2020 SHOT Show: Day 3 (Thursday, Jan 23, 2020)

[ELR researcher]

2020 SHOT Show: Day 3 (Thursday, Jan 23, 2020)

Today I did a wall-to-wall of the upper main show floor.

1. NNs/nothing new exhibitors (recall that if a company recently announced, prior to the start of SHOT, those announcements are NOT included here) – ATN, B&T AG, Beretta/Victrix, Black Hills, Brownells/Sinclair (zero reloading and non-AR gear in their booth), Browning, Burris (my criteria), Corbon, CZ-USA (they advised that they are no longer producing their only 338 LM model, the 550 Badlands Magnum), Double Tap, Fiocchi, FN, Gemtech, Hornady, H-S Precision, KFS Industries, LaRue Tactical, Lothar Walther, Leupold, Magpul, Magtech, MEC, Meopta, Montana Rifle Company, NEMO, Noblex/Docter, Nosler, PMC, Prvi Partizan/PPU-USA, Proof Research, Remington (incl AAC), Seahorse Case, Seekins Precision, SKB, Steyr, Stocky's Stocks, SWORD International, Thunder Beast, Trijicon, Tul Ammo, Weatherby, Western Powders, Winchester, and Wolf.

2. Barrett (correction from my Day "NN", I received bad scoop from clueless booth staff) - has two new rifles, the MK 22 Sniper Rifles System (Eurooptic link - https://www.eurooptic.com/Barrett-MK22-Rifle-Kit-308-Win-300-Norma-Mag-338-Norma-Mag-18804.aspx) and the SMR version of the MRAD (pics and data in their show catalog, which I will try to photograph and post to my News page on Saturday).

3. Cerekote - the HOT 2019-announced "heat transfer coating" offering now looks to become available by mid-year, will be their "K" series.

4. Crimson Trace - was showing the CTL-5324 3-24x56 scope (34mm tube, Mil reticle); see https://www.crimsontrace.com/products/by-product-type/riflescopes/01-00040

5. Dillon Precision - is adding a .338 LM conversion kit for its XL750 progressive press, available this Summer.

6. Frankford Arsenal - has added a "universal" bullet seating die for its recently introduced M-press, coaxial loading press, the bullet is inserted thru a window in the die rather than placed directly on top of the case, thus allowing for much longer cartridges, including the 338 LM; see https://www.frankfordarsenal.com/re...ersal-bullet-seating-die/1116715.html#start=1 They were also showing the innovative, but huge, bench or wall-mounted "Pile Driver Bullet Puller" which supports up to 338 LM, zero bullet damage (think of it as a hammer-style puller that does not self-destruct - uses springs, not kinetic force); see https://www.frankfordarsenal.com/re...ile-driver-bullet-puller/1116083.html#start=1

7. Gunwerks - was showing the "HAMR" rifle (private labeled Stiller TAC 408 action, Cadex chassis, brake, and mag, and bundled Kahles K25 scope); available in March, MSRP approx $13K (that's what I was told, zip on their website)

8. Hardy Rifle (New Zealand) - was showing a version of their new "Hybrid" rifle, own design and manufacture action and barrel (SS or CF), available in 338 LM, being imported by Legacy Sports (they were in their booth), shipping in September; see https://www.hardyhybrid.com/

9. Lyman - was showing the just-released Mark 7 (brand) "Titan XL" progressive reloading press with support up to .338 LM (including double-feed configuration - to reload two rounds at the same time - there are 10 die locations in the wheel), available this Spring/Q2; see https://www.markvii-loading.com/loading-presses/101-1201-1819.html

10. MTM - was showing the ".50 BMG Ammo Box", holds 20 rounds with OAL length of approx 6.0", nothing yet on their website except a non-specific "coming soon" page; new product link address for future use - http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/np/new-products.php

11. Newcon Optics - has added a nice little, hand-held LRF, the "LRM 2K", ranges to 2000m; available in Feb with an MSRP of $379; see http://www.newcon-optik.com/products/laser-rangefinders/lrm-2k/

12. Redding - was showing their new Type S "Elite" bushing die sets (up to 338 LM - 3-die set including a bushing full length sizer, bushing neck sizer, and competition seater) and a slant-bed concentricity gage which will support cases up to .408 CT; nothing et on their website

13. Rock River Arms/RRA - announced the "BT-6" semi-auto rifle in .338 LM, see page 16 of their 2020 catalog, https://www.rockriverarms.com/images/pdfs/RRA_Retail2020.pdf; they were also showing a .338 LM bolt guns, the RBG-2XL, Lilja barrel, Bell and Carlson stock, Calvin Elite trigger, MSRP approx $4400, shipping in Q2-3; no info on the website

14. Sightron - has added two tactical reticles to their SVSSED line, both are MOA.

15. Surefire - was showing the SOCOM375-ELR and SOCOM408-ELR suppressors, the first specifically developed for the AB .375 EnABLER cartridge; no info on their website

16. TACOMHQ (in the Axeon booth) - advised that a click-adjustable Charlie TARAC model is coming this year, each click being 20 mils (rep's best memory); will be a non-retro-fittable upgrade and will add some TBD mils to the max range of adjustment, availability TBD, nothing on their website

17. Warner Tool (Dan was unable to make our meeting at the show and relayed this info re 2020) - "Look for a .460 (caliber Flat Line) to come in 2020...We'll also be adding our elevation-adjustable scope rail to some of the more common ELR receivers in the coming weeks...(and) we are also adding an arbor press style, micrometer-adjustable seating die to our lineup."

18. Zeiss - has added precision ring sets to its line, they include an integrated anti-cant level, available in 34 and 36mm; see https://www.zeiss.com/sports-optics/en_us/hunting/riflescopes/precision-rings.html

Note - due to "return-to-home" travel on Friday PM, my recap of Friday's wall-to-wall of the lower main show floor will be delayed until Saturday PM.

 

[Frank Green]

Not to high jack the thread at all but here are a couple of pics of one of the two rifles at the Blackwater booth and of the ammo/cases.

The other rifle was built into a bench rest type stock.

From what I was told the March 6-60x scopes have 400moa of total elevation travel. Scope costs $6k.

I seen some of the test data on the rounds that where fired and the data is real. Accuracy node was at 3350fps but they did hit 3500fps with it and accuracy was still good but was the best at 3350.

Sorry not really smiling in the pic! My feet where killing me at this point in the day. We we're covering a lot of ground in a short amount of time but the pic gives a size comparison of the rifle to a person. Think it weighed 44# if I remember correctly.

I'd have to look up the spec's to see exactly what we made the barrels to.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[RyanScott]

What were your thoughts on the New Thunderbeast suppressors?

 

[ELR researcher]

Side-by-side on the ammo -

What were your thoughts on the New Thunderbeast suppressors?

For what I "report" on, they were NN this year. FYI, I do not spend a lot of time thinking on suppressors...I live in California.