By J. Scott Rupp
Streamlight TLR-7 A - Weapon Mounted Light with Two Switch Position Options The TLR-7 A is an extremely lightweight rail-mounted tactical light, delivering 500 lumens and running on a single CR123A lithium battery. It includes customized ambidextrous rear switches with either a low or high position to match your shooting style. It features a rail clamp that is designed to rapidly attach/detach from side of compact and full frame weapons. The TLR-7 A also includes a “safe off” feature to prevent accidental activation.
The TLR-8 A with a red aiming laser and the TLR-8 A G with a green aiming laser is also available.
Hornady SnapSafe Lock BoxHornady’s SnapSafe lock boxes are on our radar. A sneak peek at Guns & Ammo’s editor Eric Poole’s review describes them best: “Hornady has continued that business model and expanded who may be a potential customer. Store valuable belongings out of sight while maintaining easy access.” These nifty safes can be taken anywhere and store more than just your gun. They’re large storage capacity is great for tools, firearms, equipment, documents, passports and more. They also offer theft protection for an SUV, car trunk, under a back seat of a truck, and for the intrepid traveler in your life, in the pocket of your luggage — yes, they do meet the TSA airline guidelines for firearms, but it’s always good to double check. The SnapSafe has a heavy-duty 16-gauge steel exterior with a rugged 7-gauge steel door, internal hinges and premium gas shocks that give it its smooth, safe (and quiet) operation.
If you were a big fan of your high school locker combination lock, then you’re in luck. SnapSafe offers three ways to lock up and open up these nifty lock boxes: Key lock, combination lock and 2-pack keyed alike. And they’re all under $45 dollars. That’s a reasonable enough for Santa to bring one for you too!
$27-$44, snapsafe.com
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SIG Oscar8 Spotter The Oscar8 is a 27-55x88mm spotting scope that at 4.25 pounds isn’t too heavy to carry afield for hunting or shooting. Dimensions are 15.25x6x4 in. It features ELD (extra-low dispersion) glass, a Schmidt-Pechan prism and fully multicoated lenses—including a Spectracoat anti-reflection coating for great light transmission. It’s got an angled eyepiece and a rotating collar to put the eyepiece right where you want it, and the variable-power eyepiece can be locked. Rubber armored. $1,700, SIGsauer.com
Browning Precision Rest This small, ballistic nylon bag is foam-filled and easy to stack, making it a great choice for long-range field shooting. It’s six inches wide, 4.5 inches high and 4.75 inches deep, and weight is just 3.75 ounces. Comes with a carry strap that’s hook-and-loop adjustable. $50, browning.com
T/CR22 Strata There are now several new stock styles for Thompson/Center’s T/CR22, including the new Strata camo. Key features of this .22 semiauto include an adjustable peep rear sight and fiber-optic front—but also an integral Picatinny rail in the 6061 aluminum receiver for mounting a scope or red dot. It’s got last-shot hold-open thanks to a newly designed magazine, but it will also take Ruger 10/22 mags. The barrel is threaded 1/2x28, and the action comes with an oversize charging handle. $399, TCarms.com
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Leupold VX-Freedom Legend This new scope from Leupold is based on the solid VX-Freedom line—with a sensible one-inch main tube and equally sensible 3-9x40mm configuration. The big selling point for Legend shooters is a pre-calibrated dial set up for the cartridge’s ballistics. Weight is just 12.2 ounces and length is 12.4 inches, so it’s not going to overwhelm any platform you pick. Elevation range is 60 m.o.a., and the exit pupil ranges from 4.7 to 10mm. $365, leupold.com
Ruger 10/22 Custom Shop Competition The custom shop at Ruger is cranking out some cool stuff, and 10/22 fans should love this new offering. Featuring a stress-relieved 6061-T6511 anozed aluminum receiver with integral 30 m.o.a. optics rail, this 10/22 Competition has a natural brown laminate stock with a cheek rest that’s fully adjustable horizontally and vertically, and the rear of the receiver has a cleaning rod port. The stainless bull barrel is 16-1/8 inches long and has black Cerakote accents; it’s threaded 1/2x28. The chamber is enhanced for accuracy but doesn’t compromise feeding. $899, ruger.com
Brownell Match Precision Optics A first focal plane scope designed for long-range rifle competitions, Brownell’s new MPO scopes—a 2-25x56mm and a 3-18x50mm—feature 34mm main tubes and a non-obscuring red illuminated reticle with six brightness settings. They also have resettable turrets with zero stops. The 2-25X is 15.7 inches long and weighs 36.5 ounces; the 3-18X is 14 inches long and weighs 36 ounces. $1,000, brownells.com
Norma .17 HMR The new load from Norma features Hornady’s V-Max bullet, which produces quick expansion on varmints and a flat trajectory. The 17-grain bullet leaves the muzzle at 2,549 fps, and at 100 yards it’s still doing 1,863 fps for 131 ft.-lbs. of energy. If zeroed at 100 yards, drop at 200 is only 24 inches. $13 (50 count), $123 (500 count); norma-ammunition.com
Winchester World War II Victory Series Winchester has come out with two loads—a .30-06 and a .30 Carbine—to commemorate the World War II anniversary. The ’06 load is a 150-grain M2 ball load with a muzzle velocity of 2,740 fps, and the .30 Carbine pushes a 110-grain M1 ball load at 1,975 fps—both of which are period-correct load specs. The brass has special headstamps, and it’s available in 20- and 100-round counts in really cool packaging. Street prices are running $25 (20) to $120 (100). Winchester.com
Mossberg Patriot Predator 6.5 PRC Mossberg continues to build out this line of practical, accurate bolt-action rifles. While the moniker is “Predator,” the 6.5 PRC chambering is the hot new big game round—think a longer, more powerful 6.5-.284 Norma. Available with either a flat dark earth stock and Patriot Brown Cerakote finish or TrueTimber Strata stock and matte blue finish. The rifle comes with a 24-inch fluted barrel that’s threaded 5/8x24 and has a 1:8 twist. The proven two-lug action is treated to an oversize bolt handle, spiral-fluted bolt and a Picatinny rail up top. Weight is seven pounds. We’ve got one of these on the way, so watch for our review. $441 (FDE stock/blue), $524 (TrueTimber stock/brown Cerakote); Mossberg.com
