I’m more fond, however, of Whispers based on .30 Luger and .30 Mauser cases, which are known as the 7.62 Micro-Whisper and the 7.63 Mini-Whisper, respectively. Standard chambers are used for both the Micro-Whisper and Mini-Whisper, so factory cartridges still shoot well in them. Using a 200 grain Sierra bullet in the Mauser case with a 7 inch Contender barrel and a Choate folding stock, the subsonic Mini-Whisper will print 2 inch groups at 200 yards. Using the Luger case requires going to a projectile weight of no more than 168 grains for that subsonic load. These are very efficient and accurate cartridges, which are two qualities I value highly when using a silenced firearm. Only accurate weapons are interesting, and efficient cartridges tend to be quieter when a silencer is added to a system. That said, the pick of the .30 caliber litter for tactical applications, animal control, or hunting—in my opinion—is clearly the .300 Whisper, which is based on the .221 Fireball case.

According to small-arms scholar N.R. Parker, “Independent work by the U.S. Air Force also started with the .30 M1 Carbine case when they developed their subsonic cartridge version of the IMP, and then the Air Force used the 5.56x45mm cartridge to develop the final subsonic cartridges used with the suppressed version of the IMP. For some strange reason, the Air Force ignored the original cartridge used with the IMP, the .221 Remington Fireball, which J.D. Jones has demonstrated is better suited for a .30 caliber subsonic round by virtue of its smaller case capacity. SSK’s design goal was to develop a family of subsonic cartridges featuring a high loading density for use with both heavy and lightweight projectiles that would deliver consistent ignition and excellent accuracy out to 500 yards. The impressive Whisper family of cartridges includes the .300, .338, and .50 Whisper cartridges plus the 6mm, 6.5mm and 7mm Whisper cartridges. The smaller caliber Whisper cartridges are designed as anti-personnel cartridges while the .50 Whisper is intended for both anti-personnel and anti-materiel roles.”

SSK offers suppressed upper receiver conversions of the AR-15/M16 using specialized subsonic cartridges such as the outstanding .300 Whisper and 6mm Whisper. These conversions use unmodified lower receiver assemblies and 5.56x45mm magazines. An M16 chambered for the 6mm Whisper, for example, can deliver 1.5 to 3 inch (3.7 to 7.6 cm) full-auto groups at 100 yards (91 m) when fired in three-round bursts; try doing that with an issue M16.

My own bias is that the .300 Whisper is ideal for military SpecOps where two very different weapons are required: (1) a silent weapon for up-close and personal killing, and (2) a rifle or carbine with plenty of reach and power for team security at conventional engagement distances as operators approach and egress from their objective. A single weapon with a .300 Whisper upper receiver can be used for team security using magazines loaded with supersonic .300 Whisper rounds, and the weapon can be instantly converted to silent operation by inserting a magazine with subsonic .300 Whisper cartridges. Only one weapon need be carried for a raid, hostage rescue, or CT (counter-terrorist) operation.

Perhaps the best way to provide a glimpse of the Whisper family of cartridges and other interesting developments in the SSK pipeline is to discuss a demonstration J.D. Jones conducted at Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1999. It is safe to say that Jones and his creations impressed everyone who saw the performance at the 1999 annual meeting of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).

Jones put on a thoroughly impressive demonstration with a variety of Whisper and other SSK cartridges. For those who came in late, I should mention that Jones is not only one of the 20th century’s brightest and most prolific cartridge designers, he’s also an extraordinarily gifted shooter. He began his demonstration by engaging steel silhouette targets out to 300 yards (274 m) with SSK’s .300 Whisper Incognito rifle from a sandbagged foxhole. Jones described the foxhole as “hellishly hot” and offering a “very uncomfortable but pretty stable shooting position.” Based on a Winchester Model 70 action and match barrel, the Incognito rifle features a suppressor tube of small diameter that completely covers the barrel, giving the impression that the rifle is simply a normal (i.e., unsuppressed) barrel of target weight. Such visual stealth can pay substantial dividends to operators who benefit from hiding the fact that a silenced weapon is being fielded.

