SHOT Show Shummary

[Rocky Raab]

Here’s a quickie summary of my SHOT Show observations. I concentrated mostly on reloading, not guns or optics. In no particular order, here we go:

Lyman will offer an economical new lead melter called the “Big Dipper” for about $40 retail. Their all-new 4th edition of the Cast Bullet Manual will be out by summer.

Barnes will offer a 50-gr TSX bullet designed specifically for 1-14” twist at 22-250 speeds.

Winchester will offer a new lead-free rimfire round and a .410 self-defense load that contains three copper “sluglets” plus a charge of large shot.

Hornady has finally perfected their power case trim and prep station. It features power trim, shaving collection, plus power chamfer (inside and outside), primer pocket cleaning, flashhole deburr and more. They will also offer a one-piece powder dispenser and scale with simplified controls; also on tap is an ultrasonic brass/parts/jewelry cleaner with large capacity.

Browning will introduce an X-Bolt Micro Hunter as a well as stainless/carbon fiber versions of the full-size X-Bolt. The A-Bolt will continue in production as well.

ATK/Federal will introduce a lead-free 16-grain 17 HMR round, a Lead-free Short-Range 22 rimfire round at 1600 fps and a TNT Green bullet as loaded ammo only and component bullets to come. Primer production has been increased to help meet demand.

RCBS has packaged a die cleaning kit of aerosols and also offers a chronograph that stores the screens inside the chronograph body for easy transport; retail price about $150.

Alliant confirms their recent announcement of a series of spherical propellants (made at the St Marks facility in Florida) with the Varmint powder due in June. They also will introduce a blackpowder substitute called Black Dot.

Nosler will join the lead-free parade with a copper-matrix core version of their Ballistic Tip. Regular lead-core bullets will continue at full production.

Redding will offer a Versa-Pak reloading kit that will allow customers to pick the press they prefer.

Forster introduced a 3-in-1 cutter head that trims, inside and outside chamfers simultaneously. Their popular Co-Ax press now comes with either short or long handles and has an increased window opening to handle rounds as long as the STW or UltraMag cartridges.

Hodgdon has introduced the cultishly popular IMR8208XBR powder for benchrest and varmint-sized rounds. It is not exactly the same as the long-vanished surplus powders known by that number, but does duplicate its performance with modern powder technology benefits as well.

CVA announced their first-ever centerfire rifles, offering the Scout for small-stature shooters as well as the full-size Apex. Both are single-shot break-action rifles chambered in 243 through 35 Whelen. (Scout in 243 only for now.)