B&P Blog

NEW B&P “PROFESSIONAL STEEL” COMPETITION SHELLS

admin — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:45:32 +0000

By John W. Rymark

Head of Quality Affairs

We are rapidly approaching the Fourth of July weekend, so we wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday weekend. They say with the cost of gas sky high that we’ve cut down on our driving. That might be so, but the crazies are still out there. Stay alert to what the other drivers might do, because they probably will.

We’ve gotten some press, but you might not have heard. Baschieri & Pellagri (B&P) of Italy has perfected the steel shot equivalent of lead shot shells for competition shooting. That’s a bold statement, but these are bold steel shot shells. The new F2 Legend and F2 Mach Professional Steel competition shells were a long time in research and development. Italy wanted to make them “The’ steel shot competition shell.

As a B&P customer, you know that all B&P shells are grouped into “families” of shells such as Competition 2000, Legend, Sporting Clay, Mach, Sporting Clay, etc. Shells are grouped into a shell family by their use, construction and performance characteristics. Our other steel shot shells are grouped separately by load such as Steel 24, 28, 32, and 35. Well, not these new steel shot competition shells. In contrast, these new steel shot shells have been given places of honor in the F2 Legend and F2 Mach families of competition shells.

Blind studies have proven that top competitors could not detect a difference between B&P’s F2 Legend and F2 Mach Professional Steel shells and the equivalent lead shot competition shells. How did B&P do it? B& P combined a revolutionary compact wad design that prevents the steel from touching the barrel or choke. Next, they specially hardened and polished the steel for optimum flight characteristics. Finally, they balanced exactly the right steel shot velocity, shot size, shot count and powder charge to precisely duplicate the performance of 7 ½ lead shot, at 40 yards, traveling at 1230 and 1300 feet per second, respectively.

There are four good reasons to start shooting the F2 Legend and F2 Mach Professional Steel competition shells. First, some clubs already have lead restrictions. Watching California and clubs here in Illinois, someone who doesn’t want you to shoot at all will eventually start grousing about the lead. If it isn’t lead and the California Condor, it will be geese, ducks, or Aunt Minnie’s poodle. Second, the cost of lead is going to continue its upward climb. At some point, steel shot competitive shells will allow you to pay a bit less and shoot a bit more. Third, while we can continue to do it, our case price includes shipping to the lower forty-eight. Lastly, these are really beautifully patterning shells. You are cordially invited to order them on this website or by calling Kaltron Outdoors at 630.350.1116, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. CST.

Good luck and good shooting.

NRA SHOW / NSCA U.S. OPEN 2008

admin — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:14:28 +0000

By John Rymark

Head of Quality Affairs

The National Rifle Association Show in Kentucky this past weekend was tremendous. It was a heart warming privilege to see so many sport shooters all in one place. Saturday, saw attendance peak. The isles were packed with people of all ages with one common interest, sport shooting. Without a doubt, there were just as many shotgun related booths as rifle or pistol.

Our Kaltron Outdoors booth featured Baschieri & Pellagri (B&P) shotgun shells, Lapua rifle and pistol finished ammunition and components, Vihtavouri smokeless powder, MSA Sordin hearing protection, and SuperVision night vision. We are proud to offer each of these exceptionally high quality products.

It was really good to see so many of our customers. Everyone here passes along their sincere thanks to the many people who stopped by our booth to praise one of the products or to talk to one of our people they’d met over the telephone. Quite a few customers mentioned how pleased they were with our top five best selling shell’s Top Five Challenge special pricing and free shipping, so we are going to do our best to continue that as long as we can. Thanks for your business and the kind words.

Ted Nugent, musician, and outspoken advocate of sport shooting is a regular headliner at NRA shows. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard him debate an anti-gun journalist, but he’s one clear thinking and articulate speaker. I was happy to have a chance to talk to him at the show and even happier to hear that he likes shooting B&P shells. He very enthusiastically related that B&P shells are “awesome!” Thanks Ted.