Jones then used an M16 fitted with a suppressed .300 Whisper upper receiver assembly. The weapon featured a 10 inch (25.4 cm) barrel and the suppressor increased weapon length by another 6 inches (15.2 cm). The optical sight was a 1-5x Micro Dot scope with crosshair and a fiber-optic illuminated center dot, enabling the operator to use the scope like any red dot sight at 1x and like a conventional scope at greater magnifications. The ammo featured 240 grain (15.6 gram) Sierra MatchKings and a muzzle velocity of 1,050 fps (320 mps). Jones began this phase of the demo by engaging steel silhouettes at 100 yards (91 m) with the selector set on SEMI and AUTO. He then fired 10-round bursts at a tank at 200 yards (183 m), which was a real crowd pleaser. Just as the soft coughing of the rifle stopped, the 10 rounds began to impact noisily on the armor. The hatches were open, making the tank a very impressive acoustic instrument.

Jones then debuted his impressive new .50 Peacekeeper cartridge, which is designed to provide much of the anti-materiel capability of a precision rifle chambered in .50 BMG in a considerably more portable and user-friendly rifle. The proprietary SSK cartridge uses a .460 Weatherby Magnum case opened up and modified to accept .50 BMG bullets. Using a modified Ruger Model 77 Magnum action with 23 inch (58.4 cm) match barrel as a single-shot proof of concept gun, Jones used rounds loaded with Santa Barbara API (armor piercing incendiary) and APIT (armor piercing incendiary tracer) bullets. The rifle had a 6-power Leupold scope with mildot reticle. The muzzle velocity of the .50 Peacekeeper was about 2,400 fps (732 mps)—which is about 88 percent of BMG velocity—in a prototype rifle that weighs just 13 pounds (5.9 kg). Remarkably, this cartridge is just as accurate as the .50 BMG round, if not more so.

Jones started shooting the .50 Peacemaker at targets 200 yards (183 m) downrange, moving on to targets at 500 yards (457 m). He then turned his attention to a tank at what he thought to be 900 yards (823 m) but range officials claimed was 1,000 yards (914 m). Jones began to repeatedly hit the turret of the tank, producing a 12-15 inch (30-38 cm) group. As this went to press, Ed Brown had developed an impressive new bolt-operated rifle action for this round expressly for SSK Industries. The first prototype of the Brown action featured a 30 inch (76 cm) barrel producing a maximum muzzle velocity of 2,550 fps (777 mps) with 650 grain (42.25 gram) API projectiles. It is interesting that this system still provides a muzzle velocity of 2,300 fps (701 mps) using 750 grain (48.75 gram) projectiles.

The demo took a dramatic turn when J.D. Jones produced an integrally suppressed .50 Whisper built on a Winchester Model 70 action with a Leupold 3.5×10 center focus scope with mildot reticle. Subsonic ammo was loaded with Santa Barbara 650 grain API projectiles. Jones placed his first shot on the side of a tank at 200 yards to determine his point of impact. He then engaged a target at 500 yards and guessed right at selecting the appropriate mildot in his scope. Finally, he aimed at a tank 900-1,000 yards downrange. The first round didn’t produce a flash but some folks heard it; he’d put it through the open hatch into the empty engine compartment. Using a spotting scope, his assistant watched the second round hit when a flash appeared inside the engine compartment. Jones didn’t change his hold and put several more rounds into the compartment, surprising even himself. “I never thought I could drop them continuously into that little hole,” he later confided to me. Jones then raised his point of aim to a somewhat imprecise point on a hill behind the tank and repeatedly put subsonic .50 caliber rounds onto the tank turret, shooting about a 3 foot (1 meter) group from the foxhole. It is interesting that Jones could shoot and reload, and then look through the scope and watch the bullet strike when the incendiary ignited.

The show-stopper (both figuratively and literally) was a Thompson/Center Encore pistol featuring a 12 inch (30.5 cm) barrel and muzzle brake chambered in SSK’s variation on the .50 Alaskan cartridge, which requires a different barrel throat and rate of twist than SSK’s .50 Whisper. The ammo is made by modifying .348 Winchester brass into a straight case and loading .50 BMG projectiles. Using 650 grain API bullets, the pistol produced a muzzle velocity of about 1,450 fps (442 mps). Jones had previously pushed this velocity up to 1,650 fps (503 mps), but he found the recoil to be objectionable for a pistol at that velocity. Using a 4-power Bausch & Lomb scope sighted in at 200 yards, his first shot at the 200-yard tank turret was dead on. The second shot was about 3 feet (1 meter) high but dead center on the turret; his first shot had damaged the erector tube in the scope. He placed a few more rounds into the center of the target for effect and the damaged scope held together. Jones then took a wild guess at the required holdover for the 500 yard tank and nailed it dead center. He hit it again and again dead center, and people in the crowd began to shout encouragement to try nailing the “1,000 yard” tank with the pistol. Jones held somewhat over what he termed the “900 yard tank” and touched off a round, which his spotter called a few inches over the turret. He adjusted his point of aim down slightly and hit the turret dead center, blowing the scope once and for all (he’d lost 50 percent of his field of view, which had assumed an oval shape due to the demise of the erector tube). Consummate showman that he is, Jones simply turned around and held the pistol aloft, yelling, “I quit” to the crowd as if he’d had enough fun for one day.

