BarryinIN

Steyr posted a teaser picture on their Facebook page. It shows a box of .300 BLK ammo on stable with a few loose rounds scattered about. The top of an AUG is visible in the corner, the only gun in sight. No comment or explanation. I'm not sold on the 300 BLK. I want to like it, but always end up asking what it will do better than any number of other cartridges. I never come up with an answer except for three fairly specialized uses. 1) It keeps the energy up in short barreled guns (real short, like 10" or less) better than 5.56. 2) It works well in its original role: suppressed use. 3) It allows a larger bore option to those who MUST stay with a 5.56-based gun. Reason Number 3 fits the AUG, at least in my case. The more my back deteriorates, the more I like the AUG and other bullpups for the rearward balance compared to conventional rifles. It's been pretty slim pickings for .30 caliber options there. A new barrel for my AUG in 300 BLK is something I might be interested in.

Sometimes I don't get people. Yesterday I had a conversation that went something like this: Other Guy: Nice AUG. I went with the Tavor because it used AR mags. Me: You know you can get an AUG that uses AR mags, right? Other Guy: Well, that's the MSAR or something like that; not a Steyr. Anyway, they aren't made anymore Me: No, you can get a Steyr that uses AR mags Only the stock is different. It's called the NATO stock. You can buy the stock alone and swap it, or buy it with the NATO stock to start with Other Guy: Oh. I wish I'd known that. (He was by then thinking it might be nice to have the option of using either mag.) He's not the first. I've had that conversation in public before, and I've seen it on the internet several times. And that's what I don't get. Do these people do any research? If they had, they would know about the mags. I could see them not knowing about it if it wasn't that important to them, but they made it clear taking AR mags was the deciding factor. They spent $1600 or more and didn't check enough to find this out? Even with the recent additions, it's not like there is a huge number of 5.56 bullpups to look into. I usually do more research on a gun as the price rises. Seems like a good plan. Apparently it's not a universal one. So as a public service since I've blabbed about the AUG here all this time, I thought maybe I'd better come back and update this thread. So here it goes. Attention, everyone. Attention! The Steyr AUG can be bought, or converted to, a configuration that uses AR/M16 type magazines. There. You are aware. If it saves but one...

Yesterday was one year since ordering this barrel. Nothing. Full disclosure, I did make a change along the way. I contacted him in May and changed the order from a 26" to 28". This added the complication of having to use a different blank manufacturer to get that length. Since my blank hadn't been ordered yet however, it should not have made any difference. And that's the only contact I've had with him since ordering. I tend to get my questions out of the way up front for things like this, place my order, then stay out of the way and let them work. He did post an update on his website last Sep. It seems he added an employee and took on more work accordingly. The employee didn't work out, so he was let go, but the owner still has the orders to fill. I can understand that accounting for some more time. Maybe not this long. Perhaps I should've emailed quite a while ago, but as I said, I hate ordering something them bugging them about it. Then I saw this bit of news. The blank is/was coming from X-Caliber. At the time I ordered, they only sold blanks and no threaded and fitted ones. Now they sell them. And in the contour I really wanted rather than the one I sorta want. Lead time is 6-8 weeks. I gave him until yesterday, then sent him an email wishing him a happy anniversary. We will see what I hear.

No, but this is the place I'd watch for it: http://www.shootersproshop.com/ i bought some of Nosler's new RDF bullets off there before Nosler announced them.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/1/16/the-keefe-report-go-small-or-go-home-22-nosler/# In a nutshell, .22-250 performance but fits in an AR.

And here I was, thinking there was nobody left who wasn't selling one. Savage has announced an AR-15 for 2017. They are calling it the...Oh, would am I kidding? I didn't pay attention that long.