Our John Palazzo and Jeannie Bolda will be at the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) U.S. Open at the Cajun Elite Shooting Complex in Jennings, Louisiana, May 27th through June 1. Sporting clays shooters from all 50 States and several foreign countries are expected to attend. John and Jeannie hope to see you in Jennings.

Good luck and good shooting,

John

Top Five Challenge

admin — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:40:18 +0000

By John Rymark

Head of Quality Affairs

The last time I wrote to you, I could only offer the bad news that China’s lead consumption was turning the value of lead into gold. Unfortunately, there isn’t an end in sight to the lead situation.

Fortunately, at the end of the year we followed our own advice and stocked up on more shells than usual. We also took advantage of a discount on a special high volume purchase. We’re doing our best to keep the prices down on the entire product line while also passing on special pricing for our top five best selling shells. Here’s the challenge; take a look at some of the best known sporting goods distributor’s 2008 catalogues. If their best quality shells can even match our pricing below, I’ll bet they don’t include free-of-charge shipping to the lower 48 States. If their shell pricing and shipping are identical to B&P, B&P reduced recoil and consistently symmetrical pattern “Gordon System” makes them the better buy. Take the challenge, take a look, while they last.

PRODUCT                       GAUGE       CASE     LEAD    SHOT      FPS     CASE     PRICE
COMPETITION 2000        12              2 ¾         1 oz         8              1160       250         $78.38
COMPETITION 2000        12              2 ¾         1 oz         7.5          1160       250         $78.38
F2 LEGEND                        12              2 ¾         1 oz         7.5          1230       250         $85.06
SPORTING CLAY              12              2 ¾         1 oz         7.5          1260       250         $81.03
SPORTING CLAY              12              2 ¾         1 oz         8              1260       250         $81.03

Thank you for visiting. Good luck and good shooting,

John

Lead Turning Into Gold

admin — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:41:48 +0000

By John W. Rymark

Head of Quality Affairs, Kaltron

As you know, we don’t bother our customers very often with emails. When we do it’s usually worth the time to take a look. Something has just come up that we felt was important to pass along to our loyal and valued customers.

Chinese industry is very busy turning Lead in Gold. Well not literally, though by this time we’ve all heard about China’s automobile battery production for overseas and domestic sales. The lion’s share of the world’s available lead is going into automobile batteries. The shell manufacturers can not compete with the battery manufacturers for best lead pricing. For the past three years or so we’ve watched this play out and hoped that the rising price of lead would slow or better yet level off. It has only gotten worse.

B&P Italy has just informed us of another upward surge in lead prices. As before, there is nothing the world’s shell manufacturers can do, but to raise pricing on their shells. We had the price of the next couple of containers of shells locked in, or so we thought. Italy just informed us that soaring lead prices makes previously quoted pricing impossible. Our next containers of shells, at higher pricing, will arrive next month. We’ve got stock at current pricing while it lasts. Though when our current stock is exhausted, we will have to increase our pricing to keep pace with what we have to pay for the shells.

As the prices continue to increase there will be some shooters who will give up accuracy, best patterning, for lower priced shells. They’ll say the only way they can afford to continue their sport shooting is for them to buy cheaper shells. Personally, I’d rather make one or two fewer outings a year and use the best equipment and supplies to better enjoy the individual experience. As I age and have watched persons younger than I succumb to being on the wrong side of the life expectancy bell-curve, I try to make each outing the best that it can be.

I am writing to let our regular customers know what’s happening with the price of shells, why, and to give you an opportunity to save some money. Believe me, stocking up right now at current pricing for this fall and next year’s shooting will be well worth your time.

Thank you for your business. Good luck and good shooting.

John

B&P 2007; IMPROVES PRICING & INCLUDES SHIPPING

admin — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:39:16 +0000

By Bob Trownsell

President, Kaltron-Pettibone

The world renowned shotgun shell maker, Baschieri & Pellagri (B&P) of Italy, and our company Kaltron, as their exclusive distributor in the States, have very good news for our customers. On February 1st, Kaltron implemented lower pricing on our competition shells and began free-of-charge shipping to the lower forty-eight States.

