Everyone go buy 100 rounds.

UPDATE: 350 rounds just purchased online. I don’t know if that counts or not, but I’m also planning to stop and pick up another 100 at my local shop on the way home.

The Firearm Blog discusses this new round in Hornady’s Dangerous Game Series that will soon be available:

The round is basically a necked up .375 Ruger and offers performance comparable to the classic .416 Rigby in a standard length cartridge. The Ruger M77 Hawkeye bolt action will be available chambered in this cartridge.

From Hornady, who developed the cartridge with Ruger and will offer the finished product beginning next year:

The beltless design of the cartridge case provides smooth, flawless function which is very important for a dangerous game cartridge. And, the standard length action provides less chance of “short stroking” the bolt when things get hairy.

416 Ruger ammunition will be available in two offerings: a 400 grain DGX™ (Dangerous Game eXpanding), and a 400 grain DGS™ (Dangerous Game Solid). Both feature a copper clad steel jacket with a high antimony lead alloy core.

Rummell on the .25 Police Issue

Downrange Radio talks black rifles.

He touches on ARs as defensive weapons, something I recently wrote an article on which was unfortunately scrapped. Bane recommends low penetration ammo for defensive use like the Hornady TAP.

He said they did some penetration tests using standard 55gr ball ammo on house walls and was surprised at how quickly it destabilized and that it did not “shoot through the house.” I find this a bit surprising, but my wife won’t let me test it on our house.

Murdoc’s pretty sure he’s going to pick up an additional AR here soon. Plus maybe a couple of extra lower receivers.

Go listen to the podcast if you get a chance.

Making the Best of the M9

The M9, 9mm Beretta. Civilian-wise we call it the 92F or 92FS, et al. Some guys love it, some hate it. There are civilian cops that swear by it, which baffles me personally, but guns are like boots and beer. Everyone has a favorite, usually held with a devoted certainty that says anyone that prefers a different model is a dumbass. you know what I’m talking about. 1911 guys (of any breed) make fun of Glock guys, who shake their heads at Sig guys, who just can’t understand the S&W guys.

For myself, I prefer the M9 as a boat anchor if a Ruger isn’t available but that’s just me.

One thing brought up in the post is that many people issued M9s just don’t have enough proficiency to use them effectively. Shooting a handgun is a lot different than shooting a rifle, and situations that call for handgun use are usually at close range and in circumstances very unforgiving of error.

FWIW, I decided to go with a .40 for my primary handgun over a 9mm.

And here’s an interesting comment on the post:

FWIW, if you can’t get range time there’s a dry fire drill that can help with drawing, sighting and trigger control, particularly with double action triggers. Put a snap cap in the chamber, turn on a TV set, and practice head shots.

Apart from interview or news shows, the camera cuts to and away talking heads so quickly that it takes a little skill to acquire a target. And, a camera’s depth of field/view renders targets at roughly the POV you’d have at combat ranges — not too close, not too far.

I learned this from a Ranger buddy, back in the 80s. It works, believe it or not.

You just don’t want to let the neighbors see you doing it. Or your kids, wife, or girlfriend.

It’s a little hard to explain why you’re watching GILLIGAN’S ISLAND, busting caps at Mr. Howell.

From NSSF:

Data released by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) reported 973,003 checks in September 2008. This figure is a 2.96% increase from the 944,889 reported in September 2007. Adjusted state figures show background checks up 0.82%. Year-to-date reveals a total of 8,472,683 background checks reported by NICS. Background checks are a key economic indicator of firearms industry sales.

Also: Gun Sales Steady Despite Economy

Regardless of these continuing trends, I think it’s clear that gun sales will probably slump a bit for a while here. Though ammo purchases for guns already owned may surge depending upon the election results next month.

ATK and FN Herstal SA Announce Cooperative Agreements

A number of deals, including

ATK has also been tasked through the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Detachment to develop 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition for U.S. Special Operations for use with rifle platforms to include the SCAR system developed by FN.

ATK and FNH USA, LLC have also entered into a distribution agreement covering FN’s 5.7 x 28 mm SS 197 commercial ammunition for the U.S. market.