Nailing that turret at 900-1,000 yards with a .50 caliber pistol proved once and for all that SSK’s approach of employing heavy projectiles with relatively modest powder charges can provide workable solutions to problems out to much greater distances than many folks were prepared to believe. And the remarkable performance of the .50 Whisper rifle proved that problem-solving could be remarkably stealthy when using SSK’s subsonic rounds and a properly engineered sound suppressor.

For more information, contact SSK Industries, Inc. (Dept. SAR, 590 Woodvue Lane, Wintersville, OH 43953; phone 740-264-0176; fax 740-264-2257; URL http://www.sskindustries.com/).

The .50 Peacekeeper is an exciting new innovation by J.D. Jones that puts 88% of the ballistics of the .50 BMG cartridge in an extremely accurate 13-14 pound 23” barreled long range man portable rifle. It uses any projectile suitable for the .50 BMG cartridge or any .50 (.510) diameter soft point bullet intended for a .50 hunting cartridge. The .50 PEACEKEEPER uses only around 50% of the powder charge of the .50 BMG to give the same bullet 88% of the velocity of the .50 BMG. Equipped with highly efficient muzzle brakes and other recoil reducing devices, felt recoil is substantially less than that of many 30 to 50 pound .50 BMG rifles. Formed cartridge cases, bullets, reloading dies and loaded ammunition are all available through SSK. The new Ed Brown single shot bolt action is one of the preferred actions when coupled with any of a wide variety of stocks. Other suitable actions include the Ruger -77 Magnum or any Weatherby action originally chambered for the .378 or .460 cartridges. SSK Industries manufactures a wide variety of extremely efficient firearms including custom barrels for Contenders, Encores, hunting rifles and highly specialized suppressed tactical firearms. Many utilize the JDJ and WHISPER series of cartridges in addition to around 400 other calibers. For more information contact SSK Industries, Dept. SAR, 590 Woodvue Lane, Wintersville, OH 43953. Phone: 1-740-264-0176. Fax: 1-740-264-2257. Their website is www.sskindustries.com.

ITC SCOPE COVERS

International Training Concepts (ITC) has just introduced a line of scope covers that not only cover the scope lens, they also cover the whole scope. Scopes come in all sizes and shapes, so why not scope covers? All of ITC’s scope covers are made from rugged lightweight nylon for flexibility and just enough closed cell foam padding to protect your valuable optical device. You can choose from any of three models that fit a wide range of optics. The three models include the Adjustable Scope Cover (fits scopes from 10 to 16 inches long), the Mini Scope Cover 1 (for scopes 6 to 8 inches long) and the Mini Scope Cover 2 (for scopes 4 to 6 inches long). Both Mini Scope Covers slip over the optic and are held tight by drawing the cord lock together. A new concept in design is their Adjustable Scope Cover that can be adjusted to fit the larger scopes. This cover is made from two halves that are attached together with Velcro for a perfect fit on several size scopes. These covers look great and best of all they work like they were designed to. For more information on the scope covers and a full line of other innovative marksman accessories contact International Training Concepts, Inc., Dept. DEPT. SAR, , , P.O. Box 69037, Pleasant Ridge, MI 48069-0037. Phone: 1-888-566-4486. Fax: 1-248-544-1622.

BROWNING INTRODUCES CARBON FIBER TECHNOLOGY TO A-BOLT

New for 2000, Browning has partnered with Christensen Arms to offer carbon fiber barrels on their A-Bolt rifles. This patented technology utilizes a continuously fiber wound band, sealed with epoxy. This material is used in prosthetics, bicycle frames, golf clubs, fishing rods, reinforced concrete joints and foundations and now in barrels for Browning rifles. These strong fibers surround s stainless steel liner sleeve on the new A-Bolt Carbon Fiber Stainless Steel Stalker. It is stronger than steel, 80% lighter and dissipates heat ten times faster. Your quick follow-up shots won’t be affected by heat or vibration. It gives you the stiffness and accuracy of a heavy barrel without the added weight. There is less barrel whip and better dimensional stability for a more repeatable point of impact. The new A-Bolt Carbon Fiber Stainless Stalker creates the ultimate rifle for weather resistance, accuracy, light weight and shot-after-shot stability. Two calibers will be available in the A-Bolt Carbon Fiber Stainless Stalker in the year 2000: 22-250 Remington, which will fast become the ultimate long-range varmint rifle, and the 300 Win. Mag., a hard hitting, long-range nail driver. For more information on this new high tech rifle, contact Browning, Dept. DEPT. SAR, , One Browning Place, Morgan Utah 84050. Phone: 1-801-876-2711. They can be reached on the web at www.browning.com.