Over the past few years, one shell maker after another has been forced to raise their prices in response soaring raw materials costs. China has gone from an exporter to an importer of lead. Virtually all of this lead is going into automobile batteries made for the world’s car manufacturers. The relatively small amount of lead used, compared to battery makers, leaves shell manufacturers in a poor bargaining position. The cost of plastic resin has also dramatically increased. We’re all too familiar with increased costs at the gas pump.

B&P is more aware of raw materials costs than most, as B&P sells some of their shell components to both European and domestic manufactures. B&P’s famous Gualandi wad is an example of one of their premium components which enhances the performance of select shells in competitor’s lines. B&P has had to answer to its customers and its competitors alike on manufacturing costs. You might ask, why does B&P offer its components to competitors? This is done to enjoy a better economy of scale. B&P is the only manufacturer to enjoy the total performance of using all B&P premium components and the enhanced results they bring.

We are pleased to announce that we are lowering the price on B&P competition shells and including free-of-charge shipping to the lower forty-eight States. For some time, we’ve had the advantage of being the most technologically advanced and best performing shell on the market, but also among the most costly.

Yet, America thrives on competition and an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a people who try new things and exploit new technologies for their competitive advantage. Thanks to that innovative spirit, in spite of costs, B&P sales have steadily increased to a point that we’ve now established an economy of scale. As more shells were made, the manufacturing cost per shell decreased. In keeping with this spirit, we are passing these savings on to give even more shooters the opportunity of experiencing B&P’s patented Gordon System recoil reducing technology. Please tell your friends, that they now have the opportunity to experience the reduced recoil and exquisite patterning of 100% B&P shells, made totally with B&P components, at improved pricing and with free-of-charge shipping.

Good luck and good shooting.

President Guarantees The “LEGEND”

admin — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 16:17:41 +0000

By Bob Trownsell

President, Kaltron-Pettibone
I’ve never heard of a shotgun shell manufacturer or distributor that had so much confidence in their shells that they’d pay for the shipping of two full cases, not boxes, of shells anywhere in the Lower 48 States, just to give you a chance to shoot them. And, I’m sure no one has ever said if the first case of shells doesn’t improve your shooting score just send the second case of shells back for the full return of its purchase price, no questions asked.

Well now you’ve heard it. I’m giving you a chance to experience the greatest technological advancement in the shotgun shell of all time. They say in real estate, its location, location, location. In all of sports it’s, consistency, consistency, consistency.

When you indulge in buying the highest quality shotgun you can afford, you do it to ensure the trigger pull, release, and each mechanism within that piece of equipment is functioning precisely, in the same way, each and every time. That expensive piece of iron is pretty, but more importantly it’s consistent.

However, once the shot leaves that impeccably crafted piece of equipment, it’s all up to the performance of the shell. The most expensive gun can’t make up for asymmetrical shot. Whether the shot is non-spherical from the factory or has been deformed in acceleration, it won’t fly in a symmetrical pattern and place the greatest shot density on target.

B&P starts with the most spherical and beautifully polished shot in the industry. Then B&P’s places this shot in their Gordon System hull. This exclusive three piece conical design with integral miniature shock absorber reduces recoil and very importantly shot deformation. Consistency, consistency, consistency, in shot flight and pattern is the key.

So here’s your chance to experience these incredible shells. While supplies last, if you buy two cases of B&P F2 Legend, 12 gauge, 1 ounce, 1230 fps, 7.5 shot shells from Kaltron Inc., at our regular price, I will pay for their shipping anywhere in the Lower 48 States. And, if your shooting score doesn’t improve with the first case of these shells, return the second unopened, undamaged case for the full return of its purchase price, less return shipping, no questions asked. Just plug in Coupon Code F2C2 when prompted at the time of your internet purchase of these shells.

