SHOT Show 2018 has just under 2,000 vendors on site this year, so there’s lots of new long-range shooting gear to see. Better yet, the Range Day outing Monday before the show opens has a 1,000-yard range where some vendors provide the opportunity to try new guns, ammo, and gear. Here are some of the interesting long-range shooting products we found this year.
224 Valkyrie Caliber
Federal’s New .224 Valkyrie Match Load
The big news for longer range shooters is a new caliber – 224 Valkyrie by Federal Premium Ammunition. More than a dozen companies are making compatible rifles already.
Here’s the interesting thing about the 224 Valkyrie. It offers solid performance past 1,000 yards but from a short-action rifle or standard AR-15 platform. Based on the 6.8 SPC cartridge, it fits into standard 5.56mm magazine wells but launches heavier (60, 75, and 90-grain) and slippery bullets that can stay supersonic out to 1,300 yards depending on your local atmospheric conditions. Bullet drop and wind drift are far less than 77-grain .223 Remington offerings.
Savage MSR 15 Recon LRP
Savage MSR15 224 Valkyrie
You know that as the inventor of the new 224 Valkyrie caliber Vista Outdoor, the parent company of Federal Ammunition and Savage, will have rifles to match. The Savage MSR 15 Recon LRP (Long Range Precision Rifle) is available for the Valkyrie but also 22 Nosler and 6.8 SPC.
This model features an 18-inch barrel with a mid-length gas system, and adjustable gas block, a free-float M-LOK handguard, Magpul CTR buttstock, adjustable gas block, tunable muzzle brake and a two-stage receiver.
MSRP: $1,499
CMMG 224 Valkyrie Mk4 DTR2 Rifle
CMMG’s new Valkyrie Offering
The folks at CMMG jumped on the 224 Valkyrie long-range flight with a new rifle optimized for that cartridge. The Mk4 DTR2 sports a 24-inch barrel to get every bit of velocity possible out of the new cartridge. Even though 224 has far less recoil than comparably-performing calibers like 6.5mm Creedmoor, the rifle has the company’s SV brake to minimize muzzle rise and keep you on target. A Magpul pistol grip, Geissele SSA 2-Stage Trigger, RML14 M-LOK hand guard and all-new CMMG Ambi Charging Handle round out the package.
MSRP: $1,700
Christensen Arms Adds Big Iron Calibers to Modern Precision Rifle
Christensen Arms’ Modern Precision rifle has some new big iron caliber options starting this year. For their long-action configurations, you can now get the rifle in .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. Known for its lightweight thanks to aerospace materials, it features a carbon fiber barrel, free-floated handguard, a locking but adjustable folding stock and oversized fluted bolt knob. Oh, and it’s guaranteed to shoot with sub-MOA accuracy.
Christensen Arms MPR
MSRP: $2,396 (long action configuration)
Range Hound Steel Target Hanging System
Range Hound Target System
The Range Hound System is kind of like a set of forged steel Lego blocks that allow you to create target stands and hanging systems in a variety of ways. The brackets, hangers, and components are made from the same cast steel used to make the turrets of Sherman tanks, so it’s tough and still stands up to abuse. Since the system is modular, it allows you to configure target applications to your preference with rebar, 2×4 lumber, T-posts, and EMT.
MSRP’s range from $33-$100.
Nikon Monarch 3000 Stabilized Range Finder
Nikon Monarch 3000 Range Finder
Half the battle of ranging far away targets is holding the rangefinder steady enough to get an accurate reading. Not only does the new Nikon Monarch 3000 Range Finder stabilize the image automatically, but it also reaches out to 3,000 yards. The fast calculation times helps you get an accurate reading while on your target.
MSRP: $420
Sniper Extreme .375 (9.5×77) Cheytac Flash Tip Ammunition
Note the tipped projectiles
These copper-jacketed bullets feature a Titanium tip that provides a visual cue of impact well down range. When it strikes a hard object like a steel plate, you’ll be able to see a bright flash at distances over 2,000 yards. No chemicals or other “burning” materials are required. If you’re into shooting steel plates at extreme distances, this ammo might have your name on it.
Accuracy Solutions BipodeXT Tactical Line
The BipodeXt
Kind of like long wheelbase vehicles, the BipodeXt is intended to offer increased stability. It’s a below barrel extension tube assembly that allows you to mount a rifle bipod well forward – in front of the muzzle. Kind of like a long sight radius on a pistol or rifle makes it easier to aim with precision, a longer “bipod radius” allows you to minimize rifle movement. With the fulcrum way out there, you have to move the stock more vertically or horizontally to drift off target. Carbon fiber and aluminum construction keep weight to about a pound.
MSRP: $599
Can’t put ballistics down range with a screw driver or range bag.
It never ceases to amaze me whenever I travel to our conservation club\’s shooting ranges to see the assembly of like-minded powder burners. Often they\’ll show up with a new AR-platform rifle or some just-bought polymer handgun. Along with the obligatory three or four boxes of ammunition. But they\’ll have to scrounge around and find shards of wood for stakes, cardboard for backing and sometimes even yank a used paper target from the waste drum. In short, they spend lots of money on the glamor things but little to nothing on the essentials really needed to achieve maximum benefit of what they bought. More than a few times someone has bummed a screwdriver from my gunsmithing set or some other piece of equipment. Alas, many/most(?) of today\’s shooters have bought into this self-defeating consumerism. Boys and girls, ditch the thought of buying a .224 Valkyrie or some cool-looking sniper rifle. Instead, use that money to purchase a good spotting scope, a decent range bag and then fill it up with tools – and more tools. You\’ll be a far better and more productive shooter if you do.