NIKON ANNOUNCES TITANIUM RIFLESCOPES

Nikon Sport Optics, a company known for optical innovation, has announced the introduction of a revolutionary riflescope line that incorporates titanium, one of the world’s strongest metals. The newly introduced Nikon Titanium Riflescope Series utilizes titanium construction of both the ocular and adjustable objective bells, providing excelled strength and protection for these critical lens elements. Initially, the new scope line will be comprised of a 3.3-10X44AO and a 5.5-16.5X44AO, popular magnification ranges for most hunting and varminting applications. Titanium is one of the world’s strongest metals. In recent years, it has gained favor in the construction of such durable products as golf club heads, bicycles, firearms and suppressors. Titanium is stronger and lighter than most steels and extremely corrosion resistant. The Nikon Titanium riflescopes feature oversized 44 millimeter objective lenses for maximum light transmission at dawn, dusk or in bad weather. Both utilize adjustable objective lenses (milled from solid titanium bar stock for maximum strength) allowing the shooter to remove parallax at any known range from 50 yards to infinity. Each model is compatible with Nikon’s accessory sunshade as well. Nikon Titanium riflescopes incorporate Nikon’s exclusive, 1/4 MOA handturn windage and elevation adjustments. These precise, steel-on-brass adjustments are both tactile and audible, allowing quick, accurate sight adjustments in the field or at the bench. Both models utilize Ultra ClearCoat(r) anti-reflective lens coatings and absolute internal blackening for 95% light transmission, true color rendition, and fine detail resolution. Oxygen purged, nitrogen filled, O-ring sealed construction provides complete waterproof, shockproof and fogproof performance, allowing use in all weather conditions and climates. The new Titanium scopes are covered by Nikon’s exclusive Lifetime Limited Warranty. For more information contact Nikon Sport Optics, DEPT. DEPT. SAR, , 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747-3064 or call 1-800-247-3464. On the web at www.nikonusa.com.

LIQUID GUNSMITH™

A new complete one step gun care product has been developed by SEAL-LOCK International. Glenside, PA. Called “S.L.I. LIQUID GUNSMITH”, this new product is covered by a money back guarantee to out-perform any other gun care product on the market. LIQUID GUNSMITH is a 100% pure synthetic compound that is far superior to ordinary petroleum based lubricants and solvents. Since it can’t freeze to minus 100 degrees F. and resists temperatures to plus 500 degrees F., it is virtually indestructible. In just one application, LIQUID GUNSMITH removes rust, carbon, grease, lead and brass contamination. At the same time, it penetrates metal surfaces to thoroughly lubricate all moving parts and free up actions. The superior lubricating property of Liquid Gunsmith prevents jamming, especially in semi and full automatic firearms. Liquid Gunsmith is non-oily, virtually odorless and will not stain clothing or attract lint and dust. Once applied to a blued surface, it positively prevents fingerprints as well as salt water and black powder corrosion. It also enhances the appearance of chrome and nickel-plated surfaces. Liquid Gunsmith is a superior black powder solvent and patch lubricant and improves the accuracy of all black powder weapons by dramatically reducing friction. It is also ideal for lubricating and protecting antique firearms and for restoring and protecting wood grips and stocks. Reloaders report that it is also an excellent resizing lubricant. For more information contact, Seal-Lock International, DEPT. DEPT. SAR, , P.O. Box 625, Dresher, PA 19025-0625. Phone: 1-215-643-8200. Fax: 1-215-643-8203.

GEMTECH T.E.R.I.S.

Gemtech is proud to introduce their new TERIS (Tactical Eye Relief Interface System). The TERIS is a flip-out sight-blocking device that attaches to your scope. The TERIS offers several features that benefits most all shooters. It allows shooting with both eyes open, helps eliminate eyestrain and facial muscle contractions, adds more light to shooters vision and stops crossover from having both eyes open too long. Ballistic data cards can also be attached to the device so that the shooter can keep target acquisition while checking ballistic tables. The TERIS clamps to the scope with a non-marring clamp and folds out of the way while remaining on the scope. Data cards are also available from Gemtech. The TERIS is available for most Leupold and similar size scopes. For more information or to place an order, contact Gemtech, Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 3538, Boise, ID 83703. Phone: 1-208-939-7222. Contact them on the web at www.gem-tech.com.