Good luck and good shooting.

Meet The B&P People

admin — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 16:24:34 +0000

By Bob Trownsell President, Kaltron-Pettibone

Kaltron-Pettibone is the exclusive importer of Baschieri & Pellagri (B&P) shells in the United States. We’re very proud to be associated with our Italian colleagues and to be selling these incredible shells here in the States.As you might expect, I’m also very proud of our company’s people who represent B&P shells for us so well. I’d like you to have the opportunity to meet them. There are a couple of up coming events they’ll be attending and they’re looking forward to meeting you.

Don Golembieski, our Technical Director, and who you know from his blogs, will be at the Sporting Clays Nationals in San Antonio, Texas from September 12^th through the 17^th. You can’t miss the Nationals. He’ll be shooting, but he’ll try to talk to as many people as possible.

Accompanying Don will be our Jeannie Bolda. Jeannie is a National Sales Representative, as well as our Product Manager for Vihtavouri smokeless powder and Lapua components and finished ammunition. She’s been a member of the sporting arms community a lot longer than her youthful appearance suggests. If you’d like to talk to her about the availability of shells for your personal use, or to discuss volume purchases for resale, or for your range, she’d like to meet you. Jeannie will be cutting up some B&P shells so you can better appreciate the unique shell design and the exceptional quality of the components.

John Palazzo, B&P Product Manager, will be attending the Orvis Sandanona, Second Annual Shot Gun Classic in Mill Brook, New York, September 14^th and 15^th. This is the second time Kaltron-Pettibone, under the B&P flag, has had the privilege of being a sponsor of this excellent event that brings in so many great shooters from all over the country. John is an avid grouse and pheasant hunter and also gets out to the range as much as possible. I don’t think you could find a more personable or knowledgeable shotgun enthusiast. John too will be happy to discuss the attributes of various B&P shells, opportunities to purchase shells for your personal use or resale. He’ll be cutting up some B&P shells for your inspection as well. It’s really worth a look.

Good luck and good shooting.

New Products 2006

admin — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 20:00:18 +0000

By Don GolembieskiB&P Technical Director

Baschieri & Pellagri of Northern Italy has been a family owned and operated business for generations. Like the famed Ferrari automobile artisans, B&P has raised the manufacture of their shotgun shells to the highest level of quality and pride in craftsmanship. As you would expect, neither of these companies would ever sacrifice quality for quantity.

For instance on quality, B&P’s shot is definitely a cut above the rest. It’s the pinnacle of shot quality, with its uniform diameters and roundness that produce superior pattern qualities across the entire line. They also tailor antimony for hunting and different targets, use a special Moly like coating in their Diamond Line, as well as have some nickel plated loads. B&P’s Gulandi wads are world renowned by shooters and reloaders. They match each unique wad to the load to produce the best patterning, uniformity and shot density. There’s quite a variety of wads too, ranging from low temperature ice resistant wads to photodegradable, to dispersant or spreader loads as they are referred to here in the US, to their incredibly accurate slug wad. By the way, these slug loads are the most accurate I have ever fired.

I know you’ve heard it all before, but until you have tried the Gordon System you won’t believe it. It’s a three piece hull design with a shock absorber incorporated into the base. Think about shock absorbers did for the ride in your car. It reduces recoil, and as a side benefit it cushions the resulting thrust of the shot on ignition. This aids in better shot uniformity, fewer little dents in the shot, which produces more uniform patterns. So there you have the complete Shot Shell System that B&P is famous for.

Now, even the largest shell manufacturer is reluctant to add another shell to their product line. This is even a bigger decision for a smaller volume, high quality, specialty manufacturer like B&P. It’s a big decision, because manufacturers don’t feel that they are adding as many new customers as redistributing the purchases of their existing customers. In theory, purchasing spreads out more across the line by offering more choices which drives up the production cost of each shell.