As far as I know, this is the first metallic reloading press they've made. Rather than post a link to MEC, here is a good review with its own link to MEC: http://ultimatereloader.com/2017/01/05/mec-marksman-single-stage-unboxing-overview-setup/

If the size has held anyone back, they are now offering a more conveniently stored Para model. “The M249S Para is the fourth in our series of classic, semi-automatic FN military rifles and like the Standard, the Para is authentic to the last possible detail,” said John Keppeler, senior vice president of sales and marketing for FN America, LLC. “You’ll notice only two major differences between the semi- and full-auto versions - the barrel length and reconfigured internal components to change the rifle’s operation from open-bolt to closed-bolt. Authenticity was critical in this series and we changed as little as possible.” The rifle features a machine gun-grade, 16.1-inch, cold hammer-forged barrel, closed bolt for semi-automatic only operation, classic M249 flip-up feed tray, integrated steel bipod, robust gas-piston system, and the iconic telescoping and rotating buttstock, making it lighter and more compact. Rifles will be available in either black or Flat Dark Earth (FDE). Detailed specifications are listed in Figure 1. Product specifications: Figure 1: Specifications for the FN M249S™ Para Caliber 5.56x45mm Operation Semi-automatic, closed bolt, gas piston Color(s) Black or FDE Overall Length 31.5” – 37” Stock Rotating, telescoping buttstock assembly with hydraulic recoil buffer system and nonslip buttplate Receiver Formed steel frame with claw extractor design, fixed and pivoting ejector with side ejection of spent cases, top cover with integrated MIL-STD 1913 mounting rail. Capacity 200-round ammunition box or 30-round GI-pattern steel magazine Weight 17 lbs. Magazine (1) GI-pattern steel magazine MSRP $8,799 (Black); $9,199 (FDE)

Still coming. According to Pete Athens (the distributor in the above link) the delay has been the optics supplier. It looks like the first should arrive at Steyr USA in mid to late Feb, so cal it March delivery. I'm not in line. But I wouldn't mind.

MSRP $699 http://rangehot.com/new-colt-cobra-38-special-revolver/

Or, New Year's Day to the unwashed.

...returning. According to the tale: They are starting with the Cobra model. It's not the same as the old Cobra, which was basically an aluminum alloy-framed Detective Special. This new one is all-steel. The basics are the same: 6-shot, .38 Spl, double action, snubby. They state it has a different grip frame design. Some lines and contours do vary slightly from the old ones, but the gun is easily identified as a Colt. It looks to be plenty hefty. I'm guessing it's at least as big as the old ones if not bigger. I'm not sure how practical a snubby of that size chambered "only" in .38 will be, and I expect the price will be "a lot". I doubt that will hurt it much. I feel confident in guessing demand will be high. OK...That may win me a Mr Obvious award. And speaking of awards, I expect it will get Colt a bunch of "Golden Bullseye" type awards just for answering demand.

Garsh, thanks! That load is/was 60.0 grains of IMR 4350, Winchester Large Primer, Winchester brass. I should state that you should take the usual "approach with caution" advice seriously with these rifles. I feel a 60 grain powder charge is as high as I should go in my rifle. However, in reading every 71/.348 article I can find from the last 80 years, it's not at all unusual to use as much as 62 grains as a regular load. I wouldn't dare try that much in mine. At 60.5, the lever is popping open sometimes. If mine is giving me warning signs at that charge, there may be another rifle out there that won't like even 60 grains. Wow, a 1936 71! That would indeed be a costly thing, but it would be a prize in anyone's collection! I sure hope you get it. Post pictures if you do, please.

A 2.75" version is shown now. https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-69-combat-magnum

Look what just appeared on the S&W website. The model 69 in a 2.75" barrel version. https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-69-combat-magnum

More about Patton's praise of the M-1 and other arms: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/12/16/pattons-garand-quotes-legitimate-approval-hype/

I need to read that one. I just read this one today: https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/12/19/tested-ruger-gp100-44-special-revolver/

In case you missed it, it's happened. The GP-44 is supposed to be shipping in the next week or so. If Photobucket wasn't screwed up, I'd post a nice picture from Jeff Quinn (Gunblast). 3" barrel. Adjustable rear sight, green fiber optic front. Also (probably) coming from Ruger is an 8-round .357 Mag Redhawk.

