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The Hunter’s Telescope
By Ron Spomer
There is no magic in a spotting scope; it just looks that way. Photo: Spotting scopes are ideal for open-country hunting, but they also can be used to spy on isolated fields in the east and Midwest, often from miles away. There were nine of us sharing the alpine tundra just below the snow line in Alaska’s gorgeous Chugach Range. It was early ... READ MORE
Chronograph Reliability
By John Haviland
Many variables can affect velocity readings. Here’s how to set up for best results. Photo: Setting up a chronograph so bullets pass straight and about 6 inches over the top of the photo sensors helps produce precise readings. A chronograph reveals a lot about rifle and pistol cartridges, from velocity to consistency. But how do you know wheth... READ MORE
Legacy of the ’98 Mauser
By Jon R. Sundra
Can you think of any 19th century product still being made and used today? Such is the genius of Peter Paul Mauser’s M98. Photo: One of the finest examples of the Mauser ’98 was the 1909 contract built at the DWM factory for the Argentine government. The machining and smoothness of the action have never been surpassed in any commercial ... READ MORE
Return of the Bolt-Action Slug Gun
By Dave Henderson
Turnbolt shotguns are the hottest tickets in slug gun shooting today. Photo: Savage bolt actions have a reputation for outstanding accuracy. Among deer hunters in the shotguns-only environs of rural New York a half-century ago, it was common knowledge that Ithaca Gun and Remington Arms made shotguns, and every other company just tried real hard. Th... READ MORE
Muzzleloader Myths
By Ralph M. Lermayer
Voodoo ballistics and other misconceptions still abound in blackpowder shooting. Photo: This double barrel rifle from Traditions provides the fastest second shot possible with a muzzleloading rifle. It’s also deadly accurate with the right load. Prior to the 1980s, hunting with muzzleloaders was confined to a small cadre of traditionalists, h... READ MORE
Classic Styling is Everlasting
By Tom Turpin
Jack O’Connor’s favorite Model 70s are great examples of timeless elegance in rifle design. Photo: Two of the author’s custom rifles based on Model 70 actions. The top rifle wears a stock of New Zealand walnut. The bottom rifle is in Circassian walnut. It makes little difference whether comparing boats, cars, watches or firearms. ... READ MORE
Duh! It’s the Barrel
By Jon R. Sundra
Factors to consider when buying or rebarreling a hunting gun. Photo: H-S Precision is one of a handful of makers using the traditional hook method of rifling. The process can be done after the barrel is contoured, and it need not be stress relieved afterward. There are many ways to make a rifle more accurate. Bolt lugs can be lapped to evenly distr... READ MORE
Those Sweet Single Shots
By Ron Spomer
One-shooters don’t have obvious advantages over repeaters, but there are some. In this age of sub-MOA autoloading AR rifles, why would anyone bother with a single shot? Single shots are not for firepower, efficiency or enhanced productivity. Single shots are for joy. For romance. Challenge. Sometimes, beauty and elegance. A single shot is to ... READ MORE
Predator Calling Setup
By Ralph M. Lermayer
Electronic callers make predator hunting easy. Here’s where to set up and what firepower to bring for success. The introduction and rapid acceptance of wireless remote-controlled electronic callers has moved predator hunting from a sport enjoyed by a small part of the hunting community into the fastest-growing segment of the shooting sports. ... READ MORE
Best Scopes for the Buck
By Ron Spomer
Shop carefully, and you can find an inexpensive scope that hangs with you year in and year out. When you raise your rifle at sunset and the scope shows a bright orange haze instead of the buck standing at the edge of the timber, the answer to the question “Did I spend enough on my scope?” is no. The orange haze incident actually happene... READ MORE
Belly Down for Accuracy
By Clair Rees
Prone isn’t the fastest shooting position – nor is it always practical, but it’s by far the steadiest. Photo: When shooting from prone in mountain country, a backpack adds steadiness. It was a wild, exhausting stalk. Guide Reg Collingwood and I had spent five grueling hours climbing to the crest of British Columbia’s Skeena ... READ MORE
Whatever Happened to Walnut?
By Jon R. Sundra
Beautiful in color and grain, walnut is the most traditional material for stocking a sporting rifle. Photo: High-grade guns like this Sauer 303 are traditionally stocked in fancy grades of walnut, such as this example of Turkish origin. Walnut cannot be matched for beauty, but there are more efficient stocking mediums. When I was growing up in the ... READ MORE
Short Magnums: A Flash in the Pan?
By Jon R. Sundra
The short, fat case design was a step forward, although a small one, in cartridge development. Photo: In 1998, gun writer Rick Jamison, in cooperation with Ruger and Winchester, developed the .300 JRW, but it never made it to market. The author actually used Winchester-loaded cartridges and a Ruger rifle to take a Texas nilgai that year. For ... READ MORE
Five Guns Worth Finding
By Jon R. Sundra
These hunting guns are no longer made, but are well worth seeking on the used gun market. Photo: Top: Winchester Model 9422. Center: Remington Nylon 66. The Nylon 66’s unique construction and looks were far ahead of its time. It remains the best-selling rimfire rifle in the history of Remington Arms. Bottom: Remington Model 788. O... READ MORE
Stock Options
By Ron Spomer
Got an inaccurate rifle? Maybe it’s time for a different handle. Photo: One of the most unusual stocks on any rifle is this weird combination of walnut and metal on the Browning Buck Mark Rifle, a conversion from an autoloading pistol. There was a time not long ago when a rifle was fitted with a wooden handle designed to aid the operator in u... READ MORE