After considerable discussion, we’re pleased to be adding some really nice shells to the B&P American line. The new 28 gauge shells have already arrived. The rest of the new shells will come in mid-September.

The 28 gauge has been a making a modest comeback in the States. Unfortunately, world-wide usage isn’t as good. Consequently, this Spring B&P decided to shut down 28 gauge production indefinitely. Our 28 gauge shooters were panic stricken. So, our President came to the rescue by buying a full container load of 28 gauge shells to enable a production run. The 28s are back in the same 7.5 and 8 shot, but their velocity has been kicked up from 1230 fps to 1300 fps. There’ll be plenty of clays and upland birds a droppin to these 28 gauge beauties.

Our current F2 Legend in 20 gauge, with a velocity of 1210 fps, will remain available in both 7/8 oz and 1 oz loads. However, we’ll be adding a F2 Legend, 20 gauge, only in 7/8 oz, and only in 7.5 shot, that will do 1280 fps. This shell is intended for the Sporting Clays venues as well as a light recoil hunting load.

Our MB Long Range, 12 gauge, at 1330 fps, is famous for bringing down rooster pheasants that seemed almost out of range. Outfitters swear by these shells. They are a Nickel Plated load. Utilizing our very high quality shot as a base, then plated. We feel this nickel aerodynamics enhancer provides better energy transfer at distance. Camps can be split on use for flyer loads but here’s your chance to prove your point with the new 7.5 shot size. Look for our MB Long Range, 12 gauge, 1 ¼ oz, at 1330, with nickel plating, and the rest of the MB Long Range Line in 4,5, and 6 shot sizes.

The Sporting Clays 12 gauge shell at 1260 fps was only offered in 7.5 and 8.5 shot. Why? I don’t’ know. I think it was just an oversight. Soon, the Sporting Clays in 1 oz and 1 1/8 oz will also be offered in 8 shot. No mystery here, it’s about time.

Finally, the MB Dispersante (dispersal shell or spreader loads here in the USA), 12 gauge, 1 1/8 oz, 6, 7, 8, at 1330 fps had been in the line, but it was terminated just as it began to have a following. Dispersal shells have been around for many years, but they remain little known to most shooters. These shells rely on either a paper or plastic disc placed at the top of the shot column. You’ve got it, the wind resistance forces the disc back and in flight and elliptically disperses the shot pattern. For real quick shots at grouse, quail or pheasants in heavy cover, dispersal shells will pay off. On the range, they’ll take some of the guess work out of those pesky rabbit targets.

Adios, and good shooting.

SPORTING CLAYS BEST BALANCE

admin — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 15:18:11 +0000

By Don Golembieski

B&P Technical Director

We get calls from customers every day asking two now familiar questions. Why should I use your shells and which is best for Sporting Clays? Well, I wouldn’t steer you wrong, but here in Arizona we’re a skeptical bunch of cusses. So, I invite you to listen to what I say and then see if it makes sense to you.

We all know that if the lead shot weight (i.e. 7/8 oz, 1 oz, 1 1/8 oz) remains the same, the challenge becomes striking a personal balance between velocity and recoil. Enough velocity lets the shot reach out and touch a clay target before it disappears in the distance or travels behind a tree or other obstruction. Unfortunately, more velocity means more recoil. It’s that old “equal and opposite reaction” coming into play. More recoil means more discomfort and greater sight recovery time. Recoil is one factor in choosing a shell.

B&P has the only shells with the patented Gordon System. The Gordon System places a miniature shock absorber in the base of each three piece construction hull. This system results in less recoil and fewer deformed shot pellets. Fewer deformed shot means more symmetrical patterns, and better pattern density. So, with other brands of shells you must either reduce velocity or lead weight to feel the same recoil as with the comparable B&P. Giving up velocity or shot weight is a poor trade-off when you can keep’em both with B&P. The most technologically advanced shell design is another factor.

