that locks the firing pin yet still allows the bolt to be operated, providing a greater margin of safety when checking the chamber condition or unloading. The Extreme Weather SS’s free floating, fluted stainless barrel is made in the same factory as those found on U.S. military rifles and machine guns, and features a recessed target crown to help protect the rifling.

1 MOA accuracy with superior optics and match ammo under ideal conditions can be expected from the Extreme Weather SS.

.308 Model (Also available in .270, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, 270 WSM, 300 WSM and 325 WSM):

Magazine Capacity: 5
Barrel Length 22″
Nominal Overall Length: 41″
Nominal Length of Pull: 13 3/4″
Nominal Drop at Comb: 1/2″
Nominal Drop at Heel: 1/2″
Nominal Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz.
Rate of Twist: 1 turn in 12″
Metal Finish: Stainless Steel
Stock / Grip: Bell and Carlson premium composite stock
Retail: $1,149

More here.

A new .308 / .223 tactical rifle from Remington. I am looking forward to reading reviews about it.

When it comes to tactical firearms, there’s no more trusted name in the game than Remington. In rugged endurance, our Model 700 XCR Compact Tactical Rifle truly stretches the limits.

Our Model 700 XCR Compact Tactical Rifle, features a 416 stainless steel barreled action with Black TriNyte® PVD coating, providing a diamond-hard layer of defense against the elements. It features a OD Green stock with black webbing, wide tactical-style barrel fluting for rapid cooling, hinged floorplate magazine, and dual front swivel studs and rear stud.

Black TriNyte® PVD coating

OD Green stock

Hinged floorplate magazine, Dual front swivel studs and rear stud

Barrel is free-floating with LTR-style fluting

Tactical-style 1 in 9″ twist (223 caliber)

Tactical-style 1 in 12″ twist (308 caliber)

20″ barrel

Chambered in .223 and .308

This year Kimber is introducing a tactical series of rifles. These rifles will come in three models.

Entering the tactical rifle market is no stretch for Kimber. Accuracy standards are already exceeded by lightweight hunting rifles, with durability proven in game fields around the world

LPT (Light Police Tactical)

• Black laminated stock with panel stippling.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Specs

Caliber: .308 Win.

Approximate Weight: 8lbs. 7oz.
Overall Length (inches): 43.25

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 3
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 0.5 inches
Length of pull: 13.75 inches
Drop at heel: 1.75 inches
Drop at comb: 0.25 inches

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Heavy sporter contour
Finish: Matte blue
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Fluting
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Finish: Matte blue
Magazine capacity: 5
Pillar bedding
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $1258.00

Tactical

The Model 8400 Tacticalâ„¢ .308 Win. is based on the heavier Model 8400â„¢ action with an oversized bolt handle and knob. Specialized features include a heavy match grade barrel and McMillan stock with stippled texture. All metal surfaces are finished in matte black, and the stock incorporates a third sling swivel stud.

I like the stock

• McMillan A-5 stock with black/grey/green marble finish.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail with 20-minutes of elevation.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Caliber: .308 Win.

Specs

Approximate Weight: 9lbs. 4oz.
Overall Length (inches): 43.5

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 5
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 1 inch
Length of pull: 13.63 inches
Drop at heel: 0.43 inches
Drop at comb: 0.38 inches

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Bull contour
Finish: Matte blue
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Finish: Matte blue
Magazine capacity: 5
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $1836.00

Advanced Tactical

The Model 8400 Advanced Tacticalâ„¢ is also chambered in .308 Win. Primary metal surfaces are coated in the premium KimPro II Dark Earth finish that is both self-lubricating and extremely resistant to wear and the elements. A McMillan fully-adjustable stock with a sling swivel stud and four flush swivel cups plus a premium hard case is standard.

• McMillan A-5 stock in desert camo.
• Mil-spec Picatinny rail with 20-minutes of elevation.
• Scope rail secured with HD 8-40 screws.
• Oversize bolt handle.

Specs

Caliber: .308 Win.
Approximate Weight: 9lbs. 13oz.
Overall Length (inches): Adjustable

Stock:
Sling swivel studs 5
Front swivel stud only for bipod.
Recoil pad (black) thickness (inches): 1 inch
Length of pull: Adjustable
Drop at heel: Adjustable
Drop at comb: Adjustable

Barrel:
Length: 24 inches
Bull contour
Twist rate (right hand): 12
Grooves: 4
Match grade chamber

Action:
Full length Mauser claw extractor
Magazine capacity: 5
Glass bedding
3-position Model 70-type safety

Trigger:
Adjustable
Factory setting (pull) pounds: 3-3.5

Retail Price: $2497.00

More here.

As the name suggests this is the light weight version of the model 70 and is avlible in most common sporting calibers.

The legendary handling and quickness of the Model 70 Featherweight Deluxe is justly famous among hunters everywhere. The Model 70 action offers Pre-’64 style Controlled Round Feeding, a three-position safety and is highlighted by a jeweled bolt and knurled bolt handle. Inside is the new M.O.A. Trigger System, the finest trigger ever offered in a bolt-action with zero take up, zero creep and zero overtravel.

Like the original Featherweight, the angled comb walnut stock still features the Schnabel fore-end and satin finish with elegant cut checkering. A premium Pachmayr® Decelerator® recoil pad helps soak up felt recoil. It’s available in the most popular long and short action calibers, including WSM chamberings.