NEW VARMINT PAKS FROM NOSLER

Nosler, Inc., manufacturer of high quality rifle and handgun bullets, has announced the availability of large quantity packages for some of its most popular Ballistic Tipr Varmint offerings. The new Nosler 250 quantity Varmint Paks are available for the .22 caliber 40 grain and .22 caliber 55 grain Ballistic Tipr Varmint bullets and are aimed at the varminter who counts his trigger pulls in the hundreds and thousands. These quantity packs represent a substantial savings as well. The bullets feature ultra-thin, tapered jackets and pure lead cores for violent expansion across the entire spectrum of velocities and ranges. The Nosler Varmint Paks look like larger versions of the 100 count black and gold boxes currently available for all Ballistic Tipr Varmint bullets. For a 1998 Nosler Bullets for Sportsmen catalog featuring their entire line of bullets, contact them at Nosler, inc., Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 671, Bend, Oregon. Phone: 1-800-285-3701. On the web at
www.nosler.com.

PEARCE GRIP ENHANCERS FOR GLOCKS

Pearce Grip, Inc., has just introduced their new grip accessories for the Glock series of handguns. The Grip Enhancers with Mag-Track replaces the factory magazine floor plate and provides extra gripping surface without increasing the over-all length of the grip. This is accomplished by lengthening the floor plate and filling the semi-circular recess in the lower forward portion of the grip. These “Grip Enhancers” also provide for easier manual magazine extraction and minimize the possibility of debris entering the magazine well. They also incorporate an identification magazine feature called Mag-Track consisting of a series of five circular recesses that allow the user to mark each magazine for tracking purposes. These Grip Enhancers are available for Models 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. Pearce Grip also makes a complete line of grips for other handguns. For more information contact Pearce Grip, Inc., Dept. SAR , P.O. Box 187, Bothell, WA 98041. Phone: 1-800-390-9420. Fax: 1-425-488-7102. On the web at www.pearcegrip.com.

T’SOB AR-15/M-16 SCOPE MOUNT FROM SSK INDUSTRIES

A new AR-15/M-16 sighting system is now available from SSK Industries. The new mount called the T’SOB is mounted to the top of the AR receiver and places the optical red dot sight in line with the guns’ iron sights. To achieve this the carrying handle must be cut and part of it removed. The guns’ iron sights can still be used by looking through the red dot scope. The shooter is instantly ready for action either way. Mounts are available for typical red dot sights, C-More sight, HOLO and the Aimpoint Mil Comp Q.D.. SSK Industries will chop your carrying handle and install the T’SOB for $125.00 plus $10.00 for shipping and insurance. SSK also offers the 30mm Ultra-Dot sight to go along with their new mount. For more information contact SSK Industries, Dept. SAR, 590 Woodvue Lane, Wintersville, OH 43953. Phone: 1-740-264-0176. Fax: 1-740-264-2257.

SIGARMS sig pro SP2340

SIGARMS has added a new line of polymer pistols to the world-renowned SIG/SAUER semi-automatic family of handguns. Breaking new ground in polymer technology has allowed the famous SIG/SAUER reputation for quality and engineering to continue on in this lightweight, low maintenance pistol. These newly designed polymers form the frame of this advanced pistol design, which also incorporates an integral accessory rail to meet shooters’ specific needs. One main feature of the new sig pro is the integral fire control unit that incorporates the hammer, sear and trigger in one modular piece. Now, conversion from SA/DA to DAO is simply a matter of exchanging the integral fire control unit. The new sig pro offers shooters a one-piece stainless steel slide that has maximum corrosion resistance while making the pistol truly handsome in its blackened stainless finish. Two sets of grips are included with the new pistols; the first is a composite grip that provides a firm, non-slip hold, while the second offers shooters a little more comfort and fit, thanks to a softer rubberized compound. The gun comes equipped with standard low profile, high contrast, combat-type sights, a blade front and notched rear. SIGLITEr night sights are available as an option for those who want the best for low light conditions. Available calibers for 1998 are limited to .357 SIG and .40 S&W. For more information contact; SIG Arms, Inc., Dept. SAR, Corporate Park, Exeter, NH 03833.=20 Phone: 1-603-772-2302. Fax: 1-603-772-1481.