Almost five years have passed since I posted the above observations. There may be some more "Scout-ish" options out there now, but I don't think much has changed. People still seem to look at them and either think it's a very specialized rifle or a pseudo-military rifle. That's too bad. I've had hopes that the Scout's increased popularity would allow a few more people to "get it", and see it for the general purpose rifle it is. The articles I've read sure aren't doing it. Some, like one in a popular general outdoor magazine went about as expected. They look at one or two of the rifles without doing any research as to how it came about or what it is for. I used to think it was due to lack of exposure. Steyr sure didn't do much to sell it. But we've been beat over the head with Scouts by gun magazines and blogs in the last few years. Too bad most didn't grasp it. The saying about any publicity being good publicity sure does not apply here. I fear it will be one of those things that will only be understood or appreciated when it's gone.

I'm with you. I understand there are only so many ways a hi-cap, striker-fired, pistol can be done, but then again, maybe not. Is it really because there is only one basic way to make one, or is it because nobody's trying that hard and just trying to get something out there for the quick sales? One thing they all share is blockiness. Want to get me to say something besides "yawn", make one that doesn't feel like a piece of lumber. I will give them all credit for improving the grips here. The slides still need work.

A Rock? https://www.remington.com/handguns/remington-rp?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+Learn+More&utm_content=The+New+Remington+RP9,+Maximum+Firepower,+Complete+Control,+This+is+Shootability&utm_campaign=The+New+Remington+RP9&_bta_tid=351890818476000723510181470685163481999402830154475302272481054736938377069630500410919

It's only that- rumor- but those spreading it say to get ready because it's coming soon. The rumor inside the rumor is around a 3" barrel. My guess is if Ruger has waited this late in the year, they will wait until SHOT. I love the .44 Spl, but am covered pretty well in that area. I'd sure like to see it, though. While talking revolvers this size... I think it would be neat if they, or someone, would get with an ammo company and legitimize the wildcat .41 Special. Get SAAMI to fix a case length and pressure, and chamber a couple of guns for it like the GP100. It's been needed since 1964.

I've long thought the reason I was so interested to shoot Highpower was due to how it was portrayed in the shooting press when I was growing up. From the old gunwriters like Whelen to the newer ones (at the time) like Jim Carmichael, they acted as if Highpower was the top of the food chain. If you shot any competition, Highpower was what you aspired to. The American Rifleman coverage acted as if it was the only game that mattered. Everything else merely served as preparation to get there. Even as recently as 25 years ago, the Service Rifle and Match Rifle champions from the previous year's matches were introduced at the NRA convention like they were rock stars. Not anymore. And we are kind of lucky it's doing as well as it is. If not for the number of clubs holding reduced-course matches and the popularity of F-Class, I think it would be even more dead. Now, I'm hearing you'll hardly see a shooter on the line under age 30 aside from a father/son duo. I'm 51, and if I were to go, might be one of the youngest at matches around here. Cost is some of it. When I last shot Highpower seriously, if you bought a Colt MT6600 (20" A2 type), added a free-float tube under the handguards, and maybe did some trigger tuning or added some weight, you had a rifle capable of winning. I even shot in Match Rifle class with little more: a Colt 6724 24" flat top with a set of Anschutz sights in homemade mounts won me a few matches. I didn't have $1100 in it. Now, they allow optics and other crap that drives the cost up. You couldn't buy the scopes I see for the money I had in my complete rifle. We are losing too many ranges, too. Ranges capable of hosting a 600 yard match never were too plentiful, but there are even fewer now. Programs like 4-H Shooting Sports are doing well if not booming. Thats not really feeding people into the competitive ranks, though. Now that I've been involved with 4-H a few years, I see there is a clear distance between there and serious competition. They want to teach basic skills and don't really encourage competition. I don't know; I guess they don't want anyone's feelings getting hurt. There needs to be a link there. A gap filler. Some sort of stepping stone between basic safe gunhandling and sport/competition/defense use. We get the kids, but then we lose them. We're screwing up.