Available in .243, 7mm-08, .308, .270, 30-06, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM, .270 WSM, .325 WSM

More here.

Ruger have announced some new products.

Black Slide Ruger SR9 Pistol

I like the look but prefer the stainless.

The recently launched Ruger SR9â„¢ pistol, the first striker-fired pistol from Ruger, is now available with a blackened stainless slide. The multi-step blackening process improves both the durability and corrosion resistance of the stainless steel slide by creating a surface hardness of 68Rc. The extra hard finish also reduces scratching and holster wear.

Super Redhawk in .480 Ruger

Ruger has finally sorted out the problems they were having with the Redhawk .480

The Ruger Super Redhawk revolver chambered in .480 Ruger, specifically designed with the big game sportsman in mind, is back. Production had been suspended early in 2007 to address a fired case extraction issue. After a complete analysis, it was determined that to provide easy and sure extraction, all .480 Ruger Super Redhawk Revolvers, including the easy-to carry Alaskan, will now feature 5-shot cylinders. Beginning in 2008, they will also feature a Hogue® Monogrip® for added comfort. The Target Grey® All-Weather® version adds a low glare matte finish preferred by hunters.

The .480 Ruger cartridge offers handgun hunting performance without the heavy recoil experienced by other big game calibers. This cartridge offers power without excessively heavy recoil using Hornady’s .475” diameter, 325 grain XTP Magnum bullet. The .480 Ruger cartridge can produce a muzzle velocity of 1350 fps - nearly one-third more muzzle energy than the standard .44 Magnum cartridge, with substantially less recoil than the other big bore hunting handgun cartridges. This exciting cartridge developed by Hornady can be said to effectively “split the difference” between the powerful .44 Magnum and other super-powerful, heavier recoiling hunting cartridges.

M77 chambered in Ruger Compact Magnums

I could be wrong but I think this is the first rifle to be chambered in the new RCM cartridges.

The Ruger Compact Magnum cartridges, developed in conjunction with Hornady Manufacturing Co., are extreme cartridges for extreme hunting. Based on the beltless .375 Ruger, the .300 and .338 RCMs are engineered to offer .300 and .338 Win. Magnum performance in a more compact package. With their short actions and 20” barrels, the M77 Ruger Compact Magnums are today’s “mountain rifles and brush guns.”

The new cartridges are chambered in the compact action Ruger M77 Hawkeye rifles with features that include the smooth and crisp Ruger LC6â„¢ trigger for improved out-of-the-box trigger pull, and a red rubber recoil pad that provides more effective recoil reduction. Other features of the Ruger M77 Hawkeye rifles appreciated by knowledgeable shooters are the Mauser-type controlled feeding and powerful claw extractor, 3-position safety, hammer forged steel barrels and free Ruger patented scope rings. The design of the patented steel floorplate, which bears the distinctive Ruger logo, provides easy unloading and eliminates accidental “dumping” of ammunition.

Two compact-action models of the Ruger M77 Hawkeye rifles chambered in the new Ruger Compact Magnums are available. The matte blued version features the M77 Hawkeye’s slimmer walnut stock with wrap-around cut checkering on the forearm and more rounded contours on the bottom of the stock and top of the pistol grips. The matte stainless version features a synthetic stock with a new recoil pad.

The new cartridges designed by Hornady Manufacturing provide unmatched ballistic performance in compact rifles, less felt recoil, longer barrel life, and superior performance at all temperatures. The .300 RCM is available in 150, 165 and 180-grain SST offerings. Each .300 RCM load exceeds comparative .300 Win. Magnum loads from a 20″ barrel. Muzzle velocities for the .300 RCM are 3,170 fps, 3,030 fps, and 2,900 fps, respectively – from a 20″ factory barrel. The .338 RCM is available in the newly developed 200 gr SST, and 225 gr SST offerings. Velocities for the .338 RCMs are 2,850 fps and 2,710 fps respectively, easily out performing the .338 Win. Magnum at equal barrel length.

This must be a first!

This photo was taken in 2006 at the Somali Islamist Court training camp outside the Somali capital, Mogadishu

They have since been kicked out of the city by Somali and Ethiopian forces.

Hat Tip: MilitaryPhotos

This font is very very cool. For each letter there is a gun glyph (image) . It has everything from derringers to assault rifles.

Here is an example of some text using the font

It works on both Windows and Mac OS X.

The 2nd Amendment font can be downloaded here.

Enjoy!

If you live in a state or country that does not allow civilian ownership of .50 BMG rifles there are alternative cartridges with similar ballistics to the .50 BMG.

Ammoguide.com compares the .50 BMG, .510 DTC, .416 Barrett and .50 Fat Mac.

More here.

Filmed at Special Ops Expo 2007, this video shows the SCAR system being stripped down with clear explanations, and also the process to attach the grenade launcher.

From MilitaryPhotos

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief general Germohenes Esperon (L) and Philippine National Police chief general Avelino Razon (R) hold a rifle during hand over ceremony of captured, confiscated, surrendered or recovered firearms at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon city, east of Manila, Philippines on 27 November 2007. Around 200 assorted firearms were handed over to police for securement and to prevent said firearms from landing into the hands of terrorists, criminals and insurgent groups

I suppose it is good that they recovered those rifles. I wonder how many US supplied M16s are in the hands of rebels and common criminals!