B&P is known for premium performance and premium pricing. This is because B&P invests more in quality checks, technologically advanced components, and more labor intensive powders, than any other manufacturer. The old adage, “you get what you pay for,” remains true. It’s true when comparing brand to brand, and also true when comparing shell to shell within each brand. Why’s that? Well, it costs more for additional quality checks and to form more complex plastic components. A shell that provides the most consistent pattern with best shot density is also a critical factor.

Even within the B&P shell line, there is an internal range of components and powders. While each a Gordon System shell, B&P performance and pricing increase from the base shell, the Competition 2000, to the F2 Legend, Sporting Clay, F2 Mach, and finally to the Sporting Clays Ultra Velocity. Sure, now I factor in econmics.

Now, for the best balance of all of these factors, I’d say my preference for Sporting Clays is our F2 Legend, 1 oz, 1230 fps, in 7.5 shot. This sweet shoot’n shell really crunches biodegradable, fast dropping battues, and rabbit targets. As you’d imagine from a great Sporting Clays shell, it also does a great job of harvesting game like dove and quail.

Say, I almost forgot. Our President has so much confidence in this shell, that he’s planning a Legend promotional sale unlike anything you’ve ever seen for a shotgun shell. Watch for the Late-Summer announcement. This will be your chance to experience the Legend, and to become a legend.

Adios, and good shooting.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE COST OF SHELLS?

admin — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:14:48 +0000

By Don Golembieski

B&P Technical Director

I’m Don Golembieski, the Technical Director for Kaltron-Pettibone (Kaltron) which represents Baschieri & Pellagri (B&P) of Italy. As you might already know, B&P makes the patented Gordon System shotgun shells that provide reduced recoil and consistent shot patterns. I couldn’t be happier representing these incredible shells.

I’m from Arizona, so I’m about as American and as plain a speaker as you can get. I’m a precision machinist, gun smith, firearms and ammunition technical consultant, as well as a competitive shooter, and have been all of my adult life. Combining technology with the shear fun of shooting and it couldn’t get any better. So, from time to time I’ll be posting some insights and what’s happenings blogs for B&P.

Well, let’s get down to it. You know, politics, the courts, and world oil prices have made us all pretty dog-gone sensitive and suspicious. So, when anything goes up in price it’s a conspiracy.

Partner, like you, I’m used to being on the questioning side, not the answer giving side. Now I’ll do my best to tell you why the cost of B&P shells have increased so much since the previous distributor.

Would you have ever believed there would be a world-wide shortage of lead? Aren’t they getting that nasty old lead out of everything? No, it turns out that there is more need for lead for car batteries and other products than ever before. China had always been an exporter of lead, and now they only import. The price of raw lead has increased 40% over the past two years. On top of that, the energy and labor needed to make finished lead shot cost even more than the raw lead.

Then there’s the 50% increase in the cost of plastic. The hull, wad, and our patented Gordon System shock absorber in the base of each shell are all made of plastic resin. You guessed it, plastic is made from oil. All you have to do is watch the nightly news and the meter on the local gas pump to see which way that one is going.

If this all wasn’t bad enough, the American Dollar has lost 40% of its value compared to the Euro. Inflation, deflation, manufacturing jobs, whatever, we’ve got to pay 40% more for European products. That’s all that matters.

On the other hand, someone might say why didn’t some of the other brands of shells go up in cost as much as B&P? The bad news for B&P is that their competitors are so big that they’ve stock piled a mountain of shells made when materials cost less. The good news for B&P is, by being smaller they can put a lot more quality checks into every batch of shells, and coupled with the patented Gordon System, they are the most consistent patterning shells in the world.

Like I said, I’ve been a sponsored shooter for most of my life and its consistency, consistency, consistency. I’ve found shooting cheaper, lower quality ammunition costs more in the long run. Was it your lead or the ammunition that missed that shot? From the novice to the veteran shooter you’ll spend a lot more time, ammunition, and money with cheaper shells. Partner, when the next shot really counts, don’t count on the poor pattern of a cheap shell.

Adios, and good shooting.