The NRA has not been exactly secretive about wanting to move the National Matches out of Camp Perry, OH. The Smallbore National Championship Haas been at Bristol, IN in recent years. The Highpower Rifle portion is probably the big event, and the location, if not the match's future, has been in question. The National Matches were first held in 1903 at Sea Girt, NJ. They moved to Camp Perry in 1907 and stayed there until the present. It looks like 2016 may be the last year at Perry for Highpower. At least, for a while. I got the following email email this evening from the Central Indiana HighPower Rifle Shooters (CIHPRS) of which I'm a member. They run the Highpower and Long Range Matches at Camp Atterbury, near Edinburgh, IN. There is some VERY BIG news taking place at Camp Atterbury starting with the 2017 shooting season. The NRA this weekend has decided to move the National Championship Highpower matches from Camp Perry to Camp Atterbury. The CMP matches will stay at Camp Perry. https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/11/16/nra-moving-national-high-power-rifle-championships-from-camp-perry/ This is a very big change for the United States shooting community, but it is a change for the better. I will say from a match director standpoint Camp Atterbury is much easier to deal with than Camp Perry and the fact that we have 4 KD ranges that can all be operable at the same time the format of the National Matches for 2017 will be very much improved and will allow for more possibilities. I wanted to email all of you who are club members and who are non-members but attend or have attended our matches to let you know how this change affects CIHRPS. CIHPRS will not be running or in charge of the National Championship matches. We have worked with the NRA in doing some leg work in helping them bring the matches to Camp Atterbury but the NRA will run these matches. Because of the change they will be looking for people to fill positions but they are not expecting CIHPRS to fill or provide workers. Camp Atterbury Command is VERY ENTHUSIASTIC about these matches coming and they are offering all services available for this. I personally had a discussion with Lt. Col. Gardner shortly after the conclusion of the matches at Camp Perry about this move. I can tell you he was very aware of what the National Matches are, their significance, and wants to bring them to Camp Atterbury and to Central Indiana. The NRA has been to the ranges and all the necessary repairs will be done so the ranges are in a condition to host a National Championship. In our conversation this was one thing that the Lt. Col. stressed that would be done. From a club standpoint there will be some positive impact of these matches now being at Camp Atterbury. The ranges will be improved, permanent flag mounting points will be installed, number boards repaired, etc. Also since we host monthly club matches at Camp Atterbury our match attendance will probably increase due to people wanting to get some range time on the range where the National Matches will be shot. There are other improvements that have been talked about also. Current match cap is at 42 shooters and this brings us to the next change that will happen eventually. So with this possibly happening it is very important that you get registered ahead of time for matches online. As far as impacting our schedule the only scheduled match it will impact is the Mid-Range regional as that was scheduled for the weekend of July 8-9 as that is the opening weekend of the NRA Across the Course championship. We will be moving this match and adjusting our schedule. Other than this the 2017 and 2018 dates that were submitted last May are still good and will mirror the 2016 schedule with a couple minor changes. If you have any questions please let me know.

From the Dillon Precision website: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mike Dillon. Mike left us on the morning of November 7th, 2016. He leaves behind a large family including wife Carol, sons Stephen and Christopher, daughter Stephanie, and 9 grandchildren. Mike’s legacy has touched the lives of countless people worldwide. He revolutionized the ammunition reloading industry and made it what it is today. Mike also redesigned and manufactured the M134 Minigun that is now in service in the United States and foreign military forces. As a passionate aviator, he worked for TWA as a 2nd officer for 13 years and later made a name for himself as a writer for Air Progress Magazine. He is recognized by some as being the one who started the warbird restoration movement in the 1960’s. Mike's dedication to his family, his customers, and this country was exemplary. We hope to continue the legacy that Mike Dillon worked so hard to build and we will never forget the impact that he has had on us all. We take comfort knowing he is flying in the blue skies of heaven above. During the coming months we will be adding an archive of Mike's articles, videos, and photographs to this site. Just follow our Facebook page, we'll post the content there when we upload it here, and you will be able to stay abreast of each addition as we incorporate it into the site.